Please be aware of malware attacks regarding the following programs: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Reader and Adobe X Suite.
"Fake emails used in December 6 and December 7 attacks attempt to trick Adobe users into opening malware-laden attachments. According to two separate Sophos reports, attackers sent one email to Adobe InDesign users, and another email to Adobe Reader and X Suite users. Both emails contain attachments claiming to be part of a critical "Adobe update," but contain malware instead. However, Adobe does not issue updates via email, and never have, according to the Adobe Online Piracy page."
DO NOT open emails from Adobe saying there is an update. Delete it IMMEDIATELY.
Specifics can be found at the following link: http://news.yahoo.com/adobe-indesign-reader-x-suite-advanced-malware-attacks-204300554.html
Friday, December 9, 2011
QR Codes... Why Aren't They Catching On?
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/08/tech/mobile/qr-codes-gahran/index.html
^ Click the above link to read the news story
I don't know about you, but I don't see QR (quick response) codes very much at all. When I do... sure I'll check them out. The problem is, the information that the QR code takes you to is pretty much the same information that was put on whatever it was that the QR code was attached to. So, what's the point? Maybe companies don't understand that the flyer or advertisement that they put a QR code on shouldn't have the exact same information that the QR code takes you to, or maybe I just don't understand what they're all about.
Apparently, I'm not the only one. According to a study, "Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown. Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future."
^ Click the above link to read the news story
I don't know about you, but I don't see QR (quick response) codes very much at all. When I do... sure I'll check them out. The problem is, the information that the QR code takes you to is pretty much the same information that was put on whatever it was that the QR code was attached to. So, what's the point? Maybe companies don't understand that the flyer or advertisement that they put a QR code on shouldn't have the exact same information that the QR code takes you to, or maybe I just don't understand what they're all about.
Apparently, I'm not the only one. According to a study, "Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown. Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future."
If you have a QR scanner, see where this takes you! :)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Facebook Rolling Out Timeline
http://news.yahoo.com/facebook-starts-rolling-controversial-timeline-feature-zealand-095553580.html
^ Click on the above link to learn more
According to news sources like this, the newest Facebook feature is controversial. It is a timeline layout for Facebook profiles. It is kind of like a digital diary of events, status updates, likes, important moments in your life, and more.
It is being rolled out to people in New Zealand first, and then, in the near future, it will be rolled out more broadly.
I've had it since September (and I'll tell you how to get it before it's rolled out to everyone in a minute here), and I like it. Here are a couple of pictures of how my profile looks with the timeline feature:
^ Click on the above link to learn more
According to news sources like this, the newest Facebook feature is controversial. It is a timeline layout for Facebook profiles. It is kind of like a digital diary of events, status updates, likes, important moments in your life, and more.
It is being rolled out to people in New Zealand first, and then, in the near future, it will be rolled out more broadly.
I've had it since September (and I'll tell you how to get it before it's rolled out to everyone in a minute here), and I like it. Here are a couple of pictures of how my profile looks with the timeline feature:
The clouds on the top of my profile is a photo taken by me. On the page, it is called a cover, and you can personalize it and change it as often as you want! On the right side, you see: Now, November, October, 2011, 2010, etc. You can click those to view posts from those times. Of course, if you choose 2011, it will show you the other months to look at. In my case, I put an event down for 2002, and my actual first post on Facebook was in 2004.
Do you want the timeline now? Here's how:
** IMPORTANT! Once you do this, you can't go back.
1. Visit the Facebook Developer page and enable it for your account. (allow)
2. Click the 'Create New App' button on the top right. On the New App prompt window, give your app a display name and name space -- any name, it doesn't matter. Agree to the Platform Privacy Policy and click Continue. You will need a verified Facebook account so make sure you have either a credit card or phone number on file.
3. After clearing the CAPTCHA verification you will then be taken to your new apps' settings screen (if Facebook doesn’t put you there automatically hit the Edit App button on the top right). Next, click on Open Graph link in the left column and define an action for your new app on the right pane. You can enter whatever you like; I wrote watch on the first field and chose video from the drop-down menu on the next one. Click "Get Started."
