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Microsoft

Microsoft WGA Phones Home Even When Told No 403

Posted by CmdrTaco from the huge-shocker-here dept.
Aviran writes "When you start WGA setup and get to the license agreement page but decided NOT to install the highly controversial WGA component and cancel the installation, the setup program will send information stored in your registry and the fact that you choose not to install WGA back to Microsoft's servers."
Businesses

Apple Care Efficiency When Macs Break? 232

Posted by Cliff from the what-has-been-your-experience dept.
cyber-dragon.net asks: "I have long been a staunch supporter of Apple and Macs, however my recent experience with trying to bring them into my department, at work, has been disappointing. We had a Mac Pro (the big quad processor monster) die after four days. Of course, this kind of stuff happens, and everything else has worked flawlessly. I even dealt with the inevitable teasing about the shiny new Mac being a lemon. Almost four hours dealing with Apple Care, three hours dropping off and picking up my computer at different stores, as per their instructions, trying to get this done quickly — I am beginning to wonder if Apple really wants business customers to rely on these machines. Much as I may dislike Dell, when my Linux box died it was fixed in four hours, and I spent maybe 20 minutes of my time setting up the repair. I have spent seven hours of my time so far on this Mac, and it still will not power up. Is this just me or have other people lost critical business machines to the depths of Apple Care inefficiency and lack of business level support?"

Feed 104 Grand for This Old Rag? (wired.com)

From feed by wiredfeed
Among the Bond dinner jackets, Mel Gibson kilts and outfits from Evita that are auctioned off is the moth-eaten cloak worn by Alec Guinness in his portrayal Obi-Wan Kenobi. It fetches $104,000. Not bad. By the Associated Press.


Data Storage

Submission + - TrueDisc Error Correction for Disc Burning

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: The Macintouch site http://www.macintouch.com/ has a link to a new piece of software — TrueDisc http://www.truedisc.com/ — which claims to make data burned to recordable discs more reliable. More specifically it uses interleaved redundant cells to rebuild data should part of the disc be scratched. On the developer's blog http://blog.truedisc.com/?p=4 they say they plan to create an open-source implementation of the TrueDisc system, now that it is not going to be included in the Blu-ray/HD-DVD standards. Have any Slashdot readers experience with the software, and what alternatives are already available?
Privacy

Submission + - Private database of student info open to Google

Submitted by deeceent
deeceent writes: A community college student who was Googling himself last month found some disconcerting information when he typed his name into the popular Internet search engine: a database file from his college popped up that included his name, birth date and Social Security number. The file also contained data on about 2,000 other students.

"We didn't think the information was open to Google," said Susie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Los Rios schools. "It was a shock to learn they were able to do it."
Handhelds

