ANTenna Blog -- October 2009 Archive

The Crapware Plague: Fed Up And Fighting Back!

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 03:35 PM ET | Oct 30, 2009

Would you buy a PC from a vendor that treats you like an idiot, wastes your time and makes your life miserable? Chances are, you already do.

Comment on this blog entry
Apple | Business & E-Business | Company Size: 1-49 | Hardware & Software | Windows

Backup & Recovery: Practice Makes Perfect!

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 01:59 PM ET | Oct 30, 2009

When it comes to recovering data from a backup source, practice makes perfect. And failing to practice can leave your small business in a terrible mess at the worst possible time.

bMighty Virtual Event: Dealing With Data Centers -- Now Available On Demand

Posted by Fredric Paul 03:58 PM ET | Oct 29, 2009

If you thought you missed last week's informative bMighty virtual event on how SMBs can deal with data centers in tough times, it's time to think again. The entire event is now available on demand!

Dell and Juniper Team Up

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 05:51 AM ET | Oct 28, 2009

The rapidly evolving networking market took another unexpected turn when server powerhouse Dell teamed up with network equipment supplier Juniper. Dell will now resell Juniper’s MX Series Ethernet services routers, EX Series Ethernet switches and SRX Series services gateways, which all run Juniper's JUNOS operating system software.

Comment on this blog entry
Networking & Communications

SMBs To Lag In IT Purchases

Posted by Fredric Paul 12:58 AM ET | Oct 28, 2009

While overall hardware buying plans have returned to August 2008 levels, midsize and small businesses are split on their buying plans and levels of confidence.

Lithium Batteries On The Hot Seat Over Airline Fires

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 03:35 PM ET | Oct 27, 2009

The mantra for today's portable device batteries is "better, stronger and longer." When they take to the sky, however, "snap, crackle, pop!" might be more appropriate.

SMB Security Survey Shows Sorry State Of Cyber Safety

Posted by Keith Ferrell 02:03 PM ET | Oct 27, 2009

A new survey of small business cybersecurity offers a bleak picture of the state of things. Bleak unless you're a cybercrook, of course.

Microsoft Sets PST Free -- And Everybody Wins

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 10:56 AM ET | Oct 27, 2009

By opening its Outlook data format, Microsoft might lose a few customers. But it will also give many others a good reason to stick around.

Comment on this blog entry
Business & E-Business | Company Size: 1-49 | Hardware & Software | Messaging | Windows

AVG Sends Speedy Small Business Security Signal

Posted by Keith Ferrell 10:33 AM ET | Oct 27, 2009

New Internet security and anti-virus products for small businesses from AVG are being touted by the company as both secure and speedy, with an array of promised features and administrative tools that address some of the tech-challenges smaller firms face.

Comment on this blog entry
Business & E-Business | Company Size: 1-49 | Hardware & Software | Linux | Security

Google Gains a Louder Voice

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 09:35 AM ET | Oct 27, 2009

Traditionally, mobile communications have been tightly controlled by carriers and handset suppliers. Gradually, mobile networks have been becoming more open, and Google added a feature to its Google Voice offering, so users can more easily run it on mobile networks.

Comment on this blog entry
Mobile

Windows Partisans Don't Get It

Posted by Jake Widman 09:16 PM ET | Oct 26, 2009

Last week's release of Windows 7 has some Windows defenders rubbing their virtual hands at the prospect of Microsoft delivering a knockout blow to Apple. But their arguments reveal that they don't understand why SMBs and consumers have been embracing the Mac in increasing numbers.

Comments(1)
Apple | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 250-999 | Company Size: 50-249 | Hardware & Software

How Reliable Is Windows 7? Ask Its Built In Reliability Monitor!

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:56 PM ET | Oct 26, 2009

Windows 7 has lots of new features, including a useful Problem Steps Recorder. But many SMBs would like to know just how frequent those problems really are. Well, Windows 7 has a built in Reliablity Monitor that's designed to tell you how often a Windows 7 machine has experienced problems.

