A Sign by the Side of the Road

In 1925 Allan Odell convinced his father Clinton Odell that by using small signs along the roadways of America they could promote their shaving cream company, Burma-Shave.

Thus from that simple beginning was born, what could conceivably be called, the first social media advertising campaign. And while there was no internet, no TV, nor even cell phones used to promote this campaign it will forever be remembered as one of the most unique, original, advertising campaigns ever seen.

For amazingly as the world watched this simple idea, started for $200 dollars, turned Burma-Shave into one of the largest shaving cream companies in the United States at that time.

And with over 7,000 Burma-Shave signs at its height no American could travel for any distance without seeing the fruits of Allan and his brother Leonard’s work. Thus throughout the depression and into the early 1960’s Burma-Shave continued to bring joy and anticipation to a whole generation of travelers on the byways and highway of this country. And, of course, along the way they made Burma-Shave a house hold word.

What does this teach us today about advertising? Are there lessons can we gather from this simple yet powerful idea that still apply?

I think so!

The first of which is that advertising is at its best when it’s simple. For just as Burma-Shave could with 5 little signs (containing nowhere near twitters 140 character limit) catch the imagination and attention of Americas traveling public we can do the same today.

And second, an advertising campaign to grow and achieve success, must bring some measure of worth to those involved. It can be anything from the simple entertainment of a Burma-Shave sign to the joy we experienced with the old Kodak picture ads. But somehow it must touch the people watching in a way that moves them and holds their attention long enough to deliver its message.

We just have to choose our words wisely, keep our message simple, and bring value to the people who we present our message too. If we remember to do that the wonder of the Burma-Shave signs, and what they taught us, will live on.

You can see many of the old Burma-Shave sign ads here at: Burma-Shave Slogans

Dear IRS

I received this letter and just had to share it with you all. I'm not sure but I may have a few of these things laying around lose to use to pay my taxes.

Frank

Dear IRS,
Enclosed is my 2009 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes.Please note the attached article from USA Today, wherein you will see that the Pentagon is paying $171.50 for hammers and NASA has paid $600.00 for a toilet seat.

I am enclosing four toilet seats (value $2400) and six hammers (value $1029),bringing my total remitted to $3429.00. Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the "Presidential Election Fund," as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one 1.5" Phillips Head screw (article from USA Today detailing how HUD pays $22.00 each for 1.5" Phillips Head Screws is enclosed for your convenience.)

It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.

Sincerely,
A Satisfied Taxpayer

A Little Humor for the Day

Humor always makes the day seem to go a little better and a laugh will bring sunshine to an other wise dreary day. So enjoy!

During a recent visit to my doctor, I asked him, "How do you determine whether or not an older person should be put in an old age home?"

"Well," he said, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the person and ask them to empty the bathtub."

"Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it is bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No" he said. "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"

SO DO YOU WANT THE BED NEXT TO MINE OR THE ONE DOWN THE HALL BY THE WINDOW?

My Thoughts on America Today

At a time when we face so many decisive issues in this country I feel I must say that I think it's time for those of us traditional, patriotic, God fearing Christians to step forward and take a stand.

For soon it seems we Christian patriots will be in short supply if some have their way. As we now live in a time when the president doesn't solute or ware the flag. A time when we are asked to cease our prayers to the God of our forefathers. And we are being told we should apologize for who we are and what we've done.

Well I as a Christian and a patriot feel I must step forward and say, "Enough!".

I love my country, respect it's flag, pray to a Christian God, and make no apologies for it. To those who respect my right to do so I respect them and I'm willing to be tolerant of their beliefs.

However to those who don't, stand aside, as I do not intend to be anything but a patriotic Christian American. And when your beliefs, thoughts, and actions attempt to prevent me from this freedom of expression that is my right as an American you will find that I will fight you for that right with all the might my God will grant me.

So for those of you who understand please join me,

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. (I grew up saying this every morning in school - it's a shame we no longer do that for fear of offending someone).

So God bless us all as we need his strength and understanding to make America once again a country that honers it's Christian heritage and practices the patriotism that built America.

And take a moment to listen to these classic Americans tell you why they love America and what it means to them and let their words bring a tear to your eyes and a longing in your heart for the Christian America so many fought and died to provide us.

Red Skelton's The Pledge of Allegiance

John Wayne The Pledge of Allegiance

John Wayne America Why I Love Her

Johnny Cash Ragged Old Flag

Bankrate.com A Great Online Resource

One of the handiest sites on the web is found here at Bankrate.com.

This site provides a world of consumer information as well as allowing you to search for bank, mortgage, loan, & investment products and services.

What rate is highest on money markets?
Who offers the best mortgage rate?
Where can I get the best auto loan?

All of this and more can be researched and found right at your finger tips in only minutes not hours or days. So if you’ve never checked out this site you really should as it can make a huge difference in your financial future to be fully informed before making any important financial decisions.

A great place to start is here http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/checking-account/ where you can do a search for information on what bank offers the best checking or savings account in your area based on several criteria. You might be surprised at what other banks are offering. And while changing banks is a major decision knowing just what choices you have might just make it worthwhile.

It is just such information that can make your important financial decisions both easier and better.

So check out Bankrate.com and you’ll be surprised by what you can find in the way of good free financial information. And as always treat this information as a part of what you need to base your decisions on but never rely on only one site or source for financial information.

As a point of information I have neither an interest in nor do I receive any commissions, fees, or other remuneration from Bankrate.com. And as always this information is offered only as advice in general and not as an endorsement of Bankrate.com, it’s information as provided, nor the advisability of making any major financial decision without the proper guidance of a professional adviser knowledgeable in your particular needs and situation.

Saving On Air Conditioning During this Heat Wave

With the record heat covering the country right now it's important for people to think about how to efficiently and effectively use their air conditioning. By simply using your air conditioning properly you reduce what is, for many of us, one of our largest house hold summer expenses.

Even better is that it's good for the environment and it takes some of the burden off of our overloaded electrical grid. For it is these peak times of electrical usage in the summer, as we all seek some relief from the sweltering heat, that the electric companies and their aging power grids face a crisis in delivery. This it no better shown than in the many areas that have constant black out or brown out problems during these seasonal heat waves every year.

So keeping that in mind I ask you all to do two things.

First check with your electric provider and see if they have any programs such as we have here in Kansas to help. In Wichita and many other parts of the state serviced by Westar Energy they will come in and install FREE electronic thermostats that greatly reduce cost since these state of the art units allow them to control the cycling of a home owners unit. Just being able to not have every unit in an area come on at the same time prevents spikes in electrical usage that benefit us all.

Better still they will promise to reduce your electric bills by 20%. Which from my own personal experience has happened. That's a win-win situation if there ever was one. (Kansas residents you can read about the WattSaver program here on Westar's website.)

And Second take some time to really study up on just what are good air conditioning practices. So may false ideas and misconceptions are out there that no one article can address them all. But by simply doing some on line research you can find lots of information that will help you to be a better more aware electrical consumer and stay cool in the process.

A good article to start with is one that is on Yahoo right now about air conditioning myths. You might be surprised at some of the things you believe that simply aren't true.

So start with this article Five air-conditioning Myths.

And PLEASE remember to be careful in this heat and be sure to check up on those neighbors, family, and friends you know that might be at risk due to age, health, or economic hardship. No one should die from the summer heat but every year many do.

In fact this article came about after I learned of a friend who just this last Thursday lost their mother due to the heat. She had apparently been trying to save money and not running her air conditioning during the day. That mistake cost her life. And it will forever haunt her children who by not checking on her feel they allowed it to happen. Go with Gods' grace Edna Brown you will be missed by many!

What Plastic Bottles are Safe from Leaching Chemicals

With all the rumors and confusing information you hear about plastic bottles today (especially plastic water bottles) what are the facts and are any of them safe.

Well fortunately a great article on the subject can be found at Trusted MD a site that is respected and contains information that is known to be from reliable sources.

And while I think you should really read the whole article the basics of what was conveyed were as follows;

....Excerpt....

To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.

........

It then goes on to discusses those bright Lexan plastic water bottles with the following information and warnings;

....Excerpt....

Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it disturbs the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Synthetic xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children.

........

And then discusses plastic baby bottles with the following information and warnings;

....Excerpt....

Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups are made with plastics containing Bisphenol A. In 2006 Europe banned all products made for children under age 3 containing BPA, and as of Dec. 2006 the city of San Franscisco followed suit. In March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was commenced against Gerber, Playtex, Evenflo, Avent, and Dr. Brown's in Los Angeles superior court for harm done to babies caused by drinking out of baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA. So, to be certain that your baby is not exposed, use glass bottles.

........

