Shark Tank: Questions, Questions, Questions

Who Needs It? User buys his own laptop and brings it to this IT pilot fish to load VPN software on it. But the machine comes with Windows Vista Home, and the VPN client software refuses to install -- instead, it gives an error message saying that it needs an upgrade to Vista Professional first. "I voice-mailed the user and explained that our VPN software wasn't compatible with Windows Vista Home so I couldn't install it," fish says. "The voice mail I received back: 'I don't even know what that Windows Vista thing is anyway, so you have my permission to remove it from my laptop so I can get the VPN software.' Yeah, OK, I'll do that, but you're going to have bigger issues. ..."

Shark Tank: Questions, Questions, Questions

Who Needs It? User buys his own laptop and brings it to this IT pilot fish to load VPN software on it. But the machine comes with Windows Vista Home, and the VPN client software refuses to install -- instead, it gives an error message saying that it needs an upgrade to Vista Professional first. "I voice-mailed the user and explained that our VPN software wasn't compatible with Windows Vista Home so I couldn't install it," fish says. "The voice mail I received back: 'I don't even know what that Windows Vista thing is anyway, so you have my permission to remove it from my laptop so I can get the VPN software.' Yeah, OK, I'll do that, but you're going to have bigger issues. ..."

Shark Tank: Questions, Questions, Questions

Who Needs It? User buys his own laptop and brings it to this IT pilot fish to load VPN software on it. But the machine comes with Windows Vista Home, and the VPN client software refuses to install -- instead, it gives an error message saying that it needs an upgrade to Vista Professional first. "I voice-mailed the user and explained that our VPN software wasn't compatible with Windows Vista Home so I couldn't install it," fish says. "The voice mail I received back: 'I don't even know what that Windows Vista thing is anyway, so you have my permission to remove it from my laptop so I can get the VPN software.' Yeah, OK, I'll do that, but you're going to have bigger issues. ..."

Global Dispatches

Microsoft drops its appeal of a European antitrust ruling after it is found to be in compliance with the ECs requirements; and HP buys a Middle Eastern services firm in an effort to expand its business in the region.

Short Takes

Brief IT news items.

Microsoft and Open-Source Backers Eye Each Other Warily

Microsoft and the open-source community continue to have a "frenemy" relationship characterized by the company's efforts to ingratiate itself with open-source advocates and by its ongoing patent claims.

Grady Booch

Grady Booch, IBM Rationals "free radical," talks about the enduring difficulties of software development, his advocacy of open source and Second Life, and his license to kill (bureaucracy, that is).

The People Side of IT Architecture

The key to enterprise architecture is to find architects who are willing to act less like technologists and more like anthropologists seeking to understand the culture of their organization.

Business-Driven Architecture

Tips for developing a business-driven enterprise architecture.

Four sentenced in $29M scheme to defraud Microsoft

The FBI and the IRS teamed up for a two-year investigation that reeled in conspirators who bought discounted Microsoft software that they resold for a profit of $5 million.

Microsoft adds to support for Dynamics, CRM, ERP apps to enterprises

Microsoft announced Business Ready Customer Care, which includes major enhancements to its maintenance and support program for Microsoft Dynamics, ERP and CRM applications.

Inside Leopard's Time Machine: Backups for the rest of us

Want backup software that requires little configuration, performs backups automatically and makes restoring files simple and intuitive? Time Machine is the answer to your prayers.