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Electronics-Sniffing Dogs Help Solve Cybercrimes

A dog’s nose knows best, even in the digital age.

By now you’ve probably heard about the downfall of former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle, who has said he will plea guilty to having paid minors for sex and having obtained child pornography. But an interesting factoid of the case is that justice was served thanks to dogs trained to sniff out electronics. From iPads to tiny memory cards, these dogs with a rare talent are finding themselves in high demand in an era rife with cyber crime.

Follow Your Nose

There are just three dogs in the United States trained to find electronic components with their noses. Bear, an electronics-sniffing black lab, helped officers locate 16 smartphones, 10 flash drives and six laptops during an 11-hour search last month of Fogle’s home. How are dogs able to find what to the rest of us has no smell whatsoever?

For some insight, we can look to Jack Hubball, a chemist who discovers the chemical compounds that dogs are eventually trained to find. He identified the so-called accerlerants (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc.) dogs should focus on to sniff out arson, and helped train dogs to find narcotics and bombs.

To fight computer crimes, Hubball tested circuit boards, flash drives and other electronics components to isolate a single common chemical in each device, which police are keeping under wraps. After isolating the chemical, it was a matter of homing dogs’ sniffers onto the telltale compound, as Bloomberg reported:

After months of training, the dogs were able to detect the odor of the chemical in people’s hands, concrete blocks, metal boxes and clothing. The dogs also had to ignore distracting smells such as food and coffee.

The dogs have since been involved in numerous child pornography warrants, as well as other investigations where electronic documents were key evidence. After helping with the Fogle investigation, Bear’s trainer says he’s received some 30 inquiries from police who want to buy their own electronics-sniffing dog, the International Business Times reports.

Super Sniffers

Apart from electronics, dogs are putting their noses to work in a multitude of disciplines – from fighting crime to diagnosing diseases. In one of the largest studies of its kind, dogs detected the presence of prostate cancer with 98 percent accuracy in the urine of 600 test patients. Dogs can also detect lung cancer simply by sniffing patients’ breath. Dogs have been used to sniff out bed bugs, explosives, dead bodies, contamination in water and more.

In other words, if something smells fishy, it may be time to call on man’s best friend to lend a helping hand — or snout.


click here http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/08/24/electronics-sniffing-dogs/#.VgMKGdJViko
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Best Sewing Machine Buying Guide



It seems that there has been a renaissance in home sewing. Maybe it's because of the craziness of the crafts that are so popular and maybe it's because there is a greater interest in producing the garments themselves for any reason. So we have decided to get a sewing machine. Where do we start? What is the best sewing machine to buy?



The choice these days is huge as there are many sewing machines on the market and many brands to choose from. However, the choice is easier in a way and that is when we buy a modern machine, we know that it will do everything we need and more. Modern sewing machines have a multitude of built-in features and most of them will probably never be used. Unless, of course, we are expert sewers, then we would know exactly what to buy.



How do others decide? How do we know which is the best machine for us? I guess it depends a bit on what we want a sewing machine for and what we are going to do with it. If we're just going to use it for a bit of manual work and maybe to put together an occasional piece for the kids, then a good general machine, in general, will do the job and it will not cost a fortune. In fact, the latest sewing machines have a very good price now, although they do much more than they used to.



Do you remember the old type of pedal that our grandparents had? They are still in use in some parts of the world. We were once in a Chinese New Year exhibition in the Philippines and had some rolls of beautiful silk fabrics for sale in beautiful colors. My wife bought a few meters and we went to see one of her neighbors to make a couple of dresses.



The lady of the sewing business worked in a small room behind her house and used one of those old pedal machines. It only cost a few dollars for the two dresses, but it only shows how reliable those old machines were. That machine goes several hours a day and has been for years. I'm not sure if the modern machine will do that for you, but they're pretty good.



If you feel more creative, imagine the dresses and the things you could get for you. It will cost you a fraction of what you bought in the store and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it was done correctly. Many moms now make clothes for their children, since they seem to have become so expensive and only last a little while children grow up so fast.



Another good reason to have a good machine in the house is to encourage your own children to learn how to use it. If you can interest them, will equip them for life so they can do all those little sewing jobs that always seem to arise. When our daughter was a teenager in high school, she worked a couple of hours after school sewing T-shirts at a local factory.



He gave him some good skills and some pocket money. Teenagers need a lot of clothes, so we made a deal. She could have any clothes she wanted whenever she did them herself on our domestic machine. That worked well.



