Each user within the cloud network set up by Microsoft will be provided with a  10GB e-mail inbox, along with 25 gigabytes of additional file storage.

In addition to email capabilities, the cloud service will offer document sharing, instant messaging, and video chat functionality.

There has been a tremendous amount of hype surrounding the iPad and it’s launch into the computer/mobile/laptop/Kindle markets. Most people I knew had no clear idea whether the iPad was a computer or a Kindle-type device or just a big phone that cannot make calls. Naturally, there was also a lot of skepticism surrounding the device. I just had to see for myself.

At the time, I was in New York City. So I wandered down to the Soho Apple Retail Store to check out the new iPads… it was the second day after the product launch. A crowd had grown around the table displaying the curious devices, as the crowd watched those in the very first row fool around with the floor models.

I have to say that I was shocked. I had not intended to buy an iPad until this moment. Actually, I felt that there was no more room for any other devices in my life. Who wants more computer troubles, right?! Well, I decided to take one home–still with the question: “What is it?” lingering in the back of my mind. At the worst, I thought to myself that I could use it as a Kindle and move some of the heaviest titles off my bookshelf and into a digital format for when I go on the road.

So it has been a few weeks now. When I show up in a cafe or airport, many people come up to me and tend to ask a few of the same questions. I decided to answer them here.

Is an iPad worth it? Can you use it for work?
At first I was not able to use it for work. The fact that it has no support for Flash made it frustrating when I needed to visit a Flash website or watch a Flash video. This caused me to need to also carry my laptop… so the iPad is not a replacement for the laptop as I most secretly had hoped. However, more recently, I have begun to take short excursions with my iPad and leave my heavy and burdensome laptop at home. I am able to check email with ease, download and edit Office documents like Word and Excel with Pages and Keynote, download and view PDFs for research and review, use social networking websites and apps with no problem, connect to the web and enjoy the internet through this device. The device is quickly becoming a useful tool, but not a replacement for my laptop. I have also used the iPad for presentations with clients, and it has become a very effective presentation tool, which has made it worth it alone for this reason.

Do you like it?
Yes, absolutely I love it. I actually prefer reading the news from the iPad over other platforms. I still love print more, but I consume a lot of news so the iPad makes sense for me. Also, the New York Times apps is amazing, and is a very charming interface…and great way of getting the news. I also love the Mashable app. Because of the iPad’s size, it is very comfortable to take out of the home or office to lunch or to a cafe.

Could someone use it instead of a laptop?
Yes, some people could, but it depends on what they need to do. If they rely highly on image editing programs, database programs that are not online or other software, you may need to keep a PC or laptop in your life for now. However, it can do a lot, and some people could potentially use it instead of a laptop or PC. Read my answer above to my experience with using it for work.

Cost
The cost for the Google Apps service is 50 dollars per user per year. This gives that user access to more than just email. The whole enterprise package ( as configured by the administrator ) can be accessible by each user, including Calendar, Chat, Sites, and more. We found this to be an excellent alternative to Microsoft business services, and it works great for both small businesses and large organizations.

One way to grow your business online is to offer updated content on a regular basis– not only for your visitors – but also for the search engines. With a content management system in place you do not have to know HTML and you do not have to hire a full-time, in-house web programmer.

Content Management Makes Publishing Content Simple

Content management allows you to manage content creation, modify, and remove content from your Web site, without knowing HTML coding.  It also allows you gather information and updates it to your site with ease. Content management system features include:

• Format management
• Revision control
• Indexing
• Search
• Retrieval
• Web-based publishing

The information that you offer your visitors is one of your greatest asset. So, it should be managed on a regular basis.  Those without a content management system tend to struggle gaining new prospects.

Make Your Web Site More Search-Engine Friendly

A content management system also allows templates to be created and re-used. This also promotes consistency of your web pages and it makes it easier to employ cost effective information to be presented in a professional manner.

In order for the search engines to be able to find your content, they require websites to be consistent as far as finding relevant content on a site quickly and efficiently. In other words, having a content management system makes your site more visible and more search-engine friendly because your content is database driven.

With a content management system, you can create content and it can be re-used several times. This system allows you to post the same content to more than one location in a variety of presentation formats and in numerous languages. Please keep in mind that exact/duplicate content used on numerous websites will NOT help with SEO ranking–it will in fact hurt ranking. However, publishing snippets of an article and then linking to the full article, can greatly help user experience by providing users a “preview” of the page and allowing them to determine beforehand if they are interested in the full article.

The growth of high-tech firms in the state of Kentucky is dependant on new forms of capital in order to help further economic development in Kentucky’s recession-stricken economy. The research for and implementation of new products and technologies can be beyond the means of start-up companies who strain to come up with the private investment funds. Newer firms need alternative forms of funding to turn to must turn to alternative financing,  commonly referred to as, “pre-seed” or “seed” funding.

Pre-seed as well as seed funding sources are often provided by both federal and state financial programs. Private venture capital companies make up the other sources for the initial funding. Numerous additional forms of funding incentives are offered to local Kentucky firms either looking to locate or further-develop their business within Kentucky.

To learn more about High Tech seed funding

You can visit Kentucky.gov, for more information on sources of funding for High-Tech firms in the Bluegrass state.

For a community based business resource navigator, follow the link (below) and select your desired community. You will be able to select relevant information within the online “Small & Minority Business Branch”. Simiply select whether you are a new business or an existing business. The category “Years 3-5 (Sustaining)”, provides useful ongoing advice for your existing business as well.
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/SMBD/ERN/ernMain.aspx

Seed funding awards: a list of one term’s receipiants and award levels
http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/thinkkentucky/hightechinvestmentpool013108.htm

Concerning KY Community Business Info and General Research Questions:
Office of Research & Information Technology
Phone: (502) 564-4886
Email: econdev@ky.gov

Small Business Advocacy
For more information or assistance,
please email Ken.Robinson@ky.gov
or call Kentucky Commission on Small Business Advocacy at 877-355-3822.

Private Venture Capital

For a list of private venture capital sources:
Private Venture Capital in Kentucky

Commonwealth Seed Capital, LLC

Commonwealth Seed Capital is dedicated to creating high-technology jobs and will provide the needed seed capital for high growth potential, high-technology companies. They select companies that have a tendency towards innovation, have a meaningful Kentucky presence, and are expected to generate significant profits for investors. Their typical investment size is up to $250,000 per round. CSC also invests differing amounts in other angel, seed or venture capital funds. To inquire contact:
Primary contact: Commissioner Deborah Clayton,
Department of Commercialization
and Innovation at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Or, Growth Services, the CSC fund manager,
www.GrowthServicesLLC.com
300 West Broadway,
Old Capitol Annex,
Frankfort KY 40601
www.thinkkentucky.com/DCI/DCIStateRes.aspx
(502) 564-7670.