Will the iPhone Change the Face of Personal Computing?
By Sandy Cosser

The new 3G Apple iPhone was released recently, to an audience who were pretty much on the edge of their seats with anticipation. The reviews have been largely favourable, with many bordering on zealous, such as the review by Alex Iskold on Read Write Web. In the review, which really isn't all that long, Iskold manages to tell us seven times that the iPhone is the new personal computer. In fact, according to Iskold, the new iPhone is the world's first really personal computer, and he seems pretty excited about that.

The new iPhone even has non-techies raving about its easy-to-use platform and wide range of applications. Pandora, the new music application that allows users to effectively create their own radio stations, has exceeded all expectations and proven to be the most popular application that Apple has in its vast and well-stocked stable.

Social media addicts will be pleased to note that nearly all their favourite sources, such as Twitter, Digg, Facebook and Flickr are available on the iPhone. Social networks that are not currently available are working hard to change their status, so expect to see the range grow as more and more companies clamber on the iPhone bandwagon.

The new iPhone has also kept up with the trend to optimise geographic locations for users. New applications are now capable of putting locations in context, so no matter where you are, you're never more than a couple of buttons away from the nearest restaurants, bookshops or theatres. And if you need a map to find these recommended destinations, the iPhone will provide you with that too.

The new iPhone has just about all the applications and features that anyone could possibly wish for, except, apparently, cut and paste. Some people don't really care too much for the readily available maps, social networking or video capabilities of the new iPhone; all that concerns them is that there is no copy and paste clipboard. According to John Gruber, it's not even a simple concern, but a burning question among iPhone users. A burning question that Apple product head Greg Joswiak addressed by explaining that Apple has a long list of priority features that they aim to introduce to the iPhone, and that they got as far down that list as they could with the new 3G iPhone. So basically, they'll get to it, they just have other things that they deem to be more important.

And in the grand scheme of emailing, text messaging, picture taking, photo managing, video capturing, music playing and location mapping, not to mention telephone calling, who can blame them for sticking cutting and pasting at the lower end of the to-do list?

Recommended sites:

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/iphone_personal_computer.php

http://daringfireball.net/2008/07/copy_and_paste

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Data Detect data salvage and recovery one of the most experienced and expert providers of data recovery services in South Africa

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An Overview of Wi-Fi
By Benedict Yossarian

Wi-Fi is everywhere. Well, not really. Not even a bit close. Though the suggestion that it will soon be is neither a supposition nor an affirmation. Let us face it, this is an unassailable fact. Whether or not you use it does not really matter. Wi-Fi has already established a strong foundation and all it needs to do is to branch out and grow.

What is Wi-Fi?

Initially, individuals assume that the concept is both intimidating and baffling. But if Wi-Fi is stripped down of its techie jargons and numerical hullabaloos, what is left is a system that utilizes radio signals to transmit data from one computer to another. It is that simple.

For now, one need not know what IEEE 802.11 specification stands for. We need not expound on the various protocols bearing numbers like 802.11a and 802.11b. Tackling these things will only bring more confusion in the mix.

Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth: Comparison & Contrast Though both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth provide wireless connection, the latter is limited to a one-to-one ratio. An example is sending a file from a computer to a mobile phone. In here, there are two directions: PC to phone or vice versa. And that is it. No other party is involved.

Bluetooth and internet is not a match made in tech heaven. If you are planning to connect to the internet, Bluetooth is not the optimum choice. The speed of a Bluetooth enabled device compared to a Wi-Fi is nothing but sluggish.

As for Wi-Fi, it can function under a network configuration whereby several devices may be hooked on or connected to it. Yes, you can link up an entire network. Surfing the web is easier for its speed can reach up to 11 megabits per second as compared to that of a Bluetooth's 720 kilobits per second.

Key Feature

One main element of this technology is that it is an open standard. It is this standardization that curved the high costs of connectivity. As for its installation, it can easily be positioned in every home. The continuous rise of establishments offering hotspots or those with Wi-Fi is providing the population access to the internet making broadband convenient and portable.

A decade ago, wireless is a luxury, but now such idea is only a thing of the past. As of date, notebooks and laptops are manufactured with built-in Wi-Fi capability and many homes have also embraced this technology as the way to connect to the internet. Heck, you can even take your laptop, purchase a drink in a Wi-Fi café and leisurely check your email while enjoying the ambiance and your cup of coffee.

The Sharing

Generally, when one is using Wi-Fi, he is sharing access to the World Wide Web. Picture a tree. From its foundation up to the branches stretching out---the trunk represents the router while the branches the end user's computer units. In here, local area network (LAN) comes into play. As you connect to the internet using radio signals, the same network signals can be used to share files and applications to another laptop or computer provided it is within the Wi-Fi range.

The Name Confusion

Wireless fidelity, this term is quite new. Actually, it was only in 1999 that Wi-Fi has been attached with such a meaning. The company responsible for this wireless fidelity (a play on the word high fidelity or HiFi) is the Wi-Fi Alliance. And with that said, it is clear that Wi-Fi is but a trademark, a brand name of said establishment.

