Operating systems software
Competition among operating system (OS) suppliers is growing, with new OS products being developed for emerging platforms such as smartphones and netbooks. Microsoft Windows is still the most important product for businesses, but Linux, Mac OS and Unix offer important alternatives, along with device-specific OS such as Android and Chrome. We examine the operating system software choices facing IT managers.
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News
03 Sep 2025
IT departments face huge Windows 10 support bill
When Windows 10 reaches end-of-life on October 14th, organisations will need to purchase an Extended Support contract to receive Microsoft patches Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2025
Moscow exploiting seven-year-old Cisco flaw, says FBI
US authorities warn of an uptick in state-sponsored exploitation of a seven-year-old vulnerability in Cisco's operating system software Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Aug 2025
What is defragmentation?
Defragmentation, also known as 'defragging' or 'defrag,' is the process of rearranging the data on a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), to ensure efficient storage and access. Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2025
Integrated platforms offer lifeline to Singapore’s F&B sector
A partnership between payments firm Adyen and restaurant operating system provider Atlas is helping merchants to streamline operations, slashing errors by up to 80% and boosting sales as the sector faces record closures Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jun 2025
What is Microsoft Windows 10?
Windows 10 is a Microsoft operating system (OS) for PCs, tablets and some internet of things devices. Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2025
Kaspersky calls for cyber immunity amid growing cyber threats
The rise of professional cyber crime groups and state-sponsored actors targeting critical infrastructure requires a move towards inherently secure ‘cyber immune’ systems, says Kaspersky CEO Eugene Kaspersky Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Apr 2025
What is an executable file (EXE file)?
An executable file (EXE file) is a computer file that contains an encoded sequence of instructions the system executes when the user clicks the file icon. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2025
How to troubleshoot Intune enrollment with Autopilot
Most devices go through Intune Autopilot enrollment without any issues, but when problems arise, IT needs to be ready to act. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Feb 2025
Secure software procurement in 2025: A call for accountability
Outgoing CISA chief Jen Easterly called on buyers to demand better security standards from their software suppliers. The Security Think Tank considers what better means, and what best practice for secure software procurement looks like in 2025. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Jan 2025
What is DOS (Disk Operating System)?
A DOS, or disk operating system, is an operating system (OS) that runs from a disk drive. The term can also refer to a particular family of disk operating systems, most commonly MS-DOS (Microsoft DOS). Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2024
iOS vuln leaves user data dangerously exposed
Jamf threat researchers detail an exploit chain for a recently patched iOS vulnerability that enables a threat actor to steal sensitive data, warning that many organisations are still neglecting mobile updates Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Dec 2024
What is system software?
System software is a type of computer program designed to run a computer's hardware and application programs. Thinking of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2024
Inside Grab’s platform strategy
Grab’s group CTO talks up the super app’s platform strategy, architecture and organisational structure behind its growth across diverse Southeast Asian markets Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Oct 2024
What is an operating system (OS)?
An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other application programs in a computer. Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2024
SUSE sees growth in multi-Linux support and containers
SUSE CEO talks up the company’s double-digit growth, fuelled by demand for its multi-Linux support offering, Rancher container platform and focus on artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2024
Cups Linux printing bugs open door to DDoS attacks, says Akamai
The Cups Linux printing vulnerabilities disclosed at the end of September would seem to have a nasty sting in their tail, according to researchers at Akamai Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2024
Printing vulnerability affecting Linux distros raises alarm
Security pros need to get in front of a series of vulnerabilities affecting the Cups Linux printing service after an apparently botched disclosure process saw technical details published in advance of a patch Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2024
Linus Torvalds discusses Linux development, security and AI at KubeCon
Linus Torvalds delves into the challenges in Linux development, the importance of swift security responses, and artificial intelligence’s future role in kernel programming Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Aug 2024
User mode vs. kernel mode: OSes explained
Kernel mode exists to keep user applications from disrupting critical system functions. Learn how each state works and what can happen when an error occurs in kernel mode. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
30 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike blue screen bug serves a stark warning
