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The News - November 2, 2008
"Nothing could be worse than the fear that one has given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort which might have saved the world." – Jane Adams
Top Picks
Microsoft & Google: Cloud Computing Dominance Through Renewable Energy
“Microsoft and Google, in particular, are leveraging the energy conundrum in such a way as to bolster their own individual data center strategies, and they are using their enormous leverage to create formidable barriers to entry that will increasingly make the "build versus buy" decision an easy one. The aforementioned barriers are allowing Microsoft and Google to establish data center cost structures that are so low that they could potentially eliminate competition.”
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/Features/Abstract-Microsoft-and-Google-Cloud-Computing-Dominance-Through-Renewable-Energy.html
[Seriously, if you only read one article in the whole newsletter, read this one. The author did a superb job on both research and conveying concepts. It is the best trade article I have read on any topic in a long time.]
MS to support Windows Azure with data center investments
“Despite the economic downturn, Microsoft Corp. intends to ramp up the number of servers running in its data centers worldwide by 15 times over the next 5 years.”
http://www.nytimes.com/external/idg/2008/10/27/27idg-MS-to-support-W.html
[Do you see that multiple? In August, Microsoft had monitoring software running during a promotional video that a blogger noticed. It seemed to indicate that Microsoft had 15 data centers, 148,357 servers in 17,406 racks. Now, if we multiply the servers by 15, then that would take the server count to a little over 17 million servers in five years. It would be extremely interesting to know how many of those are virtual and what that will do to the aforementioned statistics that also indicted the 148,357 servers were using 72,500 kWh of power and you can bet they have grown since then so whatever the future holds, one thing is certain – Microsoft is going to have some serious capital investments and operating expense investments on an incredible scale. Couple this with the previous article on Microsoft and Google and you can begin to see the future “mega” data centers are going to be stunning.]
For posts about the metrics from the video I cited, see:
http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2008/08/14/218000-servers-in-microsoft-data-centers/
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080812/microsoft-enviroment-video-reveals-server-numbers-power/
IT Audit / Internal Audit / Compliance
Internal Audit Automation Set for Takeoff?
“Software that supports the internal audit process is nothing new, but the field may be poised to head in a wholly different direction. In the best-case scenario, that direction will lead to more accurate audits, reduced costs for both internal and external audit, and elevated roles for internal audit executives.”
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/12459877/c_12469997?f=home_todayinfinance
The Crisis over How to Audit in a Crisis
“The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which oversees U.S. auditors, convened its standing advisory group on Wednesday to discuss the impact of the financial crisis on the auditing profession. Its conclusion: There's a lot to worry about, included increased pressure for fraudulent behavior. Members of the 36-person group of advisors were concerned not only about increases in fraud, however, but also about the need for more thorough analysis of financial statements, the importance of considering liquidity, and various puzzles connected with the auditing of companies that are recipients of government bailouts.”
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/12465140?f=home_featured
Strong, professional auditing now more important than ever
“The need for effective internal auditors has been highlighted by the ‘major internal control and risk management failures’ in financial institutions, Lord Robert Smith of Kelvin said yesterday. Lord Smith, who five years ago in the wake of the Enron and Andersen scandal reported for the government on strengthening the role of audit committees, was addressing an Institute of Internal Auditors' conference in Cumbernauld.”
http://www.theherald.co.uk/business/news/display.var.2462906.0.Strong_professional_auditing_now_more_important_than_ever.php
IT Process Improvement / Quality Management
Controlling Consulting
“In certain circumstances organizations need to bring in specialized help to facilitate the accomplishment of objectives. One way to do this is to hire consultants. While many times this works as intended, there are also situations where the consultants come in, never quite deliver and also never quite leave. This can become very expensive very fast. The single best way to avoid risks relating to achieving objectives within the timeframe and budget allocated is to use project management. A project-based approach with a project manager reporting on progress, issues encountered, risks, and so forth will significantly boost the likelihood of success.”
https://swarm.jupitermedia.com/itsmwatch/2008/10/controlling-consulting.html
Green Computing? Offset This
“So, I have mixed feelings when I read that Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and other large enterprises are greening themselves -- in part -- with carbon offsets. The idea of being ‘carbon neutral’ while still burning fossil fuels doesn't seem quite right.”
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/10/green_computing.html
Google Delays Oklahoma Data Center
Google is reportedly delaying the $600 million facility due to current economic conditions.
http://www.thewhir.com/marketwatch/103108_Google_Delays_Oklahoma_Data_Center.cfm
Green Tech: Creating Synergy Between IT and Facility Strategies
“IT and facilities departments must communicate to effectively run the modern-day data center and achieve green data center initiatives. This article addresses the organizational structure and behaviors that may be preventing green data centers from becoming the norm.”
http://www.wwpi.com/top-stories/6254-green-tech-creating-synergy-between-it-and-facility-strategies
Power efficiency only first step toward "green" data centers, Gartner says
Rakesh Kumar of Gartner notes that, “'Green' requires an end-to-end, integrated view of the data center, including the building, energy efficiency, waste management, asset management, capacity management, technology architecture, support services, energy sources and operations.’”
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102908-green.html?hpg1=bn
Security and Risk Management
Cyber Security Questions Persist at World Bank
“Now, FOX News has learned, hundreds of employees of an India-based technology contractor that World Bank president Robert Zoellick ordered off the agency's property last April on security grounds are still working for the financial institution. They have been transformed in recent months into bank staffers or shifted onto the employment rolls of other contractors.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445829,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445845,00.html
Revision of IT security rules could cost feds $600M over four years
“proposed bill aimed at strengthening the provisions of the Federal Information Security Management Act would require the U.S. government to spend an additional $610 million on FISMA implementation costs over the next four years if it is passed, according to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.”
