IT investments will increase in 2013 thanks to software and device spending

Gartner expects worldwide IT spending to total $3.7 trillion

Enterprises buying new mobile devices and investing in security and storage management will give IT spending a boost in 2013.

Worldwide IT spending is projected to total US$3.7 trillion in 2013, a 4.2 percent increase from 2012 spending of $3.6 trillion, according to research firm Gartner, which is becoming a bit more optimistic about the global economy.

The company divides IT spending into five segments: devices, data center systems, enterprise software, IT services and telecom services.

All five segments will grow in 2013, but devices and enterprise software are the two segments that will see the biggest increases in spending during the next twelve months, according to Gartner.

Worldwide device spending, which includes PCs, tablets, mobile phones and printers, is expected to reach $666 billion in 2013, up 6.3 percent from last year. That compares to 2.9 percent growth in 2012, according to Gartner's data.

However, the current estimate for this year's growth is lower than Gartner had previously forecast.

"The main reason [for the lowered growth estimate] is that the shift away from the traditional PC form factors, the desktop and the laptop, toward new form factors, most notably the tablet, is happening a lot faster than we thought," said Richard Gordon, managing vice president at Gartner.

For example, there is a growing trend in emerging markets where users are getting a tablet as their first device, and not bothering with getting a PC, according to Gordon.

Last year also saw the ascent of cheaper tablets such as the Android-based Nexus 7 from Asus and Google. That was and continues to be good news for consumers and enterprises, but also puts pressure on overall spending.

Worldwide enterprise software spending is expected to end up at $296 billion in 2013, a 6.4 percent increase from 2012. This growth will primarily be driven by security, storage management and customer relationship management, according to Gartner.

Enterprises are trying to get more value out of their IT spending with investments in supply chain and customer relationships, while at the same time trying to handle an exponential growth in the amount of data coming in, Gordon said.

Telecom services, on the other hand, will see just a 2.4 percent increase in 2013, which may not measure up to the other segments but is still better than the 0.1 percent drop it recorded last year.

Growth will be flat over the next several years as revenue from mobile data services struggles to make up for the declines in spending on fixed and mobile voice, according to Gartner.

Telecom services are by far the biggest segment of total IT spending at $1.7 trillion this year.

In 2014 spending growth will slow down somewhat with overall spending increasing by 3.8 percent.

Growth will once again be powered by investments in software, as enterprises spend more on big data and other information management initiatives, Gartner said.

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Learning New MCSE on windows Server 2012 Certification in 2013

Learning New MCSE on windows Server 2012 Certification in 2013

Microsoft has updated their certification site with a WHOLE load of new certifications for the release of windows server 2012. If you now go to the MCSE site on Microsoft’s site you can now see new exams for Windows Server 2012 & Windows 8

Windows Server 2012 formerly codenamed Windows Server 8, is the next release of Windows Server currently under development by Microsoft. It is the server version of Windows 8 and the successor to Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2012 will be the first version of Windows Server to have no support for Itanium-based computers since Windows NT 4.0. A developer preview (a pre-beta release) was released on 9 September 2011 to MSDN subscribers. On March 1, 2012, Microsoft issued a public beta (build 8250). On April 17, 2012, Microsoft announced the product name would be Windows Server 2012. On May 31, 2012, Microsoft announced the release candidate (RC) for Windows Server 2012.

The best path to cloud certifications is to complete your Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) or Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification. Show your continued dedication and expertise by then upgrading to the equivalent MCSE certifications when they become available.
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Two MCSE certifications are available for SQL Server 2012: Data Platform and Business Intelligence. Earn an MCSE: Data Platform certification to demonstrate your indispensable expertise to build enterprise-scale data solutions on-premises or in the cloud. Showcase your skills in developing and deploying visually rich business intelligence solutions and reports by earning an MCSE: Business Intelligence certification. The MCSA: SQL Server 2012 certification validates a set of core SQL Server 2012 skills that are relevant across multiple solution areas.