Submission + - Free Hosted Exchange and Blackberry Sync

Submitted by
g1776
g1776 writes: "IceWEB Offers Free IceMAIL with Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server Hosted Microsoft Exchange Service & Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server Free for 90 Days Feb 26, 2007 8:30:00 AM Copyright Business Wire 2007 Share this story: Save This Page HERNDON, Va. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — IceWEB, Inc., www.IceWEB.com (OTCBB:IWEB), a leading provider of subscription based Hosted Microsoft Exchange services, enterprise software and network security infrastructure services, announced that the company will offer its IceMAIL Hosted Microsoft Exchange Email Service and Hosted BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server service free of charge for 90 days to all existing and new IceMAIL subscribers. Related Quotes Last Change % Change IWEB 0.55 0.00 0.00 RIMM 134.36 1.24 0.91 Through the limited time offer, all current IceMAIL subscribers who wish to connect a BlackBerry handset from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM) with their IceMAIL account will receive three free months of the Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server service. New customers joining IceMAIL and activating Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server service will receive free 90 days of both IceMAIL and Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server. There are no activation fees, no term commitments, and no cancellation fees associated with IceMAIL. Customers may take advantage of this offer at IceWEB's website, www.IceWEB.com or by calling the company at 1-866-ICEWEB1. IceMAIL with the Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server service is an ideal way for small and medium business customers to get more from their limited resources. Some of the benefits of accessing email and business applications wirelessly include: — Improving communication between team members to streamline operations — Turning downtime into productive time and getting more done in a day — Getting out of the office without being cut off from customers and co-workers — Keeping ahead of the competition Gary Dunham, VP of Corporate Development for IceWEB said of the offer, "This unprecedented offer of free IceMAIL and Hosted BlackBerry Enterprise Server gives BlackBerry users full wireless access to their Microsoft Exchange account, getting access to robust email messaging, scheduling, and contact management while on the go. IceMAIL and BlackBerry Enterprise Server software work in concert to keep BlackBerry users up to date with mobile access to their communications, business information, scheduling and contacts. IceMAIL's Hosted Microsoft Exchange subscription service, normally offered at $9.95 per month per mailbox, also extends email and scheduling functionality to users' office and home computers, as well as to any internet connected computer, all the while keeping everything 'in-sync' and seamlessly up to date. "By offering free IceMAIL and free BlackBerry Enterprise Server services to our customers, IceWEB is once again working to reduce the cost of entry for small and medium businesses." Dunham continued, "IceWEB's mission is to provide world class services to the SMB market-space at a price they can afford. For a small business to build an internal network that would give them the same services that this combined offering provides could cost in excess of thirty thousand dollars*. We believe that small businesses would rather spend that money growing their business while using IceWEB as a valued partner to provide them with reliable, secure, and robust hosted services." About IceWEB IceWEB, Inc., (OTCBB:IWEB), utilizes a hosted software services model that brings technologies normally reserved for large corporations to the small business customer. Small businesses can now have the benefits of these more advanced software systems for a low monthly subscription price instead of large up-front capital expenses. IceWEB also provides network infrastructure solutions services to our enterprise and Government customers with a specific focus on network security, authentication, and PKI encryption systems. Founded in 2000, IceWEB is headquartered in Herndon, VA, and serves customers in the public and private sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.iceweb.com/ or http://www.icemail.com./ *estimated cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining an in-house Microsoft Exchange Server and BlackBerry Enterprise Server "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to business conditions and the amount of growth in the computer industry and general economy, competitive factors, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective companies. Source: IceWEB, Inc. — IceWEB Inc. Herndon Editorial Contact: Gary Dunham 703-344-0951 gdunham@iceweb.com or Investor Contact: Tel: 703-964-8000 or 800-964-8850 ext 0961 investor@IceWEB.com or Allen & Caron Inc Joe Allen 212-691-8087 joe@allencaron.com"
Spam

Submission + - How to Sue a spammer in the UK

Submitted by
Anonymous Coward
Anonymous Coward writes: "In what is believed to be the highest damages award an individual has received in the UK and thought to be the first case in Scotland, an Edinburgh man has successfully claimed damages from a sender of unsolicited commercial email.

Gordon Dick was granted decree in Edinburgh Sheriff Court against Transcom Internet Services Ltd (Transcom) of Henley-on-Thames. The judgement, in January, awarded Mr Dick damages and, unusually for a small claim, lifted the normal £75 cap on expenses the defender was ordered to pay.

For receiving spam email from Transcom, the court awarded Mr Dick :
Damages: £750 plus 8% interest per annum from 10th May 2006 until paid
Expenses: £618.66
Total: £1368.66 (plus interest)

If all 72,000 recipients of this particular spam were eligible to claim the same damages then the spammers bill could total over £54,000,000!

Anti-Spam Law

The EU e-Privacy directive was incorporated into UK law by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 ("PECR"). The law gives individuals the right to not receive unsolicited commercial email, faxes and text messages.

When he was openly sent spam by a company advertising anti-spam solutions on their web site, Gordon Dick, decided they should not be allowed to get away with breaching the law.

Mr Dick wrote to the group of companies in Henley-on-Thames run by a Mr William Smith of Reading (the sole director of Transcom Internet Services Ltd is also a director of Transcom ISP Ltd, Transcom Satellite Services Ltd, Nowdance Ltd and Design Technology Ltd which trades as Transcom ISP, all of which are based at the same address). He asked them to explain their actions and required them to cease using his personal data. Transcom Internet Services Limited wrote back confirming they were responsible for the email but denying their actions were unlawful and challenging Mr Dick to take legal action.

