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October 2011 (1)

Brand new seemingly unstoppable "tech support" scam - Beware!
By Salar Golestanian @ 21 Sep 2011 ::

Last week I had a call from what sounded like BT technical support. Because I have a BT account, I thought I listen to the support agent - But soon I realized they are not BT and it immediately sounded like a clever scam. I listened some more to learn and see if I can warn others against this new scam. My further research shows that this new scam takes only couple hours to setup and the trouble is it is impossible to shut down because the perpetrators are not in Europe or North America.

Making money from Walled Garden App Stores - (Part 1)
By Salar Golestanian @ 11 Jul 2011 ::

Apple has announced that the Apple App Store has sold 15 billion apps to over 200 million customers. That's a whole lot of "Angry Birds," and in turn, a whole lot of iOS devices floating around the market. The bad news, for Apple, is that a judge has sided against Jobs and company in regards to their protests against Amazon's use of the name "AppStore." For us it is exceedingly difficult to get real data on what sells and what does not.

WordPress 3.2 will finally drop support for Internet Explorer 6
By Salar Golestanian @ 04 Jul 2011 ::

The most important news on the American Independence day was that someone significant in the web world finally drops the support for IE6. WordPress has released an upgrade for the popular, self-hosted blogging platform. Unlike the last few WordPress upgrades, which focused on improving developer tools, WordPress 3.2 is primarily about changes ordinary users will appreciate.

Skype: Going Going Gone for $8.5 billion to Microsoft
By Salar Golestanian @ 10 May 2011 ::

This morning We woke up to one of the biggest deals this year in the IT world with Skype Going Going Gone for $8.5 billion to Microsoft, the largest deal in the software giant’s history. IMO the size of the deal makes me think it was like an Auction scenario that took the price so high.

The problem with 'Cloud Computing' part II - 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall'
By Salar Golestanian @ 30 Apr 2011 ::

Last week we had the biggest news in IT with Amazon EC2 going down and strange thing was that the competitors did not make a meal out of the story - They had a good reason. They are all heavily investing in it and this was their biggest PR nightmare. Over night the perception has changed about Cloud Computing and to top it all, how about Sony’s PlayStation Network? Of course you have (I Know it is not strictly the same kind of cloud as Amazon). But it is big and it was so thoroughly hacked this week that Sony had to shut it down indefinitely. Did you also know that Sony’s PS3 firmware is effectively wide open, because they made a hilariously stupid security mistake?

The New Information Age - What are Web 3.0 or 4.0?
By Salar Golestanian @ 10 Apr 2011 ::

I saw an interesting blog about the New Information Age by Vivek Wadha where he discusses the Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Founder) statement "that if Web 1.0 involved go search, get data and some limited interactivity, and if Web 2.0 involves real identities and real relationships, then Web 3.0 will be real identities generating massive amounts of data.” That this data is exponential and this is bringing about lots of opportunities. So some questions came up like what really is web 3.0 or even has anyone thought about web 4.0?

Gartner Report: Android will have 1/2 World Mobile OS & Windows Will Pass iOS in 2015
By Salar Golestanian @ 08 Apr 2011 ::

Gartner Head Office is only 10 minutes drive from me so I watch with great intrest for what every they predict for the future of things to do with IT. Today's Press Release was very intresting with Gartner Says Android to Command Nearly Half of Worldwide Smartphone Operating System Market by Year-End 2012. And what was more intresting was their predictions for iOS and Windows Mobile.

Google Page Speed Online - Part Two - The Tips Are Helping A Lot!
By Salar Golestanian @ 04 Apr 2011 ::

Last week I talked about Google's new tool to see 'how fast your web page is?' and salaro.com was a respectable 78. I had a quiet moment today to test some of the recommendations. Since the cacheable resources had a short freshness lifetime. So by specify an expiration at least one week in the future for the .gif, .jpg, .js and so on, I gained more than 5% improvement so now the site is as fast as wordpress.org so I am very happy. The mobile child portal iphone.salaro.com is even faster now at 85%

Google Page Speed Online - Part Two - The tips can help a lot!
By Salar Golestanian @ 04 Apr 2011 ::

Last week I talked about Google's new tool to see 'how fast your web page is?' and salaro.com was respectable 78. I had a quite moment today to test some of the recommendations. Since the cacheable resources had a short freshness lifetime. By specify an expiration at least one week in the future for the .gif, .jpg, .js and so on, i gained 5% improvement so now the site is as fast as wordpress.org so I am very happy.

