Welcome to Something for Nothing

As a computer guy having a 2 year old I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can one day protect my son on the internet. There are so many technologies out there that I was sure that one of them would do what I want it to do. I just hadn’t found it yet. Today I found SpectorSoft’s computer monitoring software which looks like the solution I’m looking for. It essentially monitors and logs everything that is done on your computer.

Now I can understand how many people might think that computer monitoring is a bad thing because it shows your kids that you don’t trust them. However, I think this is such a mistaken thought. Sure, you do want to show your kids that you trust them. However, even more important is that no kid should care if you add computer monitoring software if they aren’t doing something they shouldn’t.

The other side of this coin is in the business or corporate world. In some of my previous jobs there has been strict rules(religious) that of course wanted to prevent pornography and other inappropriate material being seen. Computer monitoring is really the only way to know for sure what is happening with this. Filters can be easily bypassed. However, as a general rule I don’t like computer monitoring at work. Although, I think it would depend on the boss’s reaction. I currently have a boss that isn’t reasonable and so that definitely biases my opinion.

However, there are a number of computers at my current job doing IT in healthcare that computer monitoring would be an essential part of HIPAA compliance. I espescially like how SpectorSoft(http://www.spectorsoft.com) can record what files were saved to removable media. That’s extremely important. I think this is perfect for those intern computers that need a little more security.

I’ve always been fascinated with biometric technology. I couldn’t survive without my facial recognition software on my computer.

Today I read an article about a new biometric possibility of reading a persons blood vessel patterns. Fascinating. I guess there are a lot of things unique about each one of us.

For those in the biometrics market here’s some interesting market information:

The biometrics industry is still up for grabs, and Snowflake CEO James Phillips bets vein viewing can beat out more common biometric methods such as fingerprinting and retinal scans. The industry is expected to top $1 billion in 2006, according to IMS Research.

I’ve been watching the TV show Windfall(http://www.nbc.com/Windfall/money_tracker/) lately and have really found the list of stories quite interesting. However, I think they’ve all taken the wrong course with their money. They are all acting like complete fools.

I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d put the first $5 million in a very solid investment. I’d take the rest except for $1 million and put it in a higher risk set of investments. The last $1 million I would use to purchase a home and a few toys. From that point on I would not allow myself to spend anything except the interest earned by that money. I would continue doing my current IT job because I love what I do. I would stop working the 8-5 and definitely stop the grind of doing it every day. However, I would still do IT consulting so that I could do what I enjoy and help other people enjoy the benefits of IT. Any other money I made and interest would be enough for me to play to my hearts content while still being satisfied doing a fulfilling job.

Now, where’s my millions?

Google Video is showing a highlight of the World Cup and specifically Italy’s win over France.

I am definitely biased to Italy since I lived there for 2 years, but even more important is that I have nothing good to say about France. I can’t believe Zidane would be so stupid. I’m so happy for Italy since the past couple World Cups have been the worst for Italy.

Forza Italia!!