After several iterations and proposed standards for portable document formats, HTML in the end seems to be winning out over its contenders.

The shock resignations of Compaq`s CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer, and CFO Earl Mason, and the thwarting of Olivetti`s overtures by Telecom Italia with its $81 billion merger with Deutsche Telekom, dominated the international IT business world.

Nigel Bakker examines whether object databases are enterprise-ready. The good news is that you can continue to use your relational database with OO languages.

Underlying the traditional organisational structure, which forms the organisation today, lies the shapes which will determine its success in the future.

Whether you call it e-commerce, e-business or e-trade, it all boils down to the same thing - ensuring businesses and consumers embrace the Web lifestyle.

The profit warnings from Compaq sent shock waves through the international IT industry last week while the $1.92 billion take-over of GeoTel by Cisco had everyone talking.

American-style PR is entering the SA market like some noxious weed. It`s pervasive, it`s deadly, it chokes and once rooted it`s impossible to remove.

Meetings are often considered to be a one-size-fits-all solution, an approach that can lead to wasted time and missed objectives.

Brian Neilson kicks off a debate on who will eventually hold the balance of power as global players buy up IT, telecomms and Internet companies.

The rumour that the Baan brothers are looking to make a comeback seems extremely odd, but in the IT world anything can happen, and often does!

Although we would probably all enjoy a personalised Internet experience, few surfers are willing to provide the necessary personal information, preferring to opt for online anonymity.

There were further local and international acquisitions last week, including the world's largest software deal, which saw Computer Associates acquire Platinum Technology for $3.5 billion.

Ensuring every player in the value chain gets fair value is the key to successful PR, especially as it takes extraordinary commitment from those who sign the cheques, and those who write and place the stories.