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we analyse the lessons from the global IT outage caused by the blue screen bug in CrowdStrike security software. We talk to the data chief of Barilla, the €4bn pasta maker, about the benefits of asking, “So what?” And we find out how Finland is taking a lead on quantum computing. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike chaos: Enterprises urged to take protective action in wake of botched software update
Enterprises that emerged unscathed from the roll-out of the botched CrowdStrike software update are being urged to view it as a wake-up call rather than a lucky escape Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2024
Apple adopts ChatGPT to put the ‘A’ in AI
At its worldwide developer conference, Apple updated macOS and iOS, making Siri more context-aware Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Jun 2024
Drilling into data to help the UK’s energy transition
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how data is accelerating the UK’s energy transition to net zero. With Windows 10 support ending next year, we examine the issues around preparing to upgrade to Windows 11. And we explore the key considerations when deploying artificial intelligence infrastructure to harness its full potential. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
28 May 2024
Digital border problems are stacking up
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the government’s post-Brexit plans for digital borders as problems begin to emerge. We find out about AI PCs and ask whether they will make any difference for enterprise IT. And we talk to Red Hat CEO Matt Hicks about the open source opportunities from AI. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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21 May 2024
Supporting a distributed workforce
The need to support hybrid or fully remote workers has changed the dynamics of end-user computing support. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2024
IT strategy: Supporting a distributed workforce
The idea of supporting hybrid or fully remote workers has changed the dynamics of end-user computing support. We explore the challenges Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Apr 2024
What to expect from Red Hat Summit 2024
Amusingly, these days, when the Computer Weekly Developer Network and Open Source Insider team attended Red Hat Summit 2012, some of the event reportage ran with headlines that read ‘Linux comes of ... Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
March Patch Tuesday throws up two critical Hyper-V flaws
Two critical vulnerabilities in Windows Hyper-V stand out on an otherwise unremarkable Patch Tuesday Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Feb 2024
Why developers must work smarter, not just faster, with generative AI
With a lot to play for, including legal precedents, how can dev teams approach GenAI risks with a view to strong mitigation strategies? Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Feb 2024
Sea-Lion explained: Southeast Asia’s first large language model
The Sea-Lion large language model was built to cater to the language and cultural diversity of Southeast Asia, which is currently underserved by existing models that mostly originate from the West Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Dec 2023
shell program
A shell program is software that provides users with an interface for accessing services in the kernel. Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2023
Nebulon upgrades SPU to Medusa2 with Nvidia DPU hardware
Nebulon aims to replace HCI with its OS on an offload card that it claims reduces server resource use by 25%. Medusa2 uses Nvidia DPU hardware and its own cloud control plane Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Oct 2023
Windows key (winkey)
The Windows key (winkey) is a button on a Windows computer keyboard. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2023
Kaspersky opens up over spyware campaign targeting its staffers
Kaspersky has shared more details of the TriangleDB spyware that was used against its own workforce by an unknown APT group Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2023
Red Hat vs. SUSE: How do these Linux distributions stack up?
Deciding between Red Hat and SUSE may not seem simple, but comparing training, pricing and certifications should help companies understand which would best suit their employees. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Aug 2023
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC)
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) is an eight-bit encoding scheme that standardizes how alphanumeric characters, punctuation and other symbols are interpreted by a computer's operating system (OS) and applications. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2023
Red Hat CEO on AI moves and source code kerfuffle
Matt Hicks talks up Red Hat’s efforts to support generative AI adoption through OpenShift AI and weighs in on the issues surrounding the company’s decision to limit access to RHEL source code Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Aug 2023
How to perform an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) migration
An Azure Virtual Desktop migration begins in the planning stages, which should entail weighing the options for moving to AVD, including alternatives to direct migration. Continue Reading
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News
17 Aug 2023
Researchers demo fake airplane mode exploit that tricks iPhone users
Exploit chain that tricks a victim into believing their iOS device is offline in airplane mode when it is not could open the door to grave privacy concerns Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2023
SUSE takes aim at Red Hat in Linux, Kubernetes play
SUSE CEO Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen outlines strategy to capture the Kubernetes opportunity and offer enterprises an alternative to RHEL following Red Hat’s decision to limit access to RHEL source code Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Jul 2023
China releases openKylin open source desktop operating system
