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Comment Special consideration for the elderly (Score 1) 185

I totally agree. As an elderly IT guy I take precautions. However I supported a friend who had memory issues and limited technical skills. I had to write down his passwords and keep them because he could not. He went through several Facebook and email accounts he could not recover.

Service providers need to devise special arrangements for the elderly - there will be more and more of such users in years to come. OS providers (especially MS) need to provide simple, stable desktops that never reconfigure themselves and totally confuse elderly users!

Giving special consideration to the elderly is not a new concept!!
Privacy

Hey CIA, You Held On To Security Flaw Information -- But Now It's Out. That's Not How It Should Work (eff.org) 246

Posted by msmash from the is-it-worth-the-sacrifice dept.
Cindy Cohn, writing for EFF: The dark side of this story is that the documents confirm that the CIA holds on to security vulnerabilities in software and devices -- including Android phones, iPhones, and Samsung televisions -- that millions of people around the world rely on. The agency appears to have failed to accurately assess the risk of not disclosing vulnerabilities to responsible vendors and failed to follow even the limited Vulnerabilities Equities Process. As these leaks show, we're all made less safe by the CIA's decision to keep -- rather than ensure the patching of -- vulnerabilities. Even spy agencies like the CIA have a responsibility to protect the security and privacy of Americans.
Security

Chromodo Browser Disables Key Web Security (thestack.com) 54

Posted by timothy from the it's-only-a-browser dept.
An anonymous reader writes: A Google Security Research update has claimed that Comodo's internet browser Chromodo, based on the open-source project Chromium, contains significant security failings and puts its users at risk. This week's Google alert suggested that the Chromodo browser – available as a standalone download, as well as part of the company's Security package – is less secure than it promises. According to analysis, the browser is disabling the Same Origin policy, hijacking DNS settings, and replacing shortcuts with Chromodo links, among other security violations.
Printer

3D Printers Making Inroads In Kitchens 91

Posted by Soulskill from the license-to-print-honey dept.
mpicpp sends an article from Fortune about the tiny industry springing up around food-related 3D printing. While such devices are still too expensive and too special-purpose for home kitchens, professionals in restaurants and large cafeterias are figuring out ways they can automate certain time-intensive tasks. For example, pasta: "If the user is making a recipe for ravioli, for instance, the [device] prints the bottom layer of dough, the filling and the top dough layer in subsequent steps. It reduces a lengthy recipe to two minutes construction time and ensures that no one has to clean a countertop caked with leftover dough and flour." The companies developing these 3D printers hope they'll be this generation's version of the microwave, gradually finding a use in almost every kitchen.
Businesses

BitTorrent Unveils Sync 2.0 60

Posted by samzenpus from the brand-new dept.
An anonymous reader writes BitTorrent today outlined the company's plans for its file synchronization tool Sync. Next year, the company will launch Sync 2.0, finally taking the product out of beta, as well as three new paid Sync products. Ever since its debut, Sync has provided a wide variety of solutions to various problems, BitTorrent says, from distributing files across remote servers to sharing vacation photos. BitTorrent thus believes it needs to build three distinct products for each of these separate audiences, including a Pro version for $40 per year.
Input Devices

Omnidirectional Treadmill: The Ultimate FPS Input Device? 292

Posted by timothy from the pricey-but-cool dept.
MojoKid writes "The concept of gaming accessories may have just been taken to a whole new level. A company called Virtuix is developing the Omni, which is essentially a multidirectional treadmill that its creators call 'a natural motion interface for virtual reality applications.' The company posted a video showing someone playing Team Fortress 2 and using the Omni along with the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. You can see in the video how much running and movement this fellow performs. With something like the Omni in your living room, you'd likely get into pretty good shape in no time. Instead of Doritos and Mountain Dew, folks might have to start slamming back Power Bars and Gatorade for all night gaming sessions."

Comment digital upgrade long overdue (Score 1) 445

by mango9 (#42202617) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: Do You Still Need a Phone At Your Desk?

Desk phones (in small businesses) and home phones are in serious need of a digital upgrade. The copper line is still a major asset in most places for use by DSL so why not upgrade the phone to a digital device which can offer many of the services offered by cheap cell phones such as text messages? Much could be done even without additional power. Options like a wireless hub could be added etc etc. Why do telcos not push this as standard? It would surely make better use of their resources. What am I missing here?

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