Sun details Java open source plans ... Microsoft and Nortel to codevelop unified comms
Today's IT News Audio Update
Sun details Java open source plans ... Google News still indexing AFP content ... Indian government blocks sites over terror links
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft and Nortel to codevelop unified comms
News: Nuance claims breakthrough on speech recognition
News: India blocks Web sites, blogs after terrorist attacks
News: Researcher posts Google-based malware search tool
Tip: Choose when to use encryption wisely
ITwhirled: Talking iPod on the horizon?
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft and Nortel to codevelop unified comms
Microsoft Corp. and Nortel Networks Ltd. will unify their efforts to develop "unified communications" products to break down the barriers between telephony, voice mail, e-mail and instant-messaging systems. The companies have struck a four-year alliance to jointly develop and sell unified communications systems, they said Tuesday.
Nuance claims breakthrough on speech recognition
Watch what you say about your computer: It's getting better at understanding your voice.
India blocks Web sites, blogs after terrorist attacks
The Indian government has blocked about 20 Web sites and blogs in India, following suspicions by the country's intelligence agencies that the sites were likely being used by terrorists to communicate with each other.
Send your love into space on a personal satellite
Forget flowers. A Japanese company is offering people the chance to say "I love you" with a personal satellite.
Microsoft sues U.S. resellers for piracy
Microsoft Corp. has filed 26 lawsuits against alleged dealers of pirated software in seven U.S. states, the company said Tuesday. Microsoft claims the companies sold pirated software or computers loaded with pirated software.
Researcher posts Google-based malware search tool
A well-known security researcher has released code that can be used to mine Google Inc.'s database for malicious software.
TIP
Choose when to use encryption wisely
By David Hill, Mesabi Group
When evaluating vendor products, look at what part of the data securityproblem they are trying to solve -- data preservation, dataconfidentiality, or both. For example, an encryption product providesfor data confidentiality. However, unless encryption key management iswell-handled, there is a risk of the permanent loss of all of theencrypted data. So you must weigh the need for data confidentiality withthe risk to data preservation. Keeping in mind that data security isabout data preservation and data confidentiality is the starting pointfor thinking about data security in greater depth.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Monday, July 17, 2006
Salesforce.com turns 20 ... Microsoft pulls private folder software
Today's IT News Audio Update
Microsoft pulls private folder software ... Novell offers new release of Suse Linux for enterprise ... HP Labs shows prototype wireless memory chip
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Salesforce.com turns 20, targets SAP R/3 users
News: HP announces grain-sized wireless memory chip
News: Intel to launch Montecito server chip Tuesday
News: McAfee: Hackers learning from open source
Opinion: A Storage Story
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: Google Maps to Malta: You are nothing
NEWS UPDATES
Salesforce.com turns 20, targets SAP R/3 users
Salesforce.com Inc. will officially unveil the 20th generation of its hosted CRM (customer relationship management) software Monday, as well as announcing a connector integrating its CRM software-as-a-service with SAP AG's R/3 ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications.
HP announces grain-sized wireless memory chip
Hewlett-Packard Co. researchers have developed a memory chip with wireless networking capabilities that is roughly the same size as a grain of rice, the company said Monday.
Intel to launch Montecito server chip Tuesday
Intel Corp. will launch its often-delayed "Montecito" dual-core Itanium chip for high-end servers on Tuesday. The company has already begun shipping the chips to server vendors.
McAfee: Hackers learning from open source
Hackers are taking a page from the open-source playbook, using the same techniques that made Linux and Apache successes to improve their malicious software, according to McAfee Inc.
IBM to support Xen virtualization through Suse
IBM Corp.'s low-end servers and middleware for the first time will support XenSource Inc.'s open-source Xen virtualization technology, since it's included in Novell Inc.'s new Suse Linux distribution, IBM announced Monday.
New companies join Linux phone group
Several companies including Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) and ZTE Corp. have joined the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum, the group announced on Monday.
Suit over Google PageRank faces hard fight
A company suing Google Inc. over low page rankings has been given a chance to bolster its case, but the attempt to take on the search giant on behalf of all sites left behind appears to be an uphill battle.
Microsoft pulls plug on private-folder software
Responding to pressure from corporate users, Microsoft Corp. Friday pulled free software from the Web that allowed users sharing Windows PCs to shield information from other users in a private folder.
OPINION
A Storage Story
By James Gaskin
It's like a heartbeat: more STORage, more STORage, more STORage. Space you have today must increase tomorrow. I called up Gary Gammon, Senior VP of Marketing at Bell Micro (.com) a "storage-centric value added distributor" to see how the storage world spins.
ITWHIRLED
Google Maps to Malta: You are nothing
The tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta has been overlooked by many over the centuries, but you'd think that with its heroic resistance to Nazi bombers during World War II and recent European Union membership, it would finally start getting some respect. Well, it's not getting any from Google, anyway: Google Maps reveals a broad blue expanse where Malta should be.
Today's IT News Audio Update
Microsoft pulls private folder software ... Novell offers new release of Suse Linux for enterprise ... HP Labs shows prototype wireless memory chip
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Salesforce.com turns 20, targets SAP R/3 users
News: HP announces grain-sized wireless memory chip
News: Intel to launch Montecito server chip Tuesday
News: McAfee: Hackers learning from open source
Opinion: A Storage Story
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: Google Maps to Malta: You are nothing
NEWS UPDATES
Salesforce.com turns 20, targets SAP R/3 users
Salesforce.com Inc. will officially unveil the 20th generation of its hosted CRM (customer relationship management) software Monday, as well as announcing a connector integrating its CRM software-as-a-service with SAP AG's R/3 ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications.
HP announces grain-sized wireless memory chip
Hewlett-Packard Co. researchers have developed a memory chip with wireless networking capabilities that is roughly the same size as a grain of rice, the company said Monday.
Intel to launch Montecito server chip Tuesday
Intel Corp. will launch its often-delayed "Montecito" dual-core Itanium chip for high-end servers on Tuesday. The company has already begun shipping the chips to server vendors.
McAfee: Hackers learning from open source
Hackers are taking a page from the open-source playbook, using the same techniques that made Linux and Apache successes to improve their malicious software, according to McAfee Inc.
IBM to support Xen virtualization through Suse
IBM Corp.'s low-end servers and middleware for the first time will support XenSource Inc.'s open-source Xen virtualization technology, since it's included in Novell Inc.'s new Suse Linux distribution, IBM announced Monday.
New companies join Linux phone group
Several companies including Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) and ZTE Corp. have joined the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum, the group announced on Monday.
Suit over Google PageRank faces hard fight
A company suing Google Inc. over low page rankings has been given a chance to bolster its case, but the attempt to take on the search giant on behalf of all sites left behind appears to be an uphill battle.
Microsoft pulls plug on private-folder software
Responding to pressure from corporate users, Microsoft Corp. Friday pulled free software from the Web that allowed users sharing Windows PCs to shield information from other users in a private folder.
OPINION
A Storage Story
By James Gaskin
It's like a heartbeat: more STORage, more STORage, more STORage. Space you have today must increase tomorrow. I called up Gary Gammon, Senior VP of Marketing at Bell Micro (.com) a "storage-centric value added distributor" to see how the storage world spins.
ITWHIRLED
Google Maps to Malta: You are nothing
The tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta has been overlooked by many over the centuries, but you'd think that with its heroic resistance to Nazi bombers during World War II and recent European Union membership, it would finally start getting some respect. Well, it's not getting any from Google, anyway: Google Maps reveals a broad blue expanse where Malta should be.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Chinese team cracks Skype protocol ... Judge gives suit against Google another shot
Today's IT News Audio Update
Chinese team cracks Skype protocol ... Judge gives suit against Google another shot ... U.S. states sue DRAM maker on price fixing
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Chinese company claims Skype protocol cracked
News: DRAM makers face price fixing suit from 34 states
News: Judge gives suit against Google another shot
News: Phishers try to beat banks' strong authentication
Opinion: WIKIs - a tipping point for the Web?
ITwhirled: A great geek T-shirt could be yours. Learn how!
NEWS UPDATES
Chinese company claims Skype protocol cracked
Skype Ltd. is dismissing a claim by a small team of Chinese engineers who say they have reverse engineered the protocol used for Skype Internet phone calls.
DRAM makers face price fixing suit from 34 states
California and 33 other U.S. states plan to file a joint antitrust lawsuit against seven DRAM (dynamic RAM) makers over alleged price fixing, adding to industry woes amid an ongoing federal investigation that has already led to $731 million in fines.
Judge gives suit against Google another shot
A federal judge Thursday gave a company suing Google Inc. a chance to amend its complaint before he decides whether to dismiss the case.
Phishers try to beat banks' strong authentication
Scammers have found a way around new token-based authentication systems that have been adopted by some banks. Over the past few weeks, approximately 35 phishing Web sites have been set up that use the new attack.
China jails journalist over Internet articles
Chinese authorities have jailed a journalist for two years for posting articles that were critical of Chinese society and called for democratic reforms on the Internet, a media watchdog group said Thursday.
Study: Wi-Fi users are no freeloaders
Offering free Wi-Fi can get a café more customers, and they're browsers not table-hogs, according to a study of Paris coffee shops.
OPINION
WIKIs - a tipping point for the Web?
By Sean McGrath
If the Web was a botanical thing, what would it look like? Something like ivy perhaps? A life form that spreads itself by inter-twining with all other matter in its wake. A life form that latches on to any opportunity that comes its way to spread itself even further afield.
Today's IT News Audio Update
Chinese team cracks Skype protocol ... Judge gives suit against Google another shot ... U.S. states sue DRAM maker on price fixing
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Chinese company claims Skype protocol cracked
News: DRAM makers face price fixing suit from 34 states
News: Judge gives suit against Google another shot
News: Phishers try to beat banks' strong authentication
Opinion: WIKIs - a tipping point for the Web?
ITwhirled: A great geek T-shirt could be yours. Learn how!
NEWS UPDATES
Chinese company claims Skype protocol cracked
Skype Ltd. is dismissing a claim by a small team of Chinese engineers who say they have reverse engineered the protocol used for Skype Internet phone calls.
DRAM makers face price fixing suit from 34 states
California and 33 other U.S. states plan to file a joint antitrust lawsuit against seven DRAM (dynamic RAM) makers over alleged price fixing, adding to industry woes amid an ongoing federal investigation that has already led to $731 million in fines.
Judge gives suit against Google another shot
A federal judge Thursday gave a company suing Google Inc. a chance to amend its complaint before he decides whether to dismiss the case.
