General Articles

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Brian Becker on Rick Carl & Company

November 4, 2009 in Business, General Articles, Rick Carl & Company, Technical or Geeky by Brian Becker | Comments closed

Apple iPhone: Jailbreaking & Unlocking and Related Security Problems
jailbreaking – the act of “freeing” a phone or computer from its manufacturer’s limitations
unlocking – the act of opening a phone so that it can be used on another network

A Netherlands-based hacker broke into some iPhones that had been “jailbroken” because of a security flaw in the code. The hacker placed a message on the screen that the user should pay 5 euros (more than $7) via pay pal to find out how to secure the phone.

Apple has taken steps in their latest firmware to prevent jailbreaking/unlocking.

Windows 7 – A Great OS (operating system)
Even despite the Apple ads that laugh at the OS woes of Windows-past, this new Windows 7 is a great operating system and worth the upgrade. semo.net will upgrade your computer for as little as $59.95 + the cost of the software from Windows (you can bring in your own or buy an upgrade from us for $129). Most newer computers can handle the upgrade but some might require new memory. If you need your computer data backed up before the upgrade, we can do that for you as well.

DroidGoogle’s Android Appears with Verizon as “Droid”
Less than two years ago, Google announced that they were releasing an open-access, mobile phone software platform. T-Mobile and Sprint have released phones with Google’s mobile phone OS. Now Verizon along with Motorola have designed their first offering dubbed: Droid. This phone has lots of promise and the buzz is that the phone will live up to the hype.

Great Kids Christmas Present
Give your child a three-class tutor session on how to program computers. Taught by Ben, Jack and Brian Becker. Email us@beckerboys.com for more information.
http://scratch.mit.edu/users/thecatcher
http://scratch.mit.edu/users/smallstuff

Brian Becker Interview in TCMNet about Broadband Stimulus

October 26, 2009 in Features, General Articles by Brian Becker | Comments closed

I was interviewed last week for an article on ISPs who have submitted to the Fed Government for grants under the Recover Act’s Broadband for Rural, Unserved areas programs by the Dept of Agriculture and Dept of Commerce.

TCMNet: Poplar Bluff: Where Broadband Stimulus Meets Green Technology

State health department issues exemption for flu vaccine

October 23, 2009 in General Articles by Butler County Health Department | 2 comments

For Immediate Release:
Oct. 22, 2009

Contact:
Kit Wagar
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

State health department issues exemption for flu vaccine
Action gives pregnant women and families of young children access to H1N1 vaccine
Read the rest of this entry »

Brian Becker on with Rick Carl & Company

October 7, 2009 in Business, Entertainment, General Articles, Rick Carl & Company, Technical or Geeky by Brian Becker | Comments closed

Windows 7.0
Windows 7 is just days away with a release date of 10-22-09. Is your PC ready for Windows 7? Download Microsoft’s Advisor to find out. I have no idea what takes so long to determine compatibility…my laptop took over 10 minutes to get an answer. My Sony laptop (new in February 2006) running XP passed as long as I free up 12G of hard drive space (easy enough by I dumping “My Pictures” onto an external drive).

Don’t want to do the upgrade yourself? semo.net’s certified technicians can do the upgrade for as little as $59.95 plus the cost of Win7 upgrade software ($119 – $210). Call 686.9114 today for information about your upgrade.

Apple Tablet Rumors Continue
You can find tons of rumors on the new Apple product and whether it will be an ebook reader, large iTouch or Newton 2.0. Dvorak uses reason and rumor to gives his opinion on what this new device will do.

Google Android Coming To Verizon
T-Mobile & Sprint have already released a version of the Google Android phone, but in S.E. Missouri that doesn’t do much for you. But earlier this month, Google & Verizon announced that the open-platform phone was coming to the “Can You Hear Me Now” network. AT&T, home of the iPhone, has yet to agree that the Android can be used on their network.

Google AppEngine Goes Java
For two years, Google’s development platform (known as Google App Engine) was only available for the Python programming language. But last month, Google released a Java version of the application development system. For those who program, Google has developed a powerful, scalable platform for your web applications.

Saturn Has Invisible Ring
According to an article posted today, Saturn has an invisible ring up to 7.4 million miles from it’s surface.

semo.net Still Looking For Writers
You can make up to $500/month writing articles & blog posts for semo.net. Imagine an extra $6000 per year! Here’s how the process works:
Email a subject you want to write on to “articles@semo.net”
Within one business day you get a response. If it is a “yes” you will also get guidelines of how long the article should be, how much semo.net will pay you for your post, and when you need to have it completed.
Submit your post for final editing (articles that need major editing will either be rejected or the payment will be reduced by an editing expense — so write well!).

Can Cardinals Afford to Pay Pujols $35m/year?

October 1, 2009 in Entertainment, Features, General Articles, Sports by Brian Becker | 15 comments


I love baseball. I love Cardinal’s baseball. And I enjoy Pujols and Holliday as the best 3-4 combination in the majors. My youngest son’s room has a life-sized Pujols pin-up, I own five Pujols rookie cards (including a card that is one of only 15 printed), and I will join any “retire #5” club. But I do not support $35m to keep Pujols.

Read the rest of this entry »

semo.net’s “I WANT BROADBAND!” Campaign Expands Throughout S.E. Mo

July 17, 2009 in Features, General Articles, Human Interest, Uncategorized by Brian Becker | Comments closed

Semo.net has been working to develop a long-range strategy for bringing broadband Internet services to Southeast Missouri rural communities. In January, we began a campaign to have people contact our office and let us know that they wanted broadband service in their area.
Read the rest of this entry »

It’s For The Kids

July 13, 2009 in Entertainment, Features, General Articles, Human Interest, Sports by Toni Becker | 6 comments

An enormous amount of energy from a wide cast of participants goes into carrying out a successful summer youth baseball season. You’ve got the Park Department staff, coaches, parents, players, concession staff and ball park maintenance staff, each playing a vital role in pulling it all together. Now we know that baseball enthusiasts come in all ages, but the cliché is true that the baseball program is primarily “for the kids.”
Read the rest of this entry »

In Case You Missed It: The Bible Belt Lengthens (sadly)

July 2, 2009 in Features, General Articles, Human Interest by Brian Becker | 5 comments

Yesterday, the Trust for America’s Health organization published it’s State Obesity Rankings and its hard to miss that the Bible Belt is overweight. The swath across the mid-section of the United States that are among the fattest adults is unmistakable with Missouri weighing in at 13th largest. Read the rest of this entry »

Brian Becker on Rick Carl & Company

July 1, 2009 in General Articles by Brian Becker | Comments closed

Dvorak laments about the fragility of the Internet as displayed by Michael Jackson Death.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349511,00.asp

Microsoft Announces Pricing for Windows 7
Upgrades from $119 to $219 for XP and Vista. Pre-ordering available, but for a limited time only.

Microsoft Vine…the next big thing?
Like Google pushing aside Yahoo and WebCrawler, Microsoft Vine says “step aside” to Facebook and Twitter.

Mentioned on Topix? WHAT?
People are constantly asking how to get their information off of Topix…it just isn’t possible unless it is slanderous…and then it is difficult.

In Case You Missed It: American Flag Removed As “Offensive”

June 15, 2009 in Business, General Articles, Human Interest, Political/Government by Brian Becker | 4 comments

Just after Memorial Day, a story brewed that didn’t seem to get much airplay. A woman had a 3×5 foot flag hanging behind her desk in her office, an office she shared with three other supervisors. She came to work one day and was told the flag had been taken down because it was offensive to several employees.

For the entire story go to: Fox News

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