When I think of tablets — the iPad specifically — I think of watching videos, web surfing, and playing games. Wasting time, in other words. But what if there’s a legitimate spot for tablet computers at the office?

Infoworld recently ran a story about a New York law firm named Proskauer that equipped its sizable team of lawyers with iPads. This wasn’t merely a generous bonus for a job well done. Proskauer’s attorneys are now predicted to use their tablets as their primary computing hardware: “Today, greater than 500 Proskauer lawyers use iPads to create superslick PowerPoint slides, Excel spreadsheets full of sky-high figures, and verbose Word documents. Lawyers pass this electronic paperwork back and forth among clients. They even present details on their iPads to judges.”

The utility of tablet computing is especially evident in the medical care setting. As more medical practices switch to electronic health records systems (EHRs), doctors and nurses are discovering that using portable hardware is a natural (and necessary) shift.

And tablets are spreading far beyond the clinic and courtroom. CIO.com recently published a slideshow of tablets in action (hat tip to Infoworld). You can see these slim gadgets at archaeological sites, on the battlefield, and even in the cockpits of planes.

For Proskauer, the switch to a tablet-centric office had its hiccups. “Rolling out the iPad actually turned out to be quite a significant investment in time, much more than I would have thought,” said Steven Kayman, chair of the technology committee at Proskauer, in an interview with Infoworld. “There’s just a hundred decisions that have to be made along the way.”

Call it the early adopter tax: technology trailblazers must solve hitherto unknown problems on the fly, with no template to follow. The law firm had to address these questions: Would lawyers pay for apps they needed or would the tablets come with a preset menu of apps? Would personal use be allowed? How would tablets impact the network — specifically security?

Though these questions weren’t simple, they were undeterred. And the firm isn’t looking back. “You’ve got to be forward-thinking,” Proskauer COO Gurwitz told Infoweek. “It’s clear the world is changing.”

Spammers made lots of money during the early days of the Internet. However, if some tech-savvy delinquent desired to earn some extra money via spam on today’s Internet, they might want to consider a new line of work. The truth is, since the all time high of spamming hits in 1997, spam filters have become just too good. Basic mathematics make spamming an un-profitable business, thanks to the increasing amount of hardware and time needed to spam effectively. In fact, spam is currently at its all time lowest levels since 2008. The question is, why has spamming decreased, and how will spamming accommodate new Internet changes?

Profitability

    There were a few high profile arrests in 2010 that made a recognizable dent in the spamming industry. However, more than increased monitoring, spammers have noticed a decline in income. For a time, with each increase in spam filters, spammers would also increase the number of sites attacked. Though with increased efforts, the amount of money that can be made through spamming is at record low levels. It’s just not worth it for most professional spammers.

    Though spamming is now a money-losing business, spammers are known for adapting to new security updates. How can we expect spamming to change along with the changes being made to the Internet?

Smart Spam

    Spammers are getting crafty. Instead of overloading an inbox with traditional spam messages, personal email accounts are being hacked, allowing spam messages to be sent from more reputable accounts. The same can be said for social media mediums like Facebook and Twitter. A short while ago, actor Simon Pegg had his twitter account hacked. Spammers then sent a link to spyware to over 1 million of his followers. Spammers have combined their skills with hacking in order to overcome a more secure Internet.

    To protect yourself, remember to always be wary of odd-looking links, even if they are sent from friends. Being diligent of suspicious activity will help keep you safe in a future of more subversive spamming. For more information, take a look at this article.

Sometimes the most basic questions are the hardest to answer.

For example: What is the Internet?

Um … it’s that thing we can’t imagine living without. It’s how we work, buy stuff, watch videos, communicate, share memories, conduct research, tell jokes, catch up with friends, etc.

In 1995, 15 percent of adults were online. Now, it’s above 75 %, and for certain demographics (youth, educated adults, rich folk), the percentage is over 95 percent, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project.  

We’re all on Internet. But what IS it exactly?

Lucky for us, learning about the Internet is just a quick Internet search away. But before you go down the Wikipedia wormhole, we suggest starting with Business Insider’s handy guide: ‘What The Heck Is The Internet?’

Or, since remixing information is a hallmark of the Internet age, you can just stay here and read our synopsis of Business Insider’s (BI) primer on the Internet. Ready? Okay!

