SOPA that stands for Stop Online Piracy Act basically deals with copyright infringement and piracy. To curb the rising incidents of online trafficking, piracy and copyright infringement the US government passed this bill on November 26, 2011.

This bill has been witnessing vociferous protests from the tech world with giants like Wikipedia, Google, Facebook among others uniting to fight against it.

The bill as per the US government is aimed at protecting the privileges of all copyright holders. The provision also grants the permission to the copyright holder to drag any website, which facilitates copyrighting, to court.

In simple terms it is a nightmare that popular search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing might have to endure. Experts believe that if legislated, SOPA will restrict the performance of these search engines as they would not be allowed to link themselves to such sites and worst of all feature these sites on their search list.

SOPA and its counterpart PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) have received worldwide criticism although many are in favor of the two bills. From eminent techies to Hollywood celebrities many have come forward in the open opposing these bills.

The show is organized each year by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), a paramount trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion US consumer technology industry. CEA is an association with 2,000 corporate members that are involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products.

Profits earned from the show are pumped back into the industry services that go into providing technical training, education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

The show is more than four decades old and is held each year for the consumer electronics companies to showcase their new inventions.

CES 2012 was held across 1.8 million square feet and witnessed more than 140,000 attendees from across the globe. The biggest names in technology graced it with their presence.

CES 2012 was a mega display of gadgets of all ranges. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, LCDs, LEDs amongst others by various companies like Samsung, Microsoft, LG, Toshiba, Intel etc were unveiled during the show.

Major news at CES 2012

• LG unveiled stunning 55-inch OLED TV
• Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft gave last ever Microsoft keynote
• Microsoft announced Kinect, motion and gesture control, for Windows PCs
• Sony reveled new Crystal LED tech to rival OLED
• Intel promised touch-enabled Ultrabooks
• Samsung unveiled its Smart Window, a 22-inch LCD display

15 big names in the tech industry are all set to announce coming Monday DMARC.org, acronym for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance-a system for validating and confirming that e-mails received are from legitimate sources.

The number of phishing e-mails is on a rise lately. Phishing as defined by Dictionary.com denotes, “To try to obtain financial or other confidential information from Internet users, typically by sending e-mail that looks as if it is from a legitimate organization, usually a financial institution, but contains a link to a fake Website that replicates the real one.”

DMARC.org is a method that offers a common way for companies to authenticate their legitimate communications with customers.

AOL, Bank of America, Fidelity Investments, American Greetings, LinkedIn, and e-mail security providers Agari, Cloudmark, eCert, Return Path, and Trusted Domain Project are other companies supporting the DMARC.org campaign.

DMARC.org plans to submit the DMARC specification to the Internet Engineering Task Force for standardization.

Rovio, maker of the greatly popular avian game Angry Birds, confirmed the arrival of the game on Facebook in an official statement.

The official launch is all set to happen in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. It is pertinent to mention here that Indonesia comprises second biggest market for Facebook outside the US.

Rovio posted on its official page, “Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like competitive pig-popping among friends!” “Join in on the fun — mark this date on your calendar, and let’s make this the biggest Facebook event ever!”

140-character long tweets or messages were used by protestors during the uprising in Syria, Egypt and Libya to report facts and voice their opinion on the ground reality.

San Francisco-based Twitter presses that its move in no way compromises its commitment to free speech. However, its announcement has sparked off protests and anti-Twitter campaigns the world over by activists and users alike. They are calling to boycott the services Twitter altogether for curbing their right to free speech.

People are also questioning Twitter’s motive towards such a move. Olivier Basille, director of Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) questioned if Twitter’s move was motivated by a desire to enter China, where the service is currently blocked.

In its blog post, Twitter explained that the ability to block tweets by specific country would allow the rest of the world to continue to see them.

Twitter pledged to be transparent and said it would post details of any removal of content to ChillingEffects.org, a public database of takedown requests.

“As we continue to grow internationally, we will enter countries that have different ideas about the contours of freedom of expression,” Twitter said. “Some differ so much from our ideas that we will not be able to exist there.

“Others are similar but, for historical or cultural reasons, restrict certain types of content, such as France or Germany, which ban pro-Nazi content,” Twitter said.

Technology bloggers said Twitter, by giving itself the ability to block content selectively for legal reasons, was falling in line with practices already followed by other Web giants such as Google, Facebook and eBay.

• Use original batteries and chargers
For laptops use only original batteries and chargers. By using the cheaper version of batteries and chargers you stand at a risk of uninvited danger that can turn fatal.

• Don’t use laptop on the bed
A common practice by youngsters, professionals, elderly and amateurs alike, bed is a convenient
Place to work on the laptop.

You should avoid using laptop on the bed as the device may absorb dust, causing blockage to the cooling fan and overheating.

• Use cooling pads
Use cooling pads and stands with cooling fans available in the market. These prevent your laptop from overheating thus catching fire.

