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• Office Patches Released
  Time: 16:30 EDT/21:30 GMT Source: Dave Worthington Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has released an update for Office 97 to remedy the ODBC db driver security flaw. Microsoft Engineers also have released a patch that updates the MDAC distribution (2.1.2.4202.3) after finding that Office 2k was also affected by the flaw. Various MSjet 4.0 dll's were updated from that release. Both patches include the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool.

  Download the Office 97 Patch
  Download the Office 2k Patch
  Don't Trust MS's Patches? Download the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool only.

   

• Reviews Database - Alpha
  Time: 14:30 EDT/19:30 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Here you go, we know you love testing out things and sending in your comments so here is your chance to try out our new and still being worked on Reviews Database.

  Take note that it is still in its early stages although many review sites already add to it. Here are a few things that we know about and don't need to be told about.

  Search Forms need to be completed before the official launch
  Records Matching “ appears on the searches the “ should tell people what they searched for

  They are pretty basic - the main thing we want is your feedback, would you use it - what needs to be added etc.

  If you run a site that does reviews you can contact us if you wish to be added to the database.

   

• Microsoft admits glitch in chat software
  Time: 13:39 EDT/18:39 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  In an embarrassing turn of events for Microsoft in its ongoing battle against America Online over instant messaging, the software giant admitted that a glitch in its chat software allows nonauthorized users to see a person's email password, according to a report.

  Microsoft was alerted to the programming bug earlier this week and assured that it would have a fix by the end of today, according to the Associated Press.

   
• Dell to join free Windows upgrade parade
  Time: 13:36 EDT/18:36 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Dell Computer Corp. (Nasdaq:DELL) will join Compaq Computer Corp. (NYSE:CPQ) and Hewlett-Packard Co.(NYSE:CPQ), in offering a "free" upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional for customers who purchase a PC with Windows NT 4.0 Workstation preinstalled. The Austin, Texas, company is putting the final touches on the offer, which could come as soon as next week, sources said.

   
• Photodraw 2000 Version 2
  Time: 07:34 EDT/12:34 GMT Source: Julian Jay (E-Mail) Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has sent to Technet Plus subscribers Microsoft Photodraw 2000 2.0 beta ! It includes a new Office 2000 setup looks like, a customizable toolbar, new filters and much more...

   

• Site News
  Time: 07:28 EDT/12:28 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Well the new site enhancement to our site didn't quite make it out - but we will be launching it sometime today without fail. Here is the usual round up of upcoming reviews - take a note of our ECTS coverage:

  Hardware: Microsoft Dual Strike (Zulu), Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Matrox Millennium G400 32MB Dual Head, Palm Pilot V
  Software: C&C2 Tiberian Sun, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2
  Shows: Massive ECTS (Entertainment Computer Trade Show) round up - Hardware news, software news and interviews with Microsoft's DirectX and Hardware teams

• MS Word translations called sexist
  Time: 17:47 EDT/22:47 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  The Spanish government, trying to tackle sexism in a country known for macho attitudes, has asked U.S. software giant Microsoft to change entries in its Spanish Word program that some women consider offensive.

  The official Women's Institute said on Thursday it had received complaints from women about "clearly sexist" synonyms in the Word dictionary.

   
• Days Top Story
  Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement
  Time: 17:18 EDT/22:18 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has released the long awaited patch for Windows 98 Second Edition that will hopefully fix some of the shutdown problems users have been facing.

  The Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement addresses shutdown issues on systems with specific hardware/software configurations running Windows 98 Second Edition. These issues include systems restarting when selecting shutdown and systems hanging on shutdown.

  Microsoft recommends the troubleshooting steps outlined in the KB article How to Troubleshoot Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Problems. If, after following the steps outlined in this article, the system continues to exhibit shutdown problems, then Microsoft suggests applying this update.

   
• Is Microsoft Opening Up?
  Time: 15:44 EDT/20:44 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft execs have been hinting for the past year that the company is about to get really serious, really soon about opening up. Is Microsoft's decision to publish its MSN Messenger protocol an indication that it's making good on its commitments? I don't think so.

  First, as numerous open-source advocates have been quick to point out, Microsoft opted to publish the protocol and not the source code. Sure, that's more than America OnLine has done or said it will do. But to suggest or hint that Microsoft is "open-sourcing" MSN Messenger is going way too far.

   
• Site News
  Time: 15:35 EDT/20:35 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Sorry about the lack of news this afternoon - it is mostly my fault because I have been getting some of the others to help me work on announcing a test site later tonight (We'll announce it on our message board later today). Anyway - on with the upcoming reviews roundup

  Hardware: Microsoft Dual Strike (Zulu), Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Matrox Millennium G400 32MB Dual Head, Palm Pilot V
  Software: C&C2 Tiberian Sun, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2
  Shows: Massive ECTS (Entertainment Computer Trade Show) round up

   
• NeoClubs Beta 1.0
  Time: 07:29 EDT/12:29 GMT Source: Desktop Watch Posted By: Byron

  NeoPlanet 5.0 brought you a host of added features and fixes to existing problems. The NeoPlanet beta offered here takes all of 5.0's new stuff and adds even more, with the inclusion of NetClubs for NeoPlanet! In this early beta release.

   
• Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List
  Time: 07:23 EDT/12:23 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  Short but sweet - NT Game Palace has started a Windows 2000 hardware compatibility list.

   

• Windows Media hits sour note
  Time: 04:59 EDT/09:59 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  A day after Microsoft released its new Web music technology, the company confirmed that crackers have already developed a program to strip away the security behind it.

  Microsoft acknowledged that the executable file, dubbed "unfuck.exe," exists and works. In fact, there are a number of programs, such as Audiojacker, that perform similar functions.

  "This one just has a glitzier name," said a Microsoft spokesman, adding that the company is working on a fix.

• MS Word translations called sexist
  Time: 17:47 EDT/22:47 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  The Spanish government, trying to tackle sexism in a country known for macho attitudes, has asked U.S. software giant Microsoft to change entries in its Spanish Word program that some women consider offensive.

  The official Women's Institute said on Thursday it had received complaints from women about "clearly sexist" synonyms in the Word dictionary.

   
• Days Top Story
  Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement
  Time: 17:18 EDT/22:18 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has released the long awaited patch for Windows 98 Second Edition that will hopefully fix some of the shutdown problems users have been facing.