The Internet in summary, according to Business Insider (BI):

• The Internet is an interconnected network, or network of networks.
• The Internet is the aggregate of the computers (servers, desktops, laptops, etc.) that share information via telephone wires and satellite links; these computers are all connected by a common software standard called Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP).
• Most us connect to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) network. The three largest ISPs in the U.S. are AT&T, Comcast, and Road Runner. BI: “When you connect to an ISP, your computer becomes a part of its network. That network is already connected to another larger network, and that network is connected to yet another network, and so on and so forth across the globe.”
• The two basic elements of the Internet are servers and clients. Servers are machines that provide services (get it?) to other machines. Clients (desktops, laptops, smartphones, etc.) use these services. BI: “So when you sign online at work, your computer becomes a client that’s accessing a Web server.”
• Every device that connects to the Internet has a unique numerical IP address
• The World Wide Web, or web, is just one ‘layer’ of the Internet. There are other layers. For example, POP and IMAP are distinct layers that govern the transmission of email across the Internet. The web layer (officially known as HTTP) of the Internet was invented in the late 1980s by American Tim Berners-Lee. BI: “The net is all the pages that can be accessed using Web browsers [e.g. Explorer, Firefox].” Often used interchangeably, the Internet and the Web aren’t the same thing. The web is a small slice of the larger Internet pie.
• All domain names have a corresponding numerical IP address. Example (courtesy of Wikipedia): the domain name www.example.com translates to the IP address 192.0.32.10. The Domain Name System was created to make the Internet more user-friendly (domain names are easier to remember than long strings of numbers).

Technological growth is now motivated by consumer trends. Companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft are all growing because of the innovations being made in line with consumer demands. These consumer-based technologies are providing fantastic advancements and creating deeper levels of practical implication. A superb example of this is the Google search engine. At the core of Google’s success is its ability to develop technology in response to consumer trends. It is obvious that most modern technology is consumer-based, but how has this trend affected technology as a whole? Here are some examples:

User-Generated Content

Creating content, like apps, to work with more complex pieces of technology, like the iPhone, is now a process that has been opened up to independent developers. While independent programing has always been available, recent consumer-based technology has created a greater need for more specialized content. Because of this, you no longer have to look to big companies like Microsoft or Apple if you’re in the market for a new app. User-generated content is a valuable aspect of technology because there is a consumer need for it.

User-Friendly Applications

In order for any piece of technology to be successful, it must now be user-friendly. Products that are known for ease of use are dominating the market.  More and more companies are developing products and services that make life easier for the end user. Look at Google, one of the most advanced search engines available. Each new development adds a new layer of user interface that makes Google easy to use. For example, Google will fulfill your search query before you’ve finished typing it. How’s that for ease of use?

User Involvement

With recent generations growing up with advanced technology, current consumers now want to interact on deeper levels with their technologies. Those products that allow greater interaction between user and device are quickly becoming the most successful. For example, the Xbox Kinect is a gaming system that allows the user to move independently of a handheld device in order to interact with the game.  As demand increases, Microsoft has already found more innovative applications for this. With a wave of a hand you can browse movies on Netflix, send a message by email, and navigate the web.

Many of these consumer-based technological advancements may seem to only consider the pleasure of the user and have little sensible implications.  It’s important to consider how these new technologies will affect the future.  User-generated and friendly content could one day allow hospitals the ability to develop personalized monitoring programs for each patient; code writing and development could be accessible to everyone. User involvement has endless implications for the development of new devices. Though consumer-based technology is motivated by profit, the possibilities for future technologies are still valuable to society as a whole.

To see some specific ways consumer technology is being implemented practically, take a look at this article.

The classic resume is a standard of professionalism that has been agreed upon between prospective employees and prospective employers since the dawn of the barter system. The traditional resume typically consists of a white piece of paper, size 12 font, and an easy to read list of skills and accomplishments designed to convince any reader that the author is a talented and skilled worker. However, recent years and economic stress have driven applicants to become more creative when formatting their resumes, resulting in some truly ingenious creations. The new technological market has developed a need for creative thinkers. Whether you are creating a resume or reviewing one, here are a few things to consider.

When Creating a Resume

Make your resume as professional as it is creative. Don’t forget that this is a representation of your ability to perform well in the job you are applying for. If you err on the side of being too creative, you might run the risk of leaving out important information about your relevant skills. However, don’t shy away from presenting that information creatively. Here are a few tips to start you off.

