This article is an excerpt from the book Fundamentals of Technology Project Management (Second Edition) published in September 2012 by MC Press.

Written by Colleen Garton

This is part two of "The Social Media Generation Gap" article.

The older and younger generations use social media and virtual communication tools in a different way. Their perspectives are different because their experiences are different. One generation grew up in a pre-virtual technology world, and the other has never known life without it.

This article is an excerpt from the book Fundamentals of Technology Project Management (Second Edition) published in September 2012 by MC Press.

Written by Colleen Garton

Is there a social media/virtual communication generation gap? I would say that the answer is yes. This does not mean that I think one generation is more adept with the tools than another. The adoption rate of the various social media tools differs between generations. What is considered good etiquette for one generation may be quite different for another. The cultural effect of social media also differs between generations. In general, different generations use social media in a slightly different way. One way is not necessarily better than another. However, in a professional environment, it is important to ensure that team members are using appropriate tools and using them in a professional manner. If you are aware of the differences in how your team members use social media, you can help them learn from each other. This will increase communication effectiveness for your entire team.

John Earl, security guru, passed away on January 3, 2013.

Written by John Vanderwall

At their core, all companies must be careful investors.

Written by Chuck Losinski

Editor's Note: This article is an introduction to the white paper "Building a Sound Investment Strategy Through Technology" free for download from the MC White Paper Center.

Combining IBM Power Systems hardware (System i, iSeries, AS/400) and reliable automation software is a powerful investment strategy for companies that increases revenue, reduces expenses, improves their bottom line, and enhances customer experience.

With the meteoric rise of the mobile application market, could there be enough buzz over at the Apple App Store and at Amazon to share a little success with those of us longing for attention?

Written by Chris Smith

The mobile application market is taking off like wildfire, and it looks like developers are not only having fun but making tons of money as well—at $1.99 per download! The Apple App Store is so successful, the number of downloads is no longer measured in millions; it's gone into the billions—10 billion downloads, in fact, since the App Store opened in 2008, according to court documents filed by Apple recently in its trademark infringement suit against Amazon. No wonder Amazon and its similar-sounding Appstore for Android don't care about a little thing like a lawsuit; there's gold in them there hills.

This year will see new technologies applied to the IBM i platform, requiring a redoubled commitment to training and personal development.

Written by Chris Smith

Given all the negatives that the economic downturn in 2009 caused, it's not surprising that 2010 ended with some uncertainty, even as many businesses began to get their feet on the ground. The lingering malaise may have been unfairly projected onto the IBM i platform, but there is now a true spirit of optimism emerging in the IT industry as January propels us rapidly into the heart of 2011.

Start planning now and help those near you understand what a geek really needs.

Written by Chris Smith

This holiday season, let's all get in touch with reality and quit pretending that we are someone we're not. If you have young children and you want to be Santa Claus, well fine. But everybody else needs to let the truth be told. You're a geek, OK? If you don't step up to the plate and admit it, how do you expect to get any geek gifts at Christmas?

A modern-day Jonas Salk seeks a cure for movement.

Written by Michael Stuhlreyer

Calling upon dwindling reserves of benevolence, I try to convince myself that Chris Harrison has the good of mankind at heart. I try to believe that he honestly believes he's advancing the human condition and that he believes his contribution will so improve life on Earth that he will earn a place alongside Salk, Edison, the Wright Brothers, and Crum (inventor of the honest-to-goodness randomly shaped, grease-fried potato chip, for those who slept through history class) in the pantheon of game-changers. He doesn't intend to nauseate me, I assure myself, but he does—like, well, a Pringle.