Posts by jamsodonnell

Google rolls out new, cheaper Chromebooks 'for everyone'

Consider the use case

Over 95% of my home computer use is browser based. The other 5% is organising music/podcasts for my iPods or the occasional connection to work using Citrix. For this I use a HP Vista laptop, which takes 5 minutes to boot and now has a 20 minute battery life. I bought a Macbook Air, but my 11 year old has now claimed ownership. The Chrome laptop will suit the bulk of my computing needs. Google's marketing should focus more on:

1. Use when not internet connected. I like to read PDF technical documents, when not connected to the internet. This seems to be supported but it is not obvious.

2. Citrix client usage. The Google message is somewhat arrogant. "It is up to your IT department to figure out how to cater for Chrome laptops." My message to Google is: If you want enterprises to accommodate Chrome laptops, then you have to make it simple for them, including security certificate usage.

3. I occasionally have to do Powerpoint presentations while not Internet connected. I need it to be simple to transfer a powerpoint to Chrome.

Has virtualization really ended all your worries?

A Managerial View

The benefits of virtual over physical, from a hardware cost point of view, are real but are really only marginal. The real savings come when it is necessary to change the hardware whether due to h/w failure, performance issues or h/w support issues. As usual, the developers' interest in their application lasts only until application go-live date. After that, it's the Data Centre's problem! So try to arrange a h/w migration when the developers couldn't be arsed! With virtualization, h/w migration is a non-issue and can be done with little fuss and cost. So, for me, virtualization is a no-brainer and delivers high-availability and business continuity for free.

Three In-Car Wi-Fi

Happy User

I use the Three MIFI to connect the Apple ITouch to the Internet while on the move. In the car, I can use the combination to stream Internet radio and my child can stream YouTube and download ITouch apps. While commuting, I have Internet access without lugging a laptop around.