http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/more/ en jonathan@jonathansessions.com Copyright 2008 2008-10-19T20:42:12-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/making_good_design_and_technology_work_together_for_your_business/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/making_good_design_and_technology_work_together_for_your_business/#When:20:42:12Z The aesthetics of technology often leaves much to be desired. Computers and peripherals consume valuable workspace above and below the desk, generating bulks of gratuitously long cable entangled behind desks and around power outlets, while unsightly beige and black blinking boxes conflict with the hard work of interior designers. Most people simply overlook computers and technology as a part of the office design. If considered, the inclusion stops at the front desk because of cost. However, it does not take much time or investment to create an office where design and technology compliment one another. 2008-10-19T20:42:12-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/flip_video_recorder_allows_more_options_for_publishing_on_the_web/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/flip_video_recorder_allows_more_options_for_publishing_on_the_web/#When:03:41:32Z A few months ago, I read about the Flip: the number one selling video camera on Amazon.com. I was skeptical, but in a month’s time, Oprah had the creator on her show; Mac compatibility was announced; and the one millionth Flip was sold. So I figured I needed one. I got the Flip Mino expecting it to be another tech toy for the office, but I quickly found uses for it beyond the expected. My beagle, Clarence, is notorious for escaping the fenced yard. The Flip is a very basic, pocket-sized video camera designed to be “everywhereable,” according to the company’s marketing campaign. I keep it in a pocket in my bag for easy access and pull it out for all the expected video camera reasons: when I see something funny, good times with friends, etc. During my brief time with the Flip, I have already created and posted more personal video to the Web than I ever thought I would. Smaller than an iPod, the Flip is remarkably easy to use. It has a lens on one side and a 1.5-inch LCD screen on the other, where the recording and zoom buttons are located just underneath. Once you have your recording, you can browse and play clips on the Flip or a TV with the composite-stereo cable included with the camera. The Flip is not a high-end video camera, costing only $149. The resolution is 640×480 pixels, which is comparable to a standard 4:3 television. It won’t look great on a high definition TV, but is fine if you’re uploading video to the Web. I have posted some sample clips online. CBT 2008-09-06T03:41:32-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/drobo_box_creates_a_simple_solution_for_file_backup_and_storage/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/drobo_box_creates_a_simple_solution_for_file_backup_and_storage/#When:16:50:45Z When it comes to backing up data, one of the most common misconceptions people approach me with revolves around external hard drives. Moving files to an external hard drive does not make them redundant; it makes the external drive the single point of failure. The hard drive inside the box can fail, just like the hard drive inside your computer. In my office, the motto is, “if a file is not in two places, it does not exist.” If the files are being moved off the computer hard drive to make space, the solution is to find a way to make the file redundant on other devices. This can mean buying two external hard drives to copy files onto, but that leads to a manual process, more cables on your desktop (I hate cables), and fewer available ports on your computer. Plus, when they fill up, there is no easy way to upgrade. So, now we are looking for a product that automatically makes redundant copies of files, does not take up too much space, is easy to use and is user upgradeable. Sounds complicated, but it isn’t. I already have one. CBT 2008-08-22T16:50:45-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/new_iphone_offers_significant_upgrade_for_some/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/new_iphone_offers_significant_upgrade_for_some/#When:02:36:01Z The day my last column printed, I had already downloaded and upgraded my original iPhone and was waiting in line to pick up the new iPhone 3G. Not surprisingly, I saw many friends while standing in line, many people with the first generation iPhone (myself included), and even several people I waited in line with a year ago to get the first iPhone on day one. Just as the year before, all of us waited patiently for a phone none of us had even seen. I was not surprised. At the newly subsidized prices of $199 and $299, getting the new iPhone, for some (even here in Columbia), merited camping out at the AT&T all night. I was only so bold as to wake at 5 a.m., be in line at 6 a.m., and wait for three hours outside the AT&T store. But, alas, my early attendance failed me; the supply trickled dry just as I walked up. I placed a fulfillment order and two days later, I had a new iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G is not very different from the old iPhone. The name corresponds to its ability to use the faster third generation (3G) data service from AT&T. 3G capability and GPS are really the only new features of the updated hardware, unless you consider the new color choices of black or white (white only in 16GB). The storage capacity remained the same at eight and 16GBs, and the few buttons are all unchanged. It is worth pointing out the headphone jack is no longer recessed, allowing for all standard headphones to be used. Adding the two new features did make the iPhone 3G slightly thicker than the previous generation, but it doesn’t show. With the new beveled back, the iPhone 3G actually feels thinner than its predecessor. Corresponding with the release of the new iPhone 3G, Apple pushed the new iPhone 2.0 operating system (OS) upgrade. The new OS is loaded on the iPhone 3G and can be installed on older iPhones via iTunes. Along with several general fixes, improvements and small updates, The 2.0 software changes the game for the iPhone by adding Exchange and Application. CBT 2008-07-26T02:36:01-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/must_have_iphone_app_for_any_one_in_como/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/must_have_iphone_app_for_any_one_in_como/#When:03:06:00Z Though I haven’t mentioned it on this blog (because it has been mentioned everywhere else) the new iPhone is out.  But the old iPhone has been upgraded, making it almost as great as the new iPhone.  So all Columbia, Missouri iPhone users, new and old, download iCoMo News.  This is a really great little app, very basic, but very useful.  This App was the brainchild of Courtney Schroeder, Misty Anderson, and Alex Tribou as a capstone project for the Journalism School at Mizzou.  