learn

Bing and Botnets (What?)

        "Here's an interesting article on how automated botnets are searching Microsoft's Bing to find a weakness, or something they can harvest for nefarious purposes," begins Jim Hamm.  
        He explains, "Google, for example, has a 20-person team fighting this type of search all the time. The hackers are always looking for a weakness in a website, a bank's or retail database, or your computer, to try and steal something. 
           "It's no wonder sites and computers get hacked — the search by hackers is relentless," is Jim's final comment. 
        So now we've learned about Bing and Botnets.  See, we do need to keep up!  

Too Old for a Computer? No!

        Take a look at these men and women who are not too old for a computer.  Thanks to David Passell who sent this, "The following is a series of stories about people over 60 who use computers. It is rather long, but interesting." 
        Jim Hamm found it too, and he goes on to say about the article, it's "by a young lady, describing what it's like to use a computer and the internet for two senior ladies: one 87 and the other 90 years of age —and one of which is her Grandmother. One statement really caught my attention: Without Internet, My Great-Grandson Wouldn’t Even Know Me. 

        "For these two ladies, computers and the internet enables them to keep in touch with family in a way that wasn't available just a few years ago. Using a program to chat visually, such as Skype, or a program to make free phone calls, such as Google's e-mail, is another way seniors can use to keep in touch with family. Plus, the challenge of learning and using a computer has got to help keep these ladies mentally alert.
        "Maybe that's why I like to play around with computers — it keeps me sharp! Well, okay, maybe less dumb...(grin)..." Jim

Are You Thirsty for Knowledge ....and a Degree!

         Have you ever considered getting an education from M.I.T.? No? Why not? Too expensive? Too far away?
         At this point John Carter gets our attention. He explains, "Well, here’s an opportunity you really should look into.
        "M.I.T. is offering over 2000 courses FREE and ONLINE, and to make your time worthwhile for taking these online courses, you can apply for certificates of completion (at an affordable rate)! So now after completing all the free, online Khan Academy courses, you can “graduate’ with an M.I.T. education!
        "Read about it here."
        What do you think John is going to do?  He exclaims, "Aha! Astrophysics, here I come!"