Your kid’s a Pirate.

I know, I know you thought they went as a cute fairy or a scary ghost this Halloween.   Well, I hate to break it to you but, you’re wrong, they went as a pirate. Actually if they are a “normal”  teen they’ve been pirates for quite some time.

Here’s the stats.

Globally 95% of all music downloads are illegal according to the IFPI study released at the beginning of  the year.  So according to the IFPI if you download music you are most likely doing it illegally.

But  don’t worry too much because your teens don’t think it is as bad as other forms of stealing. That should help ease the blow huh?

If your kids are like the teen in the recent Microsoft study “Only half of the teens surveyed (48%) indicated a punishment  was appropriate for illegal downloading, compared to 85% who say getting caught taking a mobile
phone out of someone‟s locker at school, 89% stealing a video game, DVD orCD and 90% stealing a bike.”

And it’s not just music.  iPhone/iTouch apps are pirated, Movies, TV shows, and software are all  downloaded illegally via Point to Point (P2P) programs.  Now not all P2P traffic is illegal but it definitely is a high percentage.

Take a look for any of these programs on your computer:Kazza, Limewire,  Bearshare, uTorrent, Azureus.

See a full popular torrent list here http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/peersharing/f/torrentclients.htm

Our advice:

So whether or not your teen dressed up like a pirate, knocked on peoples doors and demanded free music this Halloween weekend you still should open up the dialogue on this topic with them and give them some of the free and paid alternative below. Not only will you help them make better music downloading choices but you will also be helping them to minimize the risk of viruses, inappropriate content (vids, pics, etc.) and the Feds. knocking on your door.

Download responsibly.  Below are some great sites:

Pandora Radio– Free online radio
lala.com– free full song previews plus 10 cent web stored purchases
Spotify.com (currently only avaliable in the UK) free online music plus a premium paid subscription with additional features.
Good list of free music sites here http://mashable.com/2008/06/30/free-legal-music-sites/
Itunes–  Download for .99 – 1.39 cents.
Amazon– download for .69 cents

Last Links:

• More stats on iPhone app piracy–  http://www.pinchmedia.com/blog/piracy-in-the-app-store-from-360idev/
• Full .pdf of the IFPI’s report on Music Piracy– http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2009.pdf
• Microsofts report on teen views about illegal downloading–

Do your kids think before they post? Well if you are part of the National average they probably don’t. The good news is that average is falling, maybe in part to these commercials being broadcast around the nation. Have you seen them? If not it well worth the 1 minute of your time.

Take a look right here.   If you want to watch all of the video.

Now what about you? Yes you. Did you know most HR departments Google you prior to hiring? People that start a new dating relationship Google each other too. Yes it is true, the Internet really does change the way we live.

The Rub:

Now it’s time to get personal… Have you ever posted a funny video of your kid online? What happens when that kid grows up? Do his friends find that rather embarrassing video?

Darren Kuropatwa on his Blog “A Difference” sums it up rather nicely below:

Searching YouTube for David After Dentist reveals over 1800 results. In classic YouTube fashion, the video has been remixed and parodied. You’ll also find that since the video went viral there is now a blog collating all the remixes, parodies, other humourous and viral videos, an Amazon store, various other ways of monetizing the video of a 7 year old boy who went to the dentist, was medicated, and took a while to fully recover his senses.

I wonder how young David is going to feel about all this in five years; when he’s in high school. As he struggles to establish his own identity and “fit in,” how will he feel if (when?) this video resurfaces and spreads throughout the school?

I wonder if David’s parents have fully thought through the future ramifications for David; from the point of view of his future self.

Now since there are already 33,204,700 views you might as well watch it too.

Last Links

• Cox Teen Internet Survey results–  http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=76341&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=998134&
• David After 5 Years –  http://adifference.blogspot.com/2009/03/david-after-5-years.html
• Full List of Videos — http://www2.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/26474/

The answer may very well lie in an online persona created in an online world like IMVU.

Executive Summary:

What’s IMVU? It’s a virtual world combined with a chat program that lets a user create an Avatar (physical representation of themselves) to use in the online world.
IMVU is free to start but if you like it you can pay for virtual currency so that you can “buy” new cloths, a house, furniture, etc. IMVU reported making 1 million per month back in June of 2008. See interview here.

