Κυριακή, Σεπτεμβρίου 26, 2004

Nokia announce the 6670 Series 60 smartphone

Nokia 6670 imaging smartphone boasts a megapixel (1152x864 pixels) camera and a host of business applications. The 6670 is a tri-band GSM, GPRS class 6 phone weighing 118 g (108.6 x 53 x 20.9 mm). The phone is the first Series 60 product to support mobile antivirus software by F-Secure. Security can be further reinforced with the Nokia Mobile VPN client and other security features such as SSL encryption. The new photo editor application enables enhancing the images directly on the phone with crop, frame, autofix and text-adding functionalities. The 6670 offers document viewers for reading email attachments, powerful PIM features, web browser with support for PDF files and compatibility with Nokia Wireless Keyboard and the new Nokia Wireless GPS Module. The phone is expected in October @ approximately 500 Euros. For more information please check Nokia Announcement, Product photos and Nokia 6670 home page.


My-Symbian.com - Nokia announce the 6670 Series 60 smartphone

New Mono Releases: Stable and Unstable

  • Stable: Mono 1.0.2 is a service update to the Mono 1.0.xx series and only contains bug fixes over the last Mono 1.0.1 release. You can read the release notes or go directly to the downloads page.
    This release is inteded for folks using Mono for production systems.
    The 1.0.2 release also includes new versions of Gtk#, the Mono Documentation and improved versions of XSP and mod_mono for those using ASP.NET.
  • Development: Mono 1.1.1. This is the first release of the development branch of Mono and includes many new features, ports to new platforms, a 64-bit VM for 64-bit systems and performance has increased dramatically. For the details on all the new features, see the release notes
    Only the Runtime, class libraries and the supporting libgdiplus are new. Every other package can be used from the 1.0.2 branch (Gtk#, monodoc, xsp, mod_mono).

Mono Project News - New Mono Releases: Stable and Unstable

Τρίτη, Σεπτεμβρίου 21, 2004

Opera Mobile reaches 1 million direct downloads

"Opera Software has announced that over 1 million copies of its Opera Mobile web browser for Symbian OS have been downloaded from the company's direct download site to date, making it far and away the most popular 3rd party application for Symbian OS devices. That is in addition to pre-installed copies of Opera on the smartphone platform and downloads through other archives and partner sites."

infoSync World - Opera Mobile reaches 1 million direct downloads

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Mozilla based Web Browsers

Reported September 14, 2004, by Mozilla Security Group
VERSIONS AFFECTED:
Mozilla 0.x through Mozilla 1.7.x
Mozilla Firefox 0.x
Mozilla Thunderbird 0.x

DESCRIPTION
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox, and Mozilla Thunderbird, the most severe of which could compromise a system.

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Mozilla based Web Browsers - Windows IT Pro Magazine

Longhorn Changes May Affect Microsoft's Tools Strategy

"The effects of Microsoft Corp.'s recent 'Longhorn' changes are trickling down to the developer division and could ultimately impact the company's tool strategy.

Microsoft officials earlier this month announced the company is cutting some key features, such as the WinFS file system, from Longhorn, the next major version of Windows, to meet its late-2006 deadline. That time frame, however, is also putting in question two significant development efforts: 'Orcas,' a future version of the Visual Studio tool set, and 'Avalon,' Longhorn's presentation-layer subsystem."

WinBeta.org - Longhorn Changes May Affect Microsoft's Tools Strategy

OpenOffice.org 1.1.3 RC

"OpenOffice.org is the open source project through which Sun Microsystems is releasing the technology for the popular StarOffice productivity suite. It is an international office suite that will run on all major platforms and provide access to all functionality and data through open-component based APIs and an XML-based file format. It establishes the necessary facilities to make this open source technology available to the developer community."

Neowin.net - OpenOffice.org 1.1.3 RC:

VMWare reveals Ace in the hole

"Using its strengths in virtual machine technology, VMWare Inc. on Monday unwrapped new beta software for the desktop that allows administrators to more securely deploy and mange work environments outside the corporate network.

