Modular data centers are one of the latest innovations in the IT world. In many cases, they are capable of increasing business productivity while reducing costs. We went looking for answers to some common questions about these data centers and what implications they have for the future. So, what is a modular data center? A modular data center, unlike a traditional data center, can be defined as a portable method of deploying data center capacity anywhere and everywhere it is needed. It incorporates contained units and standardized deployment options that give you flexibility and scalability. What’s so important about these ‘mobile facilities’? Modular data centers are designed for rapid deployment, are energy efficient and high-density computing systems that deliver services at lower costs than traditional construction methods, as well as reducing the construction time from years to a matter of months. In what kind of shape or form are these data centers available? Modular data centers typically come in two forms: The more common type, referred to as containerized data centers or portable modular data centers, fit data center equipment into a standard shipping container, which is then transported to a desired location. Containerized data centers typically come outfitted with their own cooling systems. For example, Cisco’s Containerized Data Centers fit in to this category. The other form of modular data center fits data center equipment into a facility composed of prefabricated components that can be quickly built on a site and added to as capacity is needed. HP’s version of this type of modular data center, Flexible Data Center, is constructed of sheet metal components that are formed into four data center halls linked by a central operating building. Modular data centers can be defined as more of an approach to a design...

As a Peace Corps volunteer serving in rural Paraguay, I encountered moments when a quick internet search would have been a blessing. The resource could help with verb conjunction as I fumbled through Spanish or event planning during the rainy season. I shrugged off the inconvenience as part of the job. Away from the city, internet connectivity simply wasn’t an option. Now, an exciting new project delivers life-altering internet connectivity for isolated communities. Google’s recent launch of super pressure balloons, dubbed Project Loon, has drawn attention to the emergence of balloon-based internet connectivity. Space Data and World Surveillance Group have launched similar projects, mainly for military purposes. Google is the first to use the technology to bring 3G speeds to remote areas for civilian use. The company is also the first to attempt long-term operations using the balloons, currently up to 100 days. If it works out, here are the kinds of problems that Project Loon could solve: Back in 2010, my Paraguayan students were in a frenzy over the FIFA World Cup. I jumped on the opportunity to turn their fanaticism into a learning experience. We began a geography series highlighting dominant teams like Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Netherlands. As I began the class session on Japan, I remembered a college friend who was teaching in Tokyo at the time. I thought: How awesome would it be to have our students interact with each other in real time. They could see one another’s faces and take a little tour of each other’s worlds. In my rural station, access to basic necessities was scarce. Forget smartphones and data plans. The infrastructure simply was not available. Google’s balloon-based connectivity could change that. On a larger scale, balloon-based connections permit nonprofits, hospitals, and businesses in developing regions...

SaneBox has itself a catchy name. More importantly it has an effective solution to the burgeoning problem of inbox overload: automatic management, effortless prioritizing, and a robust schedule of tools to improve convenience and functionality. If you have a high-volume inbox or multiple email accounts and not enough hours in the day to tend to them, this could be the answer. So… are emails driving you nuts? How it works appears very simple, but some heavy-duty A.I. processing take place under the hood. SaneBox is a cloud application and compatible with any IMAP-based email service. To get started all you have to do is enter your email address and click the permission button: SaneBox squirrels into your inbox and begins organizing the ambient chaos into a more efficient arrangement. Several algorithms are used, with sender-recipient volume and subject line content the most heavily-weighted. Is this just a fancy tool to sort spam? Not by a long shot. The first thing you’ll notice is that SaneBox outputs your email into prioritized folders. Your main box receives the most important emails, less important ones are shunted into a SaneLater folder, older items go into SaneArchive. You can juggle items from one folder to another to help the application learn what goes where. Here’s a video showing SaneBox in action: SaneBox delivers a very robust service, so effective in fact that it takes a little getting used to. It learns exceptionally quickly, particularly if you take a moment to correct the (very few) mistakes it makes in the first 48 hours. You can help steepen the learning curve: link SaneBox to your social media accounts and it does its job faster, more accurately, and objectively better. SaneBox also offers several other features that expand its utility. The...