Gadgets, Tech Tips & News

TCS / Infosys will buy SAP, Capgemini in 2020

2010-09-08T14:41:00.005+05:30

Surprised by the subject?

That’s exactly what the recent Forrester presentation on Future of Services says. In The Coming Upheaval Of The IT Services Market, John C. McCarthy - Vice President, Principal Analyst Forrester Research - observes how IT services landscape will be restructured in terms of user behavior, service offerings, Pricing/delivery models, go-to-market strategies, and the competitive landscape.

Forrester talks on 4 powerful forces impact the services market:

The Restructuring Economy - Sustained economic uncertainty shifts customer buying behavior and focus

Innovation Moving To The Edge - Innovation shifts from core applications to the edge of the enterprise and analytics

Changing User Demographics and Decision Structures - The rise of the business “influencer” new workforce demographics, and vendor management redefine buying

As-a-Service Becomes The Norm - New pricing and delivery models change how services are sold and provisioned

It also depicts selected Service Providers Top line forecast in 2020 and how they need to structure their Organization. Possible consolidations and new partnerships would lead to globalized organizations comprising of multiple global service companies. Following slideshot explains how John observes the Top 10 IT Service Vendors in the year 2020.

INTERESTED? How can you leave this golden chance to grab this complete official presentation from Forrester? It is now very simple! For just $10, you can instantly access (i.e. download PDF) the complete near 50 page document. If you want to get your own copy, simply email me and I will guide you for the payment (through PayPal only) and on successful payment, I will send you the document.

Twitter rocks the privacy world, yet again

2010-09-01T11:20:00.000+05:30

Twitter continues to face recurring problem of how to make (more and more) revenue. No surprise, as this would be the central issue for any company that was started on the premise of “scale up with a bunch of customers and then maybe we can figure out how to make some cash.” So of course Twitter management looks at different ways to create revenue. However, the current plan to record and analyze every link users click, whether on the company’s web site or using one of the popular third-party applications, is a big mistake in a number of ways.

Data on what people do and want is valuable, and so Twitter rightly figured that someone would pay to know what happened. Unfortunately, that’s bad for Twitter in a number of ways:

Although other companies track what people click on, they have done so long enough that consumers accept it as normal. Because it just started, Twitter stands out.
People will assume that Twitter will spy on them and keep a dossier. (And they’re probably right.)
Advertisers want the data, and Twitter doesn’t have the broad advertising base to keep people at arm’s length and will have trouble preserving privacy. At least, that’s what it will seem like, and perception is what eventually rules, not reality.
Such a small percentage of people click on links, that data may have limited value and commercial worth.

The privacy issues are seriously big. The FTC slapped Twitter over data security, and one government after another seems bound on a privacy witch hunt. Just look at such companies as Google and Apple. [Source: BNet article]

Scientists capture that moment when Blood Flow begins

2010-06-07T11:56:00.001+05:30

By capturing movies of both the blood and vasculature of zebrafish embryos, each less than two millimeters long, researchers have been able for the first time to see the very moment that blood begins to flow [as reported by ScienceDaily]. The observations, reported online on June 3 in Current Biology, show that the earliest blood flow, involving what appear to be hundreds of cells, begins all at once.

Remarkably, that onset of life-giving circulation takes more than a beating heart. In fact, red blood cells remain stuck to the blood vessel wall initially, even after the heart starts to beat, says Atsuko Sehara-Fujisawa of Kyoto University. When most of the red blood cells finish their invasion into the vasculature, they are released into the circulation almost simultaneously," she says. "We could show that those blood cells release themselves into the flow, using 'molecular scissors' to disrupt their adhesion to blood vessels and enter the circulation dependent on plasma flow. Without those scissors, blood cells stagnate on the blood vessel wall. Those molecular scissors come in the form of a protease enzyme known as ADAM8, the researchers report.

These findings raise an obvious question: Why would the onset of primitive blood circulation require such an active protease instead of just going with the flow, with blood cells entering the circulation one by one? First, the researchers say, proteolysis would allow for control over which blood cells enter the circulation and which get held back. It might also help to stop blood cells from entering the circulation too early, preventing leaks that might occur if blood vessels aren't fully formed, or avoiding stagnation before an adequate flow of plasma is established with the heartbeat, the researchers add. It may be that blood cells need plasma to flow before they can reach maturity.

India has more Cell Phones than Toilets

2010-04-21T16:30:00.001+05:30

Far more people in India have access to a cell phone than to a toilet and improved sanitation, according to UN experts who published a 9-point prescription for achieving the world's Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for sanitation by 2015 on April 14.

They also urge the world community to set a new target beyond the MDG (which calls for a 50 percent improvement in access to adequate sanitation by 2015) to the achievement of 100 percent coverage by 2025.

Recent UN research in India, the world's second most populous country, shows roughly 366 million people (31 percent of the population) had access to improved sanitation in 2008. Other data, meanwhile, shows 545 million cell phones are now connected to service in India's emerging economy. The number of cell phones per 100 people has exploded from 0.35 in year 2000-01 to about 45 today.

Worldwide some 1.1 billion people defecate in the open. And data show progress in creating access to toilets and sanitation lags far behind world MDG targets, even as mobile phone connections continue to a predicted 1 billion in India by 2015. Says Zafar Adeel, Director of United Nations University's Canada-based think-tank for water, the Institute for Water, Environment and Health: "It is a tragic irony to think that in India, a country now wealthy enough that roughly half of the people own phones, about half cannot afford the basic necessity and dignity of a toilet."

The new UNU report cites a rough cost of $300 to build a toilet, including labour, materials and advice. Worldwide, an estimated $358 billion is needed between now and 2015 to reach the MDG for sanitation -- some of this funding is already mobilized at national and international levels.

[Ref: ScienceDaily]

Generate Electricity by tapping into Algae cells

2010-04-21T09:35:00.002+05:30

In an electrifying first, Stanford scientists have plugged in to algae cells and harnessed a tiny electric current. They found it at the very source of energy production -- photosynthesis, a plant's method of converting sunlight to chemical energy. It may be a first step toward generating "high efficiency" bioelectricity that doesn't give off carbon dioxide as a byproduct, the researchers say.

The Stanford research team developed a unique, ultra-sharp nanoelectrode made of gold, specially designed for probing inside cells. They gently pushed it through the algal cell membranes, which sealed around it, and the cell stayed alive. From the photosynthesizing cells, the electrode collected electrons that had been energized by light and the researchers generated a tiny electric current. "We're still in the scientific stages of the research," said Ryu. "We were dealing with single cells to prove we can harvest the electrons."

Plants use photosynthesis to convert light energy to chemical energy, which is stored in the bonds of sugars they use for food. The process takes place in chloroplasts, the cellular powerhouses that make sugars and give leaves and algae their green color. In the chloroplasts, water is split into oxygen, protons and electrons. Sunlight penetrates the chloroplast and zaps the electrons to a high energy level, and a protein promptly grabs them. The electrons are passed down a series of proteins, which successively capture more and more of the electrons' energy to synthesize sugars until all the electron's energy is spent.

In this experiment, the researchers intercepted the electrons just after they had been excited by light and were at their highest energy levels. They placed the gold electrodes in the chloroplasts of algae cells, and siphoned off the electrons to generate the tiny electrical current.

The result, the researchers say, is electricity production that doesn't release carbon into the atmosphere. The only byproducts of photosynthesis are protons and oxygen.

[Ref: ScienceDaily]

Iceland Volcano Storms could threaten UK Power Grid

2010-04-20T15:34:00.002+05:30

Changes in the space environment caused by the Sun can lead to periods of bad "space weather." As well as driving intense displays of the northern lights (or aurora borealis), this can generate unexpected currents in electricity distribution grids that could lead to blackouts and damage to valuable infrastructure with potentially high cost to the global economy.

A team of British scientists at Lancaster University and the British Geological Survey (BGS) in Edinburgh have developed a new model that shows the widespread impact inclement space weather could have on the UK. On April 14th, team member Katie Turnbull presented the results at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2010) in Glasgow.

Bad space weather can cause fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field (geomagnetic storms) that lead to Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in power grids. These currents have previously been blamed for blackouts in Canada and Sweden and are suspected of damaging power transformers in countries at lower latitudes. Large GICs have even been recorded in Scotland.

To prevent future blackouts, understanding how GICs occur is vital. The model developed by the British team, the most sophisticated yet developed, takes magnetic field measurements from all over the UK and combines them with the BGS's 3D model of how the ground beneath the UK conducts electricity, in order to estimate the currents induced at over 250 locations in the high voltage national grid.

The new work provides further evidence that the size of the unwanted current depends not only on the severity of the geomagnetic storm but also on the configuration of the power grid and the direction and fluctuation speed of the electric fields produced. For many years, it was thought that only countries located at high latitudes (near to the Earth's magnetic poles) were at risk, but this is now known not to be the case. While the basic physics that links solar activity to our electricity grids is broadly understood, the interaction between natural and man-made systems makes it hard to quantity the risks.

Results to be presented at the conference will compare simulated GICs in the UK grid model with those actually measured during a geomagnetic storm in February 2003. The simulated and measured currents are similar, but the model suggests that high currents are likely to be induced at several locations in the grid where GICs were not being monitored by the power industry at the time.

[Ref: ScienceDaily]

Multiply savings while buying digital products

2010-03-09T15:03:00.002+05:30

With so many products being invented and re-invented every hour, the world has become a digital zoo. Seriously, I am not kidding. Every hours, there are hundreds of new product designs and developments happening around the world, some of them are absolutely crap and yet some are quite useful. With a plethora of items to choose from, how does one decide to buy something that is useful to her? With so much technological advancements happening around us, it sometimes become quite difficult to keep track of all of these, and especially if you are willing to buy any of these products, then it may turn into a nightmare.

Don't fret. I am not saying that we should run around to find out the best deal on a particular digital monster of your choice. In fact, there exists a single source which can help you compare prices of various electronic gadgets and digital products and also brings to you the best available deals. Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce SaveBuckets, a revolutionary concept in price comparison and best deals. You can now compare prices for laptops, mobile phones, digital camcorders, tvs, computers, netbooks, etc. in a few clicks. Besides digital products, it also offers clothing, home improvement items, many varieties of pushchair, books, personal care products, etc. I especially liked the electronic games section where in I noticed that the prices offered by SaveBuckets are much lower than predominant market prices.

This site is neatly organized around categories and then product listings. Though the categories look cluttered and incomprehensive, I still feel that the collection is impressive. With daily list of "Featured Products" it becomes an experience in itself to surf this site and save big bucks. It also adds many new products every week, so it's like a treat to visit this site at least once every week to get the best of the lot. This site is also rich in user guides like Buying Guide, FAQ, etc. I am in love with the gaming section and wish I could buy many of these games when I get my increment this year!

Tips while you hire a web-designer

2010-03-05T16:04:00.004+05:30

Weird question, isn't it? But it is a serious attempt to understand whether we really need a website designer in the first place. No the question is not whether you need a website. One, of course, needs it - be it for personal, business, or social purpose. The answer to my question really depends upon following points:

What is the purpose of your website?
How much time do you think you can invest yourself in the development of this site?
How much familiar you are to blogging platforms, programming (HTML/CSS/PHP)?
Do you have the resources and the passion to develop the site yourself?
Can you afford to hire a website designer, in case your answer to above question is "No"?

Assuming that you answered “Yes" to question # 5, you should remember that website designing is not so simple at it seems. Think of it as a package containing gifts you want to send to someone you are wooing since some time. If you do not package this well, there are chances that the gifts may get damaged or even destroyed in transit. The packaging should look interesting to the other party so as to generate enough interest in you. If you succeed in first attempt, there are high chances that she will be in touch with you later as well. So you now understand that it is quite important to make the first impact an impressive one.

You should always remember following pointers while choosing a web designer: Know what you want from your website; Know your target audience; Plan a budget; Set a deadline; Decide between a Freelancer and a Design Agency; and finally, get the specs absolutely clear as otherwise your site will become nothing less than a mess. You should also consider using advanced Javascript to make your site more attractive and interactive.

Solar Energy is the Future

2010-03-04T20:30:00.002+05:30

We consume fossil fuels at a greater rate than we have ever had over the past 50 years. That demand is fueled by the increase of cars on the street, the number of planes that take to the air and the number of homes that need electricity. Sadly, we would have depleted these resources by the end of this century which is why we have to come up with other ways to get power and solar energy may be the future. Solar energy is simply extracting the sun’s energy for power. Just to tell you how powerful the sun is, it can burn scrub lands and give you sunburn if you are out in the sun without any protection just for 30 minutes! In fact, the Greeks and the Chinese used this to set fire until the 1880’s by Charles Fritts made the first solar cell.

Instead of using a heater to warm up the home, sunlight can be used to control the temperature. You will just need large windows and shades to control the amount of sunlight that will go inside and keep the heat absorbed during the day to remain (read preserve) during night.

Solar energy can also provide warm water as it warms up cold water that passes down through the closed flat panels called collectors.

But solar energy does not only give warmth to the home. It can also be used to help power it which reduces our dependence on non-renewable resources like oil or coal. This occurs when solar cells are installed on the roof so it will be able to capture as much solar rays as possible and then converts this into electricity. You will need 10 or 12 to capture at least a kilowatt of power and more if you are powering more than just your home.

The only limitation which challenges the use of solar energy is that it can only generate power during the day. The answer to this is to put an auxiliary system in place that will store the energy and kick when the sun is not available. This comes in the form of batteries which will provide power in the evening or on a cloudy day.

Advances in technology have taken solar energy to the next level. NASA uses it to power satellites in orbit, solar panels installed onboard aircraft allow it to fly across oceans while cars can travel speeds up to 40 miles per hour. It is used to power a lighthouse so seafarers will be able to find their way at sea while aircraft can land in an airport in the middle of the frozen desert.

Solar energy is safe for the environment since it does not emit any harmful gases or chemicals into the air. It is a renewable resource that has not yet been fully tapped by a lot of countries which makes it very viable for the future.

But is it the only answer to reduce our dependence on oil? No because solar energy is just one of the options. We can also harness the power of the wind, the wave in the oceans, geothermal heat, hydroelectricity and a lot more instead of relying on coal or even nuclear energy that may harm the environment.

It is something we have to push for the next generation.

If you're a developer, you'll need this...

2010-03-04T17:03:00.003+05:30

Software developers, popularly knows as Programmers, are those cretures which "get stuck" most often. Sometimes they are stuck in code, sometimes in functional specs, in technical requirements, in test cases, or sometimes even in code review! Most often, a developer will be stuck doing what she does best - programming. A developer, irrespective of the technology she is working on, will often need lot of "Help" on the technology / coding. Sometimes she is using a latest technology / framework and not much is known about it, yet some other time she is working on something niche which exists but is not known to many, and in some cases, she is using outdated stuff to which all outdated support is available.

So, generally, when a developer will need assistance during coding, what does she do? What are her options? Search for the probable solution on the Internet, check with friends, or read help - online/offline.

The most favoured and usually quickest option is the Emperor Google: Yes, Google turns out to be most trustworthy companion of a developer. Would you believe that Google has an archive of newsgroup messages since before the advent of Linux! Because of Google's awesome technology, it can crawl through millions on blogs, forums, and online help sites to bring out the most relevant content. No wonder, it still is most favoured source to turn for help.
Second most favoured option is Emailing lists and Newsgroups: Usually developers exchange email addresses whenever and wherever they meet, so that they stay connected with like-minded folks. Whenever someone faces an issue, she can simply shoot an email to this wide group and expect an answer pretty quickly.
Another not-so-favoured option is Vendor sponsored resources: This is quite rare and not all developers have access to this. It usually is shipped with new product releases to a specific set of priority customers, and those developers will then have exclusive access to the help documents.

Did you know that you can also get instant Insurance for your newly designed home?

Revolutionize website design with CSS & XHTML

2010-03-04T16:22:00.003+05:30

Is CSS important for a website / blog?

I know this is an insane question. The answer is not only YES, but a resounding "Absolutely Yes". There was time, long long ago, when I used to create website using HTML and a bit of basic Javascript. Then I enlightened myself with advanced Javascript and my sites became more interactive. Later I learnt about CSS and then my entire world went for a tailspin... My sites now look fantastic, sleek and modern. I added spice to it by using PHP programming and my sites are now absolutely incredible. Thanks to CSS, XHTML, and PHP.

I do not want to emphasize my proficiency here. Actually I wanted to highlight how important and unseparable part CSS has become in today's website development. Even though scripting and CSS become quite a challenge for web designer, it certainly brings great rewards when the site finally goes live. With the 3 pillars of website designing (namely, HTML, XHTML and CSS), everything looks pretty much in proper place: all pictures are in position, all headings are alike and all of the content flows in a predefined pattern of formatting. All of this, perhaps, was impossible without the 3 pillars. They do have their own pitfalls: to use CSS, once needs to be quite patient and have attention to details; XHTML calls for strict discipline in coding.

But the rewards at the end of the exercise are handsome. Your site will not only look sexy, it will be as per latest standards, extensible, scalable, and easily manageable.With CSS, you can simply play with the colors. Remember, using plain HTML has lot of constraints on the way components (text, images, placeholders, quotes, etc.) are displayed. With CSS, you can revolutionize the user experience by throwing multitudes of colors - forecolor, backcolor, shading, gradient, etc. Although most widely used colors on web undoubtedly are Red, Yellow, Black, and White, you can make millions of combinations by using Hex colors and Color schemes.

Microsoft's View on Security in the Cloud

2009-12-31T09:43:00.002+05:30

By building on the same security principles used to manage risks to Microsoft software development and operating environments, Microsoft has created an online Information Security Program — that results in continuous improvements to security for the Microsoft cloud computing environment. The coordinated and strategic application of people, processes, and technology allows Microsoft to adapt to the rapid changes happening within the cloud infrastructure and in the marketplace for online services while still maintaining a trustworthy computing experience for customers.

Having a defense-in-depth approach is a fundamental element in how Microsoft provides a trustworthy cloud infrastructure. Applying controls at multiple security measures of varying strength — depending on the sensitivity of the protected asset — results in improved capacity to prevent breaches or to lessen the impact of a security incident. The advent of cloud computing does not change this principle — that the strength of the controls derives from the sensitivity of the asset — or how essential it is to managing security risks. The fact that in a cloud computing environment most assets can be virtualized results in shifts in the analysis of risk and how to apply security controls to the traditional defense-in-depth layers (physical, network, data, identity access, access authorization and authentication, and host).

Online services, including the infrastructure and platform services take advantage of virtualization. As a result, customers using services hosted on the Microsoft cloud may have assets that can no longer be easily associated with a physical presence. Data may be stored virtually and distributed across many locations. This basic fact means identifying security controls and determining how to use them to implement a layered approach to protecting assets must evolve.

Physical and network security measures must, of course, still be taken. However, the focal point of risk management shifts closer to the object level, closer to the elements in use in the cloud environment: for example, the static or dynamic data storage containers, the virtual machine objects, the run-time environments in which computations occur.

Host Security and Auditing and Reporting: Daily scanning of the infrastructure assets; penetration testing performed by internal & external parties

Application Security: The rigorous security practices employed by development teams at Microsoft were formalized into a process called the Security Development Lifecycle (SDL). Many cloud and online service development projects have shorter release schedules or the frequent addition of new features and capabilities. Agile development is widely adopted methodology for software development, and widely suited to these projects. Microsoft has evolved its SDL process to be effective in these accelerated development models and offers development teams the flexibility to adapt their secure code development practices to meet a project's specific goals and timeframe.

