S2W4 Wednesday: Zynga, Nasdaq hacked; Social gaming addiction; Computer Flashback

1. Zynga, Nasdaq Hacked

 Here are a couple of stories that caught my eye. Firstly, the company Zynga, responsible for such gaming powerhouses as Farmville and Petville got hacked. The individual stole a whoping 400 billion in virtual poker tokens which amounts to about $12 million in real life. He then proceeded to try and fence these off to others to monetise his theft. Doesn't say much for Zynga security. 

http://www.businessinsider.com/zynga-hacked-12-million-stolen-2011-2

 From virtual casinos to a "real" one, the Nasdaq technology stock bourse (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System) has also been hacked 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/05/nasdaq-hackers-idUSN0514862120110205

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2. Social Gaming Addiction

Here is a story which is cause for concern:

http://blog.games.com/2010/10/28/farmville-facebook-gaming-addiction-runs-rampant-the-years-he/

 

Here some statistics from a different article:

• More young children know how to play a computer game (58%) than swim (20%) or ride a bike (52%)
• 28% of young children can make a mobile phone call, but only 20% know to dial 911 in case of an emergency
• 69% of children aged 2-5 can operate a computer mouse, but only 11% can tie their own shoelaces

 Here is the article from zdnet.com:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/feeds/social-gaming-the-popularity-the-kids-the-concerns/3503

Please leave a comment about your thoughts on gaming addiction, in particular on social network gaming. Have you been exposed to it? In what ways?

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3. Computer Flashback

Here's a look back in time to the computers of yesteryear. Would you like one of these or a new iPhone 4? Many of these would sell at a premium today because they are collectors items:

http://www.topdesignmag.com/oldest-computer-ads/

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