Tim Berners-Lee Warns of a Breakdown of the World Wide Web

Global action is required to tackle the web's "downward plunge to a dysfunctional future", its inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee has told the BBC. He made the comments in an exclusive interview to mark 30 years since he submitted his proposal for the web.

Read more here: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47524474

Real-World Decentralized Web Apps

There is a push by many -- including the inventor of the World Wide Web -- to make a decentralized internet more possible. There are a number of apps available that leverage this model, and this article discusses a word processing app...

The distributed web is being promoted by people I admire, including web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the Internet Archive’s Brewster Kahle and Mozilla’s Mitchell Baker. It also has a valid reason to exist: people really should own and control their own data, not just labour as unpaid serfs for surveillance capitalism. However, most people follow the line of least resistance, so the web is not going to change overnight.
Services like Graphite are worth considering if you need both encryption and the ability to share secure files online, though there are other ways to do this, such as Boxcryptor and Whisply. DWeb apps will need to become easier to use and mobile before they can reach a mass market.

Read more here...

The Difference Between Websites and Web Apps

This is a good article to provide to consumers on the difference between the World Wide Web and, well, web apps.

The confusion comes from the fact that a web application, or any type of app performs some useful function. You interact with it somehow to complete some job that you need done. But now when most people hear the word app, they recall hearing the catchy phrase there's an app for that and associate that with their phone. Apps then become something that is on their phone.

TenPixesl wraps up with this bit of advice,

The train of thought required to build a web app is quite different than a web site. When building a web site, some common questions might be what information do I want to display, and what's the best way to display it? When building a web application, the questions become features. A developer will ask what does this app need to do? What are we trying to accomplish.

Planning an Online Presence? Here's Some Tips

First question: "Why am I building this web site?" Are you building the site to make money? To share information? Or to build community, to keep in touch, or other collaborative effort?

If you are planning a commercial venture, consider tips on business planning, such as this magazine article.

The most basic tool to get started, after your business plan, would be a site map.

A site map is a diagram that represents the hierarchical structure of your site. The site will ultimately be rendered in Hypertext Markup Language (HTM), but this blueprint provides guidance on the overall navigation and structure.

To get started creating a "site map" of what you envision, read this...

You can use a tool such as this, http://slickplan.com/ or http://www.gliffy.com/ 

A site map is a planning aid that maps out the pages and navigation/structure, to help organize and categorize you content so that visitors can achieve the end goal of viewing your site.

Of course, you could also just use paper and pencil, which lets you free-think with little up-front learning.

Once you'd got your business plan and site map, you should decide if your site can be static (just HTML files) or dynamic (frequent content updates or interactivity, requiring more sophisticated technology such as a content management system (CMS) or actual computer code.

If you have relatively static (unchanging) content, the old method of updating an HTML file manually and uploading it to a server may suffice. This low-tech, low-cost approach can get a site launched fairly quickly.

if your content needs to be able to be updated regularly (daily, weekly, ad hoc), with different people adding content, or content that is updated automatically through the use of automated tools, a CMS might be the way to go.

Another advantage of a CMS -- no need to master HTML. In many organizations, content authors rely on web developers to put the mark-up formatting codes in place to make content web-ready. With a CMS, the content author/owner can access the parts of the site specific to their own content, and publish, often directly to the web site. Sometimes workflow is used, to enable third-party review and approval.

Finally, a CMS makes applying design standards more simple. With static pages, there is great flexibility, but one often relies on templates to ensure a consistent look across a site. With a CMS, non-authorized users cannot make changes to controlled areas.
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Ubiquity of service — State of the Art of the Cloud, circa 1982

For 2012 to be a better year than previous ones, those of us in the various technology sectors must be less protective of IT assets that are commodities, and look aggressively at ways to expand and creatively built upon these assets, rather than maintaining large, complex systems. I call it the 'democratization of technology," the way Steve Jobs brought forth GUIs for the rest of us.