Open Source Scores A Big White House Win

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 01:44 PM ET | Oct 26, 2009

President Obama wants to encourage open and transparent government. What better way to accomplish this task than by using open and transparent software?

Comment on this blog entry
Government | Hardware & Software | Internet/Web | Open Source | Web 2.0

Smartphones Call For Security-Smarter Users

Posted by Keith Ferrell 11:42 AM ET | Oct 26, 2009

Smartphones, and all the other smartstuff filling our pockets, bags, lives, make for mobile convenience and access -- including access by crooks. Time to get your smartphone-using staff to dial up their security practices.

Comment on this blog entry
Messaging | Mobile | Networking & Communications | Security | Technology/Telecom

Carriers Renew Focus On SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:17 PM ET | Oct 23, 2009

AT&T and Avaya create a dedicated sales center for small and midsize businesses, while Sprint forms a Small Business specialty team to develop new products and services.

Mac Clonemaker Releases Do-It-Yourself Hackintosh Kit

Posted by Jake Widman 05:30 PM ET | Oct 23, 2009

Psystar, the Mac cloning company that's been locked in legal battle with Apple for more than a year, is now selling software that anyone can use to install OS X on stock Intel-based PC hardware. A review of the instructions and FAQs show why doing so would be a bad business decision.

Comments(1)
Apple | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | Hardware & Software

Windows 7's Official Release Prompts bMighty Apology

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:43 PM ET | Oct 22, 2009

I admit it. I was wrong. Almost a year ago, bMighty posted a story on 10 things we DIDN'T think would happen in 2009. We were right about most of them, but it became all inarguable that I totally blew # 7 when Windows 7 officially launched today.

Comment on this blog entry
Windows

Latest TrueCrypt Release Adds Windows 7 Support

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 02:54 PM ET | Oct 22, 2009

Every small business needs good desktop encryption software. The latest version of my favorite product, TrueCrypt, makes it a better choice than ever.

Comment on this blog entry
Company Size: 1-49 | Hardware & Software | Open Source | Security

IBM Rolls Out New Dynamic Infrastructure Offerings For Midsize Companies

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:49 AM ET | Oct 22, 2009

IBM Rational AppScan OnDemand, Tivoli Foundations Application Manager, Tivoli Foundations Service Manager, IBM Software Services-Enhanced Technical Support Gateway, and IBM System Storage DS3950 Express are designed to "help midsize businesses reduce cost, improve service and manage risk."

Comment on this blog entry
Hardware & Software

Why Windows 7 Comes In So Many Versions

Posted by Fredric Paul 01:53 AM ET | Oct 22, 2009

As Windows 7 hits stores today, there's still one question left: Which version is right for me and my company? Windows 7 comes in so many different versions -- many of them with new names -- that it's all to easy for business and consumer users to get confused. I asked Microsoft VP Margo Day why the company needed so many versions.

Comment on this blog entry
Windows

Lenovo Debuts New ThinkPad Laptops For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 01:15 PM ET | Oct 21, 2009

As the launch of Windows 7 augers in a deluge of new PCs from just about every vendor around the world, Lenovo joins a much smaller group aiming new machines at small and midsize businesses.

Comment on this blog entry
Hardware & Software

Apple Upgrades iMacs

Posted by Jake Widman 02:40 PM ET | Oct 20, 2009

This morning Apple announced new iMacs with larger screens and faster processors and a slightly rejuggled pricing structure. The company also introduced a multitouch mouse and tweaked the low-end MacBook.

Phishing Alert: Get Your Guards Up! Botnet On The Move And It Looks Like It's Coming From YOU

Posted by Keith Ferrell 01:35 PM ET | Oct 20, 2009

Odds are you or someone in your business have received some dangerously convincing e-mails in the last few days. Mail that claims to come from Microsoft, warning of Conficker infections and, more dangerously, mail that appears to be from your administrator at your own domain, announcing a server upgrade. They're phishing attacks, of course, and particularly nasty ones.

