The Absolute Best PC Games in Every Genre

Folks, a few of you may find this guide of interest.

* The Absolute Best PC Games in Every Genre

“Whether you’re a fan of critically acclaimed indies or big-budget blockbusters, there’s a PC game for you. Check our list of the 81 best games right now.” Read more..

* * *

Today’s quote: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~ William James

Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

The 15 Best Android Games

Would you believe, the only one of these even mildly interesting to me involves Kim Kardashian?

* The 15 Best Android Games

“Your Android device is the portal to an amazing selection of world-class gaming. Here are our favorites.” Read more..

[ Pretty liberal use of the term “world class”..! ]

Other Items (of possible interest):

* Angler Exploit Kit pushed in xHamster malvertising campaign

“Researchers with Malwarebytes Labs identified a malvertising campaign impacting popular adult website xHamster..” Read more..

[Geekspeak translation: “malvertising” describes when the ads are used to give you viruses.] (One more reasone to use ad blockers.. (as if you need another))

* How to Avoid Sharing Lies, Myths, and Nonsense Online

“People share stupid things online. Here’s some steps to take before you circulate the same nonsense.” Read more..

* * *

Today’s quote: “Choose being kind over being right and you’ll be right every time.” ~ Richard Carlson

Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Angry Birds is Big Brother

Here’s some food for your mind.

* The NSA Is Using Angry Birds to Spy on You

“Many popular smartphone apps are being mined for user data by the government, and authorities are using them to track your sexual habits.” Read more..

* The Only Thing Scarier Than Self-Driving Cars Are the Hackers Waiting to Attack Them

“A new study claims that nearly 54 million autonomous vehicles will be sold by 2035. But as smart devices proliferate across all categories, risks abound.” Read more..

* Malicious intent can turn Chrome speech recognition into spying device

“A speech recognition expert contends malicious players can turn Google’s Chrome web browser into a remote listening device.” Read more..

* The Real Reason Why Google Bought Nest for $3.2 Billion

“Here’s a hint: It has to do with things people do ‘twice a day.‘” Read more..

* Did you miss it? Tuesday was Data Privacy Day.

Yes, that’s right. Data Privacy Day. Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance (aka staysafeonline.org).

“Today the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is officially kicking off Data Privacy Day 2014, along with federal and private sector leaders. The theme for Data Privacy Day is Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust and will be echoed during numerous local and online events taking place globally and around the country.“

I did not notify you of this important event. Why?

“NCSA is teaming up with Facebook to broadcast the Data Privacy Day Kick Off event live online for the world to watch.“

ROTFLOL. Facebook???? It sure seems to me… somebody just isn’t “getting it”.
* Facebook CEO Admits To Calling Users ‘Dumb Fucks’

“Mark Zuckerberg admits in a New Yorker profile that he mocked early Facebook users for trusting him with their personal information.” Read more..

* Privacy no longer a social norm, says Facebook founder

“The rise of social networking online means that people no longer have an expectation of privacy, according to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.” Read more..

There’s some important things to know in the information above. I hope you’ll do some reading, and then tell your friends/family. (Because yes, the lunatics are running the asylum.) I apologize, Dear Reader, for reprinting that naughty word, but I do believe there’s good cause.

* Work From Home Like a Boss: Top Tech for Your Home Office

“Here are four tech tools to help telecommuters work harder, smarter and, yes, more comfortably, too.” Read more..

[Question: will these devices really help someone be more productive?]

Today’s quote: “If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it. That’s all it takes to get people to win football games for you.” ~ Bear Bryant

It is incumbent upon us to use the brains we have …

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories. Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of. And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.

New! A Practical Use For Your Xbox

Great News For Couch Potatos!

The feature article in this week’s Windows Secrets caught my eye, and I’m very glad it did, as what seemed frivolous at first pointed to a glimpse of our (soon to be) future. And it seems everything in our future assumes we’re sitting in front of a big screen on our couch..

