tech shakedown #8

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Tech Shakedown #8: Maybe system freezes & cold reboots make smartphones too PC-like

Tech Shakedown #8: Maybe system freezes & cold reboots make smartphones too PC-likeThis is why to avoid windows based phones.Do you really want a bloated broken "os" from microsoft running on your phone of all things?If you value your sanity, you'd avoid windows based "smart" phones. I haven't come across...

Tags: Smart phones, Telecom & Utilities, Handhelds, Cellular phones, PC, Apple iPhone, phone, smart phone, Tech Shakedown, Tech Shakedown #8, system freeze, cold calling

Discussion threads 2007-09-25

Additional Resources

Service integrators = Ed Tech bargain hunters?

I'm not entirely enamored of my ISP right now. Their backbone is dated, downtime too frequent, the email interface they provide is kludgy at best, application support for their web hosting is more limited than what you can get from $1.99 a month hosts, and, well, I'm just not...

Tags: Internet Service Provider, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Web Hosting, Internet, Christopher Dawson

Blog posts 2008-09-05

Echelon wins smart meter project in Germany; plus insight on smart grid in Europe

A reseller for smart grid technology player Echelon announced a deal this week to deploy an advanced metering infrastructure system that will serve roughly 10,000 customers in Hassfurt, Germany. The contract, which will be rolled out over the next three years, is being handled by EVB Energie AG. The utility...

Tags: Germany, Green Technology, Echelon, Grid, Cloud Computing, Utility Computing, It Management, Network Technology, It service Management, Networking, Heather Clancy

Blog posts 2008-09-05

Dell repair adventure, conclusion

Well, our hero's story had a happy ending. The service tech came out to my office and replaced both the motherboard and the screen on my Dell laptop. After than magic was performed, the system booted up and ran just as it did before. I appreciate the help provided by...

Tags: Dell Computer Corp., Supplier, Digital Equipment Corp., Channel Management, Marketing, Dan Kusnetzky

Blog posts 2008-09-05

Welcome Adam O'Donnell, Sean Portnoy

We have a few new faces on the blog network--Adam O'Donnell has been added to Zero Day and Sean Portnoy, who is taking over the SoHo networking blog. Adam rounds out the coverage of Ryan Naraine and Dancho Danchev on Zero Day, our security hub. ...

Tags: Blog, Adam O'Donnell, Sean, Blogging, Productivity, Research & Development, Security, Internet, Business Operations, Larry Dignan

Blog posts 2008-09-05

Should political postings stay or go? A survey.

I've been blogging for ZD Net for several years, writing for ZD publications for almost 20 years. I've always found readers to be intelligent and thoughtful, which is why I continue to do this while doing other things as "work." My posting, A virus in your genes, think about that,...

Tags: U.S., R&D, Discovery, Blog, Politics, Survey, Creationism, Rational Rants, Research & Development, Blogging, Business Operations, Internet, Mitch Ratcliffe

Blog posts 2008-09-04

What can we do better?

I'm collecting data from teachers across my district (using a Google Form, of course), trying to get a handle on issues we still haven't addressed, ways we can use technology more effectively, and what their wishlists might be for the coming year. Here's the questionnaire that went...

Tags: Classroom, Teacher, Notebooks, Productivity, Telephony, Projectors, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Networking, Components, Christopher Dawson

Blog posts 2008-09-04

TechTool (exe)

Tech Tool is a lightweight tool for Techs to get simple information about a users computer. It is a standalone EXE, so you don't have to install it. Just download and run it. It produces a log that is easy to post to a forum for a user. It is...

Tags: CPU, Tool, CPU Powers, Productivity, Processors, Semiconductors, Hardware, Components

Software downloads 2008-09-04

On stupid mascots and closed source browser plugins

Everyone's been harping on Google this week with the release of Chrome, so I thought I would be different -- today I'm going to give Adobe some love. Because I bet they feel left out. Adobe's Flash and Acrobat Reader plugins are some...

Tags: Adobe Systems Inc., Web Browser Plug-in, Adobe Acrobat, Web Browser, Plug-in, Flash, Linux, Open Source, UNIX, Operating Systems, Software, Jason Perlow

Blog posts 2008-09-03

HP ditches the box for Walmart notebook promotion

Which notebook would you rather buy as a consumer, one that comes home with oodles of styrofoam and cardboard and plastic. Or one that ditches the cardboard altogether and even comes with its own messenger bag for you to carry it home in? Both Hewlett-Packard and...

Tags: Hewlett-Packard Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Linksys Inc., Notebooks, Home Networking, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Networking, Personal Technology, Heather Clancy

Blog posts 2008-09-03

Anyone bothering with client-side AV anymore?

