Tech Time Warp: Hack shuts down PlayStation Network for 3 weeks
Video games have been a godsend during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing those “staying at home” with diversion and a chance at safe social interaction (Animal Crossing, anyone?). It’s worth remembering, however, that even the big guys in digital gaming and...
Pioneers in Tech: Grace Murray Hopper, the “Mother of Computing”
As you celebrate the moms in your life this weekend, raise a glass to Grace Murray Hopper, also known as the “Mother of Computing,” the “Mother of COBOL” or simply “Amazing Grace.” And amazing she was. This technology trailblazer advocated...
Tech Time Warp: Michael Dell launches his empire from a dorm room
Think back to your freshman year of college and the activities that ensued in your dorm room: Cramming for tests? Late night pizza? Perhaps some partying? Great memories, right? At least until you compare your freshman year experience to Michael...
Tech Time Warp: Bill Gates and the blue screen of death
We’ve all been there: A big presentation in front of the boss is felled by tech trouble. The Wi-Fi goes down, the HDMI cable suddenly fails, an unfortunate video autoplays, etc. Next time this happens, all you need to do...
Tech Time Warp: The 411 on the 414s
Some hackers break into networks in search of confidential information, often with the idea of selling it on the dark web. Others want to disrupt a competitor’s operations. But for some, the hacking itself is the primary goal: Can it...
Tech Time Warp: Looking back at the world of phone phreaks
The disturbing phenomenon of Zoom-bombing has made attempts to conduct normal business (such as a city council meeting) difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoom’s simplicity makes it widely accessible yet open to security flaws. It’s interesting to note the videoconferencing...
Tech Time Warp: Dan Farmer and Wietse Venema unleash SATAN on the world
Amid the health, economic, and technology concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s nice to take a break and look back at a simpler time. This week, we take a look back to when a Purdue University student named Dan...
Tech Time Warp: A look back at the first VPN
As more white collar employees are instructed to work from home to contain the spread of COVID-19, there has been an abrupt uptick in VPN usage. It’s estimated VPN use has increased almost 66 percent since March 11, 2020, in...
Tech Time Warp: The evolution of videoconferencing
Remember a couple of weeks ago, before you knew the term “social distancing,” when you dreaded your next conference call? Fast forward a few days, and your next Zoom/GoToMeeting/WebEx is your lifeline to the outside world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tech Time Warp: Twitter takes flight at SXSW 2007
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey made headlines this year as one of the first big names to pull out of the now-canceled SXSW 2020 — due to the spread of Coronavirus. With the hallways of the Austin Convention Center empty this...
