Are Laptops and Cameras on the Verge of Extinction?

Like many Americans, I don’t hesitate to switch the channel whenever I see that it’s time for a commercial break – a possible by-product of online streaming, perhaps –but recently I saw a few that got me thinking. The commercials were in relation to electronics, and the thought – are laptops and cameras on the verge of extinction? From this, one could imagine that the electronics being referred to are tablets and smart phones.

 

With the title in mind, let’s assess a few variables that could help us come to a conclusion…

 

Laptop survival threatened by tablets

 

One component…

 

… makes a lot of difference. What component you wonder? It’s simple, a USB port (and to an extent a micro USB port as well). Many will attest to the fact that the presence of a USB port is what is allowing tablets to replace the interest in laptops on the market. Devices such as the recently released Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and the Asus Google Nexus 7 are two of the many that are equipped with such a feature. Interestingly, the former has even been advertised as “the tablet that can replace your laptop” – it doesn’t get any more direct than that.

 

Initially, there were individuals who did not have a problem investing in the two – a laptop and a tablet – as they could both facilitate separate needs, but as the capabilities of the tablet continue to expand, the less interest there is for an individual to acquire a laptop. It is likely a similar scenario that saw laptops replacing desktops on the market – they may not be fully forgotten, but how many households would prefer a desktop to a tablet? Not many, I imagine.

 

Tough less prominent, another factor that has spurred an interest in tablets are there ability to merge with accessories such as a keyboard that can double as a cover.*Tablets, by design, are all about the touch screen interface. Having said that, it goes without saying that many desired functions could be completed in a much shorter time with a keyboard that can engage multiple fingers, than with the use of just one.

 

The usual advantages…

 

Off the bat, one of the most known and discussed advantages of a tablet is its portability. With a laptop – as the name suggests –a user would need to rest the device in their lap, or on a flat surface to use it comfortably, however, with a tablet a user can hold it with one hand and do all that they want to with considerable ease.

 

Additionally, though to a lesser extent for many, another point of interest lies simply in the look. With many being in the range of 10” or less, there are many who are intrigued by the idea that a device so “cute” and so small can deliver such an impressive performance.

 

 

Cameras being threatened by smart phones

 

Snap with ease

 

The era of individuals in a household sharing a single digital camera (or two) feels like ages ago, though it could very well be less than a decade. As it stands, pretty much every smart phone has a camera incorporated into its features. Interestingly, there are quite a number of them that have two – a camera to the front, and one at the back.

 

With this, capturing an imagine can be achieved as simple as reaching into a pocket or a purse to retrieve the device, versus the time that an individual would have to run back to the car –which would likely mean that the moment would be long gone at the time said individual returns. With smart phones, cameras are simply a lot more accessible.

 

 

One possible factor that could keep cameras in demand is the quality of the captured image, but this too is not as pronounced as before, as more smart phone can now capturebrilliant images. Take the Nokia Lumia 1020 for instance, that boasts a 41 mega-pixel camera–some stand-alone cameras don’t offer that much.

 

It is a similar talking point in relation to the zooming ability of one device versus another, as in its “earlier days” a phone’s camera could not zoom to any great extent. Smart phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom – with 10x optical zoom –are all but deterring the notion that a stand-alone camera is indeed needed to capture images that are somewhere off in the distance.

 

It’s not just the phones

 

While smart phones will readily come to mind as a replacement for cameras, the reality is that the capabilities of the tablet also place it in the mix – the tablet seems to be quite a threatening device to its fellow electronics. More and more individuals have been exploring the option of acquiring tablets that have a camera at the front and back of the device.

 

Verdict?

 

To say that laptops and cameras are on the verge of extinction could be quite a hasty statement to make. This, especially when considering that the various manufacturers are constantly developing ways to improve/enhance the capabilities they already have, and throw in a few more that the general population probably never thought about.

