PTJ 131 News: Game of Thrones
The Federal Communications Commission voted this week to approve new Net Neutrality rules that reclassify broadband Internet service as a public utility. As expected, Big Telco jumped aboard the Pantload Express and has vowed to fight the decision in court. The opposing political party is not too happy either, so expect this story to keep on giving throughout … Continue reading PTJ 131 News: Game of Thrones
Trouble in SIM City
If you thought your mobile-phone communications were encrypted and safe, think again. A lengthy article titled The Great SIM Heist over on The Intercept site last week claims spies for the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom “hacked into the internal computer network of the largest manufacturer of SIM cards in the world, stealing encryption … Continue reading Trouble in SIM City
The Galapagos Syndrome
There were two news items this week that really resonated with me. At first glance the similarities weren’t obvious but as I kept going over the findings in each story the connection became clearer. First off, streaming audio continues to grow in 2014 with almost 80 billion streams reported. Not a surprise. Neither is the … Continue reading The Galapagos Syndrome
PTJ 130 News: Safety First
February will soon be known as National Regulation Proposals Month, as the Federal Aviation Administration has finally proposed its new rules for commercial drone operation. If adopted, the new rules would allow commercial flights of unmanned aircraft up to 55 pounds, once the operator applies for approval and passes a written exam on FAA rules. The new rules … Continue reading PTJ 130 News: Safety First
(Hopefully) Helpful Hint: Gear to Go
Sure, the overloaded computer case can drag you down when you’re on the road, but these five items are fairly small and light — and can keep you powered, connected, secure and backed up while you travel for work or play. So before you go, consider one or all of these items for the various pockets of your gear … Continue reading (Hopefully) Helpful Hint: Gear to Go
Throw Me Somethin’, Mister Wookie!
A few scenes from this year’s Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade in New Orleans. The parade rolls up Frenchmen Street: Peter Mayhew, the O.G. Chewbacca, was the Pope of Popes. Andy Richter, sidekick to Conan O’Brien, was also along for the ride: Okay, who wants to go next year?
PTJ 129 News: Identity Crisis
Those massive corporate data breaches just keep rolling on like an endless Mardi Gras parade, don’t they? Last week’s big heist from the Anthem health insurance company may have actually started almost nine months ago, though. Brian Krebs, keeper of the excellent Krebs on Security blog, is among those reporting that open-source information used to analyze … Continue reading PTJ 129 News: Identity Crisis
(Hopefully) Helpful Hint: Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Google Street View
Want to see how your neighborhood has evolved over the past seven years or so? You may just be able to skip the TARDIS or DeLorean and zip back in time through Google Maps on the desktop. Google added “time travel” to its popular Street View feature last year, and it works best when you type … Continue reading (Hopefully) Helpful Hint: Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Google Street View
PTJ 128: Chunky, Chunky News
Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: iTunes | RSS | More Subscription Options This week’s show is crammed full of news but J.D. still found time to help us transfer files from our iOS and Android devices using a cable. Can’t be done you say? Well just take a listen and find out … Continue reading PTJ 128: Chunky, Chunky News
PTJ 128 News: Rules, Regulations and Rude Suprises
It’s February, which is showtime for the Federal Communications Commission! As reported by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and several other news organizations, the FCC now proposes that the Internet be regulated like any other public utility. A vote on the proposal by the full commission is scheduled for Feb. 26. While the F.C.C. … Continue reading PTJ 128 News: Rules, Regulations and Rude Suprises