North Coast Connections

I've mention several times in the past that I am a subscriber to the free online newsletter called Tech Republic. This recent posting on the 10 ways to mess up your PC is a classic. If you want a PDF version, you have to register for it, but at least it's free ...

DON'T USE A SURGE PROTECTOR
Like the smell of bacon frying? Face it, we live in storm city here on the North Coast, so use a surge protector or refrain from complaining when your PC smells like a Memorial Day BBQ.

DON'T USE A FIREWALL
I know lots of people who don't lock their front door because it makes them feel like they're living in a Leave it to Beaver sitcom. I agree that living on the North Coast means a harkening back to the old days of public trust, but using the Internet means EVERYONE has access to your computer, around the world. For God sakes, LOCK UP.

DON'T USE ANTI-VIRUS OR ANTI-SPYWARE
Are you in a monogamous relationship with someone for the past 30 years? Then a condom isn't necessary. But in the computing world, USE PROTECTION. The variety of attack programs out there is staggering. Be safe.

INSTALL TONS OF PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY BETA TEST PROGRAMS
The more programs you install, the more you are (exponentially) exposed to system conflicts, hidden spyware, and headaches. Use what you need, but use some discretion, and DON'T take everything that's offered to you. Pay special attention when you get a message asking "are you sure you want to load this program?"

DON'T DEFRAGMENT
Windows and even Mac have built-in defragment programming tools. When you write anything to a disk, it writes to the most available space, which is not necessarily contiguous. Deframenting on an occasional basis means a faster running PC with fewer operating problems.

OPEN ALL ATTACHMENTS
Email is the Trojan Horse. Want to see what's inside? Easy. Just open every horse that comes to your gate. Some have marauding soldiers aimed at attacking your computer. Here are some clues ... NEVER open a file that ends with ZIP or EXE. There are a whole host of other attachments that also cause problems, but BE SELECTIVE.

CLICK ON EVERYTHING
Many email programs include a feature that disables links and required that you affirmatively shut off the protection every time you want to click on an email link. If you can't help yourself, turn this feature on. Otherwise, be careful what you click on, ESPECIALLY in unsolicited email. Pass your cursor over the link to make sure it is going where it is supposed to go (ie. Bank of America, Chase Manhattan, PayPal, etc.). If it says ... http://1234.5678.910.11.12, or some other unrecognizable address, DON'T GO THERE.

SHARE FILES
See ANTI-VIRUS / ANTI-SPYWARE, for the clue on this one. Share and share alike means everyone has access to your computer. Not a good idea.

PICK THE WRONG PASSWORDS
It is amazing that so many people use 1234 or their first name as their password. Even if you use something unusual like "precipitation," password cracking software can detect dictionary words in less than 10 seconds. Try mixing numbers and letters in more random patterns. But don't get crazy. An 8-character password using all letters is easier to crack than a 4-character password using mixed letters and numbers.

DON'T BACK-UP YOUR FILES
It's a poor rat that only has one hole to crawl into. If you feel absolutely certain that your computer won't crash, that you won't get invaded by a virus or spyware, and your office or home won't catch fire, then don't back-up. Otherwise, get with it and explore the options of backing up your files.

There ... you are well one your way to safe computing.

Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com

Posted by Chris Crawford at 04:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

I spent a LOT of time in Hong Kong from 1996 through 2002, working with justice agencies before and after the handover from British sovereignty to the People's Republic of China. I still do tele-project work there, but I travel much less frequently to Asia nowadays. Anyone who spends time in Asia will tell you that technology-wise these guys are way ahead of Americans in many ways, especially relating to everyday use of tech. Some of this is attributable to the "early adopter" syndrome, in which the US adopted cell phone and other technology infrastructures early in the development cycle, and therefore got behind when it came to upgrading the telecom infrastructure to accommodate new technologies.