 

With the evidence presented, however, there can be no denying that there may come a time that such devices – laptops and cameras –are replaced by their more portable, more accessible, better looking counterparts.

 

 

 

Are Laptops and Cameras on the Verge of Extinction?

Comcast and NBCUniversal Continue to Support Veterans

Giving back to the community is often regarded by corporations as one of their top priorities at the start of each year. This is certainly a commendable desire to have, but it means a whole lot more to some when this giving back is in direct relation to military veterans.

 

It is oftentimes discussed that veterans struggle to re-integrate into the society once they return to the United States from their time spent abroad. It is possibly with this realty in mind that two major corporations in their respective industries – Comcast and NBC Universal – have supported the veterans over the years and continue to adopt and develop initiatives that can be utilized to honor the men and women who give of themselves to keep the country safe.

 

Read on to find out just how Comcast and NBC Universal are playing their part:

 

 

Supporting their Ventures

 

Recently, it was announced that the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) ranked Comcast and NBC Universal among “The Best U.S. Corporations for Working with Veteran-Owned Businesses” – an accolade which places them in the top 25 supporting entities. While there may be no way to know for sure how many of the corporations have been influenced by Comcast and NBC Universal, it is evident that based on the revelations that it is quite a significant amount. Impressively, it is reported that there are over 3 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States, indicating the determination of said group of individuals to explore the competitive world of business after serving in the military.

 

 

While it is not the only factor to be interested in, the financial exploits of the honored organization should also be taken into account. Comcast and NBC Universal do quite a bit of spending with diverse suppliers –a group that includes veteran-owned businesses and those considered minority –and it was reported that somewhere in the region of $1.3 billion of spending was undertaken during 2013.

 

Another factor to consider is the efforts made in the area of business, which is arguably even more valuable than the money spent. There have been a number of fairs hosted in major cities across the US – Los Angeles and Orlando included – which have allowed the veteran operators access to the major players within the organization thatis sure to have spurned insight that can be utilized for years to come in their respective operations.

 

Interesting to note as well, is the continuity of the support of the entities. The announcement made earlier this year marked the seventh occasion that recognition of contributed was made with Comcast among the lot – and by all accounts, they will be among the top ranks for many years to come.

 

 

Their other Contributions

 

Early last year, it was revealed that as a part of a Hiring Our Heroes initiative that was launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2011, the combination of Comcast and NBCUniversalhad provided some 1,000 veterans with employment.Among the areas individuals were hired include marketing, customer service, theme parks and resorts, engineering, technology and operations – the final three being ones that they may have been directly exposed to, depending on the arm and responsibility assigned.

 

 

At the time of the announcement, William Strahan – executive vice president for human resources for Comcast Cable – stated, “We have had the privilege of hiring extremely talented men and women over the last year and we look forward to making our workforce even stronger with our next wave of veterans joining our team.”

 

Notably, upon the launch of the Hiring Our Heroes movement in 2011, Comcast and NBCUniversal had a three-year plan to achieve the landmark of 1,000 hires, but they managed to do it in two years, and hired some 2,000 veterans as at November of last year. Additionally, though the feat was considered memorable for the organization, it was by far an indication that they were satisfied. It was revealed that the intention was there to employ another 1,000 veterans by 2015.

 

Supporting the Network

 

In addition to the employment that they provide, Comcast and NBCUniversal also have veteran employee resource groups (ERGs) – among many other ERGs – which they encourage the members to become a part of. One of the major outcomes of such an initiative is to foster and sustain a professional network of individuals who fall within the category.

 

In terms of an objective, these groups provide an ideal platform for attracting the best personnel to the various career fields within the organization, and by extension work to promote and develop their members to grow and be greater contributors to the efficiency of the company. An extension of this network building is the mentorship programs and events for the veterans that are hosted by the major corporations–providing assistance to the veterans from all angles.

 

There are thousands and possibly millions of veterans who have been benefitting from the continued support of Comcast and NBC Universal. They have been contributing in a variety of areas to date, and there is no reason to imagine that this will change any time soon.

