A Short History of Persistant Data Storage Media

Posted on 13 March 2012 by carmelr

Over the last 50 years, pressure from users who constantly require more storage for data has pushed research and development to produce higher density storage. In this article, we shall take a look persistent data storage media starting from the arrival of the famous Floppy Disk. The floppy disk was not the first invention that was capable of storing data, but its size and availability gave personal computers a huge boost.

8-inch, 5,25-inch, and 3,5-inch floppy disks

The origin of the floppy disk can be traced to IBM when in 1967 a device for uploading microcode to their System/370 mainframe was required. The result was an 8″ Floppy Disk that had a storage capacity of 256KB. These drives where used in microcomputers of the early 1970s. A popular operating system of the time, the CP/M, was sold on 8″ disks.

By 1976, a 5.25″ version of the floppy disk was produced. The first model could save 90KB of data. Disks were very expensive. I remember purchasing 10 disks for Lm30 (€70) in 1982. It is no wonder that, at the time, many people used to cut another index hole and a read/write slot so that the disk could be used on both sides, doubling the storage to 180KB. Advances in drive production saw the storage capacity of the 5.25″ drive to increase to 1.2MB.

In 1983, a consortium of 23 media companies agreed on the 3.5″ diskette format. Apple used the new drive in their new Macintosh computers and consequently popularised the new media, which could save up to 1.44MB of data.

The next significant development for the personal computer was the hard disk. The first hard disks to appear on the market in the early 80′s, had a capacity of 5MB. Over the years, the storage capacity of hard disks doubled every two to four years. From the 5MB drive of the early 80′s, the highest density drive available today is 4TB, almost a million times increase in capacity.

An inside view of an early hard disk drive

Although the hard disk has found itself in practically all personal computers, it is now facing challenges from other technologies. Tthe Solid State Disk (SSD) has already found itself in a number of computers. With no moving parts, the SSD is much faster than a normal hard disk. Currently the cost per GB for a SSD is much higher than that for the HD and perhaps this is what is keeping hard disks reigning in data storage for the time being.

One storage media that saw its existance even before the floppy was the tape drive. In fact, before the floppy drive became a standard peripheral in personal computers, a cassette recorder was the device used to store applications and data. However, the tape drives used for professional use where much more sophisticated. As a result of significant technology improvements we’ve seen the storage capacity of a single tape cartridge reach a staggering 3TB with current projections of a 32TB cartridge in the pipeline.

Competing for a place in the data storage arena we also find the Compact Disc (CD) as well as the DVD. Here too technology seems to know no bounds. From the 650MB storage capacity of the CD, the current largest storage capacity is of 200GB on a single Blu-ray 8 layer Disc.

Finally, another important storage device is the flash drive. The first commercially available drive was produced by IBM and had a storage capacity of 8MB. Again, one can see the contrast in storage capacities as eleven years later, the largest storage capacity is 256GB.

The storage media described by no means cover all the devices that have appeared on the market during the last 50 years. The above are only those storage devices that have left a significant mark on the way personal computers are used.

For the future, with regards to data storage media, we should expect more of the same. Given that the theoretical limit of how much data can be stored in a given volume is much more than the current technology allows, we are still a long way from reaching that limit. This means that given the way data density has increased in the past, it would be fair to expect a continuous increase in data storage capacities for the near future.

In the coming months, watch out for more data storage related articles. This is a field with a lot of innovation happening (in both hardware & software) which is helping companies improve their information systems and save money.

Carmelo Romano is a pioneer of personal computing in Malta, having built his first micro-processor based computer in 1978. He is now the founder and managing director of Clever Solutions Ltd, an IT Consultancy firm.

Interview with founder, Carmelo Romano. Excerpt from The Commercial Courier.

Posted on 1 March 2012 by Jeffrey

“Choosing the most appropriate software solution for a business is a technical decision. Our experience has shown us that companies often spend more money than required as a result of being misinformed.

Our primary focus is on using our in-depth knowledge of existing software to help our clients make the right choice for their business. So much so, that we are often asked to join them on sales meetings so as to determine whether what they are being sold is good or not. We see our role as addressing this gap to help companies make the right technical decisions.

After all, software is an integral part of business and companies are becoming increasingly dependant on it. Thus, a lot of thought needs to go into which software to choose.

