Mar 14, 2013 | internet, News
As of July 1, 2013, Google Reader will no longer exist. There were not many users of Google Reader; that’s one of the reasons it’s being shut down. But I was a dedicated user. Personally, I loved the way it helped me keep up with my favorite blogs and websites. Plus, it helped me get the very best from my Internet, separating the fluff from the real. And there really is a lot?fluff out there.?I guess not everybody felt that way.
Some say Google Reader was doomed from the word go. According to one article, they were about to shut this operation down before it got off the ground. I think the reason it survived this long was simply about timing. Google Reader was created in 2005, when RSS?was extremely popular, and before Facebook and Twitter became household names. Yep, guess who shares part of the blame here?
Social media and simple economics are to blame. Less people used Google Reader; I get that. Google wants to spend more time on more profitable projects; I get that. But what about me and my borderline Google Reader addiction? They’re gracious enough to give?me until July, so I’ll just keep reading along until then. I hear the website Digg is building a reader. Is it going to be any good? Or is RSS totally obsolete?
Mar 13, 2013 | Entertainment, networking, News
There are two things I can’t live without: Netflix and Facebook. With Netflix, I can watch old cult favorites few ever heard of. Ever hear of Welcome to Arrow Beach? With Facebook, everyone on my page is talking about Scandal. Now, both?of these addictions?are coming together.
Now, you can share your Netflix?favorites by?connecting to Facebook. ?You can track what your friends watch, as they can your watching habits, and you can rate and recommend. If something is so sorry you don’t want others to watch it, just click ‘Don’t Share’. When I look at what’s on TV and in the movies?today, I’m going to be clicking on ‘Don’t Share’ a lot! Don’t go rushing to share right away; it’s going to take a few more days for the social features to be put in place.
So I’m looking forward to this Netflix feature. And if you’re not a Netflix member, here’s yet another reason to become one! I can’t wait to share my favorites with my FB friends. They’re always bragging about their favorites. This is also a good debate tool. What I plan to do is tell people why it’s my favorite, and I want to hear why it’s theirs. But don’t expect me to share any romance chick flicks! So are you excited about this next phase of social networking as I am? What shows are movies will you be sharing? And which ones will get the dreaded ‘Don’t Share’ treatment?
Mar 13, 2013 | Malware, Security
If you think Apple is totally malware (software intended to damage computer systems) free, think again. A security firm named Skycure is concerned an iOS feature called Configuration Profiles could be used to manipulate and infiltrate other people’s data without their knowledge.
Configuration profiles are small files that?can be added with one tap of any Apple device. They’re used by thousands of businesses and developers as how to guides to alter settings. On the surface, these files are approved by Apple. But if manipulated enough, they can pass your passwords and data to a malicious server. I’ve learned of a couple of ways this malware can start. One is using?infested websites?that offer free access to popular TV shows. Another is to open up an email that offers better battery power. Included is a ?sample picture of a profile?which opens the floodgates of malware.
I guess Apple isn’t as immune as I thought it was. A few days ago, I wrote an article of how malware is infecting Droid devices, but I never said Apple devices are scot free. So I hope Tim Cook and other Apple executives are taking Skycure’s findings seriously. I also encourage Apple users to exercise caution. If it sounds too good to be true…you know the rest. As these devices?become easier to use, and increase in quantity, ?will we become more venerable?
Mar 12, 2013 | Computer technology, internet, News, scam, Uncategorized
Many of us?use social media, like Skype and You Tube, for good, or at least, for entertainment purposes. There are some hackers out there who are using social media to spy on you and your loved ones. Some might think of this as fun, innocent, or no big deal, but I shutter to think where RAT (Remote Administration Tool) can lead to.
RAT is now being used to spy on other people’s computers, and they can know everything you’re doing and when you’re doing it while you’re doing it. They nickname their victims slaves. One hacker brags, “Poor people think they are alone in their private homes, but have no idea they are the laughing stock [of the hacking community]”. RAT users have total control over infected machines. For the majority, at least in their eyes, it’s harmless. They claim they’re just curious about what other people are into. It’s not that hard to ‘RAT’ somebody. Some say they can accumulate thousands of slaves a day. And they are hardly ever caught.
But what worries me is the more extreme cases and what RAT can be used for. In California, one girl was stalked to the point she wouldn’t leave her dorm room. Think about what bullies can do with this RAT. What if identity thieves use RAT to score easy prey? Sex predators won’t hesitate to use RAT for their perverse exploitation. And may Heaven forbid, groups like al-Qaeda and unstable nations like North Korea and Iran use RAT as a tool to spy on their enemies (like America) and use this info against us. There is no limit to how destructive RAT can be. Or am I just being paranoid? Is RAT just a harmless, and even fun, hacking tool? Or is it just another threat to what little privacy we have left?
Mar 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
The battery life in iPhone is holding it back from doing full multitasking. It is not just an issue with the iPhone but all other mobile devices as well. Apple has done numerous things to cheat to make the battery life better. They have split the battery into segments to make to fit more into the computers. In the iPad it is just a sack that they glue into place.
Mar 8, 2013 | Entertainment, General
I love my iPod touch, I also love the free apps in the app store so for you today, here are my top 10 Free iTune apps:
10. Find My?iPhone: Fortunately, I’ve never been in the position to?use this, but I misplace a lot of things. This would?lessen a lot of worry and frustration.
9. Amtrak: Yes, I still take the train. A month ago, I?checked this app and saw?my train was?45 minutes late. Saved me a lot of wasted time at the station.
8. Yelp: Where’s a great restaurant?near me? Where’s a?great bar? Where’s a coffee shop??The Yelp app will tell me.
7.?ESPN?Score Center: I can keep up with my favorite?teams, and?my favorite team’s scores, without the heart attack of watching the game itself.
