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Who's the latest to promote the Macintosh? Could it be…Satan? Well, it was the devil but is no longer. The Church of Satan used the "Think Different" slogan on its Web site, which also included a "Made with Macintosh" logo. Apple lawyers, who are happy with Albert Einstein's apparent commercial endorsement, pulled the plug on the Satanists.

Microsoft Hacked? Say It Ain't So!

Every time I put together a NetNews report, I have the option of talking about some kind of Microsoft vulnerability. I don't know if Microsoft software is truly holier than other wares, or if its popularity makes it an attractive target or if hackers just plain dislike the company. In any event, there is always plenty of bad Microsoft security news. Take DoS.Storm, for instance. This worm didn't go after Lotus Notes or Apache. No, its author decided to attack Microsoft mail and Web servers instead. This may be a case of sheer dislike. After all, Notes and Apache have just as much market share as Exchange and IIS. Need more proof? The worm overloads the servers with nasty e-mail meant for Bill Gates. Real mature.

Peregrine Snatches Rival

Network Computing's network and systems management editor Bruce Boardman is a huge fan of Peregrine Systems' software. Apparently customers like the software, too, because they've given the company enough cash to buy rival Remedy for a bit over a billion dollars. Remedy gives Peregrine a nice little entrée into the CRM world.

AOL Off Again

Recently we've been bringing you the news of the on-again off-again talks between AOL and Microsoft. Pretty much every version of Windows has included the AOL client. AOL even backed off its Netscape Navigator ambitions to keep its premiere spot on the Windows opening screen. But AOL may not be part of Windows XP, all because the online giant refuses to give Microsoft's Media Player preference over RealNetworks. RealNetworks' founder, Rob Glaser, is a brilliant motor-mouthed Microsoft defector, and Microsoft, it seems, will do anything to keep its former employee down.

No Wires, Please

Most of us in North America would be loathe to give up our Internet connections. At airports we seek out airline clubs for Bloody Marys and a place to plug in, and on vacation we quietly check our e-mail after a day of getting sunburned. Do-gooders like myself have argued that those less fortunate, both here and abroad, should have access to the Internet as a way of catching up in this information economy. But, come to find out, not all are so smitten. According to a recent survey by Ipsos-Reid Corp., 40 percent of those without access don't want it, don't need it and don't miss it.

Flowers! You Shouldn't Have!

Mark your calendars: July 27 is a special day. That Friday is the day we honor systems administrators for their thankless toils. So whether you are a network manager or DBA, voice mail jockey or e-mail specialist, here's to you. The sysadminday.com Web site suggests a few choice gifts, such as a recliner or a mobile GPS. The site is run by a guy named Ted, who may just be looking for a few handouts.

3,000 Say Goodbya to Avaya

Avaya, the Lucent enterprise-networking spin-off, isn't doing so hot these days. It laid off 3,000 folks. Even a cursory look at company statements when it was preparing for the spin-off indicated that this company was not about to set the world on fire. As Avaya itself made clear recently, it was not only in a slow-growth mode, but it also had to do battle with Cisco -- not a pleasant undertaking.