Aug 14, 2014 | internet
So far in 2014, net neutrality has been one of the most hot button technological issues around. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) knows this. In fact, it asked the public for their thoughts.
And the public spoke loud and clear. So far, well over a million Americans commented on keeping the Internet free and equal. In fact, traffic was so intense the FCC’s platform on this issue had to be temporarily shut down. The last time the FCC saw this much traffic was Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction in Super Bowl 2004. The vast majority of the comments support net neutrality, or some kind of Internet equality. Fifteen percent of those say a pay-to-play Internet will harm the Internet. Nine percent say all content should be equal. Five percent say these new regulations will only help the corporations. Not all were so quick to jump on the net neutrality bandwagon, but 80% were.
My favorite sentiments were, “New regulations allow big business to harm start-ups and the American people,” and “The government is corrupted by corporate interest.” From what I know about this issue, if online companies are allowed to repackage and recharge people, the rich will get richer, consumers will get burned, and those trying to start online companies will probably be hindered. I don’t know how true the ‘government is corrupted by corporate interest’ statement is, but I’m glad people contacted the FCC and let them know how they felt about net neutrality. I’m glad the numbers and comments were so high in favor of neutrality. Maybe Washington will get the message. Come to think of it, I’m glad this message is being sent right before mid-term election time. Let’s keep the pressure up. Maybe them and the corporate technology world will listen. Where do you stand on net neutrality?
Aug 13, 2014 | General, Humor, internet
Now I know that only 1 in 10 people out there are left handed. So Left Handers Day is a day for the little guy. Being a fellow left hander myself, I have suffered as most of my life not being able to do certain things. Or sometimes just making a remedial task for a right-handed person a pain in the butt for me. One such example is how i have always wanted to play shortstop in softball, but being a lefty, I am not allowed over there. In my younger days I played ice hockey and whenever I needed a new goalie stick, there was only one brand, and 1 stick to choose from, sometimes it’s just not fair.
Working as an accountant and in the technology industry I run into Left handers problems all the time, below are 18 of the worst things that you as a left-handed person have to deal with:
So on this Left Handers Day, pay tribute to those of us that have to suffer, especially those ?wearing the left-handed hand gaurd while writing out your paychecks. Or give your lefty secretary a sticky note pad rather than that 3-ring binder that has been killing her hand for years. Buy a lefty lunch today, and be thankful you don’t have to use those scissors…
Aug 13, 2014 | Malware, Security
In 2013, whistle blower Edward Snowden told us about the NSA’s extreme surveillance programs. Snowden revealed the NSA was listening in on our smartphones and reading our computers. Now there’s been another revelation.
But this one might be a more welcome one. It’s called Monster Mind. Monster Mind is supposed to be a cyber defense system that fights and neutralizes foreign cyber attacks against the US. It can also launch an attack against perpetrators. This program can find malicious international tracking and find, then blocks threats from around the globe. One computer science professor says if the NSA knows how malicious calculations can lead to a cyber attack, and I do believe they have the knowledge, then they can be stopped before they get started. Remember the 20th century Cold War era? They had programs that could allegedly shoot down and stop potential nuclear missiles. Monster Mind would be similar to that in the Internet world. Let’s say international hackers built malware to wipe out US banks of billions of dollars, or build codes to rob the FBI or other US agencies of security secrets, or a worm was built to disrupt the air traffic controller system or train system or highway grid system. The NSA’s Monster Mind system can counter that before any damage can be done.
Not only that, Snowden believes Monster Mind can launch a counter attack with no human intervention. Not surprising, the NSA refuses to comment about Monster Mind, or if it’s even real. On paper, this sounds like a great concept. Let’s not be naive: there are hackers out there who would love to do us harm. So if we can stop the madness before it stops, we should..or should we? Snowden brings up ethics to Monster Mind. In order to spot the malicious traffic, all traffic would have to be analyzed and watched, which could violate the US Constitution’s Fourth Amendment. So is the NSA’s Monster Mind program a good deal?
Aug 12, 2014 | Computer technology, General, Software
In our weekly video today we are going to talk about an under rated installer called Ninite.? This is a pretty impressive type of installer.? All you have to do is go to ninite.com and look at all of the applications that can be installed.? To give you an example of why Ninite is so valuable, take for example Skype.? Typically you have to go through a whole process when installing these programs.? With Ninite you don’t have to go through all of sign up and information gathering.