 

 

Comcast and NBCUniversal Continue to Support Veterans

Interesting Tech Gadgets for the Kitchen

In the general discussion of high tech gadgets related to the home, the topics that usually dominate are in relation to home security or home automation. A surveillance camera perhaps or a coffee maker that you can turn on from the comfort of your bed. With these conversations, however, an area of the home that may not get as much attention as it deserves is the kitchen, so here we are shining some light in another direction.

 

Below is a list of some of the more interesting (and possibly unheard of) high tech gadgets related to the kitchen:

 

Handheld Portable Toaster

One of the most popular (and even more frustrating) breakfast phenomenon is not being able to set the toaster to the right time and having the bread pop up so charred that it can’t be eaten. Interestingly, there is a device that can be utilized to have the bread toasted ‘just right’ every time without fail – the handheld toaster.

 

Shaped similar to a cake knife, all the user would have to do is hold it in one hand and the bread in another, then move the knife along the surface and watch as it becomes crisp. In essence, the same process as if an individual was applying butter or jam.

 

This device is even more attractive when considering that other items that people generally toast – bagels for instance – are generally too large to fit into a traditional toaster, so being able to use the handheld toaster to apply a bit of heat is quite a convenience. Additionally, there are those who prefer one side to be more toasted than the other, which would also be an unlikely objective to achieve with a regular toaster.

 

Egg Minder

If the bread being burnt by the toaster ranks among the biggest breakfast frustrations, then this next one is certainly also among the lot. Imagine getting home from the supermarket and unpacking all the groceries, just to realize at that time that there is only one egg left in the tray – unless you live within walking distance of the store, you’re likely to be pretty bummed.

 

There is now a device that you can use to know that the quantity is running on ‘E’ without even having to open the refrigerator door. This cool kitchen gadget is the Egg Minder. With this device, individuals can check their inventory from wherever they are to know whether or not they need to pick up a tray. Notably, even if they don’t check it themselves, the supported app will deliver a notification to inform them that the egg count is low.

 

Displaying a range of conveniences, the Egg Minder also comes equipped with a feature that notifies users when their eggs are going bad. No longer does it require the unpleasant scent from the cracked egg to know that the egg has passed it edible level of freshness, simply check the status on your phone and you’re good to go.

 

 

Everyone enjoys some “spirits” every now and then, but not everyone knows how to make them and not everyone knows what to make some of their favorite drinks with. While it may be hard to believe, there is actually a device that can be utilized to help those who want to indulge – the Perfect Drink Smart Bartender.

 

With the device, users have access to over 100 drink recipes of drinks and cocktails they can whip up themselves. The device is made up of a pretty smart scale and an app that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Once a glass is placed on the scale, it presents real-time instructions as to what proportion of each ingredient should be added to create the ideal drink.

 

Impressively, the high tech drink assistant also has the ability to make suggestions on drinks that can be made based on a list of items entered –therefore, there is no need to run to the store to acquire what you don’t have, simply enjoy what you do have.

 

In years gone by, to be anywhere close to competent in the art of mixology an individual would have to have a lot of practice or gone to a school that educates about cocktails and similar drinks. With the smart bartender, all of that knowledge is literally at ones fingertips.

 

Simplehuman Sensor Bin

It is oftentimes overlooked, but being able to properly dispose of one’s garbage should rank among the top list of priorities for all those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. With discarding waste materials, however, there is generally a common issue – how to get the trash can open. Given that the scent can become unpleasant, most people tend to go for a can with a lid versus one without, but being in the kitchen no one wants to have to wash their hands each time they touch the bin.

 

With the simplehuman sensor bin, such an occurrence is essentially a “non-issue”, as a simple wave of the hand is enough to prompt the lid to open automatically. Notably, one does not have to be directly in front of the device for such a process to occur – it opens automatically from any angle that the wave is coming from.

