A greenspan... a new recycling source

Well they are not new in the business, but new to me.  A greenspan, located in Sharpsburg, is a green recycling company that will recycle almost any kind of electronic.   Televisions, computers, monitors, microwave ovens and more are among the items they will recycle.  They do charge a small free for each, but it is more responsible to recycle these items then to put them in the trash.  For computers, if the computer is usable, they will try to refurbish it and sell it to schools, churches and non-profits.  If it unusable, they will strip the computer of the precious metals and ensure that all parts are recycled properly.  For more information, check out their website.

Tomorrow is Free comic book day

If you are a fan of the comic book genre, tomorrow is your day.  It is National Free Comic Day.  Many comic book stores honor the day by allowing every customer a free comic book.  Click here to see a list of what comic books are available for free and the stores listed below are all participating in the Free Comic Book Day.  Happy Comics!

PHANTOM OF THE ATTIC IN OAKLAND 406 SOUTH CRAIG STREET PITTSBURGH, PA (412) 621-1210
PHANTOM OF THE ATTIC 3766 WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAY MONROEVILLE, PA (412) 856-4403
EIDE'S ENTERTAINMENT 1121 PENN AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA (412) 261-0900
THE COMIC BOOK INK! 116 SMITHFIELD STREET PITTSBURGH, PA (412) 263-2002
NEW DIMENSION COMICS 2 3075 CLAIRTON RD #940 CENTURY III MALL 3RD FLOOR WEST MIFFLIN, PA (412) 655-8661
THE GEEKADROME 534 BROOKLINE BLVD PITTSBURGH, PA (412) 344-2494

Aaron's Furniture in the news.....tsk, tsk, tsk

Apparently our very own local Aaron's Rent-to-own store has made national headlines when a dim-witted employee revealed to a customer that they installed spying software on their rented computer.  Heck, he even showed them pictures of the customers using it.   Before I speak of that underhanded deed, I must make a more important point.  Never, ever, ever, use a rent-to-own establishment.  You will be paying 5-6 times the value of anything you "rent" in those stores.  This doesn't even go to the fact that the rented merchandise can be confiscated for a missed or late payment, no matter how much you have already paid.  In the case of the computers they rent, you will be getting a low-end computer with a value of approximately $300-$400 and paying upwards to $2000 for it. I've been searching for an hour trying to find a price list for that company with no luck, but based on my knowledge of similar stores, I have a good idea.  I just want to see how much it's gone up since the last time I knew.  

On to the other point, remember if you buy any computer from a less than reputable source (or even a reputable source), there is a possibility that an unscrupulous employee may install spying software on it.  It is easy to do, but not that hard to avoid.   I think this is a good idea for another page on the site, teaching you how to find similar software on your system.   In the case of laptops, many people buy gaffer tape and simply cover the webcam with it. 

Bit Torrent Users Rejoice...for now

For those familiar with bit torrents and those who use them(or otherwise called pirates by the movie and music industry), you won big in court this week.   District Court Judge Harold Baker has denied a copyright holder the right to subpoena the ISPs of alleged copyright infringers, because an IP-address does not equal a person.  What does this mean?  Well, a bit of background, typically when the music/movie industry wants to pursue somebody who they think is stealing their property online, they typically trace that person through their IP address (every computer on the internet has a unique IP address at a particular time).  When you use bit torrents ( the preferred program of pirates), you have an IP address, they trace it and go after you.  The inherent problem is that just because that IP address traces back to your home, it may not necessarily trace to you as the culprit of the theft of the intellectual property that the music/movie industry claims you stole.  It could be your neighbor using your Wifi without your permission (see previous story on this).  It could be a friend staying for a couple of days using your Internet, etc.  With the many stories making news of people being wrongfully accused of Internet related crimes based on IP addresses, this judge has seen the light and is requiring rights holders to come up with more proof other than an IP address that somebody has done something illegal.  Just because a movie was stolen using your Internet connection, it does not automatically conclude that you are the one who did it.  Bravo!

Malware, Bin Laden style

Please be on guard for sites claiming to have Bin Laden kill photos or video.  They are not out there.  In fact, most of these sites are there to install Malware on your computer.  Remember, malware authors do not take vacations.  They use every opportunity to get you to install their malware.  This week, the death of Bin Laden is the bait.  Millions are curious to see pictures and malware authors are taking advantage of this by putting out malware in the wild that is attached to Bin Laden web searches.

Want out of your relationship? I'll do it for you for only......

When I came across this website, I have to admit I was amused.  For $10, iDUMP4U will break off your relationship with your girlfriend, lover, partner or wife (initiating a divorce is $50).  They do all the hard work for you, in case you are too cowardly to do it yourself.  They confirm the relationship, gather the contact information and break you up.  They will also record the happy occasion for you and post it on their website (for those who need proof).  This site makes me think that the world has lost it's collective minds, but too many other encouraging events have happened this week to keep me from going there.