Anyway, there are many reasons to have a sewing machine in the house, so, how can we find the best sewing machine to buy? Fortunately, that is not very difficult now. First, you need a reliable provider so you have access to any after-sales service you may need. You can do all this online now and it probably will be easier that way.
Check your star ratings and find a machine with at least four stars. Look to see how many already bought that particular machine and read some of their comments. If you can find a good complete machine that has a good price and does everything you need, I want to say that some of these machines have 60 odd built-in points now, go for it.



What would you do with all those points? If you do not know anything about sewing machines, go with the ones you already bought. The popularity of a machine is usually a good guide. It is a brand that recognizes, does everything you need and generally more, and has a price of around $ 150. Then you have it. Go for it and start sewing.. You will find it a relaxing pastime.

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How Can Deleted Data Be Restored?

We've all been there; accidentally deleting a file which is desperately needed. It happens to everyone at some point, and is fortunately something which can likely be fixed. It could be files on a corrupted flash drive, or a hard drive which needed wiping while information needed is still on it. Whatever happens, the most important first step is not to panic; it can be fixed at home, and if not professional services do not take long and are usually quite cheap.



Before starting it's important to note that this scenario can be entirely avoided by backing up data remotely. This can be through other devices such as a spare flash drive, or cloud based services. If your data is backed up, then this scenario will never be an issue.







There are a few conditions to recovering lost files; corruption and formatting. Is a drive is corrupted, then it's likely that any data on the drive will be at least partially corrupted too. It could be bad sector corruption, such as from the drive being old or moved during write, which means that data loss will be minimal. If the drive is fully corrupted, then it would be best to contact an expert service to have the files recovered; it may require replacing parts within the drive.



Formatting is different, a drive can be formatted and the data still recovered if the format was a quick format. Quick format basically wiped each sector of the drive, meaning the space still has a remnant of the data image. The sectors here are not fully cleaned, it's just like deleting everything on the drive. Unfortunately, if the drive has been deep formatted then the data is likely lost to the home user. A deep format (otherwise known as a 2 or 3 pass format) wipes the drive, then fills each sector with data, and deletes it again for a set number of cycles. It is almost impossible to recover data like this at home without expert kit, so it would be best to refer to a data security company.



The first step to restoring deleted files is one which most people forget; check program memory for any versions of the file. Things like the recycle bin are easily overlooked, but can often have the deleted file in question. If not, then check the program which you made the file with; MS Word saves recent documents as default now, and older versions can be restored through Word itself.



If the file has been deleted from program records, the next step can be a little complicated for those unfamiliar with recovery programs. First, located where the file should be; flash drive, hard drive, cd etc. If the flash drive has a corrupted sector, then the format will show up as RAW instead of the usual FAT32 or NFTS. Before recovery, it is vital to convert the drive back to a readable format though devmgmt.msc or a third party GUI based program such as EaseUS.



Once the sector is readable, the next step shouldn't be too hard; run some recovery software. Be warned, this can take a few hours as bad sectors can cause skips in reading, but the process should be done within those hours. Another word of warning; be sure to pick a well reviewed recovery software, as some do not allow full recovery without extra payments. EaseUS is great for converting a RAW drive back to FAT without formatting, but their recovery program leaves alot to be desired. Use a Piriform product for the fastest free results, as Recuva is a great light program with full access for free.



Once recovery software has completed, set the restore location to a space away from the original directory and copy the files back over. It's as simple as that, and doing this can cause no further damage to the data or drive, so it's always worth trying before contacting the experts.

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Pi Projects - Discount Home Security

Raspberry Pi is like Lego for adults; it's fun to play with, and you can make anything you can imagine. Home servers, budget computers, games consoles, smart houses, the list goes on. One of the new popular things to do with a cheap Arduino circuit is to make some discount home security. Bear in mind, this will never replace a full alarm system, but it can act as a great middle ground between a fake house alarm, and full security.



This project will require a few extras on top of the £20 Arduino circuit; a small speaker or two, motion sensors, and a voice recorder. All of this can be picked up second hand for under £30, meaning the entire project will cost under £50; a great bargain and a fun project.







The aim of this system is to act as a deterrent for any would-be-thieves who are considering attacking your house. This is best used in conjunction with an existing system, and offers no guarantees. Fortunately if history is anything to go by, thieves are opportunistic and will go for the weakest house, rather than one with some obvious defences.



Motion sensor lights are always great for home security, and can be added to with a simple Pi system. By programming the circuit to respond when the light is on, it's easy to identify any intruders by simply taking advantage of existing tech. This is where the voice recorder comes into play, though it may not be necessary. The first step is to record yourself identifying thieves. Record many of these, as if the same one is repeated it's easy to tell that the voice is fake. Three stages should be used for this; the question, the warning, and the action. On first trip of the motion sensor, a question should be asked like 'Who's there?' 'Anybody there?' or 'Who's that?'. This sounds simple, but this is often a great way of deterring B&E's.



