CMi Worldwide has taken the wraps off the iCEBox appliance,
a device that integrates TV, Web, e-mail and CD audio playing
functions into a single device designed for kitchen use.

The iCEBox (Information Communication Entertainment Box) is being
launched today at the International Housewares Show in Chicago and
aims to act a "kitchen resource and entertainment hub" for the entire
household.

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TurboLinux today will receive a $57 million
investment from a consortium of IT firms led by Compaq and Dell Computer, according to published reports.

The move comes in the wake of a massive training program deal that
the Linux vendor has just struck in China. That deal calls on the San
Francisco firm to supply Linux training programs in at least 10 major
Chinese cities.

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Apple Computer, Inc. has threatened legal action against Stardock Systems,
maker of the popular Windows customization program WindowBlinds, and
Skinz.Org, a catalog of downloadable skins, if they do not remove a skin
that allows Windows users to have the new 'Aqua' interface found in Apple's
upcoming MacOS X.

Apple fired off a cease and desist notice last Tuesday to the webmasters of Skinz.Org, a Web site owned by Netwhirl Communications. In the notice, Apple states, "It has been brought to our attention that Apple Computer, Inc. ("Apple") copyrighted material is available for download from the above web sites. Specifically, the infringement involves the copying of Apple's Mac OS X user interface by creation of an Aqua appearance "skin" called "Mac Aqua" and "Win Aqua" (hereafter referred to as "the Material")."

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Debian Release Manager, Richard Braakman, announced yesterday that the code freeze for Debian 2.2, code-named potato, had begun. The freeze process is expected to last approximately two months and a new unstable distribution, 'woody,' will be created as potato is prepped for release. Following the Debian announcement came word that FreeBSD 4.0 had also entered code freeze, expected to last 15 days. During the freeze, daily snapshots of FreeBSD 4.0 will be posted until it is deemed suitable for release.

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Apple Computer, Inc. has threatened legal action against Stardock Systems, maker of the popular Windows customization program WindowBlinds, and Skinz.Org, if they did not remove a skin that allowed Windows users to have the new 'Aqua' interface found in Apple's upcoming MacOS X. Full story to follow.

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Intel Corp. next week will unveil its new "SpeedStep" chips for mobile PCs, claimed to
automatically power down for longer battery performance.

US reports say SpeedStep will be used on two new Pentium III
mobile processors. The first is said to run at 650MHz when
the notebook is plugged into AC power and at 500MHz when
running on a battery. The second runs at 600MHz on AC and
500MHz on battery.

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As reported earlier, Novell has begun shipping version 5.1 of its Netware server operating system, promising the "latest technology for using open
Web-based e-business applications, plus new Web-based network management and resources."

NetWare now natively supports HTTP and will be able to support Microsoft's Office 2000 "Web Folders" for easy file sharing in Windows environments.

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Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corp. today handed over his title of chief executive
officer to company president, Steve Ballmer.

Gates, recalling that Microsoft was founded 20 years ago, said the
company has made a number of changes over the past few years to
position itself for a future in which software will be delivered
over a host of new devices other than personal computers.

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A group of key IT security specialists have uncovered, what they say is,
a major security failing with modern so-called secure Web server software from Microsoft, Netscape, and Apache.

Until now, they say, it was believed that security information called
"private keys" could not be found in the memory systems of a server
and compromised.

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Finally after four months, the longest time between public updates ever, Stardock has released WindowBlinds 1.1 to the general public.

The new version adds a host of new features including Start bar and Start
button skinning, support for creating scrollbars, progress bars, and notebook skins, and much more.

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F-Secure says that it has discovered the industry's first Windows 2000 virus, despite the fact that the new Microsoft operating system is still a month from shipment.

The new virus is called Win2K.Inta or Win2000.Install and, the Finnish
information technology (IT) security firm says, appears to be written
by the 29A virus group.

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USA Today reporter Paul Davidson said that the US Justice Department
and 19 state attorneys general have arrived at the conclusion that
the Redmond, Wash.-based software behemoth should be broken up into
several smaller companies as a remedy for harmful monopolistic
practices.

He cited sources familiar with the situation.

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thirty4 interactive, creators of eFX, Graphite, and Sysmeter, have announced a new product for those wanting to change the look of their desktop. Skins Browser is a fast, very small application that allows you to easily sort, browse, and instantly download your favorite skins for your favorite applications. With direct access to over 7,000 skins and fast managable browsing it will make getting and changing skins and themes on your desktop easier than ever. Download version 1.0.0 at FileForum and post your comments about this first release.

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Network Associates sends word about the first beta release of VirusScan 4.5, which now includes support for Windows 9x, NT, and 2000 in a single installation.

All platforms include new VShield scanning technology and "allow you to install optional modules that look for viruses and other malicious code that arrives via Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) mail systems, file downloads from the Internet, potentially dangerous Web sites, and other sources." The VShield technology in this release brings robust protection from harmful Java
applets and ActiveX controls to the Windows NT and Windows 2000 platform for the first time.

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Starting January 20th, Microsoft will allow Universal MSDN subscribers to download the final retail version of Windows 2000. Subscribers may currently download a 120-day evaluation copy, which can be upgraded with the retail version upon release. To download, or to become a subscriber, visit MSDN Online.

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