So there you have it on this whole plastic bottle issue. I do think that it's terribly wrong that this danger isn't being resolved nor addressed by our Food and Drug Administration. We should be protected from such plastics and they should not be allowed to be used in food containers nor be allowed to come into contact with foods.

But the current FDA is more interested in allowing the plastics industries to continue unabated while Europe has taken strong measures outlawing all of the plastics in question.

The full article can be found here: Which plastic water bottles don't leach chemicals? | Trusted.MD Network

To Those Living and Suffering On the Gulf Coast

To those who are now going through the horror of the Oil in the Gulf and all it means to a way of life that may be lost forever I would like to reprint a poem I wrote after Hurricane Katrina as it also applies to the suffering and pain being experienced again in the Gulf.

So while no words can take away your pain or bring back either your your property or your way of life may God help you to continue to rebuild both.

One Man's Prayers and Tears

If one man's prayers could heal your lives,
You would be healed. As I pray for you now.

If one man's tears could wash away your pain,
Your pain would be gone. As I cry for you now.

If one man's hope could lift you up.
You would be lifted above the devastation. As I hope for you now.

But only God and faith can see you through this time of trouble.
He is with you now through all our prayer and He will heal you.

His tears he sheds for you will wash away your pain.

He will lift you up and carry you and all will be made whole again.

Dedicated originally to victims of Katrina (and now to victims of the Gulf Oil crises)
By Frank Woodman Jr (9/2/2005)

941 Pitfalls Await Employers This Year

Well here it is again time for the 2nd quarter 941 to be completed and filed for 2010. And while 941’s are notorious for being hard to file even for those who have filed them in the past this year’s 941’s are especially tricky.

This is due to the added new problems and possible errors created by the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE) passed as part of the stimulus package earlier this year.

Under the provisions contained in HIRE employers hiring new employees after February 3rd of this year no longer have to pay the employers portion of Social Security due on the wages of these new employees.

Employers figure the total Social Security and Medicare due on all employees’ wages and then claim “forgiveness” for their portion of the Social Security due on new employees qualifying under HIRE. And while that sounds simple enough the IRS reports that they are seeing a large increase in the number of mistakes being made. These mistakes range from putting the forgiveness amount on the wrong line to claiming the credit for non qualified employees.

Due to these problems the IRS is increasing audits of 941’s and more closely examining all 941’s received. They will also be doing compliance audits to insure that employers haven’t fired employees just to replace them with new workers to claim the HIRE credit.

So a word to the wise take great care with your 941’s this year and expect possible fees or fines for mistakes that would have been waived in the past to be enforced.

Also be very sure that you claim only one credit for each new hire. Often the IRS is finding that employers are also claiming the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) as well as the HIRE credit on the same employees. You can only claim one or the other not both.

Usually the HIRE credit will be the one to take since it has simpler qualifying rules, is much easier to figure, and usually results in the largest credit. But in some cases the WOTC will result in a larger credit and will therefore be the one to use.

Just be sure you understand the qualifications for the WOTC credit are more restrictive than for the HIRE payroll forgiveness credit. The WOTC rewards keeping a qualified new hire employed for 52 weeks. The max credit is the lesser of $1000 per employee or 6.2% of the wages they earned during those 52 weeks. You can take the HIRE payroll forgiveness or the WOTC but not both for the same employee.

If you have taken the HIRE payroll forgiveness and then realize that the WOTC would have been a better credit for any employee, you can amend your 941’s with the new 941X to make the adjustment.

You can get more information and details about these credits and the qualifying rules here on the IRS web sites HIRE information page.

Todays Food for Thought

"Evangelism is selling a dream." - Guy Kawasaki

"No wild enthusiast could rest, till half the world like him was possessed." - William Cowper

"Opposition always inflames the enthusiast, never converts him." - Friedrich Schiller

Microsoft Offers BizSpark Program for Start-Ups

Have a new business and need software development tools. Well consider taking advantage of Microsoft’s BizSpark program for new start-up companies. They will give you full featured Microsoft development tools, licenses for server products, and other useful tools and software to use for three years at no cost. Yes free! All you need is to have is a new and innovative business idea you are bring to market.

Microsoft describes the qualifications as follows:

"Most privately held software development start-ups in business for less than three years who generate annual revenue under USD $1 million can join. Enrollment carries no up-front costs. Just pay a USD $100 fee at program exit."

You can find out the full details and what you need to do to sign up for BizSpark here: BizSpark

So check it out you don’t have anything to lose and it may be your ticket to making that dream come true.

Wi-Fi Hot Spots and Security Risks Go Hand in Hand

Recently I had a client contact me wanting my help in resolving some identity theft problems and the resulting losses his business had incurred. It seems that two of his bank accounts had been accessed and over $30,000 was taken through fraudulent transfers.

Of course he was surprised when he contacted his bank and found that the bank would make good on none of the losses. It seemed that my constant reminding him that commercial accounts don't receive the same protection that private accounts do had fallen on deaf ears. (That will be the topic of another article.)

But as expected he was really mad and was just certain that he knew the person responsible for the theft and wanted me to help him prove it.

It seems that he had recently fired a young man that had been with his company for about two years and this young man had be involved in both handling tech and maintenance on his computers. So this young man would have had the knowledge and the ability to access the bank accounts in question and he felt he must be the one who had done the crime.

As in most cases of forensic accounting and security investigation a good rule is to never jump to conclusions. Far to often it's not the one we suspect that is the guilty party.

So the first thing that I did was to look at the records and then begin to study the security and protection in place for the companies computers. Of course what I found was both a surprise and an embarrassment to my client.

For the truth of the matter was that in the end I discovered that both he and his office manager often met at a local club for breakfast and to go over issues that they wished to discuss out side of the office. They just loved this place because, you guessed it, they had Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi at that.

Well after some careful investigation it seems that one of the young people that worked at the restaurant in question had left his job. He had left to go back to college in another state. The police are still investigating but it seems almost certain that this young man was the thief. I'm not certain that he will ever be charged (Computer crimes are very often never solved or if solved no one is charged due to their complex nature.) but with everything we know he's the guilty party.

So what's to be learned from this?

1. Wi-Fi isn't secure. Everything that you do, send, or have on your computer is at risk while you are on a Wi-Fi network. And that risk extends to paid Wi-Fi as well. The only part of paid Wi-Fi that is encrypted all the way to the ISP is the sign on screen. So while paid Wi-Fi is more available it's not safer. There are a couple of easy answers to this problem. First is to use a VPN secured gateway to access a Wi-Fi network any time you use one. And Second is to go with a wireless ISP, which is much different, over using Wi-Fi. Providers like AT&T, Version, Sprint, T-Mobil, and the other big wireless providers protect your connection and make sure it's private from your computer to their computer.

2. That not having important data encrypted on your computer means that this data can be accessed by others even when you aren't using it. It seems that up on checking credit cards and other company assets were compromised as well and all were items of information contained on the owners laptop in clearly visible files. So the owners computer had been accessed not just the data that was transmitted over the Wi-Fi network.

3. That everyone in a company needs to be aware and trained in security issues. Bosses and others at the top are often the worst offenders since they don't usually answer to anyone. That's part of the $30,000 lesson my client learned in this case. He can be a security risk just like everyone else.

4. That not paying for and implementing security and the proper training of your personal may well be much more expensive in the end. Security is a constantly changing and increasingly important part of your companies operations. It's not something to be left to chance or circumstance.

So a word to the wise DON'T USE PUBLIC WI-FI WITHOUT VPN PROTECTION and use encryption on files that contain important data or risk losing that data.

As a point of information the client involved in this issue knows of this article and approved it's content. He allowed it's publication with the hope that it could prevent others from leaning these lessons the hard way as he did.

The 10 Commandents and The Work Place

After careful though I've come to the conclusion that the real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a government building is this --you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of politicians .... it creates a hostile work environment.

Mad Cow's and Illegial Aliens

Think about this:

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington?

And, they tracked her calves to their stalls and were able to follow them and their offspring.

But this same government claims they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country.

Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

AMAZING SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

THESE REALLY WORK!!


1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS.( REMEMBER IT RECOMMENCED TO USE A TIMER.)

4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE, WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT EITHER A PLUMBING OR AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

Hope you all enjoy these "tips" and had a laugh or two.

Facebook Malware Attack on Line and Active

A Facebook malware attack is on the loose this weekend, enticing users to click a “Distracting Beach Babes” video on their Facebook Walls. The Wall message reads:

“this is hilarious! lol :-) :-) Distracting Beach Babes [HQ] Length: 5:32″.

If you see this video on Facebook today, do not click the link: Doing so, and downloading a linked file, will result in malware being installed on your computer.

