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2013: Online Culture Is Both Bizarre and Viral

The Viral World of Online Culture

The Web has grown into a modern squawking jungle, filled with the wondrous and the weird: outlandish urban legends, microblogging fever, the mutation of the English language, and most of all: viral memes. Have we changed as a human species? Or has the Web just helped us reveal our inherent weirdness? See these examples of meme culture and decide for yourself...

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Internet for Beginners Spotlight10

What Is 'Rule 34'?

Tuesday June 18, 2013

Rule 34 is both a meme and a humorous truism that claims anything on the Web somehow has pornography attached to it somewhere. Whether it is an innocent picture of world continents, your garden in the back yard, or even aircraft, Rule 34 claims that somewhere there is a sexualized version available online.

About.com explains more about Rule 34 and its alleged origins here...

The Dangers of Kids and In-App Purchases

Monday June 17, 2013

Would you let an 8-year-old have your credit card? Well, that's basically the situation when you let kids play with your iPhone or iPad. You see, 'in-app' purchasing has become the sneaky standard with 'freemium' app software. If you don't pay attention, you'll rack up hundreds of dollars from your kids trying out in-app software. Here is how you can prevent this unpleasant invoice experience...

(photo by Eternity in an Instant / Getty Images)

Understanding Internetworking Cables

Sunday June 16, 2013

internetworking cables

Even with wireless technology being commonplace, cable connections are still the foundation for how the Web and Internet transmit. Your laptop and tablet and smartphone ultimately receive and send signals through some kind of a hidden wire. These wires and cables thread underneath our feet, above our heads, and in the walls. Illustrator Mary McDonald has created a useful infographic explaining the four kinds of common internetworking cables and how they work...

The Best VPN Services, 2013

Wednesday June 12, 2013

If you want to use public wi-fi but still be encrypted, or if you want to share files and browse the Web anonymously, then a virtual private network connection is your next step. VPN services are growing exponentially as more people choose to encrypt their online experience.   Ranging from 5 to 20 dollars per month, VPN services offer excellent benefits for users seeking privacy and cloaked access.  Here are 15 good VPN choices worth evaluating...

(image by Melekhin / Getty Images

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