TECHNOLOGY: The risks of cloud computing

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Vista News (email newsletter)
Vol. 2, # 56 – Jan 29, 2009 – Issue # 65
Venturing into the Cloud – A Little Bit at a Time
Editor’s Corner

*** begin quote ***

One frequently expressed suspicion of the cloud computing concept is that the companies offering these services are a little like schoolyard drug dealers. The first ones are free, but once they get you hooked (that is, once the cloud replaces desktop applications completely), then they’ll start charging you for the service and you’ll have to keep paying and paying and paying to use your computer productively.

Folks don’t like that idea. They know that technically, they don’t “own” the software they buy in a box or download from a vendor’s web site, but they feel comfortable in the knowledge that after they pay a one-time licensing fee, they can use that program for as long as they want without paying more – at least until they change operating systems or hardware. The notable exception is antivirus and other anti-malware programs, but the rationale there is that you aren’t paying a subscription fee for use of the program itself, but for the new definitions that it has to download on a regular basis.

Most of the individual computer users I’ve talked to about this say that even if the overall cost turns out to be lower, they want to pay for their software up front instead of via a monthly or annual subscription. They absolutely hate the idea that if they stop paying, their applications will stop working (or in the case of storage services, they might be locked out of their data). It’s similar to the way most people would prefer to buy a car rather than leasing it; they like that feeling that it’s theirs until they decide to get rid of it, that someone can’t just take it away from them (although I guess in the case of most car buyers today, that’s just an illusion because the vast majority of folks finance their vehicles rather than paying for them in full).

*** end quote ***

That’s the essential concern. Switch from free to pay?

No, I think the concern is that the “service” — free or pay — just goes away taking your data with it. Kodak pictures is the ONLY one that I’ve adopted and I have been EXTREMELY carefull to keep a complete backup. But it’s still a concern.

And, what do you do when you can’t get a network connect at a price you can afford?

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SOFTWARE: POSTBOX beta

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

http://www.postbox-inc.com

The Postbox public beta is now live!

*** begin quote ***

We wanted to extend a special “thank you” for participating in the Private Beta program. Your feedback has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today. It has been remarkable to see the connection and passion people have with their email client.

You can now download the Postbox public beta from our newly designed website, http://www.postbox-inc.com. Please keep the feedback coming and be sure to tell your friends, family, and co-workers about Postbox!

Gratefully yours,
The Postbox Team

*** end quote ***

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Sorry “Not Recommended”.

It wouldn’t install. Nor was there any response to my two negative reports on GETSATISFACTION that they were using as their support site.

IMHO not ready for BETA status.

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SERVICE: Ruckus.com Shuts Down

Saturday, February 7, 2009

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/06/college-music-service-ruckus-shuts-down/

College Music Service Ruckus.com Shuts Down
by Jason Kincaid on February 6, 2009

*** begin quote ***

At around 5 PM EST today the site went down with a notice stating that it was undergoing an update. As of 5:30, it was displaying the shutdown notice seen above.
We’re told that music that has not passed its “renew date” still works, but that music that has expired will no longer work because the DRM licensing server has apparently shut down.
*** end quote ***

And, people argue that “cloud computing” is the wave of the future?
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SERVICE: JIBBERJOBBER as a Ventine’s Day gift? Sure!!!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Now this may sound dumb or unromantic but in these tough economic times, how about something that can help their significant other keep their earning power — Jibber Jobber. http://www.jibberjobber.com

(Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Jibber Jobber. I’m not even an active user. I did alpha testing for Jason Alba the owner developer. But, I do help a lot of out of work folks who have no clue about networking. An, think this would be a very valuable gift.)

Assuming that the relationship is heading towards marriage or whatever today’s equivalent is, a gift subscription might make real sense. The couple could even cuddle up in front of a warm computer screen as the couple works to get all the significant others contacts into the Jibber Jobber database.

If both are yuppies, it could be a mutual gift and each could help motivate the other’s data collection and networking activities.

It may sound goofy, but it’s an off-beat cheap gift that can pay big dividends by next Valentine’s Day. Other than working on each other’s income taxes, I can’t think of a better couple building activity. After the flowers, chocolate, expensive dinner, and jewelry are long forgotten, JibberJobber will be paying big dividends.

Yeah, I know, I’m a real romantic. But romance ain’t going to keep the paychecks rolling in. Networking, assisted by the focus that JibberJobber gives, will pay off handsomely.

And, I bet you won’t see that suggestion in any other Valentine’s Day story!