For instance, only recently has the US rolled out digital cell phone networks (as opposed to analog), while the Asians have had these features for what seems like ages. The first thing that struck me when I bought a cell phone in Hong Kong was that, aside from my credit card, the dealer didn't care to know who I was. That's because cell phones in Asia are largely GSM-technology SIMM chip phones to which the user purchases advance time by picking up value-add cards just about anywhere. These phones are Internet savvy and coverage is excellent, even when traveling to other nearby countries.

Another thing that struck me in Hong Kong is their ubiquitous "Octopus Card" that was a credit card sized device you kept in your wallet or purse and used to pay for buses, trains, purchases at Starbucks or 7-Eleven, and even taxi cabs. When the card got low, you just pumped in more value at handy kiosks all over town.

Now the word is that in Japan, these technologies have merged into your cell phone so that purchases can be made on your "value add" cell phone SIMM chip. And in true Asian fashion, they have expanded the number of transactions that you can make with your cell phone to include purchases from vending machines, ordering a bowl of noodles, trading stock and even bidding at online auctions. This is in addition to transit charges and minor convenience store purchases.

These smart cell phones can pick up (and even record) TV stations. Think that's cool? Hold on to your hats ...

As you are walking down the street in Kyoto, you can use your cell phone to read bar codes in a concert poster that automatically takes you to a website for more information. The website has ticket prices, choices of seating and the ability to buy tickets. Same goes for magazine ads and a whole host of consumer services.

The Asians I know are notorious gamblers, and this technology now allows off-track and on-site horse race betting. Imagine handicapping a race, surfing the Japan Racing Association website, and placing a bet without leaving your racetrack seat or visiting a teller window. What's more, winnings are deposited automatically into a registered user's bank account. WOW.

Are you thinking that someone could swipe your phone and go on a spending spree at your expense? Think again! These smart phones use encrypted technology that verifies an owner's identification by log-in, voice recognition or even fingerprint recognition.

OK, the world is already full of demolition derby, cell phone wielding car drivers not paying attention to the road. The last thing we need is someone playing Texas Hold-em on their cell phone while trying to maintain 50 MPH on Hwy 101 between Arcata and Eureka.

Still, you have to admit that whether you're a techno-geek or not, this is pretty cool stuff.

Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com

Posted by Chris Crawford at 04:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My first posting on this subject lamented that there was a wealth of comedic computerized goofs and human misunderstandings, but they all seemed to be in the legal field. As a follow-up to that posting, I came across a similar listing of goofy legal mix-ups from the same source.

These are compiled from the American Bar Association E-Report ...

* * * *
My client was suing a roofer who had made her tin roof out of 20-pound tin (for decorative items) instead of the required 40-pound tin. On cross-examination, I asked the roofer what his contract meant by obligating him to perform in "a workmanlike manner." His response? "That means when I’m up on the roof, I won’t whistle at women."

* * * *
While clerking for a state supreme court, I read a ... petition from an inmate (who was acting without an attorney). He had diligently read over the rules detailing what his petition needed to include, but his literal interpretation was the kicker. The rules required a prayer for relief, so he started his petition off with (paraphrased), "Dear Lord, I pray that the justices find that I was wrongfully convicted."

* * * *
An attorney colleague reported that a letter he dictated to his legal secretary came back reading, "There was not Juan Sentila of evidence to support the claim." Of course, what he actually said was "one scintilla." And this was a legal secretary.

* * * *
"A deposition is a formal proceeding …" was a standard line I had used in the letter to my client explaining what a deposition was. It resulted in the witness appearing in a tuxedo, formal shirt, bow tie and patent leather shoes. I was a second-year associate and had to excuse myself upon arriving at the conference room. Opposing counsel got a good laugh, too!

* * * *
In a domestic property dispute, the attorney said the husband walked in and found his wife in bed with her paramour. What was understood by the typist was that he walked in and found her in bed with her "power mower." This typo was not caught by the attorney and was submitted to the judge. Needless to say, everyone got quite a charge out of it.

