Microsoft asks Linux users, "How can we get your business?'

"Microsoft has started distributing two online surveys to Linux User Groups and Linux users in general, one asking primarily about home computer use, the other about business use. They apparently don't plan to release the results of their surveys, so we and other people in the open source community are asking you to look at them and post your answers and comments here and on other appropriate sites where, in open source style, everyone can see them. Read on for more information and links, and please help spread the word about these surveys; as far as we know, this is the first time Microsoft has asked Linux users why we use Linux instead of their products, and the more results, the merrier."

NewsForge - Microsoft asks Linux users, "How can we get your business?'

Microsoft launches SPOT Watches at CES 2004

"Microsoft Corp. will use January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to announce availability of wrist watches and wireless services based on its Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT), a Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday.

The software maker also plans to launch MSN Premium and MSN Plus at the show, which are updates to its MSN Internet Software for broadband Internet users, and is expected to outline planned improvements to the Media Center Edition of Windows XP."

Bink.nu - Microsoft launches SPOT Watches at CES 2004

Broadcom to Jump the Gun on 802.11n

"An emerging IEEE standard that promises Fast Ethernet speeds for wireless LANs won't likely be ratified before late 2005, but as with previous WLAN protocols, Broadcom Corp. is planning to jump the gun by releasing 'prestandard' products.

Still in the project authorization phase, 802.11n is designed to increase WLAN speeds to at least 100M bps for data and actual throughput rates."

WinBeta.org - Broadcom to Jump the Gun on 802.11n

Daemon Tools 3.43

"DAEMON Tools is an application for multiprotection emulation. It is further development of Generic Safedisc emulator and incorporates all its features. This program allows running backup copies of SafeDisc, Securom, or Laserlock protected games. Also included is a Virtual DVDROM drive enabling you to use your CD images as if they were already burned to CD. It works with all types of CD/DVDROM drives and supports nearly any CD protection."

MSFN - Daemon Tools 3.43

Real sues Microsoft, seeks $1bn damages

"Emboldened by its reception before the European Commission in Brussels last month, RealNetworks is to sue Microsoft for alleged anti-competitive behavior.

'We believe our business would be substantially larger today if Microsoft were playing by the rules,' said Real's founder and former Microsoft executive Rob Glaser in a statement.

Real will seek more than $1 billion in damages, and expects the litigation to cost $12 million and take three years to complete. However, since the company is seeking 'injunctive relief', an early decision could come sooner rather than later. Real's annual revenue is around $200 million, based on its most recent earnings."

MSFN - Real sues Microsoft, seeks $1bn damages

Quicktime 6.5 for Windows

"Welcome to QuickTime 6.5, featuring 3GPP and 3GPP2, worldwide standards for the creation, delivery, and playback of multimedia over new, high-speed wireless networks. Built on MPEG-4 and powered by QuickTime, 3GPP and 3GPP2 extend the reach of rich multimedia to a new generation of handheld wireless devices. As the first widely distributed, freely available multimedia technology to deliver both 3GPP and 3GPP2 capabilities, QuickTime enables users all over the world to share 3G content with others via both computers and mobile devices."

MSFN - Quicktime 6.5 for Windows

Adobe Reader 6.0.1

Adobe Reader 6.0 is free software that lets you view and print Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files on a variety of hardware and operating system platforms. This new version of the familiar Adobe Acrobat Reader provides a host of rich features that enable you to:

• Submit Adobe PDF forms that are created with fillable form fields in such applications as Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional and Adobe Form Designer
• Play back a variety of embedded multimedia content, such as QuickTime and MP3 files
• Read and organize high-fidelity eBooks
• Activate search and accessibility capabilities built into your PDF files
  
• Display Adobe Photoshop® Album slide shows and electronic cards and export images for online photo processing (online photo services vary regionally)

MSFN - Adobe Reader 6.0.1

Microsoft ISA Server 2004 Beta 2

Last month Microsoft started gearing up for the Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2004 beta release. Since then Beta 2 of Codename 'Stingray' has been sent to a few select groups.

What is Microsoft ISA Server 2004?
ISA Server 2004 is Microsoft Corp.'s next-generation enterprise firewall, virtual private network (VPN), and Web cache solution. ISA Server 2004 takes application-layer filtering, simplified management integration, and fast Web access to new levels, making it a “must consider” for any organization looking to augment its existing security infrastructure.

