Well you may seriously want to reconsider just how much you want to share because a new tool from U.S. defense contractor Raytheon can now track where you are, who you are with, what you look like, and quite possibly where you will be next.

The software is called RIOT; which stands for rapid information overlay technology, and it looks at all your social media accounts to determine a wide range of data points about you. According to the Guardian, and a video that they procured showing off the software, it takes into account your Twitter account, Facebook, Gowalla, and Foursquare.

The software was created out of a partnership with Raytheon and the U.S. government and while the company says that it hasn’t been sold to anyone yet it doesn’t say that it isn’t in use.

Of course the usual caveat is bandied about, that it is only being used to uncover more information about individuals who might be a threat, however that doesn’t change the fact that we should be very concerned about just what our social data says about us, especially when it is being aggregated by software like RIOT.

Currently this ‘tool’ only uses the four stated social networks and uses it to be able to map our locations on a Google Earth map, along with your trail of check-ins. It does the same sort of thing with all the images you upload, taking advantage of the rich location data included within those images.

Then based on your location data this ‘tool’ creates graphs of not only where you check in, but how often, on what days of the week, and what times you frequent your most popular places.

None of this will come as any real surprise to people who pay attention to technological trends and how they are used by governments but of course the social media mavens and evangelists will try and pretend that this is nothing to worry about.

Which side of the fence do you come down on?

via VentureBeat

• You get to impress other people – Probably the most obvious advantage is that you will be able to impress other people. Not everybody in the world can be fluent in more than a single language. So if you become fluent in at least two languages, most people will consider you very smart. In fact, some men who are trying to impress ladies really spend some time learning another language.

• You will enjoy various job opportunities – Another advantage is that you will be able to choose from various job opportunities. You could be a translator, a foreign language teacher, or even a tour guide. If you are qualified, you might be able to work abroad. For example, if you excel in Chinese professional translation, you might be offered high-paying job opportunities in China. These days, people who excel in Chinese and English really migrate to China to work there because of the high income.

• You will have a good time in another foreign country – If you love traveling, then you would really benefit from taking a foreign language class. Have you traveled to a foreign country where English is not a major language before? If you have not, you should know that staying in non-English speaking locations is a little bit difficult. You will have a hard time getting to the places you want to go to and you might also have a hard time buying the foods that you need because you do not know the language being used.

• You will be able to enjoy books/movies made in other countries – Not all books and movies are made using the English language. There are so many great books out there which are waiting for you to read them. You will be able to understand them once you learn the language. The same case is true with movies since there are so many good movies out there where English is not used.

• Cutting tools

A saw can be used for cutting branches from trees or cutting firewood into small pieces. When preparing the campsite, saws are used for cutting wood used in making tarps stronger as well as for making stronger lean on. Therefore, always carry a saw to aid in cutting your wood.

• Water purification kits

Once you are thirsty, it is always important to be careful on what you drink. Taking other drinks may cause you to be even thirstier that you were earlier. Today, there are many different types of purification kits that do not use chemicals and does not require boiling to make your water safe for drinking. These kits vary in terms of cost, from very expensive to the very cheap therefore providing a wide variety to choose from.

• A multi tool bag

These are bags tied along your waist and are geared for camping, fishing or hiking as they hold a number of tools that may be required. Having a multi tool attached to your waist during camping is very important; it will often come handy at different times in the day. Some of the gadgets in the multi tool include a magnifying glass which can used when starting fires, different knife blade sizes which can be used for cutting, pliers and tweezers used for pulling out and cutting splinters and a CREE LED flashlight used for lighting in case of emergencies.

• Communication tools

Different communication tools like an emergency band radio, smart phone or a cell phone can be used to communicate where you are. No matter how well you are conversant with the area you should make sure you carry a communication gadget. With some of these tools, you can easily locate the nearest medical services, stores and restaurants with the right applications loaded on your phone. They can also be used to communicate in case you get an accident, get lost or if you will be staying longer than the intended time.

Take control by hiring qualified guides and drivers when touring a new country. Make sure that the car you hire for self-drive (for those daring enough to try this out in new terrain) is at par and up to standard regulations including its exhaust system. Invest in a map to cut down on costs and spend as much time as possible making the best out of the trip.

Other safety travel tips include:

• Read and research in advance on places and destinations to visit. Familiarize yourself with the country’s weather, people culture and way of life so that you do not end up being a stranger, which you really are, but do not make it so obvious.

