Monthly Archives: January 2021

There are many factors to take into account when looking to buy a new computer.  The main thing that you need to ask yourself is, what do I plan on using my computer for?  Keeping the question in mind we are going to explore some of the options.

Since the Covid virus is making everyone work remotely, a lot of people are working from home so we are going to start there.  When looking for a computer for working remotely either for work or school, the major things you will need are a webcam, fast processor for working multiple programs at once and the supplementary RAM, and possibly a laptop so that your computer is easily moveable.  Look for at least a core i7 intel processor and at least 8 GB RAM with this build.  A large hard drive would be nice for storing documents.

If a gaming computer is what you need, everything needs to be bumped up becase gaming computers require a lot of computing power.  At least an i7 intel processor or newer, 16 GB RAM, TB SSD drive for fast access to game software and a Nividia 2070 video card or newer.  Most gaming pc’s require cooling and therefore usually come in the desktop form.  A keyboard, mouse and monitor will all need to be purchased.  Make sure the frame rate is at least 60 or above for the monitor or the image will look sluggish.

Other purposes for computers is for surfing the web and checking social media sites.  If that is the case, the student build I have above would work nicely.  The gaming rig can also be used for this purpose but the computer will not be used to its full potential making it a waste of money.  These are all things to consider.

What is the purpose you would use a new computer for?  Would you follow my builds above or choose something else?  Why or why not?

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There has always been a clear divide between console gamers and computer gamers.  In my experience, it stems from what you were exposed to growing up along with what was available to you.  Most people subscribe to one over the other.

I have had experiences with both forms of gaming and fall into the in between category of liking both.  I grew up playing games on a console because that is all there was.  It wasn’t until my interest in computers evolved into what it is today that I began to appreciate computer gaming.

Some people like to console game for the simple reason that they get to use a controller over a mouse and keyboard.  Hardcore computer gamers insist on using a mouse and keyboard but the truth is that controllers can be used in computer gaming as well.  Since the computers are very expensive to run these games, not that many people are willing to drop the money to build or buy one.

I like computer gaming a little more because you can have a very powerful computer make some games look even better than they do on the console.  I grew up on console gaming so I like to play that as well.  Its more nostalgic for me than anything. Since controllers can be used on computer gaming as well, I see it appealing to more progressive console gamers.

Do you prefer computer gaming over console gaming or the other way around?  Why do you feel that way?  Would you be open to trying the other kind of gaming?

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Almost everybody has a smartphone and a tablet for personal use.  Most people can make a clear line about which one they use the most.  Everyone is different and usually use them for different purposes.

I own a smartphone and a tablet and I use them differently.  My smartphone I use mainly when I am on the go and away from home.  Once I get home, I put my phone in my pocket in case I get a call or text but it usually stays there.  I use my tablet for surfing the web and watching movies when the main TV in my house is occupied.

Since the screen on the tablet is larger, it is easier to read and watch movies on rather than my smartphone that fits in my pocket.  Another reason I use my tablet more is so I do not degrade the battery inside my smartphone.  It stands to reason, the less I use the battery the longer it will last.  I depend on my phone more than my tablet so I am more inclined to use it over my smartphone.

Since smartphones no longer have the ability to remove their battery, most consumers are left with buying a new one once the battery dies.  If they could be exchanged, most people would probably still be using old version of their current phone.  That would mean less money for smartphone manufacturers.

I think the method that I employ is something most people should do if they are able to.  Put the smartphone away while at home and only use it for emergencies while using their tablet in its stead.  That way, the battery will be preserved and you won’t have to buy a newer phone sooner than you absolutely need too.

Are you like me and switch to using a tablet at home?  Are there any other devices that you use like I do my tablet?  If so, what is it?

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There are two main companies ruling the anti-virus software market now and they are McAfee and Norton.  Both companies have been in the business for a long time and have a good reputation for protecting computers.  There is a clear mix of the users for each anti-virus software provider.

I have worked with both and I find them to be interchangeable.  Since they are the two largest and most trusted anti-virus software available, they tend to test each other.  They have a rivalry going and because of that they have nearly the same services available.

McAfee and Norton both have a series of services available to their customers.  VPN’s, scheduled system scans and regular updates are among the services both companies offer.  Those are the standard features that should come with any anti-virus software today.

There is no clear winner between Norton and McAfee.  Both offer services that protect systems to the same extent.  It usually comes down to which company have you been receiving services from.  Which ever it may be, just stick with them.  I believe it is better to have some kind of protect rather than none at all and either of these companies are a good choice.