Customised software can be a valid solution for both small and large companies. For example, small organisations can use quality free software and, if needed, add customisations based on their business needs. This significantly lowers the costs, and we take this approach to help our clients get the most value from their investment. On the other hand, with larger companies, bespoke software may better suit their complex needs.

Now, though, with the rise in popularity of cloud computing, there’s a whole new set of solutions out there to be considered. It is very convenient, but there are gambles to it, too. That said, research shows that it is a technology that will proliferate and we are positioning ourselves to be able to advise clients who are considering it with regards to risks, costs and even alternatives.”

Original article published by Jo Caruana in The Commercial Courier.

Why You Should Value Your Privacy

Posted on 28 February 2012 by carmelr

Private Information

The subject of privacy is so wide and complex that many just brush it aside not giving it the importance that it is due. The first issue with privacy is its definition. Can privacy be defined? Intuitively one may say yes yet on the other hand, the answer may be different. Robert Post in his paper The Three Concepts of Privacy states that “privacy is a value so complex, so entangled in competing and contradictory dimensions, so engorged with various distinct meanings, that I sometimes despair whether it can be usefully addressed at all”.

In today’s world the biggest issue on privacy is perhaps the Internet. What may be considered private by some individuals, may well be considered as public information by others. The fact that information is freely submitted to a third party in the process of obtaining a service, may render that information non-private. For example, are the words you submit on a search engine considered private? The fact that the search is freely submitted may render the whole process to be considered non-private. In-fact, certain search engines use the information to build a profile on each user promising so they may optimize their advertising so it is in line with the user’s interests and lifestyle. Is this an intrusion on privacy?

Another possible threat comes from the establishment. This comes in the form of legislation aimed at giving the government more power to access information about its citizens. It is frequently argued that those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear. Although this statement may seem logical, the concept of privacy is infact muddled with the idea that those who are hiding something are in fact hiding a wrong.

In reality, everyone has something to hide and that does not mean that something bad is being concealed. People hide their private life as an instinctive defense mechanism to protect who they are. For example, it is not normal for one to publish one’s own bank account statements, even if there is nothing wrong with them. People use curtains on windows and close doors to protect their privacy even if they are doing nothing wrong. What’s wrong with that? Privacy is an important part of anybody’s make-up. It is part of what makes us unique. It allows us to do things that would otherwise be impossible such as doing charitable work in secret.

Those who profess that they have nothing to hide and are prepared to give up some of their privacy in the hope of paving the way to get criminals caught, should think deeper of their belief. As we progress, more and more surveilance is being implemented and taken as a norm. In the beginning it was just CCTV, then it increased due to the threat of terrorism, and soon we may have private companies monitoring us to minimize IPR theft. Where is this road leading to?

Carmelo Romano is the founder and managing director of Clever Solutions Ltd, an IT Consultancy aimed at helping small businesses invest in the right IT decisions.

Top 5 most exciting Free IT courses by MCAST

Posted on 24 February 2012 by Jeffrey

MCAST is launching 100 free courses as the second phase of a project entitled ‘Linking Industrial Needs and Vocational Education and Training’. This project, co-financed by the European Social Fund, is coordinated in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies, the Malta Qualifications Council, and with the support of the Malta Chamber.

One of the aims of the project is to provide training to address the skills gaps and shortages identified, thus improving the adaptability of the workforce. Clever Solutions Ltd, through its managing director Carmelo Romano, is proud to have participated in the consultation phase and contributed its perspective towards the formation of these courses.

Without further adieu, here are what we think are the 5 most exciting IT related courses being offered.

Mobile Applications Overview
With the rise in the use of smartphones interest in mobile applications is rising due to innovative ways which these ‘apps’ allow companies to connect with their customers. Publications have apps showing their latest content, betting companies have apps to allow customers to place bets on the go, and shops have applications to make it easier for customers to discuss their latest offers. How we interact with brands is changing which is why this is such an exciting sector to be involved in.

Introduction to Internet Security
The amount of time we spend online these days is unbelievable. I confess that there are days when I spend more time in front of a computer than away from it. Guilty! This means that as a society that spends so much time online, we need to extend our security to digital environments. Just as we have car alarms and neighbourhood watches, so must we have knowledge of how to protect ourselves on the Internet. This is why we see the value and commend this free introductory course.

