New No-Cost Security From Microsoft?

Posted by Rich Chuckrey in Articles

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Come off it Microsoft — you know your own platform like no one else. I would have expected you to offer a ‘free’ security solution for your operating systems starting back in the Windows 3.1 day.

Well, in the latter half of 2009 [as reported by Redmond on their PressPass site] the software giant will finally launch their no-cost comprehensive protection software for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. And Microsoft offered these shocking words in their news release-:

“To address the growing need for a PC security solution…..

Growing need? This tells me that the folks at Microsoft don’t yet get security.

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Information Security Basics

Posted by Scott Jarkoff in Articles

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Whether you run your own home network or are part of the IT shop administering the corporate network, there are some basic information security protocols which should always be followed. These tips are designed to help you, the administrator, adequately protect the network from the myriad of attacks available today. Ensuring your network is free of compromise is vitally important for all network users because it allows for the continued, uninterrupted operation of the very network they rely upon to perform their job.

This list is, by no means, designed to be all-inclusive. It is merely a small subset of tips which should help set most people in the right direction. These tips are generally married with more complex solutions, producing a far more comprehensive effort than the mere implementation of these basics.

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The $100K Tech Contractor

Posted by Rich Chuckrey in Articles

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It is hard to believe what IT engineers expect in the way of compensation nowadays — especially those in civil service. I would moreover expect a sense of urgency and introspect from anyone pulling down a decent salary [especially from the United States Government]. However, the complacency madness marches on.

With the U.S. economy crumbling and jobs evaporating, it is time to listen to the alarms and rise to the occasion. What makes you worth your weight in pay? Let’s take a look at just a few points-

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On Twply, Giving Out Your Password and Other Security Issues

Posted by Scott Jarkoff in Articles

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There has been a small but vocal brouhaha brought to light by chatty Robert Scoble over Twply, a new Twitter-to-email service which recently launched. The problem started out as the service seemingly spamming Twitter but the conversation has quickly changed gears in to a full-fledged Twitter security incident.

As part of a means of promoting the service, framed in the context of “supporting” Twply, when you first sign-up for the service it sends the following tweet from your Twitter account:

Just started using http://twply.com/ to get my @replies via email. Neat stuff!

Twply clearly states on their front page, directly beneath the Twitter username and password fields, “Support Twply on your first login?” followed by a couple of radio buttons: Yep, go ahead! (default) and No thanks!.

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Web-Based iMovie Rumour Not Plausible

Posted by Scott Jarkoff in Articles

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This time of year, every year, there are tons of Apple rumours floating around the intarweb because of the upcoming Macworld. Just about every Apple blog and so-called analyst has been informed from a “reliable source” about some supposed new hardware, updated design or modified software which will launch at Macworld in San Francisco later this month. If I had a nickel for every Apple rumour I might not have to hold a day job!

One particular article caught my eye because of a highly suspect claim. This is not to say that other rumours appear to have any more validity, just that this specific article caught my eye because of the implications if true.

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Ramping IT Up

Posted by Rich Chuckrey in Articles

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Rich Chuckrey here. The agenda is simple: blog on current real-world technology employing critical analysis, fair reporting and raw opinion. The goal is to leave no IT stone unturned. We will look at topics like Microsoft’s attempt to buy Yahoo [now without the Jerry Yang roadblock], upcoming IT initiatives under Barrack Obama’s administration, current Web 2.0 vs. The Semantic Web vs. Web 3.0, and anything else technical and worthy of bringing into the TechMiso spotlight.

Involved in IT policy and planning for an organization inside the U.S. Department of Defense, I consider government a prime target for criticism and review. A good chunk of my content will also be spent targeting IT issues in and around government — Uncovering deficiencies [and efficiencies] in projects, procurement, budget, security and staffing while closely inspecting their influential factors — good and bad. I will provide comment on IT decisions made in government offices from the President on down to our small town Mayors.

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IT Fleecing of the Government

Posted by Scott Jarkoff in Articles

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It is commonly understood that the United States government pays hand over fist for even the most minute product, regardless whether tangible or otherwise. I grew up hearing stories about nuts and bolts for production aircraft purchased by the Air Force costing thousands of dollars when the company should have charged the government orders of magnitude less. Even after being bombarded with story after story, I chalked it all up to competitor jealousy.

My entire perspective was forever changed after I started working with the government as a contractor for the United States. Even though I was in the Navy for almost 9 years, and worked hand-in-hand with many contractors, I never really was privy to what you see when you work directly for a company who has a contract with the government, especially the Department of Defense.

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TechMiso Launches

Posted by Rich Chuckrey in Articles

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Welcome to TechMiso and Happy New Year!

TechMiso is here now on the scene to serve up the freshest tech soup with exotic tech ingredients from around the globe. We will whip IT up and serve IT hot, steamy and scrumptiously palatable. Sprinkle in our weighty opinions, add some inviting debates and there you have us — TechMiso.

With technologies so advanced and so dispersed in the world, it is our goal to provide clarity through a wide scope of insightful commentary — A pinch of the world wide web; a drop of nanotechnologies; heaping spoonful of procurement; simmered ROI models; human resources al dente; dab of patents; and so on. We will discuss the blogosphere and how it connects people and informs. We will look at government technology — are they asleep at the wheel or are they taking the lead. ‘Is’ technology linking us together in the world or are we suffering from broadly splintered silos of information and services. And so on.

We look forward to your readership and all your feedback.

TechMiso is cooked by Scott Jarkoff and Rich Chuckrey with input from their associate chefs — Reviving the IT Revolution.

TechMiso © Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.

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