The Economist is reporting that "while many technology firms are floundering amid the recession. But many of the ones that offer services tied to open-source software—free programs written by volunteers who collaborate online—are boasting double-digit growth."

Certainly the tightening of technology budgets is good news for open source software.  But The Economist goes on to say how there are additional reasons why businesses are looking towards open source software. "Many firms now know that [open source software] offers more flexibility than proprietary programs, the licences for which often include restrictions on how they can be used"

I have long been a believer that open source software provides the best value for small businesses.  One of the challenges though is that most small businesses do not know about the open source alternatives.  Additionally they do not have the resident knowledge to setup and maintain these systems. 

KTG strives to educate small businesses about the free and open source options for small businesses as well as provide the support needed to implement open source options.  If you do have questions please feel free to contact us. 

After five years of Gmail wearing a beta tag, Google has indicated that the beta label might finally be removed.  For the millions of users who have signed up for Gmail accounts they probably barely even noticed the beta designation. (Beta is a label given to computer software that is almost finished, but not ready for full release.)  Google argued that the software development cycle for web applications was different than traditional software, hence why they left the beta label on for so long. 

    But it looks like Google is finally realizing that many businesses are reluctant to make the switch to beta software even if it could save them hundreds of dollars per user.  In addition to a low price, businesses want assurance of stability and that there email provider is going to be around for a while. 

    Even if Google does remove the beta tag (which I think is a good idea) I have often argued that the biggest indicator of Google's long term commitment to Gmail is the number of large organizations that it has signed up for the service.  When places like Colorado State University, Northwestern University and the City of Washington DC ditch Microsoft to use Google Applications, I feel pretty safe in recommending Google Applications for small businesses. 

Read more about Gmail and its beta label.   

Many people have predicted the death of the computer operating system as we know it.  These predictions usually proclaim that the browser will become the new operating system, with a just about all our information residing in the cloud. 

The cloud or cloud computing is an idea in computing that says information and programs will run on on servers, not on your desktop.  Once all our information and programs are running on large servers, there becomes little need for much computing power at the desktop.  All the desktop computer need to be is a conduit to the software and information residing in the cloud.  (For simplicity I would call cloud computing synonymous with Software as a Service). 

The one thing that I find interesting about all this cloud computing talk is that many predict that Linux will be the operating system of choice for desktop systems. 

Some of the primary reasons are that Linux can be easily streamlined to run very quickly with few system resources.  Linux is already seeing growing acceptance as an embedded operating system and it would logically follow that Linux might become the operating system for the future dumb terminals that connect us to the cloud. 

If you are interested in learning more about the future of cloud computing read this article from PC World called, The Future is BIOS and Browsers.

While I don't normally recommend that businesses try and move their employees away from Windows on the Desktop, I think a great place to start tinkering with software that doesn't come from Microsoft is on your home computer.  Those who take the jump to Linux might find that it isn't as difficult to use as they may have thought. 

I've recently found two good resources for those who are thinking about making the switch. 

Desktop Linux For The Windows Power User: This seventeen page guide is written for Windows users.  It walks the user step by step through the process of installing and running Ubuntu Linux.  From the article, "This article will walk you, the Windows power user, through the Ubuntu installation process from downloading the CD image to finding help online.  Most of the hang-ups that I experiences with Linux could have been easily overcome with simple Windows analogies." 

Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference:  This booklet is written to help you once you make the switch to Ubuntu Linux.  The book covers many of the beginning steps but also dives into topics like, the filesystem and permissions, using the command line and security.  The best thing about this guide, it that you can download it for free. 

In a direct challenge to Windows 7, Intel has worked to create an optimized  version of Linux called Moblin.  This Linux distribution is built to use all the features of Intel's Atom chip which will be used in many netbooks. 

Because Moblin is built for netbooks users will see increased battery life when compared to similar netbooks running Windows.  But one of the greatest features of the Moblin OS is that it boots up in under 5 seconds.  Netbooks running Windows can easily take upwards of one minute to boot up. 

Netbooks small size, price and ease of use continue to make them one of the fastest growing computer segments. 

Read more about Intel and the Moblin Linux distribution. 

It looks like WiFi internet on airlines might become mainstream within the next year.  AirTran, an Orlando based carrier, reported that it would install WiFi access on the majority of its planes by midsummer.  Many of the carriers that offer WiFi charge around $10.00 for the service on a flight. 

While the technology is present, one glaring issue remains...the (lack of) space.  Have you ever noticed how few people actually use a computer while on an airplane?  My observation is that those who do have their computers out have some impending deadline and need to get that work done.  People rarely take a laptop while flying to watch a movie or play a game. 
   
If you have ever tried to use a laptop on a plane you will know why few people actually use their computer while flying--you can barely fit the laptop on the tray table and manage to be comfortable. 

When you combine the space issue and the price, it remains to be seen if WiFi use in the air will gain wide acceptance.  But when you consider that China considers Internet Addiction a disease, this new technology might just be what thousands of internet addicts have been waiting for. 

While the iPhone's built in email software works well, it doesn't offer a great deal of  extra features.  This makes the iPhone a good option for checking your email and replying to messages, but it doesn't have the robust email capabilities some people need.  All my mail hopes to meet the needs of users who have more complex email needs. 

Some of the features of All my Mail are:

• Ability to search through old messages.
• Allows you to sort emails by conversation. 
• Automatically stores contact information. 
• Currently supports Gmail, AOL and Outlook email.

Like much of the software I review here All my mail comes in a free and premium version.

 
One glaring limitation of the iPhone is that you cannot search emails.  While this is something that is supposed to be fixed in OS v3.0, this search will only look in the email header (to, from, subj, date). reMail is an iPhone application that provides a full text search (meaning it also looks into the body of the email).  Best of all reMail is being offered free in the Beta version. 

I ran across a neat website (issuu.com) today that allows you to upload documents and have them viewed for free. This can be very hand with you have a large pdf or powerpoint document that is too big to email. The free version is supported by ads. If you don't want ads displayed issuu offers reasonable rates for Pro version.

Even with the promulgation of smart-phones, browsing the web away from your home or office tends to be difficult.  Perhaps you will find a local coffee shop that offers free WiFi, but unfortunately even the small latte can get expensive if you have to buy one every time you want to use 'free' wifi.      Additionally, I know that I can only browse the internet for so long on my smart-phone before I tire of trying to read text on the tiny screen and realize the information I need can wait till I get home.

Well, Verizon has recently announced a device call the MiFi.  This small device (about the size of three credit cards stacked atop each other) that provides users with their own WiFi bubble.  The device connects to the Verizon cellular network and then uses that internet connection to provide a WiFi hotspot within the vicinity of the device.  The WiFi is protected by a access key and will allow up to 5 people WiFi access.

What is so cool about this device is that is it easy to use and allows your computer to connect to the internet wherever you are.  Imagine being able to sit in a park enjoying the great weather and catching up on email from your laptop.  For people who don't like being tied to their desk, but need internet access this device would be worth looking into.