If you see the video on your wall, remove it. If you’ve clicked the video, meanwhile, run a virus and adware scan on your computer. And of course, be more careful about clicking suspicious-looking links in future.

Remember it's such social engineering efforts that are the most common way security is breached. No software or preventative action can possibly work if you don't resist falling for such simple rouges.

So How can You Tell if Your Facebook Profile is Safe?

Well with all the talk and all the discussion about Facebook in the end it comes down to one thing. Are your profile security settings really providing a safe and secure Facebook listing or not. As you've already realized that's not something that is easy to figure out.

With all the complexity and various levels of junk you must go through just to try to set everything it's almost impossible for most people to do. And when your done have your really dotted all of your i's and crossed all of your t's.

Luckily someone has come to your rescue and set up a site just to help you get it right.

Now all you have to do is go to Profile Watch and in about three steps and in only a few minutes you can have your profile rated. I'm not sure who is behind profile watch but they have done both a great job and a great service by making it easy to truly know what your security settings leave open to the public.

Even nicer is that they have several article links there to help you fix what you find wrong.

So check it out and lean the facts and stay safe.

Need a Usage Disclaimer or Privacy Statement for Your Site or Blog?

As you all know having a web site or blog leaves us open to legal questions and sadly requires that we consider having both a site usage disclaimer and a site privacy statement.

Well if you have only a simple or basic site and need a privacy statement or a usage disclaimer checkout these sites and see if they won't meet your needs and do it for free.

For a free privacy statement Privacy Policy Generator

For a free site usage disclaimer Site Usage Disclaimer

Just remember that as in all cases when you attempt to do your own legal work you take some risks and I can can of course in no way know if these sites will provide documents that meet your needs so you do use these sites at your own risk.

Also let me know if you are aware of other sites that provide such services and what you think of these sites.

American Academy of Pediatrics Advocating FGM

Mark down the date April 26, 2010 on your calendar as it’s a date that should be remembered. For sadly it marks the day that American medicine took a giant step back into the dark ages. A day when we saw our medical establishment make a statement you would never expect from any reasonable person much less a medical academy.

For amazingly on that otherwise uneventful day in April of this year came a shocking change in the AAP’s stand on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This isn’t a term that we hear or talk about much in America. But beyond the shadows of what is, in this country, a seldom practiced form of ritualistic discrimination lies the sad and disturbing practice of FGM. It’s all too common an occurrence in many third world countries where every year girls, often no more than babies, are victims of this barbaric custom. And they quietly and secretly carry the physical and mental scars of this abuse for a life time. They live never being able to face their attacker but carrying in their heart the shame, humiliation, and pain caused by this treacherous act as a constant reminder of their second class citizenship as women.

But while worldwide and estimated 120 million women undergo this practice involving the partial or total removal of the female genitalia it seldom occurs here and currently is illegal. In 1998 AAP stated in their policy review and stand on the issue that it saw the practice as medically unnecessary, a human rights violation, and it opposed all forms of FGM, and cautioned pediatricians about their role in "perpetuating a social practice with cultural implications for the status of women."

However it now seems that the AAP is taking the side of allowing pediatricians to lawfully engage in this barbaric ritual practice here in America. In their April 26th statement they refer to the practice as "female genital cutting (FGC) or ritual genital cutting,” dropping the term "female genital mutilation" and they make no reference to the discriminatory aspect of FGM, and further state they selectively oppose only those forms of FGM that in their view "pose the risk of physical or psychological harm." (As if any form of genital mutilation could be said to cause neither physical nor psychological harm.)

So at a time when the rest of the world and its medical establishment has turned the corner and taken a stand against FGM we in America could see our laws and medical practices changed to allow physicians to lawfully perform such horrible acts on young women. And this comes at the same time that Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) announced the introduction of new bipartisan legislation, The Girls Protection Act (H.R. 5137), to close the loophole in the federal law prohibiting FGM by making it illegal to transport a minor girl living in the U.S. out of the country for the purpose of FGM. That bill if signed into law could protect 1,000’s of girls annually.

But if the laws and medical standards are changed to reflect AAP’s new policy all of this will be meaningless as FGM could be legally practiced here and there would be no need to send young women out of the country to have this done.

This is something that is simply unacceptable and must be stopped. Currently the fight against this new view of FGM by the AAP is being lead by Equality Now . We simply must not let our young women, or young women anywhere for that matter, be mutilated out of some antiquated standard that has no purpose but to degrade and subjugate women as chattel.

Equity Now home page
PRNewswire press release by Equity Now
HOW TO CONTACT THE AAP

Emerson Quotes to Ponder

Some great thoughts by a man who deserves a little credit for seeing much of what was both right and wrong with the world. If you've never really taken the time to read a little Emerson you should do so.


Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us. Ralph Waldo Emerson

A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles. Ralph Waldo Emerson

You can read many of his greatest quotes here Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

Assisted Living

A community of elders is a gift from above,
So full of life, knowledge, enlightenment, and love.
Stored away memories and dreams to come true,
It's more than a blessing to share them with you.
Surprising it's not, when you live like you do,
That so many are eager to spend time with you.
Every life that you touch because of how special you are,
Definitely explains how we have made it this far.
Loved ones are proud that you live on your own,
It's a comfort to them that you are never alone.
Very grateful we are for the opportunity you give,
Inspired by example from the life that you live.
No wonder that we love you as much as we do,
God answered our prayers when he blessed us with you!

Written September 1st 2005 by Nicole Packard to celebrate assisted living week and dedicated to Lawrence Hull.

It's Time that Facebook Answer to Security Concerns!

For a long time now I've had a Facebook page and even engaged in some of those silly games they have that we all have came to love. I've found it an easy and enjoyable way to check on friends and family. Pictures of the kids, what's happening at work, who bought that new car or motorcycle, and yes even who's died or getting a divorce are all there and easy to find. No need to check many places or expect everyone to remember to email me everything going on as they can just post it once and it's taken care.

But as time has passed and I've came to understand how Facebook functions and how they treat my personal information I've dropped the games and made every attempt to better restrict the information that's shared. Currently I've got everything that can be restricted to just friends and I've quite mob wars and farmland as well as all the other apps and services they make available.

Some of my friends have called me crazy or paranoid to take these actions. It seems that many on Facebook fail to understand nor do they seem to care about the risks to their privacy. And until the recent expansion of Facebook into a common portal that will be everywhere I didn't really concern myself with trying to discuss this subject. It has always resulted in glassy looks and statements of "why is that a problem" from far to many any time I brought it up so I've just changed my security settings, bit my tong, and kept quiet.

But now that Facebook has decided to turn itself in to something closer to a portal than a true social network site it's time to step forward with my concerns. As Facebook is spread far and wide (Yahoo has already offered to add my Facebook connections to Yahoo mail so I can see my Facebook messages right in Yahoo mail or chat directly with anyone on Facebook through Yahoo chat.) it's going to make available far to much information to anyone who wants it. Both snoops prying and businesses wanting to turn our likes, dislikes, and interests into sales through targeted marketing will have an almost unlimited ability to access everything from our birthday and address, to our phone number and email address. Who's to say what that information is used for.

And while that' a constant problem on the web that's only a small part of what concerns me. For Facebook is by far the scariest and most secretive site that we turn our info over too. And while Google, Microsoft, and other large sites have been held somewhat accountable Facebook has somehow escaped from any real control or censure for what is outright the worst record on security of any major site.

So lets look at what scares me most and what I feel are the worst issues to be worried about:

1. Facebook has no requirement that any of these companies or individual providing apps, games, or services through Facebook give them any information as to who has access to that information, where it's stored, or even where they are located. For example the popular game Farmland is provided by a company that hasn't even given Facebook the address where they are located nor just who is behind the company. That to me is pretty scary and not acceptable. I don't care to share my data with shadow companies or people who won't come out into the light of day.

2. Facebook (like some other sites) doesn't apparently ever really remove your data or pictures from Facebook. They just make it appear to be deleted when you chose to remove it. There is an interesting article on Zidnet that discusses this issue in depth and provides proof. You can read it here (Facebook doesn't erase user data.) and see for yourself just how out of control data storage is on Facebook.

3. Facebook and it's owner seem bent on spreading far outside of a controlled network. This recent movement to allow any site, blog, service, or page on the internet to simply download a little code and insert it into their site to connect to Facebooks network is just too easy. Even worse Facebook hasn't made it clear just what controls, if any, they require of anyone using this service. With their poor record for the services, apps, and games they have now it would seem they aren't going to do better with this looser structure and open network business model.

So a word to the wise. Change your settings to be as restrictive as you can on Facebook and think long and hard just how much you will use Facebook as your portal for sharing information outside of Facebooks network. I sure won't be trusting Facebook to be a proper manager of my information.

