Let’s talk tech!!
The Great Wall!
What is the world coming too? Not a week goes by that I’m not warning you about something lurking in cyberspace. Through our computer tutorials, Video Professor has taught you about identity theft, spyware, viruses and all of the dangers lurking. Protection software is not enough. You also need a reliable firewall. A firewall is software that builds a barrier around your computer, keeping malcontents out. In addition to the Video Professor Internet safety tutorial, here is another resource that will help. Make sure you do some research and find the firewall that is best for you.
Read More >
Stop “Googling”…
Or at least stop using it as a verb. To Google, or not to Google, that is the question. Apparently the brand police at Google will begin cracking down on misuse of their name. They are a little peeved that the term Google has infiltrated our vernacular. That’s the problem with success. I wonder what the Q-tip, Xerox and Rollerblade people think about this.
Read More >
Kick the TV to the curb
When it comes to a free hour, you would think that a lot of people would prefer to sit in front of the TV and “veg.” Well, technology has changed that apparently. According to a survey conducted by RealNetworks, 31 percent of people over 18 would rather sit down to play a casual game online than watch the tube. They also discovered that 49 percent of folks would rather partake in online gaming than go to the movies. Now that’s one I can understand. With the lack of blockbusters Hollywood has produced lately, I’d rather save my 15 bucks, or whatever it costs these days, and spend my time doing something else.
Read More >
Don’t just casual game, build your own
Video games are taking over society. Not since the days of Pong, has so much attention been paid to the gaming industry. So many different games are available to us nowadays. I guess it’s not just for kids anymore. Microsoft wants us to take it to the next level. They will soon launch software that enables people to create their own games for the Xbox console. Who wouldn’t want to build themselves into a game? The biggest question though will be: Do we make ourselves the heroes or villains?
Read More >
You’re being watched
We all used to think it was “the man,” or the government who was watching us. I’m willing to bet that marketers are bigger perpetrators. If you’re using various search engines, you are leaving behind data that helps marketers identify your likes and dislikes. Don’t worry, it’s not personal information like your name or address, but info on your shopping habits and surfing preferences. According to Jeff Marshall, senior vice president of Starcom IP, “Search behavior is the closest thing we have to a window into people’s intent. When people are gathering information to make a choice that means they are often going to spend money.”
Read More >
Off topic:
Relevant Information: Who needs it?
Is it more important to be able to correctly identify a few of the seven dwarfs or to know who makes up the Supreme Court? I think it’s pretty scary that more people can name two dwarfs than can name two Supreme Court justices. That’s a pretty grim view of American society. If we want to maintain our edge as the world’s superpower, we all better pay attention, get smarter and take back control. I’m not saying that there aren’t a ton of very smart and talented people in this country; I just think that there are more important things to have knowledge about than who is Homer Simpson’s son.
Read More >
A note to NFL babies: Shut up and play!
I’m a little sick of T.O.’s attitude. No, I’m a lot of sick of T.O.’s attitude. In fact, I’m getting sick of a lot of players’ attitudes around “the League” this year. It’s high time that you babies grow up and starting acting like men. Quit your whining, quit fighting with coaches and do what you’re paid to do. Play the game and play the game like it should be played. You get paid to play. Your coach gets paid to put you in the position to win the game. Listen to them and it’ll make your lives easier.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
Have you ever had to send a file that was just too big for your e-mail server? If you need to go large, go to yousendit.com. On that site you can e-mail files up to 100 MB for free, and as an added bonus, they’ll scan it for viruses too.
http://www.yousendit.com/
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog Aug. 11, 2006
Technically speaking, of course!!
Life changing events?
Technology advances faster than the average human can keep up, and frankly should for that matter. By the time we invest hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on the latest gadget, the newer version is on its heels. Well, if you are a sucker for the latest and greatest gadget, this story should appeal to you. Look for these six innovations to hit the market in the year(s) to come. I’m particularly fond of high-speed Internet being integrated into household appliances. These ideas are great, but what I really want to see is the ability to program my DVR from my workplace. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to set my DVR to record a show. If I could hook it up to an Internet connection, I could program it from anywhere in the world and not miss any shows. One can only dream, I guess.
Read More >
AOL offers free anti-virus software
Keeping your computer free from viruses and spyware is the first step in keeping yourself safe in a cyber world. A good start is with AOL’s new free anti-virus software. And, there are other things you can do. Make sure your software is completely up-to-date and that you perform regular scans. If you ever have questions on how to keep you computer healthy, Video Professor offers a number of tutorials about Internet safety, along with virus protection and anti-spyware applications.
Read More >
Google stepping up to help surfers
It’s great to see that some of the world’s most-popular web sites are jumping on board to help surfers. Google recently announced that it has teamed up with www.StopBadware.org as a proactive approach to web safety. Google will alert users to hazards lurking on web sites before visitors click on them. If you try to click on a suspect site, you’ll see a page stating: "Warning -- The web site you attempted to visit has been reported to StopBadware.org as a site that hosts or distributes badware."
Read More >
Want to know how to build a computer?
Video Professor has been teaching folks how to use their computers for nearly 20 years now. In that time, we’ve taught almost 8 million people how to use their computers, navigate the most-popular software titles and now we have even began teaching folks how to get the most out of their computer with our Learn How to Buy and Sell on eBay® tutorial. In that time, however, I’ve never taught you how to build your own computer. Maybe this article will help. And who knows, maybe someday Video Professor will launch a full tutorial on the subject.
Read More >
Off topic:
Go back to college
Living in Denver, I’m a Nuggets fan. I’m elated that the powder blue and gold wrapped up forward Carmelo Anthony for a long time to come. Face it; he’s the best thing that’s happened to basketball in this town since “The Stiff” was roaming the sidelines. I, like many other Nuggets fans this week, gasped when I heard the news that ‘Melo hurt his knee in an exhibition game playing for Team USA. As it turns out, he’s going to be fine, but that’s not the point. I know there is a push to show the world that the United States is still the dominating force in basketball, but it’s coming at a high expense. The NBA is the premier league in the world, and the players should stay put. I want the players to be fresh and injury free when February and the playoff push comes. Letting the NBA’s brightest stars play in exhibition games during the summer exposes them to so many risks. I realize that players can get hurt anytime during the off-season playing pickup games, but exposing the stars to game-speed conditions makes them more vulnerable to injury or fatigue. A note to USA Basketball: Develop a team of college superstars and regain our dominance with amateurs, like we did many years ago.
Read More >
Be a man and take responsibility for your actions
I want to offer a word of advice to former Broncos (and I use that term loosely) running back Maurice Clarett. Whew, I’m glad he was only in Denver for a very, very short time. It’s time to grow up and starting acting like a man. In your short, 22-year life, you’ve ran into your share of trouble. Your act is getting old. You abused the privileges you’ve earned by being a stellar athlete. You did not take advantage of your God-given ability and have gone in the other direction. Instead of going down in the history books as possibly one of the best running backs of your generation, you’ll forever be remembered as a thug. This is a great story on ESPN.com by writer Tom Friend, detailing the events leading up to Clarett’s latest run-in with the law.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
National Football League training camps are in full swing and preseason games start today. We’ve all got NFL fever. Gauging how the industry has exploded in the past few years, Fantasy Football is almost as popular as the games themselves. I personally don’t play Fantasy Football, but I know there are a ton of you out there that do. If you are looking to jump off that bridge for the first time this year, this web site is a great place to start. It’s got insight on the best players, strategies and pretty much everything you need to get started.
http://www.fantasyfootball.com
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Life changing events?
Technology advances faster than the average human can keep up, and frankly should for that matter. By the time we invest hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on the latest gadget, the newer version is on its heels. Well, if you are a sucker for the latest and greatest gadget, this story should appeal to you. Look for these six innovations to hit the market in the year(s) to come. I’m particularly fond of high-speed Internet being integrated into household appliances. These ideas are great, but what I really want to see is the ability to program my DVR from my workplace. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to set my DVR to record a show. If I could hook it up to an Internet connection, I could program it from anywhere in the world and not miss any shows. One can only dream, I guess.
Read More >
AOL offers free anti-virus software
Keeping your computer free from viruses and spyware is the first step in keeping yourself safe in a cyber world. A good start is with AOL’s new free anti-virus software. And, there are other things you can do. Make sure your software is completely up-to-date and that you perform regular scans. If you ever have questions on how to keep you computer healthy, Video Professor offers a number of tutorials about Internet safety, along with virus protection and anti-spyware applications.
Read More >
Google stepping up to help surfers
It’s great to see that some of the world’s most-popular web sites are jumping on board to help surfers. Google recently announced that it has teamed up with www.StopBadware.org as a proactive approach to web safety. Google will alert users to hazards lurking on web sites before visitors click on them. If you try to click on a suspect site, you’ll see a page stating: "Warning -- The web site you attempted to visit has been reported to StopBadware.org as a site that hosts or distributes badware."
Read More >
Want to know how to build a computer?
Video Professor has been teaching folks how to use their computers for nearly 20 years now. In that time, we’ve taught almost 8 million people how to use their computers, navigate the most-popular software titles and now we have even began teaching folks how to get the most out of their computer with our Learn How to Buy and Sell on eBay® tutorial. In that time, however, I’ve never taught you how to build your own computer. Maybe this article will help. And who knows, maybe someday Video Professor will launch a full tutorial on the subject.
Read More >
Off topic:
Go back to college
Living in Denver, I’m a Nuggets fan. I’m elated that the powder blue and gold wrapped up forward Carmelo Anthony for a long time to come. Face it; he’s the best thing that’s happened to basketball in this town since “The Stiff” was roaming the sidelines. I, like many other Nuggets fans this week, gasped when I heard the news that ‘Melo hurt his knee in an exhibition game playing for Team USA. As it turns out, he’s going to be fine, but that’s not the point. I know there is a push to show the world that the United States is still the dominating force in basketball, but it’s coming at a high expense. The NBA is the premier league in the world, and the players should stay put. I want the players to be fresh and injury free when February and the playoff push comes. Letting the NBA’s brightest stars play in exhibition games during the summer exposes them to so many risks. I realize that players can get hurt anytime during the off-season playing pickup games, but exposing the stars to game-speed conditions makes them more vulnerable to injury or fatigue. A note to USA Basketball: Develop a team of college superstars and regain our dominance with amateurs, like we did many years ago.
