Technology Archives - HTS Tech Tips

Box – Simple, Secure Online File Storage and Sharing

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, affordable way to manage all of your documents, media and other content via the World Wide Web, you’ll love what Box has to offer. This innovative, online platform will allow you to manage all of your content with incredible ease, while also sharing it with whomever you wish.

Since Box gives you the power to turn your file folders into shared work spaces, while also offering you simple ways to share files as links (and sync files on your computer desktop), it’s the future of file sharing, and it’s available today, for a very affordable price.

By signing on for Box, you’ll gain access to a hard drive “in the cloud”, and you’ll be able to work with your content remotely, through your personal computer, mobile phone, or other electronic hardware.

How Do People Use Box?

Box may be used for a variety of purposes, such as private usage, business usage, or enterprise IT usage. Men and women who rely on Box for its myriad file-sharing and file management features are able to perform a range of practical applications with this convenient, reasonably-priced service. For example, users may store files online and then access them anytime, anywhere.

In addition, they may send links or share huge folders of files in the blink of an eye. The intuitive, user-friendly Box interface keeps everyone in the loop, since it provides real-time updates when people check out files, make changes, or leave comments about files.

Enjoy Unprecedented Flexibility with Box

Another appealing and practical benefit of this cloud-based file management service is its remote sharing and file management services. You’ll enjoy being able to view files from any electronic device through Box’s special apps. When you choose Box, you’ll also be able to use your mobile devices to send files – all that you will need to do is email a link. Box works with your browser, offering you incredible flexibility that really fits your busy lifestyle.

Uploading files from any type of hardware will be a snap, since this service supports lightning-fast, super-easy uploads of so many types of content, from files to folders of files to pictures. Work from anywhere that you are with the power of Box!

Box Technology Brings People Together

When it comes to running a team effectively, Box will definitely be your secret weapon. This service offers the ultimate toolkit for productive, organized online collaboration. By selecting Box as your file management system, you’ll be able to centralize your files, messages and other content in one convenient, online location.

Run projects flawlessly with Box’s wealth of sensible features. For example, Box provides task assignment capability, lets you exchange feedback easily, and gives every team member the real-time updates and email notifications that they need. When you choose this service, you’ll be able to control everything, from anywhere, and things will get done with incredible efficiency.

As you can see, Box technology shows up everywhere, on every type of computer hardware, and it’s very important to people. By offering users access to the sort of file-sharing and communication services that inspire better teamwork in real-time, this innovative, high-tech service brings people together and assists them in getting more from their collaborations.

While other cloud-based file-sharing services are out there on the World Wide Web, few (if any) of them enjoy Box’s reputation for quality and dependability. By providing services that will never let you down, the creators of Box give you reliable file management tools that are amazingly versatile and incredibly convenient to use.

When it comes to choosing the right online file sharing service, you need to work with a provider that offers the ultimate in file security and ftp replacements. When you choose Box, you’ll enjoy truly secure file sharing and premium online collaboration.

Keep your Data Safe and Secure “in the Cloud”

Online file storage will change the way that you do business or manage your own files. Instead of worrying about the security of your data, you’ll know that everything is safe and protected, within the cloud.

Enjoy the online file storage services that you really deserve by choosing Box today. Move your business processes into the future with this highly-rated, user-friendly online file sharing system.

Data Storage Media Lifespan

By Mike McEvoy

The world of data storage, capture and retrieval has gone through many generations and variations. Some storage media had much longer lifespans than others, while many have gone the way of the eight-track tape cartridge. The infographic below groups the different type of data storage media by how the media was consumed (computer, audio, video, photographic) and provides a great overview and timeline of the rise and fall of storage media.

Skype – 15 Things You Want to Know about Skype

By Mike McEvoy

People or businesses looking for a Voice Over IP (VoIP) solution should make Skype one of the options they consider. Offering a wide range of features, the last few years has seen Skype also become increasingly popular with people who need to make international calls but want a more cost effective solution. Skype has a very broad customer base and people use the service in many different ways. This article will introduce you to 15 useful things to know about Skype that you may not have been aware of.

Some customers choose Skype for VoIP services including voice and video (webcam) only. Others use Skype principally for text-based chat purposes with its wide range of features. Other customers do “Skyping” that takes advantage of the full range of services offered by Skype.