Mr Dick gave them a final warning that legal action would follow if they did not make good damage done and give undertakings not to breach the regulations again. Transcom reiterated their challenge to take legal action, so Mr Dick followed their request and filed a small claim in Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Transcom instructed solicitors and filed a defence in court. Evidence and case law was submitted to the court which resulted in an offer to settle out of court for £500, Mr Dick rejected the offer and requested £750 plus an apology and undertakings not to breach the law again. The day before proof hearing they agreed to pay £750 but refused to undertake not to breach the regulations again in an out of court settlement. This settlement never completed and Transcom's solicitors withdrew from acting for them. The Sheriff awarded decree and lifted the normal £75 cap on small claim expenses due to Transcom's actions during the case.

Mr Dick commented: "The courts have now sent a clear message, spam will not be tolerated and individuals rights to not have their mailbox filled with unsolicited advertising will be upheld. It has been clear to me throughout my case and in front of each Sheriff that they have little time for spammers and their anti-social actions."

Mr Dick went on to say: "While most spam comes from countries such as the USA and China and therefore is difficult to apply European laws to, UK internet users can at least drive local spammers out of business. I'd now like to see the mass market internet providers and media throughout the UK provide help to the British public with pointers, resources and support in legal claims against UK based spammers and perhaps we can clean up our little part of the internet."

Mr Dick has launched a web site to help others make legal claims at http://www.scotchspam.org.uk/ and is encouraging ISPs, email and SMS providers to get in touch to work together."
Role Playing (Games)

Submission + - Underpants thief blames Shadowrun

Submitted by Hittite Creosote
Hittite Creosote writes: The BBC reports that a man charged with stealing underwear from a shop at knifepoint has claimed that he believed he was a female elf at the time, having confused Shadowrun and real life.

Perhaps it would have been more believable if he'd claimed he thought he was a gnome?
Worms

Submission + - Worms hits Xbox Live Arcade

Submitted by ObiWanStevobi
ObiWanStevobi writes: Worms hits the Xbox Live Arcade today I have yet to try it out (later tonight), but the Xbox ad says it has alot of the features you would expect in the PC versions, configurable teams, game options, etc. Looking through the gamespot reviews, it would appear they have those, but they are rather limited. It seems to have trimmed the weapon and theme selection down a bit. But, they do still have the banana bomb. Worms hits Xbox live at a suprisingly-high-for-a-live-arcade-title 800 MS points ($10 US).
Software

Submission + - A new version of iNetFormFiller 3.6.02, a program

Submitted by
Alena Siameshka
Alena Siameshka writes: "March 6th, 2007 — SoftInform Ltd. releases a new version of iNetFormFiller 3.6.02, a program for automated web form filling, featuring support of java-based forms as well as an extended list of batch mode settings. The new version of iNetFormFiller fills out complicated Java Script based web forms. The complexity lies in that the number of fields in the form may depend on the field value you select. In other words, the same URL may have one form that is dynamically changing in the process of filling. With the help of iNetFormFiller such forms can now be filled in hundreds even in batch mode. If adjusting iNetFormFiller settings takes too much time, or you are not sure whether all functionality features of the program's professional version are used to the fullest in the process of web form filling, you can turn to SoftInform's technical specialists, whose setting service is now available. Customers may choose this service to have the initial work done for them, which will save even more time and efforts on their part. iNetFormFiller — is a powerful tool that automatically fills out web forms of any complexity with minimum efforts and time required from the user. Among its new features are: — ability to identify "relevant" forms on the web pages (when there is more than one form), — ability to record and automatically reproduce web link clicks — batch mode filling, which lets you fill out online forms with standard data (Java forms included) — ability to manually bind corresponding form fields with fields from your profiles — availability of various types of fields, including combined ones (fields uniting values from several fields) — ability to synchronize field values in different profiles — and a lot more More details about iNetFormFiller on the official website: http://www.inetformfiller.com/ You can download a trial version of iNetFormFiller here: http://www.inetformfiller.com/download/inetformfil ler.exe For all inquiries mailto:alena.siameshka@inetformfiller.com, Alena Siameshka, SoftInform PR Manager"

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