Identity and Access Management: Microsoft uses a need-to-know and least-privilege model to manage access to assets. Highly sensitive assets require multifactor authentication, including such measures as password, hardware tokens, smart cards, or biometrics.

Data Security: Microsoft applies security controls to assets based on asset classification. Controls include data encryption at rest and in transit.

Network Security: Microsoft applies many layers of security as appropriate to data center devices and network connections.

Physical Security: Microsoft ensures the establishment of outer and inner perimeters with increasing controls through each layer. The security system applies the combined use of technology solutions including cameras, biometrics, card readers, and alarms with traditional security measures such as locks and keys.

Tool to fix any computer problem: Spotmau PowerSuite 2010

2009-12-25T15:35:00.003+05:30

Are you still struggling with the age-old computer? Does your computer give problems while booting up? Do you often find yourself entangled among a lot of pesky computer problems which simply are making your life hell? Can’t find (or afford) a professional to quickly fix your computer? Sounds familiar situation?? If you find your poor soul fighting these pesky issues, then you’ve come to the right place… If you’re reading this, you are 50% closer to the optimal solution that will take care of all of your computer-related problems, including that of optimization. Yes, I am glad to introduce to you the latest Spotmau PowerSuite 2010 using which users can easily check, optimize, speed up and fix any computer problems on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7.

This stupendous software is developed by Spotmau, the global leader in utilities software and computer services. Some of the key features of Spotmau Powersuite 2010 are:

360°PC Health Check, 1-click to perform a comprehensive health scan for your computer
TuneUp kit, includes Windows Speedup, Windows Cleaner and Customization
Emergency Kit, includes Windows Recovery, Windows Backup, Data Transfer
Data Backup Kit, includes Folder Backup, Folder Recovery, Clone Genius
Data Recovery Kit, includes Undelete, Unformat, Raw Rescue
Privacy Kit, includes Program Lockup, File Shredder, File Encryption, Personal Safe, Disk Wiper
Password Kit, includes Admin/User Password, Password Finder, MS Key Finder
Partition Genius, the most easy and comprehensive hard disk partition utility

About Spotmau
Spotmau Corporation was established in April, 2006. It has quickly become the market leader both in software utilities developer and a computer service company. It has been awarded a Certificate of CMMI CL3. A long term and stable cooperation relationship with many leading companies has been established, such as Google, Microsoft, Intel, Digital River, etc. Spotmau.com is a one-stop shop for all your computer needs. It provides both "Fix It Yourself" and "We Fix It For You" services. Their team of Microsoft-Certified Engineers will instantly fix computer problems for you through our Remote Control Platform.

Featured Clients
The list includes influential clients like American Red Cross, Boeing, United States Air Force, ExxonMobil, US Army Corps of Engineers, JC Penny, Air Canada, and Brothersoft.

Win your favourite gadget by paying a small amount!

2009-12-14T14:39:00.004+05:30

With the revolution in the entertainment industry by the introduction of iPod, Apple has, for sure, changed the entire game. With the introduction of yet another revolutionary product, iPhone, Apple shocked every other rival and steered ahead to become clear market leader. It has even came up with a few other products like iPod Touch, iTV, the customer is sure to get pleasant shocks… You will remember how iPod created a wave, a fever… there were even thefts reported – people just resorted to rob those who owned an iPod… Such was the glory, pleasure, and charisma of owning an iPod. Today it is not so costly, almost everyone can buy one iPod now… But my opinion is that, if you can Win an iPod, why should you Buy it?

Confusing? It should not be. I have just stumbled upon a revolutionary service, BidHere, whereby one can bid for the favourite gadget and cross his fingers – you might actually win that gadget! You end up paying only the bid amount (and delivery charges as and where applicable). So it turns out that you actually pay only a fraction of the total price of that gadget. I have started bidding for Apple iPhone, Apple MacBook Pro, Panasonic 5.1 Channel Home Theatre System, Sony PS3, Samsung LED TV, and Nintendo Wii. I hope I win at least one of these favourite and most-wanted gadgets. Most important of all – BidHere is secured, certified, and verified for safe online transactions! I have found that it follows fair bidding practices through their unique technique called Fair Auction Guarantee, which ensures that every user gets a fair chance to win a gadget, irrespective of his/her other details like nationality, race, status, etc. Bidding on this site is very simple; check out the timer against each of the gadget, bid your amount, and wait. If you are outbid, raise your bid (by $0.02) and continue until you win! That’s it… I really wish I get at least one of the gadgets in my wishlist! Amen…

Microsoft's unified messaging software, voicemail: Pros & cons (2/2)

2009-11-05T09:00:00.000+05:30

--- Continued from Part 1 ---

Another important consideration regarding a unified messaging implementation is that, depending on the size of your organization, you may want to use a dedicated server to act as a unified messaging server, rather than trying to piggyback the unified messaging role on one of your other Exchange servers. Because of voice prompts, unified messaging is processor-intensive, so offloading the unified messaging role to a dedicated server is a good idea. The adjoining figure shows what a typical unified messaging deployment looks like. In the figure, an IP-PBX and a legacy PBX are running in parallel so that you can see how the SIP gateway fits into the picture. Click on the figure to see enlarged picture.

Keep in mind that voice messages are not actually stored on the unified messaging server but, rather, in each user's Exchange mailbox. You will therefore want to make sure that users' mailbox servers have plenty of free disk space to accommodate voice messages.

Other considerations

There are two extremely important issues one must consider while implementing unified messaging. The first one involves licensing. Unified messaging works by placing voicemail messages into users' Exchange Server mailboxes. This means that you will have to purchase an Exchange Server Client Access License (CAL) for any user who will be using unified messaging. The other issue is that unified messaging stores a user's voice, email, and fax messages within a single database. So robust hosting solution become extremely important. If the server which is hosting the database fails, users with mailboxes on that server will lose access to all three types of messages until the server is brought back online. You can, however, utilize clustering solutions to minimize the chances of such a failure.

Microsoft's unified messaging software, voicemail: Pros & cons (1/2)

2009-11-02T10:36:00.001+05:30

Exchange Server 2007, with its unified messaging role, is Microsoft's latest attempt at jumping on the VoIP bandwagon. Unified messaging allows Exchange Server to essentially act as your company's central voicemail system. Voice messages can be placed into users' inboxes alongside email messages and faxes. Exchange Server's unified messaging role has many more capabilities than just voicemail, but since voicemail is the primary feature, so let's take a realistic look at Exchange 2007 and discuss whether or not unified messaging is ready for prime time.

Anywhere access

Before we start talking about system requirements and limitations, lets discuss some of the advantages of using unified messaging. If you are going to go through the hassle and expense of phasing out your existing voicemail system and replacing it with unified messaging, there have to be some benefits that make the project worthwhile.

The biggest advantage of using unified messaging (from a voicemail perspective) is that it makes it a whole lot easier for users to get their messages. With a traditional voicemail system, users basically had two methods of getting their messages. They could either dial into the voicemail system, enter a PIN and check for new messages, or they could wait until they got back to their desk and see whether the little red light on the phone was flashing. Neither of these methods is very efficient, though. Checking for the flashing red light isn't practical for those who spend a lot of time away from the desk, and dialing into the voicemail system to check messages is time-consuming and disruptive.

The Exchange unified messaging role treats voice messages like email messages. The advantage of this is that email is pervasive. The primary mechanism for checking email is Microsoft Outlook, but users may also check email through Web-based clients such as Microsoft Outlook Web Access, and messages are often sent to users' cell phones or PDAs using Direct Push or ActiveSync. The point is that users can receive email messages in any number of ways with very little effort. Unified messaging makes it possible for users to receive voice messages right alongside email messages. Of course, unified messaging still supports the traditional methods of checking voicemail.

Implementation

Without a doubt, the biggest disadvantage of using unified messaging as your company's voicemail system is the implementation. The implementation process can be both complex and expensive. The biggest obstacle to a unified messaging implementation is often a company's PBX system. Exchange Server doesn't actually care what kind of PBX you have, but Exchange does need to be able to communicate with the PBX. As such, Exchange assumes that you are using an IP-based PBX that supports VoIP.

The problem is that while IP-PBX systems are becoming more common, most companies still use legacy circuit-switched PBX systems. These PBX systems use circuit-switched protocols such as Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) for transporting phone traffic. You can make Exchange work with a legacy PBX system, but to do so, you will have to implement a session initiated protocol (SIP) gateway. A SIP gateway's job is to facilitate communications between a legacy PBX and Exchange Server.

--- To be concluded in next part ---

Yes, Solar Energy is the next big thing

2009-10-31T10:09:00.002+05:30

Despite its stupendous advantages, solar power has yet to fully make it in the mainstream. WHY? This is a debatable question and I will try to bring forth a few clear benefits of solar power as against the conventional energy and then will try to compare benefits offered by solar power over its counterparts.

In the long run, solar power saves money. I agree that initial costs of installation and operations may be more expensive than that for other energy forms; but after settling the expenses, you have an energy resource that is almost free. There are no charges for using sunlight - in fact it is more readily available in some tropical countries! The ROI can also be shorter depending on how much energy you use. You won’t spend too much on maintenance either. The most important raw material, the photovoltaic cells, usually last for 15 to 20 years. There are no mechanical or moving parts to oil and maintain nor are there parts that need to be replaced yearly.
Solar power is environmental friendly. It is renewable, unlike fossil fuels which, according to some studies, will be exhausted in a few decades from now. The process of converting energy to usable electricity does not involve the release of toxic chemicals which can harm the environment. Hazardous emissions from other energy generation plants including Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Lead, and Mercury will become a history when everyone goes solar. Relying on the sun for power also helps reduce global warming.
There are no hazardous working conditions & no health risks to workers. Unlike the toxic wastes and pollutants involved in and generated by conventional energy plants, solar power generation involves very minimum generation of hazardous chemicals. There would be limited health risks in solar plants as compared to conventional energy plants.
Solar power is a boon for remote & poorer places. The use of solar panels is also good for remote areas where providing basic electricity services is troublesome if not totally impossible at all. Solar energy can be transported to far flung villages and once installed they can be left alone for years with little or without maintenance. For a poor country, producing electricity through solar energy can mean independence from oil-producing countries which controls the supply and prices of oil. With such independence, new policies on energy can be created which will maximize the benefit for its citizens. Countries will also not be wary on natural disasters which hampers delivery of oil. (Can you forget the recent Indian Oil Inferno that was erupted in Jaipur, India, a few days before - which was triggered by human negligence? All such disasters will be a histroy when we switch to friendly solar power.) With this new found independence, countries can invest its national budget on other programs aside from purchasing oil from foreign sources.

I agree that there are several disadvantages of using solar power and one of which is the huge initial costs. But thinking about it in the long run, you’ll see that the benefits of solar energy outweigh the disadvantages. Plus, with the current development in the field of science and technology, solar power is becoming more and more convenient and it would not be surprising to find solar energy as a primary source of power in the next few years.

Interesting Facts about Solar Energy

2009-10-29T09:59:00.002+05:30

There are lots of interesting facts about solar energy. Educating yourself about this will prove to be beneficial in the long run. You can share the information to your loved ones. You can teach them of ways on how they can help to conserve the energy. You can also do your share to help this method to advance if you are a genius in the field. But if you are an ordinary citizen who only wants to enjoy, then feast on. But remember that you also have responsibilities to the environment that you must accomplish in order to do your part in the whole scheme of things.

The Facts that Matter

Solar radiation makes it possible for the energy coming from the sun to be used as power source and energy that can in turn be used for many purposes. The technology on this aspect is characterized in two ways. They can either be passive or active. This will depend on the methods that are used to get, convert and allocate sunlight.

What are active solar techniques? These utilize pumps, photovoltaic panels and fans to renovate sunlight into useful resources. These aim to increase the energy supply that is why these can also be referred as supply side technologies. The passive solar techniques, on the other hand, use only selected resources with constructive thermal properties, utilize the kind of spaces that can circulate air naturally and apply the position of buildings and structures towards the sun. These will lessen the need for other sources and can also be referred as the demand side technology.
Solar energy has influenced many factors that surround people. This can be referred in planning and designing buildings. This process can be rooted back at the early days of the architectural history. The Greeks and the Chinese first used such factor in building and constructing their architectural pieces and on their planning methods.
Solar energy is also being utilized by the agricultural sector because they rely heavily on its benefits in order to gain more harvest. They developed ways in order to plant the kind of crops that will grow according to the amount of sun that they will be getting for the season. This can also be used to dry the crops, pump water, brooding of chicks and to dry animal
manures that can later be used as fertilizers.
On seasons like the Little Ice Age, fruit walls were used by French and Chinese farmers to be able to collect and store solar energy to help them keep the plants warm and to speedy up the process of ripening of fruits. These walls serve as the thermal masses. The fruit walls that were first developed were perpendicular to the ground and faced the south direction. Over time, innovations were done and slopping walls were used to gain more advantage from the sun.
To convert the solar light into heat, people have developed greenhouses. These enable the production and cultivation of specialty crops all year round. Such innovation made it possible for crops to be produced in untimely seasons and in places where you think that those plants won’t grow. And these are only some of the interesting facts about solar energy. These give you a good peek at how wonderful nature is and how people have developed ways to use it to advance in many aspects of their lives.

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (10)

2009-10-16T11:29:00.000+05:30

Q19: Will washing my clothes at 30 degree C really get them clean?

A: If the reaction of consumers is anything to go by, washing powders formulated for use at lower temperatures do work. In a 2006 study by the UK's Energy Saving Trust, 89% of families who had been asked to test Ariel at 30 degree C said they would continue using it that way. Likewise, while only 2% of UK households were washing at 30 degree C in 2002, five years later that figure was 17%. Meanwhile in Germany, where people have traditionally used lower washing settings than in the UK, they are turning down to 20 degree C, and in North America growing numbers are doing their laundry in cold water. Unfortunately, there are some nasties that low temperatures may not remove. Researchers from the University of Seoul, South Korea, found that washing with biological detergent at 30 degree C only killed 6% of dust mites, compared with 100% at 60 degree C, and leaves traces of other allergens, including pollen grains and dog skin cells. The global detergent manufacturer Unilever, which has been keen to promote the eco-message, still advises customers to run one wash per week at 40 degree C to ensure bacteria don't have a chance to grow in the machine and cause unpleasant smells.

Q20: What is the single most effective thing I can do for the environment?

A: Over a 75-year lifespan, the average European will be responsible for about 900 tonnes of CO2 emissions. For Americans and Australians, the figure is more, like 1500 tonnes. Add to that all of humanity's other environmentally damaging activities, and draconian as it may sound, the answer must surely be to avoid reproducing!

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (9)

2009-10-02T11:27:00.000+05:30

Q17: Is it better to buy an eco-friendly car, with all the energy that is needed to produce it, or just run my old one into the ground?

A: According to the ETA, when the average new car leaves the showrrom, its manufacture, design and marketing have accounted for up to 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions! Nevertheless, swapping a thirsty and polluting old car for a lighter and more fuel-efficient model does make a good environmental sense. But the gains made from exchanging five year old family car, for example, with a similar sized brand new model are likely to be negligible!

Q18: What's the best way to charge my laptop - little and often or let the battery run down completely?

A: In energy terms, you use the same amount of electricity either way. However, charging a battety little and often reduces its capacity to hold charge, and eventually it will lose its capacity to charge altogether! If you kill your battery like this, you'll need a new one - and batteries take a lot of energy and materials to produce. So charge your battery fully and then let it run down completely (or till 85% of its capacity if not 100%) and then recharge. This will ensure the longest possible life out of your battery!

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (8)

2009-08-15T11:26:00.000+05:30

Q15: If I'm stuck in a stop-start traffic jam, do I use more petrol turning my car on and off repeatedly, or leaving it running?

A: Unless you are certain you won't have to pull away at short notice, the inconvenience and tiny amounts of fuel involved make stopping and restarting the engine hardly worthwhile. The UK Automobile Association recommends switching off engines if you're likely to be stopped more than 3 minutes. Technology is already providing a better solution, though. Recognising that many hours of urban driving are spent at a standstill, several car manufacturers have started to introduce so-called "stop-start" technology. In fact, Volkswagen recently mothballed plans for a hybrid car, preferring to invest in stop-start technology on its standard models to achieve fuel efficiency savings of between 10 and 15% in urban traffic.

Q16: Does it really take more energy to recycle an aluminium can than to make a new one?

A: NO, absolutely not. According to Alcoa, the world's third largest aluminium producer, manufacturing a can from recycled aluminium uses only 5% of the energy required to make one from scratch - an energ saving that could power a 100 watt bulb for 4 hours!!

Google Chrome OS: What you must know…

2009-07-17T09:49:00.002+05:30

Google has finally, though little late, announced its long-expected operating system, the Chrome OS. Here are my 2 cents about this much hyped OS…

Everyone now knows that Chrome OS is like a secret well kept amongst a billion of netizens! Google’s idea is to essentially create a thin client OS for consumers. This is not going to have a big impact on IT departments and businesses, many of which are experimenting with Windows-based thin client solutions such as VDI. However, IT experts should understand Chrome OS because you never know when people start using it and you may feel left out!

What's so special about Chrome OS?

Runs with a Linux kernel as its base
Boots directly into the Chrome Web browser
Aimed primarily at netbooks
Runs on both x86 and ARM processors
Not designed for local storage; all data will be stored in the cloud
No Chrome OS API’s released; instead, techies can build Web apps running on a standard browser
Most important features, according to Google, are: Speed, Simplicity, and Security

Why Chrome OS Matters?

Does it? REALLY?? Well, here are 3 most important reasons why it does…

Windows OS is a monopoly… It sure needs tougher competition to pull up its socks!
Microsoft Windows “ruled” personal computers for almost 2 decades, with little competition from Apple’s Macintosh (~10% share). Now that people are bored with stereotypical Windows and menace from the likes of virus, spyware, and security troubles are its biggest weaknesses, Google is wise enough to target those soft targets with a promising Chrome OS.
Because Chrome OS will be cheap
Well, that’s what my personal opinion is, and please don’t quote me on this! Google has confirmed that the Chrome OS will be open source and will not have any licensing fees. That will enable Chrome OS-based netbooks to be cheaper than its Windows-based and ARM-based counterparts.
Because it’s from Google
I have got an impression that whatever Google does has to be grand, never-seen-before, and NOT HARSH on consumer’s wallets. So will be the Chrome OS!

What may put Chrome OS off?

It’s running on Linux
It’s bit late in the race
No proven track record of Google in the OS space
It’s limited to netbooks

Having said all this, I must confess that I am trilled to use Chrome OS. Now that I own a Lenovo Netbook, I can’t wait to install Chrome OS…

Cyber Attack Code kills infected PCs

2009-07-13T19:43:00.001+05:30

The botnet-driven cyber attack on government, financial, and media sites in the U.S and South Korea includes a newly discovered danger: The malicious code responsible for driving the distributed denial of service attack, known as W32.Dozer, is designed to delete data on infected computers and to prevent the computers from being rebooted, a shocking revelation made today by Network Computing.

The malicious code includes instructions to start deleting files when the infected computer's internal clock reached July 10, 2009. "Your machine is completely hosed at this stage," said Vincent Weafer, VP at Symantec Security Response.

