The past two weeks have been busy ones here at eWEEK Labs, with reviews, analysis and commentary on topics ranging from virtualization to fixed-mobile convergence, with an IT gadget roundup thrown in for good measure.
Cameron led the virtualization charge with a review and slideshow of VMware’s Workstation 6.5 (which once again earned an eWEEK Labs Analyst’s Choice nod), followed by a feature on cross-platform tools for managing virtual infrastructure:
- VMware Workstation 6.5 Is a Top Virtualization Tool
- eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: VMware Workstation 6.5
- Cross-Platform Tools Needed to Combat Virtualization Sprawl
- Microsoft Virtualization Goes Cross-Platform with VMware Support
- eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager Corrals VMware ESX
- VKernel Capacity Analyzer a Strong Tool in VMware Environments
Finally, Cameron weighed in with a bit of commentary on the state of IT in these (now officially) recessionary times.
Along similar lines, Jim wrote about planning for cutbacks in your IT organization. On a lighter note, Jim reviewed a pair of emerging tech Web products, including a brain-transplantable Web browser, and a new take on bringing presentations online.
For my part, I wrote about the speculation regarding Microsoft and Webkit, which, while rather flimsy, point toward what would be a promising new direction for the Redmond giant. I also called out traditional anti-virus products, the value of which I question when compared to proper system lockdown strategies.
Finally, I reviewed the flashy new touch screen BlackBerry Storm (and prepared a slideshow). I found that the device, for now, at least, falls a bit short of its iPhone slaying-mandate.
From Andrew, we ran a major feature on fixed mobile convergence–where cellular and landline phone systems merge to conserve your (relatively) pricey talk time minutes.
- FMC a Key Device for the Mobile Enterprise
- Agito RoamAnywhere Solution Ties Mobile Phones, Corporate Systems
- Agito Eases Central Control with RoamAnywhere
- DiVitas Offers a Solid Unified Communications Option
Also, Andrew took Google’s new voice-enabled iPhone app for a spin, and prepared a slideshow to document journey.
Matt Sarrel reviewed (complete with illustrations) HP’s ProLiant DL185 G5 storage server, and also reviewed MetaGeek’s Wi-Spy DBx, with a slideshow to match.
Finally, over at Channel Insider, Frank Ohlhorst offered up a little bit of everything with a product analysis four-pack:
- HTC Touch Pro Sprints into Mobile Smartphone Market
- Netvanta Switch Line Goes Green with Energy Saving Features
- SpectorSoft Spector 360 6.2 Offers New Features to Monitor Employee Internet Use
- Managing Paper Chaos with a Xerox Travel Scanner
If you have a burning IT question that only eWEEK Labs can answer, drop me or another Labs analyst a line, or have your say in the comments section below. Have a great weekend, everyone.