Podcasts: "Service-oriented architecture as a notion is being limited by the number of what some of the analysts are calling competing visions," explains David Linthicum. "In other words, everyone has their own definition and users are confused." Indeed, there are myriad misconceptions about SOA. One: SOA is new. Not true. Two: You must use Web services to build SOA. Nope. Three: ESB equals SOA. You get the idea here, I'm certain. Tune into SOA Report.

Columnist's corner: If you suspect the fact that Sun is once again using Intel chips represents the first nail in AMD's fate, think again. "As they say in my business, this whole Intel-eating-AMD's lunch angle doesn't have legs," espouses Tom Yager in Don't stick a fork in AMD. "AMD has more relevant new technology to bring to the table than Intel's road map portends."

Q&A: A Microsoft exec counters concerns that Office 2007 will demand increased end-user training. Corporate vice president Chris Capossela, in this interview with Carol Sliwa of Computerworld, explains that the average Office user will get up and running very quickly. After a short time, Capossela suggests, users will never want to give the product up. They also discuss user feedback, Office Open XML, and stopping casual hackers.

The news beat: The U.S. government gets a big fat 'D' in cybersecurity, primarily for not taking the security of sensitive information, the reliability of critical infrastructure and government information assurance seriously enough, as deemed by the CSIA trade group. Gemalto plans to release a smart card that fights phishing attacks at next week's RSA Conference. And SAP launches xAPP Sales and Operations Planning, slated for March availability.

Posted by Tom Sullivan on January 31, 2007 11:09 AM