ITinfo

Data Backups to the Cloud

2009-04-29T17:11:55Z

Cloud backups are not only more common but more simple than most people think. Gone are the days of physical media backups; now, it is easier and less expensive to backup to the cloud.

]]> What is the Cloud?
The cloud is a reference to storing data on a computer that is available through an Internet connection, usually via TCP/IP. An example of cloud computing is Amazon’s S3 service, which offers effectively unlimited storage space to database administrators and website designers.

What are Cloud Backups?
Cloud backups are offsite copies of data that are accessible through an Internet connection, 24/7. Rather than storing data backups onsite, cloud backups are stored in a well monitored, secure data storage center. All data are securely encrypted using security ciphers, such as the ultrasecure AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). Unless the decryption passphrase is known, the data cannot be accessed. Users of cloud backup systems are assured that no one may access the data files, unless the passphrase (or passphrases) are properly authenticated.

Most users are familiar with using onsite backups, such as flash media, CD/DVD discs, or external hard drives. All of these media suffer from a shared risk: local physical security. If your office were burgled or destroyed in a fire, these locally-stored backups would be at as much risk as your primary storage media (workstations and network servers). Since data are your organization’s most valuable resource, and the only resource that is irreplaceable (and uninsurable), you must take extra precautions to ensure your organization will survive in the event your computing equipment were lost.

Because the security and privacy of data is so important, users often have a difficult time selecting a service for offsite backups. The backed up data must not be left open to the public (especially competitors). After reading thousands of pages of related security material and investing a year in testing cloud backup solutions, ITrain uses and recommends two services: BackBlaze and JungleDisk.

Popular Cloud Backup Solutions
Our recommendation comes from careful evaluation of many online backup solutions. BackBlaze and JungleDisk easily became the top solutions for a number of reasons:
1. Ultrasecure data storage
2. Fast, unencumbered upstream and downstream bandwidth
3. No outages
4. Unlimited storage space
5. Simple, automated backup control user interface

Our office network currently stores about 72GB of important data, a combination of small word processing/spreadsheet files and large desktop publishing, audio, and video files. These files are required for daily operations, and must be protected. Hundreds of additional gigabytes of video files are also saved, but these are of secondary importance.

We backup all important files to BackBlaze, which costs $5 per month. We backup all critical word processing and spreadsheet files, about 20GB worth, to JungleDisk which costs $0.15 per gigabyte per month. In addition, all files are duplicated on multiple servers and encrypted external hard disks within the office.

Both BackBlaze and JungleDisk accept our data backups as fast as our upstream bandwidth can send the files (usually 5-8MB per second).

Both services allow us to protect the securing of the data using two passphrases; JungleDisk even double encrypts the files. In both cases, we use passphrases of up to 64 pseudorandom characters (a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numerals, and punctuation marks). Because our files include information about you, our members, we take extra precautions to ensure your information is well protected.

BackBlaze stores the files on its proprietary servers; JungleDisk offers the option of storing the files on Amazon’s S3 service or RackSpace’s servers.

Managing Multiple Copies of Backups
JungleDisk’s backup software is the ultimate in flexibility. We can control how many copies of each backed up file are stored and for how long copies are maintained. BackBlaze automatically retains copies of backed up files for 30 days. In both cases, the most recent copy of each file is retained until manually removed.

Restoring Data
Both JungleDisk and BackBlaze offer a web-based restoration menu. JungleDisk also offers a shared drive interface, so the backup directories appear as a network drive.

For large restorations--those that are too large to quickly download, BackBlaze will send the files on DVD or external hard disk, shipped via overnight FedEx.

Dave's Opinion
I personally recommend both services, BackBlaze and JungleDisk. They offer the same level of data protection; however, they offer different benefits regarding data access and restoration. That is why ITrain uses both services.

BackBlaze is a generous sponsor of ITrain, offering the association a complementary annual subscription (even after we offered to pay for the subscription). In addition, through May 30, 2009, you may subscribe to BackBlaze’s backup service at a 10% discount. Whether you subscribe for one month or one year, you may receive a 10% discount on your first order, if you use the BackBlaze hyperlink below and the discount code, ITRAIN.

Please, test the services and post a comment telling us your evaluation.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments on the ITinfo blog.

References
BackBlaze
JungleDisk

International Linux Foundation Announces Distributed Network For All Users

2008-04-01T22:29:41Z

In an announcement that will likely have long term implications for users of personal computers, the International Linux Foundation today reported that it will release a version of its operating system that will include a link to a distributed network.

]]> This distributed network will allow all users of the new Linux version to share one another's central processing units (CPU). Users who are not taking full advantage of their computers' CPUs will automatically share available CPU cycles with those Linux users who are executing procedures that can take advantage of extra cycles that exceed their own computer's CPU.

Distributed networks, such as the Seti@Home project, which now requires the BOINC application, enable potentially millions of computer CPUs to share the effort of calculating complex formulae and searching large data pools. BOINC and Seti@Home are provided courtesy of the University of California, Berkeley.

The new Linux distribution, while similar to the BOINC network in effect, will not require the installation of the BOINC client software. By design, each computer on which the new version of Linux is installed will automatically seek out other similar installations and connect seamlessly into a distributed network, all without requiring the user's taking any affirmative consent or action. The net effect of will be a global distributed network of Linux computers, some of which have hundreds of thousands of CPUs already networked into a single cluster, will share the processing power of one another's CPUs.

A single user executing an application that requires trillions of CPU cycles may find the application completing in seconds, as the Linux distributed network shared the applications execution across hundreds of free CPUs. Given that Linux is used worldwide, free CPU cycles are expected to always be available, as computers are usually left running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Those computers that are expected to provide the greatest service are Web servers, which are connected to the Internet backbone through high bandwith connections. Home users connected via broadband will also provide a solid foundation to this new distributed Linux network, especially those with fiber to the home connections that have high speed upstream connections.

Finding Digital Heaven - A Windows User Switches to a Mac

2008-03-31T18:20:38Z

I was an avid fan of PCs for 25 years. I was an ardent supporter of Microsoft Windows, even during the dark Me years. However, when Vista came to my desk last fall, I lost my passion for PCs. I bought one of the most capable notebooks available, spending ten times more than I did for my the eight-person 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 that I drove while I was in college. Yet, Vista ruined this fine piece of computing hardware. Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and for the last two weeks, I have been in computing heaven.

]]> I was on spring break with my family; we were sharing space at my wife's sister's beach house. On the fourth day of the vacation, while I was preparing discussion questions for my online classes, my Sony Vaio, running Windows Vista Business Edition, crashed for the umpteenth time. This time it was serious, requiring me to restore the entire system partition from a backup image.

After a few minutes of grumbling, I got to work recreating the partition and hoping that the master boot record was not corrupted, as that would complicate my restoration efforts. My wife, a computer engineer, overheard my under-the-breath comments and suggested that I finally give up on Vista, as it seemed to require more time to maintain that to productively use. She suggested that I call Apple and order a MacBook; she was sure that they could deliver it within a day to the beach house, and I would lose only one day's work. Every man needs a woman as supportive as my wife is to me!

Using our youngest daughter's notebook, I visted Apple's website and evaluated the current line of MacBook notebook computers. I narrowed my options down to three models, and I called the Apple sales line. Sure enough, in less than 10 minutes and dozens of specific technical questions, I was confident that a MacBook would meet all of my needs. The Apple salesperson offered to deliver the computer to our vacation spot within 24 hours for as many dollars. I promised to call back, after talking to my wife.

After talking to Peg, I decided to drive two hours to the nearest Apple store to touch the machine that I had selected, just to be sure it was exactly what I was expecting. I grabbed our oldest daughter, who, as a teenager, loves road trips, and we struck off.

The Apple Genius with whom we spoke at the Apple store was patient and friendly. For an hour, I peppered him with questions and comments about each MacBook model. He remained calm and actually seemed to enjoy helping me. Finally, he said, "You seem to be very particular about your computers." My daughter nearly passed out from laughing. I have been called many things, but particular is the most polite of them all.

My daughter suggested that I would be most happy with the MacBook Pro, as it had a separate video card and the keyboard was most comfortable for me. I agreed with her evaluation, and we bought the computer, an extra power adapter, a case, and a copy of Microsoft Office. Even though the Apple Genius promised that I would not need Office, I thought it would be a safe bet, as I need to be fully compatible with my student's documents.

While ringing up our purchase, I noticed that the Apple Genius granted me over $200 in educator discounts. Everything about Apple, from the employees, to the store, to the computer, has been a pleasure. I love great customer service, and I feel right at home with everything Apple.

Today, it has been two weeks since my Vista computer last crashed. I don't care; I am in heaven with my MacBook Pro. I have been more productive on this machine than I ever was on a DOS or Windows machine. The system automatically backs itself up to my Time Machine drive, and my data is automatically backed up to Amazon's S3 servers, using JungleDisk.

I cannot imagine ever buying another Windows notebook.

Americans Use Multiple Research Sources

2007-12-30T20:56:34Z

Americans use multiple resources when searching for specific answers. The traditional sources, libraries and librarians, are still common alternatives, even with the ubiquitous availability of internet access.

]]> The Pew Internet & American Life Project surveyed Americans' use of a variety of information sources that help them seek answers to common problems that could in some way be related to government agencies and programs. The survey evaluated how Americans seek information on

dealing with a serious illness or health concern

making a decision about school enrollment

financing school

upgrading work skill

dealing with a tax matter

changing a job or starting a business

getting information about major programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

The survey's major findings are

The internet is a go-to source

Searchers usually end up satisfied

Libraries meet special needs

Digital divides matter

Government documents should be created and delivered in all shapes and sizes

E-government is not an option, it's a necessity

Like most Americans, I grew up using public libraries. My parents were often willing to drive me to the major public library in my hometown. When I was old enough to ride my bicycle more than just a few miles from home, I started spending time at the local college libraries. This respect for and love of library resources continues in me today. If it were not for the inclement weather, I would be spending this lazy Sunday afternoon at the public library.

