In addition to the mammoth demand growth factor is the fact that bandwidth-hogging applications like YouTube and other multimedia streaming sources are causing bandwidth to slow down as well.

What does all of this mean? It means that the Internet would not be fast enough for much beyond maybe checking email. Feature-rich web pages would churn slowly on your screen. It would take many minutes to log onto your online bank account to check your balance. In effect, it would be like the days when we had to use analog modems to connect to the Internet. One potential concern resulting from eventuality would be that operating system (Microsoft Windows, Mac, etc.) and other business and home application patches and updates would be slowed down, as would be antivirus definitions, etc.

How else could it affect you? If you are now enjoying the high speed of your Internet connection, enjoy it while you can. But beyond that, businesses that have begun to depend on the Internet could be forced to do business the old fashioned way using snail mail, faxing and other resources to send and receive information around the world. Imagine a world without the ability to download movies or music and where the act of researching information on Wikipedia would be slowed to a crawl. All of this and the other myriad of website applications that you enjoy now would be challenging to view.

What is being done? There are several options being looked into right now. US companies and those in the UK are busy right now in an effort to upgrade infrastructure, cabling and supercomputers to expand the capabilities of the Internet. There is also talk about planning a very fast parallel network called “The Grid.” Other consultants are conferring on the idea of creating systems for “caching” (storing frequently requested information) on servers in the cloud rather than having the Internet deliver information on demand as it is needed.

The bottom line - there is nothing for the average user to do at this point. Keeping informed as to the possibilities that might occur will help you understand the ‘whys’ behind any major slowdowns that you might face in the near future. Technology has accomplished amazing feats in the last 20 years, and the hope is that something will be devised and implemented quickly to maintain the instant, any time access to information and entertainment that we all need and desire. That is what makes the Internet such an important resource for us all.

Content by Managed Services Provider University

We are always on the watch for the ‘next best thing’ when it comes to technology and the Internet. Certainly no one can doubt that the next generation of the Internet (known as Web 2.0) has had a dramatic affect on how people interact and connect with each other - both from an individual standpoint and a business one.

Another emerging concept that has the power to change how we perform tasks is taking place before us as well, and it is called ‘cloud computing.’ Simply put, it is the ability to use resources and tools via the Internet without actually owning or being near them. The only requirement is to be able to access them.

The term ‘cloud’ is used to indicate the whole of computing services accessible via the Internet. It is an all-encompassing description of the complex internet-connected networks that exist in datacenters all over the world that power services and applications behind the scenes.

The concept of utilizing resources in these networks is being adopted by businesses both large and small. These resources are categorized to describe their function, and include:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
3. Software as a Service (SaaS)
4. Web 2.0

In the most general terms, Infrastructure as a Service means that companies may no longer need to own and house their own back-end servers and other network computing infrastructure besides an internet-connected PC or laptop in order to maintain business functionality. This capability can be purchased on a subscription basis from entities that market these services in a ‘virtual’ manner. This allows businesses to keep their costs low by not having to purchase, maintain and recycle their own equipment for this purpose, and also mitigates the possibility of business interruption due to the highly available nature of these solutions. This equates to increased uptime and profitability for Infrastructure as a Service customers.

Platform as a Service is also known as ‘cloudware’, and refers to the availability of development tools in creating web applications and services to the end user. Like IaaS, you never ’see’ the inner-workings of this environment unless you are a computer programmer or IT resource, but it exists nonetheless and again affords those who use these tools the ability to reduce costs while running their businesses.

Sofware as a Service is defined as software applications that are subscribed to and accessed only through the Internet, and not installed on local PCs or laptops. Applications built by and accessed via Google fall into this category, as well as the many photo sites to which you can upload your pictures and videos, edit and share them with others. These solutions are gaining tremendous popularity, because end users do not need to install, update and maintain software locally - only connect to it and use it when the need arises.

