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Tom Smith
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- The Government CIO 25: These influential and accomplished government IT leaders are finding ways to be cost efficient and still innovate.
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Mac Security: Deal Or No Deal?
June 09, 2007
True of false: when you use the Mac platform, you never have to worry about security again. At the risk of offending all the Mac zealots out there, the answer is a resounding false.
Does Customer Service Still Exist?
June 04, 2007
In recent blog entries, I've shared horror stories about customer service from the likes of Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as CompUSA, HP, and others. Reader responses indicate I'm far from alone in my customer service frustrations.
Are The Browser Wars Flaring Up?
May 25, 2007
It's been awhile since we've talked of browser wars, but a new round could be upon us.
The Salesforce.com Effect Comes To Interop
May 24, 2007
In its 22-year history, the Interop trade show has been synonymous with networking, and this year's exhibitors are true to that heritage. But there's a recurring, software-oriented theme from many of the vendors I met with: the impact of Salesforce.com on the networking business.
Strong Authentication, Great Value Proposition
May 23, 2007
Positive Networks, a provider of hosted VPN services, is using Interop to promote a two-factor, telephone (land-line or cell)-based authentication system for users looking to access corporate applications. The company will look to hook customers with the authentication technology -- it's free -- then sell a series of add-on services.
Better Traffic Management Comes To Windows
May 23, 2007
Zeus Technology introduced at Interop a Windows-based version of its Zeus Extensible Traffic Manager (ZXTM) software, which previously ran on Linux, Solaris and FreeBSD.
Progress Report: CRM For Google Apps
May 22, 2007
Since launching Etelos CRM for Google Apps -- a lightweight CRM app that works with Google's productivity suite -- on Feb. 28, Etelos has nearly 3,000 businesses representing 30,000 individuals using the product, Etelos CEO Danny Kolke said at Interop today.
Making Corporate Data As Accessible As A Blog
May 22, 2007
One of the more compelling product pitches I heard at Interop today came from a low-profile developer of software components called /n Software. Got lots of corporate data built up that your knowledge workers can't find or access? Need a lightweight, low-impact way to disseminate data from various systems internally or to partners?
Microsoft Enlists Startup To Help Secure Linux Desktops
May 22, 2007
Patent claims against Linux notwithstanding, Microsoft is working with a startup to ensure a key security initiative includes support for the open-source operating system on client computers. On Tuesday, Avenda Systems said it will build Linux client software for use with Microsoft's Network Access Protection (NAP) technology. That software will allow NAP to interact directly with Linux clients.
Good Advice On Web Ops: Don't Forget The Users
May 22, 2007
Coradiant is working with Splunk to add user performance and experience information to the types of data that Splunk collects in its IT search engine. The two companies are looking to provide a more integrated analysis of Web operations performance.
Chambers Prods CIOs: Add Business Value Now
May 22, 2007
John Chambers has some feedback and some advice for CIOs. Speaking in an Interop keynote address, the Cisco CEO says half of CIOs are viewed as adding value to their business while half are viewed as expense areas "and that's not good."
Where BI And CRM Need Major Home Improvement
May 08, 2007
I've long held the view that The Home Depot and Lowe's -- like many of the largest retailers -- use IT and their pricing power to strategic advantage over smaller, locally owned businesses.
The First Slam-Dunk Second Life Strategy
May 01, 2007
In recent months, InformationWeek's Mitch Wagner has immersed himself in Second Life, chronicling much of the time he's spent there and positing many potential business applications for the virtual world. While he's argued persuasively to our readers and to his coworkers that SL has near-term business utility, I've been something of a skeptic.
Dell's XP Embrace: Some of The Mojo Is Back
April 22, 2007
Dell's recent management shakeup and the return of founder Michael Dell to the controls may already be paying dividends, in the form of the company's move to offer Windows XP on certain desktops - flying boldly in the face of Microsoft's Vista-and-nothing-but-Vista strategy.
Programmers Left Their Heart In...Houston?
March 21, 2007
California may be the tech industry's center of gravity, but a new analysis suggests there's a far better state for those making their living as programmers: Texas.
The Open-Sourcing Of College Education
March 14, 2007
College education has gone open source: A number of top universities are placing their course materials online, free. No course credit is granted, but self learners can have access to all the same materials as those shelling out tens of thousands of dollars annually. That's great news for IT pros who are either unemployed or looking to acquire new skills and knowledge.
Best Apps In The Mac Ecosystem
March 10, 2007
If you're reading this, chances are it's because you use a Macintosh at home or work and, almost by default, that means you love the Apple platform. Or perhaps you've had it up to here with your PC, the Vista transition or the flaky things that PCs do, and now you want to make a clean break.
Vista v. Mac OS X: Round 2
February 08, 2007
Bought a new computer lately? My colleague Mitch Wagner and I have both done just that. Mitch made the leap from PC to Mac, while I -- under a time crunch due to the "expiration" of my existing notebook -- bought an XP-loaded, Vista-capable PC in the days leading up to the late-January Vista launch.
The Mac OS/Vista Debate: Readers Have Their Say
January 19, 2007
The debate rages: Is Apple's OS X or Microsoft's Windows Vista the superior operating system? Our writers have weighed in, now readers have their say. And they've got a lot on their minds.
Mac OS Or Vista? Your Turn To Weigh In
January 12, 2007
Last Saturday, we published a review comparing Mac OS X and Windows Vista. The topic was a huge hit with you, our audience, prompting a flood of e-mails.
Are Legacy Systems In The Crosshairs For 2007?
January 05, 2007
HP CIO Randy Mott is applying the 80/20 rule to legacy systems. He says in a video interview that his goal is to have his IT organization spending 80% of its time on development, 20% on maintaining and operating its legacy systems.
Readers Wrestle With Windows 2000 Transition
December 19, 2006
InformationWeek readers sound off on Microsoft's product support policies relating to Windows 2000.
Web 2.0 And The Ajax Challenge
November 29, 2006
Web 2.0, and in particular the Ajax technology that often embodies it, has the technology world abuzz. Ajax facilitates more interactive Web sites that deliver a better user experience. With Ajax, Web-based software makes data retrieval transparent to the user, so software behaves more like it's running locally.
Rural Readers' Broadband Solutions -- And Frustrations
November 14, 2006
Readers weigh in with their successes and frustrations surrounding broadband availability in rural areas.
Broadband In The Sticks: Tough Nut To Crack
November 08, 2006
As a long-time home office employee living just outside a mid-size city, I've been spoiled with access to broadband, using it as my sole means of connectivity to my employer since 1995, when I was very early user of ISDN. Since 1999 or so, I've been using a cable modem, and am about 99% satisfied with how it's performed over that period. That's a pretty good track record.