Is VoIP Taking Over?

This Philips phone can use Skype's VoIP service.

As popular VoIP services, such as Vonage, continue to increase quality and go down in price, a popular question is whether or not it's time to discontinue your home phone in favor of VoIP.

Some households have already ditched their home phones and have gone completely cellular, but for those who frequently call long distance and international, this might not be a practical alternative.  VoIP, on the other hand, offers excellent rates for calls.

A popular complaint about VoIP was that call quality as not always the best, but in recent years, this has significantly improved.  I regularly use VoIP, and the person I'm talking to on the phone doesn't know the difference--the crystal clear call quality is most apparent.

Have any of you completely gone VoIP at home?  If so, what VoIP service do you use?  Skype?  Vonage?  Another?

Skype Releases VoIP on Android Phones

Mobile VoIP FTW?

Skype just released its application for all Android phones.  Currently, it can be used over WiFi; however, a hack allows Skype calling to be used over 3G for true mobile VoIP calling.  If your Skype caller ID is the same as your cell phone number, you can make those international calls at a fraction of the price.

What do you think about this breakthrough?  Do any of you already use Skype for VoIP?

Small Businesses: Oursource MS Exchange Hosting or go Gmail?

As soon as a few years ago, if a small business wanted professional and reliable MS Exchange services to push to mobile devices and work with Microsoft Outlook, the easy decision would be to pay for MS Exchange hosting with its annual fee per mailbox.  In a business that had a handful of employees (i.e. a small mortgage or real estate firm that lived and breathed with email), this was a smarter business decision compared to having your own Exchange server and hardware.

Recently, Gmail's email services (including calendar, etc) have encroached on the small business email territory.  Gmail is free and works with mobile devices.  The storage space increases everyday (it's up to approximately 8GB now).  However, a downfall to using Gmail for business is that each account is independently owned by the Gmail user, so the email account cannot be shut down by the employer and reviewed.

Ultimately, serious small businesses will stick with MS Exchange hosting, while small "mom and pop" shops will use Gmail.  The gap between the two services in the business world is still wide, but at least Gmail provides a robust and feature-rich service for free.

Windows Mobile Messaging (Microsoft Exchange) vs. BlackBerry BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server)

In the enterprise infrastructure, 2 hand held messaging platforms are dominant: Microsoft Exchange and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES).  Windows Mobile phones and the iPhone use the ActiveSync MS Exchange Server information to sync up with your mailbox, whereas BlackBerry phones use a BES server.

In the current infrastructure I manage, our enterprise phones are BlackBerry devices.  The BES links up with MS Exchange.  When emails are received, they route to both servers.  The main benefit here is if the MS Exchange network account is locked out, the BES continues to be able to send and receive messages.

In terms of being a user, I still preferred the iPhone over BlackBerry as I like the iPhone's OS.  However, from an enterprise point of view, the decision makers seem to be more comfortable with a BES as it has a reputation of being more secure (whether this is true or not is a different story).

What are you experiences and thoughts on this?

Google VoIP? Voice calling in Gmail?

At the end of last August, Google added voice calling to Gmail.  Basically, when enabled, you can dial any regular telephone number for free in the United States and Canada.  Your Google Voice number will appear as the caller ID.

I've used this service multiple times, and I've found call quality to be excellent.  Google is trying to encroach on Skype's VoIP territory.

The only flaw I've experienced so far with this is that you cannot utilize the number pad while connected on a call.  For example, if you are going to call your credit card company, and you need to punch in the numbers, they won't be recognized.  Also, if you are dialing into a conference call, and you need to enter in the meeting room number, you're not able to do so.

Have any of you had experience with voice calling in Gmail? Please share your thoughts...

Skype 5.0 and VoIP... the start to service consolidation?

Skype 5.0 will integrate with Facebook to become an even more powerful, consolidated messaging platform. In addition to the normal messaging, this will bring a VoIP interface when simultaneously logged into Facebook.

