My CRT screen is showing signs of old age. Although it still working, it is obvious that it is struggling. So, it is time for my first large LCD monitor. I have been reviewing the online literature and have a list of question about the brands and models that are my short list. I decided to buy locally in case there were any problems with the display. It seemed as though it would save me shipping charges in the long run, if there were problems.

Three of my tech friends wanted to go along with me. The thought of someone they know buying computer hardware increases their heart rate. Besides, these geeks, who happen to be males, know what kind of monitor I need and really do have my best interests at heart. I welcomed the company and they served as witnesses to the fiasco of the morning.

There are three lowlights that I would like to mention:

• Expect no help from the sales people. They simply do not know their products. Both national chain stores that were visited had incompetent personnel. One would think that if someone was working with a product line, day in and day out, that person would know the product. It is not reassuring when the answer to my question is that the sales person will try to find the manual and see what it says there. Blah!
• The second observation is even more annoying. The sales people in the stores answered the question for my male friends, who asked not a single thing. I asked the questions and the sales people begin by answering to the males who were with me. This is simply rude. Blah!
• And finally, in the second store that we tried, I asked the sales clerk why the monitor did not have a height adjustment and if it could be fitted with a different stand. The monitor has all sorts of features, except that it has no height adjustment. The sales person’s suggestion was that I could prop the monitor up to the desired height by placing it on a book or two. Then he showed me that a monitor with a height adjustment did not make much difference. At least he attempted to show me that. In the process, he broke the monitor stand. Blah!

That was enough for me. We left. - Now I am receiving email from other tech friends who want to go with me on the next buying excursion. They heard that it was entertaining. Blah!

Catherine

It may be a dubious first. NASA may be the first space agency to put a computer virus into outer space:

“A computer virus is alive and well on the International Space Station (ISS).

Nasa has confirmed that laptops carried to the ISS in July were infected with a virus known as Gammima.AG.”

link: Computer viruses make it to orbit

The question is ‘why do the astronauts not have anti-virus software installed?’ Even if the government does not fund for things like security software, some programs are free.

It must be that not enough astronauts read Chris Pirillo and Lockergnome.

Catherine

It seems that ‘do you twitter?‘ or ‘do you have a twitter account?‘ are the most frequently asked questions in my email for the last couple of months. The answer is - no, I don’t have a twitter account (or ‘I don’t twitter’ - since it seems ‘twitter’ is becoming a verb.)

There are several reasons that I don’t have a twitter account. I tend to be a bit ‘wordy’, as the readers here and my poor professors have found. Twitter’s a hundred and forty character limit seem a bit restricting. Further, I have no idea what I would want to post on a twitter account. I have spent the last week or so monitoring my day and seeing if there was anything ‘twitterable’ (let’s make the word an adjective too). Fortunately or unfortunately, there was not a moment that I thought ‘hey, that is something that I should put on a mini-blog!’. Some family members and total strangers might like to know. Of course, the sad fact may be that I may be boring mcboring.

In any case, the people who suggest that I do set up an account on twitter are biased. I would like to hear from you and use you as a small focus group. What are the positives and negatives of using twitter? What started you on twitter - or kept you away from the twitter service? I am ‘atwitter’ to know (sorry, it had to be said).

Catherine

eBay is known for the variety of merchandise that it processes. The internet auction site wants to be among the first places one considers for merchandise. eBay, though, may not want to be known as the place where identity theft information can be found:

“…The laptop computer, which was sold for just under $70 to British IT manager Andrew Chapman, contained customers’ credit card applications, account details, signatures, cellphone numbers and mothers’ maiden names.

The Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest Bank confirmed their customers’ details were included in the computer.”

link: Laptop with bank details of over a million Britons sold on eBay

It is discouraging to think that, with all the publicity and cautions about identity theft, that two major financial institutions would have security operations that would allow over million confidential, sensitive customer files go astray. How can a customer have any trust in the banking institutions with such security blunders?

Catherine Forsythe

“Don’t marry for money; you can borrow it cheaper”

A Scottish Proverb

As security issues become an increasing focus of governments, there is the erosion of privacy. The argument is that this is a necessary price to pay for security. Further, it is argued that privacy is not necessary for the law abiding citizens because there is ‘nothing to hide’.

