Group items tagged

A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices using some wireless distribution method (typically spread-spectrum or OFDM radio), and usually providing a connection through an access point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network

"A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer,[1][2] is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet. A PDA has an electronic visual display, enabling it to include a web browser, but some newer models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Many PDAs employ touchscreen technology. The term PDA was first used on January 7, 1992 by Apple Computer CEO John Sculley at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, referring to the Apple Newton. In 1996, Nokia introduced the first mobile phone with full PDA functionality, the 9000 Communicator, which grew to become the world's best-selling PDA. The Communicator spawned a new category of mobile phones: the smartphone. Today, the vast majority of all PDAs are smartphones. Over 150 million smartphones are sold each year, while "stand-alone" PDAs without phone functionality sell only about 3 million units per year.[specify] Popular smartphone brands include HTC, Apple, Palm, Nokia N-Series, and RIM BlackBerry."

"Wi-Fi allows cheaper deployment of local area networks "

"A mobile phone (also known as a cellular phone, cell phone and a hand phone) is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator. The calls are to and from the public telephone network which includes other mobiles and fixed-line phones across the world. By contrast, a cordless telephone is used only within the short range of a single, private base station. In addition to telephony, modern mobile phones also support a wide variety of other services such as text messaging, MMS, email, Internet access, short-range wireless communications (infrared, Bluetooth), business applications, gaming and photography. Mobile phones that offer these more general computing capabilities are referred to as smartphones. The first hand-held mobile phone was demonstrated by Dr Martin Cooper of Motorola in 1973, using a handset weighing 2 1/2 lbs (about 1 kg).[1] In 1983, the DynaTAC 8000x was the first to be commercially available. In the twenty years from 1990 to 2010, worldwide mobile phone subscriptions grew from 12.4 million to over 4.6 billion, penetrating the developing economies and reaching the bottom of the economic pyramid"

I love this article from Pennsylvania about Suzy Nestico's class participation in the Flat Classroom project and the Flat Classroom conference. Many in pennsylvania have struggled because of their restrictive rules. Suzy gets it done. "The Flat Classroom Project, cofounded by Julie Lindsay, Beijing, China and Vicki Davis, Camilla, Ga., speaks to the very heart of Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future initiative and 21st Century learning, Nestico said. It utilizes technologies such as a Ning and Wikispaces that allow students to collaborate with other students around the world to peer edit and design a variety of multimedia, despite location and cultural barriers, much like how the real world is starting to work. Each student works with an international partner to create a multimedia presentation based on one of the 10 "Global Economic Flatteners," as described by Thomas L. Friedman in his book "The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century." Nestico learned of the Flat Classroom concept while completing her master's degree in education at Wilkes University, and felt it would give her students an opportunity to explore cultural and political issues without ever having to leave home. After participating in the projects with multiple classes over the past year-and-a-half, new doors opened and, now, students are beginning to meet face-to-face, she said. Students are not just doing education, they are living it, creating it, and ultimately, reshaping what it will look like for others in the future, Nestico said." Great byline that gets to the heart of what we're doing.

Article highlighting Mount Carmel Area's participation in the Flat Classroom Conference in Mumbai, India

They are finding new ways to help the government by wireless innovations. The RapidFlex Mobile Deployment Unit was rewarded the the RCR wireless innovation award. It helps people find out about certain things in a certain area.

NYU Medical students wear 3-D glasses and dissect a virtual cadaver projected on a screen. The professor says "it's like a living digital textbook." I do, however, really hope my doctors have experience with the human body and don't do like a kid who has practiced basketball and never played in the game - bumble the ball as they start. No one wants to be a practice dummy - in this case a practice cadaver. Yet, do you realize that we could now add human dissection to anatomy class? In 3D you could dissect the human body? There are very exciting things coming in this area.

This article discusses how the government has been shut down and how it has affected many different jobs in the world. Many people have been instructed not to go to work in these jobs and this has caused distress. Some of these areas relate to things responsible for virtual communication, connecting the government to the steroids.

"Will soaring transport costs reverse globalization? and HIgh energy prices do not affects all aspects of global trade."

This article states how wireless technology is used in different parts of the world and different projects that are trying to get more wireless technology in some smaller areas.

Look at how this will work with wireless, another good idea for a movie.

An area of explosive growth that is beginning to emerge is the integration of other senses than sight and sound -- smell, touch, taste, etc. and this is an example of how a company is planning to use the sense of touch to let a person follow a soccer game. Don't know if anyone would do it, but if everybody thinks it is a good idea, as a rule, you're too late.

Google sites is the best thing to hit the web since Google Apps. For a long time I'd been wanting a way to have a more private area, where others could still contribute without having to give them full administrative privileges to my domain - and Sites fits the bill and then some. I've used it to support many varied activities including private notes and conversations with clients, keeping track of my home schooled children's assignments and homework, letting them create their own web pages, collaborating with others on content for books and engineering designs, and even sharing pictures of our new dog with my family. It's easier and faster than a wiki, I can control who can see or contribute to a given site, and it's just downright fun to use!