Described by company officials as an 'assured computing environment,' VMware Ace is designed to let managers provision and secure Intel-based PC environments to the extended enterprise. It also allows managers to implement enterprise-level IT policies on a virtual machine that contains an operating system, applications, and data to create a specific and isolated environment. "

MSFN - VMWare reveals Ace in the hole

JBoss Releases Application Server 4.0

"JBoss Inc. Monday announced that its new JBoss Application Server 4.0 is available.

The Atlanta company, which calls itself a 'professional open source' company, said JBoss AS 4.0 has achieved certification for J2EE (Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition) version 1.4 for which it had to pass more than 23,000 tests of the Test Compatibility Kit. "

eWeek - JBoss Releases Application Server 4.0

Worms on rise against Microsoft

"The number of new viruses and worms aimed at Microsoft Corp's ubiquitous Windows operating system rose 400 per cent between January and June from the same period a year earlier, says leading computer security company Symantec.

Nearly 5000 new Windows viruses and worms were documented in the first half of the year, up from about 1000 in the period a year earlier, said Symantec, the world's largest computer security company by revenue.

The problem of computer viruses can be huge, overloading computers with messages, automatically rebooting systems and sometimes disabling them. "

Bink.nu - Worms on rise against Microsoft

WinXP Service Pack 2 available in even more languages!

Just released:
"Greek"
Hebrew
Arabic


Download it here and choose your language

Bink.nu - WinXP Service Pack 2 available in even more languages!

Microsoft JPEG Flaw Exploited

"According to a report published Friday by Internet research firm Netcraft (netcraft.com), code has been published on the Internet that claims to partially exploit a weakness in the way Microsoft's software handles image files.

The vulnerability would reportedly enable a hacker to gain control of a computer by creating a JPEG image that would compromise a range of Microsoft software, including the Office suite and most versions of Internet Explorer, which is regularly exposed to JPEG images on Web pages. "

Bink.nu - Microsoft JPEG Flaw Exploited

Κυριακή, Σεπτεμβρίου 19, 2004

Code Flaws Open Linux Apps to Attack

"Vulnerabilities in code libraries that could potentially affect open-source programs using the GUI toolkit GTK+ were reported on the security Web site Secunia on Thursday. As initially discovered by Chris Evans, these problems could theoretically be exploited to spark a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack and otherwise compromise a computer system.

One vulnerability, which affects BMP image processing in applications, could be taken advantage of to create an infinite loop in the application. This could affect open-source image editors, for example.

Two others rely on handling errors while decoding images in the XPixMap (XPM) format developed in 1989. These vulnerabilities could be exploited by the use of an XPM image to create either an integer or buffer overflow, either of which could allow the execution of malicious code."

WinBeta.org - Code Flaws Open Linux Apps to Attack

Σάββατο, Σεπτεμβρίου 18, 2004

MozillaZine Talkback

mozilla.org today released Mozilla 1.7.3, which patches some minor security holes (known vulnerabilities page not yet updated). Release Notes for Mozilla 1.7 are available, and builds can be found in the mozilla1.7.3 direcory on mozilla.org's FTP site.

MozillaZine Talkback - Mozilla 1.7.3 Released

Wireless Firewire specification approved

"The 1394 Trade Association, responsible for managing the IEEE 1394 specification more commonly known as 'Firewire', has approved a new MAC Convergence Architecture for a Protocol Adaption Layer (PAL). That allows IEEE 1394 devices, which is a wired data bus, to tunnel through a wireless connection at speeds up to 480 Mbps. The Association will also work with the PAL's developers, the WiMedia Alliance, to develop interoperability tests and certifications to allow wireless Firewire devices to talk to each other. The Association will also be working with the MultiBand OFDM Alliance Special Interest Group, another industry trade group, to coordinate the development of both the wireless Firewire and UltraWide Band (UWB) specifications.

