Wednesday 30 November 2016

Office 365 Gets New Collaboration Features

You can now co-author in PowerPoint, upload attachments in Outlook and use a new Shared With Me view across Office 365 apps.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Android Malware Aid Theft of More Than 1.3 Million Google Accounts

A strain of Android malware may be involved in a record number of Google account thefts.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Time for Your Annual Certification Check-up

It's time to take stock of your IT certifications. Here's a quick checklist for you to put to work to decide what certs to keep active and which to replace.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Confessions of an IT Pro: Communication Means More Than You Think

Angela Dugan took a path less traveled into IT, and learned how much communication matters along the way.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Signs Your PC is a Zombie

You could be causing a DDoS attack right now. Here’s how to tell if your computer has been taken over by a botnet.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Monday 28 November 2016

PMBOK Guide 6th Edition: A Deep Dive into the Changes

pmbok-deep-dive-changesAre you prepping for the PMP exam? What should you know about the impending new edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) before scheduling your examination?

Approximately every four to five years, the Project Management Institute (PMI®) updates the PMBOK® Guide. Currently in its fifth edition, the guide is recognized as an American National Standard by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). In March of this year, PMI released the exposure draft of the sixth edition for review and commentary. I’m going to provide an overview of the exposure draft and how it will impact the PMP® exam.

According to PMI, we can expect the draft release of the sixth edition in the first quarter of 2017 and the final release in the third quarter of 2017. The draft release will mainly be used by training organizations to allow us time to update our course materials. The PMP and CAPM® examinations are currently scheduled to change over from version five to version six in Q1 of 2018.

Embraces Agile in a Significant Way

In the sixth edition of the PMBOK® Guide, each knowledge area will contain a new section entitled “Approaches for Agile, Iterative and Adaptive Environments.” These sections will describe how the associated knowledge area will integrate, be affected by, and benefit from the adaptive approach Agile utilizes. Additional Agile-related details will also be included in a related appendix.

Other additions to the content of the PMBOK® Guide include:

  • More detailed information on the PMI Talent Triangle and the skills that are essential to being successful in today’s market.
  • Greater emphasis will be given to strategic and business knowledge. Related project management business documents will also be given greater attention and discussion.

Structural Changes

With the sixth edition, PMI has made a significant adjustment to the structure of the PMBOK® Guide in that it will be organized by process group and not by knowledge area. This is good news for those who will be studying to become PMPs as well as practicing project managers. The knowledge areas of project management will now be presented in the PMBOK® Guide in the manner they are actually tested on the exam and as they are accomplished in real world practice.

In the current edition of the PMBOK® Guide, the first three chapters serve as introductory material and general information about the five process groups and ten knowledge areas. In the sixth edition, these first three chapters will be combined into two chapters, and chapter three will contain information regarding “The Role of the Project Manager.” In this chapter, the varying aspects of the project manager’s role will be associated with their corresponding areas of the PMI Talent Triangle.

A new area of emphasis will be given to differentiating between the processes which are “ongoing” (meaning those that execute on a continual basis) versus those which are “non-ongoing” (those which execute on a singular basis). Additional emphasis will also be given to the concept of “Project Scope” versus “Product Scope.” The area of “Earned Value Management” will see the addition of “Earned Schedule Management.”

Attention will be given to distinguish between “communications” and the communication that exist between people. Communication between people will be referred to as “communication” (singular), and the exchange of email, text, and other related documents will be referred to as “communications” (plural).

Knowledge Area of Risk Management

Regarding the Knowledge Area of Risk Management, PMI has developed a new strategy, “Escalate Responses.” This describes a situation in which the project manager escalates a risk to the appropriate party, and by doing so, the risk is no longer their responsibility. Upon escalation, the project manager has the option of:

1) Removing the risk from the risk register of the project, or

2) Maintaining it in the risk register with a new classification of “Escalated/Assigned To.”

A new “Lessons Learned Register” has been added. Instead of conducting a lessons learned meeting at the end of the project, project managers will be encouraged to update the register on a frequent basis such as at the completion of major or significant phases, milestones, and events instead of only at the end of the project.

Processes and Knowledge Areas

PMI’s project framework will still contain five process groups and 10 knowledge areas but will embrace 49 processes, expanded from the current 47. Additionally, two of the current Knowledge Areas have been renamed:

  • “Project Time Management” has been renamed “Project Schedule Management.”
  • “Project Human Resource Management” has been renamed “Project Resource Management.”

pmbok-table-1

The process “Close Procurements” has been deleted. Its functionality has been consolidated into the “Close Project or Phase” process. Three new processes will be added:

  • From the Executing Process Group, (section 4) are process 4.2, “Manage Project Knowledge” and process 4.8, “Implement Risk Responses.”
  • From the Monitoring and Controlling process group (section 5), is process 5.8 “Control Resources.”

Some of the names of current processes will also change.

  • “Perform Quality Assurance” will change to “Manage Quality.”
  • “Plan Human Resource Management” will change to “Plan Resource Management.”
  • “Acquire Project Team” will change to “Acquire Resources.”
  • “Control Communications” will change to “Monitor Communications.”
  • “Control Risks” to “Monitor Risks.”
  • “Plan Stakeholder Management” will change to “Plan Stakeholder Engagement.”
  • “Control Stakeholder Engagement” will change to “Monitor Stakeholder Engagement.”

pmbok-table-2
The inputs and outputs in the ITTO table will be somewhat simplified. The Tools and Techniques will additionally be grouped into common headings:

  • “Project Management Plan Components”
  • “Project Documents”

The various components of the project management plan that are currently listed as inputs to a process and/or those that become updated as outputs from a process will no longer be listed individually as inputs or outputs. Instead, the more generic “Project Management Plan” will be the input and “Project Management Plan Updates” will be the related output. Underneath the list of inputs and outputs will be a list of potential project management plan components. The components in a particular list will be dependent upon the needs of the project.

Several new appendices will also be added. These include:

  • Summary of Key Concepts
  • Summary of Tailoring Considerations
  • Summary of Tools and Techniques
  • Adaptive and Iterative Approaches

When to Schedule Your Exam

If you are taking your exam before January 1, 2018, you should continue to study from and prepare for your examination using the Fifth Edition of the PMBOK® Guide along with the examination content outline PMI makes available. If you are taking your exam after January 1, 2018, you should plan to study from and prepare for your examination using the Sixth Edition of the PMBOK® Guide.

Looking for tips on how to prep for PMP exam? We have you covered there too!

