Microsoft Shoots Down Longhorn Continuation Project
- By Peter Varhol
- 06/26/2007
An independent project to build the client operating system that Microsoft
had originally called "Longhorn"
has
become a legal casualty. Microsoft has sent a cease-and-desist letter to
the
group of
developers engaged in the project. Longhorn Reloaded, which had just posted
its first milestone build, is no longer available for download.
Longhorn Reloaded began the project with Windows Longhorn client build 6.0.4074,
which Microsoft released at its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC)
in 2004. While the company made the source code available, it now claims that
the Longhorn Reloaded project violates the terms of its license agreement.
Would you like having an independent version of a Windows operating system
(not open source, but apparently freely downloadable)? Let me know at [email protected].
Google Asks for Expanded Microsoft Oversight
In the latest move in the ongoing controversy concerning the ability of a third-party
vendor to add utilities to Windows Vista, Google has asked
a federal judge to extend the Microsoft antitrust consent decree signed
in 2002 to include that operating system.
Google notes that Microsoft defaults to its own desktop search engine, and
that it isn't easy to install and use an alternative. Microsoft has offered
to make changes, which Google says are insufficient. So Google has approached
the judge monitoring Microsoft's consent decree in order to include Vista as
a part of the government's antitrust oversight. The judge
eventually decided that the complaint had to be addressed by the Justice
Department first.
Much of this is a tit-for-tat argument stemming from Microsoft's antitrust
objections to Google's proposed acquisition of Web advertiser DoubleClick. Look
for this type of legal volleying between the two companies to continue.
What do you use for desktop search? Tell me your search strategy at [email protected].
First Apple iPhone Shipments Arrive From Asia
The initial
volume shipments of Apple's iPhone arrived in the United States this past
weekend, with an armed security contingent waiting for it at the arrival airports.
The guards apparently accompanied the phones on trucks to their destinations,
although reports didn't name those locations. Presumably, they were trucked
to distribution centers and retail stores.
The amount of secrecy and security needed to transport and receive a new gadget
-- even if that gadget is from Apple -- continues to amaze. Most indications
are, however, that businesses will not be adopting the iPhone any time soon,
as it lacks a firewall and the ability to connect to business applications.
Are you going to be in line to purchase an iPhone later this week? Tell me
your phone needs at [email protected].
About the Author
Peter Varhol is the executive editor,
reviews of Redmond magazine and has more than 20 years of experience as a software
developer, software product manager and technology writer. He has graduate degrees
in computer science and mathematics, and has taught both subjects at the university
level.