When the dust settles, the intent is to have a common, very-fast standard for wireless peer-to-peer data transmission between two devices. However, such a system will still face stiff competition from other high-speed wireless systems, such as next generation Bluetooth, WiMax, and even 3G networks, depending on where the involved parties try to position it in the market."

infoSync World - Wireless Firewire specification approved

Microsoft Download Centre Demanding OS Validation

"The Microsoft Download Centre has been updated with some graphical improvements on both the search, listings and item pages. Crucially in the new look download centre many application downloads are now being flagged with a 'Genuine Users Symbol' Clicking the link takes you off to read about the new validation system:

'The validation process also determines if you have activated your copy of Windows. If you have not activated Windows, you will be asked to enter the 25-character product key printed on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) you received with your PC or software purchase.

Windows Activation is not required. You may access genuine Windows downloads with either an activated Windows client, or by using a Windows services activation key. Activation is, however, the quickest and easiest way to receive genuine Windows downloads from the Download Centre. Activation is also the best way to let Microsoft know that you are a Windows Genuine Advantage customer, and that you are ready to receive the service and support you that expect and deserve from Microsoft. Read more about the Windows activation process.'"

Bink.nu - Microsoft Download Centre Demanding OS Validation

Cisco, Microsoft in security showdown

"Cisco Systems and Microsoft are headed for a collision over network security, with customers caught in the middle.

The two companies have each proposed competing 'end to end' security architectures, marking the latest evolution in network defense--an approach concerned not only with scanning for viruses but also with policing networks to deny connections to machines that don't conform with security policies. But for now at least the twin offerings are not interoperable. That means customers might be forced to choose between using technology from one company or the other, unless the two tech giants can strike a deal to guarantee compatibility."

Bink.nu - Cisco, Microsoft in security showdown:

Κυριακή, Σεπτεμβρίου 12, 2004

Για αθέμιτο ανταγωνισμό κατηγορεί τον ΟΤΕ η Tellas

Δριμύτατη κριτική για αυτοκαταστροφική πορεία και αθέμιτο ανταγωνισμό, ασκεί κατά του ΟΤΕ η Tellas, με επιστολή της προς τον υπουργό Μεταφορών κ. Μιχάλη Λιάπη, την οποία υπογράφει ο διευθύνων σύμβουλος της εταιρείας κ. Andrea Costa.

Η κριτική της Tellas εστιάζεται στην πολιτική επανάκτησης από τον ΟΤΕ πελατών της Tellas (win-back campaign), πολιτική που έχει ήδη προκαλέσει στην Tellas ζημιά ύψους 27,2 εκατ. ευρώ. ¨Όπως αναφέρει στην επιστολή της η εταιρεία, παρά το γεγονός ότι, μετά από σχετική προσφυγή της, η Εθνική Επιτροπή Τηλεπικοινωνιών & Ταχυδρομείων (ΕΕΤΤ) αποφάσισε τη λήψη ασφαλιστικών μέτρων κατά του ΟΤΕ, η εν λόγω πολιτική του Οργανισμού όχι μόνο δεν έχει σταματήσει, αλλά έχει ενταθεί τους τελευταίους μήνες, με περισσότερες από 10.000 καταργήσεις προεπιλογής φορέα ανά μήνα.

myPhone - Για αθέμιτο ανταγωνισμό κατηγορεί τον ΟΤΕ η Tellas

Nokia: Κλείνοντας τις "τρύπες του Bluetooth"