If the motion sensor is set off a second time, a new message should be played in response. The warning can be simple like 'Get out of my garden' or 'I can see you' or more complicated 'I can see you sneaking around out there'. This is a huge red light for thieves, and most will have scattered by now.



If the motion sensor goes off more than this, one of the final messages can be played; 'I'm calling the police' or 'I'm letting the dog out, you're warned'. For Americans, this would probably be 'I'm getting the gun'. This action at the end is critical to the process, as it gives them a firm action to get out of there. Raspberry Pi can easily be set up to send a message with any stage of motion trip, texting a mobile phone or emailing authorities. It's also very easy to set sociable hours, where people may be on the property for legitimate purposes.



Another key way of defending your home from thieves is a tried and tested one; a dog barking. This is set up in exactly the same way as the external motion sensor, but is best when the speaker is indoors. Always go for a bigger dog bark rather than a smaller one; more thieves will be dissuaded by a German Shepard than a Chihuahua.



Of course, this system can be personalised in any way the user likes, that's the beauty of Raspberry Pi. Additions like indoor lights activated by the external motion sensor gives the illusion that someone is home, and the sound of multiple people indoors is more than enough to make a thief flee. Easier houses can be broken into, and it's not worth the risk when someone is home with a dog.

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Which Do You Think Is The Best Gaming Laptop Under 500 Dollars?

Buying a laptop is one thing, as you can pick them up for under 200 bucks, but buying the best gaming laptop hikes that price up a bit. That doesn't mean you have to pay over a grand to buy a gaming laptop though. There are plenty of gaming laptops you can purchase for cheaper than that. What is the best gaming laptop under 500 dollars?



As you can imagine, this can change from month to month, never mind the year to year changes to the marketplace regarding laptops. One brand that always seems to top the list, however, is Acer. This computer brand is known for turning out laptops with great specs for gaming, but without the high price tags that come with some of the other computers. They sure do also have some expensive computers to choose from though too.



HP is another brand that puts out great computers at cheaper prices. The Acer model that is under 500 bucks right now is the Aspire V3-551-8469. The HP model that is under 500 bucks and is recommended for gaming is the HP Pavilion G7-2240us. Remember that you'll find plenty of laptops under 500 bucks, but you're not going to find out that many of them are the best computers for gaming.



You need a gaming laptop, and it really matters what you pick. That is why you'll often hear about people buying laptops and other electronic devices based upon what they use them for. Unfortunately, gaming takes some great hardware, so that 150 dollar netbook isn't going to cut the mustard.



Asus is another brand that puts out a good gaming laptop, and the last brand to look out for is Lenovo. To round out the top five in order to find the best gaming laptop under 500 bucks, you're going to see that HP appears on the list a second time. The HP Envy dv-72010us is the model that is 5th on the list.



Don't think that each of these laptops cost you 500 bucks either. The Asus I mentioned was right around 400 dollars. The Lenovo model that ranks as a great gaming laptop is the IdeaPad. There are other laptops out there that can be great gaming laptops, but these have been hand picked for you by the gamers. It might do you good to take heed of their advice and pick up one of these deals.

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History Of Linux



The Apple Mac chain of operating systems are older than both Windows and Linux. It was the first GUI obtainable in the market for home operators. However, as a consequence of the proprietary nature of Apple and its merchandise its utilization is very much limited. In the first place, for making use of a Mac, one needs to posses Apple hardware. It does not mount and run on any other hardware. And to be honest, Apple products are much more pricey than any other comparable hardware in the market at this moment. Towards this end, Linux is gradually garnering acceptance and more and more technology manufacturers are launching products that are well matched with Linux based operating systems and applications, something you may want to read more. actually, the Google Android itself is a Linux based OS which is probably the most preferred choice in the mobile device ecosystem at this moment.



Apple Mac is again probably the most secure operating system out of the three because of its lower adoption. This without a doubt makes it the first choice for individuals who require a safe and reliable context for their computer use. The same can’t be said about Linux definitely but the amount of spyware being programmed for Linux is very much lower than that for the Windows OS.



In terms of consistency, Linux hits the mark. Several of its distributions use very little system reserves and are one of one of the most stable programs ever built. The systems can continue for months without being resumed and re-installed.



“Free” and “Open-source” are two key phrases that make the Linux operating system to separate itself from the masses of Windows and Mac. Although most typical computer operators worldwide operate on the latter two citing explanations as user-friendly and program availability, technical support etc, the user base of Linux is increasing quicker than foreseen. It is true though that Windows is much easier to utilize than the Linux equivalent, but desktop settings such as KDE and Unity desktop come close to the easiness of Windows. Most of the software like games, media players have to be procured at a minimal cost for Windows, the Linux archives are mostly free to make use of and trial.



