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
No, Instagram Isn’t Changing its Privacy Policy | Time
This hoax has been served up in a number of ways over the years. Just disregard and move on...A viral Instagram post warning of a change to the site's privacy policy is a hoax. But it underscores our fears about online privacy. See full story on No, Instagram Isn't...
The case of the missing tattoos: Altered photo lineup by Portland police draws objection – oregonlive.com
What happens when police can Photoshop an image from your mug shot to make you match the expectations of the eyewitnesses? What happens when key elements can be altered, removed, or added? Forget about guilt or innocence of this man. Just think about the idea that it...
Paging Big Brother: In Amazon’s Bookstore, Orwell Gets a Rewrite – ENM NEWS
That classic book that you want to read? There may be a number of different versions... some bad translations, some under copyright in the US, but not elsewhere, and many other problems. This article was fascinating, and scary as well, as it spells out a problem that...
Chinese Social Credit Score Prevents 2.5 Million “Discredited Entities” From Buying Plane Tickets
Imagine being told that your own credit scores are low, because you have a friend with a low credit score, and you called them, or had them as a friend online. Perhaps it's because you criticized the government. This is not a sci-fi novel, this is happening in China...
Bringing robots home eases loneliness – The Japan News
An interesting idea, that as we get older, we will be connected to robots for companionship. Perhaps this is something, if in a limited form, that one might accept. The prices are a bit step, at about $200 for install, and $50 a month, but this is early yet. Still, it...
Ransomware Attack Hits Local Governments In Texas | KUT
So it wasn't long ago, perhaps a month or so, when Florida had some cities hit by ransomware. At that time, I stated on-air, and in my notes, that by paying somewhere about $1.5 million across three cities, they would bring more attacks. At least 20 local governments...
Judge orders Georgia to switch to paper ballots for 2020 elections | Ars Technica
I don't dream of voting with technology. It's truly a nightmare, when you consider the complex, manipulatable, mechanism that can change our vote, our intent to be free, and put our worst nightmare in office. Consider the people who want to have electronic voting......
Elon Musk just doubled down on his theory on why nuking Mars would be a good idea – SFGate
I'm so very confused. Every time we talk about a couple of nukes going off on Earth, it's all about how it will bring about Nuclear Winter. Instead, Elon Musk is talking about heating up and warming Mars by nuking it, and the Martians. So which is it?Elon Musk has...
What3words: The app that can save your life – BBC News
Exists.Standing.Fighters ... Those three words point to the studios of one of the radio stations that I am on. In this case, three different words from What3Words.com actually saved a life. Anywhere in the world, down to a 10 foot by 10 foot space, has those three...
Install Windows 10’s August 2019 updates now to protect your PC from a nasty worm | PCWorld
The short and simple of this, simply run Windows Update as soon as you can. It may have already run, if you're aggressive. Many folks are suggesting a sooner rather than later approach, and that's good. People and companies that rely on Remote Desktop on systems...