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How to be safe online

Are you wary of banking online? You’re not alone. Here’s a guide to being safe when using the world wide web. From banking online and paying your bills to doing your weekly grocery shop, the internet is handy. But is it safe to do all of those things? Yes, if you know how to be safe online. Many baby boomers have voluntarily shared personal information with people they have never met in person, according to anti-virus developer McAfee. This didn’t include online shopping or business transactions. A total of 57% of people had shared information or posted personal information online, which Michelle Dennedy, vice president and chief privacy officer at McAfee, says is a big concern. “The use of social networks among people 50 plus is trending now that it’s become more commonplace across all age groups,” she reveals. “It seems counterintuitive that sharing personal information with strangers would not concern them, however. This further highlights their need to better understand the difference between the real and perceived dangers online and how to best protect themselves." How do you protect yourself online? The first step is being aware of the dangers of using the internet. While researching for recipes or local dog beaches is relatively harmless, it’s submitting personal information, such as your contact or banking details, where caution needs to be applied. If you’re banking online, always make sure you go to your bank’s official URL (web address) and not a fake site and if you receive an email from what looks like your bank asking for your details, delete it. Banks are adamant that any emails from them will never ask for their customer’s banking details, since this is a security risk. If you’re ever unsure and do receive an email from your bank asking for information, contact their call centre. Emails to delete Many online scams will come in the form of an email. While email providers have their own security measures to filter out what they think are dodgy messages, it’s best to know what to look out for. If you receive an email from a company or person you don’t know, treat it with caution. Emails that contain poor spelling or grammar, ask for your personal information, offer deals or prizes that seem too good to be true, or ask you to “donate” a large sum of money, delete it. The best policy is one of caution and constant vigilance. Avoid banking online at a public computer When it comes to protecting your hard-earned cash, it always pays to be extra cautious. If you’re at an internet cafe or using a public wi-fi connection with your laptop or tablet, it’s best to avoid doing anything that requires you to share important personal information. While it may be safe with some connections, it may not be with others. Banking websites do have their own security measures for when you’re using their site, but it’s always better to be cautious. If you’re using a public computer, remember to log out of any sites containing your personal information. This could be your email, Facebook or your online dating profile. You don’t want the person who uses the computer after you to have access to your details. Another key consideration is to keep your passwords private. Avoid sharing them with other people and try to make it a series of letters or numbers you will remember, but that is difficult for others to guess. Be a smart shopper If you love to grab a bargain online, be a smart shopper. Make sure the website you’re buying from is legitimate and not a fake version of the real thing. A good tip is to keep a record of all of your online receipts and to regularly monitor your bank statements. If you ever see a purchase on your bank or credit card statement that you’re not sure about, look back through your receipts before contacting your bank to investigate further.

Technology

Dark web not dark alley: Why drug sellers see the internet as a lucrative safe haven

