Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Online Warfare Threat?
Cyber Space Warfare:
United States Strategic Command General Kevin Chilton interviewed by Charlie Rose
(Charlie Rose Show, 12/2/2008.)
[Chilton interview begins 38 minutes into the show.]
United States Strategic Command General Kevin Chilton interviewed by Charlie Rose
(Charlie Rose Show, 12/2/2008.)
[Chilton interview begins 38 minutes into the show.]
Labels: cyber war
E-WHAT???
Everyday more and more paper is being wasted. Whether its thousands of textbooks or newspapers. But the new thing that's being worked on now is E-PAPER. E-PAPER according to an article SearchMobileComputing.com is (sometimes called radio paper or just electronic paper) and is a portable, reusable storage and display medium that looks like paper but can be repeatedly written on (refreshed) - by electronic means - thousands or millions of times. E-paper would be able to be used for books, newspaper, signs etc. By downloading the information or even using a pencil like object you can create it all on the screen itself. The Giricon which is what Xerox and partner are working on "consists of a single sheet of transparent plastic, containing millions of tiny bichromal (two color) beads in oil-filled pockets. Text and images are displayed through a rotation of the beads that occurs in response to an electrical impulse: a full rotation displays as black or white, and a partial rotation displays as gray shades. Like traditional paper, Gyricon has - and needs - no lighting component. " Soon many companies will be saving a lot of money, cheaper, making it flexible and easy to use storing millions of pieces of history and information . E-paper will change the way we read, write and learn about our world. Some say this will be the beginning of the "2nd paper revolution." E-paper has been worked on for more then 30 years but hasn't hit the market yet completely. Other countries have used E-papers such as China, Japan and India. But the fact is they are trying to find better ways and to enhance color on the screen. Once consumers start realizing the benefit of it the product will take its course. E-paper is hoping to replace the waste of paper and become more cost efficient then other media sources. Soon many different products will have the advantage of it all. Magazines, music, phones and so much more. Look out for more inventions!!
PRESS DISPLAYS E-PAPER NEWSPAPERS AND INFO
Security Tightens
With hackers more active now than ever, the US government is scared. Last year, the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and Commerce, NASA and the National Defense University were all intruded on by hackers. So clearly after all these intrusions the government has come up with a way to increase security.
The answer they found lies in physical "keys". If a user doesn't have a device, they won't be able to get onto the computer networks at work. This seems like a great idea, if you live in the house ou get a key to open the door.
But what happens if you loose your key? Or, what if these devices act more than a key? There are several small devices that act as GPS systems, gathering information about the owner. If the government stars this program, and the security devices really act more than keys, it is very possible that this is the direction that we are going as the public with securing our own property.
A panel will meet on Monday to discuss a report on internet security and the security of information within all the departments.
The answer they found lies in physical "keys". If a user doesn't have a device, they won't be able to get onto the computer networks at work. This seems like a great idea, if you live in the house ou get a key to open the door.
But what happens if you loose your key? Or, what if these devices act more than a key? There are several small devices that act as GPS systems, gathering information about the owner. If the government stars this program, and the security devices really act more than keys, it is very possible that this is the direction that we are going as the public with securing our own property.
A panel will meet on Monday to discuss a report on internet security and the security of information within all the departments.
Monday, December 08, 2008
HTC Dream
This is a very internet centric device which focuses on putting mobile computing in the palm of your hand which will make it a great handset for those that like to stay connected to the web wherever they go.
For Business users I would hold off on it until they improve battery life and get business e-mail support like Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes. If your a business user that uses Google services such a Gmail, Gmail Calendar, Google Docs and Google Contacts then this device is ready for you and all you’ll need is the extra battery.
The camera isn’t all too bad, but I was expecting more out of a 3 megapixel camera. Performance even in daylight didn’t work out too well, and pictures never got that sharp and crisp look I was looking for.
As far as smartphones go, it’s one of the worst experiences I've had. Google Talk is the best out of AIM, Yahoo, Live Messenger, but it’s still not that good. Reconnects rarely worked,it would sign in and out for no reason, you can’t hide offline buddies, and while you can press menu + space to flip between conversations, the whole thing is clunky at best.
