Author Archives: loiswhitmanhess

Dear John, Who’s Kidding Whom?

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If you haven’t been following the story of fugitive tech millionaire John McAfee, there are some important digital revelations that you should be aware of in case you ever decide to go on the lam. McAfee is the founder of McAfee, Inc., the gigantic anti-virus software company. He recently got caught trying to escape the police in Guatemala because a picture that was taken of him had his GPS location. The photo was published in Vice, an international arts and culture magazine. Either McAfee forgot or he wanted to be caught because he allowed a Vice editor to take an iPhone photo of him that contained the metadata location information.

McAfee knows better than that. The minute the photo was published mini-bloggers on Twitter alerted everyone to “Check the Metadata” in order to find out where he was hiding.

(Metadata describes how large the picture is, the color depth, the image resolution, when the image was created, and other data.)

The genius but bizarre software developer had invited Rocco Castoro, the editor-in-chief of Vice magazine, along with Robert King, a photographer, to chronicle his run from the police by traveling with him. McAfee is a “person of interest” in the death of his neighbor, Gregory Faull, in Belize, which is his official residence. McAfee crossed the border to Guatemala in order to avoid interrogation. McAfee and Faull are both American citizens living in Belize.

You can read all about the case here in a recent New York Times story. You can also read here about how some members of the press feel manipulated by McAfee because of prior shenanigans.

The interesting facts I want to point out are that McAfee has always been hungry for editorial coverage at any expense. How much of this photo error are we expected to believe? How legal is it for two members of the media to know about the whereabouts of a fugitive and not immediately report it? As the story continues to unfold, we will learn more about the who, what, and where of the story.

Meanwhile, the tech press is all over it. Wired.com was first to report, “Oops, Did Vice Just Give Away John McAfee’s Location With Photo Metadata?” When Vice realized the blunder they had made, they quickly tried to replace the photo without any GPS data, but it was too late. The police quickly captured the colorful computer pioneer.

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The Guts of Computers Inspire Art

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debbieDebbie Lee Mostel is a prime example that age has nothing to do with the appreciation of technology. After years of successfully designing jewelry for Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s, Mostel became fascinated with the construction of technology: motherboards, heat coils, and laser pickups to name a few. She decided to use the guts of outdated computers and other gadgets to form new creations that people could cherish and display. I came across Mostel this past weekend at Red Dot, a satellite art show just a few miles away from Art Basel in Miami.

Of course, I was attracted to Mostel’s exhibit when I saw the technology angle. I loved that parts of technology inspired her to create new art forms. It is always refreshing to see a woman involved in fashion switch to electronics. I think it shows that women on the art scene are capable of developing new values that haven’t been explored before. I have included a video where Mostel talks about her art and the iPhone pictures I took of her magnificent pieces.

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Eliot’s Photo Sold

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Thank goodness for technology so I can share this news with you. Eliot’s photo that was taken in June, 2012 at Plitvice Lakes National Park, the largest national Park in Croatia, (at the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina) sold during Art Basel. It was being exhibited at the Williams McCall gallery South of Fifth in Miami Beach. The buyers, originally from Boston, just bought a townhouse a few blocks from the gallery. They felt the photo was very “Zen-like.”

Here are some photos from the magical evening. Over the next few days I will show you how technology has become part of art at Art Basel, the largest art exhibition in the world.

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My Friend Marc de Hond Speaks at TED

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Marc de Hond is the son of a very good friend of mine, Maurice. They both live in Amsterdam, Holland. In fact, I featured Maurice a few weeks ago about his early education ideas in the digital world. I didn’t know then that Marc would be selected to give a speech at TED, the worldwide conference, that is well-known for “Ideas Worth Sharing.” He gave the speech in Amsterdam a few days ago.

Marc’s inability to walk due to a faulty post-surgical procedure has led him to become a super hero to all that know him. He has identified the amazing power of adaption for both his body and mind. His story of accomplishentment is a tremendous life lesson for all.

Today Marc is an entrepreneur, DJ and a dedicated player of wheelchair basketball. He also works as a television host.

Thank you Marc, for sharing this video with us.

Love,

Lois and Eliot

Crowd Pleaser–an Email Watch

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Early adopters always get the girls. In this case, you will also get the boys. I am not talking sex appeal. I am talking attracting a crowd if you are wearing Casio’s new Bluetooth G-Shock watch.

It is the only watch that accepts email and phone-call notifications from your smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. It will also alert you when you get too far out of range from your smartphone. Casio doesn’t want you to lose your connection.