It’s been a busy month in open source, already. While Red Hat continues to wrangle with its approach to open developer access on the Red Hat Enterprise Linus (RHEL) source code front (and that’s ... Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2023
PAC slams HMCTS justice system transformation programme
HMCTS has consistently underestimated the scale and complexity of the reforms, and criticises the programme, which only has £120m of its £1.3bn budget left with only just over half of projects completed, MPs say Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2023
hotkey
A hot key is a key or a combination of keys on a computer keyboard that, when pressed at one time, performs a task (such as starting an application) more quickly than performing a task by using a mouse or other input device. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2023
Software spending grows fastest as finance firms spend $652bn on tech in 2023
Banks and investment firms are increasing their spending on IT despite gloomy economic outlook, but priorities have changed Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Jun 2023
OS X
OS X, also referred to as macOS X or Mac OS X, is Apple's proprietary, Unix-based operating system. Released in 2001 as the successor to Mac OS 9, OS X incorporates support for Unix-based applications as well as for those written specifically for the Mac. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Mar 2023
network operating system (NOS)
A network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating system (OS) that's designed primarily to support workstations, PCs and, in some instances, older terminals that are connected on a local area network (LAN). Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2023
India launches homegrown BharOS
The homegrown Android-based mobile operating system could reduce India’s reliance on foreign software, but uncertainties around market adoption and software updates remain Continue Reading
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E-Zine
16 Jan 2023
CW EMEA: Protecting the privacy of schoolchildren
In this month’s CW EMEA, we look at how schools in Germany have stopped using Microsoft Office 365 over lack of clarity over how data is collected, shared and used. We also delve into how former UK spy boss Richard Dearlove leaked names of MI6 secret agent recruiters in China to back an aggressive right-wing US campaign against tech company Huawei. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
02 Dec 2022
Post Office boosted its ‘coffers’ as Horizon system threw up unexplained shortfalls, inquiry told
The Post Office was ‘keen’ to make subpostmasters cover unexplained accounting shortfall as its business struggled, public inquiry hears Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Nov 2022
cursor
A cursor is the position indicator on a computer display screen where a user can enter text. Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2022
Russia risks shortage of PCs and software
Russian consumers and businesses could face a shortage of IT equipment including PCs and software Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Oct 2022
What do the US’s new software security rules mean for UK organisations?
The White House announced recently that all software supplied to the US government and its agencies needs to be secure, so what does this mean for the UK and EU security sectors? Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Oct 2022
Key ingredients for a successful API recipe
We look at how application programming interfaces can provide connectivity to drive internal and external business processes Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2022
Amdocs claims industry’s first 5G-native charging system
5G- and cloud-native charging product will provide ‘endless’ monetisation opportunities for advanced standalone 5G and beyond, backed by proven multicloud deployment experience, says Amdocs Continue Reading
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E-Zine
18 Aug 2022
CW APAC: Trend watch: Enterprise resource planning
Organisations are starting to look at refreshing their enterprise resource planning systems. In this handbook, focused on enterprise resource planning in the Asia-Pacific region, Computer Weekly looks at what’s behind this renewed priority, how GLS Group strengthened its processes, why firms want cheaper software maintenance and the benefits of best-of-breed cloud apps Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jun 2022
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface)
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) is a set of standard operating system interfaces based on the Unix operating system. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
14 Jun 2022
Managing Apple Macs in the enterprise
In this week’s Computer Weekly, with more people working remotely, the use of Apple Macs in the enterprise is growing – we look at how to manage them securely. Our latest buyer’s guide examines security in the supply chain. And 10 years on from the London Olympics, we find out how data innovation is revitalising its legacy. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Jun 2022
icon
In today's age of technological advancement, most people recognize the word 'icon' as referring to a small selectable or nonselectable image representing or leading to something else in a computer's graphical user interface (GUI) or on the web. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2022
IBM lived up to its neutrality promise to Red Hat
Red Hat CEO Paul Cormier claims IBM has lived up to its commitment to maintain the neutrality of Red Hat three years on Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2022
Linux Foundation control helps ready SONiC for enterprise
Under the Linux Foundation, SONiC could get enterprise features that make the open source network operating system more useful within campus and edge environments. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Mar 2022
Do you feel trapped by Microsoft?