More than six years after the demise of Silk Road, the world’s first major <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1748895813505234?casa_token=xjYBG0jb8Y8AAAAA:8NyrWITwd0jAIZxW-ZDyIoWGbdiTG34kkYpibnTX6blXkZOtApmx4Mmf-wCeBqIUGU9DbRFwKors8A">drug cryptomarket</a>, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-the-dark-web-46070">dark web</a> is still home to a thriving trade in illicit drugs. These markets host hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of people who sell drugs, commonly referred to as “vendors”. The dark web offers vital anonymity for vendors and buyers, who use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to process transactions. Trade is booming despite <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871617300741">disruptions</a> from law enforcement and particularly “exit scams”, in which market admins abruptly close down sites and take all available funds. Why are these markets still seen as enticing places to sell drugs, despite the risks? To find out, our <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bjc/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/bjc/azz075/5645405">recent study</a> surveyed 13 darknet drug vendors, via online encrypted interviews. They gave us a range of reasons. More profitable First, selling drugs online is safer and more profitable than doing it offline: Interviewer: So you still sell on DNMs [darknet marketplaces], and prefer that to offline. Correct? Respondent: YES. Selling offline is borderline stupid. You can make so much more money online, the risks [in selling outside cryptomarkets] aren’t even remotely worth it. Both of these claims correspond with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395913001722">previous research</a> showing that the dark web is perceived to be a safer place to buy and sell drugs. Regarding profits, darknet vendors do not have to limit their trading to face-to-face interactions, and can instead sell drugs to a potentially worldwide customer base. Less violent Encryption technologies allow vendors to communicate with customers and receive payments anonymously. The drugs are delivered in the post, so vendor and customer never have to meet in person. This protects vendors from many risks that are prevalent in other forms of drug supply, including undercover police, predatory standover tactics where suppliers may be robbed, assaulted or even killed by competitors, and customers who may inform on their supplier if caught. Other risks, such as frauds perpetrated by customers and exit scams, were considered inevitable on the dark web, but also manageable. Some respondents said that being protected from physical risk on the dark web is not only a benefit for existing drug suppliers, but may also make the activity attractive to people who would not otherwise be willing to sell drugs. While some of our respondents had previously sold drugs offline, others were uniquely attracted to the perceived safety and anonymity of the dark web: I hadn’t ever thought about selling drugs in any capacity because I dislike violence and it just seemed impossible to be involved in selling drugs in “real life” without running into some sort of confrontation pretty quickly… I was always too scared and slightly nerdy to do that and never really contemplated it seriously until the dark web. More customer-focused Some vendors told us the feeling of safety and control lets them focus on providing a more courteous service to their customers or “clients”: I try to provide the best products and service I can, when someone has a problem or claims [their order was] short on pills (as long as they have ordered from me before) I usually take them at their word. This is a stark contrast with perceptions of the street trade, which some of our respondents perceived not only as “small-time”, but also rife with danger and potential violence: The street trade is a mess. I wanna provide labelled products, good advice and service, like a real business. Not sit in a shitty car park selling $10 bags from a car window all day. Not just about profit Dark web vendors also pointed out the various non-material benefits of their work. These included feelings of autonomy and emancipation from boring work and onerous bosses, as well as excitement and the thrill of transgression. One respondent described it as: Exhilarating … and nerve-wracking. Seemed so alien. “Drugs? Online? In the post? Naaaah surely not.” Plus if I’m honest, my inner reprobate buzzes from it. The rush of chucking a grand’s worth of drugs into post boxes… unreal, man. Interviewees rationalised their participation in the dark web drugs trade in a variety of ways. These included pointing out the <a href="https://files.transtutors.com/cdn/uploadassignments/1509030_1_article-1-seminar.pdf">relative safety</a> and medicinal benefits of some illicit drugs, and the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0004865814524424?casa_token=P1q12ppNwlIAAAAA:iRe-gQHWLKsD0fqCl45Bj7ms1eRqCHY6sa0zYtMjoyuORRQBfj_7A0JLub2FZCt65-u2UjxXCnQzBQ">dangers associated with drug prohibition</a>. Let’s face it, a LOT of people like getting high… It’s human nature, but to ban it and make it criminal so that it’s hard to get, then you get poison and people die… I can tell you that the use of darknet protects users from buying products that during traditional prohibition would likely kill much more people. It also takes drugs off the street, reducing some violent crime. These insights help us understand why the dark web is increasingly attractive, not only to consumers of illicit drugs but to the people who supply them. For those who are averse to confrontation, and who are sufficiently tech-savvy, the dark web offers an alternative to the risk and violence of dealing drugs offline. Written by James Martin and Monica Barratt. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/dark-web-not-dark-alley-why-drug-sellers-see-the-internet-as-a-lucrative-safe-haven-132579">The Conversation</a>.