Part of what’s handy about this program is its versatility. There is no single best approach to how to use Skype. It all comes down to your needs. Here are 15 useful tips to get you started if you’re interested in downloading the program.

Getting Skype: To start with, you can download the current version of Skype here. The program runs on Windows, Mac, Linux or Mobile phone (Skype mobile runs on Verizon, Android, iPhone, iPad, Symbian and other systems). Even some televisions are compatible with Skype.
Skype Phones: One thing which deters some people from trying out Skype in place of a home phone is the fact that it’s an “internet phone.” This doesn’t mean you have to be chained to your desk talking through a microphone or headset, though. You can purchase a cordless Skype phone or an adapter for your home phone on Skype’s website.
Phone Compatibility: the Skype cordless Wi-Fi Phone is not compatible with random hotspots, since there is no way to log in to them. A Skype cordless phone is not the same thing as a Skype cell phone.
Audio Settings. If you download Skype to use for voice calls, don’t neglect the Audio Settings tab. Skype can get a little buggy with this; sometimes the program will change your audio output or microphone input settings on you without notifying you. This is the first place to check if you can’t hear or if someone else can’t hear you. It’s a key step in Skyping.
Skype-to-Skype calls are free: This means you can talk to any other Skype user without paying for a subscription or a call. There are many competing services which also offer free voice and video calls, so this is a convenient, but not unique, feature.
Skype rates are really cheap: For just $3.00 a month you can purchase an unlimited calling plan. Voicemail comes along with the plan, and you can call actual land line phones this way.
Home Phone Replacement: Want to actually replace your home phone? You’ll also need to rent a phone number so people can call you with their phones. This also comes out to about $3.00 a month, so you can get a fully functional phone plan for about $6.00 a month. The drawback? Skype isn’t compatible with most cell phones (plus you’d still be stuck paying for a basic cell phone plan). However, if you have any of the compatible mobile devices listed, you can get cheap mobile calling this way, too.
No Emergency Calls: One way in which Skype cannot replace a standard phone line is for emergency calling. Skype does not support emergency calling and has no plans to do so in the future.
Call Forwarding: One way to use Skype in conjunction with a cell phone is to use call forwarding where you can forward all Skype calls to your cell phone number. This doesn’t let you place outgoing calls from your cell phone over Skype (or stop paying for your cell plan), but it does forward other peoples’ Skype calls to you to your cell phone at no charge to them. The service costs you only a few cents per minute if you’re in the US.
Displaying Contacts: If your contact list gets cluttered, you can look under “Contacts” and then select “Hide Contacts Who Are Offline.”
Adding Contacts Quickly: The “Import Contacts” feature is a good way of finding all your friends and associates on Skype quickly. This will import contacts from your address books in Facebook, Microsoft Outlook and other sources.
Privacy Control: Skype’s privacy settings are a great way to take control over who can contact you and who can’t. You can cut down on spam by selecting “Only allow people in my Contact list to contact me.” A white list is a much cleaner solution than a black list. This isn’t the best choice though if Skype is your main phone line.
Contact Groups: Rename your contacts and organize them into groups to easily keep track. Skype has a lot of users, so your list could get crowded and confusing fast.
Accidental Calls: Do you keep accidentally calling people on your Skype list? It’s probably because you haven’t unchecked the box in your General Settings which says, “When I double-click on a contact start a call.”
Podcasts on Skype: You can actually use Skype to record high quality podcasts with guests from around the globe if you also download a (free) program like Audacity to handle the recording end. It’s not the most common use for Skype to be sure, but it’s a creative one.

Skype provides a wide range of web-based services including voice and video calling, free Skype calls, group video calling, voice mail and call forwarding as well as feature-rich instant messaging. The program has both free users and paid subscribers. Competitors include Google Talk, Empathy, Linphone, Facetime and Ekiga, among others. Some of these competitors are more focused on instant messaging while others are mainly telephony companies.

These tips should help you in determining if Skype might be useful for you at home or at the office and how to get started skyping. Since Skype is such a versatile application, you may end up using it as your main VOIP utility or you may just decide to use it occasionally to supplement your existing methods of communication. Don’t forget to check into Google Talk, Empathy and other similar programs as well.

Tablet PC Primer

By Mike McEvoy

Tablet PC Primer

One of the fastest growing trends in computing is the use of the tablet PC. Tablet computers have been around for some time having been first introduced to the mainstream over a decade ago. The main turning point in terms of growth and popularity was the introduction of the Apple iPad. Tablet PCs have rode along as acceptance and interest in tablets has grown.