• Avoid ash tray proximity
Those who smoke while working on the laptops must ensure that the ash tray should be kept at a distance from the device. The best way to avoid the proximity is by not smoking at all while on the laptop.

• Avoid local accessories
You should avoid buying accessories for your priced possession from local vendors. Most accessories arrive untested that can trigger the fire in your laptop.

• Use high-capacity stabilizers
Use high capacity stabilizers at the main switch board to handle voltage fluctuations. Also you should take care of your surroundings and find out catalysts that may pose as a threat to your laptop. You may also use a high capacity surge protector for your laptop.

• Software fixes
You may also get software installed that avoids laptops from overheating. Furthermore you can follow battery saving tips like reducing the brightness of your device and reduce the CPU clock speed.

Using this modern model websites are designed in an advanced 4 column layout, with the width of 1292 pixels, on a 1025 pixel width screen, that auto simplifies into 2 columns.

Responsive Web Design is nothing but an extension of the ever evolving technology. Websites designed using this theory also comfortably fit on the screens of smartphones and computer tablets. This designing technique is distinctive version than the traditional way of web designing and development.

Designing is a creative art and creativity is ingrained. Every designer in that respect is a creative entity giving pumping life into text through his breathtaking designs. Creativity when coupled with the latest technology only leads to unthinkable marvel. And Responsive Web Design is one such wonder born out of a creative technological mix.

Courtesy: http://bradfrostweb.com/blog/web/mobile-first-responsive-web-design/

Although every designer is well versed with his job, it is important for him to understand the essentials, procedures, intricacies and particulars involved with the latest technology used in his forte domain.

Responsible Web Design is the step ahead in the world of technology that makes use of scalable images and adjustable layouts. Today’s Responsive Websites take an analogous approach by using fluid widths in percentages and ems The whole concept therefore, revolves around the kind of screen-size to be used while surfing a particular website.

Fundamentals in Responsive Web Design:
• Flexible Layouts
• Flexible Images
• Media Queries

Flexible Layouts
This is the first step involved in Responsive Web Design. With every change in browser width, the fluid grids tend to resize and reposition the content. Tiny Fluid Grid is a free yet magnificent tool for creating flood grids.

Flexible Images
As cliché as it may sound, adjustable images play a significant part in Responsive Web Design technique. Images can be resized either on the fly or through the process of dynamical cropping. Combination of both these processes enables the image to resize itself automatically when it is below a particular size.

Media Queries
Media Queries allows the designers to produce multiple layouts using the same content. To achieve scalability, CSS media queries are used to apply different page styling according to certain parameters, like min-width and orientation.

Owners of websites must utilize the Responsive Web Design services to gain visitor traffic to their websites and earn as much business.

If you remember Tom Crisue starrer Hollywood film Minority Report, wherein he stands in front of a huge transparent glass screen and uses his hand movements to call up information and interact in a virtual interface with objects in 3D, is not a fantasy any more.

Yes, South Korean Samsung Group has made it possible by developing that screen for all you gadget freaks to take home. The multinational showcased its product called Samsung Smart Window at the International Consumer Electronics Show 2012 held at Las Vegas recently.

Courtesy: http://www.cybertheater.com/samsungs-46-inch-transparent-touch-lcd-display/

The Smart Window truly is a treat to everyone, feel people associated with the world of technology. NO wonder the amazing product won CES-2012 Innovation Award at its debut. Smart Window is indeed a smart creation from the electronics maker.

It is a transparent 22-inch LCD display that can do anything a modern tablet is equipped with. Comprising a screen resolution of 1680*1080 pixels and 500:1 contrast ratio, the screen is about 20-22 percent more transparent than the conventional LCDs known to us. That is however, not the ultimate thing about the Smart Window. The fact that one can look through the screen is the catch point about this incredible product.

The Window screen is made up of a single side mirror therefore you don’t need to worry as Samsung has ensured your privacy to the highest degree. Imagine the delight of looking through the window at the lovely weather outside and getting the forecast for the coming hours all at the same time, same place.

Samsung’s pioneering technology doesn’t end here. The company has, besides creating the power-packed Window, developed a number of apps including digital blinds for it. The digital blind app adds a tinge of to thrill to the window as it makes you feel like controlling a (real) window real time.

The blind fold feature lets you control the Smart Window along with controlling the amount of light coming in by opening /closing the blinds. Sitting besides the window isn’t going to be a boring affair any more as you can now access Twitter and even work besides accessing Microsoft Office. You can also watch TV on this window.

And when night falls the window screen, that has two edge-lighting sources, becomes visible in case it is really dark outside.

Samsung Smart Window is indeed set to redefine the world of technology inciting the spirit in us wanting for more!

Considering the fact that market is a highly volatile territory surrounded with competition and competitors. And when the industry is Information Technology, tech companies need to be painstakingly careful about designing web pages displaying their product and service details easily accessible to rivals.

