Feb 9, 2018 | youtube
So last month, popular You Tube star Logan Paul found himself in trouble. Because in a January 2018 video, he posted a real dead body. He apologized and removed the video, but apparently,? he didn’t learn much of a lesson. You Tube suspends Logan Paul…again.
So since that incident a month ago, Logan Paul’s antics are just as inappropriate. Paul’s worst hits include rat tasering, encouraging eating Tide pods, and other violations. You Tube puts it’s foot down. Because today, they tweeted, “In response to Logan Paul’s recent pattern of behavior, we’ve temporarily suspended ads on his channels”. He can still post You Tube videos. However, no can’t make money or accept sponsors from advertisers.
Here is what is interesting about this. The Tide pod incident came on Twitter, not You Tube. Paul tweeted he would swallow one Tide pod for every retweet. I’m guessing Paul didn’t do this because he’s still alive and well today. He since deleted the tweets, but the tweets was enough for You Tube to take notice. Yes, You Tube humans as well as machines. That’s another subject matter right there. You Tube is within it’s rights to either suspend advertisers or forbid the uploader from releasing You Tube videos altogether. If Paul doesn’t quit this, then could that be next for him?
Now let’s bring up censorship. Like in many areas of life, that’s a big issue for IT support and computer service. Personally, I think You Tube made the right call in this situation. The Tide Pod challenge is already a disturbing and dangerous online trend. And for London Paul to encourage this behavior among young people is just as disturbing. It wasn’t on You Tube, but this man has over 20 million subscribers. Think about the influence London Paul has. Some may say, “If they censor him, they can censor anybody for anything!”. That’s a valid point. And I hate censorship, too. But with freedom comes responsibility. Obviously, this is a lesson Logan Paul hasn’t learned. Do you think this suspension is a good call? Or is it censorship?
Feb 8, 2018 | Entertainment
So tomorrow night, the 2018 Winter Olympic games begin in?Pyeongchang, South Korea. Yes, NBC will cover it, but they’re not the only ones. Apple helps cover Winter Olympics with NBC.
Apple News is dedicating a whole section exclusively to these Winter Olympic games. Actually, it will be a part of the ‘For You’ section. However, Olympic coverage will have it’s own section within ‘For You’. Then, you have NBC’s help with this service. It has to be this way because NBC owns all copyrights to these Olympics. Of course, Apple will cover events, news, and winners. However, you can schedule events you want to watch.
For example, my favorite Olympic sports are luge and bobsledding. So I can use this new Apple feature to clear my schedule so I can watch my luge and bobsledding. They will also have live streams and replays, especially of those historic and spectacular moments. Any you know they’re coming. It will also include medal counts. This means you will see which countries are getting the most medals, gold, silver or bronze. Apple helps cover Winter Olympics, but they’re not the only IT service conglomerate doing so. Because Google offers it’s own Olympic coverage. I don’t know if NBC backs them or not.
Nonetheless, I think I know why Apple is going all out with Winter Olympic coverage. When people who come in our computer service shop think of streaming, what comes to mind? It’s usually Google/You Tube, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu. Apple is relatively low on the list. The Winter Olympics is a good time to change that. I know not as many people follow the Winter games as they do the summer. But millions of people worldwide will. And if Apple can get even 10% of that, that would be huge on Apple’s part. So let’s say Apple does that. Then can Apple keep that momentum going?
Feb 7, 2018 | Computer technology
So yesterday, Elon Musk lived his dream, or one of them. Because yesterday, his company Tesla launched a car into orbit on Space X Falcon Heavy. But this is just the beginning of this journey. The Tesla Roadstar: Where is it now?
So the Tesla Roadstar’s journey is to fly around the sun, then head toward Mars. But I don’t know if something went wrong or if there was a last minute change. Because now, the car is going? toward Mars, the Asteroid Belt, and Jupiter. And Musk seems to be good with it. He tweeted, “Third burn successful”.
