Info-Tech Advisor Newsletter articles from April 2002

Info-Tech Advisor Newsletter archives from April 2002

Looking Good: Develop a Customer Service Mindset.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Emerald Article, Craig Harrison Article, Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute Article, Holland & Davis Article, InterProm Paper, TechRepublic Article) IT's essential business function is to provide service and support to...

Building a Secure E-Mail Gateway.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Avolio Consulting Article, ICSA.net Policy, Information Security Magazine Articles, PricewaterhouseCoopers Article, Sophos Article) Implementing strong security at your e-mail gateway is probably the most effective thing you can...

Network Design Tools Buyer's Guide.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Network Computing Article, Network World Fusion Article, O'Reilly Network Review) If your network contains more than a few routers, it's a good idea to invest in some way to accurately describe and document its topology and...

Clustering: The New Kid on the Database Block.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (DB2 Magazine Article, InfoWorld Article, Intelligent Enterprise Article, New Architect Article) Clustering servers to create highly available and scalable systems has been around for a long time. Now, the idea of clustering...

Get Organized: A Personal Efficiency Plan.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (BalanceTime Web Site, HR Professional Article, Institute for Business Technology Article, ProjectMagazine Articles) The one thing you know about time is that there is never enough of it as you put out a dozen fires and juggle a...

Monitoring Instant Messaging.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Computerworld Articles, FaceTime Web Site, Instant Messaging Planet Features) One of the major concerns surrounding instant messaging (IM) in the enterprise is that it can't be easily monitored and stored like regular e-mail....

Get Back On Track With Intranet Usability Testing.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Builder.com Web Site Feature, Useit.com Web Site Articles) Intranets are an excellent way for your organization to share knowledge, increase awareness, and accelerate productivity. However, if your intranet does not stack up to...

LCD Projectors: A Purchasing Plan.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Accurate PLC FAQ List, BuyerZone.com Buyer's Guide, PC Magazine Article, Projector Central Buyer's Guide) LCD projectors can make a great impression with customers and employees, so selecting a good one is a much more critical...

Computer Forensics 101.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (CIO Magazine Articles, CommWeb Article, Computerworld Article, Darwin Magazine Article, Earthweb Articles) Imagine this: one of your key servers becomes evidence in a criminal investigation. Do you have a backup plan? In this age...

Project Management Decision Guide.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Info-Tech Research Group Decision Guide) Investing some time and effort in proper project planning will save you big over the long haul. This Info-Tech Research Guide includes premium advice on making your project plan a winner....

Security Policy Library.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (SANS Institute Web Site) In getting started with a new policy it is always helpful to have a template or sample upon which to build. For security policies, you can find an excellent collection of templates at the SANS Institute....

Get Control of Your HTML Tables.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Web Developer's Virtual Library Article) Have any of the following ever happened to you? * A Web page looks great when viewed in Internet Explorer, but looks like a dog's breakfast when viewed in the Netscape browser. *...

Anatomy of Wireless Project Success.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Serverworld White Paper) he idea of pushing applications out to mobile workers via network-enabled wireless devices has an undeniable element of "cool." But aside from the "gee whiz" gimmickry and media hype, what would such an...

A Primer on E-Learning Standards.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (The Masie Center E-Learning Consortium) Digital technology can be a powerful tool for instruction in both academic and corporate spheres, and in the past two years there has been an explosion in "e-learning" technologies. In a...

Adapter Brings Collaboration to Excel.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Advanced Reality Inc.) The ability to readily collaborate on an Excel spreadsheet has thus far been a pipe dream. However, a startup company called Advanced Reality has just released a high-end adapter - Presence-AR Adapter -...

IBM Self-Healing Server Debuts.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (IBM Corporation) The first server from IBM to feature its much-touted "self-healing" technology - the eServer x440 - has finally arrived. This new technology, called eLiza, offers the following functionality: *...

Make Notes While You Surf.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (PC Magazine) he next time you're surfing the Web and you need to make a "mental note" about something you've read, how about making an actual note on the Web page itself! With the Web Highlighter utility from PC Magazine, you can...

Red Hat Unveils Enterprise-Class Server OS.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Red Hat, Inc.) Arguments about whether or not Linux is ready for the enterprise may be quelled with the release of Red Hat Linux Advanced Server for Intel-based servers. This enterprise-class version of the open source operating...

Security Software Authenticates via Keystrokes.
April 2, 2002... Sources: (Net Nanny Software Inc.) Do you want a biometric user authentication solution that is less intrusive than fingerprint recognition and retinal scans? BioPassword 4.5 from Net Nanny is an unusual solution that actually identifies...