Server 2012 and the Microsoft ecosystem
Windows Server 2012 doesn't standalone. If you're evaluating it, you really need to be running it alongside the next generation of Microsoft's management tools in System Center 2012, especially the beta tooling for SP1. You'll need to understand how the two fit together, as there's key functionality in System Center that simplifies implementing and running private clouds, including handling self-service. System Center isn't the only management tool you'll need to deliver the full range of services offered by Windows Server 2012, especially if you're looking at Windows RT as part of a BYOD platform. Active Directory federation with the cloud is the basis of single sign-on with Office 365 and with the device management tools built into Windows Intune (which provide an AD-controlled way of managing non-AD managed devices).

Much of Microsoft's messaging around Windows Server 2012 focuses on its role as a key building block for private clouds. Although Hyper-V and the new Storage Spaces tools go a long way to delivering on this vision, it's important to understand that Microsoft is not abandoning Windows Server's traditional roles. You'll be able to drop it in as a replacement for Windows Server 2008, as a file and print server, as an application server or as a web server. It's just that the new Hyper-V release makes it easier to virtualise these roles (and handle the physical-to-virtual transition), helping you make the move to private cloud on your own timetable, not Microsoft's.

Cloud or not, Microsoft isn't just using Windows Server 2012 to introduce new ways of delivering applications or managing devices. It's also introducing a new way of managing information. There's a quiet revolution going on in the IT security world, one that understands that organisations are now distributed, and that today's work patterns mean that users will be working at home, and on their own devices. BYOD is only part of this trend, but one that's finally concentrated attention on the shift away from traditional corporate firewalls to user- and information-centric ways of handling security.

Active Directory is key to this shift, and it's important to use any Windows Server 2012 RC test programme to map how you will take advantage of the new tools and features built into AD — particularly around the new Dynamic Access control tools. DAC is an important tool, as it gives you a simple rule-driven tool for managing who can interact with what information, either just controlling access to files and directories via Active Directory users, or by using Windows' Information Rights Management tools to apply more complex controls around viewing, editing, sharing and printing documents. DAC rules can be used to automatically classify documents by content (for example specific health record formats or credit card numbers), or by metadata (whether it's classed as public or confidential).


A good MCSE on windows Server 2012 training should be the founding base to any MCSE 2012 study. From the outset, selecting one of the best MCSE 2012 trainings available will ensure your study will get off on the right foot and be the most efficient and time effective. There are a large number of MCSE 2012 trainings on offer from a number of different online IT training industry with the price averaging at about thousands of USD each exam. To answer the question of “What is the best MCSE 2012 study training?” we spent hours training reviews and peoples own personal experiences on numerous MCSE 2012 certification forums and the answer of the best MCSE 2012 training was very clear. The obvious winner was the Self-Paced Training Kits by certkingdom.com with $50 Unlimited Life Time Access Pack you will get every thing you need to pass your exam on the first attempt.

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9 IT Career Resolutions for 2013

As 2012 comes to a close, IT job seekers should already be formulating a plan for career growth and professional development in 2013

Even if you are happy with your current IT job or role, there is a chance you might find yourself looking for a new position this year due to downsizing, outsourcing or reorganization.

According to recent statistics, the average worker has been in their current position for no longer than 4.4 years, a number that has been on the decline for decades. The days of working for one employer for your entire career, it seems, are over. So what can you do to shield yourself from the turmoil and layoffs that swirl through IT? Be ready for anything. You can't stop progress; the only choice is to evolve with the technology or get left behind.

With that in mind, here's our list of nine career-related resolutions to make for 2013.

1. Work Better to Understand My Industry

"Know specifically how and where you fit in it, where and how you can help. Then you'll be considered invaluable," says Ross MacPherson, president of Career Quest and a specialist in advanced career strategies.

You may be the best programmer in the world, but what companies really want are people who understand the business side of things as well. So attend an event, set up Google News Alerts for industry keywords or join LinkedIn, Yahoo groups and get involved. Knowing what's going on in your industry will give you a leg up over your competition.

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave "up. -Thomas Edison

2. Build a Career Map

Many companies today, both big and small, don't have well-defined career paths for their IT workforces. That's why creating your own can be helpful in determining your strengths and weaknesses as well as in identifying clear career objectives.

"No one is responsible for your career but you--not your company, not your boss-- just YOU. Design a great career and make it happen," says Macpherson.

Your personal career map should include the following:

An employee profile that list jobs and roles you have held (be specific).
An idea or goal position that includes positions within and outside of your company.
An analysis of your skills and a plan to bridge any skills gaps.
A network of professionals who you can work with and use for advice when necessary.