Phishers try to beat banks' strong authentication
Scammers have found a way around new token-based authentication systems that have been adopted by some banks. Over the past few weeks, approximately 35 phishing Web sites have been set up that use the new attack.
China jails journalist over Internet articles
Chinese authorities have jailed a journalist for two years for posting articles that were critical of Chinese society and called for democratic reforms on the Internet, a media watchdog group said Thursday.
Study: Wi-Fi users are no freeloaders
Offering free Wi-Fi can get a café more customers, and they're browsers not table-hogs, according to a study of Paris coffee shops.
OPINION
WIKIs - a tipping point for the Web?
By Sean McGrath
If the Web was a botanical thing, what would it look like? Something like ivy perhaps? A life form that spreads itself by inter-twining with all other matter in its wake. A life form that latches on to any opportunity that comes its way to spread itself even further afield.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Yahoo, Microsoft make IM clients interoperate ... Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
Today's IT News Audio Update
U.S. Judge questions telecom mergers ... Yahoo, Microsoft make IM clients interoperate ... Congress pushes for energy-efficient servers
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
News: Microsoft and Vodafone to help produce Palm's next Treo
News: Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS
Windows Tip: Resources for Regulatory Compliance
ITwhirled: 10 Really bad ideas
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
Microsoft Corp. released a new version of its operating system for businesses this week that extends the life of older PCs by effectively turning them into thin-client computers.
Microsoft and Vodafone to help produce Palm's next Treo
Palm Inc. will collaborate with Vodafone Group PLC and Microsoft Corp. to create a new smart phone, the device maker said on Thursday.
Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS
Computer researchers in Europe are developing a new prototype architecture for halting distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks, where a barrage of traffic is directed at a Web site or server to shut it down.
Microsoft says E.U. fine won't affect Vista launch
European Commission fines levied against Microsoft Corp. won't affect the launch of Windows Vista, the head of the software maker's Japanese unit said Thursday.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 facing hurdles in Japan
When Microsoft Corp. launched its Xbox 360 in Japan last year, it hoped things were going to get better for its games business in the country.
Microsoft, Yahoo make IM clients interoperate
Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. for the first time will allow interoperability between the consumer versions of their instant-messaging (IM) clients, the companies said Wednesday.
Researcher to show code for 'wormable' Windows flaw
With security vendors worrying that a recently patched Windows bug may lead to a major worm outbreak, the researcher who discovered the flaw said Wednesday that he is weeks away from releasing code that exploits the problem.
Sony rated top brand in U.S. for 7th year in a row
Sony Corp. was ranked the best brand in the U.S. for the seventh year in a row, Harris Interactive Inc. said Wednesday.
WINDOWS TIP
Resources for Regulatory Compliance
By Mitch Tulloch
Ensuring your company's IT infrastructure is compliant is no easy job. For one thing, you must first be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to your industry. Next you must be aware of how these laws impact IT operations. And finally, you must develop a set of internal procedures and controls to ensure your enterprise complies with these laws and regulations and can stand the test of an external audit or even worse, a lawsuit. Here are three resources to check out.
Today's IT News Audio Update
U.S. Judge questions telecom mergers ... Yahoo, Microsoft make IM clients interoperate ... Congress pushes for energy-efficient servers
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
News: Microsoft and Vodafone to help produce Palm's next Treo
News: Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS
Windows Tip: Resources for Regulatory Compliance
ITwhirled: 10 Really bad ideas
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
Microsoft Corp. released a new version of its operating system for businesses this week that extends the life of older PCs by effectively turning them into thin-client computers.
Microsoft and Vodafone to help produce Palm's next Treo
Palm Inc. will collaborate with Vodafone Group PLC and Microsoft Corp. to create a new smart phone, the device maker said on Thursday.
Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS
Computer researchers in Europe are developing a new prototype architecture for halting distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks, where a barrage of traffic is directed at a Web site or server to shut it down.
Microsoft says E.U. fine won't affect Vista launch
European Commission fines levied against Microsoft Corp. won't affect the launch of Windows Vista, the head of the software maker's Japanese unit said Thursday.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 facing hurdles in Japan
When Microsoft Corp. launched its Xbox 360 in Japan last year, it hoped things were going to get better for its games business in the country.
Microsoft, Yahoo make IM clients interoperate
Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. for the first time will allow interoperability between the consumer versions of their instant-messaging (IM) clients, the companies said Wednesday.
Researcher to show code for 'wormable' Windows flaw
With security vendors worrying that a recently patched Windows bug may lead to a major worm outbreak, the researcher who discovered the flaw said Wednesday that he is weeks away from releasing code that exploits the problem.
Sony rated top brand in U.S. for 7th year in a row
Sony Corp. was ranked the best brand in the U.S. for the seventh year in a row, Harris Interactive Inc. said Wednesday.
WINDOWS TIP
Resources for Regulatory Compliance
By Mitch Tulloch
Ensuring your company's IT infrastructure is compliant is no easy job. For one thing, you must first be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to your industry. Next you must be aware of how these laws impact IT operations. And finally, you must develop a set of internal procedures and controls to ensure your enterprise complies with these laws and regulations and can stand the test of an external audit or even worse, a lawsuit. Here are three resources to check out.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
E.U. fines Microsoft €280.5 million ... Lycos sells Wired News
Today's IT News Audio Update
E.U. fines Microsoft €280.5 million ... Infosys revenue reflects outsourcing boom .... Lycos sells Wired News
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft fined €280.5 million by E.U.
News: Infosys expects up to 36 percent annual growth
News: Mumbai blasts should not affect investment to India
News: Lycos sells Wired News to Condé Nast
TopCoder Challenge: Paper Rock Scissors Qualifications
Opinion: Easier Desktop Fixes
ITwhirled: Fighting back against the panopticon: Lawyer sues dishy Website
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft fined €280.5 million by E.U.
The European Commission has fined Microsoft Corp. €280.5 million ($357 million) for failing to comply with the terms of a March 2004 antitrust judgement against it, the Commission said on Wednesday.
Infosys expects up to 36 percent annual growth
Infosys Technologies Ltd. on Wednesday said it expects revenue to grow by up to 36 percent in its fiscal year to March 31 next year, reflecting an overall buoyancy in the Indian outsourcing industry.
Mumbai blasts should not affect investment to India
The terrorist attacks Tuesday on trains in the western India city of Mumbai appeared unlikely to dampen investments and outsourcing to India, which has weathered such tragedy before with resilience.
Lycos sells Wired News to Condé Nast
Condé Nast Publications Inc. will reunite the print and online components of Wired magazine by purchasing Wired News from Lycos Inc. for $25 million, Lycos said Tuesday.
Microsoft offers incentives to SMB, enterprise partners
Microsoft Corp. will announce a mix of new products and programs Wednesday designed to appeal to partners looking for more revenue opportunities among small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), enterprise applications and security software.
Symbian aims for the masses with smart phone upgrade
Symbian Ltd. introduced the latest version of its smart phone operating system on Wednesday, adding support for new wireless technologies and capabilities aimed at pushing smart phones into the mass market.
Google opening Michigan AdWords center
Google Inc. will open a sales and operations center for its AdWords online advertising program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the State of Michigan announced Tuesday.
Secure Computing to buy CipherTrust
Secure Computing Corp. plans to acquire e-mail security vendor CipherTrust Inc. in a deal valued at close to $274 million.
TOPCODER CHALLENGE
Think you have what it takes to be a top coder? Try your hand at this week's problem:
Paper Rock Scissors Qualifications.
OPINION
Easier Desktop Fixes
By James Gaskin
A couple of months ago, my frustration at computers in general boiled over and I wrote "Sidestepping technical pain: 28 years later, personal computing still sucks far too often". As you might imagine, readers sent notes complaining that automated intelligence seems far too slow in arriving to the personal computer support market.
Of course, the keyboard often separates the monitor from the problem source, but physically abusing users still causes more legal hassle than most network administrators can tolerate. Users: can't live without them, but bury just one under the parking lot and you never hear the end of it.
Today's IT News Audio Update
E.U. fines Microsoft €280.5 million ... Infosys revenue reflects outsourcing boom .... Lycos sells Wired News
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft fined €280.5 million by E.U.
News: Infosys expects up to 36 percent annual growth
News: Mumbai blasts should not affect investment to India
News: Lycos sells Wired News to Condé Nast
TopCoder Challenge: Paper Rock Scissors Qualifications
Opinion: Easier Desktop Fixes
ITwhirled: Fighting back against the panopticon: Lawyer sues dishy Website
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft fined €280.5 million by E.U.
The European Commission has fined Microsoft Corp. €280.5 million ($357 million) for failing to comply with the terms of a March 2004 antitrust judgement against it, the Commission said on Wednesday.
Infosys expects up to 36 percent annual growth
Infosys Technologies Ltd. on Wednesday said it expects revenue to grow by up to 36 percent in its fiscal year to March 31 next year, reflecting an overall buoyancy in the Indian outsourcing industry.
Mumbai blasts should not affect investment to India
The terrorist attacks Tuesday on trains in the western India city of Mumbai appeared unlikely to dampen investments and outsourcing to India, which has weathered such tragedy before with resilience.
Lycos sells Wired News to Condé Nast
Condé Nast Publications Inc. will reunite the print and online components of Wired magazine by purchasing Wired News from Lycos Inc. for $25 million, Lycos said Tuesday.
Microsoft offers incentives to SMB, enterprise partners
Microsoft Corp. will announce a mix of new products and programs Wednesday designed to appeal to partners looking for more revenue opportunities among small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), enterprise applications and security software.
Symbian aims for the masses with smart phone upgrade
Symbian Ltd. introduced the latest version of its smart phone operating system on Wednesday, adding support for new wireless technologies and capabilities aimed at pushing smart phones into the mass market.
Google opening Michigan AdWords center
Google Inc. will open a sales and operations center for its AdWords online advertising program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the State of Michigan announced Tuesday.
Secure Computing to buy CipherTrust
Secure Computing Corp. plans to acquire e-mail security vendor CipherTrust Inc. in a deal valued at close to $274 million.
TOPCODER CHALLENGE
Think you have what it takes to be a top coder? Try your hand at this week's problem:
Paper Rock Scissors Qualifications.
OPINION
Easier Desktop Fixes
By James Gaskin
A couple of months ago, my frustration at computers in general boiled over and I wrote "Sidestepping technical pain: 28 years later, personal computing still sucks far too often". As you might imagine, readers sent notes complaining that automated intelligence seems far too slow in arriving to the personal computer support market.