According to Weafer, the malicious code will attempt to locate files with any of more than 30 different extensions, such as .doc, .pdf, and .xls, copy the data to an encrypted file that's inaccessible to the user, and then overwrite the data in the original files. It targets files associated with office, business, and development applications. The malicious code is also programmed to modify infected computers' Master Boot Records. The change renders computers inoperable following any attempt to reboot.

The impact of this self-destruct sequence should be minimal, however. Weafer said that he expects only a few thousand machines will be damaged. "I don't expect this to be a major issue, except perhaps in South Korea," he said.

The South Korean Intelligence Service estimated that about 20,000 compromised computers —mostly in South Korea—had been ordered to conduct a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on U.S. and South Korean sites. Given the timing, which coincided with a North Korean missile test, suspicions have been raised about the involvement of hackers in North Korea or possibly China.

6 Worst Cloud Security Mistakes

2009-07-08T11:18:00.000+05:30

With Cloud Computing becoming a hot cake now-a-days with every other organization jumping at the idea and trying to cash on the bandwagon, mistakes do tend to happen. If you are constantly under pressure to "push" IT operations into the "cloud" of your service provider, then I can understand the cost and budget pressures you must be going through. Compliance can be equally tricky! However, please note that we tend to make mistakes just in such scenarios: we are in a hurry to achieve something and hence to miss some of the important signs that may lead to mistakes, if not blunders. The most important and most common mistake is: blowing off cloud computing all together because you think you can secure your own stuff better than a service provider. Network Computing researched on such common mistakes and have come up with proposed ways to avoid them. Let's see what these mistakes typically are:

Mistake #1: Assuming the cloud is less secure than your data center

It's only natural for security pros to be control freaks. Being charged with securing a company's data and intellectual property, they tend to have false impressions about cloud security. One common mistake is that as soon as they talk about the cloud, organizations assume it's less secure than their own IT security operation. We should keep in mind that "More control does not necessarily lead to more security."

Mistake #2: Not verifying, testing, or auditing the security of your cloud-based service provider
Don't assume instant security when you opt for a services provider. Be sure to verify how they secure your data and their infrastructure. It's a mistake to simply trust them. You have to verify and audit them, or have some third-party audit them.

Mistake #3: Failing to vet your cloud provider's viability as a business
It's a big mistake to implicitly trust a cloud provider without confirming the viability of its business.

Mistake #4: Assuming you're no longer responsible for securing data once it's in the cloud
Don't think outsourcing your applications or systems means you wash your hands of data breach accountability. That's a misconception some SMBs have, security experts say. Transferring protection of your data to the cloud provider doesn't mean you also hand off accountability when there's a breach.

Mistake #5: Putting insecure apps in the cloud and expecting that to make them more secure
Dumping an old IT system with flawed and unpatched applications into the cloud doesn't automatically make it safe and secure. The key is properly preparing your applications and data for the transition.

Mistake #6: Having no clue that your business units are already using some cloud-based services

You can click here to read the detailed article @ Network Computing website.

Command the web: Jasmine web directory

2009-07-02T10:11:00.000+05:30

With the hyperbolic growth of Internet, everyone wants to make most of it. With growing popularity of Internet, there were hundreds of sites dedicated to a particular subject. Then there were thousands and now millions of them catering to various subjects. If you are looking for some sites on a particular subject, then it is highly unlikely that you'll rely only on the search engines. You would be clueless and would take lot of time to get to right sites, as there is a jungle out there. In order to save time and cluster all relevant sites, experts evolved a concept called "web directory". Wikipedia defines it as: "A web directory or link directory is a directory on the World Wide Web. It specializes in linking to other web sites and categorizing those links. A web directory is not a search engine and does not display lists of web pages based on keywords; instead, it lists web sites by category and subcategory..."

As expected, there is now "uncontrolled crop" of these web directories. Some are good, some of best, and yet some are completely unreliable. Some of these look like they just want to cash on the hype and then they will disappear. However, when it comes to reliable and dependable listings, you should make a point to visit JasmineDirectory - a completely free web directory and yet having maintained high standards of site classifcation. This site is maintained by experienced and professional web editors, in order to ensure that only the best gets in. Similar to other best-in-class directories like Yahoo Directory, Business.com Directory, this one also stresses on focussed and thorough and precise research that goes behind including any site.

When one registers their site under a specific category, their research team quickly gets into action extracting vital stats about the submitted site. They scan the content with a magnifier to ensure that no pornographic / unaccepted content gets into the system, besides paying keen attention to the overall quality of the site. Once they are satisfied, only then the thumbnails are generated and the site is listed. One will argue that similar features are offered by other leading directories like Yahoo.com, Business.com, and DMOZ. But what is best about JasmineDirectory is that it is free, and SEO friendly web directory. The categories are exhaustive and cater to every nook and corner of the world. The only thing I can say about this is GO FOR IT. I have personally signed up a week ago and am seeing decent jump in my site's rankings and traffic as well. I would recommend one to subscribe to all leading web directories listed above to make the most of the opportunity.

Comparison Matrix for 3 leading CMS systems

2009-06-30T09:48:00.006+05:30

There are a wide varierty of Content Management Systems (CMS) available out in the market. They range from open source solutions to commercial licenses to proprietary tools. Each one has its own positives and negatives. Since a long time, in my role as functional consultant, I was struggling to get clear distinction between different CMS. I wanted to compare Alfresco, Drupal, and Microsoft Sharepoint Server as content management systems and wanted to find out which one to choose from. Even though it is not precise, I would have been happy with something that gives me clear idea as to which system is capable of doing what.

I had Googled it a lot, searched millions of words from the search results, but nothing concrete has come up. InfoWorld has some nice articles explaining these systems in isolation, but nothing that comes closer to my requirement. There have been a few more articles / white papers which I have gone through and have finally compiled the comparison matrix for these systems. Needless to say, when I presented this to my client, she was pleased with the quality of the presented information and we finally won the contract to implement the recommended system. :)

The major concern my client had was - the solution should not be too costly but at the same time, it should not be primitive, should be scalable and quick to deploy. With these constraints in mind, we had 3 options to choose from:

Alfresco Enterprise + Community
Drupal
Sharepoint Server

Based on my compiled research, I finally derived at the following matrix and we recommended Alfresco as the preferred solution. Find below the summary slide which lists down pros and cons of each of these 3 options vis-a-vis important parameters of comparison. It clearly states which solution is better than the other!

Looking for more details?

I also have the supporting slides (3 in number) which explain why I have given so and so ranking to a particular solution against a particular parameter. These 3 slides cost just $10 and payment through PayPal only. You need to mail me with your correct PayPal email and after realization of payment, I will immediately share the slides.

Mover over netbooks; Smartbooks are here!

2009-06-21T10:45:00.001+05:30

If you are not technology freak and found it difficult to digest the storm called "netbook", then please be ready for another storm. In fact, a tornado is coming your way and it is called "smartbook." Wondering what is a smartbook and how it is different from a netbook? Read on this report published in InfoWorld...

First mentioned last November in a speech by a marketing executive from hard drive maker Western Digital, a smartbook will be a computing device similar in size or slightly smaller than today's netbook with smartphone-like features.

Its features may include all-day battery life, instant-on capability and "persistent connectivity," ARM-based chip core, a Linux OS version like Google's Android, and, most importantly to consumers, a price point significantly lower than today's netbooks. One can expect a smartbook costing in the range of $199 with 8.9-inch screens, Wi-Fi, full-sized keyboard, 8-hour battery life, 512MB of RAM and 4 to 8GB of [solid-state] storage. All this by the end of this year!!

The cheapest netbooks are based on Intel's Atom CPU, such as Hewlett-Packard's Mini 110 (under $300) and Lenovo's version at around $249. Intel pioneered in pushing the industry to accept the term "netbook" last year, which described the emerging class of mini-notebook computers. And for the first time, they were offered at discount, rather than premium, prices. Intel's Atom CPU and its closely associated graphics chipset now dominate more than 90% of the netbook market.

According to Intel spokesman Bill Calder, "Today we have iPhones, smartphones, mobile internet devices, netbooks, notebooks, and more. We're not sure how adding another new term helps, and, in fact, it may only confuse consumers." Interestingly, ARM Holdings PLC, the U.K. designer of the ARM chips (that it licenses to hundreds of manufacturers), has apparently not yet embraced the smartbook term, at least publicly. However, at the Computex trade show in Taipei, ARM CEO predicted that 20% of netbooks next year will ship with ARM chips inside!

New Google phone expected from T-Mobile

2009-06-18T14:24:00.004+05:30

The myTouch 3G will have a glossy look with a rounded back that is smaller than the iPhone but thinner than T-Mobile's original Android phone - reports InfoWorld.

T-Mobile's second Android-powered phone: myTouch 3G is slated to be smaller than the iPhone and thinner than the G1. T-Mobile is expected to announce a summer launch date for another Android-powered phone from HTC called the myTouch 3G. The myTouch 3G will have a touchscreen but no physical keyboard, as well as a G1-styled trackball and navigation buttons. But that's where the similarities end. The new Android phone may resemble the HTC Magic; in fact, the myTouch 3G could simply be a renamed version of the Magic.

The myTouch will have a glossy look with a rounded back that is smaller than the iPhone but thinner than the original Android phone to hit the United States -- the G1. As for new features, the myTouch 3G could come with voice-activated search and video capability.

Based on the rumors, however, the Hero and the myTouch don't sound like the same phone. The Hero is rumored to be coming to AT&T and would also be a touchscreen-only device. A second Hero model may also be in the works, possibly renamed the Lancaster or Memphis, that would come with a keyboard. The Hero is supposed to use HTC's TouchFlo 3D user interface, but there's no word on whether the myTouch would use TouchFlo as well.

The new Android model could be hitting stores soon. The myTouch 3G is rumored to have a $179.99 price tag with a two-year contract. T-Mobile recently slashed the price of the G1 by $30 to $149.99. Is this a sign that a new Google phone is about to hit the market? I guess we'll have to wait until next week to find out.

Apple releases iPhone 3.0 software update

2009-06-17T12:14:00.003+05:30

What long wait is now over... Apple today released the most awaited iPhone 3.0 software update which promises loads of features and enhancements for users. The size of this software update ranges from 230MB to 260MB, depending on which device you're upgrading. The update is available through iTunes. To install the iPhone 3.0 update, users will also need to be running iTunes 8.2. The iPhone 3.0 update is FREE to all iPhone users. iPod touch users will need to pay $10 to upgrade to version 3.0 of the software.

It seems that Apple has finally refined the experience they first delivered two years ago to the point where everything is simply craving for this device... With Apple setting the bar for smartphones with its iPhone offerings, the iPhone 3.0 release coupled with the scheduled release for the new iPhone 3G S definitely gives Apple the opportunity to solidify its position in the mobile market.

What's new

Ability to cut, copy, and paste text -- a feature iPhone users have clamored for since the 2007 debut of the iPhone. Users can copy and paste text, HTML, and photos
iPhone 3.0 also brings a horizontally-oriented keyboard to other apps--most notably Mail, Notes, and the renamed Messages texting client
Messages features Multimedia Messaging Support, which will let users send and receive photos, contact information, audio files, and locations--at least for customers of 29 carriers in 76 countries (excluding the United States, where AT&T, the exclusive service provider for the iPhone, will not be ready to support MMS until later this summer)
Find My Phone feature can locate a lost iPhone via MobileMe. Find My Phone also enables data to be wiped remotely only by authorized owner of the phone
Turn-by-turn GPS-based directions
A new Voice Memos app
Support for the CalDAV format
New search capabilities including a new Spotlight app
Expanded parental controls
Support for tethering, allowing users to turn the phone into a modem for laptops and other mobile devices

Hiring by tech companies under DOJ investigation

2009-06-07T14:37:00.003+05:30

Hiring practices of Google, Yahoo, Apple, and some other technology companies may have violated anti-trust regulations with agreements not to poach staff. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether the hiring practices of Google, Yahoo, Apple, and some other technology companies may have violated anti-trust regulations, The Washington Post reported.

The focus of the investigation is not clear, but appears to address the possible agreements among these companies not to poach top executives from one another. The reported move by the DOJ reflects plans for a more aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. As part of an overall plan to get tougher on antitrust concerns, the DOJ has taken a close look at the high-tech and Internet industries and new ways of measuring antitrust activity there.

A number of tech companies including Google have been under scrutiny in the U.S. for possible antitrust behavior. The Federal Trade Commission is said to be investigating whether the close ties between Apple's and Google's boards of directors violate antitrust laws. Google's deal with authors and publishers on scanning of books has also attracted government scrutiny in the U.S.

Looking for a job at a tech company? Click here to check out the latest tech jobs offered by top class IT companies.

Can you search billions of documents in seconds?

2009-06-03T13:24:00.001+05:30

Even if you are not so mathematically-inclined, I'm sure it's hard to conceptualize the number 1,000,000,000 - one billion. One billion sheets of A4-sized paper (attached one after the other) could very well circle the whole earth at her equator well over five times. Even for an expert, counting to one billion would take about 30 years of your life, even if you never stop to sleep and however fast you can count! And if you had to find a single piece of information by sorting through a billion documents it would take you, on average, about 2000 years.

Google is determined to achieve this feat - searching over a billion documents within a few seconds... Today, businesses have tons of documents and other types of data — some even have a billion documents that need searching, and it's unlikely that employees have 2000 years to dedicate to the hunt. Searching has always been a pain point and now with Google Search Appliance 6.0, Google has managed to sift through the humongous data, including attachments, within a matter of a few seconds! Isn't that a herculian task and a herculian achievement?

Check out Official Google Blog: Search billions of documents with the Google Search Appliance 6.0 for more details...

New digital tools from Google's stable

2009-05-22T10:47:00.002+05:30

GOOGLE, the search giant's new products get at behavior, intentions, even the stars. Google recently unveiled a series of new offerings for Internet search, from mobility and language translation to spreadsheets that arrange information from multiple Web sites on the fly. What the company is really after, however, is building an Internet that more closely mimics the physical world.

The innovations follow Google's recent retreat from projects like putting ads on radio and newspapers. The company may have decided it is more effective to bring more of those media onto the Internet, rather than the other way around, or to make Internet search fulfill an increasing amount of informational needs.

They also come at a time when Google's own search quality is under renewed scrutiny as a much-hyped search engine, called Wolfram Alpha, is about to make its debut. Google's new products reflected a use of search in multiple contexts. When searching from a cell phone, Google looks at things like location and other search results that mobile users have liked to deliver its results. A new opt-in feature incorporates information searches a user has done on his or her own desktop since 40% of queries relate to subjects the user has previously searched. The feature also lets users automatically call a number that the search turns up.

Google showed an application that had been written for its Android mobile operating system. The app allows a user to find constellations in the sky, based both on a user's location as determined by global positioning system and by how the user was holding the phone.

On the desktop, one important new tweak to search (or "product" as the company likes to call its variations) was Search Options, which lets a user drill into various topics by category, type (video, reviews or forums), time (recent, last 24 hours or the past week or year) or with images from Web pages, among others. Review results also include sentiment analysis, indicating positives or negatives in the search results. A timeline can show how frequently a topic has been written about over centuries (and closer), and a "wonder wheel" links offshoots of a main topic. It is an impressive product, and Google's engineers have also thought about the revenues. In a live demo, ads alongside the product changed position with each variation a user tried, reflecting the live advertising auction going on in the background.

In addition, queries in one language (say, Arabic) will offer results in other languages (say, English) with automatic translation of those sites. That exposes a great deal more information to that ad market, as Google operates in 70 languages.

In another product, called Google Squared, the company categorizes topics according to diverse Web sites. A query about small dogs listed breeds, images, weight and height and offered options to add other breeds or category information. The product is still in Google's "Labs" section, so it does not carry advertising, but it may cause further controversy about Google and copyright, since the company is creating novel forms of content out of other people's work.

A product called "Rich Snippets" carried digests of product reviews from sites like Yelp and CNET. Other sites will be included over time, and people can expose their site's information to this service by adding code from RDF and Microformats to the format of their Web pages.

GPS devices for everyone's needs

2009-05-18T20:16:00.000+05:30

Everyone can use a little direction in life. That's why GPS receivers make such excellent gifts. Whether as a Father's Day gift or a treat for a recent graduate all roaring to roam around, GPS receivers can eliminate much of the guesswork and uncertainty in driving around unfamiliar areas. Their pinpoint accuracy ensures smooth, comfortable travels, and their vast databases of important milestones, landmarks, and worthwhile attractions can truly enhance the driving experience. But one needs to be careful while shopping for GPS devices. Purchasing a GPS receiver with confidence requires two things: careful attention to detail and an understanding that much of what differentiates one model from another is just window dressing.

The core functionality of most GPS receivers is essentially the same, regardless of brand. They utilize the same global positioning satellites to ascertain a user's location. From there, each brand has its own set of maps and navigational software. It can be difficult to discern what differences, if any, exist between the various manufacturers. Because of this, most GPS receiver models are distinguished by cosmetic features or bonus functionality that doesn't always play a direct role in navigation. Simply put, a GPS receiver from a reputable brand like Garmin, Magellan or TomTom will get a driver where they're going. The question is whether it will get them there cheaply, or in style with a premium.

High-end GPS receivers are packed with a lot of features intended to appeal to drivers and require more than just simple navigation. Typically outfitted with larger LCD displays and deeper reservoirs of information to draw from, high-end receivers can cost anywhere from $400 to $500. The TomTom GO 740 LIVE ($499) has a widescreen, 4.3-inch LCD display and an array of advanced options intended to make interacting with the device easier. Voice-address entry lets drivers speak their intended destinations, so they may eschew the touchscreen keyboard, keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Bluetooth wireless capabilities, common on more expensive receivers, let the GPS act as a "hands-free" speakerphone with compatible cellphones. TomTom's LIVE subscription service ($9.95 a month) also gives access to real-time traffic and gas station fuel price updates, where available.

Garmin's nüvi 1490T ($499) features 5-inch LCD display. The "T" in the model name indicates that the receiver is equipped to handle real-time traffic updates, which are free for the lifetime of the device (instead of requiring a separate subscription service). It has also introduced a new navigational mode called "ecoRoutes," which calculates the most fuel-efficient route for saving gas, money and the environment.

The Garmin nüvi 1200 ($199) is an uncomplicated, affordable receiver with a 3.5-inch LCD display and "text-to-speech" functionality. This means that, instead of just announcing when to turn, the GPS can recite the specific names of streets from the map. Consumers probably consider such a feature to be standard on GPS receivers, but not all receivers are capable of reading street names aloud. If it's something you're interested in, be sure to check the fine print in the specifications. The TomTom ONE 140 ($175) does not utilize text-to-speech and costs about $25 less than the Garmin 1200. It also costs less than its companion model, the TomTom ONE 140-S ($199). The only difference between the two is that the "S" model has text-to-speech feature.

It's still possible to get some fancy features on the low end. The Magellan RoadMate 1340 ($179) is very affordable, thanks to its compact, 3.5-inch display. Nevertheless, it can do text-to-speech, and even includes information from AAA's TourBook, letting drivers check up on nearby restaurants and locate appealing attractions along their intended route.

Apple plans Wireless downloads for iPods

2009-05-13T09:45:00.002+05:30

Apple already sells iPods through kiosks in airports and stores, but the company also has plans for units that will let people load up on digital movies and music on the go. According to AppleInsider, Apple has filed a patent to develop a kiosk that will let owners of iPods, iPhones and other devices buy content through “virtual physical connection,” meaning the units would eliminate the need for a user to have wireless access to download the content.

