Since the popularity of the bit torrent protocol is constantly increasing, so is the number of various technologies that have and will be built on the bit torrent protocol. One of the biggest improvement is the torrent tracker. Originally, when the bit torrent protocol was invented, one had to utilize a bit torrent tracker file. This has led to many attempts by various copyright authorities to take legal actions against the various tracker indexing websites, even though they do not actually contain any copyrighted material on them. In order to over come this, a new technology was built.

This new technology was the ability to have trackerless torrents. In order to accomplish this, the DHT was created. This DHT creates a unique hash key for each and every bit torrent file. This then got rid of the need for the torrent files except for the fact that some torrent software, use a different plug-in to make the hash keys. The keys then may be different and make it unable to be shared to anyone that does not use their particular bit torrent client software.

Another big change is the use of a virtual torrent in which your software sends an instant message to any other computer using the same software to tell them what files you are sharing. All of this of course had made the crack down on software, movie and music piracy much harder, but they can still find out who is stealing their intellectual data.

There was then the capability of sharing bits of data without the need of HTTP protocols. Utilizing an RSS feed, your bit torrent or P2P software announces the file that you have and who you are currently sharing with to the other users in the network. This eventually creates basically a full-mesh network with redundant paths between multiple file sources. Even if you cannot connect directly to that other computer, you can push USD to another computer that is connected with it and basically request that the other computer connect with you instead of vice versa.

Due to the simple fact that the bit torrent protocol and its traffic take up a substantial amount of an ISP’s traffic, there have been attempts to shut it down, so in response, you can now encrypt both incoming and outgoing connections. The ISP may inject TCP RST packets into the data stream if it suspects the transfers to be a bit torrent protocol and therefore slowing the connections down.

Then came the multitracker. The capabilities for a bit torrent client software to monitor multiple trackers of the same file in order to allow not just more connections, but also a sort of back-up incase one tracker gets lost, or worse, taken down by the force of the various copyright authorities.

As of right now, there are already many different technologies that have been built on as well as in conjunction with the bit torrent protocol. As times change and as there are more attempts to shut down the file sharing networks around the world, many more types of technology will be introduced in order to counter any attempts to shut the networks down.

Popularity: 2% [?]

A wireless network is great way to provide essential services such as internet access and file sharing in installations that previously had no options for connectivity. Many locations and homes just did not have the infrastructure or capabilities to allow for regular internet cabling. The most common limitation being that no wiring was ever installed.

Present network cabling technologies still require proper planning, and still pose installation limitations. CAT5 network cabling has to be run and installed properly in order to maintain proper throughput and communication speeds. One example - you cannot bend CAT5 cable in any sort of loop and expect to reach the 100 megabit speeds consistently. As you may now realize, installing any sort of wiring does have inherent problems and associated limitations. This is not to say that wireless networking is without any limitations - because it is not, however in comparison, Wifi is much more convenient and less expensive.

Wireless networking limitations start with distance, interference and security. The distance between the wireless router and the wireless client (your computer) can be several feet to several doze, anything more than that will require additional equipment to boost the signal strength. There are three standards for wireless communication between computers. 802.1 A, 802.1 B and 802.1 G are the most common, with 802.1 G being the standard of today. Wireless devices and metal objects such as ventilation systems, and cordless telephones can greatly diminish your wireless distance and signal strength.

It is not uncommon to have poor wireless signal strength with the computer and wireless router in the same room, obviously, something would be interfering with the signals.

Wireless networking equipment can be purchased from any computer retailer. It is best to purchase the same brand router and transmitter. Look for 802.1G protocols, with the highest bandwidth, 54mbits would be considered standard, with 110 mbits being newer. These of course are not guaranteed transmission rates, however under optimal conditions, you can expect these speeds.