Of course, the keyboard often separates the monitor from the problem source, but physically abusing users still causes more legal hassle than most network administrators can tolerate. Users: can't live without them, but bury just one under the parking lot and you never hear the end of it.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Sun launches Opteron-based servers ... Firefox 2.0 set for beta release
Today's IT News Audio Update
European Commission to raise Microsoft fine .... Firefox 2.0 set for beta release ... Sun launches Opteron-based servers
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Sun's new Opteron servers aimed at data center
News: Microsoft to take Dynamics CRM Live in Q2 2007
News: Alcatel sees Q2 revenue and Lucent merger on target
News: Firefox 2.0 beta coming this week
Opinion: Your hardware supplier is really your competitor
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: Goddesses dispel geek stereotypes
NEWS UPDATES
Sun's new Opteron servers aimed at data center
Sun Microsystems Inc. launched three Opteron-based servers Tuesday, positioning them as midrange servers to be used for network computing in data centers.
Microsoft to take Dynamics CRM Live in Q2 2007
Microsoft Corp.'s Dynamics CRM (customer relationship management) product will become its third Live hosted service, following in the footsteps of its Windows Live and Office Live software-as-a-service offerings, the company announced Tuesday.
Alcatel sees Q2 revenue and Lucent merger on target
Alcatel SA expects to see a 7.5 percent year-on-year increase in revenue for the second quarter, in line with earlier projections, the company announced late Monday. Its merger with U.S. counterpart Lucent Technologies Inc. is also on track, with completion expected by year-end, it said.
E.U. may increase Microsoft daily fine
The European Commission has decided to increase the daily penalty against Microsoft Corp. for failing to honor the antitrust ruling against it, to €3 million a day from €2 million a day, a person close to the Commission said Tuesday.
Microsoft launches latest small biz bundle
Microsoft Corp. plans to officially launch its Windows Small Business Server 2003 release 2 (SBS 2003 R2) integrated software bundle Tuesday.
Firefox 2.0 beta coming this week
The first beta version of the Firefox 2.0 browser could be released as soon as Tuesday, according to a note posted to Mozilla Corp.'s Web site.
IBM launches low cost server for small business ERP
In a move to reassure small-business customers that it plans to support Oracle Corp.'s software products for years to come, IBM Corp. announced a server package on Tuesday.
OPINION
Your hardware supplier is really your competitor
By Joel Shore
Storage giant EMC's announcement that it plans to acquire security technology provider RSA will more closely meld storage and security into a single continuum rather than separate technologies that don't co-exist seamlessly. That's not only good, but necessary as stories about the theft of unencrypted, in-the-clear data files make the evening news seemingly weekly.
Today's IT News Audio Update
European Commission to raise Microsoft fine .... Firefox 2.0 set for beta release ... Sun launches Opteron-based servers
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Sun's new Opteron servers aimed at data center
News: Microsoft to take Dynamics CRM Live in Q2 2007
News: Alcatel sees Q2 revenue and Lucent merger on target
News: Firefox 2.0 beta coming this week
Opinion: Your hardware supplier is really your competitor
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: Goddesses dispel geek stereotypes
NEWS UPDATES
Sun's new Opteron servers aimed at data center
Sun Microsystems Inc. launched three Opteron-based servers Tuesday, positioning them as midrange servers to be used for network computing in data centers.
Microsoft to take Dynamics CRM Live in Q2 2007
Microsoft Corp.'s Dynamics CRM (customer relationship management) product will become its third Live hosted service, following in the footsteps of its Windows Live and Office Live software-as-a-service offerings, the company announced Tuesday.
Alcatel sees Q2 revenue and Lucent merger on target
Alcatel SA expects to see a 7.5 percent year-on-year increase in revenue for the second quarter, in line with earlier projections, the company announced late Monday. Its merger with U.S. counterpart Lucent Technologies Inc. is also on track, with completion expected by year-end, it said.
E.U. may increase Microsoft daily fine
The European Commission has decided to increase the daily penalty against Microsoft Corp. for failing to honor the antitrust ruling against it, to €3 million a day from €2 million a day, a person close to the Commission said Tuesday.
Microsoft launches latest small biz bundle
Microsoft Corp. plans to officially launch its Windows Small Business Server 2003 release 2 (SBS 2003 R2) integrated software bundle Tuesday.
Firefox 2.0 beta coming this week
The first beta version of the Firefox 2.0 browser could be released as soon as Tuesday, according to a note posted to Mozilla Corp.'s Web site.
IBM launches low cost server for small business ERP
In a move to reassure small-business customers that it plans to support Oracle Corp.'s software products for years to come, IBM Corp. announced a server package on Tuesday.
OPINION
Your hardware supplier is really your competitor
By Joel Shore
Storage giant EMC's announcement that it plans to acquire security technology provider RSA will more closely meld storage and security into a single continuum rather than separate technologies that don't co-exist seamlessly. That's not only good, but necessary as stories about the theft of unencrypted, in-the-clear data files make the evening news seemingly weekly.
Monday, July 10, 2006
MS moves to per-user pricing for Dynamics; IBM's Notes to run natively on Linux
Daily IT News Audio Update
Yahoo expands its travelers' aid ... IBM's Notes to finally run natively on Linux ... U.K. officials doubt national ID plan
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft moves to per-user pricing for Dynamics
News: Oracle finds buyer for Siebel's OnTarget operation
News: IBM's Notes to finally run natively on Linux
Opinion: Pain/Gain Thresholds in Software Engineering
Tip: Revisiting Group Policy Refresh
ITwhirled: 2+2=5 (for extremely large values of 2)
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft moves to per-user pricing for Dynamics
Microsoft Corp. is streamlining the pricing of its four Dynamics ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications families from a per-module basis to a per-user basis as a way to make it easier for its partners to sell the software, the company announced Monday.
Oracle finds buyer for Siebel's OnTarget operation
Oracle Corp. has found a buyer for the OnTarget sales consultancy it acquired through the purchase of CRM (customer relationship management) software vendor Siebel, five months after putting the OnTarget business up for sale, the vendor announced Monday.
IBM's Notes to finally run natively on Linux
IBM Corp. is to announce Monday that its Lotus Notes desktop collaboration software will finally fully support the Linux operating system. It's a move users have long been demanding, with those wanting to run the Notes client on the open-source operating system previously having to resort to Web clients or software emulation.
INTERVIEW
McAfee ready to hold its own against Microsoft
George Samenuk, the chairman and chief executive of McAfee Inc., is not losing any sleep over Microsoft Corp.'s impending entry into the security software market, saying Microsoft's effort falls short of what customers need. Samenuk sat down with IDG News Service during a recent visit Beijing to discuss Microsoft's plans for Windows Live OneCare and McAfee's response.
OPINION
Pain/Gain Thresholds in Software Engineering
By Sean McGrath
When I am down in the bowels of a software development project, I can easily spend 50 hours a week pounding at a keyboard. My wife tells me that when I am doing that, I wear a permanent look of complete puzzlement on my face.
TIP
Revisiting Group Policy Refresh
By Mitch Tulloch
In a recent tip here in Windows in the Enterprise, I mentioned that administrators could remotely refresh Group Policy on desktop computers using a free tool from Sysinternals called psexec and that this can save them the labor of touching (visiting) desktops when Group Policy refresh needs to be forced for some reason. Several readers of this newsletter commented afterward that there are other tools that can be used to do this, and this week I'd like to thank these readers for their feedback and highlight their suggestions.
Daily IT News Audio Update
Yahoo expands its travelers' aid ... IBM's Notes to finally run natively on Linux ... U.K. officials doubt national ID plan
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft moves to per-user pricing for Dynamics
News: Oracle finds buyer for Siebel's OnTarget operation
News: IBM's Notes to finally run natively on Linux
Opinion: Pain/Gain Thresholds in Software Engineering
Tip: Revisiting Group Policy Refresh
ITwhirled: 2+2=5 (for extremely large values of 2)
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft moves to per-user pricing for Dynamics
Microsoft Corp. is streamlining the pricing of its four Dynamics ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications families from a per-module basis to a per-user basis as a way to make it easier for its partners to sell the software, the company announced Monday.
Oracle finds buyer for Siebel's OnTarget operation
Oracle Corp. has found a buyer for the OnTarget sales consultancy it acquired through the purchase of CRM (customer relationship management) software vendor Siebel, five months after putting the OnTarget business up for sale, the vendor announced Monday.
IBM's Notes to finally run natively on Linux
IBM Corp. is to announce Monday that its Lotus Notes desktop collaboration software will finally fully support the Linux operating system. It's a move users have long been demanding, with those wanting to run the Notes client on the open-source operating system previously having to resort to Web clients or software emulation.
INTERVIEW
McAfee ready to hold its own against Microsoft
George Samenuk, the chairman and chief executive of McAfee Inc., is not losing any sleep over Microsoft Corp.'s impending entry into the security software market, saying Microsoft's effort falls short of what customers need. Samenuk sat down with IDG News Service during a recent visit Beijing to discuss Microsoft's plans for Windows Live OneCare and McAfee's response.
OPINION
Pain/Gain Thresholds in Software Engineering
By Sean McGrath
When I am down in the bowels of a software development project, I can easily spend 50 hours a week pounding at a keyboard. My wife tells me that when I am doing that, I wear a permanent look of complete puzzlement on my face.
TIP
Revisiting Group Policy Refresh
By Mitch Tulloch
In a recent tip here in Windows in the Enterprise, I mentioned that administrators could remotely refresh Group Policy on desktop computers using a free tool from Sysinternals called psexec and that this can save them the labor of touching (visiting) desktops when Group Policy refresh needs to be forced for some reason. Several readers of this newsletter commented afterward that there are other tools that can be used to do this, and this week I'd like to thank these readers for their feedback and highlight their suggestions.
Friday, July 07, 2006
EBay prohibits Google checkout service ... Negroponte updates $100 laptop initiative
Today's IT news audio update
EBay prohibits Google checkout service .... AMD lowers revenue forecast .... Negroponte updates $100 laptop initiative
HIGHLIGHTS
News: EBay bans Google payment system
News: Japan scrutinizing tech sales after missile tests
News: July to be another big patch month for Microsoft
News: Paris plans 400 free Wi-Fi hotspots, high-tech seating
News: Negroponte gives $100 laptop update
ITwhirled: 10 people in the tech biz who don't matter
NEWS UPDATES
EBay bans Google payment system
EBay Inc. customers won't be able to use the newly launched Google Checkout service to buy products, according to the auction Web site.
Japan scrutinizing tech sales after missile tests
Japanese companies are likely to face greater scrutiny on certain international sales of IT equipment following North Korea's firing of seven missiles into the Sea of Japan early Wednesday.
July to be another big patch month for Microsoft
With online attackers taking advantage of holes in its Office software, Microsoft Corp. plans to release seven software patches next week.
