2008/12/23
InfoWorld: Sun executive reveals more open-source plans for JavaFX
by Chris Kanaracus
A Sun Microsystems executive has provided a glimpse into the company's future plans for open sourcing JavaFX, its recently released technology for building RIAs (rich Internet applications) for the desktop, mobile devices and other platforms.
Sun's corporate image is grounded in its embrace of open-source software and some components of JavaFX, including the JavaFX compiler and elements of graphic libraries, are now available under the GPLv2 open-source license, according to the official JavaFX FAQ.
But other key components are still proprietary. Sun is now working to change this, according to a recent blog post by Jeet Kaul, vice president of the Client Software Group.
"There are some dependencies on licensed code that cannot be open sourced. We are working towards decoupling the dependencies so that the non-proprietary portions can be open sourced," Kaul wrote. "We will put the core runtime out in the open over time."
Kaul did not spell out the nature of the dependencies. A spokesman for Sun did not immediately respond to a request for more information Tuesday.
Sun will also publish specifications for new file formats associated with JavaFX, "shortly," Kaul said.
Kaul's blog post came in response to those questions and others posted by Java developer Osvaldo Pinali Doederlein.
The Sun executive also provided an updated road map for JavaFX, writing that the mobile platform - now in beta - will be released "by March" and a visual designer tool will be available in the middle of next year.
While JavaFX will compete with a range of other RIA toolsets, such as Adobe's AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) and Microsoft's Silverlight, Sun is banking that Java's pervasive market penetration will give it an edge.
CNet: Looking ahead at security trends for 2009
by Jon Oltsik
In spite of the global economic recession, information security will continue to be a dominant IT priority in 2009. Why? There are simply too many threats and vulnerabilities creating a perpetual increase in IT risk.
With that, here is my top-10 list (in no particular order) of technologies and trends to watch for in the new year:
1. The evolving definition of endpoint security: Some analysts have declared that, antivirus software is dead. I disagree and submit that endpoint security is simply evolving as a function of the changing threat landscape.
2. More emphasis on cybersecurity: This year began with the establishment of the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), an effort to strengthen government networks. While well-intended, CNCI has received minimal funding and support.
3. Increasingly stringent privacy legislation: Privacy advocates like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Democracy and Technology are hopeful that the change in administration will finally lead to more comprehensive national privacy legislation in 2009 and beyond.
4. Security in the cloud: While "cloud" has turned into a vague industry security blanket term, I do believe that 2009 will be a strong year for managed security services.
5. Virtualization security: As server and desktop virtualization continues to proliferate, we will need better security tools for things like role-based access control, virtual server identity management, virtual network security, and reporting/auditing. Citrix, Microsoft, and VMware will lead this effort with partnering support from others like IBM (Project Phantom), McAfee, and Q1 Labs.
6. Secure software development: In 2008, the majority of malicious code attacks targeted applications, not operating systems.
7. Information-centric security: The recent Microsoft/RSA announcement is a sign of things to come. Organizations large and small need to be able to discover and classify sensitive information, apply security policies, and then enforce these policies throughout the network.
8. Ubiquitous encryption: Encryption technologies are more often becoming "baked in" rather than "bolted on." Tape drives now contain cryptographic processors as do hard drives from Fujitsu, Hitachi, and Seagate. And Intel will ship a version of its vPro chip set in 2009 that also supports on-board encryption. In 2009, we will start to see multiple layers of encryption technologies running on top of each other. Good for data confidentiality and integrity but this will also highlight the need for enterprise-class encryption key management--another technology on the 2009 "watch list."
9. Entitlement management: Authentication gets you in the network door, while entitlement management governs what you can and can't do. Entitlement management is currently done on an application-by-application basis but this doesn't scale, is ripe for human error, and is nearly impossible to audit for compliance.
10. Business process security: Securing all IT assets across the enterprise is a daunting task--too big for risk-averse business managers. Rather than rely on IT reports and security point tools alone, line-of-business executives will want more visibility and oversight into their exclusive domains with detailed and succinct portals, reports, and auditing systems.
I'm generally an optimist, but I do have one additional, more gloomy prediction. Given the alarming state of disarray, look for some type of security breach in 2009 that exceeds the TJX incident.
On that cheerful note, happy holidays.
TheRegister: Jaw droppers of 2008 - what they'd rather you forgot
by Gavin Clarke
Optimism drives the IT industry and - in particular - Silicon Valley, a place where people look to the future and try to forget the painful past.