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SERVICE: CNN LIVE VIDEO steals your bandwidth silently

Friday, February 6, 2009

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/090205/

Watch a live video, share your PC with CNN
By Brian Livingston

*** begin quote ***

Many people who watched live streaming video of the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 20 may not realize that their PC was used to send the video to other PCs, too.

*** end quote ***

Watch the CNN Live Video, and you too may get booted by your ISP.

This is worth a five minute read about the “dirty pool” being played on users and ISPs. (I’m no fan of ISPs, but in this case they are being taken advantage of as well.)

Argh!

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SERVICE: VERIZONWIRELESS webservice changes silently?

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Chat InformationPlease wait for a site operator to respond.

Chat InformationYou are now chatting with ‘Stephanie’

Stephanie: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. What kind of help do you need with My Verizon Log in or Registration assistance?

reinkefj: trying to login and it looks like it doesn’t remember me.

Stephanie: I’m more than willing to assist you in any way that I can. Your cell phone number did not pull up for me. Do you mind verifying that number again please?

reinkefj: xxx-xxx-xxxx

reinkefj: ?

Stephanie: I do understand how frustrating it can be not being able to log into your online account. It is okay and I am here to help you today by walking you through a password reset. First, can I get you to verify the Account Owner’s last four digits if the Social Security number?

reinkefj: xxxx

Stephanie: Thank you so much for verifying that information Reinkefj. May I have your full name please?

reinkefj: sigh, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Stephanie: Please scroll to the top of the page and hover your mouse over “My Verizon. Choose Account Type and then click on “Forgot Password,” under the log in section.You will be prompted to enter in your mobile device number. Please enter your mobile device number, and do not include any dashes or spaces. Once entered, please click “continue”.

reinkefj: say not registered with myverizon

Stephanie: Ok. Please scroll to the top of the page and hover your mouse over “My Verizon”. Click on that and you’ll see a blue link that says “Register”. Then click on that link. Next enter your mobile device number, and do not include any dashes or spaces. Once entered, click “continue”.

reinkefj: I don’t want to go thru a reregistration. I was registered already. Has it all been lost?

Stephanie: Which number did you enter?

reinkefj: xxxxxxxxxx

Stephanie: The number ending in yyyy is registered as the account owner. The Account Owner has access to all account management functions. This includes viewing and paying bills online, upgrading equipment, account and calling plan changes.

reinkefj: When I logon to the site I use reinkefj and my password. Now it doesn’t work. Explanation?

Stephanie: Your online password is between 8-20 characters, should contains at least one (1) number and one (1) letter. With spaces or special characters. ‘

reinkefj: My online password is eight characters and has a number in it. Has Verizon changesd its password standards and that is why it doesn’t work now?

Stephanie: No that I am aware of. What I can do is walk you through a password reset to help you access your account. Is that ok?

reinkefj: yes

Stephanie: Please scroll to the top of the page and hover your mouse over “My Verizon. Choose Account Type and then click on “Forgot Password,” under the log in section.You will be prompted to enter in your mobile device number. Please enter your mobile device number, and do not include any dashes or spaces. Once entered, please click “continue”.

reinkefj: It says “not registered”.

Stephanie: The number ending in xxxx is not registered. The number ending in yyyy is what was registered.

reinkefj: Not unless some one changed something. aaaa, bbbb, and cccc are the numbers I use. My car has a number. And, my VWBB has a number. But, that’s it. xxxx is the main number.

Stephanie: I can change that for you, but as of right now the xxxx is not registered.

reinkefj: Thanks. I quit.

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Argh! Here’s a half hour of my life I’ll never get back. So what once worked, doesn’t. And, I, as the customer, have to jump through hoops. Great!

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SERVICE: CARDSCAN is down for more than 24 hours

Sunday, February 1, 2009

FROM EMAIL

Dear fjohn,

Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. we are still trying to catch up from the move Cambridge MA to Stamford, CT… We have done some major repairs and updates to our website recently so this may be why you were having problems signing in. I just tried and was able to sign in under your profile. It shows your 8100+ names are available .

Mike Bouffard
CardScan Support

[JR: At least, some response. Some warning would have been nice. Best, avoid it entirely.]

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UPDATE: 20090202 @ 0815 Back up; no explanation
200902010934.jpg

And, since it responds, it fools http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com!

So much for “cloud computing”!