Mark Twain on patriotism.

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. Mark Twain

In that one quote Mark Twain shows his real understanding of the very complex issue of patriotism. For while we should always support our government our government should always deserve our support. Far to often today our government deserves only our forgiveness.

Just pray that soon a patriot can again support our government without regret and as Americans we that once again we can hold our head high.

Will Rogers a Man for all Seasons.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
Will Rogers

Don't gamble; take all your savings and buy some good stock and hold it till it goes up, then sell it. If it don't go up, don't buy it.
Will Rogers

I bet after seeing us, George Washington would sue us for calling him "father."
Will Rogers

Summer Jobs Mean Hidden Opportunities!!!

Well its summer time and your high school (or college) aged kids are getting jobs to earn a little spending money or help with college expenses. It probably doesn’t seem that long ago that the most important thing in their lives was getting their drivers license and that all important first date.

These are events that they (and you) will always remember (Fondly I hope.) as defining the beginning of their change from a child to an adult. These and other such events foreshadow the things to come in their life. College, marriage, that first good job, and of course kids are right around the corner most likely and it’s a busy and hopefully thoughtful time in a young person’s life.

What both you and that new worker are probably missing however is just how big an event that first job and the earned income it provides are to the total picture of your child’s future.

With that job comes a unique opportunity!!!

Silently, quietly, and never to come again has arrived the most opportune time in their life to start saving and planning for their future. It may have more potential for financial security later in life than a college degree or climbing the corporate ladder to a high paying job or profession.

What is this magic moment?

What has changed in their life that you and they may be missing?

What opportunity has occurred that will never happen again?

Well it’s the chance to start a ROTH IRA while they are young.

PLEASE, PLEASE….. DON’T LET THEM MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Get them to set up a Roth IRA as soon as possible.

It’s never too early to start saving and starting a Roth IRA at young age is a guaranteed winner if it’s left alone to grow. Start a Roth by 20 and it has a chance to grow for 40 to 45 years tax free rather than the current average of 25 or 30 years that most retirement plans do.

Time not investing savvy or how much you save is the greatest asset that any investor has in their arsenal. It is the one asset that can’t be made up for as compounding interest requires TIME to work it’s miracle of tremendous growth. While bad returns on investments can be over come and savings amounts can be increased when opportunity allows only time allows compound interest to work it miracle and grow our savings to astronomical levels.

Believe me this is the stuff that investing dreams are made of. The difference those extra 10 to 15 years of growth makes is impossible to realize unless you play with the numbers. But it’s safe to say that on average it will probably DOUBLE and maybe TRIPLE the amount they have at retirement if allowed too.

Remember no less than Albert Einstein when referring to compound interest is quoted as saying:

"It is the greatest mathematical discovery of all time"

If Albert Einstein felt that compound interest was a greater discovery than his other findings like E=MC2 it shows just how powerful it can be for your child’s future financial security. Just think Einstein was saying that compound interest was more powerful than atomic energy and I can’t argue with him when you’re talking about investments.

This article is a reprint from 6/27/2005 but it's still as true today as then. And with all of the economic uncertainty and questions about what the future holds for America and it's citizens regarding our financial future now is the time to teach our youth about the value of saving and the need to provide for their future. It is a give that will serve them well.

First comes Antivirus and Malware Protection.

Recently I've had several people ask me what products I use and recommend they run on their Windows based PC computers for security, protection, and to optimize performance. And while that sounds like a simple and direct question it isn't. That is because the amount of protection and what it takes to make your system perform well while providing adequate security depends on many factors.

So to answer that question I've came up with what I believe is the only good way to provide that information and that is to offer different recommendations of software to run based on the users experience level and the level of protection needed. A novice user, the average user, and a more experienced user all obviously have much different requirements and abilities when it comes to security so no one answer is going to fit all of their demands.

Also I know that you can find hundreds of programs out there and get many different recommendations from lots of sources as regards security software. With that in mind remember that I offer this advice only as my personal choices based upon my own use and observation and make no other claims or arguments as to the suitability of any of this advice. So please keep comments limited to any other software you may use without arguing that my choices are somehow inferior or risk having them removed. I don't intend to turn this series of articles into an endless argument just my recommendations, suggestions and thoughts on this matter.

So let’s first take a look at Anti-virus, malware, ad-ware, and general protection software that is available as standalone programs with later articles to discuss other aspects of security ending with a rap up that discusses security suites. I take that approach since I feel that the best overall security solution often comes from picking and choosing the best of the programs in individual areas and combining them to produce good, solid protection without expecting any one “suite” to be best in all areas.

This approach also allows for users to find that combination of programs that they best understand and can use to their full potential. No program, no matter how good it is in theory, is a good program for someone to use if they just don’t understand it.

With all of that in mind for a Novice user the Anti-virus threat protection program I recommend is;

Microsoft Security Essentials (It's free to all users and does an adequate job without being too complicated and while it's a Microsoft product it's gotten good ratings and seems to perform adequately.)

Its available for download here: Security Essentials


And for malware and other threats I recommend to the Novice user:

Microsoft Security Essentials. (Yes this program is also my choice to provide this protection too as it's a complete security program for providing basic protection from ad-ware, Trojans, viruses, and most other threats. That makes it nice for the Novice to use as you only have one program to keep updated and working. It comes set to auto update and has live time monitoring to help prevent most dangerous downloads from installing. All that and it’s in a simple to use package that seldom confuses or causes problems. )

As for the general and advanced user I recommend for Anti-Virus, Trojan, root kit, and other such protection:

Avast Anti-Virus (It seems the best overall answer as it's free for general use and is cost effective for business use with an excellent rating and record. It has automatic updating even in the free version and is easy to setup and use.)

It's available for download here: Avast Anti-Virus

As for ad-ware, malware, and other such treats I recommended Ad-Aware. (It's free for general use and cost effective for business use. And with an excellent record and rating it comes with live time monitoring in both the free venison and paid versions. Be aware however that it only offers automatic updating in the paid version so you need to remember to be sure it's kept updated especially BEFORE scanning when you're using the free version.)

It's available for download here : Ad-Aware

So there you have it for anti-virus, malware, ad-ware, Trojans and such threats. My next article will deal with firewall software so watch for it about Wednesday or Thursday.

What does McAfee's Failure Show Us!

As most of you know and many of you may have experienced McAfee made a major mistake a few days ago. Somehow they managed to release an updated virus file that identified a major systems file in XP as a virus and then removed or quarantined it. That resulted in a computer that constantly rebooted itself endlessly without success.

So what are we to learn from this experience. Just the simple fact that most companies today only give lip service to quality control. There just isn't any other way to describe this error but as unforgivable. When one of the biggest "Security" companies fails to check out an update on what is the largest user based OS in America it's not something that can be overlooked. To think that a company that's specialty is security could be responsible for causing more trouble than any virus, malware, or Trojan has caused so far this year just defies belief.

But the real story goes beyond McAfee and strikes at the hart of a much bigger problem. Currently we have far to many companies both big and small in every sector of our economy that are constantly failing to provide or produce products that are anything but junk. It's a sad statement on our pride, competence, and workmanship that so may of our products fail and do so at such an alarming rate.

We see this trend every day in everything from our cars and our baby furniture to our medical equipment. This trend needs to stop and the only way it can happen is for everyone to take a stand and refuse to allow those who fail to produce quality products to get away with it.

So I've taken a new hard stand against such sorry performance. I return products and write the companies involved when I get something substandard. That includes dropping McAfee as one of the companies I deal with. And I won't be using their products again until they can convince me that I'll not be spending the better part of a day trying to resolve computer problems caused by their incompetence. I have no idea how much it cost me in time and trouble to clean up the mess they made of several of my clients computer systems but it was substantial. Systems that they needed to perform their businesses and provide the services and merchandise their customers require were reduced to uselessness. And of course like all software companies McAfee gets off scott free of liability due to their software licensing agreement.

But if we all take them to task and drop their software from our systems we can still see that they get the message. A message that hopefully will tell companies that "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore."

So join me in striking out against poor products and substandard workmanship. Drop McAfee and replace their "Security" suite and products with others that can do the job.

To help you do just this I will be doing a series of articles starting tomorrow that will discuss some of the security products that are available (many free for personal use) that have show that they can perform and perform correctly. Remember we can succeed if we stick together or hang separately if we don't.

Facebook and it's New "Open" Interface.

