Info-Tech Advisor Newsletter articles from May 2000

Info-Tech Advisor Newsletter archives from May 2000

Putting Together the Telephony Puzzle.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Info-Tech Research Group So you have been saddled with the responsibility of selecting and maintaining a new telephony system. It makes sense. After all, you are the technology leader within your organization, and you are supposed...

A Complete Guide to a Successful Survey.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Perseus Development Corporation Effective management must be armed with pertinent information that assists them in making better decisions. Surveys should ask the same questions you would ask yourself if given the chance. By...

The Code Project.
May 2, 2000... Sources: The Code Project The Code Project at http://www.thecodeproject.com/ is a developer's dream. Free source code? It's got it! Coding tutorials? You bet! Check it out. You'll find a range of code and coding tips for: * ASP,...

Get the Most Out of Web Logs.
May 2, 2000... Sources: SunWorld Magazine The log files your Web server keeps are like raw ore that can be refined into user information gold. Perhaps because of their complexity, and because there are other user analysis tools available, Web logs are...

Straight Answers To Tech Questions.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Smart Computing The average user doesn't have the time, patience, or background to research every nagging question they have about technology. That's why these three sister articles from Smart Computing are such a relief. Through...

The Ultimate Collection of Technical Resources & Training Material.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Info-Tech Research Group "Knowledge is Power." This is particularly true for IT. Technology is not just about hardware and code - it is also about qualified, trained personnel who can use that hardware and software to their full...

Top Tech Timeline.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Gartner Group Bluetooth. Biometrics. Electronic cash. The press has positioned these technologies as high-speed locomotives on a collision course with your IT strategy. But when will these trains finally pull into the station? ...

A 50[cts.] Network Troubleshooter.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Data Communications The essential tools of a network administrator can include $20,000 protocol analyzers and $10,000 cable testers. But some problems can also be solved with "50 cent loopback plugs wired for 10/100BaseT." In...

ASP Shopping: A One-Stop Guide.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Smart Business, TechWeb Application Service Providers (ASPs) are a tempting way to avoid the purchase, installation, and support hassles of new software. Under the ASP model, applications are rented and delivered to the desktop via...

Colocation: The Best of Both Worlds.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Inc.com, TopHosts.com Scenario: Your organization wants you to build a Web site. You have people that know their way around a Web server, but you don't have the infrastructure for 24/7 availability or an appropriate pipeline to...

Firewalls Alone Not Enough.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Network Magazine, TechRepublic Security concerns in an age of Internet hack attacks could lead senior executives to pressure you to beef up your organization's Internet firewall. Don't let firewall fixation blind your organization...

Are Non-Compete Contracts Overkill?
May 2, 2000... Sources: Legal Guide to Human Resources, TechRepublic, The Management Assistance Program Non-Compete Agreements prevent former employees from working for your competitors. With IT's increasing role in corporate competitive advantage and...

Cut Embedded System Costs - Use Linux.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Dr. Dobb Ninety percent of all microprocessors made go into embedded systems - intelligent dedicated systems that control non-computer devices. If your department is involved in embedded system programming for manufacturing...

Maximize IP Voice: Learn the Lingo.
May 2, 2000... Sources: America A "one wire network" that carries both telephone and data traffic over Internet Protocol (IP) is not just about a simpler hardware infrastructure. You will need to learn and manage new protocols and tools specific to voice...

Select the Best UNIX for Your Needs.
May 2, 2000... Sources: D.H. Brown Associates UNIX-based systems have a reputation for robust and reliable performance. This has made UNIX an IT operating system mainstay. But which UNIX brand should you choose? D.H. Brown Associates has recently...

IT Measurement Checklist.
May 2, 2000... Sources: META Group Measuring IT performance from the technology it delivers to the people that deliver it is critical to showing IT's contribution to business success. Yet "fully formed, elegant measurement programs" are hard to come by...

Get Comfy with New Ergonomic Standard.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Occupational Safety & Health Administration, PC Computing The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has put forth a controversial ergonomics program standard that will affect you as a manager....

RFP Advice for SANs.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Network Computing Storage Area Networks (SANs) are high-speed, LAN-independent networks dedicated exclusively to storage functions. By being independent of the LAN, data storage and retrieval processes don't inhibit application...