Building a career map of your own will help you do a better job focusing your job search. So get it done. To find out more about career mapping, here is a recent article covering the basics.

"Control your own destiny or someone else will." - Steve Jobs

3. Update Your Resume

Having your resume up-to-date and ready to go can do wonders when it comes to setting your mind at ease. You can be sure that occasionally checking in to update your resume is a lot easier than having to do an overhaul of your resume in crisis mode.

"Your resume is a marketing document. You need to sell your expertise and stand out among your peers who may be just as qualified as you," says Macpherson.

Build your resume with the position you want in mind. Highlight your skills that are relevant to that position. Look around on job boards and see what keywords recruiters are using and add them where they fit into your resume. Include honors, awards and any charity you actively participate in. Seminars or course are often over-looked here as well.
Don't feel like dealing with the actual mechanics of resume writing? Well, there are plenty of career services companies out there that will work with to achieve your IT career goals. Whether you want to craft a resume, build a social presence or change careers altogether.

For more information on resume writing check out our resume makeover series.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius

4. Build a Personal Website for Your Brand

Most professionals could perhaps do without a website containing their professional brand but you work in IT, the web is a part of your life. This approach works best for people who want to display a lot of information on past jobs and products. It serves as their online portfolio. Macpherson's advice: "Don't make your site a data warehouse&make it dynamic, make it market your value."

Yes, there are many things to consider: hosting, domain names, content creation, programming and maintenance, not to mention cost but you have to ask yourself how much is your career worth to you? Like most things in life the more you put in the more you get out. It's also good to improve your SEO rankings.

If you already have one maybe it's time for an update. Make sure your contact information is easily found. You can also include the URL on resumes and cover letters. With the current IT unemployment rate at 3.6 percent competition is fierce in the tech market. Building a personal brand can be a great way to cut through the noise.

"Think not of yourself as the architect of your career but as the sculptor. Expect to have to do a lot of hard hammering and chiseling and scraping and polishing." - B.C. Forbes

5. Create or Refine Your Social Profiles

Social networking profiles have become critical for recruiting in the tech field. Jobs have been won or lost over them. Maybe you've been hesitant to join the social networking fray, but you can't afford to avoid it any longer. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ have become necessary evils as they relate to search traffic, web presence and IT hiring.

Recruiters and companies are getting savvier at gleaning information from these social networks to target the right candidate. "Build, maintain and nurture a great online presence/brand and opportunity will start knocking on your door," says Macpherson. Get your profiles up-to-date and professional-looking and your next job might find you.

Google or Bing yourself and see what comes up. Anything negative out there? Chances are HR people are going to do a web search before an interview just as you would do to find out as much information about a company you're interviewing with. Whatever it may be--stupid comments you made years earlier, a pending lawsuit, a bad picture--get out in front of it and be prepared to explain it somehow.

There are services out there that claim they can help clean up and maintain your online reputation. If you've had had a positive or negative experience with them we'd love to hear about it in the comments section.
"By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be a boss and work 12 hours a day." - Robert Frost

6. Build a Social Network

You've heard the adage "it's not what you know it's who you know." With the emergence of professional networking sites like LinkedIn and BranchOut on Facebook, there are multitudes of ways to grow your professional network. "Networking is still the #1 way to make opportunity happen and don't forget about face-to-face networking," says Macpherson.

With LinkedIn, for example, you can follow companies that you've targeted. Connect with people whom you've worked with or admire. There are plenty of industry leaders to be found on LinkedIn as well. Connect with and follow them. Join a group and engage in some of the conversation. It sounds like a lot of work and it is but doing so may be the proverbial "foot in the door" you've been looking for.

"For many people a job is more than an income-- it's an important part of who we are. So a career transition of any sort is one of the most unsettling experiences you can face in your life." - Paul Clitheroe

7. Improve Your Follow-Up Skills

"The right follow-up is critical--make it timely and professional every time," notes Macpherson. In a competitive job market like IT you don't want to leave things to chance. Improving your follow-up can help keep your name in the head of the HR people. Send thank you notes after interviews and exchange business cards.

