If your company generally operates exclusively online then you essentially have two choices when it comes to alternatives to in-house servers. For an established company that has stable growth, their best option is definitely dedicated hosting. If you are a start up though, then you should go with cloud hosting. Depending on what you are looking for these two options can differ greatly and one must be smart when choosing which hosting option to go with.

The Cloud Option
If you are relying heavily on the web for most of your business but are still in the start up phase of your company when downtime has the ability to kill you then you should consider cloud. One major advantage of cloud is that it can easily deal with growth and keep your company active at all times.
The best description of cloud hosting is that it is a rental service. You are renting space on a virtual server much in the same way you rent an apartment or a condo. You are able to adjust your required level of space as the size of your business goes. You are not tied down to a specific level of service. Cloud hosting can be adjusted as required in order to accommodate the traffic levels you are receiving. Also you have the ability to choose which operating system you prefer. If you prefer using a windows or a linux system you have that option. This gives cloud users the same flexibility as those using a dedicated host but with flexible billing along with API server configuration.
All this does not mean that you can just flick on a switch and let your site coast. Your IT team will still have to manage the cloud package to make sure that it is optimized for your site. As traffic fluctuates the configurations will as well. This will be familiar to most IT professionals since it is most likely what they are doing now.

Dedicated hosting
Dedicated hosting is when a company leases one or more servers in order to control the work completely. There are 3 advantages to a dedicated package.
For one, your data center is a stable and secure location. This will lower your hardware costs. You won’t have to spend money on housing space or power for the servers since they are off site.
Two, you have complete control over the contents of the server. The server holds only the information you want it to. You therefore have complete control of the bandwidth on that server. Your load times should not be affected by traffic level unless you allow it.
Third, you can adjust and customize your servers’ performance to fit your level of technology.
Why you might chose dedicated hosting:
- A key component of your business is hosting based
- You are an established, large scale business
- You would prefer not dedicate valuable resources to on-site servers
- E commerce or the internet are essential to your business strategy

If you are a company that is ecommerce focused or are running an advertising network then dedicated hosting is probably the preferred option. Online advertisers place banners across thousands of websites. If their ads go down the sites will not get paid and that leads to loss of clients.
If you are using a customized content management system then dedicate hosting is most likely your best option. This will be beneficial for companies that have online inventories. If you are processing thousands of queries or even orders every minute, down time could be the difference between prospering and closing shop.

Article by Charles Homes who is a consultant at Hosting.com, for more info check out their Dedicated Servers

Bit.ly Shows Off Their Revamped Site
image via: InterAwesome

Those of us who are heavy into sharing links via social networking sites should be pleased to know that the popular URL shortening site Bit.ly has done a revamp that includes automatically shortening URL’s (before you have to click ‘shorten’), and adding more functionality like quickly searching your short link history and recovering deleted links. They’ve also added more real-time tracking and analytics so you can obsess over how many people are clicking your links up-to-the-second.

Google Touches Up Desktop & Mobile Search Pages
image via: BloodHoudBlog.com

Google has added a left side search optimization bar to both its desktop AND its mobile search page. It’s similar to the current bar at the top of the search page that has the ‘image, web, videos, etc. options; but with more options that will enable you to further zero in on the actual results you were looking for. It reminds me of the Bing search engine by Microsoft, or eBay’s search options. Either way, I think it’s a nice addition, especially to the mobile page. You could for instance narrow your search without repeatedly changing your initial search words.

Scribd and Opera Jump on the HTML5 Bandwagon
image via: andyuk.net

You could say it has been a rough couple of weeks for Adobe seeing as their Flash product that has pretty much been a web developer’s must have to bring media content to the web has been loosing support in favor of HTML5, the new web language. HTML5 isn’t fully adopted and integrated yet, but recently, Apple slammed Flash and is NOT adding it to ANY of it’s mobile devices, and Microsoft sees a bright [web] future with HTML5 and is making plans for future developments around it. Slowly but surely, more and more companies are following suit. Next on that list is media sharing/publishing site Scribd, and mobile web browser platform Opera.

