First30Days - Technology

Could You Give Up Technology?

2008-11-17T11:37:02Z

Ah, the Presidency. Unfettered access to information, all at the click of a ...

Hey! Where are you going with my Blackberry?

That's right. It seems our commander in chief is going to have to surrender his right to bear a PDA come January. Since the dawn of the information age, Presidents have had to surrender the freedom to text or e-mail, mostly because of security concerns that their every word could be used against them.

Obama, of course, is rarely seen without his Blackberry, and wants to have a laptop in the Oval Office. Do we think he'll get his wish? And of course, the real question is...Mac or PC?

[NYT]

Abe Is My Homeboy

2008-11-12T10:52:31Z

If only we could truly be BFF with John Adams or Honest Abe, we so would. In the meantime, we can just be their Facebook friend.

Oh. You didn't know your past leaders and future president are all hanging out in the interweb's coolest social network?

This election year, Facebook became the place to show your allegiance to the Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin campaign. Fan pages were created by each campaign, and of course there were the requisite user created groups too. Obama's Facebook page has about 3 million supporters.

Why use Facebook to show your allegiance for this president (or any other, for that matter?) Because...why not? In the days since the election, some of us have found ourselves justifying our allegiance to the president-elect. There have been some heated notes posted and messaging back and forth—and while the compulsion might just be to move on already, part of us thinks that Facebook showcases the very best of democracy in action—it's a place where all voices can be heard, debates can run freely and we can each stand behind individuals and causes we believe in.

And when we change our minds, we can always leave a group or "unfriend" someone.

So what's your Facebook status these days? Do you believe in using social networks to drive support toward causes and candidates?

I Miss U

2008-10-10T14:07:35Z

This past Monday, Google released its newest feature from Gmail Labs. “Mail Goggles” is an opt-in service that has five simple math problems at the bottom of every e-mail you send on a Friday and Saturday night. You have 60 seconds to enter the right answers and if you mess up or run out of time, your e-mail won’t send and waits for you to be in a more, well, sober mindset.

According to the official Gmail Blog, Mail Goggles was developed to prevent Gmail users from sending e-mails they might later wish they didn’t. “Sometimes I send messages I shouldn’t send. Like the time I told that girl I had a crush on her over text message…When you enable Mail Goggles, it will check that you’re really sure you want to send that late night Friday e-mail.” A message comes up saying, “It’s that time of day. Gmail aims to help you in many ways. Are you sure you want to send this? Answer some simple math problems to verify,” followed by problems like “69-38” and “37+19.”

This is just one feature in the grand scheme of improvements to Gmail. Features like “Forgotten Attachment Detector” and “Pictures in Chat” are also part of the improvement plan and users are encouraged to provide feedback.

Though we’re not sure what is going to stop us from just grabbing a calculator, we are wondering if some math problems (and maybe some vocabulary questions, too) at the end of every e-mail sent by a student would help keep their skills just a bit sharper.

Mail Goggles is getting mixed feedback. What do you think about the newest, drunk-proof Gmail feature? [Forbes]

Your Infinite Playlist

2008-10-03T17:39:28Z

In honor of the new romantic comedy Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (which hits theaters October 3), we want to know what is on our readers’ iPods and other portable music devices.

In the movie, Nick O’Leary (Michael Cera) sends mixed CDs to his ex-girlfriend, hoping he can win her back. Though she doesn’t appreciate the gesture, her friend Norah Silverberg (Kat Dennings) does and develops a crush on Nick even before she meets him, all due to the music.

Here at First30Days, we are rockin’ out to a pretty diverse playlist:

Cold War Kids-Mexican Dogs
Britney Spears-Womanizer
Fleet Foxes-Sun It Rises
Sweet and Low-Augustana
Dave Matthews Band- So Much to Say
Kanye West- Love Lockdown

What is on your “infinite playlist?” Are there any songs that really get you excited about fall? Let us know what you are groovin' to!

Debate on Demand

2008-09-26T16:09:35Z

Guess MySpace isn’t all voyeurism and musicians publicizing themselves after all! Tonight, MySpace and MyDebates.org will stream the presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama live online.

But why focus on your tiny laptop screen instead of a TV? Well, your cable box doesn’t let you skip directly to the topic most important to you (after the whole debate is over, of course. They have yet to perfect time travel to the future...but maybe that's a goal for the next iPhone?). Clips of each candidates’ answers regarding specific topics will be easily accessible on the site. (For example, search “economy,” and see their responses--but no one’s interested in that now, right?) Talk about usability!

If you visit MyDebates, a survey will ask our views on taxes, health care, gun control, and same-sex marriage. Other viewers with the same political leanings will show up as your matches. All you politicos can also create profiles that, when placed on MySpace, show the millions of members your world views. Facebook is also getting in on the action and will team up with MyDebates next week. Check out our tips for mastering Facebook before diving in.

Do you like the way new media is intersecting with old politics? Or are too many users, profiles and sites muddling the political discourse? [Yahoo! News]

Hi, I'm a PC

2008-09-19T12:45:13Z

After Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates ads “about nothing,” Microsoft is releasing a new ad campaign that aims to combat the negative image Apple paints Windows with in their commercials. Microsoft said the campaign, “Life Without Walls,” will reflect the holistic approach it took when it developed the Windows platform (Vista, Windows Live and Windows Mobile).

“At the core, Windows is about enabling each of us, as individuals, to live our lives without walls,” said Bill Veghte, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Online Services & Windows Business Group. “I want to work when I want to work. I want to play when I want to play. I want to communicate and share with friends and family and coworkers.”

The ads will feature celebrities like green architect Edouard Francois, astronaut Bernard Harris, actress Eva Longoria and spiritual author Deepak Chopra, but they will also focus on real PC users of all ages and walks of life.

“One of the really fun things we’ve done is to create a series of ads called ‘I’m a PC’—and we’re enabling every PC user to upload their own ‘I’m a PC’ spot, Veghte said. “So you can upload it and we’ll publish it and amplify it on windows.com…and then we’ll do better than that—we’ll publish some of those ‘I’m a PC’ spots in places like digital billboards in Times Square.”

Check out the ad here and let us know what you think! Will Microsoft’s holistic ad campaign help reinvent their image? And Vista users, we at First30Days want you to settle this once and for all. How do you like the new Windows operating system? [Top Tech News]

Beyond Party Shuffle

2008-09-08T15:14:11Z

If you were amazed by what the iPod did for your record collection, wait until you read what they can do for your next casserole.
Gorenje, a Slovenian appliance company, has come up with a new software system that will allow users to remotely control their oven.

For example, if you decide to take in a parade on Thanksgiving, you could throw in your turkey beforehand and activate the oven with your iPod as you enjoy the marching bands and floating cartoon characters.

Unfortunately, Gorenje currently only distributes in Europe. But, maybe if we ask nicely they'll start shipping their products over here and you can remodel your kitchen into a techie paradise—they also have an iPod controlled fridge.

Are there certain members of your family who would help out more in the kitchen if there was an iPod involved?

Move Over Explorer, There's a New Browser in Town

2008-09-05T11:35:03Z

Google expanded their tech empire this week with the release of Google Chrome, their first web browser. Chrome hopes to compete with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.

In a change of pace from most browsers, if a web site in one tab falters on Chrome, only that tab closes instead of making your whole window disappear, and new tabs display your most visited sites and bookmarked pages instead of a blank screen. Wandering onto an unsafe web site immediately causes Chrome to pop up a deep red “Warning” window, so even the most confused surfer knows to stay away.

Google claims switching browsers is easy; it only takes two clicks to import bookmarks and passwords from your old one, and learning more is as simple as flipping a page of the how-to comic book created for the launch.

Chrome is only available to download on Windows at the moment. But don't be jealous dear Mac and Linux users; plans are in the works to include you in on the fun, too!

