Latest News

OpenOffice.org site goes down

by

(TheForceField.net ) October 13, 2008 — The OpenOffice.org official web site went down during the launch of OpenOffice.org 3.0 this morning. A download page was published around noon in lieu of the home page with the brief message "Apologies – our website is struggling to cope with the unprecedented demand for the new release 3.0 of OpenOffice.org. The technical teams are
trying to come up with a solution".

Initially there was no official word as to the cause of the outage, however an source at Sun was quoted as saying that the outage was due to a "large
number of http requests bombarding the site". The high number of requests is believed to be attributed to a sudden increase in traffic in response to the official release of OpenOffice.org 3.0.

OpenOffice.org 3.0 is the latest release of the open source office suite originally developed by Sun Microsystems. This release is considered by many to be the turning point in which OpenOffice.org becomes a true, viable  competitor to Microsoft Office.

 

 

The Javascript Anthology eBook

 

Telecommuting Boosts Worker Productivity, CompTIA Survey Finds

by

Cost savings, staff hiring and retention and improved employee health also cited as benefits

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., October 7, 2008 – Companies that give their workers the option of telecommuting are benefitting from greater productivity, lower costs, more options for finding and retaining qualified staff, and improved employee health, according to a new survey released today by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

More than two-thirds (67 percent) of survey respondents said their organization has experienced greater worker productivity as a result of allowing employees to telecommute either full-time or part-time. Improved productivity is principally due to workers spending less time getting to and from work.

“With ‘anywhere’ connectivity, faster broadband options and high-quality video and online conferencing choices, the opportunity for virtual offices is greater today and more affordable for businesses of all sizes and types,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA.

Companies who utilize telecommuting are also benefitting from cost savings through reduced use of office-related materials and resources and lower vehicle-related expenses. Nearly six out of ten respondents (59 percent) to the CompTIA telecommuting trends survey identified cost savings as a significant benefit.

Telecommuting is also helping organizations find and keep qualified staff, and keep their employees healthier.

According to the CompTIA survey, 39 percent of respondents said their companies have access to more qualified staff, especially those who may not otherwise be geographically accessible, because they offer telecommuting as an option. Another 37 percent of respondents said telecommuting helps their organization improve employee retention. One-quarter of survey respondents (25 percent) said telecommuting improves employee health, mainly though reduced stress levels associated with commuting to and from work.

Other benefits of telecommuting, as revealed in the survey, include promotion of safety through reduced highway use (18 percent); and environmental benefits (17 percent).

The survey was intended to better understand the benefits and challenges of telecommuting; and to determine how organizations are addressing these challenges. Businesses represented in the survey include information technology service companies, government, manufacturers, technology solution providers, not-for-profit training organizations and schools, telecommunications, healthcare, entertainment, and real estate. The Web-based survey was conducted between Aug. 27 and Sept. 23. It closed with 212 responses and has a margin of error of ± 5.6 percent. For more information on the telecommuting trends survey and other CompTIA research, visit www.comptia.org/research.

 

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

 

 

FREE subscription to Cisco on Cisco News!

 

Microsoft, Dell, Samsung, Sun Microsystems, Cisco Gather to Discuss Key Supply Chain Issues

by

At the eyefortransport Hi-Tech & Electronics Supply Chain Summit, Supply Chain Experts from key Fortune 500 companies will present and discuss the latest issues for Hi-Tech & Electronics Supply Chain Management. With complimentary passes available for qualified supply chain executives, the event promises to be an exclusive, high-level opportunity.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (PRWEB) October 3, 2008 — Hugh Aitken, VP European Operations at Sun Microsystems, will join speakers from Microsoft, Samsung, Nokia, Dell and other top companies at this year's eyefortransport Hi-Tech & Electronics Supply Chain Summit, taking place November 27-28 in Amsterdam.

