The Internet is becoming harder to use for the handicapped

Yes folks it is.  You have seen them for yourself.  The ones that think using just flash to build their websites is so cool they make their whole websites in flash only.  They forget the ones using text to speech software.  Or... are they ignoring them?  Everyone spews of making the Internet more resourceful. Chock it full of content, and use lots of eye candy.  But no one I believe has even considered whom will loose the most if this happens.  If you use flash on your website, then you are crippling the blind, the ones that are paralyzed, the ones that have muscle diseases, and the ones that have severe nerve diseases. This is just naming a few of the ones you will hurt.

 

If the Internet keeps on the same path then one day these people will no longer have their outlet.  They will be forced off the Internet.  Not even the best of text to speech software will be able to help them.  As of right now there are 57,600,000 flash pages online when I did a search on Google.  I don't know the percentage of how many of these are full flash websites, or how many of these consist of just one page etc.  I do know that I have come across many websites that now are full flash, and they have no alternate link included for those that prefer nonflash.  Is your website one of these full flash websites? 

 

 The ones to really miss out the most are the blind.  They miss out because the text to speech can only read out loud what the page is about if your descriptive enough. This includes pictures that have alt text.  Yes these software are getting better at reading text, but they allocate so many dollars to be in a grant to go towards users that need this type software.  If there is no grants available, then they have to use a alternate method to read text online.  The software is very expensive.  The cheap or free ones only read you can't edit etc, I haven't come across one as of yet that was free or reduced price that would read pages and allow them to work online also on documents etc.  Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 standard is $99.00 for the cd version limited because it only works with a very few software.  their Preferred version is $199.99 on cd and has a list of software it will work with.  The best way to find out how limited a handicapped person is online, is to try the software out.  Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8  You can install Lynx Browser Lynx Browser  this will give you some idea on what the blind have to face online.  But for every text to speech software there is, there are limitations depending on the version, rather if its a lite version or full, etc.  Why do they get the lite version? Because this software is not cheap.  same goes if the text to speech software is very old.  And Lynx can only be used as a example  for you to see what a text to speech will pic up.  If you don't see the page on Lynx, then they wont pick up the page on a few of the text to speech software for the blind.   Synapse list quite a few software for you to check out that is geared towards a person depending on their handicap. Some of this software has a trial version.  Actually most do. 

 

You should be setting up alternate WebPages not using flash or fancy script.  We have brilliant minds online struggling to get content. They may have less than a perfect body, but they deserve to have a Internet just as much as you do.  Lets please don't forget them. 

Jay Leno doesn't get it!

On tonight's broadcast of the Jay Leno Show. Jay Leno Show Jay was trying to make jokes and talk about the impending search that was bestowed against Google. What Jay leno said was "The FBI wants Google to send them 1,000,000 porn sites."  Sorry Jay, you don't get it.  It's not 1,000.000 porn sites, its 1,000,000 web searches that consumers are asking of Google to look up for them.  Incase you are wondering why they want them is to see if they are targeting porn or if the searches themselves are bringing up sites not related to Porn, or are porn, but being brought up in searches using key words not related to porn.  Or at least this is how I understand it.  Better luck next time Jay. 

 

RIAA and MPAA's attempts to freeze the progress of consumer electronics technology

"The EFF's Deeplinks section has a pretty alarming post about the RIAA and MPAA's attempts to freeze the progress of consumer electronics technology and then start turning back the clock on all of us. Fair use, meet your successor: "customary historic use."

The post points to broadcast flag draft legislation sponsored by Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) that contains provisions which appear to limit digital broadcast media reception devices to "customary historic use of broadcast content by consumers to the extent such use is consistent with applicable law and that prevents redistribution of copyrighted content over digital networks." In other words, if it does anything heretofore unheard of with the digital content that it receives, then it's illegal. And if it does anything "customary" that could also possibly lead to unauthorized redistribution, then it's also illegal. So all the bases are covered! .."

