If you have smart home devices on your
home WiFi network, such as light bulbs, security cameras,
connected thermostat, etc., they might be vulnerable to hacking.
Here is a quick way to
check if any of your devices can be found on the internet. Click
on the link and it will check if your devices might be
vulnerable. Not perfect, but it can provide an early warning.
You can use it each time you add a new device. LINK
Sep 21, 2018
More Coffee Benefits
A review that combined the results of nine studies found that
drinking more coffee is associated with lower risk of cirrhosis.
In the review, drinking one cup of coffee per day was shown to
be linked with a 22% reduced risk for cirrhosis, a liver
disease. Two daily cups were associated with a 43% reduced risk,
three cups with 57% reduced risk, and four cups with 65% reduced
risk.
A review of more than 200 studies found that people who drank three or four cups of coffee per day were 19% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
One large review of studies found that every additional cup of coffee a person drinks per day was correlated with a 7% reduced risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
A meta-analysis of studies about coffee intake and brain health calculated that regular coffee drinkers were approximately 16% less likely to suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, or cognitive decline.
A large study of more than 500,000 European people found that during a 16-year period, men who drank three or more cups per day were 12% less likely, and women who did the same were 7% less likely to die from circulatory and digestive diseases and had healthier livers.
A review of more than 200 studies found that people who drank three or four cups of coffee per day were 19% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
One large review of studies found that every additional cup of coffee a person drinks per day was correlated with a 7% reduced risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
A meta-analysis of studies about coffee intake and brain health calculated that regular coffee drinkers were approximately 16% less likely to suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, or cognitive decline.
A large study of more than 500,000 European people found that during a 16-year period, men who drank three or more cups per day were 12% less likely, and women who did the same were 7% less likely to die from circulatory and digestive diseases and had healthier livers.
JPG vs. PNG
Photos are commonly saved as JPG or JPEG. It is good to save
your photograph as JPG for altered colors, gradients, and
textures. JPG loses a bit of clarity each time it is copied, due
to compression, but is usually not noticeable.
Graphics and screenshots should be saved as PNG if the image contains pointed lines, clearly unconnected areas of flat colors and text. File compression for a PNG is lossless. Lossless compression retains all of the data contained in the file, within the file, during the process. This is important when you have images that are still in the editing process. PNGs are often used if size is not a concern and the picture is complicated because a PNG file holds more information than a JPG. Bottom line, JPG for Photos, PNG for Graphics.
Incidentally, JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, which created the standard. PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics.
Graphics and screenshots should be saved as PNG if the image contains pointed lines, clearly unconnected areas of flat colors and text. File compression for a PNG is lossless. Lossless compression retains all of the data contained in the file, within the file, during the process. This is important when you have images that are still in the editing process. PNGs are often used if size is not a concern and the picture is complicated because a PNG file holds more information than a JPG. Bottom line, JPG for Photos, PNG for Graphics.
Incidentally, JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, which created the standard. PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics.
Sep 14, 2018
Horn-Rimmed Glasses
Last week, September 7 was the birthday of Buddy Holly (Charles
Hardin Holley), an American music icon. It is a great surprise
that had only one number one hit, “That’ll Be The Day,” on the
American charts, although he had many songs that became classics.
Sadly he had a short career and died at age 22. Here is a look at
Buddy and the Crickets singing their hit song on the Ed Sullivan
Show. LINK
When he started out, he wore nondescript plastic and wire-framed glasses, but his eye doctor convinced him to switch to horn-rimmed models. The style name came from the fact that the original glasses were made from animal horns. Sometimes they were made from tortoise shells. Holly's and almost all are now made from thick plastic. Interesting to note you can still buy Buddy Holly glasses on Amazon and many other places.
When he started out, he wore nondescript plastic and wire-framed glasses, but his eye doctor convinced him to switch to horn-rimmed models. The style name came from the fact that the original glasses were made from animal horns. Sometimes they were made from tortoise shells. Holly's and almost all are now made from thick plastic. Interesting to note you can still buy Buddy Holly glasses on Amazon and many other places.
Wordology, Tarriff
Basically, a tariff is a tax levied by
governments to control the flow of products across borders and
making foreign manufacturers’ products more expensive. The purpose
is to increase demand for domestic products while reducing the
volume of imports. Tariff charges can be fixed price or a
percentage of the transaction price.
In the United States tariffs, also called duties or levies are collected by Customs and Border Protection agents at 328 ports of entry across the country.
Importers pay more for products by paying the tax on top of the product cost. They pass along the increased costs to businesses, which pass along the higher costs to shoppers.
