Factors Affecting GPS Signal

Posted on April 30, 2008

Certainly, in spite of the much touted accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal, there are factors that can degrade it and thus affect its accuracy. Some of these are due to ionosphere and troposphere delay, signal multi-path, receiver clock errors, orbital errors, number of satellite visible, satellite geometry/shading and intentional degradation of the satellite signal.

Satellite signals tend to slow down at it passes through the atmosphere or is reflected off by objects such as tall buildings or large rock surfaces before reaching the receiver. A receiver’s built-in clock is usually not as accurate as the atomic clocks on-board the GPS satellites thus the slight timing errors. The inaccuracies of the satellites reported location, less GPS receivers that can “see” as well as poor geometry of satellites can all affect the accuracy of the GPS signal.

Artificial SEO

Posted on April 27, 2008

Search Engine Optimization or SEO in its natural form tends to be more time consuming and tedious than its artificial counterpart but is prone to longevity of results than the latter. While natural SEO focuses on content, keyword enhanced copy and use of proper descriptions, artificial SEO may use software generated keyword enhanced pages, methods of re-directs and software generated doorway pages.

Artificial SEO usually speed up rankings and placement initially but tend to go down as quickly especially when the existing content does not warrant such high ranking. There is also the risk of being banned when keyword dense pages are automatically generated en masse and are viewed as spammers. A site owner that aims to promote a product or services seriously for a good number of years or a lifetime would fare better using the natural way.

Keyword Dilution

Posted on April 24, 2008

Many sites enjoyed good ranking until they decided to go for keyword dilution. Keyword dilution is basically stuffing as many keywords or key phrases as possible in one page. Although the right keyword or key phrases may hold the key to the customer’s attention, too much of these words might actually work for the opposite and close the door for opportunities.

Major search engines do not really appreciate keyword dilution and show their distaste for it by dropping the sites altogether. Useless words are just that – useless. No reader would like to see unnecessary repetition of words such as “bags, red bags, white bags, blue bags…” when it can be written as “bags come in red, white, blue…” It is simply jarring to the senses.

Today’s Cell Phone Technology

Posted on April 22, 2008

Cellular phones are used by millions of people around the world and for good reason. They are such great gadgets that talking to anyone on just about any part of the planet is now possible. Cell phones are able to perform an array of functions with new ones being added almost simultaneously and would vary depending on the model.

Some of these functions would include storing contact information, making task or –to-do-lists, keeping track of appointments, setting reminders, simple math calculations, sending or receiving e-mails, getting information such as news, entertainment or stock quotes from the Internet, playing games, watching TV, sending text messages and integrating other devices such as PDAs, MP3 players and GPS receivers.

Identity Theft Using Technology

Posted on April 17, 2008

Identity theft happens when someone uses another’s personal identifying information such as name, social security number or credit card number without any permission or consent in order to commit fraud or other crimes. It used to be that people would just have to look out for old-fashioned stealing where wallets, purses or mail is physically taken. Stealing of personal records or bribing someone who has access to such records is another form.

The convenience provided by advanced technology has spawned a corresponding evil which people with less than good intentions and substantial technical know-how use to their advantage. One specific method that was introduced by regular computer use is phishing where perpetuators pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get the user to reveal personal information.

Data Profiling

Posted on April 13, 2008

The process of assembling information about a particular individual in order to generate a picture of his/her patterns and behavior is what is referred to as data profiling. It is used in security, law enforcement and intelligence operations for a variety of applications. Government is able to access information from third parties such as banks and credit companies by informally requesting access by compelling such access through other procedures or by purchasing data from commercial data aggregators or data brokers.

Information regarding an individual transaction is relatively easy to get hold of since no high value is generally placed on isolation. It becomes valuable when a number of such transactions are aggregated to assemble a detailed profile revealing the actions, habits and preferences of an individual.

Ballistic Fingerprinting

Posted on April 7, 2008

Ballistic fingerprints are the identifying marks made on the bullets and cartridge casings when a gun is fired. They are as unique as human fingerprints as no two firearms leave the same marks. These marks can be reproduced, meaning that an identical mark is made every time the same gun is fired. Due to the uniqueness and reproducible quality of ballistic fingerprints, solving gun crimes becomes a lot easier as rapid identification of the specific crime weapon used is possible.

The technology that matches bullets to firearms is known as ballistic fingerprinting. It works to provide police with relevant crime leads but needs a comprehensive database of ballistic fingerprints of every gun before it is sold to determine which specific gun (manufacturer, model, serial number) the bullets were fired from.

The Art of Natural Surveillance

Posted on April 5, 2008

Surveillance need not be all technology and gadgets. This has been proven to a certain degree in the aspect of crime prevention through environmental design. This idea features “defensible space” models which rely on the ability to influence offender’s decision preceding criminal acts. It is based on the theory that the decision to offend or not is influenced by the perceived risk of detection and apprehension.

The opportunity for crime is limited by a design that maximizes usability and foster positive social interaction. This makes the offender feel increased scrutiny and limitations to escape routes. In reality, it is not only the fact that offenders might be seen that matters, but how much the offenders “think” they will be seen. Natural surveillance might just succeed where technology failed.

Making Money

Posted on April 4, 2008

Thanks or no thanks to today’s advanced photo copiers, scanners and printers, making counterfeit money is becoming easier. The new face of counterfeiting features younger offenders that are more comfortable with technology and most of the times have no prior criminal record. It used to be an expensive and laborious process to reproduce a high-quality U.S. green buck or any other paper currency. It was also very difficult to launder large qualities of cash needed to repay the investment. The easy availability of technology today has tempted some into committing a serious felony they wouldn’t even dream of doing.

Counterfeiters and the law have been battling it out since the time money was invented. Thieves have always found a way to make their own cash while authorities try to stop them. The war between these two has grown more sophisticated over time as new advances in technology open up new opportunities for illegitimate production of money.

The Replacement

Posted on April 3, 2008

Digital cash has brought clear advantages over traditional money which makes many wonder if it is about to replace real money soon. Electronic money is precise, simple and convenient for its users. Banks foresee the elimination of thousands of paper transactions and the corresponding reduction in user fees. Many corporations are eyeing the possibility of entirely circumventing banks by creating direct company to company transfers.

A lot of companies are rushing to develop new technologies that will create secure and efficient transactions over the Internet in an effort to bring more consumers into it. This is because digital cash, in spite of its convenience, brings with it its own set of complex problems. The anonymity afforded by the use of digital money has presented an opportunity for tax evaders and money launderers. Hackers could also break into digital cash systems and download the wealth of thousands of unsuspecting customers. The use of digital cash will still rapidly increase but may not be ready to totally replace real cash soon enough.

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