Read More >
Be a man and take responsibility for your actions
I want to offer a word of advice to former Broncos (and I use that term loosely) running back Maurice Clarett. Whew, I’m glad he was only in Denver for a very, very short time. It’s time to grow up and starting acting like a man. In your short, 22-year life, you’ve ran into your share of trouble. Your act is getting old. You abused the privileges you’ve earned by being a stellar athlete. You did not take advantage of your God-given ability and have gone in the other direction. Instead of going down in the history books as possibly one of the best running backs of your generation, you’ll forever be remembered as a thug. This is a great story on ESPN.com by writer Tom Friend, detailing the events leading up to Clarett’s latest run-in with the law.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
National Football League training camps are in full swing and preseason games start today. We’ve all got NFL fever. Gauging how the industry has exploded in the past few years, Fantasy Football is almost as popular as the games themselves. I personally don’t play Fantasy Football, but I know there are a ton of you out there that do. If you are looking to jump off that bridge for the first time this year, this web site is a great place to start. It’s got insight on the best players, strategies and pretty much everything you need to get started.
http://www.fantasyfootball.com
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, August 04, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog Aug. 4, 2006
I wanna talk about Tech!!
Don’t rue your words
I’m happy to see that colleges are keeping up with the times. I’m in the business of helping people learn how to use their computers, and with that, I also want to help people know exactly what’s out there. I recently helped parents learn about the dangers of social networking sites such as MySpace.com. And, now I want to help spread a message to college students. Social networking sites are fine, but be careful what you say. Someday those words may come back to haunt you. If you happen to be enrolled at one of the colleges or universities that has incorporated Internet warnings into the orientation, I suggest you listen. Posting something now that you think is funny, or has a “shock value” or might even be criminal; it may just get you in a heap of trouble down the road.
Read More >
Is there an Internet gender gap?
Hey ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you are inferior to men when it comes to using the Internet. Macho men will puff their chests and claim that hey are the “experts” of the World Wide Web. Think again. Northwestern University Assistant Professor of Sociology Communication Studies Eszter Hargittai says there is “no statistically significant difference between men's and women's ability to find content on the Web.” This is an interesting column that sheds some great light on the differences between men and women focusing on technology.
Read More >
Diamonds used to be forever
And that last story segues nicely into this story. New studies show that women are embracing technology at a much higher rate than in the past. In fact, studies now show that women would rather have a tech toy than a diamond. Check out these interesting numbers. Seventy-seven percent of women polled say they would rather have a new plasma TV than a diamond necklace. Also, 56 percent want the TV over a weekend in Florida. I’ve watched HDTV on a plasma TV and the images were so real that I felt I was in the show, so I can see how these thoughts can arise.
Read More >
Off topic:
Getting on board with an iPod
Is Apple slowing taking over the world? If they had their druthers, every person in the world would carry an iPod and integrate it into every part of their lives. At this rate, that may happen. Apple keeps extending their reach, and took it even further last week when they signed deals with GM and Ford. According to Apple, by 2007 over 70 percent of the cars sold in America will be iPod compatible. Driving this, obviously, is the publics’ penchant for MP3 players. Portable music player growth is expected to double to $132 by 2009.
Read More >
I must be seeing things. Or not.
If scientists get it right, they may grant a bunch of wishes in one fell swoop. Invisibility may become a reality in the future. Some scientists believe that it can be achieved. Will you ever be able to take a pill and achieve invisibility? Who knows? But this method may just be the ticket.
Read More >
Whew, you’re ripe!
No more thumping melons. No more smelling lemons. No more guessing. I’m willing to bet that a majority of grocery shoppers out there have had the same thought that this professor had. Mark Riley, an assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at the University of Arizona, invented a sticker that can tell shoppers when a fruit is ripe. It’s due to hit stores in the coming years.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
This fantastic website offers some of the most unique online games I’ve seen to date. And, who doesn’t like to say “Yeti?” A message to animal lovers: Don’t take this site too seriously. I can assure you that no actual penguins were hurt developing these games.
http://www.yetisports.org
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Don’t rue your words
I’m happy to see that colleges are keeping up with the times. I’m in the business of helping people learn how to use their computers, and with that, I also want to help people know exactly what’s out there. I recently helped parents learn about the dangers of social networking sites such as MySpace.com. And, now I want to help spread a message to college students. Social networking sites are fine, but be careful what you say. Someday those words may come back to haunt you. If you happen to be enrolled at one of the colleges or universities that has incorporated Internet warnings into the orientation, I suggest you listen. Posting something now that you think is funny, or has a “shock value” or might even be criminal; it may just get you in a heap of trouble down the road.
Read More >
Is there an Internet gender gap?
Hey ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you are inferior to men when it comes to using the Internet. Macho men will puff their chests and claim that hey are the “experts” of the World Wide Web. Think again. Northwestern University Assistant Professor of Sociology Communication Studies Eszter Hargittai says there is “no statistically significant difference between men's and women's ability to find content on the Web.” This is an interesting column that sheds some great light on the differences between men and women focusing on technology.
Read More >
Diamonds used to be forever
And that last story segues nicely into this story. New studies show that women are embracing technology at a much higher rate than in the past. In fact, studies now show that women would rather have a tech toy than a diamond. Check out these interesting numbers. Seventy-seven percent of women polled say they would rather have a new plasma TV than a diamond necklace. Also, 56 percent want the TV over a weekend in Florida. I’ve watched HDTV on a plasma TV and the images were so real that I felt I was in the show, so I can see how these thoughts can arise.
Read More >
Off topic:
Getting on board with an iPod
Is Apple slowing taking over the world? If they had their druthers, every person in the world would carry an iPod and integrate it into every part of their lives. At this rate, that may happen. Apple keeps extending their reach, and took it even further last week when they signed deals with GM and Ford. According to Apple, by 2007 over 70 percent of the cars sold in America will be iPod compatible. Driving this, obviously, is the publics’ penchant for MP3 players. Portable music player growth is expected to double to $132 by 2009.
Read More >
I must be seeing things. Or not.
If scientists get it right, they may grant a bunch of wishes in one fell swoop. Invisibility may become a reality in the future. Some scientists believe that it can be achieved. Will you ever be able to take a pill and achieve invisibility? Who knows? But this method may just be the ticket.
Read More >
Whew, you’re ripe!
No more thumping melons. No more smelling lemons. No more guessing. I’m willing to bet that a majority of grocery shoppers out there have had the same thought that this professor had. Mark Riley, an assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at the University of Arizona, invented a sticker that can tell shoppers when a fruit is ripe. It’s due to hit stores in the coming years.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
This fantastic website offers some of the most unique online games I’ve seen to date. And, who doesn’t like to say “Yeti?” A message to animal lovers: Don’t take this site too seriously. I can assure you that no actual penguins were hurt developing these games.
http://www.yetisports.org
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, July 28, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog July 28, 2006
Tech Talk!!
Are employer e-mail restrictions justified?
Bosses will say e-mail and IM restrictions are a necessary evil in the work place. Employees will say it’s nothing more than “big brother” trying to control our actions. Well, the argument can certainly be made that employers have to monitor e-mail, for very good reasons. Companies are trying to cover themselves. According to this story, 24 percent of companies have been subpoenaed due to employee e-mails and 15 percent have actually gone to court over e-mails. That leads to immense, unnecessary and avoidable legal fees.
Read More >
Beware of “FormSpy”
I wanted to pass along some information to all you Firefox users out there. According to McAfee, there is a Trojan horse floating around that disguises itself as part of the Firefox browser. If you see something called “FormSpy,” don’t install it. Read the attached link for all the details. Also, this can serve as a good reminder. You have to protect your computer. There are so many bad places on the Web. Make sure your computer has up-to-date firewalls and protection. If you need help, or have any questions, you can find a lot of great resources on my web site at www.videoprofessor.com.
Read More >
Help for commuters? Yes. But is it a good idea?
This sounds like a great idea, but is it a double-edged sword? Google, last week, began sending traffic information to commuters’ cell phones. This is great for helping people avoid the trouble spots and make their daily grind a little more manageable. There’s a “but” though. People are distracted enough when they are driving. Do we really need people reading the most up-to-date traffic information while motoring (or lack thereof) down the highway? Hey pal, watch the road or you’ll be in my bumper.
Read More >
Can it hit the ball for me too?
It’s summer. I like to golf. I wish I were better at golf. Maybe if I can figure out how to get this device to hit the ball for me, I’ll be in much better shape. Utilizing GPS technology, this caddie can tell you pretty much anything you need to know on the golf course about your ball position. It does everything except carry your bag for you, and hit the 7-iron, of course.
Read More >
Off topic:
Reveal your celebrity twin
“Hey you like ‘fill in the blank ________’.” I think we’ve all said that a hundred times to our friends. Who doesn’t have a friend or an acquaintance that looks just like a celebrity? Well, if you don’t, there is a web site that can reveal to you who your celebrity twin is. They’ve created software that analyzes facial features on downloaded photos and matches them to facial features of celebrities. Beware; the results may be a little frightening.
Read More >
Monopoly robbing the bank
I always “called banker.” No matter who I played with, I was always the banker. For some reason, I enjoyed handing out the yellow, blue and pink dollars to my friends and family. Maybe I got a rush when they gave it all back. The new version of Monopoly in the U.K., however, has pretty much taken the fun out of the banker roll. They’ve replaced the bank with an ATM-like device and the players are given debit cards instead of stacks of colored paper. In my opinion, sometimes technology does not need to be present in every aspect of our lives.
Read More >
Give me a break!
I know this country is becoming more and more obsessed about work. The 40-hour-a-week job rarely exists anymore. Heck, with PDAs and cell phones, some can make the case that they are on call 24/7. It is fine for some, but when you go on vacation and you bring your office, you may need to re-think. According to a recent survey, 43 percent of Americans take work with them on vacation, that’s up from 23 percent in 1995.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
Feeling a little stressed at work? This web site may help those blues a little. Enjoy.
http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Are employer e-mail restrictions justified?
Bosses will say e-mail and IM restrictions are a necessary evil in the work place. Employees will say it’s nothing more than “big brother” trying to control our actions. Well, the argument can certainly be made that employers have to monitor e-mail, for very good reasons. Companies are trying to cover themselves. According to this story, 24 percent of companies have been subpoenaed due to employee e-mails and 15 percent have actually gone to court over e-mails. That leads to immense, unnecessary and avoidable legal fees.
