How to Pick Privacy-friendly Services
The topic of privacy came up today in a conversation about picking a cloud storage for documents like journals and other writing. Given the fact that services can recognise handwriting, where is a good place to store your notes?
The larger question was, how do you pick privacy-friendly services?
Let us start simple: Google owns Google Drive, Microsoft owns Microsoft OneDrive. They are both into advertising, though Microsoft is not as aggressive as Google is. Dropbox is solely a cloud storage company, with no known ties with the advertising world. Dropbox scores better here. Despite Dropbox’s security issues, Dropbox Security Bug Made Passwords Optional For Four Hours (TechCrunch) I have found it reliable. The drawback is that you start with a meagre 2 GB of storage. Sure, if you plan to store text documents and not much more, 2 GB is not bad; if you plan to store scanned documents, pictures, etc., you must look elsewhere.
Is EdTech a Scam
About half a year ago, an EdTech (Education Technology) start-up came into the limelight. The company had found its way into serious controversy, including claims that the company had misled parents and children, ripped them off of millions of rupees and were home to some questionable conversations.
The subject came up tonight and I did not know how to conclude one way or another. I thought I could try to untangle it using a post.
Is COVID-19 Winning
Today is Sunday, and time for me to share what I have learnt about the disease. Disclaimer: I am an engineer, not a medical professional. What I am sharing here is for informational purposes, not health or medical advice. If you have specific queries, please talk to your (or a) doctor. And do not trust WhatsApp University.
Enjoy Your Life With Covid 19
There was a time when I was a favourite student of WhatsApp University. When I realised the ultimate quality of education there, I was so envious of it that I quit. After all, those of us who have had the privilege to attend the mainstream universities would be jealous of the free-and-open system. This is why I dropped out of the university (and I made a video about it as well):
COVID Vaccines
India is among the world leaders in vaccination. Also called the Pharmacy of the World, India is the largest manufacturer of vaccines. The public has been no different; you will find most of us wanting to get vaccinated. Polio vaccines are an example, where all children born in India get vaccinated through the extensive vaccination programmes that the government runs.
The console Google does not want you to use
Facebook was a target at the beginning of this year, when they decided to tweak their privacy policy. It turned out to be a disastrous PR move. Although they reversed it, we are already seeing a better-worded version of the update. I wrote a couple of posts: one about how the change affects your privacy, and another, about whether WhatsApp chats are at all private.
Powdered oxygen cylinder for COVID
WhatsApp is on fire these days. Another forward popped up a couple of days ago, which was a Tamil message. I have added a translation along with the message:
- BST HEALTH
உடலில் ஆக்சிஜன் அளவு 98 - 100 க்குள் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று சொல்லுகிறார்கள்; 43 க்கு கீழ் ஆக்சிஜன் சென்றுவிட்டால், ஆக்சிஜன் சிலிண்டர் தேவை;
COVID has become deadlier
It saddens me that we all fall prey to sensational WhatsApp forwards. And the fact that people I love and respect send this—and may take offence at my fact-checking the claims—worsens the feeling. This evening, I saw the following message in two of the groups that I am member of:
Can Governments Control Prices
Elections are going on for five of our State Assemblies: Tamilnadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry (पुदुच्चेरि, not पुडुचेर्रि). I have not followed the elections in West Bengal, Assam or Puducherry, but have been watching the progress in Tamilnadu and Kerala. And this post is about Tamilnadu.
One of the claims that one of the contesting parties is making is about the price rise. They say that the prices have shot up, and that their party—if it comes to power—would work to regulate the prices. And I thought I would share my comments about it. I will keep it short.
The Organic Utopia (Part V)
So far, in this series, we have addressed most of the claims and merits of both the methods of agriculture. We even addressed the polarisation: organic vs conventional. But how do we proceed keeping sustainability in mind? And in simple terms, if we had to, how do we pick one over the other?