Scribd says it doesn’t need Flash because its content isn’t really heavy enough to need a powerful web plug-in like Flash, and Opera said that using Flash on a mobile device was similar to cooking an egg on the concrete in the sun. So both of the them are endorsing HTML5 and as a result, delivering another blow to the future of Flash.

Apple Fanboys/girls Need Love Too!
image via: Cupidtino

The new site Cupidtino (a mash-up of the ‘Cupid’ & Cupertino, CA where Apple’s HQ is located) plans to be the “hook up” site those in love with their Apple Products. In addition to just provide a place for Apple fans to date, mate, and birth entire Apple families, members will also have access of exclusive social and location-based apps for the iPhone and iPad.

I will leave you with a quote from Techcrunch, that I happen to cosign:

“On the other hand, making sure that Apple fans only date other Apple fans is a good way of stopping them from spreading their Apple fan genes to the general population, I guess. So maybe this site isn’t all bad.

That's my site...and my thumb

*In my typical, nonchalant attitude*

“It’s cool”

The wifi version has been out a little over a month and the 3G version just dropped last weekend. I decided to wait for the 3G because I knew I would be in places where free and open wifi would not be available. So I had to ride the bench while seemingly everyone else got to partake in the “firsties” enjoyment.

But my time came, and my iPad (32GB) hit my door last Friday at 1pm – Shout out to FedEx.

So instead of giving you the same features/benefits type of post everyone else has done already, I will give you my quick observations, and go into what I have done thus far with my new toy.

Observations:

- A little heavier than I thought it would be…but I like a little junk in the trunk
(see: Erykah Badu’s ‘Window Seat’ video)

- I find myself cleaning the screen often
The gadget just looks good, and the finger smudges seem to “stank it up”

- Photos, music cover art, videos and movies all look gorgeous
Nothing witty to add, just stating fact

- I think it’s cool that iPad-specific apps have settings you can change in the global settings menu in addition to app-specific settings in the app settings menu
(That makes sense in my head)

- I would like to have access to the file system
I have OCD when it comes to organization

- 50% percent of the time, the camera connection kit works 100%
I could only get the USB dongle to work and not the SD card slot version.

- AT&T 3G is just okay
But I already knew that

- I thought the lack of Flash and multi-tasking would be noticeable, but it actually isn’t
*Crosses fingers for HTML5 and a download of OS 4.0 in the fall*

- Mrs. Tech hates it
*Just wait for the “newness” to wear off sweetie*

Having said that, the first thing I did (after being forced to hook it up to a computer for basic setup) was look for iPad apps. The iPhone apps are okay on it, but I paid for an iPad, not an iPhone…so I’ll wait (step it up devs!). I went to sites like Gizmodo and TUAW to look for apps they recommended. The apps I decide to download are:

FeddlerRSS – RSS Reader
PrintCentral - Wireless printing
SplashID – Password Manager
Dictionary – Do I really have to explain?
Zinio – Digital Magazine Reader
Dropbox – Cloud Storage
Pandora – Streaming Music
Netflix – Instant movies and Queue Control
PDFReader Pro – PDF Reader
Photobucket – Online photo storage/sharing
Craigsphone – Craigslist…but nicer
eBay – Buy and sell stuff
ABC Player – watch ABC shows
Twitterrific – Twitter Client (just barely edged out TweetDeck)
Evernote – Online note storage
WordPress – Blog control
Wikipanion – Wiki stuff

Most of the above apps are free, and there are only a couple of paid apps. But none of them are more than 10 bucks, and they are WORTH IT. If the two of you who read my blog have some suggestions, hook a brotha up.

Next up was getting my email accounts, contacts and calendars set up. I use Gmail & Google Apps for all of this stuff so it was pretty easy. The only hitch is that the iPad can only synchronize ONE set of calendar/contacts via Google Sync. There are ways around it, but I’m cool for now (don’t mind going to the web for the others) and I’m hoping Google/Apple will resolve this on their own.