Comment on this blog entry
Business & E-Business | IT | IT Management | Security | Windows

Why A Linux Live CD Could Save Your Small Business

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 01:12 PM ET | Oct 20, 2009

Could Linux really protect your business against an online banking disaster? Absolutely -- and the major arguments against this approach simply don't hold water.

Cisco Retools Its Router Line

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 06:53 AM ET | Oct 20, 2009

Since its inception 25 years ago, Cisco has been synonymous with routing. The company rolled out its most significant router upgrade, Integrated Services Router Generation (ISRG 2) since 2004 and focused on enhanced video transmission capabilities, more virtualized services, and reduced energy consumption as the means to maintain its market position.

Comment on this blog entry
Networking & Communications

Enterasys Revamps Switching Line

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 01:06 PM ET | Oct 19, 2009

Enterasys, which has been languishing in the Ethernet switching market, is trying to breathe new life into its products. To entice small and medium businesses, the company’s S-Series features high performance switching, resilient power, and enhanced management functions.

Comment on this blog entry
Networking & Communications

5 (Hidden) Benefits Of Cloud Storage For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:54 AM ET | Oct 19, 2009

There's a familiar litany of cloud computing benefits, from lower capital expenses and fast deployments to ubiquitous access and bringing enterprise-class technology to smaller companies. But I recently came across a handful of under-radar-advantages that cloud storage promises bring to your small or midsize business.

FileMaker Server Bonus Offer

Posted by Jake Widman 04:54 PM ET | Oct 16, 2009

For the next two months, FileMaker is offering its Server version as a free throw-in for anyone purchasing ten licenses for FileMaker Pro.

Comment on this blog entry
Apple | Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | Company Size: 50-249 | Hardware & Software

New Firefox Tool Hunts Down Outdated Browser Plugins

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 03:38 PM ET | Oct 16, 2009

Mozilla has a new tool that can help many Firefox users avoid potentially serious plug-in related security issues.

Google Uses Q3 Earnings Report To Tout Services For Local Companies

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:45 PM ET | Oct 15, 2009

Not surprisingly, most coverage of today's Google's third quarter financial results focusd on the company's beating expections and resuming hiring. But bMighty is interested in the juicy details provided about the search giant's offerings for local businesses.

bMighty Virtual Event: Dealing With Data Centers

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:02 PM ET | Oct 15, 2009

Whether your company's data center is a couple of servers stashed in a closet or a gleaming, state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility, you're still facing the same set of challenges: how to keep the IT lights on while controlling costs, take advantage of new technologies to stay competitive, and position your company for an economic recovery in the midst of the toughest times for IT that many of us can remember.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, help is on the way.

UPDATE Sidekick Data Restored: Security And Cofidence Questions Remain

Posted by Keith Ferrell 03:42 PM ET | Oct 15, 2009

So now the missing Microsoft/T-Mobile Sidekick is back, doubtless relieving both hundreds of thousands of customers and the legal departments at the affected companies. But the questions about confidence in cloud-based data remain. And that's a good thing.

Comment on this blog entry
Business & E-Business | Business Continuity | Cloud Computing | Internet/Web | Security

Windows 7: Good For The Mac?

Posted by Jake Widman 08:31 PM ET | Oct 14, 2009

As the release date of Windows 7 approaches, even longtime Mac fans praise the successor to Vista, raising the question yet again of the effect on Mac marketshare. A new report suggests that Windows 7 might just help the Mac, no matter how good it is.

Sidekick Failure Highlights Security Demands Cloud Customers Must Make

Posted by Keith Ferrell 08:52 AM ET | Oct 14, 2009

Whether or not Sidekick recovers from the data debacle that may have cost hundreds of thousands of customers their cloud-stored material, the disaster shows into sharp relief a couple of great and greatly unasked questions about doing business in and with the cloud: How confident can you be of your cloud service providers? How confident should you insist on being?