 

 

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060121-6025.html

 

http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004340.php

 

http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/dcp_act_2006.pdf

 

So, if you were planning to launch a startup and make millions off the coming digital broadcast media revolution by inventing the next iPod or by combining digital radio with Web 2.0 and VoIP and Skype and RSS and WiFi mesh networks, then forget about it. When digital broadcast nirvana finally arrives, the only people who'll be legally authorized to make money off of music and movies are the middlemen at the RIAA and the MPAA.

 

 

 

If the RIAA and MPAA's attempts to ban any new content for the software industry, and Techo gadget Industry.  It could put a tail spin on Technology that even Oliver Lodge (later Sir Oliver) wouldn't of been able to save if he was alive today.  Good bye to all new devices, news media devices, and good bye to even a few companies because their livelihood is built around this technology.  Apple will be non existent too.  Sony will loose, So will any new innovations trying to come on board. This website claims it wont be that bad.  But who is going to pay the bill for the ones that depend on this type  new Technology to stay running?  What they are doing, is stopping the technology all together to create a barrier so that new innovation no longer is a word used in the business.  They know it too. 

 

Now I ask the singers, and bands, and entertainment professionals that entertain everyone, and do a swell job of it too.  Now is your first clue to watch this bill if it gets passed if you have any sense in your head that God above gave you... you will use this law to benefit yourselves too.  After all most of you still barley get a paycheck while the record companies and the RIAA and  MPAA's are , swimming in YOUR money, laughing all the way to the bank.  If they pass this law they will have no excuse but to pay you better. 

 

Fears raised over digital rights

"A UK consumer watchdog has called for new laws to protect users' rights to use digital music and movies."

 

"Consumers face security risks to their equipment, limitations on their use of products, poor information when purchasing products and unfair contract terms"

 

I have said all along to myself that the consumer was getting a bum deal.  Plus it seems as though the EULAS were getting ridiculous.  I don't think they should end on just music and movies but also include software.  All digital content.  Grab all of them by the heels. Think how they are hurting everyone all because of their greed, and unfair use polices. The software industry is getting out of hand too.  There are no laws in place. They can pretty much say as they please in the EULAS and the consumer has to bite their upper lip, and deal with it, or not make the purchase.  What few laws that are in place for the purchase of Cds are being ignored by the manufacturers. After Sony's little stunt, you now can add to this security risk, and illegal downloading to a consumers computer. The software industry needs to be regulated. Consumers have rights too, and it just seems as though the consumer has taken a back seat when it comes to their music, movies, and software. It's all about the manufacturers, to hell with the consumers. Also I really do hope that the United States, or everywhere for that fact, also has the common decency to come up with their own "fair users rights" laws. 

 

Fears raised over digital rights

Consumers warned to avoid Brazilian diet pills

I am right up with the rest of the Americans wondering... "How will I purchase the medicine I need, and be able to eat too every month?"  This can't be sugar coated because this problem of medicine being too expensive has been going on for years now.  The Government is not helping us that much.  They are only turning a already problem into a nightmare. 

 

My heart is sad because I saw a lady on TV asking how will she get her medicine this month because her paperwork has not showed up as of yet, and the help she was receiving told her she was on her own now. 

 

I am in the same boat as she is in.  My paperwork has not arrived either.  I signed up for something that I have no clue to what or whom they are, and what to expect.  All I know is for now on my free samples will not be coming anymore, and signing up for the different drug companies is not a option that my doctor supports anymore.  At least its not supported if you are on Medicare.  I am about to sink here because I know I am up creak without a paddle.  There is no one I can go to keep from drowning.

 

If I had the money myself I would help the women I saw on TV, and other people like her.  Her meds are precious to her.  They keep her alive.  It's going to be a cold winter this year.  Many will freeze to death.  Those that don't freeze will die because their meds stopped coming.  

 

I just hope and pray they don't go to the internet to find their prescriptions, and end up in worse shape than what they are in.  Overseas the drug companies (or so I heard) are known to put additives in the drugs that can cause heart, kidney, and liver failure.   

 

So basically we're having to pick our poison wisely.  Those that do have a option should be thankful.  They are truly blessed.  The rest of us are screwed like usual.