What browser do you use to surf the web? Are you going to give Chrome a try and if you already have, how do you like it? [CNET]

Unconventionally Covering the Conventions

2008-08-29T12:05:59Z

The 2008 campaigns are using technology to expand their audiences. For the first time, a vice presidential candidate was announced via text message, citizen journalists are being sent to cover the conventions and YouTube is playing a bigger role than ever.

The Democratic convention had its first web site this year, www.demconvention.com, which utilized the high-definition streaming technology used at the Olympics earlier this month. The site had a daily web cast and Twitter-like tidbits of information about the convention, such as the number of gallons of coffee made and miles of cable laid. There were also triple the amount of bloggers than there were in 2004, when credentialed bloggers were first allowed in and the convention had its very own blogging team.

Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook, is the director of online organizing for the Obama campaign. He is using YouTube and Facebook to gather millions of supporters; something only experimented with in the 2004 election.

Rapper and member of the Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am, attended a panel discussion sponsored by The Huffington Post. As a metaphor to describe the differences between old and new media he said, “You watch old media on the couch. This new media is horse material. You travel and you tell people, and it’s like Paul Revere.”

Have you utilized Facebook, your cell phone, blogs or other social networking sites to keep up with the campaigns? [New York Times]

Fit Phone

2008-08-19T14:26:53Z

You’ve created your new healthier eating plan and you’re using our getting in shape tips to get you started on your weight-loss journey, but you are looking for some extra help. U.S. News & World Report tested health, fitness and nutrition applications at The App Store (the application store for iPhones and the iPod Touch) and found the best apps to help you along the way (to the grocery store, the movies, to work, and wherever else your day takes you!).

Absolute Fitness ($14.99)
This application is a little pricey, but the magazine deemed it the “most impressive health app” they tested. This easy-to-use program will help you track with food and exercise diaries, set target nutrition and weight goals and even graphs data like calorie, saturated fat and sodium intake and even cholesterol levels. The application will let you know if you’re on the track to meeting your goals by calculating calories in minus calories burned (you enter what you eat at each meal and what exercises you do). The program also has nutritional information on specific brand-name products as well as on a wide-range of foods.

Quitter (free)
This motivational and free application is for former smokers and those trying to quit. The application calculates how much money you are saving based on how much you used to smoke and how long it’s been since your last cig. Whenever you open the program, it congratulates you, lets you know how long you’ve been smoke free and graphs your savings so far.

ICE ($.99)
This application stands for In Case of Emergency and acts like the digital version of the medical card in your wallet. You enter your allergies to food and medication (and latex, etc.), any medications you are currently taking and you can even record any medical conditions you may have. There is no section for blood type and information on organ donation and emergency personnel might not think to check your iPhone for medical info. (We’re sure that at some point, that will be the first place they check. Oh, technology.)

Kenkou ($4.99)
The name of this program means “health” in Japanese and lets you track personal health and wellness data. Particularly of good use for people with diabetes, the application has you enter blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, all with a date stamp, enabling you to track trends over time. You can also record the amount of time you exercise and what foods you eat.

iScale ($4.99)
Less expensive than the Absolute Fitness app, it's similar in concept with fewer features. This program allows users to enter the nutritional and caloric information for everything eaten. It also features an FDA food database with nutritional information on a wide-variety of foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables and calculates your total calories consumed, while keeping a shopping list of foods you need to restock.

Have you used any of these applications? Let us know how you keep track of your health and fitness goals!

Pimp Your DVD Collection

2008-08-18T13:58:38Z

Your 52-inch plasma is your family room’s best accessory—you feel like you are actually at your team’s pre-season football games and all those earth shows on the Discovery Channel make you feel like you know how to swim with dolphins. But what about your DVDs?

When VHS went the way of vinyl, you went out and re-bought your fave movies on DVD and have been adding to your collection ever since. The problem: they aren’t reaping the benefits of your HDTV. A Blu-ray player can run you a few Benjamins (plus the cost of Blu-Ray discs) and you aren’t willing to purchase your entire collection (again) for a little enhancement.

Toshiba has a solution to your HD woes (and their woes as well. Earlier this year, Sony Blu-Ray discs beat out Toshiba’s HD DVDs). They are releasing a new DVD player, XD-E500, which will improve and sharpen the look of your DVDs for a suggest retail price of $149.99.

Are you happy with the way your DVD collection looks on your HDTV? Are you considering purchasing a Blu-ray or some other product to enhance your viewing experience? [Associated Press]

Teachers Use "Friend" as a Verb

2008-08-14T16:26:06Z

Teachers understand that there is a technology gap separating them from their students, and some are turning to social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook to help bridge the gap.

Randy Turner, a 52-year-old teacher in Missouri told CNN, “Just the very fact that I have a MySpace makes [my students] think, ‘Well, maybe we can talk to this guy and open the lines of communication.’” Turner says he realized this was a major way of communication for them and wants to use these web sites to connect with his students about homework, tutoring and other school-related matters.

Though many teachers are hoping to use social networking sites to their and their students’ advantages, others fear the sites will foster inappropriate relationships between students and teachers.

Missouri state legislator Jane Cunnighman is sponsoring a bill to ban elementary school teachers from having social-networking friendships with students. The state has had instances of student-teacher sexual relationships and legislators want to crackdown on these online relationships.

Though Turner understands where legislators are coming from he says, “You can’t argue with people whose intentions are trying to protect children. But the simple fact is, you take these people who prey on children and they are going to find a way to do it, whether it’s over Facebook or not. Those teachers are ruining it for the ones legitimately trying to help children.”

Some schools have set up web sites for students and teachers to communicate that are hosted by their school districts. Education Lawyer Jim Keith says these class pages eliminate the need for Facebook or MySpace and allow the schools to monitor all communication. “As an educator, there is a line of demarcation between you and your student,” says Keith. "It’s a line that you cannot come close to, let alone step over.”

Other states, school boards, teacher and parent-teacher associations throughout the country are also trying to crack down on online friendships.

If you are an educator, how do you feel about online friendship with your students? As a parent, do you think these online relationships are appropriate? If you are a student, let us know if you are friends with your teachers and professors and how you handle not crossing the line. [CNN]

Presidential Campaign: 2.0

2008-08-13T16:02:32Z

Who will Barack Obama pick to run as his Vice President? Your next text message could hold the answer. The Democratic presidential candidate has set up a system that allows voters to receive an email or text message “the moment” Obama makes his decision, by signing up at my.barackobama.com/VP or texting VP to 62262.

His campaign has already utilized technology more than any other, using the internet to gain volunteers and raising almost $340 million online. Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, encourages voters to be “part of the moment” and said, “No other campaign has done this before.”

In response, some are saying that this particular use of technology is “turning the VP selection process into an ‘American Idol’ moment.”

Is Obama just using what we use everyday to his campaign’s advantage or do you think the text message announcement is going to hurt his image? Did you sign up to find out who will be his VP? If not, have you used any other technology, like the candidate's Facebook pages, to be involved in either of the presidential campaigns? [Associated Press]

Beijing's Opening Ceremony-No Ticket Needed

2008-08-08T11:53:26Z

We hope your new HDTV is all set up and ready for the sports-filled coverage of the next couple of weeks—the 2008 Olympics Games is the first to be produced entirely in HD. Across all seven of NBC’s channels, there will be 3600 hours of coverage and more on NBCOlympics.com.

The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin was only partially produced in high-definition, meaning the international broadcast feed was for the most part, not in HD. Now this year's broadcast feed is in HD and the coverage is being called the “the most ambitious single media project in history.”

Will it feel like Michael Phelps is about to butterfly-stroke himself right through your screen? What events are you looking forward to seeing in HD? Are you more excited to see the coverage now that it is in HD? [Network World]

MyPicks Olympics

2008-08-06T12:27:04Z

The Olympic games have always been about bringing the world together. Since the whole world’s gone Olympic crazy (literally), it was only a matter of time until the madness crept onto Facebook—which connects people from well, around the world.

