8th May 2011 Archive

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Think file-hosting sites guard your private data? Think again

Attacks already under way

Academic researchers say they've uncovered weaknesses in dozens of the most popular file hosting sites that allow people to gain unauthorized access to data that's supposed to be available only to those selected by the user. The services, which include sites such as RapidShare, FileFactory, and Easyshare, allow users to upload …

Security 8 May 06:00
Microsoft adds RIM to its anti-Google axis

Both RIM and MS need to cut cords with their mobile OS and soar into cloud

When Microsoft first burst on the mobile scene with the original Windows Mobile, its strategy was to work around the Symbian brigade by getting close to operators, via mainly white label phone-makers. Hence the rise and rise of HTC, on the back of huge market share in an OS that interested very few rivals, plus the special …

Mobile 8 May 08:00
The next Microsoft in the cloud computing era is ...

Analysis Peering into an Azure yonder

Cloud computing lacks both cross-compatibility and standards. Added to vendor lock-in is the possibility of outages, breaches of security or privacy, providers suspending your account, losing data or even going out of business altogether. A variety of vendor strategies are in play. Apple and Oracle exemplify the proprietary …

Cloud Development 8 May 11:00
AAPT boss gets gov gig

Set to head Infrastructure NSW

Paul Broad, the outspoken CEO of Australian telecoms company AAPT, is said to be leaving the industry to take on the top job at Infrastructure NSW. The newly-elected NSW Liberal state government is understood to have head-hunted Broad, who is no stranger to government roles. He started his career working with Treasury in …

Public Sector 8 May 21:51
TomTom Oz to repeat Netherlands data sale

‘Sorry’ in Dutch means ‘do it’ in English

Hard on the heels of its apology for flogging customer data to police in The Netherlands, satnav maker Tom Tom is set for a repeat performance in Australia. TomTom attracted universal flack last week for admitting that local and regional governments in the Netherlands had used TomTom’s GPS data to help police set speed traps …

Policing 8 May 21:52
The Great Reg Cloud Survey

Reader Poll Cloud and Proud?

With all of the noise generated around Cloud, we thought it was time for a reality check with one of the world's largest communities of IT professionals - that's you, by the way. We're trying to understand if Cloud is really the future of computing and if it is, how much? Do you think you'd trust them to host any of your apps …

Cloud 8 May 23:00
Taxpayers were beta testers for ATO IT project

Report tells government ‘avoid single-vendor big bang projects’

A report by Australia’s Inspector-general of Taxation (IGT) has found that the Australian Tax Office extended testing into production for an IT systems upgrade which went live last year. The result was wave after wave of delays and errors during 2010, resulting in slow processing of individuals’ and companies’ tax returns, the …

Government 8 May 23:23
Sony’s sorry saga snowballs

PSN back ~~This week~~ ~~Next week~~ sometime

A week after a humiliating public apology for the insecurity of its PlayStation Network and Qriocity service, Sony has been forced to delay the restart of its online games services. Sony, whose officials had repeatedly bowed as part of their self-abasement for the service crisis, has taken low-key approach to extending the PSN …

Security 8 May 23:24
Chinese iPad 2 fanboiz in frenzied fight

Scalpers turn shiny toy shortage into i-Riot

A favourite Apple strategy for creating fake media buzz around its products has backfired, with four people reportedly injured in a fight over iPad 2s at a Beijing Apple store. Cupertino loves the sight of its fanboiz queuing in the street for each and every new release, like Muscovites queuing for bread in the Soviet era, so …

Channel Register 8 May 23:25