For those elements that require unusual thinking and partnerships, I suggest a change in approach -- emphasize focus to ensure that we are not squandering scarce resources simply to be among the first on the block to do something new. Rather, in a world of limited resources, I advise CIOs to be strategic about IT investments, driven by innovation tied directly to the mission of the organization. In rough economic times, seek partnerships to bring down costs and to maximize innovation and reduce risk.

History supports lofty goals for IT: Jim Morris, in 1982, was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He articulated a vision for connectivity and collaboration: “the primary goal should be to broaden, deepen, and improve the communication among students.”

The way that was accomplished was to devise a computing environment where information could be shared. Professor Morris, working with IBM, rolled out a network at Carnegie Mellon he predicted would be ubiquitous in the future. The Andrew Project, and within it the Andrew File System, was born. AFS was the first safe and efficient distributed computing system, available to both students and professors on campus. In 1982.

Near the close of 1990, Tim Berners-Lee built all the tools we take for granted today for the World Wide Web on the Internet: the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), a Web browser, the first HTTP server software, the first web server, and the first Web pages spelling out the project itself. The browser could access newsgroups and FTP as well, and ran on NeXT computers.

Tablets have been in the sights of futurists for awhile

In 1994, publisher Knight-Ridder produced a video showing a tablet device with many of the elements embodied in the iPad (and, well, the World Wide Web). Some of the functionality -- like flagging items of interest -- appear in app such as Flipboard or Zite. However, Knight Ridder did nothing to make this vision a reality.

On the other hand, Apple had a clear idea a long time ago...

Why an iPad is in your (enterprise) future

When considering how your workforce will be more productive in the coming years, the iPad should be on your list of 'must have' technologies. Why? First off, it's purpose built to have a responsive interface and a lightweight form factor. This exceptional portability means the tool will be easily carted around, and the instant accessibility (no boot time) encourages the use of this tablet. This will open the door to making more information -- say, from an executive information system -- accessible, converting enterprise data into easily digestible information. Think about the fuel gauge in your car -- glance at it, and you know how much remains in the tank to get you where you are going.

Another consideration that makes the iPad tablet a must-have tool is the concept of Collaboration Two-Point-Oh. While the meeting, and the virtual meet enabled by video conference or Skype, is the go-to collaboration tool, social collaboration (think "FaceBook for Business") is fast becoming the avenue of choice to facilitate team work. Of course, Bluedog's Workbench "Always on the Job!" fills this need nicely, and its iPad client app works well to demonstrate the value of Collaboration Two-Point-Oh. Clearly technology won't replace human interaction, but think of this platform as the graphite lubricant to the gears of business.

How big a phenom is social media? For the short-attention-span, watch this video

Interesting video from a Dutch firm, Video Infographs, showing the major statistics for social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Youtube, LinkedIn and others. This paints a picture of how social media is expanding -- think of Youtube reaching 700 billion playbacks in the last 12 months! This is amazing, and, coupled with mobile browsing, I am convinced the untethering of the internet only spells good things...

Social media, is, ahem, already in the mainstream. And, let's face it, mobile platforms are the way people *want* to interact via this conduit. Sharing content via a mobile device (ok, let's just say it, iPhone or iPad) is a growing trend. Location-based interactions are increasingly the way to monetize or realize the potential of this model.

HTML5 - followup

Well, it occurred to me, understanding HTML5 might require further details. Luckily, this does a great job of laying out the convospectraspects of the standard. The good thing is, the (pending) standard really accomplishes a lot, in terms of how the presentation layer ends up "rich," like a traditional thick client.

EDIT: Another dead link, so try this...

Apps as News Channels

I've used the NY Times and WSJ apps a bit on the iPad and iPhone, but I consistently return to the browser-based versions. I'm not sure why - creature of habit, convenience, etc. I guess I am not alone, as the Pew Center's research shows.

Using apps to re-purpose web-based content seems to make sense when there's real value-add. Clearly apps do well for workflow or automation, or leveraging the iOS interface.

It seems apps are gaining ground, but for news consumption, they have a ways to go...

