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Archive for February, 2009

Cybersecurity and the New Administration

Posted by Matthew Greensmith at 8:39 AM on February 17, 2009

President Obama has tasked a member of former President Bush’s administration to continue her efforts to tighten military and governmental security. Melissa Hathaway has already spent two years in the trenches tightening up government cyber security after multiple breaches. Problems exist, and will likewise continue, in an environment where older equipment and software are being used. There are some wonderful tools for security out there, but only so much can be done on older equipment running older software.

I wish I could feel secure that the government is on the leading edge of technology when it comes to not only equipment but to software. I’ve heard some horror stories about what is available to people working in government offices today. While the rest of us are on the latest and greatest, for the most part, our government lumbers along on outdated dinosauresque equipment and protocols.

I am always surprised at what government doesn’t know, or doesn’t have a handle on. Maybe it is because government is so large, that they can’t find a good way to keep up with technology. Bigger isn’t always better. But at some point, they do need to catch up, and I think we need more than a Czar of Cybersecurity to make it happen.

Would you be happy with $500K a year?

Posted by todd at 6:28 AM on February 17, 2009

I have been hearing some commentary on the $500K maximum paycheck condition placed on banks that accept TARP funds. One strain of the argumnet is that this is not sufficient motivation for the top candidates to take on senior management roles at these institutions. I have two major problems with this.

The first is somewhat obvious, having your pay restricted should be a great motivating force for executives, considering that it will only be placed on executives of companies that have been managed poorly. If you need to take TARP funds its because you were not doing your job properly, maybe a paycut to such a “low level” might encourage you to do better in the future. Realistically, consdering the extreme amount these executives share in the ups of a company, they should also be required to return bonuses from the previous year and take a cut in pay of the same dollar value their bonus would have been if they had succeeded. That’s probably a bit extreme, however 500K is still a heap of money for failing.

The other problem I have is the idea that the only thing that motivates people is money, when that is just not true. While a lack or loss of money can motivate, extra money can have a surprisingly little increase in motivation and in happiness. Realistically are the people that become executives there solely for the money? Ego and pride are much greater drivers than money will ever be. In fact, it is more likely that ego is what is driving the money so high. Once you have excelled above your peer group and gotten into the position of power, what is the next thing to measure yourself against? Other people of power of course. If a CEO want to “measure up” against another, the size of the company and the size of the paycheck are two factors that show who is Alpha.

I am exagerating a little here for effect of course, but pride is a large motivator for moving into executive ranks. Whiel it may seem a little condescending to suggest that some tribal behaviour is at the heart of executive motivation, there is a modern purpose to wanting to climb the unstated heirarchy of the CEO ranks. The real ego pieces that come to executives have tangible fame and respect privelages. Memberships on boards, government appointments, speaking engagements, book deals, media attention, cults of personality and business school case studies about them. All of these things go to the executives that are high on the totem. While some of them have a monetary reward associated with them, they all have significant noteriety and fame aspects that are more attractive to this group of people.

This is in no way to impugn the character of all executives. Pride and ego is only a prime motivator for a subset of this group. There are a large number of executives that are there either because they feel that is where they can contribute the most, they believe they are in a position of service, or they seek/enjoy the particular challenges on offer. In general though, the pride and ego set are the ones with the huge paychecks, bonuses and golden parachutes.

GNC-2009-02-17 #452 I cover a wide assortment of Tech Tonight

Posted by geeknews at 2:02 AM on February 17, 2009

Some new initiatives announced early in the show where I will be offering some for pay podcast consulting to 10 podcasters for the first 6 months. Lots of tech and I talk about my upcoming travel schedule.

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Schwinn Powered Bicycle – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 2:00 AM on February 15, 2009

SchwinnGet Green with Schwinn.. If you have a relative short commute you should consider one of the new pedal assisted Schwinn Bicycles. If I had a commute I would buy one of these in a heartbeat.

The price is $3200.00 and the re-charge time is 30 minutes. The optimal commute for the bike is 20 miles.

Note: The demo showed the bike going 50mph which I have no idea whether I would want to go that fast on a bicycle even if it could.

Minoru 3D Webcam – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 1:45 AM on February 15, 2009

MinoruMinoru is the world’s first 3D Webcam where your friends and family can now see you in 3D over your favorite messaging program. You can use the Minoru with Windows Live, Messenger, Skype, AOL.

Ces-2009-minoru2While we could not demo Minoru on camera I think younger people will find the 3D webcam entertaining. The webcam can be purchased online for $89.00.

The device comes with several pairs of 3D glasses. You can post 3D videos to YouTube and other sites as well.

 

Vuzix Video iWear – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 1:19 AM on February 15, 2009

VuzixVuzix has been a leader in video eyewear. Many of the headsets that Vuxix has been most known for look like typical virtual screen headsets.

Ces-2009-vuzix-eyewearAt CES 2009 they introduced the Wrap 920AV which is eyewear that looks like standard sunglasses they are see through but can double as video eyewear. The Wrap 920AV allows you to play videos and at the same time allow you to see the world around you. The glasses kind of remind of heads up displays with significant more resolution.

The Wrap 920AV provides a 60-inch monitor as seen from 9 feet and has available expansion options all in a lightweight package that is less than 3 ounces.

C. Crane – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 12:52 AM on February 15, 2009

c.craneC.Crane is famous for their radios. I remember being introduced to C. Crane years ago when I Art Bell used to be on the Radio. I found out that C. Crane has a lot more than radios these days.

Ces-2009-ccrane-ledThey have introduced a new LED Light-bulb which gives you 60 Watts of brightness while only using 8 watts of power. While the price of $119.95 is quite high if you need a lot of light and not use much power this is a great solution. They have a variety of LED lights available on there website.

 

BigC Digital Microscopes – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 12:17 AM on February 15, 2009

Ces-2009-bigcWhile we were exploring the floor at CES we came across a company called BigC, and what first appeared as a novelty item we quickly realized that BigC had a USB powered Microscope that was capable of 10x-200x while this does not seem like a lot that is plenty of amplification for electronic circuit examination.

Ces-2009-bigc1The folks at BigC also say that doctors are using these devices our MD Cameraman Andy was examining his eyeball with it and thought it would work pretty well.

Check out this interview with a pretty good demonstration of their technology. Wish I had Andy’s eyeball footage that would have been a YouTube Moment.

Meade Telescopes – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 9:58 PM on February 14, 2009

Ces-2009-meadeMeade Telescopes are well known in the Astronomy community and much of the challenge for amateur astronomers is getting a telescope aligned. The folks at Meade have developed a telescope that aligns itself.

Ces-2009-meade2This is accomplished  through the utilization of CCD imager that has been added to the telescope which is able to find two new stars. Once aligned the telescope can align to over 100,000 stars that it has in it’s internal database. It also has audio content that will act as a astronomer on board to help you understand what your looking at.

The unit cost around $1299.00 which is a great price considering what is included. Astronomy used to cost a lot more.

Check out the full line of Meade telescopes

Logicube – CES 2009

Posted by geeknews at 9:29 PM on February 14, 2009

LogicubeLogicube is well known for disk duplication for small businesses and enterprises. Jeffrey Powers takes a few minutes with the folks from Logicube to see what is new in the disk duplication space.