Fun and Useful Cloud Based Tools

Out of the 5 Cloud Based Tools listed below I choose Yugma as my topic. Yugma is an online conferencing tool that’s compatible with your Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems. As you review my Yugma Powerpoint Presentation you will learn how to host and/or join a Yugma Meeting from your pc.

1) SharePoint - is a file and calendar sharing that makes it easier for people to work together and cut cost throughout an organization. SharePoint allows you to share, manage and published documents for other to utilize.

2) Expensify - is an online expense tracking tool that allows you to import and/or enter expenses directly from your credit card or banking statement. You may also add your expense from your Smartphone by a photo snap or forward your receipts via email to receipts@expensify.com. Expensify also has reporting capability got mileage and is capable with most expense tracking tools such as QuickBooks for importing or reporting purposes.

3) Yugma – is a free online web conferencing tool that will allow you to share your desktop and /or application online with up to two attendees in the convenience of your own home and/or office.

4) Mozy – is an online data storage that allows you to backup your computer and/or other files such as photos, videos, music and other personal documents online.

5) Spiceworks - is a mobile IT management, help desk and server monitoring tool. An IT network community that shares the "How To" and other IT ideas from product, support and training and it's all free.

TV Any and Everywhere

Dish Network is one of the first network providers to offer just that. You can literally take your TV everywhere from your actually TV to your mobile devices including but not limited to your tablets and/or computer. TV everywhere allows you to watch live TV, DVR shows, and other online content with internet access or 3G services from your service provider. From reading the article online at Dish Network you just have to purchase special Dish Network equipment such as a Sling and download the free application to your mobile devices and services will begin instantly.

My thought process is “wow” how convenient! Now how much will this service cost me? At some point down the road would I have at least over paid or double paid for either my cable service or my cellular services? Now I know at some point the services will begin to over cross each other. Since I can download another applications via my Smartphone (as most of you can), that will give me the same type of feature to watch live TV will this “new technology” involve to something great?

Fun Squares

These 3 1.5 computer cubes are called Sifteo. They are colorful cubes that connect to your computer via USB for games with the entire family and/or your kids learning essentials. Sifteo allows you to use up to 6 cubes at a time for those interactive games. Some of the features include 3-D motion sensor, wireless connectivity and a charging dock that will hold up to six cubes. Priced at $149 for 3 Sifteo pack, you may also purchased additional cubes for $39. For more information please visit Sifteo.

Dual - Screen Laptop

Well apparently Apple dropped the ball as Acer is accepting pre - orders for their Acer Iconia Dual- Screen Laptop. This "new" laptop has a 14' touch screen keyboard, which have other features such as the mouse. According to the article Acer Dual - Screen both screens has the touch screen compatibility. So just imagine using your new laptop monitor and keyboard that’s touch screen that’s resistant free from kids J (scratches and pressure). Laptop is also equipment with an i5 processor, 4g of RAM and Windows 7 premium edition. Are you interested in pre-ordering for $1199.99? If so, check out Amazon.

Cupcakes and Accounting

Why is it difficult for Americans to adjust to change when it involves our day to day activities in our job and/or personal lives? Many people use the saying “If it’s not broke why fix it”. Technology doesn’t have to be broke for an upgrade.

Microsoft and Dell joined forces to bring two companies who used legacy products and/or technology up to date with the latest technology to enhance their on the job performance. Microsoft and Dell paid the bill to migrate Cupcake Royale and Balin Accountancy legacy products with up to date technology such as Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows Server 2008. Who could turn down such an offer? http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/221674/cupcakes_accounting_and_a_microsoftdell_makeover.html

Although the two businesses are totally opposite everyone relies on the faster services and various ways to provide and offer faster services to more people, accuracy when ordering or preparing your taxes and ways to cut cost and/or labor.

As many of us are in the IT field adjusting to change is a long term investment for us professionally and personally, we just have to make the right decision when it comes upgrades and stay up to date on the current technology.

ITwins

A USB look alike allows remote computers to access each others hard drive. So what happened to file sharing? According to article http://www.gizmag.com/itwin-promises-easy-remote-file-access/18173/ you have to install software and the 2 computer will need access to the internet in order for the ITwins (file sharing) to work. This is a very nice feature for those of you who like to work on 2 computers at home or those who have separate computers set aside for your spouse or kids. The ITwins is definitely a upgrade for file sharing setup within our home network. You simple connect one ITwin to your laptop as an example and then connect the other ITwin up to your home desktop both should reside in the USB slots of your computers. The other cool feature for those who are careless with their USB flash drive is that the ITwins can be disabled remotely in the event you misplace one due to travel and/or etc.

The Peel

For those of you who use or have used the universal remotes for your home entertainment center then keep reading. The "PEEL" is a new electronic device that will allow your home electronics and your mobile phone to be recognize under one umbrella for you to control. According to article http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/07/peel-a-bridge-between-your-iphone-and-home-entertainment-system-video/
it's a fruit device for all of your electronics in the household that are within a particular range/distance to pick up signal that you would like to access with one component. You will have the ability to control everything from a channel change or switching of content base upon a peel download application on your mobile. You are also able to browse through TV shows via mobile while viewing live cable TV. This device retails for $99 at Apple or any other retails online.

