Digital transformation: Recovering the meaning behind an overstated concept
The phrase 'digital transformation,' or DX, in short, is thrown around at an alarming level in the promotional and marketing materials of large tech companies and consultancies. But what does digital transformation really mean?
Digital transformation in today’s tech world is a buzzword, fashionable jargon that’s often thrown around without seeing any real value or understanding. The term assumes that everyone who creates something new is innovative, but that simply isn’t the case. Many industries have turned to modern tech to rejuvenate or enhance their business solutions. But, that doesn’t mean they’re undergoing a digital transformation. The wording and ideologies used to describe digital transformation have caused the term to be lost in translation. How do we recover the meaning behind an often overstated concept?
How control system vulnerabilities can threaten the oil industry [Q&A]
The Colonial Pipeline attack in 2021 highlighted how vulnerable industrial control systems, and in particular energy supplies, can be to cyberattacks.
The oil and gas sector is particularly at risk as it often relies on older devices that don't receive timely firmware updates. We spoke to Mark Kerzner, CEO and co-founder of ElephantScale and Scaia AI who has worked with many oil industry leaders, to find out more about the risks and how they can be addressed.
Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-seventy-two in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
The first big Windows 11 update may come earlier than expected. Microsoft released the first Windows 11 build of the year to the public this week.
Malware and ransomware set to be a larger threat over the next year
Over half (55 percent) of organizations see malware and ransomware as an 'extreme' threat and 75 percent believe it will get bigger over the next year.
This is among the findings of the 2021 Malware and Ransomware report from Bitglass (which was recently acquired by Forcepoint). A joint venture with Cybersecurity Insiders, the report is based on a survey of hundreds of cybersecurity professionals across industries to better understand how the growing malware and ransomware problem has changed the way they protect their organization.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.53.1 and adds new Always On Top utility
The first PowerToys release of 2022 is here, and it is a strong start to the year. With the release of PowerToys v0.53.1, Microsoft has not only added a new utility in the form of Always On Top, but has also made lots of fixes, changes, additions and improvements to the existing tools in the suite.
Among the other notable additions to this release are new supports options in the File Explorer preview pan, and the arrival of web searching from PowerToys Run. Microsoft says that "the v0.53 release cycle was designed for a maintenance sprint but with some amazing community support, it is loaded with greatness" -- and there certainly is a lot of greatness to explore.
Satechi announces 2-in-1 Headphone Stand with Wireless Charger for Apple AirPods Max
If you're like me, having a neat and tidy desk is a must. Look, I understand that things can get a bit messy sometimes when under a heavy workload, but for the most part, keeping a clean and organized workstation can be key to success.
And that is why many people buy headphone stands. Whether for wired or wireless headphones (or headsets), these stands can keep them out of the way, freeing up your desk for other things. Such a stand can also protect your expensive headphones when not in use, so they aren't accidentally knocked off the desk or ruined by a spilled beverage.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22526 with improved file search
Having taken a break for the holidays, the Windows development team is back in business with the first new Windows 11 Dev Channel build of 2022.
Build 22526 comes with a decent number of fixes, as well as some welcome changes and improvements.
Google Docs comment flaw exploited by attackers
A flaw in the comments feature of Google Docs is allowing attackers to target users with phishing emails.
Security researchers at email security company Avanan have observed what they call, "a new, massive wave of hackers" using the comment feature in Google Docs during December to launch attacks, mainly against Outlook users.
5 data warehouse myths that hold development back
Businesses now live and die by data. From managing resources and analyzing performance to hyper-targeted marketing and behavioral analytics, data has become essential to the way companies operate. The demand for data has never been higher -- and it’s only increasing.
This pressure passes directly onto the people who help meet this demand. Data warehouse (DW) and analytics professionals are having to develop new data sets and produce insights at a record pace, all whilst keeping costs down. It’s clear DW acceleration is critical and this is acknowledged across the industry: according to WhereScape and TDWI’s research published this year, 63 percent of data warehouse professionals consider DW acceleration extremely important.
Quantum is the future say enterprise execs
Those who fail to adopt quantum computing are in danger of falling behind, according to 75 percent of enterprise executives in a new survey.
The study, carried out by Wakefield Research for Zapata Computing, surveyed 300 leaders at large enterprises and finds that 69 percent either have adopted or plan to adopt quantum computing the near future.
The chronological feed is coming back to Instagram
The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, has revealed details of tests that are currently underway that will change the way feeds are displayed on the platform. Among the options that are on the way is the much-requested ability to see a chronological feed.
In all, there are three feed viewing options that are undergoing testing -- something Mosseri describes as giving "you more control over your Instagram experience". Of the three views, two of them allow for chronological scrolling through posts.
Microsoft makes updated Notepad and Media Player available to more Windows 11 users
It has been suggested that Windows 11 shipped as an unfinished product. Microsoft would almost certainly disagree, but it's an idea that is backed up by the fact that bundled apps are being updated -- and not just with minor tweaks, but with major overhauls.
We've already seen a preview version of the redesigned Notepad, and now Microsoft is making this staple app available to more people, complete with a new dark mode option and more. And it doesn't end there. An updated version of Windows Media Player, which replaces Groove Music, is also available to a wider range of users.
Will Linux Mint 20.3 'Una' make 2022 the fabled 'Year of Linux on the Desktop?'
Will Linux Mint 20.3 make 2022 the fabled "Year of Linux on the Desktop?" Absolutely not. However, that won't stop some fans of the Ubuntu-based operating system from making that prediction. While it won't dethrone Windows anytime soon, the release of a stable Linux Mint 20.3 is imminent.
You see, today, the Linux Mint developers share that version 20.3 of the operating system will be released this week! Sadly, the devs missed the Christmas 2021 deadline they previously shared -- a major disappointment. Oh well, users simply had more time to play with the Beta release. At least the wait for Linux Mint 20.3 -- code-named "Una" -- will be over soon.
Maintaining migration success: Pre-migration tips for moving Teams data
As our world grows increasingly digital, the importance of an effective virtual workplace becomes a greater priority for businesses everywhere. With many companies relying on remote workforces, tools like Microsoft Teams have become critical to enabling collaboration and engagement among remote employees. As a result, Teams adoption has skyrocketed. In July 2021, Microsoft reported 250 million monthly active users on Teams.
As corporations continue to leverage cloud-based solutions to enable remote work, the need to keep their digital environments secure and organized remains vital.
You can now give your Linux desktop a Windows 11-style 'Fluent' makeover
Windows 11 is far from perfect -- it’s still very early days for the new operating system after all -- but it sports an attractive, modern aesthetic thanks to the use of Microsoft’s Fluent Design System.
If you like the look of Windows 11, but prefer to use a Linux OS, you can now get the best of both worlds by applying a new 'Fluent' icon set.
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