Is this a blagger that I see before me?
Thoughts, opinions, interesting snippets and gossip from ZDNet UK's news editor
Tuesday 6 February 2007, 6:36 PM
Security conference dances into life
RSA Conference 2007 has just kicked off in San Francisco, and I'm reeling from a truly, ummm, remarkable opening event. The lights were dimmed and 25 to 30 people trooped onstage, dressed as monks in brown robes. Standing before a backdrop of medieval European art, I wondered if we'd be treated to an enactment of early Florence, with Bill Gates playing the head of the Medici family. Alas, no such luck. Instead, our eclesiastical gang boogied across the stage, led by a pair of lead singers performing a curious cover version of Under Pressure. Complete with witty references to battling malware amid user frustration, and security driving everyone mad.
Surely opening speakers Gates and Craig Mundie can't top this?
I'm hoping to get hold of the lyrics, so I'll post them if I can. We could launch an offshoot of IT Anthems :)
Wednesday 24 January 2007, 8:44 AM
Paper clips: Indian IT, Logica and Steve Jobs
In today's UK newspapers, Logica CMG is widely scrutinised after yesterday's financial results, in which it revealed that its organic IT growth is below expectations. Logica's shares fell, but The Independent argues that this is an over-reaction, and that the company is basically sound. Those of you who are self-employed may be pleased to hear that Logica is also blaming the high cost of hiring IT contractors.
Over in The Times, you can read that the Indian IT market has grown by 1,000% in the last decade, and is on track to be worth £30bn in exports by 2010. That would make it nearly as powerful as the US, in the software exports market.
The Times is also excited by the rumours, which we brought to you yesterday, that Steve Jobs has reportedly been questioned by investigators probing Apple's stock options. It reports that government investigators in the United States have privately condemned Apple’s internal inquiry into backdating stock options and have asked the computer company to hand over more documents detailing how executives were awarded the controversial bonuses.
The Guardian reports that the New York City Employees Retirement System, which manages £45bn in investments, has filed proceedings in a Californian court against Apple. This class action suit claims that shareholders lost out through Apple's mishandling of its executive options.
And in the Telegraph, there are claims that the Serious And Organised Crime Squad is paralysed by bureaucracy. This is the agency that is meant to lead the fight against dangerous cybercriminals, but it appears that Soca is making very little headway, on anything.
Tuesday 23 January 2007, 5:19 PM
Buyers line up for iSoft?
After months of turmoil and criticism, UK software developer iSoft may soon be in new hands. The Times is reporting that three different companies are keen to buy iSoft, which has a vital role to play in the multi-billion NHS IT contract.
iSoft's share price plunged over the last year, as doubts emerged over its ability to deliver its Lorenzo application. However, a takeover probablyn wouldn't be the end of its problems, as the Financial Services Authority is still probing its accounting practices.
Monday 22 January 2007, 11:55 AM
ICANN hires journalist critic
Congratulations to Kieren McCarthy, a technology writer who many of you may be familiar with (he's written for The Guardian, The Register and Techworld, among others). Now, though, he's joining ICANN. Interestingly, Kieren's been tracking ICANN very closely over the years and has written some pretty critical articles at times (for example).
Kieren has been appointed as 'general manager, public participation' and will have to 'ensure active participation in ICANN processes by Internet stakeholders, including end users'.
Hopefully Kieren can make a difference to an organisation which has often appeared too secretive and political, given its vital role in running the Internet. Given he lives in Oxford (as do I), it's another reason to meet up for a pint :)
Guardian Unlimited has a bit more info, as does Kieren's blog.
Friday 5 January 2007, 6:05 PM
IT Anthems returns
Peter Judge, tech journalist sometimes of this parish, has made a dire discovery. Symantec has set up a new rock band called RockDotRock to promote its internet security wares.
As with so many corporate bands and songs, this one boasts the usual cringe-worthy lyrics and song titles. "Non-Traditional Two-Factor Authentication. Safe Internet Access - Gonna sweep the nation!" nearly brought my lunch back up.
Peter was also the brains behind ZDNet UK's hosting of the IT Anthems database -- full of truly terrible corporate anthems from the heady days of the dot-com boom. Read more on his blog.
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