Today, Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced their release of a new Facebook application entitled MyPicks Beijing 2008. The game will allow users to pick gold, silver and bronze medalists for each of the events. If their predictions are correct, they will score points for their country (U-S-A! U-S-A!). The country that accumulates the highest amount of points will be declared winner of the MyPicks Beijing 2008 Games!

If you are new to the social networking site, check out our tips on using Facebook. Add the application and let us know how your country fares in this viral competition! [Business Wire]

Facebook Says B-Y-E To Scrabulous

2008-07-30T10:50:35Z

Well, it’s official. Scrabulous is no longer a working Facebook application. A couple of days ago we told you that Hasbro is suing the creators of Scrabulous for violating its copyright and trademarks on Scrabble. In order to avoid the lawsuit, Rajat and Jayan Agarwalla, brothers and creators of the Facebook application, decided that they would pull the plug on Scrabulous—at least for North America and Canada.

The avid users of Scrabulous who logged into Facebook ready to continue gaming were greeted with a non-working page that stated, “Scrabulous is disabled for U.S. and Canadian users until further notice. If you would like to stay informed about developments in this matter, please click here.” Hmm. We guess workers are just going to have to find a different way to distract themselves from their tasks.

If you must get your Scrabble fix, you can play the official Hasbro Scrabble application or visit the official Scrabulous web site.

We hear that a lot of Scrabulous fans are not too happy about Hasbro's Scrabble application. Any devoted Scrabulous fans out there? Tell us what you think about the Scrabble application! [MSNBC]

Can You Dig It?

2008-07-29T10:53:52Z

Last time we told you that Windows XP users were ranting and raving at Microsoft to keep XP on the market, because many were not willing to change or upgrade to Windows Vista. So in an effort to prove to devout XP users that Vista is all that and a bag of chips, Microsoft created an experiment.

They tricked XP users into thinking that they were test-driving a new version of Windows called “Mojave” (what a groovy name), when in actuality it was just plain Vista! The result? Testers were amazed by the great performance of Vista, uh, we mean “Mojave.”

A web site has been launched so that the public can see the experiment for themselves. It is clear that Microsoft is taking a more aggressive approach to proving how great Windows Vista really is, and we can dig it!

Tell us what you think about the “Mojave” experiment. How has your experience with Windows Vista been? [CNET]

Scrabble Owners Sue Facebook

2008-07-28T11:32:14Z

Hasbro Inc., who owns the best game ever, is suing Rajat and Jayan Agarwalla, brothers and the creators of the Facebook application Scrabulous. Scrabulous is the Facebook/online version of, well, Scrabble. Apparently, Hasbro is claiming that Scrabulous goes against its copyright and trademarks on Scrabble. Hasbro Inc. is also insisting that Facebook shut down this application and prohibit its half-million daily users from getting their wordplay on.

This isn’t the first time Scrabulous has raised an eyebrow with Hasbro. Back in January, the company asked Facebook to shut down Scrabulous, but Facebook has yet to do so. There’s no denying that the brothers created an exact replica of the 70-year-old board game, but part of us thinks that this lawsuit might have been avoided if the brother’s didn’t foolishly link Scrabble’s Wikipedia page in their application description. Or name the game Scrabulous. Just sayin'.

Tell us what you think about this lawsuit. Is it justifiable or should Hasbro sue Facebook, and not the creators of the game? And if Scrabulous does disappear, how on earth will you distract yourself at work all day? [Ars Technica]

HDTV Goes Wireless

2008-07-23T11:56:29Z

Next time you buy an HDTV, you may be able to chuck all those television cords! CNN reports that many consumer-electronic giants, including Sony and Samsung, will soon embrace wireless HDTV. It will be called Wireless Home Digital Interface, or WHDI. The main idea of WHDI is that any television in a home will be able to receive a TV signal no matter where it’s located. And although ways to make this happen are still being debated, creators of this concept, Amimon Ltd., have already begun manufacturing chips that will fulfill the promise of WHDI.

Noam Geri, co-founder of Amimon, further explains the vision for WHDI. "If you have a TV in the home, that TV will be able to access any source in the home, whether it's a set-top box in the living room, or the PlayStation in the bedroom, or a DVD player in another bedroom. That's the message of WHDI.”

Though manufacturers like Samsung love the concept and claim it is the "ultimate solution," others aren't so sure. Kurt Scherf, an analyst for a digital living consulting firm, claims that wireless HDTV has been talked about for years but no one has been able to make it reliable.

Tell us what you think about wireless HDTV. Do you think it’s the “ultimate solution?”

Get In The Mix

2008-07-22T11:46:53Z

Summa, summa, summeatime! Time to sit back and unwind. (Quick! Name that tune!)

Oh, and listen to your iPod. We’re halfway through the summer and now that you’ve practically mastered the iPod, it’s time to crank it up and jam out to the summer 2008 hit list below! Everyone has their own hit list. Whether you prefer rocking out to tunes from the 80’s or current jams, you can’t deny the bubbly feeling a good summer hit list brings you. It’s summertime!

(In no particular order)
1. Forever – Chris Brown
2. I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry
3. Viva La Vida – Coldplay
4. Disturbia – Rihanna
5. Shake It – Metro Station
6. Lollipop – Lil’ Wayne
7. When I Grow Up – Pussycat Dolls
8. Burnin’ Up – Jonas Brothers
9. 7 Things – Miley Cyrus
10. Handlebars – The Flobots

What songs are on your summer hit list? If you need some more inspiration, try Pandora or Rhapsody...and there's always iTunes!

Facebook Sends Student To Jail

2008-07-21T11:13:18Z

So we’ve told you about employers using networking sites like Facebook to uncover information about their potential employees, but have you heard about prosecutors using Facebook as a way to win a case? We swear! We’re telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth...

Joshua Lipton, a 20-year-old college junior, was recently charged in a drunk driving accident. Two weeks after his charge, a picture of him at a Halloween party emerged on Facebook. He was dressed as a “jail bird” holding a can of Red Bull and had his arm around a young female. Underneath the photo the caption read, “Remorseful?”

The prosecutor used these photos and many others posted on Facebook to paint a poor picture of Lipton. The judge in his case couldn’t agree more. He states, “"I did feel that gave me some indication of how that young man was feeling a short time after a near-fatal accident, that he thought it was appropriate to joke and mock about the possibility of going to prison.”

It looks like Lipton might be heading to jail, but we’ll have to wait and see. The lesson learned here is to watch the way you use Facebook! The pictures you post of yourself may speak more about your character than your “about me.”

Not knowing Lipton personally (and given the fact that he's so young) perhaps the poor kid was just trying to be cavalier in front of his friends, or forget his troubles for one night. And, at least he was drinking Red Bull and not something stronger after a drunk driving incident. Do you think these photos show poor character, or is he just a kid who made a mistake?

[MSNBC]

Go, Mac, Go!

2008-07-17T13:56:14Z

If you’re a long time Mac user then you probably remember their old slogan, “5 down, 95 to go.” It was referring to their percentage of market share, generously claiming they held 5% when in reality it was much less than that. Still, they maintained their efforts and plugged along.

Today they’re inching up to 10% in the U.S. Windows is still the leader in market share for operating systems, but considering how far Mac has come, 10% is nothing to sneeze at. Analysts suggest that some of Apple’s OS success is from the excitement of their other products, i.e. the iPhone and iPod. The same analysts maintain that Apple just makes good products and executes them well. Overall, that will lead to their success.

Do you think the Mac will ever be on par with Windows in terms of market share? Or will Windows always be the dominating OS? Are you thinking about switching to a Mac? [cnet]

When Kids Attack

2008-07-15T10:29:07Z

The advent of social networking and media brought with it possibilities to meet people from other countries, something most people may have never had the chance to do. It allows friends to stay connected, even when they’re half a country apart. What many people didn’t count on was the surge in mean-spirited behavior that seems to have taken root on websites like Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube.