Thoughts on loosening Redmond’s grip on your business I started thinking about reducing my company’s dependency on Microsoft a few years ago. Contributing factors were frustration with the ... Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Mar 2022
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is an enterprise Linux operating system (OS) developed by Red Hat for the business market. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Feb 2022
Finland brings cryostats and other cool things to quantum computing
Not only is Finland the clear leader in refrigeration technology for quantum computers, but it also leads in fundamental research into the underlying quantum information theory Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2022
Dutch software engineers join campaign for research funding
Software researchers from all over Europe are sounding the alarm: to maintain a strong international competitive position, more financial resources must be committed to software research Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jan 2022
SUSE
SUSE (pronounced soo-sah) is a multinational company that offers enterprise-grade open source products based on Linux technologies. Continue Reading
- Definition 30 Dec 2021
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Opinion
22 Dec 2021
A trial relying on computer evidence should start with a trial of the computer evidence
Learning from the Post Office Horizon scandal - the most widespread miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Nov 2021
Has Windows 11 strengthened the case for Chromebooks?
I was left with two overriding thoughts following Microsoft’s recent launch of Windows 11 and the Windows 365 Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) proposition. My first thought was positive and pragmatic. ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Oct 2021
MicroStream persistence framework open sourced
MicroStream 5.0 has arrived… and, now, the Java persistence framework is open source. MicroStream is a Java-native object graph persistence engine for storing any complex Java object graph or any ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
03 Oct 2021
Huawei drives wider operating system (OS) plans
Chinese telecommunications, data and cloud company Huawei also makes software. Logically, its smartphones, tablets and other devices carry a degree of home-baked goods, with its Emotion User ... Continue Reading
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Photo Story
02 Aug 2021
Windows 11: A first look
We look at the next version of the Windows operating system and see how it improves productivity, IT management and security Continue Reading
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E-Zine
27 Jul 2021
Are we getting cyber security skills all wrong?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, the chair of the new UK Cyber Security Council tells us how she plans to fundamentally reimagine what working in IT security means. Our latest buyer’s guide examines ERP modernisation and its role in digital transformation. And we take an in-depth look at the first preview version of Windows 11. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2021
Volvo: Our friends in software
We speak to Volvo’s head of software platform about the company’s strategy to build a software-defined car Continue Reading
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Photo Story
25 Jun 2021
Important LGBTQ+ figures who shaped tech’s history
As the world celebrates Pride month, we take a deep dive into the lives of some of the people who have shaped the technology we use today, who are also LGBTQ+. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2021
Apple OS updates patch multiple security holes
The much-heralded release of the privacy-centric iOS 14.5 also brings patches for multiple CVEs, and users of Apple smartphones, tablets and notebooks are best advised to update as soon as possible Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2021
Project Monterey returns to haunt IBM and Red Hat
A tech initiative from the late 1990s has become IBM’s nemesis, as the owner of UnixWare and OpenServer file a copyright complaint Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2021
Huawei opens developer lab in Singapore
Huawei’s Digix lab will provide software development resources to those who are building mobile apps for Huawei’s mobile platform Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2021
ENIAC anniversary: What 75 years of computer technology have delivered
The ENIAC was a computer built for the US Army to calculate missile trajectories during the Second World War, but it was finally delivered in February 1946 Continue Reading
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Blog Post
25 Jan 2021
Beneath the code: SUSE Enterprise Linux construction mechanics
As every good developer knows, when you want to learn more about what a platform or tools provider is bringing through the release pipeline: ignore the news, delete the press releases, don’t look ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Jan 2021
CloudLinux commits to 'commits' on (CentOS replacement) Project Lenix
CloudLinux OS is a Linux distribution intended for use by shared [web] hosting providers. But there is more to the story than just the arrival of this distro, developed by software company ... Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Dec 2020
Patching: Balancing technical requirements with business considerations
With an increasing reliance on subscription models alongside the regular patching of software, updates have become an essential part of modern business practices. However, care needs to be taken to ensure the optimum patching process is implemented Continue Reading
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Blog Post
03 Dec 2020
Throwback Thursday: Linux on the Desktop
