In How the Internet Happened, he chronicles the whole fascinating story for the first time, beginning in a dusty Illinois basement in 1993, when a group of college kids set off a once-in-an-epoch revolution with what would become the first “dotcom.”Depicting the lives of now-famous innovators like Netscape’s Marc Andreessen and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, McCullough also reveals surprising quirks and unknown tales as he tracks both the technology and the culture around the internet’s rise. Cinematic in detail and unprecedented in scope, the result both enlightens and informs as it draws back the curtain on the new rhythm of disruption and innovation the internet fostered, and helps to redefine an era that changed every part of our lives.

    This idea--using computers to spy on people and groups perceived as a threat, both at home and abroad--drove ARPA to develop the internet in the 1960s, and continues to be at the heart of the modern internet we all know and use today. As Levine shows, surveillance wasn't something that suddenly appeared on the internet; it was woven into the fabric of the technology.But this isn't just a story about the NSA or other domestic programs run by the government. As the book spins forward in time, Levine examines the private surveillance business that powers tech-industry giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, revealing how these companies spy on their users for profit, all while doing double duty as military and intelligence contractors. Levine shows that the military and Silicon Valley are effectively inseparable: a military-digital complex that permeates everything connected to the internet, even coopting and weaponizing the antigovernment privacy movement that sprang up in the wake of Edward Snowden.With deep research, skilled storytelling, and provocative arguments, Surveillance Valley will change the way you think about the news--and the device on which you read it.

    As information becomes ever more plentiful, the resource that is becoming more scarce is our attention. In this 'attention economy', we need to recognise the fundamental impacts of our new information environment on our lives in order to take back control. Drawing on insights ranging from Diogenes to contemporary tech leaders, Williams's thoughtful and impassioned analysis is sure to provoke discussion and debate. Williams is the inaugural winner of the Nine Dots Prize, a new Prize for creative thinking that tackles contemporary social issues. This title is also available as Open Access.

    Tanner was my dad's best friend and I can't get him out of my head and... I know I should stay away from him. And age difference isn't the only thing that is concerning. He parted ways with my dad,And I can't seem to get enough of his seductive smile. Oh...those baby blue eyes and HARD abs...Trust me, they are a treat to watch, and touch, and feel...It's fun for now, but I want to enjoy it forever. I mean...I know it's wrong, but it feels so right. Only if Daddy stops coming in between us.  Author's Note: If you love taboo / extremely forbidden romance, Bad Boys, Billionaires, Virgin, First Times and a super steamy yet contemporary romance, then this one's for you honey! You'll LOVE the HEA!!! Also included is BONUS content inside.

    When the struggling writer was asked to take over the unpaid, anonymous position of advice columnist, Strayed used empathy and her personal experiences to help those seeking guidance for obstacles both large and small. Tiny Beautiful Things is a play about reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions which have no answers.

    Featuring all new, never before published material, Crows, Papua New Guinea, and Boats is the latest release by David Thorne, author of The Internet is a Playground and 27bslash6.com

    But have we unwittingly handed too much away to shadowy powers behind a wall of code, all manipulated by a handful of Silicon Valley utopians, ad men, and venture capitalists? And, in light of recent data breach scandals around companies like Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, what does that mean for democracy, our delicately balanced system of government that was created long before big data, total information and artificial intelligence? In this urgent polemic, Jamie Bartlett argues that through our unquestioning embrace of big tech, the building blocks of democracy are slowly being removed. The middle class is being eroded, sovereign authority and civil society is weakened, and we citizens are losing our critical faculties, maybe even our free will.The People Vs Tech is an enthralling account of how our fragile political system is being threatened by the digital revolution. Bartlett explains that by upholding six key pillars of democracy, we can save it before it is too late. We need to become active citizens; uphold a shared democratic culture; protect free elections; promote equality; safeguard competitive and civic freedoms; and trust in a sovereign authority. This essential book shows that the stakes couldn’t be higher and that, unless we radically alter our course, democracy will join feudalism, supreme monarchies and communism as just another political experiment that quietly disappeared.

    Using the data they are constantly collecting about where we travel, where we shop, what we buy, and what interests us, they can begin to predict our daily habits, and increasingly we are relinquishing our decision-making to algorithms. Are we giving this up too easily?Without understanding what mathematics can and can't do it is impossible to get a handle on how it is changing our lives. Outnumbered is a journey to the dark side of mathematics, from how it dictates our social media activities to our travel routes. David Sumpter investigates whether mathematics is crossing dangerous lines when it comes to what we can make decisions about.This book will show how math impacts all parts of our lives: from the algorithms that decide whom we interact with to the statistical methods that categorize us as potential criminals. It tests financial algorithms that purport to generate money from nothing, and reveals that we are constantly manipulated by the math used by others, from algorithms choosing the news we hear to automated hospital waiting lists deciding whether we receive treatment.Using interviews with those people working at the cutting edge of mathematical and data research, Outnumbered will explain how math and stats work in the real world, and what we should and shouldn't worry about.