Anyone bothering with client-side AV anymore?God help your state’s taxpayers.God help your state’s taxpayers. Anyone who would take your view of client side protection in a school is incompetent.Since I use Linux for servers and clients...I only use ClamAV to scan inbound email.RE: Anyone bothering with client-side AV anymore?Do...

Tags: Flash memory, client side

Discussion threads 2008-09-03

Anyone bothering with client-side AV anymore?

I got a call from a vendor yesterday offering me a full suite of client and server antivirus tools, for the low, low price of only $1.79 per client. I just couldn't get excited over it, though. Their services seemed robust, included regular updates, tech support, and slick...

Tags: Antivirus, Malware, Client, Clamwin, Linux, Spyware, Adware & Malware, Microsoft Windows, Firewalls, Cyberthreats, Viruses And Worms, Security, Operating Systems, Software, Networking, Christopher Dawson

Blog posts 2008-09-03

iPhone's remote deletions may help crooks cover tracks

Certain features of increasingly widespread enterprise smartphones may aid criminals in hiding incriminating evidence, says the UK's Serious Fraud Office. Criminals can remotely destroy incriminating evidence by exploiting security features on the Apple iPhone, a leading digital-forensics expert has warned. The head of the UK's Serious...

Tags: Apple iPhone, Team, Mobile, Unit, Encryption, Keith Foggon, PC Architecture, Team Management, Smart Phones, Productivity, Advertising & Promotion, Management, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Marketing, Nick Heath silicon.com, fraud, iPhone, security, Apple

News items 2008-09-03

Dell repair adventure, day 4

Dell repair adventure, day 4Litigation"The expectation is that a person will arrive on site the next day having 1) the skills to diagnose and repair the problem, 2) the parts necessary to repair problem and 3) the tools necessary to do the work."1. Litigate: misleading advertising.2. Where is ZDNET's legal...

Tags: Dell Computer Corp.

Discussion threads 2008-09-03

Dell repair adventure, day 4, with updates

Here's today's update in the continuing saga of our hero's attempt to get his Dell laptop back up and running after it died an ignominious death while he was on the road last week. For those who haven't been following his adventures, posts Dell adventure begins again, day 1 and...

Tags: Dell Computer Corp., E-mail, Online Communications, Dan Kusnetzky

Blog posts 2008-09-03

2008 Acura MDX

Photo gallery:2008 Acura MDXThe 2008 Acura MDX remains largely unchanged from the 2007 model, when we reviewed the then-new redesign and found it chock full of tech options inherited from Acura's sedans, and with improved handling courtesy of similarly upgraded four-wheel-drive management. Back in 2006, the first-generation MDX had some...

Tags: navigation system, Acura MDX, Acura, car

Product reviews 2008-09-02

What's Chrome for? Ain't it obvious?

What's Chrome for? Ain't it obvious?Really?"I think we all know what the answer is, but we’re afraid to say it — Google is taking an entry directly from the Microsoft playbook: Embrace and Extend."Really? By basing it on open source projects? ;-)Google is going after the platform, the same way...

Tags: Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud computing, Web browsers, Desktops, Chrome, Google Inc.

Discussion threads 2008-09-02

Dish Network TR-40 CRA

Editors' note: This review is nearly identical to our review of the Dish Network DTVPal, as both products offer exactly the same functionality. However, since the TR-40 CRA costs less, CNET advises all buyers to go with the cheaper TR-40 CRA.Back at CES 2008, Dish Network promised to deliver a...

Tags: TV & Home Theater, TVs, TR-40 CRA, DTVPal, DTV converter box, digital television, Dish Network

Product reviews 2008-09-02

Updated: Recycled ink cartridges in your garden?

UPDATED TO FIX BAD LINK AND REPLACE PHOTO Printer maker Lexmark is the first U.S. printer maker to ink (at least publicly and, yes, pun intended) a deal with Close the Loop, a recycling concern that has come up with a patented new use for discarded printing...

Tags: Cartridge, Lexmark International Inc., Loop, eLumber, Printers, Hardware, Peripherals, Heather Clancy

Blog posts 2008-09-02

Attention Shoppers: Apple Worth More Than Google

Apple and Google almost are acting like the McCain and Obama campaigns. You try to grab attention and I'll try to top you. Just when Google took over the tech news attention cycle for a full 24 hours, the invitations for its "Let's Rock" event went out....

Tags: Google Inc., Market Capitalization, Apple Inc., Web Browsers, Internet, Tom Steinert-Threlkeld

Blog posts 2008-09-02