Rick

Canonical Announces Detail of Collaboration with SanDisk to Better Support Ubuntu

by

Ubuntu sponsor and leading solid state drive manufacturer share expertise to provide better Linux experience on both netbooks and laptops

Computex, Taiwan (PRWEB) June 2, 2009 — Canonical today announced that it has been collaborating with SanDisk, the global leader in flash memory cards, to improve how Ubuntu runs on the solid state drives (SSDs) that provide the memory – and memory management – for most netbooks and laptops in the market today. Engineers from both companies have worked closely on system optimizations resulting in longer battery life, reduction in heat levels & better system responsiveness. This is done to optimise the user experience and offer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) a better solution to bring to market.

In addition to remote collaboration, SanDisk engineers have engaged at events like the Ubuntu Developer Summit in San Francisco and Barcelona where the technology industry and Ubuntu community plan future releases of the award-winning platform.

That an industry leader like SanDisk has engaged to this degree is testament to the success of Ubuntu in winning design wins with leading PC manufacturers. More and more people are choosing an open platform on which to run their 'on-the-go' netbook machines, while increasing numbers of OEMs are enjoying the freedom and product differentiation that choosing Ubuntu gives them. With SanDisk committed to full support for the Ubuntu platform, and its engineers in direct and regular contact with their operating system peers, the success of Linux shows signs of acceleration in this area.

"SanDisk is committed to providing OEMs and consumers more choices in how they compute," said Rich Heye, senior vice president and general manager, Solid State Drives, SanDisk. "We decided to collaborate with Canonical thanks to its unprecedented success in helping Ubuntu to drive Linux in the mainstream market. Ubuntu on SanDisk SSDs delivers a fast, robust user experience and offers a fantastic combination for OEMs or original design manufacturers (ODMs)."

"There is no question that flash memory technology has helped this category to flourish. For small, lightweight, robust, heat-managed machines, SanDisk SSD is the best choice for OEMs," said Chris Kenyon, Director of OEM Services at Canonical. "The collaboration between our two organisations demonstrates that Ubuntu is an easy and great choice for OEMs interested in delivering an optimal user experience while differentiating their machines in the market."

About Canonical
Headquartered in Europe, Canonical Ltd is committed to the promotion, distribution and support of the Open Source operating system Ubuntu. Canonical aims to ensure that Ubuntu is available to every business and individual on servers, laptops and netbooks. Canonical Professional Services provide expert consultancy and support that – together with superior Ubuntu technologies – can help deliver significant cost savings and an enhanced user experience to all its customers.

About Ubuntu
Since its launch in October 2004, Ubuntu has become one of the most highly-regarded Linux distributions. With millions of users in homes, schools, businesses and governments around the world, Ubuntu is growing in popularity on the server, the desktop, on netbooks and on mobile devices. With the values of Open Source software at its core, Ubuntu costs nothing to download or update. Users are also actively encouraged to copy, reinstall, modify and share their Ubuntu software anytime, anywhere and with anyone. Visit www.canonical.com or www.ubuntu.com for more information.

Contact: Joseph Eckert, Baker Communications Group, 203-270-3711, jeckert (at) bakercg (dot) com

June is Backup Awareness Month and 94% Of People Still Risk Data Loss, says study

by

Second annual computer backup study by Backblaze shows few people backup.

Palo Alto, California (PRWEB) June 1, 2009 — A study conducted on behalf of Backblaze showed that individual backup habits have gone nearly unchanged year-over-year. Despite 46% of computer users every year losing photos, music, and other data from viruses, theft, hard drive crashes and a slew of similar causes[1], 94% of computer users continue to not do regular backups daily.[2]

To help users start backing up their computers, Backblaze is giving away a 1-year online backup subscription every day during this June's Backup Awareness Month. For more details, visit www.backblaze.com/backupawareness.

As a best practice, regular backups are defined as happening at least once per day. Unfortunately, there has been no change in the number of users doing backups at this frequency. There is a slight silver lining in the survey: while the percentage of users backing up daily went unchanged, there was a small improvement in users backing up at least weekly (13% vs. 14%) or monthly (27% vs. 26%).[2] This infrequent type of backup still results in significant pain when data loss occurs, but it points to some increased awareness of the importance of data backup.

