Symantec have taken over another company, this time Altiris who supply asset management software.
Our first reaction is "fix your existing problems before buying more". Symantec's core products, notably Norton Anti Virus are failing badly and losing market share. It appears Wall Street agrees with us according to Australian IT.
One has to wonder what parallel universe these executives live in. It seems inconceivable they can be ignorant of how badly their brand is being damaged in the market place. Yet, instead of fixing the problems, they just blindly continue.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Maintaining computers
Google's VP of Enterprises, Dave Girouard, claims the "complexity" of IT is stunting innovation. He reckons 75% of IT budgets are spent on simply maintaining the systems. If everyone outsourced their apps to Google, all would be better.
While I have a degree of self interest in this, I think this is a load of bull. Computers are machines and machines need to be maintained. Of the cost of a running a car, at least 75% is keeping it running.
The idea that IT should be like electricity is stupid. Sure, in the developed world you normally don't worry about your electricity supply. But electricity is more than just running a cable into your house where it lies on the floor giving passing pets and toddlers the odd shock.
Once you've got electricity, it has to be metered, protected and cabled through the house. Once you've installed the pretty outlets, you then plug stuff into those outlets. That stuff; toasters, fridges, washing machines and hi-fi's need maintenance as well.
Then you've got the cost of electricity. My guess is the average business or home electricity bill dwarfs their annual IT bills.
The people at Google are some of the brightest people on the planet. But it doesn't mean they can't come up with stupid ideas.
While I have a degree of self interest in this, I think this is a load of bull. Computers are machines and machines need to be maintained. Of the cost of a running a car, at least 75% is keeping it running.
The idea that IT should be like electricity is stupid. Sure, in the developed world you normally don't worry about your electricity supply. But electricity is more than just running a cable into your house where it lies on the floor giving passing pets and toddlers the odd shock.
Once you've got electricity, it has to be metered, protected and cabled through the house. Once you've installed the pretty outlets, you then plug stuff into those outlets. That stuff; toasters, fridges, washing machines and hi-fi's need maintenance as well.
Then you've got the cost of electricity. My guess is the average business or home electricity bill dwarfs their annual IT bills.
The people at Google are some of the brightest people on the planet. But it doesn't mean they can't come up with stupid ideas.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Losing the spyware war
Reading the PC Doctor's blog about reinstalling Windows rather than bothering with spyware makes me reflect on how we've lost the spyware war.
A year ago, I would seriously doubt the competence of any tech who zapped and reinstalled more than three machines a year. But midway through last year, we realised we were losing. The infections were getting harder to remove.
Spyware's a frustrating, soul destroying part of the business. Now we're finding our tools and procedures aren't working. The spyware guys have won.
We're now in the reformat camp. If you have spyware on a machine we visit and we can't wipe it in the first hour, we recommend reformatting. So you better have your passwords, system disks and data backup.
A year ago, I would seriously doubt the competence of any tech who zapped and reinstalled more than three machines a year. But midway through last year, we realised we were losing. The infections were getting harder to remove.
Spyware's a frustrating, soul destroying part of the business. Now we're finding our tools and procedures aren't working. The spyware guys have won.
We're now in the reformat camp. If you have spyware on a machine we visit and we can't wipe it in the first hour, we recommend reformatting. So you better have your passwords, system disks and data backup.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Vista Service Pack already?
Well, this is a great vote of confidence in a new operating system.
It makes sense to plan for service packs. All software needs patching and the complexity of computer operating systems mean service packs and major upgrades and inevitable. But publicly planning this early for a service pack is pretty ordinary.
To run insult into injury, the next XP service pack is not scheduled for another year and even that date is preliminary. As Brian Krebs points out, we're currently looking at over a hundred patches to an XP system. It may well be 150 by early next year.
This is another example of Microsoft losing it: Both XP Service Pack three and Vista are way overdue. The fact MS has to look at an SP so early only indicates Vista is being rushed to market without all it's features or with known bugs.
