Friday, June 30, 2006

John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog June 30, 2006

I talk, you talk, we all talk tech!!

Harmful/less Hype: Depends on whom you believe
Video Professor has been warning you for months about online thieves waiting to pounce on your personal information if you leave your computer open. Despite what this article says, you still have to take precautions and know what is out there waiting for you. But according to some law enforcement officials, criminals aren’t taking full advantage of the data they steal. They say that the estimates by the media of actual property or monetary losses are actually less than what’s being reported.
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No more need for coat hangers
We spend an inordinate amount of time trying to keep ourselves safe. We buy firewalls, virus protection and eliminate spyware and spam. Now we have to keep the computers in our cars protected? Apparently, yes. Thieves can now use their laptops to crack the codes and open our auto locks and deactivate our security systems. Technology is certainly making our lives easier!
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Laptops break more than desktops
Let’s hope that some of the thieves in the previous story get their hands on a few of these laptops. According to a new study, laptops break more often than desktops and the results aren’t even close. Desktops bought in the last year have a five percent chance of breaking in the first year and 12 percent chance of breaking by 2009. Conversely, a laptop’s chance of breaking down in year one is 15 percent and 22 percent in the first four years. Now, if only someone would design an ergonomically correct backpack to lug our desktops around.
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They can buy their own apples
There used to be a day when teachers would supplement their income by picking up work during the summer months. Hey, I’m all for teachers doing what it takes to make ends meet. A new web site, http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/, allows educators to post their lesson plans and sell them for a small fee. Teachers spend so much time and effort creating quality lesson plans that will actually keeps students awake; they can finally share them with the world, and reap some benefit from their hard work. But really, can’t we come up with creative ways to get our teachers more money in the first place?
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Off topic:
New Ball in the NBA, will it help players hit a 10-foot jump shot
The NBA announced this week that they are taking the leather out of the official game ball and replacing it with a microfiber composite material that will provide a more consistent feel. Apparently the players were having trouble gripping the leather ball, and that led to the first ball change in 35 years. Did MJ have trouble adjusting to an obviously inferior ball? Do you think Wilt or Magic or Bird had trouble handling a leather ball in their day? It’s not an equipment change that’s going to help the NBA. What the players need is practice. Nobody in the pro ranks can hit a 15-footer anymore, and that leads to a slew of 89-82 games around the league. I’m getting very tired of seeing “one pass, jump shot, brick, rebound, walk up the floor.” Let’s get back to the basics, boys.
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First Recess, now its games
A few weeks back, I told you about some school districts who were cutting out recess from schools. I thought it was bad, but I think this could be even worse. Sure, give kids their recess, but take away their games? Some schools are banning playground sports such as tag, soccer and touch football, claiming the activities are dangerous. So kids are just supposed to stand around the playground and do nothing. I see a bigger danger by not letting kids get the exercise they need. In the immortal words of fans rooting for the Bears in The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training, “LET THEM PLAY! LET THEM PLAY!”
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MMM … Creamed-filled goodness
As a kid, I liked Twinkies as much as the next person, but I never really thought of using it for anything other than an afternoon snack. If you want to take your culinary explorations to a whole new level, try making a Twinkie Burrito or Twinkie Lasagna.
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Quote o’ the week
With Independence Day just a few days away, I wanted to leave you with some words to live by: "Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood—the virtues that made America." ~ Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States (1901-09)

Site o’ the week
And speaking of the Fourth of July, here’s wishing you a happy and safe holiday! God bless America!
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John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.

Friday, June 23, 2006

John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog June 23, 2006

Talking About Technology!!

MySpace.com tightening up
It took some recent scrutiny in the press and a $30 million lawsuit to get MySpace.com to tighten up its security. These social networking sites are full of predators waiting to meet our kids. MySpace officials announced this week that anyone over 18 years old will be required to know the e-mail or the first and last name of any member they want to reach who is 14 to 15 years old. Also, any MySpace member will be able to make their profiles available only to their friends, keeping them concealed from strangers.

