Consultant: Definition and additional resources from ZDNet

A person who acts as an advisor to users or to the technical staff. Consultants are available for all aspects of the computer industry, including electronic circuit design, information systems analysis and software development. In a business environment, consultants are often used to create the functional specifications from which vendors can respond. Consultants typically come from third party consulting firms, but the title is also used for internal specialists. See job descriptions.

Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia.
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Additional Resources

Can Mozilla's security metrics project end the patch-counting nonsense?: In partnership with indie security consultant Rich Mogull left Mozilla has launched a valuable Security Metrics Project that could help to -- we can only hope -- put an end to the silly notion that patch-counting helps to determine a product's security posture. The idea is...; Tags: Mozilla Corp., Rich Mogull, Security, Ryan Naraine; Blog posts 2008-07-03
Distributed decision making in IT: Distributed decision making in ITMoving the SPOF rearrainging deckchairs.Lets make something clear - that the central SRSS/DumbRay server IS a SPARC. x86 just doesn't cut it for hosting so many users. SO please don't do the same thing as big blue and pull the old bait and switch - OF...; Tags: Operating systems, UNIX, information technology, server, decision-making; Discussion threads 2008-07-01
Windows Vista, meet my Mother-In-Law: Windows Vista, meet my Mother-In-LawIt's not Vista Stupid It's YouI hate when people try to blame problems on Vista that don't belong to it. If you're having problems with AOL IM working with Vista, then the problem is AOL. They have had over 2 years to get their...; Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Microsoft Windows Vista, Mother-in-Law, Microsoft Windows; Discussion threads 2008-07-01
Windows Vista, meet my Mother-In-Law.: Windows Vista, meet my Mother-In-Law.Truth must be toldYou have to be honest with her. Just tell her the truth and she will understand. It might take a longer time but once she knows how to use a PC I bet you she will get the point.Try this:The computer is fine....; Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Windows Software, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, Apple Macintosh; Discussion threads 2008-06-30
What programming language should we teach?: What programming language should we teach?Re: What programming language should we teach?How about Javascript? No, seriously... it's free, it's cross-platform, it's already available on virtually ANY computer without needing to install anything at all, it's not terribly complicated, and it greatly resembles many of the other languages in use.When it...; Tags: Programming languages, Development tools, C#, Scripting languages, programming, programming language; Discussion threads 2008-06-27

