Voice User Interface design (VUI) at a full swing is gradually turning advanced and popular these days. Digital personal assistants such as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana, are regularly advancing to become the best available voice assistant in the market.
Since, the launch of Echo, the voice assistant device by Amazon in December 2014, till today approximately 8.2 million devices are sold, and the return of voice search continues to scale. MindMeld's Internet Trends Report of 2016, stats that 60% of people last year started using voice search, and in the last six months 41% of people started.
A prediction by BCC research asserts that at an annual growth rate of 12.1%, the global market for voice recognition technologies of $104.4 billion in 2016 will rise to $184.9 billion in 2021.
This wave is being driven by technological advancements and deep learning, which lets the developers build systems that have outstanding accuracy for the tasks like speech recognition, language and image analysis.
Microsoft, in 2016 announced that its most recent speech-recognition system reached equivalence with human transcribers in identifying human speech.
The pace at which voice technology is advancing, it's changing the way we interact with our devices. Still, several common UX design methods still are in practice - which includes user research, persona making, user flows, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative design - a few differences for voice UIs should be noted.
If you're planning to begin your first project of voice user interface design, below are five essential tips that will help you throughout -
Conversational - Talking vs typing
It's essential to ensure that a voice UI recognizes natural speech and should accept a broad range of various inputs.
Typing and speaking one same thing is different, rather using few keywords, use complete sentences or questions.
Visualize your Sunday morning, when you type "brunch nearby" on your phone. A list of all relevant places will appear on your screen. But, when we communicate with a voice service, you'd be more likely to request in a manner like, "Alexa, what are the best places to brunch nearby?"
Ensure the machines are capable of recognizing and reacting to thousands of various commands to simply be successful.
Make recognition intuitive
Nobody likes to learn a hundred of commands to execute particular tasks. Be mindful not to create a system that which is complex, not user-friendly and takes too much time to be familiar.
Machines should be capable of remembering us and becoming more productive with each use.
For suppose, you ask your device for directions, which is like,
"Alexa, can you give me directions to home."
"Sure, where is your home?"
"You know where my home is!"
"I'm sorry, you'll need to repeat that."
This scene creates a disappointing experience for the user which is neither satisfying nor successful.
However, if the system would have retained information about your home address, quickly a list of all the directions would have been provided. Possibly a brief voice response with a visual element like a map and directions. Delivering an experience like this is quickly rewarding and satisfying. Intuitive design, as with GUI or graphical user interfaces, must be done right by the designers.
Approachability - Analyze what users need
Two essential things that make Voice Interactions successfully are the device recognizing the person speaking, and the speaker understanding the device. The designers must always acknowledge potential speech checks, auditory impairments, and every element that can influence the interaction, like intellective disorders. Even language, accent, or voice tone affects how the device interprets them.
As a designer, you should be intelligent about where and how to use design and voice in a manner that anyone can use it, irrelevant to how they speak or how they listen.
Consider the user's environment surroundings
Saying something on your phone with a loud, busy train in the background is an example, why it's necessary to recognise how different conditions influence the type of interface you designed. If the primary application is for driving, it is an excellent choice then - the hands and eyes of users are busy, but their voice and ears are not. If you use the app somewhere in a noisy place, it's better to request on a visual interface, for the surrounding noise makes voice recognition and hearing more challenging.
If the usability of your app is both at home and on a public conveyance, it is essential to provide an option to switch between a voice and visual interface.
Feedback - two side interaction
In a normal conversation one to let another know, that he/she is interested in a conversation by nodding heads, smiling, and some other gestures. Similarly, it should be delivered to the users who interact with your machine. It's essential to respect this with your design, so the user grasps their device is switched on and pays attention to them.
The system must always inform users about what is happening. Furthermore, it's critical to regard how your user will understand that the system is conscious in a non-invasive manner. You can feature it with a sound effect or flashlight as per your choice.
Showing posts with label Computers and Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Computers and Technology. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Should You Collaborate With Managed Services? Here's Why
Managed Service Provider, or MSP, includes services associated with daily tasks of managing IT departments. Depending on the nature and size of a business, an MSP acts as the IT department for a firm. Of late, MSP is widely used because it lowers operational costs, provides better security solutions, improves the operational performance of businesses, and maintains stability. But, how would you know whether your business needs MSP, of whether it is the right time to call for it?
Read on to know when it is the right time to work with MSP:
#1: Low Spirits and High Work Expectation
IT departments are demanding. As such, employees suffer due to lack of confidence despite their hard work. If this is the scenario at your business place, it is a sign you need MSP. MSPs can help you to offload some busywork, thus giving relief to your employees. Mundane tasks like system performance monitoring, user communication tracking, maintaining system backup with latest patches, and routine IT tasks can be outsourced. This step instantly releases pressure of overworked IT employees and helps you to provide a healthier and happier work environment, which eventually contributes to the ability to lure IT talent.
#2: Not Having a Viable Long-Term IT Planning and Strategy
For a team, it is important to work synergistically and be prepared for more. If your team were not in synergy, they would fail to answer basic questions for the future. So, do not push future planning aside. You may survive now, but not in the future. MSPs step in to alleviate these issues so that the IT staffers refocus on planning and strategizing for the future.
#3: Using Temp Staff from Time to time
If your business needs temporary workers from time to time, you are understaffed. This may be the result of higher turnover versus lower morale, or because your business is growing exponentially faster than you can hire. As a result, you must find top IT talent, especially in your areas of expertise like developers, security specialists, analysts, and mainframes. MSPs provide you easy access to necessary skills and experience your business needs, thus releasing you from your dependence on temporary staff.
#4: Extra Employees Required for New Projects
If your business has long-term projects, it can be tricky at times. Usually, long-term projects have varied workload. There may be times when you would have to hire more IT people to deliver the job on time. Managed service providers can help you with timely delivery and ensure that you are able to meet your deadlines without failing your commitments.
#5: Failing to Maintain Countless IT Vendors
Juggling multiple vendors, IT services, and contractors is a burden. It is high time to consolidate your vendors with MSPs. MSPs can provide different services on a monthly basis for a nominal charge. Instead of taking up new services, contracts, and vendors, you should collaborate with a dedicated MSP.
#6: Frequent User Complains
If users are complaining about your service - delays, fussy, or poor, it's time to consider providing a top-notch service to your IT department. MSPs take over mundane tasks and service requests to deliver prompt services to customers.
Read on to know when it is the right time to work with MSP:
#1: Low Spirits and High Work Expectation
IT departments are demanding. As such, employees suffer due to lack of confidence despite their hard work. If this is the scenario at your business place, it is a sign you need MSP. MSPs can help you to offload some busywork, thus giving relief to your employees. Mundane tasks like system performance monitoring, user communication tracking, maintaining system backup with latest patches, and routine IT tasks can be outsourced. This step instantly releases pressure of overworked IT employees and helps you to provide a healthier and happier work environment, which eventually contributes to the ability to lure IT talent.
#2: Not Having a Viable Long-Term IT Planning and Strategy
For a team, it is important to work synergistically and be prepared for more. If your team were not in synergy, they would fail to answer basic questions for the future. So, do not push future planning aside. You may survive now, but not in the future. MSPs step in to alleviate these issues so that the IT staffers refocus on planning and strategizing for the future.
#3: Using Temp Staff from Time to time
If your business needs temporary workers from time to time, you are understaffed. This may be the result of higher turnover versus lower morale, or because your business is growing exponentially faster than you can hire. As a result, you must find top IT talent, especially in your areas of expertise like developers, security specialists, analysts, and mainframes. MSPs provide you easy access to necessary skills and experience your business needs, thus releasing you from your dependence on temporary staff.
#4: Extra Employees Required for New Projects
If your business has long-term projects, it can be tricky at times. Usually, long-term projects have varied workload. There may be times when you would have to hire more IT people to deliver the job on time. Managed service providers can help you with timely delivery and ensure that you are able to meet your deadlines without failing your commitments.
#5: Failing to Maintain Countless IT Vendors
Juggling multiple vendors, IT services, and contractors is a burden. It is high time to consolidate your vendors with MSPs. MSPs can provide different services on a monthly basis for a nominal charge. Instead of taking up new services, contracts, and vendors, you should collaborate with a dedicated MSP.
#6: Frequent User Complains
If users are complaining about your service - delays, fussy, or poor, it's time to consider providing a top-notch service to your IT department. MSPs take over mundane tasks and service requests to deliver prompt services to customers.
The Twenty Minute War
Jannsun Rader had started work for Matrix right after he tired of trying to write the great American Novel, which was about five years ago, right after the war. He was old for a Web Zone designer but who knew? Who cared? His work was all done via satellite and as long as his work was good, his online brokerage account kept growing and growing.
He grabbed his sat phone, his digital companion, and headed topside. The wind had settled down and he was making 5.5 knots over the surface of the water according to the GPS. He gained some sort of comfort in thinking of the cloud of satellites overhead keeping track of his exact location anywhere upon the surface of the globe. Single handed sailing was surely not what it used to be. Now the isolation was more illusion than reality. If he should encounter serious trouble, his position would be marked from satellites and a hover craft would be on site within two hours. Hell, they probably would even have a photograph of his terror stricken face. Of course the insurance bill would be hefty, but it was the law. The illusion was fine though, he could really feel himself to be the last (or the first) man on earth. From horizon to horizon for days on end, not one sign of human habitation.
He walked to the rear of the cockpit and sat behind the wheel as the auto pilot silently turned it ever so slightly in accordance with the next way-point previously set into the Global Positioning System software. Through the fog, he could see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, or what was left of it, since the earth changes had started. It would be good to get back to San Francisco or San Frantasia as it was now called since it had been pretty well destroyed by the Richter 8.9 quake the previous year.
On his radar, Jannsun could see the blip of a large freighter coming over the horizon. These cargo carriers were absolutely huge. As he got closer he could see the helicopter lift off and turn back toward land. That would be carrying the crew. These new ships were totally robotic once they reached the twenty five mile limit. Then the crew was choppered off and the ship sailed on controlled by the auto pilot and the overhead satellite array. Since they were so large they could not turn to avoid a small craft such as Jannsun's, so their defense was an ungodly loud alarm horn which woke Jannsun up on more than one occasion. The klaxon would be triggered at five miles separation if the ship's radar suspected a possible collision. Once the horn was sounded it was the smaller craft's job to move out of the path of the floating city of steel. Still there was no guarantee. Many a large cargo ship had entered port with the debris of smaller vessels caught in the anchor chain and smeared across the steel bow.
As Jannsun watched the sails pull his boat along over the small waves he had to laugh when he thought of the recent War and the rumors about the war. He had been between the Marshall Islands and Hawaii when it happened. It was supposed to be a secret but it seemed the older he became and the more connected he became, the more secrets he was becoming privy to.
He heard it from a guy, who heard it from a guy, who knew a guy, who was actually involved. According to this guy, The War lasted twenty minutes, give or take a few seconds. The computers told each side who would win, by how much and the outside limits of the overall devastation. But the losing side was new to computer war and insisted on firing a real nuclear salvo. That mistake would not be made again.
Jannsun had been aware of the holo-projection of soldiers and implements of destruction on and over battlefields and street corners but he hadn't been aware of the Time Benders, the Mach 50 anti-gravity machines. Machines that were so fast they could actually intercept an enemy missile before it's physical body could completely lift off its launching pad. Machines so fast it was said they literally--bent time. These Time Benders were said to be able to move from a base in the states to a foreign battle field before a hostile combatant's hand could cycle a round into the firing chamber of his rifle. So fast, they could be there before an enemy tech's fingers hovering over a computer keyboard somewhere in a subterranean bunker could even reach the "Enter" key. Two seconds, maybe less. Some even went so far as to say that the newest stealth, skunk works stuff was so fast it could actually bend time and travel slightly backward so as to be there looking over the enemy's shoulder as the hostile idea first seemed to occur in his mind. Time Benders. San Frantasia to New York in two seconds, maybe four. The time delay was to give the controller on the ground a chance to gather his thoughts. No passengers allowed.
These craft were not piloted by human beings. It was found way back in the nineties that human pilots could not take anything above 12 "G's" before slipping out of their bodies. This was called "G-lock" and it spelled the end for super high performance manned fighter planes. These robo-drone super planes were now all flown remotely by teenagers from underground bunkers. It was the ultimate synchronicity that children (future warriors) had been training for years on very sophisticated and ever evolving 3-d video games. The athletic pilot/engineer of the 20th Century was a thing of the past, just another artifact. Technology was on the verge of time travel, and American teenagers would be the ones with their grimy little fingers on the buttons.
In the case of the Twenty Minute War, five enemy nucs blew about ten feet off their own launching pads. "No Nucs Today", was the glad news on CNN that evening. At least not on American soil. The media, fed by the government machine, made it appear the enemy was so incompetent that all their missiles misfired and exploded in their silos but both sides knew the truth. Jannsun knew the truth, or as much of it as his personal data net was aware of. Who really knew anything for sure anymore? It looked like the technology of perception had finally outrun the technology of verification.
Maybe there was no truth. Things had become so strange that sometimes Jannsun suspected that everything had already happened and we were just toying with selective memory.
He grabbed his sat phone, his digital companion, and headed topside. The wind had settled down and he was making 5.5 knots over the surface of the water according to the GPS. He gained some sort of comfort in thinking of the cloud of satellites overhead keeping track of his exact location anywhere upon the surface of the globe. Single handed sailing was surely not what it used to be. Now the isolation was more illusion than reality. If he should encounter serious trouble, his position would be marked from satellites and a hover craft would be on site within two hours. Hell, they probably would even have a photograph of his terror stricken face. Of course the insurance bill would be hefty, but it was the law. The illusion was fine though, he could really feel himself to be the last (or the first) man on earth. From horizon to horizon for days on end, not one sign of human habitation.
He walked to the rear of the cockpit and sat behind the wheel as the auto pilot silently turned it ever so slightly in accordance with the next way-point previously set into the Global Positioning System software. Through the fog, he could see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, or what was left of it, since the earth changes had started. It would be good to get back to San Francisco or San Frantasia as it was now called since it had been pretty well destroyed by the Richter 8.9 quake the previous year.
On his radar, Jannsun could see the blip of a large freighter coming over the horizon. These cargo carriers were absolutely huge. As he got closer he could see the helicopter lift off and turn back toward land. That would be carrying the crew. These new ships were totally robotic once they reached the twenty five mile limit. Then the crew was choppered off and the ship sailed on controlled by the auto pilot and the overhead satellite array. Since they were so large they could not turn to avoid a small craft such as Jannsun's, so their defense was an ungodly loud alarm horn which woke Jannsun up on more than one occasion. The klaxon would be triggered at five miles separation if the ship's radar suspected a possible collision. Once the horn was sounded it was the smaller craft's job to move out of the path of the floating city of steel. Still there was no guarantee. Many a large cargo ship had entered port with the debris of smaller vessels caught in the anchor chain and smeared across the steel bow.
As Jannsun watched the sails pull his boat along over the small waves he had to laugh when he thought of the recent War and the rumors about the war. He had been between the Marshall Islands and Hawaii when it happened. It was supposed to be a secret but it seemed the older he became and the more connected he became, the more secrets he was becoming privy to.