Aitken believes, "If your supply chain next year, looks like your supply chain of last year…you're history!" To ensure no supply chain gets left behind, this year's top-level expert speakers will cover an extensive range of topics, specifically tailored to the needs of Hi-Tech & Electronics shippers.

Key topics include:

  • Reinvigorating your supply chain management
  • Streamlining your aftermarket supply chain
  • Best practices for outsourcing, low-cost country sourcing and near-shoring
  • Operating efficiently on a global scale
  • Managing your 3PL relationship
  • How the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) effects Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and its impact on your supply chain
  • Benefitting from Greening your supply chain – bottom line results
  • Selecting technology – what products create real results

eyefortransport has also embraced Aitken's philosophy of adaptation and made key changes to the event format this year. Most significantly, supply chain executives from Hi-Tech & Electronics companies can gain complimentary passes to the Summit. These passes include full access to the speaking programs, networking events and even meals and accommodation. Only 100 of these exclusive passes are available, so interested executives should register now through the website: http://events.eyefortransport.com/hitech08/free_pass.shtml

Companies already confirmed to attend include Hewlett Packard… Dell…Microsoft…Siemens…Panasonic…Phillips…Bosch… Tyco Electronics Thermo Fisher…Getronics…Schneider Electric…Teliasonera…Polycom Global…Oce Technologies…and many more.

The Summit represents an invaluable opportunity to learn from top experts, network and share ideas with peers, build business partnerships and discuss pressing needs with solutions providers. This is the only industry event that focusses exclusively on issues specific to the Hi-Tech & Electronics Supply Chain, making it a crucial source of information for executives in this field.

Transport & logistics solution providers can also participate in the event as supporting partners. Interested companies should contact David Embelton, at the details below.

For more information about the Summit, contact Emma Miller at the details below, or visit the website: http://events.eyefortransport.com/hitech08/index.shtml.

 

 

Cisco on Cisco News

 

OnForce and Channel Insider announce co-branded research partnership

by

Agreement enables data sharing to gauge, predict and share IT industry trends

BOSTON, September 29, 2008 – OnForce, the world's largest marketplace for IT professionals,
announced it had entered into a strategic partnership with Channel Insider, a multimedia suite of IT reseller news and market intelligence published by Ziff Davis Enterprise, to share market intelligence and create research tools that enable IT vendors, original equipment manufacturers and value-added resellers accelerate their channel sales.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on co-branded research
reports and other tools aimed at informing channel companies. Additionally, OnForce will provide
Channel Insider with access to its state-of-the art MarketView Index for use on the ChannelInsider.com Web site. In return, OnForce will receive a Channel Insider news feed
containing featured content, news and research intelligence that they may use exclusively on their
product Web site.

Launched in 2007, the MarketView Index, is a free tool that provides a real-time picture of the IT services landscape. It enables users to see a state-by-state and category-by-category view of vital statistics such as:

· Service professional coverage
· Most recent pricing trends
· Median time for work-order acceptance

“OnForce has become the industry standard for finding contract IT professionals and, based upon the volume of service work transacted daily in our marketplace, we have unique visibility into trends that are shaping the industry,” said Matt Johnston, vice president of marketing for OnForce. “We look
forward to further engaging with the channel through this alliance with Channel Insider to provide data that will help VARs and solution providers grow their business profitably in all economic climates.”

Supporting the OnForce MarketView Index is data from work orders that are created and fulfilled
through the OnForce marketplace, at www.onforce.com. To date, more than 750,000 service events
have been completed through OnForce, where 13,000+ registered technicians respond to service
requests from thousands of VARs, solution providers and IT firms across the US and Canada.

“The partnership between Channel Insider and OnForce will give solution providers deeper insight
into services pricings on the regional level, and will lead to greater market intelligence that will help
solution providers accelerate their business,” said Lawrence M. Walsh, vice president and group
publisher of Channel Insider.

