So far today we’ve seen some pretty inventive April Fools Jokes from corporate America. The first to cross my virtual desk was this one from “Warby Barker.” It’s a very well done prank by Warby Parker, an online glasses retailer with a social awareness bent.
Tag: computing in the 21st century
Looks like Congress is getting involved now
That bit we talked about earlier where employers were asking job applicants for their passwords to their personal e-mail and social media accounts? It looks like it has gotten the attention of a few Senators, and they are not happy. Some state legislatures (California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey for starters) are also working on laws to prevent this sort of thing. So now it appears that a great national debate is in the making, and I welcome it. Personally, I find nothing wrong with Googling potential employees, but asking for passwords seems to cross a line, legally and ethically. In my mind, it is similar to the difference between doing a credit check of a potential employee and asking for that applicant’s ATM card and pin. One seeks information that is clearly in the public domain, and the other clearly is asking for something that is not.
-Geoff
A hero of mine gets the cold shoulder
Many of you who know me know that I am a great admirer of Bruce Schneier, a renowned cryptology and security expert who has been a thorn in the side of those who believe all security issues can be solved with big, expensive machines and the push of a button. He is the inventor of the term “security theater”, or measures that are more effective at looking like you are doing something than actually doing anything to make you safer. I have several of his books and I highly recommend them. Anyway, recently Bruce was uninvited from testifying in front of Congress at the insistence of the TSA. I imagine this has something to do with the fact that he is a very vocal critic of the TSA and many of their policies.
Why we don’t have Facebook- part the second
Or Twitter for that matter.
This popped up on Boston.com today and horrified us both. This is why we have an open and public blog. If you want to know anything about us it is right here.
Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords
Continue reading “Why we don’t have Facebook- part the second”
Why we don’t have Facebook accounts
~Kelly & Geoff
Finally, some work for me
As of today I got a part-time job as a docent at a historic site here in Boston. I go in for training the weekend after next. Thank God for small blessings. Between that and some of the freelance IT stuff I am getting at least I am making a little money. Not much, but some.
-Geoff
Shadows and light
Help me, internets, you’re my only hope. (Sorry, it was a gimme, we’ve had Episodes IV and V on since I got home from work.) Anyway, I’m reasonably good with photo editing software. I’m self taught, I can do interesting and useful things like remove items, clean up red eye, change brightness and contrast, etc. I have, however, run into a problem that I can’t solve.
Meeting on the internet
Most of you know that Geoff and I met on the internet. Most of you probably don’t know that Geoff had some very particular questions for me before we first met in person.
Officially faster Intertubes and new e-mail
My new e-mail address is eleventhma AT gmail DOT com, NOT net. I am smart. Not.
Continue reading “Officially faster Intertubes and new e-mail”
Nice to be back in the 21st century
So we have done it. As of yesterday, we have a new ISP and thus a faster, more reliable Internet connection. I had to make some minor adjustments to the home network, but generally speaking it all seems to be a dramatic improvement so far. I can’t believe how much faster this is, after fighting with the crappy DSL for so long. And this isn’t even close to being the highest available cable speed.
Anyway, we will be ending our old Internet service later today. So please do not continue to use my old Verizon e-mail address. It will be gone soon. For now just use my gmail address.
-Geoff
The Books are Taking Over... 