About the Author
Tim McClintock is a speaker, business consultant and certified project management professional (PMP®) who specializes in both strategic business planning and development as well as tactical management practices across several sectors including corporate clients, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations. His articles and white papers have appeared in publications such as Business Week, Tech Republic, and The Modern Analyst. He has worked with clients such as Cisco, Intel, Deloitte & Touche, Booz Allen Hamilton, Verizon, Citigroup, Lockheed Martin, Exxon Mobil, MetLife, Sabre, the cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, and Palo Alto, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Security Administration (NSA), Department of Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, General Dynamics, National Institutes of Health (NIH), MITRE Corporation, and the United States Military.



from
CERTIVIEW

How the Seismic DDoS Attack on Dyn Shook the Internet

ddos-attacks-300x300_blue“At this point we know this was a sophisticated, highly distributed attack involving 10s of millions of IP addresses. … The nature and source of the attack is under investigation, but it was a sophisticated attack across multiple attack vectors and internet locations.” — Kyle York, Chief Strategy Officer, Dyn

Starting at about 11:10 a.m. UTC (7:10 a.m. EDT) on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, hackers launched one of the largest distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against Internet Performance Management company Dyn. The cloud-based Domain Name System (DNS) provider supports many major web properties such as Twitter, Reddit, Spotify, Airbnb, Netflix and Amazon’s web services. When Dyn’s servers and network connections were overwhelmed by the cyberattack, Internet users were unable to access the sites.

To understand the importance of DNS providers, we need to look at a little history. In the days of the ARPANet, which preceded our modern World Wide Web, every computer and router needed to know the location of each connected system on the planet. This rapidly became untenable because the ARPANet’s HOSTS file could not be maintained in a timely manner and ultimately became too large to fit within the memory of the routers. In developing the “information superhighway,” you didn’t need to know the address or location of a service—merely whom to ask; DNS took care of that for you. Every service on the Internet—from PayPal to Yelp—uses DNS servers to translate a domain name, such as www.twitter.com, to its numeric Internet Protocol (IP) address on the electronic planet. By asking a DNS for the Internet address, you receive an easy-to-use and easy-to-remember domain name instead of complex numbers that can change.

Many companies outsource their DNS management to organizations that specialize in this technology. When Dyn was targeted by a DDoS attack, the Internet lookup requests failed and services such as Twitter became unavailable.

Dyn still hasn’t disclosed the size of the attack or how much data volume it consumed. On their blog, Dyn reports an unconfirmed attack rate of 1.2 gigabits per second. But we do know of two other incidents that may be related. Cybersecurity reporter Brian Krebs’ website was targeted on Sept. 20 at the rate of 620 Gbps—a short-lived record. Around the same time, Internet hosting provider OVH was attacked at the rate of 1 terabit per second. The attack against Mr. Krebs and Dyn may be in retaliation for reporting and presentations about DDoS attacks, including those by one of Dyn’s researchers, Doug Madory.

Historically, these attacks have used massive networks of infected computers enlisted into a Botnet through malicious software surreptitiously loaded onto victims’ computers. Unwitting consumers and business systems are hijacked when users open a compromised website or a mal-crafted email attachment.

The series of Dyn attacks, however, are different. The Botnet software Mirai used latent security vulnerabilities in Internet-connected home devices.

Smart technology such as Internet-connected lightbulbs, thermostats, DVRs and home surveillance cameras contain their own embedded computers and operating systems. Once enabled and configured, they connect through home routers to the Internet; from there people can watch what’s happening in their houses, change the temperature in a room, or even pick the hue of a lightbulb. Vendors who make these products have accompanying smartphone apps, so your home devices are always accessible—and that’s potentially desirable if someone wants to watch a program on their home DVR from their Apple iOS or Google Android phone or tablet.

Called the Internet of Things (IoT), many people view these smart devices as incredible conveniences. Research firm Gartner estimates that 6.4 billion IoT units will be in use worldwide in 2016.

The manufacturers who make IoT devices created their products with common security vulnerabilities and exploitable services available to the Internet. The IoT devices hijacked by Mirai had unsecured command-line user interfaces exposed to the Internet through networking protocols such as Telnet and Secure Shell (SSH). Worse, these IoT devices had hard-wired, well-known default passwords that could not be changed.

Mirai turned these IoT webcams and DVRs into Internet weapons used to launch DDoS attacks against Mr. Krebs and Dyn, all because of often non-existent security.

Businesses and governments across the Internet need to prepare to protect themselves from similar attacks. The two main mechanisms that a business can apply are redundancy and the use of anti-DDoS services. Using several Internet Service Providers can prevent a bottleneck when a connection is overloaded, while having multiple DNS servers on different networks across the planet is crucial to ensure one attack doesn’t cripple the entire infrastructure. Commercial products from ISPs and anti-DDoS companies also help mitigate the damage through additional services such as spreading connection points across the Internet (known as load-balancing) and suppressing malicious traffic in the network before it reaches the victim organization.

In these DDoS scenarios, attackers infected unwitting victims’ computers and IoT devices. Maintaining current antivirus software and keeping up with software vendors’ patches are key. For IoT devices, it’s vital that strong passwords and the latest firmware are being used.

With the DDoS attack against Dyn and the effect it had on some of the world’s most popular websites, it’s clear that no domain is entirely safe. Hackers, DDoS attacks, malware—there are any number of threats that every company should safeguard against. The lesson learned is that vigilance is the key.

Related Courses
Cybersecurity Foundations
Certified Network Defender (CND)
Certified Ethical Hacker v9



from
CERTIVIEW

How to Remote Start Windows Server 2016

How can you start a server computer when you're physically offsite? Learn what options exist for remote-start in Windows Server 2016.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

10 Hottest IT Jobs

For those seeking a change and some inspiration as to where to take their career next, check out our top 10 list.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Friday 25 November 2016

How to Back Up a Windows Server 2016 Domain Controller

The domain controller role is central to an Active Directory-based network. Learn how to protect your Windows Server 2016 domain controllers by using first-party backup tools.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Thursday 24 November 2016

IT Career Planning 101 for 2017

The holidays are coming. It's time to start planning for your career in the new year, and thinking about what steps you might take to enhance and improve your existing skills and knowledge.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Wednesday 23 November 2016

How To Keep Tour Best IT Staffers In House

Tech companies have a problem that's actually common to fast-growing, dynamic businesses everywhere – retaining key employees.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Best Video Conference Systems for Business

Are you in the market for a video conference system for your company? Find out which ones top our list and what else you need to consider before you sign.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Dropbox vs. Box: What’s the Right Choice for a Small Business?

