Sep 28, 2017 | Computer technology
So what is the hottest thing in IT support right now? It may not be the emoji. But instead, it could be the Giphy. What is Giphy? It’s the next best sticker.
These stickers are more than just toys. The Giphy makers think they could be onto the next step in visual communication. Because of this confidence, the company launched Giphy Sticker Embed. Just go to their website. Then, grab and drop your favorite Giphy stickers anywhere you want. You can put them on any desktop or mobile web page. It’s a Javascript plugin you can add to a website.
So basically, use can use any of Giphy’s sticker packs. Or, if you want to get creative, make your own Giphy’s. When you see a cartoon on a page, just stick it anywhere on your page. So what is Giphy? Why do this? Because Giphy leaders and execs think this will lead to website conversation and communication. They think users will use these stickers, maybe share them with friends, or even use them as screenshots. Furthermore, some say this could be a marketing tool. If you want to try it out, go to Thought Catalogue and look up Giphy.
I saw some demonstrations and examples. Between you and me, they look really tacky. Why would I want to see cartoons and thinks slither on my web page like snakes? I guess one would say the emoji looks tacky, but at least the emoji is at one place. That’s what I like about the emoji, and doesn’t that send a message? Yes, the Giphy could start a conversation, but what kind of talk would it start? I could be wrong. I’ve been in computer repair for many years, so I’ve been wrong on some things before. So what is Giphy? And will it work you you?
Sep 27, 2017 | Security, Uncategorized
So we’re just coming off the worst data breach in US history, the Equifax data breach. In computer servicing, we see this all too often. This is how to protect yourself from data breach.
So this is the first thing we tell clients in our Boston computer service shop: get a strong password! Because 81% of hacking breaches start with weak passwords [like 1234567, password, baseball]. That’s up from 50% just two years ago. Hackers love to take advantage of weak, or default passwords. If you had the same password for years, they’ll use that for a target also.
Then there is this question. Who is behind all these breaches and hacks? According to Verizon, 75% are done from the outside. Then they say organized crime caused over half of them. Furthermore, 73% of breaches are about money. If that’s not scary enough, there is a community of hackers. In fact, there are small time hackers who will sale your ID to bigger groups for as little as five dollars! But who are they after? Once again, Verizon data says so far in 2017 24% of breaches hit financial facilities. While another 15% hit medical facilities. They targeted weak, stolen and venerable information. Does this still not concern you? Keep in mind banks and medical places make up for 16% of all the business in the USA!
I don’t know about you, but what’s more alarming is that hackers hit up 59% of places that aren’t banks or hospitals. These could be government entities, IT support firms, entertainment firms, even where your kids go to school! Now we know most of the breaches are all about money. But what’s really scary is that 27% of them have even a more sinister motive, like revenge, sex-motivated, or even to start a war. This is why we you need to know how to protect yourself from data breach. Making a strong password is a great start. Include letters and numbers, and make the password personal. Make it something only you would know (example: Your elementary school and what year you started there). How do you protect yourself against this growing threat?
Sep 26, 2017 | internet, News
A few days ago, President Trump delivered quite a tweet…or one of them. But this one involves the crisis with North Korea. Trump tweeted the little rocket man (we know who that is) “…won’t be around much longer”.? Some praised his strong language, but others criticize it. This is beef between Twitter, Trump, and North Korea.
Some argue that Twitter should ban, or at least censor, President Trump’s threat to North Korea. Twitter execs replied by saying it will update it’s guide on what people can say on Twitter. They also added that ‘newsworthiness’ would be a factor.
There’s more to the controversy. In recent months, Twitter vowed to crack down on ‘bullying’ tweets. We can thank the Leslie Jones twitter bullying scandal for that one, because when they said ugly things about her, Twitter took action. However, some accuse President Trump of some of the most bullying tweets ever. But his Twitter page isn’t even suspended. Just because he might be able to do it just because the rest of us will be able to.
