Last week saw a large number of mediocre quarterly results, such as those from Computer Associates, IBM, Lucent and Unisys.

There are five key areas that will drive strategic human resource management over the next decade: a flexile workforce, pay for performance, instant payment, self-service and the creation of a knowledge-based environment.

This week: Garbage is still hot property, be wary of pseudo air-conditioner technicians, CA keeps the virus threat alive, FBI uses Carnivore techniques, an entrepreneurial dream come true and a dotcommer is brought to book.

The continuing consolidation of the Asian and European telecommunications industry dominated the international IT world last week, while the third cellular licence saga stole local headlines.

Vendors are taking the message delivered by e-business - that of trust and partnerships - seriously. A spate of joint ventures proves that technology companies are keen to lead the new economy.

This week: Risk is now chaotic and complex, the British e-snooping bill is under fire, trigger-happy hackers attack space agency and a school for creatively-challenged virus writers.

Human resource (HR) systems, including knowledge management systems, will not save the HR profession from becoming extinct. Rather, HR management must focus on defining pathways that will allow the organisation to meet its strategic objectives.

The activities of European telecommunications companies and the speculation as to who will acquire Sprint dominated the international IT and telecoms world last week.

This week: Trashy undertakings, Russia stakes its claim as the cybercrime capital of the world, yet more Internet service providers get cracked or tricked, and electronic signatures get legal status.

During the past two weeks, top local news included the farce over the awarding of the third cellular licence, Dimension Data`s London listing details and the drama at ITI Technology Holdings.

A change of career is a monumental step and should not be taken without careful consideration and thorough analysis of goals, strengths and weaknesses.

It was a busy week for hackers and virus writers, who continue to demonstrate admirable ingenuity. However, the Mexican leftist Democratic Revolution Party thinks hackers aren`t all bad.

There is a definite need for an off-the-shelf e-business solution that embraces the e-business engine and backbone, and helps companies differentiate themselves.