Paris plans 400 free Wi-Fi hotspots, high-tech seating
Paris plans to offer visitors and citizens free Internet access over Wi-Fi at 400 hotspots across the city, with the goal of city-wide Wi-Fi coverage by the end of 2007. The city administration will also encourage development of new street furniture to make laptop users more comfortable, it said this week.
Negroponte gives $100 laptop update
M.I.T. Media Lab co-founder Nicholas Negroponte showed off the latest prototype of the US$100 computer to a gathering of educators in San Diego Thursday.
TIP
Windows Tip: Troubleshooting Cached Logons
By Mitch Tulloch
How can you determine whether you've either successfully logged onto a domain or are merely logged onto your own computer using cached domain credentials? One way to do this is to use Event Viewer to check your System log for an occurrence of event 5719 around the time when you last tried to log on to the domain. An even easier way to do this is to use the following script I wrote to query the System log on my machine for the most recent occurrence of event 5719. Read more.
Today's IT news audio update
EBay prohibits Google checkout service .... AMD lowers revenue forecast .... Negroponte updates $100 laptop initiative
HIGHLIGHTS
News: EBay bans Google payment system
News: Japan scrutinizing tech sales after missile tests
News: July to be another big patch month for Microsoft
News: Paris plans 400 free Wi-Fi hotspots, high-tech seating
News: Negroponte gives $100 laptop update
ITwhirled: 10 people in the tech biz who don't matter
NEWS UPDATES
EBay bans Google payment system
EBay Inc. customers won't be able to use the newly launched Google Checkout service to buy products, according to the auction Web site.
Japan scrutinizing tech sales after missile tests
Japanese companies are likely to face greater scrutiny on certain international sales of IT equipment following North Korea's firing of seven missiles into the Sea of Japan early Wednesday.
July to be another big patch month for Microsoft
With online attackers taking advantage of holes in its Office software, Microsoft Corp. plans to release seven software patches next week.
Paris plans 400 free Wi-Fi hotspots, high-tech seating
Paris plans to offer visitors and citizens free Internet access over Wi-Fi at 400 hotspots across the city, with the goal of city-wide Wi-Fi coverage by the end of 2007. The city administration will also encourage development of new street furniture to make laptop users more comfortable, it said this week.
Negroponte gives $100 laptop update
M.I.T. Media Lab co-founder Nicholas Negroponte showed off the latest prototype of the US$100 computer to a gathering of educators in San Diego Thursday.
TIP
Windows Tip: Troubleshooting Cached Logons
By Mitch Tulloch
How can you determine whether you've either successfully logged onto a domain or are merely logged onto your own computer using cached domain credentials? One way to do this is to use Event Viewer to check your System log for an occurrence of event 5719 around the time when you last tried to log on to the domain. An even easier way to do this is to use the following script I wrote to query the System log on my machine for the most recent occurrence of event 5719. Read more.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Microsoft to integrate OpenDocument for Office ... McAfee sees 400,000 virus definitions by 2008
Today's IT news audio update
Toshiba bows to Rambus SDRAM licensing ... Regulations could slow IPTV
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Rambus wins another round in SDRAM fight
News: Regulatory hurdles worry IPTV industry
News: McAfee sees 400,000 virus definitions by 2008
News: Trojan attacks on the rise, report finds
Tip: Killing Idle Logins with idled
ITwhirled: Font raid!
NEWS UPDATES
Rambus wins another round in SDRAM fight
Rambus Inc. has added another memory chip maker, Toshiba Corp., to the stable of companies finally agreeing to pay a contentious licensing fee for its SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) and DDR (double data rate) SDRAM memory technology.
Regulatory hurdles worry IPTV industry
Regulations and customer understanding are the two biggest barriers to the success of IPTV (Internet Protocol television), say operators, content providers and vendors that participated in a survey done by the Economist Intelligence Unit Ltd. and Accenture Ltd.
McAfee sees 400,000 virus definitions by 2008M
Although widespread virus outbreaks may be a thing of the past, the total amount of malicious software being written is on the rise, according to McAfee Inc.
Targeted Trojan attacks on the rise, report finds
Computer hackers are increasingly tailoring attacks using Trojan horse programs for certain businesses in hopes of filching intellectual property, a new security report released Thursday said.
TIP
Killing Idle Logins with idled
By Sandra Henry Stocker
If you want to allow one group of users to remain idle for several hours while constraining another to only 15 minutes of idle time, you need a sophisticated tool. "Idled" is a small software application that closes idle user sessions. Here's how.
Today's IT news audio update
Toshiba bows to Rambus SDRAM licensing ... Regulations could slow IPTV
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Rambus wins another round in SDRAM fight
News: Regulatory hurdles worry IPTV industry
News: McAfee sees 400,000 virus definitions by 2008
News: Trojan attacks on the rise, report finds
Tip: Killing Idle Logins with idled
ITwhirled: Font raid!
NEWS UPDATES
Rambus wins another round in SDRAM fight
Rambus Inc. has added another memory chip maker, Toshiba Corp., to the stable of companies finally agreeing to pay a contentious licensing fee for its SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) and DDR (double data rate) SDRAM memory technology.
Regulatory hurdles worry IPTV industry
Regulations and customer understanding are the two biggest barriers to the success of IPTV (Internet Protocol television), say operators, content providers and vendors that participated in a survey done by the Economist Intelligence Unit Ltd. and Accenture Ltd.
McAfee sees 400,000 virus definitions by 2008M
Although widespread virus outbreaks may be a thing of the past, the total amount of malicious software being written is on the rise, according to McAfee Inc.
Targeted Trojan attacks on the rise, report finds
Computer hackers are increasingly tailoring attacks using Trojan horse programs for certain businesses in hopes of filching intellectual property, a new security report released Thursday said.
TIP
Killing Idle Logins with idled
By Sandra Henry Stocker
If you want to allow one group of users to remain idle for several hours while constraining another to only 15 minutes of idle time, you need a sophisticated tool. "Idled" is a small software application that closes idle user sessions. Here's how.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Yahoo-MSN IM interoperability delayed ... IBM faces fewer claims in SCO suit
Today's IT news audio update
Taiwan invests $3.1 billion in Web 2.0 ... Judge denies some claims in SCO case against IBM .... U.K. domain body calls truce with ICANN
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Yahoo-MSN IM interoperability behind schedule
News: ICANN settles feud with country-code TLD operator
News: BenQ Mobile to lay off 10 percent of workforce
News: IBM faces fewer claims in SCO lawsuit
Opinion: Killing Idle Logins
ITwhirled: 2+2=5
NEWS UPDATES
Yahoo-MSN IM interoperability behind schedule
Yahoo and Microsoft Corp. said late last year that they would launch a service in the second quarter of this year that would allow their customers to send and receive messages and share buddy lists between the two instant messaging (IM) networks. With the second quarter come and gone, representatives from both companies say the interoperable service will launch globally "very soon."
ICANN settles feud with country-code TLD operator
The company that manages the U.K.'s top-level domain has struck a truce with the U.S.-based organization responsible for overseeing Internet domain names, cooling ongoing disagreements over administrative control of the Internet.
BenQ Mobile to lay off 10 percent of workforce
BenQ Mobile plans to lay off up to 10 percent of its German workforce as part of a restructuring plan meant to return the handset maker to profitability.
IBM faces fewer claims in SCO lawsuit
A U.S. judge has tossed out almost 200 of The SCO Group Inc.'s claims of intellectual property violation against IBM Corp. on the grounds that SCO didn't identify the alleged infringements in enough detail.
Google tries to have page-ranking suit dismissed
Google Inc. can use any criteria it wishes to rank Web sites, including downgrading competitors, a lawyer for the search giant told a federal judge Friday.
OPINION
Killing Idle Logins
By Sandra Henry-Stocker
It is not at all unusual for systems administrators to get a little antsy when users' login sessions sit idle for hours or days. Not only can login session consume resources, tie up software licenses and prevent file systems from being unmounted but, since we generally can't see what is going on at the user end of these sessions, we don't know whether these users could provide opportunities for unauthorized individuals to execute commands and access data under the guise of authorized users. A user who leaves for lunch without logging out or securing his login sessions by locking his screen, for example, might be giving someone else a chance to run commands using his account.
Read the full article here
Today's IT news audio update
Taiwan invests $3.1 billion in Web 2.0 ... Judge denies some claims in SCO case against IBM .... U.K. domain body calls truce with ICANN
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Yahoo-MSN IM interoperability behind schedule
News: ICANN settles feud with country-code TLD operator
News: BenQ Mobile to lay off 10 percent of workforce
News: IBM faces fewer claims in SCO lawsuit
Opinion: Killing Idle Logins
ITwhirled: 2+2=5
NEWS UPDATES
Yahoo-MSN IM interoperability behind schedule
Yahoo and Microsoft Corp. said late last year that they would launch a service in the second quarter of this year that would allow their customers to send and receive messages and share buddy lists between the two instant messaging (IM) networks. With the second quarter come and gone, representatives from both companies say the interoperable service will launch globally "very soon."
ICANN settles feud with country-code TLD operator
The company that manages the U.K.'s top-level domain has struck a truce with the U.S.-based organization responsible for overseeing Internet domain names, cooling ongoing disagreements over administrative control of the Internet.
BenQ Mobile to lay off 10 percent of workforce
BenQ Mobile plans to lay off up to 10 percent of its German workforce as part of a restructuring plan meant to return the handset maker to profitability.
IBM faces fewer claims in SCO lawsuit
A U.S. judge has tossed out almost 200 of The SCO Group Inc.'s claims of intellectual property violation against IBM Corp. on the grounds that SCO didn't identify the alleged infringements in enough detail.
Google tries to have page-ranking suit dismissed
Google Inc. can use any criteria it wishes to rank Web sites, including downgrading competitors, a lawyer for the search giant told a federal judge Friday.
OPINION
Killing Idle Logins
By Sandra Henry-Stocker
It is not at all unusual for systems administrators to get a little antsy when users' login sessions sit idle for hours or days. Not only can login session consume resources, tie up software licenses and prevent file systems from being unmounted but, since we generally can't see what is going on at the user end of these sessions, we don't know whether these users could provide opportunities for unauthorized individuals to execute commands and access data under the guise of authorized users. A user who leaves for lunch without logging out or securing his login sessions by locking his screen, for example, might be giving someone else a chance to run commands using his account.