Introduction to Business Intelligence
Business Intelligence or BI is a growing sector in the Maltese IT industry. However, from my interactions with several IT and business people there is lack of certainty with regards to what BI is. For those looking for more information, we found this helpful article that explains what BI is, if it is something your business needs, and if it’s something that can contribute to your future career.

Online Marketing
Various research reports show that companies globally are investing a larger part of their Marketing budgets to online efforts. Education in this rapidly developing field is quickly spreading and rightly so, since the demand for online marketing services is growing fast. This field of marketing is quite vast and this is why introductory courses such as this are important because they give professionals the know-how to communicate with their clients via the Internet.

Customer Care
Customer Care is very important in IT simply because of the multitude of challenges users encounter everyday with both software and hardware. This course also includes information on customer relationship management systems which more and more companies are implementing. This software helps companies keep track of every time they interact with a client. Considering how even microenterprises have to manage hundreds of relationships, such software has become essential.

Check out what other free courses are available and tell us what you think!

3 BIG reasons why your business should avoid pirated software

Posted on 17 February 2012 by Jeffrey

In the consumer world, the use of unlicensed software is more widespread than in the business world. In 2010 alone, Global PC Software Theft reached a record of $59 Billion around the world. In Malta it is common knowledge that downloading pirated versions of anything from Windows to Photoshop to video games, is not that hard. Although the recent Europe-wide ACTA debate has created more awareness on IPR issues, the general “uwija” attitude towards software piracy, although unacceptable on a consumer level, is all the more dangerous on a business level. These are three reasons why organizations should use only licensed software:

Software Security Risks
When companies use pirated software, they are essentially acquiring software, which is a core part of their business, from somebody they don’t know. There is a trust issue here. Apart from the fact that you have no professional support from the developer of the software, you also have no way of knowing whether the person supplying you with the software has implemented any malware or viruses into it. For example, some people download their Windows OS from online sharing sites. These versions may include trojan horses (a type of malware) that hackers use to track what you do on your computer. This includes picking up passwords, financial data and other sensitive information. Such software may also open your company’s network to hacker attack.

Risk Big Fines
One must also keep in mind that using pirated software is illegal. This means that you can be taken to court, most probably be found guilty and have to pay an ugly fine. Investing in licensed software in the first place would cost much less. This is a real business risk that companies using pirated software need to consider.

Hurts your Brand Image
There is also the possibility of hurting the company’s brand image. If a company suffers a piracy-related court fine, the news will travel fast (they will make an example out of you) and the company will be portrayed poorly. This can hurt your business development.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that with the variety of low-cost and free quality software that is widely available today, there is really no excuse to have to rely on pirated software to run your business.

Can you think of other reasons why businesses should stay away from pirated software?

Clever Solutions Ltd is a Malta-based IT Consultancy with local and international clients. We help small and medium-sized businesses make the most of their IT investments by helping them choose the most appropriate software and hardware for their situation.

4 common misconceptions on Electronic Document Management in Malta

Posted on 12 January 2012 by Jeffrey

This is the second in a series of articles on document management, the first article tackled the question: What is Document Management?

When meeting with business owners to speak to them about how they currently manage their documents, and what their plans are for the future, we often encounter the same objections to electronic document management. This is totally normal and expected. The following are four common misconceptions:

1. The shift from paper to digital is too inconvenient

Digitize and get rid of such stacks of paper.

Yes, change can be scary, but it is a necessity in IT. Companies stuck in the past continue to work with inefficient legacy systems increasing their costs. On the other hand, individuals and organizations that embrace innovation benefit from using technology that empowers them more than ever before. With electronic document management, companies need to start scanning their paper documents to have them available in digital format. With batch scanners able to scan many pages per minute, and with workflow technology able to take a scanned document and put it in the correct folder automatically, the process of transferring and organizing information from a paper to your monitor is actually really minimal.

2. Added security is realistically unnecessary
Security has become more, not less, of a priority. Companies from Facebook to Sony to Epsilon all suffered security breaches in 2011, seriously hurting their credibility. The truth is that companies that care and protect their customers (and their own) data are going to be respected much more by their stakeholders. The obvious question now is, how does one show that one’s data is protected? Although it is not recommended to proudly boast about how secure your system is, organizations such as ISO and ITIL do provide standards one can use to benchmark against.

