09.27.07
Posted in Work at 10:40 am by JohnB
Today I thought I’d bring up and discuss the Managed PC Solution from Microsoft.
The Managed PC Solution brings together a number of Microsoft technologies, but the key one is the Flex-Go subscription service which uses a PC, hardware-modified so it can’t be re-imaged and re-used, which is linked to a broadband supplier. The subscription includes the use of the hardware, the broadband connection and also an a la carte menu of applications. The technology supports a very limited set of functionality when the unit is not connected to the internet so it’s not possible to transport it or disconnect and continue using it.
The Solution Architecture shows that this links Flex-Go, the Field Service Framework and security and protection services, through the Connected Services Framework for provisioning and integration actions.
So this is not a trivial implementation, but when you consider that the product is actually a physical installation into homes and offices and requires a field service element it can be seen that it’s not for the smaller hoster either. I’ll be interested to see what the like of BT and Virgin Media do with this kind of Solution, in particular how they would choose to package it up.. Business Service, Consumer mass market.. there are many permutations, it is interesting to note however that Orange in partnership with PC World (and other providers too) are already giving away free PC’s with Broadband accounts. OK, so this may simply be an introductory offer but are people going to pay a subscription to use a PC, when they could get a fully functional system for free? Time and Marketing budgets will tell!
J.
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09.26.07
Posted in Podcasting blog at 6:08 pm by JohnB
For one of my Podcasting projects I intend to go out and do some interviewing face-to-face so I did some digging around to find a neat pocket sized solution which would allow me to record these interviews in good quality. By chance I had decided to use the Zoom H2 unit and then a couple of hours later the Podsqod podcast for the day landed in my iTunes and lo and behold a review of the Zoom H2!
Mark Jensen at Podsqod covers quite a lot of the features of the H2 in his cast.. and I’ll probably do the same in a podcast after I’ve used to unit in anger but for now here is a brief run down:-
Features:
- W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360° polar patterns
- Built-in USB 2.0 interface
- Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
- Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
- 512MB SD memory card included
- Accommodates up to 4GB SD memory cards
- Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings
- Auto Start function means you’re always ready to record
- Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise
- On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner
I’ve actually gone and purchased a 4GB SD-HC card to use in the unit, becuse I’m going to be recording interviews I’m going to use the 4 channel feature; me on the front mics and my subjects on the rear. The 4 channel feature actually creates 2 x stereo WAV files, one from each mic set (F/R) and so requires twice the storage for the same amount of audio time, hence the larger capacity SD card.
I’ve done a little playing around and I have to say I’m impressed. The audio quality is very good. What it’ll be like out in the field I’m not sure but the signs are positive so far.
J.
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09.18.07
Posted in Work at 4:28 pm by JohnB
http://www.ensim.com/news/releases/2007/09_10.html
Ensim Corporation Announces the Sale of its Ensim Pro Product Line
Santa Clara, CA – September 10, 2007 – Ensim Corporation, the leading provider of management software for unified communications, collaboration, web hosting application infrastructure, today announced that it has sold its Ensim Pro product line, the industry’s leading single server automation control panel for web hosting, to SWsoft, a server virtualization and automation software company.
The sale of the Ensim Pro product line will allow Ensim to focus its efforts on the rapidly growing Unified Communications (UC) market, a multi-billion dollar industry where Ensim has had strong success. Ensim will further expand its presence in new key market segments, such as Enterprises, Managed Service Providers (MSP) and SaaS Providers (software-as-a-service) with its Unify product line by building on its reputation as a leading provider of management software for Shared Hosting Providers. Ensim will work with SW Soft over the next few months to allow for a smooth transition so that support, services, and ongoing product development of Ensim Pro continue un-interrupted.
Ensim will focus on the following markets through four variants of its award-winning Unify product line:
* Enterprises - managing their UC applications on-premise
* Shared Hosting Providers - delivering UC and other hosted applications to small and medium-size businesses via a carrier
grade shared infrastructure
* Managed Service Providers - offering enterprise-class solutions in dedicated environments
* SaaS Service Providers and ISVs – offering applications as hosted services
David J. Wippich, CEO of Ensim Corporation, stated, “We have enjoyed good success with our Ensim Pro product line over the past several years, however with demand for Ensim Unify dramatically increasing, we decided to focus all of our energies in this fast growing area. The needs of enterprises and service providers to better utilize and more easily manage their infrastructure have dramatically increased. Ensim is now strategically positioned to capitalize on this opportunity by providing solutions to all market segments.” .
JB> I’m not sure quite how this is going to be received by the hosting community at large, SW-Soft are certainly driving hard at the Control Panel market now!
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