Killings Linked to Adult Ad Website

The death of three of four women in Detroit(MI) have been linked to an escort ad on 'backpage.com'.

Their bodies were found stuffed in the trunk of a car.

Watch the video...

REWIND: What Is The Internet? The "Today" Show 1994

This is footage that was not originally aired. It shows Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric trying to figure out what the Internet is, how it works and the proper usage of the "@" symbol in 1994.

This is supposed to be between segments of a live broadcast.

You can read more about the origins of the video here... 

ICANN to Shake Up Web Domain Name Rules

ICANN(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) the body that governs domain names, has agreed to expand domain names beyond the 22 normal .com, .org, .biz., .net, etc.. Now it can be .whatever or .yourname if you are willing to pay for it.

Although they've opened the internet naming system, it will cost you $185,000 to use it and you will have to prove you can keep the domain functioning.

If you think reserving domain names has been a headache, wait until this begins. 

Read more... & here...

via zdnet & latimes

What The Internet Knows About You

via time

Ever wonder how much search engines know about where you've been or where you might be going?

Let's just say, they and every company you ever dealt with are working together to sell you everything you've ever searched for online.

Barnes & Noble "Nook Color" Electronic Reader In Time for Holidays

via usatoday

As the holiday approaches it is best to keep in mind that a shift in information technology is upon us. A cell phone that only acts as a phone is a thing of the past - it's a mobile device. The same can be said for laptops and netbooks.

While they do serve a purpose, allowing users on the move to access information reliably, they are either too big or too small for those who wish to do less work and more reading or listening to media.

Here's where the tablet and e-reader come in. They are not going anywhere, they're only getting better. Think Walkman, early 80's.

The Walkman made the boombox obsolete, not because it was a better way to hear music, but, because it was a more convenient way to hear it. It was lighter than the box, used less power and could be hidden at school or in the streets, unlike the boombox. It also offered privacy.

The same can be said for tablets and e-readers... they are portable and easy to use. Now that Barnes and Noble has introduced color into the game, I don't think we will ever go back to grayscale.

Barnes & Noble Nook Color. Photo: Robert Deutsch

Next week B&N introduce their Nook Color at a price point of $249 - a little lower than high and higher than low.

How does it stack up to the Kindle?

Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab or iPad tablet a better option?

How is the battery life?

Read a complete review of the "Nook Color" e-reader...

Soulja Boy Talks with Lee Hawkins of Wall Street Journal

Soulja Boy explains how he actually used the internet to build his success at WSJ Weekend Conversation.

Do your thing Lee Hawkins!

Fresh!

Are Ads Following Surfers Around the Net? Yup!

If you think ads are following you around the internet, you're right. Photo: SFGate

via nytimes

If you've been on a website looking at electronic items, then left that site, but, continued to see ads for the items you looked at earlier(or related ones), you have been followed by what is called a retargeted ad.

Retargeted ads are specifically tailored to items you have shopped for online(whether you've purchased or not). More retailers(E-tailers) are using them to market to customers.

While some celebrate retargeting as a marketing advance, others see it as cyber-stalking.

Read more...

How Advertisers Use Cookies to Track Shoppers

If you aren't hip to cookies(and you should be) this video should fill you in. If you are, but aren't clear on specifics of how they work, this is for you too.

If you think deleting your cookies is a way to maintain your privacy, you'd better think again.

The video is a little long, but, well produced, so it moves along quickly.

How to Avoid Your Ex On The Internet

If you've ever wanted the ability to remove your ex's Facebook, Twitter account or any other mention of them on the Internet you're in luck...there is Ex-Blocker.

While the name is quite simple and straight forward, the plug-in is too(in a good way)!

Once configured to work with Firefox, Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer it omits the selected person's name from search results. You add your ex's first and last name and the plug-in skips them. That easy.

Check it out here...

www.Blockyourex.com

Good looking on the info Simon.

Social Networking Generation Putting Less Personal Info Online

via nytimes

In a move that comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever had to deal with a small or large business, members of social networks in their early 20's have decided to put less personal info about themselves online.

In an attempt to be taken more seriously they are limiting the types of photos they upload or opinions they share.

Read more...

It's time some people stopped sharing too much information.

Some of this may also be a sign that people are beginning to feel they can't trust these large corps with all of their information(they either own it or keep it forever). Don't know where it'll turn up in two years.

Are Your Web Coupons Telling Your Business? Yes.

Web coupons are a good way to get a discount, but, what price are you paying to save a few cents?

Did your know some retailers have access to your Facebook ID when you use their coupon?

Find out.

More States Using eBay to Sell Surplus Property & Goods

via usatoday

When you are looking for the surplus your state is selling, looking through the newspaper is old school, you'd better check eBay.

This year the state of Vermont is using ebay to sell surplus property that it wants to get rid earn money for.

The idea is to let one photo and a brief description bring in more bidders than a local ad can. They see it as a way to get a better return on their investment.

Other states using ebay are Rhode Island, Georgia, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and a few others.

Read more...

3 Facebook Settings That Will Keep Your Profile Info Private

via nytimes

Back in December, Facebook made a few changes regarding its privacy policy. The changes may have caused many to accidentally given Facebook the authority to publish their info on Google.

If you don't want that future employer, date, spouse or friend to know more than you want them to, take a few minutes to make sure you've checked these settings in your Facebook profile.

Read more...

New York Times to Start Charging for Articles

via nbcnewyork

In 2011, in a move to create more revenue, The New York Times will start charging readers to gain access to their site.

Those who subscribe to the paper will have access to the web content, but, it hasn't been said how much content, if any, will be made available free of charge.

Read more...

They are under the impression that since their content is good enough to be all over the internet, it should sell on its own... NOT!

People want information, but, they don't want it that badly!

Fashion Web Sites Grow While Print Mags Struggle

via crainsnewyork

In the last few years many fashion websites have launched, offering women a new spin on what is hot and what isn't. During this time their have been some winners and losers - surprisingly the winners were the ones expected to lose.

While huge print magazines have shuttered their doors and decreased their operation, smaller sleeker online publications have increased readership and found a way to give a voice to the reader, by being interactive(something many corporate sites lack). Gone are the days of having a jet setting socialite tell the reader what is or isn't important.

Read how StyleCaster.com and DailyMakeover.com have become two of the winners in the battle for ad revenue, unique hits and online sales.

Read here...