He heard it from a guy, who heard it from a guy, who knew a guy, who was actually involved. According to this guy, The War lasted twenty minutes, give or take a few seconds. The computers told each side who would win, by how much and the outside limits of the overall devastation. But the losing side was new to computer war and insisted on firing a real nuclear salvo. That mistake would not be made again.
Jannsun had been aware of the holo-projection of soldiers and implements of destruction on and over battlefields and street corners but he hadn't been aware of the Time Benders, the Mach 50 anti-gravity machines. Machines that were so fast they could actually intercept an enemy missile before it's physical body could completely lift off its launching pad. Machines so fast it was said they literally--bent time. These Time Benders were said to be able to move from a base in the states to a foreign battle field before a hostile combatant's hand could cycle a round into the firing chamber of his rifle. So fast, they could be there before an enemy tech's fingers hovering over a computer keyboard somewhere in a subterranean bunker could even reach the "Enter" key. Two seconds, maybe less. Some even went so far as to say that the newest stealth, skunk works stuff was so fast it could actually bend time and travel slightly backward so as to be there looking over the enemy's shoulder as the hostile idea first seemed to occur in his mind. Time Benders. San Frantasia to New York in two seconds, maybe four. The time delay was to give the controller on the ground a chance to gather his thoughts. No passengers allowed.
These craft were not piloted by human beings. It was found way back in the nineties that human pilots could not take anything above 12 "G's" before slipping out of their bodies. This was called "G-lock" and it spelled the end for super high performance manned fighter planes. These robo-drone super planes were now all flown remotely by teenagers from underground bunkers. It was the ultimate synchronicity that children (future warriors) had been training for years on very sophisticated and ever evolving 3-d video games. The athletic pilot/engineer of the 20th Century was a thing of the past, just another artifact. Technology was on the verge of time travel, and American teenagers would be the ones with their grimy little fingers on the buttons.
In the case of the Twenty Minute War, five enemy nucs blew about ten feet off their own launching pads. "No Nucs Today", was the glad news on CNN that evening. At least not on American soil. The media, fed by the government machine, made it appear the enemy was so incompetent that all their missiles misfired and exploded in their silos but both sides knew the truth. Jannsun knew the truth, or as much of it as his personal data net was aware of. Who really knew anything for sure anymore? It looked like the technology of perception had finally outrun the technology of verification.
Maybe there was no truth. Things had become so strange that sometimes Jannsun suspected that everything had already happened and we were just toying with selective memory.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Laptop PC or Tablet: Which Is Appropriate for You?
Laptop PC or Tablet: Which is appropriate for you? We will help manage you through all the different preferences and limitations of the two, Laptop PCs and tablets to help you to settle on a cognizant choice on your next gadget. So check out our guide to choose between laptop computer or tablet, and go forth as an informed consumer into yonder bloated market. By and large, tablets are 7-11 inches, while portable laptops are 12-16 inches, which right away suggests that the previous will be easier to bear. On the off chance that you are going for one of the bigger tablets or a cross breed like the 18.4-inch Galaxy View Tablet, you may like to consider whether getting a small laptop computer is going to work out better for you.
Portable PCs are better when thought about than tablets, primarily due to their size and the capacity to store more hardware. Multitasking is less demanding on a Laptop PC than on a tablet, in spite of the fact that tablets are progressively offering better multitasking arrangements. The top of the line iPad Pro has 4GB of Memory and capacity choices beginning at 32GB, while Google's new leader Pixel C tablet has 3GB Memory, with interior stockpiling beginning at 32GB. While you will pay in any event $679 for the iPad Professional, you may get a Lenovo Yoga 500 convertible portable workstation 4GB Memory with the choice to expand that to 8GB, and 1TB of inside capacity for $399.
In the event that you are searching for something that will empower you to complete more top to bottom errands requiring different projects, at that point a Laptop PC in all likelihood is the approach, however a portion of the higher end tablets including the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4, will offer superior execution over less complex tablets like the Amazon Fire Hi-def 8 or iPad Air range. It is only a question of not having an, or as large a screen, which enables the smaller gadgets to keep up a more drawn out charge than a laptop. In any case, more expensive Laptop PC's can last longer, however, once more, you should pay more to get a Laptop PC that holds its charge nearly as long as a tablet. Laptop PC's offer less battery life than tablets, so in the event that you are searching for something which doesn't have to complete complicated assignments, at that point a tablet may be the best decision. In general, an ultimate conclusion will significantly rely upon your particular needs. For some, the tablet will get the job done, and for others, the Laptop PC is an unquestionable requirement.
Portable PCs are better when thought about than tablets, primarily due to their size and the capacity to store more hardware. Multitasking is less demanding on a Laptop PC than on a tablet, in spite of the fact that tablets are progressively offering better multitasking arrangements. The top of the line iPad Pro has 4GB of Memory and capacity choices beginning at 32GB, while Google's new leader Pixel C tablet has 3GB Memory, with interior stockpiling beginning at 32GB. While you will pay in any event $679 for the iPad Professional, you may get a Lenovo Yoga 500 convertible portable workstation 4GB Memory with the choice to expand that to 8GB, and 1TB of inside capacity for $399.
In the event that you are searching for something that will empower you to complete more top to bottom errands requiring different projects, at that point a Laptop PC in all likelihood is the approach, however a portion of the higher end tablets including the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4, will offer superior execution over less complex tablets like the Amazon Fire Hi-def 8 or iPad Air range. It is only a question of not having an, or as large a screen, which enables the smaller gadgets to keep up a more drawn out charge than a laptop. In any case, more expensive Laptop PC's can last longer, however, once more, you should pay more to get a Laptop PC that holds its charge nearly as long as a tablet. Laptop PC's offer less battery life than tablets, so in the event that you are searching for something which doesn't have to complete complicated assignments, at that point a tablet may be the best decision. In general, an ultimate conclusion will significantly rely upon your particular needs. For some, the tablet will get the job done, and for others, the Laptop PC is an unquestionable requirement.
Monday, March 12, 2018
5 Mistakes to Avoid While Installing Network Cables
If you have shifted to a new home or soon shifting your workplace to a new building, you are probably already thinking of installing network cables as one of the first tasks. But wait, till you read further. Whoever said that "learn from the mistakes of others", must have been a genius." So, let's just utilize the suggestion practically and have a look at the most common mistakes made while installing network cables, to avoid doing it ourselves.
Using Separate Cables for Voice & Data
If you ask any relevant person about their biggest mistake while network cabling their home or workplace, you will get to hear it as one of the most common answers. Earlier, twisted cabling was comparatively expensive so people opted different cabling for both. But now the cabling itself isn't that much of an expense.
In fact, latest phone systems require data-level cabling so you don't have a choice but to get suitable cabling that supports both. Not thinking about the possibility of you installing any of those phone systems in future describes another major mistake.
Compromising with the Quality/Version
A network connection isn't temporary. With the ongoing advancements, it would be a grave mistake to still choose the cheapest and most basic cables available. Although it isn't mandatory to go with totally high-end cables, it would be a smart option to go for quality Ethernet cables capable of facilitating a robust connection.
That being said, you might not need a 10gbps speed right now, but let's just say 100Mbps should also not be what you settle with.
Cabling Parallel to Electric Cables
Setting up your networking cables parallel to electric cables can disturb the magnetic field of the cables and cause major disruptions. You can also end up losing transmission at times or very slow communication between the wires taking place.
So deciding your cable path, therefore, is very important rather than just going randomly about it.
Cutting Cables Too Short/Long
You certainly don't want your cables stretching hard to reach out to their destination connectors. So, the best way to go about it is to measure the exact distance of your connections and take just about a few inches more for ease. Don't cut them too short.
If short cables are a problem, too long ones are a bigger problem. Every cable has its capacity and if you choose lengths longer than their competence, you might suffer with slower and frequently disruptive connections. So, consider distance limitations of your cables seriously.
Not Testing Cables Simultaneously
Do you want to end up scratching your heads when your network cabling is done but you end up realizing that there had been a few faulty cables that refuse to aid the connection? We know the answer. So, the best way to avoid this is to go about checking every single cable while establishing the connection.
It might sound to be a time-consuming task given you are paying a hefty amount for labor but trust us it's better than paying them(much more) later for fixing a brand new connection.
Other than that, don't go about a haphazard connection. Plan in advance and go for cable organization as it comes really handy in long run and can save a lot on labor costs for maintenance. Additionally, you should also take care of the codes and ordinances of your region.
Looking from utility point of view, network cabling these days is as much an important job as electric wiring. So, it is important to get good cables, equipments, and proficient labor to avoid regretting later. To ensure everything goes smoothly, it's a good idea to hire professionals for the job rather than planning it out yourself.
Jennifer Truong is the owner of SF Cable, a california based online retailer of all kind of cables, wires and cords, Ethernet Cable. Jennifer has extensive experience in the cable industry and blogs about its various aspects.
Using Separate Cables for Voice & Data
If you ask any relevant person about their biggest mistake while network cabling their home or workplace, you will get to hear it as one of the most common answers. Earlier, twisted cabling was comparatively expensive so people opted different cabling for both. But now the cabling itself isn't that much of an expense.
In fact, latest phone systems require data-level cabling so you don't have a choice but to get suitable cabling that supports both. Not thinking about the possibility of you installing any of those phone systems in future describes another major mistake.
Compromising with the Quality/Version
A network connection isn't temporary. With the ongoing advancements, it would be a grave mistake to still choose the cheapest and most basic cables available. Although it isn't mandatory to go with totally high-end cables, it would be a smart option to go for quality Ethernet cables capable of facilitating a robust connection.
That being said, you might not need a 10gbps speed right now, but let's just say 100Mbps should also not be what you settle with.
Cabling Parallel to Electric Cables
Setting up your networking cables parallel to electric cables can disturb the magnetic field of the cables and cause major disruptions. You can also end up losing transmission at times or very slow communication between the wires taking place.
So deciding your cable path, therefore, is very important rather than just going randomly about it.
Cutting Cables Too Short/Long
You certainly don't want your cables stretching hard to reach out to their destination connectors. So, the best way to go about it is to measure the exact distance of your connections and take just about a few inches more for ease. Don't cut them too short.
If short cables are a problem, too long ones are a bigger problem. Every cable has its capacity and if you choose lengths longer than their competence, you might suffer with slower and frequently disruptive connections. So, consider distance limitations of your cables seriously.
Not Testing Cables Simultaneously
Do you want to end up scratching your heads when your network cabling is done but you end up realizing that there had been a few faulty cables that refuse to aid the connection? We know the answer. So, the best way to avoid this is to go about checking every single cable while establishing the connection.
It might sound to be a time-consuming task given you are paying a hefty amount for labor but trust us it's better than paying them(much more) later for fixing a brand new connection.
Other than that, don't go about a haphazard connection. Plan in advance and go for cable organization as it comes really handy in long run and can save a lot on labor costs for maintenance. Additionally, you should also take care of the codes and ordinances of your region.
Looking from utility point of view, network cabling these days is as much an important job as electric wiring. So, it is important to get good cables, equipments, and proficient labor to avoid regretting later. To ensure everything goes smoothly, it's a good idea to hire professionals for the job rather than planning it out yourself.
Jennifer Truong is the owner of SF Cable, a california based online retailer of all kind of cables, wires and cords, Ethernet Cable. Jennifer has extensive experience in the cable industry and blogs about its various aspects.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Is Technology a Bringer of Great Promise or Great Peril?
The pace of change continuously astounds and bewilders me. I just about remember horses pulling coal carts as a kid and now we're developing driverless cars. The Internet of Things will be part of our daily life soon and humankind seems to be losing the ability to stand up straight already. How long will it be before we start resembling bananas more than apes with a pronounced curve of the spine and neck from staring down at mobiles?
Mobile Phone Addiction
We're in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
According to the World Economic Forum, we're now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We've already lived through an immense amount of change and who knows what is round the corner. The ever rising march of Artificial Intelligence (AI) shows great promise in many fields for the future but it is also highly controversial and multi-faceted.
Even Elon Musk, the 'Thomas Edison of the 21st century' has serious doubts about what we are creating for ourselves. The serial entrepreneur who has had a hand in all types of technology from electric cars, rockets, Paypal, Hyperloop, solar power systems, electric jets to digital technology. The man who is famous for his plans to colonise Mars, further DNA sequencing to identify cures for diseases and viable fusion to create energy for us all for ever.
Mars colonisation
A man who is a bringer of great promise. However Musk also predicts that 'robots will be able to do everything better than us' and they will 'take your jobs, and government will have to pay your wage'. He also believes that we should be very concerned and proactively regulate Artificial Intelligence as it is a 'risk to the existence of human civilization' in a way that risks we commonly deal with now are only harmful to a set of individuals in society.
In contrast Mark Zuckerberg, the equally famous entrepreneur of Facebook is more optimistic saying that artificial intelligence will improve life in the future and that naysayers are irresponsible.
Is technology the bringer of great promise?
The positives of AI are certainly immense
"For people with a disability, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will give us super powers"
Birgit Skarstein, Double paralympic athlete and World Rowing Champion, Norway
"Imagine a robot capable of treating Ebola patients or cleaning up nuclear waste."
Dileep George, artificial intelligence and neuroscience researcher
"Any skilled engineer can take control remotely of any connected 'thing'. Society has not yet realized the incredible scenarios this capability creates."
André Kudelski, Chairman and CEO of Kudelski Group
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already playing a massive role in health care and some believe that there is an AI Healthcare 'tsunami coming' that will benefit all. Data currently has the biggest part to play in healthcare providing the chance to revolutionise current healthcare systems.
AI Nurse
Google's Deepmind Health project mines medical records to provide faster and more detailed records.
IBM Watson is working with oncologists to create treatment plans using data from clinical notes and combining that with research, data and clinical expertise. IBM's Medical Sieve algorithm analyses radiology images to detect issues faster and more reliably.
The new Babylon app hopes to decrease doctors waiting times by giving medical AI consultations combining a person's medical history, medical knowledge and a database of diseases using speech recognition. It can also remind patients to take their medication.
Molly is a new virtual nurse which supports patients with chronic diseases in between doctor's visits.
AiCure checks if patients are taking their medicine and helps them manage their conditions.
Deep Genomics looks for mutations and linkages to disease using genetic and medical data and hopes to predict what will happen when DNA is altered.
Human Longevity offers genome sequencing alongside body scans and checkups to spot diseases in their very early stages.
Atomwise use AI to find existing drugs that could be used for other conditions, therefore, speeding up and reducing costs and potentially avoiding future pandemics.
Berg Health mines data to analyse why some people are insusceptible to certain diseases to help current treatments and discover new drugs.
The future certainly looks bright - but have you started to notice the changes in everyday life that are already impacting our lives?
Is technology the bringer of great peril?
"You cannot wait until a house burns down to buy fire insurance on it. We cannot wait until there are massive dislocations in our society to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution."
Robert J. Shiller, 2013 Nobel laureate in economics, Yale University
Throughout the globe transportation, communication and education have all improved through high tech. With every improvement, however, there are negative consequences such as resource depletion, increased population and pollution.
