KXL Tech Expert Segment for May 21, 2007
Batteries are a necessary accessory for many portable electronic devices. I'll be talking about batteries on today's show and will add more information afterwards -- in the meantime, be sure to visit these links for details:
If you have other tips or resources that might be useful, feel free to post them in the comments!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Amazon.com to Sell Rights-Free Music Online
Amazon.com has sights on giving Apple's iTunes store a run for it's money. The online retailer said today it plans to launch a digital music store selling DRM-free MP3s "later this year". No word yet on pricing -- iTunes' similar rights-free offerings are $1.29 per song.
Speaking of Amazon.com -- I confess: I'm addicted to Amazon Prime. Sure, it's a scheme to get you to buy more products from Amazon, and I may not actually make the $79/year pay for itself -- but who can hate free 2-day shipping and cheap cheap overnight delivery? Kudos to Amazon ... you got me!
Amazon.com today announced it will launch a digital music store later this year offering millions of songs in the DRM-free MP3 format from more than 12,000 record labels. EMI Music's digital catalog is the latest addition to the store. Every song and album in the Amazon.com digital music store will be available exclusively in the MP3 format without digital rights management (DRM) software.Read the Amazon.com press release here.
Speaking of Amazon.com -- I confess: I'm addicted to Amazon Prime. Sure, it's a scheme to get you to buy more products from Amazon, and I may not actually make the $79/year pay for itself -- but who can hate free 2-day shipping and cheap cheap overnight delivery? Kudos to Amazon ... you got me!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Apple MacBook gets faster processors, upgrades
Apple just announced a refreshed version of the popular MacBook consumer notebook. I've been considering an upgrade myself, but think I'll hold out and see what the LED laptops bring to the table (likely something this year - source).CUPERTINO, California—May 15, 2007—Apple® today updated its MacBook® consumer notebooks with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory and larger hard drives in every model. The MacBook is just one-inch thin and features built-in 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g.* Every MacBook also includes a built-in iSight® video camera for on-the-go video conferencing, Apple’s MagSafe® Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain, and iLife® ‘06, Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.Source: apple.com
Monday, May 14, 2007
Suggestion - Google Maps: "Take a Walk"
It's Monday and beautiful outside.
I found myself longing for coffee from a particular Starbucks (Second & Seneca) while at Century Square (1501 4th Avenue). I plotted these two addresses into Google Maps and it dutifully gave me the quickest route between the two locations. Thing is, while I have a car here and *could* drive, that'd be rather silly. (see above weather report)
So rather than the 0.7 miles from origin (Century Square) to destination (Starbucks), I was cleverly able to reduce the walking distance estimate to 0.5 miles by simply clicking "Get reverse directions". (I'll walk backwards and save two tenths of a mile). As you can see on the map screenshot below, the most direct path (assuming I can't cut through any buildings, etc.) would be to travel on 4th for three blocks and Seneca for two.
Now, I suspect the demands for Google Foot Maps is likely quite low... a temporary workaround might be maps that ignore one-way streets (that don't obviously apply to the sneaker lanes). Obviously with vehicle-centric directions, the one-way streets rules are critical!
How about it, Google? Want to take a walk? Anyone have any good sites that provide walking directions / distances -- if so, post to the comments! (I think I saw a good site for NYC that included Subway, etc. but can't recall the site (and/or be bothered to look)).
As for me? I spent the few spare minutes in my schedule writing this blog post -- I'll have to settle for the Starbucks in the building instead. Sorry Joe Jo, I'll get that grande iced soy mocha no-whip another time!
--BMW.
I found myself longing for coffee from a particular Starbucks (Second & Seneca) while at Century Square (1501 4th Avenue). I plotted these two addresses into Google Maps and it dutifully gave me the quickest route between the two locations. Thing is, while I have a car here and *could* drive, that'd be rather silly. (see above weather report)
So rather than the 0.7 miles from origin (Century Square) to destination (Starbucks), I was cleverly able to reduce the walking distance estimate to 0.5 miles by simply clicking "Get reverse directions". (I'll walk backwards and save two tenths of a mile). As you can see on the map screenshot below, the most direct path (assuming I can't cut through any buildings, etc.) would be to travel on 4th for three blocks and Seneca for two.