Tablets are also getting smaller, faster and more efficient. With location-sharing and geolocation based services starting to come into their own, more and more people are turning to tablet PCs for their flexibility, convenience and innovative uses.

What is a Tablet PC?

A tablet PC is a small, lightweight, portable computer which operates using a touch screen interface. In many ways tablets are similar to smartphones, only larger and with a primary purpose of computing, not telephony. Otherwise they are quite similar and include many of the same features. Some tablet PCs are more similar to a computer which runs a familiar desktop operating system, only in aversion adapted for the smaller screen and “touch” environment.

The term “tablet PC” is often used interchangeably with “tablet.” Traditional tablet PC operating systems include adaptations of Windows, Linux, BlackBerry Tablet OS, Android, and Apple’s iOS. Examples of tablet computers which you may be familiar with include the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab (an android tablet), BlackBerry PlayBook, and a range of tablets from many other popular tablet manufacturers including Acer, Fujitsu, Asus, and Toshiba.

Over the past couple of years, tablets have been evolving beyond traditional operating systems. Tablets which run on mobile operating systems that fall outside of the old paradigm are sometimes called “post-PC tablets.”

Tablet PC Features

Tablets are quickly becoming a real option for people who want something larger than a smartphone but smaller and lighter than a laptop. Tablet PCs are fully functional computers within the constraints of their physical size; they allow consumers to carry significant amounts of their data with them and can connect to even more of their information stored in the Cloud. Tablets can be very functional for both personal or business use. As part of our Tablet PC Primer here are some key tablet features and specifications:

Size and weight: Tablet PCs are among the largest mobile computing platforms. Most tablet screens measure 7 to 11 inches. The heaviest tablets weigh about two and a half pounds, while most tablets fall within the range of 1-2 pounds. Many newer tablets weigh under a pound however, and are generally equipped with smaller screens (7 inches on average).
CPUs featured in tablet PCs include Nvidia Tegra 250, Intel Atom, and Intel Core.
Storage: The vast majority of tablets feature solid-state disk (SSD) drives. These drives don’t use mechanical parts for reading and writing data. As such they are very fast.
Operating systems include Windows, Linux, BlackBerry Tablet OS, Android, iOS and more.
Touch screen input. Tablets include touch-screen interfaces which enable a user to input data using a virtual keyboard. Touch screens are either resistive or capacitive. Resistive touch screens can enable a great deal of precision and usually require a stylus. Capacitive screens are more responsive, include multi-touch capabilities, and generally do not include a stylus for input.
Handwriting recognition. This is a common tablet feature, but by no means a universal one. If a tablet includes a stylus, it also will include handwriting recognition. Non-stylus based tablets instead rely on the virtual keyboard for typing.
Tablets can sense direction. Using technology called an “accelerometer,” many tablets can detect what direction they are facing and can shift the screen accordingly.
Docking stations may be included with newer models. These docking stations give you the option to add peripherals such as a full size keyboard.
Tablet PCs tend to utilize either on-board flash memory or storage drives. Additional flexibility and capacity is provided by card ports.

Potential Drawbacks to Tablet PCs

No keyboard is included. Not having a standard keyboard isn’t a big deal for some people, but for others there’s just nothing like a physical QWERTY keyboard (whether full-sized or otherwise) to input words. If you need to do a lot of typing fast, the touch-screen may not be what you’re looking for. Consider getting a tablet PC with a docking station for a keyboard if you really want a tablet PC and you type a lot.
The screen may be prone to damage. With laptops and traditional PCs, you don’t actually interact with your screen at all except visually. With a tablet however, you touch the screen frequently, increasing the odds you’ll eventually damage it. While you can typically buy a replacement screen for a tablet, it will be expensive.
Security issues are prevalent. Since you won’t always be on a secure wireless network when you use your tablet PC, you are exposed to greater risk. You can take steps to protect your tablet PC however by installing antivirus and scanning regularly.

What’s Next for Tablet Computing?

Geolocation services are still in the early adopter stages for the tablet PC but are growing fast. What is geolocation? It refers to the practice of collecting information about the physical location of a device. Services which use geolocation include social networking sites like foursquare as well as geo-marketing campaigns which target users based on their location. Location-sharing is something which you can opt into or not, but it’s only useful if you have a tablet PC or another mobile device.