The Android platform is impressive but very novice at the same time and will take some time before it develops and become a true competitor in the Mobile OS competition. I think the up-and-coming mobile consumer/prosumer will love the G1 as long as they know it’s not a BlackBerry, Sidekick, or iPhone.
Cyber Terrorism
Denning, Dorothy. E. (2000, May 23). CYBERTERRORISM . Retrieved December 6, 2008, from Georgetown University.
In this article Denning discusses cyber terrorism in general and that it is not just cyber terrorist attack from other countries but also within our own country. She states cyber terrorism is an attack that causes fear or harm to another party through computers, networks, or other forms of digital instruments. She talks about how on-line stalking, death threats and hate messages are abundant within our country.
"The Florida teen who threatened violence at Columbine High School in an electronic chat room is but one example. These crimes are serious and must be addressed."
We are terrorist toward each other. With the threat of other countries trying to destroy our infrastructure and government we should not to be terrorizing each other. The quotes is right. We need to address these cyber terrorist crimes in a more serious tone because these people are abusing technology. They are soiling it and ruining its purpose, which is to positively connect the world and to allow us to be all equal.
In this article Denning discusses cyber terrorism in general and that it is not just cyber terrorist attack from other countries but also within our own country. She states cyber terrorism is an attack that causes fear or harm to another party through computers, networks, or other forms of digital instruments. She talks about how on-line stalking, death threats and hate messages are abundant within our country.
"The Florida teen who threatened violence at Columbine High School in an electronic chat room is but one example. These crimes are serious and must be addressed."
We are terrorist toward each other. With the threat of other countries trying to destroy our infrastructure and government we should not to be terrorizing each other. The quotes is right. We need to address these cyber terrorist crimes in a more serious tone because these people are abusing technology. They are soiling it and ruining its purpose, which is to positively connect the world and to allow us to be all equal.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Online Terrorism/Anti-Terrorism
In seperate articles by Dan Murphy and Kamran Bokhari, it appears that America is fighting a multifront war against terrorism; on the battlefront in Iraq and on the internet. The continuing advancements of the internet has given al Qaeda and other global terrorist groups a cheap, effective, and fast way to spread its messages.
Videos, message boards, and other forms of online media communication are being used to emphasize hate towards western nations like the United States and England, while also encouraging acts of terrorism. Murphy refers to these sites as a "magaphone for radical jihadi ideologies" for their ability to promote their messages to a large audience. Terrorist organizations believe in the internet's efficiency and it's abiblity to reach a glonal audience, that many of their sites have used Ayman al-Zawahiri (bin Laden's right hand man) to send audio and video messages in support and encouragement of terrorist ideals. Because many outside parties took down their extremist sites, many of their sites are operated on their own private servers, enabling them to show and say whatever they would like.
As a result, a strong anti-online terrorism movement has countered the terrorists online usage. While some have argued against the process of taking down web-sites because it constricts the frree flow of information on the internet, A. Aaron Weisburd, a native New Yorker, was deeply affected by the events of 9/11 and has since started an organization called, "Internet Haganah", which Weisburd and his supporters estimate is responsible for taking down between 650 - 1,000 sites they view as threatening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH10KZoA0dU
Videos, message boards, and other forms of online media communication are being used to emphasize hate towards western nations like the United States and England, while also encouraging acts of terrorism. Murphy refers to these sites as a "magaphone for radical jihadi ideologies" for their ability to promote their messages to a large audience. Terrorist organizations believe in the internet's efficiency and it's abiblity to reach a glonal audience, that many of their sites have used Ayman al-Zawahiri (bin Laden's right hand man) to send audio and video messages in support and encouragement of terrorist ideals. Because many outside parties took down their extremist sites, many of their sites are operated on their own private servers, enabling them to show and say whatever they would like.