Now, I suspect the demands for Google Foot Maps is likely quite low... a temporary workaround might be maps that ignore one-way streets (that don't obviously apply to the sneaker lanes). Obviously with vehicle-centric directions, the one-way streets rules are critical!
How about it, Google? Want to take a walk? Anyone have any good sites that provide walking directions / distances -- if so, post to the comments! (I think I saw a good site for NYC that included Subway, etc. but can't recall the site (and/or be bothered to look)).
As for me? I spent the few spare minutes in my schedule writing this blog post -- I'll have to settle for the Starbucks in the building instead. Sorry Joe Jo, I'll get that grande iced soy mocha no-whip another time!
--BMW.
Free Email: Microsoft's New Hotmail
Today on the show we talked about free email services. Why use free email? Are they secure? Microsoft last week released a new, slick, version of Hotmail... err... sorry, "Windows Live Hotmail" (ya, sure) -- I provided listeners with an overview of the new features.
Microsoft's ad agency created a somewhat funny (with the balance of that "somewhat" falling in the offensive/crude/unnecessary category) ad campaign to get the word out about the new Hotmail. Take a look at the clips.
For a replay of today's Tech Expert segment, click here: kxl_techexpert-newhotmail_20070514.mp3
As always, if you have comments / suggestions / feedback... drop me a line or email: tech (AT) brianwestbrook.com -- and speaking of email, take a minute to subscribe to updates to this blog via. email!
Have a great week!
Microsoft's ad agency created a somewhat funny (with the balance of that "somewhat" falling in the offensive/crude/unnecessary category) ad campaign to get the word out about the new Hotmail. Take a look at the clips.
For a replay of today's Tech Expert segment, click here: kxl_techexpert-newhotmail_20070514.mp3
As always, if you have comments / suggestions / feedback... drop me a line or email: tech (AT) brianwestbrook.com -- and speaking of email, take a minute to subscribe to updates to this blog via. email!
Have a great week!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Barack Obama's Debacle: Whose space is "Myspace"?
A Barack Obama supporter got an abrupt lesson in politics last week when the Senator’s campaign seized control of an online Myspace profile he created. Joe Anthony, a once enthusiastic volunteer for the campaign feels slighted -- and the implications could be costly to Obama's Presidential aspirations.
The controversy and uproar has us asking on today's Tech Expert segment, "Whose Space Is Myspace?"
Listen to the answer here:
kxl_techexpert-barackspacegate_20070507.mp3
What do you think? Was did the Senator do the right thing? Whose space is it?
The controversy and uproar has us asking on today's Tech Expert segment, "Whose Space Is Myspace?"
Listen to the answer here:
kxl_techexpert-barackspacegate_20070507.mp3
What do you think? Was did the Senator do the right thing? Whose space is it?
Monday, March 5, 2007
Hijacked Myspace page could mean trouble for everyone
Tech Expert Bonus Post
It might not be a jumbo jet, but a hijacked Myspace page can open the door to many problems -- identity theft, stolen data, or an inbox full of spam. It can affect not only the owner of the hijacked Myspace page -- but anyone who visits the page.
Since I get asked this question quite a bit -- I figured I'd post (if anything so I can point users here rather than re-typing the story... lazy? yup!).
Background
Typically the Myspace hijack is introduced when a page owner decides to pimp their profile out with one of the many available "free layouts" abundant on the web. Installing this code on your page can introduce a trojan-like code that will result in those visiting the site in being phished of their myspace login. Here's how...
Threat Details
While browsing Myspace (or a similar site), an unsuspecting user / victim clicks a link appearing to be from a myspace "friend" (often this link is to "Send Message" or "Add as a Friend". (See screenshot with this post, personal information hidden to protect the innocent.) The link you click then prompts you with a "you must be logged in to do that" page... and without too much thought... ("oh, myspace must've logged me out or something, right?")... . and without checking the URL (i.e. look for "login.myspace.com"), you've actually provided your myspace login information to the bad guys (who then cleverly re-direct you to the content you originally requested / your myspace home / someplace else that seems logical and doesn't raise your suspicion). The bad guys can now post bulletins / messages as YOU and spread the illegitimate login link to other victims...but wait, there's more...