In our more mundane everyday activities digital technology is already changing our lives. Many of us are already suffering from distraction, narcissism, expectation of instant gratification, depression, depleted vision and hearing, neck strain and lack of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation found 95% of people when surveyed used electronic devices before sleep and this can cause issues for our overall wellbeing.
We are becoming less dependent now on our memory and more on Google but often feeling that we're suffering from information overload. If we don't 'use our brains' will we lose our capability to think effectively? Or will we adapt in a different way?
When examining brain scans of frequent internet and mobile users vs occasional users there was twice as much activity in the short term memory and quick decision making area. We are learning to skim where there is too much information. Does that mean that we are becoming shallow thinkers or does it mean our ability to decipher information is actually becoming more efficient?
Technology will affect our jobs
I attended a LinkedIn conference recently on the use of insight and data in recruitment and the potential for AI.
The recruitment landscape is changing rapidly and the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that 46% of the activities in Europe's top five economies are already susceptible to automation - not in the near future, but right now.
This will affect all of us in some way and we need to be prepared for the shift towards even more hi tech based skills. There aren't enough key digital workers or software developers already in many countries and this situation will only be exacerbated as the years go by. We may need a future full of coders or at the very least software that professionals can use that removes the need to code.
It wasn't the AI potential or recruitment issues that grabbed my attention at the conference, however. It was a speech by Baroness Sarah Greenfield, a leading neurologist.
How neuroscientists see our future
Sarah used her neuroscience background to look at what could be happening to many of us in the modern digital age. She thinks that with so many of us obsessed with social media, search engines, mobile apps and gaming that we are actually losing our identity as human beings. We are lacking the enriched environment that creates increased neural connections in the brain and that the average person in the future may behave more like a 3 year old. That alarmist sentence certainly grabbed my attention.
She likened the lack of an interesting life full of different experiences to that of someone with Dementia where someone loses brain connections and doesn't have a frame of reference (rather like a small child). In other words, their identity is missing, they have short attention spans and demand that needs be satisfied instantly.
Social Networking issues
With conversations taking place more online and less so face-to-face with no opportunity for eye contact or emotions, the true sense of someone's identity could be slowly eroded. Words are normally only 10% of the total impact of a face-to-face conversation. Are we lacking 90% of normal interaction on Social Media? Do we rely on emojis to perceive emotion now?
Gambling
Gaming rather than reading
Sarah stated that the move away from reading to video game playing was concerning. Reading allows you to have a deep 'relationship' with the characters where you become the character in a way that isn't really possible in video games.
Are gamers similar to gamblers?
Sarah showed us brain scans of gamers vs gamblers and how the Dopamine pathways were very similar and that damaged dopamine can lead to taking greater risks. The thrill of the moment when playing a game or gambling can override the consequences with the senses overtaking cognitive thought. Is our use of social media, the internet and apps reducing us to a society who is constantly craving stimulation, trying to achieve a Dopamine high, only living in the here and now and being driven by our feelings rather than serious thought?
I considered the level of gaming, social media and relentless Google searching via mobile throughout my family and pondered the consequences.
I can already see my children and all of their friends being taken over by gaming. They don't talk about much else and seem to be totally ruled by it. Then my own usage is much higher than I would like. I work with Social Media and it is hard to avoid but I am certainly far too dependent on it.
I started delving into whether Sarah Greenfield's comments are absolutely on the button. The scientific community have issues with some of her statements which need more proof rather than just hypothesis So I looked for further evidence as I'm sure that much of this is true to a certain extent as I see it every day with people stumbling through life joined to their mobiles and children not going out to play in the way they used to.
Facebook likes
So many of us use Facebook. The 'Like' button is acknowledged to be the same as receiving a little reward. Users gamble when they do something on Facebook - will we get a Like or be ignored? We're all subconsciously looking for positive feedback and confirmation, and yes it is addictive. Social Media has become a digital drug that has taken over our culture.
And does heavy Social Media usage actually make you feel good? A study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that Facebook and depressive symptoms go hand in hand. "Social comparison" is what links Facebook time and depressive symptoms together. Thinking that your friends are having a better time than you. It suggests that users need to post a balance of good and bad. I've been sucked in by this but on reflection if I'm having a great time I'm not thinking of Facebook. I see people at gigs filming the whole night but feel that they're actually missing the chance to immerse themselves in the atmosphere (whilst I'm dancing like a woman possessed)
It's not just Social Media, however - there's the apps. I hang my head in shame at using Candy Crush as a Mum gamer years ago. But it didn't stop there - I became a master of Sim City and then Fallout Shelter and realised I had better stop when my kids started asking me for mobile app tips #parentingfail. I watch Netflix on my mobile in the bath, I'm always checking Social Media for work and communicating with people in sports/community groups that I need to be on top of. It's a mixture of positive and negative - I am reminded of what I need to do, could be doing, should be doing - but its constant. I even get mobile app reminders telling me to meditate! Oh the irony.
Tired mobile
Scott Levin, a Director of the US Family Medicine Residency Program, thinks that parents are so focused on their children's screen time that they forget about their own usage. "If we're not aware, as parents, of what we're modeling for our kids, then there are high prices to pay".
69% of parents and 78% of teens check their mobiles at least hourly.
(Common Sense Media)
So why do we get so drawn into games and mobile apps? Even Mums? I even know a Grandmother who played Candy Crush throughout the night.
Game designers call it 'juice' - the feedback or reward that you get from playing a game. Candy Crush plays sounds, flashes brightly and praises you in a strangely deep voice and apparently we like that - a bit much.
Juice is intended to join the gaming and real worlds together. The opportunities for Juice in virtual reality (VR) technology are even greater where the user is in an immersive environment and the juice might even be multisensory soon to include touch, hearing and smell.
Is the future of some of us going to be one of a VR life rather than a real one? If the VR life appears better than your own will users start removing themselves from normal society and living in this VR world?
Can gaming really be addictive?
Researchers have studied the psychological rewards of video games vs gambling vs drug use for over 20 years. They've compared the brain's dopamine pathway (the pleasure part) but we still don't know whether uncontrollable video game playing is an addiction on its own terms or just a symptom of deeper problems such as depression or anxiety.
New technologies are often blamed for compulsive behaviour when depression and social anxiety are the true culprits. "When you don't know how to fix that and create opportunities for yourself, you feel helpless. Why not play video games?" (Video Game Researcher, Nick Yee)
What can we do to prevent digital technology impacting our lives negatively?
Sarah Greenfield recommends that we apply a little risk management to our lives and ensure that we are living real lives and not just digital ones. Her advice probably resonates with most as it is standard advice given by mothers throughout recent times. But it is probably more important now than ever.
Go and exercise
- make new brain cells, give yourself time to free your mind
Interact with nature
Sit down and share a meal with someone
- talk to them - share stories and experiences
Do something creative
- be an individual!
Cycling
Harness your individuality and don't miss out on real life
The UK is known for its creative industries and if we allow our creativity to slide and become an unthinking population of 3 year olds what do we have left?
Is this absolutely true for everyone? How do you become a brilliantly creative games designer without being fairly gaming obsessed? Are our software developers all devoid of cognitive thought? Of course not.
Our world is changing, and our brains are adapting to that new world. Good analysis and research looking at the co-evolution of mind and society can only be a good thing.
Is technology a bringer of great promise or great peril?
It seems to be both but it doesn't have to be that way. We can reduce the potential peril by researching the effect digital technology is having and taking steps to counteract it. We can put heavy checks and balances into what is being developed and how. The overarching concern may be whether that will happen if the real power behind society lies with the huge technology companies.
Mobile Phone Addiction
We're in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
According to the World Economic Forum, we're now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We've already lived through an immense amount of change and who knows what is round the corner. The ever rising march of Artificial Intelligence (AI) shows great promise in many fields for the future but it is also highly controversial and multi-faceted.
Even Elon Musk, the 'Thomas Edison of the 21st century' has serious doubts about what we are creating for ourselves. The serial entrepreneur who has had a hand in all types of technology from electric cars, rockets, Paypal, Hyperloop, solar power systems, electric jets to digital technology. The man who is famous for his plans to colonise Mars, further DNA sequencing to identify cures for diseases and viable fusion to create energy for us all for ever.
Mars colonisation
A man who is a bringer of great promise. However Musk also predicts that 'robots will be able to do everything better than us' and they will 'take your jobs, and government will have to pay your wage'. He also believes that we should be very concerned and proactively regulate Artificial Intelligence as it is a 'risk to the existence of human civilization' in a way that risks we commonly deal with now are only harmful to a set of individuals in society.
In contrast Mark Zuckerberg, the equally famous entrepreneur of Facebook is more optimistic saying that artificial intelligence will improve life in the future and that naysayers are irresponsible.
Is technology the bringer of great promise?
The positives of AI are certainly immense
"For people with a disability, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will give us super powers"
Birgit Skarstein, Double paralympic athlete and World Rowing Champion, Norway
"Imagine a robot capable of treating Ebola patients or cleaning up nuclear waste."
Dileep George, artificial intelligence and neuroscience researcher
"Any skilled engineer can take control remotely of any connected 'thing'. Society has not yet realized the incredible scenarios this capability creates."
André Kudelski, Chairman and CEO of Kudelski Group
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already playing a massive role in health care and some believe that there is an AI Healthcare 'tsunami coming' that will benefit all. Data currently has the biggest part to play in healthcare providing the chance to revolutionise current healthcare systems.
AI Nurse
Google's Deepmind Health project mines medical records to provide faster and more detailed records.
IBM Watson is working with oncologists to create treatment plans using data from clinical notes and combining that with research, data and clinical expertise. IBM's Medical Sieve algorithm analyses radiology images to detect issues faster and more reliably.
The new Babylon app hopes to decrease doctors waiting times by giving medical AI consultations combining a person's medical history, medical knowledge and a database of diseases using speech recognition. It can also remind patients to take their medication.
Molly is a new virtual nurse which supports patients with chronic diseases in between doctor's visits.
AiCure checks if patients are taking their medicine and helps them manage their conditions.
Deep Genomics looks for mutations and linkages to disease using genetic and medical data and hopes to predict what will happen when DNA is altered.
Human Longevity offers genome sequencing alongside body scans and checkups to spot diseases in their very early stages.
Atomwise use AI to find existing drugs that could be used for other conditions, therefore, speeding up and reducing costs and potentially avoiding future pandemics.
Berg Health mines data to analyse why some people are insusceptible to certain diseases to help current treatments and discover new drugs.
The future certainly looks bright - but have you started to notice the changes in everyday life that are already impacting our lives?
Is technology the bringer of great peril?
"You cannot wait until a house burns down to buy fire insurance on it. We cannot wait until there are massive dislocations in our society to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution."
Robert J. Shiller, 2013 Nobel laureate in economics, Yale University
Throughout the globe transportation, communication and education have all improved through high tech. With every improvement, however, there are negative consequences such as resource depletion, increased population and pollution.
In our more mundane everyday activities digital technology is already changing our lives. Many of us are already suffering from distraction, narcissism, expectation of instant gratification, depression, depleted vision and hearing, neck strain and lack of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation found 95% of people when surveyed used electronic devices before sleep and this can cause issues for our overall wellbeing.
We are becoming less dependent now on our memory and more on Google but often feeling that we're suffering from information overload. If we don't 'use our brains' will we lose our capability to think effectively? Or will we adapt in a different way?
When examining brain scans of frequent internet and mobile users vs occasional users there was twice as much activity in the short term memory and quick decision making area. We are learning to skim where there is too much information. Does that mean that we are becoming shallow thinkers or does it mean our ability to decipher information is actually becoming more efficient?
Technology will affect our jobs
I attended a LinkedIn conference recently on the use of insight and data in recruitment and the potential for AI.
The recruitment landscape is changing rapidly and the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that 46% of the activities in Europe's top five economies are already susceptible to automation - not in the near future, but right now.
This will affect all of us in some way and we need to be prepared for the shift towards even more hi tech based skills. There aren't enough key digital workers or software developers already in many countries and this situation will only be exacerbated as the years go by. We may need a future full of coders or at the very least software that professionals can use that removes the need to code.
It wasn't the AI potential or recruitment issues that grabbed my attention at the conference, however. It was a speech by Baroness Sarah Greenfield, a leading neurologist.
How neuroscientists see our future
Sarah used her neuroscience background to look at what could be happening to many of us in the modern digital age. She thinks that with so many of us obsessed with social media, search engines, mobile apps and gaming that we are actually losing our identity as human beings. We are lacking the enriched environment that creates increased neural connections in the brain and that the average person in the future may behave more like a 3 year old. That alarmist sentence certainly grabbed my attention.
She likened the lack of an interesting life full of different experiences to that of someone with Dementia where someone loses brain connections and doesn't have a frame of reference (rather like a small child). In other words, their identity is missing, they have short attention spans and demand that needs be satisfied instantly.
Social Networking issues
With conversations taking place more online and less so face-to-face with no opportunity for eye contact or emotions, the true sense of someone's identity could be slowly eroded. Words are normally only 10% of the total impact of a face-to-face conversation. Are we lacking 90% of normal interaction on Social Media? Do we rely on emojis to perceive emotion now?
Gambling
Gaming rather than reading
Sarah stated that the move away from reading to video game playing was concerning. Reading allows you to have a deep 'relationship' with the characters where you become the character in a way that isn't really possible in video games.
Are gamers similar to gamblers?
Sarah showed us brain scans of gamers vs gamblers and how the Dopamine pathways were very similar and that damaged dopamine can lead to taking greater risks. The thrill of the moment when playing a game or gambling can override the consequences with the senses overtaking cognitive thought. Is our use of social media, the internet and apps reducing us to a society who is constantly craving stimulation, trying to achieve a Dopamine high, only living in the here and now and being driven by our feelings rather than serious thought?
I considered the level of gaming, social media and relentless Google searching via mobile throughout my family and pondered the consequences.
I can already see my children and all of their friends being taken over by gaming. They don't talk about much else and seem to be totally ruled by it. Then my own usage is much higher than I would like. I work with Social Media and it is hard to avoid but I am certainly far too dependent on it.
I started delving into whether Sarah Greenfield's comments are absolutely on the button. The scientific community have issues with some of her statements which need more proof rather than just hypothesis So I looked for further evidence as I'm sure that much of this is true to a certain extent as I see it every day with people stumbling through life joined to their mobiles and children not going out to play in the way they used to.
Facebook likes
So many of us use Facebook. The 'Like' button is acknowledged to be the same as receiving a little reward. Users gamble when they do something on Facebook - will we get a Like or be ignored? We're all subconsciously looking for positive feedback and confirmation, and yes it is addictive. Social Media has become a digital drug that has taken over our culture.
