noemi

Internet Soon to Have 2 Billion Users

June 21, 2023 by noemi

It’s World Statistics Day, did you know that? In keeping with that spirit, let’s take a look at some numbers today. Did you know that soon, there will be 2 billion users on the Internet? And, by soon, I mean by the end of this year. It is not a surprising figure, if you think about it. Access to computers and the Internet is becoming easier by the day, and more and more people have their own computers and Internet connection at home. This is even more applicable for those in the developing countries (for the lack of a better term), as most of the new Internet users come from those areas.

This information – and more – was released in a report by the International Telecommunication Union, which was published in The World in 2010: ICT.

162 million of the 226 million new Internet users in 2010 will be from developing countries, where Internet users grow at a higher rate. By the end of 2010, 71% of the population in developed countries will be online compared to 21% of the population in developing countries. While in developed countries 65% of people have access to the Internet at home, this is the case for only 13.5% of people in developing countries where Internet access in schools, at work and public locations is critical. Regional differences are significant: 65% of Europeans are on the Internet, compared to only 9.6% of Africans.

With the rapidly increasing high-bandwidth content and applications on the Internet, there is a growing demand for higher-speed broadband connections.

Needless to say, there are still big gaps in Internet and computer access in developed and developing countries. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, though, if the numbers skyrocket in the next five or so years. For sure, developing countries will work towards providing better access in the coming years.

So, if you are feeling that the Internet is getting a little too crowded, don’t be surprised – 2 billion isn’t nothing! 😉

Photo credit: mararie

iPad Users: Are You Spreading the Flu Virus?

June 21, 2023 by noemi

Touch-screen technology is something to marvel at, and indeed, judging by the more than warm welcome given by consumers to the iPad and other touch-screen devices. What you may not be aware of, however, is that the iPad – and other similar gadgets – may be one of the worst things you can handle during flu season.

You don’t need half a brain to see the connection – touch-screen equal fingers (which are likely rife with germs). Add to that the idea that people let other individuals use their touch-screen devices, and it is very easy to see how all sorts of bacteria and viruses can be spread. It’s much like touching a door handle at a public place.

The Journal of Applied Microbiology recently released the findings of a study which took a look at glass surfaces – such as the screen of the iPad – and how they transmit pathogens to the human skin (read: your fingers). Unsurprisingly, the risks are quite high. What I found a bit surprising is the fact that the risk of transmitting pathogens, including the flu virus, is much higher in touch-screen devices than other everyday things we touch (this includes elevator buttons and the toilet handle in the men’s room!).

With the flu virus spreading around like crazy, it’s but sensible to make sure that your iPad, iPhone, and whatever other touch-screen device you have is sterilized, don’t you think? Here’s one way by which you can do this.

If anything, your friends and family members will thank you for making sure your device is clean. Personally, if I owned an iPad, I just would sterilize it every time someone else touched it. Better yet, I’d avoid having someone else touch it!

Apple Goes After “Sexting”

June 20, 2023 by noemi

I think I first heard of the term “sexting” from the kids at Glee (yeah, cat’s out of the bag, I used to watch the show). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what sexting means (sexually explicit text messaging, in case you aren’t sure), and the guys at Apple are going out of their way to make sure that users who shouldn’t be sexting will not be able to do so – in the future. (Something to think about: who is to determine who shouldn’t be engaging in a certain activity?)

The news is that Apple has just been granted a patent that can block sexually explicit messages – both at the sending and receiving stages. The patent was originally filed back in 2008 but was only granted now. This move is not really surprising as Apple has always taken a stand against sexually explicit material. Remember that the Apple Store already has a ban on sexually explicit applications. Steve Jobs himself has spoken out about this stand, and says that it is unlikely to change in the future:

You know, there’s a porn store for Android. You can download porn, your kids can download porn. That’s a place we don’t want to go — so we’re not going to go there.

Here’s an abstract of the patent:

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for enabling a user to control the content of text-based messages sent to or received from an administered device. In some embodiments, a message will be blocked (incoming or outgoing) if the message includes forbidden content. In other embodiments, the objectionable content is removed from the message prior to transmission or as part of the receiving process. The content of such a message is controlled by filtering the message based on defined criteria. The criteria may be defined according to a parental control application. These techniques also may be used, in accordance with instructional embodiments, to require the administered devices to include certain text in messages. These embodiments might, for example, require that a certain number of Spanish words per day be included in e-mails for a child learning Spanish.

I find the clause about other applications particularly interesting, don’t you? If ever this technology finds its way to the market, there will certainly be a lot of takers, I think.

Kindle Singles to Make Debut

June 20, 2023 by noemi

I have been spending hours and hours talking about and thinking of the Kindle and the Nook recently. I know I promised myself that I wouldn’t buy any new gadget for the rest of the year, but the impending (major) change in my lifestyle is prompting me to take a good look at e-book readers. As I always am when obsessing over a gadget, I have been reading up on the Kindle and the Nook a lot.

Today, I just learned about a new format that Amazon is introducing for the Kindle. Dubbed Kindle Singles, these e-books are going to be shorter and cheaper than is the current norm. What prompted this development is the fact that content does come in varying lengths. Just like in traditional print, books can be thick novels, really thin paperbacks, or even pamphlets. In Kindle terms, e-books can come in the form of long novels, short stories, magazine articles, blog posts, or even Twitter updates.

Materials that are going to be labeled Kindle Singles are going to be anywhere from 10,000 words to 30,000 words. In terms of traditional print, this would be around 30 pages to 90 pages. The really good news is the pricing structure will be more attractive to consumers.

For now, the new section of the store is not yet up and running, but with the official announcement having been made, we should see it pretty soon.

While I am not a Kindle owner as of yet, I consider this development as a plus point for the device. Now for some advice…which e-book reader would you recommend that I get?

Photo credit: gillyberlin

Facebook Groups to Give Us More Control?

June 20, 2023 by noemi

Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, have been under a lot of fire for sucky privacy features. Zuckerberg is quite excited about a new feature that they have released: Facebook Groups. You might be asking, “Groups? Hasn’t this been around for a while?”

Well, they have a NEW feature called Groups that is different from whatever you think. The important thing about this new application is that users can have more control over their privacy. Think about it as being able to put your friends into – literally – groups and then being able to choose what information you want to share with them.

The new Facebook Groups aims to mimic human behavior in real life. If you think about it, you actually categorize people in your life. You have friends that you drink with, but you may not necessarily share private information with them. You have friends that you run to when you have problems, and they probably know everything about you. With this new Facebook feature, you can basically do the same thing online. It will make selective disclosure of information (including photos, status messages, etc.) easier for Facebook users.

Despite the excitement of Mark Zuckerberg over Groups, critics are already making their voices heard. Larry Magrid, co-director of ConnectSafely.org, says:

“The only worry I have is that friends can add people to the group, so if you create a group and are in a group you have to be aware of not only who you add but who others add. As long as you are aware of who is in the group it can be a great privacy tool. If it gets out of hand it could give you a sense of false security.”

Personally, I am neither excited nor skeptical about the development. My rule of thumb: don’t put anything on Facebook that you don’t want others to see or know. Simple enough, isn’t it?