Napster Ban: Students Fight Back
Students are beginning to actively speak out against the recent wave of universities across the country banning Napster. Two students at Indiana University started a Web site in protest of the schools decision last week to ban the use of Napster on campus. The site offers a discussion forum as well as a place for students to read about the latest happenings regarding Napster and other universities.
Visitors can sign up for a mailing list to receive the latest information, and sign an online petition to protest the ban. In an open letter criticizing the university, the students state "[this] is not what higher education in America should be like" and that the ban of Napster is a clear violation of the first amendment. Recent proposals suggest that universities simply limit the total bandwidth given to each student per day, and not block the entire Napster site. Visit the Students Against University Censorship site to learn more and read the latest news concerning Napster, and keep checking BetaNews for further developments on the story.
Beta Testers Wanted for Vampires: The Masquerade - Redemption
Beginning at midnight on Friday, February 18th, Won.net will be taking applications to beta test the new Action-RPG game entitled Vampires: The Masquerade - Redemption. Testers will be chosen based on a strong interest in finding bugs in the pre-release multiplayer game, and on location (including outside North America). Testers must also be able to play 10 hours per week and participate in bi-weekly stress tests, which take place Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:00 noon PST. Approved testers will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Won.net. Visit Won.net or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
AMD Speeds Up the Race
While Intel was showing off its new Willamette processor running at 1.5 GHz at the Intel Developers Forum, Advanced Micro Devices was doing some speeding of its own. Demonstrating a dual Athlon machine running at 1.1 GHz at room temperature, AMD has put the pressure on Intel to keep up both in speed and production levels. Other main courses on AMD's plate for this year include the Thunderbird processor featuring on-die cache, the Spitfire for sub-$1000 based PCs, and the Mustang, which will integrate up to 2MB of cache amongst other new features.
Microsoft Re-releases Security Patch
Microsoft has issued a newer version of a patch previously released for Microsoft Index Server on January 27th. This patch addresses security issues regarding the "Malformed Hit-Highlighting Argument" and the error message regarding a user requesting a non-existent Internet Query Data File. The new patch was released to implement improvements added to the Hotfix packaging tool, which include a new API to detect the native language of the system, as well as improvements to the comment syntax. Read the full description of the new patch from Microsoft Security for more information and download instructions.
Sound Blaster and Windows 2000 Support Questions Answered
Creative has posted a FAQ dealing with questions concerning Sound Blaster Live support in Windows 2000. With the installation of new drivers that will be available soon, it appears that the following Sound Blaster cards will be compatible with Windows 2000: the Sound Blaster Live! series, the PCI series, the Audio PCI series, the AWE series, and the Sound Blaster 16 via DirectX 7. For more information read the Sound Blaster FAQ.
Microsoft Releases BizTalk JumpStart Toolkit Version 2
Microsoft has released BizTalk Jumpstart Toolkit Version 2, the developer toolkit for BizTalk, its business-to-business transactions software. Fully compatible with BizTalk Framework 1.0 and the upcoming BizTalk Server 2000, this version comes loaded with new features such as test debug and schema validation tools.
The toolkit also provides businesses with the necessary tools to build programs that are work with existing applications using XML document routing through the BizTalk Server 2000, which is expected to arrive sometime in the spring.
Windows 2000 Goes Multilingual
When Windows 2000 launches in three days, it will cater to users all over the world. With the new MultiLanguage Version, international businesses will have the option to easily change the user interface to one of 24 languages available. Not only does this save time and the hassle of deploying multiple versions of the operating system, it also significantly reduces costs of deployment by offering one simple solution.
This new MultiLanguage Version makes it easier to share workstations in companies and regions where multiple languages are spoken. The UI can be switched to a different language simply by entering the Control Panel and changing the Regional Settings. Using this new version, System Administrators need only install one service pack, rather than a service pack for each language.
Microsoft Sends DirectX 8.0 NDAs
Microsoft has begun sending out the Non-disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to DirectX 8.0 testers, in order to begin testing the newest version. DirectX 8.0 is slated to include new features like greater photo realism and smoother surfaces within Direct3D, a new graphical input device control panel in DirectInput, and voice communication with DirectPlay. December 15th was the last day for users to sign up to test DirectX 8.0, which is expected to ship with Windows Me later this year.
