Posts Tagged ‘computer’

Thank you Palm Beach Post for such a timely article.

Although this particular case is from Florida,  this same tragic scenario is being rewritten daily through our great Nation under Bailout . The digital divide is growing daily- hourly- with each click of our collective mice.

Although the 50 plus age community is highly represented  ( or NEVER counted as they are invisible)

in this struggling group, the newly poor – the foreclosed, homeless and jobless are in the same hopeless situation.

When I created APPSNEWBIE, I strongly felt that this  ” technological underclass”  was  a sad byproduct  we would see and I HOPED ( silly Pollyanna me ) that as a moral a society, we l find it  of value to provide education- access and services to the desperately in need .Silly Appsnewbie. 

 You cannot even apply for a job without  a computer.

But you lost your house -foreclosure  AND you pawned your laptop so you could eat.Or buy your diabetes medication

You are living in a car and the libraries and workforce shops have limited computer usage times-;

Those public computers also have firewalls so all job sites are not usable-and you cannot type that fast 

Plus the public computers they have are slow- hey -

the billionaire computer vendor who had that government t contract that sold the computers palmed off his second rate stuff- no sweat  -

After all- his/her  pal was sure he got the bid…

WHEN DO BILLIONAIRE APPLE and MICROSOFT START TO REALLY PROVIDE PUBLIC COMPUTERS and TRAINING-

THAT MAKE PEOPLE EMPLOYABLE? NOT JUST DATA ENTRY ?

WHERE and WHEN?

APPSNEWBIE IS JUST ASKING .. 

Seniors  Without Computers Struggle to Apply for Food Stamps, Medicaid benefits

Philip Proulx knew just enough about computers to check guests in at an apartment building in Palm Beach, where he worked as a doorman for several years.

Proulx, 77, was laid off recently and realized his $735 monthly Social Security check would not cover his expenses. His only hope was applying for food stamps and cash assistance.

Proulx said he tried calling the state Department of Children and Families’ toll-free number to apply over the phone, but a recorded message kept telling him to call back because of high call volumes.

He asked for help at several community organizations but was told he could apply for government aid only through the Internet. Proulx said he had no idea how to even get to the DCF website, much less find the application and submit it online.

Proulx’s quandary is not isolated, according to officials at local community agencies. Elderly and disabled residents or those without computer skills or access to an Internet connection, often struggle to get help to obtain food stamps and Medicaid assistance, the officials say.

“If they have no computer skills, they cannot apply on their own,” said Lela Jordan, director of Vickers House in West Palm Beach. “Many people who need food stamps and Medicaid face barriers to even apply because of their lack of computer skills.”

“If you are computer-ignorant, that’s too bad,” Proulx said. “You’ve got to find out how to do it on your own.”

He eventually found help at Vickers House and applied for food stamps and cash assistance online. But before he did, he said, “I’ve never been so confused in my life.”

DCF says about 90 percent of food stamp recipients apply online – an indicator that most have access to computers. But DCF spokesman Joe Follick said, “we do understand the frustration” of those who struggle with the online application process or busy phone lines.

DCF does not keep track of the number of complaints about the online application process since calls come in from regional and circuit offices, call centers and even the governor’s office.

But Follick said the department is aware of the problems and determined to fix them: “It’s our number one priority.”

DCF’s manpower has remained largely the same over the past five years, even though requests for food stamps have more than tripled, Follick said.

Even DCF Secretary David Wilkins, in a memo to employees of the department’s online system, called Access, said improvements must be made to ease the application process and make more operators available for callers.

“Employees, the millions of clients they help and all Floridians deserve a system that is efficient and minimizes the delay and frustration that are already heightened when families face difficult situations,” Wilkins wrote.

This year, DCF hired a new economic self-sufficiency director and has hired 60 employees for its call centers, Wilkins said.

Simple requests, such as how to reset passwords for online access, are being diverted to a group of operators to reduce wait times on the toll-free number, and the process will eventually be automated, Wilkins said. The department also plans to make its website easier to navigate.

Meanwhile, problems remain.

At Christians Reaching Out to Society Ministries, or C.R.O.S. Ministries, in Lake Worth, Director Pam Cahoon said many of her clients find it impossible to reach DCF to apply for benefits.

