Welcome to the editor's choice edition. Look for the reader's choice edition on Thursday.
From the front page of Network World
The year ahead: Juggling IT risks, opportunities
In 2007, IT executives will need to clearly evaluate risk as they weigh sometimes opposing proposals to bolster security, increase wireless connectivity, extend more business processes over the Internet and address regulatory requirements.
Dzubeck on the year ahead: What’s hot for 2007
Looking even a year ahead into the network future can be a daunting task. For example, three years ago at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Bill Gates, then Microsoft’s chairman, boldly predicted the problem of spam on the Internet would be solved by 2006. Recent studies, however, indicate worldwide spam traffic doubled in 2006 and now accounts for nine of 10 e-mail messages sent on the Internet.
Exchange upgrade earns mixed grades
Exchange 2007 hits on management, system security and availability.
Blind Americans demand Web access; Target fights back
Retailer Target’s refusal to make its Web site more accessible to the blind has fueled a high-profile court battle that is causing many companies to quietly upgrade their Web sites in the hopes of avoiding negative publicity and legal liability.
Consumer Electronics Show coverage
CES isn’t just for consumers anymore. Our reporters and bloggers are in Las Vegas, getting the latest scoop on wireless and mobile news and products that just might play on your network.
In depth
Real-time collaboration gets real
Until recently, more than 2,000 employees at SAS were using a hodgepodge of consumer instant-messaging tools, but all that has changed.
A new SSL certificate is on the way
A New Type of SSL Certificate Is on the Way
What are the hot network jobs for 2007.Staffing firm Robert Half Technology finds security, wireless and soft skills in high demand.
How to
Devin Akin answers the question: If I implement 802.1X on my Ethernet switch ports, do I still have to worry about rogue access points? Ron Nutter helps a user get his laptop wireless card working again.
Review
NetworkStreaming homes in on help-desk assistance
NetworkStreaming’s SupportDesk 9.1 appliance provides a direct line into problem Windows and Mac machines. It earns high marks for its flexibility in the remote-control sessions it allows and for the significant audit trail it leaves. On the downside, it does not support Linux machines.
From the blogs and forums
User beerbong has put together some guides to basic security, from viruses to Internet attack methods. Mark Gibbs ponders the difference between shopping and buying – and the implications for e-commerce. Adam Gaffin points you to an interesting analysis on the collapse of continuous-data protection vendor Revivio – by one of its former engineers. Keith Shaw loves the idea of a GPS vendor that lets users suggest changes to incorrect data (such as the location of his house). Paul McNamara writes about how Sony continues to rate high in consumer surveys despite woes from copyright to batteries.
ITVideo
Easier enterprise collaboration?
For most, collaboration tools are cumbersome at best. Jive CEO Dave Hersh explains how his company hopes to change that impression with its open source collaboration platform.
Palm unveils Treo 750
The new Treo 750 was unveiled this week at CES, but Keith Shaw got an early look from Palm’s Tara Griffin.
More news
Akorri touts smarter app management
Akorri is looking to help enterprises improve application delivery with software that analyzes the impact of changes to storage and server resources on application performance.
Apple’s Macworld opens arms to corporate users
When the Macworld Conference & Expo kicks off next week, attendees can expect the usual buzz around consumer products – Steve Jobs is expected to formally unveil iTV, a video streaming device, during his keynote address on Tuesday and there is speculation that a new iPod and perhaps even an iPhone will be introduced. But there also will be a heightened focus on enterprise customers as Apple has in the past couple years bolstered its standing as a viable server alternative in corporate data centers.
Aksys launches PBX-less VoIP system for SMB
Aksys Networks, a Canadian maker of small-office VoIP gear, announced a server-less VoIP phone system this week aimed at offices with 30 or fewer workers.
