Technology Slice Blog

How to File Income Taxes Electronically - If you’re watching the mail waiting for the income tax forms and paperwork you’ve always received in past years – don’t. Taxpayers will not receive those paper income tax packages containing the forms, schedules and instructions for filing paper income tax returns in the mail this year. The IRS stopped mailing them because of the continued growth in electronic filing, the availability of free options for taxpayers and to help reduce costs. Taxpayers can still get the necessary forms and instructions online at IRS.gov or by visiting local IRS offices or participating libraries and post offices. Individuals making $49,000 or less can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for free tax preparation and, in many cases, free electronic filing. Individuals age 60 and older can take advantage of free tax counseling and basic income tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly. IRS Free File provides options for free brand-na...

Childhood Obesity a Serious Concern - Child obesity is considered a very serious problem by nearly 60 percent of the registered California voters surveyed as part of a Field Poll released Tuesday, marking an increase from 46 percent eight years ago. Seventy percent of those surveyed strongly support high school students being enrolled in gym for four years, and 61 percent strongly support keeping school athletic facilities open outside school hours. The study was sponsored by The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation that focuses on underserved communities. "Voters are saying that all California families deserve access to healthy, affordable foods and opportunities for physical activity, and they're 100 percent right," said Dr. Robert K. Ross, president and CEO of the endowment. The telephone survey of 1,005 Californians was conducted in October and funded by endowment. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent. Nearly o...

SpaceX Falcon 9 Shuttle set to Launch - The private spaceflight company SpaceX is poised to launch its rocket and new commercial space capsule on its inaugural test flight tomorrow (Dec. 8), following a 24-hour delay due to cracks on one of the rocket engine's nozzles, NASA officials confirmed. The company's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space capsule are set to lift off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 40 here in Florida tomorrow morning. The launch window will open at 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) and close at 12:22 p.m. EST (1722 GMT). The test flight of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft was originally planned for Dec. 7, but the launch was delayed after two cracks were found in the aft end of the second-stage engine nozzle extension of the Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX engineers worked overnight to fix the nozzle, and the decision to launch Wednesday was announced Tuesday evening. SpaceX Falcon 9 Shuttle set to Launch

Muzzammil Hassan Murder Trial - The judge in former television executive Muzzammil Hassan's murder trial tried to tell him that acting as his own lawyer to defend against charges he cut his wife's head off was a bad idea. At first, the judge denied Hassan's request outright, relenting only after Hassan and the lawyer he wanted to replace persisted. "He does have the right to steer his own ship," Erie County Court Judge Thomas Franczyk finally said, "even if, unwittingly, he steers it into an iceberg." Hassan was convicted Monday of second-degree murder. During trial, he failed to convince jurors that he'd only decapitated his estranged wife after stabbing her dozens of times because she'd abused him for years and he was afraid of her. Hassan, who was born in Pakistan and was known as Mo, fired three lawyers and replaced a fourth with himself, keeping the fourth as an adviser because he was required to by law. He joins the ranks of Washin...

Sienna Miller Jude Law Split - They were hot and heavy over the summer, and still vacationing together after Christmas, but perhaps winter iced over this relationship: Jude Law and Sienna Miller have split up, PEOPLE has learned. "It is mutual and amicable and they are still friends," a friend of the actors says. According to the friend, the pair separated several weeks ago. "It was an entirely an end-of-the relationship decision," the friend says. "It had run its course." Adds a rep for Law: "I can confirm that Jude Law and Sienna Miller are no longer in a relationship." The actors got engaged in Christmas 2004. But they parted in 2006. They reunited in the fall of 2009 and have been dating ever since. Sienna Miller Jude Law Split

Crowell Puppy Next Uga - Many recruiting analysts said prior to the start of signing day that Georgia needed to land top running back Isaiah Crowell to turn a good recruiting class into a very, very good one. As of a few minutes ago, mission officially accomplished. In a press conference that will be most remembered for a (live) prop utilized by the recruit, Crowell announced that, as expected, he will stay in-state and become a member of the Georgia Bulldogs. And, in a twist, he brought out a live bulldog puppy as part of his announcement. Crowell had also been considering Alabama, which would’ve made the whole “live baby animal” theme very interesting if he’d have chosen the Crimson Tide. The Columbus, Ga., product was rated as the No. 4 RB in the country according to Rivals — No. 1 according to Scout.com and ESPN. He’s the only running back in UGA’s 2011 recruiting class, making his signature on a Letter of Intent all the more important. Crowell Puppy Next Uga

Kanye West Phone Phobia - Kanye West doesn't use phones, according to Justin Bieber. The rapper and the pop star worked together on a remix of his track 'Runaway Love', which will be included on Justin's new LP 'Never Say Never - The Remixes', but the 16-year-old singer insists the creative process was made harder due to Kanye's reluctance to speak on any telephone. He said: "It's funny, because he doesn't even use a phone, he just sends email. It's so crazy. I'm like, 'How can you not use a phone?' " Despite his aversion to telephone chats, Justin insists it was great working with Kanye because he was such a talented and "nice" guy to be around. He added to MTV News: "He reproduced the 'Runaway' joint, and I'm really excited. "It was amazing. He's such a cool guy, and he's just really laid back and just nice, and at the end of the day, he's just a nice person." K...