In the meantime and in-between time, I reorganized my iTunes Library and just synced my playlists instead of trying to sync my entire library. I also bought a movie or two (‘Aliens’ and ‘Transformers: The Movie’ (the cartoon version) just to see how they would look – Those are my two all-time favs, and I was impressed. I will be researching ways to put my movie collection (as a copy, not for resale – take that piracy!), so if you have any tips, let me know.

Last on the list was firing up the AT&T’s 3G service. Like I said before it was just “okay”, but I didn’t expect much. I just wanted it to get the job done, and so far so good. I only signed up for the 250mb plan, and based on my current usage, I could stand to upgrade to the unlimited plan. But I am gonna hold off because I feel my usage will stabilize after I get the hang of the device. Set up was a cinch and it is all done in the iPad setting menu, no registering or logging into a website to get started. You can also view your usage there as well.

So there you have it. If you have any tips, tricks, guides or comments about the iPad feel free to drop me a line.

Note: I did NOT write this entire post from my iPad…just in case you were wondering.

Not directly, but Microsoft has come out in support of HTML5 instead of depending on Adobe Flash for video content on websites. Microsoft joins the already major group of companies and sites (including Apple, Google, etc.) that are moving to push HTML5 into the mainstream.

This does nothing but make Adobe’s Flash platform less desirable for web developers looking to create “The future of the web” – Dean Hachamovitch who is the head honcho of Internet Explorer says that future is rooted in HTML5.

So it sounds like Apple isn’t on some “The world will do what WE say” stuff. Microsoft jumping on the HTML5 bandwagon to me, says that Jobs, in his Flash tirade last week, has a legitimate argument for his reasons for supporting HTML5. If Apple AND Microsoft AND Google says it’s okay, it’s okay…right?

What do you think?

image via: What-if | What-if

…Of their TV service subscriptions that is.

Last year (like that was a long time ago), I posted a story about what it would take for me to cut my Cable TV service and switch to TV over IP. Looks like I am not the only one contemplating the switch. A study conducted by Convergence Consulting Group estimates that 800,000 U.S. households had cut such services by the end of 2009, with the number expected to double by the end of 2011.

With the progression of network-connected and web-streaming devices such as TV’s, Blu-Ray players, gaming systems, and special set-top boxes, it’s becoming easier for your average consumer to enjoy quality programming via ethernet cable or wireless router rather than a coaxial cable or cable/satellite set-top box.

Even still, I think the reason why the number is ONLY 800,000 is because it is somewhat convenient to call your local cable/satellite provider and have them come out and install everything and subscribe to a insanely expensive TV subscription package versus buying your own equipment, hooking it all up and piecing together you own internet media package.

I just hope that people break out of their comfort zone and realize that they actually have more control over their programming than they think. When more people realize that they aren’t just tied to one main-stream TV provider or another (hopefully via this site *plug*) they will start doing the research and jumping on the TV service cutting bandwagon.

Is it an iPod Pro or MacBook Touch?

As the rumored iPad preorder date draws near, I feel it is my duty to get something off my chest in hopes that “something” I have to in fact “get off my chest” helps somebody who hasn’t decided whether or not they are gonna go out and buy the iPad…

THE IPAD IS NOT A COMPUTER!

The Lowdown:

It will not replace your laptop and it is not slated to abolish the netbook or tablet pc category. I hear the next question coming:

“Well if it’s not a computer, then what is it?” Good question! I will attempt to answer this to the best of my abilities.

- It’s a web browser
Apple has one of the smoothest, easiest to use browsers out there with Safari. That statement will be amplified when you use it on the iPad. The ability to browse multiple graphically enhanced websites, save bookmarks with ease, waste time watching youtube videos, and tackle just about any other web-based task will be one of the iPad’s strongpoints.

- It’s an e-book reader
For those of us who haven’t picked up an actual hard-copy book in years will welcome the iPad and the new iBooks ebook store launched simultaneously. You will be able to purchase books the same way you purchase songs via iTunes and then the books are neatly displayed on the iPad via a virtual bookshelf similar to your average retail bookstore isle.

