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Here are some great pumpkin carving templates and ideas for making your Halloween super spooky and fun!
Computer Learning Month: According to the Computer Learning Foundation, "Computer Learning Month is a time to try new ways of using technology, to learn new technology products, and to share knowledge with others in your local community about how to use technology." Take some time this month to learn new computer-related tasks you have been putting off. This is a great link for parents and kids interested in learning about computers, the Internet, and safety. Adults can learn new computer skills at the Seattle Public Library. Check it out here.
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To subscribe or unsubscribe to Brainstorm, please email us, and we'll add you to our email notification list, or subtract you per your request. If you have ideas for future stories, please let us know and we'll try to accommodate them. We encourage you to visit the City of Seattle's Community Tech pages, seattle.gov/tech.
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Greg Nickels, Mayor Department of Information Technology BILL SCHRIER chief technology officer GARY GIBSON director, office of electronic communications DAVID KEYES manager, community technology program staff  D.H. CASS MAGNUSKI editor |
 Dorene Cornwell from STAR Center demonstrates how she uses zoom text for the EBCTV taping. |
taiwan tv airs seattle digital life
A crew from ETtoday (EBC), the biggest TV station in Taiwan, was in Seattle to shoot an episode for their new series comparing cities across the world with life in Taiwan. One episode of the eight-part series will feature digital life in Seattle.
David Keyes, manager of the City's Community Technology Program, was interviewed and took them on a small tour of Seattle's great digital inclusion efforts. Before heading to Queen Anne for the requisite city/Space Needle/Mt.Rainier shot, they spent time at the Rainer Vista Boys and Girls Club under construction, met with users and staff at the STAR Center's accessible lab, and had a chance to observe an ESL class at the Yesler Computer Learning Center. Peter Gruenbaum from Red Llama and two youth from the center provided an exciting demo of their "Augmented Reality" 3d models with stories, and an interactive beat box dance platform they created. The show will air in Taiwan on October 4, if you're in the neighborhood.
learning centers get tune-up
during annual day of caring
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L-R: Pablo Bernal, Elese Eckel, Derrick Hall, Ivan Lumala, Sheila King, James Seymour and Joe Diehl ready for new installs at the Bryant Manor Computer Learning Center. |
The thirty-five volunteers held arms full of software, wireless access points, RAM, printers, headsets, as well as a few computers, as they headed out to eleven community technology centers in Seattle on September 12 with a goal of upgrading the labs and ensuring that their networks were stable and secure. Digital Promise, a Seattle-based non-profit organization supporting computer centers in low income housing, led the event with the City of Seattle's Department of Information Technology as part of United Way's "Day of Caring," a day when thousands of volunteers take a day away from their jobs and families to help others in their communities. Teams from the AT&T mobile and Microsoft learning groups joined them, bringing incredible expertise, caring and determination to the underfunded, struggling computer labs. Microsoft donated software for the event. Project leader Sheila King of Digital Promise handed out assignments ranging from installation of a server at Bryant Manor to relocating access points at Kawabe's affordable housing high rise, to delivering a whiteboard for training classes at Jubilee woman's center. A number of centers were provided with new anti-virus, spyware, web authoring and photo editing software, depending upon their program needs.
"The annual Day of Caring has become a landmark event for the centers we serve," noted Joe Diehl, president of Digital Promise. "There should be more than just one Day of Caring each year. The needs at our computer learning centers are so great. It was successful in large part because of the extraordinary levels of expertise and technological savvy, and caring, that this year's volunteers brought to the event." The Philip Evans Scholarship Foundation of Mt. Kisco, NY was the primary financial sponsor of the community lab event.
According to a manager at one of the computer centers, "I am very grateful to have received much expert advice and tips from all the volunteers that will certainly facilitate my computer maintenance tasks. It is truly a godsend for us to have expanded avenues to obtain technical assistance."
For more information, to volunteer or to ask for help, contact Joe Diehl at Digital Promise.