6. Weather Channel: Where I am, this is heaven sent! We have a saying “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” It changes that fast.
5. MP3 Music Downloader:?You mean I can get my favorite music free and legally?and without the guilt?!
4. Bible: I can get?it in my favorite version and take it with me anywhere. Since it’s portable,?I guess that eliminates excuses.
3. Yahoo Mail: What if an?important email gets to me and I’m nowhere near a desktop?
2.?Facebook: How cool is it to keep up with your friends and update them from where you are now?
1. You Tube: I can watch all my videos and a?whole host of things in the palm of my hand. I got time for that!
I am sure most you have these but if not check them out.? Think I missed something?? Let me know.? I am always happy to hear what people would put into their top 10 free apps in the iTunes app store.
Mar 7, 2013 | Malware, Security
Android is one of the most popular smartphone operating systems in the world today, but why? Is it because of the reasonable prices? Is it because of the cool features? Or?is it because of the venerability it has to malware?
That’s right: Of all the malware attacks (Malware is software intended to? damage, infiltrate, or disable computer systems without users consent.) Android devices were responsible for 79% of them. Now some of you may be asking, “Wouldn’t that deter people from getting Android? That wouldn’t deter hackers and malware creators from getting these devices. They can create all kinds of mayhem, hack into your Android system and take your passwords, account numbers and anything else to their hearts desire.
They also know more people are using Android for profits. According to one chart, 2012 was the first year more Androids were used for profit then for personal uses. Plus, our current society comes into play. A few days ago, I ordered Chinese take out. Instead of paying cash, I gave the delivery man my card, he slid it through?to his Android, and that was it. A week earlier, that’s how I paid for a meat lover’s pizza. I think the bad guys are getting wind of this.
I am by no means saying stop buying Droids! Truly not! In fact, nobody I know has yet had a problem with Android?malware. Security systems like F-Secure insist they put out plenty of warnings on malware threats. I’m willing to buy it. Are you?
Mar 6, 2013 | internet, networking, News, Uncategorized
These days, more people work at home than ever home. With our 2010s technology, social media and people being busier than ever before, it sounds like a good thing. Don’t tell Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer that!
A few weeks ago, Meyer shut down the work at home program and demanded employees get back to the office. At first, I thought Meyer was just being a tyrannical boss. But?then I started looking at the big picture. Many an article state employees were?just coming into the office just?to get a pay check. Morale was on the decline.?Stock prices dropped. They were losing ads and employees to?rival corporations.
After she ordered this mandate, morale went from 32 percent to 95 percent. And employees?that left for rival companies are now returning to Yahoo. Plus, Marissa Meyer has made many changes?from free cafeteria foods to a nursery set up for working parents.
So I was once against making people come back to the office. But now that I see the results, I’m?kind of for it. Is it just me,?or has technology made humanity more alienated?and more cut off from each other? It seems like human interaction is?quickly becoming a thing of the past. But now that Meyer is getting people to back to?work, and providing tools and lures to do so, people are?discovering they can work together, you know, like our parents and grandparents used to. Productivity is going up. People are discovering they can actually be in the same room. And maybe, just maybe, they may discover they might just…wait for it…like each other!
So for those who work at home, how would you feel if the head honcho?made people cut their ours at home, or?eliminate them all together? Would you see it?as a step?toward?a greater good. Or would it be intruding on your rights?
Mar 5, 2013 | Computer technology, News
Either myself or someone in my inner circle has something Apple based: an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad Mini, Mac Book. There’s been much talk about the iWatch. But so far, at lest to the consumer, that’s all it’s been: talk.
You see, the good people of Apple are, what you’d say, perfectionist.?Jobs used to have a saying, “We build products we want to use.”?Apple watch brainstorming started several years ago. They’re coercing with?companies from Nike to Ikepod (a rear, but chic watch; so chic there are only 5 stores in the US carry it).?Apple top executives are trying out different watches. Recently,?CEO Tim Cook was spotted wearing Nike’s Fuel?Brand, a wrist device that monitors?health issues, like heart rate. So are they going to keep using or just start with the building already?
Or should I even be complaining??Apple?has done this before, testing and testing the product and other products too.?I don’t know about?your Apple experiences, but mine have been very well. So as much as I want the new?iWatch, I think it’s worth the wait. The fact they’re planning and?experimenting tells me this is going to be worth it.?And speculators say it’s not going to be very expensive, so there’s a big plus. So are you willing to wait? Or has your patience run thin?with this iWatch?anticipation?
Mar 4, 2013 | Computer technology, News, Security
In the last year, many email accounts have been hacked, Facebook pages hacked and and eve debit cards hacked.
Recently, one article said Telvent, a company that monitors many a big oil pipeline,?was hacked. Not by a bunch?of?nerds in their mama’s basement, but by China’s?People’s Liberation Army. I also read this hacking group is so strong they can shut down the whole US?oil and power system!?Think about that when?you fill up at the pump or even turn off the lights.?Also, China is our biggest economic competitor, and in a strange way, our biggest economic bed fellow.?I dare you to find anything?computer related device in your home not made?in China.
But not the case with Iran. And their hackers brought down computers and machines?of?Saudi Amaco, the biggest oil producer in the world. They left their calling card with an image of an American flag burning. Wasn’t that nice?of them (I’m being sarcastic, not?treasonous!) This is a nation with nothing to?lose. It’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,?openly said he wants to see entire nations wiped off the map. And they have?hackers?powerful enough to shut down big?international oil?
What are private companies and government entities doing about this possible threat? What can they do about it? Or should I just turn back to my regularly scheduled programming because I’m reading too much into this?