She said those without computers can sometimes use public library machines, but most libraries enforce time limits on computers.

“Unless you are really fast with the computer, you can’t get through,” Cahoon said. “It’s just absolutely horrible.”

At C.R.O.S., the demand for help filling out food stamp applications online is so high that the organization and DCF are splitting the cost of two workers dedicated to helping people apply and interview for government aid, Cahoon said.

“It’s just virtually impossible to get through on the phone,” she said.

DEAR APPLE AND MICROSOFT : WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET ?

Ok- Corporate Foundation Developers – ( ‘scuse me  the write off area) guys- let’s see you step up to the plate.

PLEASE.

Remember us -the AMERICAN working man and woman.

We made you FAR richer than Croesus.

American Corporations -put your resources to work; you can if you want to. We know that.

We need you now. YESTERDAY.

WILL YOU HELP AND HIRE US – WE WILL GIVE IT EVERYTHING WE HAVE..

THE DESPERATE AMERICAN WORKER.

JOBLESS and HOMELESS OVER AGE 55: AGING OUT of the JOB MARKET

AGING OUT out in the world of  orphaned children , means you spent so long in the welfare system- you

ceased to be adoptable.

The children became too old too fast  and lost thier “love appeal”.

In the worst job market since FDR, if you are over 55, you have AGED OUT of the job market.

You are a hiring pariah0- except- MAYBE for a Walmart greeter-

FAAWGET that you created – managed and RE CREATED whole divisions…You are AGED OUT

You are NO LONGER ADOPTABLE by any hiring manager.You became too old – too fast

Do you watch  THE OFFICE  tv series and  long for a the long forgotten security of a cublcle ?

Long for an office to go to every day?

Your MBA- your peerless personal qualities- your 30 years of industry experince

make you qualify  for Food Stamps , Section 8 Housing and dwindling Unemployment  Benefit checks.

Since the economic collapse, there are not enough jobs being created for the population as a whole,

FAR  less for those in the twilight of their careers. The jobseeker over age 55.

The name is legion. It is in the millions.

Of the 14.9 million unemployed, more than 2.2 million are 55 or older.

Nearly half of them have been unemployed six months or longer, according to the Labor Department. It is PROBABLY much higher – but how much bad nesw do they want to give us?

The unemployment rate in the group — 17.3 percent — is at a record, more than double what it was at the beginning of the latest recession.

After other recent downturns, older people who lost jobs fretted about how long it would take to return to the work force and worried that they might never recover their former incomes.

Because it will take years to absorb the giant pool of unemployed at the economy’s recent pace, many of these older people may simply age out of the labor force before their luck changes.

Older workers who lose their jobs could pose a policy problem if they lose their ability to be self-sufficient. “That’s what we should be worrying about,” said Carl E. Van Horn, professor of public policy and director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development atRutgers University, “what it means to this class of the new unemployables, people who have been cast adrift at a very vulnerable part of their career and their life.”

Forced early retirement and layoffs impose an intense financial strain, a devastation ,particularly for those who were  lower income earners.

At the bet of times – they carefully  lived paycheck to paycheck.Struggled- but scraped by-.on luck – hope and sheer guts.

The lower income group have always  gambled that  the old  tires on their car would hold up  so they could get to work -that  the tooth would not maybe hurt so much-  and  HOPE a drugstore tooth medicationwould work, and the baby maybe will be better  if they just use an aspirin.

They really have had no alternative but to spend using the methodology of financial  triage.

The never had the real earning capacity to save for a 401K savings plan -a retirement. But they got by.

IF they kept the job – IF they stayed healthy ENOUGH – the minimums were paid- damn the interest

financial solvency in this group is  paying the  minimum.

They  put  applications  on the Internet, FAX and do the best they can.

But even for the perpetual upbet souls it is HARD.

The long term unemployed – they  do not have the money for internet connections - Smartphone  – or deposits

HOW CAN YOU APPLY ON THE INTERNET FOR A JOB WHEN YOU HAVE NO COMPUTER?

The Library 0h- yes- but many websites sites are blocked, and  there is a line and a time limit to use the computer.