The Pew report introduces the role of libraries, "For generations, public libraries have played a central role in providing a vast range of information to Americans. From the stacks of non-fiction books, to racks of newspapers and magazines, to shelves of reference materials and government documents, libraries have been the place to go to find answers to questions."

Over the last decade and a half, the internet has offered a challenge to libraries' dominance of reference resources. Most popular magazines publish the same content material in digital format as is published in the print format. Dictionaries and encyclopedias, including those with which most Americans are familiar, are available for free or a nominal annual fee on the internet. Now, with the popularization of e-book readers, such as those from Sony and Amazon.com, books can be easily delivered in digital format, no longer requiring avid readers to physically travel to the library. In fact, my local public library offers a wide selection of digital materials through its internet portal, including streaming music, music downloads, and books, which may be checked out for three weeks, just like a printed book.

However, as the Pew report identifies, this flexibility of accessing published data is only available to those with broadband internet access. Dial-up users are more restricted in accessing online resources, and are more likely to use their physical library resources for research.

Pew Internet & American Life Project report: Information Searches that Solve Problems.

Proton-Based Network Offers Free Cellular and Internet Services

2007-04-01T13:31:42Z

Free voice and data services will be available through an international consortium’s program that deploys a proton-based global network. The telecommunications network’s potential was confirmed last week following research using the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, European Organization for Nuclear Research, and the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

]]> Large Hadron Collider While the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s largest high-energy particle accelerator, was not expected to come online and be available for research activities for another six months, this information-transfer process was tested during the system’s post-installation efficacy evaluation process (PIEEP). The LHC resides within a 27 km circumference underground tunnel that ranges in depth below ground level from 50 to 150 meters.

The telecommunications network, which requires no physical interstitial points of transmission, will allow transmission bandwidth of at least 100MB/s between endpoints. Owing to the quantum distribution properties of protons and the availability of unused geosynchronous satellites currently in orbit, terrestrial endpoints may be located anywhere and airborne endpoints may be located to a maximum altitude of 150 miles above the surface of the Earth.

Technology Background

A proton is a subatomic particle with a positive electrical charge of one fundamental unit (1.602 x 10-19 coulomb). The CERN scientists, led by Dr. Albus Luminare, were able to store 8 bytes of quantum data within a single photon of pure white light. Using light photons, which travel through a vacuum at 299,792,458 meters per second, the scientists were able to effect the high bandwidth data network, creating multiple individual channels of data between two end points at near fiber-optic speed.

The current research demonstrates that data transmission does not have to be limited to a single transmission medium, such as a fiber-optic cable. Rather, multiple independent transmission streams may be effected through the use of quantum entanglement, and directed focus mirrors, which allow the digital data to be transmitted without the need of physical cables. Data endpoints may transmit and receive data between cellular and internet endpoints using satellite-based mirrors, literally reflecting the multiple data streams off mirrors in geostationary orbit, 22,500 miles above the surface of the Earth.

Dr. Luminare, chairman of the Worldwide System Hardware Language Infrastructure Systems & Technology Symposium (WiSHLISTS), has announced that the charitable organization will license—at no cost--the new technology, called the Proton-based Information System (PIS), to nations willing to offer free nationalized cellular and internet service to citizens, without restriction.

Dave’s Opinion

The PIS network sounds the death knell for terrestrial telephone and broadband providers. My sources confirm that the symposium’s services will be available before the end of the year, and I expect to see a plethora of new mobile digital devices that will take advantage of this high-speed data network. It is fortunate that Dr. Luminaire’s team of scientists conducted their research during the LHC’s PIEEP phase, as CERN reported earlier this week that the LHC suffered a failure of its three quadrupole magnets.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References

CERN LHC Magnet Test Failure

CRM Software - Manage Customer Relationships

2007-03-20T23:32:49Z

A general rule of thumb for businesses is to drop the bottom 10 percent of clients each year, based on the profitability of the relationships. Focusing on the most profitable clients--rather than all of old clients--will, in time, increase the business' overall profitability. One way to manage the profitability of client relationships is through the use of Customer Resource Management (CRM) software.

]]> What is CRM? Customer Relationship Management (CRM)is a business strategy that is designed to reduce costs and increase profitability through the development of customer loyalty. CRM applications integrate customer data with strategic business goals, ensuring that the most profitable products are being sold to those clients that are most likely to purchase them.

Both small and mid-sized businesses must have immediate control of customer management through the use of e-mail, Web 2.0 applications, and a single user interface. CRM applications are generally used by employees with moderate technical ability, as they are specialists in the development of customer relationships, not the integration of digital technology. As such, a CRM application must be simple to use and not require extensive planning and software coding. The bottom line, to be effective, a CRM system must enable both sales and marketing staff and business leaders to quickly begin managing their customer relationships.

CRM is valuable to sales and marketing staff in organizations such as membership organizations, professional services, and real estate. CRM applications come in two flavors: 1) locally-installed and hosted services. A hosted service is accessible through a web interface, and may be preferable, since no software need be installed locally, the application may be accessed through any web-enabled device.

Dave's Opinion

Effective CRM must go beyond contact management and sales force automation, two business functions that are well addressed by existing applications. Managing customer activities, the core of CRM, requires the integration of client activity analysis and strategic business objectives. CRM software enables the sales and marketing departments to align their efforts with the overall business strategy by ensuring that the right projects are being sold to the right customers. One application that facilitates this function is Relenta CRM, an application that I learned of this week through its sponsorship of this e-zine.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References

Relenta CRM

Using Computer Clock Skew to Crack Anonymity Networks

2006-12-29T15:54:54Z

At the recent Chaos Communications Congress, Steven J. Murdoch, a researcher in the security group at the University of Cambridge, discussed how clock skew can be used to facilitate a digital attack against anonymity networks. Clock skew, the tendency for a computer's clock to become less precise when heated, can reduce the efficacy of anonymizers, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Tor network.

]]> Murdoch explains, "When a crystal is manufactured, it has a clock skew, and it's different for each crystal (throughout its) lifetime." Tadayoshi Kohno, now an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington, has shown that computers on the internet can be identified by their clock skews, by tracking the timestamps of each machine's transmitted packets. Clock skew, however, yields up to only 64 separate identifiers, making it an incomplete confirmation tool.

Clock skew has long been a concern of engineers of synchronous network, as it causes the clock signal for system components to arrive at different times; however, Murdoch is the first to take advantage of this hardware fallibility. Murdoch attacked The Onion Router, Tor, an anonymizing network that allows unregistered users to access web sites without identifying themselves. Tor network encrypts web traffic, through multiple servers, creating layers of anonymizing packets, none of which may be decrypted by another node on the Tor network.

Murdoch tested his digital attack by setting up a Tor network server and causing the server to warm up by executing intensive processes. The increase in system temperature caused minor changes in clock skew.

Dave's Opinion

To understand how clock skew can be used to affect the security of anonymity networks, such as Tor, I think that we must first understand how Tor works. I suggest reviewing the audio recording or transcript of Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte's Security Now! podcast. Episode 70 of this podcast explains in clear, lucid detail how the Tor network creates anonymity for web users.

Kohno's theoretical work and Murdoch's proof of concept attack does not bode well for network security systems, including the GPS and other national digital assets that require precise timings to function properly.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References

Steven J. Murdoch's notes, Detecting temperature through clock skew – Hot or Not: Defeating anonymity by moniToring clock skew to remotely detect the temperature of a PC

Steven J. Murdoch's University of Cambridge website

Electronic Frontier Foundation Tor Network

Tadayoshi Kohno's paper, Remote Physical Device Fingerprinting

Tadayoshi Kohno's University of Washington website

Steve Gibson & Leo Laporte's Security Now! Podcast, Achieving Internet Anonymity (episode 70)

Those Aren’t Really Friends Sending You E-mail

2006-12-06T05:58:57Z

Have you recently been receiving messages from a number of new friends? If so, you are either a good person or a one of the millions of spam victims. Experts estimate that 90% of e-mail traffic is spam, and those spammers claiming to be your friend may not really have your best interests at heart.

]]> Why Are We Receiving More Spam? Spammers are not giving up; in fact, they are getting smarter.

One of the reasons that we are lately receiving more spam is that spammers are diligently working to get past our antispam filters by embedding their messages in graphic images. Antispam filters are effective at reading the content of incoming messages and detecting common telltale word patterns, image spam gets past the keyphrase filters because it does not include ASCII text, only a graphic image. Since last year, the amount of image spam has increased 400%, it now represents almost up to half of all unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE) messages.

BotNets

Spammers also hide their identities and locations by using botnets, remotely-controlled personal computers that have been infected with a malware application and used to transmit the spam messages to their final, intended recipients. An article in Wikipedia states that spammers send 80% of UCE via botnet, sending transmitted 55 billion spam messages each day. While these numbers are unconfirmed, e-mail users generally agree that they get too many spam messages a day.

There Is No Legal Protection

U.S. e-mail users took heart in the federal Can-Spam Act of 2003, which requires UCE senders to properly identify their content and allow users to opt-out of future transmissions; however, much spam is coming from outside of the United States, and the spammers are not beholden to the U.S. law.

What Can We Do?

IronPort offers ten tips to help prevent and reduce the amount of spam that we receive.

