Jul 19, 2013 | Entertainment, internet
Yesterday, Netflix made history with it’s Emmy nominations. Yes, this is a growing phenomenon. Here are some reasons I like Netflix.
10. No More Video Store Runs: Remember when you had to rush to the video store and endure long lines, bad?attitudes and take the risk of?your movie being sold out?
9. The Free Trial: At first I thought this was too good to be true. Maybe it was: after that one month trial, I was hooked!
8. Old Shows Given New Life: When FOX cancelled Arrested Development, I was upset! But Netflix gave it another chance, and it’s getting a cult following as well as critical acclaim. Who is laughing now?
7. No More Fighting Over TV: I’m not the only one! When someone insists on watching this reality TV garbage, I can log on my laptop, or even iPod Touch, and watch something far more meaningful.
6. No More Late Fees: Have you ever had a late fee from a video store, even the library? They made credit card companies look like Dr. Phil! I used to work at a video store, and you should have heard the overdue calls we made!
5. Travel Entertainment: Okay, I’m one who thinks all flights should have entertainment again.?But even on trains and buses, ?there is Netflix to entertain me, during delays, storms, even crying babies.
4. Easy Access: You can’t escape it, no matter how bad you may want to! It’s available on most of the technological outlets available, from Apple to Microsoft.
3. Breaking New Ground: You can read yesterday’s article. This year was the first time a web series was nominated for an Emmy. Let’s hope they get it!
2. Movies Galore: I wish they had a bigger library, but I’m just thankful with what they have now! I’m glad I found some obscure B movies here, and would like to see more.
1. New TV Shows: Shows like House of Cards are making a statement. And I’ve seen House of Cards, and this show could give Scandal a run for it’s money. Despite critical bashing, Hemlock Grove isn’t that bad, either. I smell a trend coming.
Before you write this off as a promotion, I know there are plenty of things wrong with Netflix. So are you a fan or no fan?
Jul 18, 2013 | Entertainment, internet
Do you remember when most Emmy award nominations went to the big 4 networks (ABC, NBC, CBS FOX)? I remember when Fox wasn’t even in the equation. Then cable TV shows got heavily recognized (Sopranos, Sex in the City). Now, the star of the 2013 Emmy Awards may be Netflix.
Netflix hit it big this morning when Emmy Award nominations were announced. One show, House of Cards, hit the jackpot! They ?won nods for best drama, best lead?actor in Kevin Spacey and best lead?actress in Robin Wright. It also received nods for outstanding directing, best casting, best cinematography, best editing, and best musical composition. Netflix comedy Arrested Development did well. They received nods for outstanding editing and music composition for a comedy, and Jason Bateman got a nomination for best lead actor in a comedy series. Keep in mind it’s only been five years since Internet shows were allowed to take part in the Emmy process.
This is huge for Netflix, and it’s viewers. I usually watch Netflix to keep up with shows that I miss or shows I want to watch again, and of course, movies. But for all these nominations for two shows is phenomenal. Now imagine if they win at least some of these awards, especially the big ones. This is a reason for tech lovers to watch this year’s show. If they win (and the competition isn’t that rigorous, you know what I’m saying?), I can see the tide turning. Maybe it already is. Can you see shows leaving mainstream TV and coming to Netflix like an exodus?
Jul 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
Recently, I entered a car with a friend. This new car was keyless, and almost everything was voice controlled. Needless to say, I was amazed! Well, I guess we haven’t seen anything yet.
According to the?United Kingdom?government, driverless cars will be tested throughout that nation late this year. That’s right.?These cars will be controlled by sensors and cameras. One report believes these cars will reduce traffic and says driverless cars can control themselves using it’s own environmental instincts.?Oxford U has been testing this technology for years. This technology will use lasers and cameras to ride the vehicle for the driver. Google, which has led this nation on the autonomous car movement, (look at Toyota Prius). While Sergey Brin, one of the Google founders, believes self-driving cars will improve life on the highway, he believes it will take around a decade before it goes into action. Ford and Audi are interested in this technology. Nevada, California and Florida have addressed legislation about the driverless vehicle.
At first this sounds like something of a sci-fi movie, but then I think of what’s already been accomplished.?A car can literally park itself? (where was this during my road test back in high school?!) Remember when we thought GPS style mapping was something out of the future? Can you see yourself literally being driven to work by a machine without even touching a steering wheel, brake or gas pedal??So how outlandish is the self-driving car?
Jul 17, 2013 | Computer technology
3D seems to be the most up and coming technology. From 3D movies to 3D printing, this type of technology is really becoming common place. Well it looks as if 3D is coming to Dentistry in a very big way. The 3D printing aspect where the rubber meets the road for dentistry. The process makes it comfortable for the patient as now you don?t have to bite down on the clay for a mold but with the 3D printing and scanning removes all of that for the patient This also makes the process faster and easier. The types of plastic used include a polyamide and polyester. A company called Statasys has created a launch of Objet30 and OrthoDesk 3D printer for designed for smaller orthodontic labs and clinics. Also in 2011 Startasys also acquired Objet and Solidscape, which is a manufacturer of high precision 3D printers which is actually used for casting applications that require ultra-fine feature detail. The printers targets medium-sized dental laboratories and is used to create very high quality pressable and castable dental restorations.
