Technology

Many folks may not anticipate what will happen tomorrow. But in the last 48 hours the once Microsoft/Yahoo! deal that was expected to save Yahoo! from financial trouble has fallen apart. The fate of Yahoo! and its future will be determined by tomorrow's actions.

In order to bring most of you up to speed on the ongoing developments between Yahoo! and Microsoft I shall quickly recap. Yahoo! has been facing attempting to negotiate a deal to merge with someone over the last few months. Its main rival Google would be a no go since it the deal would face scrutiny due to monopoly laws. The only other viable source would be Microsoft who had the capital and justification for the purchaser. News Corporation (Murdoch's MySpace Company) became interested but could not afford the asking price form Yaho0. After months of negotiation, the deal was suppose to be finalized by tomorrow, May 5, 2008.

The deal ended up going sour before the due date and the fate of Yahoo! is on the line. What is the impact of this situation though? In the current troubled economic state that we are in, the sky is the limit. This in turn may possibly be the catalyst that history will refer to in books or nothing at all may occur.

I speculate that Yahoo! stocks will take a tumble this week and in 14 days or so, Yahoo! will be bought out by a rival at a discount price. As a cynic, I believe that Microsoft setup this situation in their favor from the get go. Their interest to take over Yahoo! would benefit them the most as it would negatively hurt the most. Microsoft needs some leverage in order to compete with Google and acquiring Yahoo! would help. When other parties became interested in the deal, Microsoft has to commit to their guns and offer a price that other companies could not afford. In a way they inflated the value of Yahoo! temporarily in order to prevent others from attempting to purchase it. At the last minute, Microsoft pulls out of the deal and during the ongoing days and weeks, Yahoo! would lose monetary value and become desperate and accept the first check that rescues them. Would you be surprised if by the end of this ordeal Microsoft ends up with Yahoo? Neither would I. Michael Arrington of TechCrunch offers a similar view on the fate of Yahoo.

I love technological challenges because at the end of the day there is a lesson learned. Currently, I am transitioning from Cable Internet to DSL Internet. I had been a faithful customer of Time Warner Cable ever since Cable internet became available in Houston. To help some folks out that was 8 years ago or since 2000. Even when I went to college I opted for cable with Time Warner except for one year when my only recourse was Comcast.

Then . . . around June of last year, Time Warner sold their rights over to Comcast. My internet speed was a joke and their customer service was horrible.That relationship only lasted 9 months.

That being said . . . I was not too thrilled jumping into DSL but the switch was made and I am currently happy with the results. I own an Airport Express router that has followed me around since college. Other than being able to set it up pretty quickly, this trusty device gives me wireless access to my speakers via AirTunes within iTunes and wireless printing capabilities.

After setting up my wireless connection with AT&T DSL and ensuring that every computer and wireless devices was connecting to the new network, I proceeded to setup my Airport Express. Enter today's challenge!

Under Leopard, AirPort Utility was having trouble "Extending my Wireless Connection" that was distributed by the 2Wire router. After fiddling around with all the settings and researching for about 4 hours on the issue, I could not find a viable solution.

Here is my quick and easy dirty solution. This works with Cable Internet connections as well. Visit your Router settings . . . which if you happen to be on a 2Wire router the address is http://gateway.2wire.net/ and I vaguely remember Linksys was http://192.168.1.1/ (note these links will only work if you happen to have that router). You should find out what your router address is from the manufacturer.

AT&T DSL and 2Wire have schemed on the perfect idea of how to create a wireless network. The router does it by itself and with default network names and passwords. I always thought some tech from AT&T was going around setting up the same generic setup 2WIRE### but was I wrong. When I turned on the router and it received a DSL connection the signal was broad casted. This is the perfect option for those that do not know how to setup their own wireless network. I still recall the learning curve that Linksys provided. Nonetheless, it restrains people have customizing their network settings to a degree.

Here is what you have been waiting for . . . whatever router you use, the changes should be the same but the getting there will be slightly different. Visit http://gateway.2wire.net/ on your computer and click on "View the Home Network" and finally chose to "Edit Wireless Settings" Enter your password (this should be the same one you created before you registered your account with AT&T for your email). That last step is only unique to AT&T customers.

Now comes the fun stuff! You should be in a Wireless Settings Configuration page. The Network Name is the name that you can customize,, by default it is 2WIRE### but you may rename it "Home" or "Office" etc. as long as the name is not being used by anyone near you. The second step is to disable SSID Broadcast. This basically means that you do not want your Network to show up when people look for wireless networks. It hides the network name from letting others to join it unless they know how to spell it exactly. This just means that if your network is "Home" and people try to join it as "home" or "HOME" they will have trouble connecting it. The last step is to disable Encryption aka password. Most of the times you can not join a wireless network because you do not know the password but because we do not publicize the network name due to Step 2, you do not have to worry about setting up a password since people have to know what the network is called to join it. Plus, it makes setting up your Airport Express that much easier if you do not have to mess with an encrypted password. Finally, just run Airport Utility and it should be a piece of cake after that. This whole process should take at the most 15 minutes seriously.

