John Dezember

I recently started working with the Android SDK and plan to start development on two projects.

The first is an advanced shopping list app. This is more for my wife than me. She has used/tested several of these apps that are curently available on the Android Market, but while they all offer necessary functions, they lack features that should be available in a quality app.

The second is an idea that I’ve been kicking around in my head for some time now. We have a home security system that is able to be controlled by a key fob. This is much better than having to race to the keypad to punch in the code to deactivate, but doesn’t offer any features beyond the range of the system. Using a mix of hardware and software, I’d like to have full control over the system from my phone.

I look forward to these projects and will post more details as I get things rolling.

Since I did a little write-up about foursquare yesterday, everyone should check out this article from InformationWeek:
PleaseRobMe.com Solicits Social Theft: “The Web site gathers tweets and online posts about people who are away from home to emphasize the risk posed by advertising one’s location.”

Link to Article from InformationWeek

Link to PleaseRobMe.com

As a foursquare and twitter user I was initially concerned. The security/privacy issue seems to only be an issue with publicly viewable twitter feeds. Since my tweets are protected, this site cannot “see” me or the posts about where I’m checking in. check out this link to the twitter page that describes the difference between public and protected accounts and how you can update the setting son your account:
http://help.twitter.com/forums/10711-getting-started/entries/14016-public-vs-protected-accounts

I’ve been adjusting the mirrors on vehicles I drive in this way for many years, but this link describes (and shows) how and why it works so well:

How To: Adjust Your Mirrors to Avoid Blind Spots – Feature – Auto Reviews – Car and Driver

A family member forwarded an email today regarding the 2010 Census and ID theft. I copied the email here for your benefit:

AVOID ID THEFT DURING THE 2010 CENSUS

Zander Insurance wants you to be aware of scam artists using the 2010 Census as a means to steal your personal information.

THE CENSUS will be mailed to 134 million households on March 1. The form has 10 questions about your age, date of birth, race and whether you rent or own a home. It does not ask for your social security number or information about your taxes and income. If you do not return a completed Census Form by April 1, it is likely that a Census Taker will either call you or come to your door to obtain the information.

BE CAUTIOUS AND USE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY TIPS:

1. The Census does not ask for your Social Security Number – do not give that information out to anyone claiming to be with the Census Bureau.

2. Never invite a Census Taker into your home.

3. All Census Takers carry official government badges marked with just their name, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.

4. The Census Worker is supposed to provide you with a letter from the Census Director on official letterhead.

5. The Census Bureau will not contact you via email.

6. Do not click on any websites that pop up disguised as a census survey. The Census Bureau does not solicit information over the internet.

7. The Census does not ask for credit card or bank account information.

Visit the U.S. Census website at http://www.2010.census.gov/ or call the U.S. Census Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Center at 1-866-872-6868 for additional information.