SoftwareManagers.org - technical

Protect yourself from colds and flu

2008-08-15T03:14:15Z

From a posting to the Southern Arizona Network User Group list server:
Techs can avoid cold/flu viruses by washing hands
Quick Tip: Protect yourself from colds and flu:
"Techs are constantly touching other user’s keyboards, mice, and phones.
While this contact may seem harmless, I have always theorized that this interaction is the cause of many a support tech’s misery during the cold and flu season. If I’m right, not only do support techs pick up cold and/or flu bugs from end users´ peripherals, they also pass them to other keyboards and, therefore, to other people. I decided to investigate this, and here’s what I found."
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1033381.html
Discussion here:
Wash your hands - dslreports.com
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20944881-Wash-your-hands

Free Software Indeed

2008-03-07T08:28:36Z

Lance Ulanoff's "What's New Now" cited a very interesting article by Eric Griffith in PC Magazine titled The Best Free Software. Eric compiled a Hall of Fame list of suitable software that won't send your budget into another galaxy. Layoff non-essential and over priced software, not people.

157 software tools. No fees. No expiration dates. No problems. Sometimes even no downloads. No kidding.

It's true, there are many good software products out there that don't cost thousands of dollars, and are even free. I agree with Eric, why spend those big bucks when you don't have to? I'm sure your IT staff knows about these gems and can test them to add to your technology savings initiative. You do have a technology savings initiative, don't you? It can start with software purchases, or non-purchases.

Virtual Licenses

2005-10-17T07:46:16Z

Virtualization was first developed for mainframes, as explained by Amid Singh in An Introduction to Virtualization . This introduction also explains the benefits of virtualization and defines the terms. As the use of virtualization grows, changes in licensing from processor to instance will be utilized by more software vendors. Martin LaMonica , CNET News, presents the difference, and possible ramifications for customer’s pocket books.
This also poses challenges for software management since virtual things can so easily be created and moved. As computing becomes more centralized, so must be IT Asset Management, and within the IT department.

Data Center Asset Management

2005-09-12T06:31:30Z

The other day I received a phone call from a very large, prominent company in San Jose, California U.S.A. looking for an IT Asset Manager (ITAM). Of particular concern is the hardware and software for the data center(s). This call reminded me of an article in ComputerWorld by Julia King titled, Sidebar: How to get started with asset management. The article states that Companies that launch a comprehensive software asset management program can expect to save 8% to 30% of their total software budgets, according to Dave Dworkin, director of product management at Isogon. Best of all is that the bulk of savings are located in one convenient place -- your corporate mainframe.

Technical FAQ

2005-02-07T05:46:23Z

How can an effective SAM program help? A common problem when working in an IT department is having the right tools to get a job done. An effective SAM program can save countless hours of expensive staff time by organizing and storing the physical media of software. Tools such as network servers of different sizes can provide remote access to streamline software installations. The transition from current practices to an effective SAM environment can seem unclear at first, but the benefits are significant in the eyes of technical staff who have worked in such environments.
What departments are typically involved in the lifecycle of a software version? For large organizations, tests are run before a software version is deployed. Software flaws or bugs are identified and plans are made for working around them. If a previous version is already deployed, compatibility of data is tested. Contracts for purchase are typically negotiated by a procurement department outside of IT. Depending on the terms of purchase the software is then installed on computers by a support department. Employees use the software in the range of diverse conditions. As people join and leave a company their software can become misplaced unless proactive steps are taken. Upgrades and/or alternative software titles and versions must follow the same path and may create a requirement to keep records of previous versions due to new upgrade purchase agreements.

Blogging Buzz

2005-01-07T02:33:38Z

A basic article Blogging: Public Affairs' Next Frontier written by Ken Deutsch is helpful in understanding the reach of blogging. I found it in the December newsletter from Get Active, a service provider of online communication tools for membership organizations. Here's a quote:

Peer to Peer

2005-01-15T07:36:26Z

TinyP2p is a 15 line python application that implements a peer to peer file sharing application. This is not a threat, simply our environment changing as new technologies make things trivial that used to be practically impossible. Business and legal professionals can interpret these changes as opportunities.