GSA Technology Council

Beginning this week, RadioShack will offer the Acer Aspire Netbook, an ultra-lightweight, mobile netbook Internet device with integrated 3G wireless technology. The Acer Aspire one netbook is priced at $99.99 for customers who sign up for a qualifying two-year AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband service agreement with plans starting at $60 a month. Once activated, this netbook allows people to easily access the Internet anywhere within AT&T’s wireless network. The offer is available in 4,400 RadioShack company-operated stores through Dec. 24. Prices may vary outside the continental U.S.

The lightweight, 2.44-pound netbook includes 1GB memory, 160GB hard drive, built-in memory card readers and Windows XP software that supports the portable connectivity needs of commuters, students, travellers and mobile professionals. This allows everyone to keep in touch via email, participate in social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter, use the built-in Web cam and crystal-clear LCD screen for video conferencing with family, friends and business associates, conduct online research, and a host of other online functions.

Netbooks are widely expected to be a hot growth area in the coming year.

via: RadioShack

The year is fast coming to close and for all of us who want to get a little nostalgic about the past twelve months Google has offered us Google Zeitgeist 2008.  Zeitgeist translates to meaning “spirit of the times” and Google Zeitgeist 2008 tries to bring that spirit up front using aggregated search queries to determine the top tends, memes, and fads of the past year.  Google Zeitgeist 2008 offers a whole array of top ten lists both from within the States and internationally.  So take a look and remember all the great moments that happened over the past year, pay Google Zeitgeist 2008 a visit.

Also, while you are at it, you may be interested in Time Magazines Top 10 Gadgets of 2008.

Today fourteen companies announced joining the Open Handset Alliance, a group of technology and mobile companies working to on developing the Android Platform and creating a less expensive mobile user experience.  The companies that have announced membership with the Open Handset Alliance today are the following:

• AKM Semiconductor Inc.
•  ARM
• ASUSTek Computer Inc.
• Atheros Communications
• Borqs
• Ericsson
• Garmin International Inc.
• Huawei Technologies
• Omron Software Co. Ltd
• Softbank Mobile Corporation
• Sony Ericsson
• Teleca AB
• Toshiba Corporation
• Vodafone

The companies have stated plans for either developing Android compatible devices, contributing further code to the Platform, or aiding in the the ecosystem through other products and services.

For more information read the official press release. 

Also check out www.android.com

While many U.S. job seekers are struggling to find employment, and workers can attest that it’s a tough economy to work in, industry experts say that certain sectors – like information technology (IT) – are experiencing growth and moving along this economic rollercoaster headstrong.

According to the 2009 Robert Half International Salary Guide, information technology (IT) is one of the few bright spots in the job market, and remains relatively low in unemployment ranks (less than 2 percent), which can be attributed to the proliferation of new technology and the need for professionals to support new technological initiatives.

According to an Employment Projections Report for 2006–2016 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IT industry is among the top in projected wage and salary employment growth. The report projected computer software engineers would see a 44 percent employment growth; and network systems and data communications analysts would see a 53 percent employment growth.

“Information technology is different from other fields. In today’s tough economy, companies want to keep their business both growing and running as cost efficiently as possible – and that means enhancing applications and infrastructure,” said Jeff Moses of New Horizons of Greenville, SC, part of the world’s largest independent IT training provider. “IT is unique because often times it can help fuel a company’s expansion, services and margin enhancement.”

Gartner, Inc., an information technology research and advisory company, noted in an October article that “Organizations now view IT as a way to transform their businesses and adopt operating models that are much leaner” and “IT is embedded in running all aspects of the business.”

Forrester Research Inc. predicts a 2 -3 percent growth in tech spending this year, followed by an increase of up to 10 percent in 2009.

“As witnessed by these recent reports, companies focused on an approach utilizing information technology are a significant component in many markets, and IT departments within these businesses are at the core of their operation,” Moses said. “New Horizons contributes to the growing productivity of IT with its integrated learning methodology used to train technology solutions to businesses and individuals in the local community and around the world.”

New Horizons delivers a range of technical, application and business skills training, ranging from basic application and desktop productivity tools like Microsoft Office to complex and integrated business systems, such as Cisco, information security, ITIL and virtualization.

