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| Volume 7, Best of 2007 |
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In This Best of 2007 Issue:
 Five IT projects that need your attention right now
10 Mistakes to avoid when negotiating a raise
A tech chief reviews the Apple iPhone: My first 90 days
20 USB gizmos that have no place in the enterprise (But you'll love)
 The new worlds tallest building
Bereft of Blackberrys – the untethered make do
6 ways to kill your credit score
Vista's growing pains leave room for XP
 The Kid Who Turned Down $1 Billion
 Microsoft: Be afraid, be very afraid
 How to make Windows XP last for the next seven years
The 5 users you meet in hell (and one you'll find in heaven)
Wait! Don’t buy Windows Vista!
Your boss is spying on you right now. What can you do about it?
Cool stuff: Your 2007 holiday gift guide
 Five hackers who left a mark on 2006?
12 Ways to be a security idiot
 Top 10 toughest questions - asked and answered
[Google’s] Top ten ways to show appreciation
 12 IT skills that employers can't say no to
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Five IT projects that need your attention right now
You have only so much funding and time, so don't waste either of them. These projects can make you a hero or at least can save you from one of those terrible "learning experiences."
There's always too much to do. If you had an infinite budget and project schedule, or at least more resources than you have now, you could accomplish impressive things for your company. Performing triage means you need to pick IT projects that can
deliver the most bang for the buck. Accordingly, we discuss five projects that deserve a CIO's immediate attention. We chose these projects because they have a measurable impact, contain elements with a relatively fast ROI, and enhance both
network security and manageability. To start with, we discuss...
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10 mistakes to avoid when negotiating a raise
Contrary to what you might think, the trick to negotiating a salary increase—or any kind of deal—is not to seek consensus but to say no. Read on to find out why “no” is the most powerful word in negotiations.
Every day, at work and at home, you are involved in dozens of negotiations, big and small. Many people find negotiation difficult because of their desire to please, to come to an
agreement, to compromise. We have been taught that win-win is the best possible result, that we need to “get to yes” so that all sides are happy. That’s the biggest mistake you
can make in negotiations. The problem with the consensus-based approach to negotiating is that it will get you killed at the deal-making table. Why? Because if you’re focused on
making another person happy—or on avoiding making that person mad—then you’re focusing on the outcome. You can’t control the outcome. You can’t control how the other person feels
about you. However, you can control your actions and behavior during the negotiation. That’s the essence of what I call Systematic Decision-Based Negotiating, or the No System,
for short. The No System teaches negotiators to base each action not on emotions but on what has come before in the conversation and what they can control. Why do I call it the No System?...
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A tech chief reviews the Apple iPhone: My first 90 days
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Hugh Scott, a VP of IS for Direct Energy, tells how this year's mega-gadget fits into his personal life, and why it doesn't fit into his work life.
Hugh Scott loves his Apple iPhone. And Scott, VP of IS for the wholesale business unit of Direct Energy, a retail energy provider with annual revenue of $8 billion, knows mobile devices: His IT staff of 60 supports some 500 smart phones. But even
Scott, who seven months ago called himself a "dyed in the wool BlackBerry user," doesn't pretend the iPhone is perfect, especially for business users. Scott spoke with CIO's Al Sacco about why he rushed out to buy an iPhone, what the device's best
and worst features are, and why Direct Energy doesn't plan to support it. I suffer from gadget envy. And the gadgets I like best are the ones that nobody else has yet. So when I heard about the Apple iPhone, I decided immediately to get one. First of
all, the thing is just so cool. I have to confess, I was an Apple fan long before the iPhone rumors began to circulate. I own three iMacs and three iPods. I love their intuitive user interfaces, and I love the way they look, from the flat, swivel
screen iMac in my home office to the pulsing heartbeat on my wife's iBook that sits on our kitchen table. Right off the bat, a few factors made me think I should wait on purchasing the iPhone: It's not a third generation (3G) device, the camera is
only 2 megapixels and Apple would inevitably lower the price before the holidays--but as soon as I saw my first iPhone in "the wild," I ran out and bought the 8GB version. (Why would I want to have anything less?) It was July 2, less than
a week after Apple released the device in the United States. Like everyone else who eagerly awaited the iPhone's release, I had high expectations. Did the device live up to those expectations?...
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20 USB gizmos that have no place in the enterprise (But you'll love just the same)
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In the spirit of summer, we compiled a list of 20 USB-powered gadgets with very little business value—but that still tickle us pink.
Many USB-based products deserve a place in the enterprise, such as memory sticks or flash drives, universal chargers and password tokens. They are useful but generally unexciting. But then there are the USB gizmos that provide little or no business value. These items,
such as USB lava lamps, fans and other amusing desktop paraphernalia, lighten up employees' days and can shape comfortable, personalized office environments. And there are the wacky USB gadgets more suited for use in fraternity houses or toy stores than in office
buildings. You know: circus cannons that fire festive foam projectiles. Memory sticks shaped like glistening Japanese cuisine. An android that breaks it down on your desktop dance floor...as long as it's connected to your USB port. What follows is a list of our
favorite USB gizmos from the latter two categories. We collected a handful of USB products CIOs would normally have no reason to check out—except perhaps to bar from the premises—but that we think you'll appreciate just the same...
