Python has certainly distinguished itself as a go-anywhere, do-anything language. As a language for desktop application development, it can be found behind the Resolver One spreadsheet. As an embedded script language, it's inside the highly respected Blender graphics package and the Rhythmbox media player. It is the binding glue of the Sage open source math package and the Portage package management system of Gentoo Linux. On the Web, it powers the highly popular Zope, TurboGears, and Django frameworks. The list goes on, as any quick Google search will show.

The quest for the perfect personalized Windows setup is too often derailed when it comes to finding the right tools for your needs. Top 10 lists abound, but few of them offer truly helpful utilities, especially for those of us steeped in Windows.

The VMworld hangover has hit, and I found InfoWorld's own Matt Prigge offered the best coverage of VMworld when he pointed out that the theme this year: Run -- don't walk -- to the private cloud.

Tim wrote in to the Gripe Line frustrated by phone support he'd paid for but didn't get. In this case, the lack of helpfulness came from the Parallels tech support staff, whom Tim had called for assistance with installing two Parallels Server 4.0 Bare Metal Edition (for Macintosh) licenses. Tim knew his problem was probably with the software because he had just purchased two brand-new xServers.

During the years I've been in IT, I've encountered quite a few instances where users think they understand how to handle their computer data. But more often than not, they need a little guidance.  

Planning a purchase from a major IT vendor? In this still-tough economy, negotiating pros recommend being aggressive and creative, as well as analyzing your requirements first so that you don't buy more than you need and know where you can compromise.

Here are the top tips from consultants who help customers negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with vendors such as Cisco Systems, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. We've arranged them in three groups:

Whereas investors were eager to see Mark Hurd become the new co-president of Oracle, HP was clearly not.