Read More >
Beware of “FormSpy”
I wanted to pass along some information to all you Firefox users out there. According to McAfee, there is a Trojan horse floating around that disguises itself as part of the Firefox browser. If you see something called “FormSpy,” don’t install it. Read the attached link for all the details. Also, this can serve as a good reminder. You have to protect your computer. There are so many bad places on the Web. Make sure your computer has up-to-date firewalls and protection. If you need help, or have any questions, you can find a lot of great resources on my web site at www.videoprofessor.com.
Read More >
Help for commuters? Yes. But is it a good idea?
This sounds like a great idea, but is it a double-edged sword? Google, last week, began sending traffic information to commuters’ cell phones. This is great for helping people avoid the trouble spots and make their daily grind a little more manageable. There’s a “but” though. People are distracted enough when they are driving. Do we really need people reading the most up-to-date traffic information while motoring (or lack thereof) down the highway? Hey pal, watch the road or you’ll be in my bumper.
Read More >
Can it hit the ball for me too?
It’s summer. I like to golf. I wish I were better at golf. Maybe if I can figure out how to get this device to hit the ball for me, I’ll be in much better shape. Utilizing GPS technology, this caddie can tell you pretty much anything you need to know on the golf course about your ball position. It does everything except carry your bag for you, and hit the 7-iron, of course.
Read More >
Off topic:
Reveal your celebrity twin
“Hey you like ‘fill in the blank ________’.” I think we’ve all said that a hundred times to our friends. Who doesn’t have a friend or an acquaintance that looks just like a celebrity? Well, if you don’t, there is a web site that can reveal to you who your celebrity twin is. They’ve created software that analyzes facial features on downloaded photos and matches them to facial features of celebrities. Beware; the results may be a little frightening.
Read More >
Monopoly robbing the bank
I always “called banker.” No matter who I played with, I was always the banker. For some reason, I enjoyed handing out the yellow, blue and pink dollars to my friends and family. Maybe I got a rush when they gave it all back. The new version of Monopoly in the U.K., however, has pretty much taken the fun out of the banker roll. They’ve replaced the bank with an ATM-like device and the players are given debit cards instead of stacks of colored paper. In my opinion, sometimes technology does not need to be present in every aspect of our lives.
Read More >
Give me a break!
I know this country is becoming more and more obsessed about work. The 40-hour-a-week job rarely exists anymore. Heck, with PDAs and cell phones, some can make the case that they are on call 24/7. It is fine for some, but when you go on vacation and you bring your office, you may need to re-think. According to a recent survey, 43 percent of Americans take work with them on vacation, that’s up from 23 percent in 1995.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
Feeling a little stressed at work? This web site may help those blues a little. Enjoy.
http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, July 21, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog July 21, 2006
Technically Speaking!!
Lapping the competition
The world has gone mobile; we all know this and live with the changes everyday. I have to think that it’s only a matter of time before we see the end of desktops. Who knows? I guess there will always be people who want the added power of a desktop, with a separate screen and keyboard. Why? If you could have a laptop that is just as powerful as your desktop, I don’t really see a need for a desktop. I guess I’m not the only one. According to this survey, desktop sales are “stagnant” while sales of laptops keep booming.
Read More >
Online reading program helps people with disabilities
As you all know, I’m in the business of teaching computers to people through my Video Professor learning lessons. So anytime I see a situation that embraces technology to help teach others, I’m all for it, especially when technology helps children. New software and programs utilized by the Community Association for Rehabilitation in Palo Alto, Calif., is allowing children with disabilities to become literate. Because the program, Route 66, combines short stories with photos, it helps kids stay focused on the material.
Read More >
The Feds are cracking down on online gambling
Apparently Uncle Sam wasn’t playing around a couple weeks ago when they passed legislation cracking down on online gambling. This week, federal agents arrested 11 people, including a very big fish. The CEO of a very, very popular gambling web site, David Carruthers, was taken into custody for alleged fraud, racketeering and conspiracy charges.
Read More >
Age verification tough for MySpace
MySpace.com is certainly taking steps to better protect its users. With the recent scrutiny in the media of late, they realized there is a lot of work to be done. One of the biggest problems with this site is that anyone can be anyone at anytime. A 50-year-old predator can pass himself off as a 15-year-old free spirit, or a 12-year-old, who is desperate for friends, can pose as the 18-year-old life of the party. Until the site can come up with a way to verify age requirements, which is a very tough hurdle, these problems will continue.
Read More >
Does this make you happy?
We’ve all pondered the age old adage that money buys happiness. Or, maybe you are on the other side of the fence, saying money can’t make you feel better. Can high-tech toys make you happy? Nope! At least that’s the opinion of the New Economics Foundation, who recently conducted a study to see if more material objects and tech toys leads to a brighter outlook on life.
Read More >
Do you YouTube?
If you have seen a newspaper or online news outlet recently, you know that YouTube.com has taken off. I haven’t seen any numbers, but the founders made an announcement last week that blew me away. Fans of the site, which was started in 2005, are downloading more than 100 million videos a day. According to site officials, 60 percent of all videos served up online are through YouTube.com.
Read More >
Off topic:
A democratic lottery
Everyone should vote. It’s our civic duty, our responsibility and the reason we’re allowed to live in the best country in the world. But unfortunately not everyone frequents the polling stations. Maybe this activist in Arizona is on to something. In an effort to get more people out to vote, he’s suggesting entering every voter into a lottery where the prize is a million bucks. Heck, your odds would be a lot better than PowerBall, that’s for sure.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
We all think we are geniuses, right? Well if you really think so, take this little test and see where you rank. By the way, I’m not going to divulge what my score was. You’ll just have to guess.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Lapping the competition
The world has gone mobile; we all know this and live with the changes everyday. I have to think that it’s only a matter of time before we see the end of desktops. Who knows? I guess there will always be people who want the added power of a desktop, with a separate screen and keyboard. Why? If you could have a laptop that is just as powerful as your desktop, I don’t really see a need for a desktop. I guess I’m not the only one. According to this survey, desktop sales are “stagnant” while sales of laptops keep booming.
Read More >
Online reading program helps people with disabilities
As you all know, I’m in the business of teaching computers to people through my Video Professor learning lessons. So anytime I see a situation that embraces technology to help teach others, I’m all for it, especially when technology helps children. New software and programs utilized by the Community Association for Rehabilitation in Palo Alto, Calif., is allowing children with disabilities to become literate. Because the program, Route 66, combines short stories with photos, it helps kids stay focused on the material.
Read More >
The Feds are cracking down on online gambling
Apparently Uncle Sam wasn’t playing around a couple weeks ago when they passed legislation cracking down on online gambling. This week, federal agents arrested 11 people, including a very big fish. The CEO of a very, very popular gambling web site, David Carruthers, was taken into custody for alleged fraud, racketeering and conspiracy charges.
Read More >
Age verification tough for MySpace
MySpace.com is certainly taking steps to better protect its users. With the recent scrutiny in the media of late, they realized there is a lot of work to be done. One of the biggest problems with this site is that anyone can be anyone at anytime. A 50-year-old predator can pass himself off as a 15-year-old free spirit, or a 12-year-old, who is desperate for friends, can pose as the 18-year-old life of the party. Until the site can come up with a way to verify age requirements, which is a very tough hurdle, these problems will continue.
Read More >
Does this make you happy?
We’ve all pondered the age old adage that money buys happiness. Or, maybe you are on the other side of the fence, saying money can’t make you feel better. Can high-tech toys make you happy? Nope! At least that’s the opinion of the New Economics Foundation, who recently conducted a study to see if more material objects and tech toys leads to a brighter outlook on life.
Read More >
Do you YouTube?
If you have seen a newspaper or online news outlet recently, you know that YouTube.com has taken off. I haven’t seen any numbers, but the founders made an announcement last week that blew me away. Fans of the site, which was started in 2005, are downloading more than 100 million videos a day. According to site officials, 60 percent of all videos served up online are through YouTube.com.
Read More >
Off topic:
A democratic lottery
Everyone should vote. It’s our civic duty, our responsibility and the reason we’re allowed to live in the best country in the world. But unfortunately not everyone frequents the polling stations. Maybe this activist in Arizona is on to something. In an effort to get more people out to vote, he’s suggesting entering every voter into a lottery where the prize is a million bucks. Heck, your odds would be a lot better than PowerBall, that’s for sure.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
We all think we are geniuses, right? Well if you really think so, take this little test and see where you rank. By the way, I’m not going to divulge what my score was. You’ll just have to guess.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, July 14, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog July 14, 2006
Welcome to our world of tech!!
The power of the mind
These are the kinds of stories that give us all hope. Despite all the negative stories out there about how technology only leads to longer work days, or more theft online, etc., it’s great to see how technology can truly help. By implanting a small computer chip into the part of the brain that controls movement, scientists were able to help a man who suffered paralysis in all four limbs move a computer cursor on the screen and even move a robotic arm. Imagine the possibilities. This is amazing technology.
Read More >
Microsoft releases fixes
What kind of computer educator would I be if I didn’t help spread the word about things that can help you? On Tuesday Microsoft released four security fixes for Windows that you all should be on the lookout for. According to Microsoft, the fixes all patch holes that could allow hackers to take control of your computer. You’ve been warned!
Read More >
Microsoft and Yahoo! play nice
Whether you’re a Microsoft or a Yahoo! instant messenger, you can now communicate across both platforms. The two giants announced Thursday that they have made good on a promise made last year. Software has been released that allows the two IM platforms to play nice. It now appears the biggest IM community in the world has been built, with more than 350 million accounts spanning both platforms.
Read More >
Firefox’s bigger piece of pie
With Microsoft’s Internet Explorer being questioned for recently found vulnerabilities, it appears that another web browser is reaping the benefits. Firefox, according to reports, now has a 15 percent market share in the United States. Internet Explorer 7 is due to be released when Vista finally hits the shelves. Microsoft better get this one right if they expect to keep its customers, all 83 percent of Internet users.
Read More >
Changing the way we shop
Wouldn’t it stand to reason that because the Internet has made it so easy for us to shop at home, that traffic in malls would decline. That’s what I would have thought, but in actuality, the Internet is not hurting sales at all. If anything, the Internet is making us more savvy shoppers. Consumers are using the Internet to do research on the goods, find the best deal and even map out their trips. According to a spokesperson from the National Retail Federation, 22 percent of all in-store sales come from people who first saw the item on the Internet.