Don't open messages from someone that we do not recognize.
Don’t respond to spam messages.
Don't click on hyperlinks included in the spam message.
Don’t buy from spammers—ever!
Don’t use a primary e-mail address; create a secondary e-mail address when submitting an online registration.
Don’t believe everything we read.
Do use a temporary or one-time-use credit card.
Do read security policies.
Use an antispam filter, either through our ISP or a standalone application.
Do use common sense.

Dave’s Opinion

I receive over 1,000 spam messages to one of my e-mail addresses, alone. If it were not for effective antispam filters, I would be afraid to open my inbox.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References

IronPort Systems Offers the "Do's and Don'ts" to Avoid Spam Deluge During Holiday Season
Wikipedia, Botnet
Wikipedia, E-mail Spam Wikipedia, E-mail Spam

Podcasting in America: 2006

2006-11-23T17:06:24Z

A podcast is a digital multimedia file that is distributed via the internet. Podcast listeners/viewers may download individual podcast files or subscribe to a subscription feed that automates the downloading of podcast episodes. Podcasts may be played on a personal computer; however, the inherent portability of the medium encourages use of a mobile playback device, such as a portable MP3 player.

]]> According to a report published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project this week, 12 percent of internet users reported downloading at least one podcast; however, only 1 percent download on a typical day.

More men who are online, 15 percent, have downloaded a podcast, compared to 8 percent of online women. Users who have been online for more than six or more years are twice as likely as those who have been online for three or fewer years (13 vs 6 percent).

Dave's Opinion

I have been listening to podcast recordings of my favorite news and conference recordings for six years. I used to carry a Sony MiniDisc player; now I use a SanDisk Sansa flash drive media player. I subscribe to 49 feeds, most of which are published by national news services or universities. The flexibility of timeshifting my listening has freed me to keep up with my preferred news sources. I carry the media player in the car, plugging it into the vehicle's audio system, and when I exercise.

I am surprised that more folk do not listen to podcasts. The value of timeshifting makes podcasting one of the most useful digital applications.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References

Pew Internet & American Life Project Report: Podcast Downloading

Blogosphere Grows to 50 Million

2006-08-13T23:27:09Z

Technorati, the recognized blog tracking service, reported that there are fifty-one million blogs were in publication as of today. This is one hundred times more blogs than were in existence when the tracking service started, three years ago.

]]> It is estimated, based on Technorati's numbers, that the blogosphere, the global blog space, is doubling in size about every six months.

One hundred and seventy-five thousand blogs are created every day--two every second. These aren't blog entires, but new blogs, each with dozens to thousands of articles. an estimated 1.6 million entries are posted to blogs each day--eighteen per second. These numbers do not account for the comments, trackback pings, and e-mail distributions that follow many of the articles.

While most bloggers post in English--about thirty-nine percent--thirty-one percent ware written in Japanese. Together, these languages comprise seventy percent of the blogosphere.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Please leave your comments below.

References
Technorati

Teleportation Takes Quantum Leap Forward

2006-04-01T15:15:58Z

The United States Department of Defense and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence today issued a joint news release announcing a electronic urban battlefield personnel and weapons transportation system, codenamed EUBPAWT (pronounced EUW-paw). The EUBPAWT system utilizes a high-energy quantum mechanical electrical field to quantify the quantum molecular structure of living tissue, which is then spatially transported and interstitially reconstituted.

]]> Initial tests of the EUBPAWT system confirm that reptiles and mammals can be converted to photons of light, transported through a hydrogen gas tube, and delivered, intact, over a distance of up to one statute mile (1.609 km).

Working with research scientists from the Stanford School for Graduate Physics and Engineering, as well as the University of Aberdeen Institute of Advanced Molecular Research, military scientists have successfully tested the EUBPAWT system on soldiers, weighing up to 180 lbs (81.646 kg), successfully quantum transporting them using the flexible gas-tight polycarbonate tube, across a psuedo-urban test environment. without the need to pass through the intervening space. According to Major General W. Herbert Walters, author of the joint military release, "...in plain English, the courageous volunteers stepped into the transporter and were immediately delivered to the reception station. While the laws of quantum mechanics are too complex to include in the announcement, suffice it to say that the soldiers were delivered to the intended destination without passing through the intervening space. One moment they were here, the next they were there."

Dr. Richard Heisenberg, professor of quantum physics at the Aberdeen laboratory, directed the initial experiments and was present for the successful human test, conducted in the presence of media and peer review committees. Many of the Aberdeen and Stanford research team members were uncertain if the four volunteers would actually survive the proton-hydrogen transport.

Much of the scientists' incertitude began with Werner Heisenberg, Richard's namesake, who was the first scientist to realize that certain pairs of measurements have an intrinsic uncertainty associated with them and published his theory, in 1927, in his seminal uncertainty paper. For instance, if you have a very good idea of where something is located, then, to a certain degree, you must have a poor idea of how fast it is moving or in what direction. Now referred to as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, in effect, the principle states that within the principles of quantum mechanics one can't measure both the direction and speed of a moving object.

Dave's Opinion
If you are a long-time reader of my work, you know that I have been following the development of quantum devices for many years. This project appears to be the first equipment created following the rules of quantum mechanics to demonstrate an immediate and useful application of quantum teleportation.

I will keep you informed as I earn more about this device and the application of quantum teleportation, which may provide a safe and effective means of allowing the military forces to traverse the intricate urban landscape surrounding the nuclear weapons facilities built by the Iranian government, just west of Tehran.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Please leave your comments below.

References
US Department of Defense
UK Ministry of Defence

Which Author is Better: One or Many?

2006-03-12T16:50:51Z

Wikipedia, the popular online reference source for undergraduates and consumers, worldwide, has more than 15 times the number of articles than the well-known Encyclopedia Britannica, the self-proclaimed “world’s most indispensable and reliable reference resource.”

]]> While the Encyclopedia Britannica’s flagship print edition has 65,000 articles and is published by a company that has been in business since 1768, Wikipedia, online since 2001, has amassed a corpus of 1,019, 202 articles.

Britannica uses a hired team of 4,000 authors and offers distributorships for its products—clearly a commercial enterprise; the number of contributors in this well-organized company is dwarfed by the communal and egalitarian league of Wikipedians (Wikipedia contributors and editors), over 1,000,000 of whom are registered, and an undisclosed number of whom are unregistered.

With so many Wikipedians’ being unregistered, and the veracity of registered contributors’ open to question, because of the open nature of the online encyclopedia—anyone my contribute a new article or edit an existing article—the question is begged: Can we trust the veracity of content if the author and his or her experience is unknown?

Recent news reports have called it a toss-up between Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia, in regard to the accuracy of content in articles; however, although Wikipedians are “encouraged to uphold a policy of ‘neutral point of view’ under which notable perspectives are summarized without an attempt to determine an objective truth,” I judge, because of the system’s open nature and simplicity of operation, that most articles are posted without the review of experienced editors. Is this a point of concern? Should readers question the accuracy and completeness—even the neutrality—of each Wikipedian’s comments? I think readers should question the accuracy of articles found in Wikipedia.

Readers should also question the accuracy of articles found in Encyclopedia Britannica. In fact, we should be more concerned of the potential lack of neutrality in articles that are presented by a homogenous, closed, team of authors and editors who have a commercial axe to grind, than a group of egalitarian writers who seek share their knowledge openly, whether in original work or by editing another’s article..

One reference source is insufficient. Data presented in Wikipedia should be fact-checked, just as those in Britannica. Do not take one author’s word for any but well-known facts. It is exceedingly difficult to be fully objective; opinion and prejudice creeps into all writing, often without the author’s notice.

Dave's Opinion
I am a Wikipedian, both as an original author and editor. I seek to share my knowledge, in scholarly, trade, and consumer publications, and I judge that Wikipedia is a harbinger of a digital service, the wiki, that will have a profound affect on all of our lives.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia Britannica

When Software Bites, Back

2006-03-11T11:54:20Z

McAfee's antivirus software caused problems for Microsoft Excel users, on Friday. Just as Excel users, around the world, were attempting to complete their day's work, the virus signatures, pushed to them by McAfee, caused the McAfee software to incorrectly identify the excel.exe file as being infected by the W95/CTX virus.

]]> The misidentified excel.exe file, along with a number of other misidentified files from Microsoft Corporation and Adobe, were quarantined by the McAfee software, renamed, and moved to a different directory on the user's hard disk.

The problem was corrected about four hours later, when McAfee pushed update 4716 to the all users.

Dave's Opinion
Problem such as this are false positives, and they occasionally happen; however, causing a problem to such a popular software product, Microsoft Excel, is inconveniences many users.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References
McAfee

Google's Plan to Store Data Online Presents Security Concerns

2006-03-09T15:34:42Z

Google, Inc. seems to hope that thousands, possibly millions, of internet users will trust their digital data to the Mountain View, California company, the same one that sings forth the anthem "Don't be evil."

]]> Google's GDrive was announced last week, possibly as a teaser, because the announcement was quickly removed from the search engine giant's website. The internal corporate notes that were online for a short time reflected plans to serve more than just search engine data. GDrive subscribers would be able to upload word processing, spreadsheet, and other digital data files to the GDrive servers, creating a virtual hard disk in the sky that allows access from any authorized computer, home, office, or borrowed.

The online copy, called the "Golden Copy," according to Google's document, would serve as a backup of the user's data.

Most Microsoft Windows users know how to save documents on their local hard drive, usually the C: drive, in the My Documents folder. Corporate users are accustomed to saving data on network file shares, and Google's GDrive will emulate this service, possibly being accessible as a new drive letter. Anyone who knows the appropriate GDrive password should be able to gain access to the "internet file share."

Dave's Opinion
This sounds like a great idea; however, my experience makes me think that most users don't realize how dangerous it can be to post data online in unencrypted form, primarily because most of us pick access passwords that are too short or too common, in other words, too easy for crackers to guess.

