Myths About Technology

PDAs Myths Debunked

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:28:10 +0000

In this article we will consider PDA’s myths related to libraries. PDAs are the reality of modern world. And they are always in a few inches away. And library users will expect libraries to support this technology. Here we try to debunk 10 of the most common PDA mispersuasions.

Myth 1. PDA is like a fad.

According to the statistics there are about 60 millions PDAs worldwide, about 40% in USA. And the amount should increase. In fact, when something new will come, it will have many similarities to today’s PDAs. It will be personal and digital and assisting, and probably much more.

Myth 2. Few people use handhelds.

Last researches tell that about 20 million Americans are using mobile devices for Internet access. That is more than a few, isn’t it!

Myth 3. PDAs can’t offer much to libraries.

In conjunction with wireless connectivity PDAs allows librarians to give point-of-need service. Client can access the library catalog, perform searches, and retrieve information. It must be useful if the library has implemented a wireless network. Patrons can also use PDAs to access databases that the library has purchased and made available to them. Nowadays more and more e-books are becoming available for free. This way librarians can exert an influence on the marketplace by telling vendors what library patrons need.

Myth 4. PDAs can’t offer much to librarians.

Even if libraries don’t provide PDAs services in public use, they can provide them for own staff. One of the most popular uses of the PDA from the beginning has been the datebook function, with its alarms and reminders. Address book and calendar information can be coordinated so that appointment locations and phone numbers can be inserted into the calendar without re-keying.

Myth 5. It is too hard to support all kinds of PDAs.

In fact, there are only three models of PDA.
1) Small devices using text (phones and BlackBerry/RIMs).
2) Palm-based devices using the Palm OS.
3) Windows-type devices using Windows CE or Windows PocketPC.
And if you develop services for the lowest (text-only) platform, it will work on all three.

Network Security

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:13:51 +0000

In the modern world of the growth of technology Internet takes a leading position. However, with Internet evolution hackers also are getting smarter improving tool kits and developing new exploits. Understanding this, many organizations give a lot of attention to their networks security. Firewalls, anti-spyware, data encryption are now used almost everywhere. And, obviously, those who doesn’t use this common security measures is an excellent target for hackers.

But, is it as true as it seems to be. Take a look at the security myths below.

Myth #1. Encryption is 100% effective.

No doubt, data encryption is a must for the networks security. However, John Orbeton, senior security researcher of Zone Labs warns, that modern sniffers can intercept Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Secure Shell (SSH). While encryption standards have several points of vulnerability, it can be used by hackers with the right tools.

Myth #2. Firewalls guarantees protection.

Common thought is that having firewall you can feel safe. Steve Thornburg, an engineer with Mindspeed Technologies says, that it is possible to read the entire IP trail through the best firewalls, and then sniff out the network. Knowing IP trail, hackers can learn details about computers and servers and find vulnerabilities basing on this info.

Myth #3. Macs are totally safe.

A lot of Mac users think they are not vulnerable to attack by hackers. In fact, many Macs run Windows programs or can be networked with Windows hosts, which can expose Macs with Windows vulnerabilities. Gary McGraw, security expert CTO of Cigital, sure that it is only a matter of time before Macs viruses appear. Symantec has issued report where describe more than 30 vulnerabilities of Mac OS X. And it warns that these vulnerabilities can be easily exploited by hackers.

Myth #4. Software patches are totally effective.

It is not always true. There are some tools exist that allows hackers to roll back patches that are distributed through the Windows Update tool. Learning effect of the patch hacker is able to find how it works and then determine how to take advantage of it. New tools are developed every day basing on the usual scanning for vulnerabilities. Today hacker also have an excellent partner in the person of Google. It allows to find unprotected webcams, default server login pages and so on.

Myth #5. Private corporate networks are unreachable for hackers.

Some administrators defends their networks to the death. And the only chance for hackers is when users take their company laptop to an unprotected connection. It even possible for hackers to setup Wi-Fi access point to trick users to logging into their network. After that they can setup a keylogger which can steal password to the company VPN.

