Given it is the start of the year, I thought I would map out some of the topics I plan to cover this coming year in my posts. I also wish to relay some of the improvements that are planned for the reference page areas. As you know, the focus of Recipe for IT  is practical, workable techniques and advice that works in the real world and enables IT managers to be more successful. In 2012, we had a very successful year with over 34,000 views from over 100 countries, though most are from the US, UK, and Canada. And I wish to thank the many who have contributed comments and feedback — it has really helped me craft a better product. So with that in mind, please provide your perspective on the upcoming topics, especially if there are areas you would like to see covered that are not.

As you know, I have structured the site into two main areas: posts – which are short, timely essays on a particular topic and pages– which often take a post and provide a more structured and possibly deeper view of the topic. The pages are intended to be an ongoing reference of best practice for you leverage.

For posts, I will be continue the discussion on cloud and data centers. I will also delve more into production practices and how to achieve high availability. Some of you may have noticed some posts are placed first on InformationWeek and then subsequently here. This helps increase the exposure of Recipe for IT and also ensure good editing (!).

For the reference pages, I have recently refined and will continue to improve the project delivery and project managements sections. Look also for updates and improvements to efficiency and cost reductions in IT and well as the service desk.

What other topics would you like to see explored? Please comment and provide your feedback and input.

And now to the fun part, six predictions for Technology in 2013:

6. 2013 is the year of the ‘connected house’ as standards and ‘hub’ products achieve critical mass.

5. The IT job market will continue to tighten requiring companies to invest in growing talent as well as higher IT compensation.

4. Fragmentation will multiply in the mobile market, leaving significant advantage to Apple and Samsung being the only companies commanding premiums for their products.

3. HP will suffer further distress in the PC market both from tablet cannibalization and aggressive performance from Lenovo and Dell.

2. The corporate server market will continue to experience minimal increases in volume and flat or downward pressure on revenue.

1. Microsoft will do a Coke Classic on Windows 8.

As an IT manager, it is important to have strong, robust competition – so perhaps both Microsoft and HP will sort out their issues in the consumer device/OS space and come back stronger than ever.

What would you add or change on the predictions? I look forward to your take on 2013 and technology!

Best, Jim Ditmore