Feed Skype worm leaps onto MSN (theregister.com)
IM in peril
Malware miscreants have created the first worm targeting Skype that's also capable over other instant messaging networks, such as MSN and ICQ.
Submission + - Dell plans to sell its PCs at Wal-Mart
DJAdapt writes: "In a departure from Dell's approach of selling machines only directly to customers, a Dell spokesman said Thursday that the computer maker will begin selling two of its Dimension desktop computers in about 3,000 Wal-Marts beginning June 10. Dell spokesman Dwayne Cox said the Wal-Mart deal "represents our first step" into global retail. "Customers want more and new ways to buy our products, and we plan on meeting their needs on a global level," Cox said. "Offering Dell Dimensions in Wal-Mart is a great example of this approach.""
NY Governor to Target Violent Video Games 306
NoMoreGuns writes to tell us that Governor Eliot Spitzer is planning to target violent movies and video games in a new bill. "Spitzer said he wants to restrict access to these videos and games by children, similar to motion picture regulations which prohibit youths under 17 from being admitted to R-rated movies without a parent or adult guardian. Under Spitzer's proposal, retailers who sell violent or degrading videos or video games to children contrary to the rating would be sanctioned."
Only 244 Genuine Windows Vista's Sold in China 457
morpheus83 writes "Whilst Microsoft was bragging about the sales number of their latest OS Windows Vista, few would actually know that they have only managed to sell 244 copies in the whole of China in the first 2 weeks. You heard that right, and that's the number quoted from the headquarters of the Windows Vista chief (90% national volume) distributor in Beijing."
Submission + - MS Silverlight to support Linux after all?
Monroe Thomas writes: "From the blog of the UI designer of Windows Home Server:
http://www.antosdesign.com/journal/
"Silverlight, the new cross-browser plug-in from Microsoft delivers rich new media experiences on the Web. In a nutshell Silverlight (formerly known as "WPFe" or Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere) is shaping up to be a very compelling alternative to Flash. Silverlight is a XAML rendering engine that runs in a browser plug-in and is targeted to work with Linux, Mac and Windows browsers. It does almost everything that WPF does, with the exception of some 3D rendering capabilities. I'm super excited about this new platform and have a feeling this will be all over MIX07.""
http://www.antosdesign.com/journal/
"Silverlight, the new cross-browser plug-in from Microsoft delivers rich new media experiences on the Web. In a nutshell Silverlight (formerly known as "WPFe" or Windows Presentation Foundation Everywhere) is shaping up to be a very compelling alternative to Flash. Silverlight is a XAML rendering engine that runs in a browser plug-in and is targeted to work with Linux, Mac and Windows browsers. It does almost everything that WPF does, with the exception of some 3D rendering capabilities. I'm super excited about this new platform and have a feeling this will be all over MIX07.""
Bookmark Web 2.0 in danger of consuming itself (daniweb.com)
Journal Journal: Gunman kills 30 in rampage at Virginia university
Gunman kills 30 in rampage at Virginia university - International Herald Tribune: "At least 30 people were killed and 29 were wounded Monday at Virginia Tech University in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history and one of the worst anywhere."
Submission + - Poll: Best munchies for coding?
An anonymous reader writes: - Potato chips
- Nachos & cheesy salsa
- Party mix (pretzels, cheezies, doritos, corn chips)
- Ramen noodles
- Pizza pockets
- Popcorn
- CowboyNeal
- Nachos & cheesy salsa
- Party mix (pretzels, cheezies, doritos, corn chips)
- Ramen noodles
- Pizza pockets
- Popcorn
- CowboyNeal
Astronaut to Run the Boston Marathon From Space 176
BostonBehindTheScenes writes "American astronaut Sunita Williams will run 26.2 miles on a treadmill on Patriot's Day (April 16th for those of you outside of Massachusetts) while runners on the ground will compete in the 111th Boston Marathon, according to this New Scientist article.
And yes, she is an actual registered participant who qualified by finishing among the top 100 women in the Houston Marathon in 2006. NASA's press release touts this as yet another space first."
Submission + - US 'no longer technology king'
Not So Anonymous Coward writes: "The US has lost its position as the world's primary engine of technology innovation, according to a report by the World Economic Forum.
The US is now ranked seventh in the body's league table measuring the impact of technology on the development of nations.
A deterioration of the political and regulatory environment in the US prompted the fall, the report said.
The top spot went for the first time to Denmark, followed by Sweden.
Full Story "
Submission + - The world's first iPod - made in 1924
surburban writes: "The Mikiphone was the grandfather of portable music players and was billed as an orchestra of music in the palm of your hand. The player was made in Switzerland and marked a trend for portable players. It comes in a silver tin and can play 10in records. But before you can listen to your favourite tracks, you have to assemble together the Mikiphone which was tricky without the manual. Instead of batteries, the Mikiphone is a wind up gadget, and instead of headphones or speakers, a resonator is used to play the sounds."
Submission + - SPAM: Research: Making Google show you the good stuff
alphadogg writes: "Researchers in Australia and England are pushing to get good stuff (such as scientific journals) floating to the top of Google and other search engines and to bury the bad stuff (including phishing or pharming sites).
[spam URL stripped]1 9"
Submission + - RIAA begins to accpt reality
cphilo writes: "The music industry is beginning to accept the inevitable — MP3 players are here to stay. They are beginning to adapt themselves to reality instead of expecting reality to adapt to them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/business/media/2 6music.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin"
Microsoft Temporarily Closes Video Site Soapbox 55
Weather Storm writes "CNET News.com reports that Microsoft will be closing its video-sharing site, Soapbox, to new users for up to two months so it can create better safeguards against pirated content. Since the test version of Soapbox was launched last month to distribute movies and TV shows for big media companies, the site has filled up with unauthorized clips. 'No new subscribers will be accepted, but anyone who has already signed up for Soapbox can continue to access the site, said Adam Sohn, a director in Microsoft's online-services group.'"
Surprise, Windows Listed as Most Secure OS 499
david_g17 writes "According to a Symantec study reported by Information Week, Microsoft has the most secure operating system amongst its commercial competitors. The report only covered the last 6 months of vulnerabilities and patch releases, but the results place Microsoft operating systems above Mac OS X and Red Hat. According to the article, 'The report found that Microsoft Windows had the fewest number of patches and the shortest average patch development time of the five operating systems it monitored in the last six months of 2006.' The article continues to mention the metrics used in the study (quantity and severity of vulnerabilities as well as the amount of time one must wait for the patch to be released)."
