Oracle offers scaled-down version of Database Machine
Citing customer demand, Oracle has unveiled a half-size version of the HP Oracle Database Machine. Read more...

Zoom zoom: Upstarts speed past big BI vendors in data warehouse loading speeds

Oracle 11g R2, Middleware 11g coming soon

Users, analysts cite potential benefits and pitfalls of IBM buying Sun

16 ways IT can do less with less

CA unwraps storage software for cutting IT costs, complexity

Microsoft to switch cloud SQL Server from Web APIs to relational one

Analytics vendors Aleri and Coral8 agree to merge

Survey: Most Oracle Shops Don't Mandate Use of Security Patches

Most Oracle database shops don't mandate use of security patches, survey says

More Databases Stories

Slacker databases break all the old rules
So you've got some data to store. In the past, the answer was simple: Hook up an official database, pour the data into it, and let the machine sort everything out for you while you spend your time writing big checks to the database manufacturer. Now things aren't so cut and dry. A fresh round of exciting new tools is tacking the two letters "db" onto a pile of code that breaks with the traditional relational model. Old database administrators call them "toys" and hint at terrible dangers to come from the follies of these young whippersnappers. The whippersnappers just tune out the warnings because the new tools are good enough and fast enough for what they need.

Open source and SaaS offerings rethink the DB
The world of low-rent key-value storage silos is exploding. Here's a list of some of the more prominent new projects:

10 IT agenda items for the first U.S. CIO
Last week, President Barack Obama made good on his promise to appoint a national tech leader for the United States. As the country's first-ever CIO, Vivek Kundra faces significant challenges modernizing the nation's IT infrastructure and will be charged to do so at a time when self-interests and a lack of industry oversight threaten not only our freedoms and privacy but also the long-term innovation potential of IT.

Q&A;: Where today's data centers have gone wrong
Afcom CEO Jill Eckhaus talks about how data centers got where they are today, what's gone wrong, what they'd be wise to concentrate on right now and one bright spot amid the economic uncertainties.

Thumbs-up to FileMaker upgrade
A wonderfully easy-to-use desktop database product that runs on Windows and the Mac, FileMaker Pro is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as departments of large and enterprise-sized businesses. FileMaker is simple enough for the office technologist to set up, and for almost anyone in the office to use.

Database Crime Scene Prevention
A good detective understands the criminal mind, techniques, and tools of the trade. To protect your database and prevent it from becoming a crime scene, it is crucial to understand the common methods of attack, data theft, and cover up techniques. The suspect line-up can come from outside hackers and from within the ranks of trusted employees, contractors, and partners. Some threats are easily prevented or contained; while others more elusive. Fortunately, many of the security mechanisms and tools required to protect databases are readily available.

Privacy: It's the databases, stupid
There are plenty of reasons to be outraged about the recent revelation that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroid use. But the one that gets me is this: Supposedly anonymous data, which was supposedly destroyed, has instead been splashed all over the newspapers.

Q&A;: Advice to the next Homeland Security CPO
Outgoing CPO of the Department of Homeland Security Hugo Teufel discusses his teams accomplishments and the challenges ahead for his successor.

Bush's exit to put new e-records system to the test
The National Archives received only 32 million e-mails from the Clinton administration eight years ago, but in a few months, it expects to get hit with 50 times that from the Bush administration, which has exacerbated the problem by dragging its feet in supplying the data.

Hot Jobs: Data Modeler
If database administrators are jet pilots, then data modelers are aerospace engineers, performing the initial design work that enables production systems and applications to use data and drive business processes.

Editors' Picks

Apple's all-in-one iMac hits the sweet spot of style and performance -- and the stunning 24-in. model starts at $300 less than before. Think of a souped-up smartphone with innovative interfaces, from which you can access everything from anywhere (see MIT Media Lab video). Microsoft's IE8 browser offers cool features, better security, and improved performance. But is that enough to win users back from Firefox? Apple rumor predicts netbook. Lenovo 'leaks' old prototype. Coincidence?

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Embracing Next-Generation Mobile Platforms to Solve Business Problems (Source: Sybase) In this White Paper, IDC analyzes the role of next-generation mobile enterprise platforms as organizations seek a more strategic deployment of mobile solutions. Understand why mobility is important to enterprise customers; discusses key past obstacles across technology, supplier deployment, and customer adoption; and identifies vital criteria for choosing a next-generation platform. Mobile Device Management for Dummies Managing Mobility in the Enterprise - a Jack Gold Whitepaper IBM TS7650G ProtecTIER™ Enterprise-class Data De-duplication Simple, Reliable, Fast De-duplication, Data Protection Platform Guidelines for the Evaluation of Enterprise De-Duplication Solutions Evaluating Enterprise-Class VTLs: The IBM System Storage TS7650G ProtecTIER De-duplication Gateway Reversing the Requirement for Storage Growth - IBM Consolidates and Simplifies Tier-2 Storage MarketVibe: The State of Data Governance in Enterprises Today Always-on Windows® Server - Mission Impossible? Think Again. Bad Broker Data is Bad for Business Dedupe-Centric Storage for General Applications Inventory Management Clustering System on JBoss Enterprise Middleware Keeping Pace with Changing Business Needs Improving correspondence management for financial services firms with Adobe® LiveCycle® ES Real Reuse for Requirements An Innovative Approach to Managing Software Requirements Critical Data Protection Creating Predictable IT Strategies in an Unpredictable Business Climate Linux Adoption in a Global Recession: An IDC Whitepaper SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Deployment Approach Guide More White Papers

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"U.S. airlines are taking some fledgling steps towards (gasp!) more personalized customer service using CRM systems -- but they're hampered..." Read more "AppZero, Vue,GoView,Document Depository Corp and BitGravity all moved the ball forward in developing new, interesting business applications..." Read more More Business Intelligence Blogs See all Computerworld Blogs

In Depth: Apple's Leopard leaps to new heights A refined look, revamped apps and new options build on an already solid OS foundation. Read more...

Work Less. Deliver More. We are talking about fewer reports to create & schedule. Automatic report delivery day or night. Secure end user access to live interactive reports. Learn how in this complimentary podcast with Crystal Reports® Server 2008 — take the rush out of IT. Listen to this podcast now

Best Places to Work in IT Where can you earn top dollar, get the best benefits, the latest IT and more? Find out in our 14th annual survey.