“We regularly hear testimonials about how people are accomplishing more than just learning the latest technologies at New Horizons of Greenville, SC,” Moses said. “It is true that our customers’ success is accomplished through training, but the foundation of New Horizons is based on inspiring students, and companies, to become more productive and successful in their daily activities. Knowledge transfer is enhanced by engaging the learner in real work – real life situations. Confidence comes from learning, knowing and applying.”

via New Horizons

Enterprise customers will be able to get a bigger bang for their voice-over-IP (VoIP) buck by leveraging several enhancements to Verizon Business’ leading global VoIP portfolio.

“Verizon Business continues to enhance and expand its VoIP capabilities to deliver a powerful platform for unified communications and collaboration,” said Jim Tyrrell, vice president of marketing for Verizon’s global business voice solutions. “With these additional capabilities, our customers can make their IP networks work smarter to meet and speed their business objectives while igniting innovation across an extended enterprise of employees, customers, suppliers and partners.”

New capabilities announced include:

• A new Verizon VoIP Interoperability Lab where customers can test drive the compatibility of their premises equipment with Verizon’s VoIP or IP Contact Center products.
• Certification of an additional Nortel IP PBX for Verizon’s IP Trunking offering.
• Availability in Europe of automatic call rerouting for VoIP customers, to provide business-continuity benefits unavailable in a traditional voice-communications environment.

“These enhancements demonstrate Verizon’s commitment to SIP trunking, which has not been seen yet by other international service providers,” said Lucy Hipperson, an analyst with Ovum Research’s Enterprise practice. “Verizon Business is expanding the possibilities of VoIP by extending SIP trunking interoperability with an additional IP PBX platform. At the same time, it is addressing the concerns of customers surrounding SIP trunking by establishing a try-before-you-buy Interoperability Lab and a SIP trunking backup solution to enable business continuity.”

via Verizon

More than half of U.S. consumers with Internet access use social networking services (SNS), such as Facebook and MySpace, and penetration will continue to grow. According to a new study from IDC, consumers are also spending ever-greater amounts of time on SNS, a fact that has advertisers drooling over the opportunity represented by SNS.

IDC found that consumers who use SNS also tend to visit the services often and spend a lot of time per visit. More than three quarters of SNS users visit at least once a week, and no less than 57% visit at least once a day. During each session, 61% of SNS users spend at least 30 minutes on the respective site or stay logged in permanently, and 38% spend at least one full hour per session (or stay logged in).

There are four major reasons why consumers use SNS: to connect and communicate; in response to peer-pressure; for entertainment; and for work-related purposes. Advertising does not factor into consumer motivations. In fact, users are less tolerant of SNA advertising than the best tolerated forms of online advertising. Ads on SNS have lower click-through rates than traditional online ads (on the Web at large, 79% of all users clicked on at least one ad in the past year, whereas only 57% of SNS users did), and they also lead to fewer purchases (Web: 23%; SNS 11%).

“The thinking has been that the popularity of SNS will attract a big audience and generate a lot of traffic, which in turn will produce enormous amounts of user-generated content (UGC) and therefore advertising inventory – without any expenses for editorial staff or content distribution deals,” said Karsten Weide, program director, Digital Marketplace: Media and Advertising. “All of the above has proven true – except that almost invariably, SNS have had a hard time selling this inventory.”

One of the potential benefits of SNS that the advertising industry has discussed is whether peoples’ connections (i.e., whom a user knows or is linked to) could be used for advertising. For instance, publishers could show a car manufacturer’s ads to a user’s contacts because that user’s online behavior has indicated that she is interested in a particular brand of cars. Anecdotally, there has been some indication that this “social advertising” might be more effective than behavioral targeting. However, that idea is stillborn. Of all U.S. Internet users, only 3% would allow publishers to use contact information for advertising.

IDC expects that lower-than-average ad effectiveness on SNS will continue to contribute to slow ad sales unless publishers get users to do something beyond just communicating with others. If the major services succeed in doing so, they will become more like portals, such as Yahoo! or MSN, and they will come closer to the audience reach of the top services. If that happened, publishers would be better able to monetize their SNS.

via: IDC

MindBlazer, a marketing technology company that leverages interactive video and new media for the financial industry, announced its contract has been renewed with a top-twenty bank holding more than $100 billion in assets. MindBlazer will continue to provide online video content on the bank’s Web site informing customers about the simplicity and benefits of online banking.

