ICANN | Biggest Expansion to Internet in Forty Years Approved for Implementation

ICAAN, the international organization that approves and manages domain names, has approved a recommendation to allow a variety of names beyond the 37 presently in use. In 2009, if the plan goes ahead, it will be possible to apply for names with almost any extension such as .london, .paris and .tokyo rather than .com and .org. This is a major change that will open up more domain names for users. It will also allow for more creativity in names and is expected to be very popular. ICAAN is expected to issue its final rule in early 2009. ICANN Biggest Expansion to Internet in Forty Years Approved for Implementation

Technology Review: Internet Gridlock

The use of the Internet is growing exponentially and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Much of it has to do with downloads of video, which use a lot of bandwidth. There is concern that the infrastructure may not be able to keep up with demand, in which case, the internet could experience gridlock more often. That can cause serious problems since the internet has become such an important economic tool. If it happens, it will need to be dealt with, through tighter management of traffic or even by changing the composition of packets sent over the internet to establish priorities. The solution adopted could result in a loss of internet freedom, a feature highly valued by many internet users. Or it could simply result in increased costs. The next year or two will tell the tale. Technology Review: Internet Gridlock

Technology Review: Visa business network boosts Facebook's ad efforts

In its efforts to generate advertising revenue, Facebook has received a major boost. Visa is paying $2 million for advertising on the site designed to promote its Business Network. It remains to be seen whether this will work, but it will definitely provide experience and hopefully good experience for both sides of the deal. While its traditional base had been teens and those in their twenties, Facebook is going mainstream and appealing to a wider audience. That may mean it loses its traditional base, as the younger age group likes to do their own thing. Big changes in store for Facebook. Technology Review: Visa business network boosts Facebook's ad efforts

Technology Review: Part I: The Business of Social Networks

Social Networking is arguably the biggest application on the web. Facebook, for example, attracts 300 million hits per month. However, as with so many internet startups over the years, the social networking websites are scrambling to find a business model that works. So far, this has been a challenge. Facebook, for example, is expected to lose 150 million this year. Of course, the sites are looking to advertising, but advertisers so far have been reluctant to jump in with the necessary volumes. It is generally felt, probably correctly, that user fees won't work. For something so popular, however, there must be a way. Technology Review: Part I: The Business of Social Networks

Technology Review: The Future of Business Technology

Technology Review has published a special report on the current innovations that may be shaping technology and the web for the next several years. Among them are new ways that are being developed to advertise to mobile phones, new email archiving techniques, trends in power consumption and trends in social networking. It provides a valuable piece on understanding the ongoing puzzle of the future of technology. Technology Review: The Future of Business Technology

Technology Review: EBay to strengthen PayPal's anti-fraud provisions

eBay has always been susceptible to fraud, both by sellers and buyers. such a large open market is bound to have this challenge. However, most ebay users use paypal to settle their transactions and paypal has been monitoring transactions for fraud and trying to prevent it. It has been very successful and has now added additional protection for buyers and sellers against fraud; protection that shows its own faith in its ability to detect fraudulent transactions before they happen.. Technology Review: EBay to strengthen PayPal's anti-fraud provisions

globeandmail.com: VCs betting LinkedIn worth $1-billion

LinkedIn is the professionals answer to Facebook. It is designed to help executives, rising business people and other professionals to advance their careers through connections with others of the same demographic and interests. It's only been online for five years, but is now growing worldwide by 1.2 million people per day. It now stands to grow more than that with a recent injection of venture capital amounting to $53 Million. Among people where networking is their lifeblood, LinkedIn has a bright future. globeandmail.com: VCs betting LinkedIn worth $1-billion

Mobile to displace fixed-line internet 'within two years' - Times Online

The use of cell phones to connect laptops to the internet for people on the move is surging ahead in Britain. A device called a dongle is inserted into the laptop to achieve the connection. Providers are offering packages at 15 pounds per month. Mobile connections to the internet are expected to overtake home broadband by 2010. Mobile to displace fixed-line internet 'within two years' - Times Online

IPhone 3G: It's not world peace, but it's close

Apple has announced its new iPhone 3G at a price that is more affordable than its predecessor, making this amazing new phone-computer available to a wider variety of users. This raises the hope, expressed so often in the past, that wireless can be used to leapfrog wired technology, with its need for infrastructure. Since many underdeveloped countries often lack infrastructure, wireless could launch a whole new era of development in many areas of the world that need an economic boost. IPhone 3G: It's not world peace, but it's close

W3C Public Newsletter 9 June 2008

W3C has launched a new activity to enhance eGovernment through the use of open standards. It is based on the idea that use of open standards on the web can make government more efficient and cost effective. W3C Public Newsletter 9 June 2008

Week 01: Blogs « Blogs, Wikis, and New Media

Here is an online course that deals with Web 2. It presents an excellent introduction to the various elements of new media technology. Week 01: Blogs « Blogs, Wikis, and New Media

Technology Review: E-Trade makes it easier to trade on the BlackBerry

As further evidence of the growth of mobile internet applications, e-Trade has introduced a new stock trading application for the Blackberry that enables custiomers to see quotes online and also make trades and transfer cash. There seems little doubt that it'll be popular. Technology Review: E-Trade makes it easier to trade on the BlackBerry

First preview of Google's Android phone - Times Online

Google has been developing a new operating system for mobile phones called Android. The new open source software is expected to be released before the end of the year. While Google will not make the phones, several major manufacturers have indicated they will produce phones running Android. The mobile phone industry has become incredibly competitive, with the advent of Apple's iPhone, followed by a string of new product releases by competitors such as Research in Motion, makers of the Blackberry. Apple has already announced a new version of the iPhone, with improved functionality over the original - all to keep up with, or ahead of, the competition. First preview of Google's Android phone - Times Online

Living in a Device-Centric World

Convergence continues and currently there is a focus on three screens - the TV, the Computer and the Cell Phone (or PDA). The idea is that data will capable of being received and displayed on all three screens, a choice the consumer will be able to make, depending on which is best for a particular situation, considering such factors as data type and location. The technology for this to happen exists, but is not really available yet on a suitable commercial basis. However, the providers of each of these services will be jumping in over the next few years and making it a reality. Living in a Device-Centric World

The next time you see that 18 wheeler rumbling by you on the highway, take a moment to reflect that you are looking at a modern, highly complex, state-of-the-art Information System on wheels. Truckers in their very competitive industry are going high tech on an unprecedented scale. The trucking iindustry has long made use of GPS systems to track trucks. However, it is now ramping up that technology and related technologies to include real time reporting of driving conditions, driver performance, truck and load condition, mechanical condition, etc. Workers trained in these areas are monitoring exception reports to determine on a near real time basis where problems are coming up and implementing remedial action on the spot. Truck drivers have become high tech knowledge workers. IT hits the highway: Big rigs go high tech