3. Document Management is not necessary for small business
Small business owners need to consider how their business will operate in the years to come. Their IT systems need to be both flexible and scalable so they may grow as the company grows. An electronic document management system is no longer a technological luxury nowadays but rather it is an increasingly significant tool to achieve a high-level of efficiency. When at Clever Solutions Ltd we started using OpenKM to manage our documents we found that having a central, easy-to-search hub of documents helped us collaborate more easily since we were more aware of the documents being produced by others in the company.

4. The cost is prohibitive
Electronic Document Management is not a new concept but has been around for over fifteen years. Its recent rise in popularity is due to technological advancements, and also the lowering cost of such systems. Electronic Document Management systems are today affordable for small businesses in Malta who are ready to invest in efficiency, security, and privacy.

What is your opinion on having such a system to manage your company’s documents?

Clever Solutions Ltd is an IT Consultancy firm based in Malta. It is a certified partner of OpenKM, an open-source document management system.

What to expect from Clever Solutions in 2012

Posted on 31 December 2011 by Jeffrey

2011 has been a good year for Clever. Unfortunately, we ended 2010 as victims of fraud, an experience that hurt us but thought us much about building strong business relationships. This year we got back on our feet and focused more on setting a strategy for the future and analysing how we can better help our clients . These last few months, the most noticeable developments have been our partnership with OpenKM to introduce their document management system to Malta, and the establishment of this blog. However, much more is coming in 2012:

More software solutions
We’re planning on shaking up the local software market a bit by introducing a range of high quality software solutions that, compared to the standard solutions at the moment, provide a much better ROI at a significantly lower cost. We expect many to be interested in the software which are a result of a lot of research from our end.

More expert, shared advice
Although very new, this blog has been successful at generating interesting conversations both on social media and in face to face discussions. As a company we invest a lot of time in knowledge-building. We believe sharing expertise with others is important because it helps raise standards in the market. Obviously, we have absolutely no problem with that.

Apart from continuing this blog and sharing content on our Twitter account, we’re planning on sharing our expertise elsewhere both online and also in the real world, offline.

More business opportunities
We have started working with more partners this year and the trend will continue next year. If you think there is opportunity for your company to work with us, send us an email and we’ll be in touch. As a small company we don’t expect to go it alone. There’s much value to be got from the synergy that results when working with other professionals.

Thanks a lot for your interest on Clever Solutions, we wish you a prosperous 2012. Before we end this, we’d like to ask whether there is anything in particular you’d like to see from us in the coming year. If so, please leave us a comment below!

Clever Solutions Ltd is an IT Consultancy based in Malta.

A Very Simple Introduction to Agile Software Development

Posted on 26 December 2011 by Jeffrey

Over the last ten years, the Agile Methodology has transformed the way that software development projects are undertaken and completed. Being aware of why this change has happened is important for those commissioning others to develop software for them.

What has brought about this change?
When the computer was invented and programming became the art of capturing logic into applications, there was no definite way on how the process was to be performed. Many times the end result was an inefficient application that was difficult to use and update. As techniques improved, the Waterfall method was developed and became the standard way of developing software.

Writing Software

The Waterfall concept follows a strict set of steps sequentially. Without going into too much detail, the steps include the “Requirements Analysis”, “Design”, “Implementation”, “Testing”, “Installation” and “Maintenance”. These processes cover all the requirements to produce the required end result.

However, over the years it was learnt that many times, the client is not fully aware of all the requirements, and the software architect may miss some details as well. The end result is usually an application that is developed according to documented requirements but lacks usability as the client discovers that certain important aspects were not included. At this point, implementing the missing requirements is difficult and costs escalate quickly.

The Agile Methodology
The Waterfall method leaves much to be desired towards client satisfaction. In 2001, a group of developers called the “Agile Alliance” signed a manifesto that emphasizes:

Individuals and Interactions over Processes and Tools;
Working Software over Comprehensive Documentation;
Customer Collaboration over Contract Negotiation;
Responding to Change over Following a Plan.

With this manifesto the focus for software development moved away from the stringent procedural way of the Waterfall method to a more flexible one. Emphasis is placed on the end result of Working Software rather than Comprehensive Documentation, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, some changes in the initial requirements are expected as the application is developed. It is for this reason that the client is taken on-board as a member of the development team. It is through this collaboration that missing requirements are spotted early in the Software Development Life Cycle. The earlier the required changes are placed for consideration, the more cost-effective it is to have them implemented.

