Founder & Editor-in-Chief - Christian Computing Magazine

Bio-Metric Security Goes Vascular
We have all probably heard or even seen examples of bio-metric security systems that read our fingerprints. However, a new development
in bio-metrics is becoming popular around the world, vascular scanners. Have you ever held a flashlight up to your hand at night and seen
the light go through your fingers and skin? Vascular readers are able to use light and read the veins within our hand when it is pressed down on
a scanner. There are ways to get past bio-metric security systems that use fingerprint scanning, but vascular scans are much more secure. It appears
that in the case of identical twins, their finger prints can be close, but vein patterns are drastically unique for each of us. Presently Canada
is using it for port security, and over 3,000 banks are using hand vascular scanners for their customers when they seek to use the ATM. For
more information, visit
http://www.secureidnews.com/2007/08/22/canadian-port-strengthens-access-security-with-vascular-biometrics-from-identica-unisys/
Polaroid Launches New ZINK Digital Camera Printer
Polaroid was severely hurt when digital cameras entered the market. In the days of “film” they held the ability to see what you were taking
photos off, within seconds. However, digital cameras did the same thing, without wasting film. However, if you can’t beat them, join them,
and that is what Polaroid has done. They have released a small hand-held printer that uses Bluetooth wireless to connect to cell phones that take
pictures. Now people can shoot digital pictures until they get the one they really want, and if they want to hold it in hand as a picture, they can
easily pull out their Polaroid ZINK (stands for zero ink printing) and load it with special paper, sync the phone to the printer, and print out a
borderless full color high definition picture. This printer does NOT use ink, but rather special paper (from Polaroid) that has materials embedded
in the paper that reacts to the printer to create the photo. The printer is just as portable as your phone, around the size of a deck of playing
cards. For more information, visit
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/12241/13265/polaroid-digital-instant-mobile-printer.phtml
Before The Actual War in Georgia, CyberAttacks Prevailed
How can you know if your nation is about to go to war? It may be because all of your government’s websites are inaccessible. Before
the war between Russia and Georgia broke out, CyberAttacks hit Georgia’s internet servicers and Denial -of-Service, attacks made all of their
government’s sites inoperable. This made it impossible for citizens to check for updated information and instructions via the Internet, and it
stopped Georgia from getting their message out to the world. For more information, visit
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/technology/13cyber.html?_r=2&ref=technology&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
IPhone Problems with MobileMe
Steve Jobs has admitted that they should not have released MobileMe yet, because it is not ready. In addition to problems with the new
service, it was down for eight hours earlier this week, a great frustration for Apple users that were depending on it. I gave it a try, and found
what I believed to be a major flaw in the system. If I would not have completed a backup before my test, I would have lost VITAL information,
including all of my business contacts, from my desktop computer. Apple has now sold 3 million of the new iPhone 3G, and I love mine,
but give MobileMe a pass for now. For more information, visit
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/12/Apples_MobileMe_mail_Googles_Gmail_go_dark_1.html
New Wireless HD Standard in the Works
And you thought the remote control changed the way we used our TVs? Plans are in the works to create a new wireless standard so that
devices will connect to our TVs without that tangle of cords. But wait, there’s more! Imagine being able to watch a movie in the bedroom, even
though it is playing on the digital recorder in the family room, or play games on a Playstation in one room even though the game box is in another?
All of this is in the works and some if it is actually developed. Sony, Samsung, Sharp, Motorola and a list of other electronics companies
have united to create a standard by which devices can be made by any one company and work with each other and a host of HD TVs. These
companies are working with Amimon Ltd. of Israel called WHDI, for Wireless Home Digital Interface. WHDI is one solution and Sony and
Samsung have invested in other solutions that they feel will be coming down the road in a few years. They see WHDI as a stopgap until better
technology can take the lead. The plan is for WHDI devices to be on the market next year. They will add about $100 to the cost of a device if
built into a TV, DVD player, etc., and devices should be on the market that will simply handle the wireless part, allowing you to plug your present
TV and DVD players in to a kit to accomplish room-to-room transmissions. So, will your neighbors be able to watch your movies? Or will
we have to learn how to set up security for these devices like we do for WiFi? For more information,
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i_OO1ipcyihHecxh_kLW6uRUOrMAD923HEMG0
Christian Computing® Magazine
August 2008
4