Slashing Migration Costs

SmartDB Corporation is the leading U.S. company providing professional data application migration tools. Today SmartDB announced that it would be teaming with Wave Consulting Group to feature the SmartDB Workbench in the Wave Conversion Factory. SmartDB considers this to be a low cost, high efficiency alternative to outsourcing overseas.Two of the primary players in the project speak out about its benefits to both companies and to their customers:Rodney Joe, Managing Director of Wave Consulting Group: "As this market rapidly grows, we have a great chance to become an invaluable partner to our customers. We can compete with anyone on cost and with the SmartDB Workbench, the quality and speed of our work is excellent."George Langan, SmartDB CEO: "Time, expense, and risk are characteristics of...

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Former HP Executive Signs On As Global Channel Vice President

Today, Managed Objects, the Business Service Company, announced that it has chosen former HP executive, Andrew Howard, as the Vice President of its Corporate Alliances and Channels division.According to Siki Giunta, CEO of Managed Objects, says, "Andrew knows the players in this industry inside and out and brings an impressive track record of helping sophisticated companies form exceptional partnerships. We are thrilled to add an industry veteran with Andrew's depth of experience and breadth of relationships."Having led the global alliances division and worked with the managed services division, Howard is uniquely qualified for the position. Howard had this to say about his plans: "In Europe we are seeing stronger interest in BSM than ever before. My objective is to increase the percentage...

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"Boomerang Migration" for Global Technologists

In a telling sign that India has become one of the world's leading engines of technical innovation, Indian technologists who have been working abroad are now moving back home. In fact, technology professionals throughout the world are doing likewise, reversing a 50-year trend of migrating to the US and Europe, as their native countries move to deregulate and encourage business growth.Indian expatriates (known as NRIs, or non-resident Indians) are finding that they are welcomed back with open arms, valued for their international experience, and can command top salaries. NRIs tend to live in gated communities that are more reflective of American suburbs than anything native to India. Those who have lived in the US experience a bit of culture shock, adjusting to the more traditional Indian...

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Virtual IT: Firefox Gets Linux Enterprise Award

The Mozilla Foundation’s Firefox 1.5 earned the top honor in the virtual IT Enterprise Linux category of the 2006 Datamation Product of the Year Awards. The open source browser won just above second place Red Hat Inc.’s Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 with over twice the number of votes. The Zimbra Collaboration Suite from Zimbra Inc. placed third, with Asterisk 1.2 in fourth.Firefox was the talk of the town in early 2005, but its reputation was fading right before Version 1.5 showed up later in the year. The release was just in time to maintain the energy that was surrounding Firefox, a company that has built a great community through Version 1.5, which because it is an open source product has contributions coming from many different places.The community is what draws many users to the program,...

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IT Consulting News: Recent Study Proves Greater Tech Hiring in U.S.

In spite of the trend for American companies to transfer IT consulting and other technology work overseas, a new study shows that the need for U.S. technology workers continues to grow. The professional development organization, The Association for Computing Machinery released a study last Thursday that claims giving IT jobs to India or China isn’t really a threat to U.S. IT consulting work. This development organization includes academic, government and industry officials from the IT industry. The study states that only about two to three percent of IT consulting jobs will be lost per annum to lower-wage developing companies through offshoring. But the U.S. IT industry’s growth will be faster than that loss, and the opportunities for IT professionals involved in software architecture, product...

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Web Attacks on the Rise

As the Web becomes an ever more important part of business, it's also becoming an increasingly rough neighborhood. For instance, distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks -- the practice of flooding websites with so much incoming traffic that they can't operate properly -- increased by nearly 700% between 2004 and 2005, according to security firm Symantec. Attacked e-commerce sites can be knocked offline for days, losing millions in sales. These attacks are done not by teenage pranksters, but by e-commerce competitors (some from countries where cybercrime laws are lax), or customers who feel wronged. Symantec also notes the practice of using "bots" -- hacked "zombie" PCs that can be remote-controlled and directed to flood a site with traffic. Some hackers rent out the bots they control,...

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[TIPS] - multiple tips

http://www.google.com/google_rsearch.reg    Several people wrote to ask how to set Google as the default search engine in IE. (You didn't think MS would make it EASY to switch from MSN, did you?) The above links to a file (Windows only) that, when double clicked, will make the necessary registry entry to change the default search engine to Google.   ----------- Here's one for your favorite physics teacher: http://www.whatthebleep.com/download/  This is a page that contains an excellent movie called the Double Slit Experiment. (Ask your favorite Physics teacher) At the bottom of THIS page (http://www.whatthebleep.com/trailer/) you'll find a link to the movie trailer for, "What the Bleep Do We Know?" The first movie is part of the larger movie. - - - - - &nb...

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Malcolm Gladwell Blogs

Malcolm Gladwell, renowned author of books such as Blink and The Tipping Point has started a blog at http://gladwell.typepad.com/. So far there's not much to it, but that will surely change considering the buzz this early effort has already generat...

