10 Steps to Moving to the Cloud

Virtualization and cloud computing increase efficiency and flexibility in providing data and applications to users, yet managing performance of applications and transactions in the cloud is neither simple nor easy. When you add another layer, particularly one that is highly dynamic in nature, assuring a high quality user experience gets trickier when applications misbehave. It’s harder to determine where an application or transaction was working when the failure or slowdown occurred, since virtual machines are provisioned and decommissioned continually according to business priority and demand. You can no longer monitor an application in the context of its server.

1. Think End-to-end
The traditional server-centric monitoring approach is no longer relevant. Focus on applications and transactions instead.

2. Fix First
Application problems don't go away in the cloud; address them before making the move.

3. Prioritize
Map out your business priorities by application so you can focus on infrastructure and monitoring.

4. Establish Baselines
Set performance baselines before migration, so IT can accurately characterize user issues in the cloud.

5. Define Metrics
Establish core metrics for the cloud, such as response time for critical transactions.

6. Monitor QoS.
Watch for degradation of quality of service during and after migration.

7. Watch for Contention
Resource contention on virtual machines is a common problem that IT should monitor.

8. Balance Java Clusters
Beware that adding nodes/capacity to an unbalanced cluster has detrimental effects.

9. Weigh Performance
Compare the performance history of your app in the cloud to the performance history while the app was "on iron".

10. Optimize Staff
Deploy IT staff according to business priority so you don't under-staff a critical application.

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15 Companies That Made Waves at Cloud Connect 2011

 

Cloud computing-related conferences are en vogue in IT right now and deservedly so. There is so much to learn and discuss about this truly disruptive form of IT. This is because there is still a great amount of curiosity, misinformation and misunderstanding about what cloud computing entails. Several recent research reports that indicate that nearly half of the IT decision-makers in the United States haven't even considered moving any of their IT to the cloud yet—even though a large number of Web-based services have been available for use since the late 1990s. Trust is the major issue here. Business data, the lifeblood of any enterprise, must be kept secure at all times, and if business data is maintained outside a company's firewall, a measure of control is—by the very nature of the cloud—lost. Many people are still uncomfortable with this. In any case, the third annual Cloud Connect conference at the Santa Clara Convention center March 7-10 was a sold-out event that focused a lot of attention on cloud security problem-solving. Here are some companies—some already well known, others not so well known—with interesting products and services at the event.

OpSource, Santa Clara, Calif.

OpSource provides cloud and managed hosting solutions that enable businesses of any size to accelerate growth and scale operations while controlling costs and reducing IT infrastructure support risks. At the conference, the company launched new bundles that add hardware-based security and networking to its cloud servers offering to deliver secure cloud computing to more businesses.

 

UnboundID, Austin, Texas

UnboundID describes itself as the first true virtualized identity management infrastructure and the first and only VMware-certified directory service. It offers identity management infrastructure for cloud service providers and enterprises consuming cloud infrastructure. UnboundID gives cloud service providers the elastic scalability needed to grow or shrink identity management capacity on demand.

 

Terremark Worldwide, Miami, Fla.

Terremark is a global provider of IT infrastructure services that uses its own worldwide data centers. Terremark serves government and enterprise customers a comprehensive suite of managed solutions, including managed hosting, collocation, disaster recovery, security, data storage and cloud computing services.

 

StrataScale, Sacramento, Calif.

StrataScale offers secure server and cloud IT infrastructure and hosting solutions for businesses of all sizes. With StrataScale hosting, users can build, manage and scale entire cloud, dedicated and hybrid server environments in minutes from anywhere, at anytime via its advanced Web portal.

 

SoftLayer Technologies, Dallas, Texas

SoftLayer Technologies describes itself as the largest hosting company in the world. SoftLayer enables customers to create dedicated, cloud, or seamless hybrid computing environments, leveraging world-class data centers in Dallas, Houston, Seattle and Washington, D.C. SoftLayer automates all elements of its platform and claims complete control, security, scalability and ease of management.

 

ScaleOut Software, Beaverton, Ore.

ScaleOut Software develops in-memory distributed data grid software for storing, managing and analyzing data in both cloud and on-premise deployments. Its flagship product, ScaleOut StateServer, accelerates application performance with linear scalability and enables automatic data migration to/from the cloud.

 

Nimbula, Mountain View, Calif.

Nimbula has developed a "cloud operating system" that combines the flexibility, scalability and efficiency of a public cloud with the control, security and trust of an advanced data center. Nimbula was founded by the team that developed the industry-leading Amazon EC2 public cloud service.