New Attitude for the Digital Age.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Gerry McGovern and Nua Ltd. There's no doubt that the Digital Age has already radically changed the relationship between people and technology. As a result, the principles that drive the way companies do business have to change so...

Sharpen Your XML Skills.
May 2, 2000... Sources: BizTalk.Org Extensible Markup Language (XML) differs from HTML in that it defines what elements contain, not just how they should look. Since XML is open and standardized, it will be a key component in the future of...

Listen To Your Text With TextAloud.
May 2, 2000... Sources: NextUp Technologies TextAloud MP3 is a neat little text-to-digital-voice utility that will read aloud any text that you copy to your Windows clipboard. You can listen to a text file immediately or save the output to .WAV or .MP3...

New B2B Apps Streamlines Supply Chain.
May 2, 2000... Sources: QAD E-tailers have realized that personalizing the online experience for their customers is key to building loyalty and repeat business. The same principles can now be applied to the supply chain. QAD has developed eQ...

Novell Lets Everyone Be a Web Publisher.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Novell Inc. Anybody connected to a Novell network can be a Web publisher with Novell's Net Publisher. With Net Publisher, users can create documents in Web based folders that can be accessed from anywhere on the Internet with a...

Orbiter Lifts Off on Laptop Configuration.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Callisto Software, Inc. IT managers who have to distribute software to any number of laptop PCs should check out the latest version of Callisto Software's Orbiter configuration management tool. Orbiter 3.5 specializes in...

Buddy: Making Two PCs Out of One.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Vega Technologies If you want a second PC but feel that you can't afford it, here is a new technology for you. Vega Technologies is offering Buddy B-210A, a product that allows you to connect a second monitor, keyboard, and mouse...

Aelita Debuts Win2K Migration Tools.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Aelita Software Migrating from Windows NT to 2000 is a big job, especially for large-scale projects. To help bring this task down to size and minimize administrative costs, Aelita has created a collection of tools called...

Show Mom You Care!
May 2, 2000... Sources: Mother's Day is just around the corner - May 14 th to be exact. Don't be caught unprepared. Check out these Mother's Day links! * Yahoo's Mother's Day site at http://shopping.yahoo.com/mother_s_day/ for links to flower, card,...

Security Chip Protects Sites from Hackers.
May 2, 2000... Sources: Juniper Networks Juniper Networks has developed an IP-intelligent chip that can stop hackers from attacking Web sites by looking closely at network traffic. The Internet Processor II ASIC, using JUNOS 4.0 software, features: *...

Avoid Intel Chip Set Kerfuffle.
May 16, 2000... Sources: ZDNet News Intel has announced that it will replace all PC motherboards using its 820 chip set. The problem: noise caused by the simultaneous switching of signals on a related component called the memory translator hub (MTH) is...

Make Telecommuting Work.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Lycos, Netcom, Planet IT Telecommuting and the advent of new technologies are making it increasingly easy for remote employees to enhance their productivity. Telecommuting is also being used in assisting businesses to hire and...

COBOL to the Web: Proceed With Caution.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Lycos, Netcom, Planet IT Scenario: Your company's e-business strategy calls for providing customers and suppliers with Web access to their account information. That information is currently safely stored on a mainframe. ...

Prove IT Value.
May 16, 2000... Sources: CIO Magazine, Datamation, PlanetIT You know that IT adds to the bottom line. Proving that to the suits is another matter. Work With This IT Value Proposition: IT increases worker productivity and removes the cost from business...

Secure "Always On" DSL.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Information Security Magazine, NetworkMagazine.com DSL (digital subscriber line) is making fast inroads into business. But DSL's "always on" nature could put your network at risk for eavesdropping, probing, impersonation, denial of...

Make 56K Your New Common Denominator.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Interactive Week While high speed broadband World Wide Web access has exciting potential, make sure your company optimizes its Web content to the less spectacular realities of 56K modem access. * According to Media Metrix,...

Plan for "The Other VoIP".
May 16, 2000... Sources: Network World Fusion Linking virtual business teams together in a high-impact communication environment is what videoconferencing is all about. Videoconferencing technology on ISDN connections over public switched phone...

Palm vs. Pocket PC.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Microsoft, Mobile Insights, Palm With the release of Pocket PC (a.k.a. Windows CE 3.0), Windows will try to cut into Palm's 80% share of the handheld operating system market. You need to know how Pocket PC stacks up against...