A beeping sound or vibration alerts you when a call is coming in. This can be a desired feature if you keep your phone in a handbag or briefcase. On the display of the watch, the text “Incoming Call” will scroll across the screen, but the name of the person calling the user will not be displayed on the watch.

As far as emails are concerned, the G-Shock will display the name of the email address that’s linked to the alert in addition to a flashing mail icon. In order to set up email alerts, the user is required to download the G-SHOCK+ application for the iPhone.

The Bluetooth G-Shock watch works with the iPhones 4S and 5. Android will be available soon. It retails for $180. You can buy it from Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

Casio says the watch battery lasts for two years, even with excessive use. This is clearly for the person who has everything.

Check Out Etsy for the Holidays

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esty4esty5estyIt’s that time again when we start thinking about holiday gifts. Many of us will be doing our holiday shopping online. As I previously reported, Black Friday generated record-breaking online sales, so it will probably happen again during the holidays.

If you don’t know about Etsy, I suggest you try it. It is perfect for unique gifts and one-of-a-kind items. It is an e-commerce website that offers items you just can’t find anywhere else. It was launched in 2005 and is one of the most successful businesses on the Internet. Etsy is a digital arts and crafts fair that provides sellers with personal storefronts that feature handmade and vintage items as well as arts and crafts. You can find all kinds of odds and ends including arts, photography, clothing, jewelry, food, bath, beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks, and toys. If you want to get creative this holiday season, you can also buy craft supplies such as beads, wire, and jewelry-making tools. I would love to make something myself, but I need a coach and no one is volunteering.

I know people who have made healthy incomes by being a retailer on Etsy. Some of them have quit their day jobs because they are doing so well. I also read that traditional retailers scout the site for unusual goods to sell themselves. It is really known as “the world’s handmade marketplace.” Etsy merchandise is also affordable, so you can always find something.

It will be interesting to find out how many of you know Etsy already. The site has been featured on many different media platforms including Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Forbes, and dozens more.

What is even more terrific is that the famous website has pop-up locations all over the world including Paris, London, Amsterdam, and San Francisco. The big news is that Etsy has recently opened a SoHo location just in time for the holidays. This is the first-ever holiday shop in New York City from November 29 through December 8. You only have a few days left. It is next door to Dior, down the street from the Apple Store, with furniture boutiques and coffee shops nearby.

By the way, the name Etsy doesn’t mean anything. Robert Kalin, the founder, said that he named the site Etsy because he wanted a nonsense word. He wanted to build the brand from scratch.

Etsy’s head office is located in DUMBO, Brooklyn. They have an open house every Monday night.

Increasing Number of People Use a Second Screen While Watching TV

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screenscreen1I hate to admit it but I use several screens while watching TV. The truth is I don’t mind admitting it at all. I love having my laptop, iPad, and iPhone on the couch right next to me so I feel totally in control. I call it my virtual command center. All of my communications devices are now in easy reach. In fact, I am watching HGTV right now (it’s Tuesday night, Dec 4th, at 7:30pm) and I have my laptop nestled on my lap writing this blog post. I have become so Internet connected that I cannot sit for too long without checking emails, Twitter, Facebook, Words Free, text messages, and Linkedin. Some people might think that I am pathetic and there is no quality going on in my life but that it just not true.

I represent the new digital citizen who wants to be rich in information. I am living the life of several people because I can do a few things at one time. Trust me, when I need to focus, I am just as good as the rest of you. Nielson Co., the big research firm, just reported that I am not alone.

Nielsen confirms a trend among viewers that has been gaining momentum for some time: the use of a second screen while watching TV. The second screen of choice, increasingly, is Twitter, the social network that’s just six years old and limits messages to 140 characters. “Twitter has become the second screen experience for television,” said Nielsen social media Vice President Deirdre Bannon.

Associated Press reported that there is an explosive growth in people who watch TV while connected to social media on smartphones and tablets. David Bauder of the AP, said “Nielsen found that one in three people using Twitter in June sent messages at some point about TV shows. And that was before the Olympics, which was probably the first big event to illustrate the extent of second screen usage.”

The study also found almost one-third of people between 18 and 24 used social networking sites while in the bathroom. At least once per day, about 41% of tablet owners and 38% of smartphone owners used their devices while watching TV.”

Yes, the world is very different and is evolving all the time. Don’t be one of those fuddy duddy seniors who can’t appreciate change.