However, the rocket cruised for six hours, just to show off even before going into space. The final engine burn happened somewhere over California last night, then it turned to space. Musk even tweeted a map of the car’s orbit. If anything, this car is traveling faster and better than anyone planned. They say it’s going way into the asteroid belt, not just scraping it. This makes me wonder: Does anybody worry about what is going to happen to the car or rocket? If people at Tesla are worried, they’re keeping it to themselves. Tesla himself admits this car can hit Mars. I don’t think anybody’s going to see that car again.
But it’s not about the car. I think Musk and Tesla are trying to prove a point here. Yes, you can put objects in space, and deep into space. Furthermore, you can use IT service and IT support to do it. Did you know the asteroid belt is, on average, 200 million miles from Earth? That’s more than twice the distance from Earth to the sun. This is how far the Tesla Roadstar went. Space travel is a? long way from Apollo 11’s first moon landing. The moon is only 225,000 miles from the Earth. Some companies are even looking to dig up water in the asteroid belt. Do you think they can within the next 10 years?
Feb 6, 2018 | Computer technology
There are a lot of issues going on in 2018 America. This includes bullying, sexual harassment, racism, political division, etc. So IT service and computer repair are NOT immune. In fact, they caused some of the concerns. Look at the craze of sex robots (yuck!). But one company wants to help put sanity back in an insane world. Loris.ai offers a helping hand and text line.
Loris.ai is a text line to help bosses and employees alike talk about controversial and unpleasant topics. Also, according to CEO Nancy Nublin, they want to teach people how to have and handle hard conversations. They’re not the only ones who share this vision because they recently raised $2 million.
Furthermore, Loria.ai is the baby of Crisis Text Line. With them, you can text them if you’re going through a severe personal crisis, like suicidal thoughts. They saved a lot of lives that way. And Loris.ai works in similar ways. When you text these lines, you will get a real human being, not a robot! Thank heavens! In addition to that, you’ll get a human that’s been trained and probably endured what you’re going through. But they’re starting off small. They’re inviting a handful of companies and leaders who commit themselves to compassion and kindness. They also teach employees on how to handle situations they never faced yet.
So here is an example. Let’s say you’re working with someone of a different religion, or sexual orientation. You never even met a person of this background in your life. But you want a develop a good relationship with this colleague and don’t want to do or say something inappropriate. Then text Loris.ai. A human counselor will help you navigate that situation, and learn from it. Personally, I love stories like this in the tech field. We hear so much of how tech is contributing to the evil in the world. And we need to hear these stories. However, there are many examples of how technology is doing good. Loris.ai is one example of tech good. I hope this service makes life easier in every workplace in America. What do you think of this text line?
Feb 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
Ever hear of the company Happiest Baby? So two years ago, they gave us the Snoo. Snoo is the electric crib that uses robotics to put babies to sleep. It also costs $1,200. But now, Happiest Baby is at it again. Let’s talk about Snoo baby crib and swaddler.
So apparently, Snoo’s baby crib is a hot seller. This is despite the $1,160 cost. It’s because it does what it says it’s going to do: put babies to sleep. Now let’s look at the Sleepea, their new product. It’s a sleep sack for newborn and infant babies. Furthermore, it is a tech item. But it’s one that keeps your baby quiet through the night and keep parents sane through the night.
We can thank Snoo creator Dr. Harvey Karp for this item. In fact, they credit Dr. Karp for introducing the world to the swaddler. He says it’s swaddles, not blankets and sheets, that comforts babies. They work with the babies’ bodies. But blankets overheat and don’t work with babies as well. They come in three sizes to fit babies, infants and even toddlers. They also come in four colors, like the traditional pink and blue. But they come in teal and grey. It even has ‘quiet Velcro’. This keeps the baby quite while the parents change the diaper.
What does this have to do IT support or computer repair? Quite a bit. Because once again, Happiest Baby’s Baby Crib and Swaddler proves two things. One, people can and do use technology to build other things that aren’t even technology. I’m sure Dr. Karp put in the same insight he used to make a tech crib is what he used to make this swaddle. By the way, the swaddler will only cost around $25. You can get it at retail stores like Target or online at Amazon. Secondly, people in tech are moving to other things, and are being successful about it. Would you ever use this swaddler?
