Krakatoa: January 1960

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/southeast_asia/indonesia/krakatau.html

Simon Winchester has another compelling book in  Krakatoa : The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883. The book weaves in the context and sidetracks that illuminate rather than describe.

Esther Dyson joined the ranks of CNET Networks. It's good to have her on board. She is one of few and real deep thinkers focused on technology and business. We chatted about the offshore outsourcing, Google's new Gmail service, transformations in the small business market and the impact of social networking. Watch the video...

In a board room shuffle, Sanjay Kumar has stepped down from his posts of chairman and CEO at Computer Associates to become the company's chief software architect. Apparently the taint of the investigations into CA's financial practices has gotten too close to Kumar. It's not clear whether he is waiting in the wings to take back his title if the investigation exonerates him or if he is simply on his way out, briefly holding one of the same titles as Bill Gates. CA has asked Ken Cron, a board member and former technology publishing executive, to take over as interim CEO. Mike Riccuiti provides some perspective on the latest CA troubles.

I just wrote a column about Fortify Software, which is building tools for eliminating vulnerabilities during the development process. It's a useful approach, but right now priced for the big companies. The technology, which includes a server that scans code for security problems based on a set of evolving rules, needs to be made broadly availalbe. It's far easier than just telling programmers to take a seminar or read a book on coding with security in mind.

It may be that BayStar is serious that it wants to get rid of the current SCO management team, rather than just bail. And, Rupert Goodwins has a good piece about the battle for SCO's soul, or whatever is left of it.