Google Page Speed Online - Part One - Just how fast is your web page?
By Salar Golestanian @ 01 Apr 2011 ::

Google Page Speed Online is very intriguing. It provides a quick and easy way to accurately measure the speed of your website directly from the web. Previously available only as a browser add-on, Google Labs launch allows you to analyze your site from anywhere and receive instant feedback on making it faster. So I thought I try it on Salaro.com currently 'DNN 5.6.1' before I upgrade it to version 5.6.2. I was actually rather worried before I try it. I was expecting dreadful result as the server is windows 2003 and we have not done any speed optimization. yet the result was encouraging at a score of 78 (out of 100)

The Mobile or Tablet Application: Browser vs. Native
By Salar Golestanian @ 22 Mar 2011 ::

Web App vs. Native App questions has been around for a while to which one is better - to develop mobile specific applications or mobile web applications? There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. So what's the right one? Recently we also have to consider Tablets as existing somewhere between mobile and laptop type devices. Hundreds of thousands of productivity, gaming, utility and entertainment apps are selling in stores such as Apple’s iTunes or Salesforce.com’s AppExchange. These are available for free or at varying price points.

All Major Mobile Platforms seem to be Walled Garden Environments – This is good for now!
By Salar Golestanian @ 13 Mar 2011 ::

One big problem with Open Source apps like DotNetNuke is that within the Open Source framework, one ends up purchasing modules that are not Open Source and it is impossible to check some aspect of the code and validate it against malware that theoretically can capture other data and perhaps send it to the developer without the site owner's knowledge. One would argue that a Walled Garden Platforms are the answer like iOS or Android can stop these practices. But I am not so sure.

Apple vs. Publishers or is it all about a doomed subscription model?
By Salar Golestanian @ 20 Feb 2011 ::

This week the arguments continue on with the latest Apple announcement for the publishing industry on subscriptions, asking for a 30% cut. We all know that Traditional Publishers are in trouble already and the subscription was going to save them so they remain as a part of the future of all online media. Recently on iPad we had the Daily and apparently AOL also might one day go down that path. So there is a big shift to the subscription model that is embraced by most of the media. The Traditional media has also been betting on cloud computing to get traction so they can build their content and server it with subscription model technology.

Humanity took a beating from the IBM's 'Watson' - Researcher explains why?
By Salar Golestanian @ 18 Feb 2011 ::

The world’s best US Jeopardy player is no longer from the human race and rather an IBM’s Watson supercomputer. Sadly the match wasn’t close with machine way ahead of the best that humans can muster. When all was said and done, Watson won $77,147, far more than Brad Rutter @ $21,600 and the 74-time champion Ken Jennings @ $24,000. This was due to Watson's ability to dissect complex human language and return correct responses far faster than Brad and Ken. Just a couple of years ago, Watson could not even answer 20% of questions asked.

Who's Smarter, a Human or a Computer? Does Watson Prove We’ve Reached the Singularity?
By Salar Golestanian @ 16 Feb 2011 ::

I was fascinated with this article at TechCrunch about IBM's Watson. I have not been following the recent achievements by IBM supper computer statues recently. Jeopardy champions Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings are locked in an epic battle with Watson--an IBM supercomputer--for the fate of humanity and the future of planet Earth. OK, they're actually only battling over trivia game show bragging rights, but what does it say about the future of humanity if Watson wins? It gives a whole new meaning to "final Jeopardy.

Today Windows Phone 7 Saved Nokia! Or is it the reverse?
By Salar Golestanian @ 11 Feb 2011 ::

This morning BBC reported the Nokia and Microsoft form partnership from the Strategy and Financial Briefing in London. As expected, the company is aligning its strategy with Microsoft. In the report it is said that Nokia has joined forces with Microsoft in an attempt to regain ground lost to the iPhone and Android-based devices.

Is Cloud Computing a Good idea? Why Do We Need It? Part 1
By Salar Golestanian @ 01 Feb 2011 ::

Everyone is talking about it now. “Cloud Computing”, “Working in ‘The Cloud’”, “Move everything to ‘The Cloud’” Every day I hear some astronomical number being spent by super sized companies on Cloud computing like today Time Warner Cable Buys Enterprise Hosting And Cloud Services Company NaviSite For $230M. So i thought I do a little research to work out if it is needed? or not?