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Computer Consulting: Handling the First Sales Meeting

In computer consulting, the initial sales process is really a pre-sales consultation, not a final sale. Because even a successful “sale” on a first phone call or meeting is not final, you need to communicate your professionalism and make an impact so you can distinguish yourself from other computer consulting firms.Two ways to make an outstanding impression are to take a sincere interest in your potential customer’s business and problems, and get a definite handle on those problems so you can decide if your computer consulting business can provide the appropriate solutions. FINDING “DIRT” Sometimes you may look into a prospect and find out some unfavorable information about the person or their company that makes you not want to engage in a business relationship. The computer consulting...

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Network Support Contracts Can Provide Personal Help

Network support contracts are most commonly provided in the workplace to help maximize the efficiency of daily operations and also help professionals best keep their technology up and running. But students and others not using laptops for business purposes also need to be assured that their networking capabilities are insured. For these people, it may only take a few simple steps to get the peace of mind of a network support contract.KEEP COMPUTERS RUNNING UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCESA well-plotted and stable network will keep you connected at all times. The purpose of network support contracts is to keep your network running all the time, uninterrupted. If you have a reliable network infrastructure, you will be able to get to files you left at work off-site, any day and at any time. Using professional...

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India Considers a Reusable Spacecraft

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is considering plans for a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) capable of placing a 10-ton payload into low earth orbit.The craft would be launched in two stages, with one part gliding back to a runway like the US Space Shuttle, and another landing via airbags.ISRO officials, however, caution that the RLV is in its conceptual stage, and that deployment is a long way off. But when the RLV does (literally) get off the ground, the ISRO undoubtedly hopes it will solidify India's position in the satellite-launch industry. They will also surely incorporate lessons learned from the US space program as to the realistic expectations of a reusable spacecraft.Source: Zeenews....

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You Are Feeling Veeerrrry Sleeeeeeepy...

Feeling tired? If so, you're in good company.Seventy million Americans aren't getting a good night's sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. The resulting sleeplessness is affecting work performance ($50 billion annually in lost productivity) and causing safety hazards (100,000 car crashes each year, plus many other undocumented accidents). Sleeping pills and caffiene-laden beverages, experts say, only mask the problem.Causes of sleeplessness range from stress to overloaded schedules to disorders such as sleep apnea. Scientists are investigating genetic causes of sleep troubles, and are improving their ability to diagnose specific problems. So if you have trouble falling asleep at night, see your doctor. And sweet dreams.Source: WCAU...

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Little Robots, Big Jobs

An EU-funded research team called MICRON is exploring the potential of floating "micro robots" just a few cubic centimeters in size. Each unit can be controlled wirelessly, powered through a coil system that transmitted electricity through the air, and can interact with other micro robots... in effect, acting as a flock or swarm (choose your metaphor).Successful tests involve having the robots perform biological tasks at the cellular level, injecting liquid into cells, as well as soldering metal. With those tasks under its belt, the researchers are perfecting the robots' internetworking abilities, hoping to leverage "swarm" intelligence.Source: Roland Piquepaille's Tech Tre...

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Pimp Chic

If someone called you a pimp or a whore, how would you react? If you're over the age of 30, you would almost certainly be offended. But to younger people, the terms have become fashionable -- a fashion that has many concerned.Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop, has come out strongly against such sexualized images in pop culture and marketing, where they are held up as role models:A lot of people seem to think that it's cool to be a pimp or whore. It's not cool. The reality is dark, evil and appalling and unregulated. The reality is sex trafficking, which is about young women being forced into rooms to have sex however many times a day...

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IT Marketing – Increasing Postcard Response

Take a look at the last postcard you sent out. When should prospects have contacted you? Was there a date by which they would lose the chance to get something for free? Did you only have a limited number of free analyses available? If your answer is "No," then your prospects had no reason to contact you now instead of ten months from now.Urgency and scarcity are the keys to any great direct mail campaign. If there is only a limited opportunity for companies to contact you and get something for FREE, then they are much more likely to contact you quickly.Finding Extra HelpIf you want extra help writing the copy on your postcards, then you want to hire a direct response expert. Generally, this person will be a copywriter or a former employee at an advertising firm. An experienced writer will...

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Service Level Agreements – Improving From the Inside Out

Service level agreements are offered by many consultants so that you can use their expertise to make your business more productive and efficient. Consultants can offer advice on a variety of topics though their primary focus will be on your IT infrastructure.Planning for the FutureAn IT consultant can help you plan for your company's future. They can evaluate your existing setup and your expected growth to help you develop an infrastructure to support your future growth. They can also look at your business plan and develop strategies to cut costs and increase profits.Introducing the ConsultantNow, the biggest problem you may face will be with your own employees. Some may not believe in bringing in consultants and they may be insulted by your move. There are two philosophies as to how you should...

