Utility Computing And The MEGO Factor
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In This Issue:
1. Editor's Note: Utility Computing And The MEGO Factor
2. Today's Top Story
- Google Ready To Appeal Photo Copyright Ruling
Related Stories: Legal Woes
- IBM Subpoenas Competitors In SCO Code-Use Case
- FTC Settles With CardSystems Over Data Breach
- BlackBerry Maker Scores A Gain In Long Patents War
- NTP's Existing Settlement Terms Unacceptable: RIM
3. Breaking News
- Zero-Day Exploit Turns Up Heat On Mac OS X
- Microsoft Pushes Enterprise Features In Newest Vista Preview
- Researchers: Adware Firm Still Duping Consumers
- Sun Rolls Out Java Enterprise Edition 5 Beta
- Americans Online In The Slow Lane
- IBM Increases Software-As-A-Service Support
- Ultra Wideband Rivals Woo Bluetooth
- EarthLink, Google Apply For San Francisco Wireless Network
- U.S. Company Sponsors IT Talent Contest In India
- Change In Temp Staffing Strategy Saves Insurer $1.6 Million
4. Grab Bag: News You Need From Around The Web
- How To Survive A Tech Support Call
- Google Signs On Do-Good Doctor To Head Charity
- Teen Arrested After Myspace.com Posting
5. In Depth: Reviews And Personal Technology
- Firefox Essentials: Get To Know Your Profile
- Review: Kenpo 'Made-For-iPod' Jacket
- Review: Streaming Media Servers
- Review: Upgraded BlackBerry Enterprise Server
- Review: GoToMyPC Corporate 5.0
6. Voice Of Authority
- Bush's Pro-India Stance Shows He's Got The Facts Right
About Outsourcing
7. White Papers
- Mitsui & Co. Connects Its Entire Global Value Chain From A
Single Desktop Location
8. Get More Out Of InformationWeek
9. Manage Your Newsletter Subscription
Quote of the day:
"Don't throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new
one holds water." -- Swedish Proverb
1. Editor's Note: Utility Computing And The MEGO Factor
Optimize, one of InformationWeek's sister
publications, recently ran a very good article by two consultants
that I urge everyone in IT to read. It's about how to prepare for utility computing, and it contains some sage advice about steps to take. Their
recommendations include starting in relatively small areas that
already have homogenous environments (in other words,
single-vendor applications or something close) and implementing a
SAN and chargeback system.
Even more interesting is that the article raises an intriguing
question about why the vast majority of IT organizations are
holding back from investing in this computing model, at least so
far. The article goes through a list of eight problem areas, many
to do with organizational issues such as how to get a bunch of
business units that may be operating independently to agree to
share the central IT "resource."
I could be wrong, but I believe this buy-in and the resulting
ceding of control are probably the biggest roadblocks to adopting
utility computing en masse. Most large and medium-sized companies
have gone through the yin-yang pull of decentralizing and
recentralizing IT numerous times. Those in the former camp have
usually wound up there either because of business
reasons--multiple acquisitions and mergers with incompatible IT
infrastructures--or because the business units had a really bad
relationship with the previous central IT group and decided to
roll their own.
Fundamentally, though, the "MEGO" (my eyes glaze over) factor is
huge here--and by "here" I mean utility computing, autonomic
systems, and pretty much next-generation anything. After decades
of hearing about how technology is going to make their lives
better, their infrastructures more manageable and/or less
expensive, and their smiles brighter (or just pick your benefit),
I think IT professionals are casting an extremely wary eye on
just about everything right now. CIOs are skeptical of any promises,
and for very good reason, because they're tired of getting beaten
up by their business management for not delivering on them.
I have no doubt we'll get to utility computing and the
rest--eventually. Like just about everything else in the industry,
though, it's going to take a lot longer than some may hope.
What do you think? To comment or to read more, check out my blog entry.
Johanna Ambrosio
jambrosio@cmp.com
www.informationweek.com
2. Today's Top Story
Google Ready To Appeal Photo Copyright Ruling
The company is fighting a recent court decision that it can't use
thumbnail photos from an adult site.
Related Stories:
IBM Subpoenas Competitors In SCO Code-Use Case
Big Blue is requesting records relating to Sun, Microsoft, and
other vendors' use of Unix code, their contributions to Linux,
and their relationships with SCO.
FTC Settles With CardSystems Over Data Breach
The proposed settlement requires the privately owned company to
adopt stricter security measures and have an independent audit
every other year for the next 20 years.
BlackBerry Maker Scores A Gain In Long Patents War
Once again the U.S. Patent Office has rejected one of five
disputed patents owned by NTP.