 

CloudOptix, Boca Raton, Fla.

CloudOptix has a service called MeghaWare, which gives users a single portal to view and manage the entirety of their Web identities—from Google Apps to Netflix to Amazon S3. The service works not only with S3 but also with Windows Azure, Google Storage and AT&T Synaptic Storage as a Service.

 

Intel Application Security Products & Cloud Builders, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.

Mega-chipmaker Intel has developed a 2015 vision for federated, automated and client-aware cloud capabilities based on interoperable, multi-vendor solutions that embrace industry standards. Thus, Intel has created Intel Cloud Builders—a cross-industry initiative aimed at making it easier to build, enhance and operate cloud infrastructure.

 

IBM Blue Cloud, Armonk, N.Y.

IBM, as one might imagine, either has—or can get you—anything under the sun for a cloud deployment. The company said March 10 that it expects to earn $7 billion in cloud-related revenue by 2015, so it must be doing something right.

 

Gluster, Milpitas, Calif.

Gluster delivers an open-source software platform that simplifies storage and management of unstructured data. Gluster Virtual Storage Appliances use a unified global namespace to virtualize disk and memory resources into a single shared pool that is centrally managed. Gluster provides scale-out NAS for virtual machine and cloud environments.

 

CoreSite, Denver, Colo.

CoreSite develops network-rich data centers that optimize and secure mission-critical IT assets of large and midrange enterprises. CoreSite offers private data centers and suites, cage-to-cabinet collocation and interconnection services, such as Any2, CoreSite's Internet exchange. The company's portfolio comprises more than 2 million square feet, including space held for redevelopment and development, and provides access to more than 200 network service providers via 11 data centers in seven key U.S. economic centers.

 

Cloudsoft Corporation, Edinburgh, Scotland

Cloudsoft is a venture-backed software company helping enterprises apply the benefits of cloud computing to the large-scale, distributed, transactional systems that underpin their business. Cloudsoft’s Monterey Spring Edition is an intelligent application mobility platform and the only product that lets users logically partition Spring transactional applications into discrete components. The platform is geographically aware and automatically optimizes infrastructure utilization and governance based on policies.

 

Cloupia, Santa Clara, Calif.

Cloupia, a new cloud automation and management software provider, offers a suite of cloud computing products and solutions that enables organizations to build their own internal private clouds as well as manage public and hybrid clouds using a so-called "single pane of glass." Cloupia helps organizations to smoothly evolve from static data center or virtual environments to private and public cloud environments with the necessary management and automation tools.

 

Cloud Cruiser, Roseville, Calif.

Cloud Cruiser, a venture-backed company that provides cost-optimization software for enterprise cloud deployments, launched on March 1. Cloud Cruiser claims to solve the most critical problems in the cloud market: cost visibility, next generation chargeback and optimization across heterogeneous IT environments.

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Why Microsoft Should Fear Google Chrome OS: 10 Reasons

Recently, Microsoft released Windows 7 Service Pack 1, an update that delivers some better stability and important fixes to the latest in the long line of operating systems from the software giant. The update will likely be one of many service packs that will be made available to Windows 7. The launch of the service pack, however, causes some to think about Microsoft’s strategy in the operating-system space. The company is still heavily invested in desktop, offline software. And by the looks of things, especially with all the talk surrounding Windows 8, that won’t change anytime soon. Meanwhile, Google is preparing for the launch of Chrome OS, its cloud-based operating system that it believes, can deliver a new (and viable) experience for consumers who are looking for a little something different than Windows. It’s easy to see Google’s point. Chrome OS looks to be a promising addition to the operating-system market. And it could very well take a bite out of Windows market share eventually. Here's why Microsoft should fear Chrome OS.