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Computer Business News: Samsung Makes Driver Source Code Public

Samsung Electronics stated Wednesday that it intends to make the driver source code for its own OneNAND available to Linux/Open Source designers. Samsung spokesperson Jon Kang, senior vice president of technical marketing at Samsung Semiconductor, anticipates that this decision will be very exciting for this community of designers.Open source code has become a driving force in the technology boom that has caused so many customers to welcome the benefits of mobility into their lives. Therefore, Samsung’s announcement is expected to be well-received in the open design arena, and its effects will be felt by even those outside the industry. Samsung also claims that revealing the driver source code for OneNAND could very well permit consumer electronic goods designers to easily add OneNAND’s...

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U.S. IT Consulting Firm Bought by Fujitsu

Fujitsu, Ltd. Announced the purchase of a U.S. IT firm recently. The acquisition is an opportunity for the Japanese company to increase its clientele in North America.A United States branch of Fujitsu, Fujitsu Consulting, will buy Rapidigm, a Pittsburgh-centered IT consulting firm that also holds offices in 22 additional major municipal markets in both the United States and India.The Japanese company will be able to leverage its national IT consulting presence with the addition of Rapidigm as well as increase the company’s ability to deliver products and services offshore, according to Fujitsu Consulting representatives.As soon as the process of buying Rapidigm is complete, Fujitsu Consulting will add approximately 1,200 U.S.-based consultants, which will make the total number at the North...

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The Underwater Airplane

From Lockheed Martin's famed Skunk Works comes a proposal for an unmanned plane that would be launched from submarines. The Cormorant jet aircraft would be launched from a retrofitted missile tube of a Trident nuclear submarine to perform surveillance or surgical strikes, taking off from and landing in the sea. The Cormorant is still in the proposal stage. DARPA will make its decision to fund the project by this fall.Source: we make money not ...

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Computer Franchises: What's Your Chance for Success?

One option to consider when starting a new business is a computer franchise. But do you have what it takes?Buying computer franchises can reduce your risk for failure. Training, basic operating procedures, financial support and advice and many other perks are included in the initial fees associated with computer franchises. However, starting out and maintaining business is not necessarily easy, and you need to carefully consider before even embarking on this venture whether you have the qualities you need to succeed.DETERMINING YOUR ABILITY TO RUN COMPUTER FRANCHISESBefore you consider running computer franchises you need to make yourself aware of your talents and abilities. Are your computer skills up to par? What is the nature of your experience? What will you need aside from technical...

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Computer Maintenance Contracts Are the Ultimate Investment

If you have managed to decipher the fine print on the extremely complicated service contracts delivered by small companies, you will probably discover you don’t get much in terms of a warrantee. That’s because not many of these businesses have the type of credentials you need to ensure technical work that will help your company succeed. There are many different types of computer maintenance contracts, and some are better than others.A FUTURE INVESTMENTIf you get your computer repaired the right way by a high quality computer maintenance contract, you are making one of the best investments you can in the longevity of your company. If you rely on someone without all the necessary credentials or training, you might permanently compromise the integrity and life of your delicate computer. You...

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KFC Develops Ads for DVR Users

Users of digital video recorders are notorious for skipping over ads when replaying recorded TV programs -- a practice that deeply concerns advertisers. In response, fried chicken purveyor KFC is producing ads that are specifically designed for viewers who watch them on recording devices.When viewers play back the ad slowly, they can view a "secret code" that they can then enter at the KFC website to get a coupon for a free sandwich. The ads debuted during NBC's broadcast of the Winter Olympics and will run until the end of March.The advertising industry is applauding KFC's if-you-can't-beat-'em-join-'em approach, though the actual impact of...

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Defending Cell Phones Against Viruses

So far, the virus threat to cell phones has been minimal, despite nearly 150 cell phone viruses discovered since 2004. But security experts believe that a widespread phone virus outbreak is only a matter of time... and to that end, antivirus software is being developed for cell phones.The prevalence of advanced features on cell phones, especially Bluetooth wireless connections and MMS messaging, leave cell phones increasingly vulnerable to viruses. Gartner, in fact, believes a fast-spreading cell phone virus is likely to strike sometime before the end of 2007. In response, antivirus software developers Symantec, McAfee and F-Secure are developing security software for smart phones. Although these products have made inroads in Japan, the major US phone carriers have resisted such protection,...

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Chinese Mobile Phone Users Top 400 Million

China, home to the world's largest mobile phone market, now claims to have 400 million users. Chinese mobile phone users also sent nearly 34 billion text messages in January alone. By contrast, the US has about 200 million cell phone use...

