Cairo Magazine

Picking a good password

2010-06-13T19:33:00.013+03:00

Picking a good password:
Creating a unique password helps stop someone from breaking into your Google account. Here are a few tips for creating a good password, and keeping it safe:

Be creative. Don't use words that can be found in a dictionary.
Use at least eight characters.
Don't use a password that you have used elsewhere.
Don't use keyboard patterns (asdf) or sequential numbers (1234).
Create an acronym. Don't use a common one, like NASA or SCUBA. Combine it with numbers and punctuation marks.
Include punctuation marks and numbers. Mix capital and lowercase letters.
Include similar looking substitutions, such as the number zero for the letter 'O' or $ for the letter 'S'.
Include phonetic replacements, such as 'Luv 2 Laf' for 'Love to Laugh.'
Don't make your password all numbers, all uppercase letters, or all lowercase letters.
Find ways of collecting random letters and numbers, such as opening books, looking at license plates or taking the third letter from the first ten words you see.
Don't use repeating characters (aa11).
Don't use a password that is listed as an example of how to pick a good password.

Picking a good security question and answer:

Choose a question only you know the answer to - make sure the question isn't associated with your password.
Pick a question that can't be answered through research (for example, avoid your mother's maiden name, your birth date, your first or last name, your social security number, your phone number, your pet's name, etc.).
Make sure your answer is memorable, but not easy to guess. Use an answer that is a complete sentence for even more security.

Strong Passwords | Microsoft Security

Reference

1- www.google.com

2-www.microsoft.com

By Yahia Rady

Gaming references

2010-06-13T18:40:00.000+03:00

Video Games Can Benefit Classroom Education. Marco Visscher.

At Issue: Video Games. Ed. David M. Haugen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008.

Video Games Have Become a Scapegoat for Violent Behavior. Christopher J. Ferguson.

Opposing Viewpoints: Media Violence. Ed. David M. Haugen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009.

Introduction to Has Technology Increased Learning?: At Issue.

At Issue: Has Technology Increased Learning?. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009.

Introduction to Has Technology Increased Learning?: At Issue.

At Issue: Has Technology Increased Learning?. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009.

Video games good.(Brief article).
Maclean's 121.34 (Sept 1, 2008): p9(1).
Reading Level (Lexile): 1390.
Now, that's using your noggin: using brain waves to fix ADD, treat seizures--and move light sabres.(SCIENCE)(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).Katie Engelhart.
Now, that's using your noggin: using brain waves to fix ADD, treat seizures--and move light sabres.(SCIENCE)(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).Katie Engelhart.
Maclean's 120.34 (Sept 3, 2007): p49(1).
Reading Level (Lexile): 1240.

Not Just Child's Play.(game is the brainchild of HopeLab).Betsy Streisand.
U.S. News & World Report 141.6 (August 14, 2006): p48-50.
Reading Level (Lexile): 1530.

Bone Up at Video Game U.(video games benefits to the brain)(Brief Article).Kenneth Terrell.
U.S. News & World Report 139.24 (Dec 26, 2005): p68.

The Army's Killer App: Game designers go to boot camp to perfect the video game the military uses to entice new recruits.(Technology)(video game America's Army).Lev Grossman.
Time 165.9 (Feb 28, 2005): p43.

"Video Game Sales Rise While the Number of Violent Crime Offenses Falls." Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. ITT Educational Services. 24 July 2009 .

University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Computer Game Helps Autistic Children Recognize Emotions." ScienceDaily 23 June 2007. 24 July 2009 .

Video games test for autism, dyslexia
Thu May 10, 2007 4:15pm EDT
By Lisa Baertlein
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN5927832920070510

Games for Children with Autism: Do's and Don'ts
July 15, 2008 by Elizabeth Tabian-Sosin Elizabeth Tabian-Sosin
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/850553/games_for_children_with_autism_dos.html

Fun and Learning
Board Games and Special Needs
by Teri Brown
http://www.specialkidstoday.com/articles/general/fun-and-learning-4554/#
Downloadable Games for Special Needs Children

Playing with a Purpose
Computer and Video Games for Special Needs Children
By Teri Brown
http://www.childrentoday.com/articles/special-needs/playing-with-a-purpose-4424/