Art

5 dark secrets of web travel sites

Booking a trip on an online travel site is convenient, but comes with its own set of problems. 1. They know who’s on a Mac and who’s on a PC – and who’s going to spend more. Last year, US travel research company Orbitz tracked people’s online activities to test out whether Mac users spend more on travel than PC users. Turns out that on average, Mac users lay out US$20-30 more per night on hotels and go for more stars, according to the Wall Street Journal. As a result, online travel sites show these users more expensive travel options first. To avoid inadvertently paying more, sort results by price. 2. Their software doesn’t always hook up to the hotel’s system. A guaranteed reservation is almost impossible to come by anywhere – but the risk of your flight or hotel being overbooked increases with third-party providers. The middleman’s software isn’t immune to system errors, so always call the hotel or airline to make sure your booking was processed. 3. Don’t be fooled by packages: Often, they’re low-end items grouped together. Ever notice how travel sites recommend a hotel, a rental car, and tour package all in one click? These deals usually feature travel that no-one wants, like flights with multiple layovers. Check the fine print. 4. You could miss out on loyalty points. Third party providers can get between you and frequent flyer miles or points. Many hotel loyalty programmes don’t recognise external sites, others award only minimum points and exclude special offers, like double points on hotel stays. 5. Once your trip is purchased, you’re on your own. An online travel agency can’t provide assistance the same way an agent can if a flight is cancelled or a room is substandard. Basically, when you arrive at the airport or hotel, you’re just another client who booked at the lowest rate. Written by Sheri Alzeerah. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/5-Secrets-of-Web-Travel-Sites">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Travel Trouble