Apple isn’t commenting on the news, but the implications for travelers could be big. Placing an iTunes kiosk where there’s limited Wi-Fi, such as in an airport or bus terminal — or actually on the plane or bus, as Apple proposes — could save them frustration (and huge roaming charges, if the kiosks were set up overseas). Each kiosk would have its own local server for fast downloads of current hits and new releases, but also a connection to the iTunes library for older content; payment would be by logging in to an iTunes account or swiping a debit/credit card.

Perrys: World class automobiles @ lowest prices

2009-05-10T10:36:00.004+05:30

Gone are the days when we waited till a new automobile arrived on the roads, some enthusiasts tested it, some magazines published exhaustive reviews, and only then we thought of buying it - and we used to get our dream-on-wheels a few days after booking! In this instant world, buying cars (or other automobiles) has become, well, instant! With Perrys' revolutionary technology, one can "test drive" an automobile of one's choice right there on one's computer. One can read through the extensive reviews, choose from a mammoth of options available and huge variety of colors to pick from, and make the payment only after you're satisfied. Now there is no more hunting for a dealer of your favourite brand near to you.

Perrys can come to your help - its site offers quick help on locating the dealers near to you, along with their contact details. If you think you're quite good at geography and reading maps, you can use the "Locate by Map" feature on Perrys' site. You can check for the sexiest, sleekest, latest beasts on wheels using Perrys' "Hot Deals" section and you'd definitely be surprise at the lowest prices offered by Perrys' for some of the best models on wheels! I am sure you will compare the prices with some other provider but I am equally sure that you'll return back to Perrys' - as it offers the lowest of the lowest deals! Not only the latest models, you can also buy some of the best selling and even rare automobiles. Choose from a wide variety of brands like Honda, Toyota, Ford, Peugeot, Ferrari, Fiat, etc.

Super brands on offer @ Perrys... ...Super brands on offer @ Perrys

I personally like the Peugeot 308 and Peugeot 107 models. The 308 is well known for its high quality is correctly called the highly safe family car. The 107 is synonymous with economy and fun intertwined together by this small piece of perfection from the stables of Peugeot-Citreon-Toyota joint venture. Was I successful to attract your attention? I am sure I was. So what are you waiting for? Check out this vast list of Peugeot Dealer and get in touch with the one closer to you. Use Perrys for all your automobile related needs like buying / selling / car loans / used vehicles.

Would you travel with a $3,000 netbook?

2009-04-27T09:00:00.002+05:30

WOULD YOU BUY A MUNDANE acer aspire one NETBOOK FOR $3000???

Yes?? NO??? Think again...

A guy called fukuyuki is selling an Acer Aspire One for $3000. It has been painted by a famous Japanese artist, UFO-Hayashi who has painted on several iPods, phones and PCs. UFO-Hayashi is one of the most famous Japanese gadget artist, He paints on iPods, phones, PC and any other digital gadgets by using Japanese traditional Zen painting called “kyo-yu-zen” which has more than 1300 years history. His products are often used as props in Japanese domestic dramas.

Basically, netbooks are meant to be compact, eating less space and still providing sufficient computing muscles at an affordable price. Now one can do anything crazy and transform it into a $3000 gadget and I am sure the netbook would then grace the lockers! :)

How on this world would someone carry such an insanely expensive netbook for work? My goodness, I am NOT, because I think my life is more precious than this gadget!!! What do you think?

Honda Insight - Let it shine

2009-04-24T18:41:00.001+05:30

This is awesome! Very cool, intuitive, and innovative.

YouTube is not the only video site experimenting with crazy new marketing ideas. Vimeo is already into it, teaming up with Honda to create an Insight ad that makes the entire page a little light show. Beyond the ad, the "making of" video below is worth a gander too, as it shows how Honda was able to create a large "LED screen" using hundreds of Insight automobiles.

MUST SEE for all... Especially for HONDA lovers, as I am. It sure makes my life delightful!

Oracle-Sun deal will be storage 'game changer'

2009-04-21T09:18:00.001+05:30

Oracle Corp. has announced its intention to acquire Sun Microsystems Inc. in an all-cash transaction worth $7 billion. The intention of this merger is to build complete purpose-built hardware and software systems for running Oracle databases, a move that has storage industry analysts forecasting a potential sea change for the storage industry.

Sun's Java programming language and OpenSolaris operating system were the biggest drivers of the deal, according to remarks made by Oracle founder Larry Ellison during a conference call to discuss the merger Monday morning. However, both Ellison and Oracle president Charles Phillips said that systems and storage hardware are big parts of the plan for Oracle-Sun.

Phillips said Oracle's largest customers "are asking us to step into a broader role by delivering highly optimized specs from app to disk based on standards. The general feedback is that they wanted more than standard components—they want standardized deployments and configurations."

Analysts see this trend taking hold in other areas of the IT market, especially with Cisco Systems Inc.'s recently announced Unified Computing System, which Cisco is pushing as a one-stop shop for servers as well as Ethernet and Fibre Channel networking. The Oracle-Sun acquisition may cast vendors delivering one piece of the IT infrastructure in a new light, Webster said. "People who have been delivering separate pieces are now potential acquisition targets," he said. (As told to SearchStorage.)

Supercomputer as a Service: It's realty now!

2009-04-10T20:40:00.002+05:30

Network Computing reports... Nearly one and a half years after making a stunning entry into the global supercomputer list with Eka, ranked as the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world, Computational Research Laboratories (CRL), a Tata Sons’ subsidiary, has succeeded in creating a new market for supercomputers – that of offering supercomputing power on rent to enterprises in India. For now, for want of a better word, let us call it ‘Supercomputer as a Service.’ With more than 40 organizations in India hiring its services, CRL has made a mark in a field where only a few organizations have dared to venture. In a period of recession, Eka has opened up new possibilities for industries that require the massive crunching power of supercomputers, but only during certain times of their product development lifecycle.

For example, Tata Elxsi used Eka’s processing power to crunch the time required for rendering the animation movie, ‘Roadside Romeo.’ The activity, which would have taken the firm approximately 36-40 months to digitally render the movie in a studio, took only six months, due to the computing power of Eka. It is also significant to note that the firm achieved this feat using only one-third of the processing power of Eka.

Similarly, leading aerospace company, Boeing, is using Eka’s capability to bring its ideas faster to the market, by offering design and simulation support. Group company, Tata Motors, is using Eka for vehicle simulation and testing digital prototypes. CRL is also looking at potential opportunities in sectors such as Life Science, weather forecasting, animation and in the automotive and aviation industries. This is just a glimpse of the processing power.

You may visit Network Computing website for more details.

Invest in the best hosting service

2009-04-07T17:42:00.002+05:30

As we progress in the world wide web jungle, everyone tends to own a site of oneself - be it a blog or a full-fledged site. Blogs has some inherent pitfalls - they do not allow full control of the site to the user. Self-owned sites predominantly depend upon availability of a hosting facility. But web hosting is not so simple (though it is not so difficult as well), and one must know in-and-out of the hosting service. If you want to know everything about web hosting & in fact get the best hosting deal in the e-world, you must visit McKremie.

This service has guaranteed 99.9% up-time (one of the best in the industry); supports various scripting languages including PHP, Perl, CGI, RoR; provides customer service and has excellent track record. The basic package offers huge disk space (=5GB), 1TB of transfer, unlimited MySQL databases, advanced web statistics, and regular backups. The Business package promises to boost the productivity of your site by offering staggering 15GB of disk space with 3TB of monthly bandwidth, dedicated IP's, super-effective osCommerce shopping cart, among other exciting features. While the basic package costs just $6.95 p.m., the business comes with a premium at $14.95 p.m.

Besides web hosting packages, you can also buy domains at affordable prices. I have recently compared McKremie with a few other leading providers and have found that this one is much more reliable and affordable. The so-called giant providers come with their own baggage which is often passed on to the consumer. However, I found McKremie not doing this and I get more than 100% value for what I have paid for. I would recommend all the novices and experts to try out McKremie for their hosting needs. What's more, you can use special promo code "SPRING" and get 20% discount on your total billing!

Latest hottest electric cars - Part 2

2009-04-02T14:29:00.000+05:30

--- Continued from PART 1 of the series ---

	Cadillac Escalade ESV 2007 model year Claim frequency: 15.0 (per 1,000 insured vehicle years) Average loss payment per claim: $13,060
	Dodge Charger 2006-07 model years Claim frequency: 11 (per 1,000 insured vehicle years) Average loss payment per claim: $7,047
	Hummer H2 2005 - 2007 models Claim frequency: 8.7 (per 1,000 insured vehicle years) Average loss payment per claim: $18,791

Latest hottest electric cars - Part 1

2009-03-30T20:28:00.001+05:30

America's roads could get a whole lot quieter in the not-too-distant future. Thanks to unprecedented tax incentives included in Obama's $787 billion stimulus package, plug-in electric vehicles are getting closer to the road than you might expect. Tax credits ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for buyers of electric cars, the largest of which start in 2010, mean the race is on for automakers to produce moderately priced plug-ins for eager, eco-conscious consumers.

	Ford F-350 SuperCrew 2005 - 2007 models Claim frequency: 10.7 (per 1,000 insured vehicle years) Average loss payment per claim: $20,138
	Dodge Durango 2005 - 2007 models Claim frequency: 8.1 (per 1,000 insured vehicle years) Average loss payment per claim: $9,682

--- CLICK HERE for Part 2 of the series ---

S8300 UltraTouch: Samsung's 8MP touch phone

2009-03-27T10:30:00.002+05:30

Samsung S8300 UltraTouch: The 3G-enabled phone aims to give tough competition to not its touchscreen contemporaries but also promises to be a contender in the digicam space with its 8 megapixel camera. Here's a peek into the new Samsung S8300 UltraTouch, which takes the Korean giant's touchscreen phones portfolio to four in the Indian market.

Samsung S8300 is the world's first Active Matrix (AM) OLED display touchscreen phone. The slider S8300 features a large 7.2 cm, scratch resistant, AMOLED display and is just 12.7mm thin. AM OLED pixels turn on and off more than three times faster than the speed of conventional motion picture film which makes these displays ideal for fluid, full-motion video. The phone has 3 by 4 alpha-numeric keypad and comes in a brushed metal frame. The phone sports a red/blue bezel as the slider opens. The phone features a 8 megapixel camera with 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, smile shot mode and dual power LED flash support. The phone has a GPS chip inside and is able to use EXIF geotags on the photos which help in sorting pictures by location.

S8300 UltraTouch can manually or automatically upload pictures to Flickr, Picasa, Facebook and other services. The phone's camera records at 30fps, 720 x 480 resolution, and has 3 different compression modes. Samsung's popular touchscreen phone Omnia comes with a 5 megapixel camera, 7.2Mbps HSDPA connectivity, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. Recently, Samsung launched its first 8 megapixel touchscreen phone, Pixon M8800, in India. Key features include GPS navigation, geo-tagging via the GPS chip that allows users to tag photos with geographic information, 30fps VGA video recording and HSDPA 7.2 Mbps.

The phone offers users a tweaked Touch Wiz interface with support for Mobile widgets as well. The Widgets can be dragged and placed on the screen for one-click access to favorite applications. There are preloaded Widgets such as Calendar, Calculator and Games. Users can also download Online Widgets like Google Search, CNN Mobile and more for instant updates. The updated TouchWiz user interface will feature 3D effects, new gesture controls and improved integration of photos and contacts.

The handset is capable of offering speedy Internet access, video telephony, streaming and multimedia services. The phone's video player can play all major video formats, including DivX at VGA (680 x 480 pixels) resolution and 1.5 Mbps bitrate. Samsung UltraTouch has a built-in accelerometer and switches between portrait and landscape mode automatically both in video and browsing modes. However, phone's music player lacks a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. As for memory, there is 80MB of onboard memory, with support for Micro SD cards up to 16GB. For connectivity, S8300 comes with microUSB and PC connectivity. With a battery capacity of 880mAh, the phone will support approximately 1.5 days.

Priced at Rs 27,500, the phone is now on sale in India. Samsung's first touchscreen phone Omnia retails for Rs 39,999 (32 GB Memory) and Rs 37,999 (24GB). Samsung's recently launched touchscreen phone, Pixon M8800, retails at Rs 28,750.

Safety tips to keep hackers away

2009-03-24T11:32:00.002+05:30

The comfort of an internet transaction — be it for transferring funds from a bank account, buying an air ticket or just ordering a bestseller — is matchless. But, as most of us know and recent spate of internet frauds reinforce, etransactions can be very risky. Data theft is a reality and will only increase with time. Today banks, for one, are definitely opting for more and more net transactions. Says internet guru Sagar, “In the US, banks never liked to deal with you physically because it was expensive. You could get a loan without anybody even seeing you. Though this was one of the reasons of the sub-prime crisis in the US, this trend is slowly picking up in India too.” While banks have mostly foolproof security systems in place, such as digital signatures and cryptic keys, hackers always manage to stay ahead of technology. There are always going to be programming errors in websites that allows the bad guys to know your password. And, they don’t limit themselves to just bank transactions.

How Hackers do it

Hackers have moved beyond phishing — where a bogus site or email masquerades as the original to make you part with sensitive information. These days, hackers prey on social networking sites, also known as “the weakest link” as far as data security is concerned. Personal information put up on these sites can be used to crack email id and then password. The other preferred hacker method involves the use of tickers that popup at various websites. If you click on a ticker, you may reach an innocent looking site which in turn may tempt you to download, say, a simple e-greeting card. This action may release an ‘.exe’ (self executable) file into your computer. It then keeps a track of all the keywords you type in, including usernames and passwords. These trojan programmes can also sneak into your system when you download music or movies at peer-topeer sites (where you share data between individuals). They simply collect your information and upload it to the hacker.

According to a study by InfoWave in February 2007, more than 785,000 people in 2006 were potentially victims of identity theft due to thousands of personal information leaks occurring at numerous large corporations. The most common reason for these information leaks: internal employees or process issues, not external hackers.

How to dodge Hackers?

You must exercise restraint in the amount of personal information you upload on the web to minimise misuse. As a rule of thumb, DO NOT give / publish any personal information on the Internet.
Always check whether a web address begins with ‘http’ or ‘https’ before executing any transaction, advises Sagar. ‘Https’ means a site is secure and the data you key in, travels to the final destination in an encrypted form. In other words, nobody can access it along the way. Also, ensure there is a ‘lock’ symbol at the bottom of the browser. Only then key in your user name.
Never click on a link of a Bank (sent in emails / published on sites) as the chances of reaching an unknown, potentially phishing site, are higher. Always key in the site name.
Ideally, delete all emails from an unknown source. If opening one out of curiosity, never give personal data. Banks will never ask for such information as they already have it.
Don’t shop at an unknown shopping site even if it offers a dream deal. If still tempted, google the site’s security performance and whether there were any hacking attempts on it.
Never leave transaction receipts at ATM machines, bank wickets, in trash cans, or at unattended gasoline pumps... Ensure that you DESTROY ANY paperwork you no longer need including transation receipts.

IBM-Sun merger is anticompetitive!

2009-03-21T11:49:00.001+05:30

A tech industry group largely made up of IBM rivals says a merger between Big Blue and Sun Microsystems would be harmful to competition in the IT industry and lead to higher prices for software and hardware, reports Network Computing magazine.

If this merger is announced, it will require careful, extensive review by antitrust authorities because of the wide range of products both companies now produce," said Ed Black, CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, in a statement. CCIA is a D.C.-based lobby group whose member includes Microsoft, Google, and Advanced Micro Devices, as well as mainframe maker T3 Technologies.

Black said that an IBM takeout of Sun would reduce consumer choice and hit buyers of IT equipment in the pocketbook. IBM and Sun have been fierce competitors for years. A merger would eliminate a key competitor, which affects choices and prices down the line on numerous IT products. Sun and IBM are both significant players in the market for servers and business software. CCIA noted that European authorities are investigating IBM for possible antitrust violations in the market for mainframe systems.

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported Wednesday that IBM and Sun were in talks over a possible $6.5 billion acquisition deal. Investors pushed up Sun's stock price by almost 80% on word of the negotiations. An IBM spokesman dismissed the reports as rumor but didn't deny the speculation outright. Sun representatives did not respond to a call seeking comment.

Sun's proprietary hardware business has all but dried up in the face of competition from commodity players such as Intel and Dell, and it's struggling to keep pace with larger players in the software business, such as Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM itself. Yet the company retains key, widely-used assets, including the Solaris operating system, the open source MySQL database -- which boasts more than 11 million installations - and the Java programming language.

IBM doesn't charge for open source software directly, instead bundles it with lucrative services and consulting engagements. The business model represents a threat to pure play software vendors like Microsoft and Oracle. Adding Sun to the mix would serve to extend IBM's dominance in the market for so-called middleware that businesses use to connect a vast range of computing devices.

IBM's net income jumped 12% in the most recent fourth quarter, to $4.43 billion.

Watch satellite & cable TV directly on your PC

2009-03-19T09:07:00.000+05:30

With computers becoming increasingly popular and economical, every household, by 2015, would have at least one personal computer. It can in the form of a desktop or a laptop or even mini-laptop. With the advent of the technology, watching television is also undergoing a complete revamp. From a cable-supported broadcasting, we have already moved onto direct-to-home broadcast. The next step is: watching television directly on your computer. Yes, TV on PC with the help of just one set-top-box and a small piece of software. That’s it – no complicated & costly hardware / software anymore…

Now why to pay exorbitant prices for watching sub-digital television when you can watch full-digital content directly on your computer! That too, for FREE! Yes, one has to pay one-time activation fees, and enjoy the true digital experience forever, absolutely free!! While buying for the first time, I was a little skeptical about its quality and subsequent bills. However, I was in for a pleasant surprise when I actually bought it. The quality is simply superb – cable channel networks do not even come closer to this quality. The price you pay (the activation fees) is a bit high and might put off new buyers, but believe me – it is worth the investment. One can now watch over 3000 channels and over 1,000 movies from across the world, record the content (like soaps, movies, programmes, etc.) on your computer whenever you want to do so, and enjoy the fully digital broadcast at the comfort of your home.

You can watch cable television (directly on your PC) from across various genres like films, movies, music, cartoons, educational, local & world news, shopping, videos, and worldwide sports. It is perfectly legal and there are no legal hassles involved at all! I am thrilled at this concept and am already a proud owner of this software. As a promotional campaign, if you sign up using this link, you’ll get this revolutionary software for $29.99 only! What’s more, if you’re not satisfied, you’ll be given 100% full money back guarantee, no questions asked. Should you face any trouble at any process during purchase / installation / configuration or even post-purchase, do not hesitate to contact their efficient 24x7 support staff.

Use iPhone to control other gadgets!

2009-03-18T20:05:00.004+05:30

Apple's new & explosive iPhone software update allows developers turn the handset into a control panel for other electronics, reports Forbes.

Apple was too busy offering up something much more radical, even if the details can be eye-glazingly geeky. Hidden amid the 100 new iPhone software features due later this summer are all the ingredients Apple needs to concoct a monstrously big dose of digital nitroglycerin. Wait for it, because this thing is about to go "boom." The key is the device's ability to become whatever a user needs. Typically, the more a gizmo does, the worse it gets at each separate job. Less is always more. The iPhone, however, is arguably better at everything it does, because it does so much.

