Natural Defenses - Would you believe that the Pentagon is now turning biologists' knowledge of evolution into a computer program to predict terrorist threats? So, just what is it that biologists know that can help the defense department? Andrew Parker, Royal Society research fellow at Oxford University explains it this way. "To understand the thinking behind the idea, picture the [evolutionary or] Cambrian explosion as an arms race. An eye evolved in one animal, representing a revolutionary new weapon - perhaps the greatest ever. Other life then reacted to deal with the weapon. What followed was a cycle of evolutionary one-upmanship - predators evolved to outwit prey, and prey in turn bolstered their defenses. ... In short, knowledge of the way creatures evolved to counter emerging threats may give defense officials tips on how to deal with the new threats to themselves."

Who Needs Real Writers Anyway? - In the not too distant future, that mystery novel that you pick up at the local Barnes & Noble just might be written by a guy named Brutus. Now Brutus isn't some hack writer; well he may be a hack writer, but he isn't human. He's a computer. Want a sample of his work? "Dave Striver loved the university - its ivy-covered clocktowers, its ancient and sturdy brick, and its sun-splashed verdant greens and eager youth. The university, contrary to popular opinion, is far from free of the stark unforgiving trials of the business world: academia has its own tests, and some are as merciless as any in the marketplace. A prime example is the dissertation defense: to earn the Ph.D., to become a doctor, one must pass an oral examination on one's dissertation. This was a test Professor Edward Hart enjoyed giving." See, I told you he was a hack writer!

It's a Jungle Out There - USA Today recently did an experiment. Just how long would it take for a new computer hooked up to the internet to become attacked by unauthorized intruders? "The machines tested were types popular with home users and small businesses. They included: four Dell desktop PCs running different configurations of the Window XP operating system, an Apple Macintosh and a Microtel Linspire, which uses the Linux operating system. Each PC was connected to the Internet via a broadband DSL connection and monitored for two weeks in September." So what were the results? Break-in attempts began immediately. Ben Edelman, a researcher at Harvard University in Massachusetts, did a similar type of experiment and got the same scary results.

Anthropology is the Key to Software Development - Find out how the concept of Anthropology, yes, Anthropology is so important in software development. Come to our next free 90 minute "Taste of Success" seminar focused on High-Tech Anthropology. A high-touch solution for a high-tech world.  Bring your toughest software project stories to share.  See you on December 16!

Managing Software's Complexity - Is the answer to creating really solid software, better tools for software developers or is a more effective process needed for creating it the real solution? The Economist magazine offers some suggestions, one being the following. "There are five steps involved in creating a piece of software: enumerating the requirements; designing the program; actually writing the code; testing it; and then deploying it. Traditionally and naturally enough, this was seen as a sequential process. However, John Swainson, soon to have the top job at Computer Associates points out that by the time an organization gets around to deploying a piece of software, its requirements have often already changed. This, he says, means that an 'iterative' model, in which an organization continually cycles through the five phases, makes more sense than the traditional 'waterfall' which puts them in sequence." Gee, at Menlo we have been preaching this approach for years. Maybe others are finally starting to listen. [registration req'd]

The Hidden Risk of Demo CDs - Libe Goad of eWeek, relays this tale of caution, "In mid-November, members of Sony's PlayStation Underground received the Holiday Demo Disc and discovered that after executing one of the game demos on the disc, their PS2 memory cards were completely erased. While that doesn't mean much to nongamers, for anyone who has spent 40-plus hours building a character in a role-playing game or playing through a season of football, well, it's a huge boot in the trousers. ... There's more to the story than a handful of gamers losing their saved game files." The implications of such a glitch can be huge for all of us consumers.

Great High-Tech Gift Giving Ideas - According to Wired magazine, "It's been a good year for gadgets. Perennial favorites like phones, TVs, and digicams rolled out with jaw-dropping new features. Advanced tech seeped into apparel and sporting goods -- and even car dashboards got an upgrade. Just in time for the holidays, Wired's crack squad of geeks rounded up 129 of the latest, greatest gizmos on the planet." So, which ones will end up on your list?

Rest In Peace VHS - With the advent of DVD players, it's no surprise that the VHS format of video tape is going the way of vinyl records and 8 track tape. CNet reports that "Britain's biggest ... electronics retailer Dixons has announced that it's taking VCRs off its shelves for good....For more than 25 years, VHS dominated the world home entertainment market after [fending] off a challenge from Sony's Betamax in the early 1980s." So soon VHS tapes and recorders will join its Sony rival as a relict of an earlier time.

Need a Speaker for an Upcoming Event? - We love public speaking (yes, we really do!) and are happy to deliver inspiring messages focused on business success with information technology. Call us at (734) 665-1847 to schedule your next event. Look here for a list of some of the topics that we've spoken about in the past.