4. DONE!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Android Television!
http://news.yahoo.com/android-powered-tv-line-headed-hospital-143204053.html
^ Click the above link to read the news story
Ok, I want one of these. Too bad they aren't a public item at this point. An LCD HDTV called the Roommate III, is powered by Android, with all the Android Market apps, a built-in browser, education and movies on demand, and a whiteboard app... plus television of course. Right now, they are rolling out to selected hospitals in the United States. Apparently there have been some Android powered televisions in stores, but they didn't sell very well and were pulled. I hope that, if they take well to the hospital setting, that they will go on the public market in the near future.
^ Click the above link to read the news story
Ok, I want one of these. Too bad they aren't a public item at this point. An LCD HDTV called the Roommate III, is powered by Android, with all the Android Market apps, a built-in browser, education and movies on demand, and a whiteboard app... plus television of course. Right now, they are rolling out to selected hospitals in the United States. Apparently there have been some Android powered televisions in stores, but they didn't sell very well and were pulled. I hope that, if they take well to the hospital setting, that they will go on the public market in the near future.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Ad #11: Buckle Up
Don't wear your seatbelt? You will get a ticket, if you're lucky enough to not be human ammo in a slingshot...
Popular Providers Use CarrierIQ
http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9143034-att-sprint-t-mobile-use-carrier-iq-but-dont-collect-personal-info
^ Click the above link to read the news story
This is partially in response to my previous post titled, Smartphones Tracking Keystrokes. AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile have all admitted to having CarrierIQ put on their smartphones, however the three companies say that the information gathered from the program is not used to monitor users. According to AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, the information is used to better services for the customers.
In contrast, Verizon Wireless confirmed that it does not put CarrierIQ on their phones, and they don't use any programs similar to CarrierIQ.
✭ Personally... as long as Verizon is telling the truth... I'm glad I have them as my provider. Even though it isn't completely clear what CarrierIQ does and does not do completely, I don't want anything I type on my phone stored in a third-party app that someone else can access. And it's not like I have anything to hide. However, it is my personal business. I think it is enough that the phone numbers I call and text at any given time can be accessed.
"Senator Al Franken, who is the chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and Law is asking CarrierIQ to clarify exactly what its software can and can't do." So, in that case, I will stay tuned.
^ Click the above link to read the news story
This is partially in response to my previous post titled, Smartphones Tracking Keystrokes. AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile have all admitted to having CarrierIQ put on their smartphones, however the three companies say that the information gathered from the program is not used to monitor users. According to AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, the information is used to better services for the customers.
In contrast, Verizon Wireless confirmed that it does not put CarrierIQ on their phones, and they don't use any programs similar to CarrierIQ.
✭ Personally... as long as Verizon is telling the truth... I'm glad I have them as my provider. Even though it isn't completely clear what CarrierIQ does and does not do completely, I don't want anything I type on my phone stored in a third-party app that someone else can access. And it's not like I have anything to hide. However, it is my personal business. I think it is enough that the phone numbers I call and text at any given time can be accessed.
"Senator Al Franken, who is the chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and Law is asking CarrierIQ to clarify exactly what its software can and can't do." So, in that case, I will stay tuned.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Case Study 2
Task: It's being called transmedia. Can you define this using experience looking at these sites and finding information about it?
