IT Executive news

• How much can a fiber carry? Facebook and Nokia are pushing it

  21-03-2017 22:39
  
  Facebook and Nokia have found a way to push a lot more data through a submarine cable across the Atlantic, which could help the social network keep up with the growth of video and virtual reality.On a 5,500-kilometer (3,400-mile) cable between Ireland and New York, the companies tested a new technique developed at Nokia Bell Labs for increasing the efficiency of fiber-optic cables. They say it comes close to the absolute limit for sending bits over a fiber.Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said V
  
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• New Apple Watch buyers face limited band selection

  21-03-2017 22:12
  
  When I decided to buy an Apple Watch Series 2, I knew exactly which model I wanted: rose gold with the pink and midnight woven nylon band. It was a combination Apple highlighted on its website, but I wasn’t sure how many the store would keep in stock. Luckily, I snagged one of the few remaining at the SoHo Apple Store and wear it almost every day. Unfortunately, Apple has decided to stop making its watches so customizable in the box.
  The rose gold Apple Watch Series 2 with pink and midnig
  
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• Inventor of new lithium-ion battery responds to skepticism

  21-03-2017 22:09
  
  The inventor of a new lithium-ion (Li-on) technology that is purported to be safer, faster-charging, and longer-lasting than today's rechargeable batteries responded to experts wary of his claim, saying new discoveries invite strong skepticism.
  John Goodenough, 94, a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and co-inventor of the original lithium-ion battery, this week said he demonstrated new battery cells that have at least three times as much energ
  
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• The Pixel C tablet gets some love from Google with a new launcher and multitasking interface

  21-03-2017 21:46
  
  It’s easy to forget that the Pixel brand includes more than phones. Back before the name was synonymous with Google’s handsets, the Pixel C was the best Android tablet money could buy, but it hasn’t done a whole lot to live up to the Pixel name. That’s changing with the latest 7.1.2 Nougat beta.
  Most notably, the new update brings the Pixel phone’s launcher and navigation buttons to the big screen. That means you’ll access your apps by swiping up from the bot
  
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• 3D web content may get a lift from DirectX, Apple's Metal, and Vulkan

  21-03-2017 21:39
  
  One of the big problems in gaming is incompatibility. A game written for Windows and DirectX won't work on Macs or Android devices. Vulkan games work on Android, but not on Apple devices, which has its own Metal API.
  That's one problem that standards-setting organization Khronos is looking to solve with the newly formed 3D Portability Exploratory Group. The group's goal is to develop an interface so 3D games and content on the web perform better by hooking up seamlessly with Vulkan, DirectX, an
  
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• iPad Pro, iPad, and iPad mini 4: What are the differences?

  21-03-2017 21:07
  
  When Apple released a new iPad on Tuesday, the company also simplified the iPad lineup: instead of four iPad models, there are now three. This makes it easier to decide which iPad to buy, though there are still a lot of factors to consider. Let’s take a look at the major features you should think about when picking an iPad.SizeIf you want to carry your iPad around with you, then size is an important consideration. Here’s a breakdown of each iPad.IDGScreenJust looking at the iPads, i
  
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• NASA tests foldable, robotic scout for Mars

  21-03-2017 20:52
  
  The next NASA rover to head to another planet might take a little robotic scout along with it.
  This robot can fold up its wheels and tuck itself away or unfold and pop up like a piece of origami.
  That’s what NASA is saying about its new "PUFFER" robot, or Pop-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robot, which is about the size of a human hand.
  The robot is expected to change the way robots explore Mars. These devices can drop into crevices and craters, climb steep slopes and travel 2,050 feet on one b
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Crisis prevention and hypocrisy in hiding: a lesson for technology companies

  21-03-2017 20:49
  
  If there is a lesson for technology companies, if there is a universal rule that applies to all industries, if there is a maxim every executive should remember, and every business should follow, it is this: If you preach about innovation and transparency — if you make the avoidance of evil your governing philosophy — then you had better mean it. One need look no further than the conflicts involving — as well as accusations of price-fixing and collusion (by South Africa's C
  
