Information Technology

Apple iPad – Feature Wishing

Mar 10th

Posted by Scott Coughlin in Hardware

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I have been writing quite a few articles about the Apple iPad in the past month.image To sum up what I have said here:

  1. I believe the Apple iPad is a game changing technology innovation.
  2. I believe that it will wildly succeed on the order of the Apple iPhone.
  3. I am lusting for one for myself.

I do, however, acknowledge that it is a version 1.0 offering and I can easily think of three features that are missing that I would really like to see for version 2.

  • Stylus.  I am very thankful that Apple made the decision to have the iPad be touch and gesture based just like an iPhone.  I do wish, though, that it had also included a pen stylus.  It would be additional, not in place of the touch interface and also permit drawing, painting, and mouse movement.  I really like the ability to annotate documents and edit photos with a pen.  They are killer applications.  Even if a third party of Apple adds this, there won’t be a slot to store it in version 1.0.
  • SD Card Slot.  I know that Apple will offer an external SD Card Reader for the iPad, but an internal card slot would have greatly simplified the ability to move data on and off the device as well as provided a way to expand its memory.  Don’t know why they didn’t and fully expect to see it added to a follow-on version.
  • Free iPhone Tethering.  I do not relish the idea of paying $30 US additionally every month for iPad 3G access. I would have liked the ability to either tether to the iPhone for data access or turn the iPhone into a 3G to WiFi hot spot and then use the iPad’s WiFi for Internet Access.

What do you think about this topic?  Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have anything that you believe should have been added? Please share your ideas below.

That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 10, 2010  by Scott Coughlin.

Image Credit: Ritz Camera

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IT Quote of the Day: Dave Barry

Mar 9th

Posted by Scott Coughlin in Human Resources

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I like Information Age quotations.  I find some of them very inspirational and like to carry a new one around about every week.  I thought that i could share mine with you from time to time.  This week’s is even a funny one!

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Here is my quote of the day:

“User, n.  The word computer professionals use when they mean "idiot."” 
- Dave Barry

You can learn more about our quote source at Wikipedia of their own site.

So how do you think that this relates to Information Technology?  How do you think that it could be important to Information Technology Professionals?

Do you like quotations? Do you collect them, too?  What did you think of when you read this one?  Do you agree or disagree with it?  Please comment below.

That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 9, 2010  by Scott Coughlin.

 

 

Image credit: Wired Writers Blog

Quote Source: Quote Garden.com

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News Commentary: Cyber Crooks

Mar 8th

Posted by Scott Coughlin in Information Age

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This morning, CNN.com featured a very thought provoking front page story on Cyber Crime.  What I especially liked was the discussion of return on investment and whether having the police try to catch them was even worth the effort.  I highlight it as a good thought piece for a Monday morning commute.

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Here is the link to the story –

CNN.com – Is chasing cybercrooks worth it? by John D. Sutter

“This week’s arrests of three men in connection with one of the world’s largest computer-virus networks may seem like great news — perhaps even a sign authorities are starting to win the war against cyberthieves.

But the real situation is more complicated.”

I have to admit that I think that the story is a little disingenuous to the whole problem of cyber crime.  I am not so sure that the argument that it is hard, expensive, and confusing is really a good one for not doing it.  It is a very similar argument that those opposed to the “War on Drugs” use to justify legalizing drug use.  Nevertheless, it is a popular, and now public, discussion that information technology professionals should be involved in.

I, for one, think that we need to increase the size of our counter-cyber crime units at all levels of law enforcement.  I believe that there is nothing, but a growth industry when it comes to crime online.  I doubt that we have even seen 1% of what is possible for criminal activity that involves cyberspace.  I say more, not less, engagement is needed by the police.

What do you think about this topic?  Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have a recommended news story for next week? Please share your ideas below.

That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 8, 2010  by Scott Coughlin.

Image Credit: Money Magazine

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