What I find bizarre is the world's biggest software company has found itself in such a hole. Perhaps it's time for a change in management.
It makes sense to plan for service packs. All software needs patching and the complexity of computer operating systems mean service packs and major upgrades and inevitable. But publicly planning this early for a service pack is pretty ordinary.
To run insult into injury, the next XP service pack is not scheduled for another year and even that date is preliminary. As Brian Krebs points out, we're currently looking at over a hundred patches to an XP system. It may well be 150 by early next year.
This is another example of Microsoft losing it: Both XP Service Pack three and Vista are way overdue. The fact MS has to look at an SP so early only indicates Vista is being rushed to market without all it's features or with known bugs.
What I find bizarre is the world's biggest software company has found itself in such a hole. Perhaps it's time for a change in management.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
mis-typing Google
You Tube has a chilling video of what happens when you get the letters wrong in the word "google". The resulting spyware infection isn't pretty. While teenagers looking for music are the prime target for these scammers, anybody can mis-type a word.
Once infected, not only is a computer alive with advertising and spyware, it can be used to send spam and all the passwords, banking details and passwords can be stolen. These problems are causing banks and their customers all manner of damages. This is why we recommend surfing the net only in a limited user profile.
Who comes up with these numbers?
So IDC and Microsoft reckon Vista will generate $9.5 billion for the New York and New Jersey IT industries in 2007?!?
Yeah, right.
The study itself is available on the Microsoft website.What I find intriguing is they claim every dollar spent on Vista will customers will also spend $9.75 in hardware, 4.60 in software and 3.65 in services. These numbers are right on for a new PC.
Looking at our cost breakdown for a new system, these proportions are about right. If you throw in monitors, printers and other peripherals then the proportion of hardware increases. So really all IDC are saying is they expect 9.5 billion to be spent on new systems this year in those two states.
I've got no idea how many systems are sold each year in New York and New Jersey so maybe they are right. But the figures are misleading as most of these systems would have been sold anyway. The real question is how many new systems will Vista sell, and my guess is it won't make much difference.
A big problem I have with triumphant press releases like this is it confirms in many people's minds that the IT industry just tries to perpetuate business for itself. If I were the cynical type, that's what this story would make me think. It certainly won't encourage business owners to buy Vista.
There's no doubt about the fact we'll get a boost in turnover from Vista. The early adopters are going to bleed badly as they do with every new operating system, but it's not going to be a massive part of our turnover. We recommend our customers steer clear of Vista until late in the year.
Yeah, right.
The study itself is available on the Microsoft website.What I find intriguing is they claim every dollar spent on Vista will customers will also spend $9.75 in hardware, 4.60 in software and 3.65 in services. These numbers are right on for a new PC.
Looking at our cost breakdown for a new system, these proportions are about right. If you throw in monitors, printers and other peripherals then the proportion of hardware increases. So really all IDC are saying is they expect 9.5 billion to be spent on new systems this year in those two states.
I've got no idea how many systems are sold each year in New York and New Jersey so maybe they are right. But the figures are misleading as most of these systems would have been sold anyway. The real question is how many new systems will Vista sell, and my guess is it won't make much difference.
A big problem I have with triumphant press releases like this is it confirms in many people's minds that the IT industry just tries to perpetuate business for itself. If I were the cynical type, that's what this story would make me think. It certainly won't encourage business owners to buy Vista.
There's no doubt about the fact we'll get a boost in turnover from Vista. The early adopters are going to bleed badly as they do with every new operating system, but it's not going to be a massive part of our turnover. We recommend our customers steer clear of Vista until late in the year.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
The iPhone hysteria
One of the big differences between Windows users and Mac fans is the willingness to fall for hype.
Imagine if Microsoft released a phone. Most Windows users would shrug and get on with things. Even hard core Microsoft fanbois would take any claims until they actually saw and used the things.