Benchmark Your Salary Structure.
May 16, 2000... Sources: InformationWeek, Planet IT New demand for IT personnel who can effectively design, operate, and manage IT continues to drive salaries up. New job opportunities have made IT retention especially difficult for traditional businesses....

IP Subnetting Tutorial (1).
May 16, 2000... Sources: Data Communications Until IP version 6 rolls around with a new addressing scheme, the world will continue to experience a shortage of IP addresses. Until then, most network administrators will be stuck constructing subnet masks -...

IP Subnetting Tutorial (2).
May 16, 2000... Sources: Data Communications Until IP version 6 rolls around with a new addressing scheme, the world will continue to experience a shortage of IP addresses. Until then, most network administrators will be stuck constructing subnet masks -...

PC "How To" Compendium.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Smart Computing Optimizing technology encompasses more than just the right hardware and software; it also involves personal learning initiatives so that technology can be used to its full potential. Remember: Training can...

NetWorld+Interop Keynote Speeches.
May 16, 2000... Sources: ZDNet The movers and shakers of the computer industry were in Las Vegas last week for the NetWorld+Interop conference. If you couldn't get to the show, but would still like to hear what the keynote speakers had to say, ZDNet has...

Management for Stressed-Out Networks.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Information Week Today, e-business puts constant growth demands on network infrastructure and real-time online performance monitoring. Heading off bottlenecks has become a mandatory requirement of network management. This...

The B2B Internet Report.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce is here to stay and has been proven to be a fantastic way to improve productivity and reduce costs in your organization. As a result, finding out everything you can...

NetWorld+Interop Product Roundup.
May 16, 2000... Sources: ZDNet, TechWeb IT professionals have rated NetWorld+Interop as one of the best technology conferences around. Last week's edition in Las Vegas was burgeoning with product announcements in hot areas such as Voice over IP, Network...

Intel Speeds Up XML with NetStructure 7210.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Intel Corp. Extensible Mark-Up Language (XML) is emerging as the life-blood of e-business. The Intel NetStructure 7210 XML Accelerator is a network appliance that will help e-businesses process XML-based transactions up to 50...

Network Monitoring Tool A "Fluke".
May 16, 2000... Sources: Fluke Technologies Finding a problem in a network can be a tedious process. Fluke Technologies is helping out with a handheld LAN troubleshooter called the OneTouch Series II Network Assistant. * The OneTouch gathers and...

Shoreline Communications Delivers IP Voice.
May 16, 2000... Sources: Shoreline Communications Voice and data convergence on the IP network was a major theme of many of the products at NetWorld+Interop in Las Vegas. The Best of Show winner in the IP Telephony and Video category was Shoreline's...

Fingerprint Security From DigitalPersona.
May 16, 2000... Sources: DigitalPersona User names and passwords can be stolen. Stealing something as unique and personal as your fingerprint is a whole lot harder. DigitalPersona uses the biometrics of fingerprints to secure workstation and network...

Build a Life Form with Soda Constructor.
May 16, 2000... Sources: sodaplay.com It's alive! Well, maybe not, but the animated geometric creatures at sodaplay.com (http://www.sodaplay.com/constructor/index.htm) move on their own. You can change their shapes as well as variables of their universe...

Refurbished Network Gear Saves Money.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Data Communications Power fact: By purchasing pre-owned, certified network equipment, managers can save their companies up to 70% off the purchase of identical new equipment. Second-hand does not necessarily mean second rate....

Mobile Devices: Make a "Sturdy" Investment.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Data Communications A PC sitting on a desktop is not likely to be run over by a car or soaked in coffee. As technology becomes more mobile, you will be faced with a wider range of support issues related to accidental damage. ...

What's the #1 Management Mistake?
May 30, 2000... Sources: The Economics Press Most employees have had the traumatic experience of working under a nightmare manager. We can all agree that it's not a productive experience. Although there are a number of reasons why managers fail, there...

Put Business Intelligence on the Road.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Developer.com It is inevitable. As the workforce becomes more mobile, decision makers in your company will want to have the same kind of database-driven business intelligence tools with them on the road that they have on the...