- It’s a music/picture viewer
No surprise there. Everything you can currently do with an iPod or iPod Touch, you can do with the iPad…only bigger (you eyes will thank you)

- It’s a Mobile Application Device AKA, “MAD” (I just coined a new acronym for the iPad…I need to get on that trademark ASAP!)
Mobile Apps have taken smartphone devices by storm. The ability to buy and use an app in seconds to assist in everyday activities (directions, weather, communications, news, etc.) has revolutionized the way software is being developed and deployed. I see a day where electronic app stores that enable you to gain access to software immediately will replace ENTIRE software departments of brick and mortar electronics stores! (If there are any still around). Devices like the iPad will take full advantage of the simplicity of using apps in place of big and clunky devices and software that takes up a ton of space on a computer.

Now I do have some gripes about the iPad that should’ve been seriously considered before launch:

- No Multi-tasking
I switch between my Twitter app, RSS reader app, and mobile browser on my smartphone like a madman. Not to be able to quickly copy/paste a web link to Twitter (after I have shrunk the URL with yet another app) will be something that will irk me if I am using the iPad. But hopefully the folks at Apple wise up and update the OS to enable those of us WITHOUT one track minds to multi-task ’til our hearts content

- No Flash
Since a nice piece of video on the web is in Adobe Flash format, watching “Family Guy” via HULU is a NO GO for me via iPad as it stands. But watching YouTube will be in full force, so I will just have to search through the regular youtube crap to get to the goodies…until HTML5 takes off.

To summarize, if you think you will be able to use your iPad to stay home from work and still telecommute during an 1″ Atlanta snowstorm, you will be sadly mistaken…even that may change as Cloud Computing gains steam.

But if you want to do any other sort of entertainment, communication, or App Store-related task (there is an App for just about everything) WITHOUT squinting at your smartphone, lugging around your laptop, or waiting for your netbook to power up, the new iPad “MAD” will fit the bill perfectly! Once folks get out of the mindset that the iPad will be the end all be all of ALL computing, I think they will appreciate what the iPad is and what it has to offer.

[image courtesy of engadget]

All of the world is a buzz of the coming of Apple’s iPad. For the next month, all the blogs will be talking this thing to death. I am gonna try not to joining the ranks, but I do feel I need to say what I feel about Apple’s new Rookie (that will soon be the wise elder). So I am gonna be quick, accurate, and not-too-fanboyish in my assessment of the new Apple iPad.

The Lowdown:

Looks
I followed along virtually in real-time with all the millions of other folks via Twitter as Stevie-J and his guest of iPad hardware/software developers as the did their presentation. From the pics I saw to put it mildly, “the damn-thing is sexy.”

The exterior specs are: 0.5 inches thin, 1.5 pounds, 9.7 inch display. I can’t confirm, but word on the street is it will come in different finishes. (White, black, chrome/silver)

The iPad runs ALL of the apps currently found in the Apple App Store, plus iBooks, a new Apple app store for (you guessed it) books that Jobs unveiled alongside of the iPad, and a full-blown iTunes store. Based on the images I saw, the apps look crisp and clear and should give your eyes a much-needed break from squinting at the iPhone and other smart phone screens.

Functionality

The iPad is multi-touch (like the iPhone), and runs on a new 1GHz Apple A4 of the company’s own design. Onboard storage ranges from 16GB to 64GB, and the whole thing runs the iPhone OS with a new, custom UI. It will come automatically with Wi-Fi and you can add 3G connectivity for extra, of course. Now I haven’t gotten my hands on one yet (I smell family Christmas gift – I’m looking at you Mrs. Tech), so I can only speak to the functionality side to say it should integrate seamlessly with all your current Apple products (iPhone, iPod touch, Mac’s, etc in addition to all of the software you can download from their stores). Additionally, Apple has tweaked iWork (Apple’s “Office Suite”) to integrate with the iPad. The biggie for me is that Apple Claims that the iPod has a usable battery life of 10 hours…and an astonishing month of standby time!

Practicality (that’s a word right?)