Read the full article here
Friday, June 30, 2006
EMC to buy RSA for $2.1 billion ... MS faces class action suit over WGA tool
HIGHLIGHTS
News: EMC to buy RSA for $2.1 billion
News: Microsoft faces class action suit over WGA tool
News: Lawmakers: Two other data breaches at VA
News: Office 2007 delayed
Opinion: File Discovery Gets Easier
ITwhirled: Geek comic of the week: Herzog the Vile
NEWS UPDATES
EMC to buy RSA for $2.1 billion
Continuing its multiyear shopping spree, storage giant EMC Corp. said Thursday it would acquire RSA Security Inc. for about $2.1 billion.
Microsoft faces class action suit over WGA tool
Microsoft Corp. is facing a class action suit over a tool that gathers data on a user's computer in an effort to detect bootlegged copies of its Windows operating system.
Lawmakers: Two other data breaches at VA
U.S. lawmakers said Thursday they have learned of two more data breaches at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) even as the agency announced that law enforcement agencies had recovered stolen computer hardware containing the personal information of millions of U.S. military veterans.
Office 2007 delayed
Office 2007 has hit another delay and will now probably ship a few months later than previously expected, Microsoft Corp. said Thursday.
Wall Street Beat: Networking under pressure
Facing a mature enterprise market and fierce price competition in the telecommunications infrastructure arena, networking vendors are coming under the gun.
Past returns to haunt CA with second delay in results
Seemingly unable to shake its troubled financial past, CA Inc. for the second time is delaying the filing of its final fourth-quarter and full-year 2006 results, the systems management and security software vendor announced Thursday.
OPINION
File Discovery Gets Easier
By James Gaskin
IT folks have always mistrusted people wearing thousand dollar suits. They used to be vice presidents coming to slash the IT budget. Now they're lawyers demanding thousands of files spread across years of data delivered in specific formats in incredibly short periods of time. Who knew we'd miss the budget cutting VPs?
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Google launches Checkout payment system ... Yahoo settles click-fraud suit
Today's IT News Audio Update
Google launches Checkout payment system ... Yahoo settles click-fraud suit ... EC suggests telco breakup
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Google to debut Checkout payments system
News: Yahoo settles click fraud suit
News: Researcher publishes details of Amazon.com, MSN holes
News: Red Hat inherits patent claim from JBoss
Research: Mobility Transcends Telephony
ITwhirled: 10 wimpiest cars of 2006
NEWS UPDATES
Google to debut Checkout payments system
Ending more than a year of speculation and rumors, Google Inc. plans to release on Thursday its much-awaited online payments system, likely surprising many because its reach will extend farther than previously thought.
Yahoo settles click fraud suit
Yahoo Inc. agreed to compensate advertisers for click fraud dating back to January 2004 as part of a settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit, the search company said on Wednesday.
Researcher publishes details of Amazon.com, MSN holes
Frustrated with what he calls a lack of response from Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc., a security researcher has gone public with details of flaws on the two companies' Web sites.
Red Hat inherits patent claim from JBoss
Red Hat Inc. faces a patent infringement lawsuit this week over an application that came under its wing as a result of its acquisition of JBoss Inc.
Google loses appeal in Louis Vuitton trademark suit
Google Inc.'s French subsidiary has lost its appeal in a trademark case brought by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, which complained that advertisers were using its name unfairly to sell goods online.
Senate panel narrowly rejects net neutrality
A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday, with a tie vote, rejected a proposal that would have required broadband providers to give their competitors the same speeds and quality of service as they give to themselves or their partners.
RESEARCH
Mobility Transcends Telephony
By Dan Blacharski
Business mobility means much more than having a cell phone, but the providers haven't yet delivered what business users need.
Today's IT News Audio Update
Google launches Checkout payment system ... Yahoo settles click-fraud suit ... EC suggests telco breakup
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Google to debut Checkout payments system
News: Yahoo settles click fraud suit
News: Researcher publishes details of Amazon.com, MSN holes
News: Red Hat inherits patent claim from JBoss
Research: Mobility Transcends Telephony
ITwhirled: 10 wimpiest cars of 2006
NEWS UPDATES
Google to debut Checkout payments system
Ending more than a year of speculation and rumors, Google Inc. plans to release on Thursday its much-awaited online payments system, likely surprising many because its reach will extend farther than previously thought.
Yahoo settles click fraud suit
Yahoo Inc. agreed to compensate advertisers for click fraud dating back to January 2004 as part of a settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit, the search company said on Wednesday.
Researcher publishes details of Amazon.com, MSN holes
Frustrated with what he calls a lack of response from Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc., a security researcher has gone public with details of flaws on the two companies' Web sites.
Red Hat inherits patent claim from JBoss
Red Hat Inc. faces a patent infringement lawsuit this week over an application that came under its wing as a result of its acquisition of JBoss Inc.
Google loses appeal in Louis Vuitton trademark suit
Google Inc.'s French subsidiary has lost its appeal in a trademark case brought by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, which complained that advertisers were using its name unfairly to sell goods online.
Senate panel narrowly rejects net neutrality
A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday, with a tie vote, rejected a proposal that would have required broadband providers to give their competitors the same speeds and quality of service as they give to themselves or their partners.
RESEARCH
Mobility Transcends Telephony
By Dan Blacharski
Business mobility means much more than having a cell phone, but the providers haven't yet delivered what business users need.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
IBM tops supercomputer list ... Security flaws persist in e-voting systems
Today's IT News Audio Update
Security flaws persist in e-voting systems ... Microsoft revamps reviled WGA ... Indonesia adopts online system to protect children
HIGHLIGHTS
News: IBM tops supercomputer list, Opteron gains ground
News: For spammers, a picture is better than 1,000 words
News: Novell previews Suse Linux Enterprise
Tip: Remote office backup consolidation centrally made easy
Opinion: Physical and cyber security may be converging, but it has a long way to go
ITwhirled: Tales from the trenches
NEWS UPDATES
IBM tops supercomputer list, Opteron gains ground
The Top500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers was released Wednesday, with IBM Corp.'s BlueGene continuing to reign and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s (AMD's) Opteron processor powering more systems on the list than last year.
For spammers, a picture is better than 1,000 words
Spam is again on the rise, led by a flood of junk images that spammers have crafted over the past few months to trick e-mail filters, according to security vendors.
Novell previews Suse Linux Enterprise
Novell has released a preview version of its upcoming Suse Linux Enterprise distribution, amid a last-minute delay to the software's final release and wider turmoil at Novell.
Aperi consortium boosted by Novell
Aperi, the IBM-founded open source storage consortium, has taken an important step forward Tuesday as SuSE Linux vendor Novell joined up.
TIP
Remote office backup consolidation centrally made easy
By David Hill, Mesabi Group
You have the responsibility for data protection for a number of geographically distributed branch offices or other remote sites. However, you cannot afford to have a dedicated IT professional at each site. The person assigned to the part-time role of backup administrator may not have the necessary skills to handle the complexity of the job -- monitoring backups, moving backup copies offsite, and performing restores. The complex manual process -- a mismatch of skills with typically available hardware/software for the backup/restore process -- is to blame for a continuing thorn in the side of many central IT. What can you do about it? One solution is to manage the remote office data protection processes centrally.
OPINION
Physical and cyber security may be converging, but it has a long way to go
By Brent Huston
There is a chasm of understanding, culture and respect between physical security and cybersecurity teams. But somewhere along the way, you need to make it work and the key is strong executive leadership, determination and a very strong effort on both sides to find a common starting point.
Today's IT News Audio Update
Security flaws persist in e-voting systems ... Microsoft revamps reviled WGA ... Indonesia adopts online system to protect children
HIGHLIGHTS
News: IBM tops supercomputer list, Opteron gains ground
News: For spammers, a picture is better than 1,000 words
News: Novell previews Suse Linux Enterprise
Tip: Remote office backup consolidation centrally made easy
Opinion: Physical and cyber security may be converging, but it has a long way to go
ITwhirled: Tales from the trenches
NEWS UPDATES
IBM tops supercomputer list, Opteron gains ground
The Top500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers was released Wednesday, with IBM Corp.'s BlueGene continuing to reign and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s (AMD's) Opteron processor powering more systems on the list than last year.
For spammers, a picture is better than 1,000 words
Spam is again on the rise, led by a flood of junk images that spammers have crafted over the past few months to trick e-mail filters, according to security vendors.
Novell previews Suse Linux Enterprise
Novell has released a preview version of its upcoming Suse Linux Enterprise distribution, amid a last-minute delay to the software's final release and wider turmoil at Novell.
Aperi consortium boosted by Novell
Aperi, the IBM-founded open source storage consortium, has taken an important step forward Tuesday as SuSE Linux vendor Novell joined up.
TIP
Remote office backup consolidation centrally made easy
By David Hill, Mesabi Group
You have the responsibility for data protection for a number of geographically distributed branch offices or other remote sites. However, you cannot afford to have a dedicated IT professional at each site. The person assigned to the part-time role of backup administrator may not have the necessary skills to handle the complexity of the job -- monitoring backups, moving backup copies offsite, and performing restores. The complex manual process -- a mismatch of skills with typically available hardware/software for the backup/restore process -- is to blame for a continuing thorn in the side of many central IT. What can you do about it? One solution is to manage the remote office data protection processes centrally.
OPINION
Physical and cyber security may be converging, but it has a long way to go
By Brent Huston
There is a chasm of understanding, culture and respect between physical security and cybersecurity teams. But somewhere along the way, you need to make it work and the key is strong executive leadership, determination and a very strong effort on both sides to find a common starting point.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Intel sells comms biz to Marvell ... Sony to ship notebook with flash drive
Today's IT News Audio Update
Intel sells comms biz to Marvell, unveils dual-core chip ... Microsoft lays out communications integration plan ... Sony to ship notebook with flash drive
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Intel sells comms unit to Marvell
News: Nokia joint venture to secure near-field communication
News: E.U. may fine Microsoft €2 million a day
News: Sony to outfit smallest Vaio with flash-disk
Opinion: The Next Best Thing to Knowing Something...
ITwhirled: Lasers to foil pirates
NEWS UPDATES
Intel sells comms unit to Marvell
Intel Corp. will sell its communications and application processor business to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. for $600 million, the companies announced Tuesday.
Nokia joint venture to secure near-field communication
Nokia Corp. has formed a joint venture with a smart card manufacturer to secure electronic payments made using a short-range wireless technology called near-field communication (NFC) useful in financial transactions such as credit card purchasing or public transportation ticketing.
E.U. may fine Microsoft €2 million a day
The European Commission is about to propose a new fine of up to €460 million (US$577 million) against Microsoft for failing to honor the antitrust ruling imposed on the company in 2004, according to people close to the case Tuesday.
Sony to outfit smallest Vaio with flash-disk
Sony Corp. will replace hard disks with flash memory when it launches a new model of its Vaio U laptop next week, it said on Tuesday.
