| While
common computer technology
terms such as CPU and
OSI Model make the top 15 tech terms
on Webopedia nearly
every week, technology trends (and the terms that define them) come and
go with the changing tides. Heading out of 2006 and into 2007
we've seen a number of new computer and technology terms added to
Webopedia. Our Top 10 Tech Terms list represents some technologies
that could be the best to hit mainstream in 2006 while others represent new technologies
sure to make even more headlines in 2007. |
Blu-ray (define)
While certainly not a new technology, 2006 marks the period where
consumers let go of some cautiousness and began putting money into the
HD-DVD media format. Rewritable Blu-ray discs can hold up to 27GB of data on
a single-sided single layer disc (compared to the traditional DVD.s 4.7GB
capacity), which amounts to about 12 hours of standard video or more than 2
hours of high-definition video. Blu-ray took a long time to catch on, but
several companies have announced support for Blu-ray in 2007 as well as
compatible hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD discs.
data deduplication (define)
When talking storage, one common concern is redundant data. Data
deduplication is one solution to this problem. In the deduplication process,
duplicate data is deleted, leaving only one copy of the data to be stored.
The benefit is that deduplication is able to reduce the required storage
capacity since only the unique data is stored. However, indexing of all data
is still retained should that data ever be required.
federation (define)
Instant messaging users are clamoring for it, and those IM networks
supporting XMPP are providing it. In instant messaging, federated IM
networks are those that allow communications across different IM clients and
platforms, similar to the way e-mail allows people to communicate regardless
of which e-mail client they choose to use. Federated IM networks basically
maintain an open directory that allows other IM networks to message their
users. We're seeing the trend move away from proprietary IM platforms to
systems with interoperability.
m-commerce (define)
Short for mobile e-commerce, m-commerce describes the
growing trend of using networks that interface with wireless devices, such
as laptops, handheld computers or mobile phones to initiate or complete
online electronic commerce transactions. With localized searching and Web
browsers on almost every new phone, 2006 opened up the mobile commerce
playing field and companies will be trying to get on the bandwagon with apps
and support in 2007.
network neutrality (define)
Everywhere you turned last year, the term "net neutrality" ran amok.
Due to political debate in 2006, the definition of network neutrality has
changed to mean "those who run networks" as opposed to the network itself,
where net neutrality is generally understood to mean that the service and
telecommunication providers do not discriminate against rivals or
individuals when they charge fees or when they prioritize traffic. While
this was a term that had a huge awareness in 2006, in 2007 AT&T agreed to a
variety of net neutrality provisions as a way to get Democratic FCC
commissioners to allow it to buy BellSouth. We expect to see net neutrality
remain a hot topic in both technology and political circles in 2007.
social network (define)
Social networking in a Web 2.0 world is certainly gaining ground.
Technically speaking, a social network is a social structure made of nodes
that are actually individuals or organizations. A social network represents
relationships and flows between people, groups, organizations, computers or
other information/knowledge processing entities.
virtualization (define)
Virtualization technologies, including storage, server, networking and
operating system virtualization, grab the headlines in 2006. In computing, virtualization means to
create a virtual version of a device or resource, such as a server, storage
device, network or even an operating system where the framework divides the
resource into one or more execution environments. Devices, applications and
human users are able to interact with the virtual resource as if it were a
real single logical resource.
Voice 2.0 (define)
Last year it was all about Web 2.0 and this year the hot term is
Voice.2.0. With the growing popularity of Skype and advances in IP
telephony, Voice 2.0 is the buzzword being used to describe
the trends, technologies and applications used to bring IP telephony to the
Web to create a new class of voice-enabled applications.
Web services (define)
Web services, also called application services, is the term used to describe
a standardized way of integrating Web-based applications over an Internet
protocol backbone. Used primarily as a means for businesses to communicate
with each other and with clients, Web services allow organizations to
communicate and exchange data without intimate knowledge of each other's IT systems
behind the firewall.
Windows Vista (define)
There's no denying that operating systems change the way in which many
consumers and businesses compute. For years, computer users heard of a
mysterious new operating system from Microsoft, codenamed Longhorn. In 2005
Microsoft officially removed the Longhorn codename and announced the
operating System under the official name of Windows Vista. Two years later
professional editions of Microsoft's operating system are available and
consumer versions are expected to hit retail this month.
Vangie 'Aurora' Beal
Writer, www.Webopedia.com
Last updated: January 05, 2007
Network Storage
Forum 
Business Continuity, Hardware, Industry News,
IP Storage, Management, Outsourcing and more for Enterprise Storage.
Instant Messaging
Planet
Complete coverage of the business opportunities
emerging from IM including case studies, security updates, and infrastructure
issues.
EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet
EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet provides practical advice and news for running and
managing an enterprise network. In-depth articles and news cover topics such as
network management, network monitoring, servers, communications, Internet
telephony, operating systems, and much more.
Open Networks Today
Networking news moves at a fast pace, and Open Networks Today lets you keep up
with it. Open Networks Today offers its readers the ability to control how news
is presented through customizing content filters, discussions, and news feed
links.
Webopedia "Did You Know... Top 10 Terms to Know for the New Year (2006)"
A look at the technology trends from 2006.
Webopedia Quick Reference: Microsoft Windows Vista, An introduction to its
features, retail versions and security.
For years, computer users heard of a mysterious new operating system from
Microsoft, codenamed Longhorn. In 2005 Microsoft officially removed the Longhorn
codename and announced the operating System under the official name of Windows
Vista.
Enterprise Storage Forum: Getting a Grip on 'Bottomless E-Mail'
The continuing growth of the backup market
coupled with the need to archive massive e-mail repositories has given rise to a
new branch of storage deduplication.
Sametime Cuts Federation Deal with Yahoo, AIM and Google
IBM announced today that users of IBM Lotus
Sametime instant messaging will now be able to chat with users of the AOL
Instant Messenger and Google Talk instant messaging platforms. In the coming
weeks, support will be expanded to include Yahoo's instant messenger product as
well.
Wildfire Release Puts IM Interop Back in the Mix
Jive Software is bucking the XMPP trend by
bringing a revamped, more easily managed set of interoperability transports to
its Wildfire server. And they're free.
Small
Business Computing: An Introduction to Windows Vista: Part 1
It's been a long time coming, but it looks as if the new version of Microsoft
Windows is finally just over the horizon. In this first installment we'll
provide an overview of Vista's capabilities and outline the various "flavors" of
the operating system.
Small Business Computing: An Introduction to Windows Vista: Part 2
Considering how long it's been since a new version of Windows came out, you
would expect Vista to have more new features than you can shake a stick of RAM
at, and you'd be right. Here in part two we'll focus on features that are either
entirely new or significantly improved compared to XP, and that can benefit your
small business in the areas of productivity, reliability, or security.
Small Business Computing: An Introduction to Windows Vista: Part 3
If you envision Microsoft's new operating system in your company's future .
whether your plans include upgrading your existing computers or buying new
systems in advance of Vista's release . now is the time to start preparing. Even
as we write this, Vista is very much a work in progress (Microsoft recently
released Beta 2) with system requirements that are still subject to change.
Developing Real World Web Services-based Applications
This three-part series of articles explores the
world of Web Services, and the challenges in developing Web Services-based
applications for the real world.
What Web Services Are NOT
Understanding what Web services are by
understanding what they are NOT.
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