About OnForce:
OnForce is the world's largest marketplace for IT service professionals. The company enables VARs, solution providers, and IT service firms to find skilled, contract professionals across the US and Canada. The OnForce marketplace has been used to successfully complete more than 750,000 work orders since its inception. The company has more than 5,000 service buyers and 12,000+ technicians who work in a wide variety of categories, including computers, printers, networking, VoIP, point of sale and consumer electronics.
For more information about the US marketplace, visit www.onforce.com . To learn about the Canadian marketplace, visit www.onforce.ca .

OnForce Media Contact:
Amber LaCroix
Airfoil Public Relations
aklacroix@airfoilpr.com
(248) 304-1431

About Ziff Davis Enterprise, Inc.:
Ziff Davis Enterprise, Inc. is B2B technology’s trusted information resource. Millions of technology
buyers rely on our relevant, objective content to identify the right solutions for their organizations.
Hundreds of companies, from industry giants to emerging start-ups, rely on our contextual content,
marketing, and audience development expertise to compress sales cycles and lower their go-tomarket costs. Leading brands include Channel Insider, Baseline, CIO Insight, eWEEK,
Baselinemag.com, CIOInsight.com, eWEEK.com, WebBuyersGuide.com, and the Developer Shed
network. Ziff Davis Enterprise has proven marketing solutions for branding, engagement, and face-toface events. Our products include print and online advertising, eNewsletter sponsorships, content syndication, eSeminars, virtual tradeshows, events, and custom media services. Ziff Davis Enterprise has a global database of 4 million users representing an unparalleled community of business and technology professionals, developers, and the channel.

About Channel Insider:
Channel Insider is dedicated to the providing IT resellers and partner community with the technology and market intelligence to increase revenues and grow their businesses. Channel Insider addresses the $450 billion marketplace populated by more than 225,000 solution providers, services companies, independent software vendors, distributors, custom application developers, system builders, managed services companies and technology consultants. Channel Insider's rich news and analytics Web site, case-study and technology review magazine, market trends research, and virtual and face-to-face events provide its readers with a 360-degree view of the North America reseller channel. As a result, Channel Insider has the most robust and engaged channel audience.

Ziff Davis Media Contact:
Stephanie McCarthy
Ziff Davis Enterprise
(978) 647-6030
Stephanie.McCarthy@ziffdavisenterprise.com

 

 

Channelpro

 

OnForce releases version 5.0

by

BOSTON, September 22, 2008 – OnForce, the world’s largest marketplace for contract service professionals, announced that it has launched a complete overhaul of its website. This new version of he OnForce marketplace features a number of enhancements, including the ability for companies to send request-for-quotes (RFQs) to IT service pros anywhere in the US or Canada.

RFQs greatly simplify the process of finding service pros through OnForce because:
• It’s free to send an RFQ in the OnForce marketplace; money is uploaded only after a buyer
accepts a quote from a service pro.
• Companies who send an RFQ no longer have to pre-price their service requests; the pros
will respond to the request with price quotes.
• The company who sends the request makes the final decision about which quote to accept,
putting them in control of which service pro wins the work.
• The average response time for work order acceptance is 15 minutes.

The new site also enables users to find service pros with the precise skills and experience to meet
their specific IT needs. OnForce buyers can now search for pros by location, skill set and by using
several new filters, including:
• Specific certifications
• Safety filters like background checks and drug tests
• High-volume pros with exceptional performance ratings
• Language speaking skills

“Version 5.0 of the OnForce marketplace is a major breakthrough in the way VARs and solution
providers find IT professionals,” said OnForce CEO Peter Cannone. “We’re constantly improving the
OnForce marketplace, and the new version of OnForce.com is a giant step in that direction. It has
never been easier to find the right contract IT pros, when and where you need them.”

