Search

The article reports on some of the technologies to watch in 2014. Automaker company General Motors Co. plans to develop 4G Long Term Evolution connectivity into most of its automobiles in 2015. Computer company Apple Inc. is said to be developing the Touch ID fingerprint reader for its iPhone 5 smartphone. Mobile research specialist Jupiter Research said 3D printers' popularity will heighten as technology firms Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft Corp., and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. join the trend.

The article offers tips for creating a secure Facebook profile on the Internet. It suggests that a user should exclude his/her home address, phone numbers, and other sensitive information from his/her profile unless listing the data is absolutely necessary. It further suggests that a user should avoid identifying the city he/she lives in, the age, and other exploitable stats as well. It further says that one should not accept Facebook's security defaults. It suggests school and regional networks for building personal social network.

The article offers tips for operating the Mac Operating System X (OS X). It states that the shutdown process can be cancelled by launching an application such as a Save dialog box in any application. The shutdown process will stop as soon as it reaches the program with the open Save As dialog box. It offers tips for editing smart playlists in iTunes. It informs that all OS X folders have a built-in spring mechanism. It informs that many widgets of Mac OS X 10.4's dashboard support drag and drop.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles published in previous issues of the periodical "PC World," including "101 Fabulous Freebies," "Are Extended Warranties Worth It?" and "Never Ask for Directions Again," all in the May 2006 issue.

The article reports on the evolution of x86 microprocessor which was introduced by Intel Corp. The x86 family has progressed from desktop personal computers to servers, portable computers and supercomputers. The term x86 refers to the set of machine language instructions that certain microprocessors from Intel and a few other companies can execute. X86 processors beginning with the 8086 and including the 80186, 80286, 80386, 80486 and various Pentium models right down to today's multicore chips and processors for mobile applications have incorporated a growing x86 instruction set.

The article reports on the negative reactions of corporate customers to U.S.-based Microsoft Corp.'s license checks. In 2005, the company visited about 1,200 corporate users it suspects may be not licensed properly. Microsoft is also trying to persuade corporate customers to participate in its Software Assessment Management program which it claims is not a license compliance audit. Under the program, Microsoft pays for its consulting partners to educate customers on the merit of asset management, help inventory installed software and make recommendations on policies and procedures.

This article presents news briefs related to the computer industry. Munich, Germany-based electronics giant Siemens AG has reached an agreement to acquire Myrio Corp., a Bothell, Washington-based developer of software for emerging IP television services that use the Internet to deliver video. Microsoft Corp. will issue eight security alerts with patches for Windows, Office, MSN Messenger and Exchange. Five of the security bulletins apply to Windows, and at least one of those is deemed critical. VMware Inc. will release its Workstation 5 desktop virtualization software, which will run on Windows and Linux host operating systems.

Presents updates on computer technology industry as of June 2003. Move of Nortel Networks to enhance its Internet protocol offering; Plan of Gateway to launch its first personal digital assistant; Plan of FindWhat.com to buy paid listing service Espotting Media.

Presents news briefs on the computer industry in the United States as of February 26, 2001. Accidents that happened during the upgrade of the Web site of Columbia House Co.; Cut in the earnings targets made by Sun Microsystems Inc.; Increase in revenue of BEA Systems Inc.

The article offers various tips related to Internet-based mail reader. The mail reader, also called Mail and Automator, lets iPod read e-mails. Create a new Automator workflow and type Mail into the Search box to reveal all Mail-oriented actions. Drag the Find Mail Items action from the Action pane into the workflow. This action collects messages that match the terms you specify. Locate the Text To Audio File action, by using Automator's Search box, for converting written words to an audio file of spoken text.

The article offers tips for customizing DVDs. A DVD is a random-access medium. A DVD player can access any part of the disc almost instantly, with no rewinding or fast-forwarding. The iMovie and iDVD can break movies into chapters--markers that viewers can use to jump quickly to scenes, no matter when they happen in the video. An iDVD can create a menu of a movie's chapters, but one must tell it where each chapter begins. Chapter markers should be created in a iMovie HD before importing a movie into iDVD.

The article reviews the music learning software GarageBand 3 from Apple Computer Inc.

The article reviews the consumer software iPhoto 6 from Apple Computer Inc.