Myth #6. Hackers ignore old software.

Some of us think that if we’re running legacy systems, they are not vulnerable to attack by hackers. Because hackers attention is attracted only by widely used software. Not so, says Johannes Ullrich, chief technology officer for the SANS Internet Storm Center. He warns that web servers that haven’t been patched recently are a common point of target for hackers. A lot of old versions of Apache and IIS are attacked with buffer overflows.

Common Myths About Mobility

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:27:50 +0000

Below you can find description of the most common myths about mobility development and management.

Myth 1/10. Mobility is not secure enough.

Today, mobility solutions can be much more secure than an organization’s internal Ethernet networks. And it is easier for hacker to plug physically into an open Ethernet connection, than crack a properly deployed mobility network. For standard 128bit SSL encryption, that is mostly used in mobility solutions, modern computers have to spend about 2 x 10 в 21 степени years to try every possible combination.

Myth 2/10. Wireless coverage is not enough.

First of all wireless is only a part of mobility, and mobility solutions must be able to work without wireless too. The application must be able to work without connection and the user does not need to know whether there is a connection or not. Simply, when a connection appears application need to synchronize all changes.

Myth 3/10. Mobility can be only a part of my existing IT solution.

Such tasks as inspecting assets, fixing copiers, ordering stock that can be performed by mobility networks today have been never automated before. The only “mobile solutions” that were commonly used before are a fax machine and a cell phone.

Myth 4/10. Why we need more mobility if we have Blackberries.

Email is just a way of communication and not a business application. Enterprise mobility solution consist of servers, tools to manage the platform, application itself and a connectors to switch back to an existing IT network.

Myth 5/7. Mobile devices are too small, we need a real computer.

Let us take Pocket PC as an example of mobile devices. Today they have enough of memory, disk space and powerful processor to perform any operation needed for the enterprise application. The key is in application itself. Having a smart application, that displays only that users needs to see, Pocket PC screen size is enough. Application must provide easy way to perform any task, so the focus must be on the job, rather than struggling to operate a complex computer program.

Myth 6/7. Select mobility solutions basing on the present hardware.

More than 30% of those who are going to deploy mobility solution already bought a hardware or going to buy it. System needs to be built basing on the end-user requirements. Business process must be a head and drive a technology steps. It is not a correct way to buy hundreds of devices because of a good deal, without the need. Mobility is a complex and has a subsets. Devices are only the one of the necessary components.

Myth 7/7. Using a free mobility solution is enough.

To deflate this myth let us focus on the facts below:

1. Mobility is not an easy task, otherwise it would have been solved years ago by the enterprise application vendors.
2. Mobility is not the main task for the enterprise vendor and is not focused on the certain customer needs.
3. Enterprise applications mobility add-ons usually do not have connectors to other enterprise systems.
4. If solution is free, than vendor is not going to support and upgrade it.

To close the discussion let me assure you that mobility is a mature. It can save hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it is a good point to roll out a mobility platform to be ahead of your competitors.

Wind Power. Common Myths

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:36:28 +0000

Wind energy is one of the modern energy source.
It does not harmful to the environment and has a great potential. But having in mind all positive features there are still a lot of negative arguments against wind farms. Let us dispel the most common of them.

Myth number 1. Windmills are extremely dangerous for birds.

Birds relatively often collide with turbines, but is does not make significant threat comparing with other technical structures. According to the statistics from 2 to 8 birds die per turbine annually. For comparison, 60 millions birds die every year colliding with vehicles, about 98 millions in collisions with buildings. But, not doubt, special attention must be given to the placement of wind turbines. They should not be located along the birds migration paths.

Myth number 2. Wind turbines are very noisy.

