Notes from the Electronic Cottage 11/01/07

Producer/host: Jim Campbell

Topic:  Not so long ago, net neutrality was a big issue in Congress but then it seemed to fade from the scene. Now, after a series of gaffes by big telecommunications companies, it seems like the issue is rising from the ashes once more. What is net neutrality and what might it – or its absence -mean to Internet users? That’s the question we consider today.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 10/18/07

Producer/host: Jim Campbell

Topic: Today, let’s check up on a few recent technological developments that will affect our lives in both cyberspace and physical space, ranging from new Onstar technology that can override your control of the engine in your car to new microwave weapons that can humanely fry people. Technology is great, technology is dangerous – take your pick.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 10/4/07

Producer/host: Jim Campbell

Got an analog TV that gets your television programs from rabbit ears or an antenna ? If so, you’ve got a problem. Starting February 17, 2009, there won’t be any more analog broadcast signals. The bad news: If you want to keep watching TV on your analog set, you’ll have to get a digital-to-analog converter. The good news: the government will help. Here’s the story.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 9/27/07

Producer/host: Jim Campbell

We move in a world of bits and bytes every day and take that for granted.  But just what is a bit and what is a byte and what do they mean to our electronic lives? As part of our “No Listener Left Behind” initiative, today we take a step back to examine these omnipresent bits and bytes so that we all know what the terms mean and how they work in our increasingly electronic world.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 9/13/07

Producer/host: Jim Campbell

Privacy and Facebook

Search engines and other Internet companies are beginning to offer us choices and tools to better protect our personal privacy online. Unfortunately, we don’t seem to be using them. A recent example from Facebook makes the point all too well. If we want to be in control of our cyber-lives, it is ultimately up to us to take the time to protect our personal privacy.

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 9/06/07

Producer/host: Jim Campbell

Some listeners have recently indicated that reports on the Electronic Cottage, such as the one about the Department of Homeland Security’s project hostile Intent, can be a bit of a downer. So today, we feature only good tech news: trivia about the birth of the CD, handy web sites to know about, and even a peak at some possible future technologies that will improve our lives. Good news about electronic technology coming right up!