"Η Nokia αντιμετωπίζει με σοβαρότητα όλα τα θέματα ασφαλείας που αφορούν τις συσκευές και αναπτύσσει συνεχώς προηγμένα λειτουργίας αντιμετώπισης αυτών των προβλημάτων σε όλα της τα κινητά". Αυτά αναφέρονται μεταξύ άλλων στην ιστοσελίδα της φινλανδικής εταιρίας και σίγουρα προκαλούν την έκπληξη των χρηστών της. Μήπως επιτέλους έλυσε όλα τα προβλήματα που σχετίζονται με ανεπιθύμητες εκρήξεις στις τσέπες ανυποψίαστων χρηστών; Μάλλον όχι. Η ανακοίνωση αναφέρεται στα "κενά ασφαλείας" που ανακαλύφθηκαν σε κάποια από τα κινητά της και σχετίζονται με το Bluetooth. Υπενθυμίζουμε ότι τα συγκεκριμένα κενά ασφαλείας είχαν ανακαλυφθεί και δημοσιευθεί από τη βρετανική A.L. Digital τον περασμένο Ιανουάριο, ενώ αρχικά η Nokia είχε επιβεβαιώσει την ύπαρξή τους, τονίζοντας ωστόσο ότι δεν πρόκειται να τα λύσει με την αναβάθμιση του λογισμικού της. Χρειάστηκε να περάσουν αρκετοί μήνες και το θέμα ήρθε και πάλι στην επικαιρότητα, όταν η Nokia ανακοίνωσε ότι τελικά... θα προχωρήσει στην κυκλοφορία νέου firmware, ώστε να "κλείσει" τις τρύπες του μπλε δοντιού.

myPhone :: Nokia: Κλείνοντας τις "τρύπες του Bluetooth"

KDE Project Ports Mozilla, Adds Support in Applications

Ars Technica, along with dot.kde, is reporting that a number of KDE hackers have ported Mozilla for use in KDE applications. The Gecko engine is currently being brought into KDE as a 'KPart,' which will enable Gecko to be embedded in KDE applications. The port came about at a week-long KDE conference called 'aKademy,' and was done by a number of core KDE maintainers, including some of KDE's current HTML engine (KHTML) hackers. The team is currently working on integrating support for Gecko into the KDE Desktop's default browser, Konqueror. They currently plan to check this support into Mozilla CVS, and be a fully supported port of Mozilla.

MozillaZine Talkback - KDE Project Ports Mozilla, Adds Support in Applications

Σάββατο, Σεπτεμβρίου 11, 2004

Windows XP SP2 and USB 2.0 Driver Gets Confused

"After you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP, the universal serial bus (USB) drivers do not appear to update.

After you upgrade from Windows XP to Windows XP Service Pack 2, the USB drivers appear with the earlier version numbers, even though the files have been updated. "

MSFN - Windows XP SP2 and USB 2.0 Driver Gets Confused

Microsoft's New Mice Get Touchy

"Microsoft is introducing a new line of keyboards and mice this week, including some with fingerprint readers that lets users scan a finger instead of having to enter a log-in name and password when accessing online services or logging on to the PC.

A keyboard, mouse, and a stand-alone fingerprint reader were added to Microsoft's hardware lineup. The products are aimed at consumers and are meant for convenience use only. Strong, or hard-to-guess passwords are still recommended for sensitive data such as financial information or for access to corporate networks, Microsoft says."

ieXbeta Board - Microsoft's New Mice Get Touchy

Πέμπτη, Σεπτεμβρίου 09, 2004

Η FORTHnet στα 620 Mbps

"H FORTHnet προχώρησε στην αναβάθμιση της συνολικής ταχύτητας διασύνδεσής της με το εξωτερικό, αγγίζοντας πλέον τα 620 Mbps.

Πιο συγκεκριμένα, η εταιρία έθεσε πρόσφατα σε λειτουργία και τέταρτο ιδιόκτητο ενσύρματο κύκλωμα χωρητικότητας 155 Mbps μέσω υποθαλάσσιας οπτικής, για τη διασύνδεσή της με το διεθνές Internet.

Οι αλλεπάλληλες αναβαθμίσεις του δικτύου της FORTHnet, αποδεικνύουν έμπρακτα ότι η εταιρία επενδύει συνεχώς στην ενίσχυση των υποδομών της στοχεύοντας στη διατήρηση του υψηλού επιπέδου των υπηρεσιών της και στην καλύτερη εξυπηρέτηση των πελατών της."

ADSLgr - Η FORTHnet στα 620 Mbps

Nokia 9300: The Brick Goes Pocket Sized

Nokia 9300: the pocket brick

For years the Nokia 9x00 series has been the butt of many a building related joke, a hugely capable device sure, but at a significant cost in dimensions.