Google's GDrive does circumvent the need for virtual private networks (VPN) to gain access to commonly shared files that are stored on remote drives; however, it does not include the other features that make VPNs a solid alternative for businesses: it does not encrypt data transfers end-to-end. Employees who log into a business's Google GDrive from a wi-fi hotspot, such as Starbucks or McDonalds, will find that the data they upload and download will be accessible to anyone within radio range of their notebook computer...the data is not encrypted while being transmitted over the wi-fi network, unless a VPN is in place, something that Google's solution will lack.

Call for Comments
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Podcast 3 - Digitalis Americana: It All Started Bit by Bit

2006-03-04T04:41:16Z

I am recording sections of the draft of my new book Digitalis Americana: How the Personal Computer Changes the Face of America.

]]> In this recording, I describe how I grew up around IBM and first learned to use the IBM PC, while in graduate school.

Recording duration: 8:46
Download the podcast audio at Internet Archive

Call for Comments
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The Internet Freeway May Become A Toll Road

2006-02-27T03:38:37Z

There are no traffic cops on the internet. Until now, that is. If U.S. telecommunication companies have their way, we may have internet traffic cops, patrol cars, and a full police union. The traffic cops will direct the traffic, giving preferential treatment to a select few that are able to pay for the unimpeded toll lane. Those who are able to pay the toll will get faster service.

]]> Internet traffic is broken into packets, small data chunks, that are routed through the most efficient available channels. A single e-mail message or webpage download my comprise dozens of packets, each of which takes a different route to reach its intended destination. The receiving computer reassembles the packets into their original form, allowing the data to be read without error. Since the packets travel independently between the sender and receiver, they do not necessarily end their travels at the same time, and internet technologies account for this; in fact, this is one of the fundamental strengths of the net's design: flexibility in packetization and transmission.

E-mail and online documents aren't adversely affected by the routing delays that occur when their data packets are disassembled, transmitted, potentially delayed, and reassembled at the destination, because the delay is small enough to not be noticed for these media. However, when listening to digital audio or watching online video, a delayed packet or two is not only noticable, it is annoying.

A half-second delay in transmitting an e-mail message is not noticable, but a half-second latency makes voice over IP (VOIP) practically unusable. With the cost of VOIP and the bundling of free long distance services, many consumers and businesses are dropping their traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) in favor of lower-cost VOIP alternatives. With rates as low as one-third of traditional POTS service, VOIP alternatives are attractive to cost-conscious buyers.

Telecommunication companies are under pressure to provided tiered service, effectively guaranteeing high-speed and unimpeded service to those who are able to pay a premium for connectivity. This may lead to latency and transmission delays for consumers and small businesses that do not subscribe to the internet toll service. Streaming audio, video, and the all-important VOIP transmissions may be disrupted and, effectively, made unusable.

But to net purists, network neutrality is a founding hallmark of the internet. Worse than transmission delays is the potential for transmission road blocks. Telecommunication providers may choose to no longer offer open routing to competitor's networks, requiring service subscribers to pay a premium (a toll) to have data packets routed to or through a competing telecommunication company's network, the potential host of the intended destination.

Dave's Opinion
While I am willing to take the toll road, when I drive my car, I am uncomfortable being required to take it, while on the internet. I'll be looking for the bypass that I hope will remain a freeway.

Call for Comments
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Podcast 2 - Are Web Recommendations Accurate?

2006-01-24T02:13:35Z

Are the recommendations the Amazon.com and other e-commerce sites accurate? What happens when Wal-Mart puts its foot in its mouth by recommending "Planet of the Apes" to visitors looking for DVDs about Martin Luther King.

]]> Learn about Pandora.com, the new music streaming website that allows listeners to create radio stations, based on their personal taste.

Recording duration: 7:53
Download the podcast audio at Internet Archive

Referenced Links
Amazon.com
Walmart.com
Pandora.com

Recommended Sites
Broadvoice

Call for Comments
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Podcast 1 - Windows Update, Skype, Cellular Security

2006-01-06T04:55:32Z

Microsoft releases a security update to patch the Windows Metafile (WMF) vulnerability. Skype 2.0 is relased. Privacy for cellular telephone users receives support from U.S. courts.

]]> Duration: 14:00
Download the podcast audio at Internet Archive

Referenced Links
Windows Update
Microsoft Update
Skype
Cellphone Users Beware: We Know Where You Are

Recommended Sites
Broadvoice

Call for Comments
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Reset Your Digital Watch, Saturday Night

2005-12-28T00:14:02Z

The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERRSS) will move time backward one second on December 31, 2005. An extra second will be added at the end of the year to to account for the slowing of the Earth's rotation. The IERRSS recognizes that our planet's pace of rotation is unpredictable, and will institute the first leap second in seven years. Normally the leap second is a nearly annual event.

]]> Saturday evening, the world's most accurate clocks will read, 23:59:59, 23:59:60, 00:00:00; normally there is no sixtieth second in a minute, but for one second this weekend, time will be created, effectively slowing down the world's clocks.

Dave's Opinion
I hope that my radio-controlled clocks will be quick to pickup the adjustment; I would hate to to have my clocks be inaccurate.

References
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_second

Call for Comments
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First Marketable Quantum Computer Chip

2005-12-17T20:20:59Z

University of Michigan researchers have developed the first scalable quantum computer chip using principally the same semiconductor manufacturing process as integrated semiconductor chips. The researchers have been able to trap and control a single atom within a processor chip.

]]> Quantum computers can use individual atoms to store binary quantum bits (qubits) of data (0 or 1), much like traditional computer microprocessors; however, the rules of quantum physics apply at the atomic level, one of the rules being that a qubit may hold multiple states simultaneously and multiple qubits may be linked through quantum entanglement, leading to increases in some types of processing speed.

A quantum computer requires the qubit to be trapped, prevented from normal interaction with the outside world. The University of Michigan project allows for multiple trapped qubits to be integrated, scaled to a useful level. Initial reviews indicate that the university's project may be scaled to hundreds of thousands of integrated qubits.

Dave's Opinion
Should the University of Michigan's project develop into a scalable quantum computer chip, it would be a watershed in the development of quantum computer, opening the door to commercial applications for computing at the atomic level.

Call for Comments
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References
University of Michigan

Cellphone Users Beware: We Know Where You Are

2005-12-10T15:23:54Z

Do you carry a cellphone? Do you know that your cellular service provider knows where your phone is? By extension, if you carry your phone with you, your cellular service provider knows where you are. Cellular phones can be located, accurate to within about 300 yards, whenever they are turned on. Since most cellular phone users keep their phones on and with them most of the time, it is quite probable that their ongoing whereabouts are being automatically tracked.

]]> Law enforcement agencies frequently use cellular technology to secretly monitor the movements of criminal suspects; however, courts are now putting requests for this type of surveillance under tougher scrutiny. Judgments by federal magistrates in New York, Texas, and Maryland reflect the growing debate of privacy rights and the government's ability to surveil using digital technology. The legal decisions require law enforcement to first show probable cause to belive that a crime has been or is being committed: the same standard that applies to search warrant requests.

As cellphones become principal phones, both for consumers and businesses, it is possible that cellular tracking technology will have a profound impact on individual privacy, primarily because most people do not recognize the facility with which their privacy can be degraded.

Cellular service providers are culpable in this reduction of personal privacy. Service plans tout tracking abilities, for example GPS (Global Positioning System) services for drivers and parental monitoring of their child's whereabouts.

The magistrate judge's opinions are good news for those who argue that the USA Patriot Act has lowered the standards for probable cause. In one opinion, the judge decided that the debate over digital surveillance goes beyond the question of legal standard. Because digital communications it difficult to distinguish between private and public information. Because the private data are not enclosed within a wrapper, compared to a letter within an envelope, it is difficult to separate the legally protected, private, information, from the legally unprotected, public, transmission management data, such as the identification of the sender and intended recipient.

Dave's Opinion
I'm heartened to hear that federal magistrates are evaluating the complexities of digital technologies, especially those related to communication, and their affect on individual privacy rights. I'm particularly pleased to hear that one of the judges serves in Maryland, my home state.

Call for Comments
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Ebay Boosts Sales Figures of Microsoft Xbox 360

2005-12-04T18:39:50Z

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is going for the gold on eBay. According to eBay president and CEO, Meg Whitman, 40,000 Xbox 360 consoles have sold through the online auction site. That's 10% of the total number of units estimated to have sold in the U.S. since the product was released.

]]> The numbers may overlap, for example, the units listed on eBay may be new sale or resales; however, whichever they are, the average auction and buy-it-now price listed at eBay is well over the retail price of $299 ($399 for the premium model).

Dave's Opinion
Microsoft has hit a marketing home run with the limited release of product. Resellers are generally out of stock of the popular gaming console, and eBayers are taking advantage of the buying frenzy to jack up the price that they are asking through the online auction.

The empty retail channel and the frenetic consumer channel are combining to ensure that the follow-on shipments to retailers will be welcomed by a full queue of consumers with cash in hand.

Mozilla Corporation Releases Firefox 1.5

2005-11-30T16:03:13Z

Mozilla Corporation, not the Mozilla Foundation, has released the Firefox 1.5, the latest incarnation of the wildly-popular open-source webbrowser. Using the new Gecko 1.8 rendering engine, the new version of Firefox is faster at interpreting HTML webpages and more stable when displaying pages that are created with nonstandard code.

]]> The new version allows drag-and-drop reordering of tabs, faster redisplay of pages, improved pop-up blocking, and additional privacy and accessibility features. Firefox 1.5 supports SVG, CSS2, CSS3, and JavaScript 1.6, demonstrating Mozilla's commitment to web standards, a hallmark of open-source programming.

