News


Patch Tuesday Brings 6 Bulletins, 3 are Critical

Microsoft released six security bulletins on Patch Tuesday, including three bulletins rated "critical." All six bulletins involved Windows, and one of the bulletins also involved Internet Explorer.

Spammer to Pay Microsoft $7 Million to Settle Lawsuit

Accused spammer Scott Richter agreed to change his business practices and pay Microsoft $7 million to settle a lawsuit the software giant filed against him and his company, OptInRealBig.com LLC, Microsoft and Richter announced Tuesday.

Private Beta of Longhorn Server Focused on Fundamentals

Microsoft put out a private beta of Windows Longhorn Server at the same time as the Windows Vista Beta 1 release. But don't worry if you're not among the 5,000 hardware and software industry insiders graced with the server code. You're not missing much yet.

Windows Vista Beta 1 Delivers UI, Gives IT a Chance to Kick Tires

As a first beta, Windows Vista Beta 1 gives no indication of the size or performance of the operating system, and Microsoft remains quite cagey about what the final system requirements will be. What this beta does provide is the first tangible look at the user interface, end-user functionality and many of the IT-focused features of the follow-on to 2001's Windows XP.

Internet Explorer Gets First Look-and-Feel Overhaul in Years

Internet Explorer 7 got its first facelift in years when Microsoft delivered twin betas of the Web browser this summer -- one in the Windows Vista beta and a technical beta for Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Outsider to Fill Microsoft COO Post

Microsoft named a new chief operating officer this week. Kevin Turner comes to Redmond after 19 years with Wal-Mart where he most recently was president and CEO of Sam’s Club.

IT Weekly Roundup, Aug. 5

From the business wires this week: pre-configured Microsoft Exchange 2003 migration packages, a software deployment solution, an automated disk defragger and a search engine for Microsoft Exchange.

MCDST Title Hits Milestone

Microsoft sees desktop tech cert catching on, with the company issuing more than 8,000 Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician titles as of June this year.

August Patch Tuesday to Bring Six Bulletins

The Microsoft Security Response Center said Thursday that it plans to release six security bulletins for Windows in August. The maximum severity of the bulletins, scheduled to post on Tuesday, is critical.

IBM Ships Portal Update for Big Iron/Mid-range

IBM/Lotus is shipping updated editions of its WebSphere Portal for mid-range and big iron systems that bring those systems into sync with the portal on other platforms.

iWay Sells BizTalk Application Adapters to Microsoft

iWay Software, one of the most prolific writers of application adapters for Microsoft's BizTalk Server, sold a bundle of the adapters to Microsoft, the companies said this week.

Microsoft to Unveil Next Generation of Software Assurance Next Month

Microsoft has scheduled four Webcasts starting at midnight on Sept. 15 to unveil the "Next Generation of Software Assurance."

BizTalk Server 2006 Beta Available

Meanwhile, Microsoft reveals what the Nov. 7 "launch" of BizTalk Server 2006 really means.

Microsoft Speech Technologies Coming to Exchange

The speech recognition technologies Microsoft is developing around Microsoft Speech Server will be integrated into a future version of Microsoft Exchange Server, the company announced Tuesday at a speech technology conference in New York.

Partner Watch, August 2

JNetDirect releases the latest version of its developer Java tool for Microsoft SQL and IBM Websphere; this week's newly certified partners.

Hackers Thwart Genuine Advantage

Even as Microsoft unveiled the new, mandatory Genuine Advantage 1.0 last week, hackers were prepared to show anyone who wants to bypass the anti-counterfeit device exactly how to do so.

Speaker Lineup for PDC Includes Gates, Allchin

Bill Gates will kick off the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference 2005 with a keynote on Sept. 13, Microsoft announced over the weekend.

Microsoft Wins First Scrimmage Against Google in Employee Lawsuit

Late last week in Seattle, Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez issued a temporary restraining order preventing Google from asking its intended head of China operations, former Microsoft employee Kai-Fu Lee, from doing anything that could be seen as competing with Microsoft.

Microsoft Gives Financial Analysts Overview of Company Plans

New versions of products to include an Enterprise Edition of Windows Vista and a Premium version of Office. CEO Steve Ballmer also promises additional small acquisitions but no blockbuster deals.

Longhorn Lite

Who says you have to wait for Longhorn to get those features?

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