Tag Archive for GOOG

| February 10, 2015
Comments Off on Windows 7 Reaches Middle Age

Windows 7 Reaches Middle Age

Windows 7 Reaches Middle AgeNow that you have almost eliminated Microsoft (MSFT) Windows XP from your network and settled on Windows 7 it should be time to catch your breath. But NOOO!! Windows 7 has reached the end of mainstream support.  That’s right we are already 5 years into the Windows 7 era. Repeat after me… Windows 7 still has five years left … Windows 7 still has five years left … Windows 7 still has five years left.

MMicrosoft Windows 7 logoicrosoft commits to 10 years of security fixes and 5 years of feature enhancements and bug fixes for each major OS release. Windows 7 has moved from mainstream support – free help for everyone – to extended support, which means Microsoft will charge for help with the software. That will end in 2020 when Microsoft turns out the lights on Windows 7 for good.

The recent techno-flops from the boys and girls in Redmond, Vista, and Windows 8 have taught enterprises to plan for a new desktop OS every other release. This puts businesses in a bind. MSFT’s track record prevents forward-looking firms from organically growing their desktop fleet into the next cycle. There are those that argue that until Microsoft separates consumer from commercial desktops, Microsoft commercial customers will continue to skip one or more iterations of Windows, their only real answer to the high costs and disruption of upgrading.

Gregg KeizerMirosoft update cycle at ComputerWorld cites research from Gartner (IT) which prognosticates that many enterprises cannot change their processes. Many organizations will go through the same machinations they did with XP. Or maybe even balk at dumping Windows 7 at the same pace as the venerable Windows XP, making things worse. Michael Silver of Gartner told ComputerWorld that having a plan could help organizations avoid a repeat of XP’s expensive end-of-support scramble. Gartner believes that the same EOL mad-scramble we saw with XP will occur again when time is up on Windows 7. Mr. Silver claims:

[A repeat of Windows XP] is certainly likely to happen … One of the big differences that’s been under-considered is that because Vista took five years to come out [after XP], there were eight years between XP and Windows 7. So Windows XP felt pretty old. … Windows 7 won’t feel that old to people…” 

Microsoft Windows 10 logoMr. Keizer argues that the failure of Windows 8 to win enterprise hearts and minds has created an oddity: Even though Windows 7 has made middle age, Microsoft continues to let OEMs sell PCs running the Windows 7 business edition.  Microsoft has yet to name an end date for OEM sales of machines powered by Windows 7 Professional. But because it has promised a 12-month notice, those PCs can still be sold at least until early January 2016, when the OS has but four years of life left.

But if you are just finishing your last migration, then you don’t have all that much time to start planning the next one.

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If you don’t like the Redmond hamster wheel, consider your alternatives. Sophos compares the Windows upgrade schedule to some other options. 10 years might be the best option out there. For example:

  • Apple’s (AAPL) OS X is supported for mystery years,
  • Apple’s mobile iOS is supported for mystery years (3?)
  • Android seems to leave it up to you, but don’t expect Google (GOOG) to commit to securing it.
  • Ubuntu LTS is supported for around 5 years, and
  • Red Hat Enterprise 13 years (with extended support).
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| January 6, 2015
Comments Off on UMich Helps Secure the Web with Let’s Encrypt

UMich Helps Secure the Web with Let’s Encrypt

UMich Helps Secure the Web with Let’s EncryptThe University of Michigan is teaming up with leading Internet firms to help secure the web. UMich, Cisco (CSCO), Akamai (AKAM), Mozilla, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and public key certificate authority IdenTrust, have launched a new free certificate authority (CA) called Let’s Encrypt.

The Let’s Encrypt CA, which will be available in the Summer of 2015. It aims to get people to encrypt their connections to their websites according to a recent GigaOM article. Let’s Encrypt goal is to make it easier to get a proper Secure Sockets Layer/Transfer Layer Security (SSL/TLS) certificate. That way the certs can be deployed to secure a Web server and its users.

Let’s Encrypt will help secure the Internet

Let’s EncryptAccording to the article Let’s Encrypt, comes as the tech industry scrambles to encrypt the web. This is more important after the mass surveillance revelations of NSA leaker Edward Snowden. The CA will aid other efforts to secure the Internet.

