Network Computing Report #246
http://www.networkcomputing.com/
Monday, April 29, 2002

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This issue sponsored by IBM eServer pSeries: 
It's Faster. Stronger. More powerful. And now the IBM eServer
pSeries 610 reveals its true identity: an affordable UNIX(R)
server (starts at under $6,000), with features found in 
million-dollar servers. Like a fully integrated service
processor that can detect and isolate problems before they
affect your applications. Click now to learn more in our
complimentary "Growing Business Essentials Kit."
http://www.ibm.com/eserver/smb/p610/m26
 
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Blog our site for a daily dose of site happenings and industry goings 
on.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BZ4R0As

This week, we take a look at third-party Linux support services. After 
testing
offerings from Caldera, HP, IBM and Linuxcare, find out why Caldera got 
our
nod. Also, we've updated our Interactive Buyer's Guide on content 
switches and
are debuting a new section called "Quick Takes."

If you're looking for online treats, be sure to sign up for our free, 
weekly Web-
site-centric newsletter, Network Computing Online.
http://www.submag.com/sub/nc?wp=wpdly1&tc=1&pk=WKNCED

As always, please feel free to message us directly if you have any 
comments or
questions (mailto:newsletter@nwc.com).

Best regards,
--The Network Computing Report Team

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In This Issue:
1)  Newsletter Specials
2)  BuzzCut
3)  Online-Only Air Time: Cisco Introduces the Aironet 1200
4)  Webcasts
5)  The Daily Blog
6)  Feature: RFI: 'Team'work Pays Off for Linux
7)  Workshop: The ABCs of ROI
8)  Sneak Preview: SOHOware
9)  Online-Only Sneak Preview: ThinStar Voyager
10) Interactive Buyer's Guide: Update: Content Switches
11) Quick Takes
12) Air Time: How Much Bandwidth Does WiFi Need?
13) The Inside Story: Survey Says...
14) CMP Marketplace
15) Latest IT Professional Downloads
16) Subscription Information

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1) Newsletter Specials
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a) Your Soapbox Awaits!
We're pleased to announce our first -- and hopefully annual -- Reader 
Poll. If you
read our magazine or frequent our site, we invite you to share your 
triumphs
and tribulations with us. Just take a moment to fill out our survey, 
and for your
trouble, we'll enter you in a drawing to win one of three rather nifty 
MP3
players. We'll share the compelling real-world IT experiences we've 
gathered in
our October 14 issue.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwA0Aq

b) TechQuiz: .NET Technologies
If you think you know your way around Microsoft's .NET platform -- its 
tools,
services and infrastructure -- then take our quiz. Get all the answers 
right and
you could win the second of two 128-MB Targus Go-Anywhere USB Keychain
Drives ($134.99 value), compliments of our sponsor, Epicor. But hurry, 
this is
your last chance to win.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40TNs0Af

c) The Challenge: Guess the Winners, Receive a Prize
Guess which products we'll honor at the Well-Connected Awards ceremony. 
If
your predictions match our editors' choices, you could win a new 
Creative Labs
Nomad Jukebox "C." That's 6 Gigs of drive space for your favorite to-go 
tunes.
Contest deadline is May 3. We'll post the winners on May 7.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbaJ0Ad

d) Well-Connected Awards: Meet the Finalists!
We're happy to announce the shortlist of contenders for our annual 
awards
bestowed on the year's top products and services. The ceremony will 
take
place during Networld+Interop Las Vegas 2002, and we'll post the 
winners on
our site May 7. Check out the finalists in all eight categories.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbaK0Ae

e) Rate Your Application Performance
Together with Greenwich Technology Partners, we've constructed an 
interactive
Decision Tree to help you assess your application-performance needs. 
Fill out
our 22-point questionnaire, and we'll tell you whether your company is 
a
thought-leader or a laggard when it comes to building scalable 
applications.
Along the way, pick up some hints on forecasting, monitoring and 
integrating a
performance framework.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbaI0Ac

f) Compare IT: IP-PBX
IP-PBX offers real-time unified messaging and computer-telephone 
integration by
converging voice and data onto a single server. Our interactive Compare 
IT tool
will help you evaluate IP-PBX products and get quotes from Altigen, 
Cisco and
Siemens.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwB0Ar

g) NetWorld+Interop 2002 Las Vegas
Register today to attend the world's largest networking event for six 
days of
educational sessions that will prepare you for making smart business 
and
technology decisions. Dynamic keynotes, hundreds of top-level vendors 
and
demonstrations of the latest technologies are on tap.
Conference Dates: May 5-10
Exhibition Dates: May 7-9

