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Data privacy scandal!

Over the last week the news that Carrier IQ has been tracking millions of smartphone users without their knowledge has ballooned into a full-blown clusternut. Carrier IQ, huh? Sounds nefarious. But what exactly does it do? And why should you care?

Carrier IQ is a third-party metrics service...
Smartphone manufacturers and carriers alike are dying to know how you use their products in the real world. They want this information to help them to study performance, make business decisions, and improve products. Carrier IQ is an "embedded analytics company" that serves that information up to its clients on a silver, snooping platter.

…that, unbeknownst to customers, possibly installed software on millions of Android, BlackBerry, and iOS handsets...
Until yesterday, most people probably didn't even realize they had Carrier IQ installed on their phones. The software isn't part of Android, iOS, or BlackBerry OS. It's installed independently by either your carrier or your phone manufacturer. A rolling counter on the Carrier IQ website claims more than 140 million devices. But which ones? It's not entirely clear at this time, although several companies have stepped forward to say they don't have the software. It's off by default in iOS but activates, in a limited way, when you put your phone in Diagnostics mode. Android owners can also test their handsets to see if they're affected.

…to collect swaths of "performance data"...
What data the software collects depends on what entity installed it on your phone, because Carrier IQ is customized to meet the desires of the client that uses it. In corporate marketing materials, Carrier IQ says that includes relatively benign info like data speed and app usage. But Trevor Eckhart, the developer who first outed Carrier IQ, has demonstrated that the software can log virtually anything you do on your phone: calls, location, even keystrokes. That means it could in theory log all your passwords and credit card numbers when you punch them in.

…which is definitely creepy…
If we've learned anything about privacy from Facebook it's that this level of granular data collection freaks people out even when they know about it. And when you think about what it does when it's done with spying, tracking, logging—pick a term—it's downright sickening. What's being collected and what do they know about me? What are they going to do with that information and who has access? Those are all still open questions.

…and it's possibly illegal…
Well, Carrier IQ has already been hit with a Senate investigation, and as Forbes reports, since we didn't know about the service it might actually violate the Wiretap Act millions of times over. Is it possible that you signed off on some terms and conditions agreement that had Carrier IQ buried deep? Sure. But it's still not unreasonable to expect a class action lawsuit and other legal action.

...despite Carrier IQ claims that it's actually benign...
According to a statement by Carrier IQ, it's besides the point that they can log keystrokes because the software is "counting and summarizing performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools."

There's going to be a lot more information coming as this story unfolds, but in the meantime: either the carrier/handset manufacturers associated with Carrier IQ didn't know exactly what was going on, or they did and thought they wouldn't get caught. And either way, this is repulsive stuff. Hopefully a reckoning is on its way........

11 Things Should Know Before You Buy Your First Guitar

Learning how to play a guitar is fun, and can be a hobby that lasts a very long time. It can become an entry into playing with a band, or becoming a rock singer. When you first have an interest into getting a guitar, the best bet would be to get a learning guitar, a beginner guitar which is inexpensive. Follow these easy steps to find the guitar that's just right for you.

1.)

Determine your budget. As a beginner, try to keep your budget low. Around $200-$300 for any guitar. Used guitars are great as well, so check your local pawn shops and used dealers, some major retail stores may have great used guitars as well. Just because the guitar is expensive does not mean it is a good guitar, but also beware of guitars that are under $150, as some may be cheaply made. Cheap guitars are often poorly constructed and will have very poor sound quality

2.)

Research. Find someone close to you that has played guitar for a while. Ask them what brands and types of guitars to look for and which to avoid. For example, Fender, Taylor, Martin, and Gibson are very well-known high quality brands.

3.)

Decide if you are going to play an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. It depends on the style you play.

4.)

Shop. Always play a guitar before you buy it, so you know what you are getting. Not doing this can be a huge mistake. Have your guitar-playing friend go with you to several shops and stores to help you. As a beginner, your ear may not recognize subtle tone qualities that your friend will pick up and help you. This is probably one of the most important things you can do.

5.)

Ask the clerk. Get a pick and a strap from the sales representative and ask him to show you guitars at the higher end of your price range.

6.)

Have the clerk verify that the guitar is tuned to concert pitch or standard tuning. This will allow you to better compare this guitar with others.

7.)

Feel. Try several guitars sitting and standing. If they don't seem natural to you, even slightly, they might be wrong for you. Try several guitars until you find one that feels good in your hands and on your body.

8.)

Place your index finger directly behind the first fret on the fattest string (E6). The fret is the raised metal "line". Pluck the string with a decent amount of force. Listen for buzzes, pops, or odd noises. Check behind each fret on each string using a hard pressure. If you notice even the slightest bit of "non musical" noise, ask the salesman to adjust and re-tune the guitar. Check the guitar again, if the problem persists, don't get that guitar.

9.)

Judge each guitar by feel, sound, and appeal.

10.)

When purchasing: ask for a warranty, a new set of strings, a gig bag, and a tuner. As a new guitarist, you WILL need a gig bag and tuner, so it is wise to buy one. Most dealers leave the factory strings on the guitars for years, robbing them of bright tone, new strings resolve the problem nicely.