Let’s Encrypt is developing the Automated Certificate Management Environment or ACME protocol. The ACME protocol. will sit between Web servers and the CA. It includes support for new, stronger forms of domain validation.

University of MichiganLet’s Encrypt will serve as its own root CA. The nonprofit CA public benefit corporation, Internet Security Research Group (ISRG) will run the root CA. Josh Aas, the executive director of ISRG, explained securing the web is just not a simple thing to use Transport Layer Security (TLS), the successor to Secure Socket Layer (SSL). He explains that getting, paying for, and installing a certificate is too hard for many network administrators.

The anchor for any TLS-protected communication is a public-key certificate which demonstrates that the server you’re actually talking to is the server you intended to talk to. For many server operators, getting even a basic server certificate is just too much of a hassle. The application process can be confusing. It usually costs money. It’s tricky to install correctly. It’s a pain to update.

Electronic Frontier FoundationAccording to the statement, Let’s Encrypt’s certificates will be free. It will have an automated issuance and renewal protocol – an open standard. A step to reduce the need for input from the domain holder’s side. According to an EFF blog post, “switching a webserver from HTTP to HTTPS with this CA will be as easy as issuing one command, or clicking one button.”

Records of certificate issuance and revocation will be publicly available. The organizations behind Let’s Encrypt are stressing that the system won’t be under any one organization’s control.

The EFF has been working on helping users take advantage of HTTPS for a while. The EFF worked with the Tor Project, to create the HTTPS Everywhere extension for Firefox, Firefox for Android, Chrome, and Opera browsers.

The Let’s Encrypt project will use Internet-wide datasets of certificates to make higher-security decisions about when a certificate is safe to issue. The data will include the EFF’s Decentralized SSL Observatory, the University of Michigan’s scans.io, and Google‘s (GOOG) Certificate Transparency logs.

In addition to the Let’s Encrypt project, some of the paths to secure the web include:

  • The next version of the HTTP protocol will likely be encrypted by default.
  • Mozilla and Firefox are collaborating with the EFF to bring Microsoft, Google, Opera, and others to add Let’s Encrypt to their list of valid CAs.
  • Google will rank up sites that use SSL/TLS encryption.
  • The content delivery and security outfit Cloudflare is offering free SSL encryption for millions of its customers.
  • And now Let’s Encrypt aims to equip websites with free certificates – the proof they need to tell users’ browsers that their public encryption keys are genuine and the connection is properly secured.

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Many websites currently use the HTTP protocol, a standard that exposes site owners to a number of threats including cyber espionage, keyword-based censorship, account hijacking, and a host of web application attacks such as SQLi and XSS. Let’s Encrypt helps reduce these risks which I think it is a good step in the right direction.

argues on Wired that Let’s Encrypt does not go far enough. We want the project to not only encrypt data but also authenticate users. IMHO that is a pipe dream. Authentication will step on the toes of Symantec, Oracle, and other hugely funded firms that will squash anybody doing the right thing that threatens their profits.

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| December 16, 2014
Comments Off on Tablets Still Don’t Rule the World

Tablets Still Don’t Rule the World

Tablets Still Don't Rule the WorldThe rise of tablets like Apple’s (AAPL) iPad, Samsung‘s (005930) Galaxy Tab, and the Google (GOOG) Nexus have grabbed PC buyers’ attention and dollars for several years at the expense of the PC market. Lately, however, it seems that the carnage in the PC market has stabilized. And the growth of the mighty Apple iPad has plateaued.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod sales

iPhone, iPad, and iPod sales from Q1 06 to Q3 14 (in million units) | Statista

Cloud computingCould this be because there is no real business case for the tablets? After being on the market for several years, they have not replaced the PC at work. Don Reisinger at eWeek, recently put out 10 reasons why tablets still cannot replace PCs where he argues that the Post-PC Era is yet not a done deal. He argues despite their popularity, tablets still aren’t powerful or capable enough to replace PCs. He states in the article tablets cannot–and will not–replace PCs. Let’s look at his reasons why.

1. Component power

Over the last few years, mobile components running in tablets have gained in power. However, processors such as NVidia’s (NVDA) Tegra 3 or Apple’s A6X still pale in comparison to the power delivered in PC chips from Intel (INTC) or AMD (AMD). Until that changes, tablets can never replace PCs for the power-hungry users among us the author says.

