From Ballmer to Jobs, tech leaders write memos, manifestos, and rants that shape how all of us consider computing. These 10 provocative statements each have a spot in tech history. Technology tends to be linked to cold, mechanical precision. Nevertheless, the technology industry attracts a good variety of outspoken firebrands. Perhaps the opinionated nature of noted technology leaders is a consequence of the personality traits required to press ahead within the face of naysayers, skeptics, and rivals. Regardless of the reason, the tech industry has given rise to a plethora of indignant memos, manifestos, and rants rich with self-righteousness and private conviction. They describe what is wrong with the realm and the way to set things right. They let us know to think different(ly). Following are 10 of one of the most meaningful, entertaining, astute, and provocative pieces to seem online long ago 20 years. [ From Amazon to Y2K, listed here are the stories behind the various most pivotal developments in technology over the... Read More »

Update to Google’s online spreadsheet app brings much needed speed and other features. Android Security: 8 Signs Hackers Own Your Smartphone (click image for larger view) Google on Wednesday plans to introduce a brand new version of Google Sheets, its online spreadsheet. Part of the Google Apps suite, Sheets has long stood within the shadow of Microsoft Excel, one of many pillars of that company’s battered but still vital Office empire. Through a tremendous rewrite in 2010 and the new integration of QuickOffice, Google has managed to make Docs, another a part of Google Apps, right into a viable alternative to Microsoft Word, at the least for creating content and sharing it online. But its spreadsheet still doesn’t get much respect, particularly when used to import files that originated in Excel. In February, a computer World comparison found “Microsoft’s Excel Web App is superior to Google Spreadsheets,” to claim nothing in regards to the capabilities of the desktop version of Excel. And in a March... Read More »

Backup hasn’t ever been as easy or reliable correctly, and virtualization just makes it worse. My first job inside the storage market was working for a backup software manufacturer within the late ’80s. We were among the first companies that started advocating the postulate of backing up data across a network to an automatic tape library. For many reasons, it was very complicated and failed more often than it worked. Fast forward almost 25 years later and, overall, the knowledge protection process still doesn’t work o.k.. Why is that this the case? Why is backup the job that no-one wants? Why do you actually have to consider backups? Great questions. While backup software and the devices we back as much as have made significant improvements in capabilities and straightforwardness of use, they still fail almost as often as they work. Rapid file growthThe single biggest challenge to the backup process isn’t the size however the quantity of knowledge. The dimensions or amount of information you... Read More »

What do the general public cloud and the steam engine have in common? Greater than you would think. Here’s a talk that James Watt, the 18th century developer of the steam engine, may need with Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos: Mr. Watt, you have to be very happy with your accomplishments. James Watt: Call me James, Laddie. Bezos: Sure, Jim, it’s essential be… Watt: That’s James, not Jim. We do not know one another that well yet. Bezos: I stand corrected. Watt: Don’t stand. Have a seat. Yes, I’m happy that, greater than 200 years after my death, my name is on light bulbs everywhere. a regular home has greater than 80 light bulbs. But did you know what ticks me off? Bezos: What would that be? Watt: i do not make a farthing off that. Did I say it was okay to use my name? i didn’t. James Watt Bezos: But imagine the consideration. Would you otherwise be Georg Ohm? Watt: Obviously not.... Read More »