To gain popularity in the Windows Internet Explorer dominated web browser market, Apple has released a Windows compatible version of their Safari web browser. Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs said that the company would love to increase the market share of Safari. Safari was released a few years ago especially for Mac computers. The browser has a share of about 5% of the world’s browser market, with more than 18.6 million users. Internet Explorer can be termed as the giant of the industry with share of about 78%, followed by Mozilla’s Firefox having a share of 15%. The move of Apple to release Windows compatible browser can be termed as a way to boost the sales of the products sold under its flagship. Apple has also incorporated the browser in the company’s much anticipated iPhone. Windows compatible Safari will offer a better user interface, tabbed browsing, SnapBack, Form AutoFill, Built-in RSS, resizable text fields, private browsing and better security features. Apple also claims that the web browser is the fastest on any platform and loads pages up to 2 times faster than Internet Explorer 7 and up to 1.6 times faster that Firefox 2. The application is available in Beta and can be downloaded from Apple’s official web page. Via: usatoday
IBM’s STEM software tracks disease path
The software vendor, IBM, has developed an advanced software technology, which will make easier to track the transmission of diseases around the world to the open source and public health communities. IBM’s software can quickly create an epidemiological model for how an infectious disease, like bird flu, is likely to geographically spread over time based on certain parameters including population, road maps, airport locations, travel patterns and bird migratory routes around the world. The software is known as, Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM), which is available through the Eclipse Open Healthcare Framework Project (OHF), hosted at the Eclipse Foundation, the non-profit foundation that guides the Eclipse open source community. Public health agencies and software developers in local communities can customize the models. The tool will help scientists and public health officials in understanding and planning more efficient responses to health crises. STEM is three years of global research including contributions from scientists from IBM’s Almaden, Haifa and Watson labs. STEM has following features: 1) It can run on any operating system: STEM is available on an open source, so communities can work together to build models and respond to emerging epidemics. 2)Tracking Around the World: A basic epidemiological model framework will be provided to public health agencies and software developers, who can customise and configure the models based on their specific geographic, health and relevant macroeconomic issues. 3)Plug-In Contributions: Users would be able to share the customizes epidemiological models they create as well as the plug-ins they build using Eclipse. Joseph Jasinski, IBM program director said, STEM allows public health officials to model the spread of a disease much like modeling a storm or hurricane — it’s like a health weather map. Until now, it wasn’t possible to play out health crisis scenarios on a global scale. STEM gives us the power to do that. Image Credit: Knowledge Base & Alpha Via: Money Control
Google ranked lowest in privacy ranking for comprehensive consumer surveillance
Time is not so far when Google will tell you what you want at what time. It is because of the strong database which Google is supposedly developing by comprehensive consumer surveillance. It may be beneficial for Google in sending relating ads to the users based on their online habits. However, it’s a serious breach of privacy. This is what I have learned from the recently released privacy ranking by Privacy International. In its first report entitled, ‘A Race to the Bottom: Privacy Ranking of Internet Service Companies’, the Privacy International has dropped Google to the bottom of the list which consists of internet bigwigs such as Apple, eBay, Microsoft and YouTube. The report has raised many eyebrows on Google’s privacy policy opening up an open battle between the search giant and rights group. The cyber rights group has come down heavily on Google because of its aggressive use of invasive or potentially invasive technologies”, market dominance and the size of its product range. The report based on six-month of extensive investigation by the rights group into the privacy practices of more than 20 net companies has placed Google in the bottom of the ranking for comprehensive consumer surveillance and entrenched hostility to privacy. Suppose, you use Google services say, Gmail, Desktop, Google Finance, Google Search, Picasa, YouTube etc, your online behavior will be monitored and kept in a database anywhere in the Google kingdom. From that database, Google can learn users’ tastes, fashions and habits. Criticising the report, Google said, We are disappointed with Privacy International’s report which is based on numerous inaccuracies and misunderstandings about our services.We recognise that user trust is central to our business and Google aggressively protects our users’ privacy. In an open letter to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, the Privacy International Director, Simon Davies has explained, So do we have a vested interest in attacking Google? No. Some of the people we work with have Microsoft connections, but we work with many thousands of people as partners, collaborators and managers. One of our trustees, for example, works for a law firm that has Microsoft as one of its many clients. We agreed with this person that a legal document should be drawn up expressly fire-walling his professional from his private involvement with Privacy International. He went on saying, We socialise with Microsoft employees, but then again we socialise with employees of the UK Home Office, which in a recent celebrated chapter attempted to destroy our reputation following critical work on the UK ID card proposals. We are happy to reach out to anyone, regardless of their affiliation. Image Credit
