Big ol' NetworkWorld.com feed

Here comes the digital nomad dream vehicle

2008-10-11T00:00:00Z

The economy is in full-blown meltdown. Home values are dropping. Businesses are closing. Layoffs are coming. Maybe it's time to escape from civilization and wait out the crash?

Ning adds Google OpenSocial support to its social networks

2008-10-11T00:00:00Z

Social network platform provider Ning Inc. - the brainchild of Netscape founder Marc Andreessen - Friday announced that it is adding support for the OpenSocial standard to the more than 500,000 social networks created by its users.

Exploit code loose for six-month-old Windows bug

2008-10-11T00:00:00Z

Microsoft Thursday acknowledged that exploit code is circulating for a vulnerability it acknowledged six months ago, but has yet to patch.

Mafiaboy grows up; a hacker seeks redemption

Robert McMillan — 2008-10-11T00:00:00Z

The Internet attack took Yahoo engineers by surprise. It came so fast and with such intensity that Yahoo, then the Web's second most-popular destination, was knocked offline for about three hours.

Google in curious alliance with click-fraud detection firm

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

In a development that would have seemed impossible two years ago, Google is cooperating publicly with Click Forensics, a click-fraud detection company with which it has had a rocky relationship.

Favorite Firefox extensions

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

One of the big advantages Firefox 3 holds over Safari is extensibility. Savvy users can customize the browser to look, feel and perform in any number of ways. Our earlier review said "Firefox 3 is an improvement on its useful but somewhat clunky predecessor in nearly every respect."

Feds weigh changes to H-1B application process after report

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

A report by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that found evidence of forged documents, fake degrees and shell companies being used in H-1B applications likely will lead to increased scrutiny of the visa petitions if the USCIS implements some of the steps it is now considering. A USCIS spokesman said Friday that the agency is weighing a series of reforms to the H-1B application process, including the use of "independent open-source data" to obtain information about visa seekers or the companies that file the petitions on their behalf. For instance, USCIS officials could check petitioning companies against commercially available records in order to make sure that they are legitimate businesses.

What happens to my DSL when I give up my landline?

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Most local phone companies in the United States offer what's commonly called "naked DSL," although the companies themselves don't tend to use that term. Simply put, it's DSL service without analog voice or a dial tone. It usually costs more than adding DSL to existing phone service, but less than the combination of both.

PCI app security: Who's guarding the data bank?

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

While Willy Sutton never really said it, the truth is that people rob banks because that is where the money is. Today's criminals don't walk into banks with loaded guns and get-away drivers. Rather they connect from a remote location using a browser and are armed with hacking tools and spyware.

Economic crisis means double duty for IT pros

Denise Dubie — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

IT professionals assume additional responsibilities when faced with budget cuts and hiring freezes as their job descriptions expand to include more work outside of their technical expertise.

Microsoft sues DHL after train dumps 21,600 Xboxes

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Microsoft is suing U.S.-based cargo-delivery service DHL Express for allegedly losing 21,600 Xbox game consoles because of a train derailment in Texas, according to court documents.

How to renegotiate an outsourcing contract

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Sitting down with a vendor to renegotiate an existing outsourcing contract can be a challenging task. David Patzwald, CIO of Schneider Electric North America, offers the following suggestions for how to make your negotiation sessions a fruitful-not frustrating-experience.

It only seems like the only news is the economy

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Not all of this week's news involved global financial turmoil: while IT budgets are being cut and AMD is breaking itself up, a security tool was released for Firefox that prevents "clickjacking" and Microsoft said that Windows 7 will fix issues in Vista's user account control feature.

Kernel developers, Wall Street to come together

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The Linux Foundation is holding its first End User Summit beginning Monday in New York, in an effort to bring Linux kernel developers in closer contact with users at Wall Street institutions and other major companies.

Forrester: Discontent persists over SAP maintenance hike

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

A new Forrester Research study that polled more than 200 SAP customers found widespread discontent over the vendor's recent decision to shift customers to a pricier Enterprise Support offering, and also provides tips on how customers can mitigate the increased cost.

Ericsson racing team to raise awareness of MDGs

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Telecommunications giant Ericsson will raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) during the Volvo Ocean Race, an around-the-world sailing competition.

Vodafone to acquire 15% more of Vodacom Group

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The dispute between Vodafone and Telkom South Africa over shareholding in Vodacom Group seems to be dying down after the South African government yielded and accepted Vodafone's latest bid.

Ellison strikes bullish tone at shareholder meeting

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Seemingly unfazed by the ongoing meltdown in global financial markets, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison said Friday his company will likely emerge unscathed, and in fact may "come out of this downturn stronger than we ever have before."

Mobile penetration to hit 95 percent by 2013

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Mobile penetration rates will increase to 95 percent by 2013 from 46 percent in 2008, according to a new survey of 34 emerging markets by Tariff Consultancy Limited.

How IT pros can prosper despite economic woes

Denise Dubie — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

IT budgets are on hold and staff hiring is frozen, but IT professionals can view the downturn as an opportunity to spotlight their skills and add a few more to their résumés.

Mobile industry split over UMA versus femtocells

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

As mobile data traffic continues to increase, with more generated by home users, operators are under pressure to adopt either UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) or femtocells, both of which have a lot going for them, according to their respective proponents.

Sprint's 4G Xohm WiMax: How fast is it?

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

With most American mobile data networks busy trying to deliver third-generation (3G) mobile wireless access to traveling businesspeople, Sprint's newly launched Xohm service takes a giant step forward by offering America's first 4G system.