On planet Mac, you'd think the iPhone was the greatest piece of technology ever. Reading the blogs and the press reports you wouldn't know this phone hasn't been released. In fact it hasn't got regulatory approval and even it's name isn't certain.
Reading Steve Job's comments at the Macworld keynote, it seems to me the iPhone is purely designed for the US market. A lot of it's features are old hat compared to other phones and what foreign networks offer. Not to mention the corporate features Microsoft offer smartphone users.
I still find it funny that the Macolytes seem to have buried Nokia, Motorola and all the other mobile phone manufacturers on the strength of a prototype.
Imagine if Microsoft released a phone. Most Windows users would shrug and get on with things. Even hard core Microsoft fanbois would take any claims until they actually saw and used the things.
On planet Mac, you'd think the iPhone was the greatest piece of technology ever. Reading the blogs and the press reports you wouldn't know this phone hasn't been released. In fact it hasn't got regulatory approval and even it's name isn't certain.
Reading Steve Job's comments at the Macworld keynote, it seems to me the iPhone is purely designed for the US market. A lot of it's features are old hat compared to other phones and what foreign networks offer. Not to mention the corporate features Microsoft offer smartphone users.
I still find it funny that the Macolytes seem to have buried Nokia, Motorola and all the other mobile phone manufacturers on the strength of a prototype.
Friday, January 12, 2007
The reality distortion field
If you ever wanted an example of Steve Jobs' reality distortion field, the iPhone lawsuit is a classic. The number of Mac fanbois in denial about the fact Cisco has the US trademark for "iPhone" is remarkable. Some of the posts and blogs are terrific, the comments on this article are typical.
It's amazing just how far some people will go into denial. I'm wondering though if some of the Macolytes seriously don't know who Cisco are or believe that Motorola's only product is the Razr.
More serious is Apple's attitude. They've been in negotiations to use the iPhone trademark but instead of concluding their negotiations in a timely manner, they just ignore the problem and go ahead anyway. Now they call Cisco's claim silly.
All this from a company that sets it's lawyers onto bloggers when it thinks it's intellectual property or marketing plans are threatened.
It's amazing just how far some people will go into denial. I'm wondering though if some of the Macolytes seriously don't know who Cisco are or believe that Motorola's only product is the Razr.
More serious is Apple's attitude. They've been in negotiations to use the iPhone trademark but instead of concluding their negotiations in a timely manner, they just ignore the problem and go ahead anyway. Now they call Cisco's claim silly.
All this from a company that sets it's lawyers onto bloggers when it thinks it's intellectual property or marketing plans are threatened.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Active X is a security risk
Brian Krebs makes a comment about Acer's use of Active X being a security risk in today's Security Risk column.
While Acer should be criticised for the sloppy use of this tool, Active X threats are the most common problem for Windows users. Unfortunately, many programmers and web site designers use Active X. Norton products are probably the worst for this.
Like Symantec, spyware writers have been the most enthusiastic users of Active X controls. This is why spyware is such a problem for Internet Explorer users and why a spyware infected machine running a Norton product will be reduced to a quivering heap. Active X is the number one path for infecting a computer.
To avoid all of this, we recommend surfing the net with Firefox, which doesn't use Active X, and in a limited user account, which prevents system changes.
Once again, this is an example of Microsoft's cavalier attitude to security. Windows users should assume their systems are not secure and be very careful about what they do on the net and the profile they do it in.
While Acer should be criticised for the sloppy use of this tool, Active X threats are the most common problem for Windows users. Unfortunately, many programmers and web site designers use Active X. Norton products are probably the worst for this.
Like Symantec, spyware writers have been the most enthusiastic users of Active X controls. This is why spyware is such a problem for Internet Explorer users and why a spyware infected machine running a Norton product will be reduced to a quivering heap. Active X is the number one path for infecting a computer.
