Archive for the ‘Free Software’ Category

Best Employee Monitoring Software Of 2023 Forbes Advisor INDIA – Forbes

While research shows that employee monitoring improves worker productivity, it can also be destructive when it comes to morale and company culture. No one wants to feel like they are being watched or are not trusted. Benefits of employee monitoring could include increased productivity, increased security and cost savings, downfalls can include employee frustration, increased turnover, ethical issues and potential legal issues.

With remote work becoming the norm rather than the exception, many companies want to ensure their employees are as productive working remotely as they are in the office. A few nontechnical ways to do that is to schedule weekly review meetings, create a healthy workforce culture with consistent open communication, focus on employees growth, incorporate positive feedback and create transparent feedback rituals.

To keep employee trust, companies that do elect to use employee monitoring software should be transparent with their employees about when, where, how and why they are being monitored. Companies should clearly state work expectations, have specific policies in place around employee monitoring, ensure employees are aware of these policies, only use their software in visible mode and be open to honest conversations with employees about any concerns that may arise.

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Best Employee Monitoring Software Of 2023 Forbes Advisor INDIA - Forbes

FBI warns travelers of malware/monitoring software risks at free charging stations – Shacknews

FBI Denver has is advising civilians to use their own portable chargers.

Free charging stations are a staple of airports, bus stations, and other public places where large groups of people tend to gather and wait. While these charging stations can be a lifesaver while away from home, the government has warned that they might not be so safe right now. The FBI has issued a statement urging people not to use free charging stations in public places, as theyre being used to spread malware and tracking software.

The FBI Denver Twitter account tweeted a PSA against using free charging stations earlier this morning. The charging stations are littered throughout airports and can also be found at various public places. The organization doesnt provide many details or context surrounding its findings, but its messaging is clear: people should avoid public charging stations until further notice.

Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.

Since the tweet comes from the FBI Denver account and not the FBI proper, its unclear if the issues with malware and monitoring software are specifically an issue in the Denver, Colorado area, or something affecting the United States at large. With that in mind, its probably safe to say that everyone in the United States should avoid public charging stations if they want to err on the side of caution.

The FBI has encouraged people to use their own portable chargers, which are probably a good investment even outside of widespread malware attacks. If the FBI provides an update with more information on the situation, well be sure to update this article.

Donovan is a young journalist from Maryland, who likes to game. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokmon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge Scream nerd and film fanatic that will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_

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FBI warns travelers of malware/monitoring software risks at free charging stations - Shacknews

ChatGPT wrote my wedding vows it’s cheesy, but stress-free – New York Post

Sex & Relationships

By Brooke Kato

April 12, 2023 | 5:36pm

Their love is real but their vows are simulated.

With the help of ChatGPT, one San Diego couple generated the wedding vows of their dreams.

Elyse Nguyen, who married her husband in February, turned to Open AIs viral software in a pinch to draft her vows. What initially began as a bit of a joke shockingly provided the foundation for her speech.

ChatGPTs initial output was cheesy, the Qualcomm financial analyst told CNN, but the essence of what vows should incorporate was there our promises to each other and structure.

With a touch of personal flare, the addition of a few details and her partner on-board, Nguyen was satisfied with her promises all thanks to AI assistance.

It helped alleviate some stress because I had no prior experience with wedding vows, nor did I know what should be included, she explained. Plus, ChatGPT is a genius with alliteration, analogies and metaphors. Having something like, I promise to be your partner in life with the enthusiasm of a golfers first hole in one in my back pocket was comical.

The software has become a technological sensation, used by Tinder bachelors to woo matches and abused by students to write essays. Even with its bad rap the tech was banned in Italy last month over privacy and safety concerns engaged lovebirds are giving AI a shot.

Fiancs Michael Grinn and Kate Gardiner employed ChatGPT to write the Ketubah, a traditional Jewish marriage contract, for their upcoming Wisconsin wedding in June. Although it required a few tweaks, the pair were shocked by what developed.

At the end, we both looked at each other and were like, we cant disagree with the result, Grinn, an anesthesiologist practicing in New York and Miami, told CNN.

He refuses to use the software to pen his vows because he wants his nuptial promises to be less refined, and something no one else helped me with.

But hell utilize it to officiate his best mans wedding, saying its so efficient for him as someone who has been working so much and lacks ample time to prepare.

Joy, a wedding planning website, offers ChatGPT software to alleviate writers block making the service one of the first third-party platforms to incorporate the Open AI tech since access to the chatbot was recently opened.

Ellen Le used the Joy tool to create the about us content and venue directions on her wedding website. While the first draft contained inaccuracies it made up certain details of the couples love story it still provided a helping hand and something to react to, rather than just spending 10 hours thinking about how to get started.

Joy CEO and co-founder Vishal Joshi, who considers himself an AI enthusiast, said the company has seen thousands of submissions through the Writers Block Assistant since it launched last month. The feature was inspired by a survey of Joy users that revealed they were overwhelmed by the speechwriting process.

Almost two decades ago, AI enthusiasts like myself and my research peers had only dreamt of mass market adoption we are seeing today, and we know this is just the true beginning, he told CNN. Just like smartphones, if applied well, the positive impact of AI on our lives can far outshine the negatives.