And does heavy Social Media usage actually make you feel good? A study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that Facebook and depressive symptoms go hand in hand. "Social comparison" is what links Facebook time and depressive symptoms together. Thinking that your friends are having a better time than you. It suggests that users need to post a balance of good and bad. I've been sucked in by this but on reflection if I'm having a great time I'm not thinking of Facebook. I see people at gigs filming the whole night but feel that they're actually missing the chance to immerse themselves in the atmosphere (whilst I'm dancing like a woman possessed)
It's not just Social Media, however - there's the apps. I hang my head in shame at using Candy Crush as a Mum gamer years ago. But it didn't stop there - I became a master of Sim City and then Fallout Shelter and realised I had better stop when my kids started asking me for mobile app tips #parentingfail. I watch Netflix on my mobile in the bath, I'm always checking Social Media for work and communicating with people in sports/community groups that I need to be on top of. It's a mixture of positive and negative - I am reminded of what I need to do, could be doing, should be doing - but its constant. I even get mobile app reminders telling me to meditate! Oh the irony.
Tired mobile
Scott Levin, a Director of the US Family Medicine Residency Program, thinks that parents are so focused on their children's screen time that they forget about their own usage. "If we're not aware, as parents, of what we're modeling for our kids, then there are high prices to pay".
69% of parents and 78% of teens check their mobiles at least hourly.
(Common Sense Media)
So why do we get so drawn into games and mobile apps? Even Mums? I even know a Grandmother who played Candy Crush throughout the night.
Game designers call it 'juice' - the feedback or reward that you get from playing a game. Candy Crush plays sounds, flashes brightly and praises you in a strangely deep voice and apparently we like that - a bit much.
Juice is intended to join the gaming and real worlds together. The opportunities for Juice in virtual reality (VR) technology are even greater where the user is in an immersive environment and the juice might even be multisensory soon to include touch, hearing and smell.
Is the future of some of us going to be one of a VR life rather than a real one? If the VR life appears better than your own will users start removing themselves from normal society and living in this VR world?
Can gaming really be addictive?
Researchers have studied the psychological rewards of video games vs gambling vs drug use for over 20 years. They've compared the brain's dopamine pathway (the pleasure part) but we still don't know whether uncontrollable video game playing is an addiction on its own terms or just a symptom of deeper problems such as depression or anxiety.
New technologies are often blamed for compulsive behaviour when depression and social anxiety are the true culprits. "When you don't know how to fix that and create opportunities for yourself, you feel helpless. Why not play video games?" (Video Game Researcher, Nick Yee)
What can we do to prevent digital technology impacting our lives negatively?
Sarah Greenfield recommends that we apply a little risk management to our lives and ensure that we are living real lives and not just digital ones. Her advice probably resonates with most as it is standard advice given by mothers throughout recent times. But it is probably more important now than ever.
Go and exercise
- make new brain cells, give yourself time to free your mind
Interact with nature
Sit down and share a meal with someone
- talk to them - share stories and experiences
Do something creative
- be an individual!
Cycling
Harness your individuality and don't miss out on real life
The UK is known for its creative industries and if we allow our creativity to slide and become an unthinking population of 3 year olds what do we have left?
Is this absolutely true for everyone? How do you become a brilliantly creative games designer without being fairly gaming obsessed? Are our software developers all devoid of cognitive thought? Of course not.
Our world is changing, and our brains are adapting to that new world. Good analysis and research looking at the co-evolution of mind and society can only be a good thing.
Is technology a bringer of great promise or great peril?
It seems to be both but it doesn't have to be that way. We can reduce the potential peril by researching the effect digital technology is having and taking steps to counteract it. We can put heavy checks and balances into what is being developed and how. The overarching concern may be whether that will happen if the real power behind society lies with the huge technology companies.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
To Reach New Heights On Cloud Computing, Move Slowly
There is no denial in the fact that there is a mad rush in adopting cloud technology and many organizations are eager to implement these solutions. This reflects that there is a necessity to add the new "it" in IT. It has been rightly said that instead of depicting cloud technology with the help of white fluffy cloud, organizations should use the image of a tornado as this is how fast cloud computing is growing today. It has been estimated that the expenditure on global cloud computing equipment is predicted to reach $80 billion dollars in 2018.
The benefits of cloud computing for an organization are very clear and it is easy to understand how they can transform any business. It is clear that cloud computing can increase scalability, storage capacity, productivity, efficiency and better use of analytics. But keeping these advantages in mind there seems to be urgency in the market to introduce more swiftness in their day to day operations and prove themselves to be first and fast in designing and deploying cloud solutions for their organization.
When an organization adopts a tailored approach in selecting those solutions that are best for their organization, instead of diving into the next available technology that might not fit with the business objectives and create difficulties and hamper their progress it will help you to move a little faster and help you to gain competitive advantage in the business environment.
You don't always need to look out for newer technologies
Since there is a huge hype around the adoption of cloud technologies, organizations often expect quick and over the top results when they decide to adopt them into their business operations. But, before fully committing to cloud solutions top management should carefully plan out the course that they would adopt and themselves certain fundamental questions before making any further commitments. They need to define the goals that they are expecting to achieve and what are their relation to the cloud and how these solutions are going to help the business achieve its objectives and goals.
Also, the decision makers need to have a clear approach to what goals are achievable and how they are beneficial for the organization. Cloud should not be considered as a savior for the organization's IT obstacles. Measurement plays a vital role in any new process for an enterprise, and the cloud is not any different. Before rushing into implementation, CIOs should determine how they are going to track effectiveness and success at the outset. They need to drive toward a strategy that engages the cloud in a multi-phased approach that helps to demonstrate early, quick wins from which the organization can gain confidence to tackle increasingly complex cloud capabilities.
Give Yourself Both an Exit and a Path to Expansion
Decision makers for any organization have a big decision to make as far as new technology is concerned i.e. to compare old vs. the new and then decide what might work for them according to the organization's goals and objectives. Whatever technology that works for them today might be a threat for tomorrow and for enterprise-wide adoption of cloud technologies CIO's need to understand the benefits as well as the setbacks that might come with it along with being prepared for them when the time comes. In short, you don't need to abandon the reliable "old" technology that works for you before making sure whether the new one is the one for you.
Before going all in for the cloud adoption every organization needs to always have an option to go back from where they started if they see that cloud technologies are not beneficial for them and they can perform without them, which might be a rare scenario. Every CIO needs to ensure that they adopt a cloud solution that can be molded as the market conditions transform and where you can easily add and alter features to the cloud applications.
Be well qualifies for Data Security, and Prepare for the Unimaginable
Data privacy and Security are two of the most important things that organizations go for when they are adopting cloud technologies. It is vital for decision-makers to take their own time and examine all the aspects of security features of the cloud solutions before giving a green signal and moving forward to purchase and implement cloud technologies.. They also need to ensure that they have security policies and procedures in place when they are dealing with data security in the cloud.
Ready the Staff
When organizations have decided to introduce cloud solutions in its diverse departments, it can have an efficient effect on the company's culture. There are certain times where employees are really not prepared for the change that is about to be implemented. Since the benefits of cloud are extreme for every organization, it is upon the top management how they are able to adopt the latest technology in their daily operations and drive the organization forward along with implementing the technology the right way avoiding all stagnation and setbacks. The right time to adopt the cloud is right now but it should be done with a lot of care and with proper planning. While implementing the cloud technology the management should take regular feedbacks from the personnel who are operating it directly so that they are aware whether the organization is moving in the right direction or not. Hence it is essential for every organization to understand whether the staff is ready for the new technology and will be able to adopt it effortlessly.
The benefits of cloud computing for an organization are very clear and it is easy to understand how they can transform any business. It is clear that cloud computing can increase scalability, storage capacity, productivity, efficiency and better use of analytics. But keeping these advantages in mind there seems to be urgency in the market to introduce more swiftness in their day to day operations and prove themselves to be first and fast in designing and deploying cloud solutions for their organization.
When an organization adopts a tailored approach in selecting those solutions that are best for their organization, instead of diving into the next available technology that might not fit with the business objectives and create difficulties and hamper their progress it will help you to move a little faster and help you to gain competitive advantage in the business environment.
You don't always need to look out for newer technologies
Since there is a huge hype around the adoption of cloud technologies, organizations often expect quick and over the top results when they decide to adopt them into their business operations. But, before fully committing to cloud solutions top management should carefully plan out the course that they would adopt and themselves certain fundamental questions before making any further commitments. They need to define the goals that they are expecting to achieve and what are their relation to the cloud and how these solutions are going to help the business achieve its objectives and goals.
Also, the decision makers need to have a clear approach to what goals are achievable and how they are beneficial for the organization. Cloud should not be considered as a savior for the organization's IT obstacles. Measurement plays a vital role in any new process for an enterprise, and the cloud is not any different. Before rushing into implementation, CIOs should determine how they are going to track effectiveness and success at the outset. They need to drive toward a strategy that engages the cloud in a multi-phased approach that helps to demonstrate early, quick wins from which the organization can gain confidence to tackle increasingly complex cloud capabilities.
Give Yourself Both an Exit and a Path to Expansion
Decision makers for any organization have a big decision to make as far as new technology is concerned i.e. to compare old vs. the new and then decide what might work for them according to the organization's goals and objectives. Whatever technology that works for them today might be a threat for tomorrow and for enterprise-wide adoption of cloud technologies CIO's need to understand the benefits as well as the setbacks that might come with it along with being prepared for them when the time comes. In short, you don't need to abandon the reliable "old" technology that works for you before making sure whether the new one is the one for you.
Before going all in for the cloud adoption every organization needs to always have an option to go back from where they started if they see that cloud technologies are not beneficial for them and they can perform without them, which might be a rare scenario. Every CIO needs to ensure that they adopt a cloud solution that can be molded as the market conditions transform and where you can easily add and alter features to the cloud applications.
Be well qualifies for Data Security, and Prepare for the Unimaginable
Data privacy and Security are two of the most important things that organizations go for when they are adopting cloud technologies. It is vital for decision-makers to take their own time and examine all the aspects of security features of the cloud solutions before giving a green signal and moving forward to purchase and implement cloud technologies.. They also need to ensure that they have security policies and procedures in place when they are dealing with data security in the cloud.
Ready the Staff
When organizations have decided to introduce cloud solutions in its diverse departments, it can have an efficient effect on the company's culture. There are certain times where employees are really not prepared for the change that is about to be implemented. Since the benefits of cloud are extreme for every organization, it is upon the top management how they are able to adopt the latest technology in their daily operations and drive the organization forward along with implementing the technology the right way avoiding all stagnation and setbacks. The right time to adopt the cloud is right now but it should be done with a lot of care and with proper planning. While implementing the cloud technology the management should take regular feedbacks from the personnel who are operating it directly so that they are aware whether the organization is moving in the right direction or not. Hence it is essential for every organization to understand whether the staff is ready for the new technology and will be able to adopt it effortlessly.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
It's Show Time for Amazon Echo
Have you heard an Echo lately?
Amazon continues to expand its lineup of Echo products. The company that introduced us to Alexa now has more devices to listen to music, get news and information, and control your smart home all by simply using your voice.
First came the cylinder like Echo. It was followed up by the hockey puck-like Echo Dot. Then Amazon added video into the mix with the Echo Show. Now comes the smaller Echo Spot and the Echo Plus.
For many looking for a virtual home assistant, the question becomes should you buy an Echo and if so which one?
Those who like to watch, as well as listen, should take a front-row type look at the Echo Show.
The Show enables you to watch video flash briefings, Amazon Video and YouTube content, and make video calls to family and friends. All on a 7 inch touch screen.
You can see music lyrics, weather forecasts and your security cameras. Even create your own to-do and shopping lists.
Navigation is easy by swiping left or right. The screen also recommends some commands for Alexa if you don't know what to ask.
The 1024 x 600 screen is nearly identical to the one on the Amazon Fire 7 tablet. The text is legible but not as crisp as your smartphone or television.
The touch screen enables you to adjust settings and brightness levels. You can change a lot of things without using the Alexa app or mobile device.
In addition to the 7 inch screen the Show includes a 5 megapixel camera.
The device has an angular design. Some find it a bit clunky and liken it to a triangle with two shaved points when you look at it from the side. Overall it measures 7 x 7.4 x 4 inches and has a square foot panel facing at an angle that is slightly upward.
Eight microphones with noise cancellation are included. Amazon says you can issue commands from any direction, even while music is playing.
Like all of the Echo line you can stream music, turn on lights, set thermostats and control other compatible smart home devices.
It is easy to use. Once you plug it in it will show you available Wi-Fi networks. Pick a network and log into your Amazon account and you are ready to go.
Speakers include two, 2 inch speaker drivers for stereo audio powered by Dolby.
The Bluetooth capabilities are what many are finding as the real selling point of this device. Functioning as a Bluetooth speaker, as well as a sound source, you can pair the Show with your smartphone or tablet and play music through its speaker. You can use it with a separate Bluetooth speaker or headphones and stream audio directly out of the device itself.
Shopping is easier with the Show than with the voice only devices. Alexa adds items directly into your Amazon shopping cart and even places instant orders. The touch screen allows you to swipe through products if you cannot identify the actual product you want. However you won't be able to check your cart with the Show. You will need a computer to view or edit your cart and/or place your entire order.
Amazon continues to add more "skills" to the Alexa ecosystem such as Uber and CNN, and newer apps with more video capabilities are on the way.
Yet the Echo Show does have its limitations. While the addition of video certainly enhances the Alexa experience, sound quality may not be up to par on all music. The quality of voice and video calls are not up to the standards of Google Hangouts and Skype. Applications are limited by the Alexa-specific system.
Still the device is ideally suited for those wishing to join the ranks of Echo users or for those current fans who wish to take the Alexa experience to the next level. And now, at newly reduced prices, the Echo Show may just be the way to go.
George Rosenthal is a founder and partner with ThrottleNet Inc. ThrottleNet offers an array of technology services and products to help business owners achieve their corporate goals and accelerate business growth. These include cloud computing, custom software and mobile application development, and outsourced Managed Network Services which helps companies improve their technology uptime and IT capabilities while, at the same time, reduces costs.
Amazon continues to expand its lineup of Echo products. The company that introduced us to Alexa now has more devices to listen to music, get news and information, and control your smart home all by simply using your voice.
First came the cylinder like Echo. It was followed up by the hockey puck-like Echo Dot. Then Amazon added video into the mix with the Echo Show. Now comes the smaller Echo Spot and the Echo Plus.
For many looking for a virtual home assistant, the question becomes should you buy an Echo and if so which one?
Those who like to watch, as well as listen, should take a front-row type look at the Echo Show.
The Show enables you to watch video flash briefings, Amazon Video and YouTube content, and make video calls to family and friends. All on a 7 inch touch screen.
You can see music lyrics, weather forecasts and your security cameras. Even create your own to-do and shopping lists.
Navigation is easy by swiping left or right. The screen also recommends some commands for Alexa if you don't know what to ask.
The 1024 x 600 screen is nearly identical to the one on the Amazon Fire 7 tablet. The text is legible but not as crisp as your smartphone or television.
The touch screen enables you to adjust settings and brightness levels. You can change a lot of things without using the Alexa app or mobile device.
In addition to the 7 inch screen the Show includes a 5 megapixel camera.
The device has an angular design. Some find it a bit clunky and liken it to a triangle with two shaved points when you look at it from the side. Overall it measures 7 x 7.4 x 4 inches and has a square foot panel facing at an angle that is slightly upward.
