53956569
submission
HangingChad writes:
Google, the tech giant supposedly guided by its “don’t be evil” motto, has been funding a growing list of groups advancing the agenda of the Koch brothers. Voluntary disclosures indicate Google has given money to groups like the Cato Institute, Heritage Action and the Federalist Society among others.
50591175
submission
HangingChad writes:
The gurus at IDC have put together their market forecast for the fourth quarter of this year and they’re predicting that the worldwide smart connected device market, comprised of PCs, tablets, and smartphones, is forecast to grow 27.8% year over year in 2013. The “PC” segment includes both desktop computers and what they call “portable” computers. IDC says that PCs will still outship tablets for the 2013 calendar year, but the trend is definitely shifting toward mobile devices with tablet shipments to surpass total PC shipments (desktop plus portable PCs) in the fourth quarter of 2013 (4Q13).
43407909
submission
HangingChad writes:
James Hamilton is the engineer responsible for keeping Amazon's $4.5 billion tech infrastructure business running while inventing new ways to make its data centers more efficient. But this is no office job, he does most of his work from his boat, Diorona, which he often sails to Hawaii and works remotely from there.
42266563
submission
HangingChad writes:
Intel reported earnings on Tuesday that were down nearly 27 percent from a year ago on slumping PC sales. Worldwide PC sales dropped by 5 percent in just the 4th quarter and are down 2.5 percent for all of 2012. Intel managed to beat earnings in Q3 2012 but the numbers are still dismal.
Speculation is that customers are replacing PCs with tablets and other connected devices.
40141899
submission
HangingChad writes:
Scientists have used nanoparticles covered in proteins to trick the immune system to stop attacking myelin and halt the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
The nanoparticles, about 200 times thinner than a human hair, are made from the same material as dissolving stitches. Scientists compare the process an immune system "reboot". The process keeps the immune system from treating myelin as an alien invader and to stop attacking it.
8895898
submission
HangingChad writes:
Gary Lyndaker talks about Janine Wedel's "Shadow Elite". About how our information infrastructure is increasingly being sold off to the low bidder. Contracting in state and federal government is rampant, leaving more and more of our nation's vital information in the hands of contractors, many of whom have their own agenda and set of rules. From the article: "Over 25 years, as an information systems developer, manager, and administrator in both state and private organizations, I have increasingly come to the conclusion that we are putting our state's operations at risk and compromising the trust of the people of our state by outsourcing core government functions." I've seen the same thing in my years in government IT, ironically much of it as a contractor. My opinion is this is a dangerous trend that needs to be reversed. We're being fleeced while being put at risk.
7911946
submission
HangingChad writes:
Now that my latest gig is winding down, I'm thinking about starting my own PC repair and network support business instead of another managerial position or going back to consulting. I've run my own business before so I'm already familiar with the realities of licensing, insurance and advertising, and I've got enough capital to get started. I'm planning on taking some classes to sharpen my hands-on skills even though I already build my own PC's. I wanted to ask some of the tech types here, what are the essential components of your black bag tool kit? What software tools would you consider essential? What's in your hardware tool bag? And what, if any, spare hardware supplies do you routinely stock (power supplies, spare hard drives and spare memory would seem to be no-brainers)? And what areas of that field are most requested (forensics, data recovery, PC repair, laptop repair)? I'm leaning toward a mobile service model instead of a bench top retail store, so I'll have to carry with me what I need.
It's almost inevitable I end up providing this service for family and friends anyway, I figured it's a good time to consider trying it for a living.
7842610
submission
HangingChad writes:
Roger Thompson describes on his blog, also reported here, an experience that may point to banks and credit card companies aggregating data from social media sites. Before the corporate apologists step up with their usual "if you don't want to make it public don't post it" line, think about that for a second. And ask what's next? Are they going to start reading your email? Logging your cell phone calls? Is social media a public web site, or a convenient way to keep in touch with family and friends and where do we draw the line on corporate data aggregation? I'm thinking right here might be a good place.
7008690
submission
HangingChad writes:
Google enterprise division talks smack on Office. Plans 30-50 updates to Docs over the next year, including new features as well as performance enhancements. Says business users will be able to ditch Office. Oh, yeah, it's on.
6613711
submission
HangingChad writes:
If I had to choose, I'd rather be a...
- Vampire
- Werewolf
- Mummy
- Necromancer
- Ringwraith
- My family already thinks I'm a troll
6389747
submission
HangingChad writes:
MarketWatch makes a logical case for secession. Just because we started out united doesn't mean we need to stay that way. There are a lot of advantages for letting red state America go their own way. Why not? The only thing "united" about the United States is the name.
6253319
submission
HangingChad writes:
Republicans are mounting opposition to net neutrality as federal regulators prepare to vote this month on regulations that would prevent discrimination against certain types of internet traffic. Democrats say the rules will keep phone companies from discriminating against Internet calling services and stop cable TV providers from hindering online video applications. Meanwhile in the Senate, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas, is considering legislation that would prohibit the FCC from developing net neutrality rules.