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The new worlds tallest building
On July 21, construction reached 1,680 feet on the 141st floor of the Burj Dubai tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, making it the largest building in the world
...
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Bereft of BlackBerrys, the untethered make do
Where were you when the BlackBerrys went out?
On Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time, technical problems cut off more than 5 million BlackBerry users in the United States from their cherished wireless e-mail.
Service was restored 10 long, data-starved hours later.
The BlackBerry blackout was grueling to many--and revealed just how professionally and emotionally dependent so many people had become on their pocket-size
electronic lifelines. Stuart Gold was in Phoenix on a business trip when the service went down. Gold, the marketing director for Omniture, a software firm, noticed
ominous red X's next to his outgoing e-mails. He is not proud of what happened next...
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6 Ways to Kill Your Credit Score
A low score means higher rates. Here's how you may be doing yourself harm.
Lenders, insurers, landlords and others will charge you more or flat-out reject you if you show up with a low FICO score. Here's how you may be doing yourself harm...
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Vista's growing pains leave room for XP
David Daoud ran into trouble when he started using Vista, the new version of Windows that Microsoft and PC makers have spent millions of dollars advertising since it came out six months ago.
He said it short-circuited key software programs he counts on: Quicken for balancing his checkbook, Lotus Notes e-mail and a networking program that connects his home to the
office. His Sony camcorder also doesn't communicate with the PC properly. "Basically they don't work," said Daoud, a computer industry analyst with market research firm IDC. Such
problems are part of the normal growing pains that come with every major upgrade to the Windows operating system. To ease those pains, some consumers are seeking out machines
equipped with the more compatible Windows XP. That's prompted some PC makers and retailers to give the older operating system more room in their product lines...
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Microsoft: Be afraid, be very afraid
Here's a scary thought: Microsoft can take over your computer wherever you are, and do whatever it wants to.
On this Halloween day I can think of few things more frightening (except maybe a blind date with Larry Ellison). Like Dracula or Freddy from Nightmare on Elm Street, Microsoft is a reliable boogieman who still has teeth (or a razor sharp fingernails). Last week the Redmond Re-animators still proved they still had the fright stuff, thanks to yet another snafu involving Windows Update. In this episode, enterprises reported that Update automatically installed...
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How to make Windows XP last for the next seven years
Vista, schmista. Follow our tips for keeping your XP setup humming happily for a long, long time.
Windows Vista may be shiny and brand new, but as plenty of PC users will tell you, sometimes newer isn't better. Many PCs simply don't have the horsepower to run the new
operating system, and even those that have the juice may get bogged down by processor-and RAM-hungry Vista. If you've got Windows XP, worry not -- you can keep it running on your
hardware for years to come. As with an old car, though, if you plan to keep XP around for a while, you're going to have to spend some time maintaining it. Think of us as your virtual
mechanics. We'll give you tips, tweaks and tricks so that you'll be able to keep XP running smoothly, at top performance, for smooth operation and long life. But what if you suffer
from Vista envy, and you're interested in more than just maintaining XP as it is? No
problem -- we'll also show you how to get many of Vista's goodies, such as greatly improved security, transparent windows, Windows Flip 3D and the Network Map, all without having to
spend the money to upgrade or get new hardware. So, if you've got better things to do with your time and money than upgrade to Vista, read on. There's still plenty of life in your
old operating system...
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The 5 users you meet in hell (and one you'll find in heaven)
Recognize any of these people -- the Know-It-All? The Finger-Pointer? The Whiz Kid? We thought so ...
Ah, end users. We sure do love them. Why, most of us wouldn't have jobs without them. But that doesn't mean users don't drive IT crazy sometimes, or maybe most of the time. Just as a zookeeper cares for his monkeys one way and his rhinos another
(we kid -- sort of), so too should IT tailor its responses to fit the individual styles of its end users, support managers say. One thing's for certain: Cordial or otherwise, interaction between support staff and end users is only expected to rise.
Demand for IT support services continues to increase as new systems and applications are implemented, according to a 2006 survey Supportindustry.com, which provides research
and trend data to the customer support and help desk industries. At the same time, some 43% of survey respondents said their budgets were either being cut or staying put -- meaning it's a fair assumption that IT help desks are stretched pretty thin
these days. And that pressure only adds to an already demanding, difficult and sometimes thankless job. It's a job where customer service and people skills are just as important as technical know-how. After all, your customers -- everyone from
an administrative assistant to the CEO -- represent a broad spectrum of personalities. Dealing with these personalities can be...
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Wait! Don't buy Windows Vista!
Microsoft's new OS is the best Windows ever. But don't buy it!