As a student of Journalism, I remember faculty members hammering the statement “Too much content crams the webpage and wrings its appeal. As such, viewers feel uncomfortable reading through,” into our heads. (This is not the exact statement but an approximate interpretation). Back then I could not really understand its significance but looking at the picture below, I now realize the hidden valuable meaning.

Courtesy: http://twitpic.com/89a47m/full

Back in school a visiting Professor had once said, “Work smart, not hard.” His speech had awed me. For a long time it left me wondering whether it was safer to work hard or smart. Although it is true that one must work smart to achieve goals but in the process one should remain grounded to the basics. Sometimes an overdose of “Smartness” can turn fatal!

In a typical case of playing over-smart, HP made a blunder by creating a crammed landing page that displays its product line HP ENVY 14 series. The web page looks more like a storehouse of information, most of which appears irrelevant owing to the placement of heavy text all around. The color scheme and overall presentation make it the perfect murderous web page that killed the urge in me to even peep at the actual product on display.

Plus the non-stop cognate details, splashed all around, in an unpleasant manner added to the demise of the web page. Going by the reputation that Hewlett-Packard (HP) has earned over the years, the web page came in as a shocker. The overall customer rating blurb on the top is a self-praise trick. And as it is self praise has no recommendation. We didn’t expect HP’s standards to deteriorate to such an extent. They can do a better job than producing a lousy landing page as this.

On the other hand Apple has done a decent rather an elegant job by creating a soothing landing page for its MacBook Air. This web page is an amalgam of simplicity and plainness. The page is not only pleasing but aptly informative and enticing. I did read though the whole page with tranquility and ease that too without feeling overburdened at any point of time.

Courtesy: http://twitpic.com/89a4ay/full

Apple has managed to convey the right message in a right way to its prospective customers wherein HP has faltered at every step. Apparently HP forgot its basics! Nevertheless, a business should stick to its fundamentals than trying to experiment with the patience of its end use consumers and prospects.

HP indeed dug its own hole to pave way for Apple to have the final bite of the slice!

SOPA that stands for Stop Online Piracy Act basically deals with copyright infringement and piracy. To curb the rising incidents of online trafficking, piracy and copyright infringement the US government passed this bill on November 26, 2011.

This bill is slowly witnessing vociferous protests from the tech world with giants like Wikipedia, Google, Facebook among others uniting to fight against it.

The bill as per the US government is aimed at protecting the privileges of all copyright holders. The provision also grants the permission to the copyright holder to drag any website, which facilitates copyrighting, to court.

In simple terms it is a nightmare that popular search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing might have to endure. If legislated, SOPA will restrict the performance of these search engines as they would not be allowed to link themselves to such sites and worst of all feature these sites on their search list.

SOPA and its counterpart PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) have received worldwide criticism although many are in favor of the two bills. From eminent techies to Hollywood celebrities many have come forward in the open against these bills.

As a means of peaceful dissent, Wikipedia, Reddit and many other popular websites temporarily went dark for as long as 24 hours. Speaking to a news agency Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales said, “Within our community we’re very strong defenders of copyright. … The other side will try to paint this as anybody who’s opposed to this must be making money off of piracy or be in favor of piracy. That isn’t true. The issue here is that this law is very badly written, very broadly overreaching.”

Courtesy: http://wir.okfn.org/2012/01/18/asylum-for-the-research-works-act-entry-on-the-english-wikipedia/

Celebs like Ashton Kutcher, Kim Kardashian and Kevin Smith choose Twitter to spread awareness for anti-SOPA/PIPA bill. Kutcher tweeted, “Please don’t ignore what’s happening here. IMPORTANT MOMENT IN HISTORY! #StopSOPA,” Kardashian wrote, “We must stop SOPA/PIPA to keep the web open & free,” and Smith said, “Tell Congress: Don’t censor the web!”

News reports claim until yesterday Congress had 80 supporters in favor of the oppressive SOPA-PIPA legislation, but the support seems to have fallen to 63, with 17 members backing off in the wake of growing protests.

Highlights of SOPA/PIPA:

• Bills propose to curb piracy of movies and other content by “rogue” websites.
• Permits government to shut websites that use copyrighted materials and sell counterfeit goods.
• Those who oppose the bills complained that the bills could easily be abused.

Within hours of the websites going dark in protest, the rally against this anti-piracy legislation spread quickly with protestors taking out rallies on the roads. Lawmakers in the US were flooded with calls and queries. While many believe that these bills are a move to curtail an individual’s right to freedom of speech a particular section believes it to be the correct step towards checking the free flow of indecent and incorrect information online.

There however, is a fragment of the society which believes that these bills won’t make much difference to restrain piracy as there is every possibility that pirates will find another way out to continue with their notorious activities.

SOPA is believed to be draconian and backward in nature. It is said to violate civil liberties of internet users and companies by so called protection of intellectual property by US lawmakers that, if implemented, will certainly hurt business of many internet companies.