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IT Marketing: Using Your Elevator Pitch

To practice your IT marketing everyday, you need to develop an effective elevator pitch. Let's say you get on the elevator on the 20th floor with a woman who is well-dressed and looks like an executive. The two of you begin talking, and she asks what you do. Your reply is your elevator speech. Here are a few good examples: "I’m xxx with xxx and we make it our business to help small and mid-sized businesses learn how to get the best benefits out of their computers, the Internet and networking productivity." "Our service team specializes in on-site business service and networking solutions. We also provide consulting in the areas of network development and ongoing maintenance." Then, you hand out your business card. If this person or her company...

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Maintenance Contracts: Finding the Cause

Have you switched to a Mac to avoid many of the problems found when using Windows machines? If so, you need to realize that you still may face challenges when using your Mac. When trouble happens, you need to have a professional technician to call one through your maintenance contract.What Kinds of Problems?Well, you may face many different types of problems with any new machine. For instance, you may need help with your TCP/ICP settings or your AppleTalk- Mac settings. You may also find that integrating your Mac with a Windows machine may prove difficult. If this is the case, you want to know that your maintenance contract covers this type of assistance, and if you choose the right company it will.Securing the Right TechnicianThere's one other obstacle you may face when finding a maintenance...

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[TIPS] - browser shortcuts

In IE: So you wanna find a definition of a word - say, *moodle. How do YOU find the definition? Do you rush off to Merriam Webster's site (http://www.m-w.com) and search from there? I'll save you some time: For a definition of a word just type - define moodle - in the address field.   Another way to search for something, say, penguins, is to simply type: ? penguins in the address field - right over top of the address that's there. Presto - your default search engine pops up with the search results.   For Firefox: In the address field type: google moodle - and hit enter. Google appears with the search results. To find a definition of the word, in the address bar type: dict moodle To do a wikipedia search, type: wp moodle and hit enter and up comes Wikipedia with the search result....

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Three-Dimensional Images in Midair

3D displays that hover in midair have been a staple of science fiction for decades; after all, who can forget the hologram of Princess Leia in the first Star Wars? Now, Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed a method of projecting three-dimensional images in the air.The system reflects laser light off of mirrors, and focuses that light into a point in the air using a plasma emission phenomenon.The technology remains experimental, so there is no estimate of when it might appear in the marketplace.Source: Minding the Pla...

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Why MySpace Appeals to Teens

According to a presentation by media researcher danah boyd, young people are attracted to MySpace because they perceive it as a literal place where they can relax with their peers and do things they can't do physically. MySpace neatly mirrors the way teens perceive the world, allowing them to meet others easily, interact with their "real time" friends, and share their feelings and preferences. For most teens, it is simply a part of everyday life - they are there because their friends are there and they are there to hang out with those friends. Of course, its ubiquitousness does not mean that everyone thinks that it is cool. Many teens complain that the site is lame, noting that they have better things to do. Yet, even those teens have an account which they check regularly because it's the...

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Are Employees Really Overworked or Are They Slacking?

Unproductive computer use by employees is one of the biggest problems in employee motivation and employer loss of time and money. According to some estimates, American businesses will lose up to 750 billion dollars this year, with many employees wasting 2-4 hours online daily. With employment costs rising, employers are more interested in monitoring computer use by employees. Thus, many employers are interested in installing programs like Statlook that tracks usage by user and by amount of time and type of activity. Statlook provides a variety of reports to help employers determine who is wasting time and what they are wasting their time on. Statlook offers a reasonable price that also appeals to many medium-sized businesses. To learn more about Statlook and how it can help your clients,...

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Server Market Slows, But It’s Still Growing

IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker reported today that worldwide server factory revenue has slowed by 0.2% this quarter. This is the first of this type of decline since 2003’s first quarter. Additionally, server unit shipments have slowed by 10.6%. On a more positive note, volume systems server growth has increased by 7.3% year over year. According to Matthew Eastwood, program vice president of IDC's Worldwide Server Group said, "The volume server market continues to evolve as richer server configurations driven by both scale-out cluster implementations and scale-up server virtualization initiatives continue to drive increased customer spending.” For more specifics on the growth ratings of the server market, read the complete article, Worldwide Server Market Slows in Fourth Quarter...

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A Christian Utopia

South Carolina is already a solidly "red" state, but if Cory Burnell has his way, the Palmetto State will become a true promised land for Christian conservatives.The 30-year-old financial advisor from California (a state he considers a "lost cause") has founded a movement called Christian Exodus, which encourages Christian families to move to South Carolina, with the intent of reforming local and state government under biblical principles. With a fundamentalist Christian majority in place, Burnell hopes to pass laws that outlaw abortion, restrict sexual practices, ban the teaching of evolution and "revisionist history," and allow government displays of Christian symbols.Although only 20 people have signed on so far, Burnell is optimistic, as over 1,000 more have expressed interest. Taking...

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Poopy Power!

There isn't a dog owner alive who hasn't occasionally wondered, while poop-scooping, why their pooch's by-product couldn't have some productive value other than messing up the lawn. Officials in San Francisco have wondered the same thing -- and are launching a program to turn doggy doo into an alternative energy source.The city will pilot the program at a dog park, where residents can deposit dog droppings into a "methane digester" that uses bacteria to break the feces down into methane gas.It would seem that it would take a lot of dog doo to make a significant amount of methane. But San Francisco officials estimate that city dogs generate...

