Wimax hits critical milestones, new standard will bring "blazing" speeds

http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/wimax-hits-some-critical-milestons-second-quarter/2009-11-03?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

difference between blogs and forums / bbs

http://www.commoncraft.com/what-are-differences-between-message-boards-and-weblogs-15

Fraudulent E-Mails Claiming to Be From the FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has become aware of e-mails appearing to be sent from the FDIC that are asking recipients to download and open a "personal FDIC insurance file" to check their deposit insurance coverage. These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

Currently, the subject line of the fraudulent e-mails includes the wording "check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage." The e-mails state: "You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets."

The e-mails ask recipients to "visit the official FDIC website" by clicking on a hyperlink provided, which appears to be related to the FDIC and directs recipients to a fraudulent Web site. The Web site includes hyperlinks that appear to open forms. However, it is believed that clicking on the hyperlinks will cause an unknown executable file to be downloaded. While the FDIC is working with the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to determine the exact effects of the executable file, recipients should consider the intent of the software as a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to online banking services or to conduct identity theft. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the Web site or download the executable files provided on the Web site.

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-3054, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2009/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. Thompson
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Gizmodo Recommendation: Acer AS1410 Notebook Is Netbook-Sized and Netbook-Priced

tcs has sent you a link to a post on Gizmodo:

Title: Acer AS1410 Notebook Is Netbook-Sized and Netbook-Priced
Link: http://gizmodo.com/5385426/acer-as1410-notebook-is-netbook+sized-and-netbook+priced

tcs says: acer netbook

Gizmodo Recommendation: Barnes & Noble's Dual-Screened Nook: $260, Eats the Kindle's Lunch

tcs has sent you a link to a post on Gizmodo:

Title: Barnes & Noble's Dual-Screened Nook: $260, Eats the Kindle's Lunch
Link: http://gizmodo.com/5385938/barnes--nobles-dual+screened-nook-260-eats-the-kindles-lunch

tcs says: Kindle or B&N Nook?

tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceBroadbandWireless

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceBroadbandWireless web site.

IEEE begins work on 802.16m
by admin

There is 802.16d and 802.16e, and in a year or two, we will have 802.16m. The IEEE is now working on a new wireless standard called 802.16m, and the group entrusted with developing it hopes it

Click here to read more on our site

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Massive Phishing Attack on going

Starting October 6, there has been a massive phishing attack targeting Gmail, Yahoo, AOL and other type "gmail" accounts.

The most recent list of compromised accounts, which includes login credentials for Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, Earthlink, and Comcast users, contains some accounts that appear to be old, unused, or fake. However, many others listed are, in fact, genuine.

The website where the accounts were posted - pastebin.com - is now "down for maintenance." Visitors to the site today will receive a message that reads:

Pastebin.com is getting an unprecedented amount of traffic due to a news story in which some leaked Hotmail passwords have been pasted on this site

Pastebin.com was intended as a tool to aid software developers, not for distributing this sort of material. Filters have been put in place to prevent reoccurrence, but the current traffic level is unsustainable.

Regardless of whether or not you think your account was compromised, today would be a good day to change the password on whichever webmail service you currently use. Better safe than sorry!

Also... as always, remember, don't fall for any email solicitations asking for your user id's and passwords, or any personal information!!! And, better yet, if you don't think the email looks legit; don't even open it.

As a side note... my credit card company contacted me this week and sent out new cards because they were compromised. Thousands of accounts were hacked. Good news is my credit card company is always on the ball and quick to freeze compromised accounts and issue new cards.... but be advised.... it's only going to get worse, so watch yourself and your electronic transactions!

bing vs other search engines

Every month since its launch<http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/31/go-bing-yourself-right-now/>, Microsoft's Bing search engine keeps taking a little bit of market share. In August, Bing gained 0.4 percent to end the month with 9.3 percent of search query volumes in the U.S., according to comScore's Qsearch estimates. Meanwhile, Google's share came down 0.1 percent to 64.6 percent and Yahoo/s remained flat at 19.3 percent.

U.S. Core Search Share, August 2009 (Source: comScore qSearch)
Google

64.6%

-0.1% m/m

+1.3% y.y

Yahoo

19.3%

0.0% m/m

-0.4% y/y

Microsoft

9.3%

+0.4% m/m

+0.9% y/y

AOL

3.0%

-0.01% m/m

-1.3% y/y

Ask

3.9%

0.03% m/m

-0.4% y/y

net neutrality rules

Of interest to all of us... - tcs

FCC to propose new net neutrality rules<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,bdig,bg6l,ljqy,5l08>

By Sean Buckley

[cid:image001.gif@01CA3AB0.0D419F60]<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,3tzx,hv0u,ljqy,5l08#comment>Comment<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,3tzx,hv0u,ljqy,5l08#comment> | [cid:image002.jpg@01CA3AB0.0D419F60] <http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,7w3m,9kf5,ljqy,5l08> Forward<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,7w3m,9kf5,ljqy,5l08>

Julius Genachowski is set to make one of his first big moves as FCC chairman today with the introduction of a new set of net neutrality rules that will give users the right to get free and equal access to any bandwidth-intensive service. Industry sources say the new FCC rules, which will in effect prevent telecom giants AT&T, Verizon and cable MSO Comcast from being able to throttle or slow down specific Web sites, will pass today.

