Stories by John Dix

Catching up with the Quovix community

With outsourcing an increasingly hot topic, we were curious how a company we profiled in 2001 was faring in its efforts to build a community-driven outsource software business.

Reserving judgement on IDS death

Gartner has created something of a flap with a string of reports saying intrusion-detection systems haven’t lived up to their promises and will be eclipsed by intrusion-prevention tools.

Revisiting core IT strategies

By now you’re familiar with the recent Harvard Business Review story “IT doesn’t matter”, which argues that the commoditisation of IT has negated its strategic value.

CEO to you: Why is that server exposed?

The nightmare scenario of your CEO being able to check up on you by running simple yet effective external network security scans from his desktop became decidedly less dreamlike last week.

Using your browser for security

How's this for a nightmare scenario: The CEO or CFO gets his hands on a Web-based network vulnerability assessment tool he can use from the browser on his desk to make sure you have everything properly buckled down.

Turning the security lens on storage

The Storage Networking World conference in Orlando last week was bustling with scores of vendors and buyers talking about everything from storage security to storage resource management.

Catching Up with LinkGuard

When I first met with startup LinkGuard Ltd. at NetWorld+Interop last May in Las Vegas (www.nwfusion.com, DocFinder: 1225) the company was setting out to rid the world of broken Web links.

Slaying the Wrong Cows

I realized I was in trouble when Fleet Bank sent me three new ATM cards after taking over my bank, BankBoston, and each card had a different account number. Obviously the IT groups were having some fun merging their systems.

Pausing to Marvel at

Ever stop to wonder why telephones have those handy star and pound keys? After all, the keys have been around longer than the voice mail systems that rely on them. Or why the Bell system ran four wires to your house even though you only need two for phone service? Could someone have foreseen the need for DSL way back then?

Trying Hard to Put Access in Every Pot

After applauding Ford Motor Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc. in February for picking up part of the tab for connecting employees' homes to the Net, I decided to try to pull together a similar program for Network World. Easier said than done.

Data Powered by Power

The vendor alliance trying to create a standard way to pump data across home powerlines took a step forward last week when the group adopted technology from Intellon as a baseline on which to build its specification.

Software Firm Validates the ASP Model

If you're still not buying the hype about the emerging application service provider (ASP) market, then take a look at how the concept is helping this small software developer reach a larger customer base. The tale shows how the ASP concept is leading vendors in new directions and opening up opportunities for corporate IT folks.

What I Found at Interop

Of all the interesting companies I saw at NetWorld+Interop 2000 in Las Vegas last week, one of the most compelling was a startup called LinkGuard, a U.K. company that is setting out to eradicate all broken links on the Web.

Tie Them Up, Don't Break Them Up

I recently admitted I couldn't get excited about the Microsoft Corp. antitrust case because I believe it will die on the vine, a victim of the appeals process, rapidly evolving markets and shifting political agendas.

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