What’s worse, kids have access to picture phones and video recorders at an earlier age now and think nothing of snapping a picture to record an embarrassing moment and post it on the internet. Online harassment for Americans aged 10-17 has increased 50% between 2000-2005. According to Corrine David-Ferdon, a health scientist at the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, the numbers could be higher by now, but there is a serious lack of research on the subject. The other problem is that those being bullied don’t always speak up about it for fear of more retaliation.

Unfortunately, experts agree that the discussion of cyberbullying is turning into a double-edged sword. On the one hand, many people are finally beginning to see the problem, particularly after so many cases have been reported; on the other hand, it could be motivating kids to be meaner because in their minds, it’s a cool tool that gets them attention.

What do you think can be done about this situation? Do you think this is worse than the in-person teasing and meanness kids are prone to? [USAToday]

Planet Killer

2008-07-10T12:46:44Z

The gas in question is nitrogen triflouride, which is used to make computer chips and liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. If the gas is released into the atmosphere, it can remain active for about 550 years and scientists estimate it to be 17,000 times worse than CO2 for creating atmospheric warming.

Currently, there is no regulation on the gas, so companies who rely on it to make their products are uninhibited at the moment. However, scientists are looking for ways to more accurately measure the effects the gas has on the atmosphere. If it is found that the impacts to the atmosphere are as severe as predicted, then the use of the gas could come to a standstill. That could be a big problem for TV makers everywhere.

How do you think this will play out? Even if the gas was found to be harmful to the atmosphere, do you think the electronics industry would simply give up without a fight? [ZDNet]

Vista Isn't Taking it Anymore!

2008-07-09T10:08:02Z

At the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston, Microsoft said they were drawing the line and would start telling the real story about the Vista platform. Roughly translated and hidden behind very politically correct verbiage, the speech amounted to this: Back off, Apple!

The plan is to beef up their marketing while continuing to iterate the same things they’ve been saying since Vista came out. They’ve got some heavy arsenal in the form of a $300 million ad campaign that promises to be interesting at the very least. Curiously, though, why has it taken so long for Microsoft to proactively defend their product? That alone caused many people to be concerned about Vista’s viability. But, in the end, Microsoft is back on board and their “noisy competitors” won’t have the floor all to themselves anymore.

What do you think caused the sudden change for Microsoft? Do you think this new ad campaign will make much of a difference in what people think about Vista? [ZDNet]

Liquor Ban Because of Facebook

2008-07-03T14:10:29Z

Psshhh. Party at my house.

Just kidding. But that's sort of how this whole fiasco started. A widespread invitation went out on Facebook for massive beach party in Britain. More than 7,000 people replied they would attend, causing local authorities to panic. Fearing a wild and unruly event that was much more than the local police would be able to handle, they temporarily placed a ban on liquor consumption.

In order for the party hosts to serve any alcohol at this event, they would have had to obtain a permit. Organizers of the party quickly canceled the event, much to the chagrin of folks planning to be in attendance. Because this Facebook invitation was public, even more people than the thousands expected could have dropped by, even those who didn't RSVP.

Understandably, authorities would be concerned with the sheer number of people there, but add alcohol to the mix? The situation and the attendees were bound to get a little tipsy.

Tell us, would you attend such a party? Do you think the authorities made the right call? [CNET]

MySpace Suicide Spurs New Laws

2008-07-02T12:20:07Z

If you're unfamiliar with the case, 13-year old Megan Meier committed suicide almost two years ago because a boy told her online that the world would be better without her. Apparently the two had formed a strictly internet-based relationship, but suddenly the boy turned cruel and called things off.

However, the young individual using this demoting language never actually existed. There was someone typing, that's for sure, but it wasn't a teenage boy. Enter Lori Drew—mother of an ex-friend of Megan's—who allegedly created a fake profile as a means to discover what Megan thought of her daughter.

While Drew pleaded 'not guilty' in court, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has signed a new bill that covers cyberbullying. Prior to this incident, the bill only covered communication that was written or over the phone, and lacked provisions for online incidents. However, Blunt has said that social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook have opened new doors to predators who seek to bully people, especially children. While such a bill needed to be updated, it is sad that a young woman had to lose her life in order for it to take place.

Are social networking sites breeding grounds for bullies? Or does the responsibility belong solely to the person online to be careful who they talk to? [USA Today]

College on Your iPod?

2008-07-01T14:58:15Z

Put the funky dance beats on pause with a spin of your finger around your iPod's dial. Class is in session. And no, we don't mean wrap your earphones around your music player and place it in your bag. By all means, keep it out—you're going to need it!

The UK's Open University has said that it will make its course material available to students through Apple's iTunes U. Users can download the educational information they wish and it's all free for students!

iTunes U has been around since May 2007, but it was only available to a few universities within the United States. It just recently opened its borders outside the states, and Open University intends to make the most of the 50 million people using the iPod. Most of the participating colleges have placed clips of their lectures within the store for download, but Open University doesn't have lectures. Instead they offer video learning material and have already uploaded more than 300 video and audio files—all taken from current courses.

It's amazing how far technology has taken us. Who knew you could go to school through an iPod?

Tell us what you think. While no one's suggesting that these digital files will replace the idea of classes as we know them, it is intriguing that you can learn via your fave piece of music technology. Do you think this is a good idea, or one that sets a terrible example? [Tech News World]

Facebook No Longer Gender Neutral

2008-06-27T10:14:19Z

Facebook says they've got good reason to want to make you identify as male or female. Apparently when no gender is chosen, Facebook’s grammar tool uses gender neutral terms like ‘they’ and ‘themselves’ when sending messages. However, with the advent of different languages being added to Facebook, the translation of ‘they’ and ‘themselves’ has proven to be a problem for other countries who don’t use gender neutral terms. In many other languages, words are still either masculine or feminine.

Facebook’s response is to require new users to select a gender and existing users will be prompted to enter the information. A spokesperson for Facebook says they do have an opt-out choice for those who do not wish to define their gender, or for those who find it too limiting (her words, not ours). So, even though they’re now requiring you to chose your gender, they’re saying you can opt-out if you wish. Does anyone else find that contradicting? However, they also said the option is similar to the feature that lets you hide your birthday or the year you were born, so perhaps it still requires you to choose a gender and then simply hides it.

Even that is problematic as we’ve read about the many security holes on Facebook that provide access to such personal details. Seems Facebook has their work cut out for them!

Do you think Facebook should be allowed to require users to choose a gender just so it translates better in different languages? Regardless, should social networking sites "require" any personal information? [USA Today]

Intel Not Digging Vista

2008-06-26T12:20:30Z

Ouch. According to an Intel insider, there was no case to upgrade to Vista. Could it have anything to do with the fact that Intel customers complain Vista is a “buggy, bloated program that requires costly hardware upgrades to run smoothly?” The Intel source doesn’t really say one way or the other what the specific reasons are, only that there’s no case to upgrade at this time.

This will surely come as a slap in the face for Microsoft as the two companies have worked together for years, even adopting their own "couples’ name" within the industry–Wintel. But Intel is hardly alone in snubbing Vista. Major corporations routinely wait at least a year before adopting the new Window’s version to allow time for the bugs to be worked out. According to analysts, though, there should have been an uptake at 18 months and the interest just isn’t there for Vista.

Give us your thoughts on Vista. Is it a "buggy, bloated" OS that Microsoft is only forcing on us because the sales for it are in the toilet? Should they keep XP around? [NY Times]

Battery Dead? Just Dance!

2008-06-25T09:58:52Z

What would you do if your cell phone died and you were out in the middle of nowhere? What if your iPod died and you didn’t have a place to plug in the charger? That's OK. Just make like the guys and gals in the commercials and dance!