Start with the App store, which is now packed with more than 25,000 applications. Now add the ability to sell subscriptions that regularly deliver fresh content, additional levels for games or new content, all announced Tuesday. Suddenly an iPhone app can be a digital bookstore, or a digital newspaper, or a game that doles out fresh content by the slice. More is more. Another intriguing new twist: Apple will now let developers turn the iPhone into a control panel for practically any piece of electronics you can plug it into. That will allow users to, say, pair the phone with a set of speakers to turn the screen into a digital equalizer.

Another radical feature: the ability to automatically find and sync up wirelessly with software running on an iPhone or iPod touch. Suddenly, your kids will be able to compete to play a game in the back seat of the car. Or perform a complex duet with a pair of radical new digital instruments. The gizmo's Bluetooth wireless capability, standard on most smart phones, actually makes the thing a better gaming device.

Unlock iPhone using reliable software only

2009-03-16T19:34:00.003+05:30

When Apple launched iPhone in the US way back in June 2007, no one was aware of the forthcoming revolution called iPhone. Based on the humongous response received for iPod, Apple was quite hopeful that iPhone would be similarly greeted, if not more. However, it was wrong. iPhone simply stirred the entire market with its awesome features, unimaginable audio quality, and most importantly its slim & sexy looks. However there was a catch: one needs to hook onto AT&T network only, if one wants to use iPhone. In the US it may not be a big trouble, but if you want to use the iPhone in some other country, then it is a major disadvantage.

But there are, as usual, workarounds. You can “unlock” the iPhone so that it can be used on any service provider other than AT&T, and hence can be used all over the globe. However, there is a huge crop of websites / stores / individuals claiming they can unlock iPhone at a throw-away price. Please note that most of these are false promises and if you unlock your iPhone, you may in turn damage your handset! Yes, it is true that if you unlock it from unprofessional technicians, you stand to lose your precious iPhone… And at Rs. 31,000 (its price in India), you simply can’t take chances… So you should always trust an expert if you want to unlock iPhone 3G.

That’s precisely where Unlock-The-iPhone scores over others. It is a coalition of highly skilled professionals who have gained expertise in unlocking iPhones, without damaging the system. Their software is fully compatible with all versions of iPhone (including the 3G version), and is completely reliable. They have sold over 1 million iPhone unlocking software all over the world, with 99.9% customer satisfaction! Naturally, they are the best iPhone unlocking software and they are quite affordable too… The 2.2.1 version costs just $29.99 and works for any country / language. This is a special promotional price (50% discount on MRP). So if you want to avail of this fabulous offer, you need to act fast!!

Storage biggies launch new high-end drives

2009-03-13T21:37:00.002+05:30

Seagate Technology LLC and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc. demonstrated 6 Gbps SATA this week at the Everything Channel Xchange Conference in New Orleans. That's double the current bandwidth SATA currently supports. Seagate expects 6-gig SATA drives to show up in PCs and low-end servers first, with support in enterprise storage arrays to follow late this year or in 2010. The 6-gig SATA drives will be backward-compatible with 3 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps SATA, and use the same cables and connectors.

IDC: Storage software growth slows

IDC's "Worldwide Quarterly Storage Software Tracker" found that the worldwide storage software market grew year over year for the 21st straight quarter, but slowed to a 3.6% increase over the fourth quarter of 2007. Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $3.03 billion, and EMC Corp. led with a 26% market share. Symantec Corp. was second with 18.3%, followed by IBM Corp. (13.2%), NetApp, Hewlett-Packard Co. and CA.

Spectra Logic tape library breaks 1 PB mark

Spectra Logic Corp. announced the availability of the Spectra T680 for large midrange and small enterprise customers. The Spectra T680 scales to 1.5 PB in a single rack.

Winchester Systems ships rugged storage and servers

Winchester Systems Inc. introduced a new generation of rugged data storage systems at the FOSE 2009 show this week in Washington, D.C. The new line includes three rugged FlashDisk expandable (RX) RAID data storage systems with up to 16 drives and 80 TB. The systems support RAID 6 dual parity. Winchester also launched a dual-Intel Xeon processor rugged server with eight cores.

Samsung launches 1.5 TB green drive

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. rolled out the EcoGreen F2EG hard disk with 500 GB per disk and 1.5 TB of total capacity. The disk has increased recording density and uses a low-power, low-heat, low-noise operation technology called EcoTriangle.

CRU-DataPort releases portable RAID storage enclosure

CRU-DataPort rolled out a portable DataRAID PDR610 iSCSI enclosure at FOSE 2009. The enclosure transports up to 9 TB with a built-in RAID controller. It has a dual-Gigabit Ethernet interface and six drive bays with vibration-resistant removable drive carriers.

Chelsio, IBM to develop 10 Gigabit Ethernet chips

Chelsio Communications Inc. is working with IBM Corp. to develop and market 10 Gig Ethernet adapters and ASICs. IBM will integrate Chelsio's technology in IBM Power Systems platforms, and the two vendors say they will explore other joint development opportunities.

Stop threats to network security by USB storage devices

2009-03-05T09:34:00.001+05:30

The vast majority of security breaches are perpetrated even by "trusted" employees... Hence it is extremely important to take a hard look at internal security of your company's network. One of the single biggest internal threats to network security is the use of USB storage devices.

USB storage devices can be used to steal large quantities of data from your network. Anything a user has access to can be copied to a USB storage device. The risk of users copying data to removable storage devices has always been a problem, but USB devices present some unique challenges. For example, a few years ago, if a user wanted to steal data, his or her primary option for doing so was to use a floppy disk. Floppy disks are slow and have a very limited capacity, severely limiting the quantity of data a user could steal. In contrast, USB storage devices are much faster and can store vast quantities of data & are tiny in size. Even a simple USB flash drive (in the form of a keychain) can accommodate at least 4 GB of data. USB hard drives pose even more threat as they are pocket-sized and can store huge data. Furthermore, USB flash drives are cheap and easy to conceal.

Another problem with USB storage devices is they can also be used to upload applications. I have seen several instances in my work at Capgemini where a user has copied an installation disk to a USB flash drive and then used the drive to install the application on his or her PC at work. When a user installs an unauthorized application, it has the potential to cause all sorts of problems. It can also invite virus or malware. Likewise, the application may interfere with legitimate applications or with Windows' stability, resulting in unnecessary support calls.

One often-overlooked problem with unauthorized applications is companies are required by law to purchase software licenses for any application in use. If a user installs an unauthorized application, technically the company is required to have a license for that application - even if it did not know about the application!

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to combat the problems generated by USB storage devices. Though none of these solutions are fool-proof, but they act as a deterrent to using them and thus prove an effective measure to control their menace.

Method 1: Ghetto engineering

One of the oldest and most effective techniques for controlling the use of USB storage devices involves pumping the workstation's USB ports full of epoxy. This makes it physically impossible for a user to plug a USB device into his or her workstation.

Although this approach is extremely effective, there are a couple of problems with it. In many organizations, workstations are not equipped with CD or DVD drives. This helps to save costs, and reduces the chances of users installing unauthorized software. Often, though, help desk staff members may need to use a CD or DVD to reinstall operating system or fix a problem with an application. That being the case, it is common for the help desk staff to use a portable CD or DVD drive that connects to the machine's USB port. It the ports are plugged up, they simply can't use the drives and this may affect their services too.

Though the helpdesk staff still has the option of temporarily installing an IDE-based drive, it is quite time consuming, since it involves opening the PC's case. It is usually much more efficient to plug a portable drive into a USB port. One of the biggest arguments against plugging up a computer's USB ports with epoxy is that doing so usually voids the system's warranty.

Method 2: BIOS settings

Another common technique for preventing use of USB storage devices is to disable the workstation's USB ports at the BIOS level. This technique isn't nearly as drastic as pumping the ports full of epoxy, because a support technician has the option of re-enabling the ports should they be needed.

This technique works relatively well, but it has 2 major drawbacks. First, not all systems offer the option of disabling USB ports. Second, disabling USB ports is an all-or-nothing proposition. If you disable a system's USB ports, you will prevent unauthorized use of USB storage devices, but at the same time you will also prevent them from using legitimate USB-based keyboards, mice or printers.

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (7)

2009-03-01T11:24:00.000+05:30

Q13: What's greener, paper / cardboard or plastic packaging?

A: Many people choose paper over plastic, figuring that being renewable and recyclable, it is probably the greener option. In reality, it is not quite that simple. Paper is heavier and bulkier to ship than plastic, takes more energy to produce and uses damaging chemicals in its manufacture. Overall, the best packaging choice is the one that has tha least total impact over its life - from raw materials and shipping emissions to toxicity and waste - and that depends on where it comes from and what you plan to do with it. consumers often don't have the required information to work out this trade-off but there are some things to keep in mind. Check whether the paper / plastic has already been recycled, and whether you can reuse or recycle it further. Also, if you need to avoid packaging altogether, consider this: if it reduces the chances of a product perishing or breaking before it can be used then it is almost always better to have packing than not. Just choose products with the smallest amount possible and as per need.

Q14: What is recycled organic waste used for?

A: There are 2 main uses: Treated aerobically, organic waste is composted to produce soil conditioner or landscaping mulch, returning carbon to the soil. Under anaerobic conditions, it can be digested by bacteria to produce methane which is used to generate electricity. Through a combination of biological and mechanical processes, it is also turned into fuel that can then substitue coal or coke in power stations or cement kilns.

Rise in site popularity with SEO Management

2009-02-26T11:21:00.005+05:30

With most of us managing at least one blog/site, it becomes increasingly important that one develops it with the intention of making it user-friendly, content focused, and search engine friendly. However, it doesn't mean one should pack a lot of keywords in the site and make it only search engine friendly. This definitely doesn't increase your site's popularity amongst users! You know when I was an amateur blogger, I didn't know much about this and hence stuffed my blog with hell lot of keywords, and increased my page rank in a relatively short span of time. I was happy and hoped that I will earn handsome revenue now. However, my joy was shortlived as my site was not upto the mark when it came to popularity.

Sounds familiar, right? In order your site to stand out in the crowd, I would suggest you take services of professional bloggers and search engine experts, who will review your site and suggest improvements to make it search enginer friendly as well as popular among the blogosphere. This directly translates into increase in revenue. Have I been successful to raise your curiosity? Just get in touch with the professional SEO management experts @ Infinity Arts - maximize your website's visitor traffic, get top organic search engine rankings. Kick start your site's journey to the top...

Next generation eyeglasses at affordable prices

2009-02-25T10:33:00.006+05:30

All of us have heard about Health Insurance and I am sure many of us are already taking benefits of it. But tell me, how many of you do know what all things are covered in your health insurance. I will cite you my own example. Given the busy IT professional that I am, my work stress got me hospitalized for a knee ailment and then it dawned on me that my employer has covered me for hospitalization. I was very glad that I would not have to spend any thing from my pocket, unless I got the rude shock while paying bills - some of the items were not covered by the insurance, and I have no option but to pay for it! So the point under consideration is: are you sure your health insurance include heart ailments, lungs, legs, hands, brain... eyes? I am particularly very much sure that it will not include eyes.

Prevention is better than cure. In this tough time where recession is spreading everywhere by leaps and bounds, we have to be extremely careful no to splurge unnecessarily. It applies to your health too. So if you don't take good care of yourself, you are going to pay for it - heftily. So it is always better that you take very good care of your health, including eyes. Now that summer is coming, we have to be doubly sure that we use good quality lenses / sunglasses so that our eyes are safe from harmful radiations. But that doesn't mean you buy expensive glasses priced at exorbitant prices - money matters honey. And that's where Zenni Optical comes to our rescue. Approved by none other than the New York Times, Zenni offers high quality and reliable eyeglasses at damn cheap prices that one can't imagine! In fact it is the global price & volume leader in high quality, affordable & stylish eyeglasses.

To give you a sneak peak into Zenni's merchandise, check this out: Complete Single Vision Eyeglasses starting at $8.00; Complete Bi-Focal Eyeglasses Starting at $25.00; Complete Progressive Eyeglasses starting at $37.00... And with ANY pair of eyeglasses, you get Anti Scratch coating, UV protection, and Lens Edge polishing and Beveling absolutely FREE!! I personally liked the 3889 Rimless Bendable (Memory) Plastic glasses. It looks sexy, stylish, quite decent, and very much fits my pocket - just $19.00! Can you imagine? I checked out at many other online shops, believe me, Zenni's price is the lowest!

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (6)

2009-02-23T10:29:00.002+05:30

Q11: What's worse: CO2 emitted by a gas-fuelled car or the environmental effects of hybrid car batteries?

A: According to te UK-based Environmental Transport Association (ETA), the most efficient conventionally powered cars are slightly less detrimental to the environment than their hybrid counterparts. However, it points out that the current crop of hybrids won't evolve without customers willing to invest in what is still frontier technology!

Q12: If I turn my appliances off but don't unplug them, will they still use up some electricity?

A: NO. And that applies even if the plug is switched on or if the socket has no on/off switch. The exceptions are appliances with a standby mode, which include most battery chargers. As a rule of thumb, if there is a light on, a clock ticking, or the transformer feels warm, it means it is eating up energy. And that can be a substantial proportion of the amount of electricity consumed by that appliance when in use. A television set-top box, for example, uses around 18 watts while it is on and almost 17 watts on standby!

SAP buys cloud computing startup Coghead

2009-02-21T10:13:00.005+05:30

Yesterday morning, Network Computing reported that SAP is in the process of buying Coghead, a startup in the niche field of cloud computing. This indeed is a bad news for cloud computing: Coghead - a venture-backed, online application development platform - is closing, leaving customers with a problem to solve.

However, there is a silver lining to this bad omen: SAP bought Coghead's intellectual property and hired its engineering team in an acquisition that closed last week. SAP will not continue selling the service, opting to use Coghead only as an internal tool for now (Coghead currently runs on Amazon Web Services), but the move marks the latest chapter in software company's on-and-off interest in the cloud.

While customers can download data, applications built on Coghead aren't as mobile. Customers can take the XML out that describes their application, but the reality is that only runs on Coghead, so customers will need to rewrite their application with something different. Coghead competitors like Caspio, TrackVia, and Intuit QuickBase are already clamoring for Coghead's customers, which include the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, insurance company Colonial Group International, and Taiwan-based freight forwarding company Morrison Express.

Check out this article on Networking Computing site for more details.

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (5)

2009-02-19T14:51:00.000+05:30

Q9: Does switching from bus to cycle really have any effect? Afterall cycling is also not competely carbon-neutral as I have to eat a lot to fuel cycling!
A: Relax, you're much better off cycling. A 12 km round commute on a bus or a train is reckoned to generate 160 kg of carbom/commuter/year. Somebody cycling that distance would burn about 50,000 calories a year - roughtly the amount of energy in 22 kg of brown bread. A kilo of brown bread has a carbon footprint of about 1.1 kg, So switching from public transprot to a cycle does save almost 140 kg of carbon emissions/commuter/year. Although these calculations would really work if enough people cycle to allow public transport providers to reduce the number of buses and trains they run. All said and done, you can enjoy a fit body after cycling!

Q10: Is a full commercial plane more fuel-efficient over long distances than a car?

A: Not if the car is also full. For example, EasyJet, which claims to be 30% more fuel efficient than other carriers, alrgely because it packs in more people, calculates that on an average flight per passenger accounts for 95.7 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, compared with 164 grams for someone travelling by car. That flight will be around 80% full, so the figure would fall to 76 grams per person if every seat were taken. What's more, most EasyJet flights are either short or medium haul, making them one-third less efficient than long-haul flights (that travel more than 4000 km in one go). Long-haul flights could bring the figure down to around 50 grams per passenger. However, using EasyJet's own figures, a full car would produce just 41 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre for each of its 4 passengers. So cars win no matter what the distance it - although clearly planes have the edge when travelling over water!

Hybrid solar plant: 24x7 power guaranteed

2009-02-16T14:40:00.001+05:30

--- Picture: Haim Fried (right), CEO of Israeli energy company AORA, and Pinchas Doron, AORA Chief Technology Officer, stand in front of a solar panel at their hybrid solar power station. Key to the technology is a solar tower (in orange) that powers a turbine using sunlight during the day, and then seamlessly switching to a biofuel when sunlight is scarce. ---

Israeli energy company AORA wants to prove it doesn’t have to be sunny all the time for a solar power plant to make electricity. To generate round-the-clock electricity, they are combining traditional fuel – such as biomass or diesel – with low-carbon solar power during daylight. AORA is constructing its first hybrid solar power station on a half-acre (0.2 hectare) plot in Israel’s Negev desert, in an attempt to tap into the multi-billion-dollar clean energy market.

The Negev plant, unveiled to the public this week at an energy conference in Israel’s Red Sea resort of Eilat, uses diesel for now. It will be online next month, producing 100 kilowatts – enough energy to power about 40 houses. The module comprises 30 large mirrors reflecting sunlight onto a generator on top of a 90-foot-high tower. It can shift seamlessly between using the sun as fuel and a conventional or another renewable fuel.

How it works?

One of the main hurdles in completing the hybrid power plant, however, was creating a generator that could handle concentrated sunlight that reaches nearly 1,000 degrees Celsius, said AORA’s operations manager, Yuval Susskind.

Aora, therefore, built a special receiver on a tower that’s capable of handling high temperatures. Using concentrated sunlight, air is heated in this receiver and then shot into a combustion chamber, where it expands and powers a turbine, producing electricity. A separate route can bypass the solar receiver and use a secondary fuel to power the turbine when necessary, allowing the power plant to produce non-stop electricity.

The process also creates a by-product of some 170kw of heat, which can be used to heat water for homes or factories. Because each of these units sits on just a half-acre, it can provide electricity in the most remote areas. You can build one outside a village, or have many together in a desert. A 100kw plant using traditional photovoltaic panels, which can have up to 15 per cent efficiency, would need twice the land, AORA said. Its hybrid-solar plant runs at 28 per cent solar efficiency.

Next generation MP3 players by Samsung

2009-02-13T17:38:00.007+05:30

This Valentine's Day, gift something special to your beloved. Move over traditional roses, perfumes, greeting cards. Think Electronics...

Samsung has recently unveiled its new range of MP3 Players & Headsets. What's unique in it? Well, check out the following photographs...

I am eagerly waiting to receive this fantastic gift from my valentine, and you?

Wish you all HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY (in advance)!

Share what gifts you gave & received on this day...

2 TB enterprise disk drive launched by Seagate

2009-02-07T09:05:00.000+05:30

Seagate Technology Inc. launched on Feb 2 the industry's first 2 TB enterprise-class disk drive as part of a new family of nearline SAS and SATA drives that includes built-in spin-down features for power management. The Constellation and Constellation ES models will replace Seagate's Barracuda ES enterprise drives. (Seagate will keep the Barracuda brand for desktop drives).

Constellation drives are 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) model SAS/SATA drives, with the first ones available in 160 GB and 500 GB capacities. Constellation ES 3.5-inch SAS/SATA drives will come in 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB capacities. Seagate forecasts SAS drives eventually replacing Fibre Channel (FC) drives for high-performance applications and showing up in archiving systems.

"We see the world moving to SAS even in the nearline space," says Barbara Craig, senior product marketing manager for Seagate's enterprise compute group. The SAS 2.0 spec improves the performance and scalability of SAS drives, with its main improvement a throughput boost from 3 Gbps to 6 Gbps. The Constellation drives are expected to become available in March, with Constellation ES drives to follow in the second half of the year. A self-encrypting drive (SED) option will be available for Constellation drives in July. With this product line, Seagate will also introduce a new power-efficiency feature called PowerChoice, which is a user- or OEM-controllable spin-down function.

