Linux More Expensive? Maybe
Something about this time of year makes me even more suspicious of spin than usual. So when I read Steve Ballmer's e-mailed message to customers and partners, I wanted to find out a little more about the research he used to defend his position against Linux.
Scoping Out The Real Costs of RFID
Much of the focus surrounding the cost of RFID has been on the price of RFID chips or tags. But implementing a fully functional RFID system incurs multiple costs including technology, consulting, recurring fees and many others. By some estimates, costs for big companies can be $25 million for mandate compliance.
EDS In Employment Fight?
We received a call today from a former EDS worker laid off last year from one of the company's New Jersey facilities. She reports receiving a letter the other day from the state's employment commission indicating EDS is contesting her unemployment insurance payments.
High-Tech Ambulance Chasers
Patent lawsuits and other intellectual property conflicts are grabbing plenty of headlines lately. Yet I don't see this subject as just another hot news item--I consider it the biggest threat the open-source software community has ever faced, and it may be the most serious threat the U.S. technology industry as a whole has ever faced as well.
EDS Takes Another Hit
On Monday, EDS said it would delay its third quarter earnings announcement until November 3rd. It seems the company is mulling whether to write down some assets related to its NMCI Intranet contract.
Taming The IP Monster
It's time to fix intellectual propety laws that stifle innovation instead of encouraging it.
The Big Newbies
How well will analytical tools from enterprise software giants pan out against technology from firms that specialize in -- and pioneered -- business intelligence?
Business Technology: Cyberinsecurity And A Hot Job Market
Nietzsche, who would no doubt have worshipped hackers, said that out of chaos comes order. Bob Evans says he doesn't know about that, but does know that unless software companies and their customers begin to think very differently about security, then out of today's cybersecurity chaos will come massive job opportunities for computer-security majors.
Linux In Your Lap?
The Linux parade is headed for Main Street. Finally, after years of nay-saying (and the occasional grumpy analyst report), we're seeing more evidence that open-source software is ready to become more than an asterisk in the mainstream market.
Yet the true test for mass-market Linux isn't the desktop--it's the laptop. And while desktop Linux keeps moving towards the head of the class, its laptop cousin still has some homework to do.
A Challenge For The Ages
Government agencies on the national, state and local levels want to build a means of effectively sharing and analyzing homeland security data. The full difficulty of that task will rival anything the government has ever accomplished.
You Can Learn A Lot From A Pig
A fairy tale about three little pigs--alopng with some unrelated discussion about Microsoft vs. open source security. Really. Completely unrelated.
SmartAdvice: Consider Limited RFID Adoption As The Technology Sorts Itself Out
Don't retool your factory, but consider limited RFID use as it moves into the supply-chain mainstream, The Advisory Council says. Plus, there's room for blade servers and rack-mounted servers in many IT architectures; and weigh cumbersome against secure in deciding on passwords, biometric-based ID, or some combination for security.
Beyond The CEO Dashboard
The lower-level, indispensable folks who actually run things at most businesses are stepping up and taking charge of business intelligence.
Enterprise Open Source: Big Names, Bigger Money
There's a new game in town for unemployed software executives who need a new gig: enterprise open-source services. Judging from the money and management talent moving into this market, it's less likely to be a gold rush than a no-holds-barred cage match. And that's great news for firms that need a clear technology roadmap before they venture into open-source territory.
SmartAdvice: Align IT Outsourcing With Business Goals
Develop an IT outsourcing model that takes management and business goals into account, The Advisory Council says. Also, don't even think of hiring convicted ex-hackers to run security tests when security experts offer the same service.
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