Author: Timothy James Duffy

Justin Bieber. His name alone has become synonymous with levels of rage and annoyance previously unheard of amongst internet users worldwide. For every hater, however, Bieber has an army of preteen girls to defend his honor. Born on March 1st, 1994 in Stratford, Ontario, Bieber is now 16 years old. While he’s known for his pre-pubescent, high pitched voice, he is also capable of playing drums, piano, guitar, and trumpet. If you’re reading Techi, I’m going to go ahead and assume you’re not a fan of his work. Nevertheless, his musical aptitude cannot be denied. Now, talent is great and all, but…

Like it or not, Twitter has become an unavoidable part of our online lives. Created by Jack Dorsey and Biz Stone in 2006, the social networking platform’s reach has grown remarkably over the past four years. According to a recent study conducted by Edison Research, 87 percent of the U.S. population is now aware of its existence. Surprising? Not really. Forget about Twitter’s overwhelming online presence, the site is constantly being thrown in our face throughout every media outlet imaginable. From CNN to ESPN, we’re constantly exposed to the endless stream of thoughts that Twitter encompasses….

In this day and age, it’s often all too easy to complain about the problems plaguing social networking sites, overpriced computers, and the lack of viable applications available amongst various smartphones. It’s important, however, to remember where we came from and acknowledge how far technology has come. Before you throw your keyboard at the wall after your next Firefox crash, take a deep breath and try to imagine a time before browsers even existed… a time before websites existed. Allow us to take you on a stroll down memory lane and put it all in perspective. 1. Computers Given the variety…

The opportunity to overthrow the social networking powerhouse is now greater than ever. Just think, you (yes, you) could be the next Tom from MySpace or Mark Zuckerberg. Pretty cool, right? Definitely, but you’re not going to be the next face of social media without heeding to the advice of successful business moguls of years past. American automotive guru Henry Ford once said, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” While these words of wisdom can still be applied over 60 years after his death, they have little to do with social networking. Let’s face it, Mr. Ford…

This week AOL celebrates the company’s 25 year anniversary. Throughout the internet service provider turned online advertising company’s history, they’ve been the force behind some of the most epic web-related fails known to man. While it would be impossible to document the company’s endless list of shortcomings, there are some that distinguish themselves from the pack. Here are 18 of the AOL’s biggest fails throughout the years, in no particular order. 1. Customer Service Fail In June of 2006, Vincent Ferrari called AOL in an attempt to cancel his account. After waiting 15 minutes to speak…

By now, everyone in the tech world and beyond has heard about Google’s data collection from unsecured Wi-Fi networks in Germany. What you may not have known, however, is that Google has been collecting detailed user data since day one. Why? Essentially, as market research, which is then used to enhance their services. While the improvements that come as a result of Google’s data collection may benefit us all, it does come at a cost. Do you really want Google to have databases full of information regarding your online habits? Though Google does anonymize the data that they receive, it doesn’t…

With the goal of complete and total domination in mind, internet Goliath Google has set its sights on nearly every form of interactive media imaginable. What started as a research project by Sergey Brin and Larry Page in ’96 later became the most widely used search engine in the world, and went on to expand into countless online markets. Let’s face it: Google does, well, everything. From e-mail to social networking, Google will stop at nothing to control each industry that they enter. Funded almost entirely by advertisers, the farther their reach, the more cash in the bank. Google, however, is…

Like an unwanted pack of rats, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has fought a dragged out battle against the illegal distribution of music on the internet since the late 90s. Using strategic hit and run tactics, the organization is credited with taking down some of the most popular free peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing platforms, while forcing others to restructure. Flying under the radar as of late, we’ve heard little from the RIAA in recent history. That is, until last week. Just when you’d thought they had left the public eye for good, the RIAA has come out of the shadows and…

In a relationship? Engaged? Married? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may think that the last thing you need in your life is a profile on an online dating site. AshleyMadison.com, however, begs to differ. For those whose relationship status on Facebook reads “It’s Complicated,” Ashley Madison steps up to the plate, delivering an unorthodox solution to a common problem. Offering free memberships to unfaithful spouses worldwide, the dating service promises to change your life. How? By providing a members only social networking platform for those looking for a little action…

Concerned about the security of your personal information on the internet? We all are, and thanks to Mark Zuckerberg, we’re more concerned than ever before. While having your Facebook profile show up in search engines for anyone talented enough to Google your name may be worrisome, it’s far from the worst case scenario. What if there was a website that pulled data from all of your social networking profiles, from Twitter to Flickr, and put it on display for anyone with curious eyes to see? I hate to break it to you, but there is… introducing… Spokeo! What Is A Spokeo? Founded by a team of Stanford…