Eight microphones with noise cancellation are included. Amazon says you can issue commands from any direction, even while music is playing.
Like all of the Echo line you can stream music, turn on lights, set thermostats and control other compatible smart home devices.
It is easy to use. Once you plug it in it will show you available Wi-Fi networks. Pick a network and log into your Amazon account and you are ready to go.
Speakers include two, 2 inch speaker drivers for stereo audio powered by Dolby.
The Bluetooth capabilities are what many are finding as the real selling point of this device. Functioning as a Bluetooth speaker, as well as a sound source, you can pair the Show with your smartphone or tablet and play music through its speaker. You can use it with a separate Bluetooth speaker or headphones and stream audio directly out of the device itself.
Shopping is easier with the Show than with the voice only devices. Alexa adds items directly into your Amazon shopping cart and even places instant orders. The touch screen allows you to swipe through products if you cannot identify the actual product you want. However you won't be able to check your cart with the Show. You will need a computer to view or edit your cart and/or place your entire order.
Amazon continues to add more "skills" to the Alexa ecosystem such as Uber and CNN, and newer apps with more video capabilities are on the way.
Yet the Echo Show does have its limitations. While the addition of video certainly enhances the Alexa experience, sound quality may not be up to par on all music. The quality of voice and video calls are not up to the standards of Google Hangouts and Skype. Applications are limited by the Alexa-specific system.
Still the device is ideally suited for those wishing to join the ranks of Echo users or for those current fans who wish to take the Alexa experience to the next level. And now, at newly reduced prices, the Echo Show may just be the way to go.
George Rosenthal is a founder and partner with ThrottleNet Inc. ThrottleNet offers an array of technology services and products to help business owners achieve their corporate goals and accelerate business growth. These include cloud computing, custom software and mobile application development, and outsourced Managed Network Services which helps companies improve their technology uptime and IT capabilities while, at the same time, reduces costs.
Monday, November 6, 2017
An Overview of the Block Chain Technology and Its Benefits
In recent times, block chain technology redefined the Internet and led to the emergence of a new type of internet where digital information is distributed without copying. The technology was conceived and devised primarily for crypto currencies, digital currencies like the Bit-coin. In contemporary times, bit-coin is referred to as the digital gold and the total value of this currency is close to about 9 billion US dollars. Block chain technology can make other type of digital values. The functioning of the technology is encapsulated and therefore the user can use it without having to know it in detail. However, it is always recommended to have a basic notion about the technology in context before using it as this adequately simplifies the use.
The functioning of the technology is pretty much encapsulated implying that there is no need to know about the working of the block chain technology in detail, a fundamental idea about the working of the technology is more than sufficient for individuals using it. In simpler terms, this technology can be defined as a digital ledger of commercial transactions which is incorruptible and can be programmed to record not just the financial transactions but anything which has value associated with it.
Information stored as part of the technology in context is quite similar to the same in a spread sheet or any distributed database. Just as a spread sheet containing values can be regularly updated, the block chain too can be updated from time to time. The records stored using the block chain technology are not kept in a private location, instead, such data source are kept in public domain so that they can be verified on a timely basis. Using such a technology, the information is not held by any centralized servers instead they are stored in several database servers across millions of workstations, computers that are connected to the internet. It is because of this that the block chain data cannot be hacked or corrupted.
Since in this technology the blocks of information can be assessed across more than one point in the network therefore it cannot be controlled by a single entity. Since there are multiple copies of block chain information available across networks therefore such technologies do not have a single point of failure. Other facets of this technology are that it is transparent, incorruptible, very much decentralized because the information related to the technology in context is stored in several host machines across the network and all these factors contribute to making the block chain network highly secure.
The functioning of the technology is pretty much encapsulated implying that there is no need to know about the working of the block chain technology in detail, a fundamental idea about the working of the technology is more than sufficient for individuals using it. In simpler terms, this technology can be defined as a digital ledger of commercial transactions which is incorruptible and can be programmed to record not just the financial transactions but anything which has value associated with it.
Information stored as part of the technology in context is quite similar to the same in a spread sheet or any distributed database. Just as a spread sheet containing values can be regularly updated, the block chain too can be updated from time to time. The records stored using the block chain technology are not kept in a private location, instead, such data source are kept in public domain so that they can be verified on a timely basis. Using such a technology, the information is not held by any centralized servers instead they are stored in several database servers across millions of workstations, computers that are connected to the internet. It is because of this that the block chain data cannot be hacked or corrupted.
Since in this technology the blocks of information can be assessed across more than one point in the network therefore it cannot be controlled by a single entity. Since there are multiple copies of block chain information available across networks therefore such technologies do not have a single point of failure. Other facets of this technology are that it is transparent, incorruptible, very much decentralized because the information related to the technology in context is stored in several host machines across the network and all these factors contribute to making the block chain network highly secure.
Laravel: An Overview
Laravel a free PHP web application framework is used in the development of web applications. The architectural framework it follows is MVC (Model - View - Controller). It consists of an open source framework with a striking and dignified syntax. It targets the application functionality which makes the work of the web developer an effortless task. It provides high-level contemplation of common web development patterns, easy shortcuts for repetitive programming tasks, and clear conventions for how to solve problems. Most sites have a certain set of functionality (like data validation, etc) and a framework prevents you from re-writing it each time you create a website.
Laravel is one unrestricted tool that helps to make large robust applications. Its outstanding features and high utility makes it the most used PHP framework ever.
This web application framework was created by Taylor Otwell in 2011 and this framework has accomplished in bearing to the intentions that it was conveyed for i.e. developing web applications using the MVC model.
This web application framework comes with an ample amount of features:
• It includes a timely moderate packing system which also comes with a bonus of a devoted dependency manager.
• It has categorical ways for accessing relational database through routing.
• It has high development speed and extension skill to use multiple modules.
• This framework comes with additional utilities that benefit in application formation and maintenance.
• The direction of this framework is towards syntax.
• This framework is of great benefit when the developers are looking out for something that can provide effortless authentication with simple and easy to use interface.
Companies using Laravel technology use it for its high readability and broad user-friendly features. Another reason that makes Laravel being favored by the developers is that they do not get a complication of spaghetti coding while working on this framework and are also offered with trouble free syntax.
Another reason why companies are bent towards this framework is that it offers dynamic software solutions at an affordable price. A website that is built using Laravel PHP framework is profitable and delivers high routine performance. Companies using Laravel development services are Wattpad, Webrazzi, Gitlab, Engine, Digital, Doorbell, Snapwidget, Bold Commerce, Payzip, Abacus, Moltin.
Laravel developers in any system can use it to provide the following services to their clients:
• Customized Application Development
• SEO friendly Application Structure
• Web Based E- commerce Solutions
• API Integration
• Online CRM Solutions
• Multilingual Solutions
• Payment Getaway Integration.
Laravel is one unrestricted tool that helps to make large robust applications. Its outstanding features and high utility makes it the most used PHP framework ever.
This web application framework was created by Taylor Otwell in 2011 and this framework has accomplished in bearing to the intentions that it was conveyed for i.e. developing web applications using the MVC model.
This web application framework comes with an ample amount of features:
• It includes a timely moderate packing system which also comes with a bonus of a devoted dependency manager.
• It has categorical ways for accessing relational database through routing.
• It has high development speed and extension skill to use multiple modules.
• This framework comes with additional utilities that benefit in application formation and maintenance.
• The direction of this framework is towards syntax.
• This framework is of great benefit when the developers are looking out for something that can provide effortless authentication with simple and easy to use interface.
Companies using Laravel technology use it for its high readability and broad user-friendly features. Another reason that makes Laravel being favored by the developers is that they do not get a complication of spaghetti coding while working on this framework and are also offered with trouble free syntax.
Another reason why companies are bent towards this framework is that it offers dynamic software solutions at an affordable price. A website that is built using Laravel PHP framework is profitable and delivers high routine performance. Companies using Laravel development services are Wattpad, Webrazzi, Gitlab, Engine, Digital, Doorbell, Snapwidget, Bold Commerce, Payzip, Abacus, Moltin.
Laravel developers in any system can use it to provide the following services to their clients:
• Customized Application Development
• SEO friendly Application Structure
• Web Based E- commerce Solutions
• API Integration
• Online CRM Solutions
• Multilingual Solutions
• Payment Getaway Integration.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Technology Update for 2017
Seeing high CPU utilization? It may not be a fault with your computer.
Does your computer stutter when browsing certain websites? Does Windows Resource Monitor show high CPU utilization? Does your Mac's Activity Monitor show your CPU being overutilized? Usually, these symptoms would indicate a computer issue that would need troubleshooting but that may no longer be the case.
Your computer could be being hijacked to mine cryptocurrency. This is referred to as cryptojacking.
An increasing number of websites are including currency mining threads that use your processor to mine for their gain. More advertising networks are being hacked to include cryptocurrency miners and more malware than ever before is now using your computer to generate revenue rather than destroy or impact your data.
Forget Bitcoin, Monero, Litecoins, Dogecoins and Feathercoin are the new kids on the block and everyone wants a piece of them.
How does cryptocurrency mining work?
Bitcoin and other digital currencies are purely theoretical. Nothing exists, no paper money, no coins, no accounts, nothing. Everything is controlled by ledgers. Those ledgers are maintained by the companies that run the currency. To protect the currency, every transaction is encrypted and as you know, encryption is very resource intensive.
To help the system work, the processing of ledgers and transactions is farmed out to other machines, such as your PC to process. Your CPU will be given an encrypted transaction to process and the tools with which to do it. Your processor completes the calculation and sends the result to the central ledger.
In consensual cryptocurrency mining, you are then paid a fixed amount per transaction. You can run these transactions persistently to mine cryptocurrency.
The trouble is, websites and malicious code are using our computers to mine cryptocurrency without our knowledge. We pay for the electricity and contend with a slow computer but get none of the benefit from it. According to the piece from Adguard linked above, 500 million computers are being used to mine cryptocurrency without their owners even being aware.
Some of the websites that feature cryptojacking code profess no knowledge of it. Given the anonymous nature of cryptocurrency, we have to take their word for it.
How to tell us a website uses cryptojacking code
There is a quick and easy way to tell if a particular website uses cryptojacking code. If your CPU utilization spikes on a particular website or page, go to a different page. If utilization drops, it is a good indication that it is cryptojacking you. You could also shut down your browser as a double check.
How to prevent cryptojacking
While not as dangerous as malware or a virus, cryptojacking is still using your computer for someone else's gain. That is not acceptable and we need to do something about that.
Your first line of defense is an adblocker. As many types of cryptojacking code are served through infected ads, a good adblocker can stop them.
Next is a good quality malware scanner. Some types of cryptojacking code are delivered through malware and will not be detectable by an adblocker. If you see CPU utilization spike, run your scanner and remove anything it finds. If you still see high utilization, run your antivirus too, just in case.
Finally, there are some browser extensions emerging designed to block all manner of cryptojacking code. Extensions such as AntiMiner, NoCoin and MinerBlock are being tested to see if they can protect your computer.
Some websites are being up front about using cryptocurrency mining to help pay the bills. These sites we have no problem with and would suggest letting them use your computer to help keep the lights on. As more of us block ads to protect ourselves, this trend is likely to continue. If the website is honest, I see no issue with it. If they try to hide it, they deserve to be blocked.
Does your computer stutter when browsing certain websites? Does Windows Resource Monitor show high CPU utilization? Does your Mac's Activity Monitor show your CPU being overutilized? Usually, these symptoms would indicate a computer issue that would need troubleshooting but that may no longer be the case.
Your computer could be being hijacked to mine cryptocurrency. This is referred to as cryptojacking.
An increasing number of websites are including currency mining threads that use your processor to mine for their gain. More advertising networks are being hacked to include cryptocurrency miners and more malware than ever before is now using your computer to generate revenue rather than destroy or impact your data.
Forget Bitcoin, Monero, Litecoins, Dogecoins and Feathercoin are the new kids on the block and everyone wants a piece of them.
How does cryptocurrency mining work?
Bitcoin and other digital currencies are purely theoretical. Nothing exists, no paper money, no coins, no accounts, nothing. Everything is controlled by ledgers. Those ledgers are maintained by the companies that run the currency. To protect the currency, every transaction is encrypted and as you know, encryption is very resource intensive.
To help the system work, the processing of ledgers and transactions is farmed out to other machines, such as your PC to process. Your CPU will be given an encrypted transaction to process and the tools with which to do it. Your processor completes the calculation and sends the result to the central ledger.
In consensual cryptocurrency mining, you are then paid a fixed amount per transaction. You can run these transactions persistently to mine cryptocurrency.
The trouble is, websites and malicious code are using our computers to mine cryptocurrency without our knowledge. We pay for the electricity and contend with a slow computer but get none of the benefit from it. According to the piece from Adguard linked above, 500 million computers are being used to mine cryptocurrency without their owners even being aware.
Some of the websites that feature cryptojacking code profess no knowledge of it. Given the anonymous nature of cryptocurrency, we have to take their word for it.
How to tell us a website uses cryptojacking code
There is a quick and easy way to tell if a particular website uses cryptojacking code. If your CPU utilization spikes on a particular website or page, go to a different page. If utilization drops, it is a good indication that it is cryptojacking you. You could also shut down your browser as a double check.
How to prevent cryptojacking
While not as dangerous as malware or a virus, cryptojacking is still using your computer for someone else's gain. That is not acceptable and we need to do something about that.
Your first line of defense is an adblocker. As many types of cryptojacking code are served through infected ads, a good adblocker can stop them.
Next is a good quality malware scanner. Some types of cryptojacking code are delivered through malware and will not be detectable by an adblocker. If you see CPU utilization spike, run your scanner and remove anything it finds. If you still see high utilization, run your antivirus too, just in case.
Finally, there are some browser extensions emerging designed to block all manner of cryptojacking code. Extensions such as AntiMiner, NoCoin and MinerBlock are being tested to see if they can protect your computer.
Some websites are being up front about using cryptocurrency mining to help pay the bills. These sites we have no problem with and would suggest letting them use your computer to help keep the lights on. As more of us block ads to protect ourselves, this trend is likely to continue. If the website is honest, I see no issue with it. If they try to hide it, they deserve to be blocked.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
8 Things to Cover in Your Managed Services Agreements
Outsourcing your IT processes to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a great idea. But to benefit the most from an MSP, it is essential that both the parties are on the same page regarding requirements and deliverables.
With an accurate Managed Services Agreement outlining the services provided by MSP, clients can build realistic expectations while covering the MSPs against liabilities.
While creating a Managed Services Agreement, there are certain things which you shouldn't miss out; let's go through them in detail.
1. Services
The first and foremost thing to be included in your agreement is the kind of services you are going to provide to the client. Whether it is just management, cloud, support services or a package of all of them; everything should be clearly outlined. It is also important to mention which services are excluded to avoid future complications.
2. Response time
The agreement should clearly define the duration of which you will be responding to an issue brought up by your client. Make sure to specify your business hours and if you will be providing services in addition to those business hours. If yes, then whether extra charges would be applicable for that or not.
