Personal data safe? Microsoft's Data Privacy Day

Microsoft invaded traditionally Hallmark turf earlier this week with their "Data Privacy Day" public-awareness campaign. The software giant encourages us to think about how we reveal personal information in a fun, if not somewhat corny, online quiz.

The quiz, which not surprisingly didn't work well in my Firefox browser, asks questions about your online activities and ranks your performance between "Your cover's blown" to "You're in deep cover", complete with secret agent icons.

Now, don't expect this campaign to change your world, make you a security and/or privacy expert... but it does serve as a great reminder that there are risks to sharing your personal information with online sites.

Here are some important tips to remember everyday, not just the so-called "Data Privacy Day":

• Be aware of what information you are sharing and how it will be used. If in doubt, refuse to give it out.
• Review a website's privacy policy and site terms. Sure, they're long legal documents and often a checkbox away from getting what you came for... but these agreements contain important details about what a website may and may not do with your data. (Of course, scrupulous sites will take advantage of your data anyway!)
• Review your accounts, passwords, and social networking profiles often for revealing (and incorrect) information.
• Change your passwords often. When was the last time you changed a password? Do it now!
• Be careful what you click. Emails may contain attachments that are ticking time bombs, websites that look sketchy -- probably are. And the IRS will never send you unsolicited email. A healthy dose of skepticism could save your identity and major headaches to follow.

Microsoft has also released a much-less corny video documentary with some solid recent data about online privacy from a variety of perspectives. It's five minutes, but worth watching. (Use some of that time you save each time you quickly and click 'Accept' on a website's privacy policy.)

My Privacy: Safely Navigating Life Online

For more information, visit Microsoft's "Data Privacy Day" website. While you're joining me in a collective eye-roll at the idea of a Microsoft holiday -- if you really want to get into the spirit of things -- hop on over to my Amazon wishlist and feel free to buy me a Data Privacy Day gift. (What, you didn't know buying me presents was part of Data Privacy Day?!?)

Microsoft.com: Server Error in '/careers' Application.

In light of layoffs for the first time in Microsoft's history, there's a certain irony to Sunday's error message on the Microsoft.com "Careers" page:



Server Error in '/careers' Application.

Indeed.

Need some help guys? (Screenshot created 6:45am 25 January 2009, repro steps: Visit Microsoft.com, click "careers" in bottom footer. Result: Error as shown above. Expected: Microsoft's Careers database. Browser: Firefox.)


Complete error text, for those who might be able to help restore the page (of course, I suppose you'd already need to have a job at Microsoft to offer assistance)...

Server Error in '/careers' Application.
The log file for database 'Careers' is full. Back up the transaction log for the database to free up some log space.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.

Exception Details: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: The log file for database 'Careers' is full. Back up the transaction log for the database to free up some log space.

Source Error:

An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.

Stack Trace:

[SqlException (0x80131904): The log file for database 'Careers' is full. Back up the transaction log for the database to free up some log space.]
MSArm.UI.Common.XpSession.CreateNew(HttpContext Context) +461
MSArm.UI.Common.XpPage.CreateNewSession(String redirectUrl, Boolean signout) +81
MSArm.UI.Common.XpPage.CheckSession() +4333
Microsoft.HRIT.Staffing.Web.External.Pages.HomePage.Page_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e) +43
System.Web.UI.Control.OnLoad(EventArgs e) +99
System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive() +47
System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) +1436


Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.1433; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.1433

Microsoft: 5,000 jobs cut, tough times ahead

KXL Tech Expert Segment for 22 January 2009

Proving even software giants are not immune to the effects of this troubled economy, Microsoft has announced today 5,000 job cuts – 1400 expected today.

The Redmond, WA-based company released a press release just after 6am this morning warning of lower profits sending shares in pre-market trading down 7 percent. They’ve also advised investors not to expect “quantitative revenue and EPS guidance for the balance of this fiscal year”, due to market volatility. (Microsoft’s fiscal year ends in June annually.)

The most troubling news for those heading to work at various campus locations worldwide today:

Microsoft will eliminate up to 5,000 jobs in R&D, marketing, sales, finance, legal, HR, and IT over the next 18 months, including 1,400 jobs today.”

Previously this week, Intel Corp. announced cutbacks in its Hillsboro, OR workforce, among other locations.

For more on this story, listen to my report (MP3), as heard on Newsradio 750 KXL during Portland's Morning News 22 Jan 2009.

Updated - Airchecks from today's Microsoft layoffs story:
KXL-AM: Tech Expert 6:40am Live - Microsoft Layoffs & Whitehouse.gov transition
The Lars Larson Show (regional) - Microsoft Layoffs, Intel Impact analysis and local impact
KOMO-AM: Microsoft Layoffs - What Microsoft and Intel layoffs have in common

Inauguration 2009: Whitehouse.gov Makes Smooth Transition

The 56th Inauguration of the President of the United States of America is underway and clearly will be a day to remember.

While millions gathered at the Nation's Capitol -- a tiny army of web workers, including Macon Phillips incoming Director of New Media, unveiled the new website of for the new Adminstration.

Here is what whitehouse.gov looked like just before the transition:


And here is a screenshot of the new whitehouse.gov while Obama gave his Inaugural address:


And eight years ago? The online transition wasn't so successful, as I noted in my 2001 post just after the previous shift of Presidential power.

"The World's First WiFi Camera" ...err, not so fast guys!

