This newsletter ends the UNIX and Windows Integration saga. I hope that this series has provided some small nuggets of help to those involved in the thankless job of managing cross platform solutions. 

As you go forward you will notice an increased sensitivity among vendors to provide solutions that will make your jobs less tedious. Despite the black eye given by the media to Microsoft for its heavy handedness, this company offers an incredible array of technologies including Services for UNIX 3.0. Another set of "good guys" in the field, the folks at MKS offer their UNIX to Windows tool sets and development environment. On the enterprise side, Computer Associates is doing all the right things to make cross platform environment management a reality. Sun and IBM have made noises about interoperability, but remain highly proprietary. Take heart though, because the pressures of the marketplace demand that all vendors deal with baseline and advanced system integration issues.

As for me, my new venture, Secure Logistix Corporation, is launching a series of security risk assessment and enforcement products -- starting with Secure Financial -- that we believe has great promise. Also look for my next book to hit the shelves in a few weeks entitled, "The Ultimate Windows .NET 2003 System Administrators Guide" (Addison Wesley). And don't be surprised to find me back at ITworld.com on occasion.

Happy trails to you all .... Bob