At EnvisionTEC they showed 3Dent which is a printer that has a build envelope of 279 x 184 x 76mm and has a resolution of 25 microns for printing models. This printer uses a process called Selective Contour Photo curing or SCP to compete with other models. Want to know more about 3D printing and how it can help your dental business grow? Click here to learn more about 3Dent. Or would you like to know more about Objet30 and the OrthoDesk 3D? If so please feel free to click here.? Please let us know what you think about the future of dental technology and if you feel this is truly the future of dentistry.
Jul 16, 2013 | General, News, Software
At a Microsoft Summit, Bill Gates didn’t limit his conversation just to Microsoft. He shared quite a bit of himself and what he thought of America and issues?education, science and the importance of giving.
Gates addressed the American crisis of education and where it stands. He pointed out we have the highest college drop-out rate of all first world nations. According to many articles, lower aspects of education aren’t doing much better. His Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has raised over $470 million dollars for educational matters. Gates is a huge advocate for online courses, and wants to do more so online education can reach it’s full potential.
Gates was very optimistic about computer science, claiming we live in the golden age of that field.??He believes most of us aren’t using Microsoft to it’s full potential; but to him, that’s where the excitement comes in. He looks forward to seeing how smaller and smaller devices can bridge the gap between what humans and machines can do. This?can get pretty scary of where we can go, but that’s just me. About philanthropy, Gates says, “It’s a work in progress”. Keep in mind the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world. He credits billionaires like Warren Buffet for helping his charity. He also knocks US giving down a notch. Gates said that rich Chinese are more giving because there are many first generation millionaires out there. In other words, new money in China is having a huge impact on the non-profit scene.
Now comes the so what factor. Why do I even talk about what Bill Gates think? Obviously, he’s one of the most powerful men in the world. If you use anything Microsoft, you can thank Bill Gates for that. Not only is he one of the great businessmen and innovators of all-time, he’s one of the great philanthropist of our time. Is it really making a difference? Well at least he’s trying, unlike some billionaires out there who do nothing, except when it makes them look good (they know who they are). So when Gates speaks, people listen. I guess my only question is: Is he speaking the right things?
Jul 15, 2013 | Computer technology, Wireless
First came the iPod. Then came the iPhone, iPad and IPod Touch. Apple is now desperate to put together the iWatch. They’re ‘aggressively’ hiring firms, experts and other individuals in a hurry to get this creation off the ground.
If all goes well, expect iWatch to be on the shelves by late 2014. Apple is depending on outsiders’ expert as well as their own best and brightest. Apple has hired over 100 designers to put together this watch. They’ve studied devices like Nike Fuel Brand. Apple wants to put some kind of fitness system on their watch. One expert Apple is hiring is Yves Saint?Laurent?former CEO Saint Paul Deneve. Keep in mind Saint Laurent is one of the biggest names in luxury fashion and design. He’s also worked on several other luxury names like Nina Ricci. Deneve has been asked to work on special projects; we just don’t know what they are.
Neither do we know which designers are chosen to work on this watch, other than those just mentioned. I guess Apple knows you can’t have an iWatch without having a fitness device. That’s a good start.?And how?about a major luxury designer being involved? This tells me this watch is going to attract certain people…wealthy people. Don’t expect it to come cheap. I’m also looking for apps to attract a wealthier class of people…who like working out. But I’m just wondering who the other designers are. Will you be looking forward to an iPhone or should I just stick to my Nike watch?
Jul 14, 2013 | networking, Security, Software
Hackers often get a bad reputation. And often times, rightfully so. But there are time when hackers try to do the good things, like wise up governments. Or at least, that’s what they want us to think.
Nations like Malta, South Africa and South Korea are hiring hackers to break codes for several reasons. One main reason is security. Smaller nations want to know what bigger and more powerful countries are up to. Unfortunately, it’s rumored the NSA has hired hackers to help them spy on us. Hackers call these zero days: coding flaws in software that can be bought by a competitor or rival. Not long ago, companies like Microsoft would buy them off, but now, who can turn down the offer of a national government? A few years ago, the US and Israel attacked Iran technologically with a computer worm called Stuxnet due to concerns over their nuclear program.
A former White House security advisor says, “Governments are starting to say, ?In order to best protect my country, I need to find vulnerabilities in other countries’.” The biggest zero days buyers are Israel, Russia,?Great Britain, and India. The Middle East nations?use these tactics also. Hackers can charge anywhere from $35,000 to $160,000?for these services. I know that may ?sound cheap, but just 10-15 years ago, many hackers would do this just for the?thrill.