Nevertheless, there are many standard versions of games and other programs that are not currently readily accessible for Linux. A great many hardware makers also don’t create Linux targeted merchandise. This has slowed down the acceptance of this OS. When considering support, Windows does have a massive customer base and thus a well-established support back up. Exactly the same might not be true for every one of the Linux variations, but lots of online support is accessible through different independent developers in addition to paid tech support from groups like Canonical Ltd of Ubuntu.

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Linux The Safer Opperating System


The Apple Mac chain of operating systems are older than both Windows and Linux. It had been the first GUI available in the marketplace for household end-users. Even so, resulting from the exclusivity of Apple and its products its use is very much limited, a subject to read more about. First of all, for making use of a Mac, one needs to posses an Apple device. It doesn’t mount and run on any other hardware. And to be frank, Apple items are more costly than any other devices in the marketplace at this point. Towards this end, Linux is increasingly gaining acceptance and more and more computer makers are launching items that are compatible with Linux based operating systems and applications. actually, the Google Android itself is a Linux based operating system which is the most desired choice in the smart-phone ecosystem at this point.



Apple Mac is again definitely the most secure operating system out of the three owing to its lesser adoption. This unquestionably makes it the initial choice for people who need a protected and strong framework for their computer use. Exactly the same cannot be spoken about Linux definitely but the amount of spyware being coded for Linux is much slower than that for the Windows platform.



When it comes to consistency, Linux hits the mark. Quite a few of its distributions use very little computing reserves and are one of one of the more constant software ever developed. The systems can continue for months without being restarted and re-installed.



For the gaming world too, Mac OS does not support many typical games and those accessible are very expensive. With the smart-phones and tablet devices gaining reputation, many HD games are being designed for Linux distributions nowadays.



Hence, for an individual who cannot afford the high price of an Apple device, picking out Linux on an inexpensive device is a healthy choice over Windows.



From the over 200 sorts of distributions attainable, some of the more leading ones are RedHat, Ubuntu, Knoppix, Debian, Fedora Core, SUSE etc. Ubuntu is a Linux OS based on the Debian framework. It is predominantly targeted towards the household PC/desktop, smart-phone and network server market. The unity desktop scheme of Ubuntu is favorite for its end-user convenience. The Debian project is itself a Linux distribution and one of the oldest. It has 3 branches titled stable, testing and unstable. A group of unpaid assistant coders under three foundations are employed for development under this program. Ubuntu also gives a free 5 Gb virtual computing environment. Ubuntu is maintained by the Canonical Ltd which is a United Kingdom centered business and generates revenue via technical support given to its users.

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The Best Micro 4 3 Camera

Best micro 4 3 camera - When you want to be sure that you are able to get the most out of your camera, it is vitally important that you know what you are buying. There are some great decisions that you can make in that regard, but one type of camera you should consider is the micro 4 3 camera. These cameras utilize the micro 4/3 system, which is a unique type of camera that you can add to your collection. With this in mind, you should make sure that you shop around for the best camera that you need. Read the information below and use it so that you can keep your camera in the condition you need it to be in, when using it for your shoots.



What is a 4/3 camera? These are lines that use a certain technological process that was started in 2008. This 4/3 system process was launched by the two camera manufacturers, Panasonic and Olympus. They set the standard for this sort of camera and have contined with these products ever since. These types of cameras are beneficial because they are lightweight and utilize incredibly small lenses. This allows for unique features, such as autofocus and the ability to focus intently at great distances. If you are thinking about taking advantage of this process, you will need to understand how to find the best micro 4 3 camera on the market. There have been plenty released since 2008, so the information below will help point you in the right direction of some great models.



The Panasonic DMC-GM1 is a great model to consider if you are in the market for one of these cameras. It contains features like a live sensor and has a beautiful 16 mega pixel resolution that will allow you to get sharp and wonderful photos.



Kodak has since stepped into the game by putting out cameras with these features as well. One such model comes in the form of the Kodak Pixpro S-1, which also contains a 4:3 sensor and a beautiful 16 megapixels.



Tried and true company Olympus also offers wonderful products in this class, including the Olympus OM-D E-M10.



All of these products have gotten incredible reviews online, due to the fact that they are very powerful but also priced well. You can get your hands on one of these cameras without having to dip into your savings or financing it. Consider this as you look to purchase one of your own.





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Who Is A Rugged Phone Designed For?


