Archive for the ‘Technology and How it’s Used’ Category

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Why Technology Is Not as Advanced as it Should Be

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Doesn’t it seem like we should currently have jetpacks? Teleporters? Or meals in tablet form? We already have some incredible technology, like tablets, which are small computers that people can carry around. We can take advantage of the GPS in our cars to get around town. We can post an update to our social media sites and reach countless people at once.

So, with all of this technology, why don’t we have jet packs yet? What issues are preventing us from making these technological leaps?

Building a Better Battery

Batteries power nearly all of our technology, particularly as we move into a more mobile world. As a result, the more limited our batteries are, the more limitations we have technologically. They are an integral part of our technology, so we need to concentrate on improving them before we can really make jumps in technology. Luckily, researchers at Chicago’s Northwestern University are developing a more powerful lithium-ion battery, which we discussed in a blog post last week. This could solve this constraint in the coming years.

Improving Internet Access

Another hurdle to overcome is that not enough people have access to the Internet. Actually, most of the globe doesn’t have access to it. This is naturally limiting advancements in technology. It goes back to the basic notion of the more minds we have working on a problem, the faster we will solve it.

The Business of New Tech

Finally, there is the business end of things. Technological progress is slowed by arcane things such as patent law. Businesses take their time introducing new gadgets and services as they must first traverse a minefield of laws and government regulations. These laws are necessary. However, they should be clear and easy to comprehend so new technology isn’t bottled up unnecessarily.

Even though there are a few things that are holding technology back, it is still evolving at a rapid pace. Maybe we will finally get hover boards when battery technology catches up to our imaginations… and maybe not.  But, I’m excited to see new technologies released, as I’m sure many of you are, so let’s move forward and see what happens.  What are the new technologies that you most long to see?

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The Greater Impacts of Battery Technology

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Your smartphone is fantastic. It can guide you to that trendy new fusion restaurant if you’re lost. It can play your favorite sitcom as you head to work on the train. It will play your favorite song at the touch of a button. But it can’t do any of this if its battery is dead.

A Better Battery on the Way?

Fortunately, a better battery might soon be on the way, thanks to the efforts of a team of engineers at Chicago’s Northwestern University. A recent story reports that researchers at this Big 10 university are trying to create a battery that lasts longer and can recharge itself in mere minutes. Smartphone users across the country ought to be grateful.

What they are concentrating on is a new lithium-ion battery that has more then 10 times the life of present-day batteries. Additionally, after a year of operation, which the researchers estimate to be about 150 charges, these new lithium-ion batteries would remain 5 times more efficient then today’s lithium-ion batteries.

A Charged Battery for a Week

Here’s the bottom line: The new cell phone battery could stay charged for more than a week and then recharge itself in just 15 minutes. This is great news for you: It could mean that your iPod won’t run out of juice while you are working the treadmill at the gym. But the new, better battery may have a far greater impact: According to the Northwestern story, this new battery technology could result in smaller and more powerful batteries for electric cars. This could help the United States—and other countries—cut its reliance on fossil fuels.

Batteries Powering Technological Change

While this new battery technology may have a significant impact on many aspects of our life, it will not be available to the general public for three to five years, says Northwestern researchers. Batteries are often over looked when we think of advanced technologies, but the more we depend upon mobile devices the more important they become.  Improvements in battery technology may in reality hold the key to an even greater technological revolution.

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The Benefits of the Hybrid Cloud

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Cloud computing is very popular these days. The cloud is essentially a group of remote servers where people can store and access their data. People can store music, powerful programs, and important files in the cloud. As information kept in the cloud isn’t stored on personal computers this saves tons of computer memory. The result of this is that people gain access to more data without having to use up space on their computer, which often can slow it down.

Not All Clouds are the Same

However, not all clouds are the same. There is the public cloud, the one with which we are most familiarized. But then there’s the hybrid cloud as well. As its name implies, the hybrid cloud is a combination of two different types of clouds, the public cloud and a private cloud.

To provide a hybrid cloud, an organization may store some of their client’s more important or current data in-house and store older, archived, and less crucial files in the public cloud. They may also use the public cloud to store huge programs while keeping confidential information in-house.

