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Intels NUC Compute Element

At Computex 2019 in Taiwan this week, Intel unveiled the NUC (Next Unit of Computing) Compute Element, a modular computing solution that combines a CPU, RAM, and (a relatively minimal amount of) Flash storage on a single board reminiscent of a 2.5-inch SATA drive, with edge I/O connectors on the long edge of the board. One side of the board is exposed, with the metal heat spreader fitted around the top of the board.

The NUC Compute Element is “an industry standard for modular compute utilizing Intel Architecture and standard compute technologies and interfaces,” Intel said in a press release, adding that “The device incorporates an Intel CPU, memory, connectivity and other components and is capable of powering solutions like laptops, kiosks, smart TVs, appliances and more through USB STICK MET NAAM. The Intel NUC Compute Element delivers incredible performance and amazing connectivity at a low cost while making it easy to integrate, upgrade and service computing in next-generation devices.”

SEE: Vendor risk management: A guide for IT leaders (free PDF) (ad tech ps)

This is familiar territory for Intel, as their previous Intel Compute Card project was an attempt to stuff a CPU, RAM, and Flash storage into the size of roughly six credit cards stacked together. The Compute Card was more of a closed device, as the back of the Compute Card had a connector that allowed it to be plugged into a dock, which breaks out extra USB and Ethernet connectors, as well as video output. That dock also assisted in cooling, as the thin metal casing of the card itself was not particularly efficient at heat dissipation. Even so, the Compute Card reached such high temperatures that it was necessary to turn the device off for some time before handling. In such cases, Ipswich Computer Repairs can guide more.

Four variants were unveiled at CES 2017, but little mention of them was made afterward, with the line being discontinued earlier this year.

NUC Compute Element: An enterprise-tooled shot at redemption
While the Compute Card envisioned a hot-desking arrangement, in which users could simply plug their card into a dock at any arbitrary terminal and get to work, the NUC Compute Element has a decidedly enterprise and industrial angle to it. Intel showcased the Compute Element with a sample laptop design from education-focused ODM JP, for which Intel notes that “by creating its design around the compute element, JP is able to offer a wide range of performance options with a single product design, lowering costs and increasing its product offerings.”

The Compute Element can be equipped with 15W U-Series CPUs, while the earlier Compute Card was limited to ultra-low power Y-Series CPUs. This is a modest increase in power, though the Compute Element is not a platform tailored to CPU-intensive operations. Remote management will be possible on the Compute Element, as vPro-enabled SKUs are planned.

Overall, the Compute Element is a rather ingenious solution to a problem posed by the miniaturization of electronics—as lower-power Intel CPUs are essentially available only for BGA sockets, requiring a CPU to be soldered directly to a board, the ability to upgrade platforms or swap hardware requires replacing entire boards, which is typically costly (if even possible).

Raspberry Pi Compute Module: How does it compare?
The modality of the NUC Compute Element is quite similar to the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, a variant of the Raspberry Pi that bolts the CPU and RAM onto a SO-DIMM board. Breakout boards can be used to provide expansion ports, making the Compute Module ideal as a field-replaceable CPU.

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module is available at the same (low) price as traditional Raspberry Pi units, making it an affordable and long-lived solution. The Compute Module 3+, introduced in January, will be available until at least January 2026. If the software you depend on for your workload can be compiled for the Arm processor powering the Raspberry Pi, the lower-cost solution may be a better one for your project. Intel’s NUC Compute Element—while more powerful—will undoubtedly cost more, though the company is working to lower production costs compared to the Compute Card.

Notably, NEC uses the Raspberry Pi Compute Module for digital signage solutions used in schools, shops, airports, and train stations. NEC’s Raspberry Pi-powered large-format displays are available in sizes up to 98 inches.

For more, check out “Intel and AMD announce new CPUs: Whose won?” and “Inside the Raspberry Pi: The story of the $35 computer that changed the world” on ad tech ps.

Open Source Weekly Newsletter
You don’t want to miss our tips, tutorials, and commentary on the Linux OS and open source applications. Delivered Tuesdays

Intels NUC Compute Element

At Computex 2019 in Taiwan this week, Intel unveiled the NUC (Next Unit of Computing) Compute Element, a modular computing solution that combines a CPU, RAM, and (a relatively minimal amount of) Flash storage on a single board reminiscent of a 2.5-inch SATA drive, with edge I/O connectors on the long edge of the board. One side of the board is exposed, with the metal heat spreader fitted around the top of the board.

The NUC Compute Element is “an industry standard for modular compute utilizing Intel Architecture and standard compute technologies and interfaces,” Intel said in a press release, adding that “The device incorporates an Intel CPU, memory, connectivity and other components and is capable of powering solutions like laptops, kiosks, smart TVs, appliances and more through USB STICK MET NAAM. The Intel NUC Compute Element delivers incredible performance and amazing connectivity at a low cost while making it easy to integrate, upgrade and service computing in next-generation devices.”