Last year, sales of laptops – which are more susceptible to theft, loss, and breakage – overtook desktops; users buy more digital cameras, iPods, smartphones; and they take more digital photos, buy more digital music, and create more digital documents for work and home.[3] An average new computer today with a 320 GB hard drive can store over 30,000 photos, 20,000 songs, and 100 full-length movies. [4] Despite all of this, computer users continue to act as if their data is impervious to loss.

"For several years, Backup Awareness Month has been a time to examine whether your computer and those of your family and friends are being properly backed up," said Gleb Budman, CEO of Backblaze, "To help people start backing up, we are giving away free 1-year subscriptions to Backblaze online backup every day this month."
To be entered to win one of the 30 free subscriptions for unlimited backup, visit www.backblaze.com/backupawareness.

About Backblaze
Founded by a team of serial entrepreneurs with security, scalability, usability backgrounds, and located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Backblaze's mission is to ensure that all computer data is backed up. Backblaze was selected as a winner of the AlwaysOn Global Top 250 private companies for game-changing technology and market value. Visit www.backblaze.com for more information or to backup your own computer.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Backblaze between May 13 and 14, 2009 among 2,185 respondents, and between May 27-29, 2008 among 2,761 respondents. In both surveys, respondents consisted of U.S. adult computer users (aged 18+). No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

[1] Data loss statistic based on percentage of Backblaze customers that needed to restore data.
[2] This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Backblaze between May 13 and 14, 2009 among 2,185 respondents, and between May 27-29, 2008 among 2,761 respondents. In both surveys, respondents consisted of U.S. adult computer users (aged 18+). No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
[3] Laptop sales reported on: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Midmarket/Notebook-Sales-Outpace-Desktop-Sales/
[4] Drive space calculated based on a 3 MB photo, 4 MB song, and 1 GB movie.

BSA economic impact figures grossly exaggerated, says law firm

by

Scott & Scott, LLP takes issue with economic impact conclusions of the BSA-IDC Global Software Piracy Study. Robert J. Scott, Managing Partner, says: "The economic impact on IT service firms is grossly exaggerated both in revenue and employment."

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) June 1, 2009 — The Business Software Alliance (BSA) revenue numbers reported in their Sixth Annual BSA-IDC Global Software Piracy Study have been widely criticized and with good reason. Dallas-based software audit defense firm, Scott & Scott, LLP also takes issue with the economic impact conclusions drawn and could not find support in either the current or a 2008 Study by IDC. Robert J. Scott, Managing Partner, says: "The economic impact on IT service firms is grossly exaggerated both in revenue and employment."

The BSA-IDC's dollar and employment loss figures are based on an assumption that 100% of pirated software represents a direct loss of revenue to the software firms, and to IT employment in local service, support and distribution firms. There is no evidence that every pirated software would be replaced by a purchase of the legitimate version at full retail.

Scott could not find documented proof of the study's conclusion that local IT service and distribution firms lose $3-$4 of revenues for every $1 of PC software sold and that it costs less to support legal software than unauthorized software. He asks: "What costs
are being measured and how much is IT services?"

An IDC study, released in 2008, predicted that lowering software piracy by 10 points over 4 years would create 600,000 additional jobs worldwide….and generate $24 billion in higher government revenues. Although the current report says "that projection has been confirmed by actual experience in China and Russia", and claims that "since 2003, China added 220,000 IT jobs and Russia added 9,000 of which IDC attributes to lower PC software piracy", no reference as to how IDC arrived at these numbers was found.

Scott says: "IDC's report contains no analysis regarding the effect of unlicensed software on IT services. It seems to me that a high percentage of currently unlicensed software would not be replaced at market price and reducing the proliferation of unlicensed software would actually have the opposite effect of that claimed in the study. Fewer, not more, jobs would be created."

In addition, Scott points out that there is another side to the software piracy issue: the side that looks at the interests of millions of honest businesses that routinely purchase legitimate software for the majority of the products that are installed on their networks. Many of these companies, especially in light of the current economic crisis, do not have the financial and human resources to interpret software license agreements and establish very costly compliance initiatives, largely because of the unnecessary complexities of the license agreements created by the software industry.

Software license compliance can cost large enterprises millions of dollars; smaller enterprises often face even greater costs as a percentage of revenue. Complying with the complex and ever-changing license agreements that publishers mandate requires enormous human and financial resources.

Further, business resources dedicated to compliance management are being diverted from potential business development, investments, R&D and innovation opportunities across all industries.

