Πόλεμος για τη διαχείριση του Internet

"Η VeriSign, που διαχειρίζεται τα domains .com και .net, μήνυσε την αρμόδια για την απόδοση των ονομάτων και διευθύνσεων του Διαδικτύου ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), μια κίνηση που μεταφράζεται από παρατηρητές του χώρου στην κήρυξη πολέμου για τη διαχείριση του Internet. Αιτία της μήνυσης είναι η απαγόρευση λειτουργίας της υπηρεσίας SiteFinder της Verisign από την ICANN."

ADSLgr - Πόλεμος για τη διαχείριση του Internet

Τέλος καλό, όλα καλά με την Ιταλία για το υποβρύχιο καλώδιο

"Eνα θέμα που ταλάνιζε τον ΟΤΕ και τις διεθνείς επικοινωνίες του έληξε πρόσφατα. Η ιταλική κυβέρνηση έδωσε μετά από 6 μήνες την άδεια προσαιγειάλωσης του καλωδιακού συστήματος στην ιταλική ακτή νοτίως του Μπάρι."

ADSLgr - Τέλος καλό, όλα καλά με την Ιταλία για το υποβρύχιο καλώδιο

Σε μείωση τιμών έως και 14% οδήγησε η απελευθέρωση των τηλεπικοινωνιών

"Εντελώς αντίθετη φορά από αυτήν του Γενικού Δείκτη Τιμών Καταναλωτή ακολουθεί τα τελευταία χρόνια ο Δείκτης Τιμών Καταναλωτή για τις Επικοινωνίες, όπως προκύπτει από τα στοιχεία της Εθνικής Στατιστικής Υπηρεσίας, σύμφωνα με την Εθνική Επιτροπή Τηλεπικοινωνιών και Ταχυδρομείων (ΕΕΤΤ). Το γεγονός αυτό αποδίδεται στην πλήρη απελευθέρωση της τηλεπικοινωνιακής αγοράς."

ADSLgr - Σε μείωση τιμών έως και 14% οδήγησε η απελευθέρωση των τηλεπικοινωνιών

Eντυπωσιακή μείωση κερδών για τον OTE

Mία εξαετία διαρκούς συρρίκνωσης

Eντυπωσιακή υποχώρηση της κερδοφορίας σημείωσε ο OTE, που σύμφωνα με τα επίσημα στοιχεία απώλεσε πάνω από το 1/4 των κερδών του 2002, συμπληρώνοντας μια εξαετία διαρκούς συρρίκνωσης των κερδών, που απεικονίζει το έντονο διαρθρωτικό πρόβλημα που αντιμετωπίζει.

O κύκλος εργασιών το 2003 περιορίστηκε σε 3.125,6 εκατ. ευρώ από 3.338,8 που ήταν το 2002 (-6,4%) ενώ τα προ φόρων κέρδη συμπιέστηκαν στα 395,8 εκατ. ευρώ από 531,8 εκατ. ευρώ, σημειώνοντας πτώση κατά 25,6%. Eτσι το επίπεδο κερδοφορίας του OTE έφθασε πλέον στα επίπεδα που βρίσκονταν στα μέσα της δεκαετίας του 1990.

H εικόνα των αντίστοιχων μεγεθών του ομίλου του OTE μοιάζει διαφορετική, ωστόσο δεν είναι συγκρίσιμη με την περυσινή καθώς από τον Mάρτιο του 2003 στις οικονομικές καταστάσεις ενοποιείται πλήρως και η Romtelecom.

ADSLgr - Eντυπωσιακή μείωση κερδών για τον OTE

eMule 0.42b

"eMule is a filesharing client which is based on the eDonkey2000 network, but offers more features than the standard eDonkey client, because it's open source but under the restrictions of the GPL License.

'The Kademlia supporting eMule v0.42b is open available for all users. The imlemented Kademlia protocol allows eMules to work also without any server. (optional) Nevertheless we want to point out, that this is an alpha version. Since this version is quite new to the large userbase, the Kad-network is disabled by default, but all curious users and testers can enabled it in the connection preferences."

MSFN - eMule 0.42b

Hackers exploit Windows patches

"Malicious hackers and vandals are lazy and wait for Microsoft to issue patches before they produce tools to work out how to exploit loopholes in Windows, say experts.

Instead of working it out for themselves, malicious hackers are reverse engineering the patches to better understand the vulnerabilities, said David Aucsmith, who is in charge of technology at Microsoft's security business and technology unit."

ieXbeta Board - Hackers exploit Windows patches:

Microsoft WMV 9 Gets Nod for DVD HD

"Microsoft's popular Windows Media Video 9 (WMV 9) format has been approved by the DVD Forum as a mandatory technology for any device seeking the DVD HD logo. That is, next-generation DVD players and other DVD playback devices must support WMV to get the logo. This is a huge coup for Microsoft, which is trying to get its video and audio formats accepted as industry standards, and for consumers, who will be able to purchase more advanced DVD movies in the future as a result."

Bink.nu - Microsoft WMV 9 Gets Nod for DVD HD

Porting Visual Basic apps to Linux

"REAL Software Wednesday released REALbasic 5.5 Professional Edition, which enables developers to compile Visual Basic source code under Linux.

