Stories by Anthony Doesburg

NZOSS to tackle SCO in court

Scepticism has abounded since SCO sued IBM in March for alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition and other nefarious actions related to IBM’s Linux business.

Welcome to issue # 1

Welcome to New Zealand Developer, a quarterly Computerworld supplement. Our intention is to provide you, the country’s development community, with information useful to your job.

Refunds wanted, not panic attacks

Microsoft was looking decidedly panic-stricken last week over the Windows hole that has let the Blaster worm through. For anyone who feels the company’s usual attitude to security issues is complacency, that must be a positive development.

Testing times at Jade Software

Developers looking for a change of pace might like to consider turning their hand to software testing. As testers, they’ll still get plenty of opportunity for writing code, but with some detective work thrown in.

Hard work ahead for NZSA

When a company as established as Christchurch's Jade Software is having to cut costs by a quarter and lay off scores of staff you have confirmation – if needed – that the software business is tough.

A jolly good night was had by all

There is life in the computer industry, and a good chunk of it was gathered in the Sheraton Hotel ballroom in Auckland on July 25. I say a good chunk but excellent is the adjective that was being bandied about on the night.

Govt should act to save e-trade

The lawyers were circling last week when the story broke — again — of Canada-based Ed Pool’s patent from which he hopes to reap royalties on “computer-to-computer” trade. Pool’s aspirations have been known since 2000 – on September 25 Computerworld published a front page story about his 1997 patent application, and we’ve followed developments off and on since then. Last week the story broke afresh when lawyers acting for Pool and associate Doug Mauer began getting heavy with New Zealand online traders. On the basis of his patent for a Borderless Order Entry System, he is demanding licence and transaction fees from New Zealand outfits using e-commerce to do business overseas. They’ve been given 14 days to comply but, needless to say, no one is keen on coughing up.

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