Professor Daniel Solove is a faculty member of the George Washington University Law School. He is an expert on privacy law. His publication concerning privacy and the ‘nothing to hide’ argument is a thoughtful and elegant review of this issue:

link: “I’ve Got Nothing To Hide” and other Misunderstandings of Privacy

This is not just a paper presentation of legal academic interest. Professor Solove’s presentation should be a “must read” for everyone concern about civil liberties and the current zeitgeist. The issues that Professor Solove touches upon concern each and every one of us.

Catherine Forsythe

The baseball purists see this as the beginning of the end. Baseball will never be the same:

“Major League Baseball reversed its long-standing opposition to instant replay and will allow umpires to check video on home run calls in series that start Thursday, a person familiar with the announcement told The Associated Press.”

link: Baseball source tells AP replay starts Thursday

There is a simplicity about baseball that adds to its elegance. For example, there is no time clock. It is played at a pace dictated by those playing.

With the advancements in technology, it might be possible to make the call right each and every time. However, it seems that takes away from the human element of the sport. Surely, in some research and development laboratory, there is work on-going to have technology determine precisely whether a pitch is a ball or a strike. This would mean that there is no dispute about the strike zone and no dispute about the call. The strike zone would be the same - no matter where professional baseball is being played or who is the umpire. In fact, the umpire would be simply an interested observer who communicates what the electronics say. Human judgement becomes unnecessary.

Catherine Forsythe

With the announcement of broadband internet services on airlines, some people speculated that voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls would follow quickly. Congress has banned the use of cell phones during flights. However, there were other people (myself among them) that thought that VoIP would not be a strong alternative.

The reason for this is that, with the stringent flight regulations that are now in place, people would be hesitant about contravening any air rules. It seemed as though landing on some national security data base would be a heavy price to pay for using VoIP. Further, it would incur the wrath of fellow passenger who might want a peaceful flight without internet or cell phone chatter.

The people would thought VoIp would be a fringe development were wrong:

“…Just days after American Airlines made the big-deal announcement that it had rolled out in-flight internet on certain routes, hackers have found a way to use the service for voice-over-internet protocol calls, despite promises from the airline that its air-to-ground system, developed by Aircell, would block voice calls.”

link: Despite Airlines’ Promises, Customers Find a Way to Make VOIP Calls on Flights

It seems that, even with regulations restricting how the in-flight broadband is to be used, people will utilize VoIP. It seems being connected trumps flight regulations and privacy. And the ‘friendly skies’ might have more chatter than anticipated.

Catherine Forsythe

The LPGA is setting rules for the women golf professionals. It is an English language proficiency standard that must be met or there is a possibility of suspension from the tour:

“…The new guidelines will affect all players who have been on tour at least two years. They will be evaluated with an oral examination, according to Golfweek.

“Hopefully, what we’re talking about is something that will not happen,” LPGA deputy commissioner Libba Galloway is quoted as saying of possible suspensions. “If it does, we wouldn’t just say, ‘Come back next year.’”

link: LPGA players must speak English or face suspension

Whatever happened to using interpreters? As long as all players know the rules by which the game is played, the golf ball does not care whether the player is proficient in English or not. This ruling does nothing to foster the globalization of the sport.

Not being proficient in English may limit a professional golfer’s opportunities to earn extra income with advertising contracts. It may limit socializing at pro-am events. However, the players will recognize that the language barriers are limiting earning capacity and may decide to become more proficient in English. However, should this not be the choice of the player?

The LPGA is threatening a player’s income unless they speak English proficiently. Can you image NBA Commissioner David Stern saying that to the professional basketball players? There would be such an outcry if Commissioner Stern suspended Allen Iverson over English language skills.

Catherine Forsythe

In a move to trim its budget and adjust to the economic situation, Southwest Airlines is reducing the number of scheduled flights in its operating system by approximately two hundred:

“…The airline traditionally trims the number of flights it operates during the first quarter, when travel demand drops after the holidays. The cuts this year “are a little steeper than usual,” said Chris Mainz, a spokesman for the Dallas-based carrier.

Still, he said the airline hasn’t changed its overall forecast for its 2009 capacity. Gary Kelly, Southwest’s chief executive, recently told analysts that the airline may not grow at all during the year.”

link: Southwest Airlines will cut 200 flights from winter schedule

What is noticeable in this announcement is that Southwest Airlines has not indicated any job reductions. The air carrier appears to be attempting to reduce costs while keeping its staff employed. Kudos to Southwest Airlines - the traveller should reward the airline for this type of commitment to its employees during rough economic times.

Catherine Forsythe