Young Seattlites, ages 15 to 19, are encouraged to join the 2008-2009 Mayor's Youth Council. "Members of my Youth Council will engage, impact and connect with City leaders and their community about important issues, plus they'll get great leadership experience," said Mayor Greg Nickels. The Council will have 20 members representing all geographic areas of the city. In addition to meeting two to three times monthly, members will conduct outreach, collect input from youth throughout Seattle and organize the eighth Annual Mayor's Youth Town Hall in the spring of 2009. To apply, call (206) 510-3243, visit the Mayor's web site, or ask your school's Career Center Specialist or Counselor. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 10. The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) named Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels Community Broadband 2008 Visionary of the Year at their annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia September 18. He was honored for his efforts to secure the benefits of world-class broadband technology for the citizens and businesses of Seattle. Under Mayor Nickels’ leadership, Seattle has undertaken a multi-year process to determine how to best meet its citizens’ and businesses’ communications needs. Mayor Nickels has announced his intention to seek private sector partners to work with the City to bring the benefits of next generation broadband to Seattle. Seattle has been at the forefront in recognizing that high-speed communications are essential to continued technology leadership, economic
development, and global competitiveness. Seattle’s Chief Technology Officer Bill Schrier accepted the award on behalf of the mayor. The Seattle Channel was also honored with the prestigious Excellence in Government Programming Award from NATOA. This is the second year in a row the Seattle Channel has received this award. Additionally, the Seattle Channel won 17 awards and honorable mentions for its variety of news, arts and community programs. The Seattle Channel is unique among almost every local TV station in the country, because it streams all programs live on the web in addition to broadcasting 24 hours a day on Cable Channel 21 in Seattle. Further, the Seattle Channel offers all programs in an online video archive, allowing free, 24-hour access to all content via the Internet as well as podcasts of select programs. For access to the Seattle Channel live stream and all programs and podcasts, visit Seattle Channel. NATOA is a national association based in Alexandria, VA, that represents local government jurisdictions and consortiums, including elected and appointed officials and staff, who oversee communications and cable television franchising.
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which focuses on raising awareness of cyber security nationwide, empowering home, business and education users to improve their cyber security preparedness.
One of the areas where there has been little attention paid is in Bluetooth Security. Bluetooth devices are becoming more and more prevalent. There are Bluetooth-connected keyboards, cameras, printers and many others. However, the most common use is for cell phone users to connect to a headset. In the State of Washington and other states as well, it is now against the law to talk on your cell phone while driving unless you are using a headset, so we can expect to see even more of these types of devices. Just in case you don't use or know anything about Bluetooth, it is basically a short-range wireless electronic transmission protocol. It is used to exchange electronic information between devices. Unfortunately, it is relatively easy to connect up to a Bluetooth device, especially if it is configured incorrectly or has a default manufacturer's password. Having your Bluetooth telephone or other device hacked could be bad news. In an infamous story, a pop star's Bluetooth phone was hacked and all of her rock and roll star contact information was stolen. You may not have that exciting of a contact list, but you may have other personal or private information on your phone or other Bluetooth device that you would prefer not to share. We have also seen Bluetooth hacking used to send fake messages to people, basically along the lines of any other kind of phishing scam: to attempt to fool them into giving up their personal information, or to spread malware to your phone, etc. It is pretty easy to protect yourself. When you enable a Bluetooth device, there will be configuration settings that you should pay attention to and set carefully. Make sure that you turn on authentication for your Bluetooth connection by requiring that anyone attempting to connect know a password. If the device came with a manufacturer's default password, you should change it.
John Palfrey of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University was recently in Seattle to promote the web site and new book, Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives, co-authored with Urs Gassers. The book explores the results of research and conversation with youth about many of the key issues at the intersection of new technology and young people, including what it means to have technology infused into daily existence, privacy, safety, creativity, learning, and civic engagement. A couple highlights of John's conversation included:
join mayor's youth council:
deadline to apply october 10mayor and seattle channel
honored at natoa conference
s.e.c.u.r.i.t.y
bluetooth security
are you a digital native?
t.e.c.h.t.i.p
voip systems: voice over internet systems
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows users to use their Internet connections to make voice phone calls. This service is normally less expensive than using a land line phone because no maintenance is required. You can also take your VoIP service with you and use it wherever there is a high speed Internet connection. VoIP allows a user to make a call from one country to another without major expenses. It's just like sending an email.
Potential Issues
Currently, alarm systems are not recommended to be used over a VoIP. Using data modems or fax software are also not recommended. These services may work for you at times but are not normally guaranteed. If you have an alarm system, you may ask your provider about using a cellular connection for emergencies.
Most providers do provide 911 service for VoIP, called E911. You must set up the service with your provider. Note that if you take your VoIP phone on the road with you, do not call 911. If you do, responders will go to your house and not to your actual location. Read more here, and here.
d.o.l.l.a.r.s
Seattle Neighborhood and Community Arts Funding
Deadline: October 27
Supports annual community cultural events. Learn more at a Meet & Greet, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 2 at Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts Street, Seattle.
Google Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
Provides awards of free AdWords advertising on Google to raise awareness for nonprofits and increase traffic. Supports groups with a strong mission to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.
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