confession

Tech-savvy dads: We're geeks and proud of it

Who hasn't called their dad a geek or nerd at some point, right? The thing is, while those monikers might have been an insult or cause for embarrassment back in the day, today, they're a badge of honor for many tech-savvy dads out there.

According to a survey sponsored by Cisco Home Networking Business (who knew Cisco was in the business of geek dads?), these self-proclaimed nerds are eager to pass on their high-tech knowledge to their sons and daughters. And get this: instead of retreating to their rooms and slamming their doors in that special way only angst-ridden teens can, the kids are into it, giving both parties an opportunity to spend more time together.

The survey, called "Confessions of a Geek Dad" and conducted by Answers Research, asked 590 "tech-savvy" men between the ages of 25 to 54, with children ages 17 and under, about their technology habits as it relates to their interaction with kids and other family members. … Read more

Confessions of a cell phone designer

Editors' note: Today's post is the second in a two-part series. Yesterday's blog post, "The birth of a cell phone," explains the difficult dance between the carrier and phone maker that ends with a new cell phone in the carrier's lineup (and hopefully applause all around). Today's post takes a closer look at that relationship. None of the sources in this series is an official spokesperson, and all wished to remain anonymous.

What does it take to bring a cell phone to life? As I quickly discovered, there's a lot going on beneath the surface. … Read more

Vatican: No, you can't confess to your iPhone

Some may call it the "Jesus Phone," but the Vatican is seeking to remind the faithful that there are limits to mixing the sacraments with technology--even when it comes to the iPhone.

A new application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch that lists sins to be taken to the confessional earned a cautionary warning from the Vatican today. Actually, it wasn't so much the app getting a rebuke as it was the hype that accompanied it.

When it debuted earlier in the month, the $1.99 application, Confession: A Roman Catholic App, was described as preparation for Catholic confession and the ''perfect aid for every penitent."

Users create password-protected profiles and then go through a series of soul-searching questions related to the Ten Commandments. The app displays sins along with a written act of contrition for the penitent. It also lets users log "custom sins" and create "custom examinations of conscience."

Prayers stored in the app include such classics as the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed, and Hail Mary.

After Kevin Rhodes of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana gave the app an imprimatur, the story turned viral, with some articles referring to the app as a "virtual priest." But in a statement put out by the Vatican, Father Federico Lombardi was quoted reminding Catholics that absolution requires a personal dialogue between penitents and the confessor. … Read more

Catholic Church approves Confession app

Get ready for the iPhone spiritual coach. The Catholic Church in the U.S. has approved an app that prepares Catholics for confession.

Confession: A Roman Catholic App is designed to make confession easier for Christians. Developer Little iApps bills it as "the perfect aid for every penitent."

It offers users a step-by-step guide to the Rite of Penance and is meant to be used in a church confessional. It's not a substitute for a priest.

Users create password-protected profiles and then go through a series of soul-searching questions related to the Ten Commandments. For the First … Read more

Court attempts to hide FBI threats to innocent man's family

An open government is central to democracy; most people would argue that certain information must be kept secret to protect national security and to preserve privacy rights, but the government should not be able to remove important details simply because they might make them look bad. In Higazy v. Templeton, a recent case before the U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd circuit, the decision was posted on the web last Thursday, but removed almost immediately.

During the brief time the opinion was online, Howard Bashman from How Appealing managed to save a copy that he has posted online.

After being … Read more