The new FCC rules will include a mandate that service providers will have to disclose how they manage their network traffic, or what it is called a "sixth principle" to the four previous rules that were created in 2005 for Internet operations. Genachowski will also unveil a "fifth principle" that would prevent service providers from discriminating against applications and services that traverse telecom, cable and wireless-based Internet networks.

Not surprisingly, AT&T, Verizon and Comcast refused to comment on the proposed rules. Net neutrality has been a sticky issue between the FCC and Comcast. The MSO is appealing a previous FCC action barring it from rate limiting Internet user's bandwidth consumption on its network.

Some industry groups, however, believe the rules will actually hinder and not help consumers. "We believe that this kind of regulation is unnecessary in the competitive wireless space as it would prevent carriers from managing their networks -- such as curtailing viruses and other harmful content -- to the benefit of their consumers," said Chris Guttman-McCabe, vice president of regulatory affairs for CTIA, the wireless industry's trade group in an interview<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,d5xy,1tw6,ljqy,5l08> with the Wall Street Journal.

If the rules are passed, customers of Google and other upstart application providers will be able to run their applications freely over any existing wireline or wireless broadband network or device. "Be they entrepreneurs or innovators or consumers or less powerful voices, a principle on transparency is about knowing how large carriers manage traffic on networks and understanding how their content will be treated ahead of time so no one is surprised," said a source at the agency in a Washington Post article<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,ep3j,fg6s,ljqy,5l08>.

For more:
- Washington Post has this article<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18z71,238p,ep3j,fg6s,ljqy,5l08>

802.11n finally official standard for wi-fi

1. Six years after first draft version, 802.11n finally official standard<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18uid,8mf,2xof,cwof,4gf9,ikim>

By Lynnette Luna

[cid:image001.gif@01CA35E2.8E2F3560]<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18uid,8mf,alnr,ebfs,4gf9,ikim#comment>Comment<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18uid,8mf,alnr,ebfs,4gf9,ikim#comment> | [cid:image002.jpg@01CA35E2.8E2F3560] <http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18uid,8mf,9sq8,224w,4gf9,ikim> Forward<http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,18uid,8mf,9sq8,224w,4gf9,ikim>

Are you pinching yourself? The IEEE has finally approved the 802.11n wireless LAN standard--three years after the Wi-Fi Alliance began certifying Draft N products and six after the first draft version of the standard and multiple draft versions.

The new wireless networking standard--designed to offer 300 mbps and higher in throughput speeds--will work with the existing W-Fi Certified Draft N wireless products. When the alliance began certifying Pre N products, it had the assurance that all of the hardware specifications wouldn't change and any updates would be software in nature. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance the majority of the existing draft standard equipment can be updated via firmware.

The move, however, raises the comfort level of enterprises that can now deploy standardized equipment. Other vendors are touting the new standard as a way for companies to raise the bar on outdoor WiFi networks, which in the past fell short of technical capabilities when it came to the promise of muni-WiFi.

WiMAX Forum launches global roaming program

WiMAX Forum launches global roaming program
January 21, 2009 - 7:59pm ET | By Lynnette Luna<http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/author/lluna>
The WiMAX Forum has launched its Global Roaming Program designed to enable operators and vendors to obtain the information they need to establish WiMAX roaming services. The program includes documents such as technical specifications, a test plan, roaming contract templates and a guide to follow when enacting roaming.
John Dubois, global roaming director with the WiMAX Forum, told FierceBroadbandWireless that roaming will be a critical element for more ubiquitous coverage. "We'll see roaming be more domestic and regionally initially, and that will help operators such as those in Taiwan, where the licenses were given to cover only half of the country. They need roaming to create a continuous service across the country," he said.
The WiMAX Forum is also working with the CDMA Development Group to enable roaming between WiMAX and CDMA as Sprint and Clearwire desire to marry Sprint's 3G CDMA network with Clearwire's WiMAX systems.
In November, Airspan and U.K. operator Freedom4 demonstrated a seamless handoff between WiMAX networks that operate on different spectrum bands. The companies say the accomplishment is significant as users will be able to roam from one operating network to another, such as between a licensed Clearwire 2.5 GHz network and a license-free 3.65 GHz network. Operators will have the option to deploy a mobile WiMAX network using more than one frequency band.
For more:
- check out the WiMAX Forum's web site<http://www.wimaxroaming.org/>

Read more: http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/embargoed-wimax-forum-launches-global-roaming-program/2009-01-21#ixzz0RBQoUqKb

healthcare phishing and spams

Healthcare Spam

Published: 2009-09-10,
Last Updated: 2009-09-10 02:30:55 UTC
by Johannes Ullrich (Version: 1)

0 comment(s) acebook witter

 

Shorty after President Obama finished his speech about healthcare earlier tonight, our reader Roy received an email advising him to sign up for a "Low Income Healthcare Enrollment". If you see something similar, let us know. The possibilities for phishing, malware and other scams are endless with current events like this.

As usual, you will not receive an e-mail from a government agency asking you to divulge your private information on a random website.

------
Johannes B. Ullrich, Ph.D.
SANS Technology Institute
Twitter

 

apache.org offline due to ssh compromise

Apache.org compromised.

