News


Expression Design Beta 2 Ships

As Microsoft pushes to ready a suite of new design tools for offer under the Expression Studio brand, the company announced late last week that it is shipping the second beta release of the third of those tools.

Hynix, Toshiba End Legal Battle

Hynix Semiconductor Inc. of South Korea and Japan's Toshiba Corp. declared an end to their legal battles Tuesday, signing accords to share semiconductor patents and products.

Oracle's 3Q Profit Rises 35 Percent

Oracle Corp's fiscal third quarter profit climbed 35 percent, lifted by strong software sales that exceeded management's projections. The Redwood Shores-based business software maker said Tuesday that it earned $1.03 billion, or 20 cents per share, for the three months ended in February. That compared with net income of $765 million, or 14 cents per share, at the same time last year.

Computer Error Rocks Alaska's $38 Billion Oil Fund

Perhaps you know that sinking feeling when a single keystroke accidentally destroys hours of work. Now imagine wiping out a disc drive containing an account worth $38 billion.

Compute Cluster Pack SP1 Arrives

Microsoft announced late last week it is shipping the first service pack for its Compute Cluster Pack.

Microsoft Joins OpenAJAX Alliance

In a move that promises to facilitate interoperability of AJAX-based applications developed with different tools and frameworks, Microsoft on Tuesday announced it has joined the OpenAJAX Alliance.

Fortran Creator Backus Dies

John Backus, whose development of the Fortran programming language in the 1950s changed how people interacted with computers and paved the way for modern software, has died. He was 82.

Study: Most Computer Attacks Originate in U.S.

The United States generates more malicious computer activity than any other country, and sophisticated hackers worldwide are banding together in highly efficient crime rings, according to a new report.

Apple Offers To Amend Past Options

In the wake of its backdated stock options troubles, Apple Inc. is offering affected employees the chance to amend their past options and receive cash payments to avoid related tax penalties, according a regulatory filing Friday.

AOL Introduces Location Plug-In for IM

AOL is offering users of its AIM instant messaging service new capabilities to see where people on their buddy lists are physically located.

Gates Promotes PC Training in Colombia

Gates said Microsoft was helping set up computer learning centers in areas where demobilized paramilitary fighters are in dire need of job training.

Degree Offered in Biometric Security

Todd Fortier is banking on the day when ATMs will be required to confirm a user's face, voice or thumbprint before spitting out cash.

Most Computer Attacks Originate in U.S.

The United States generates more malicious computer activity than any other country

Convicted Japanese Dotcom Tycoon Defiant

Disgraced dot-com tycoon Takafumi Horie slammed his conviction and harsh sentence for securities fraud on Sunday, insisting he had committed no crimes and that he had more than paid for any mistakes by losing his company.

Expression Blend Release Candidate Ships

Microsoft this week began shipping the release candidate for Expression Blend, its new design tool for building Windows user interfaces using the .NET Framework 3.0’s Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).

Cisco To Pay $3.2B for WebEx

Cisco Systems Inc. said Thursday that it has agreed to acquire the online meeting company WebEx Communications Inc. for about $3.2 billion in cash.

Google To Adopt New Privacy Measures

Google Inc. is adopting new privacy measures to make it more difficult to connect online search requests with the people making them -- a thorny issue that provoked a showdown with the U.S. government last year.

Red Hat Launches New Linux System

Red Hat Inc. has unveiled the latest version of its Linux operating system as the open-source software company continues to combat Microsoft's market-dominating Windows platform.

Discounts on Vista, Office Exams

Microsoft expands Partner Skills Plus program to include MCP exams covering Vista, Exchange 2007 and the Office technology suite.

Microsoft to Acquire Tellme Networks

Microsoft will buy Tellme Networks, which provides voice-enabled mobile search, directory assistance and computerized, speech-driven customer service hotlines.