Apple vs. Microsoft2. App availability

Apple’s App Store now offers over 800,000 applications. And although many of them are worthwhile downloads, few actually deliver the complexity and sophistication customers would find in Microsoft (MSFT) Windows or OS X. Nowhere is that more clear than in the comparison of Office on mobile and PCs. Eweek says until apps gain in sophistication, mobile can never keep up.

3. Virtual keyboards aren’t loved

The problem with all tablets is that they come with virtual keyboards. And although more people are warming to virtual keys, there are still many folks around the globe that like having the standard physical keyboard found in PCs. The blog asks why not? Typing on traditional keyboards with two hands is far more accurate and efficient.

virtual keyboard as a reason he does not use a tabletPaul Mah at FierceCIO echoed the authors, citing the virtual keyboard as a reason he does not use a tablet as his primary work device. I have struggled with iPad virtual keyboards, and yes I did try Bluetooth keyboard cases and found them disagreeable.

4. Windows is the enterprise’s favorite

The article notes that Microsoft holds a dominant position in the enterprise. Tablets are just one front on that battlefield. The enterprise is adopting tablets at a rapid rate. But that doesn’t mean that the corporate world is ready to drop Windows for iOS or Android. In fact, Windows is still the most important software solution for enterprise users. Granted, Microsoft is bringing Windows to tablets, but for now, those products aren’t proving popular. Until they do catch on, PCs will win out.

5. Think about enterprise productivity

Productivity in the enterpriseProductivity in the enterprise is extremely important. And on that front, Mr. Reisinger says PCs are still winning out, Forbes recently estimated that MSFT Office market share will drop from its current 95% to 90% by 2016. Notebooks deliver the same level of mobility as tablets, and desktops deliver the power that designers and other employees might need. Simply put, PCs are still the ideal productivity-maximizing solutions for enterprise users.

6. Tablet prices are still too high

Tablets are expensive. The latest iPad launch can set customers back $929 for 128GB of storage and 4G LTE support. A more powerful notebook can be purchased for several hundred dollars less. The author believes that given the state of the economy and the fact that many tech buyers are looking to save cash wherever possible, PCs can’t be considered obsolete in their battle with tablets.

7. Notebooks are turning into tablets

mobile malware eWeek points out that PC vendors have made the smart decision to cut off the rise of tablets by delivering touch functionality in their products. Lenovo’s Yoga, for example, has a screen that can swivel around and sit atop the keyboard to act as a tablet. As more notebooks take on tablet functionality, devices like Apple’s iPad might look like an awfully poor value for the price.

8. More options across the PC market

The sheer number of options available to customers in the PC market is something that can’t be overlooked. From notebooks to laptops to desktops to ultrabooks, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, the components in those products can be customized to match the respective customer’s needs. The blog concludes that choice, outside of storage space, is something sorely lacking in the tablet market. And customers know it.

9. The security advantage is going away

 

Tablet malwareWhen tablets started to make inroads into the PC market, many speculated that it was because of the comparative safety that went along with using such products over notebooks. Now, the author says things have changed. Android is the top target for malicious hackers now, according to several security reports, and has become the next frontier in malware. That could prove extremely troublesome for tablet adoption if things continue to get worse.

10. Tablet OSs need to grow up

Android and iOS, the two most popular tablet operating systems, are nice and effective in the mobile world. But they haven’t grown up yet. Mr. Reisinger says Apple’s iOS, lacks a file system. Android comes in too many flavors for customers to get comfortable with its functionality. Mobile operating systems have to grow up. If they don’t, tablets will never match PCs.

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Huge phoneI just got back from the annual run to the big-box store for Christmas shopping and saw another reason the tablet still does not rule the world. Pfablets.  Some of these things are just as big as an iPad Mini. Now it’s time for a good Gin and Tonic after facing the holi-dazed shopping hordes.

Dell and Intel released a report [pdf] that says the desktop is still the workhorse of the average office. They found that 77% of office tasks are completed with a traditional PC.

Related articles

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| December 11, 2014
Comments Off on Napping at Work?

Napping at Work?

