Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I’ll Take Congress for $84 Million, Alex

Our lead story is how much money it took to buy House yes votes for CISPA. In terms of today’s dollars, these Congress Persons are really cheap buys. The House of Representatives…aka…the Parliament of Whores, sold their votes for a mere $84 million. Even the smallest tech companies up for sale would laugh at a cheap offer like that.

Meanwhile, our friends in Redmond continue to surprise, then disappoint us. Last week I told you about the return of the Start Button rumor for Windows 8.1. While that is looking more and more like a possibility, what may not return is the Start Menu that pops up when you hit the Start Button.

So what will you get? You guessed it…the Metro screen in all its glory. They seem to want to stick this down our throats any way they can. But, of course, third party developers have found ways around the Microsoft blunder…and I have included a list of the best free ones in this edition. The boys in Redmond just don’t get it.

Some tech pundits are complaining that Apple has lost their magic mojo. And while their products haven’t changed much lately, that is what people apparently want. In the first 3 months of this year, Apple sold 37.4 million iPhones and 19.5 million iPads, compared to 35.1 million iPhones and 11.8 million iPads in the year-ago quarter. I would say they are doing some things right. Their profit margin did drop to a cool $9.5 billion. I could live with that.

But, there is some great info here, as usual. If you use a router for your Internet Connections, you definitely need to read the latest installment of “Home Networking Explained.” OK…let’s go! - JRC

Somewhere Everywhere, Big Brother Is Smiling: Congress Sells Your Privacy For A Cool $84 Million

In case you were wondering why so many Democrats switched sides during the most recent CISPA vote, the answer is exactly what you think it is: $$$. And lots of it.

Leaked Windows 8.1 Build 9374 disappoints Start button fans

Those of us who are waiting with bated breath for signs of the Start menu's resurrection found a lump of coal in our stockings. Click the Start Button and it opens up Metro.

Google Glass mysteries revealed

After long list of announcements and revelations about Google's cyborg eyewear, here's what we've learned and what it means

How a Webcam Pointed at a Police Radio Won the Internet Friday

A quarter of a million people tuned in to the streaming video image of Uniden Bearcat scanner radio picking up publicly available police communications traffic in Boston.

Home networking explained, part 6: Keep your network secure

f you were concerned after reading CNET's recent report that most home routers can be easily hacked, I don't blame you. The study did sound ominous, but the good news is that your network is likely far less susceptible than the report suggests. And more importantly, there are things you can do to make sure it's secure.

Final arrangements: Hitting the digital dead man's switch

Go beyond Google -- here's how to automatically wrap up your online affairs and ensure a proper digital burial after you die

When Mobile Photography Beats Traditional Photography

There are 9 benefits of mobile cameras over traditional cameras. They include accessibility; integrated capture, edit and share functions; simplicity; access to the work of other photographers; reduced clutter; the focus on composition; and fun.

How to minimize noise in digital photos

Film grain was every photographer’s nemesis. Instead of smooth, natural textures, grain put ugly blotches all over a photo. And though the days of grainy photos are far behind us, digital photos have a similar problem: digital noise.

Best Free Windows 8 Start Menu Replacement

If you use Windows 8, here are three free programs to bring back the desktop. The best of the free applications is Classic Shell. If you are using Windows 8 and wish you had the familiar desktop back, give it a try.

Need To Trim An MP3 File? Do It Online.

Do you need to download and install an audio file editor, just to trim the ends of an MP3 track? Thankfully, no. You can do it all online, for free.

Final arrangements: Hitting the digital dead man's switch

Go beyond Google -- here's how to automatically wrap up your online affairs and ensure a proper digital burial after you die

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