APM's Future Tense

Chrome OS shines a little brighter

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:59:23 -0600

Google unveiled more details about its Chrome OS yesterday, and released source code for developers.

Unfriend vs. defriend smackdown (plus more big Internet events of the decade)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:05:30 -0600

Regarding our recent story on the term "unfriend" being named the Oxford American Dictionary's word of the year, we heard from a number of people who say they've never heard anyone say "unfriend," but rather, they hear and use "defriend" instead -- as in, "I defriended her on Facebook because she was always sending me stupid quizzes." Ammon Shea from Oxford University Press was gracious enough to talk to us again to clear up this "unfriend" versus "defriend" issue. Also today: Part two of our interview with David Michel-Davies regarding the most important Internet events of the decade.

Top Internet events of the decade

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:50:13 -0600

The folks behind the Webby Awards have published their take on the biggest Internet moments in the years 2000 to 2009. Guest: Webby Awards Executive Director David-Michel Davies

Unfriend is Oxford Dictonary's word of the year

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:13:34 -0600

Today, Ammon Shea with Oxford University Press on why "unfriend" from the world of social media is the 2009 Word of the Year, and why "netbook," "intexticated," and "sexting" were also considered for the honor.

New evidence points to benefits of online social networks

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:03:21 -0600

Facebook, Twitter and the tools that enable them sometimes get a bad rap. A recent example: a weekend article in the San Francisco Chronicle, which quotes mental health professionals who worry that addiction to our digital tools will lead to a breakdown of interpersonal relationships and a rise in attention deficit disorder. A new study from the University of Minnesota does not address those issues but does suggest social networks are a good way to get young people engaged current events and civic affairs, and have much potential as teaching tools. Guest: Christine Greenhow, University of Minnesota

Cough into cell phone, get a diagnosis

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:53:08 -0600

The Gates Foundation is funding a project to create mobile phone software that will allow people to cough into their phones to help determine whether they have pneumonia, influenza or other ailments.

Google to caffeinate search results

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:01:03 -0600

Google will soon begin rolling out new search technology called Caffeine. It's designed to producer faster, more relevant results.

How to get Windows 7 at a discount

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:06:02 -0600
Ed Bott joins us today to discuss the many ways to avoid paying full price for Windows 7.

A trip through the Future Tense archives

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:38:42 -0600
Today we look back at some of the stories we covered in November, 1999.

No link between Internet, social isolation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:52 -0600
A new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project finds that the Internet and mobile phones do not lead to social isolation, as some previous research suggested. In fact, there's plenty of evidence that people who spend a lot of time online have fuller social lives.

Open-sourcing the vote

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:54:31 -0600
Activists working to develop an alternative American voting system have turned loose their first batch of software code for public review. The Open Source Digital Voting Foundation is spearheading a project to build new voting machines to replace proprietary systems currently in place. The group is in the second year of a an eight-year plan to produce a publicly-owned, open source election system.

Cyber war: Scary, or scare-mongery?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:55:07 -0600
The Obama administration, like the Bush team before it, have talked a great deal about the need to strengthen our ability to fend off attacks that target U.S. computers. How much should we worry, really? Yesterday we heard from James Lewis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He's just written a new report that concludes there is no chance another country or terrorist group will launch a major cyber attack against the U.S. anytime in the near future. Still, Lewis believes U.S. defenses against an Internet-based attack on its military and government computers, power grids and financial system are weak and need to be shored up to guard against future threats.

Report: Zero threat of major cyber attack against U.S.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:19:11 -0600
There is no chance other countries or terrorist groups will launch an Internet-based attack against U.S. information systems in the near future, according to a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Other countries have no political interesting in attacking the U.S. while terrorists don't likely possess the capability for a destructive cyber-war campaign, according to the Center's James Lewis.

Microsoft markets crud-free computers

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:14:05 -0600
Microsoft has begun selling new PCs with no crapware, from the likes of Sony, HP and Dell. Of course, the machines will still come with plenty of Microsoft software that not everyone will want. You can find these Microsoft Signature PCs at its new store in Scottsdale, Arizona and online. Guest: Todd Bishop, TechFlash

Will Droid succeed against iPhone?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:49 -0600
Verizon Wireless and Motorola are expected to unveil details of their new Android phone today. Guest: Kent German, CNET