West Florida Components

Does the average internet user know how much information is collected every time they surf the internet? Probably not. In fact, the staff at West Florida Components is pretty computer savvy and we were shocked to find out that despite our careful surfing habits and monitoring of the computers, we had cookies on all our company computers from 60 ad networks.

So, why is this important and what can be done?

For one, it’s a matter of personal privacy. While the tracking cookies from many web sites can be nothing more than a way to present you with products that may align with products from past purchases, there are other cookies from ad networks that track every site you visit. They aggregate that information and they sell it. Are you personally identified through those cookies? Theoretically, no, but the Wall Street Journal recently published an article about how one internet advertising company can tie a person’s email address to a profile about them and how they use that profile to target ads. What information was contained in the profile? Income, education level, marital status, political leanings, age, lifestyle interests, and gender. It is recommended reading, for sure.

You may argue that maybe people shouldn’t be visiting web sites that might not want to be tied to. That may be true, but what about computers that are shared among family members or in a work environment? Those can not be fully controlled yet the ad networks will still compile the information and sell it.

The Network Advertising Initiative has created a consumer opt-out tool which allows computer users to evaluate which advertising cookies are on their computer and remove them. In fact, it replaces the current cookie with an opt-out cookie that you will never have to replace, unless you routinely remove all cookies from your computer (and you should). The tool takes two clicks: one to ‘select all’ the cookies, and one to ‘submit’ to the removal process.

Opting out of a network doesn’t mean you will not receive advertising ads when you surf the internet. It means that the ad network from which you opted out will no longer deliver ads tailored to your Web preferences and usage patterns. Individual site cookies will still be placed – it’s the ad networks that will be rejected.

You still need to removed tracking cookies from your computer on a regular basis (then you should revisit the NAI site to replace the opt-out cookies), and keep your computers protected with firewalls and other software like adaware and anti-virus programs. This step is to help protect your privacy. Every little bit helps!

Analysts are wondering if a shortage of electronic components might lead to smaller supplies of smartphones, video game consoles and other personal electronics like MP3 players, which usually sell very well during the holidays.

Jason Busch, the founder and Managing Director of advisory firm Azul Partners said “There are a lot of conflicting signals within the supply chain right now. The losers will be consumers who might not get the products they want and manufacturers who will see an impact in holiday sales.”

The current shortage is likely related to the weakened market beginning in 2008. Many Chinese factories slowed production or closed entirely and the market has still not fully recovered although demand for the components began increasing more than a year ago.

In spite of an unemployment rate of 9.6%, the National Retail Federation has predicted a 2.3% increase in holiday sales this year. If the electronic components are not available for the production lines, the electronic component shortage could negatively affect that forecast.

Yesterday, IKEA announced it had flipped the switch on newly installed dual rooftop solar units at its Tempe, Arizona store. The new system is one of the largest solar systems in the Phoenix area and the third such solar energy system for the Swedish home furnishings retailer; they have similar units already in place in Brooklyn, NY and Pittsburgh, PA.

The 300 kW solar energy system will generate 960,000 kWh of electricity annually from 2600 solar panels. It is the equivalent of reducing at least 760 tons of (C02) – which equals the emissions of 133 cars or powering 84 homes annually.

IKEA has other renewable energy initiatives in place. Already operating is solar water heating in stores in Charlotte, N.C.; Draper, Utah; Orlando, Florida; and Tampa, Florida. In addition, a geothermal system is being installed in a store under construction in Centennial, Colorado.

It was also announced that eight California locations are on deck for solar systems. In all, IKEA will be installing nearly 20,000 solar panels at eight of its California locations. IKEA expects the panels to generate 6.65 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually which is enough to power 580 homes for a year. Pending governmental approval, it will begin installing the renewable energy systems later this fall at existing stores in East Palo Alto, Emeryville, West Sacramento, Burbank, Costa Mesa, Covina and San Diego along with its large distribution center in Tejon.

A new survey commissioned by Webroot confirms that web users are still putting their identities at risk by not employing some simple strategies for password safety and protection.

So what did the survey reveal about web users and why are these findings an issue?

40% have shared passwords with at least one person in the past year

Sharing passwords with a trusted friend or family member may seem like a non-issue because you trust the person you’re sharing it with, but they may leave it lying around where someone not so trustworthy may pick it up.

About 40% of people use the same password to log into multiple sites

Using a password on multiple sites can create a problem because if your password is compromised on one site, the potential exists that multiple accounts could be in jeopardy.

Nearly 50% never use special characters (e.g. ! ? & #) in their passwords

Adding a special character is a simple step that can be used to make it that much harder for someone to guess your password. Another easy to use technique is to substitute numbers or characters to spell out words.

redridinghood becomes  r3dr!d!ngh00d

For example changing the ‘e’ ‘i’ and ‘o’ in “red riding hood” to numbers and characters makes it virtually impossible for someone to guess at it even if they know the name of your favorite childhood book.

20% have used a significant date, such as a birth date, or a pet’s name as a password

In the past, that may have made it easy for only people that knew you to use that information but today that information is often publicly visible on social networks where it can be accessed by almost anyone.

Besides the above tips, it is recommended that you change your passwords periodically and don’t allow your browsers to store passwords for you.

Following these recommendations can save you time and save you money should someone try to hack your accounts.

Hate going shopping in person but don’t want to buy everything online? Consider the future of shopping where cash registers will not just be able to ring up your purchases, but be able to tell you what other items would match the sweater you’re buying that day….including a review of your past purchases.

Love the idea or hate it, that is the future of brick and mortar checkout. Combining the online catalog with a streamlined checkout process, the goal is to help you shop smarter, better and of course, more often.

Intel has a future generation register in development right now that does all of this, plus more. In fact, it is predicted that in the future you won’t even need to bring your credit card – your cell phone will be the method of payment and receipts will be sent right to your phone. Added bonus – no more lost receipts for returns and exchanges.

Take a look at this video that shows what Intel is working on right now:

http://www.smartplanet.com/business/video/the-future-of-cash-registers/462022/

With the installation of an array of 3000 solar panels, the New York Jets have really set themselves apart from other professional sports teams. Their team headquarters and 120,000 square foot training facility will be powered by the solar panels that will generate an estimated 750,000 kilo-watt hours of electricity.

Other sports teams have installed alternative energy systems at their training camps and stadiums, but the system at the Jets facility is the largest to date.

The New York Jets can wear their long-time green jerseys proudly – their commitment to providing a source of green energy at their training camp is an inspiration for the rest of the league.