http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517748,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
In this article from foxnew.com it explains that the President Obama has not received his super secure blackberry due to security testing. “He's been plugging an ordinary BlackBerry into a military-spec Sectera Edge smartphone to send messages, apparently the only way his personal BlackBerry could have been upgraded to meet top security standards. Obama's been spotted checking a BlackBerry 8700 without any other device attached, but he may simply have been reading instead of sending e-mail.” It also states that “The National Security Agency still needs a few months to test out its replacement: a souped-up BlackBerry 8830 equipped with software called SecurVoice made by Washington, D.C.-based The Genesis Key, Inc.” Why is that we need to know what kind of phone the President and First Lady Obama is going to use? Shouldn’t this be top secret? There are some crazy people in this world that would love to hack into their phones to try to destroy the world or the President’s Family. I feel like some things do not need to be told or shared to the whole world. The article also states from “a famous former computer hacker Kevin Mitnick told FoxNews.com recently, no device is truly fully secure”."It's a long shot, but it's possible," Mitnick said. "You'd probably need to be pretty sophisticated, but there are people out there who are."
In the cnet.com article it explains that “When the mainstream media first announced Barack Obama's "victory" in keeping his blackberry the focus was on the security of the device, and the U.S. president’s e-mail communication private from spies and hackers. The news coverage and analysis by armchair security experts thus far has failed to focus on the real threat: attacks against President Obama's location privacy, and the potential physical security risks that come with someone knowing the president's real-time physical location.” In this article it also explains different ways on how a hacker could get information from President Obama’s phone. To me this is just too much easy information given out. I feel like the media is the cause of this.
Reference: Foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517748,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Cnet.com http://news.cnet.com/8301-13739_3-10159055-46.html
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Facebook Users Get Worse Grades in College
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515395,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
I am a college student and I have a Facebook account. Like all the other Facebook users I believe I’m addicted to it. I have to go on Facebook every day, sometimes more than three times a day. In the fox news online article it states that “Facebook users have lower overall grades than non-users, according to a survey of college students who also ironically said the social networking site does not interfere with studying. It raises more questions about how students spend their time outside class on activities such as Facebook, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities. I think Facebook is not all to blame for the low overall grades. I personally take the time out of my day to get my studying and homework done, sometimes before I login on to Facebook. In the article Aryn Karpinski an education researcher at Ohio State University while in her research she found that “Facebook user GPAs were in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on average, compared to 3.5 to 4.0 for non-users. Facebook users also studied anywhere from one to five hours per week, compared to non-users who studied 11 to 15 or more hours per week.” I believe that this studied is not true in my case at all, but overall with all the other users it may be true.
In the article from tech blorge.com, it explains that “the students most likely to spend time socializing on Facebook are future technology and business workers. Science, technology, engineering, math and business majors were more likely to use Facebook than students of social sciences or humanities. While there isn’t a case that suggests that Facebook is directly responsible for anyone failing classes yet, it could certainly contribute to a student’s poor performance. The trick might be curbing a Facebook fanatic’s usage to ensure it doesn’t affect study habits.” The Facebook users have the power to control themselves on how much time they spend on Facebook. If the users seem to find that they are spending too much time they should do something about it if it is affecting their work or studies.
References: Foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515395,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Tech blorge http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2009/04/13/can-too-much-social-networking-result-in-a-facebook-fail/
I am a college student and I have a Facebook account. Like all the other Facebook users I believe I’m addicted to it. I have to go on Facebook every day, sometimes more than three times a day. In the fox news online article it states that “Facebook users have lower overall grades than non-users, according to a survey of college students who also ironically said the social networking site does not interfere with studying. It raises more questions about how students spend their time outside class on activities such as Facebook, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities. I think Facebook is not all to blame for the low overall grades. I personally take the time out of my day to get my studying and homework done, sometimes before I login on to Facebook. In the article Aryn Karpinski an education researcher at Ohio State University while in her research she found that “Facebook user GPAs were in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on average, compared to 3.5 to 4.0 for non-users. Facebook users also studied anywhere from one to five hours per week, compared to non-users who studied 11 to 15 or more hours per week.” I believe that this studied is not true in my case at all, but overall with all the other users it may be true.
