Microsoft Maps Out 'Project Green'
Monday at Convergence 2005, Microsoft outlined its business applications roadmap for its next-generation "Project Green" Business Solutions development efforts. Project Green will arrive in two waves: The first waves crests in the 2005 to 2007 timeframe; the second will begin shipping in 2008.
Throughout the roadmap, new releases of Axapta, Great Plains, Navision, Solomon, Microsoft CRM and other products will surface. Current generation business management solutions will remain supported until 2013 at the earliest.
FCC Issues Fines for Blocking of VoIP
FCC Chairman Michael Powell has slapped Madison River Communications with a $15,000 fine for blocking Voice-over-IP (VoIP) Internet phone calls. The FCC's enforcement action comes less than one month after VoIP provider Vonage filed a complaint asking the US government to investigate allegations that competitors are deliberately blocking the use of its services.
Following the agency's disclosure of the settlement, Powell said, "The industry must adhere to certain consumer protection norms if the Internet is to remain an open platform for innovation."
Senator Introduces Anti-Phishing Bill
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy has introduced a bill to the U.S. Senate that would criminalize phishing and pharming. Should it be signed into law, Leahy's draft bill, the Anti-phishing Act of 2005, will impose a maximum of five years of prison time and fines of up to $250,000 on fraudsters who are successfully prosecuted.
The bill is similar to the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, which imposes limitations and penalties on the transmission of unsolicited commercial mail over the Internet.
Earthlink Tests Flash Based Web Mail
Earthlink has embarked on a quest to reinvent Web mail for its members. In May, the ISP will launch a beta of EarthLink Enhanced Webmail, powered by Flash-based software from Laszlo, that looks and behaves like a desktop e-mail client.
Earthlink Enhanced Webmail is a single page rich Internet application that eliminates the need to click back and forth between pages, and having to refresh pages between tasks or preference changes. The service will initially be restricted to Earthlink subscribers, but the company has not ruled out opening it up to a wider Internet audience.
Microsoft: No Security Fixes for March
No need to beware the Ides of March. Microsoft's Security Response Center has given advance notice to customers not to expect any security patches for this month. In comparison, February produced the second largest crop of security bulletins since Microsoft moved to its system of aggregated monthly updates.
"On 8 March 2005 the Microsoft Security Response Center is planning to release no new security bulletins," reads the notice. Instead, Microsoft will be hosting a security webcast on March 9 to answer customer questions about the company's patch cycle. According to security firm Secunia, 20 vulnerabilities remain in Internet Explorer 6 alone.
eBay Redirect Becomes Phishing Tool
Online auctioneer eBay, a prime target for phishing schemes, has been used as an unwitting accomplice. A flaw in eBay's server configuration paves the way for spoofing attacks when a specially crafted URL (Example), which is a valid eBay link, is used to redirect users to a malicious Web site.
eBay was made aware of the issue several days ago, but has not yet corrected the problem, which can be used to exploit the trust relationship between eBay and its users.
Google Local Search Integrates Maps
Google has improved its local search offering, which provides address information for nearby businesses, by pulling Google Maps out of beta to answer the question: "Are we there yet?" Google's maps are now integrated with Google Local, providing location information and turn-by-turn directions in the United States and Canada.
In addition, the service now rates establishments with color-coded reviews and lists standard business information such as amenities, hours of operations, payment options, restaurant menus, and WiFi availability.
Intel Details Dual Core 'Pentium D'
At the Intel Developer Forum Wednesday, Intel's Digital Home group manager Don MacDonald disclosed details of the company's upcoming dual-core desktop processor, dubbed Pentium D. Formerly known by its codename "Smithfield," the Pentium D will work with the Intel 945G Express or 945P Express chipsets that feature high definition audio.
Intel has designed the Pentium D for simultaneous use scenarios in the "digital home." For instance, a child could be playing a game while a parent is in the living room accessing stored audio or video with a remote control. PC designs based upon the new processor are expected to hit the market from major OEMs in the second quarter.
Bill Gates Knighted by Queen Elizabeth
UPDATED The world's wealthiest man has obtained a new honor commemorating his contribution to private enterprise and efforts to reduce poverty around the world. Microsoft Chairman and co-founder Bill Gates was knighted Wednesday by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom.
Gates joins the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as a Knight Commander, but will not be granted the title "Sir," which is reserved exclusively for the Queen's subjects.
New AOL Web Mail to Bring Free Service
America Online is rolling out a major upgrade to AOL Mail on the Web that lays the groundwork for a free Web mail service to be launched later this year. The move furthers AOL's strategy of opening its doors to non-members and will place the company on par with portal rivals MSN, Yahoo and Google.
The new Web mail service integrates AOL Instant Messenger presence awareness, drag and drop capabilities, a new address book, and the ability to rescind unread e-mail sent to other AOL members within a revamped user interface.
Stallman: Closed BIOS Code 'Unethical'
Free Software Foundation (FSF) President Richard Stallman has given the call to arms for a free, open BIOS. Stallman considers modern PC design -- where the BIOS is stored in nonvolatile writable memory instead of a ROM chip -- to be a "non-free" program when vendors provide BIOS upgrades.
The FSF is proposing that users get involved in the campaign by purchasing motherboards that support a free BIOS, buying AMD CPUs rather than Intel, and writing letters to hardware vendors.
Microsoft Prepares for RTC Launch
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is set to publicly unveil a new series of real-time collaboration (RTC) products on March 8. Celebrities from "The Apprentice," as well as a cadre of Microsoft executives will accompany Gates as he discloses what is likely to be the company's vision to pull communication technologies into Office.
Insiders speculate that Gates will announce the completed Istanbul messaging client, which complements Live Communications Server (LCS) 2005 and serves as the successor for Windows Messenger.
AOL Opens Up its AIM Community
Refocusing its vision for AOL Instant Messenger, America Online is endeavoring to revitalize the service by opening up its community and presence to third parties.
It is AOL's desire to architect AIM in a way that is, "turnkey and simple," for partners to build extended services including plug-ins. AOL will also look inward to grow and build an audience on the open Web by closely connecting AIM with other AOL Internet properties.
AIM Sync Beta Links Up With Outlook
Today, America Online will make AIM Sync by Intellisync widely available as an open beta test. Deepening its commitment to provide its members with open e-mail access, AIM Sync integrates AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) presence awareness into Microsoft Outlook and is exposed throughout key points of the software.
Open e-mail access represents AOL's continued progress away from a single integrated client for e-mail. As first reported by BetaNews, AIM Sync uses the familiar Running Man icon as notice of a contact's presence on the AIM service. Users can see in real-time when friends, family or co-workers are online.
Windows XP SP2 Delay Deadline Looms
Microsoft has given notice to Service Pack 2 laggards that "time is running out." A notice is now emblazoned on a Knowledge Base article for a tool that temporarily blocks the delivery of SP2, reminding customers that the April 12 deadline is approaching.
After the deadline passes, the service pack will be delivered to all Windows XP systems through the automatic updates mechanism.
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