 

 

Interesting Tech Gadgets for the Kitchen

Arrow Spin-Off on the Horizon

For just about two years, spanning two seasons and 46 episodes, TV lovers – particularly those who are fans of comics –have been entertained by Arrow, which airs on The CW. The series surrounds the wealthy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and his extra-curricular activities of playing guardian/hero of his beloved Starling City as the Arrow – utilizing his archery skills and hand-to-hand- combat expertise to “take down the bad guys”.

 

Recently, it was revealed that within the coming months there will be another TV series for Arrow lovers to get excited about and be entertained by. The Flash will also be aired on the same network. If the superhero name does not ring a bell – which is arguably quite unlikely – think back to all those arguments growing up as to who the fastest comic book character was. Even before you can finish saying “Superman”, you’ll be thinking “Flash” – he’s that fast.

 

His Introduction

While fans are yet to be introduced to the Flash who motors around in a full red body suit, they were introduced to the man who is going to play the speed junkie in episodes of Arrow. Season 2 Episode 8: The Scientist marked the first glimpse that fans got of Barry Allen (Grant Gustin). This was one of the earlier episodes associated with those injected with the infamous Mirakuru drug, as one of them was suspected to have stolen the centrifuge from Queen Consolidated with minimum fuss. Being a crime scene investigator (and a brilliant one at that), Barry managed to convince Oliver and his team – computer wizard Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) and bodyguard/partner John Diggle (David Ramsey) – that he came up from Central City on official business, but this was revealed to be a facade.

 

 

Those who are avid fans of the comic would have known from the ‘get go’ that Barry was eventually going to become the “Flash” as this was his name in the comics, but his introduction was met with mixed results – both on and off the air. With Felicity Smoak seemingly so drawn to Barry, Oliver displayed bouts of jealousy and all who were longing for Oliver and Felicity to hook up were just as upset to see that mutual attraction come to forward. On the other hand, those TV lovers who were big fans of Felicity were finally glad to watch her get the attention she deserved – she is pretty much everyone’s sweetheart.

 

Nothing major happened between Barry and Felicity – Oliver made sure of that – but he was certainly a lot further from Oliver’s “good graces” when his identity as the Arrow was to him. He returned home in the following episode Three Ghosts and this was where his journey as Flash picked up speed.

 

Following the explosion of the particle accelerator in Central City, Barry was not only struck by lightning, but also doused by the chemicals in his lab. Sadly, this incident left him in a coma. He – and everyone else who was watching the episode – could see that something bad was about to happen, but he could do very little to evade it… not a problem he’ll be expected to face once he wakes up out of his coma I’d imagine.

 

The Buzz from the Masses

For the most part, many fans are expecting a good showing from The Flash when it hits the screen, especially considering that the show will exist in the same universe as Arrow, and it is expected that there will be a few crossovers of the characters. In addition to this, the fact that the likes of Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg – who are major players in the predecessor – are also among the executive producers in this latest production raises some level of expectation that it will be just as good, if not better.

 

The Flash catching an arrow.

 

Notably, in the trailer of the upcoming series, Barry wakes up from his coma after 9 months to find that in addition to his ability to move at superhuman speeds, there are others like him who were affected by the explosion. Having to deal with criminal elements of his own, there is a scene that shows the Arrow giving advice to Barry on how to cope with his new responsibility and even doing a bit of training.

 

On the other hand, there are those who make the claim that they did not see enough of Barry Allen/Grant Gustin in the two Arrow episodes he was featured in to be convinced that he can be a lead actor in a show. Aside from those on the set, very few would have any idea as to what the cast is going to be like, and while it is not a certainty they may be hoping that the level of on-screen chemistry is there from the pilot episode.

 

The “danger” with spin-offs is that they are usually “hit or miss”. They can either retain the viewership of the initial show – as well as gain a few of its own –or be constantly drawn into comparison and lose viewers if it is considered inferior.