What are your thoughts?  Are there any other anti-virus software providers that should have been mentioned?  Who and why?

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To my mind, the two main web browsers that need to be considered are Microsoft Edge and Mozilla FireFox.  If you purchase a new computer with the Windows 10 operating system, it is going to come standard with Microsoft Edge whereas FireFox needs to be downloaded through Mozilla.  Both have their own strengths but one is a clear winner over the other.

I have worked with both web browsers and I find them pretty interchangeable.  They both have a nice look and function without errors.  They both receive regular security updates and run most major flash programs.

There are many different types of web browsers available, each just a little different from the other.  These two are my major contenders because they are compatible with almost every program out there that needs access to a web browser.  The other types of web browsers need to download special software which can often be cumbersome and time consuming.

From my two choices, FireFox is the clear winner.  Edge is a Microsoft product and therefore connected directly to the operating system of your personal computer.  If a hacking attempt would occur, access to the operating system would be easier through Edge since it is connected directly.  FireFox is made by Mozilla making it a self contained program.  It also comes with a free VPN service offered by Mozilla cementing its victory over Microsoft Edge.

What do you think of my choices?  Would you choose the same web browsers that I did?  Why or why not?

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There are many different types of email clients, whether they be free or paid, offering different services.  Not all email clients are the same and time needs to be spent figuring out which one is best for you.  I am going to be talking about the free email clients Gmail and ProtonMail.

Gmail is a email client made by Google and ProtonMail is managed my Proton technologies.  I have an account through both and I like them both for different reasons.  Gmail makes it easy to connect to other people and to customize your email client.  ProtonMail advertises security above all else.  While ProtonMail can be cutomized, Gmail just has a better look to it.

ProtonMail is not as popular as Gmail or some other email clients but it definitely needs to be considered.  It is newer to the scene than Gmail and I am sure that is a factor for many people.  Once you have a dedicated email client, it is difficult switching to another.  Those who have been with Google for the decades it has been available will be more reluctant to switch from what they know.

Gmail is associated with Google and they have said in the past that they have sold their search engine history to third party companies so that they can get a better profile of the people who use it.  Since ProtonMail advertises security, that is a major selling point for me.  They also come available with a free VPN service that Gmail does not.  For these reasons alone, ProtonMail is the clear choice.

What are your thoughts on my choices for email clients?  Do you agree with me?  Why or why not?  Should I have included another email client in this list?

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Through the years, there have been many different types of coding languages, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.  The main languages that are used today are Java and Python.  There are many other programming languages but I am going to be talking about these two for now.

I have learned through my studies how to code in the Java language but I have also taught myself to code in Python.  Both are used for the same purposes and ultimately comes down to which language you like to use better.  The syntax of each language is different and in that way they differ the most.

Since both languages are similar in functionality, the only difference comes down to user likeability.  Since Python is the newer of the two languages and on the rise in today cyber market, there is more of a demand for the newer language to be utilized as a job point.  Most employers will ignore outdated coding language knowledge and opt for the knowledge of something newer.

Since I have experience coding in both, I like the syntax of Python to that of Java.  It is simpler and more direct whereas for Java, methods need to be memorized to be used.  The method names for Python methods are more organic making them easier to remember and utilize.

What are your thoughts about these two coding languages?  Should I have included another?  If so, which one and why?

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There is a form of software that combines the contributions of many different software engineers from all around the world and it is called open-source software.  Open-source software is released under a license that grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software for any purpose they want.  The importance is emphasized by this simple phrase, “two heads are always better than one.”

I have not contributed to any open-source software because I do not know enough about it to make a difference.  I do understand its importance though.  Imagine trying to make your own operating system while removing all of the flaws that present systems have.  You would have to start from the ground up.  It would take a single person a lifetime to code all of that.  That’s where the coding community comes into play.  Make it open source and others will help in any capacity they can.  Young coders especially like this because they can put it on a resume.

The problem with open-source coding is not everything that is contributed is beneficial.  There are coders out there ranging from veteran to new.  Both may contribute code for the same purpose but in different ways.  One may be better than the other in which point the bad code needs to be sifted through and discarded.

Checking to make sure the code received is coming from talented individuals is key.  Not every idea somebody has is a good one.  That is concept lost on young people nowadays posting everything they do to their social media sites.