New Scams and Phishing

There is a Vonage scam out to get you to enter your account information.
There are two new active bank phishings going on, so beware of emails asking you to log in to a site and enter your bank issued credit card info to "keep it from expiring". Bank of America and Wachovia.

tcs

Revised Legislation Still Gives President Power to Shut Down Portions of the Internet

Proposed legislation introduced in April gave the President the power to "declare a cybersecurity emergency and order the limitation or shutdown of internet traffic to and from a compromised federal government or critical infrastructure information system or network.......

http://www.sans.org/newsletters/newsbites/newsbites.php?vol=11&issue=69&rss=Y#sID200

--
This article was sent using my Viigo.
For a free download, go to http://getviigo.com

Sent for tcstover from Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

stimulus package round one stats

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/BTOP_BIP_090827.html

DHS Warns of Malicious Spoofed eMail (August 24, 2009)

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned of malicious email messages that appear to be from the DHS Division of Intelligence.......

http://www.sans.org/newsletters/newsbites/newsbites.php?vol=11&issue=67&rss=Y#sID306

--
This article was sent using my Viigo.
For a free download, go to http://getviigo.com

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T for Treasure Stover

Microsoft Suspends Hotmail Attach-Photo Feature (August 21, 2009)

Microsoft has temporarily suspended the Attach-Photo feature in Hotmail because of security issues.......

http://www.sans.org/newsletters/newsbites/newsbites.php?vol=11&issue=67&rss=Y#sID311

--
This article was sent using my Viigo.
For a free download, go to http://getviigo.com

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T for Treasure Stover

Various Email scams abound....

Of late, we've heard of various email phishing scams, all looking as if they come from a legitimate source. They are scams and usually require you to click on some link or open an attachment. No bank or credit card company would ever have you confirm information via an email.

Current phishing type scams: Bank of America, Chase, Paypal

FierceWireless story: tcs

tcs thought you would be interested to read this story from FierceWireless.

AT&T activates 2.4M iPhones in Q2
by Sue

The iPhone 3GS was a record-setting winner for AT&T Mobility. The company, which reported its second-quarter earnings today, said it activated 2.4 million iPhones and added 3.5 million integrated

Click here to read more on our site

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think data / computer security is too serious?

Last November, with what the FBI calls a "coordinated attack" on ATM machines in major cities, a criminal organization used 100 fake payroll and gift cards to steal $9 million in 30 minutes. The FBI issues a plea for help identifying video surveillance images.

In 2007 a weapons project was breached.
In 2008 the FAA website was hacked and took over servers in Alaska.
The CIA has revealed hackers have caused power outages outside the USA.

Many "doomsayers" fear an ultimate attack by terrorists on US financial systems.

Ultimately, security is a serious business and we should all take it very seriously and keep our wits about us.

Here are five practical defenses in the "cyber" world: And keep your antivirus up to date and running!!!!!

1. Know your network.

2. Test and verify.

3. Seize control allowing only necessary ports to be open.

4. Be suspicious.

5. Watch your back.

Updated info on Stimulus package

Libraries are encouraged to check into the stimulus package as it pertains to
1. Public Computing Centers
2. Sustainable Broadband Adoption

Out of an NTIA and RUS workshop last week:

There'll be $4.7 Billion over three rounds / cycles of offerings.
THere is no advantage or disadvantage to applying in the first round / cycle.
Underserved and unserved do not apply to these two categores of offerings.
Some construction and some administration costs can be included in the proposal.

First round cycle apps are due Aug 14, and will be awarded in November.
Second round cycle apps are due in late 2009 (not yet released) and awarded in early 2010.
THird round cycle apps later in 2010 awarded 2010.

NTIA and RUS consider to be "very favorable approaches:
Digital learning and training
Loaning of equipment
Outreach to community
Partnerships with community involvement / support

For more info, please go to ALA site, NTIA site, and/or RUS site.

expect some internet latency as MJ's memorial is viewed on web

except internet performance degrades today during Michael Jackson's memorial broadcast

AT&T scam

be advised; another phone scam circulating claiming to be AT&T or other party wanting to switch libraries long distance

NOFA for Broadband Released

The notice of funding for broadband "Stimulus" package info is released today

http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/

MLC's new website launched

All... our new website is up at mlc.lib.ms.us

Microsoft extends Windows XP Lifespan AGAIN

Microsoft is continuing Windows XP lifespan until at least 2011.
This means OEMs could still be selling XP-equipped PCs as late as April 2011.

if you wish more detail, read this article:
http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20090618/windows-xp-it-lives-again/?reflink=ATD_myyahoo

(copy link and paste in your browser)

tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceMobileContent

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceMobileContent web site.

Message from Sender:

anybody doubt that personal devices are the future... read this. tcs

MLB.com to stream live baseball games via iPhone
by Jason

Major League Baseball's official website MLB.com announced it will add live game coverage to its popular At Bat mobile application in conjunction with today's release of Apple's iPhone 3.0 operating

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tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceMobileContent

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceMobileContent web site.

Apple to release iPhone OS 3.0 update today
by Jason

Apple is scheduled to release its iPhone OS 3.0 software update today--according to industry rumors, the update will be available for download at 1:00 pm EST. As usual, Apple has not confirmed when

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latest on microsoft settlement for MS

All,
There is nothing new on this from what we posted yesterday.

Summing up for you:
MLC (as a state agency) is NOT eligible. Libraries are. It is up to you to decide if you feel it is worth applying for, as stated yesterday, no money will be sent to you without you purchasing something new and then filing the claim for a voucher re-imbursement on the new purchase.

