AOL Instant Messenger Goes In-Game
In a continued effort to extend the presence of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), America Online is courting game developers, proposing to integrate its real-time communications technology into their games.
A new distribution of the AOL Messaging Software Development Kit delivers tools to developers that can be used to add AIM and ICQ services directly into games. Developers can mold messaging services into the look and feel of their game, providing community benefits and player-to-player interaction.
The Truth About Windows Genuine Advantage
Windows Genuine Advantage will soon require all Windows users to verify their license before downloading updates, but the program has sparked concern and confusion from customers. BetaNews sat down with David Lazar, Director of Genuine Windows at Microsoft, to clear up misconceptions and sort fact from fiction.
BetaNews: Let's start with some basic background information on Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) for our readers such as why it was developed, its purpose, etc.
Wine Project Enlists Legal Backing
The Wine Project has enlisted the help of the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC), a firm that specializes in free and open source software legal issues. The SFLC, which engaged the Wine Project to be its client, will provide legal counsel concerning software licenses, patents and copyrights.
Proponents say that strong legal principals will build confidence in open source software and further the adoption of Wine.
Microsoft Developing XP Client for Old PCs
Thursday, Microsoft announced a slimmed down version of Windows XP for PCs with older hardware code-named "Eiger." Eiger blends together Windows XP and Windows Embedded to offer a thin client for terminal servers that provides the manageability and security enhancements of Windows XP.
With Eiger, the network is the computer. Eiger transforms desktops into terminals that run applications from servers such as Citrix's MetaFrame. Microsoft is positing Eiger as a migration path to the full-fledged version of Windows XP and as a stopping point on the way to its upcoming Longhorn operating system.
Gates: New MS Office Coming in 2006
Tuesday, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates shined some light on the arrival of Office 12. According to Gates, the Longhorn Office release will meet Microsoft's self-imposed development schedule and will ship some time in 2006. Until Tuesday, Microsoft was cautious about committing itself to any timeframe for Office 12.
The announcement confirms the timeline reported by Microsoft Watch, made in November 2004, stating Office 12 is pegged to be released to manufacturing by May 22, 2006 and will have a "street availability" of July 17.
Microsoft to Demo Gaming Controller
At E3, Microsoft will unveil a mock-up of a universal gaming controller that works with both the Xbox 360 and PCs. The controller, says Microsoft, will provide a consistent experience across all Microsoft gaming platforms. Also at E3, Microsoft will showcase more than two dozen upcoming games for Windows, including Battlefield 2, Age of Empires III and Bratz.
"The universal gaming controller will provide a Windows controller standard that helps game developers bring different genres -- such as racing, sports and action/adventure -- to the Windows platform more easily," said Chris Donahue, group manager of Windows Graphics and Gaming Technologies at Microsoft. "Gamers will have more playing options with a familiar, versatile and well-designed gamepad-style controller."
AOL to Introduce 2GB Web Mail with AIM
Thursday, America Online will introduce a beta version of AOL Instant Messenger Mail, a free Web mail service for all AIM users. The service will be integrated into the second beta of a maintenance release of AIM 5.9 that will be the last of its pedigree before AOL migrates to its next generation "Triton" client software.
Like rival Google's Gmail, AIM Mail provides 2GB of storage space accompanied by new search tools to more easily locate messages.
Microsoft Issues May Security Bulletin
May's "Patch Tuesday" has arrived. Today Microsoft issued a fix for an "important" security flaw found in Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 and 4, also in legacy versions of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Me. Important severity ratings are the second highest tier behind critical updates.
"A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Web View in Windows Explorer handles certain HTML characters in preview fields," read the bulletin. Also today, Microsoft refreshed its malware removal tool and shot off its first two advisories from the Microsoft Security Advisories program, which provides technical background before patches can be issued to address the latest vulnerabilities.
Gamers Get Taste of Xbox 360 Specs
Less than 48 hours before its public unveiling on MTV, details on Microsoft's Xbox 360 console -- perhaps the worst kept secret in the gaming industry -- have made their way onto the Web.
The Xbox will stand vertically on end and feature a white chassis with some limited options for personalization. Each unit will be equipped with a wireless controller and a multi-function remote control with advanced multimedia capabilities.
Microsoft Betas 'Maestro' Business Intelligence Server
Microsoft is fielding out a private beta of a new vertical extension to the Microsoft Office System, code-named "Maestro." Maestro is an offshoot of Microsoft's Office Accelerator program focused on business intelligence, providing customers with server-based business management scorecard software.
The advertised product attributes of Maestro are that it assists customers in becoming more productive, collaborative and offers a broad view of business activities that allow customers to align daily activities with strategy.
Sun to Acquire Tarantella
Sun Microsystems is poised to acquire Tarantella, entering into a definitive agreement to buy out shares of the network software maker for a cash purchase price of $0.90 USD per share. The ultimate cost of the acquisition is estimated to be $25 million notwithstanding the assumption of employee stock options.
If closing conditions are met, Tarantella will be Sun's asset by the end of fiscal year 2006. Tarantella is a Sun iForce community partner based out of the United Kingdom.
Apache to Create Open Source Java
In the absence of an offering from Sun, the Apache Foundation will begin a project to create open source Java for desktop computers called "Project Harmony." Citing broad community interest, the project will create a version of the Java 2, Standard Edition (J2SE) runtime platform that is compatible with Sun's Java.
The project is possible because Sun changed the licensing rules for J2SE 5.0 and liberalized the Java Community Process.
IBM Opens Up Management Software
In the 5.1 release of its Director systems management software, IBM has eased up on adding new functionality and will instead establish a partner program and publish a software development kit for ISVs to develop plug-ins that make Director easier to use. Other goals for the upgrade are extended openness and better integration with supported hardware and software systems.
In the simplest terms, IBM Director is the plumbing underneath higher level tools, providing a central management console for servers and workstation workgroups. Director can monitor and the health and track changes made to hardware environments, and automatically take action when preordained events occur.
Interview: Napster CTO Bill Pence, Part 2
Following an interview with Virgin Digital's Zack Zalon, BetaNews sat down with Napster Chief Technology Officer Bill Pence to discuss a variety of topics related to digital music and to learn more about the future directions of Napster. Pence shares his perspective about Apple's unwillingness to open up the iPod, the "benefits" that DRM presents, rival RealNetworks "imitating Napster," and whether or not Napster has "sold out."
(Continued from Part 1 of the interview)
Microsoft to Sound Early Security Alerts
Microsoft is changing the manner in which it handles the premature disclosure of security flaws in its products by independent security firms with a new pilot program called Microsoft Security Advisories.
The program fills in the knowledge gap that occurs between when a vulnerability is disclosed and when Microsoft engineers address the problem with special bulletins from Microsoft Security Research Center that provide an overview of the flaw and guidance.
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