Ministry questions legal status of online auctions
The status of on-line “auction” sites such as TradeMe in the light of the Consumer Guarantees Act and the legislation governing traditional live auctions is once again being questioned.
Stories by Stephen Bell, Computerworld
NZ now tier one with Microsoft
Microsoft has officially designated this country “Tier One”, meaning Microsoft products will become available here at the same time as larger markets on the first launch “wave” such as the US, Japan, Germany, Singapore and Australia.
Auditor-General discounts reverse auction concerns
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has discounted fears that the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) may be flouting OAG procurement guidelines in looking at reverse auctions for government procurement.
Economy the focus at Fuji Xerox opening
Not many new-office opening functions pack in as much as Fuji Xerox’s launch of its new Wellington base last week.
Stop talking product, NZX CEO tells IT start-ups
When start-up companies talk product to investors, instead of talking business, they’re asking them to buy into a dream, NZ Stock Exchange CEO Mark Weldon told an IT audience in Wellington last month.
IT certification applications roar away
Applications for the IT Certified Professional qualification (ITCP), created by the NZ Computer Society (NZCS), have been flowing in at a high rate, said its CEO Paul Matthews last week; “and we haven’t even launched it yet”.
Formal launch of the ITCP is planned for August 1, but from June 15, applications were accepted from existing NZCS members and members of some parallel overseas organisations, who get access to a “fast-track” approval procedure.
Xero zooms on back of three triumphs
Xero chairman Phil Norman and CEO Rod Drury have similar perceptions of the reasons for a marked rise in the value of Xero shares over the past few weeks.
Microsoft supplies patches to pirates
A Microsoft security expert says the company will continue to supply free patches to users, even if they have pirated software.
School ICT funds a downpayment on $1.5b promise
An investment of $34 million in improved ICT for schools, announced as part of a package of infrastructure investments by finance minister Bill English this week, is part of the government's $1.5 billion broadband budget, not additional money, a spokeswoman for education minister Anne Tolley confirms.
MoRST to boost science with grid middleware
The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology is looking for ideas on how best to spend $840,000, plus GST, on middleware for grid computing.
Commercial ICT group one step closer to formation
A meeting of ICT company representatives on Tuesday brought the possible formation of a commercial industry group one step closer – but there is still no firm commitment to form the group, says Phil O’Reilly, chief executive of Business New Zealand, who co-ordinated the meeting.