     More than a little intoxicated, and fresh from a break-up, Edward is eager for some body art to commemorate the occasion. But Roxy smells trouble. She knows his type: conservative, corporate banker. Wealthy snob. Infuriatingly charming. She’s ready to show him the door. Edward, however, is fascinated by the sassy shop owner. And her scowling expression – and smart mouth – is infinitely more intriguing than a tattoo. They’re complete and total opposites. Absolutely nothing in common. Except… Edward and Roxy learn they do share a secret fantasy. And suddenly they’re coming up with a much more improper use for Edward’s fancy tie. Note: this is a smutty, sweet and slightly kinky story of 11,500 words. And this book also includes a bonus preview of Kathryn Nolan’s enemies-to-lovers novel, RIPTIDE, which begins at 63%.

    The question is . . . who will survive?***As she waits to give her statement in one of the interrogation rooms of Arcata Police Department, Abigale recites the same line over and over inside her head.I did not kill anyone.I did not kill anyone.But there's a trail of bodies, and it leads straight to her. The events that brought her to this very moment all point to one thing . . . her guilt.She must convince Detective Collins of her innocence, but how can she explain her ties to the victims, and the evidence that has her name written all over it?Then there's the mysterious Facebook profile, DarkHeart434.Who is DarkHeart434? And why does it seem like this person has all the answers, including the identity of the real murderer?As pieces of the puzzle start to come together, everything about Abigale's life begins to unravel--her past, her present . . . and even her self-proclaimed innocence.

    Soon you will understand this revolutionary technique and create an online marketing system that will provide clarity, motivation, and the perseverance to achieve success. Approach online marketing from your customer's perspective. What will they respond to? How can you effectively build credibility and trust with them? How is that trust used to build a relationship that results in sales and referrals? Everything you need to know is detailed in this book.

    China is one of the most attractive markets in the world and collaborating with bloggers, KOLs and influencers is essential if you want to find a place in the consumer’s heart. Don’t know where to start? This book will help newcomers and experienced marketers alike gain insight and take action. You’ll learn about: The Most Influential KOL Platforms and How They Work How to Find and Select the Right Influencer for You The Ins and Outs of Effective KOL Campaigns KOLs in action: Revealing Case Studies If you need a clearer understanding of one of the most dynamic marketing areas in China, this book is for you. Over her 12 year marketing career in China and Hong Kong, serial entrepreneur Ashley has plenty of social media savvy to share. As a writer and former influencer with 400,000 fans on Chinese social media, Lauren Hallanan has firsthand experience and valuable insider knowledge. Together, they deliver actionable tips and key insights into the world of influencers and opinion leaders in China. “Nowhere more than China, no time more than now, working with influencers isn't just important, it's critical. It sits at the convergence of the biggest trends of our times: commerce, technology, social media and trust. But with so many options and such intense competition, you need a guide. You're holding it now. Page by page, chapter by chapter, the opportunities and options will become clear. This book will open your eyes, save you time and map out a shortcut over a mountain of challenges and possibilities. You've found it.”— Andy Crestodina, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Orbit Media Studios and author of Content Chemistry “China has taken the message of personal branding to heart, and has developed a powerful influencer market that's well worth understanding. This insightful book will show you opinion leadership, China style. In the early days of digital marketing, China learned from the U.S. Today, it's important for globally savvy marketers to learn from China.”— Dorie Clark, adjunct professor, Duke University Fuqua School of Business and author, Entrepreneurial You and Stand Out"To succeed in in reaching buyers online in the China market, you need to work with influencers. This book, packed with examples, will show you how."- David Meerman Scott, marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of ten books including The New Rules of Marketing and PRDigital China: Working with Bloggers, Influencers and KOLs will help you to get the most from your cooperation with influencers in China. Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the gameWhen you’re ready, scroll up and click ”Add to Cart” now!

    She examined their business strategies. Looked for common themes. Researched their backgrounds, habits, and characteristics.The results of this research are fascinating. While no two bloggers earn money in the exact same way, they do all share some common traits.The Essential Habits Of 6-Figure Bloggers is a collection of real-life stories. It's also a success manual for bloggers.In this book, the author lays out the three essential habits of six-figure bloggers. These habits are not about specific tactics (though these are covered). They go deeper. In fact, you can apply these three habits to anything. Not just blogging.Want to lose weight? Pay off your debt? Build a retirement fund? Run a marathon? Practice the three success habits and you can achieve anything you want in life.The ideas in these pages aren't new. Instead, this book provides a framework so that you can sort through the mass of information, tools, and techniques and create your own version of success.You'll learn the three habits and how to apply them to your blog, or any other situation.When you read this book you will learn from top bloggers, master the three success habits, and create a six-figure blog that leverages your unique talents and experiences.In this book, you'll find easy step-by-step instructions on how to:* Pick a blogging niche that's profitable and exciting. * Earn money from your blog - using six proven monetization strategies. * Create systems to stay on track - even when the going gets tough.* Dream bigger than ever before and achieve anything you want.While blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme, it is a flexible and fulfilling way to make money from home. In this book you will meet bloggers who are earning six- and even seven-figures a year.If you love to write and have a message to share, you can do this too. How would your life change if you could build a profitable, online business you love?When you read this book, you will learn from those who are already doing what you want to do. You'll discover what it really takes to create a six-figure blog. Get your copy today by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page!