AND your resume and cover letter have to be in a format accepted  by an oft outdated computer and software.

 FLORIDA  JOBLESS FILING ONLY ONLINE: With a 37 Year old Computer SYSTEM

 Florida’s THOUSANDS of jobless will have to  go online to file their claims and get benefits. No more humans..

Now, how well this is going to work with a 37 year old – pieced and patched computer system is yet to be seen.

As of now 40% of the unemployed Floridians were not going online, that Granny of Computers is going to be stretched to capacity. Using all her power in the warp shields for sure,  Scotty.

Before this, there was a call in  800 number people could use to claim benefits, but the Florida state estimates they can save over $4Million a year by people just going online to file. Ego – bye to the phone lines.

It has always been my feeling that in our highly technical world, not having computer  skills puts you where a jobseeker  was in 1950 who could neither read nor write- as a functional illiterate.

Unemployable and sadly – probably homeless and perpetually poor. 

As necessity is the Mother of invention, these unemployment benefit claimants will go the workforce centers and  get help in getting online And their embryonic computer skills will grow .FAST.

In fairness- some of them DO know how to file how to use the internet  – but they have no money for a computer- or the cheap machine they had broke and they had no repair money  or they are now homeless and really have no money for internet access.

Many are in the 50 plus age range- still looking for work – no 401K, no pemsion- no savings ;

They are invisible to the emplyers due to age or lack of updated skills.

OR he is age 67 – an MBA , a former senior executive  with superb credentails and a work ethic of pure gold.

He is willing to work in your call center or loading dock for  $ 10 an hour; but you will not hire him – he will not “fit in”. He is “overqualified”.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN..LIKE ” I’LL CALL YOU ” after a date with a 200 pound bucktoothed beaver ?

That aged 60 something MBA has ONE and only one option- to work a straight commission job- if he just had the gas money.And the old car will run..sigh.

Where are the billions of tech profit that was to be used to help us make  all Tech Literatesand Appsnewbies??

Remember- we are still One Nation Under Bailout.

Sigh..

APPSNEWBIE SAYS

www.zenith.acndirect.com

JOBLESS OVER AGE 55: AGING OUT OF THE JOB MARKET 

Since the economic collapse, there are not enough jobs being created for the population as a whole,

FAR  less for those in the twilight of their careers. The jobseeker over age 55.

The name is legion. It is in the millions.

Of the 14.9 million unemployed, more than 2.2 million are 55 or older.

Nearly half of them have been unemployed six months or longer, according to the Labor Department. It is PROBABLY much higher – but how much bad nesw do they want to give us?

The unemployment rate in the group — 17.3 percent — is at a record, more than double what it was at the beginning of the latest recession.

After other recent downturns, older people who lost jobs fretted about how long it would take to return to the work force and worried that they might never recover their former incomes.

Because it will take years to absorb the giant pool of unemployed at the economy’s recent pace, many of these older people may simply age out of the labor force before their luck changes.

Older workers who lose their jobs could pose a policy problem if they lose their ability to be self-sufficient. “That’s what we should be worrying about,” said Carl E. Van Horn, professor of public policy and director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development atRutgers University, “what it means to this class of the new unemployables, people who have been cast adrift at a very vulnerable part of their career and their life.”

Forced early retirement and layoffs impose an intense financial strain, a devastation ,particularly for those who were  lower income earners.

At the bet of times – they carefully  lived paycheck to paycheck.Struggled- but scraped by-.on luck – hope and sheer guts.

The lower income group have always  gambled that  the old  tires on their car would hold up  so they couls get to work -that  the tooth would not maybe hurt so much-  and  HOPE a drugstore tooth medicationwould work, and the baby maybe will be better  if they just use an aspirin.

They really have had no alternative but to spend using the methodology of financial  triage.

The never had the real earning capacity to save for a 401K savings plan -a retirement. But they got by.

IF they kept the job – IF they stayed healthy ENOUGH – the minimums were paid- damn the interest

financial solvency in this group is  paying the  minimum.

They  put  applications  on the Internet, FAX and do the best they can.

But even for the perpetual upbet souls it is HARD.

That is why I just put this  link on my  site
www.zenith.acndirect.com

Where you can get no deposit internet and  wireless service at a reduced price.