The article is: Pizza and tech: An app creates the perfect combo

See? Frivolous, right? But what it means is you can now order a pizza from your Xbox (no need to interrupt that game).

But wait! There’s more (scarier) stuff thanks to the coming Xbox One (and the second generation of Kinect). The (article’s) ‘blurb’ reads…

“There’s an app for that! We’re now well into an era of mini-apps — created for smartphones, adopted by Windows 8, and now rapidly making their way onto entertainment systems and other digital devices. In a preview of things to come, a Pizza Hut app lets you order your favorite pie right from your Xbox 360 gaming/entertainment system.“

.. and frankly, I almost didn’t read the article (I mean, I have a life). But I read all the way through, and that’s where it got interesting.

“Xbox One will include a dramatically improved Kinect built in. It can track heartbeats, muscular movement, and even your facial expressions — which is already generating discussions about personal privacy, as reported in a June 13 Rolling Stone article. It’ll even know when you’re bored, frustrated, or scared while playing a game.“

What? A box will be watching my face? And monitoring my emotions???

“The new Xbox includes a built-in, 1080p camera that can “see” you more accurately — whether good or bad, your Xbox persona might actually look like you. The system’s facial recognition automatically signs you in to a specific controller. It’s said that the Xbox One/Kinect combination can even track your movements in a completely dark room (for what purpose remains to be seen).“

Holy jumpin’ Jehoshaphat. Does that sound good to you? If not, this should sell you on the new Xbox One..

“Xbox One’s enhanced Kinect has new voice commands, enabling such real-world tasks as calling others on Skype and ordering movie tickets. You can also open multiple screens, letting you play a game or watch a movie and chat with friends or family at the same time.“

Wow. Yes. That’s what we want. No need to interrupt the Amusements.. for any one or any thing. Insane. Scratch that. Let me just leave you with this idea: 

To read the entire article yourself, click here.; and for the “privacy concerns” article, click here. (Both are Reco’d)

Today’s quote: “Open the pod bay doors, Hal.”

source: sodahead.com

(I am reminded of the “Chucky” movies. I mean, all you do is bring a toy (a doll, in this case) into your house… and the nightmare begins.)

* Facial recognition (and analysis).
* Listens for patterns.
* Voice recognition.
* Sees in the dark.
* Always on.
* Reporting back to the mothership (Microsoft).

No potential for problems there.
No sir.
None.

So here’s yet another Microsoft product I wouldn’t touch with a 10′ pole. (Did I mention? I’ve been a Microsoft user since Windows 3.11?) Things are indeed changing..
Read the articles. Find out about the Xbox One.

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories. Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

A Bargain For Some Games (and Music)

And A Word About “Flame”..

Folks, a helpful reader left a comment telling me about an “indie bundle” deal on (12) games and music you may want to be aware of. These types of deals let you set the price, and your contribution can help charity. [note: Steam is required for most of these..] I quote:

“Here is a Game sale and you give to charity. 5.99 for 12 games plus music…

Indie Gala V is LIVE ! – YouTube

“Gives fans of indie games and indie music a chance to save money on awesome games and albums and contribute to a good cause at the same time!

We believe that there is a close link between music, video games and comics.They are all forms of art that often complement each other. With our initiative we want to give many talented developers and artists the opportunity to have a wider audience.

IndieGala lets customers set their own price for high-quality indie games and music, then donate some or all of the proceeds to Able Gamers and Italian Red Cross for helping Emilia hit by earthquake.”

Web site: The Indie Gala

Making History: The Calm & the Storm (Steam key) Beat Hazard (DRM free) Razor 2: Hidden Skies (Steam) Ironclads Collection includes all five games (Steam Key) Space Empires 4 Deluxe (Steam) Battle Mages (DRM free) World Rally Championship Racing (DRM free)

Bad Rats: Rats Revenge (Steam) Disciples II: Rise of the Elves (Steam) Puzzle Kingdoms (Steam) Ninja Blade (DRM free) SBK: Superbike World Championship (DRM free) With music tracks to be added later.