Web 2.0 describes the whole of the social networking movement on the Internet, and includes but is not limited to destinations such as Facebook, MySpace, eHarmony, LinkedIn and Twitter. These sites offer the ability for people all over the world to share common interests, stay connected and learn more about each other - and these sites aren’t just for the young. Statistics show that the over 50 generation is logging onto these sites in greater numbers than ever before. In fact, in one month alone, Facebook adds over 17,000 new members.

The next time you are on the Internet and upload a photograph and use the online tools to modify that picture, you are participating in ‘cloud computing.’ The picture is probably loaded to a site that uses IaaS for their servers, PaaS in order to provide the visual interface in which you modify the photograph, and SaaS applications you’ll use to access your email program and social networking sites in order to send it to or post it for those with whom you would like to share the picture.

Content by Managed Services Provider University

You can’t look at any technical section of a newspaper or website these days without reading about “cloud computing.” The term seems to be popping up everywhere. So, what exactly is cloud computing? A simplistic definition is computing on the Internet. It allows users the ability to access everything on the Internet, from software to their stored data, without having to store anything on their actual computer. The user only needs a computer with a web browser in order to access the cloud.

What is So Great About Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing has the potential to allow small businesses or businesses on a budget the ability to have high quality computing at a lower cost. Business owners no longer need to invest in expensive IT equipment or pay an entire IT staff that would normally be required in order to keep a computer system running. Storing data on the cloud would help reduce IT costs while still allowing businesses to grow.

What Security Problems Does Cloud Computing Needs to Address?

Cloud computing is such a new technology that many of the kinks have not even been completely realized much less worked out to a satisfactory level. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking into what potential security and privacy concerns cloud computing could have for consumers. Some of these concerns are:

If you store your valuable business documents on the cloud and the cloud goes down, will it be coming back up with all of your important documents in tact.

It is also important to know that the company with whom you are storing your important information is financially stable and will not suddenly disappear taking all of your valuable information with it.

Where is your company located and where will your data physically be stored? If your data is stored in another country, is that country required to comply with the same security standards that you would expect from your home country.

Who is in charge of storing and managing your data? It is important to know that the people managing your data have the proper security clearance and credentials, and that they are handling it securely and not using it improperly for their own financial gain.

How secure is the login? Would hackers be able to easily gain access to your data?

Is your data encrypted so that others cannot easily view it?

Is the cloud storage company willing to undergo a certification process and willing to comply with certain security standards?

At this point, it is unknown how providers plan to resolve these issues, but whatever the solutions they will be critical to the future of cloud computing. Cloud computing has so much to offer businesses from flexibility to growth potential to tremendous cost savings. If the confidential data stored in the cloud isn’t secure, the only thing cloud computing will be able to offer businesses is a giant headache.

The makers of BlackBerry, Research in Motion, often referred to as RIM, are stepping it up  a notch with a free service they designed to prevent such catastrophes. It’s called “Black Berry Protect” and it is amazing what it can do to protect YOUR Blackberry. Read the full article here.

Photo by Igoncept.

What is 4G Anyway?

4G stands for ‘4th generation wireless technology‘. Each generation is faster than the last generation, and speed, as we all know is the key to accessing more of our information faster. There are a couple of types of 4G. Verizon and AT&T are working on a 4G LTE technology or long-term evolution which transmits all communication as data. Clearwire Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or WiMax is a type of Wi-Fi technology. This technology currently offered by Sprint. The fourth generation technology will not only be available for cell phones and computers, but it will also be available to a wider range of media such as GPS systems, digital cameras, etc.

Why Would You Want 4G?

Speed: If you have ever sat in a client’s office fumbling through small talk as your important information is downloading to your phone or laptop, this technology is definitely for you. The 4G wireless offers download speeds said to be 10 times faster than its predecessor, 3G wireless. In addition to faster download speeds, 4G would also offer improved video conferencing. Clients would no longer experience freezing, jittery pictures, or breaking up at key times during critical negotiations or discussions. The new technology also enables users to download larger files at faster speeds. 4G wireless offers speeds similar to cable with better accessibility and convenience for the business person on the road.