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Designing "Walkable Neighborhoods" For Better Health

Your health may be determined in large part by your community's design, according to a recent study by the American Planning Association.Most communities in the US have grown up in an ad hoc manner, or planned with considerations other than the residents' health. The APA recommends that communities be designed to support pedestrians and cyclists, with ample sidewalks, bike paths, and closer proximity of retail and recreational areas to residences. "Walkable neighborhoods" would encourage residents to exercise, and would reduce the level of pollution from motor vehicles."Walkability of neighborhoods around each participant's home was significantly related to overall physical activity levels, minutes per week devoted to active transportation, and body mass index," Says Lawrence D. Frank of...

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[TIPS] - Kitzu - Find, Learn, Create

http://www.kitzu.com/   - - - snip - - - What's a kitZu, Anyway? At kitZu, you will find a collection of free, educational, copyright-friendly media resources. Students and teachers around the world can access pre-made collections, or "kits," of various digital assets - still images, background music, narratives, video and text. Each kit is built around a common theme, or curricular topic. For students, this becomes the construction paper of the 21st century --allowing them to create reports and projects filled with rich, immersive media for communicating their vision of whatever subjects they chose. AS they master the technology, they will progress from building projects with supplied materials to projects where they find or create their own resources -- a strategy that results in truly...

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IT Marketing: Know the Decision Maker

Knowing the decision maker within a company is the key to making your IT marketing work. The same concept is apparent when you're trying to market at conventions or other events - you have to know where to go and who to talk to.Inside a company, there is generally going to be one person who will make the decision about the IT consultant. Now, you might have to talk to someone else, but there's one person who has the final say. You want to find out who this person is before you contact the company. The more you know about them and how the company works, the better your chances of making a sale.Most companies have one or two people in the decision making role: the person who signs the checks and pays the bills (often the owner in very small businesses) or the office guru, the person everyone...

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Computer Optimization and Service Contracts

Computer optimization includes a variety of services that experienced, certified computer service technicians can perform to keep your computer up and running. These services include everything from virus removal to diagnosis and repair of hardware problems.But, all computer service contracts are not equal. Companies offer different services as parto f their contracts and they may or may not offer free estimates (if a company doesn't offer this service free, however, you should run!).Transparency is key when you are choosing a computer consulting company and computer service contract. The company should be very specific about what their contract includes and what it doesn't. Also, they should be more than willing to explain anything listed in their contracts.The best way to find out about...

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Network Maintenance Contracts for Hewlett Packard

Hewlett Packard has enjoyed great success in recent years, and as a result the company has had to add comprehensive tech support offered through network maintenance contracts to their repertoire. The steadily-growing company has become famous for its quality products and affordable prices, a combination that has brought both their desktop and laptop computers into offices around the globe. This boom means a need for reliable support so businesses around the world can keep running efficiently.EQUIPMENT CRITICAL TO A MISSIONFor most people, computers have become an absolute necessity. Just about everyone, both at home and at the office, needs reliable technology such as word processing and Internet access to function. Hewlett Packard has sapped into this need for computers and has made them...

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IT Sales: No More Free Consultations

Although a large part of IT sales is providing incentives to gain clients and keep your best customers, you have to be sure your business does not become too heavy on free consultations. Eventually you have to move from the spirit of the sales call to the actual sales.Your initial sales call is not about proving to your client that you are smart and have a great deal of technical expertise or many certifications; the sales call is your opportunity to test client compatibility so you can move to the next phase of the IT sales process.Your first order of business is to determine if the prospect is someone you can see you and your company working with long-term. Your prospect should read like other clients with which you’ve had success. Because you’ve done all the leg-work and asked questions...

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[TIPS] - Podcast for nothing - CastWiki

http://www.castwiki.com/index.php/Podcast_for_free  Someone told me that putting the word free in the subject line throws the mail into the SPAM bin, so that 's why I didn't say it was free in the subject. :-)   - - - snip - - - Five Steps to Free Podcasting How you can podcast with a free website, free audio software, free hosting and free bandwidth. Free as in doesn’t cost you a penny, except for your computer and microphone. Making a podcast is a five step process Create your audio file Upload your audio file Create your show notes on your website Create and publish your RSS feed Tell everyone you know where to find your RSS feed - - - &nb...

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Big Mother is Watching You (With Help from the Lunch Ladies)

If you're a kid who attends a Houston public school, the days of being able to select whatever you want for lunch in the cafeteria are numbered.Within the next year, the Houston Independent School District plans to launch a prepaid lunch account system that tracks kids' eating habits, and lets parents control which food items they are allowed to choose. Parents can access their children's menu permissions and purchase history through the web, limiting or prohibiting sweets and other types of food as they see fit.RELATED: For parents worred about how much time Junior is spending playing video games, watching TV or on the computer, a new device called "Bob" allows parents to set a limit on the time allowed on these devices, and cuts off access when time's up. Meanwhile, Techdirt wonders if...

