Archive for January, 2008
Cyberwar- a foretaste
It is more than unfortunate that the general populace is sadly deficient in technological knowledge. It is a danger to our society. It isn’t just that sophisticated criminals are after our money. Future foreign enemies are going to try to exploit the weaknesses in the security of our infrastructure to create wholesale breakdowns of vital [...]
Too ignorant to use computers (or build bridges)?
In his usual curmudgeonly manner, John Dvorak is scathing about the public’s general level of technological ignorance and blasts our educational system. He points to the fact that a lot of people are using computers who have no clue what they are doing. Unfortunately, he is all too correct when he writes:
There’s a huge knowledge [...]
The invisible computer revolution
In a very interesting article at BBC News, the case is made that the cell phone with expanded capabilities, not the conventional computer, is going to be the dominant technology factor in Africa and other third-world areas:
Because those of us based in the developed world are always thinking of computers as things with 15-inch or [...]
The “Google generation” not so hot at Googling, after all
That’s the title of a post at Ars Technica, which begins:
A new UK report on the habits of the “Google Generation” finds that kids born since 1993 aren’t quite the Internet super-sleuths they’re sometimes made out to be. For instance, are teens better with technology than older adults? Perhaps, but they also “tend to use [...]
Shock hazard in certain Dell laptops
It is being reported by CNET that certain models of Dell laptops can give you an electric shock:
The problem only seems to occur in Dell laptops that have a brushed-aluminium finish. These include the XPS M1330 and XPS M1530. It’s caused by the two-pronged connection between the mains lead and the power adaptor, which [...]
Windows 7 in 2009?
You may have barely gotten used to the idea of Vista but the next operating system is starting to loom on the horizon. Steven Bink posts:
While it has generally been believed that Windows 7 was scheduled for a 2010 debut, Microsoft has revised the roadmap and apparently moved up the release date by a few [...]
CCleaner update
I have mentioned the free utility for keeping your system clean called CCleaner before. It has received another update.
Recognizing an email scam
In many ways the usefulness of email has been greatly impaired by the torrent of spam and phishing. In spite of all that, it remains a valuable method of communication as long as we are vigilant. PC World has a slide show with some information on spotting a scam in an email. They could have [...]
Microsoft’s uber-spyware
I have no idea where Microsoft is going with this but a patent application reported by the UK Times gives me the creeps:
Microsoft is developing Big Brother-style software capable of remotely monitoring a worker’s productivity, physical wellbeing and competence.
The Times has seen a patent application filed by the company for a computer system that [...]
Blog on the next Windows operating system
Vista’s lukewarm reception has led to enhanced interest in Microsoft’s next Windows version, which at this stage is called Windows 7. Long Zheng comments on a blog by a member of the Windows 7 development team that is refreshingly frank:
One could ponder and speculate about Windows 7 all day and night, or they could read [...]