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Obama to Make Over the White House With Gadget Goodies?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:24:42 -0800

Obama to Make Over the White House With Gadget Goodies? Ever since I heard that news that President-elect Barack Obama will most likely have to retire his BlackBerry, I couldn't help but wonder how he would incorporate his love for technology into the White House. It's already rumored that he hopes to be the first American president to have a laptop on his desk in the Oval Office, so what other high-tech toys could make the list?

Where the Ladies At? Fewer Girls Going Into Computer Science

CitizenSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:30:15 -0800

The number of girls interested in computer science peaked in 1982. Yes, 26 years ago, before people even had computers at home. After a sharp decline, it held steady until 2000 and now it’s at an all-time low — back to where it began in the early ‘70s.

Why? That was the funny part of the New York Times article "What Has Driven Women Out of Computer Science." Nobody actually knows. But everybody speculates! Here’s what was said:

Before the male subculture of gaming, women felt more comfortable pursuing computer science.
The girls game movement of the '90s backfired: It made girls think computers were boy toys and girls didn’t play with computers.
Women went into web design so it all evens out. Nope. Web design and other “nontraditional” forms of computer science don't count to the people counting. The pay is less and the work is less influential on how computers are used.
The perception of being a “geek” or “nerd” that comes with majoring in computer science The theory? Girls don’t want to be that person. I know a geek who would disagree!

The one thing everyone can agree on is that the younger girls are when introduced to computers, the better. Expect to see video games for newborns soon!

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Geek Out: What Technology Are You Hesitant to Adopt?

geeksugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:45:45 -0800

Even though I always tell people that the Kindle will never replace books, but just supplement them, I never fail to hear people say that they will never get a Kindle because they like the feel of paper books so much.

But geeky as I may be, there is technology I'm not inclined to adopt either (not yet anyway).

Last week I lamented a world with only digital versions of magazines, since I love seeing fresh new issues in my mailbox each month. And even though I tout digital picture frames as excellent gifts, I couldn't see my hallway lined with changing digital images.

I think there's some tech out that even the geekiest person isn't ready for, be it eBooks, digital picture frames, or even smartphones (gasp!). What's yours?

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Seeking Prudes: Craigslist Cracks Down on Sex Ads

LibertySugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:30:00 -0800

After coming under fire from 40 different state attorney generals, Craigslist has agreed to crack down on those advertising sex for sale. The classified website will more effectively rid its erotic services section of ads law enforcers deem to be illegal. Perhaps staying true to its name, the erotic marketplace has notoriously been plagued with pornography and prostitution.

Vendors will now have to provide valid identification before they post a sexy ad, thanks to the new agreement between the state officials and the company. In addition, ad posters must pay a $10 fee, using a credit card. Craigslist will donate the fee to charities that combat child exploitation and human trafficking.

Offline sex for sale is usually associated with seedy neighborhoods and other crime, like drugs and violence. Is prostitution all right with you, so long as it stays on the Internet and on private property, or do officials have a duty to uphold the prohibition online, too?

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Top 10 Places We'll Show You That Google Can't!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:30:55 -0800

Top 10 Places We'll Show You That Google Can't! Ah, Google Maps. That street view function that's captured so many a crazy scene has raised security, political, and privacy hackles the world over. From refugee camps to British swimming pools the program's reach is pervasive — so much so that this list of 51 places impervious from spying eyes grabbed my attention — and made me want to see what Google has to hide.

Technology Ushers In a New Era of Campaigning

geeksugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:30:42 -0800

Early on in the election season, I had a feeling I knew which of the two candidates was more tech savvy — Obama sent me a text message to tell me who his running mate would be! Little did I know that both candidates would rely on the vast reaches of the Internet (not to mention video games, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, and Eventful) to connect with people from across America and get them into the voting booths.

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I came across a story recently on MSNBC that told me exactly how supporters from both parties got organized on the campaign trail — they totally geeked-out! And for one nominee, it paid off in a big way. Check out this video describing the new way political campaigns can benefit from technology.

Battle of Ground Games: Candidates Sweep US to Get Out Vote

LibertySugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0800

Supports have been registered, and appeals for votes have been made. But the work has just begun — John McCain and Barack Obama must make sure their supporters vote, and then subsequently make sure every vote is counted. That, my friends, is called a ground game! Google put together this handy gadget that lets you track the candidates as they canvas the country. Have you done anything to help get out the vote for your candidate this year?

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Briefing Book! Experience China's Censored Internet at Home

LibertySugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0700

China: Want to come face-to-face with China's Net Nanny? New Firefox ad-on lets you experience the censored Chinese internet at home! — Shanghaiist
Palin: Will Tina go softer on the Palins? Sarah offered her daughter Bristol to babysit Tina's daughter during SNL. — Huffington Post
Voting: No long lines there? Astronauts cast ballots from space. — Neatorama
Florida: An effective surrogate? Republican strategist says Governor Charlie Crist's decision to extend voting hours in Florida just blew the state for John McCain. —23/6
Media: Is the media getting bored with pointing out campaign falsehoods? ABC picks apart lies about Obama's 2001 radio interview that are now centerpiece of Palin's stump speech. — Talking Points Memo
McCain: Behind the fancy campaign lies the truth? McCain responds to Obama's half-hour ad with new video. —Townhall

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US Army Warns of Twitter's Danger

LibertySugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:00:05 -0700

Twitter could be a tool of terrorists, according to the Military Intelligence Battalion, a part of the military that studies emerging technology's capacity to help militants. The intelligence study noted that activists (not quite terrorists) at the Republican National Convention used Twitter to pass on information about police whereabouts during protests this Summer. The report also states:

Twitter has also become a social activism tool for socialists, human rights groups, communists, vegetarians, anarchists, religious communities, atheists, political enthusiasts, hacktivists and others to communicate with each other and to send messages to broader audiences.

The military report goes on to imagine different scenarios in which extremists could combine Twitter with Google Maps, and cell phone images in their quest to execute attacks. While it's crucial for law enforcement and the military to stay informed about the latest communication technology, let's hope there isn't a crack down on vegetarian tweets!

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YouTube and PBS Say Tape Your Vote For History and Hijinks

CitizenSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:30:49 -0700

With all of the ACORN and voter registration snafu stories floating around, it's nice to find comfort in the cozy arms of technology. That is to say, if you have a video camera, use it. YouTube and PBS are teaming up to encourage voters to upload any footage of the voting process onto a new website. The Video Your Vote site wants to spark people to "document the energy and excitement, as well as any problems you may see." The best clips will air on PBS.

Some bad-voting situations to be on the lookout for? Excessively long lines, broken voting machines, or "overly aggressive" voter identification procedures. But be careful about local rules before putting on your documentarian hat. Some states aren't excited about having you film — a move that could end up in cuffs. The site has a link to the Citizen Media Law Project to tell you who has laws against what. Florida, Georgia and Michigan all prohibit photos and recording equipment in polling places. Are you planning on recording the day in photo or video?