The internet's founder wants to "fix the web" but his proposal isn't ideal

On March 12, the 30th anniversary of the World Wide Web, the internet’s founder Tim Berners-Lee said we needed to “<a href="https://webfoundation.org/2019/03/web-birthday-30/">fix the web</a>”. The statement attracted considerable interest. However, a resulting manifesto released on Sunday, and dubbed the <a href="https://contractfortheweb.org/">Contract for the Web</a>, is a major disappointment. Endorsed by more than 80 corporations and non-government organisations, the campaign seeks a return to the “<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/10/1301496/">open web</a>” of the 1990s and early 2000s – one largely free of corporate control over content. While appealing in theory, the contract glosses over several key challenges. It doesn’t account for the fact that most internet content is now accessed through a small number of digital platforms, such as Google and Facebook. Known as the “<a href="https://eprints.qut.edu.au/129830/">platformisation of the internet</a>”, it’s this phenomenon which has generated many of the problems the web now faces, and this is where the focus should be. An undercooked proposal Berners-Lee identified major obstacles threatening the future of the web, including the circulation of malicious content, “<a href="https://webfoundation.org/2019/03/web-birthday-30/">perverse incentives</a>” that promote clickbait, and the growing polarisation of online debate. Having played a central role in the web’s development, he promised to use his influence to promote positive digital change. He said the Contract for the Web was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/nov/24/tim-berners-lee-unveils-global-plan-to-save-the-internet">a revolutionary statement</a>. In fact, it’s deeply conservative. Berners-Lee claims it’s the moral responsibility of everybody to “save the web”. This implies the solution involves engaging civic morality and corporate ethics, rather than enacting laws and regulations that make digital platforms more publicly accountable. The contract views governments, not corporations, as the primary threat to an open internet. But governments’ influence is restricted to building digital infrastructure (such as fast broadband), facilitating online access, removing illegal content and maintaining data security. Missing links The contract doesn’t prescribe <a href="https://www.iicom.org/intermedia/intermedia-past-issues/intermedia-jul-2019/taking-aim-at-big-tech">measures</a> to address power misuse by digital platforms, or a solution to the <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/assets/documents/research/T3-Report-Tackling-the-Information-Crisis.pdf">power imbalance</a> between such platforms and content creators. This is despite <a href="https://www.iicom.org/intermedia/intermedia-past-issues/intermedia-july-2018/platforms-on-trial">more than 50 public inquiries</a> currently taking place worldwide into the power of digital platforms. The most obvious gaps in the contract are around the obligations of digital platform companies. And while there are welcome commitments to strengthening user privacy and data protection, there’s no mention of how these problems emerged in the first place. It doesn’t consider whether the harvesting of user data to maximise advertising revenue is not the result of “<a href="https://contractfortheweb.org/principles/principle-5-respect-and-protect-peoples-privacy-and-personal-data-to-build-online-trust/">user interfaces and design patterns</a>”, but is instead baked into the <a href="https://www.hiig.de/en/data-colonialism-nick-couldry-digital-society/">business models of digital platform companies</a>. Its proposals are familiar: address the digital divide between rich and poor, improve digital service delivery, improve diversity in hiring practices, pursue human-centered digital design, and so forth. But it neglects to ask whether the internet may now be less open because a small number of conglomerates are dominating the web. There is <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Digital%20Platforms%20Inquiry%20-%20Final%20report%20-%20part%201.pdf">evidence</a> that platforms such as Google and Facebook dominate search and social media respectively, and the digital advertising connected with these. Not a civic responsibility Much of the work in the contract seems to fall onto citizens, who are expected to “<a href="https://contractfortheweb.org/principles/principle-9-fight-for-the-web/">fight for the web</a>”. They bear responsibility for maintaining proper online discourse, protecting vulnerable users, using their privacy settings properly and generating creative content (presumably unpaid and non-unionized). The contract feels like a document from the late 1990s, forged in the spirit of “<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/wired25-louis-rossetto-tech-militant-optimism/">militant optimism</a>” about the internet. It offers only <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/016344387009001005">pseudo-regulation</a> for tech giants. It also implies if tech giants can demonstrate greater diversity in hiring practices, allow users to better manage their privacy settings, and make some investments in disadvantaged communities, then they can avoid serious regulatory consequences. Legacies of internet culture A big question is why leading non-government organisations such as the <a href="https://www.eff.org/">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/">Public Knowledge</a> have signed-on to such a weak contract. This may be because two elements of the original legacy of internet culture (as it started developing in the 1990s) are still applicable today. One is the view that governments present a greater threat to public interest than corporations. This leads non-governmental organisations to favour legally binding frameworks that restrain the influence of governments, rather than addressing issues of market dominance. The contract doesn’t mention, for instance, whether governments have a role in legislating to ensure digital platforms address issues of online hate speech. This is despite evidence that social media platforms are used to <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmhaff/609/60904.htm#_idTextAnchor005">spread hate, abuse and violent extremism</a>. The second is the tendency to think the internet is a different realm to society at large, so laws that apply to other aspects of the online environment are deemed inappropriate for digital platform companies. An example in Australia is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/law-should-treat-social-media-companies-as-publishers-attorney-general-20191120-p53cch.html">defamation law not being applied to digital platforms such as Facebook</a>, but being applied to the comments sections of news websites. Berners-Lee’s manifesto for the future of the web is actually more conservative than proposals coming from government regulators, such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/focus-areas/inquiries-ongoing/digital-platforms-inquiry">Digital Platforms Inquiry</a>. The ACCC is closely evaluating issues arising because of digital platforms, whereas the Contract for the Web looks wistfully back to the open web of the 1990s as a path to the future. It fails to address the changing political economy of the internet, and the rise of digital platforms. And it’s a barrier to meaningfully addressing the problems plaguing today’s web.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127793/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/terry-flew-3944">Terry Flew</a>, Professor of Communication and Creative Industries, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-internets-founder-now-wants-to-fix-the-web-but-his-proposal-misses-the-mark-127793">original article</a>.