  The Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement addresses shutdown issues on systems with specific hardware/software configurations running Windows 98 Second Edition. These issues include systems restarting when selecting shutdown and systems hanging on shutdown.

  Microsoft recommends the troubleshooting steps outlined in the KB article How to Troubleshoot Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Problems. If, after following the steps outlined in this article, the system continues to exhibit shutdown problems, then Microsoft suggests applying this update.

   
• Is Microsoft Opening Up?
  Time: 15:44 EDT/20:44 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft execs have been hinting for the past year that the company is about to get really serious, really soon about opening up. Is Microsoft's decision to publish its MSN Messenger protocol an indication that it's making good on its commitments? I don't think so.

  First, as numerous open-source advocates have been quick to point out, Microsoft opted to publish the protocol and not the source code. Sure, that's more than America OnLine has done or said it will do. But to suggest or hint that Microsoft is "open-sourcing" MSN Messenger is going way too far.

   
• Site News
  Time: 15:35 EDT/20:35 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Sorry about the lack of news this afternoon - it is mostly my fault because I have been getting some of the others to help me work on announcing a test site later tonight (We'll announce it on our message board later today). Anyway - on with the upcoming reviews roundup

  Hardware: Microsoft Dual Strike (Zulu), Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Matrox Millennium G400 32MB Dual Head, Palm Pilot V
  Software: C&C2 Tiberian Sun, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2
  Shows: Massive ECTS (Entertainment Computer Trade Show) round up

   
• NeoClubs Beta 1.0
  Time: 07:29 EDT/12:29 GMT Source: Desktop Watch Posted By: Byron

  NeoPlanet 5.0 brought you a host of added features and fixes to existing problems. The NeoPlanet beta offered here takes all of 5.0's new stuff and adds even more, with the inclusion of NetClubs for NeoPlanet! In this early beta release.

   
• Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List
  Time: 07:23 EDT/12:23 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  Short but sweet - NT Game Palace has started a Windows 2000 hardware compatibility list.

   

• Windows Media hits sour note
  Time: 04:59 EDT/09:59 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  A day after Microsoft released its new Web music technology, the company confirmed that crackers have already developed a program to strip away the security behind it.

  Microsoft acknowledged that the executable file, dubbed "unfuck.exe," exists and works. In fact, there are a number of programs, such as Audiojacker, that perform similar functions.

  "This one just has a glitzier name," said a Microsoft spokesman, adding that the company is working on a fix.

• Is AOL Hacking IM users?
  Time: 21:05 EDT/02:05 GMT Source: ZDNN Posted By: Dennis

  As the Instant Messaging war rages on, evidence is mounting which suggests that America Online Inc. is using a security hole in its own software to lock out IM clones.

  While security experts are still examining IM logs to determine precisely what is going on, it looks like AOL's tactics may have put its own users at serious risk.

   

• 'Christmas' virus can Destroy PCs
  Time: 21:03 EDT/02:03 GMT Source: ZDNN Posted By: Dennis

  A nasty new virus discovered by researchers promises to do even more damage to victims than the Chernobyl virus. It has the ability not only to erase files, but also to render a PC useless by destroying its flash BIOS.

  The good news is it won't execute until Dec. 25; the bad news is PC users without anti-virus programs may have a very bad Christmas Day.

   

• Microsoft Shows Off at Mobicom
  Time: 13:56 EDT/18:56 GMT Source: Wired News Posted By: Alex H

  Indoor wireless networks to guide you to your next meeting or connect you to the nearest printer. 3D desktops. Software that answers a question literally, rather than with a thousand Web links. Even singing computers. These are just some of the miracles Microsoft Vice President of Research Richard Rashid demonstrated Tuesday at MobiCom. "Of course, this is research, not a product road map, so when it doesn't appear next year you can't say it's late," he quipped.

   
• Microsoft: Win2000 more scalable
  Time: 13:44 EDT/18:44 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Next release candidate will take advantage of SMP hardware advances, software giant says. After telling customers and partners for the past few years that Windows 2000 would not scale beyond four-processors, Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday reversed its predictions, promising much more robust scalability.

  With its Windows 2000 Server product, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) will provide four-way support. But with Advanced Server, it will enable eight-way scalability, and with Windows 2000 Datacenter, will provide 32-way support, company officials said Tuesday.

  Microsoft said it will deliver the more scalable versions of Windows 2000 as of Beta 3 Release Candidate 2, expected to ship the first week of September.

  The company is continuing to say it is on track to release Windows 2000 to manufacturing before the end of the calendar year. Datacenter is slated to ship 90 to 120 days after the other Windows 2000 SKUs.

   

• HP offers 'free' Windows upgrade
  Time: 13:42 EDT/18:42 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HWP) today announced that it will offer a "free" upgrade to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 2000 Professional for customers who purchase one of its HP Omnibook 900 or 4150 notebook PCs pre-loaded with Windows NT 4.0. The upgrade will come by way of a coupon distributed with the notebooks, which can be redeemed for the Windows 2000 upgrade when it becomes available. It is likely that other PC makers will offer a similar upgrade.

   
• Dell employee reports MS pressure in Europe
  Time: 13:37 EDT/18:37 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  A Dell Computer Corp. (Nasdaq:DELL) employee in Belgium says Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is putting pressure on it to sell PCs loaded only with Windows. Microsoft and Dell Europe say that is not the case as the Linux community scrutinizes the titans' moves.

   
• Windows Blinds v .98.7 released
  Time: 13:32 EDT/18:32 GMT Source: Email Posted By: Alex H

  As we reported yesterday about the released of v .98.6 of Windows Blinds, today version v .98.7 has been released for Object Desktop Users.

   
• Microsoft takes on AOL Instant Messaging
  Time: 11:17 EDT/16:17 GMT Source: Yahoo! Posted By: Bob

  Microsoft is aligning itself with three rival providers in a bid to loosen America Online Inc.'s grip on the fast-growing online instant messaging market. Microsoft was expected to announce today that Prodigy, Tribal Voice and PeopleLink have agreed to give their users the ability to instantly exchange notes with the 1.3 million users of the Microsoft Network's instant message service.

   

• ActiveWindows Mouse Pads
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Bob

  Now with a lower price, don't forget that the first ActiveWindows piece of merchandise is now available to order. The mousepads arrived and they look fabulous! The first product in our new range of logos is the ActiveWindows Mouse Pad.