    Misinformation is turning into a challenge for all of us, whether politicians, journalists, or citizens. In the age of information, attention is a prime asset and may be converted into money, power, and influence – sometimes at the cost of facts. The point is to obtain exposure on the air and in print media, and to generate traffic on social media platforms. With information in abundance and attention scarce, the competition is ever fiercer with truth all too often becoming the first victim.Reality Lost: Markets of Attention, Misinformation and Manipulation is an analysis by philosophers Vincent F. Hendricks and Mads Vestergaard of the nuts and bolts of the information market, the attention economy and media eco-system which may pave way to postfactual democracy. Here misleading narratives become the basis for political opinion formation, debate, and legislation. To curb this development and the threat it poses to democratic deliberation, political self-determination and freedom, it is necessary that we first grasp the mechanisms and structural conditions that cause it.

    In Censored, Margaret Roberts demonstrates that even censorship that is easy to circumvent can still be enormously effective. Taking advantage of digital data harvested from the Chinese Internet and leaks from China's Propaganda Department, this important book sheds light on how and when censorship influences the Chinese public.Roberts finds that much of censorship in China works not by making information impossible to access but by requiring those seeking information to spend extra time and money for access. By inconveniencing users, censorship diverts the attention of citizens and powerfully shapes the spread of information. When Internet users notice blatant censorship, they are willing to compensate for better access. But subtler censorship, such as burying search results or introducing distracting information on the web, is more effective because users are less aware of it. Roberts challenges the conventional wisdom that online censorship is undermined when it is incomplete and shows instead how censorship's porous nature is used strategically to divide the public.Drawing parallels between censorship in China and the way information is manipulated in the United States and other democracies, Roberts reveals how Internet users are susceptible to control even in the most open societies. Demonstrating how censorship travels across countries and technologies, Censored gives an unprecedented view of how governments encroach on the media consumption of citizens.

    Guest experts on TV, radio, podcasts, blogs, and live streaming are getting local and national exposure for their business and brand that they could never have afforded to reach with ads.For a decade, Areva Martin has used the media to build a huge platform that expanded the influence and power of her brand exponentially. Media appearances on Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper 360, The Doctors, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, and more have virtually eliminated the need of a marketing budget for her thriving law firm and non-profit organization, while securing her place as one of America's most sought after thought leaders.In Make It Rain! Areva breaks the silence to reveal what insiders know about the power of media appearances to revolutionize a business and brand and get your core message out to the people who need it most. You'll learn how to:Match your brand to the right audience and media venuesCraft pitches producers can't resistJump on breaking news showsPivot and speak in soundbites like the prosAmplify every interview with social mediaTurn appearances into platform and become a rainmakerNever before have there been more ways to build a presence that matters. Whether you are the executive of a corporation, the author of an upcoming book, the owner of a rapidly growing small business, or the public face of a local nonprofit or association, if you have a business to build or people you want to help, nothing beats using the media to create the visibility, influence, and power you need. Are you ready to Make It Rain!?

    In particular, was his victory the result of Russian meddling in our political system? Up until now, the answer to that has been equivocal at best given how difficult it is to prove. Trump has vociferously denied it, as has Vladimir Putin himself. Even the famous intelligence reports establishing that the Russians interfered hold back from saying whether the interference tipped the scales in the outcome.In Cyberwar, however, the eminent scholar Kathleen Hall Jamieson, who sifted through a vast amount of polling and voting data, is able to conclude with a reasonable degree of certainty that Russian help was crucial in elevating Trump to the Oval Office. Put simply, by changing the behavior of key players and altering the focus and content of mainstream news, Russian hackers reshaped the 2016 electoral dynamic. At the same time, Russian trolls used social media to target voting groups indispensable to a Trump victory or Clinton defeat. There are of course many arguments on offer that push against the idea that the Russians handed Trump his victory. Russia's goal was fomenting division, not electing Trump. Most of the Russian ads reportedly did not reference either the election or a candidate. Nor did they differ much from U.S.-based messaging that was already in play. Russian intervention did not surgically target Trump in key states. Finally, if WikiLeaks' releases of stolen email had truly affected the vote, Clinton's perceived honesty would have dropped in October. Jamieson, drawing from her four decades of research on the role of media in American elections, dispenses with these arguments through a forensic tracing of both Russian hackers' impact on media coverage as well as the ebbs and flows of Trump's polling support over the course of the campaign. To be sure, it is impossible to prove with absolute certainty that the Russians handed the election to Trump because there is too much that we don't know. That said, the lessons of a half century of research on the role of media framing in elections strongly suggests that many voters' opinions were altered by Russia's wide-ranging and coordinated campaign-including at least seventy eight thousand votes in three key states. Combining scholarly rigor with a bracing argument, Cyberwar shows that we can now be reasonably confident that Russian efforts helped put Trump in the White House.

    My decision made, she’s the one. Her sweet ass had better get used to it.

    Now, witness that swift and brutal ascent in... The Rise of RAAM!

    We Are the Nerds is a riveting look deep inside this captivating, maddening enterprise–whose army of highly engaged (obsessed?) users have been credited with everything from solving cold case crimes to seeding alt-right fury and helping to land Donald Trump in the White House. We Are the Nerds is a gripping start-up business narrative: the story of how Reddit’s founders, Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, rose up from their suburban childhoods to become millionaires and create an icon of the digital age–before seeing the site engulfed in controversies and nearly losing control of it for good. Based on Christine Lagorio’s exclusive access to founders Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman, We Are the Nerds is also a compelling exploration of the way we all communicate today–and how we got here. Reddit and its users have become a mirror of the Internet: it has dingy corners, shiny memes, malicious trolls, and a sometimes heart-melting ability to connect people across cultures, oceans, and ideological divides.

