Acro.net – Technology Rants & Raves by Acroplex®

I first used the Internet in the late 80′s, even though back then it was just email; something that worked surprisingly well. There was no spam, and to read my email I needed permission from the university’s IT department manager. Every single time.

These days, we take it for granted; we are wired – or wireless – on the global network that spans every nation in the world, 24/7. It’s an endless connection, a digital umbilical cord that we’re using non-stop, in order to stay informed, in touch or in sync with the rest of the so-called ‘civilized’ world.

While 20% of adult Americans still don’t use the Internet, those of us that do know well that we can’t unplug from the “grid”; we can’t exit the “matrix” and we cannot escape the “web”. The Internet is part of our modern existence, regardless of whether we use specific parts of it, during our day’s time slice.

Can you stay off the Internet? I doubt it.

These days it’s hard to allocate the term “friend” to people that we only interact with online.

When I was growing up, friends were the kids that we shared games of soccer, hide and seek, or board games with. They were those that we shared a common school, were punished together for making fun of the teacher, or bled our knees from climbing the rocks behind the school building on an autumn afternoon.

Growing up, one made friends through other friends, at parties, at gatherings in smoky cafes, or in college. Some friendships would break and some would remain intact for years to come. Friendships were made in the army, while wishing that boot camp training was over, while guarding remote posts – missing loved ones a thousand miles away.

Eventually, as adults, we forged friendships with co-workers and with them we fought asshole bosses, shared lunch breaks and talked about sports and our personal relationships. We had BBQ’s and summer vacations together, taking silly or embarrassing pictures.

Somehow, some friendships evolved into long distance observations through Facebook, Twitter or via emails. We considered friends to “always be there” and to never ever grow older, or sicker.

We believed friends never die.

Finding out that a good friend, Adam H., passed away eight months ago in a motorcycle accident was a big shock for me and an even bigger awakening. Everyone involved seemingly assumed that everyone else knew about it; yet, no-one told several people about this extremely unfair human loss.

Being left with nothing but designs of websites and other digital traces of what used to be a lively man, reminded me how short and fleeting life is. Our footprints in the sand, our effect on others, our human legacy – they all depend on who we really are on the “inside”. There is no way to etch one’s soul onto silicon, no method to recreate life. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

This is a small, impossibly miniscule dedication to Adam, who tutored clients and shared fun moments with so many of us. It’s a reminder that only the good die young.

Farewell, my friend.

It’s the Holiday Season and the world of consumerism that we live in is abundant with gifts and endless spending.

The use of credit cards increases during this time of the year and that’s why an increased number of phishing emails are sent out.

On a daily basis, I receive close to 30 emails with the subject line being related to one of the following:

• ACH transfer
• Credit balance
• Log into your CitiBank account
• Transaction declined
• Update your login details

These are typical attempts to make one click on a compromised link or a spoofed web site, in order to surrender their credit card or login information.

One’s alerts are low during the Holiday season and phishing scammers know that quite well.

As always, never click on emailed links; visit the web site of your bank or financial institution by typing in the URL in the browser.

Wishing you Happy and safe holidays.

George T. Orfanakos is the president of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) medical foundation, dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by the neurofibromatoses (NF).

Having donated to the fund in the past, I received their newsletter; it’d be great for everyone to give a small token of appreciation; to show your support to a loved one who might be sick, or simply because you are aware of how blessed you are to be healthy.

Happy Holidays – it’s the best time to give.

This summer while attending the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s annual NF Forum, I had the pleasure of speaking with an impressive gentleman named Matt Hay. A husband and father, Matt is an active member of our NF Endurance Team and was, at the time, training for an Ironman triathlon.  An Ironman includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.  A monumental effort by any measure, but even more impressive when you consider that Matt is living with neurofibromatosis.

Diagnosed with NF2 in 1998 at age 19, Matt has had two brain surgeries, a spinal surgery, and five eye surgeries in the last decade.  He has had to relearn how to walk and hear several times, but as I spoke with Matt, I was overcome with an extraordinary realization. Although his challenges are enormous, his passion to prevail is even greater. This quality, I’ve learned, is embodied by NF families everywhere.

On September 11th of this year, Matt finished his Ironman after 15 hours and 41 minutes of pure drive and determination.  He stuck to his plan and accomplished his goal and I’m proud to say, because of people like Matt, WE are on course to do the same. It is because of this determination that we have grown from two to now 50 drugs in early stage testing to treat NF, which compliment our 25 ongoing NF clinical trials.

This progress would not be possible without a proven strategic plan, sincere generosity, and enduring support from the NF community.  We are still working to find solutions for all forms of NF, but our partnerships with government and industry will better leverage each and every dollar donated.

I share Matt’s story to inspire you and to emphasize the importance of your support. I realize that the current economic climate is challenging for everyone, but NF won’t wait until things improve. I ask you to consider why you first gave, measure our progress and stewardship, and renew your support with a gift today.

On behalf of the Foundation, the Hay family, and the millions battling NF around the world, I thank you.  We are truly grateful for your generosity and consideration.?

Sincerely yours,

George T. Orfanakos
To make your gift online, please go to:  ctf.org/giving

The Holidays are almost here. You can smell the cozy atmosphere and see the happy faces of people as they cross paths with eachother.

“Hello stranger! Happy holidays!”

“Same to you, my friend, Merry Christmas!”

Except, that’s not the case.

People are more than ever alienated from eachother. They fight at the malls over $20 dollar toys. They talk bad behind other people’s backs and show a grumpy face when crossing paths with a stranger.

But that’s not how it should be done.

People – and domainers in particular – need to rediscover their kindness. They need to give and they need to give to the needy.

Fellow web developer, Tia Wood, is giving one such gift to the domain community – $1,000 dollars worth of it.

Read about the Holiday gift at TiaWood.com