90# Telephone Scam, Really?

Yes, there really is a 90# telephone scam. Basically someone calls you at work and claims to be with the telephone company, testing the line. They ask you to either dial 9-0-# or transfer them to an outside line and hang up. Once you do this, the scammer can now make fraudulent calls which will be billed to your phone number. To make matters worst people are circulating false information about this scam, saying it affects both cell and home phone numbers. Of course they are saying they checked it out with phone companies, friends of friends, the Internet sources and of course Good Morning America. When you hear people say stuff like that and you haven’t heard about it, it’s probably not true. Personally I was 98.999% certain this was not true but with a little checking I found lots of proof to confirm my feeling.

How did I know?

At work most of us can probably transfer people to an outside line, but how do you do that from your cell phone or home phone? Call yourself and try it if you want..

A very quick Google search shows that snopes.com (one of the so-called confirming sources, says it’s a half truth and confirms it can only affect pbx type systems).

The email I got was warning us to not press 90# for anyone, just hang up if someone asks you to and that’s good advice. If they persist, contact the authorities and report them.

My feeling is always be suspicious of folks you don’t know asking you to do things and check these things out from reliable sources, for communications I go to the FCC for communications information..

The FCC warns us that:

1. Real Telephone employees won’t ask you to dial numbers or connect them to outside lines.

2. This scam only works on PBX or PABX phone systems

for more information you can get the scoop from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

By the way, this scam is not new and many systems have protections in place to protect against it.

Are Password Changes a waste of time?

It’s one of the most hated popups in the computer user’s world.. The message says “You must change your password to continue” and users really hate it. Most companies now require some frequency for passwords to be changed but does that move really provide increased security?

A recent study by Microsoft shows that it really doe not provide better the security your Technology department has hoped for, because once a password is compromised thieves use it almost right away and don’t wait 30, 60 or 90 days for it to expire.

But here’s the Boston Globe article that says “Please don’t change that password..”

My bottom line:

1. Don’t use those super simple passwords like “password” (there are over 100 of these.. I’ll provide a password test later)
2. Change your password immediately if you even think it might have been compromised (don’t wait for something bad to happen)
3. It doesn’t help to keep changing passwords, especially if you have to have them written down everywhere (at work & home) It’s better to
have 2-3 good ones that you can remember, than 8 you have to have on sticky notes..
4. Don’t use one password for everything, it would be like one key that opens your entire life (like losing your wallet or purse with everything in it)
5. If you can’t remember all your passwords, remember 1 good one and use a secure password manager software for the others (more on this later)

Welcome to iPhone OS 4.0

First iPhone OS 4.0 is not for every device according to Apple..

iPhone OS 4 will work with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and the second- and third-generation iPod touch this summer, and with iPad in the fall. Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking is available only with iPhone 3GS and the third-generation iPod touch (32GB and 64GB models from late 2009).

iPhone OS 4.0 brings a unified email inbox that would allow users to check for new messages across all email accounts without requiring navigation to each account individually. GMail, AOL, Yahoo and even Microsoft exchange email all easily accessed from one inbox. Also Mail now supports threaded conversations, making it easier for users to follow multiple discussions. Users will now be able to directly open email attachments with compatible apps downloaded from the App Store.

The new App Store ebook reader application released for the iPad in the U.S. last week, will be coming to the iPhone and iPod touch as part of iPhone OS 4 later this year. The iPhone version of iBooks will also offer access to the company’s iBookstore where users can download and purchase ebooks.

iPhone 4.0 Multitasking Finally here!!
Apple has announced multitasking in the next version of the iPhone OS.

Background audio This will be fantastic for apps like Pandora radio. They even have access to the lock screen’s music player controls.

Voice over IP This is almost hard to believe, but iPhone 4 gives VoIP apps like Skype full background access. Users can stay online (even if the phone is sleeping), see when people are calling, and answer.

Background location Users can grant apps access to their location for social services like Loopt, or navigation apps like Maps.

Task Notification processes running in the background, can send a notification when they’s done. Apple’s demo showed a Flickr photo upload, that gave an alert when it was finished.

Fast App Switching What seems to be the base of app switching — the ability for developers to “save state” when the user switches apps.

The bottom line is users will enjoy this update, I rate it a almost 9 out 10 on the Awesome Scale… but it’s definitely a 10 on the innovative technology scale..

My response to the iPad shortcomings post

First let me say we’re not talking about the many, many Great features the iPad brings to the table..

