Instagram Changes Brand Guidelines to Discourage App CopycatsInstagram updated its brand guidelines this week to forbid other apps that connect to the service not only from featuring its logo or any design that “copies the look and feel” of the brand, but also from using either “Insta” or “Gram” in their names. Smart business move or petty jab at developers?
Making Heads or Tails Out of Digital CurrencyAs physical money becomes less likely to be found in our pockets than our smartphones, digital currency and mobile payment technology are gaining more and more traction in our lives. Should you take a serious look at investing in digital currency even amid speculation about its staying power?
Can Gamification Help Make eLearning Fun?eLearning is an efficient and cost-effective way to learn new skills, train your staff, and reinforce traditional classroom-based instruction. For all of its advantages, however, eLearning has a reputation of being boring, not engaging, and more of a chore than a privilege. Can gamification help?
What Does Jeff Bezos' Acquisition of The Washington Post Mean for IT?Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com, recently acquired The Washington Post. The move took a lot of industry watchers by surprise and had everyone wondering—why? It seems somewhat certain that information technology and journalism might be at the cusp of a massive transformation.
Security Researcher Proves Facebook Bug by Hacking Zuckerberg’s WallSecurity researcher Khalil Shreateh discovered a Facebook bug that allowed a hacker to post on anyone’s wall—even one with privacy settings. But Shreateh’s reporting method raised some eyebrows: Shreateh exploited the bug to post on Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s wall.
Computer Glitch Blamed for Opening Prison Cell DoorsFlorida corrections officials say a computer glitch may have been the reason all the doors of a prison’s maximum-security wing unexpectedly opened at once—but a more malicious possibility exists. Security researchers say many prison systems have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
August Software News RoundupIn this roundup of interesting software news, read about a new software scheme targeting YouTube viewers, Microsoft’s attempts to move its software development processes to the cloud, and what the chief architect of Microsoft Word and Excel has to say about the complexity of software development.
Why You Need to Take Technical Debt into AccountTechnical debt is a metaphor for the result of skipping design or the implementation steps in order to achieve a short-term goal. The next time you work with code, remember that changes may be more costly to make because of your prior decisions. You achieved something, but you incurred debt.
