CourseCast of the Week

Episode 117, 09/06/2009

Title/Description: Gmail Down, and other tech headlines

Welcome to Course Technology's CourseCast of the week, Episode 117, recorded September 6th, 2009. This is Ken Baldauf bringing you this week's technology news and information. This CourseCast is brought to you by Course Technology. Check out www.cengage.com/coursetechnology for innovative textbooks and creative electronic learning solutions.

Visit the CourseCasts Website at coursecasts.course.com where you will find links to the full stories covered in this CourseCast, related discussion questions for use in your technology courses, and the CourseCast Archives. Stay tuned at the end of this CourseCast for this week's school shout outs!

And now the news…

Story 1: Gmail and Cloud Computing Take a Hit

Gmail is the third most popular webmail services in the world with over 90 million users. It's used by both individuals as well businesses who count on high-quality uninterrupted service. So when Gmail goes down, it's typically headline news. Well, this week, Gmail was down for two hours impacting most of its users worldwide. A 2-hour Gmail outage may be a minor inconvenience for personal Gmail users, but it can be costly to businesses that rely on email to conduct business. Perhaps even more importantly, an outage of this sort can cause businesses to lose faith in cloud computing.

Cloud computing is the growing trend to deliver software services over the Internet and store data on Internet servers - in the cloud, rather than on personally or corporate owned computers. Gmail and Google Docs provide examples of cloud computing. There is no need for users to install software, just call up the Web site, and start working. There are many benefits associated with cloud computing including a reduction in resources that require user maintenance, and the ability to access services and your data from any Internet-connected PC. But there are also some drawbacks including not always being able to connect to the Internet, and putting faith and valuable data in the hands of online service providers.

Many big IT companies are investing heavily to provide cloud computing services to businesses and individuals. As Internet access becomes more robust, it’s a safe bet that cloud computing will take off. But for cloud computing to move forward, service providers are going to have to assume liability for financial losses due to service failure…

• Widespread Gmail outage Tuesday lasts almost two hours [Computerworld]
• Gmail Failure Heightens Cloud Computing Jitters [Ecommerce Times]

News Briefs

• A study performed by Common Sense Media revealed that 22 percent of teenagers check their social networks more than 10 times per day, and 51 percent more than once a day. While these numbers may not be surprising to you, they did surprise a lot of parents. The vast majority of parents were unaware that their teenagers were so involved in online social networks.
  Parents Misjudge Social Network Habit [New York Times]
• Big news in the gaming world this week, which may excite parents and grand parents more than teens... The Beatles are coming to RockBand. On September 9th, the play-along, sing-along video game Rock Band will release a Beatles edition, featuring dozens of Beatles songs. Now you can perform with John, Paul, Ringo, and George at six of their favorite venues including Shea Stadium and the Ed Sullivan Theater.
  All Together Now: Play the Game, Mom [New York Times]
• Also on 9-9-2009, Apple will be hosting its annual September media event. The invitation features an iPod and the tagline "It's only rock and roll, but we like it" indicating an iPod theme for the event. Analysts are speculating about what new devices may be unveiled. While rumors of a new tablet have faded, a larger table iPod is not out of the realm of possibilities.
  Apple to host media event September 9 [Reuters]
• China has implemented a new set of rules to govern online music distribution. Online music providers and search engines must now provide the Chinese government with lyrics and licensing information for every song that is made available. Songs with inappropriate lyrics, or not properly licensed will be banned. The recording industry is urging China's leaders to apply the new rules to all services that provide access to music, not just legitimate services. It's estimated that 99 percent of music downloaded in China infringes on copyright.
  China tightens rules for online music providers, report says [Computerworld]
• It's a good time to be finishing up a degree in IT. The U.S. government plans to hire 11,500 IT professionals over the next three years to fill jobs being vacated by baby boomers.
  If you want an IT job, the U.S. is hiring -- big time [Computerworld]
• People are increasingly surfing the Web while watching TV. This week Nielsen reported that 57 percent of TV viewers in the U.S. who have Internet access use both mediums at the same time at least once a month.
  Viewers hunger for Web and TV at same time: study [Reuters]
• YouTube is in talks with Hollywood studios in efforts to start an online movie rental business. Renting movies online would provide YouTube with a revenue stream that would take the company to profitability.
  YouTube May Jump Into Online Movie Rental Stream [Ecommerce Times]
• EBay is selling a 65 percent stake in Skype for $1.9 billion to a group of investors. Skype fetched more than anticipated on the market, giving the company an optimistic view of the future.
  EBay reaches deal to sell Skype [Computerworld]
• New York prosecutors have wrapped up the third phase of a four-year investigation with an indictment of five Eastern European men charged with credit card fraud. The five men were part of an organized crime group who stole some 95,000 credit card numbers which they cashed in for millions of dollars using underground online networks. The arrests were the result of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in the U.S. the Czech Republic, Greece, and Ukraine.
  Five indicted in long-running cybercrime operation [Computerworld]
• You may recall the injunction against Microsoft three weeks ago that would force the company to stop selling Microsoft Word. This week the injunction was suspended giving Microsoft time to appeal the verdict.
  Appeals court grants Microsoft reprieve in Word case [Computerworld]

That's it for this week's CourseCasts. This week's shout out goes to:

• Mr. Hettick’s advanced computer class at Bowdle High School in South Dakota,
• Mrs. Bean’s Business Computer II and III classes at Canyon Ridge High School in Twin Falls, Idaho. Go Riverhawks!

- Thanks for making CourseCasts a part of your studies! Email me with your comments and suggestions for the show at coursecasts@gmail.com Let me know how you use CourseCasts in your classes and I'll give you and your school a shout out on my next CourseCast. Until next time have a great week and be sure to take advantage of the Power -- of Technology!