   

• Microsoft Files Software Piracy Complaints Against Five New York Businesses
  Time: 09:15 EDT/14:15 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has filed software piracy lawsuits in New York as part of the company's continued commitment to protect legitimate distributors and customers from the negative effects of software piracy. The lawsuits, filed against five businesses in the New York metropolitan area, allege the illegal distribution of counterfeit software, unlicensed software on computers sold or counterfeit software licenses. One of the lawsuits involves alleged violations of a previous settlement agreement with Microsoft.

   
• Microsoft Offers New Payment Option for Subscribers To MSN Internet Access Through Alliance With eCHARGE
  Time: 09:14 EDT/14:14 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced an agreement with eCHARGE Corp., the next-generation online payments company, to offer an innovative payment option for subscribers to MSN™ Internet Access. By simply clicking on eCHARGE™ during the installation process, subscribers to MSN Internet Access can have their Internet service charges billed directly to their home phone bill, giving them more flexibility by providing an alternate billing option.

   
• Microsoft to Publish MSN Messenger Service Protocol to Industry
  Time: 09:12 EDT/14:12 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to publish the protocol for its MSN™ Messenger Service, the free* Internet messaging service that allows people to communicate instantly across the Internet with the greatest number of Internet users and offers the tightest integration with popular Microsoft^® communications tools. In publishing the MSN Messenger Service protocol, Microsoft further demonstrates its ongoing commitment to provide all consumers with the ability to freely communicate over the Internet, no matter which instant messaging service they use. As evidence of consumer demand for interoperability, Microsoft also today announced that more than 1.3 million people in the United States use MSN Messenger Service, making it one of the fastest growing instant messaging services.

   
• Vitel Productions Beta Site
  Time: 09:00 EDT/14:00 GMT Source: ICQ Posted By: Dennis

  A visitor of AW is currently developing his own website, and wants your help! This is a open beta and he'd like your opinion and help testing it. This is something you'll want to check out. To report a bug with the site check out his Contact section on the site.

   

• MSN Messenger Flaw Discovered
  Time: 07:34 EDT/12:34 GMT Source: BetaNews Posted By: Dennis

  Users of the MSN Messenger Service will find that anyone with physical access to their computer can obtain their password if they leave their computer unattended.

  The bug affects all versions of the MSN Messenger Service, released on July 22, 1999.

  With access to the logged in MSN client, either because the password was saved or because the Messenger was left logged in and unattended, a malicious user could access the password through the Hotmail integration features. The bug is exploited by selecting "Tools", and then "Hotmail Inbox" from the MSN Messenger Service's menu. Once the browser window opens, if the "Stop" Button is pressed quickly, the password can be seen by viewing the source of the page. The password exists in the page so that the web browser can log into the Hotmail service without requiring the user to type in their password again. Normally, the page is deleted as soon as the web browser logs into Hotmail.

   

• Windows 2000 CPP 
  Time: 03:28 EDT/08:28 GMT Source: E-mail Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft has decided to send Corporate Preview Program participants RC2 for free when available. MS hasn't announced how CPP users can obtain RC2 -- well, it is not out yet. CPP users can request RC1 for free now. MS is also considering to send CPP customers FREE or discount RTM version.

  This is Microsoft's announcement about RC2 for CPP customers:

  "Windows 2000 CPP Software Updates - U.S. and Canada: Microsoft is pleased to announce that Release Candidate 2 will be available at no cost, to CPP customers. The RTM date for Release Candidate 2 has not yet been announced. Timeline for CPP customers to begin receiving Release Candidate 2 is Release Candidate 2 RTM + 2-3 weeks, due to manufacturing and shipping timelines.

  And here is about "FREE" RTM version:

  Microsoft has received your request with respect to receiving free rtm code. Please allow us approximately 2 weeks to consider this request - at which time, we will post our response.

   

• DirectX 7 for Win 9x RC2 Released To Testers
  Time: 03:25 EDT/08:25 GMT Source: E-mail Posted By: Alex H

  Just received an email telling us that Microsoft have just posted DirectX 7 RC2 build 236 to testers and they will be posting the final release on the Windows Update towards the end of the month/early next.

   

• Quickres 1.5 beta released
  Time: 03:05 EDT/08:05 GMT Source: Voodoo Extreme Posted By: Alex H

  Just read over on Voodoo Extreme that a new version of Quickres 1.5 beta has been released. Here is a snippet:

  The people over at Green Parrots Software notify us of a new beta of 1st QuickRes. 1st QuickRes enhances the standard Windows 95/98/NT Display Properties dialog, providing the ability to switch desktop size, colors, refresh rates and screensavers on-the-fly from the system tray. QuickRes keeps positions of desktop icons when changing desktop size. It previews your changes with options to confirm or abandon and automatically returns to previous mode after 15 seconds, if you do not confirm explicitly. You can define your favorite desktop, color and refresh rate settings. Later you can access them from the tray menu or using system-wide hotkeys. Prebuilt favorites allows you to incrementally enlarge and reduce desktop size. If you wish, you can define such favorites for colors and refresh rate. You have full screensaver control with QuickRes. Launch, configure and set as default any screensaver from the tray menu. If you like to access screensavers fast, launch default screensaver by double-clicking tray icon and using system-wide keystroke. You can explicitly enable and disable screensavers.

  You can download Quickres 1.5 beta here.

   
• Linux gains ground on Windows 2000
  Time: 03:00 EDT/08:00 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Linux is gaining ground while Windows 2000 sputters along, according to a market research firm. Companies are increasing their use of the upstart operating system while delaying deployment of Microsoft's latest operating system for businesses, according to International Data Corporation (IDC).

  In a recent survey by the market researcher, 13 percent of the respondents said they now use Linux, compared to 1997 when the software did not register in any findings because it was statistically such a small percentage of survey respondents.

  Large computer makers such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard have become active supporters of Linux, which is popular in the Web server and email server market. Linux is a Unix-like OS, created originally by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish graduate student at the time.

   
• MSN combines Net access, phone bill
  Time: 02:58 EDT/07:58 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft tomorrow will announce that it has struck a deal with online payment company eCHARGE, under which MSN Internet access charges will be combined directly with MSN users' phone bills.

  The trend toward combining Net access with phone charges--the so-called one-stop communications shop--is becoming more common. Tomorrow's announcement also comes as MSN is pondering low- or no-cost Internet access. MSN faces intense competition in the Internet service provider business, from America Online as well as many independent ISPs.

