News


Third-Party Patches Released for IE Flaw

When Microsoft Corp. researchers learned recently that a software flaw had been made public and could prompt Internet attacks, the company ordered a team to devote all its time to fixing the flaw and making the repair work with other products.

Microsoft Acquires BI Software Maker ProClarity

Microsoft said Monday it will acquire a small Boise, Idaho firm that specializes in business intelligence tools built on top of Microsoft’s business intelligence platform.

U.S. Demands Files From ISPs, Tech Firms

The Justice Department is demanding internal files from dozens of Internet service providers and other technology firms as it seeks to defend a controversial Internet child protection law.

IT Weekly Roundup, March 31

From the business wires this week: Idera gets Front Runner status, BizTalk and NAP supporters, and recent Microsoft product delays.

Microsoft 'Optimistic' After Start of EU Trial

Microsoft lawyers maintain that company has complied more than necessary, but still faces major fines if found in violation of 2004 antitrust order.

Outside Programmers Fix Microsoft Flaws

Third-party vendors come to customers' rescue, but what are the risks of using a fix that isn't Microsoft approved?

Ipsos: Global Internet Growth Slowed in 2005

Demand for Web access may not be as limitless as it once seemed, at least for the time being, according to a new survey of worldwide Internet usage.

Microsoft to License Mouse Technologies

Microsoft will license to third parties technologies previously unavailable to competitors in the input hardware marketplace.

2006 MCT Program Reg Opens April 3

Registration for Microsoft's 2006 MCT program opens up Monday, April 3.

Microsoft Convergence Wrap-up

Surf’s up at Microsoft, and partners had better be ready to catch some waves.

EU: Vista May Violate Antitrust Rules

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes has written to Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer to outline EU concerns that the new Vista operating system could break antitrust rules, EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said Wednesday.

Microsoft Updates, Renames FrontBridge

Microsoft Corp. is releasing new versions of its software packages for safeguarding and archiving e-mails and other corporate messages.

Virtual Server Service Pack Skates into 2007

Microsoft confirmed this week that Service Pack 1 for Virtual Server 2005 R2 will arrive in early 2007 instead of late this year, although the company says it doesn’t categorize the change as a “slip.” Instead, according to a spokesperson, Microsoft is merely able to be more precise about a delivery date as it gets closer to testing the update.

EU Concerned Windows Vista Could Break Antitrust Rules

Investigation not pending, but commission wonders about integration of new features that can put Microsoft back into antitrust violation.

Microsoft Business Solutions Get Incremental Enhancements

Microsoft’s Business Solutions group this week made a flurry of small but substantial announcements regarding upgrades and additions to the company’s Dynamics branded line of CRM and ERP applications.

Bluetooth Going Ultra-Wideband

The Bluetooth wireless standard used in cell phones and other small devices will take a leap in transmission speed, broadening its scope to enable high-definition video and files for digital music players like the iPod.

U.S. Tops Network Readiness Index

The United States has regained the lead in exploiting information and communication technology, overtaking Singapore, said a study released Tuesday.

BizTalk 2006 Availability Set for May 1

Microsoft officially launched BizTalk Server 2006, the latest version of its integration and business process automation server, for the second time this week.

BMC Buys Identify Software for $150 Million

BMC Software Inc. said Monday it has agreed to buy diagnostic software maker Identify Software Ltd. for $150 million in cash.

Microsoft, Yahoo Building Data Storage Centers in Rural Wash.

In the heart of potato country, a high-tech boom is taking place. Technology giants Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. are planning to build massive data storage centers amid the sagebrush and farm fields of rural central Washington.