Feb 3, 2018 | Computer technology
Tomorrow is the big day…well, for most. Because it’s Super Bowl 52. I know some aren’t watching for social/political reasons. Also, many don’t like either team. But in this city and around our computer service shop, we can’t wait! Let’s give you some technology Super Bowl tips.
Of course, we have to start with the TV. In the IT support community, many brag about the 65-inch Sony Bravia 4K OLED smart TV. Most brag about the design. It also helps that it comes easel style: you can angle it on almost any furniture. Furthermore, the jacks and manual make it fairly easy to install, by smart TV standards at least. Then there’s this bonus: the screen is the speaker system! One less expense to cross off. Yes, it’s compatible with Google assistant and Alexa. But this ain’t cheap. If you get this screen at $2,000, then you’re getting it at a good deal.
But you don’t have $2,000 to spend on a TV; but you want good speakers. This is where Sonos comes in. For as little as $150, it works with about every kind of option available, from Spotify to Tidal (wait…they’re still in business?!) Plus, they provide volume all throughout the house, even backyard. Yep, catch every play, even in the bathroom. It works well with voice control too. Now not everyone is happy to see Justin Timberlake perform the halftime show. And you may want to hang out after the Super Bowl (here in Mass., some schools and businesses are opening late Monday, or not at all). This would be a good time for You Tube Red to watch a movie or TV show. It’s also a great time for that retro video game console. Those will run you under $100.
I could go on and on, but I’m sure you have your own game plan. What are some of your technology super bowl tips?
Feb 2, 2018 | Computer technology
I grew up playing Nintendo (age hint). In fact, I remember one Christmas in the 1980s, I got the original console, with Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt. They came a long way in 30 years. Because now, they’re introducing Nintendo Labo.
So it’s for Nintendo Switch and uses kits. These kits include cardboard, and lots of it. According to David Young, Nintendo’s VP of Public Relations, they use cardboard because there’s it’s easy to get and easy mold and play with. You can also put the cardboard on you. For example, many use it as a backpack, and/or helmet. Furthermore, you use the cardboard to build houses, fishing rods, even robots you’ll use in the video game.
Then there are the technology aspects, like the IR motion camera. You also have Joy Con controllers. They read your movements and the cardboard’s movements. This is especially important for robot games. The Joy Con on screen camera reads your moves. You can even play piano with they Joy Con. You press the key. The switch makes the sound, thanks to Joy Con. Then there’s the Switch. I don’t know why they call it that, but it will walk you through the process.
However, what I see a lot of people complain about is the price. The Nintendo Labo costs around $70 for the regular version. The robot kit will cost around $80. They’re just introducing Nintendo Labo. It doesn’t come out to the public until April 20. So that gives you many weeks to start saving. Besides, I think these are great prices for such new and experimental items. Look, some items in computer repair and IT support cost way more, and they turn out to be goodness awful. Others say, ” Why pay that much for a bunch of cardboard?!”. Well, back in the 1980s, look at how much we paid for an original Nintendo. Looking back, it was way more than $80. Would you get Nintendo Labo?
Feb 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
So it’s almost Super Bowl time. And you know people here in Boston, yes even in our computer service shop, are ready. That also mean it’s time for some memorable commercials, including in the IT service Let’s look at Alexa’s Super Bowl commercial.
So one commercial people anticipate is? ‘Alexa Loses Her Voice’. It lasts 90 seconds. Furthermore, it includes an all-star casts. It includes Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, singer/actress Rebel Wilson,? rap star Cardi B and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey. Yes, it even stars Jeff Bezos himself. It passes off as a comedy commercial, and does a great job at comedy. But you don’t have to wait for the big game to see it. Because Amazon is releasing the whole commercial. I saw the entire commercial on Tech Crunch.