 

Considering that the show hasn’t even premiered as yet, the jury has not been assembled to cast a verdict on the success or failure on The Flash. Having said that, if it is any bit as successful as Arrow, The CW will have two hit series on their cards.

 

 

Arrow Spin-Off on the Horizon

Are People too Dependent on Technology?

There are some conversations that have transcended many a years and generations and are a topic of discussion even today, because they are – for lack of a better word – timeless. One social commentary, however, that may not have been debated years ago but relates specifically to the current state of the world is in relation to technology, and by extension the extent to which people depend on it to execute their various tasks throughout the day.

 

Are people too dependent on technology? Here are some possible arguing points for those who agree with the statement and those who do not:

 

FOR

 

Memory problems?

In the eyes of many, one of the biggest indicators to the notion that individuals are becoming too dependent on technology is demonstrated in their ability to remember particular dates or similar pieces of information. Many (if not all) of the devices used on a day to day basis – laptops, tablets, smart phones etc – have a calendar or reminder component that can notify the user as to a particular event at a specific hour or day of the week. With this, the responsibility to remember an important date – a friend’s birthday, perhaps – is to an extent transferred from the individual to the device.

 

It is a similar case for social media platforms such as Facebook as well, as there are those who utilize the network to keep them aware of such events. How many of you reading this can readily state the birthdays of your five closest friends? Let’s say you can, how many could you recall 10 years ago without any sort of “technological” help? A likely answer is a lot more than five.

 

 

Another similar point is in relation to the ability to remember a phone number. Given the fact that the freedom is there to store contact information on a device, it appears to be a growing trend that the need to remember those details becomes non-existent for some, so much so that they are all but stranded if the battery life on any of these devices is exhausted. As such, even if they were to borrow a phone – unless that person just happens to have the number of someone they want to call – it would essentially make no difference whatsoever.

 

A (now) Conventional Addiction

 

This could have easily been the opening statement for the claim, but there is no need to rank them in order of significance, is there? It is not hard to believe that there are many individuals who simply cannot function throughout a day without their phones or other mobile devices – a technological addiction.

 

In the past, if someone had left their phones at home, they would probably have waved it off as nothing and gone about their day as if nothing had changed. Presently, there are some who would probably never get to such a realization when they have already left the house, because they certainly wouldn’t have walked through the door without it in hand.

 

As a result of this need to always be in contact with a particular device, many make the claim that certain inter-personal/communicative skills are lost. Some individuals for instance, have a major online presence, but appear hesitant and withdrawn when engaging in a conversation with someone face-to-face.

 

AGAINST

 

Putting it to use

It’s simple – the technology is there, so use it. This more or less sums up what anyone would say to the notion that the dependent on technology is “too much”. Essentially, in their eyes it is not too much, but just right as relying on something does not mean that one is dependent.

 

Truth be told, when many raise the issue, their argument is oftentimes concentrated on electronics and the corresponding software to said devices, but technology certainly involves a lot more. For many industries, technological improvements have only worked to increase productivity and efficiency, and enabled the powers that be to provide customers with a better product or service.

 

 

• Safer vehicles, for example

The automobile industry is an ideal example of this. Features such as anti-lock brakes and night vision sensors are not being incorporated to make drivers any less attentive or focused when behind the steering wheel, but instead increases the likelihood that they can keep themselves and their loved ones safe when on the road.

 

• Doctors benefit too

The ability to improve the quality of service delivered by health care professionals is also a major talking point for those who are against the notion that people are too dependent on technology. The level of influence on the sector stretches from making a more accurate diagnosis to the extent that surgeons can utilize 3D-printers to create a replica of a particular body organ they will be working on. With this, they can essentially have a “dry run” of the procedure versus being introduced to all possible complications when they are actually in the operating room.

 

In essence, technology is simply an enhancer to certain processes; it is not intended to be a replacement for anyone or anything.