Average noise level generated by largest wind turbines today is about 45 dB(decibels). While the background sound in your home is usually about 50 dB. Impressive, isn’t it? According to the last researches of the AWEA ( American Wind Energy Association ), at a distance about 1000 feet from modern wind farm noise is comparable with a noise from kitchen refrigerator.

Myth number 3. Wind turbines can destroy environment.

As it was mentioned above, placement of the wind turbines needs much attention. It must be located far away from National Parks and Forest lands, State Parks etc. The preferable place to locate wind turbines are existing communication towers and transmission lines etc.

Myth number 4. Large wind turbines are unattractive.

A recent study of the public attitudes towards wind energy has found that about 77% of participants think that wind turbines are elegant structures. And wind farm can make the landscape more interesting.

Myth number 5. Tourism is negatively affected by Wind turbines.

It is not true. And more often tourists note a positive influence of the large turbines to the view of the place where they are located. According to the BWEA ( British Wind Energy Association ) 9 from 10 tourists are interested to visit wind farms if they are located on the way. Thousands of people visit wind farms annually. That makes them popular attractions along with historical and scenic points of interest.

Dispelling biggest tech myths. Part II

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:51:16 +0000

6. Data storage devices can be destroyed by magnets.

This statement came from the time of wide usage of floppy disks. They are really magnets sensitive. But do you know anybody who uses floppy disks nowadays? All modern data storages such as hard drives, USB flash cards, CD discs can not be affected by magnets. In fact, they can, but only by the very powerful magnets that are used in different laboratories. And there is no reason to worry about any magnet at your home.

7. CD/DVD discs can last forever.

Some discs manufactures claim their product can live up to 100 years. But these terms can be achieved only following several strong conditions:
- use of best materials;
- absence of errors during writing process;
- ideal storage conditions;
But these items above are seldom fulfilled. Data of the terms of CD/DVD discs living are very differ between the manufactures and researchers. The only advice I can give is, if some data are critical for you, you better make second copy every 2-3 years. Also store discs away from dust and sunlight heat.

8. Wireless networks are unsafe.

This myth tells you that wireless networks can be easy hacked. The most secure method to work on computer is do not connect to the Internet and other networks, don’t plug any external device and better do not run any executable files. But we all know this is a paranoia. In fact, any wireless connection is less secure than a wired one. But if you will use strong encryption level it can be secure much like a wired network. Nowadays all common wireless devices support one of the encryption protocols: WEP, WPA and WPA2. You can use one of them to feel your self safely. WPA2 is considered the most secure among others.

9. Installed antivirus software guarantees your protection.

Of course, antivirus must be installed on any computer, especially if it is connected to the Internet. But its availability does not automatically protect your PC. Every PC vulnerable to the new viruses, trojans, malware. Because antivirus need to be updated to catch them. And it can take up to 1 day for the software company to come up with the updates. Generally, antivirus without updates is effective much like no antivirus at all against new viruses. So it is very important to keep your antivirus software updated.

10. Gaming is only a destructive evil.

Possibly, it can be true if gaming becomes a life style. And no doubt a lot of teenagers spend much more time playing computer games than playing sport games. However, pro-gamers earn a good fees for the win. Besides, gaming can be a good relaxing and de-stressing feature. Also, last researches prove gaming is very useful for surgeons, they help fingers be more flexible.

11. My emails are safe because they require username and password.

Using username/passwords for webpages and email clients software ( like Outlook ) is not the same. Webpages that ask for authentication are almost always SSL encrypted. It means that data transfered between your computer and server can not be decoded by the hacker. It is not always true for email text you send. Malefactor from your network can catch your ‘travelling’ emails.

Dispelling biggest tech myths. Part I

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:33:39 +0000

Not all modern people are keeping pace with the technology progress. And it causes appearance a lot of questions that give birth to the numerous myths. We gathered biggest technology myths and explained whether they are fiction or not.

1. 64-bit OS calculates twice faster than 32-bit OS

In fact, you need a 64-bit software running on 64-bit OS. In this case you can use all advantages of 64-bit platform. Using 32-bit software on a 64-bit OS does not give any benefits in performance.

