Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Essential Items for On-Site Tech Jobs
This
blog post at TechRepublic sugggests ten things every tech should carry when troubleshooting problems at a client site. The point is to travel with more than you'll need, to demonstrate professionalism and promote a positive image for your company. First on the list is
CCleaner, the freeware optimization tool, but it also includes more mundane items: pen and paper, and snacks!
posted by Chris # 7:59 AM
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Apple's A4 Chip
This is an interesting
article in the New York Times about an under-reported aspect of Apple's new iPad: the fact that its core processor was designed by Apple itself. It's another way in which Apple is breaking new ground in IT, since chip design is usually left to the microprocessor manufacturers. Apple's DIY approach lets it build faster, more battery-friendly devices while also keeping the details secret.
posted by Chris # 7:25 AM
Monday, February 01, 2010
Flash and the iPad
Some are criticizing the designers of Apple's new iPad for deciding not to support Adobe's Flash (which is also a missing link on the iPhone). Apple claims Flash is too slow and too power hungry, while also vulnerable to viruses and other malware. The decision may not matter much in the end, since many sites are moving toward the HTML5 video format. You can read more
here.
posted by Chris # 7:59 AM
Friday, January 29, 2010
IT Jobs Outlook
According to this
blog post at TechRepublic, the outlook for 2010 is either dire or slightly positive, depending on whom you ask. The Hackett Group is recommending that US companies fill new positions by going overseas, but Goldman Sachs predicts a 4% rise in IT spending. IDC and Gartner also see a slight uptick this year, with demand for cloud-oriented experts and network engineers.
posted by Chris # 7:10 AM
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Endless Demand for Bandwidth
This
article in The New York Times wonders how telecommunications networks will cope with Apple's new iPad tablet computer. AT&T reports that wireless data use has increased nearly 7,000 percent since late 2006, and adding another data-hungry device to the mix may mean serious performance problems for an already overburdened system.
posted by Chris # 8:59 AM
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Learning Math Anxiety?
A new report claims that female teachers who are insecure about their math skills can transfer that attitude to their female students. The study was based on first- and second-grade elementary school teachers, and found that the transference isn't determined by a teacher's knowledge of the subject, but by their feeling about the discipline. You can read more
here.
posted by Chris # 9:02 AM
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Why Oracle Wanted Sun
If you want the inside scoop on Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems, check this
article at Information Week. It presents ten good reasons for the Sun acquisition, starting with the opportunity to attract new customers, the potential for expanded revenue, the desire to shake up the IT landscape and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison's genuine love for Sun technology. It's an interesting analysis.
posted by Chris # 9:07 AM
Monday, January 25, 2010
Web Sites for the Dearly Departed
This is an interesting
article in the Washington Post about a new niche for Web services, intended to support the work of digital executors. Companies like
Legacy Locker store passwords and account information, and even let users draft emails that will be sent after their death. Some feel there's a cyber crisis in the making here, since most ISP policies bar access to user data, without a court order.
posted by Chris # 7:54 AM
Friday, January 22, 2010
There's an App for That...
A US filmmaker used an iPhone first aid application to help him treat his head wound and compound leg fracture after being trapped in a collapsed hotel in Port-au-Prince. And he guarded against shock by setting the phone's alarm to go off every 20 minutes, so he wouldn't fall asleep. He was found yesterday by a French rescue team, after 65 hours in the rubble. You can't make
this stuff up.
posted by Chris # 8:08 AM
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Human Side of Passwords
Researchers inspecting a file of 32 million stolen passwords report that despite years of being warned, most people still use passwords that are simple and easy to guess. The single most common password was 123456, followed immediately by 12345 and then by 123456789. Given these patterns, brute force password hacking is a lot easier than many people think. Read more
here.
posted by Chris # 8:21 AM
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Awake? Probably On Line
A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that the average young American now spends virtually every waking minute (except for school) engaged with some kind of electronic device. Those aged 8 to 18 spend seven and a half hours a day in this fashion, and the study also associates heavy media use with behavior problems and lower grades. You can read more
here.
posted by Chris # 7:46 AM
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Top Tech Skills for 2010
The Global Knowledge/TechRepublic 2010 Salary Survey, conducted at that end of last year, asked respondents to name the skills they would need most in the year ahead. The answers hit on perennial favorites, like security and network administration, but also showed a need for cloud computing and Web development. And business analysis made a comeback! You can read more
here.
posted by Chris # 11:27 AM
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Lock that Says "Pick Me"
This is an interesting
article in the New York Times on the state of computer security, given Google's recent confrontation with Chinese-based hackers. Such assaults are becoming more common and more sophisticated, and even the best defenses may be vulnerable. The public and private sector spend billions each year on security, but the black hats seem to be gaining ground.
posted by Chris # 8:43 AM
Friday, January 15, 2010
Giving Via Cellphone
In the past few days, millions of dollars have been routed toward Haiti relief through services like Twitter and Facebook. The American Red Cross alone has raised $5 million this way, so it's a good chunk of the $35 million they've collected so far. Philanthropy experts believe the text-messaging approach could have a lasting impact on the charity world. You can read more
here.
posted by Chris # 10:00 AM
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Singularity University
This is an interesting
article at Business Week On-Line about a new educational program that explores the potential impact of robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and other cutting-edge disciplines. It wants professionals to come away with a sense of where opportunities lie, as well as the dangers of failing to prepare for "disruptive innovations."
posted by Chris # 8:19 AM
