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Net Neutrality and Comcast PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 12 March 2008

Whether you use Comcast as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or not, you may or may not be aware of just how much they want to control what you see and hear on the Internet, one of the few remaining places where you have an opportunity to read uncensored material not controlled by the big media outlets.

In February, Comcast physically blocked the interested public, including reporters, from seeing the FCC commisioners in a public hearing that will drastically affect the Internet as we know it. How did they do this? By busing in  a large number of people paid to "hold seats", filling the seats so that those who really wanted to be there could not get in.

For more information, here are some links of interest:
http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/2008/02/25/comcast-blocking-first-the-internet-now-the-public/
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/26/152820/580/236/464551
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/26/7544/56044/526/464261

 

 
It's Theoretically Possible... PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 18 January 2008

Researchers at Duke University (NC) and Imperial College London say it's theoretically possible that the invisibility worn by Harry Potter could eventually become a reality. Read more about it here .

It brings to mind the famous quote by Arthur C. Clarke,  English physicist and science fiction author, his third law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

As with any invention of this kind, the applications can be so very positively, but also so very negatively used. Let us hope that humankind will grow up sooner rather than later, so that things like this will not be abused as so many inventions have been.

 
The Real Speed Demon PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 07 January 2008

As a web designer who also does SEO (search engine optimization) I often have to do  linkbuilding on a site. Occasionally I come across something that I find truly interesting, or in this case an amazing feat of engineering.

I am not a car afficionado, just know enough about them to know I want a good mechanic working on my own car. But this particular vehicle is very impressive indeed. Not one the average person is ever likely to own--to say the least--but certainly fun to look at.

 

 

 
Top Ten Astronomy Pictures of 2007 PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 14 December 2007

Every once i na while I come across something that strikes a deep chord. This one struck several with the beauty of the images, the immensity of the universe, and the incredible density of stars, all potentially warming other worlds, seen in these photos. Take the time to read through this post, there is a lot to learn and much at which to wonder:

http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2007/12/13/top-ten-astronomy-pictures-of-2007/ 

 
Did You Know.... PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 07 October 2007

...the Flash can be used to track your movements on a website? And that all those lovely, pretty fancy Flash effects on a lot of sites are also carrying "cookies" that are used to track all the sites you go to?

We've all hear about them. Software like AdAware works to prevent cookies... but not the FLASH cookies, because Flash works outside the browser not as part of it like the usual kind of programming cookies do, and therefore can work "outside the rules" that the browsers have all followed for years. And don't think that marketers aren't using that to huge advantage.

Yep... like having a GPS that anyone can log into to see where you are and find out what you're doing.

Read more about it here.

Lesson: Never assume that anything you do on the Internet is ever private.

And never take the security of your computer for granted.. you can bet hackers are looking for any way into your private data they can find.

 
A Nightmare Begins... PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 05 June 2007

.... or maybe just escalates.

Last night, I started getting calls from people who thought they were calling AT&T customer service. They were looking to upgrade their phone service, or change their DSL, or handle some other task. I asked each one what number they were calling, and each one gave me my toll-free number, which I keep for current customers and my daughters' use. They each told me they had gotten the number from an AT&T representative. I've had this toll-free number for about 7 years now--I got it originally so my daughters could always call me wherever they were--so it's not a new number.

Now AT&T is giving out MY toll-free number as their customer service number and costing ME money.

So why do I say escalates? Well.....

Read more...
 
Pet Foods and Alternatives PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 04 April 2007
With all the recent recalls of pet foods, one has to wonder if using any commercially made food for one's pets are particularly healthy. Easy, yes. In our overloaded and overwhleming lifestyles, too often we don't even take care of ourselves very well, let alone our pets.
Read more...
 
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