For Salesforce.com, "The End Of Software" Becomes "The Best Of Both Worlds"

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:34 PM ET | Oct 13, 2009

I just got back from Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff's much anticipated presentation at Oracle OpenWorld, and it was an interesting experience to say the least. Benioff didn't announce anything new. Instead he pushed Software as a Service as a complement, not just an alternative, to traditional software. And for once he gave more than passing mention to the needs of small and midsize companies.

McAfee Rolls Out Centralized Security Solution For Macs

Posted by Jake Widman 05:45 PM ET | Oct 13, 2009

Security vendor McAfee has announced McAfee Endpoint Protection for Mac, a unified suite of security features that can be managed from a central console. The product is intended to address the security needs of the growing number of Macintoshes in businesses.

Comment on this blog entry
Apple | Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | Company Size: 50-249 | Security

Microsoft Extends Support For Mac Office 2004

Posted by Jake Widman 04:33 PM ET | Oct 13, 2009

Microsoft has announced that it will continue to provide Mainstream Support for Office 2004 for Mac. The extension will mean that SMBs that rely on Visual Basic for Applications macros will be fully supported until the next version of Office comes out.

A Quick And Easy Way To Minimize Online Banking Risks

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 02:30 PM ET | Oct 13, 2009

Even if your business runs Windows, it can still use Linux to avoid problems related to one of its most important -- and potentially most dangerous -- online activities: banking.

Is $100 Enough Compensation for Your Lost Data?

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 01:53 PM ET | Oct 13, 2009

Small and medium businesses have been moving to cloud computing because it has the potential to ease application development and reduce costs. However, this approach also means that a company is dependent on the service provider’s ability to keep its systems up and running, something that T-Mobile and Microsoft recently failed to do.

Comments(1)
Cloud Computing | Mobile

Avaya Tweaks Its Aura Virtual VoIP Platform For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 01:50 PM ET | Oct 13, 2009

In yet another attempt to bring Unified Communications to midsize companies, the SMB version of Aura combines several Avaya UC technologies on a single server to make it affordable for smaller companies.

Comment on this blog entry
Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | IT | Networking & Communications | Unified Communications

Marchex Debuts Online Reputation Management For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 03:01 AM ET | Oct 13, 2009

Many large enterprises spend small fortunes tracking how they are perceived online and in social media. But small and midsize companies don't have to worry about things like reputation management, do they? After all, who could be talking about them? Well, it could be more than you might think.

NEC Claims Midmarket Is Overpaying For Storage By $3 Billion

Posted by Fredric Paul 12:01 AM ET | Oct 13, 2009

As the vendor enhances the NEC D-Series Storage Attached Networking line with iSCSI and thin provisioning, it charges brand-name competitors with overcharging -- sort of.

Comment on this blog entry
Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | Storage

Dell/Salesforce.com Combine Cloud Apps With Integration Services For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 09:37 PM ET | Oct 9, 2009

The deal, to be announced Monday, calls for Dell to package its integration services with Salesforce.com's cloud-based CRM applications. "We're starting to build a bridge for SMB customers -- and especially Dell's SMB customers -- to get started with cloud computing," explained Marc Stein, director of Dell's SMB cloud strategy.

Putting An End To The Patent-Troll Plague

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:02 PM ET | Oct 9, 2009

How bad will things have to get before the U.S. legal system finally slams the door on patent trolls? We might find out very soon.

Beware The Snow Leopard Guest Account

Posted by Jake Widman 04:42 PM ET | Oct 9, 2009

Word's going around of an apparent data-destroying bug in the way Apple's new Snow Leopard OS handles guest accounts. SMBs that need to provide network access to temp workers, visitors from another office, or other non-permanent denizens of the office should be aware of the danger and take appropriate precautions.

Will Microsoft's Free Office Starter 2010 Be Enough For Small Businesses?