    . .Until I learned his family's secret and the lie that had been fed to me for years.He said he did it to protect me, he claimed it was all done for love.Birch promised me forever, but all I felt was betrayal.He wants me to remember what we have, that the love we feel for each other is real.I can't deny my feelings for him are still there.But how can I trust him now?How could I ever believe another word out of his mouth after what he kept from me?Even if it was a beautiful lie.

    Now, witness that swift and brutal ascent in... The Rise of RAAM!

    This niche fallout spirals out of control when global news agencies latch onto the story and celebrity outcry coupled with public uproar cultivates the perfect social media shitstorm.Will Dr Walter Turner ride this one out? Will he face a public execution? Will tomorrow’s fresh shitstorm save his pants? One thing’s certain: no one is coming out of this clean.

    But the truth is that privacy is in danger only because we think about it in narrow, limited, and outdated ways. In this transformative work, Ari Ezra Waldman, leveraging the notion that we share information with others in contexts of trust, offers a roadmap for data privacy that will better protect our information in a digitized world. With case studies involving websites, online harassment, intellectual property, and social robots, Waldman shows how 'privacy as trust' can be applied in the most challenging real-world contexts to make privacy work for all of us. This book should be read by anyone concerned with reshaping the theory and practice of privacy in the modern world.

    This book is a major new release for 2018, covering the latest version of Wordpress. Building a beautiful, professional looking Wordpress website, is no longer the domain of computer geeks. Wordpress makes it possible for anyone to create and run a website that looks great on any device - PC, Mac, tablet and phone, for hobby or business. The primary goal of this book is to take anyone, even an absolute beginner, from zero to Wordpress "guru" in a few short hours. I'll hold your hand, step-by-step, all the way. You get to watch over my shoulder as we explore the Wordpress Dashboard. Inside this book, veteran Wordpress expert Andy Williams will start at the very beginning. You'll learn important topics like: • The two different versions of Wordpress. • Website hosting and domain registrars. How to set this up with separate registrar and host, for more security. • How to install Wordpress. • An overview of the Dashboard including how to find hidden items. • Cleaning out the stuff that is installed by default. • Finding and installing Wordpress themes to instantly change the look and feel of your website. • Plugins. What they are and how you can use them to create magnificent websites. • How to update Wordpress, themes and plugins. • Every single Dashboard setting, what they do, and what you should use in the settings of your website. • How to find and use the RSS feeds on your site to help search engines find your content. • The importance of user profiles, and how to assign a "Gravatar" image to your email address. • How to create great navigation systems on your site, with custom menus, internal linking and related post sections. • Enabling and dealing with visitor comments. • Using the media library for images, video and more. • The difference between pages and posts, and a simple way to know which one you should be using for each bit of content you publish on your website. • Effective use of categories and tags. Using these incorrectly can get your site penalized or even banned from search engines. • How to write posts, and even schedule them so they will be published at some future date. • Using post revisions. • Two different types of homepage. A blog style page v a more traditional "static" homepage. • Using widgets on your site to add neat features. • This book does not focus on any particular Wordpress theme (website "skin"). Instead, it teaches you how to master Wordpress so you can choose and use any theme you like. We'll also cover thost vital plugins every site need, including: • Automatically take backups and get them sent to the cloud. • Automatically create important legal pages on your site, like terms and privacy policy. • Creating a contact page so visitors can contact you. • Add a related posts section to the end of every post to keep visitors on site longer. • Setup good SEO practices. • Setup social sharing buttons on your site, so visitors can easily tell their friends about your great web pages. Most people learn better when they can actually see what they are reading about, so one thing this book isn't, is shy about screenshots.

    Now, witness that swift and brutal ascent in... The Rise of RAAM!

    When I was explaining to her why she would not get her first smart phone until she turns 18, why she cannot have a social media account when all her friends have one and why she has restricted access on our family PC and no personal laptop; I found it relevant to convert all this content into a book, which could help many others in decision making regarding their life online. My daughter’s current cellphone has a small display, a number pad and no internet; she can text her friends and call them if needed, but I guess, she is feeling some peer pressure. She wants a social media account, but we told her she needs to turn 18 to be “Spiderman” – with great power comes great responsibility. Social media carries great power, you should grow up and be a responsible adult to start using such powers.My nature of work requires me to spend a lot of time online, but I always try to ensure that my digital footprint is minimum. I value my freedom of speech and my right to privacy, which has encouraged me in writing this book.This book's objective is to educating technology users about safety, security and privacy. Inside you’ll find research-based safety tips and tools, advise, parents’ guide and commentary on different aspects of tech use and policy. This is not a technical book, even if many tips and tricks are shared to secure oneself. The book is written in 3 parts with each part having specific objectives around Privacy, Security and Literacy. Part 1 and 2 serve as a guide for novice internet users (children and teens) and people affected by cyber exploitation on how to safeguard yourself. It would also teach the ‘Digitally Literate’ population on what is going on behind the scene, when you use technology. Part 3 adds value with guidelines in setting up a positive and professional online persona. It brushes on Media Literacy and Critical thinking, and finally concludes with parental tips on how to handhold their children onto technology.The book is structured with each chapter being independent, and continuous reading is not required to understand the fundamental concepts. I do not intend to dictate to you what to do or what not to do with your electronic devices. The purpose here is to give you relevant information, so that you could take intelligent decisions, about your privacy and security.I believe…… with digital surveillance, no one can escape “the All-seeing Digital Eyes.”… there is no magic formula to protect yourself from the digital eyes. This book would disappoint you, if you are looking for one.… good understanding of this book would help you manage your electronics and data better.… social media is designed to be addictive, it thrives on our desire for fame and feedback. … digital literacy has created a vast number of novice consumers, who are being exploited and manipulated.… your online persona is as important as your bio-data.… media literacy is essential for consumers and creators alike.… critical thinking is a philosophy. It is easy and hard at the same time.... critical thinking can be taught but needs constant practice to master.… you can be the guide for your generation to come.- Neville J Kattakayam