1. Be visual. An infographic is a great format to present a well-rounded resume. This style can show off your ability and your creativity. Here is an example. Infographic
2. Match the design with your style. If you work best in an open schedule, let your resume reflect that artistically. If you work best in a regimented schedule, reflect that in the same way. Take a look at this resume as a great example: Design and style
3.  Add some flair. Many businesses take PDF files in place of a hard copy resume. Formatting your resume in new ways allows you to show off your skills and, if applying for a tech-savvy job, could help you land the gig. Here is a great example: Flair

When Reading a Creative Resume

If you’re in the position of reading resumes, especially at a small business, be open to accepting those that are creative and not just a simple list of talent and accomplishment.  A creatively designed resume may seem silly and unprofessional, but it tells you a lot about the applicant. It shows that they have the ability to think outside the box, aren’t afraid of taking risks and are clever. These qualities are ones that might be left unrepresented in a conventional resume but are also paramount to the success of any business, large or small. Keep in mind that if someone submits a creatively designed resume, they could be an invaluable asset.

Job seekers will constantly find new ways to set themselves apart from the crowd. A creative resume is a great way to do so, as it allows the applicant the opportunity to develop his or her own standard as it relates to the job wanted. Keeping an open mind when creating and examining a resume is the best way to screen highly qualified and effective candidates.

In the not too distant future, you might start to see websites that end in .food or .microsoft.

After years of looking at the implications, haggling over the details, and sifting through public comments, ICANN, the Internet’s governing body, has voted 13-1 to radically expand the quantity and character of domain endings.

In a release, ICANN called it “one of the most significant changes ever to the Internet’s Domain Name System.”

ICANN, if you’re unfamiliar, stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It is a non-profit organization based in California that oversees Internet-related issues on behalf of the U.S. government. The bulk of the organization’s work concentrates on the management and allocation of top-level domains (TLDs) and IP addresses (those things that look similar to phone numbers).

Peter Dengate Thrush, chairman of ICANN’s board of directors said the change “will usher in a new Internet age,” adding, “we have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration.”
Currently there are 22 TLDs, including .com, .org, and .net. Now, in theory, the sky is the limit: Internet address names will be able to end with almost any word in any language.
But before you rush out to secure www.awesome.dude, check your bank account balance, and get ready to make a good argument for your awesomeness, because there’s some fine print with this new change:

• It will set you back a hefty $185,000 just to apply for a new general top-level domain name
• The approval process will take months and may involve governments and other agencies
• Individuals or organizations will have to show a legitimate claim to the name they are buying

Learn more:
http://www.icann.org/

The Internet has become an increasingly accessible source of information as more and more mobile devices have been designed with online features. Smartphones are becoming more commonplace and are challenging developers to create new ways in which we can interact with the Internet from a mobile device. Once such advancement is voice search, a technological evolution of common voice recognition programs. While most users have experienced voice recognition in one way or another, few users have fully interacted with voice search technology. The idea is simple: provide a way for mobile users to search the Internet without using microscopic keyboards or scrolling through massive amounts of text.

What is voice search?

The Internet is an almost endless source of information, though if the Internet is unsearchable it becomes useless; imagine an encyclopedia with no index. As smartphones develop to the point of accessing a full version of the Internet, it has become necessary to also develop new and more efficient methods of searching for information online. Voice search takes your speech and transfers it digitally via the Internet to a remote database that computes this information through a voice-recognition protocol and then returns that information to your device. Essentially, voice search uses the Internet to translate your voice into searchable text.

All of this is made possible by utilizing cloud technology. Because Voice search takes voice recognition to the cloud instead of a mobile device, it allows for very high performance in both response and accuracy.

While voice-recognition technology has been around for quite some time, the way most consumers have interacted with it has been through robotic customer care. Voice search has taken recent cloud technology, as well as a few well-written algorithms, and turned it into a highly functioning voice recognition tool.

What is the future of voice search?

    As voice search is implemented through familiar tools such as Google and in smartphones, we will most likely see even more creative applications develop. It is very likely that device control will soon be integrated with voice search technology.

    However, most exciting is what could come of language understanding technology combined with the voice search tool. Common search engines, like Google, match a search query to words in a documented text or written meta content. Language understanding technology takes a more practical approach by searching more abstract fields. To illustrate, a common search for the word “photo editor” would result in files or meta content containing those words. A voice search with language understanding software, however, would load a photo editing software, like Photoshop. Imagine your computer running a program simply because you asked it to.

    Voice search is a perfect example of how technology evolves in line with cultural trends. The Internet became mobile with smartphone integration and combined with the advent of cloud computing, opened the door for new search options to be developed. Those developments then have implications in other fields and work to push technology towards new horizons. Soon, highly effective voice search technology could be integrated into the way you use any electronic device. If you’d like to learn more about voice search or language understanding integration, please read this article.

Web video is a medium that is quickly becoming more and more popular for business. Many businesses, however, do not take advantage of web video, despite its ease and convenience. Keep reading for some great ideas on using web video for your business.