Technology

Millions of Facebook user records exposed in data breach

Researchers at the cybersecurity firm UpGuard have said that they’ve discovered the existence of two datasets that contain the personal data of hundreds of millions of Facebook users. Both datasets were publicly accessible. UpGuard explained in a <a href="https://www.upguard.com/breaches/facebook-user-data-leak">blog post</a> how they connected the databases. They connected the first one to a Mexico-based media company called Cultura Colectiva, which contained over 146GB of data. This amounts to over 540 million Facebook user records. The user records include comments, likes, reactions, account names, Facebook user IDS and much more. The second leak was connected to an app that was integrated with Facebook called “At the pool” and had exposed around 22,000 passwords. “The passwords are presumably for the ‘At the Pool’ app rather than for the user’s Facebook account, but would put users at risk who have reused the same password across accounts,” UpGuard said. The second database contained information about users’ friends, likes, groups and locations where they checked in using the app. Both datasets were stored in unsecured Amazon S3 buckets and could have been accessed by anyone. Neither bucket was password protected, but since UpGuard have reported on the breach, they have either been taken offline or made more secure. UpGuard explained the difference in the datasets: “The data sets vary in when they were last updated, the data points present, and the number of unique individuals in each. “What ties them together is that they both contain data about Facebook users, describing their interests, relationships, and interactions, that were available to third party developers.” UpGuard then added: “As Facebook faces scrutiny over its data stewardship practices, they have made efforts to reduce third party access. But as these exposures show, the data genie cannot be put back in the bottle. Data about Facebook users has been spread far beyond the bounds of what Facebook can control today.” Facebook were quick to work with Amazon to take down the databases and release a statement saying that they’ve done so: “Facebook’s policies prohibit storing Facebook information in a public database. Once alerted to the issue, we worked with Amazon to take down the databases. We are committed to working with the developers on our platform to protect people’s data.” However, the damage has already been done. UpGuard has warned users of the app to change their passwords and say that the breach “puts users at risk who have reused the same password across accounts. Have you been impacted by the breach? Let us know in the comments.

Technology

Inside the farm that inspired “Charlotte’s Web”

Are you a fan of the iconic children’s book Charlotte’s Web? Do you have a spare US$3.7 million lying around? If so, you could get your hands on the very farm that inspired E.B. White’s 1952 tale. Located in in Brooklin in the US state of Maine, the gorgeous 44-acre farm (which dates back to the 1700s) is home to the exact barn from which White drew inspiration for the book – and when you see it, you’ll completely understand why. For the past 30 years, ever since its famous owner passed away, the picturesque property has been in the hands of Robert and Mary Gallant, married 60 years, who have maintained many of the estate’s original historic features. To see the gorgeous lakeside home for yourself, scroll through the gallery above, and tell us in the comments below – can you picture Charlotte, Wilbur, Fern and the gang here? Image credit: Mark Fleming/Yankee Magazine.

Books

Your Medicare details are being illegally sold on the dark web

A darknet trader claims that the Medicare card information of every Australian is available to purchase online on the “dark web”. The revelations follow an investigation by a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/04/the-medicare-machine-patient-details-of-any-australian-for-sale-on-darknet">Guardian Australia</a> journalist who was able to buy their own Medicare details from a darknet trader who is illegally selling the information. The website reports at least 75 Australians have already had their data sold on the website, with prices set at as little as $30. Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge has asked his department and the Australian Federal Police to investigate the reports. "Claims made in the Guardian newspaper that Medicare card numbers are able to be purchased on the dark web are being taken seriously by the Government and are under investigation," Mr Tudge said in a statement. The darknet seller claims they are "exploiting a vulnerability" in the Medicare system, which allowed them access to the data. There are fears the data breach could lead to identity fraud, but Mr Tudge says there’s no indication there’s been a wide-scale breach. "The advice I have received from the chief information officer in my department is that there has not been a cyber security breach of our systems as such, but rather it is more likely to have been a traditional criminal activity," he said. The contents of the “dark web” are hidden to most internet users. People can remain anonymous and untraceable online, allowing them to purchase or engage in criminal activities. Government agencies routinely monitor the dark web.