Aviation Security Post 9-11

2010-06-13T18:13:00.004+03:00

After the attack on the twin towers and the Pentagon on 9-11 two acts that coincide with one another to ensure more security for flying were the Aviation & Transportation Security Act and the Transportation Security Enhancement Act of 2001. With having both of these acts in place it provided airports with more security measures in place to make passengers feel safer while flying. Prior to the attacks people would go to their respective gates with loved ones and didn’t have to undergo much at the security check point. Nowadays, the average passenger has to have a ticket and a valid ID in order to pass the first stage of security. Next they must place computers, bags, purses and shoes through the metal detector and once they passed through successfully they can collect their items and continue to their flight. While they wait and have passed through, what people may not know, is their bags they checked in are being checked by drug and bomb sniffing dogs as well as going through an x-ray machine before being placed onto the under compartments of their flight. Another provision these acts have made within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was it left its affiliation with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and moved to become part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Because of this change and a new threat in our airports President Bush then signed a new law on November 19, 2001 which is known as the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. The TSA then planned to screen:

1. All people’s baggage and cargo.

2. Provide stress management conflict resolution programs.

3. Implement policies for professional interaction with passengers.

Within the TSA hiring employees became more thorough and included the need for U.S. citizenship, possession of a H.S. education or equivalent, ability to pass a background & security investigation, including a criminal records check, and the necessity of passing a standardized examination as well as an eye exam for color blindness.

There are many things that can be done to improve transportation security which has not been covered in these Acts could be something as simple as drastic as funding for every major airport to have the “Back Scatter” x-ray machine and the cargo screening machine to inspect any form of cargo that will be on the flight. There are many things that are already in place to protect not just the personnel and the aircraft but also the individuals flying. Many people find going through the security is immensely stressful, but by having these major security measures in place we are able to help eliminate potential terrorist threats.

With having the Aviation & Transportation Security Act and the Transportation Security Enhancement Act of 2001 in effect there is not much I would personally change. I have noticed that TSA is hard at work implementing and improving their jobs to make flying safer for everyone. Just because the acts are already in place and eliminating any threats we may have stopped they still look on ways to improve and beef up the security to keep up with newer technology. For example every camera that can follow a passenger throughout an airport is the best way to watch someone if they are too suspicious. I say improvements needing to be made at this time are up to the discretion of the TSA.
Wrote By Rebecca Roberts

