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.