Integrid LLC Blog

In 2026, we spend most of our days managing cloud architecture, deploying automated security patches, and chatting with AI bots. If we dial the clock back exactly 40 years to 1986, however, business technology wasn't just a different world; it was a different dimension.

In 1986, the cloud that we use for business wasn’t even an option. In fact, the cloud was something that ruined your weekend golf plans. We thought it would be cool to take a look at what some of the cutting-edge business technology looked like if you walked into an office 40 years ago.

This time of year is known for its traditions, from the foods we eat to the rituals we carry out, and the songs we sing. In light of this, we wanted to put together a managed IT-friendly version to get into the spirit.

The Internet is amazing. It lets us connect, innovate, and learn in ways we never could before. Just like anything that is really powerful, however, it has a dark side, especially for those who explore its hidden corners. If you're into coding or curious about how computer systems work, it's more important than ever to understand the laws around hacking. The consequences for getting caught are serious and are only becoming more so. 

Isn’t it funny how, despite there being so, so many emojis to select from, you so often can’t find one that succinctly and descriptively gets your point across? Google has recently added a feature to its Gboard mobile keyboard called Emoji Kitchen. 

Emoji Kitchen does what it sounds like and cooks up blends of two emojis for you. Let’s go over how to use it.

Social media is addictive, this much is true. For the people who never have taken the leap and put themselves out there, it is often maddening to see people jump from outrage about one issue to another issue without any real resolution. This week, we will discuss the neverending stream of controversy that is brought on by social media and some things you can do to keep it from being a problem for you.

Following the heinous attacks that caused the Twin Towers to fall in New York on September 11, 2001, you heard about terrorism every single day for years. The “War on Terror” waged for over a decade toppled multiple governments and set a precedent that terrorists will be relentlessly pursued. While there have been a few massive terrorist events that have shocked the world in the subsequent years after 9/11, cyberspace has become one of the biggest battlegrounds. Today, we’ll briefly discuss the rise of cyberterrorism.

Unless you’ve been living completely off the grid, you’ve probably heard of Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram. Most people are on at least one of these platforms—or maybe they’re on TikTok, YouTube, or LinkedIn. Businesses have also relied on these platforms for marketing. But even though these companies are worth billions, people are starting to question whether these platforms can keep going as they are. In this blog, we’ll break down some of the problems with today’s biggest social media platforms and why alternatives might be the future.

It’s fun to be critical of social media, but there’s no denying the massive influence it has on individuals, societies, businesses, and even the political landscape. Since social media plays such a big part in so many areas of your digital life, it’s important to know how it all factors into your personal rights and privacy. Today, we want to examine the idea of who really owns what you post on social media and who is in control of your accounts… because it’s definitely not you.

There has been a good deal of controversy about how personal data has been collected, sold, and used over the past few years. Companies of all types package and sell data to create a valuable extra revenue stream for their business, and while this should be thought of as a side effect of all the data that is created by people, it can also create some pretty difficult situations to try and navigate. Today, we’ll take a look at the data-broker loophole, how it works, and what can be done about it.

Subscription services are all over the place these days, and we’re willing to bet that you have a couple of lingering subscriptions that you’ve either forgotten about or don’t care enough about to cancel immediately. The Federal Trade Commission, however, seems to care enough to take action with a ruling that makes canceling subscriptions easier. Businesses won’t be able to add more hurdles to their subscription cancellations, which is good for end users.

You may remember the hubbub and hullabaloo that ensued when Josh Allen, a digital artist, won first place at the 2022 Colorado State Fair’s Fine Arts Competition in the Digital Arts/Digitally Manipulated Photography contest with an image—"Théâtre D'opéra Spatial"—that he had created using AI. Allen continues defending his work, now butting heads with the Copyright Office.

Technology continues to play a major role in healthcare, especially as it has become more prominent. Through technology, the healthcare industry has been able to stabilize costs, improve access, and personalize care delivery—challenging concepts in years past. That said, these innovations come at the cost of potential issues with data privacy… issues that become more prominent as technology becomes even more advanced.

Billions of people rely on Google Search to find what they want online. But what really happens when you click "search"? Let's describe how the Google Search engine works to give you a behind-the-scenes look.