Technology
Facebook mail: it might kill Gmail, but ‘it’s not email’
(The Guardian): From the decline in affection of one relationship to the growing warmth of another, Facebook users will soon be able to chart their entire conversation history with friends, family and lovers using the company’s new communication system. The social network website plans to combine text messages, emails and instant messages all in one place online. Today, at an eagerly awaited presentation at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, California, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the site which now has 500 million users, unveiled the details of a product which some in the industry had been classing a "Gmail killer", referring to Google’s email offering.
New Firefox add-on protects you against hackers
(CNN): If you’re concerned about using open Wi-Fi networks because of Firesheep, the highly popular new hacking tool, you should check out BlackSheep, a Firefox add-on that makes surfing on open networks safe once again. Firesheep came onto the scene not too long ago. It’s a bit of code that allows just about anyone to access your web accounts via session hijacking. Basically, anyone browsing on a non-password-protected Internet connection, such as a Starbucks network or even an airplane, has been at risk for having their accounts accessed by a total stranger. One way around this issue is using a VPN every time you log on via an open network. But let’s face it: For the average Internet user, this kind of work-around is a hassle, and most people care more about convenience than security.
Cayman wins ‘cym’ internet domain address
(BBC): A four-year campaign to secure a ".cym" internet address for Wales has been lost to the Cayman Islands. DotCYM project leaders in Aberystwyth a west coast university town said it was disappointing, but they still plan to bid for a Welsh version of the .com or .co.uk domain. They are appealing for new suggestions and said .cymru (the Welsh language word for Wales) could be used instead. An internet expert said it was "more complex" for nations like Wales to secure their own domain names. Cayman already has its own internet domain .ky, but is also registered to use .cym. DotCYM managing director Siôn Jobbins, from Aberystwyth, has asked supporters to come up with new suggestions. “Not being able to use .cym is a shame, but it’s not a problem," he said.
Walkman ejected for last time
(BBC): Sony Walkman (Senior) has reached the end of side two. Its batteries have run out. The rewind button is broken. Lovers of music overlaid with hissing have reacted with sadness to news that Sony has ceased production of its celebrated portable cassette-playing audio device. It is survived by its neater, slicker, more junior MP3 descendent. But the Walkman will be fondly remembered as the contraption which transformed listening to music from an activity conducted principally in one’s own living room, perhaps with glass of brandy in hand, to a means of irritating other people on public transport.
Frequent facebookers more likely to lose friends
(Telegraph): People who devote the most hours to Facebook are more likely to be "defriended" on thesocial networking site. Researchers found that friends’ frequent posts about nothing in particular were most likely to lead to a severing of online ties. This was followed by comments about polarising topics like religion and politics. Computer scientist Christopher Sibona, who surveyed more than 1,500 Facebook users to get to the bottom of the new phenomenon of ‘unfriending’, said: "The 100th post about your favourite band is no longer interesting." He added: "They say not to talk about religion or politics at office parties and the same thing is true online." Inappropriate posts such as crude or racist comments were the third reason for the severing of relationships.
Caymanian game designer hits global apps stage
(CNS): Local games designer Garth Humphreys has made history by becoming the first Caymanian to have a game application he designed published and distributed by Apple iTunes. His game Wubble is now available in the iTunes App Store and Humphreys says he feels like he has hit the big time. The game is a simple, yet fun word challenge for all ages and it has placed Humphreys on the world stage of game applications. While Humphrey’s says he’s not expecting to be rich beyond his wildest dreams yet the satisfaction of getting his game published is a pretty good reward.
Facebook alternative Diaspora rolls out first code
(BBC): Developers have been given their first glimpse of a community-funded and open alternative to Facebook. Diaspora describes itself as a "privacy-aware, personally-controlled" social network. It was conceived earlier this year by four US students during a period when Facebook came under fire for its privacy settings. The open-source project has now released its first code to developers and also published screenshots. "This is now a community project and development is open to anyone with the technical expertise who shares the vision of a social network that puts users in control," the team said in a blog.
Free rice game gets social boost
(BBC): An online game reminiscent of quiz show Call My Bluff is getting a facelift in order to provide rice to the hungry. Launched in 2007, Freerice.com challenges people to find the correct meaning of a word from four alternatives. For every correct answer given, 10 grains of rice are donated to countries such as Uganda and Bangladesh. Already attracting 40,000 players every day, the site is now aiming to integrate with Facebook and Twitter. A mobile phone app will also be available for iPhone and iPad users, and the site is extending its challenges so that users can also test their knowledge of other subjects, such as art, geography, chemistry and maths. The site is the brainchild of computer programmer John Breen, who originally designed it to help his teenage sons prepare for their college entrance exams.
Realising the game’s potential to help, he donated it to the World Food Programme (WFP).
Within a month of its launch, it had raised enough rice to feed over 50,000 people for a day. To date it has raised enough rice to feed more than four million people for a day.
Blackberry makes offer to India in face of ban
BBC): Blackberry-maker Research in Motion has said it is willing to work with India to support the country’s need for "lawful access" to encrypted services. RIM and the Indian government are holding last-minute talks ahead of a 31 August deadline, when a ban on the devices is due to begin. India wants the ability to monitor secure e-mail and instant messaging services provided by the firm. RIM maintains that it does not do "specific deals" with countries. The firm said that it had now offered to "lead an industry forum focused on supporting the lawful access needs of law enforcement agencies".
How to ‘undo’ an ill-advised Gmail message
(CNN): Ever have that sick-to-your-stomach, "Oh crap!" moment after sending an e-mail? Did you get immediate second thoughts about that e-mail rant toyour ex? Was that blistering message supposed to be about your boss — not to your boss? Well, at least with Gmail, there’s something you can do about it. The ability to "undo" an e-mail has been a little known feature of Google’s e-mail service since last year. But in the past few days, it appears to have been improved. Google Operating System, an unofficial blog that shares Google news and tips, noted this weekend that a user now has up to 30 seconds to take back an unfortunate message.