'Linux on the desktop has been a hot topic,' said REAL President/CEO Geoff Perlman. 'What's been missing are the applications. There haven't been many good tools for creating desktop software.'

Perlman said this is the first commercial rapid application development product to offer a way to migrate existing Visual Basic applications to a Linux environment. 'The biggest benefit to Linux users is that this product enables a great parity between Linux and Windows,' he said."

NewsForge - Porting Visual Basic apps to Linux

Nokia launches attack on Microsoft powerbase

"Nokia and Microsoft have intensified their battle to dominate the latest generation of mobile phones. On Monday the Finnish handset maker announced an attack on Microsoft's enterprise powerbase, and the software giant unveiled its most advanced 'smartphone' to date. The annual summit of the mobile world, 3GSM in Cannes, was also abuzz with reports that Nokia's partners in its Symbian joint venture to develop an operating system to rival Microsoft's would exercise their rights to limit its stake. Jorma Ollila, Nokia chairman and chief executive, told a news conference it was strengthening its relationship with long-time Microsoft rival IBM in the enterprise space."

Neowin.net - Nokia launches attack on Microsoft powerbase

Microsoft SQL Server 'Yukon' Beta 2 Preview

"Neowin has received some information and screenshots regarding the Beta 2 release of Microsoft SQL Server 'Yukon'. It's unclear whether the build previewed (2000.090.0757.00) is the first build to be dubbed 'Beta 2', however it does include references in both the documentation and installers. Microsoft .NET Framework v2.0 is also included within the build, which has previously only been available in builds of Microsoft's next generation operating system, Longhorn."

WinBeta.org - Microsoft SQL Server 'Yukon' Beta 2 Preview

Microsoft Windows Media Player for Linux?

"On page 19 of Microsoft's PDF Response to Real's Allegations: '141. Microsoft denies the allegations of Paragraph 141, except (a) admits that (i) there is a software development kit for Windows Media technologies and (ii) Microsoft has developed standalone applications called “Windows Media Player” for use with the Apple Macintosh and Linux operating systems; and (b) avers that those standalone applications are comprised of different software code and provide different functionality to software developers and end users than the media playback functionality in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. ' Proof is in the pudding."

Neowin.net - Microsoft Windows Media Player for Linux?

WinZip 9.0 FINAL

"WinZip is the original and most popular of all Windows Zip file utilities. Combining power and flexibility with ease of use, WinZip appeals to the entire spectrum of data-compression users. First-time users are comfortable with the intuitive WinZip Wizard, while power users appreciate WinZip's seamless Windows Explorer interface and choose the award-winning WinZip Classic interface for their most sophisticated compression needs. In addition to basic zipping and unzipping, features include tight integration with Windows Explorer, support for most Internet file formats, advanced AES encryption, and much more."

Neowin.net - WinZip 9.0 FINAL

Windows XP SP2 Beta Includes Built-In Virus Scanner

"Intent on stopping the spread of Internet viruses, Microsoft has begun beta-testing a built-in virus scanner feature for its Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) that will be included in the final product in mid-2004.

The tool is among the operating system enhancements the Redmond, Wash., company is developing as part of its Security Center initiative to rebuff viruses, worms, trojans and crackers.

Microsoft will also provide free online training to help developers make the most of SP2's security features, Chairman Bill Gates said at today's RSA Security conference. It's the first time the company has offered training with a Windows service pack release."

MSFN - Windows XP SP2 Beta Includes Built-In Virus Scanner

Mozilla 1.7 Alpha Released

"The Mozilla Foundation has just unveiled Mozilla 1.7 Alpha. This release features improved popup blocking, with a better method for detecting and stopping popups and the ability to open blocked popups. Mail & Newsgroups now supports multiple mail identities per mail account (though there is no user interface for this yet) and also sports several usability enhancements. In addition, this version of Mozilla adds support for the onBeforeUnload event and includes a newer and enhanced version of ChatZilla, which now understands the /ignore command. Mozilla 1.7 Alpha is also smaller than 1.6 and page load times have improved since the last release."

MozillaZine Talkback - Mozilla 1.7 Alpha Released

Microsoft to make Longhorn vulnerability-aware

"Microsoft Corp. is working on security technologies for the upcoming Longhorn release of Windows that will protect users against security threats by monitoring system and network behavior as well as the security patches that Microsoft has issued.

The new technologies will allow Windows to detect irregular system behavior -- in terms of network traffic, memory usage and system calls, for example -- and respond to them automatically, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates said in a presentation at the RSA Conference in San Francisco Tuesday."

Bink.nu - Microsoft to make Longhorn vulnerability-aware

Windows XP ... Reloaded !!! with MediaPlayer 10

"Despite repeated denials, Microsoft will indeed release an interim version of Windows XP that will bridge the gap between the initial XP release and Windows 'Longhorn,' currently due in late 2005 at the earliest. The new XP version will ship as a new retail product that replaces existing XP boxes and as a set of updates, dubbed Windows XP Reloaded, that existing XP users can install separately. Windows XP Reloaded will include all of the features from XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), due by mid-year, as well as a host of other unique features, including Windows Media Player 10, according to sources I contacted this morning."