     Until it became so much more. A taboo office relationship. And there’s no fighting it. Not for either one of us. My life is spiraling out of control, thanks to family problems, but she’s always there. Always available for me. And she deserves better. But I’m not that kind of guy. I like our arrangement just as it is. Or I thought I did. Professionals with benefits sounded like the perfect setup. Until she walks away. Now there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to get her back. Even my high paying job.

    Now, witness that swift and brutal ascent in... The Rise of RAAM!

    Of course, none of that was part of the plan. In this fully updated paperback edition of Antisocial Media, Siva Vaidhyanathan explains how Facebook devolved from an innocent social site hacked together by Harvard students into a force that, while it may make personal life just a little more pleasurable, makes democracy a lot more challenging. It's an account of the hubris of good intentions, a missionary spirit, and an ideology that sees computer code as the universal solvent for all human problems. And it's an indictment of how social media has fostered the deterioration of democratic culture around the world, from facilitating Russian meddling in support of Trump's election to the exploitation of the platform by murderous authoritarians in Burma and the Philippines. Both authoritative and trenchant, Antisocial Media shows how Facebook's mission went so wrong.

    Online and mainstream celebrity culture are now weaving together, such that breakout stars from one-hit viral videos are able to turn their transient fame into a full-time career.  This book presents a framework for thinking about the different forms of internet celebrity that have emerged over the last decade, taking examples from the Global North and South, to consolidate key ideas about cultures of online fame. It discusses the overall landscape, developments and trends in the internet celebrity economy, and cross-cultural lessons.

    Social media apps, surveillance technologies, and the Internet of Things are all built in ways that make it hard to guard personal information. And the law says this is okay because it is up to users to protect themselves—even when the odds are deliberately stacked against them.In Privacy’s Blueprint, Woodrow Hartzog pushes back against this state of affairs, arguing that the law should require software and hardware makers to respect privacy in the design of their products. Current legal doctrine treats technology as though it were value-neutral: only the user decides whether it functions for good or ill. But this is not so. As Hartzog explains, popular digital tools are designed to expose people and manipulate users into disclosing personal information.Against the often self-serving optimism of Silicon Valley and the inertia of tech evangelism, Hartzog contends that privacy gains will come from better rules for products, not users. The current model of regulating use fosters exploitation. Privacy’s Blueprint aims to correct this by developing the theoretical underpinnings of a new kind of privacy law responsive to the way people actually perceive and use digital technologies. The law can demand encryption. It can prohibit malicious interfaces that deceive users and leave them vulnerable. It can require safeguards against abuses of biometric surveillance. It can, in short, make the technology itself worthy of our trust.

    Hilarious, thought-provoking, edgy, nonsensical, this novel has been described as a "game-changer" of modern lit.The third novel of the most influential literary circle of this decade, its hard yet tender prose is clearly a product of this bad boy's club of literature. The plot is at times so impenetrable that it is rumored to have been written by over fifty people. It is a must read for anyone who considers themselves a student of literature.

    Or at least that's how she feels most days as she walks the hallways of Glendale Middle School. But, when she gets the news that the end of the school year will also be the end of her time living in Chicago, Quinn knows it's time to make a change. Not wanting to be forgotten for good once she moves, Quinn decides to try some new things, get out of her comfort zone, and do anything she can to make an impact. Will it be enough to get her noticed, or will Quinn continue to fade into the background until she is gone for good? Find out now in this fun and imaginative coming of age read.

    This book is a major new release for 2019, covering the latest version of WordPress. Building a beautiful, professional looking WordPress website (or a blog), is no longer the domain of computer geeks. WordPress makes it possible for anyone to create and run a website that looks great on any device - PC, Mac, tablet and phone. Whether you want to build a business site, an affiliate site, a hobby site or a blog, WordPress is a great choice. The primary goal of this book is to take anyone, even an absolute beginner, from zero to WordPress "guru" in a few short hours. Inside this book, veteran WordPress expert Andy Williams will start at the very beginning. You'll learn important topics like: • The two different versions of WordPress. • Website hosting and domain registrars. How to set this up with separate registrar and host, for more security. • How to install WordPress. • An overview of the Dashboard including how to find hidden items. • Cleaning out the stuff that is installed by default. • Finding and installing WordPress themes to instantly change the look and feel of your website. • Plugins. What they are and how you can use them to create magnificent websites. • How to update WordPress, themes and plugins. • Every single Dashboard setting, what they do, and what you should use in the settings of your website. • How to find and use the RSS feeds on your site to help search engines find your content. • The importance of user profiles, and how to assign a "Gravatar" image to your email address. • How to create great navigation systems on your site, with custom menus, internal linking and related post sections. • Enabling and dealing with visitor comments. • Using the media library for images, video and more. • The difference between pages and posts, and a simple way to know which one you should be using for each bit of content you publish on your website. • Effective use of categories and tags. Using these incorrectly can get your site penalised or even banned from search engines. • How to create content using both the Classic editor and the new Gutenberg editor. • How to publish posts, and even schedule them so they will be published at some future date. • Using post revisions. • Two different types of homepage. A blog style page v a more traditional "static" homepage. • Using widgets on your site to add neat features. We'll also cover those vital plugins every site need, including: • Automatically take backups and get them sent to the cloud. • Automatically create important legal pages on your site, like terms and privacy policy. • Creating a contact page so visitors can contact you. • Add a related posts section to the end of every post to keep visitors on site longer. • Setup good SEO practices. • Setup social sharing buttons on your site, so visitors can easily tell their friends about your great web pages. Most people learn better when they can actually see what they are reading about, so one thing this book isn't, is shy about screenshots. There are over 330 of them, showing you exactly what you will see on your screen, and prompting you to take specific actions as you learn and master WordPress. You may have heard that WordPress has a steep learning curve. With this book, you won't even notice it.

