The IT PRO Podcast

(T)wittering on about Windows 7

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:33:35 +0000

In our new monthly podcast, we look back at January — and it was a busy one. While we were all still in recovery mode from the holidays, the tech world was as hectic as ever.

The big news came out at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas — and what better way to kick off the new year than being surrounded by geeks on the Strip? — with the announcement of the general release of Microsoft’s Windows 7 Beta. It’s still up for download until 10 February, so make sure you get a move on if trialling betas is your kind of thing.

The beta garnered a positive review from IT PRO, and our tech ed Benny explains why in this month’s podcast.

We also discuss the Conficker worm and the havoc it’s wreaking across networks in the UK, before debating a very serious issue: is Twitter stupid or awesome? We’re split — what do you think? If you need help deciding, check out our twitter account at twitter.com/itpro.

To finish off, we pick our Gadget of the Month — but January is so exciting, we couldn’t pick just one. Listen below to find out why we love the Sony P-Series and Palm’s Pre so much that we couldn’t choose between them…

Gadget of the year

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:55:10 +0000

Internet Explorer has a serious flaw… and this is news, how? Seriously though, browser security is an important issue, and we wonder if any of them will ever be safe.

We also discuss superfast broadband, free Nokia phones, and fiddling with knobs… on the mixer.

And, this being our last podcast of 2008, we pick our Gadget of the Year — can you guess what it is? You really probably can.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

IWF’s wiki actions are totally 404

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:39:00 +0000

Did the Internet Watch Foundation make the right move blocking a Wikipedia page over child porn concerns? According to our debaters in this week’s podcast… no. But when they flipped on the issue and removed the ban, that was indeed the right move.

We also discuss how tech-related slang is slipping into our modern language — and Benny does his Dizzee Rascal impression. That’s book, man. (Apparently, that means ‘cool’.) 404, dude. LOL. (Did that make sense to you? Didn’t to us.)

We also name the BlackBerry Bold our gadget of the week — which “is just a really nice looking phone.” And has some hot features, too. And interferes with our podcast (sorry about that.)

And we lay out our gadget wishlist for the end of the year…

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Big Brother is watching your dog

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:00:30 +0000

In a particularly heated podcast discussion this week, we examine Apple’s apparent u-turn over whether Mac users need anti-virus software.

We also look at our gadget of the week the Nokia N97, whether underground rail systems should have mobile phone signal and the merits of fitting a GPS tracker to your pet.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Debating ID cards, Twitter and the Storm

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:51:55 +0000

This week, we debate the upcoming ID cards — or more importantly, the massive database backing them up. Good thing, bad thing — we disagree, surely you do too.

We also discuss Facebook’s failed bid to buy microblogging site Twitter and Fujitsu Siemens’ laptop for life programme — we’re confused by both Twitter and free laptops.

And we finish with the Gadget of the Week. The BlackBerry Storm — aka, the Burberry Whirlwind — has won many fans, but is it on our Christmas list…?

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Orcs, oysters, and worms, oh my…

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:12:45 +0000

In this week’s podcast, we look at the always important issue of online gaming — would you be a dwarf or an orc in World of Warcraft, and is having sex in Second Life weird?

Back in so-called “real life,” we also discuss the Oyster travelcard. Transport for London has signed a new contract to keep the popular ticketing card going, and we’re happy to hear it.

In less positive London news, a virus has hit three hospitals in the capital — and we’re not talking MRSI. The Mytob worm has taken out systems at St Barts and the London NHS trust, and they’re still down. Was it a deliberate attack, or just a worm in the wild that managed to slip through?

And is the BBC’s move to stream its programmes online going to be the end of the license fee? We hope so…

We also discuss our gadget of the week, the Sony Ericsson Xperia. It sure is pretty looking, but Windows Mobile fails to win over our expert reviewers…

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

When Facebook goes rogue

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:24:30 +0000

This week we look at the issue of women in IT and the cultural and career barriers that continue to depress the numbers of women working in the industry.

