Patches Galore, Even Visual Studio Gets One
As we mentioned Monday, Patch Tuesday is this week. If you haven't started
plugging the latest holes, you're a day late, so get to steppin'.
There is a flaw in Visual Studio 2005 that lets hackers take over your machines,
but it takes a lot of effort to build the exploit. In any event, it might be
wise to fix this hole anyway, as the attacks can be severe.
IE 5 and 6 got patched, so all you pioneers that have IE 7 (or Firefox) needn't
worry. Get full details here.
Vista Riches
A small percentage of users will move to Vista in the first year, but that small
group will still account for some $70
billion in overall revenue, according to IDC. One chunk is the 35 million
copies sold that will be sold in 2007, but most of the dough comes from new
hardware, applications, migrations and, of course, support!
The Same, Old Proprietary Saw
When Microsoft announced plans to offer developers free licenses to use
the Office UI for their apps, I was skeptical. First, I thought back to reporting
I did a decade or so ago at InfoWorld, where Microsoft announced pretty much
the same thing.
Then, I wondered how competitors would feel. Turns out it doesn't matter how
they feel since -- at least, according to one ISV -- competitors aren't invited.
Gen-9 was all set to support
the UI for its data management tool. But after learning that rivals can't use
the interface, the company ditched its plans because it "might" overlap
with some Microsoft tools.
And a partner today is a rival tomorrow. So what happens when Microsoft decides
to get into your market? Do you have to give the interface back?
Driving Under the Influence of E-Mail
A Seattle man caused an accident involving three other cars and a city bus --
all because he was busy with his BlackBerry.
There was no word on whether the driver was a Microsoft employee, or if the
mail was work-related or just a note to his mistress.
With its tiny keys, there’s no way I could crank out a message and look
at the road at the same time -- even if it was to my mistress!
The Web Puts a Bite on Crime
When the 'Net first started, criminals from around the world used it to communicate,
conspire and, sometimes, commit the crimes themselves.
Now the cops are fighting back, identifying
criminals and gathering evidence from Web postings. Most times, the criminals
are too dumb for their own good -- posing with weapons or stolen goods, or making
detailed threats. The lesson here: Be careful of what you or your kids post.
It may come back to bite you!
Windows To Crash Linux Laptop Party?
Microsoft can barely contain its irritation with MIT's $100 Linux laptops for
the Third World -- after all, why buy a $100 Linux box when you can buy a $1,000
Vista machine?
Now MS
is offering to put Windows on these machines so the poor and downtrodden
can decide if they want to spend their time troubleshooting Linux command lines
or trying to get spyware off of Windows. Maybe Steve Jobs should enter this
fray.
IM Looking for Help
Do you use any IM security tools, a private IM network or have set end user
policies for IM? Have you been hit by an IM virus or had users abuse the systems?
If so, I want to talk to you! E-mail me at [email protected]
and give me the skinny.
About the Author
Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.