Well, that's changed. With today's announcement of the 9300, Nokia have moved the goalposts back that extra bit further, even if the Treo team added Johnny Wilkinson and Dan Marino to their line up they'd still not get the ball close enough.


Mobitopia - Nokia 9300: The Brick Goes Pocket Sized

Μείωση τιμών Adsl από τον Οτέ +Νέα πρόσβαση Conn-X

"Τη διάθεση του Conn-X και νέες χαμηλότερες τιμές για το ADSL, ανακοίνωσε σε συνέντευξη Τύπου που πραγματοποιήθηκε στη Θεσσαλονίκη ο ΟΤΕ. Πρόκειται για την πρώτη ADSL σύνδεση του ΟΤΕ που εγκαθιστά ο πελάτης μόνος του (self installed), η διάθεση του οποίου αρχίζει από 1η Οκτωβρίου 2004.

Το Conn-X χρησιμοποιεί την τεχνολογία ADSL και περιλαμβάνει όλα όσα χρειάζονται για να κάνει ο πελάτης την εγκατάσταση πρόσβασης μόνος του και να συνδεθεί με το διαδίκτυο.

Το πακέτο Conn-X περιλαμβάνει το modem, το CD με τους drivers και τα καλώδια που απαιτούνται για τη σύνδεση καθώς και το CD της πρόσβασης στο internet. Στη συσκευασία περιλαμβάνεται ειδικό έντυπο με σαφείς οδηγίες για εύκολη εγκατάσταση και σύνδεση από τον πελάτη."

Insomnia - Μείωση τιμών Adsl από τον Οτέ +Νέα πρόσβαση Conn-X

Longhorn Transformation Pack 7

"'This small piece of software will transform your Windows XP (and SP2) or Windows Server 2003 into the best looking Longhorn port that is available right now, without any extra software!

WindowsX: If I may say so, I guess this is the second revolution. An almost brand new transforming system that never existed before, this version supports all XP and 2003 clients. This means you can use this software perfectly on every Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 client, doesnt matter if its beta or alpha build. Furthermore, you can rollback your system files to obtain new updates from Windows Update and reinstall it so you don't need to use Batchmod or wait for the author to make new updates. Yet another great update is visual style. I added lots of awesome visual styles for brand new concepts and also make existing ones more perfect (Especially Longhorn Aero and Slate).'"

Bink.nu - Longhorn Transformation Pack 7

Microsoft expects PC sales to slow and acknowledges Linux threat

"Microsoft foresees a slowdown in PC sales in 2005 which, it says will affect its own growth. It has also warned that sales of Linux may affect Microsoft's revenues in the coming year.

The warnings have been given in the company's annual submission to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Whilst the warnings contain a certain amount of back-covering to protect it from irate shareholders should something go wrong, Microsoft is clearly of the opinion that the 2003 surge in PC sales may be over."

Bink.nu - Microsoft expects PC sales to slow and acknowledges Linux threat

Κυριακή, Σεπτεμβρίου 05, 2004

AMD Demonstrates The First X86 Dual-core Processor

"Today, AMD announced it has demonstrated the industry's first x86 dual-core processor. During demonstrations held at the company's Austin facilities, AMD showed an HP ProLiant DL585 server powered by four dual-core AMD Opteron processors, manufactured on 90nm silicon-on-insulator process technology."

ieXbeta Board - AMD Demonstrates The First X86 Dual-core Processor

Σάββατο, Σεπτεμβρίου 04, 2004

Converting XML to RDF

"Last month we looked at the REST interface to Amazon Web Services (AWS), and how an f parameter in a URL calling this interface can point to an XSLT stylesheet. If you set it to 'xml' instead of pointing it at a stylesheet, Amazon returns data in formats that conform to either the 'lite' or 'heavy' DTDs (and corresponding schemas) included with their SDK; if you do, their server applies the stylesheet to that data at the server before returning the result to you."

