No, that's not an error in the headline. With new developments scheduled for 2010, the Internet will really go global.

(That's Arabic, by the way).

Here is the rundown:

Countries will be able to reserve national domain names in their own native language. Individuals will be able to apply for a domain consisting of entirely non-Latin characters. This will facilitate the global reach of the Internet to non-Western countries.

Here is an excerpt from ArsTechnica on the switch:

"To those of us who have been using Latin domains for our entire lives, the change may seem superficial, but many believe that it will be a major step in reaching more Internet users. Though English and other European languages are indeed popular in Asian countries, for example, there are still millions of people who only speak their native language and find themselves limited by the Internet."

This was made possible because of a vote by ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

ICANN predicts this will attract billions of people, many of which don't use Latin characters in their lives daily.

For more information:

ICANN Web site: http://www.icann.org/

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Angel Sierra is the Digital Production Coordinator at Sauk Valley Newspapers. Find something interesting in the world of science and technology? You can to write to him at asierra@svnmail.com. Your topic may be discussed in an upcoming blog!

Now, I must start off by clearly stating that I'm not a medical doctor, nor do I pretend to be. The advice offered below are suggestions compiled from sources related to the health habits of computer users.

If you are in severe pain, shut this off and get to a hospital immediately.

If you aren't holding your side in bouts of agony, please continue reading ...

Listen to your body

... not the newest webcast of your favorite YouTube personality.

For some Internet users it may be difficult to step away from your terminal, even for just a few minutes. Health complications and the result of pushing oneself to the limit on a computer is cause for great concern.

This happens to me frequently: I find myself in the middle of a task, finish it and continue on to the next without a break. One thing leads to the next ... the next thing you know you are grabbing at your neck and your legs have gone numb.

It used to be that this was a nagging recurrence for secretaries and administrative professionals, clerks and accountants, and other sit-down vocations only, but it hasn't been bound by this rule for the better part of two decades.

The speed of information has been both a blessing, and a curse. Especially when it concerns your health.

Here are few pointers I've picked up along the way.

Don't multitask - (Or do it and make yourself takes breaks). This article suggests it causes an increased rate in burnout, anxiety and depression. It is studied and reviewed by behaviorial scientists, and is gaining more attention.

Another article states that the brain never multitasks, it only appears so. Human thought operates at speed many times that of the faster super computers today; the mind serializes these tasks. This requires a lot of computing power, and wears it down.

Track time - You keep a budget for household expenses, entertainment, even the new plaid socks you've been wanting to get. But what about time? Keeping track of time at the office and at home is especially important to increase productiveness, and practice active time management skills. Keep a journal or sticky to monitor the time it takes to run to the finish spreadsheet you've put off until now.

Five minutes is five minutes. By the end of the week, five minutes a day lost adds up to 25 minutes you could have been doing something else, like shopping for those plaid socks.

This helps if you develop a schedule for your week (if possible), and allot time for breaks throughout. A happy worker is a productive worker.

Ergonomize your workstation - There are hundreds of solutions available online. Amazon.com and other shopping web sites have plenty of resources for purchasing support for your work area. Wrist and hand reinforcements, neck pillows and seat cushions help.

Sleep - No, not at your desk. At home.

Please visit a medical doctor to address sleep disorders. I would offer my advice on this, but it may be dangerous to your health.

Sleep is not overrated. If anything, it is probably the single-most powerful activity affecting your daily life, emotionally and physically, that one can control directly, yet we have so much trouble doing so.

I read into a fad called polyphasic sleep, which is designed to reduce overall rest time by requiring one to sleep the "core" hours at night, but only for about three hours. Then, throughout the day, hit the sack for naps of about thirty minutes at longest length.

This doesn't work!

The healing part of sleep that keeps the mind and body functioning is R.E.M. If you short yourself this you might as well not have bothered with it to begin with. Sleep is hard-wired into human biology. Adults need at least seven to eight hours.

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Stretch out whenever possible if sitting for long periods. When reading content on a computer screen, focus on a object at a distance for a few moments. Remember to blink. A conscious effort will go a long way. Blinking keeps your eyes hydrated. If needed, carry and use eye drops to refresh them.

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Find help online: Can you catch up on lost sleep? (Scientific American)  ~  Computer Workstation Ergonomics (CDC)  ~  Ergonomics for Computer Workstations (NIH)   ~  Keeping Track of Time (MIT)

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Angel Sierra is the Digital Production Coordinator at Sauk Valley Newspapers. Find something interesting in the world of science and technology? You can to write to him at asierra@svnmail.com. Your topic may be discussed in an upcoming blog!

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the three, most-hyped phones appearing on the market.

Click here for the original article.

Social networking has many uses: friendship, dating, business, worship, gossip ... but what about law enforcement?

Oregon Police Department has done a great job of keeping the public informed through the use of Twitter, a micro-blogging site that allows updates of up to 140 characters.

Here is a recent post from @Oregonpd:

Res Burglary 10/19/09 200 Blk S 9th St between 2p-4p younger (around 19) short to med brn hair, heavier and wearing a red plaid jacket.

Pretty easy to understand, right? Res = Residential. Blk = Block. And instantaneously, faster than you can say MySpace Music, the entire list of followers is alerted and can respond by direct message to @Oregonpd, or by the method directed in the update.

Another:

Reminder the detour route will be in effect for Sunday from 12p-4p for Autumn on Parade. No parking signs will be posted.

In this case, Oregon PD issued an alert and reminder.

Why is this cool?

1) It's free: Twitter accounts cost nothing to set up.

2) More and more businesses are using this tool for promotion and marketing (which means good deals for you!)

3) It allows alerts to be sent to a mobile device. Texting charges apply (from your carrier). You receive an update where ever and when ever.

IMHO, one becomes part of a larger culture. It's fun to watch your friends update their goings-on. In the case of a responsible citizen, sign up for police updates.

Imagine where this could go ... Twitter is just one example.

How about Facebook, MySpace, Yelp, or LinkedIn. Community members could create community watch groups online, start city council Facebook fan groups and upload minutes, or connect with local restaurant owners and reviewers on Yelp.

Need a career boost? They say it's not what you know, but who you know ... LinkedIn is like Facebook for professionals in all industries.

We can say @Oregonpd is on the right track. It's a step forward toward.

If you feel other agencies need to step up to the plate, let them know!

Write to them, share your opinion, and inform them of your concerns and/or ideas.

If we respectfully communicate our feelings, they will be willing to listen.

Again, good job, @Oregonpd.

The Oregon Police Department Twitter blog can be found here:
http://twitter.com/Oregonpd

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Angel Sierra is the Digital Production Coordinator at Sauk Valley Newspapers. Find something interesting in the world of science and technology? You can to write to him at asierra@svnmail.com. Your topic may be discussed in an upcoming blog!