PowerChoice has four levels. With PowerChoice 1 the drive is fully "awake." PowerChoice 2 "parks" the drive head away from the drive platter. PowerChoice 3 spins down the drive partially—in idle mode, Constellation drives on PowerChoice 3 draw 2.8 watts of power for SAS and 2.4 watts for SATA. PowerChoice 4 spins the drive down entirely. Users or OEMs integrating the drive into external storage systems will be able to set the spin-down level according to policy. For example, the drives could be set to go to PowerChoice 3 after 30 minutes of idleness, and to PowerChoice 4 during night or weekend hours.

Western Digital Corp. (WD) released a 2 TB SATA Caviar Green desktop drive last week, also claiming power-saving features. WD's desktop drives spin slower than Seagate's Constellation drive. Part of the distinction between Seagate's enterprise offering and Western Digital's desktop offering is the rpm. Western Digital says the rpm of its drive is variable to maximize power savings, but generally less than 7,200 rpm.

With Google Latitude, you can track your friends

2009-02-06T10:22:00.005+05:30

Do you know where your friends are? If not, Google wants to help you find them. Google on Feb 4 introduced Latitude, a new opt-in feature that lets smartphone and laptop users share their location with friends and allows those friends to share their locations in return. Although not pinpoint accurate, Latitude can display your general location based on information from GPS satellites and cell towers. Latitude works on both mobile devices and personal computers.

What Latitude can do?

Once you and your friends have opted in to Latitude, you can see your friends' Google icon displayed on Google Maps. Clicking on their icon allows you to call, email or IM them, and you can even use the directions feature on Google Maps to help you get to their location. Google says Latitude works in 27 countries and with many mobile platforms including iGoogle with your computer. The list of compatible phones are:

Android-powered devices, such as the T-Mobile G1
iPhone and iPod touch devices
Most of color BlackBerry devices
Most Windows Mobile 5.0+ devices
Most Symbian S60 devices (Nokia smartphones)
Many Java-enabled (J2ME) mobile phones, such as Sony Ericsson devices

How it works
Let's say Bob wants to share his location with his girlfriend Jane. He invites her to accept his invitation through his mobile device or computer. Then Jane can accept and share her location back; accept but not share her location; or completely reject poor Bob. If Jane has chosen to share her location with Bob, she can decide whether to share her best available location or simply which city she's in. Jane could also hide her location to keep ol' Bob in the dark from time to time, or if Jane breaks up with Bob for her neighbor Richard, then she could just remove Bob from her location list altogether. In addition to restricting specific people, Latitude will also let you do a blanket location setting for all your contacts. You can choose to let Latitude detect your location automatically, you can also set it manually if you prefer or you can hide your location completely. (Source: PCWorld article)

Gartner ranks IBM, Microsoft and Oracle on top in business intelligence platforms

2009-02-05T10:35:00.002+05:30

The economy may be in recession, but, according to Gartner Inc., the business intelligence (BI) platform market is still on pace for growth over the next three years. In its recent BI Magic Quadrant report, Gartner predicted that the BI platform market will grow by 7.9% through 2012, buoyed by companies looking to weather the economic downturn via improving efficiencies and reducing waste through BI and data analytics.

According to the report, "2009 is likely to be a critical year in which the total cost of ownership of BI comes under increased scrutiny, and its value as a decision-making tool in the toughest economic conditions is put to the test." Gartner seemed less certain in its predictions for customer buying patterns, however. On the one hand, Gartner said 2008's market consolidation "seemingly marked the end of BI platforms as a predominantly standalone, best-of-breed buying decision." The interest in independent BI platforms will also remain high, the report said, because of their emphasis on innovation and new features, and a growing interest in "workgroup" and departmental BI deployments.

Whether it is IBM, Oracle, SAP or Microsoft, they trust their chosen mega-vendor to integrate it all for them. However, there is still a significant percentage that is heterogeneous in their buying preferences. The reality is right now the mega-vendors are integrating a bunch of disparate code bases [from acquired BI vendors] across their stack, so there is no tighter integration with their stack than buying an independent. However, that could change. Interoperability and portability won't go away, but the vendors will build more out-of-the-box solutions with their own BI platform running against their own software stack.

Highlights of the Magic Quadrant report:

IBM undoubtedly tops a crowded leaders' quadrant. Gartner said that the Cognos BI platform's (which were recently acquired by IBM) "Web services-based SOA" tops in the market, with shared metadata across the platform enabling ease of transfer from report to query to analysis. Cognos' Microsoft Office integration and advanced visualization capabilities also helped its cause.
Microsoft maintains its position in the leaders' quadrant for second consecutive year, largely on the strength of its "broadly capable product set at a low price point," according to Gartner. Its BI pricing and packaging options make it particularly attractive to first-time BI customers and companies looking to reduce the number and complexity of BI tools, the report said.
Oracle also remained in the leaders' quadrant this year. Gartner cited as Oracle's strengths its 70+ industry-specific BI applications, its improved security and administration capabilities, and its ability to federate data from multiple sources into its BI applications.

To buy the complete report, visit Gartner Inc. website. Alternatively, you can buy the complete report (PDF version) for just $50 (remember, original report costs more than $250) and I will email you the PDF that I have bought from Gartner (mail me for payment details).

Teenagers who skip breakfast lose virginity early

2009-02-02T11:05:00.000+05:30

There are many theories on the links between food and sex, but Japanese researchers have came up with a new finding — young people who skip breakfast tend to lose their virginity earlier. In a study of 3,000 people, those who did not regularly eat breakfast when in their early teens said they lost their virginity at an average age of 17.5, versus an overall average of age 19 for all Japanese.

For those who had a morning meal when they were younger, the average age of having the first sexual experience was 19.4. The study, backed by Japan’s health ministry, was aimed at finding ways to curb unwanted pregnancies. It concluded that a stable home life discouraged early sex. “Those unhappy with their parents — such as for not preparing breakfast — may tend to find a way to release their frustration by having sex,” said Kunio Kitamura, head of the Japan Family Planning Association who led the research. “If children don’t feel comfortable in their family environment, they tend to go out,” he said.

Additionally, young people who start having sex early tend to miss breakfast because they return home late, he said. Those who said they did not have happy memories of family life or those who expressed feelings of hatred toward their mothers also had a tendency to have sexual intercourse early, the poll suggested. People who said they disliked their mother had sex for the first time at the average age of 16, while the average age for those who appreciated their mother was 19, Kitamura said.

Japan has one of the world’s lowest birthrates as more young people put off starting families, finding them a burden on their careers or lifestyles. The survey also found that nearly 40% of married couples had not had sex in more than a month. Respondents said they were too tired because of work or found sex to be a pain, according to the latest study.

Know when Twitter has made it...

2009-01-30T10:48:00.000+05:30

Here are the top 10 "symptoms" to know when Twitter has really made it to the mainstream. Though these are, still, hilarious & fictitious thoughts but they would shortly be a reality...

When Sites about Twitter Tips
When you parents are starting to follow you
When a Top 10 Twitter jokes is featured on Technology Nuggets
When your company is posting Twitter Guidelines with Do’s & Don’ts on the corporate intranet
When Twitter messages are being used in court cases
When Twitter messages are dominating Google SERP’s
When a government sex scandal breaks on Twitter
All 26 letters of the alphabet signify a Twitter command
When Twitter starts to make money
Techcrunch stops writing about Twitter

I am sure by this time you would have had a great laugh! :)

Why Twitter will go mainstream in 2009?

2009-01-26T17:28:00.000+05:30

TwiTip reported yesterday that "Twitter will go mainstream in 2009 and will become one of the most important media partners for many on their professional as well as personal front." The Twitter ecosystem is expanding so fast, in fact exponentially, that the switching costs for users are becoming even higher the more they get connected in the network. Twitter has the network advantages. For Twitter the "big break" into mainstream is expected in 2009, if their server park can handle the load!!! Here are some of the "evidences" (if I may call them!):

Mainstream media is starting to pay attention. A number of articles in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal must have brought Twitter under the eyes of thousands of non-Silicon Valley Internet users.
Important newsworthy events are well documented and often break first on Twitter, before the traditional media could notice it.
Early adopters who lost interest are guaranteed to return, though little late. In the early stages of Twitter, users didn’t know how to use Twitter to their advantage. The way people use Twitter has changed over time. If you were early enough in the game, somewhere in 2006, I can understand why you abandoned the service. Early at Twitter, people were using the service to send random messages. Some early adopters who lost interest, abandoned the service. As the usage of Twitter has changed, these people are losing out of the great value which is currently shared through Twitter. I still am not interested when you are going to the bathroom, or what you had for lunch. Not providing value to the conversation will get you un-followed by me. But then again, why should you care about that!
The latest US president has been using Twitter. Barack Obama was breaking news on Twitter everyday to his more than 100,000 followers. How about that for free publicity or connection to your followers? It does not get more mainstream like this.
CNN is using Twitter for input in News reports.
Twitterbots are becoming big through adding value. Twitter bots like weather updates, people boarding airplanes or stock quotes are open up the hidden value of being connected on Twitter. Now you can get instant updates on real time information wherever you are.
Twitter has become the dominant communication method on conferences. Asking a question on a conference can be difficult. How much easier can it be if a moderator is just picking the questions from a pre-communicated twitter account? Conferences will never be the same as without Twitter in the hands of the audience… or the panel.
Through Twitter you can actually get your complaint resolved, fast! You might be surprised how fast a reply is posted to you. Just read the experience of Rebecca, working for SEOmoz in Seattle. Just read how Comcastbill helped her with a complaint.
More services build on Twitter get funded. Stocktwits (@stocktwits) got just funded after being live for just two months. When more services are build on the Twitter API’s, more value is created. Only the services that have real revenue potential will attract VC or angel funding. Twitpay (@twitpay) is another potential that can grow big…
Companies start to communicate PR messages through Twitter. Using it strategically to break news about the company opens up new possibilities in the PR field. Twitter cannot only be used for PR, but might also be interesting to get new business partners!

Tips to secure precious data backups

2009-01-24T10:10:00.002+05:30

Data backups are an essential element of good storage security, but they're often vulnerable to attacks. In fact, a significant percentage of security breaches can be attributed to the mismanagement and mishandling of data backups. Millions of records have been compromised in 2008 alone in backup-related gaffes. And these are just the known breaches affecting personal information. There's little doubt that unknown and unreported data backup-related compromises affecting all types of sensitive information - including intellectual property - are just as plentiful. Many storage professionals responsible for backups believe that the mere existence of a process for replicating sensitive data is all that's needed to keep the organization secure. But that's only half the battle. It's what can be done with the data backups after the fact that introduces an entirely different set of risks that are often overlooked.

Here are 10 ways you can ensure that your data backups are secure:

Ensure your security policies (right from access controls to physical security to system monitoring) include backup-related systems within their scope.

Include your data backup systems in your disaster recovery and incident response plans.

Assign backup software access rights only to those who have a business need to be involved in the backup process. Be sure not to overlook any Web-based interfaces that provide backup access and keep your original backup software media secured as well.

Store your backups offsite or at least in another building: often ignored but most important!

However you choose to store your backups - be it on tape, network-attached storage, or external drives - be sure to control access to the room/car/house in which the backups stored. Handle your backup media as you would any other critical hardware.

Use a fireproof and media-rated safe. Many people store their backups in a "fireproof" safe, but typically one that's only rated for paper storage. Don't do this!!

Find out the security measures that your vendors for offsite storage, data center and courier services are taking to ensure that your backups remain safe in their hands.

Password-protect your backups at a minimum. Passwords aren't foolproof because some people with special skills and tools may be able to crack the code, but it is a level of security that should be considered. However, password-protection, at least, provides a layer of security.

Encrypt your backups if your software and hardware support it. Encryption implemented and managed in the right way serves as an excellent last layer of defense. It also helps provide peace of mind knowing that the worst outcome is that you'll have to buy new backup media - especially when it comes to compliance and data breach notifications.

Your backups are only as good as what's on the backup media. There are two sides to this coin. First, make sure your backing up everything that's important. Second, test your backups occasionally - especially if you're using tape.

Source: Excerpts from an article by Kevin Beaver, an independent information security consultant, published in TechTarget

Top 10 security vulnerabilities of virtualization

2009-01-21T09:37:00.007+05:30

There are some common areas where system administrators may be unknowingly undermining security of their computing architecture and thus causing vulnerabilities to possible future attacks. These issues range from improperly secured networks to trusting that technologies such as SSL and VLANs are fool-proof. Here are the top ten issues...

1. Virtualization administrators are not security administrators!

Virtualization administrators aren't security administrators, nor do they always consult or listen to their security administrators. This problem can be mitigated by educating security administrators about the realities of virtualization and also educating the virtualization administrators in the language the security administrators use.

2. The management appliances for virtualization servers are within improperly secured or unsecured networks.

3. Trust SSL.

SSL does not assure fool-prrof security. There is an attack against SSL that is easy to do and takes less than two seconds. Do not assume SSL is secure enough. Unless pre-shared certificates are in use, SSL is at risk. If you must use SSL-based management tools, use the Administrative network for this work where you can trust who is on the network. In addition, use good VPNs to access the administrative network from outside the network.

4. Virtual machines (VMs) are not considered a hostile environment.

VMs within a demilitarized zone (DMZ) or otherwise Internet-facing are a hostile environment, but all VMs are hostile when it comes to virtualization. An attack on one VM should never directly or indirectly lead to the virtualization host.

5. NFS and iSCSI storage networks are not segregated from all other networks.

6. VirtualCenter is placed on the outside of the administrative network.

While VMware ESX is firewalled, VirtualCenter is on the wrong side of the firewall. It should be as protected as the virtualization hosts.

7. Extra service console ports exist.

When attaching a NFS server to ESX, a service console (SC) port is also created. This is a mistake; iSCSI needs service console participation, not ESX. The service console should access the storage network through a router, gateway and preferably a firewall.

8. Service console is placed within the DMZ or hostile environment.

9. Trusting that VLANs will protect the network.

You need very good switching hardware to protect from most of the known VLAN attacks. Also, the use of VLANs introduces data co-mingling over the wire.

10. Not understanding security within the hypervisor.

If you do not understand the security within the hypervisor, you will be hard pressed to define how to secure your virtualization environment.

The bottom line: Security should never be an add-on; it should be part of the design, right from the beginning.

(Source: Excerpts from an article by Edward L. Haletky published in TechTarget)

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (4)

2009-01-18T14:50:00.000+05:30

Q7: When and how is the most energy efficient way to defrost fridge-freezer? Is a self-defrosting fridge more eco-friendly?
A: The frost in a freezer forms when warm air condenses and freezes on the cooling coils. Self-defrosting fridges generally use more energy than manual models because their coils are automatically heated every few hours to melt any frost that has formed on the coils. But a manual defrosting fridge is only better if you defrost it before the frost starts to take over. This is because the coils have to now work harder to cool the air if they are covered by ice. How often do you need to defrost depends upon how often you open the door and the humidity of the air. As a rule of thumb, you should defrost when the ice gets to 5 mm thick. The best way to do this is to turn off the freezer, put pans of hot water inside to speed up melting, and then remove big bits of ice with a plastic scraper. This would ensure that less energy is consumed during defrosting.

Q8: Can I save my beautiful planet by staying slim?
A: It is unlikely to benefit the planet much. In May 2008, Phil Edwards and Ian Roberts of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine did link obesity and global warming. They argued that obese people consume around 18% more calories than the average and their greater mass means their vehicles require more fuel. So policies to encourage walking and cycling would not only improve people's health but also be good for the planet. Perhaps such policies would provide short-term benefits but in the long term they would be more than offset by the fact that people in shape are likely stay longer than obese and thus emitting tonnes of CO2 for the extra years they live. So being slim may be good for you but it is unlikely to be equally good for the planet.

CLICK HERE to check out other questions in this series...

SaveBuckets of money & buy cheapest televisions

2009-01-15T17:03:00.006+05:30

Today technology changes every few hours… It, in fact, adds a value to our lives in many ways. Earlier we used to be content with a small color television (some were proud to own even a black-and-white version), and there hardly were 2-3 reputed manufacturers. On the contrary, now we have hundred thousands of TV models and thousands of reputed manufacturers to choose from. It indeed, then, becomes a tough job because a person like me gives high importance to value-for-money and not just the features.

I used to shop a lot on buy.com and ebay.co.uk and honestly I was content with it as far as shopping for TVs was concerned. It changed, for better, when my friend introduced me to SaveBuckets.co.uk – an innovative idea where customers save huge money and still get best products. It features world-class televisions (including Flat screen, LCD, and Plasma) with various versions like HD, Full HD, etc. You can always be sure that you’ll get the lowest price for the best product, and that’s precisely the promise of SaveBuckets. I personally liked the digital TV versions, especially the LCD TV by Panasonic. I always dreamed of owning one and now with SaveBucket, it fits my budget too! The interface is neat, clutter-free, and shopping here is absolutely secure and reliable after-sale-support. What’s more, I can also recommend this to my office staff who often struggles to find the best deals for various office products like projectors. You can also use the Comparison feature to compare prices of a product offered by different vendors. I liked this site very much and would suggest all my readers to give it a try. I am sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised…

Now watch TV directly on your computer, for FREE

2009-01-11T21:36:00.003+05:30

With the revolution in personal computer industry, the PC is becoming dead cheap and almost everyone can afford it. Nowadays a decent PC with configuration costs not more than INR 25,000. On the same lines, television has also seen tremendous change in terms of quality & cost. With governments relaxing television & direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting norms, many players are entering this lucrative field which claims viewership of 1+ million new customers every year. With this, the demand of watching digital movies directly on your TV is increasing, and so is the cost. Main point is, why one should pay this exorbitant price for digital movies when one can view all digital content directly on TV for FREE! Yes, absolutely free!! One just needs to pay one-time activation fees, and enjoy the true digital experience forever!!

I am glad to buy the Free Television solution from the #1 Free-Television-to-PC-provider. You don’t need a satellite dish, receiver, or any cable or satellite service! All you need is an internet connection and a computer. Watch TV to PC, Satellite TV to PC; watch all channels, anywhere in the world. With this, you can choose from over 3,000 channels (from across the world) and over 1,000 movies (i.e. world cinema), and the software will shortly be upgraded for more channels and movies. You can watch content from across various genres like films, movies, music, cartoons, educational, local & world news, shopping, videos, and worldwide sports. It is perfectly legal and no legal hassles at all. After paying a small one-time fee, you’ll get UNLIMITED access to all 3000+ stations free of charge, right into your PC! Should you face any trouble at any process during purchase / installation / configuration or even post-purchase, do not hesitate to contact their efficient 24x7 support staff.

I was absolutely thrilled at this concept and am already a proud owner of this software. You can also take advantage of the hefty discounts they are offering (only for a limited period) and save 50% off! The price used to be $59 but recently dropped it to $29.99 only! What’s more, if you’re not satisfied, they offer you 100% full money back guarantee, no questions asked. CLICK HERE to purchase it now!!

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (3)

2009-01-06T14:46:00.001+05:30

Q5: What is the most fuel-efficient way to drive?
A: Smoothly, of course. You should avoid dramatic braking & acceleration and should use cruise control if you've got it. Move through the gears as softly & quickly as possible. When possible, drive at a steady speed of 55 miles per hour (~ 90 kmph) on highways. It is proven to be upto 20% more fuel efficient than driving at 75 mph (~ 120 kmph). Check your tyre pressure frequently in order to ensure that tyres are not underinflated or overinflated - it may increase fuel consumption by as much as 6%. As far as possible, don't carry excess baggage. Studies have shown that each extra 25 kg of weight decreases fuel efficiency by 1%. And avoid short trips - a cold engine consumes twice as much fuel as a warm engine.