• Get the necessary and relevant vaccinations required of you and know the health precautions you need to follow. Get a travel insurance while at it- very necessary for any foreigner/visitor

• Do not walk with your original documents when sightseeing or exploring. Keep the original documents safe and make copies or scan the originals. Use these for your transactions and identification. Avoid losses by transversing towns with your originals. Should you lose them, it might be costly for you and you might end up stranded.

• For obvious reasons, keep your valuables safe and distribute them. Do not put all eggs in one basket. Put your money in different compartments- not necessarily on you. Have some stash safe in case you lose what you had with you, you are comfortable knowing you have back up. Avoid being pick- pocketed. Do not advertise your wallet.

• Ignore strangers. Do not trust anyone who tags along from nowhere in your trip. Never go beyond being courteous and saying hi. There might be more to it than meets the eye.

• Do not leave your belongings unattended to in public. Moreover, never try your crazy dreams such as learning how to ride a motor bike in public in a new country. It might not end very well. Stick to the rules of a place to enjoy yourself more and not end in a jail in foreign land.

However, the world that we live in today is full of surprises when it comes to the technology front. There are so many breakthroughs when it comes to robotics that the answer to that query on their intelligence is slowly leaning on the affirmative.

When the concept of robotics was introduced to the world, they seemed unachievable. The first real robots were industrial and they were immobile. They only did repetitive work in assembly lines with no intelligence of any kind. In the present age, robots are now more than just that and they are capable of much more. Artificial intelligence has made them to come a long way since then and what is now is a whole new era of robotics.

The term robot is usually used to refer to a synthetic machine with intellectual abilities to complete the stipulated task. Many people ask what difference lies between them and IT support machinery since they also help to solve problems. The following are a few suggested differences:

1. Computers only solve the problems that they are limited to solve by the programs encoded to them. They run through given options and possible actions and chose the most appropriate among the choices but never choose anything outside the options. This is different from robotics since some of them can recognize a certain action and change course if need be. This is through artificial intelligence.

2. Some robots have modern state of the art science that allows them to operate independently. They have automatic switch on and off and they can regulate themselves accordingly. This widens the operational scope when you compare them with that more limited assembly machinery.

3. Some robots are said to interact socially with humans with the help of adaptive software. They can mimic human movements, sense body language and respond intelligently. This is the most advanced level of robotics in the world today and it has raised many debates on whether the world is ready for such interaction. Are the robots safe, can they hurt people? Will they take all the jobs and finally take over the entire human race? Is the world ready for intelligent robotics?

via 4aus.com and First Aid Kits Online.

The file; which Anonymous claimed to have hacked from the Federal Reserve, contains the names, address, hashed passwords, IP addresses, and other personal information of those bankers included in the list.

The Federal Reserve has admitted that they were successfully hacked, but none of the Reserve’s “critical functions” were impacted. They also said that the Reserve has sent out notices to all the affected people that confirmed the intrusion and that their data had been compromised.

According to the Federal Reserve the hack was accomplished by exploiting a temporary vulnerability is a web site vendor product; which they say has been fixed and should cause no more problems.

While it still remains to be seen if any attacks are taken against individual banks a senior information security consultant for financial institutions says that the hashed passwords included in the hacked list would be relatively easy for hackers to decrypt, which could leave individual bankers open to phishing and hacking attacks.

via Web Pro News

However as with all things tech both those factors can change very rapidly and such is the case with SSDs as we are starting to see much larger capacity drives coming to market and at the same time prices are dropping.

But any technology can use a helping hand and according to a new report from iSuppli it would seem that SSD sales may get a helping hand from Windows 8. In 2012 SSD shipments were at 39 million units but already it is suggested 2013 will see that number almost double to 83 million units and by 2016 could reach as high as 239 million units.

In regards to the Windows 8 effect iSuppli’s press release said this:

The newest wave of ultrabooks loaded with Windows 8 has started to generate enthusiasm, with the superthin computers likely to pick up more steam this year. Upcoming ultrabooks based on Intel Corp.’s Haswell microprocessor architecture also have the potential to catch on with consumers. These factors should boost SSD prospects this year.

iSuppli also noted that we can expect Flash memory prices to keep on going down, which of course will make SSDs more affordable to both PC makers and consumers.

via Neowin

1. Price

When choosing accommodation, you need to consider your budget. This will help you to narrow down your options and have a list of resorts to choose from. You can find resorts available in a wide price range and you can always find a place that is suitable and within your budget. You can compare prices by looking online and you can also try to get websites that offer discounts. The time of year that you want to travel will often determine how much you will pay.