Another great program that is a must have for many Windows 8 owners is Classic Start.? As you know with Windows 8 there is no Windows start button and if you have upgraded to Windows 8.1 the start button takes you to the tile screen.? Everyone I have spoken too hates these new “improvements” to the Windows platform.? Well the Classic Start program does exactly what it says in the title.? It gives you back your classic start button.? With this you can click on your start button and not be taken to that tile screen but instead have original start button that just brings up a column of applications and folders to select from like the good old days of Windows 7.? A program like this is really key for those who want to get the latest operating system Microsoft has to offer but not have to deal with some of the more glaring issues of the new operating system.
So there you have it.? Ninite is a must goto installer if you are starting fresh with a new computer or even reinstalled your operating system on your old computer.? Either way it saves? you time and hassle with installing pretty much any program you need that is free.
Aug 12, 2014 | Computer technology
I took a cab recently from Cambridge, MA to downtown Boston, MA. The cabbie complained the new taxi flagging app Uber was going to disrupt and even ruin his business. Is this 30+ year taxi driver right?
From Cambridge to Silicon Valley, From United Kingdom to Israel, the same conversations are taking place. Travel agents complain Expedia has ruined their business. Music executives and many musicians complain iTunes and You Tube are disrupting their business. I’ve heard business owners say review sites and social media are disrupting them. But let’s look closer. If you’re the owner of a major corporation, you have nothing to worry about. If you’re a corporate CEO, you’ve never had it better. Nearly half of all existing businesses have been around for at least 10 years, compared to a third back in 1990. In 2013, top CEOs made 331 times that of the average American worker. In 1983, they only made 46 times that of ordinary Americans. If you’re planning to start a business or are a small business owner, you’re the one whose more likely to be disrupted. Even in the Silicon Valley, the start-up failure rate is higher than ever before. And anyone starting a business has a 27% chance of failure within the first year, the highest it’s ever been.
Well, look at how mega companies, especially tech companies, are eating smaller companies faster than Pac Man used to eat up dots. Here are a few: Facebook buys What’s App. Google buys Spider io. Amazon buys Double Helix. Apple buys Beats Headphones. I come to the conclusion technology is helping corporate America and is disrupting smaller businesses. If tech companies keep getting bigger like this, they’re going to be too big to fail. If they’re too big to fail, they’ll be too big to care. So is big technology disrupting corporate America, or is it disrupting the American?entrepreneur spirit?
Aug 11, 2014 | Computer Repair, General, Humor, internet, News
You’ve been seeing it for a while now, and I’m sure your Facebook News feed is flooded with the videos. The Ice Bucket Challenge. When I,?Matt Mackey was called out by a fellow teammate last week, I wanted to do the challenge really bad. Being the glutton for punishment that I am, it looked like a lot of fun. The only issue I had was the rules that I had seen on the challenge called for you to do the challenge or donate $100 to help fight ALS through The Pete Frates Fund. I wanted to do both, no strike that, we ALL should be doing both. If you have $3 to go out to the store and buy a bag of ice to dump on your head, then you have $5 to give to a great cause. You don’t have to give the full $100 just whatever you can, because it all helps.
Take 15 minutes out of your day and look up ALS and become more aware of how this disease is affecting people, because AWARENESS is what Pete Frates wants.?The challenge started in Massachusetts with former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2012. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, loss of the use of arms and legs and difficulty speaking, breathing and swallowing.
Geek Choice Donated the $100 asked for the challenge along with taking the Ice Bucket Challenge, right here in front of our office. Watch the video below and see me get cold and wet.
Also I would like to take this time to congratulate My Softball team The Juggernauts?for not only taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge themselves, along with making donations, but on their Championship win this past Saturday at The Hub Softball Summer Showdown Tournament! As a team, not only did they help strikeout ALS, but they struck out their opponents too!
To Donate to this great cause go to Petefrates.com and click the donate button. Feel free to take the Ice Bucket Challenge too, as we here at Geek Choice challenge EVERYONE!!!!
Aug 11, 2014 | Computer Repair, Entertainment
I had a feeling this day would come. A popular magazine asked young people ages 13-18 who are their favorite celebrities today.
