Technology | Hands on IT

Thin Client Services and Devices

A public terminal (the PCExpanion thin client ...

Businesses have many options to choose from when it comes to computer hardware for their employees. A thin client (also referred to as a slim or lean client) is proving to be a popular choice amongst many managers and business owners today.

Thin client services can be either a computer program or piece of hardware. The main premise of these services is for the device to act as a portal for the user to access computer systems which are located elsewhere. This is in contrast to computer towers, which are responsible for all of the computer programs at the location of the user. Another way to describe a thin client is that it allows a user to remotely connect to a terminal.

Because thin clients are part of a wider network of computers, they are both space and cost effective. The more traditional form of computer, with its separate tower for software programs take up a far greater amount of space than a thin client device. It is because of this that the devices are also cost effective, as you are only paying for the terminal to connect the user remotely to a central location. There is no more paying for individual licenses of certain software programs!

There is also an added bonus of less technical difficulties when using thin client devices as it narrows down the failure sites to a single site. Although this is a bonus, it can also be a disadvantage as it thus affects every user who is logged into the location and using that particular program.

Filed Under: Operating Systems, Technology Tagged With: Clients, Thin client, User (computing)

E-readers: the Future of Books

Cover of "Kindle Wireless Reading Device,...

Cover via Amazon

Remember when you were a kid and you would bunker down with a good book? Maybe it was an adventure involving pirates and the high seas, or maybe it was an epic fantasy. One of the best things about reading a book was finishing it, and then displaying it on a shelf like a trophy.

These days, children are learning to read not from paper, but from the screens of personal computers, tablet or PCs and e-readers. E-readers are very quickly becoming the most popular way of reading and storing books. For many people, real books are becoming antiquated. With many wanting a clutter free lifestyle, e-books and e-book readers are catering to this by providing a clean and efficient way to buy the latest reads.

If you are unsure as to what this whole e-reader thing is about, here is the lowdown.

They are a tablet style personal computer which has the primary purpose of being for the reading of e-books.
Many bookstores, such as Amazon and Borders sell their own unique e-readers which customers can then purchase and download book from the stores respective websites.
E-readers are designed with reading in mind, so their screens are designed for better readability. The designers take into account that people may be reading various shades and levels of lighting, including daylight and compensate for this in the design process.
Although an e-book can be read on any form of tablet device, an e-reader has been specially designed for the purpose and has been designed with a longer battery life to accommodate many hours of reading.

Filed Under: Internet Cautions, Technology Tagged With: Amazon Kindle, Book, E-book

Location Based Services

Image by niallkennedy via Flickr

The technology available today is phenomenal. With a few clicks of the mouse you have access to all the information you need to organize your daily life.

Picture this scenario. It’s Saturday night, you and your family are wondering where you should go out for a nice family meal. You hop onto the family computer and type in restaurants around your local area into a search engine. The search engine may retrieve a listing of restaurant websites, along with a map, and recommendations pinpointed on it. This map with recommendations is what is referred to as a location based service.

Location based services (LBS) are able to geographically place things onto a map with which a user can interact with. Some of the services which use LBS include the following.

Health professionals such as general practitioners, dentists and pediatricians
Entertainment locations such as movie theatres, concert venues and theatres
Parcel tracking services
Social event recommendations
ATM locations
Location based advertising
Intricate navigational directions
Up to date reviews of local amenities, including restaurants

LBS can take the form of advertising and coupon offers that appear on the side bar of search engine results. So not only can you search for a great place to have a nice family dinner, but you can also see a review of the restaurant and maybe pick up a coupon in the process.

The best thing about this technology is that you can utilize it whilst you are on the go, making it a very useful aspect of technology today.

Filed Under: Operating Systems, Technology Tagged With: Location-based advertising, Location-based service, Technology

Planet Friendly Technology

Image via Wikipedia

It’s not easy being green, especially in the world of technology. However a relatively new area called ecotechnology aims to please both users and the environment, by providing planet friendly technology across all areas of technology production.