 

CNN: Avoid Brazilian diet pills

A Felony?

 On Wednesday morning, Forchione filed a felony criminal charge of disrupting public services against Michael W. Stone,  age 18.   “Michael said it was a joke,” Forchione said. “We showed him how we deal with this kind of joke.”  It’s not the first time local officials have investigated situations where students are misusing computers. Forchione noted a 2005 case in which four Jackson High School students were charged with misdemeanors after being caught accessing the school computer system. Some grades were changed.

 

At Techdirt over 47 replies have hit the page on this subject.  Most are saying that this is a unfortunate event to happen to this boy, the punishment doesn't fit the crime.  One poster says:

 

Re: dos is dos
by Samuel Walter on Saturday, January 7th, 2006

 

our assertion that the student's actions constitute an attempted Denial of Service (DoS) attack is ridiculous. The student simply posted a comment on a public blog, not operated by the school, requesting that others go to the site and refresh the content. Regardless of his intentions, all he did was tell people to visit the site. He didn't setup flood bot, he didn't coordinate a distributed attack, and he didn't take advantage of or even mention possible weaknesses to exploit. Again, all he did was ask people to visit the site and refresh the content. At the most, the boy's actions equate to harassment and could have been remedied by simply talking to him.

Charging this boy with a FELONY is reckless, and irresponsible, and illustrates incredible ignorance by the school, the police, and the prosecutor. Furthermore, the actions taken and comments made by the prosecutor demonstrate his own brazen arrogance, poor judgement, and malice. If convicted of the charge this boy, who is just beginning his life, will carry the burden of being a "convicted felon" until he dies or is absolved by a higher court. Here's a sample of the collateral consequences his conviction would bring:

Ineligible for student loans and other financial aid.

Ineligible for most jobs requiring licensing by state or federal government (i.e. teacher, doctor, architect, lawyer, electrician, real estate broker, stock broker).

Ineligible for governmental employment.

Prohibited for possessing firearms.

Must disclose "convicted felon" status on employment applications.

Loses the right to become an elector and cannot vote, hold public office, or run for public office.

Potential disqualification from applying for public housing and other social services.

Potential disqualification from applying to be a foster parent.

Potential disqualification from adoption applications.

Even if this boy is exonerated and the charges are dropped or dismissed, he will have been put through a process reserved for those accused of the highest order of crime defined by law. The prosecutor's rash decision to file felony charges without first consulting with a technology expert is reprehensible. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear he lacks the sound judgement and integrity that is necessary to competently represent the People of his municipality. He should resign from or be removed from his post, and be replaced by someone who will represent the People with the integrity and consideration they deserve.

Respectfully,

Samuel Walter
Network Engineer / Security Analyst

Thank you Samuel Walter for your post.  I agree totally here.  The police department is prosecuting a boy for a crime that not even the school, police department, or their so called tech savvy people have any knowledge of what they are doing.  Much less could tell any one of us exactly what this boy did that was wrong.  If they had of known exactly what this boy had done, then they never would of filed felony charges against him.  They would of filed mischief charges instead. As I posted a reply on this website below.  They all need to go back to kindergarten instead to brush up on computer skills.

 

Asking People To Hit Reload Is A Felony?

 

 

 

JFK assassination 'was Cuba plot'

A new documentary exploring the death of John F Kennedy claims his assassin was directed and paid by Cuba.

Rendezvous with Death, based on new evidence from Cuban, Russian and US sources, took three years to research.

One source, ex-Cuban agent Oscar Marino, said Havana had exploited Lee Harvey Oswald, who was arrested but shot dead before he could be tried...

 

Read the rest here: JFK Conspiracy Theories

Researchers discover how a high-fat diet causes type 2 diabetes

Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers have discovered a molecular link between a high-fat, Western-style diet, and the onset of type 2 diabetes. In studies in mice, the scientists showed that a high-fat diet disrupts insulin production, resulting in the classic signs of type 2 diabetes....

