WinInsider

Battles have seesawed for years between search engines intent on providing relevant, unbiased listings and companies seeking top placement in results, no matter what. Two weeks ago, Google began quietly testing a Web page voting system that, for the first time on a large scale, could eventually let Web surfers help determine the popularity of sites ranked by the company's search engine. If successful, the tool would add a more democratic voice to Google's search technology, which has created one of the most successful search services on the Web.

Lawyers representing more than 100 civil cases pending against Microsoft defended the legitimacy of a controversial settlement in federal court Tuesday. Microsoft and plaintiff attorneys cut the deal last week, agreeing to set up a private foundation to aid needy schools and donate an estimated $1 billion in cash, software, services and training over five years. Microsoft also would provide Windows licenses for refurbished computers donated to the schools.

Most of the cases, which allege Microsoft overcharged consumers for Windows, were brought last year after a federal judge ruled Microsoft violated the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act. In June, a panel of seven appeals judges largely upheld the antitrust ruling against Microsoft.

Microsoft said it has decided to forgo a December hearing with European regulators on allegations it abused its dominant power in PC operating systems. "We've asked them to withdraw the request" for a hearing that has been set before the European Commission for Dec. 20 and 21, Microsoft associate general counsel John Frank said.

Frank, based in Paris, said the company "would welcome an opportunity to meet with (the European Commission) to discuss whether there is an amicable way to resolve this." The commission has been investigating whether Microsoft violated European Union law by allegedly designing its Windows operating system to work better with its own server software than those of rivals. It also is investigating whether Microsoft tied its Media Player software to its operating system.

Seems Microsoft can set the trend for just about anything these days, they can buy out who they want, buy into any industry they see fit, churn out Windows Builds that effectively bitch the previous releases and thats not all, when Microsoft came with Windows XP guess who was first to adopt the XP tag? AMD. Well now we can show you that even Yahoo has jumped on that bandwagon Microsoft have been riding AOL with for years now. I present to you Yahoo 1.0 browser.

Palm makes room for Microsoft Pocket PC

Handheld giant Palm plans to discontinue the Web-based MyPalm portal that offers online access to personal calendars and address books. According to a message posted on its Web site, Palm will delete all customer data on Jan. 10. Palm is keeping a separate mobile portal also known as MyPalm that offers content to people with handhelds capable of wireless data access. Palm spokeswoman Marlene Somsak said the idea of storing one's personal information on the Web was big a year ago but has waned with the dot-com bust.

In addition to axing its online calendar and address book, the company is also deleting the Palm.com e-mail accounts for all customers, except for Palm VII and Palm VIIx owners who get their wireless Internet service through Palm.

Microsoft Corp.'s new Web services software will allow developers to create secure applications more easily and screen out the kind of unauthorized commands that are commonly used by malicious hackers, according to a review commissioned by the company. The release of the security review extends a marketing and technology offensive by Microsoft as the software giant struggles to reverse the perception that it has sacrificed security for convenience in developing its operating systems software.

The promise of interactive TV (iTV) is becoming a reality - spurred by milestone developments and new technologies that will revolutionize the way people use their TV sets. Despite an uneasy economy, consumers are interested in iTV services and network operators are beginning to roll them out. Microsoft is working with a variety of cable and iTV companies to develop and deliver compelling services that enrich people's viewing experiences and create new revenue opportunities for the industry.

Microsoft TV is showing cable and iTV leaders how to take advantage of the momentum this week at the 2001 Western Cable Show, running through Nov. 30 in Anaheim. The Microsoft TV booth features a number of firsts -- including the first showcase of .NET applications for TV and the unveiling of the new advanced iTV service from Charter Communications, powered by Microsoft TV.

Microsoft Corp. and Pace Micro Technology Americas will showcase a next-generation wireless solution for the advanced set-top box at the Western Show 2001 in Anaheim, Calif. This demonstration, running on Microsoft TV Advanced, utilizes the Pace Di6000 advanced home gateway box and highlights how wireless, always-connected, high-speed connectivity to multiple devices in the home can extend the value of set-top boxes and create new revenue opportunities for network operators.

The wireless connectivity is enabled through Pace's Gateway Expander, a wireless base station that enables two-way communication from the broadband external network to peripheral electronic devices connected internally to the home network.

Microsoft Corp. today announced an integrated next-generation solution designed to enhance knowledge worker productivity. The Microsoft Solution for Intranets (MSI) enables the deployment of an advanced knowledge workplace comprising Web-based team collaboration, information management and discovery, and broadcast delivery of business communications to every employee desktop. The MSI includes prescriptive architecture and deployment guidance for building a comprehensive intranet with SharePoint Portal Server, SharePoint Team Services, Office XP, Microsoft SQL Server, the Windows 2000 operating system and Windows Media Technologies, as well as implementation services and ongoing product support.

Microsoft Corp. will demonstrate the role of Microsoft .NET in the future of interactive television services at the Western Show 2001 in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 27-30. Through the .NET Lounge, an interactive set of demo stations located at the Microsoft booth (Booth No. 5031, Hall B), Microsoft will highlight how cable operators can use XML-based Web services to provide an enhanced user experience to increase subscriber loyalty, create a deeper customer relationship and enable additional revenue opportunities. The demonstrations will show how cable operators and iTV developers can use XML-based Web services to offer a range of personalized, integrated services to their subscribers including Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging from the television to mobile phone; instant messaging between the television and the PC; remote programming of personal video recording (PVR) devices; and media management for photos, music and videos.