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Is Web 2.0 Capitalist or Marxist?

As the conversation around Web 2.0 becomes more mainstream, those who examine it from a business perspective are wondering whether its components and effects more closely mirror capitalism or socialism. The New York Times weighs in on the side of a pro-capialist web, examining how it is benefitting "gazelles" -- small businesses that are able to quickly adapt to and exploit change. The article profiles "virtual" companies that grow and profit using online collaboration tools to network widespread freelance talent, and more traditional companies that have enjoyed renewed growth through online sales channels and supply chain tools.Meanwhile, Andrew Keen of the Weekly Standard declares that "[j]ust as Marx seduced a generation of European idealists with his fantasy of self-realization in a...

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Unplugged

WorldChanging offers this bit of "speculative fiction", set in the year 2030, about a growing sustainable-lifestyle movement called "Unplugging," rooted in "a combination of the economic theories of Mahatma Gandhi and the political science of Buckminster Fuller": The core of [Unplugging] theory is that we can all live off the interest generated by our savings, or the profits from our investments, if we possess enough capital - and generations of Capitalists have dreamed of "getting off at the top" - making enough money to cash out of the workplace and live as they like for the rest of their lives...To "get off at the top" requires millions and millions of dollars of stored wealth. Exactly how much depends on your lifestyle and rate of return, but it's a lot of money, and it's volatile depending...

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IBM Declares TV "As We Know It" Dead by 2012

IBM's Institute for Business Value has released a study reflecting what most new-media experts have been saying for some time: that a fragmented marketplace combined with more tools for interactivity will lead to "the end of TV as we know it." The IBM analysts predict that the television audience will cleave into two main segments within the next several years. The "passive mass audience" -- those who view TV in the traditional sense -- will still be around by 2012. But even that audience will demand greater control over their media experience, while groups that push the envelope of content access and control ("Gadgetiers" and "Kool Kids")...

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Poll: Most Americans Would Vote for a Woman President

Nearly a year after a Marist poll found significant interest in both Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Condoleezza Rice running for President -- and several weeks after First Lady Laura Bush informally endorsed Secretary Rice for the office -- another poll finds widespread support for the idea of a female Chief Executive.According to this survey, commissioned by Hearst Newspapers and conducted by Siena College in Albany, NY, 79% of Americans polled said they would be willing to vote for a woman as President. However, no potential candidate was named in the survey, and the available results were not broken down by party affiliation or gender.Source: WFMY...

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Greenland Glacier Speed Doubled in Past Five Years

The glaciers of Greenland are accelerating, doubling the amount of ice they dump into the Atlantic Ocean over the past five years. Caused by rising surface air temperatures, this acceleration could ultimately lead to a rise in sea level.A study published in Science magazine notes that Greenland's melting glaciers cause global sea levels to rise approximately 0.5 mm per year, and that overall sea levels are rising by 3 mm per year. Yearly ice loss from the glaciers has increased from 50 cubic kilometers in 1996 to 150 cubic kilometers in 2005.In related research, scientists studying Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya believe the loss of ice on its summit is accelerating as well, and may disappear entirely by 2020.Source: Green Car Congress, WorldChang...

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IT Consulting Firm Offers Free Services in San Francisco Area

The web hosting firm ServerPlex Networks stated that its IT consulting division, ServerPlex Online will give free installation and configuration of 500 wireless networks in San Francisco. This campaign will hopefully encourage use of wireless networking by companies that normally would not have thought it was an option for them.ServerPlex will also include a wireless router, security configuration and set up on up to two personal computers for individuals that take advantage of this offer. While businesses do not qualify for this promotion, they will receive a discounted rate on these items.This campaign will hopefully bring wireless networks to both homes and businesses in the area. A company spokesperson explained that setting up a wireless network can be particularly confusing for those...

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Toy Pen - Rewriting the Internet

Perhaps you heard about LeapFrog's most popular toy this Christmas - the Fly Pen. Children using the Fly Pen have the ability to write words on digital paper and the pen understands them. Additionally the pen can name a state and the child can point to the state on a map, printed on digital paper; the pen will tell the child whether he or she is correct. At first, Fly Pen simply sounds like a fun toy, but Anoto, a Swedish high-tech company who developed the underlying technology for the pen, hopes to bring the pen to the business and consumer worlds. Fly Pen believes that the Fly Pen can be used to order flowers with the user telling the pen what it wants and the pen referring the buyer to a flower shop. The pen can also tell the buyer what types of flowers are available and the specials...