Here is an excerpt for those who don’t want to read this entire thing:
All Mississippi residents, businesses, county/local governments or schools that purchased Microsoft products or computers containing Microsoft products between January 1, 1996 and today will be eligible to receive a voucher of $12 or $5 (depending on which products were purchased). The vouchers can be used towards the purchase of any software or hardware product.

Software qualifying for $12 vouchers includes: Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME. The software qualifying for $5 vouchers includes: Application Products (i.e. Office, Word, Excel), MS-DOS, Windows 1.xx-3.xx Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

A claims administrator will attempt to notify all purchasers, review voucher claims, and distribute vouchers. Individuals claiming to have purchased Microsoft software or a computer containing Microsoft software will have to send a sworn statement verifying the purchase. Most high volume purchasers, such as businesses, local governments and schools, will have a licensing agreement to verify purchases.

If you do wish to read the entire thing... here is the link
http://www.ago.state.ms.us/images/uploads/forms/approvingorder2.pdf

Why Twitter Didn't Go Down: The State Department Told It Stay Up (But Not Forever!)

Why Twitter Didn’t Go Down: The State Department Told It Stay Up (But Not Forever!) Source: mediamemo.allthingsd.com
sent this using ShareThis.

myspace lays off

a link to the following content:

MySpace Executes 30% Staff Reduction Today
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/16/myspace-executes-30-staff-reduction-today/

The sender also included this note:

no one is spared the economic crunch

--
Sent via a FeedFlare link from a FeedBurner feed.
http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/publishers/feedflare

MLC receives web page refreshing

Look for MLC's "new" website look in late June. Functionality is basically the same, but we gave her a facelift!

Other things in the works....

Email system for both public libraries and mlc staff being rebid as current contract will expire in December 09. We do not intend to change features or functions. Libraries will still receive free Plesk email accounts and webmail access. MLC staff will receive exchange accounts and webmail access.

MLC's ARRA Broadband "Stimulus" proposal at the Governor's office; we hope to be funded on some or preferably all of the 7 initiatives in our proposal. The Governor set up a committee to review proposals (applications to the governor). It is my understanding they had 65 applicants. We had a very good meeting with the Governor's representative and present our plan; and we are anticipating hearing something good soon!!

post from MS AG's office on Microsoft Settlement

http://www.ago.state.ms.us/index.php/press/releases/ag_posts_microsoft_settlement_frequently_asked_questions_on_ag_website/

Yahoo! Finance Story - Mississippi to get $40 million from Microsoft case - Yahoo! Finance

Treasure Conway Stover has sent you a news article
------------------------------------------------------------
Personal message:

More info will be posted as we receive it from MS Ag's office and ITS

Mississippi to get $40 million from Microsoft case - Yahoo! Finance
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/090612/us_microsoft_mississippi.html?.v=1

============================================================
Yahoo! Finance http://finance.yahoo.com/

link to content of interest

All Hell May Break Loose On Twitter In 2 Hours
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/12/all-hell-may-break-loose-on-twitter-in-2-hours/

The sender also included this note:

for those of you who are twittering

--
Sent via a FeedFlare link from a FeedBurner feed.
http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/publishers/feedflare

read this article on possible "death" of ebooks

http://www.blackplasticglasses.com/2009/06/04/google-editions-cloud-publishing/

tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceTelecom

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceTelecom web site.

AT&T pushes for "100 percent broadband" by 2014
by doshea

AT&T, in comments directed at the Federal Communications Commission as the agency begins movement toward a national broadband program, said it backs "100 percent broadband" by 2014. That's a

Click here to read more on our site

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Smartphones now generate 35% of mobile ad requests
by Jason

Smartphones now account for close to three times more mobile web usage than their relative market share, according to mobile advertising marketplace AdMob's April 2009 Mobile Metrics Report. While

Click here to read more on our site

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It's 3.0 Or Die For New iPhone Apps

It’s 3.0 Or Die For New iPhone Apps http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/07/its-30-or-die-for-new-iphone-a...
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kindle for periodicals

Online retailer Amazon plans to unveil a large-screen version of its Kindle electronic reader this week tailored for displaying newspapers and magazines, The New York Times reported on Monday.
Amazon has invited media outlets to a press conference in New York on Wednesday but has declined to reveal what it plans to announce at the event.
The Times, however, said Amazon will show off an e-reader that "could present much of the editorial and advertising content of traditional periodicals in generally the same format as they appear in print."
It quoted "people briefed on the plans" as saying that the Times was one of several news organizations "expected to be involved in the introduction of the device."
Kindle's traditional electronic reader is designed for books but the new device has a screen roughly the size of a standard sheet of paper and is more geared towards periodicals "and perhaps textbooks," the Times said.
With advertising revenue and circulation declining at US newspapers and magazines, the Times said the device was being seen by struggling US media companies as "a way to get readers to pay for those periodicals."
It noted that several other companies are reported to be developing their own e-readers including Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., newspaper and magazine publisher Hearst and California-based start-up Plastic Logic.
The Plastic Logic e-reader, a lightweight device with a touch screen about the size of a pad of letter paper, is going to be used on a test basis by two Detroit newspapers later this year.
"Publishers could possibly use these new mobile reading devices to hit the reset button and return in some form to their original business model: selling subscriptions, and supporting their articles with ads," the Times said.
It noted that digital distribution would allow newspaper publishers to save millions on printing and distribution costs.
Amazon already offers dozens of newspaper subscriptions for its existing Kindle readers including the New York Times, Newsweek, The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal.