What are your thoughts on open-source software?  Have any of you contributed to any?  If so, how?

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One of the best ways to protect yourself from computer viruses is to educate yourself about them.  There are many types of malicious software that can infect your system and potentially steal personal information about you.  To avoid rambling, I am only going to cover the most common ones.  Viruses are a piece of code that can copy itself in order to damage your computer.  Trojan horses are a type of malware that enters the system looking like a standard piece of code but in fact had malicious code inside it.  Lastly, spam comes in the form of email messages that involve the user opening an infected attachment piece of code that attacks the users system for one purpose or another.  These are the most common forms of infection that our anti-virus software combats every day.

If anyone has used a computer with any consistency, they have come across a virus or the like at one time or another.  Most anti-virus software finds these pesky pieces of code and deletes them before they can do any harm.  If some does not employ anti-virus software, there is a good chance that they have a number of viruses on their system and they don’t even know it.

Taking the time to educate yourself in the various ways of computer infection can help you avoid accidentally getting your system infected in the future.  Keep in mind that even though you use all the precautions that you can while using your computer, its anti-virus software cannot stop every potential attack is may receive.  Hackers are crafty and constantly coming up with new ways to scam people.  The anti-virus software companies need to update their software as these issues arise often times putting them one step behind the competition.

Anti-virus software and diligent use of VPN services can protect many people for the basic functions they use their computers for.  For the others out there, some malicious software gets through the cracks and that’s where educating yourself can go a long way.  When you know what to look for, you can often times avoid unknowingly becoming infected.

What are your thoughts on viruses?  Do you agree that the examples I gave are the most common types?  If not, which ones would you add to the list or remove?

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There are many different operating systems for computers out there and each has their own pros and cons.  For the purpose of this discussion, I am going to be considering the two most popular and widely used operating systems.  The first being Windows 10 and the other Linux.  There are many different distributions of Linux but I am going to be referring to it as a whole and not a singular distribution.

I have worked on both Linux operating systems and Windows 10 systems and they are vastly different from each other.  To operate a Linux system, one needs to have a pretty good comprehension of how a computer works, software to hardware and everything in between.  Windows 10 is more user friendly but there is also a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that the operator is usually unaware of.  This can lead to problems such as viruses and malware going unnoticed.

Even though Linux has a steeper learning curve, it has its rewards in the end.  Not only does it force you to know your system intimately but it also makes you aware of everything that is on your system.  Windows on the other hand is ready to go with most main stream software whereas Linux systems need a work around to make them function properly or a program that is comparable.  These are some of the major issues between the two systems.

I personally use both Windows 10 operating system and Linux for different reasons.  Linux is harder to use but is is also safer to use.  Edward Snowden used a Linux system called Tails to keep his information safe.  Windows 10 is optimized for most software to run the best because Windows has a monopoly on the operating  system business.  For that reason, it is just easier to run most software from a Windows 10 system.

What are your thoughts on Windows 10 and Linux operating systems?  Which do you prefer?  If you use Linux, which is your favorite distribution and why?

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Ethical hacking is something the good guys do to keep the rest of us safe while on the internet.  There is also a flip side where there is a training of future hackers to steal personal information using the skills they learned while becoming an ethical hacker.  No matter your position on the matter, it is one of those things that needs to be done.  Fighting the bad guys and predicting their moves before they do them by knowing all of their tricks.

You may have seen on my homepage that I am a computer science major.  I thought about majoring in cyber security for the simple reason that with all of the advancing technologies available to us, each of them are going to need to be secured and safe to use.  In order to make all of our virtual platforms safe, we need to know how a criminal hacker operates.  That is where an ethical hacker comes in.

The more ethical hackers on the side of good to combat criminals the better.  No matter what new technologies come out, there is always going to be someone who wants to take advantage it.  Ethical hackers know all the tricks and stop criminals in their tracks by using their own tactics.

If you know of anyone who has a passion in cyber security, please encourage that person to pursue that dream for there is always going to be a job in cyber security and they are doing it for the betterment of the people using their products in the future.  There are a lot of people that do not know the ins and outs of how a computer works or how they can protect themselves while online.  Ethical hackers have a duty to those people and all the other without an intimate knowledge of computer safety practices to make those platforms safe for the average user to use.

What are your thoughts on ethical hacking?  Do you think it is a necessary practice like I do or do you disagree?