A UK mobile phone company called Orange says they've teamed up with a firm specializing in renewable energy (Got Wind) to create a portable recharger that works solely off of "dance energy." The device would attach to the user’s arm and use a system of weights and magnets to generate a current of electricity that would charge the battery in the device. The device can then be used to charge the battery on the phone.

Currently, the design is meant only for cell phones. But, once word gets out that this actually works, we’re pretty sure Apple will pick it up and make it sexy. They're probably just itching for something else to get into now that the new iPhone is ready.

Do you think such a device would work, or does it sound a little fishy to you? And how are you going to dance if your iPod is dead? [Zdnet.com]

What a Stupid Face You Have

2008-06-24T15:34:04Z

Those spammers are crafty. They exploit the deadly sins and resort to insults in the subject line to get you curious or angry enough to open the email, click the link, or get involved in whatever else they’re pushing. This doesn’t just happen in emails, though. Nope, places like Facebook, Myspace, and other social networking sites can be affected by the hate mail if you don’t set your privacy settings to appropriately block them.

The insult-spam is working enough for the spammers to keep trying. It’s become more personal this way because the subject line usually includes your name, so people who react to the insult simply click in and follow the link. Beware. This is how they get personal information, and your computer could be hit with malware, spyware, and all the other ‘wares currently on the market.

Bottom line: Don’t open the email. No one thinks you have a stupid face!

Have you been a victim to any of these spam emails – either through regular email or while surfing your favorite social network? [NY Times]

Beefing Up HDTV to Increase Sales

2008-06-23T11:40:55Z

A surprising number of Americans have yet to buy their first HDTV, while many others get the newest and biggest model with each release. But, industry experts are saying if the HDTV companies want to make money when the big TV boom hits between 2009 and 2011, they’ll need to install features that are currently extra-cost add-ons for the higher-end models.

The surveys have found that the features people most want with their TV–at no extra charge–are built in Internet access, 1080p resolution, PVR capabilities, and upgraded HDMI connection standards. Another big feature people are looking for is wireless capability. Imagine being able to hang your TV on the wall without all those unsightly cords attached to it and dangling down to the floor. Funny how the commercials never show the cords hanging from the TV, huh?

Let’s see if HDTV companies take the hint and give us what we want!

What features do you want with your TV that you don’t think you should have to pay extra for? [NY Times]

Facebook in France

2008-06-20T10:30:07Z

According to new numbers by ComScore, Facebook has become a good deal more popular in France since adding a French-language edition to the site. There have been at least 600,000 unique visitors to the site since the language addition, and there are reports of a 2,877% increase from April of last year to April of this year.

Unfortunately, Facebook is still in second place and lagging quite a bit at that. The French social networking site of choice—which is relatively unknown in the U.S.—is called Skyrock and pulled in 11.5 million unique visitors in April compared to Facebook's 3.2 million. The design of Skyrock resembles MySpace to some degree (which is equally popular to Facebook in France) and is available in 14 different languages.

However, Facebook does have one more thing in its favor. Skyrock isn't growing at a fast pace, where as Facebook has seen phenomenal growth. At the rate they're going, Facebook may come out on top in France, beating their own social network and MySpace. There's something you won't see everyday!

Have you ventured out and "met" people from other countries through your social networking? Tell us about your experiences! [CNET]

Does Size Really Matter?

2008-06-19T10:33:33Z

If you've been wondering how to fill that gaping hole in your living room, Sharp has announced that their 108-inch LCD TV will be available soon. It will be the largest commercially available TV in the world. Pretty neat, huh?

We guess...if you've got the space for it. But really, how many of us live in homes that can accomodate such a massive screen? It's got to weigh a ton, and we're not sure you could even get it through the door. Did we mention the $100,000 pricetag?

If you're still into it, the TV That Ate Your Living Room will be available in September. Already an established leader in the industry, Sharp is bringing us yet another milestone in the evolution of HDTV. This model will feature 6.21 million pixels, a TFT (thin-film transistor) active-matrix drive system, and an array of inputs such as HDMI and DVI-I connectors. Having more inputs available will allow for greater connectivity of a variety of devices and equipment. The fan-less design will cut down on noise and still be effective at keeping outside dust from getting in, all of which makes this one sophisticated display. Plus, the picture is sooooo pretty.

Holla if you're the kind of baller who can afford a piece like this...or if you're just coveting one. [Gizmodo]

Boring By Design

2008-06-18T11:33:11Z

It seems Silicon Valley has taken a recession-proof interest in community-oriented web sites. The newest site to make the spotlight is somewhat surprising simply because it's the least likely to succeed among the other big names.

Nevertheless, LinkedIn will be announcing that they've raised $53 million in capital to keep their venture thriving. If you've never been to LinkedIn, don't worry, you're not missing much. It is, by design, pretty dull. The site is meant to be a place where business professionals can connect with one another; it's a virtual rolodex of sorts. The primarily text-driven pages are tantamount to trading business cards, which is really the primary focus of the site. If you're looking for crazy pics from last night's rager or constant status updates on your friend's whereabouts, this isn't the place for you. But if you're simply seeking a place to promote yourself and your work, it's a great place to play the "do you know[insert name here]" game.

LinkedIn CEO Dan Nye hopes to keep the site simple, and says the company will use the investment to make acquisitions and expand its overseas operation. With other sites rolling out more applications, LinkedIn staunchly maintains that they are strictly a professional site. And while they only have an average of 23 million members to Facebook's 115 million members, they're growing at a much faster rate. So maybe boring is the new cool?

With the average age of a LinkedIn user at 41, do you think the company could roll out a better design to attract younger professionals? Or do you think that would threaten the integrity of the site? [New York Times]

Baby-Tube

2008-06-18T10:24:00Z

Remember when you were a baby and you loved to upload and watch videos on the internet? Oh, right. We'll be the last generation to say to our kids " We didn't have internet when I was your age." Meanwhile, little rugrats as young as 6 months can find kid-friendly vids at Totlol.com (for those who are of a certain age and may not know, LOL comes from the commonly used acronym which stands for "laugh out loud.")

The creator of Totlol.com, Ron Ilan wanted to create a space that was safe for his two toddlers, and it has turned into the social networking site for those still in diapers. The site—which is still in Beta—has 42 hours of parent-approved content on the site with thousands of videos about penguins, hippos and other lovable characters. The best part is that the community allows parents to pick the videos that get shown. Rather than having their kids exposed to violent video clips such as the one in which a certain muppet takes puts the smackdown on a big purple dinosaur, parents will find suitable fare for kids up to age six. Because, as you well know, the ages of newborn to six are formative years, the ones in which kids should learn to ask for "more video!"

What do you think? Are you glad to know that there's a safe site where children can view wholesome videos? [CNET]

Flying High With iPods

2008-06-17T10:25:42Z

If you forgot to charge your iPod the night before your big flight—you may be in luck. Certain United Airlines flights are allowing those with iPods to plug them into the plane's entertainment system.

The super cool part is that you can charge and watch videos that are downloaded on your iPod on the screen on the back of the seat in front of you. But if you are just crossing the country or only traveling a few states away, don’t expect this option: iPod charging will be mostly for international flights. Also the feature only works with the 30-pin connecter…which means your membership in the elite iPod club just became even more exclusive! Psssh—toss your other MP3 players at the cabin door.

Does this really seem like a benefit for passengers? Or would you rather check luggage for free? [USA Today]

Goodbye to Windows XP

2008-06-16T15:30:48Z

June 30, 2008 marks the spot. After this deadline, Windows-based computers will no longer ship with XP as the operating system, and you'll get Vista. Gee, we hope you like it because if not, you're only other option is a Mac.

