Thursday, December 24, 2020

Do your part, Franklin (video)

Let's all do our part to stay healthy this holiday season! #DoYourPartFranklin
 
 

Franklin, MA: 1900 to 1909 (video)

Joe Landry provides this video about the history of Franklin, MA from 1900 to 1909. 
 
Direct video link:  https://youtu.be/Lax_VU2EA3k 
 

Naked Security Live: "Watch out for Messenger scams!"

"IM and social media accounts feel less open to spammers and scammers than email - until a crook gets into a friend's account and sends from there..."
Direct video link = https://youtu.be/IzUZ6rBpOso

 

"technologies are not perfect and they are never going to be perfect"

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Massachusetts public safety officials have halted use of a controversial license plate surveillance system on roadways across the state after finding a glitch with the technology that caused it to record inaccurate data for more than five years, according to a memo obtained by the Globe.

The inaccuracies were found within a network of high-speed cameras installed by the State Police that automatically photograph the license plates of passing vehicles. The data, including location, date, and time, is compiled in a massive database and used for criminal investigations and even finding suspects in real time — all without obtaining warrants or court orders.

The breadth of the newfound problem — and the impact it will have on an untold number of criminal cases — was not immediately clear Wednesday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
As I read this, the 'glitch; is in the date/time stamp and not the photo. Have you ever turned off a digital device to replace a battery and then, when turning it on, needed to reset the date and time? Apparently, that is what is happening with the cameras here. Something in the power goes out, when starting up again, the date/time is not accurate. It may default to "01/01/1900"  as some devices do.


Trinity Rep performs A Christmas Carol - "Brimming with creativity and innovation"

A Christmas Carol OnlineUnlimited free streaming through Jan. 10

Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol Online is now streaming for free. Simply register at the links below for your access link. Watch as many times as you want and on your schedule!

"The results offer delightful contrasts — traditional yet trendy, spooky yet warm, edgy yet endearing — that will prove appealing to audiences of all ages...streaming for free through Jan. 10, is a show for the ages, brimming with the creativity and innovation Trinity audiences have missed for months...  - Providence Journal

"...bringing invention and tradition together in a celebration of innovative spirit and holiday cheer...In a year when we have lost so much and so many, Trinity Rep's A CHRISTMAS CAROL ONLINE is an inspired holiday transformation that - much like Scrooge's own - feels nothing short of a Christmas miracle." - Broadway World

For detailed information about viewing the show, including tips for technical set up, view our FAQ page  https://www.trinityrep.com/box-office/how-to-watch-faqs/

Check out our Viewer Guide to read more about the show and artists, and get family activities, games, and recipes   https://www.trinityrep.com/app/uploads/2020/12/ACC-viewer-guide-2020.pdf

A Christmas Carol Online = Unlimited free streaming through Jan. 10

A Christmas Carol OnlineUnlimited free streaming through Jan. 10



"Travel bans are an overly simplistic solution"

Dr. Angela Rasmussen (@angie_rasmussen) tweeted at 10:50 AM on Wed, Dec 23, 2020:
"Travel bans are an overly simplistic solution to new variants with potentially new properties & reflect a superficial understanding of viral mutation. They are also a missed opportunity to educate people with more nuance. My latest for the @guardian."
https://twitter.com/angie_rasmussen/status/1341773116549132300
 
"We can probably expect to see other variants that may be more effective at spreading, causing disease or circumventing our immune responses. We must be prepared to respond in an informed and thoughtful way, rather than reactively. Unfortunately, because Sars-CoV-2 is spreading so widely, the virus has many opportunities to develop mutations that give it a competitive advantage. The only way to stop the virus from mutating is to take away its ability to replicate, which means drastically reducing community transmission.

Mutations do not automatically make a virus a more exceptional pathogen. The advantages conferred by positively selected viral mutations are good for the virus, but aren’t necessarily always bad for the human host. Many mutations can make the virus better at infecting cells, replicating, or transmitting to new hosts, but will have no effect on the severity or type of disease that they cause. In the case of B.1.1.7, there is fortunately no indication that the 23 mutations distinguishing the variant result in more severe Covid-19"
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/23/travel-bans-effective-new-covid-variant

"Commuter Rail lines will continue to operate on the Reduced Service Schedule"

All Commuter Rail lines will continue to operate on the Reduced Service Schedule on weekdays through Friday, January 8th, due to Covid-19 impact in communities and in the workforce. Weekend trains will operate on regular schedule.

Reduced Service Schedule is available from MBTA.com/cr and at South Station, North Station and Back Bay.

Bikes will be allowed on board all trains.

We will be reviewing staff numbers on a weekly basis to determine when we can be confident of being able to restore the full service.


Last Updated: Dec 23 2020 12:09 PM 

 

"Commuter Rail lines will continue to operate on the Reduced Service Schedule"
"Commuter Rail lines will continue to operate on the Reduced Service Schedule"