Some experts recommend that after an interview that you should wait two to three weeks before checking back in with your contact. Maybe someone else will get the job but new positions open up all the time. Follow-up and staying in touch could land you a role you didn't even apply for.

"A good manager is a man who isn't worried about his own career but rather the careers of those who work for him." - H. S. M. Burns

8. Personalize Your Cover Letters

A cover letter is designed to personalize your message. It is a showcase for your communication skills as well as transferable knowledge to prospective employers and recruiters. Use your cover letter to convey how your experience and knowledge will add value to the company. If your cover letter is compelling chances are someone will read it.

Make sure there are no typos. If you aren't sure get a friend or colleague to read it. If there was a person listed in the job posting make sure to address your cover letter to him or her. Macpherson's advice on cover letters is simple: "Make them concise and to-the-point. Avoid huge paragraphs and clearly articulate your qualifications and interest."

"Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it." - Katherine Whitehorn

9. Expand Your Horizons

"If you're not growing, you're dying. Grow, expand, be distinct and make yourself invaluable," says Macpherson. Get out of your comfort zone and learn something new. There are plenty of free options available to you. That may be the library, a local course, college classes or seminars. The bottom line is never stop learning and growing.

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it." - Buddha

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Microsoft confirms zero-day bug in IE6, IE7 and IE8

Second time in two years it's had to deal with late-December vulnerabilities

Microsoft on Saturday confirmed that Internet Explorer (IE) 6, 7 and 8 contain an unpatched bug -- or "zero-day" vulnerability -- that is being used by attackers to hijack victims' Windows computers.

The company is "working around the clock" on a patch, its engineers said. They have also released a preliminary workaround that will protect affected IE customers until the update is ready.

In a security advisory issued Dec. 29, Microsoft acknowledged that attacks are taking place. "Microsoft is aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer 8," the alert stated.

Newer versions of IE, including 2011's IE9 and this year's IE10, are not affected, Microsoft said. It urged those able to upgrade to do so.

According to multiple security firms, the vulnerability was used by hackers to exploit Windows PCs whose owners visited the website of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a non-partisan foreign policy think tank with offices in New York and Washington, D.C.

On Friday, FireEye corroborated earlier reports that the CFR website had been compromised by attackers and was hosting exploit code as early as Dec. 21. As of mid-day Wednesday, Dec. 26, the site was still conducting "drive-by" attacks against people running IE8, said Darien Kindlund, senior staff scientist at FireEye, in a Friday blog.

Kindlund added that the malware hidden on the CFR website used Adobe Flash Player "to generate a heap spray attack" against IE8. It wasn't clear whether Flash also contained a zero-day bug, or whether the attackers leveraged an already-known and previously patched vulnerability that had not been fixed on the victims' PCs.

On Saturday, Jaime Blasco, the labs manager at AlienVault, weighed in on the IE zero-day as well, noting that the exploit was able to circumvent Microsoft's anti-exploit technologies, DEP (data execution prevention) and ASLR (address space layout randomization), and successfully compromise Windows XP and Windows 7 PCs running IE8. He identified the IE bug as a likely "use-after-free" vulnerability, a type of memory management flaw.

AlienVault, said Blasco, had begun looking into the "watering hole" attacks stemming from the CFR website at the beginning of the week, and had alerted the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) that it suspected IE harbored a zero-day vulnerability.

In a watering hole campaign, hackers identify their intended targets, even to the individual level, then scout out which websites they frequently visit. Attackers next compromise one or more of those sites, plant malware on them, and like a lion waits at a watering hole for unwary wildebeests, wait for unsuspecting users to surf there.

The CFR did not immediately reply to a request for comment on its site's current status.

Other researchers claimed that attacks using the IE vulnerability started as early as Dec. 7, and alleged that Chinese hackers were responsible for the CFR website hack.

In an email to Computerworld and in a follow-up blog Saturday, Microsoft said it is working on a patch for IE6, IE7 and IE8. The company did not set a timetable for an update's release, however.

Jonathan Ness and Cristian Craioveanu, engineers on Microsoft's security team, provided some details on the IE flaw in a separate post to the Security Research & Defense blog. "We're working around the clock on the full security update," Ness and Craioveanu wrote.

They also announced the availability of a "shim" that can protect IE6, IE7 and IE8 users if they're running the most up-to-date versions of those browsers.

