As Published In November/December 2011

UPFRONT: Mash Up

Mash Up

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Food and Beverage Apps

In much of the world, it’s holiday time. These apps help get the party started.

Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List
Search 30,000 recipes, create shopping lists (and check them off as you shop), save favorite recipes, and share favorites via social media. iPad version has full-screen cookbook layout. Free.

Mixology
Want to serve eggnog made from scratch? Or offer a specialty cocktail such as a Sidecar at your next party? These recipes, and those of nearly 8,000 other drinks, are in this app. Or punch in what you have on hand and find out what drinks you can make. Free.

VintageChart+
Created by Wine Spectator magazine, this app helps you choose the right wine, whether you are shopping or dining out. It also lets you know whether you should open, hold, or dump that bottle lurking in your cupboard or cellar. Free.

OpenTable
When it’s time to dine out rather than celebrate at home, this app helps you reserve a table at more than 15,000 restaurants in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. View menus; refine results by cuisine, price, or time; and map your destination. Free.

The Key to Tablet Productivity

Love your iPad but dislike typing on the screen? Belkin’s Keyboard Folio for iPad 2 has a slender built-in keyboard with springy, responsive keys. The keyboard pairs with your iPad using Bluetooth, and the case holds the tablet at a variety of angles for easy viewing. When you’re not typing, the case folds over to protect the iPad. US$99.99. belkin.com

Security Failures More Dangerous than Natural Disasters

C-level executives, general counsels, and risk managers were asked what sorts of crises would have the biggest negative impact on their companies. 

They could choose three, so percentages total more than 100.

62% Data breach/security failure
51% Natural disaster (hurricane, earthquake, or tornado)
40% Power outage/blackout/terrorist attack
22% Sexual harassment or other employee-related suit
20% Worker accident/death
13% Compromised research results
13% Epidemic
11% Employee strike/walkout
7% Major product recall
4% Hazmat leak
2% Drought/water access

Source: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, and Levick Strategic Communications, pillsburylaw.com

Millennials Want to Chat with IT

58% of employees born in the 1980s and 1990s—sometimes called Millennials—prefer chat or text messaging to the telephone when getting IT support. 60% say that 10 minutes or less is an acceptable IT support response time, and nearly 75% give their IT departments a positive rating.

Source: Bomgar, bomgar.com

A Backup with Backup

A personal backup disk is no good if the drive itself fails. Seagate acknowledges this truth by bundling two years of SafetyNet data recovery service with its GoFlex Turbo performance drive. (Disclaimer: you get one data recovery attempt in those two years, and results aren’t guaranteed.) The GoFlex Turbo has a speedy USB 3.0 interface, spins at 7,200 rpm, and comes in 500 GB and 750 GB versions. US$119.99-US$139.99. seagate.com