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• Microsoft completes Windows 10 customized for China's government

  21-03-2017 20:21
  
  Microsoft has wrapped up work on a version of Windows 10 for China's government and state-owned businesses, and is ready to begin selling the software, a state-run newspaper said today.
  "We have worked extensively to make it secure and controllable. We are now ready to serve the market," Alain Crozier, the CEO of Microsoft's Greater China operation, told China Daily.
  The modified Windows 10 was the result of a December 2015 deal with China Electronics Technology Group(CETC), a state-backed defe
  
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• Oracle sets priorities for Java 9 bug fixes

  21-03-2017 20:16
  
  Java 9 has moved to the second phase of its ramp-down process, with an Oracle official advising deferment of some bugs as the upgrade heads toward its July 27 release date.
  In a recent bulletin, Oracle's Mark Reinhold, chief architect of the Java platform group, advised deferring new P1 (Priority) and P2 bugs that are either not critical or cannot be fixed in the release, which will be offered as Java Development Kit 9. P1 is the designation for the highest priority bugs.[ The big 4 Java IDEs r
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: How to future-proof your transformation project

  21-03-2017 20:15
  
  I recently came across an observation about parenting that I think is wisely applicable to business decisions: “When we make assumptions, we contribute to the complexity rather than the simplicity of a problem, making it more difficult to solve.” It’s a trap that companies often fall into at the outset of a digital or business transformation initiative aimed at achieving breakthrough performance.Leaders tasked with driving the transformation are asked to plan how to reach the e
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Even the decade of A.I. requires great people

  21-03-2017 20:10
  
  I’ve written multiple blog posts about artificial intelligence (A.I.) and other emerging technologies. A.I. is certainly a disruptive technology on the road ahead, but there is one thing that all industries require, no matter how advanced their technology, and that’s great people. High performers, A players, next-generation leaders — call them what you will, but if you don’t have a method to build and retain a pipeline of talent, you put your company at risk of extinctio
  
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• Tesla becomes utility, battery storage supplier to Hawaii's Kauai

  21-03-2017 20:05
  
  Tesla Energy has for the first time become an electric utility to Hawaii's Kauai island, having recently flipped the switch on a solar panel array and corresponding battery storage plant. The facility will generate up to 13 megawatts (MWs) of electricity for the island's power grid to meet peak demand in the evening.
  Tesla, and its subsidiary SolarCity, not only constructed the power plant, but is under contract to run it. Under the contract, Hawaii's Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC
  
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• Peelytics turns peeing into a way to promote products

  21-03-2017 20:04
  
  Not many companies would want you to pee on their product, but one at Cebit positively encourages it.Peelytics of Heidelberg, Germany, has developed a Bluetooth beacon that detects when someone is urinating on it, and for how long. If that person has a hand free to wake up their smartphone, they can "claim" that micturition as their own using the Peelytics app, and perhaps win a prize if they peed for longest.It's all a game designed to encourage people to improve their aim (keeping restroo
  
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• MillerCoors seeks $100M in damages from IT contractor

  21-03-2017 19:59
  
  MillerCoors is suing IT services firm HCL in federal court over what began as an approximately $53 million software deployment.
  The work was for a new SAP system for integrating and sharing data across the enterprise, including accounting, sales, production, warehouse operations, distribution, security and human resources data. It required customization to address particular business needs.
  HCL was hired to do the work, but the lawsuit alleges that the contractor failed to meet project deadline
  
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• UK follows US ban of electronic devices in cabins on some flights

  21-03-2017 19:20
  
  The U.K. is joining the U.S. in its ban restricting passengers from bringing some electronic devices onto flights from the Middle East.Phones, laptops, and tablets that are larger than 16 cm (6.3 inches) in length and wider than 9.3 cm will no longer be allowed in the cabin on select flights coming from several Middle Eastern countries, the U.K.'s department of transportation said on Tuesday. The U.K. said it was in "close contact" with the U.S. since the country announced its own ban on Mo
  
