Support from the IT old guard puts paid to any doubts that Linux is here to stay. The open source revolution is gaining pace.

The US could be on the brink of a "digital Pearl Harbor", if one of the world`s leading information security officials is to be believed.

Good old-fashioned moral values such as honesty, loyalty, reliability and the ability to laugh can make a world of difference in a stressful workplace.

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is less IT hype and more exciting functionality. I would like a converged mobile device in my Christmas stocking, and a 64-bit Intel processor under my tree. And don`t forget Bluetooth. Yours, Ebenezer.

This week: Passwords are the weakest link in corporate security, FBI sets a bleeding-edge cyber-surveillance technology trap, and beware of the Apology virus.

While the global IT industry was quiet last week, Johnnic`s results and the UEC listing made local headlines.

Many managers are not aware or knowledgeable enough about software testing - a key component of IT differentiation.

Training companies are tempting school-leavers with promises of a quick MCSE qualification and huge entry-level salaries, but these bright young things will soon discover that there is no substitute for experience.

This week: Practising safe e-mail can reduce the chances of being infected, more "romantic" viruses on the loose, Kevin Mitnick memorabilia on sale online, and Web site defacers attack Network Associates.

The Agilent/OSI, Broadcom/VisionTech, and Ricoh/Lanier acquisitions dominated global IT and telecommunications news last week.

Unhappy employees can be likened to ticking bombs - they could explode at any moment, doing irreparable damage to a company`s reputation. To avoid this situation, companies should adhere to the human resources 10 commandments.

While the rest of the world reaches for the promise of the one-stop device, converged wireless networks, and the Next Big Thing in IT, SA is being left behind.

This week: Hoax viruses are cleverly designed to fool even the most IT-literate, the definitive list of hoaxes, and a real breakthrough in improving PC security.