  "By clicking on eCHARGE during the installation process, subscribers to MSN Internet Access can have their Internet service charges billed directly to their home phone bill, giving them more flexibility by providing an alternate billing option," Microsoft said in a statement.

   

• Microsoft putting final touches on Windows 2000
  Time: 02:56 EDT/07:56 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft says it's getting closer to shipping the final versions of its long-delayed Windows 2000 operating system for businesses. The company today detailed the specific features each version of Windows 2000, formerly called Windows NT, will offer and said it will deliver in early September a second "release candidate" to testers and members of the company's preview program.

  These versions of the OS are different from the consumer operating system, now called Windows 98, that most people use. Microsoft's next consumer operating system will meld together bits and pieces of both Windows 98 and Windows 2000, according to those who have seen an early version of that release.

  The second release candidate of Windows 2000 comes just two months after Microsoft released its first release candidate. Software code is referred to as release candidates when a company is ready to sell the product. Based on testers' feedback, Microsoft is now performing minor tweaks to the operating system.

  The Windows 2000 operating system, which will replace Windows NT 4.0, is aimed at helping Microsoft compete better in the high-end computing market, now dominated by IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, and others.

• Windows Media Technologies 4 Delivers Better Performance, Higher Quality
  Time: 19:34 EDT/00:34 GMT Source: Presspass Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft today released Windows Media Technologies 4, an advanced audio and video streaming technology that raises the quality of multimedia Internet content to a new level. With unmatched quality, proven digital rights management and powerful content development tools, Windows Media Technologies 4 simplifies the production of multimedia content and improves the overall user experience.

  For consumers, Windows Media Technologies 4 delivers CD-quality audio at half the file size of competing formats, enabling higher-quality streamed audio over dialup connections. The software also produces near-broadcast video quality for high-bandwidth users. Overall, this higher performance reduces file size, saving time and disk space for downloaded content.

  For content providers, Windows Media Technologies 4 offers a proven digital rights management system that helps artists, record labels and recording studios control the distribution of their works over the Internet. In addition, the capability to stream audio and visual content to multiple users is included in Microsoft Windows NT Server-- at no extra charge.

   
• Microsoft Details Windows 2000 Family
  Time: 18:33 EDT/23:33 GMT Source: PC World Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft has outlined final configurations for the Windows 2000 operating system product line, most of which is due out by the end of the year.

Pricing for the Windows 2000 family will be announced upon release. The line-up includes four products:
Windows 2000 Server, a network operating system for department file and print functions, Internet use, and entry-level application servers. The software will support systems using up to four processors.
Windows 2000 Advanced Server, which will support up to eight processors and is aimed at critical Web and business-application servers. It will provide integrated clustering and load balancing.
Windows 2000 DataCenter Server, aimed at companies with high-end server needs. The software will support additional clustering functions and up to 32 processors.
Windows 2000 Professional, for mainstream desktop and laptop use. It will support up to two processors.

Last October, when Microsoft changed the name of Windows NT 5.0 to Windows 2000, officials said Windows 2000 Server would support two-way symmetrical multiprocessing, Advanced Server would support four-way SMP, and DataCenter Server up to 16-way SMP. As the final product plans reveal, these figures have been doubled.

 

• Microsoft Action Figures
  Time: 18:20 EDT/23:20 GMT Source: Geek News Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft has had enough of AOL and has declared war. In to action come Dan, Kim and Nate the Microsoft Certified Professional Action Figures! All I can say is I have almost seen it all now. AOL is cowering I just know it.

   
• Window Blinds .98.6 released
  Time: 18:09 EDT/23:09 GMT Source: Email Posted By: Alex H

  Just got an email telling me that Stardock have released a new version of Windows Blinds (v .98.6) to their Object Desktop users.

   
• AOL Subscribers top 18 million
  Time: 11:59 EDT/16:59 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Bob

  "We think AOL's momentum will continue this fall with the launch of our next-generation client, AOL 5.0," said AOL president Bob Pittman. "Like our past software upgrades, we think 5.0 will be a catalyst for membership growth, time spent online, member retention, and e-commerce."

   
• Microsoft Lines Up Windows-Media Support to Battle RealNetworks
  Time: 11:59 EDT/16:59 GMT Source: Bloomberg Posted By: Bob

  Microsoft Corp. said three record companies and six makers of personal-jukebox software are backing the latest version of its Windows Media Technology in an escalation of its rivalry with RealNetworks Inc.

   
• Mailing List
  Time: 11:59 EDT/16:59 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  We have spent the last couple of days testing out our mailing list script and it seems to all be working again. So if you haven't already signed up, what are you waiting for?

   
• Intel, allies, set fresh challenge to rivals' high-end computers
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: MSNBC Posted By: Bob

  Intel Corp. and its personal-computer allies this week begin an assault on the high-end computing market, as they launch a new breed of machines that lash together eight microprocessors to match the performance of much higher-price computers.

   

• YK2 Problem may not affect Internet
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: Yahoo! Posted By: Bob

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Internet's decentralized structure makes it difficult to know precisely how the millions of computers connected to it will fare because of the Year 2000 technology problem, some of the Internet's top computer experts say.

   

• ActiveWindows Mouse Pads
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Bob

  Now with a lower price, don't forget that the first ActiveWindows piece of merchandise is now available to order. The mousepads have just arrived and they look fabulous! The first product in our new range of logos is the ActiveWindows Mouse Pad.

   

• Law would protect computer buyers
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: Yahoo! Posted By: Bob

  A state legislator wants to create a law to give Pennsylvania consumers greater legal protection if their Apple turns into a lemon or if their IBM is DOA.

   

• Microsoft makes Windows CE Synchronization faster and easier
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Bob

  When Microsoft asked customers for advice about how to improve its synchronization software for Windows CE-based Palm-size and Handheld PCs, the company got exactly what it requested. Although the company's synchronization software helped corporate and individual customers keep essential information with them at all times, customers found it difficult to install, especially on Windows NT. Microsoft responded to these needs with new synchronization technology that can be installed with as few as six mouse clicks, on any platform.

   

• Microsoft supports Athlon processor
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Bob

  Microsoft has announced its support for the new Athlon processor platform from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). The new processor improves the performance of many Microsoft products, including the Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 98 operating systems and Windows Media™ Technologies. And it is expected to enhance the performance of the upcoming Windows 2000 platform as well.