January 25, 2007 (Computerworld) -- Unless you've recently emerged from a coma, you know the consumer versions of Microsoft's new Vista operating system ship Tuesday.
Over the next few weeks, NBA star LeBron James will try to convince you to move to Windows Vista as part of Microsoft's massive ad campaign. This column is not a review
of Windows Vista. I'm not here to tell
you what's great
about Vista or what's wrong
with it. This article is for those of you who are about to download or purchase Windows
Vista and install it on a PC. I'm here to talk you out of it. Just say no to LeBron James and Windows Vista -- for now. Here's why...
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Your boss is spying on you right now. What can you do about it?
Workplaces increasingly track your digital footprints as you go about your normal computing workday life. Here's how to fight back.
Computerworld has noted before that surveillance cameras are becoming more common in the workplace ("Big Brother is watching you ... and he's a computer"). But what we are talking
about here is the more insidious tracking of your digital footprints as you go about your computing workday. When you start thinking about all the ways that you can be digitally
tracked, it can make even the least paranoid person sit up and take notice. By now, most of us know that our Web browsing histories are stored on our own PCs, which comes in handy
when we want to track down a cheating spouse or errant teenager, but is less useful when we are looking at, shall we say, recreational sites at the workplace. Granted, this history
can be easily erased if someone knows the right command. But when you are connected to a corporate network, this information can easily be recorded by any number of network
packet-capturing and forensic products that are typical these days (see the list at the bottom of this article). There is even one product, called Locate from eTelemetry Inc.,
that will cross-correlate your IP address, network log-in name, machine location and other data, making it easier to track you down...
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Cool stuff: Your 2007 holiday gift guide
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More than 50 amazing gifts for the technology lovers in your life.
The Cool Stuff Holiday Gift Guide is back, with tips for the very best gifts to buy for the tech lovers in your life. This year, be the one whose gifts are the biggest hits. Our guide features the coolest choices in media players, flat-panel HDTVs,
digital cameras, cell phones and much more, selected by the staff of Computerworld. There are also fun gadgets for the home office or your office cubicle, devices to keep you connected around the house, and electronic games for the whole family.
We've also included energy-saving devices for the green-computing enthusiast on your list, as well as "ultimate gifts" for true practitioners of conspicuous consumption -- and those of us who simply like to think big. We've included links to Web sites
where you can find more information about each of the products, as well as estimates of how much you can expect to pay for each product online. Please keep in mind that prices do fluctuate, especially during the holiday season. We hope this guide makes
your shopping easier this holiday season. Find something to please even the early adopters on your list, or pass on a hint for something you'd like for yourself. Happy clicking!...
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Five Hackers Who Left a Mark on 2006
In the security year that was 2006, zero-day attacks and exploits dominated the headlines.
However, the year will be best remembered for the work of members of the hacking—er, security research—community who discovered and disclosed serious vulnerabilities in
the technologies we take for granted, forced software vendors to react faster to flaw warnings and pushed the vulnerability research boat into new, uncharted
waters. In no particular order, here's my list of five hackers who left a significant mark on 2006 and set the stage for more important discoveries in 2007: H.D. Moore...
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12 Ways to Be A Security Idiot
Slide Show: [Is your company] among the ranks of attachment-opening, virus-downloading masses?...
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Top 10 toughest questions - asked and answered
Regular emails from readers ask hundreds of questions each year. Patterns emerge about the toughest situations you face in your organizations.
These are the ten toughest, but most frequent, questions you send my way.
I’ve written a how-to piece to answer each question you’ve asked. These articles address and answer your toughest questions.
1. How to Deal With a Negative Coworker: Negativity Matters
Some people exude negativity. They don’t like their jobs or they don’t like ...
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[Google s] Top Ten Ways to Show Appreciation
Attending an ad club event last week, I listened to a Google manager, Grady Burnett, describe his company and their corporate culture.
Sure, you've read about the free food, the fact that developers are enabled to spend twenty percent of their time on projects of their choice - many hallmarks of a
successful company that is making money. But he gave us ideas for simple employee motivation and
team building factors, too...
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12 IT skills that employers can't say no to
Have you spoken with a high-tech recruiter or professor of computer science lately?
According to observers across the country, the technology skills shortage that pundits were talking about a year ago is real (see "Workforce crisis: Preparing for the coming IT crunch").
"Everything I see in Silicon Valley is completely contrary to the assumption that programmers are a dying breed and being offshored," says Kevin Scott, senior engineering
manager at Google and a founding member of the professions and education boards at the Association for Computing Machinery. "From big companies to start-ups, companies are hiring
as aggressively as possible." Many recruiters say there are more open positions than they can fill, and according to Kate Kaiser, associate professor of IT at Marquette University
in Milwaukee, students are getting snapped up before they graduate. [Suffice it to say, the market for IT talent is hot, but only if you have the right skills. If you want to be part of the wave,
take a look at what eight experts -- including recruiters, curriculum developers, computer science professors and other industry observers -- say are the hottest skills of the near future]...
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