In closing, Wi-Fi technology, whatever the name means, is an alternative to the wires and cables technology. Gone are the days of tin cans and strings. But still the purpose remains, communication.

Benedict Yossarian is specialises in internet marketing. Benedict recommends Comm store for networking hardware and Cat5 Cable. For IT training Benedict recommends New Horizons Learning Centres

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What should you look for when selecting an IT Service Provider?
By Stuart R. Crawford

In this day and age of computers, most people have some kind of knowledge of how this equipment works. Many workers or owners of small businesses even like to believe that they are technically savvy. Yes, they do possess the skills to setup a small network at home or get their computer working on the Internet, (most of the time they just fiddle with it until it works) however small businesses cannot afford to rely on an employee with an interest in computers to setup their corporate network.

What we have found in these non-professional networks are several flaws. Security of business data is non-existent or done incorrectly or the wrong solution is purchased. Data is shared in many locations making it hard to administer or find the correct data. Finally, system updates are not happening at all. Small business owners have also purchased equipment from the local computer shop and have invested in the wrong software (e.g. XP Home vs. XP Pro). The wrong software means extra costs because an upgraded version of the software must be purchased in order to attach it to their domain or take advantage of features only found in the corporate editions of popular software.

Hiring a firm and outsourcing your computer and network service is the only way to go for the small business. Although the initial investment may be slightly higher than doing it yourself, the benefits of having your IT infrastructure setup correctly and securely will bring a lasting benefit and reduce the overall cost of ownership.

So you have made the wise decision to outsource your IT-- what do you need to look for in a computer service company?

· Professionalism – This can be determined in the first meeting you have with your support company. Does the company portray a professional image or do they look like they just came in from a night out at the local club? Did they answer your initial contact quickly and with knowledgeable questions about your needs? What I have found works really well is to schedule your initial email or requests on a Saturday or Sunday. If someone gets back to you quickly then you may have found a winner.

· Testimonials – Make sure the support companies can back up their services with testimonials from their client base. Testimonials bring creditability to the work they can perform for you. In a testimonial, look for words like professional, caring, team, skilled and also those catch phrases like “worked the weekend”, “went the extra mile”, “ensured that we were up and running”. All of these phrases show that the company you are about to choose is committed to their client base.

· Service Guarantee – Look for a service guarantee, if the support company cannot guarantee their service, why would you choose them? As a business owner you should never buy the excuse, “it is a computer after all and we cannot control what happens.” If the correct solution is in place, yes, the computer network and technologies can be controlled and service can be guaranteed.

· Hourly Billing vs. Monthly Rate – The current trend in the marketplace will eventually lead to a managed monthly fee over the traditional billing by the hour. You may see your IT spending increase with a monthly managed plan, but you will be better off overall by going this route over the traditional billable hour because regular visits from your IT support firm can predict your needs in advance and save costly downtime. With a monthly plan, you should look at receiving a minimal of a weekly onsite visit, total coverage during business hours, ensure all services are covered (you will need to conform to some hardware standards) and ensure that there are no hidden surprises.

· Depth in numbers – There are a number of great technical people out there working solo, but the business owner should not rely on one person. It is the old “hit by a bus” syndrome—what happens if this one person cannot accommodate your urgent IT needs? Look for a company that has depth in numbers. A company that has a deep technical team offers their staff training and time off to recharge their batteries. Solo guys seem to never have time for proper self improvement and usually burn out because they are always on the run.

· Proactive Support – This is a must for any technical support company to survive. There are many services and solutions that make this possible, one example is Level Platforms of Ottawa, this company offers monitoring tools to alert your service provider whenever a hiccup occurs at a client site. If the IT firm you are looking at does not offer proactive support that will inform you when something happens, continue your search.

· Certifications – Look for a firm that has invested the time to become certified and achieve partnerships with the major hardware and software companies. These certifications show that they are committed to their own company growth and to ensuring that their clients received the best, most up-to-date solutions. Companies such as Microsoft Canada, SonicWALL and others can also make recommendations to you on which consulting companies are strong with their technologies, and they can refer you to a number of their partners.

There are a number of great consulting firms in your area that are designed to offer the best service to one particular market. A great source of information is to network with your friends, your business colleagues and even your competition to find out which company they use. Finding a great IT company can be a difficult challenge at times but an IT solution that is there when you need it is worth every minute of meeting that challenge.

Stuart Crawford is the Director of Business Development for IT Matters Inc., a Calgary-based Information Technology solutions company.

Stuart R. Crawford scrawford@itmatters.ca www.itmatters.ca

One of the founding partners of IT Matters, Stuart is a respected mentor within the organization and his pioneering spirit and courageous forward thinking has contributed to IT Matters developing long-term business partnerships with those who share the company’s core values of respect, trust and integrity. He is a motivational leader willing to venture into uncharted territory. This willingness, along with his creativity and quick wit, has assisted the company in marking its fourth year of specialization in excellent IT services.

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