2. You can damage your PC when switching off power without shutting down computer.

This is old myth, that you can damage your hard drive when shutting down computer by pressing power button. The only damage you can make is loosing your unsaved data. This is a common truth – save your changes often. And in that case don’t be paranoid, press reset button if your PC hangs.

3. Use ‘Safely Remove hardware’ drill every time you want to unplug USB device

This is a myth with little exceptions. The general idea is to be sure that you will not unplug USB device during data transfer. In this case you can suffer data loss. But if the device is idle there is no any need to use ‘Safely Remove hardware’ feature. Regarding about exceptions above, if you have set USB Flash as a Ready Boost device in Windows Vista, you have to safely stop it before unplugging. For other devices like mouse, keyboard, scanner, printer you can just unplug them if you are sure they are not in use.

4. Formatting and partitioning can cause physical wear of the hard drive.

Firstly, let us look into the formatting process. When you format the hard drive special software writes data in multiple patterns and then fills the entire partition with ‘0’s. This sequence of actions does not differ from a usual write operations, like copying files. During the partitioning process, the starting sectors of the hard drive are also modified to make changes in partition table. But for the hard drive this just another write operation. “Quick format” option is even less strained, because only file table is modified.

5. Remove files from recycle bin for permanently deletion.

This is absolutely not true. Deleting files from the recycle bin is not actually erasing them from PC. Operating system just marked them as empty. And it means another data can be written above them. However, while these ‘empty’ files are not overwritten, special software can easily recover them. Recovering even possible if data are overwritten, but it is much harder and more expensive.

6 Myths About Digital Printing

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:31:25 +0000

Digital Printing becomes very popular. However, there are still a lot of misinformation regarding its quality, cost, special paper etc. Let us go trough the common myths about digital printing and find the truth.

Myth 1. Digital printing is too expensive.

Fact: Digital printing is not a low cost technology, but very affordable if project’s total costs are considered. If we talk about a unit cost, price for digital printing is definitely higher compared that of offset, for short-run printing especially. But, total project cost is likely to be lower than offset printing.

Myth 2. Digital printing is not a well-grounded.

Fact: Digital printing changed the rules of the commercial and label printing. And now it is doing the same for color book publishing. Color book publishing is a very huge market and traditional book printing is getting hard to handle such volumes. While digital printing makes it easy and economically well-grounded to print very short runs of 10, 20 or 40 books. The process is the very quite easy following: file is uploaded to a front-end workflow that generates a PDF file and a job ticket. This ticket contains all information necessary for printing.

Myth 3. The quality of the digital press printing is not so good as conventional printing.

Fact: researches of the professionals prove this is not necessary true. Let us take HP Indigo, for example. It uses liquid ink technology that allows to get quality close to the conventional printing. One more interesting technology analyses image and text as they’re being printed, and adds dots to fill gaps at the edges, without affecting color stability.

Myth 4. Digital printers are all the same.

Fact: there is a great variety of digital printing technologies and all of them can perform quite differently. We are talking about speed, quality, cost. Mentioned HP Indigo, for example, is actually an offset process with liquid ink.

Myth 5. Digital printing needs expensive special paper.

Fact: it was true when digital printing only appeared and was not widely used. Nowadays, digital printing press can print on a wide range of paper and synthetic stocks.

3 Myths About Mobile Web Designs

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:50:11 +0000

You always surf the Internet using your desktop computer monitor and after you are prompted to visit a mobile version of the website you expect to find something pretty much the same. I have to disappoint you. And here are 3 main reasons:

Myth 1/3. Mobile version is just a small website.

Imagine someone walking down the street and looking the mobile version of your website. I’m sure you are not going to kill your users, so they have to finish looking the website before steps out into traffic. That is why mobile version of the website need to be more informative, remove all unnecessary graphics and descriptions. The mobile website has to differ, and even may have complimentary role to the website.