Shim is a term used to describe an application compatibility workaround. Microsoft has applied shims in the past to help customers ward off active attacks against IE.

The shim will be used as the foundation for a soon-to-be-shipped "Fixit," Microsoft's name for the one-click workarounds it often publishes to automate processes, including security mitigations, that most users would feel uncomfortable doing on their own.

To apply the available shim, for instance, users must download the small files from the SRD blog, then enter one or more strings in Windows' Command Prompt.

This was the second year in a row that Microsoft has had to deal with an emergency update in the waning days of December.

In 2011, the company issued a Dec. 28 security advisory about a flaw in its ASP .Net programming language that hackers could use to cripple website servers. On Dec. 29, 2011, Microsoft released an "out-of-band," or emergency, update.

Microsoft reminded customers that IE9 and IE10 do not contain the vulnerable code, and are safe to use. Windows XP users, however, cannot use either of those browsers, as Microsoft has limited IE9 to Vista and Windows 7, and IE10 to Windows 7 and Windows 8.

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Consumer Reports makes case for Windows 7 PCs

Consumer Reports makes case for Windows 7 PCs
May be smarter to search for new PC with older OS rather than deal with Windows 8

Windows 7 may be the better choice as a PC operating system on new systems than the just-released Windows 8, Consumer Reports magazine said this week.

Why, when and how to migrate to Windows 8

"Windows 7 generally received favorable reviews when it was released," Consumer Reports' Donna Tapellini said in a piece Tuesday on the consumer watchdog's website. "[Three years] after its 2009 launch, there still haven't been a lot of complaints. If you've been happy with Windows 7 and even Windows XP up until now, there's no compelling reason to switch to Windows 8."

Consumer Reports does not evaluate and rate operating systems, as it does, say, clothes washers, cars or even computers. Instead, it staked out its position this fall when it praised Windows 8 as great for tablets, but because of its split personality, not for everyone.

Tapellini argued that several factors make Windows 7 a better choice for some consumers even two months after it was superseded by Windows 8.

Since Microsoft devoted so much time and resources building touch and gesture support into Windows 8, it makes little sense to opt for the OS unless the new PC offers a touch-sensitive screen, Tapellini said.

Others have pointed out that while Windows 8 doesn't demand touch, it's a tough sell without it. Many consumers have already figured that out. Earlier this month, for instance, research firm NPD Group said its retail tracking showed touch-sensitive PCs selling best among Windows 8 machines, even though their prices were higher and they were in short supply.

Tapellini also pointed out that Consumer Reports' testing had found that some Windows 8 systems performed poorly, something she attributed to driver issues.

Although Windows 7 PCs have largely disappeared from brick-and-mortar retail chains like Best Buy, they can still be found at many e-tailers and direct from some computer makers, Tapellini said.

Consumer Reports' highest-ranking Windows notebook, the Windows 7-powered Samsung NP900X3C-A01US Ultrabook, for example, is still available through Amazon.com for $1,139. The Samsung's rating of 82 (out of a possible 100), puts it above Apple's highest-rated laptop, the 15-in MacBook Pro with a Retina screen and Consumer Reports' top-rated Windows 8 portable, the Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook. Dell's hybrid -- part tablet, part notebook -- earned a 75; the MacBook Pro pulled 78.

Microsoft will allow OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to sell Windows 7-equipped PCs until October 2014, two years after Windows 8's launch, so there's no immediate danger of the older operating system vanishing.

In fact, most enterprises will continue to migrate from the 11-year-old Windows XP, which will be retired in April 2014, to Windows 7 rather than bet on Windows 8, research firms have predicted.

Buyers who take Consumer Reports' advice, in other words, will have plenty of company.

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One OS, three installation options: What's the best way to install Windows 8?

You can run Windows 8 in a virtual machine, dual-boot it with your current OS, or install it outright.

Ahh, Windows 8. If youve decided you're ready to plunk down your hard-earned cash to give this modern UI a shot, you'll want to spend a few minutes considering just howA you take your first steps into the Windows 8 experience.