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• What it takes to become an IT security engineer

  21-03-2017 19:17
  
  When Scott Copeland got his associate degree in network administration back in 2004, the community college he attended didn’t offer IT security courses, “but it gave me the foundation to learn more about network security,” he says. His determination and thirst for learning led him to his current job as an IT security engineer at FedEx Services in Memphis, Tenn.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• Juniper extends data center interconnect options

  21-03-2017 19:11
  
  Large data center interconnect users needing high-speed connectivity and bandwidth for access to massive cloud resources have a new option to handle these demands.
  Juniper today rolled out its Open Cloud Interconnect package which includes Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing optical boards for its QFX10000 Layer 3 spine switch and BTI7800 optical transport switch families as well as software to manage those systems.
  +More Juniper coverage on Network World: Juniper battles Cisco, Huawei with
  
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• Flaws in Moodle CMS put thousands of e-learning websites at risk

  21-03-2017 18:39
  
  Organizations that use the popular Moodle learning management system should deploy the latest patches as soon as possible because they fix vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to take over web servers.Moodle is an open source platform used by schools, universities, and other organizations to set up websites with interactive online courses. It's used by more than 78,000 e-learning websites from 234 countries that together have more than 100 million users.A week ago the Moodle developers rel
  
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• IT Career Roadmap: It takes a village to 'raise' a CIO

  21-03-2017 18:17
  
  Lawrence Williams will be the first to admit he hasn’t gotten this far in his career on his own -- his relationships with mentors have helped to inspire, motivate and drive him along the way. As a project manager in Chicago early in his career, his mentor was the CTO of the Chicago Board of Trade, who inspired him to further his education and take his career to a different level.“I’ve always been goal-oriented. I looked at where I was, and where I wanted to be, and I saw that m
  
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• HPE unveils a new SimpliVity appliance

  21-03-2017 18:16
  
  Two months after acquiring SimpliVity for US$650 million, Hewlett Packard Enterprise is beginning to reshape the company's converged infrastructure offering in its own image. SimpliVity’s hyperconverged infrastructure appliance, the OmniCube, replaces storage switches, cloud gateways, high-availability shared storage, and appliances for backup and deduplication, WAN optimization, and storage caching. The company also offers OmniStack, the software powering the OmniCube, packaged for o
  
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• First Look: New Apple iPad, red iPhone and iWatch gear

  21-03-2017 18:08
  
  The least-Apple tablet update everImage by AppleLess sleek and thin? More hardware bang for your buck? The price actually dropped?! Who are you, and what have you done with Apple? The inscrutable gadget company also announced the availability of red iPhone 7s, a new video feature, extra bands for Apple Watch, and a Swift update. Check them out.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Apple trims 18% from 9.7-in. iPad price

  21-03-2017 17:54
  
  Apple today cut the price of its least expensive 9.7-in. iPad by $70, and as it did, dropped the "Air" nameplate and returned to simply "iPad" as the moniker.
  The 32GB Wi-Fi iPad is now priced at $329, an 18% reduction from its predecessor, the iPad Air 2. The 32GB model with a cellular modem cost $459, a 13% discount from its forerunner.[ Related: Video review: Apple's new AirPods ]
  Apple's changes put the larger 9.7-in. iPad at the bottom of the price list for its tablet portfolio, as the 7.9
  
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• Slow growth ahead for IT outsourcing

  21-03-2017 17:19
  
  While the IT and business process services industry continued to grow through 2016, that growth slowed over the course of the year and could fall to less than 2 percent by 2019, according to a recent report from IT and business sourcing consultancy and research firm Everest Group.[ Related: Outsourcing trends to watch in 2017 ]The pace of year-on-year revenue growth fell from 4.5 percent in the first quarter of last year to below three percent by year-end. And Everest Group predicts a continued
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Is the new iPhone SE worth buying?

