Stories by Randal Jackson

NZ yet to fully benefit from ICT-enabled productivity: Commission

Businesses rushed to trim costs and staff numbers following the 2008 worldwide economic downturn. It is instructive, therefore, to look at some of the numbers revealed from one of the surveys in the Productivity Commission’s second interim report, now out for consultation.

Industry group welcomes changes to education budget

Prime Minister John Key’s announcement that the government will budget $359 million over the next four years for major changes to education, including targeted investment for ICT teaching, is described as “great news” by Paul Matthews, chief executive of the Institute of IT Professionals.

Can crypto-currencies become real currency?

Many countries are still grappling with the issues of crypto-currencies such as Bitcoin, of which there are east 70. China’s central bank, for example, has ordered financial institutions to halt bitcoin-related services and products.

Ransomware: a Christmas present no one wants

Browsing on my PC during the festive season, I was hit with the nastiest piece of malware I’ve ever had to deal with. An official looking message popped up, replete with NZ Police logo, telling me that I had in some way broken the law and was subject to jail sentences and fines. These would go away if I paid $100 to “The State” by using Ukash, a form of bitcoin.

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