Bink.nu - Windows XP ... Reloaded !!! with MediaPlayer 10

CloneDVD 2 Sneak Preview

"The 'Sneak Preview' will run for 30 days and is not available for purchase. It does not claim to be final and without bugs. As soon as the final version of CloneDVD becomes available (probably before Cebit 2004), just install it on your computer. The final version will replace the Sneak Preview.

CloneDVD 2 redefines the notion of picture quality. On the one hand the revamped transcoding technology delivers far better results, on the other hand the user has more control over the size of the video data. With the new version you can define the degree of data reduction through specific title and audio selection, chapter cutting and free adjustment of the target size. A second quality bar shows the influence of the language selection on the compression rate. You now have complete control over the actual quality of your movie copies."

Neowin.net - CloneDVD 2 Sneak Preview

VMware, Microsoft Compete With New Virtual Servers

"Less than a week after rival Microsoft released a beta of its Virtual Server 2004, VMware on Monday unveiled its newest virtualization server, a mid-range package that supports not only Windows, but also the Linux and NetWare operating systems.

VMware's new GSX Server 3, which increases the maximum amount of memory per virtual server to 3.6GB, features support for shared network adapters and SCSI backup devices, and boasts 10 to 20 percent faster disk and networking performance, claimed VMware."

WinBeta.org - VMware, Microsoft Compete With New Virtual Servers

Microsoft Parades 'Whitehorse' at DevDay Kick-Off

"Microsoft kicked off its 30-city DevDays tour here on Monday with a demonstration of the 'Whitehorse' modeling tools that it plans to integrate into the next version of its Visual Studio tool suite.

Whitehorse is just one of a number of new features that Microsoft is planning on including in its Visual Studio 'Whidbey' release that is due out by the end of calendar 2004. Microsoft has said it also will include an updated version of its .Net Compact Framework; a revised version of its ASP.Net development environment; and support for new features in the languages that comprise its developer environment."

WinBeta.org - Microsoft Parades 'Whitehorse' at DevDay Kick-Off

UIQ 3.0 for Symbian OS 8.0

"UIQ Technology today unveiled UIQ 3.0 - the new release of the UIQ Platform. UIQ 3.0 offers mobile phone manufacturers who license Symbian OS the choice of developing smaller form factor smartphones with either pen-based, touch-screen operation or full one-handed operation, providing a unique opportunity for high level code-reuse in product development. This also allows application developers to create applications that can be implemented on both pen-based and one-handed smartphones with a minimum of extra effort. For operators, UIQ 3.0 offers extensive configuration opportunities through the Operator Configuration Package."

My-Symbian.com - UIQ 3.0 for Symbian OS 8.0

Symbian OS 8.0 announced

"Symbian Limited today announces the availability of Symbian OS version 8.0, the latest version of Symbian OS. Symbian OS v8.0 is designed to meet the needs of Symbian OS licensees, network operators and enterprises by driving down Symbian OS phone build cost, providing upgraded Java and multimedia capabilities, as well as advanced device management functionality."

My-Symbian.com - Symbian OS 8.0 announced

3GSM 2004 news: Motorola announces new MS powered cell phones

"Today 18:00 CET we participated in Motorola press conference where top managers of Motorola were presenting new MS powered cell phones. Stay tuned for more detailed report from this press conference in a couple of hours. For now here are official information pieces about new MS powered smartphones (please note: the real name of MPx300 is 'MPx' and MPx220 is still not presented - neither on the web site nor during the press conference"

msmobiles.com - 3GSM 2004 news: Motorola announces new MS powered cell phones

OPL for UIQ

"There was a big announcement for the OPL world at 3GSM today. UIQ has announced the availability of OPL for UIQ devices. Details can be found in the press release from UIQ.

OPL for UIQ comes out of the gates with an impressive amount of functionality. It is currently beta, but is already ahead of the Series 60 port. It appears that OPL for UIQ is very near the functionality of OPL for the Nokia Communicator, but requires a little bit of polishing before a 1.0 release."

Mobitopia - OPL for UIQ

Nokia launches new 9500 Communicator

"New communicator features tri-band GSM/GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, dual screens, a camera, J2ME and an 800-euro price tag; due for release in Q4 2004.

Nokia have just unveiled the first in a series of new enterprise-grade mobile devices designed for corporate customers. The new Nokia 9500 Communicator is one of the first cellular devices on the market designed to meet the demands of corporate IT departments for customization, manageability and security. The device is expected to be available in volume during the fourth quarter of 2004. The price (unsubsidized) of the Nokia 9500 Communicator is expected to be around €800 in Europe."

infoSync World - Nokia launches new 9500 Communicator

Making money from virtually nothing

"Can you make a real living buying and selling goods which only exist in the virtual world of an online fantasy game?

Many thousands of people make a very good living writing, creating and running computer games.

Rather fewer people earn a wage playing games professionally by taking the top cash prizes at tournaments around the world.

But Julian Dibbell is not trying to support himself, wife and daughter by programming or playing."

ieXbeta Board - Making money from virtually nothing

US military creates second Earth

"The US Army is building a second version of Earth on computer to help it prepare for conflicts around the world.