In a head-to-head matchup, how do these two top cloud service competitors compare when it comes to serving the needs of small businesses?

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Make Amazon Prime Work for Business

Free two-day shipping, exclusive discounts, cash back on an Amazon Prime Store Card and free streaming media are all perks of being an Amazon Prime member.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Best Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

Looking for the best customer relationship management (CRM) software? We evaluate and rank Salesforce, Insightly, OnContact and other top picks.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Monday 21 November 2016

VMware’s App Volumes Simplifies Management for VDI

vmware-app-volumes-simplifies-management-for-vdiApplication management can be a complicated task when it comes to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), but it doesn’t have to be. App Volumes is VMware’s product for virtual machine application layering that helps simplify the process. These layers are known as AppStacks, which are virtual disks that contain everything necessary (executables, registry keys, etc.) to run the application. AppStacks are not run in isolation or containerized like ThinApp packages. Instead, the agent for App Volumes merges the AppStack contents with the virtual machines’ file system and Windows Registry. Users have no indication that this is happening; to the user it appears as though the applications are actually installed in the system.

Two components make up App Volumes:

  • App Volumes Manager–a central management console that is used for provisioning and managing entitlements for AppStacks.
  • App Volumes Agent–installed on the virtual machines and is responsible for handling processes needed to mount the AppStacks and make the applications available to the end user.

As mentioned, AppStacks are virtual disks that contain one or more applications and can be assigned to Active Directory users, groups, computers and/or organizational units (OUs) as a read-only disk. One or multiple AppStacks can be assigned to a user’s virtual machine depending on how the applications are managed. There’s another option that may be used called Writable Volumes, which are user-specific disks that can be used to store applications installed by the user, as well as user profile information.

What I have been describing so far is App Volumes 2.x but you may quickly realize that App Volumes 3.0 was released earlier this year. Customers using App Volumes 3.0 have encountered issues and there have been complaints about the new version, including issues with AppStacks and the interface. VMware released version 2.11 approximately three months after releasing 3.0. VMware has indicated that the two different versions should be treated as two separate products: 2.x should be used for on-premises deployments whereas 3.x is designed for use with cloud-based deployments.

App Volumes 3.0 introduces a new way to create AppStacks called AppCapture. AppCapture is run from the command line or by using Microsoft PowerShell. AppCapture also has a component called AppIsolation, which allows AppCapture to integrate with VMware ThinApp to provide both native and VMware ThinApp applications through a single format–the AppStack.

Additionally there’s a new capability called AppToggle that allows per-user entitlement and installation of applications using a single AppStack. This would reduce the number of AppStacks required, ultimately lowering storage usage and increasing manageability.

Lastly, there is a new feature called AppScaling that allows the addition of multiple file shares for hosting AppStacks, pairing them to different VMware vCenter Server instances. A service runs to scan the shares and populate the AppStacks into datastores within the VMware vCenter Server instances. This eliminates the need to replicate AppStacks across multiple sites.

Applications are an integral part of virtual machines, especially virtual desktops. App Volumes helps reduce the overhead for handling application lifecycle management by simplifying application packaging and delivery. With App Volumes, applications can be delivered using virtual disks without having to modify the virtual machine. Having a real-time application delivery system is a major asset to any enterprise virtual desktop infrastructure environment.

Related Courses
VMware Horizon 7: Install, Configure, Manage [V7]
View our complete VMware portfolio.



from
CERTIVIEW

Reducing the Security Risks Associated with BYOD

studentbyod150533398Today’s tech-savvy workforce just became more empowered, but will organizations pay the price?

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initially started as a trend by employees due to the fact that they are more familiar with their own devices and applications; what’s more, most organizations are behind on technology due to lack of funding or resources. Employees found that the same work could potentially be completed faster and more efficiently by using personal devices instead of the outdated and severely weathered equipment issued by their employer. However, this is more than merely using their own devices; it’s about ease of access and having the ability to work from any location—not just from the office.

It’s the employees’ personal devices and their knowledge of the equipment that allows them to be away from life in a noisy cube farm and still be able to perform their assigned duties. The daily struggle to constantly combat against their neighbor’s keyboard echoes and having to apologize to prospective or current customers for the background noise consisting of the latest joke or other charades is more than enough reason to want to work remotely. But is ease of access worth the inevitable security risks?

It’s understandable that employers find it difficult to keep up with the latest technology let alone the technological demands from its employees; these things cost money. However, proposing what some consider a “simple” solution presents dangers that extend way beyond dropping a cell phone in the toilet. These dangers, or risks, include a data breach or data leaks. “Bring in your own device and have the ability to work from anywhere.” Sounds simple enough, right? “My personal laptop is so much better than this old, clunky laptop that my company allows me to use, and I can do more work from my own laptop at home.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that exact statement, and my response is always the same: “I apologize, but we can’t take the risk of having you connect your device to our network because we don’t know if it’s secure or not.” But with a BYOD plan, it’s easy, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

BYOD is an acronym that makes every IT Security professional cringe. This isn’t due to the extra work associated with successfully implementing a BYOD solution. Instead, the thought of every employee being able to use their own devices (cell phones, laptops, etc.) on an organization’s internal network is absolutely terrifying due to numerous security risks.

The transition to personal devices involves a lot more than simply giving the go ahead. There are several security concerns that companies must consider:

  1. What will the anti-virus solution be, and how will it be deployed and managed for mobile devices?
  2. What regulations do we need to adhere to for BYOD in order to maintain a compliant status?
  3. How will we regulate policies and access control to ensure that our data is safe?
  4. How can we ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of company data?
  5. Will there be any accountability, and if so, how do we enforce associated procedures?
  6. How can we know for certain that our data is and will continue to be safe?

That is only a short list of security concerns, and nothing on that list even mentions asset management. Asset management utilities are a popular solution specifically for mobile devices, but they aren’t able to identify or discover malicious activity or any other security-related issues. Moreover, implementing that type of solution will mean that employees would have to allow their employers the ability to access their personal devices. This reality does not sit well with most employees as personal information resides on these devices. Each device would also have to be checked for malicious software prior to implementation. There is also the issue of compatibility; each device (since they will not all be the same) may not have the ability to interact with this specific application and so on.

It is almost certain that organizations will make the switch to BYOD in the foreseeable future. When that switch does happen, employees can facilitate a seamless execution by being more aware of what they access and what information they could potentially be sharing. Employers, on the other hand, need to ensure that a structured plan is put into effect prior to any action. The application of a solid asset management solution, policy enforcement, security monitoring and a security awareness plan is necessary. A network is only secure as its weakest point, and we, as employees, need to do our part in following security measures and remaining aware of what is taking place on our devices.

