Tech Fail - Explaining Today's 3 Big Computer Errors

Disasters took down United Airlines, the Wall Street Journal website and also halted the New York Stock Exchange - NYSE and it is not the right time to blame hackers. CNNMoney had reached out to several top technologists with all coming up with the same opinion. Established on what is known now, it is very unlikely to be the outcome of a coordinated cyber-attack.

Two unidentified US official informed that there was no sign that the computer problem that affected the NYSE were the ones which grounded the UA flights. According to Reuters, United Airlines informed that an issue with a router was the cause of its outage. He was specifically relating to how a malfunctioning computer network router had left almost 5,000 United Airlines flight all over the world, grounded for over an hour, racking up large costs in fuel, overtime besides other expenses.

He further informed that they are recovering from a network connectivity issue and restoring flight operations. Mr Caldwell, chairman of Caldwell Securities commented that `it’s disruptive though not wildly disruptive’. The halt in trading at 11.30, local time was described as unprecedented in its scale.

Every Failure Could be Different in Nature

The significant is that every failure could be different in nature and hacks usually exploit a single flaw in order to attack a wide variety of entities at the same time. United temporarily had grounded all flights due to a problem in the way its computers coordinated with each other.

NYSE on the other hand suspended trading due to an internal technical issue which involved computers only at the stock exchange. The WSJ.com failed since its computers server was unable to respond quickly enough which could have been overloaded.

All these issues do not seem to be similar. Moreover, tech companies which analyse vast amounts of Web traffic behind the scenes, state that they had not identified a coordinated attack. United flights resumed nationwide after an hour and a source informed CNN that its employee had investigated the computer issue and determined that the company was not attacked and this was not the work of hackers at all. There was no hacking and no evidence of any connection to what was happening at the NYSE.

Automated Software - Complex

NYSE which went back online after four hours also assured the people that hackers were not responsible for the shutdown. NYSE tweeted that the issue they were experiencing was an internal technical problem and was not the result of a cyber-breach. They chose to suspend trading on NYSE in order to avoid problems resulting from technical issue.

WSJ.com was also back by Wednesday afternoon though with a bare bones website together with basic formatting and did not mention the cause of the issue. However some speculate that the shutdown drew a lot of visitors to WSJ.com resulting in overloading the site’s servers. What connects all these failures is that the companies involved are business operations relying extensively on computer systems.

Automated software tends to be complex and at times involves millions of lines of computers code where a single error could misplace text which could result in a halt. Cyber security expert, Joshua Corman commented that an increased dependence on undependable things allow for cascading failures.

Internet Addresses Have Officially Run Out

Top Level Exhaustion ….. IPv4 Addresses Allocated for Special Use

When the internet was first developed, it was presumed that around 4 billion unique number combination would be adequate. However, it did not turn out the way it was predicted when tech pioneer Ken Olsen had stated in 1977 that `there is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home’.

With the internet it gave rise to more usage with users getting tech savvy and getting connected to the internet world. Each node of Internet Protocol – IP network like computer, router or a network printer has been assigned an IP address which is used in locating and identifying the node in communication with several other nodes on the internet. An IP address space is handled by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority – IANA, globally, as well as by the five regional Internet registries – RIR, that are responsible in their respective territories for tasks to end users and local internet registries like internet service providers.

 Top level exhaustion took place on 31, January’2011. From the five RIRs, three have exhausted allocation of the blocks and have not reserved for IPv6 transition which took place on 15th April 2011 for Asia Pacific, while on 14th September 2012 for Europe and for Latin America and the Caribbean on 10th June 2014.Internet Protocol version 4 offers 4,294,967,296, addresses though large blocks of IPv4 addresses have been allocated for special uses and are not provided for public allocation.

ARIN unable to Fulfil Allocation of Large IPv4 Address Block

As per Gartner researchers, he states that there would be around 25 billion internet connected devices by 2020 which is more than six times to what the developers had planned when the net went live in 1983. Vint Cerf, the internet founding father clarifies that they were aware of this coming up and had been reading about the drying blocks of IPv4 addresses and for the first time North America has been out of the new IPv4 addresses.

Presently, Caribbean Islands, Canada, North Atlantic and US will be receiving the waiting list from the American Registry for Internet Numbers and has been cautioned that it will be unable to fulfill the allocation of a large IPv4 address block since the address pool has been drying and because of this the ARIN for the first time will be changing its policies on allocation. Though the infrastructure running the internet was made with space for 4 billion addresses, which had seemed a lot at that point of time, however with provision of too many devices coming up, the IPv4 protocol seems to be running out of space.