Lady Gaga and Anderson Cooper - Lady Gaga has come a long way since the days when she was just aspiring singer/songwriter Stefani Germanotta, so in her "60 Minutes" interview, the superstar tries to give viewers peak at what life was like before the fame. In a clip from her interview with Anderson Cooper, which is set to air on Sunday, Gaga goes back to her old New York City apartment. In the beginning of the teaser clip, Gaga and Cooper stand outside of her old building. "How long did you live here for?" Cooper asks, to which she replies, "About three years." Gaga then attempts to enter her former apartment by pressing all of the buttons, hoping someone will buzz her in. "We're going to do it the New York way ... someone will listen." While they do get inside the building, the current tenant in Gaga's old studio declines to even open the door because of the "60 Minutes" camera crew. So instead, the superstar goes through...

Redecorate Your Kids' Rooms - Redecorating your kids' room can be very rewarding, and simple to do. There are cheap and easy options to give the room a bit more life. Buying new bed sheets can spruce up the room. Themed bed sheets are easy to find. For example you could get barbie bed sheets for a girl or superman bed sheets for a boy. A quick paint job can add a whole new look. Painting is easy and cheap. Painting one room will only take half a day. If painting isn't for you, wall paper can be a good change. Again, you can get themed wall paper for your kids. Winnie the pooh is popular for kids under 5. A new bit of furniture is also good for a change. It doesn't have to be big. Maybe a new bedside table of a new book shelf. Redecorate Your Kids' Rooms

Tips to Plan a Romantic Getaway - Sometimes we need to take a time out from life's pressures and treat ourselves, and our partners to a romantic getaway. Romantic getaways are easy to plan. Here are a few tips. More expensive does not necessarily mean better. There are some out of the way spots that are very romantic that won't cost the world. These are hard to find so research before booking anything is essential. Following from the tip above, don't be a cheap skate. Romantic getaways are few and far between so spend that extra dollar if you have to to ensure you have a getaway you won't soon forget. Make it a surprise. Surprises are always exciting. Don't tell your partner until the last second, but make sure they haven't made other commitments that might stop them from going. Tips to Plan a Romantic Getaway

Michael Vick Dallas Confrontation Dog Owner - Did a radio host cross the line by confronting quarterback Michael Vick about one of his former fighting dogs? Radio host/standup comic Richard Hunter, who says he adopted one of Vick”s former fighting dogs, posted a video of what appears to be a confrontation with Vick’s entourage after the quarterback was presented with the key to Dallas before Super Bowl XLV. In the video, Hunter of 1190 AM Dallas/Fort Worth asks Vick to answer questions and look at a picture of “Mel” the dog. He appears to be cursed and pushed around by Vick’s bodyguards one of whom says: “We don’t care about the dog.” Michael Vick Dallas Confrontation Dog Owner

Matt Lewis Quits AOL - No doubt having read the news that Politics Daily and some other branches of AOL's online network were going to get killed off after the merger with the Huffington Post, conservative columnist Matt Lewis announced today on his blog that he's jumping ship to Tucker Carlson's site, the Daily Caller. But it wasn't just the impending demise of his site. It was the spirit of the thing. "I have no personal issue with Ms. Huffington, and that I am not a 'Huff-hater,'" he wrote. "However ... it occurs to me that AOL has vastly underestimated the public perception (I would argue the accurate impression) that Huffington is a far-left liberal. Obviously, I am more than happy to write for a mainstream news outlet where differing opinions are allowed to flourish, but I am less comfortable with the notion of being permanently affiliated with an overtly left-of-center (sometimes activist) outlet." Lewis isn't off base — the heart...

Glee Tour 2011 Dates - Get psyched, Gleeks, because the cast of 'Glee' is heading back out on the road this summer. In 2010, the New Directions crew sold out a short five-city run, and now they're back to perform in much bigger venues for a new 16-city North American tour. 'Glee Live! In Concert!' will kick off on May 21 in Las Vegas, and wrap up on June 18 in Uniondale, N.Y. The tour has definitely received an upgrade, as the cast will hit arenas this time around instead of theaters. Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin Hale, Amber Riley, Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris and Harry Shum, Jr., will all take the stage, and newcomers Darren Criss and Chord Overstreet will be performing with the ensemble, too. "Joining the cast of 'Glee' has been an amazing, rewarding and humbling experience all at once," Darren said. "On top of all of that, I'm fortunate to play such a strong and inter...

