The Boxee Box

Have you ever wanted to watch a movie that was saved on your computer or some other storage device with your family in the family room?  Well now you can with the Boxee Box by D-Link. What is Boxee Box you may ask.  Boxee Box is a home entertainment network that allows your to organize all of your media files and enjoy them from anywhere in the house. While I say anywhere I should also mention any device as well, such as PC's, TV's and even mobile phones.  All you need is an HD-TV, HDMI cable, and a wireless network to get you started.  The device joins your network wirelessly and acts as a bridge between TV's, PC's etc.  Also if your network links to the internet then you wont be limited to just files stored locally but from Netflix and Vudu as well.  It will probably be a good idea to have a dedicated file storage my be a good idea for your files that you wish to use and share often but is not necessary.  I believe that this is a great idea that for people who love to stream and have families that have movie night.


http://www.pcworld.com/article/223830/article.html

The end

The semester is finally over and we have made it! Everyone who was apart of the 2011 class "We made it!" We had some good times and some tough ones but we pulled through. We learned new this that were fun and others will benefit us in the future, so with that being said I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey to success!

Farewell class of 2011!

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Tagul

Tagul is a way to add eye-popping flavor to your web page, weather it is business or personal.  It allows you to choose a design such as a cloud, star, animal etc; and fill in the object in with words that may describe you or your business.  Its a fun and easy cloud based tool, that just about anyone can use. Once you have created an account your  are ready to begin. The six process step is step by step and practicly walks you through creating a tag.  After you have created your tag then you have the option to print, save or send to your web page.  Its just that simple to have your own tag.

http://tagul.com/
https://docs.google.com/a/myedge.cc/present/edit?id=0AYRm-C2oUbRvZGNrNzNkNjNfMWZzOTNya2c1&hl=en

Cloud Based Tools

1. Tagul - Allows you to create tag clouds that can have different shapes and features like text inside of text and rollover effects.

2. File and Calendar Sharing- Provides a way for users to share access to digitally stored information like computer programs, documents, multi-media files and calenders. (Microsoft SharePoint)

3. Website Hosting- Once you register your domain name, you will need to host it on the internet.  This is good for running a small business.

4. Data Storage- You can use data storage service providers like Zumo Drive or Mozy.com to synchronize and store your files.

5. Office 365- Lets you work form anywhere and on just about any device.

Self-Erasing Hard Drives!

If you are a business owner or someone who has a lot to hide, the the Self-erasing Hard Drive is the thing for you.  Toshiba will soon release their new line of hard drives called MKxx61GSYS family.  These new self encrypting drives can detect when it is connected to an unknown or unidentified computer or other system.  When the drive detects this it will then securely erase all of its data or deny access to the drive.  The drives are offered with an extra layer of security which is mainly for corporations or government agencies.  The MKxx61GSYS family has five different drives and start at 160GB up to 640GB.  All of them connect via SATA and run at 7200 RPM, and use AES 256 encryption.  There is no word on the price just yet but I'm sure you gonna have to have pretty deep pockets to get your hands on one. If you do have the money this is a great investment to have!

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20053910-83.html?tag=mncol;txt

Eye Protection

I know many of us do not think of that computers can make our eyes go bad.  The American Optometric Association says that about 80% of people who work with computers and/or play games often have negative affects for staring at the screen to long.  Gunner Optics have came up with a solution, which is called Digital Performance Eyeware.  The glasses protect the users eyes from strain and dry eye from prolonged screen use.  The glasses come in two different styles, one is Advanced Computer Eyewear and the other is Advanced Gaming Eyewear.  Digital Performance Eyewear is available at Best Buy and the price range is from $79.99-$99.99, these glasses are also carried by eye care providers and are prescription ready.  The lenses have an anti-reflective layer to reduce glare and reflection, plus the lenses are tinted to filter out fluorescent light.  If you are in the IT field or just love to do online gaming then these are for you!

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/224128/protect_eyes_with_gaming_glasseseven_while_working.html

Coverage Anywhere!