2. Location

One of the most important factors to consider when looking for accommodation is the location. You need to decide where you want to go before you can start looking for accommodation. Resorts will differ depending on the location and if you are looking for a beach resort, your needs will differ from someone who wants to visit a mountain resort. A location that is perfect for one person may not be attractive to another person. The cost of accommodation will also differ depending on the location.

3. Reviews

Before you make any final decisions on your accommodation, you should read reviews. Look for resorts that have positive reviews that will help you to determine the service you will get. You can learn a lot from other people’s experiences. When looking for reviews, make sure that you read from independent sites where you can get unbiased information. You cannot expect to get independent reviews from company websites.

4. Your needs

You need to make sure that the resort meets your needs. Before you begin your search, you should ask yourself whether all the amenities you require are available. If you are a fitness freak, you should find out the fitness facilities available before you make your booking. If you want to play golf during your holiday, you can look for a golfing resort. Find out about the services available, and determine if they come at an extra cost. If you want to get away from the noise, look for a resort in a nice quiet place where you can get all the peace and quiet you need.

Of course technology marches on. The cable companies have come to the rescue and have provided our Internet infrastructure with much more power. So with this wonderful increase in bandwidth, what is the Internet today?

TV.

So what to do if you want your child to read? Solid reading skills are very important for your child so it is well worth the extra effort to encourage your child to read. To counteract that overbearing Internet-TV, here are some suggestions:

1. Encourage your child reading with his peers. The Harry Potter series was a gift to parents everywhere. It was a wondrous thing to see millions of kids devoutly reading J.K. Rowling’s books; so much so that Hollywood producers, no stranger to storyline modifications, were forced to follow Ms. Rowland’s plot designs to the letter. Finally, actually helpful peer pressure.

The literary world did not end with Harry Potter. Most likely there is a new book series somewhere that all the kids are talking about it. Use you parental radar to uncover it. Having kids extol the virtues of a recently read book amongst friends is invaluable.

2. Have physical books around the house. If books are as much a part of your life as your computer or television, chances are your kids will use them. Set up a modest library with inexpensive used books and encourage their use. Unlike eBooks (which are wonderful in their own right), books are part of the surroundings and harder to miss. As your child gets older, books will become an obvious and automatic part of his or her life.

3. Set the example and read. I know, it’s been a long day at work staring at computer screens and the thought of looking at more words, even words by your favorite author, is too much to bear. But as all parents know, kids react more to what you do than what you say. So read when you can; your child will notice.

4. Leave books by your child’s bed. Ever notice how checkout lines are flanked by shelves of objects designed for impulse purchases? All the stores know that proximity is a great tool. So while you are standing on that long line, why not just reach out and buy just one more thing? Extend this concept with books. As your child sits in his bed pondering the injustice of going to bed way before the adults do, perhaps those books subtly placed within arm’s reach may peak his interest. He may just reach out and open up a book…

5. Don’t overlook comic books. As a cartoonist, forgive me if I defend a most maligned medium: comic strips. Comic strips are not merely pictures accompanied by words, but words and pictures fused together where each element gains vibrancy as they play off of each other.

That’s why comics are so much fun: there is a ghost in the comic strip. As the reader processes both text and pictures simultaneously, something greater than the sum of words and images emerges. This spirit of joy is contagious and I submit that it will enhance your child’s love of the written word.

Mr. Robert Walters is the creator of The Lunar Antics which can be found at http://www.lunarantics.com. Zeno, Mr. Walters’ creation, also has thoughts of his own including those concerning trillion dollar debt.

The treatment plan will depend on various factors depending on the level of addiction and the abused substance. For instance, if the resulting side effect is depression, then the therapist will use a depression guide to ensure that the treatment is effective. It is important to make sure you know what you need to look out for when in search of a therapist:

• Positive empathy is one of the things that you should really look in a substance abuse therapist. You should look for someone who is able to engage you in a professional and meaningful manner. If the individuals seeking therapy are teenagers, empathy will go a long way in making them open up and be honest about what they are going through. No matter how hard a teenager acts, it will be hard to continue being cold to someone who genuinely shows concern.

