Testing OpenOffice V3The Channel Test Center has tried out the upcoming version of OpenOffice. With improvements to its database, spreadsheet, presentation and writing modules, can the package provide a realistic alternative to enterprises reliant on that other office suite? "There is plenty to admire about OpenOffice.org—the fact that it is free probably being the most endearing to the masses. The application suite, in a pinch, has proven itself a viable option to Microsoft's Office." The Office preview is only one feature in this month's CRN Tech, which includes evaluations of Network Access Control products, three WAN optimization tools, and a look at the state of custom gaming rigs, among other features. Posted by Joe Caponi at 05:14 PM, July 31, 2008 Can You Live On SaaS?While major vendors from Microsoft to Salesforce.com push partners to embrace Software as a Service (SaaS) methods for delivering solutions, VARs are evaluating whether those plans are really in their best interest. To help, VARBusiness identifies SaaS: Five Challenges For The Channel as well as guidelines on How To Build A Business Around SaaS: "What everyone seems to agree on is this: There's no upside to waiting around. Now is the time to figure out your SaaS strategy. Here are some of the important issues solution providers must grapple with as they develop their response to SaaS." Our Larry Hooper, for one, has been looking at Microsoft -- and other vendor's -- SaaS plans, and says the declining margin on software could actually be good for the channel: "So as we all look toward a day when we can count on virtually no margins from products, where does that leave solution providers? In my mind, it leaves them in charge. Posted by Joe Caponi at 10:46 AM, July 25, 2008 San Francisco Admin Hands Over Passwords, Remains In JailNetwork admin Terry Childs met Monday with San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom and provided the passwords to the city's FiberWAN network that he'd been witholding: "Newsom took the password to a team of Cisco Systems code crackers that had been working on the case for the city... Childs provided the missing protocols which, when paired with the password, gave the control back to the city. " But if Childs was hoping this would help get him out of jail, it hasn't yet: "Terry Childs, the jailed city of San Francisco network administrator accused of locking out superiors from the portion of the city network he managed, failed in his motion to have his bail reduced from $5 million Wednesday." While it's still not clear exactly what's going on behind the scenes, prosecutors have begun to reveal their thinking in holding Childs on higher bail than most violent criminals. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: "Terry Childs envisioned the ultimate revenge on his bosses, prosecutors say - the meltdown of the city's computer network at the flick of a switch... And prosecutors still fear Childs still has access to the city's network, either via other individuals' passwords or via banks of modems Childs has set up in various locations throughout city buildings. Posted by Joe Caponi at 11:40 AM, July 24, 2008 The Inscrutable San Francisco Network LockoutThe case of Terry Childs, the San Francisco city network manager currently in jail, charged with computer tampering, remains mysterious. We describe what's known and what isn't: "The man accused of hijacking San Francisco's main IT network has been depicted by sources in various news reports and blog posts as everything from a gentle, quiet fellow who's been the victim of a giant misunderstanding to a disgruntled loner bent on revenge... InfoWorld claims to be in contact with "a source with direct knowledge of the City of San Francisco’s IT infrastructure and of Childs himself." They report: "My source appears to believe that Childs' motivation was the antithesis of tampering, and that Childs did everything possible to maintain the integrity of the network, perhaps to a fault." Hat tip: Slashdot.