   

• Microsoft invests in Brazil cable firm
  Time: 10:50 EDT/15:50 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Bob

  REDMOND, Washington--Microsoft said today that it will invest $126 million in Brazilian cable TV operator Globo Cabo as part of a plan to expand high-speed Internet services.

   

• Email Flaws Threaten Server Security
  Time: 08:21 EDT/13:21 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex R.

  ZDNet has posted a rather detailed article about a flaw in the design of virus scanning utilities for email servers.  The flaw allows a "ping of death" type exploit that takes the server down with it.

   

• How to Build a Clear Computer Case
  Time: 08:13 EDT/13:13 GMT Source: email Posted By: Alex R.

  Ryan Fosberg is enjoying a little bit of overnight popularity.  Two fairly major news sites have produced "how-to" articles on building Ryan's design for a clear computer case with neon lighting.  GeekNews posted one set of instructions here.  They were slaughtered so hard on their server that they had to move it to a dedicated machine.

  Having trouble building your own based on GeekNews' instructions?  Have no fear, there's yet another article about it at Computingpros.com.

• Windows 2000 Update
  Time: 23:52 EDT/04:52 GMT Source: email Posted By: Alex R.

  I received word that Microsoft is uploading Windows 2000 build 2099a.  This is NOT Release Candidate 2 - that's scheduled for September.  The new build is considered a "last minute check" before hitting the schedule for RC2.  Microsoft will release a limited build of RC3 in early October, with plans for RTM in late October.

   

• New Components on Windows Update
  Time: 23:36 EDT/04:36 GMT Source: myself Posted By: Alex R.

  I was about to hit the bed when I decided to drop by Windows Update and see if there was anything new to check out.  You can always tell that something's up when you have a new Windows Update engine to download... and lo and behold, there's some new and interesting items:

  a) Windows Media Player v6.4 Final (reported earlier, but finally on Windows Update)
  b) Windows 98 Troubleshooter Update, offering the latest in troubleshooting information
  c) "Internet Print Service," something that is sure to catch the eyes of spammers and hackers everywhere... allows you to "send documents to your friends, co-workers and partners as easily as you send documents to your own printer."  The catch?  The remote printer has to be running on Windows 2000.  This is a preview version of the service.  Interesting, but surely a new way to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting machine.

   

• Updated Patch for "Malformed HTTP Request Header" Vulnerability
  Time: 20:01 EDT/01:01 GMT Source: email Posted By: Alex R.

  Hi again folks... sorry you haven't heard much from me, I've been busy on an extra special project.  You'll hear about it soon.  Anyway, Microsoft has released a new update to a previous patch for the "Malformed HTTP Request Header" Vulnerability in IIS v4.0.  Click the headline to learn all about it.

   
• Audible to air via Microsoft, Real technology
  Time: 18:05 EDT/23:05 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Audible today announced deals making its library of audio content available over the Internet through RealNetworks and Microsoft streaming media formats.

  The new deals mean computer users will be able to access Audible content without waiting for lengthy downloads, a company spokesman said.

  For example, a user could listen to the first 30 minutes of a program immediately over one of the streaming formats while the rest of the program is downloaded for later use. All the formats will be copyright-protected so the content cannot be copied.

  RealNetworks is the leader in streaming media, with more than 72 million registered users of its RealPlayer system.

   

• Old problem fixed in Windows CE
  Time: 18:01 EDT/23:01 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft today released an update to its Windows CE operating system designed to fix lingering problems with the latest versions of the software that the company has known about for months.

  Dubbed ActiveSync 3.0, the new software improves the speeds at which data transfers between a computer and a device that runs with the Windows CE system. ActiveSync 3.0 is also expected to be much easier to install than its predecessors.

  But the release, though touted as an advancement, is more like a repair. Both the version of Windows CE for handhelds with color screens, which began to hit shelves in June, and the version of CE that comes with mini-notebook-sized devices that debuted last October use an older version of ActiveSync that was relatively slow and difficult to install.

   

• Judge Says Nobody Owns Buddy Lists
  Time: 16:48 EDT/21:48 GMT Source: Internet News Posted By: Byron

  America Online Inc. has suffered a mild defeat in the middle of its highly publicized squabble with Microsoft Corp. over instant messaging.

  A U.S. District Court judge Friday threw out a lawsuit AOL filed last year against AT&T for allegedly infringing on its intellectual property.

  In the suit, AOL claimed that AT&T was illegally using the terms "Buddy List," "Instant Messaging" and "You've Got Mail" in AT&T's instant messaging service.

   
• The F.A. Premier League Stars - Review
  Time: 12:06 EDT/17:06 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  I have posted my review of EA Sports latest. The F.A. Premier League Stars. Here is a snippet from the review:

  It isn't all doom & gloom though as EA Sports have added one good feature that Fifa players have been asking for, the power bar. The power bar allows you to judge how far or fast you will shoot or lob the ball, this makes doing different types of shots much, much easier. There is also now an on-screen health bar showing your players energy rates, this helps you decide when or if you will drag the player off the field and replace him with another. The replays have also been improved, after you score a goal you are greeted to replays from multiple angles, not just the one view like in Fifa 99.

   
• Microsoft and Audible Expand Strategic Relationship Around Premium Spoken Audio Content
  Time: 08:26 EDT/13:26 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. and Audible Inc. have expanded their strategic relationship, and Audible will support Microsoft^® Windows Media™ Technologies 4.0. As a result of this development, millions of users of Windows Media Player worldwide will gain access to Audible's premium spoken-audio content.

   
• More ICQ99B News
  Time: 11:05 EDT/11:05 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  To go with the news that the new build is out. The guys at ICQ send word that ICQ99B 3.17 is now a beta, and no longer alpha. Just incase some of you out there are a little worried about trying it.