What is Ecotechnology?

Ecotechnology aims to provide users with the most up-to-date technological experience whilst creating little impact of the environment. It does this by creating solutions with a holistic approach, and utilizing natural resources to offset the beneficial aspects of the technology.

Technology can be classified as ecofriendly if it:

helps to minimize the damage the ecosystems;
uses ecology as fundamental in its design; or
ensures the conservation of biodiversity.

Ecotechnology helps to develop and improve technology whilst controlling the impact on ecosystems by:

utilizing natural materials and energy sources;
developing environmentally clean products and processes;
employing eco-marketing strategies, such as paperless marketing; and
increasing awareness of the communities environmental needs.

Who is Responsible for Producing Ecotechnology?

Ecotechnology employs expertize of both technology professionals and ecological professionals. Usually, a group of technological professionals who are working on a project will employ the services of a professional with the knowledge of how the environment and ecosystems operate. This way, they can work together to create environmentally friendly options, processes and products for the consumer market.

There has been a shift in educational institutions in recent years to educate technology students on environmental issues, as it is evident that knowledge of how to create ecofriendly technology in the future will increase in demand and users become more educated on how what they are using can impact the planet.

Filed Under: Internet Cautions, Internet Tips, Technology Tagged With: Environment, Environmentally friendly, Technology

4G and the Evolution of Wireless Networks

Image via Wiki

The term generation doesn’t just refer to families, it also refers to a form of wireless technology. Take a look below.

2G

Wireless networks have come a long way since the introduction of the very first analog system (also known as 1G) in 1981. A decade later, when the 2G network was released, technology evolved leaps and bounds. The second generation of phone technology was able to digitally encrypt phone conversations. This meant that cellular phone networks are more efficient as the scope for phone usage is far greater than that of the analog network. The 2G phone network is still used in many countries even today.

3G

The 3G network was first offered in 2001. It is a communication network that provides data rates of 200 kps per second. This enables mobile devices on this network to have access to fast broadband internet, make video calls, and watch high quality video streams. The 3G network is the most commonly used network by anyone who owns a smartphone. It’s new frequency bands enable the user to access technology that was previously only dreamt of on the 2G network.

4G

4G refers to the fourth consecutive generation of wireless technology. It is primarily utilized for wireless communication technologies such as smartphones and personal music players and tablet PCs with wireless connectivity. This network enables these devices to have high speed internet access and streamed multimedia.

The 4G network has evolved from several decades of technology innovation. The technology will no doubt continue to evolve and to present ways of communicating that are both new and exciting for wireless technology users.

Filed Under: Internet Tips, Operating Systems, Technology Tagged With: Business, Technology, Wireless

Modernize Your Home with the Android@Home Framework

Image by Christopher S. Penn via Flickr

Modernizing your home with apps to turn on and off appliances has been talked about and kicked around a long time. Well, maybe it is time an Android took care of that. The technology is in the making!

Early Morning Coffee by Android

Wouldn’t that be nice to set your Android Tablet to start the coffee maker just before you’re supposed to be waking up? Well, it is being worked on right now. Some people have already automated their homes with other technology, but using a small device like the Android Tablet to do little tasks would make the technology more user-friendly, and possibly more affordable.

Augmented Security

If you are away from home vacationing, traveling for work, or maybe hunting and fishing, being able to randomly access the lights, stereo or television from your tablet would make it seem like you are never gone. This would make your home a poor target for those looking for nefarious opportunities.

Future Appliances Compatible

Google is actually working on this kind of technology now. They picture having literally every appliance you have in your home capable of being activated from your Android Tablet. They also would like to see manufacturers making future products compatible with the Android technology. You could have your washing machine kick on from work or school. You could get the dishwasher going or turn on the oven or crock pot for dinner. So far, you would still have to load the washer and dishwasher (sorry, folks) but the possibilities are virtually endless.

Filed Under: Technology, Troubleshooting Tagged With: Android, Google, Technology