Getting ready for cloud computing will require a change in mind-set at many IT shops: letting business processes go elsewhere. So, as part of preparing to take advantage of the cloud, InfoWorld blogger David Linthicum recommends you promise yourself the following: "I resolve that I will not fight the movement of business processes outside of the my datacenter, as it makes sense."

InfoWorld resources: Cloud computing , cloud computing , analysis of Microsoft's , and .

5. Make a final decision on which OS to go forward with -- Mac OS X, Windows, or Ubuntu Linux -- then do it. when it debuted, and for good reason. But as it will ever be, notes InfoWorld Enterprise Windows blogger J. Peter Bruzzese. So, if you're going to stick with Microsoft's OS, "start upgrading the hardware to eventually but get Vista going now," he advises, so you can learn the under-the-hood changes and techniques that Vista brings to Windows, and that will be the underpinnings of Windows 7.

If you're not going to stick with Windows, then jump ship in 2009 -- after all, it's now clear that Windows 7 won't be a brand-new OS but simply a better Vista, so what are you waiting for? Plus, the next Mac OS X, , will also be a continuation of the current OS, so there's no reason to delay your journey down that path. Linux's stability also argues for not waiting.

Plus, Bruzzese notes, spending the money on new hardware and apps will be good for the economy: "Spend the money in 2009 when it can really help."