Are we heading towards a service consolidation concept in which a person can maintain and entire social network and contact them via text, email, or voice all via an Internet connection? It seems like it's getting closer and closer everyday.

What are your thoughts on this?

Computer Insurance?

In recent years, as laptop ownership has become more and more mainstream, some people have gone towards purchasing computer insurance to protect their technological investment.

As for me, I've never been tempted to purchase such insurance as the factory warranty is sufficient for me, and I have the ability to open up the laptop or desktop computer and fix myself. When doing so, there's the cost and time factor... does computer insurance ultimately make life easier?

I think it ultimately comes down to the technological ability of the computer owner. If you don't know much, you're better off having a professional service/insurance take care of it. If you are very knowledgeable, it could be more convenient and safe to do it yourself.

What are your thoughts on this?

Wrecking computer equipment and going to court... The People's Court (no attorney needed)

I came across an episode of The People's Court where two computer nerds who look like they still live with their parents took each other to court.  When appearing on The People's Court, attorneys or lawyers are not needed because you represent yourself.  Check out the below videos for the funny episode :)

Bankruptcy Attorneys using the Internet to increase business prospects

The Information Age has brought on ways to market products not seen in earlier times.  Professionals, such as attorneys, are doing this as well.  A recent study indicated that bankruptcy attorneys have budgeted at least $5000 to $10000 per month on Internet advertising campaigns aimed to drive business to their local practice.  Divorce attorneys can do the same thing too.

Once the prospective bankruptcy filers (from all states) make contact with the bankruptcy attorney, the attorney can then advise whether or not a Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy is necessary.  A decade ago, a bankruptcy attorney would only take local cases, but they can now get business from as far as the Internet can reach (albeit in the United States).

China now has the world's fastest supercomputer

The Tianhe-1A in the flesh...

China now unofficially has the world's fastest supercomputer.  The Tianhe-1A hits 2.507 petaflops, which easily crushes the Cray XT5 Jaguar located in the United States.

The reason why this news is important is because it shows that China's processor technology might surpass the technology in the United States, meaning that Chinese chips could replace US built chips.

What are your thoughts on this?

Is Microsoft going to buy Adobe?

There have been rumors around Microsoft possibly buying Adobe.  If this happens, how will this affect Adobe CS5's offering on the Mac?

Since Adobe released it's Creative Suite for the Mac, it has long been considered (along with Final Cut Studio) to be the premier professional editing suite for media.  Microsoft would be foolish to not cater to the Mac market.  Adobe Creative Suite 5 works flawlessly on OSX, and I find it to be just as stable as the offering for Windows 7.

Do you think Microsoft will really buy Adobe?

Update: Windows Server is up and running... now I'm thinking about installing Ubuntu Server

 

As an update to my post last week, I have Windows Server 2008 R2 up and running on my spare computer at home.  I've barely gotten around to messing around with it, but since a lot of you suggested that I do the Linux server, I have that stuck in the back of my head.  I'm pretty familiar with Windows Server, but there's always the intrigue of learning something new (this is why I also run OSX).

Now I'm thinking that I should go the Linux route?  Is it fairly simple and easy to maintain?  What are your thoughts?

Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Cancelling Headphones

I recently picked up the Bose QC15 headphones for a great price (brand new in box, local pickup from eBay).  The pros on this set of headphones are that they're comfortable, good a class-leading job of noise cancellation, and the sound is crisp and clear.

The only con is the price; however, I got mine for very cheap. Actually, if these had a microphone (I know, I keed), this set would be perfect because I'd be able to use these on VoIP calls on Skype or Google Chat.

Generally speaking, I'm anti-Bose because I think they spend a lot of money on marketing and pump up their pricing to pay for it.  But the headphones made me change my mind.  I fly frequently, and I needed a pair.

Do any of you have noise-canceling headphones?  What do you have and what are you thoughts on them?

Anyone run a Hackintosh Computer?

Hackintosh laptops and desktops have been gaining some cult popularity since the Mac went with Intel processors.  From what I've heard, you have to jump through hoops to get it setup, but once everything works, you're good to go.