Now where this gets *really* bad is when you've used the same password in myspace as you have for your email account.
Let's say your Myspace login is your email address (myspace@yourdomain.com) and a password (hijackvictim). If you, like many other users, have set your myspace password to be the same as your email password... I (representing evil-doers everywhere) can now log into your email account. Muhahaha....
And, as I'm sure you know, once I've got access to your email address... I can use the "forgot my password' link for a variety of sites -- obtaining access to bank accounts, ebay, etc. etc... (Click this link [mp3] for my 12 Feb 2007 report for Newsradio 750 KXL on identity theft.
Recommendation
My suggestion: Change your myspace password immediately to something VERY DIFFERENT from anything else associated with that email address. Change every other login that uses the same password to something new and unique to your myspace account -- do it now.
While not foolproof, some users pick a default password ("D0n't@sk!" and change it for every site... slighty... say, "D0n't@sk!a" for myspace.com since "A" is the first vowel... something you can remember, but that keeps your passwords unique... it's a start. (For more on good password techniques, listen to my report from 19 Feb 2007 here [mp3])
Quick Tips:
For more on this story, visit:
It might not be a jumbo jet, but a hijacked Myspace page can open the door to many problems -- identity theft, stolen data, or an inbox full of spam. It can affect not only the owner of the hijacked Myspace page -- but anyone who visits the page.
Since I get asked this question quite a bit -- I figured I'd post (if anything so I can point users here rather than re-typing the story... lazy? yup!).
Background
Typically the Myspace hijack is introduced when a page owner decides to pimp their profile out with one of the many available "free layouts" abundant on the web. Installing this code on your page can introduce a trojan-like code that will result in those visiting the site in being phished of their myspace login. Here's how...
Threat Details
While browsing Myspace (or a similar site), an unsuspecting user / victim clicks a link appearing to be from a myspace "friend" (often this link is to "Send Message" or "Add as a Friend". (See screenshot with this post, personal information hidden to protect the innocent.) The link you click then prompts you with a "you must be logged in to do that" page... and without too much thought... ("oh, myspace must've logged me out or something, right?")... . and without checking the URL (i.e. look for "login.myspace.com"), you've actually provided your myspace login information to the bad guys (who then cleverly re-direct you to the content you originally requested / your myspace home / someplace else that seems logical and doesn't raise your suspicion). The bad guys can now post bulletins / messages as YOU and spread the illegitimate login link to other victims...but wait, there's more... Now where this gets *really* bad is when you've used the same password in myspace as you have for your email account.
Let's say your Myspace login is your email address (myspace@yourdomain.com) and a password (hijackvictim). If you, like many other users, have set your myspace password to be the same as your email password... I (representing evil-doers everywhere) can now log into your email account. Muhahaha....
And, as I'm sure you know, once I've got access to your email address... I can use the "forgot my password' link for a variety of sites -- obtaining access to bank accounts, ebay, etc. etc... (Click this link [mp3] for my 12 Feb 2007 report for Newsradio 750 KXL on identity theft.
Recommendation
My suggestion: Change your myspace password immediately to something VERY DIFFERENT from anything else associated with that email address. Change every other login that uses the same password to something new and unique to your myspace account -- do it now.
While not foolproof, some users pick a default password ("D0n't@sk!" and change it for every site... slighty... say, "D0n't@sk!a" for myspace.com since "A" is the first vowel... something you can remember, but that keeps your passwords unique... it's a start. (For more on good password techniques, listen to my report from 19 Feb 2007 here [mp3])
Quick Tips:
- Change your myspace password to something unique (even if you don't think you've been hijacked, change it now!)
- Don't use the same password for myspace as you do email, bank accounts, etc. (this is good advice in general, but especially for sites like myspace)
- If in doubt, follow these steps: Open a new browser window to the site you're trying to view.
- Just because it *looks like* Myspace (or your bank's site, etc.) -- doesn't mean it is!
- Avoid clicking links in emails or online messages from strangers (and even then, do so with caution!)
For more on this story, visit:
- OnGuardOnline.gov Phising page - http://www.onguardonline.gov/phishing.html
- FTC (anti-)Spam site - http://ftc.gov/spam/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)