The Hybrid Cloud Approach Makes Sense

Taking a hybrid cloud approach to data storage permits businesses to take advantage of the space-saving features of the public cloud without also exposing their sensitive current data to third-party providers. Put simply, the hybrid cloud provides businesses with protection, cost-savings, and efficiency.

It’s little wonder, then, that a great number of organizations today are moving toward a hybrid cloud approach. There is way too much data floating around today for smaller businesses to properly store. At the same time, businesses in today’s competitive environment don’t want to expose company secrets and sensitive consumer data to either their competition or hackers. The hybrid cloud could allow businesses to accomplish both feats.

If I were to be totally honest, I’d have to admit to an internal struggle about wrapping this article up on such a simple note.  The cloud is a complex suite of options that offers an almost infinite number of options, and even this explanation of a Hybrid Cloud is extremely simplistic.  But, in an effort to keep things simple and keep this article short, let’s stick with this description.  If you’d like to discuss this further, please call the number at the top of the page and we’ll talk.  Or, simply post your questions/comments here and we can delve deeper.

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Remote Workers and How to Manage Them Effectively

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

A growing number of employees today work remotely. This is possible on account of advancements in technology. The rewards are many for both employee and employer. Employers can spend less money as they have less people that need space in the workplace. Employees that work remotely are often more productive; they spend less time commuting, and they have the flexibility to adjust their work around their life instead of working 9 hours straight, which can cause burnout.

Remote Worker Challenges

Remote workers and contractors do present at least one considerable challenge to employers: It can be difficult for employers to effectively monitor the hours that their workers are putting in. How do employers know, after all, if their remote employees are pounding away at their keyboards or playing Angry Birds on their smartphones all day?

By setting realistic deadlines employers can monitor their remote workers successfully. This is a change in managerial strategy; it puts the focus on the goal rather then the hours that the employee works. Ultimately, employees are the only ones who know when they work most effectively, even if it is from midnight to 4am.

Setting Remote Worker Deadlines

This could be the simplest way to monitor your remote workers. Employers could decide that a specific amount of work needs to be turned in by Friday. One other way would be to set up weekly or bi-weekly meetings via phone or video chat. To resolve any feelings of detachment some employers may ask that a remote worker spend one day a week in the office. This can help keep everyone on track and informed.

Off-Site Not a Permanent Condition

While many individuals may have the personal discipline and time management skills to effectively work remotely, some don’t. So, if an employee doesn’t work well remotely, and that has grown to be clear, remote working doesn’t have to stay permanent, it can easily be revoked. Ultimately, trust within the employee/employer relationship is among the key components of a successful remote working relationship. The employee needs to maintain that trust by hitting deadlines and delivering high quality work.

Although I can’t claim to be an expert on the subject, I do have employees that work remotely.  It has presented some of the challenges that I’ve listed above, but it’s also proven to be a positive experience for both the company and my staff.  I’d love to hear your thoughts and any experiences you may have had.

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These 5 Smartphone Apps Will Save You Time

Friday, April 13th, 2012

You juggle many projects at once, every second of your day is booked, and you feel like you are on the road more then you are at home. You don’t have time for smartphone apps that waste time, and you don’t have the time to waste to dig through thousands to discover the few that will save you time. Fortunately, we’ve found some apps for you. Listed below are 5 apps bound to simplify your life.

Top 5 Business Apps

  1. WhosHere: If a deadline is quickly approaching and you are needing a freelancer, WhosHere enables you to find freelancers for hire in your area quickly. You can send out a search, and text or call any of the professionals that reply.
  2. Locale: It is embarrassing when your phone goes off in the middle of a movie, but what about in the middle of a board meeting? This never has to happen again if you use Locale. It enables you to select specific phone settings determined by location. So when you walk into your office or the library your phone automatically goes to vibrate.
  3. WaveSecure: One of the risks of traveling frequently is the chance of loosing your phone. This app allows you to lock your phone and backup the information stored on it remotely, as well as monitor its location through the SIM card. Talk about reassurance.
  4. Bump: It’s all about connections right? Well, Bump enables you to exchange contact information with someone by simply bumping both phones together. Say goodbye to post-tradeshow data entry.
  5. Scan2PDF Mobile: This app will let you scan reports, receipts, or any other documents on the go using your smartphone’s camera. You can then turn them into color PDFs and email them to your computer’s desktop.