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SERVICE: FACEBOOK pops and an unusual message and I’m locked out

Monday, January 26, 2009

From: Facebook <password+frohghzf@facebookmail.com>

Date: January 26, 2009 2:20:49 PM EST
To: FJohn Reinke
Subject: Security Warning From Facebook
Reply-To: Facebook <password+frohghzf@facebookmail.com>

We have detected suspicious activity on your Facebook account and have reset your password as a security precaution. It is possible that malicious software was downloaded to your computer or that your password was stolen by a phishing website designed to look like Facebook. Please carefully follow the steps provided:

1. Run Anti-Virus Software: If your computer has been infected with a virus or with malware, you will need to run anti-virus software to remove these harmful programs and keep your information secure. For Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/viruses/xp/av.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/default.mspx

For Apple:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

2. Reset Password: Be sure that you use a complex string of numbers, letters, and punctuation marks that is at least six characters in length.

To reset your password, follow the link below:

http://login.facebook.com/reset.php?
(If clicking on the link doesn’t work, try copying and pasting it into your browser.)

3. Never Click Suspicious Links: It is possible that your friends could unwillingly send spam, viruses, or malware through Facebook if their accounts are infected. Do not click this material and do not run any .exe files on your computer without knowing what they are. Also, be sure to use the most current version of your browser as they contain important security warnings and protection features.

4. Log in at Facebook.com: Make sure that when you access the site, you always log in from a legitimate Facebook page with the facebook.com domain. If something looks or feels suspicious, go directly to http://www.facebook.com to log in.

5. Report Suspicious Activity: Please visit the following pages for further information about Facebook security and information on reporting material: http://www.facebook.com/help.php?page=420 and http://www.facebook.com/security

Once you have performed all these steps, your account should once again be secure. Please be sure to visit the Facebook Help Center for further information regarding these security issues and let us know if you need assistance.

Thanks,
Facebook Security Team
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TECHNOLOGY: Voting machines as compared to slot machines

Monday, January 26, 2009

CRYPTO-GRAM
January 15, 2009
by Bruce Schneier  Chief Security Technology Officer, BT

http://www.schneier.com

A free monthly newsletter providing summaries, analyses, insights, and commentaries on security: computer and otherwise.

*** begin quote ***

Comparing the security of electronic slot machines and electronic voting machines:

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2006/03/16/GR2006031600213.gif or http://tinyurl.com/f4an8

Other important differences:

1) Slot machines are used every day, 24 hours a day. Electronic voting machines are used, at most, twice a year — often less frequently.

2) Slot machines involve money. Electronic voting machines involve something much more abstract.

3) Slot machine accuracy is a non-partisan issue. For some reason I can’t fathom, electronic voting machine accuracy is seen as a political issue.

*** end quote ***

Just be the one to count the votes and you control this psuedo democracy that we live in.

What a koke!

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SERVICE: PIPL to find people

Thursday, January 22, 2009

http://pipl.com/username/

Pipl – People Search

Welcome to the Deep Web

There are various reasons why you might need to search for people, you may need to find a lost relative, an old flame, a classmate or a business contact – but if you are using a search engine such as Google or Yahoo to search for people, you have probably realized by now that it might work in some cases but in most cases it won’t.

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Another tool?

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SERVICE: The Obameter — Tracking Obama’s Campaign Promises

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/

The Obameter: Tracking Obama’s Campaign Promises

Tracking Obama’s promises

   * Promise Kept 2

   * Compromise 0

   * Promise Broken 0

   * Stalled 1

   * In the Works 9

   * No Action 498

PolitiFact has compiled about 500 promises that Barack Obama made during the campaign and is tracking their progress on our Obameter. We rate their status as No Action, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken.

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Be interesting to see how this shapes up.

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SERVICE: Generate safe passwords

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

http://www.safepasswd.com/  

I like it but I’d prefer if it would generate a page at a time.

Like a one time pad.

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SERVICE: SOUP — an easy way to collect, share, and comment?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

http://reinkefj.soup.io/

Soup

* a blog

* collage of the web

* browser bar button adds

* aggregate

* Free! (?)

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Hey, if it’s free, I’ll try it. Argh!

Now what’s the “value”?

TBD

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SERVICE: Be careful where you put your data

Monday, January 19, 2009

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/03/journalspace-drama-all-data-lost-without-backup-company-deadpooled/

JournalSpace Drama: All Data Lost Without Backup, Company Deadpooled
by Robin Wauters on January 3, 2009

*** begin quote ***

Blogging platform JournalSpace (which I’d never heard of to date) has ceased to be, following a wipe-out of the main database for which there was no back-up in place. According to the JournalSpace blog, the database was overwritten as a result of a malicious act from a disgruntled ex-employee.

*** end quote ***

Stunning. Why isn’t the fellow in jail?

