Comcast brings internet service and computers for families

This is what we wanted to do since we always get so many used computers, often times we can fix them clean them up and give them away to low income folks.

 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20108897-266/comcast-offers-cheap-broadband-to-poor-families/

Symantec tells customers to disable PCAnywhere

With applictions such as LogMeIn, WebEX, and GoToMyPC, surprised people are even using this. Do we really want to use VNC?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-57366090-245/symantec-tells-customers-to-disable-pcanywhere/?tag=cnetiosapp

Brain Wave TV

Brain Wave TV. Doesn’t read your thoughts just your patterns when you focus on a command or object. – Not exactly SmartTV…

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/13/haier-brain-wave-tv-mind-on/

BlueStacks goes Metro with Windows 8

Very Interesting about BlueStacks in Windows 8 – Can’t Wait Thanks CES and CNET

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-33377_1-57355786/bluestacks-goes-metro-with-windows-8/?tag=mncol%3bcontentBody.4

Facebooks new server and data center designs

http://opencompute.org/

Target picks Microsoft’s HyperV virtualization software

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20045503-75.html

First spot in iPad2 line sells for $900

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20042285-71.html

Iphone for Verizon or AT&T which one is better

http://www.gadgetsdna.com/att-vs-verizon-iphone-4-comparison-infographic/8645/

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Power Spikes and Surge Protectors

by Mielle Sullivan, Janus Networks
Why do power surges happen?
A power surge is a sudden increase in the electric voltage on a power line. This boost in electrical energy increases the current flowing to your AC wall outlet and can damage electronics, particularly more sophisticated ones: The most common causes of power surges are:
• Faulty wiring
• Utility equipment problems (power grid switching)
• Downed power lines
• Failed electrical transformers
• Equipment with variable power demands, such as a refrigerator
• Lightening

Power surges enter a building through several paths. Lightning can enter through cable TV/satellite dish cables and even through telephone lines. Adequate power protection is vital to ensure that expensive data and electronic equipment is not permanently damaged.

Lightning strikes cause intense surges that are carried through power lines into homes and businesses. Lightning strikes (direct or indirect) can boost electrical pressure by millions of volts and cause power interruptions and extensive equipment and data damage.
More commonly, surges are caused by high power electrical devices in a system of a building that require larger amounts of energy to turn off and on (referred to as switching). Switching is much less intense than lightning, but can still damage electronic components because they occur on a consistently,
What can happen to a device when a surge occurs and it is not plugged into a surge protector?
Voltage spikes can be harmful to appliances and electrical devices. Increased voltage beyond an appliance’s normal operating voltage range can cause a damaging electrical current within the appliance. Heat from this surge can damage electronic circuit boards and other electrical components. Smaller, more regular power surges can slowly damage electronic equipment, over time, and shorten the life of appliances and electronics.
Are all surge protectors the same?
No.

What are the traits to look for in a surge protector?
• Energy Absorption – Look for a surge protector provides energy dissipation that can absorb a minimum of 400 joules. The joule rating tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it stops working. A higher rating indicates greater surge protection.
• Response time – A response time or rating of 10 nanoseconds or less. The response time is the duration it takes for the suppressor to react to a surge.
• Outlets – Select a surge protector that provides complete protection and has inputs for the types of devices you need to protect. Examples include: telephone, cable, electronics, switches, computers, as well as lights and kitchen appliances.
• Coverage for Connected Equipment – Insurance that protects your connected equipment investment up to a designated dollar amount
• Warranty – The surge protector should be backed up by a lifetime warranty, ensuring reliable performance and quality craftsmanship during the lifetime of the product.
• Failure Indicator Light – A failure indicator light that tells you when the suppressor is not working properly.
• Ground Indicator Light – A ground indicator light shows that the ground line is intact and is able to offer protection.
• Circuit Breaker – A circuit breaker that stops the flow of electricity when there is overloading too. Overloading problems are distinct from surges or spikes.
• EMI and RFI Filters – Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) are caused due the effect of electromagnetic energy and radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation. For EMI/RFI ranges, the wider the frequency range (kHz to MHz), the greater the noise reduction in decibels (dB) across that frequency range.
• Compliance – A UL (Underwriters Laboratory) compliance stamp. Look for a suppressor that meets the UL 1449 specifications. There are three levels of protection: 330, 400 and 500. This number refers to the maximum voltage that the suppressor will allow to pass through the line. The lower the number, the better the protection.
Should you set up an office with 20 computers differently than an office with only 3 computers, or should you just make sure all computers are connected to a surge protector?
It all depends on the office situation and the other equipment uses. At a minimum, all computers should have surge protection. Data loss due to damage from surge is expensive and can create sever disruptions to businesses and home users.
You can contact the author at press@janusnetworks.com

To find out how Janus Networks can provide tech solutions for your small business visit us at: http://www.janusnetworks.com/
Also, visit our blog: http://janusnetworks.wordpress.com/

follow us on twitter: @JanusNetworks

Will Geolocation Services Ever Boost Your Business?

by Mielle Sullivan, Janus Networks

The web world is a whirl for small business owners, especially in urban areas. First there was Citysearch, which did its own online reviews. Then Yelp, in which users wrote reviews — not always good. In 2005, business owners that had just figured out how to make a webpage found themselves making profiles on MySpace or Facebook. Now just when many small business were just beginning to feel good about Twitter, there’s a wave of new services for smartphone users, called geolocation applications.

Today there are three primary apps: Foursquare, MyTown and Gowalla. All cater mostly to iPhone users. As users move about in the physical world, these apps track where they are, so that they can earn points for visiting places, like a business, public spaces or even their workplace. Businesses are already using these apps to promote themselves. Here are some details on each:

Foursquare — Users or players get “badges” for visiting places, and can compete for a top spot — the “Mayor” of a particular location. Some small businesses have begun giving Mayors discounts, because having the Mayor badge means they visit frequently.

Gowalla — Similar to Foursquare, Gowalla is a game that also gives users virtual items that add an extra spin to the badge concept. Gowalla is partnering with big companies to promote them with branded items.

MyTown — For the moment the largest geoloco app, MyTown has almost two million users. In this game, users can “buy” real world properties then charge their friends rent for visiting, similar to Monopoly. This game is also partnering with businesses to offer virtual items. Players want these virtual goods because it helps them advance in the game. And businesses want to give them because it incentivizes players to visit.

For now, small businesses are still trying to figure out where they fit in. But it won’t take long. By the end of the year, geoloco apps will probably be a notable new marketing channel for local businesses in some areas. Areas with large populations of twenty-somethings and lots of smartphone users — like the Bay Area — will see the most growth in geolocation advertising.

For a long time people have predicted that local businesses will draw nearby shoppers by, for instance, sending a coupon to their phone as they walk by the shop; a geoloco game can alert its users to such copuons. It can also identify your existing loyal customers, and help you give them a reason to come back.

The promotions aren’t limited to brick-and-mortar stores selling physical goods, either. Even a virtual business can get some play. For example, The Travel Channel has partnered with Gowalla and MyTown to give out virtual items that promote a new show, Food Wars. Whenever users visit a food-oriented location, like grocery or restaurant they receive virtual good relating to the show.

For most businesses, these services are still in the “watch-and-learn” category–they could be a good place to advertise, but it is still too soon to tell. But if you run a bar, a coffee shop or a restaurant in a college town like Berkley, it’s worth looking into now.

You can contact the author at press@janusnetworks.com

To find out how Janus Networks can provide tech solutions for your small business visit us at: http://www.janusnetworks.com/
Also, visit our blog: http://janusnetworks.wordpress.com/

follow us on twitter: @JanusNetworks