These changes, however, will not be enough. Don’t wait for the web sites to change before you start protecting your kids. Parents, you need to know what sites your kids are visiting. You need to learn the lingo that kids are using online. How many of you know what “POS” stands for? Well if you see that acronym pop up on your kids’ screen, it means they know you are looking over their shoulder.
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Browser wars mean great things for us
Browser battles are heating up. Years ago, Microsoft pretty much ended Netscape’s rule as the browser of choice with its Internet Explorer 6. In the past few years, however, the software giant is feeling the pressure from upstarts such as Mozilla’s Firefox. As these companies keep trying to out duel each other, they keep making improvements that make us more efficient and safe. The new browsers will include greater search capabilities, antiphishing applications and have greater levels of security than we’ve ever seen.
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Hackers get their degrees
If you can’t beat them, join them I guess. The current lack of security experts in the IT world has spurred one university in Scotland to offer a degree in hacking. The University of Abertay in Dundee next semester will offer a course in “Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures.” The course description reads: “In the same way that police detectives need to know how thieves can steal, computer systems administrators need to know what hackers can do." This is a really good idea. Cops are trained to think like criminals, but I just hope they don’t start offering classes on hotwiring Hondas.
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32-7-365
Say goodbye to the 40-hour-a-week guy. Ward Clever, we barely knew you. According to a recent study, new gadgets and technology have made our lives so efficient, that we actually cram 32 hours of activity into a 24-hour day. I knew it was getting out of hand, but there is an insurgence of people who check their PDAs before turning on their coffee pots. Is it really worth it? Ed Reilly, of the American Management Association, says leading these extremely hectic lives leaves people feeling “overwhelmed by the multiplicity of their lives.”
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Off topic:
Let’s hear it for “Jean Van de Velde!”
Is the “C” word a little strong? I won’t say “it,” but I will take a poke. Last Sunday, Phil was in position to win his first U.S. Open title and fulfill the dream he’s had since Papa Mickelson built a green in his childhood backyard. You failed to hit a fairway the entire round. All you needed was par to win and bogey for a playoff. Double should have NEVER come into play. I don’t know what was worse: Hitting driver off the tee and smacking the hospitality tent, or going for the miraculous recovery with your second that ultimately only traveled 25 yards. Take your medicine, punch out and make your bogey. With that New York crowd in your pocket, you were certain to have all the support you would have needed in a playoff Monday. But, let’s not just blame Phil. Hey Monty! Hey Furyk! Hey Padraig! Where did you guys go down the stretch?
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MLB in the iPod era
iPods certainly have taken over everyday life, and frankly, I couldn’t be happier in this case. If it makes my hometown Rockies play better, I’m all for it. With help from the video staff, Rockies players are loading their video iPods up with game footage of the opposition. "We're using Apple's technology as best we can. We figured if you can watch music videos by rock 'n' roll and by country, why can't you watch at bats by San Francisco and pitches by Jason Schmidt?" said Brian Jones, Rockies assistant video coordinator.
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Has “reality” gone too far?
Here’s another story about a baseball team using technology. I played baseball growing up. I once dreamed of being a professional player or manager. I guess I need to move to the outskirts of Chicago. If I did, I’d have the chance play manager for the Schaumburg Flyers, an independent baseball team. What a great idea. The club and MSN have teamed up to allow fans to vote on the everyday moves of the club, including setting the batting order and choosing positions.
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“Speling skilz r croocial”
Caitlin “Cambell,” or more appropriately Campbell, probably spent countless hours studying and preparing to compete in the National Spelling Bee. All her hard work paid off in that she earned a spot in the finals. Too bad, however, that a billboard in her hometown of Amarillo, Texas, to honor her, had her name misspelled.
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Site o’ the week
Have you ever found “alternative” uses for products you buy? Join the club. Well if you’ve ever used Alka-Seltzer® to polish jewelry, or Reddi-wip® as a substitute shaving cream, then this site is for you.
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John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.

Friday, June 16, 2006

John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog June 16, 2006

Talking About Technology!!

You can never have too much protection
We all use firewalls, antivirus software, spyware removal software, but apparently our computers are still at risk. According to Microsoft, approximately 62 percent of computers had some sort of Trojan horse program running on them. After months of tracking data from its “malicious-software removal tool,” Microsoft confirmed that it found 5.7 million computers infected with more than 16 million cases of questionable software.
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Tech-savvy kids?
You all know that I’m in the business of teaching computers and computer software with my Video Professor products. Every time I see a story like this, it makes me want to help even more. Recent findings by the Computer Science Teachers Association Curriculum Improvement Taskforce show that 74 percent of high schools do not require students to take computer education classes.
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Yahoo! bug contained
If any of you accidentally opened the “Yamanner” worm through your Yahoo! e-mail service, I hope it didn’t cause too much harm. Yahoo! officials said they have the bug contained, but you should still be on the lookout. If you get an e-mail with JavaScript that includes the phrase “New Graphic Site” in the subject field, delete it. Also, Yahoo! said other precautions you can take include updating their antivirus programs and stop incoming messages from av3@yahoo.com.
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Do we really need our iPod everywhere we go?
I’m all for taking my iPod with me to a lot of different places. I have gadgets that let me listen to my music in the house, outside on the deck and in my car. I don’t, however, think I need my iPod where they think I need my iPod. Check it out for yourself. Maybe there are people who have a strong need for music EVERYWHERE.
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Off topic:
“Soc” it to me

If a soccer game is played outside the United States and few Americans were around to hear it, did it make a noise? I guess you can tell that I’m not a soccer fan. In fact, the first bit of news I see from the World Cup involves soccer hooligans. Who gets more attention: the players on the field or the hooligans in the stands?
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Ben … You’ve been warned
Big Ben, I understand you’re young and looking for some thrills. It’s the off-season, and you’re not being chased by 300-pound linemen. You need something to keep that heart pumping. But you should have known that riding around on a motorcycle without a helmet was not only a bad idea, but it could jeopardize your playing career. I say “you should have known,” and I truly mean that. According to reports, your bosses at the Steelers warned you, in writing, last year that riding your motorcycle could put your contract at risk. Here’s some advice. You’ll have plenty of time to be a thrill seeker after your days in the NFL are over. Use your head (no pun intended).
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Good luck, Tiger
We haven’t seen you on the links for the past couple weeks. We were all saddened to hear the news of your father Earl’s passing, and we want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. As you return to the fairways at Winged Foot this week for the U.S. Open, I want to say good luck. There would be no greater gift you could give your father than your third Open title.