Dave's Opinion
I've been using Firefox since the day that it was first publicly released, and I've made it my primary browser, setting aside Opera, and eschuing Microsoft Internet Explorer, entirely.

My favorite feature of Firefox, other than its blazing speed, is the extensions service. I've added extentions that display the weather, waiting Google gmail messages, and Google AdSense earnings in my status bar. Best of all, the Adblock extension blocks display ads on the my favorite websites, so I can quickly read the text without being interrupted by advertisements.

Call for Comments
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References
Mozilla Corporation

The Secret Life of Numbers

2005-11-28T02:52:56Z

The Secret Life of Numbers is esoteric website that visually demonstrates the popularity of numbers between 0 and 100,000, based on the frequency that each number appears in the databases of popular search engines.

]]> For example, the numbers 212, 911, 1040, and 1776 appear more frequently because they refer, respectively, to a New York City telephone area code, an emergency services telephone number, the Internal Revenue Service personal tax form, and a year associated with the American Revolution.

The frequency of each number's entry in search engines reflects not only our culture, but possibly our cognitive preferences, especially for the numbers 1-10, and powers of 10 (i.e. 100;, 1,000; 10,000).

Dave's Opinion
I've long been intrigued by numbers, both as a reflection of my interest in history (ex. 1066, 1776, 1865, 1945) and my desire to amend my poor showing in college calculus. I assume that we all have emotional scars that we seek to heal, and my skill--or lack of--at mathematics is one is one of mine.

This site may pique your interest or it may bore you. Either way, I think you'll agree that in either case, numbers are intriguing for many.

Call for Comments
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References
The Secret Life of Numbers

Sony CD Security Fix Leaves Users Unsecured

2005-11-15T19:52:00Z

Sony BMG Music Entertainment attempted to protect some of its music CDs from digital piracy by automatically installing copy protection software on the computers of users who attempted to play the music CDs on their computers. The security tool is a system root kit, and it restricts copying of the music on the CD. In response to a widespread outcry from consumers and security experts, Sony BMG Music Entertainment created a downloadable patch that will disable the root kit security program; however, the patch leaves the affected computer open to anyone's downloading software to the computer.

]]>

Sony's XCP copy protection program was included on at least different 20 CDs, and automatically installed itself when the CD was inserted into the computer's drive, without the user's knowledge or consent. The root kit software has a cloaking feature that hides files on the affected system. Users who attempt to manually remove the software find their CD drives inoperable.

Both the original root kit and Sony's patch leave users' computers open to attack from malicious software, including Trojan horse programs that allow the computer to be remotely controlled through the internet.

Dave's Opinion
Sony BMG Music Entertainment really dropped a hammer on their toes, twice. I'm all for protecting intellectual property and digital media; however, do not expect that a system-wide security tool will do that without causing other problems for users.

This XCP root kit and its patch sound like a product created by committee without any technical expertise.

Call for Comments
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References
Sony BMG Music Entertainment

Don't Say Anything: We Still Know Where You Are

2005-11-13T15:22:00Z

While it is illegal to use a handheld cellular phone while driving in some states, and experts agree that holding a cellular conversation while driving is a contributing cause to driver distraction, it seems that some states may have found a way to take advantage of the popularity of road-bound cellular phones.

]]>

Maryland and Virginia, along with other states are testing a new technology that allows traffic patterns to be mapped on roadways by monitoring several hundred thousand cellular phone signals at the same time. So long as the cellular phones are turned on--they need not be in use--the system can track the cars' locations.

State transportation and law enforcement agencies say that the cellular tracking systems monitor clusters of phones, rather than individual users; however, privacy advocates aren't so sure that the system won't be used for purposes other than those currently promised by the state agencies. The systems are so sensitive that they can determine whether cellular phones are moving along at the pace of a pedestrian's walk or at highway speed.

Maryland will begin testing the cellular tracking system near Baltimore, and Virginia will test on the Norfolk beltway.

Not all cellular telecommunication providers are willing to connect their networks to cellular tracking system. Cingular, for one, currently plans to decline Maryland's future program; however, Verizon Wireless will continue to serve the government's requests.

Dave's Opinion
For once, I'm glad to have Cingular cellular service. I'm not comfortable being tracked by the phone that I hang on my belt. I don't usually exceed the speed limit, but sometimes I do get caught in the flow of traffic around the Baltimore Beltway. I'd hate to get a ticket just because my cell phone was doing 60 in a 55 MPH zone.

Call for Comments
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References
Tracking Phones for Traffic Reports

New York Suburb To Require Secure Wireless Networks

2005-11-06T18:29:00Z

Westchester County, New York, a suburb of New York City, may become the first area in the country to require wireless networks to be secured. Wi-Fi hot spots, such as those found in coffee shops, book stores, and recreational areas are popular not only with average citizens, but also with crackers seeking to collect credit card data and other personal information.

]]> Westchester County Executive, Andy Spano, proposed a new law this past week to protect the public from crimes, such as identity theft and other consumer fraud. The law, if enacted by the county's Board of Legislators, would require commercial businesses, including internet cafes, to take fundamental security precautions to protect customer information from being acquired by computer crackers and personal identity thieves.

According to the county's press release, "Spano and Norman Jacknis, the county’s chief information officer, took a laptop computer equipped with easily available software and drove around downtown White Plains [last week] in search of vulnerable networks." The press release also reported that the Department of Information Technology performed the same survey and came across 248 wireless hot spots in less than a half an hour of driving down Westchester Avenue and Main Street in White Plains. Out of those, 120, or almost half, lacked any visible security at all."

The law would require all commercial businesses that use wireless networks and maintain personal information to have secure networks that protect the public from potential identity theft and other potential threats such as computer viruses and data corruption.

Dave's Comments
This is a good first step toward encouraging data security practices.

Initially, it appears that the law will also affect home offices, and it may even affect wireless telephone networks, as these, while not specifically Wi-Fi, are wireless networks. If a legal challenge results in telephone services being wrapped up into this law, wouldn't that be a major hassle?

Call for Comments
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References
Westchester County Government Press Release

Almost Two-Thirds of U.S. Homes Have An Online Computer

2005-10-29T01:28:00Z

According to the most recent U.S. Census data, 62 million households in the United States have an Internet-connected computer. That means just over half, 55 percent of homes have relatively easy access to the net, including e-mail and web resources. This data, current as of 2003, shows a five percent increase in connected computers, compared to the 2001 data, and more than triple the 18 percent connectivity rate reported in 1997.

]]> Consumer web use favors affluent, young, and educated users. Almost all, 95 percent, of households with a combined income over $100,000 annually have at least one computer, and 92 percent of this demographic are online. By comparison, households earning under $40,000 have a 41 percent online access rate, still a significant number.

Popular consumer online activities include gathering news, weather, and sports data; seeking government and health information, and job searching.

The most wired areas of the country were in the west, and the least wired were in the south.

According to a report released in October 2005 by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 22 percent of American adults has never used the internet or email and does not live in a wired household; yet, 53 percent of home internet users has broadband access. The distinction usage through broadband and lower-technology dial-up service is significant.

Dave's Comments
Interestingly, 62 percent, about two-thirds, of households with college graduates have broadband access to the net, while only 44 percent of households of high school graduates have broadband service. The Pew Internet & American Life project also reported that access speed is a greater predictor of online behavior than is the user's experience. Broadband users are more likely to engage in a broad range of online activities than dial-up users. I have found this true, for myself, even within the broadband usage range. When I have a 6 Mbps or faster connection I am more likely to frequently maintain backups of my websites, download software updates, and participate in other bandwidth-intensive activities. When I connect to slower, yet still broadband, networks, such as residential DSL networks, I'm more likely to restrict my online activities to e-mail and web reading.

Call for Comments
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References
Digital Divisions (Pew Internet & American Life Project)

U.S. Broadband Market Shrinking

2005-09-26T03:59:00Z

The Pew Internet & American Life Project reported in a paper dated September 24th, but released earlier in the week, that residential broadband adoption grew quickly in recent years; however, the speed of adoption is now slowing.

]]> The study reports that the number of residential broadband users increased only three percent during the first six months of 2005. In short, "There is not much pent-up demand for high-speed Internet use at home," according the Pew report, and the average dial-up user is now older, less educated, or in a lower income bracket than dial-up users of just three years ago.

The survey included data current through May 2005 and reported that 53 percent of residential internet users have a high-speed connection at home. In December 2004, half of residential users had home broadband. This six percent increase, over six months, is "small and not statistically significant," according to the report.

During roughly the same calendar period, a year earlier, the penetration of residential broadband increased from 35 to 42 percent, a full 20 percent increase.

The report argues that "the potential pool of potential adopters of broadband is comprised of several different groups that are either not large or declining."

Dave's Opinion
I enjoy reading the reports that come from the researchers at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, and this report is no exception. While I'm disheartened to find that broadband adoption is decreasing, I'm heartened to find that over half of American households have useful bandwidth.

I suggest that you read this report, and the other Pew papers. I think you'll find them illuminating.

Call for Comments
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References
Pew Internet & American Life Project
Broadband Adoption in the United States: Growing but Slowing

Google Print Faces Legal Challenges

2005-09-24T10:26:00Z

The Authors Guild, Inc. has sued Google, Inc. on behalf of over 8,000 authors. The Authors Guild claims to be the nation's largest and oldest society of published authors and the leading writers' advocate for fair compensation, effective copyright protection, and free expression. Google Print's stated mission is to organize the world's information, but much of that information isn't yet online. Google Print aims to get it there by putting book content where you can find it most easily – right in your Google search results.