1. It’s A Good Idea
   If nothing else, Google’s Chrome OS platform is a good idea. As more and more consumers start accessing the Web for their many needs, it only makes sense than operating system would bridge the gap between their offline efforts and their Web practices. Chrome OS might not be ground-breaking, but it’s undoubtedly an evolutionary upgrade that makes quite a bit of sense over desktop alternatives.
2. Google Has Done Well Elsewhere
   Microsoft might feel that its positioning in the enterprise and consumer markets is intact and it has nothing to fear. But it doesn’t have far to look to see that Google is quite capable of taking Microsoft down. The search giant did so online and it practically dismantled Microsoft’s operation in the mobile market. What’s to stop Google from doing the same in the OS space where it has a unique product to compete with Windows?
3. Windows Isn’t Everyone’s Favorite
   Not long ago, many believed that few things—if anything—could stop the Windows juggernaut. The operating system was simply too popular in the enterprise and consumer spaces for it not to dominate. But then Windows Vista came along. And when that happened, consumers, enterprise customers, and even vendors turned their backs on Microsoft. Windows 7 has helped revive Microsoft’s business. But the memory of Vista is still fresh.
4. It’s Probably the Future
   It’s hard to say what the next 10 to 15 years in the operating-system market will look like. But it’s quite possible that the space will be dominated by cloud-based platforms. As mentioned, the Web is integral to the experience of computing today. Realizing that, it would only make sense for Web-based operating systems to gain popularity over time. And the longer it takes Microsoft to realize what Google already has, the worse it will be for the software giant.
5. It Doesn’t Have A Real Response
   Microsoft has Azure, which could be central to its future plans in the cloud, but it’s hard to point to a single solution that can compete on the same exact level as Google Chrome OS. Microsoft is still focused on the desktop market. And it doesn’t look like that will change at any point in the near future. The longer Microsoft remains obstinate in the face of Chrome OS, the worse it will be over the long haul.
6. It Doesn’t Have A Dominant Cash Lead
   Whenever Microsoft has faced serious competitors in the past, the company has used its financial muscle to beat them. But it can’t do that this time with Google. Like Microsoft, Google is sitting on a cash cow. And it has the money it needs to invest in technologies that will help Chrome OS fight it out with Windows. That’s a problem for Microsoft. And it should scare the software company.
7. Consumers Choose Google
   Microsoft isn’t the most well-liked company in the consumer space. It’s still viewed by some as a firm that caters more to enterprise customers and fails to see the changing times the way companies like Apple or Google do. Whether or not that’s the case is up for debate. But until Microsoft can prove that it can think about consumers and deliver a Web-based operating system, the harder it will be for the company to take on Google and Chrome OS.
8. The Waiting Game
   One of the biggest mistakes Microsoft has made in response to Chrome OS is to basically ignore it. The company hasn’t come out with something that it can point to and say that the specific product will take Google on. Instead, it has largely ignored the cloud-OS space. But the longer it waits to respond, the worse it will be for Microsoft. Although Chrome OS hasn’t been sold to a single customer, time is of the essence. And Microsoft can’t forget that.
9. It’s Not Mac OS X
   There’s a general feeling in Redmond, it seems, that Chrome OS will turn out like Mac OS X—a fine operating system that few people actually use. But perhaps that’s a bit short-sighted. For one, Google has the ability to target more of the mainstream than Apple. And unlike Apple, Google is obsessed with taking Microsoft down. Admittedly, it would take a long time for Google to supplant Microsoft as the leader in the OS market. But tossing Chrome OS aside as a wannabe is a big mistake on Microsoft’s part.
10. It Isn’t Linux Either
    Microsoft would do well to not believe that Chrome OS is just another Linux, as well. Unlike Linux, Chrome OS looks to have the full support of many vendors that have traditionally only worked with Microsoft and Windows. That alone makes it a threat to Microsoft. And that alone should give Microsoft enough concern to think twice about ignoring the impact Chrome OS might have on its operation.

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Apple iPhone 5 Design: 10 Hot Features We Expect to See

Apple and Verizon Wireless offered another sweet piece of the Apple mobile pie when they announced the iPhone 4 would be coming to the Verizon network Feb. 10. But iPhone fans are already counting down the days to the usual June unveiling of the next-generation iPhone. No official details are available yet, though media reports are beginning to zero in on some of the features the new device and platform are expected to have. One item we believe you can count on as sure as the night is dark is that the next iPhone will include Near-Field Communication capabilities. NFC is the short-range wireless communications technology that enables wireless phones to communicate with sensors in posters, signs and even point-of-sale contact terminals. In other words, such technology will make the iPhone an electronic wallet. Expect the iPhone 5 to include a chip and for iOS5 to include an NFC controller software stack homegrown and patented by Apple. But there will be more, lots more. In this slide show, eWEEK speculates on a bunch of other new features for the iPhone 5 this summer.

Near-Field Communication

Apple hired Near-Field Communication expert Benjamin Vigier and filed several NFC patents. One of those is for mobile payments, which is one of the core functions Google CEO Eric Schmidt touted for the NFC-enabled Android 2.3 build on the Samsung Nexus Slast month. The combination of the iPhone with mobile payments is an Apple-lover's dream. That dream should come true in June. There are more details on iPhone NFC onBloomberg News.