The Upside of Gaming

2010-06-13T17:41:00.005+03:00

There are many people out there who play video games for recreation, as an occupation, or as a hobby. Many games that are being played are Call of Duty, Halo, World of Warcraft, or the other numerous games that are out there. Many people criticize the violence content or the time it monopolizes. Another reason people do not like video games, is because it will influence our children’s future by possibly teaching them how to live a life of crime like, Grand Theft Auto. However, there are games that do help many people through all walks of life in many different situations.
Games help people like cancer patients, people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burn victims, individuals with all forms of autism, children with special needs, people with diabetes, and help individuals diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attention deficit hypertension disorder (ADHD). For everyday things it can reducing stress, encourage a fun way to exercise, or can also be an aid in the classroom.
Many parents do not understand how games can be beneficial to their children until they are told by specialists. Every parent should encourage their children to have game time, but only in moderation and should not use it as a babysitter. Before we get into the different types of video games which can assist people with disabilities we’ll talk about what we don’t know. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Entertainment Software Association states, “when the number of video game sales rise the number of violent crime offenses fall” (Gale). This can prove playing video games are not all that harmful as some people will portray it. One thing it is well known for is the good it does for people having a bad day and teaching us how to handle some real world conflicts. If we taught everyone video games are just that, and are more of an aid to help or assist in circumstances, then people might have a different outlook and see the many different ways they can help. For example, if you had a bad day at work and you are under a lot of stress, playing games that relax you are beneficial to help you take a time out for a little while and unwind, then be able to spend some nice quality time with the family. It goes the same for children having a stressful day at school.
“When a man or woman picks up a weapon and premeditates the end of another human life, it is not because he or she was programmed by a video game but because that individual made a conscious choice—not to play a game, but to kill. This darkness lurks not within our computers, televisions, books, or music, but rather within our species and, sometimes, ourselves.” (Ferguson).
    Given the allure violent video games have, it may be advisable to consider how some games containing some violent content may be used to further educational purposes. For instance, a first-person-shooter game called Re-Mission is being studied in relation to young adults with cancer. One group of youths who played this game demonstrated better cancer-treatment adherence, better self-efficacy and quality of life, and more cancer-related knowledge than did those in a control group who did not play the game. In Re-Mission, the Tomb Raider like character Roxxi leads players on a biological journey through the body. The patients zap cancerous and infectious cells with chemotherapy and antibiotics, reinforcing the importance of keeping up treatment. It then focuses on improving the health and quality of life of young people with chronic illnesses. Users say Re-Mission is as fun and challenging as popular commercial games. But it was designed to educate kids about cancer and its side effects and motivate them to stick with their treatments and promptly report symptoms. Results from a year long study of 375 cancer patients ages 13 to 29, found that those who played Re-Mission opened their pill bottles 15 percent more often, and had levels of chemotherapy drugs in their blood 20 percent higher than the nonplaying group.
    Another game like Re-Mission, Glucoboy is not just a game, but also a piece of hardware that attaches to a Gameboy Advance. Glucoboy is the first glucose level measuring machine to be designed specifically for children and teenagers. It gives a glucose level reading in 10 seconds using only a 0.6µL sample of blood. Because it is attached to the Nintendo Game Boy Advance System, it encourages kids to give blood samples. To access the video games, the Glucoboy must be inserted into the cartridge slot on a Nintendo Game Boy Advance System, or into the Game Boy cartridge slot on a Nintendo DS. The design team behind the device has also set up Guidance Reward Platform (GRiP), which is a web community that those with diabetes can join to talk to each other. For each time they test their glucose levels you win points, these points can be used to unlock games, or converted into games currency, like arcade tokens. The games for Glucoboy are filled with information on managing diabetes, tips on their specific diet, exercise, and monitoring blood sugar.
    Virtual Reality can be used to help many people with PTSD, burn victims, anxiety, and phobias like claustrophobia. It helps people face their fears and forget they are in pain. It is used as a therapeutic tool to aid people move on from traumatic events, and helps the doctor see the patients emotional state so the doctor or patient can stop when it becomes too much. For burn victims there is a program called Snow World. It is a virtual reality system that lets users walk through wintry environments and throw snowballs at stationary targets. The cool imagery and immersive gameplay are proving to be a viable alternative to strong drugs that leave patients dazed and disconnected. Patients report feeling less pain, fMRI scans show a reduction in actual brain signals, and doctors anecdotally noted a wider range of movement from patients in physical therapy sessions. It's also worth noting that researchers have observed that the more immersed a patient is, the better the results. This way when someone is more absorbed into the game they can change a burn victims dressings creating less pain.
    “The benefits to the brain could reach well beyond the improved hand-eye coordination that video games have long been thought to encourage. According to Steven Johnson, author of Everything Bad Is Good for You, many games force players to learn complex rules, follow dozens of variables in real time, and prioritize among goals” (Terrell). Having the ability to be able to help individuals varying from children to people recovering from strokes and to train police officers or soldiers video games can help you. They teach good hand-eye coordination, as it is shown in a study they found that laparoscopic surgeons who play video games in their spare time are 27 per cent faster at advanced procedures and made 37 per cent fewer errors than non-gamers. For people with ADD or ADHD there is a treatment which can be found at NeuroSky Inc. It teaches people to focus for example:
“With their Darth Vader masks, capes and light sabers, NeuroSky Inc.'s customers may resemble your average overzealous Star Wars fan. But their new gaming accessory is even more out of science fiction than it might seem: the activity of that light saber is controlled entirely by the player's thoughts. Instead of joysticks or keypads, there is NeuroSky's high-tech sensor, embedded in the mask. It interprets the brain's electrical activity and channels brainwave signals to a wireless receiver inside the light saber. When the player focuses intently on the light saber, it lights up.” (Engelhart).
    There are not many things out there to treat autism in general. However, there are many games out there to help the differing ailments of the actual disability. Medication patients take can only solve one or two issues that may arise, like the behavioral issues or depression an individual with autism may have. One game called FaceSay, teaches people to recognize faces, facial expressions and emotions. There is also an online virtual world called Second Life, where there is an island named Brigadoon. Brigadoon is a real-world experiment in social skills made virtual, where a mixture of caregivers or individuals with Asperger Syndrome (a form of autism) have a place to go and share stories or life experiences with one another. The inhabitants get to enjoy the same privileges as everyone else. People can create their own digital representations of themselves, called an avatar, build virtual houses, and seek out friends. Most importantly, they can have the freedom to create a "life" with a level of social interaction which, because of reasons due to their condition, it has been hard to come by in their real lives. While networking they can then start to gain the confidence one needs to be able to go out into public and make real friends versus just online. Also, it gives the ability to converse with other people with the same issues or problems they have. It also has the ability to have a support group of people they can relate to, and have other people with similar situations relate to them as well.
    We see video games all the time, but now, we see how it can positively effect many different situations. Instead of someone only playing video games to ignore reality they can be used as tools or aids to help others whom need it. From teaching children about a life changing diagnosis to learning how to focus, helping others forget current situations in life, or giving people with disabilities more confidence to become comfortable with society. Video games have come a long way and are creating more and more opportunities for so many different people to use as educational or medical aids to teach many. I know from personal experience watching certain video games gives my daughter the confidence she needs to be around other people for regular socialization and the struggles she faces. Video games are definitely positive and this paper shows just that. wrote by

Rebecca Roberts