Read More >
Off topic:
Getting your money’s worth
If you are thinking of using what is left of the summer to tackle a home-improvement project, make sure you do some research and find out what projects are going to pay dividends. According to this story, remodeling kitchens and bathrooms will pay off in the long run when it comes time to sell the home.
Read More >
The ins and outs of a 911 call
If you’ve ever wondered exactly how 911 works, make sure you read this article. It gives a breakdown of the process, but what I really thought was interesting was how it works with wireless phones and VoIP. According to public safety officials, up to 50 percent of all 911 calls come from cell phones, and only recently has the operator at the other end been given the information that helps them process the call properly.
Read More >
It takes more than willpower
Don’t feel bad if you’ve ever fallen off the diet wagon. Sometimes it’s not your fault. The emotional state you are in and the lasting effects of different moods you experience have a lot to do with you sticking to a diet. It’s pretty interesting, if you think about it. These guys have some valid points.
Read More >
You k“nose” what is wrong with this picture?
When I travel, I have my portable DVD player (sight) and iPod (hearing), my laptop (touch) and I can stop for coffee (taste). I’ll stop there, thanks. Do we really need this? Seriously? We can take music, movies—practically anything we want—around with us anytime. I’ll stick to pleasing my other four senses and leave my nose out of it.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
“Casual Games” have grown in popularity of late. It seems like every time we go surfing on the Internet we find a way to kill five to 10 minutes playing a mindless game. Well, if you’re the type of person who likes to be distracted, or just needs a break in your day, check out this site full of these games. Do me a favor. If your boss catches you, don’t blame me!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
The power of the mind
These are the kinds of stories that give us all hope. Despite all the negative stories out there about how technology only leads to longer work days, or more theft online, etc., it’s great to see how technology can truly help. By implanting a small computer chip into the part of the brain that controls movement, scientists were able to help a man who suffered paralysis in all four limbs move a computer cursor on the screen and even move a robotic arm. Imagine the possibilities. This is amazing technology.
Read More >
Microsoft releases fixes
What kind of computer educator would I be if I didn’t help spread the word about things that can help you? On Tuesday Microsoft released four security fixes for Windows that you all should be on the lookout for. According to Microsoft, the fixes all patch holes that could allow hackers to take control of your computer. You’ve been warned!
Read More >
Microsoft and Yahoo! play nice
Whether you’re a Microsoft or a Yahoo! instant messenger, you can now communicate across both platforms. The two giants announced Thursday that they have made good on a promise made last year. Software has been released that allows the two IM platforms to play nice. It now appears the biggest IM community in the world has been built, with more than 350 million accounts spanning both platforms.
Read More >
Firefox’s bigger piece of pie
With Microsoft’s Internet Explorer being questioned for recently found vulnerabilities, it appears that another web browser is reaping the benefits. Firefox, according to reports, now has a 15 percent market share in the United States. Internet Explorer 7 is due to be released when Vista finally hits the shelves. Microsoft better get this one right if they expect to keep its customers, all 83 percent of Internet users.
Read More >
Changing the way we shop
Wouldn’t it stand to reason that because the Internet has made it so easy for us to shop at home, that traffic in malls would decline. That’s what I would have thought, but in actuality, the Internet is not hurting sales at all. If anything, the Internet is making us more savvy shoppers. Consumers are using the Internet to do research on the goods, find the best deal and even map out their trips. According to a spokesperson from the National Retail Federation, 22 percent of all in-store sales come from people who first saw the item on the Internet.
Read More >
Off topic:
Getting your money’s worth
If you are thinking of using what is left of the summer to tackle a home-improvement project, make sure you do some research and find out what projects are going to pay dividends. According to this story, remodeling kitchens and bathrooms will pay off in the long run when it comes time to sell the home.
Read More >
The ins and outs of a 911 call
If you’ve ever wondered exactly how 911 works, make sure you read this article. It gives a breakdown of the process, but what I really thought was interesting was how it works with wireless phones and VoIP. According to public safety officials, up to 50 percent of all 911 calls come from cell phones, and only recently has the operator at the other end been given the information that helps them process the call properly.
Read More >
It takes more than willpower
Don’t feel bad if you’ve ever fallen off the diet wagon. Sometimes it’s not your fault. The emotional state you are in and the lasting effects of different moods you experience have a lot to do with you sticking to a diet. It’s pretty interesting, if you think about it. These guys have some valid points.
Read More >
You k“nose” what is wrong with this picture?
When I travel, I have my portable DVD player (sight) and iPod (hearing), my laptop (touch) and I can stop for coffee (taste). I’ll stop there, thanks. Do we really need this? Seriously? We can take music, movies—practically anything we want—around with us anytime. I’ll stick to pleasing my other four senses and leave my nose out of it.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
“Casual Games” have grown in popularity of late. It seems like every time we go surfing on the Internet we find a way to kill five to 10 minutes playing a mindless game. Well, if you’re the type of person who likes to be distracted, or just needs a break in your day, check out this site full of these games. Do me a favor. If your boss catches you, don’t blame me!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, July 07, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog July 7, 2006
Let’s Talk About Technology!!
Parents, the ball is in your court
The morning show for CBS 5 News in Phoenix recently invited me to the studio to discuss how parents can keep their kids safe on social-networking web sites such as MySpace.com. Since this piece only aired in Phoenix, I wanted to pass along a few tips that you can do to keep your kids out of harm’s way. Technology is not as overwhelming as you may think. Once you learn some basic information, keeping up to speed on potential hazards is fairly pain free. Don’t wait for these web sites to change, act now. There are many things you can do to protect your kids:
- Know what sites your kids are visiting. Learn about these sites by visiting yourself.
- Get acquainted with how they work and who frequents them.
- Talk with your children and find out who their “online” friends are.
- Learn the “lingo” that kids are using online. Below are some acronyms you may see on screen:
POS = Parent Looking Over Shoulder
PRW = Parents Are Watching
CD9 = Code 9, parents are around
ASL = Age, Sex, Location
MIRL = Let’s Meet in Real Life - Put the computer in the family room or another public place in the house so everyone can see what sites and chat rooms are being accessed.
- Limit the time that your children spend online.
- Instruct children to NEVER divulge personal information.
- If an online friend suggests a face-to-face meeting, and your child really wants to meet their friend in person, accompany your child to the meeting.
- Online predators seek kids who are lonely, have low self-esteem, or lack parental supervision. Take a good hard look at the relationships with your children and make sure that your kids don’t fit the “victim” profile.
- Video Professor offers a number of tutorials to help parents and Internet users keep themselves safe.
- Internet Security Tutorials focus on Firewalls, ID theft and virus protection
- Video Professor’s Learn the Internet Tutorial covers
- Tips on security
- Setting up parental locks in your browser
- Keeping your privacy safe
- Information on software that can help
- If you do these things, your child’s online activity will be much, much safer. Please visit our web site at http://www.videoprofessor.com/ for more information and more Internet safety tips.
An Infamous Top-10 List
Everybody loves a Top-10 list, right? We’ll take a look at this list. Informationweek.com counted down the Top-10 (I guess if you really want to call them that) computer viruses of the past 20 years. If you caught any of these nasty bugs, this list may conjure up memories that you’d otherwise like to squash.
Read More >
Only a matter of time
You knew it was only a matter of time before Microsoft took a dip in the portable media pool. Can you blame them? It’s a $4 billion a year market. Apple owns roughly 77 percent of the digital music/video market, and it looks like Billy Boy wants his cut. The new line of Microsoft portable media players, which will play music and video, should hit stores before Christmas. What sets the Microsoft players apart is a built-in wireless Internet connection that lets users download their favorite tunes without being stuck at the computer.
Read More >
Off topic:
A Million in a Month
The entrepreneurial spirit that made this country so great is definitely alive and strong in this young businessman. Armed with only a dream, a cell phone and a hundred bucks, Remi Frazier moved to New York City and hopes to capitalize on some timely networking to launch the next great product. I am obviously partial to stories like this because I too was in his place. Eighteen years ago, I had nothing more than an idea. With a lot of hard work and some luck, I can now look back and be proud that Video Professor has helped more than six million people learn how to use their computers.
Read More >
Let’s go double or nothing!
Would you make a double-or-nothing bet to reduce your credit card debt? How about making the same bet with your mortgage payment? Apparently there are a lot of people out there who are willing to take the risk.
Read More >
Site o’ the week
With The Midsummer Classic just a few days away, gear up for Major League Baseball’s 2006 All-Star Game by competing in this home-run derby.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
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.
Read More >
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!
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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?
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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!”
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
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.
Read More >
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!
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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?
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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!”
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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!
View Site >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.”
Read More >
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?
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
“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.
Read More >
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.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.”
Read More >
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?
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
“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.
Read More >
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.
View Site >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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?
Read More >
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).
Read More >
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.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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?
Read More >
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).
Read More >
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.
View Site >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read more >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
“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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
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.
Read More >
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.
Read more >
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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
“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.
Read More >
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.
Read More >
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.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, May 26, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog May 26th 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor Blog May 26th 2006
Technically Speaking!
Yahoo! and eBay Team Up
Two online giants announced a partnership they hope will help them surpass Google and Microsoft. Yahoo! and eBay have teamed up to try and contact even more Web surfers than they already do. According to reports, Yahoo! will have exclusive rights to all graphical advertising on eBay, plus the eBay toolbar will now include Yahoo! search capabilities. For sometime now, Video Professor has helped people Learn How to Buy and Sell on eBay with its educational CD, and now that the online auction house has collaborated with Yahoo!, it is only going to give buyers and sellers more resources to make it big.
Read more >
A Vista in Sight
The end is near. The end of the waiting, that is. The world has been eagerly waiting the arrival of Microsoft’s new operating system, Vista. According to Bill Gates, a second beta version of Vista has hit the street and the official launch is still on schedule to arrive in January. Proponents of the new operating system say that Vista features new and efficient ways to search for and organize your computer’s files, has new communication tools and offers a cleaner desktop.
Read more >
Closing the Ole Phishing Hole
I love when major computer and computer software companies are proactive when it comes to stopping Internet and “phishing” scams. To date, Microsoft has filed 125 civil lawsuits and shut down many “phishing” web sites since 2004. When major players like Microsoft step up, it really helps in making the Web more secure. Evidence of this came this week, when a “phisher” in Iowa was sentenced to 21 months in jail for running an Internet scam.
