ONLINE
Typing Style as Password
Researchers at Louisiana Tech and Penn State say that one's typing style is as unique as your eye color or speech patterns. This conclusion is the result of over 5 years of research. The program looks at the time between keystrokes and the time it takes to press a key. Such "biometric" information could be used instead of a password (not recommended for sensitive data) or as an additional layer of security protection (the "two-factor" authentication model). The developers of this technique have reached a licensing agreement with BioPassword, Inc. (www.biopassword.com).
Is Your Car the Next Recipient of an Internet Virus?
Not likely, so far, but it is a sobering thought. Many cars, trucks, and SUVs are rolling off the assembly line with wireless (usually Bluetooth) connectivity to the Internet. And these same vehicles (practically all modern ones with or without wireless) are basically controlled by computer. Sure, you get to push on the gas pedal and manipulate the steering wheel, but there are a lot of electronics under the hood managing such vital systems as the engine, transmission, air bags, antiskid system, steering, throttle, and the entertainment system, not to mention the diagnostics routines. So, is it such a stretch to imagine a wireless virus infecting your vehicle and, well, doing whatever? We've recently reported on cell phone viruses. Yes, they're in the early stages of development, but given the rate of electronic maturation, it shouldn't be too long before they become mature viruses.
Give Us a Break, Please!
Any takers on how long it will be before the use of cell phones in public places is essentially banned, the way smoking went? A recent poll by the University of Michigan revealed that 60 percent of cell phone users (interesting to note that it's the users themselves) say that people using the phone in public can be a major irritation. And 40% said there should be a law prohibiting use in such places as museums, movie theaters, and restaurants. A whopping 80% said cell phone use while driving poses a major safety hazard. Remember this the next time you reach for your phone while on the road or in an otherwise public "quiet" place. And let's not bring up the cell phone cameras being used where they shouldn't be. Give us all a break, eh?
Photo-Share Websites
Here's a couple of sites you may not know about: www.flickr.com, recently purchased by Yahoo, and www.snapfish.com, (now) brought to you by H-P. Flickr allows you to upload images and add "tags," which function much like captions and keywords. Snapfish is more traditional (think "Kodak Moment"), and wants you to order your prints on-line. Both, of course, offer image sharing. And check out this site, www.mappr.com. It's beta, so there may be a few glitches, and it may be slower than one would expect. However; it uses some pretty neat software to divine where the all the images on flickr were taken or are about, and generates a location map. That's easy when the tag says, "San Francisco," and next to impossible when the tag says, "my granddaughter." Still, it's pretty exciting to use mappr with such search terms as "Route 66."
By The By
Just a reminder that when web pages don't load, or seem to take forever, or don't load correctly, don't be too quick to blame the website or your Internet connection. First try turning off your firewall and/or Internet security software, if just for a test. You may be surprised at the results. And don't forget about your pop-up blocking software. But don't forget to turn your protection back on as soon as you can.
Bill Hopkins
is the Webmaster of PhotoSourceFolio* (www.photosourcefolio.com) and a regular contributor to PhotoStockNotes. Send comments via e-mail to wh@photosourcefolio.com. Fax: 1 818 831-0916. For on-line questions, contact Bill on the Kracker Barrel at www.photosource.com/board.*Display 6 of your own images for photobuyers to view, on your page on the PhotoSource website.
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Rohn Engh is director of PhotoSource International and publisher of PhotoStockNotes