Initiated IPv4 Unmet Request Policy

American Registry for Internet Numbers, - ARIN, has now initiated its IPv4 Unmet Request Policy and till now, organizations in the ARIN area were in a position of getting IPv4 addressed whenever needed. However, recently, ARIN is now not in a position of fulfilling the requests resulting in ISP which come to ARIN for IPv4 address space are faced with three choices namely-

• They could take a smaller block, presently ARIN does have a limited supply of blocks of 512 and 256 addresses
• They could go on the wait list with the hope that a block of desired size would be available sometime in the near future.
• They could buy addresses from an organization which may tend to have more than their requirement.

Experts have advised those running websites to use the spacious IPv6 specification, though moving could be expensive as well as time consuming. However, most of the large websites had already gone ahead and done so while several smaller ones could be left without much space to continue working. The IP address version which are now running out are utilised by computers in identifying themselves to each other in order to get connected. The old IP addresses comprised of four numbers with dots between them.

IPv6 Picking up Pace

Although being limited to four numbers meant that only 4 billion addresses were available and there are many more devices intending to get connected to the internet. IPv6 is picking up the pace and ARIN has been encouraging organizations in considering using IPv4 addresses.

Supply of IPv6 addresses is enough and is not likely to run out in future. By adopting a much more complex address, IPv6 would be increasing the minimum amount and it has space for 340 undecillion addresses or 340 followed by 36 zeroes, which is adequate for each atom on Earth to be accommodated with one. Those businesses who have not switched so far could move towards the new specification - IPv6.

Being expensive, companies could move towards hardware which would be compatible with IPv6. Should they decide to move over they could end up buying the limited and probably expensive IPv4 addresses that may be left. If users do not move over to the new system, they would not be able to get on the net since they will not have addresses to use and the internet would stop growing at that point. Experts had warned earlier that there were only 3.4 million addresses left in North America and that they would be running out in summer.

Intel Brings Android Users Remote-Control Mouse, Keyboard App

Ever thought of controlling your desktop keyboard remotely by just moving fingers on your Smartphone or tablet? This might seem futuristic but Intel has launched its new a free remote keyboard and mouse app for Android users for this very purpose. Intel Remote Keyboard is up for grabs in Google Play Store which will allow the users to control remotely the mouse and keyboard in Windows 8.1 OS through their Smartphone or tablet.

Features of This Exciting Remote Keyboard App

Intel is long being trying its hand on the remote control keyboard and trackpad apps but this time it has been successful in creating a perfect app. This unique app offers portrait and landscape modes along with arrow keys. A mock touchpad offers gesture control in a simplistic manner wherein a single tap acts as left mouse click while two clicks act as right click. Just sliding figure up and down the app will perform the scrolling up and down work with seamless ease.

How Does This App Works? 

This app brings Windows and Android quite closer than ever before after Microsoft snubbed its X OS platform for Smartphones. Users are just required to pair up there with their Windows 8.1 Pc or laptop after downloading the free Intel Remote Keyboard App from Google play store on their Smartphone or tablet. Once the app is successfully paired with the laptop then user can have complete control over their laptops keyboard and perform different functions from afar.

Swift Operations and Positive Reviews

The user review for this app has found positivity and generally highly favorable response on the Google Play store. Most of the users have found it as a better alternative for turning their mobile into an awesome trackpad. This app acts as perfect remote keyboard and mouse controller for handling little operations without the need of hitting up the real keyboards. Currently the sensitivity level of the cursor is set at higher potential by default which provides quick navigational alternatives.

This app might not be way ahead of other remote control apps but it offers the simple and complex pleasures of handling the remote tasks for free. Being free it is the best app for remotely controlling a PC in the living room or even getting some praise and awe while using it during the presentation.

Intel Remote Keyboards App Aims at Solving Remote Controlling Issues

This app requires Android version 4.0 or above for perfect running. Furthermore for full functioning and perfect syncing it is necessary that both the Android Smartphone and the computer are connected via same WiFi network.

Intel has another spectacular device called Intel Compute Stick which can turn any TV or monitor into a computer. Intel has made it possible by embedding this stick with a quad-core Intel Atom processor along with two kinds of OS to choose from namely Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu. These Intel NUC devices can help people in turning any monitor or TV into a fully functioning computer without spending huge amount of money.

Seven Tips and Tricks for Using Your Mobile Phone Overseas

Tips – Using Mobile Phone Overseas/Avoid Huge Bills

Mobiles phones and tablets have been the constant companion for every individual and we tend to get helpless without them. We use them as a means of staying connected with family and friends, wherever we may go, as a map, for clicking images, or audio and much more. When people travel overseas, reducing the phone bill is a great concern for users who may face exorbitant bills during their travel and it is advisable to have some knowledge on the global roaming charges and huge phone charges, which could be quite expensive. To avoid these high fees a little information could be beneficial for those travelling overseas as well as a relief to the expenses on calls charges while away on a holiday.Some of these tips could prove to be helpful for those travelling overseas-

1. Call Your Provider: 

The first option is to contact your service provider and find out the necessary options. Some may offer international calling as well as data plans while others may suspend your services during the trip period to avoid accidental unwanted charges abroad. Still others may also offer rental options to have local phone during the trip. The user could choose from any of the options available accordingly prior to leaving for the trip.

