With the Internet’s growing size, security is becoming a larger problem. The number of malicious websites lurking and looming within the Internet’s darkest corners is increasing daily. The question is - why do anti-virus software companies still attempt to combat this problem?

Instead of releasing numerous updates every month addressing new viruses and spyware, why not actually help to create a strengthened security infrastructure for the operating systems themselves? For the upcoming arrival of Windows 7, if Microsoft were to collaborate with McAfee by actually making the Windows operating system a more secure environment it would become more desirable. Needless to say, Microsoft could do with a little PR improvement as of late.

On the other hand, can an operating system ever be truly safe, secure and immune from malicious programs? Will the hackers ever cease hacking - the answer is sadly no. Too many people are blissfully unaware of the dangers that await them and are all too happy to open emails from unknown senders.

Many Vista users were unhappy with the heightened security features included, but I saw this as Microsoft’s first steps in an effort to actually improve their operating system’s security. Apple actually offer prize money to hackers for managing to infiltrate their operating system; this means Apple are always one step ahead of potential bugs and holes which may be exploited. 

If you’re using Windows and have a tendency to frequently visit porn sites make sure you have anti-virus software installed and regularly run spyware checks! I personally recommend using Spybot-Search & Destroy as well as Ad-Aware - both are free and easy to use!

I’ve rambled on about the Internet’s growth and evolution in previous posts and I thought it might be nice to discuss what an exciting place it’s become. 

Since the introduction of sites such as MySpace, Digg, Facebook and Twitter the Internet has actually become ‘cool’. A place for everybody to hang around on - not just the nerds and code junkies. Friends and families can socialize with each other without having to move an inch. This has all been made possible by the nerds who develop, design and create exciting new sites which as a result has given the sector of ‘Web Development’ an enormous bump in popularity. If you meet someone who introduces themselves by saying “I work for Facebook” - the general response is “Wow, that’s cool!”.

The intuitiveness of our modern-day developers has most importantly allowed the Internet to appeal to almost everybody; whether you’re promoting your business or trying to meet new friends - the Internet is the place to be! Designers also need to be commended - they are key between the web and people. They create the beautiful Web 2.0 interfaces which give life, character and energy to websites, and most of all make them a pleasure to use.

The endless hours people spend playing Facebook applications or Digging news stories has all been made possible by the developers! Therefore, we should all raise a glass to the developers and designers who have made the Internet into a powerful tool and a great place to be!

Way back in the old days (an era I’m pleased to say that I wasn’t around for) the world wide web was vastly different to the tool that it has evolved into today. People would actually have to sit and wait for their Internet to connect through a dial-up connection. Even today, a computer using a dial-up connection would max out at around 56kbps through a standard modem (for the non-nerds, that means slow). The web is constantly evolving, growing and developing - but is this a good thing?

One of the most notable features of the Internet today is the speed at which one can acquire information on almost any topic. Back in the good ol’ days, people would have to walk down to a local library and actually spend time researching, reading and renting numerous books on a desired topic. Nowadays, however, a simple Google or Wikipedia search can achieve the same results in far less time and to a more specific degree. 

Next, the arrival of social networking shows how the Internet can appeal to everybody. Children, teenagers, adults, and even some grandparents can now be found lurking around sites such as MySpace and Facebook. One can follow the activity of their friends and communicate instantly in real-time, preventing the need for one to even go outside.

Another benefit of the real-time feature that the Internet possesses is yet again the speed at which one can find latest news - globally, regionally or locally. A disastrous event could occur thousands of miles away, but it might only take a few seconds to find out.

Email is perhaps one of the most revolutionary advantages of having a world wide web. Try to imagine a world where businesses had to send telegrams or letters to one another - impossible, right?  

We can see how as the Internet evolves new websites, services and tools are created. The examples above barely scrape the surface of the Internet’s overwhelming power - what do you think?

I’ve been an ‘Apple Fanboy’ for years now and my obsession began after I purchased my Macbook 13″ in late 2006.

Unfortunately, yesterday evening my Macbook’s desktop suddenly froze and became totally unresponsive. As a normal person would, I rebooted manually which resulted in a grinding noise and a white screen. Moments later, a folder with a white flashing question mark appeared and after around 3 minutes it turned itself off. Apparently this is caused by an inability to find the boot disk or a problem with the keyboard.

This, sadly, isn’t the first time I have had to deal with a hardware issue. After returning back from the States this summer I came back to find that my Macbook’s battery had died and after speaking to the technical support team - the issue was apparently known to be lurking in the late 2006 white Macbook models. Apple dealt with the situation promptly and sent me a replacement battery free-of-charge. I just hope they do the same this time….

A 2 year old Macbook shouldn’t be experiencing such bad problems, considering it cost well over £1000. I’ve booked a session with the Genius Bar for Tuesday - I just hope they know what to do.

Updates to follow.

-UPDATE [11/11/08] : Just got off the phone with the Apple Genius Bar (my Mum had taken the Macbook into them), they have diagnosed the problem as a hard drive failure.

-UPDATE [11/11/08] : Rather than having a 60GB Hard Drive replaced, instead I just bought a 250GB one and manually installed it myself - everything is good again

The web has evolved massively over the past 10 years, with the number of new technologies, sites and services growing rapidly. One strand of which is the popular trend of social networking.

Social networking is the collective term for sites that provide a method of communication and connection to other individuals that are similar or connected to you in some way.

The social networking boom mainly started with the arrival of MySpace in August 2003. MySpace can be described as a website “offering an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music and videos for teenagers and adults internationally”. This is all sounds very exciting, but what actually attracts their 230,000 sign-ups every day?

More recent still is Facebook who opened it’s wings in early 2004. Wikipedia describes Facebook as a place where “users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profile to notify friends about themselves”. As awesome as that sounds - looking a little deeper it sounds more like social spying. The question is, what delusion must people be under to believe that their friends actually enjoy the constant notifications as to what they’re doing, when they’re doing it and how they’re doing it. Although there are numerous other features that Facebook offers such as a plentiful application resource - surely the site is just distracting people from actually getting on with their lives ? Wikipedia also mentions that “It has also been banned at many places of work to increase productivity”.

Social networking does have many positive aspects; most prominently connecting users with other like-minded users. But when people become so addicted to sites such as MySpace and Facebook, surely they lose their ability to socialise altogether - simply relying on the updated statuses of their friends for their social entertainment.

On the other hand, sites such as Digg - who offer an actual service to users as well as social networking capabilities seem much more time-worthy. Digg allows its members to inevitably control the front-page of a news website. Articles and images, submitted by users are ‘Dugg’ by their fellow members and therefore content submitted that receives a high number of ‘Diggs’ makes its way to the front-page. Digg utilises social networking, or ‘Social Bookmarking’ aspects by displaying specific recent submissions to members who are interested in that genre of content (deduced by ones ‘Digging’ history), and other users who share a similar Digging-pattern as you. With that said, surely Digg’s usage of social interaction with those similar to you is more effective and useful because their service is enhanced by social networking - as opposed to simply relying on it.

Well that’s my perception of the social networking phenomenon, what’s yours?

Yes, that’s right - I’ve finally succumbed to the peer-pressure exalted upon me by creating a ranting blog.

Stay tuned!

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