Mel Beckman
Mel Beckman is a software engineer and network technology consultant. He’s written hundreds of articles about networks and software development for InfoWorld, Macworld, PC World, and many other publications.
How to cope with the end of FireWire
Mac shops with significant FireWire investment may not need a total Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 makeover, but staying put with current hard drives and devices will come at a price
Native, Web, or hybrid: How to choose your mobile development path
With new tools and frameworks and the right development kit, you can make sure your mobile apps reach multiple platforms.
Top 20 OS X command-line secrets for power users
OS X brings its unique capabilities to the command-line table, in the form of utilities that leverage OS X's user interface, file system, and security capabilities. Here are the best of the best of these utilities.
What the app store future means for developers and users
Apple's iOS and Mac app stores have popularized the concept, but Microsoft, Google, and others are now adopting it
8 radical ways to cut data center power costs
One or more of these wild-eyed approaches could save you a lot of money -- and not cost you much
The iPad data dilemma: Where cloud storage can help
Tablet computing is a decade-old technology, but one that lay buried since users rejected Microsoft's "heavy OS" approach a while back. A year ago, Apple's iPad resurrected the tablet computing concept, delivering a lightweight sheet...
Beware the black market rising for IP addresses
Organizations slow to adopt IPv6 take heed: Surging requests for IPv4 addresses are quickly drying up the available store, raising the specter of an IPv4 black market that could dramatically increase the cost of obtaining a presence...
Jailbreaking in the iPhone 3.0 era
In a few short years, Apple has established the iPhone as the mobile platform to beat. Each successive firmware update opens new, and often unmatched, features for users and developers to explore. Many of these features, however,...
Building the Google smartbook dream machine
The netbook promises convenience and capability in a small, lightweight, and generally inexpensive package, and the concept of a smartbook goes even further: a handy-dandy combination of smartphone and notebook. Alas, most netbook...
Slideshow: The top 7 roadkill victims on the journey to Windows 7
Since its inception, Microsoft has made a practice of folding innovation by others into its proprietary products. Windows is no exception. Beginning with version 1.0, Windows has accreted features that often eclipsed third-party...
Microsoft's roadkill on the journey to Windows 7
Since its inception, Microsoft has made a practice of folding innovation by others into its proprietary products. Windows 7 is no exception. Beginning with version 1.0, Windows has accreted features that often eclipsed third-party...