This article provides an update on the computer industry as of August 2004. Sony Corp. will launch its LocationFree TV in the market later in 2004. The S1500 LF-X1 model weighs about 5 pounds, with a 12.1-inch screen; the $1000 LF-X5 weighs 1.2 pounds, with a 7-inch screen. Meanwhile, Chicago-based Operation Homelink seeks donations of used personal computers to refurbish and send free of charge to families of U.S. troops. Corporate donations of large quantities of older desktops and notebooks in good working order are the most efficient. Creative's MuVo Slim digital music player has credit-card shape and black-and-silver motif which won't jar the boardroom, and its voice recorder may capture a deal-winning idea. Also included: an FM radio and 256MB of memory. A study of dust from CPUs and PC monitors in some 16 U.S. locations found residue of brominated flame retardants in every case. Experts disagree on health dangers of long-term exposure to these chemicals, used in electronics manufacturing. But until the chemicals are completely phased out, Ted Smith, national coordinator for one of the study's sponsors, the Computer Take Back Campaign, advises careful, regular dusting of electronic components as a stopgap measure.

Evaluates several computer programs from different computer companies in the U.S. Information on PDF Browser Plugin from Manfred Schubert; Discussion on PodSleevz for Apple's newer generation of iPods designed by RadTech; Capabilities of Business Card Composer from BeLight Software.

The article reports on the prediction made by market research firm, Forrester Research Inc., regarding the future of Apple Inc. in 2013 in the U.S. According to the article, the firm forecasted that Apple will become the leader in the digital home business. In addition, Forrester also noted that Apple's experiences which include the expansion of its services from a computer maker to a leader in consumer devices. Furthermore, it relates that analysts J. P. Gownder and James McQuivey will recreate its AppleStore and will broaden its in-home installation services to deliver an integrated digital experience to consumers.

The article focuses on updates released by Microsoft Corp. of its software suite Office 2008. Improved security in this release fixes vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to take over the contents of computer's memory. The company has enhanced stability in Word and Excel, fixing issues that could cause either application to quit unexpectedly. It is also noted that Apple Inc. ranked the most-innovative company in the world, in a global survey of executives. Among just technology companies, Apple also ranked highest, and it ranked second in the subcategories of entertainment companies and consumer-products companies.

The article offers suggestions from the author for creating desktop-shortcuts for Control Panel applets and system tools. He suggests several paths for searching files in different computer operating systems, such as XP, Windows Vista. He further suggests that frequently accessed items or programs--such as System Properties and Device Manager--from Control Panel should be right-clicked and 'Send To' option should be clicked for creating the required shortcut on the computer desktop.

The article presents news briefs related to the computer industry. The SCH-U740 dualhinge cellular telephone from Samsung is one of the cooler handsets to hit Verizon in years. The web site cuts.com offers a beta online video editor that allows remix of clips from YouTube, Google and MySpace. Ning.com web site offers a service that lets user build set up their own social network. Cilpmarks.com offers the best bits of a Web page to blog or save for future use.

The article presents updates related to wireless technology in the computer industry. The first commercial Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology product is finally arriving, and overall it looks pretty good. But the glorious wireless future comes with a few strings attached. For one thing, it will be limited largely to computers, at least initially. Because UWB is much faster than Wi-Fi and requires far less power, it's likely to be found in portable devices such as cell phones and MP3 players, according to Eric Broockman, chief executive officer of Alereon, maker of UWB chip sets.

The article presents developments in the computer industry. Apple Computer Inc. has released the software MacBook System Management Controller (SMC) for its range of MacBook laptop computers, which can be updated from Apple's Web site. Apple leads other personal computer manufacturers, like Dell Computer Corp. and Hewlett-Packard, according to newly published data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index. The customer satisfaction increased to 77 in the PC industry. Apple has launched a new version of its software Boot Camp 1.1 beta, which lets Intel-based Macs run Microsoft Windows XR.

This article offers information on up and coming technological innovations in the computer industry. Microsoft's new Hyperactive Y Chromosome technology will enable browsers to assert complete control over a machine no matter how much users try to overcome it. Thanks to multicore computers and new graphics engines, interfaces can change on the fly every 15 minutes. Add-on Fryolators will harness former knee-burning waste energy to cook donuts and tempura. Novel anode impurity techniques will create sparkling battery fireworks at random intervals. Thanks to patented SVT users will be able to watch movies stored on portable devices in three-dimensional high definition on a virtual 100-inch screen anywhere on goes.