  21-03-2017 16:49
  
  When Apple first released the iPhone SE, many people scoffed at the idea of an updated 4-inch iPhone. But the iPhone SE proved to be quite popular among iPhone users, and the small phone naysayers were left with egg on their faces.One of the biggest complaints about the original iPhone SE was that it offered only 16 GB of storage in its cheapest model. Apple has now fixed that problem and buffed the storage up to 32 GB for the entry level model which will sell for $399, and 128 GB for the next m
  
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• BrandPost: How Design Thinking Can Boost Digital Transformation

  21-03-2017 16:47
  
  Disruptive technologies, changing customer behavior and shifting economic and political winds have led to complex challenges requiring innovative, nimble solutions that are not business-as-usual. To discover these new opportunities and reshape towards digital transformation, many companies have turned away from traditional analytical thinking towards design thinking, a method that does not immediately consider a solution upfront, but examines both present and future conditions and parameters of
  
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• FBI investigating possible Trump-Russia collusion, dismisses wiretap allegations

  21-03-2017 16:42
  
  Federal law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the potential ties between President Trump's campaign and Russian operatives, including the widespread hacking operations that Russia's government allegedly undertook in a bid to meddle in the 2016 election, FBI Director James Comey told members of Congress yester.In testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Comey also said that he has no evidence to support the allegations that the president recently made via Twitter accusi
  
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• Adobe takes aim at customer experience, partners with Microsoft

  21-03-2017 16:37
  
  Customer experience is the name of the game at Adobe Summit 2017 in Las Vegas this week. Today the company unveiled its new Experience Cloud offering, along with a new partnership with Microsoft aimed at creating a standard semantic data model for customer experience apps and services.For years, digital marketers have measured digital interactions to gather customer data in an effort to optimize customer interactions in real-time by doing things like personalizing landing pages and targeting dis
  
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• 12M connected cars gives General Motors a massive IoT fleet

  21-03-2017 16:26
  
  Steve Schwinke has worked on OnStar at GM in a variety of roles for some 20 years, watching the service evolve from a customer benefit into a full fledged connectivity mesh that helps the automotive giant improve its vehicles.  Now Director of Advanced Development, Schwinke recently talked to Network World Editor in Chief John Dix about OnStar as an IoT platform.
  How has OnStar evolved over the years?
  OnStar started as safety, security and peace of mind for customers, and we have a rich hi
  
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• BrandPost: Shiny vs Useful: Which Trends in the Analytics Market Are Business Ready?

  21-03-2017 16:25
  Business analytics continues to be a hot segment in the enterprise software market and a core component of digital transformation for every organization. But there are many specific advances that are at differing points along the continuum of market readiness for actual use.
  It is critical that technology leaders recognize the difference between mature trends that can be applied to real-world business scenarios today versus those that are still taking shape but make for awe-inspiring vendor dem
  
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• 42% off Yeti Rambler 18 oz Bottle - Deal Alert

  21-03-2017 16:03
  
  The Rambler 18 oz. bottle is next-level, and the perfect addition to your rough commutes, day hikes, or kayak sessions. Features a no-sweat design, tough 18/8 stainless steel construction and a leakproof, 3-finger grip, insulated TripleHaul cap to protects your truck cab or day pack from spills. The Rambler 18 oz. bottle stands 9 1/2 inches high, has a diameter of 3 inches, sized to fit in standard sized cup holders. The popular Yeti bottle's list price has been reduced a significant
  
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• 10 reasons to look for a new job

  21-03-2017 15:57
  
  Sometimes it's obvious when it's time to move on from a job. Other times it's not so clear. If you're not sure if the time is right to search for a new job, here are 10 reasons to consider making a change.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• Windows Server on ARM is for Azure only

  21-03-2017 15:33
  
  A couple of months after announcing that Windows 10 will be available on ARM laptops based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 when the Creators Update launches this spring, Microsoft also revealed that it has been trying out ARM servers in its Azure data centers and is planning to use them for some very specific production workloads.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• Putting IoT to work