With Facebook's open interface we all should now have even more privacy concerns than in the past. For while it sounds great to just click a button and list all our favorite sites and share that information with everyone on Facebook it's important to remember that without care we share that information with everyone one on the web.
Facebook is becoming the dominate player in what is now a movement to make everything "social" on the web. The problem with that is that by doing so we may soon be unable to protect our privacy and on line identity from leaking out to everyone.
I'm sure that many people have sites and places that they visit that they don't want made public. Those kinds of sites include those dealing with religious, political, and personal areas of our life that we prefer to keep to ourselves. But with the way Facebook is opening up their currently private network to any site that want's to join in that privacy is in jeopardy.
So a word to the wise. Check out your privacy settings on Facebook and consider doing just what I've done and block all of this information being used or made available.
For a great article that deals with this issue and gives some real in depth advice check out;
How to Restore Your Privacy On Facebook - http://ow.ly/1Cm2O
It will help you to know just what settings and changes you may want to make to allow for these new Facebook changes.

Is Your Computer Leaving Finger Prints for All to See?

The one constant in security is that we find the bad guys keep creating ever new ways to get at our computers and the data they contain while tracking our every move on line.

For example in my last post I pointed out how LSO's have replaced the standard cookie as the new threat to tracking our activities. And while they are certainly a major new threat they are hardly the worst new tactic to come from the minds of those who seek to destroy our online safety and privacy.

For example, recent work confirms what was only hinted at some years ago in a paper by a Ph.D. student Tadayoshi Kohno. It was first discussed in an article by PC magazine back in 2005 shortly after his paper was published.

And what did he see coming and fear would be an almost perfect method of tracking our movements on the web? It's what could best be called "finger printing". It seems that just as Microsoft does when you install Windows on your computer it's possible to remotely develop a description of your computer that's almost impossible to hide or change.

And being based on all the hardware and software that is installed on your computer as well as it electronic signature it is such a combination of devices and software that it is for all purposes unique to one and only one computer, yours.

Put simply that means that all the software and hardware on your computer contains identifiers that are designed to be read by your system. With that information it's possible to create a profile without your knowledge or consent based on the way your computer is designed to work. For just as Plug and Play devices (basically all computer devices today) respond with their manufacturer, model number, serial number, and version numbers when polled so does your software report what it's called, when it was made, and even when it was copied to and installed on your computer. And with the right equipment it's even possible to detect those random electronic actions and minor skips or glitches in the electronic workings of the various sub systems within your computer.

As you can readily see that means that the basic design and content of your computer works against you and your privacy. Not much you can do about that. And even worse is that it may be possible to use this "finger print" to identify individual devices even when they connect over other access points or even hidden behind NAT firewall's.

If that's true it means that even when you connect your laptop or cell phone at a remote Wi-Fi spot you could be readily spotted and tracked. So now even when you're out of your office or home your entire web profile becomes one seamless whole.

And when will this threat be not just a threat but a fact. Sadly it appears that it's already started. By all accounts some sites and providers are even now using "finger printing". Just imagine how much better the FBI likes this idea over their much maligned project called Condor. No special equipment needed! No easy way to know you're being followed! And no place to hide or disguise who you are!

Now the question is can the security establishment find an answer to this new danger? Only time will tell but I for one will sure be looking over my shoulder and wondering just who is using this dangerous tool to watch us all as we access the web.

And until someone shows me a way to avoid this method I will consider that all I do and all I see is being tracked by someone somewhere.

Tracking PCs anywhere on the Net -PC Magazine 2005

Remote Physical device fingerprinting

Fingerprinting Computer Chips

Do You Know What an LSO is?

Well don't feel bad if you don't know what an LSO is or what it does. The long and short of it is that it's a special cookie that's stored in Flash not your browser. They've been around for a while now but they haven't gotten much attention from the press or even security companies. I find that interesting since they pose a far greater risk than regular cookies.

Worse still, not one of the browsers I'm aware of can be set to delete or block them. And to the best of my knowledge only one add-on for Firefox (BetterPrivacy found at http://ow.ly/1xbGn) exists to help control them.

Stranger yet is that not any of the security suites or programs out there makes any mention of them. Not Norton, not McAfee, not ZoneAlarm, not anybody in the security suit arena even so much as talks about them!!

Why is that such a big issue?

Well LSO's offer many, many, times the risk of regular cookies since they have several features that makes them special.

They can be up to 100Kbs in size for each site.
They aren't removed by your browser and have no expiration date.
They work and are stored even when a browser is in privacy mode (remember they work under Flash not your browser)
They're basically unknown by the public so sites feel free to use them as they choose and none mention them in their privacy statements.

So what we have is an open way for sites to track a person in great detail and without any control in place to stop it. Anytime we have something like LSO's it's an open invitation for abuse.

So what are your options?

First you could disable Flash but that would mean sites like YouTube wouldn't work. That's not an acceptable answer for most of us.

Second you can change Flash's settings to help control them. To do that you need to get under the hood in Flash but it's not really a hard thing to do. The complete instructions are located here on Adobe's site http://ow.ly/1xbZ3

And third you can use Firefox and the BetterPrivacy ad-on found here http://ow.ly/1xbGn

It is issues like LSO's that have made me a Firefox user. Not a single one of the other browsers has anywhere near the number or depth of add-ons that Firefox has.

So now the issue is will you allow sites to track you and monitor everything you do or will you take charge and get rid of the LSO's on your computer? Just remember big brother is watching, listening, and tracking everything you do on line as long as these LSO's remain in place.

For additional information Adobe's complete definition of what a Locally Shared Object (LSO) is can be found here http://ow.ly/1xccj

From a long time fan!

Sometime late in the summer of 1986 my life changed in a subtle but perceivable way. As on that long forgotten summer day I discovered the real meaning of Country Music. I didn't know it at the time but Country Music and my life had changed and would be forever enriched. For while I had always listened to and enjoyed Country Music I had never truly lived it and understood it through the heart and mind of a master.

But on that magical day I first heard Johnny Western on the radio.

Like most of life's changing moments it took a while to realize what it meant and how it would change me. And while I had always been a devoted KFDI fan and loved all of their on air personalities I soon knew that Johnny would be the one that meant the most.

It wasn't any one big thing but all the little things that made him so unique and special.

No one could tell the stories and relate the world of Country Music like Johnny. Partly because he had lived, breathed, and loved the profession long before he became a DJ. But mostly because he truly embodied what it is to be Country. Music was and is just his way of expressing it to the rest of us.

So for those many years of working away with the radio playing as Johnny and his music and stories filled my mind with what it is to be Country I want to thank him.

Johnny you've been special and may God forever hold you in the hollow of his hand.

A special tribute to Johnny Western on this the 10th day of April 2010 from a forever devoted fan Frank Woodman Jr.

A Last Gift of Love

Just recently I read an article in the Detroit Free Press written by one of their columnist Kristen Jordan Shamus ( http://ow.ly/1vRHy ). In it she discussed dealing with those end of life health issues we all face. And she went on to explain how much it meant to her and her family when the time came that her grandmother had made her wishes known and had in place a do-not-resuscitate order.

It reminded me just how often people forget that some day we all leave those we love to make decisions for us. Sometimes these decisions come after we are gone and are the usual things like funeral arraignments, or who gets moms stamp collection. Other times they come while we are still here but not able to make them ourselves. The worst of course are those dealing with health and resuscitation matters.

But regardless of when that time comes we shouldn't leave our loved ones to try to do what they think is the right thing just when it's hardest on them without our help and guidance. If you think it's hard to decide what you might want in a living will imagine how hard it is on someone else to guess your wishes and make that decision for you under all the emotional stress of a medical emergency.

So while it's not easy to think about such things and we all love to put them off as long as we can that's not the fair and loving thing to do. Every one of us should take the time and provide the guidance, both legal and emotional, that getting our affairs in order provides for our family and loved ones.

Once you make up your mind it's not really that hard. It's more a matter of getting started.

And the best place to start is with a living will. That one instrument will give more peace of mind than any single document you can provide if it's ever needed. No one wants to make the decision of denying medical procedures or treatments to someone who’s dying. The forms are available at most doctors’ offices, hospitals, and of course can be found on line or through an attorney. Surprisingly living wills aren't that hard to understand and they are something that most people can do on their own.

Next, and many ways more important, is a will and that's going to take more time and effort as it deals with financial and legal issues and it isn't something that you will want to rush. Sadly most people will find the need to consult with an attorney to help them. That's not the most pleasant thought but it may be the best way. Of course today they have many computer software packages that can help a person do it themselves but that's not necessarily a good idea with something this important. So unless you are really comfortable working with complex issues see an attorney. Remember leaving no will is better than leaving one that has legal problems and ends up in costly court time to resolve those problems.

And last is a good set of records and a note or letter to explain those things that will need to be known right after your death. This isn't something you keep locked up or in your safety box at the bank because people will need it immediately available. Where all your bank accounts are, what insurance policies you have, and even the songs you want used in your funeral services aren't things most people (including a spouse) have total knowledge of. So start writing things down and thinking about everything you can think of someone might need to know right after your death.

