A chance to blog professionally

Knowing the writing was on the wall, I decided to jump at an interesting opportunity. In September a friend contacted me out the blue, letting me know that Slate.com had an opening for a tech blogger focusing on new trends. He knew an editor at Slate and would put in a good word for me.

The job description sounded appealing:

Tech Blogger at Slate Magazine in Washington, DC

Slate is hiring a technology blogger to contribute to “Future Tense,” our blog about emerging technologies and their impact on society and public policy.
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Recently departed

I found myself out of a job this past Tuesday morning. While there’s a lot of pondering still being done, suffice to say what was once a perfect fit became less of one over time, though I enjoyed the work and I always treated everyone in an honest, friendly, and professional manner.

I’m since been contemplating my next move, perhaps going back into part-time consulting. I will definitely put a premium on an arrangement which values civic engagement.

Stolen Target Credit Cards and the Black Market: How the Digital Underground Works | The State of Security

This is a fascinating account of what’s happening with those 40 million credit cards that were recently stolen from Target.

With the Target data breach, many are wondering how criminals can profit from the use of the stolen credit cards. The card holders themselves will not be responsible for any of the charges, so how is it that criminals are able to make money from stolen credit cards?I have been involved with several cases where organized crime rings have been unveiled, many of these have had connections to Russian and Eastern European groups. These groups generate a significant profit through stolen property acquired through burglaries, shoplifting, identity theft, credit card skimming and carding. Many underestimate the complexity of some of these networks and the revenue they generate.

via Stolen Target Credit Cards and the Black Market: How the Digital Underground Works | The State of Security.

Charlene Willard retires

Charlene Willard and me

Charlene Willard and me


Charlene Willard retired this week from the City of Raleigh’s Community Services department after a 25 year career. I was very happy I could attend her retirement party Thursday afternoon.

Charlene has been a big influence in my life. It was one morning in 2008 when I first spoke with Charlene when she was calling to tell me I had been accepted into the city’s Raleigh Neighborhood College (RNC) program. Originally there had been no openings but Charlene told me another participant had just canceled, making a spot available to me. I enjoyed the next 12 weeks of RNC classes with Charlene and then went on to work closely with her as the Community Services liaison during my three years as chair of the East CAC.

Charlene’s is the kind of person who has to be involved in something so I expect we’ll see her keep busy with some deserving projects around the area. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to work with her again!

Exclusive: Secret contract tied NSA and security industry pioneer | Reuters

I have no problem with NSA working to crack every commercial cypher out there. That’s what they’re supposed to do. However, I cringe when I read of yet another backdoor put in at the behest of the NSA to weaken data security.

Once upon a time the NSA held a near-monopoly on the ability to exploit data security. Those days are gone. Every backdoor the NSA finagles into the technology that keeps us secure in the hopes of exploiting it against our foes, our foes (and potential foes) exploit it, too. The result turns us all into sitting ducks (witness the Target data breach of 40 million credit card numbers).

As a key part of a campaign to embed encryption software that it could crack into widely used computer products, the U.S. National Security Agency arranged a secret $10 million contract with RSA, one of the most influential firms in the computer security industry, Reuters has learned.

Documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden show that the NSA created and promulgated a flawed formula for generating random numbers to create a “back door” in encryption products, the New York Times reported in September. Reuters later reported that RSA became the most important distributor of that formula by rolling it into a software tool called Bsafe that is used to enhance security in personal computers and many other products.

via Exclusive: Secret contract tied NSA and security industry pioneer | Reuters.

Facebook Tests Silent Auto-Play For User Videos In Mobile Feed

I’m not too keen about Facebook automatically starting videos in my Timeline. I love all of my friends but self-starting videos is a bit like coming over to my home uninvited.

In a test that could make News Feed more engaging and pave the way for video ads, Facebook’s mobile feed will start auto-playing user-uploaded videos in-line when they’re scrolled over for a small subset of US iOS and Android users. Videos play silently until tapped to full-screen, which feels slick. Facebook is expected to soon launch a new video ad unit, which might draw on this test’s feedback.

via Facebook Tests Silent Auto-Play For User Videos In Mobile Feed, Foreshadowing Video Ads | TechCrunch.

Five tips to a fast checkout at Costco

Coasting through Costco's checkout

Coasting through Costco’s checkout


I’m often asked by no one in particular (well, I mean no one, in particular), “Mark, how does one pick the fastest line at Costco?” Today’s your lucky day, MT.Net readers, as I’m going to let you in on the secret.

1. Scan the competition. Approaching the checkout area, you’re notice that everyone’s looking around in a daze, waiting for something or someone to say “hey, this line!” Don’t be like them! Step number one is to act quickly. Upon reading this, savvy reader and shopper, you will confidently stroll up to the right line every time. Take advantage of the daze and confusion by being sharp and focused!
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Christian Action League boss claims to know God’s position on the Bonner Bridge

Apparently the good reverend isn’t familiar with Matthew 7:26: “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”

According to the Rev. Mark Creech, the Executive Director of North Carolina’s Christian Action League that’s him on the left – Creech, not God, those who side with environmental groups in favor of a longer and more sustainable bridge to replace the existing Bonner Bridge are acting counter to the Divine Plan. Creech said the following in an article that he authored and that was recently published in, among other places, the Christian Post

I also note that Dr. Creech provides no biblical references to back up his claim that a “biblical worldview” means that God wants us to plunder the earth:

The biblical worldview on the environment is that we should responsibly “subdue” (subjugate, restrain, control) and develop the earth and its natural resources in a way that best benefits the human race.

I don’t have any references to back up my position, either, but I’m pretty sure that’s bullshit.

via Christian Action League boss claims to know God’s position on the Bonner Bridge « The Progressive Pulse.

Highlanders perform at recital

The Highlanders

The Highlanders

We attended Travis’s piano recital on Saturday. Unlike other performances where we were simply part of the audience, the whole family got to perform as “The Highlanders.” Along with the Cadwells and Schuyler Pettibone, the Turner family played “Bonnie at Morn” and “Goat On The Hill” midway through the recital.

It was quite fun to play again for an audience. Once the recital was over (and no one was really paying attention), the Cadwells and Turners returned to the stage to play a few other songs.

I’ve always loved the art of music but there’s something really great about playing together with others. When everyone’s in tune and in sync it is a magical thing. Our little show was the highlight of my week.

Rucho’s zero income tax?

I was doing some research on this annoying new requirement to fill out another NC-4 form to take advantage of new tax changes. I was reading the N&O’s story on the new changes when I saw the author of the changes, Sen. Rucho himself, had weighed in from his Facebook account:

Every employee was required to maintain a NC-4 and nowNC-4 EZ forms to establish their NC withholding from their pay checks. The standard deduction has been raised to $15K MFJ. That means that the first $15K of income is tax free. Then the NC tax rate has has been lowered to a flat 5.8% for 2014 and to 5.75% for 2015. The result will be that every taxpayer will have a higher take home pay to spend or save as they choose. It is your hard earned money not the governments. The good news is that this is a first step toward a personal Income tax rate of ZERO like Tx, Fl and TN.and a goal to stimulate economic growth and create more good jobs.

We can’t rebuild broken Bonner Bridges with Monopoly money. We can’t pay our teachers national-average-or-above wages with it, either. We can’t pave the tens of thousands of miles of roadways we have here with a capped gasoline tax and zero income taxes. Where will Mr. Rucho get the money?