What’s new in Microsoft ISA Server 2004?
Microsoft ISA Server 2004 builds on an updated architecture that has been specifically designed to combat the latest types of Internet attacks and worms with features such as signature blocking. It also offers a new, simplified user interface that can help customers avoid firewall misconfiguration - a common cause of network security breaches. In addition, ISA Server 2004 includes a greatly expanded array of tools and other features for enabling and securing VPN access to corporate networks.

ieXbeta Board - Microsoft ISA Server 2004 Beta 2

Linux gets heart transplant with 2.6.0

"Top programmers on Wednesday released a major update to Linux, version 2.6.0, a change that's expected to help carry the open-source operating system into new markets.

The new version of the core, or kernel, of Linux has several changes that make Linux better suited to powerful computers with numerous processors, a market dominated today by servers running versions of the Unix operating system on which Linux is based."

ieXbeta Board - Linux gets heart transplant with 2.6.0

AΠΑΓΟΡΕΥΤΗΚΑΝ ΟΛΑ ΤΑ ΠΑΙΧΝΙΔΙΑ ΣΤΑ INTERNET CAFE!!!

Κι εκεί που τα πράγματα είχαν ηρεμήσει... τσουπ! Ερχεται μια νέα υπουργική απόφαση που δημοσιεύθηκε στην Εφημερίδα της Κυβέρνησης και έχει πλέον ισχύ νόμου, με την οποία απαγορεύονται τα παιχνίδια στα Internet cafe! Ας δούμε μαζί όλες τις λεπτομέρειες...

Η συγκεκριμένη απόφαση, η οποία φέρει τον αριθμό 1107414/1491/Τ. & Ε. Φ. δημοσιεύθηκε στο φύλλο 1827 της Εφημερίδας της Κυβέρνησης με ημερομηνία 8 Δεκεμβρίου 2003 και ικανοποιεί εν μέρει τα αιτήματα των ιδιοκτητών των Internet cafe, ως προς το ότι καθορίζει το πλαίσιο λειτουργίας τους καθώς και τον τρόπο με τον οποίο θα χορηγείται άδεια λειτουργίας στα καταστήματά τους. Κάπου εκεί, όμως, τελειώνουν τα «καλά» και αρχίζουν τα... άσχημα νέα!

ADSLgr Independent Review Site For Broadband In Greece - AΠΑΓΟΡΕΥΤΗΚΑΝ ΟΛΑ ΤΑ ΠΑΙΧΝΙΔΙΑ ΣΤΑ INTERNET CAFE!!!

Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2

Microsoft has let beta testers know in an e-mail that .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2 is now available for public download.

The Microsoft® .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2 Redistributable includes everything you need to run .NET Compact Framework applications, including the Common Language Runtime and the .NET Compact Framework class library.

Important: Visual Studio .NET 2003 is required to create .NET Compact Framework-based applications.

Note: A Developer Redistributable is also available here.

View: Microsoft .NET Compact Framework FAQ
Download: .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2 Redistributable (Re-release)

WinBeta.org - Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2

Microsoft SPOT Watches Hit Stores

"Wristwatches and wireless services based on Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology won't be on sale in time for the holidays, but they are coming soon. The devices will be available in January, the software giant confirms. Microsoft will use next month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to announce the availability of the devices, which were announced there last year. The software maker also plans to launch updates to its MSN Internet Software, and is expected to outline planned improvements to the Media Center Edition of Windows XP at the show. Smart Personal Objects Technology, or SPOT, uses a portion of the FM broadcast radio networks to deliver snippets of information about weather, news, stock prices, and sports scores to wristwatches equipped with the technology."

Neowin.net - Microsoft SPOT Watches Hit Stores

Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter Update: KB832333

Microsoft recommends that you use the Office Update site to determine if your computer requires this update before installing it. This update enhances the junk e-mail filter in Outlook to help provide a higher level of protection against junk e-mail. As part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to reducing junk e-mail, periodic updates will be provided to Outlook users. This update is optional and simply provides a more up-to-date definition of messages that are considered to be junk or not junk.

For more information on this update, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article (832333) Overview of the Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter Update: KB832333.

Neowin.net - Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter Update: KB832333

Check Point to acquire Zone Labs

"On a day when EMC and BMC Software announced their own intended acquisitions, Check Point Software Technologies also got in the game with the $205 million acquisition of Zone Labs.

During a call to announce the deal, Gil Shwed, chairman and CEO of Check Point, explained that the Zone Lab product families, such as ZoneAlarm and Integrity, already cooperate well with and are greatly complimentary to Check Point's own portfolio."