Body

3-year-old is world’s youngest (and cutest) barista

Is this the world’s cutest barista? Adler Webb is a mere three-years-old, quite possibly making him the world’s youngest barista. But don’t let his age fool you – he can whip up an impressively crafted (decaf) cappuccino all on his own. Adler recently put his coffee-making skills to work in a video for a popular coffee blog that scouts the best coffee spots all over the world. His father, Andrew, owns the café, Bindle Coffee, but we’re sure all eyes are always on the youngster who adorably sports a tiny apron when at work. Watch Adler make a flawless cup of coffee above, including the cute moment where Adler, pulling a lever, is impressed with his own mighty strength. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/15-things-kids-of-today-are-missing-out-on/">15 things kids of today are missing out on</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/grandparents-make-grandchildren-happy-study/">Why the grandparent grandchild relationship is important for happiness</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/easy-recipes-for-children/">30 cheap – or free – holiday activities to do with grandkids</a>

News

What popular websites looked like 15 years ago

The year was 2000. The millennium was celebrated with gusto (and thankfully, no disaster despite all the predictions) with little idea of how much the world – at least the World Wide Web – was going to change in the next 15 years. These old school versions of popular websites very much illustrate how much the internet and technology have changed in such a short amount of time. Do you remember visiting these on the early days of dial-up internet? The Prime Minister’s website (Pm.gov.au) Then: <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7772/pm-then_498x280.jpg" alt="PM Then"/> Now: <img width="499" height="310" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7773/pm-now_499x310.jpg" alt="PM Now"/> SBS (sbs.com.au) Then: <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7774/sbs-then_498x280.jpg" alt="SBS Then"/> Now: <img width="499" height="265" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7775/sbs-now_499x265.jpg" alt="SBS Now"/> Apple’s website (apple.com) Then: <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7776/apple-then_498x280.jpg" alt="Apple Then"/> Now: <img width="496" height="260" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7777/apple-now_496x260.jpg" alt="Apple Now"/> Yahoo! (yahoo.com) Then: <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7778/yahoo-then_498x280.jpg" alt="Yahoo Then"/> Now: <img width="500" height="324" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7779/yahoo-now_500x324.jpg" alt="Yahoo Now"/> Ebay (ebay.com) Then: <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7780/ebay-then_498x280.jpg" alt="SMH Then"/> Now: <img width="499" height="335" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7781/ebay-now_499x335.jpg" alt="Ebay Now"/> The Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au) Then:<img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7783/smh-then_498x280.jpg" alt="SMH Then (2)"/> Now: <img width="500" height="319" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7784/smh-now_500x319.jpg" alt="SMH Now"/> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/07/emoji-use-study/">According to our emoji use, Australians love alcohol, junk food, holidays and clothes</a> <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/06/google-im-feeling-lucky-button/">Whatever happened to Google’s “I'm Feeling Lucky” button?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/06/were-obsessed-with-smartphones/">10 images that prove smartphones have taken over our lives</a>

Technology

10 fun facts about the World Wide Web

Most of us use it but how much do we actually know about the World Wide Web? Here we bring you some of the most interesting facts about the web that we found off the web… 1. The web is not the same thing as the internet. The web is any information that is identified with a URL (Universal Resource Locator). Think of the internet as the tracks of a railway system and applications such as the web, as one of the many types of traffic which runs on that infrastructure. The web is big and important but it’s only one of the things that runs on the internet. 2. Although most website addresses begin with “www” there is no requirement they have to begin this way. It’s a remnant of an early convention to help people recognise that someone was running a web server. 3. Of the seven billion people on the earth, around 2.4 billion has internet access. That’s around 40 per cent of the world’s population. 4. Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989. He is the first individual to have completely transformed mankind’s communication environment since Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1455, widely regarded as the most important event of the modern period. 5. Berners-Lee copied the double slash “//” in URLs from the Apollo workstation’s domain file system. 6. The internet’s first website went online on August 6, 1991. Berners-Lee and his fellow team members launched a page that contained 153 words. 7. The web is the single fastest-growing communication medium of all time. The web took four years to reach its first 50 million users while it took broadcast radio 38 years and television 13 years. 8. It is estimated by the end of 2015, around 15 billion gadgets – such as your smartphones, tablets, desktops, servers, wireless routers and hotspots, car GPS units, watches and so much more – will be connected to the internet. By 2020, it’s believed it will be 40 billion gadgets. 9. According to Pew Research Center, the US use the internet the most with 78.6 per cent of global web usage. Australia came in second at 67.6 per cent, followed by Europe (63.2 per cent), Latin America/Caribbean (42.9 per cent), Middle East (40.2 per cent), Asia (25.7 per cent) and Africa (15.6). Interestingly, 24 nations remain completely offline. 10. The first emoticon is credited to Kevin Mackenzie in 1979 who typed in the simple “-)”. Three years later, Scott Fahlman proposed a “:-)” which has become the norm. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2014/08/10-technology-commandments/">10 technology commandments</a> <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2014/08/how-to-use-social-media-to-make-new-friends/">How to use social media to make new friends</a> <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2014/09/tools-to-turn-you-into-a-tech-savvy-senior-now/">Tools to turn you into a tech-savvy senior NOW</a>

