Networking
January 5, 2012
AT&T to Offer TVTextbook
Instead of cramming their heads with Saturday morning cartoons, kids in grades K - 12 with AT&T'S 3G network may soon be opting for TVTextbook. They get access to both educational and entertaining content on any TV, PC, tablet or other device. Debuting with Florida's Duval County Public Schools, this will be especially useful to those who cannot get the interweb otherwise. Eight hundred accessible dongles will connect the TVT service through USB to start.
Via AT&T
September 27, 2011
Sites Feature Memorials for Living and Non-
Let your loved ones be remembered online with two new sites. At I-Tomb, you can create a "virtual cemetery" with images, videos, music, text and documents that memorialize a loved one's life. I-Memorial is for the living that want to let their relatives know how they would like to be remembered as well as what to do upon their demise. We are not sure whether we applaud the sites (run by the same company) for letting folks reminisce or plan ahead, or we find it a bit odd that there can be a place to glorify those who never made it to Wikipedia.
Via I-Tomb
September 11, 2011
In Remembrance
9/11 is one of those events that you remember where you were and was somehow altered by the catastrophe. We suggest you not spend the day watching the boob tube and reliving the evil of it via the courtesy of the networks. Instead, plant a tree or hang with friends and/or family. Take the time to personally remember and be glad that we are Americans and better than the petty bickering that has consumed our lives of late.
August 16, 2011
SETI Set to Seek ET Again
SETI is a go again, thanks to $200,000 in funding from supporters that include actor/director Jodi Foster. The organization managed to gain enough funding (~$200,000) in 45 days to restart its Allen Telescope Array, thereby making it possible for ET to phone away from home. You can still contribute to this hopeful organization, although they are seeking permanent funding from the US Air Force.
Via SETI
August 15, 2011
UK Dealing With Riot Aftermath
The UK's prime minister, in addressing Parliament last week, told them that he was considering limiting social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to help curb the violence. Part of PM David Cameron's speech claimed,
"And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the Police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality."
We want to believe that this is a threat more than a promise as anyone who believes in freedom knows that this move will not hinder the problem, but feed the flames. We do not believe in violence, but this type of action smacks of Big Brother, don't you think? You can read the entire speech from the link.
Via International Business Times
August 10, 2011
Crestron iPad iDOCs for Counter or Wall
Crestron has new docking stations for both the original iPad and iPad 2. Take your tablet and mount it on either a table top or wall and take advantage of the company's app for control of home or office. Available in both white and black gloss, the IDOC-PAD and IDOC-PAD2 software can manage video streaming, audio settings, thermostats or even lighting.
Via Crestron
July 11, 2011
An Instant Network Week
What is it about us humans that have a need to watch a train wreck in action? We watched the Casey Anthony case unfold via live feed and raced back to the site when the verdict was announced. We checked out YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to find the latest war news, complete with imagery of blood and violence.
We witnessed the endless comments of "awesome" when Mark Zuckerberg et al let us know we can instantly Skype on Facebook and even the President held a Town Hall Twitter event last week. In this day and age of immediate news, we are connected with everyone, every thing and that instant access makes it difficult to believe that there was ever any other way of networking.
July 6, 2011
DynDNS Provides Mobile Access
If you are out and about and need access to your network, DynDNS provides hardware that will monitor your IP and find when you are not there. It uses the information to FTP to your server and enable remote access. You can receive two accounts for free or opt for a paid one beginning at $15.00 for 30 host names.
Via DynDNS
June 29, 2011
Help SETI Stay Afloat
The ultimate form of networking needs your assistance. Who hasn't shared their computer with SETI at one time or another, hoping that you will glimpse the arrival of ET? Now they are asking for donations to help keep their 42 Allen Telescope Array going. While $200,000 seems like a large amount, they are well on the way with about $32,000 given so far. So help bring the ATAs back on line with funding, blogging and just plain spreading the word.
Via SETI
June 23, 2011
Skype and Comcast Cooperate
Skype and Comcast have teamed for VoIP service on HDTVs. Skypers can make and receive messages, and video and audio calls via a Comcast adapter Box by utilizing the Skype desktop app. The same service is available to smartphone and tablet owners. Friends from Facebook, Gmail, Outlook and smartphones can be imported from contact lists. Even better (albeit noisier,) Skyping and viewing can be performed at the same time. Look for the service to roll out later this year.
Via eWeek
May 30, 2011
Ford Adds Heartbeat Monitoring Seat
What seems like a usable concept may in fact have the opposite effect. In a partnering of Ford European Research and RWTH Aachen University in Germany, engineers developed a car seat that monitors the driver's heartbeat. The S-Max seat contains 6 embedded electrode sensors that can detect irregular activity. Let's look at this for a second. Driver has heart condition, gets caught up in traffic and develops road rage. Which is worse, the road rage or some alert letting him/her know you are about to have a heart attack?
Via Ford
May 18, 2011
EBS to Establish Localized Alerts
Listening to my local updated emergency alert testing, not only was I treated to a high pitched wail that seemed designed for dog ears, there was a hideous voice attached that let me know, "This is a test, this is only a test." Now the government may soon be able to send you emergency alerts on your cellie. Part of the EBS, the Personal Localized Alerting Network uses a chip to let you know when something is going on in your area.
While PLAN may be a plus for knowing when to get out of town, it also may be a violation of privacy because the system relies on carriers data of user location. The program is to begin later this year in New York and Washington D.C. and go national by 2012.
Via PLAN
April 5, 2011
AMEX Serve Mobile Payments
American Express has set up a payment system similar to PayPal. 'Serve' users create an account and can send or receive payments. Access includes the company's iOS, the Interweb, Facebook and Android apps. The bad news is that there is a $2.00 ATM fee and a 2.9% and $0.03 per deposit discount for cash, debit and ACH. The good news is that if you get it now, the first six months are free and your first withdrawal for the month is free.
Via AMEX Serve
February 24, 2011
CA Ceases Retail Zip Code Requirement
You know how annoying it is when you walk into your nearest Radio Shack and they ask you for your zip code? Have no fear as that minor invasion of privacy is no longer required, at least in California. The state's Supreme Court determined that except in limited cases, i.e. businesses that need the info for security reasons, they can no longer require that personal tidbit.
Jessica Pineda of Menlo Park began the lawsuit after a store used her name and zip code to identify her address and stored it for marketing purposes, including selling the information to other businesses. The lower courts rejected the suit but the CA Court agreed that issuing a zip code was part of the state's Credit Card Act.
Via LA Times
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