Posted by Fredric Paul 03:06 PM ET | Oct 9, 2009

Microsoft is coming out with a new ad-supported version of Office to replace Microsoft Works. Will it offer enough functionality to challenge Google Docs and Open Office -- or let small businesses avoid paying for the full-blown version of Office?

Comments(1)
Company Size: 1-49 | Hardware & Software

Patch Alert! Microsoft Releasing Largest Patch Array Ever

Posted by Keith Ferrell 02:18 PM ET | Oct 9, 2009

Use BOLD when you mark next Tuesday on your patch calendar-- that's when Microsoft is releasing the biggest patch array ever: 13 patches addressing close to 3 dozen vulnerabilities.

Motorola Moves Wi-Fi Outdoors For New SMB Applications

Posted by Fredric Paul 09:48 PM ET | Oct 8, 2009

The company's new AP 7181 access point optimizes 802.11 Wi-Fi for outdoor applications with up to a quarter-mile range to make possible a wide variety of new SMB applications -- among other uses.

Motorola Says "No Thanks" To Windows Mobile 6.5

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 02:03 PM ET | Oct 8, 2009

There is more evidence this week that Windows Mobile faces a very unpleasant -- and perhaps very short -- future.

What Midmarket CIOs Care About Most

Posted by Fredric Paul 10:55 AM ET | Oct 8, 2009

Business analytics and self service, according to the newly released midmarket portion of IBM's 2009 Global Chief Information Office Study, but CIOs of high growth companies have different priorities than those at slower growing organizations. Finally, no matter what size firm they represent, CIOs face a similar set of conflicting goals and contradictory roles.

Comment on this blog entry
Company Size: 250-999 | Company Size: 50-249 | IT | Management

New Iomega Desktop Network Storage Appliance Pushes High-End Features Into Small Offices

Posted by Fredric Paul 12:15 AM ET | Oct 8, 2009

Iomega hopes the StorCenter ix2-200's energy efficiency and big-company features will help it stand out in an increasingly crowded market for entry-level storage appliances.

Comment on this blog entry
Backup | Business Continuity | Company Size: 1-49 | Professional/Creative Services | Storage

VMware Fusion To Support Windows 7, Look More Maclike

Posted by Jake Widman 06:14 PM ET | Oct 7, 2009

VMware has announced that version 3 of its Fusion virtualization software, which enables Macs to run Windows, will support "the full Windows 7 experience." Fusion 3 will be available October 27.

Comment on this blog entry
Apple | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | Hardware & Software

Macs In SMBs 'On The Incline,' Say Distributors

Posted by Jake Widman 05:05 PM ET | Oct 7, 2009

Following up on a survey on Macs for home use that found a 33 percent increase over last year, Apple's top two distributors said they're seeing the same kind of growth in commercial installations. One of the drivers: the preferences of new workers.

Comments(1)
Apple | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | Hardware & Software

Extreme Networks Expands its Low End Product Line

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 12:53 PM ET | Oct 7, 2009

Extreme Networks has made its mark largely by delivering products to large companies. However, the company recently extended its edge switching line, with devices that may appeal to small and medium businesses.

Comment on this blog entry
Networking & Communications

Three Surprising Tips To Predict Hard Disk Failures

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 12:09 PM ET | Oct 7, 2009

What makes the difference between a good hard disk and a dud? Google is better able to answer this question than most companies -- and it's willing to share at least some of what it knows.

Hotmail Phishers Pull In Poor Passwords By The Thousands

Posted by Keith Ferrell 11:30 AM ET | Oct 7, 2009

Tens of thousands of email accounts from Hotmail, Gmail, Earthlink, Yahoo and Comcast compromised by phishing scams had those those details posted briefly online for all to see. One thing that was seen was how many of those accounts had lousy passwords.

Comment on this blog entry
Business & E-Business | Internet/Web | Security

New Hybrid Storage And Backup Options From i365 And CTERA Networks

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:17 AM ET | Oct 7, 2009

Yesterday, CTERA Networks launched its CloudPlug and C200 "cloud attached storage" devices, and today i365 debuted its EVault Offsite Replication Storage Service. Both offerings illustrate the trend toward combining onsite and cloud-based storage and backup into hybrid solutions for small and midsize companies.

