A Geography game using Google Street View – Geogessr

Think you really know Geography?  Geoguessr is an online game that uses Google’s Street View.   With a small map in the corner of Google’s Street View, you pin where you think the Street View scene is.   You then submit your guess and the distance from the real location is measured.     It’s an excellent way to travel and view the world.

Give it a shot.  I just couldn’t bring myself to show one of the answers.  Visit GeoGuessr.

Hints

• License plates
• Signs?
• Traffic on Left or Right lane?
• Look at vehicles
• Flags?
• Mountain ranges?
• Trees?  Bushes
• Coastal?  Think of waterways, look at ships
• Winds? Look at the trees.
• Buildings (look at roofs)
• How are people dressed?

Highest score so far 9800 points….

Over 50% use unauthorized file sharing apps at work

Sixty-six percent of those polled use free file-sharing platforms and, among these, 55 percent do so without alerting their IT departments. Without knowing which tools are being deployed within their organizations, IT administrators risk corporate assets, sensitive information and intellectual property being distributed, modified and stored without authorization. In some cases, this can result in violations of national and international laws regarding data security, transparency and privacy. (shared by addthis) Read more

As an IT professional, it can become a logistical nightmare when BYOD is allowed in an organization. BYOD works in education by giving students that extra resource when completing homework or taking notes. Reasons why BYOD needs to be monitored.

• Outdated OS updates (multiple platforms)
• Outdated Anti-virus software
• P2P file sharing illegal software
• Application Downloading and bandwidth

Steps to take

• BYOD policies
• NAP protection
• Subnetting / VLAN segregation of the network
• Track Applications downloaded
• Educate Employees
• Promote wipe utilities
• Promote updates/anti-virus utilities
• Require registration

I didn’t change them, they changed me

Often I have students come back and tell me how I helped change their life.   Maybe it is modesty but I don’t truly take credit for their changes.   It truly was the student who decided that they would change themselves. Meeting these people truly changed my life.    It has made me stronger in delivering curriculum and has changed me by allowing me to honestly meet people that are unique and genuine.  Here’s just a few examples of hundreds of students who have went through our course.   I wish I could feature each and every one.

I’m not sure that I could get to Demopolis, Alabama but Carleton Corley came to our school several years ago wanting to change his life from Alabama.  I try to give kudos to people I have met over the years who have ‘wanted’ something and Carleton came with a hunger to do just that.   Carleton has become a role model for younger students and will be one of my many examples over the years to come.

He was met with challenges and has grown to be an IT professional that I now consider to be a peer.  To hear his commitment to providing his employer with a quality service, makes me truly proud.    If you knew him, you would know he is this type of person.    Life delivers challenges and it is up to you to overcome those challenges.

When I watch these challenges being overcome,  it changes me each and every time.   He is one of many slices of my life that provides me with the motivation to keep doing what I do.

Explore your Skydrive with SDExplorer

Microsoft has one of the best cloud storage solutions on the web.   Skydrive which is free allows for over 25gb of file storage.   Skydrive also has the ability to create Microsoft documents such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote on the fly.

If you want an easy way to navigate your Skydive using Windows Explorer, then SDExplorer is an excellent option.  SDExplorer has an Advanced Edition as well as a free Edition.   SDExplorer requires you to login using your Skydrive credentials and maps to your drive in the cloud.    See a list of the Free vs. Advanced Editions here.

        

 

How much does the internet weigh?

So how much does the data weigh?  Not the cabling, computers, or other physical devices (satellites, wireless access points, servers…).  We’re talking about the data.  You’ll be surprised!

How to Build a Computer an Animated Guide – You won’t believe the Graphics

Rick over at What’s on My PC  has found a great link for everyone that show’s an animated guide to building a computer.  This GEM will be used in class. Excellent Find!  The graphics are just unreal.   If you select a processor, it zooms to the case, into the case, removes the heatsink and fan and shows the processor flipping out.   Awesome.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month

“When you begin college, you are probably on your own for the first time. You are taking on new responsibilities, making your own decisions, and becoming part of the campus community. There is an important role that you can play in your college’s cybersecurity efforts that combines these elements of responsibility, decision-making, and community.

You use your computer almost daily, for homework, research, social networking, online purchases, and more…”   Read More

TTC Shelbyville supports the National Cyber Security Alliance and has once again submitted to be a partner (2011 NCSAM Champions) under the National Cyber Security Alliance.

Get Involved!

 

• Businesses
• College Administrators
• Community-Based Organizations
• K-12 Educators and Administrators
• Faith-Based Organizations
• Home Users
• Libraries
• Local Government
• Local Law Enforcement
• Victims’ Services Organizations

Resources for students

Stay safe online videos

Department of Homeland Security Information

Stop – Think – Connect

 

Tips – Resources and Documents

Check your computer for viruses or malware:

 

AOL Computer Checkup

Audit My PC

BitDefender

CA Technologies

ESET Online Scanner

Kaspersky Virus Scanner

McAfee Security Scan

Panda Security Antivirus Scan

Qualys Browser Check

QualysGuard Malware Detection

Symantec Security Check

TrendMicro HouseCall Virus Scan

Webroot Spy Sweeper

Windows Live

 

Your IT career – How to accelerate your career

Network Steve (not me) has great tips on how to accelerate your IT career.  Many students who leave for an IT career will find their place in IT and will not continue to study or learn new skills.  Here’s some great tips on what you can do to move forward.  An excellent read.

Accelerating Your IT Career

 
Note: Also begin to do research and write whitepapers…publish original articles.

Good Internet Citizens?

Good Internet Citizens: Are Your High School and College Students Aware?

As we send our children off to high school and college, where they’re encouraged to use computers and the Internet in their studies. What’s wrong with that? Nothing really, it’s a good thing. But should they decide to get into online mischief, they…and you, might wish they hadn’t.Continue reading →

Help Net Security – Free [IN] Secure Magazine

Help Net Security has one of the best magazines available for anyone wanting to learn about the latest trends, information, tutorials and other info on technology security.  Help Net Security has over 30 sponsors that help with their [IN]Secure Magazine and with these big name organizations sponsoring this excellent resource, this is definitely one of the best resources on the web.

June Issue (No. 30)

Turn your computer into a teleprompter

If you need to make a small film clip, or if you are making an online streaming video, you can use TeleKast a freeware software that acts a a teleprompter.    Use TeleKast at church, school, when giving a speech or whenever you need a teleprompter to help a speaker.

TeleKast is an open source teleprompter. Scripts are created and used to create content for the teleprompter. The scripts can also be used for doing feature stories and interviews. TeleKast is your means for creative communication.

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Certified in Wireless Technologies

Most exams required in the Computer Information Technology program are vendor neutral.  Recently TTC Shelbyville added the CWTS Certified Wireless Technology Specialist to the IT program offered.   A recent salary survey showed that wireless specialist can earn $94,000 annually.  More Information

Link to Survey

Average Salary  (US)

• 2005 – $69,000
• 2006 – $74,000
• 2007 – $78,000
• 2008 – $86,170

Exam Objectives