Site o’ the week
OK, fine, you caught me. I have a lot of inner child still in me. When I was a kid, I loved to make and fly paper airplanes. Now on days that I’m stuck behind my desk, this web site allows me to have a little fun.
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John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.

Friday, June 09, 2006

John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog June 9, 2006

Tech Talk!!

A Memorable Indy 500

A couple weeks ago I had the great fortune to spend Memorial Day weekend at the Brickyard for the Indianapolis 500 and was treated to a great race. But the one memory of the weekend I’ll cherish forever was meeting the F-16D Fighting Falcon pilots of the 181st Fighter Wing “The Racers” of the Indiana Air National Guard based at Hulman Field in Terre Haute, IN. The crew performed the pre-race flyover. It was truly a wonderful experience for me to spend time with these American heroes.

Who’s Driving?
Have you ever wondered what happens to your hard drive once you upgrade to a new computer? We all just assume that the contents get destroyed and we never hear from it again. Imagine the surprise Hank Gerbus of Cincinnati, Ohio, got when he found out that someone had purchased his old hard drive. Mr. Gerbus was alarmed because his old hard drive contained sensitive information including social security numbers of his family members, investment information and account numbers. There is a great lesson here for us all. We can never be too careful about what happens to our computers once we upgrade. Make sure you take precautions and guard yourself because you never know who will end up with them.
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Bigger Is Better
Just when we thought that the world of electronics was “downsizing,” it appears that computer manufacturers are once again going big. In an era of tiny cell phones, PDAs and video on 2.5-inch screens, some companies have decided that bigger is better. New laptops on the horizon will feature 19 and 20-inch LCD screens, and frankly, I couldn’t be happier. As it gets more difficult for me to read my e-mail on a tiny PDA screen, a new jumbo laptop will give my eyes a break.
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Parents Are Keeping a Watchful Eye
The Internet is an incredible resource, and it’s becoming an even more useful tool for kids. On the other hand, parents are growing increasingly leery of what is lurking in cyberspace. According to a recent survey conduced by Insight Research Group, 77 percent of parents know how important the Web is providing educational material for their kids. But 80 percent of parents are concerned that some bad seeds out there may be prowling. “They see this incredible potential, and they know their kids have to be there, but it's also what they are scared of most," said James Stever, CEO of Common Sense Media. Fortunately, 88 percent of parents believe it’s essential to know exactly where their kids are surfing. If more parents take the time to find out what sites their kids regularly visit, the World Wide Web will be a safer place.
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Off topic:
A Big Disappointment
SPOILER ALERT: If there is anyone who has yet to see the season finale of The Sopranos, please skip to the next note. I’m going to jump on a soapbox for a moment. This show has been too good for too long and I truly believe us faithful viewers were vastly disappointed with the second-to-last season that just concluded. Either the writers are setting up an amazing last season, or the show is simply losing its punch. The season finale last week was less than stellar. Other than seeing Christopher revisit his “demons,” the finale gave us really nothing to look forward to. Midway through the finale, it appeared that we might get what we’ve all been asking for—a tussle between the New Jersey family and the New York family—but Tony stepped in and cleaned the slate. A plea to the writers: Please go out with a bang in the coming season.

No Wool Over Their Eyes
Here’s some advice for all you recent college graduates, or for any potential job seekers. If you don’t have enough experience on your resume to land that dream job, you better not fudge the truth to gain an edge. If you think that employers aren’t going to check, think again.
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“Hell” (Michigan) Has Its Day
Well 6-6-6 has come and gone, and frankly, I wasn’t too worried. There was a ton of hype (especially from Hollywood) over last Tuesday’s oddity in which the month, day and year matched the famous digits of the underground. A town in Michigan, however, decided to celebrate this event. Other than a big party and a gathering of interested tourists, nothing unusual happened in the town of H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.
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We “Beer-ly” Knew You
I never thought I’d see the day when a gadget would replace beer as the “in” thing on a college campus. According to a recent survey, iPods are now more popular among undergraduate college students than drinking beer. Parents, I guess, will be happy that their money isn’t being wasted on beverages anymore.
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Site o’ the week
Have you ever wished you had the perfect ice-breaker at a party? Well, if you’re the type of person who loves random facts and enjoys filling your brain up with useless facts and figures, this site is for you.
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John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.