19 Feb 12 How to take on social media attacks like the Phoenix Suns
Online interaction with fans started years ago with the team’s website and email, and now there are five employees of the Phoenix Suns coordinating outreach on social media, whether it’s tweeting team news, posting video interviews with coaches or team stars like Jared Dudley and Steve Nash, or selling game tickets through direct interaction with potential customers.
But sometimes things can get a little out of hand when emotions run high and fans from competing teams run wild across the internet.
The craziness comes into play when there are direct attacks on the Phoenix Suns network and “some people will try to log into the network,” says Bolt, saying the Phoenix Suns’ information technology department also detects attempts to try to get into email or Twitter accounts associated with basketball stars. these incidents are most apparent as ongoing battles that occur at playoff times when emotions run high among fans of competing teams.
“Some of this crosses the line,” says Bolt, adding the Phoenix Suns have to dedicate resources to screening and eliminating expressions of virulent hate or verbal abuse coming in via Facebook and other sources.
There are also attempts to send email floods to the Phoenix Suns and attempts at phishing to steal identities. the Phoenix Suns makes use of security gear from Check Point, McAfee, SonicWall and LogRhythm, among others, to hold down the fort by monitoring, detecting and filtering out attack traffic. most of these types of attacks tend to be cyclical and tied to big games.
Most of this strikes Bolt as not deep-down malicious but just basketball fans going zany at their computers for a short spell. but there are also attacks that suggest someone would like to infiltrate the Phoenix Suns, perhaps for more nefarious purposes.
Bolt says his IT team, which includes three technicians, keeps close watch on information related to Microsoft vulnerabilities and dangerous new malware types, and when there are worries, will write custom anti-malware signatures or temporarily block access to certain Microsoft servers. “When we interact with the outside, we’re always cautious to protect the systems bringing traffic back in,” says Bolt. “I’m using a lot of security products.”
Bolt pointed out that the Phoenix Suns website is hosted by Turner Entertainment in Atlanta as part of a contract with the National Basketball Association and its teams. the Phoenix Suns uploads content to Turner. And in other complexity, the IT staff at the Phoenix Suns is responsible for assisting with events taking place at the US Airways Center arena.
“So if the circus, for instance, comes for a visit, it asks for Wi-Fi resources so they can do their business while in the building. Or they may want to do simulcast. We give them the bandwidth they need,” says Bolt, adding these kinds of visitors get network credentials to log in to a separate VLAN with access to the internet.
Since a lot of events go on in the evening, it’s helpful that the LogRhythm monitoring is set up to automatically watch whether the variety of databases, servers and network resources are not only up and running but working optimally. “One of the most serious things it discovered was it warned me databases were potentially running out of space,” says Bolt, adding that would have left a lot of employees doing nothing if it hadn’t been detected.
15 Feb 12 What is Computer Hardware – Understanding Computer Programs
Now, please remember that my definition of computer hardware is coming from a Non-Geek you will not be getting lots and lots of strange words that seem to eminate from a UFO. Let me entertain you with the difference between computer software and computer hardware, as a non-geek understands it. So, anything that is not a computer program, that gives you what you can see or use on the screen, well, it’s the hardware.
Let me get more specific. most computers already have programs loaded into it that drive the system. these programs allow you to use the internet, your e-mail, Facebook,etc. each computer user loads what programs they want onto their computer, depending on their needs. these programs can be purchased or downloaded from the internet. again, these programs are the software of the system.
Not to confuse you, but, if you go to a computer store and purchase a program, you will have a disc with information on it. this is the information that you install onto your computer, such as a publishing program. although you have a disc that you hold in your hand, it is not the hardware.
Hardware are the pieces that are attached to the computer. Let’s start with the mouse. the mouse allows you to manuever the cursor on the screen. you can purchase a mouse in almost any color or shape. There is one that is connected to the computer and there is a wireless one, that gives you more freedom. There are optical mice that has a light on the bottom instead of the ball. If you use the computer a lot, you might want to try the mouse that has a large red ball on top, for easier tracking.
Next, the monitor is a piece of hardware. There are the old style monitors, that resemble older television sets. Then there are the newer models that have high definition and a flat screen. I have seen lime green monitors, bright pink ones and sleek sliver ones.
The actual computer is considered hardware. this box can either sit under the monitor, sideways beside the monitor, or even on the floor. each model seems to become smaller and sleeker. No longer do the computers take up an entire room. just a small box that can sit almost anywhere.
