AOL IM "Woodstock" Alpha 2 Surfaces
Thanks to a BetaNews reader who pointed us to his Web site where you will now find Alpha 2 of America Online Instant Messenger version 4.4.2286. This upgrade features all sorts of bugfixes and improvements to the general function of the software. MapQuest maps have now been incorporated, along with the ability to connect via an HTTPS proxy server, as well as an option to send an "American Greetings" IM. Also added to this release is topical chats and buddy comments. For more information on this release, visit here, or download it now from FileForum.
Commentary: Why Napster Isn't That Big of a Deal
Sure Napster did revolutionize the way users share files over the Internet, and give netizens and music lovers everywhere a vehicle to trade songs and the like. However, that certainly does not make the software the be all end all of file sharing. This summer, which is approaching quickly, will turn Napster from the free service it once was into a money making business model, and Napster users everywhere are freaking out about it.
Not too long ago Napster was a big deal. But then those guys over at Nullsoft, the ones that make that llama-whipping software Winamp, developed a new protocol they called Gnutella. This was, and still is, an unstoppable force. Because it is Peer-to-Peer rather than a central server system like Napster, no one thing can bring it down.
HP Rolls Out "Next-Gen Internet" Building Software
Hewlett-Packard today launched its own software to help make the Internet a better place for netizens around the world. All major corporations including MS, Sun, and Corel are all racing towards the Internet as a basis for all next-generation products and services. HP sites the growing market for Internet appliances and devices as reasons to jump into the market. HP will be one of the first to market with such products, and will be compatible with Java and Microsoft .Net technologies. For more information read the Reuters Report.
Sega Gives Up Dreamcast for Set-top Venture
Sega, in conjunction with PACE Micro Technology of Great Britain, has unveiled the first look at its new set-top box. The box, according to GameSpot UK, will be fully compatible with existing Dreamcast titles and build on Dreamcast architecture. It also features a high capacity hard drive and broadband capabilities. Sega just recently decided to halt production of the Dreamcast due to lagging sales and high costs. For more information, and to see a picture of the console, visit GameSpot UK.
'Anna' Author Comes Clean
The writer of the recent virus, come to be known as the 'Anna' worm for its usage of an Anna Kournikova image to spread its charm, has come clean to police. Reuters reports that apparently the man decided to turn himself in after consulting with his parents and realizing the virus had crippled e-mail servers worldwide. The man, known as OnTheFly, wrote the virus to show that Internet users have still not taken proper precautions to ward off viral attacks, even after the disastrous Love Letter and Melissa incidents. He could face as much as four years jail time for his crime.
AntiTrust Woes Continue for MS
Hot on the heels of its pending appeal for last years decision by Judge Jackson to break up the company, Microsoft is facing more anti-trust investigations. This round focuses on the Redmond giants purchase of Great Plains Software, and a $135 million investment in rival office suite maker Corel. Wall Street Journal reports thtt Microsoft is fully cooperating with the DOJ on the matter, and does not expect to have problems completing the deal.
Download Purchases from Amazon
Online retail giant Amazon today announced the beginning of a new program to help make the company profitable by the end of this year. According to the Reuters report, Amazon is now allowing consumers to purchase certain pieces of software from Amazon in the normal fashion, and then download the software instead of waiting for delivery.
Once the purchase is complete, the customer is sent an e-mail with details and links to download the product from secure servers at Preview Systems Inc.
Sony Debuts Credit Card-Thin Television
Yesterday technology giant Sony showed off its latest creation, an organic electroluminescent (OEL) display just 1.4mm thin, or roughly the thickness of a credit card. According to the Reuters report, the new screen could bring an end to the much larger tv tubes currently being used, and strongly compete with LCD screens. The OEL display is not only thinner and lighter, but also produces a better picture than that of the LCD screen. Sony hopes to mass produce the displays by 2003, matching the cost and size of today's LCD displays. You can read the rest of the report over at MSNBC.
Netscape 6.01 Available
Netscape users everywhere can rejoice at the arrival of version 6.01 for their using pleasure. Though no official announcement has been made yet, users can download the update from the Netscape FTP. Highlights in this release include an improvement in many categories and overall performance. Some users have already said the newest version is a lot better than previous releases. Let us know what you think. You can download the Windows version here, or the Linux version here.
Opera to Create "Grassroots" Browser
In conjunction with Labour and Society International, Opera Software is set to begin work on a brand new and very unique browser for trade unions around the globe. Several of such major unions have already signed onto the project, and are very excited to see the results. The new browser will combine the LabourStart Web portal with Opera browsing technology to deliver a customized solution for the industry. The new software comes complete with a unique splash screen and features on top of the standard set. The Dutch and Norwegian versions can be found here with other versions to follow over at www.opera.com.
Lucent Develops Breakthrough Wireless Chip
Lucent Technologies told Associated Press today it has developed a breakthrough chip that could both lower the cost and improve the quality of wireless networks everywhere. Researchers at the company report the development of an all silicon chip for those base stations that receive radio signals from wireless devices. Using just three of these chips, compared to the normal 10 to 20 gallium arsenide chips used now, the new networks are as much as 100 times smaller and 100 times less expensive. Lucent says the new technology will be deployed in its next-generation devices over the next five years.
New MSN Messenger to Slap AOL
Microsoft is close to launching a massive upgrade for its MSN Messenger software, that according to the News.com report, is aimed at slapping AOL into joining the effort for a universal messaging protocol. ActiveWin told News.com reporters that the new version will implement messaging compatibility with Yahoo Messenger right away, with file transfer and other features coming shortly thereafter.
Officials at Odigo also said MSN compatibility was ready to go and could be implemented immediately.
Microsoft Investigating IE6 Leaks
Microsoft is currently investigating how an early copy of Internet Explorer seemed to leak onto the Web last week. In tradition with just about all of its software siblings, IE6 was leaked for download by someone either internally at Microsoft or a beta tester who was supposed to keep their NDA. Both FileClicks and The-Ctrl-Alt-Del.com had posted reviews and downloads for the next version of Microsoft's popular Internet Explorer software.
In the reviews, which included screenshots, the sites highlighted some of the enhanced features in the upcoming software. One such "enhancement" includes a left-hand sidebar, which would be familiar to users as the Netscape sidebar. Another topbar, at least in the beta version, has been added to include links to Microsoft Web properties and Real.com as well as tools to personalize and organize Explorer bars to each users liking.
Security Holes Found in "Airport" Wireless Technology
Researchers at the University of California Berkley say they have discovered several vulnerabilities in the wireless technology encorporated into the popular Apple "Airport" wireless communication device. The problem lies in the 802.11 security protocol, otherwise known as WEP.
According to the researchers report, they have found ways to access even restricted networks, intercept transmissions, and even modify those transmissions as they are sent. These packets could even be modified without disturbing the checksum, which is intended to make sure information is not tampered with or corrupted.
E-mail "Bug" Could Allow Tracking
According to another ZDNet report, a new bug, found to affect recent versions of Netscape mail, Outlook, and Eudora, could allow an individual to basically tag your e-mail messages to track and read them as they pass from person to person. Using JavaScript, the user can have any reply to the message with the script attached, forwarded back to them, thus receiving your mail. The bug was originally discovered by the London-based Privacy Foundation. For more information read the article over at ZDNet.
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