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Tapping on-Demand Market With AppExchange

Salesforce.com has created a revolutionary platform for local solution providers. The on-demand customer relationship management (CRM) services provider is excited to be offering an effective marketing channel. The Asia-Pacific branch of the company believes that Malaysian software developers and consultants in that area will be able to profit. "Local solution providers [can] go to market immediately and secure free market exposure to Salesforce.com customer and user bases." AppExchange is also offering many other options in the areas of finance, document management, and credit and collections. Other new offerings also include electronic signatures, project management, mobile workforce management. "With AppExchange, we are talking about using software as a service. Just log on,...

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Solution Providers: Microsoft Office Live May Take Over Web Hosting Market

Solution providers providing web hosting services for small businesses may have to look for other tasks to do if Microsoft’s latest product, Office Live, takes off as expected. Microsoft’s latest attempt at entering the managed services industry is a varied combination of interesting features that will appeal to most small businesses.Microsoft will launch the Office Live product line in three forms: Office Live Basic, Office Live Collaboration and Office Live Essentials. The completely free Office Live Basic gives clients a domain name, simple design tools, five email accounts and reports on website traffic. Solutions providers that typically charge for these services will be most threatened by this package. It also will affect the sales of those that resell website hosting packages from...

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Onsite Computer Service Contracts - A Growing Trend

There are two types of computer service contracts: off-site and on-site. Let's talk about why on-site services are generally the best way to go.Why Lose Valuable Time?When your computer goes down, you don't have time to spend without it. You need it fixed immediately. Many companies offer onsite computer service contracts where the technicians actually come to your office and, if at all possible, they fix your computer on-site. This revolutionary service replaces instructions over the phone with an experienced technician arriving right at your doorstep.Sorting the Wheat from the ChaffNot all companies or service agreements are created equal. Some are always better than others. Finding a reliable company is easy if you do your research. Talk to people you know for recommendations, research...

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IT Marketing - Postcard Case Study

Sending out postcards is a common way of promoting your business, but there a few common pitfalls that you need to know - and avoid. Take this case study as an example: “I’ve sent out over 300 postcards that offered general computer troubleshooting services, automated online data backup and wireless home networks. From a marketing standpoint, I purchased lists of area businesses broken down by revenue, credit rating, years in business and number of PCs. The wireless home networks postcards were sent to homeowners whose homes were purchased for over $500,000, and I sent the automated online data backup postcards to people that had a recent new business license. Meanwhile, the general services list went out to accountants, lawyers, and small clinics. “So far, I have found...

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Support Contracts Facilitate Information

Network support contracts are a key component in ensuring a business runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Because the best network specialists offering support contracts are so used to handling many problems at once on a daily basis, they are the ultimate multi-taskers, and thus invaluable as support systems for busy companies. Network specialists are daily asked to meet a multitude of demands. A problem that needs attention under a network support contract can be an easy one like installing a laptop network card, or it can be incredibly difficult and mean completely revamping a network with thousands of users.A network specialist has a difficult job; he has to know how a network operates and how the computers within that network interact with each other and the network as a whole....

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IT Audits: What's Next?

With most clients, the minute you establish a relationship after the IT audits are finished, you should start immediately executing a project plan. This plan should be very detailed and regimented, with spreadsheets that will help systematize elements of the project. Through IT audits you will get an idea of the order of priority for certain tasks and know what has to be accomplished immediately vs. what can wait until a bit later or be placed on a wish list.WHAT IS A WISH LIST?The items on a wish list are tasks that have to be completed because they are controlled by a vendor or regulatory agency, or because a product is going to become useless and will no longer have support. Wish list projects will typically have fairly inflexible completion dates. As a person conducting the IT audits,...

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Computer Business Lenovo Builds Strength Through Olympics

As the official computing partner of the 2006 Olympic Games, the computer business Lenovo is helping athletes keep up with training programs, friends and family, and manage their careers. The athletes are not the only ones benefiting from Lenovo computers; journalists, judges and all those supporting the Torino games are giving the computer company the chance to be globally recognized, and only a year after the Chinese company bought out IBM’s personal computer business.Thanks to the Olympic Partnering Plan, Lenovo is enjoying a rare worldwide marketing opportunity by providing athletes and other game-goers with hardware, and infrastructure that is helping to provide information and support for all involved in the event. Approximately 5,000 Lenovo desktop PCs, 350 servers and almost 1,000...

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Network Consulting: Onsite Chicago Acquires Newtek Computers

IT outsourcing company Onsite Chicago announced February 17 that it would be in charge of maintenance for computers at Newtek Services. The network consulting firm Onsite Chicago will be managing computers at the Newtek Chicago satellite office.Newtek Business Services, Inc., in business since 1999, is one of the largest providers of financial products and business services and serves small-to-medium-sized companies all over the U.S. The company has been looking for a network consulting firm to manage their computers for quite some time with little success until they came across Onsite Chicago. A spokesperson for the network consulting firm stated that Newtek was at a point where it needed immediate support and reliable services for its computer systems, and had a difficult time finding...