I hope you find these apps useful!  If you’ve found an app that you don’t think you could live without, or at least have no desire to try living without, please share that with us.  We’d love to hear about it.

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The Life Impacts of Constant Connectivity

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Do you remember a time when you took your dog for a walk without texting, or watched a game with your friends without checking your email? It was called downtime and it was healthy for you. In this age of connectivity it appears as though that may be a thing of the past. Today having our devices with us at all times is not unusual, but is it healthy?

It’s extremely hard to argue that our gadgets—our smartphones, tablets and laptops—haven’t made our everyday life simpler. We can make dining reservations as we drive down the highway. If we’re lost, we can find directions on our smartphones. If we need recommendations on how to deal with our child’s fever, we can find medical advice by tapping the screen on our iPad.

But are we paying for this connectivity more then just monetarily? As we are always connected, we rarely, if ever, are alone with our ideas. Lots of people have wondered if this is negatively affecting the philosophical, pensive, aspect of humanity.

That is not a question we’ll explore here, but it’s something to think about. A more pressing question is, what is being continually plugged in doing to our health?

Always being connected takes its toll, whether it’s for work or for play. The human body needs time to rest, and not just when it’s asleep. If you find that you have trouble with being away from your phone, or have anxiety about not checking your mail, it may be time to shut off your devices.

While being connected helps grow relationships online it can harm ones offline. When you’re out with your friends and family members it may be good practice to unplug. It’s just too easy to text and check your email, forgetting to give the ones around you the attention they deserve.

If you are one that always has their gadget in their hand, think about how your life may being impacted by it. Try leaving it at home one day, or turning it off on the weekends. You may find that you are considerably more laid back because your brain is not focusing on more then just being present.

I know that some of this my be quite controversial and even difficult to swallow, but I would encourage you to try to “unplug” every once in an while.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

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5 Tips to Use Excel More Efficiently

Friday, April 6th, 2012

Are you gunning for a raise or a promotion? Perhaps you only want to stand out for job security. Regardless, this can be accomplished by impressing your supervisor, but how?

Well, you could use Excel. Excel is an extremely powerful program; there is a lot to master. We are not going to discuss everything you can do with Excel here, but you will learn a few ways to boost your efficiency and maybe get some acknowledgement as well.

  • Hiding Information: You may wonder why you would want to hide particular information in a spreadsheet. Well, imagine the spreadsheet which includes all your data about the company also has everyone’s salary. That is private information that you don’t want to reveal at the meeting. Simple hide the column or row by clicking the related number or letter to highlight it, then right-click on that highlighted row or column and select the Hide option from the popup menu. You may then Unhide the row or column in the same way once the meeting has ended.
  • Timestamping: If you wish to attach a date to your spreadsheet, you can use the Timestamp function. Just hold Ctrl as you press the semicolon key. If you want the current date and time hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys while pressing the semicolon.
  • A Better-Looking Spreadsheet: Perk up your spreadsheet with the use of Excel’s Themes option. This is found at the top on the Excel Ribbon. This feature provides you with a large variety of color schemes and fonts, or you could create your own and apply it to your spreadsheet.
  • Tracking Trends: This is only applicable for those who have a more current version of Excel. The feature is called Sparklines and with it you can create charts that show trends in the information in your spreadsheet. One way you can use this is to easily and quickly figure out how many software bundles your company’s salespeople sold in the first quarter of 2011.
  • Conditional Formatting: With conditional formatting, you can instantly customize the look of spreadsheet cells that meet certain conditions. For instance, a cell showing that product sales rose by more than 100 % in a given month could take on a different hue so that it quickly sticks out.

There are LOTS of additional ways to make Excel work for you.  I’d love for you to post your examples of what it can do.

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Protect Your Data by Being Aware of Security Challenges

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Technology is ever changing, and cyber-criminals will be ever adjusting to it. Recently, MIT’s Technology Review published an article concerning technology security threats that we should be aware of in 2012. As many of us devote a significant amount of time online, being familiar with these threats can help protect valuable data.

Stolen, Spoofed Certificates

One problem that the article mentioned is stolen or faked certificates. When you log into a website, your bank for instance, the traffic is encrypted with a “certificate”. This proves that the site can be trusted. The faking and stealing of these certificates was a popular strategy used by cyber-criminals in 2011. This can give them access to confidential information.