Have you ever had that one cell phone that you just loved so much, and you could get service anywhere but home?  Well problem solved, this new product to hit the market  called  the femtocell; well maybe not new but kept under wraps by cell phone providers.  The femtocell is a hard covered book sized mini cell tower.  This mini tower is plugged into what ever box provides you internet service like a cable or DSL modem etc.  It doesn't just pick up any cell phone you have to put in the numbers that you want the femtocell to service.  It will service up to four phones and has a range of  5,000 square feet.  AT&T, Sprint and Verizon all sell femtocell's but only AT&T list this product and they list it as Airave on the list with the cell phones.  The price varies depending on which service you have but AT&T's goes for about $130 and Verzion's for about $250.  Sprints doesn't list theirs.  Right now femtocells are only 3G but there are big plans for this device in the future.  I believe that this is a great product, now you can keep your favorite phone or favorite service if you do not get good service at home or work.  This portable device will save people from having to cancel contracts and miss important calls.


http://tech.lifegoesstrong.com/how-boost-cell-reception-home-and-work?obref=obinsite

Earthquake in the PC world!

By now all of us have heard of the earthquake to hit Japan.  Did you ever think that it would have an effect of technology in the US; I know I didn't.  Well three of the top PC competitors which are Lenovo, Toshiba and Apple are located there.  With recent events these three factories have had to shut down because of power outage or damage to the facilities.  This will become a problems for consumers in the US because the prices of PC parts will rise, and may even be hard to get your hands on.  A lot of people in the US are in panic mode right now and are buying supplies in bulk.  Not only the parts are going to go up, but the PC itself are going to make a price curve.  Still don't think its going to impact you that much?  Well lets just say you are an Apple fan, and you just purchased (pre-ordered) the ipad 2.  Well Japan is responsible for at least five components of the ipad 2, now they have more than the problem of if they have enough to ipads for the first week or month of sells, now they have to worry if they will be able to continue production or even fix the ones already sold.  This is not just a problem that is affecting the people of Japan but it also making its way to our door step.
http://www.crn.com/news/components-peripherals/229301295/japan-earthquake-could-disrupt-pc-components-supplies-raise-prices.htm?pgno=2&itc=refresh

Night Vision Security Camera!

Up until now all security cameras have been lacking the ability to give a clear and vivid picture.  The only colors that a security camera were able to display were green.  This was not a help to anyone who had to review the footage, if any problems occur.  Well a company called AIST has come up with a full color night vision camera which is the first of its kind.  It looks no different from any other security camera except for its compact size.  If you are wondering how the camera is able to display color at night; well it uses a special proprietary algorithm that changes non visible light to visible color spectrum that we see with our eyes.  The color is not a perfect color but very close just slightly off.



This camera is going to be a big help to law enforcement, in helping them solve a lot of cases that happen at night.  Also the government will find this gadget useful in certain situations; plus this camera will become someones play toy.  I wouldn't be surprised if soon they would have night vision cameras on cell phones or apps that you could download to your ipad.  There is no word on the price, but I'm sure its around the same price as the other security cameras just add and extra $100!

http://www.myddnetwork.com/new-gadgets/aist-night-vision-camera-brings-color-to-the-night/

The Little Big Disk.

The Little Big Disk is just what its name implies,  it is an external hard drive that can fit in the palm of your hand. This hard drive is 1TB and is compatible with windows and mac OS.  So I know you are asking yourself what makes it so special well  it is more compact and faster than an desktop hard disk.  Also it has built in Raid 0, the body of the hard drive is aluminum heat sink without a fan.  It offers daisy-chaining for video cameras and boots via firewire (Mac) or eSATA (Windows). The Little Big Disk is fully plug in play for the Mac and Windows Vista and its comes with equipped with backup assistants.  This is something that will come in handy if you are the type of person who is always traveling for your company or if you have your own business.  Not only that if you are the type of person who likes to save space this is the ideal external hard drive for you.  This little guy packs a big punch for business or for play!

http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11271

iPad for kids!!