Wireless routers have the option to use a wireless connection as well as a physical wired connection. Usually up to 4 clients may use the router simultaneously. This is a combination of wired and wireless. Installing the router will also involve setting up a secure password to disable others to access your network and internet connection without your knowledge. This is called WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol)

The router itself will have a setup wizard to take you through the process.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Everywhere you look, highly sophisticated technology is all around of us. Your work office, your bank or even your own home. However, as with everything, there are risks and dangers, technology is certainly no exception. We intend to outline the eight major consumer technologies that pose a risk to you or your business, directly or indirectly, make sure you have it covered!

Instant Messengers
These may be a vital way of communication within your business, but they can also be your worst and biggest threat. All it takes is one careless worker to accept a malicious file, and from then on in it is passed around your internal network, thus destroying it. One way that this can be prevented is by developing an internal instant messaging network in which only your employees are able to use it, this minimizes the threat posed by external sources.

Web mail
Again, this could play a key role with internal communications with your business. Not only is your information sent via email over the web vulnerable due to the fact it is transported over the Internet and stored on multiple servers, including your ISPs and the providers server. This again can be prevented by developing an internal system.

Portable Storage Devices
These are outlined as the biggest fears of the IT world. These can be used to store important data downloaded from the corporate companies computers and if sensitive information is released regarding your company, you are open to all kinds of attacks, including fraud. Educating your employees is crucial in preventing this, as well as having a message display to those who try to copy data to portable storage devices or encrypted media devices telling them they are going against your policy and face losing their job.

PDAs and Smart Phones
These are often widely regarded as a huge problem for the IT department. Usually after a worker tries connecting up to a work computer and using an application. Not only can this cause an application to malfunction it can force up what is known as the blue screen of death. Not only this but your workers can walk out with sensitive information stored on it. To avoid any of this verify a manufacture and make of PDA that doesn’t affect your computers and give all workers this single PDA and do not allow any others in.

Camera Phones
This is easier than you’d think to be responsible for the loss of sensitive information. All someone needs to do is take a picture of a document containing information and enhance it to steal it. Keep all data out of reach to people you do not trust and do not allow camera phones to be used in your buildings.

Skype and other consumer VoIP software
This opens up holes in the network. With any other software, security patches are available and the fact that your workers can download whatever they want, the IT department don’t know who has it, thus they don’t know whom they have to install the patch for. This leaves certain unpatched software open to attack. According to experts it is best to block all traffic from Skype.

Widgets
Widgets, especially the ones that download small applications from the web are a huge vulnerability. Although these applications may not directly contain viruses, it is better to be safe than sorry especially with applications that are not respectable and trustable. The best solution to this would be to educate your employees on the risks of download software.

Virtual Worlds
Virtual worlds such as second life are another thing to consider. You are required to download a substantial amount of code and allow it to pass your company firewall. How can we be sure who is occupying these virtual worlds? There is no way. We would suggest educating your employees again, on the dangers and encouraging them to play in a library or elsewhere.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Move slider to take apart the iPhone and see its parts.
Credit: Alastair Halliday

The Apple iPhone, the latest mobile craze, is revolutionary in both
design and technology. Whatever components can be found under its hood may
be considered jewels in every sense of the word. Suppliers of the
Apple iPhone parts are renowned manufacturers of semiconductor chips and
materials and are sure to have provided the latest and the best chips
available.

The first for the iPhone is its excellent use of multi-touch screening
that provides users with a new ergonomic feel in using a mobile phone.
This feature is the latest craze in the computing industry. Note that
there are even rumors that the next Operating System after Windows Vista
will also make available a multi-touch screen feature for use by
computer users. The Apple iPhone has two main circuit boards that make it
capable of being a communications as well as a multimedia device. Apple
strives to maintain its good image from its popular line of iPods and
attempts to integrate their top-of-the-line design as well on the iPhone.
What we can expect though, is that there are parts in the iPhone that
matches parts in the Apple line of iPods.

The Processing Power

The other circuit board of the iPhone houses the Central Processing
Unit or CPU of the iPhone as well as the memory chips that controls its
storage capacity. The Apple iPhone uses Apple’s OS X operating system but
a rather customized version for mobile.

