Net Neutrality Debate Takes the Stage Again

by Mielle Sullivan, Janus Networks

Announcements by two big companies brought the issue of net neutrality back to center stage this week. Cable ISP provider Cox Communications announced that it would begin giving priority to “time sensitive data” such as streaming video, website loads and streaming games in some areas. Other data such as file sharing and software updates would be held back when the network is “congested.” Google, an open opponent of such policies, launched Measurement Lab, or M-Lab, to help users identify if their ISP provider is interfering with data flow.

The FCC sanctioned cable provider Comcast last year for a similar policy that slowed peer to peer file sharing. Comcast is appealing that decision. Cox, like Comcast, argues that data management programs like the one it is trying are necessary to ensure a smooth surfing experience as bandwidth demand rises. Net neutrality advocates say allowing ISP providers to determine speed based on the type of data gives the companies too much power and undermines the flat access to information that makes theInternet so powerful. File sharing groups have also pointed out that Cox does not define a congested network or how often it occurs.

It remains to be seen any legal action will be taken against Cox, or if Google’s M-Labs will fuel consumer distaste for data management techniques. For the moment Cox is only experimenting with its new policy in Kansas and Arkansas.

While it makes no decision on existing networks, the House approved stimulus plan does mandate that networks built with the $6 billion allocated for broadband expansion obey data neutral principles. If the bill passes the Senate it will be another victory for net neutrality, but by no means an end to the debate.

Tech Industry Celebrates Obama’s Stimulus Plan

by Mielle Sullivan, Janus Networks

On Thursday The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved $6 Billion of Obama’s economic stimulus package for clean energy and broadband expansion. Called The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the bill intends to increase jobs by providing funding to computerize the health care system, upgrade education facilities, lay down smart grid technology and deploy broadband access tounserved and underserved areas.

Proponents argued the bill was badly needed to improve efficiency and increase US technological competitiveness. The US remains 15th in the world for broadband adoption. Obama has also said upgrading the health care system “won’t just save jobs, it will save lives” and “To help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools.”

Conservatives argued that the bill was pressed through to quickly, is too costly and leaves terms like “unserved” and “underserved” undefined. The FCC will have 90 days to define those terms after a broadband access map of the US has been drawn.

The tech industry highly anticipated the passage of the bill as a boon to the whole industry, not just companies that lay cable or make computer systems. Manufacturers of smart meters, semiconductors, sensors even software makers all stand to benefit from upgrading so many systems. A new layer of “metadata” will have to be added into electrical grids, smart waterways and smart highways. All that data will have to be transmitted, stored and processed.

Despite the billions allocated, some in the technology sector believe the bill does not go far enough, particularly in expanding broadband access. Furthermore, meaningful results in infrastructure changes always take years, and broadband will be no exception.

Technology contractors are already celebrating a chance to earn big grants, which hopefully will translate into some of the millions of jobs Obama has promised.

Windows 7 Beta Gets Good Reviews

by Mielle Sullivan, Janus Networks

The problems with Vista have been so widespread that they have become tired jokes. So, it is a bit of a surprise that the Windows 7 Beta has been getting such good reviews.  After having read many such reviews and reports, here are the primary hits and misses.

This latest version of Windows promises:

• An end to excessive security pop ups by making it easy for users to choose security settings
• To boot up faster, run faster, use less memory and power (especially great for mini PCs)
• A UI redesigned for easier web use
• A redesigned task-bar that features larger icons of programs–mouse over them to see all windows associated with that program
• More intuitive window resizing–dragging a window up screen maximizes it, pulling it down restores; dragging a window to the edges re-sizes it to 50%
• Easier home networking and wireless connecting
• More stability
• A new, better back-up and restore tool
• Multi-touch touchscreen capabilities

But there are still some problems to deal with, at least in this Beta:

• The Sleep/Hibernate mode is STILL unstable and often incapacitating
• It doesn’t work well with Windows Azure Cloud OS tools
• There are problems installing iTunes
• ISO disk images don’t boot well

Overall, the biggest complaint about Windows 7 is that it’s really just what Vista should have been. Some people also dislike having to download Windows Mail and Photo Gallery from Windows Live. Others like this flexibility. If reports of highly improved stability continue after the final version is released, it will be enough for me to upgrade right away. Though I still don’t understand why they can’t fix the sleep function.

You can contact the author at press@janusnetworks.com

USB 3.0 is here. What it will mean to you.

By Mielle Sullivan, Janus Networks

USB 3.0 was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week and it is creating a lot of buzz and excitement among even the most weary of gadget bloggers. The new generation of USB promises 10x speed, better electricity flexibility and efficiency and complete backward compatibility with older generation USB technology.

In many ways, USB 3.0 is the industry catching up with consumers. Since USB 2.0, mobile flash memory devices and drives have become mainstays of the tech world and often the rate limiting step in mobility has been data transfer times. With USB 3.0 there will be a lot less waiting. A high definition movie that would have taken almost 14 minutes to transfer with 2.0 technology will take 70 seconds with 3.0. This means that backing up data, transferring photos and all other exchanges between mobile devices and computers or other devices will be virtually wait free. In other words, the mobile world just got tires on it’s wheels.

Power usage has been the other speed bump for mobile technology and USB 3.0 provides some solutions. Devices with of this next generation will be able to pull power from other devices, faster and easier–so battery charges will be quicker. They will also be able to enter a sleep mode to save power and will even still be detectable to laptops and other devices when the battery is completely drained.

Compatibility with USB 2.0 means essential flexibility as the new generation is adopted. The only catch to all of this advancement is that it won’t start rolling out in new consumer electronics for another year. When it does happen expect a faster more efficient mobile tech life with more movies, photos and games.

 

You can contact the author at press@janusnetworks.com