You have three ways to install Windows 8 after youve purchased it: (a) Run it as a virtual machine on your current operating system; (b) dual-boot it alongside your current operating system; or (c) perform a full install and overwrite the OS you're currently rolling with. While the installation methods vary in complexity, all three are within the grasp of even Windows novices, and each brings its own pros and cons to the table.

Let's take a deeper look at each option.

Running Windows 8 in a virtual machine
One of the easiest ways to play with Windows 8 without having it affect your current operating-system setup is to install it in a virtual machine. While you can get fancy and purchase premium VM software like Parallels Workstation for this purpose, a completely free program called VirtualBox accomplishes the same thing, minus a few bells, whistles, and advanced options.

A virtual machine is exactly what its name suggests. VM software allows you to install and run a virtualized operating system within your existing operating system, and everything you do in that Inception-like second operating system is contained within its own individual environment. Once you're done playing around with your virtualized OS, you can eradicate it with just a few clicks of the mousethe virtualized OS is really nothing more than a series of files on your normal systems physical hard drive.

We cant stress this enough: What you do within your virtualized OS has absolutely no bearing on your actual operating system. Delete files. Change settings. Do whatever you want! Once youre done tinkering around for the day, all you have to do is shut down your virtualized version of Windows 8 to return to your normal operating system's desktop.

The downsides? First, running aA virtualized OS requires more configuration steps thanA installing Windows 8 directly. For example, most VM software requires you to have a processor that supports hardware virtualization to run Windows 8, and you'll have to make sure that virtualization is enabled within your systems BIOS. A quick and easy way to check all of this is to download Microsofts official Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Tool and run it as an administrator on your PC. If youre ready to virtualize, the tool will let you know.

Second, you'll need to make sure your that PC's core components are up to the task of virtualization. Not only must the machine fulfill the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 8, it must also be able to handle not one but two concurrently active operating systems. That's right:A The virtual machine will use the same physical hardware resources as your normal OS, and because both systems will be running simultaneously, we recommend virtualizing Windows 8 on rigs with hefty system specs to ensure that you have enough resources to dedicate to both operating systems. In an ideal world, you'll allocate at least 3GB of RAM to each OS.
Even with a beefy system, running Windows 8 virtually will likely deliver a slightly less than perfect experience on a standard PC, with occasional graphical lags, performance hiccups, and the frustration of having to move a mouse cursor between operating-system environments if you run the VM in a window rather than in full-screen mode. And Windows 8's Internet connection sometimes glitches out momentarily in VirtualBox.

Our advice? Virtualizing Windows 8 is a great way to get a feel for the OS before youre ready to commit for good, but its no replacement for a full-fledged installation.

Dual-boot Windows 8
Dual-booting Windows 8 alongside your current operating system is an easy processso dont be scared if youve never done it before. We've already published a guide that can walk you through creating a new, Windows 8-ready partition on your hard drive and starting the installation process itself.

Once the secondary operating system is up and running, youll be given a "choose-your-own-adventure"-style screen whenever you boot up your PC, asking you whether youd like to boot into Windows 8 or the other OS stored on your hard drive. If you dont pick an option, your system will default to Windows 8 after a brief period of time.

The benefits of dual-booting are obvious: You gain access to two operating systems instead of one, and the performance of neither system is impacted by the other, because each is just a simple, separate partition on your hard drive.

The drawbacks? Once you opt to dual-boot, it can be a real hassle if and when you decide to remove Windows 8, and go back to a single-boot system using your older Windows operating system. Spoiler: Youll have to poke around in Windows Boot Configuration Data Store Editor (bcdedit.exe) just to ensure that you have a means for booting back into your legacy OS after youve tossed Windows 8.

In other words, dont just delete the Windows 8 partition!
Youll also be sacrificing room on your hard drive to run two operating systems that are completely independent from one another. It almost goes without saying, but installing an app like Steam on Windows 7 doesnt mean that youll be able to run it through Windows 8they're two separate worlds. Youd have to install Steam on Windows 8 as well, duplicating your efforts on a single drive.

All that said, dual-booting is a tried-and-true process for making the most out of two different operating systems if you absolutely cant live without each. We recommend the process wholeheartedly unless space is of the utmost concern on your system. And if thats the case, maybe its time for a second hard drive.

