Adobe: Flash gaining traction in the enterprise

Most web browsers no Flash to be a web delivery and development technology for websites. However, Flash is increasingly being used as a UI technology for business applications. Adobe has been promoting Flash more so than ever, now that Microsoft is pushing its Silverlight technology.

An example of a company using Flash in their in-house web applications is Siemens. Siemens and development partner Thrasys created a web-based application based on Flash for Siemen's health information system. The web-based interface unites different back-end systems via Flash and Flex to help streamline how Siemen's employees utilize shared information. Rather than re-engineering the back-end systems, they decided to replace the UI.

Flash came on the market when there were not many web development tools available. This explains the uproar overFlash. However, other developers of web tools still have room to compete with Flash, especially in the enterprise\business arena.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/07/30/Adobe_Flash_gaining_traction_in_the_enterprise_1.html

Google Says Complete Privacy Does Not Exist

Google is being sued by a Pennsylvania couple after their home appeared on Google's Street View pages. The couple's house resides on private property and is clearly marked as private property. In a submission to the court, Google argued that there should be no expectation of privacy in the modern world.

A viewer commented that as long as a Google representative does not step foot on private property, he\she has the right to take as many pictures as they like without breaking the law.

What are you thoughts?

http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/07/31/0240253&from=rss

SaaS and Mobile Browsers

As the tecknology of Software as a Service (SaaS) become more popular, studies show that the demand for more effecient mobile browsing experience increases. Companies the provide SaaS to there customers are finding that potential customers as well as existing customers are investigating the possibilities of having this companies re-engineer some of their in-house web applications to operate on mobile browsers. Especially with systems like CRMs, companies are looking for more ways to interface with their large in-house applications while on the road.

With the growing demand for SaaS products and the deployment of 3G cellular networks with faster browsing speeds, device manufacturers are improving the quality of their browsers. Mobile browsers can now deliver enterprise software to smartphones through web-based applications.

Presently, Mobile Safari used by Apple on the iPhone has received raved reviews regarding both its usability and its rendering of websites. Mobile Safari is based on the open source 'WebKit'. Other WebKit browsers are the Nokia S60's native browser and the Google's upcoming Android browser.

Although the average mobile user has seen much improvement in the mobile browsing, interesting mobile Web advances are still to come. Developers are continuously searching for better ways to make mobile browsing as seamless as it is on desktops.

Michael Morisy, "As SaaS takes off, mobile browsers start to matter more", 30 Jul 2008, Searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com

Wireless Networks\Mobile Security

In June 2005, Gartner published an article writtten by John E. Dunn, Techworld referencing the security risks that are associated with wireless devices. Gartner finds that the number of security risks associated with wireless devices is exaggerated. The security risks range from the fear of mobile malware and the belief that VoIP is unsafe to the unsafe 'hotspots' and a super-worm that could spread the internet in a matter of minutes. The article points out that anti-virus software vendors are seeing huge profits that could possibly come from cell phone and PDA users.

Furthermore, there has been very few attacks on VoIP systems. However, the anti-viral industry has exaggerated the threat so much that many managers of VoIP systems implemented elaborate security measures to protection such networks. Much of this security was uneccessary. Still, many organizations have delayed the installations of wireless networks and IP telephony systems due to the many unconfirmed security threats.

Gartner has published a number of hype reports that focus on various IT industries.

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What are your thoughts?

Smartphones and Network Security

Many corporate leaders believe that smartphones can be a security risk to corporate networks. Due to the intelligence of smartphones and their ability to interface with corporate networks without much assistance (if any) from corporate IT experts, many believe these devices can compromise corporate network security.

What are your thoughts?

Green Computing

As an IT Director for an architectural firm. The rave in the industry is 'Green' architectural designs. Have you all given much thought to 'Green Computing'. Green Computing encapsalates various areas of computing from using diskless workstations to conserve energy, use of more energy efficient computer power supplies to the recycling of obsolete computer equipment and donation of unused computer equipment. We all live in this world! We all need to take part in preserving the environment!

What are your thoughts?