Stories by Rafael Ruffolo

Is virtualization adoption recession-proof?

Despite declining IT operating budgets, virtualization adoption will dramatically accelerate and continue to top the priority list CIOs in 2009, says VMware's Canadian country manager Grant Aitken. But despite the virtualization giant's rosy forecast, industry observers remain much more cautious.

Outmaneuver before you're outsourced

If you work in data center operations, at the help desk of an IT call center, or as a programmer for an aging coding language like COBOL, it might be time to consider a new career path, according to a former Forrester Research analyst.

The ultimate e-commerce software shopping list

To avoid getting lost in today's constantly evolving online marketplace, you should be looking to upgrade your e-commerce system within the next six to 12 months.

Virtual servers not always safe

Many IT administrators out there thhttps://secure.idg.com.au/admin/index.php?jid=1&l=1ink that deploying virtual servers will make their VMs bulletproof to security vulnerabilities and malicious attacks. But according to virtualization security experts like Edward L. Haletky, IT managers will be surprised to learn at how much more they can to do protect their virtual infrastructure.

EMC adds Facebook-like capability to Documentum

EMC is mixing Facebook-like functionality and features into the newest version of its Documentum enterprise content management product suite.

Virtualization for newbies

Virtualization may seem like a simple bolt-on technology for early adopters, but it will lead to a revolution in your infrastructure architecture, according to a Forrester Research analyst. But, of course, that's only if you know what you're doing.

Making sure that lost iPhone doesn't get you burned

If you haven't implemented a mobile device policy, now is the time to start, according to an Info-Tech Research Group analyst.

Home of the underdogs

"As an IT manager, are you going to put your reputation on the line that five guys from a small startup in Vancouver are to deliver for your organization," asked Jevon MacDonald, blogger and co-founder at StartupNorth.ca.

Canadian man proposes Wikipedia of body parts

A Canada-based entrepreneur wants to create the world's biggest database on the human body.

Red Hat founder speaks against Canada's copyright reform

Lulu Inc. CEO Bob Young is a major voice in the open source software industry, but according to him the entire community has been unjustifiably ignored throughout the Canadian government's copyright reform initiatives.

Mozilla's dev team shares Firefox secrets

If you're thinking about open sourcing a project in the near future, Mozilla Corp. might be the perfect blueprint to follow.

Aussies follow Canadian lead on data breach guide

Canadian data breach notification guidelines -- jointly created by the Information and Privacy Commissioners for British Columbia and Ontario -- have made their way to the land down under.

IBM: Fixed prices for IT projects are unethical

If your IT projects are consistently late and over budget, chances are you haven't implemented Agile software development practices.

Inside the black market 'bug trade'

The black market for software vulnerabilities is booming, with bugs regularly being sold for thousands of dollars a piece online. And one of the only ways to reduce this steady stream of hacks, according to Geekonomics author and IT security pro David Rice, is for software companies to simply write better code.

Can game console technology find roadside bombs?

While it can already be found in some of the most popular handheld devices and video game consoles, Canada-based Quanser Consulting hopes to take haptic technology -- which merges tactile sensation and control to interaction with computer applications -- to uncharted terrain with a tour of duty in the Canadian military.