The article offers news briefs related to recent developments in the computer industry of the U.S. Quark Inc. has launched the latest version of its pagelayout software, QuarkXPress 7. The company estimates that it has licensed well over three million copies of XPress over the years. Apple Computer Inc. has said that it will sell its PowerSchool software used by K-12 school administrators, teachers, and parents to track students' grades, homework, and attendance. Apple will also hold its Worldwide Developers Conference from August 7 to August 11 in San Francisco, California.

The article reviews the presentation software Keynote 3 from Apple Computer Inc.

The article presents information on the book "What the Dormouse Said: How the 60s Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry," by John Markoff. The book explores the political, cultural, and pharmaceutical forces that were afoot in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1962 and 1975 and how they helped shape the modern technology.

The article presents news related to the developments in the computer and electronic industry. In response to reports on the Internet that some users who purchased a 1.42GHz Mac mini received a 1.5GHz system instead, Apple Computer Inc. confirmed that some Mac mini systems may contain components that slightly exceed the published specifications. There are no changes to the published specifications or part numbers. A few days after making disparaging comments about the iPod nano Motorola CEO Ed Zander told that he knows that they are going to build a smart phone--it's only a matter of time. Motorola's Rokr phone, the first with a version of iTunes built in, has faced a lukewarm reception since its release in September 2005. Although Adobe released Photoshop Elements 4, the latest version of its consumer-level image-editing application, only for Windows, the company says it has not killed the Mac version. An Adobe representative explained that unlike with Photoshop and the Creative Suite, Elements users tend not to work collaboratively.

Evaluates the LT265 digital light processing projector from NEC. Features; Pros and cons; Price.

This paper presents a list of the top selling computer and electronic products according to category as of November 2004.

This sections presents corrections to several articles on computer hardware and digital equipment published in the March and April 2004 issues of PC World.

Examines the features of the Logic Pro 6 computer software from Apple Computer Inc. Information on the Sculpture feature of the software; Description of the UltraBeat percussion synthesizer component of the software; Benefits offered by the software to the music industry.

Explores issues and topics related to the changes in the computer industry of the U.S.

Evaluates the Bravo Disc Publisher from Primera Technology. Features of the computer peripheral; Pros and cons; Price.

Presents an update on the computer industry in the U.S. as of October 2003. Failure of the Switch campaign of Apple Computer to attract new users; Endorsement of Apple's iTunes Music Store by singer Michael Jackson.

Presents new products of interest to people in the computer industry released in 2003. Information on Connect Delorme's USB Earthmate global positioning system receiver; Advantage of the Muse.Net service.

Presents news briefs on the developments in the computer industry as of July 2003. Storage space offered by the LAKS Memory Watch; List of top five downloads.

Features several technologies which are predicted to emerge in the computer industry in 2004. Kodak's EasyShare L633 camera; Boeing's Connexion; Personal digital assistants.

The article provides information on how "Computerworld" identified the top 12 green information technology (IT) companies in the U.S. According to the article, green IT companies are those that are implementing smart, efficient strategies to achieve green IT. The measures taken by the publication include developing a set of criteria to identify the companies with the help of green-IT experts and creating a checklist-style survey and weighing scheme based on the input provided by the experts. It further notes that only those companies that filed verification letters were considered.

The article reports on developments in the touch interface technology in the computer industry. According to computer science Professor Robert Jacob, touch technology is one aspect in computer research that is gaining a lot of attention, particularly in the development of a reality-based interaction. Moreover, Microsoft Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories have partnered in developing LucidTouch, a mobile device that recognizes commands form the user's fingers. Further, one aspect in computer touch technology that the industry is trying to address is the problem on what is being referred to as fat fingers, particularly on small devices.

The article offers information on the best places to work in information technology (IT) in the U.S. The first mentioned is at Cummins Inc., that outsourced many of its lower level and more IT jobs which include programming, help desk and computer operations. Another at General Mills Inc., wherein the firm develop marketing information system for activities like the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. State Farm Insurance Cos. also qualified for the best places to work in IT, in which the company has huge quantity of data that maintains on IBM z/OS mainframes.