3. Responsibilities
Your Managed Services Agreement should clearly account for all the things you will be responsible for during your association with the clients. It should state what responsibilities will be taken up by you in cases of system, hardware or network failures or glitches.
All such scenarios should be pointed out in detail so that the client doesn't form any misconception about your services.
4. Availability
Your client can build unrealistic expectations regarding the services they will be getting from you. To avoid this, it is very important that you define the realistic services which you will be able to provide them. For example, how fast will you be fixing any system failure or disasters? How often will backups be carried out? It will provide them with a real assurance of your services.
5. Client demands
To avoid getting called for unreasonable client demands, it is important for you to define your system requirements. What that means is, there must be some standards defined in the agreement on the basis of which the client will be able to avail your services. If these set standards are not met, you are not liable to offer your services.
6. Guarantee
Don't promise more than you can deliver. While confirming your alliance with any of your clients, be sure about your deliverables and abilities. It is best to avoid making false guarantees in order to acquire a prospective client.
7. Performance
Your agreement should document expectations concerning system performance with clarity. It is especially helpful if you are dealing with services related to hardware, workstations and third-party systems.
8. Priorities
It is possible that your clients might trouble you with petty issues and make them seem as urgent. To avoid this scenario, you must define your priorities without any confusion. It gives your client a clear idea of what problems can be stated as urgent and which of them can wait a little longer for solutions.
So the next time when you are getting that agreement ready, make sure to tick these points off your list for a smooth alliance.
With an accurate Managed Services Agreement outlining the services provided by MSP, clients can build realistic expectations while covering the MSPs against liabilities.
While creating a Managed Services Agreement, there are certain things which you shouldn't miss out; let's go through them in detail.
1. Services
The first and foremost thing to be included in your agreement is the kind of services you are going to provide to the client. Whether it is just management, cloud, support services or a package of all of them; everything should be clearly outlined. It is also important to mention which services are excluded to avoid future complications.
2. Response time
The agreement should clearly define the duration of which you will be responding to an issue brought up by your client. Make sure to specify your business hours and if you will be providing services in addition to those business hours. If yes, then whether extra charges would be applicable for that or not.
3. Responsibilities
Your Managed Services Agreement should clearly account for all the things you will be responsible for during your association with the clients. It should state what responsibilities will be taken up by you in cases of system, hardware or network failures or glitches.
All such scenarios should be pointed out in detail so that the client doesn't form any misconception about your services.
4. Availability
Your client can build unrealistic expectations regarding the services they will be getting from you. To avoid this, it is very important that you define the realistic services which you will be able to provide them. For example, how fast will you be fixing any system failure or disasters? How often will backups be carried out? It will provide them with a real assurance of your services.
5. Client demands
To avoid getting called for unreasonable client demands, it is important for you to define your system requirements. What that means is, there must be some standards defined in the agreement on the basis of which the client will be able to avail your services. If these set standards are not met, you are not liable to offer your services.
6. Guarantee
Don't promise more than you can deliver. While confirming your alliance with any of your clients, be sure about your deliverables and abilities. It is best to avoid making false guarantees in order to acquire a prospective client.
7. Performance
Your agreement should document expectations concerning system performance with clarity. It is especially helpful if you are dealing with services related to hardware, workstations and third-party systems.
8. Priorities
It is possible that your clients might trouble you with petty issues and make them seem as urgent. To avoid this scenario, you must define your priorities without any confusion. It gives your client a clear idea of what problems can be stated as urgent and which of them can wait a little longer for solutions.
So the next time when you are getting that agreement ready, make sure to tick these points off your list for a smooth alliance.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Advantages of Master Clock Systems
A master clock is a hardware device that obtains accurate time from a hardware reference and synchronizes slave clocks and time displays. The slave clocks rely on the master clock to display the correct time.
Once set, traditional, unsynchronized clocks drift away from the correct time at differing rates. After a relatively short amount of time, they can all display very different times. Correcting individual clocks can be a very time-consuming process which needs to be carried out at regular intervals.
GPS Master Clocks
Master clocks can use hardware time references, such as the GPS system to obtain very precise time. GPS is accurate to one-second in three hundred million years. Therefore, all time displays and slave clocks can refer to a highly accurate, legally traceable source of time. GPS systems require an antenna that is typically located with a clear view of the sky. Alternatively, where antenna installation is difficult, public internet Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers can be used.
Everyone Works To The Same Time
Many organizations can benefit from synchronized clocks. Staff all work to the same time, therefore meetings can start promptly, classes in schools start and finish as scheduled and shifts start and end consistently. Hospitals, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries can accurately log events.
Low Maintenance
Once installed and correctly configured, slave clocks are virtually maintenance free in contrast to high-maintenance stand-alone clocks.
Automatic Adjustment
In many countries, clocks need to be adjusted twice a year to correct for daylight saving time. If a large number of clocks need correcting, it can be very time-consuming. Often clocks are located at height or in inaccessible positions that makes the task even more time-consuming. Additionally, adjustment often takes place well after the event, clocks will therefore be incorrect for an extended period.
Master clocks adjust for daylight saving time automatically, requiring no manual user intervention. Additionally, all clocks adjust at the correct moment so that a continuously accurate time is displayed.
An added advantage is that slave clocks can often be configured to display time in different time-zones, ideal for trading floors and meeting rooms.
Automatic Recovery
Power outages or failures can cause unsynchronized clocks to become inaccurate. Each clock must then be corrected individually. Master clock systems automatically obtain accurate time from hardware references such as GPS. Within minutes of the power being restored, slave clocks will be back up and running. Often no operator intervention is required.
Once set, traditional, unsynchronized clocks drift away from the correct time at differing rates. After a relatively short amount of time, they can all display very different times. Correcting individual clocks can be a very time-consuming process which needs to be carried out at regular intervals.
GPS Master Clocks
Master clocks can use hardware time references, such as the GPS system to obtain very precise time. GPS is accurate to one-second in three hundred million years. Therefore, all time displays and slave clocks can refer to a highly accurate, legally traceable source of time. GPS systems require an antenna that is typically located with a clear view of the sky. Alternatively, where antenna installation is difficult, public internet Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers can be used.
Everyone Works To The Same Time
Many organizations can benefit from synchronized clocks. Staff all work to the same time, therefore meetings can start promptly, classes in schools start and finish as scheduled and shifts start and end consistently. Hospitals, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries can accurately log events.
Low Maintenance
Once installed and correctly configured, slave clocks are virtually maintenance free in contrast to high-maintenance stand-alone clocks.
Automatic Adjustment
In many countries, clocks need to be adjusted twice a year to correct for daylight saving time. If a large number of clocks need correcting, it can be very time-consuming. Often clocks are located at height or in inaccessible positions that makes the task even more time-consuming. Additionally, adjustment often takes place well after the event, clocks will therefore be incorrect for an extended period.
Master clocks adjust for daylight saving time automatically, requiring no manual user intervention. Additionally, all clocks adjust at the correct moment so that a continuously accurate time is displayed.
An added advantage is that slave clocks can often be configured to display time in different time-zones, ideal for trading floors and meeting rooms.
Automatic Recovery
Power outages or failures can cause unsynchronized clocks to become inaccurate. Each clock must then be corrected individually. Master clock systems automatically obtain accurate time from hardware references such as GPS. Within minutes of the power being restored, slave clocks will be back up and running. Often no operator intervention is required.
Friday, August 11, 2017
Protecting Your Digital Footprint
We all have a Digital Footprint regardless of how much you spend on-line. Even if you have never been on-line, don't have email or use social media, you still have a Digital Footprint. Yes, the more you are on-line the greater your exposure to some sort of identity theft.
Here is something to think about. Is it safer to go to a store and use your credit/debit card in person, or is it safer to shop on-line with your credit/debit card? The answer and explanation will be at the end of this article.
So how do we protect ourselves while on-line?
Have a different password for each on-line account you have
Use a non-dictionary password, using caps, numbers, symbols at least 12 characters
Use a password manager to keep track of all your passwords
Be careful of what you put on social media
Keep all your devices OS up to date (do the updates)
Use Internet Security software for you PC's
Use security software for your phones and tablets
When you are banking or investing on-line it would be wise to use what is called "Two factor Authorization". This means that after you put in your User Name and Password, you will get a text with an authorization number that you must input to gain access.
Soon finger prints, eye scans or other biometrics will be used as a login. These are getting better and more reliable, expect to see them soon in wide scale use.
Most infections or hacks come in through email or infected apps that are downloaded. Be very careful when clicking an embedded link in an email. If possible don't do this, instead go to that web site directly. For example, you may get an email from your bank that says your statements are ready, do not click the link, instead go to the bank site directly from your browser.
Now the answer from above. Generally, it's safer to shop on-line. The reason, when you put in your credit card numbers they are encrypted all the way to the credit card clearing center. When you use your card at a store you hand it to a store employee, in some cases you lose sight of that card. On-line the only human hands that your card touches are yours.
You should always use a credit card when shopping on-line, never a debit card. You have more protection with a credit card.
George Uliano is a security professional with years of law enforcement and security experience. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Business graduating with honors. George holds three U.S. patents on different locking principles. This combination gives George and His Company Locking Systems International Inc the unique ability to provide its customers with the correct security at an affordable price.
Here is something to think about. Is it safer to go to a store and use your credit/debit card in person, or is it safer to shop on-line with your credit/debit card? The answer and explanation will be at the end of this article.
So how do we protect ourselves while on-line?
Have a different password for each on-line account you have
Use a non-dictionary password, using caps, numbers, symbols at least 12 characters
Use a password manager to keep track of all your passwords
Be careful of what you put on social media
Keep all your devices OS up to date (do the updates)
Use Internet Security software for you PC's
Use security software for your phones and tablets
When you are banking or investing on-line it would be wise to use what is called "Two factor Authorization". This means that after you put in your User Name and Password, you will get a text with an authorization number that you must input to gain access.
Soon finger prints, eye scans or other biometrics will be used as a login. These are getting better and more reliable, expect to see them soon in wide scale use.
Most infections or hacks come in through email or infected apps that are downloaded. Be very careful when clicking an embedded link in an email. If possible don't do this, instead go to that web site directly. For example, you may get an email from your bank that says your statements are ready, do not click the link, instead go to the bank site directly from your browser.
Now the answer from above. Generally, it's safer to shop on-line. The reason, when you put in your credit card numbers they are encrypted all the way to the credit card clearing center. When you use your card at a store you hand it to a store employee, in some cases you lose sight of that card. On-line the only human hands that your card touches are yours.
You should always use a credit card when shopping on-line, never a debit card. You have more protection with a credit card.
George Uliano is a security professional with years of law enforcement and security experience. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Business graduating with honors. George holds three U.S. patents on different locking principles. This combination gives George and His Company Locking Systems International Inc the unique ability to provide its customers with the correct security at an affordable price.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Top 4 PCB Surface Finishes - Pros and Cons
PCB Surface Finish Solutions Pros & Cons
PCB Surface finish form the critical interface between the board and the components. In recent years, their widespread availability has overwhelmed some electronic designers. This post hopes to shed some light on the pros and cons of the four most dominant PCB surface finish solutions on the market: Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Electrolysis Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG), Electroplated Nickel Gold and Immersion Tin or Silver. The following post applies to Rigid Printed Circuits Boards (PCB) and Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC).
Note: PCBs are generally made of rigid materials and will not bend during their application. FPCs are usually thin and made of materials capable of bending and/or movement during application. Processing and application requirements dictate whether the PCB surface finish is electroplated, electrolysis, immersion or deposited.
Conditions that influence PCB Surface Finish Selection:
Oxidation protection of PCBs metal traces (usually copper).
Surface solderability for electrical and mechanical component attachment.
Surface bondability for chip mounted components using gold and aluminum wire.
Any combinations of the above.
Mechanical applications (e.g. stress, strains etc.).
Environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, relative humidity etc.).
Mechanical contacts requiring abrasion resistance and oxidation protection.
General Discussion of Available Surface finishes
Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP)
OSP has a limited shelf life. Its most frequent use is soldering when the protectant is dissipated during the process, thus no additional removal processes are needed.
Caution: once removed, the bare copper is exposed and subject to oxidation. When multiple finishes are needed on the same PCB, OSP can be applied over other types of surface finish (e.g. wire bonding and soldering, mechanical contact surfaces and soldering, etc.).
Electrolysis Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG)
ENIG is a widely used surface finish for soldering, aluminum wire wedge bonding and mechanical contact points (connector pads, test points, etc.). The copper surface has an electrolysis nickel layer deposited (150 micro inches minimum) to seal the copper. A layer of gold is then deposited to protect the nickel from oxidation and provide a solderable surface to the nickel. The gold is absorbed and dispersed into the solder. The gold is an immersion process and the thickness is self-limiting (2 to 3 micro inches max).
The nickel layer is very brittle and cannot be subjected to stress or strains in the Z axis without cracking. Flexible PCBs are especially susceptible to this with all areas subject to potential bending supported with rigidizing materials.
Caution: Improperly controlled ENIG processing can result in weak solder connections which may not be visible and/or result in failure. A typical sign of failure is a flat black copper pad after the attached component has been forcibly removed.
Electroplated Nickel Gold
In today's complex circuits, this surface finish is very limited because it requires that all surfaces to be plated have to be electrically connected (i.e. an electrical charge must be present for plating). These interconnections must then be broken to make the circuit functional. The plated nickel is very solderable and not subject to the solderability issues of ENIG. The plated gold has no limits on thickness and can support wire-bonding processes like Thermo Compression Bonding (i.e. ball bonding).
Caution: Thicker gold can result in solder joints being too brittle when using lead based solders.
Immersion Tin and Immersion Silver
These processes provide solderable surfaces but tend to have oxidation and tarnish issues that impact solderability. They are not widely used or available.
PCB Surface finish form the critical interface between the board and the components. In recent years, their widespread availability has overwhelmed some electronic designers. This post hopes to shed some light on the pros and cons of the four most dominant PCB surface finish solutions on the market: Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Electrolysis Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG), Electroplated Nickel Gold and Immersion Tin or Silver. The following post applies to Rigid Printed Circuits Boards (PCB) and Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC).
Note: PCBs are generally made of rigid materials and will not bend during their application. FPCs are usually thin and made of materials capable of bending and/or movement during application. Processing and application requirements dictate whether the PCB surface finish is electroplated, electrolysis, immersion or deposited.
Conditions that influence PCB Surface Finish Selection:
Oxidation protection of PCBs metal traces (usually copper).
Surface solderability for electrical and mechanical component attachment.
Surface bondability for chip mounted components using gold and aluminum wire.
Any combinations of the above.
Mechanical applications (e.g. stress, strains etc.).
Environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, relative humidity etc.).
Mechanical contacts requiring abrasion resistance and oxidation protection.
General Discussion of Available Surface finishes
Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP)
OSP has a limited shelf life. Its most frequent use is soldering when the protectant is dissipated during the process, thus no additional removal processes are needed.
Caution: once removed, the bare copper is exposed and subject to oxidation. When multiple finishes are needed on the same PCB, OSP can be applied over other types of surface finish (e.g. wire bonding and soldering, mechanical contact surfaces and soldering, etc.).
