Nov 3, 2013 | General, networking
Several weeks ago, I talked about tech billionaires like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and their initiative to get everyone in the world Internet access. But Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates isn’t on board.
According to one recent interview, Gates called this initiative ‘a joke’. He talked about a malaria vaccine that he’s working on, and asked which was more important…health or online connection. He seems to insists we should meet people’s more basic needs, like access to quality food and clean water. Bill Gates and his wife Melinda has been on the front lines of global issues for a long time. Since the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was founded in 1994, they’ve raised tens of billions of dollars to help eradicate poverty and disease in developing nations. One project they’re working on is eradicating polio worldwide.
But Mark Zuckerberg is no philanthropy slouch either. A few years ago, he donated $100 million to Newark, NJ public schools, one of the most troubled school systems in the US. Personally, I’d like to see these two come together to fight global poverty. Gates is right on one hand: everyone in the world needs to have access to good food, clean water, decent clothes and shelter,? excellent medical care, good jobs, and an education. Zuckerberg is right too :In the 2010s, everyone should have the right to online access, regardless of where you live or what your income is. So I wish this bickering and putting down would stop and both would put their resources together and make a true change. Wouldn’t it be a Heaven on Earth if all 7 billion people of Earth were healthy and well connected? Where do you stand on this?
Nov 2, 2013 | networking, News, Wireless
For the longest time, we’ve been told to turn off our electronic devices during takeoff and landing during flights. Two major airlines are changing that.
Effective November 1, 2013, Jet Blue and Delta Airlines will allow their passengers to use devices anytime during flight. They’re not the only ones. Pretty soon, the FAA will lead the way to allow all airlines to allow devices anytime during flight. On one flight, Jet Blue touted they were the first airline to let this happen. But let’s not go totally crazy. Laptops must be stowed away during the whole flight. Other devices must be in airplane mode during the flight.
But why did Jet Blue and Delta become the first airlines to do this? Was this an attempt to boost their gates? Will it work? In some cases, I think it will. I don’t know when other flights will jump on board, but the longer they drag their feet, the better it will be with Jet Blue and Delta. When I fly, I’m cool with not using my phone or iPod touch during takeoff and landing. But I understand not everyone is. And in this busy 21st century ‘I wanted it done yesterday’ world, some people might need to have their devices on at all times during flight. Or what about if a baby is whooping and hollering during these times? That’s a good time to blast on the music. So I say kudos to Jet Blue, Delta and the FAA for these changes. How do you feel about this new ruling?
Nov 1, 2013 | Computer technology, Wireless
Apple launched it’s latest gadget today. It’s called the iPad Air. It’s the first iPad device that’s been released since early this year.
The iPad Air is being released in the US and 41 other countries starting this day, November 1, 2013. It weighs one pound. It’s 9.7 inches and thinner than the 4th generation iPad. It features the A7 processing chip and the M7 coprocessor. It has 1 GB of memory, can hold 16-128 GB of storage and 32.4Wh of battery. Keep in mind the previous iPad had most of these things (the 4th generation had 42.5Wh of battery).? Ipad Air only comes in silver and gray. It has two speakers that are said to be of good quality. This is the first iPad to have two microphones. Though the iPad Air may be colorless, there are Smart covers you can get in a range of colors. These will run you at least $39. The iPad air itself will cost $499.
Is this worth buying? I’m reading some mixed reviews on that one. But you know there are long lines over this device. There doesn’t seem to be much difference between this and previous iPads, which is a little disappointing. Also disappointing is the fact it only comes in two colors. We shouldn’t have to spend yet another 40 dollars or so to brighten an already expensive devise. But on the plus side, I wonder what it’s going to be like to have an iPad with two microphones. The size of this thing is a great selling point. The thinness is a beautiful thing. So I ask you: is the iPad Air worth buying?
Oct 31, 2013 | internet, networking
For years, Facebook has been a hub of socialization for teenagers. It was a demographic they could count on. Facebook won’t be counting on them for long.
According to Facebook itself, the last quarter was the first time ever they lost teen users. They finally own up to it after even Mark Zuckerberg denied this loss of it’s core group. It’s already hitting the stock market. Their share prices dropped as soon as this news was announced. Well, the last time I checked, stocks climbed back up. News about them beating Q3 earnings drove them up.