Technology

8 tips for writing for the web

Have you recently started blogging about one of your hobbies? Or maybe you’ve started a new business and created a website to get the word out there? It’s great you’re part of the online world but the next step is to think about your writing. One important factor to remember is writing for the web is very different to other types of writing. Unlike a book or even a newspaper where people read cover-to-cover, people who browse the web scan and skim the text. A study by Nielsen Norman Group found only 16 per cent of users actually read online copy while 79 per cent scanned it. It is vital then that you tailor your writing to the habits of online readers so you can gain and keep your readers. Here are 8 handy tips to help you get started.1. Make your content scan-worthyIf you clicked on a page on the web and a big chunk of text was loaded, would you want to read it? Probably not, right? So make your content visually appealing and scan worthy by having headings, subheadings, lists and short paragraphs.2. Know your audienceYour blog or website will be targeting a specific audience so ensure you are writing for them. What are their needs? What are their wants? What do they come to your website or blog to find?3. Be friendly and conversationalImagine you are telling your information to a friend. Don’t write words you would never say aloud but most importantly, address your web audience like you would in real life4. Keep it short and simpleMost people looking for information on the web aren’t going to be bothered to read an essay. Keep the word-count short and to the point. And make sure to keep it simple. If the point you are trying to make is too complex to follow, people will give up and stop reading.5. Use visuals and imagesPhotos and pictures are just as important as text in the online world. They will make your page more enjoyable for someone to look at and read. Just make sure your images are relevant and adds value to your writing though.6. Put the most important information firstThe most important information should always be “front and centre”. Even if people only read the first paragraph, they will still understand what your post is all about.8. Stay on topicMany people who look up information on the internet are searching for specific topics. If they have to sift through a lot of irrelevant information to find what they are looking for they will most likely abandon your article. If your topic is broad, consider separating it into a few articles rather than trying to include all your information in one long article.8. Write with authority Would you listen to someone who doesn’t seem like they know what they’re talking about? You are the authority on your subject so don’t be afraid to write confidently and assertively. Give your readers a reason to trust what you are saying.If you have a blog or business website it would be worthwhile to taking a course on writing for the web. Open Universities Australia offers a <a href="http://www.open.edu.au/courses/arts/curtin-university-web-publishing--web206-2014" target="_blank">Web Publishing</a> degree which will teach you to effectively write and present information on the internet.