Prioritizing Help Desk Problems.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Foresight Software Web Site, Help Desk Solutions Article, TechRepublic Article, University of Connecticut Guidelines) Calls to your help desk can quickly become overwhelming. Set a help desk request prioritization policy to ensure...

Test Your Wireless Security for Five Bucks!
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Windows & .NET Magazine Network article, BBC News Article, Gregory Rehm Web Site) "War driving", the art of hacking Wireless LANs by driving around urban centers with an antenna and a laptop, is a very real threat for...

Learn The Fine Balance of Delegation.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Human Resources Services at Purdue University Guide, iVillage.co.uk Article, The Management Assistance Program For Non-Profits Library Article, The National Association for Printing Leadership Article) Effective delegation is key...

Web Services Security: Proceed with Caution.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Dot-Com Builder Article, CNET Article, Stencil Group White Paper, Vnunet.com (UK) Article, Paul Prescod Article) The benefits of Web services for corporations are enormous, both in terms of the new "glue" binding together legacy...

Close the Door on E-Mail Relaying.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (CNET Article, Network World Fusion Article, ORDB.org Web Site, ZDNet Article) The CEO is furious and figures you are to blame. An e-mail she sent to a potential business partner came back like a boomerang, rejected by the...

Outsource Your User Documentation.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Dimensional Media Marketing Article, Escoe Bliss Web Site, Scriptorium Publishing Services White Paper, TechRepublic Articles) Asking your developers to create end user documentation for the applications they develop is much like...

Selecting a Corporate Cell Phone Solution.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (About Guide, CNN Article, Network Computing Article, TALK.com Wireless Article, TelecomWriting.com Web Site) Standardizing your company on one or two cell phones and service plans from the same vendor lets you take advantage of...

Shop Your Conferencing Options: Lotus vs. Microsoft.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (IBM Web Site, Microsoft Web Site, InternetWeek Review) Many companies are looking at collaboration tools as a way to reduce the cost of projects while increasing the effectiveness of collaboration. These tools are becoming more...

Is Laptop Backup a Weak Link In Your Continuity Plan?
April 16, 2002... Sources: (GartnerGroup Article, Law Commerce Web Site, Storactive Inc. White Paper) Backing up laptop data on the road is a critical. More often than not, laptop road warriors are away from the office for extended periods of time, ruling...

Staff Recruitment, Retention and Termination Guide.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Info-Tech Research Group Decision Guide) A great IT department starts with great people. One of the best things your can do as an IT manager is attract and develop solid talent. Info-Tech's "Staff Hiring, Retention and...

Build Your Windows XP Bookshelf.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (ComputerUser Article) Whether you are looking at a pilot installation or a full-blown upgrade, a few good reference books will help with your Windows XP migration. Before you log onto a bookseller, or head out to your local...

The Things Your Ethical Hacker Didn't Test.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Enterasys Networks White Paper) How good is your network penetration team? Have they tried everything a talented hacker might try to gain access to, or otherwise wreak havoc on, your network? Many organizations will hire...

Guide to Top Office PCs.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (PC World Review) If you are looking to get the most computing bang for your buck in purchasing office PCs, check out PC World's Top 15 Office PCs online chart. The chart includes a ranking of seven PCs in the Power Systems...

A Self-Help Test for Data Managers.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (DM Review Questionnaire) Data is the lifeblood of many companies in the knowledge economy, yet many companies don't manage data well. Assess your own data management acumen with "The IRM Test: How Did "IT" Get This Way? A Self...

Free Security Check Tool from Microsoft.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Microsoft Corporation) True to its promise to bolster its software security, Microsoft has released Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA), a free tool for finding security vulnerabilities in Windows-based computers. *...

Mouse Offers Retractable Cord.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Kensington Technology Group) If you frequently use a laptop computer, you probably find a traditional mouse more comfortable to use than the machine's built-in touch pad. But if you're on the road a lot, minimizing loose cables...

Dell Jumps on Blade Server Bandwagon.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Dell Computer Corporation) Dell has entered the blade server fray, along with early entrants Compaq and Hewlett-Packard, with its PowerEdge 1655MC. The new server features: * A 3U enclosure that can house up to six server...

Palm Debuts Wireless Database Software.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Palm, Inc.) Delivering database-housed information to handheld devices has presented a challenge in recent years. A new development tool from Palm - Wireless Database Access Server (WDBAS) software - lets you build applications...

Centrally Track Software Bugs.
April 16, 2002... Sources: (Applied Innovation Management) If you have a large or distributed software development team, then you know how difficult detecting, fixing and tracking software bugs can be. Bug/Defect Tracking Expert from Applied Innovation...