The long term unemployed – they  do not have the money for internet connections - Smartphones or deposits.

HOW CAN YOU APPLY ON THE INTERNET FOR A JOB WHEN YOU HAVE NO COMPUTER?

The Library 0h- yes- but many websites sites are blocked, and  there is a line and a time limit to use the computer.

AND your resume and cover letter have to be in a format accepted  by an oft outdated computer and software.

The aged out unemployed  are  a new part of our society

One we MUST address  and assist.-

We are creating a whole new underclass and a sad day indeed…

APPSNEWBIE SAYS

JUST HANG IN THERE..

 PCs Now LOOK Like ipads  ACER GIVES APPLE SOME COMPETITION.

 <p><a href=”http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-07-threatened-ipad-pcs-tablets.html”>Threatened by iPad, PCs start to look like tablets</a></p>
        <p>The response by computer makers to the iPad stealing sales from them: Make their PCs more like iPads.</p>

YOUR MOBILE MARKET: WHO and WHY THEY BUY EXPLAINED

ALPHAS

Predominantly white males 35-44. Most likely to agree that technology has a positive impact on the

world (94%) and to be working full-time (91%). These are the tech elite, immersed in technology. Alphas see technology as having a significant, positive impact on their lives and ability to communicate. At work, they are delegators, developing solutions to hand off.

ACCIDENTAL

Predominantly white females 25-54.

Not as comfortable with

technology as Alphas, Accidentals still have a deep nderstanding

of how technology can improve their lives. With a less direct

approach at work, they consider technology a tool to

solve problems, but not the key to everything. Similar to

Balanced, but more focused on work and enthusiastic about

technology.

PRACTICAL

Predominantly white males 25-44.

The most hesitant to agree that technology has a positive impact on the world (only 50%) or

their lives (20%).

Using all the technology that most other types are excited

about, but they are less enthusiastic about the devices.

 They typically report to the Alphas and Accidentals at work,

but are focused on implementation.

BALANCED

Predominantly white females 25-44.

 Although similar to Accidentals, they do not place technology or work at

the center of their lives.

Approaching their jobs as a means to fund other things they enjoy, this group leads more relaxed lives than other

types, and are hesitant to adopt emerging technology until they see how it relates to their personal lives. The most likely to be students and the least likely to be

workaholics.

LITE

Predominantly white males 35-54. The most resistant to

adopting new technologies before they are mainstream,

they are less likely to take risks, actively solve

problems or create efficiency. At work, they may adopt a new process once it is proven effective in

another department. The most risk averse segment in

relationship to technology (only 1% are the first to try

new technology), their work life (only 7% take frequent

workplace risks) and at home (only 4% take frequent risks

in their personal lives).

53% of young women (Gen Y) identified

Themselves as early adopters.

One researcher noted they are

“The first to try new technologies,

even before they become popular.”

Food for thought Appsnewbie says..

WHAT is YOUR COMPUTERS MTBF?

Explained. You actually  DO need this.

Failure rate: What is yours?

The failure rate of a system usually depends on time, with the rate varying over the life cycle of the system.

For example, an automobile’s failure rate in its fifth year of service may be many times greater than its failure rate during its first year of service.

( EXPECT is the operative word- LOL)

One does not EXPECTto replace an exhaust pipe, overhaul the brakes, or have major transmission problems in a new vehicle. Yes- BUT…

In practice, the mean time between failures (MTBF, 1/λ) is often used instead of the failure rate. This is valid if the failure rate is constant (general agreement in some reliability standards (Military and Aerospace) – part of the flat region of the Reliability bathtub curve , also called the “useful life period”.

The MTBF is an important system parameter in systems where failure rate needs to be managed, in particular for safety systems.

 The MTBF appears frequently in the engineering design requirements, and governs frequency of required system maintenance and inspections.

In special processes called renewal processes, where the time to recover from failure can be neglected and the likelihood of failure remains constant with respect to time, the failure rate is simply the multiplicative inverse of the MTBF (1/λ).

A similar ratio used in the transport industries, especially in railways and trucking is ‘mean distance between failures’, a variation which attempts to correlate actual loaded distances to similar reliability needs and practices.