Buy the Best Frame Relay Access Devices.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Network Computing From data to voice, Wide Area Networks (WANs) are being called upon to carry an even greater range of services to far-flung corporate locations. For Frame Relay-based WANs, make sure your FRAD (Frame Relay Access...

Sanitize Your Hard Disks.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Texas Technology Before your company sells or donates old PCs, make sure the hard drives are thoroughly wiped clean of all old data. If you don't "sanitize" the hard disk, you could be liable for sending personal information,...

Find the Best in Web App Servers.
May 30, 2000... Sources: D.H. Brown Associates, Inc. A solid Web application server has never been more important to your computing infrastructure. Why? Because browsers are becoming the entry point of choice for many daily business activities. D.H....

Make E-mail Support a Priority.
May 30, 2000... Sources: The Association of Support Professionals, Call Center CRM Solutions When in comes to help desk inquiries, e-mail is fast becoming the contact method of choice for many end users. Improve your department's image and save money -...

Get Your Grassroots Movement Off the Ground.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Harvard Business School Publishing You have this great idea, and now you're just itching to build a grassroots movement around it at your organization. Here are some guiding principles that you can use "to blaze your own trail."...

Survey: The Future of E-Business Networks.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Lucent Technologies NetworkCare For brick and mortar companies, establishing a network infrastructure that can support e-business activities is a competitive necessity. Lucent Technologies NetworkCare recently completed a...

The Ultimate Software Testing Site.
May 30, 2000... Sources: www.softwaretester.com If you build applications in-house, and you probably do, it's essential that the end product be of the highest quality possible. After all, the success of mission-critical transactions is probably riding on...

Interactive Questionnaires Test Your Tech Readiness.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Data Communications Calculating business benefits, return on investment, and total cost of ownership are important steps to take for any IT project. However, before you dive head first into number crunching, find out if that new...

Call Accounting Software Buyer.
May 30, 2000... Sources: CommWeb Telephone calls in your organization can take a big bite out of your company's bottom line. With the right monitoring tools in place, however, you can get a handle on your phone system's call details and nip problems in...

Tips for Intranet and Extranet Security.
May 30, 2000... Sources: VeriSign Cost savings and ease of installation have made intranets and extranets very attractive options for most businesses. To perform their task effectively, however, intranets and extranets must be secure. To guide you in...

Free Web Site Submission Engine.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Add Me! When you consider the millions of Web sites out there, finding ways to get noticed is a necessity. One of the best ways to do this is to submit your site to the top search engines and directories the Web has to offer. ...

InfoExpress Debuts Personal Firewall.
May 30, 2000... Sources: InfoExpress InfoExpress, a leader in remote access solutions, has introduced CyberArmor, a personal firewall to protect the growing number of remote users accessing corporate networks via high-speed DSL and cable connections. ...

Practice Counterespionage on Spying Employees.
May 30, 2000... Sources: GFI FAX & VOICE Practice Counterespionage on Spying Employees (GFI FAX & VOICE) Network administrators who feel that they cannot completely trust their employees can now use a new electronic eye to determine exactly what...

New AS/400 Servers Flaunt New Technology.
May 30, 2000... Sources: IBM Corp. IBM's latest AS/400 servers are powered by the world's first microchips made of "silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors and copper wiring." IBM says the chip technology increases performance in these servers by 30...

G-Server Keeps Web Content Clean.
May 30, 2000... Sources: Gilian Technologies Inc. If your company has ever been the victim of Web `grafitti' or content tampering, this product from Gilian Technologies should interest you. G-Server is a security system that intercepts and replaces any...

To Find That Document, Think Like A Dolphin.
May 30, 2000... Sources: DolphinSearch KnowledgeBox is a plug-and-play network information retrieval appliance that employs a neural network that mimics the pattern recognition capabilities of a dolphin's brain. The product is derived from 15 years of...

Director Aids SAN Interoperability.
May 30, 2000... Sources: InRange Technology Corp. Creating an integrated Storage Area Network (SAN) isn't always easy since many are made up of a vast array of incompatible storage systems and servers. To combat this problem, InRange Technology has...

Track Help Desk Issues with FootPrints.
May 30, 2000... Sources: UniPress Software UniPress Software has just released version 4.0 of its Web-based help desk problem tracking and resolution software, FootPrints. This latest update includes: * A 15-minute Web server installation that's so...