Google’s New Social Networking Feature “Buzz” Hits the Net
February 9, 2010 – Today, Google officially debuted its newest integrated feature to the already popular Gmail toolset. Designed to provide Twitter and Facebook-like functionality from within the Gmail interface, Google Buzz allows users to share messages, links, and photos quickly.
Google also indicated its intention to provide full integration for mobile users by developing specialized Buzz applications for mobile computing platforms, as well as providing similar functionality through web interfaces on mobile devices. While Gmail is one of the top three webmail providers in the world, they still lag behind the webmail patriarchs, Windows Live (formerly Hotmail) and Yahoo Mail. If the Buzz concept takes off like other Google products have, they have the potential to climb to the top spot very quickly.
It remains to be seen if this newest feature will be more successful than the disappointing result Google had with Orkut. For users who find juggling Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail complicated, the new feature has the potential to, at a very minimum, help Google gain ground on the current social networking giants. The key, though, is for the tool to be attractive and functional enough to generate a mass exodus that would ensure current Twitter and Facebook users are able to maintain contact with their current “Friends and Followers”.
According to some reports, users may see the new feature in their Gmail accounts as early as this afternoon. The rest should see it appear within the next week.
Oprah Winfrey Takes on Texting Drivers with “No Phone Zone” Campaign
February 9, 2010 – On an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired January 18, 2010, Oprah tackled the popular topic of the dangers of cell phone use while driving. The episode included testimonials from those affected by the dangerous practice, as well as video clips highlighting the very real danger that texting and talking while driving presents. Based on the massive response to the episode, it wasn’t long before the show launched an internet-based campaign, known as the “No Phone Zone”, to bring more attention to the issue.
As part of the campaign, a new section on Winfrey’s official website has been dedicated solely to raising awareness among drivers and providing very real demonstrations of the negative consequences. In addition to hosting PSA-oriented clips and a quiz testing driver’s knowledge of the dangers, Winfrey has also created an area where viewers can virtually sign their name to a No Phone Zone Pledge. As of the writing of this article, 108,538 website visitors had signed on for the campaign. After signing, visitors can share their own stories about how their lives have been affected by the problem or simply forward the pledge on to share with others.
It would be very easy at first glance to be cynical about the issue. “Winfrey has a driver, right? Of course, she doesn’t have to worry about being distracted in the backseat.” Alternatively, some might say, “What does this have to do with technology news?” The truth is, though, that texting and talking while driving has become increasingly common. Chances are 99.9% of drivers with cell phones have done it on at least one occasion. So, it is a very real problem that can have fatal consequences. With regard to the technological aspect, anyone who owns a smartphone knows that emails, text messages, phone calls, Tweets, and Facebook updates are distracting. If the tech community doesn’t want to see its beloved gadgets unfairly demonized, then its time to become part of the solution. So, Winfrey’s decision to put her influential name behind the campaign only serves to help everyone on the road.
Ultimately, to help the problem, one doesn’t have to sign Oprah’s pledge, tell their story, or forward it on to others. Just like a lumberjack wouldn’t try to use a chainsaw and text at the same time, drivers need to use a little common sense while behind the wheel. Put the cell phone down in the car and make the effort to not pick it up. The email, texts, and other messages will be a lot easier to read at home, than from a hospital bed or a jail cell.
A Ten Step Guide (for Regular People) to Securing Your Home Wireless Network
February 9, 2010 – First of all, lets be clear. This article is of use to everyone. For IT and Security Professionals, it may all seem very elementary. For regular people, though, it is a very quick and straight to the point list of recommendations that skip all of the boring technical how’s and why’s. The fact is that wireless connectivity has become an integral part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, many people setting up wireless home networks rush through the job to get their internet connectivity working as quickly as possible. That’s totally understandable. It’s also quite risky as numerous security problems can result. Today’s Wi-Fi networking products don’t always help the situation as configuring their security features can be time-consuming and non-intuitive. The recommendations below summarize the steps you should take to improve the security of your home wireless network.
1. Change Default Administrator Passwords and usernames.
At the core of most Wi-Fi home networks is an access point or router. To set up these pieces of equipment, manufacturers provide Web pages that allow owners to enter their network address and account information. These Web tools are protected with a login screen (username and password) so that only the rightful owner can do this. However, for any given piece of equipment, the logins provided are simple and very well-known to hackers on the Internet. Change these settings immediately.
2. Turn on WPA-2/WEP Encryption.
All Wi-Fi equipment supports some form of encryption. Encryption technology scrambles messages sent over wireless networks so that they cannot be easily read by humans. Several encryption technologies exist for Wi-Fi today. Naturally you will want to pick the strongest form of encryption that works with your wireless network. However, the way these technologies work, all Wi-Fi devices on your network must share the identical encryption settings. Therefore you may need to find a “lowest common demoninator” setting. For example, you may have a Nintendo Wii that connects wirelessly in your home network. In the past these and other video game consoles did not support WPA-2 encryption. In this case, you would have to choose WEP. It is not as strong as WPA-2, but some encryption is better than none at all.
Will the Nook Sweeten Barnes & Noble’s Valentines Day Sales?
February 9, 2010 – Book Retailer Barnes & Noble announced yesterday that its Nook e-reader will finally be available for sale in most store locations, beginning on February 10, 2010.
The Nook represents Barnes & Noble’s venture into an e-reader market currently dominated by the Amazon Kindle. Originally planned for nationwide release prior to the Christmas 2009 Holidays, production problems limited sales to online orders and store-based kiosks.
Though demand was strong in December, it remains to be seen if buyers remained loyal to the brand and waited for the Nook’s full release or simply moved on to offerings like the Kindle to satisfy their e-reading needs. If the former is true, Valentines Day may ultimately be very sweet for the nation’s #1 book retailer.
(Source: Reuters New York)
