Companies Join Forces for Major Internet Upgrade in Decades

Imagine if the world ran out of phone numbers. Mobile providers could issue no more smartphones, businesses could create no new call centers, and the public would be left fighting over and recycling a diminishing amount of existing phone numbers. “That’s a similar situation that we’re in on the Internet,” says Facebook’s Donn Lee, pointing out that the Web’s billions of IP addresses are about to hit its max.

Lee is Facebook’s lead engineer on IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, the first new version of the Internet’s addressing system in decades, which will provide trillions and trillions more unique addresses on the Web. Every time you go online or print a document at work, you’re essentially dialing a unique number — called an IP address — to communicate with other devices and computer networks. It’s no different than visiting a friend: You might know the name of his apartment building, but you’ll need an address and zip code in order to locate it on a map. The Web works in the same way, but as the number of homes and businesses and devices connected to the Internet continues to increase exponentially, we’re rapidly running out of space online. And now it’s up to Internet giants such as Facebook, Google, and Yahoo to fix the problem before it’s too late.

Links:
Companies Join Forces to Fix Internet’s Biggest Problem in Decades
Internet may collapse on June 8!

U.S. Congress 0wned by Chinese Hackers

It seems that Chinese hackers have hit U.S. congressman, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., and another congressman’s office computers over the past two years. Rep. Wolf said he was told by House investigators and the FBI that the computers of four of his staffers were hacked into in August 2006. Wolf was told that similar hacks took place at other members’ offices and committees.

The FBI and White House are keeping quiet on the issue.

The computers contain sensitive information on dissidents and human rights activists across the world.

The House Foreign Affairs committee disclosed one of its computers was also struck from a hacker working from China in 2006.

Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., said his computers for a human rights subcommittee were infected in December 2006 and March 2007 with a virus “intended to take control of the computers,” which authorities traced back to a Chinese IP address.

During U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez’s visit to China, the Chinese government may have copied information from his laptop and then sought to hack the Commerce Department’s computers.

The Chinese Embassy has denied any involvement. An embassy spokesman disputed the allegations, which he called “unwarranted and irresponsible.”

“On the subject of computer network attack or hacking activities, we have made it clear repeatedly that China has never engaged in such activities,” said spokesman Wang Bao Dong. “China itself is the victim of international hacking activities.”

When I tell people that there is a secret, online war going on, they give me that, “Yeah, he’s crazy,” look. When stories like this come out in the mainstream, no one has anything to say.

The question is, How did I know about all this? I’m afraid that I can’t reveal the answers to that. All that I can say is that Cyberspace is the new battlefield. Those who control it, control the world. This is similar to the scenario in the book, NetForce, that was created by Tom Clancy, Steve Pieczenik and written by Steve Perry. It is set in 2010 and charts the actions of Net Force: a special division of the FBI set up to combat increasing crime on the Internet.

In real life, NetForce would be a lot like Fox Network show “24”, a joint operations of the CIA, Homeland Security, the FBI, NSA and the DoD. The main focus would not just be crime, but terrorism. Speaking of the DoD…

The Air Force has jurisdiction over Cyberspace:

“The aim is to develop a major command that stands alongside Air Force Space Command and Air Combat Command as the provider of forces that the President, combatant commanders and the American people can rely on for preserving the freedom of access and commerce, in air, space and now cyberspace.”

So there is doubt that there is going to be a retaliation of some type. There are also several Congressional hearings planned on the subject of Cyber-Security.

If this was “24”, Jack Bauer would have handled those Chinese hackers a long time ago.

Church at the Movies: Bibles, Prayer and Popcorn

There are churches that hold services at movie theaters. The first one is the National Community Church that hold services at Union Station, Georgetown, Ballston Commons and Ebenezers Coffeehouse. The next one is Grace Covenant Church who meets at the Regal Cinemas.

Ever wished you could get up on Sunday morning and just come to church in your sweats? Or, maybe just a t-shirt and jeans? Or, a halter top and a pair of shorts with sneakers? Or, a nice tennis dress and flip-flops? Your wish has come true.

These are the churches of the 21st Century. Wi-Fi, Internet, Surround Sound and High-Definition baby! Live music, bands, no choir. Do you like Christian pop and Rock and Roll? Then NCC is your spot. Do you prefer R&B/Soul, Gospel and Jazz? Then GCC is your spot.

Some of you may have heard the saying, “The church on Sunday is the most segregated place in America.” This is not the case at NCC and GCC. Both churches are diverse and multicultural. The average age of an attendee is between 20 and 40. All ages. There is a Children’s Center at each church where the children have their own services. There are small study groups that meet online and hangout in coffee shops and restaurants. Everyone is on a first name basis.

NCC’s philosophy is “One Church. Multiple Locations.” The current Information Age has given us various Multimedia technologies. If you are reading this, you are already using a key part of this, called the Internet. This enables the minister, Mark Batterson to teleconference all these locations at once through video, podcasts and network with other churches around the world. They serve coffee and donuts. Yes, you can eat at their church.

GCC’s philosophy is “People. Cities. Nations.” The minister, Donnell Jones wants to, “Take back” and “save the city.” I surely hope that he’s successful. Their setup is similar to NCC’s. They serve popcorn, juice, donuts and granola bars.

Both churches are fun and inspirational.

The side effect of holding church services in a movie theater is the possibility of seeing an actual movie. The services of both churches end at around noon. Incidentally, this is matinee time and on Sunday’s the movie theaters are highly understaffed. So a person can easily slip through the crowd into another movie theater to see a “free” movie. I do not recommend this. You will eventually get caught. There are plain dress, undercover security that will catch you. Theater-hopping is illegal. Do you really want to get arrested just to see a “free” movie? I thought so. Just pay for a ticket or wait for it to come out on DVD. (No bootlegs!)

I’m not a religious person, at times I’ve been bit of an agnostic. One thing I definitely believe in is the existence of a universal, intelligent, omnipotent being called God. Depending on your faith or culture, his name many be Theos, Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Zeus/Jupiter, Super-ego or Vishnu. (He/she/it has a billion names or qualities!)

I grew up in a more traditional, urban, Baptist church. You had to wear a suit or be dressed in business casual wear. You had to remain quiet and you better not fall asleep! No gum chewing or food was allowed. Kids were seen not heard. No one was allowed in the sanctuary area before or after service or any other time. Your church elders were known as elders, deacons and deaconesses. There was choir, organist and piano. The minister was so-boring and preached for what seemed like decades. The congregation was all Black. There were very few, if any White folks. After a while, I stopped going to church. It was no longer relevant to me.

These churches are nothing like that. These churches are fun and very diverse. If it takes technology and a more relaxed approach to worship the Lord, then go for it. It works.

I might not go to church every Sunday, but as long as there are innovative churches like this, I will definitely more often. That will certainly make my grandmother happy.

Amen.