To avoid all of this, we recommend surfing the net with Firefox, which doesn't use Active X, and in a limited user account, which prevents system changes.
Once again, this is an example of Microsoft's cavalier attitude to security. Windows users should assume their systems are not secure and be very careful about what they do on the net and the profile they do it in.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The dumbest article ever written
Is this the dumbest article ever written?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010801352.html
For years, rumours have been around that the NSA has a back door into Windows, this only encourages the tin foil hat brigade.
But what I really like is the idea that the NSA has a clue. This is the agency that's got everything from the Bay of Pigs to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction wrong. They totally missed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the September 11 attacks.
The kicker is this paragraph.
Microsoft said this is not the first time it has sought help from the NSA. For about four years, Microsoft has tapped the spy agency for security expertise in reviewing its operating systems, including the Windows XP consumer version and the Windows Server 2003 for corporate customers.
Gee, they did a good job on Windows XP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010801352.html
For years, rumours have been around that the NSA has a back door into Windows, this only encourages the tin foil hat brigade.
But what I really like is the idea that the NSA has a clue. This is the agency that's got everything from the Bay of Pigs to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction wrong. They totally missed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the September 11 attacks.
The kicker is this paragraph.
Microsoft said this is not the first time it has sought help from the NSA. For about four years, Microsoft has tapped the spy agency for security expertise in reviewing its operating systems, including the Windows XP consumer version and the Windows Server 2003 for corporate customers.
Gee, they did a good job on Windows XP.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Sydney property shortage
The Sydney Morning Herald today repeats the claim by the real estate industry that Sydney rents are about to soar. It's interesting the forces behind this claim. I can't help but think this is a self serving beat up by the real estate agents in the run up to the state election.
Sydney's problem is simply that property, in relation to income, is way overpriced. This is a combination of Sydney's geographic and economic advantages, Australian's historical preference to invest in property and an income tax system that favours property (and other passive) investments. To make matters worse, we have interest rates at the lowest in a generation and a Federal government that happily ramps the property market for it's short term gains.
The result of these factors is that the cost to buy is outrageous. It also means that more and more Sydneysiders can only afford to rent. As the demand side of rents is a function of wages, rents have stayed comparatively low as wages haven't grown the same way property prices have.
Fifteen years ago, the rule of thumb for Sydney rents was to knock three zeros off the market value to get the weekly rent. That 5% yield is now less than 3 and dropping fast. Compared to other investments, that's a lousy return and super now has better tax advantages.
I suspect the real estate agents are trying to encourage landlords to stay in the market with the promise of better returns. The problem is a 20% increase would still only leave yields around the 3% mark. Their other motive is to panic the state government into releasing more land and easing zoning rules.
But let's say the agents and their pet economists are right. A 20% hike in rents will be a disaster for Sydney. We'll either the Sydney economy go into a nose dive, or see inflation break out.
As an employer, I already have serious trouble finding techs who live East of Strathfield. Put another 20% on their costs and I'm going to have to pay more to cover either their higher cost of living or their increased travelling costs. A spike in inflation means higher interest rates.
The alternative is my view more likely; a 20% increase in rents will kill the Sydney economy stone dead. In many inner suburbs more than 50% of the residents are renters. Take a fifth of their after tax income away and suddenly they can't afford lattes, plasmas or nice cars.
Either scenario means the same thing: Sydney property prices drop. Sydney's real estate agents and their tame economists should be careful what they wish for.
Sydney's problem is simply that property, in relation to income, is way overpriced. This is a combination of Sydney's geographic and economic advantages, Australian's historical preference to invest in property and an income tax system that favours property (and other passive) investments. To make matters worse, we have interest rates at the lowest in a generation and a Federal government that happily ramps the property market for it's short term gains.
The result of these factors is that the cost to buy is outrageous. It also means that more and more Sydneysiders can only afford to rent. As the demand side of rents is a function of wages, rents have stayed comparatively low as wages haven't grown the same way property prices have.