ALA article

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-05-05-library-web_N.htm

MLC Migrates network core

MLC has successfully migrated its data center core over to full AT&T value added services, thus eliminating the need for additional firewalls, routers, and content filtering engines. As of May 4, 2009, MLC facility is getting content filtering and firewalling from the AT&T "bundle" off of state of MS contract.

Trojans but easy to clean

I got a trojan just by visiting a web site performing my daily reads of technology feeds and articles. It was easy to clean though, thankfully. And... Norton A/V caught it and took care of it. I had some issues with quarantining it, but just a little work and all is well. And YES it can happen to me! (on my work laptop I might add). - Treasure

ARRA - Broadband

FYI,
MLC submitted a proposal to the governor's office in response to "his" call for broadband package RFI's.

We are networking with other agencies, private corporations, and all involved with the ARRA / stimulus package.

We attend bi-weekly conference calls on broadband stimulus.

When we know more, we will be sharing all with MS public libraries.

Datacenter Move May 4

While we migrate MLC datacenter over to MI3 consortium on May 4, there will be email outages for Libraries, and email, LAN, and Library automation system outages for MLC staff.

twitter used next hurricane season by MDOT

MDOT to offer Twitter to evacuees
April 10, 2009
JACKSON - According to Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) executive director Larry L. "Butch" Brown, MDOT will utilize the popular social networking site Twitter to assist in providing traffic information for evacuation routes during the upcoming 2009 hurricane season.
MDOT has created six separate Twitter feeds that will provide route-specific traffic information to evacuees traveling Interstates 10, 20, 55, 59 and U.S. Highways 49 and 98. Evacuees will receive information such as traffic delays, contraflow information, fuel availability and roadway openings all on a real-time basis.
In order to access an evacuation route-specific feed, evacuees can simply type in the feed address in their web browser. If one is new to Twitter, click "Join Today." If one is an existing user, simply "login." Users will be asked to provide their full name, a user name, password and e-mail address. Once signed up, to follow the evacuation route-specific feed, one must click device updates to the "on" position on the Twitter screen to receive tweets via cell phone.
The feed addresses are www.twitter.com/mdot_i55, www.twitter.com/mdot_i59, www.twitter.com/mdot_us49, www.twitter.com/mdot_us98, www.twitter.com/mdot_i10 and www.twitter.com/mdot_i20.
"I am extremely excited about Twitter and how it will be used as a necessary tool providing information in a timely manner that is needed during hurricane evacuations," Brown said. "Utilizing this system will give MDOT the ability to not only get information directly into the hands of Mississippians evacuating, but also to evacuees from Alabama and Louisiana. Twitter will deliver instantaneously traffic information and will reach a large number of people needing traffic information while evacuating."
From MS Business Journal

silicon valley wide spread outage

Cell phone, Internet and landline service is back in Silicon Valley after one or more vandals apparently severed eight fiber-optic cables.

Security Firms Begin Poking New Conficker Variant

please read


An article from PC Magazine has been sent to you. Follow this link to view the article: Security Firms Begin Poking New Conficker Variant

Copyright (c) 2009 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

joined twitter

Well reluctantly because I have enough rss feeds, blogs, breaking news, technology news, and just plain old conversations to follow but ... I have joined twitter. I really don't want to, honestly, but I feel compelled as it appears everyone is doing it and businesses and gov't are getting in on it as well.

No sooner had I signed up and joined 1 twitter list, did I start receiving requests to follow from people I don't know. Which I declined. And I am just not that "in to all this" so I have my settings to block public. And I get the opportunity to not be broadcast and to decline anyone wanting to "follow me". This probably defies the very concept of this service, but I do what I can to keep up with things without exposing myself to the world or kidnapping or just plain embarrassment. (old school here, forgive me). And, while I have friends (acquaintances) somewhat across the planet, I do not wish to frivolously invite more into my personal biz.

So... long story short, and this is one of the few "editorials" you'll see from me, but this is an area that deserves / merits it , I think. ... thanks for indulging.

By the way, I just am following cnn breaking news. I could have done that from their web site with an rss feed, or through my blackberry with viigo. Good grief!

Rhode Island Treasury using twitter

http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20090407/hey-there-ritreasury-is-using-twitter/

copy and paste the url in browser to view full article

update on april fools worm

1 known infection in our peers, other than that, nothing. Fairly easily clean-up.

The worm still persists, so don't let your guard down (or more importantly your antivirus definitions down ... keep them updated!)

But... looks like the worst is over on this one, and little impact globally. Or as of yet.

microsoft permitting downgrades to xp

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/04/07/microsoft-kindly-permits-windows-7-users-to-downgrade-to-xp/

copy and paste url into browser to view full article

cheap 24 inch monitors

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/04/07/crunchdeals-24-inch-monitor-for-199-2/

copy and paste url into your browser to read article

adaptive learning soon to take off

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/23/knewton-takes-adaptive-learning-to-the-next-level/

copy and paste url into your browser for the article

April Fools Worm Threat

A good test to see if your device is infected is try to go to the URL
http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=conficker_worm (copy and paste it into your browser url window)


If you cannot, your device may be compromised and you'll need to clean it yourself or call in the professionals in your area.