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Imagine if the computers we know today changed tomorrow ushering in a massive increase in computing power.  Computers used today work on the basic concept of the binary system, 1’s and 0’s.  Quantum computers work on the qubit which have a third state called superpostion allowing for a third option of representing a 1 or 0 at the same time.

Admittedly, there are some things that modern computers do better than what a quantum computer would.  They are not meant to replace modern computers but to offer different ways to solve problems.  Because of the massive computing potential, they are better suited optimizing present operations such as flight paths of planes or traveling directions for a transport freighter.

There are some fundamental problems that restrict quantum computers from becoming a tool everyone can use.  For one thing, they need to be kept very cold.  Negative 460 degrees to be precise.  Not everyone can afford to purchase or upkeep the equipment required to maintain that temperature so quantum computing cannot become the new form of personal computing.

With not surprise, Google has announced that they have a quantum computer that is 100 times faster than any computer at their disposal.  Only large corporations like Google can afford to make and up keep a quantum computer.  Perhaps as technology advances, new ways of quantum computing will become available that is accessible to the general public.  Since they have such expensive operating conditions, only large corporations have them today.

What are your thoughts on quantum computers?  What would their use best be spent computing?

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As technology advances, a growing need for better digital security become more apparent.  Our lives are dominated by digital devices and profiles through various organizations putting us at greater risk of being hacked by criminals.  Simple passwords are easily hacked by third party software.  That being the case, almost everything about a person can be stolen if such tactics are employed.

I worked in a organization that was hacked and personal information about the employees were stolen.  After the attack was initiated, there wasn’t much that the company I worked for could do about it.  They did give all of us identity theft subscriptions through a third party for two years but our information was already stolen and probably being used.

With better security measures, people do not have to worry about third party criminals stealing our identities, social security numbers or personal information.  Most people don’t think about the accessibility that cyber criminals have to the lay person on the internet.  VPN’s must be employed along with anti-virus software that seeks out malware, worms, Trojan horses, etc. and keeps them from infecting your personal system.  Once your personal information is stolen, the only option is to change what can be changed so that information cannot be used again.

There are many options for digital security and in my opinion, no one is better than another.  It is better to have some kind of VPN and anti-virus software rather than none at all.  Precautions need to be taken because the criminals that steal personal information do not take any days off.

Have you or anyone you known have their personal information stolen?  If so, what kind of actions were taken to prevent that from happening again?

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The greatest piece of technology at our disposal is computers.  It is only natural that we try to make the way we interact with computers both easier and more productive.  The main way of interaction with computers today is through the use of keyboards, a mouse and touch pads.  Some find this way hard to use.  The future may make interacting with computers easier and faster than typing on keyboard or the point and click of a mouse.

When computers were first invented, keyboards where not invented yet.  The first type of interaction was through the use of punch cards that had the instructions for the computer on them.  Later, computers used a keyboard interface only.  The mouse came years later.  Following the mouse came the touch screen that we all see on our smartphones and tablets.  There are some phones and tablets that can fold the screen making for inventive ways to use that technology.

I think the future of human-computer interactions lay in augmented reality.  Through the use of special goggles or glasses, a person can see in a three dimensional environment and interact with it using just they’re hands.  Reach out and physically grab an icon floating in front of you to select it.  There are a lot of computers that allow for voice commands as well.  These two features rolled together makes interacting with a computer engaging and easy.

The technology is not to this point yet so the two main choice we have today is either the traditional mouse and keyboard or the touch screen.  Most people have their preferences but I like the feel of a keyboard and the precise movements of a mouse.

What are your thoughts on human-computer interactions?  What is your preferred method for using a computer?  What kind of technology will become available for use to use computers easier and faster?

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Through the advancement of technology, modern medicine has progressed leaps and bounds.  As technology becomes more and more advanced, so does our manipulation of that technology in regards to modern medicine.  Since the invention of antiseptics in the late 1800’s, our understanding about how the human body works and how to repair it has advanced more than any other time before.

I have worked in the Operating Room for a number of years, and in those years, I have seen many advancements in the way healthcare professionals care for their patients.  One such change involves the way that liver bleeds are treated.  The go to method had always been with an Argon beam coagulator.  That is not true today.  Now, a device known as a Mantis coagulator or synthetic clotting products such as Tisseal can all be used interchangeably.  There are many advancements that stretch into other medical fields too.