 

Though the existing argument may not have even been up for debate 20 years ago, it is hard to imagine that it won’t be a popular talking point from this generation onwards. While the ability to perform certain “basic” skills without technology may be on the decline, there is no denying that without utilizing it to the fullest, we would be worse off today.

 

 

Are People too Dependent on Technology?

Love It or List It and Other Popular Home-Related Shows

Across the United States, there are many TV lovers who spend a majority of their time watching sports or the latest drama series on their favorite networks. While these are certainly entertaining, there are many others who are fixed to reality TV shows, but not the kind that require individuals to navigate a multitude of obstacles. What else is there? Shows related to the home.

 

Aside from the on-screen appeal of these shows, many individuals are interested for various reasons. With many homeowners for instance, they may be big on the “do-it-yourself” phenomenon and many of these shows have elements that they can incorporate in their homes without enlisting the services of a contractor. On the other hand, there may be some who are intent on hiring someone to make some upgrades, but they are interested in seeing the vision of others come to life before making that step.

 

Here are a few of the more popular shows on television that are related to the home and its surroundings:

 

Love It or List It

It goes without saying that there is going to be some form of disagreement between members of a household at some point or another – what may be uncommon, however, is conflict associated with the place of residence. Love It or List – a Canadian-based show which airs on HGTV in the United States – showcases this rift in a very appealing way. So appealing is the show that it is the favorite of a very high profile individual.

 

 

 

The series which is based in Toronto and its surrounding communities showcases a different family in each episode. In each, one member of the residence is intent on leaving (in most cases because the home can no longer meet their ideal level of comfort) and another is convinced that renovations can be made to make it work. This is where the experts/hosts step in – home designer Hilary Farr and realtor David Visentin.

 

 

Each episode is essentially a challenge between the two professionals, as both are given a “check list” by the home owners of what renovations need to be made for them to stay at the residence or relocate to another, which is how the concept of “Love It” or “List It” comes into play. The on-screen chemistry and playful banter between the two is quite entertaining for viewers, but Hilary has reigned supreme in the show’s six seasons thus far, winning 69 challenges to David’s 49.

 

Property Brothers

Another Canadian-based show on the list is Property Brothers, and despite being on the air for just three seasons is already climbing up the ranks as one of the more popular home-related shows on television. Similar to Love It or List It, it airs on HGTV in the States.

 

Twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott share center stage in this production, with Drew the real estate expert and Jonathan the more technical one – a licensed contractor (though in real life Jonathan is also a certified real estate agent). In each episode the brothers meet with clients who know what it is that they want for an ideal “dream home” that they would want to buy, but the properties they generally look cost more than what they budgeted for.

 

 

This is where the expertise of the brothers comes into play, as they first look for properties – “fixer-uppers” – that can accommodate all that their clients want. Once a property has been identified, Drew negotiates the purchase and Jonathan wields his magic (alongside crews of course) to get the property as close to the mark of a dream house as possible – all while working with a confined budget and set time-frame. Needless to say, more often than not they manage to get the job done.

 

• Other exploits

It should be noted that their success with this production has propelled the twin brothers towards even more on-air time on the network – Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers and Brother vs Brother. Interestingly, the latter of the two has the brothers square-off against each other, which is an interesting twist considering that they are generally working together to achieve a particular goal.

 

The show starts with each brother acting as mentors to their respective teams of five members each – aspiring renovators – with the challenge to have the greater impact in raising the value of similar properties. Each victory pushes one team closer to the grand prize of $50,000, while each defeat makes it harder for the other, as they are forced to eliminate a team member.

 

The Victory Garden

It would be difficult to complete a list of popular shows about the home and not include one that has been running for over 30 years – The Victory Garden. Throughout the years, the show has had a number of hosts, but there is one factor that remains constant – the high quality of the advice delivered.