OK, so that's not entirely true, but it's pretty close. Microsoft said that it will still allow certain Vista PCs to be system downgraded to the XP software—sheesh, tell us how you really feel—and will then allow an upgrade to Vista at some point in the future without an additional fee.

Microsoft also said it plans to provide mainstream support until 2009 and extended support until 2014. That means if you're a bit partial to your XP service, you may want to consider the extended support option. Major players on the PC front, such as Hewlett Packard, Dell and Lenovo, have said they'll continue to sell XP until the deadline (only two weeks away!) but after that, it'll be Vista…or with some high-end Vista systems, a XP downgrade CD will be included in the box.

Even through a "Save XP!" movement and continued criticism of the Vista program, Microsoft is going forward with the cut-off date. And coincidence or not: this deadline coincides quite conveniently with Bill Gates stepping down to a part-time capacity. Hmm…something to think about.

Which do you prefer, XP or Vista? Do you think it's a smart move on Microsoft's part to dump XP? [CNET]

Beep! Virtual Toll Booth

2008-06-16T09:21:47Z

When you first hooked up to the web, you searched for the best deal and price in your area. Of course, internet connection pricing varies from one service to the next…but now three of the biggest internet providers, Time Warner, Comcast and AT&T, may start charging more to download addicts.

Yes, this means you—heavy-duty users who spend all day, every day, filesharing and downloading videos. The big three corporations think that these individuals should pay more for the service than someone who just checks email. This may sound great for that email reader, but we have to wonder the impact this would have on social network sites like Facebook or video sites like Youtube. These social sites rely on open data as a means to deliver their products.

Currently Time Warner is in a trial period, testing three plans with different gigabyte caps: 5-, 20- or 40-gigabytes. The customer chooses one, pays a monthly fee and if they exceed their plan limit, they pay $1 per gigabyte they go over. Critics of the broadband limit say that capping network use will hold back innovation and trying out new ideas, not to mention the convergence of television, computers and internet.

Aha! We knew there was a reason—if there's a convergence of the most popular media types, such companies could be losing money when consumers stop paying for things like cable. What's the point when they can watch their favorite shows on the internet?

Tell us your thoughts. Are these corporations imposing the limits because they think those who use more should pay more? Or is it a misguided attempt to keep their bank accounts full? [New York Times]

Stars Shunning Technology

2008-06-13T08:46:12Z

If you can't stand the modern marvels of technology, you're not alone. Many of Hollywood's A-listers are Luddites too. We tried to imagine a day where we didn't send any emails...yeah, that was about a five second fantasy!

These tech-free celebs avoid email, social networking, computers, and even cell phones. People like Angelina Jolie and Jessica Alba say they're not very good with computers and rely on their partners to help them navigate when they do get online. Vince Vaughn doesn't even own a cell phone—he borrows a friend's if he has to make a call. Emma Thompson says she prefers a fountain pen.

An even greater number of celebs avoid the social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace—hough they of course have "official" pages, presumably set up by their people (that's right, say it with us. "Brad and Angie are not my real friends.") It's not generational either—famous people both young and old avoid technology. Orlando Bloom and Casey Affleck both say they prefer not to use phones and email, Simon Cowell doesn't know how to work a computer. Even President Bush calls the world's most popular search engine "the Google."

In our world of advancing technology, do you feel a bit like the celebs and just want to avoid it all? Or are you a gung-ho tech user? [Forbes]

Your Private Parts

2008-06-12T12:20:11Z

It's been called to the attention of IT consultants and security analysts that the many widgets—or fun little applications—available to Facebook users could be compromising user privacy. Not only are you handing out your own information, but you're sharing your friends' information as well, each time you download a new application.

Facebook—and MySpace—allows outside developers to see a member's information when they add a program. MySpace tends to be a little more restrictive, though. Facebook lets these developers see the whole slew of personal information listed, with the exception of contact info. You can change your privacy settings to do avoid this but many users, especially in Canada, feel that there isn’t enough notification of that option.

While Facebook maintains that developers are not allowed to keep profile information for more than 24 hours and can't share it with anyone else, it's hard to tell what those companies are doing with the facts. Or whether there has been a violation of policy—because you can’t add an app without “allow[ing] this application to...Know who I am and access my information.” What the disclaimer fails to mention is your friends.

Once that information is on the developer's server, there's nothing Facebook can do about it. Developers can use that data to create targeted ads based on profile information such as age, location and relationship status.

Do you think Facebook should reconsider their position of allowing developers to see personal member information? Does this knowledge make you feel differently about using Facebook? [Washington Post]

Socialize on TV

2008-06-11T16:37:37Z

Social networking fans will be excited to hear that soon they'll be able to sit in front of their TVs and surf the sites, if Boxee has anything to say about it.

For now, Boxee users will be able to exchange music, photos and other digital content from their computers, but the next step will be having social networks like Facebook available for large screen viewing. In this start-up phase, you’ll still have to lug your laptop over and use cables to connect—no wireless yet.

Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned get-togethers where people actually meet in person to watch a game or barbeque? With everything moving to online venues and now over to the TV, it's just an encouragement to keep kids indoors. They need to be experiencing life and interacting with people in a live setting as opposed to in their living room in front of the TV. Talk about your electronic babysitter.

How do you feel about these so-called advancements in technology? Are we encouraging laziness? [CNET]

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Post Office...

2008-06-11T11:26:47Z

The government has already announced they will be requiring the switch to HD television in early 2009. Those who still have an analog TV will either have to subscribe to satellite, get a new HDTV, or buy a converter box. Since the government is requiring the change, they decided to foot the bill for a converter box—how nice of them!—and send out $40 coupons to those households that request them.

The problem is that the coupons expire within 90 days (of course there's a catch!) and many of the households who have already requested them have not used them. The $1.5 billion project is faced with a small problem—they need more money for stamps.

Oh, bureaucracy.

Apparently, those folks who let their coupons expire are requesting new ones be sent out. And while the $40 isn't an issue, the cost to re-mail them could be. At this time the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) says they won't be asking Congress for more money, but they will have a better idea of their costs sometime after July 1st.

Do you think a $1.5 billion project should be requesting more money for stamps? Should those who let their coupons expire be allowed to request another one? [Yahoo]

iPhone Redux

2008-06-11T09:49:50Z

If you (like one of our editors) just bought an iPhone a few months ago, you probably weren't too excited at the announcement that Apple is releasing the new—cheaper!—iPhone. If you just mastered your iPod or aren't yet a Mac convert, perhaps the new iPhone will be what brings you over to the dark side.

Mark your calendars because the release date is July 11th! It's an upgraded version from the last release and—here's the real kicker—it's a lot cheaper! $199 is the going rate these days for an 8-gigabyte 3G iPhone as opposed to its initial release at $599. You can also get the 16-gigabyte model if you need more room and that will run you $299. Even still, it's a far cry from the original model's price.

The new 3G model will be sleeker than the original with some new applications and features. The battery will last longer, the internet will be quicker, and the GPS is supposed to work better. Whether or not these applications do as they're supposed to in the real world tests remains to be seen, but Apple promises to give Sprint's Instinct a run for its money. The only drawback is that users still have to accept a two-year contract with AT&T.

So, are you going to jump on the 3G iPhone bandwagon? [New York Times]

Social Networking Gone Wrong

2008-06-06T11:08:33Z

Two years ago, there was a 13-year old girl who hung herself in her bedroom due to a Myspace prank. According to official reports, Megan Meier began an online relationship with a 16-year old boy, Josh Evans, who called her "sexi" and flirted openly online. Then one day he called it off saying that the world would be a better place without Megan.

As it turns out Josh Evans was a fictitious person, allegedly created by one of Megan's neighbors Lori Drew. Lori is the mother of one of Megan's former friends, and though she is denying having created the fictitious page, authorities believe it may have had something to do with Lori's daughter and Megan's severed relationship. Lori Drew is currently under federal indictment and may face jail time if found guilty.