Fifteen years ago, the rule of thumb for Sydney rents was to knock three zeros off the market value to get the weekly rent. That 5% yield is now less than 3 and dropping fast. Compared to other investments, that's a lousy return and super now has better tax advantages.
I suspect the real estate agents are trying to encourage landlords to stay in the market with the promise of better returns. The problem is a 20% increase would still only leave yields around the 3% mark. Their other motive is to panic the state government into releasing more land and easing zoning rules.
But let's say the agents and their pet economists are right. A 20% hike in rents will be a disaster for Sydney. We'll either the Sydney economy go into a nose dive, or see inflation break out.
As an employer, I already have serious trouble finding techs who live East of Strathfield. Put another 20% on their costs and I'm going to have to pay more to cover either their higher cost of living or their increased travelling costs. A spike in inflation means higher interest rates.
The alternative is my view more likely; a 20% increase in rents will kill the Sydney economy stone dead. In many inner suburbs more than 50% of the residents are renters. Take a fifth of their after tax income away and suddenly they can't afford lattes, plasmas or nice cars.
Either scenario means the same thing: Sydney property prices drop. Sydney's real estate agents and their tame economists should be careful what they wish for.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Does Microsoft have corporate ADD?
After watching Bill Gates' CES keynote, I'm convinced Microsoft has ADD.
They have too many products for a start. But another thing that makes me think they have Attention Deficit Disorder is the way they let products rot. Windows Defender is an example.
Giant AntiSpyware was a good product when MS bought it. Over time, Microsoft fiddled and tinkered with it until it had a totally different interface, although one that still didn't mesh with the rest of Windows. Then it stopped working.
In the last few months we've seen a lot of spyware slip past Defender. To add insult to injury, our friends at 180 Solutions seem to have done a deal that their spyware is marked as not to be deleted. It appears they weren't the only ones.
This month, we're telling our subscribers not to uninstall Windows Defender, the AVG free spyware product is better. It's this failure of Microsoft to stick with a product that makes me wonder if they do have ADD. That would also explain why products are so late to market.
They have too many products for a start. But another thing that makes me think they have Attention Deficit Disorder is the way they let products rot. Windows Defender is an example.
Giant AntiSpyware was a good product when MS bought it. Over time, Microsoft fiddled and tinkered with it until it had a totally different interface, although one that still didn't mesh with the rest of Windows. Then it stopped working.
In the last few months we've seen a lot of spyware slip past Defender. To add insult to injury, our friends at 180 Solutions seem to have done a deal that their spyware is marked as not to be deleted. It appears they weren't the only ones.
This month, we're telling our subscribers not to uninstall Windows Defender, the AVG free spyware product is better. It's this failure of Microsoft to stick with a product that makes me wonder if they do have ADD. That would also explain why products are so late to market.
The new Windows Home Server
Well, the rumours were right, Bill Gates announced Microsoft's Windows Home Server.
The whole thing raises some serious questions: Will it be restricted to HPs running AMD chips or will there be more products? Will it's advanced features such as automatic backup work on Vista or will it be XP compatible? Will it really ship at the end of the year?
It's also a concern on if it will distract from the launch of the domestic versions of Vista.
As a tech, another concern is there are too many versions of Windows kicking around. These are the Windows domestic and small business systems that will be in common use later this year.
Windows Server 2003
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard
Windows Small Business Server Premium
XP Home
XP Pro
XP Media Centre
Windows Home Server
Vista Home Basic
Vista Home Premium
Vista Business
Vista Ultimate
All of the Vista versions may or may not have the Aero interface and other features enabled.
And then there's Windows 2007, should it be released on time.
Really, this is a support nightmare.
The whole thing raises some serious questions: Will it be restricted to HPs running AMD chips or will there be more products? Will it's advanced features such as automatic backup work on Vista or will it be XP compatible? Will it really ship at the end of the year?