One way to fix it yourself is go to a computer that you know is not infected (may be another location entirely) and download the "fix" from there. Then bring it back to your infected device and run it.

If you need help, contact NSB Helpdesk and we'll advise

skype for i-phone and bberry

Skype, the Internet telephone unit of eBay Inc, is planning to launch its service for iPhone users on Tuesday and for BlackBerry in May as part of its effort to expand beyond desktop computers.
Skype has been pushing to make its service work on the most popular advanced phones with an aim to expending its more than 400 million users who were mostly lured by the promise of cheap and sometimes free calls made using its computer application.
Skype Chief Operating Officer Scott Durchslag said he has high hopes for the application's success on Apple Inc's popular iPhone as he expects Skype's most feature-rich mobile offering to appeal to new and existing customers.
"The No. 1 request we get from customers is to make Skype available on iPhone. There's a pent-up demand," Durchslag said in an interview before the CTIA annual mobile showcase in Las Vegas, where Skype plans to launch the service on Tuesday.
In May it will launch Skype for Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices, which popularized mobile email. It has already announced Skype for Nokia phones and for phones based on Android, Google Inc's mobile system, and Windows Mobile, from Microsoft Corp.
CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood said the new applications give Skype a chance to boost its mobile phone position, which has been weaker than that of social sites such as Facebook, Twitter or News Corp's MySpace.
Skype's iPhone application will be free to download and will allow free calls between Skype users. As with Skype on the desktop, fees will be charged for calls to traditional phones.

At&t presentation

Is on mlc.lib.ms.us missin page
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T for Treasure Stover

April fool worm a threat

Get your antivirus up to date
There is a worm threat for april 1

tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceMobileContent

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceMobileContent web site.

Smartphones now yield a third of all mobile ad requests
by Jason

Smartphones generated 33 percent of total mobile ad requests worldwide in February 2009--up from 26 percent the previous month--according to mobile ad marketplace AdMob's monthly Mobile Metrics

Click here to read more on our site

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Broadband Stimulus Package

All, there are many different places you can go to keep up with the stimulus package, but I'll post some things on this blog regularly.

Here is the "most clear news" of the day: from one of the feeds I'm watching.

Applicants can apply to both the USDA and NTIA separately for different parts of the same project, but can't get paid twice for the same parts.
USDA grants require 75% of the area served by an approved project to be a "rural" area without sufficient broadband. The NTIA, will address both "unserved" and "underserved" areas, though the government hasn't yet defined those terms and is seeking public comment on the process.
All broadband stimulus grants and loans must be awarded by September 2010, and the projects funded must be "substantially complete" within two years.
NTIA will award the grants in three phases, mostly to balance the need to get funding quickly to projects that are ready to go and to allow more grant-writing time for those who need it.

During its April 8 meeting, the FCC will initiate a public comment process for developing a national broadband strategy by May 22.

Back to blackberry from i-phone

Just keeping you up...
My iphone drove me nuts. I guess I'm just not an iphone type...
the last straw is when it failed, couldn't make outgoing calls. Had to go through a lengthy restore process.

Switched back to blackberry and got a deal, and some free services. So all in all, it worked out well.

Now have blackberry bold and it is terrific.

Just sharing.

Again, for those of you who love your i-phones, I understand completely. I still maintain, both are great and the other smartphones too... it's a matter of preference. What I like might not be what you like.

FierceWireless story: tcs

tcs thought you would be interested to read this story from FierceWireless.

4G Status Report: The Path to 4G
by Sue

A year ago when we first started writing in-depth about 4G, the discussion usually centered on what 4G was and whether carriers should select WiMAX or LTE. Today when the industry talks about 4G,

Click here to read more on our site

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FierceWireless story: tcs

tcs thought you would be interested to read this story from FierceWireless.

3G-4G to Account for 30% of Global Wireless Subscriptions by 2013, Says In-Stat
by pgoldstein

March 18, 2009 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the end of 2008, only 11% of worldwide wireless subscriptions were 3G. By the end of 2013, the percentage of 3G

Click here to read more on our site

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AT&T Workshop - Reports, Filtering, Firewalling etc.

March 26, 2009 at MLC
AT&T Workshop for MS Public Library technical contacts and directors on latest issues, how to's, etc.

“Maintaining AT&T Bundled Services and Reading AT&T Reports”

This one-day workshop will provide information about filtering, firewall management, opening trouble tickets and reading AT&T reports. This workshop will enable library staff to communicate more easily with AT&T regarding the libraries networks and needs. This program is designed for Directors and Library Technical Contacts.

Date & Location:
March 26, 2009
Mississippi Library Commission

Schedule:
Sign-In: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Training: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lunch: Noon – 1:30 p.m. (ON YOUR OWN)
Trainer: AT&T Staff

Registration:
The registration deadline is March 18, 2009. There is no charge for registration. Please register by following normal CE procedures found in your latest CE publication(I would post here, but don't want to generate spam).


CEU’s:
Continuing Education Units and Contact Hours to be awarded are .6 and 6.0 respectively. There are no prerequisite required to attend.

tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceMobileContent

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceMobileContent web site.

