Posts tagged Operating Systems
Poll: What do you think of the Apple iPad?
Feb 2nd
Today, our Information Thought of the Day (ITTOD) is a poll subject.
I have written a lot during the past week about the Apple iPad announcement. I am pretty excited, but wondered what you thought of it. I know that there are many out there with many different opinions on this event and its significance. Hence today’s poll topic:
Loading ...I will be sure to share the results. Feel free to add a comment below to add other thoughts that should have shown up on the list.
Do you like polls as a daily topic? Do you have a recommended one for another week? Please let me know.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for February 2, 2010 ©Scott Coughlin.
Image credit: Mail Online UK
The Odds of Getting a Computer Virus are Insane
Jan 18th
It is high time that we, as Information Technology Professionals, did something permanently to stop the incredible problem of malicious computer infection. Computer viruses, malware, trojan horses, and spyware are simply symptoms of an immature technology that must be innovated out. I find it simply unacceptable that even though home PC processors operate in the gigaflops now, we cannot come up with a scheme to allow them to know self from “other” and thus self protect.
How bad is it? What are the odds and cost of this horrendous problem? Take a read here:
In Consumer Reports’ 2008 State of the Net summary, the odds of contracting a serious computer virus problems are given to be 1 in 7, the yearly costs $2.9 billion. The odds of a serious spyware problem are 1 in 14, with a yearly cost of $3.6 billion. (Note that these figures are for both businesses and consumers.) (source link from DefendingTheKingdom.com)
Stop for a second to put that in perspective… the odds of your property (your computer) doing something that you did not know about is 1 in 7! Compare that to the below odds…
- Odds of drowning in a bathtub: 685,000 to 1
- Odds of being killed sometime in the next year in any sort of transportation accident: 77 to 1
- Odds of being struck by lightning: 576,000 to 1
- Odds of winning a straight up on a single number in roulette: 37 to 1
- Odds of being audited by the IRS: 175 to 1
- Odds of dating a supermodel: 88,000 to 1
- Odds of winning an Academy Award: 11,500 to 1
Doesn’t it seem reasonable that it should be more likely to get audited by the IRS than have your computer become a functioning part of an overseas crimebot? Don’t you think that it would be nice if your chance of winning in roulette was better than the chance that your computer is recording your passwords via a key logger?
I don’t know about you, but I am simply embarrassed for our profession that we have gone this long, knowing of the problem, and not taking anything more than band-aide steps to mitigate the threat. This week, I will focus on some of the more promising paths ahead for this as well as some of the key people fighting the good fight!
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 January 18, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: GovGab
Odds Sources: Funny2.com, defendingthekingdom.com
The Next Big IT Thing: The Apple Tablet
Jan 27th
Posted by Scott Coughlin in Business of IT
2 comments
Today is January 27, 2010… a day that will live in wonder for the Information Technology community. It is the day that Steve Jobs of Apple has decided to unveil the next game-changer that he has been working on. I, for one, am ecstatic and excited.
(NOTE: The above picture is an artist’s wish for what is coming today. It is provided by gadgetmix.com and no one knows how accurate it could/would be)
All sources point to Apple releasing a multi-media tablet computer today that DOES NOT SUCK. Remember, this is the same company that brought us the Apple II, Macintosh, iMac, iBook, and iPhone. That is basically every computer that I have ever wanted to use and own and NOT throw at a wall in frustration. The iPhone is particular was a transformational revolution of unbelievable scale. Based upon the number of years that Apple appears to have been secretly working on today’s announcement, I fully expect, like the iPhone, that is will be equally disruptive in all the right ways.
Many old school, IT Pros actually hate it when Apple does these sort of leapfrog technology moves. That always astounds me. Why?
If you want to watch/read as the live event gets reported. I recommend Engadget.com. They usually have the best reporters, best bandwidth out, and best perspective on the importance of what is going on. Their live update link for the event can be found here.
I have written many times about how much I love the Tablet form factor, but have been disappointed over and over again by compromises, poor user interface, and ridiculous pricing. I really am hoping that Steve jobs has “One More Thing” up his sleeve and that it is the iTablet… the Tablet that I have longer for.
Stay tuned tomorrow for my reactions to whatever Apple’s new technology is!
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for January 27, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image credit: gadgetmix.com .