X-bit labs

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Security Regulations – a Necessity in Software Industry? Experts Mull Whether It’s Time to Regulate the Software Industry?

In the light of further increasing virus activities and different kind of hacker attacks, there are once again debates over the so-called software regulations or security guidelines that are proposed to be something that the software industry misses. A number of experts say that regulations will only bring further increase in software security testing, others say that regulations are dangerous in the industry where the key driver is innovation, but a group of people still believe there is a need to tackle the security issue at the stage of software development.

“Our industry is all about innovation, and my concern with regulation is it’s often the enemy of innovation,” said Harris Miller, president of the Information Technology Association of America.

“The industry should come together and develop guidelines for best practices on developing software with minimal flaws, rather than imposing regulations,” said Rick White, chief executive of technology advocacy group TechNet.

“If we make it in their best interest to do this, then it will happen. You need to find a set of financial incentives. Regulations would increase the cost of not doing security, and that would increase security (testing),” thinks security expert and author Bruce Schneier.

“Regulation is neither good nor bad… but the industry should bear this in mind. After we have an incident, regulations will be much worse,” believes Dick Clarke, chairman of Good Harbor Consulting and former presidential special advisor on cyber security.

• CNET News.com: Time to Regulate the Software Industry?

Crucial Gives Away Acrylic Case, Memory Modules. Memory Maker Raffle “Icebox” and “Ballistix”

Crucial Technology, one of the premier makers of high-end memory modules, who also supplies some other accessories for gamers, is giving away two acrylic computer cases along with its own DDR2 memory modules tailored for enthusiasts and overclockers.

“Crucial is giving away two chillin’ prize packages to get your project rolling. Our Icebox Cool Case Giveaway gives you a shot at winning one of two desktop cases from Clear Computer Case, plus two sticks of 1GB Ballistix Tracer DDR2 memory to go in it!,” the company said.

To participate, you should fill-in a form at the company’s web-site before midnight on February 28, 2005. Each acrylic case is etched with the Crucial and Ballistix Tracer logos, and each comes with 2GB of Crucial’s new Ballistix Tracer DDR2 next-generation memory.

Two winners will be selected in a random drawing and announced on March 8, 2005. The company promises to contact winners via email.

This promotion is open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. One entry per person, per household, and per e-mail address.

• Crucial Technology: Enter Crucial's 'Icebox' Cool Case Giveaway!

PS. Don’t forget to mention X-bit labs in your application. ;)

17 Inch LCD Display Buyer’s Guide. Buying a New LCD Monitor - Not a Tough Taks, Says a Web-Site

For those who are beginning to fell headaches from huge number of 17” LCD monitor models on the market and have difficulties choosing the right one, XYZ Computing has posted an article that may help to make the right decision. This review covers all sorts of displays starting with low-priced models and going right up to high-end products.

“The Buyer’s Guide is going to take a look at some of the many 17” LCD display out there so as to help consumers learn a little bit and get a point to start from. The selection of 17” LCDs is almost unlimited so this is easier said than done, but if you know what you are looking for its not as daunting a task as it may seem,” assures XYZ Computing

• XYZ Computing: 17 Inch LCD Display Buyer’s Guide.
• X-bit labs: X-bit’s Guide: Contemporary LCD Monitor Parameters and Characteristics.