Computer Solutions in the greater brisbane area.
February, 2008
Archive for February, 2008
Why Can’t we Grow New Body Parts?
Alan Russell Talks about the very real possibility of Regenerating Damaged tissue to cure disease and heal wounds. Click read more to go to the video.
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Labor going ahead with mandatory internet censorship.
The Federal Labor government is preparing to test new ISP-level anti-porn filtering systems even though three separate government-funded studies show that ISP-level filtering is ineffective. Despite previous failure, the Labor government is now thrusting deep into the public coffers in order to erect a new $89 million ISP-level version that lawmakers hope will include technical safeguards that are impossible to penetrate.
I’m sorry, but government mandated censorship is not on in a free society, regardless of what the intent is today. What’s to stop them filtering out other things they decide are no good for us? Contact Senator Steven Conroy now and voice your concern; http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/contact
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Metamophing Computer Interfaces
Siafu is a PC designed to give people with vision loss or impairment a more intuitive computer experience. It lays flat like a tablet and allows the user to fully interact with it by way of touch. The surface utilizes a conceptual material called magneclay or magnetized liquid. This material has the ability to morph upward into any shape via a controlled electromagnetic field enabling the device to create a braille surface for reading and even pictures in 3D relief.
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Scam Watch
Eagle eye’d staffer Chris pointed me to this government run website detailing all the latest cons and scams, many of which circulate via the internet.
I think its worth a look for most clients, just to remind yourself that much that glitters on the internet, is anything but gold. 
Microsoft launches Skydrive
Skydrive is Microsoft’s latest online offering, and I have to say, I feel like the “live” brand is actually gaining momentum and could possibly bring Microsoft to the forefront of the online world.
The Skydrive service offers users free access to 5 gig of online storage, which is a great way to backup important files somewhere thats easy to access anytime, anywhere.
At present you must upload via a slightly clunky web interface, but I’m hoping (and have suggested this to Microsoft) that they’ll soon add a drive so that you can have a drive letter assigned to your Skydrive storage.
Check it out at skydrive.live.com
BSA toughens up piracy campaign
The BSA is planning another tough year on piracy and will run a number of education and awareness campaigns targeting members within a number of verticals, as well as CIOs and financial managers. The Business Software Alliance received 1900 calls related to software piracy during 2007, and settled 14 cases to a total value of $560,000.
Basically, these are the guys that can turn up on your office doorstep and check your software licensing. It is not worth the risk, and business owners need to ensure none of their staff are intalling software illegally on work computers.
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Get a free audio book
In recent months I’ve become a big fan of audio books. My GPS will store and play them while I’m in my car, and many MP3 players and other devices support Audible’s service as well, so its easier than ever to get through the books you want to read.
Well, if that appeals, head over to Audible via this link, and if you are not already a subscriber, you can get a free audiobook to start your collection. You need to sign up for an account, but you can cancel after you get the free book if you wish. I kept mine, it costs about $17.50 a month for the gold plan, and with the credit system, I just got an Audiobook that costs about $110 for only 2 credits!
Check it out, its really cool.
Shopping help is here!
Just thought I’d let everyone know about our newest website client, Shopping S.O.S. They’ve just launched their new website, shoppingsos.com.au. If you don’t have time, or need help with your grocery shopping, Sandra and the team and organise your grocery shopping and deliver it to your door. Check it out, its a great service.
Everyone has problems now and then
The picture probably says it all, even fancy Las Vegas types have their computers crash from time to time.
Pretty embarrassing when your computer screen is seen by so many people.
If they’d just had one of our computers, this might never have happened.
Dr. Kawashima declines $22 million in Brain Age royalties
With 17 million copies of Brain Age sold since its release, Dr. Kawashima is due to earn $22 million in royalties. His employment agreement states that he has to share revenue of this kind 50/50 with the University, but instead, Dr Kawashima is using the royalties to fund research projects. He has built a 300-million-yen laboratory at the university’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer where he works, and another lab is due to be completed next month at the cost of 400 million yen. What a top bloke!
read more | digg story
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