"it happens in almost every IT shop: A handful of people, or even one person, has the sole responsibility for and knowledge of critical systems... Virtually every IT manager recognizes this problem, but far fewer do anything about it. San Francisco is now learning its lesson the hard way." We'll keep an eye on this... Posted by Joe Caponi at 03:19 PM, July 21, 2008 Hacking San FranciscoYes, it's not going to be worth the tremendous amount of trouble he's in, and it's a warning to all organization executives and network administrators, but you've got to admire the nerve of Terry Childs, at least a little: "A San Francisco city computer network administrator charged with taking over the city's computer system and blocking access to it has had an arraignment date set... I can't wait to find out why... UPDATE: Information Week has more... "Childs... is still being paid his six-figure salary while he sits in jail, refusing to divulge the password he created to hijack the computer system that stores 60% of all city government data... The suspect has refused to divulge the password that would unlock the system, which remains operational. " Posted by Joe Caponi at 10:22 AM, July 17, 2008 RSS Feeds UpdateToday, we've begun using Pheedo to manage the distribution of our site RSS feeds (and yes, to show some ads). There should be no disruption in the feeds, and our old URLs should work just fine. To subscribe to any of our feeds, visit our feeds page. To pick out a web-based feed reader, don't miss my Best RSS Feed Readers slide show. Any other problems, let me know. UPDATE: Okay, there were a few problems, but we've got our main feeds running now and should have the rest shortly. Sorry for the difficulty. Posted by Joe Caponi at 10:11 AM, July 16, 2008 A Missed Opportunity For VistaSteven Burke says Microsoft missed a great opportunity to help itself and its partners at the same time: "Instead of looking to its partners as the first line of attack in the new Vista campaign, Microsoft... created partner angst by announcing a Windows Vista Small Business Assurance Program that left more than a few solution providers wondering just where they fit in." It turns out that Vista Small Business Assurance isn't very "assuring": "Do you really want to bet your small business on a Microsoft support rep at the end of a phone line? A Microsoft support rep, by the way, who is only available from '10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time.' And what happens when the free offer is up? Who do you call then?" Meanwhile, the other news out of Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference--it's SaaS plans-- also left some solution providers with other headaches: "Channel partners are worried that by offering hosted services directly to customers, Microsoft could reduce the role of solution providers in working with customers—or cutting them out of the picture altogether." Microsoft's great strength (versus competitors like Google and Apple) is its army of channel partners. They'd be wise to keep them happy. Posted by Joe Caponi at 04:42 PM, July 15, 2008 Talent Squeeze To Tax Solution ProvidersRobert Faletra sees "a perfect storm" coming in terms of solution provider talent shortages: "Is there any doubt that we are heading toward a period of wage inflation?... the cost of oil is driving up the cost of living in every area... There is flat out going to be pressure on every employer to raise wages above the core inflation rate or risk losing employees to a higher bidder." At InformationWeek, Marianne Kolbasuk McGee already identified the option to telecommute as a powerful employment/retention perk. "As for the recent report by tech career site company, Dice, that found nearly 40% of tech workers would accept a pay cut of up to 10% to telecommute full-time," Posted by Joe Caponi at 02:30 PM, July 14, 2008 iPhone v2, G3 Launches TodayThis morning, at 8:00 local time, just about everywhere, the iPhone v2 will be available. Our Andrew Hickey runs down what you need to know: "Apple and AT&T stores will require in-store activation of 3G iPhones this year. Last year, buyers took the devices home for activation, cutting down in-store wait times but creating jammed phone lines as users dialed AT&T for activation... For business users looking to buy a 3G iPhone and use it with service under a corporate account, Apple said they'll need to contact AT&T directly." While Michele Masterton looks at early reviews of the iPhone 2.0: "Two days ahead of its U.S. release, the early reviews of Apple's iPhone 3G are in. Reviewers for the most part were enthusiastic about the product, but did point out what they consider to be shortcomings... The two biggest complaints: battery life and overall cost." One of the most compelling features of the new iPhone environment is the App Store. At Information Week, Eric Zeman is blown away: "Leave it to Apple. After installing iPhone firmware version 2.0 this morning, an icon for the Apps Store appeared on my phone. I opened it up right away. In less than 5 minutes I had downloaded several applications. Apple makes it too easy." While our Ed Moltzen says it's an an entirely new world for developers and ISVs: "The array of new software for the iPhone will mean that both users of first-generation devices as well as those who turn on the 3G iPhones when they launch Friday will have a powerful, new set of tools at their disposal without having to hack it or jailbreak it." And don't miss LifeHacker's list of their favorite App Store Apps. Information Week's Mitch Wagner says iPhone 1.0 users should think twice before going out and buying a new iPhone, as much of the upgraded services will be sent as an upgrade to current phone owners. Of course that's not stopping him from planning on his own iPhone 2.0 buy tomorrow. (He also posts some videos of the iPhone 2.0 in action to "whet your appetite." And you'll find more video reviews here.) UPDATE: Ed Moltzen reports trouble with upgrades: "Apple customers are grappling with a balky upgrade process to iPhone 2.0 software, with numerous reports of first-generation phones becoming "bricked" in mid-update." Posted by Joe Caponi at 06:50 AM, July 11, 2008 Vendors Aid VAR PartneringSmart VARs have always been alert for partnering opportunities that can help grow their businesses. Rick Whiting reports that the big vendors have caught on: "Some of the largest vendors, including IBM, Microsoft, and SAP, have figured out that there's a lot to be gained by managing their solution provider partnerships as a networked system rather a set of discrete relationships, according to a report from International Data Corp. Microsoft helps foster partner-to-partner relationships through its Partner Channel Builder initiative, a P2P resource on the vendor's partner portal. IBM does likewise through its Value Nets program, as does SAP with its PartnerEdge P2P Network." Posted by Joe Caponi at 12:19 PM, July 7, 2008 |
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