The detailed simulation will be drawn from a real-world terrain database and will be drawn to the same scale as the original."

ieXbeta Board - US military creates second Earth

ZoneAlarm Flaw Opens Firewalls To E-mail Attack

"Zone Labs has alerted users that several versions of its personal firewall products are vulnerable to a buffer overflow attack conducted via e-mail that could leave supposedly-protected systems open to malicious code assaults, the company said.

The affected editions include the 4.0 versions of ZoneAlarm, ZoneAlarm Plus, and ZoneAlarm Pro; ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5; and Zone Labs Integrity Client 4.0 and 4.5."

ieXbeta Board - ZoneAlarm Flaw Opens Firewalls To E-mail Attack

Intel, Microsoft, Others to Initiate 'Wireless USB Promoter Group'

"Seven companies announced the establishment of the 'Wireless USB Promoter Group,' which will 'unwire' the USB interface.

The companies are Intel Corp, Microsoft Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co, NEC Corp, Agere Systems Inc, Philips Semiconductors of The Netherlands and Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd of Korea. It is being done at the initiative of the core member companies of USB-IF, which is popularizing and promoting USB."

Bink.nu - Intel, Microsoft, Others to Initiate 'Wireless USB Promoter Group'

Signature Capture Control 3.0 for the .NET Compact Framework released

"Hood Canal Systems is pleased to announce the release of their Signature Capture Control version 3.0 for the .NET Compact Framework. This release provides greatly improved performance over prior versions when it comes to saving signatures as bitmaps."

msmobiles.com - Signature Capture Control 3.0 for the .NET Compact Framework released

Origin of BSOD

"Do you know the origin of term BSOD aka “Blue Screen of Death”? Well, the term “Blue Screen of Death” was not the original acronym for BSOD. The original term meant the “Black Screen of Death” and was seen when running under Windows 3.0. A user would attempt to run a DOS application and instead of the DOS application running, the entire screen would turn black with a blinking cursor in the top left hand corner of the screen. The system was hung and would need to be rebooted."

Bink.nu - Origin of BSOD

Entrance of the dragon - Microsoft powered cell phones in German press

"Until recently, unlike Nokia, Microsoft was not placing in a press any big advertisements (or any advertisements for that matter) of Microsoft powered cell phones. Now it changes and Microsoft is directly advertising Pocket PCs, Pocket PC phone and Microsoft Smartphones in a popular press (computer magazines, PDa and cell phone magazines, etc)..."

msmobiles.com - Entrance of the dragon - Microsoft powered cell phones in German press

Changes to Functionality in WinXP SP2 (Update)

"Originally posted in early December 2003, Microsoft has now updated it's document covering the changes and new features available in Windows XP Service Pack 2. In the updated document they have added new sections covering topics such as; Alerter and Messenger services, Bluetooth, Client Administrative Tools, Group Policy, and more."

WinBeta.org - Changes to Functionality in WinXP SP2 (Update)

SPOT Watch Service Blinks

"Microsoft's MSN Direct service experiences its first official outage since it went live in January. Customers of Microsoft Corp.'s new MSN Direct service experienced a major service interruption on Thursday, as the service's Web site displayed error messages and many users' watches received no new data. Users attempting to make changes to their personalization settings received error messages and were unable to synchronize their watch's calendar with their desktop."

MSFN - SPOT Watch Service Blinks

MandrakeSoft ordered to drop trademark

"A judgement against the Linux distributor could force the company to stop using its trademark and surrender its domain names, pending an appeal. (Uh-oh... -Ed)

A French court has decided against Linux distributor MandrakeSoft in an intellectual property dispute with US-based Hearst Holdings and King Features Syndicate, holders of the rights to the comic-strip character Mandrake the Magician. This move could force the software company to surrender its trademark and domain names and to pay 70,000 euros (£47,000) in damages to the US companies."

Neowin.net - MandrakeSoft ordered to drop trademark

'Xen' to Morph Into 'X Omega'

"We've got more dish on Microsoft's XML programming language (known as 'X#,' 'Xen,' and soon, 'X Omega'). Microsoft Research expects to deliver a prototype by mid-year. Meanwhile, the Longhorn and SQL Server teams are both looking into potential uses for the forthcoming programming language."

Microsoft Watch - 'Xen' to Morph Into 'X Omega'

Intel touts 64-bit extensions

"Chipmaker joins rival AMD in ability to run 32- and 64-bit apps

Intel’s next-generation Xeon processor and future versions of its Prescott Pentium 4 processors will come with 64-bit extensions technology, Intel CEO Craig Barrett announced at the Intel Developer Forum last week in San Francisco.

Intel joins Advanced Micro Devices in releasing a processor with 64-bit extensions technology, which has attracted the interest of major server vendors such as IBM and Sun Microsystems."

ieXbeta Board - Intel touts 64-bit extensions

Yep, Linux is Attacked More Often Than Windows

"And speaking of Linux, open-source backers cackle at the mere mention of Windows vulnerabilities. But as I've often said, those people are in denial because their beloved Linux is actually attacked more often than Windows, despite the fact that Linux is used on far fewer systems."

ieXbeta Board - Yep, Linux is Attacked More Often Than Windows

MS Compact Framework squares up to Java

"Nokia's increased control over Symbian has sent a clear signal that the Finnish company aims to woo developers in the battle to dominate the mobile platform.