Transmedia, in the form presented by the website http://www.fastcompany.com/1793516/michael-grant-bzrk, seems to be a way to interact with media over different technology and devices. In the blog form, the article on the page seems to me to be defined as going past the text on a page to a more interactive way of working with media. I think one thing that the transmedia world has is that it is linked together no matter the device that it is being used on, to create a larger network. (Penenberg)
I was able to find a website that has an overview of transmedia storytelling. In terms of transmedia, transmedia storytelling seems to be a way of getting the whole story by way of multiple forms of media, whether it is film and print, film and interactive, or a combination of the three. More examples include television, books, comics, movies, magazines, websites, games. It is important to keep in mind that these are not the only forms of media that can be used. There is a very large number of media forms that can be used in transmedia. It is titled “Transmedia Storytelling 101.” According to the information on this site, transmedia storytelling is a sophisticated technique of telling stories across different platforms and formats. Uniquely, it uses many current digital technologies. Henry Jenkins, author of “Transmedia Storytelling 101”, gives an example of The Matrix. “[As part of The Matrix franchise], key bits of information are conveyed through three live action films, a series of animated shorts, two collections of comic book stories, and several video games. There is no one single source or ur-text where one can turn to gain all of the information needed to comprehend the Matrix universe.” (Jenkins) Alternatively, this means that The Matrix franchise used several different formats to tell the story. The different formats worked together to give the viewer and/or reader the full story of the Matrix universe.
I was able to find a website that has an overview of transmedia storytelling. In terms of transmedia, transmedia storytelling seems to be a way of getting the whole story by way of multiple forms of media, whether it is film and print, film and interactive, or a combination of the three. More examples include television, books, comics, movies, magazines, websites, games. It is important to keep in mind that these are not the only forms of media that can be used. There is a very large number of media forms that can be used in transmedia. It is titled “Transmedia Storytelling 101.” According to the information on this site, transmedia storytelling is a sophisticated technique of telling stories across different platforms and formats. Uniquely, it uses many current digital technologies. Henry Jenkins, author of “Transmedia Storytelling 101”, gives an example of The Matrix. “[As part of The Matrix franchise], key bits of information are conveyed through three live action films, a series of animated shorts, two collections of comic book stories, and several video games. There is no one single source or ur-text where one can turn to gain all of the information needed to comprehend the Matrix universe.” (Jenkins) Alternatively, this means that The Matrix franchise used several different formats to tell the story. The different formats worked together to give the viewer and/or reader the full story of the Matrix universe.
Also stated in “Transmedia Storytelling 101”, the author explains that transmedia stories are not focused on characters and plots, but rather on complex worlds that carry multiple characters. (Jenkins)
I think along with The Matrix, in terms of storytelling, there are comics that follow the same idea. Some comics started out as solely storytelling through frames, but the story was continued and supplemented by movies, television shows, and more. I figure this is along the same lines.
I think along with The Matrix, in terms of storytelling, there are comics that follow the same idea. Some comics started out as solely storytelling through frames, but the story was continued and supplemented by movies, television shows, and more. I figure this is along the same lines.
Transmedia on the whole is much more difficult to explain since it isn’t necessarily fictional worlds, such as The Matrix. The idea of transmedia is very intriguing, and I’m sure there will soon be much more information about it on its own instead of so much information about transmedia storytelling alone.
References
Jenkins, Henry. "Confessions of an Aca/Fan: Archives: Transmedia Storytelling 101." Confessions of an Aca-Fan: The Official Weblog of Henry Jenkins. 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.henryjenkins.org/2007/03/transmedia_storytelling_101.html>.
Penenberg, Adam. "Unlocking Narratives With Tech, Cults, And A Little Paranoia | Fast Company." FastCompany.com - Where Ideas and People Meet | Fast Company. FastCompany, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.fastcompany.com/1793516/michael-grant-bzrk>.
Case Study 1
I submitted this solely through Angel. I thought I should post it here, also.
Mobile devices and tablet technology is progressing quickly, and more competitors are joining the market for both types of equipment.
The current major tablet computers that are on the market include the Kindle Fire ($199), The Asus Eee Pad ($350), the Sony Tablet S ($475), the HP TouchPad ($250, $100 recently)), the Samsung Galaxy Tab ($500), the BlackBerry Playbook ($350), the Motorola Xoom ($450), and the Apple iPad ($475) and iPad 2 ($500). (Unknown, Tablet)
Mobile devices and tablet technology is progressing quickly, and more competitors are joining the market for both types of equipment.
