The Public Access Weekly: Operation Apples
Yes, yes there has been a ton of Battlefield 1 getting played in my household... Why do you ask?
It's been another crazy busy week over on Public Access so we're going to forego the small talk and jump right in, bullet point style:
There are roughly 25 new Public Access articles getting filed by new members every day. That is a) rad, and b) pretty time consuming to edit! Some of you have been, again, waiting longer than I would like for feedback. I'm working on that backlog today and this weekend, so hang in there!
Speaking of you new members, it has been a sincere pleasure working with some of y'all on your stories, answering your questions and reading your articles. There is some truly amazing work going up lately, so kudos new members!
That being said, I've had to ban another six members this week for plagiarism which... really?! C'mon now. That is shady behavior, it disrespects both the original author and our page. Cut it out. Or you know, get caught and banned immediately.
Similarly, some of you Public Access members who have publish-on-demand privileges apparently need a reminder that we do not publish articles on topics that do not concern technology. I've had to remove multiple articles this month on guitars, insurance, essay writing, moving companies, and analog kitchen appliances. If the technology connection isn't clear, it's not for Public Access. If you ever have questions you can refer to our rules, or reach out to us.
Okay, while I get back to approving articles and registrations, check out this week's reading recommendations and topic suggestions. Until next time!
Looking for something to read? Check out:
If you haven't read Matt Porter's ode to Galaxian, you are missing out on one of the best Public Access posts published this week. Porter's article on his first experiences with arcade games really captures the childhood excitement we all felt while getting our first taste of video games, complete with descriptions of the sights, sounds and game play from way back in the day.
While the Facebook photo feature that turns pictures into Cubist-style works of art doesn't really interest me much, I found Andre Campbell's article on the neural network technology behind the filter to be a truly fascinating read. It's a great explanation on the efforts that go into the even the simplest seeming technologies.
It's standard operating procedure for companies to encourage their employees to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, but few are also aware of the ways in which cyber-criminals on the dark web are reaching out to legit employees to gain information or access. Avi Kasztan's article on the value of human assets to cyber crime pulls back the curtain on these shady activities.
Looking for something to write about? Mull over:
Devindra Hardawar spent some time with the Microsoft Surface Pro, which has both a truly gorgeous screen and a handy tilt function, and determined it to be a PC that proves that desktops can still be cool -- but aren't for everyone. Are desktops still 'cool'? Why or why not?
Both Jaguar and Mini Cooper made news this week by releasing their first electric and hybrid vehicles (respectively). Are you interested in electric vehicles? Why or why not? If you are, which vehicle interests you most and why? And if you have an electric vehicle, tell us what pros and cons you've experienced.
As the holiday season grows ever nearer, more and more gift guides are getting published. So it seemed like the time to ask: What's on your tech wish list, and why? Alternatively, what tech items are you planning on purchasing for other people this year?
