Articles in category Technology

New Relic launches Python Public Beta

By Chris Wilson on Friday Nov. 04, 2011

New Relic has launched a Python Public Beta for their Application Monitoring service. Their service already offered a wide range of languages including Java, .NET, PHP and Ruby. Now you can get the same Real-Time visibility for your Django application.

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Announcing PDFshare.it

By Jessica Wilson on Friday Oct. 05, 2012

Since their introduction in the 90's, PDFs have become a useful tool in document sharing. However, their use requires a Flash application to view them on the web. But, forget about using the same application for iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, etc). A special iPhone application must be downloaded. As a result, if you want to view PDFs on all of your devices, you have to download both applications!

Why not save the hassle? PDFshare.it is the solution! It's a general-purpose viewer on the cloud, no client downloads, no need to create an account.  Upload your pdf and it's immediately available anywhere you have an internet connection with a secure URL that only you know.

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Cloud Computing

By Jessica Wilson on Wednesday Sept. 26, 2012

If you're up to date on new technology, chances are, you have heard about the cloud and how it's becoming a major player in the technological world. What makes cloud computing so appealing? It's fast, simple to use, and offers powerful functionality on any Internet enabled device.

For many users, it is a way to simplify life as it gives users access to documents, data and other information through a centralized 'cloud' infrastructure. Now, people can simply access whatever they need to anywhere on the planet at any given time.

Cloud computing has also opened new doors for businesses and enterprises. They are always on the lookout for innovative ways to improve their software and offerings. The cloud offers multiple ways to create solutions for both themselves and their clients.  

Examples of public cloud computing include: 

  • Software as a service (SaaS): This is a commonly used delivery method for business applications such as accounting, human resourcing management, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and so on. 
  • Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): This particular service acts as virtual storage for data and other information.
  • API as a service (APIaaS): This service offers API functionality over the Internet without needing full applications.   It provides powerful functionality that can be quickly integrated into another cloud service to created unique “mashups” that fit a market niche.
  • Other public services include: Platform as a service (PaaS), Security as a service (SECaaS), Data as a service (DaaS), and Test Environment as a service (TeaaS).

This does not even go into the possibilities of 'private' clouds. Here, services and systems are housed on isolated network, accessible only to users who have authorization.

Still on the fence about cloud computing? Ask yourself if you really want to lug your laptop with you on your next business trip. Ask yourself how efficient your company is in daily operations as well as appealing to and satisfying your customers and clients. Not only will cloud computing help, it will expand your company's potential both individually and as a whole.

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Going Green

By Jessica Wilson on Monday Oct. 01, 2012

Going green is a massive movement toward being as environmentally conscience as possible. From recycling and using more environmentally friendly products to eating organic produce, green living has made its way into nearly every sphere of life. Is it any surprise, then, that green living has made its way into the tech world?   Green computing is all about the proper disposal of tech and computer waste with the least amount of impact on the environment. Companies, businesses and enterprises have begun to jump on board, realizing that while they can save money with energy reduction, they can also reduce the carbon imprint of their IT operations.

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Voice Control

By Jessica Wilson on Friday Dec. 21, 2012

For those of you who remember Star Trek, remember how Enterprise was controlled by voice? You have to take into account the series was created in 1960 and the fact that the voice of the “computer” was that of a an actress recorded later on, but it's still interesting to think about all the ideas people then and earlier had about the future. Star Trek may have been set in 2260, but the futuristic technology of voice control appears to be coming about much sooner than that.

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Special Gestures

By Jessica Wilson on Thursday Nov. 08, 2012

Imagine a world where your stereo, TV and other devices will turn on with a simple swipe of your hand. At one point in time, this seemed like a futuristic idea. The concept was simply too complex. Not so anymore. The technology to make these kinds of things possible is here. What was Science Fiction is now available to consumers, and getting more popular everyday. The technology is still being developed and improved, there is a vast amount of potential still to discover.

How is this technology being developed and made a reality? Here are a couple of examples.

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Glass Storage

By Jessica Wilson on Tuesday Nov. 27, 2012

When CDs and DVDs were introduced they were the most advanced forms of data storage, yet even they only last for so long. In response, researchers have begun testing other options, most notably glass. At this point, you're might be confused. When thinking about data storage, glass doesn't usually come to mind, nor any possible connections between them. So, how can glass be used as storage for data? Glass has a reputation for shattering, but it is actually one of the strongest materials on Earth. This characteristic is the target of the research.

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Sugar Battery

By Jessica Wilson on Tuesday Dec. 18, 2012

It's easy to forget about the process that occurs in the human body when sugar is digested. You eat something when you're hungry and then you feel more energized and alert (unless, of course, it's Thanksgiving). Sugar provides energy for all living things, so is it a stretch to think it could also be used to power electronics as well? Scientists and chemists don't think it is.

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Biodegradable Electronics

By Jessica Wilson on Tuesday Jan. 15, 2013

Biodegradable electronics? Is that even possible? Demand for batteries, requiring massive quantities of toxic metals like Nickle and Lithium, is rising along with concerns about pollution in China and the rest of Asia. Seems like our new technological world will come at the environment's expense. When you think of electronics, you might associate them with heavy metals, plastic and chemicals; not exactly safe materials. New research into using organic materials is getting closer to paying off. How are these new green electronics possible?

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Amazon S3

By Steven Sun on Friday Feb. 08, 2013

If you use your computer on a regular basis, chances are you've run into problems with slow websites. A common problem with websites is when images and web pages are coming from the same server, bringing speed down. The good news, there’s a quick and easy solution. As our clients experience an increase in traffic, we use Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Server) for images and other large media files.

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