Read more >
Yahoo! Millionaires
It’s sad really. For all the good that can be found on the World Wide Web, there is just as much trash. So much for an honest day’s work; in Lagos, Nigeria a 14-year-old boy has hacked out his own little niche and become a “Yahoo! Millionaire.” After purchasing laptops, PDAs, etc. with stolen credit cards, this young man then sells the items on the black market.
I don’t know what is worse: that people are able to build fortunes in this manner, or that we don’t work harder to stop it.
Read more >
Off topic: Live forever?
Are humans destined to live forever? If so, is this really a good idea? Some scientists now believe that our lives could be extended by several decades, if not forever. Tinkering with human life will take us down some slippery roads. I love my job. The thought of working forever really intrigues me, but the thought of working forever disenchants me. If I know that I’m going to live forever, I’ll never be able to give up working and focus on different experiences in my life. Also, movement up the corporate ladder will soon become nonexistent. There will be nothing to motivate young workers looking to get ahead. If they are stuck behind some geezer who has no plans of leaving the post, how is that going to help productivity?
Read more >
A “Lego” Up on the Competition
Congratulations, Jason Poland. There are many kids around the country that are suffering from career envy. Poland won his own version of “American Idol” and was named Legoland California’s newest “master model builder.” After cruising through a regional competition, Poland beat out 23 other finalists in a grueling, two-day competition that tested their creativity and Lego skills. Each contestant, on Day 1, was asked to show off their basic skills by creating a face and an egg. But, the real test came during Day 2’s build-off, where each finalist got two hours to let their imaginations run wild. What earned Poland the prize? A fire-breathing snowman captivated the audience.
Read more >
Now, is there something to help my slice?
Finally! I dreamed of this product many, many times when I’ve been alone in the woods searching for my golf ball. These glasses are a stroke of genius that will definitely save me strokes.
Read more >
Quote o’ the week
“This conviction brings to a close the government's effort to send a clear message to the corporate world that fraudulent behavior won't be tolerated,'' said David Irwin, a former state and federal prosecutor who now handles white-collar criminal defense cases in Baltimore, in regards to the Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling convictions.
Site o’ the week
Do you think you have everything in this world figured out? Take this quick quiz and try to make sense of your senses.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Technically Speaking!
Yahoo! and eBay Team Up
Two online giants announced a partnership they hope will help them surpass Google and Microsoft. Yahoo! and eBay have teamed up to try and contact even more Web surfers than they already do. According to reports, Yahoo! will have exclusive rights to all graphical advertising on eBay, plus the eBay toolbar will now include Yahoo! search capabilities. For sometime now, Video Professor has helped people Learn How to Buy and Sell on eBay with its educational CD, and now that the online auction house has collaborated with Yahoo!, it is only going to give buyers and sellers more resources to make it big.
Read more >
A Vista in Sight
The end is near. The end of the waiting, that is. The world has been eagerly waiting the arrival of Microsoft’s new operating system, Vista. According to Bill Gates, a second beta version of Vista has hit the street and the official launch is still on schedule to arrive in January. Proponents of the new operating system say that Vista features new and efficient ways to search for and organize your computer’s files, has new communication tools and offers a cleaner desktop.
Read more >
Closing the Ole Phishing Hole
I love when major computer and computer software companies are proactive when it comes to stopping Internet and “phishing” scams. To date, Microsoft has filed 125 civil lawsuits and shut down many “phishing” web sites since 2004. When major players like Microsoft step up, it really helps in making the Web more secure. Evidence of this came this week, when a “phisher” in Iowa was sentenced to 21 months in jail for running an Internet scam.
Read more >
Yahoo! Millionaires
It’s sad really. For all the good that can be found on the World Wide Web, there is just as much trash. So much for an honest day’s work; in Lagos, Nigeria a 14-year-old boy has hacked out his own little niche and become a “Yahoo! Millionaire.” After purchasing laptops, PDAs, etc. with stolen credit cards, this young man then sells the items on the black market.
I don’t know what is worse: that people are able to build fortunes in this manner, or that we don’t work harder to stop it.
Read more >
Off topic: Live forever?
Are humans destined to live forever? If so, is this really a good idea? Some scientists now believe that our lives could be extended by several decades, if not forever. Tinkering with human life will take us down some slippery roads. I love my job. The thought of working forever really intrigues me, but the thought of working forever disenchants me. If I know that I’m going to live forever, I’ll never be able to give up working and focus on different experiences in my life. Also, movement up the corporate ladder will soon become nonexistent. There will be nothing to motivate young workers looking to get ahead. If they are stuck behind some geezer who has no plans of leaving the post, how is that going to help productivity?
Read more >
A “Lego” Up on the Competition
Congratulations, Jason Poland. There are many kids around the country that are suffering from career envy. Poland won his own version of “American Idol” and was named Legoland California’s newest “master model builder.” After cruising through a regional competition, Poland beat out 23 other finalists in a grueling, two-day competition that tested their creativity and Lego skills. Each contestant, on Day 1, was asked to show off their basic skills by creating a face and an egg. But, the real test came during Day 2’s build-off, where each finalist got two hours to let their imaginations run wild. What earned Poland the prize? A fire-breathing snowman captivated the audience.
Read more >
Now, is there something to help my slice?
Finally! I dreamed of this product many, many times when I’ve been alone in the woods searching for my golf ball. These glasses are a stroke of genius that will definitely save me strokes.
Read more >
Quote o’ the week
“This conviction brings to a close the government's effort to send a clear message to the corporate world that fraudulent behavior won't be tolerated,'' said David Irwin, a former state and federal prosecutor who now handles white-collar criminal defense cases in Baltimore, in regards to the Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling convictions.
Site o’ the week
Do you think you have everything in this world figured out? Take this quick quiz and try to make sense of your senses.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor blog May 12th 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor blog
May 12th 2006
Talking tech!
Is the end in sight?
I’ll admit that I wasn’t the first person in my neighborhood to learn how to use the Internet. Since that time, however, I’ve realized I do more on the Web now then ever, including this blog. I can find virtually anything I want on the Web. As Internet usage continues to become a bigger part of our lives, it has even changed our morning routines. It appears that fewer and fewer of us are taking the time to sit down with our morning coffee to peruse the morning news. Average U.S. newspaper circulation has dropped 2.5 percent, while readership on newspaper web sites rose eight percent to 56 million in the first quarter. If someday the daily news only gets delivered to our Outlook accounts, the nation’s paperboy population will become extinct.
Read more >
Rockwell knows best
I think the one-hit wonder from the 1980s, Rockwell, said it best: “I always feel like somebody’s watching me!” Last week I talked about Internet service providers retaining records of customers’ online activities. Well, it looks like the government has taken “big brother” to the next level. USA Today is reporting that The National Security Agency has been gathering data from every telephone call made in the United States since the 911 attacks. According to the report, more than 200 million people have been subjected to call monitoring.
Read more >
You’ve been warned
Since we’re in the business of helping people learn computers, I feel it’s necessary to pass along “critical” information to you when I see it. Microsoft said this week that they have discovered two “critical” software flaws that potentially could allow hackers to seize control of your computer. The flaws were detected in its Windows operating system as well as its business Exchange software. A patch can be downloaded from Microsoft’s web site.
Read more >
Mow no mo’?
Spring has sprung and with temperatures rising, so is the length of our lawns. The only time I like to cut the grass is with a 7-iron on the approach. But I may be in luck. A group of researchers may have stumbled upon a way to regulate growth in plants. According to Joanne Chory from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, these scientists can elevate or subtract the level of steroids in plants that control growth. By tweaking these levels, they think they can “dwarf grass” and keep it short. A major drawback I see, however, is men will have to come up with new excuses for getting out of trips to the mall on Sundays.
Read more >
Go ask you father!
With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, we are racking our brains trying to come up with the perfect gift for Mom. Well, if your mother has a penchant for technology, computer technology and gadgets, this gift guide may provide some enlightenment.
Read more >
Off topic:
Go, Danica, go!
I know it’s a shameless plug, but I want to wish our friend, Danica Patrick, nothing but the best of luck as she prepares for the upcoming Indianapolis 500. Talk about burning the candle. Not only is she preparing for the race, but she also recently concluded a week-long media tour to promote her new book "Danica: Crossing the Line." Good luck down the stretch! Tillie and I will be watching.
Read more >
A penny for your thoughts. Make that two pennies.
Paul Harvey reports this week that it now costs the mint more to make a penny or a nickel than the coin is actually worth! Apparently the cost of the metal continues to soar. So I guess a nickel isn't worth a plugged nickel!
A “lax” in judgment
I’m all for helping kids with school, but don’t you think this is taking it a bit far?
Read more >
Quote o’ the week
“In my heart, it's hard for me. I like to do things in Babe's name. I just don't want his name mixed up in steroids.” ~ Babe Ruth's granddaughter, Linda Tosetti.
Site o’ the week
Do you have what it takes to be successful in Kitchen Stadium?
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
May 12th 2006
Talking tech!
Is the end in sight?
I’ll admit that I wasn’t the first person in my neighborhood to learn how to use the Internet. Since that time, however, I’ve realized I do more on the Web now then ever, including this blog. I can find virtually anything I want on the Web. As Internet usage continues to become a bigger part of our lives, it has even changed our morning routines. It appears that fewer and fewer of us are taking the time to sit down with our morning coffee to peruse the morning news. Average U.S. newspaper circulation has dropped 2.5 percent, while readership on newspaper web sites rose eight percent to 56 million in the first quarter. If someday the daily news only gets delivered to our Outlook accounts, the nation’s paperboy population will become extinct.
Read more >
Rockwell knows best
I think the one-hit wonder from the 1980s, Rockwell, said it best: “I always feel like somebody’s watching me!” Last week I talked about Internet service providers retaining records of customers’ online activities. Well, it looks like the government has taken “big brother” to the next level. USA Today is reporting that The National Security Agency has been gathering data from every telephone call made in the United States since the 911 attacks. According to the report, more than 200 million people have been subjected to call monitoring.
Read more >
You’ve been warned
Since we’re in the business of helping people learn computers, I feel it’s necessary to pass along “critical” information to you when I see it. Microsoft said this week that they have discovered two “critical” software flaws that potentially could allow hackers to seize control of your computer. The flaws were detected in its Windows operating system as well as its business Exchange software. A patch can be downloaded from Microsoft’s web site.
