dratcw - Slashdot User

Techies volunteering to save the world-> 0

Submitted by jcatcw on Wednesday December 17 2008, @09:59PM

jcatcw writes "According to Computerworld, there is a growing number of seasoned IT professionals trading in annual bonuses and executive perks to volunteer their time and expertise in developing countries. Ryan Whitney joined up with Geekcorps, which is just one of a number of nonprofits such as NetHope, Engineers Without Borders and ACDI/VOCA that send teams of techies around the world for two to 12 months to offer free technology training and resources."
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Nothing Easy About Apple In The Workplace-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Thursday November 06 2008, @12:25PM

CWmike writes "As enthusiasm grows around the Apple brand, the pressure mounts to support it in the enterprise. But a peek inside three businesses reveals that it has its challenges. Foremost: Mac veterans say Apple doesn't always act like other tech partners."
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Microsoft to Finally Bring Office to the Web-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Tuesday October 28 2008, @12:05PM

CWmike writes "After teasing the market multiple times, Microsoft will confirm today that it's finally bringing its cash cow desktop software to the Web and to smart phones. The four components are Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. They will become available when the next version of Office, code-named 'Office 14,' arrives late next year, Chris Capossela, senior vice president of Microsoft's business division, told Computerworld's Eric Lai. A private preview will come later this year. Capossela said of the risk of hurting Office software sales, 'The world tends to overestimate the cannibalization risk. We see an awesome growth opportunity.'"
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Ballmer: Windows 7 is Vista, Just 'A Lot Better'-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Friday October 17 2008, @01:59AM

CWmike writes "Windows 7 will be like Windows Vista, but more so, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said on Thursday. "[Windows 7], it's Windows Vista, a lot better," said Ballmer during a Q&A session hosted by a pair of Gartner Inc. analysts at its annual Symposium ITxpo. Ballmer was responding to a question from Gartner's Neil MacDonald, who asked how Microsoft would walk the line between doing too much with Windows 7 — thus, risking the kind of compatibility problems that plagued Vista early in its career — and too little, which might give customers an excuse to pass on the upgrade. "Windows Vista is good, Windows 7 is Windows Vista with clean-up in user interface [and] improvements in performance," Ballmer said. "Look, I'm not encouraging anybody to wait, I'd go ahead and deploy it right away. We didn't have to go in an incompatible direction to make big strides forward." The interview was later posted as a webcast on the Gartner site."
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5 Ways to Drive Your Best IT Staffers Out the Door-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Friday August 22 2008, @12:18PM

CWmike writes "Listen up, managers: Employees don't quit the job; they quit you, writes Mary K. Pratt. Mistake No. 1: Keep the creative juices bottled up. There are four more that you've probably experienced. Micromanaging, anyone? If you are a boss or plan to be one, and want the best team possible, read on for what not to do."
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China Blocks iTunes Over Tibet Album?-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Thursday August 21 2008, @05:28PM

CWmike writes "iTunes customers who live in China have been blocked from accessing the online music store, say reports posted on Apple's Web site. Although some Chinese customers have speculated that authorities have barred the site because it recently started selling "Songs for Tibet," a compilation featuring musicians such as Sting and Alanis Morissette, an Apple spokesman in the U.S. declined to comment. A company spokeswoman in Beijing, however, told Reuters that the company was aware of the problem but did not provide any additional information. "ITunes is not being blocked in China from our end," one Apple tech support representative replied to a comment about blocked access, "but access to the iTunes Store IS restricted in some areas in China.""
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Forget 802.11n Hype: Wi-Fi Tweaks for Speed Freaks-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Tuesday August 19 2008, @12:11PM

CWmike writes "Brian Nadel writes that claims made for wireless routers, like 300Mbit/sec. throughput and 1,000-foot range, are nothing more than digital pipe dreams. If you're disappointed by the speed and reach of your wireless network — and who isn't? — there's a lot you can do to grab every last bit of data and foot of range. Brian spent a few hours optimizing his network and more than doubled its indoor range from 90 to over 200 feet (with an additional 150-foot extension into my backyard) while increasing performance fifteenfold — all with a two-year-old 802.11g router."
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IT Schools to Watch-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Monday August 18 2008, @11:26AM

CWmike writes "These leading-edge graduate schools are moving at the pace of real-world IT, delivering coursework that's relevant to today's IT professionals. Plus: How to tap the value of IT education in the harsh reality of the business world, and how to explain what you bring to the table. Home in on a career-boosting education at one of 56 leading IT schools in your area with this special report's interactive map."
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'Very Important Victory' for Open Source Praised-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Thursday August 14 2008, @11:37AM

CWmike writes "Free software advocates are hailing a federal appeals court ruling that allows greater protection for open-source software against copyright infringement. The key point in the ruling is that it gives those who use Artistic License the leverage to also argue copyright infringement rather than just breach of contract. Eben Moglen, a Columbia University law professor and founding director of the Software Freedom Law Center, said the decision will reduce legal uncertainty and increase the "attractiveness of free software and open-source distribution models for both software developers and IT vendors." IT Blogwatch rounded up opinion on the matter, including that of Lawrence Lessig, who writes: " Trust me, this is huge ... The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit [is] THE "IP" court in the US ... Important clarity and certainty by a critically important US Court ... A very important victory.""
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Cyberallies Help Georgia Fight Internet Attacks-> 0

Submitted by

CWmike

on Tuesday August 12 2008, @11:51AM

CWmike writes "In an intriguing cyberalliance, two Estonian computer experts are heading Georgia to keep the country's networks running amid an intense military confrontation with Russia (Update: No peace, but ceasefire). Poland has lent space on its president's Web page for Georgia to post updates on its ongoing conflict with Russia. Estonia is also now hosting Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web site, which has been under sustained attack over the last few days. "Let's just say we moved it," Pärgmäe said. "I know that there are interested parties who read media so it's not good to say exactly where the hosting is.""
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