Woodbine’s Volante POS systems offers wireless POS solution for hospitality and gaming
Woodbine Entertainment Group has developed Point of Scale (POS) system, named Volante for businesses enterprise. The company has developed the Volante in pure Java. Volante is an excellent POS software solution for a complex hospitality environment. Volante is able to integrate corporate activity with the powerful features of Internet computing. Volante will also run on the operating system of your choice, Linux, Unix or Windows, or Linux and Windows. Volante’s creative approach to wireless mobile computing makes it perfect wireless solution for venues like stadiums, trade shows, casinos, arenas, race tracks and outdoor sales areas where conventional POS terminals aren’t practical nor feasible. The entire POS software is loaded on the unit and it runs as terminal peer to peer, data syncing. Eddie Stutz, VP of Operations for Woodbine, Reliability is also very important, especially a system that can stand alone. We can’t have our system go down, who wants to find themselves in that situation? So having no down time at all is key. Volante has variety of other applications, including purchasing, rewards and retail, as well as the ability to integrate with Woodbine’s player-reward application. Woodbine has installed Volante at all their various venues, numbering some 200+ registers in a mixed Linux / Windows enterprise topology. Via: Horse Via: The Open Press
Microsoft releases much-awaited Windows Home Server RC
That’s right folks! Microsoft has now made available the much awaited Windows Home Server Release Candidate for all the code monkeys out there. A large number of people who took part in the WHS beta program were eagerly awaiting the release. The Release Candidate 1(RC1) is sure to entertain home users who have multiple Window-based computers in their network. Moreover, it features an array of Add-ins for Windows Home Server. The new platform offers automatic backup, shared space for media (pictures, video, and music), streaming services and remote access gateway to all computers in your home network. If we talk about the Windows Home Server as a development platform, it offers incredible opportunities for the hardware and software developers to come out with inventive solutions. Try it out and yes, don’t forget to report the bugs.
SonicWALL launches the first 16-way multi-core UTM security appliance, Network Security Appliance
A leading provider of Internet security solutions, SonicWALL Inc. has unveiled the industry’s first 16-way multi-core UTM security appliance, named SonicWALL Network Security Appliance (NSA) E7500, which makes deep packet inspection security productive and easy to manage in larger network deployments. The SonicWALL Network Security Appliance E7500 is designed to enable the highest level of Unified Threat Management (UTM) performance at its price point. The NSA E7500 is designed for campus networks, distributed environments and data centers. It is the industry’s first UTM appliance to provide the power sixteen processing cores in a single network platform. The UTM solutions provides high quality network performance, reduces the cost of organizations and protects against dynamic network threats. The NSA E7500 is designed to address these concerns and allows mid-tier and enterprise organizations to reap the benefits of deep packet inspection security throughout their networks. The NSA E7500 includes integrated security services including dynamic threat prevention, content filtering and application control. It also includes other features, which are given below: 1) Virtual private network (VPN) implementations and deployment flexibility, 2) Four high-speed gigabit Ethernet copper interfaces and four high-speed configurable SFP (small form-factor pluggable) ports 3) In-built secure wireless LAN functionality 4) Making the appliance an ideal solution for wired and wireless applications requiring high-speed access and heavy workgroup segmentation 5) It integrates standards-based VoIP capabilities, virtual local area networks (VLANs) and enterprise class-routing and QoS features for the deployment of flexibility and productivity enhancements. Douglas Brockett, vice president and general manager at SonicWALL, said, IT administrators are looking for performance, ease of management, insightful reporting and scalability to help them support their corporate financial goals. SonicWALL is rising to this challenge by being the first to deliver ultra high performance deep packet inspection in an appliance that can easily be deployed and integrated in any size of network. Many threats now originate within the LAN, so deep packet inspection across every interface on the network is essential. Image Credit: Clarity Tech & Sonic Wall Via: Managing & Automation