However, many in the tech community think Amazon is subtly trying send another message. This shouldn’t be a surprise; this is Amazon we’re talking about. For example, Rebel Wilson wears Echo blue headsets. At the Las Vegas CES, Amazon talked a lot about earphones and other wearable tech pieces. But Amazon denies anything about new wearable tech goods? coming out. In fact, a spokesperson says these are just props. That’s what they say. But could this just as much as a curve ball.
Let’s look at something else. In 2018, it will cost $5 million to air a 30 second commercial during Super Bowl 52. However this commercial lasts 90 seconds. You do the math. Then, they got A list celebrities to star in this commercial. And you know these celebs didn’t do it for free, or cheap. I don’t know it they’re doing is deliberately, subtlety, or even sub-conscious.? But Amazon is sending a message to all: Look at how big we are and what we can do. Are they using this commercial not only to promote Alexa, but to intimidate the competition? Will Alexa’s Super Bowl commercial, and not the game or the halftime show, be the thing we talk about around the water cooler Monday morning?
Jan 31, 2018 | General
So let’s look at Amazon’s resume so far: Online Retail, media (Washington Post), groceries (Whole Foods), AI (Echo), and more. But what about health insurance? I guess you can add that as well. Amazon health insurance: Is America ready?
To be fair, Amazon isn’t doing this alone. Because they are teaming up with stock company Birkshire Hathaway and banking firm JP Morgan. Together, they want to build their own employee friendly health insurance. They also want to give benefits to their own employees and families. Furthermore, they want to do so with no interference from the government, or anybody else.
It’s not exactly free. But it is free from profit-making. These three companies want to kill the red tape that often comes with the health insurance industry. Amazon mogul Jeff Bezos talked about this. He realizes how hard the system is for everyone: for patient, doctor, provider and employer. Bezos wants to create a system that works for everyone. However, there is no planning on how they’re going to do this. Because even Bezos and Warren Buffet admit they’re in the early stages of planning. In fact, the management they have in place is only temporary. But they are coming up with a permanent team and plan.
So what do ordinary people say about this? What do those in computer service and computer repair say about this? According to my Facebook page, some are actually warm to do this idea. There is one lady that said, “If this is what it takes to lower my health bills…”. While that is a true sentiment across the country, are Buffet and Bezos the right people to fix it? Buffet was right when he said healthcare costs are like tapeworms eating our economy. But don’t Buffet and Bezos own enough already? Is this the right solution? Or is this just another trick to make the super rich even richer? Amazon health insurance: Is America ready?
Jan 30, 2018 | internet
So most of you know Facebook has an app for kids under 13. This is because Facebook is a T (age 13 and up only) app. Some parents applaud this effort, but some groups say it’s not enough. It’s Facebook verses child health advocates.
In fact, some child health groups say this Facebook child’s app is just another trick. Some argue Messenger Kids is an attempt to get kids addicted to social media at an early age. Furthermore, some advocate groups say they can let advertisers manipulate them at an early age. One such group is Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood. Their headquarters are right here in Boston, not for our our computer service shop.
They’re running a petition they call ‘no Facebook for five year-olds’. And they’re not the only one. You also have a research team from San Diego State University. With their research, they say young children aren’t ready for social media accounts, period. They also say they don’t understand online relationships and how it invades privacy issues. They even get on teens, who are old enough to use Facebook, aren’t as happy as those who interact face to face more often. Furthermore, these advocates groups say pre-teen apps can open to door to bullying and other crimes and woes.
So this isn’t about Facebook verses child health advocates anymore. This is more about a group that doesn’t want children on social media anymore, period! I’m sorry, but social media is a part of IT service and a part our lives, whether we like it or not. So we need apps like Messenger Kids to teach kids how to use social media with dignity and responsibility. This isn’t 1972, 1984, or 1993. This is 2018! There’s a part of me that yearn for the good ol’ days too, but not like this. I agree with their concerns. Restrictions should be put in place because there are some things children under 13 can’t handle. And Facebook does a good job with that, letting parents, not children, run Messenger Kids’ pages. However,? there needs to be a healthy balance and there needs to be moderation. Where do you stand on the argument?