Failure rates are REALLY important factors in the computer industry.>

Just ask Gateway.

Example of : How often your Sweet little Computer MIGHT Crash and Burn…

Suppose it is desired to estimate the failure rate of a certain component. A test can be performed to estimate its failure rate. Ten identical components are each tested until they either fail or reach 1000 hours, at which time the test is terminated for that component. (The level of statistical confidence is not considered in this example.) The results are as follows:

Estimated failure rate is

or 799.8 failures for every million hours of operation

NOW YOU KNOW..

APPSNEWBIE

GATEWAY LAPTOP COMPUTERS

GIVE GATEWAY The GATE?

I am nervous today, Fellow newbies-

Appsnewbie is – as of today- the  POSSIBLY proud owner of

A brand new  laptop computer. My new acquisition  is a Gateway Notebook : Model NV77HO5u

With a 17″ backlit screen – 6 GB of RAM, a 640 Hard Drive and RED -CUTE as a BUTTON. and ON SALE - I said “She IS MINE.

I was IN LOVE and off I went. Thank you Office Depot.

  BUT -OMG – when I got back home I started reading the online  reviews of Gateway  products; any Gateways were rated so badly. Terrible enigeering and performance stories.

Unreliable – crashing- freezing…UGH.

GHASTLYreviews. ..I could have gotten  an HP same 17” screen- same 640 hard drive for the same price: but with only 4GB of memory. 

I told the  salesman at the time, that I was leery of Gateway, as I knew  they had stability problems. He said that Gateway had remedied that and I would love the 6GB Ram and it was a really fast machine.

OK- My Gateway  is still in the box and I have a call in for a computer engineer – yes an actual PHD rocket scientist for Bell Labs to get hardware opinion .Before I unwrap my apple cheeked treaasure. 

To GATEWAY or NOT TO GATE WAY.

That is the question.

Stay tuned.

APPSNEWBIE SAYS…

 SUPPORT WXEL TV PBS CHANNEL 42

AND ADOPT A SHELTER PET 

http://youtu.be/bl_1OybdteY

HACKERS EXPLAINED : GENIUS and DANGEROUS

HOW and WHY they DO IT

Please watch this – hackers are smarter than poor Appsnewbie on her best technical day..

You have to watch this and keep your eye on your mouse…

tee asn

HACKING VICTIM…POOR ME…POOR EMACHINE...

Once upon a time, this is no fairy tale, as in 10 years ago, which I know represents eons in computer world,
poor me- I had 1200 yes – count ‘em -1200 viruses ( Trojans – and assorted malware ) that had hijacked my poor- underpowered -pathetically cheap Emachine computer.
My machine started acting “funny” – not as in humor.

My poor, cheap Emachine,  ( which is now owned by GATEWAY ) became unresponsive- then fine for a few minutes; then suddenly, it would freeze- then the letters on my screen would become  HUGE- my entire screen was a GIANT capital E with a font size maybe 30.

My computer was acting like the Exorcist- it did all the strange things but going head  awhirl.
Anyway-having a relative in computer security systems helped me; he traced the infection back to a “prankster hacker “ a demonic  teenager in Hong Kong.
After this disaster- I am very sensitive to  Computer Security- and as a lot of us hear these terms but not REALLY know what it means, I  thought you might find it find this helpful.
Stay safe on that information highway. As in ..

AS IN DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE- WATCH WHERE YOU PUT YOUR KEYSTROKES

During the 1980s and 1990s, it was usually taken for granted that malicious programs were created as a form of vandalism or prank. More recently, the greater share of malware programs have been written with a profit motive (financial or otherwise) in mind. This can be taken as the malware authors’ choice to monetize their control over infected systems: to turn that control into a source of revenue.

Spyware programs are commercially produced for the purpose of gathering information about computer users, showing them pop-up ads, or altering web-browser behavior for the financial benefit of the spyware creator. For instance, some spyware programs redirect search engine results to paid advertisements. Others, often called “stealware” by the media, overwrite affiliate marketing codes so that revenue is redirected to the spyware creator rather than the intended recipient.

