2007 was an incredible year for new and progressing technologies.  Web 2.0 applications, such as wikis, blogs, and podcasts were used by more corporate and government entities than ever before.  Multiple “green” technologies, such as blade servers, power throttling, and virtualization were discussed and developed.  And, as always, technologies relating to security were of top importance. 

As I was wondering what was in store for 2008, I stumbled upon an article in the January 7th edition of e-Week that mentioned the most influential technologies in the upcoming year.  They are as follows:

1. Access control apps
2. Server virtualization
3. Solid-state storage
4. Message security
5. Virtual infrastructure management
6. Encryption
7. Semantic Web
8. Wireless LAN
9. Next-generation web applications
10. Mobile devices

Is there anything on here that surprises you?  Do you think e-Week listed the most important technologies or are they missing some?  Leave a comment and let the entire Market Connections community know what you think!

Don’t you hate getting calls from pushy, untrustworthy telemarketers?  If you’re like me, you put your home and cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call List the day you receive them.  In this age of savvy consumers who know how to dodge calls, telemarketers have gotten sneaky and now mask sales calls as surveys.  Beware: these “surveys” are not valid research! 

Just the other day, as I was fixing my dinner, I got one of these calls.  The woman on the line was very friendly, and asked if I had a few minutes to complete a survey.  I was happy to help; as a market research professional, I know how hard it is to get respondents!  After a few questions, however, it became clear that this call wasn’t about gathering information—she was trying to sell me a magazine subscription.  I quickly pointed out that this “survey” was bogus and she disconnected the call.  But the incident had me thinking: If I fall prey to this scam, I bet others do too!

Here are some tips to keep you free from telemarketing survey scams.

1. Be cautious about giving personal information over the phone!

If a caller asks for your name, address, or any personally identifying information, ask for clarification about the use of the data they are gathering.  Most survey studies are blind, and do not need this data.  A real survey will never ask you for your credit card number.

2. You don’t have to put up with leading questions, or questions that make you uncomfortable.

These types of questions are popular in push polls, surveys taken near election time that are designed to spread negative information about a candidate.  Feel free to decline to answer ANY survey question when you feel uncomfortable.  If you think the survey is a sham, ask for information about your caller, and the nature of the survey.  If it is not a valid study, they will likely hang up instead of answering your question.

3. Listen to your gut.

If you feel uncomfortable about the caller, the questions, or anything at all related to the survey, either ask for more information or feel free to decline.  Surveys are completely voluntary—you should never feel pressured into making decisions or giving out information that you don’t wish to share.

With holiday air travelers expected in record numbers this year, airlines are running extra flights, stocking additional personnel, and with the help of President Bush, using  military airspace along the east coast as an “express lane” for holiday travelers.  With Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) complete ban of carry-on liquids lifted, and other restrictions relaxed, security checkpoints are running a little more smoothly than they have in recent months.  

I know that many of us travel extensively throughout the year.  We’re all too familiar with the rules and regulations that accompany air travel; walking barefoot through security, ensuring our laptops are out of their cases, and when necessary, enduring the one-on-one personal search.   Although these measures may make our lives uncomfortable for a moment, the safety and security they provide are well worth the additional hassle. 

TSA currently requires that all airline-checked luggage remain unlocked.  Many travelers cringe at the thought of keeping their luggage unlocked through the duration of their air travels.  Some keep their bags locked only to find the locks cut when their bags reach their final destination.  Recognizing this concern, TSA developed a lock that ensures necessary access to a traveler’s suitcase, but also provides the security of a locked bag.  These locks have a user-created combination code for the luggage owner.  TSA keeps a universal master key on-hand to safely unlock and re-lock the luggage when necessary.   These combination locks are available at luggage and travel stores worldwide.  I found this device to be reassuring and I am appreciative of TSA’s solution to air traveler’s concerns about the safety of their bags.

For more information, check out TSA’s website http://www.tsa.gov.  Not only will you find information about the locks, but you can also view helpful travel tips provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

All of us at Market Connections wish you a happy, healthy holiday season.  No matter how you travel, travel safely during this busy time of year.

Watch for our August e-newsletter, scheduled to go out next week.  The featured articles are on first time research tips and online focus groups.  So, be sure to check out www.marketconnectionsinc.com next week to read about these topics and to sign up to automatically receive every monthly e-newsletter!

Many thanks to each of you for taking the time to check out our blog!� We have gotten some very encouraging feedback and insightful comments regarding our postings – in fact, within minutes we received our first comment from the Market Connections community!�

If you have any comments or suggestions; or if there are specific topics you’d like to read more about, please let us know.� As market researchers, we love hearing your opinions!� The blog will be updated at least twice per month, so be sure to check back in and stay up to date on the latest trends in market research and the government!

Market Connections� and I would like to take the time to express our most sincere condolences to those who were affected by the events that took place this week at Virginia Tech.� We have several colleagues who have personal ties to the university and have been at a total loss during this tragic time.�

The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund has been set up by Virginia Tech to remember and honor the victims of this horrific event.� The fund will provide assistance to victims and their families, grief counseling, memorials, communication expenses, and comfort expenses.� � If you would like to donate to the fund, please go to http://www.vt.edu/fund/.� Again, we offer our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families.