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SERVICE: Cell phone transforms into a personal security device

Sunday, January 18, 2009

http://www.mymobilewitness.com/

My Mobile Witness, a groundbreaking new cell phone service that turns your cell phone into a personal security device. My Mobile Witness stores photos or text and warehouses the information for use only by law enforcement authorities. The breakthrough technology is fast and simple to use: an individual takes a photo or creates a text message and sends it to their individual account where it is stored in the My Mobile Witness digital vault. The photo is time-stamped and stored on a site accessible only to law enforcement officials who have limited “active case” or subpoena access to the information when the images may be relevant. Think about getting that license plate of the hit-and-run you just saw.

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I think about the youngsters meeting in a bar. Their wingman can take serendipity pics to establish exactly who they were leaving with.

May sound crude. Maybe I’ve seen too many “Law And Orders” episodes. But makes sense to me.

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SERVICE: GOOGLE NOTEBOOK takedown is symptomatic of cloud computing

Thursday, January 15, 2009

http://lifehacker.com/5131781/where-to-go-when-google-notebook-goes-down

Where to Go When Google Notebook Goes Down

By Kevin Purdy, 8:10 AM on Thu Jan 15 2009, 9,709 views

*** begin quote ***

Google’s Notebook webapp was tightly integrated with other Google apps, had a killer Firefox extension, and was great at getting things done. “Was,” though, because Google is ending support. Here’s where heartsick users should turn.

*** end quote ***

OK, here’s why you can’t trust “free” software, “beta” software, or “the cloud”.

Next time you’re going to bet your data on one of these, think “what will I do when?”.

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SERVICE: KRUNCHD! Possibilities; but not a TINYURL competitor

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

You have successfully Krunchd a URL and here it is for your convenience and sharing:

Title of Krunch: The collective sites of FJohn Reinke

URL: http://krunchd.com/reinkefj

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SERVICE: Tabloid makes an rss feed into a pdf

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

http://www.tabbloid.com/

Take one or more RSS feeds, add them, select a schedule! You get emailed a PDF.

Interesting alpha. Needs a way to limit the amount of RSS feed it takes. Like a daily take, should limit it to a day.

Maybe?

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TECHNOLOGY: “Online Profits” attempt to teach inet money making

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

http://www.onlineprofits.com/

Online Profits

*** begin quote ***

Many people wrote emails to congratulate me for the launch of the Online Profits training program, saying that they think it is a excellent course, and that they would love to join, but they don’t have the funds to be able to.

Thinking about that I decided to run a contest giving away 10 free memberships (each one worth $288). Those free memberships will give you full access to the training program for 6 months.

*** and ***

Join the Most Complete Internet Marketing and Online Business Training Program, and Make 2009 Your Best Year Ever!

   * Learn all the facets of Internet marketing

   * Create your own online business

   * Take your existing projects and websites to the next level

   * Discover the tools and strategies that you need to succeed

   * Get access to a vibrant community of Internet marketers and entrepreneurs

*** end quote ***

No secret: I’m cheap. If I won six months free I’d explore it.
Paying 300$, I’m not so sure.
Maybe if I was a young risk taker, I’d jump on it.
Now, I’m always concerned about a “Mad Dog” (i.e., a faud). In this case, I’ve been reading some of these folks for more than a year and I think they are serious and believable. I AM concerned that (1) I’m untrainable; (2) I can’t do it; and 93) I might not WANT to do it.
Argh!
YMMV!
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SERVICE: Found another limitation on Facebook!

Monday, January 12, 2009

*** begin quote ***

How many Friend Lists can I have?

You can have up to 100 Friend Lists.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

Where’s the Facebook competitor? Like LinkedIn, hard coded limits … … just shaking my head!

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TECHNOLOGY: Microsoft Tag – My #2

Sunday, January 11, 2009

It's a secret what it points to!

Microsoft Tag is supposed to make it easy for you using your mobile phone to get to “something”.

Does it work?

Only you can tell me.

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TECHNOLOGY: Microsoft Live Tag? My first

Sunday, January 11, 2009

My mystery barcoderfl_smart_tag

http://tag.microsoft.com

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TECH PRODUCT: Kodak Frame gets an “NR” from a trusted blogger source

Friday, January 9, 2009

http://www.gadgetspage.com/misc/review-kodak-easy-share-wireless-picture-frame.html  

Review: Kodak Easy Share Wireless Picture Frame
from Gadgets Page by Matthew Strebe

*** begin quote ***

Kodak EasyShare W1020 10-Inch Wireless Digital Frame at Amazon.comI purchased the Kodak Easy Share Wireless Picture Frame with a specific purpose in mind: I wanted to immediately transfer motion sensor triggered photos from my Panasonic network camera at my front door onto a screen up stairs so we could see who was at the door before going downstairs to answer it.

