18Mar 2018 by richard@baronsoftware.com

Best Buy Geeks are FBI Informants is that a bad thing ?

Software Events
Best Buy Geeks are FBI Informants is that a bad thing ? The relationship between the FBI and employees of Best Buy's computer and device repair unit Geek Squad is more complex than first thought, according to newly released documents. Records posted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation following a freedom of information lawsuit filed last year reveal that federal agents would pay Geek Squad managers who pass on information about illegal materials on devices sent in by customers for repairs. Now the question comes up, is this a bad or good thing ?  Does this infringe on our privacy rights or does it capture pedophiles or other unsavory characters.    Once a machine is given to a repair unit such as Geeks or any other they lose those privacy rights immediately upon…
Read More
13Mar 2018 by richard@baronsoftware.com

Next Version of iOS to be announced during Apple WWDC on June 4th

Software Events
Next Version of iOS to be announced during Apple WWDC on June 4th Apple has announced WWDC 2018 and it’ll be taking place in San Jose in just over two months.  The focus will undoubtedly be on the future of iOS, and in particular iOS 12. Apple is reportedly focusing on reliability and performance in iOS 12 over new features. Apple is still rumored to be launching new universal apps that work across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Bloomberg also previously reported that Apple will bring its Animoji characters to the iPad, thanks to a new model of the tablet that has a Face ID camera. Apple will talk about iOS 12 and the next version of macOS at that event.  Both have been well discussed in the rumor mill with reports originating from Bloomberg about a merger of…
Read More
11Mar 2018 by richard@baronsoftware.com

Ethereum’s smart contracts are full of holes

Software Events
Ethereum’s smart contracts are full of holes Computer programs that run on blockchains are shaking up the financial system. But much of the hype around what are called smart contracts is just that. It’s a brand-new field. Technologists are just beginning to figure out how to design them so they can be relied on not to lose people’s money, and—as a new survey of Ethereum smart contracts illustrates—security researchers are only now coming to terms with what a smart-contract vulnerability even looks like. Digital vending machines: The term “smart contract” comes from digital currency pioneer Nick Szabo, who coined it more than 20 years ago. The basic idea, he wrote, is that “many kinds of contractual clauses (such as collateral, bonding, delineation of property rights, etc.) can be embedded in the hardware and…
Read More
06Mar 2018 by richard@baronsoftware.com

FileMaker Developer Conference August 6th to 9th 2018 Dallas Texas

Software Events
FileMaker Developer Conference August 6th to 9th 2018 Dallas Texas Over 1500 developers will be coming to Dallas, Texas to learn more about FileMaker and to meet other developers.   You can register today to enter one of the areas that fits your needs. Beginner Establish a solid foundation in the basics of the FileMaker Platform. This track will give attendees a steady launching pad from which to select and learn from other sessions at DevCon. Intermediate Get to the core of FileMaker app development. Choose from sessions on structuring relationships and queries, designing layouts, creating scripts and calculations, and deploying FileMaker Server. Advanced Take your FileMaker skills to the next level. Study in-depth topics ranging from integration, to execute SQL and virtual lists, to JavaScript for FileMaker Developers. User Experience…
Read More
02Mar 2018 by richard@baronsoftware.com

Apple iTunes store will stop access for Windows XP and Vista users

Software Events
Apple iTunes store will stop access for Windows XP and Vista users APPLE HAS PUBLISHED a new support document confirming that the iTunes Store will no longer run on Windows XP, Windows Vista or first-gen Apple TVs beginning May 25th According to Apple, Windows XP and Windows Vista users can still use previous versions of iTunes on their PCs, but without support from Apple. Unfortunately, though, this means XP and Vista users won’t be able to make new purchases from the iTunes Store or re-download previous purchases.  This is a huge hit for anyone that is still using these operating systems that Microsoft stopped supporting for XP over four years ago and Vista which was last year. You can read the Apple official document here and now may be the best time to start…
Read More