Fully installing Windows 8
Here we go. The biggie. Youre ready to take the full plunge and wave goodbye to your legacy operating system forever. Windows 8 has arrived, and it is the conqueror on your desktop. Let no other operating system stand in its path.

Installing Windows 8 is extraordinarily easy and extraordinarily quick. First, though, pay heed to the gentle but firm notice that you get only one shot at this if youre doing a clean install. Make sure that youve backed up all important files from your existing operating system before you wipe it and start anew.
You'll also need to decide whether youre going to upgrade from your existing operating system or go with a completely clean installation. In short, an upgrade installation will do its best to preserve your files and settings from one operating system to the next. Just how much of your existing OS experience is preserved depends on what youre running: When upgrading from Windows 7, Windows 8 will attempt to preserve all your personal files as well as your applications. But if you're upgrading from Vista or XP, Windows 8 will preserve only the files, and you'll have toA reinstall your apps afterwards.

The other option is to perform a clean installation, which completely wipes your existing OS and all the files on your hard drive partition, then follows up with a fresh, brand-new installation of Windows 8. Scorched earth.

So which do you pick? The jury is out. More experienced computer users who really enjoy the clean slate of a wipe-and-installor who are otherwise terrified that they arent going to get peak performance from whatever drivers Windows 8 keeps around from Windows 7should opt for the clean installation. A clean install is also a great way to give your PC a "do-over" to clean out the clutter that accumulates over the years. Indeed, on the second go-around of app installations, you might be less likely to install programs you dont actually use much.

Otherwise, Microsoft has improved the upgrade process so that its not all that scary transferring information over to a new Windows (Windows 8) installation. Youll still want to go into the nooks and crannies of Windows 8 itself to ensure that all of your major settings have transitioned over. We also recommend that you go straight to the manufacturers sites for new drivers for your various system componentsvideo card, sound card, motherboard, and so on.

And, once again, please save your settings before you upgrade. For example, while your preferred Internet browser might make the journey to Windows 8, the operating system might not keep your bookmarks.

I love installing apps, so I love the thrill that a fresh install brings to the table. That being said, we have no official recommendation for which Windows installation processclean or upgradewould best work for you. There definitely are trade-offs in either scenario. Now that you know what's on the table, the choice is yours.

Wrap-up
And there you have it! If youre most concerned with having an easy exit and dont mind trading a bit of performance in the process, then virtualizing Windows 8 is a great way to get familiar with the OSand tweak it in all sorts of crazy wayswithout doing any damage to your existing OS. Dual-booting Windows 8 is a compelling option for mixing the old and the new; youll just give up a bit of space to do so. And going the distance with Windows 8 will give you the option to upgrade or start from scratch.

No matter which method you choose, you may want to check out our guide to optimizing your first 30 minutes with Windows 8 to ensure you make the most of your new OS.

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New standard/tool address security dependencies

Standard developed to assist U.K. government's critical infrastructure protection authority

There's a need to rely and trust forces outside our direct control for security -- and that awareness spurred the United Kingdom's national infrastructure protection authority to push for a standard way to model the implications of relying on technology, services, people and more.

The U.K. Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure, a government authority that provides security advice to business and organizations to protect against both physical threats and cyberthreats, asked the standards organization Open Group to create a method that anyone (including outside of the U.K.) can use to model dependencies they have in terms of security. The Open Group has done that with its "Dependency Modeling Standard" published this week, plus a prototype software tool from U.K.-based firm Intradependency that can be used to define dependence on systems, whether it's a network of physical sensors or a supply chain.

RELATED: Trustworthy systems, trustworthy vendors and how to identify them

The U.K. government wants to use the modeling standard to help clearly define dependencies in the military sphere, but it's also supposed to be useful for enterprises that depend on energy supplies, goods and services from partners or other relationships in order to operate.

"What is the business goal? What do you want to achieve?" said Richard Byford, senior director at Intradependency about what the Dependency Modeling Standard and the software tool for it are intended to do. "It's a way of understanding what needs to be there to create success." The modeling tool, still in prototype, makes use of XML to import data to model dependency scenarios.

With cloud-based services and mobile adding more complexity to the IT environment, the tool should be useful to model this, too. Ian Dobson, director of the Open Group's Security Forum and Jericho Forum, says the intent is to build resilience in operations to cope with issues that arise based on what you depend on.

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