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.

Free for Freedom

Posted on April 29, 2008

The term “free software” associated with programs such as Linux immediately connotes the absence of monetary cost which may be true in one aspect. More importantly though, free refers to the freedom given with its use.

Users are free to run the program for any purpose. They are free to study how the program works and adapt it to their specific needs. The freedom to redistribute copies to help others is also provided while the freedom to improve the program and release such improvements to the public ensures that the whole community benefit from it. A program can only be considered free software if these freedoms are afforded to the users irrevocably as long as they do nothing wrong.

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.

How the GPS Works

Posted on April 20, 2008

When a network of satellites is placed into orbit, Global Positioning System or GPS can be put to work. As GPS satellites circle the earth in a very precise orbit, it is able to transmit signal information to earth. The GPS receivers pick up this information and calculate the user’s exact location by triangulation. The GPS receiver compares the time of transmission of the signal by a satellite with the time it was received. How far away the satellite is can be determined by the GPS receiver through the time difference. With distance measurements provided by a few more satellites, the user’s position is determined by the receiver and displays it on the unit’s electronic map.

The calculation of a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement can be done when a GPS receiver is locked on to the signal of at least three satellites. The user’s 3D position (latitude, longitude, altitude) on the other hand can be determined with at least four more satellites in view. The GPS can easily calculate other information such as speed, bearing, track and others once the user’s position is determined.

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.

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