The current major tablet computers that are on the market include the Kindle Fire ($199), The Asus Eee Pad ($350), the Sony Tablet S ($475), the HP TouchPad ($250, $100 recently)), the Samsung Galaxy Tab ($500), the BlackBerry Playbook ($350), the Motorola Xoom ($450), and the Apple iPad ($475) and iPad 2 ($500). (Unknown, Tablet)
The Apple iPad was released in the United States in early 2010, and they were only available initially at The Apple Store locations and the Apple website. Since then, it was made available at retailers along with cell phone companies. Nearly a year after the iPad came out, Apple released a second generation of the iPad, or iPad 2 with many new advancements, such as a thinner tablet size, a better processor, front and back cameras, and more, while still keeping the same battery life expectancy and nearly the same price. The Apple iPad really jumpstarted the market with tablet PCs, even though it wasn’t the first tablet to be released.
Currently, more competitors are joining the market of tablet computers, whereas the life of the netbook computer seems to quickly be ending. While the idea of a small laptop was appealing before the takeoff of the tablets, they are disappearing from the sales floor, and not because they are selling.
Currently, more competitors are joining the market of tablet computers, whereas the life of the netbook computer seems to quickly be ending. While the idea of a small laptop was appealing before the takeoff of the tablets, they are disappearing from the sales floor, and not because they are selling.
In the next ten years, it isn’t infeasible to think that something else will come along to knock tablet computers out of the picture, as floppy discs, big clunky computers, low function laptops, and workstations have, and how desktop computers slowly are. However, it can also be predicted that tablet computers will take over the full size computers. With technology advancing so quickly, tablet PCs may become direct competitors to laptops and desktop computers. Motherboards and memory devices are getting smaller and more powerful, so it is possible for tablet PCs to become the new full functioning computer in the near future.
Mobile devices are changing much more rapidly than pretty much any other technology on the market. The types of mobile phones are conventional cell phones, or smart phones. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) aren’t technically mobile phones, but rather a combination of a computer and mobile device. Conventional cell phones are very basic wireless phones. They allow the user to make a receive calls, store phone numbers, send and receive text messages, and not much else. Some of the more “advanced” conventional cell phones have low-resolution cameras, and limited browser functions. Smart phones are basically mini computers. The can perform all the functions of a conventional cell phone, along with media browsing, word processing, email managing, wi-fi connecting, GPS navigating, and much more. These phones are usually equipped with a QWERTY keyboard, and a touch screen for easy operation. The major brands of cell phones include but aren’t limited to Apple, HP, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony. (Unknown, Consumer)
The problem with the advancing of mobile devices is that it is becoming very difficult to find conventional cell phones at mobile retailers, now. Especially for the convenience and safety of older America, much more than the basic cell phone is difficult for adults to use that haven’t been exposed to technology like the recent generations have. Granted, the luxury of having a cell phone has diminished, the cost is still quite high. The price of a smart phone, without the price of a calling plan, is upwards of $300 or more for some. Of course, if you set up a contract, that price drops. But with a smart phone, you are required to pay for a data plan per month. Until early summer of 2011, most phone companies were charging a flat rate for unlimited data usage. Now, there is a flat rate up to a certain about of used data, and then there are charges for going over the data limit, making it even more expensive. The cell phone carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus, and Sprint, are all trying to have the best deals, even though the coverage doesn’t work everywhere.
The problem with the advancing of mobile devices is that it is becoming very difficult to find conventional cell phones at mobile retailers, now. Especially for the convenience and safety of older America, much more than the basic cell phone is difficult for adults to use that haven’t been exposed to technology like the recent generations have. Granted, the luxury of having a cell phone has diminished, the cost is still quite high. The price of a smart phone, without the price of a calling plan, is upwards of $300 or more for some. Of course, if you set up a contract, that price drops. But with a smart phone, you are required to pay for a data plan per month. Until early summer of 2011, most phone companies were charging a flat rate for unlimited data usage. Now, there is a flat rate up to a certain about of used data, and then there are charges for going over the data limit, making it even more expensive. The cell phone carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus, and Sprint, are all trying to have the best deals, even though the coverage doesn’t work everywhere.
