Stories by John Fontana

  • Domino plans enrage users

    Lotus Software Group last week stunned its users when it pulled a key piece of technology from the forthcoming release of Domino, igniting a user backlash that questioned the future of the product as a Web-based development platform.

  • XML spec for directory access nears completion

    By the end of the year, the group working on an XML-based standard for directory access expects to deliver a specification that would define how applications running on the Web or mobile devices can access a directory without needing a special client, as required with the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.

  • Microsoft bends on software license deadline

    Companies under financial pressure by the October start date for Microsoft's new software licensing program say the vendor agreed to push the deadline for enrollment out another five months in response to threats of platform defections and other protests.

  • REPORT CARD: Deciphering Microsofts .Net strategy

    Microsoft describes its .Net strategy as software that lives on the Internet instead of coming in shrink-wrapped packages. Simple description - not so simple a concept. In its basic form, .Net consists of development tools, server software and devices that are smart enough to run applications locally or at the server. Also included is pre-built code that can snap into other applications.

  • Tool sizes up Exchange migration costs

    Enterprises planning to migrate from Exchange 5.5 to the 2000 version of the messaging and collaboration system aren't likely to find it that arduous, according to Meta Group research.

  • OSA adds MS SMS mix

    Integrators trying to extend support to a growing number of mobile workers may get a helping hand from the newest version of an automated software distribution and management package aimed at taming road warriors.

  • Novell and MS square up over standards

    Directory heavyweights Novell and Microsoft are matching wits again, this time with competing proposals to the same standards body for creating an XML-based protocol that promises to foster integration between disparate enterprise directories.

  • Linux, Windows both show strong growth

    It's been a tough 12 months for Microsoft, including this week's appeal of an antitrust ruling to break the company in two and the tanking of its stock price, but the software giant appears to be proving it can take a solid punch or two and keep on fighting.

  • Microsoft disputes Win 2000 research

    IT executives looking to pump up the performance on their back-end systems by marrying Gigabit Ethernet and Windows 2000 may want to take another look under the operating system's hood.