Biometrics Come of Age
Biometric security -- the bane of civil libertarians -- has never been associated with convenience, and has been relegated to a reputation of being cumbersome and inconvenient. By recording certain biological characteristics such as facial patterns, fingerprints, or even the iris of an eye, biometrics has been billed as an end all solution for "locking out" unwanted visitors. At the Partner Pavillion during last week's Windows XP launch events, DigitalPersona's U.are.U Personal stood out as one of the most innovative products being showcased on the floor by defying the conventions that surround biometric technology.
Both Microsoft and DigitalPersona were demonstrating U.are.U Personal's touted fast user switching, a way to change user profiles without logging out and closing applications – minus the need to type in passwords. Ideally, a USB finger sensor allows instant recognition that transcends user switching by using DigitalPersona's special software to interact with Web sites, replacing passwords on the fly. The software package includes a utility to encrypt selected files with one touch as well.
Serence Pulls Together New Web Experience
The browser has stood the test of time as the primary means of interacting with information on the Web. Failed attempts at reining in information by "pushing" content directly to users' desktops brought about a void of indifference that has remained despite an overall desire to make content acquisition more streamlined. Serence thinks it may have the answer and is preparing to beta test Klip and KlipFolio, .NET-like subscriptions that work in tandem to provide a variety of user defined alerts and content across differing data types that exist on the Web.
Klip content can range from job board Klips that monitor help wanted ads, to Klips that provide intrusion detection and notification. Klips can even provide gamers with cheat codes, or monitor local weather conditions.
Microsoft, DOJ Reach Agreement
Updated Lawyers from Microsoft and the Justice Department ironed out a 26 page document that outlines restrictions on the software giant’s behavior. US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly has given 18 states until Tuesday to approve the agreement.
On Wednesday sources close to the talks revealed that a tentative agreement had been worked out between Microsoft and the Justice Department. Legal wrangling remains under way over the precise language of the settlement – an agreement which the state attorneys generals have not committed to as of yet. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who recently began presiding over the trial, has given both parties until Friday to reach an accord. Representatives from both sides are working around the clock to satisfy the deadline.
IBM, Sun Spar Over Server Performance
Dwindling economic prospects have spawned a spirited battle for market share between IBM and Sun Microsystems. According to an IDC report published in September, worldwide server factory revenues plummeted 16 percent from $14.4 billion in second quarter of 2000 to $12.1 billion in Q2 2001. Upon the release of IBM's Regatta (p690) lines of servers -- a product IBM dubbed "groundbreaking" -- the stage was set for a no holds barred confrontation between the world's largest server manufacturers.
Initially, a war of words enveloped each company as rhetoric flourished in the absence of hard facts. IBM and Sun each claimed to have superior product offerings and a leadership position in the market; not hesitating to dish out stern criticism of each other.
New York Celebrates XP
Under the watchful eye of security, events kicked off in New York beginning with Wednesday's Windows Experience Pavillon where Microsoft partners touted goods and services designed to work with the newly christened operating system. The exhibit area was divided into sections that showcased the different experiences Windows had to offer. Wednesday night's events culminated in what was intended to be "midnight madness," however Gateway and CompUSA stores across the city were host to lukewarm receptions.
The third floor of the Marriott Marquis Theater became a virtual bazaar of vendors showing off XP-ready products featuring digital music, photography, networking, security, and digital video capabilities. Microsoft estimates that Windows will offer the US economy a much needed $100 billion boost in combination with its partners. Noticeably absent from the festivities was industry giant AOL Time Warner.
AOL Security Compromised After Upgrade
Less than one week after it rolled out version 7.0 of its flagship software amid pomp and circumstance, America Online experienced an embarrassing lapse in security. Through relatively simple means hackers managed to obtain access to 'Rainman', a major content server for the online service. Rainman granted the hackers an all access pass to create and edit content to their own liking, which in turn was featured at three unique AOL keywords for nearly 12 hours, according to reports received from the alleged hackers.
The defaced pages remained accessible to over 30 million subscribers for a prolonged period of time in place of what would ordinarily be considered universally trusted subject matter. The breakdown of its security measures left AOL Time Warner vulnerable to being unwitting participants in the subversion of information at a time when world events dictate the need for reliable media resources.
Sting to Perform Following XP Gala
Just a few short blocks from the Marriot Marquis Theater, Bryant Park -- the heart of midtown Manhattan -- will be home to a free concert featuring world renowned musician Sting. The park will open to visitors at 11 a.m. on the October 25, and tickets can be obtained at retail locations throughout New York City for the hour long 1 p.m. show. As per Sting's request, Microsoft is donating software to two schools affected by the September 11th attacks.
For all of those unable to attend, a Web cast can be viewed exclusively via MSN. Although free, tickets for the live event are mandatory.