Aaron Rodgers on David Letterman - Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers admitted he was holding his breath when the team kicked off late in the fourth quarter and that the team "lucked out" when the Steelers were penalized on the play. The travel-weary QB, fresh from winning the Super Bowl MVP in Texas and appearing in a ticker-tape parade at Disney World, stopped by CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" Monday night to talk about the game. Watch: Aaron Rodgers Talks to David Letterman He told Letterman that after the Packers were held to a field goal in their final drive, he was nervous. "I'm a little worried about special teams. Every time we kick off, I kind of hold my breath," he said, citing "too many bad memories" of losing momentum with a long kickoff return by the opposing team. But he said he breathed a sigh of relief when the Steelers were flagged for a personal foul. "We lucked out," he said. ...

Katy Perry Smurfette - Katy Perry has revealed that her role as the voice of a Smurfette is a perfect fit as she feels her life is a lot like a cartoon. "The Smurfs movie was really fun for me cause a lot of times, you know, 360 days out of the year I feel like a cartoon. So I thought playing a cartoon was a natural thing to do," she said in an interview from Mexico. "With 'The Smurfs' I get to walk into the studio and I can be in my pajamas and I make a really cute little voice, which is kind of a mixture of my voice and a little voice," she said. Katy Perry Smurfette

Lindsay Lohan Superman TMZ - In this week's weird casting rumour, TMZ claims that occasional actress Lindsay Lohan is being considered for the upcoming Superman reboot film. According to TMZ, Lohan has been talking to producers of Superman for several weeks, with the goal of landing a part in the big-budget action flick. Insiders say the part is not that of Lois Lane, but it would still be a "major character." Of course, the main problem is the actress's alleged involvement in stealing a necklace worth $2,500 US from a jewelry store in Venice, California, last month. TMZ broke the news that the Los Angeles Police Department will charge Lohan with felony grand theft on Friday, which could hinder the starlet's plans for a big comeback. However, Lohan's lawyer maintains her client's innocence. "We vehemently deny these allegations and, if charges are filed, we will fight them in court, not in the press," Shawn Chapman Holley said in a stateme...

Ken Olsen Dies - Kenneth Olsen, a computer industry pioneer and co-founder of Digital Equipment Corp., has died. He was 84. His death Sunday was announced by Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., where he was a trustee and benefactor. The college did not release a cause of death. DEC, which Olsen launched in 1957, is considered an icon in technology circles today. The company attracted top engineers and helped usher in a technology revolution that changed the way people interact with computers. In the 1960s and 1970s, Digital played a central role in creating the market for "minicomputers," powerful, refrigerator-sized machines that appealed to scientists, engineers and other number crunchers who did not need the bigger, multimillion-dollar mainframes used by big corporations. At its peak in the 1980s, DEC was the second-largest computer maker behind International Business Machines Corp. "In the heady days of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's too easy to forget tha...

Balthazar Getty - J. Paul Getty III, the grandson of the billionaire oil tycoon who shared his name, has died in Britain. He was 54. His son, actor Balthazar Getty, confirmed Tuesday that his father died Saturday surrounded by his family at his English mansion in Buckinghamshire, northwest of London. The cause of death was not disclosed. According to Britain's Telegraph newspaper, Getty was expelled from seven schools. He was branded "the Golden Hippie" by the press due to his bohemian lifestyle, left-wing friends and long red locks. His grandfather, J. Paul Getty, founded the Getty Oil Company. He was reputedly the world's richest man when he died in 1976. Balthazar Getty

Most Hated Jobs - Most people work to earn a living, but some really can't stand their jobs. Below is a list of the most hated jobs. Stock Traders - They are seen as making a lot of money without deserving it. Tax Examiners - They are always greeted with hostility. Politicians - Most can not give you the name of one honest politician. Lawyers - Often referred to as blood suckers. Traffic Wardens - Most would like to strangle them as they write you a ticket. Most Hated Jobs

Flu Vaccine Kill All Strains - Scientists at Oxford University have successfully tested a universal flu vaccine that could work against all known strains of the illness, taking a significant step in the fight against a disease that affects billions of people each year. The treatment – using a new technique and tested for the first time on humans infected with flu – targets a different part of the flu virus to traditional vaccines, meaning it does not need expensive reformulation every year to match the most prevalent virus that is circulating the world. Developed by a team led by Dr Sarah Gilbert at Oxford's Jenner Institute, the vaccine targets proteins inside the flu virus that are common across all strains, instead of those that sit on the virus's external coat, which are liable to mutate. If used widely a universal flu vaccine could prevent pandemics, such as the swine flu outbreaks of recent years, and end the need for a seasonal flu jab. "The problem with fl...