It's also a concern on if it will distract from the launch of the domestic versions of Vista.
As a tech, another concern is there are too many versions of Windows kicking around. These are the Windows domestic and small business systems that will be in common use later this year.
Windows Server 2003
Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard
Windows Small Business Server Premium
XP Home
XP Pro
XP Media Centre
Windows Home Server
Vista Home Basic
Vista Home Premium
Vista Business
Vista Ultimate
All of the Vista versions may or may not have the Aero interface and other features enabled.
And then there's Windows 2007, should it be released on time.
Really, this is a support nightmare.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Taiwan Earthquake and the Internet
The disruption to East assess Internet connections because of an earthquake in Taiwan is disturbing. This is a network originally designed to survive a nuclear war, and yet a single point of failure is causing massive disruption. It appears that the East Asian telecoms companies will have to seriously review their infrastructure.
An important lesson from this is that relying on one technology is dangerous. While relying on the net is risky, a far more risky proposition is relying on the mobile phone network. As we see here every bushfire season, the mobile phone network is quickly swamped in an emergency.
The worst example is the September 11 atrocity in New York. Taking out the World Trade Centre towers crippled New York's mobile phone and Internet networks as well as taking a number of TV stations off air. Even before the collapse, the web had pretty well choked.
We really have to remember that in an emergency too much reliance on mobiles and the net could well make a disaster much worse. Probably the best emergency communication technology is still radio. Don't throw away that transistor radio yet.
An important lesson from this is that relying on one technology is dangerous. While relying on the net is risky, a far more risky proposition is relying on the mobile phone network. As we see here every bushfire season, the mobile phone network is quickly swamped in an emergency.
The worst example is the September 11 atrocity in New York. Taking out the World Trade Centre towers crippled New York's mobile phone and Internet networks as well as taking a number of TV stations off air. Even before the collapse, the web had pretty well choked.
We really have to remember that in an emergency too much reliance on mobiles and the net could well make a disaster much worse. Probably the best emergency communication technology is still radio. Don't throw away that transistor radio yet.
Tech reviews
As we deal on a regular basis with computers that have been messed up by poorly designed and over-bloated security packages, I read with interest the Sydney Morning Herald's review of the more popular ones.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/reviews/net-nasties-face-onestop-blocks/2007/01/02/1167500118494.html
One of my criticisms of newspaper, and many magazine, reviews is the reviewers often seem to have only read the press pack rather than actually try the products. In this case, it appears Adam Turner did at least try McAfee, and it irritated him. If he did try Norton then he either had a clean machine with 2Gb RAM.
Norton 2007 is awful. Thankfully I've only seen it once and that system was reduced to a crawl. Uninstalling it was a nightmare as it refused to run the wizard while Live Update was running, and Live Update didn't want to stop. Is it really that hard to stop a service when you want to uninstall the product.
Given the sheer weight of problems Norton products have created for users over the last five years, it would be nice for reviewers to at least acknowledge the problems. Reviews like this only encourage customers to continue making the wrong decisions. It also lets these companies get away with selling poor products.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/reviews/net-nasties-face-onestop-blocks/2007/01/02/1167500118494.html
One of my criticisms of newspaper, and many magazine, reviews is the reviewers often seem to have only read the press pack rather than actually try the products. In this case, it appears Adam Turner did at least try McAfee, and it irritated him. If he did try Norton then he either had a clean machine with 2Gb RAM.
Norton 2007 is awful. Thankfully I've only seen it once and that system was reduced to a crawl. Uninstalling it was a nightmare as it refused to run the wizard while Live Update was running, and Live Update didn't want to stop. Is it really that hard to stop a service when you want to uninstall the product.
Given the sheer weight of problems Norton products have created for users over the last five years, it would be nice for reviewers to at least acknowledge the problems. Reviews like this only encourage customers to continue making the wrong decisions. It also lets these companies get away with selling poor products.
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