CDMA/GSM Chip

Some Apple watchers believe Kinsus Interconnect Technology will provide silicon for the iPhone 5's new Qualcomm baseband chip, a CDMA/GSM chip geared to for European countries where Code Division Multiple Access is not supported.

A5 Processor

This is a new generation of phone we're talking about, so we also expect the iPhone 5 will be powered by Apple's new A5 processor, built on ARM's Cortex A9 architecture.

FaceTime 3G

Rumors also indicate that a 3G-enabled FaceTime will come with iPhone 5, ensuring smoother video transmission for the video-chat application.

Media Stream

The iPhone 5 may support Media Stream, a photo-gallery feature that's appeared in code for the iOS 4.3 beta 2. The perk appears to let users invite other users to view pictures as they are taken and uploaded to a service. The 9-to-5 Mac Apple intelligence site offersthis proof.

Redesigned Hardware?

Engadget believes the iPhone 5 will be completely overhauled from a hardware standpoint, which is impressive considering the high bar Apple CEO Steve Jobs and his team have set with the iPhone 4 and previous versions.

Redesigned Antenna

Late in 2010, eWEEK's Nicholas Kolakowski nailed this one as a potential improvement. After the hilarious Antenna Gate fiasco saw the iPhone 4 drop calls everywhere, he believes Apple's iPhone 5 should offer a working antenna. Then Antenna Guy dissects theiPhone's antenna location.

Serious Intelligence

One thing Google has been doing of late is boosting the intelligence of its voice commands. Last year Apple added voice actions to let users call up a business listing from their Android handset by speaking into the phone. Apple bought Siri last April. Siri’s AI capabilities never made it into the iPhone 4, so we expect Apple will add the capability in the iPhone 5 this summer.

A Rival to Google Goggles

Apple in September picked up Polar Rose, which makes facial-recognition software that Apple could leverage in its new iPhone. This application would go where Google's Goggles application, which searches 2-D images only for now, currently doesn't.

LaLa

We want to see the cloud-based iTunes service! Apple bought Web-based music service LaLa in December 2009. But we still haven't seen the fruits of that deal. ReadWriteWebexpects to see a streaming service leveraging LaLa technology for the iPhone 5. We agree.

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Adobe Labs: The 10 Hottest Projects in the Works

Adobe Labs is the home for experimental and early-stage projects where developers and designers can experience and evaluate new and emerging innovations, technologies and products from Adobe engineers. Adobe Labs fosters a collaborative software development process, allowing users to become productive with new products and technologies faster and allowing the Adobe development teams to respond and react to early feedback to shape the software to meet the needs and expectations of the community. At Adobe Labs, visitors get access to resources such as pre release software and technologies; code samples and best practices to accelerate the users' learning curve; early versions of product and technical documentation; and forums, wiki-based content and other collaborative resources to help them interact with other developers and Adobe. Recently Adobe came up with a new Flash-to-HTML5 tool, known as "Wallaby," that enables Flash developers to build apps with greater reach. Adobe introduced Wallaby in a demo at the Adobe MAX 2010 conference in October and released it on the Adobe Labs site March 8 as an experimental technology for developers to try out. Adobe customers called for a closer look at the technology following that MAX demo. Wallaby is an Adobe AIR application that allows designers and developers to convert Adobe Flash Professional files into HTML5 with a simple drag and drop of the mouse, quickly expanding the distribution of creative content across platforms.

Adobe AIR Launchpad

Adobe AIR Launchpad beta is a new desktop tool that helps Adobe Flex developers get started building desktop and mobile applications deployed on Adobe AIR.

Packager for iPhone

The Packager for iPhone, a feature of Adobe Flash Professional CS5 software and the Adobe AIR SDK 2.0.1, offers Flash developers a fast and efficient method to reuse existing code from ActionScript 3 projects to deliver iOS applications for devices, including the iPhone.

ColdFusion Builder 2

ColdFusion Builder 2 is the second generation of the Eclipse-based IDE for ColdFusion application development. This public beta release provides developers with the opportunity to test-drive new code editing and customization features, try out or create community extensions, or support existing applications.

Flash Builder 'Burrito'

The Adobe Flash Builder preview release is code-named "Burrito." The preview release introduces new cross-platform development features and enhancements to Flash Builder and provides support for the preview release of the Adobe Flex SDK, code-named "Hero."