{Extraneous Deleted}

Unfortunately, the love ended pretty early for this frame. Without fail, the wireless frame detached from my wifi-network after about two hours and stopped displaying anything, refusing to reconnect to the network until it was disconnected from power and restarted. It always reconnected immediately, which indicates that the problem is with the frame, not with the network (none of my other wireless devices have this problem). This problem makes it impossible for me to recommend this wireless frame until a firmware update that correctly addresses reconnecting to the network automatically is available.

*** end quote ***

This reminds me of the annoying “Continually Reconnect” to the home wifi network behavior that MCBA (Mac Book Air) exhibits.

(For which, I will be stopping by at the Apple Genius Bar next week to grouse about.)

I also rate anything that doesn’t work as “Not Recommended!”

Hopefully, if all bloggers pass this along, KODAK might get the message.

(But I doubt it. Business are tin eared! Look at their stock price and you can see the result!)

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TECHNOLOGY: Don’t beleive tech support

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Over on FACEBOOK, a fellow alum reported trouble connecting a Belkin Wireless Card to his home LAN.

*** begin quote ***

TRYING to get Elizabeth’s new wireless card working- Windows sucks!

*** end quote ***

I had given him the following advice.

*** begin quote ***

Suggest downloading and burning the latest UBUNTU distribution. Run it as “LIVE” boot up disk. (As opposed to installing it.) THis will quickly connect to the home lan and tell you, for sure, that it is WINDOZE. That’s good confimation to have. When I have WINDOZE problems like that, I delete everything in sight. And the REBOOT cold three times. (Three times is essential, imho, because it keeps stuff around until it is purged out.) Then, magically, let WINDOZE rebuild the hardware images. WINDOZE does (magically) bring itself back from the dead. No chicken etrails required.

*** end quote ***

He reported:

*** begin quote ***

“The computer had Windows XP from 2002 with no service packs. Even though Belkin said this wouldn’t matter- it did. I used an older wirless G card from another PC to connect to the router, ran the Microsoft XP updates and then put back the new card and it then worked fine.”

*** end quote ***

Argh!

I never thought about the Service Packs.

I responded:

*** begin quote ***

Thanks, Don. It’s the “after action” report with “lessons learned”. I was interested in. (I admit I thought you were still playing with it.) Interesting. I have a general problem with Microsoft Service Packs in that they apply “lots” of fixes. And, there usually on the tricky ones “no retreat” possible. It’s one reason, I have left the “Dark Empire” for good with respect to my “home” computing. An employer paying me can use what ever foolishness they want. I’m happy to collect a paycheck “checking chicken entrails” on Windoze. Personally, I just want stuff that works like the old telephone – cheap, flawlessly, every time, without thought. :-) Well at least that’s the illusion.

*** end quote ***

I still don’t like Service Packs due to the “sometimes you can’t go home again” nature of some of the fixes they apply.

That and the one size fits all nature.

And, you can’t “test”. We’re talking about most folks’ production environment now. You apply it and it breaks stuff, you’re screwed.

Argh!

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SERVICE: Flash cards on the web

Monday, January 5, 2009

http://www.emilychang.com/go/ehub/app/cramberry/

Courtesy of Emily Chang:

*** begin quote ***

Jan 04, 09

Cramberry

A web app that helps people (students, actors, or anyone else) memorize things (schoolwork, lines in a play, etc.) using flashcards. Users create a blank “set” of flashcards, then name the set, and start adding cards to the set. Once you’re ready, the app presents these cards to you in a random order so you can answer the cards.

*** end quote ***

Tried it. One link wrong on their main page. But it does work.

Needs maturation.

(1) No export. (2) No way to monetize your sets of flash cards.

Interesting concept.

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TECHNOLOGY: dot com name gets jumped and “tasted”

Sunday, January 4, 2009

I sought to register “technologyforbusiness” dot com. BLUEHOST reported it “available”. So I was proceeding to close on it. Your system reset? And, now it’s not available. From my 1and1 account I see it’s for sale for 1288$. Please explain?

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Bottom line: The interest in the domain trigger a bot at one of the Domain Register that “seized” it. Domain Registrars are allow to reserve, or “taste”, domain names without paying for them for a week. It’s basically fraud. It was intended to allow registrars to hold the name while the applicant completed the transactions. Now it’s used to “front run”. On Wall Street, a trader would go to jail. On the internet, it’s a profit center.

Argh!

The laugh is that I don’t need the name!

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