    But even with the upsides, many of us suspect there are negative consequences beyond our control. The more we interact online, the more we crave face-to-face intimacy. The more we compare ourselves with others, the less satisfied we are. The more filtered our lives become, the more challenging it is to be authentic.In this small group video-based study, pastor and bestselling author Craig Groeschel shows how we can stay engaged with social media while still keeping our eyes focused on Jesus. In five sessions, he reveals how we can rediscover our understanding of the biblical principles life with Christ brings–contentment, intimacy, authenticity, compassion, and rest–and put God first in our social media saturated world.This study guide includes video discussion questions, Bible exploration, and personal study and reflection materials for in between sessions.Sessions include:Recovering ContentmentRestoring IntimacyRevealing AuthenticityResurrecting CompassionReplenishing RestDesigned for use with the Liking Jesus Video Study (sold separately).

    And as we have increasingly seen, nationalism in digital spheres interacts in complicated ways with nationalism on the ground. If we are to understand thesocial and political complexities of the twenty-first century, we need to ask: what happens to nationalism when it goes digital?In China's Digital Nationalism, Florian Schneider explores the issue by looking at digital China first hand, exploring what search engines, online encyclopedias, websites, hyperlink networks, and social media can tell us about the way that different actors construct and manage a crucial topic incontemporary Chinese politics: the protracted historical relationship with neighbouring Japan. Using two cases, the infamous Nanjing Massacre of 1937 and the ongoing disputes over islands in the East China Sea, Schneider shows how various stakeholders in China construct networks and deploy power toshape nationalism for their own ends. These dynamics provide crucial lessons on how nation states adapt to the shifting terrain of the digital age and highlight how digital nationalism is today an emergent property of complex communication networks.

    They Simply Need a Better Way to Work. The online course space is a $255 Billion industry with a capital B. More people are creating online courses than ever, but there’s a dirty secret nobody really wants to talk about. CUSTOMER CHURN. Online courses worldwide are experiencing a 97% attrition rate from start to finish. That’s pathetic. And unacceptable. We can do so much better.And yet, how many of us struggle to make our courses ‘stick’ with our audiences? The online marketing space depends on selling courses and keeping our customers connected to our business.Creating a course is hard enough, which is why so many half-baked courses never hit the market. It’s even harder making sure the course you create is what your audience actually wants from you. When you finally have your course ready, you probably have that sick feeling when your course fails to create a lasting impact. YUCK.This isn’t a nameless, faceless challenge; it’s affecting coaches, consultants, speakers, authors, trainers, small businesses, corporations, people you know and love. It’s because we’ve been relying on bad information.And, so many course creators are left wondering why. Nobody’s talking about why courses aren’t being completed. Very few people are asking the right questions to figure out what we can do better to make our courses meaningful. We’re simply regurgitating the same bad info we heard from someone else who passed it down the line to us. So, where does that leave us? Online Courses Aren’t Dead. They Simply Need a Better Way to Work. Pushing “publish” on your Learning Management System won’t create lasting impact, reduce customer acquisition cost, or build your reputation as a thought leader overnight. Your customers deserve the right information that inspires them to finish your course and create the results they want.You’ve seen others have success with online courses, a lot of success. Why does it work for them and not for you? They have a little more information. They know the secrets. And now, they want to share their secrets with you. The Completed Course features 30+ World-Changing Online Course Geniuses Who Want to Share Their Course Completion Secrets With YOU.

