Life Online – TheMinotVoice.com

Dakota Gardener: The origins of mistletoe kisses

By: Jane Doe, NDSU Extension Service | December 6, 2024

Mistletoe, often romanticized in Christmas lore, is actually a parasitic plant that relies on trees for sustenance. Its name derives from Anglo-Saxon words meaning “dung-on-a-twig,” highlighting its propagation via bird droppings. Mythology and tradition, not biology, link mistletoe to love. Norse myths and ancient cultures like the Greeks and Druids associated it with fertility and

Read & Share sourced from: The Daily Farmer

Rethinking Digital Citizenship

by: MinotVoice | December 3, 2024

The world has been changing pretty fast. It’s only going to get faster. And more and more, our worlds are digital. It invites the question: are the curriculums that educate our kids built from the past or for the future? And is it about more than curriculums to begin with? If you’re curious about how

Read & Share sourced from: EdSurge

Less than half of local IT leaders not ready for AI, survey says

by: MinotVoice | December 3, 2024

A theme of today’s news seems to be the fast-moving digital world around us. And the rate it which AI is shaping it is accelerating. Are our local governments and institutions ready for what’s not just on the horizon, but already here? Not if you ask those who are in charge of information technology for

Read & Share sourced from: Route Fifty

Influencers Suing Influencers for Stealing Personas

by: MinotVoice | December 3, 2024

Twenty years ago, our headline on this article wouldn’t even make sense. To many, it still won’t today. But in the world of online influence, following too closely could become a problem. We rarely publish “speculative” or “could happen” news, but this is an interesting case that could reshape ideas of copyright and intellectual property.

Read & Share sourced from: Fast Company

Retail sector creating big winners and big losers

by: Josh Wolsky | May 22, 2019

With news yesterday of Dressbarn’s closing we have yet another example of how much the retail sector is changing. But not all retailers are struggling; those that are adapting to new shopping practices are thriving. One example is Target as illustrated in this article from the Star Tribune. And these types of stories invite the

Read & Share sourced from: Star Tribune

Everyone hates passwords. Good news: They’re about to die

by: Josh Wolsky | May 7, 2019

If you’re among the high percentage of people who use ‘password’ for your password, don’t worry — your days of the annoying security prompts are numbered. It turns out passwords aren’t the best or even the expected security solution for the future; check out the article linked below from Fast Company to see where we’re

Read & Share sourced from: Fast Company

Google Takes on Cable With ‘YouTube TV’—40 Channels for $35

by: Josh Wolsky | March 1, 2017

It’s a cord cutters delight — 40 channels you can watch directly through Youtube or your internet connected device. If you’re a limited TV viewer and just want the basics, this another competitive option in the cable television marketplace.

Read & Share sourced from: WIRED

Life Online: Cybersecurity report sent to governor

by: Josh Wolsky | November 29, 2016

The State of North Dakota is taking steps to protect itself from cyber threats. A report issued by an interim cybersecurity task force has outlined ten recommendations for the state. of most note is the need for the state to act in whole to protect data rather than having individual agencies working to guard their

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

TV And Videogames Rewire Young Brains, For Better And Worse

by: Josh Wolsky | November 20, 2016

Technology is changing us. New evidence suggests that increased screen time at a young age rewires the brain to need more stimulation in order to really get it cranking. Whether this is a good or bad thing, remains unknown to researchers as there are indicators that suggest both benefit and detriment.

Read & Share sourced from: NPR

Google will try to starve fake news sites of ad dollars

by: Josh Wolsky | November 15, 2016

Few would question the significant impact the news and media had on our last election cycle; even fewer would say the impact was positive. In reaction, Google has set a policy that will attempt to starve disingenuous publishers of the thing they need most — ad revenue.

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

10 Internet Safety Rules to Teach Children Before They Go Online

by: Josh Wolsky | October 31, 2016

The rise of the Internet and pervasively available technology has created opportunities and challenges across the spectrum. And that includes with raising kids. Most parents are figuring it out as they go, but if you’re just getting started, here’s a primer on the lessons your kid needs to know.

Read & Share sourced from: Life Hacker

Be Aware: Minot Police Warn Residents of Traffic Violation Email Scam

by: Josh Wolsky | June 28, 2016

The Minot Police Department is warning residents to be on the lookout for an email scam telling recipients they’ve committed a traffic violation. Law enforcement agencies do not notify citizens of violations via email. The full news release on the story follows below. — Official News Release, Minot Police Department — The Minot Police Department

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New Zealand has Outlawed Internet Trolling and Online Bullying

by: Josh Wolsky | July 9, 2015

The language of the law prohibits sending digital communications that cause “serious emotional distress” and conviction could lead to significant fines and jail time. Commentary: It will be interesting to see if this can be successfully enforced. More details from Quartz.

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

Google Wants to Line Your city Streets With Wi-Fi, Should Minot Reach Out?

by: Josh Wolsky | June 27, 2015

A new R&D arm of Google is looking bring the latest Wi-Fi technology to city streets. Considering the communication benefits, the disaster resiliency planning that is now taking place, and the fact that downtown Minot is getting an infrastructure overhaul — should Minot reach out?

Read & Share sourced from: Science Alert

Mike Rowe: On the Insane Reaction of Internet and the American Work Ethic

by: Josh Wolsky | June 23, 2015

Mike Rowe again provides thoughtful commentary on Amercian culture and he’s not take some heat for what he says. And occasionally he takes heat because the ideologues don’t know how to read an entire article. Here he chimes in on the only-read-the-title and other Internet crazies while providing some valuable perspective on the changing American work ethic.

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Watch: 19 Ways to Not Suck on the Internet

by: Josh Wolsky | June 20, 2015

The Internet can be a powerful place, even more so if it is used for good. But it is also new, which means were still learning what not to do. Here’s the latest good advice on the collective wisdom we’ve so far acquired on how to be a good Internet citizen.

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