You know a virus is big news when suddenly your users start asking about it instead of the usual “Good news” hoax variants (you know, “my friend’s brother’s uncle’s IT guy said don’t open an e-mail with the title ‘good news’ or it will melt your whole computer and eat your house. Microsoft has said there is NO cure !!!!!!”)

Now, good network admins already have their infrastructure under control – both for present and for future threats.

So, it’s prudent to send out an affirming message at this time letting your users know that they can have confidence their data will be protected from harm and they won’t suffer downtime.

Here are some template e-mails you can use – and not just for Windows, but for the Linux and MacOS guys too!

Impulse-buy retailer Zazz.com.au has sold computers in the past, but today’s deal is a special one to my heart. For less than $200 including freight you get a Dell Optiplex desktop computer with Ubuntu Linux loaded and guaranteed fully working. However, you only have today to go for it.

Read more …

This month iTWire had an “enterprise” focus so my Linux features were a bit thinner …

Linux
Linux ISVs gain tool to uncover lost license revenue
MySQL forks: Monty splits from Sun
Linux celebrates its 1234567890′th breath
Free software isn’t freeware, why FOSS has a higher standard
Dell select Linux to keep enterprise IT costs down
Which enterprise Linux to choose?

Enterprise
A CIO’s guide to relevancy during a recession
Why 90% of production databases aren’t indexed properly
Virtualisation’s dirty little secret
BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 on track to return on investment
Workforce management software brings positive benefits
BlackBerry browser may be on the improve?

Misc topical
The Pirate Bay trial – summary of week one (and the King Kong defence!)
Kaspersky patch own back yard but delude self
Google went down as quick as a slash, whole Internet harmful

I’ve been trying to get into Microsoft LINQ and came across this excellent Microsoft Press book, “Programming Microsoft LINQ.”

It covers just what LINQ is and how to use it, beginning with in-memory objects before moving onto relational databases and XML and then covering some advanced topics like parallelisation.

Here’s my full review.

Hi Coders,

March is already upon us and it’s time for the Newcastle Coders Group meeting.

When: 6.00pm Wednesday 4th March 2009
Where: Forsythes IT and Training Rooms – 9 Denison Street, Newcastle West
Cost: FREE!

This Wednesday we’ll be asking the question Windows 7 – How can you be sure you’ll be ready?

Windows 7 is just around the corner and you can be sure that some of your users will have it on their machines. This session walks you through the things you need to be aware of as a software or web developer to make sure your application or site runs well under this new OS. The second part of the session will cover the things you can do to really make your applications shine by taking advantage of this broad platform.

Andrew Coates is a Developer Evangelist for Microsoft in Australia. Before joining Microsoft, Andrew was an independent consultant specialising in database applications using Microsoft technologies including SQL Server, Visual FoxPro and Microsoft Office. Andrew’s wide range of experience includes telecommunications, SMB inventory, dispatch and accounting systems, using both web and rich client front ends. He has developed and delivered class room training and has mentored a number of developers in Visual FoxPro and SQL Server technologies. Andrew blogs at http://blogs.msdn.com/acoat. If you’ve been to one of Andrew’s presentations previously you’ll know he’s a passionate advocate of technology always entertaining.

We haven’t yet found a pizza sponsor for March but those of you have recently visited the website you would have seen CSA’s logo proudly displayed on the front page. If your company would like to help support the group, if only for one month, please contact me!

All are welcome and there’s no cost so bring along your friends and collegues who have an interest in learning more about software development. Please RSVP if you plan to attend so that we can plan for numbers.

See you there.