An Overview of the Block Chain Technology and Its Benefits

In recent times, block chain technology redefined the Internet and led to the emergence of a new type of internet where digital information is distributed without copying. The technology was conceived and devised primarily for crypto currencies, digital currencies like the Bit-coin. In contemporary times, bit-coin is referred to as the digital gold and the total value of this currency is close to about 9 billion US dollars. Block chain technology can make other type of digital values. The functioning of the technology is encapsulated and therefore the user can use it without having to know it in detail. However, it is always recommended to have a basic notion about the technology in context before using it as this adequately simplifies the use.

The functioning of the technology is pretty much encapsulated implying that there is no need to know about the working of the block chain technology in detail, a fundamental idea about the working of the technology is more than sufficient for individuals using it. In simpler terms, this technology can be defined as a digital ledger of commercial transactions which is incorruptible and can be programmed to record not just the financial transactions but anything which has value associated with it.

Information stored as part of the technology in context is quite similar to the same in a spread sheet or any distributed database. Just as a spread sheet containing values can be regularly updated, the block chain too can be updated from time to time. The records stored using the block chain technology are not kept in a private location, instead, such data source are kept in public domain so that they can be verified on a timely basis. Using such a technology, the information is not held by any centralized servers instead they are stored in several database servers across millions of workstations, computers that are connected to the internet. It is because of this that the block chain data cannot be hacked or corrupted.

Since in this technology the blocks of information can be assessed across more than one point in the network therefore it cannot be controlled by a single entity. Since there are multiple copies of block chain information available across networks therefore such technologies do not have a single point of failure. Other facets of this technology are that it is transparent, incorruptible, very much decentralized because the information related to the technology in context is stored in several host machines across the network and all these factors contribute to making the block chain network highly secure.

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Face-Less or Face-Full of IT Support?

I'm looking at IT Managers, Head of ITs and CTOs shaking their head at the very thought of having an insourced IT guy taking up desk space and the head count budget.

This is all about SMEs, my favorite kind of companies to work with, perhaps a global presence, no more than 400 employees.

It's Monday morning the docking station at your desk isn't turning on, you've checked the power cables and everything else you can think of. So you go to the last resort, you pick up the phone and dial IT support, an internal number that quickly gets redirected out of the company to an external provider, they don't know who you are, asking what company you work for, name, telephone number, how important are you in the company, how long can you wait without complaint? All these questions being thrown at you, they can't fix it and have to send an engineer and oh, it's a hardware fault which is a 12 hour SLA, someone will be in touch, come out to you hopefully today to replace the dock, sorry about that. "How was your experience with IT this morning?". Another victim of outsourced IT hassle on a busy Monday morning that has once again annoyed and ruined another employees view of IT.

Let's take the VIP and personable approach to the same Monday morning docking station situation. That telephone number you ring goes through to an employee of your company, Charlie, he gets into the office at the same time as you, you smile on the train at each other occasionally, you know Charlie, would recognise him down the pub after work on a Thursday, he's at the company events, this gives you hope and comfort, instills confidence in your IT department. Charlie comes over in 10 minutes, he even brings his cup of tea and he has a replacement dock in his hand already. Charlie runs the same checks you did, but you're having a quick chat about what happened over the weekend, you're at ease, Monday is getting back on track quickly. Charlie replaces the dock and pops your laptop back on with a smile, docks your laptop turns it on, it's at the login screen and you logon, Charlie's work is done and he gets back to his desk. "How was your experience with IT this morning?".

IT support is one of the most key, integral and important departments in a company. Yet computers are attributable to dissatisfaction in the work place... Let's give your employees the best start in their job and the execution of their duties with some friendly, onsite IT support, can you afford not too?

I've been involved with IT support for the last 10 years and in VIP support and what I call highly personable support for SMEs for the past 5 years. For me, the key to a successful IT service is sometimes just to have a cup of tea with the end users of your system and understand their pains and pitfalls, get to know how they utilise the IT system and how we, as a department feeding into the company can make their processes easier. With outsourced IT support, this is rarely possible, it's so key and important in these highly technological times to bring a friendly face back to IT support, after all, a computer replacement with a cup of tea and a quick chat about the weekend is probably what you're end users are looking for!

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You, Me and Technology: The Truth

Can you figure out what you and I have in common with Technology? If you think a little you will find out. Read on for insights.

You and I both love to take advantage of technology. Yet when we do that, we overdo it sometimes costing our health and most of all, our eyes and back.

Eyesight will start to deteriorate and our back pain will develop. We need to move our hands and legs while taking breaks and walk around a bit. Otherwise our body will start to malfunction and start to give symptoms.

Other than that, loving technology with limits is great. You get to learn a lot about tools and software over the mighty reign of internet. They come to your aid when you carry out computer tasks and make life easier for you. So you and I have nothing to lose.

On the other hand, we must set aside technology for a while and enjoy the beauty of life, recreate and recharge our batteries. In other words, we need to have fun with friends and family. Then we can go back to work with refreshed energy and vigor.

Now technology is a broad term. You and I cannot focus on everything at the same time. So we need to narrow it down to our field of expertise and focus on those stuff and skills that would augment our tasks at home and work. You and I should learn these things within a deadline, yet go slow, grabbing skills one day at a time.

We should keep in mind about improving our technology skills all the time so that we do not lag behind. Then we should set an example for others, sharing our knowledge, disseminating them as much as we can through teaching, writing and speaking because sharing is not only caring but also productive. So remember to share with others through a suitable medium because when you help others, you cannot do so without helping yourself first.

So we should give credit to technology since it has entwined with our lives, benefiting us to great lengths but at the same time we should keep ourselves under control without doing too much of it and being addicted.

The absolute truth about you, me and technology is that technology is never ending and we need to need to pace up with it for a lifetime because life itself is a never ending learning process. So as much as we need to have fun and recreate, we also need to give valuable time to tune technology skills to our finger tips.

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