  21-03-2017 15:23
  
  tkTo read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• 56% off D-Link Wi-Fi AC750 Dual Band Range Extender - Deal Alert

  21-03-2017 15:12
  
  Eliminate dead zones, reduce interference, and extend the range of your home Wi-Fi coverage with this D-Link Wi-Fi range extender. With next-generation AC750 performance, the DAP-1520 provides bandwidth up to 300Mbps on the 2.4Ghz, and 433Mbps on the faster, more reliable 5GHz bands. The unit is compact and fits discretely into any wall outlet. Right now its typical list price of $45.25 has dropped a significant 56% to just $19.99. See this deal now on Amazon.To read this article in full or to l
  
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• Apple's new iPad lineup slashes prices, the iPad Air, and iPad mini storage options

  21-03-2017 15:00
  
  While we’re still waiting for a fresh iPad with barely-there bezels to make an appearance, Apple has returned to its roots with a new 9.7-inch model simply called iPad. And if you had previously balked at buying an iPad Air 2 because the price was too high, you might want to take notice.
  Apple hasn’t technically added a new model to the iPad lineup, but it has bolstered the low end. Gone is the aging iPad Air 2 (as well as the whole Air branding), and in its place is a new model tha
  
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• 8 tech support best practices

  21-03-2017 14:56
  
  No product or service – or end user – is perfect. This is especially true when it comes to hardware and software. That is why companies, if they want to stay in and grow their business, need to provide help to customers when things go wrong. And while no two products or problems are exactly alike, the best tech support departments share the following eight traits.[ Related: 11 tips for improving your company's customer support ]1. Offer multi-channel tech support, including live chat
  
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• Apple's bold new red iPhone 7 turns upgrading into a philanthropic decision

  21-03-2017 14:53
  
  Apple just made upgrading to an iPhone 7 a philanthropic decision by adding a red special edition to the lineup. The new red aluminum finish, which is available to order for both iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in-store and online on March 24, is a fundraising effort for the Global Fund. Apple will contribute a portion of red iPhone sales to the fight against AIDS and HIV.
  The two new red iPhones will come in 128GB and 256GB storage variations and start at $749 in the U.S. Apple will sell the special editi
  
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• Why your cloud strategy should include multiple vendors

  21-03-2017 14:42
  
  For decades, enterprise computing environments have been composed of servers, storage and networking equipment developed by different vendors. Those choices often hinged on the best products to power applications and data -- as well as the enticing volume discounts tossed into enterprise agreements. A similar scenario is playing out in cloud computing infrastructure, where CIOs are grappling with how to best architect systems for multi-vendor, hybrid cloud strategies.A telling exchange on cloud
  
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• CBRS workshop to focus on burgeoning shared spectrum ecosystem

  21-03-2017 14:17
  
  The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) gold rush is on, and the Wireless Innovation Forum is hosting a workshop in Las Vegas next week for those interested in becoming part of this new shared spectrum ecosystem.CBRS, as we explain in this FAQ, involves the opening up by the FCC of 150 MHz of spectrum to be shared for new commercial uses. The 3.5 GHz band will be shared among incumbents like the U.S. Navy, Priority Access License users (who win special access through an auction) and general
  
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• Huawei sees switch to flash as right time to rethink whole storage infrastructure

  21-03-2017 13:55
  
  Huawei Technologies is going all flash with its latest enterprise storage system, the OceanStor Dorado V3.It's part of the new storage-as-a-service (STaaS) offering the company unveiled at Cebit on Monday, with which it aims to deliver the same experience on-premises and in the cloud. The Chinese equipment vendor is not the first to propose storage-as-a-service, but thinks now is the right time to make its move, as the convergence of big data, analytics and the internet of things increases
  
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• US bans electronics larger than smartphones in cabins on certain flights

  21-03-2017 12:53
  
  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ordered that passengers on flights departing for the U.S from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa will have to carry personal electronics larger than a smartphone as checked baggage, citing increased terror threats.Giving the approximate size of a commonly available smartphone as a guideline for passengers, the DHS said that laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game units larger than smartphones, and travel prin
  
