* Daylight Saving changes: No Y2K, but there could be headaches * Freeware optimizes Vista on PCs * IBM’s bet on social networking tools faces IT scrutiny * Credit card industry struggles to enforce security standard * Study: Telecom industry continues to see steady, healthy growth * Twisted Pair podcast: Stay Away From Monkey Roses * Buzzblog: Just doing his job? Jerking me around? Both? * Today on Layer 8
News podcast: Network World 360
Microsoft developing new secure VPN tunneling protocol, vendors push gear that runs 10G over Cat6 copper and into blade servers, Verizon previews 2007 services road map, and Cisco takes a first step in revamping IOS distribution. (8:21) Listen now.
Daylight Saving changes: No Y2K, but there could be headaches
At first blush it may seem like no big deal: clocks will move ahead by an hour three weeks earlier than usual this year. But for today’s networked businesses, the simple change could mean complex problems if IT shops aren’t prepared, industry experts say. Click here for more.
Freeware optimizes Vista on PCs
Even with all the work Microsoft has put into Vista, some contend the latest Windows product might need help when it comes to day-to-day performance. That’s why a Chinese start-up updated its freeware application to optimize the newest desktop operating system. Click here for more.
IBM’s bet on social networking tools faces IT scrutiny
IBM/Lotus is betting heavily that social networking software will be a boon to corporate productivity, and while many observers agree, they caution that features such as access and management controls and training issues could be a major hurdle toward adoption. Click here for more.
Credit card industry struggles to enforce security standard
Major credit card companies have made it mandatory for merchants and payment processors to comply with stringent network security rules that went into effect in mid-2005. But getting buy-in from the millions of companies that handle credit card information remains elusive. Click here for more.
Study: Telecom industry continues to see steady, healthy growth
The telecommunications market continued to consolidate throughout 2006, but that consolidation proved beneficial for the worldwide telecom industry, which grew 11.2% in 2006 to $3 trillion. Click here for more.
Twisted Pair podcast: Stay Away From Monkey Roses
Jason and Keith talk about the latest Cisco IOS vulnerabilities, the European Storm Worm outbreak, whether widgets and gadgets will be invading the desktop soon, and why your spouse should be more important than your PC. Listen now.
Buzzblog: Just doing his job? Jerking me around? Both?
McNamara: While the maker of last week’s allegedly combustible cell phone was still a burning mystery, a Nokia PR guy was blowing smoke up my backside in an attempt to keep his company’s role quiet. Have a look at our exchange. Click here for more.
Today on Layer 8 where we prefer sponge baths:
In keeping with our dirty office theme this week: reports today of a science project gone wrong. Seems University of Florida researchers made a big splash this month with news that you could basically sterilize a sponge by putting it in a microwave on full power for two minutes (have to say this idea isn’t a new one, we here at Layer 8 knew about this years ago). Anyway. In the process of publicizing their results they neglected to mention the sponge HAS TO BE WET first. Whoops. At your home for not-just-networking news.
