Google’s DoubleClick Deal Brings Greater Focus on Privacy

Nearly lost in the news about the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s approval on Thursday of Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick was another action by the agency: the publication of a proposed set of privacy principles governing online behavioral advertising.

The release of the privacy principles is an important and welcome step, said Peter Swire, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, and a law professor at Ohio State University. Although some privacy groups blasted the FTC for approving Google’s DoubleClick deal, the acquisition has helped place focus on the entire online advertising industry’s privacy practices, Swire said.

“It’s good that the FTC is shining a spotlight on this industry,” Swire said Friday. “Online advertising is in its second boom. They’re trying lots of new techniques; some of those techniques have privacy problems.” Read more

Verizon, Internet REIT settle cybersquatting suit

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Verizon Communications Inc said on Friday it has settled its lawsuit against Internet REIT, a seller of Internet domain addresses.
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The agreement bars Internet REIT from registering or using names that are identical or “confusingly similar” to Verizon’s trademark. Internet REIT will also pay Verizon an undisclosed sum.

Tip Eating Fast Food, pizza and hamburger

The suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine on making healthier fast-food choices, make this tips:

1. Order pizza with less cheese, and add veggie toppings.
2. A hamburger with a plain beef patty plus lettuce and tomato is a healthier choice. Skip the cheese and sauces, and don’t get a side of fries.
3. Order child-sized or a half sandwich, with lean meats and lots of vegetables, whole grain bread, and without mayonnaise and other sauces.
4. Try salads with light or fat-free dressings or lemon juice — skip the bacon and creamy dressings.
5. As a general rule, stay away from heavily breaded or fried dishes, as well as creams, dressings and sauces.

Nutrition Consultants: Tips and Healthy Facts, Food & Nutrition Columnist

Tips and Harlthy Facts

Health often takes a back seat over the holidays as we shop, visit friends and rush from party to party, indulging in all those once-a-year goodies. I’m no party-booper suggesting you munch on carrot sticks while all about you are sipping eggnog. But, keep your health in mind when you reach for the second helpings or a third cookie. Here are some interesting healthy facts to chew on instead of a second helping.

We really need to slim down. In 2007 the U.S. ranked number 9 out of 194 countries with 74% of the population over age 15 weighing too much.

The best health foods you can buy are: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lowfat milk. Eat them daily.
Read more

Fire Safety Tips in Holiday Season

Fire never takes a holiday and fire safety in the home begins tips with you. The New York City Fire Department reminds us of the dangers inherent in the season’s celebrations.

“During this holiday season as well as throughout the year, our primary message, first, last and always is prevention,” Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said in a press release. “If you remove the fire hazards from your home you can limit the risk to yourself, your family, your neighbors and to firefighters. By following a few simple safety procedures New Yorkers can stay safe and enjoy a joyous holiday season.”

•Make sure you have a working smoke detector on every level of your home.

•If you buy a tree, choose a freshly cut one. Remember that live trees need water and that you must check the water level in the tree stand and refill the water often. Read more

Tips for buying the right exercise equipment, budget and amount

Before you invest in any piece of equipment, remember that all you really need to get started is a pair of comfortable walking shoes and some willpower. If you do decide to buy exercise equipment, consider your exercise goals first. Other considerations include your budget and the amount of space available for using and storing the equipment. When you think you’re ready to buy, follow these guidelines:

Keep what you like to do in mind. If you hate taking the stairs, a stair-stepper isn’t going to change your habits. A treadmill might be a better option.

1. Because many types of equipment require a sizable outlay of money, look for the one that offers the most complete workout. If you’re setting up a home gym, a good strategy is to devote the bulk of your budget to a good quality cardiovascular machine. Supplement that with less expensive strength training pieces, such as dumbbells and resistance bands. Read more

Actually recipe: Try these tips to a healthier home

By Lou Manfredini
TODAYShow.com contributor

Warmth, moisture, and plenty of food might sound like the ingredients to a perfect vacation spot, but they’re actually the perfect recipe for the growth of mildew and mold. Mold is alive, but it’s not a plant or an animal. It’s a fungus. There are hundreds and hundreds of different strains of mold and many serve good purposes and have helped create medicines that we use every day. But harmful mold strains are the ones we don’t want in our lives and when the levels are too high, that’s when our health can suffer.

Twenty-five years ago mold in our homes was not that big of an issue. The reason was that homes were not as tight and as efficient as they are now. As architects and builders we succeeded in lowering energy bills, but we also helped to create other issues, like mildew and mold. For most of us it’s the mildew and mold we see in the bathroom, especially where the tub meets the walls. This can be controlled by regular cleaning with a scrub brush and using the right caulking. Look for latex and silicon caulks with additives like Microban® or Bio-Seal™. These Read more

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