We also discusshow Nigerian email scammers are using hacked Facebook accounts in an attempt to extract hard-earned money from users duped into thinking they are helping a Facebook buddy get out of a fix. We also discuss Nokia’s new keyboard-based smartphone, 3’s INQ 1, and talk about how the US president-elect used the internet to win the election.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

There’s a Storm coming…

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:52:58 +0000

This week we look at the upcoming launch of the BlackBerry Bold, RIM’s first touch screen smartphone. We also discuss the end of Google’s advertising relationship with Yahoo and debate whether Microsoft will make a fresh bid for the embattled internet company. The UK ID card scheme takes another step closer with trials taking place at two British airports.

Also - Bletchley park needs your help!

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

From Windows 7 to Eastenders

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:21:28 +0000

This week, we’re joined by PC Pro-er Stu Turton to discuss the launch of Windows 7 at Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference in LA this week. Will the new OS be better than XP and Vista, and has Vista been given a tough ride? And when did Microsoft become the underdog?

As usual, there’s a story about data breaches. According to Information Commissioner Richard “Richie” Thomas, there’ve been some 277 such breaches this year. When’s it going to stop? Probably never, if all Thomas can do is send angry glares as punishment…

Awkwardly moving on, we discuss the T-Mobile G1 Android phone — what’s all the fuss about? Is it worth lining up for?

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Computing is free

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:27:59 +0000

This week’s podcast takes on an unexpected theme of ‘Free Stuff’ as we discuss so-called ‘Free’ laptops with mobile broadband contracts, ‘Free’ computers for low-income families with children, ‘Free’ broadband for small business telephony customers.

We also look at the potential scrapping of Transport for London’s Oyster card system, following the termination of its contract with service provider TranSys. This came about after several technical and securoty problems, including the publishing of details on how to clone Oyster cards, allowing ‘Free’ travel.

To wrap up, we discuss the hacking of French president Sarkozy’s bank account - that will be ‘Free’ money then.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Do Elbots dream of aluminium MacBooks?

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:03:14 +0000

This week, we discuss BT’s plans to pilot super-fast Fibre to the Cabinet in Muswell Hill, London and Whitchurch, South Glamorgan — neither of which are places we live, so we’re all stuck on sluggish connections for the near future.

But if this continues, it could finally make video conferencing a more mainstream option, meaning we can all stay at home rather than take business trips.

In gadget news, we discuss the new aluminium MacBooks from Apple, and ponder if they’ll ever produce a netbook. And, if they do, will it cost 60 per cent more than all the others?

With visions of netbooks still in our heads, we also ponder the new Apricot PicoBook Pro - we haven’t seen the thing, so we’re really just still trying to figure out how to say it…

And finally, we talk about Elbot, the robot AI which scored 25 per cent on the Turing test. We weren’t impressed, but we do share which IT PRO editor can dance a mean robot, so take a listen to find out…

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

You can’t kill a good version of Windows

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:27:39 +0000

In this week

Clouds, the Tube and more in-air ranting

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:56:26 +0000

This week, we start off with a discussion of Microsoft’s cloud computing plans… and Steve Ballmer’s on-stage antics. With a man like that at the helm, why isn’t Microsoft more popular?

Next, it’s the full run-down of Nokia’s first touchscreen phone, the 5800 XpressMusic - formerly known as the ‘Tube’. Is it as good as the iPhone? Have Nokia waited too long to jump on the touch bandwagon?

We also discuss the silliness that is MI6 advertising on Facebook, and take a few minutes to rant about mobile phone use on planes… and how annoying people on buses can be. Why can’t they be more like the oh-so-polite Japanese?

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Android hype

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:46:23 +0000

In this week’s podcast, we discuss the very first mobile handset to feature Google’s Android phone - is it all hype, or does it bring something new to the mobile world?

