Any of us that carries a laptop always has the worry in the back of their mind that it'll get stolen. A couple of Brits have thought up a way that they think will help prevent potential thieves casing your computer. Instead of carrying around your normal Targus case or similar brand, throw it in a Power Pizza box. That's right, they have you put your laptop in a specially designed pizza box and carry around. When you leave the house, pretend you're taking out the trash. When you come home @ night, act as if you've got a hot one for the family. Don't worry about the neighbours thinking you eat pizza 7 days a week. Or the clients who want a slice every time you show up for a meeting.

    The first thing that crossed my mind was: this will just help thieves! In larger offices it's not uncommon for a pizza delivery to come in around lunch time. Pretend that's what you're doing, walk around to an empty cubicle, load up the laptop and out you go with the trash. Or, even if one wanted to steal from their own company where you'd normally never be able to get a computer out past security it'd make it take much easier.

     As you may have noticed the site looks a little bit different this morning. I've upgraded the blogkit to my new version 2. I'll get around to documenting that soon, but you can see some of the features already. You'll notice that along the header of each news item is a link to comments, and a list of categories. You can click on the "comment" and be taken to the input form where you can leave your thoughts about each of the posts. Currently this is only available on the news items and not the articles/code/faq. Sorry it's not integrated with the site login yet so you don't have to re-enter your information. For any category listed, you can click on it to see previous posts in the same category.

    Along with the kit, comes the archive. Here you can see all posts every made, or grouped by category, or date. There is also a feature to search the posts. Note again that this isn't integrated with the main search bar above yet.

    Another feature, is the RSS Feed. For those of you that read lots of sites and like to stay up to date you may already be familiar with this technology. Review the specs and get some more details. If you're using Firefox you can click the RSS icon in the bottom right corner too.

    Please let me know if you find that I've broken any of the other features of the site with this change, or if you have any questions.

    A colleague sent over this link to an article titled So you want to be a consultant...? By Steve Friedl

    It's all stuff most of us already know... but it can't hurt to review every once in a while either.

    Here's the intro: ...I've been a consultant of one form or another since 1985 when I started my old company, V-Systems, with a friend from college, and actually did bits and pieces of consulting as early as 1982. I have been asked often about the business, and I decided to write this up

    The following announcement was made on the mailing list this evening

It is with mixed emotions I announce that Mike King is stepping down as V.P. & G.M. of the ProvideX Division at Best Software to pursue further entrepreneurial opportunities. As the founder and original developer, Mike has seen the ProvideX language flourish, and he will continue to play an important role in its on-going growth through his next career move to the distribution and development side of the business. The ProvideX product will continue to benefit from Mike's talents and expertise as he works with us to enhance and support our development efforts on a consulting basis. Please join me in wishing Mike further success in his new endeavors.

    I am very pleased to announce that Alan Bryant is expanding his role as Vice President of Extended Solutions to take on the additional responsibility of heading up ProvideX. Alan's proven leadership, extensive understanding of channel sales, and familiarity with both ProvideX and Best Software will be an outstanding benefit to us all. Alan's wealth of experience within Best Software and as a very successful business partner and developer prior to joining the Best Software family makes this a natural transition. Please join me in congratulating Alan Bryant on his promotion.

    We are excited about the continuing relationship we will have with Mike King, and the new leadership that Alan Bryant brings to ProvideX. As always, we look forward to your continuing support and thank you for the successes we've built together.

    Best regards,
Himanshu Palsule
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Mid-Market Accounting Solutions

    Needless to say, it has come as a bit of a shock, but not completely un-foreseen. The challenge ahead will be to not let this change effect the way ProvideX is run. Let's all keep our fingers crossed.

    And of course the rumours will start to fly too until we hear more about what Mike has up his sleave.

    I've only worked with Alan once or twice in the past, and that was before he moved over to Best. Maybe they'll have a little welcome party next time he comes to town?