2. Purchase a local SIM at your destination 

This would be helpful if one is visiting only one country like the United Kingdom and SIM cards could be purchased at the airports or supermarkets. If travelling to another country, the user would not be able to use the SIM card without turning on global roaming. Should one be using a local SIM, then they could text or call their family or friends and inform them the number or if you buy a prepaid SIM card, contact details can be given before leaving.

3. Data Roaming Setting to be Turned Off

If the phone tends to have a data roam setting, ensure to turn it off prior to flight take off. This enables the phone to disconnect data networks which are beyond your home network, thus helping in avoiding huge data roaming charges.

4. Automatic Features to be Turned Off

If the phone is set to check for new emails, automatically, there could be a possibility of data usage without being aware of it and could lead to expensive phone bills on returning back. To avoid this, the automatic features which may use data like checking for new emails, could be turned off.

5. Airplane Mode 

One can put the phone on airplane mode in case of doubt which will keep the phone from connecting to local network and thus avoid data charges. One can manually turn on Wi-Fi while in airplane mode which could help in keeping the device connected for free when one tends to be in the Wi-Fi range.

6. Use Wi-Fi

Global roaming can be turned off and staywithin Wi-Fi range like hotel lobby or local cafes where one can communicate through Facebook or apps like Skype, iMessage or WhatsApp.Skype has prepaid credits costing $16 or $40 with calls costing between US$0.025 per minute while iMessage, an Apple program, enables you to text wherever one may be, for free provided the user is in possession of an Apple device. WhatsApp on the other hand enable you to call and text as well and is a cross platform wherein one can use it on Android or Apple device.

7. Use Apps rather than Plans 

Apps like Skype and WhatsApp enables to call and text without depending on phone plan and these could be used on Wi-Fi where many could be used free of cost or for a considerably lower cost than an international call plan.

Google Has Set Its Terrifying, Dreaming Image Robots on the Public

Google’s Images Recognizing Robots

Software engineers of Google has recently revealed the results of an experiment which looked at how computer can think, identify and understand objects, animals and people in images. Google has opened its images recognizing robots to all, enabling users to create strange and horrifying images from their very own images. It has released the somewhat horrifying, half amazing images created recently with pictures.

The company has made the `Deep Dream software available on code sharing website Github wherein users could download the same and run their own pictures through it. The software is said to operate on turning image recognising computers on themselves and by prompting the system to over interpret image, which they would otherwise pick out meaningless things, exaggerating them. For instance like turning clouds into bizarre llamas.

With regards to Google’s own image, it tends to transform thing into animals, with dogs being the favourite and eyes. There is also the possibility of overlaying everything with a swirly rainbow colouring. Google has stated that the technology could enable us in understanding where the creativity of human comes from and the same is being put to the test.

The Day Dream System

The `Day Dream’ system tends to feed an image via a layer of artificial neurons, asking an AI to improve as well as build certain features like edges. Over a period of time the pictures could get distorted which is morphed into something that is completely different or just a cluster of colourful random noise.

With the code for the system made available, user have the option of uploading an image of their choice and watch it metamorphose into a surrealistic image. On being fed with several pictures, the image recognition software developed by Google allows artificial neural network of computer to view shapes in images and creates strange, psychedelic and fantastic images which could be likened to entertainer art.

With immense deal of interest generated from the AI research published together with the generated images, Google decided to make the code for its algorithm available to the public. The source code needs to be hosted on a site and some software developers have hosted the same like Psychic VR Lab and Deep Neural Net Dreams where users can now upload a picture to these sites and run it through the algorithm in creating images of their choice.

Artificially Intelligent Neural Network of Google

Artificially intelligent neural network of Google comprises of 10 to 30 stacked layers of artificial neurons wherein each layer tends to look at images and detects various aspects like a corner or a shape and conveys information to the next layer till the final layer tends to formulate an answer.

At times the network understands shapes and decides to understand mild images such as clouds or faces as animals which portrays unusual effects layered over the images like plenty of creepy eyes staring back at the viewers, fantastic dog heads merged into objects and animals with striking touches. The engineers mentioned that `the techniques presented helps to understand and visualize how neural networks are able to carry out difficult classification tasks, improve network architecture and check what the network has learned during training.
It also make us wonder whether neural networks could become a tool for artists, a new way to remix visual concepts, or perhaps even shed a little light on the roots of the creative process in general’.