Survey: What Are Your Peers Implementing?
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Info-Tech Research Group Survey) In March 2002, Info-Tech Advisor asked its clients about the technologies they currently support and what they plan to implement in the next year. The 89 responses we received provide some...

Blogging: Web Content Updating on a Shoestring.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (ClickZ Article, LLRX.com Article, WebReview.com Articles, UNIXreview.com article) A constant supply of new and updated content is the lifeblood of a good Web site. But moving a Web beyond a static "brochure" can be expensive. If...

How to Test Your Incident Response Plan.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (CIO Magazine Article, Contingency Planning & Management Article, Disaster Recovery Journal Articles, NetQuest Guide) An untested disaster recovery or incident response plan has little value. Test your plan to confirm that: *...

Is Virtual Storage Ready For Prime Time?
April 30, 2002... Sources: (FalconStor White Paper, Network Magazine Feature, Network World Fusion Article, ZDNet Article) If your enterprise storage needs are growing exponentially, then a virtual storage solution is very likely in your future. However,...

Workplace Hazard Analysis For IT.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (TechRepublic Article, U.S. Department of Labor Web Site) There are certainly more hazardous places to work than the typical business office environment. However, you should make sure that policies are in place for the hazards that...

Extranet Appliances: A VPN Alternative.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (eWeek Article, Internet News Article, Internet Week Article, Key3Media Article) The administrative hassles associated with VPNs (virtual private networks), especially on the client side, have left some IT shops looking for...

Password Auditing: Protect Your Network's Achilies Heel.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (@Stake Web Site, Cambridge University White Paper, Computerworld Article, Rainbow Diamond White Paper, SANS Institute White Paper) Easy-to-crack passwords are the Achilles heel in your network security. Run a password audit on...

Get Up to Speed With UML.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (OMG.org Web Site, Software Magazine Article, ZDNet UK Article) A modeling language is to programming what architectural design is to construction. If you are faced with constructing new e-business applications that bridge...

Determining The Right Solution For Your Data Center Strategy.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (New Architect Magazine Articles, Cisco Systems White Paper, Intel Corporation White Paper, Colosource Web Site) Your data center is critical to your business continuity plans. While it may seem clear that only the largest of...

A Guide to IT Manager Communications.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Info-Tech Research Group Decision Guide) As far as technology discussions are concerned, you can 'talk shop' with the best of them, but perhaps you may find yourself dreading that upcoming quarterly meeting when you have to...

A Certification Help Top Ten.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (TechRepublic Article) Web sites dedicated to helping you study for certification exams contain a cornucopia of subject-specific information. In addition to study aids and practice exams, you will also often find news and how-to...

Thirty-Five Questions to Assess Risk.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Contingency Planning & Management Online Questionnaire) Since September 11, 2001, the issue of network disaster recovery and continuity has been at its highest place on the agenda since the days of Y2K preparedness. If you are...

Testing SQL Server 2000 Configuration.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (DevX Article) When it comes to developing code that queries an SQL Server, testing is usually associated with the application code. But differences in settings and properties in each SQL Server installation can lead to "subtle...

Format-Agnostic Tape Library Comparison.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Network Computing Article) For a solid feature-by-feature comparison of various vendor offerings on the Tape Library front, see the Network Computing feature "OverLand Writes the Book on Tape Libraries." * For this review,...

Groove 2.0 Is Enterprise Ready.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Groove Networks Inc.) Groove Networks Inc. has recently released version 2.0 of their collaboration software, which can now be hosted in enterprise client/server environments instead of externally through Groove Networks. This...

Free Anti-Virus System From Grisoft.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Grisoft Inc.) Grisoft Inc. has released version 6.0 of their AVG AntiVirus as a free, unlimited use download. This robust anti-virus system features: * Resident Protection * Inbound/Outbound Email Scanning *...

Microsoft's First Web Service: MapPoint .NET 2.0.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (Microsoft Corporation) Web services have currently been residing in test labs and think tanks. Now, Microsoft has released MapPoint .NET 2.0, a hosted service that provides geographic location data for independent developers,...

McAfee ThreatScan Analyzes Network Vulnerabilities.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (McAfee Corporation) McAfee ThreatScan is slated to make detecting network vulnerabilities a whole lot easier. This new product audits your network for potential soft spots using the following methods: * Scans network devices...

3Com's New Switch Is Easy On Your Budget.
April 30, 2002... Sources: (3Com Corporation) 3Com's newest switch, the 4400 SE, is easily upgradeable via software so that cash-strapped organizations can hold off advanced features without having to fear obsolescence. This new switch features: * Eight...