Because a tariff is a tax, the government receives increased revenue as imports enter the domestic market. Domestic industries also benefit from a reduction in competition, since import prices are artificially inflated.
In the United States tariffs, also called duties or levies are collected by Customs and Border Protection agents at 328 ports of entry across the country.
Importers pay more for products by paying the tax on top of the product cost. They pass along the increased costs to businesses, which pass along the higher costs to shoppers.
Because a tariff is a tax, the government receives increased revenue as imports enter the domestic market. Domestic industries also benefit from a reduction in competition, since import prices are artificially inflated.
Organic and Cancer
There is a popular belief, helped by
bloggers with dubious expertise, that organic food and certain
other foods have “anti-cancer” properties. However, Michelle
McCully, the head of research interpretation at the World Cancer
Research Fund, one of the world’s leading authorities on diet
and cancer, says, “There is currently no strong evidence to
support the idea that organic foods offer added protection
against cancer compared to conventionally grown produce.” So,
once again folks - there is no silver bullet.
Rungrado Stadium
The DPRK (North Korea) is home to the
biggest stadium in the world in terms of seating capacity. May
Day Stadium, is a massive structure built in 1989 and remodeled
in 2014. The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (also known as May Day
Stadium) has a total capacity of 150,000 people. It dwarfs the next largest stadium, which
is Ann Arbor's Michigan Stadium, which accommodates 107,600
people.
It hosts some soccer matches and general athletic competitions. May Day's grandest and most elaborate events are the annual Mass Games (known in Korean as Arirang). They pay tribute to the country's history, founders, and current leaders through gymnastics and dance performances put on by thousands of participants. The Arirang Festival is held each August and September and celebrates North Korean history, culture, and achievements.
It hosts some soccer matches and general athletic competitions. May Day's grandest and most elaborate events are the annual Mass Games (known in Korean as Arirang). They pay tribute to the country's history, founders, and current leaders through gymnastics and dance performances put on by thousands of participants. The Arirang Festival is held each August and September and celebrates North Korean history, culture, and achievements.
Superman Ice Cream
Superman ice cream is
believed to have originated in the Michigan-based ice cream shop
Stroh's, though the exact origin remains elusive. Another
Michigan dairy, House of Flavors in Ludington, MI makes its
Superman ice cream with Blue Moon, cherry, and lemon ice creams.
The flavor has been spotted in other Midwest locales, such as
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company in Madison, Wisconsin.
The exact combination varies from location to location, typically with vanilla, Blue Moon, and some other variety of ice cream included. The Stroh's Ice Cream version has Blue Moon, red pop, and lemon ice creams, while other versions such as those by the Meijer store brand "Scooperman" and the Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company "SuperScoop" versions of Superman ice cream are a mixture of vanilla, Blue Moon, and black cherry ice creams.
Scooper's Ice Cream Treats in Stratford, Ontario, Canada sells a similar blue, red, and yellow variety but calls it "Super Hero" ice cream. Laura Secord Chocolates also sells a similar variety of ice cream, called "SuperKid," made with banana, blueberry, and strawberry flavors. They all taste super.
The exact combination varies from location to location, typically with vanilla, Blue Moon, and some other variety of ice cream included. The Stroh's Ice Cream version has Blue Moon, red pop, and lemon ice creams, while other versions such as those by the Meijer store brand "Scooperman" and the Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company "SuperScoop" versions of Superman ice cream are a mixture of vanilla, Blue Moon, and black cherry ice creams.
Scooper's Ice Cream Treats in Stratford, Ontario, Canada sells a similar blue, red, and yellow variety but calls it "Super Hero" ice cream. Laura Secord Chocolates also sells a similar variety of ice cream, called "SuperKid," made with banana, blueberry, and strawberry flavors. They all taste super.
Women on Money
During 1886 the first woman to appear
on U.S. currency, was Martha Washington (first president
George's wife). She was featured on the $1 silver certificate. A
slightly re-designed Martha also was produced in 1891. Her
likeness appeared on the face of the $1 Silver Certificate of
1886 and 1891, and the back of the $1 Silver Certificate of
1896.
Her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis died in 1757. She married George two years later and raised her two children from Custis as their own. Her inheritance from first husband made her extremely wealthy.
Newly redesigned bills with a woman on the front were to be unveiled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the right of women to vote. However, the release dates for all the new notes could be pushed back further due to redesign to fight counterfeiting.
Incidentally, the only portrait required by law is that of George Washington on the $1 bill. A $1 bill lasts about 18 months; $5 bill, two years; $10 bill, four years; $20 bill, four years; and $50 and $100 bills, nine years.