U.S. now accounts for 29% of mobile web browsing
by Jason

The U.S. now leads the world in mobile web browsing, accounting for 29 percent of global traffic, according to new data issued by mobile web solutions provider Bango. In all, Bango's February 2009

Click here to read more on our site

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iphone vs. blackberry... I've tried both

Well... I gave up my blackberry a month or so ago due to monthly costs, but... couldn't stand going back to the "old days" without email integration, push and fetch features, and mapping.... so ... after some research, I chose an iphone 3g this time, as the service is $20 / month cheaper for the same type "value added" services such as gps map, etc.

Here's the skinny... I like the blackberry better for quickness and keyboarding... i.e. typing... and it is MUCH lighter. I like it's "more business" graphic interface... but the iphone is sexy, and it is very very functional, although complicated.

I still stand behind my initial opinions... if you want one for business and mostly functional type uses... choose the b'berry... if you want sexy and lots of cool apps... choose iphone.

I'll be keeping the iphone b/c it requires a two year contract, and it's cheaper monthly ... but thought I'd share with you all.

- Treasure

tcs has forwarded a page to you from FierceMobileContent

tcs thought you would like to see this page from the FierceMobileContent web site.

Social networking overtakes email
by Jason

Social networking is now the most popular web activity, surpassing even email, according to a new study issued by information and media firm Nielsen. Active reach in what Nielsen defines as "member

Click here to read more on our site

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iphones vs. blackberry market share

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/not_quite_right_new_report_say.php

kindle 2 reviews

you can follow the progress of folks talking about the kindle 2
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/02/24/were-getting-our-kindle-2-today/

Facebook Launches Social Widget for Facebook Connect

Facebook further opens up the Facebook Platform for developers with the introduction of the Comments Box social messaging widget, which helps further integrate Facebook Connect into Web sites and blogs. Facebook recently added APIs for developers to create new applications.
- Facebook on Feb. 19 launched Comments Box, the first social widget for its Facebook Connect application. Facebook Connect allows users to sign on to other sites and blogs using their Facebook account information.

news from US House and Senate, considering bills requiring ISP's to retain "surf" data

In the most recent effort to thwart child predators online,both the U.S. House and Senate are considering bills that would require any Internet access provider -- possibly including public Wi-Fi hotspots -- to retain Internet user data for up to two years.

What that means is that every coffee shop, hotel, office building, airport, or any other location that provides Internet service would be required to hold onto the access data of every person that used that hotspot or hard-wired connection for up to two years. Of course, this also applies to all the big Internet service providers like Comcast and AT&T, but they have the database resources to keep that information, resources that your average independent coffee shop probably lacks. Starbucks cuts deals with major ISPs like T-Mobile and AT&T, so presumably those services would store the surfing history.

greener i.t.

Here are some very simple tips for cutting technology related power consumption:

LCD's (flat screens) use 66% less power than CRT's (tube screens)
Notebook computers use up to 70% less power than desktops
Cut power to pc's overnight when not in use, or have pc's go into "hibernate" mode
Unplug unused chargers and dvd players, etc. when not in use

For Datacenters:
Maintain equipment in temperature and humidity tolerances recommended by manufacturer
Use server virtualization to cut the number of servers you need / run thereby decreasing energy
Turn off all unused / key equipment (e.g. you have a test server, you only use it when testing once or twice a year)

INQ1 phone and more

New gadgets debut ... at mobile world conference in Barcelona
Here is the INQ1 phone ... it is tailored for social networking folks
http://www.inqmobile.com/inq1/

there are some slick sunglass looking things that interface with mobile "plan" and allow you to surf, make calls, etc.
there is a remote that allows you to control your computer/laptop without a mouse or trackball...

For more videos, articles about the mobile world conference go to
http://home.myhughesnet.com/news/read.php?ps=1015&rip_id=%3CD96D2O0G0%40news.ap.org%3E&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCLM_UNEWS

Great article about libraries in MS Business Journal, Vol.31, #6, February 9-15, 2009, p.10

Here's the entire article from the Mississippi Business Journal:

Volume 31, Number 6
February 09, 2009-February 15, 2009

Are libraries the new town square?