About OnForce
OnForce is the world's largest marketplace for IT service professionals. The company enables VARs, solution providers, and IT service firms to find skilled, contract professionals across the US and Canada. The OnForce marketplace has been used to successfully complete more than 750,000 work orders since its inception. The company has more than 5,000 service buyers and 12,000+ technicians who work in a wide variety of categories, including computers, printers, networking, VoIP, point of sale and consumer electronics.

For more information about the US marketplace, visit www.onforce.com . To learn about the Canadian marketplace, visit www.onforce.ca .

Cray offers a supercomputer for the desktop

by

(TheForceField.Net ) September 22, 2008 —  Cray, the company with a name that is almost synonymous with the term supercomputer, has partnered with Intel and Microsoft to produce a supercomputer for the desktop.

The new supercomputer, called the CX1, uses Intel Xeon processors and either Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 or Red Hat Linux. The CX1 is designed for small businesses, professionals and end users who would like a real supercomputer but can't afford one of the million dollar models. The Cray CX1 sells for a mere twenty-five thousand dollars.

A blog post on Cray's website last week stated the CX1 was designed in response to a growing need of application developers, small businesses and labs who need high performance or cluster computers but do not have a big budget. 

According to a company press release issued September 16, The CX1 is configurable to 8 nodes and 16 dual or quad-core Intel Xeon processors with 16 gigs of memory per node. The supercomputer can store up to 4 terabytes and is customizable to individual needs.

"Cray sees Microsoft Windows becoming an increasingly important force in the HPC market," Ian Miller, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Cray, said in the press release. "With the Cray CX1 high productivity system and Windows HPC Server 2008, we're bringing the power of Cray supercomputing to a much wider range of new users with an affordable and adaptable system that provides incredible value and is easy to install, program and use with a broad array of applications from independent software vendors (ISVs)."

The CX1 is the first Cray supercomputer to use Intel processors. It does not require special cooling or storage accommodations and plugs into a single standard 110/220v AC power outlet.

More information and specifications on the CX1 are available at http://www.cray.com. 

 

 

Processor

 

 

IGEL Introduces the World’s First VMware VDM Appliance

by

Solution Converts an IGEL Universal Desktop, with Just the Click of a Mouse, into a Locked Down Appliance for Accessing a Virtual PC Delivered by VMware VDM

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) September 15, 2008 — IGEL Technology, the world's third largest thin client vendor, will demonstrate this week at VMworld, Las Vegas its new VMware VDM Appliance Mode for IGEL Universal Desktops, providing a simplified user experience for customers deploying virtual PCs with VMware's Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM). This new solution allows IGEL Universal Desktops to be switched, with just a mouse click, from a traditional IGEL thin client to a tightly defined virtual PC access appliance. This provides end-users with a very PC-like experience, with the desktop always maximized on the user's screen and the inability to access or "kill" local applications and services on the thin client using Ctrl-Alt-Del. The VDM Appliance Mode can be made part of the automatic setup of an IGEL Universal Desktop when it is first attached to a network, making the roll out of VMware hosted virtual PCs as simple as plugging an IGEL device into the network and then logging into Windows.

If organizations need access to more functionality in the IGEL Universal Desktop, the VDM Appliance Mode can be reversed with a single mouse click, giving access to world's largest range of Digital Services, such as web, multimedia, VoIP, SAP and Java, contained in the terminal. This approach is recommended for knowledge workers using more demanding applications, such as Multimedia or VoIP, that are beyond the capability of the RDP protocol used by the VDM Appliance Mode.

According to a July 2008 report by The 451 Group titled, "Virtualization: Reinventing Desktop Computing," in twelve months' time, one-third of general-purpose desktop users and mobile workers may be provided with virtual desktops. While desktop virtualization offers many benefits, including increased security, manageability and scalability, there is a lot of concern regarding the impact to all of these end-users' experience. By introducing the VDM Appliance Mode, IGEL is addressing this concern and making virtual PC access as simple as possible for end-users and IT Managers.