Well Leap Frog has been know for coming out with educational gadgets for kids.  They are know for video games that makes learning easier and fun for kids.  Well Leap Frog has stepped it up another level, they have come out with a leapPad Explorer which is a model of Apples iPad.  This leapPad will be available this summer and will come with a 5in color screen.  The software that comes with it is suppose to make it easy for kids to learn and fun.  Its gonna be big and bulky which is going to make it easy for kids to grasp and durable.  You won't even have to go to the store to buy games, it has the ability to download software offline.  Oh thats not it this pad will also have a built in camera for photos and video.  There aren't any reports on what type of OS will be used yet or anything about memory.  This is one gadget that kids will love to play with and it will keep them occupied all while learning.

 
http://www.myddnetwork.com/new-gadgets/leapfrog%E2%80%99s-new-leappad-explorer-is-the-best-design-yet/#more-2676

Desktop To Go

If you don't have a lap top, have you ever needed to or just wanted to take your PC with you?  Well I have come across a new piece of technology that will enable you to do so, its called the fit-PC3.  The fit-PC3(or pc3) is a tiny computer that is 1in thick and 6in wide.  Don't let the size fool you, this little PC packs a powerful punch.  The PC3 comes with an AMD G-series processor which is the dual 1.6GHz core model, a Radeon HD graphics processor and up to 4GB of DDR3 Ram.  This computer does not come with a fan to cool it off though...I know you are wondering what stops it from overheating then right?  Well the systems runs cool enough to disperse its own heat.  Also the PC3 comes with not 1 not 2 but 6 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI port and an eSATA for extra storage if you need the space.  Well for someone who loves gadgets this is an ideal gift to get yourself, or even if it was used to just watch movies on and not have those downloads on your main computer.  This is the smallest computer I've ever seen, I would have never thought that it could have all of the features that it has.

http://www.myddnetwork.com/new-gadgets/compulab%E2%80%99s-fit-pc3-is-super-tiny-and-fairly-powerful/#more-2390

Forgot your Laptop...NO problem!

Cell phones today can do it all, its a wonder they haven't given them new names such as hand held computers.  For a a couple of months Blackberry's have fallen to the reign of "Android"!  Oh wait whats that you say blackberry is not going without a fight??  Well seems blackberry has a new gadget on the way that just might save the day...well at least some of their customers.  Blackberry is coming out with a new device called the Presenter which is a 3.4in x 2.4in boxlike device that you plug into a projector or monitor.  It uses bluethooth connection to display Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and 2007 from your phone.  Not only are you able to use PowerPoint but you can also present Adobe PDF files.  In order to do this all you need is the the Presenter and to download the software to your phone and to your desktop at home.  Once you plug the Presenter in click present and you are ready to go!

The system requirements are as follows:

• You must have BlackBerry Presenter software
• A desktop running Microsoft Windows XP or a later operation system
• Desktop must have a USB 1.1 or higher
• A BlackBerry device running v4.6 or higher
• Video Output device and a VGA cable or an S-Video cable

The Key features of the Presenter are:

• Loop Mode
• Support for PowerPoint effects
• Freeze Mode
• Bluethooth connection
• Multiple video formats.

This device will save plenty of people, especially people who are always on the road and traveling for their company.  It will come in handy, I just hope some people don't leave their laptops at home on purpose now!

http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/accessories/presenter/

Apple gadgets and printers

Hello fans!  Well Apple is doing something creative...they have come up with printing devices for there gadgets. Well what does this mean for us; well if you are an owner of any Apple products such as ipads, iphones and ipods you will be able to just tap and print to a wireless device.  Being the proud owner of a iPod I have pictures that I would love to be able to print off.  If you have an ipad this will allow you to print off documents and things like that.  So now you can save anything to your gadgets and not worry about not being able to print them off.  For a lil more info check out this site: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jGQ-ERrt18kDOE3vr_P--3Y_FpCw

IPv6 coming soon!

We have all heard of IPv6 at one time or another, but the time is nearing to actually use it.  Come June 8th three of the top websites will take IPv6 for a test run to see how it will actually work out.  These top websites are Google, Facebook, and Yahoo.  It is said that we are running out of IPv4 space and this step could be major in saving the internet as we know it.  Well I believe that this transition will go smoothly and everything will run as planned.  If not I wounder how the world would react...

If you would like to know more feel free to check out this like http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jan/13/facebook-google-yahoo-ipvs-internet-trial

Allow me to introduce myself.

Hello world, my name is Devonta' Smith and welcome to My IT Thoughts.  I am currently a student in my final semester at Edgecombe Community College.  Before returning to school I did some data cabling work and was able to get some hands on experience with patch panels, servers racks and hooking up networks to name a few. After this semester I plan on starting a career with my AAS degree in Computer Information Technology while taking online classes toward my BA. Again welcome to my blog and stay tunned, this is only the beginning!