A Common Security Mechanism in Trouble?

Sites use certificates as a security measure more than any other means. If these are no longer viewed as trustworthy it could affect everyone, from the consumer, to the large company that is charged with protecting your information.

Another crucial security challenge that we should be aware of is “hacktivism”. “Hacktivism” is the combination of the words activism and hack. Groups like Anonymous and LulzSec target businesses that they feel are either guilty of wrongdoings or just wish to prove the companies have lax security. Whatever the reason, Technology Review says we should expect groups like these to continue their “hacktivism” well into the future.

Home Automation

The growing popularity of home automation also presents security risks in 2012. As Technology Review writes, a growing amount of automation systems connect alarm systems, thermostats, lights, and even the locks to homes’ front doors to the web. Consider the damage that hackers can do if they break into these systems.

All-in-all, the expansion of technological capabilities and our greater consumption of these technologies are creating additional opportunities for others to exploit them.  I make my living, and truly enjoy, using technology and I’m not trying to scare anyone.  But I do want make sure that you are aware of the vulnerabilities and do what you can to protect yourself.  If you need help, call the number above and we’ll see what we can do.

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The Development of the Computer

Friday, March 30th, 2012

What would life be like without a computer? It’s tough to imagine but it wasn’t that long ago that we didn’t have them. Now most people carry multiple computers, i.e. laptops, e-readers, and smartphones.

How did our culture go from no computers to having so much access to them in such a short period of time? George Dyson, a science historian, asks this question in his book, Turing’s Cathedral.

The son of scientist Freeman Dyson, George Dyson spent much of his life at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Studies. The first digital computers were built here with the assistance of scientist Josh von Neumann.

If you read Turing’s Cathedral it will surprise you at just how much chance was involved in the production of the machines that led to computers. The book not only highlights the creation of the computer but also the personalities involved at the Princeton Institute. They weren’t always on the same page but managed to create the first digital computer regardless.

When great minds work on a project there are sure to be rivalries and heated arguments, the creation of the computer was no different. This book reveals that the individuals that worked on this project were geniuses, certainly not saints. Additionally there were some moral problems that the creators of the computer faced while working on this project, because the work they were doing had a close association with the U.S. nuclear weapons project.

You might have the notion that a history book about computers won’t just be dry but also full of technical jargon. This is not the case with Turing’s Cathedral; nearly everybody who use computers will find this book fascinating. And that is a lot of people today.  All-in-all, it’s an interesting read.  Let me know if you decide to tackle this book and I’d love to hear your reading recommendations as well.

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The Connected Car: Good or Bad

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

As the world becomes more connected so do our cars. Cars such as the Audi A6, Ford Edge, and the Lincoln MKX allow people to surf the web when in their front seat. People may now, stream music, get up-to-date traffic information, but is all this access the best thing while driving? Generally it’s exciting to see technological advancements, however, when it comes to our safety on the highway can there be such a thing as too much connectivity?

Challenges of the Connected Car

The connected car is a bit worrisome. It’s well known that drivers become distracted when they text or chat on cell phones while driving. This leads to accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 80 percent of all traffic accidents involve some variety of driver inattention within three seconds of a crash. If texting and cell phones are distracting to drivers, think of how distracted motorists will be when either they or a passenger is watching streaming video of a cat slipping off a counter top.

Does Tech Distract Drivers?

Obviously drivers ought to concentrate on driving, and several things like eating, talking on their phone, even talking to a companion within the car can be a distraction. These distractions may bring about serious accidents. This reason is in part why the idea of having more connected cars doesn’t automatically make people jump for joy.

Browsing the Web Inside Your Car

Personally, I’m not a big fan of additional regulations but this might be an area in which some regulation is in order.  Left unchecked, individuals will soon have the capacity to stream YouTube videos, Google an answer to a question, and correspond via social media sites in their cars. Maybe the next step should be to increase the self-driving aspects to cars; but perhaps that would detach us even more to the world around us.

As we said before, we usually consider advancements in technology as a great thing, however, the potential negative impacts that connected cars could have make us stop and think. While having these tech features in our cars improves enjoyment on the road it’s important that they don’t become a disruption to the driver.

What are your thoughts?  I’d love to hear them!

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