Q6: How environmentally damaging is barbecuing?
A: On July 4, when over half of all America fire up their barbies, the grills release 225,000 tonnes of CO2. The emissions from these estimated 60 million barbecues would still be less than 1.5% of the nation's daily output. You may be tempted to think that this is not too high a price to pay for a whole lot of fun. Remember that this is equivalent to burning almost 2300 acres of forest! If you do choose to barbecue, the most eco-friendly method is to use charcoal as against the propane burners (currently favored by most Americans). Food grilled over charcoal made from locally grown coppiced wood may actually leave a smaller carbon footprint than if it were cooked on propane.

CLICK HERE to check out other questions in this series...

Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of 2008

2009-01-03T09:54:00.001+05:30

1. Cellular Reprogramming: The top honours in this list has been given to a research that produced a "made-to-order" cell lines by reprogramming cells from ill patients - a method known as "Cellular Reprogramming." It opened a new field of biology almost overnight and holds out hope of life-saving medical advances.

2. Exoplanets: For the first time in 2008, astronomers directly observed planets orbiting other stars, using special telescope techniques to distinguish the planet's faint light from the star's bright glare.

3. Expanding the catalogue of cancer genes: By sequencing genes from various cancer cells, including pancreatic cancer & glioblastoma - two of the deadliest cancers, researchers turned up dozens of mutations that remove the brakes on cell division and send the cell down the path to cancer.

4. New mystery materials: Researchers created a stir in 2008 by discovering a whole second family of high-temperature superconductors consisting of iron compounds instead of copper-and-oxygen compounds.

5. Watching proteins at work: Biochemists encounters major surprises in 2008 as they watched proteins bind to their targets, switch a cell's metabolic state and contribute to a tissue's properties.

6. Renewable energy on demand: Researchers found a promising new tool for storing excess electricity, generated from part-time sources like wind & solar power, in the form of cobalt-phosphorus catalyst.

7. The video embryo: Researchers observed, in unprecedented details, the dance of cells in a developing embryo, recording and analyzing movies that trace the movements of roughly 16,000 cells that make up the zebrafish embryo by the end of its first day of development.

8. "Good" fat, illuminated: In a study that may offer new approaches to treating obesity, scientists discovered that they could morph "good" brown fat (which burns "bad" white fat to generate heat for the body) into muscle and vice versa.

9. Calculating weight of the world: Physicists now have the calculations handy to show that the standard model, which describes most of the visible universe's particles and their interactions, accurately predicts how much mass the protons and neutrons have.

10. Faster & cheaper genome sequencing: Researchers reported numorous genome sequences this year - from w0olly mammoths to human cancer patients - aided by a variety of sequencing technologies that are much speedier & cheaper than the ones used to sequence the first human genome.

(The above list is inspired from a report published in The Science magazine.)

Getting 1 hour EXTRA sleep can save from heart attacks!

2009-01-02T10:56:00.001+05:30

Just 1 EXTRA hour of sleep (or even mere shut-eye) per day tremendously reduces risk of calcium deposits in arteries (which is a precursor to heart attack), says a study by US researchers. The finding adds to a growing list of health consequences — including weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure — linked to getting too little sleep...

“We found that people who on average slept longer were at reduced risk of developing new coronary artery calcifications over five years,” said Diane Lauderdale of the University of Chicago Medical Center, whose study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “It was surprisingly strong.” Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries are considered a precursor of future heart disease. Unlike other studies looking at the risks of getting too little sleep, which use people’s own estimates of their sleep patterns, Lauderdale’s team set out to measure actual sleep patterns.

They fitted 495 people aged 35 to 47 with sophisticated wrist bands that tracked subtle body movements. Information from these recorders was fed into a computer program that was able to detect actual sleep patterns. The team used special computed tomography scans (i.e. CT scans) to assess the buildup of calcium inside heart arteries, performing one scan at the start of the study and one five years later. After accounting for other differences such as age, gender, race, education, smoking and risk for sleep apnea, the team found sleep duration appeared to play a significant role in the development of coronary artery calcification. About 12% of the people in the study developed artery calcification during the five-year study period. Among those who had slept less than five hours a night, 27% had developed artery calcification. That dropped to 11% among those who slept five to seven hours, and to 6% among those who slept more than seven hours a night.

Lauderdale said it is not clear why this difference occurred in people who slept less, but they had some theories. Because blood pressure tends to fall off during sleep, it could be that people who slept longer had lower blood pressure over a 24-hour period. Or, it could be related to reduced exposure to the stress hormone cortisol, which is decreased during sleep.

Movers & Shakers Gadgets of 2009

2008-12-31T09:20:00.001+05:30

On the eve of the New Year 2009, I consulted my crystal ball to find out the most happening gadgets of 2009... and it had come out with the top 9 predictions that will make waves in 2009. These would be the Gadgets of 2009 and I am sure these (equally expensive) gadgets would mesmerize you as well!

1. Android phone

The first Android phone may have been released in 2008, but 2009 is going to see Google’s mobile platform come into its own. With the likes of HTC, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG and even Garmin working on Android-based phones, users are going to be flooded with options. Not all of which will be as bulky as the G1. On offer will be innovative interfaces and stacks of applications, at relatively low prices.

2. Garmin Nuviphone

After most major manufacturers lined up iPhone killers (most of which turned out to be duds), it is now the turn of GPS expert Garmin to offer an alternative. The touch-driven Nuviphone has been earning rave reviews and is expected to take GPS on phones to the next level (it switches to GPS mode automatically when you slip it onto its mount in a vehicle). Many, though, feel Garmin’s newcomer status among phones may work against it. But they said the same thing about a certain Cupertino-based company in 2007.

3. Mac Netbook

Since every major computer manufacturer has come out with its own netbook, all eyes are now on Apple. Although the company is tight-lipped, it is speculated that Apple intends to do something radical. Will it have a touchscreen? Will it sync over Bluetooth with iPhone? Will it manage to pack in an optical drive without compromising on weight? One thing is for sure, though. If released, Apple’s netbook will be nothing like its competitors. After all, the company does have a reputation of thinking different.

4. Operating systems

2009 is going to be the year of operating systems. While Apple is expected to release a new version of its Mac OS, Palm is betting on the Nova to shore up its rapidly-sinking fortunes. Then there is Nokia, which is taking its Symbian Series 60 into the touch territory with the Fifth Edition. This, even as it works with the Symbian Foundation to come up with an opensource Symbian operating system. Black-Berry will further tweak its operating system, while there’s a fair chance that iPhone’s next edition will offer something new. Looming in the background are Windows 7 and several Linux versions.

5. Nintendo DS 2

After releasing an update of its dualscreen gaming console in 2008, Nintendo is now expected to go the whole hog. It may come out with a completely revamped DS in 2009. It is rumoured that the new device will have more connectivity options, dual touchscreens and perhaps even a touch of the motion-sensing magic that has made Wii such a hit. Nintendo is keeping its lips sealed about it.

6. Nokia N97

Nokia might have come to the touchscreen party with its 5800, but it is the N97 that is expected to provide real competition. Expected in mid-2009, the phone will combine a touch interface with a QWERTY keypad and a 5.0-megapixel shooter. With just about everything on board, it promises to redefine both the multimedia and enterprise segments. Although some say the device is more likely to compete with Nokia’s own Communicator rather than the iPhone, I must admit it appears to be a most powerful device we have ever seen.

7. Diablo 3

There is no doubting the game that is going to hog the headlines next year. After almost a decade out in the cold, Diablo returns to the PC in 2009 and expectations are great enough for Dickens to have written another book. Gamers can expect loads of demons, numerous character development options, stunning graphics and gameplay that remains relatively simple, in best Blizzard tradition.

8. New Zune

Industry observers are betting on Microsoft unleashing a completely revamped version of its Zune media player. On the table, if rumours are to be believed, is Windows Live compatibility and options that will bring the Zune closer to a PDA. In fact, some even believe that Microsoft might take the plunge in the phone business and come out with a Zune phone.

9. iPhone 3

Its first two versions completely changed people’s perceptions of phones and touchscreens, so expectations for the next iPhone are in exosphere territory. I am betting on a more powerful camera, cut and paste facility, Flash support for the browser and significantly beefed-up enterprise features. Rumour has it that work is also underway on a “mini iPhone” which has a form factor similar to the iPod Nano. Let’s see.

Had a premature baby? Relax, it will be stronger in later life

2008-12-30T09:16:00.001+05:30

Premature infants who need intensive care or surgery are less sensitive to hot and cold sensations later in life, according to a study. The research conducted by University College London (UCL) suggests that pain and injury related to major medical interventions in early development may alter how children respond to painful stimuli much later in life.

In the study, 43 11-year-old children born at less than 26 weeks of gestation (14 weeks premature) who are being followed up by the EPICure study group, were tested for their responses to different sensations—temperature and light touch—using quantitative sensory testing. Compared to a group of children who had been born at full term, the premature children were less sensitive to temperature (cool, cold, warm and hot) but not to light touch, and this was most marked in those who had also undergone a surgical operation as a baby.

The researchers also found a more marked decrease in sensitivity to temperature and to touch close to scars relating to major chest surgery, again suggesting that the severity of injury in early life influences the degree of sensory change, said an UCL release. A survey showed that the children’s everyday pain experiences were similar, but there were some minor differences between the two groups in the way children coped with pain. Suellen Walker of the UCL Institute of Child Health said: “Our study shows that babies who are born premature and need intensive care or surgery develop long-term changes in their responses to hot and cold sensations.”

Insights on Building Web 2.0 Enterprise (2/2)

2008-12-29T13:14:00.001+05:30

... Continued from PART 1 of this series ...

Companies use Web 2.0 technologies more frequently for internal purpose, rather than external. The rate of deployment remains high for almost all kinds of use (refer figure 2). Still there is a wide variation in the level of overall satisfaction with Web 2.0 tools and technologies. 21% of the respondents are extremely or very much satisfied with these tools. After an initial flurry of interest, some companies haven't been able to sustain participation and are abandoning the use of some tools. 7% of the respondents have tried and stopped using one or more tools / technologies!

Which Tools Matter Most?

Web services (s/w that makes it easier to exchange information and conduct transactions online) remain the undoubtable winner of this survey, with highest level of usage. Respondents also rated Web services as the most important tool, with Europeans favoring it the most. Companies across regions prefer Wikis and Blogs as fairly important with considerable increase in its usage. There are significant regional differences in how various tools are perceived as important.

How companies use Web 2.0 tools?

Many of the respondents use Web 2.0 technologies to: (sub-points are in the order of
importance)

Manage collaboration internally
- Internal recruiting
- Developing products / services
- Enhancing company culture
- Managing knowledge
- Training
- Fostering collaboration across company
Interface with customers
- Getting customer participation in product development
- Improving customer service
- Acquiring new customers in existing markets
- Letting customers interact
- Providing for other customer interactions
Interface with suppliers / partners
- Tapping network of experts
- Getting supplier participation
- Lowering purchasing costs
- Achieving better integration with suppliers
- Carrying out other partner / supplier processes

Insights on Building Web 2.0 Enterprise (1/2)

2008-12-28T09:18:00.003+05:30

(Excerpts from the McKinsey Global Survey on Building Web 2.0 Enterprise)

Companies are using more Web 2.0 tools and technologies than they were last year. Now they use it not just for business-as-usual activities, but also for more complex business purposes. Some companies that are satisfied with these tools' adoption have already started to see changes throughout the enterprise (at varying intensity).

McKinsey recently conducted a survey on the adoption & usage of Web 2.0 tools & technologies by various enterprises, and their opinion on the ROI on investments on Web 2.0 technologies. This survey also showed that the use of these tools is both intense and wide-ranging. Many companies reported that they are using Web 2.0 both within & outside their premises: to forge tighter links with customers and suppliers and to engage more successfully. After an initial period of promise & trial, companies are coming to understand the difficulty of realizing some of benefits of Web 2.0. Only 21% of the responders said that they are overall satisfied with Web 2.0 tools, while 22% were clearly dissatisfied. Some companies were also disappointed and have completely stopped using certain technologies altogether!

Some companies have already started using different Web 2.0 tools & technologies, though their use differ with companies. Some use blogs, wikis, RSS, and podcasts (refer figure 1). At the same time, more technologies are in use. The average rate of adoption is 2.5 tools per company this year as compared to 2.2 last year.

... CLICK HERE for Part 2 ...

Top 10 Biggest Bogus Tech Rumors of 2008 (2/2)

2008-12-26T16:04:00.002+05:30

... Continued from PART 1 of this series ...

10. Diggsoft or DigGoogle?
9. Google Phone Delayed Until 2009
8. Zune Phone
7. The iPhone Nano
6. Xbox in a Blu-ray Player

5. The $100 Midget PC Hoax
The concept of a small netbook or a large UMPC called a "Midget PC" sounded plausible. Perhaps it's only natural that a company would introduce a stripped-down model for around $100. So when the rumors grew louder about a tiny Midget PC netbook, everyone thought it would be interesting. One telltale sign that it was bogus was its name: What company would give a product such a horrible label? Turns out, no company would. This rumor proved to be a big hoax.

4. I Want My Mac Netbook, Now!
With netbooks selling like crazy this year, the idea of an Apple mini-notebook with either a multitouch display or a smaller shape seemed inevitable. Analysts say that, due to the weak economy, netbooks might just be the right market for Apple to penetrate. Steve Jobs has categorically denied any forthcoming Apple mini-notebook, end of story.

3. The Trials and Tribulations of Yahoo
Have you heard the latest Yahoo rumor? You probably have, because the only way to avoid Yahoo rumors is by living under a rock. One big fat Yahoo rumor in February claimed that Microsoft would gobble up Yahoo for a whopping $46 billion. That never materialized. Yahoo's then CEO, Jerry Yang, reportedly refused Microsoft's offer and sought an advertising deal with Microsoft rival Google. That didn't work out too well, either. More speculation followed the MicroHoo rumor. One included AOL's possible merging with Yahoo. But the Microsoft-to-buy-Yahoo rumor just wouldn't quit.

2. Shock! Horror! Obama Owns a Zune!
In what would become known as ZuneGate, a contributor to a Philadelphia news weekly reported that, in December, when he was working out one morning, he was surprised by president-elect Barack Obama, who joined him at the gym. According to writer Neal Santos, Obama "hopped on the machine next to me [at the gym] and broke a mean sweat while reading a copy of USA Today and listening to his Zune." The news Obama that used a Zune drove a bitter partisan wedge between the Apple and Zune camps. Unfortunately for Zune fans, the rumor was short-lived.

1. Steve Jobs Dead? Not So Fast, Shorty!
The biggest bogus rumors of 2008 is Steve Jobs's alleged heart attack. This farce has the same roots as the bogus Midget PC: citizen journalism. A CNN iReport stated: "Steve Jobs was suffering a major heart attack." Twitter was aflutter over the news. Apple stocks fell sharply. Even the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation into the iReport. In the end investigators found that an 18-year-old had spread the rumor. But shortly after the "news" broke, Apple representatives reassured everyone that Jobs was fine. And the world sighed in relief.

Top 10 Biggest Bogus Tech Rumors of 2008 (1/2)

2008-12-25T14:40:00.004+05:30

I happened to bump into this awesome post on PCWorld Blogs about Top 10 Tech Rumours of 2008. For many of us, 2008 held many memories - good & bad both. For me, personally, 2008 was one of the dirtiest years (because of terror attacks on Mumbai). While for the businesses worldwide, 2008 may not have been a good year. However, it was a banner year for unfounded tech rumors. Face it, everyone loves a juicy rumor...

10. Diggsoft or DigGoogle?
Digg was the rumor golden boy in 2008, with either Microsoft or Google rumored to buy the social-bookmarking site. The Internet blogged, Twittered, and Dugg up a storm theorizing on whom Digg founder, Kevin Rose, would end up in bed with. In the end, it was no one.

9. Google Phone Delayed Until 2009

Tales of the GPhone delay started out modest. At first there weren't enough Android developers out there, according to sources. People theorized that Microsoft, Apple, Research In Motion, and Nokia had absorbed all the developers, and so none could be bothered to make Android apps. But the rumor bomb dropped when the Wall Street Journal announced that the first Android device would not come until the second half of 2009.

8. Zune Phone

The more Microsoft insisted it had no Zune phone in development, the louder the rumors about the device's imminent release became. Microsoft never gave people any good reason to expect a Zune phone, but from July through December 2008, you could find various reports from The Inquirer and mock-ups from Wired of imagined Zune-phone hybrids. Closer to reality, perhaps, were rumors that the Zune might soon sport a touch screen.

7. The iPhone Nano

First, we expected to see a miniature iPhone, dubbed the iPhone Nano, at Macworld in January 2008. That never happened. Then people hoped that 25 million iPhone Nanos would arrive in time for Christmas. That never happened. But maybe the third time will be the charm for the iPhone Nano? The rumor du jour is that Apple will release a smaller, cheaper iPhone at Macworld in January 2009.

6. Xbox in a Blu-ray Player

Some Microsoft Xbox 360 users really wanted to play Blu-ray discs on their favorite game console. And just like that, someone came along with the wacky idea of having an Xbox 360 in a Blu-ray player. The suggestion was to have hardware that could run Xbox 360 game discs created by a party other than Microsoft--something like the Panasonic Q, which launched in 2001 in Japan and could play both regular DVDs and GameCube games.

... CLICK HERE for Part 2 of the series ...

Facebook, MySpace, Skype being exploited by cyber criminals

2008-12-20T08:34:00.004+05:30

Cyber thieves may now steal your Facebook account entry details before selling them on to gangs for just 89 pence. These will then be used for online fraud...

Facebook lovers, you've a trouble ahead. Cyber thieves may now steal and sell your Facebook account for as little as 89 pence. They steal the account entry details from users before selling them on to gangs behind online fraud who in turn send viruses to other computer users, the Telegraph.co.uk reported. These gangs send "spam" messages on to millions of other computer users, urging people to click on false video or photo links. By clicking on the links, people's computers become infected with spyware viruses that can track keystrokes and copy details such as passwords to online bank accounts.

Other profiles being sought by the gangs include login details for MySpace and internet phone company Skype, the article added.

This adds to the recent problems which are being faced by the social networking site. Recently, a new worm identified as Koobface ravaged the world of Facebook users throughout the world. It is advised that social networking users must not share their usernames/passwords with anyone. If you're accessing these sites through a netcafe, please ensure that you delete all the cookies before you exit. Also ensure that you do not close the site without logging-out.

World's first bio-degradable PC

2008-12-19T09:21:00.005+05:30

A firm in Dublin, Ireland, has manufactured the world’s first biodegradable computer – dubbed the iameco – from bio-degradable wood panels made out of waste products in the lumber and pulp industry.

During a visit to the company by Ireland’s Minister for Science and Innovation, Jimmy Devins, the inventors of iameco – MicroPro Computers Ltd – said they could implant the seeds of native-tree species into the wood panels. “Our business is built around green technologies and using them to produce healthier, more energy-efficient and cheaper computers that have less impact on the environment,” said Paul Maher, chief of MicroPro. One advantage of iameco is that when the components are buried in landfill, the wood gets wet, breaks down and new plants begin to grow from old computers. In addition to the iameco computer, which uses three times lesser energy than conventional computers, the biodegradable wood can also be used to manufacture the computer monitor casing, keyboard and mouse.