Over 1,500 teens were asked to choose their favorite celebrities based on approachability, authenticity, and positive influence, among other qualities. Of the top 20 celebs that made the list, the top five were You Tube personalities. In fact, half of those who made the list were YouTube stars. That’s Right folks YouTube Outshines Hollywood! The top 5 You Tube celebs include Smosh (who took the #1 spot), The Fine Bros,? and Ryan Higa. Top Hollywood celebs on the list include the late Paul Walker, Jennifer Lawrence and Katy Perry. According to the many teens surveyed, YouTube stars are more engaging and extraordinary.
But the magazine article says there is a danger if YouTube stars go to Hollywood. They could lose their credibility. But that’s the danger of anyone who wants to get in the entertainment business and remain in good standing with your fans. I think a lot of entertainers today forget that. That’s one reason half this list is made of YouTube stars. I testify myself there are some days and nights I don’t even turn on the TV. I just keep my computer or device on You Tube and other social media aspects. Often times, the entertainment is even better. I don’t know about you, but YouTube celebs just feel more…human.? Think about this: who is more likely to sign your autograph, Smosh or Madonna?
Aug 10, 2014 | internet, networking
Ever see a movie or TV show that is so bad you can’t help but go see it again? Is the Facebook Messenger App in that category?
The Facebook Messenger app is the number one free app in the App Store today. It also has the dreaded one star rating. Many people are very upset since Facebook forced Apple and Android device users into Facebook Messenger. This app is nothing new. It was created in 2011, but users have been hesitant on using it; now it’s being pushed onto the consumer. The one star rating is in App Stores all over the world, okay, maybe some nations have mercy and give it a two star rating. The only reason still has a four star rating on Android is because Android combines the old Facebook app and the new messenger app ratings. And even there, the reviews on Facebook Messenger are hardly anything good.
Every concern imaginable, from poor uploading to privacy issues, is what’s holding Facebook back. Previous changes haven’t worked so well for them either. I’ve been asked, “How is this any different than what Microsoft did to Windows XP back in April?” Well, by April, Windows had newer and better versions, so most people were comfortable with switching. Facebook Messenger App was the only plan, and few are happy with it. Plus, nobody really likes to be forced into doing something. That’s just human nature. People have gotten so comfortable with the old Facebook app and now to change everything is a breeding ground for disgruntle consumers. Will Facebook learn anything from this?
Aug 9, 2014 | Computer Repair, Entertainment
Netfix is obviously a household name, and with blockbusters shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black going viral, they’ll only get bigger. Amazon’s Prime Instant Video is taking off. Now CBS wants some.
CBS is producing and backing shows that will be streaming online only, as well as selling reruns to Netflix and other entertainment streamers. A CBS spokesperson says talks are in the works to sell shows to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and others. These streaming services commission studios like CBS to make new series for them, and buy exclusive rights to air them for a certain amount of time.
So what kind of shows will CBS produce for these online streamers? I can see news and talk shows being peddled. I can definitely see reality trash…I meant reality TV being sold. America can’t seem to get enough. Or maybe more franchises of CSI or NCIS will be sold. Those have been going strong. Needless to say, television is changing. Gone are the days of three, four or five networks competing for our viewership. Gone are the days of thirty, forty or fifty networks competing for us. Instead of watching TV around on a big screen, we can watch it on our phones. This moves proves CBS understands that, and they’re not afraid to branch out into this new order. Will NBC, ABC, Fox, and others join them?
Aug 8, 2014 | internet, Security
Yahoo is one of the most popular email service providers today. It’s also one of the most hacked. Now Yahoo is fighting back. At a Black Hat Conference in Las Vegas, Yahoo officials announced end-to-end capabilities for all Yahoo Mail users. This should be ready in 2015. End-to-end encryption is like a narrow tunnel exclusively for the email sender and receiver, squeezing uninvited parties like cyber hackers and dare I say it, government agencies out. The ironic thing is, Yahoo was one of the last email carriers to provide SSL encryption. They only did this after they found out lack of SSL encryption gave the NSA better opportunity to read and collect our email addresses and address books.? They’re also working to build end-to-end encryption for a mobile app. Now I already know what skeptics are saying. They’re probably saying this isn’t going to change much, if hackers want to get in, they’re going to, the NSA will find another way to get in, etc. But let’s give Yahoo Mail for trying to do something. Of course, Google Chrome already has an end-to-end encryption. But if trail and error and competition is what it took to get Yahoo to launch so a program, then better late than never. I wonder how many email consumers Yahoo lost because of lack of protection. So I say let’s give this program a chance. Do you think end-to-end encryption will keep Yahoo emails safer?