11.)

If possible, try to get private guitar lessons. While books are great, they cannot teach you correct technique (the precise way to position fingers, hands, arms, back, and playing), only theory. If private lessons are not available, or are out of your price range, books or the internet can suffice.

• If an acoustic guitar buzzes and the buzzing can't be attributed to bad technique of the player, the action (distance of strings from fingerboard) is probably too low or there is a bump in the neck. Cheap guitars sometimes have a fret that is sticking up too high and interfering with the strings. Sometimes this happens at whatever fret the neck joins the body. This cannot reasonably be repaired and the guitar is no good. If the action is too low you can either get a bigger saddle, which is the piece in the bridge that holds up the strings, or raise the nut, which is the piece that holds the strings at the end of the neck. Both of these parts can be removed if you take off the strings. You can raise the action by stuffing little paper shims under these parts. Always make modifications under the supervision of a guitar tech. If you do not feel comfortable adjusting a guitar, let the tech do it. It is better to spend $50 getting it set up than making the guitar you just bought unplayable.
• If buying a used guitar, especially if you are buying it at a pawn shop, you want to make sure the neck and body aren't warped. Check for a bulge on the body of the guitar beneath the bridge (the bridge is where the strings meet the body). Check for warped necks by looking straight down the neck from the bottom to the top. You will have to hold the guitar body up to do this. If the frets are not uniform but a few of them look uneven, higher, or lower, don't buy that guitar.
• Remember to allow money in your budget for an amp and cords if electric, and a bag or case. Also consider investing in a tuner.
• Don't fret too much about fret buzz! If there is a model you like, but the current ones in the store have a lot of buzz, you can ask the staff if they could fix it up before you buy it, or recommend a place to get it fixed up. This should be done anyways, as the guitar can be fit to how you want the action (height of the strings) set, and to fix up any concerns. It should not cost more than $60 for a good tune-up, and should be looked into if you become a more serious player.
• Online music stores typically run about $50 cheaper for your starter guitars. It's money but you'd be better paying the extra and buying from a local retailer. At least you have someone you can take the guitar to should you have additional questions and not sort it out via email with a stranger.
• Unless you are an experienced player you should avoid buying guitars online. Even the experienced ones will tell you to go to a store, Use the online sites as a way to educate yourself about the different features. The local music stores have experienced musicians on site and can help you with the process. Just be clear about your budget.
• The main price factor for acoustic guitars is the material they are made of and to some extent the workmanship. Cheap guitars are made of laminates, (plywood) and better guitars are made of solid woods. The top can be solid and the back and sides made of laminate or all the wood can be solid. The species of woods affects the price. Tops are usually made of evergreens like cedar or spruce. The back and sides could be made from many varieties of hardwood. A popular choice is some kind of rosewood. You can look at the inside and the outside of the guitar to see if the back and sides are the same on both sides. You would have to ask the dealer for the specifications on the wood unless you have a very good eye for wood species and plywood. If you buy a used guitar you can often get better materials for the money, especially if you buy an old guitar, since wood has become increasingly scarce.
• Pickups can have a drastic effect on a guitars tone. single coil pickups create a clean crisp tone while double coil (Humbucker) pickups create more of a thick bassy tone.
• Acoustic guitar is considerably harder than electric. By starting out on acoustic, you can build up finger strength, and then if you choose to switch to electric, all of the little scratches and creaks you hear won't be there!
• Visit several stores around town as each one is probably licensed to carry different brands.
• Use extreme caution when buying used guitars. If you must it is important you take an experienced player with you to shop.
• If you're really serious about learning guitar, it's a good idea to invest in a really good guitar. It will be worth it in the end, and if you hang onto it for a few years, it'll be worth much more.
• It's best not to go out at first and buy a super-expensive electric guitar. What if you decide you aren't interested? Loss of $600-$4,000. Borrow a friend's guitar and see if you're into it and if you're ready for the work. Ask the friend what it's like playing guitar, and how hard it is. When you know you'll like it, go to a guitar store and try some acoustic ones out. When you find a good, hardy one, buy it and a soft case. (unless you plan on traveling with it, then a hard case is best) Learn guitar inside-out. If you're interested in electric, try a few at a good guitar store, and buy it and only the necessary accessories.
• The one higher dollar feature that is a must is high quality tuners. They are more precise when you tune, and they hold where you set them instead of loosening and causing your guitar to go out of tune. Look for tuners that have sealed machine heads not just enclosed.
• If you have a friend who works in a guitar store, things can get a whole lot easier!
• Guitar companies these days have sub companies that build the same guitar at a cheaper price. So instead of buying a Gibson buy an Epiphone, or instead of buy buying a Fender buy a Squier.
• Once you become better you can expand your collection with used pieces, pedals, amps and other accessories.
• Take lessons. There is nothing more frustrating than realizing you've learned incorrect technique. Taking lessons, even for a short time, will jump start your learning.
• Many people quit because of boring lessons! Be sure to learn the music you want to learn aside from your lessons, using tabs or sheet music. A balance of lessons and fun playing is key to having fun with guitar.