As a result, a strong anti-online terrorism movement has countered the terrorists online usage. While some have argued against the process of taking down web-sites because it constricts the frree flow of information on the internet, A. Aaron Weisburd, a native New Yorker, was deeply affected by the events of 9/11 and has since started an organization called, "Internet Haganah", which Weisburd and his supporters estimate is responsible for taking down between 650 - 1,000 sites they view as threatening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH10KZoA0dU
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
BE ALL YOU CAN BE IN SECOND LIFE.
In an attempt to gain more recruits the US army is creating an island in secoond life. The army is using social networking to appeal to younger second life users curious about the armed forces. according to Gen. William S. Wallace there will be two islands created by the army in second life,
"One of them, will serve as a "welcome center" with an information kiosk and the means to contact a recruiter, the other will offer, says Wallace, "virtual experiences like jumping out of airplanes, and rappelling off of towers and using a weapon, to see if we can get some kind of recruiting benefit out of this social networking."
The army says that there are roughly about 4 million young people using second life, and by creating islands they can try to tap into that young and get them into the army. As well as recruiting the army will give points to those who participate in the activities these points can be used to buy your avatar a tee shirt and other items.
"One of them, will serve as a "welcome center" with an information kiosk and the means to contact a recruiter, the other will offer, says Wallace, "virtual experiences like jumping out of airplanes, and rappelling off of towers and using a weapon, to see if we can get some kind of recruiting benefit out of this social networking."
The army says that there are roughly about 4 million young people using second life, and by creating islands they can try to tap into that young and get them into the army. As well as recruiting the army will give points to those who participate in the activities these points can be used to buy your avatar a tee shirt and other items.
Now that the army is recruiting using social networking sites like second life, there is no hiding from annoying recruiters, there is no clear difference between recruiting in real life, than in second life.
E-Books Have a future in iTunes
With the advancement of hands free / wireless technology you can now read an "E-book" right in the palm of your hand. There has been a lot of hype surrounding the new Kindle, a product by Amazon which puts the top publisher's books right in the palm of your hand. This amazing new product might change the way we read books. This is a great concept however the jury is still out as to will this new product survive. However there is speculation that the iphone will help carry the sales due to its application features and through iTunes that allows E books to be read. Will we see this new kindle take the reading world by storm and revolutionize the printing and wasting of paper? This is a question only the future can answer. Below are some comments regarding the Kindle and the business model behind E-books.
"The publisher recently partnered with a design and development company called ScrollMotion to launch a series of bestselling in-copyright e-books for the iPhone where each title is its own app and a reader is bundled with each download. Thus the iPhone itself, despite the small screen and lack of E-Ink technology, becomes the reader."
--With regards to the iTunes store--
"Houghton Mifflin already has about 11 reference books available through the app store, including its “100 Words” series and several dictionaries. And the publisher only has about 200 digital books in its entire library but plans on digitizing 1,000 over the next 9 months."
"Random House announced Monday that they will be doubling the number of digital books offered to about 15,000 citing triple digit increases in sales this year."
"While theirs is one of the bigger investments in e-books, other top publishers are looking to follow suit, slowly but surely."
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Digital Warfare
there is a new program that was created in 2004 which simulated war games called Urban Resolve. This program made bu the U.S military cost $195,000 with realism and with 1 million simulations and behaviors of the two opposing teams. They're using futuristic weapons and tools that don't yet exist into their battle scenarios.
This "game" allows you to use the simulation instead of wasting human lives for military means. This simulation game seems very successful in determining realistic war games and could help the military in defending what they need to.
Final Essay Assignment: Due December 16.
Digital Revolution: The final essay assignment is available in the Assignments folder of the Learning Modules section. It is due on December 16.
Cyber Terrorist Attacks
Hoopes, N. (2005, August 16). New focus on cyber-terrorism. Retrieved December 5, 2008, from CS Monitor.
Hoopes discusses the easy access that terrorist have to commit a cyber attack on our country. He states that some people downplay the importance of cyber-security but on the contrary it is the new kind of attack that we have to be aware and prepared for. If cyber terrorist were able to break into our electronic control systems, they could cause massive damage and could kill workers and everyone in the surrounding area, therefore companies need to come up with secure systems that ensure our safety.