Flash Catalyst 'Panini'

The next version of Adobe Flash Catalyst is code-named "Panini." With Panini, software designers can leverage their skills with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Fireworks to rapidly prototype user interfaces for Flex-based Websites and applications, and collaborate intelligently with developers who use Adobe Flash Builder software. In addition, static artwork can be transformed into interactive projects for the Web or for Websites and applications, all without writing code.

Flex SDK 'Hero'

The Adobe Flex SDK preview release is code-named "Hero." The preview release introduces new support for mobile Flex application development, expands and refines Spark components, and includes some great improvements for large Web application development. The easiest way to explore the new features included in Hero is to use the Adobe Flash Builder "Burrito" preview release.

Flash Player 10.3

Flash Player 10.3 for Windows, Mac and Linux introduces new developer features and enhanced user privacy protection, such as media measurement, acoustic echo cancellation, integration with browser privacy control for local storage, native control panel and auto-update notification for Mac OS.

Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Incubator

The Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Incubator is a technology preview program for more adventurous developers who are willing to experiment with Flash Platform run-time features that are in early development stages.

'Wallaby'

"Wallaby" is the code name for an experimental technology that converts the artwork and animation contained in Adobe Flash Professional files into HTML. This allows developers to reuse and extend the reach of their content to devices that do not support the Flash run-times.

LiveCycle Mosaic ES2 Plug-in for Flash Builder 4

The pre release of the Adobe LiveCycle Mosaic ES2 plug-in for Adobe Flash Builder 4 enables developers to quickly and easily build and debug Mosaic tiles. The plug-in provides tooling support that extends the Flash Builder 4 development environment to support creation and debugging of Mosaic Tiles. The plug-in is part of an overall RIA tooling vision, to enable engineers to rapidly design and develop solutions/applications for their enterprise.

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Apple iPad 2 Aims to Battle Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Others

 

Apple formally announced its next-generation iPad in a San Francisco event March 2. Officially dubbed the iPad 2, the tablet offers hardware upgrades that Apple hopes will sway customers away from new, high-powered competitors such as the Motorola Xoom. Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the event stage to unveil the iPad 2. "Is 2011 going to be the year of the copycats? I think if we did nothing, maybe a little bit," he told the audience. "But we haven’t been resting on our laurels." In addition to being thinner and lighter, the iPad 2 includes a dual-core processor, built-in gyroscope, front- and rear-facing cameras, and the option of either black or white casing. Apple plans on making the device available March 11, with models that will work on both AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks. During his talk, Jobs couldn’t resist a swipe at the Xoom, which runs Android 3.0 and retails for $799. Citing the pricing for the iPad 2’s various models, he said, "Five of these six models are less expensive than $799. We only have one model that’s more expensive than $799." Between keeping the same pricing, and the new hardware and software tweaks, Apple hopes the iPad 2 will hold the company’s line against the tablet competitors due to flood the market this year.

iPad 2

Apple formally announced the iPad 2 in a San Francisco event March 2, ending months of speculation about the features of its next-generation tablet.

Hardware

The 9.7-inch iPad 2 includes a built-in three-axis gyroscope, like the iPhone 4 and latest version of the iPod Touch. It is also 33 percent thinner than the original iPad, which makes it slimmer than the iPhone 4.

iOS 4.3

The company is also tweaking the iPad’s software with iOS 4.3, which includes a speedier JavaScript engine, iTunes home sharing for wireless streaming from PC to iPad, improvement tweaks to Airplay, and built-in Photobooth.

A5

The iPad 2 features a new chip, the A5. Apple hopes its next-generation tablet’s dual-core processor will put it on even footing in consumers’ minds with new and upcoming tablets such as the Motorola Xoom, which boasts a good deal of processing firepower.

Sales

Apple CEO Steve Jobs claimed during the iPad 2 unveiling that Apple has sold some 15 million iPads to date, giving it the lion’s share of the burgeoning consumer tablet market.

Customers

Apple claims some 200 million accounts for its three online storefronts (iTunes, App Store, iBooks).

FaceTime

Like the iPhone 4 and the newest iPod Touch, the iPad 2 boasts FaceTime video-conferencing.

Cameras

Both front- and rear-mounted cameras can record video, with the rear one capable of 720p and 30 frames per second.

Photobooth

The iPad 2 will also include Photobooth, with all the usual face-twisting effects.

Smart Cover

Apple is offering a "smart cover" for the iPad 2, complete with magnets to grasp and auto-align over the screen. When opened, it will wake the device; when closed, it will put the tablet to sleep.

Video Mirroring

Via an Apple Digital AV Adapter or Apple VGA Adapter, users can project their iPad’s screen onto an HDTV or projector.