In short, there is a simple answer to the above question: you. Smart phones are remarkably fragile considering their value, both economically and practically. The chances are that every individual who relies on a smart phone would be better off investing in a Rugged Phone. Not just those working in extreme environments: everyone. This couldnt be more true than for those in trades and professions where dust, water, pressure and impacts are a real everyday occurrence and threat to technology. For only a small additional investment beyond what you would pay anyway, you get peace of mind that youre not carrying around an easily damaged and easily breakable item that is your gateway to easy on-the-go communication.



For those with hobbies that include swimming, hunting, hiking, trekking, cycling, climbing or other outdoor pursuits, you might hesitate to take your phone with you. This poses a problem: right when it would be beneficial to ensure you have immediate ability to contact outside help, or use specialised mapping software, youre exposing something inherently breakable to a harsh environment. A rugged phone removes that problem from your equation. You can grab your phone, and go, knowing that its up to the job.











Then there are those whose working day is full of risks for a smart phone: dust, water, bangs, cold, to name just a few of the hazards that traditional smartphones just dont like. Builders, road construction workers, scaffolders, tree surgeons, plasterers, rangers, window cleaners: if your job involves the outdoors, dust, grime or water, then you need a more hardy and durable phone.



The rugged phone was designed for people exactly like this. People like you who lead busy, active and energetic lives that rely on a decent mobile phone and communication network, but who cant afford to lose time through broken or non-working technology. These phones are perfect for people whose lifestyles demand all of their equipment to be tough and hard-wearing, with no excuses for fragile phones. They are the smart phones of choice for the Now Generation.



Even if you get a tough phone wet, drop it from height, or put it in a freezer, its difficult to knock it down for good. These phones are built with a durability designed to stand tough against the very hazards you throw at it. They are designed with all of your work and lifestyle concerns in mind, so that you can go about your day, using your phone as you please, with no concern as to whether it is up to the job.



Their casings are solid. They are designed specifically against dust and water ingress. They have shatter-proof screens and jack and socket covers as standard. They tend to have longer battery lives. They allow all the functionality and efficiency you expect from a smartphone in a package that is considerably more hard-wearing.



In short, a rugged phone is the phone of the future: a phone that brings the technology we have all come to expect from our handset combined with the durability that real lives dictate. Tough phones such as these remove the frustration of fragile technology that costs again and again in terms of both money but also time. In our timepoor society, this is an incredibly valuable selling point. We know the technology can fit in to a tiny chip, now we need to know that it can actually fit in to our lifestyle in a practical, cost-effective way.

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What Are The Importance Of A Segway

Skateboards are a nice way of inducing fun and exciting moments in people. They have existed for as long as you can remember. However, with the best skateboard you are assured of ultimate fun. Apart from the fun, safety, and comfort are key requirements. One of such good quality skateboards is the Mini Segway. The mini Segway is self-balancing two-wheeler vehicle that is driven by rechargeable batteries. The wheeler has the most creative, innovative, and breathtaking design giving it the best features. This article describes the benefits of Segway.



First, the design of the skateboard is innovative in nature. It has a two-wheel design unlike the common skateboards that have four wheels. This design makes the Segway more compact and easier to control.



Nevertheless, the design incorporates easy and efficient way of using the Segway skateboard.



The skateboard is light in weight installing swiftness in the skateboard. The material from which it is made is light in weight making it more efficient in handling whenever the rider has to jump, take corners, or carry it around.



The design of the skateboard further has an allowance for all kinds of rider including the heavy ones. This is due to the strong materials that are used to make the Segway skateboard. The skateboard can support weights of riders of up to 200 lbs.



The skateboard is very efficient in that it can be used both indoors and outdoors. The riders have great advantages, as they own one of the skateboards with a sophisticated design allowing for different environments.



The skateboard is operated using a battery. Hence, it does not need any fossil fuels to be powered. Therefore, it is ecofriendly. Still on the battery, the battery is pocket friendly and it is affordable. Nevertheless, there are no emissions that would pollute the environment.



Apart from being driven indoors and outdoors, some of the places the Segway skateboard include downhill, plain lands, uneven slopes or topography, sea beach and others. Generally, the skateboard can be driven anywhere.



Conclusion



The Segway is probably one of the safest and most sophisticated in terms of design. The rider gets to enjoy the two-wheeler skateboard that is powered through batteries that are efficient and affordable and are ecofriendly. The riders get to ride the skateboard almost in any environment including indoors and outdoors. Some of the outdoor places include sea beach, downhills, among others. it is one of the best skateboards you will have in the market. It is easy to use and more stable despite the fact that it can accommodate up to 200 lbs.

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