10 IT management software companies to watch; Google to the Moon

Daily News: AM This newsletter is sponsored by Credant Video: Majority Say iPods are a Security Risk In a recent survey hundreds of IT executives were asked how they view and use portable storage and media devices. And they were also asked how they protect their corporate data from these potentially troubling devices. Watch this video to get an understanding of how people are thinking about this threat. Network World Daily News: AM, 09/14/07 10 IT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE COMPANIES TO WATCH 10 that address everything from applications to security to storage management. GOOGLE TO THE MOON Google wants to give you $20 million. All you have to do is build a robot and send it to the Moon. CISCO LAUNCHES SECOND LIFE-LIKE SITE FOR RESELLERS, DEVELOPERS Cisco launched a virtual online 3-D world based on a trade-show motif today to enable its 40,000 global channel partners to meet and exchange information with application providers and device manufacturers. Network World Buyer's Guides Find the right products for your enterprise - fast. With seven categories - security, storage, convergence and VoIP, network infrastructure, network applications, wireless and LAN/WAN management - you can quickly pinpoint the hardware or software you need. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features and make the best purchase decisions for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Buyer's Guides now. MICROSOFT: 'SECRET' UPDATES WERE FOR WINDOWS UPDATE ITSELF Microsoft claims updates sent out to Windows XP and Vista machines without users knowing about them were for the Windows Update mechanism, though the company acknowledged it could have been more "transparent" before changing files on user computers. ALCATEL-LUCENT SLASHES FORECAST FOR YEAR Alcatel-Lucent cut its revenue forecast for the year on Thursday, underscoring the challenges the newly merged company faces in a highly competitive communications equipment industry. OUTSOURCING SAVINGS LOST TO POOR PROCESSES Manufacturing companies that turn to outsourcing without proper processes in place will lose the potential dollar savings outsourcing offers. FAQ: NTP'S PATENT SUITS EXPLAINED Frequently asked questions pertaining to NTP’s patent suits against four major telcos. WHY RUNNING A DATA CENTER IS LIKE PERFORMING OPEN HEART SURGERY Key to DVDPlay’s business is ensuring that IT runs as efficiently as possible. Otherwise, the business model that calls for renting DVDs for just $1.49 per night would quickly become unworkable. MICROSOFT, ACCENTURE SIGN $185M OUTSOURCING DEAL Microsoft on Thursday deepened its existing partnership with Accenture by signing a seven-year, $185 million outsourcing contract for a range of finance, accounting and procurement services that could become a showcase for Microsoft’s ERP applications. PODCAST HOW NOT TO TREAT CUSTOMERS Jason and Keith discuss several cases of poor customer service from IT-related companies, Google's boost for its enterprise applications, and why people won't be able to fly around in Cisco's Second Life-like virtual world. LIVE CHAT ENTERPRISE MESSAGING DEMYSTIFIED WITH MICHAEL OSTERMAN: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. EDT, Wed., Sept. 19. Text chat live with this popular newsletter columnist and consultant who will answer your questions on e-mail, enterprise search, instant messaging and unified communications, and anything else you want to ask. BLOGS TODAY AT CISCO SUBNET Cisco issued a security response to an IOS flaw that causes IOS devices to crash and reload after executing a command that uses either directly or indirectly, a regular expression. Cisco wants its partners to work together, but an issue called account control just keeps getting in the way, reports Channelguy. Cisco trainer reveals the answer to the CCENT mock test question he set previously. What was the answer and how long did it take you to answer it (be honest)? From the Field, blogger Michael Morris has a best practices way of separating labs from production systems using BGP. BUZZBLOG: THE NEXT 5 ITEMS GOOGLE MIGHT BUY FROM NASA Now that the Google boys have bought their way onto a private NASA landing strip near their company headquarters, what else might they be looking to purchase from our nation's space agency? Here's a list of possibilities. TODAY ON LAYER 8, WHERE WE'VE NEVER BELIEVED HONESTY IS ALWAYS THE BEST POLICY: Layer 8 tries to stay out of politics if at all possible, but we couldn't avoid this train wreck. Democratic White House hopeful Mike Gravel tols a debate audience this week: "I'm prepared to tell you that Americans are getting fatter and dumber. I have no problem saying that." That's OK, Mike, but it will be interesting to see if the general populace thinks Gravel is an honest friend giving an honest assessment or merely a dolt.

TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES: 1. Does 802.11n spell the end of Ethernet? 3. IBM uses Microsoft code in open-source effort 4. Cell phones at school: To ban or not to ban? 5. Internet domain name outlaw faces 20 years 6. AT&T going orange? Color me puzzled 7. Cisco, VMware demo data center integration 8. NASA silicon chips handle intense heat 9. Google wants into the car business 10. Sun now a Windows OEM MOST DOWNLOADED POCAST: Twisted Pair: Apple's gadgets give us the warm fuzzies

Contact the author: Questions? Feedback? Contact NetworkWorld.com Site Editor Jeff Caruso. This newsletter is sponsored by Credant Video: Majority Say iPods are a Security Risk In a recent survey hundreds of IT executives were asked how they view and use portable storage and media devices. And they were also asked how they protect their corporate data from these potentially troubling devices. Watch this video to get an understanding of how people are thinking about this threat. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007