Related Resources

Guest Author: Marty Coolidge



from
CERTIVIEW

Best Linux Certifications For 2017

Certifications for IT professionals working in Linux server environments include an interesting mix of vendor-neutral and distribution-specific credentials. Here are five of the best Linux certs for 2017.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

What Tech Professionals Can Learn from The IT Crowd

The Channel 4 masterpiece of The IT Crowd still has much to teach the work of tech administrators.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Friday 18 November 2016

Tech the Halls: Top 12 Gadgets of the Holiday Season

It’s the perfect time to get a jump on your holiday wish list. For technology lovers, that means just one thing—gadgets. Whether you prefer to stand in line for hours to buy the newest smartphone or long for the days of 8-bit gaming, there’s a perfect tech toy for you this holiday season.

We asked Global Knowledge’s resident experts for their ultimate tech gifts this year. Here are their top 12 picks and reasons for wanting each device, as well as a way we can help you geek out with your most coveted tech gadgets.

12. Fisher Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillar ($49.99)

How it works: For ages 3-6, this children’s toy “crawls” in different directions based on the arrangement of its eight segments. Each combination will send the Code-a-pillar on an alternate course.
Coolest feature: There is no wrong sequence. The Code-a-pillar moves regardless of how it is assembled. But if kids want more of a challenge, they can piece together the Code-a-pillar so it will reach certain destination targets placed around a room. It’s a great way to learn how to problem solve and strengthen motor skills through play.
Laura Faughtenberry, Product Marketing Manager: “Encouraging your child to learn to code at an early age can increase their creativity and excite them to develop great problem-solving skills. And with a toy like this, they won’t even realize they are learning. I’m excited to see my kids put their minds to work! As the cloud and interconnectivity become more and more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, I want to make sure my kids have a foundational understanding of computer science early on.”

11. Canon DSLR 7D Mark II ($1,849.99)

cHow it works: This 20.2-megapixel digital camera is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers. The camera captures images up to 5472 x 3648 pixels while the movie mode records footage at 60p in MOV and MP4 formats.
Coolest feature: Burst mode makes it possible to capture images in a rapid sequence. It’s ideal for nature and sports photography as well as finally getting decent shots of family members furiously unwrapping their presents.
Kevin Colleton, Senior Project Manager: “The primary feature that attracted me to this camera was its sheer speed: a whopping 10 frames per second! This made it a great camera for taking action shots at my son’s soccer games and other sporting events. It doesn’t have a ‘full-framed’ digital image sensor like a professional photographer might use. However, it does have Canon’s latest dual DIGIC 6 image processors that can process 64 different focus points! It takes great photos and has excellent video capabilities at 1920 x 1080 resolution. The Canon 7D Mark II camera is a great choice for the photo enthusiast who desires professional-level results at consumer-level pricing.”

10. SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell ($199.99)

How it works: Each time your doorbell rings, you receive an alert to your phone and are able to see and speak to the visitor. There’s also a motion sensor to alert you even if the doorbell isn’t pushed. It’s a terrific security device, especially when you’re not home or are trying to avoid the in-laws.
Coolest feature: You can access a live feed of your front door at any time using the SkyBell app. It doesn’t matter where you are; you’ll have access to HD video and can even record or take a snapshot of each visitor.
Jack Broeren, Manager, Pre-Sales Support: “The SkyBell video doorbell is at the top of my list this year. I’m a total geek when it comes to home automation. I love being able to control the electronics in my home from my iPhone. The HD camera is amazing and the color night vision is impressive. The two-way audio feature means I’ll never have to rush to the post office after missing my latest Amazon order! SkyBell even works with the smart lock on my front door.”

9. Sphero Special Edition BB-8 App-Enabled Droid ($149.99)

bb8-300x300-300x275How it works: This is the droid you’re looking for. Control and communicate with BB-8, the pint-sized breakout star from the blockbuster film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” using your smartphone or tablet. In addition to the app, BB-8 reacts to voice commands and records virtual holograms. There’s also the option to have BB-8 patrol, so it’ll roam around your home on its own, protecting you from any invading factions of the First Order.
Coolest feature: You get your own droid! Also, if you pair BB-8 with a Sphero Force Band, you can control it with a wave of your hand—no training from Yoda needed.
Marnee Bruno, Vice President of Marketing – Canada: “Christmas is the time for nostalgia. I am old enough to remember the pre-CGI world of ‘Star Wars’ in the ‘80s, so BB-8 makes me think of the real wonder I felt watching R2-D2 as a kid! But, memories aside—and maybe more importantly—I need to relax this Christmas, and I am looking forward to being cuddled up by the fire and using my app-controlled BB-8 to run and wear out my puppy while I sip my eggnog!”

8. NES Classic Edition ($59.99)

How it works: Nintendo has packaged 30 of its original NES video games into one small console. All games are pre-installed in this miniature version of the iconic gaming system, initially released in 1985, and each console comes with the classic rectangular controller.
Coolest feature: We know what you’re thinking—it’s not a true NES experience unless you’re playing on an oversized CRT television from the ‘80s. Well you’re in luck! Each player has the option to select three different displays, including the “CRT Filter” that provides a retro look, with scan lines and all. Now if only there was a filter to help you beat the “Super Mario Bros.” water levels.
David Price, Director, Learning Architecture: “The NES Classic takes me back to those carefree, halcyon days of youth, when my best buds and I would get home from school on a rainy day, tear open a bag of chips, plant ourselves in my parent’s living room, fire up the Nintendo and the 19-inch Sylvania, and do the Donkey Kong. This diminutive device packs 30 games for a mere $60, which is a small price to pay for a journey back to (the good parts of) adolescence.”

7. Google Chromecast ($35)

chromecast-200x300How it works: Chromecast lets you stream apps like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and YouTube directly to your television from a phone or laptop. You can also use your smartphone as a remote, which comes in handy if you find yourself inclined to fast forward through the scary parts of “Stranger Things.”
Coolest feature: Set-up is one step: plug it in. Seriously, as long as you have a USB port on your TV, you’ll be watching your favorite show in seconds. Also, if there’s an app on your laptop or phone that isn’t available on Chromecast, you can still mirror the content from your device to your television.
Casey Wasserman, Marketing Communications Specialist – Editor: “I just moved and decided to cut the cord once and for all. Using Chromecast, I can stream my favorite shows (hello, ‘Breaking Bad’ marathon!), and the best part is that I don’t have to worry about losing the remote in a sofa cushion. My phone does all the work!”

6. Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator ($3,899.99)

How it works: Looking to save energy? Want to spy on your food? The Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator’s three built-in cameras let you peer inside your fridge without opening the door. The 21.5-inch touchscreen is also helpful when looking to shop online or when you want to leave a note for a family member. There’s also a compartment that can be utilized as a fridge or a freezer—you decide. It’s a great way to maximize space.
Coolest feature: Have you ever been grocery shopping and forgotten what’s in your fridge? You can view your refrigerator contents from your mobile device. It’s also a great way to see who eats all of the holiday leftovers.
Lia Byers, Cisco Product Manager: “This refrigerator goes beyond the word ‘refrigerator.’ It is a place for family members to connect and leave messages for each other. It is a family photo album that runs in slide show or individual mode. It has Pandora, a radio station tuner and a shopping list that can be viewed on your smartphone. You can even send messages to the touchscreen while you’re out of the house. How amazing! Please Santa, bring me my own.”

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 ($899.99)

preview-full-surface-300x150-300x150How it works: The Surface Pro 4 erases the need for both a tablet and a laptop. It’s thin and portable with a keyboard that isn’t flimsy like many associated with laptop/tablet hybrids. The included Surface Pen further enhances its versatility as it allows users to write and draw directly on the screen.
Coolest feature: The Surface Pen elevates the Surface Pro 4 many ways. You can sketch with it by taking advantage of 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity to produce detailed images. You can also take notes during classes or meetings. Or you can screenshot a webpage, mark it up with the pen and share it with a friend or colleague. And for those of us who aren’t perfect, there’s an eraser.
Andrew Kyriakoulis, Web and Graphic Designer: “When tablets hit the market, I admit I wasn’t very impressed. I loved the idea, but wanted something much more powerful and versatile. Then the Surface Pro came out and I’ve been eyeing it ever since. I love that it comes equipped with Windows 10 (instead of a mobile OS) and has the specs necessary to handle more intensive computing tasks. Normally when I’m on the go, I keep a sketchbook handy for on-the-fly notes, sketches and ideas. With the Surface Pro’s perfect size, awesome touchscreen and pressure sensitive pen, I think it could be an even better creative sidekick. Now, what I really want is to pair the Surface Pro with the new Surface Studio coming out in 2017. There’s a dream come true.”

4. Apple iPhone 7 ($799.99 without contract)

How it works: The lack of a headphone jack is getting the most press, but the newest iPhone has a multitude of improvements over its predecessor. For starters, the phone’s speed, camera, stereo and battery life have been upgraded. The display screen is also brighter and more colorful than previous versions.
Coolest feature: We wouldn’t recommend intentionally spilling your morning coffee on your iPhone 7, but if you want to, you can. Hey, whatever floats your boat. The phone’s case and screen are water resistant, so a trip into the shower or pool won’t leave you disconnected to the rest of the world.
Amanda Gladieux, Sales Director – Canada: “I have to admit it, I want the latest and greatest. The iPhone 7 Plus is definitely on my list this year. After getting used to my apparently massive 6 Plus (and the comments I get when I hold it up!), I can’t imagine downsizing. The large screen is just too good to give up. Here is what’s cool about the iPhone 7 Plus—it is fully water resistant (meaning it will survive if you drop it in the bathtub or toilet), it has a dual camera system with good front camera image quality (for those creative photographers or selfie-obsessed), the battery lasts longer and there are bigger storage options. Although it’s a splurge, the new iPhone 7 makes my list this year.”

3. Amazon Echo Dot ($49.99)

echo-200x300How it works: The Echo Dot works just like the Echo, but with a smaller speaker. That’s it, that’s the difference. (And half the price, which is nice.) The device streams music and is voice-activated, so Alexa is still there to tell you the weather forecast, order pizza or let you know if the Knicks won. (They probably didn’t.)
Coolest feature: The size of the Echo Dot is its biggest attribute. It can easily fit in your coat pocket or handbag, so moving it from room to room and taking it on the go is a breeze. While the original Echo has the sound advantage, the Echo Dot can be connected to external speakers, allowing you to control the audio quality and volume.
Ruth Patterson, Senior Marketing Manager: “My wish for this holiday season is to get the all-new Echo Dot! I think it’s so cool with the ability to get smarter as I use it with things like playing music, using the alarm clock, requesting time and temperature, and ordering a Domino’s pizza—all hands-free. I’m sure by the time I master all of these uses there will be many more. Can’t wait!”

2. Bose SoundSport wireless headphones ($149.99)

How it works: Headphone jacks may soon be extinct so there’s no better time to ditch the wires. The SoundSport wireless headphones pair with your Bluetooth device and stay charged for up to six hours. They’re also sweat and weather resistant, so you can go the extra mile during your workouts.
Coolest feature: The StayHear tips are designed to be lightweight and deliver strong sound quality. Better yet—they’re designed to stay in your ear! Crazy concept, we know. There’s nothing worse than earbuds that don’t stay in place when you move.
Kerrie McCullough, HR Generalist: “I would love to wake up Christmas morning to find the Bose SoundSport wireless headphones under my tree. I love to listen to music at home, work and when I’m out for my walks. I’m a fast walker and always end up pulling the earbuds out of my ears. These will allow me to go crazy with my arms during my speed walks while listening to my favorite music.”

1. Oculus Rift ($599.99)

oculus-150x300How it works: The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset that allows users to play video games, watch TV shows and movies, and connect with friends in a virtual environment. The Oculus Rift comes with an Xbox wireless controller while a new motion-capturing controller, the Oculus Touch, will be released Dec. 6. The Touch will register arm and finger movement to create an even more interactive experience.
Coolest feature: Prefer to watch movies in the theater? The Oculus Rift has a video feature that allows users to watch movies and videos in a virtual reality theater environment. You can take a trip to the movies while still on your couch. All that’s missing is the popcorn.
Justin Alisauski, Application Developer: “Virtual reality has a long history, but only recently, with constant technology evolution, have we come to an age where video graphics are more realistic and where things like the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox Kinect have increased interactivity with video games. Enter the Oculus Rift, which has revolutionized virtual reality. It has the controls to allow for interactive game play as well as the graphics to give an experience where users actually forget they are in their living room. The Oculus Rift allows users to share experiences with friends and family, so you can witness their reactions as they go deep-sea diving, journey to space or fend off endless hordes of zombies.”