iCoMo converges three major news media outlets into one easy, straightforward, consolidated application. The Application loads with the current Doppler Radar images from KOMU (NBC), the latest headlines from the Columbia Missouri, and news podcast from KBIA. While iCoMo News is great program, I wish it would pull more information into itself.  Right now all the links actually opens the iPhone web browser and loads the actual standard website.  It would be nice if the RSS feeds would load directly in the application.  By opening the news stories in the browser it prevents me from going back and reading other news stories or checking other media outlets. While a major inconvenience, iCoMo still makes it very easy to stay up to date with the latest CoMo news. 2008-07-15T03:06:00-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/competitors_beat_updated_iphone_to_stores_but_lose_in_comparison/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/competitors_beat_updated_iphone_to_stores_but_lose_in_comparison/#When:17:45:00Z While waiting for the new iPhone to reach the market, I spent a week with Sprint’s new Instinct and briefly tested Verizon’s Dare, two iPhone wannabes. Samsung’s Instinct Made by Samsung, the Instinct is similar to the iPhone in shape, size and design. It has minimal physical buttons and a large touch-sensitive display. (www.instinctthephone.com) When it came to hardware, faults are hard to find. The black phone has a sleek design, a 2.0 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS, EV-DO (Sprint’s 3G data connection), a standard stereo headphone jack and a USB connector. It does lack WiFi, necessitating an EV-DO connection to access the Internet at any reasonable speed. I disliked the hold button’s location on the top of the phone. It is not in a place for easy one-hand access. Plus, it requires double click and hold to unlock the phone, a major hindrance when just trying to make a phone call. The phone also cannot be used in direct sunlight; the screen completely washes out. Beyond hardware, software is what can make or break a phone of this nature. The Instinct makes a great effort but falls short. CBT 2008-07-11T17:45:00-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/backing_up/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/backing_up/#When:17:09:00Z The image above is from a great blog called Indexed and reminded me of how often I complain about people not backing up, and that I was probably due for another rant.  Backing up is something people don’t do.  I get it.  It takes time.  It boils down to how replaceable is the data.  If your computer replaced with a brand new one, what data would have to be transfered? Any?  Could you just start fresh or are you going to need something from that old machine? Backing up is simple.  Make a copy, put it on another disk.  Any kind of disk: usb flash drive, CD, DVD, external HD.  The key is MAKE A COPY!!!  Moving a file to a separate disk is not making a copy, it’s moving a file.  If that drive is lost, the file is lost.  I hear all too often, “I put the file on my external hard drive, so it’s ok.” No it’s not.  External hard drives are just as susceptible to failure as internal hard drives.  I’m a huge fan of Apple’s new Time Machine system in Leopard (OS 10.5).  The system can be used with any external or internal hard drive (different than the boot drive), and can be used with network volumes, such as AirDisk in the new Extreme Basestations, Time Capsule (Apple’s new wireless router with built in network disk), networked volumes on other computers, and other network drive systems like Drobo. Every hour the system backs itself up with no user involvement after setup. Time Machine saves the hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for everything older than a month.  The system is smart and easy to use.  We have implemented it for all of our server, desktop machines and laptops in the office.  When there is no need to think about it, backups actually happen.  When backups happen people have no need to worry or break down when their hard drives crash.  In our office, a file does not exist unless it is in two places. Tech Tip 2008-06-25T17:09:00-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/carolina_chocolate_drops_july_4th_at_mojos_park/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/carolina_chocolate_drops_july_4th_at_mojos_park/#When:15:39:00Z Everyone should come down for the Carolina Chocolate drops show this Fourth of July.  CCD played an amazing show at last years Roots ‘n’ Blues ‘n’ BBQ Festival and have come back to help Columbia, Missouri do Independence Day right.  There will be food, beer, fun, and SPRINKLERS!!! That’s right sprinklers.  He’s a clip from CCD’s performance at the festival last year. UPDATE: Just found this clip of the Carolina Chocolate Drops from the Roots ‘n’ Blues ‘n’ BBQ Festival of them covering Hit ‘em Up Style. Columbia 2008-06-21T15:39:00-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/get_a_handle_on_net_neutrality_before_its_lost_to_isp_greed/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/get_a_handle_on_net_neutrality_before_its_lost_to_isp_greed/#When:22:14:00Z Over the past four years, in spite of all the debate, the issue of net neutrality has become less understood, or just ignored — to our peril. So what is net neutrality? The net has always been neutral; anyone can connect anything to — and connect to anything on — the Internet without restriction. The users of the Internet control what content they view. It is the job of Internet service providers (ISPs) to transfer data requested by the users without interfering with that data. Right now if you open a browser point it to www.google.com it quickly loads the familiar multi-colored logo. You can do the same with Yahoo, MSN, and Ask. Neutrality makes this work; one site loads just as quickly as another. However, ISPs want more control. After much lobbying and a Supreme Court ruling, in 2005 the Federal Communications Commission removed nondiscrimination protections and handed control of Internet traffic to the telephone and cable companies. The largest ISPs (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner) in the U.S. want to eliminate net neutrality and act as gatekeepers for the Internet, controlling the content, speed, and availability of their networks. They see profit potential from corporations. Currently users pay for service to their homes, but ISPs want to tier that service and charge companies service guarantees. Their plan involves speeding up the sites of the highest bidder while slowing down, blocking, or even redirecting away from competitor sites. CBT 2008-06-13T22:14:00-06:00 http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/fixing_things/ http://www.jonathansessions.com/home/comments/fixing_things/#When:14:09:00Z Just wanted to point out the RSS feed of “Links” to the right has been fix.  Click away. 2008-05-04T14:09:00-06:00