World Bank urges Zambia to review telecom issues

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

As Zambia's international gateway issues continue, the World Bank said a review is needed of the problems relating to infrastructure, regulatory and institutional requirements of the telecom industry in order to solve troubles affecting the sector.

Neotel ready to offer multiple services on fiber

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Neotel, South Africa's second national operator, has finalized plans to offer fiber to its enterprise customers in major cities and towns.

Romanian pleads guilty to phishing-related charges

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

A Romanian man pleaded guilty earlier this week to charges related to possession of stolen credit card information obtained from fraudulent Web sites.

Ugandans comment on 10 years of ICT regulation

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Earlier this month, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) celebrated 10 years of regulating the country's highly competitive ICT sector, garnering reflection from observers and ICT users.

South Africa ranked region's most networked economy

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

South Africa is the most networked economy in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Mauritius and Botswana, according to the latest edition of "The Global Information Technology Report" by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Nokia E71 3G smartphone

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

As Nokia's very first 3G phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, the US$500 E71 is an all-around improvement on its predecessor, the E61. It not only has a sleeker and more sophisticated curved design, but it packs a multitude of features ideal for both business and personal use.

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Lenovo, one of the top notebook PC manufacturers, has hit a home-run with the IdeaPad S10, as it enters the fast exploding segment of mini-laptops. At first glance, it looks like a cross between the compact Acer Aspire One and MSI Wind, but the S10 stands its ground admirably among the flock.

Tom Bihn Zephyr

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Tom Bihn's Zephyr is billed specifically as a laptop "briefcase" for good reason: This sturdy, waterproof bag has a pre-formed shape that makes it best-suited for business-minded people who have a lot of material to haul. If you require crisp, clean, organized files when you arrive for a meeting, this bag is for you.

Zoho launches e-mail app with offline, mobile access

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Zoho has added e-mail to its portfolio of Web-hosted applications for individuals and organizations.

Newsstand and News Now for iPhone

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Old rituals wither and die; new rituals crop up and replace the old. When I used to work on the west side of Los Angeles, one of my favorite rituals was to stop every morning at a newsstand at Robertson Avenue and Pico Boulevard and load up on reading materials--three or four newspapers and often one or two magazines. The year was 1994.

i-rocks RF-7550A 2.4GHz Cordless Optical Mouse

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The i-rocks RF-7550A 2.4GHz Cordless Optical Mouse is a decent mouse created by a company that doesn't believe in the famous marketing dictum that to keep your customers happy you should "under-promise and over-deliver."

World Bank releases ICT development funds to Africa

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The World Bank has given Eastern and Southern African countries about US$424 million for a program designed to improve regional communication infrastructure and increase the deployment of e-government.

Errant e-mail to me will cost you

Mark Gibbs — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Ignorance of the law doesn't work with speeding tickets and it doesn't work with technology. Both can cost you.

CCK challenges Postal Corporation to adopt technology

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The Communications Commission of Kenya has challenged the Postal Corporation of Kenya to adopt technology or risk losing the market to more innovative competitors.

Appointments for British visas now online

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

British visa seekers in Sierra Leone will now have to book appointments online, according to the British High Commission in Freetown.

U.K. companies offered 'password amnesty'

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Authentication specialist Cryptocard is offering U.K. businesses the chance to test the company's remote access login service free-of-charge until year-end.

Antivirus superhero comes to the rescue

Martyn Williams — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Japan's cheap and pervasive high-speed Internet connections are finally catching up with the country.

Zain Zambia CEO resigns

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Zain Zambia CEO David Venn has resigned barely two months after Celtel Zambia was taken over by Zain of Kuwait.

Opera promises faster surfing with new browser

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Opera Software, which is battling hard for market share with Google's Chrome, is promising users a faster surfing experience, an improved e-mail client, and better browser-synchronization capabilities, with the latest version of its browser launched this week.

U.S. gov't proposes digital signing of DNS root zone file

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The U.S. government is soliciting input on a way to make the Internet's addressing system less susceptible to tampering by hackers.

Infosys revenue, profit growth slows

John Ribeiro — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Infosys Technologies, India's second largest outsourcer, Friday reported slower growth in revenue and profits for the quarter ended September 30, reflecting the impact of the economic crisis in the U.S., its largest market.

Forbidden City goes virtual with IBM

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The world's largest palace complex Friday unveiled an addition -- a virtual one.

Hands on with Final Fantasy Dissidia

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Among the myriad of handheld games on show at this year's Tokyo Game Show is "Final Fantasy: Dissidia."

Hands on: Getting dirty with Sony's Gomibako

Martyn Williams — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Gomibako, or "garbage can" in English, is a drop down puzzle game that replaces the usual shapes with, well, garbage.

Game Show attendance drops 8% on first day

Martyn Williams — 2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The Tokyo Game Show saw an 8 percent drop in attendance on Thursday, the first day of the four-day long show, organizers said Friday.

Hands on with Star Ocean: The Last Hope

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the fourth main installment of the Star Ocean saga and marks the arrival of the series on next generation consoles. Star Ocean: The Last Hope takes place before the original Star Ocean title, when in the aftermath of World War III humanity turns towards the reaches of space.

Harvard takes a long, slow approach to IP call center integration

Tim Greene — 2008-10-09T00:00:00Z

Call it the Harvard University Tower of Babel. That might be the most descriptive way to look at the institution's network of networks that consists of 10 academic units with independent CIOs and staff who build and take care of their own environments, yet all rely on a centralized call-center infrastructure to serve users.

Smartphone showdown: BlackBerry Storm vs. the iPhone

Brad Reed — 2008-10-09T00:00:00Z

Examining how the Storm stacks up against the iPhone in terms of call quality, data coverage, price and more.