Basically IMVU is a world where you’re kids may be trying on a different persona and exploring an overly sexual online world on the cheap.

Pros:

• IMVU runs much faster than other online worlds such as second life.
• It is a fun environment to explore and add to with purchases of clothes, household items and the like.
• Fun to meet new people and talk with a face to the words (though I’m sure everyone isn’t really a size 4 in real life)

Cons:

• As in any virtual world, you can be anyone that you want to be.  A girl, a guy… any image you want to portray.
• IMVU doesn’t have a wide selection of overweight Avatars.  Pretty much everyone is super attractive, with disproportional, measurements, muscles, and way too much skin.
• You could spend a lot of time pretending to be someone you are not.

Overall IMVU is a good idea but to sell it they have really overly sexed it up.  Maybe there are areas in the IMVU landscape that don’t have a ton of people shouting “wanna sex” but I couldn’t find them.

Last links:

• Interview from June 2008 can be found here
• IMVU the site is here
• Short list of stats on IMVU can be found here

A: You need a personal geek…

Personal Trainers, In-home Chefs, Chauffeurs…  Where’s the Personal Geek?  I mean, doesn’t the normal lay-person have the right to their very own personal geek?  I say, “Yes!”.  And you should too.

Rebuttal

Personal Geeks are so 2008.  This is a different generation with different problems.  What the parent of today teens needs is a Network Ninja! A person with the style, grace, and no-nonsense approach to fixing a wide range of technological issues with ninja like speed.

The Decision?

Network Ninja by a landslide.

If I had my way you all would have your own personal geek, network ninja, or someone from the “geek squad” on 24/7 alert for you tech needs, just a phone call away (a big red phone of course).
But, the reality is you don’t and you probably never will so… what’s a parent to do?  Ask us questions of course!  This month we are your person geeks, your network ninjas, you’re one-stop tech question help!  So dial us up with your questions.  We’d love to answer them. Just email us at ninja@nplb.net and we’ll get back to you with ninja like speed and/or post your questions/answers directly on our site.

Executive summary:

For free tech help by a network ninja email your questions to ninja@nplb.net
Yup, FREE… just because we like parents like you.

Last links

None this time.  Just shoot us an email.  ninja@nplb.net

Playin’ With Fire Trailer from Mark Schreiber on Vimeo.

Playing with fire is our ’sister’ site for teens.  Take a look at the video trailer and be sure to share it with your kids.

www.playinwithfire.org

Below is a guide to my favorite free software as well as recommendations for the best mic for your given purpose.  Feel free to comment and ask a question if your specific question is not made clear.

Top free podcasting software:

• WavePad Sound Editor (free version) or Pro — for basic recording, cleaning up audio, and cutting.
• Audacity– This open source music program has lots of great features and plenty of tutorials on YouTube to get you going but is a bit harder to use than wavepad.  I find it overkill for most of my appilcations.
• Reaper — A basic mixing program for multiple tracks.  Take your recorded wavepad files and insert them into here to mix multiple tracks or sound.  Great for creating audio dramas or for looping electronic tracks.  Reaper is a free full version but nags you to buy it.
• Sony Acid XPress — free version of Sony Acid (another track mixing software) only  allows you to mix 10 tracks.
• Celtix–  Celtix is a script specific word processer.  It basically helps you format a audio drama easily and quickly (free)

Mics

• I find the Blue SnowBall mics to be the best for the price.  They have various models ranging in price from under $50 (snowflake) to over $300.  The basic white snowball is just under $100.  The $20 popfilter is especially helpful if you tend to pop the mic a lot.
• The Samsung GM1U G-Track mic comes out on the top from my research and music pals but I haven’t specifically tried it.
• If you want clearer vocals and you’re not content with the performance of your mic you might just need to get a decent preamp.  They can cost more than good microphone so you may want to see if you can buy it from a local dealer that has a good return policy if you don’t like it.

Last links

Additional resources in .pdf

• Podcasting resource guide
• Podcasting extra resources

If you have any questions or find a great preamp or mic for a good price please add a comment and let us all know how you like them.