 

read here: Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers

 

 

 

 

A presidential order allowing warrantless spying on American citizens goes far beyond even the Patriot Act

It's hard to say rather if the NSA has the right to take our constitutional liberties away from us.  For one thing you have to look at what they actually do. Who is the NSA? about the NSA   They stop wars, they stop threats against US soil, and they keep the bad guys from infiltrating our very government and taking over, or causing harm. NSA has some of the brightest minds in the world working there.  They have the people that all parents wish to brag about when mentioning their own children. Very few individuals make it into this elite group called the NSA. Lots of people wouldn't even make it through a résumé. NSA are the ones who's résumé reads like a book. Who's IQ is in the top percentile in the world.  They can make even top business people like Trump look like a idiot. 

 

Our constitutional liberties have been in force long before the NSA has been in power.  The NSA was born out of concern for protecting US government information systems and basically to spy on foreign intelligence information. Their home page is located here:  NSA   This is the ones that are stepping on our toes trying to take US citizens constitutional liberties away. 

 

We have to look at both sides of this issue to go one sided without consideration of the other would be just as bad.

 

First we have our  Constitutional Rights to consider.  The courts for years have been pretty good about our rights as citizens and they have stepped on quite a few toes in the past to protect our Constitutional Rights. So should they step on a few toes now? Ask yourself this...Do you as a citizen have the right to threaten our Nation?  Do you have the right as a US citizen to threaten the liberties that our Constitution has protected? There is a fine line in here to consider also. That fine line is free speech.  I am sure most are aware that even if you met a idiot on the street that said they was going to blow up your local Mall or worse.  You would first be asking yourself... "Would or could this person do it?" Or are they just blowing off steam? 

 

Our Congress passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which required that agencies receive warrants from a special court staffed by judges with top secret clearance before spying on U.S. soil. Which means a warrant has to be issued before they can act on any person on US soil. This has been a standard for many years.  It was passed in the 1970's to stop abuse by the higher Government offices.  In other words abuse was rampid and then Congress went in and stepped on a few toes to protect our Constitutional Rights.  It's one thing to be acting like God, and another to be playing the part of God.  The NSA along with a few other agencies abused their power plain and simple.  Even though I don't remember Congress getting involved and this taking place. It had to be absolutely bad in order for Congress to be involved in it, and taking action against them.  So this is something to consider.

 

I just hope they didn't open another Pandora's box. I also hope that our President didn't abuse his powers to allow them to step on our Constitutional Rights. The Bush Justice Department has argued that the Constitution grants the president "inherent authority" to spy on foreign powers or their agents, including U.S. citizens, and Congress cannot extinguish that authority. I don't remember reading this in the Constitution. I have read every line and can't find this folks.  I must be not as so blind as Bush is so deaf. he could be blind too.  Who knows? But to give credit where credit is due here is Bush's side of it. Bush and NSA He claims this was not suppose to be made public.  Oops!

 

So how bad is this?  It can be very bad for the public because it goes against the very fabric of what our Country has told us about our Constitution all of these years.  Our Liberties can be stripped from us and we can become no more than just another piece of land with a dictator running it.  Our Constitutional Rights are being treated as no more than a piece of paper that can be wiped of all of our freedoms, one by one.  It should never ever be so easy for the American public to loose a Constitutional Right. It should never be left for one man to change how our freedoms are handled. Not even the president should be allowed to change our Constitutional Rights without the publics say in it, and not without a act of Congress that the public has full access, and knowledge of.  No investigation should be done behind closed doors either on how Bush was able to do this.   

 

So what do I believe after reading all of this news?  It's just the best excuse Bush could come up with.   But the so called law he put in affect makes not a damn bit of sense if you think about it.  He claimed he needed this so he could be ahead of terrorist, etc.  He was already ahead.  He had top level Court Judges that were cleared for Top secret material that he could get in touch with and get a court order to search and do about anything he needed to do through the NSA.  So the NSA having God like powers wasn't necessary.  Unless he wants to tell us he couldn't trust his top Court Judges that has the Top Secret clearance?  Maybe they couldn't sign the court orders fast enough too? Duh.  I will wait for a better answer from our President. After all everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. But the American public deserve better treatment also. Besides our Constitution is not just a piece of paper it's our backbone, heritage, history, and our livelihood...