Her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis died in 1757. She married George two years later and raised her two children from Custis as their own. Her inheritance from first husband made her extremely wealthy.
Newly redesigned bills with a woman on the front were to be unveiled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the right of women to vote. However, the release dates for all the new notes could be pushed back further due to redesign to fight counterfeiting.
Incidentally, the only portrait required by law is that of George Washington on the $1 bill. A $1 bill lasts about 18 months; $5 bill, two years; $10 bill, four years; $20 bill, four years; and $50 and $100 bills, nine years.
What's in a Name, Scunthorpe Problem
A writer for SB
Nation named Natalie Weiner posted a screenshot of a rejection
form she received when she tried to sign up for a website. Her
submission was rejected because a spam algorithm considered her
last name "offensive." After she posted about this, hundreds of
other people with similarly "offensive" last names sounded off
about how they had experienced similar issues.
This phenomenon is so widespread that it has a name among computer scientists. It is called the Scunthorpe problem and it has been a scourge of the internet since the beginning. The name began after an incident in 1996 when AOL's dirty-word filter prevented residents of several English towns and counties, among them Scunthorpe, Penistone, Lightwater and Middlesex — from creating accounts with AOL because it matched strings within the town names to "banned" words. If you look close, you will find the letters that seemingly make up the words.
One reason the problem has yet to be solved is because creating effective obscenity filters depends on the filter's ability to understand a word in context. Despite advances in artificial intelligence, this is something that even the most advanced machine-learning algorithms still struggle with. Ah, English is an amazing language that computers still cannot decipher.
This phenomenon is so widespread that it has a name among computer scientists. It is called the Scunthorpe problem and it has been a scourge of the internet since the beginning. The name began after an incident in 1996 when AOL's dirty-word filter prevented residents of several English towns and counties, among them Scunthorpe, Penistone, Lightwater and Middlesex — from creating accounts with AOL because it matched strings within the town names to "banned" words. If you look close, you will find the letters that seemingly make up the words.
One reason the problem has yet to be solved is because creating effective obscenity filters depends on the filter's ability to understand a word in context. Despite advances in artificial intelligence, this is something that even the most advanced machine-learning algorithms still struggle with. Ah, English is an amazing language that computers still cannot decipher.
History Lesson
Orville Wright was still alive when
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed during 1945.
The Wright brothers are credited with inventing what we know as airplanes, and it must have been tremendously difficult for Orville Wright, whose brother Wilbur died in 1912, to see his life's great achievement be responsible for the greatest single act of destruction man had ever seen. During 1945, US Air Force planes dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing at least 129,000 people.
Orville died in 1948 and expressed sadness in an interview about the death and destruction brought about by the bombers of World War II. He said, "We dared to hope we had invented something that would bring lasting peace to the earth. But we were wrong ... No, I don't have any regrets about my part in the invention of the airplane, though no one could deplore more than I do the destruction it has caused. I feel about the airplane much the same as I do in regard to fire. That is, I regret all the terrible damage caused by fire, but I think it is good for the human race that someone discovered how to start fires and that we have learned how to put fire to thousands of important uses."
The Wright brothers are credited with inventing what we know as airplanes, and it must have been tremendously difficult for Orville Wright, whose brother Wilbur died in 1912, to see his life's great achievement be responsible for the greatest single act of destruction man had ever seen. During 1945, US Air Force planes dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing at least 129,000 people.
Orville died in 1948 and expressed sadness in an interview about the death and destruction brought about by the bombers of World War II. He said, "We dared to hope we had invented something that would bring lasting peace to the earth. But we were wrong ... No, I don't have any regrets about my part in the invention of the airplane, though no one could deplore more than I do the destruction it has caused. I feel about the airplane much the same as I do in regard to fire. That is, I regret all the terrible damage caused by fire, but I think it is good for the human race that someone discovered how to start fires and that we have learned how to put fire to thousands of important uses."
Sep 7, 2018
Happy Friday
Not smiling is like
keeping the combination to a safe locked inside it.
I try to always smile, especially on a Happy Friday!
I try to always smile, especially on a Happy Friday!
What's in a Name, Roget
Almost all of us have heard of Roget's Thesaurus
(a dictionary of synonyms). Roget was a British physician,
natural theologian and lexicographer, best known for publishing,
the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases, a classified
collection of related words in 1852, twelve years after he
retired. He is also responsible for the invention of the slide
rule, which allows a person to perform exponential and root
calculations. In addition, he was a founder of the Society for
the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. It published information to
people who were unable to obtain formal teaching or who
preferred self-education. The Thesaurus is continually updated
and still in print.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)