Samsung Electronics Company is the one responsible for the
microprocessor, a mobile DDR SDRAM microprocessor of the iPhone. The CPU is based
upon an embedded core from ARM, the same company renowned for embedding
dedicated systems in cars, smart cards, handheld games and in other
applications where power is necessary.

Mobile Communication Features

A dedicated circuit board controls the communication features enabling
users to engage in services riding on GSM or Global System for Mobile,
the conventional telecommunications of voice and data services, and
EDGE or Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution, which basically connects
the subscriber to the Internet and making Internet-based services such as
MMS or Multimedia Messaging Service within easy reach of the phone
users. Infineon technologies, a Germany-based chipmaker is the one
responsible for the chips for mobile communications.

The iPhone currently provides no means for 3G mobile access. The 3G
communications is the latest mobile standard that commits higher data
rates enabling users to make video calls and video conferencing. This is a
potential risk for the successful marketing worldwide of the iPhone,
for instance, 3G network is already in use in most parts of Europe.

Networking Features

Marvell Technology Group Ltd, on the other hand, a Santa-Clara-based
chipmaker, is the one responsible for the 802.11 b/g chips that will let
iPhone users connect to the Internet via Wireless Fidelity or Wifi, one
o the wireless technologies to access the Internet. The 802.11 b and
802.11 g are standards that regulate the area coverage as well as
bandwidth capacity for Wifi.

A chip from Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd, an England-based semiconductor
company, also provides Bluetooth 2.0 access to the iPhone. The latest
Bluetooth standard release is Bluetooth 2.1 while Bluetooth 3.0 that
enables faster data rates to iPhone, which means that if not improved,
the iPhone will soon be left behind in the Bluetooth technology.

Camera Features

The Apple iPhone also features a 2-megapixel camera as well as a photo
management application. Users will be able to synchronize their photo
library from the Mac or personal computer.

Largan Precision provided the camera lens for the iPhone while Altus
Technologies provided the camera module assembly. On the other hand,
Micron Technology, provided the CMOS Imager for the iPhone.

Storage Memory Capacity Features

Meanwhile, there are two flash memory chips that are manufactured for
iPhone, the NOR and NAND flash memory chips. These two are the major
flash semiconductor memories used in portable devices. The two are very
hard to distinguish from one another.

The NOR memory is the best in reading speed while the NAND memory is
known for its writing speed. Intel and Samsung Electronics Co., are both
responsible for the NOR and NAND flash memory chips, respectively. The
NOR wireless flash from Intel has 32 MB of NOR that is partnered with
16 MB of SRAM, which are used for the execution of code.

Power and Battery Management Features

The reason behind the non-inclusion of the 3G communications in the
iPhone is battery life. Apple claimed that introducing 3G early on have a
negative effect to the battery life by introducing additional heat.
This is a problem even though a power amplifier chip from Skyworks
Solutions, a Woburn, Massachusetts chip maker, can provide enhanced power to
the iPhone while a power management chip manufactured by Texas
Instruments can be used to balance power consumption of the iPhone.

Based from reviews, a standard Lithium-Ion battery for the iPhone
provides an estimated 5 hours of talk-time. On the other hand, based from
the executives of Apple, the battery can retain 80 % of its charging
capacity that will provide users about 6 hours of talk-time. This 6 hours
is advertised even after completing 400 depletion-and-recharge cycles.

Tracking User Movement For Ease of Display

The Apple iPhone uses an accelerometer, similar to the one used in the
Wii game console of Nintendo. Accelerometers are used to be able to
keep track of the movement of the user. Integrated sensors in the iPhone
will know if the phone is used horizontally or vertically, which then
tells the operating system to accordingly rotate the display. STMicro
supplies the accelerometer chip.

