Companies that develop GPS-based products to determine a person’s location strive for the utmost accuracy because they know these devices not only offer tremendous convenience, but also could save lives in emergencies. What few people realize is it could be just as vital to foil that accuracy. We had better realize the dangers of location data – and how to “fake out” the trackers.

Environmental organization Global Action Plan studies show that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the information and communications technology industry exceed the carbon output of the entire aviation industry. From this, it’s estimated that the Internet is generating 5.3 percent of world energy consumption. But, though the Internet is a CO2 contributor to greenhouse gases, it also offers energy and carbon emission alternatives that are more attainable than those in other industries.

Using electronic stamps on email as a way to filter out spam or, at least cut down on unsolicited commercial email, has been considered by experts for some time now. Whether the discussion is raised in an email hoax or a serious proposal by a fellow ThinkerNetter, a practical solution is currently lacking. But what if the stamp charge is not collected by the government or ISP, but paid to the email recipient? The benefits there could be sufficient motivation to explore possible implementations.

Let's start with a definition: Metadata is information about information, which can be used to edit, find, and otherwise use the digital content it represents. The digital content can be text, audio, or video, and it can be personal or business information. Metadata helps the user find -- and use -- the original content.

Now that the news is out, and has festered on the wires a bit, about Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) calling off their big, expensive wedding, it's time to speculate on the future of the Internet and whether or not Microsoft has lost its place there.

Using electronic stamps on email as a way to filter out spam or, at least cut down on unsolicited commercial email, has been considered by experts for some time now. Whether the discussion is raised in an email hoax or a serious proposal by a fellow ThinkerNetter, a practical solution is currently lacking. But what if the stamp charge is not collected by the government or ISP, but paid to the email recipient? The benefits there could be sufficient motivation to explore possible implementations.

Companies that develop GPS-based products to determine a person’s location strive for the utmost accuracy because they know these devices not only offer tremendous convenience, but also could save lives in emergencies. What few people realize is it could be just as vital to foil that accuracy. We had better realize the dangers of location data – and how to “fake out” the trackers.

Now that a growing number of online publications are establishing themselves as viable businesses, traditional media players are still pondering the big question: Is print alive and well, dying, or already dead? At the Western Publications Association conference in Los Angeles last week, I asked a variety of people with keen interests in the topic for some answers.