The Weekly Round-Up: 20.10.06

What a week!

For starters it's been a case of red faces all round at Apple (shame), with news that a number of iPods have shipped containing a virus.

Of course it wasn't just Apple's fault - oh no - it was a Windows virus and, as such, it was Microsoft's fault as well.

It seems a computer - which had clearly been connected to the internet and was involved in the manufacturing process at a third party - was infected with the RavMonE virus, rated as a low risk (though that's not really an acceptable justification to any users who have unwittingly been infected as a result of buying a dirty iPod). The infection wasn't spotted by the manufacturing partner, nor was it spotted by Apple and incredibly the affected video iPods found their way onto the shelves.

And presented with these facts Apple was quick to issue a statement duly pointing the finger at its archrival.

A statement on Apple's website said: "As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it."

Could this be the start of a whole new line of defence? "As you might imagine I am very upset at Smith & Wesson for making the gun and I'm even more upset with myself for using it on that shop clerk."

Also, putting aside the conflicting double meanings of 'not catching it' - because of course Apple is probably delighted it can't 'catch' viruses, though in this instance wishes it had 'spotted' it - it does seem a slightly desperate action to blame Microsoft. Surely Apple, more than anybody, understands Windows' machines are vulnerable.

After all, it did build a whole advertising campaign around this fact, did it not?

What's more - whatever happened to 'getting high on your own supply' as people used to say before they started using the far less appealing 'eating your own dog food' analogy?

Why is Apple's unnamed manufacturing partner not using Macs?

The virus will not affect the players themselves, or Macs, but Windows users who bought an iPod in the last couple of weeks could be affected - though Apple said it has received fewer than 25 reports (which sounds like 'exactly 24' to the Round-Up's trained ear).

Some wags have even suggested Apple may have installed the viruses intentionally in order to advertise the insecurity of Windows... which might be stretching things a little.

And speaking of security there are plans afoot to improve airport security with some nifty technology - implanting RFID chips into the brains of all airline passengers.

... OK, the tracking tags won't actually be implanted into the brain, or any part of the body for that matter, but the idea is that by somehow tagging all air passengers, airport staff will be able to monitor human traffic more closely through their terminals and observe the movements of individual passengers. George Orwell eat your heart out?

But be still your cynicism... Dr Paul Brennan, electrical engineer at University College London and one of the boffins behind the 'Optag' project, seems pretty convinced this innovation could prove beneficial. (Though he would, right?)

Brennan says it could be used to identify the whereabouts of lost children or passengers who have failed to show up at the gate when called.

And that is all well and good but come on... talk to us about TERRORISTS!!!!!

Surely whether Brennan knows it or not that would be the angle used to force through the introduction of such tags.

And the biggest problem there, it seems, is how best to affix the chips to the individual. Wristbands have been discussed, however there is a chance that before committing an act of MASS MURDER AT 30,000 FEET these aforementioned terrorists may have the audacity to remove said wristband.

It certainly seems unlikely they would keep the wristband on if it were really likely it could undo all their careful planning.

So, as security measures go, it's right up there with asking visitors to the US whether the primary reason for their visit is business, holiday or to commit an act of terrorism.

You can picture the chats in Camp X-Ray even now...

"How did they catch you?"
"I ticked the 'terrorist' box on the green form... I'm so stupid!"
"Don't be so hard on yourself, I left my RFID wristband on... what a dolt!"
"What a pair of chumps we are!"

With technology playing an ever-larger role in our lives, news reached silicon.com this week of a worrying trend among the most in-demand top techies.

Agents.

That's right. First it was film actors, then music stars, then sports stars, then Z-list celebrities. Now techies are claiming it may soon be necessary to surround themselves with 'their people'. Or rather it's not the techie claiming it might be necessary but those who would be 'people'.

The CEO of IT recruiter ATSCo said, possibly without chuckling at the absurdity of this statement: "The top five per cent of IT professionals are becoming superstars as demand for elite talent becomes increasingly competitive. Talent agents are a logical development of that trend."

Might it be that a recruiter's interest in all of this is in making techies feel important and exuding exactly the kind of understanding of their "superstar" needs that might bring them through the doors of said recruiter?