Bonus Stocking Stuffer: $500 Best Buy® e-Gift Card

How it works: Sign up and attend an eligible Global Knowledge IT course and receive a $500 Best Buy® e-Gift Card on us. It’s the best way to get Cool Stuff and check items off your own gadget wish list.
Coolest feature: You don’t have to wait for Santa to get the tech toy of your choice this year! Use the $500 Best Buy® e-Gift Card to score some wireless headphones to pair with your new iPhone 7. Or pick up the Amazon Echo to play your favorite holiday tunes for all to hear. (Blast them as loud as you want to—we won’t judge.)

What’s on your wish list?

Let us know your favorite gadgets from our countdown or share your own personal wish list by tagging @GlobalKnowledge and using #TechtheHalls.

Don’t forget to share

Dear @OfficialSanta, please bring me the #iPhone7 or anything on the @GlobalKnowledge #TechtheHalls list: http://wp.me/p3Dcss-3aw



from
CERTIVIEW

How to Automate a Windows Install

If you're installing Windows from a WIM or ISO file, it's possible to completely automate the install step using a single well-placed file.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Thursday 17 November 2016

Best Cloud Computing Certifications For 2017

These cloud IT certifications are in demand in 2017. Find the most valuable cloud computing certification for your career path on Tom’s IT Pro.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

A Brief History of Linux

From Bell Labs in the 1960s to Torvalds in the 90s, find out how this little OS got its start.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Best Web Certifications For 2017

For those who want to understand how to build, design and manage great websites, here are the best webmaster, web design and (light-duty) web development certifications for 2017.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Identity Management Institute Guide Highlights Security Crisis

Henry Bagdasarian of the Identity Management Institute recently published "Becoming a Cybersecurity Expert" for those thinking about walking the security career path, or who are already on it. It's only eight pages long and it's free.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

How to Build a Pester Test Framework

Sure you can run a test with the Pester New-Fixture, but that doesn't scale well. Learn to create a small framework for your company's needs.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

VMware’s App Volumes Simplifies Management for VDI

bluelaptopApplication management can be a complicated task when it comes to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), but it doesn’t have to be. App Volumes is VMware’s product for virtual machine application layering that helps simplify the process. These layers are known as AppStacks, which are virtual disks that contain everything necessary (executables, registry keys, etc.) to run the application.

AppStacks are not run in isolation or containerized like ThinApp packages. Instead, the agent for App Volumes merges the AppStack contents with the virtual machines’ file system and Windows Registry. Users have no indication that this is happening; to the user it appears as though the applications are actually installed in the system.

Two components make up App Volumes:

  • App Volumes Manager–a central management console that is used for provisioning and managing entitlements for AppStacks.
  • App Volumes Agent–installed on the virtual machines and is responsible for handling processes needed to mount the AppStacks and make the applications available to the end user.

As mentioned, AppStacks are virtual disks that contain one or more applications and can be assigned to Active Directory users, groups, computers and/or organizational units (OUs) as a read-only disk. One or multiple AppStacks can be assigned to a user’s virtual machine depending on how the applications are managed. There’s another option that may be used called Writable Volumes, which are user-specific disks that can be used to store applications installed by the user, as well as user profile information.

What I have been describing so far is App Volumes 2.x but you may quickly realize that App Volumes 3.0 was released earlier this year. Customers using App Volumes 3.0 have encountered issues and there have been complaints about the new version, including issues with AppStacks and the interface. VMware released version 2.11 approximately three months after releasing 3.0. VMware has indicated that the two different versions should be treated as two separate products: 2.x should be used for on-premises deployments whereas 3.x is designed for use with cloud-based deployments.

App Volumes 3.0 introduces a new way to create AppStacks called AppCapture. AppCapture is run from the command line or by using Microsoft PowerShell. AppCapture also has a component called AppIsolation, which allows AppCapture to integrate with VMware ThinApp to provide both native and VMware ThinApp applications through a single format–the AppStack.

Additionally there’s a new capability called AppToggle that allows per-user entitlement and installation of applications using a single AppStack. This would reduce the number of AppStacks required, ultimately lowering storage usage and increasing manageability.

Lastly, there is a new feature called AppScaling that allows the addition of multiple file shares for hosting AppStacks, pairing them to different VMware vCenter Server instances. A service runs to scan the shares and populate the AppStacks into datastores within the VMware vCenter Server instances. This eliminates the need to replicate AppStacks across multiple sites.

Applications are an integral part of virtual machines, especially virtual desktops. App Volumes helps reduce the overhead for handling application lifecycle management by simplifying application packaging and delivery. With App Volumes, applications can be delivered using virtual disks without having to modify the virtual machine. Having a real-time application delivery system is a major asset to any enterprise virtual desktop infrastructure environment.

Related Courses
VMware Horizon 7: Install, Configure, Manage [V7]
View our complete VMware portfolio.

 



from
CERTIVIEW

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Best Black Friday Tech Deals for Business 2016

These productivity-boosting gadgets are on sale this month.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Tech the Halls: Top 12 Gadgets of the Holiday Season

It’s the perfect time to get a jump on your holiday wish list. For technology lovers, that means just one thing—gadgets. Whether you prefer to stand in line for hours to buy the newest smartphone or long for the days of 8-bit gaming, there’s a perfect tech toy for you this holiday season.

We asked Global Knowledge’s resident experts for their ultimate tech gifts this year. Here are their top 12 picks and reasons for wanting each device, as well as a way we can help you geek out with your most coveted tech gadgets.

12. Fisher Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillar ($49.99)

How it works: For ages 3-6, this children’s toy “crawls” in different directions based on the arrangement of its eight segments. Each combination will send the Code-a-pillar on an alternate course.
Coolest feature: There is no wrong sequence. The Code-a-pillar moves regardless of how it is assembled. But if kids want more of a challenge, they can piece together the Code-a-pillar so it will reach certain destination targets placed around a room. It’s a great way to learn how to problem solve and strengthen motor skills through play.
Laura Faughtenberry, Product Marketing Manager: “Encouraging your child to learn to code at an early age can increase their creativity and excite them to develop great problem-solving skills. And with a toy like this, they won’t even realize they are learning. I’m excited to see my kids put their minds to work! As the cloud and interconnectivity become more and more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, I want to make sure my kids have a foundational understanding of computer science early on.”

