Should Smokers Be Discriminated Against?
Do you agree with this? Personally I think this logic can be extended to people who are overweight or above 55. Why is not hiring smokers ok, but not? hiring fat people worthy of a lawsuit?
Don’t Let Your Keyboard Get You Sick
As it is cold and flu season it’s the little things that will make you or break you. One good place to avoid germs is your keyboard. Both at work and at home, a dirty keyboard can be the source of all sorts of nasty molds, germs, and other gunk that will have you coughing and feeling crappy in general.
It seems like common sense, but here are some good things to think about during this busy time of the year.
- Wipe your office keyboard down before your use it in the morning, after you eat (anytime of the day) and before you leave at night. A disinfectant isn’t necessary, a warm moist paper towel will do.
- Wipe your home keyboard down after each use.
- Always wash your hands after your eat – and try not to eat over your keyboard.
- Once a week tilt your keyboard 45 degrees and take a can of compressed air and spray between the crevices. You’d be amazed at what blows out of there, from moldy crumbs, to dust balls, and yellow things you won’t be able to identify.
- And of course before you take a cloth or can of air to your keyboard, lock your screen so you don’t end up typing or deleting anything accidentally. (Windows XP users: Start > Log Off > Switch Users).
Do you guys have any personal don’t-get-sick tips? The canned air one is my personal tip for you all. I hate getting sick, doesn’t everyone?
Ultimate Destiny
Another highly addictive Internet video, in case you haven’t seen this or had enough alcohol, nicotine or other drugs over the past weekend.
Enjoy!
The Potential Power of Computer Code
I’m not sure how businesses would react to such a move. Besides Microsoft is preoccupied with keeping everyone happy (as any successful large business should). I wonder if anyone with some standing over there in Redmond could make this a reality?
Microsoft could save 45 million tons of CO2 emissions with a few lines of computer code.
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Redmond should issue a software upgrade to every computer running Microsoft Windows worldwide to adjust each machine’s energy-saving settings for maximum efficiency.
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The author figures that the upgrade would affect 100 million computers and that the power cost savings could hit $7 billion per year. CO2 emissions would be cut by 45 million tons. But what about the impact on computing?
What do you guys think? Are your machines sitting at home turned on and doing nothing?
British RFID Passports Cracked, and US Ones Will be Too
Another good reason to renew your passport soon, get an RFID wallet, or pop your passport in the microwave for a few seconds.
British newspaper The Guardian reports that it was able to access the data stored on RFID cards in Britain?s newly launched smart passports in as little as 48 hours. On the other hand, the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says there isn?t enough information contained within New Zealand’s passports? chips to create counterfeit travel documents.
DIA passport manager David Philp confirms that it is possible to access the information stored on the RFID chips and use it to make a clone. However, the RFID chip in the e-passports currently issued in New Zealand is just one security feature out of more than 50 contained in the passport.
We Did It!
Congratulations to everyone of you L’avant Posters who helped us to reach our goal of raising $,1000 for UNICEF during 2006. We reached our goal last Friday on December 15th! Currently we’ve raised $1,000.13 (just over the hump) but the year is not over.
- 376 million kids around the world have to walk more than 15 minutes to get a drink of clean water.
- 121 million kids don’t go to school.
- 1 out of every 6 kids doesn’t get the food needed to be healthy.
You can see our contributions and make a donation by clicking here.
More importantly think about how many children both in the US and around the world you’ve been able to help.
- 7 cents can buy crayons for a class.
- $1 can immunize a child against polio.
- $10 can buy 1 month of biscuits for 3 children.
- $150 can buy clean water for a village.
I hope that you will all continue to contribute during 2006 and beyond. And don’t forget, the offer for Chores for Charity still stands!
About Anil Polat
Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More 