   

• Microsoft Beta Signup Utility / Windows Newslink
  Time: 05:22 EDT/10:22 GMT Source: Email Posted By: Alex H

  We received an e-mail telling us about these two new utilities that have recently been released. Here is a snippet:

  Looking for a simpler way to sign up for Microsoft betas? Is the long writing procedure and careful layout of the document to much for you to handle? Just too lazy to fill out the send field? Well today there is an answer to that problem. Introducing the Microsoft Beta Signup Utility, brought to you by Windows Newslink and powered by BNBForm 3.0. Even while or website is being developed, you are welcome to visit and try out the utility for yourself. And if you have some free time, drop on by our other rapidly growing sections and see why Windows Newslink may soon be a must see for any Microsoft Windows enthusiast. NOTE: At this time, we recommend you use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 to view our website and utility. Users have told us that it is compatible with Netscape Navigator 4.6, but we have not confirmed this. Windows Newslink

  Homepage URL: http://silverwand.thecybercity.com/new/
  Utility URL: http://silverwand.thecybercity.com/new/msbetasignup.html

   

• Windows Installer Clean Up Utility - Released
  Time: 02:08 EDT/07:08 GMT Source: The Internet Eye Posted By: Byron

  We mentioned this a week or so ago, now it is finally out. Here is a little piece from the MS Page:

  Microsoft has created the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility, which allows you to safely remove Windows Installer settings from your computer in the event of a problem.

   

• ICQ99B 3.17 Build # 2565 - Released
  Time: 02:05 EDT/07:05 GMT Source: Desktop Watch Posted By: Byron

  Another build of the new ICQ 99b was has been released. This one is version 3.17 Build # 2565. Nothing visually new, but they seem to have addressed the problem of the Kernel32 crashes. It definitely feels more stable.

• Site News
  Time: 18:07 EDT/23:07 GMT Source: Active Windows Posted By: Alex H

  Well there hasn't been much news today, and there usually never is on a Sunday. Let's hope that the news picks up for tomorrow. But if you find that you are getting bored looking at stuff on the net here is a site that you might want to take a look at. It is very well designed and has some information on it. The site is called Freakytard and has some html and scripts on it. I would also like to remind you of the MSN Community as well. We now have over 100 members and we are growing strong.

   

• Microsoft officially release Media Player 6.4
  Time: 05:03 EDT/10:03 GMT Source: Email Posted By: Alex H

  When we mentioned this before that Media Player 6.4 had been released we assumed it had. Soon after when we posted the news we found out that it was saying on Windows Update that it was version 6.4 but was really version 6.2 Now Microsoft have officially released Media Player 6.4, v6.4.05.0809. www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer for download. Windows 2000 RC2 will also have Media Player 6.4.

• Microsoft Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend on Preferred Shares
  Time: 17:19 EDT/22:19 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - news, MSFTP - news) today announced it has declared a dividend of $0.549 per share on its 2.75 percent Convertible Exchangeable Principal-Protected Preferred Shares, Series A (Series A Preferred Shares) to holders of record on Sept. 1, 1999. The dividend will be paid on Sept. 15, 1999. In December 1996, Microsoft issued $1 billion of Series A Preferred Shares.

   
• Ballmer: Prepare for Rent-An-App
  Time: 16:35 EDT/21:35 GMT Source: Wired News Posted By: Byron

  There will come a day in the not-too-distant future when packaged software goes the way of the DOS prompt. Software becomes a service, delivered by broadband and used on computers, TVs, and other devices in the home, according to Microsoft president Steve Ballmer.

   
• ActiveWindows Community Reminder
  Time: 16:02 EDT/21:09 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Just another reminder about signing up for our ActiveWindows Community on MSN. It allows you to chat with us in our chat room or via our message board, it also lets you post your own screensavers and backgrounds for other ActiveWindows readers to download.

   
• Microsoft pumping QoS standards in Windows 2000
  Time: 06:15 EDT/11:15 GMT Source: Infoworld Posted By: Byron

  While quality-of-service mechanisms are typically embedded in network hardware, Microsoft is doing some slick work to align Windows 2000 with emerging QoS standards.

  The work, and its subsequent inclusion in Windows 2000, provides IT executives with an operating system-based mechanism for requesting bandwidth for applications and marking IP packets with priority levels for movement over LAN and WAN links.

  Microsoft's approach is gaining acceptance from hardware vendors, but they caution that QoS intelligence must stay in network devices such as routers.

   

• Microsoft turns out the light on Firefly
  Time: 03:16 EDT/08:16 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  Citing dwindling use, Microsoft said it has shut down online community Firefly. Microsoft acquired Firefly Network in 1998 mainly for the company's user profile technology. Firefly's flagship product, called Firefly Passport, collected user preferences anonymously, recommended Internet content, and sent targeted advertising.

  Since the acquisition, the Firefly team has worked on Microsoft Passport, the software giant's upcoming universal registration system. Passport lets users register and sign in once to navigate through partner Web sites without having to enter a username and password for the individual sites. It is also an electronic wallet, meaning users can buy products on many different sites without needing to enter information every time. Microsoft said it decided to close the site down and fold it into a separate section in MSN Communities. The Firefly team will continue working on other Microsoft projects.

• Can GNOME build a better desktop?
  Time: 16:26 EDT/21:26 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  If Linux's developers have yet to see widespread consumer take up for their work, it's not for lack of ambition. Miguel de Icaza, leader of the open source GNOME desktop project, this week previewed code that surpasses many of the sophisticated interoperability features of Macintosh and Windows systems. "I want a system a 5-year-old and my grandmother can just plug in and use. No Unix, no nothing," de Icaza says.

   
• Microsoft Will Ship Upgraded Windows CE Today
  Time: 15:39 EDT/20:39 GMT Source: Tech Web Posted By: Alex H

  Less than a week after shipping its Windows NT Embedded 4.0 Server, Microsoft is scheduled to release to manufacturing on Friday an upgrade for Windows CE and Platform Builder for embedded applications.

  The release of the embedded operating system, version 2.12, sends a clear signal to Microsoft's legion of developers that the pint-sized and modular software is not the forgotten stepchild of embedded-systems design.

  This latest version of Windows CE features Internet Explorer 4.0 browser control code that can be integrated into OEM applications, as well as a shell similar to the Handheld PC Pro Shell with Pocket Word and Inbox applications, Microsoft executives said.

  Other features include support for 128-bit security and Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ), as well as a dial-up bootloader for upgrading the operating system via Flash.

   
• AOL Wins Battle in Messaging War
  Time: 13:20 EDT/18:20 GMT Source: PC World Posted By: Alex H

  In the battle surrounding instant messaging, America Online has scored one more victory. AOL has managed to attract another powerful ally for its AOL Instant Messenger service: Novell, whose network operating system helps network administrators manage 80 million users' access to corporate systems.

