New Direction

Google provides bridge to cloud for Microsoft Word users

I have certainly saved documents to Google Docs before. It's one of the places online where I save papers. However, I usually have to either open a new Google Docs file or save my document there after it is done. With Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office, I would be able to compose and sync a document to Google Docs from Office. Judging by the linked blog post and a quick search I did about the feature, it does not look like Cloud Connect has been made available yet to the public.

While I'm glad this feature now is available for Microsoft Office, I wish there was something similar for Open Office. Although I favor Open Office, there are times when I have to actually use Word.

 

N.C. Senate's Internet monopoly bill is put on hold

The N.C. Senate Commerce Committee sent SB 1004 to another committee for further study.  The bill, similar to HB 1252, would further protect the monopolies in the state currently enjoyed by Time Warner Cable and other large telecommunications companies.

Would Time Warner Internet caps be in just the four cities?

After reading a lot of reports regarding Time Warner Cable's testing of Internet usage caps in four cities, I wonder if that includes any surrounding cities and towns? Take Greensboro, which will be part of the trial. Will that include, say, High Point, Winston-Salem, Thomasville, and Lexington?
Maybe I missed something, but I have only seen mention of Greensboro being affected.

Time Warner moves further with metered Internet usage

Time Warner Cable moves further with metered Internet usage for its Road Runner subscribers. The caps start at 5 GB a month and go to 40 GB. I guess messing with all that fancy online audio and video content just isn't meant for us all, at least if Time Warner had its way.
I just hate that there isn't a lot of choices for ISPs in my area. If the "Greensboro market", one of the places this is being tested, includes Lexington, then I think Time Warner needs to lose its franchise agreement.
Check out this post that we had earlier.
More here and here.     

Meeting participants tackle the issue of Internet access

By Ben Ledbetter
New Direction editor

 DURHAM -- High-speed Internet access is often thought of as a luxury, but now, more school assignments require online access, companies require it to do business and even governmental agencies are posting documents online that were once only viewable in their offices.
However, not everyone has the Internet available to them. A provider may not extend service to a rural area, it could be too expensive or other lifestyle choices need to be made to go online.
 On Saturday, many from North Carolina and across the country gathered to discuss how to make the Internet more accessible to all in the Tar Heel State during a town hall meeting held by the public interest group Free Press.
 Saturday's group yielded many ideas on improving online access, including government intervention, extending online access like its one big interstate highway going through many communities and every community appointing someone to oversee its implementation of technology. As I understood it, the position would receive state/federal funding, but it would not be on a municipal payroll.
Regardless of how it gets done,  broadband access will help fill a void in North Carolina left by the departures of textiles, furniture and tobacco.
 "Broadband to our state is an economic necessity," Jane Smith Patterson, executive director with e-NC Authority said. The organization was created in 2000 by the General Assembly with the purpose of linking North Carolinians, especially those in rural areas, to the Internet. "What you want to argue for is the highest broadband you can get."
FURTHER READING: Check out this awesome article regarding the lack of high-speed Internet access in Chatham County by the Independent Weekly's Fiona Morgan.

iPhone can now process credit cards

Apple’s iPhone can now process credit cards.The phone has been turned into a mobile credit card processing device, thanks to an application called ProcessAway.

The software is made for an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch and works over any available network connection. Transactions can be processed at places such as conventions, street fairs, antique shows, and by business owners performing mobile detailing, on-site consultation or construction.

The software performs captures, authorizations, voids and credits. It utilizes multiple database tables for recording transactions and repeating sale information, such as order, shipping, and customer information. There is also an option to add a gratuity to the final charge.

"Since the announcement of ProcessAway last month, there has been a tremendous amount of interest for versions that operate with other gateways," said Randy Palermo, of Rapadev, the developer of the software. "We are currently expanding the line to accommodate these requests."

Time Warner, Charter to implement Internet caps

According to this from Free Press, Charter Communications and Time Warner are looking to put caps on customers' Internet usage.
I use Time Warner, and I'll gladly find another provider if it decides to go that route.