Category: Software & Apps

Topics about Apps I’ve created.

Malware is dangerous and costly!

Good Day All,

Out friends over at IT Canada have given us a strong warning against using unlicensed or pirated software. A study conducted by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) found a strong correlation between malware attacks and users of unlicensed software going as far as to say that distributors of pirated software may embed a virus, or worm or other malicious piece of code which will unknowingly put your data at risk.

I’d like to remind you that software piracy is theft, and I’m shocked that some very large organizations are using unlicensed software to the extent found in this study. Although not necessarily caused by pirated software, lets look at the Sony breach as a testament that you don’t want that to happen to you.

With this in mind, lets all do the best thing for our clients, employees and other interested parties. Just buy the license.

–Derek

CIOs with unlicensed software are courting trouble: BSA via IT World Canada

Can You Do Real Work With the 30-Year-Old IBM 5150?

Hello All,

Recently my Grandfather passed away. We were very close and this loss has been difficult for me. One hobby that my Grandpa shared with me was his love of computers and you can see the influence that it had on my life and career.  In memory of him I wanted to share some material related to the IBM 5150 – the first IBM PC.

He had worked for IBM for his entire post-military career as a computer engineer and programmer. The computers he worked on were the now classic room sized machines but when IBM released their first consumer PC he had to have one for his home. He saw so much potential in computers and it was always fun and interesting to hear his thoughts on the technology of today – especially being so connected to its roots.  I should add that he kept up with computers as time went on.

Today – I wanted to share an article in that vein of comparison between new and old.  In fact, if his still working 5150 comes my way, I’m hoping to write something similar.  The below article is a bit dated being written in 2011 but it’s a fun read especially for anyone with an interest in vintage computing.  I won’t go into it to much here, I’ll let the piece speak for itself.

Stay tuned to my blog for my own 5150 experiments!

–Derek

Can You Do Real Work With the 30-Year-Old IBM 5150? via PC World