Microsoft unveils redesigned MSN portal for mobile phones
The software giant, Microsoft has unveiled a resigned MSN portal, which is optimized for mobile phones. The company’s new portal MSN offers news, sports information, entertainment features and access to services like e-mail, search, maps and instant messaging all on one page. The new platform detects the handset and optimizes the site for that device, adjusting things like font sizes for different screens, as users access the portal. According to Sterling Market Intelligence and Opus Research, it is expected that number of US mobile Internet users will become triple to 110 million in 2011 from the current 32 million. While according to Microsoft’s official report, the company will not place advertising on the portal right away but it is expected to have either banner, text or click-to-call ads in place this year. Phil Holden, Microsoft’s director of mobile Web services, said, We firmly believe there is an inflection point here. There’s a new battle, a new frontline developing on the mobile phone. Image Credit: Digit Futuristic Via: WASHINGTON POST
Four Rivers Software Systems releases TMS WorkGroup 2007 for healthcare industry
The provider of TMS and the leading maintenance management software (EAM/CMMS) system for the healthcare industry, Four Rivers Software Systems Inc. has unveiled its TMS WorkGroup 2007 for health industry. TMS WorkGroup 2007 is single and multi-department solution, which chosen by leading healthcare organizations throughout the USA. All TMS existing users with a valid software maintenance agreement can use the TMS WorkGroup 2007, like all TMS upgrades. TMS WorkGroup includes the several other features also, which are given below: 1. The Microsoft MSDE or powerful SQL Server 2005 database 2. 30 new alerts to assist users in staying ahead of the game 3. Wizards for standardizing codes and mass deletion of erroneous work orders 4. PMs and assets 5. PM template mass editing and mass PM date change for work load balancing 6. medTester and other automated interface additions Rob Rentz, Manager of Development of TMS WorkGroup, This new product includes nearly 100 enhancements, with the focus on saving users’ time and improving their productivity. While TMS WorkGroup is designed for small to medium sized LAN-based hospitals, with this new release users will have the power and flexibility of an enterprise solution. Image Credit: Frsoft Via: ManagingAutomation
SAP to resell Visiprise MES under its brand
SAP AG will offer the Visiprise Manufacturing software directly to discrete manufacturing customers under the name ‘SAP Manufacturing Execution by Visiprise’. SAP AG has unveiled an agreement to directly resell the the Visiprise MES system under its brand. SAP has already partnered with Visiprise under which it brings the MES provider into key accounts, where an MES system is needed. Visiprise software helps manufactures to plan, define, control, execute, and analyze manufacturing operations from a single environment. SAP NetWeaver solution has certified Visiprise Manufacturing as SAP xApps Certification. Under this agreement, Visiprise enhances the SAP xApp Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence (SAP xMII) composite application to integrate directly with SAP applications. SAP has also audited source code and tested scripts to technically qualify the Visiprise product to run as part of a core SAP system. Vivek Bapat, senior director of solutions marketing at SAP, said The expanded Visiprise relationship will make it easier for customers to integrate MES capabilities with SAP systems. It is transparent to the customer, there’s no separate purchase order (P.O), which makes it easier for the customer to buy the product. Image Credit: CSC Student Via: Managing & Automation
Dyadem offers enterprise tool for quality lifecycle management
Dyadem International Ltd, a provider of quality software has offered new enterprise level tool, named Stature application to manufacturers to ensure the quality of their products and manufacturing process. The Stature application works with Dyadem’s existing applications for managing product and process quality throughout their lifecycles, including the company’s core FMEA Pro program. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Pro program is backbone of company and it is methodology for product and process risk analysis. This codified system, FMEA is aimed to identify potential product failure and identify defects at both the design and manufacturing stages. Therefore, it avoids the situations for end customers and manufacturing operations personnel alike. The FMEA process not only includes manufacturer’ design teams but also includes manufacturing personnel. The FMEA process is in use at NASA, Cisco, Intel and other companies. FMEA Pro’s capabilities includes following features: 1. Industry-standard risk ranking 2. Recommendation management 3. Pre-loaded and customer-create knowledge libraries 4. Reporting features 5. Administrative record keeping Kevin North, president and CEO of Dyadem, said, You can’t find a company that manufactures anything with any degree of complexity that doesn’t do FMEA both at the design and the process side of the business. Image Credit: Strategis & IBM Via: ManagingAutomation