However, look at this particular issue between Twitter, Trump, and North Korea. If this isn’t newsworthy, then I don’t know what newsworthy is. Surely everyone knows the war of words and thoughts between the US and North Korea. Now I will admit, some of Trump’s tweets in the past did borderline on bullying. But not this one. This one puts a total ruthless dictator Kim Jong Un on notice. Look at what this dictator had done to his own people. I wonder what the North Korean people are tweeting? Oh, that’s right…most of them don’t have freedom to access the Internet like we have. In fact, they only have 28 websites to choose from, thanks to dictator Kim Jong Un.? And yes, issues of social media censorship do come up in our Boston computer service shop. So what to you think of the tweet? Is it newsworthy, or bullying?
Sep 25, 2017 | News
First they accused Facebook of promoting ‘fake news’. Then, they accuse Facebook of giving ad space to hate group. But now, they say Facebook was in bed with the Russians, which helped Trump win. Is this the Facebook political witch hunt?
I don’t know if you read Hilary Clinton’s new book or not. But she’s still obviously didn’t get over last year’s loss. However, we learned Former President Barak Obama spoke out on the matter. Two months before Trump’s inauguration, Obama told Zuckerberg to take fake news seriously. Obama also told him unless the threat is dealt with, it will threaten more elections in the future. Zuckerberg admitted fake news is a problem. But he also said it will not be an easy fix.
After the election, and after Zuckerberg and Obama’s talk, Facebook looked further into accounts started during that bitter campaign. He and his team believe those who started those pages had financial, if not political, motives. However, they still don’t know whether it did, or didn’t, come from Russia. However, some US law enforcement leaders insist Russia led a major propaganda attack. In February 2017, Zuckerberg wrote a 6,000 word speech. He vowed to fight Facebook’s dark side. He called it, “Building Global Community”.
Now he has people on the other side upset. Facebook already took actions to fight hatred. But many argue such actions are leading to censorship. And many more, myself included, say Facebook could be stepping out of bounds. What if they call anything Zuckerberg doesn’t like ‘hate speech’? Also, what if anybody who doesn’t follow somebody’s political rhetoric ‘hate speech’? ?Some already complain they’re being censored because their talks and post are too ‘controversial’. Is this the Facebook political witch hunt? Are we really fighting hatred and political corruption? Or is this the modern day McCarthy witch hunts?
Sep 24, 2017 | News
So we all know of Grub Hub, Fodder, and other online food delivery services. But ever hear of Amazon Restaurant, out of Seattle? If not, then you soon will. So Amazon delivers our food now?
Food deliver has been Amazon’s dream for years. But now that they have Whole Foods in their arsenal, anything is possible. They just partnered with Olo, a digital order and pay service for over 200 different restaurant chains. These chains include Shake Shack, Chipotle, and Buca di Beppo. In fact, Buca di Beppo already said it will use Amazon Restaurant. They’re the only ones who are that committed right now. But something tells me there will be others.
However, Jeff Bezos didn’t just wake up one morning and say, “I wonder what business will I invade next?”. Amazon Restaurant started in Seattle in 2015, and slowly but surely crept into other markets. At first, they catered to small restaurants, who benefited just by using the name ‘Amazon’. But soon, they expanded to franchises, then corporations. And now, Amazon delivers has Olo. Olo can provide the technology to take orders. Amazon delivers the goods. Sounds like a match made in (not Heaven!). Olo also has Rails, their new baby that makes it easier to take orders from Amazon.
So you can probably tell I’m not excited about Amazon’s newest takeover…I meant…venture. Neither is the competition. ?GrubHub’s stocks fell over 7% at this news. That’s my problem with this. I have no problem with food delivery services at all. But in this case, I have a problem with the deliverer. I love how GrubHub and Fodder and others stuck to their thing and are now prosperous. Meanwhile, Amazon wants to take over everything. They have grocery stores, newspapers, movies, etc. And now they want the food delivery services. And here I was thinking Walmart was going to be the death of the small business. Am I being too harsh here?
