How IT Managers Can Cut Through the Hype

So just how do you cut through all the noise, hype and misdirection? The first step to is to bypass all the analyses, press releases and presentations that attempt to simplistically summarize in nontechnical terms something that can truly be understood only in technical terms.

Instead of reading something written by a marketing person who doesnt understand the technology, find product white papers, architecture specifications and, best of all, online developer discussion boards. Through these sources you can get a sound understanding of what the technology does and how it works.

Also, talk to colleagues in IT groups and organizations in which you may already participate. Theres a good chance that some of them are also digging into the same technologies that you are looking at.

Taking these steps will go a long way toward helping you understand what a technology does—and doesnt do—so that you can decide whether your company should invest in it.

And, of course, total understanding will be provided when eWEEK Labs gets its hands on the technology. But that goes without saying.

eWEEK Labs Director Jim Rapozas e-mail address is jim_rapoza@ziffdavis.com.