What's on my radar?

There's a host of technologies I am watching... 'cause that is how you stay ahead of the curve.

Virtualization

While server and even data center virtualization are moving mainstream, other aspects of infrastructure management are now evolving. Specifically, I/O virtualization is an essential complement to server virtualization. When running many VMs (virtual machines) on a server, each needs its own input/output, but if you satisfy that need with hardware, you eat up space for network and storage interfaces fast.

Semantic web

Web 2.0 is about collaboration. The next evolution of the WWW is already happening -- the semantic web is about building information *about* information. Meta data that describes web sites and other aspects of the "dark" web (data buried in databases). Unlocking the full potential of interlinked information would result in a Global Electronic Library that could combine all the available knowledge on the planet -- all books, periodicals, newsletters, journals, newspapers, web pages, video, audio broadcasts, spoken word, and more -- into a single, searchable resource available to everyone.

Solid state drives

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data with the intention of providing access in the same manner of a traditional block i/o hard disk drive. SSDs are distinguished from traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which are electromechanical devices containing spinning disks and movable read/write heads. SSDs, in contrast, use microchips which retain data in non-volatile memory chips and contain no moving parts. SSDs are typically less susceptible to physical shock, quieter, and have lower access time and latency, and use the same interface as hard disk drives, thus easily replacing them in most applications.

Super-fast access speeds, low power consumption, and increased capacity (and corollary smaller space requirements) points to the wide adoption of SSDs. But computer forensics implications include the inability to retrieve erased data and other issues not encountered with current technology hard drives.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is a style of computing in which virtualized and standard resources are provided as a service over the Internet. It conceptualize Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Virtualization to provide services for business applications online that are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored in one or more data centers of unknown location to the end user.

Computing hardware has already become heavily commoditized, but, up to a few years ago software was still the realm of high priests With the emergence of cloud computing delivery models -- IaaS, PaaS and SaaS -- information technology professionals now have value-based vehicles to select from to support their various computing needs from do-it-yourself (DIY with infrastructure and platform as a service) to do-it-for-you (in the form of software-as-a-service).

Mobile apps

The realization of Global Positioning in new applications can be seen in mobile apps -- for smart phones, tablets and other venues. The proliferation of these platforms and a vibrant app ecosystems such as the ones around the iPhone/iPad and Android devices are revolutionizing the internet. This shift will arrive through a new wave of innovation that links cloud-based services, smart computing, and app-enabled devices, including cars, appliances, and entertainment systems. Location-aware means more data, resulting in further changes in how we operate in our world. Focused-use applications, aimed at addressing discrete computing needs, and enabled with user experience will extend the reach of these powerful platforms.

DC hardware power management

One solution to power system optimization is DC power. Since utility AC power must ultimately be converted to DC power for use by all silicon chip-based IT equipment and because stored energy systems (batteries, flywheels, etc.) provide DC power for backup, a DC power architecture requires fewer total conversions from grid to chip, creating the opportunity to reduce costs and increase efficiency. It also eliminates the need to de-rate usable capacity due to unbalanced loads, eliminating the concept of stranded power and allowing full utilization of power infrastructure. At the moment, power-over-ethernet is one application of DC power utilization on a small scale; converting entire data center infrastructure to Direct Current as part of a "green data center" movement (including cooling and energy efficiency and reclamation) would result in significant environmental, utility and other money savings.

"NoSQL" databases

Since the 1980s the relational database (RDBMS) has been the dominant model for database management. But, today, non-relational, “cloud,” or “NoSQL” databases are gaining ground as an alternative model for persistent data management. These type of data stores permit elastic scaling, handle large volumes of data with aplomb, require less administration (and help move business logic into the application tier, where it belongs), and support flexible data models.

