Lifestyle posts

It’s human nature to be at our most vulnerable when dealing with issues of the heart. Scam-masters and con artists know this and they’re taking advantage of the online dating craze that has grown for a decade and that shows no signs of slowing. This graphic by our friends at Zone Alarm shows the bad side of eRomance. When you’re lonely and looking for fun or fulfillment online, remember that there are those in the same field but with completely different goals. Click to enlarge. …

The thing that truly sparked the initial growth of eCommerce has become the greatest point of abandonment on sites that try to sell us stuff. The online shopping cart – a once cool and integral part of the retail end of the Internet – has devolved over the years to cause many to walk away from shopping from their computer. What happened? “What didn’t happen” is the better question. It hasn’t changed. What once made things easier has failed to improve in functionality and ease and as a result, more people “bail” from the shopping cart page than any other on retail websites. People find products, prepare…

The news is jam-packed with stories about online privacy, “do not track,” and Internet security issues. With proposals for a National Internet ID and do-not-track legislation on the table, it’s clear that 2011 will be a year when much will boil over in the privacy arena. This infographic design by Sitejabber takes a look at ways that companies (and less-than-honorable organization of non-business intent) are able to track your activities and use it to target you for various reasons. Opponents to do-not-track technology claim that the information they receive from tracking allows them to…

Groupon’s Superbowl ads have already generated a firestorm of controversy. The spots, which variously made light of endangered whales, rainforest depletion or the brutal Chinese oppression of Tibet, are being criticized for not only dismissively treating some pretty serious issues, but doing so to sell… discount coupons. But it would be a mistake to look at these ads as a little blip in an otherwise smoothly functioning world. Instead, these Groupon ads are a sign of how the tech world functions and thinks. And what’s clear is that there is something seriously wrong with that mentality….

You may want to check out Lovely-Faces. Yeah it’s a dating site – and we’re not saying you’re desperate. The fact of the matter is, you may already have a profile here. In fact, it’s only day one, and there are already 250, 000 members. Now that’s growth. Media artist Paolo Cirio and Alessandro Ludovic, editor in chief of Neural magazine designed the site not as a sly attempt to earn money, but as art, they say. Click the link to hear them explain it far better and with more convolution than this writer ever could. They’ve gathered their information by gleaning what they can from public profiles, and with…

The recent events in Egypt have, among other things, been inspiring, terrifying and remarkable. But though the political situation is obviously the story here, this hasn’t stopped many from commenting on the role the internet and social media have played. Of course, we also know that Egypt very successfully – and very scarily – almost shut down their entire internet. The response from commentators around the web has been predictable: that censorship and repression are wrong and that no country should ever engage in such practices. It has been accompanied by calls for international companies…

There are certain things, particularly in politics and technology, that seem to make sense on the surface. Take, for instance, the rejuvenated legislation they’re considering putting back on the table that would grant the President of the United States the power to “kill” the Internet in times of extreme crisis. Makes sense, right? “Imminent cyber attacks,” as they’re described by Homeland Security, would be the triggering event to initiate a shut down. The example used is a cyber attack on the Hoover Dam that would open the gates without authorization. In such a case, the President would…

It has become fashionable to bash 3D. Most recently, Roger Ebert came out and said that the case is over: 3D film is no good and never will be. There are many good reasons to call out 3D as a technology. Having to wear glasses is both annoying and expensive. Standards are yet to be fixed. And in the cinema, 3D dulls the picture. But for all its flaws, once 3D’s technical hurdles are overcome, it will flourish. The reason for that is that 3D is the right technology for the 21st century. But before we get to why, a little background. The History of Art Forms Each age in history develops forms of entertainment…

Technology will always be a generational thing with the twenty- and thirty-somethings of any particular time-period leading the way and watching their early adoptions spread to younger and older people. It’s just the way of speed – those with money and technological know-how try it first and lead the way for the rest. This graphic by our friends at SiteJabber breaks down the generational gaps and demonstrates how people are using the web. The important thing to take away here: everyone is using the web. Young, old, big, small – it doesn’t matter. The world is getting webby, and not in the Spiderman…

As the need for tech-savvy young people entering the work force increases exponentially, the need for the American education system to improve and keep up with the trends skyrockets. Who is doing well and who is failing? This graphic breaks down the grades for each state. How is your state doing? Do you pass or fail? Education is the key to the future. It’s a statement that hangs on many politician’s campaign tongues but often doesn’t come through in the way of results. Perhaps sending this graphic to your state representatives can help. Via: MyCollegesAndCareers…