Canon, camera, Christmas11. Canon DSLR 7D Mark II ($1,849.99)

How it works: This 20.2-megapixel digital camera is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers. The camera captures images up to 5472 x 3648 pixels while the movie mode records footage at 60p in MOV and MP4 formats.
Coolest feature: Burst mode makes it possible to capture images in a rapid sequence. It’s ideal for nature and sports photography as well as finally getting decent shots of family members furiously unwrapping their presents.
Kevin Colleton, Senior Project Manager: “The primary feature that attracted me to this camera was its sheer speed: a whopping 10 frames per second! This made it a great camera for taking action shots at my son’s soccer games and other sporting events. It doesn’t have a ‘full-framed’ digital image sensor like a professional photographer might use. However, it does have Canon’s latest dual DIGIC 6 image processors that can process 64 different focus points! It takes great photos and has excellent video capabilities at 1920 x 1080 resolution. The Canon 7D Mark II camera is a great choice for the photo enthusiast who desires professional-level results at consumer-level pricing.”

10. SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell ($199.99)

How it works: Each time your doorbell rings, you receive an alert to your phone and are able to see and speak to the visitor. There’s also a motion sensor to alert you even if the doorbell isn’t pushed. It’s a terrific security device, especially when you’re not home or are trying to avoid the in-laws.
Coolest feature: You can access a live feed of your front door at any time using the SkyBell app. It doesn’t matter where you are; you’ll have access to HD video and can even record or take a snapshot of each visitor.
Jack Broeren, Manager, Pre-Sales Support: “The SkyBell video doorbell is at the top of my list this year. I’m a total geek when it comes to home automation. I love being able to control the electronics in my home from my iPhone. The HD camera is amazing and the color night vision is impressive. The two-way audio feature means I’ll never have to rush to the post office after missing my latest Amazon order! SkyBell even works with the smart lock on my front door.”

Star Wars, BB8, droid, Christmas9. Sphero Special Edition BB-8 App-Enabled Droid ($149.99)

How it works: This is the droid you’re looking for. Control and communicate with BB-8, the pint-sized breakout star from the blockbuster film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” using your smartphone or tablet. In addition to the app, BB-8 reacts to voice commands and records virtual holograms. There’s also the option to have BB-8 patrol, so it’ll roam around your home on its own, protecting you from any invading factions of the First Order.
Coolest feature: You get your own droid! Also, if you pair BB-8 with a Sphero Force Band, you can control it with a wave of your hand—no training from Yoda needed.
Marnee Bruno, Vice President of Marketing – Canada: “Christmas is the time for nostalgia. I am old enough to remember the pre-CGI world of ‘Star Wars’ in the ‘80s, so BB-8 makes me think of the real wonder I felt watching R2-D2 as a kid! But, memories aside—and maybe more importantly—I need to relax this Christmas, and I am looking forward to being cuddled up by the fire and using my app-controlled BB-8 to run and wear out my puppy while I sip my eggnog!”

8. NES Classic Edition ($59.99)

How it works: Nintendo has packaged 30 of its original NES video games into one small console. All games are pre-installed in this miniature version of the iconic gaming system, initially released in 1985, and each console comes with the classic rectangular controller.
Coolest feature: We know what you’re thinking—it’s not a true NES experience unless you’re playing on an oversized CRT television from the ‘80s. Well you’re in luck! Each player has the option to select three different displays, including the “CRT Filter” that provides a retro look, with scan lines and all. Now if only there was a filter to help you beat the “Super Mario Bros.” water levels.
David Price, Director, Learning Architecture: “The NES Classic takes me back to those carefree, halcyon days of youth, when my best buds and I would get home from school on a rainy day, tear open a bag of chips, plant ourselves in my parent’s living room, fire up the Nintendo and the 19-inch Sylvania, and do the Donkey Kong. This diminutive device packs 30 games for a mere $60, which is a small price to pay for a journey back to (the good parts of) adolescence.”

Google, Chromecast, stocking, Christmas7. Google Chromecast ($35)

How it works: Chromecast lets you stream apps like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and YouTube directly to your television from a phone or laptop. You can also use your smartphone as a remote, which comes in handy if you find yourself inclined to fast forward through the scary parts of “Stranger Things.”
Coolest feature: Set-up is one step: plug it in. Seriously, as long as you have a USB port on your TV, you’ll be watching your favorite show in seconds. Also, if there’s an app on your laptop or phone that isn’t available on Chromecast, you can still mirror the content from your device to your television.
Casey Wasserman, Marketing Communications Specialist – Editor: “I just moved and decided to cut the cord once and for all. Using Chromecast, I can stream my favorite shows (hello, ‘Breaking Bad’ marathon!), and the best part is that I don’t have to worry about losing the remote in a sofa cushion. My phone does all the work!”

6. Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator ($3,899.99)

How it works: Looking to save energy? Want to spy on your food? The Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator’s three built-in cameras let you peer inside your fridge without opening the door. The 21.5-inch touchscreen is also helpful when looking to shop online or when you want to leave a note for a family member. There’s also a compartment that can be utilized as a fridge or a freezer—you decide. It’s a great way to maximize space.
Coolest feature: Have you ever been grocery shopping and forgotten what’s in your fridge? You can view your refrigerator contents from your mobile device. It’s also a great way to see who eats all of the holiday leftovers.
Lia Byers, Cisco Product Manager: “This refrigerator goes beyond the word ‘refrigerator.’ It is a place for family members to connect and leave messages for each other. It is a family photo album that runs in slide show or individual mode. It has Pandora, a radio station tuner and a shopping list that can be viewed on your smartphone. You can even send messages to the touchscreen while you’re out of the house. How amazing! Please Santa, bring me my own.”

Microsoft, laptop, tablet, Christmas5. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 ($899.99)

How it works: The Surface Pro 4 erases the need for both a tablet and a laptop. It’s thin and portable with a keyboard that isn’t flimsy like many associated with laptop/tablet hybrids. The included Surface Pen further enhances its versatility as it allows users to write and draw directly on the screen.
Coolest feature: The Surface Pen elevates the Surface Pro 4 many ways. You can sketch with it by taking advantage of 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity to produce detailed images. You can also take notes during classes or meetings. Or you can screenshot a webpage, mark it up with the pen and share it with a friend or colleague. And for those of us who aren’t perfect, there’s an eraser.
Andrew Kyriakoulis, Web and Graphic Designer: “When tablets hit the market, I admit I wasn’t very impressed. I loved the idea, but wanted something much more powerful and versatile. Then the Surface Pro came out and I’ve been eyeing it ever since. I love that it comes equipped with Windows 10 (instead of a mobile OS) and has the specs necessary to handle more intensive computing tasks. Normally when I’m on the go, I keep a sketchbook handy for on-the-fly notes, sketches and ideas. With the Surface Pro’s perfect size, awesome touchscreen and pressure sensitive pen, I think it could be an even better creative sidekick. Now, what I really want is to pair the Surface Pro with the new Surface Studio coming out in 2017. There’s a dream come true.”

