"Einstein" Monitoring

There was an interesting development this week in network security. The feds have asked businesses that operate the nation's infrastructure to install monitoring equipment on their network. This would enable the NSA to monitor critical networks for intrusions and attacks. To learn more, go to www.techdirt.com/articles/20100527/1304179605.shtml

Apple and antitrust laws

ComputerWorld recently reported that the Department of Justice is beginning to investigate Apple's business practice. One lawyer stated that it appears that iTunes may be vulnerable to antitrust attacks. iTunes has 70% of the music download market and has allegedly pressured music labels to give iTunes exclusive access to some music.

Market Capitaliztion

I read an article in yesterday's USA Today that Apple passed Microsoft in market capitalization because of the popularity of the iPhone. This is a major change from the days when Apple's future was extremely uncertain and Microsoft was a market juggernaut.

I spent a day earlier this week at a site where they lost their Internet connection. I was amazed at how difficult it was for me to adapt to life without Internet access. I am so used to checking e-mail on a regular basis, blogging, and using social networking sites that I felt lost. Even preparing PowerPoint slides was problematic because I lost access to my photo service. Making the matter worse, this site has a VOIP telephone system that went down with the rest of the network.

An overlooked vulnerability

Many of us in the Information Assurance field overlook a large risk to our client's e-commerce infrastructure. The IEEE recently declared that one of the greatest vulnerabilities to the Internet are the undersea cables that carry 99% of intercontinental Internet traffic. To learn more, go to
http://gizmodo.com/5542746/undersea-internet-cables-are-dangerously-vulnerable-to-attack

Is Facebook Playing Fair?

A Harvard economics professor has filed a complaint that Facebook is selling personal data about their customers in violation of their privacy policies. The professor claims that when Facebook users click on ad that Facebook passes on their account identifier. The ad owner can then track the ad visitor back to a personal profile and harvest their personal information such as age, hometown, and job type. It will be interesting to see how this complaint plays out in the inevitable court cases.

Web-based cross marketing

I am always impressed when companies collaborate and cross-promote each other's products. Collaboration is a growing trend and some companies are doing a much better job than others. I recently learned that 7-Eleven and Zynga games are collaborating on a a summer promotion. Customers that purchase a Big Gulp drink in a special cup will get a bonus item for use in one of several Social networking games produced by Zynga. These social networking games have some fanatical players that spend hours playing that will no doubt switch to buying their sodas from a company that will provide a little incentive. Some soda drinkers may be intrigued by their soda cup and try out the game. This is one of those business situations that are truly win-win.

I used to work with a programmer that was a partial owner of a convenience store. He always told us that items that do not sell quickly are not given shelf space. I always look around convenience stores to see what items must be selling and meeting today's consumer needs. I was amazed to see racks of game cards at the local convenience store and gas stations. Someone is buying game cards for Farmville, Mafia Wars, Social City, etc. and converting their hard earned dollars into the virtual currency used in these games. These games are played over social networking sites and are free to play. The problem comes about when you want the premium items available for sale in these games. I play several of these games and have been tempted to purchase a card or two to accelerate my game play. The game developers have a terrific business model that I wish I had thought of first.

The most powerful man on the earth

When I was a boy, we were taught that the President of the United States was themost powerful man on earth. I am beginning to question that truism. I have been watching the power of men like Steve Jobs, Paul Allen, larry Ellison, and Bill Gates shaping the world of computing and begun to realize their impact on the global economy. These men can make or break technologies and companies with their endorsement and support. Our Internet experience is shaped by software and these powerful businessmen control the direction and future of that software. When historians look back at this century I am certain that they will include these men among those who shaped our time and the future.

Will the iPad own a market monopoly?

I am always amused at how so many IT people do not want to give Apple credit for their innovative design engineering. I just read an article at Datamation that recognizes Apple's design superiority but in a back handed way. The author is more concerned that Apple may develop a virtual monopoly on the tablet computer market than in recognizing the design brilliance of the iPad. The iPad is giving Apple a huge market headstart by being the first in class. Once the iPad builds a critical mass of users, it will be very difficult for a competitor to enter the market. Consider the advantage the the iPhone has in the marketplace because of their early entry into the smart phone market niche.

The problem with Flash

I have been asked what the big deal is with Flash that has Apple so upset. The issue is in how Flash decodes video files. Flash uses a decoder that consumes more power than the H.264 industry standard. The power difference is significant in mobile devices like smart phones, laptops, and the iPad, so Apple decided not to support Flash and force the issue. The impact of this decision is huge for organizations like my employer that distribute content using Flash. Stay tuned, this may be a bumpy ride.

What is happening with Flash?

Flash is one of the most widely used pieces of software for presenting multimedia on the Web. lately, Apple has been challenging the use of Flash and does not support Flash on their iPad, iPhone, and iPod devices. The struggle between Flash and Apple will help shape the future of Web computing and is well worth following.