Spyware programs are sometimes installed as Trojan horses of one sort or another. They differ in that their creators present themselves openly as businesses, for instance by selling advertising space on the pop-ups created by the malware. Most such programs present the user with an end-user license agreement that purportedly protects the creator from prosecution under computer contaminant laws. However, spyware EULAs have not yet been upheld in court.

Another way that financially motivated malware creators can profit from their infections is to directly use the infected computers to do work for the creator. The infected computers are used as proxies to send out spam messages. A computer left in this state is often known as a zombie computer. The advantage to spammers of using infected computers is they provide anonymity, protecting the spammer from prosecution. Spammers have also used infected PCs to target anti-spam organizations with distributed denial-of-service attacks.

In order to coordinate the activity of many infected computers, attackers have used coordinating systems known as botnets. In a botnet, the malware or malbot logs in to an Internet Relay Chat channel or other chat system. The attacker can then give instructions to all the infected systems simultaneously. Botnets can also be used to push upgraded malware to the infected systems, keeping them resistant to antivirus software or other security measures.

It is possible for a malware creator to profit by stealing sensitive information from a victim. Some malware programs install a key logger, which intercepts the user’s keystrokes when entering a password, credit card number, or other information that may be exploited. This is then transmitted to the malware creator automatically, enabling credit card fraud and other theft. Similarly, malware may copy the CD key or password for online games, allowing the creator to steal accounts or virtual items.

Another way of stealing money from the infected PC owner is to take control of a dial-up modem and dial an expensive toll call. Dialer (or porn dialer) software dials up a premium-rate telephone number such as a U.S. “900 number” and leave the line open, charging the toll to the infected user.

TABLETS COMPARED..NOT WRITTEN in STONE

http://www.tabletpccomparison.net/

Try this link in your browser
See what you think.
To tablet or not to tablet – that is the question.
I call it a ‘handtop” – versus a laptop -
Do you need it? Or do you just LUST after the newest -fastest tech toy?
That being said, there is nothing wrong with that consumer spirit Buckwheat-
you keep the wheels of commerce spinning.Go ye and spend.
Is it cost effective is the tablet for you? Now -or in the near future?
Let me know what you think.
APPSNEWBIE
WHAT EXACTLY IS A TABLET PC
A Tablet PC is portable computer whose primary input device is touch screen. Period.

Other characteristics are their tablet emulted size, wireless connection to Internet and local area networks. They are powered by variety of operating systems. Some are proprietary ones like Apple iPad; iOS others include windows 7, windows Vista and Android systems.

HOW TABLETS CAME TO BE
A project that started in Apple laboratories in 1989 resulted in first tablet pc named Newton launched on market in 1993. Revolutionary idea and product were way ahead its time and Newton sank into history almost unperceived. Next major step was introduction of special Microsoft XP windows OS named Windows XP Tablet PC edition in 2001. This edition incorporated support for pen-sensitive screen and handwriting. Microsoft’s contribution is also the name “Tablet PC” as this was the first time it was used. Various attempts from different companies were made since then. But final breakthrough came again from part of Apple in form of iPad in 2010. Comparison of tablet PC computers in 2011 shows that iPad has the biggest share and it is expected that it will hold it’s position with iPad2 launched on March 11, 2011.

WHERE TABLETS ARE GOING
It is estimated that tablet pc share will grow and soon surpass a popular netbooks. Forrester Research is predicting that over 20 millions of units will be sold in 2005. This means more then 40% growth per year and thus most rapidly growing market among personal computers devices.

Forms of tablet pc
We can find different types of tablet PCs on the market. Tablet pc comparison can be done according to their form. These are standard forms of tablet computers:

Slate tablet pc -
A classical tablet pc form of pad with one touch screen and without keyboard. ( Think Ceasar Augustus…)
Convertible tablet pc -
Basically a notebook with touch screen capability. They come in form of base and a screen that can be rotated around swivel for 180 degrees.
Hybrid tablet pc -
Convertible tablets with detachable keyboard
Booklets -
A dual screen tablets that can be folded like a book.
Rugged tablet pc -
Tablet pc resistant and adapted to hard atmospherically conditions. Used as a platform for using pc on terrain.

HMMMM- Just food for thought from for
APPSNEWBIE
www.appsnewbieholdings.com