With Symbian OS so closely bound up with Java J2ME, much of Microsoft's response will depend on the upcoming new release of its own alternative, .Net Compact Framework. The Compact Framework, which enables development of applications optimised for mobile platforms, will be greatly enhanced as part of an overall upgrade to the .Net architecture - codenamed 'Whidbey'. A pre-release version of Whidbey will be available to developers next month."

MSFN - MS Compact Framework squares up to Java

Whidbey public beta in June

"The first public beta will be released in June.

There will be releases before the first public beta with limited availability.

Second beta release will be after issues from first public beta are resolved."

Bink.nu - Whidbey public beta in June

OpenOffice.org for Windows 1.1.1b

"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."

WinBeta.org - OpenOffice.org for Windows 1.1.1b

Virtual Server 2004 Beta

Microsoft's Virtual Server aids in server consolidation and cutting costs. Virtual Server is able to run mutiple operating systems simultaneously. This product offers an organization the ability to run less servers, have higher application availability at their fingertips, offers room for scalability and flexibility.

Some new features of this beta revision:

• More security enhancements using ACL's (Access Control Lists)
• Support for 2 Terabyte SCSI Drives
• Up to 64 Gigabytes of Memory
• Clustering support for failover mechanisms
• Virtual DHCP Server support

ieXbeta Board - Virtual Server 2004 Beta

UltraISO 6.56

"UltraISO is a powerful and easy-to-use utility that can extract, create, edit, convert, and burn CD/DVD image files.

It can directly edit ISO files, make images from CD/DVD-ROMs, or build new one from files and folders on your computer. "

Softpedia - UltraISO 6.56

PHP 5.0.0 Beta 4 Released

"PHP 5.0.0 Beta 4 has been unleashed. There have been no reports of the new features yet, but as soon as their available, they will be posted.

PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for Web development and can be embedded into HTML. Much of its syntax is borrowed from C, Java and Perl with a couple of unique PHP-specific features thrown in. The goal of the language is to allow web developers to write dynamically generated pages quickly. It is a project of the Apache Software Foundation."

WinBeta.org - PHP 5.0.0 Beta 4 Released

Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 RTMs

"Microsoft this week completed its first conversion of virtual machine technology acquired from Connectix Corp. into a product.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 released to manufacturing on Monday amid controversy about its compatibility with Linux and an aggressive price structure that will increase pressure on virtual machine software market share leader VMWare. Virtual PC 2004 will be generally available by the end of the year, according to Microsoft."

ENT News - Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 RTMs

Exchange 2003 IMF (spamfilter) pricing announced

"Intelligent Message Filter, scheduled for release in the first half of 2004, will be available exclusively to customers enrolled in Software Assurance. For each Exchange license that you have enrolled in Software Assurance (SA) at the time that Intelligent Message Filter is released, you will be eligible to receive a complimentary copy of the Intelligent Messaging Filter software. If you are interested in receiving a complimentary copy but are unsure if your company is eligible, contact your company's SA benefits coordinator. Your SA benefits coordinator can verify your company’s eligibility by visiting the Microsoft Volume Licensing Services site."

Bink.nu - Exchange 2003 IMF (spamfilter) pricing announced

Microsoft Research Ready with Aura

"Microsoft Corp.'s Research organization is preparing to publicly release in a few weeks the client application for its Aura research project, a researcher told attendees of the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference here.

Research Sociologist Marc Smith, demonstrating Aura during his keynote presentation, explained that the project uses mobile devices to interact with physical objects to retrieve information about them from the Internet as well as to automatically capture and annotate data from them."

Bink.nu - Microsoft Research Ready with Aura

IBM wants to launch MS Office for Linux

"Microsoft denies it is collaborating with Big Blue on Office migration

As part of its initiative to put Linux on the desktop, IBM Corp. wants to migrate Microsoft Corp.'s Office suite to Linux. Microsoft said it's not involved and suggests that IBM might do it by emulation.

For several years, the Linux operating system has been part of IBM's explicit strategy. So far, we've mostly seen server-side solutions. Now, IBM is going for the desktop."

Bink.nu - IBM wants to launch MS Office for Linux

Έχασε το κινητό... και την ζωή της

"Η αστυνομία της Νέας Υόρκης ανακοίνωσε ότι η 19χρονη Lina Villegas έχασε τη ζωή της όταν προσπάθησε να πιάσει από τις ράγες του τραίνου το κινητό της, που είχε πέσει από τα χέρια της λίγα δευτερόλεπτα πριν.

Για κακή της τύχη αμέσως πριν το σημείο που της έπεσε το κινητό, στην είσοδο δηλαδή του σταθμού Grand Ave.-Newtown υπάρχει μια 'τυφλή' καμπή των γραμμών."

myPhone - Έχασε το κινητό... και την ζωή της

Microsoft Grounds Discovery Suite

"Discovery, a content management, e-commerce and EAI capable suite, has been put to rest. This decision came forth from input based on Microsoft clientele. Eric Swift, Director of Product Management for Microsoft says customers are just not as interested with the purchasing of suites as they are with other forms of software, which are easier to buy and less complex in their licensing scheme."