Technology

Web series Jiwi's Machines to feature Kiwi-made contraptions

At 30 years old, Joseph Herscher is making his living from odd contraptions.They're called Rube Goldberg machines, named for a cartoonist who used to depict them in his work. Simply put, it's a complex chain reaction machine that "usually does some ludicrously simple task at the end - like turning a page or watering a plant".Herscher has gone on to make machines to hold his books while he was in bed, dispense giant jaffas, smash a Creme Egg, and just recently - to get himself dressed.His interest in the machines faded in Herscher's teenage years, but at aged 22 he and his flatmates decided to make something - they lost interest within the day but Herscher kept building until the machine took over the whole apartment."And then I didn't know what to do with it, so I filmed it, put it on Youtube and it went viral - got 7 million views"It was then the job offers started to come in. He's since worked on promotions, advertisements, events, educational kids' books and even Sesame Street - and he's now creating his own comedy web series, where in a world first, each episode will feature a new Rube Goldberg machine.The series, Jiwi's Machines draws inspiration from silent comedies and their heroes; the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton - Herscher even especially learned mime for the part.The four-part series, funded by NZ On Air, features physical comedy and classic gags as well as the machines. In it, Herscher stars as Jiwi with a cast of six, which includes well-known actress Olivia Tennet and a cameo appearance from leading Kiwi scientist Dr Michelle Dickinson."I started off doing it because I thought I needed it - I thought I needed something to hold my books for me or turn on the light from bed...it was pragmatic. But I did also notice that it made my parents laugh and that kind of spurred me on. Now I do it for entertainment really, for other people," says Herscher."I love the playfulness of seeing everyday objects used in unusual ways, that delights me and I want to share that delight with other people. We are naturally playful creatures, so for us to see a machine which is somehow playful rather than meeting an end goal - it tickles us."<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/allonewordplease" target="_blank">Click here</a> to visit Joseph’s YouTube Channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/allonewordplease" target="_blank">Joseph Herscher - Kinetic Artist</a>.Written by Siena Yates. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a> Related links:<a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/10/new-zealand%E2%80%99s-best-views-are-being-sold/">Some of New Zealand's most beautiful views are being sold to private hands</a><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/10/kiwis-avoid-app-store-price-hike/">Kiwis avoid Apple's App Store price hike</a><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/10/all-blacks-fireworks-gone-wrong/">All Blacks fireworks display gone wrong costs pyrotechnics company $100K</a>

Web series Jiwi's Machines to feature Kiwi-made contraptions

10 keyboard shortcuts when surfing the web

If you enjoy surfing the web (you’re reading this so we assume you do!) then these nifty shortcuts will speed up your process. Remember to hold down the first key (such as CTRL, ALT, Command) and then the following key simultaneously.Open a new tab on your web pageTabbed pages are a great feature in letting you open multiple web pages in one window. To launch a new tab press:PC: CTRL + TMac: Command + TOpen a new windowTo open a completely new window just press:PC: CTRL + NMac: Command + NQuick access to the address barThe URL bar is where your type in the website address. Don’t bother reaching for the mouse with these shortcuts.PC: ALT + D Mac: Command + LFavourite/bookmark a pageAn amazing feature so you can quickly return to an interesting article or page.PC: CTRL + DMac: Command + DClose a tab pageStop searching for the little X to close your page. This shortcut will only close your current tab page and not the whole browser.PC: CTRL + F4 or CTRL + WMac: Command + WRefresh your web pageIf your page hasn’t loaded correctly or you just want to see the latest updates on our Facebook page, refreshing your page will bring the most up to date version.PC: F5 or CTRL + RMac: Command + RReopen previous tab in browserHave you ever accidentally closed the tab you were browsing and for the life you can’t remember where you found it? This shortcut will solve the problem opening up the last tab you closed.PC: Ctrl + Shift + TMac: Command + Shift + TFind a keywordYou are searching for something specific and don’t want to read through all the unnecessary text. This feature will bring up a box to type the word or phrase you want.PC: Ctrl + FMac: Command + FGo back to previous pageYou could click the back button or you could just press the keyboard Backspace key instead.Cancel loading your web pageWeb pages that are slow to load are frustrating. If you can do away with all the graphics and videos that often take a while to load, press the ESC (escape) key and it will stop loading.

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8 tips for writing for the web

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8 tips for writing for the web

Web series Jiwi's Machines to feature Kiwi-made contraptions

Web series Jiwi's Machines to feature Kiwi-made contraptions

10 keyboard shortcuts when surfing the web

8 tips for writing for the web

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