ANTenna Blog -- December 2007 Archive

Some New Year's Security Resolutions Can Also Be Security Solutions

Posted by Keith Ferrell 04:34 PM ET | Dec 31, 2007

Meet the New Year's security challenges -- same as the old year's security challenges in many ways. And of all of them -- vulnerabilities, cybercrime, flawed old technologies, powerful new technologies, human nature, it's that last that's the most easily addressable. And probably the least addressed.

New Year Prediction: IT Spending Will Grow. Uh, No It Won't

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:27 AM ET | Dec 31, 2007

First we're told that IT spending will be pretty healthy in the coming year. Then we're told that the researchers have changed their mind. What gives?

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IT | Strategy/Analysis/Biz Dev

What's better for a business Mac notebook: MacBook or MacBook Pro?

Posted by Alan Zeichick 07:50 PM ET | Dec 30, 2007

It’s not easy to decide which notebook Mac to buy. The three main models – the 13.3-inch MacBook, the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and the 17-inch MacBook Pro – offer a variety of tradeoffs, not just in the essential aspect of screen size, but in their different options.

Comments(4)
Apple

Blogging and Smaller Businesses: Good for Some, Not All

Posted by Naomi Grossman 10:48 AM ET | Dec 27, 2007

Is your New Year's resolution to start a blog? For many smaller businesses, blogging can be an effective, cheap marketing tool. But for others, it's a waste of time.

Comments(1)
Business & E-Business | Networking & Communications | Sales/Marketing

"Entitled" Younger Workers Could Be Advantage For Small Firms

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:20 PM ET | Dec 26, 2007

No surprise, but it seems Generation Y workers expect more workplace perks than their more mature colleagues. Actually, though, that opens an opportunity for smaller firms with more flexible HR policies.

Comments(3)
Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | HR | Management

E-Mail Is The Center Of The Universe

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:01 PM ET | Dec 26, 2007

Seems that way sometimes, doesn't it? Well, a Canadian outfit called Kryptiva aims to make it almost literally true with a Collaboration Suite that links file sharing, application sharing, and instant messaging to your Outlook inbox.

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Hardware & Software | Messaging

Have You Sent Out Your E-Greeting Yet? You Should

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:25 AM ET | Dec 26, 2007

The holiday season offers smaller businesses an easy, cheap way to do some effective networking: the e-card. And if you put a little thought into yours, it could get you noticed.

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Business & E-Business | Sales/Marketing

CyberDefender To Offer Free Tech Support And Security Check December 26th

Posted by Keith Ferrell 08:49 AM ET | Dec 21, 2007

Following up on a successful Halloween promotion, security company CyberDefender is offering another day of free tech support, security checks and setup consultation on December 26th.

What's better for a business iMac: Bigger or faster?

Posted by Alan Zeichick 08:26 AM ET | Dec 21, 2007

When you’re specing out a new Mac, sometimes bigger is better. Sometimes faster is better. Sometimes it doesn’t make a difference.

Comments(1)
Apple

An Easy -- and Guilt-Free -- Way to Make Room for That New Smartphone

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:06 AM ET | Dec 20, 2007

With the holidays fast approaching and images of brand new electronics -- smartphones, PDAs, laptops or anything that makes it easier, or more fun, to conduct your business -- dancing in your head, there is one obvious question: What are you going to do with the old stuff?

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Hardware & Software | Mobile

New Malware Steals Legitimate Ads

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 08:11 AM ET | Dec 20, 2007

Anti-virus software supplier BitDefender discovered a new Trojan , which hijacks Google text advertisements and replaces them with ads from a different provider. The malware, which BitDefender dubbed Trojan.Qhost.WU, modifies a computers' Hosts file (a local storage for domain name /IP address mappings, which is consulted before domain name servers and is considered authoritative). The modified file contains a line that redirects the computer from the legitimate source to an illegitimate one.

5 Tips for Green Data Storage

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:30 PM ET | Dec 19, 2007

Everyone wants to be green these days, and so does your data. Apparently, though, tape-based backup just doesn't cut it, environmentally speaking.

Comments(1)
Hardware & Software

Vista is Bad. Should Smaller Businesses Go For it Anyway?

Posted by Naomi Grossman 01:57 PM ET | Dec 18, 2007

Vista's adoption rate among businesses is much lower than anticipated, largely because of difficulties many businesses have had with its deployment. So why are analysts urging more businesses to get on board? Is there a compelling reason for smaller businesses to abandon XP?

Comments(12)
Hardware & Software | IT | Windows

New Cisco Security Report: The Scary World We Work In Is Getting Scarier

Posted by Keith Ferrell 10:17 AM ET | Dec 18, 2007

A new state of the cybersecurity globe from Cisco (a bMighty sponsor) is plenty detailed -- and plenty scary. And it's a look at this year. Next year may be worse.

Finally, an Easier Way to Retrieve Your Voice Mail Messages

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 07:12 AM ET | Dec 18, 2007

Having trouble hearing your phone messages? Are you ever in a crowded room so listening closely is not an option? Alltel rolled out a new service, so small and medium businesspersons have a new option for retrieving their voice mail messages.

