We all do it. Use acronyms that is. But they’ve really found a life of their own in this digital age – and in particular instant messaging. I’m old enough to remember the days before SMS when teens used whole words to communicate. So I read this article with some amusement. Maybe this FBI manual will come in handy for parents keeping a watchful eye on their children’s behaviour!
Rerty
With the proliferation of smart phones and their ready access to a camera, there has been an explosion in image making. Most people don’t think about how these pictures are made and less still about their file format. But it just takes one occasion when you’d like that treasured photo reproduced in a printed document or enlarged that you have to start taking notice.
This article is an easy to read explanation of the most popular image file format, jpg or jpeg, and how you can produce a better quality photo with a purpose built camera.
With all types of social media screaming at you to sign up, it may come as somewhat a relief to those that aren’t into it, to be told they don’t have to jump on every band wagon. This article will give you an insight into the drivers – both in and out – of Twitter. What do you think?
The latest online security issue to hit the press has been the hijacking of iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. Effectively the hacker somehow gets hold of the user’s password and hacks into their iOS account and locks the user’s device with a threat to not unlock it unless a ransom is paid.
This is yet another reason for people to be vigilant about password security.
The key problem is that people have so many online accounts for which passwords are required that they tend to use the same password over and over again. So, if an online service is compromised and users’ details are stolen (such as the recent cyber attack on eBay), they could be used to access a user’s account on another online service.
If you have got to the point of having so many online accounts that you can’t possibly do the following to ensure the security of your passwords, then I suggest you think about aquiring password manager:
Additionally, if you haven’t already done so, set up two-factor authentication for online accounts that have sensitive information or assets such as your bank.
Would you leave the key to your house in the front door for thieves to have free access? Having sloppy password security amounts to the same thing. It only takes one occasion for one of your accounts to be attacked, for the reality of this issue to drive home to you.
If you’re an observer of the trend in cloud computing, you’ll find this article interesting. Xero is a cloud accounting software and has gained considerable popularity over the last couple of years. As a committed fan of cloud computing, I’m not surprised that an accounting package that that is so easily accessed and versatile should become so popular.
An interesting follow on from the previous story is this one about Windows 8.1 and Microsoft bringing back the start menu. Unless you’ve used 8.1, you won’t really get the drift of the story. But as it happens, I’ve recently installed it on my PC (actually a ‘virtual’ PC on my Mac).
I can see now why people have been so resistant to 8.1 given it’s such a radical departure from the usual Windows environment. As Adam Turner says in Windows 8 – bring back the Start menu or go with the flow? “It’s easy to hate Windows 8. Really easy.”, but as he then says; “… if you decide to work with Windows 8 rather than fight against it, you’ll find that it does actually have a lot to offer.”
But I can also see why Microsoft took a leap of faith to release it … and that is because of the increasing use of tablets and smart phones. With 8.1, they’ve tried to create an operating environment similar to tablets and smart phones so that they can begin to close the gap between them and PCs because of the ground PCs are losing.
It’s an interesting dynamic to observer. I’d be interested to know what you think – but then maybe you’re a Mac user and it’s a non-issue or you might be 95% of the population and hanging out for Windows 9.
As Bob Dylan would say, “The times they are a changin”. This is especially true of the world of digital technologies. There are many drivers of this change, but key amongst them is user convenience. People are moving towards mobile devices more and more as the devices become smarter and integrate more seamlessly with other devices in a user’s world.
The following article from the Sydney Morning Herald caught my eye because it draws the spotlight on this effect.
This trend has a significant impact on a range of information delivery systems including websites, social media, document sharing and so on. These systems need to take into account the different ‘ecosystems’ of such devices. Front of mind are things like responsive web design that ensures websites render well and are easy to use on tablets and smart phones; marketers being familiars with the strengths and weaknesses of social media apps; and consideration of a user’s download limit by not delivering documents as attachments, but via links that show clearly the file type and size. The list goes on.
Basically it means that the way we do business has to change as the adoption of mobile devices increases.
PCs to lose more ground to tablets: surveyDecline: PCs will continue to lose ground to tablets, according to a survey. Sales of traditional computers will lose more ground in 2014 to tablets and other mobile devices, a market tracker says. The overall market for connected devices – PCs, smartphones and tablets – is likely to grow 6.9 per cent to nearly 2.5 billion devices in 2014, according to a report by research firm Gartner.
Just as we ‘oldies’ finally get how Facebook works, we observe our kids are departing the scene. Nothing new is this sort of generational shift especially that two of the major points of destination specialise in image sharing … just what the youngins love with taking selfies and all that. But the other factor I’ve observed (and read about) is that FB has stuck to a pretty functional format and not moved with the times in creating a more ‘sexy’ look and feel to its design. I theorise that this is why FB developed Paper (not currently available in the Australian Apple App Store)* – a much more trendy looking platform … that is to say, I reckon FB will ditch the current design and move to Paper eventually to get the kids back.
Teens Are Leaving Facebook, This is Where They Are GoingLike many parents, Facebook is learning that raising teenagers is hard. On Wednesday evening during its 2013 fourth quarter earnings call Facebook’s Chief Financial Officer David Ebersman said teen usage of the social network decreased in the last quarter.
* Here’s how to get Paper in Australia
It took me a while to get the hang of it. Cloud storage that is. I wish I’d discovered it earlier. But then I’ve probably been like most of the general population and had a natural scepticism about something you can’t see or touch and is out of our direct control.
Cloud storage, for those newbs to this concept, is where you store your stuff on a server hosted by a company like Google or Dropbox. You access it via an internet browser or through an application that connects you to that server with a secure login. Think of it as just another drive like your C drive, only more secure.
This notion is an interesting following on from my previous post about PCs losing ground to mobile devices. Cloud storage have made this drift possible. And as I said, user convenience is a major driver.
A colleague of mine had once said “I don’t trust cloud storage” to which I said; “But you’ve been using internet banking for a while and you feel okay about that don’t you?”.
Cloud storage, to me, is the best thing since sliced bread (though I have to admit, I like cutting my own). The following articles explain the amazing benefits of using cloud storage instead of keeping your stuff on your computer.
What I love about cloud storage is I can move from device to device and my stuff moves with me. Another brilliant thing is the security of my data. I’ve set up a few measures such as 2-step authentication and now have a password management app. Gone are the days of concern about stolen or broken devices. I can retrieve my data and docs in no time at all.
Is it time to back up your life into the cloud?Computers Mobiles Digital Life News Illustration: Karl Hilzinger As cloud storage becomes all but free, is it time to rethink your online back-up regime? These days most people have turned to the cloud as an off-site back-up solution, perhaps combined with a home Network Attached Storage drive tucked away in their study.
Here’s another great article called Why I’m Living in the Cloud and Never Coming Back by Cam Lincoln in Culture Desk, who tells us why he’s a great cloud enthusiast.
One of the down sides of doing web stuff and trying to perfect it is the number of hours you have to spend embedded in your computer. That can be a real turn off for friends and family because you’re just not present to them. This article goes even further to say that “The things that make you successful are sometimes offensive to other people.” So if part of your essential course of action is to use the web or indeed simply a computer as a tool to achieve your goals, it’s wise to develop some strategies to maintain some level of social engagement. This article gives you some tips.
When You’re Driven, It’s Normal For People Not To Like YouYou’re never not going to have critics. And it’s probably always going to bother you. The harsh truth about being successful is that you are going to make people irrationally mad at you in the process. It’s inevitable. Part of the painful journey.