XML.com - Converting XML to RDF

XP SP2 and SQL Server

In June, I wrote about the effects that Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) has on SQL Server (see "Windows XP SP2 Defaults Break SQL Server Connections").

Now that XP SP2 is dribbling out through Windows Update and other sources, I want to revisit the topic. XP SP2 has some great new features, such as the easy-to-use Windows Firewall that comes turned on by default.

WindowsITPro - XP SP2 and SQL Server

RSS links

"Looks like everyone's talking about RSS these days."

Nick Bradbury - RSS links

HOL: Συνεργασία με την ΕΠΟ για συλλεκτικές κάρτες Internet

Η Hellas On Line, επίσημος υποστηρικτής της Εθνικής Ομάδας Ποδοσφαίρου, σε συνεργασία με την ΕΠΟ δημιούργησε δύο συλλεκτικές κάρτες τηλεφωνίας και Internet, στις οποίες απεικονίζονται στιγμιότυπα από τον θρίαμβο της Εθνικής μας στα γήπεδα της Πορτογαλίας. Η διάθεση των καρτών, που γίνεται αποκλειστικά από την Hellas On Line και την ΕΠΟ ενόψει του επικείμενου ποδοσφαιρικού αγώνα της Εθνικής με την Τουρκία στις 8/9, αρχίζει άμεσα.

myPhone - HOL: Συνεργασία με την ΕΠΟ για συλλεκτικές κάρτες Internet

Bluetooth sucks

"I've had it. I'm actually surprising myself with this, as I have always had high hopes for the technology. Now, after a lot of experience with different products, I must say it is a failure.

The idea of bluetooth was that we'd get rid of cables or the need to adjust IR ports once and for all. The reality is different, unfortunately."

Mobitopia - Bluetooth sucks

CERT Recommends XP SP2

CERT has issued a recommendation that Microsoft XP customers upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) using Automatic Update/Windows Update. They characterize the update as "significantly" improving "defenses against attacks and vulnerabilities." But at the same time, CERT also notes that "Service Pack 2 makes significant changes to improve the security of Windows XP, and these changes may have negative effects on some programs and Windows functionality."

Microsoft Watch - CERT Recommends XP SP2

Windows Media Player 10

H δέκατη έκδοση του Windows Media Player είναι γεγονός και οι αλλαγές αρκετές. H νέα έκδοση ξεχωρίζει για το καινούριο περιβάλλον εργασίας που είναι πλέον αρκετά πιο απλό από τη προηγούμενη έκδοση και πλήρως παραμετροποιήσιμο. Αίσθηση κάνει η δυνατότητα κωδικοποίησης μουσικών αρχείων στη διάσημη μορφή mp3 που η Microsoft προτιμούσε να αγνοεί στις προηγούμενες εκδόσεις, υποστηρίζοντας μόνο το WMA που αποτελεί δική της δημιουργία.

Insomnia - Windows Media Player 10

Peeping Tom webcam worm created by virus writers

"Virus writers have developed a 'Peeping Tom' worm that can use webcams to spy on computer users in their home or workplace, internet security watchers have warned.

The newly discovered Rbot-GR worm (W32/Rbot-GR) spreads via network shares, exploiting a number of Microsoft security vulnerabilities before installing a backdoor Trojan as it travels, security firm Sophos said."

ieXbeta Board - Peeping Tom webcam worm created by virus writers

Almost Too Easy! Creating Cross-Platform ASP.NET Applications Using Mono

"Running basic ASP.NET applications on other platforms using Novell's open-source Mono project is as easy as copying the files to the new system. For ASP.NET 1.x authors, cross-platform code is fast becoming a reality."

Almost Too Easy! Creating Cross-Platform ASP.NET Applications Using Mono

.NET 1.0 SP 3 and .NET 1.1 SP 1 Offically Released

"Today .NET 1.0 SP3 and .NET 1.1 SP1 was put on Windows Update as a Critical Update. You can also download the service packs from the MSDN download center."

Bink.nu - .NET 1.0 SP 3 and .NET 1.1 SP 1 Offically Released