In the next ten years, mobile devices will get even smaller and even higher functioning. It could be that conventional cell phones will become completely obsolete, and the higher technology will be forced onto everyone wanting a cell phone, whether for the functions of a smart phone, or just a lifeline for emergencies. The continued competition will probably never lessen from where it is now. With more children getting cell phones for their personal use, the number of subscribers is very unlikely to drop in the near future as the new versions of cell phones and smart phones continue to roll out on a regular basis. The consumers’ need for the most recent technology keeps companies afloat and pushing for the next big product.
Current operating systems for any computer technology include Linux, Leopard, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and others. More and more tweaks are occurring to technology, that these operating systems will probably be unable to handle some of the upgrades. Microsoft Windows has developed many subsidiary operating systems over the years to compensate for advancements in technology, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Needless to say, most other systems will have to rework their current operating systems like Microsoft. Within the next ten years, Windows, Mac, and Linux will still be around, with changes. New systems will probably emerge over time, as well.
References
Unknown. "Cell Phone & Service Features from Consumer Reports." Consumer Reports: Expert Product Reviews and Product Ratings from Our Test Labs. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/phones-mobile-devices/cell-phones-services/cell-phone-service-buying-advice/cell-phoneservice-features/cell-phone-service-features.htm>.
Unknown. Tablet Comparison | Tablet Pc Comparison 2011. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.tabletpccomparison.net/>.
Smartphones Tracking Keystrokes
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2011/12/is-your-smartphone-tracking-your-keystrokes-texts-and-location/
^ Click the above link to read the news story
Most of us know that smartphones track GPS locations based on satellites and service tower hits, but a new app that some smartphones have keeps track of all keystrokes made on the device, along with received messages and GPS locations.
Trevor Eckhart, a computer programmer, has posted an 18 minute video on youtube about his findings with Carrier IQ, the program that supposedly tracks keystrokes, received messages, and GPS. He says, that Carrier IQ is built into handheld devices made by many major manufacturers. It is there, and most people don't know it. According to manufacturers, it is there so they know if you're having trouble with your device, but most people don't know it is tracking them. Not only that, but there is no way to opt out of it or turn it off.
(From the article linked above) Former Justice Department prosecutor and law professor at the University of Colorado Law School Paul Ohm told Forbes magazine that the software could be grounds for a class-action lawsuit as it violates a federal wiretapping law. “If Carrier IQ has gotten the handset manufacturers to install secret software that records keystrokes intended for text messaging and the Internet and are sending some of that information back somewhere, this is very likely a federal wiretap,” he told Forbes. “And that gives the people wiretapped the right to sue and provides for significant monetary damages.”
Hmmm... kind of unnerved by this.
^ Click the above link to read the news story
Most of us know that smartphones track GPS locations based on satellites and service tower hits, but a new app that some smartphones have keeps track of all keystrokes made on the device, along with received messages and GPS locations.
Trevor Eckhart, a computer programmer, has posted an 18 minute video on youtube about his findings with Carrier IQ, the program that supposedly tracks keystrokes, received messages, and GPS. He says, that Carrier IQ is built into handheld devices made by many major manufacturers. It is there, and most people don't know it. According to manufacturers, it is there so they know if you're having trouble with your device, but most people don't know it is tracking them. Not only that, but there is no way to opt out of it or turn it off.
(From the article linked above) Former Justice Department prosecutor and law professor at the University of Colorado Law School Paul Ohm told Forbes magazine that the software could be grounds for a class-action lawsuit as it violates a federal wiretapping law. “If Carrier IQ has gotten the handset manufacturers to install secret software that records keystrokes intended for text messaging and the Internet and are sending some of that information back somewhere, this is very likely a federal wiretap,” he told Forbes. “And that gives the people wiretapped the right to sue and provides for significant monetary damages.”
Hmmm... kind of unnerved by this.
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