"Federal officials are focused on the threat of a dual attack, says Mr. Powner of the GAO. There is a lot of concern in government about what the FBI calls a swarming terrorist attack. You have a physical attack and a simultaneous cyber-attack on critical infrastructure - that really hurts your ability to respond."
The simple fact that there is a possibility of another way that terrorist can attack our country we need to be prepared. It is not fair for people to brush it off and disregard the possibility. As Powner said if terrorist were to attack us physically and through cyber attacks it would be extremely hard for us to regain power because our whole infrastructure would be destroyed and in chaos. It is good that power companies have begun to protect themselves but they still need more work in filling all loopholes that terrorist might be able to find.
Is Text Messagings the new TV?
Hong, C. (2005, June 30). New political tool: text messaging. Retrieved December 1, 2008, from USA Today.
"I don't think the rally would have been big if we didn't have cell phones," says Im Soon-jae, one of the organizers. "We would not have been able to spread the information about this as quickly."
Hong talks about how text messaging is the new political tool to promote activist movements. He uses an example of how one student sent a text message the day before to her friends and through chain letter they were able to conform a rally of 400 students to protest the excruciating college entrance exams. The word was so easily and quickly spread because of the access to text messaging.
"I don't think the rally would have been big if we didn't have cell phones," says Im Soon-jae, one of the organizers. "We would not have been able to spread the information about this as quickly."I believe that text messaging is the new political tool to get the word out. It is fast, cheap and unmonitored. In suppressing countries like China they are allowed to get the word out without having to be censored. Rheingold states that in China text messaging is like the poor person's Internet. People can respond to the messaging easily and quickly and also forward the messages to others, making the word spread easier. Text massaging opens doors to people and activist who are constantly monitored by the government because it gives they a way to get their ideas out and a way to organize movements without having to be censored or dictated that they cannot do it.
Hacktivism Video
DR meets UK
Paul Goodwin "Digital revolution set to change lives" 11/13/08
According to the article, in Doncaster, a little town in South Yorkshire, England, has made an alliance to the Digitial Revolution the high speeds of new media, also known as the internet. throughout homes and businesses will all be interconnected with "next generation high speed" broadband service. The project manager of this plan states that this change will "boost the local economy and radically alter day-to-day life".
This £12,000 plan is going to create over 5,000 jobs cross South Yorkshire over the next ten years. They will replace the cooper telephone lines with fiber optic cable. What this means is that this will offer more flexibile working patterns and education from home. Enhanced video conferencing and 3-demensional applications are other benefits of this. With this, an individual can visit a doctor's surgery to get advice without leaving the comfort of their own home. Peter Dale, DMBC's director of development, states:
"The opportunity to invest now gives us a jump (on other counties]. It will attract investment and help support existing businesses. The cost of not doing this will be greater than doing it."
According to the article, the plan will hopefully start the new replacement wiring in January.
Cell Phones Are The New Political Tool for Activist.
Mobile phones have the potential of fostering political mobilization. Like the Internet, mobile phones facilitate communication and rapid access to information. Compared to the Internet, however, mobile phone diffusion has reached a larger proportion of the population, and thus the impact of this new medium is conceivably greater. Cathy Hong notes,
"A 16 year old, South Korean boy during class text messages his
friends. The text message rapidly circulates, spreading the news
about a rally the next day in downtown Seoul. 400 students came
to protest the severe pressures they must endure for the nation's
highly competitive college entrance exam."
This statement illustrates that mobile technology is playing an important role in bringing together groups of people at unprecedented speed. Cell phones have enabled a quick, and cheap means of communication. According to Hong, "Huge events are happening because of it."
"A 16 year old, South Korean boy during class text messages his
friends. The text message rapidly circulates, spreading the news
about a rally the next day in downtown Seoul. 400 students came
to protest the severe pressures they must endure for the nation's
highly competitive college entrance exam."
This statement illustrates that mobile technology is playing an important role in bringing together groups of people at unprecedented speed. Cell phones have enabled a quick, and cheap means of communication. According to Hong, "Huge events are happening because of it."
