Technology | Direct Connection

Will Intel’s New Thunderbolt Replace USB3.0 as the Next Peripheral Device Connector?

In early 2011, Intel introduced a new peripheral device connector called “thunderbolt” in the updated Macbook Pro notebooks made by Apple. This device was formerly named “lightpeak” and was supposed to offer data transfer speeds across various devices at 10 to 100 times the speed of USB 2.0 peripheral device connector.

Intel has been working on this device since 2003 and wanted to use optical fiber cables for extremely high and secure data transfer, but the cost of designing and manufacturing optical fiber cables is still very high so they cannot be introduced in the consumer markets for connecting peripheral devices yet.

Therefore Intel used copper wires for transferring data. Thunderbolt is more advanced than USB peripheral transfer technology, and it can transfer data up to 25 times the speed of current USB2.0 technology. USB manufacturers and researchers have now created USB3.0, a third generation data transfer specification which can transfer data at 5 GBit/s, which is half the data transfer speed of “Thunderbolt”, rated at 10GBit/s.

Many technology analysts are predicting that Thunderbolt will eventually replace USB3.0 and Universal Serial Bus technology altogether in the next few years. This may or may not come to pass, since there are pros and cons in the implementation strategy of Thunderbolt.

Intel is the 800 pound Gorilla of technology and almost 85% of all processors for computers in the consumer market are made by Intel. Such a dominant market share makes it really possible for Intel to introduce thunderbolt in large enough quantities through four or five dominant computer manufacturers such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and Asus to replace USB3.0 as the dominant standard in the market.

However, other analysts are not so sure and they believe USB is here to stay and might continue to evolve with higher bandwidths and greater data transfer security. This might lead to a situation where both Thunderbolt and USB continue to co-exist.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Intel Corporation, Macbook Pro, Universal Serial Bus

Pros of Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an operating system from Linux that can be used on just about anyone’s desktop or laptop computer. It is open-source which means that anyone can use it for free and it has been edited by many different people. Many people use Ubunto as a no-frills, low-cost alternative to Windows.

Cost Effective

Maybe the biggest perk of Ubunto is that it is free to anyone. There are also many free programs available for Ubunto, making it much less expensive than using Windows. Ubunto contains just about every program a user would need: an internet browser, word processing, presentation software, spreadsheets, and the other things you would expect from your computer — and it’s all free.

Efficiency

Ubunto users generally don’t have to worry about spyware and viruses, eliminating a big hassle for many computer users. Some people also switch to get away from the constant updates, pop-ups, and annoyances they experienced with Windows. For people with some working knowledge of computer operating systems, or people who know someone who can install and get Ubunto running, it can be a simple and easy alternative.

Simplicity

Many people have switched to Ubunto because of its simple and easy to use appearance. The layout is basic and the appearance is sleek. You can view screenshots of Ubunto online and this may help you make your decision about switching. There are fewer bugs than other operating systems because it is a “no-frills” system with generally fewer programs installed and fewer things that can go wrong.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Ubuntu

What is a Website Widget?

Widgets can be confusing for people who are building their first company blog or website. The word itself may sound vague, silly, or just plain confusing. Widgets are actually a very simple concept and when used well, can greatly enhance your website.

What is a Widget?

Widgets are small applications installed on your page. A widget may be a scrolling news feed, a search box, a clock, or a daily weather report. Many blogs allow you to select widgets from a list and installs them with just a click of the mouse. Other times, you may need to copy and paste some html code in order to get the widget on your website or blog. Widgets are often arranged around the margin, down the side bar, or at the top corner of your screen. They should supplement the content, not overshadow it.

Choosing the Right Widgets

Choose widgets that make sense. If you own a bed and breakfast in a resort town, it may make sense to put a local weather report on your website to draw in guests looking for a warm weather getaway. If your blog is a financial consulting company, however, a stock ticker would make much more sense than a weather report. A search box to search the internet and to search your site is one widget that’s almost always useful.

How Many Do I Need?

You don’t need any, but it’s important to add widgets in moderation, while a couple well-chosen widgets will enhance your website–too many will make it less user-friendly and make it look like you didn’t know what you were doing. Avoid widgets that don’t serve any purpose to your visitors.