Electrolysis Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG)
ENIG is a widely used surface finish for soldering, aluminum wire wedge bonding and mechanical contact points (connector pads, test points, etc.). The copper surface has an electrolysis nickel layer deposited (150 micro inches minimum) to seal the copper. A layer of gold is then deposited to protect the nickel from oxidation and provide a solderable surface to the nickel. The gold is absorbed and dispersed into the solder. The gold is an immersion process and the thickness is self-limiting (2 to 3 micro inches max).
The nickel layer is very brittle and cannot be subjected to stress or strains in the Z axis without cracking. Flexible PCBs are especially susceptible to this with all areas subject to potential bending supported with rigidizing materials.
Caution: Improperly controlled ENIG processing can result in weak solder connections which may not be visible and/or result in failure. A typical sign of failure is a flat black copper pad after the attached component has been forcibly removed.
Electroplated Nickel Gold
In today's complex circuits, this surface finish is very limited because it requires that all surfaces to be plated have to be electrically connected (i.e. an electrical charge must be present for plating). These interconnections must then be broken to make the circuit functional. The plated nickel is very solderable and not subject to the solderability issues of ENIG. The plated gold has no limits on thickness and can support wire-bonding processes like Thermo Compression Bonding (i.e. ball bonding).
Caution: Thicker gold can result in solder joints being too brittle when using lead based solders.
Immersion Tin and Immersion Silver
These processes provide solderable surfaces but tend to have oxidation and tarnish issues that impact solderability. They are not widely used or available.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
The Heart of Your Computer
The Central Processing Unit (CPU), the heart of your computer, is located on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip also contains the memory (the data that you have created or captured and stored) of your computer. Some technicians refer to the memory as the brain, but a brain thinks, reasons, and forms ideas, whereas memory, like a library of books, only gives you back what it has.
Most folks know about the IC chip, the most important (and most expensive) component of their computer. Those who do not know that usually learn it when a chip manufacturer (such as Intel, AMD, Nvidia, or other) reports that they will send a software patch to correct a vulnerability in chips they sold or placed in electronic devices, like your computer. Think of a technology vulnerability like a door left unlocked in your house. Someone unwanted might enter your house. A vulnerability in your IC chip provides an opportunity for someone to get access to your memory data, to steal it, mess it up, or lock it up until you pay them a ransom to get a code to release it.
But, remember that your computer has a heart, the CPU, which processes the patches of vulnerabilities. Find out who sends the patches to your computer and how. Microsoft supports your computer that contains a Microsoft Windows operation system. Apple supports your iPad or other Apple product. You may have a Linux operating system and need to get your patches from Redhat or other Linux supporter. Other types of microprocessors exist as well. Check your purchase data to learn about them. When you find the correct one, contact them and find out when they push the patches electronically to their product users. Probably your operating system support company sends a massive electronic push once per month, a smaller weekly push, and (in an emergency to correct a serious IC chip flaw), as soon as the patch exists.
You may leave your computer on all of the time. If you do, your operating system support company regularly sends the patches to your computer. Check your security history file to see which ones you have (you want to see current dates). Contact the sender if you want to know more about the patch. If you turn your computer off at the end of your day, pick one day each week in which you will leave it on to get the patches. Also, say a prayer for your CPU. As long as it has a heart, you have a computer.
Most folks know about the IC chip, the most important (and most expensive) component of their computer. Those who do not know that usually learn it when a chip manufacturer (such as Intel, AMD, Nvidia, or other) reports that they will send a software patch to correct a vulnerability in chips they sold or placed in electronic devices, like your computer. Think of a technology vulnerability like a door left unlocked in your house. Someone unwanted might enter your house. A vulnerability in your IC chip provides an opportunity for someone to get access to your memory data, to steal it, mess it up, or lock it up until you pay them a ransom to get a code to release it.
But, remember that your computer has a heart, the CPU, which processes the patches of vulnerabilities. Find out who sends the patches to your computer and how. Microsoft supports your computer that contains a Microsoft Windows operation system. Apple supports your iPad or other Apple product. You may have a Linux operating system and need to get your patches from Redhat or other Linux supporter. Other types of microprocessors exist as well. Check your purchase data to learn about them. When you find the correct one, contact them and find out when they push the patches electronically to their product users. Probably your operating system support company sends a massive electronic push once per month, a smaller weekly push, and (in an emergency to correct a serious IC chip flaw), as soon as the patch exists.
You may leave your computer on all of the time. If you do, your operating system support company regularly sends the patches to your computer. Check your security history file to see which ones you have (you want to see current dates). Contact the sender if you want to know more about the patch. If you turn your computer off at the end of your day, pick one day each week in which you will leave it on to get the patches. Also, say a prayer for your CPU. As long as it has a heart, you have a computer.
The Twenty Minute War
Jannsun Rader had started work for Matrix right after he tired of trying to write the great American Novel, which was about five years ago, right after the war. He was old for a Web Zone designer but who knew? Who cared? His work was all done via satellite and as long as his work was good, his online brokerage account kept growing and growing.
He grabbed his sat phone, his digital companion, and headed topside. The wind had settled down and he was making 5.5 knots over the surface of the water according to the GPS. He gained some sort of comfort in thinking of the cloud of satellites overhead keeping track of his exact location anywhere upon the surface of the globe. Single handed sailing was surely not what it used to be. Now the isolation was more illusion than reality. If he should encounter serious trouble, his position would be marked from satellites and a hover craft would be on site within two hours. Hell, they probably would even have a photograph of his terror stricken face. Of course the insurance bill would be hefty, but it was the law. The illusion was fine though, he could really feel himself to be the last (or the first) man on earth. From horizon to horizon for days on end, not one sign of human habitation.
He walked to the rear of the cockpit and sat behind the wheel as the auto pilot silently turned it ever so slightly in accordance with the next way-point previously set into the Global Positioning System software. Through the fog, he could see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, or what was left of it, since the earth changes had started. It would be good to get back to San Francisco or San Frantasia as it was now called since it had been pretty well destroyed by the Richter 8.9 quake the previous year.
On his radar, Jannsun could see the blip of a large freighter coming over the horizon. These cargo carriers were absolutely huge. As he got closer he could see the helicopter lift off and turn back toward land. That would be carrying the crew. These new ships were totally robotic once they reached the twenty five mile limit. Then the crew was choppered off and the ship sailed on controlled by the auto pilot and the overhead satellite array. Since they were so large they could not turn to avoid a small craft such as Jannsun's, so their defense was an ungodly loud alarm horn which woke Jannsun up on more than one occasion. The klaxon would be triggered at five miles separation if the ship's radar suspected a possible collision. Once the horn was sounded it was the smaller craft's job to move out of the path of the floating city of steel. Still there was no guarantee. Many a large cargo ship had entered port with the debris of smaller vessels caught in the anchor chain and smeared across the steel bow.
As Jannsun watched the sails pull his boat along over the small waves he had to laugh when he thought of the recent War and the rumors about the war. He had been between the Marshall Islands and Hawaii when it happened. It was supposed to be a secret but it seemed the older he became and the more connected he became, the more secrets he was becoming privy to.
He heard it from a guy, who heard it from a guy, who knew a guy, who was actually involved. According to this guy, The War lasted twenty minutes, give or take a few seconds. The computers told each side who would win, by how much and the outside limits of the overall devastation. But the losing side was new to computer war and insisted on firing a real nuclear salvo. That mistake would not be made again.
Jannsun had been aware of the holo-projection of soldiers and implements of destruction on and over battlefields and street corners but he hadn't been aware of the Time Benders, the Mach 50 anti-gravity machines. Machines that were so fast they could actually intercept an enemy missile before it's physical body could completely lift off its launching pad. Machines so fast it was said they literally--bent time. These Time Benders were said to be able to move from a base in the states to a foreign battle field before a hostile combatant's hand could cycle a round into the firing chamber of his rifle. So fast, they could be there before an enemy tech's fingers hovering over a computer keyboard somewhere in a subterranean bunker could even reach the "Enter" key. Two seconds, maybe less. Some even went so far as to say that the newest stealth, skunk works stuff was so fast it could actually bend time and travel slightly backward so as to be there looking over the enemy's shoulder as the hostile idea first seemed to occur in his mind. Time Benders. San Frantasia to New York in two seconds, maybe four. The time delay was to give the controller on the ground a chance to gather his thoughts. No passengers allowed.
These craft were not piloted by human beings. It was found way back in the nineties that human pilots could not take anything above 12 "G's" before slipping out of their bodies. This was called "G-lock" and it spelled the end for super high performance manned fighter planes. These robo-drone super planes were now all flown remotely by teenagers from underground bunkers. It was the ultimate synchronicity that children (future warriors) had been training for years on very sophisticated and ever evolving 3-d video games. The athletic pilot/engineer of the 20th Century was a thing of the past, just another artifact. Technology was on the verge of time travel, and American teenagers would be the ones with their grimy little fingers on the buttons.
In the case of the Twenty Minute War, five enemy nucs blew about ten feet off their own launching pads. "No Nucs Today", was the glad news on CNN that evening. At least not on American soil. The media, fed by the government machine, made it appear the enemy was so incompetent that all their missiles misfired and exploded in their silos but both sides knew the truth. Jannsun knew the truth, or as much of it as his personal data net was aware of. Who really knew anything for sure anymore? It looked like the technology of perception had finally outrun the technology of verification.
Maybe there was no truth. Things had become so strange that sometimes Jannsun suspected that everything had already happened and we were just toying with selective memory.
He grabbed his sat phone, his digital companion, and headed topside. The wind had settled down and he was making 5.5 knots over the surface of the water according to the GPS. He gained some sort of comfort in thinking of the cloud of satellites overhead keeping track of his exact location anywhere upon the surface of the globe. Single handed sailing was surely not what it used to be. Now the isolation was more illusion than reality. If he should encounter serious trouble, his position would be marked from satellites and a hover craft would be on site within two hours. Hell, they probably would even have a photograph of his terror stricken face. Of course the insurance bill would be hefty, but it was the law. The illusion was fine though, he could really feel himself to be the last (or the first) man on earth. From horizon to horizon for days on end, not one sign of human habitation.
He walked to the rear of the cockpit and sat behind the wheel as the auto pilot silently turned it ever so slightly in accordance with the next way-point previously set into the Global Positioning System software. Through the fog, he could see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, or what was left of it, since the earth changes had started. It would be good to get back to San Francisco or San Frantasia as it was now called since it had been pretty well destroyed by the Richter 8.9 quake the previous year.
On his radar, Jannsun could see the blip of a large freighter coming over the horizon. These cargo carriers were absolutely huge. As he got closer he could see the helicopter lift off and turn back toward land. That would be carrying the crew. These new ships were totally robotic once they reached the twenty five mile limit. Then the crew was choppered off and the ship sailed on controlled by the auto pilot and the overhead satellite array. Since they were so large they could not turn to avoid a small craft such as Jannsun's, so their defense was an ungodly loud alarm horn which woke Jannsun up on more than one occasion. The klaxon would be triggered at five miles separation if the ship's radar suspected a possible collision. Once the horn was sounded it was the smaller craft's job to move out of the path of the floating city of steel. Still there was no guarantee. Many a large cargo ship had entered port with the debris of smaller vessels caught in the anchor chain and smeared across the steel bow.
As Jannsun watched the sails pull his boat along over the small waves he had to laugh when he thought of the recent War and the rumors about the war. He had been between the Marshall Islands and Hawaii when it happened. It was supposed to be a secret but it seemed the older he became and the more connected he became, the more secrets he was becoming privy to.
He heard it from a guy, who heard it from a guy, who knew a guy, who was actually involved. According to this guy, The War lasted twenty minutes, give or take a few seconds. The computers told each side who would win, by how much and the outside limits of the overall devastation. But the losing side was new to computer war and insisted on firing a real nuclear salvo. That mistake would not be made again.
Jannsun had been aware of the holo-projection of soldiers and implements of destruction on and over battlefields and street corners but he hadn't been aware of the Time Benders, the Mach 50 anti-gravity machines. Machines that were so fast they could actually intercept an enemy missile before it's physical body could completely lift off its launching pad. Machines so fast it was said they literally--bent time. These Time Benders were said to be able to move from a base in the states to a foreign battle field before a hostile combatant's hand could cycle a round into the firing chamber of his rifle. So fast, they could be there before an enemy tech's fingers hovering over a computer keyboard somewhere in a subterranean bunker could even reach the "Enter" key. Two seconds, maybe less. Some even went so far as to say that the newest stealth, skunk works stuff was so fast it could actually bend time and travel slightly backward so as to be there looking over the enemy's shoulder as the hostile idea first seemed to occur in his mind. Time Benders. San Frantasia to New York in two seconds, maybe four. The time delay was to give the controller on the ground a chance to gather his thoughts. No passengers allowed.
These craft were not piloted by human beings. It was found way back in the nineties that human pilots could not take anything above 12 "G's" before slipping out of their bodies. This was called "G-lock" and it spelled the end for super high performance manned fighter planes. These robo-drone super planes were now all flown remotely by teenagers from underground bunkers. It was the ultimate synchronicity that children (future warriors) had been training for years on very sophisticated and ever evolving 3-d video games. The athletic pilot/engineer of the 20th Century was a thing of the past, just another artifact. Technology was on the verge of time travel, and American teenagers would be the ones with their grimy little fingers on the buttons.
In the case of the Twenty Minute War, five enemy nucs blew about ten feet off their own launching pads. "No Nucs Today", was the glad news on CNN that evening. At least not on American soil. The media, fed by the government machine, made it appear the enemy was so incompetent that all their missiles misfired and exploded in their silos but both sides knew the truth. Jannsun knew the truth, or as much of it as his personal data net was aware of. Who really knew anything for sure anymore? It looked like the technology of perception had finally outrun the technology of verification.
Maybe there was no truth. Things had become so strange that sometimes Jannsun suspected that everything had already happened and we were just toying with selective memory.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
How To Stop Thinking About Technology
Is technology always on your mind? It need not be. It's a wide world out there for you to venture and experience a lot of other fun stuff which may be missing from your life. Please stop thinking about technology for a while. This article gives you seven ways for that. Read on to find out.
Here they go:
1) Life is not only about cell phones and digital screens. The more you focus on them, the more UV rays radiating from them deteriorate your eyesight and may even lead to blindness. It is so much better to spend time, cuddle and chitchat with your family members for a greater while.
2) You don't want to be contacted every five minutes by your family or friends. Switch your cell phone off and enjoy the scenes and sceneries around as you drive on the highway. Let your hair down, drive carefully and enjoy the beauty of life.
3) There are so many fun activities to do instead of sitting slump on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and watching the TV. Be active and join the volunteers team of your community and do some volunteer work for instance, mowing the highly grown grasses of your environment and planting new seeds for growing trees. Working as a team and spending time in mother nature will definitely raise your spirits and make you look forward to doing more of it again and again.