SEE: Vendor risk management: A guide for IT leaders (free PDF) (ad tech ps)

This is familiar territory for Intel, as their previous Intel Compute Card project was an attempt to stuff a CPU, RAM, and Flash storage into the size of roughly six credit cards stacked together. The Compute Card was more of a closed device, as the back of the Compute Card had a connector that allowed it to be plugged into a dock, which breaks out extra USB and Ethernet connectors, as well as video output. That dock also assisted in cooling, as the thin metal casing of the card itself was not particularly efficient at heat dissipation. Even so, the Compute Card reached such high temperatures that it was necessary to turn the device off for some time before handling. In such cases, Ipswich Computer Repairs can guide more.

Four variants were unveiled at CES 2017, but little mention of them was made afterward, with the line being discontinued earlier this year.

NUC Compute Element: An enterprise-tooled shot at redemption
While the Compute Card envisioned a hot-desking arrangement, in which users could simply plug their card into a dock at any arbitrary terminal and get to work, the NUC Compute Element has a decidedly enterprise and industrial angle to it. Intel showcased the Compute Element with a sample laptop design from education-focused ODM JP, for which Intel notes that “by creating its design around the compute element, JP is able to offer a wide range of performance options with a single product design, lowering costs and increasing its product offerings.”

The Compute Element can be equipped with 15W U-Series CPUs, while the earlier Compute Card was limited to ultra-low power Y-Series CPUs. This is a modest increase in power, though the Compute Element is not a platform tailored to CPU-intensive operations. Remote management will be possible on the Compute Element, as vPro-enabled SKUs are planned.

Overall, the Compute Element is a rather ingenious solution to a problem posed by the miniaturization of electronics—as lower-power Intel CPUs are essentially available only for BGA sockets, requiring a CPU to be soldered directly to a board, the ability to upgrade platforms or swap hardware requires replacing entire boards, which is typically costly (if even possible).

Raspberry Pi Compute Module: How does it compare?
The modality of the NUC Compute Element is quite similar to the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, a variant of the Raspberry Pi that bolts the CPU and RAM onto a SO-DIMM board. Breakout boards can be used to provide expansion ports, making the Compute Module ideal as a field-replaceable CPU.

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module is available at the same (low) price as traditional Raspberry Pi units, making it an affordable and long-lived solution. The Compute Module 3+, introduced in January, will be available until at least January 2026. If the software you depend on for your workload can be compiled for the Arm processor powering the Raspberry Pi, the lower-cost solution may be a better one for your project. Intel’s NUC Compute Element—while more powerful—will undoubtedly cost more, though the company is working to lower production costs compared to the Compute Card.

Notably, NEC uses the Raspberry Pi Compute Module for digital signage solutions used in schools, shops, airports, and train stations. NEC’s Raspberry Pi-powered large-format displays are available in sizes up to 98 inches.

For more, check out “Intel and AMD announce new CPUs: Whose won?” and “Inside the Raspberry Pi: The story of the $35 computer that changed the world” on ad tech ps.

Open Source Weekly Newsletter
You don’t want to miss our tips, tutorials, and commentary on the Linux OS and open source applications. Delivered Tuesdays

Rise of the micro cation

The majority (57%) of Americans did not take a vacation longer than four nights in the last year, according to the Allianz Global Assistance’s 2019 Vacation Confidence Index, released on Wednesday. A micro-cation, led in popularity by Millennials, is a leisure trip lasting fewer than five nights, the report stated.

The report surveyed more than 1,000 Americans across generations to determine how working professionals are using their vacation time. In a trend spearheaded by younger generations, more and more Americans are replacing traditional week-long vacations for shorter trips, the report found.

Nearly three-fourths of Millennials said they took at least one micro-cation last year, while 69% of Gen Xers and 60% of Baby Boomers reported doing the same. Only 18% of Americans said their longest trip last year was three to four nights.

Tech Pro Research: IT Budget Research Report 2019

IT budgets continue their pattern of more aggressive spending in 2019. A favorable business climate is one reason. A growing recognition of technology’s ability to transform businesses for revenue opportunities and cost savings is another.

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Baby Boomers still prefer longer trips more than their younger counterparts: 40% of Baby Boomers said they avoided taking trips fewer than five nights long in the last year, while 34% of the general population said the same.

Some 32% of all respondents said they took shorter trips because it was easier to take shorter periods of time off work. Taking less time off of work was most important to Gen Xers (40%), followed by Millennials (37%) and Baby Boomers (20%), the report found.

However, over one-quarter of Americans (28%) said they hadn’t taken any leisure trips in the past year. Some 35% of Baby Boomers said they didn’t take trips of any length, and a quarter of the younger generations, respectively, said the same.

The lack of vacation time indicates a poor work-life balance for employees, which is troubling, as a healthy work-life balance is often a necessity for employee satisfaction. Executives must promote and represent a healthy work-life balance to help prevent their employees from burning out because these directly affect their professional and personal lives and the issues that might take a toll on their professional performance. See http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/blog/2019/11/how-to-reduce-the-side-effects-of-finasteride/ for related information.