The ATSCo boss continued: "These IT professionals can almost pick and choose where and who they want to work with. Talent agents are being used to gain access to the best roles."

And, let's face it, the techies can't sell themselves - they positively need a Mr Ten Per Cent.

"IT professionals are the first to admit that sales and marketing is not something they enjoy or excel at," added ATSCo's CEO.

Where will it all end... ?

"I've spoken to Martin and he's more than happy to come in next week and sort out your Oracle database but he wants to make sure there are no stairs in the building. Martin doesn't do stairs... And he'll only drink Evian water, served at a constant temperature of four degrees."

The Round-Up spots the unmistakable early signs of a whole sector within our society setting themselves up for an almighty fall. After all, why send all your work to India when you can have the altogether more enjoyable experience of dealing with a Mr Ten Per Cent who tells you his client is a superstar techie?

So, moving on to the question of the week...

How much would you pay for a pump from David Cameron?

The Round-Up asks because the fresh-faced-friend-to-everybody Conservative Party leader last week supplied a bicycle pump for auction to a company called AuctionMyStuff.org, which works alongside eBay.

The idea is people selling items on eBay can use AuctionMyStuff.org as an intermediary and a commission from their lot will go to charity. To launch the service a number of celebrities donated lots, including the signed bicycle pump from the head Tory boy - which it seems is the best the chameleonic Cameron could muster.

Presumably he thought something so closely linked to sustainable transport would help further his friend-of-the-earth image.

The service was set up thanks in part to the good folks over at Accenture who provided technical support. Other lots on the night included an evening with Take That or some time in the company of none other than Lionel Ritchie.

The Round-Up can't help thinking that the bike pump sounds a little meagre in comparison -unless Lionel Ritchie's BMX happened to have a flat tire in which case it would have been an indispensable ice-breaker.

And finally, still (yes still!) on the subject of charity, some readers may have noted in the past week we've started promoting a fundraising drive on silicon.com to raise money for Computer Aid International. We are looking to raise enough money to put complete computer suites into at least 10 Kenyan schools to help bridge the digital and educational divide between large parts of Africa and the developed world.

silicon.com and our sister site ZDNet UK have launched a six-month fundraising project - culminating in February next year when three of the team will visit projects in Kenya, with the fantastic support of our owner CNET Networks UK. They will work with the charity and within schools in the country, and while there they will complete a 400km sponsored bike ride from Mount Kenya to Lake Victoria.

Already we have raised more than £10,000 towards the appeal, thanks in a large part to the excellent folk at Ricoh who we are delighted to unveil as our first major sponsor from within the IT industry.

We must also thank all of our friends in the PR community - many of whom normally dread the arrival of the Round-Up - for their generous contributions to date, and our owner CNET Networks UK who will be meeting all the costs of the Kenya trip.

And of course, the reason we mention this is because we are looking for more support. So if you think your company could get involved and make a donation or if you are able to give even a few pounds yourself we will be very grateful.

For more details please email editorial@silicon.com or visit our website which has been set up to handle donations.

Go on, show the Round-Up how much you love it...

And finally, finally, as you may well know the Formula 1 season finishes this weekend - and it's getting pretty close. Give or take some mathematical ifs and buts the Round-Up understands it has pretty much come down to a 'winner takes it all' showdown between two drivers. Whoever holds their nerve, blinks last and keeps their cool will walk away with the glory. It's the closest thing motor sport has to a penalty shoot-out... and there's a German involved (so place your bets now).

'And why is this relevant?' the Round-Up hears you ask... well if this has whet your appetite and you're already looking forward to next season, silicon.com has teamed up with Intel to offer you the opportunity - of a lifetime - to travel to ANY Grand Prix during the 2007 season.

Just answer some questions and you'll be in with a chance to attend the event of your choice. We also have some excellent runners-up prizes of five Apple MacBooks.

So get involved…

Until next week, read some news...

• UK broadband - slow but plentiful

• O2 to charge £5 for 'all you can eat' roaming calls

• Euro tech uni a step closer

• Microsoft worming into Google's territory

• Queen hunts for royal IT chief