CloudGovCo

In which we share what we’ve been reading.

One free month coupon code FM1223 for any course bundle

Events

Check out this month’s events in our technology calendar.

https://cloudgovco.com/events/

Worldwide Developers Conference

Apple will host the annual Worldwide Developers Conference June 3-7 in San Jose at the McEnery Convention Center.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/03/apple-to-host-annual-worldwide-developers-conference-june-3-7-in-san-jose/

Privacy

Alexa is listening to your sex life

Amazon admits that employees review “small sample” of Alexa audio to “improve the customer experience.”

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/amazon-admits-that-employees-review-small-sample-of-alexa-audio/

How to increase your chances of finding a hidden camera

How to increase your chances of finding a hidden camera

How to Scan Your Airbnb for Hidden Cameras

It’s not as technically difficult as it might sound.

https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/how-to-scan-airbnb-hidden-camera-apps.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Environment

Are Plastic Bag Bans Garbage?

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2019/04/09/711181385/are-plastic-bag-bans-garbage

The Race to Save the Most Endangered Conifer in America

Religious scholars have long debated where Noah constructed his floating zoo made of “gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14) and what tree the ark’s gopher wood even came from. Some residents in the Florida Panhandle have an unlikely answer.

https://earther.gizmodo.com/the-race-to-save-the-most-endangered-conifer-in-america-1833785742

Science

Think on this: The light at the center of the black hole picture has been forever removed from the observable universe.

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/4/11/18306110/first-image-black-hole-eht-event-horizon-singularity?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Scientists reveal first picture of a black hole

The picture, taken over 5 days of observations in April 2017 using eight telescopes around the world by a collaboration known as the Event Horizon Telescope, depicts luminous gas swirling around a supermassive black hole.

https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-reveal-the-first-picture-of-a-black-hole/

Confirmed: New phase of matter is solid and liquid at the same time

The mind-bending material would be like a sponge made of water that’s leaking water.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/04/new-phase-matter-confirmed-solid-and-liquid-same-time-potassium-physics/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Health

The fat-burning heart-rate zone is a myth: How exercise and weight loss really work

If you’re the kind of exerciser who constantly checks your heart rate to ensure you’re in the fat-burning zone, you should stop.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/the-fat-burning-heart-rate-zone-is-a-myth-how-exercise-and-weight-loss-really-work/2018/12/17/548ea93a-fc8e-11e8-83c0-b06139e540e5_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.eb6f61c4901a

How to keep from getting lost in the wilderness

We’ve got your roadmap to outdoor success right here.

https://www.popsci.com/lost-outdoors

‘Sleep Should Be Prescribed’: What Those Late Nights Out Could Be Costing You

A leading neuroscientist on why sleep deprivation is increasing our risk of cancer, heart attack, and Alzheimer’s – and what you can do about it.

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/sleep-should-be-prescribed-what-those-late-nights-out-could-be-costing-you?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Technology

Here’s why Microsoft raised the white flag on Edge

The company is being refashioned in ways its former CEOs could never have imagined.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3388305/here-s-why-microsoft-raised-the-white-flag-on-edge.html

Politics

I was a strong Brexiteer. Now we must swallow our pride and think again

If we are to leave the European Union we want a sensible Brexit. There’s no chance of that just now writes Peter Osborne.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/i-was-strong-brexiteer-now-we-must-swallow-our-pride-and-think-again/

Militias, chaos and starvation: Britain 10 years after Brexit

The Queen has fled, Polish workers have been forced out, and violent factions roam a broken land. Writer Jonathan Meades imagines the country The Great Chaos will create.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/apr/10/militias-chaos-starvation-britain-10-years-after-brexit-jonathan-meades

In which we share what we’ve been reading

One free month coupon code FM1223

Events

Check out this month’s events in our technology calendar.

https://cloudgovco.com/events/

Kubernetes in London

If you’re working with containers, there’s a strong chance you’re working with Kubernetes. And if you’re working with Kubernetes, you really should be joining us at Continuous Lifecycle next month.

This year’s programme – which once again takes place in central London – gives you the opportunity to get up and close and personal with key players in Kubernetes, and hands-on with essential tools and applications

Social Media

New Zealand’s top privacy official calls Facebook “morally bankrupt” after Christchurch massacre

John Edwards criticizes Facebook after mosque mass shooting, part of which was shared live on the social media site

https://www.salon.com/2019/04/08/new-zealands-top-privacy-official-calls-facebook-morally-bankrupt-after-christchurch-massacre/

Health

Experts warn about the dangerous new superbug Candida auris

The CDC says there have been 587 confirmed cases of this efficient and virulent infection in the United States

https://www.salon.com/2019/04/08/experts-warn-about-new-superbug-candida-auris/

There’s a dark side to women’s health apps: ‘Menstrual surveillance’

Employers and health insurers are using family-planning apps to gather intimate information about your fertility, menstrual cycle and pregnancy

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/13/theres-a-dark-side-to-womens-health-apps-menstrual-surveillance

Economy

There’s an economic price for rose-tinted policies in America and Britain

Brexit has already damaged the UK economy just as Trump and the GOP’s attacks on the ACA will damage our economy

https://www.salon.com/2019/04/06/the-economic-price-of-rose-tinted-policies/

 Technology

The Future of Forms

What our bureaucratic paperwork reveals, and what tomorrow’s forms might look like

https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/bureaucratic-forms-future-series-intro.html

Big Telecom companies are suppressing fast internet

The telecom industry doesn’t want your internet to be good. Deregulation is making it worse. Here’s why

https://www.salon.com/2019/04/07/big-telecom-companies-are-suppressing-fast-internet/

It’s alive! Hands on with Microsoft’s Chromium Edge browser

You say Edgium, they say Chredge, we say Chrexplorer – let’s call the whole thing off

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/04/08/chromium_edge/

Hands-on: First public previews of Chromium-based Edge are now out

It’s out now for Windows 10, with other operating systems coming later.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/04/hands-on-first-public-previews-of-chromium-based-edge-are-now-out/

UK government proposes sweeping new regulations of online content

Companies could face fines if they fail to take down content quickly.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/uk-government-proposes-sweeping-new-regulations-of-online-content/

3 signs you’re going overboard with cloud features

You use technology for a purpose, your purpose is never to use technology

https://www.infoworld.com/article/3387620/3-signs-youre-going-overboard-with-cloud-features.html

Node.js vs. Java: An epic battle for developer mind share

Let’s examine how the enterprise stalwart and JavaScript upstart stack up in the battle for the server room

https://www.infoworld.com/article/2883328/java-vs-nodejs-an-epic-battle-for-developer-mindshare.html

AI systems are biased, and cloud availability makes it worse

IT will have to be on the lookout for hidden biases and take action to minimize the harm

https://www.infoworld.com/article/3387297/ai-systems-are-biased-and-cloud-availability-makes-it-worse.html

6 tips to get mega value from the new megamenu navigation for SharePoint

Megamenu navigation is coming to SharePoint Online communication sites in February. These tips will help you get started.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3338036/6-tips-to-get-mega-value-from-the-new-megamenu-navigation-for-sharepoint.html

Privacy

Well-funded surveillance operation infected both iOS and Android devices

Malware that stole contacts, audio, location and more was under development for years.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/04/well-funded-surveillance-operation-infected-both-ios-and-android-devices/

Airbnb guest found hidden surveillance camera by scanning Wi-Fi network

Airbnb initially didn’t ban offender despite rule against undisclosed cameras

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/04/airbnb-guest-found-hidden-surveillance-camera-by-scanning-wi-fi-network/