In the article from tech blorge.com, it explains that “the students most likely to spend time socializing on Facebook are future technology and business workers. Science, technology, engineering, math and business majors were more likely to use Facebook than students of social sciences or humanities. While there isn’t a case that suggests that Facebook is directly responsible for anyone failing classes yet, it could certainly contribute to a student’s poor performance. The trick might be curbing a Facebook fanatic’s usage to ensure it doesn’t affect study habits.” The Facebook users have the power to control themselves on how much time they spend on Facebook. If the users seem to find that they are spending too much time they should do something about it if it is affecting their work or studies.
References: Foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515395,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Tech blorge http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2009/04/13/can-too-much-social-networking-result-in-a-facebook-fail/
Friday, April 10, 2009
Review: iPhone Apps for Nearly Every Waking Minute
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513278,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
I don’t have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, but soon I will be getting an iPod Touch. Soon everyone who can afford these devices will have them. Everyday someone is creating new iPhone and iPod Touch applications. This makes these devices much more than just a music device or a plain phone. Its stated in the Fox news article that the application or better known as apps “are software programs you download to the phone to give it new features. So now a phone can be a pedometer, a voice recorder, a gym coach and a budget tracker. It promises to find my parked car, give me a shoulder massage and even repel mosquitoes, for free or 99 cents and up.” It explains that Apple says there are 25,000 apps for “just about anything”. If you want a new recipe the iPhone and iPod Touch has an application for that. “For breakfast, you can check the Betty Crocker Mobile Cookbook app, which can suggest recipes based on ingredients you have on hand. I told Betty I had eggs and vegetables, and her app spit out 175 recipes ranging from an easy cheese omelet to the tougher chiles rellenos egg soufflé bake.”
In the article from businessweek.com, “Apple is closing in on a big milestone in the iTunes App Store: 1 Billion iPhone Apps downloaded. As you might expect it’s celebrating by giving stuff away. Get an app and you get a chance to win a $10,000 iTunes gift card, a MacBook pro and so on.” This is looking very good for Apple’s business. The most popular free apps are “Facebook, followed by Google Earth, and Pandora. On the paid side the most popular app is Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, followed by Koi Pond, and Enigmo. Games make up 15 of the top 20 paid apps, and 6 of the top 20 free apps, making Apple look more like a major force in mobile gaming all the time.” Apple iPhones and iPods are so popular because of the many different functions they hold. While writing this blog makes me want to drive to the Apple store and buy my iPod Touch Today.
References: Fox News.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513278,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Businessweek.com http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ByteOfTheApple/blog/archives/2009/04/almost_a_billio.html
I don’t have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, but soon I will be getting an iPod Touch. Soon everyone who can afford these devices will have them. Everyday someone is creating new iPhone and iPod Touch applications. This makes these devices much more than just a music device or a plain phone. Its stated in the Fox news article that the application or better known as apps “are software programs you download to the phone to give it new features. So now a phone can be a pedometer, a voice recorder, a gym coach and a budget tracker. It promises to find my parked car, give me a shoulder massage and even repel mosquitoes, for free or 99 cents and up.” It explains that Apple says there are 25,000 apps for “just about anything”. If you want a new recipe the iPhone and iPod Touch has an application for that. “For breakfast, you can check the Betty Crocker Mobile Cookbook app, which can suggest recipes based on ingredients you have on hand. I told Betty I had eggs and vegetables, and her app spit out 175 recipes ranging from an easy cheese omelet to the tougher chiles rellenos egg soufflé bake.”
In the article from businessweek.com, “Apple is closing in on a big milestone in the iTunes App Store: 1 Billion iPhone Apps downloaded. As you might expect it’s celebrating by giving stuff away. Get an app and you get a chance to win a $10,000 iTunes gift card, a MacBook pro and so on.” This is looking very good for Apple’s business. The most popular free apps are “Facebook, followed by Google Earth, and Pandora. On the paid side the most popular app is Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, followed by Koi Pond, and Enigmo. Games make up 15 of the top 20 paid apps, and 6 of the top 20 free apps, making Apple look more like a major force in mobile gaming all the time.” Apple iPhones and iPods are so popular because of the many different functions they hold. While writing this blog makes me want to drive to the Apple store and buy my iPod Touch Today.
