For my Computer Security students in the Network Security Club.

http://www.itbusinessedge.com/slideshows/network-visibility-can-help-avoid-the-it-blame-game.html?google_editors_picks=true

Network Visibility Can Help Avoid the IT Blame Game

The proliferation of data on enterprise networks continues to increase with the rising demand for such technologies as virtualization, software-defined networking, and high-performance computing, as well as a growing dependency on mobility across the workforce. Couple this with a sophisticated cyber attack landscape, and it’s all IT can do to keep up with network activity.

… Click through for results from a survey on network visibility and monitoring tools in IT operations, conducted by Emulex.

A common problem. Do they somehow get paid based on the number of participants?

Protecting privacy while gathering health data

Stephanie M. Lee reports that the recent announcement by rival insurers Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross that they would team up to create an health information sharing network with their combined 9 million patients is raising privacy concerns. All members will be participants by default in Cal Index unless they opt out.

Lee Tien of EFF gets to the crux of the matter:

As Tien put it, “The industry has never liked opt-in. Privacy advocates believe in opt-in.”

By default, the 9 million patients in Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross will become part of the network. Before the system goes live, members will be told of a website where they can choose to not have their information shared, said Dr. Ken Park, vice president of payer and provider solutions at Anthem Blue Cross. Those patients will still receive coverage and treatment.

Cal Index chose this approach to try to balance privacy protection and participation rates, given that rates can sometimes be lower when people are asked to opt in, Park said.

Read more on SFGate.

Perhaps they are learning.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2014/0808/FCC-to-wireless-providers-When-do-you-slow-download-speeds

FCC to wireless providers: When do you slow download speeds?

… Verizon, the biggest U.S. carrier, said last month that the top 5 percent of high-speed data users on its older unlimited data plans might experience slower speeds starting in October.

In a letter to Verizon, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said he was "deeply troubled" by the plan and expressed concern the decision to slow data was based on consumers' plans instead of network needs.

(Related)

http://www.realtytoday.com/articles/6231/20140809/states-fastest-internet-speed-winner-is%E2%80%A6.htm

US States with Fastest Internet Speed; And the Winner is…

There's an App for that too. Unfortunately.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/app-alerts-people-to-avoid-unsafe-areas-114080900085_1.html

App alerts people to avoid unsafe areas

A new app is here that alerts users to avoid "sketchy" areas and provides safe walking directions in the neighbourhood.

The app has also invited some sharp reactions from people who think it will fuel racism.

Launching it on the iTunes app store for New York City users, the app will provide walking directions on a map based on user feedback and allow people to "share pro tips about what routes you take and why".

SketchFactor is a tool for anyone, anywhere, at any time.

… According to McGuire, she was inspired to create the app after living in Washington, DC, as a young non-profit worker.

Perhaps my student vets would find this amusing. (The Marines read “Ender's Game” – interesting.)

http://www.businessinsider.com/army-reading-list-2014-8?google_editors_picks=true

The 13 Best Books The Army Wants Its Leaders To Read

… Unlike the Marine Corps' reading list which is broken down by rank or topic, the Army's reading list is broken down into three categories: "Armies at War: Battles and Campaigns," "The Army Profession," and "Strategy and the Strategic Environment." The Army explains that the sublists are appropriate for any rank and that they allow the reader to choose the topics that best suit their interests.

The list is published annually, and the current list can be seen in full here. We've picked thirteen of our favorites and offer a brief glimpse into each

For my students.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/app-store-productivity-sale-boxer-fantastical-prizmo-reduced-ios-sales/

Apps on Sale

… This week’s sales are all about productivity, with some of the App Store’s best email applications, calendars, scanners and sketching environments slashed in price. There’s also the usual smattering of games, like Deus Ex: The Fall for the bargain price of a dollar.

For my geeky students.

LittleBits

http://littlebits.cc/

– is the easiest, most extensive way to learn and prototype with electronics. They are born out of the Maker Movement and have been helping lead the Open Hardware Movement. That’s why littleBits is open source and building a community of contributors who experiment, share online, and learn from each other’s creativity. Designs are publicly available to anyone.

Laugh it up!

Hack Education Weekly News

… Catherine Sugrue, who’s twice failed the Chicago Public Schools’ selection test for principals, will become the principal at Gray Elementary. Sugrue is the sister of Chicago Alderman Patrick O’Connor. Ah, Chicago politics.

… A two part guide (1, 2) from the EFF on using Tor – a “network of virtual tunnels that allows people and groups to improve their privacy and security on the Internet” – on college campuses.

… “Millennial” parents (those under age 34) are less satisfied with the availability and use of technology in schools than older parents, according to a survey conducted by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.