  The agreement, announced Thursday, aims to accomplish two things: getting AOL's messaging software into the corporate market, and getting Novell's customer base in contact with everyone using AIM. This agreement is good for both companies. It gives Novell more contact with the world of the Net, and helps AOL expand its reach from consumers to the corporate market, according to Mark Levitt, research director at International Data Corporation.

   
• Microsoft employee smears AOL
  Time: 09:59 EDT/14:59 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  A Microsoft Corp. employee impersonated a private technology consultant in order to smear America Online Inc., the New York Times reported.

  Microsoft officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The paper said Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) officials acknowledged that one of its programmers sent an e-mail accusing AOL (NYSE:AOL) of irresponsible behavior in the battle over instant messaging

   

• Site News
  Time: 07:55 EDT/12:55 GMT Source: Active Windows Posted By: Alex H

  As you might have noticed there is less news on the main page then there has been the last few days. The main reason for that is because we were noticing that there was so much information going on the main page that people might just get annoyed scrolling down the page just to find a certain bit of news. So what we have done is started the News Centers. What we want to know is if you are finding them useful or not? If you have any comments at all about them then please email either myself or Byron 

  The next thing I want to mention is the Active Windows Community on MSN. Go check it out, tell us what you think of the site. The message board is there and we want your feedback on it!

   
• Office 2000 giveaway tries to avoid earlier pitfalls
  Time: 07:55 EDT/12:55 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft is rewarding participants of a survey with free copies of the recently released Office 2000 software suite, apparently undeterred by the results of the last attempt at such a giveaway.

  Subscribers to Microsoft's Office News Service received emails today informing them they are eligible to receive a free copy of the popular Office 2000 software package if they qualify to participate in the study. The software suite includes the newest versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, and FrontPage as well as other productivity applications.

  The software maker tried a similar plan earlier this year but had to abort the project when it was overwhelmed by people looking for free software. The effort, which featured a lengthy questionnaire on Office 97 user habits, left many who were shut out confused or frustrated.

   
• Internet Explorer hit by fresh security scare
  Time: 07:53 EDT/12:53 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Alex H

  US site Bugnet is reporting a potentially dangerous bug in version 5 of Microsoft Internet Explorer. According to the report, when you use the browser to download a file from an FTP (file transfer protocol) site, user names and passwords are revealed. Bugnet points out people typically use FTP to download large files, so their user names can be displayed for quite some time.

   

• Mozilla Milestone 8.5 Released
  Time: 07:02 EDT/12:02 GMT Source: BetaBites Posted By: Byron

  BetaBites.com is reporting that Mozilla has reached M-8.5 or Milestone 8.5. Each milestone signifies that development is one step closer toward a product ready for release. Mozilla has been working on the future release of Netscape Communicator 5.0 for well over a year and according to reports should be ready with a beta product later this year.

• Iomega USB Zip 100 - Review
  Time: 16:36 EDT/21:36 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  I have posted my review of Iomega's USB version of their Zip 100 drive. Here is a snippet from the review:

  Iomega has managed to put together a really good manual for use with the USB Zip 100. It includes Quick Install information with illustrations of installation process. The USB drive User's guide also provides details on how to fully make the most of Zip package and how to troubleshoot the most basic problems you may/may not come up against.

   
• Tweak Your Windows 98
  Time: 10:57 EDT/15:57 GMT Source: ComChip Posted By: Byron

  ComChip has posted an optimization guide all about Windows 98. Check it out! Here is a snippet:

  Another method to increase performance is the use of disk cache. What disk cache does is it takes the most recently used data from the hard drive and it places it into memory that isn't occupied by other programs. This isn't always the case though, as you do more work, the system wants to use more memory for the disk cache, but as the programs need more memory for operation, they have to use virtual memory instead because disk cache has taken all the room. This leads to increased performance from disk cache but decreased performance from the use of virtual memory. So no performance is gained.

   
• Reach, pay drawing developers to Java, Linux
  Time: 09:01 EDT/14:01 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  Is Microsoft losing its sway over business software developers?

  Last month, Microsoft's president Steve Ballmer said that the company is facing its stiffest competition yet for software developers, as a wide variety of development options could "suck away" interest in the various forms of Windows.

   
• MSN Messenger Service 1.0 - Review
  Time: 04:39 EDT/09:39 GMT Source: Netigen Web Posted By: Byron

  Last month Microsoft launched the latest salvo in the instant messaging battle with its release of MSN Messenger Service 1.0 (MSNm). Weighing in at under a 400 KB download, MSNm really packs a punch in its small size including the ability to not only communicate with others using MSN but also your buddies using America Online's Instant Messenger (AIM). But how does it really stack up against the messaging big boys?

   
• Microsoft Shipped PhotoDraw Despite Known Bug
  Time: 04:36 EDT/09:36 GMT Source: Netigen Web Posted By: Byron

  I recently received a tip regarding the latest Microsoft blunder. Actually it seems that the problem was a known issue that Microsoft swept under the rug so the company could launch a product on time. The offending application is PhotoDraw 2000 -- a consumer graphics package that was recently introduced as a new component of the Office 2000 suite.

   
• ActiveWindows Mouse Pads
  Time: 04:02 EDT/09:02 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Alex H

  Now with a lower price, don't forget that the first ActiveWindows piece of merchandise is now available to order. The mousepads have just arrived and they look fabulous! The first product in our new range of logos is the ActiveWindows Mouse Pad.

   
• Paul Allen registers to sell MS shares
  Time: 03:59 EDT/08:59 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  According to filings released by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT)co-founder Paul has registered to sell 5.9 million shares of company's common stock. The filing indicates that the billionaire intended to sell the shares, currently valued at about $500 million, between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6. The filing only precedes an intention to sell -- not an actual sale. Allen is a major investor in ZDTV, an operation of ZDNet parent company, Ziff-Davis Inc.

   
• Windows 2000 close to making its debut?
  Time: 03:59 EDT/08:59 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Windows 2000 must be getting closer to shipping. The latest sign: Novell Inc. has begun beta testing its Windows 2000 client for NetWare servers. Novell (Nasdaq:NOVL) routinely develops clients for desktop operating systems from Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) and other vendors. In the past, Novell has developed clients for Windows 95, Windows 98 and NT Workstation 4.0 "We have customers testing and planning to use Windows 2000, and our client will make sure they can access their NetWare networks properly," explains Michael Bryant, director of NetWare marketing.