So what to make of this? On one hand, maybe this is a good thing to keep other nations in check. But the more cynical side of me is looking at the darker side. What if these hackers secrets?lead to intense conflict? What if a?nation finds out something so destructive about another nation that it decides it has to…ahem…take action? I’d like to think these hackers have good intentions, but the?road to you know where?is paved with good intentions. So is?’zero days’ an instrument of peace or a weapon just waiting to happen?
Jul 13, 2013 | Computer technology, News
At first you don’t succeed, try and try again. AT&T tried to acquire…forgive me…I meant partner with Verizon, but that failed. Now, they’re taking over…oops…partnering with another company.
AT&T announced they are purchasing Leap Wireless, the carrier for Cricket Communications, for 1.2 billion dollars. Leap is the fifth biggest cell phone company in America, thanks to Metro PCS getting taken over by T-Mobile. The only reason you’re not seeing AT&T and Verizon is because the US Department of Justice stopped it, due to anti-trust concerns. But despite being the 5th biggest phone company, Leap is struggling. As of yesterday, their shares were only $7.98 on the NASDAQ. Plus, some say this acquisition will make things even between the big four (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile).
I have mixed feelings about this. There must be a pretty big gap between the big four and Leap Wireless, I mean between the big 4 and Leap, being the fifth. I’m not that much into corporate mergers and take overs, but I’m kind of feeling this one. If a company needs help, then this could be what it takes to get Leap in the running. I’d rather see it bought out then to see jobs lost. My only concern is with other moderate phone companies. Will they thrive, or they will be bought out too?
Jul 12, 2013 | Computer technology, Entertainment, internet, Uncategorized
Don’t know if you know this, but 80% of people working in computer technology are men. But women are definitely making their mark in this field. Let’s pay some of?them tribute.
10.Radia Perlman: She’s been called the mother of the Internet. She’s known for her revolutionary innovations and creativity, especially when it comes to making a better Internet.
9. Safra Catz: Born in Israel, she’s the CFO of Oracle, the third largest software maker around today. She’s been an executive there since 1999.
8. Sophie Wilson:?She designed the Acorn Micro-Computer and the ARM Processor, and is still very active in?the?company she helped create.
7. ?Meg Whitman: Not only was she the president of Ebay for 10 years, she’s now the CEO of Hewlett-Packard and ran for California governor in 2009.
6.Sophie Vandebroek: She’s the chief technology officer of Xerox and president of the Xerox Innovation Group. These innovations run from software to fast food.
5. Melody Meckfessel: She’s the heart and soul behind Google’s engineering, and is credited for?making that team together.?It is said, “If there’s no Google engineering, there’s no Google.
4. Susan Wojcicki:?Speaking of Google, she’s the vice-president of advertising and production management. According to a 2012 Forbes article, she’s one of the most powerful women in the world.
3. Ursula Burns: She’s the president and CEO of Xerox. She’s the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500 Company and the fourteenth most powerful woman in the world.
2. Marissa Meyer: She helped get Yahoo off the brink and turned it back into a major Internet powerhouse. The culture in the office changed, it’s buying out other Internet businesses and it’s on it’s way to a whole new level.
1. Grace Hopper: Though she’s been dead for 21 years, her contributions are just as important today. She was one of the first computer programmers ever and first compilers of computer language.?During her later years, she was a great ambassador to her field and eager to lecture younger generations. Where would we be without her legacy?
Jul 11, 2013 | Computer technology, internet, Security
It’s funny how corporations are distancing themselves from the NSA surveillance scandal and PRISM. They know many Americans are outraged at these actions. I think Yahoo is getting that.
Yahoo is asking US courts to release files that clearly reveal Yahoo?was vehemently opposed to the government’s demand to read people’s email and do other surveillance acts without the people’s knowledge or approval, or without proper search and seizure warrants. In 2008, Yahoo lost a case in which they tried to stop this kind of surveillance. Until very recently, they couldn’t even reveal it was the company that lost the case. Civil libertarians say if Yahoo can release these files, then we’ll know more about what our government is up to, especially the NSA and FISA and organizations of that kind. One?Yahoo blogger said, “I think there are better ways to protect the rights of U.S. persons who may be affected by this surveillance.”?Yahoo is just leading the charge. Other Silicon Valley corporations are also challenging secrecy and spying rulings.
So now that the public know what’s going on, at least to an extent, of course Internet companies are distancing themselves. Can you blame them? And I think they’re being sincere. Remember, the NSA and other gov’t agencies came to them, not the other way around. Why do you think the courts are fighting to stop these files from being revealed and these companies are fighting to release them? But I am a little afraid of what could be revealed if these files went public. Think about what we already know. What secrets will these files teach us and how less confident will we be in our gov’t and corporations?