Security researchers hack the London underground train for free ride: A group of Dutch security researchersÂ were able to clone the "smartcards" that commuters use to pay fares in the London Underground system, allowing the group to ride for free.Â This is an interesting attack vector that I actually talked to Adam Laurie about when I was at Black Hat Amsterdam.Â ...; Tags: Card, Smart Card, Researcher, London, Smart Cards, Security, Nathan McFeters; Blog posts 2008-06-26
Reformed computer criminals - your country needs you: And trust me, they really do. Over the last year, the UK and US Governments have had an awful problem in keeping basic data protection rules in check, almost to the point where they may have been broadcasting over the radio minutes of the intelligence committee meetings. ...; Tags: Computer, Hat Hacker, Productivity, Zack Whittaker; Blog posts 2008-06-26
Fun with openSUSE 11.0: Fun with openSUSE 11.0Virtualized OpenSUSE 11.0I too am a devoted Ubuntu user, and decided to check out OpenSUSE 11.0. I downloaded the 32bit GNOME LiveCD and loaded in with Virtualbox in Windows XP. I got through the whole setup fairly quickly but when the "system" rebooted it crashed and said...; Tags: OPEN SOURCE, desktop virtualization, openSUSE 11.0, KDE, KDE 4, Novell OpenSuse, Novell Inc.; Discussion threads 2008-06-26
All the things Sun Ray won't do: A challenge: some consultant thinks your company would be better off using Sun Rays - prove him wrong. Please. by Paul Murphy; Tags: Sun Microsystems Inc., Sun Ray, Desktops, Servers, Hardware, Paul Murphy; Blog posts 2008-06-26
Hey, kids! IT isn't boring!: Hey, kids! IT isn't boring!There is no future in ITThe IT bubble bust around 2000 was only the tip of the ice burg. Today, IT is a mediocre industry that has an ecosystem of incompetent and insufficiently educated people from the "IT Recruiters/HR", the people doing the hiring to the...; Tags: Professional development, Strategy, Outsourcing, Recruitment & Selection, IT IS, information technology, career; Discussion threads 2008-06-25
The Firefox phone: The Firefox phoneNokia 800 Internet TabletI bought a Nokia Internet Tablet about 6 months ago. I was considering an iPod Touch, which is essentially an iPhone without the phone, because it has a larger screen. It originally came with the Opera browser but was upgraded to FireFox this past January.In...; Tags: Web browsers, Notebooks, Mozilla Firefox, Apple iPhone, Web browser, phone; Discussion threads 2008-06-25
I'm sticking with Windows XP: I'm sticking with Windows XPWhat happened to the cries for increased security?Not saying they originated with you Jason but prior to Vistas release everyone was labelling XP a leaking sieve wrt to security. Full of holes which could not be patched but required a complete redesign. With the release of...; Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP; Discussion threads 2008-06-25
I'm done with the MacBook Air (for now): I'm done with the MacBook Air for nowSince your MBA will just be lying around...So, since you're done with your MBA, can I have it?Must agreeI must agree with you. I also have MBA and MBP. The performance is a bit of an issue. But I think the portability overcomes...; Tags: Notebooks, AirBook, MacBook Air, Apple MacBook, MBA; Discussion threads 2008-06-24
Would a re-regulated oil market destroy green tech investment?: Would a re-regulated oil market destroy green tech investment?How do you define a speculator?The problem is not the guys who buy and sell commodities on an ongoing basis, it is the investors who have discovered a new asset class called "natural resources" and who take, and hold long positions betting...; Tags: Commodity Market, green technology, green tech investment; Discussion threads 2008-06-24
10 personality traits of a highly effective independent consultant: Many IT consultants daydream about branching out on their own without giving much thought to what skills are necessary to succeed as a freelancer. Before you commit to being an independent consultant, read Chip Camden's list of 10 personality traits that he says you need to possess in order to...; Tags: Consultant, Chip, Chip Camden, Semiconductors, Network Technology, Hardware, Networking; Download resources 2008-06-24
How to cut your fuel bills 80ò0or more: How to cut your fuel bills 80ò0or moreEven more and freeHello Phil,You can also add the fact that people are moving more and more around the world and will seek for those systems.I was myself leading a team of 45 persons with 15 in Belgium, 15 in Casablanca and 15...; Tags: Groupware, Tools & Techniques, PRODUCTIVITY, Webconferencing, collaboration, software; Discussion threads 2008-06-23
90% of all statistics can be made to say anything... 50% of the time, aka my thoughts on the Verizon report: ** Update 06/23/2008: I realize I didn't do a very good job of talking about what we're reviewing here.Â This is inÂ responseÂ to the statistics gathered by Verizon related to Forensic Analysis of Data Breaches over a four year span.Â First off, let me...; Tags: Business Partner, Vulnerability, Verizon Communications Inc., Attack, Data Breach, Security, Nathan McFeters; Blog posts 2008-06-22
Openness: I've been privileged to be around some amazing people recently, first at Enterprise 2.0 in Boston and now this week at SuperNova, Wharton Business school's conference, which this year explored "how decentralization and pervasive connectivity are changing our world". My take away word of the...; Tags: Talent, Mozilla Firefox, Collaboration, British Telecommunications, Openness, JP Rangaswami, Sam, Web Browsers, Groupware, Workforce Management, Leadership, Security, Internet, Enterprise Software, Software, Human Resources, Management, Oliver Marks; Blog posts 2008-06-19
IT catfight in Portland, OR: IT catfight in Portland, ORSacraficeMy company just finished an ERP release, successfully!It takes whole company sacrifice and requires separate Change Management groups to come to power to lead staff and executive management with the project and the temporary sacrifices in business process and political ownership. It takes years of...; Tags: Enterprise resource planning (ERP), Leadership, information technology, change management, ERP; Discussion threads 2008-06-19
Code execution vulnerability found in Firefox 3.0: Code execution vulnerability found in Firefox 3.0Same Situation. Different Day. ;)ntOr put your FF3 in a sandboxI show how to make your Firefox browser session safe and secure.Read [url=http://www.dtschmitz.com/dts/2008/05/is-it-safe.html]Is It Safe?[/url]Thanks and Be Safe.Dietrich T. Schmitz[i]Linux IT Consultant[/i]RE: Code execution vulnerability found in Firefox 3.0please read this post:http://robert.accettura.com/blog/2008/06/18/zero-day-vulnerability/Here's the...; Tags: Web browsers, SECURITY, Mozilla Firefox, vulnerability, Code execution vulnerability, Mozilla Firefox 3.0, Code Execution; Discussion threads 2008-06-18