Read more >
Mow no mo’?
Spring has sprung and with temperatures rising, so is the length of our lawns. The only time I like to cut the grass is with a 7-iron on the approach. But I may be in luck. A group of researchers may have stumbled upon a way to regulate growth in plants. According to Joanne Chory from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, these scientists can elevate or subtract the level of steroids in plants that control growth. By tweaking these levels, they think they can “dwarf grass” and keep it short. A major drawback I see, however, is men will have to come up with new excuses for getting out of trips to the mall on Sundays.
Read more >
Go ask you father!
With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, we are racking our brains trying to come up with the perfect gift for Mom. Well, if your mother has a penchant for technology, computer technology and gadgets, this gift guide may provide some enlightenment.
Read more >
Off topic:
Go, Danica, go!
I know it’s a shameless plug, but I want to wish our friend, Danica Patrick, nothing but the best of luck as she prepares for the upcoming Indianapolis 500. Talk about burning the candle. Not only is she preparing for the race, but she also recently concluded a week-long media tour to promote her new book "Danica: Crossing the Line." Good luck down the stretch! Tillie and I will be watching.
Read more >
A penny for your thoughts. Make that two pennies.
Paul Harvey reports this week that it now costs the mint more to make a penny or a nickel than the coin is actually worth! Apparently the cost of the metal continues to soar. So I guess a nickel isn't worth a plugged nickel!
A “lax” in judgment
I’m all for helping kids with school, but don’t you think this is taking it a bit far?
Read more >
Quote o’ the week
“In my heart, it's hard for me. I like to do things in Babe's name. I just don't want his name mixed up in steroids.” ~ Babe Ruth's granddaughter, Linda Tosetti.
Site o’ the week
Do you have what it takes to be successful in Kitchen Stadium?
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, May 19, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor blog May 19, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor blog May 19, 2006
Talking tech!
Safety Online
Keeping kids safe should be our No.1 priority. There are too many people online today with less-than-reputable intentions. Sometimes firewalls, spyware filters, and virus protection software isn’t enough to keep us secure. A surge in Internet “social networking” sites has spawned friendships from New York to Los Angeles, but it’s also subjected our youth to some seedy characters. A bill introduced in the House of Representatives Monday seeks to ban children from frequenting networking sites such as MySpace.com. On the surface, this bill is a good idea. The less access our kids have to these sites, the less access predators will have to them. I don’t think, however, it’s realistic to ban every teenager in the country from social networking sites. In lieu of a complete ban, perhaps we need to just step up the security on these sites. Kids will be kids, and they will continue to utilize these sites, regardless of a ban. If that’s the case, we should allow the networking to take place and step up our efforts to ban the predators.
Read more >
Victory for eBay
For all of you that Video Professor has helped learn to buy and sell on eBay, I want to pass along a bit of good news. The Supreme Court ruled yesterday “companies that infringe on patents don't necessarily have to change their products.” Previously, a jury found that eBay’s “Buy it Now” service violated a MercExchange patent.
Read more >
Educators Trying to Stay Ahead of the Curve
Technology has definitely enhanced our lives. Apparently it has also enhanced our ability to cheat. At colleges and universities across the country, students are using their laptops, PDAs, and even cell phones to get an “edge” in the classroom. What shocks me is that two-thirds of students in a recent survey admitted to cheating. According to David Callahan, who wrote “The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead,” more and more students today are feeling an immense amount of pressure to succeed in the classroom so they won’t face an uphill battle when looking for a job.
Read more >
In Poor Taste
A tasteless, new online video game has a group of parents up in arms. Super Columbine Massacre RPG, an online game that debuted on the Internet last year, is starting to gain popularity. It is truly disturbing that this game was created and, moreover, that it’s gaining a following. A father of one of the Columbine victims, Brian Rohrbough, said, “We live in a culture of death, so it doesn't surprise me that this stuff has become so commonplace. It disgusts me. You trivialize the actions of two murderers and the lives of the innocent." I couldn’t agree more.
Read more >
Yahoo! Woo Hoo!
Yahoo! is trying to make our lives easier, while at the same time battling competition from its archrival, Google.
Read more >
Off topic:
Trans-Congressional Airlines
For most folks, when they fly, they fly coach. You know: the middle seat in the back of the plane where you count it a lucky day if you get peanuts. Maybe you should run for Congress because that's where the good seats are. According to BusinessWeek magazine, a lot of our elected representatives, aka "Servants of the People," are flying first-class in corporate jets. Both Republicans and Democrats use donated corporate jets to fly about the country and abuse our trust. The top abuser is Republican Senator Trent Lott who received $165,724 in free flights aboard private jets between 2001 and 2005. Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada seems a piker in comparison, logging just $69,551 worth of plush air time. Companies like UST, FedEx, and Bell South love to give legislators free rides. Might they expect favors in return? Naah!
A man among boys?
It must really be a blow to the ego not to be in the limelight. Because the publicity from his book alleging steroid use in baseball is waning, Jose Canseco must feel he needs to manually up his stock. Ex-major leaguers frequently settle on a job or a hobby in retirement, but playing in a senior’s baseball league? Come on! We all know there was a time that you were considered one of the most-feared power hitters in baseball, but you don’t have to rub our faces in it … literally. Plus, he’s using an aluminum bat. Do the pitchers in this league have a death wish? It would be one thing to stand 60 feet 6 inches away from the ex-“bash brother” when he’s armed with a wood club, but with an aluminum stick, Canseco is even more lethal.
Read More >
Ward Churchill: Fraud
We have an update for you on Ward Churchill, that yahoo prof at the University of Colorado. An investigative committee unanimously says Churchill committed several acts of academic misconduct. Their finds say that Churchill's misconduct was deliberate. Apparently Ward likes to steal other authors’ work and claim it for himself. He also claimed to be a Native American, which he's not. You may recall that Churchill got far more than the allocated 15 minutes of fame for defaming victims of the 9/11 attack. The committee is recommending anywhere from firing him to a minimum two-year suspension without pay. Whether or not CU has the courage to act on any of this is suspect, but it's finally documented: Ward Churchill is a fraud. And a disgrace, as if anyone didn't know already.
The schools of hard knocks
The Revolutionary War-era leader Patrick Henry made famous the phrase, “Give me liberty or give me death!” School children across the country better bring back the popular mantra or fear losing playground privileges.
Read More >
Quote o’ the week
"I kept thinking of the Energizer Bunny, because it kept going and going and going, and not in a good way," James Rocchi, a film critic for CBS 5 television in San Francisco, commenting about The DaVinci Code, which hits theaters today.
Site o’ the week
Summer is just around the corner. Surf’s up, dudes!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Talking tech!
Safety Online
Keeping kids safe should be our No.1 priority. There are too many people online today with less-than-reputable intentions. Sometimes firewalls, spyware filters, and virus protection software isn’t enough to keep us secure. A surge in Internet “social networking” sites has spawned friendships from New York to Los Angeles, but it’s also subjected our youth to some seedy characters. A bill introduced in the House of Representatives Monday seeks to ban children from frequenting networking sites such as MySpace.com. On the surface, this bill is a good idea. The less access our kids have to these sites, the less access predators will have to them. I don’t think, however, it’s realistic to ban every teenager in the country from social networking sites. In lieu of a complete ban, perhaps we need to just step up the security on these sites. Kids will be kids, and they will continue to utilize these sites, regardless of a ban. If that’s the case, we should allow the networking to take place and step up our efforts to ban the predators.
Read more >
Victory for eBay
For all of you that Video Professor has helped learn to buy and sell on eBay, I want to pass along a bit of good news. The Supreme Court ruled yesterday “companies that infringe on patents don't necessarily have to change their products.” Previously, a jury found that eBay’s “Buy it Now” service violated a MercExchange patent.
Read more >
Educators Trying to Stay Ahead of the Curve
Technology has definitely enhanced our lives. Apparently it has also enhanced our ability to cheat. At colleges and universities across the country, students are using their laptops, PDAs, and even cell phones to get an “edge” in the classroom. What shocks me is that two-thirds of students in a recent survey admitted to cheating. According to David Callahan, who wrote “The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead,” more and more students today are feeling an immense amount of pressure to succeed in the classroom so they won’t face an uphill battle when looking for a job.
Read more >
In Poor Taste
A tasteless, new online video game has a group of parents up in arms. Super Columbine Massacre RPG, an online game that debuted on the Internet last year, is starting to gain popularity. It is truly disturbing that this game was created and, moreover, that it’s gaining a following. A father of one of the Columbine victims, Brian Rohrbough, said, “We live in a culture of death, so it doesn't surprise me that this stuff has become so commonplace. It disgusts me. You trivialize the actions of two murderers and the lives of the innocent." I couldn’t agree more.
Read more >
Yahoo! Woo Hoo!
Yahoo! is trying to make our lives easier, while at the same time battling competition from its archrival, Google.
Read more >
Off topic:
Trans-Congressional Airlines
For most folks, when they fly, they fly coach. You know: the middle seat in the back of the plane where you count it a lucky day if you get peanuts. Maybe you should run for Congress because that's where the good seats are. According to BusinessWeek magazine, a lot of our elected representatives, aka "Servants of the People," are flying first-class in corporate jets. Both Republicans and Democrats use donated corporate jets to fly about the country and abuse our trust. The top abuser is Republican Senator Trent Lott who received $165,724 in free flights aboard private jets between 2001 and 2005. Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada seems a piker in comparison, logging just $69,551 worth of plush air time. Companies like UST, FedEx, and Bell South love to give legislators free rides. Might they expect favors in return? Naah!
A man among boys?
It must really be a blow to the ego not to be in the limelight. Because the publicity from his book alleging steroid use in baseball is waning, Jose Canseco must feel he needs to manually up his stock. Ex-major leaguers frequently settle on a job or a hobby in retirement, but playing in a senior’s baseball league? Come on! We all know there was a time that you were considered one of the most-feared power hitters in baseball, but you don’t have to rub our faces in it … literally. Plus, he’s using an aluminum bat. Do the pitchers in this league have a death wish? It would be one thing to stand 60 feet 6 inches away from the ex-“bash brother” when he’s armed with a wood club, but with an aluminum stick, Canseco is even more lethal.
