Here is this week's Editors' Choice; look for Readers' Choice later this week.
EDITORS’ CHOICE
The Buzz Issue
From virtualization everywhere to WiMAX, we round up the latest networking buzz and get you up to speed on the hottest, promising, young technologies in our annual Buzz Issue.
Forum: Walling off the kernel in 64-bit Vista
In 64-bit Vista, Microsoft is using PatchGuard, also known as Kernel Patch Protection, to prevent unauthorized access to the kernel. Some security vendors say that by basically locking them out of the kernel, Microsoft is making it way tougher for them to protect customers. Is Microsoft right to block off the kernel? Or do the vendors really need access to the kernel? We’ve invited some vendors and members of the Network World Lab Alliance to discuss. Read what they have to say and jump in with your own comments in our forum.
Test
Review of Windows Vista final code shows security needs admin attention
Our Clear Choice Test shows Vista Ultimate has much to like, and issues to fear, because of security holes.
From the front page of Network World
What’s with all this spam?
Researchers and IT managers are confirming security vendors’ claims that spam levels have spiked in the past month – some say by as much as 80% – and show no signs of decreasing.
Why doesn’t HP break off its ProCurve business?
In the second part of our series on burning LAN questions, Phil Hochmuth takes a look at the question.
In depth
DHS: a key to detecting malicious e-mail
Deceptive Header Screening: a key to detecting malicious e-mail.
From the blogs and forums
Paul McNamara gets all sudsy over a project to link washing machines to people’s PCs and TVs. Mark Gibbs doesn’t get all the brouhaha over electronic voting machines. Keith Shaw ponders IBM setting up shop in Second Life, or, at least, using it to communicate with overseas employees. James Gaskin says buyer beware when it comes to certain online retailers. User seeks advice on hotcerts.com’s Novell exam prep.
How to
Ron Nutter helps a user figure out how to get ready for voice and video over IP. Joshua Wright of the Wireless Vulnerabilities and Exploits project tells you what security risks to worry about when you install wireless gear based on the early 802.11n specification.
ITVideo
If you’ve got a tired, old two-button mouse with a rollerball on the bottom, it’s time to upgrade. Keith Shaw features three great mice to get you back in style.
More news
Software patent ignites firestorm in higher education
A firestorm of controversy is spreading in the education community over attempts by key software vendor Blackboard to enforce its patent claims.
HP looks to get software house in order
After a delayed closing of its $4.5 billion acquisition of Mercury Interactive, HP quickly got to work publicly restructuring the company to support its now-doubled software division.
Laptop loss: How to avoid becoming the next Starbucks
When Starbucks earlier this month revealed it couldn’t find four laptops containing data on thousands of employees, IT administrators everywhere once again were forced to ask themselves: What’s our policy on protecting data on mobile devices?
Virtualization show goes far beyond VMware
VMware’s VMworld conference is no longer just about EMC’s virtualization business, but rather is about a broader move to virtualization across the industry.
Novell deal to cost Microsoft hundreds of millions
Microsoft will spend more than $440 million in licensing fees and sales and marketing costs over the next five years to keep up its end of the historic Linux agreement it made with Novell, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed by Novell on Tuesday.
BigFix aims to trim energy costs with new software
Management software maker BigFix today unveiled an upgrade to its enterprise platform aimed at helping network managers cut power costs by letting them shut down client machines after-hours.
HP’s ProCurve exec talks business directions and getting ahead of the competition
HP’s ProCurve LAN switch business is second only to Cisco in revenue and port shipments, outperforming venerable competitors such as 3Com, Nortel, Extreme and Foundry. John McHugh, vice president and general manager of ProCurve Networking by HP, recently spoke with Network World Senior Editor Phil Hochmuth about where ProCurve stands inside the larger HP organization, and other issues facing the group.
Safend strengthens mobile security product
Safend has made three improvements to its software for securing mobile and PC clients and their peripherals.
Watchfire takes aim at Web application security problems
Watchfire is upgrading its AppScan software to help customers reduce the amount of time it takes to certify Web application security.
IBM video technology targets security problems
Early next year, IBM will start selling advanced video surveillance software that can sift through thousands of hours of digital video in a matter of seconds.