Like I mentioned earlier, it will come Wi-Fi ready, so out of the box, you can connect it to you home network, or if you wanna handle some ‘bidness’ on the go, you can find and connect to any Wi-Fi hotspot. If you need access anywhere, anytime, you can opt to purchase one loaded with 3G (for an extra $130 bucks) exclusively from AT&T (ugh!). The fees for 3G are $14.99/month for 250MB of data – You might as well spring for the unlimited data plan for $30.00/month. No voice plans available! So don’t think you can make a phone call while you are reading your copy of “How to Make Ba-Jillions in this jacked up Real-Estate Market”. Finally, if you own or are familiar with an iPhone or iPod Touch, you should be able to get accustomed to the iPad without hardly any learning curve due to the same type of gestures utilized to operate the iPad’s smaller predecessors.

The iPad will come in three versions:

16GB – $499
32GB – $599
64GB – $699

Again, if you want 3G, take any of those numbers and add another $130 bucks + which ever monthly plan your choose – Pretty reasonable if you ask me. Shipping will start as early as March.

My overall verdict: If you are not trying to do any heaving computing/multitasking or expect to take high-res photos of your family trip to Epcot Center, while video-conferencing Grandma who couldn’t make the trip due to her bad knee, the iPad will be a definite crowd-pleaser. If you expected the iPad to do EVERYTHING (including help Obama win a second term), you will be sadly let down by its capabilities.

I hate to say it, but it will hard to stay away from keeping close tabs on the iPad, so stay tuned, ’cause I will probably publish several more entries on the subject!

“Want To C Something Hot…Click da Button, Baby!”

Brotha Tech’s suggestion is that you NOT click da button………Baby

The Lowdown:

The folks over at AVG: Antivirus and Security Software have uncovered a Facebook worm that infects your Facebook page (and prolly your computer) and is waiting to infect all others who click on the curvy sista in the sexy undergarments that is now lamented on your FB page.

By clicking the pic you noticed on a friend’s page, it takes you to another site with a larger view of the temptress. If you roll the dice and “click da button, baby” it will take you to an adult site. After a couple more clicks, Instantly you realize that’s not where you want to be and browse back to you FB page, the image is now pasted on your wall working it’s magic, and just waiting for others to follow suit.

Here is video from AVG showing how the worm works.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOBUSzugzFA&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

Be safe out there on these social networking sites folks!

image courtesy of flickr.com/Penny Sense

If you’re like me, then you don’t shop for the holidays. If you’re better than me (I hope so) then you will probably buy something for somebody for the holidays. Most of us have been able to get over our “scared to death to buy something online” and will do a great deal of their holiday shopping online. So let Brotha Tech give you some tips on how to make those online purchases as non scary as possible.

The Lowdown:

- Get a Paypal or Google Checkout account. They are accepted just about everywhere online. You create an account, enter all of your personal information in one spot (with one login), and use that to make all of your purchases. If you do run into a snafu, you have one source to cuss at deal with versus dealing with whatever merchant (and there are many) that half-assed your transaction.

If you really don’t wanna go through the painful 5-minute registration process then:

- Designate ONE credit card/bank account as the online purchasing account. It will be easier for you to track a charge/purchase if you KNOW what card/account you used. Then, I would contact the company that issued the card/account and see if they have purchase alerts that will notify you by email of recent charges you made. So if something fishy pops up, you will see it almost immediately, and have the opportunity to react faster. Most companies give the you the ability to customize the alerts so you only get notified if there are a string of quick purchases or large purchases of x amount or higher.

I like the “BBD” (Bigger Better Deal) just like the next person, but if finding that deal means buying from a shady-looking site where you need a secret handshake just to see the merchandise, it’s better that you just:

- Trust your gut. If it’s too good to be true… If it walks like a duck, quacks like duck… (I’ve got more if you don’t catch my drift). If you have even the slightest reservation about the site – LEAVE. You will be able to find that exact item listed on a bunch of other sites, I promise!

Bottom line, online shopping is supposed to give the shopper the freedom to shop at home in your drawls pj’s. You shouldn’t have to be stressed out about whether or not your every keystroke on a site is being recorded by some loser who spent a whole lot of time, effort, and money into taking your hard-earned holiday cash.

I know I may have missed some online shopping techniques, so tell me, how do you ensure your safety while making purchases online?