Pricing

The iPad 2’s pricing structure will mirror that of the original iPad.

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Softwares Update News

XBMC Media Center 10.1
Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:01 AM PST
XBMC is an award winning media center application for Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and XBox. The ultimate hub for all your media, XBMC is easy to use, looks slick, and has a large helpful community. Try it now!


Pidgin 2.7.11
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 09:56 PM PST
Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log in to accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on MSN, talking to a friend on Google Talk, and sitting in a Yahoo chat room all at the same time.


Google Chrome 11.0.696.3 Beta
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 09:36 PM PST
Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.


Emsisoft Anti-Malware 5.1.0.10
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 11:41 PM PST
Emsisoft Anti-Malware monitors all active programs in real time for dangerous behavior (Behavior Blocking) and can detect new unknown Trojans, Worms, Viruses and other damaging programs (Zero-Day dangers) without daily updates. The signature-based security (Emsisoft and Ikarus double engine) ensures a very high recognition rate of known Malware suc...


XnView v1.98 Beta 2
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 08:45 PM PST
XnView is freeware software that allows you to view and convert graphic files. It's very fast and easy to use. But more importantly it supports more than 400 graphics formats!


uTorrent 2.2.1 Build 25110
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 08:34 PM PST
µTorrent is a small and incredibly popular BitTorrent client.


Freemake Video Converter 2.1.0.3
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 08:32 PM PST
Freemake offers free program for video converting - developed as alternative to popular paid software. “Free, easy and of high quality” are the fundamental principles of Freemake.


Scribus 1.4.0 RC2
Posted: 10 Mar 2011 08:29 PM PST
Scribus is an open-source program that brings professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows.

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Internet Explorer 6 Must Die Quickly: 10 Reasons Why

 

Microsoft made a surprising move recently, saying that it wants to unite people around the globe in finally putting Internet Explorer 6 to rest. The company even created a Website where people can track Internet Explorer use around the world. Currently, according to the site, Internet Explorer 6 is being used by 12 percent of the world. Microsoft would like to see that figure drop to less than one percent as soon as possible.
Microsoft’s desire to see Internet Explorer 6 die is something that everyone should get behind. Lest one forgets, Internet Explorer 6 was an absolute mess that caused security problems for anybody who used it anywhere in the world. The browser is still an issue that folks are dealing with. The time has come for Internet Explorer 6 to die. The browser has no value any longer, and it’s proving to be even more of a problem than it was when it first launched.
Read on to find out why Internet Explorer 6 should die as quickly as possible.

1. The obvious: security
Although Microsoft likes to point to “privacy,” the real issue the company should see with Internet Explorer 6 is its insecurity. People around the globe that use the browser are far more likely to get hit with malware than those who use current-generation browsers, such as Firefox or even Internet Explorer 8. The browser was designed for a time when security threats weren’t as sophisticated as they are now. The longer people stick with Internet Explorer 6, the greater their chances of finding that out.

2. It’s too slow

Try to surf the Web on Internet Explorer 6. Chances are those who are used to current-generation browsers will be disgusted by what they find. Internet Explorer 6 is ridiculously slow. The simple experience of surfing the Web is practically ruined with the software. Considering that flying around the Internet as quickly as possible is one of the most important attractions of Web use, Internet Explorer 6 just doesn’t seem like the best option for, well, anyone.

3. The migration to Internet Explorer 8 isn’t bad

Some companies are loath to switch to Internet Explorer 6 because they fear that the applications that they currently rely on won’t work with Internet Explorer 8. But as Microsoft points out on its “Internet Explorer 6 Countdown” page, the migration isn’t as bad as companies think. Not only are there other solutions out there that might do a better job, but the incremental benefit of moving to the new browser might actually prove more appealing than sticking with outdated software. Although the move might seem rather troublesome at first glance, companies shouldn’t be scared to leave Internet Explorer 6 behind.

4. Google Chrome is a better option
Microsoft undoubtedly wouldn’t agree with such a sentiment, but part of the reason Internet Explorer 6 should die has to do with Google Chrome. The search giant’s Web browser is an outstanding alternative to Internet Explorer 6, and every other version of Microsoft’s software. Chrome is fast, it has a nice user interface, and it’s quite secure. It’s the browser that many more people should be using.

5. It puts everyone at risk

As noted above, Internet Explorer 6 can cause all kinds of security problems for its users. But it’s worth noting that when any computer around the world becomes infected with malware, the rest of the PC community is at risk. The Internet is the common tie that binds Windows PCs around the world. The more computers that are infected with malicious files, the higher the chances of other PCs being affected. Killing off Internet Explorer 6 is as much about protecting the world as it is about protecting individuals.