Filed Under: Computers, Technology Tagged With: GUI widget, Web widget, Website

Stress-Free New Technology

Learning to use any kind of new technology can be frustrating and challenging. A few basic steps can help you learn and ensure that you continue to expand your horizons and get to know new programs and new devices.

Take Your Time

Set aside time to learn a new technology before you have to use it for anything important. For example, if you know you need to be able to work your new digital camera in time to take pictures at an event, get it set up a few days ahead of time. This will give you enough time to experiment with the features and practice getting your photos onto your home computer before you have to use it for anything important.

Find a Good Teacher

Many community colleges and libraries offer free or inexpensive technology classes. There are many courses available to help adults learn new computer software, photo programs, and the basics of the home computer. Chances are there’s the right class for you being offered somewhere in your community. The right class or a good teacher, be it an actual teacher or a friend, can make all the difference.

Read the Help Guide

Too often we throw away the instruction book before we take the time to page through. When you start to use new technology, take ten minutes to read the book and go through the help guide in the program on your computer. These things may answer your questions right away. When you go in knowing the basics, it’ll be easier to experiment knowing you have an idea of what you’re doing.

Filed Under: Computers, Technology Tagged With: Educators, Teacher, Technology

How Can Widget Benefit Your Online Presence?

Image representing YouTube as depicted in Crun...

Image via CrunchBase

With the notable enhancement of web technology, web applications have emerged geared to advance the user experiences. Widgets or notably web widgets are the latest innovations which can be used in webpage as well as professional blogs. Widgets have wide-ranging benefits which cater to better flexibility to user interface. Their wide ranging applications have been tested time again. Whether it is to study the volume of visitors or increase the potential of visitor loyalty by providing an interactive and fun tool the role of widgets cannot be challenged. With respect to advertising, widgets play dominant role. Syndication of feeds and tracking of visitors are successfully carried out by web widgets. The most common widget application can be found associated with Google Ads program. But other applications like RSS feed or bookmarking buttons also have widget applications.

They are nothing but codes which are integrated in the websites. You must be familiar with a YouTube widget application which is a widespread norm. You can definitely locate a widget for wide-ranging applications from news to audio and video playlists. The best reason for such widespread widget application is the ease and flexibility associated with it. No prior programming language or code workouts are needed to initialize a web widget. Simple process of copying and pasting of codes is enough for installation. Moreover user interface system is highly flexible with the use of web widget. The internet provides wide ranging options of a variety of widgets. So choosing the right fit for individual websites becomes easy. You can easily integrate a widget depending on your needs and applications. With the introduction of web 2.0 platform, the widget technology has seen rapid changes.

Most websites today flaunt widgets linked with social networking sites. This allows sharing of information and exchanges of views with popular networking sites like Faceboook, Twitter or Orkut. Advertising on the web has been highly benefited by widgets as setting up advertising modes in the form of banner, Google Ads or PPC has seen rapid enhancement. It has generated huge revenues.

Filed Under: Software, Technology Tagged With: Facebook, Twitter, Web widget, YouTube

How To Choose The Perfect Operating System?

System configuration plays a pivotal role in user interface ease as well as better performance of network domains. Among the earliest players in the arena of operating systems, Microsoft plays dominant role. But with advancement of technology and parallel innovative measures, other companies have ventured into operating system. This has culminated a benefit of product quality as well as generating huge level of competitions among the companies. Major players in operating system are notably Microsoft, Apple Mac and Linux. There are various advantages as well as disadvantages linked with such varieties of operating system. The ease associated with such operating systems also depends on user interface and user actions. A range of software is available with respect to Windows machines.

Microsoft Office as well as advanced gaming software works at optimum level on Microsoft platform. This has induced a unique sense of irony keeping in mind the business mindset orientation based software of Microsoft. Microsoft is supported by a large range of software, thereby diminishing the chances of help aid neglects. There are on the contrary excellent structured advice and support framework. Peripherals like a printer also work effectively in tandem with the operating system. Today’s professional business field requires high performance operating systems with good support systems. Availability of Microsoft Windows is there by pervasive in all respects. For individual career progression it is beneficial to know the functioning of Microsoft Windows, due to the operating system’s multifaceted support system.

But there is dark side of the Operating system too. The security features of Microsoft platform are not too good. For ensuring reliability it is highly recommended to possess a thorough virus scanner coupled with internet security measures. Moreover today’s market shows the Microsoft Windows to be expensive with its professional edition as well as ultimate edition quoting high prices. Another challenging product is the Apple Mac OS X with its wonderful product dimension and support system for computer graphics as well as multimedia application traits. The main disadvantage is that the operating system performs only with an Apple hardware support.

