Here are a few technology news stories that I’ve read in the past week or so.
Code Partners Acquires SmartInspect from Idera/Gurock
SmartInspect is an advanced .NET logging, Java logging, and Delphi logging tool for debugging and monitoring software applications. It helps customers identify bugs, find solutions to user-reported issues, and gives a precise picture of how software performs in different environments. Read the article by Code Partners. Read the official announcement by Idera/Gurock.
Bill Gates says tech companies ‘deserve rude, unfair, tough questions’
Bill Gates believes tech firms “deserve” the kind of scrutiny they got during Congressional hearings last month. “If you’re as successful as I am or any of those people are, you deserve rude, unfair, tough questions,” the Microsoft founder told host Dax Shepard. “The government deserves to have shots at you,” Gates said. “That type of grilling comes with the super successful territory. It’s fine.” Read the Verge Article.
Scientists use artificial intelligence in new way to strengthen power grid resiliency
At the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory a research team has developed a novel approach to help system operators understand how to better control power systems with the help of artificial intelligence. Their new approach could help operators control power systems in a more effective way, which could enhance the resilience of America’s power grid, according to a recent article in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems. Read the TechXplore Article.
FBI, CISA Echo Warnings on ‘Vishing’ Threat
“The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a mass shift to working from home, resulting in increased use of corporate virtual private networks (VPNs) and elimination of in-person verification,” the alert reads. “In mid-July 2020, cybercriminals started a vishing campaign—gaining access to employee tools at multiple companies with indiscriminate targeting — with the end goal of monetizing the access.” Read the Krebs on Security Article.
How Shopify Reduced Storefront Response Times with a Rewrite
In January 2019, Shopify set out to rewrite the critical software that powers all online storefronts on Shopify’s platform to offer the fastest online shopping experience possible, entirely from scratch and without downtime. Read the Shopify Engineering Blog Article.
Blockchain pet adoptions
Blockchain technology is not limited to cryptocurrencies. There are many other applications that might benefit from such as secure information system. Writing in the International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies, a team from India explain how a blockchain might be used in pet adoption. Read the TechXplore Article.
Open source has a people problem
Open source sustainability is really a people problem. Or, as Langel highlights, “In open source, the maintainers working on the source code are the scarce resource that needs to be protected and nurtured.” Read the InfoWorld Article.
Fortnite battle escalates: Apple to terminate developer program membership, Epic files injunction
Epic attempted to lure users to use the new payment system by offering discounts of up to 20% on virtual purchases including the in-game currency V-Bucks on both iOS and Android. Both Google and Apple demand a 30% cut, and once the bypass was introduced, Fornite was removed from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Lawsuits have been launched against both tech giants. Epic deems the commission rate as “oppressive” and despite trying to use the massive Fortnite customer base as leverage — alongside some rather intense public mockery — the row now has the potential to severely impact iOS developers. Read the ZDNet Article.
How to disagree with your boss without losing your cool… or job
It doesn’t have to be this way though. You can totally express your opinion to your boss or manager without losing your cool. This post contains some of the scenarios where speaking up would be justified. Read the TNW Article.
Engineers set new world record internet speed
Working with two companies, Xtera and KDDI Research, the research team led by Dr. Lidia Galdino (UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering), achieved a data transmission rate of 178 terabits a second (178,000,000 megabits a second) – a speed at which it would be possible to download the entire Netflix library in less than a second. Read the TechXplore Article.