6. The crash factor

From launch, Internet Explorer 6 proved to be a major issue for users. The software wasn’t nearly as stable as it could have been and surfing to some Websites caused crashes for no apparent reason. Through a series of patches, Microsoft addressed some of those problems, but many more remain. Internet Explorer 6 is too unstable for it to warrant its survival any longer.

7. It’s a relic of a bad time

Microsoft’s desire to get rid of Internet Explorer 6 is quite understandable. The browser is a relic of a time when the company was unable to do much (if anything) in its fight against cyber-criminals. It’s a stain on Microsoft’s record that the company wants users to forget about as quickly as possible. Internet Explorer 6 was central to Microsoft’s escalating war with cyber-criminals that permanently tarnished the company’s reputation as a producer of reliable enterprise software. As this aged browser shows today, malicious hackers and cybercriminals won that battle quite handily.

8. Major sites are ditching it

Internet Explorer 6 just isn’t relevant any longer. In fact, Google announced last year that it would no longer support Internet Explorer 6 for some of its sites. YouTube no longer supports Internet Explorer 6, as well. Google realizes that the browser must be eradicated from the Web. And it’s doing its part to help push that along. Kudos to Google. And kudos to increasing number of sites that are phasing out their support for Internet Explorer 6.

9. Privacy is a going concern
Although services like Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter are trying to take aim at a user’s desire to be private while surfing the Web, there are many that still appreciate strong privacy settings. It’s why such settings have found their way to Firefox, Chrome, and even Internet Explorer 8. But Internet Explorer 6 lacks privacy settings. Microsoft’s InPrivate Browsing option is nowhere to be found in Internet Explorer 6, though it is available in Internet Explorer 8. If that isn’t a good enough reason to see Microsoft’s outdated browser die, what is?

10. Microsoft doesn’t even want it
All of these items help to bolster the single biggest reason Internet Explorer 6 must die: Microsoft wants no part of it. Think about that. The company that developed the browser, supported it all these years, and tried to get customers to adopt it, is now saying the time has come for it to die. That’s not exactly a seal of approval. It’s probably best for people around the globe to realize that, and acknowledge that the time has come for Internet Explorer 6 to be put to rest.

Cloud Computing: Google, Facebook, Others Aim for Smooth Transition to IPv6

 

Google

Google already supports IPv6 on most, if not all, of its products including Search, Docs, Maps and Gmail. IPv6 access to Search was enabled in 2008 and YouTube was added in 2010. Google engineers added IPv6 support as part of their "20 percent project," according to CNET.

Facebook

The last thing America’s favorite social networking site wants is to be unavailable as ISPs start assigning customers IPv6 addresses, so the company has rolled out its IPv6 page with all the friends and apps content as the main site.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon recently expanded its capabilities to carry IPv6 traffic in the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific, and has plans to expand services in Canada and Latin America. It will also be adding IPv6 capabilities on its virtual private network service, as well.

Brocade

Brocade’s product lineup has been IPv6 ready "for a long time," according to Greg Hankins, senior solutions architect. All public-facing infrastructures with contents that interface with others outside the company, has supported the protocol since last year, he said.

Soft Layer Technologies

Instead of making a separate IPv6 site such as Google and Facebook did, SoftLayer, a cloud host provider, enabled IPv6 on its main domain and on all sub-sites.

EZTV

What does it mean when a torrent site has an IPv6 version of its site before most major content providers? EZTV offers torrents of TV shows.

Netflix

Apparently movies and TV won’t be affected by the transition as Netflix also rolled out its own IPv6-ready site early last year. The company chose to create a separate page in order to ensure the protocol doesn’t slow down the main page.

T-Mobile

It was a bit of a surprise to find T-mobile’s IPv6 page considering that Verizon and AT&T have a bigger customer base and their sites aren’t fully ready yet. Adoption rates have been higher in Europe than in the United States, so perhaps T-mobile is following its European roots.

Scribd Document Sharing

Between Facebook, all of Google, movie and books, there’s a lot of content already on the IPv6 side of the Internet. Scribd, the document sharing site is also accessible at this time.

Recipesource

Aspiring chefs and budding gourmands can find some food content on the IPv6 side, with Recipesource serving up all its recipes. The cooking blog simplyrecipes.com is also available.

