Molecular physics just got interesting, assuming you’re not already a molecular physicists. Then you’ve been a fan for years. IT reps globally are taking notice of a new and promising technology called molecular memory. It’s got the makings of science fiction, but it’s legit and it could mean that data center facilities could be storing as much as 1000TB of data within a square inch of space, maximizing critical real estate within their facilities while cutting down on energy costs.

The special molecule used in the research, which was conducted in an MIT lab, was actually first developed in India by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). It’s an impressive prospect that, if nothing else, will progress the discovery of even more alternatives to traditional data storage.

How the Science Behind it Works

By manipulating the magnetic conductivity of the molecules, researchers were able to replicate binary ones and zeros with the molecules’ magnetic state. The result is molecular memory, which allows us to store even more data in less space.

The Process of Discovery

Previous iterations of the technology involved two of what researchers called ferromagnetic electrodes, but with the recent discovery of a new type of molecule, the use of only one ferromagnetic electrode and a single layer of molecules was made possible. With previous versions of the molecule, several layers were required in a functioning device. The latest revisions to the technology would cut down manufacturing costs when/if the product is marketed in the future. Other discoveries made during research also suggest that with further development, the devices will be better equipped for utilization in data centers, which will prove to be a definite boon to IT representatives who are constantly overseeing temperatures within their centers.

What Does it all Mean?

Jagadeesh Moodera led the research team at MIT and predicts that workable storage devices based on the science of molecular memory will be ready as alternatives to traditional SSD systems within a decade. Resultant bonuses of the technology will not only be a more efficient use of hard drive space, but will also be an environment conscious use of energy to run and cool the systems in data centers.

As data center operators across the globe strive to cut costs and boost performance, this technology comes not a moment too soon. Moodera hopes that the findings will generate interest in developing more memory solutions.

Source: http://www.cio.com/article/727287/New_Molecules_Could_Bring_Super_dense_Solid_state_Hard_Disk_Alternatives 

PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance has been optional for many small eCommerce sites up to now, but that all may be about to change very soon.  Previously, PCI compliance was only mandatory for Level 3, 2 and 1 merchants, which means those merchants that process more than 20,000 transactions a year or have been identified as having poor security processes. Now, everything has changed. Whether or not that change is for the better is up to eCommerce merchants’ willingness to comply. Their users, of course, will appreciate the added protection of their sensitive data, which is great PR anyway.

Well, as of October 2006, PCI compliance became mandatory to all American Express-accepting merchants, including Level 4–those with 1 – 20,000 transactions per year. However, most merchants are still unaware of this and will remain unaware until something goes wrong.

What does this mean for you as a small eCommerce Business Owner? It means that your platform and eCommerce site needs to be hosted in a PCI compliant data center if you’re going to be making credits cards transactions through your site. This is actually great news, because it simplifies the steps you have to take to become PCI compliant. All you have to do is host your site in one of  several PCI Compliant data centers scattered across the world.

I thought this was one of the funniest tips toward a horrible ecommerce site ever! Here’s just a glimpse of the article:

“People love filling out 8 pages of forms before they can buy stuff. Better yet, add in a couple more pages to surprise the customer just when they think they’re finally through! You really do need the customer’s age, gender, and the name of his first-born son before you can sell him your hand-painted dishrags.

“Whatever you do, make it as hard as you can for the customer to complete a sale and pay you money — that’s how you can tell if a customer is truly dedicated (or if they love pain).

“There are several great tips that we all can use to improve our ecommerce sites.  Knowing the mistakes that others have made and how we can avoid them will help us to have the best sites available.  Here are some great tips!”

Read Article

As of October 2006, PCI compliance became mandatory for all American Express-accepting merchants, including Level 4; those with 1 – 20,000 transactions per year. Most merchants are still unaware of this and will remain unaware until something goes wrong or they get flat-out shut down.

From October 1, 2009; Visa will also be telling many small merchants that they can no longer accept Visa credit card payments unless they have taken steps towards achieving PCI compliance.  This PCI eCommerce crack down has already started and will continue to hurt smaller eCommerce sites unless they comply.

Online store owners who are obligated to implement a PCI compliance program and don’t may find themselves without the ability to process transactions. They also may face fines from the various card companies in a situation where security is breached.

This basically means that if your online store processes payments via credit card, you’ll need to become PCI compliant. PCI eCommerce is not something you’ll be able to do totally on your own in your basement as the process will require an audit and verification by a 3rd party.

If you are hosted in a 100% PCI eCommerce compliant data center, you will be fine and this transition will not affect you. NetHosting is one of 4 present data centers in the US to be PCI compliant and PCI certified. They have spent over a year getting this compliance issue taken care of.