]]> Google Print, which was launched last October, facilitates the online searching of book contents, according to Google, makes it easier to find relevant books. Charges brought by The Authors Guild in a New York court claim damages and demand the search engine company stop uploading the contents of library books. Lawyers for the New York-based nonprofit asked the court to block Google from copying the books so the authors would not "suffer irreparable harm, " caused by losing control over the reproduction and distribution of their work.

A recently published list of talking points, taken from The Authors Guild website, aims a broadside at Google, the company well known for its search engine and recently recognized for its broad applications of digital technology:

1. Google is a commercial, not a charitable, enterprise. Google is worth roughly $90 billion, making staggering profits through its online advertising programs. Its investment in Google Library is intended to bring even more visitors and profits to its website and ancillary services. The Guild is all for profit, but when the profit comes from the works of authors, the authors should be properly compensated.

2. Google is scanning entire books, not just "fair use snippets." Google is digitizing countless texts, your books, in their entirety -- every sentence, every carefully chosen word -- without your permission. That Google presents browsers with small selections of your work doesn't change that.

3. It's not just public domain books. The Guild has no objection, of course, to the digitization of public domain works. The Google Library project goes far beyond that, encompassing works that are still protected by copyright, including in print and out of print works.

4. Out of print doesn't mean public domain. Out of print works are valuable. Out of print works are republished every day, bringing welcome new advances to authors and the prospect of new royalty income. That Google is willing to sink so much money into digitizing these works is further proof of their ongoing value.

5. Authors (and the Guild) aren't opposed to making their works searchable online with a proper license. With a proper license, in fact, far more than "snippets" could be made available to users. The opportunities are boundless, but it all starts with a valid license. This is no big deal, really; businesses large and small sign license agreements every day.

Google Print's website includes the following statement that addresses how Google Print works:
Just do a search on the Google Print homepage. When we find a book whose content contains a match for your search terms, we'll link to it in your search results. Click a book title and you'll see the page of the book that has your search terms, along with other information about the book and "Buy this Book" links to online bookstores (you can view the entirety of public domain books or, for books under copyright, just a few pages or in some cases, only the title’s bibliographic data and brief snippets). You can also search for more information within that specific book and find nearby libraries that have it.

Dave's Opinion
It sounds to me that The Authors Guild is stuck in a hot-lead mode of thinking while the rest of the world has moved to digital type. Google Print doesn't seem to be aiming to control the distribution and reproduction of authors' work, even those that are still under copyright protection. Rather, Google Print aims to serve as a type of combination digital library and bookstore.

The Authors Guild doesn't seem to be able to honestly evaluate the current state of its industry. In a publication on the association's website homepage, A report linked from its own homepage, Report to the Authors Guild Midlist Books Study Committee, acknowledges the growing limitations of national chain booksellers and libraries to deliver a broad range of titles to the public. Wouldn't you think that the association, rather than seeking further limitations on book publication, would, instead, seek to help its member authors to more widely distribute their work? Although The Authors Guild may be showing its true colors; the same homepage also prominently advertises another book, The Writer's Legal Guide: an Authors Guild Desk Reference.

I think The Authors Guild should consider partnering with Google in an effort to help authors, both members and nonmembers, to distribute their work as widely as possible.

Unless The Authors Guild gets in the swim of digital publication, they'll sink with their lead still in their back pockets.

Call for Comments
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References
The Authors Guild
Google Print
Report to the Authors Guild Midlist Books Study Committee

Simple Path to Notebook Hard Drive Upgrade

2005-09-18T22:05:00Z

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies now has a hard drive upgrade alternative for notebook computers that is so simple, most users will be able to increase their notebook hard disk capacity and restore their operating system, applications, and data. The upgrade includes a replacement internal hard drive, a case to convert allow the existing hard drive to be used as an external USB drive, cables, tools, and step-by-step instructions.

]]> Hitachi's upgrade kit is made up of a 5,400 RPM 2.5" drive in capacities of 40, 60, 80 or 100GB. The included Apricorn EZ Gig II Hard Drive Cloning and Upgrade software is designed to communicate through a USB 2.0 port; however, if the notebook computer has only a USB 1.1 port, the communication and upgrade will work, but at a slower speed.

Dave's Opinion
This is an excellent option, both for information technology consultants and end users. The upgrade it will retail between $139 and $219.

The included 5,400 RPM drive is faster than the typical 4,200 RPM drive supplied by most notebook manufacturers. So, not only can users increase their drives' capacity, but also the access speed. A 30% increase in drive speed is a noticeable improvement.

Call for Comments
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References
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
Apricorn EZ Gig II

Sprechen Sie Google?

2005-09-18T17:52:00Z

A new worm, named P2Load.A, is in the wild. Once infected, users of Google's search engine are redirected to a spoofed site in Germany that looks just like the powerhouse search engine's main page. Spoofed search results include new, top-of-list links to advertisers who are not a member of Google's desired advertiser list.

]]> The worm affects computers by downloading a new HOSTS file. Because the worm downloads a new HOSTS file, rather than inserting directly as part of the infection process, the HOSTS file can be updated, again and again. The HOSTS file overrides the Internet's DNS (Domain Name Service) and redirects domains to artificial IP addresses.

Dave's Opinion
P2Load.A also modifies the start page and the search options of Internet Explorer The worm is spread through the P2P programs Shareaza and Imesh.

As always, I strongly recommend users to keep antivirus signatures updated every day. I use Computer Associates eTrust EZ Armor, that updates its antivirus data every hour, and it includes an excellent firewall application.

Call for Comments
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References
Panda Software P2Load.A Data
eTrust EZ Armor

Google That Blog

2005-09-15T15:17:00Z

Google, Inc., the search engine (and everything else) company has released a beta version of a blog search site that offers similar features to its most-popular web search engine. The new search engine scans blogs, the popular online journals that offer both professional journalists and citizen pundits simple access to online publication. Google Blog Search should give a bit of much-wanted visibility and authority to the burgeoning blogosphere.

]]> Blogs generally offer fresher material than traditional websites. Even mainline news services such as The New York Times and CNN publish blogs to facilitate the timely distribution of breaking news.

Many blogs are also republished in RSS (Real Simple Syndication) format, which allows the content articles to be quickly scanned using RSS reader applications or a free extension to the open-source --and widely used-- web browser, Mozilla Firefox.

Blogs and their writers, known as bloggers, have gained international prominence following the recent U.S. presidential election and the Christmas-time tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia. Had it not been for the loss of electrical power and internet access throughout much of the Gulf Coast of the U.S., there would have been many more blogs reporting the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Businesses have taken a cautious approach to blogging, failing to grasp the potential for customer service applications; however, this may change, partly as a function of Google's increasing the accessibility to blogged data.

Dave's Opinion
My primary new sources are the RSS feeds for formal articles and blog entries from The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, and the BBC. I'm excited that Google has set aside a portion of its cataloging services specifically for blogged articles. Many of these offer opinions and color that don't make it through the traditional editorial process. I appreciate the value of blogs, not only for their frequency and currency, but for the additional detail and perspective that they offer.

Call for Comments
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References
Google Blog Search
Mozilla Firefox

Massachusetts Disses Microsoft and Proprietary Data Formats

2005-09-04T16:07:00Z

Microsoft's anger knows no bounds in the wake of an announcement from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that state offices will phase out Microsoft Office in favor of a software application suite(s) that store files in an open-document format, rather than the proprietary format currently implemented by Microsoft.

]]> The Commonwealth's Open Document Format for Office Applications -- a.k.a. OpenDocument -- will facilitate the long-term distribution and access flexibility for documents, state-wide. Rather than storing documents in proprietary formats, such as WordPerfect and Word, memos and reports will be stored in an XML-compliant format that will be accessible decades from now, using software tools that have yet to be developed.

Application suites such as Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and Corel WordPerfect will be shunned in favor of suites such as OpenOffice, StarOffice, and KOffice. The preferred application suites offer similar functionality to those application that store data in proprietary format.

Dave's Opinion
Microsoft's war dance in the face of losing a significant customer will be a sight to behold. There should be plenty of New England ballyhooing and fireworks over Boston this autumn.

Call for Comments
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References
Massachusetts Open Standards

Total Cost of Ownership for Microsoft Windows Exceeds Linux

2005-09-02T15:38:00Z

The total cost of ownership (TCO) of Microsoft Windows for network administrators is widely acknowledged to exceed that of Unix-based systems, such as Linux and Solaris. System administrators with experience in multiple operating systems often recognize that Linux is less expensive to maintain, over the lifetime of the information system.

]]> IBM has published two reports this week that support this opinion. One IBM report, TCO For Application Servers: Comparing Linux With Windows And Solaris, reports the TCO of a Linux application server over three years as $40,149. This is compared to a TCO for the same implementation of Windows at $67,559 and Solaris at $86,478. The costs included not only the immediate installation costs, but also the average transferability of administrator skill and the hardware architecture portability. Other benefits that IBM reported are the flexible licensing model of Linux, its support for a broad range of hardware platforms.

The second IBM report, Beyond TCO: The Unanticipated Second Stage Benefits Of Linux, addresses the skill-based benefits of deploying Unix, including Linux, These include the availability of knowledgeable IT workers. IBM reports that "Linux is enormously popular among IT staff members, many of whom are at the beginning of their careers, as well as with IT educators in universities and technical institutions worldwide. This has resulted in Linux playing a significant role in the recruitment and retention of IT staff and managers."

Dave's Opinion
The IBM reports, especially in regard to new administrator's knowledge, are consistent with my experience as a university faculty member. The information technology and graduate business majors that I teach know about Linux and see the value in implementing it as a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Windows, both for network and user applications.

