The internet is a wonderful place, allowing us to easily connect with friends and family, but it also leaves those who aren’t careful vulnerable to harmful strangers.  The website: pleaserobme.com highlights how people can provide too much information about their whereabouts.  Using information from Foursquare and Twitter, Pleaserobme.com collects posts like “@Houston_Scott left home and checked in about a minute ago: I’m at Bank of America (3811 Washington, at Waugh, Houston). http://4sq.com/6Kw5Uw.” They spotlight the carelessness of those who allow exact addresses of their location to be public.

The creators of the site suggest that they aren’t actually trying to encourage burglaries, but, rather, make a point that people are putting themselves at danger.  As the site’s creator points out when you broadcast where you are “it leaves one place you’re definitely not… home.”

Now, we aren’t advocating that you should be terrified to use the internet, but it is smart to use some common sense to keep your privacy.  Just as you avoid walking alone in the city at 3 am or lock your front door, it’s a good idea to protect yourself online too.   

Check out: http://pleaserobme.com/

It’s been fun to watch Team U.S.A. sweep the Vancouver Olympics with 28 medals so far and 7 of them gold.  Did you know that the gold medals Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, and Bode Miller are wearing around their necks are partially made out of recycled e-waste?  While the medals may contain just under 2% e-waste material, it’s a good step towards being more environmentally friendly.

 With people upgrading to a new computer or cell phone every few years, e-waste can add up quickly.  This waste can be quite hazardous unless recycled properly. As Konrad Osterwalder, under-secretary general of the U.N. wrote in a recent report “One person’s waste can be another’s raw material,” adding that new technologies “can transform waste into assets, creating new businesses with decent green jobs.”  Quite plainly, e-waste recycling is good for the environment and good for jobs.

So maybe you can’t skate as fast as Shani Davis, but you can still e-recycle like an Olympian. 

 Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/23/eco.ewaste.gold/

• New Blog: Big Victory for Broadband in WI! http://www.wiredwisconsin.org/big-victory-for-broadband-in-wisconsin/ #
• New Blog about Google Buzz & Privacy concerns: http://www.wiredwisconsin.org/what%e2%80%99s-the-buzz-about-privacy-concerns/ #
• WI receives $29 million for expanded broadband access to schools and libraries in all 72 counties: http://tinyurl.com/WIbba #
• New Blog from WW Partner, PC Guard Dogs, The Importance of Computer Security http://ow.ly/18tK6 #
• Cue the time warp music! WI hoping to join 21st century! Your mission: Tell Legislators to support modern telecom rules! http://ow.ly/18nFE #
• Modern Telecom Rules Needed for Growth. Let's bring WI into the 21st Century! http://ow.ly/186Yp #
• WI Health consortium of docs, etc receives $9.1 million grant to use tele-medicine tech. http://ow.ly/17VEP #
• Wind turbine technology finds home in Oshkosh! Yeah for WI proving once again we blaze the path for new tech! http://ow.ly/17VsM #
• Congrats to @UWM: researcher makes breakthrough in stem cell technology http://ow.ly/17xVl #
• RT @womeninhighered: "We Need More Female IT Leaders": http://ow.ly/17xTE #highered #women #IT #leadership #
• A better look inside: Technology helps get to the heart of the problem (and saves lives!) http://ow.ly/17xRS #

Have you heard the good news? Yesterday Governor Doyle announced that Wisconsin is receiving $23 million dollars for broadband expansion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The money will be used in every single one of our 72 counties. 

Where exactly will broadband be deployed?

-74 schools

-8 post-secondary schools

-385 libraries

The effects of this grant will surely ripple outwards.  Because the selected locations are close to hospitals, police and fire stations, and 125,000 homes, broadband coverage could be easily expanded beyond the project.  According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Most of the coverage gaps in Wisconsin could be filled in only a few years.”

The struggle for broadband can often be very frustrating, so let’s celebrate this great success for Wisconsin.  As Thad Nation, Executive Director of Wired Wisconsin explained, “Expanding internet access – and particularly broadband access – is one of the best ways to foster economic development, support additional educational opportunities, and increase connections between citizens across the state.”

