Hard-hitting IT commentator Dr Simon Moores gives his personal take
on the hot issue of the day.
Thirty-seven holes! One vulnerability in your software is bad
enough, but 37?
According to the Internet security watchdog CERT, Larry Ellison's
vision of "unbreakable" database and application server software
lets in the rain and, quite possibly, 37weasels too!
Over the past five years or so, many of us in the industry have
started taking Larry's predictions and statements with a pinch of
salt. He leads a huge and successful business, one that has the
confidence and respect of thousands of customers.
But when dazzling Larry stands up on stage and bets a million
dollars that his software is better than Bill Gates's or that the
Network Computer will kill the PC, you just know it's all going to
go dreadfully pear-shaped.
Personally, I'm in favour of starting my own "Honest Computing"
campaign. It's an award I'll make every year to the company whose
software does exactly what it says in the box.
Unfortunately, after 20 years' writing about and reviewing products
and technology trends, I doubt that I'll find anyone to give the
award to. It's all rather like magician James Randi's offer of
$1,000 000 to anyone, including Uri Geller, who can demonstrate
unequivocal evidence of the paranormal in front of him. Perhaps he
and Oracle should get together soon!
Do you know any software that does exactly what it says on the
box? If so, we'd like to hear from you >>Zentelligence: Setting the world to rights with the collected
thoughts and ramblings of the futurist writer, broadcaster and
Computer Weekly columnist Simon Moores.