To IT professionals: I strongly suggest that if you currently have only Windows experience that you expand your knowledge and experience. A broad technical knowledge puts you in good stead for increased professional responsibility. Start by downloading Knoppix Linux, a free download that runs from a bootable CD. As you become adept at the Linux operating system, install it in a dual-boot configuration with Microsoft Windows. I would not be surprised that, within a short period, you find yourself preferring the Linux environment and eschewing Windows.

Call for Comments
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References
TCO For Application Servers: Comparing Linux With Windows And Solaris
TCO: The Unanticipated Second Stage Benefits Of Linux
Knoppix Linux

Length of Quantum Memory Extended 100,000 Times

2005-08-22T03:04:00Z

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) physicists have demonstrated a version of quantum computer memory that lasts longer than 10 seconds, more than 100,000 times longer than previous experiments with charged atoms (ions). These experiments pave the way for reliable quantum computers that will not be harnessed to the limitations of transistors and silicon-based hardware.

]]> The principles of quantum mechanics allow for superpositions, in which a bit of memory may represent both 0 and 1 at the same time. The recent experiments, using beryllium ions, have created a less volatile data storage medium with a useful storage period over a million times longer than is necessary to enable quantum data processing.

Dave's Opinion
The scientists at NIST have made a great leap forward in the development of quantum memory. Rather than relying on data backup and duplication to create a fault tolerant environment, the longer lasting memory may serve to protect data bits while they are being used for calculations and processing.

Call for Comments
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References
NIST

Light Speed: Turn It Down, Turn It Up

2005-08-21T17:19:00Z

Light always travels at 186,000 miles per second (300 Million meters per second) in a vacuum. Well, almost always. A team of scientists at the Ecole Polytechnique F|AMP|eacute;d|AMP|eacute;rale de Lausanne (EPFL) has been able to control the speed of light, both decreasing and increasing it using off-the-shelf instruments under normal working conditions.

]]> Other researchers have been able to slow, and in some cases, completely stop the speed of light; however, each previous experiment required controlled laboratory condition. The EPFL scientists, based in Switzerland, have demonstrated a methodology for speed control without the need for specialized equipment. Rather, standard optical fibers are used as the medium in which the experiment took place. The speed of the light signal can easily be adjusted, allowing the operator to control the transmission speed over a wide variance.

This is not just a scientific novelty. The ability to accelerate and decelerate the speed at light travels in a fully-optical environment will have profound impact on the telecommunication's industry, which relies heavily on fiber-optic cable for both long-haul and short-hop data connectivity. Currently fiber-optic transmissions must be converted to slower electrical transmissions before the data can be processed. Data traveling at the speed of light that is controllable may allow all-optical data transmission media, eliminating the current need for electrical conversion.

The EPFL scientists demonstrated the creation of optical memory using their Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) method, which decelerated the light transmission by 72 percent.

Dave's Opinion
One of the personal benefits that I see to an all optical network is faster data transmission speeds, both for corporate and consumer networks. Currently, broadband bandwidth is throttled to prevent electrical switches from being overtaxed during peak loads. The available bandwidth is limited to prevent excessive peaks in requested bandwidth. An all-optical network, with increased available bandwidth may increase the users' available bandwidth, even allowing for management by pro-rata share and throttling.

Call for Comments
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References
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

No More Pencils, No More Books, Now I've Got an iBook

2005-08-20T17:24:00Z

Well written and accessible electronic texts are the holy grail of the digital classroom, and now, an otherwise traditional public school in Tucson, Arizona, Empire High School, has issued Apple iBooks to each of its 340 students, making the notebooks a core component of the academic environment. Students will have access to electronic text books, rather than printed texts.

]]> Almost a thousand school districts nationwide use an integrate digital resources into the traditional classroom environment, but Empire HS has leaped ahead of other secondary schools and following the model set by post-secondary institutions such as the cutting-edge University of Phoenix, which offers fully-digital academic resources for both students and faculty: all texts and classroom resources are delivered electronically in a number of digital formats, including Adobe Acrobat PDF.

Students at Empire HS will receive course materials through the school's wi-fi network, and homework can be submitted electronically. Web-based filtering systems help students and faculty maintain academic honesty by keeping an eye out for plagiarized material.

Dave's Opinion
I've been implementing digital resources in the classroom since the late 80s; however, it wasn't until four years ago that I experienced how effective both online and digitally-supported classrooms can be. At the University of Phoenix, students in my classes frequently arrive to the first workshop having downloaded the course syllabus and the first week's readings. The days of having students arrive to class with the excuse that their textbook was out of stock at the bookstore are long gone. Now, both the students and I have access to all course materials just as soon as we're scheduled for the course. Now, there is no excuse for not completing all assigned readings before the first class starts.

I was excited to see that my daughters' middle school has webspace for each teacher. I hope by next year, when my oldest daughter starts high school, she'll find a digitally-supported classroom, just like the 340 lucky students at Empire High School.

Call for Comments
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References
Empire High School
University of Phoenix

GoogleNet Hotspots Coming To A City Near You

2005-08-16T15:51:00Z

Commercial internet wi-fi hotspots are popping up in coffee shops and bookstores around the country. Most universities and many public libraries offer free wi-fi service. A quick drive though any but the most downtrodden neighborhoods yields signals from at least a small percentage of the residences. With wi-fi being as popular as it is, why is it that wi-fi infrastructure isn't as well developed as cellular telephone service? Why hasn't someone made wi-fi even more accessible?

]]> The answer to these questions is undoubtably money, costs, in particular; however, the infrastructure and service costs may be covered through advertising, and the company to do it may be our favorite search engine provider: Google.

According to a report in Business 2.0, Google has been building a national network by buying up miles of dark, unused fiber-optic cable and test marketing a wi-fi hotspot in San Francisco's Union Square shopping district. Feeva (formerly UnwireNow), the contractor providing the San Francisco hotspot is preparing additional free hotspots in California, Florida, New York, and Washington.

According to Feeva, Inc.'s website, the company "provides a software platform that allows businesses and metro areas to provide WiFi access for free or with low user fees. Our solution radically changes the way that WiFi — and even wired — access is delivered to the public or to any specific user group. [The] solution is ideal for any entity or business that wants to provide wireless or wired Internet access to the public or to a specific user group, but doesn't want to risk a large upfront investment."

Google has also built partnerships in New York, Atlanta, and Miami with telecommunications providers AboveNet, Cogent Communications, and WilTel. A national broadband wi-fi network could offer Google an unprecedented opportunity to develop a long-term advertising revenue stream, based partially on an ability to locate each wi-fi user and target geographically-specific advertising. Using technology developed by Feeva, Google may be able to serve online ads for stores and services that are next to the wi-fi hotspot user.

Dave's Opinion
I'd be willing to let Google know where I am, in return for free metropolitan wi-fi access, especially in resort areas, where it's sometimes difficult for me to find a public hotspot.

When I can find a hotspot, it's often at a cost of up to $20 a day. I'd rather trade a bit of personal privacy for free wireless service.

Call for Comments
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References
Google
Feeva
AboveNet
Cogent Communications
WilTel

U.S. Copyright Office Fumbles, Bit by Bit

2005-08-11T13:29:00Z

The U.S. Copyright Office is soliciting opinions, through August 22d, about it's planned website upgrade that will require the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer, effectively banning most technically-advanced users and all Linux and open-source advocates from its service.

]]> According to the Copyright Office's website, "[I]t is not entirely clear whether the [preregistration] system will be compatible with web browsers other than Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5.1 and higher. Filers of preregistration applications will be able to employ these Internet Explorer browsers successfully. Support for Netscape 7.2, Firefox 1.0.3, and Mozilla 1.7.7 is planned but will not be available when preregistration goes into effect. Present users of these browsers may experience problems when filing claims."

It sounds as if support for other browsers is planned, but won't immediately be available, but what does this mean?

Dave's Opinion
I can't understand why the U.S. Government, as well as commercial e-business developers, doesn't use open-source development tools that are designed to be browser independent, such as PHP and MySQL? Come on folk, let's build websites that work well, under as many conditions as possible.

The U.S. Copyright Office is a division of the Library of Congress, a part of the United States Government. Wasn't it the U.S. Government that sued Microsoft over antitrust issues? It seems as if the government and Microsoft have patched their relationship.

Oh, by the way, if you'd like to submit your comment about the Copyright Office's plans, you'll have to do so via snail mail, in sextuplicate.

Call for Comments
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References
Library of Congress Announcement

MBA Interns Head to India to Learn Outsourcing Firsthand

2005-08-10T21:51:00Z

Infosys Technologies, Ltd., the Bangalore-based outsource services company featured in Thomas Freidman's book, The World is Flat, has admitted 40 interns to it's global internship program, InStep. Rather than seeking coveted corporate internships in the United States, graduate business students are finding fertile fields abroad. Learning firsthand how outsourcing works, by viewing the process from the money-making end, future business leaders also gain an opportunity to network with peers from 70 international universities; some from the U.S., Japan, Canada, Germany and France.

]]> InStep is an intensive internship program of up to 24 weeks, giving select students hands-on experience developing state-of-the-art software services and solutions in Infosys’ global development centers across the globe.

Dave's Comments
I think this is a wonderful educational opportunity for MBA candidates, most of whom will shortly be responsible for making decisions that will affect thousands of U.S. employees. Seeing how outsourcing can be applied, to benefit both U.S. and Indian workers is an excellent learning tool, one that will have long term positive effects for the global marketplace.

Call for Comments
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References
Infosys Technologies, Ltd.

Google News Goes RSS and Atom

2005-08-10T13:32:00Z

Google, the premier internet search engine is fast becoming one of the favored sources of news on the net. Now, rather than requiring users to visit the Google News website, Google is delivering information via RSS (Really Simple Syndication) and Atom formats. Using XML (Extensible Markup Language), RSS and Atom formats enable users of aggregation software, commonly called RSS readers, to select topics and receive all available articles currently in publication that are related to that topic.

