IT Professionals and Privacy

Have you heard the latest about Microsoft and its "stealth" updates? Slashdot has the story here, but the gist is this: even if you had Automatic Update turned off in Windows, the OS still updated the Windows Update feature.

Why is this a problem? Because Microsoft, and potentially other companies in the future, can gain access to your machine even if you tell them you're not interested. As IT professionals, what are your thoughts on the subject? Should we be more outspoken to software makers when voicing our privacy concerns, or is this simply a "fact of life" in the web-enabled age?

Update: Google makes chunky peanut butter...

Not really. But seriously, what doesn't that company get involved with? Not only has it created the most ubiquitous mapping program in the world, but it is now launching a second satellite to make the images even sharper - up to half-meter resolution! Scared yet? Me too.

In case you're interested, the source article is here.

Open up those Windows!

Excellent article on Vista tuning by ExtremeTech here. For those of us without an XP disc, Linux machine, or valid explanation for why we're running a pre-SP1 Microsoft product.

A fortnight is a long time

Anyone else thrown off by the 2-week format of 610? I'm used to the strict Sunday-Sunday ritual of the MBA program. Having a 20-page paper due each week was not uncommon, so the assignments this first week seem minimal by comparison. I know this is sick, but I'm hoping the work ramps up as the semester progresses. Is that weird? Yes, yes it is....

ITEC620?

Anyone else here concurrently taking ITEC620? I'm doing both, and I'm curious to see if there is any overlap.

Beg, Borrow, Or Steal

I don't care how you procure this insanely gorgeous piece of uber-machinery, just do it. And do it now.

I can't remember so good...

OK, I'll admit - my memory isn't what you'd call top-tier. Nor is my perception of time, which is why I'm at a double-disadvantage in these courses without posted due dates for assignments. This is going to be tough...

Business Drives IT

Hey gang, thought we had an interesting question this week in class: Does IT drive business, or does business drive IT? I chose the latter, and can sum up my argument thusly: "the majority of IT implementation in business is borne out of existing or forecasted business requirements. As such, I believe that IT is driven by the needs and wants of the marketplace instead of businesses being prodded along by developments in information technology."