Traditional Print Media VS Digitally Connected Tablet Content
By Salar Golestanian @ 30 Jan 2011 ::

Last time I bought a traditional paper was just before I purchased my iPad. Prior to that time, I bought a paper of some type at least once a week when I travel by train to London see a client. as well as a Sunday paper at home. Nowadays, I just carry my iPad with me on the train and read whatever I fancy on the iPad. IMO there is a big problem for traditional papers, if this is a trend. I rarely buy anything traditional anymore. I also have noticed that commuters on my train with iPad or Kindles no longer carry a paid magazine or a big broadsheet in their hand – but they did seem to also pick up the morning free papers. London Commuters On the way back from the city to suburbs, normally also pickup the free Evening-Standard. So IMO there is still some appetite for traditional papers so long it is free.

Microsoft & Ubelly.com Tech Day follow
By Salar Golestanian @ 25 Jan 2011 ::

Microsoft Soho House Tech Day with UBelly guys last Friday went really well. I found some of the MS product talks very interesting and as well as finding some value in the discussion of how these could be used for the open source community. It was also great to meet face to face with members of other communities, such as wordpress, Umbraco and Drupal. I hope we can continue to meet on a regular basis.

Is Google Trying To Kill HTML5?
By Salar Golestanian @ 15 Jan 2011 ::

Google is preparing for war with Apple and Microsoft over the future of web video. Google today clarified Their H.264 Stance. A few days ago they hand over the Keys Of Web Video’s Future Back To Flash very short post on their relatively small Chromium blog to announce a big change: they were dropping support for the H.264 codec in Chrome. It is very strange that they did this so quietly hopping no one will notice - However, the post resulted in a shitstorm and It seems as if just about everyone weighed in on the decision. For the rest of us we will just be caught in the crossfire

Avoiding Another Dot-Com Crash? [Mashable Poll]
By Salar Golestanian @ 14 Jan 2011 ::

For those of us those are old enough to remember the last .com crash and how it affect us the Developer Community. Today’s article on Mashable is fascinating and a wakeup call nonetheless. In my mind if it was not for the banking recession of the last two years, then the .com bubble would have been a lot bigger. And the inflated valuations we see today for some of the recent Start-ups rounds of financing would have been even bigger and we would have been closer to another .com crash.

Under Belly - The Social Side of Microsoft - ubelly.com
By Salar Golestanian @ 13 Jan 2011 ::

Yesterday I had a great meeting with Andy at Ubelly which is the unofficial official Microsoft blog for developers who love the web. The main subject of discussion was how we could add a presence for DotNetNuke @ Ubelly and further future collaborations.

CES 2011: Things to Watch are 3D, Tablets and In Car Gadgets and Apps
By Salar Golestanian @ 05 Jan 2011 ::

One year has passed and another CES. January 4th marks the start of the Consumer Electronics Show, where the technology world will gather in Las Vegas this week for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), one of the largest such trade shows in the world. This year like always, techies, gadget lovers, people in the industry, and press alike will be making their journey to Las Vegas to revel in the future of gadgetry and technology

iPad, Android or Slate Tablets for 2011/2012
By Salar Golestanian @ 23 Dec 2010 ::

Having chosen my top gadget of the year being my beloved iPad, I have given in to accepting the title with grace for being branded as "AppleFanBoy". I thought I might as well do my own forecast for the tablet world in 2011/2012. In doing so, I have been noticing that a lot of article coming out of the Tech World these days are doing their best for downgrading Apple's success with iPad. I don’t understand this love and hate relationship people have with Apple. For example the recent forecast by IDC and Forester is that "Android Tablets" going to catch-up with iPad in 2012.

Technology of the Year for me: Apple's iPad & Microsoft Hyper-V R2
By Salar Golestanian @ 18 Dec 2010 ::

Today I was going to say something about what was the most attractive product during the 2010. But then I thought it better be something I have actually invested in rather than what just grabbed my attention but was not compelling enough for me or my family to buy and use. For me two product stands out last year and you may argue that one of them came about actually in 2008, but at least for me, I discovered it this year:-

3 New Online Services Perfect for Small Businesses, Qwiki, Sortify and Hashable
By Salar Golestanian @ 15 Dec 2010 ::

Doing web business in the last 5 years has been challenging, and more complexities are added to our daily routine, and it is likely to get even more complex in the future. It seems to me that these days I need to spend a quality time focussing on small things; yet very critical that was normally missed. We focus so much time on the stuff that needs to go out today that we sometimes forget the little things we should also consider.

