u.s.trade deficit hit high

The U.S. trade deficit hit a new high of $68 billion in July. The main reason was that the cost of oil imports rose. The figure represents a 5% rise from June's figure. 2006 as a whole is expected to go over 2005's 717 billion. Crude oil imports rose $28.5 billion.

Read the story from the BBC

technorati tag: economy

technorati tag: oil

create an IT defense checklist

Take a proactive approach on data security as part of an overall IT strategy.

Inventory data - What do you have that's most at risk?

Consider encryption - Many people are encrypting more, both data in transit and at rest.

Encrypting isn't enough - Verify the source and its destination.

Avoid the "Bagel Defense" - Use firewalls, but also protect key data inside and monitor it for access.

Watch your firewalls - Use automated tools for monitoring firewall traffic.

Think beyong the network - Know all ways data can leave the network. Consider what to do if a laptop is lost or stolen.

Educate everyone - The more is known about security, the safer the data is.

Invest wisely - Don't be content with one security project. Consider going further.

tecnorati tag: IT

technorati tag: computers

version 2 of geodata.gov

Geospatial mapping tools have gained a broader use and visibility for government agencies and private enterprise. The site (geodata.gov) offers access to an array of national and local mapping data. Version 2 has a marketplace capability so one can mark off an area on a U.S. map, define geospatial information that's being searched and identify other users who may be working with similar data on the system.

The marketplace tool is designed to grow communities (business and economic) of interest around specific geospatial data. Underlying metadata is harvested in a more automated way. One such area is the census information.

technorati tag: WORLD

technorati tag: Observations

bloggers: a study

Pew Internet conducted a survey of bloggers and asked why they blog, etc. Many do it for themselves, and that's about it.

technorati tag: Blogging

new tropical storm could form around florida

The National Hurricane Center said showers and thunderstorms were currently located over the Bahamas, central and eastern Cuba and southeastern Florida. Over the next couple of days, the system could drift slowly westward over the Florida Peninsula and into the Gulf of Mexico.

technorati tag: News

da vinci doings

On the TODAY SHOW, actor Ian McKellan said that the Holy Bible should come with a disclaimer stating that what's inside is "fiction." Those remarks were made at Cannes, as the Today Show is on the road.

On Tuesday (05.16.06) the film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival to mixed reviews. The audience was said to have laughed, moaned, and hissed after the movie was finished. Critics got their first look at the film, before the official festival debut. Critics at the screening were said to have grown restless during the film's two-and-a-half hour length.



technorati tag: Da Vinci Code

technorati tag: Entertainment

dolphins stadium gets new display

Dolphins Stadium in Miami has a new HD display. The 720p is 50 feet high and 137 feet wide. Now I just hope it makes then win more at home!

technorati tag: technology

suggestion: to avoid bird flu, keep cats indoors

In areas where bird flu is found in wild birds and/or poultry, people are urged to keep their cats indoors. Some scientists think that there is a feline potential to spreading the disease. Cats have been known to become infected with the H5N1 virus. Cats that may have been exposed to the virus should be quarantined.

technorati tag: H5N1