DDoS Care of Germany
The Denial of Service problems encountered last week by many users on some of the world's most popular Web sites seems to have originated in Germany according to published reports. Using a program entitled Stacheldraht (Barbed Wire), written by a hacker named Mixter, the attackers were able to overload major Internet businesses around the world. Mixter has become the primary target for FBI investigators on the case. Sites that were hit by the DDoS last week include Yahoo, Buy.com, eBay, Amazon.com and CNN.com. Network Solutions, Inc. apparently traced the attack to a computer in Germany, and further investigation has led the FBI to Mixter. Keep checking back as the story develops.
Microsoft Rushing to Clean Up the Code
An internal memo that circulated through Microsoft last week has programmers scrambling to fix more than 60,000 bugs in the final Windows 2000 source code. Making it a top priority in Redmond before the official launch on February 17th, group VP Jim Alchin and several development leaders are telling programmers that the bugs must be fixed, stating "Our customers do not want us to sell them products with over 63,000 potential known defects. They want these defects corrected."
Totaling more than 65,000, these potential problems range from forgotten bugs and feature implementation, to notes suggesting "plain confusion as to how something is supposed to work." Because Windows 2000 went final last December, meaning no more changes to code will take place, Microsoft will focus on correcting the problems in a follow-up service pack due this Spring. In addition, there will be no further development of Whistler or Blackcomb at Microsoft until the bugs in Windows 2000 are fixed.
McAfee Develops Protection Against Denial-of-Service Attacks
McAfee, the anti-virus division of Network Associates, said it has come up with a solution to the denial-of-service attacks that have been hitting Web sites this week.
The firm has updated its VirusScan product to detect the "Zombie" code, which it says is responsible for launching distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Via Technologies to Target Celeron Processors
The Taiwan-based company Via Technologies, Inc. will be entering the processor market later this year, seeking to grab the low-end processor market on its way. Initially debuting its "Joshua" chip at speeds of 433, 466, 500, and 566 MHz, Via hopes to make an impression on competitors in the second half of this year.
The Joshua chip incorporates 3DNow! technology, as well as a 64KB L1 cache and a 256KB L2 cache, and be built on 0.18 micron processor technology. Based on the Cyrix Ceyanne core, Joshua will use socket 370 technology and Intel's P6 bus system to take advantage of 133 MHz front-side bus support.
FutureFantastic Releases New Set of Photoshop Plugins
Coming with well over 200 effects available, this new set Photoshop plugins combines 5 years of research and development, to give users the best 3D visuals for video, print, and the Web. The Genesis V2 PRO plugin provides users with "what you see is what you get" design capabilities or to create specific effects to suit individual needs. It includes effects such as lens flares, glowing, fractal effects, explosions, and specula blooms amongst many more. For more information visit FutureFantastic.com.
European Union to Investigate Windows 2000
In a possible effort to bring an anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation, the European Union Competition Commissioner Mario Monti gave "the green light to start an examination into certain new features of Microsoft's next-generation operating system." Believing that certain new features in Windows 2000 will allow Microsoft to leverage themselves beyond competitors, the Commissioner stated that if the claims are true, Microsoft could have to modify the operating system and face heavy fines. Microsoft has denied the claims and insists that they are fully co-operating with the EU.
Microsoft Debuts Digital Broadcast Manager
Microsoft announced the release of a new program entitled Digital Broadcast Manager, which allows Web site owners to sell pay-per-view and pay-per-download content through their servers. Stephen Felisan, vice president of the House of Blues Entertainment, Inc. states "Microsoft's Digital Broadcast Manager opened a whole new world for our entertainment business." Many digital media companies are embracing this latest technology and the use of the Windows Media Format to serve their customers.
Digital Broadcast Manager provides a simple and easy way for companies to develop e-commerce and digital content. It easily converts media into secure and marketable products such as streaming video or audio. Through user authentication and authorization, it provides sites with security and easy copyright protection. Businesses can easily set up an e-commerce storefront, and track buying trends as well as visitor statistics.
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