This is just my opinion to the  13 Glaring iPad Shortcomings post By Ker Than and Robert Roy Britt

I would probably have agreed with them if I didn’t own one..

1. It’s Awkward

You can’t carry it on your hip like a phone, so it presents the same portability issues as any laptop – you’ll need a case of some sort to protect it and carry the power cable.

(I doubt this is made to be on your hip and it’s not a Phone, I don’t see any Kindle devices on people’s hip either.. Besides who would want an 8″ device on their hip and with 10 hours of battery you won’t need the charger for a good while. I do suggest a case for safe carrying and security.)

2. It’s heavy…
“…at 1.5 pounds and with all this functionality, the iPad is an impressive feat of engineering. But it’s simply not light enough (a Kindle ebook reader is about 10 ounces) …  Holding the iPad in one hand for more than a few minutes to watch a movie or read an ebook results in tired wrists… Reading an ebook on a smartphone is ergonomically much more practical. ”

( Yea, they’re right us couch potatoes can barley lift 1.5 pounds, they need to make it float in front of us see scoopertino..  Seriously,  he could just use the stand built into the case, I bought one and use it. Did he imply “reading an ebook on a 3 inch phone screen is a good thing”? I’ll have to disagree there, I tried it more than once and it’s not pleasant for me… )

3. It’s slippery

“We might ignore the awkward size and weight, but the iPad is also slippery, and its aluminum back is ever-so-slightly slightly concave. You feel as though it’d slip right out if you try to hold it under your arm. And on the kitchen counter, it slides and twirls as you try to type or swipe the screen (required for navigating). It needs rubber feet, but of course then it won’t be near as cool. ”

(Slippery? Remind me not to shake hands with Mr Sweaty Palms…JK.  Who carries a phone or  laptop under their arm like $2 newspaper or anything that cost over $400 for that matter not me, but in a case it shouldn’t slide.. It doesn’t slide on my kitchen counter, I tested it.. I haven’t dropped it so far..)

4. The screen has too much glare & reading in the sun
“The iPad has the same glossy screen as Apple’s Macbook Pro laptops and iMac desktops. Unless you’re reading in a very dim room, the glare will be noticeable and can be distracting. Outdoors, even in the shade, the glare is really annoying.”

( The bright screen is beautiful but someone will make a matte anti-glare thingy… I wouldn’t worry)

5. Limited browser — iPad can’t be used to create Google Documents,
(No problem for me, I don’t use them and from what I’ve seen Apple’s Pages does a nice job, I’m sure Google will soon fix that for us in the near future.. Aside from not doing flash, the browser works very well for me..)

6. “With a smartphone, you can wipe the screen on your shirt or pants.”
( Really on your pants? You can wipe the ipad on your shirt or side, I tested this.. Sorry wiping it on my backside is in the too weird zone for me)

7. “It does not multitask,  There’s no USB port, iPhone-only apps look horrible, The price is just too high, It doesn’t replace anything…”
(Hey, I pretty much agree.. iphones apps aren’t beautiful but most I’ve seen aren’t horrible, all were usable..The USB port is available on the $29 dock device… New devices don’t always replace things but for some this may replace their netbook.. I’ll add 2 issues he missed.. No SD card slot and yes no built-in camera…)

All things considered I really enjoy My iPad and if you’re thinking about one check it out or check back here for more reviews to come…

Getting a Website

In order to make money and become successful in Internet business, the first thing that you will absolutely need – after the obvious computer – is a decent website. It is easy to recognize the companies who are not on the ball with internet business, because their websites look unprofessional and old. When the internet revolution started all those years ago, web pages were simple text on a screen, with possibly a little bit of color and graphics if the webmaster was experienced. Now, with technology improving by the day, a basic website is not generally acceptable in business.

Information Technology classes in schools now cover Internet resources quite thoroughly, as the use of computers has been revolutionized by the Internet. The major reason that people now use their computers is to go online for one reason or another. Many people, particularly younger people, have some knowledge of HTML, and in many cases can put together web pages that would have made the original experts blush. It is likely, then, that you know someone with this skill – and for a good rate, they will create a website for you that will bring in plenty of customers.

If you do not have a friend or family member who can put together a good website, then you may need to outsource the work to a professional. The prices can vary depending on what you want, so as a holdover it is worth setting up a blog. These can be customized to look like any other website, and will aid you in making enough money to pay for a professional to design your site.

Putting a site owner line, in the signature on your e-mail and on forums, as well as other innovative ways of spreading it – is all-important for you to bring in visitors and business.

Setting all this up can be complicated, KDWebServices offers many ways to help.