We’ve got opinions from the Mac side, the PC side and everywhere in-between Here are the best responses we received from both sides. Or if you just want the final results feel free to skip to the Executive Summary at the end.

Q: What are the 3 most important things that you look for in a new computer (yes only 3).

Josh M- (Computer Consultant)

“The classic “What are the 3 most important things?” question:

1. How can you overlook the processor? It’ll be the most long-term-determining factor in the life of your computer; go duo-core or go home.

2. RAM RAM! In the Windows world, for XP, 1GB was plenty, but with Vista, make sure it’s at least 2GB for decent performance, regardless of the version.

3. Video/Graphics: Don’t squeak your dollars out of this area too much, or you’ll soon find yourself desiring better; 256MB dedicated graphics will do fine for non-gamers for quite a while.”

Annie E- (Computer Teacher & Mac connoisseur)

“1. Mac.

2. Small, Light-Weight, Convenient Size

3. A big hard-drive with lots of RAM.”

Mark S- (Technology Educator/Guru)

“1. Good CPU (Intel Core2 Duo with the biggest number you can afford behind it).

2. Name brand it just all works together better… in order of preference: Dell, Lenovo, Alien,

3. Large Hard Drive.

You can always buy more RAM later to increase the speed but these basic things can’t be changed without a ton of work so get the best in the beginning!”

Q: What are the pros and cons of a desktop vs. a laptop.

Josh M-

“Desktop vs. laptop? The ever-more-popular question… If you must be mobile, there’s not much choice but to go laptop. But until they make radical changes in how laptops are upgradeable, you’ll find your desktop to be a much better long-term unit as long as you purchase a middle-or-higher unit to begin with.”

Annie E-

“I really like having a laptop because my computer is a huge part of my life. I take it everywhere. I can take it with me when I travel, do work in a coffee shop, and watch movies in bed. When I was in college, I used a laptop lock to keep my computer safe. If I were a professional who needed a really beefy computer to do my work (for example, video editing) I would probably get a desktop… otherwise I’d stick with my laptop.”

Mark S-

“I love my laptop(s) because I am not tied to one spot. I can surf the web on my couch or do work at a coffee shop with wireless. They have come down a lot in price and can get a decent one for under $1000 now. The only problem is that they get abused and get old a lot faster than desktops. If I am doing a lot of video editing or music production I jump on my desktop otherwise I stick to a laptop.”

Q: If you had teenage kids what computer would you get them and why did you pick this one?

Josh M-

“For the teenager: When they get a few more years behind them, they can go out and buy their own preferred computer, but right now this will do fine: Dell Inspiron 530, Pentium DuoCore 7200, 2GB RAM, Upgraded Graphics recommended. This should keep them steady for a few years.”

Annie E-

If I were getting a teenager a computer, I would probably get them a middle-of-the-road Mac book. I would want them to have the portability of a laptop (especially if they’re going to college) and the Mac book is a solid computer that won’t break the bank. The 13-inch size is great for taking your computer to class or a coffee shop. All of the Mac books have plenty of memory and storage space and all the applications that your teen will want… no additional software is needed. The ultimate reason for buying a Mac is that it makes life so easy! I’ve had very few problems with my Mac, and one of my laptops is 6 years old and still going strong! Apple offers excellent support… I definitely recommend the extended warranty. They have an American Call Center with professionals to help with anything that comes up. Don’t forget to take advantage of the student discount! Laptops are usually $100 less and Apple usually offers a back-to-school special of a free iPod and printer with the purchase of a computer.

Mark S-

“Only 1 choice for me, get them a DESKTOP! Yes I love my laptop but why spend the extra money and have that much less visibility as to what they are doing online? It is much easier to put a bulking desktop in a central area and have them use it there. Know don’t get me wrong, we should trust our kids but we also shouldn’t put them in tempting situations and then expect them to make perfect choices! Get a desktop, put it in the common room and let them get a laptop when they go to college.”