Google Buzz is the new social network created by Google.  It allows users to share links, videos, and pictures with friends.  While many Gmail users have enjoyed this fun, new feature, others were worried that it might violate consumer privacy rights. 

One area of concern was that Buzz accounts automatically followed those who the user emailed and instant messaged most often.  Another problem was it automatically publically shared any pictures on Picasa, Google’s picture software.

After criticism from users, Google has made a number of changes.  Instead of automatically following other users, now Google only suggests people to follow.  It also does not make Picasa pictures public automatically.  Users can even remove Buzz completely from their Gmail accounts.

We want to know what you think.  Have you tried Google Buzz?  Do you think the changes they made created enough privacy protections?

Written by Mike Hough, PC Guard Dogs

Computer security is an often overlooked necessity in today’s world. The combination of an “always on” connection to the internet and the increasing use of computers makes it much easier than it was even 10 years ago to get a virus infection. We may feel that there is not much time left in the day to worry about updating the security on the computer but it still requires attention and can save you time and money in the future.

Some of people live by the old adage “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” and apply that to maintaining their computer. Do you get your car tuned-up? Do you run it through the car wash to prevent rust build up? What about lawnmowers, snow blowers and other equipment around the house? A computer needs the same type of care, but with a computer you don’t need to worry about the physical components as much as you need to worry about the data. Our vehicles are not connected to the internet (though some are now with gps and other features in luxury vehicles) and are not generally at risk of identity theft or losing important data.

The point being made is we tend to pay more attention to our cars and not our computers. Part of this is that we all grew up with cars and were taught at a very young age that we should take care of them. For some of us it is a pride thing. A nice warm sunny afternoon we go out and wash and wax the car, change the oil ourselves, etc. There is nothing wrong with that.

Most of us will never have the sense of pride with a computer that we do with our cars, but awareness needs to rise and it is not as complicated as you may think. In future posts I will write about tips to secure your computer.

• Technology and Valentine's Day a bad mix? Or are we experiencing a fundamental change in how we express love? http://ow.ly/17h9Y #
• Keep the "Internet Bus" Rolling for Kids, Jobs. Internet on school buses. Yup. http://ow.ly/16TnE #
• RT @Independence1st: Seeking ppl w/disabilities for survey: how you use cell phones & text mssgrs: Survey http://bit.ly/T1hAL #
• Five jobs for Internet enthusiasts. Social Media fans will be happy. Are you? http://ow.ly/16qDP #
• Tech Scammers prey on Haiti earthquake http://ow.ly/16qvs #
• RT @Cisco_Mobile: #Google Is Offering a Service to Help People Get #Married http://tinyurl.com/yl7lvjl #Wedding #Divorce Good Thing? #
• Taxicabs 2.0? Sounds awesome! Just like our friends at @taximagic! http://ow.ly/16qn8 #
• Just sent out the latest Wired in Wisconsin free newsletter. Want one? http://www.wiredwisconsin.org/join/ #
• RT @LSNews don't want to brag but: there are 69 research centers & institutes in L&S. Count it! We're #1. http://ow.ly/164tJ Congrats! #
• Novels written, er, typed on cell phones? Access to Wireless Tech taken advantage of in Japan. http://ow.ly/163iD #
• Madison Prof invents ‘location aware services’ to track anything, anyone. We're glad that protecting privacy is key. http://ow.ly/15WvO #
• Press Release: Wired Wisconsin Testifies in Support of Telecom Modernization Bill http://ow.ly/15GlP #
• Stimulus funds for high-speed Internet access tangled up. Middle mile coverage goal right now. http://ow.ly/15Aaf #
• One big online Super Bowl party? Check out the new blog: http://www.wiredwisconsin.org/sb44/ #
• ATTN Parents: Survey: How Kids 12 & Under Use Web Technology http://ow.ly/156ci Help your kids take this important survey #
• ATTN Parents: Survey: How Kids 12 & Under Use Web Technology http://ow.ly/156aQ Help your kids take this important survey #
• RT @denversolarguy: How does Solar energy Work Explained http://bit.ly/2CBz5b Green tech saves money; every $1=$20 value to your home! #

I’m a bus rider and when I’m waiting outside in the frigid Wisconsin cold, I would love to know how soon the next bus will get there.  Is it running late or right on time?  Well, Professor Jingnesh Patel at The University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed technology for smart phones and laptops that can provide real-time information on, not only the location of buses, but much more.

