AOL intros free enterprise AIM ... Software pushes up IBM results

Today's IT News Audio Update
Microsoft buys Winternals ... AOL intros free enterprise AIM ... Software pushes up IBM results


HIGHLIGHTS

News: AOL launches AIM Pro for business users
News: HP's Memory Spot presents security challenge
News: Oracle has 65 fixes in latest security update
Tip: Keep an eye on solid state disk technology
TopCoder: Are you a programming whiz? Try this week's problem.
ITwhirled: 10 Best flickr mashups; 10 alien encounters debunked; 10 best rural places to live


NEWS UPDATES

AOL launches AIM Pro for business users
AOL LLC launched a new, free, instant messaging application for business users on Wednesday. AIM Pro Professional Edition integrates with Microsoft Outlook corporate directories and calendars, encrypts messages and scans them for viruses, and offers quick access to business conferencing services from WebEx Communications Inc., the company said.

iPods, USB storage to gain from Samsung chip
iPods, handsets, USB (universal serial bus) flash drives and other gadgets stand to gain from a new 8G-bit NAND flash memory chip in mass production at Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. chip factories.

Sony aims high with new camcorders
Sony Corp. is expanding its line-up of high-definition camcorders to quickly transition its Japanese sales from standard-definition to HD, the company said Wednesday.

Wipro profits up 44 percent for Q1
Indian outsourcer Wipro Ltd. reported Wednesday growth in both profit and revenue for the quarter ended June 30, as global corporations made offshore outsourcing a key component of their IT strategy.

HP's Memory Spot presents security challenge
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s tiny Memory Spot chip is designed to put digital information on documents and photos. However, the chip's size and wireless capability can also be used by corporate thieves to copy and steal valuable data.

Oracle has 65 fixes in latest security update
Oracle Corp. has issued 65 fixes for a wide range of software products as part of its quarterly security release, called the Critical Patch Update.


TIP

Keep an eye on solid state disk technology
By Mitch Tulloch

IT departments have always known that the hard drive is the main performance bottleneck, and that's why the development of solid state disk technology (SSD) is exciting as it will push performance up significantly. Keep your eyes on SSD technology as it makes inroads into the notebook, desktop, and eventually server arena.


TOPCODER CHALLENGE

This week's problem: Paper Rock Scissors Qualifications (Level 1)

Each player must face all of his opponents in head to head gamesconsisting of 5 throws. On each throw, each player will choose one ofthe following: Paper ('P'), Rock ('R') or Scissors ('S'). Try theproblem, and compare it to the winning code.