    The in-depth, complete, and up-to-date book on Angular. Become an Angular expert today.Updated for Angular, Angular CLI, and Community Style GuideReady to master Angular?What if you could master the entire framework - with solid foundations - in less time without beating your head against a wall? Imagine how quickly you could work if you knew the best practices and the best tools?Stop wasting your time searching and have everything you need to be productive in one, well-organized place, with complete examples to get your project up without needing to resort to endless hours of research.You will learn what you need to know to work professionally with ng-book: The Complete Book on Angular.Get up and running quicklyThe first chapter opens with building your first Angular app. Within the first few minutes, you'll know enough to have an app runningLots of Sample Apps and CodeWhen you buy ng-book, you're not buying just a book, but dozens of code examples. Every chapter in the book comes with a complete project that uses the concepts in the chapter. The code is available for download, free from our website.Table of ContentsWriting your first Angular web applicationHow Angular WorksBuilt-in DirectivesForms in Angular 2HTTP and APIsRoutingDependency InjectionData Architecture in Angular 2Data Architecture with Observables and RxJSData Architecture with ReduxRedux and TypeScriptData Architecture with ReduxAdvanced ComponentsTestingConverting an Angular 1 app to AngularComprehensiveYou'll learn core Angular concepts - from how Angular works under the hood, to rich interactive components, from in-depth testing to real-world applicationsBest PracticesLearn Angular best practices, such as: testing, code organization, and how to structure your app for performance. We'll walk through practical, common examples of how to implement complete components of your applicationsExample Apps included in the bookThe book comes with sample apps that show you how to create:A component-based Reddit clone A real-time chat app using RxJS ObservablesA YouTube search-as-you-type app A Spotify search for tracks with playable song preview Plus lots more mini-examples that show you how to write Components, how to use Forms, and how to use APIs The code examples currently have over 5,500] lines of runnable code (TypeScript, non-comment lines) What our Customers Say"Fantastic work guys! I have no idea where I'd be with Angular without ng-book. You guys have made this SOOOO much easier to learn and keep up with. Thanks again..you guys are awesome!" -- Jacob Cheriathundam"Just finished ng-book2. I think it is the best learning material one can find about Angular today." -- Jegor UglovFAQWhat version does the book cover? This revision of the book covers up to angular-4.1.0. An updated version of the code is available for free at our website.Do I have to know Angular 1? Nope! We don't assume that you've used Angular 1. This book teaches Angular from the ground up. Of course, if you've used Angular 1, we'll point out common ideas (because there are many), but ng-book stands on its ownIs ng-book an upgrade to ng-book 1? No. This is a completely new book and shares no content or code with ng-book 1. Angular 1 and Angular 2+ are two different frameworks and ng-book 1 and ng-book are two different books.

    The Oxygen of Amplification: Better Practices for Reporting on Extremists, Antagonists, and Manipulators Online draws on in-depth interviews by scholar Whitney Phillips to showcase how news media was hijacked from 2016 to 2018 to amplify the messages of hate groups.Offering extremely candid comments from mainstream journalists, the report provides a snapshot of an industry caught between the pressure to deliver page views, the impulse to cover manipulators and “trolls,” and the disgust (expressed in interviewees’ own words) of accidentally propagating extremist ideology.After reviewing common methods of “information laundering” of radical and racist messages through the press, Phillips uses journalists’ own words to propose a set of editorial “better practices” intended to reduce manipulation and harm.As social and digital media are leveraged to reconfigure the information landscape, Phillips argues that this new domain requires journalists to take what they know about abuses of power and media manipulation in traditional information ecosystems; and apply and adapt that knowledge to networked actors, such as white nationalist networks online.This work is the first practitioner-focused report from Data & Society’s Media Manipulation Initiative, which examines how groups use the participatory culture of the internet to turn the strengths of a free society into vulnerabilities.

    As such, we live algorithmic lives. Life, however, is notblindly controlled or determined by algorithms. Nor are we simply victims of an ever-expanding artificial intelligence. Rather than looking at how technologies shape or are shaped by political institutions, this book is concerned with the ways in which informational infrastructure may be consideredpolitical in its capacity to shape social and cultural life. It looks specifically at the conditions of algorithmic life -- how algorithms work, both materially and discursively, to create the conditions for sociality and connectivity. The book argues that the most important aspect of algorithms isnot what they are in terms of their specific technical details but rather how they become part of social practices and how different people enlist them as powerful brokers of information, communication and society. If we truly want to engage with the promises of automation and predictive analyticsentailed by the promises of big data, we also need to understand the contours of algorithmic life that condition such practices. Setting out to explore both the specific uses of algorithms and the cultural forms they generate, this book offers a novel understanding of the power and politics ofalgorithmic life as grounded in case studies that explore the material-discursive dimensions of software.

    What would an internet look like if it were designed, today, from the ground up? In this book, MIT computer scientist David Clark explains how the Internet is actually put together, what requirements it was designed to meet, and why different design decisions would create different internets. He does not take today's Internet as a given but tries to learn from it, and from alternative proposals for what an internet might be, in order to draw some general conclusions about network architecture.Clark discusses the history of the Internet, and how a range of potentially conflicting requirements--including longevity, security, availability, economic viability, management, and meeting the needs of society--shaped its character. He addresses both the technical aspects of the Internet and its broader social and economic contexts. He describes basic design approaches and explains, in terms accessible to nonspecialists, how networks are designed to carry out their functions. (An appendix offers a more technical discussion of network functions for readers who want the details.) He considers a range of alternative proposals for how to design an internet, examines in detail the key requirements a successful design must meet, and then imagines how to design a future internet from scratch. It's not that we should expect anyone to do this; but, perhaps, by conceiving a better future, we can push toward it.

