STEM – Page 14 – Into the West

Article: This bracelet could replace your passwords, your car keys, and even your fingerprints

This bracelet could replace your passwords, your car keys, and even your fingerprints

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/3/4688162/bionym-nymi-could-replace-all-your-passwords

I am on the fence about this new technology. What do you think?

Article: The Internet’s next victim: Advertising

The Internet’s next victim: Advertising

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/02/the_internets_next_victim_advertising/

I use AdBlock Plus nut I am less than thrilled witj this development.

Article: For Ballmer, Resistance Was Futile

For Ballmer, Resistance Was Futile

http://allthingsd.com/20130823/for-ballmer-resistance-was-futile/

Apropos phrasing as I’ve always thought of M$ as the Borg of our times.

Article: Lavabit founder: ‘My own tax dollars are being used to spy on me’

Lavabit founder: ‘My own tax dollars are being used to spy on me’

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/22/lavabit-founder-us-surveillance-snowden

I need to track down the blog “Groklaw” because the name immediately popped out at me.

Article: Microsoft Apologizes for Three-Day Outlook.com Outage

Microsoft Apologizes for Three-Day Outlook.com Outage

http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/08/17/microsoft-apologizes-for-three-day-outlook-com-outage-says-caching-issue-was-to-blame/

I just love this paragraph (it made me chuckle because it’s so true and typical of most of M$ software):

“The company blamed this particular incident on a failure of the caching service that interfaces with devices using Exchange ActiveSync, including most smartphones. The failure caused these devices to receive an error and continuously try to connect to Microsoft’s service, which resulted in a flood of traffic that the company’s servers did not handle properly.”

Article: Kansas Citians create a fund to help cross the digital divide

Kansas Citians create a fund to help cross the digital divide

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/08/14/4411448/kansas-citians-create-a-fund-to.html

Long overdue. I will add this local charity to my end-of-year donation list.

Article: What If Internet Providers Encrypted Your Emails So The NSA Couldn’t Spy On You?

What If Internet Providers Encrypted Your Emails So The NSA Couldn’t Spy On You?

http://www.fastcompany.com/3015523/the-code-war/what-if-internet-providers-encrypted-your-emails-so-the-nsa-couldnt-spy-on-you

Another reason to return to Germany.

Article: Lavabit’s closure marks the death of secure cloud computing in the US

Lavabit’s closure marks the death of secure cloud computing in the US

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/10/lavabit-closure-cloud-computing-edward-snowden

This is becoming even more ridiculous and scary.

Article: Watch Me Do Something Impossible In Three Totally Easy Steps

Watch Me Do Something Impossible In Three Totally Easy Steps

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/08/08/209945892/watch-me-do-something-impossible-in-three-totally-easy-steps

This is a wonderful reminder to me of how grateful I am for math and paradoxes.

Article: It’s Wednesday morning and it’s already been a tough week for IBM

It’s Wednesday morning and it’s already been a tough week for IBM

http://gigaom.com/2013/08/07/its-wednesday-morning-and-its-already-been-a-tough-week-for-ibm/

Big Blue is looking a little red.