MSFN - Check Point to acquire Zone Labs

EMC to Acquire VMware

"EMC published a news release today announcing their aquisition of VMware inc. in a cash transaction valued at approximately $635 million. Hopefully they will not kill this cool piece of technology as Microsoft is also working hard to enter the virtualization market with their virtual server program."

Bink.nu - EMC to Acquire VMware

Judge Tells SCO: No, *You* Have to Show the Code

"The big news from the hearing today is that Judge Wells told SCO that they have to go first. They have to show IBM what code they are alleging is infringing. All during discovery, SCO has been telling IBM they had to show all their code first, and then SCO would identify the alleged infringements. IBM kept telling SCO in reply that they had the burden, as plaintiffs, to at least tell IBM what code was involved. Today the judge told SCO that IBM was right. SCO has 30 days to comply. IBM doesn't have to turn over anything until they do it. The judge's order will be filed Wednesday, and SCO has a month to show the code. They can't force IBM to go first. That dance is over."

NewsForge - Judge Tells SCO: No, *You* Have to Show the Code

Kazaa-Lite Shut Down by Sharman Networks

"Speaking with RatFaced, one of the Kazaa Lite forum moderators today and contact at K-Lite, it has been uncovered that the Kazaa Lite K++ project has been shut down by Sharman Networks on grounds of copyright infringement.

The project, which had been set up to block spy and ad ware within the Kazaa Media Desktop Program has achieved notoriety within the P2p world through its simplistic approach and success in reverse engineering the Kazaa application."

ieXbeta Board - Kazaa-Lite Shut Down by Sharman Networks

Microsoft to Junk Flagship Products, Cites Java Settlement

"Microsoft will phase out a slew of products as of December 15, citing its 2001 legal settlement with Sun Microsystems over Java as the impetus.

Among the products that Microsoft will no longer make available to customers through any of the Microsoft's sales channels are Windows 98, SQL Server 7 and a number of versions of Office 2000, according to a note from a Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) program manager posted to a public Microsoft newsgroup. It also appears some versions of NT 4.0 are also due to be phased out, but as the note is ambiguous on this point, it's impossible to tell which ones."

eWeek - Microsoft to Junk Flagship Products, Cites Java Settlement

PHP-Nuke 7.0 FINAL Released

"Hello Nukers! Happy to announce that PHP-Nuke 7.0 FINAL has been released. You can read the changes.txt text file included in the distribution, but be sure that there are many bugs fixed that aren't documented. After 3 days testing this version on both Linux and Windows, it's ready for a production site. This version is only available for any Club member at this time. Will be released to the public in around 30 days, as usual. What are you waiting for?"

PHP-Nuke - PHP-Nuke 7.0 FINAL Released

HUGE Pocket PC deployment in Europe

"Microsoft and TNT Express just announced the largest deployment of Windows Mobile-based devices by a European customer to date--up to 24,000 Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs over the next 3 years!!

With this deployment, delivery drivers will use Windows Mobile-based devices to communicate with the company headquarters via a GPRS connection to the central office, allowing them to receive job specific information in real time. Drivers will use a standardized mobile application, designed specifically for them. More on why TNT Express chose Windows Mobile and the complete press release are below."

msmobiles.com - HUGE Pocket PC deployment in Europe

DirectX Next - Early Preview

"While the next major revision for DirectX is not expected until Longhorn’s launch, Microsoft’s DirectX group has been briefing developers on what’s in store for “DirectX Next” with presentations at Microsoft Meltdown and other developer conferences. Recently, this presentation was made available to the public via Microsoft’s Developer Network. The intent of this article is to give a more thorough treatment of the features listed for inclusion with DirectX Next and hence explore the types of capabilities that DirectX Next may be offering."

MSFN - DirectX Next - Early Preview

Web Virus Authors 'Winning Battle' says Microsoft

Creators of computer viruses are winning the battle with law enforcers and getting away with crimes that cost the global economy some $13 billion this year, a Microsoft official said Wednesday.

Counterfeit centers are shifting from California and Western Europe to countries including Paraguay, Colombia and Ukraine said David Finn, Microsoft's director of digital integrity for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

WinBeta.org - Web Virus Authors 'Winning Battle' says Microsoft

Microsoft To Announce Major Changes To IP Policy

Microsoft is expected to announce significant changes to its intellectual property policies during a conference call on Wednesday.

The changes, aimed at fending off increasing competition from Linux and open source competitors, include handing over more APIs and protocols on a royalty free-basis to corporate customers and modifying licensing restrictions on a 'broad array' of Microsoft technologies, including XML innovations and .NET technologies, sources familiar with the deal said.

