In a court ruling issued late last week, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly officially cut ties between the nine U.S. states and District of Columbia, which are pursuing tougher sanctions against Microsoft, and the parties that have chosen to settle the case, which include nine other states and the Department of Justice (DOJ). This "deconsolidation," as the judge called it, was necessitated because the differing legal tracks no longer share enough common bonds to keep them together.
"The consolidated case no longer serves the interest of economy and convenience," Kollar-Kotelly said. "While certainly the Court does not mean to suggest that the two cases no longer involve common questions of law and fact, the divergent nature of the two cases [seems to prevent any] advantage arising from consolidation."
Macromedia announced an agreement with Microsoft on Monday to include support for Macromedia's flash animation player in Microsoft TV, the software giant's interactive TV software. Macromedia Vice President Peter Meechan cast the Microsoft deal, and subsequent relationships to be announced later this week, as part of a broad effort by Macromedia to extend Flash to non-PC "embedded" devices.
"It's allowing for these devices to have a rich, consumer-engaging experience with a really familiar interface," he said in an interview.
As the complexity of information systems increases, security decreases. For example, Microsoft Word macro viruses and e-mail script viruses play upon the "ease of use" features embedded within Microsoft products. Such software is very complex, prone to containing multiple bugs and security vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, current trends indicate that software will become increasingly complex and less secure (even though measures are being taken to make them more secure). As the number of users on home and business networks naturally increases, the importance of user education rises accordingly. Security checklists offer a framework of secure behavior that can and should be implemented by all users, regardless of their level of expertise, the sophistication of application being used of the context in which it is being used.
Graphics chip manufacturer Nvidia will introduce its latest-generation graphics processor on Tuesday, the company's chief executive said, as the company revamps its entire product line.
Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology Investment Symposium outside of Palm Springs, Calif., on Monday, CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said Nvidia will announce the GeForce4 graphics processing unit (GPU) family at an event in San Francisco. "This is the broadest product launch we've ever had," Huang said. "We're going to, with the GeForce4, transition nearly our entire product line."
Three new cameras make it into the Top Ten, including one with the best image quality we've seen so far. Olympus's D-40 zoom leads our new chartmakers this month, landing at number six. It's easy to take with you and has a long battery life. Canon's PowerShot S40 takes eighth place. The S40 has the best image quality we've seen so far, keeping even the smallest details sharp. In ninth, Nikon's Coolpix 885 is compact, and its lithium batteries lasted an impressive 373 shots. Image quality, however, was mediocre, and the controls are confusing. Just missing the chart, Ricoh's Caplio RR1 has an unusual, long, thin body and a pop-up LCD viewfinder that swivels all the way around.
A new service from McAfee will soon let you discover whether anyone is hacking into your system and, if so, let you submit that information to the malicious user's ISP or local law enforcement officials. The project, known as HackerWatch.org, is an ambitious attempt by McAfee, a division of Network Associates best known for its antivirus products, to create an interactive antihacker community online. But will it make a difference?
Sometimes the keyboard is mightier than the pen: IBM has discontinued its ThinkPad TransNote, a portable PC that also captures notes jotted on paper. On Monday, an IBM representative confirmed that the company has stopped manufacturing the notebook because, "in this economic environment, sales did not reach our expectations."
The problem for the TransNote was that IBM was selling into "a niche market that had limited growth potential," said Bob Sutherland, an analyst with Technology Business Research. The TransNote's potential buyers included insurance agents, real-estate agents, lawyers and students.
While your company may be understandably reluctant to invest in new technology, it's important to realize that some judicious IT spending can actually save money in the long run by driving costs out of the IT infrastructure. The mantra here? Use technology to do more with what you have.
One: Be a bandwidth miser
Two: manage your desktop smarter
Three: pinch pennies with network policies
Four: get stingy with your storage
Five: scrooge it up with your ISPs
The MSN network of Internet services and NBC today announced plans to deliver exclusive NBC entertainment Web sites for the popular television programs "Access Hollywood" and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." Starting today, fans of "Access Hollywood" can turn to http://accesshollywood.msn.com/ to experience the energy and excitement from daily broadcasts while they catch up on the latest in celebrity and artist news. The official Web site of "The Tonight Show" will be available on MSN this spring.
Thanks Rod! ContentFilm, Magnolia Pictures and Microsoft Announce Theatrical Release Of First Full-Length Independent Film in Windows Media. "WENDIGO" to Be Screened in Seattle and Dallas Theaters Using Windows Media "Corona" Technology; Windows Media Cuts Distribution Costs While Providing Audio and Video Quality Required for Theatrical Releases.