 

Amendment IV - Search and seizure.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

 

Campaign

 

 

Now this is interesting! Could it be that someone is not waiting for the security experts to decide on whom is responsible for teaching security to the old and new computer users?   I believe so.  :)    Campaign

 

 

 

 

 

The RIAA suicide pact

I don't play that many of my cds on my computer.  I have maybe 10 of my cds on my computer out of the 30+ cds I own.  I do have a Linux box and a Windows box.  I have less of my Cds on my Linux box. 

 

I believe this article makes sense though.  But he did miss one point that he should of made and I haven't seen too many make a point of posting on it.  That is the copyright that is in place does allow the copying of your owned cds, it also allows you to sell the cds if you don't want them anymore.  It also states that you own the cd. 

 

I can't help to think that one of these days all of this will backfire in the RIAA face.  All of this hardening down will come back to haunt them.  I never plan to buy another Sony product.  I may never put another cd on my boxes.  I may just switch to (gasp) radio or satellite feed.  The RIAA and DRM may get their wish.  People will stop buying the cds because like me they don't want either of them planting a damn thing on their computers.  It's obvious to me that Sony was sneaking it in.  How many others will try to sneak it in?  No on my watch, and not on my computers. Sony taught me one thing, and that is not to trust the music industry. I don't believe I am the only one that learned this.  So Sony and the rest of them may harden things a bit.  But in the end it could turn out to be their suicide.  In the end the customers decide how far they can drive that stake into the heart of their customers.  The customer is always right.

 

Preventing DVD Playback on Linux

Sony's EULA

Is Sony's EULA to restrictive? Do you feel they are taking advantage of consumers? Read this: Sony's EULA

 

My thoughts:

 

Sony has no rights to the cd when you purchase it.  This is outlined in a CD music copyright protection act that was written for both the copyright owners of the cd and the consumers.  You do not "license" it!  It will be far fetched for the Copyright office to change this law now.  We have had this law a long time, and it has served the public well.  I just can't see Sony coming along and writing a Eula that is so restrictive towards the consumer. It's degrading too.  The copyright office should be coming along and telling them to back up and regroup it's a music CD not a software program. Sony is clearly taking this too far.  As I have said in the past there are quite a few EULAs that abuse the public. Sony's is one of them.  I believe the copyright office should be telling Sony to change the EULA or the music CD's can't be copyrighted. I believe the copyright office should also come out and announce to the public that Sony's EULA is invalid. Sony's rootkit was installed on many computers without their consent.  Regardless if you agreed or not to Sony's EULA the rootkit was installed on your computer.  Many consumers do not know this.  Hopefully now they do. I hope so... Their computers are at risk.  

 

 

Sony's Rootkit

While most of you will brush off Sonys bad fortune, and call it a mistake.  Perhaps you need a lesson in what a rootkit is?  Well on this page: Sony, Rootkits  it tells you what rootkits are, and it explains why they are used in the very first paragraph. Read on to get info on how Sony's rootkit was exposed. Sony knew what they was doing.  Yes they are liable because no one in their right mind does business with someone without first checking them out first.  So don't baby Sony. For further study read this: searchSecurity.com Definition rootkit  Sony got caught pure and simple.  This information was not hidden on the internet.  it's information that anyone online can find easily. Sony is guilty!

Boycott Sony

Christmas is upon us folks, and it's also upon Sony.  No way will they ignore the public, not thinking about their Christmas sales that will be hurt drastically I hope.  We are not asking for much.  Yes we want a total recall the of Cds, we need a removal tool, (that fully removes  XCP ) and I would like a full apology. (sincere apology) from Sony.  

 

Boycott Sony

Are You Infected by Sony-BMG's Rootkit?

