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Future of the web and HTML 5

With push from Apple and Google, finally HTML 5 appears to be the future of  web. Even Microsoft which has tried very hard to push its Silverlight, has given in by implementing HTML 5 support with IE9. With Windows 8 expected to bring  HTML5 apps to mainstream consumers,  HTML 5 adaptation cant get better boost.

But days of HTML 5 only sites are still years away, last week I was playing with some of the popular tags and could immediately notice remarkable difference between Google Chrome and Firefox in their support and implementation. And IE9 is  not ready for adoption in enterprise. Over next few years there will be arguments and  counter arguments regarding what is best for future of HTML 5, unlike the past where Microsoft used to set the rules in HTML game and rest followed, we have other players already in the game and Microsoft would be expected to follow Standards.

With the advent of HTML5 the biggest benefit will  be for low power devices, on the other hand Adobe Flash and  Microsoft’s Silverlight will be the biggest casualties. And with advent of HTML apps, Microsoft’s dominance in OS realm will be seriously threated by likes of Google and Apple, overall exciting phase awaits every computer user.

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Should you add your Boss as Facebook Friend?

With the advent of  Social Networking like never before, we tend to add a lot of people into our Facebook or Orkut networks, whether it is a school classmate or College Junior or your neighbor 20 years ago or even a stranger who wants to be your neighbor in Farmville.

But what about your immediate supervisor in office? Facebook is suggesting him as a friend but will you add him?. If he is someone who wants to keep his work away from personal life , by sending a request you might put him in an uncomfortable situation, or if he really considers you as a good friend there will be no issues.

After adding him, will you still be posting all the manager jokes or any office related joke? or will you be conscious, at times it can be irritating. And if you are not the one who is bothered by what others  might think, it still can hurt you like couple of Facebook stories where an employee was fired for a comment on her boss  etc.

For many regular FB users it can be restrictive and after a while irritating to watch out for what you are saying. Personally you can add your superiors in FB, when you are moving out of the project,company just to keep in touch if you had a person friendship with them, and it can even help in future. But  adding your supervisor in your FB can be an avoidable pain.

But if he adds you..well there are very few who I have known to decline the request.

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Google launches NFC based Google Wallet Payment System

With Near Field Communication becoming a standard in Mobile devices, Google today launched its NFC based payment system Google Wallet with a limited availability. The payment system is pitted against traditional credit cards and debit cards, and your mobile device as a single repository for all your credit card/debit card information. As the name states, it is meant to replace your wallet and provide more security.

Also known as  Contact less payment System , At present the software is available for Google Nexus 4G devices which are NFC enabled. It supports Citibank’s Master cards (with Paypass) and works on Sprint. But Google is expected to launch the service with other banks /VISA/Discover later this year after the current pilot.

Though Paypass is already in use with credit card, Google wallet will eliminate the need for you to take your credit cards outside your home. And in future might even replace plastic credit cards with virtual ones. But it remains to be seen how soon the adaption of this technology is.  But Google also have a incentive for the users of Google Wallet, it has worked with many vendors for providing more offers to users. Along with the Google Wallet , Google has launched Google offers to encourage the use of its payment system.