While social networking can build a large list of contacts and a great distraction from everyday life, it is not without its downfalls. Online bullying does happen, so it is important to help your kids stay safe. As adults, we also need to be cautious with whom we speak to and give personal information to. Always think of safety first!

Do you think Lori Drew perpetrated this hoax? If so, do you think she should serve jail time? [MSNBC]

Security!

2008-06-06T11:02:43Z

To be fair, Apple does warn users prior to delving into the 240-page guide that it's a bit heavy, even for those who have had some prior experience with the tech side of a Mac. Even user comments suggest that it's written more for those in the IT industry rather than end users or consumers. So if you've just switched to a Mac, it can be daunting! That being said, this is a comprehensive guide to hardening up the operating systems against external attacks. With identity theft and personal information being stolen off of computers, protecting yourself isn't a bad idea.

Apple recommends that you familiarize yourself with "Terminal", the text-only command line interface for the Mac, as the guide relies heavily on this tool. For more information about the guide and the terminal, click here.

We've got to confess that it's taking us some time to figure it all out. Do you think you could do this? Or are you going to use your ProCare account and hit up the Genius Bar?

Sony Chimes in With Internet TV

2008-06-06T10:31:36Z

Although Sony is introducing a new module that will have some wireless capabilities for your late-model TVs, it's not nearly as technologically advanced as Panasonic's internet wired HDTV. The Sony module is a small box that fits into the back of your TV and is pre-loaded with Youtube and Wired.com and has existing video from Yahoo, AOL, Sports Illustrated, and Style.com.

The module will run you about $300, which is significantly less than the Panasonic TV, but the technology is limited to what's pre-loaded on the device. If these are all you get, you may be better off just surfing the web—that certainly won't cost you $300. Sony does have some new HDTVs coming out this year, so maybe the technology will rival Panasonic's by then; however, no prices have been released.

Which do you think you'd prefer? The Panasonic or the module from Sony? [USA Today]

Coming to an HDTV Near You

2008-06-06T10:27:54Z

Ok, so that's a complete dramatization, of course. However, the new TV certainly isn't. While you're still trying to figure out how to work the HDTV you have, Panasonic will be unveiling their new high-end plasma this month. The 46-inch will run you $3,099 and the 50-inch will be $3,499. The 58- and 65-inch versions won't be available until the fall (we hope you can wait that long).

Another cool feature with this TV is that you can watch HD video content from a camcorder by simply inserting the SD memory card into the TV. Gone are the days of cables and cords, folks. This is the TV of the future! Matter of fact, didn't we something like this on the Jetsons? Hmm.

So, TV lovers, are you drooling yet? Is this something that you'd pay that kind of money for, or would you wait until the next big thing comes out and get a discount on this? [CNET]

Applications Killed the Networking Star

2008-06-04T12:11:51Z

The whole concept of social networking has been in the news quite a bit lately, particularly Facebook. So you may have missed that there's a new site rising in the ranks behind the uber-site and rival Myspace. The new site is called
MyYearbook.com, and it works almost like any other site except that the only content on the page is added by the user. No outside developers and no tiny advertising applications.

Sound too good to be true. It probably is—let's all check back in six months when the reality of buiding and selling an online property kicks in. Plus, we just hit the homepage for MyYearbook and were confronted with Kung Fu Panda! No 'tiny' advertising apps, indeed. Meantime, here's the what's what. The creator decided that her high school yearbook sucked and that given the day and age we live in, why should anyone pay for yearbooks anymore? So, the idea to take her yearbook online and add the people that she wanted took off. The sight began with her high school. began including more and added colleges and workplaces to the list as well.

While more people overall swarm to Myspace (ok, maybe trickle) and Facebook, a study shows that those using MyYearbook spent more time on-site than any of the others. They may not have the market share yet, but their day is coming.

What do you think of a new site competing with the big two? Would you sign up for MyYearbook? Any users out there want to weigh in? [USA Today]

Such a Beautiful Way to Break Our Hearts

2008-06-03T15:51:44Z

Once upon a time, Google decided they needed more market share on The Internets, so they dreamed up a vision of making it more a more social environment. To hear engineering director David Glazer tell it, humans are social creatures that must, well socialize. Thus, Google's brainchild—Friend Connect—was born (OK, seriously? You come up with a name like Google and then the best youcan do for a networking platform is Friend Connect?) Moving on...

The basics of this program would be to take the features of Myspace and Facebook and make them largely available through other websites. With Friend Connect, folks can tap into their social information like contacts and photos from anywhere on the web, taking social networking to a whole new level. To help launch the project, Google had partnered with Facebook, but
the budding relationship is no more. Citing "competing interests," Facebook's withdrawal from the negotiations means that Facebook users cannot sign in to websites using Google's new service.

The situation promises to be about as newsworthy as the long-ago Aniston-Pitt split because of the highly publicized launch. Inquiring minds want to know what's going on with Zuckerberg that he keeps turning the money away at the door? The debacle, if it reaches such a status, should prove to be very interesting indeed.

Do you think Zuckerberg knows what he's doing with a company that could potentially earn him billions? And just a quick side question: If the unholy alliance were to happen after all, would US Weekly start referring to the companies by a single name, like they do for celebs? If so, we're thinking Goofbook. [Washington Post]

Canada Hates Facebook

2008-06-02T17:28:31Z

It seems another big name is in the news for foreign controversy. This time it's social utility Facebook. After a complaint was filed in Canada stating that Facebook committed 22 violations of the country's privacy law, an investigation is under way. Refuting the claims is Chris Kelly, the company's chief privacy officer, who says the complaint has serious factual errors, including the fact that most information on the website is voluntarily shared.

In light of the dispute, Facebook has been working with Ontario's information and privacy commissioner to create a brochure and video to educate users about the privacy settings of Facebook. What's interesting to note about this situation is that the students who filed the complaint are active users of Facebook. While the web site does share information, the privacy settings allow you to change the information to private - something many active users are well aware of.

Do the students have a right to complain? Has Facebook exercised due diligence in protecting consumer privacy? [USA Today]

Let's Make a Deal

2008-05-30T12:59:49Z

You scan the circulars every Saturday and Sunday morning—hoping and waiting for the HDTV you want to go on sale. But if you are willing to get up and do a little work before going in for the buy, you can get a price you want right now.

First, decide the size and kind of HDTV you want (there are several quality options). Then, by browsing the big, chain electronic stores, you can get an idea of the model, brand and design that fits best in your home. Write down the specs and head back to your computer.

Use an online search agent to narrow your search and find the lowest prices available. While this is a tempting place to stop, remember sales tax and shipping aren’t always free! Found the best deal on the TV you want? Great! Now one more step…

Mosey on over to your local consumer electronic store where the salespeople earn commission. This could be a mom-and-pop shop or a limited chain, only in your area or a few states. Approach the individual with an inquisition: I found this price, can you beat it?

Lowering the price means less commission, but this salesperson did virtually nothing to help you. If you had asked question after question, he or she might not be so giving, feeling that they really earned all of their compensation. So chances are if you go in educated, you’ll be lucky and get what you wanted. And voilà! Sweet success.

Where did you buy your HDTV, and how did you find the best deal for it? [HDGuru]

Facebook Ain't For Sale

2008-05-30T11:26:44Z

OK, so he didn't really tell them to stuff their offer, but he did say no AND he made Google CEO Eric Schmidt sit on the floor of his apartment during their talks. To hear Zuckerberg describe his little apartment you have to wonder why he said no to $15 billion. Surely he was tempted...one mattress on the floor with a table in the corner and two seats? Come on!

But, Zuckerberg stood his ground and said the end goal wasn't to sell. Although many think Zuckerberg should sell while Facebook is hot and bank the cash, it seems the young CEO is interested in plowing forward. Wonder how his venture-capital co-owners felt about that move?