And that is how you set up your Airport Express via AT&T DSL or any other service provider when you are having issues with WPA/WEP encryption. If you have any questions, comments or concerns then feel free to let me know. If you know of a better way to achieve the end goal then do not hesitate in letting me know.

The Public Broadcasting Service in cooperation with Frontline have developed a two part documentary that outlines the Iraq War called Bush's War. There were over 400 hours of footage shot to produce the account of fabrication, escalation, invasion and subsequent aftermath of the United States occupation of Iraq. The best thing is that you do not have to set your DVR or take time out of your schedule to view this masterpiece. It will provided online for free via the Frontline webpage on the PBS website. It is a media rich content that is dynamic and is controlled by the end user. As you watch the film, you are given option to explore more in-depth analysis of particular clips and additional information that may not have fit into the original film but did not deserved to be cut. I recommend spending a lazy Sunday tomorrow checking out the film. Plan on spending anywhere from 2 hours to 5, depending on how much you wish to learn.

Lawsuit Challenges Immigration Raids in New Jersey - Immigration agents systematically entered homes and made arrests without proper warrants during raids to round up immigration fugitives in New Jersey, according to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday. The lawsuit, brought by lawyers at the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall Law School in Newark, will provide a constitutional test of law enforcement methods often used by immigration agents since May 2006 when they began operations across the country to track down and deport immigrants who had been ordered to leave by the courts.

Olympics 'worsening China rights' - China's human rights record is getting worse, not better, because of the Beijing Olympics, a rights group says. According to Amnesty International, China is clamping down on dissent in a bid to portray a stable and harmonious image ahead of the Games in August.

80,000 Jobs Cut in March; Unemployment Rate Rises - The economy shed 80,000 jobs in March, the third consecutive month of rising unemployment, presenting a stark sign that the country may already be in a recession. Sharp downturns in the manufacturing and construction sectors led the decline, the biggest in five years. The Labor Department also said employers cut far more jobs in January and February than originally estimated.

Back to pencil and paper for 2010 census - Technology problems will force the government to count all of the nation's 300 million residents the old-fashioned way in the 2010 census -- with paper and pencil.

Gene links smokers and lung cancer - Three new studies analyzing the genetics of lung cancer have identified two inherited gene variations that raise white smokers' chances of getting the disease by as much as 80 percent compared to tobacco users without the genes. All smokers have a tenfold greater risk for lung cancer than nonsmokers, but less than 20 percent of smokers eventually develop the disease. Scientists believe heredity is why some smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer.

One my my hobbies is running, in fact I am training to run in a marathon. I became addicted after graduating from University and receiving an iPod Nano and a Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. After receiving the Nike Air Max 180+ running shoes as a Christmas gift there was no excuse why I should not run. I love it now!

So, now you know that when I heard that Nike was introducing a sport band that recorded information, I was siked. Although a price has not been acknowledged, I do know that it will hit store shelves on April 10. The Nike+ SportBand records and lets you see distance, pace, time, calories burned all with a glance at your wrist. It can be connected via USB to upload your data to the NikePlus.Com website. It does not act as a a watch nor does it directly compete with the Nike Amp+ watch. I shall hope that one day they do combine both products to make it easier for us tech runners and bear us the embarrasment of explaining to folks why we have two time pieces on our wrist in order to run.

I bought my iPhone back in September 2007 before my 2 month excursion to Europe. I love gadgets and I use technology to its capacity. Currently, I am an owner of a 17' Intel MacBook Pro and I was sold on Apple products. I tout them so if you come here looking for non-bias opinion then looks elsewhere. I love my iPhone but when folks consult me about their decision to purchase one, I am frank and ask them if they will really use it the way it is intended to.

Nonetheless, Michael Mace at Rubicon Consulting has broken down some basic demographics of iPhone users. One thing I do dislike about my iPhone is the social status symbol. It is this symbol that make most people buy it but not use it. So, I was not surprise upon reviewing the data that most people are not using their iPhone the way I do.

The big question is . . . Who owns an iPhone? Well, it turns out that younger adults which 75% were already Apple consumers. Interesting enough that fits me perfectly.

The next question would be . . . What do you do on your iPhone? Honestly, I do everything on my phone. I do have to admit that I do not use my camera phone but who buys an iPhone in order to take pictures? The numbers show that most people Email and I do that when ever I am not around my laptop. Not as many people compose email via their iPhone and I will acknowledge that if I have a choice between composing one on my iPhone or Mac, I opt out for my Mac even if I have to do it later on in the day. I am not used to writing on my iPhone but neither was I great at SMS when I had myK800. Only about 20% use the maps feature which I think is ridiculous since it is an awesome feature especially to aid in avoiding rush hour traffic.

Other data indicated that 63% only carry their iPhone but surprisingly the other third do carry another phone. I purchased an iPhone because I disliked having to carry my cell phone and iPod etc.

