Category Archives: IT Technology

Attempting to minimize hardware in critical working areas? Trying to eliminate the need of traveling back and forth between computers and different server rooms?

In the realm of connectivity products, one of the most overlooked, yet valuable, tools in the arsenal of the network administrator is the console extender – also known as a KVM extender. Whilst the technology has been around for many years, KVM extenders have certainly proved to have quite the staying power.

An increasing number of high-traffic locations including shopping malls, plazas, bus terminals, hospitals, banks, cinemas, amusement parks and other public spaces where people gather have abandoned nearly all use of traditional advertising. Instead, they are using digital signage displays to deliver corporate and product messaging to their target audiences. Static advertising is progressively being replaced by large digital screen displays that can deliver interactive messages.

Due to the demand for real-time information, these environments have turned to digital signage solutions to support an array of applications and needs. To implement a successful digital signage strategy, one must leverage a solution capable of transmitting high-quality video (and sometimes audio) from one source to several other devices that may be located at a considerable distance. Of course, a separate PC could be connected to the local network and installed near each display. However, such a solution would require costly equipment purchases and system maintenance.

A critical and cost-effective component to implement digital signage is the video splitter. A video splitter allows one video source (PC, media player, etc.) to be displayed on multiple video outputs (monitors, projectors, HDTVs, etc.). Additionally, video splitters not only duplicate the video/audio signal from a single source to multiple outputs, they also boost the signal so it can be conveyed over long distances before unacceptable degradation occurs. Since the original signal is boosted, video loss is kept at a minimum and multiple splitters can be cascaded to accommodate even more output displays.

In schools across the nation, billions of dollars have been invested into technology with the ultimate goal of increased student productivity, enhancing the learning experience and fostering a creative environment. Some examples of technology in the new 'smart classroom' include one-to-one iPad/tablet deployments as well Google Chromebooks which are optimized for the Web and rely completely on cloud computing.

Each year, the education market is a major target for software and hardware vendors. According to Forrester, 'tech vendor strategists are attracted by the "edu" opportunity ' a large and fast-growing user base and increasing reliance upon technology by governments, educators, parents, and students.' In addition to technology solutions, there is also no shortage of resources such as trade shows. At last year's EduComm 2011 event (now called UBTECH), more than 300 education-focused providers came together to discuss leadership, education technology, 21st century learning spaces, virtual and online environments and recruitment and retention.

These days, you can find the labor of computer graphics (CG) professionals almost everywhere you look. From Hollywood blockbusters to high-tech video games and television programming, CG professionals, running state-of-the-art equipment and software, are capable of producing stunning, life-like visuals and grandiose special effects. According to estimates from Jon Peddie Research, today's CG industry is showing new invigorated vitality and potential. Specifically, the industry will exceed $100 billion by 2014. Additionally, in the last five years alone, the field has enjoyed a stable seven percent growth rate.

One CG professional, a San Francisco-based freelancer named Clayton Douglas, has worked in a wide range of environments — spanning big FX houses to small boutiques. Douglas' specialties include compositing, 3D animation, video editing as well as stereoscopic work. Working out of his home office, Douglas found the need to be able to access both of his computers easily and without issue. "This was my main goal in finding a KVM switch. Specifically, I needed one that would allow for dual monitor support for both of my machines," he noted. Clayton decided on the CM0264 from ATEN (www.aten-usa.com).

Leveraging the performance of the CM0264, Clayton noted that he's been able to streamline business operations and focus more time on CG and motion graphics projects for films, commercials and Web. For Douglas, the ATEN CM0264 is a no-brainer when it comes to KVM switches. "It provides stable cross-platform switching and works with just about every device under the sun!" he concluded.

In schools across the nation, billions of dollars have been invested into technology with the ultimate goal of increased student productivity, enhancing the learning experience and fostering a creative environment. Some examples of technology in the new 'smart classroom' include one-to-one iPad/tablet deployments as well Google Chromebooks which are optimized for the Web and rely completely on cloud computing.

Each year, the education market is a major target for software and hardware vendors. According to Forrester, 'tech vendor strategists are attracted by the "edu" opportunity ' a large and fast-growing user base and increasing reliance upon technology by governments, educators, parents, and students.' In addition to technology solutions, there is also no shortage of resources such as trade shows. At last year's EduComm 2011 event (now called UBTECH), more than 300 education-focused providers came together to discuss leadership, education technology, 21st century learning spaces, virtual and online environments and recruitment and retention.

These days, you can find the labor of computer graphics (CG) professionals almost everywhere you look. From Hollywood blockbusters to high-tech video games and television programming, CG professionals, running state-of-the-art equipment and software, are capable of producing stunning, life-like visuals and grandiose special effects. According to estimates from Jon Peddie Research, today's CG industry is showing new invigorated vitality and potential. Specifically, the industry will exceed $100 billion by 2014. Additionally, in the last five years alone, the field has enjoyed a stable seven percent growth rate.

One CG professional, a San Francisco-based freelancer named Clayton Douglas, has worked in a wide range of environments — spanning big FX houses to small boutiques. Douglas' specialties include compositing, 3D animation, video editing as well as stereoscopic work. Working out of his home office, Douglas found the need to be able to access both of his computers easily and without issue. "This was my main goal in finding a KVM switch. Specifically, I needed one that would allow for dual monitor support for both of my machines," he noted. Clayton decided on the CM0264 from ATEN (www.aten-usa.com).

Leveraging the performance of the CM0264, Clayton noted that he's been able to streamline business operations and focus more time on CG and motion graphics projects for films, commercials and Web. For Douglas, the ATEN CM0264 is a no-brainer when it comes to KVM switches. "It provides stable cross-platform switching and works with just about every device under the sun!" he concluded.