Techs for the Memories: What Did We Do Before

This article will really make you stop and think.  I actually laughed out loud several times while reading it.  Seriously, without ATM's and debit cards where would the world be.  I don't even own checks!  I told my Mom to read this article and she said I should have been around when their were 8-Tracks, forget cassette tapes and IPods.  That was so funny, what is an 8-Track?  Technology has come so far in so little time.  Most of it is for the good.  I do think that if you have young kids you do need to make them get outside and play.  Make sure they use their creative minds and muscles at the same time by creative outside play.  That's not an easy thing to get them to do today.  It's much easier to let them use their technical gadgets and stay out of our way.  I can't remember when I haven't been able to pick up the phone and call any member of my family and talk to them immediately when I want to.  Technology has certainly changed the way we live.  Now if we can just get Walmart to get better reception inside the buildings. 

Geek Chic: Google Launches Boutiques.Com

Now this is my type of website.  Just in time for the holidays I can browse and set up my own boutique to get just the type of items I am looking for and I don't have to find the mall and people.  From the safety of my computer I can shop and shop.  Not only does it show me pictures of the items to look at but makes outfit suggestions, etc.  I will definitely be getting on Boutiques.com to see if they are as amazing as they sound.  Right now they only have it available for women and only in the U.S., but I can see potential in this website.  This is not the normal avenue for Google, but I think they are definitely thinking outside the box. 

Christie's Hopes to Snare $242K for 34-Year-Old Apple Computer

Can you believe that Christie's auction house will be auctioning off a 34 year old computer?  This will have everyone cleaning out closets for antique computers.  The Apple-1 originally sold for $666.66.  The invoice included on this specific Apple-1 is $741.66 becaude it also had the optional cassette interface.  It will be interesting to watch and see if Christie's can bring in the estimated $161,600 to $242,400 for this Apple-1 computer.  This could change the way people view their electronics and whether they get rid of them or save them as antiques.  Although, it would be cool to say you owned one of the Apple-1's designed and hand-built by Apple co-founder Steve Wosniak, I'm not sure it would be worth that much money to me.  It really makes me wish I had one in the closet. 

Early-Bird Black Friday Predictions

Black Friday predictions have already started.  Can you believe how this year has flown by?  Before we know it we will be celebrating the new year.  I was very disappointed with this article being the technical person that I am.  I was hoping for some great deals this year on new technology.  It sounds as though there won't be to many new technical toys out there.  For everyone who is looking for a big screen it looks like the bigger the better price wise.  Realistically, I think prices are about as low on TV's as they will get.  Just walking through any big store TV prices have fallen considerably in the past few years.  I believe that is due to the market being so tight and everyone watching their money so closely.  This has caused stores to make prices as rock bottom as they can to get business especially on big ticket items like electronics.  I will still be holding my breath and hoping they come out with some great deal on a totally nerdy technical gadget for Christmas. 

No White Christmas for IPhone 4 Fans

Who would have thought after all this time that Apple would still not have a white IPhone 4 available.  The black IPhone 4 came out in June of this year and has had it's share of glitches.  However, for the avid IPhone user I believe they think it is all worthwhile.  In my family we have two IPhones already.  My mother, however, is still a non Internet phone user.  She is actually ready to upgrade at Christmas this year, but it looks like she will be one of many that don't get a White Christmas.  You would think with all the problems they have been able to fix with the IPhone that they could manage to come out with a white color.  How difficult could this be?  Maybe they are just waiting so everyone who wants a white IPhone 4 can just order the IPhone 5 in white.  I think they are missing a lot of available market out there.  I wonder if we can get my Mother to settle for black?

Facebook Files Lawsuits Against Alleged Spammers

With all of the recent problems Facebook has had with privacy issues, this was an interesting article to me.  I am glad to see Facebook is trying to stop some of the spamming on it's website.  They have become such a popular place for users.  My mother and grandmother are avid Facebook users and love to play Farmville.  I think there should be more avenues of being able to stop these people from fraudulently offering free credits and free gasoline to get people to give them their private information.  There are so many people who use Facebook who have no understanding of how much personal information they put on Facebook and how it could be used against them.  I'm sure my grandmother and grandfather (who spend hours playing Farmville) have no clue that someone is trying to steal their personal information. 

The unfortunate thing is that even with these large settlements being handed out against these fraudulent people, it may not be enough.  These individuals generally not have the money to pay these settlements, but there should be a way to enforce some punishments.  It is wrong to use people and direct them to the wrong sites, and there needs to be guidelines in place to stop this madness.  Good for Facebook  for at least trying to stop these people from abusing their customers.

Online IP Protection Bill Sparks Outrage

This article is by far one of the most controversial I have ever read.  This new bill, Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA), is such a double sided issue.  On one side, I understand the need for such a bill.  So many of our artists and actors are being ripped off by their products being stolen on the Internet.  Not only that, but normal people like us, who buy products which are a total fraud.  At this point there does not seem to be a lot of protection for any of these people.  In the past, numerous law suits were filed when one of the large dish satellite companies sued thousands of people for illegal using their signals for free TV.  However, this was a complicated procedure and it was a hit and miss program.

This COICA bill would give the DOJ the ability to close down domains and web sites they feel are dedicated to infringement.  However, I feel it gives them to much power.  This is America where we are not usually dictated to.  There must be a balance of power in this bill which from my understanding is sadly lacking.  One of the good things it does give is protection to service providers that do block access to possible infringement web sites from legal action.  Will such a bill actually force the Internet itself to eventually be unable to be worth anything due to the blocked sites of everyone trying to protect themselves.  Individuals who are vandalized this way are already able to file civil suits against you as the satellite dish people did in the past.  So why does the government feel it must dictate to us further.  I am not in favor of those people who do wrong by stealing someone else's work for free or who try and cheat hard working people out of their money for false products, however, I feel that this bill goes to far and is an infringement on the rights of all Americans.

