More NOSes and Server Software In Depth

Make Web Apps More Manageable With Minimalist for Everything

Google Reader and Gmail are two of the most customizable Web apps available today. Need a different inbox layout? Sure thing. Want to change the colors or visual density? No problem. Still, some interface elements, like the Google Bar at the top of the window, will never go away, no matter what you do. If you wish they did, try free Chrome extension Minimalist for Everything.

Legacy Systems Get a Tuneup

Given economic realities these days, not every company can justify getting rid of systems that are still working, however shakily. Here are some ways to make legacy hardware more responsive to today's business needs. Insider (registration required)

Fundamental Oracle flaw revealed

A design decision made by Oracle architects long ago may have painted some of Oracle's largest customers into a corner. Patches have arrived, but how much will they correct?

Flaw in web app frameworks pushes Microsoft to patch ASP.net promptly

Many web app frameworks are vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack targeting the way they handle hash tables, researchers revealed Wednesday, prompting Microsoft to announce an "out-of-band" patch for its ASP.NET platform just hours later.

The new Novell

Novell, which was acquired by The Attachmate Group in April, wants to regain its status as an IT icon and will try to do so by focusing its efforts on its core assets and rebuilding relationships with its huge installed base. Network World Editor in Chief John Dix recently caught up with Novell President Bob Flynn and VP of Product Management and Marketing Eric Varness for a briefing on their rebuilding plans. Insider (registration required)

10 best new features of Windows Server 8

With Windows Server 8, Microsoft has outdone itself, from a revamped UI to hundreds of new features, including vastly improved virtualization management

Apple's OS X server strategy: Data centers for everyone

In addition to a variety of new features, Mac OS X 10.7 'Lion' is getting something all new: Lion Server, which will be bundled with it for free.

Ensuring your business's safety

In the 1995 film "Hackers" the lead character downloads sensitive information to a floppy disk. Today, of course, advances in technology have yielded equally advanced security threats. Consider news reports in the past year about computers compromised by botnets. Businesses face daily threats from these and other cybersecurity dangers that are further enhanced by increased reliance on new business communications and computing tools.

IBM expands analytics with $1.7 billion Netezza buy

Netezza's high-performance analytics capabilities will be added to IBM's offerings

Microsoft System Center 2010: Hands on with Essentials and Data Protection Manager

Microsoft-centric shops of most sizes will find these systems management tools helpful, Jonathan Hassell says.

Are you stuck with Oracle's and IBM's middleware control?

As the two giants buy up other providers, IT may see higher costs -- and the cost of switching providers is often even worse

Has Microsoft redeemed itself?

Windows 7, the 2010 server series, and more have helped repair Microsoft’s reputation

Opinion: In depth with Apple's Snow Leopard Server

Ryan Faas digs in to explain the new networking, performance and collaboration options in Apple's Snow Leopard Server.

Image gallery: Opinion: In depth with Apple's Snow Leopard Server

Ryan Faas goes in depth to explain the new networking, performance and collaboration options in Apple's Snow Leopard Server.

Analysts: Microsoft enterprise licensing still challenging

Despite efforts from Microsoft over the years to simplify its software licensing for businesses, a new analyst report said it's more complex than ever for companies to figure out the most cost-effective way to acquire products from the vendor.

Review: Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM

It's the best version of Windows Server to hit yet, our reviewer says. But it's a 64-bit operating system and it isn't for absolutely every Windows shop.

Hands-on with Windows Server 2008 R2: The Windows File Classification Infrastructure

Windows file classification lets administrators set up rules that apply and enforce classifications of data stored on the network, whether it's by file type, name, location or other criteria. Then Windows can automatically apply policy according to those classifications.

Hands on with Windows Server 2008 r2: Admin tools

New in today's Windows Server 2008 r2 release candidate: PowerShell cmdlets that let you manage Active Directory quickly and efficiently and an administrative console that exposes the power of those cmdlets to more graphically oriented users.

How to build your own Windows Home Server rig

Windows Home Server makes light work of sharing files, streaming media and performing automatic backups from multiple PCs. We'll show you how to build your own home server by recycling an old PC or building out a bare-bones machine.

Hands on with Windows Server 2008 R2: DirectAccess

Microsoft's DirectAccess, new to Windows Server 2008 R2, promises an always-on connectivity infrastructure -- but requires IPv6, or a work-around, and Windows 7.