Today, the computer progresses in an amazing speed in both good and bad directions. Let's look at some of recent news related to the computer.
First, I am going to introduce horrible news: The Internet Fraud. Common way of fraud which we can be victims of is one-click fraud. This temps us to click their advertisement, and they charge unbelievable pay for this. These sites have been found mainly in illegal sites such as porno sites, where ordinary people (at least we) will not visit. However, a research shows that they have started appearing in the common web sites, such as entertainment related ones. They are likely visited by young people; besides, the rate of case from entertainment sites exceed 50 % last month! We must be careful about that, for the crime is no longer foreign for us.
Now, positive news!
I found really interesting new product by Sanseido, Japan. It is called "Densi-Jiten," whose sound is the same as electronic dictionary; however, actually it means "electronic and paper dictionary" by a unique use of kanji. As you can guess from the name, it is the set of the electronic dictionary on the web site and paper dictionary. The cost is 3300 yen for English- Japanese dictionary and 8190 yen for Japanese dictionary. They are less expensive than I expected, and the company explains that they succeeded to reduce the cost by making both electronic and paper dictionary from one master at the same time.
In my opinion, this attempt sound pretty good, because this is the evidence that the good points of paper dictionary is reconsidered. It will be more useful and profitable if we can use new functions that only computer enable us to, while keeping using paper dictionary. Of course, this new product still have issues to overcome, and I am not sure whether it can survive competition among paper, electronic, and electronic-paper dictionary industries; however, it has just begun.
I do not think I will buy it because I already have one, yet it will be interesting to keep an eye on the future of the new product.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Network Neutrality
Network Neutrality is the concept that is essential to operating the Internet. This term describes the state that there is no favor in the world of the Internet; therefore, it allows the Internet users to access whatever applications and web sites they like. It is a fundamental concept that exists since the beginning of the world wide use of the Internet.
However, this concept is under threat by some companies that try to dominate the whole Internet service by money. Some providers may invent better technology and let only a big company that pay well for them use it. Others can ask the provider to make rival companies' or organizations' web sites do not work well in order to obstruct their business. They affect not only minor providers or competing companies but also the Internet users! As a result, perhaps it becomes impossible to choose web site by our own decisions: our right to access the information equally can be violated.
Net neutrality is necessary for the future of the Internet service. The users should be aware of the threatened situation and realize the intend of some companies. We must protect our right to access to any information and decide which one to use. The Internet should not be controlled with money.
However, this concept is under threat by some companies that try to dominate the whole Internet service by money. Some providers may invent better technology and let only a big company that pay well for them use it. Others can ask the provider to make rival companies' or organizations' web sites do not work well in order to obstruct their business. They affect not only minor providers or competing companies but also the Internet users! As a result, perhaps it becomes impossible to choose web site by our own decisions: our right to access the information equally can be violated.
Net neutrality is necessary for the future of the Internet service. The users should be aware of the threatened situation and realize the intend of some companies. We must protect our right to access to any information and decide which one to use. The Internet should not be controlled with money.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
My Favorite Websites
The Internet is really, really useful. I can broaden my knowledge, get the newest information, and research information for my papers easily! Today, I would like to introduce three web pages.
Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/)
Everyone must know and have used this page. Actually, I cannot do without this page! Although we cannot use the information from Wikipedia for our papers or essays, it is useful for getting overview information or to get started. In addition to getting information, I often use links to get more information.
Travel Adventures (http://www.traveladventures.org/)
My big, big dream is to travel around the world! I want to visit, see, and feel other countries. However, I have no money. I have no time. Thus, what I can do now is to view guide books or visit web sites. This site provides with many photos taken in most of countries in the world. It includes beautiful scenery, interesting building, and lively people. It also has short stories, so I can enjoy as if I were visiting the country! Looking this site and the huge number of pictures, I am planning my future dream, around world trip, in my mind.
THE JAPAN FAQ (http://www.thejapanfaq.com)
This site is about Japan, from the non-Japanese point of view. It includes basic information about Japan, Japanese culture, how to live in Japan and so forth. What makes this site interesting is of course the fact that the author is not Japanese (I guess that the author dose not expect Japanese to visit his pages!). It is not easy to read this page because there are much information, and he does not divide the body stories---however, it contains many interesting information. He analyzes very well, and I, Japanese will have to admire many of them. The most interesting part for me, or Japanese, is Japanese Culture: The Primer for New Comer, where he argues about the "truth" of Japanese culture. How they think? How they feel? It is interesting to know foreigner's feeling; besides, it makes me reconsider deeply about Japanese' behaviors.
Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/)
Everyone must know and have used this page. Actually, I cannot do without this page! Although we cannot use the information from Wikipedia for our papers or essays, it is useful for getting overview information or to get started. In addition to getting information, I often use links to get more information.
Travel Adventures (http://www.traveladventures.org/)
My big, big dream is to travel around the world! I want to visit, see, and feel other countries. However, I have no money. I have no time. Thus, what I can do now is to view guide books or visit web sites. This site provides with many photos taken in most of countries in the world. It includes beautiful scenery, interesting building, and lively people. It also has short stories, so I can enjoy as if I were visiting the country! Looking this site and the huge number of pictures, I am planning my future dream, around world trip, in my mind.