Testimonials

Happy customers are usually more than happy to share their great stories about companies. Although testimonials are usually written, video testimonials are not uncommon.

Most people are well aware of how to create a video on their computers and will be happy to create a 30-second video praising your company. This medium makes the stories come alive for prospective clients.

Replace written content

With all of the text that you find on a standard website, it is easy to get lost in the content. Mixing the text with some video can deliver the same message in a way that is new and refreshing to visitors.

Instead of having an average “About us” page, try using a video to describe your business. It can make people feel more connected with your company and gives them a break from text overload.

Educate!

How to” and demo videos are great ways to educate your clients and prospective clients about your business. Although you may not actually sell products that you can demo, there are still plenty of ways to educate clients about something relating to your business.

Restaurants, for example, can create a video on how to properly prepare an artichoke, or something along those lines, that anybody could find useful. Videos of this sort are great because they make you look like an expert in your field.

Web video is a growing medium and a great way to share your stories and ideas with your audience. For even more ideas on using web video, check out this article.

Having the right attitude for business is an important part of getting ahead. Succeeding in business is often just as much about hard work as it is personality, because almost all business includes dealing with people. You could even say it is a sign of hard work when a worker has an excellent work attitude. What does this mean? Simple: having the right kind of business attitude takes training. We aren’t all born with the ability to effectively interact with those around us, cultivating a successful personality takes time. Here are easy tips to consider when working on your business attitude.

1.    Stay positive

Staying positive is at the core of any good attitude. Research has revealed that praising your coworkers often, setting reasonable goals and consistently showing gratitude are all traits common in successful businesspeople. Thinking pessimistically fosters a negative attitude that makes seeing the positives difficult and, in turn, decreases your ability to succeed. Thinking positively lets you see the good things around you and allows you to build off of them, creating an attitude beneficial to advancement. If you’d like more tips on staying positive, take a look at this article.

2.    Be assertive without being aggressive

Being assertive is an excellent business trait, though when acting assertively it is easy to be overly aggressive. The key to acting assertively without acting aggressively is communication. When asserting yourself in a business setting, try not to crush or minimize other people’s perspectives. Allow other people the same amount of time to describe their needs as you’ve allowed yourself and, of course, be open to compromising your needs to meet others midway.

Practicing these tips will make you a member of the team and make an environment that allows for your career advancement. If you’d like additional tips, please consider this article.

3.    Approach conflict with compassion

Interpersonal conflict is an unavoidable part of every work culture. Try approaching resolution with compassion if and when you are at odds with a coworker. Stepping into conflict resolution with an open mind instead of defensiveness will often result in a more positive outcome. Adding compassion to your business attitude will enhance your skills at resolving conflict. If you’d like to read more about being compassionate at work, take a look at this article.

Every successful businessperson has a well-cultivated and implemented business attitude. Professional advancement is dependent on your ability to deal with other people, because all businesses readily involve personal interaction to some degree. These tips and bits of advice will be helpful when evaluating and improving your business attitude, making success far more obtainable. Keep in mind: having a good business attitude takes work. Don’t forget that a good personality is an essential business skill.

You’ve almost certainly heard over the last few weeks that the Internet will soon be going through a big transformation. The change you’ve been hearing about is the transition to IPv6, which many people are still unclear about. Read on for an explanation of IPv6 and what it could mean for you.

What it is

IPv6 is the newest version of Internet Protocol (IP), which is the method by which data is sent from a computer over the Internet. Until now, we have been using IPv4, which will soon be running out of addresses, which prompted the development of IPv6. 

IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses instead of the 32-bit addresses used by IPv4. The longer number strings allow for more addresses because there are a greater number of possible combinations. 

How the transition may affect you

Most likely, you will encounter most of your problems with IPv6, if any, during the initial migration from IPv4. The potential problems will likely depend on the browser you use and the Web server that is hosting the domain you wish to access. Some potential issues include:

• If you’re using IPv6 and you try to access an IPv4 site, you may receive a “404” error.
• If you are on a network that only supports IPv4, you may not be able to access IPv6 sites – you can reconfigure your network in order to fix this.

Despite these minor problems, many people agree that you will probably still be able to access any site. 

How to avoid IPv6-related problems

If you’re experiencing connectivity problems, there are a few sites you can go to that will help you determine whether or not they are related to IPv6. Try going to http://omgipv6day.com/ or http://test-ipv6.com/ which will both tell you what problems you may experience, if any, and what changes you need to make in order to fix them.

Although there is potential for some bumps in the road due to the move to IPv6, chances are, you won’t be affected much. For more information on IPv6, check out this article.