    But, as Robert Gehl points out in Weaving the Dark Web, for each of these illegitimate uses, there are other, legitimate ones: the New York Times's anonymous whistleblowing system, for example, and the use of encryption by political dissidents. Defining the Dark Web straightforwardly as websites that can be accessed only with special routing software, and noting the frequent use of “legitimate” and its variations by users, journalists, and law enforcement to describe Dark Web practices (judging them “legit” or “sh!t”), Gehl uses the concept of legitimacy as a window into the Dark Web. He does so by examining the history of three Dark Web systems: Freenet, Tor, and I2P.Gehl presents three distinct meanings of legitimate: legitimate force, or the state's claim to a monopoly on violence; organizational propriety; and authenticity. He explores how Freenet, Tor, and I2P grappled with these different meanings, and then discusses each form of legitimacy in detail by examining Dark Web markets, search engines, and social networking sites. Finally, taking a broader view of the Dark Web, Gehl argues for the value of anonymous political speech in a time of ubiquitous surveillance. If we shut down the Dark Web, he argues, we lose a valuable channel for dissent.

    The topics covered include:- How attackers abuse the fabric of the internet to forge messages and bring down websites- How viruses, worms, ransomware and individual hackers exploit loopholes in existing software- How blockchain enables Bitcoin, and how Bitcoin and Tor keep criminals anonymous on the dark web- How encryption works and how encryption methods have been cracked- How the Internet of Things is a hacker's dream and cyberwar is a nation's nightmare

    As cyberspace has emerged as the new frontier for geopolitics, states have become entrepreneurial in their sponsorship, deployment, and exploitation of hackers as proxies to project power. Such modern-day mercenaries and privateers can impose significant harm undermining global security, stability, and human rights. These state-hacker relationships therefore raise important questions about the control, authority, and use of offensive cyber capabilities. While different countries pursue different models for their proxy relationships, they face the common challenge of balancing the benefits of these relationships with their costs and the potential risks of escalation. This book examines case studies in the United States, Iran, Syria, Russia, and China for the purpose of establishing a framework to better understand and manage the impact and risks of cyber proxies on global politics.

    Pointing out that platforms like Facebook see disconnection as an existential threat — and have undertaken wide-ranging efforts to eliminate it — Karppi argues that users’ ability to control their digital lives is gradually dissipating. Taking a non-human-centric approach, Karppi explores how modern social media platforms produce and position users within a system of coded relations and mechanisms of power. For Facebook, disconnection is an intense affective force. It is a problem of how to keep users engaged with the platform, but also one of keeping value, attention, and desires within the system. Karppi uses Facebook’s financial documents as a map to navigate how the platform sees its users. Facebook’s plans to connect the entire globe through satellites and drones illustrates the material webs woven to keep us connected. Karppi analyzes how Facebook’s interface limits the opportunity to opt-out — even continuing to engage users after their physical death. Showing how users have fought to take back their digital lives, Karppi chronicles responses like Web2.0 Suicide Machine, an art project dedicated to committing digital suicide. For Karppi, understanding social media connectivity comes from unbinding the bonds that stop people from leaving these platforms. Disconnection brings us to the limit of user policies, algorithmic control, and platform politics. Ultimately, Karppi’s focus on the difficulty of disconnection, rather than the ease of connection, reveals how social media has come to dominate human relations.

    Internet scam, Internet fraud, advance fee fraud, email scams, dating scams, NGO scams, charity scams - whichever name you choose to call it, it is what it is. And in Nigeria it is a thriving industry clandestinely employing millions of young people. The extent and reach of this industry till this publication, has never been fully comprehended or revealed. It is only imagined, speculated upon, and largely underestimated due to the secrecy in which the scam deals are carried out as well as the code of silence – administered and enforced by voodoo priests - that guides and protects its practitioners. Hence, all the age-old questions regarding them still persist: Who exactly are these scammers? Why do they do what they do? How are they recruited? How do they operate? From where do they operate? Are they alone? Do they have godfathers in high places? Is there a governmental connection to it? Is there an unholy link with law enforcement? Is there a connivance with legitimate banks and financial institutions? What of the much talked about collusion of organized religion? Is there a philosophy to 419? How do 419ers they think? And what do they think when they think? What do they believe? How deadly are they? In fact, what exactly is 419? How did it start? Why is it so successful? Various attempts to answer these questions have been, at best a scratching of the surface, which only succeeded in raising more questions than answers. Why? For the simple fact that these works are mainly the products of professional writers, law enforcement agents, foreign investigators and white collar activists, who find it extremely difficult, as a matter of fact impossible, to penetrate the secrecy of scam deals or crack that code of silence that guides these fraudsters. The need therefore arises for an insider story, detailed, authoritative, first-hand and uncut, a tell-all, by someone who has been there, seen it all and done it. And that is exactly what you get in these pages. In this superlative revelation of a story based on real events, Lucas takes us on a guided tour of the Nigerian internet scam industry as no one had ever done before. It’s a personal story. From how he entered the syndicate to his last day as a scammer. From all that he saw and all that he heard, to all the background information and analysis, as well as all the various thought provoking point of views that prevails among the scammers and also the human angle to the drama. It is tour worth taking. Come along.

    As cyberbullying reaches an all time high, now is the time to shift the focus to social media solutions. Meme is the Mew Mean uncovers: -The Fuel for our not so secret addiction to social media. -The role of the meme in bully culture. -Potential effects of cyberbullying on later generations. -How to take your power back from social media. Meme is the New Mean provides a new take on your timeline through a visual representation of memes and bully culture.

    This book focuses on everyday effects of the internet—including information-seeking, big data, and the growing importance of smartphone use—to explain how the internet surpasses traditional media. Synthesizing global perspectives, Ralph Schroeder posits a theory on the internet’s role, and how both technological and social forces shape its significance.