Notes From The Electronic Cottage

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Drones and Satellites have the ability to watch us from above, no matter how high a fence we may try to put around our property. What can, or can’t we do about them? It’s not at all clear, another case of the development of technology outpacing the development of law. The only relevant case law that says how much airspace we own above our property is from 1946. Here’s a link to that case Give a listen for a start to pondering some of the questions that arise when we are all “Under a Watchful Eye.”

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

The USA Freedom Act is up for renewal. The NSA wants it renewed forever but won’t supply any information about whether it has had any effect or why it is needed. For a useful overview of the situation, go to www.theregister.co.uk/2019/11/06/nsa_spy_programs/

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Still in our back to basics frame, here’s way back to basics – bits and bytes. No matter how fancy a computer or smart phone or anything else electronic, at bottom it’s all bits and bytes.

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

There are some pretty convenient services available on the web, URL shorteners for example, or Google Drive. They are wonderful helps for certain purposes but, as with anything on the web, it’s a good idea to be familiar with how they work and how to make them work better for you. Here are some thoughts about both of those services.

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Ever wonder how the audio files on your smart phone or mp3 player or computer get to be mp3 format files, which are less than 10% as large as the original music or voice files when they were recorded? If you have, here’s the answer. Listen up.

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Going back to the basics is never a bad idea so in this edition, let’s revisit how graphics compression works in the digital world.

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

How are you feeling about the upcoming 2020 election? No matter what your favorite party or favorite candidate – or level of disgust – one thing none of us should feel real good about is the state of our election technology as we approach this very important election. Here’s why.

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Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Technology can make our lives much easier and convenient in many ways. And, sometimes, the opposite can be true. Today, let’s think about a few current and developing technologies that can offer some terrific advances and/or some terrific problems.

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