So, who suffered from the iPhone entering the SmartPhone market? The Motorola Razr sufered the most from Apple releasing the iPhone. Other Phone marked the larger percentage overall but as a manufactuer Motorola took the greated blow.

As I have claimed many times the impact of the iPhone on the consumer market may not be evident for another two years but rest assure change is on the way. The iPhone has created a minimum standard upon which other manufacturers must meet in order to compete against Apple. Just like 8 years ago when camera phones were introduced, it took about 3 years for all consumers to benefit from having a camera phone due to the new standard. I speculate that in a couple of years consumers will reek in the benefits that are currently unique to Apple and its iPhone. You can review more information concluded from the research via the Rubicon Consulting Firm website. And if you happen to own an iPhone and frequent my website, I have create a web clip so you can add to your home screen to make surfing to my blog easier. Enjoy!

Files Released by Colombia Point to Venezuelan Bid to Arm Rebels - Files provided by Colombian officials from computers they say were captured in a cross-border raid in Ecuador this month appear to tie Venezuela’s government to efforts to secure arms for Colombia’s largest insurgency.

Clinton rejects calls to quit Democratic race - Sen. Hillary Clinton on Saturday rejected calls by supporters of rival candidate Barack Obama to quit the Democratic presidential race, and Obama said Clinton should remain in race "as long as she wants."

Blu-ray copy protection 'cracked' - A company claims it has cracked the anti-piracy technology on Blu-ray discs. Slysoft says the new version of its AnyDVD programme allows users to make "backup security copies" of high definition movies. The claim is a blow to Sony which developed the Blu-ray format.

Sadr Makes Truce Offer - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is offering to pull his fighters off the streets of Basra and other cities if the government halts raids against his followers and releases prisoners held without charge. The offer is contained in a nine-point statement issued by his headquarters in Najaf.

'Open Skies' heralds new era in air travel - The first plane has landed under the "Open Skies" agreement between the United States and Europe, heralding what many hope will be a new era in air travel. The Continental Airways flight from Newark to Heathrow touched down under rainy London skies at dawn on Sunday morning.

Adobe has released a free online version of Photoshop called Photoshop Express. It doesn't have as many options as Adobe Photoshop but what do you expect from a free web based app? For those that do not have a high end computer that can handle the robust power that Photoshop usually requires this web based version will be ideal.

Another great thing is that it comes with 2 Gb of free online storage which I predict will increase in about a year. I recommend this program for folks that want to edit their photos but do not have the knowledge or time to learn the skills  necessary to create certain effects. It's extremely user friendly and it attempts to create a community based photo website along the way so you can share with family and friends. There may be more features then what some people may need but for those that do not want to shell out for the actual application this is a great deal. I recommend checking out the video for more information.

Clinton, Obama offer economic recovery plans - Democrat Barack Obama said today tougher government regulations that reflect the realities of modern finance are needed to get a grip on the economy before it gets even worse. Rival Hillary Rodham Clinton said Republican nominee-in-waiting John McCain isn't prepared to handle a call about an economic emergency.

Thousands in Baghdad Protest Basra Assault - In direct confrontation with the American-backed government in Iraq, thousands of supporters of the powerful Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army militia took to the streets of Baghdad on Thursday to protest the Iraqi Army’s assault on the southern port city of Basra, as intense fighting continued there for a third day.

Dollar gains on weak economic growth - The dollar gained against the euro on Thursday as data confirmed that the United States economy was still growing in the fourth quarter, albeit weakly. The euro bought $1.5784 in afternoon European trading, down from $1.5815 in New York late Wednesday.

Oil hits $107 on pipeline blast - Oil prices touched $107 a barrel after one of Iraq's main export pipelines was blown up. The rise extended Wednesday's gains of $4 a barrel after a US report showed lower-than-expected petrol stocks.

YouTube Feature Tells Video Creators When and Where a Clip Is Being Watched - In a move to provide better data to its users, YouTube formally announced late Wednesday that it had added a free feature that will show video creators when and where viewers are watching their videos. With this, the company hopes to turn YouTube from an online video site into a place where marketers can test their messages, Tracy Chan, YouTube product manager, said.

I love to share my music. Perhaps because the artist I like are underground or their music is a tad bit hard to find. Nonetheless, Muxtape makes it easy for anyone to share their mixtapes composed of their own music for FREE via their website. It takes longer deciding which 12 tracks to share with friends than it does to signup. The playlist is presented in a beautiful minimalist fashion and playing the songs does not take a rocket scientist to figure out. I created my own playlist which if I could title it would be "On the Grind." It is music that makes me work hard and keep me motivated on my end goal. I also run to this type of music. Nonetheless, you can check out my playlist here and don't forget to signup and share your music with friends as well. Muxtape launched yesterday and they are already receiving the press and traffic they deserve. Join early before the fun is over!

[Update] Due to the music that I uploaded being .m4a, there are technical difficulties in listening to my playlist. Rest assure for those that only have .m4a like myself that the fix is just around the corner. If you just can't wait then I recommend converting your songs to .mp3 with your favorite music player.