Retailer CompUSA to offer NetSuite's hosted software
NetSuite Inc. believes it has scored a real coup, clinching a deal with CompUSA Inc. announced Tuesday where the technology retailer will offer NetSuite's on-demand business software in all of its U.S. stores.
Nortel to cut pensions and jobs in search of profit
Nortel Networks Corp. will cut 1,100 jobs worldwide and trim its North American pension plans in a move to cut costs and return the company to profitability, it announced Tuesday.
Microsoft unveils code-sharing Web site
Microsoft Corp. is hoping to fire up a community of developers on a code-sharing forum the company has been testing since May but rolled out officially on Tuesday.
Microsoft tests Office 2007 online
In an unprecedented move, Microsoft Corp. Tuesday will allow users to test the next version of Office online without having to download software.
Intel rolls out 'Woodcrest' chip
As it seeks to fend off competitive threats from Advanced Micro Devices Inc., chip maker Intel Corp. Monday released its dual-core Xeon processor, code-named 'Woodcrest,' the first based on its new Core microarchitecture.
Gartner: Notebook PCs still prone to hardware failure
Nearly one-fifth of all notebook PCs will break down over their lifetime, needing a new hardware component to fix the failure, a study reveals.
OPINION
The Next Best Thing to Knowing Something...
By Sean McGrath
There is a saying I have always liked that goes like this: "The next best thing to knowing something, is knowing where to find it."
Somewhere along the line I read that this little gem is attributed to the great Samuel Johnson.
Read the full article here
Today's IT News Audio Update
Intel sells comms biz to Marvell, unveils dual-core chip ... Microsoft lays out communications integration plan ... Sony to ship notebook with flash drive
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Intel sells comms unit to Marvell
News: Nokia joint venture to secure near-field communication
News: E.U. may fine Microsoft €2 million a day
News: Sony to outfit smallest Vaio with flash-disk
Opinion: The Next Best Thing to Knowing Something...
ITwhirled: Lasers to foil pirates
NEWS UPDATES
Intel sells comms unit to Marvell
Intel Corp. will sell its communications and application processor business to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. for $600 million, the companies announced Tuesday.
Nokia joint venture to secure near-field communication
Nokia Corp. has formed a joint venture with a smart card manufacturer to secure electronic payments made using a short-range wireless technology called near-field communication (NFC) useful in financial transactions such as credit card purchasing or public transportation ticketing.
E.U. may fine Microsoft €2 million a day
The European Commission is about to propose a new fine of up to €460 million (US$577 million) against Microsoft for failing to honor the antitrust ruling imposed on the company in 2004, according to people close to the case Tuesday.
Sony to outfit smallest Vaio with flash-disk
Sony Corp. will replace hard disks with flash memory when it launches a new model of its Vaio U laptop next week, it said on Tuesday.
Retailer CompUSA to offer NetSuite's hosted software
NetSuite Inc. believes it has scored a real coup, clinching a deal with CompUSA Inc. announced Tuesday where the technology retailer will offer NetSuite's on-demand business software in all of its U.S. stores.
Nortel to cut pensions and jobs in search of profit
Nortel Networks Corp. will cut 1,100 jobs worldwide and trim its North American pension plans in a move to cut costs and return the company to profitability, it announced Tuesday.
Microsoft unveils code-sharing Web site
Microsoft Corp. is hoping to fire up a community of developers on a code-sharing forum the company has been testing since May but rolled out officially on Tuesday.
Microsoft tests Office 2007 online
In an unprecedented move, Microsoft Corp. Tuesday will allow users to test the next version of Office online without having to download software.
Intel rolls out 'Woodcrest' chip
As it seeks to fend off competitive threats from Advanced Micro Devices Inc., chip maker Intel Corp. Monday released its dual-core Xeon processor, code-named 'Woodcrest,' the first based on its new Core microarchitecture.
Gartner: Notebook PCs still prone to hardware failure
Nearly one-fifth of all notebook PCs will break down over their lifetime, needing a new hardware component to fix the failure, a study reveals.
OPINION
The Next Best Thing to Knowing Something...
By Sean McGrath
There is a saying I have always liked that goes like this: "The next best thing to knowing something, is knowing where to find it."
Somewhere along the line I read that this little gem is attributed to the great Samuel Johnson.
Read the full article here
Monday, June 26, 2006
Buffet gives Gates foundation $30.7 billion ... Oracle releases PeopleSoft version 9
Today's IT news audio update
Buffet gift makes Gates foundation world's largest ... Stringer taps software designers to boost Sony ... Oracle rolls out next Peoplesoft release
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Prospects fading for single European patent regime
News: IBM aims Sametime at Microsoft users
News: Oracle releases PeopleSoft version 9
News: Salesforce.com's latest offering targets partners
Tip: Getting the Water Out of Your Storage
ITwhirled: Robot ethics: Security, safety, and sex
NEWS UPDATES
Prospects fading for single European patent regime
The prospects for a single, European Union-wide patent regime appear to be dimming, as industry groups representing some of the most innovative companies active in Europe are urging the European Commission to abandon its promise earlier this year to make “one final push” to adopt the so-called Community patent.
IBM aims Sametime at Microsoft users
IBM Corp. is revamping its Sametime enterprise IM system so it can venture better armed into Microsoft Corp. enemy territory, IBM plans to announce Monday.
Oracle releases PeopleSoft version 9
Oracle Corp. released version 9 of its PeopleSoft Enterprise application suite on Monday, an upgrade the company said will prepare customers to move toward a service-oriented architecture (SOA).
Salesforce.com's latest offering targets partners
Salesforce.com Inc. is due to officially announce Monday a version of its on-demand customer relationship management (CRM) software targeting companies looking to better manage their direct and indirect sales organizations.
ClearCube challenges HP with new PC blades
ClearCube Technology plans to launch two PC blade servers Monday, in a bid to compete with Hewlett-Packard Co. for customers in finance, insurance, hospitals and the military.
IBM hopes to Eclipse anti-Aperi group
IBM is placing Aperi, its open-source storage management group, under indirect industry authorization. Aperi will join the Eclipse Foundation, the generic open source community. There will be a formal relationship with the storage networking industry organisation (SNIA).
NetApp sells NetCache to Blue Coat
Blue Coat Systems has splashed out some $24 million in cash and $6 million in shares to buy Network Appliance's NetCache business. The deal brings together the number one and two players in the proxy caching market.
LANDesk jumps into BPM market
LANDesk Software Ltd. on Monday launched its first products for business process management since acquiring the assets of BPM vendor NewRoad Software Inc. earlier this year.
TIP
Getting the Water Out of Your Storage
By David Hill, Mesabi Group
Backups and restores take too long, transmitting data over networks uses up too much bandwidth, and disk drives and disk arrays continue to be purchased at what may seem to be too frequent intervals. What can you do about it? The answer is to move and store less data and the action is on eliminating interfile redundancies.
Today's IT news audio update
Buffet gift makes Gates foundation world's largest ... Stringer taps software designers to boost Sony ... Oracle rolls out next Peoplesoft release
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Prospects fading for single European patent regime
News: IBM aims Sametime at Microsoft users
News: Oracle releases PeopleSoft version 9
News: Salesforce.com's latest offering targets partners
Tip: Getting the Water Out of Your Storage
ITwhirled: Robot ethics: Security, safety, and sex
NEWS UPDATES
Prospects fading for single European patent regime
The prospects for a single, European Union-wide patent regime appear to be dimming, as industry groups representing some of the most innovative companies active in Europe are urging the European Commission to abandon its promise earlier this year to make “one final push” to adopt the so-called Community patent.
IBM aims Sametime at Microsoft users
IBM Corp. is revamping its Sametime enterprise IM system so it can venture better armed into Microsoft Corp. enemy territory, IBM plans to announce Monday.
Oracle releases PeopleSoft version 9
Oracle Corp. released version 9 of its PeopleSoft Enterprise application suite on Monday, an upgrade the company said will prepare customers to move toward a service-oriented architecture (SOA).
Salesforce.com's latest offering targets partners
Salesforce.com Inc. is due to officially announce Monday a version of its on-demand customer relationship management (CRM) software targeting companies looking to better manage their direct and indirect sales organizations.
ClearCube challenges HP with new PC blades
ClearCube Technology plans to launch two PC blade servers Monday, in a bid to compete with Hewlett-Packard Co. for customers in finance, insurance, hospitals and the military.
IBM hopes to Eclipse anti-Aperi group
IBM is placing Aperi, its open-source storage management group, under indirect industry authorization. Aperi will join the Eclipse Foundation, the generic open source community. There will be a formal relationship with the storage networking industry organisation (SNIA).
NetApp sells NetCache to Blue Coat
Blue Coat Systems has splashed out some $24 million in cash and $6 million in shares to buy Network Appliance's NetCache business. The deal brings together the number one and two players in the proxy caching market.
LANDesk jumps into BPM market
LANDesk Software Ltd. on Monday launched its first products for business process management since acquiring the assets of BPM vendor NewRoad Software Inc. earlier this year.
TIP
Getting the Water Out of Your Storage
By David Hill, Mesabi Group
Backups and restores take too long, transmitting data over networks uses up too much bandwidth, and disk drives and disk arrays continue to be purchased at what may seem to be too frequent intervals. What can you do about it? The answer is to move and store less data and the action is on eliminating interfile redundancies.
Friday, June 23, 2006
IT workers sue over H-1B job ads ... Oracle boasts record Q4
Today's IT News Audio Update
Oracle has record fourth quarter ... FTC laptop theft compromises personal data ... EMC commits $500 million to China
HIGHLIGHTS
News: EMC opens software center in China, invests $500 million
News: Increasing deal size, number boosted Oracle's Q4
News: Tech worker group files complaints over H-1B job ads
News: AT&T claims subscribers' data as its own
Opinion: Hidden Collaboration Applications
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: 10 worst products of the decade
NEWS UPDATES
EMC opens software center in China, invests $500 million
EMC Corp. will open a software development center in Shanghai and invest $500 million in China over the next five years, the company announced Friday.
Increasing deal size, number boosted Oracle's Q4
Oracle Corp.'s top three executives Thursday pointed to an increase in both the number of overall deals and the size of individual customer wins as strong contributing factors to what they dubbed a "record" fourth fiscal quarter.
Tech worker group files complaints over H-1B job ads
The Programmers Guild, a group representing IT workers, has begun filing what will amount to about 380 legal complaints against U.S. companies advertising that they prefer to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas.