Large-scale Business Intelligence

MapReduce is a patented software framework introduced by Google to support distributed computing on large data sets on clusters of computers. MapReduce enables something entirely new: the ability to crunch petabytes of data in a fraction of the time it would normally take -- on commodity hardware, no less. Apache Hadoop, now available via Amazon Web Services in the form of Amazon Elastic MapReduce, is the best-known implementation, but MapReduce is also being incorporated into mainstream solutions from IBM, Oracle, and others. As a framework that allows developers to write functions that process data, MapReduce enables fast analysis of large data sets.

Biofeedback or thought-control of electronics

A number of companies and research institutions have shown how brain waves, captured using sensors on a skull cap or head-set, can be used to control computer systems. The applications are medical — giving communications and control of the environment to heavily disabled people — military and, increasingly, in consumer and computer games control interfaces. This may seem like science fiction but the thought-control human-computer interface is here now

Printed electronics

The possibility of the rapid printing of multiple conductive, insulating and semiconductive layers to form electronic circuits holds out the prospect of much lower cost ICs than those prepared by conventional fabrication methods. Printing semiconductors usually implies the use of organic materials (although see below) with very different performance to silicon. It is also implies much larger minimum geometries than can be attained in silicon. But there are applications that can benefit from modest performance on flexible subtrates at low cost; the RFID tag is one and the active-matrix backplane for displays is another.

Energy harvesting

Energy harvesting is not a new idea. We have had the motion-powered wristwatch for many years. But as electronic circuits move from consuming milliwatts to consuming microwatts an interesting thing happens. It becomes possible to contemplate drawing power for those circuits, not from the electricity grid or from a battery but from a variety of ambient phenomena. And this is expected to have far-reaching impact.
One of the early applications is to have vibration-powered, wireless sensors in place on machinery, in vehicles. The battery-less aspect of such sensors removes the need for maintenance.


Resistive RAM or the memristor

Using conductive metal oxide (CMOx) technology to enable two-terminal devices that display a memory-effect in their resistance characteristic would effectively implement research championed by Hewlett-Packard Labs, on the memristor, often described as the fourth passive circuit element after resistors, capacitors and inductors.


Battery technologies

on nickel- and lithium-based battery chemistries, such as nickel oxyhydroxide, olivine-type lithium iron phosphate and nanowires, are gunning to displace the venerable but problematic alkaline-manganese dioxide formulations.


Hydrogen-based economy

By shifting to a hydrogen economy, we will simultaneously solve a long list of problems tied to the oil economy (pollution, limited resources, global warming, etc.) while creating new opportunities with hydrogen (clean, renewable, plentiful energy).

Applications for hydrogen are widespread: automotive (hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles), industrial (hydrogen powered factories), municipal (powering cities with large-scale hydrogen power plants) and residential (home-based hydrogen power plants that convert natural gas to electricity).

Augmented reality

Augmented reality layers information on top of video on mobile platforms, combining related data in ways geographic information systems (GIS) do for two-dimensional information. Applying geo-tagged information enhances what the user is looking at. For example, using GPS and a smart phone’s compass, the app can guess what the user is seeing and then provides information about points of interest in the line of sight that are then overlaid on the camera screen.

Nanotech-based medical diagnostics, targeted drug delivery

Applications in drug delivery, in vitro and in vivo diagnostics and implant technology are currently being exploited with nanotechnology. A promising area is using nanofibers obtained through electrospinning. These fibers may serve as stable or biodegradable scaffolds in bioreactors, as reinforcing structures for blood vessels, biodegradable compounds for wound healing or as a coverage for otherwise bioincompatible materials such as stainless steel for drug-eluting stents.

Miniature drug delivery that targets specific tumors is another area, or the use of micro-robots that swim in a patient's blood stream, transmitting real time data to monitoring medical devices.

Quantum computing

The evolution of miniaturized computing continues with quantum computing, opening the door to a new realm of computational power. Related, scientists have developed a new way to manipulate atoms inside diamond crystals so that they store information long enough to function as quantum memory, which encodes information not as the 0s and 1s crunched by conventional computers but in states that are both 0 and 1 at the same time. Physicists use such quantum data to send information securely, and hope to eventually build quantum computers capable of solving problems beyond the reach of today’s technology.