Read More >
Ward Churchill: Fraud
We have an update for you on Ward Churchill, that yahoo prof at the University of Colorado. An investigative committee unanimously says Churchill committed several acts of academic misconduct. Their finds say that Churchill's misconduct was deliberate. Apparently Ward likes to steal other authors’ work and claim it for himself. He also claimed to be a Native American, which he's not. You may recall that Churchill got far more than the allocated 15 minutes of fame for defaming victims of the 9/11 attack. The committee is recommending anywhere from firing him to a minimum two-year suspension without pay. Whether or not CU has the courage to act on any of this is suspect, but it's finally documented: Ward Churchill is a fraud. And a disgrace, as if anyone didn't know already.
The schools of hard knocks
The Revolutionary War-era leader Patrick Henry made famous the phrase, “Give me liberty or give me death!” School children across the country better bring back the popular mantra or fear losing playground privileges.
Read More >
Quote o’ the week
"I kept thinking of the Energizer Bunny, because it kept going and going and going, and not in a good way," James Rocchi, a film critic for CBS 5 television in San Francisco, commenting about The DaVinci Code, which hits theaters today.
Site o’ the week
Summer is just around the corner. Surf’s up, dudes!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, May 05, 2006
John W. Scherer Video Professor blog May 5th 2006
Will May Blogs Bring June Flowers?
Let’s talk tech and computing!
Citywide Wi-Fi® creating challenges for users
Large, citywide Wi-Fi networks have been in the news a lot lately; but cities that have already implemented Wi-Fi networks have found them more complicated than they first thought. Bandwidth and performance simply haven’t lived up to citizens’ expectations.
Read More >
You needn’t wait for your town or city to create a wireless network. Create one in your home using my new Learn Wireless Networking lessons.
Big Brother: your ISP...
Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette has proposed that e-mail and Internet providers retain records of their customers’ online activities, records that could enable law enforcement officials to identify each user. The idea is also supported by the Justice Department.
Read More >
Internet use to make life’s major decisions is way up!
A recent survey of Americans online found that over the last two years, 60 million Americans used the Internet to research major life decisions like buying a home or car, to help with a major illness, or to decide where to send their children to college.
That’s a 54% increase over a similar study done in 2002! Researchers suspect the growth of broadband has made it easier for Americans to find the information they’re looking for.
Read More >
I get by with a little spam from my friends.
Most of us are now able to recognize spam, and we’ve even begun to rely heavily on spam filters. Don’t relax yet ... the next generation of spam will be able to copy e-mail addresses from your in-box and write realistic replies to your e-mails! Read More >
Caught surfing at work? Should you be fired?
Caught planning your next vacation on the Internet while you’re at work? You’re not alone; millions of us are guilty of using the Internet for personal use at the office. Up to 3.7 hours per week!
A New York City judge John B. Spooner has recently ruled in a case by stating “It should be observed that the Internet has become the modern equivalent of a telephone or a daily newspaper, providing a combination of communication and information that most employees use as frequently in their personal lives as for their work.”
Read More >
College professors ban laptops to improve education
More and more college professors are banning laptops in their classrooms. Findings show that students retain classroom dialog more while participating and listening than when they spend their time typing . . . and then there are those who are just playing online games instead of paying attention in class.
Read More >
How the Internet can isolate kids
82% of kids are online by the seventh grade. The Internet is a place where less-popular kids can become obsessed in alternate realities they create for themselves, so much so that they become isolated in their online world.
Read More >
Off topic
A tip of the hat to Tony Snow, now former FOX news guy and new White House Press Secretary. I got to know Tony working with him on supporting our wounded troops. I was also a guest on his show. Tony is smart and tough: just the guy to take on the White House Press Corp, or mob, depending on the day! Good luck Tony!
Britney hires a babysitter.
Not for her baby, but for her hubby. Britney has had enough with the partying ways of her hubby. She’s hired a guard to escort him around, make sure he behaves, and to report directly to her if he doesn’t.
Quote o’ the week
“Henry Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record.” -MLB commish Bud Selig responding to questions of whether there would be a celebration when Barry Bonds passes Babe Ruth’s home run record. I guess this means no celebration.
Dumb idea o’ the week
Filling up your gas tank these days is an ongoing shocker. A gallon of gas is around three bucks a pop these days. Some yahoo Senators came up with the idea of a $100 rebate. How insulting. Instead of actually working to develop a sound energy policy, they think they can buy us off for a hundred bucks. And they didn’t mention that the rebate would be taxable! Shameful, and yet another reason to clean house in D.C.
Site o’ the week.
OK, this isn’t exactly Pixar Studios, but it’s a start!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Let’s talk tech and computing!
Citywide Wi-Fi® creating challenges for users
Large, citywide Wi-Fi networks have been in the news a lot lately; but cities that have already implemented Wi-Fi networks have found them more complicated than they first thought. Bandwidth and performance simply haven’t lived up to citizens’ expectations.
Read More >
You needn’t wait for your town or city to create a wireless network. Create one in your home using my new Learn Wireless Networking lessons.
Big Brother: your ISP...
Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette has proposed that e-mail and Internet providers retain records of their customers’ online activities, records that could enable law enforcement officials to identify each user. The idea is also supported by the Justice Department.
Read More >
Internet use to make life’s major decisions is way up!
A recent survey of Americans online found that over the last two years, 60 million Americans used the Internet to research major life decisions like buying a home or car, to help with a major illness, or to decide where to send their children to college.
That’s a 54% increase over a similar study done in 2002! Researchers suspect the growth of broadband has made it easier for Americans to find the information they’re looking for.
Read More >
I get by with a little spam from my friends.
Most of us are now able to recognize spam, and we’ve even begun to rely heavily on spam filters. Don’t relax yet ... the next generation of spam will be able to copy e-mail addresses from your in-box and write realistic replies to your e-mails! Read More >
Caught surfing at work? Should you be fired?
Caught planning your next vacation on the Internet while you’re at work? You’re not alone; millions of us are guilty of using the Internet for personal use at the office. Up to 3.7 hours per week!
A New York City judge John B. Spooner has recently ruled in a case by stating “It should be observed that the Internet has become the modern equivalent of a telephone or a daily newspaper, providing a combination of communication and information that most employees use as frequently in their personal lives as for their work.”
Read More >
College professors ban laptops to improve education
More and more college professors are banning laptops in their classrooms. Findings show that students retain classroom dialog more while participating and listening than when they spend their time typing . . . and then there are those who are just playing online games instead of paying attention in class.
Read More >
How the Internet can isolate kids
82% of kids are online by the seventh grade. The Internet is a place where less-popular kids can become obsessed in alternate realities they create for themselves, so much so that they become isolated in their online world.
Read More >
Off topic
A tip of the hat to Tony Snow, now former FOX news guy and new White House Press Secretary. I got to know Tony working with him on supporting our wounded troops. I was also a guest on his show. Tony is smart and tough: just the guy to take on the White House Press Corp, or mob, depending on the day! Good luck Tony!
Britney hires a babysitter.
Not for her baby, but for her hubby. Britney has had enough with the partying ways of her hubby. She’s hired a guard to escort him around, make sure he behaves, and to report directly to her if he doesn’t.
Quote o’ the week
“Henry Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record.” -MLB commish Bud Selig responding to questions of whether there would be a celebration when Barry Bonds passes Babe Ruth’s home run record. I guess this means no celebration.
Dumb idea o’ the week
Filling up your gas tank these days is an ongoing shocker. A gallon of gas is around three bucks a pop these days. Some yahoo Senators came up with the idea of a $100 rebate. How insulting. Instead of actually working to develop a sound energy policy, they think they can buy us off for a hundred bucks. And they didn’t mention that the rebate would be taxable! Shameful, and yet another reason to clean house in D.C.
Site o’ the week.
OK, this isn’t exactly Pixar Studios, but it’s a start!
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, April 28, 2006
John W. Scherer VIDEO PROFESSOR Blog April 28th 2006
Let’s talk tech!!
Testing, testing
OK, you Beta testers! Here’s a chance to explore the new Internet Explorer 7 software from Microsoft.
Read More >
MS vs. EU
It’s not quite Ali vs. Frasier, but it’s close. Team Gates faces off against Team Europe. Go Bill!
Read More >
My nominees for the Rover Hall of Fame:
The two Mars rovers landed back in 2004 and were designed to last about 6 months. Years later, they just keep on ticking and just keep on roving. I would love to meet the team of engineers that designed them!
Read More >
Sales in the Fast Lane.
Since Video Professor released our “How to Buy and Sell on eBay” tutorial, I’ve been fascinated by all things eBay. And like any good business, eBay keeps on innovating.
Read More >
Off Topic
NFL fans no doubt will be glued to the tubes this weekend watching the NFL draft. I can’t recall a draft, at least recently, that’s attracted so much speculation and guessing. Not surprisingly, four of the Top 10 played in this year’s Rose Bowl. Will Reggie be #1? Is Matt overrated or an instant superstar? Have coaches figured out what Vince might do in the NFL? We’ll find out this fall!
Dumb idea o’ the week
If you’re one of the thousands with bruised knees from flying in coach recently, you’ll love this idea. There have been dumber ideas, but I can’t remember any!
Read More >
Quote o’ the week
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."-President Harry S. Truman
Site o’ the week
Attention Chocoholics! This is a pretty nifty idea.
Read More >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Testing, testing
OK, you Beta testers! Here’s a chance to explore the new Internet Explorer 7 software from Microsoft.
Read More >
MS vs. EU
It’s not quite Ali vs. Frasier, but it’s close. Team Gates faces off against Team Europe. Go Bill!
Read More >
My nominees for the Rover Hall of Fame:
The two Mars rovers landed back in 2004 and were designed to last about 6 months. Years later, they just keep on ticking and just keep on roving. I would love to meet the team of engineers that designed them!
Read More >
Sales in the Fast Lane.
Since Video Professor released our “How to Buy and Sell on eBay” tutorial, I’ve been fascinated by all things eBay. And like any good business, eBay keeps on innovating.
Read More >
Off Topic
NFL fans no doubt will be glued to the tubes this weekend watching the NFL draft. I can’t recall a draft, at least recently, that’s attracted so much speculation and guessing. Not surprisingly, four of the Top 10 played in this year’s Rose Bowl. Will Reggie be #1? Is Matt overrated or an instant superstar? Have coaches figured out what Vince might do in the NFL? We’ll find out this fall!
Dumb idea o’ the week
If you’re one of the thousands with bruised knees from flying in coach recently, you’ll love this idea. There have been dumber ideas, but I can’t remember any!
