Feed A Software Maker Goes Up Against Microsoft (nytimes.com)
VMware is the early leader in a fast-growing market for virtual-machine software, putting it on a collision course with Microsoft.
Submission + - Myspace Lockdown: Is it possible?
Raxxon writes: "We (my business partner and I) were asked by a local company to help 'tighten up' their security. After looking at a few things we ran some options by the owner and he asked that we attempt to block access to MySpace. He cited reasons of wasted work time as well as some of the nightmare stories about spyware/viruses/etc. Work began and the more I dig into the subject the worse things look. You can block the 19 or 20 Class C Address Blocks that MySpace has, but then you get into problems of sites like "MySpace Bypass" and other such sites that allow you to bypass most of the filtering that's done.
Other than becoming rather invasive (squid with customized screening setups) is there a way to effectively block MySpace from being accessed at a business? What about at home for those who would like to keep their kids off of it? If a dedicated web cache/proxy system is needed how do you prevent things like SSL enabled Proxy sites (denying MySpace but allowing any potentially 'legal' aspects)? In the end is it worth it vs just adopting an Acceptable Use Policy that states that going to MySpace can lead to eventual dismissal from your job?"
Other than becoming rather invasive (squid with customized screening setups) is there a way to effectively block MySpace from being accessed at a business? What about at home for those who would like to keep their kids off of it? If a dedicated web cache/proxy system is needed how do you prevent things like SSL enabled Proxy sites (denying MySpace but allowing any potentially 'legal' aspects)? In the end is it worth it vs just adopting an Acceptable Use Policy that states that going to MySpace can lead to eventual dismissal from your job?"
Submission + - FCC drops morse code requirement for amateur radio
balloonpup writes: "On February 23, 2007, the FCC dropped all requirements to learn Morse Code (warning, PDF) for all amateur license classes. All existing technicians will be upgraded to tech-plus privileges, and many others who have taken the General or Extra class written tests will be automatically updated to those classes without the code. More information can be found at the Amateur Radio Relay League's website."
Submission + - UK gamers charged more for inferior PS3
Jagdeep Poonian writes: "It appears as though Sony is laying the smack down on it's European launch:
"British gamers wanting to get their hands on the new Playstation 3 will have to pay £100 more than their American counterparts for an inferior machine. Sony today announced that the European version of its games console will only play a "limited number" of old Playstation 2 titles when it goes to sale next month.The American model, in contrast, has much better "backwards compatibility" and plays almost all the old Playstation games.The revelation has infuriated British computer games enthusiasts who say they are repeatedly treated like second class citizens by Sony."
URL: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/ne ws/2007/02/23/nplaystation123.xml
Go Sony, Go? I don't think this will vibe well with the gamers of Europe. Hmm."
Submission + - Opera CTO hits back at Microsoft's standards push
Michael writes: "Opera CTO Håkon Wium Lie hit back today at Microsoft's push to fast track Office Open XML into an ISO standard in a
blistering article on CNET. He also took a swipe at Open Document Format: "I'm no fan of either specification. Both are basically memory dumps with angle brackets around them. If forced to choose one, I'd pick the 700-page specification (ODF) over the 6,000-page specification (OOXML). But I think there is a better way.". The better way being the existing universally understood standards of HTML and CSS. Putting this to the test, Håkon has published a book using HTML and CSS."
Submission + - With Google Apps, It's Game On
w1z4rd writes: "The Economic Time's reports that when Google released its Google Apps Premier Edition, it sent a clear message to Microsoft that the market for office software was up for grabs. What remains to be seen are how Microsoft will respond, whether users will adopt Google's offerings in significant enough numbers, and how the competitive landscape may unfold over the next few years."
Submission + - Mozilla Patches Major Firefox Security Flaw
An anonymous reader writes: Mozilla Corp. today released updated versions of the Firefox browser, v1.5.0.10 and v2.0.0.2, for Windows, Mac, and Linux, that close a major security flaw called the location.hostname vulnerability. The fix stops hackers from being able to tamper with how websites are displayed. The location.hostname issue allowed malicious website operators to manipulate authentication cookies for third-party sites, changing how sites looked or worked. The updates are available on Mozilla's Firefox download site.
Submission + - Why is Microsoft charging $4000 for DST patches?
An anonymous reader writes: After a phone call to Microsoft, I was informed that even companies with extended patch support still have to pay $4000 for retired product DST patches. (Keep in mind when you sign up for the extended patch support license, you pay extra.)
1. How did MS figure that $4000 a client would cover the cost of the patch? Are they following the pricing schemes of the oil industry? What is the true cost of such things?
2. Why isn't MS getting more slack for charging this ridiculous amount of money? Is this price gouging?
3. Wouldn't it be in Microsoft's best interest to at least offer the Win2k workstation patch as a free download? Would it have been a chance to help improve the company's image?
4. Since Win2k machines still receive Windows Updates, why are they free yet the DST fix is not?
