Darryl K. Taft

Microsoft has come one step closer to delivering a parallel programming language to developers. On May 8, Microsoft made Axum, the company’s foray into parallel programming, available on its MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) DevLabs portal. Axum is a .NET language for building parallel applications. According to a Microsoft description, Axum “is a language that builds […]

Microsoft raised $3.75 billion selling bonds to investors on May 11, fueling speculation over what the software giant intends to do with the cash. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Microsoft said, “We intend to use the net proceeds from sales of the debt securities for general corporate purposes, which may […]

IBM has announced new mobile phone support for its Lotus Notes software, including enhanced support for the Apple iPhone and Research In Motion’s BlackBerry smartphones. IBM on May 12 announced the beta release of its Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5.1 collaboration software, including plans to support Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync in Lotus Notes Traveler 8.5.1. This […]

SOA is very much alive, so says a report from Forrester Research. Taking off from the “SOA is dead” discussions that occurred earlier this year, Randy Heffner, a Forrester analyst, authored a new report issued May 11 titled “SOA IS Far From Dead-But It Should Be Buried.” Indeed, in the report, Heffner says SOA should […]

One of the key issues Microsoft will highlight at its TechEd North America 2009 conference will be the notion that now is the time for developers to step up and lead their IT organizations through tough economic times. Indeed, a primary message Microsoft will proffer is that good, well-equipped developers can become more of a […]

Microsoft on May 11 released Beta 2 of its upcoming next-generation identity management solution, code-named Geneva. Brendan Foley, director of Product Management for Microsoft’s Identity & Security Business Group, told eWEEK that the Geneva platform simplifies access to applications and systems. Geneva is slated for release in the second half of 2009, Foley said. Microsoft […]

At its TechEd North America conference, Microsoft is announcing new or updated technology and information related to four key areas: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate, Office 2010 and SQL Server 2008. During his May 11 keynote speech at the event being held May 11 to 15 in Los Angeles, Bill Veghte, senior […]

Intel and Novell have announced plans to extend their existing collaboration around the Moblin open-source Linux mobile Linux platform. The two companies signed an agreement outlining their plans for collaboration, including efforts to promote the adoption of Moblin among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs). Moblin is an optimized Linux platform for […]

Micro Focus made a big splash in the application lifecycle management and automated software quality markets May 6, announcing plans to acquire both Borland Software and a division of Compuware. The two moves will cost Micro Focus about $155 million-$75 million for Borland and $80 million for Compuware’s Quality Solutions product line. Stephen Kelly, CEO […]

Microsoft on May 7 announced its first official Facebook application for all Windows Mobile 6 phones and newer. The application is available as a free download here or directly from a user’s mobile Web browser here. Microsoft said the Windows Mobile Facebook application is the only version available on the market that allows the user […]

50 Years of IBM Mainframe Milestones 1964April 7: IBM introduces the System/360 as a new generation of electronic computing equipment. It’s named after the degrees in a circle, since it was meant to encompass every need of every user. 1966 IBM computers process more than 19 million Medicare identification cards for the Social Security Administration […]

The IBM Mainframe: 50 Years of Big Iron Innovation IBM 701 (1952) Initially built for the U.S. Department of Defense. The first production machine shipped from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to the IBM Technical Computing Bureau at World Headquarters in New York City on Dec. 31, 1952. IBM 702 (1955) The IBM 702 Data Processing System was […]