How does Agile work in practice?
The Agile process starts in a very similar way to the Waterfall method: meeting the client and understanding requirements. But that is where the similarity ends. Depending on the flavour of Agile used, the requirements may be turned into stories describing the client needs which are then articulated into diagrams. This facilitates communication between different stakeholders.

The process continues with the prioritisation of the tasks involved. It is normal that development tackle the most difficult issues of the application first. This ensures that solutions exist for these tough issues and if logic or requirements have to change, these are changed as early as possible in the development cycle.

Another important point of Agile is the iterations of development. The process in its most basic form is divided into four:

Requirements plan and plan next phases
Determine objectives, alternatives and constraints
Evaluate alternatives, identify and resolve risks
Develop, verify and test

Each cycle produces a working product with increased functionality on the previous cycle bringing the application closer to completion. In all of these processes, the client is a member in the team, providing feedback and keeping focus on the real and final requirements.

Conclusion
It is clear that with Agile, the top priority is moved away from documentation and instead focused on the client’s actual needs. As each iteration moves towards the complete product, the client gets a better feel of what the final product will do. This helps to eliminate surprises and any corrections are implemented early on.

The methodology used in software development is crucial and an important aspect that should be taken into consideration when contracting for custom software development.

Clever Solutions Ltd is an IT Consultancy that offers software development services amongst other information technology services.

Clever Solutions partners with OpenKM to offer document management solution.

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Jeffrey

Maltese IT Consultancy firm Clever Solutions Ltd has partnered with OpenKM, a Spanish document management software specialist. The partnership provides Clever Solutions Ltd with exclusive commercial rights to introduce the OpenKM document management system to Malta and Sicily. Local implementations have already begun.

OpenKM is an open-source document management solution

The powerful open-source document management software introduces significant efficiency and security benefits by allowing users to access documents faster through a safe central system. OpenKM has been translated to 26 languages and boasts over 1000 active implementations globally. These range from micro-enterprises to companies that process millions of documents.

The Managing Director of Clever Solutions Ltd, Carmelo Romano, points out that “a mentality of serious document management is developing in Malta as is the trend abroad. We have already registered significant interest across industries and are confident that the local market is ready for OpenKM considering its proven track record, ease of use, and affordability.”

Clever Solutions Ltd has recently refurbished its website and started a social media campaign focused on delivering helpful IT information to Maltese businesses. The company has just started an informative series on document management on its blog to promote understanding on the subject.

Do you consider your workplace sufficiently informed on document management?

Keep on guard with basic IT security measures

Posted on 18 November 2011 by carmelr

The overflow of information bombarding us in this digital age is constantly wearing down our guard against security breaches. Many are too happy to click on the “OK install the Trojan” button without contemplating what that means. How many emails does one receive supposedly from friends, claiming urgency and requesting the recipient to open an attachment? Once caught off guard, the consequences could be anything from losing a simple file to having the infected computer spying on the company and publishing confidential data.

Information security can never be taken lightly. There is a dark side to the internet, which is governed by hackers and data destroyers. The intention of the former is to steal data and sell it to those who care to buy and use it, whilst the latter are just happy to create havoc wherever they can penetrate.

Therefore, it is essential that one keeps alert for signs of trickery whilst using the Internet. Below are some basic IT security measures that can help:

If you are using your credit card online make sure the site that you are connected to is a secure site. This can be confirmed by the protocol in use (https:// instead of the normal and unsecured http://).
Do not provide more information than is really necessary. Example: let’s say you are going on holiday for a week and want to inform those who email you that you are going to be out of office. Just say that you will be out of office. If instead you say that you are on holiday till so and so date, you will be giving additional information that can be used against you. For one, you will be telling everyone that your home will most probably be empty till you return. Or perhaps, giving information to someone who wants to take the excuse to obtain something from your office, knowing well that you are not going to be there.
Passwords should never be written down and left under the keyboard or near the monitor, its like leaving the front door key under the flower pot near the main door.
If you are backing up your data, ensure that the backed-up data is also secure.
If possible, do not allow sole control of your system to only one person as this increases your dependability on that person.

The most important thing is to think before you act. Always consider what consequences may follow your actions and then act accordingly.

What other basic IT security measures do you use?

Clever Solutions Ltd is a Malta based IT Consultancy. One of our services involves helping companies set up their IT systems. Our expertise, and experience serving various industries, helps us provide clients with valid solutions and peace of mind. Get in touch if you wish to learn more.

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