AT&T claims subscribers' data as its own
On Friday, when AT&T Inc. goes into its next court hearing on a lawsuit about alleged spying on its customers, the carrier will also be instituting a privacy policy for Internet and video services that says it owns subscriber account information.
Google testing cost-per-action ads
Google Inc. is testing an ad model that in theory isn't vulnerable to click fraud, a serious problem that some believe puts in danger Google's main source of revenue: search engine-based advertising.
Altiris gets Wise to virtualization
Altiris has added application virtualization to its Wise software package, in a move that the company claimed could save corporate users both time and money when repackaging applications for internal distribution.
OPINION
Hidden Collaboration Applications
By James Gaskin
How many ad-hoc workgroups are in your company? How many of them use applications developed or purchased by the company? There are probably many more of the first and many fewer of the second than you realize.
Read the full article here:
ITWHIRLED
She's a 10
Top 10 Internet scams ... 10 worst products of the decade ... Top 10 sys admin truths ... Top 10 bad album covers ... 10 ways online gaming will change the world
Today's IT News Audio Update
Oracle has record fourth quarter ... FTC laptop theft compromises personal data ... EMC commits $500 million to China
HIGHLIGHTS
News: EMC opens software center in China, invests $500 million
News: Increasing deal size, number boosted Oracle's Q4
News: Tech worker group files complaints over H-1B job ads
News: AT&T claims subscribers' data as its own
Opinion: Hidden Collaboration Applications
Podcast: Today's IT news audio update
ITwhirled: 10 worst products of the decade
NEWS UPDATES
EMC opens software center in China, invests $500 million
EMC Corp. will open a software development center in Shanghai and invest $500 million in China over the next five years, the company announced Friday.
Increasing deal size, number boosted Oracle's Q4
Oracle Corp.'s top three executives Thursday pointed to an increase in both the number of overall deals and the size of individual customer wins as strong contributing factors to what they dubbed a "record" fourth fiscal quarter.
Tech worker group files complaints over H-1B job ads
The Programmers Guild, a group representing IT workers, has begun filing what will amount to about 380 legal complaints against U.S. companies advertising that they prefer to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas.
AT&T claims subscribers' data as its own
On Friday, when AT&T Inc. goes into its next court hearing on a lawsuit about alleged spying on its customers, the carrier will also be instituting a privacy policy for Internet and video services that says it owns subscriber account information.
Google testing cost-per-action ads
Google Inc. is testing an ad model that in theory isn't vulnerable to click fraud, a serious problem that some believe puts in danger Google's main source of revenue: search engine-based advertising.
Altiris gets Wise to virtualization
Altiris has added application virtualization to its Wise software package, in a move that the company claimed could save corporate users both time and money when repackaging applications for internal distribution.
OPINION
Hidden Collaboration Applications
By James Gaskin
How many ad-hoc workgroups are in your company? How many of them use applications developed or purchased by the company? There are probably many more of the first and many fewer of the second than you realize.
Read the full article here:
ITWHIRLED
She's a 10
Top 10 Internet scams ... 10 worst products of the decade ... Top 10 sys admin truths ... Top 10 bad album covers ... 10 ways online gaming will change the world
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Novell ousts CEO ... Third Excel attack posted ... Sun starts standards war
Today's IT News Audio Update
Congress investigates data brokers ... Microsoft aims at single sign-on ... Novell ousts CEO
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Novell board ousts CEO Messman
News: Intel CEO: No restructuring news until July
News: Third Microsoft Excel attack posted
News: Sun starts storage standards war
Opinion: Hidden Collaboration Applications
ITwhirled: Tales from the trenches
NEWS UPDATES
Novell board ousts CEO Messman
Novell Inc.'s board of directors has ousted Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack Messman and Chief Financial Officer Joseph Tibbetts in a move to accelerate growth at the company, Novell announced Thursday.
Intel CEO: No restructuring news until July
Intel Corp. plans additional restructuring, but is unlikely to announce them until next month, Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini said Thursday.
Third Microsoft Excel attack posted
Excel users have one more reason to worry. On Tuesday, a hacker published code that takes advantage of an unpatched flaw in the Microsoft Corp. spreadsheet software, the third such exploit to be disclosed in the past week.
Sun starts storage standards war
Sun has left Aperi, the IBM-led open source storage management initiative, causing a big fracture in the world of storage standards.
Microsoft plans link between directory, Live services
Microsoft Corp. is planning to sync its Active Directory with its Live Web-based services to give users single sign on for applications and services both inside a company network and on the Web.
Data brokers tell Congress they serve necessary role
Companies that sell private data are necessary even though some sell telephone call records to anyone who will pay for them, two long-time data brokers told a U.S. congressional committee Wednesday.
OPINION
Hidden Collaboration Applications
By James Gaskin
How many ad-hoc workgroups are in your company? How many of them use applications developed or purchased by the company? There are probably many more of the first and many fewer of the second than you realize.
Today's IT News Audio Update
Congress investigates data brokers ... Microsoft aims at single sign-on ... Novell ousts CEO
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Novell board ousts CEO Messman
News: Intel CEO: No restructuring news until July
News: Third Microsoft Excel attack posted
News: Sun starts storage standards war
Opinion: Hidden Collaboration Applications
ITwhirled: Tales from the trenches
NEWS UPDATES
Novell board ousts CEO Messman
Novell Inc.'s board of directors has ousted Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack Messman and Chief Financial Officer Joseph Tibbetts in a move to accelerate growth at the company, Novell announced Thursday.
Intel CEO: No restructuring news until July
Intel Corp. plans additional restructuring, but is unlikely to announce them until next month, Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini said Thursday.
Third Microsoft Excel attack posted
Excel users have one more reason to worry. On Tuesday, a hacker published code that takes advantage of an unpatched flaw in the Microsoft Corp. spreadsheet software, the third such exploit to be disclosed in the past week.
Sun starts storage standards war
Sun has left Aperi, the IBM-led open source storage management initiative, causing a big fracture in the world of storage standards.
Microsoft plans link between directory, Live services
Microsoft Corp. is planning to sync its Active Directory with its Live Web-based services to give users single sign on for applications and services both inside a company network and on the Web.
Data brokers tell Congress they serve necessary role
Companies that sell private data are necessary even though some sell telephone call records to anyone who will pay for them, two long-time data brokers told a U.S. congressional committee Wednesday.
OPINION
Hidden Collaboration Applications
By James Gaskin
How many ad-hoc workgroups are in your company? How many of them use applications developed or purchased by the company? There are probably many more of the first and many fewer of the second than you realize.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
HP axes Global Operations ... Hacker discovers second Excel attack
Today's IT News Audio Update
Intel price cuts expected .... Electronic Arts makes Mythic acquisition ... Philips speeds up spinoff of chip unit
HIGHLIGHTS
News: HP axes Global Operations in realignment
News: Hacker discovers second Excel attack
News: Worm lures victims with 'Naked World Cup'
News: Linux kernel update supports Niagara
Tip: Remotely Forcing Group Policy Refresh
Opinion: Ruin the French economy in 3 easy steps
ITwhirled: Hawking: Humans must settle space to survive
NEWS UPDATES
HP axes Global Operations in realignment
Hewlett-Packard Co. said Tuesday it will dissolve its Global Operations organization and delegate the group's activities to the company's three main business groups as part of an ongoing companywide restructuring.
Hacker discovers second Excel attack
With Microsoft Corp. developers scrambling to patch a security hole in Excel, a hacker has now posted code that exploits a second vulnerability in the spreadsheet software.
Worm lures victims with 'Naked World Cup'
Soccer purists can breathe a sigh of relief. There is no Naked World Cup. IT professionals, on the other hand, may want to be a little more vigilant, as a new e-mail worm is on the loose that preys on the intense worldwide interest in the international sporting event.
Linux kernel update supports Niagara
The latest version of the Linux kernel, 2.6.16, has been released with updates supporting Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Niagara chips and a popular family of Broadcom Corp. Wi-Fi chipsets, among other changes.
Cell 'walkie-talkie' standard approved
The push-to-talk technology that lets mobile callers talk instantly with the push of a button has been standardized, a mobile industry group announced Tuesday at the CommunicAsia conference in Singapore.
Open-source ERP vendor Compiere gets $6 million funding
Compiere Inc. has secured its first external funding to the tune of $6 million and is planning to relocate its headquarters, the open-source midmarket business applications company said Tuesday.
TIP
Remotely Forcing Group Policy Refresh
By Mitch Tulloch
One of the cardinal principles of managing enterprise networks is avoiding having to touch desktop computers unless you really must. Of course, by "touching" a desktop what I mean is having to walk over to where that machine is located and log on interactively to perform some administrative task.
OPINION
Ruin the French economy in 3 easy steps
By Peter Sayer
It's 2009, and the French economy has been ruined by a policy of frivolous tax-cutting and overspending on pork-barrel projects, including homeland security, prison construction and international military action. Public approval ratings are plummeting, the deficit has spiraled out of control, and the citizens are revolting.
Who's to blame? Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin? Uh, no, actually, it was me. I was just trying out some alternative budget scenarios. Sorry. I thought it was only a game.
ITWHIRLED
Hawking: Humans must settle space to survive
This week, physics superstar Stephen Hawking urged mankind to begin settling the moon and other planets as soon as possible. He believes that a major disaster, such as nuclear war or global warming, could wipe out life on this planet, and that space colonies could be essential to our survival as a species.
Today's IT News Audio Update
Intel price cuts expected .... Electronic Arts makes Mythic acquisition ... Philips speeds up spinoff of chip unit
HIGHLIGHTS
News: HP axes Global Operations in realignment
News: Hacker discovers second Excel attack
News: Worm lures victims with 'Naked World Cup'
News: Linux kernel update supports Niagara
Tip: Remotely Forcing Group Policy Refresh
Opinion: Ruin the French economy in 3 easy steps
ITwhirled: Hawking: Humans must settle space to survive
NEWS UPDATES
HP axes Global Operations in realignment
Hewlett-Packard Co. said Tuesday it will dissolve its Global Operations organization and delegate the group's activities to the company's three main business groups as part of an ongoing companywide restructuring.
Hacker discovers second Excel attack
With Microsoft Corp. developers scrambling to patch a security hole in Excel, a hacker has now posted code that exploits a second vulnerability in the spreadsheet software.
Worm lures victims with 'Naked World Cup'
Soccer purists can breathe a sigh of relief. There is no Naked World Cup. IT professionals, on the other hand, may want to be a little more vigilant, as a new e-mail worm is on the loose that preys on the intense worldwide interest in the international sporting event.
Linux kernel update supports Niagara
The latest version of the Linux kernel, 2.6.16, has been released with updates supporting Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Niagara chips and a popular family of Broadcom Corp. Wi-Fi chipsets, among other changes.