Sep 22, 2017 | General
Many blame technology for their health problems. Some say watching too much technology is bad for you. Then some others say too much smartphone use is too bad for you socially. I agree with that one. Also, some even say smartphones cause cancer. Technology and health: Can they exist?
So you think all technology is bad for you? Ever hear of Fitbit, Garmin, NIke+Fuel Brand and other products. They track your steps. They also monitor your heart rates and count your calories, among other things. Just think, ten years ago, you had to go to a doctor to find these things out. Furthermore, technology improves relations and communication with health care workers. Back in the day, health advice was simply Monday-Friday, 9-5. But now, we can text, instant message, and e-mail someone anytime. Usually, you’ll get a response anytime.
So do you ever look up health issues through Google? If you did, then you’re answering your own question. You can look at symptoms, and even diagnose yourself at times. However, get a doctor to confirm it. Not only that, the healthcare industry has amazing devices they put in the body these days. They even have face and head transplants. Do you think we could have that without 21st century technology? In fact, here are 17 healthcare items we have due to the modern tech boom.
Technology can even help you stop disease before it gets started. For instance, movie star Angelina Jolie found out she had had a high risk or getting breast cancer. Immediately, she got a?mastectomy. So she tried to stop it before a potential diagnosis. There are other ways technology can help. In our Boston computer repair shop, we’ve heard of ?There are too many to name here. Yes, technology can also cause harm. Too much social media interaction and not enough exercise leads to problems. So technology and health: Can they exist?
Sep 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
One aspect of computer technology today is the security system. All the major tech companies compete in this race. But Google/Alphabet’s Nest might get the edge. This is introducing nest security system.
So actually, it’s three systems in one. They are the Nest Secure alarm system, video doorbell, and outdoor security cameras. It also includes, through the security base, an alarm, keypad, motion sensor, and voice. They say the voice is friendly. But the voice won’ t be so friendly when thieves try to come and are told to stay back. However, could the voice be so ‘friendly’, that thieves ignore, or laugh at the warning?
Then there’s Nest Direct. It detects things opening and closing. For example, when a door or window opens or closes, Nest Direct lets you know. One can attach Nest Tag to your key chain. Therefore, it can arm and disarm without those annoying passcodes that you sometimes forget. Don’t pretend that it never happens. The video doorbell not only tells you somebody’s there, but it gives you alerts and snapshots. You can even talk to your guest through the doorbell, before they enter. This can make for some interesting moments. The Nest Security System will run you about $350. If you order now, they will ship it in November.
How ironic. Just in time for Christmas. But what about that Nest Tag? What if somebody stole your Nest Tag? Or what if you lost it? This means anybody can mess with your system and run away and have their way. That makes passcodes sound a little safer, wasn’t it? So the Nest Tag could be a security breach waiting to happen. However, I’m more fascinated with this doorbell. Yes, it keeps thieves away from you? But could it keep a teenager”s girlfriend/boyfriend away if a parent says so? There are other analogies I have in mind. Can you think of any?
Sep 20, 2017 | General
So Apple built a $5 billion facility in Silicon Valley. Does that mean Silicon Valley is heading for a second golden age? However, this is not the case. In fact, I have to ask: Is Silicon Valley dying?
I know that sounds strange, and even disrespectful. Everyone who is in IT service owes a huge debt to Silicon Valley, right? That’s true, but those days could be numbering? I ask this because San Jose’s economy had it’s worst August since the Great Recession. So far in 2017, the Silicon Valley area economy didn’t grow. Unemployment remains at a low 3.5 percent. However, people are leaving Silicon Valley, which means the labor force is leaving.
Not only are workers leaving, whole companies are either leaving or building franchises elsewhere. For example, don’t expect Amazon’s second headquarters to be in Silicon Valley. Here are some cities that came up: Pittsburgh, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle. Notice San Jose isn’t even in this conversation. Probably because many workers won’t be there. Charts show the labor force is the lowest it’s been in almost 10 years. It’s not the tech companies. The Apple’s, Amazon’s, and Facebook’s are in a golden age. So maybe it’s the location that’s the problem. Is Silicon Valley dying?