Filed Under: Software, Technology Tagged With: Linux, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows, Operating system

Role Of Technology In Education

Science and technology has become important components in the daily affairs of our lives. We come to know about various gadgets and software every other day. Technology can never become static and hence development in the various features of the gadgets and software can be witnessed constantly. Technology is being increasingly used for the minutest of works and it is impossible to think of a world without technology.

The modern day education system has a lot to owe to the usage of technology. It is playing a massive role in educating people of all ages. The benefits of technology in educating people are increasing at a rapid pace. It helps in enhancing the learning process by providing the option for visual learning. It is generally seen that if you have a visual aid to support whatever is being taught in the classroom, it becomes easier for you to understand. When something is front of you which can be seen it makes it easier for you to grasp and instill it in your brain. The traditional format of classroom study is now being supplemented by the modern form of online learning.

Nowadays people have the option of pursuing higher studies via the online mode. It is extremely helpful for people who for some reasons were not able to carry on with their higher studies. A large number of subjects fall under the domain of online learning. It is the boon of technology which is helping you to study and earn a degree sitting at your home. Nowadays technology has become an integral part of the school curriculum. Young students start gaining knowledge about the various facets of technology from a young age. They are making presentation and researching for reference materials using computers. Utilizing computers and other technological products in their future workplace also becomes easier due to the constant practice.

Filed Under: Computers, Technology Tagged With: E-learning, Education, Educational technology, Technology

Usage Of Technology In Our Daily Lives

Image by johnmuk via Flickr

In the modern world majority of the things that are happening are the results of the advancement and usage of science and technology. Most of the things happening around us either directly or indirectly owe their existence to modern science and technology. We constantly keep on doing certain things, consciously or unconsciously which are actually the outcome of technology. It is now extremely important for us to know what crucial roles are being played by technology and stop taking it for granted.

The little household things which we never pay heed to like the light and fan switches, the turning on and off the water taps or flushing the toilet are all the result of technology. Each and every household items are evolving at a rapid pace. Constant up gradation and innovation has been made possible with the growth in the field of technology. The usage of mobile phones and computers has become rampant. Nowadays we cannot even imagine living a life without cell phones and internet. They are the latest gifts of science and technology which has made our life easier and the world a better place to live in.

The electrical devices, the various machines and the gadgets which we use everyday for myriad purposes are also the result of the development of science and technology. If we think properly we will not be able to cite any instance in the modern world which is not touched by the magic of technology. We might think that medicines and food items do not have anything to do with technology. However if we think in that line we will be committing a huge mistake. The various ways in which medicines and food items are packaged, processed and transported so that they reach us properly are all done with the help of science and technology.

Filed Under: Computers, Technology Tagged With: Christianity, Mobile phone, Technology

Importance Of Technology

The spheres of science and technology have witnessed great progress in the last few decades. Each and everything in this world now revolves around technology. Getting information, communicating with people across the world and making gadgets to make life easier has been made possible with the exponential growth of technology. We are living in such an age where it would be foolish of us to not give due importance to the various usages of technology.

Internet, mobile and email have helped us in making the world a global village. Nowadays we cannot say anything is beyond our reach. We can get whatever information and news we are looking for at the click of a button. We can talk to our relatives and friends staying at the other end of the world anytime of the day. We can also be in touch with people and send them mails instantly. All these had been made possible with the advancement of only one thing called technology. It helps us on a daily basis in our workplace in order to maximize our efficiency. Business in today’s world will become stagnant if we do not constantly upgrade the technology being used there.

It is imperative for business firms to know whatever new is happening in the field of technology and incorporating the useful ones. Technology is not only used for our professional development and recreational purposes. We see new machines and gadgets evolving every other day. Modern techniques and innovations are being used to constantly upgrade those gadgets and machines. We have gadgets which helps us to do our household chores easily as well as the ones which can be used for recreational purposes. Reaching out to people in distant lands, getting latest news and information, improving our work related efficiency, making household chores look easy and providing us with utmost entertainment all has been made possible.

Filed Under: Computers, Technology Tagged With: communicating, Internet, Technology