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Don’t be an email jerk
Brie Ragland CommunicationsIn my line of work, emailing is more common than actually speaking to another person. No, seriously. If you've actually spoken to me while conducting business, consider yourself a rarity. I can't tell you how many emails I send and receive on any given day. It's completely second nature to me at this point. With that in mind, I have to make a conscious effort to always seem cordial and accommodating in my written communications.
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Network engineers may truly be plumbers soon
Victor Blake CommunicationsI used to joke with my colleagues and staff that network engineers are plumbers. Nobody cares about plumbing in a house ... until it doesn't work. When the plumbing backs up then its everyone's business. Such is the fate of network engineers, whose work is essential to the Internet and telecom networks, but is also thought to be mundane to outsiders. Soon we will be one step closer to being real plumbers with liquid-core optical fiber.
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Looking forward to apptastic CES 2014
Mitch Weinraub CommunicationsAs we turn our calendars to 2014, most engineers' and technologists' dreams turn not to sugar plums, but to CES. The annual tech fest in Las Vegas usually sets the technology tone for the year and lets us know what everyone will be buying next Christmas. Judging by the pre-CES announcements and leaks that always start around this time of year, the one "word" that will be included in every announcement is not really even a word, just an abbreviation — app.
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Telecom protectionism: What goes around comes around
Victor Blake CommunicationsEthernet and the Internet — perhaps America's greatest inventions — have driven global telecommunications standards, and subsequently economic development, more than any other innovation. The reach of the Internet is so broad that irrespective of political, social or economic alliance or opposition to the United States, enemies and friends alike have adopted the Internet both for consumers and as the foundation for all global telecommunications. Despite all of this global expansion, some U.S. telecom companies have used national security concerns to entice the U.S. government to restrict access to certain products from Chinese companies. And now this tactic is coming back to bite them.
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8 exercises for strengthening your business writing
Joe Latta CommunicationsWriting skills are essential for today's business professionals. Don't believe me? Consider this: A study from data services provider SunGard found that approximately 90 percent of business communications are now via electronic text. That's right, whether you're an accountant, architect, advisor or administrator, writing is a key part of your job.
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You emailed? Try a letter next time
Jeffrey Dobkin MarketingYes, I'm sure I received the email from you, but just refresh me — what was it about? Isn't it the same on your computer? Thousands of pieces of information showing up in electronically-charged ions every day? When do you get free time to read it all? Answer: You don't. So, here's the problem: Computer overload, too much information. Everyone is taking precise aim right at my monitor. But there's good news, too. You don't have to send everything by email.
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Intelligent Mail becomes another stomping ground for patent trolls
Cameron Bellamy CommunicationsMaybe it is a testament to the increasing success of the use of innovation and technology in the mailing industry, or maybe it is just the fact that no technology business is immune from becoming a target of "patent trolls." Regardless of the reason, the impacts are being felt far and wide as well-known and reputable mail service providers are being hit with frivolous — but expensive and time-consuming — patent lawsuits around technology enhancements such as QR Codes and Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb).
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Why 4K? The latest TV tech flop?
Mitch Weinraub CommunicationsAs the "soft" announcements continue to roll out that a number of players (DirecTV, Netflix, etc.) are planning to launch 4K TV services, it probably makes sense to take a step back and ask both why and when? Of course, planning could mean anything from "we've penciled it for 2017" to "we will have a channel launched before the end of the year." That aside, why would anyone be in a rush to ready a 4K TV service?
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HEMS scene communications made easy
Michael P. Koval Medical & Allied HealthcareNothing is more frustrating to an air medical crew than trying to establish communications during a scene flight. This situation is occurring more and more often in the HEMS industry due to a variety of issues related to narrowbanding. The narrowbanding of public safety radios has created challenges for users and HEMS operators, and has made scene communications a significant safety issue.
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The real economics behind Internet access in America
Victor Blake CommunicationsIn our competitive world, journalists and politicians have taken it upon themselves to explain, in poorly informed terms, why "broadband" is "more expensive in the U.S." Sadly, even the U.S. government has done a better job of explaining what some of the challenges are in the FCC's annual Broadband Progress Report. The cost of providing a service may involve any number of factors including competition, demand and other economic factors.
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