Password Management For Mac Owners

Posted by Jake Widman 08:58 PM ET | Oct 6, 2009

The first line of defense in any security system is users' passwords -- if those get compromised, it barely matters what other measures you may have in place. A new book outlines best practices that Mac-using SMBs can adopt and adapt to strengthen their company ramparts.

Comment on this blog entry
Apple | Company Size: 1-49 | Security

Citrix Takes Aim at Desktop Virtualization Market

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 10:11 AM ET | Oct 6, 2009

Virtualization has proven to be an important technology in the data center where it enables small and medium businesses to divvy up server processing cycles in an efficient manner. Citrix, which has been a leader in the desktop virtualization market, wants to ride that wave of acceptance.

Comment on this blog entry
Hardware & Software

Cisco, Tandberg, And The Future Of Videoconferencing For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 10:55 PM ET | Oct 5, 2009

Last week's announcement that Cisco was buying videoconferencing heavyweight Tandberg sent shockwaves through the industry. But as the dust clears, observers are starting to figure out what it might mean for the small and midsize companies that actually use the technology -- or might want to if videoconferencing better met their needs. And already smaller competitors are showing that they still have something different and valuable to offer SMBs.

Comment on this blog entry
Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | IT | Networking & Communications | Unified Communications

Download The New bMighty Browser Toolbar

Posted by Fredric Paul 02:38 PM ET | Oct 3, 2009

This summer, I blogged about how Conduit was improving its custom browswer toolbars, and I demonstrated the concept with a simple bMighty toolbar. At the time, I promised to create a bMighty toolbar you'd actually want to put on your browser. Well, it took a few months and some help from the folks at Conduit, but the free bMighty Community Browser Toolbar is now ready!

Comment on this blog entry
bMighty

Zmanda Still A Great Pick For Cloud-Based Data Backups

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 12:01 PM ET | Oct 2, 2009

Zmanda is beefing up its cloud-based backup service, making it an even better deal for small and medium-sized businesses.

Top Database Threat? Legit Users And Sloppy Company Policies!

Posted by Keith Ferrell 09:00 PM ET | Oct 1, 2009

A new Dark Reading report makes clear what's been strongly suspected for some time: Authorized users are business databases' biggest vulnerabilities. Actually, as the report makes clear, the biggest vulnerability is the array of shoddy and hole-filled data policies many companies put in place to protect" data.

Comment on this blog entry
Business & E-Business | IT | Security

New Dell Vostro 430 SMB Desktop Leverages Windows 7, Intel i5 And i7 Chips

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:01 AM ET | Oct 1, 2009

Dell's lastest addition to its Vostro line of small-business-oriented computers leads trend toward "powerhouse" desktop machines for smaller companies.

Comment on this blog entry
Hardware & Software

71 Scanner Terms You Need To Know

Posted by Fredric Paul 02:51 AM ET | Oct 1, 2009

Think you know everything you need to know about scanners and document imaging? Think again. From "Achromatic Color" to "Zoom," the latest addition to the bMighty Scanner How-To Center is a free downloadable guide to more than 71 key terms that can help you scan business documents faster, better, and more efficiently. Here's a sneak peek at the top 10 -- how many do you know?

Find pre-screened vendors to grow your business

Get key info on the products you need

Explore ANTenna Blog

Most Recent Posts

ANTenna Blog Topics

ANTenna Bloggers

ANTenna Blog Roll

Research & Downloads

Browse by Category

bMighty Tech
Term Of Day:

bell character

Boost your tech
vocabulary!
bMighty's SMB
TechEncyclopedia
defines more than
20,000 IT terms.

FREE Technology Services Locator!

Search our database of 200,000 solution- provider locations by business activity, technology, vertical market, and customer size. Find a technology partner NOW.