There is still a lot that we do not know about the human body so more research and funds need to be funneled into this field.  There is no better pursuit than helping your fellow man in my opinion.  I have helped a lot of people during my time in healthcare and I have done so to the fullest extent that technology allows me to.  There have been situations that could have been handled differently had the technology been available to us.  Someday, I expect our healthcare to be on par with what you would see on Star Trek.  In the distant future of course.

Donating to research facilities is always an option and convincing others to do so helps as well.  Some people may find they have an aptitude for these technologies and seek to advance them themselves.  Not everyone can do that but anything offered to help advance these technologies is greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to comment on this topic.  Where do you think technology in medicine is headed?  Where do you think researchers efforts are best spent? Why in that field?

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Through the use of augmented reality, many things are possible ranging from fun and instructive to unhealthy and wrong.  The main field that occupies augmented reality now is for gaming.  Tools such as the Facebook brand Oculus allows for users to place games in a much more immersive fashion compared to traditional controller based systems.  The applications of a more immersive system are nearly endless and possibly beneficial if utilized correctly.

I have not used an augmented reality product such as the Oculus but my imagination drives what the possibilities could be.  They could be used as a training simulation for soldiers so they can learn how to react in a hostile situation without actually being in harms way.  Augmented reality could be the new form or computer interface doing away with keyboards and a mouse.  They can also allow us to explore places we could never imagined being able to explore before.  The possibilities are endless.

One of the negative possibilities of augmented reality could be the loss of connection with the real world.  Some people may find the augmented world a better one than the one they live in.  If that’s the case, they may try to escape the real world entirely.  One way to avoid this is to have an automatic shutdown after so many hours are logged in.  Too much of a good thing can be bad.

There are many other applications to augmented reality and I would love to hear your thoughts about them in the comments below.  Do you think augmented reality is a good thing?  Why or why  not?

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Robotics is a science that has been impacting our lives mostly behind the scenes.  Robots are mainly used in manufacturing of mass quantity parts and goods to produce goods faster than human labor could and at a cheaper price.  There will come a time when it effects our daily lives in a more direct manner.  There are already advancements into robotic prosthetics and other human aids.  Are these advancements going to be for the better?

In the research that I have done, there are many fascinating robots that are in use now but they have a long way to go before they impact our lives directly.  I think one of the best examples of their current use is the iRobot that automatically cleans your house while you are gone.  They virtually map their surroundings and move around obstacles.  They are far from a perfect working robotic vacuum cleaner but baby steps need to be made so that greater inventions can follow.

More research, time and money needs to be invested into this field because robots are going to become a thing of the future.  Self driving cars are already here.  Next, prosthetic limbs that not only function in the place of a lost appendage but make humans better may be on the way.

I think the thing that is holding a technology like that back is the integration of a nervous system into an electrical one.  There are a few tech companies that are leading this charge with arm bands that sense the electrical charges emitted from a certain nerve and not only allowing for controlled movement but also sensation in the artificial appendage.  This is only the beginning of what is to come and I for one am very excited to see what the future holds.

If you have any thoughts about robotics and what the future may hold for them, please leave a comment about them.  It is the imagination that drives advances such as these.

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Artificial intelligence, or AI, is something that hasn’t been around for very long but it impacting our daily lives at a growing rate everyday.  It first appeared in mainstream society in the form of the Siri button on our iPhone or the Alexa AI made by Amazon.  There are some professionals who caution in the advancement of AI because it may become self aware if it advances enough which could lead to many different outcomes.  Should we be afraid of the possibilities that lay ahead in the advancement of artificial intelligence?

Some of the most popular ideas can be found in movies such as The Matrix where the the AI of the machines made them aware that they do not need their human creators so therefore they are trying to eliminate them from existence seeing them as a plague upon the earth.  However, some of the easiest ways to look up information is through the built in AI in our smartphones or through the assistance of the AI to make phone calls while driving so the driver never needs to take their eyes off the road.  As AI’s are right now, they are simply a tool that makes our lives easier.  There is nothing threatening about them.

As they are today, artificial intelligence is a tool that almost everyone has access to and uses to make their lives a little bit easier.  Could they eventually rise up and enslave us all?  Sure, it is in the realm of possibility.  Can you imagine your GPS trying to run you off a cliff  because the AI inside it deemed humans unfit to live on the earth?  No.  They are not smart enough to do that.  Yet.

What do you think about AI’s and their impact on our lives?  Are you afraid of what they may become?  Which AI do you think would gain self awareness first?  My bets are all on Alexa.

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