References: Fox News.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513278,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Businessweek.com http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ByteOfTheApple/blog/archives/2009/04/almost_a_billio.html
Sunday, April 5, 2009
How to Protect Yourself From the Conficker Virus
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511870,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/cybersecurity
This week the news has been discussing about the Conficker Worm that was to plague our computers on April 1, 2009. This Fox news article explains how to protect you from the Conficker Virus. It is said that “The Conficker worm, a nasty computer infection that has poisoned millions of PCs, will start ramping up its efforts Wednesday to use those machines for cybercrimes. It's unclear whether everyday PC users will even notice, but this is as good an excuse as any to make sure your computer is clean. There are some easy ways to figure out whether a computer has the Conficker worm, and free tools available for getting rid of it.” It also explains that there is “A list of the free Conficker removal programs is available on the Web site of the Conficker Working Group, an alliance of companies fighting the worm. The removal programs will take care of themselves, for the most part, scanning your system and purging the worm.” I would suggest everyone who doesn’t want the virus to check out the web site or get the removal programs just in case.
Businesses worldwide are at higher risk to the get the virus. In the PCWorld article it puts into clear words, “That number has more than tripled over the last four days alone from January 16, 2009, says F-Secure, leaping from 2.4 million to 8.9 million infected PCs. Once a machine is infected, the worm can download and install additional malware from attacker-controlled Web sites, according to the company. Since that could mean anything from a password stealer to remote control software, a Conflicker-infected PC is essentially under the complete control of the attackers.” This virus or next virus to come could hurt US in a major way due to the economy being in recession. So everyone should see help in finding a way to protect themselves from getting the Conficker Virus.
References: FoxNews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511870,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/cybersecurity
PCWorld.com http://www.pcworld.com/article/157876/protecting_against_the_rampant_conficker_worm.html
This week the news has been discussing about the Conficker Worm that was to plague our computers on April 1, 2009. This Fox news article explains how to protect you from the Conficker Virus. It is said that “The Conficker worm, a nasty computer infection that has poisoned millions of PCs, will start ramping up its efforts Wednesday to use those machines for cybercrimes. It's unclear whether everyday PC users will even notice, but this is as good an excuse as any to make sure your computer is clean. There are some easy ways to figure out whether a computer has the Conficker worm, and free tools available for getting rid of it.” It also explains that there is “A list of the free Conficker removal programs is available on the Web site of the Conficker Working Group, an alliance of companies fighting the worm. The removal programs will take care of themselves, for the most part, scanning your system and purging the worm.” I would suggest everyone who doesn’t want the virus to check out the web site or get the removal programs just in case.
Businesses worldwide are at higher risk to the get the virus. In the PCWorld article it puts into clear words, “That number has more than tripled over the last four days alone from January 16, 2009, says F-Secure, leaping from 2.4 million to 8.9 million infected PCs. Once a machine is infected, the worm can download and install additional malware from attacker-controlled Web sites, according to the company. Since that could mean anything from a password stealer to remote control software, a Conflicker-infected PC is essentially under the complete control of the attackers.” This virus or next virus to come could hurt US in a major way due to the economy being in recession. So everyone should see help in finding a way to protect themselves from getting the Conficker Virus.
References: FoxNews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511870,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/cybersecurity
PCWorld.com http://www.pcworld.com/article/157876/protecting_against_the_rampant_conficker_worm.html
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Three Strikes and You're Offline: Music Industry, ISPs May Cut Internet Access for File-Sharers
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510283,00.html
In the early 90’s music CDs was how we listen to the latest jams. Today CDs is still around but there are nearly as many people who buy CDs like they did in the 90’s, some have move on to downloading music from the internet, because it’s very easy to do and cheap. Music file-sharing has become popular to get music for free on sites like Napster, Limewire, and Frostwire. Some people say it’s wrong to download music, while some say its right. In the article from Youth news network, it points out that “For people who download music, it's a matter of thrift and convenience to get music from many different Internet sources. For people opposed to it, it is stealing or pirating copyrighted material.”
