The year 2000 doesn’t seem that long ago. With the turn of the century, many businesses and IT professionals were focused on “Y2K” which turned out to be no big deal. In 2000, the iPod did not exist, Windows ME (Millennium Edition) was released, and Mac OS 9 was still Apple’s standard. Throughout the decade a number of events continued to cement technology into our day-to-day existence. Let’s take a moment to reflect back.
The .com Bust Despite the predictions, the .com bust in 2001 didn’t really signal the end of the opportunities the Internet created. Out of the ashes emerged Google, eBay and Amazon.com. In 2000, Google launched its self-serve, pay-per-click service. Today, Google’s PPC economy generates over $20 billion in revenue each year and is, in many ways, the barometer of the Internet economy at large.
Mobile Maturity As we begin a new decade, the mobile Internet is a reality. Consider this: In China alone, there are now more than 150 million mobile internet users. In the US, which has been lagging the developed world in the adoption of advanced mobile technology—over 20 million mobile users access the Internet daily.
The Rise of Social Media It’s hard to believe that the social networking craze started over 6 years ago when Friendster launched. Since then, we’ve seen the rise of a broad range of services that enable you and me to connect and share online. “Social media” in all of its forms has impacted the Internet like few phenomena before it. And, its potential reach extends far beyond the Internet to things like search, media, retail, marketing, PR and customer service.
A look Ahead As we head into a new decade, mobility, virtualization and cloud computing headline technology trends. With these new technologies and their inherent rewards, there are a host of new risks to consider.
It was a busy decade in Internet security. Cybercriminals were crafty and creative. The upcoming decade promises more of the same. As your IT consultant, we want to make sure you stay a step ahead.
Security Threat Landscape The attacks of today are different than in recent years. Hybrid malware, combining the Web and email to carry out sophisticated attacks, will become even more prevalent. Narrowly-targeted attacks, which require the presence of specific applications to engage in malicious activity, are also on the rise. Finally, we’ll see an increase in “real-feel” of phishing sites and emails. In short, our clients will need to be on their toes and IT Radix is here to help.
Social Media Attacks on social networks is increasing in volume and scope, targeting communities such as Facebook and Twitter. Social networks present a very good ROI for cybercriminals using them as a platform for attacks. This trend will intensify. Friend, Follower, Tweeter, beware!
Data Security Many clients will need to work on risk assessments and establishing business justifications for how data is used, sent and protected. What the focus is will depend on your type of business and its size.
Encryption Mobile use will necessitate more attention to encryption technology. With more capabilities on mobile phones and devices there is a larger need to protect the information on mobile devices. With the explosion of email in the past decade, it’s simply incredible what businesses are freely sending via email and the Internet. Most businesses are not encrypting email, but could and should. Ensuring appropriate security for data “at rest” is also facing increased threats.
Where will all these changes, challenges and opportunities lead or end? Only the next decade knows. As your technology partner, IT Radix is here to help you sail confidently into the new decade.
Archive for the Category ◊ new technology ◊
The electronic cigarette is a new and exciting innovation that is sweeping the nation.
Not only is the electronic cigarette safe to use, it has proven a “quit smoking” aid for some users. The electronic cigarette comes in a variety of nicotine levels and flavors. The nicotine levels is what help smokers curb their nicotine craving. They start out in the high level electronic cigarette cartridge and gradually reduce their level to the no nicotine electronic cigarette cartridge level. This is a powerful tool for regular smokers because they are getting the same relaxing effect from the nicotine without the harmful carcinogens, while actually feeling like they are actual smoking cigarettes , when in retrospect it is water vapor emitting from the electronic cigarette.
The water vapor emitting from the electronic cigarette smoker looks like actual second hand smoke, but the reality of it is water vapor. This science from the electronic cigarette allows users to use their electronic cigarette where ever they want. Changing laws are making it more and more difficult to fulfill the nicotine craving in public and sometimes private places. Calabasas, California recently applied a new ordinance that prohibits smokers from lighting up in public places such as parks, in front of restaurants, and even in your own front yard. In the near future casinos, hotel rooms, and even your car will be banned nation wide. The future will no longer be in the hand of the consumer, but mearly the evolving laws and regulations that govern us as a society on cigarette smoking and eventually the electronic cigarette.
For the technology of the electronic cigarette and the innovation the price of an electronic cigarette is fairly reasonable ranging from brand to brand. Check out many electronic cigarettes stores for great quality, and great prices on the electronic cigarette.
To obtain more electronic cigarette information, prices, and a great electronic cigarette informational video to learn more about electronic cigarettes, go to http://www.smokelessdelite.com
It’s true that creativity thrives in adversity. The financial downturn has spurred the development and release of innovative paint technologies that has industrial coatings contractors all abuzz and rubbing their hands in anticipation.
What are the newsworthy trends in painting products that are making their way into the hands of industrial coating contractors and right into facility premises? Environment-friendly zero-VOC formulations are still leading the pack. Energy-saving solar-reflective innovations are also out in the market. Long-lasting and sustainable high-solids are rolling out manufacturers’ labs. Self-cleaning paints sound too futuristic, but are actually being developed in research labs and may be used by industrial coatings contractors soon.
Cool Roofs
Cool roofs, or zero-VOC and energy-efficient roof coatings, are preferred by industrial coatings contractors not only for their zero-VOC emissions, but also for their above-average SRI or solar-reflective index. Solar reflectivity is an important property for roof coatings, because it indicates the coating’s ability to reflect sunlight back and away from the facility. The less of the sun’s rays being absorbed through the roof, the cooler the interior will be, thereby lessening cooling and energy costs.
Cool roof products offer more than energy efficiency and environmental benefits, they continue to deliver high quality expected of standard paints, such as high-adhesion, strength, and durability. They still provide tough protection against water exposure, and impermeability against toxic acids and harsh alkali from oil leaks and greasy spills, to the delight of industrial coatings contractors.
Three-wet Paint
The 3-wet paint technology simplifies the process of paint application, eliminating the time- and energy-consuming paint preparation of applying primers, paint bases and enamels. Paint preparation used to be applied manually by industrial coatings contractors, following a set drying-time schedule. With 3-wet paint technology, the process involves no manual procedure, and the paints can be applied while still wet. The resulting product, can save on time by about 20%, according to data from Ford, who implemented the 3-wet paint technology on a global scale for its painted vehicle shops.
The high-solids solvent-borne paint formulation where Ford’s technology is based also produces fewer harmful emissions than regular paints, and successfully met all industry standards in chip/scratch/etch resistance, durability, and performance.
The benefits of 3-wet paint technology are numerous, from the elimination of costly equipments used by industrial coatings contractors, to time-savings, to lesser emission of environmental pollutants, to lesser energy consumption gained from faster processing time — a clean and sustainable process overall.
Self-Cleaning Paints
Still in the design board of UK’s DSTL labs, but showing much promise, are the new types of paints able to decontaminate itself and resist chemical attacks. The experimental paints are currently applied in strips and designed to soak up dangerous air-borne chemicals, making the nearby air safe for humans to breathe. The future enhancement of the paint is to imbue it with catalytic enzymes to process the soaked-up chemicals, thereby decontaminating itself.
The technology is flexible for industrial coatings contractors. It can be engineered to change color to indicate contamination and decontamination, and to be sunlight-reflective for purposes of camouflage. And like ordinary paint, these “sci-fi” paints can be applied using standard rollers or sprays by industrial coatings contractors, for ease of use and removal.