4 Ways a RIM Tablet Could Smoke the IPad, Galaxy Tab

The RIM tablet has a unique opportunity to make some wonderful upgrades to their product before it hits the market.  Hopefully, they have paid attention to the problems IPad and Galaxy Tab users have complained about.  If the RIM tablet could actually communicate with Blackberry Messenger what a wonderful tool this would be.  In addition, software, that would run other applications besides just an e-book reader, etc. would be a great addition.  If they can put all of this information into the RIM tablet it would rival the new small lap top computers. 

If they want to succeed in this market, they must compete price wise also.  The IPad which is relatively reasonably priced seems to be selling well and most people seem to like it.  On the other hand, the Galaxy Tab is much more expensive.  In today's economy most of America is looking for a great bargain.  Many people right now cannot afford to spend on the latest and greatest technology.  However, I believe if they can make this tablet, add in new software and applications not offered by the other competitors and make it affordable, people would love to have it and will spend their money. 

My father, has an IPad, and he has complained that it would be nice if it had a built in kickstand.  It would be great to have the option to prop it up and use it rather than hold it all the time.  This seems to be a simple idea, but it would be the difference to some people whether to go with an RIM Tablet or an IPad.  Sometimes the simplest idea is the best and can take over a market. 

In my opinion, if RIM's tablet can provide these four ways of improvement, they will definitely take over the market from IPad and Galaxy Tab.  We will have to wait and see if they actually unveil this product next week.  If they do indeed unveil this product and they make improvements, it will certainly be worth watching this market to see the outcome. 

Walmart's Mobile Service: Do the Numbers Add Up?

Wow, are the serious?  A plan that you don't have to sign a two year contract for at a reasonable price for unlimited voice and texting.  For an average user this is a great deal.  As an example my family of four has a family plan with AT&T.  Our monthly bill runs $240.00 per month.  On the Walmart Family Mobile that bill would be a whopping $120.00.  However, our bill does have three data lines which is not even mentioned in this article.  It will be interesting to see if they plan to offer this service at a reasonable amount also. 

The downside to this plan for some people would be that you do not receive a free phone with your plan.  I'm of the opinion that not having to sign a two year expensive contract is well worth buying whatever cool phone you desire.  Other people may feel this is a downside to this new product from Walmart, but I do not. 

This new product from Walmart will certainly be exciting to watch and see how well it does.  I believe it will do very well.  Many people who do not get cell phones are of the opinion that they do not want a monthly bill they are obligated to.  With this new product anyone can buy a phone and have service on a monthly basis.  This would be excellent for my grandmother who travels in the winter months and is often on the road and unreachable because she does not want a monthly bill for something she will not use year round. 

With very few drawbacks that I can foresee.  I believe this will make changes in the entire mobile phone industry. 

Hackers Create 57,000 Malicious Pages Per Week

It is unbelievable that 57,000 pages per week are added to the internet to try and trap innocent people.  Unfortunately, there are  many people who can barely use the internet and try to keep up to speed with technology only to be fooled by these hackers.  My grandfather would be one of these people.  He tries to use his computer to keep up with his family and technology.  However, he has a very hard time with technology and I fear he would be one of the victims of this horrendous crime if given enough time.  These fake websites are good enough to fool many people who are not savvy with technology.  These malicious sites are only out there to steal people's money.  Many people operate their computers without realizing that numerous people are smart enough to access their systems by having these malicious sites, viruses, etc. 

The key to this problem is education.  The young people of the world are educated early in computers and their technology.  My younger sister at 15 could teach our elderly many lessons on computer education and lessons of the really heinous people on the internet.  Since a young age I have been preached to by my father who is a computer specialist about the pitfalls of the internet.  These have been lessons well learned by my sister and I.  We both endeavor to help all of our grandparents to ensure they also are learning how to protect themselves against the dregs of the computer society.  Hopefully, every young person will look after their family who is not as computer savvy as themselves.  

Don't Rule Out Apple Ruling Your Living Room

http://class.bus.lsu.edu/coursecast/Student/CourseContents.aspx?id=b5e2147a-e0c0-4b55-8221-af03e08204df

I think that Apple is an amazing company. I think they saw the opportunity where others didn't with their i-phone. Phones are not that important to me and they never have been. I've had a $20 walmart phone since I was 16, and I loved it. It did exactly what it was suppost to do, it made calls. When the i-phone came out I heard a ton of buzz about it. I heard it was the best thing ever, such an amazing device, on and on. Well, when I finally decided to upgrade my technology and get a nicer phone, I saw what everyone was so excited about. The i-phone (when it first came out) was simply amazing. It combined efficiency with ease of use. I will be a lifelong Apple fan because of their ability to create such a product. I think the iphone revelutionized IT. I am not sure if it just made a bigger impact in my life than others, but I think its great. My mom who doesnt even like to check her email because its to technical, is proficient with an iphone.

Anyway given all that, it is safe to say you are reading the blog of an Apple fan. So when I read this article I was excited to see that apple is still being innovative. I was afraid that they had come out with this amazing technology and then they would just give up and quit trying. But I am glad to see that they are taking their innovative way of thinking and bringing it into new products. This whole tv idea does not sound that wonderful, but at least they are still trying.