 

 

The current host of the show is Jamie Durie and he, alongside a familiar cast which includes resident horticulturalist Kip Anderson, provide viewers with expert gardening tips that they can use to spruce up their own residence. The show is notably all-rounded, as viewers are also provided with insight related to eating healthy, organic food, as well as tips in the craft of masonry. Such a show is particularly big amongst the “stay at home moms”, but expectedly appeals to everyone who has such interests – male or female.

 

 

Love It or List It and Other Popular Home-Related Shows

Target, eBay and other Major Cyber Attacks

The phenomenon of hacking is one that has been around for some time, as individuals utilized their computer skills (coding in particular) to exploit the weaknesses in a computer system. In many circles, the incidents involving hackers are described as cyber attacks – as they occur over a cyber space such as the Internet.

 

Some of these events oftentimes go unnoticed, as they may not have been aimed at any major organization, or it could be the major corporations that cyber criminals target have a top-of-the-line security system in place to shield them from such exploits. Having said that, over the years, hackers have managed to “crack” the system of some of the biggest household names.

 

Here is a look at some major cyber attacks:

 

Many customers Target-ed

In December 2013, major retailing company Target revealed that there was a breach to their database, with some 40 million customers potentially having their credit or debit card information stolen. In addition to this, other critical personal information such as name, home addresses and email addresses were also compromised.

 

As the investigations wore on, it was announced that the number of individuals affected were possibly in the region of 110 million. Some Target customers also received instruction to request a new card with a new account number – particularly those who used their card to pay for items between November 27 and December 15.

 

So what are the possible effects of that attack? Just over two months after the cyber attack, reports began to emerge that the breach had cost banks some $240 million. Interestingly, a bulk of this was in direct association with providing customers with new cards – does anyone want to imagine how much more it actually is when considering all the variables? Probably not.

 

Not Long After Comes eBay’s Demise

 

Undoubtedly, the nation – and online shoppers in particular – would have been hoping that they didn’t have to deal with an incident similar to that of Target so soon after. That hope was dashed, however, when eBay released a statement asking their customers (which stands in the region of 145 million) to change their passwords as a result of a similar database breach.

 

The investigations revealed that the database containing the customer information was compromised during the months of February and March, but nothing specific in terms of the actual dates. That being said, it is certainly frightening to imagine all that the damage that the cyber criminals could have exacted during that time.

 

If it is any consolation, it was announced that no unauthorized activity was detected as a result of the attack. eBay also reported that they store other essential information such as credit card details separately, so the database compromise would not have affected that information.

 

The Residual Effect

Though major in their own right, the repercussions in both incidents have the potential to stretch far beyond just the attack. By accessing the various accounts, all sensitive information such as physical addresses and date of births could set up customers to be victims of identity theft, and not just make them prey to credit card fraud – though it is the most popular occurrence.

Take a survey among any group of individuals and it would be no surprise if ID theft ranked among their biggest fears. A big reason for this is there is no way to know for sure the intentions of the cyber criminals with the information.

 

Other victims are…

It goes without saying that cyber attacks didn’t begin with the one on Target last December. As a matter of fact, there are a few major cases over the years that caught national attention.

 

… eBay

While some organizations may be able to walk with their heads held high having never fallen prey to a cyber attack, eBay was the unwanted distinction of being involved in multiple incidents. In February 2000, it was revealed that they – along with other major commercial websites such as Yahoo! and Amazon.com – were the targets of an attack by 15-year-old Michael Calce, who operated under the alias Mafiaboy. The total damages of the attack were estimated to be in the region of $1 billion.

 

 

… NASA/ US Department of Defense

 

Contrary to the trend of this article, not all cyber attacks are directed towards consumer-based entities. One of the biggest incidents non-consumer related took place back in 1999, when Jonathan James (interestingly, also a 15-year-old) managed to install a “backdoor” to the servers of the US Department of Defense, giving him unlimited access to thousands of emails. James’ attack involved a physical component as well, as he utilized the information garnered to steal a piece of NASA software – with an estimated value of $1.7 million – and caused systems to be down for weeks.

