Decision Central
Bypass the technical jargon and marketing double-talk, and figure out what's best for your organization. Decision Central will help IT leaders identify the technologies that can have the biggest impac
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Deciding when it's time to quit
There are just some projects that refuse to die. They take on a life of their own. At some point, you just have to cut bait. But how do you decide when it's time to quit and just go on?
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Do smart phones really provide productivity gains?
There was a time when all you could do with a phone is talk. Now, with the iPhone, the Blackberry Storm and Google's Android phones, the ability to talk seems to be a minor feature. Has feature creep eliminated the productivity gains in these devices? Or are they worth all the bells and whistles?
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Deciding to create a culture of innovation
Innovation isn't one of those things that just happen. You have to make it happen. This video shows how one Internet entrepreneur dropped out of college to start a business built around innovation.
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If computers are like cars, then who's GM?
We often use cars as analogies for computers when trying to explain things to users. Can a further analogy be drawn? Is the computer industry also like the auto industry? Not exactly, although you could made a few comparisons.
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Sometimes it helps to be a little crazy
Einstein was famous for saying that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Einstein never worked in IT of course. And sometimes being a little crazy helps get things done.
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Do we really need one more mobile device?
Here's a video showing Intel CEO Paul Otellini demoing a new mobile Internet based device. After notebooks, netbooks, MIDs, and cell phones, do we really need one more mobile device? What do you think and how will it affect IT?
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Be an IT leader, not a lemming
You're supposed to be an IT leader - using your knowledge about technology to help improve the organization. But are you a lemming instead? Forget the stereotype, being a lemming might be worse that you think.
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Does Geek Squad give a good or bad impression of IT consultants?
Quite a few people don't deal with IT people directly in their line of work. Instead, they do so only when they have problems with technology we provide. Others only experience IT through customer support channels like Geek Squad. Does Geek Squad give a good impression or bad impression of IT?
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Name the key factor driving your voting decision
We're fortunate to live in a country where we get to help decide who are leaders are going to be. It's not always any easy choice, and you don't always get the best candidates to choose from. What are the key factors that help you decide who to vote for?
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How can TechRepublic help you decide about products?
A recent study by Jupiter Research and BuzzLogic has suggested that blogs are more influential in product decisions than friends on social networks. What can a site like TechRepublic, which has a mix of bloggers and social networking, do to help you make better product decisions?
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Process 300 million transactions a day without going crazy
And you think you've got a busy day. How'd you like to be the CIO responsible for processing 300 million transactions a day? This CIO Session video comes from ZDNet and discusses what Visa CIO Michael Dreyer has to do to keep Visa running smoothly.
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What influences you in making a final product decision?
When you have a product purchasing decision to make, there are usually dozens of different makes and models to choose from. Trying to sort out the differences isn't always easy to do without taking input from external sources. What things help influence you to make a final purchase decision?
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Make better decisions with less information
Is it possible to have too much information to make a decision? The obvious answer is yes, but what's key is how you define what 'too much' information is. By minimizing the amount of information about a situation, you can come up with a better decision making result.
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Is price no object to the typical Apple customer?
Apple recently freshened the Mac line, including souped up CPUs and new graphics from nVidia. What didn't change however was the Mac price point. Although there's now a (barely) sub-$1000 Mac, most Macs are higher priced compared to many Windows machines. Is price less of a factor to a Mac customer?
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If you sit out Vista, what are your alternatives?
Steve Ballmer has finally come out and said that it's ok with him if you sit out Vista and stick with XP until Windows 7 ships. But will you wait? And when 7 ships, will you sit out that as well?
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Destroying the planet one iPhone at a time
Your shiny new iPhone is killing the planet... and that new laptop too... and your server... along with every other piece of electronics you own. Here's a look at the environmental impact of how electronics are made and what to do about it.
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Microsoft shows the importance of not wavering in negotiations
Sometimes you can win by losing. Microsoft walked away from Yahoo, but at the same time probably 'won' by not upping its bid. It seems like the best way to win a negotiation is to do exactly what Microsoft did - draw a line in the sand and don't cross it.
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Deciphering the term "rich Internet application"
Web 2.0 has become a cliched term when it comes to describing Web sites. A new term has popped up to cover online applications: RIA or Rich Internet Application. Does it mean the same thing as Web 2.0?
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Beware of vendor lock-in upfront, or be prepared to pay later
Vendors don't love you. They love your money and your business. They'll be nice if that's what it takes to get your money at first, but after that, if they can lock you into their solution and keep draining your wallet, they will. Would a vendor really treat a customer that way? Read on.
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Business intelligence: New trend, retreaded buzzword, or oxymoron?
You've heard the buzzwords before: Business Intelligence. Data Mining. Decision Support Systems. What does Business Intelligence really mean and are we finally getting near to delivering to business the information it needs to succeed?
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Can you really declare independence from Microsoft?
Microsoft is kind of like the weather. Everybody complains about their software, but nobody does anything about. Can you *really* declare independence if you wanted to? I'm not so sure. Here's why.
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Are netbooks a growing trend or a passing fad?
Small form-factor laptops have popped up from nearly nowhere. Some people call the netbook the wave of the future. Others dismiss them as toys. Which is it?
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Believe it or not, you CAN make a business case for Windows Vista
Windows Vista is everyone's favorite whipping boy. But there are reasons to deploy Windows Vista other than to just get Aero Glass on your workstations. With an objective look at Vista matched to the needs of your organization, believe it or not, you can make a business case for Windows Vista.
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Be an IT leader, not a lemming
You're supposed to be an IT leader - using your knowledge about technology to help improve the organization. But are you a lemming instead? Forget the stereotype, being a lemming might be worse that you think.
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Are you "The Decider"?
Just because you're an IT *leader*, it doesn't mean you necessarily get to make the ultimate decision. Take our poll and see where you compare with other TechRepublic members in your powers of decision enforcement.
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Boil a frog to get things done
You can't cook a frog by tossing it in a pot of boiling water. It will jump right out. The same thing happens if you try to push major change in an organization. Make your decisions stick the same way you boil a frog - turn up the heat slowly.
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Break the stereotype of age affecting IT ability
Older IT workers may be viewed as not being current on the latest technologies. Younger IT workers may know the trends, but not know older systems. Either way, don't make the mistake of dating yourself.
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Building Enterprise 2.0 with Web 2.0 technologies
The buzzword Web 2.0 is kicked around quite a bit, but there's actually a little bit of something to it. This video from ZDNet shows how you can use Web 2.0 technologies to enhance information flow in your organization.
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Do smart phones really provide productivity gains?
There was a time when all you could do with a phone is talk. Now, with the iPhone, the Blackberry Storm and Google's Android phones, the ability to talk seems to be a minor feature. Has feature creep eliminated the productivity gains in these devices? Or are they worth all the bells and whistles?
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Do we really need one more mobile device?
Here's a video showing Intel CEO Paul Otellini demoing a new mobile Internet based device. After notebooks, netbooks, MIDs, and cell phones, do we really need one more mobile device? What do you think and how will it affect IT?