xml

ALSO NOTED: Major vendors backing SML; Dangerous claims about smartphone security;

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 20:01:38 -0400

> Major computer vendors are backing the Service Modeling Language (SML) spec for XML-based IT management. Article

> Dangerous claims about smartphone security. Article

> Windows has less security holes but more critical flaws than Red Hat and Mac OS X, report says. Article

> The regulatory burden is making the U.S. less competitive. Blog

> Security slows adoption of on-demand software. Article

> Feedback on sustainable IT. Blog

And Finally … Avoiding turf wars. Podcast

Industry backs XML spec for IT management

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Web specs come and go, but it's not often that you see a laundry list of industry heavyweights getting behind a spec for IT management. But that's exactly what's brewing: Microsoft, IBM, Cisco Systems, Dell, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Sun and others are throwing their collective weight behind the Service Modeling Language, or SML--a W3C-authored XML spec that's designed to help IT departments track machines and services on the corporate network. Here's how it works: IT managers use chunks of XML data to build a schema of their network and since that data is standardized through SML, third-party developers can provide the user with any number of tools to aid in managing that data. What's more, the companies involved have been kind enough to grant the W3C "perpetual, nonexclusive, royalty-free, world-wide right and license" to the spec, meaning that it should remain nice and open for the conceivable future.

For more in-depth info on how the SML spec works:
- see this Ars Technica article

Look out for SML

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

SML may be the most useful standard you've never heard of. The Service Modeling Language standard, an XML-based schema to define information about hardware, software, applications and services, aims to improve information-sharing among third-party IT management products. Backed by many large vendors including Cisco, IBM, Dell, EMC, Microsoft and Sun, SML will make it easier to share information between disparate IT tools and will provide a foundation for automating common tasks like configuration management, asset monitoring and application positioning. The only thing left to do is to get the standard approved, and it's only a matter of time now.

Read more about SML:
- read the article at Network Computing

XML increasingly important to IT security

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 20:01:35 -0400

There's a growing trend among security vendors to build XML compatibility into network appliances. Not only does that enable disparate products to communicate, but it also creates new options such as having detection/prevention appliances serve as intelligent routers. XML isn't known for speed but in security, it's the quality of results and ease of maintenance that matter most. XML itself is secure when used with HTTP/S channels, and hardware can store the policies.

For more on security:
- read this Network World op-ed

Excitement building for AJAX

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:01:35 -0400

There are more than a few good reasons why excitement is building around AJAX(Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), an evolving programming strategy that gives Web sites the same level of interactivity and speed that today's desktop programs boast. Google and Gmail, two sites that most everyone is familiar with, run on AJAX and there are a number of other sites looking to jump on board. Find out what all the excitement is about, where AJAX is headed and how 20 other applications stack up in the AJAX world.

For more on advancing AJAX technology:
- Get the lowdown at Network Computing

Do open-source AJAX tools match the pros?

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 20:01:38 -0400

There are some decent open-source tools for coding enterprise applications using the asynchronous Java and XML method, but in general the tools aren't as good as commercial versions. Dojo is one of the best, along with Google Web Toolkit, Open Rico/Prototype, Yahoo AJAX Library, Zimbra's Kabuki AJAX Toolkit and even Microsoft Atlas (not open-source but you own its code.) For certain uses they match pro tools like Backbase, JackBe and Tibco's General Interface.

For more on AJAX:
- check out this InfoWorld article

What's new in Firefox 2.0 Beta 1

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:01:35 -0400

The people behind the Firefox browser already said version 2.0 won't have anything too new or sexy within its visual aspects. However, with Beta 1 now available, who can resist looking? Features include phishing protection, RSS and XML viewers, in-line spell checking, more intuitive bookmarking, and an undo feature for closed tabs. Most of these features and others are already available as extensions, but at least you'll know that they're tested and relatively stable.

For more on Firefox:
- take a look at this Computerworld article

ALSO: Controversial new DNS service. Article

Microsoft puts Office 2007 preview app online

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Microsoft posted a free, Web-based preview version of the Office 2007 suite for anyone to use as an alternative to downloading and installing the hefty software locally. Office 2007 has a vastly different user interface and is very XML-intensive compared to Office XP. The mainstream version is still due for a public launch in early 2007, coinciding with the Vista launch. (Readers, I plan to try out the hosted version this week. Look for my comments Friday. - Evan)

For more on Office:
- take a look at this CNet News.com article

ALSO: IBM upgrades Sametime client for Microsoft. Article

PLUS: EU may fine Microsoft $2.5 million a day. Article

AJAX gets another heavyweight fan on board

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:01:35 -0400

Sun Microsystems is the latest vendor to jump on the AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) bandwagon to foster better Web services, online navigation and ecommerce delivery. In joining the OpenAjax Alliance, which has 30 companies including IBM, Oracle, Yahoo!, AOL and Red Hat on its membership roster, Sun is throwing its weight behind the movement to build interchangeable AJAX tools and spur adoption.

For more on the AJAX movement:
- check out this article at CIO Today

Goodbye to FrontPage, hello to Expression

Mon, 15 May 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Microsoft yesterday launched a preview version of Expression Web Designer which replaces FrontPage beginning with the Office 2007 suite. Expression is a whole new product, not just a renaming. It supports technologies like CSS and XML, and it (theoretically) doesn't favor Internet Explorer in its results. Unlike FrontPage, Expression is meant to be a serious designer's tool, and it should be ready by late 2006.

For more on the new tool:
- read this internetnews.com article

ALSO: Adobe offers Ajax toolset for designers. Article