Read More >
Quote o’ the week
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."-President Harry S. Truman
Site o’ the week
Attention Chocoholics! This is a pretty nifty idea.
Read More >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Easter Bunny Edition!
Easter Bunny Edition!
Let’s talk tech! (And other assorted and sundry items)
Microsoft megapatch.
The folks from Redmond released a major fix for its Windows Explorer program this week. These fixes are especially important for inexperienced users of the program.
Read More >
Dudcasts?
Podcasts are all the rage. Maybe. It seems a lot more people talk about podcasts than listen to them.
Read More >
Bill’s got game.
For most of us, video gaming means going to the store and buying a game. But when your name is Bill Gates, well, you just do things differently!
Read More >
It’s about time.
MySpace.com is all the rage. It’s both hip and dangerous. Predators prowl the site looking for victims to exploit in the worst ways. Finally, the site is taking action. It’s not enough, but better than nothing and better late than never.
Read More >
And why the Web remains such a great thing (if used properly).
Cancer is a tough fight—especially for kids. I can’t wait for the day when there’s a cure. But one of the great things about kids is, when they have someone to share their experience with, it makes a huge difference. We could learn a lot from kids!
Read More >
Not to be confused with kangaroo.
The Internet in the palm of your hand? Yep!
Read More >
Watching Lost is now as simple as ABC.
Many of your favorite ABC series will soon be showing at a computer near you. The folks at Disney and ABC will start streaming hit shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives to your computer. One hitch. If you’re a DVR user and used to skipping through commercials, you won’t be able to do the same thing on your computer. This is an interesting move by ABC as they just started selling episodes of these shows on iTunes for $1.99. And you have to wonder how local affiliates will feel about all this. Still, progress of sorts and proof that TV isn’t just for TV anymore!
Read More >
Google, China and censorship.
Google continues to expand its business in China, and to at least some dismay, agrees with strict censorship rules in China. Essentially this is how it works:
***CENSORED***
That said, the Muzzle goes to:
Read More >
Off topic.
13 Trillion Dollars:
Growth in household net worth during the last three years here in the United States.
The immigration mess: who really needs to be deported!
Immigration reform is a critical issue facing our country. There are many opinions and they all should be heard. But we also need action and direction. That’s why we elect Congress. Instead of facing the issue, they cut and run for Easter break. Perhaps we should deport them and start all over again.
Quote o’ the week
“I didn't hit the ball like I was 46. But I putted like I was 66.”Fred Couples on his disappointment not becoming the oldest winner of the Masters. (I feel your pain Fred.)
Site o’ the week
There are keyboards. And then there are KEYBOARDS.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Let’s talk tech! (And other assorted and sundry items)
Microsoft megapatch.
The folks from Redmond released a major fix for its Windows Explorer program this week. These fixes are especially important for inexperienced users of the program.
Read More >
Dudcasts?
Podcasts are all the rage. Maybe. It seems a lot more people talk about podcasts than listen to them.
Read More >
Bill’s got game.
For most of us, video gaming means going to the store and buying a game. But when your name is Bill Gates, well, you just do things differently!
Read More >
It’s about time.
MySpace.com is all the rage. It’s both hip and dangerous. Predators prowl the site looking for victims to exploit in the worst ways. Finally, the site is taking action. It’s not enough, but better than nothing and better late than never.
Read More >
And why the Web remains such a great thing (if used properly).
Cancer is a tough fight—especially for kids. I can’t wait for the day when there’s a cure. But one of the great things about kids is, when they have someone to share their experience with, it makes a huge difference. We could learn a lot from kids!
Read More >
Not to be confused with kangaroo.
The Internet in the palm of your hand? Yep!
Read More >
Watching Lost is now as simple as ABC.
Many of your favorite ABC series will soon be showing at a computer near you. The folks at Disney and ABC will start streaming hit shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives to your computer. One hitch. If you’re a DVR user and used to skipping through commercials, you won’t be able to do the same thing on your computer. This is an interesting move by ABC as they just started selling episodes of these shows on iTunes for $1.99. And you have to wonder how local affiliates will feel about all this. Still, progress of sorts and proof that TV isn’t just for TV anymore!
Read More >
Google, China and censorship.
Google continues to expand its business in China, and to at least some dismay, agrees with strict censorship rules in China. Essentially this is how it works:
***CENSORED***
That said, the Muzzle goes to:
Read More >
Off topic.
13 Trillion Dollars:
Growth in household net worth during the last three years here in the United States.
The immigration mess: who really needs to be deported!
Immigration reform is a critical issue facing our country. There are many opinions and they all should be heard. But we also need action and direction. That’s why we elect Congress. Instead of facing the issue, they cut and run for Easter break. Perhaps we should deport them and start all over again.
Quote o’ the week
“I didn't hit the ball like I was 46. But I putted like I was 66.”Fred Couples on his disappointment not becoming the oldest winner of the Masters. (I feel your pain Fred.)
Site o’ the week
There are keyboards. And then there are KEYBOARDS.
View Site >
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Let’s talk tech! (And Tillie and Danica)
John W. Scherer VIDEO PROFESSOR Blog
Let’s talk tech! (And Tillie and Danica)
Tillie the very famous dummy
Video Professor won the eBay auction for Tillie the Dummy. For those of you not familiar with Tillie, a fellow by the name of Greg Pringle created her as his “companion” so he could travel in the HOV lanes. He got caught. The judge ordered Greg (who is a heck of a nice guy by the way) to auction Tillie on eBay with proceeds going to Alive at 25. (www.alive-at-25.org) I was happy to see the $15,000 we paid for Tillie, go to this excellent program. And we’re going to raise even more money with Tillie for Alive at 25 and similar program. What really surprised me was the huge interest in Tillie around the country. Almost 15-million people watched or read about the various Tillie stories around the country including Good Morning America and The New York Times! We’ll keep you posted on where Tillie shows up next. Here’s video of Tillie arriving at Video Professor and our news conference!
View Tillie
Video Professor and Danica Patrick feel the need for speed!
I was excited to sign a full-year sponsorship deal with Indy Racing League star Danica Patrick. You’ll see the Video Professor logo on Danica’s helmet all this season. Danica finished 6th this past weekend at the Honda Grand Prix in St. Petersburg FL. To learn more about Danica, go to www.danicaracing.com. And to learn more about the Indy Racing League go to www.indyracing.com
Apple opens new “windows of possibility.”
For all you folks who said “I’ll believe it when I see it,” you can believe it. Windows XP on an Apple!
Read More>
Apple said-Apple said
Ok, who is the REAL Apple? The music company, or the computer company that sells among other things, music.
Read More>
They’re still working on the popcorn.
America loves movies. It just seems we’re finding different ways to watch them. Not that long ago we went to the movie theater. DVD’s and pay-per-view are becoming more and popular options, especially as more and more of us have home theaters. So what’s next?
Read More>
#1 with a bullet.
Just how popular are ring tones? Just how competitive is the ring tone business? Just read Billboard Magazine!
Read More>
Off topic
$2.87 million
Average Major League Baseball salary this season. Highest paid player is A-Rod at $25.7 million. Something to think about when you’re enjoying that $5 hotdog!
Let’s leave this off the recruiting poster.
At the NCAA rifle championships, Army finished…. third. The University of Alaska-Fairbanks finished first.
Quote’ of the week
“I wanted to tell all of you out there who have watched the show for the past 15 years that after listening to my heart and my gut — two things that have served me pretty well in the past — I’ve decided I’ll be leaving ‘Today’ at the end of May.”-Katie Couric on announcing she’s leaving NBC’s Today Show to become the new anchor of the CBS Evening News.
Site o’ the week
With apologies to Ray Stevens…
View The Streaking Game>
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc
Let’s talk tech! (And Tillie and Danica)
Tillie the very famous dummy
Video Professor won the eBay auction for Tillie the Dummy. For those of you not familiar with Tillie, a fellow by the name of Greg Pringle created her as his “companion” so he could travel in the HOV lanes. He got caught. The judge ordered Greg (who is a heck of a nice guy by the way) to auction Tillie on eBay with proceeds going to Alive at 25. (www.alive-at-25.org) I was happy to see the $15,000 we paid for Tillie, go to this excellent program. And we’re going to raise even more money with Tillie for Alive at 25 and similar program. What really surprised me was the huge interest in Tillie around the country. Almost 15-million people watched or read about the various Tillie stories around the country including Good Morning America and The New York Times! We’ll keep you posted on where Tillie shows up next. Here’s video of Tillie arriving at Video Professor and our news conference!
View Tillie
Video Professor and Danica Patrick feel the need for speed!
I was excited to sign a full-year sponsorship deal with Indy Racing League star Danica Patrick. You’ll see the Video Professor logo on Danica’s helmet all this season. Danica finished 6th this past weekend at the Honda Grand Prix in St. Petersburg FL. To learn more about Danica, go to www.danicaracing.com. And to learn more about the Indy Racing League go to www.indyracing.com
Apple opens new “windows of possibility.”
For all you folks who said “I’ll believe it when I see it,” you can believe it. Windows XP on an Apple!
Read More>
Apple said-Apple said
Ok, who is the REAL Apple? The music company, or the computer company that sells among other things, music.
Read More>
They’re still working on the popcorn.
America loves movies. It just seems we’re finding different ways to watch them. Not that long ago we went to the movie theater. DVD’s and pay-per-view are becoming more and popular options, especially as more and more of us have home theaters. So what’s next?
Read More>
#1 with a bullet.
Just how popular are ring tones? Just how competitive is the ring tone business? Just read Billboard Magazine!
Read More>
Off topic
$2.87 million
Average Major League Baseball salary this season. Highest paid player is A-Rod at $25.7 million. Something to think about when you’re enjoying that $5 hotdog!
Let’s leave this off the recruiting poster.
At the NCAA rifle championships, Army finished…. third. The University of Alaska-Fairbanks finished first.
Quote’ of the week
“I wanted to tell all of you out there who have watched the show for the past 15 years that after listening to my heart and my gut — two things that have served me pretty well in the past — I’ve decided I’ll be leaving ‘Today’ at the end of May.”-Katie Couric on announcing she’s leaving NBC’s Today Show to become the new anchor of the CBS Evening News.
Site o’ the week
With apologies to Ray Stevens…
View The Streaking Game>
John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
VIDEO PROFESSOR, Inc
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