WinBeta.org - Microsoft Grounds Discovery Suite

Help! I married a Net porn star!

"An unnamed 30 year-old Greek man got a bit more of an eyeful that he bargained for when he was checking out an exhibitionist porn site. While happily surfing vids of couples getting it on, he happened upon one of his wife getting jiggy with another man."

ieXbeta Board - Help! I married a Net porn star!

Η Sony Ericsson συμβουλεύει: Απενεργοποιήστε το Bluetooth

"Η Sony Ericsson, παραδέχθηκε ότι δύο τουλάχιστον κινητά της και τρεις συσκευές της Ericsson είναι «ευπρόσβλητες» σε επιθέσεις Snarf (bluesnarf), επιτρέποντας σε κάποιον επίδοξο «hacker» την άντληση πληροφοριών από αυτές, χωρίς την έγκριση του κατόχου τους."

myPhone - Η Sony Ericsson συμβουλεύει: Απενεργοποιήστε το Bluetooth

Statement from Microsoft Regarding Illegal Posting of Windows Source Code

"On Thursday, February 12, Microsoft became aware that portions of the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 source code were illegally made available on the Internet. Subsequent investigation has shown this was not the result of any breach of Microsoft’s corporate network or internal security, nor is it related to Microsoft’s Shared Source Initiative or its Government Security Program, which enable our customers, partners and governments to legally access Microsoft source code."

Microsoft PressPass - Statement from Microsoft Regarding Illegal Posting of Windows Source Code

'Niobe' Enters the Microsoft Matrix

"Microsoft is testing a prototype tool designed to streamline the development of applications based on Outlook.

Microsoft is fielding a prototype of a new tool that eventually could become a member of its Visual Studio Tools for Office family.

The prototype tool, code-named 'Niobe,' is designed to simplify the development of applications built on the Microsoft Outlook e-mail client."

WinBeta.org - 'Niobe' Enters the Microsoft Matrix

Nokia Buys Out Psion - Controls Symbian

As predicted here (and a few other places), and despite Ewan's assurance to me last night that it couldn't happen, Nokia bought out Psion's shares and is going to now control 63% of Symbian. News Links:

• Nokia's Press Release
• Symbian's Press Release
• The (obligatory) Reg article
• The Feature
• BBC
• The Inq

I'm sure there'll be more as this is pretty big news. So some quick 9 a.m analysis: It was pretty obvious that something like this was going to happen. The vast majority of the SymbianOS licenses sold are to Nokia (we were guessing last night about 8 to 1, maybe more) and with Motorola gone, there's no reason for Nokia to not want to control the company which holds such a strategic position in their current and future offerings. Like I said a few days ago, the market is converging on smart phones and it'd be crazy for Nokia, which sells 1 out of 3 mobile phones in the world, not to control Symbian or even buy it outright.

Mobitopia - Nokia Buys Out Psion - Controls Symbian

How will Office 2003 DRM impact interoperability?

"In the near future, will we be able to open and access files from our coworkers, our clients, or our students? Will we be able to attach these files to email, for efficient and convenient dissemination, or print them if needed?

We will collectively be forced into expensive and in some cases platform-specific software migrations, just to maintain document interoperability?"

WinBeta.org - How will Office 2003 DRM impact interoperability?

MySQL Administrator now available for download

MySQL Administrator is a powerful visual administration console so you can now easily administer your MySQL environment and gain significantly better visibility into how your databases are operating. MySQL Administrator now integrates database management and maintenance into a single, seamless environment, with a clear and intuitive graphical user interface. Using MySQL Administrator you will be able to:

• Achieve higher database availability through improved management
  
• Reduce errors through visual database administration
  
• Lower database administration costs through improved productivity
  
• Deliver a more secure environment through easier privilege management

Tech-Critic - MySQL Administrator now available for download

Windows 2000 & Windows NT 4 Source Code LEAKS!

"Neowin has learned of shocking and potentially devastating news. It would appear that two packages are circulating on the internet, one being the source code to Windows 2000, and the other being the source code to Windows NT. At this time, it is hard to establish whether or not full code has leaked, and this will undoubtedly remain the situation until an attempt is made to compile them. Microsoft are currently unavailable for comment surrounding this leak so we have no official response from them at the time of writing."

ieXbeta Board - Windows 2000 & Windows NT 4 Source Code LEAKS!

MS Security Hole In VPC

"A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac. The vulnerability exists because of the method by which Virtual PC for Mac creates a temporary file when you run Virtual PC for Mac. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by inserting malicious code into the file which could cause the code to be run with system privileges. This could give the attacker complete control over the system. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to already have a valid logon account on the local system, or the attacker would already have to have access to a valid logon account. "

Neowin.net - MS Security Hole In VPC

Opera browser for Microsoft Smartphone thanks to Motorola?