In the Fox News article, big record labels put pressure on several countries around the world and it’s said that they are “cracking down hard on illegal file-sharers with a “three strikes, you’re out” policy and the United States may be next.” Basically it states that “if you get caught three time sharing files illegally, and your internet access gets cut off.” My issue is do they really have the right to cut your internet off? If this were to happen in the United States then a lot of people would not have internet, because many people in the United States use file-sharing frequently. The article states that "It gives the RIAA [Recording Industry Association of America] way too much power, but it's going to take acquiescence from the ISPs [to happen]," Sohn says. "I think it's unfair and un-American in many different ways. No copyright holder should have that much power based on an allegation." I also believe that by having this law passed in the United States, it would get a lot of people to use the legal sites like iTunes and Rhapsody.
References: Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510283,00.html
Youth News Network http://www.ypress.org/news/downloading_music_is_cheap_but_is_it_right
In the early 90’s music CDs was how we listen to the latest jams. Today CDs is still around but there are nearly as many people who buy CDs like they did in the 90’s, some have move on to downloading music from the internet, because it’s very easy to do and cheap. Music file-sharing has become popular to get music for free on sites like Napster, Limewire, and Frostwire. Some people say it’s wrong to download music, while some say its right. In the article from Youth news network, it points out that “For people who download music, it's a matter of thrift and convenience to get music from many different Internet sources. For people opposed to it, it is stealing or pirating copyrighted material.”
In the Fox News article, big record labels put pressure on several countries around the world and it’s said that they are “cracking down hard on illegal file-sharers with a “three strikes, you’re out” policy and the United States may be next.” Basically it states that “if you get caught three time sharing files illegally, and your internet access gets cut off.” My issue is do they really have the right to cut your internet off? If this were to happen in the United States then a lot of people would not have internet, because many people in the United States use file-sharing frequently. The article states that "It gives the RIAA [Recording Industry Association of America] way too much power, but it's going to take acquiescence from the ISPs [to happen]," Sohn says. "I think it's unfair and un-American in many different ways. No copyright holder should have that much power based on an allegation." I also believe that by having this law passed in the United States, it would get a lot of people to use the legal sites like iTunes and Rhapsody.
References: Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510283,00.html
Youth News Network http://www.ypress.org/news/downloading_music_is_cheap_but_is_it_right
Sunday, March 15, 2009
How green is your cell Phone?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509169,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
How green is your cell phone? That’s one question from the latest news of Foxnews.com. In today’s time almost everything has a green label or slogan for example “Go Green”. This simple means that by going green we as people could make a difference- by changing how we use energy, how we use water, what we buy or don't buy and how we think. By doing this it could help protect the planet, our communities and our families by making changes in our daily decisions. Have you ever heard that you cell phone could “Go Green”? I never until now, I didn’t know that your cell phone could do any harm to the environment. It states in article of foxnews.com that “toxic chemicals are released into the air and water when phone components are manufactured and assembled. Heavy metals leach into the soil of landfills when the phones are thrown out”. It also states that “when phone components such as circuit boards and electronic cables are built and assembled, the elements bromine and chlorine can be released into the environment, posing a hazard to residents living in surrounding areas. Some bromated flame retardants (BFRs) don't break down in the air and can cause abnormal brain development in animals and people”. This is obstructive to the health of everyday life.
There is an alternative to our cell phones; some manufactures like Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola make “go green” cell phones that are made with natural and recycled items we all you use daily. I think we should all “go green” to help protect the planet, so we could maybe live a longer life. We as people can make a difference, if we all work together. On the gogreen online site it gives us some helpful instructions for example “While producers, power companies and legislators are working on the problem from other angles, every action we take matters.” It also explains that, “If our viewers and members do the small things, each person will reap the personal cost-savings benefits and positive planetary impact”. We can do this YES WE CAN!