Seems the guys over at GayGadget.com are giving the new Sony Cybershot an unearned distinction:

Blame Sony for enabling your facebook-obsessed friends with the Cybershot DSC G3—the world’s first camera that can log on to the net.

While it's true this camera does come equipped with WiFi, and the phrase "logs on" is subject to some interpretation (do previous solutions "log on"?) -- there are other WiFi-equipped camera solutions: Try EyeFi (www.eye.fi) to equip nearly any SD slot camera with wireless photo uploads (to Picasa, SmugMug, etc. etc.) or check out shutterbugs by Nikon, Canon, Kodak (and others) -- all capable of WiFi.

I recommend some qualification might be in order here guys. :)

"It’s set up primarily so you can upload photos to popular sites like picasa, facebook, shutterfly, photobucket, ect." (Sure, and that technology for cameras is over a year old... In fairness, the "log on" part appears to be somewhat unique. At the very least your headline is misleading.)

Otherwise it looks like a swell camera! (The $500 pricetag? Meh... EyeFi starts at eighty bucks.)

CES Gadgets on The Square Live @ 7 w/Stephanie Stricklen (KGW-TV)

Watch the video at KGW.com: Click here

HP Netbooks are award-winning solutions for business users and consumers alike. The new HP Mini 2140 starts at $500 and has lots of connectivity options -- video out, USB, an ExpressCard slot, even an SD card reader. The Vivienne Tam-designed digital clutch, also from HP, is touted as the world's first digital clutch. They're a bit of a premium at $699, hey... it matches Stephanie's outfit!

Docupen Scanneris a pen-sized color scanner capable of storing up to 100 pages. The gadget's barely larger than a pen, and perfect for taking notes or quick scanning. Grab one for $300 (http://planon.com).

PrintStik PS900. Print your boarding pass from your hotel room, invoices in the field, or any other portable printing task with the grayscale "print stick". About the size of a paper towel core, it's thermal printing means no ink to mess around with. Load it up with paper and you're set. Print from a Bluetooth computer, phone, or other device. Take printing with you for $200 (http://www.planonstore.com ).

A CES award-winner, Clickfree's line of backup solutions makes protecting your data foolproof. Plug it in, click "go" - the software's built-in to the device so it's simple to operate. Already got a hard drive you like? Use the $60 cable to upgrade your existing USB drive to a Clickfree backup solution. (http://www.goclickfree.com)

Speaking of HD video, Creative Labs brings high-definition video to a pocket-sized camera with the Vado HD. Simple integrated USB port and a 2x zoom, the camera is a compact on-the-go HD solution. They're $229 from Creative.com and even cheaper on Amazon.com.

Swann Security is well known for surviellance gear -- it's no wonder they'd be showing off a covert Pen Camera at CES. With 2GB of memory and a built-in USB port to download video -- even Bond would be envious. No price yet, but you'll be able to find them at http://www.swannsecurity.com soon.

The Scuba Series HD 320 snorkel mask has a forehead-positioned camera capable of high-defition video and great stills. They're not quite available yet, but check the announcement at http://www.liquidimageco.com

Web Bonus:

LG Solar Bluetooth Car Kit HFB-500 is a solar-powered speakerphone for your car. Suction cup the card-deck sized gadget to the inside of your windshield, pair to your phone, and enjoy handsfree calling. The HFB-500 uses solar-power so no need to run cables to your cigarette lighter. One hour of charge equals two hours of use. More info at http://www.lge.com.

CES: Hottest Electronics for 2009 (KATU-TV)

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas offers a sneak peek at the newest electronics you won't be able to live without. On Monday, I showed some of these new gadgets on KATU-TV's "AM Northwest".



Here are some of the gadgets I brought back from the show:

SanDisk SlotMusic is the new way to buy music. With songs pre-loaded onto a fingernail-sized MicroSD card, they'll play right in many cell phones. Or pick up the SlotMusic Player for added flexibility. Bonus? All songs are DRM-free so you can shuffle them off to any MP3 Player. (http://www.sandisk.com) While there, check out the new 16GB SDHC card announced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

The Scuba Series HD 320 snorkel mask has a forehead-positioned camera capable of high-defition video and great stills. They're not quite available yet, but check the announcement at http://www.liquidimageco.com and watch for pricing (about $250) and final availability.

LG Solar Bluetooth Car Kit HFB-500 is a solar-powered speakerphone for your car. Suction cup the card-deck sized gadget to the inside of your windshield, pair to your phone, and enjoy handsfree calling. The HFB-500 uses solar-power so no need to run cables to your cigarette lighter. One hour of charge equals two hours of use. More info at http://www.lge.com.

Another CES award-winner, Clickfree's line of backup solutions makes protecting your data foolproof. Plug it in, click "go" - the software's built-in to the device so it's simple to operate. Already got a hard drive you like? Use the $60 cable to upgrade your existing USB drive to a Clickfree backup solution. (http://www.goclickfree.com)

HP Netbooks are award-winning solutions for business users and consumers alike. The new HP Mini 2140 starts at $500 and has lots of connectivity options -- video out, USB, an ExpressCard slot, even an SD card reader. The Vivienne Tam-designed digital clutch, also from HP, is touted as the world's first digital clutch. They're a bit of a premium at $699, but fashion has a price!

Speck Products launched a new series of portable computer bags at the Consumer Electronics Show. Check 'em out at SpeckProducts.com. The PortPack Notebook Shoulder Bag is $80.