Once you start writing it will surprise you how it comes together. Just take the time to be as complete as possible. And remember this information changes all the time and so it needs to be reviewed at least once a year. I've found that setting some definite date every year helps me get it done. It can be any time that is easy to remember from your birthday to when they change to daylight savings time. One of the best things is that most of us have computers to create and store such records. Even if you aren’t computer literate you can find someone to help you. Just be sure that others know about this information and how to retrieve it. And remember such a list is not something you want to fall into the wrong hands so take care to keep it safe yet available.

In closing I just want to say I wish you all the best with this project and here are some places you can get information about living wills, wills, and other documents. And a special thanks to Kristen for reminding me that we need to spread the word about this issue.

Living wills, wills, and medical directives links

http://www.doyourownwill.com/lwindex.asp

http://www.free-legal-document.com/

http://www.hov.org/health_care_decisions.aspx

http://www.lectlaw.com/formb.htm

Care Connections at http://www.caringinfo.org

AARP's Web site, http://www.aarp.org/families/end_life.

An Interesting Way to Save on Printing Costs

It's interesting to note that you can save quite a bit on ink or toner cost if you chose the right font. So give some though to the fonts you use and set your default font to something printer friendly.

When Printer.com tested popular fonts for their ink-friendly ways, Century Gothic and Times New Roman topped the list. Calibri, Verdana, Arial and Sans Serif were next, followed by Trebuchet, Tahoma and Franklin Gothic Medium. Century Gothic uses about 30 percent less ink than Arial.
 
A very good article going into much greater detail can be found here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100406/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_money_saving_fonts

So check it out for some simple changes that will put some money back in your pocket.

FCC loses first round in Net Neutrality

We all lost some ground today with the court ruling that the FCC under current laws can't enforce Net Neutrality rules on the phone and cable companies. At issue was Comcast and their war against Bit Torrent. That means that the FCC will have to go back to the drawing board to find a way around this decision or the phone and cable companies will be able to slow, block, or other wise keep certain services and programs from their systems.

You can bet that Google and Skype have their eyes on that scary thought. What will Google's Youtube service do if  the cable and phone companies start limiting bandwidth for their videos. And you know that neither the phone companies nor the cable companies want Skype cutting in on their lucrative phone businesses.  It could make it very hard for Google to expand or improve videos since they don't control the fiber. And of course Skype could become a memory if they lost the right to reach less than all the country. Worse still is what it means for net TV broadcast services. You just know that the cable companies aren't going to pass up the chance to kill that as quickly as they can. Hula and other services are just starting to become a threat that could be stopped dead in it's tracks.

But the FCC says that they will find away to keep these networks open. The question is how will they do it and how long will it take? It would take forever to get a bill through Congress right now and an appeal wouldn't be much faster and has an uncertain outcome. Plus the FCC has a lot on its agenda with  all the bandwidth issues to handle arising from the frequency auctions that will shape the future of wireless networks  across this country.

So what's the best guess? Most figure that the FCC will just try to make cable and phone companies data services come under the more strict rules that govern voice phone services. They have been open for a very long time now. In some ways that would be worse for the cable and phone companies than what they have currently. The one thing we know for sure is that only time will tell how it comes out. All parties have much to gain or lose in this fight and we as consumers will be in the middle.

I just hope that all parties see that it's in everyone's best interest not to turn this into a war that drags on and on. Anyway next time your trying to download that video file, or sharing a large Bit Torrent file and it seems that it's just not happening you maybe right.

Additional stories you may want to check out:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20001886-266.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100406/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_internet_rules

Just a thought on motivation.

  

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing that's why we recommend it daily. Zig Ziglar

Share a Hug Today

The world would be a much better place if we all remembered to share a little vitamin H(ug) every day. Hugs make us all feel better while making us drop our barriers and become closer to those around us. So share a hug and watch the world become a better place one hug at a time. And remember vitamin H is totally safe in any amount and has no know side affect besides making you feel better.

The Tragedy Hurricane Katrina

To those who are still going through the horror of Hurricane Katrina even after all the time that has passed I wish to express my sorrow for your tragedy. This is a republish of a poem that I wrote and published shortly after that tragedy.

So while still basking in the light of your recent celebration and the joy of wining the super bowl I thought it was also time to look back and reflect on that time and how far you have came. New Orleans isn't all the way back but it's well on the road.

So while no words can take away your pain or bring back either your loved ones or your property may God help you to continue to rebuild both New Orleans and your lives.

One Man's Prayers and Tears

If one man's prayers could heal your lives,
You would be healed. As I pray for you now.

If one man's tears could wash away your pain,
Your pain would be gone. As I cry for you now.

If one man's hope could lift you up.
You would be lifted above the devastation. As I hope for you now.

But only God and faith can see you through this time of trouble.
He is with you now through all our prayer and He will heal you.

His tears he sheds for you will wash away your pain.

He will lift you up and carry you and all will be made whole again.

To the victims of Katrina
By Frank Woodman Jr (9/2/2005)

We need security companies too quit shortchanging us.

I can’t help but wonder why security software companies aren’t using more of the protection methods available to them than they are. It’s time for sandbox technology and memory monitoring software to become a part of the standard tools available to us to protect our systems. I see no reason that companies like Diamond CS can write programs like ProcessGuard while companies like ZoneAlarm, Norton, and McAfee continue to hand us the same old methods that are becoming far too vulnerable to being compromised.

For any of you who aren’t familiar with ProcessGuard it’s a program that monitors the actions of all the programs running on your computer and prevents certain actions and processes from running with out permission. Sometimes it is a pest because of its messages but it is nice to realize that it is almost impossible for a program or process to run with out permission. It tells you every time something tries to do any action that is questionable or shouldn’t be happening. While it’s not perfect it works very well and provides an additional layer of protection that greatly increases security on a system running the program.

So if a little company like Diamond CS can provide such protection why aren’t other security companies also providing similar protection? I understand that not everyone would want to be bothered by a program like this but it should be available for those of us who want to use it.

Sandbox technology has the same problem of being used very little by the security software industry. To see my antivirus software detect a virus and quarantine it leads me to wonder why programs like Internet Explorer aren’t contained in a protected section of memory. Now we can even buy programs to run numerous “virtual machines” on the same computer without them disturbing each other but we can’t isolate the processes of a program to prevent it from running amuck on our machine. Strange isn’t it !

I currently run Windows XP and Red Hat Linux on the same machine at the same time with each OS running and sharing the resources of the computer without any problem. Each OS runs in a virtual machine that is configurable to allow for the amount of memory and hardware resources that it needs without affecting the other OS at all. If this is possible why can’t we use this method to protect our systems from malware and viruses?

It’s time that we as consumers start demanding that the best technology and methods are made available to provide us the protection we need and deserve. The security software companies are continuing to shove old outdated technology and solutions at us while raking in the profits. We need to demand that it stop and that they start using some creativity and quit ripping us off.

Internet Explorer 7 a Tale of Two Programs

Microsoft’s new beta version of Internet Explorer is out and it is interesting to note that there are two versions. The first one is shipping with the Vista OS beta just released and is designed to be used with Vista. (See yesterdays post for my early impressions of Vista.) I didn’t have time to check out if it would also work with XP but it would be interesting to know if it would. The other Internet Explorer beta is designed for XP and it has slightly different features.

With Firefox breathing down their neck and their market share dropping quickly Microsoft decided to rush through a hurried up date to Internet Explorer for XP before they released Vista and it’s version of Internet Explorer. Lets hope that it isn’t such a rush job that security suffers. It’s hard to know how well a browser is constructed until it hits the net and the hackers and crackers have a shot at it. My prediction is that version 7 of Internet Explorer will have as many serious security problems as did version 5 and 6 and that doesn’t bode well for users.

So what’s up with version 7 of Internet Explorer? What new magic is Microsoft giving us this time?

Well it seems more than anything else Microsoft was feeling the pressure from Mozilla and Firefox with its growing market share. These last few months have found Microsoft feverishly trying to rework a tired threadbare Internet Explorer version 6 to hold off the competition from Firefox. Since the current version of Internet Explorer (version 6) wasn’t that much of an improvement or change over version 5 a change in Internet Explorer was long over do. Before Firefox Microsoft basically let Explorer coast along but Firefox’s competition forced them to take action on an update or risk further losses in market share and market share isn’t something Microsoft gives up easily.

So what is the verdict on the new program and does it offer any reason to move from version 6 to version 7.