PHIL HARDWICK

Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities, thinks so. PPS recently listed its "10 Trends Shaping the Future of Our Communities." Number five on the list is "Libraries emerge as new town squares."
I believe that PPS may be on to something. Have you been to your local public library lately?
I go to quite a few libraries on my booksigning tours, and from what I've seen lately these paragons of information are in the midst of considerable change, much of which is driven by technology and more involvement in the community. Ask any librarian if there is an increased demand for web-connected computers, community rooms, music, meeting rooms and even coffee bars.
A town square is by definition a place, more specifically a place for community gatherings. Historically, it was the place that had an open area and was located in the middle of town. It was a "square" because of the borders around it. Usually these borders were retail stores. People gathered in the town square for all types of events, from fairs to political gatherings. If we examine the things that went on in the town squares of the past, we see that many of them are occurring in today's libraries. For example, many elected officials hold constituent meetings, arts and crafts demonstrations are held and lectures and forums of all kinds are held in the library.
Librarians whom I've talked to recently tell me there is a weekday rhythm in their facilities. In the mornings, it is not uncommon to see jobseekers come in to use the Internet and use online job search sites to look for jobs and new careers. Later, business and professional people will come in for online and shelf research. Then there are the senior citizens who come in for programs in the community room and may use the Internet to communicate with family members. In the middle of the afternoon, it is the wave of students who are just getting out of school. I should interject here that one issue that many libraries face is what to do with parents who are using the library as a babysitter, but that's another story. The evenings are filled with high school and college students doing their homework and research projects.
The 2009 edition of the Horizon Report, collaboration between the New Media Consortium and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, identifies six emerging technologies or practices that are likely to enter mainstream use in learning-focused organizations, i.e. libraries, within five years. These so-called technologies to watch are:
* Mobiles, such as iPhones and similar devices, which are doing many things once solely done by computers;
* Cloud computing, which is essentially a way to store information in large "data farms" on the Internet;
* Geo-everything, the ability of many devices to record the precise location of the user and code it into an application;
* The personal web, a collection of technologies that allow individuals to personalize their Internet experience;
* Semantic-aware applications, which mean that information is coded based on its context, such as whether the term "terminal" refers to an airport or a medical condition; and
* Smart objects, which refers to devices that are able to learn things about themselves.
Now that I have impressed or confused you with the technology talk, allow me to put things in perspective and come back down to earth. Recently, I was in a library in a rather small town. Among the many offerings and activities available to the public was something billed as "Hobby in the Lobby," a weekly activity near the main entrance to the library in which there were discussions and demonstrations about personal hobbies. Here's a list of the hobbies for the next two months:
"Cupcake Decorating"
"Decorative Pens"
"Painting with Acrylics"
"Pillow-Making"
"Quilting"
"Poetry Reading"
"Tips on Spring Potting"
"African Hair Braiding & Styles"
That same library had a wide variety of other activities. Every Monday there is "Lunch at the Library," which features a lunch provided by the library and a lecture by an author. There are adult GED preparation classes that meet for five hours every Monday-Thursday. Once a week there is a Humanities Discussion Group meeting, featuring a variety of discussion subjects related to the history of the community. And let us not forget "The Book Bunch," which meet on Wednesdays to discuss a book of interest to its members. Talk about the library being involved in the community.
In summary, libraries have always provided a resource center for their communities, but many of them are now pushing to turn their libraries into civic centers that foster a sense of community and offer a unique gathering place. Many librarians now envision their facilities as both virtual and literal town squares for their neighborhoods and downtowns.
Phil Hardwick is Coordinator of Capacity Development at the John C. Stennis Institute of Government. Contact him at phil@philhardwick.com<mailto:phil@philhardwick.com>.

FW: Obama Orders 60-Day Cyber-security Review

Feed: Security - RSS Feeds
Posted on: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 2:36 PM
Author: Security - RSS Feeds
Subject: Obama Orders 60-Day Cyber-security Review

Just how secure are the federal networks that hold large amounts of sensitive data? President Barack Obama appoints Bush holdover cyber-security guru Melissa Hathaway to head a 60-day review of federal systems.
- President Obama ordered his National Security and Homeland Security advisors Feb. 9 to conduct an immediate review of the U.S. government's cyber-security plans, programs, and activities. Heading the 60-day review will be Melissa Hathaway, who served as the cyber-security coordinator executive u...

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FW: Hackers Crack FAA Employee Data

Feed: Security - RSS Feeds
Posted on: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:59 PM
Author: Security - RSS Feeds
Subject: Hackers Crack FAA Employee Data

The personal information of more than 45,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees and retirees was exposed to possible identity theft. FAA reports that the hacked server was not connected to the air traffic control system or any other FAA operational system.
- Just a day after President Obama ordered a comprehensive review of the government's cyber-security systems, the Federal Aviation Administration reported Feb. 10 that hackers illegally accessed an agency computer and stole employee personal identity information. The FAA said in a statement that th...

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update on AT&T filtering and firewalling issues

Rollback completed over weekend, still some filtering issues. 2/9/2009

AT&T WILL BE ADDRESSING AN OPERATIONAL PROBLEM THIS WEEKEND TO RESTORE FULL SERVICE CAPABILITIES TO THE AT&T FIREWALL.  THIS ISSUE MUST BE ADDRESSED TO RESTORE FULL SECURITY FUNCTIONS TO THE AT&T FIREWALL.

 

Please be advised that at&t will perform maintenance on the MPLS firewall beginning at 8:00pm, Saturday, February 7, 2009 and ending at midnight.

bee cave library

In StateTech Magazine, Feb/Mar issue 2009

Article on Wired facility’ s thin client and collection appeal to patrons

Outlines Public Computing, On Line databases, and OPAC on line browsing

 

We do all this?  What do they do we arent’?  They have moved their library to a strategic location in a hot hot upscale area. 

 

By the way… thin client doesn’t work very well with the AT&T infrastructure but check out the article anyway on page 4 of State Tech mag or online at www.statetechmag.com

 

 

 

Treasure

AT&T core router upgrade Tue Feb 3 2009 Changed to 3:59 AM

Upgrade to AT&T core router Tue Feb 3 2009 3:59 AM. Will affect library connectivity, email, and MLC web pages. Should be completed by 4:15 AM, but may experience issues Tuesday open of business. Please report issues to AT&T and to MLC.

Thank you!

Inauguration slows internet

www experiencing heavy traffic today
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T for tcstover@mlc.lib.ms.us

Att filtering

issues resolved
Some new features to be discussed
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T for tcstover@mlc.lib.ms.us

Peobs still with filering

Still some issues remain from att migration
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T for tcstover@mlc.lib.ms.us

Network ok

Network issues from att upgrade should all be resolved now
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Network issues

Att firewall upgrade issues left are some filtering challenges affecting a few libs
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T