"Opera Software and Motorola Personal Communications Sector signed Licensing Agreement. Does it mean that Opera will deliver Opera Browser also for Motorola MPx200 phone? Look how Michelle Valdivia from Opera Software ASA answers this question:

No it doesn´t mean that. Motorola will decide which devices will include Opera. says Michelle Valdivia

... or in other words: if Motorola would like to put Opera browser to Motorola smartphones powered by Microsoft smartphone software (like MPx200), then it is possible! So just demand Opera browser from Motorola and you will get it! It would be nice to have some alternative to the built-in Internet Explorer - it is not bad but it lacks some features - it doesn´t support frames for example... "

msmobiles.com - Opera browser for Microsoft Smartphone thanks to Motorola?

Crystal Reports to Stay in Visual Studio

"Although Microsoft launched its own enterprise reporting tool last week, the software giant will continue packaging the competitive Business Objects Crystal Reports tool inside the Microsoft Visual Studio developer suite for now and into the next Visual Studio release, code-named 'Whidbey.'"

WinBeta.org - Crystal Reports to Stay in Visual Studio

Spam invasion targets mobile phones

"If you thought your spam problems couldn't get any worse, check your mobile phone.

Cell phones are becoming the latest target of electronic junk mail, with a growing number of marketers using text messages to target subscribers.

Mobile phone spam has yet to approach anything like the volume of the e-mail variety, but the problem is growing in a region where the average user sends as many as 10 SMS (short message service) messages a day."

WinBeta.org - Spam invasion targets mobile phones

SYWARE Announces 30-Day Eval of Visual CE for Pocket PCs

"Now you can try before buying. Visual CE is a database application that runs both in Pocket PC and MS Smartphone... now in Pocket PC version a longer trial is possible.

SYWARE, Inc., a developer of intuitive database tools for business and personal productivity, announced the availability of a no charge Evaluation Edition of Visual CE®, the award-winning rapid application development software for database and forms development on Microsoft® Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Windows CE devices. Available for download at http://www.syware.com/vceeval.htm, the evaluation edition provides users with the full range of Visual CE’s capabilities for a 30-day period. To retain all work done, users must purchase a Personal, Professional, or Enterprise Edition of Visual CE before the evaluation period ends. "

msmobiles.com - SYWARE Announces 30-Day Eval of Visual CE for Pocket PCs

Search Engine Wars: MSN + Google = Netscape

"The search engine war between Google and MSN is generating some nasty tactics reminiscent of the Microsoft vs. Netscape battle of the mid '90's. Those who remember that battle will recall the almost surgical methods used by Microsoft to all but destroy Netscape."

MSFN - Search Engine Wars: MSN + Google = Netscape

Microsoft Has Right to Build Products the Way It Chooses

"In response to eWEEK's Jan. 5 editorial, 'Microsoft Must Move On,' I must say, 'My, you're a fickle bunch of people!'

Since when is it a crime for one company to make products, components and software work together for maximum performance? Sony, Harman Kardon, JVC and other manufacturers have done this sort of thing consistently for some time. Just look at the improved automation and performance one can get by buying all or mostly one brand of electronics.

Saying that Microsoft should not build its own products—Windows Server 2003, SharePoint Portal Server 2003, Exchange 2003 and Office 2003—for maximum performance and interoperability is just plain stupid."

Bink.nu - Microsoft Has Right to Build Products the Way It Chooses

Microsoft's IIS Serves More High-Traffic Sites than Apache

"While the high-traffic site findings are likely to come under fire as a marketing move by or for Microsoft, Port80 officials denied the Redmond, Washington-based software giant was behind their company's survey.

Covad's SDSL offers a dedicated line for maximum reliability and stability, guaranteed monthly uptime and low network latency. Equally fast both upstream and down, your business applications will be fully optimized. Sign up now and receive up to $500 in rebates.

In stark contrast to statistics released by Netcraft, a survey conducted by San Diego-based Port80 Software indicates that Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) server is used by more high-traffic Web sites than the rival Apache server.

Netcraft's Web server findings, based on a survey of more than 47 million Web sites, have consistently indicated that Microsoft's IIS server garners about 20 percent of the Web server market, trailing the Apache open-source server's 67 percent."

Bink.nu - Microsoft's IIS Serves More High-Traffic Sites than Apache

Microsoft firewall dispels myth of hardware superiority

"The Mydoom worm has already clocked in as the first major security annoyance of the New Year. It will fade, but more worms and viruses are likely to follow, which means an IT administrator can never drop the ball on perimeter network security.

For its part, Microsoft continues to make improvements to the way it barricades Windows, and this summer the software maker will be releasing a new version of its Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server."

Bink.nu - Microsoft firewall dispels myth of hardware superiority

Microsoft IE patch leaves users locked out

"When Microsoft patched a security hole in Internet Explorer this week, it also blocked users from accessing certain Web sites

A critical security patch released this week that fixes vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer has left many users unable to access certain Web sites and Internet resources. Microsoft's latest IE update, which was released outside the monthly patching cycle, stops the company's browser from being used to transfer malicious code to a user's PC and fixes the URL spoofing flaw, but it also stops URLs from being used to access password-protected Internet resources, a feature that many companies employ."

MSFN - Microsoft IE patch leaves users locked out

Νέες τιμές από Sparknet

"Nέες τιμές για πρόσβαση στο Internet ανακοίνωσε η Sparknet. Συγκεκριμένα, ανακοίνωσε μειώσεις στην πρόσβαση μέσω απλής τηλεφωνικής γραμμής (PSTN) και, ταυτόχρονα, μείωσε τις τιμές των ISDN 64 & 128 προϊόντων της μέχρι και 40%."