For more, check out ad tech ps’s article on the three ways managers can promote a healthy work-life balance.

Executive Briefing Newsletter
Discover the secrets to IT leadership success with these tips on project management, budgets, and dealing with day-to-day challenges. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays

How to stop your interns from getting hacked 6 tips

Internships are becoming the norm for students and recent graduates looking to gain experience and make connections. However, with social media so prevalent in the lives of younger generations—particularly Generation Z and Millennials—many tend to overshare their experiences. This oversharing, combined with overlooked security training, can cause interns to be security risks for organizations, according to a Security Intelligence post.

Gen Z is the most present and active generation on social media, the post said. Some 75% of this generation said they use Instagram, 73% use Snapchat, 76% use Facebook, and 90% use Youtube, according to Pew Research. Many young professionals integrate the technology into their work lives too, documenting internships and new jobs, the post said, just like the established professionals in every field. For instance, see Nick Moss as an example of this.

Many organizations don’t prioritize security awareness programs with interns, leaving the training overlooked in onboarding programs, or acting more lenient, the post said. This relaxed outlook on security training, combined with young interns’ significant social media presence, creates a whole new threat vector for organizations.

Interns are prime targets for hackers looking to gain information. Excited young professionals may accompany their posts with hashtags including #NewJob #FirstDay #Companyname, sharing pictures of their workspace or surroundings without making sure sensitive information isn’t in the vicinity.

To help organizations keep themselves and interns safe from hackers, the post outlined the following six security tipstaken from www.solutiontales.com

  1. Don’t skip security training: Make sure interns and new hires go through a formal security training during the onboarding process. Consider ways to make the training more engaging and fun, to keep the audience interested and attentive.
  2. Rethink your social media security policy: Don’t release a lengthy policy that people probably won’t read. Go over the most important rules instead, especially those on avoiding security risks. Ask employees to read and sign off on the policy physically.
  3. Train managers and social teams to spot risks: Train your digital and social media teams to look at social media content through a security lens, the post said. This is especially important for managers overseeing new employees or interns, as they can train employees to do the same on their personal accounts.
  4. Establish a safe photo area: Interns and new hires should be able to post what they want on their social media pages, but give them a safe environment to do so, free of sensitive information. Designate an area of the office where all important and confidential information has been cleared as a “photo safe zone.”
  5. Review with a seasonal focus: Alert security teams about important days in the year that may cause interns to post more about the workplace. For example, the first week the interns start or major office events. Security teams can pay close attention to these posts to make sure nothing sensitive has been posted by accident.
  6. Hire a hacker: Many organizations hire ethical hackers to test their security practices, that way organizations can see where their security measures are the strongest and weakest.

For more, check out ad tech ps’s article on how human error is still the top cybersecurity risk for organizations.

Cybersecurity Insider Newsletter
Strengthen your organization’s IT security defenses by keeping abreast of the latest cybersecurity news, solutions, and best practices. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays

Run Android apps on Windows, Mac, Linux or Chrome OS with ARC Welder

Last week Google released the ARC Welder extension for Chrome, offering an easier way to run Android apps in the Chrome browser on Windows, Mac, Linux or Chrome OS. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install the ARC Welder, grab some APK files, then run your Android apps within Chrome!

  1. Install ARC Welder

Installing ARC Welder is extremely simple – just visit this Chrome extension page and click Add to Chrome. The ~110MB file will download and be installed. To run it, visit the Chrome Apps page and click on the ARC Welder icon.

You’ll be asked to choose a working directory for the ARC Welder to get started. I chose to make a new folder called ARC Welder in my Documents folder, but you can put it pretty much anywhere. After this, you’re into the main area of the program, where you’ll be asked to add your APK file.

  1. Getting an APK file

APK files are used to install Android apps. You can find many APK files just by Googling for them, but it’s a bit safer to rely on APK files from one or two trusted sources. I recommend Android Police‘s APK Mirror site and the Google Play Store itself. APK Mirror offers simple APK downloads, but for the Play Store you’ll need to rely on a Chrome extension or a site like evozi’s APK Downloader. Another great alternative is your own phone, by using an Android app called ARChon Packager.

  1. Run your Android app

Once you’ve got your APK file, it’s time to try installing it in Chrome. Open up the ARC Welder, and select the APK file you downloaded. Wait a few seconds, and you’ll be shown the app’s name and given some options. I recommend choosing Portrait and Phone for most of these, but you’re free to choose again as you wish.

Click Launch App, and the app will attempt to launch in Chrome. If you’re lucky, the app will load up and work correctly.

However, some machines and some apps won’t work at all, immediately crashing with a puzzle piece symbol or throwing up errors related to Google Play Services. For this reason, you can Download APK for PC. Remember, this is still a very early release so some bugs and missing features are to be expected… but enough works that it’s worth trying!