Were working on responsibly innovating using AI to advance the wedding and event industry as a whole, he added.

But not everyone is aboard the AI train. The technologically advanced software has prompted President Bidens administration to consider new regulations amid concerns over its capabilities. Last month, researchers from the University of Pennsylvaniawarned the smart chatbot could put people out of a job.

The alarm bells follow Bill Gates applause for AI systems and Googles plans to add a chatbot feature to its successful search engine.

The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet and the mobile phone, Microsoft founder Gates wrote in a March blog post. It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care and communicate with each other.

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ChatGPT wrote my wedding vows it's cheesy, but stress-free - New York Post

HBO Max Will Relaunch in May as Max for the Same Monthly Price – CNET

HBO Max as we know it is changing.

April marks one year since the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery. Last year, the new Warner Bros. Discovery promised to introduce by summer 2023 a revamped streaming service that combines content from HBO Max and Discovery Plus, and the rebranded platform now has a name: Max.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced the name Wednesday during a virtual press event, along with the tagline, "The One to Watch." Global streaming boss J.B. Perrette said the new streaming service will roll out in the US on May 23. Viewers in Latin America will get Max this fall, with Europe, Asia and other markets to follow in 2024.

Max will stick with HBO Max's current price plans, at $10 per month for the ad-supported subscription and $16 monthly for ad-free with two streams, and it'll offer a new, ad-free $20 "Ultimate" option that features four concurrent streams, 4K HDR video, Dolby Atmos audio and more downloads.

Subscription plans for the Max streaming service.

Since the current version of HBO Max includes 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos and three streams in the $16 ad-free tier, the new plan structure amounts to a $4 price hike for viewers who want higher streaming quality and the ability to watch on more than two devices at the same time.

Discovery Plus will remain a standalone streaming option priced at $5 per month for the ad-supported plan and $7 monthly for the ad-free version. The platform houses a variety of reality shows, sports and infotainment from more than 20 networks, such as TLC, HGTV, Food Network and Animal Planet.

HBO Max began adding Discovery Plus titles to its platform in September. Viewers are able to stream shows like Fixer Upper from Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network empire, as well as other Discovery-branded fare, like Maine Cabin Masters and Trixie Motel. Though HBO Max is no stranger to the world of unscripted TV, the addition of niche content from Discovery's portfolio caters to audiences with an appetite for nonfiction.

Chief Content Officer Kathleen Finch spoke about the slew of new original releases coming to Max, including reality series Barbie's Dreamhouse Challenge, TinyToons Looniversity and Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. The company is building out universes for The Conjuring, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and The Big Bang Theory with a slate of new projects. More 90 Day Fiance and Magnolia series are also in the pipeline.

In the last 12 months, Warner Bros. Discovery made significant programming changes to HBO Max under the leadership of Zaslav, a Discovery veteran. More than six dozen movies and TV shows have been canceled, licensed out or removed from the platform altogether, including scripted favorites like Westworld and reality series such as Craftopia. Some projects -- such as Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt -- were scrapped as a cost-cutting measure. Ahead of both streamers' catalogs consolidating, Discovery Plus lost a handful of titles too, including House Haunters and Love in the Jungle.

Compared with rivals Paramount and Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery is taking a different route with its two services. Paramount Plus folded Showtime content into its app and offers the combined version as a premium bundle, with standalone options still currently available. The company also rebranded Showtime's linear cable channel as "Paramount Plus with Showtime," which airs content from both brands. Though Disney Plus and Hulu remain separate streaming platforms, they can be bundled in three packages. Some Disney-owned titles are available to stream on both services at the same time.

Since taking the reins, Zaslav has been eyeing Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon's Prime Video as top competitors in the streaming business. During his 2021 keynote speech at the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, he described the prospect of a unified Discovery Plus-Warner offering as "complete" and "competitive with Netflix and Disney."

When discussing the launch of Max today, Zaslav said, "Max is the one to watch" for its navigation capabilities, content and global reach.

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HBO Max Will Relaunch in May as Max for the Same Monthly Price - CNET

Ford Mustang Mach-E launches as Britain’s first hands-free self … – The Telegraph

Drivers will be monitored using an infrared camera to ensure they are still paying attention to the road and the system will show warning messages and audible alerts before slowing down the vehicle if it thinks the driver has been distracted.

Drivers are not legally permitted to use their mobile phone or otherwise take their attention away from the road.

Ford said it had carried out 100,000 miles of testing that had shown the system was able to handle worn-out lane markings, roadworks and poor weather that are mainstays of driving in Britain.

It will cost 17.99 a month for access to the service, which will for now only be available to owners of its Mustang Mach-E electric car.

The announcement is expected to kick off a rush to launch hands-free driving systems in Britain, which are a key step towards fully driverless vehicles. Toyota, Nissan and BMW have all unveiled plans for their own hands-free features.

Driver assistance software such as Teslas Autopilot already exist in the UK but require the driver to have hands on the wheel at all times.

Jesse Norman, the transport minister, said: It is great news that Ford has chosen Great Britain for the European launch of their BlueCruise technology, and I am delighted that this country is once more at the forefront of innovation.

The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error.

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Ford Mustang Mach-E launches as Britain's first hands-free self ... - The Telegraph