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=knowledge_center&articleId=9118785&taxonomyId=1&intsrc=kc_top
Security To Go: Is It Time To Shop MSSPs?
“IT groups with limited information security resources that flat-out refuse to seek expert help are doing the business a disservice. While it's true that those with highly specialized security policies likely won't get the customization they need with a managed service security provider (MSSP), far too many organizations have yet to make infosec a core competency. Some have even decided that infosec will never be a fundamental proficiency, and they're just securing to the level required by regs like PCI and calling it a day.”
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211800247
Healthcare / Bio-Informatics / Care Delivery Organizations (CDOs)
Inspector general knocks HIPAA security oversight
“A review by the Department of Health and Human Service has found the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service wanting when it comes to oversight of health information security.”
http://www.govhealthit.com/online/news/350651-1.html
Health IT Poised to Rebound Post-Election
“As I wrote previously, both presidential candidates are bullish on the healthcare information technology industry – planning to increase spending and investment as a way to improve the quality of healthcare and reduce costs through automation and the widespread implementation of other technologies such as electronic prescribing and computerized medical records.”
http://seekingalpha.com/article/103182-health-it-poised-to-rebound-post-election
Rate of Diabetes Cases Doubles in 10 Years: CDC
“The rate of new cases of type 2 diabetes has nearly doubled in the United States in the last decade, with most new cases appearing in southern states, federal officials reported Thursday. New diagnoses of type 2 diabetes rose from 4.8 per 1,000 people from 1995 to 1997 to 9.1 per 1,000 people from 2005 to 2007. These new cases mirror the increase in obesity rates, and obesity is a leading cause of the blood sugar disease, officials said.”
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/10/30/rate-of-diabetes-cases-doubles-in-10-years-cdc.html
Portland VA hospital mistakenly posts vets' personal data online
“Personal information, including some Social Security numbers, of about 1,600 patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Portland was inadvertently posted on a public Web site, Portland VA officials said Saturday.”
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/portland_va_hospital_mistakenl.html
Human Error / Safety / Environment
Scientists Confirm Global Warming at North and South Poles
“Scientists have created a climate model that they say proves human activity is responsible for global warming not only at the North Pole, but at the South Pole as well. The model includes data from Antarctica about which relatively little is known. VOA's Jessica Berman reports.”
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-30-voa66.cfm
http://www.topnews.in/study-claims-even-antarctica-affected-global-warming-282668
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-at-the-poles-is-manmade-980256.html
Human error stubborn snag in airline safety
“Safety has improved dramatically in the airline industry in recent decades. But the human mind remains a stubborn impediment to wiping out crashes altogether.”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-22-insidecrash_N.htm
Global News / Business / Economics
Global Warming and Unbridled Capitalism
“Global warming, due to carbon dioxide CO2 emissions by human activities, has melted ice caps and mountain glaciers causing an increase of sea levels; many scientists believe that if this is not arrested, it will bring about hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and also tsunamis in quick succession than in the past. Today flooding has become a major concern for many countries.”
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/13979
China predict 'climate phenomena' from global warming
“In releasing a major policy document on climate change, the Chinese Government has warned that global warming has already had massive adverse effects on China. A major policy paper on climate change has warned of the difficulty of reducing the country's reliance on coal and the potential devastation that this could cause.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/29/2405083.htm?section=justin
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/01/content_10289440.htm
US News / Business / Economics
Massive Effort to Save Mortgages
“J. .P. Morgan Chase & Co. launched an ambitious plan Friday to modify the terms of $70 billion in mortgages for borrowers who are behind on their payments or soon could be. The move by the New York bank will cover as many as 400,000 borrowers. They'll be moved into loans carrying lower interest rates, smaller principal amounts or other more-affordable terms.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122549543952589677.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Eaton Corp. gets incentives for Jefferson, Shelby data centers
“Eaton Corp., a diversified power-management company that manufactures products in the automotive, aerospace, electrical, hydraulics and trucking industries, has taken the next step toward building twin data centers in Jefferson and Shelby counties.”
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2008/10/27/daily38.html
It’s No Time to Forget About Innovation
“BY its very nature, innovation is inefficient. While blockbusters do emerge, few of the new products or processes that evolve from innovative thinking ultimately survive the test of time. During periods of economic growth, such inefficiencies are chalked up as part of the price of forging into the future. But these aren’t such times.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/business/02unbox.html
Technology & Science
Hubble back in full snapping mode
“The Hubble space telescope yesterday resumed ‘regular science operations’ following the failure of the 'scope's operational Science Instrument Command and Data Handling unit (SIC&DH) back in September and susbsequent coaxing into life of the back-up unit.”
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/31/hubble_first_image/
Phoenix spacecraft on Mars is unlikely to rise
“The death watch is on for NASA's Phoenix lander, the first spacecraft to sample water on another planet. Buffeted by dust storms and chilled by temperatures as low as minus 141 degrees Fahrenheit from the impending arrival of the Martian winter, Phoenix is clinging to life, NASA officials said Friday.”
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10869296?source=most_viewed
Companies recall 100,000 laptop battery packs
“Computer makers are recalling 100,000 laptop battery packs made by Sony Corp. after 40 reports of overheating, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notice Thursday. The voluntary recall applies to certain Sony 2.15Ah lithium-ion cell batteries made in Japan and sold around the world in laptops made by Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc. and Toshiba Corp.”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/10/31/sony.laptop.recall.ap/index.html
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