Let’s look at the why. The first reason is Snapchat. It has over 100 million users and takes 350 million snaps a day. I don’t know how many of these are teens or teen driven. But you know how they jump to the next big think. I’m guessing it’s a lot. And let’s face it, Facebook and teens haven’t been best friends socially. The social media site has been linked to cyber bullying, though Facebook has put up a vigilant effort to fight and stop it. Then they’re other consequences. There’s been several news stories about people getting fired and/or not getting hired for ‘inappropriate’ posts and pictures on their FB page. Don’t even get me started on that one. But fewer and fewer teens want to even take that risk.
I say just let nature take it’s course. Another reason for the teen drop-off is they realize Facebook is something the older people do. What kid wants to do what older people do? And they’re right. Facebook uses among people over 21 is skyrocketing. What I suggest is they put their advertising focus on this group. But this leaves me with one question: Are teenagers logging off Facebook on their own or are helicopter parents logging off for them?
Oct 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
So you don’t hear as much about Nintendo these days…well…compared to Xbox and Playstation. To some people, if you mention Nintendo, they’ll think a gaming system they used to have back in their childhood or adolescence. But maybe we’re giving them too little credit.
According to their most recent financial statements, Nintendo Wii U sales have almost doubled in the last quarter, from 160,000 sales to 300,000 sales. Their hand held gaming devices are doing well too (how many are old enough to remember Game Boy?). Nintendo 3DS and 3DSXL sold 2 million consoles. And they have their big game launches to come: Pokemon and Monster Hunter. They also have high expectations of Nintendo 2DS. Not all the news was good. Overall Wii U sales are still way below expectations. This leads to a loss of $88 million dollars of expected profits.
This being Nintendo, this is a good start. I know I’ve done blogs where Nintendo looked like it was lagging way behind the gaming race. Maybe it is. Nintendo Wii seems to be more family friendly then their competitors. I have cousins who have a Wii and their kids love it. They won’t even bring other consoles. Nintendo does a good job in the held held device market. Keep in mind you can get all kinds of games on any hand held devices. So they should get props. Is Nintendo making a come up?
Oct 29, 2013 | Entertainment
First, Netflix create their own TV shows. Then, these TV shows get critical acclaim and major awards. Now, Netflix wants to test their waters with movies.
A few months ago, Netflix announced they will be producing movies, documentaries and stand-up comedy shows. There’s even talk of them funding a major motion picture that will be released the same time it’s released in the movie theater.? Content manager Ted Sarandos said in a speech he wants Netflix to release major motion pictures the same day they’re released in the theaters. Don’t let it surprise you. Netflix has been a rebel and a thorn to Hollywood. They got famous releasing DVDs to people without the permission of major movie companies. Guess how they came up with the digital system? Netflix never got the permission they needed from movie houses to distribute movies over the Internet.
So I can see a major showdown brewing about releasing movies the same day of theater release. Let’s just say if Netflix does produce a movie and it’s released the same day, how many people would rather stay home than go to the movies? I see some who just love that movie experience. But how many more would avoid the traffic and crowd, and watch in the comfort of their own home? You see the conflict here? But eventually, what Netflx did became normal. What was so shocking to Hollywood a few years ago is standard today. Will that become so with this movie deal they’re trying to put together?
Oct 28, 2013 | Computer technology, Software
Remember what browsers and old school software used to look like? I’m having flashbacks of Oregon Trail and Commodore 64 right now. Now, there’s a movement to make that happen.
A society called the Internet Archive brings us Historical Software Archive. They’ve preserved software going as far back as the 1970s. Don’t worry about not functioning in 2013 with old school software. The Internet Archive runs Multi Emulator Super System (MESS), which runs smoothly with any other modern browser. Yes, many systems allow you to play vintage video games, but Historical Software Archive, in the eyes of most in the tech community, is a name we can trust. Plus, you can bring all old school software back, even games like Pitfall.