Online Retailing: A Tale Of Two Perspectives

Posted by Fredric Paul 09:06 PM ET | Dec 17, 2007

Don'tcha just love when the same data leads to two diametrically opposed headlines? Well, that's what we've got with the latest figures on the growth of online sales this Holiday season.

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Is the iPhone for business? Some say yes, some say no.

Posted by Alan Zeichick 08:32 PM ET | Dec 17, 2007

The Apple iPhone looks like an ideal business tool: It’s a smartphone, just like a BlackBerry or Treo. It has a full-featured Web browser. Et cetera. I wrote a posting about recently – “The iPhone is turning into a business tool.” However, not everyone agrees with me about that.

Comments(2)
iPhone

Vista is the Year's Biggest Tech Disappointment? Ouch

Posted by Naomi Grossman 12:37 PM ET | Dec 17, 2007

The end of the year lists are coming fast and furious but who would've thought that the much ballyhooed and much maligned Vista would end up on the top of anybody's list? Well PC World is calling it the biggest tech disappointment of the year. That's gotta hurt.

Comments(3)
Hardware & Software | IT | Windows

Online Advertising Offers Opportunity To Smaller Companies

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:36 PM ET | Dec 14, 2007

Jumping 25% to $20 billion in 2007, online advertising may sound like big business. And it is. But despite that growth, Web ads still offer creative smaller companies the best way to counter the Super-sized advertising budgets of their enterprise competitors.

Comments(1)
Business & E-Business

Office Workers Know About Your Security Policy. But Are They Following It?

Posted by Naomi Grossman 12:51 PM ET | Dec 14, 2007

Hey IT managers, your office workers might say they are following security procedures. But get someone to ask them that question anonymously. Their answers might surprise -- and upset -- you.

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IT | Networking & Communications | Security

Survey: 40 Percent Of You Still Think Your Networks Are Insecure (And You're Probably Right)

Posted by Keith Ferrell 09:34 AM ET | Dec 14, 2007

And most of the rest of you continue to leave endpoints unguarded, according to a new survey of small and midsize businesses.

Microsoft Accelerates Release Of Hyper-V Hypervisor

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:54 PM ET | Dec 13, 2007

The virtualization tide just keeps on rolling. Today, Microsoft unexpectedly unveiled a beta release of Hyper-V Hypervisor, which will become part of Windows Server 2008 next year.

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Hardware & Software | Networking & Communications | Storage

Smaller Businesses, Open Source is Going to Get Easier to Use. No More Excuses

Posted by Naomi Grossman 10:52 AM ET | Dec 13, 2007

Recent research indicates that one of the main reasons smaller businesses don't use open source applications is interoperability between solutions. If that improves, will more smaller businesses go open source? They should.

Comments(7)
Hardware & Software | IT | Open Source

Bandwidth Bumps Continue in WAN

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 09:04 AM ET | Dec 13, 2007

Have a large video file that you need to ship to a client? If so, one should expect that it will go through more easily now than it would have a few months ago.

Siemens Explains Why Unified Communications Matters

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:48 PM ET | Dec 12, 2007

In addition to insights from Siemens exec Shayna Kaneshiro, SmallBizTechnology.com also presents some revealing stats on how small and midsize companies communicate.

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Networking & Communications

The iPhone is turning into a business tool

Posted by Alan Zeichick 10:29 AM ET | Dec 12, 2007

When I think about Apple technology for business, that means the Macintosh product line. iPods and iPhones are consumer electronics, with little relationship to business. Right? Wrong.

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Apple

Dell's Aims New Tablet PC At Small And Midsize Companies

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:02 PM ET | Dec 11, 2007

At the unveiling of Dell's new Latitude XT tablet PC last nite, I was told that the time was finally right for tablets to find a home in general applications in smaller companies. I'm not buying it.

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Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | Hardware & Software | Mobile

SaaS -- Smaller Businesses Should Proceed With Caution

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:55 AM ET | Dec 11, 2007

A recent report indicates that software-as-a-service firms could be vulnerable in the next economic slowdown. Small and midsize businesses, who are attracted by SaaS's frequently low, or free, rates and ease of use, should be careful.

Comments(1)
Hardware & Software | IT

Dell Targets Small and Medium Business With Storage System Enhancements

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 08:42 AM ET | Dec 11, 2007

Tired of your dealing with storage solution provider and on the lookout for a new one? If so, Dell wants you to take a closer look at what it has to offer.

Free Wi-Fi At The Airport = Things To Do In Denver When You're Broke

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:15 PM ET | Dec 10, 2007

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest in United States. And now that DIA has moved to free, ad-supported wireless service, its airwaves may be as bustling as its airspace.

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Business & E-Business | Mobile | Transportation | Travel

You don’t have to buy Apple monitors for your Macs

Posted by Alan Zeichick 02:51 PM ET | Dec 10, 2007

Apple makes gorgeous monitors, and once upon a time, they were the only game in town for connecting to Macintosh computers, thanks to proprietary connectors. However, these days you can use just about any monitor with a Mac.