The Magic of the Touch Screen Display

The iPhone screen is made with an optical-quality glass unlike the
iPods that are made with scratch-prone plastic surface. Using a touch
screen display, the iPhone discards the use of Graphical User Interface
or GUI functions such as menu, pointer and the icon systems. There is
actually no need for a physical keyboard or buttons because a virtual
keyboard can be accessed through the screen. The use of two-fingered
actions to perform paired actions such as zoom in or out makes the iPhone
very user-friendly.

Balda, a German-based company, made the design for the touch-screen
display while Broadcom Corporation, an Irvine-based company, provided the
controller chip used to manage the touch-screen display. National
Semiconductor, on the other hand, designed the mobile pixel link LCD
interface, a device that serves as an interconnection from the circuit board
to the glass screen.

Comparison to the Apple iPod

There are a number of technical designs that are similar with their
iPod devices. This made the design of the iPhone easier because of the
familiarity with the interaction of the components. For instance, the 8
Gigabyte capacity of the NAND flash memory is comparable to the memory
capacity of the iPod nano. Users can store any kind of data such as
pictures, images, videos and songs.

Also, the audio codec chip from Wolfson Microelectronics, which is the
same chip used in the Apple iPod, is also present in the iPhone. This
provides assurance to the iPod fanatic users of the same sound quality
tradition in the iPhone.

Even some of the battery-related functions of the iPhone can be
compared to the iPod. Linear Technology Corporation, a Milpitas-based
chipmaker supplies the same battery charger chip for the iPhone.

Apple’s iPhone is revolutionary but deep down inside, it uses the same
electronic components and batteries that powers an ordinary smart
phone. What makes it revolutionary in its own way is the design and
integration of various components from different technical suppliers to come-up
with a phone that not only promises state-of-the-art designs, but
functionalities as well.

Popularity: 3% [?]

To those who assured of their safety on the Internet, they should better think twice. The Internet is not an innocent virtual world that one can contain within the confines of a computer’s picture tube; it is more of a haven for fraudsters and criminals today than it has ever been.

The presence of identity theft schemes such as phishings and social engineering are prevalent in forums and social networking websites. There is also the consistent threat of virus, trojans and worms that attack every computer network connected to the Internet. To add to the list, recent news on the 29,000 sexual offenders discovered last month by MySpace, a social networking website, has revealed of the Internet’s participation to make sexual offense against children and teens feasible and easier for offenders. Indeed, these sinisters at heart have built a virtual counterpart of the cold, dark streets and alleyways that we would never dare go and walk on by at night. And this time, these places don’t feel cold, not even dark; and the culprits are there even after dark.

To protect you and your loved ones from getting entangled with these web of complications on the World Wide Web, below are some of the worthwhile sites that can provide helpful information:

Learning Web Safety and Security

TechCorps: A non-profit organization that aims to promote technology awareness to everyone. It created this wonderful program that endows willing individuals (or volunteers) to be trained about the ins and outs of safety usage of the Internet and other similar technologies. Currently, it offers online technology resources through its two popular national technology programs, such as webTeacher and techs4schools.

i-Safe: Founded since 1998, this non-profit foundation was formally endorsed by the US Congress. It is not only a leader in Internet safety but also provides international, virtual training and i-Learn online.

SafetyNet : the American Academy of Pediatrics or AAP aims to promote the general health of children and teenagers. The Family Safety is a free downloadable tool that will provide web-based reports to parents regarding the Internet activity of their children and will automatically block access to any harmful website. With this, they will be able to protect their young from the harmful threats of the Internet.

CyberSmart: This site provides free tutorials on how to live accordingly in a digital world. The site enjoys full support and praise from teaching association locally and internationally.

Providing Education To Adults

Since kids are the most vulnerable users of the Internet, safety advocates are making sure that the parents of these kids are well-knowledgable on the matter.