NTP's Existing Settlement Terms Unacceptable: RIM
RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie maintains that NTP's settlement terms
would have caused RIM to shutter its business.
3. Breaking News
Zero-Day Exploit Turns Up Heat On Mac OS X
A hacker site posted code that can be used to take advantage of a
flaw in Mac OS X, which increases the risk that the bug will be
used by attackers.
Microsoft Pushes Enterprise Features In Newest Vista Preview
Included are deployment tools to roll out the Vista client, a
means of adding components to a disk image, and other features
focused on the enterprise.
Researchers: Adware Company Still Duping Consumers
The argument over the definition of malware continues between
anti-spyware researchers and a controversial Web advertising company.
Sun Rolls Out Java Enterprise Edition 5 Beta
Java EE 5 simplifies creating Web application interfaces and the
invocation of Web services, as well as streamlines the amount of
code required to build applications, Sun says.
Americans Online In The Slow Lane
The United States is falling further behind many other developed
nations in broadband use. Part of the reason is the government's
reluctance in getting involved in building the needed infrastructure.
And the current discussion of Network Neutrality in Congress could
make matters worse.
IBM Increases Software-As-A-Service Support
The program includes incentives and resources for channel
partners, as well as training.
Ultra Wideband Rivals Woo Bluetooth
Two competing technology standards offer connectivity at speeds
high enough to replace USB connections for PDAs, BlackBerrys, and
even monitors.
EarthLink, Google Apply For San Francisco Wireless Network
The city wants to build a municipal network to give poorer
residents an affordable option for getting online.
U.S. Company Sponsors IT Talent Contest In India
The contest is part of U.S. Technology Resources' plan to recruit
up to 27,000 employees from the region in the next few years.
Change In Temp Staffing Strategy Saves Insurer $1.6 Million
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina was able to cut costs
and save time by switching to a "vendor neutral" approach to
staffing and by employing vendor-management software.
All our latest news
Watch The News Show
In the current episode:
John Soat With 'Microsoft, Microsoft, Google'
Windows overtakes Unix in server sales in 2005, EU versus MSFT,
and Google loses copyright case to porn publisher.
Elena Malykhina With 'Judgment Day'
Judge expected to make decision in RIM's BlackBerry patent case
Friday. CrackBerry addicts are nervous with anticipation.
Stephanie Stahl With 'The End of Software'
Interview with Timothy Chou, author of The End of Software.
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4. Grab Bag: News You Need From Around The Web
How To Survive A Tech Support Call (NY Times - reg. required)
Ex-CIO John Stumpf wrote this primer about dealing with your very
own Dell offshore personal expert.
Google Signs On Do-Good Doctor To Head Charity (USA Today)
Larry Brilliant's life has ranged from civil rights marches with
Martin Luther King to working as a physician for the Grateful
Dead and leading high-tech ventures.
Teen Arrested After Myspace.com Posting (AP)
A 16-year-old boy from Denver was arrested after postings on the
popular Web site allegedly showed him holding handguns,
authorities said.
5. In Depth: Reviews And Personal Technology
Firefox Essentials: Get To Know Your Profile
Do you know where to find your Firefox profile, what types of files
you'll find there, and how you can protect them against mishaps?
Review: Kenpo 'Made-For-iPod' Jacket
Fashion company breaks ground with a new line of jackets that
have buttons on the sleeve to control your pocket-protected iPod.
Review: Streaming Media Servers
Apple, Macromedia, Microsoft, and RealNetworks all accepted
Network Computing's comparison challenge. The results were
remarkably close. Find out why entries from Apple and Microsoft
just edged out the other two.
Review: Upgraded BlackBerry Enterprise Server
Improved administration, support for Web services, and a visual
development tool distinguish version 4.1.
Review: GoToMyPC Corporate 5.0
It's a useful tool for remote access, but it could sharpen its
multi-user support capabilities.
6. Voice Of Authority
Bush's Pro-India Stance Shows He's Got The Facts Right About Outsourcing
Legislative efforts to restrict the outsourcing of IT and other
services jobs to India would hurt America more than they would
help it. Most business people and economists know this, and it
appears President Bush knows it, too. Paul McDougall explains.
7. White Papers
Mitsui & Co. Connects Its Entire Global Value Chain From A Single
Desktop Location
Mitsui & Co. struggled with the endless paperwork, interminable
processes, and difficult-to-track systems it used to receive,
process, and track orders throughout its network of suppliers,
customers, and trading partners. Read how Internet-based SCM Live
allows the firm to link its trading partners and
customers--saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
8. Get More Out Of InformationWeek
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