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• Despite the gender barriers, women must persist in cyber

  21-03-2017 11:56
  
  During my years as a high school teacher, I was pregnant twice. I remember having a conversation with my former principal during one of those pregnancies. While I don't recall many of the details of our exchange, there was one statement that will forever be branded in my memory.[ Related: Working while female ]"I know you're really emotional right now because you are pregnant," he said. Needless to say, there was definitely a culture of gender bias at the school, as there is in so many
  
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• Buzz Aldrin in hologram form, a zero-gravity VR chair, and other SXSW 2017 moments you may have missed

  21-03-2017 11:45
  
  Every March, downtown Austin transforms into a bustling hub filled with the latest, art, tech, music, and film, taking on an almost “Spring Break” like vibe as out-of-towners flock to the Texas capital to take it all in. South by Southwest is a conference unlike any other—it’s less of a launchpad for new products, and more of an “ideas” show that brings people from various fields together to talk about what comes next.
  One question we get all the time is, &ld
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: 10 signs your automation is in trouble

  21-03-2017 11:35
  
  Let’s face it, automation isn’t cheap. However, when done well, it can make your testing effort far more efficient and help you get to market faster. When done poorly, it can burn through your budget without providing any real benefit. In the following list, I will highlight some warning signs that indicate your automation effort is in trouble. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you find gaps and improve your current and future automation efforts.1. Engineers can’t run their t
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: For enterprise analytics, good governance isn't centralized governance

  21-03-2017 11:30
  
  Enterprising AnalyticsTo be “enterprising” is to be eager to undertake or prompt to attempt. To show initiative and be resourceful. These are leadership traits, so to be enterprising is to lead. “Analytics” is how we use data to inform decision-making, in the context of achieving business objectives. These are management practices, so analytics is about management.
  “Enterprising Analytics” is about being creative, resourceful and adventurous with decision-maki
  
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• How to use Process Explorer, Microsoft's free, supercharged Task Manager alternative

  21-03-2017 11:30
  
  If you’ve been using Windows for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve had to use the built-in Task Manager at some point or another. Whether it’s to kill a frozen process, track down some nasty malware, or figure out what’s eating up all that memory, the Task Manager is an invaluable tool for any intermediate or advanced user. But for enthusiasts that want extra control, more information, and a host of extra features, there’s a more powerful alternative avai
  
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• What to consider in developing BYOD policy

  21-03-2017 11:13
  
  Why Have a BYOD Policy?Image by ThinkstockIn today’s work environment, employees are increasingly expected to be constantly available and communicating. Regardless of whether the company permits it, employees will use their personal devices for work. Instead of ignoring the inevitable, companies should develop and implement a BYOD policy that protects the company and balances productivity with security. Brandon N. Robinson Partner, Balch & Bingham LLP - Privacy and Data Security Practi
  
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• Ryzen rumors: Perception vs. reality with AMD's new CPU

  21-03-2017 11:00
  
  With the Ryzen 7 launch just two weeks old and Ryzen 5 nearly upon us, AMD’s comeback CPUs are generating as much controversy, confusion, and misinformation as they are excitement. We're cutting through the chatter to give you the real answers about AMD’s new CPU.Perception: Ryzen runs hot
  Reality: Not trueDespite really low thermal design power (TDP) ratings, Ryzen chips have oddly been labeled as running hot. The problem seems to relate to how utilities are reading the n
  
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• 5 reasons why China will rule tech, 2017 edition

  21-03-2017 11:00
  
  China’s push to take over global technology leadership is relentless. It wants to lead in computing, semiconductors, research and development, and clean energy. It is accelerating science investment as the U.S. retreats.
  China may be planning a moon base. Surprised? Don’t be. It will soon have a manned space station. It is investing heavily in quantum technologies and it wants to be first to build an exascale supercomputer.
  In 2010, Computerworld looked at “Five reasons why Ch
  
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