Gartner, an IT industry analyst firm, has published a report on what its analysts see as the top ten disruptive technologies for 2008 to 2012: Multicore and hybrid processors Virtualisation and fabric computing Social networks and social software Cloud computing and cloud/Web platforms Web mashups User Interface Ubiquitous computing Contextual computing Augmented reality Semantics Unless you're in the IT business, or have an interest in it, some of this won't … [Read more...] about Top 10 disruptive technologies according to Gartner
Archives for May 2008
Help the geek get the glory
If you yearn for the simpler geeky days when MS-DOS and 640K of RAM ruled, along with pixelated images on VGA monitors, you'll likely appreciate the Server Quest game. Although geared towards the IT crowd, this web-based game to promote Microsoft TechNet will have appeal for anyone with a nostalgic look over the shoulder to those less complex computing experiences. In the game, modelled after the classic adventure games of the early nineties, you play as Matt Berg, an IT pro struggling to keep … [Read more...] about Help the geek get the glory
Cut from FIR #349
Overflow from today's FIR #349: 1-Minute News Canada embarks on major Web 2.0 initiative The ultimate Twitter guide for librarians (and other people) Listen to this FIR Cut: [display_podcast] Download FIR Cut MP3 - Canada-Twitter (5:27) If you want to automatically receive FIR Cuts as they're published, subscribe to the RSS feed. (What are FIR Cuts?) … [Read more...] about Cut from FIR #349
The Hobson & Holtz Report – Podcast #349: May 29, 2008
Content summary: Next FIR Live call-in shows: June 11 and June 14; FIR FriendFeed room developments; discussion: the importance of brand advocacy with Twitter as a prime example; the Media Monitoring Minute with CustomScoop; Whole Foods' CEO Mackey is blogging again; corporate trust takes a hit with phone bugging scandal at Deutsche Telekom; Dan York reports on the Wall Street Journal D and Google IO conferences, and more; listeners' comments discussion; news about next Monday's show; music from … [Read more...] about The Hobson & Holtz Report – Podcast #349: May 29, 2008
Touching the tip of the social media iceberg
One of the more interesting ways I've experienced participating in a conference is being chairperson of the event. When you're the chair you not only have to pay close attention to everything going on, but also you are well placed to absorb everything the presenters say as well as get a good sense of the mood of the audience. Are those sitting there paying attention? What's the fidget level? Do they appear engaged with the content, asking questions? And what's the buzz in the coffee breaks and … [Read more...] about Touching the tip of the social media iceberg
Plot your carbon footprint with Dopplr
One handy web service I've been using for the past seven months or so is Dopplr. Dopplr lets you share your travel plans with others you know. The service then lets you know if any of your friends will be where you'll be when you travel, and vice versa. I've found Dopplr a pleasure to use because it's simple to use and it gives me depth of information that suits me without requiring an awful lot of interaction. It's an evolving service with quite a few additions to functionality since it came … [Read more...] about Plot your carbon footprint with Dopplr
Happy birthday, WordPress!
Five years ago today, WordPress was born. The popular blogging platform or content management system (take your pick of description) has come a very long way in this short time. I first started using WordPress in 2005, a time when I was experimenting with a number of blogging platforms including Movable Type. In February 2006, I made a full switch to WordPress from TypePad as I believed WordPress offered the best platform of all the different systems you could choose from. I still believe that … [Read more...] about Happy birthday, WordPress!
Animoto: A compelling way to tell your story
One of the communication technologies I like experimenting with is video. That's why I play with new tools like Qik (live video streaming from a Nokia mobile phone) and seesmic (video conversations via your webcam). I discovered another one today that I find so compelling that I'm just amazed the whole internet isn't a-buzz about it (although there is indeed plenty of buzz). This is Animoto, a web-based service that automatically creates a video from images and music. That rather dry description … [Read more...] about Animoto: A compelling way to tell your story