References:
Foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509169,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Gogreenonline.com http://www.gogreenonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150&Itemid=56
How green is your cell phone? That’s one question from the latest news of Foxnews.com. In today’s time almost everything has a green label or slogan for example “Go Green”. This simple means that by going green we as people could make a difference- by changing how we use energy, how we use water, what we buy or don't buy and how we think. By doing this it could help protect the planet, our communities and our families by making changes in our daily decisions. Have you ever heard that you cell phone could “Go Green”? I never until now, I didn’t know that your cell phone could do any harm to the environment. It states in article of foxnews.com that “toxic chemicals are released into the air and water when phone components are manufactured and assembled. Heavy metals leach into the soil of landfills when the phones are thrown out”. It also states that “when phone components such as circuit boards and electronic cables are built and assembled, the elements bromine and chlorine can be released into the environment, posing a hazard to residents living in surrounding areas. Some bromated flame retardants (BFRs) don't break down in the air and can cause abnormal brain development in animals and people”. This is obstructive to the health of everyday life.
There is an alternative to our cell phones; some manufactures like Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola make “go green” cell phones that are made with natural and recycled items we all you use daily. I think we should all “go green” to help protect the planet, so we could maybe live a longer life. We as people can make a difference, if we all work together. On the gogreen online site it gives us some helpful instructions for example “While producers, power companies and legislators are working on the problem from other angles, every action we take matters.” It also explains that, “If our viewers and members do the small things, each person will reap the personal cost-savings benefits and positive planetary impact”. We can do this YES WE CAN!
References:
Foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509169,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Gogreenonline.com http://www.gogreenonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150&Itemid=56
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Teen Fired for Calling Job 'Boring' on Facebook
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,501025,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
Facebook is coming to be the main technology headline in today’s news. In the fox news article a teenager was fired from calling her job boring on Facebook. I think this situation went overboard on the decision to fire the teenager. It explains that “Kimberley Swann made the comment about Ivell Marketing and Logistics Limited in Clacton, Essex, England where she had begun working as an administrator. She claims she did not name the company online and was happy in the job. The 16-year-old was fired with "immediate effect" after posting the negative comment on the social networking site.” Facebook is making people nosey to their friend’s information. You have to be very careful of what you say or put on the site. It would hurt me dearly if I would have made a comment like the one Kimberley Swann made, and my job would have fired me.
In another article its states that “Facebook is trying to regain the trust of its users by introducing new privacy controls that give users the ability to preserve social distinctions between friends, family and co-workers online. The site has been the target of two major rebellions by its users in response to new features that many felt exposed previously private information to wider view.” I believe by going back to how facebook was in the beginning without the news feed it would make the users feel like they have some privacy. Today on Facebook you lose all privacy as people know what you're up to all the time and you also get people you've hardly ever spoken to all of a sudden wanting to become your friend in order to increase their friend numbers! All in all it’s very addictive and a good way of staying in touch. Overall, Facebook is still one of my favorite sites.
References:
FoxNews http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,501025,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
news.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23402057-5014239,00.html
Facebook is coming to be the main technology headline in today’s news. In the fox news article a teenager was fired from calling her job boring on Facebook. I think this situation went overboard on the decision to fire the teenager. It explains that “Kimberley Swann made the comment about Ivell Marketing and Logistics Limited in Clacton, Essex, England where she had begun working as an administrator. She claims she did not name the company online and was happy in the job. The 16-year-old was fired with "immediate effect" after posting the negative comment on the social networking site.” Facebook is making people nosey to their friend’s information. You have to be very careful of what you say or put on the site. It would hurt me dearly if I would have made a comment like the one Kimberley Swann made, and my job would have fired me.
In another article its states that “Facebook is trying to regain the trust of its users by introducing new privacy controls that give users the ability to preserve social distinctions between friends, family and co-workers online. The site has been the target of two major rebellions by its users in response to new features that many felt exposed previously private information to wider view.” I believe by going back to how facebook was in the beginning without the news feed it would make the users feel like they have some privacy. Today on Facebook you lose all privacy as people know what you're up to all the time and you also get people you've hardly ever spoken to all of a sudden wanting to become your friend in order to increase their friend numbers! All in all it’s very addictive and a good way of staying in touch. Overall, Facebook is still one of my favorite sites.
References:
FoxNews http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,501025,00.html?sPage=fnc/scitech/personaltechnology
news.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23402057-5014239,00.html
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