"IGEL is helping VMware customers by making deployment of their virtual PCs no more complicated than plugging in a network cable," said Stephen Yeo, worldwide strategic marketing director for IGEL Technology. "In addition, IGEL's VDM Appliance Mode makes the end-user experience identical to that of a PC, hence improving user acceptance and removing the need for training."

The switch to VDM Appliance Mode can be easily implemented using the IGEL Remote Management Suite (RMS) software, which comes free with every IGEL thin client. A systems administrator can simply build the VDM Appliance Mode into a user profile, and remotely assign the profile upon the thin client's first connection. RMS greatly improves administrators' productivity, by allowing them to easily control all aspects of application delivery and the user experience without ever having to visit the desktop during roll out and production.

IGEL's VDM Appliance Mode will be available on its Linux powered Universal Desktops from mid October.

IGEL offers one of the largest ranges of virtual PC access devices on the market, ranging from traditional desktops and PC upgrade cards to LCD integrated units and quad screen units. The company's full range of thin clients will be on display at the upcoming VMworld 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada from September 15-18, 2008.

About IGEL Technology:
IGEL Technology is the world's third largest thin client vendor and is market leader in its home country of Germany (2007 IDC). The company produces the industry's widest range of thin clients, based on Linux and Microsoft Windows, giving customers access to almost any form of server-based infrastructure and application including virtual PCs from VMware®, Citrix® or Microsoft®, terminal services, mainframe terminal emulation, web, Java, SAP and VoIP. Form factors include traditional desktops, mobile tablets, integrated LCD units, quad screens and PC to thin client conversion cards. All IGEL thin clients come with the bundled, easy to use, IGEL Remote Management Suite, giving you maximum remote control with the minimum cost and hassle. All devices support smart cards for maximum security.

Google enters the browser wars with Chrome

by

(TheForceField.Net) September 3, 2008 — Google,Inc. officially released its new web browser yesterday. The new browser, called Chrome, is a two year project to bring Google into a browser market dominated by Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Features of the new browser include Dynamic tags that allow a user to drag a tab out of the browser to create windows, Crash control to prevent a tab from crashing the entire application and Incognito Mode which prevents content from being stored in the browser download and history.

The browser is built on Chromium, an open source project created by Google that contains elements of Webkit, Firefox and a new JavaScript virutal machine called V8. The source code for Chromium is available at http://code.google.com/chromium/ . 

Google released a set of videos to showcase the features of Crome . The search giant also released a video from the the production team to tell the story behind Chrome and created a comic to explain the technology behind it. 

Although still in beta, Chrome is being released to the public for general use. Chrome is currently available only for Windows XP and Vista. Google reports they are working on versions for Mac and Linux. Users can download Chrome at http://www.google.com/chrome .

 

 

Microsoft Small Business Resource Kit

 

Microsoft releases IE8 beta 2

by

(TheForceField.Net) August 29, 2008 — Microsoft released beta 2 of Internet Explorer 8  Wednesday. The new version of the official Windows web browser includes new features and enhancements as well as improvements in security.

According to Microsoft's web site, new features in IE 8 include Web Slices, which allows you to monitor updates of specific content on web pages; InPrivate Browsing, a feature which lets you prevent sites from being recorded in your history and temporary Internet files; color coded tabbed browsing and an a new enhanced address bar.

New security features include Smartscreen Filter, which flags malicious websites and Compatibility View, a feature that allows you to view web pages originally created for older browsers, particularly earlier versions of Internet Explorer.

The new web browser will be compatible with Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista and will be released in 32-bit and 64-bit versions for Server 2003 and Vista.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 is free to download and is available at  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/beta/default.aspx . 

 

 

ChangeWave Survey Shows Grim IT Spending Overall — But Apple Boosts iPhone Share Among Businesses

by

ChangeWave's latest IT purchasing survey shows another pullback occurring in corporate spending — both for the current quarter so far and for the next 90 days going forward. At the same time, the Apple iPhone is beginning to gain traction in the corporate marketplace even as RIM maintains a big market share lead.