What are some examples of geolocation services and how they can serve you? Picture going shopping, and opting in to receiving targeted advertisements as you walk down the street. The advertisements which reach you will be relevant to you based off of the information you’ve shared, and will direct you to places to shop which are nearby. This can save you time and result in great discounts. Also imagine being able to share your location with a trusted circle of friends and see where your friends are at the same time. If you’re in the same area and not busy, you can meet up.

As location-sharing grows, we can expect to see tablet PCs surge in popularity. The Tablet PC has its disadvantages, but it also offers flexibility and ease of use, and can be adapted with additional peripherals if necessary. With growing trends in geolocation services, they should soon be able to offer more innovative applications to the consumer than ever before.

The areas of Tablet PCs is evolving rapidly. New and improved components, new operating systems, batteries that are lighter and have longer life, and new tablet manufacturers, all add up to ongoing change. And plenty of benefits for consumers.

SSD – Solid State Drives Enter the Mainstream

By Mike McEvoy

Solid state drives (SSD) are still in the early adopter stages, but with changes in the computing market they may well be about to take off. What exactly is a solid-state disk drive? A solid-state drive is a drive with no moving parts. Unlike a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), an SSD drive has no spinning platters, actuator arm or read/write heads. Instead, solid-state drives rely on non-volatile flash memory. Since they don’t require the extra time to manipulate physical parts in order to read and write data, SSD drives are faster at both.

If you aren’t familiar with SSD drives, you may be wondering why they haven’t taken off faster. The main reason for slow adoption is most likely pricing. Right now SSD drives are still expensive to manufacture, which is why companies need to charge more for them. As more research is put into their development and they become easier to manufacture, prices will decrease.

Intel, one major manufacturer of Solis State Drives, has recently announced that its sales revenues will fall this quarter because flooding in Thailand has curbed HDD production. You’d think this would be seen as bad news, but the company’s executives choose to see it in a positive light. The shortage in HDD production overseas will not only affect Intel but also Intel’s competitors. With less competition across the board from HDD manufacturers, Intel and other SSD manufacturers may finally be able to bring SSD drives into the mainstream.

Applications of SSD Technology

What form will SSD technology take as we see it enter the mainstream of computing? Perhaps the most recognizable application already on the market is that of the ultrabook. An ultrabook, or ultrathin, is a super-thin laptop computer with a long battery life, a keyboard, and no internal HDD. An ultrabook is in a sense a compromise between a tablet and a laptop—it is lightweight and small, like a tablet, but has the approachability of a laptop. Ultrabooks may also incorporate tablet touch screen capabilities, making them more user friendly. The most well known example of ultrabook technology currently on the market is probably the MacBook Air by Apple, which is only 0.8 inch thick. Many other manufacturers are starting to flood the market with ultrabooks as well now including Asus, Dell, Toshiba, Acer and Lenovo.

Ultrabooks contain SSD drives with flash memory chips. This enables manufacturers to make them incredibly thin and lightweight. Intel has stated that it intends to take advantage of the HDD shortage to increase the sales of Intel SSD drives. While the company hasn’t discussed details relating to ultrabooks, we will most likely be seeing more and more of them on the market.

Changing Needs of High Tech Customers

The floods in Thailand are not the only global shift that is likely to propel SSDs into the mainstream at last. The changing needs of high tech consumers also may have a positive impact on SSD sales. In the past, consumers were concerned largely with storage space on their machines, but with the advent of cloud computing and mobile technology, many consumers are now becoming quite used to storing their data in the cloud. This being the case, the swift retrieval of cloud data and high-speed playback of multimedia are increasingly more important to consumers than storage space on their computers.

SSDs don’t offer more storage capacity than HDDs, but this is less likely to be a deterrent now that consumer needs are changing. If you use your computer primarily for audio and video playback, gaming and other performance intensive applications, you would almost certainly notice a difference with a solid state disk drive.

Price has been an issue with solid-state drives for years now, but the good news is that while ultrabooks (and SSD drives in general) cost more than standard laptops equipped with HDDs, they still cost less than standard laptops did only a few years ago. As consumers start to discover that tablets don’t allow them to do everything that they really would like to do, and that an ultrabook with an SSD can provide a high tech answer to their needs, it is likely that the sales of SSDs and ultrabooks will flourish in the coming years.