Articles by Jack M. Germain

The Linux Foundation (LF), Amazon, and more than 20 other gaming companies hope to make open-source game playing more of a win-win technology for both developers and players LF on Tuesday announced an intent to form the Open 3D Foundation to accelerate developer collaboration on 3D games and simulation technology. The Foundation is a nonprofit orga...

Dealing with cybersecurity is an ongoing battle of wits and skills that often leaves IT professionals feeling like they are barely holding back the never-ending attacks of a giant whack-a-mole defensive game of chance Take the case of Microsoft and the infamous SolarWinds supply chain hack that was first reported last December. Its ramifications ar...

A global study of IT business leaders praised the growing merits of open-source software amid concerns that big tech supporters could undermine its open qualities and collaboration Perhaps one of the main takeaways is the optimism IT execs (82 percent) feel about the future of open source. But that praise comes with a dire warning. Three-quarters (...

Cancel culture and politics aside, one of the more brutal threats lurking in the shadows of the internet is the slander industry. All too often, unsuspecting people become victims of websites that promote slanderous, often unverified, information about individuals. This false and vilifying information lives on the internet forever and can sully an otherwise spotless reputation...

The software development industry is gearing up for post-pandemic activity. But developers will no doubt find that the race to release will likely fall flat if they do not consider meaningful metrics in their implementation The most important consideration for successful implementations and launches is using smart, accurate, and effective metrics, ...

Microsoft on Thursday unveiled Windows 11 as a redesigned computing platform that feels familiar but has numerous changed components. It offers new ways for users to create, learn, play, and connect with others globally Feeling familiar may take some adjusting, however. Windows 11 is built around a simplified user interface for productivity, creati...

Digital messaging plays an ever-increasing key role in business-to-consumer (B2C) selling as marketers face immense challenges in the post-Covid era in terms of messaging and customer data access, according to a survey from customer marketing platform provider MessageGears A key takeaway from the survey released in April is that B2C marketers are p...

The Linux Foundation on Tuesday announced the Open Voice Network, an open source association dedicated to advancing open standards that support the adoption of AI-enabled voice assistance systems Organizations are beginning to develop, design, and manage their own voice assistant systems that are independent of today's general-purpose voice platfor...

Amazon continues to face intensified scrutiny from antitrust lawsuits to allegations of inhumane working conditions. Yet despite criticism, consumers continue to feed the massive digital marketplace that allegedly is filled with shady practices. According to e-commerce veteran and Amazon entrepreneur Jason Boyce, the time is now for consumers to wake up to the cost of convenience...

Consumers will spend more money shopping online this summer in response to ads they see on social media if vendors offer deals. Shoppers are also more receptive to chat commerce, a potential new trend Smartly.io, a social advertising automation platform for creative and performance marketers on April 29 announced new research underscoring the role ...

Podcasts provide advertisers with microtargeted pitches that engage listeners more effectively than other outlets, observed Maury Rogow, CEO and creative director of Hollywood's Rip Media Group in an exclusive interview with the E-Commerce Times Most podcast listeners are educated, have disposable income, and are open to hearing advertising. Microt...

MakuluLinux is an ever-changing family of Linux desktops built on its own base around several heavily modified desktop environments. Core, the latest release, is an evolutionary redesign well worth trying Most distribution maintainers focus on annual or semi-annual operating system upgrades that update core system files and sometimes add different ...

Artificial intelligence may well be the Holy Grail solution for more effective shopping optimization for merchants. AI comes in many forms and different options. Clearly, one size does not fit all marketing needs One up-and-coming solution takes a more low-key approach to using AI for retailers. Fast Simon unveiled a new JavaScript (JS) software de...

The economic implications of Covid-19 have been devastating for many sectors and individuals. As we head into the summer of 2021 anticipating that most places in the U.S. will be fully open for business, many industries are looking at what the post-Covid recovery will mean for them. For sales professionals, the comeback might certainly bring a windfall but also presents challenges...

Cyberattacks in the first half of 2021 have escalated globally to affect virtually every industry. Earlier this year TechNewsWorld spoke with cybersecurity experts about the expanding threat landscape, imminent threats, and what can be done to counter the ongoing offensives against the IT systems of companies, organizations, and government agencies...

E-commerce merchants are literally at the mercy of the digital checkout systems tied to their web stores. For retailers, what happens on the other side of the "pay" button is critical to avoiding denied approvals Online sellers cannot survive without a strong checkout page. Meanwhile, the payment system that runs much of the online transactions is ...

Organizations, regardless of industry, must do a better job maintaining open source components given their critical nature in software, according to this year's risk analysis report by cybersecurity firm Synopsys Open-source software is now the foundation for the vast majority of applications across all industries. However, many of those industries...

Most businesses today that want an app have an app. But having one is not the entire process. The app maker and the business behind the mobile application still need to get it to actually work effectively. Because more people are using apps, many businesses are focusing on the bells and whistles to help them stand out -- instead of designing the a...

Amazon and Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) on Wednesday announced a definitive merger agreement for Amazon to acquire MGM for $8.45 billion. Completion of this transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions MGM primarily made feature films and TV shows since it turned on its studio cameras in 1924. Now, MGM will com...

Establishing a customer experience (CX) program's ROI is one of the greatest challenges that CX practitioners and the organizations they serve face in the modern experience landscape Across all businesses, the entire C-suite leadership team is looking to validate an experience management program by asking one question: what is the financial impact ...