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05/20/2013 01:28:37 Daily, December 13IT Clunkers We Have Known
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In This Issue:
1. Editor's Note: IT Clunkers We Have Known
2. Today's Top Story
- Microsoft Patches Critical Bugs In Internet Explorer
Related Stories:
- Microsoft, MCI Plan VoIP Service
- Microsoft Ships Lightweight Communications Client
3. Breaking News
- Cisco Leaps Into Network Management
- 100 Million Mobile E-Mail Users In Four Years, Exec Predicts
- VMware Partners With Mozilla On Virtual-Machine Player
- Obsolete Computers Are Piling Up And The EPA Should Act, GAO Says
- Green PC Comes With Disposal Coupon
- Biometric Readers Fooled With Fake Fingerprints
- Integration Promises Still Haunting Oracle
- Feedburner Service Adds Tags, Links To RSS
- Honda Turns Asimo Robot Into Speedy Errand Assistant
- Toshiba Delays Next-Gen HD DVD Debut In Japan
- Container Store Breaks Out Demand-Forecasting Software
- Massachusetts Open-Doc Champion Cleared
4. Grab Bag: News You Need From Around The Web
- 'Secret Santa' Exchanges Made Easier Online
- Italian Internet Cafes Must Record ID
- HarperCollins Will Create A Searchable Digital Library
5. In Depth: E-Mail Security
- E-Mail Spills Corporate Secrets
- Don't Overlook Internal E-Mail Monitoring
- Blogger, Movie Studio Spar Over E-Mail List
- Risky Employee E-Mail Habits Threaten Business
- Coalition Reports Wide Adoption Of E-Mail Authentication
6. Voice Of Authority
- Outsourcing Has Paved Way For GM's India Push
7. White Papers
- Buyer's Guide For Federated Identity
8. Get More Out Of InformationWeek
9. Manage Your Newsletter Subscription
Quote of the day:
"Experience is the name that everyone gives to their mistakes." -- Oscar Wilde
The holidays are often a time of reflection, when thoughts turn
to joys and sorrows of years past. So naturally I've been
thinking about some products that were introduced to ITers with
great fanfare, only to meet, shall we say, with less than success
in the market.
I sure hope that HP's new videoconferencing system fares better
than some have in past years. Videoconferencing is one of those
things that should do really well, given how expensive and how
little fun travel has become. Back in the day when flying was a
giant airborne party, with newfound friends buying drinks for
each other and generally whooping it up in the smoking section in
the back of the plane, employees used to really want to be the
one chosen to go to a particular conference or represent the firm
at a given function. But not anymore; geez, most airlines these
days don't even hand out mystery meals in cabin class, which is a
shame because at the very least it gave seatmates something to
talk about. ("What do you think this is?" etc.)
Given all this, and given how most well-adjusted adults have an
aversion to being frisked on the security line, you'd think
videoconferencing would be the method of choice for collaboration
in this techno-decade. But this technology, along with
videophones, has pretty much bombed out from widespread usage.
True, video systems in years past had problems with jerky
pictures that made everyone around the table feel like they had a
giant joint case of morning sickness. And sure, it's got
something to do with meeting people in person and shaking their
hands, etc. But I think that the biggest clunker factor here has
to do with not wanting to have to dress up like a TV anchorperson
every time we go to work. ("Hey, Jones, got a minute? Fujiyama in
Tokyo would like to have a word about that sushi project...")
Excepting the people in the executive suites who are always
expected to have that freshly blow-dried hair thing going, most
of the rest of us are lucky to have matched socks and clean, um,
shirts on a daily basis. You know what I'm talking about.
Other less-than-widespread products of days gone by:
1. Editor's Note: IT Clunkers We Have Known
To read more about this, to comment, or to suggest other ill-fated wares, check out my blog entry.
Johanna Ambrosio
jambrosio@cmp.com
www.informationweek.com
Microsoft Patches Critical Bugs In Internet Explorer
Microsoft on Tuesday released two security bulletins that patched
four vulnerabilities in its Internet Explorer browser and one in
its Windows 2000 operating system. Two of the vulnerabilities
were tagged by Microsoft as "critical."
Related Stories:
Microsoft, MCI Plan VoIP Service
A test run is planned for next week, with widespread availability set for next year--but at first only outbound calls will be allowed.
Microsoft Ships Lightweight Communications Client
The goal is to allow non-Windows users to stay in touch with their colleagues via instant messaging. The client is built using Ajax, or the popular Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, model.
Cisco Leaps Into Network Management
With what it deems a more granular approach to network
management, Cisco's Network Application Performance Analysis
suite will compete with offerings from Network General, NetIQ,
and others.
100 Million Mobile E-Mail Users In Four Years, Exec Predicts
The prediction, part of a discussion about mobile E-mail's role
and growth, hinges on expanding BlackBerry-like devices to places
like the factory floor and IT department.