Scott & Scott believes that the Business Software Alliance should do more to lessen the compliance burden on American businesses, as they seek to adhere to complex license agreements and the challenging asset reconciliation process. In doing so, companies will have the resources necessary to invest in revenue generating initiatives, as well as foster innovation that drives their businesses – and the economy.

About us: Scott & Scott, LLP (www.scottandscottllp.com and www.bsadefense.com) is a leading law and technology services firm dedicated to helping senior executives assess and reduce the legal, financial, and regulatory risks associated with software compliance. Scott & Scott's legal and technology professionals provide software audit defense and software compliance solutions, all protected by attorney-client and work product privileges.

American Legion Offers Free Computer Training to Wounded Warriors in Houston

by

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., June 1, 2009, With support from the CompTIA Educational Foundation, the American Legion will offer a free computer skills development and job placement program to wounded warriors this summer in Houston, Texas. 

 

Running mid-June to early September, the program will hold a recurring cycle of three classes on Saturday afternoons at three Legion posts (Parker Rd. Post 586, Humble Post 132 and Channelview DeZavala Elementary School at 16150 Second St.) and at the U.S. Vets Receiving Center at 1418 Preston. Courses will be taught by adjunct faculty from local colleges.

 

Any military veteran, Sons of the Legion (SLA) member, or auxiliary member is eligible to attend the program. 

 

The first Saturday will focus on using the Internet, interfacing with Texas WorkForce, and selecting jobs. Each participant will select target companies based on their individual background. The second Saturday, participants will learn how to read online job listings, select buzzwords from an applicants background and integrate them into their own resume. The third Saturday, participants will prepare cover letters and resumes to companies they have previously selected.

 

Prospective participants can register for training with Jim Hauck of the American Legion at chemeng@hughes.net.

 

About the CompTIA Educational Foundation

The CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for individuals who historically have been under-represented in the IT workforce. With the support of individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government, the Foundation creates programs aimed at helping U.S. veterans, at-risk youth, women, minorities, dislocated workers, and individuals with disabilities to obtain the technical and business skills employers require. Since its creation in 1998, the Foundation has helped more than 1,000 individuals enter the IT workforce, helping the industry alleviate its shortage of skilled workers. For more information or to make a donation to the CompTIA Educational Foundation, visit http://www.CompTIA-EF.org.

ServRight

by

Business to business computer repair, scanner repair and network cabling service.

Note: Formerly known as USNet.

 

Contact:

ServRight

5350 Shawnee Road, Suite 250
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: 800-642-6015
FAX: 703-916-9096
E-Mail: Sales: sales@servright.com

Web Site: http://www.servright.com

Application: http://www.servright.com/become_a_member.html

Elite Force

by

Nationwide IT service company for small offices, home offices and individuals. The company was launched at CES in 2007 or 2008 (The official recruitment e-mail was sent to The Force Field on January 19, 2008 but was dated January 19, 2007)

Contact: Gerry Hartis, President

2234 Great Falls Street
Falls Church, VA 22046

Phone: 866-ON SITE8 (800 667-4838)

e-mail: ghartis@EliteForceLLC.com

Web site: http://www.eliteforcellc.com

Provider signup: http://www.eliteforcellc.com/members.html

Service Magic

by

Service Magic is a web based service platform that matches homeowners to qualified service professionals. The company was founded in 1999 and is primarily intended for home improvement projects and services such as carpentry, plumbing and other home repairs. In recent years Service Magic has expanded into IT as well .

The system is simple. Buyers put in requests for contract work and the requests are routed to service providers in their areas to perform the work. In simple terms, it is like most of the other platforms such as OnForce, ServiceLive, etc.

The difference is that with Service Magic, the requests are actual leads for the work. The leads are routed to a maximum of three providers, the providers contact the buyer directly and the buyer chooses who will perform the work. The contact information is not filtered or hidden. It is sent directly to the providers.

The buyer routes the lead at no cost to him or her. The provider pays a flat fee for receiving the lead. That fee is based on value within a category of services predetermined by Service Magic.

Service Magic was reviewed on The Force Field web site May 25, 2009 in the article Review: Service Magic.

Service Magic

14023 Denver West Parkway
Bldg. 64, Suite 200
Golden, CO 80401

Phone: (303) 963-7200
Toll Free: (800) 474-1596
Fax: (303) 980-3003

http://www.servicemagic.com

Service Provider signup