FamilyEducation: This parenting and family site has a number of helpful articles and subject topics that teaches parents and teachers how be web-savvy and be aware and in the know if their children are using the Internet in the right way.

iKeepSafe: This site is a parenting resource center. Nonetheless, it provides helpful information to kids and educators alike. The site is very famous for its mascot, Faux Paw, making it more enticing to kids and those who are young at heart.

InternetSafetyAdvisor: This is an education blog site that gives numerous tips and topics for Internet safety and security, from cyber bullying, pornography, identity theft and many others.

SafeKids: This site is offers tips and tools for parents, educators and kids regarding Internet safety. It has an online safety quiz so you can know if you have enough knowledge to keep yourself secure in the Internet.

Safety and Security For The Kids

The Internet is a very dangerous place for a kid or teenager. The current news about sexual offenders using social networking websites as a way to seduce minors have elevated the issue to utmost importance.

Childnet International: A non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of Internet content, as well as awareness and Internet protection policies. It has various current projects such as Childnet Academy, KidSmart, ChatDanger, and Jenny’s Story.

GetNetWise: The site does not only give tutorials to parents and their kids but also provides links to safe websites for the kids. This is an online project created by the Internet Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to improve Internet safety and security.

Creating Awareness To The Consumer

Creating public information articles, FAQs and kits about the dangers of surfing aimlessly in layman’s terms will engage the people more to be in the know and take the necessary precautions. The following websites are able to inform the public about the importance of Internet safety and security even if the reader does not have Internet knowledge.

StaySafe.Org: An educational site that aims to help consumers understand and manage the issues on security and safety on the Internet. Assessments on the technical and product solutions, as well as its possible behavioral effects are discussed. The site is funded by the Microsoft Corporation.

ConnectSafely: This is a forum for parents, educators and teens where they can share information and issues about safety in blogging and social networking. Avid forum posters claim that ConnectSafely.com is a social networking site about social networks.

NetMom: A site founded by Jean Armour Polly, it provides the latest news on Internet safety through its NetFamilyNews as well as provide various articles about the subject.

How To React To The Threat

The current theme used by advocates of Internet safety and security is to use social networking websites to further their cause. With this, the Internet is fast becoming a battleground between good and evil, wherein the public can freely decide which side to choose.

YouTube DontYouForgetAboutMe channel: The link leads the public to a special channel in YouTube where it feeds all videos of missing children from all around the world in the hope of finally finding them again. This is a special project from the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) to create awareness about missing children to the Internet public.

IC3: The IC3 is the Internet Crime Complaint Center that was established to provide a one center for all crime complaint related to the Internet. Families will be able to gain knowledge how to protect themselves from Internet crimes because of this site. The site actually posts actual Modus Operandi of Internet crimes for reference of the public.

OnGuard Online: The federal government aims to provide helpful and practical tips to consumers regarding safety in the Internet. It teaches people how to protect their identity in the Internet, while at the same time, avoid being victimized by Internet fraud. You can test your knowledge in securing your laptop and other similar quizzes on this page.

Mobile Internet: The New Battleground

Some people are not aware that access to the Internet is not only restricted to the Personal Computer, in the office or establishments. Because of the latest advancements in mobile technology, the Internet is within easy reach of any mobile subscribers even in their homes or while they are mobile. This means that the hazards that is present in the World Wide Web will now have a wider reach. Better take note of the following websites as reference to ensure safety from the hazards of the Internet:

WiredSafety : From the founders of the comprehensive sites on safety in the Internet, WiredKids, provides information to kids, parents, and educators that covers the World Wide Web and the mobile phone. It has volunteers numbering to more than 9,000 all over the world under the management of Parry Aftab, popular advocate of cyberspace safety. Another organization under its wing, the Teenangels, develops processes and software such as the Teenangels Chat Translator that can translate mobile lingos.

Fortiguard Center : The site does not only lists a variety of present viruses, trojans and worms present in the Internet, it also gives the latest news on mobile Internet viruses and threats. Visitors will definitely find information on anti-virus and how to avoid being a victim.

Popularity: 3% [?]