The chatter is your screwed if you are not a tech savvy person. Maybe you can get help but read this carefully.  The lawsuits have started too.

 

Are You Infected by Sony-BMG's Rootkit?

Golden Retriever Gives Birth To Green Puppy

I guess I haven't seen it all.  Because the puppy is green, and the Vet said it is possible. You be the judge folks.  I just think it's amazing.  So... one question though.  Will the puppy stay green?  Or will the puppy loose the color as it gets older.  If the  placenta  did cause this, then it seems as though the green will fade away. Their are a couple nice pictures too for you to view.  Click below.

 

Golden Retriever Gives Birth To Green Puppy

 

 

Want to buy some info?

For years now I have watched the Tech World struggle with theft of peoples information.  I have heard it all.  From "At least they only hit the wireless community." to "They are actively suing these people, so at least they are trying to stop it." 

 

Well if you agree with those statements, then you might as well sell your own information to the ones that want it so bad.  You don't need a middle mans help.  Why not you get paid instead of the middle man? 

 

Your info is very valuable to those whom want it.  It's so valuable to where employees are even willing to steal it from their places of work. So how could the statements above be wrong?  Two reasons off the top of my head leads me to believe you still need to worry. 

 

First reason is most Tech related businesses these days do a lot of business multi tasking when it comes to what they offer their customers.  Some offer just cable.  Others offer cable and broadband.  But a third could offer cable TV, broadband, and wireless.   

 

So the more you have as a customer the more info they could have on you.  They may offer you a great bundle, and a great price cut.  But perhaps this is putting you more at risk?  After all folks they have control of everything from your TV set to your phone.  So they could not only have just a password, they could have your phone number, email address, credit card number, social security number...   the list goes on. 

 

So now lets look at the second statement.  What is wrong with this?  Plenty folks.  If they are suing all the time, then it means they are not patching the vulnerable areas.  One time is a lesson learned, but twice is a "shame on them".  

 

Now I have my own statement for which none of the business sect will like at all. 

 

If the business does not say they have taken extra steps to protect your information.... DROP THEM! If a business keeps having the same area compromised DROP THEM!

 

It's time folks for the consumer to take back control of their personal information.  After all if the business sect wont do it then who will?  We shouldn't have to deal with this on a month by month basis.  Not if they want our business.  We should not be treated in this manner folks.  We deserve better than this.  plus our very livelihoods are at stake too. 

 

Why so harsh?  Because this has been in the news and worn out to a frazzle each and every month, and year for at least the last five years.  Businesses already know this problem exist.  We have excused them enough folks its time for us to take a stand.  I am also sorry too for having to say this Verizon, but if someone proves that this has happened before in your company,  then I believe a class action suit should be brought against you also for failure to protect the data. 

 

Verizon Wireless Again Sues

When Vendors Install Malware

Vendors need to be open with what exactly they are putting onto our computers.  They also should inform us if a uninstaller is included.  Also we shouldn't be forced to fill out a bunch of BS just to get the fix for it.  I don't care to get their spam.  This is all they are doing now.  First they stick us with malware, now we have spam to contend with.  Doesn't anyone other than me see a problem with this? 

 

When Vendors Install Malware

Cheney wants CIA exempt from abuse rules

I was so shocked at this.  If ever our Government says that the USA will partake in such activity I believe all of them in office should be impeached. 

 

 

Cheney's Blasphemy

 

More of Cheney's Blasphemy

 

 

 

 

Sony to patch copy-protected CD

Is Sony so damn stupid they didn't think this could happen?  I don't think so.  I believe they got caught in the cookie jar.  They never planed for the public to investigate what their software was doing in the background.  When they got caught you didn't see Sony or BMG offer an apology to no one.  This is another good reason to regulate software companies.  They have no right putting something on my computer that I can't uninstall through the add/remove.  Sony did no more better than the rest of these blood sucker virus writers online.  They even gave them a helping hand. I think its time the public woke up and started giving these companies a taste of their own medicine.  We don't need their service that bad.  So don't buy it. Move on.

 

Sony to patch copy-protected CD