News


Google Book-Scanning Debate Heats Up

Already facing a legal challenge for alleged copyright infringement, Google Inc.'s crusade to build a digital library has triggered a philosophical debate with an alternative project promising better online access to the world's books, art and historical documents.

Free Software Group Opens 'Bad Vista' Site

The Free Software Foundation isn’t going to take it lying down -- Windows Vista, that is.

Microsoft to Testers: After Vista, What Next?

Windows Vista isn’t even quite out the door, but Microsoft is already soliciting testers to tell them what should be in the next versions of Windows.

Sony BMG Settles Suit over CD Rootkit Software

Sony BMG Music Entertainment will pay $1.5 million and kick in thousands more in customer refunds to settle lawsuits brought by California and Texas over music CDs that installed a hidden anti-piracy program on consumers' computers.

IT Admin Accused of Planting 'Logic Bomb'

A computer administrator upset over the possibility of losing his job planted an electronic "bomb" in the systems of one of the nation's largest prescription drug management companies, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Microsoft Ships Betas of 'Centro' and 'Cougar'

While Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange Server 2007 are virtually out the door, Microsoft continues its march towards updating its server products to match.

Feds: NJ Worker Put 'Bomb' in Computers

Systems administrator alleged to have planted logic bomb that could have wiped out critical patient data.

Phone, Cable Companies To Battle in 2007

Vonage tanked after its IPO. It's not entirely clear anymore why eBay paid $2.6 billion for Skype. And the long-awaited rollout of advanced TV services based on Internet technologies has resembled the drip of a faucet.

Universities Prime Targets for ID Thieves

Universities have become attractive targets for hackers who are taking advantage of the openness of the schools' networks, their decentralized security and the personal information they keep on millions of young adults.

Amazon Countersues IBM Over Patents

Amazon.com Inc. denies it violated IBM Corp. patents in building its massive retail Web site, and alleges instead that IBM infringed on Amazon's technology to beef up its own offerings.

Worm Attacking Symantec Flaw; Patch Available

A computer worm is attacking some business PCs through a flaw in antivirus software by Symantec Corp., a security company warned Friday.

Universities Vulnerable to ID Thieves

UCLA breach latest among several universities to have student records hacked. Breach went undetected for more than a year, affects about 40,000 students.

'Big Yellow' Worm Hits Antivirus Program

Worm hits some systems using Norton Antivirus, even though company issued patch back in May.

Gates Testifies -- Via 1998 Videotape

Lawyers show videotape deposition of Bill Gates in class-action lawsuit against Microsoft.

Former Sys Admin Gets 8 Years for Computer Sabotage

A former UBS PaineWebber systems administrator was sentenced Wednesday to eight years and one month in prison for attempting to profit by detonating a "logic bomb" program that prosecutors said caused millions of dollars in damage to the brokerage's computer network in 2002.

IBM, Schools Pursue Open-Source Research

IBM Corp., which has been a big backer of open-source software, is working with seven universities on new computing research projects whose fruits would be widely shared rather than held as intellectual property.

2 Corporations Settle Unlicensed Software Claims

Footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc. and discount clothing chain Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp. agreed Tuesday to pay about $425,000 to settle claims they used unlicensed software

IBM and Yahoo Join Up on Free Search

IBM Corp. and Yahoo Inc. are teaming up to offer a free data-search tool for businesses, a quirky move challenging Google Inc. and other corporate-search specialists in a blossoming market.

Congress Demands Explanation From HP CEO

The congressional panel investigating Hewlett-Packard Co.'s boardroom spying probe has demanded that CEO Mark Hurd explain $1.37 million worth of options he exercised just before the scandal became public, two congressmen said Wednesday.

Private Beta Begins for Voice Server 2007

Microsoft said this week it has begun a private beta for its enterprise voice communications server, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, sending it out to 2,500 IT professionals.