WinBeta.org - Microsoft To Announce Major Changes To IP Policy

Comparing the Architectural Principles of Microsoft Longhorn and Mozilla

DevX has an article by Nigel McFarlane that draws parallels between the architecture of Microsoft Longhorn and the architecture of Mozilla. In addition to comparing XAML to XUL, McFarlane also notes the similarities between Avalon and Gecko as well as Indigo and Necko. Thanks to Ann O. and ummmmm for the news.

MozillaZine Talkback - Comparing the Architectural Principles of Microsoft Longhorn and Mozilla

Nero Burning Rom 6.0.0.28

Nero is a flexible, reliable, and easy-to-use application designed to write both data and CD audio to CD-R and CD-RW discs. It supports ISO 9660 images as well as ISO mode 1 and XA mode 2, and allows for on-the-fly disc recording in addition to overburning (if supported by hardware). Nero also supports multisession and mixed-mode recording, HFS, ISO/HFS hybrid, UDF, PSX, OFAS (optimal file access speed), track-at-once (TAO) and disc-at-once (DAO) writing, digital audio extraction, and more. In addition, Nero can dynamically disable automatic-insert notification, offers support for multiple languages, and works with all major models of CD-R and CD-RW drives. This download also contains Nero's standalone Cover Editor for designing and printing CD covers.

New versions of Ahead's other software, such as NeroVision and Media Player, are also available. For more information on those packages see this page.
View: Ahead Nero Home
Download: Nero Burning Rom 6.0.0.28

WinBeta.org - Nero Burning Rom 6.0.0.28

Microsoft Giving Away SFU 3.0

When Microsoft Services for Unix 3.0 came out, a highlight was its surprisingly low price tag. In a promotion running through the end of this month, the set of tools and services for interoperating between Windows, Unix and Linux is free.

The giveaway presumably is designed to generate some new users who will then want the latest features available in SFU 3.5, which entered beta testing in late July and should be released soon.

The widely acclaimed SFU 3.0 came out in the second quarter of 2002. It was a much expanded product over SFU 2.0, as Microsoft combined the SFU feature set -- for integrating Windows-based and Unix-based networks -- with the Microsoft Interix product. Interix, which Microsoft acquired from Softway Systems in 1999, allows developers and administrators to migrate and run Unix applications on Windows servers.

The SFU 3.0 giveaway started Oct. 16, and Microsoft is promoting it in the customer-focused e-mail newsletters it sends out. Microsoft also offers a three-hour test drive of SFU 3.0 running on a remote Windows Server 2003 box hosted by or for Microsoft.

The free SFU 3.0 and the test drive are available at Microsoft's 'Resources for Unix Professionals' site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/sfu/unixproresources/

WinBeta.org - Microsoft Giving Away SFU 3.0

PS3 "concept image" hits the web

A picture purporting to be concept art of Sony's next-generation console, the PlayStation 3, has been circulated on the Internet, showing a sleek silver console with a slot-loading DVD drive.

So, is this an early glimpse of the future of console entertainment? We have our doubts, since although we've been unable to confirm where the image originated, it doesn't appear to have been officially released by Sony - unlike last month's PSP concept images, which appeared in a presentation given by SCE boss Ken Kutaragi.

Indeed, a highly placed source within Sony stated that he'd never seen the concept design shown in the image before - although he did concede that it 'could be something Japan cooked up and hasn't shown us,' he was adamant that he thought it highly unlikely that the image originated from Sony.

So what we're left with, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a very clever and well-implemented mock-up of the forthcoming console, which probably bears no resemblance to the final product. It does look nice though, doesn't it?


View: PS3 concept image

Tech-Critic - PS3 "concept image" hits the web

Symantec Fixes Norton AntiVirus 2004 Product Activation Bug

"Symantec fixed a bug late Monday in the product activation feature it debuted this fall in its latest line of security products, including Norton AntiVirus 2004.

The bug, which affects all English-language Symantec products tagged with the '2004' label sold at retail, forced some users to re-enter the activation code each time the computer was restarted. Product activation is an anti-piracy feature that essentially ties an application to a specific PC, and is used by other vendors as well as Symantec, most noticeably Microsoft."

MSFN - Symantec Fixes Norton AntiVirus 2004 Product Activation Bug

Siebel preps architecture shift

"Siebel is preparing to shift its architecture to its new Universal Application Network platform.

The concepts and methodology behind the development of the UAN align with wider architectural changes in software architecture, and are leading Siebel's efforts to adapt. UAN is even impacting on how the core Siebel application engine is built, bringing more structure to the way it is developed."

The Register - Siebel preps architecture shift