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Apple

Enterprise Software Isn't Sexy. Should it Be?

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:08 AM ET | Dec 10, 2007

A seemingly innocent comment over the weekend about enterprise software's lack of "sexiness" evolved into a wild online debate about why and how enterprise software is just no good.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Strategy/Analysis/Biz Dev

Mobile Device Security: Use 'Em, Don't Lose 'Em

Posted by Keith Ferrell 10:49 AM ET | Dec 10, 2007

Last week's bMighty bMobile Virtual Expo included an observation about handheld device security that was stunner: 30 percent of handhelds are lost every year.

iPhone Flaws Not Stopping Business Users

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:26 PM ET | Dec 7, 2007

In a telling move, SAP will introduce a new version of its upcoming customer relationship management software for the iPhone before launching versions RIM and Palm.

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Mobile

Online Sales Tax Battle Could Have Big Impact On Smaller Retailers

Posted by Fredric Paul 03:30 PM ET | Dec 7, 2007

A new bill will let states require online retailers to collect out-of-state sales tax.

Comments(2)
Business & E-Business

Small and Midsize Businesses, IT Companies Like You

Posted by Naomi Grossman 01:41 PM ET | Dec 7, 2007

The most recent IDC report on tech spending was just released and its good news for small and midsize businesses.

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Business & E-Business | Hardware & Software | IT

Credit Card Security: 'Tis The Season To Be Compliant

Posted by Keith Ferrell 12:00 PM ET | Dec 6, 2007

When it comes to customers' credit card information, how much should small and midsize businesses be worrying about compliance this holiday season? The same as every other season -- a lot.

Hey Road Warriors, AT&T's Network is Open (Except, Of Course, the iPhone)

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:15 AM ET | Dec 6, 2007

Coming on the heels of Verizon's plan to open its wireless network, AT&T is making news with its "open" cellphone network. What has changed? Not much. But the fact that the company wants its "openness" to be noticed is good news for small and midsize business travelers.

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Hardware & Software | Mobile | Networking & Communications

Will Google Be Your Next Wireless Carrier?

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 05:28 AM ET | Dec 6, 2007

Flushed with oodles of money from its outrageous stock price, Google decided to sink some of its cash into wireless services, a move that seems at best curious and at worst idiotic.

Re-installing Mac OS X 10.5.1 “Leopard” upgrade improves stability

Posted by Alan Zeichick 07:15 PM ET | Dec 5, 2007

Install it again, Sam. That's the word on the Mac OS X 10.5.1 update to Leopard.

Comments(6)
Apple

IT Talent Crunch? Remember, Happy Employees Don't Leave

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:14 AM ET | Dec 5, 2007

Apparently IT is booming in Boston. But the advice provided to Boston-area companies on how to deal with the talent wars and the staffing crunch are applicable to all tech departments looking to staff up.

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Business & E-Business | HR | IT

SANS Says You And Your Employees Are Top Security Risks. Ya Think?

Posted by Keith Ferrell 02:58 PM ET | Dec 4, 2007

Computer security trainer SANS Institute came out with its top threats of 2007 recently, and guess what? You're on the list, and so are your employees; so am I, and, probably, so is everybody we know and most of the people we don't.

Rethinking the Cubicle -- An Office Space Only Dilbert Could Love

Posted by Naomi Grossman 10:55 AM ET | Dec 4, 2007

Small and midsize companies, be aware: larger companies are rethinking the cubicle culture. If you want to maintain your nimbleness and your competitive edge, it's time for you to consider making some changes as well.

Comments(2)
HR | Management | Strategy/Analysis/Biz Dev

Motorola Dumps Brash CEO

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 06:16 AM ET | Dec 4, 2007

One trick pony may be an apt description for Ed Zander, who had been CEO of Motorola but now finds himself on the unemployment rolls .

Managing Your Employees By Age

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:53 PM ET | Dec 3, 2007

Kids today, they hate everything. Or at least, they hate the companies they work for, probably including yours. But here's news: savvy managers can solve the problem: FREE!

Comments(1)
HR

How Should You Format Your External Hard Drives and USB Flash Drives for Macs?

Posted by Alan Zeichick 06:29 PM ET | Dec 3, 2007

It’s amazing how USB flash drives – sometimes called thumb drives – have replaced floppy disks as the most convenient way to transport data. They're small, sturdy, fast, reliable, and hold a heck of a lot of data.

Comments(1)
Apple

If something's wrong with your Macs, check the fonts

Posted by Alan Zeichick 04:42 PM ET | Dec 3, 2007

The Achilles heel of the Mac has always been its font handling.

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Apple

IT's Value? Prove It

Posted by Naomi Grossman 11:58 AM ET | Dec 3, 2007

Tech managers in small to midsize companies are constantly wrestling with the need to prove the benefit of the business' IT investment. But quantifying that kind of value is not simple. But now there could be an easier way.

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IT | Management | Strategy/Analysis/Biz Dev

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