“Online banking is the ultimate gateway tool for introducing financial consumers to other new media channels and driving their interest to the client’s other Web-based products and services,” said Ryan Brown, president and CEO of MindBlazer. “By educating customers about online banking and giving them the tools to get started, the content motivates them to try other online financial products.”

The content is linked from the bank’s Web site and hosted by MindBlazer. Recently, MindBlazer launched MoneyMinutesTV, a syndicated series of education-based interactive videos designed to inform consumers about financial products and services, while helping banks and credit unions drive sales and service activations online. MoneyMinutesTV segments, which are approximately one to three minutes in length, cover a range of financial topics from loans to credit cards, online banking to online bill pay. Segments can be completely customized to match each financial institution’s brand, and can be placed directly on high-traffic areas of the Web site. The content can be further leveraged through in-branch use, direct mail, or in one-on-one sessions with consumers, and is updated often to meet marketplace demand.

MindBlazer offers an interactive online experience that is part of a synoptic marketing solution. Additionally, the company provides comprehensive usage reports that allow financial institutions to track performance and quantify their return on investment. The videos routinely deliver call-to-action rates of 20 to 45 percent, and some clients experience consistent rates of more than 50 percent.

Brown continued, “Online media is growing but consumers can be easily intimidated or quickly fall behind in knowing how to take advantage of these channels. MoneyMinutesTV is helping the customers at institutions of all sizes to understand and feel comfortable with the entire online experience.”

via MindBlazer

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the call for entries for the ninth annual Adobe Design Achievement Awards (ADAA). The premiere competition honors the best student graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, digital filmmakers, developers and computer artists from accredited higher education institutions worldwide. Now in partnership with the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda), the awards ceremony will be held during the Icograda World Design Congress in Beijing, China in October 2009. The Congress will bring together 2,500 delegates from around the globe at the China National Convention Center, located in the heart of the Beijing Olympic Green.

“Adobe is always inspired by the tremendous creativity that we see in Adobe Design Achievement Awards submissions,” said Ann Lewnes, senior vice president of corporate marketing at Adobe. “Our partnership with Icograda will help us showcase breakthrough talent on a global stage, and preview the bright future of interactive design.”

“Communication designers play a critical role in developing messages that influence social and commercial perceptions,” said Professor Don Ryun Chang, president of Icograda. “We are excited to partner with Adobe for the prestigious Adobe Design Achievement Awards ceremony, which recognizes design innovation and encourages unrelenting progress in the field of graphic design and visual communication.”

As demand increases for talented designers and developers in the interactive design and development fields, the Adobe Design Achievement Awards spotlight the talented work of students in three media categories: Interactive Media, Motion Media, and Traditional Media.

– Interactive Media categories include Browser-Based Design, Non-Browser Based Design, Application Development, Installation Design and Mobile Design.

– Motion Media categories include Animation, Live Action and Motion Graphics.

– Traditional Media categories include Illustration, Packaging, Photography, and Print Communications.

Open to students in 40 countries, the contest also draws attention to interactive design and development programs at some of the best accredited higher education institutions. Students are invited to submit projects through the Adobe Design Achievement Awards website. From the website, visitors will also be able to access ADAA Live!, an interactive website that lets visitors see participants submitting projects in real-time.

“I was honored to be a finalist in the Adobe Design Achievement Awards animation category in 2007,” said Johnny Kelley, who recently completed a two-year MA in Animation at The Royal College of Art. “My achievement in this awards competition will continue to benefit me professionally as I look forward to a long career creating compelling animations with Adobe solutions.”

The 2009 Adobe Design Achievement Awards entries will be reviewed and scored by an independent panel of distinguished judges. Judges include: Leimei Julia Chui (Japan), director of global communications for the International Design Center NAGOYA (IdcN); Louis Gagnon (Canada), co-founder of Paprika Communications; Cristina Chiappini (Italy), founder of her own Rome-based consultancy; Garth Walker (South Africa), founder of Orange Juice Design, a creative firm serving many of South Africa’s best known corporate and consumer brands; Tarek Atrissi (The Netherlands), a principal of his own design studio and teacher in the department of Art, Media and Technology at the Utrecht School of the Arts in Holland; Kyle Kim (Korea), a professor at the School of Design, Hongik University and cofounder of design firm UM & Partners; and Lance Wyman (US) principal of his own New York environmental graphic design office.