Thank you, Dear Reader, for sharing this with us!

Today’s reading reco: (I have been telling you,  for some years now, that {some of} the malware I encounter is military grade..)  Flame Malware: Cybergeddon or Old News?

“Over the holiday weekend the online news networks were abuzz with news of a “massive cyber threat” variously called Flame, Flamer, or sKyWIper.” Read more..

(Irresponsible journalism creating hype [for ratings]??? Never happens. Learn the skinny. Click the link.)

(.. but, no. I have not seen Flame/Flamer/sKyWIper.. yet.)

Of possible interest: First time I have seen that.. $1 per Gigabyte.. on a solid-state (hard) drive. (Click here if you don’t believe me..)

Today’s Quotable Quote: “Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort.” ~ Humphry Davy

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

---

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

How About Some Friday Fun?

Do you like puzzles?

Okay. I have one for you. Can you explain why a “company” (and I do use the term loosely) which produces not one thing (aka “goods”), has no assets (other than a few employees), and probably is responsible for reducing the GNP (by enhancing worker un-productivity), can be “valued” at $104 BILLION (and climbing)?

Uh.. really?

I don’t really want an answer to that. They make money.. it’s as simple as that. But how? Could it be from all our personal information they’ve been sucking up like a Hoover vacuum?
Nah.

One day I, too, want to be a 28 year old MULTI-BILLIONAIRE.  So I won’t knock it.

But still.. maybe ask yourself: isn’t there something wrong here? (I never took more than Economics 101, but, maybe.. we need to bring back the Gold Standard..?)

Related:

* Facebook IPO Valuation Sets Record: Is It Really Worth $104 Billion …

“Facebookfinally set its IPO price Thursday evening: $38 a share, for a record-setting value of $104 billion on the social media giant. Is it worth it?” Read more..

* WOW! Facebook Is Now Worth More Than These 10 Huge …

 “That means that the total value of Facebook, an eight-year-old company, is more than some of the largest, most successful companies in the … Read more..

Update: Facebook’s IPO fails to live up to all the hype

Facebook shares, which underwriters had priced at $38 late Thursday, opened on the Nasdaq stock market Friday just below $43, and in their first hour of trading sank to as low as $38. The stock then recovered as IPO underwriters stepped in to support its price, according to reports. Facebook’s share price eventually finished the day at $38.23. Read more..

More puzzles (and games):

* JigZone is an online Jigsaw Puzzle where you choose the level of difficulty from a simple 6 piece cut to a challenging 247 piece cut.  A new Puzzle-of-the-day every day.

* PuzzleFactory.com Online Puzzle Games – Flash Games PuzzleFactory.com Online Games … Puzzles. Retro. Arcade. Sudoku. Casino. Racing. Dress Up. Driving. Strategy. Board Games. Action. Adventure. Customize …

Fun video:

Today’s quote:

“Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of.

I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks.” ~ spambot comment left on yesterday’s article.

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Quick Post — Games!

I only have a moment today, but I will use it to post a ‘heads up’ for a very popular category — free games (and timewasters).

Today’s free link: Thinks.com offers free puzzles of all sorts (crosswords, sudoku, jigsaw, codebreaker, etc.) and games like checkers and chess. Fit for the whole family.

Now, I’ll admit two things: these kinds of games are kind of “old school”, and I cannot do Sudoku.. But Thinks.com is a Bookmark in all my browsers on all my machines. Check it out.

Bonus: FREE Today Only – Audubon Birds: A Field Guide to North American Birds

“I visit daily the Amazon daily FREE paid (Android) app giveaway and today I noticed they have available Audubon Birds: A Field Guide to North American Birds. This app typically goes for $9.99 and is available today for FREE. Audubon Birds: A Field Guide to North American Birds includes over 770 species and contains the […]” Read more…

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.