Executive Summary

• You can get a PC or a Mac both have different advantages/disadvantages
  • Macs tend to be more expensive up front but you will probably have less problems overall
  • PCs will support more software, especially the games that your teen may like to play on them.
• Desktops you get more for your money and can monitor them more effectively.
• Laptops are nice and mobile but cost more $$, they also can cause trouble since your teen can leave to a private area.
• Either way you go get:
  • A good base model, name-brand
  • lots of RAM (at least 2 gigs)
  • a decent sized hard-drive (120Gigs or bigger)
  • good graphics for PC (Macs come with it)
  • Everything else are bells and whistles.
• Expect to spend at least $1000 for a PC and twice that for a Mac.

This tutorial is very low quality so that it will play fast for you. Our normal downloadable tutorials are much higher quality.

By Todd L.
National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Today’s tech tip comes via a listener in Greeley, Colorado:

“Hi, Todd. Long-time listener, first-time caller. First off, great show, love the music, catch you whenever I can. Second, I thought you might want to know that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Let’s keep those kiddos safe out there!” – BD

Thanks, BD!

We often hear of such “official-awareness-month” campaigns. For example, October is also Liver Awareness Month, when we contemplate the largest and most beret-like gland in our bodies.

For parents and educators, Cyber Security Awareness Month isn’t just another face in the awareness crowd. This is a reminder that computers–and use of the Internet–are an integral part of kids’ lives today. We have the opportunity–nay, the responsibility!–to teach kids responsible use: a balance of curiosity and wariness.

Many K-8 teachers used a curriculum developed by the CyberSmart! Education Company. This same curriculum was picked up by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and given to the apparently award-winning theater-for-instruction troupe Plays For Living, which created a play for teaching elementary kids about computer and Internet safety entitled, “Cyber Smart in Cyber Space.”

A performance of this play is available for download, and you can use it to present to your kids if you choose. However, the video quality is mediocre, and the presentation was a bit dorky and a bit long (play 35 min+, entire presentation 1 hour). The main ideas are:

1. The Internet is the sum of the connections of computers all over the world, not a physical place.
2. Safeguard your private info like full name, school, phone and address; don’t share it online.
3. Safeguard your computer passwords; don’t tell anyone.
4. Email you get from people you don’t know can have viruses that harm your computer; don’t open them.
5. “In-person” rules of manners and actions apply to online communication (if you wouldn’t do it in “real life,” don’t do it online).

The sum of today’s Tech Tip is this: when you take your class to use the computers in the library, or when you mention that they can look up something online at home or at the libraries, please take a moment to mention one of these points of Internet safety. It is 30 seconds once in a while, but from all of us over the months it adds up to smarter computer use by the kids.

“But, Todd,” you say, “there are only a few days left in October. Shouldn’t we have been focusing on this all month?” Great point, hypothetical reader! But here at Todd’s Tech Tip, we like to think outside the box. That’s why this message comes late in the month, and isn’t a really a computer tip, and hopefully will provide a springboard for discussing “cyber security” with kids not just in October but all year long.

Todd

P.S. Beret or liver? YOU decide!

The first Category is “Protect Your Kids”. Articles written in this area will have to do with topics that help you do just that, protect your kids. General info, software that can help, and the best practices of the nitty-gritty “how to” of it all will be wrapped up in this important category.

Category #2, entitled “Protect Your Computer” is once again simply that, info on how to protect your computer. Spy-ware, Ad-Ware, Bloat-Ware… and what every other type of “ware” they might think up will be covered in depth with way to fight against these programs and keep your computer safe. Viruses, Trojan Horses, Firewalls and other things that you never thought you would want to learn about, but now need to, will all be covered along with “how to” sections to keep your computer safe.

Category 3, one of our least favorite topics but also one of our most valuable. How do you “Protect Your Info” anyway? Why do you need to? What crooks are trying to get it from you and what are some of the easy ways to keep from having your info snatched. Phishing Phil… who is he? Well check it out and see.

Category 4, what is it you ask? Well our most fun category to date of course! Once you have gotten your fill of knowledge to keep your kids, your computer, and your info safe then hop on over here and start to have some fun! Become a Power User! Learn the Teen Tech Trends and learn some new exciting things to impress your friends and make your life easier too. You might even learn some cool tech that you can be the first to show your kids and their friends too! Wouldn’t that be a fun role reversal!

So, stay tuned. You keep your cup handy and we’ll keep it full of all the tech that you need to know… and maybe a drop or two more!

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