Nikon Cameras Capture Changes in Climate

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ice12I dare anyone to tell me there is no such thing as global warming. Go ahead, try it. After Hurricane Sandy, when our shore lines rose several feet and ruined the lives of thousands upon thousands, I just can’t imagine that there is anyone still in denial. Just in case there still is, I want to tell you the story of James Balog, an acclaimed environmental photographer for National Geographic who traveled to the Northern Glaciers to document their disappearance. The daring Balog and his adventurous crew actually installed 25 time-lapse Nikon cameras across Greenland, Iceland, parts of Alaska, and Glacier National Park in Montana to capture how the landscape was changing.

The Nikons were stationed for three years and snapped pictures every hour as long as there was daylight. That was a pretty risky move considering the cameras were delicate and the weather conditions were the harshest conditions on the planet. The Northern climate is not the nicest environment for technology. The stationary pictures, plus the dare devil shots the crew took on visits to the area, became the focus for a riveting and award-winning documentary called “Chasing Ice.” The 75-minute film won “Excellent in Cinematography” at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie was a real eye opener that should inspire each of us to start making a difference. Scarlett Johansson and Joshua Bell performed the theme song, “Before My Time” by J. Ralph Feat.

The documentary opened up nationwide the other day and it is not to be missed. The entire project started in the Spring of 2005 when Balog was assigned to tell the story of the Earth’s changing environment for National Geographic. At first Balog was slightly skeptical about climate change. On his first trip he realized that what he was witnessing could be the biggest story in human history. “Chasing Ice” depicts a photographer trying to deliver evidence and hope to our carbon-powered planet.

I first heard about the documentary from my daughter Whitney, who made me promise that Eliot and I would not miss it. I want you to make me the same promise. Go see it. It will change your life as it changed ours.

The Museum of Modern Art Exhibits Video Games As New Art Category

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I am so happy that the Museum of Modern Art in New York is adding video games to its collection. Some of the games I have seen over the years contain the most dramatic and imaginative art. Finally they are going to get the recognition they deserve. MoMA is going to start with 14 games and then increase to 40.

Paola Antonelli, a senior curator at the museum, said, “The list of video games were selected after evaluating each work based on “behavior” (the behavior a game elicits from a player), aesthetics, space (physical environments built by code), and time.

MoMA is not the first museum to honor video games. The Smithsonian Museum just showcased “The Art of Video Games,” an 80-title exhibition. MoMA is proud to join in. Most of the games were donated.

This initial group will be shown in the Museum’s Philip Johnson Galleries, March 2013. The lineup is:

• Pac-Man (1980)
• Tetris (1984)
• Another World (1991)
• Myst (1993)
• SimCity 2000 (1994)
• vib-ribbon (1999)
• The Sims (2000)
• Katamari Damacy (2004)
• EVE Online (2003)
• Dwarf Fortress (2006)
• Portal (2007)
• flOw (2006)
• Passage (2008)
• Canabalt (2009)

Over the next few years, MoMA would like to complete this initial selection with Spacewar! (1962), an assortment of games for the Magnavox Odyssey console (1972), Pong (1972), Snake (originally designed in the 1970s; Nokia phone version dates from 1997), Space Invaders (1978), Asteroids (1979), Zork (1979), Tempest (1981), Donkey Kong (1981), Yars’ Revenge (1982), M.U.L.E. (1983), Core War (1984), Marble Madness (1984), Super Mario Bros. (1985), The Legend of Zelda (1986), NetHack (1987), Street Fighter II (1991), Chrono Trigger (1995), Super Mario 64 (1996), Grim Fandango (1998), Animal Crossing (2001), and Minecraft (2011).

First Man to Wear a Sanitary Napkin

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He may not be the first man to walk on the moon but he is just as proud to be the first man to wear a sanitary napkin. Arunachalam Muruganantham of India was on a mission when he learned that women in under-developed countries around the world were still wearing rags rather than sanitary pads.

He recently told his story at a Ted conference where both men and women applauded him because he not only invented a very inexpensive sanitary napkin but is putting thousands of people to work in poor countries. They are needed to operate the mini sanitary napkin-making machine that he made as well.

Muruganantham of Jayaashree also developed a business model that allows women’s groups to invest in their own sanitary napkin-making unit that is designed to employ up to ten women. The new invention is capable of making 120 napkins per hour.

“‘My vision is to make India a 100% napkin-using country,’ said Muruganantham at a conference in Jaipur. ‘We can create 1 million employment opportunities for rural women and expand the model to other developing nations.'”

Watch the video to hear his story.