To register.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbiD0Af

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2) BuzzCut
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a) Sun's Tepid Romance With Open Source Will Benefit Mobile Apps
By Lori MacVittie
The fight for the mobile platform is an important one, as is the battle 
for Web
services domination. Java-based Web services would give you a larger
knowledge base for building apps as well as a larger pool of developers 
to help
you achieve your application goals.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwC0As

b) Is AOL Right to Shut Out Instant Messaging Rivals?
By Don MacVittie and Michael J. DeMaria
AOL says it's trying to maintain the security of its servers by 
excluding 'rogue
software.' Will Trillian be just another great idea that never survives 
if AOL
succeeds in blocking traffic from competing IM clients? Two of our 
editors
tackle the issue from opposite sides of the fence.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwD0At

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3) Online-Only Air Time: Cisco Introduces the Aironet 1200
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By Dave Molta
Cisco has a knack for picking the right companies at the right time. 
And to the
company's credit, the products it acquires in the process usually can 
still be
purchased a year or two later. So how will its latest wireless LAN
infrastructure platform, the Aironet 1200, which is based on an 
acquired
product line, fare?
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwE0Au

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4) Webcasts (Requires RealPlayer)
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a) The CEO Minute: BMC's Andy Burger
Find out why being able to view network and application information 
together is
a necessity these days. Bradley F. Shimmin chats with Andy Burger, the 
force
behind BMC's application-centric performance-management approach to
network administration.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbaP0Aj

b) This Week at Network Computing: What's Wrong with Web Sites?
Be sure to join Mike DeMaria and special guest NWC Site Editor/Producer 
Tom
LaSusa to hear the boys discuss pop ups, annoying Java apps and other 
Web
site pet peeves.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwF0Av

c) Inside Network Computing: Part 2 -- CFP 2002 On-Site Report
Hear more tales from our on-site security expert, Patrick Mueller, who 
prowled
the politically charged grounds at the 12th Annual Conference on 
Computers,
Freedom and Privacy. Tune in to get Patrick's take on the hot topics at 
this
year's show -- from the entertainment industry's privacy initiative to
Microsoft's new privacy software, which ships with IE6.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwG0Aw

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5) The Daily Blog
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a) Quote of the Day
"There are still a lot of pieces missing for graphics acceleration 
within OS X.
Apple found several instances where the OS was redrawing the screen 
five to
six times." -- Darrin Woods
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwH0Ax

b) OS X, Still Maturing
Caveat emptor applies in picking up OS X performance-sensitive apps. 
Did the
vendor port the app in a slip-shod manner? Ah the joy of X.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwH0Ax

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6) Feature: RFI: 'Team'work Pays Off for Linux
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By Lori MacVittie
If your enterprise or organization uses multiple Linux distributions -- 
or just isn't
happy with vendor-supplied support -- consider a third-party support 
service.
We tested offerings from Caldera, HP, IBM and Linuxcare, and found that 
the
personal touch makes all the difference.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwI0Ay

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40CTM0Aq

Download Linux white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40Njk0At

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7) Workshop: The ABCs of ROI
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By Curtis Franklin Jr.
Ready for a 700 percent return on investment? It's not that simple. 
Vendor-
sponsored studies may prove to be little more than snake oil when you 
run the
numbers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwJ0Az

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BDfY0AT

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8) Sneak Preview: SOHOware's Broadband Commercial Gateway
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By Dilip Advani
We found SOHOware's wireless BCG offering, with its four Ethernet ports 
for
wired clients plus multiple public IP addressing with port forwarding, 
impressive.
But we discovered a few security holes, as well.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwK0A1

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40CTL0Ap

Download Wireless Computing Systems Hardware white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40NTP0A5

Research Wireless products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40N7c0Au

