Next week, Microsoft will launch its first advertising campaign around the Windows Server System, an indication that Microsoft is committed to its latest branding of the back-end server products that run on top of Windows.
"To be honest, we looked at big, fanciful names. At the end of the day we came back to Windows Server System. From a maturation perspective, we're really making the case that it is about Windows at the core," said Harley Sitner of the Windows Server System marketing team at Microsoft.
RealNetworks's media player software contains vulnerabilities that could let an attacker take control of a PC on which the software is used to download multimedia files, the company confirmed this week.
Corrupt files posing as normal music and video files could allow an attacker to gain control of the downloader's computer, although RealNetworks stressed in a statement that, as far as it is aware, this has not yet happened.
There are three vulnerabilities: files could be created that will open a Web site on the user's browser, from where remote Javascript can be operated, files could be created that let the attacker download and use their code on a user's machine, or media files can be created that will create buffer overrun errors.
A top lawyer from Microsoft will head a legal committee with influence in the level of oversight American courts have in antitrust settlements, like the one negotiated by the company.
Microsoft associate general counsel Richard J. Wallis takes over later this year as chairman of the American Bar Association's antitrust section, an unusual role for a corporate lawyer.
The panel has already begun organizing opposition to a congressional plan that would require more aggressive oversight by the courts of such antitrust settlements.
Microsoft Internet Information Services slightly edges out the open-source Apache Web server in the percentage of the 1,000 highest-traffic sites that run each Web server, a new survey finds.
The survey by Port80 Software checked the Web server software running the 1,000 sites with the highest Internet traffic, as ranked by Nielsen//NetRatings. It found IIS with 43.1 percent, Apache with 39.7 percent and Netscape Enterprise with 8.7 percent. Port80 Software, an ISV that makes IIS performance and security tools, released the results of its survey on Wednesday.
New software to bridge Microsoft Content Management Server 2002 and SharePoint technologies is now available. The connector, formally known as Microsoft Content Management Server 2002 Connector for SharePoint Technologies is a free download for solution providers who want to bridge the gap between content created in SharePoint portals and the content management system. For example, it will enable document library content form Windows SharePoint Services to be published to sites created with CMS. And, that content will be searchable via SharePoint Portal Server Search.
Microsoft has successfully fended off a lawsuit over a set of controversial voice digitization patents, in a case that could have roiled the computer and Internet telephony industries if the patents had been upheld as valid.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said in a 2-1 ruling on Tuesday that Multi-Tech Systems' patents were not violated and "we conclude that the district court did not err" in its earlier ruling that sided with Microsoft.
Microsoft this week launched its first certification for help-desk professionals. The entry-level certification, called the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) credential, enables an IT manager or customer to ensure competency and consistency of help-desk professionals who troubleshoot and service client and desktop issues with top applications Windows XP and Office 2003. The first exam became available Jan. 12; the second was officially released Thursday. Each exam costs $125.
Microsoft looks to be turning its pitch away from the total cost of ownership comparisons between Windows and open-source Linux, and is now tackling the thorny issue of interoperability.
The Redmond, Wash., software firm on Tuesday released the findings of a Jupiter Research Consulting survey, which it commissioned and paid for, titled "Interoperability Needs of IT Professionals."
This self-described "unbiased research study" of 800 IT decision-makers at U.S.-based companies with annual revenues of at least $10 million found that Microsoft is ranked as the most interoperable vendor and technology provider within the customers' existing IT environment.
All of the Internet's various cyber-nuisances -- virus writers, hackers, spammers -- are testing the patience of virtually anyone who depends on networking and Internet technology, from Fortune 500 CIOs to grandparents on dial-up who merely want to download pictures of their grandkids, not some 14-year-old scriptkiddie's idea of a kewl practical joke.
I say "virtually anyone" because some Linux diehards think it's a hoot that the MyDoom virus on Sunday shut down the Web site of SCO Group with what is being called the biggest Denial of Service attack ever.
It's not hard to see who the bad guys are here [open source movement] -- the virus writers.
Since when is it a crime for one company to make products, components and software work together for maximum performance? Sony, Harman Kardon, JVC and other manufacturers have done this sort of thing consistently for some time. Just look at the improved automation and performance one can get by buying all or mostly one brand of electronics.
Saying that Microsoft should not build its own products -- Windows Server 2003, SharePoint Portal Server 2003, Exchange 2003 and Office 2003 -- for maximum performance and interoperability is just plain stupid.