IT Trends of Interest to Farm Managers

1
IT Trends of Interest to Farm Managers

• Jeff Balvanz
• Information Technology Services
• Iowa State University
• September 13, 2006

2
Microsoft Windows Vista

• New version of Microsoft Windows
• Will appear on new machines in November/December
  2006 time frame
• Available for purchase January/February 2007

3
Greater security (with some getting used to)

• Difference between users and administrators
• Administrators can install software, change
  settings
• Users can run software but can't install
  software, change things
• This was actually in way back in Windows NT but
  no one used it because legacy Windows
  applications wouldn't work with it.
• Installing software requires entering a password
  even for administrators
• Running system utilities must be done as an
  Administrator

4
New user interface

• New Start Menu, Explorer
• Search integrated into everything
• Sidebar Gadgets on desktop
• What you see depends on how much machine you have
• 3D, transparent, flipping windows
• Many commands, etc. will be in new locations

5
Five different versions

• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home PremiumIncludes Aero, Media
  Center
• Windows Vista BusinessAero, image-based install,
  backup
• Windows Vista EnterpriseHardware encryption,
  Virtual PC
• Windows Vista Ultimate

6
Apple Macintosh

• Mac OS X -- alternative to Windows
• Disease-resistant
• Less susceptible to viruses, Internet worms than
  Windows
• Includes many useful applications in the box
• Mail, iCal, iChat, iMovie, GarageBand

7
Macs Running Windows

• Now using Intel processors (same as Windows
  machines)
• Several ways to run Windows applications
• Boot Camp -- allows you to boot Windows on a
  Macintosh
• Parallels -- runs Windows and Mac OS X in
  parallel (virtualization)Multiple operating
  systems on the same machine
• Crossover Mac -- runs Windows applications in Mac
  OS X

8
Smartphones

• Cell phones with computers are getting smarter...
• Windows Mobile 5.0 -- compatible with Exchange,
  Office, normal Email (POP,IMAP)
• Many connect via wi-fi as well as cellular
• Built-in cameras, Bluetooth (headsets
  keyboards)
• ...and cheaper.
• Motorola Q (200 with 2-year contract, Verizon)

9
Not-so-smart phones

• Even ordinary phones can connect
• Text messaging e-mail addresses
• POP3 mail (Soda-Pop Mail)
• Mobile AOL Mail
• AOL Instant Messenger can send text messages to
  registered cell phones

10
Web 2.0 (a.k.a. Software As A Service)

• Applications delivered over the Internet
• Groupware (Email, Instant messaging, Calendar,
  Contact management)
• Mapping applications
• Photo and data storage
• Word processing
• Spreadsheets
• Examples
• Zoho -- www.zoho.com
• Google Apps www.google.com/a/

11
Web 2.0 Continued

• Data stored on network servers, accessible from
  anywhere
• Can share with co-workers, customers
• Dont need to manage network infrastructure
• Platform independence
• Windows, Mac, Linux, PDA, cell phone
• Service offered for free or nearly free
• Ad-supported, subsidized, subscription

12
The Last Mile(Rural Broadband)

• Many new and critical services require fast
  Internet
• Web 2.0 applications
• Software and OS updates
• Audio and video
• Voice over IP (VOIP) phone
• DSL, cable are limited by distance from switching
  station Chart

13
Alternatives to Regular Broadband

• Cellular Internet Access
• Long-range Wireless (802.11a)
• Satellite Internet
• Ethernet over Powerlines
• Mesh Networks

14
Cellular Internet Access

• US Cellular EasyEdge
• 40-60 KB/sec for 60/month (with voice plan)
• Covers most of Iowa except part of NW, W
• Verizon NationalAccess
• Up to 2.4 MB/sec for 59.95/month
• Available in Verizon National Enhanced Services
  Rate and Coverage area (about 1/2 of state)
• Wireless PC card available

15
Cellular Internet Access

• Cingular EDGE
• 70 - 135 Kbps for 59.95/month unlimited
• Spotty coverage in Iowa, mostly E and SW with
  some in NW
• Requires PC Card modem (or some Sony Vaio
  laptops)
• T-Mobile Total Internet
• 70-135 Kbps for 49.95/month unlimited
• Spotty coverage, mostly E and along Interstates
• Also includes free use of T-Mobile Hotspots
• They recommend Sony Ericsson GC89 network cards,
  which also do Wi-Fi

16
Long-range Wireless (802.11a)

• 256Kbps or faster
• Range 8-10 miles depending on terrain
• Typically 50-100/month
• Antenna on outside of building, narrow beam, must
  remain stationary
• Can route to an 802.11b/g access point for local
  distribution (some ISPs don't permit this)
• Numerous providers in Iowa

17
Satellite Internet

• Up to 2 MBps download, 200 KBps upload
• 60-200/month after activation, equipment fees
• Stationary/mobile antenna
• Hughesnet (www.hughesnet.com)
• 700/128 Kbps unlimited access for 399 equipment
  plus 59.95/month
• Agristar (www.agristar.com)
• 700/130 Kbps unlimited access for 599.99
  equipment, 59.95/month

18
WiMAX (802.16)

• Up to 70 Mbps up to 70 miles away (depending)
• Requires licensed frequencies, most of US license
  owned by Sprint Nextel more available when
  analog TV goes away in 2009
• "Subscriber stations" currently cost about 500,
  but will probably be cheaper
• Intel has single chip solutions that drop in same
  location as current wireless chips
• Sprint Nextel is beginning to deploy 802.16 in
  USPilot projects in 2007, will cover 100 million
  people in 2008

19
Ethernet over Powerlines

• Recently approved by FCC in US
• Still requires frequent booster amplifers
• So far most utility companies haven't shown much
  interest except in Texas
• System can cause interference with radio
  frequency communications, including emergency
  communications and amateur radio

20
Mesh Networks

• Nodes ("meshboxes") share Internet connections
  via 802.11a/b/g wireless
• Clients can connect to the nodes via wireless
• Adding a node extends the network adding a
  gateway increases the bandwidth to the Internet
• Ideal for communities, cooperatives
• Southern Minnesota network covers 75 square miles
  with 20 nodes
• http//www.locustworld.com/modules.php?opmodload
  nameNewsfilearticlesid106

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Typical Point to Multi-Point Network
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Mesh Network
23
Questions and (I Hope) Answers

• This presentation is available on the Web at
  http//jbalvanz.public.iastate.edu/ASFMRA20060913.
  htm