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9) Online-Only Sneak Preview: NCD's ThinStar Voyager
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By Lori MacVittie
More powerful than your PDA and almost as portable, this thin client 
provides
network access and lots of peripheral connectivity options. Not so cool 
is its
lack of audio support.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwL0A2

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40CTL0Ap

Download Wireless Computing Systems Hardware white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40NTP0A5

Research Wireless products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40N7c0Au

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10) Interactive Buyer's Guide: Content Switches
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Some switches are better than others. Content-aware switches can make
critical decisions about your network traffic. You'll need to consider 
fault
tolerance, management, logic sets, QoS support and more. We can help 
you
pick the right switch for your needs.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwM0A3

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40COC0Ab

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11) Quick Takes
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Want to see what tech products are new and improved? This week, Network
Computing takes a look at these hot commodities:
Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 3000mfp, 4100mfp and 9000mfp
Arbor Networks Peakflow 2.1
Ektron eWebEditPro+XML
Rockliffe MailSite SP-c 5
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwN0A4

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12) The Inside Story: Survey Says...
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By James Hutchinson
"Hi, this is the ghost of Richard Dawson, former host of Family Feud. 
Actually,
I'm not dead, but my career certainly is. Because I'm somewhat of an 
expert in
the survey field, I'm being channeled through James Hutchinson to bring 
you
news about Network Computing's first extensive readership survey."
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwO0A5

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13) Air Time: How Much Bandwidth Does WiFi Need?
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By Dave Molta
Don't wait for next-generation wireless LANs solely because today's 
products
don't offer enough bandwidth. It may stunt your organization's 
progress.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BbwP0A6

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14) CMP Marketplace
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"A network administrator's tool kit"
OpalisRobot automates a broad range of tasks including 
system monitoring and maintenance tasks. It detects and
corrects errors, notifies on performance thresholds, 
schedules batch files, replicates files & much more.
Download & test-drive today!
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BW3W0At

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Hergo designs, manufactures and markets ergonomically 
engineered, functional, modular technical furniture, open 
racking systems, 19" data and communications cabinets,
computer desks and other space-saving solutions. Hergo
is an original equipment manufacturer based in New York City.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40BWXz0A6

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------------------------------------------------------------
15) Latest IT Professional Downloads
------------------------------------------------------------
Find some of the newest files in IT Pro's collection of shareware, 
utility and
demo downloads for network and IT professionals below. If you would 
like to
see more downloads and begin receiving the latest info on hot new 
utilities,
packs and jewels, sign-up for our free, weekly IT Pro Downloads 
newsletter.
http://www.submag.com/sub/nc?wp=wpdly1&tc=1&pk=WKNCED

a) LanTalk XP 2.7.1.0
If you work in a busy environment and need to communicate with others 
in the
office, or maybe even colleagues in another building, check out 
LanTalk. You can
talk in real time to anybody on the same computer network, as long as 
they
have the application installed too.

Download at:
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40Bbn20AS
Size: 880k
Platform: Windows 95, 98 or NT
Licensing: Shareware; $14

b) Forgotten Mailbox Password 1.0
With Forgotten Mailbox Password you can recover mailbox passwords that 
are
shown as a series of asterisks in e-mail clients including Microsoft 
Outlook,
Outlook Express, Eudora and Netscape. The program emulates a POP3 
server
and the password is sent back to the user.

Download at:
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eG6z0Be3GS0V40Bbn30AT
Size: 306k
Platform: Windows 95, 98 or NT
Licensing: Shareware

By using IT Pro Downloads you agree to these terms of use.
http://www.nwc.com/itpro/itpro-terms.html

-----------------------------------------------------------
This issue sponsored by IBM eServer pSeries: 
It's Faster. Stronger. More powerful. And now the IBM eServer
pSeries 610 reveals its true identity: an affordable UNIX(R)
server (starts at under $6,000), with features found in 
million-dollar servers. Like a fully integrated service
processor that can detect and isolate problems before they
affect your applications. Click now to learn more in our
complimentary "Growing Business Essentials Kit."
http://www.ibm.com/eserver/smb/p610/m26
 
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Look for the next Network Computing newsletter on Monday, May 6, 2002.

Copyright (c) 2002 Network Computing, a CMP Media LLC publication.

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