As our contribution to the bit of fun that is Throwback Thursday, we're taking a weekly stroll in the Freeform Dynamics archives. The first thing that struck me when I re-read our 'Linux on the ... Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2020
Robots taking jobs, but creating careers
Robotic process automation developers tell Computer Weekly about the job they never expected to be doing Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Oct 2020
RHEL 8.3 'tunes' up for auto-Ops-centricity
Red Hat, Inc. is still just that i.e. Red Hat, Inc. Now nestled under the IBM parent umbrella, the company appears to be very much its own entity. Some media reports have even suggested that Red ... Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2020
Nordic enterprises look for SAP price reductions as they navigate Covid-19
Businesses in the Nordics are using SAP Cloud Platform to address Covid-19 challenges and are also seeking price reductions Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2020
US lawmakers grill big tech chiefs over market power
Sixth antitrust hearing sees CEOs of major technology companies face combative questioning from members of Congress over their market power and dominance Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
HSBC chooses AWS for public cloud business operations
HSBC will use a cloud platform from Amazon Web Services across its business operations to accelerate its public cloud use Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2020
Mysterious EvilQuest macOS ransomware spreads through torrents
A new strain of ransomware, dubbed EvilQuest, is threatening Apple Mac environments, and seems to behave quite oddly Continue Reading
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E-Zine
02 Jun 2020
What will be the IT security priorities of the post-coronavirus world?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, with the working world after the pandemic set to be very different, we assess the IT security priorities for the ‘new normal’. Facial recognition firms are racing to identify people wearing face masks. And how did Europe’s telecoms networks cope with the switch to remote working? Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2020
Microsoft patches 19 critical bugs in another heavy Patch Tuesday
The volume of vulnerabilities being uncovered by Microsoft remains high, with more than 100 fixes pushed out in April’s Patch Tuesday Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2020
Australian open source project to expand global reach
Data61’s open source seL4 microkernel project will be supported by a new foundation created under the auspices of the Linux Foundation Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2020
Google Cloud targets telcos with Global Mobile Edge Cloud
Google Cloud announces programme to help telcos address pressures to digitally transform in the face of the rise of 5G, network-centric business models and ‘dramatically’ raised consumer expectations Continue Reading
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20 Jan 2020
Don’t become the next Travelex: Get ready for ransomware
With Travelex’s IT still in disarray and banks and travellers left without access to funds more than a week after it was hit by a ransomware attack, we ask what others can learn from the foreign exchange services company’s response to the incident. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2020
Turn the end of Windows 7 support into a security advantage
CISOs can take advantage of the end of support for Microsoft Windows 7 by making the case for more investment in cyber security Continue Reading
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News
09 Dec 2019
China bans foreign computing kit from government contracts
All government offices and public institutions must eliminate foreign hardware and software within three years, according to a leaked directive dubbed 3-5-2 Continue Reading
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Blog Post
03 Dec 2019
Ubuntu 19.10 offers ‘integrated’ AI/ML developer experience
Autumn (or Fall, depending on your level of Americanization) was a busy period… so busy in fact that the Computer Weekly Open Source Insider blog saw a number of milestone advancements go whizzing ... Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2019
Security pros urged to get ahead of incoming BlueKeep exploits
The BlueKeep RDP vulnerability is beginning to be exploited in the wild, and security teams have no excuse for not trying to get in front of it, says Microsoft Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2019
US extends temporary stay on Huawei ban
American network operators given extra wiggle room to wean themselves off Huawei’s hardware Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2019
Huawei mobile IoT OS ready to plug Android gap
Huawei is positioning its microkernel-based, distributed HarmonyOS mobile operating system as a true competitor to both Android and iOS Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2019
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.7 tailored for hybrid, multi-clouds
Red Hat released RHEL version 7.7 with features that make it easier to marry its legacy systems with the latest cloud-native applications, while urging users to move to RHEL 8. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Aug 2019
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.7, it's a bit better than 7.6
Red Hat… no, wait, stop there -- not Red Hat the IBM company, actually just Red Hat -- that’s how the company is still putting out news stories. We’ll start again, open source enterprise software ... Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2019
How Suse is taking open source deeper into the enterprise
Suse’s focus on developer needs, industry-specific use cases and engineering partnerships with the likes of SAP are among efforts to take open source software deeper into the enterprise Continue Reading