The article reflects on the status of information technology industry in the United States. It mentions the challenges facing U.S. business sector such as the ongoing threat of terrorism, high energy and health care costs and the fear of accelerated global warming. It comments on the effects of these problems to IT business and organizations.

The article presents project management challenges that information technology (IT) will face in 2006. It also provides tips for surviving these challenges. Due to offshoring arrangements or business expansion, project managers need to prepare their staff for overseas collaboration and a greater understanding of cultural differences. In addition, with many requests for projects, IT will increasingly turn to vendors, outsourcers, and managed service providers to offload some of the burden so they can focus on core competencies. This scenario requires a single point of responsibility within the organization to sponsor and manage the project.

This article focuses on the adoption of supercomputing in the corporate information technology mainstream in the U.S. Efforts are under way to broaden the corporate base of supercomputing users. For example, the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) in Columbus, Ohio has launched a program called Blue Collar Computing that is designed to provide businesses that lack high-performance computing expertise with tools for testing the technology. OSC envisions wide-scale use of high-performance systems by companies looking to run complex simulations and visualizations of products during the design and testing process.

This article reports on the financial performance of Dell Computer Corp. as of November 2005. The company announced that it will miss its quarterly revenue target for the second straight period. Among the factors blamed by Dell is a shortfall in its U.S. consumer business and operations in Great Britain. Competition around the world and a changing market may also be dragging Dell. In addition to its third quarter revenue shortfall, Dell also disclosed plans to take a $450 million charge to cover the expected costs of replacing faulty capacitors in its OptiPlex desktops. Dell made its mark in the technology industry by growing at phenomenal rates even amid the rubble of the dotcom bust. The company's famous dedication to inventory management, build-to-order products, and aggressive cost-cutting has allowed it to become the worldwide leader in PC shipments and a considerable source of pain for traditional server vendors such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Sun Microsystems.

Examines three assumptions in information technology (IT) organizations that need to be corrected. Belief that installing a chargeback system for the true cost of IT is either too complicated or too fraught with political peril to be undertaken; Notion that end users want to remain ignorant about technology; Opinion that IT professionals do not need to aggressively manage their IT career.

Reports on developments involving companies in the computer industry. Plan of Unisys Corp. to eliminate 3,600 jobs; Financial forecast for SAP AG; Promotion on the use of Linux operating system on cellular phones by Motorola Inc. and PalmSource Inc.

This article presents Hewlett-Packard Co.'s (HP) technology direction as outlined by its chief executive officer, Mark Hurd. According to Hurd, no major product lines will be spun off, and for corporate users, HP will focus on its core offering of servers, storage, and management tools. Hurd's message was one of stability. He said that HP will remain committed to the Itanium processor and to the company's adaptive enterprise framework. But he also said that HP has to make sure that they can show up with products that are deliverable against this framework.

This article examines the purpose of information technology research and development (R&D). Late in the 1990's, the typical R&D mission was to move ahead to the next technology no matter what. Research often went almost directly from experimentation into production without proper testing, without any justification of the value of the technology to business, without plans for properly engineering it into the environment, and without a design for deployment. However, this scenario has changed. The focus has shifted from research's sake to meeting business needs. INSET: People, Roles and Expectations.

Reports on developments involving companies in the computer industry. Release of a service pack to Microsoft Corp.'s Navision software; Financial performance of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. for the third quarter of 2005; Purchase of the privately held company, ConnecTerra Inc. by BEA Systems Inc.

The article provides ways of identifying information technology project sponsors, who are spellbound by their risky mindsets toward the project. The sponsor's role is vital. He is expected to approve milestones, supply funding, and run interference for the project. Either an ally or a foe is better than someone who lacks interest in the project entirely. If the sponsor is against the project, help him identify the reasons why a project should be dropped instead of fighting a losing battle. If the sponsor is not involved, however, the risk of not fulfilling the project objectives is higher.

The article provides seven steps that could help information technology professionals efficiently build a solid business case. These steps refer to the following: 1) understanding the business goal; 2) inclusion of project costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, and estimated returns on investments; 3) presentation of various scenarios; 4) consideration of culture; 5) consideration of nonfinancial benefits in business cases; 6) inclusion of collateral costs; and, 7) consultation with business partners.