4. Apple iPhone 7 ($799.99 without contract)

How it works: The lack of a headphone jack is getting the most press, but the newest iPhone has a multitude of improvements over its predecessor. For starters, the phone’s speed, camera, stereo and battery life have been upgraded. The display screen is also brighter and more colorful than previous versions.
Coolest feature: We wouldn’t recommend intentionally spilling your morning coffee on your iPhone 7, but if you want to, you can. Hey, whatever floats your boat. The phone’s case and screen are water resistant, so a trip into the shower or pool won’t leave you disconnected to the rest of the world.
Amanda Gladieux, Sales Director – Canada: “I have to admit it, I want the latest and greatest. The iPhone 7 Plus is definitely on my list this year. After getting used to my apparently massive 6 Plus (and the comments I get when I hold it up!), I can’t imagine downsizing. The large screen is just too good to give up. Here is what’s cool about the iPhone 7 Plus—it is fully water resistant (meaning it will survive if you drop it in the bathtub or toilet), it has a dual camera system with good front camera image quality (for those creative photographers or selfie-obsessed), the battery lasts longer and there are bigger storage options. Although it’s a splurge, the new iPhone 7 makes my list this year.”

Echo Dot, Christmas, stocking3. Amazon Echo Dot ($49.99)

How it works: The Echo Dot works just like the Echo, but with a smaller speaker. That’s it, that’s the difference. (And half the price, which is nice.) The device streams music and is voice-activated, so Alexa is still there to tell you the weather forecast, order pizza or let you know if the Knicks won. (They probably didn’t.)
Coolest feature: The size of the Echo Dot is its biggest attribute. It can easily fit in your coat pocket or handbag, so moving it from room to room and taking it on the go is a breeze. While the original Echo has the sound advantage, the Echo Dot can be connected to external speakers, allowing you to control the audio quality and volume.
Ruth Patterson, Senior Marketing Manager: “My wish for this holiday season is to get the all-new Echo Dot! I think it’s so cool with the ability to get smarter as I use it with things like playing music, using the alarm clock, requesting time and temperature, and ordering a Domino’s pizza—all hands-free. I’m sure by the time I master all of these uses there will be many more. Can’t wait!”

2. Bose SoundSport wireless headphones ($149.99)

How it works: Headphone jacks may soon be extinct so there’s no better time to ditch the wires. The SoundSport wireless headphones pair with your Bluetooth device and stay charged for up to six hours. They’re also sweat and weather resistant, so you can go the extra mile during your workouts.
Coolest feature: The StayHear tips are designed to be lightweight and deliver strong sound quality. Better yet—they’re designed to stay in your ear! Crazy concept, we know. There’s nothing worse than earbuds that don’t stay in place when you move.
Kerrie McCullough, HR Generalist: “I would love to wake up Christmas morning to find the Bose SoundSport wireless headphones under my tree. I love to listen to music at home, work and when I’m out for my walks. I’m a fast walker and always end up pulling the earbuds out of my ears. These will allow me to go crazy with my arms during my speed walks while listening to my favorite music.”

Gaming, virtual reality, Oculus Rift, Christmas1. Oculus Rift ($599.99)

How it works: The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset that allows users to play video games, watch TV shows and movies, and connect with friends in a virtual environment. The Oculus Rift comes with an Xbox wireless controller while a new motion-capturing controller, the Oculus Touch, will be released Dec. 6. The Touch will register arm and finger movement to create an even more interactive experience.
Coolest feature: Prefer to watch movies in the theater? The Oculus Rift has a video feature that allows users to watch movies and videos in a virtual reality theater environment. You can take a trip to the movies while still on your couch. All that’s missing is the popcorn.
Justin Alisauski, Application Developer: “Virtual reality has a long history, but only recently, with constant technology evolution, have we come to an age where video graphics are more realistic and where things like the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox Kinect have increased interactivity with video games. Enter the Oculus Rift, which has revolutionized virtual reality. It has the controls to allow for interactive game play as well as the graphics to give an experience where users actually forget they are in their living room. The Oculus Rift allows users to share experiences with friends and family, so you can witness their reactions as they go deep-sea diving, journey to space or fend off endless hordes of zombies.”

Bonus Stocking Stuffer: $500 Best Buy® e-Gift Card

How it works: Sign up and attend an eligible Global Knowledge IT course and receive a $500 Best Buy® e-Gift Card on us. It’s the best way to get Cool Stuff and check items off your own gadget wish list.
Coolest feature: You don’t have to wait for Santa to get the tech toy of your choice this year! Use the $500 Best Buy® e-Gift Card to score some wireless headphones to pair with your new iPhone 7. Or pick up the Amazon Echo to play your favorite holiday tunes for all to hear. (Blast them as loud as you want to—we won’t judge.)

What’s on your wish list?
Let us know your favorite gadgets from our countdown or share your own personal wish list by tagging @GlobalKnowledge and using #TechtheHalls.

Don’t forget to share
Dear @OfficialSanta, please bring me the #iPhone7 or anything on the @GlobalKnowledge #TechtheHalls list: http://wp.me/p3Dcss-3aw



from
CERTIVIEW

Microsoft Adds Outlook Customer Manager to Office 365

Microsoft is baking in some lightweight CRM tools into Office 365 with the new Outlook Customer Manager.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Monday 14 November 2016

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) 101

The mobility management landscape is constantly changing, and the need for EMM solutions that are able to balance productivity with security is on the rise. Here's how enterprise mobility management has evolved and what it is today.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Best Big Data Certifications For 2017

These big data certifications are in demand in 2017. Find the most valuable certification for your career path on Tom's IT Pro.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Finding Your Allies: 3 Essential Soft Skills for IT Pros

IT professionals can build great relationships across all departments with a few simple tactics.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Friday 11 November 2016

Spiceworks 2017 Tech Career Outlook Reveals Upcoming Job Hoppers

The Spiceworks Tech Career Outlook for 2017 reveals if IT professionals feel appreciated, what kinds of challenges they expect to face, and what sorts of skills and knowledge they believe essential.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW

Anatomy of a (New) CyberSecurity Exam: Logical Operations' CFR

Logical Operations released the CyberSec First Responder (CFR) certification. Aimed at those who must handle security incidents, it offers two exams: a general first responder cert and a person who focuses on threat detection and response.

from Tom's IT Pro
via CERTIVIEW