Joined by Clare Hopping, editor of Know Your Mobile, we also look at Ryanair’s plans to make mobile calls available on their flights, wondering what sort of budget traveller is willing to pay

When text messages attack

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:32:20 +0000

In this week’s podcast we discuss the fallout from HP’s acquisiton of EDS along with the impact on IT staff and service providers following this week’s financial implosion in the City and Wall Street.

We also look at Orange’s efforts to woo more business customers, another government data loss, the danger of texting while driving and the appearance of Mick Jagger at the EU to discuss ecommerce issues.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

When flip phones and atoms collide

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:20:07 +0000

It’s the end of the world as we know it…. Or not as the CERN team successfully tested the Large Hadron Collider, the device that it hopes will reveal the so-called ‘God particle’. We discuss what the LHC project is all about, as well as reveal the IT implications of the project.

Also in the news, we look at RIM’s new flip phone BlackBerry, the government taking action against PA Consulting after it lost sensitive data and the cost of a potential fibre broadband rollout is shooting up even before a length of fibre has even been laid.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Google Chrome

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:11:49 +0000

In this week

When PC makers go bad

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:02:22 +0000

In this week

Prison data makes the great escape

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:20:56 +0000

In this week’s podcast we ask how data on 84,000 prisoners, as well as details of ex-convicts, found its way on to an unencrypted USB stick, in the latest in what looks like a long series of data breaches. Also on security, we look at facial recognition trials at Manchester Airport: exactly what are the security benefits of this latest biometrics scheme?

Meanwhile, on the hardware front, we cover the latest stories from Intel’s Developer Forum, which has just wrapped up in in San Francisco, and look at Palm’s latest smartphone offering, the Treo Pro. Is it enough to keep the company up there with Apple, RIM, HTC and Nokia?

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

Your government wants your data and RIM’s BlackBerry gets shiny

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:16:03 +0000

In this week’s podcast we take an in-depth look at the decision by TfL to cancel the multi-million pound IT services contract with TranSys to manage the under-fire Oyster card platform. We also take a look at new laptops from Dell, a very disruptive new BlackBerry from RIM, and Chip-and-PIN fraud.

We also discuss the merits of a government proposal to increase its snooping powers and to store copies of your data, in the interests of

In-flight surfing and when customers go missing

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:26:53 +0000

In this week

Hacker learns the meaning of stupidity

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:41:06 +0000

In this week’s podcast we discuss hacker Gary McKinnon’s failed attempt to avoid extradition to the US where he faces charges of tampering with defence computers.

Also, we give you the low-down on Cuil, the new search engine which claims it will give Google a run for its money. We are not so sure

Getting hooked on VMware

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:04:27 +0000

This week, the IT PRO has a pair of special guests to talk about the top news from the past week, starting with VMware’s move to make its hypervisor free - is it all just a ploy to undercut Microsoft and get us all hooked on virtualisation? Yeah, probably.

We also talk about Apple’s latest iPhone. Is it ready for business? Will CIOs buy them bulk for their staff? Or is nothing more than a fancy phone with an iPod attached… featuring sweet games like ‘lightsabre’? (insert swooshing sound here.)

And also in the news, the ongoing problems with Transport for London’s Oyster card. Is it just a coincidence that the London-wide system has crashed twice since hackers cracked it? And, possibly more importantly, what’s your favourite tube line?

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes, or just listen below.

The iPhone 3G - shiny and business-friendly

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:42:02 +0000

The long-awaited 3G version of the iPhone has finally gone on sale. There

World record web browser

itpro@dennis.co.uk (Chris Green) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:17:49 +0000

Firefox secures the first world record for first day downloads of a computer application, Viacom secures a landmark legal ruling against Google and solid state hard drives are about to get much cheaper for everyone.

You can download the IT PRO Podcast here, or click here to find The IT PRO Podcast on iTunes.