4) Instead of staying addicted to technology, engage yourself in one or two hobbies in your spare times. It can be cooking new recipes or plotting a fiction story whatever you love and spend your time fruitfully. It will definitely broaden your outlook and you will be wiser day by day as you engage more in hobbies you love.
5) Instead of opening your digital screens, borrow books from the local library and make time for reading them. It may be anything you like to read in your niche or a niche you are beginning to get interested. You become learned by the number of books you read every month and you will soar to great heights.
6) Instead of staying glued to technology, find a way to better your fingers at playing the piano which gets little attention in the piano space of your home. Get more musical sheets and play more and more until you are ready to play in a concert for fund-raising reasons for sick children or adults near about your community. God will acknowledge your good intentions and shower on you with more blessings.
7) Instead of chatting with new modern girls or celebrities, control yourself, get real and buy roses for your spouse to show how much you love her and how much you appreciate her contribution to the family, without whom your life would be empty.
These are seven special reasons why you need to stop thinking about technology for a while, be manly, carry out responsible activities as a spouse, parent, colleague or Boss and make the most out of everything from your life.
Here they go:
1) Life is not only about cell phones and digital screens. The more you focus on them, the more UV rays radiating from them deteriorate your eyesight and may even lead to blindness. It is so much better to spend time, cuddle and chitchat with your family members for a greater while.
2) You don't want to be contacted every five minutes by your family or friends. Switch your cell phone off and enjoy the scenes and sceneries around as you drive on the highway. Let your hair down, drive carefully and enjoy the beauty of life.
3) There are so many fun activities to do instead of sitting slump on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and watching the TV. Be active and join the volunteers team of your community and do some volunteer work for instance, mowing the highly grown grasses of your environment and planting new seeds for growing trees. Working as a team and spending time in mother nature will definitely raise your spirits and make you look forward to doing more of it again and again.
4) Instead of staying addicted to technology, engage yourself in one or two hobbies in your spare times. It can be cooking new recipes or plotting a fiction story whatever you love and spend your time fruitfully. It will definitely broaden your outlook and you will be wiser day by day as you engage more in hobbies you love.
5) Instead of opening your digital screens, borrow books from the local library and make time for reading them. It may be anything you like to read in your niche or a niche you are beginning to get interested. You become learned by the number of books you read every month and you will soar to great heights.
6) Instead of staying glued to technology, find a way to better your fingers at playing the piano which gets little attention in the piano space of your home. Get more musical sheets and play more and more until you are ready to play in a concert for fund-raising reasons for sick children or adults near about your community. God will acknowledge your good intentions and shower on you with more blessings.
7) Instead of chatting with new modern girls or celebrities, control yourself, get real and buy roses for your spouse to show how much you love her and how much you appreciate her contribution to the family, without whom your life would be empty.
These are seven special reasons why you need to stop thinking about technology for a while, be manly, carry out responsible activities as a spouse, parent, colleague or Boss and make the most out of everything from your life.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
5 Benefits of Artificial Intelligence
One of the most misunderstood terms in technology is artificial intelligence. There have been several arguments of how this could result into a very disturbing concept for the human race. However, without knowing, the cognitive system is already in use and even appreciated by all who fear its effect. Some argue that it will cause several distortion especially unemployment. However, artificial intelligence are managed, maintained and even coded by humans. This is an employment means, instead of unemployment.
What this simply means is that artificial intelligence can help to improve human life and reduce stress. Here are the benefits of artificial intelligence.
Insight in Marketing and Business
Data is probably the most important raw material for the transformation of an economy to a digital economy. However, this raw data are hovering in the air untapped, unprocessed, and useless. It can be deployed for data mining, and processing of big data in a few minutes to provide information on business insights.
Fraud Detection
One of the movies that displayed to a high extent what Artificial Intelligence can really do is the 2012 BattleShip. Artificial intelligence can be deployed in the detection of fraud by data analysis of several fraudulent behaviors. The system can trace out links and possible direction, which a fraud is most likely to take through the application of artificial intelligence, which involves Data analysis of previous record deployed in a cognitive system to track, trace, and even be totally be aware of possible fraudulent action before they occur.
Speedy Input and Management of New Information
Over the years, companies are constantly seeking ways to manage date, speedily input them and also recover them when needed. This has go through different series of improvement from introduction of filing to several other storage methods. However, data can be imputed at a faster rate and also be fast in recovery, and arranging every single file accordingly without time wastage by the use of artificial intelligence.
Big Data Analysis
For every company, organization and even the government, decision-making is a very vital role to play. A single error could cost a lot or possible bring the organization to a ruin. There are possible millions of data that need to be analyzed to make sure that every single aspect have been viewed before decisions are taken. Big data analysis helps to extract, analyze and compress raw information to assist in decision-making.
Automated Systems
Since the evolution of the industrial sector, the improvement of technology has always recognized and work along side automated systems to improve works. Introductions of artificial intelligence in hotel bookings, tractors and factory machine are all speedily becoming automated with a lot of advantages as to minimizing waste, decreasing errors and improving production.
As business, begin to plan their improvement and growth; it has become paramount to introduce different measure that will assist in achieving this goal. Artificial intelligence has come to play that very pressing role that can transform the face of a business, a government and even an entire economy from just a regular way of getting things done to a more sophisticated means.
What this simply means is that artificial intelligence can help to improve human life and reduce stress. Here are the benefits of artificial intelligence.
Insight in Marketing and Business
Data is probably the most important raw material for the transformation of an economy to a digital economy. However, this raw data are hovering in the air untapped, unprocessed, and useless. It can be deployed for data mining, and processing of big data in a few minutes to provide information on business insights.
Fraud Detection
One of the movies that displayed to a high extent what Artificial Intelligence can really do is the 2012 BattleShip. Artificial intelligence can be deployed in the detection of fraud by data analysis of several fraudulent behaviors. The system can trace out links and possible direction, which a fraud is most likely to take through the application of artificial intelligence, which involves Data analysis of previous record deployed in a cognitive system to track, trace, and even be totally be aware of possible fraudulent action before they occur.
Speedy Input and Management of New Information
Over the years, companies are constantly seeking ways to manage date, speedily input them and also recover them when needed. This has go through different series of improvement from introduction of filing to several other storage methods. However, data can be imputed at a faster rate and also be fast in recovery, and arranging every single file accordingly without time wastage by the use of artificial intelligence.
Big Data Analysis
For every company, organization and even the government, decision-making is a very vital role to play. A single error could cost a lot or possible bring the organization to a ruin. There are possible millions of data that need to be analyzed to make sure that every single aspect have been viewed before decisions are taken. Big data analysis helps to extract, analyze and compress raw information to assist in decision-making.
Automated Systems
Since the evolution of the industrial sector, the improvement of technology has always recognized and work along side automated systems to improve works. Introductions of artificial intelligence in hotel bookings, tractors and factory machine are all speedily becoming automated with a lot of advantages as to minimizing waste, decreasing errors and improving production.
As business, begin to plan their improvement and growth; it has become paramount to introduce different measure that will assist in achieving this goal. Artificial intelligence has come to play that very pressing role that can transform the face of a business, a government and even an entire economy from just a regular way of getting things done to a more sophisticated means.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Covering the Electronic Logging Device Mandate
The ELD (Electronic Logging Device):
An ELD (electronic logging device) is an electronic quick fix that allows expert commercial vehicle carriers and truck drivers to conveniently track and record their hours of service.
The Advantages of an ELD:
ELDs assists to avert any un intentional or deliberate HOS (hours of service) breaches, as well as any penalty to the driver due to a lapse in documented logs. Improved consent with HOS guidelines assures drivers have acceptable rest to run commercial vehicles carefully.
The Electronic Logging Device Mandate:
FMCSRs (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations) were revised by the FMCSA to upgraded design and performance standards for ELDs.
The Final Rule or ELD mandate states that operators of commercial vehicles will need to use ELDs or electronic logging devices. Drivers and carriers must all have ELDs in their trucks by December 18, 2017.
ELD:
Allows the driver of a commercial motor vehicle to sign in and select Off-duty, Not Driving and On-Duty, or On-duty.
Get connected to an engine of the vehicle to track when the vehicle is in action.
Get authorized on the website of FMCSA.
Provide information in a regulated layout that can be addressed to law enforcement in distinct formats i.e. in USB, wireless web solutions, or Bluetooth.
Illustrate a record of work status so that the driver can promptly glimpse the hours of service in a day.
The Legislative History of the Electronic Logging Device:
Law enforced by Congress on July2012
Proposed rule circulated by DOT on March2014
Final rule enforced by DOT in Dec 2015
Start of ELD application on Dec 2017
The Distinction Between EOBRs, AOBRDs, and ELDs:
AOBRD, ELD and EOBR are used interchangeably on a regular basis and they have distinct features that exclusively separate them from one another.
EOBR: Electronic Onboard Recorder is used when referring to the device that stores electronic logging attributions.
AOBRD: Automatic Onboard Recording Device is used when defining an electronic gadget that matches conditions to be utilized rather than documented log books.
ELD: It is utilized as a segment of the recent language to define the systems in the fresh mandate. Electronic logging devices converge with a vehicle's engine to track motion and power status, driven miles hours, while AOBRDs and EOBRs do not.
Acknowledge If Your Vehicle Is Influenced By the ELD Mandate:
The mandate applies to all vehicle drivers who are presently required to have documentation RODS. The vehicle drivers use Electronic Logging Devices, to preserve RODS in seven or more days out of every single month. The FMCSA assumes these mandate will influence 3.5 million drivers.
A Wireless Device or a Smartphone to Be Utilized As an ELD:
Any wireless device or a Smartphone may be utilized as long as the gadget matches the technical needs and is registered and certified with the FMCSA.
The Exceptions to the ELDs Mandate:
While this mandate will impact number of commercial drivers, there are circumstances that are immune from the mandate:
Drive away - tow away affairs: If the commercial vehicle is being managed as part of the freight (the vehicle is the product being transited).
Short-haul drivers: Drivers who utilize the 150 air-mile radius exception or the 100 air-mile radius exception.
Pre-2000 vehicles: Models of the vehicle dated 1999 or before based on the VIN (vehicle identification number).
The Hurdles Yet To Face:
· Sharing ELD information from truck cab to roadside law enforcement.
· FMCSA Public Meeting in May.
Saves The Industry Money And Time:
The FMCSA evaluates that the common vehicle driver fills out around 230 RODS each year. And as a consequence, the mandate is proposed to save each vehicle driver about 18+ hours utilized to complete and send documented driver logs. Moreover, paperwork for documentation savings for each vehicle driver every year is counted to be approximately $700.
The ELD mandate will more over assist the industry by:
Lowering fuel prices: By controlling excessive vehicle idle times, organizations can develop incentive schemes for drivers that assist fuel usage.
Cutting truck spare time: Fleet administration system users can acknowledge curbed downtimes of a vehicle by approximately 16-17% and enhanced vehicle usage by 14%.
Boosting safety: Drivers utilizing ELDs have an extremely low total crash rate (decline of 11.5%) and an avoidable crash rate (decline of 5%) against fleets not utilizing ELDs.
Final Speculations:
There are surely more queries out there concerning the ELD, we believe this article assists you to get a better understanding of the devices and the way it will influence the industry.
An ELD (electronic logging device) is an electronic quick fix that allows expert commercial vehicle carriers and truck drivers to conveniently track and record their hours of service.
The Advantages of an ELD:
ELDs assists to avert any un intentional or deliberate HOS (hours of service) breaches, as well as any penalty to the driver due to a lapse in documented logs. Improved consent with HOS guidelines assures drivers have acceptable rest to run commercial vehicles carefully.
The Electronic Logging Device Mandate:
FMCSRs (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations) were revised by the FMCSA to upgraded design and performance standards for ELDs.
The Final Rule or ELD mandate states that operators of commercial vehicles will need to use ELDs or electronic logging devices. Drivers and carriers must all have ELDs in their trucks by December 18, 2017.
ELD:
Allows the driver of a commercial motor vehicle to sign in and select Off-duty, Not Driving and On-Duty, or On-duty.
Get connected to an engine of the vehicle to track when the vehicle is in action.
Get authorized on the website of FMCSA.
Provide information in a regulated layout that can be addressed to law enforcement in distinct formats i.e. in USB, wireless web solutions, or Bluetooth.
Illustrate a record of work status so that the driver can promptly glimpse the hours of service in a day.
The Legislative History of the Electronic Logging Device:
Law enforced by Congress on July2012
Proposed rule circulated by DOT on March2014
Final rule enforced by DOT in Dec 2015
Start of ELD application on Dec 2017
The Distinction Between EOBRs, AOBRDs, and ELDs:
AOBRD, ELD and EOBR are used interchangeably on a regular basis and they have distinct features that exclusively separate them from one another.
EOBR: Electronic Onboard Recorder is used when referring to the device that stores electronic logging attributions.
AOBRD: Automatic Onboard Recording Device is used when defining an electronic gadget that matches conditions to be utilized rather than documented log books.
ELD: It is utilized as a segment of the recent language to define the systems in the fresh mandate. Electronic logging devices converge with a vehicle's engine to track motion and power status, driven miles hours, while AOBRDs and EOBRs do not.
Acknowledge If Your Vehicle Is Influenced By the ELD Mandate:
The mandate applies to all vehicle drivers who are presently required to have documentation RODS. The vehicle drivers use Electronic Logging Devices, to preserve RODS in seven or more days out of every single month. The FMCSA assumes these mandate will influence 3.5 million drivers.
A Wireless Device or a Smartphone to Be Utilized As an ELD:
Any wireless device or a Smartphone may be utilized as long as the gadget matches the technical needs and is registered and certified with the FMCSA.
The Exceptions to the ELDs Mandate:
While this mandate will impact number of commercial drivers, there are circumstances that are immune from the mandate:
Drive away - tow away affairs: If the commercial vehicle is being managed as part of the freight (the vehicle is the product being transited).
Short-haul drivers: Drivers who utilize the 150 air-mile radius exception or the 100 air-mile radius exception.
Pre-2000 vehicles: Models of the vehicle dated 1999 or before based on the VIN (vehicle identification number).
The Hurdles Yet To Face:
· Sharing ELD information from truck cab to roadside law enforcement.
· FMCSA Public Meeting in May.
Saves The Industry Money And Time:
The FMCSA evaluates that the common vehicle driver fills out around 230 RODS each year. And as a consequence, the mandate is proposed to save each vehicle driver about 18+ hours utilized to complete and send documented driver logs. Moreover, paperwork for documentation savings for each vehicle driver every year is counted to be approximately $700.
The ELD mandate will more over assist the industry by:
Lowering fuel prices: By controlling excessive vehicle idle times, organizations can develop incentive schemes for drivers that assist fuel usage.
Cutting truck spare time: Fleet administration system users can acknowledge curbed downtimes of a vehicle by approximately 16-17% and enhanced vehicle usage by 14%.
Boosting safety: Drivers utilizing ELDs have an extremely low total crash rate (decline of 11.5%) and an avoidable crash rate (decline of 5%) against fleets not utilizing ELDs.
Final Speculations:
There are surely more queries out there concerning the ELD, we believe this article assists you to get a better understanding of the devices and the way it will influence the industry.
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