Category: Notes From The Electronic Cottage

A weekly feature on electronic technology as it affects everyday life with Jim Campbell. Broadcast on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, ME every Thursday at 7:30 AM.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 4/30/15

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Section 215 of the Patriot Act will expire on June 1 unless it is renewed. In the wake of Edward Snowden’s revelations about the historically unparalleled level of surveillance of Americans that this part of the Patriot Act has authorized, a lot of people don’t think it should be renewed, at least in its present form. Perhaps that is why Mitch McConnell quietly submitted, with no public announcement, a reauthorization bill that would extend the act as it is for five more years, and then invoked Senate rule 14 to bypass public committee hearings on the bill. Those who have an opinion on S.1035 might want to let their elected representatives know – and pronto!

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 4/23/15

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

As important technologies go, personal computers and the Web are pretty recent. While we can’t see or hear, for example, Alexander Graham Bell making the first phone call, we can see and hear Douglas Engelbart giving, back in 1968, what has become known as “The Mother of All Demos” during which he demonstrated the use of new technologies like interacting in real time with a computer using a mouse. We can watch it today at www.youtube.com/watch?t=312&v=yJDv-zdhzMY. Definitely worth a look.

Meanwhile, the personal computer revolution has brought us to a point at which we recognize not only the wonders of digital technology but dangers as well. Two recent books looking at those dangers are also definitely worth look: “Data and Goliath” by Bruce Schneier, and “Future Crimes” by Marc Goodman.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 4/16/15

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

These days we often think that the titans of tech have some sort of unfailing insight into the future. We won’t be able to tell if that is true of today’s tech heroes for years, or maybe even decades, into the future, but a look at some of the past tech prognosticators suggest that maybe they put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. Here are a few examples.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 4/9/15

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

We’ve heard a lot about how increased use of the web is affecting our bodies as we sit for hours at a time in front of one screen or another. But what about the effect on our minds? Nicholas Carr wrote a book not too long ago that addresses that question. See what you think.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 4/2/15

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

In these days of smart phones and now smart watches, it’s really easy to download music, podcasts, and all sorts of audio. And it is pretty easy to grab some sound with one of today’s devices as well. But what it you want to transfer old audio from cassettes, or other older devices, or what if you even want to make some audio yourself? Don’t worry, there’s an app for that. Well, actually some every inexpensive – or even free – audio software that will do the job.