Friday, November 28, 2008

Video: US Army 'throwbots' will spy on al-Qaeda -Times Online

The Dragon Runner. A mobile robot that can spy on the enemy - or anyone else. Think of the business applications. Security guarding. Floor monitoring. Inventory control and retrieval. Directing customers. And then there's the entertainment value. Big stuff! Video: US Army 'throwbots' will spy on al-Qaeda -Times Online

Thursday, November 27, 2008

IBM Plunges Into 'Business Event Management,' Helping Define Field -- IBM -- InformationWeek

Business Event Management is a relatively new approach to exception management under which software flags violations of rules of management. This could be process rules and has the potential of flagging problems areas before they become really serious. the area has potential in financial management as well as perhaps even continuous auditing. IBM Plunges Into 'Business Event Management,' Helping Define Field -- IBM -- InformationWeek

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Judge Awards $873M Fine for Spamming Facebook - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

Spamming has been a serious and growing epidemic and there have been many calls for action by the government and legal authorities. So it is good to see a major action succeed against a perpetrator. A Canadian firm was recently fined $873 million for spam sent out over Facebook. The method of calculating the fine was unclear, but appears to be based on the number of spam incidents, which of course can lead to a massive number. Good for the judge! Judge Awards $873M Fine for Spamming Facebook - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Technology Review: How Google's Ear Hears

Google has launched a voice activated search engine for the iPhone, one that has the promise of being revolutionary. Many will recall the scenes in Star Trek where the crew touched their badge and then asked the computer a question, such as "Computer, give me the coordinates of planet xe34htr." The day is not too far away when we will all be talking to our computers. So far, the voice recognition software has been less that impressive, but it is constantly improving and initiatives like this one of Googles will lead to greater usage and popularity. The new capability will have important implications for business, with, fortunately or unfortunately, computers doing more of the activities that people currently do. To put it in a more positive vein, although it may be harder to get in contact with people in future, it will be easier to get needed information. Technology Review: How Google's Ear Hears

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Technology Review: The Coming Wireless Revolution

Recent auctions of spectrum have added large swaths of capacity to the wireless internet world. It will mean, among other things that there will be increased incidence of internet based radio and television, perhaps even HD television. Of course, it will also mean room for many new devices likely to access the internet wirelessly in future. The opportunities for eBusiness could be huge. Technology Review: The Coming Wireless Revolution

Monday, November 17, 2008

globeandmail.com: Via Rail explores entertainment download business

In an intreresting move, Via Rail is looking to change its business model by moving into the online entertainment business, like iTunes or Bell. Via has been losing money with its rail service, but has included high speed internet on its trains, so there is a bit of a loose link. Via plans to include some of its own content in the new store. They haven't decided yet whether to move forward with it or not. That depends on interest expressed by potential partners. globeandmail.com: Via Rail explores entertainment download business

Thursday, November 13, 2008

E-Commerce News: Communication Systems: Google Adds Webcam Support for Chatty Gmailers

Hard economic times are likely to increase the attractiveness of online chat and video systems for businesses having tight travel budgets. Google is right in there with impeccable timing, now offering video/chat functionality with gmail. It may catch on with beleagured companies.
E-Commerce News: Communication Systems: Google Adds Webcam Support for Chatty Gmailers

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Mobile Messaging Stays Strong -- Mobile Messaging -- InformationWeek

The early stages of this recession already show that people are considering mobile phones as a necessity. However, phone calls can be expensive, compared to messaging, particularly SMS. Instant messaging has been on the rise anyway, particularly as younger users enter the worldforce, and is projected to continue its growth. Also, SMS is a relatively inexpensive way to communicate. And people need to stay connected, particularly in tough times, and even when they are looking for a job. This has major implications for the use of mobile messaging for business. It's bound to play a larger role, and new applications will be found. Mobile Messaging Stays Strong -- Mobile Messaging -- InformationWeek

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

globeandmail.com: Spammed out

Spam is one of the most serious issues facing us. The sheer volume bloats the system and our hard drives with unwanted garbage. We pay extra for email on our blackberries because it increases the data volume. More importantly, it exposes a larger number of us to identity theft, which also has been a growing problem. Canada does not have effective legislation to enable the legal system to deal with spam. Most other advanced countries do, and some have some very good legislation, involving fines of millions of dollars against offenders. It's time we had legislation - past time - and one hopes that the government will deal with this important issue. globeandmail.com: Spammed out

Monday, November 10, 2008

How Application Performance Management (APM) Can Ensure Happy Customers | SMART ENTERPRISE INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE CIO

Customers interacting with a company can quickly become disillusioned if they run into difficulties with the company's software. They may even leave and perhaps never come back. The more companies rely on software interfaces to deal with their customers, the less tolerant they can afford to be about inadequacies in their software. Some companies are looking to Application Performance Monitoring to deal with this issue. APM involves real time monitoring of applications performance, using relevant metrics and taking immediate action. Several suppliers now offer APM software. How Application Performance Management (APM) Can Ensure Happy Customers SMART ENTERPRISE INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE CIO

Friday, November 07, 2008

Web 2.0 Summit 2008 - O'Reilly Conferences, November 05 - 07, 2008, San Francisco, CA

The Web 2.0 Summit is now in its final day in San Francisco. Most of the presentations and sessions are up on the website, complete with presentatons and videocast. Many excellent presentations are there and it makes good viewing for anyone interested in the direction of he Web and how companies can make use of such Web 2.0 tools as Facebook, Twitter and blogs.Web 2.0 Summit 2008 - O'Reilly Conferences, November 05 - 07, 2008, San Francisco, CA

Thursday, November 06, 2008

With growing volumes of data, greater emphasis on data management, cloud computing, movements away from client-server, cost constraints, the traditional role of the data center is changing, leading to new challenges in IS systems management. The paper at the following link examines some of these challenges:
http://solutions.internet.com/5131_rethinking

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

globeandmail.com: Google pulls out of Yahoo advertising partnership

Google has pulled out of its proposed alliance with Yahoo, complicating life for Yahoo and pushing it another step towards a further slump and eventual takeover. Like may companies in current times, Yahoo has struggled and the alliance with Google would have given it a substantial, and badly needed, increase in revenue. Now it may fall into the clutches of Microsoft, but the big question is whether Yahoo management can come up with a plan that preserves some independence for Yahoo while still keeping its investors happy. Not an easy task, it seems. globeandmail.com: Google pulls out of Yahoo advertising partnership

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Collaboration in government | Web 2.0 | Innovation | Internet | Public Sector - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Web 2.0 - the collaborative and interactive view of the web - is a powerful took that the people are gravitating to and beginning to demand in government systems. Progressive governments are beginning to respond. This set if papers by Deloitte sheds some light on the use of web 2.0 by governments. Collaboration in government Web 2.0 Innovation Internet Public Sector - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Monday, November 03, 2008

It seems clear that the old paper based voting systems will eventually go the way of the dinosaur. However, in this year's US election, the use of e-voting systems is still in its infancy and there are certain to be issues come out of their use. Systems being used in some of the states are simply touch screen systems with no paper trail. This can work Ok provided the electronic controls are iron clad. At this point in the evolution of such systems it may be premature to reply on the systems to this extent. Lets hope they work well enought to enable a President to be picked unambiguously. Voting technology 2008