Let’s look at why Silicon Valley may be dying. First of all, the cost of living is ridiculous! People who make six-digit figures struggle to make ends meet. It’s not just rent, either. I read stories where a cup of coffee cost $8.00. How would you like to pay eight dollars for a cup of coffee? Me either. Also, Silicon Valley isn’t the only candy store in town. Seattle is a tech boom town. So is Boston/Cambridge, Raliegh/Durham, NC, and Austin, TX. If you wanted to be a tech billionaire or king, you had to go to Silicon Valley. Not so much anymore. Don’t even get me started on the political tensions between Washington and Silicon Valley. How is anybody going to get any work done when both sides are trying to tell them how to think? Would you work in Silicon Valley in 2017?
Sep 19, 2017 | General, Wireless
Will Verizon cut off rural customers? Some reports say so. Some reports also say Verizon will cut off rural services as early as October 17, 2017.
They say it’s because rural customers use lots of data while roaming away from the Verizon wireless network. Furthermore, their ‘primary place of use’ is outside Verizon’s area. So far, they told over 8,000 customers in 13 states they were losing service. Apparently, Verizon cuts off rural customers because it’s cheaper. They’re not the only ones, nor is it the first time. Back in June 2017, Verizon cut off rural customers for using too much data in rural regions.
So this means those who Verizon dumps will have less than a month make do elsewhere. But there is a problem. Many in rural areas chose Verizon because it has vast coverage plans. It could be difficult to find small phone companies with such great coverage. Economics is hardly a factor. Rural and urban income are about the same. However, this follows Verizon’s almost stereotypical pattern. In January 2017: Verizon gave those using over 200GB of data a month a choice. That choice was to lower their data use or look for another Internet provider.
Now I know what the small print says. They can change rules ant terms at anytime. But I don’t think any customer, let alone 8,000 of them, expect to be kicked to the curb so coldly. I know what many of you may say, “It’s just business…Life isn’t fair”. Try telling that to the rural customers whose about to lose their internet and phone, and don’t know where to turn. I know Verizon has a business to run and need to conserve cost. But what about the cost of public opinion? Do they really think the American people will see it that way? Verizon has Yahoo now.They also need to keep perception in mind, like all of us in IT support do. Because from where I stand, this move makes Verizon look like misers. I guess you can’t impress everyone all the time. But will this change your perception of Verizon?
Sep 18, 2017 | Uncategorized
Can computer technology help you with body language and public speaking? Two men think so. Because at a Disrupt SF hackathon event, these men took part by introducing Vocalytics.
Vocalytics critiques your body language while studying videos of your performance. This system also looks at hands, eyes, facial movements, and posture. It even studies movements you’re not even aware of. The two men to thank for introducing Vocalytics are?Danish Dhamani and Paritosh Gupta. They used AI to build it. Also, they use a 2D map of a skeleton on any video. Furthermore, they use Open CV, Open Pose, and Microsoft Pose Data Set.
So after all this, they study normal pose, gestures and power pose. They even asked the public to send them videos of public speaking. They offered to send feedback using Vocalytics. Keep in mind they don’t critique your speech or your words, but they do watch your body language. However, there are others who do watch the words you speak. That’s where Speechcoach.ai comes in. In fact, the men that are introducing Vocalytics also introduce Orai, a speech coach app. That’s already at the Apple Store. Sorry, but I don’t know if Vocalytics is available yet.
However, there is good and bad potential to this. This really can help you in your public speaking. Sometimes, our body language may send bad messages and we don’t even know it. And most of us have to speak in public sometime. So Vocalytics can help prevent those awkward moments before they arise, whether it’s in front of a job or class, or trying to impress that first date or job interview. But if you’ve followed me for a while, you know I look at more sinister motives. What if somebody uses this to study somebody’s body language 24/7, just to study your personality for spying purposes? And what if people use this to disrupt people’s lives? To disrupt somebody’s privacy is never a good thing. How will people use Vocalytics?
