Salem-News.com Technology articles Page 31

Con Artists Text Consumers to Pose as Banks, Credit Cards

Better Business Bureau recommends not trusting text messages that discuss finances.

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - Your Better Business Bureau has received recent inquiries showing that con artists are using text messages to attempt to scam financial-institution customers.

New Website Resource Information: `OSP - Who We Are and What We Do

"OSP – Who We Are and What We Do" is available on the Oregon State Police website through links on our homepage www.oregon.gov/OSP in the "Spotlight" section and right side navigation bar, or directly at oregon.gov/OSP/briefs.shtml.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Much more than a highway patrol, the Oregon State Police is a full-service public safety agency providing a diverse range of services to our citizens and public safety partners.

Local, International Films Highlight 6th Video Festival

A video festival in Salem that has grown steadily, this year goes international.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The 6th Mid-Valley Video Festival returns for two day of independent films, networking and parties, February 27 and 28 at Northern Lights Theatre Pub in Salem.

Several locally-produced full length features will also be shown. The debut from writer, director, and star Raymond Steers, "Sum of the Parts" blends action, science fiction, innovative editing and a montage of photos and computer effects to reveal a captivating and suspenseful thrill ride.

Laika`s `Coraline` Better Than Expected

There were many parts in the movie that I considered more deep and serious than anything I've seen an an animated picture of this genre, which kept my attention.

(SALEM, Ore.) - I visited the Laika animation studio in Portland in 2008. At the time the only thing I knew was that they created stop-motion and CG (Computer Graphics) commercials for various products.

While I was there the staff showed us around several sets that are for different commercials. However there was one that we couldn't be shown. It was the set for their first full-length picture, a film adaptation of the horror novella "Coraline".

Newberg-Dundee Police Arrest Man for Employer Theft

The suspect has reportedly been employed by Lewis Audio Video since 2003.

(NEWBERG, Ore.) - A Newberg man was arrested for seven counts of first and second-degree theft following a monthlong investigation into alleged property and cash thefts from his employer.

Sergeant Tim Weaver with Newberg-Dundee Police says 48-year old Donald Scott Kum of Newberg, was arrested Monday, January 26th, as search warrants were being served on his home, car and two storage units.

He allegedly removed numerous electronic components and cash from his employer, Lewis Audio Video in Newberg, Weaver said.

If Facebook and Twitter had a Baby, They`d Name it Wee Web

Wee Web, from the founders of Meetup.com, introduces a simple sharing utility.

(NEW YORK) - Wee Web, the easy-to-use tool that enables parents to update loved ones about their kids, has officially entered into public beta. Created by Matt Meeker and Peter Kamali, two of the founders of Meetup.com, Wee Web is the fastest and easiest way for busy parents to share their babies' photos, videos, and stories with family members and close friends.

The site is not just another social network or online baby book; it is a secure and efficient way for parents to share their kids' lives with the people who care the most.

One of the reasons behind the concept of Wee Web comes from Peter's own experience as a father. "Being a time-crunched new parent, I didn't have time to keep a baby book or a scrapbook of my kids and update our family, even though I had good intentions to do so," said Kamali. "With Wee Web, I can quickly upload a photo and shoot a quick message to my family so they can check it out.

Vietnam To Police Blogs With Random Checks, Self-Reporting

Authorities currently block some Web sites run by overseas Vietnamese that espouse views critical of the government, and they often seek to shut down anything seen as encouraging public protest.

(BANGKOK) - Vietnamese authorities plan to police the content of dissident blogs through random checks and self-policing by the country’s blogging community, a senior Vietnamese Internet security expert has told Radio Free Asia.

“There should be a legal corridor to assure better operation of the blogs,” the director of the state-run Bach Khoa Internet Security Center, Nguyen Tu Quang, told RFA’s Vietnamese service. “We’ll manage them by randomly checking—we don’t need to control all the blogs.”

“When we create a legal corridor, determining what is legal and what is a violation of Vietnamese law, the blog community will detect such things on its own and will let the government know of violations,” Quang said.

Robot Technology Making Strides (VIDEO)

The robots of yesterday's movies are today's reality. Some are modeled after men, some are fashioned like dogs, others are created to look like beautiful women. They walk, show facial expression, carry on conversations, and identify objects.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The technology to build various types of robots has been around for a while, but ideas have really emerged in recent years along with microprocessors, particularly in the U.S., Japan and Korea. The various robot projects under development throughout the world are amazing.

The videos featured here show a variety of these new creations and they offer a clear idea of where this is going. Designers say extremely lifelike robots will soon be able to serve in numerous capacities that range from household duties to security.

One of the robots called Aiko, is capable of speech, reading, distinguishing color, recognizing faces and identifying objects.

Auto Industry Should Drop Emissions Litigation in Exchange for Bailout

Industry sites urge that any new funds be “Precisely Targeted” to Hybrids, clean diesels and other high MPG vehicles.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - If Washington is going to give yet another loan-guarantee bailout to Detroit automakers, the price tag for doing so should include requiring the car manufacturers to end their four-year-long legal assault against global warming laws in California and three other states (Vermont, Rhode Island and New Mexico), according to 40MPG.org and TheCLEAN.org, which are projects of the Civil Society Institute.

The groups also called on Congress and the Bush Administration to narrowly target any additional loan guarantees for U.S. car makers to the development and delivery of hybrids, clean diesels and other highly fuel-efficient vehicles. Concerned Americans are being urged to go to http://www.40mpg.org/bailout to send an email urging that the bailout restrictions be supported by their members of Congress and the transition team of President-Elect Barack Obama.

Multnomah Sheriff Bans Internet for Employees

Some employees will still be able to use the Internet.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - There's a new sheriff in town, and he is putting the kibosh on Internet usage for employees of the busy Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. The move will limit employees on keeping up on things like the day's news, but the Sheriff believes banning the Internet will be more in the public's better interest.

Following a 5 month consideration of the issue of internet use by MCSO employees, Sheriff Bob Skipper announced a change in the authorization required for employees to access the internet.

He says the policy 'upgrade' was driven by a 2007 investigation of three MCSO employees who had logged onto inappropriate internet sites during duty hours. Sheriff Skipper, who took office on July 17th, replacing long time Sheriff Bernie Giusto, was apprised of the on-going investigations and ordered an internal audit to evaluate internet use.