What do you think? Should he have taken the money? How much is Facebook really worth? [USA Today]

Macs Still Not Right for Most Businesses

2008-05-30T11:06:52Z

If you have a small business and are thinking of migrating your operating systems to Mac, you may want to read this first. Jonathan Blum—CNNMoney Tech guru—ordered up an iMac to see how it would fare with his small business. With reports that iMacs were the best on the market and significantly cheaper than a PC counterpart for some businesses, Blum was willing to give it a try.

While in some instances the Apple was faster, Blum reports that in most cases it was just too difficult to get the business
applications to work smoothly. Blum and his assistants had a hard time synching their non-Apple devices, such as a Blackberry, with the Mac. Another problem was that the desktop (once you got it turned on...apparently the power button is "hidden") is divided into quadrants that extend beyond the screen edge and require some complex commands in order to slide from one to another. Overall, Blum seems to think that switching to a Mac probably isn't for every small business. It's true that Leopard (the latest Mac OS) does take some getting used to. But for a tech guru, you'd think he could navigate with a bit less, well, whining. Of course, as a business running on Mac, we might be a little biased...

What do you think, business owners? Is integration easier than we're being lead to believe, or is Blum's review spot on?

Facebook Is Watching You

2008-05-29T12:44:29Z

If you've ever used Facebook, you know how very square they are—that is, everything neatly fits into a perfect little box. But you also know they're making some changes. Aside from the new look (which they won't say much about), Facebook is looking into new advertisement possibilities that could change the way you use the social utility altogether.

COO Sheryl Sandberg says that demand fulfillment through brand recognition was something they'd be focusing on this year. Loosely translated, that means they want to hand deliver you and your money to prime advertisers by bombarding you with products cleverly disguised in applications. For example, a Ben and Jerry promotion prompted 500,000 Facebook users to give each other free ice cream cones within 11 hours of the
promotion launch. The results were very good for Ben and Jerry, very good indeed. The popular ice cream moguls had millions of hits on their web page as people searched for locations and blogged about their favorite flavors.

So, with this new look we can expect to be hit up by name brands based on our profiling preferences. Hmmm.....viral marketing at it's best?
How does it make you feel to be marketed to in this way? Do you even notice?[Forbes]

Hasta, Vista?

2008-05-28T13:26:27Z

Those are the words of Lance Ulanoff, esteemed EIC at PC Magazine...and we can see what he means. There's been a shift of power—well, interest at any rate—from the Vista OS to the new Windows 7. With innovations such as the multi-touch interface support that Microsoft is working on, it's easy to see why Vista could be considered a relic when Windows 7 hits the stores. But what's really baking the techie world's noodle about Vista is the fact that Microsoft is simultaneously trying to push Vista while building the hype for Windows 7 as being a better product. Can't have your cake and eat it too, Mr. Gates. It's one or the other, you gotta choose!

With Apple on the move to dominate the market, Microsoft needs to catch up. Unfortunately, they're about six months behind the game. Which OS works for you? Mac or Vista? For that matter, Vista or Windows 7? [PC Mag]

Mac Tops Charts

2008-05-21T15:59:05Z

It’s so repetitive to bring up again, but this saga will truly never end. Yes, Windows Vista is more compatible, but Apple’s Mac OS X is faster. And if we were keeping track, Mac scores yet another tally mark, dominating sales for personal computers priced over $1,000.

For these priciest PCs (yes, Macs can be a PC, too, simply meaning “personal computer”), Apple dominates 66% of computers sold. But are the results rigged? This research conducted by The NPD Group, a leading provider of consumer and retail market research information, left out one important category of sales—online. And Dell, the second-largest computer manufacturer in the world, claims to sell a majority of its computers via the web. Oh boy.

Dell has a total of eight laptops and desktops priced $999 and above, and technically only six over $1,000, if that one-dollar difference doesn’t count. While Apple has only five laptops and desktops over a grand, it only has one option underneath—the Mac mini. This computer—available with different features for $599 and $799—does not come with a monitor, and could easily top $1,000 with that purchase. Dell offers several kinds of PCs between $379 and $899.

It boils down to what people are buying when they visit Dell.com…and since there are many options less than $1,000, there’s no proof that Dell would be the winner in this category. So congrats, Mac—yet another battle won! [Information Week]

Antenna, Cable, Satellite, Oh My!

2008-05-21T15:53:01Z

You wrote down the measurements and the fit is perfect—your HDTV slides right into your entertainment center. The cables are attached to your DVD player, but alas, what to do about getting the actual high-definition programming?

In all the hype and excitement of buying the TV, an important consideration is too often tossed to the side: what provider will bring you the HD? Don’t get your hopes up on one source before investigating them all, because one supplier does not fit all.

First and foremost, think about what you watch on TV. For the sports fanatic addicted to local sporting events, rapidly flipping back and forth between simultaneous games, you may be better off with cable. While satellite has more national HD channels (A&E, MTV, National Geographic, Bravo, etc.), most cable servers have a regional sports network (or more than one!) for your area. The best and only way to find what’s right for you is to browse the web for the channels offered by each provider.

And what about the newest technology, IPTV? WHAT? IPTV stands for internet protocol television, basically meaning TV broadcast over a broadband connection. Telephone providers Verizon and AT&T have the most popular versions of this fiber-optic display, Fios and U-verse. While these are often boasted to have the best quality and features, it’s difficult to know for sure—the areas where IPTV is even an option are extremely limited. But if it’s available at your home, this is yet another consideration to make.

CNET breaks it down well, tackling all aspects during this decision-making time. Don’t worry about being selfish—it’s your TV and you should enjoy the high-def features available! What provider do you use, if you picked one already, and why? [CNET]

Facelift for Facebook

2008-05-19T14:17:02Z

We know that changes happen everyday, but some are more recognizable than others. So don’t shocked if during one of daily (or maybe hourly) visits to Facebook, you notice something a little bit different.

You might not see it at first—the crisp, cool blue and white design will remain mostly unaltered. In fact, regaining that clean look is what this major makeover is all about: Facebook execs fear that the site is becoming too cluttered and full of spam, similar to that arch social networking rival MySpace. While applications allow a user to spruce up his or her one-of-a-kind profile page, you may often find yourself scrolling for ages to reach the bottom of the page.

So what do the blueprints say? Unlike other huge additions to the site, like the News Feed, that were never announced until they appeared, the design team is gearing this update toward us. And the coolest part is that a majority of the revamp will involve making it easier for you to change the way your page looks using tabs—much more complex than the existing “drag and drop” to re-organize. We like how they’re thinking! [Business Week]

HBO Available on iTunes

2008-05-14T14:13:51Z

You always knew you could check out your favorite network shows on iTunes and snuggle up with your iPod in hand. It’s perfect for nights when you’re too busy, you forgot to tune in or c’mon, admit it, there’s an episode that you need to see again.

Now, HBO has joined ABC, CBS, MTV, ESPN, Sci Fi Channel, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Showtime and other channels in a partnership with iTunes to provide its shows for download. Individuals crazed by Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda can get a quick fix—enjoying “Sex and the City” on-the-go before the movie release in two weeks. Shows such as “Flight of the Conchords” and “The Wire” will also be available for the regular $1.99 download price.

But “The Sopranos,” “Deadwood” and “Rome”? Plan on dropping an extra dollar for each episode of these shows—HBO has busted iTunes policy of uniform pricing and these select episodes will be $2.99. And don’t expect to receive instant gratification, unless your show is syndicated like “Sex and the City.” Day-after downloads won’t exist for any new HBO shows, so we’re sorry to say you’re back to playing the waiting game—these episodes will be released in entirety when the season is complete and available on DVD.

So is it even worth the wait and price—since you are already paying for HBO on your TV? Or maybe you can’t contain your excitement because it is your favorite show! [E! Online]