Well, of course, we can’t forget the printer. at one time, you had to purchase a separate printer, then a scanner and, a copier. but no more There are multi-functional printers. They contain the printer that can print in color or the original black. Add to it the copier, the scanner and the fax. All in one system. We can even print our photographs now on laser printers.
Be aware that there are many other pieces of hardware that you can attach to your system. the items listed above are the basics that usually come with each new system. enjoy your computer system from one non-geek to another.
27 Jan 12 Virginia Tourism Corporation Brings LOVE to Veritas Vineyards
Richmond, Va. (PRWEB) January 27, 2012
Virginia is for Lovers is about love – pure and simple. Virginia Tourism Corporation, the state tourism office, is working to share the message that love is at heart of every Virginia vacation and to do so, is partnering with tourism destinations across the state to have the word “love” pop up in many different and unexpected places.
On January 26, one such example was revealed when the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Veritas Vineyards and Nelson County tourism unveiled a giant LOVE artwork made from wine corks at a special event at the vineyard’s tasting room. the artwork is part of the Virginia is for Lovers campaign. Each letter of the word love is nearly six feet tall and made up of hundreds of corks. the LOVE artwork is suspended above the Veritas wine bar, giving the impression that LOVE is floating in mid-air. the artwork will be featured in tourism advertisements starting late spring.
Wine lovers can visit Veritas Vineyards to share the love of Virginia wines. Visitors will be encouraged to take a picture of the LOVE artwork and share it on Facebook at Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers or on Twitter, using the special hashtag #LOVEVA. Tasting room hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“Our iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand is about love – pure and simple, and has been for more than 40 years,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We’re excited to bring the LOVE artwork to Veritas Vineyards and Nelson County as we promote Virginia as one of the top wine travel destinations on the East Coast.”
“Love is in the air at Veritas,” said Andrew Hodson, owner of Veritas Vineyard. “We are thrilled to have the LOVE artwork on display at our winery and look forward to sharing our love of wines with visitors to our tasting room.”
Visitors can find everything they love in a vacation in Nelson County. Located on the Sunrise Side of the Blue Ridge, Nelson County is the travel destination for Virginia wine, craft beer and outdoor recreation lovers. With ten wineries, three breweries, a cidery and distillery, as well as amazing hiking, biking, local restaurants and lodging offerings, visitors can find the perfect getaway in Nelson County.
Virginia is a “Commonwealth of Wine” – with more than 200 wineries that stretch across every region of the state, from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Virginia is a wine destination unlike any other, with wineries surrounded by lavish scenery, breathtaking views, quaint small towns and monumental historic sites.
Virginia is one of the only wine destinations in the country where visitors can kayak to a winery, enjoy bluegrass music while sipping local wines, sample regional wines at a National Park, or enjoy wine at a National Historic Landmark. Virginia was named one of the top 10 wine travel destinations in the world for 2012 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visit Virginia.org start planning a trip to Virginia or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers travel guide. Connect with Virginia is for Lovers on Facebook or on Twitter at @VisitVirginia.
18 Jan 12 Facebook hosting two Mobile Hack events next month
Facebook is holding two Mobile Hack events next month, following the success of the original one in Palo Alto two months ago, which saw some 300 developers learn about Facebook Platform for Mobile. clearly it was a success, as Facebook wants to host two more such informative sessions, aimed specifically at you, the developer.
The first event next month is being held in new York on January 18, 2012 (from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST). the second is being held in Boston on January 20, 2012 (from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM EST). Both will be all about building social mobile apps; Facebook will cover iOS, Android, and mobile web (HTML5) app development.
Although the first Mobile Hack was free for everyone, these two events are not. still, General Admission is pretty cheap: just $25. furthermore, there is an option for students to attend the Boston event for free.
At the event, industry experts that have already built social mobile apps will share their best practices. along with the Facebook Platform team, they will show you how to make your apps more social and how to leverage social discovery.
At the end of the event, the best apps will be selected by a panel of experts and prizes will be awarded. your app does not need to be created from scratch at the event, so you should start coding now, if you haven’t already.
Events like this one are a great opportunity not just to learn from Facebook but from your peers in the industry. You should take advantage while Facebook keeps the price tag low: chances are in a few years these mobile events will be as expensive as the desktop ones.
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