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) August 28, 2008 — ChangeWave's latest IT purchasing survey shows the downturn in the U.S. economy is far from over, as an even greater pullback is taking place in corporate spending. At the same time, the Apple iPhone is beginning to gain traction in the corporate marketplace even as RIM maintains a big market share lead.

A total of 1,947 respondents involved with IT spending in their organization participated in the study, conducted August 11-21, 2008.

The survey first asked respondents if their 3rd Quarter IT spending was on track to date, and the results were the worst we've seen in a ChangeWave survey. Three-in-ten (30%) say they've spent "Less than Planned" — 3-pts worse than the previous May survey. Just 12% say they've spent "More than Planned." Detailed charts on corporate IT spending and smart phone trends, along with additional ChangeWave findings can be downloaded at changewave.com/corporate.

Visibility Going Forward — A Picture of Negative Growth:

Looking ahead, the results are correspondingly grim, with 29% saying their company's IT spending will decrease (or there will be no spending at all) in the 4th Quarter — 5-pts worse than the previous survey. At the same time, just 13% say spending will increase — a drop of 2-pts from previously.

 

Increase vs. Decrease in IT Budgets
Increase vs. Decrease in IT Budgets

"The brief period of stabilization picked up in our May survey has given way to another major leg downward," said Tobin Smith, founder of ChangeWave and editor of ChangeWave Investing. "You have to go way back to the middle of the last recession (August 2001) to find a ChangeWave survey projecting this big of an IT spending downturn."

In terms of the impact of energy costs, better than a third of respondents (35%) reported high prices were affecting their company's IT spending plans for second half 2008, 1-pt worse than previously. Almost as importantly, one-in-four (25%) say the looming U.S. presidential election is having an impact on their company's IT spending decisions.

This supports the thesis that corporate America has currently placed a considerable percentage of spending decisions on hold, at least till after the November elections — perhaps longer.

When we asked respondents exactly when they thought IT spending would pick up in their company, a robust 39% said not until at least the 2nd Quarter of 2009 or later.

Corporate Smart Phones: Research In Motion Holds its Lead:
In the same survey ChangeWave also focused on corporate smart phone buying, and here Research in Motion (RIMM) (79%) continues to overshadow its two main competitors in terms of planned 4th Quarter purchases — but note that it's down a full 3-pts from the record high registered in May.

(See attached chart – Corporate Market: RIM vs. Palm vs. Apple)

ChangeWave also picked up weaker visibility for RIM in its most recent consumer smart phone survey (June 2008). Thus, at least momentarily, RIM appears to be confronted with visibility issues on both the consumer and corporate fronts.

Rival Apple (AAPL) (17%) continues to show considerable momentum in terms of planned corporate smart phone purchases — up 4-pts from previously. Note that recent ChangeWave Consumer surveys have shown the 3G iPhone having a huge impact on consumer demand, the current results show the iPhone is beginning to gain real traction in the Corporate market as well.

In yet another positive for Apple, 19% of respondents report the release of the 3G iPhone has made their company More Likely to purchase Apple products in the future — only 1% say Less Likely. Thus, the 3G iPhone release appears to be having a positive 'halo effect' in terms of improved overall corporate purchasing intentions for Apple products in general.

To sign-up for real time email alerts from ChangeWave on IT spending and smart phone trends, visit changewave.com/hotwire.

About ChangeWave:
ChangeWave runs a proprietary network of more than 15,000 highly qualified business, technology, and medical professionals in leading companies of select industries – credentialed experts who spend their everyday lives working on the frontline of technological change. ChangeWave surveys its members on a range of business and investment research topics, collects feedback from them electronically, and converts the information into quantitative and qualitative reports. For more information, visit changewave.com.

For questions, contact Darlene March: darlene @ changewave.com