Where would life be without fascinations? Where would life be without exploring the different aspects of our world through laughter, amazement, curiosity, and that childlike glee when we see something anew for the first time? I only wish that I could somehow bring many of the different treats that arrive on my web doorstep to your attention. Of course, through the magic of the Internet, there are few constraints to this excitement.
On the last workday of the week (usually Friday), we will bring you something at 12:00 noon Pacific Time (that’s late afternoon on the East Coast, so you have something before leaving the office). It’s here to tickle your fancy, entice you to learn, entertain you, or simply explore your funny bone. It may not always be humor, but it should never be boring. It will be clean, safe for work and the family, and will be related to our core topics at Computer Talk Radio, that’s computers and technology, and occasionally just plain nerdy.
Further, like many of the other things around here, if you submit something that we use in our Friday Fascinations, I’ll also send you something from the grab box(es).
Benjamin Rockwell
Freedom of Speech is disappearing.
This isn't about left or right. I would scream about this no matter who is working to keep our voices silent. I despised the efforts years ago to censor music. I was against the censorship of a certain comedian who I found to be foul and obnoxious, as it made him more...
Alpha generation: Phones, tablets are ‘rewiring’ the way children see the world – Study Finds
An interesting look at how our brains, or future generation's brains, may become more highly detail oriented, because of the use of small screens which even finer details on the screen. Playing precision games, instead whack-a-mole, brought kids to seeing details but...
“Fludemic” model accurately maps where COVID hotspots will crop up a week out – Axios
Information is key in all kinds of areas. The latest leverage of data is in small increases in infection rates, which indicate that COVID is increasing nearby. Fludemic is a website that is tracking and working with data so tightly, that they claim 92% accuracy at...
Apple, Google lobbyists swarm Arizona over App Store bill – Protocol — The people, power and politics of tech
An Arizona State Rep is preparing a bill that would allow developers to make money outside of the Apple or Google app stores. Regina Cobb is seeking to break down the walls and allow programmers to make money in an open and more competitive market, than the two...
How a 10-second video clip sold for $6.6 million | Reuters
People spend money, real and virtual, on the craziest things. In October, an art collector a 10 second video for $67k, and a week ago, turned it around for $6.6 million. A non-fungible token (or NFT) is a digital asset, using blockchain tech (like Bitcoin) that proves...
Feds warn threats are harder to track as extremists shift to encryption – Axios
In a changing of the guard, we see again, an attempt to present an argument for reducing freedom... by declaring encryption as being bad. Yes, some bad guys use encryption, but so do good people. We struggle with that box, and we sometimes want to open that box, but...
Google says goodbye to individual user tracking – Axios
This article paints Google as giving up on individual tracking, as they abandon cookies. Cookies for tracking users, however, is no longer needed. They have the power to track you, pitch to you, and it's all done through the information your browser provides freely....
Apple says all U.S. stores open for the first time since start of pandemic – Axios
It's a sign of the end... but to some it means good news, and others, the apocalypse. I think it's a good sign that Apple is moving forward, as it shows that Apple is trusting the path forward. The in-person shopping experience is key for certain items, especially the...
Computer Talk Radio Broadcast – 02-27-2021
Computer Talk Radio Broadcast 02-27-2021; Bitcoin, Mars, Facebook, Musk, hackers; Fry’s Electronics is dead; Silver Sparrow malware; dashcam fascinations; don’t cheap out; sounds from Mars; Bundling cable; contactless payments; youth tech; digital camera
NASA sends nuclear tank 293 million miles to Mars, misses landing spot by just five metres. Now watch its video • The Register
Perseverance landed off by about 15 feet. It's just downright disappointing that it travelled 293 million miles to ultimately miss it's target. OH, WHO AM I KIDDING!!! That rocks, NASA! At least it didn't have problems like SpaceX has had with their more recent...
They break into your network but do nothing themselves: ‘Initial access brokers’ resell stolen creds for $7k a pop • The Register
We think of some cybercrime as being small time crooks, leveraging a few dollars here and there, but the world is evolving. Depending on the target, some networks are being broken into, just for access that can be resold. Access to your company network could be sold...