This month sees two major ICT events in Gauteng: the METAmorphosis conference this week, and the Futurex exhibition and conference in two weeks` time.

It may be too much to hope for that an open war may develop between the banks following the reopening of 20Twenty. But as usual, the customer had better beware.

Techno-zealots who argue unfailingly for or against any trend, platform, company, person or thing in IT are no better than the ridiculously earnest lawyers on TV.

It feels like d'ej`a vu at this time of year, as numerous anniversaries to do with the second national operator (SNO) come around, even though we have yet to see the licence awarded.

The sell-off of PanAmSat to KKR in a $4.3bn deal, the proposed acquisition of Staffware by Tibco Software and the resignation of Sanjay Kumar CEO of Computer Associates dominated the international world of IT and telecommunications last week.

The Internet`s integrity is never more compromised than when hate sites pose as innocent information sources, but someone is looking out for this.

I`ve always taken an adventurous (some might say foolhardy) approach to trying new online services, but some e-services may be more trouble than they`re worth.

Another Microsoft settlement, the 'suspension` of E&Y for six months, and - locally - the second draft of the ICT Empowerment Charter stole the ICT headline space over the holiday period.

Is technology-based decision-making a sign of immaturity in the IT industry and local business, or is there something far more dangerously subconscious at play, eluding the notice of business process evangelists and decision-makers alike?

Call me paranoid, but I think once the Receiver starts watching bank accounts, it`s only a matter of time before all financial privacy is gone.

In the great tradition of keeping busy during the Easter holidays, here are a couple of entertaining sites to keep you occupied while out of the office.

Last week saw Microsoft`s $1.6 billion settlement with Sun Microsystems, and Dimension Data`s BEE initiative with Andile Ngcaba.

Yes, guys, your viruses are very cleverly put together. But we`ve had quite enough now.