This website will also provide with you with interview with the founder of the Santa Clara startup company.

Where is the balance for our kids in the NEW Generation?

Are we exposing our kids to too much technology at an early age? What is the appropriate age to introduce your kids to the Nintendo Wii (or other gaming systems)? They have created great games for your family entertainment. They have even created the Wii Fit for those to exercise in the convenience of your own. Yes, it’s functional but it is functional enough for your children to spend hours playing video games and at what risk? If you are not a parent who monitors your child access to electronic devices, would you rather for them to be expose to video games or on the computer and at what risk? Where does the balance begins? The link is below for you to decide.

http://www.vibrantlife.org/?p=144

Verizon V/S AT&T

Who has the best iPhone 4 service between the two providers? According to the article posted http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960804576120174165554798.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalTechnology_LEFTTop in the Wall Street Journal Verizon has the best calling services and offers more data plan features than AT&T. Verizon offers less drop calls, voice quality, and capability and feature multiple Internet connectivity for laptops, iPads and other electronic devices. Well AT&T offers the best data speed for download and uploads, internationally travel and more drop calls. What will the loyal AT&T customers do? Will they pre-order their next iPhone 4 with Verizon, transfer their current services over to Verizon or stay with AT&T? Which feature will customers deem more important between the two companies data speed or voice calls?

Mozilla Firefox Upgrade

I have Mozilla Firefox setup as my home page on my laptop at home to access the Internet. About 3 to 4 days ago, after I click my little icon on my desktop, this “URGENT” exclamation icon displayed stating that my version is no longer protected against online attacks. Of course, it stated for me to get the upgrade because it’s free and faster. My questions and concerns that I have with that is…. Why wouldn’t you continue to support an older version from online attacks? Why do you want me to upgrade? Now because I don’t like change when it comes to certain things am I opening (exposing) myself to attacks online? I have included the link http://www.google.com/firefox?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official for you to view if you all like. The new Firefox 4 is in Beta testing and ready for you to download and try out for those advertisers. They are implementing a “Do Not Track” is a program for online behavioral mechanism. According to the website it’s just advance option that you checked when you don’t want to be track for online behavioral. The thought process is to use a header filter that is simple and to avoid the user setting and loading to a network. Although this is a nice feature to have when you are browsing the internet, however, this will not stop hackers or anyone from hacking into your system. If at all it will be a challenge to see if they can get through. I wonder how will this information been seen in the IRC now.

Apple ISO 4.2 Software Update

Apple has a new 4.2 software update with some pretty cool features for you Iphone, Ipad, or Ipod touch users. In this new iOS 4.2 software update it is amazing to see how far Apple has come in technology. The 4.2 update has a “Find my Ipad” feature that allows you to locate your Ipad if it is lost or stolen. This update allows you to passlock your code and wipes your data all from a remote location. Once you have removed your data from your Apple electronics, it has the ability to restore the data from your last backup even after it has been removed. This is a feature that I need to have updated on my Iphone as I have a lot of personal data and other things that I would not for others to have access to.

The other feature that is so nice to finally have is the AirPrint. The name speaks for itself. You can print remotely without any type of connection or software to download. You only need the application and of course the 4.2 iOS update. The only down fall is that it’s only compatibility with HP Printers.

These two features that I have described in the 4.2 update were the most appealing to me for the Apple Ipod touch, Iphone and Ipad. To view the other features in the iOS 4.2 update, you can find them at www.apple.com.

PS3 - Cloud Saving

WOW - PS 3 is coming out with a 3.60 firmware update which is a way to save those games for you plus users. According to the article that I read online at www.gadgetlite.com it allows you to save games and/or other items that are of interest to you to another server or an online location. It does not specify where this location is or what type of limitations it will have. However, you will have the ability to access your hard drive from anywhere or from multiple PS 3 consoles conveniently at one time. Who would need this much access to a hard drive from their PS3?

ATT New Service

Wow - was anyone aware that cellular phone providers are offering cable services now? Maybe I'm behind time! For me to be an IT major I really need to keep up with all the new technology that's coming out. ATT is currently offering bundle package with the "multiview" features that sound really cool and exclusively at "ATT" Apparently you are able to watch up to 4 channels selected by you all at one time. I have been shopping around for a new internet and cable provide maybe I will try them out.

CTS 287 - Introduction

Hello Emerging Technology Classmates!

My name is Anita Eatmon and this is my final semester here at Edgecombe Community College. I have high hope of receiving an A out of this class and I’m sure you are as well; so let’s make great things happen with Mr. Cherry in Emerging Technology.

When I enrolled at Edgecombe in May 2008 I had was under the accounting program for one semester then afterwards I changed my program to Computer Information Technology because I wanted to learn something new and exciting as numbers and/or accounting terms don’t change that often.

With little to no work experience in the IT field, I can’t wait for the opportunity to say that I finally have a degree and it was well worth the sacrifice.

Anita