Microsoft, taking it on themselves to secretly update your system(s) with "God knows what" is a breach of trust, respect and invasion of your right to operate computers as you want. Often systems are kicked out of whack, applications start acting strangely and well planned out uniform desktop configurations are disrupted by this malware, making desktop maintenance more difficult and time consuming.

Besides updates, what else is being installed on your computers without permission or our knowledge? Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols laid it on the line with Microsoft in his September 13, 2007 eWEEK article,
What the Hell Is Microsoft Doing with My Computer? "Get out of my machine and stay out."

Quotes are from Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols's article.

The Internet is buzzing about letters being sent by ISPs accusing subscribers of Copyright infringement for illegally downloading and/or sharing movies. Software Managers Resource does not condone illegal copying of movies, music, applications, etc. However, the methods and tactics used by the enforcement industry leave much to be desired. The RIAA is pressuring ISPs "for additional cooperation from ISPs in getting customers targeted by the RIAA's file-sharing sting to cooperate".

Unfortunately, some ISPs are being sucked into the same disrespectful, bullying tactics used by the enforcement groups. Without warning, education or truthful information, accusatory e-mails are being sent to customers, creating mistrust, doubt and fear in those who know they've been pirating movies, etc. For those who do not and never have downloaded movies, etc., the e-mail is mystifying and downright offensive.

One responder to the forum on Phoenix Labs was told by his ISP Customer Service Rep. to not respond to the accusing e-mail. Are ISPs confused or covering up the fact that they are in bed with the enforcement industry? Customers have a right to know what is going on, what is real or fabricated. If a subscriber has in fact infringed, s/he should be given a chance to clean up his/her act or check to see if kids or grandkids have tinkered with their computer by downloading illegal files and be permitted to get help, if needed, to remove those files without further incident. Slamming and Phishing are not respectable practices. Loyalty is a two way proposition.

Wait a minute! Read on...

IT asset management has become more complex in the last five years. Visionaries are seeing beyond the obvious to offer deeper insights into the underlying complexities of managing IT assets (hardware and software), offering a more complete picture of what is lurking beneath the surface, in the unseen world of IT assets.

Courses in this field are becoming more detailed, covering a multitude of new topics relating to IT assets. There are growing complexities and insights within each area affecting these assets: new legislations, new and ever more complex licensing schemas, what to watch out for in agreements, more and more complex technologies. All this can be mind-boggling.

eWEEK.com published this list of The Thirteen Scariest Things in IT. What are some of your scary IT things?

A subject which is becoming more visible lately is Digital Rights Management. What is Digital Rights Management? According to Wikipedia, it is "Digital rights management (DRM) is the umbrella term referring to any of several technologies used to enforce pre-defined policies controlling access to software, music, movies, or other digital data."

Some sites to get additional information include:

CNET Forums (where an active discussion is going on);
Electronic Frontier Foundation (The Skeptics View);
InfoMech.

What impact is this going to have on I.T. Asset Management? Only time will tell. It appears not much impact if current ITAM practices are used and enforced in the workplace. But, it does add one more layer of complexity to I.T. Asset Management that all ITAM professions need to be aware of.

Doing a