News


New Google-Microsoft Squabble Seen on Social Networking Front

Google's attempt to take a leading role in social networking has some pundits saying yet another Google vs. Microsoft battle scenario is playing out.

Microsoft Chief Information Exec Fired

Microsoft Corp. has fired its chief information officer, saying he violated company policies. A spokesman declined to give the exact reason for the dismissal.

Microsoft Officials Detail Visual Studio 2008 Rollout Plan

In announcing today that it will release to manufacturing Visual Studio 2008 this month, Microsoft is meeting the most optimistic forecasts for when the long anticipated upgrade to its flagship IDE would ship.

Dell To Pay $1.4B for EqualLogic

Computer maker Dell said Monday it has agreed to buy EqualLogic Inc., which makes storage network systems, for $1.4 billion in cash.

Visual Studio 2008 Available at End of November

The next version of Microsoft's development flagship product will include the latest version of the .NET Framework, iteration 3.5.

Microsoft Separates Sharepoint Services from Windows Server; Developers Shrug

Developers shrugged off Microsoft's decision this week to revert to a separate download deliverable of Windows Sharepoint Services.

ODF Split Shakes Up Document Battle

The ongoing file format battle between proponents of the OpenDocument Format (ODF) and Microsoft's Office Open XML (OOXML) took a surprising turn lthis week, when a key ODF proponent announced that it intended to abandon the ISO-approved specification.

Microsoft Separates Sharepoint Services from Windows Server

Developers shrugged off Microsoft's decision this week to revert to a separate download deliverable of Windows Sharepoint Services.

Google Seeks Social Networking High Ground

Google's attempt to grab moral high ground in the social networking development is a step in the right direction, according to industry analysts.

20 U.S. Resellers Sued in Microsoft Piracy Crackdown

Microsoft filed federal lawsuits against 20 companies allegedly distributing "counterfeit or infringing" software.

IBM Plans Major Security Initiative

IBM Corp. plans to announce Thursday that it will boost what it spends developing computer security products to $1.5 billion in 2008, reflecting an intensifying focus for the company.

Cisco Creates MSP Channel Program

Cisco Systems Inc. on Wednesday launched the Cisco Managed Services Channel Program, which it called one of the first channel programs for MSPs.

Sophos: 100 Percent Channel Play Paying Off

A security vendor's high-profile commitment to the channel sales model this year appears to be paying off.

Oracle Expands Tools, Initiatives for Partners

Oracle on Wednesday added new training tools and vertical industry resources for the 19,500 members of its Oracle PartnerNetwork.

Google Stock Barrels Through $700

Google Inc.'s stock price barreled through $700 for the first time Wednesday, propelled by a belief that the Internet search leader will become even more profitable as it plants its products and services in new markets.

Privacy Groups Target Online Advertising

A coalition of privacy groups Wednesday called for creation of a "Do Not Track List," that would prohibit advertisers from tracking online movements of consumers.

Whois Studies Approved, Privacy Deferred

A panel on Internet names voted Wednesday to defer long-simmering questions on whether names, phone numbers and other private information on domain name owners should remain public in open, searchable databases called Whois.

Is U.S. Stuck in Internet's Slow Lane?

The United States is starting to look like a slowpoke on the Internet. Examples abound of countries that have faster and cheaper broadband connections, and more of their population connected to them.

Judge Extends Microsoft Timeframe

A federal judge extends timeframe for considering several states' arguments for five additional years of oversight of Microsoft's competitive practices.

Google Gets More Social With New Network

Google Inc. is setting up a distribution network for social networking applications, adding a new twist in the Internet search leader's brewing rivalry with rapidly maturing startup Facebook Inc.