Opera

Opera is one of the major browsers with an IPv6 site. Google’s Chrome page is IPv6-enabled, as are some of the Mozilla Foundation’s pages. Microsoft hasn’t publicly launched any of their pages yet, and the status of Apple’s Safari browser is unknown.

Cloud Computing: 15 Hot New Cloud, Mobile Products That Starred at DEMO 2011

 

PhotoRocket

PhotoRocket is a cloud service that enables users to share photos instantly in one step to all photo destinations. With applications for Windows, Mac and iPhone, a single click simultaneously shares to people, Facebook, Twitter and other sites. Launch PhotoRocket nearly anywhere you have a photo to share. You can right-click, drag and drop, or click on a nearby PhotoRocket button. PhotoRocket eliminates uploading, e-mailing, resizing, attaching and other hurdles.

ApSynth

ApSynth is a new kind of platform as a service (PAAS) that lets developers create and deploy Web applications in a simple way. Once published, applications can be embedded and spread to other Websites, blogs and social networks. Applications authors deliver either free applications or set a price for a monthly number of displays. ApSynth Web applications become monetized Web content just like text, video, et cetera.

Manilla

Manilla is a free, cloud-based personal-account-management service that helps consumers manage all their household accounts, including bills, finances, travel rewards programs and subscriptions in one place.

DataRoket

DataRoket is a cloud-based analytical database for data-warehouse, data-integration and master data management. It gets data from wherever it exists in your company, with your partners or in the cloud, and integrates it into a real-time, highly scalable and high-performance data source that can be used anywhere for any application.

GageIn

GageIn is a business-networking platform powered by content. It is a next-generation platform for gathering information, collaborating with colleagues, and making the right connections to uncover business opportunities and quickly drive measurable results. GageIn provides five key feature functions—explore, receive, connect, collaborate and promote—to help uncover business opportunities.

Embria

Brazil-based Embria has created a patented Web-based operating system that provides flexibility and agility for enterprise Web software development, online collaboration and process governance. This software uses an architecture of prefabricated components that can be configured or customized according to the requirements of each user.

Workface

Workface Inc.'s Workface is a customer-initiated-engagement platform that connects your employees with new customers online in real-time. The idea is to digitally connect business people with customers "in a way that preserves the human experience." Workface software has more than 70,000 users worldwide.

Nimble

Nimble describes itself as "the world's first Social Relationship Manager." The free cloud-based software connects and manages contacts, calendars, communications and social conversations into Nimble's Web-based application and is aimed at transforming social communities into business customers.

V3 Systems

V3 has a short name that could easily seem to get lost, but the company is convinced it has big potential in the marketplace. V3's VDA is a 1U-high rack-mounted appliance that serves as a virtual desktop accelerator and delivers virtual desktop performance from a cloud-based environment.

Kuggaa

Kuggaa is a cloud-based service that allows its subscribers to create, edit and view their favorite mobile content supported across different devices. Kuggaa unifies all device ecosystems and does not keep subscribers captive to one ecosystem (such as Android, MacOS Windows or others). Subscribers can access any of the content on any of their devices with an application-based desktop.

AboutOne.com

AboutOne.com is a patent-pending, cloud-based service that provides a single location to manage household information. AboutOne.com prompts users to record specific details to be prepared with the information you need to take care of your family. All posts are combined to save time on everyday activities, such as creating family newsletters, scrapbooks and mailing lists for holiday cards, or completing school forms, college applications, caregiver instructions and tax returns.

Ajax.org

Ajax.org's Cloud9 IDE is a cloud-based integrated software development environment that provides a collaboration platform for JavaScript developers in the cloud. It also supports HTML5, Python, Ruby and PHP. The platform enables developers to build applications that can be accessed, edited or shared anytime, anywhere.

HBMG

HBMG Inc.'s Vector is a new product line for this established security and collaboration software maker. Vector is a rapidly deployable, cloud-centric appliance that provides all the IT and network infrastructure necessary for small and midsized businesses or remote offices for enterprises.

Websense

Websense is not a new company, but it’s providing a topical service: security for a key part of the social Web. Its new Defensio for Facebook specifically prevents Facebook page owners from attackers who post unwanted content. It also protects brand reputation, image, customers and prospects from being infected on Facebook.

Zugara

Zugara's Webcam Social Shopper is a cloud-based apparel visualization and social-media-engagement product. Users go online using a webcam to display their own image "trying on" clothing and accessories ahead of time to see if they like the look before buying the items online. This potentially saves shoppers a lot of time and effort returning unwanted goods.