Napping at Work?Sleeping on the job may still be frowned upon as a sign of laziness. However, an article by Lisa Evans on Entrepreneur says that this attitude is changing. She writes that a trend has developed at tech companies like Google and HubSpot that encourages employee napping to recharge.

Google (GOOG) was among the first large tech companies to promote napping. Apparently, the tech giant introduced energy pods. Energy pods are reclining chairs that sit inside a large bubble, They include built-in music producing soothing sounds and an alarm that wakes up nappers with lights and vibration. The author reports that HubSpot has a nap room. The nap room features a hammock suspended above a plush carpet and soothing cloud-covered walls. Hubspot encourages its 750 employees to catch some z’s at work.

Napping is becoming popular employee perk in some industries. However, the Entrepreneur article says there’s still a great deal of resistance in the corporate world towards sleeping on the job. The article cites Terry Cralle, a certified sleep expert who helps companies to implement a company culture that encourages napping.

I’m still surprised that people are put off by napping … We’ve got great research supporting the fact that naps can help corporations and employees, yet we still feel reluctant to make it an acceptable part of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy workday.

The sleep expert says many employers and executives equate naps with slacking off. She says that couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Some large companies have workout areas or gyms on-site and yet we’re turning a blind eye to sleep and it’s a biological necessity.” The article cites a NASA study that showed that a 26-minute nap can boost productivity by as much as 34%. Naps increase alertness by 54%.

Napping tips

The article The Truth about Napping provides some tips for getting the most out of your naps. They include:

  1. The best type of nap is a 20-30 minute nap best known as a power nap. According to Harvard Medical School, and countless other studies have shown that a power nap can increase alertness, learning, energy, and memory retention for up to three hours after a nap.
  2. Webmd.com mentions that a 60-90 minute nap actually improves cognitive functioning. A 30-60 minute nap can decrease blood pressure and help with memory. However, longer naps can result in more grogginess after the nap, so you’ll want to find the nap length that suits you best.
  3. No naps after 4PM. If you’re looking to sleep well at night, try to nap midday, typically between 1 and 3 PM. Napping after 4 PM can make it much more difficult to fall asleep at your usual time.
  4. Nap at the same time every day. Our bodies love routine. By sticking to a napping schedule, you’ll stay committed to good time management, train your body to nap, and enjoy all of the benefits of a power nap.
  5. Don’t nap in bed. Lying in bed is literally your pre-sleep ritual, and when you sink down into the soft mattress, you’re basically telling your body that it’s time to close shop for several hours. Take a nap somewhere less comfortable than your bed.

So it seems that napping is a good thing. Here are a few more interesting napping facts in this infographic on napping via Patio Productions.

 

What you need to know about napping - Infographic

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Do what do you think are the chances your boss will let you take naps at work? You can cite famous nappers like Napoleon, Winston Churchill, and Salvatore Dali.

Feel free to nap after reading this.

Related articles

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| October 7, 2014
Comments Off on Patent Wars Are Pointless

Patent Wars Are Pointless

Patent Wars Are PointlessThe Business Insider has new data about the value of the patent wars. BI cites Florian Mueller, the founder of the FOSS Patents blog. He says patent litigation is a waste of resources. His research found that the patent wars cost companies millions of dollars in time and lawyer fees. Mr. Mueller analyzed 222 Android smartphone patent assertions. He found that 90% of those cases have gone absolutely nowhere.

Patent trollAccording to BI Intelligence, Mr. Mueller’s data says that 49% of the assertions have failed thus far. Another 42% of assertions were dropped without a comprehensive settlement or a “comparably negative fate.” It turns out that only 9% of the patent assertions were able to establish liability. Even in that small sample, only 50% of those cases resulted in “lasting injunctive relief.” Mr. Mueller says that number would be even smaller if “the patents underlying Nokia’s German injunctions against HTC (2498) had come to judgment in the Federal Patent Court.”

Business Insier chart

In other words, based on patent cases brought to court by Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), Samsung (005930), Microsoft (MSFT), Nokia (NOK), Motorola (MSI), and a host of others, litigation is, more often than not, a serious waste of time and money for all parties involved.

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Back in 2012 Boston University estimated that patent shenanigans have cost the US economy $29 Billion annually, now there is evidence it is a total waste of time and money and only funds the lawyers.

Related articles

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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