Is anyone running a Hackintosh?  What are your thoughts?  Was it worth the trouble?

Apple's New OSX Lion... response to Microsoft's Windows 7?

Apple released the details of their operating system upgrade, OSX Lion.  The concept behind Lion is meshing Snow Leopard with an iPad.  This seems like a good idea, but I'll reserve my judgment for when I actually use it.  Luckily, Apple's operating system upgrades are only $50, so I'll pick it up when it comes out.

Besides the features of Lion, I'm thinking that Apple is trying to one-up Microsoft.  (Yes, I know that Linux rocks, but in the mainstream, it's really OSX vs. Windows.)  Windows 7 is just plain good... I love it.  When it was Vista vs OSX, OSX won hands down.  If you didn't like OSX, you either went to Linux or just stuck it out with XP. 

Once Lion is formally released, we'll be able to accurately compare it with Windows 7.

Update: I'm going to use Windows Server 2008 R2 for my home server

After a lot of thought and suggestions from all of you, I've decided to beef up my old machine a bit and use Windows Server 2008 R2.  I was able to obtain a copy of this at a discount, so it makes more sense.  Also, it's nice having the version with all of the features... I guess I'm a "just in case" type of guy.

This is going to be quite a project, and if I can get my hands on Microsoft Exchange 2010, I might put it on there too.  It'll be nice to play around with this and host my own Exchange server too.  I'll keep you all updated. 

Setting up a home server?

I'm thinking of setting up one of my old machines at home with Windows Home Server... does anyone have any experience with this?  I have an increasing amount of files to store, and I want to be able to remote desktop into my home server from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Do you think this is a good idea?  Please share your thoughts.

Adobe Creative Suite vs. Final Cut Studio

When it comes to a complete suite of multimedia editing, the two industry leaders are Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Studio.  Adobe CS is available on both Mac and PC, and Final Cut Studio is only available on Mac.

Since I use both Mac and PC, I'm partial to Adobe because of the similar functionality.  I used Final Cut Studio for a little bit, but I never really put enough time in it to give a full evaluation.  I didn't bother because I'm just so comfortable with Adobe CS5 in general.

Also, there are rumors of Microsoft buying Adobe, so this debate could get interesting in the next year if this is indeed true.

Which one do you have experience with?  What's your preference?

AT&T Debuts HTC Surround, LG Quantum, & Samsung Focus as Windows 7 Smartphones... Cellular VoIP to be mainstream in 2011?

Today, AT&T and Microsoft unveiled 3 new devices to run the new Windows 7 mobile operating system.  The 3 include the HTC Surround, the LG Quantum, and the Samsung Focus; and the planned release date is during the 2010 holiday season. 

With Windows Phone 7 devices hitting the marketplace, will cellular VoIP become more mainstream in 2011?  We already saw Skype's ability to work over 3G on Android phones (albeit with a hack), and it's safe to say this capability will be uncovered with the Windows 7 phones.

On an Enterprise level, will the Windows 7 smartphones encroach on the territory currently shared by BlackBerry and the iPhone?  The Windows 7 smartphones will obviously work with MS Exchange and could offer ease of use with an existing infrastructure.  Time will only tell. 

Cloud Computing and the Future

"The Cloud"

Cloud computing is one of the hot topics in terms of the next evolution of the operating system and how we're going to use computers in the future. In short, cloud computer is Internet-based computing where the accessible data is stored on a server and accessed via the Internet and a secure connection. 

From an enterprise perspective, cloud computing makes sense because all information is stored on company servers, and this information can be accessed by using ANY enterprise computer, logging into your account, and working away without saving anything on the local computer in use.  Deploying such technology is costly, and it's tough for companies to justify this expense especially with a traditional infrastructure in place. 

From a personal computing perspective, one could argue that cloud computing might not be too practical.  Personal computers have privacy (of course, to a certain extent), and you can store your personal information locally.

What are your thoughts on this?