Too bad only 29 systems are available for Historical Software Archive. But more are coming. I wonder if professional write will be one of them (remember those days?) But some of these programs include Word Star Word Processing, Chess, Microsoft Adventure, Apple Presents, and the original Pac Man. I think this will be a fun thing to do. I was worried about how this would mess up my modern browsers because like all of you, I got stuff to do in 2013 and need 2013 technology to do it. It would be fun to get that reminder of how things were like back in the day. This can be an education process as well. Show the younger generation what it was back in the 20th century. I bet it will give them a new appreciation of what they have. Plus, it’s just fun to go back down memory lane. What’s your favorite software/game from the old days?
Oct 27, 2013 | News, Security
This weekend, of October 26-27, 2013, in Washington, DC, thousands gathered to protest what they call ‘mass surveillance’ under the National Security Agency, as revealed by former agent and whistle blower Edward Snowden.
The event was held by the Capitol’s reflecting pool. It was sponsored by an unlikely coalition of conservative and liberal groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Green Party, Libertarian Party, and Freedom Works. Even the Tea Party was represented. The event started at Union Station. Props included a mock drone, large parachute, and one protester dressed as President Barack Obama with a big cardboard camera. Others carried picket signs like, ‘Don’t Tap Me Bro.’ Thomas Drake, a former NSA agent who revealed the NSA spying on our European Allies, especially German Chancellor Angela Merkel, was one of the key note speakers.
They’re not the only ones voicing their outrage. Back in my city, on the 4th of July, many took the streets to protest the NSA’s alleged surveillance of our computers and smartphones. In fact, I see the protests almost every weekend. I only expect the cries to get louder as more people are becoming aware of what’s going on. And with people more dissatisfied than ever with our government, you can bet more rallies like these are coming our way.You know when conservatives and liberals are marching together towards this cause, you’ve got something special.? Do you think the NSA is reading this very blog?
Oct 26, 2013 | Security
Late yesterday, October 25, 2013, the National Security Agency website crashed. It lasted a few hours. Whose to blame?
The NSA blames a glitch and internal error. In an email, the government agency said, “?NSA.gov was not accessible for several hours tonight because of an internal error that occurred during a scheduled update.” But some claim different. Hacktivists groups have claimed responsibily for the crash. One group said they used a DDoS attack to bring it down. DDos attacks pump a website with so much stuff from traffic to spam that eventually that sites is overwhelmed and forced to shut down.
Keep in mind the mass controversy the NSA has been in lately. A few months ago, secrets reveled by former agent Edward Snowden claim the NSA was listening to our smartphones and watching what we do on our computers. So I can see why someone wants to take credit for this. I know about as little as everybody else; it’s one group’s word against another. Now there’s news international relations have been strained because of surveillance spying on international governments such as Germany and the European Union, never mind what’s been happening in our own nation.? This reminds me of that. So who and what brought town the NSA?
Oct 25, 2013 | Entertainment
Need a costume for that contest? Need a costume for your kids? I think I can help. Here are some top Halloween costumes for techies.
10 Small Wonder’s Vicky: For those under 30, Small Wonder was a TV show about a robot in the form of a girl. Talking like a robot in this costume will get you winner-up at least!
9. Lady Cassandra from Doctor Who: For those in North America, try putting on a large piece of a skin like costume. See if people can guess who you are.
8. Albert Einstein: He was voted Time Magazine’s Man of the 20th Century. He’s one of the smartest men of all time. And it’s not a hard costume to put together.
7. Comic Book Guy/Professor Frink from The Simpsons: Because few things say techie like a know it all comic book proprietor and a klutz professor on one of the greatest cartoons of all-time.
6. Your Awkward School Yearbook Photo: Relive your childhood/adolescent turbulence by dressing as your worst picture ever. If you were an up and coming geek, this will be extra special.
5. Steve Urkel from Family Matters: All you need is hitched up pants, thick glasses, suspenders, and ’90s nostalgia.
4. Any character from Big Bang Theory: Don’t all go for Sheldon or Penny at once!
3. Steve Jobs: If you even do a half decent job at this costume, you’ll be doing better than Ashton Kutcher did (whoops, did I say that aloud?)!
2. Any character from Star Wars: At one contest I attended, Chewbacca came in third and Luke Skywalker came in second.
1. Any character from any Star Trek: At this same contest, an entire group portraying various Star Trek era won and split the first prize! And there were a lot of characters represented. Khan!!!
What are some of your favorite Halloween costumes?
