Planned Obsolescence

From Wikipedia

Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence in industrial design is a policy of deliberately planning or designing a product with a limited useful life, so it will become obsolete or nonfunctional after a certain period of time. Planned obsolescence has potential benefits for a producer because to obtain continuing use of the product the consumer is under pressure to purchase again, whether from the same manufacturer (a replacement part or a newer model), or from a competitor which might also rely on planned obsolescence.

In some cases, deliberate deprecation of earlier versions of a technology is used to reduce ongoing support costs, especially in the software industry. Though this could be considered planned obselescence, it differs from the classic form in that the consumer is typically made aware of the limited support lifetime of the product as part of their licensing agreement.

For an industry, planned obsolescence stimulates demand by encouraging purchasers to buy sooner if they still want a functioning product. Built-in obsolescence is used in many different products. There is, however, the potential backlash of consumers who learn that the manufacturer invested money to make the product obsolete faster; such consumers might turn to a producer (if any exists) that offers a more durable alternative.

Planned obsolescence was first developed in the 1920s and 1930s when mass production had opened every minute aspect of the production process to exacting analysis.

Estimates of planned obsolescence can influence a company's decisions about product engineering. Therefore the company can use the least expensive components that satisfy product lifetime projections. Such decisions are part of a broader discipline known as value engineering.

Read more at Wikipedia.

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Pyramids of Waste (2010), also known as The Light Bulb Conspiracy, is a documentary about the negative effects of consumerism and planned obsolescence. The light bulb conspiracy is a theory that leading manufacturers of incandescent light bulbs have conspired to keep the lifetime of bulbs far below their real technological capabilities. This way, they ensure the continuous demand for more bulbs and long-term profit for themselves.

This documentary exposes the corporate practice of planned obsolescence and how products have a predetermined lifespan. I encourage consumers to view the documentary.

The documentary is available online at: http://vimeo.com/41567964#

Computer Security: Hijacked Browsers

By Patricia Jordan

If your computer’s Internet browser suddenly changes how and what is displayed when you surf the web, then you could be a victim of a browser hijacking. Hackers use this common form of online attack to take advantage of improperly secured systems to install malicious software that can impede computer performance, monitor Internet use and build a profile of your surfing habits.

Other common indicators of a hijacking include the inability to navigate to specific websites for security and anti-spyware software, multiple pop-ups, redirection to a variety of unsavory sites and new shortcuts that appear on your favourites menu. These attacks differ from spyware attacks in that victims usually have not downloaded a program, but have inadvertently allowed the addition of a web toolbar or a change in home-page settings.

Here are a few steps that can be taken to protect a computer from an attack:

• install a firewall and antivirus/spyware software
• use automatic software updates
• install the latest version of the browser you use
• use the “Trusted” sites zone in your computer's settings

Site du Jour

eHOW has published an extensive list of articles on browser hijacking and what to do if your browser has been hijacked.

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Taking a Look at Fee or Free Antivirus Solutions

By Steve Manos / Contributing Writer, The Orange Country Register

September 6, 2011

This answer is easy: Fee. Your best solution for an antivirus program will cost you.

Why? More extensive scanning and auto-protect features. The commercial products also do a better job at identifying spyware, malware, etc.

Read the full article.

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Don't Overload Your PC with Security Software
By Rick Broida, PCWorld
September 6, 2011

Reader Steve uses a program called Vipre Premium to keep his PC secure. The suite offers anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spyware, a firewall, e-mail protection--basically, the works.

Read the full article.

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Banking By Smartphone Can Be Risky

By Eve Mitchell, Contra Costa Times

August 22, 2011

J.T. Pierce's bank is right next to his Foster City workplace. But he hardly ever visits the branch, since he uses online banking to take care of most of his banking needs.

"I've been banking online since college," said the 26-year-old San Francisco resident. "As soon as I was able to open an account online, I pretty much jumped on it. The No. 1 reason is convenience."

But while he likes the convenience, he takes the time to change his password every few months.

Such precautions, which also include installing security software to protect against viruses, spyware and malware, have become second nature for many people who bank online on a computer. But people often are not as protective when using smartphones for online banking.

Read the full article.

CFLs With Mercury Are Dangerous When Broken

By Patricia Jordan

A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is a fluorescent lamp that is designed to replace an incandescent lamp. CFLs contain mercury as vapor inside the glass tubing. Because mercury is poisonous, disposal of used CLFs is not permitted in landfills and waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps can be released and contribute to air and water pollution.

Many jurisdictions in the United States now require spent lamps to be properly disposed of or recycled rather than being discarded in landfills. It is unlawful to dispose of fluorescent bulbs in several states.







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Are Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs Dangerous?
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs contain a minuscule amount of mercury, and you can't safely ignore potential contact with it
By John Matson
April 10, 2008

Lightbulbs break all the time. So why would a single broken bulb in a Maine household trigger the state's Department of Environmental Protection to refer the homeowner to a decontaminator?

The answer lies in the type of bulb that broke—a compact fluorescent lightbulb—and what was inside that bulb. Compact fluorescents, like their tubular fluorescent precursors, contain a small amount of mercury—typically around five milligrams. Mercury is essential to a fluorescent bulb's ability to emit light; no other element has proved as efficient.

Read the full article.