Well the first thing that you notice is that it offers tabs just like Foxfire, Opera, and several other browsers. That is a nice feature as you can move around so much easer between sites you visit often by using tabs. I don’t think that it’s done as well as Firefox’s tab feature but it is pretty good. It’s just too bad that Microsoft was so stubborn about offering tabs before now.

Since Microsoft was only planning on updating Internet Explorer after Vista came out it shows just how desperate they were to keep their position. Pushing up the release date for the XP version is a risky decision for Microsoft. Can they get security right with a hurried rewrite of Internet Explorer is a question yet to be answered. Let’s hope so for everyone’s benefit.

We also see search being more visible with a new search box next to the address box in IE. Both Vista and Internet Explorer offer a much faster more complete search feature but it is hampered by not having the new file system that Microsoft promised. Search is definitely a hot button item right now with so many trying to corner the desktop search market that Microsoft felt that they had to improve search capacities, abilities, and speed. So far it looks like they did do that in this version of Internet Explorer as well as Vista.

Next is the addition of an RSS reader built into Internet Explorer. Once you get past the fact that Microsoft has changed the name from RSS feed to web feed you will find that it seems to work alright except for the fact that you have to check a feed source manually. Let’s hope that they fix that before the final version ships.

I for one don’t want to have to click on the my favorites tab and then click on the feed source to check for updates. That kind of defeats the purpose of using RSS and especially when you can have a tab for any site you visit often. With one simple click on a tab you can see the site anyway. Given the way Microsoft has RSS feeds setup I predict that most people will chose to use the tab feature to check for updates or get a real RSS reader. Maybe this is Microsoft’s plan to destroy RSS feeds since they can’t control them.

I also have some reservations about RSS feeds being directly tied to the browser knowing Microsoft’s track record with active x and other browser active components. Time will tell on this issue but I will bet that security issues will arise with RSS being a component of the browser. I can see the real possibility of active components getting through to the browser hidden in an RSS feed and being allowed to run on the system.

Microsoft is taking one direct security measure that is long over due by adding better protection against Phishing by adding a filter to help warn people about questionable sites. (The only down side is that this feature is currently only in the XP version of Internet Explorer version 7.) Even more interesting is the fact that the filter will also be able to check against a data base to block known Phishing sites. Sounds like a good idea lets hope it works as advertised. What we don’t need is people thinking that this filter is protecting them when it isn’t.

So what’s the verdict?

Well all in all it seems to be a good program. It’s got enough improvements in security and features to make it worth going to the trouble to update to Internet Explorer version 7 if Internet Explorer is still your choice in browsers. I just wish that it was also being offered to those who are still using Win98 and ME.

Many may wonder if Microsoft’s failure to make Internet Explorer 7 only run on XP or Vista is one more attempt to force people to update. I just hope that Microsoft remembers that most people who are running Win95/98 and many running ME can’t update because of hardware limitations. People using these older systems are often those who are on the fringes of computer use anyway. To use security to try to force people into updates to their OS isn’t something that Microsoft or anyone else should be doing.

Of course you could do what I’ve done and just install Firefox and get all the features that Internet Explorer version 7 will have except the Phishing filter and not have to wait. Firefox is here and available now with tabbed browsing, proven security and it’s not dependent on Microsoft.

It will also run on all versions of Windows from the older Windows 98 to Windows XP as well as Linux. That’s especially nice when you run a network with mixed operating systems and only want to have to support one browser. So if what you want in a browser is security, versitality, and features you don’t have to wait on Internet Explorer to update you can get Firefox today.

If you want to check out Firefox just head to their homepage;
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Microsoft’s Vista is on the Right Track but there’s Still Much to do.

Microsoft released their much anticipated updated beta of Vista on July 27th and I’ve finally gotten a chance to really set down and check it out. Even with the stupid name it looks like it will address a lot of the security problems that have plagued Win XP.

So after two days of really putting it through its paces I’ve got some initial personal reactions about it to share with you.

The General Look and Feel

First, as usual, Vista includes the usual superficial bells and whistles that Microsoft loves to put in its OSs. It has sharper graphics (With the price of needing a much more powerful graphics card.) and a different look to the windows frames called “aero glass”. Aero glass gives a cool see-through effect to the window frame boarder.

The sharper graphics seem nice and the over all draw and opening time of windows programs seems faster and crisper. (Of course with the powerful graphics card this OS requires to display “aero glass” and other such graphics enhancements they should be.) So when it comes to cool looks Vista is on track. And while this is certainly nice it’s hardly a major reason to run out and buy Vista.

I did also find “aero glass” makes some actions harder. Dragging and dropping and other similar actions are trickier since you can’t easily tell just where the edge of the window frame is located since they have a semi transparent look with edges that fade into the background.

Much more impressive to me are the graphics icons that the system uses to represent files and folders. Now a document or folder will be represented by a graphical representation of the actual document or file not the stored, stylized, generic graphics used in XP. Now just like all of your program shortcuts your file and folder icons will use distinctive representational icons.

They have also changed the look of the standard application menu bar that contains the file, edit, view, insert, and other such function menus in windows. Now they have either eliminated it or moved it to the bottom of the window. I’ve not decided what I think of this change yet. It will take some time for me to decide on this one as I fail to see a reason to change this except to try to look different from XP and the other windows flavors.

I was also disappointed to find that Vista doesn’t seem to boot up or shut down with out taking all day to get it done just like XP and all the other versions of windows before it. It has always amazed my how long it takes to turn off Windows. What can it possibly be doing that takes it sooooo long to get it over with.

Search and moving around within Vista is also one of its bright notes. Everywhere you look you can find a search box or an icon to help you find a file or move to another location. It’s just too bad that this comes almost too late since so many search tools (many free to boot) are becoming available that do the job even better. I guess it’s just like many of the other features found in Windows. Use what comes with Windows if you don’t need a full set of features for the job but if you need a complete solution then get a third party solution.

As to the many other features like virtual folders and such I didn’t really look at them since it seems that they it will be a much later before they are fully implemented (If they aren’t dropped like the new file system Microsoft promised but like so many of their promised “features” not delivered.)

Under the Hood

But the real changes we’re all looking for relate to improvements in the basic underlying security and stability of Vista. On this issue the jury is still out since the final features that will be in the “finished” product are hard if not impossible to predict yet.

The ability to easily use programs in Vista at a reduced rights level rather than always needing to be logged on with Administrator rights promises to be one great security addition that will most definitely be implemented. It still is a little rough around the edges in this version but it seems likely that Microsoft will work out most of the problems by its release. Being able to use programs like internet explorer at reduced user rights really improves a user’s ability to protect against malware. It only remains to wonder why Microsoft took so long to do this for internet explorer.

Microsoft is also promising other safety security features but they are harder to see or substantiate since some of them aren’t in this beta and others seem to work poorly. An example is their claim that the OS will have the ability to detect imminent component failure (hard drives, video cards, DVD’s and such) and suggest data backup and other protective actions before these problems strike.

In an attempt to prove if that feature works or not I installed a hard drive I had which had gone bad sometime ago. This drive had developed a loud squealing noise (Bad bearings I guess.) and wouldn’t always let windows boot due to read problems on some sectors. Luckily I’m one of those guys that always hangs on to such junk so I had what I needed to test Microsoft’s claims on this one.

Well after three tries the system booted and I was able to install Vista on to this hard drive with out any real problem except for listening to the noise of the drive grind and screech away. (Really I ducked out and only checked in once in a while because I just couldn’t stand to hear this drive trying to self destruct.)

As a testament to Western Digital though the drive made it through the install and I allowed it to run for over an hour while rebooting it two or three times. After all that not once did Vista ever complain. This is not a scientifically controlled test but since the drive was so bad it was a real disappointment that Vista didn’t complain even a little bit.

Vista is also suppose to be able to detect whether a system has been tampered with and know what files have been changed. This should make it much easer to prevent malware and viruses from changing anything in the system files and folders with out detection. I’m betting that this feature will work and work well in the final release but I didn’t try to test it since the question shouldn’t be if this feature works or not. The question should be why has it taken so long to get it as a feature. Up to now Microsoft’s attempt to detect or detour intrusions to the critical systems files has been worse that poor it’s been totally lacking. Much of the real problem with security and Windows is that everything is just too open. With lots of sharing of everything from dll’s and services to drivers it’s surprising that there aren’t more security problems.

So to sum it up the jury is still out but it seems that Vista is headed in the right direction but it will be interesting to see how long it takes to live up to it’s promises. It has take XP until service pack 2 to have the features and security that it should have had right out of the box! I’ll bet Vista will take a year or two to really deliver on its potential. That means that most likely a rush to up grade isn’t necessary.

Tomorrow we’ll look at Internet Explorer’s update beta that shipped with Vista and see if it is really ready for prime time and ready to fight Foxfire’s growing popularity.

