Divorce Software

Perhaps, in the technological age, this software taps into the cultural zeitgeist. With divorce, there are assets to split and this software helps with sorting through that entanglement:

“The computer program combines artificial intelligence, game theory and an electronic or human external mediator to help divorcing couples settle their disputes in a fair and rational manner — and hopefully with fewer gray hairs.

The new software is a fresh incarnation of a project going back to 2004, when Emilia Bellucci and John Zeleznikow from Victoria University in Australia developed “Family Winner” to help couples settle divorce disputes by focusing on compromise.”

link: Software seeks to settle divorce disputes

Apparently, lawyers have an interest in the development of this software. Now, if this software can limit the involvement of lawyers and decrease legal fees, it will enjoy immense popularity.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]software, divorce, artificial intelligence, lawyers, legal fees, the next wave, assets[/tags]

Kevin Garnett Goes to Boston

It is almost official - Kevin Garnett will join the Boston Celtics. All that is left are the official announcements:

“…The package going back to Minnesota, sources say, is built around two assets Wolves vice president Kevin McHale has long coveted: Al Jefferson and Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract.

It is believed the deal also calls for the Celtics to ship youngsters Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes to Minnesota, along with a future first-round draft pick and the return of a first-rounder the Wolves surrendered in the Wally Szczerbiak-Ricky Davis trade in January 2006.”

link: Sources: Celtics, Wolves agree to Garnett megadeal

With Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett joining Paul Pierce, the Celtics will be expected to be a playoff team. The trade instantly elevates the Celtics as one of the elite teams in their division. The trade also crushes the hopes and dreams of the Lakers fans. There will not be any Kevin Garnett - Kobe Bryant tandem. And it would not be surprising to hear more ‘trade-me’ requests from Kobe soon.

Catherine

The Green Bean Revolt

It is democracy in action, even if it is played out in the lunch halls of William V. Wright Elementary School:

“LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) — Even someone who believes you can fight city hall might think twice before taking on the lunch lady. But some second-graders who raised their voices over reheated frozen green beans are being rewarded with tastier vegetables.”

link: Kids take on lunch lady - and win

Protesting frozen green beans is a wonderful way to learn about having a ‘voice’. Kudos to Mr Constantine Christopulos and her second grade class.

Catherine

Kevin Garnett Goes to Boston

It is almost official - Kevin Garnett will join the Boston Celtics. All that is left are the official announcements:

“…The package going back to Minnesota, sources say, is built around two assets Wolves vice president Kevin McHale has long coveted: Al Jefferson and Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract.

It is believed the deal also calls for the Celtics to ship youngsters Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes to Minnesota, along with a future first-round draft pick and the return of a first-rounder the Wolves surrendered in the Wally Szczerbiak-Ricky Davis trade in January 2006.”

link: Sources: Celtics, Wolves agree to Garnett megadeal

With Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett joining Paul Pierce, the Celtics will be expected to be a playoff team. The trade instantly elevates the Celtics as one of the elite teams in their division. The trade also crushes the hopes and dreams of the Lakers fans. There will not be any Kevin Garnett - Kobe Bryant tandem. And it would not be surprising to hear more ‘trade-me’ requests from Kobe soon.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]nba, trade, boston celtics, minnesota timberwolves, l.a. lakers, kobe bryant, playoffs[/tags]

Less Television Viewing - More Internet

Are you watching less television? Perhaps you are listen less to the radio too. At home, being on the internet takes you away from the television. If the television is playing in the background, you may be multitasking but your primary focus is the computer monitor. It seems that Canadians are turning more to the internet, for entertainment and information:

“…The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s annual report on the state of the industry shows that Canadians have more choices in both television and radio media than ever before, but are watching and listening less.

But more and more are accessing the Internet, either through their computers or on any number of devices, from cellphones to BlackBerrys.”

link: Study finds Canadians switching on to Internet, tuning out TV and radio

And, yes, I know some of you have the television show playing in a corner of your computer monitor. Geeks!

Catherine

The Green Bean Revolt

It is democracy in action, even if it is played out in the lunch halls of William V. Wright Elementary School:

“LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) — Even someone who believes you can fight city hall might think twice before taking on the lunch lady. But some second-graders who raised their voices over reheated frozen green beans are being rewarded with tastier vegetables.”

link: Kids take on lunch lady - and win

Protesting frozen green beans is a wonderful way to learn about having a ‘voice’. Kudos to Mr Constantine Christopulos and her second grade class.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]green beans, school, protest, kudos, food[/tags]

Hacking the Vote

It seems that the electronic voting system in California can be hacked:

“Researchers from the University of California found IT and physical security vulnerabilities in three electronic voting systems as part of a study for the top election official of the nation’s most populous state.”

link: California finds three electronic voting systems vulnerable to hackers

It is not a surprise that the manufacturers of the voting machines and elections officials contest these findings. It seems that, instead of co-operatively addressing the issues raised by the research, the manufactures have chosen to defend their present system. They contend that the simulated security breaches, enacted by the university study, do not reflect a real life situation. Nevertheless, can they guarantee that the electronic voting will be valid and not compromised?

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]security, electronic voting, hackers, university study, manufacturers[/tags]

Less Television Viewing - More Internet

Are you watching less television? Perhaps you are listen less to the radio too. At home, being on the internet takes you away from the television. If the television is playing in the background, you may be multitasking but your primary focus is the computer monitor. It seems that Canadians are turning more to the internet, for entertainment and information:

“…The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s annual report on the state of the industry shows that Canadians have more choices in both television and radio media than ever before, but are watching and listening less.

But more and more are accessing the Internet, either through their computers or on any number of devices, from cellphones to BlackBerrys.”

link: Study finds Canadians switching on to Internet, tuning out TV and radio

And, yes, I know some of you have the television show playing in a corner of your computer monitor. Geeks!

Catherine

[tags]television, radio, internet, multitasking[/tags]

‘Synthetic’ Identity Theft

This is a form of identity theft that is very difficult to detect and may not involve the immediate loss of finances. Nevertheless, the repercussions may be just as serious:

“…She was a victim of synthetic identity theft. Unlike traditional ID theft, crooks steal your social security number…But tie it to a different name…Creating a new, fictional person.

The thieves open bank accounts and credit cards…Even get jobs …Yet it can take years to uncover…”

link: New, Frightening Form of ID Theft

The key to this and other forms of identity theft is somehow accessing a social security number. That provides the criminal with numerous possibilities. With this type of identity theft happening, one may question reports that try to assure data breach victims that their personal information has not been used. Evidence of use of the compromised personal data may turn up months, if not years, later.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]security, identity theft, social security number, data breach, synthetic[/tags]

Back to School Supplies: Cell Phones

Sometimes I feel like I live in a cave. When did cell phones become regarded as ‘back to school supplies’? - Local stores are starting to bring out their schools supplies and advertising. And there are reduced prices for the back to school crowd - for cell phones.

I thought that more schools were considering banning cell phones. For example:

“Cellphones have been silenced at hundreds of Toronto public schools following a decision by board trustees to ban use of the devices in classrooms and hallways.”

link: Toronto students banned from using cellphones in schools

It must be clever marketing to convince children that they needed to be connected … 24/7.

Catherine