Technologies

Vembu: StoreGrid Online Backup Meets Amazon Cloud

• April 20, 2009

I must admit: I can’t keep pace with the number of software companies pushing their applications into Amazon’s cloud. The latest example comes from Vembu Technologies, which has launched their StoreGrid Online Backup virtual appliance for Amazon Web Services. Here is some info from Vembu plus the bigger picture for managed service providers. Until now, […]

Vembu: StoreGrid Online Backup Meets Amazon Cloud

• April 20, 2009

I must admit: I can’t keep pace with the number of software companies pushing their applications into Amazon’s cloud. The latest example comes from Vembu Technologies, which has launched their StoreGrid Online Backup virtual appliance for Amazon Web Services. Here is some info from Vembu plus the bigger picture for VARs and managed service providers. […]

Neuros Link: Tuning In HDTV, Using Ubuntu

• April 20, 2009

I recently came across an Ubuntu-based device that is designed for viewing streaming and local video content on an HDTV. The majority of content providers stream content with proprietary codecs using DRM (Digital Rights Management) that are only compatible with Windows. So, the manufacturer of this Ubuntu device could provide the necessary commercial pressure to […]

Lenovo Polishes Partner Program, Portal

• April 20, 2009

Seeking to drive Lenovo’s channel revenues north, Jay McBain (pictured) packed his bags and headed south. Indeed, McBain moved from Canada to Lenovo’s headquarters in North Carolina, in order to serve as the company’s new director for North American channel sales. The VAR Guy caught up with McBain last week to get a feel for his current priorities.

Untangle: OEMs Embrace Open Source Security Gateway

• April 20, 2009

After exiting the hardware market in mid-2008, Untangle’s open source security gateway business is skyrocketing. What’s the secret to Untangle’s apparent success? A growing list of OEM relationships certainly helps. Here’s the scoop, from The VAR Guy.

Ubuntu 9.04 Arrives, But Where Are the Channel Partners?

• April 20, 2009

Ubuntu Server Edition 9.04: Progress with HP

• April 20, 2009

During a phone briefing with media that continues right now, Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth said Ubuntu Server Edition 9.04 has been tested to run on 45 different server configurations from IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Lenovo and smaller providers. Shuttleworth also hinted that Canonical’s server relationship with HP is growing stronger. Here are the details.

Managed Print Services Conference: End-Users Welcome

• April 20, 2009

When it comes to managed services events, most conferences involve VARs and MSPs (managed service providers) sharing best practices with one another. But the Managed Print Services Conference is making a rather interesting move, building two conference tracks — one for end-users and one for channel partners. Here’s a look at the strategy. First, a […]

Oracle Buying Sun Microsystems

• April 20, 2009

I’m shocked. Oracle this morning announced plans to acquire Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion. The deal reorganizes the software landscape for managed service providers and VARs. And it also raises questions about what Oracle will do with all of that Sun hardware. From where I sit, this deal is about value (Oracle acquiring Sun at […]

Oracle Acquires Sun Microsystems: Software Synergies, Hardware Questions

• April 20, 2009

I’m shocked. Oracle this morning announced plans to acquire Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion. It’s not a traditional managed services story. But the deal reorganizes the software landscape for managed service providers and VARs. And it also raises questions about what Oracle will do with all of that Sun hardware. This deal is about value […]

Under the Radar Conference: 24 SaaS and Cloud Start-ups Take Center Stage

• April 19, 2009

Installfests: First Linux, Now Asterisk

• April 19, 2009

I’ve attended my share of Linux installation festivals (installfests), where open source volunteers typically take donated Windows PCs and revive them as Linux systems. Now, the installfest craze seems to have found a new calling: The Asterisk IP PBX market, where open source meets telephony.

Evolution Gripes

• April 19, 2009

I’ve used Evolution, the default email client in Ubuntu, for a couple of years to manage numerous mail accounts.  In general, I think it’s a great application.  But as with everything in life, there’s always room for improvement.  Below, I consider the most chronically frustrating and poorly designed aspects of Evolution, and how they could […]

ZaReason Readies Ubuntu 9.04 PCs, Servers

• April 18, 2009

Open Source Channel Alliance: The Real Deal?

• April 17, 2009

I’ve been reading recent announcements about the Open Source Channel Alliance and trying to figure out what it is really about. Sure it makes for good marketing but is there tangible value being delivered and is it a sustainable business model for open source today? At this point I’m not sure I really get it […]