• It is important for the therapist to have a good level of accountability even if they are required to show empathy. This means that patient does not deviate from the recovery plan and to ensure that they have a support system. Where children are concerned parents also need to show accountability if they really want their children to recover.

• During your initial therapy session, you should ensure that the therapist has a clear and well set out plan on how to help you recover. This is a great way to know how well the therapist plans therapy sessions.

• It is important to be open to the strategies and approaches that the therapists suggest because whatever your friends or family have tried has not worked. If you are uncomfortable with the suggestions, then you can work closely with the therapist to come up with new ideas or modify them to what you fill can suit you. However, you should note that the final decision lies with the therapist because after all, that is the expert.

via Geeks are Sexy

Choose your destination in advance

Knowing where you want to go on your holiday will give you the possibility to shop around, and this is exactly what will allow you to save money. For example if you want to go to Europe, let’s say to Rome in Italy. You will find that the direct flight will cost loads, but if you were to get a flight to England, then get a low cost flight to Italy, this could cut the cost of your flight in half. Compare all the different possibilities and chose the cheapest one. It will be worth it when you get to destination.

Look for packages

Some travel agencies sell package holidays where everything is taken care of, flight, transport and hotel. There are also all-inclusive holidays, this means that you won’t have to spend a penny; drinks are free, food and all the different activities too. But always check exactly what the all inclusive vacation pack cover. Compare the prices of doing all the planning on your own, including flight, transport and the hotel where you want to stay, with the prices that the travel agencies will give you with their various packages.

Plan your stay

Be sure to have your entire site seeing planned out before, so you know how much it will cost you. You can find this information on the resorts Internet site. Also remember not to take anything from the room as a souvenir because in many cases, housekeeping will inform the hotel management and it will be charged onto your credit card and they usually charge you quite a lot.

Declare everything on return

On arrival and return, remember to declare all goods, food tobacco and alcohol because you could get a hefty fine if you “forgot” to declare that you have bought 300 cigarettes.

Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Island Republic of Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

The island is heavily urbanized, with the area taking up nearly its entire landmass. One third of the population of the Maldives lives in Malé, approximately 100,000 people as of 2006.

The city is the only entry point to the nation and the centre of all administration and bureaucracy.

Prevention is better than cure; this statement has never been truer. By using heart supplements, you can prevent heart problems by blocking the dangers before they can get a grip and avoid the need to revert to pharmaceutical drugs to cure heart problems that have been diagnosed. The simple and humble vitamins are your best friend as they fight cholesterol and flush your arteries of dangerous fatty build ups. Follow these 5 steps to avoid the danger of a cardiac arrest!

1. An aspirin a day

Aspirin since the 1950s has bought pain relief to millions but its benefits go further than soothing an unpleasant headache. Aspirin thins your blood and makes it difficult for blood clots to form. According to recent studies in Canada aspirin is particularly suitable for men to fight the danger of heart attacks. While the precise reasons are not known, it is believed that, thanks to men’s bigger blood vessels, the tendency for clots to form is higher. Taking a single 85 mg tablet a day can really help.

2. Omega-3: Fishy but true

If you are lucky enough to enjoy eating sardines or herrings you are doing your heart a good turn, the reason for this is that these fish contain omega-3 which combats the ill effects of blood lipids which include triglycerides and blood lipids. Essentially studies confirm that omega-3 can slow the buildup of clots in your arteries, however if you don’t like eating fish there is an alternative by taking cod liver oil capsules.

3. Head for the sun

Sadly not all of us can live in Florida or the Mediterranean countries. However the benefits of sunshine and the vitamin D exposure to it bring can be achieved using alternative methods. Use vitamin supplements and take a daily dose of between 450 and 850 IUs of vitamin D to ensure you maintain a healthy basis.

4. Pump your heart get to know CoQ10

While the name may not follow off your tongue CoQ10 is used to increase the performance of your heart muscles and can cause a small decrease in heart pressure. As a collateral benefit it is believed to improve muscle performance across your whole body. Its use is recommended if you are taking statin drugs or suffer from hypercholesterolemia.

5. Check your cereal packet

What you are looking for is niacin content, many heart doctors conclude that men often die from heart disease thanks to a lack of low cholesterol intake rather than consuming too much high cholesterol food. Niacin helps flush the body of the LDL or high cholesterol. Many of the most popular breakfast cereals contain niacin so take advantage of a healthy breakfast whenever you can.