Windows 95's Birthday Passes Quietly

Yes yesterday the 25th of August was Windows 95’s 10th birthday. It passed quietly with no comment by Microsoft. There was no party, no balloons, and no excitement shown by Bill Gates or Microsoft.

This is unfortunate as a comment should have been made.

Come on Bill Windows 95 was your baby and it is why your company continues to dominate the OS markets to this day. I could easier see a Disney with out Mickey Mouse than a Microsoft with out Windows 95. (Yes I know some people see a resemblance to Mickey Mouse in your software anyway but that’s another story.)

Without Windows 95 the Mac OS would now be the leader in OS software and you and Microsoft would be a distant 2nd.

So if you won’t praise your baby I’ll take a moment to say a word or two.

Windows 95 was a mile stone in computer software development and for better or worse started the "modern" era of easy computer use. While Windows 3.1 was the first real Windows it was so unstable and resource intensive that it only hinted at what was to come. (Yes I know that Windows 95 wasn’t all that stable either. But it was so much better than Windows 3.1 that there was no comparison.)

No one software release has made computers more open to the general population than Windows 95. With a common look and feel across all programs, a simple development environment, and common drivers for all programs even the newbie could handle a computer. And with that change computer use took off and grew in ways never imagined by anyone.

In just 10 years the computer has made inroads into daily life that it’s hard to imagine. Much of that would not have happened the way it did without Windows 95.

Anyway HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY WINDOWS 95!!!!!

PS It’s also interesting to note that I still have two computers that I and others in the family use occasionally that run on Windows 95 and they still do the basic tasks that I use a computer for just fine. (Some days I wonder if NT, 2000, ME, and XP are really worth the extra trouble and cost.)

(Look Mac users don't take this article personally. Mac is a great system and is in many, many ways better than Windows. But it just has never been as popular and for that reason hasn't had the effect that Windows 95 has had on general computing. Just stay cool Mac users because with Mac’s new OS and move to Intel chips Windows may not win in the end after all. I see a new Mac on a lot of desktops with in the next few years.)

PC World’s Article “The Web of Crime” is a Must Read!!

PC World is currently running a great 5 part series about computer crime called “The Web of Crime”. It’s a short well written series covering crime on the internet and how it’s changed from humble beginnings into the major criminal activity it is today.

Taking us from the early days of computer crime and the independent hackers who were behind it we are lead to the modern professional criminal of today’s internet.

For a such a short article it weaves a spell binding account of crime on the internet. Its story about the company that produces the PC Tools utilities and their attack by on line criminal extortionists is intriguing and very informative. It shows that even moderate sized companies doing business on line today are targets of attack.

If nothing else this series of articles will forever change how you think about computer crime on the internet.

So if you want to read what I think is one of the best stories so far this year about crime and the internet today this is one series of articles you shouldn’t miss. I guarantee you’ll read it from beginning to end without stop.

The series can be found here at PC world’s web site;

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,122240,00.asp

The Latest Report on Malicious Software on the Internet.

Webroot recently released there quarterly report on malicious software on the internet and it wasn’t encouraging.

After scanning almost 60,000 computers at approximately 20,000 companies they found a large increase in the number of Spyware and Adware programs infecting these systems. This is most worrisome since corporate enterprise systems have available the most resources to protect themselves. They have the manpower and the budgets to implement the software and practices that should be preventing such infections. If corporate America isn’t getting the job done then you can bet that the problem is much, much worse for individual users.

Webroot found that 80 percent of the enterprise computers they scanned are infected with some kind of Spyware/ Adware program. The average number of such programs found per computer increased to 27 up a whopping 20 percent from the previous quarter.

This increase comes at a time when awareness of Spyware, Adware, and other malicious software is at an all time high and in a sector which potentially has the resources available to it to fight against these kinds of problems. That means that companies are losing their battle with malicious software writers.

Even more troubling is the fact that infection by the worst of the malicious programs, mainly Trojan Horses and key loggers, stayed about the same. These programs are a much greater risk to the security of any system than the Spyware/Adware programs we’ve known in the past. They result in identity and data theft which is much costlier and more destructive than spam and pop up ads ever will be.

This increasing trend toward developing Trojans and key loggers shows that the malicious software writers are changing from a pay-per-click advertising theme to an identity data theft model. Their attacks are more and more exploiting these much more profitable crimes. It also seems to indicate that organized crime is involved since these programs are more intricate and require a lot of group involvement.

It isn’t the juvenile hacker who’s the problem anymore. It’s the well funded technological savvy criminal that we all need to fear. These guys aren’t interested in where you go on the internet. They aren’t trying to show you ads and popups. They are after your credit card and bank account numbers so they can rob you of all the money they can get. They want to get into your eBay account and would love to get your PayPal password. They’re after cold hard cash and they will do what ever is necessary to get it.

Using new advanced methods and stealth technology they are creating programs that are circumventing the safeguards that we have came to rely on. That means that we all must adapt to these new threats and increase our efforts if we are to protect ourselves. Just remember that even though there are dangers out there it is possible to be on line and be reasonable safe. It just takes awareness and the right tools and procedures to make it happen.

So while it’s gotten tougher it isn’t impossible to protect ourselves we just need to work smarter and harder to get it done. With that in mind I’ll be covering what we can all be doing to properly protect ourselves in a series of up coming articles so stay tuned.

Resources

Read an excerpt from Webroot’s report with links to the complete report here;
http://www.webroot.com/land/stateofspyware_excerpt.php

(The complete Webroot report in PDF format is about 9megs and to download it you are required to give them you name and address. The excerpt is however is available with out any information required and will provide a good overview of the complete report. Besides unless you love this stuff you don’t want that much information anyway. Trust me I’ve read the complete report and it will put you to sleep.)

You can read eWeek’s article about Webroot’s report here;
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1850937,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000614

It’s So Long to CardSystems Solutions, I Hope!

Well another story about CardSystems Solutions has hit the wire services. Again attention is being drawn to the whole credit card clearing house problem. The lack of enforcement of security rules on card processors used by the major card issuers has been an underlying security problem for sometime.

Larry Loeb writing in eWeek expresses the opinion that CardSystems Solutions will have problems surviving in the long term. I can only hope he's right but as I said awhile back I doubt it.

I know that for what CardSystems Solutions did shutting them down is too being to easy on them. I think that someone needs to spend some time in jail where they can be left alone to study computer security.

Anyway on the surface the card companies are pushing their new heightened security standard for the press and to parade before Congress in the up coming hearings on credit card customer security. I think it's more for show than for true change. With Congress and the news media sniffing around the credit card companies are trying to do a white wash job.

I say we need to do what the Queen in Alice in Wonderland wanted to do, “Off with their heads!!!!”

Anyway you can read Larry’s article on the subject in eWeek here;

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1839515,00.asp?kc

Microsoft to the Rescue???

Well the "old dog" Microsoft is trying to get into yet another area of internet services that of providing outsourced email handling. They are purchasing FrontBridge a secure email hosting company. It is only one of many moves Microsoft has been making in the area of email and email security for the last year or more. It shows just how important email security, management, and storage have become that Microsoft would look to enter this market.

While the jury is still out on the question of if Microsoft can get any security matter right let’s hope that this time is different. With all of the issues surrounding email in the workplace right now email is in need some big, big changes if it is to survive. Of course the real issues facing email today go beyond any Microsoft’s entry into the managed email market can solve. They go to the root of email and how it’s sent and managed over the internet. Email is so vital to modern business that it must be protected from all of the possible catastrophic events that might happen. From power outages and natural disasters to internet sabotage nothing must be allowed to stop or destroy a company’s email.

That comes on top of the problems of viruses, pfishing, and Spyware. Problems we all know effect email and aren’t going to go away any time soon. But it's even more complicated than that. We are now seeing Sarbanes Oxley’s rules and regulations going into effect requiring businesses to monitor, store, and provide email in ways that are hard for a company to manage and enforce internally. Having a disinterested party provide these services through a managed email service will end up being the most common way it's handled for medium to small companies in the future.

Let’s just hope that Microsoft’s entry into this market signals a movement toward change that will really result in email being safer and more protected for everyone on the internet wither they use a security mail provider or not. At least it shows that some of the well know big players are beginning to move into a market that has been dominated by large but lesser know companies for sometime now. Maybe Microsoft’s entry will bring an awareness and competition that will result in improved email for everyone. We can only hope so.

But one way or the other email needs to be saved just because it has become too vital to modern business. We all rely on it too much to see it completely fail and I predict that some how it will be salvaged. We need things to change lets just hope I’m right and it’s not already too late.

Read a related article on eWeek;
With a Name Like Microsoft