ADSLgr - Νέες τιμές από Sparknet

Microsoft Announces Business Solutions Portal v2.0

"Microsoft Business Solutions today announced the availability of Microsoft® Business Solutions Business Portal 2.0. Integrated with Microsoft Business Solutions--Great Plains® and Microsoft Business Solutions--Solomon business applications, the new release will help organizations further extend their financial management solutions, providing opportunities for greater business information- and process-sharing for all employees."

WinBeta.org - Microsoft Announces Business Solutions Portal v2.0

Microsoft releases metadata removal tool

"A year ago, 10 Downing Street published a dossier on Iraq's security and intelligence organisations. It was cited by none other than Colin Powell in his address to the United Nations. Then a lecturer in politics at Cambridge University discovered that much of the 19-page document was copied from three different articles, one written by a graduate student.

How did he know? In the document there was a listing of the last 10 edits of the document, showing the names of the people who worked on the file. These logs are normally hidden and cannot be viewed directly in Word."

WinBeta.org - Microsoft releases metadata removal tool

Nero Burning Rom v6.3.0.3

"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."

WinBeta.org - Nero Burning Rom v6.3.0.3

PDA is dead

"Todd Kort from Gartner says: 'Through the end of 2004, smartphones will generally have a negative impact on the low end of the PDA market, as many individual users will find the personal information management (PIM) and e-mail capabilities of smartphones acceptable'. Both Gartner and IDG confirm: PDA is dead in long term, cell phone market is saturated and only smartphones have bright future."

msmobiles.com - PDA is dead

Microsoft smartphone got stolen? No problem!

"If the phone should be lost, stolen or damaged, CPP will provide assistance through its customer service centre to restore the address book contacts to the replacement handset. To benefit from this service the handset should be any Symbian OS or Microsoft Smartphone 2002/3 phone."

msmobiles.com - Microsoft smartphone got stolen? No problem!

For developers: .NET CF FAQ updated

"Software developed with .NET CF for Smartphone and Pocket PC is the hottest and best way to write mobile software. Contrary to J2ME/MIDP in case of .NET CF one can access also low level features of devices (including file system) and use more than one programming language... Microsoft´s FAQ about .NET CF is the main place for all developers using .NET technology to write mobile software!"

msmobiles.com - For developers: .NET CF FAQ updated

Microsoft Sets Up Alternate Web Site

"Microsoft said Monday it has set up a secondary Web site for users affected by an Internet virus that will seek to block them from the software giant's regular Web sites.

The virus, called 'Mydoom.B,' was programmed to launch an attack on Microsoft's site on Tuesday, two days after a variant shut down the site of The SCO Group, a small Utah software company. The virus sends hundreds of thousands of requests for the site per minute, crippling it. Stephen Toulouse, security program manager at Microsoft, said users who can't access Microsoft's main Web site can go to https://information.microsoft.com. That alternative Web site will offer security tips as well as regular information about Microsoft products."

MSFN - Microsoft Sets Up Alternate Web Site

Welcome to WindowsDevCenter

"Welcome to WindowsDevCenter.com, O'Reilly's new site for Windows developers, power users, system administrators, and IT folks. It's here to help you get the most out of today's versions of Windows, as well as prepare for the future - and so you'll get in-depth articles about Windows technologies including .NET, VBScript, SQL, system administration, wireless, and more."

MSFN - Welcome to WindowsDevCenter

KDE 3.2 Released

"Today the KDE Project released KDE 3.2. It is the result of a combined year-long effort by hundreds of individuals and corporations from around the globe. For packages, please visit the KDE 3.2 info page. At the moment binary packages for Conectiva Linux, Slackware (9.0, 9.1) and SUSE Linux (8.2, 9.0) are listed. Or compile the source either manually or with the help of Konstruct after reading the KDE 3.2 Requirements list. All changes can be found in the detailed KDE 3.2 change log or continue to read about the highlights."

KDE News - KDE 3.2 Released

J2SE 1.5.0 Beta 1

"Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) software is the premier platform for rapidly developing and deploying secure, portable applications that run on server and desktop systems spanning most operating systems. J2SE 1.5 is a significant release including many new features and updates while preserving compatibility and stability."

Sun.com - J2SE 1.5.0 Beta 1

How-to: Install Windows SharePoint Services without installing MSDE

"This weekend I struggled a little but with an installation of Windows SharePoint Services. I had a test server installed with ASP.NET and a SQL Server running on it; the goal was to install SharePoint that should be using the SQL Server instance instead of installing Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE)."

Bink.nu - How-to: Install Windows SharePoint Services without installing MSDE

Microsoft AppLocale Utility

"Unicode based platforms, such as Windows XP, emulate the language environment required to run non-Unicode applications by internally converting application's non-Unicode text data to Unicode using a system-wide variable commonly called the system local (or language for non-Unicode applications). The language of the non-Unicode applications should be of the same script or family as the one defined by the system locale. Failing to meet this condition results in display of garbage characters in the UI of the application."

Bink.nu - Microsoft AppLocale Utility