* * * *
Early in my legal career, a senior partner assigned me to represent a client who wished to evict his tenant for nonpayment of rent. When I met with the tenant, I asked him whether there was a lease, to which he replied, "No, it’s a mouth-to-mouth tenancy."

* * * *
In reviewing draft estate-planning documentation, a client asked why certain provisions only applied if someone died on a highway, misinterpreting "intestate" (the legal word for dying without a written will) for "interstate."

* * * *
During law school, I was explaining the classes I was taking to my wife’s friend, including that I was taking torts. Surprised, she asked why they taught baking in law school and whether it was an elective to teach us stress relief.

* * * *
In the family law/divorce area, people are constantly calling a "dissolution" a "disillusionment." This could be a Freudian slip in that they have become disillusioned with their spouse and now want out. Maybe they have the right term after all.

* * * *
I was a court administrator in one court, and my wife was a civil motions clerk in another. A Hispanic gentleman with a thick accent called her demanding to speak to a "Generale Daniel." Luckily, my wife speaks Spanish and was able to finally discern that he was served with a civil complaint and someone told him to file a "general denial."

* * * *
I was at the deposition of a wiry, old Southern "cracker" when the earnest young attorney taking the deposition asked the deponent whether he had been served with a subpoena duces tecum (legal requirement to bring the items with you) for the deposition. "Duces tecum?" he responded, "I got aces, deuces wild!" Every time I hear duces tecum now, I hear his rejoinder in my head.


OK, I admit the "Generale Daniel" submission was mine, but it made it into the ABA list ... I can't believe there are not similar goof-ups in every profession. Any medical or accounting humor out there?

Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com

Posted by Chris Crawford at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For better or for worse, my job takes me on the road a LOT. Accordingly, I have to adopt strong survival skills to maintain connectivity and remain productive while juggling airline and hotel connections in unfamiliar territory. What used to be an awkward game of slow dial-up connectivity has morphed into a relatively easy routine of wireless connectivity. In a tribute to the coming of age of Humboldt County, local wireless connectivity is improving by the day.

FLAVORS
Wireless connectivity comes in several flavors. There are fee-based versus free, and encrypted versus non-encrypted connections. Obviously, it is better not to have to pay for Internet connectivity whether or not it is wireless, and encryption is more secure but sometimes more difficult to access if you need key codes and passwords to make a connection. On the fee-based side, I will pay for wireless connectivity on the road if the fee is not exorbitant, even if my often-government client won't reimburse me for it. I figure they won't reimburse me for my bar tab either even though I consider it a necessity, but I will settle for dial up before I pay a ridiculous fee for a wireless or wired connection. Some airports and hotels will use standard commercial carriers such as T-Mobile, while others are smart and attract customers by offering free wireless hotspot connectivity.

WIRELESS IN HUMBOLDT
A new local website called Humboldt Hotspots offers listings of local wireless hotspots, and they need our help to populate the various connections in town to make the site productive. We have Doug Renwick from HostGIS to thank for this important local listing. Please note that they only accept free and unencrypted sites for the list, but it is an important first step in collecting the data and making it available to locals and visitors. I also should mention Bob Morse's TALKING TECH blog in which he laments the lack of local conference facilities with ANY Internet connectivity. This should be our ongoing effort to shame the local government, tourism and business reps to get on the bandwagon.

I can't adequately describe to you the joy of answering a Hong Kong business email from a coffee shop in Colorado Springs, knowing that I composed my reply during HK business hours. This has become a vitally important link in our local business competitiveness.

Please don't tell me I am more connected in Trinidad/Tobago than I am in Trinidad Humboldt County. Please don't tell me that the railroad is my only connection out of town for a business delivery to Montenegro in the former Yugoslavia.

Let's agitate for real economic development and accomplish what is easily achievable and imminently rewarding to create jobs in our local economy. Email me with your comments, wherever you may be and whatever connection you might have.

Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com

Posted by Chris Crawford at 06:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)