Alert citizens can now report pesky phone numbers

2008-12-18T10:01:00.003+05:30

With the advent of technology in telecom industry, possessing a phone has now become a necessity, rather than a luxury. It is simply impossible to imagine someone without a phone, be it a cell phone or a walkie-talkie, or even a satelite phone. With increased penetration and easy access to technology, wrong-doers also get many more ways to spread nuisance. Large databases of telephone numbers of unsuspecting citizens are being leaked every day and innocent citizens have reported huge increase in the number of unwanted calls.

Everyone of us gets at least one such nasty, prank call a day. Be it telemarketers, a phone survey company, debt collectors, or may be just a wrong number. It definitely create nuisance but there was hardly any way you could stop this. However, latest technology has brought to you an innovative way to search who is bugging you with the nasty calls. With the help of www.reportphonenumbers.com, you can now search identities of these callers, look through various comments from people undergoing similar nuisance, and post your own research & opinion so that others can benefit from it.

This site lists top nuisance-causing numbers so that you can immediately identify one that is bothering you. You can also report a new number, then the site will check for its authenticity and will immediately publish it on the Internet for everyone to avoid it. Go ahead, report a pesky number, be an alert citizen!

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (2)

2008-12-17T12:30:00.004+05:30

Q3: How clean does the pizza box have to be for it to be recycled? Likewise for cans &
bottles.

Ans: According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme, Banbury, UK, pizza boxes are often not recyclable. That's because grease from the toppings contaminates the cardboard, making it useless to paper mills, though it can still be composted. Such impregnation is not a problem when it comes to cans and bottles. They should, still, be thoroughly rinsed to remove food remnants so as not to attract vermin. Plastic should also be clean and lids removed from bottles, so that they can be squashed flat. One can rinse waste items in old washing-up water in order to save energy.

Q4: Are laminated juice cartons recyclable?

Ans: Yes, but only if one separates them out. Placing cartons lines with polyethelene or aluminium foil into ordinary paper recycling devalues the load. Depending upon the mill it reaches, it may finally end up in a landfill. However, the drinks carton industry has taken steps to recover their product for recycling. In the UK, manufacturers have funded a local collection scheme.

CLICK HERE to check out other questions in this series...

Samsung NP-X460: Bringing Class to the Masses

2008-12-16T18:16:00.004+05:30

Samsung NP-X460 is a bourgeois piece of tech for the upper crust. It looks good, performs well, has nice battery life, and it's a lighter than many 14.1-inch widescreens. But people are just going to have difficulty coughing up $1,600.

This swanky machine has a velvety black and crimson styling befitting a smoking jacket, so it'll go well with yours — and looks good in the study sitting on your virgin teak and gorilla-skin laptop table. Its 2.26-GHz Core 2 Duo is speedy and its 320-GB drive roomy, so you'll have no problem editing your photos or videos. The Nvidia GeForce 9200M GS offers pleasing game performance, especially for a borderline ultralight. The keyboard is reminiscent of the MacBook Air's, and it's quite solid and comfortable, so you needn't worry about the RSI that often afflicts the working class. And the card reader can accommodate not only SD but also Memory Stick and xD, so you use the cards directly from your Canon, Sony or Olympus — no cables are necessary.

Negatives:

Blu-ray facility is missing, it's not even offered as an option here.
And while 3-plus hours of battery life is decent, one cannot expect civilized people to plug in midflight, even if the servant in first class will do it for you.
It's way overpriced, and it doesn't even have a big brand to artificially inflate its worth.

(Source: Wired.com report)

Locate anyone anywhere, with just their phone number!

2008-12-15T21:37:00.002+05:30

Imagine a situation: you just bumped into the phone number of your best friend you're not in touch with since last so many months. You are dieing to meet her and chat with her, refresh and relive old memories... You want to surprise her but alas, you don't have her new address!! How on this earth are you going to locate her? You don't know any common friend too who can help you. I am sure many of us have faced this situation at least once - be it old friend, a family member, or just a prankster who is bothering you for some time.

Here is a revolutionary comcept to find people by reverse phone number lookup. With this technology, you can find anyone's physical address just from their phone number. There are quite a few free services availabe that claim to give better results. But when it comes to quality, I would recommend only www.nationwidephonelookup.com - guaranteed results with minimal efforts. You can use any phone number: be it a cellphone or a landline. What's more, you can still search for people with their old phone numbers! So there is no hassle of finding out their recent numbers... And with membership, you can enjoy benefits like background information, expanded reach and even family members... Isn't it amazing folks?

Relax: Heavy snoring burns a lot of calories!

2008-12-12T13:07:00.003+05:30

A new study has revealed that heavy snoring can actually help you burn calories. In fact, according to this study the more severely one snores, the more calories one regularly burns, reports Mumbai Mirror, a leading English daily in Mumbai.

According to the US-based boffins, the increased activity in a sufferer’s nervous system caused by their snoring could be the reason behind the findings. The scientists based their findings on analyses of 212 patients, all of whom snored. They found that those who suffered from the most serious snoring problems expended around 2,000 calories while resting every day. Meanwhile, those who tended to snore lightly and less often burned an average of 1,626 calories a day resting. However, a lead researcher of the University of California warned that snoring could cause other problems, which could make sufferers gain weight, despite the fact that they are expending more calories while at rest. Sleep-disordered breathing can often result in fatigue and other changes in daytime functioning that can limit normal physical activity.

World's First Computer Rebuilt, Rebooted After 2,000 Years

2008-12-10T18:05:00.003+05:30

A British museum curator has built a working replica of a 2,000-year-old Greek machine that has been called the world's first computer, according to a Wired.com report.

A dictionary-size assemblage of 37 interlocking dials crafted with the precision and complexity of a 19th-century Swiss clock, the Antikythera mechanism was used for modeling and predicting the movements of the heavenly bodies as well as the dates and locations of upcoming Olympic games.

The original 81 shards of the Antikythera were recovered from under the sea (near the Greek island of Antikythera) in 1902, rusted and clumped together in a nearly indecipherable mass. Scientists dated it to 150 B.C. Such craftsmanship wouldn't be seen for another 1,000 years — but its purpose was a mystery for decades.

Many scientists have worked since the 1950s to piece together the story, with the help of some very sophisticated imaging technology in recent years, including X-ray and gamma-ray imaging and 3-D computer modeling. Now, though, it has been rebuilt. As is almost always the way with these things, it was an amateur who cracked it. Michael Wright, a former curator at the Science Museum in London, has built a replica of the Antikythera, which works perfectly.

According to New Scientist, this is the first working model of the Antikythera computer to include all of the device's known features. And, like the original machine, it has been built of recycled metal plates. That's right: The Antikythera mechanism is not only the world's oldest computer, it's also the world's first green computer.

Disclosure Policy of my blog

2008-12-08T08:38:00.004+05:30

This policy is valid from 8 December 2008, courtsey http://disclosurepolicy.org

This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. I write for my own purposes. However, I may be influenced by my background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.

Though most of the contest on this blog is original, sometimes I do get compensated for writing content. However, the compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest. For questions about this blog, please contact testing_guru@indiatimes.com.

Dumb questions about being Eco-friendly & Green (1)

2008-12-05T12:25:00.005+05:30

Q1: Ehy can't the machines in my gym be used to generate electricity?

Ans: Yes, they can. The Green Microgym in Portland, Oregon, which opened in August 2008, is the first gym in the US to convert the efforts of gym bunnies into electricity. Its three specially adapted bikes and the four-person "Team Dynamo", which combines cycles with hand cranks, can generate upto 1000 watts. What's more, you can emulate this concept in your own home by investing in a Pedal-A-Watt. When hooked up to a normal bicycle on a stand, this device allows a cyclist to generate upto 200 watts of electricity. That's enough to power a large TV, or store the energy in a battery for future use. An hour's worth of cycling would be sufficient to power a low-energy light bulb for around 8 hours!

Q2: If I switch the light on and off every time I enter and leave a room, does this use more energy than leaving it on all the evening?

Ans: Switching the light on and off does save energy, but there is a catch. Everytime you switch on the light, the bulb draws lot of electricity and then consumes little. But this initial jolt tend to reduce its life. Studies by the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, found that turning low-energy CFL bulbs on and off frequently can shorten their lifespan by as much as 75%! The institute suggets leaving CFL bulbs on if you will be out of the room for less than 15 minutes. This would actually reduce energy consumption and in turn, increase lifespan of the bulbs.

CLICK HERE to check out other questions in this series...

Multiskilled ants are no role models...

2008-12-03T12:10:00.003+05:30

It is tempting to think of ant colonies as a role model for a super-efficient society in which each individual specilises in one task. This time-honoured analogy is challenged by a research that suggests that the insects' penchant for specialisation doesn't explain their extraordinary efficiency - reports The New Scientist.

Anna Dornhaus at the University of Arizona in Tucson color-coded over 1000 rock ants and then videotaped them as they foraged for food and built their nest. She defined efficiency by how quickly the ants completed the task , and specialisation by pinpointing which ants performed the same task repeatedly. To her surprise, specialists were no more likely to be efficient than non-specialists. In fact, some non-specialists were more efficient at a taks than a specialist! (PLoS Biology, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0060285)

"Clearly natural selection hasn't perfected insect societies yet.," says bee expert Francis Ratneiks of the University of Sussex, UK. Dornhaus thinks that specialist ants may benefit the colony even if they are no more efficient because having at least some insects dedicated to one task might reduce confusion. We need to fight the urge to think of social animals in human terms, she says. "Ants may do things that are non-intuitive to us!"

Capsule-shaped robots to perform surgical operations

2008-11-28T11:58:00.003+05:30

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (SFIT) are working on smart robots that offer a non-invasive approach to surgery. The ‘bio-microbots’ are no bigger than a capsule, which – when swallowed – will have several medical applications, such as performing gastroscopies and tissue biopsies.

One batch of scientists is developing bio-microbots with controllable legs with which the “robot pills” would be able to move around in the stomach, while others are working on special devices for tissue biopsy. In the future, such instruments could be used to make a precise examination of damaged regions in the gastro-intestinal tract, and simultaneously take tissue samples for subsequent investigation.

--- Picture: A single component of the surgical snake bio-microbot (left) will attach itself to other similar pills in the stomach after being swallowed individually, and form a larger snake-like robotic surgeon ---

A "SNAKE" in your stomach

However, the miniaturisation of such complex electronic systems is not an easy task. Researchers have to create fully-functional surgical robots that the patient can swallow, while also ensuring that the “pill” is compatible with the body.

The patient would swallow not one, but several ‘robot pills’ fitted with individual functions, such as the controller or forceps for tissue sampling. The pills could be swallowed individually, and they would then assemble themselves automatically to form a larger, more powerful system – like a snake – when they reach the stomach.

For this purpose, Zoltan Nagy, a doctoral student at the SFIT, as part of his research has developed a magnetic mechanism that enables the parts of the robot to join together automatically in the stomach to form an entire system. The individual components are polarised at right angles to the surface, so they arrange themselves in a predictable sequence when they come together. The system was tested in an artificial stomach with a 75% success rate.

Potential flaw in Gmail can get it hacked...

2008-11-26T16:53:00.003+05:30

All those Gmail fans out there, here's an important piece of security news for you. A blogger, Brandon Partridge, on Geek Condition has reported that a security vulnerability in Gmail may allow an attacker to hack into Gmail users accounts. Read on to find what it does and how it works...

According to the blog, the security vulnerability may allow an attacker to set up filters on users' email accounts without their knowledge. Web developer Partridge warned that an attacker can force unsuspecting Gmail users to create malicious message filter without their knowledge. Through this, the attacker can hijack messages sent to the victim's Gmail account by redirecting specific messages into the trash and forwarding a copy to the attacker, or so Partridge claims.

In the post on Geek Condition Brandon writes that the vulnerability has caused many people to lose their domain names registered through GoDaddy.com. GoDaddy is one of the largest domain name registrar and is the flagship company of The Go Daddy Group Inc. The security flaw in Gmail allows a hacker to forward GoDaddy account reset information by the victim without his/her knowledge or consent. This is done by creating a filter that forwards GoDaddy's `change of password' mail to the hacker and deletes it from users' inbox.

Wondering is it possible to create a malicious filter without having access to a user's Gmail username and password? No, it is not. However, hackers can force users to create the filter without their knowledge. When a user creates a filter in Gmail account, a request is sent to Google servers to get it cleared. The request is in form of a URL with many variables that the browser doesn't display. However, web browser FireFox and a plugin called Live HTTP Headers, displays exactly what variables are sent to Google servers. Through a process of elimination, the role of each variable can be ascertained. A particular variable is equivalent to the username which is permanent. Other variable can be determined by tricking the user to visit a web page that has a malicious code. This malicious code steals the cookie from the user and creates an iframe with a URL containing the variables that authorise Gmail to create filter for the user's account.

I also didn't believe it. Check out the complete analysis by Indiatimes Infotech. In order to prevent hackers to exploit this loophole, frequently monitor your filters. In case you find something suspicious, report it immediately.

Please note that this article is not my own opinion; it is just republishing someone else's findings.
So I would not be responsible if this hurts someone's sentiments.

10 Innovative Technologies You Need to Know for 2009

2008-11-25T15:06:00.003+05:30

From picotech to compressed air energy storage, here are the big ideas that will make headlines next year. (Published by the Popular Mechanics; also in their December 2008 print edition)

1. T-Rays

Terahertz radiation, or T-rays, occur at a frequency of around a trillion hertz—between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike X-rays, T-rays are nonionizing, so they don’t carry a cancer risk.

2. Hydrogel Tissue Engineering

The science of tissue engineering aims to build or grow replacement bones, vessels and organs. The field’s most promising new research has been with hydrogels—networks of super-absorbent polymer chains that function like scaffolding to support the growth of new tissue.

3. Picotechnology

The frontiers of science have recently progressed from microtechnology (a micrometer is a millionth of a meter) to nanotechnology (a nanometer is a billionth of a meter), but we now may be entering the age of picotech (one trillionth of a meter).

4. HALE (high-altitude long-endurance) UAVs

A recent HALE prototype, dubbed Zephyr, built by British company QinetiQ, flew for a record 82 hours last summer, powered by paper-thin solar panels on its wings that charged lithium-sulfur batteries to keep it aloft at night.

5. Secure Super Grids

Project Hydra (the code name for the Manhattan grid upgrade scheduled to start in 2010) will use American Superconductor’s liquid-nitrogen-cooled Secure Super Grid cables, which can transfer 10 times more power than conventional copper cable, with lower impedance.

6. Autostereoscopy

It’s 3D without the glasses (“spectacular without the spectacles,” as manufacturer Philips puts it).

7. Collaborative Search

People who work on group projects often duplicate each other’s Web-search efforts. Collaborative search lets groups of people combine forces and search more efficiently.

8. Low Rolling-Resistance Tires

Previously found mainly on hybrids, these tires have become standard equipment on many new cars to boost EPA fuel-economy ratings.

9. Energy Scavenging

According to a February report by the Department of Energy, newly discovered thermoelectric materials are 300 percent more efficient than first-generation versions.

10. Compressed-Air Energy Storage

To make wind power useful when the wind isn’t blowing, power companies need utility-scale energy storage—but batteries that big aren’t yet practical. One option is to use wind power to compress air for storage in tanks or caverns underground, then use the air to run a generator.

... Please refer Popular Mechanics site / December 2008 print edition for complete details ...

Moto RAZR Stops Bullet, Saves Man's Life

2008-11-24T11:53:00.004+05:30

This may be the first good news Motorola's had in a long while, reports Gizmodo...

A feller named RJ Richard down in the New Orleans suburb of St. Tammany Parish was on his lawnmower in his backyard when something struck him hard on the chest. When he pulled his Moto RAZR out of his breast pocket to see if it had been damaged by what he presumed to be a pebble, a damn .45 caliber bullet fell out! Having saved the man's life, the phone fell apart.

“I stopped and I lifted up my sweatshirt and I took out the cell phone to check it to see if it was damaged and this bullet falls out,” Richard told the local CBS affiliate WWL. He said the shot—which was strong enough to tear a hole in his sweatshirt—felt like a punch to the chest.

Investigators said that the bullet could have come from as far away as a quarter of a mile, and that people shoot guns in that area all the time.

With hypnobirthing, it’s labour minus pain!

2008-11-22T09:41:00.004+05:30

The Times of India: Saloni Zutshi was terrified of labour just like any mother-to-be. But on November 4, she surprised herself when she gave birth to her first baby in a pain-free delivery. She is so thrilled she she wants to “do it all over again”. While this Delhi mother is extraordinary in wanting to repeat labour, she is also the first in the country to use hypnobirthing, a new technique that makes childbirth easier.

---Picture--- Hypno-therapist Divya Deswal (centre) holds baby Anaadyanta, flanked by her proud parents Saloni and Vasant Goel. The baby was born using hypnobirthing, a method which helps in an easy labour

The term ‘hypnobirthing’ may conjure up an image of a hypnotist standing in front of a hapless woman with a swinging pendulum. But it is actually a combination of relaxation, breathing and visualisation methods. Already popular in the West — celebrities such as Hollywood actress Jessica Alba have opted for it — the technique has just come to India. It is fast gaining ground. “Hypnobirthing is the use of self-hypnosis to achieve maximum relaxation, comfort and relief during childbirth,” explains Divya Deswal, the gynaecologist and certified hypno-therapist who handled Saloni’s delivery.

But didn’t Saloni and her husband have any reservations at all about using a method untried in India? Yes, at first, but their desire for a natural birth made them choose hypnobirthing. “Caesareans have become very common now but we wanted Saloni to have a natural birth. So when we heard about a hypnobirthing workshop in Mumbai, we attended and learnt about this new technique from Dr Deswal. But it was only after we read up on it and were confident that we said yes,” says Saloni’s husband and birthing partner Vasant Goel. The couple attended classes and were given books and tapes to practise at home. Deswal, who’s been certified by the Hypnobirthing Institute in New Hampshire, USA, admits that it took some time to convince the couple.

When the time came, Saloni stayed calm. “We had dimmed the lights and played soothing music as Vasant whispered the hypno prompts to her. After just three hours of labour, Saloni gave birth,” says Deswal. Success hinges on preparation so that when the time comes, a woman is actually looking forward to giving birth rather than dreading the pain. This is what happened with 28-year-old Saloni, who works as a researcher with the United Nations Development Programme on HIV/AIDS. “The technique is based on the power of suggestion,” Marie Mongan, founder-director of the Hypno-Birthing Institute. The method is based on English obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read’s 1944 manual ‘Childbirth Without Fear’. Dick-Read said that hypnosis during labour helps women break what he described as the “fear-tension-pain syndrome”. Once contractions start, fear kicks in as a reflex, causing blood to flow away from the uterus to muscles in the legs. The reduced blood flow causes the uterus to cramp, resulting in pain. So, if women could only relax, they would have less pain, more effective contractions and shorter labour.

Gynaecologists who use conventional delivery methods don’t seem averse. Such positive techniques can help check the rise in C-sections which more and more women are choosing over natural births as they get very stressed about labour and obstetricians don’t have the time and patience to address those fears. Hypnobirthing helped Vasant and Saloni tackle those fears and bring baby Anaadyanta into the world without pain. Could it herald the birth of a whole new order for Indian women?