As this UW article describes, Patel’s innovation can help with serious needs such as helping doctor’s locate exactly were an organ donation is.  However, it can also simply increase convenience by being able to locate the nearest restaurants and even provide e-coupons for those restaurants.

This technology also provides the ability to locate other people, but the great thing is it does provide for consumer privacy.  In the article Patel states that consumer privacy is “a major concern” so “built-in privacy options are part of the DNA of the system’s architecture.”  We applaud this dedication to consumer privacy because at Wired Wisconsin we firmly believe that as new technology develops privacy controls must be created simultaneously.

Patel’s location awareness technology is just one more development that shows how technology enhances our lives.  As new technologies keep getting smarter and smarter, quickly becoming a part of our personal and professional lives, we soon begin to wonder, how did we ever live without this?

NFL: Wasn’t much of a question, but Colts DE Dwight Freeney is active for the game. He’ll test ankle in warmups. #SB44

That was one of the tweets that the NFL posted on Twitter.  I think it’s safe to say the Super Bowl XLIV was a lot more interactive than Super Bowl I.  With people constantly updating their Twitter accounts and Facebook statuses with “Play of the game–onside kick” or “Touchdown Saints!!! WHO DAT?!?!”, it was like everyone was at one big online Super Bowl party.  Many tagged their tweets with “#SB44” or “#Superbowl” to join the national conversation.

And everyone was paying just as much attention to the commercials.  The New York Times had a running blog going with comments on every ad.  Some of the more memorable ones? The Late Show ad with David Letterman, Oprah, and Jay Leno together was a surprise.   The ad with Megan Fox in a bathtub surely peaked many people’s interest.  Which one was your favorite?

Technology brings us all together.  From Superior to Milwaukee or California to New York, everyone can connect with each other to join the party.

• New blog post: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs http://tinyurl.com/yl3hwla #
• by a jury of your peers, which now includes their entire social media network?! scary. http://ow.ly/14oOT #
• Facebook celebrates 6 years?!! Wow, how fast the world of social media tech has changed our lives! http://ow.ly/14nRs #
• Had a great Partnership meeting with @Independence1st today. Looking forward to working together! tech access for all! #
• New WiredWI Blog.Read.Share.Comment. 'Paging Dr. Broadband' http://ow.ly/13XFI #
• Doyle "train for tomorrow's technology" Always need to be looking to the future. Join our coalition so you will be! http://ow.ly/13XsA #
• Broadband access enables people to achieve the American Dream. Great article on the impt of access. http://ow.ly/13Aca #
• Project would turn Milwaukee trash into energy. Oscar the Grouch isn't going to be happy, but sure We are!! http://ow.ly/13A18 #
• WI Dept. of Commerce: Federal funding for broadband deployment now available http://ow.ly/13bbq #
• Our Twitter Feed just reached 2,000 followers! We are becoming WI's one-stop-shop for all things technology! Follow us @WiredWI #
• Green tech: $225 million waste-to-energy project planned in Milwaukee http://ow.ly/138pb #
• New blog: Broadband=Jobs http://tinyurl.com/ylkyo59 #
• Green Tech: Wauwatosa office building highest ranked energy star building in WI! Congrats! Our planet thanks you! http://ow.ly/12FqL #
• ATTN: AT&T users: Good News for you! AT&T plans $2bn wireless overhaul http://ow.ly/12DKO #
• Our society has and always will be interested in the future. Yesterday’s ads, today’s technology http://ow.ly/12CRM #
• Hoping to see lots of folks at MKELive event tonight at the Domes. http://www.mkelive.com/ Still don't "get" twitter? This event is 4u. #