I have only just became aware of this Google service. Apparently it is very easy to exchange data from one google application to another google application. Levels of control can be given. I saw this used extensively for curriculum co-ordination in a failing Bronx school in New York by an Australian who now is back in Australia and continuing the co-ordination. The world is surely getting flatter?

Another 3d virtual world

A new 3D world to explore. I believe we're going to see an increasing proliferation of these. Linden Labs has had the monopoly (and still does), however, there are some key areas that they have not listened to their users - with the teen and lack of an educational grid as an example.

PUtting technology in the hands of children is becoming a civic cause.

One laptop per child is attempting to get small, portable computers in the hands of children in impoverished areas.

"BOSCO-Uganda is helping put an end to isolation caused by war. BOSCO-Uganda is providing an innovative Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution to foster social and economical development and peace building in rural communities of northern Uganda. BOSCO is using a collaborative, web-based ICT training approach encouraging communication and collaboration for people living in isolated or war affected areas. "

Application lets smart phone users send a message and a link to a map marking their location.

Glympse, a Seattle-area startup, is the latest in the field. Its application, also called Glympse, lets smart phone users send a message and a link to a map marking their location to anyone in their address book.

If you want to know how one of the pro's makes and publishes podcasts, here is Wesley Fryer's how to - a must read for anyone working in this area of technology.

""TriZetto has great employees, an agile solution set, and an unparalleled customer base in the healthcare payer and provider markets," said Devanny. "In the months and years ahead, we will build on this strong foundation to help healthcare organizations meet new challenges with new, world-class, technology-enabled solutions. We will continue to actively listen to our customers, letting their voice drive our capabilities, and become a much broader healthcare information-technology company. We will leverage TriZetto's unique assets and capabilities to transform connectivity and collaboration between health plans, providers and consumers. By helping integrate what has been a historically fragmented healthcare industry, TriZetto will help improve the efficiency, cost and quality of healthcare across our country and abroad." To realize this vision, Devanny has stressed five key areas of investment and organizational focus at TriZetto: -- Voice of the Customer, TriZetto's systematic approach to engaging its clients in a strategic dialogue to take customer service and satisfaction to a new level. -- Enterprise Software Solutions, a broad portfolio of flexible and scalable systems to help healthcare organizations improve efficiency and respond quickly in an evolving market. -- TriZetto Advantage Services(TM), comprehensive hosting, business process outsourcing and professional services to help customers meet key business objectives more quickly and with less risk. -- Systematic Health Management(TM), TriZetto's unique approach to population health management that helps customers improve the cost and quality of care. -- Payer- Provider Connectivity, to drive improved efficiency, productivity and collaboration between healthcare payers and providers. "

"Communication is fundamental to any form of organizing but is preeminent in virtual organizations. Virtual organizations are characterized by (a) highly dynamic processes, (b) contractual relationships among entities, (c) edgeless, permeable boundaries, and (d) reconfigurable structures. Relative to more traditional settings, communication processes that occur in virtual contexts are expected to be rapid, customized, temporary, greater in volume, more formal, and more relationship-based. To glean insight into communication processes for virtual organizations, we draw on the rich body of literature on synchronous and asynchronous electronic organizational communication. The vast set of empirical findings regarding mediated communication can foreshadow how communication will change as firms "go virtual." Six areas of electronic communication research provide implications for the major aspects of virtual organization design: (1) communication volume and efficiency, (2) message understanding, (3) virtual tasks, (4) lateral communication, (5) norms of technology use, and (6) evolutionary effects. "

"Mobile technology is exactly what the name implies - technology that is portable. Examples of mobile IT devices include: laptop and netbook computers palmtop computers or personal digital assistants mobile phones and 'smart phones' global positioning system (GPS) devices wireless debit/credit card payment terminals Mobile devices can be enabled to use a variety of communications technologies such as: wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) - a type of wireless local area network technology Bluetooth - connects mobile devices wirelessly 'third generation' (3G), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and general packet radio service (GPRS) data services - data networking services for mobile phones dial-up services - data networking services using modems and telephone lines virtual private networks - secure access to a private network It is therefore possible to network the mobile device to a home office or the internet while travelling. Benefits Mobile computing can improve the service you offer your customers. For example, when meeting with customers you could access your customer relationship management system - over the internet - allowing you to update customer details whilst away from the office. Alternatively, you can enable customers to pay for services or goods without having to go to the till. For example, by using a wireless payment terminal diners can pay for their meal without leaving their table. More powerful solutions can link you directly into the office network while working off site, for instance to access your database or accounting systems. For example, you could: set up a new customer's account check prices and stock availability place an order online This leads to great flexibility in working - for example, enabling home working, or working while travelling. Increasingly, networking 'hot spots' are being provided in public areas that allow connection back to the office network or the internet.

gives examples of what types of products are mobile and the networks that they work on.