Submissions will be accepted online through June 5, 2009. The online submissions will be judged digitally in June. For the final phase of judging, semifinalists will be asked to submit their source files and a physical aspect of their entry as it is meant to be viewed. Finalists will be invited to Beijing, China and the Icograda World Design Congress and awarded software and cash prizes.

via: Adobe

Numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics show that South Carolina ranks among the top five states for employment in several important engineering occupations. In three categories, South Carolina has the second-highest employment concentration of engineers in the nation. Those include: chemical engineers, health and safety engineers and industrial engineers. South Carolina ranks fourth in the nation for employment concentration of nuclear engineers.

Press Release appears below:

Engineering 112008

GE Energy has announced the shipment of its 10,000^th 1.5-megawatt wind turbine, a global wind industry milestone. Over the past decade, GE’s 1.5-megawatt machines have been installed in 19 countries and have accumulated more than 130 million operating hours, producing more than 78,000 gigawatt-hours of cleaner, wind-generated electricity.  The 10,000^th unit was shipped to FPL Energy, the largest U.S. generator of wind power, for the Ashtabula Wind Energy Center located in North Dakota. The milestone shipment was announced during a press conference today in Orlando.

GE’s fleet of 10,000 1.5-megawatt machines can power more than five million homes and produce more than 50 million megawatt-hours annually. This represents an estimated savings of more than 27 million tons of CO2 emissions each year, the equivalent of removing more than five million U.S. cars from the road.

“We’re very pleased to share this milestone celebration with FPL Energy,” said Victor Abate, vice president-renewables for GE Energy. “Like GE, FPL Energy is firmly committed to increasing the supply and quality of wind power as a vital step on the road to energy security and energy independence for our country.”

“GE Energy is an industry leader and a valued partner,” said Mike O’Sullivan, senior vice president of FPL Energy. “Having a reliable supply of wind turbines to meet our customers’ growing demand for clean and renewable wind energy has been an important ingredient in the growth and success of our wind business.”

GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbine is currently the most widely used megawatt-class wind turbine in the world and is recognized as an industry workhorse. This machine has been proven in nearly every wind regime, terrain and climate worldwide. GE continues to invest in technology improvements that will build upon the vast experience gained from a 10,000+ unit installed base. These investments continue to drive even higher levels of wind turbine reliability and efficiency.

Since entering the wind business in 2002, GE has continued to advance the performance and reliability of the 1.5-megawatt wind turbine through GE-designed technology including pitch systems, blades and gearboxes; improved component robustness; and better diagnostic capabilities and controls. The result is continuous improvement in overall fleet availability to a level over 98% for units commissioned since 2007.

GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbine platform continues to evolve and benefits from GE’s core power generation expertise. The XLE model of the 1.5-megawatt class turbine offers a 15% increase in swept area, resulting in greater energy output.

Delivering worldwide services technology and fast parts fulfillment is critical to maintaining reliable performance of the 1.5-megawatt fleet. GE’s customer support and remote monitoring centers in Schenectady, N.Y. and Salzbergen, Germany provide continuous monitoring and diagnostic services seven days a week. The mission of these centers is to increase equipment availability and reduce downtime and operational costs. In addition, GE has opened a parts operation center near Memphis, Tenn. with fleet-wide critical parts for overnight delivery, when needed.

As the penetration of wind-generated electricity grows, it is increasingly important that wind farms have the capability to contribute to power system stability. GE has developed several products for the 1.5-megawatt wind turbine that address this requirement, including Wind RIDE-THRU, which allows uninterrupted wind turbine operation through many types of grid disturbances.

“Since 2002, we have invested more than $800 million to drive reliable and efficient wind turbine technology,” said Abate. “Continuing this investment is part of our overall commitment to wind power, which will be an integral part of the world energy mix throughout the 21^st century.”

via GE