Myth 2/3. Mobile design needs to fit all.

Nowadays web designers have to optimize websites to look correctly in dozens of combination of browsers and operations systems. But it is possible and the entire audience is almost covered.

The situation is different with mobile phones. There is no any standard and mobile phones are becoming more differentiated. Website that looks correctly in Nokia N97, looks different in iPhone and looks more different in Blackberry. The variety of mobile devices is so great, that it is impossible to optimize website to identically in all of them.

Myth 3/3. People will not register.

Registration is usually boring procedure and nobody likes it. The situation is more critical with mobile phones. They feel more like a wallet not a computer, it is harder to type characters. That is why registration must be as simple as possible. The acceptable way could be to give membership directly after providing username and password.

As a conclusion I give you a known wisdom: investigate needs of your customers, their behaviour and create solutions that fit these precisely. Mobile web design is not an exception.

Common Myths About Mobile Phones

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:17:31 +0000

In this article we will go through the most common myths about mobile phones. Professionals in the area of mobiles and wireless technology will dispute several well known fictions.

Myth 1/4. Mobile phone can cook an egg.

The myth is that is that if we place an egg between 2 mobile phones and will call on both of them, the egg would be cooked in about 1 hour.

Fact: mobile phones have very low power, about 0.25W maximum, and even if we direct all of this power in the egg, the temperature increase would be very little. Much more lower the required temperature to cook an egg which is about 70 degrees Celcius.

Here ( http://acrbr.org.au/ScienceWeek.aspx?section=Egg ) you can download the video made by the Australian Centre for RF Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) In October 2007 that deflates the myth about the cell phone that can cook an egg.

Myth 2/4. Mobile phone can cook a popcorn.

In May 2008 some video clips appeared on the internet showing that popcorn can be cooked using the electromagnetic energy from several ( three or four ) mobile phones. Such video clips are a just a joke.

Fact: this myth can not be true because several cell phones can’t generate even close amount of RF energy to pop the corn. Here are some calculations:

a) even if we assume that every mobile phone is emitting RF energy at its maximum power of 0.25 W for one minute, totally 1 W from four phones, and all power is absorbed by the popcorn, the temperature increase will be very insignificant and very far from the 190 C needed for cooking popcorn.
b) every one knows that microwave oven needs of about 1000 W cooks popcorn during 30 secs or even a minute. The total power of 4 mobile phones is at least a 1000 times smaller than required.
c) also in all mentioned clips mobile phones just ringing. It is worth nothing, as when mobile phones receive a call they only transmits intermittently until a call is answered.

To summarize: mobile phones can’t be a source of the energy to cook the popcorn.

Myth 3/4. Mobile phone can cause an explosion at a petrol station.

There is periodic media coverage claiming that mobile phones have been involved in explosions at petrol stations, but none of these stories has ever been traced to a real event.

Fact: mobile phones can not be a cause of the petrol stations explosion. There is no any fact that a mobile phone has ever explode the petrol station anywhere in the world according to the UK Institute of Petroleum.

In 1991 Shell UK made researches to assess risks of a radio frequency spark from cell phones and had found that mobile phones did not have a meaningful chance. Much more hazard goes from smoking and striking matches.

Myth 4/4. Mobile phone can attract lightning in a storm.

One of the letters published in the British Medical Journal described an incident where a 15-year old girl was witnessed being struck by lightning. During the incident the girl was using mobile phone in a large park during stormy weather.

Fact: In responce to British Medical Journal the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made own researches and released result on its website. NOAA DEBUNKING LIGHTNING’S CONNECTION TO CELL PHONES.

“Cell phones, small metal items, jewelry, etc do not attract lightning. Nothing attracts lightning. Lightning tends to strike taller objects,” said John Jensenius, a NOAA National Weather Service lightning expert. “People are struck because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The wrong place is anywhere outside. The wrong time is anytime a thunderstorm is nearby.”