Here, then, is The Register's list of the worst, most cringe-worthy and draw-dropping moments from the last 12 months that people would probably prefer to forget about. Nine wags of the finger plus - because it wasn't all bad this year - one tip of the hat, for balance.
Social network attacks own customers
Customer service has yet to hit Web 2.0, where you have to answer your own technical questions, wading through forums or sending emails to people in "support" who never reply. "Maverick" social networking site Faceparty went a step further, though, by rounding on users who dared to expect it deliver on its promises - in this case, free tools. Faceparty threatened to terminate accounts of "every single twat who moaned about their friggin' free cool tools". "Listen this is our HOBBY, not our business," Faceparty said, helpfully reminding everyone it's a "free fucking site" and not to expect anything.
The Web 2.0 cheerleader who turned on the mob
Last year, Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg earned contempt. This year, it was contempt-by-association for author and former BusinessWeek hack Sarah Lacy during a Q&A with Zuckerberg at the South by Southwest (SWSX) festival that saw Lacy bomb, overstate her own importance, and turn on the audience. Lacy set a new low in the staged Q&A format with a series of soft-ball questions to promote Brand Lacy, and that had Zuckerberg blushing and the SWSX audience shouting their own questions. First Lacy got defensive, shooting back on Twitter: "Seriously screw all you guys. I did my best to ask a range of things". Then she turned to self-pity: "Try doing what I do for a living... It's not that easy" followed by regained confidence that it wasn't really her, it was everyone else who was wrong. "I get this constantly: guess what I'm still employed.. my Amazon rank is higher than ever.. it's the price of being high profile.
Microsoft blames Apple for Windows Vista "lies"
After a year and a half of negative publicity Microsoft decided it was time to mount the great Windows Vista fight back. Brad Brooks, corporate vice president of windows consumer products, bullishly evangelized partners at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference saying there's nothing wrong with Windows Vista and everything bad you've heard is a lie propagated by Apple. Evoking the tear-jerking story of his daughter to just tell the truth, Brooks told partners evil little Apple had pulled a Jedi mind trick on the whole industry and customers by convincing them to buy and support Macs when, overwhelmingly, they were actually sticking with Windows XP. Four months later, the truth came out and Microsoft admitted that - yes - there'd been real issues with Windows Vista, problems it is fixing in the successor Windows 7. It was the classic Microsoft tactic of throwing the older version under the bus to evangelize the new.
Yahoo!'s Yang regrets his Microsoft rejection
The problem with opportunity is you need to recognize the knocking sound it makes on your door. Yahoo!'s chief executive Jerry Yang didn't, and turned down Microsoft's generous offer for his company of $33 a share in June. Pity Jerry, then, that the market tanked three months later pulling down Yahoo!'s share price to less than half what Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer had offered. Yang isn't the only man that history will record should have zigged when he zagged when making a tough decision, and he won't be the last. Rather than stand by his decision, though, Yang in November made an unconvincing attempt to lure Microsoft back to the table, saying it would be in that company's interests. With the markets crashing, M&A funds drying up, and Ballmer thanking his lucky stars for not going down as the CEO who bought a grossly overpriced dot-com asset, that ship's sailed.
Ellison's package and an "eye-opening" license hike
Oracle's chief executive Larry Ellison notched up a $72m package in 2008, 12 times higher than the median pay of his technology peers. Ellison proposed, and was granted by Oracle, a 38 per cent raise, making him the second best-paid chief executive officer of any U.S. public company. The package came to light as users of BEA Systems brought into the Oracle family through this year's $8.5bn acquisition, were welcomed with a 47 per cent hike in their licensing fees. Eric Savitz, an individual used to the machinations of corporate America reporting for TechTrader Daily, blushingly called this an "eye-opening development".
"Visionary" Michael Dell turns Dell-Boy Trotter
In an industry like IT, if you are billed as a "visionary" before you get up to talk you'd better have something good to offer. Step up Michael Dell, introduced as a "visionary" by Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce.com - a Dell customer - at Dreamforce in San Francisco. Dell was introduced in the same breath as Benioff recalled the appearance of Colin Powell at a previous Dreamforce event, and who Benioff also called a visionary. You might remember Powell: a four-star general who served as secretary of state under George W Bush. After opening with the intriguing premise of investing in, rather than cutting spending on, IT during a down economy Dell coupled his thesis to the need to buy. Buy what? You guessed it: Dell equipment. Dell proceeded to invoke the spirit of another great Dell - Dell-Boy Trotter - by wheeling out all manner of goodies to close the sale. The pitch came as Dell pressured workers into taking unpaid leave, to cut costs. No wonder people streamed out of the visionary's keynote.