Convenience: The days of frantically trying to find a Wi-Fi hotspot in order to quickly access your work email for directions would no longer be necessary. You would be able to access your network from anywhere in the metropolitan area without interruption. The 4G wireless signal is also said to be stronger than normal wireless Internet. You can take your 4G service anywhere–from a meeting with your client back to your home or office. You won’t lose your connection even when you are moving from one network zone to another. If you are video conferencing with an important client while you are on the road, you don’t have worry about the dreaded “dead zone” where you quietly drop off without warning to your client.

Economical: Although coverage for 4G is currently limited to only some cities in the U.S., it will be expanding to cover more cities in the near future. Clearwire and Sprint are currently offering 4G wireless service priced competitively with DSL cable, and many people are already taking advantage of the speed and freedom of 4G. Many are even opting to use 4G only and giving up their DSL service.

While 4G technology is still fairly new and being tested and developed, it has much to offer the business person on the go. It will enable users to download faster, download larger files, better quality video conferencing, and competitive priced with DSL cable and stay better connected to their clients.

Content by Managed Services Provider University.

BlackBerry Torch 9800

BlackBerry announced their new unit and the web is all abuzz. Amidst  iPhone’s needing band-aids and the hype of Google’s Android devices, BlackBerry remains a “dominate force,” according to CNet.

The new BlackBerry device unveiled recently is the Torch 9800, currently only available on the AT&T network. What’s so good about it?  According to CNet, it is expected to rival Apple’s iPhone.

The Torch slider sports a touchscreen display. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard is a full keyboard, when not in use, slides under the touchscreen. (Hiding the keyboard prevents accidental calling from your pocket.) This is a first for BlackBerry as customers never had the option to buy the security of BlackBerry with the ease of slider phones.

Running on BlackBerry’s new 6 Mobile OS, the media section is supposed to be easier to navigate - image, video and music. There’s a new “BlackBerry Podcast Service” app designed to make it easier to find and download podcasts, free of charge. This latest OS also offers the newest version of BlackBerry’s Desktop Manager. Currently, it is unclear whether Mac users will be able to get in on this as previous versions have only supported PC users.

The Torch will be available starting August 12th and with a new 2-year contract through AT&T, will cost $199.

On the first of August astronomers observed a truly massive solar eruption. There was, in fact, a triple-event that was initiated by a large sunspot – an area of the Sun experiencing extreme magnetic forces. What’s truly remarkable is that the event involved nearly the entire face of the Sun.

This sunspot released a large solar flare directly at the Earth. It is expected this will generate auroras in the Northern hemisphere around the 3^rd of August. With solar storms of this magnitude, there’s also the concern the charged particles that cause the auroras could also damage the sensitive equipment aboard satellites, and can even effect electronics here at home.

About once every 11 years the Sun goes through a state called solar maximum – a period of intense activity that causes sun spots and therefore, solar flares to be much more frequent. The Sun is expected to reach solar maximum this year or next.

Wired.com has a great video of the event in several different spectral ranges.

Ars Technica has an interesting article which is sourced by the security company Secunia that lays it all out. Maybe Apple isn’t so impervious after all.

To be fair, the article does say this:

Though this does not necessarily mean that Apple’s software is the most insecure in practice-the report takes no consideration of the severity of the flaws-it points at a growing trend in the world of security flaws: the role of third-party software. Many of Apple’s flaws are not in its operating system, Mac OS X, but rather in software like Safari, QuickTime, and iTunes. Vendors like Adobe (with Flash and Adobe Reader) and Oracle (with Java) are similarly responsible for many of the flaws being reported.

Not sure that really means much - security flaws create openings, no matter where they come from.

Anyhow - maybe another balloon losing some of its air.

And note how Microsoft is actually in third spot. And no, as far as I can tell Secunia isn’t really part of Microsoft’s PR and marketing department!

http://www.appolicious.com/finance/articles/2393-more-hang-ups-than-hits-in-smartphone-market.