]]> Dave's Opinion
RSS is a media delivery format that has excited me for many years. Not only is the format convenient for readers, it's a simple process for publishers to create an RSS feed, especially from a blog. In fact, most blogging software will automatically create an RSS feed, which can be directly accessed by readers.

The current grail sought by digital marketers is a technology that will easily enable the insertion of interstitial and integral advertisements into RSS feeds and their constituent articles.

I've found the most convenient RSS/Atom reader is the Feedview extension for Firefox, a free download from Mozilla's website. Using Feedview and Firefox's toolbar-level bookmarks, I can keep access any of my two dozen or so favorite RSS feeds with only a couple of mouse clicks. This is a much faster way of accessing the current news reports than visiting an equal number of separate websites.

Call for Comments
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References
Google News (RSS/Atom feed hyperlinks in left margin)
Feedview Extension

IBM Skips Past Google and Microsoft

2005-08-09T13:20:00Z

In the global search engine war, Google and Microsoft each thought that they were in a head-to-head race for the laurel wreath. But, after getting a late start, IBM may very well pass both competitors by moving the finish line.

]]> Keyword searches are de rigueur on the net; however, IBM is developing its Unstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA) to analyze document text with the goal of understanding content and meaning, seeking relationships, and recognizing facts. Rather than requiring the search engine user to learn the intricacies of search criteria grammar, akin to being a bibliothec, UIMA enables the user to find information, not just data, out of potentially petabytes of online and corporate digital files.

UIMA will be able to search many formats of digital files, including databases, e-mail, audio, and video.

Best of all, IBM will make UIMA available through the open-source software distribution site, SourceForge, by year's end. The alpha version of the UIMA SDK (Software Development Kit), an all-Java implementation, can now be downloaded for free from IBM AlphaWorks.

Dave's Opinion
Maybe IBM should name their new search algorithm Apollo, or more fittingly, Eros.

Call for Comments
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References
IBM AlphaWorks
SourceForge

Energy Bill May Make Americans Late

2005-08-08T14:32:00Z

With the upcoming change to how the United States will calculate Daylight Saving Time (DST), users of digital calendars may find themselves arriving late for appointments. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, expected to be signed into law today, will cause unexpected havoc for electronic calendars, including those in PCs, handheld computers, and even personal digital recorders. Who would have thought?

]]> Many digital devices, including everyone's personal computer, have built-in clocks that keep track of the current date and time. These devices usually have internal calendars that automatically adjust for daylight saving time each spring and return to standard time in the autumn. The new law will move the start of daylight saving time forward by three weeks and extend it by a total of four weeks. So, for four weeks each year, digital devices that do not account for the changes in DST dates will be off by an hour.

Many people wait to make cellular calls until their free nighttime minutes begin. If the cellular nighttime schedule is off by an hour, nocturnal conversations could easily run up almost $1,000 a month in per-minute charges.

Dave's Opinion
I expect that Microsoft will quickly release a patch to Microsoft Windows XP and 2003 so users of these operating systems will see the correct time in the system task bar; however, users of older versions of Windows, such as Windows 95/98/Me/2000 may be out of luck. Microsoft no longer offer full updates service for these operating systems.

I hope that Palm offers a patch for my handheld computer. I rely totally on my Tungsten E2 to keep me on time for my appointments.

Thankfully, I wake up to a digital alarm clock that synchronizes with an atomic clock via a radio signal, so I should get up at the right time, each day. But, will I know when to go to bed?

Call for Comments
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Microsoft Windows Piracy Check Cracked

2005-08-07T13:58:00Z

Microsoft Corporation requires users of it's flagship operating system, Windows XP, to verify the authenticity of their software installation before downloading patches and updates from Microsoft's website. The validation tool, called Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), can easily be cracked without much trouble. This allows users of pirated copies of Microsoft Windows to verify their installation and receive the extra bennies offered from the manufacturer.

]]> Although Microsoft has not confirmed that the crack works, details are well publicized, and it appears that the crack is popular, at least amongst nefarious users.

Previously, JavaScript tricks were required to bypass the WGA requirement; however, now it appears that it's as simple as running the WGA application in Windows 2000 compatibility mode.

Dave's Opinion
Microsoft has yet to learn that the best way to deliver software is to make it easy for users to have access to the software. Rather than trying to keep folk out, Microsoft should encourage users to be honestly use their products. Take a note from the shareware book, Microsoft. Create great software that we want to use, and then make it easy for us.

Given the option, most people want to be honest.

Call for Comments
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References
Microsoft Corporation

SANS Institute Reports 422 New Security Vulnerabilities

2005-07-27T04:35:00Z

The SANS Institute reports that 422 new vulnerabilities were discovered in the second quarter of 2005. This is an 11 percent increase over the previous quarter. The increase in the number of security vulnerabilities stems from malicious crackers changing focus from attacking operating systems to webbrowser and other connected applications, such as digital music applications.

]]> In addition to the online applications, backup software systems received much attention from crackers seeking to access corporate and personal data, possibly for resale. Detailed warnings were published in SANS Top 20 Q2 2005 Critical Vulnerability Update.

Dave's Opinion
With the proliferation of digital music players, an increasing number of otherwise less-technically savvy consumers are connecting and downloading applications and digital data (music). It's a good idea to read SAN's vulnerability update and to seek additional security guidance.

Call for Comments
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References
SANS Top 20 Q2 2005 Critical Vulnerability Update

RSS: The Up-and-Coming E-business Tool

2005-07-06T18:43:00Z

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) is attracting the attention of Internet advertisers. Google and Yahoo Search Marketing, among others, are looking for ways to post advertisements in RSS feeds that are becoming a popular alternative to Web browsing. Long a favored tool of the tech savvy, RSS is being used by a broad audience of well-educated, and presumably affluent readers.

]]> A reader subscribes to RSS feeds that then content is pushed to the user's computer. With the release of Mozilla Firefox and the Feedview extension, RSS feeds can be read within the webbrowser's window; additional software need not be purchased or installed.

Bloggers and web publishers have long recognized the power inherent in distributing content via RSS, because it ensures a ready audience, one who has already requested a subscription to upcoming articles.

Microsoft has announced that RSS services will be integrated into the next release of the Windows operating system, making it a snap for all users of this release of Windows to access feeds from around the globe.

The trick for publishers and media outlets, like Google and Yahoo, is to figure out how to insert advertisements into the RSS content.

Dave's Comment
Advertising, we've got to live with it to have otherwise free content. I'm sure not looking forward to having my dozen or so RSS feeds clogged with interstitial ads. I like the clean, crisp RSS view, just as it is right now."Within five years," he said, "everyone with a broadband connection will be using it whether they know it or not."

Call for Comments
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References
Mozilla Firefox
Feedview

Quantum Computer to be Ready in Three Years

2005-06-22T20:50:00Z

D-Wave Systems, a Vancouver-based computer engineering firm has announced it's schedule to build a working quantum computer that will be able to solve physical-simulation problems that currently aren't solvable using available processing tools. The computer is to be ready within three years. While most designs for quantum computers focus on the properties of quantum entanglement to calculate binary functions, the D-Wave system will use quantum tunneling, which enables particles to hop from one location to another without traversing the intervening space.

]]> D-Wave's design takes advantage of an low-temperature superconducting analog chip, rather than the sensitive lasers and vacuum tools required by other quantum computer designs.

Dave's Opinion
For those of you who are long-time ITrain subscribers, you know that I've had an interest in the development of quantum computing tools for more than two decades. I'm excited about D-Wave's design, and I have to admit, I'm heartened by the company's ability to break ranks and look to an alternative design that may facilitate the early adoption of quantum computing technology.

Call for Comments
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References
D-Wave Systems

Google Goes Head-to-Head With PayPal

2005-06-19T15:50:00Z

Google, the leading search engine company in search of itself has again added a new service to its eclectic portfolio. Later this year, Google plans to offer an electronic payment service that will compete directly with PayPal, owned by eBay. Services will, reportedly, include processing payments using consumer credit cards and checking accounts, the mainstay of PayPal's service.

]]> According to this morning's Wall Street Journal, Google's commissions for processing each transaction in the payment service could significantly increase its $3.2 billion annual revenue, which currently comes primarily from online advertising services.

Dave's Opinion
Should Google enter the payment processing market, PayPal will have to dance with the wolf, and quickly, if it wants to remain in business. E-business helps to flatten the world, to use Thomas Friedman's term, and Google is taking full advantage of the pancaking effect of its global presence and name.

Call for Comments
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References
Wall Street Journal, Google Set to Offer Payment Service to Compete With eBay's PayPal

Microsoft Urges Users to Uninstall Netscape 8 (as if that were surprising)

2005-05-27T20:49:00Z

Microsoft Corp. is urging Windows XP users to uninstall the new Netscape 8 webbrowser because it can conflict with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Not surprisingly, Microsoft is claiming that the problem is with Netscape, rather than their own browser that invades the operating system like kudzu.

]]> The problem may only affect a very small number of users, and it is limited to displaying RSS (real simple syndication) data, not general-purpose webpages. The folk at America Online, Netscape's owner reported today that a patch will be released next week.

Dave's Opinion
The potential conflict doesn't affect security, and I'm not surprised that Microsoft will do a bit of the crying wolf in order to create negative publicity for any competing product.

I suggest that users don't play into Microsoft's consternation and instead move straight to Mozilla Firefox, a stable, fast webbrowser with hundreds of optional extensions that allow users to customize the browser's functionality.

Call for Comments
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References
Netscape
Mozilla Firefox