Channel

Just weeks after the passing of one-time Novell CEO Ray Noorda -- a Microsoft hater if there ever was one, the two companies have publicly announced their love for each other. You've got to admit, the sight of Steve Ballmer shaking hands with recently appointed Novell CEO Ron Hovsepian was a bit strange.

This week, it seems everyone is piling on Dell, taking it to task for recalling 1.4 million laptop batteries. Well, I will, too: Dell has pulled this stunt before. Not once. Not twice. But five other times in the last six years. Is anybody in charge?

It's not likely that Microsoft's channel and partner programs will change in any substantial way as Bill turns to efforts philanthropic. He is, after all, mostly a technology guy, less of a sales guy. That's why from the company's earliest days, Bill brought in an outsider to run the business side.

A network integrator by day, and a professional wedding photographer by night. This small systems integrator unites two passions, and carves out a niche business as an expert in color management, color calibration, high-end fine-art inkjet printers that use archival pigmented inks, and more. He has evolved into an integrator to whom commercial and fine-art photographers can turn. This may not be the next step for the typical systems integrator, but if nothing else, we hope it gets your imaginative juices flowing.

One of the services we provide to clients is the crafting of case studies, those glowing 1,200-word essays that shine a spotlight on a customer of the client's products or services. And it made me wonder. Do you shine a spotlight on yourself?

Intransa Inc., a vendor of equipment for Internet Protocol-based storage area networks (IP SANs), has decided to license its management software to third parties, according to an Intransa executive.

Consider some of the custom wireless Palm OS applications that major corporations rely on. In the automotive world, BFGoodrich collects realtime data on tire performance during auto races. BMW dealers can access lease and credit data as they walk the lot with a potential customer. Volvo quality inspectors examine new cars and can report problems. In healthcare, physicians at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center use handhelds for instant access to clinical information, including lab test results and surgical reports. At Miami Children's Hospital, physicians and nurses track post-operative management of pediatric cardiac patients. In manufacturing, Caterpillar uses an application that interfaces directly with Caterpillar engines, providing realtime diagnostic information. Through the U.S. Navy's Handhelds at Sea initiative, Palm handhelds capture critical data on the flight decks of the carriers USS Constellation and USS Abraham Lincoln. And at Pepsi Cola Buffalo Bottling, sales reps enter orders and track inventory.

No doubt you've read the reports over the last couple of days that worldwide shipments of personal computers in 2004 grew 11.8 percent to 189 million units, according to market research firm Gartner. IDC, the other big research firm, had an even rosier report, saying that worldwide shipments of personal computers grew 13.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Gartner attributed the growth to strong sales of mobile PCs; IDC to strong demand from small- and medium-sized businesses, and holiday shoppers.

Every once in a while, I like to take quick hits at several different topics. Yes, kids, this is one of those weeks.