Best of the blogs: The praise for open source typically outshines criticism, if only in sheer volume, but Sean McCown points out that there is a downside, particularly when it comes to databases. “One of the things that gives me great pause about seriously counting on an open source DB for important data is that fact that you’re basically running blind,” he explains in Database Underground. “Take MySQL for example. I’ve never seen any real auditing functionality which means that you have no visibility into what’s really going on in your DB.” Columnists’ corner: What once inspired crackers to chase fame sans fortune has morphed into a profitable, indeed multi-billion dollar, industry replete with multiple layers. On the open market, in fact, an exploit can be sold for as little as $200 and, in extreme cases, as much as $50,000, Ephraim Schwartz reports in Keeping up with crimeware. “One of the major trends in crimeware for 2007 will be polymorphing botnet worms. These worms morph — change their signature — every four to six hours.”The news beat: MySQL says it is on track to make an alpha version of its open source storage engine, code-named Falcon, available for download within a week. LG Electronics reveals plans to give its Shine cell phone an international debut next week at CES. And Nokia, Samsung and others face a patent infringement lawsuit over the use of Bluetooth. Technology Industry