Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Protect yourself when online
Life, James Hein, Published on 03/08/2022
» A friend of mine, let's call him Dave, wrote to me recently about identity theft. He told me that all of his identifying information like phone numbers, email addresses, old passwords and his usual security questions, were all available on the dark web. He also had a number of notifications of personal information breaches that resulted in fraudulent charges, the need to replace credit cards and attempts to set up fake bank accounts in his name. The latter is used if a hacker is planning to get into your other accounts so they can transfer funds to themselves under your name.
When internet platforms are the judge and jury
Life, James Hein, Published on 20/01/2021
» The start of this year does not bode well for freedom of speech advocates. Consider this thought experiment. You are a citizen of Mythomia. You enjoy decent internet speeds but a group of organisations dominate the social media space. Your leader communicates with the populace via social media. One day the organisations decide they don't like the politics of the leader and cut off all means of communication with the populace. How would you feel about that?
Learning in the time of crisis
Life, James Hein, Published on 08/04/2020
» There is a mix of good and bad information regarding Covid-19 on the internet so be careful that what you are reading isn't fake news, especially when it comes to numbers and cures. The numbers available are those reported by each country and are based on testing and the honesty of each government, so will vary from the actual state. This is where the major social media platforms are being exposed even more. They are deleting valid information, such as on hydroxychloroquine trials, while promoting hit pieces on globalisation.
A very taxing problem for all
Life, James Hein, Published on 08/03/2017
» Every government wants taxes. It is, after all, how the salaries get paid, and how funds are raised for re-election and looking after the country, often in that order. Consider the UK as an example. Starting in April, there will be a new set of tax regulations based on the IR35 guidelines. With the uncertainty surrounding this change there has been a rush of IT contractors leaving government positions, in many cases over half, halting a wide range of projects. This has been happening for over a year now with, as an example, the Ministry of Defence losing 30 out of 32 contractors last year. When the process of government is stopped because of taxes imposed, you're probably doing something wrong.
Password ain't a password
Life, James Hein, Published on 01/02/2017
» How many people do you know, including yourself, who are avid Facebook users? Be honest. You will know that your account contains a large amount of information, much of it quite personal, that data thieves would be happy to mine and use. A solution is to protect this information.
Microsoft ditches Windows Pro 7, 8.1
Life, James Hein, Published on 09/11/2016
» Microsoft no longer provides the Windows Pro 7 or Windows 8.1 operating systems. This is no surprise as Microsoft flagged the end of October as the time that would happen, meaning every new PC will only have Windows 10. This is all part of the Redmond master plan to move everyone to an operating system as a service platform in the near future. This would mean that you won't own any of the MS software on your PC but simply renting it.
2015 tech scene, with Hein-sight
Life, James Hein, Published on 30/12/2015
» So how did the tech sector fare in 2015?? As far as the Chinese phone manufacturers, they made a lot of ground.
Updated Microsoft Office lands
Life, James Hein, Published on 30/09/2015
» I use Microsoft Office tools fairly regularly including Word, Excel, OneNote, Visio and Project. Apart from Project, I didn't make the jump to 2013. A couple of years later, version 2016 has been announced. In between they have released updated Apple and Android versions of different products in the broader suite. In the past few years Microsoft's strategy seems to be aimed primarily at the Office 365 Cloud space.
If you're appy and you know it
Life, James Hein, Published on 09/09/2015
» A common phrase these days is "there is an app for that". I have had the need for some fairly specific apps lately and I have also had one or two recommended to me that have worked out well.
Buyer's market for smartphones
Life, James Hein, Published on 12/11/2014
» With the Western markets saturated, the pattern for smartphone sales is starting to change. It is a very good time to be the buyer as competition is fierce for those upgrading and for the tiny minority who don't yet have a model from the upper end of the market. Last month, LG was the only major retailer who had a positive number in their earnings statement. By comparison Samsung, HTC and Sony did not do so well. Elsewhere, like in China and India, the markets are expanding and people are starting to update from a regular phone to the smarter variety, but in the lower price range.