XP Add-ons to Become Available Monday
On Monday, Microsoft along side Cyberlink and InterVideo will announce the availability of the Windows XP MP3 Creation Pack and DVD Decoder Pack. As previously reported by BetaNews, Microsoft unveiled the packs to demonstrate the plug-in capabilities of its media player and the opportunities that they presented to third party developers. Redmond was under scrutiny for allegedly favoring its own proprietary format over competing technologies.
According to an early press release obtained by BetaNews, CyberLink's MP3 Creation Pack for Windows XP has been dubbed MP3 PowerEncoder for Windows XP. It will be immediately available for download Monday in the form of a plug-in for Windows Media Player, and will cost $9.95 USD when purchased separately.
CIAC: XP Error Reporting Bad for Privacy
The Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability (CIAC) has advised against using the error reporting technology included in Office XP, Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, and Windows XP. Based upon its own internal testing, the agency concluded that potentially sensitive and private information can be divulged along with a memory dump that is passed along to Microsoft. Initially, CIAC reported that default product settings automatically prompted users to submit error reports, but the bulletin has since been updated to reflect the fact that Microsoft's default selection is "don't send."
For its part, Microsoft claims that the technology is intuitive, presenting customers with a clear indication of everything that will be sent to the servers in Redmond while guiding them through the submission process. Product documentation on the "feature" is also available via the Web.
Symantec Airs XP-Compliant pcAnywhere Beta
Updated Symantec has sent word that a beta version of pcAnywhere is available for download just in time for the launch of Windows XP, and is seeking beta testers to hammer out bugs. pcAnywhere v10.5 has added support for Windows XP as well as a host of other improvements. These include a host security assessment tool, "rebootless" host, logging enhancements, and an enhanced status icon.
Fitting into the mantra of Symantec's public betas, the first 25 testers who submit undocumented bugs will receive a complementary copy. An additional 25 users will be selected at random to reward those with less than keen bug hunting skills for their efforts.
AOL Places its Bets on Lucky 7
Although it is not bristling with changes –- representing nothing more then an evolutionary step in the development of the client -- AOL 7.0 formerly code-named "Taz" has been officially released. As first reported by BetaNews, AOL shied away from implementing drastic changes to its software for fear of leaving users behind and open to seeking alternatives such as Microsoft's MSN. A number of cosmetic changes and enhancements to popular features including e-mail, My Pictures, instant messaging, and AOL Media Player are the mainstay of AOL 7.
In addition, a Web services push been made, providing customers with additional incentive to stick with their provider. A built-in radio service known as Radio@AOL, and AOL Box Office -- a ticketing agency for tickets of all kinds -- have been introduced. This release comes at the heels of a trial version of MSN 7 and the imminent launch of Windows XP.
Microsoft Seeks SQL 2000 Service Pack Testers
Apply now and join a select group of testers who will receive early access to SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 2 as well as private newsgroups and chat sessions. Registered members of the program are promised a first hand look "Yukon", the next major milestone in the evolution of SQL Server.
The first service pack was introduced in July to address lingering issues that were discovered after the retail ship date. Beta releases are not intended for production systems. Microsoft recommends that its customers continue to run the current maintenance release until the service pack 2 code has been signed off and completed.
Microsoft Preps XP Marketing Blitz
On Monday, October 15, a worldwide marketing campaign will ring in Microsoft's Windows XP marketing blitz. Redmond's appeal to the masses will be "Yes you can" –- a broad attempt to illustrate the experiences that its latest edition of Windows can offer. The campaign will focus on product experiences such as communications and mobility for work and digital photos and music for home.
Microsoft is hoping that XP will fly off the shelves in a "Ray of Light" and has enlisted Madonna's popular song of the same expression to "convey a sense of optimism for what people and businesses can do with a Windows XP PC."
Channel Surfing Meets its Match
With more and more channels to choose from, "channel surfing" is a naturally occurring side effect experienced by scores of overwhelmed couch potatoes and even casual TV viewers. ChoiceStream has armed itself with research from leading institutions including Harvard, MIT, and the University of Chicago -- as well as the power of the Internet -- to take the phenomenon of channel surfing to task.
The result of this distinct combination is MyBestBets, a free Web service that presents customers with recommendations for the ideal shows and movies to watch based upon their individual likes or dislikes. Set to begin beta testing shortly, the service also takes into account which TV system is in use by distinguishing between broadcast, cable, and satellite hookups. Results can be sorted by date, time or genre, and can be viewed online, via e-mail, or in a handy printout version.
Supreme Court Denies Microsoft Request
Adding yet another page to the never ending story of Microsoft's legal saga, the United States Supreme Court opted out of hearing Redmond's appeal for judicial review. The company's petition for oversight -- originally filed in August -– was seen by prosecutors as a delay tactic that had no basis for oversight. Microsoft maintained that the appearance of bias on the part of Federal Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson went straight to the heart of judicial integrity.
Microsoft Spokeperson Jim Desler told BetaNews, "We understood when we filed our petition that very few requests for Supreme Court review are granted, and had hoped, based on the strength of our petition and the importance of the issue, that ours was one of the few the Supreme Court could review this term."
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