THE JAPAN FAQ (http://www.thejapanfaq.com)
This site is about Japan, from the non-Japanese point of view. It includes basic information about Japan, Japanese culture, how to live in Japan and so forth. What makes this site interesting is of course the fact that the author is not Japanese (I guess that the author dose not expect Japanese to visit his pages!). It is not easy to read this page because there are much information, and he does not divide the body stories---however, it contains many interesting information. He analyzes very well, and I, Japanese will have to admire many of them. The most interesting part for me, or Japanese, is Japanese Culture: The Primer for New Comer, where he argues about the "truth" of Japanese culture. How they think? How they feel? It is interesting to know foreigner's feeling; besides, it makes me reconsider deeply about Japanese' behaviors.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
If I could...
What Computer Gift I Would Buy?
If I could buy a new computer for me, how nice it is!!! However, I have to think of a present for someone, not for me. Someone who is close to me, and someone whom I think of precious... OK, I decided to give a special gift for my dear, dear, disturbing brother, Yusuke.
The special gift is a whole set of computer for his own, for I and Yu have shared one notebook computer for a long time. I have craved my own computer (it does not have to be a new one), and so has Yu. It is too inconvenient to share one computer; as a result, we are often in conflict. I need to computer to do my research, essay, and other assignments! Yu, you are just playing, aren't you?! No, you use it more than two hours! And we are scold by my mother...
I am thinking of buying new computer for him, because I want to give a desktop computer that will have less problem than notebook computer as I learned at school. Our computer is about three years old and has already become old; thus, it cannot move quickly and needs frequent rest. However, I will not have so much problem, for what I will use is only simple programs. On the other hand, Yu often play games, music, and other relatively complex programs that I won't use. I am satisfied if I can do basic things for now, so I will give him desktop computer!
Of course, it contains another intention. The only and the biggest shortcoming of desktop computer is that it cannot be moved easily. Because of another problem of our notebook computer that it can access the Internet only from the living room (no one knows the reason), we also share the only television in my house. If Yu gets a desktop computer, it means that he will stay his own room while using the computer. He can keep his privacy, and I can watch television without any disturbance!
If I buy Yu another computer, it will bring a lot of benefit for both of us. However, I will keep this annoying situation a little bit more, for I will not be able to quarrel with him after going abroad. Anyway, this is just a story about "if," not real.
If I could buy a new computer for me, how nice it is!!! However, I have to think of a present for someone, not for me. Someone who is close to me, and someone whom I think of precious... OK, I decided to give a special gift for my dear, dear, disturbing brother, Yusuke.
The special gift is a whole set of computer for his own, for I and Yu have shared one notebook computer for a long time. I have craved my own computer (it does not have to be a new one), and so has Yu. It is too inconvenient to share one computer; as a result, we are often in conflict. I need to computer to do my research, essay, and other assignments! Yu, you are just playing, aren't you?! No, you use it more than two hours! And we are scold by my mother...
I am thinking of buying new computer for him, because I want to give a desktop computer that will have less problem than notebook computer as I learned at school. Our computer is about three years old and has already become old; thus, it cannot move quickly and needs frequent rest. However, I will not have so much problem, for what I will use is only simple programs. On the other hand, Yu often play games, music, and other relatively complex programs that I won't use. I am satisfied if I can do basic things for now, so I will give him desktop computer!
Of course, it contains another intention. The only and the biggest shortcoming of desktop computer is that it cannot be moved easily. Because of another problem of our notebook computer that it can access the Internet only from the living room (no one knows the reason), we also share the only television in my house. If Yu gets a desktop computer, it means that he will stay his own room while using the computer. He can keep his privacy, and I can watch television without any disturbance!
If I buy Yu another computer, it will bring a lot of benefit for both of us. However, I will keep this annoying situation a little bit more, for I will not be able to quarrel with him after going abroad. Anyway, this is just a story about "if," not real.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Social Engineeing
WHAT IS SOCIAL ENGINEERING??
Social engineering is the act of stealing important information for security such as ID or password, and it is also called social hacking or social cracking. As well as managers of the systems, normal users are often aimed, for they do not have enough knowledge and consciousness of the danger.
The methods to collect information are different from normal hackers who enter systems secretly: they use "social" or physical method. For example, they try to steal a look at proper users typing password over shoulder or eavesdrop on them in a public situation. Another way to get information is to talk to the user directory pretending to be a system manager, another member of the group, or a customer. Also, the trash from office can be the information source, for it is easy to restore the paper with important information even if they are broken up by shredder.
It is required for users to be aware of the danger of social engineering to protect their precious information. First, be careful not to tell such information easily if you asked, for others, including the managers of system do not have to know users' password. Second, if you have to inform such information, make sure that the person you are talking is the person you think. Finally, control important information strictly! These are necessary to survive this highly information-oriented society, without being caught up in a crime.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)