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[TIPS] - stamps of the future are here NOW!

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/netherlands-debuts-video-stamp-155496.phpThis is spooky - animated postage stamps. Run this idea 25 years into the future and try to imagine what our textbooks will be like, and what a basic word processing document might look like. Oh my... VERY cool, ...

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IT Audits: What Do Clients Seek?

Performing IT audits for clients means identifying their issues and providing solutions. The key to uncovering problems is anticipating questions they will ask during the audit.QUESTIONS HELP WITH THE NEEDS ANALYSIS Your main question, as the one conducting the IT audit is, “What are prospective clients seeking?” The truth is, their needs have not really changed in quite some time. The main thing they want during the audit is guidance on what they should buy. They want to know what platform and product will best work with their specific set-up and what will give them the best value. Your job is to spend several hours assessing their situation to determine what they have and what they will need. Your main job is to map a plan to coordinate different products and platforms that will specifically...

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Network Maintenance Contracts are Critical for Business

Because so many more businesses have found themselves in need of reliable tech support in the past several years, the number of available network maintenance contracts has increased significantly. Our world has been forever changed by computers, and we find ourselves reliant on them for almost every aspect of business. While computers have certainly affected our lives positively, their existence has presented us with a new set of technical challenges for our companies. Because very few of us are able to solve all the problems we may run into, network maintenance contracts that provide the best support for our businesses are essential.COMPUTERS … EVERYWHEREComputers have transformed both our professional and personal worlds more than any other invention of the 20th Century. The Internet...

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IT Marketing: Multitasking is Key

A successful marketing campaign requires that you use two or more tactics to reach your prospective clients. Multitasking lets you approach prospective clients through several avenues so that you reach a variety of clients in the ways that appeal to them most.TargetingThe key to marketing, however, is targeting. Each campaign should have a specific audience in mind. Generic campaigns rarely reach prospective clients, especially not your sweet spot clients. Instead, you should choose an area where you have expertise and let prospects know that you can successfully help them in that area.Try Numerous TacticsFrom postcards to telemarketing to Internet ads, make sure that you try several different avenues to reach prospective clients. Not everyone will read a postcard, but they may respond to...

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IT Service Contracts: Focus on Your Business

What should be your primary focus in your business? The answer: Your business. One of the first keys to success is learning to delegate. Delegating everything from your accounting to your IT consulting needs will keep you focused on running your business.What is a Service Agreement?An IT service agreement can cover a variety of services from checking your computer for the latest updates to helping you plan for your future computer needs. Before shopping for a service agreement begin thinking about what services you need from an IT consulting firm.Finding a Great IT Consulting FirmSo, how do you find the right company to help you with your IT needs? First, you want to shop around. Find a company who will let you speak with references so that you can evaluate their track record. Also, many companies...

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[TIPS] - Microsoft Office Live and a bonus

http://officelive.microsoft.com/ Remember the other day when I showed you goffice, and ThinkFree Office and I said that this was the kind of thing that has Microsoft worried? (Why spend big $$ to buy it if you can access the tools online, right? Or better yet, get Open Office or Star Office!)   Well, here is MS's answer to this challenge. There's a forever free version, and then other versions for fee, including one that allows you to collaborate with others. (MS's answer to Writely.com, maybe?). But guess what? It only works in Internet Explorer. You get a big Server Error when trying to hit it using Firefox, for example.   :-)   - - - - Oh, and THIS truly IS useful information: How to fold a fitted sheet PERFECTLY EVERY TIME! WOOHOOO! http://www.target.com.au/html/homewares/sheets.htm...

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Fast Track Training & Certification for CompTIA RFID

Expertise in RFID is currently in high demand. Companies and individuals with certification can gain a corner on this important market. Offered by RFID World 2006, this new vendor neutral certification can assist IT consultants in gaining the expertise they need on a variety of different software solutions. With the limited amount of time most consultants have to train and receive certification, the fast track program allows consultants to learn everything they need to be prepared for all their clients' RFID needs.According to Sanjiv Dua, CEO of RFID4U, "With the usual four days of material, compressed into one jam-packed day of intense training, individuals can benefit from an efficiently delivered program in record-breaking time. This program is recommended for individuals...

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Microsoft, EMC, and IBM All Eye Enterprise Search

Although Google and Yahoo! are the leaders in search capability software, other major companies are trying to catch up. Realizing that they are miles behind, Microsoft, EMC, and IBM are all rushing to create their own web search and enterprise search systems.Microsoft’s Windows Vista represents Microsoft’s entrance into the search software market. The new search capabilities will be available on the Start Menu, and it will allow users to search the contents of a document for just a few keywords.Many of these companies are planning to sell their software via Value Added Resellers (VARs) since their research has shown that most SMBs do not purchase products from normal retailers but instead take advice from their IT consulting firms.To learn more about the opportunities with enterprise search...

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