Internet Political Force

Study: Internet Becoming Political-News Force, but TV Still Rules

Pew Research Center Releases Quadrennial Survey

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/11/2008 11:43:00 AM

The Internet is becoming a "major source" of campaign news, particularly for young people, while local TV and the network nightly news' share of those campaign-news viewers is down significantly and cable has remained essentially flat. But TV still remains the main source of news by a wide margin, although the Net has surpassed newspapers in that category. That's according to the latest edition of the Pew Research Center's quadrennial survey, which found that 24% of Americans regularly learn "something" about the campaigns from the Web, compared with only 13% in the 2004 campaign and more than double the 9% in 2000.

However, a majority of those (52%) said they were not searching that news out on the Net, but instead "came across" it while they were surfing for something else. MSNBC was the most frequently mentioned online news site by the respondents (26%), followed by CNN.com (23%) and Yahoo News (22%).

Among the 18-24 crowd, 37% said they have gotten information from social networks like MySpace and Facebook, where campaigns have turned to help spread their message virally. But the trend has not trickled up to the older set, with only 4% of those in their 30s getting any information from the sites. An even larger group of young people, 41% of those under 30, said they are watching videos of debates, speeches or political ads online.

On the TV side, 40% said they regularly learned something from local TV news, down from 42% in 2004 and 48% in 2000. The network evening newscasts were down even more, at 32%, down from 35% in 2004 and way down from 45% in 2000. Cable news networks were flat at 38%.

Television remains the main source of news for 60% of the respondents. That was down from 68% in 2004 but still four times the next medium on the list, the Internet at 15%, which surpassed newspapers, No. 3 at 12%. In 2004, 15% named newspapers as their main source and only 6% identified the Internet.

One somewhat curious finding was that although many people, particularly younger viewers, got information on campaigns from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the late-night shows, they did not feel like they were missing out on any news when the shows were in repeats. Less than one-half (46%) of respondents were even aware that the writers’ strike affected those shows. Pew polled 1,439 adults Dec. 19-30.

© 2008, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Technology is certainly changing the way we listen to music and having a real impact on the music industry. Take a look at this report from the NBC nightly news:

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Defending Cyberspace

Air Force trains warriors to defend cyberspace

By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON

The military relies on computers and electronic communication to launch precision weapons, spy on its enemies and communicate with troops in combat. The Air Force is revamping its training to prepare its 320,000 airmen to protect its frontlines in cyberspace, Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Schissler said. The battlefield includes the Internet, cellphone calls and signals that
trigger roadside bombs.

"In cyber, the weapon of choice is going to be the computer that sits on your desk," said Schissler, the Air Force's director of cyberoperations. Every enlisted man and officer will be taught about cyberwarfare in basic training, the Air Force Academy or officer candidate school, Schissler said. About 100 students per year will receive more advanced instruction at the
Undergraduate Network Warfare Training course at Hurlburt Field in Florida. Graduates of the six-month program will be able to operate a computer like "a weapon system" and will be known as cyberwarriors or cyberoperators, Schissler said. The first class graduated last month.

The Air Force wants to build offensive and defensive capabilities in cyberspace. A presentation from the Center for Cyberspace Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology states the goal plainly: The Air Force "can drop a 2,000-pound bomb anywhere we want. … We need to be able to do the same thing in cyberspace … while denying that ability to any adversary!"

Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne noted last year that terrorists exploit the Internet and need to be fought there. "These adversaries can communicate globally with their agents, spread propaganda, mobilize support worldwide, conduct training, detonate improvised explosive devices and can empty or create bank accounts to fund their causes," Wynne told an Air Force conference. Islamic extremists, Schissler said, run as many as 6,000 websites for recruiting.

A cyberwarrior will monitor computers used by terrorists to learn of imminent attacks and help thwart them, Schissler said. Wynne wrote in an article in an Air Force professional journal that in cyberwarfare, airmen in Colorado can use satellites to program weapons on an F-16 to kill insurgents planting roadside bombs in Iraq.

The Pentagon acknowledges that its computers are attacked hundreds of times each day. Most of the intrusions are thwarted, but an attack last June disrupted an unclassified e-mail system in the Defense secretary's office. Schissler said there's no ideal cyberwarrior. "You have to be quick to learn," he said. "That's the only real requirement."

John Pike, a defense analyst and director of Globalsecurity.org, questioned whether the Air Force program would overlap with responsibilities of the National Security Agency, which gathers and analyzes foreign communication. Jamming enemy air defense radar and protecting computers from hackers have been part of traditional electronic warfare for the Air Force. "This thing sounds like they've set up their own operation separate from the NSA," Pike said.

Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2008-01-28-cyber_N.htm

Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

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Text here - ain't this cool??

Wii and Seniors

Game On! Retirement Home Hosts Wii Tourney Wed, 10/03/2007 - 9:00am

Four Erickson retirement communities recently joined together for one common goal— to kick some major Wii bowling butt! As you already know, Wii gaming is very popular among seniors, with Wii bowling being a top favorite! Here is a video from Erickson Sports, which showcases some highlights from game one of the first annual "Erickson Sports Nintendo Wii Bowling Championship." I just love anything related to Wii playing and seniors. It warms my heart and tickles my toes. I guarantee that once you watch this video, you'll get a huge smile on your face. The players are too adorable!

DigiSelf Crosses Over - TOTAL RECALL