VMware Partners With Mozilla On Virtual-Machine Player
VMware on Tuesday rolled out the final version of its
free-of-charge VMware Player, which lets users run preset virtual
machines built with the company's more advanced products.
Obsolete Computers Are Piling Up And The EPA Should Act, GAO Says
More than 100 million computers, monitors, and TVs become
obsolete each year, and congressional auditors say EPA should do
more to find a cheaper solution to recycle electronics.
Green PC Comes With Disposal Coupon
Computer Technology Link has introduced an environmentally
friendly PC that uses less energy, has a lead-free mainboard, and
comes with an "end-of-life" disposal coupon.
Biometric Readers Fooled With Fake Fingerprints
Researchers fooled biometric systems with fake fingerprints made
out of Play-Doh nine out of 10 times, demonstrating a weakness of
some computer security systems.
Integration Promises Still Haunting Oracle
Oracle on Tuesday said it's pushing ahead on promises to deliver
tighter integration among applications acquired in a buying spree
during the past 12 months. The software maker has certified
Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise applications with Oracle Fusion
Middleware 10g Release 2 and introduced a middleware suite for
PeopleSoft enterprise customers.
Feedburner Service Adds Tags, Links To RSS
Feedburner on Tuesday released FeedFlare, a new service enabling
publishers to integrate Web services with RSS feeds.
Honda Turns Asimo Robot Into Speedy Errand Assistant
Asimo can now speed across the floor at almost 4 mph, carry
objects, and automatically perform the tasks of a receptionist,
information guide, or delivery person.
Toshiba Delays Next-Gen HD DVD Debut In Japan
The company, which had hoped to beat the rival Blu-ray format to
market, attributed the problem to the unavailability of Advanced
Access Content System digital-rights-management software.
Container Store Breaks Out Demand-Forecasting Software
Improving demand forecasting is one of the best ways to reduce
supply-chain costs, thus driving higher sales and better margins,
a company executive said.
Massachusetts Open-Doc Champion Cleared
The Massachusetts state IT chief who promoted the OpenDocument
Format over proprietary software from Microsoft had been under
investigation about whether he violated state regulations and
attended conferences sponsored in part by proponents of open software.
John Soat With 'Don't Blame Me!' In The Current Episode Of The News Show.
AOL founder wants to undo the Time Warner-AOL merger, China is
the No. 1 IT equipment importer, and more...
Also in the current episode:
Eric Chabrow With 'IT Health Report'
Tech is back! The sector is making a return after deep losses
early in the decade, but some say the outlook isn't great.
Peter Gorenstein With 'Mapping The Subway'
Folks can download subway maps from around the world to their iPods.
Innovation Plans
Subscribe To Your Favorite Authors
-----------------------------------------
'Secret Santa' Exchanges Made Easier Online (Associated Press)
Italian Internet Cafes Must Record ID (CNN)
HarperCollins Will Create A Searchable Digital Library (New York Times, reg. required)
E-Mail Spills Corporate Secrets
Don't Overlook Internal E-Mail Monitoring
Blogger, Movie Studio Spar Over E-Mail List
Risky Employee E-Mail Habits Threaten Business
Coalition Reports Wide Adoption Of E-Mail Authentication
Outsourcing Has Paved Way For GM's India Push
Buyer's Guide For Federated Identity
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4. Grab Bag: News You Need From Around The Web
Participants can create "wish lists" and "do not need" lists, and
secret givers can pose anonymous questions like T-shirt size or
favorite color.
A new Italian law requires businesses that offer Internet access
to the public to ask clients for identification and log the
owner's name and the document type. Some say it's hurting business.
HarperCollins' decision to put all of its book and audio content
online is the latest move in the battle between publishers and
search engines.
Some 6% of workers admitted that they've E-mailed confidential
company information to someone they shouldn't have, according to
a study released Monday, while 62% said they've used their
personal accounts for business purposes to circumvent controls
placed on their business accounts.
Keeping an eye on your people's E-mail can head off security and
compliance violations. Here are three ways you can make a
difference now.
A blogger who posted E-mail addresses for movie executives,
producers, and agents has drawn the ire of Universal Studios and
set off a debate about what constitutes spam.
A new survey shows at-work E-mail usage may be exposing
businesses to legal problems, with employees not realizing
they're doing anything risky.
More than 70% of Fortune 100 companies reportedly use
authentication protocols.
General Motors' announcement this week that it intends to triple
the number of cars it produces and sells in India while
substantially adding to its labor force there provides another
example of how outsourcing will help boost the U.S. economy. Yes,
you read that right. Paul McDougall explains.
Organizations look to federated identity technologies to link
their partners and other constituents without the burden of
managing their identities and credentials. Read about Oracle's
browser-level federation in COREid Federation, the industry's
first standalone, multiprotocol federation server.
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