Star Wreck builds permanent community for collaborative Open Source Moviiemovie making
By Salar Golestanian @ 06 Dec 2010 ::

This is going to sound a little like New Windows 7 Ads - "That was my Idea!" About 3 years ago I had an idea that I can use DotNetNuke in a collaborative approach to allow people to get together based on an idea of a movie and slowly gain traction and find people that can contribute and make the movie.

More on Apple's Granted Patent for a Complicated 3D Display Method
By Salar Golestanian @ 02 Dec 2010 ::

For couple of years now or so I have been watching Apple with their ever growing number of patent applications for 3D Desktop technology. A lot of these are for glassless 3D display and 3D desktop of a sort. Not all of Apple's research is visible to outside world for obvious reasons. This kind of research is what is going to change our desktops sometime soon.

Iceland Volcano Might be the cause of coldest November in UK!
By Salar Golestanian @ 30 Nov 2010 ::

This morning I got up to see snow for the first time in November. And because I was not thinking of preparing my car for the winter, during the night the 3 years old battery in my car gave up because it is so cold, and the car alarm went off because the battery was low so I started asking myself what could be the cause.

Finally Google Chrome Extension that can Exports Your Facebook Contacts
By Salar Golestanian @ 25 Nov 2010 ::

Facebook Doesn't Own My Friends so FB-Exporter is a Chrome extension to export your Facebook friends' contact data. A few weeks ago I wanted to send a personal email to all my friends in FaceBook for the Movember Charity Cause through outlook. and I could not do this as I had to scraping and exporting your contacts into both Gmail and CSV files even though it might take awhile and multiple tries if you’ve got hundreds of friends. And while the extension is not officially affiliated with Google (or Facebook),

Can Open Source Stop The Facebook Juggernaut?
By Salar Golestanian @ 25 Nov 2010 ::

Facebook has become to the social web what Microsoft was to the desktop. Like Microsoft twenty years ago, they will probably succeed because a bad standard is better than none. $35 billion valuation; 600 million users; 25% of all US internet traffic estimated 10% of world Internet traffic. And now they plan Email and other tools to follow to add to their grip on their version of the Walled Garden Internet. FB has fewer employees than Google has job openings.

Blog Comments

iOS 5 brings new life to ‘First Generation iPad’ – It feels like it's the future
http://swaratala.shikshik.org/2012/04/03/salaro-wa... by Anonymous User

CES 2011: Things to Watch are 3D, Tablets and In Car Gadgets and Apps
http://swaratala.shikshik.org/2012/04/03/salaro-wa... by Anonymous User

The problem with 'Cloud Computing' part II - 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall'
http://carolyndunne.com/2012/03/jolicloud-great-us... by Anonymous User

iPad, Android or Slate Tablets for 2011/2012
http://dnn.co/web-trends/2011/07/21/tips-on-design... by Anonymous User

The problem with 'Cloud Computing' part II - 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall'
http://bryansoliman.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/emerg... by Anonymous User

Today Windows Phone 7 Saved Nokia! Or is it the reverse?
http://topsy.com/salargolestanian.com/BLOG/tabid/5... by Anonymous User

Is Cloud Computing a Good idea? Why Do We Need It? Part 1
I agree with the sentiment that at the moment ther... by Jonathan Wiley

About General Topics Long Blog by Salar Golestanian

These are various short and long News Articles and Blogs by Salar Golestanian the founder of SalarO.com about the latest topics that interest me. The subject matter are mixed topics from Web Trends, Technology, Software, Science or Current Afair, or whatever that can affect Internet Technology in any shape or form. I have been told that the best place for these would have been for me to place them on a page at SalarO.com, However, some of these Blogs have less of a commercial or corporate genra, so they are placed here in this personal site. These Blogs help me explain a little more than normally is allowed in the 140 character real-estate of a typical Twitter post. They may also link you to the actual news or site that can expands further on my comments.

SalarO.com is a respected UK web consultancy with a proven record in DotNetNuke WCMS and System Integration expertise for ‘.Net’, E-Commerce systems. Recently we have also been working with nopCommerce as highly versatile ecommerce solution that can live alongside Wordpress to deliver great blog engine that Google loves. We possess the necessary skills to create solutions based on the 3 technology as well as mobile apps for iOS/Android so they can communicate with your WCMS or E-commerce portal using nopCommerce. We are also helping some of our clients at Salaro to setup and use wordpress as fringe sites blogging about their products and services helping to maximize SEO potentials on the key words that can increase their Google position. SalarO team is expanding their offerings with a range of custom modules, extensions & templates for DNN and nopCommerce.