Cell 'walkie-talkie' standard approved
The push-to-talk technology that lets mobile callers talk instantly with the push of a button has been standardized, a mobile industry group announced Tuesday at the CommunicAsia conference in Singapore.
Open-source ERP vendor Compiere gets $6 million funding
Compiere Inc. has secured its first external funding to the tune of $6 million and is planning to relocate its headquarters, the open-source midmarket business applications company said Tuesday.
TIP
Remotely Forcing Group Policy Refresh
By Mitch Tulloch
One of the cardinal principles of managing enterprise networks is avoiding having to touch desktop computers unless you really must. Of course, by "touching" a desktop what I mean is having to walk over to where that machine is located and log on interactively to perform some administrative task.
OPINION
Ruin the French economy in 3 easy steps
By Peter Sayer
It's 2009, and the French economy has been ruined by a policy of frivolous tax-cutting and overspending on pork-barrel projects, including homeland security, prison construction and international military action. Public approval ratings are plummeting, the deficit has spiraled out of control, and the citizens are revolting.
Who's to blame? Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin? Uh, no, actually, it was me. I was just trying out some alternative budget scenarios. Sorry. I thought it was only a game.
ITWHIRLED
Hawking: Humans must settle space to survive
This week, physics superstar Stephen Hawking urged mankind to begin settling the moon and other planets as soon as possible. He believes that a major disaster, such as nuclear war or global warming, could wipe out life on this planet, and that space colonies could be essential to our survival as a species.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Microsoft enters the robotics market ... IEEE suspends mobile broadband group
Today's IT news audio update
IEEE suspends standards group over Qualcomm influence ... EC giving iTunes a pass, for now ... Microsoft aims to spur robot market
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft enters the robotics market
News: IEEE suspends mobile broadband group
News: Yahoo opens IM to external developers
News: Microsoft offers guidance on Excel bug
Opinion: A megabyte, by any other name, would sound as sweet
ITwhirled: Behold the power of the blogosphere
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft enters the robotics market
Microsoft Corp. released the preview version of a software toolkit for building robot applications on Tuesday, pledging to ignite the robot market in the same way it did the PC market some 20 years ago.
IEEE suspends mobile broadband group
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) has suspended the working group developing 802.20, a wireless broadband standard expected to challenge WiMax, following accusations that Qualcomm was improperly influencing the group's decision-making process.
Spansion puts mobile phone security right in with data
Spansion Inc., a flash memory chip maker, plans to fight mobile phone viruses and data theft with new security technology it puts right into its chips, the company said Tuesday.
Yahoo opens IM to external developers
Yahoo Inc. is opening up its IM (instant-messaging) network so that external developers can extend its functionality with new applications.
Microsoft offers guidance on Excel bug
Microsoft on Monday offered users a few tips on how to avoid falling victim to a critical bug in its Excel spreadsheet software.
RFID rules
Companies using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on products should always tell their customers and make sure they know whether they can deactivate the tags, according to a set of best practices for RFID deployment proposed by a group of IT vendors, RFID users and consumer advocates.
iPod kerfuffle highlights China issues
Just when you thought outsourcing issues and government relations were sufficiently challenging, companies serious about a China presence must make corporate social responsibility as high a priority as any other marketing or public relations function.
OPINION
A megabyte, by any other name, would sound as sweet
By Sean McGrath
A young child of my acquaintance is very fond of ice pops. I have recently been explaining the basics of money to the aforementioned child. The conversation went like this...
ITWHIRLED
'Snakes on a Plane': Behold the power of the blogosphere
'Snakes on a Plane' was just another b-movie in the making until a few bloggers got wind of it and it became a full-blown Internet meme. The producers have even let fan anticipation guide the production of the movie. The process may be one that other filmmakers will want to imitate -- but reproducing spontaneity is notoriously difficult.
Today's IT news audio update
IEEE suspends standards group over Qualcomm influence ... EC giving iTunes a pass, for now ... Microsoft aims to spur robot market
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Microsoft enters the robotics market
News: IEEE suspends mobile broadband group
News: Yahoo opens IM to external developers
News: Microsoft offers guidance on Excel bug
Opinion: A megabyte, by any other name, would sound as sweet
ITwhirled: Behold the power of the blogosphere
NEWS UPDATES
Microsoft enters the robotics market
Microsoft Corp. released the preview version of a software toolkit for building robot applications on Tuesday, pledging to ignite the robot market in the same way it did the PC market some 20 years ago.
IEEE suspends mobile broadband group
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) has suspended the working group developing 802.20, a wireless broadband standard expected to challenge WiMax, following accusations that Qualcomm was improperly influencing the group's decision-making process.
Spansion puts mobile phone security right in with data
Spansion Inc., a flash memory chip maker, plans to fight mobile phone viruses and data theft with new security technology it puts right into its chips, the company said Tuesday.
Yahoo opens IM to external developers
Yahoo Inc. is opening up its IM (instant-messaging) network so that external developers can extend its functionality with new applications.
Microsoft offers guidance on Excel bug
Microsoft on Monday offered users a few tips on how to avoid falling victim to a critical bug in its Excel spreadsheet software.
RFID rules
Companies using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on products should always tell their customers and make sure they know whether they can deactivate the tags, according to a set of best practices for RFID deployment proposed by a group of IT vendors, RFID users and consumer advocates.
iPod kerfuffle highlights China issues
Just when you thought outsourcing issues and government relations were sufficiently challenging, companies serious about a China presence must make corporate social responsibility as high a priority as any other marketing or public relations function.
OPINION
A megabyte, by any other name, would sound as sweet
By Sean McGrath
A young child of my acquaintance is very fond of ice pops. I have recently been explaining the basics of money to the aforementioned child. The conversation went like this...
ITWHIRLED
'Snakes on a Plane': Behold the power of the blogosphere
'Snakes on a Plane' was just another b-movie in the making until a few bloggers got wind of it and it became a full-blown Internet meme. The producers have even let fan anticipation guide the production of the movie. The process may be one that other filmmakers will want to imitate -- but reproducing spontaneity is notoriously difficult.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Ultra mobile PC gets mixed reviews ... Nokia and Siemens to merge telecom units
Today's Audio Update
Nokia and Siemens merge net equipment units ... US software pirate pleads guilty ... Drug regulator to require RFID tags
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Initial feedback mixed on ultra mobile PC, says Samsung
News: Nokia and Siemens to merge telecom units
News: Lexar shareholders approve merger with Micron
News: Hackers use Google Pages to host Trojan horse
Opinion: The Blog Hype is Over: Robert Scoble & Om Malik Moving to New Frontiers
Research: Which Mobile Services Do We Really Want?
ITwhirled: The wireless, preemptive repo man
NEWS UPDATES
Initial feedback mixed on ultra mobile PC, says Samsung
Feedback from customers who have bought Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s Q1 device suggests that a pre-launch teaser campaign by Microsoft Corp. might have backfired, a Samsung executive said Monday.
Nokia and Siemens to merge telecom units
Nokia Corp. and Siemens AG announced on Monday that they will merge their telecommunications infrastructure units to form Nokia Siemens Networks, the third such combination formed recently and an indication of the growing competitive pressures in the telecom supplier market.
Lexar shareholders approve merger with Micron
Despite opposition from billionaire investor Carl Icahn, shareholders of Lexar Media Inc. agreed to a deal to be bought out by Micron Technology Inc., turning the giant memory chip maker into a stronger competitor in the NAND flash memory business.
Nokia to run managed services business from India
Responding to increased demand in the country, Nokia Corp. has decided to run its worldwide managed services business from India, it announced on Monday.
RFID providers get boost from FDA ruling
Tired of waiting for pharmaceutical companies to improve counterfeit-drug screening, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said last week it will require them to use electronic tags to track products from factory to pharmacy.
OPINION
The Blog Hype is Over: Robert Scoble & Om Malik Moving to New Frontiers
By James Lewin
Two stories have been the buzz of tech meme-trackers over the last few days: "geek blogger" Robert Scoble leaving Microsoft to join a podcasting startup and writer/blogger Om Malik leaving Business 2.0 to develop a multimedia tech news site.
RESEARCH
Which Mobile Services Do We Really Want?
By Dan Blacharski
Mobile carriers are eager to increase ARPU and offer more value-added services to boost their profits, especially in the face of decreasing rates for basic service. But the market for these value-adds is limited.
Today's Audio Update
Nokia and Siemens merge net equipment units ... US software pirate pleads guilty ... Drug regulator to require RFID tags
HIGHLIGHTS
News: Initial feedback mixed on ultra mobile PC, says Samsung
News: Nokia and Siemens to merge telecom units
News: Lexar shareholders approve merger with Micron
News: Hackers use Google Pages to host Trojan horse
Opinion: The Blog Hype is Over: Robert Scoble & Om Malik Moving to New Frontiers
Research: Which Mobile Services Do We Really Want?
ITwhirled: The wireless, preemptive repo man
NEWS UPDATES
Initial feedback mixed on ultra mobile PC, says Samsung
Feedback from customers who have bought Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s Q1 device suggests that a pre-launch teaser campaign by Microsoft Corp. might have backfired, a Samsung executive said Monday.
Nokia and Siemens to merge telecom units
Nokia Corp. and Siemens AG announced on Monday that they will merge their telecommunications infrastructure units to form Nokia Siemens Networks, the third such combination formed recently and an indication of the growing competitive pressures in the telecom supplier market.
Lexar shareholders approve merger with Micron
Despite opposition from billionaire investor Carl Icahn, shareholders of Lexar Media Inc. agreed to a deal to be bought out by Micron Technology Inc., turning the giant memory chip maker into a stronger competitor in the NAND flash memory business.
Nokia to run managed services business from India
Responding to increased demand in the country, Nokia Corp. has decided to run its worldwide managed services business from India, it announced on Monday.
RFID providers get boost from FDA ruling
Tired of waiting for pharmaceutical companies to improve counterfeit-drug screening, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said last week it will require them to use electronic tags to track products from factory to pharmacy.
OPINION
The Blog Hype is Over: Robert Scoble & Om Malik Moving to New Frontiers
By James Lewin
Two stories have been the buzz of tech meme-trackers over the last few days: "geek blogger" Robert Scoble leaving Microsoft to join a podcasting startup and writer/blogger Om Malik leaving Business 2.0 to develop a multimedia tech news site.
RESEARCH
Which Mobile Services Do We Really Want?
By Dan Blacharski
Mobile carriers are eager to increase ARPU and offer more value-added services to boost their profits, especially in the face of decreasing rates for basic service. But the market for these value-adds is limited.
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