 

 

Target, eBay and other Major Cyber Attacks

Another Successful Comcast Cares Day

For many corporations, playing a role in the development and sustainability of local communities ranks high on their list of priorities, and not just as a matter of building profile, but because they have an actual interest. After all, the employees do reside in these communities.

 

One corporation that certainly doesn’t hide its interest in developing local communities is Comcast, who not only expresses it with words, but also dedicated a day to completing projects. The day is officially dubbed Comcast Cares Day, with thousands volunteering hours of their time to facilitate the execution of projects across the country. The first installment took place back in 2001, and has since grown from strength to strength, increasing in a number of areas including volunteers, participating cities and even participating countries.

 

Here is a look back at Comcast Cares Day 2014, which took place on April 26:

 

Some of the Activities

To say that Comcast Cares Day was riddled with activities would be a gross understatement. For this year’s edition, over 800 projects were planned; inclusive of beach clean ups, stocking food banks, improving sporting facilities (basketball courts etc), and constructing playgrounds and picnic tables.

 

The improvement of the school environment was a particularly big factor in this year’s events. How much so? Over 100 of the projects took place at a neighborhood school, ranging from upgrades to classrooms to the creation of murals for the kids.

 

 

Very few can argue that Comcast is one of the most recognized names in terms of important services such as Internet and cable, so it is no surprise that those services were also a part of the activities. There were multiple installations of wiring for web connectivity and cable, which included creating computer areas and erecting televisions.

 

The numbers speak volumes

 

• Lots of volunteers

There is a popular idiom that numbers don’t lie, and in this instance they certainly tell a lot of truth as it relates to the influence and impact of Comcast Cares Day. Interestingly, there was quite a bit revealed at the end of the day.

 

One of the more remarkable figures was the volunteer turn-out on the day, with reports indicating that there were over 95,000 spanning Comcast and NBC Universal. These individuals contributed close to 600,000 hours of service on the day which was pretty noteworthy. This was revealed to be a record-setting figure for a venture that has been running now for 13 years, attracting some 10,000 more than those who played a part in the activities of 2013.

 

It should be noted that the feat was twice as memorable for Comcast – not only was it considered the biggest turn-out for the service and people-oriented organization, but the 95,000 that helped contributed to arguably the largest single-day corporate volunteer event in the United States.

 

 

• A good day for the youth

Another big statistic relates to the youth. It is believed that 20% of those who volunteered on the day were below the age of 18 years. Not only does Comcast Cares Day and initiatives of a similar nature highlight their interest to give back – which is the defining characteristic of the day – but it also combats the notion that young people are not interested in being active and being outdoors. By extension, it was an indicator of ventures that families can be engaged in – of course, many of these children would have made the trip with their parents.

 

• A global impact

Over the years, Comcast Cares Day has been celebrated, not only across cities in the United States, but in other countries as well. This year, the number of participating countries stood at 15 (the US included), which was more than twice the number visited last year. Among the countries volunteers lent a hand were Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, India and England.

 

A look back…

As noted earlier, this was the 13^th time that Comcast Cares Day was being celebrated by the organization. Looking back to the very first edition which took place in Philadelphia, the estimated 95,000 of this year is a whole lot more than the 6,100 volunteers who turned out then.

 

In total, over 500,000 volunteers have played a role in its success in the 13-year span. This has translated to over 3 million hours of giving back to ensure that infrastructure such as schools and community centers are in great condition for everyone interested to enjoy.

 

… and forward

 

The date for the 14^th edition of Comcast Cares Day has already been set – April 25, 2015. Without a doubt, there are many who have already circled the day on their calendars in anticipation of another successful outing. Among the many feats the organizers will be looking to achieve will be the hit the six figures, and welcome over 100,000 volunteers – an objective that is certainly achievable given that they had an estimated 10,000 increase from 2013.

 

 

 

Another Successful Comcast Cares Day