   
• WebTV caught between MSN deals, free PCs
  Time: 03:57 EDT/08:57 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  WebTV appears to have a new, formidable, and well-heeled competitor--its parent company Microsoft. The WebTV set-top box and monthly Internet service was originally conceived as a way for people to get onto the Net cheaply and easily via the TV. Microsoft snapped up the company in 1997.

  But WebTV has become an unwilling competitor to the rapidly growing "free" PC movement as those companies have devised ways to drop the cost of getting on the Web with a computer. And now the service may have to fight a threat much closer to home--Microsoft's own MSN Internet service.

   
• Windows CE developer Eclipse cuts back
  Time: 03:55 EDT/08:55 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Eclipse International, which develops software for makers of Microsoft's Windows CE devices, has laid off almost 20 percent of its staff, raising questions about the software giant's progress in that market.

  Eclipse International laid off 11 employees, out of a total of 58, confirmed Ray Grammar, chief financial officer of the software developer. Eclipse sells system software, called AdvanCE and CorePak, which allows manufacturers to build devices based on the scaled-down Windows CE operating system for handhelds and other devices.

  Because it only develops Microsoft software, the company's fortunes are inextricably tied to the success or failure of Windows CE, which has met with some resistance in both the embedded and consumer markets.

  In both areas, customers have complained about the lack of hard real time capability (meaning the ability to process incoming data within strict time parameters) and problematic synchronization of information between CE devices and other machines, including desktop PCs.

   
• Microsoft fights talent drain with new tools, API
  Time: 03:52 EDT/08:52 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  It's Microsoft's game to lose. With a hammerlock on the Web browser and PC operating system markets, if Microsoft loses sway with developers it has only itself to blame.

  Executives at the Redmond, Washington-based software maker admit that in order to maintain Windows' appeal as a development platform, the company needs to make Web application development on Windows as simple as writing a Windows-only program.

  "We're hitting the saturation mark. We've got as many people out there creating Windows apps as we're going to be able to get," said Jon Roskill, director of marketing in the company's developer division. To stem the flow of developers away from the fold, the company needs a development tool that does for Web development what its Visual Basic tool did to revolutionize Windows development back in 1991.

  "We can do a better job of simplifying the programming model here, and the way to do that is with tools," said Roskill.

  This fall, Microsoft will detail a new development toolset and programming interfaces intended to combine a handful of Web-related technologies with its Windows operating system and applications.

• Internet Explorer 5 SP1 To Be Scrapped
  Time: 17:05 EDT/22:05 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Alex H

  We have just received an e-mail that states that Microsoft is planning to scrap Service Pack 1 for Internet Explorer 5 and just release Internet Explorer 5.01. We don't have the reasons for this yet - but we will try and get some confirmation from Microsoft later today. More news if and when we get it.

  Update 23:04 GMT: Confirmed -- Service Pack 1 has been scrapped.

   
• New Sections Launched - Site News
  Time: 16:21 EDT/21:21 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  We have launched a number of new sections today, the list is as follows:

  MP3
  Gaming News
  Business News
  Hardware News

  As usual - any comments or suggestions can be mailed in to us. We also have a few new reviews that will appear across the site during this week and the next:

  Hardware: Matrox G400 32MB Dual Head AGP Graphics Card, Iomega USB Zip 100, Palm Pilot III & V
  Games: Heavy Gear 2, System Shock 2, C&C2 - Tiberian Sun
  DVD's: Ghostbusters, 8mm, Affliction, A Simple Plan

   

• ActiveWindows Community Reminder
  Time: 16:02 EDT/21:09 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Just another reminder about signing up for our ActiveWindows Community on MSN. It allows you to chat with us in our chat room or via our message board, it also lets you post your own screensavers and backgrounds for other ActiveWindows readers to download.

   

• Microsoft loses exec to Digital Entertainment
  Time: 14:02 EDT/19:02 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Digital Entertainment Network, a closely held Internet entertainment site for teens and young adults, said it named Microsoft's former Internet tools development director, Greg Carpenter, as chief technology officer. Digital Entertainment said Carpenter is known for his expertise in broadband and digital distribution of music. He spent the last six years developing imaging and graphics software at Microsoft, the company said.

  Santa Monica, California-based Digital Entertainment wants Carpenter to help lead its drive to link its Den.net Web page to teens and young adults aged 14 through 24. Digital Entertainment's site shows videos, including music and sports, designed to attract a young audience. "This age group is the first group of people that have gone from pre-kindergarten all through school with computers," Carpenter said. "They drive most of the traffic on the Web. They don't plop down and watch Gilligan's Island, like I did."

   
• Web3D Consortium and blaxxun interactive License VRML Browser Source Code
  Time: 12:24 EDT/15:24 GMT Source: Yahoo Posted By: Alex H

  Full VRML browser source openly available from Web3D Consortium under Community Source license; Source to be used to promote VRML availability, improve industry-wide standards compliance and to accelerate X3D next generation efforts.

  The Web3D Consortium today announced that it has entered into a cooperative licensing agreement with blaxxun interactive whereby the source code of blaxxun's VRML browser will be made openly available from the Web3D Consortium under a Community Source license. Licensees will gain full access to the source and retain full rights to their modifications, royalty-free, for non-commercial use. It is expected that source will be available within 45 days and the license is available for review at www.web3d.org. blaxxun is willing to discuss licensing terms for commercial usage of the source with individual companies.

   

• Learn English the MS Way
  Time: 12:24 EDT/15:24 GMT Source: Wired News Posted By: Alex H

  As Microsoft prepares to launch the latest version of the Encarta Reference Suite, the company is also developing a new version of a little-known product in the brand: English language instruction. Encarta Interactive English Learning isn't sold in the United States, although Microsoft is considering potential American editions. The product first rolled out last spring in French- and Japanese-speaking markets. Italian- and Spanish-language versions soon followed, and the company is exploring other languages, including Polish.

   
• Microsoft Trumps Lotus In Messaging Seats
  Time: 12:20 EDT/15:20 GMT Source: Tech Web Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft's Exchange Server once again turned in an impressive quarter of messaging-seat sales against groupware rival Lotus Development's Notes/Domino.

  According to new research by International Data Corp., in Framingham, Mass., Microsoft Exchange sold 8.1 million seats worldwide in the first half of 1999, compared to 7.4 million Lotus seats. Novell's Groupwise brought up third place, selling 2.69 million seats worldwide in the first half, 1.837 million in the United States.

  Delays to Notes/Domino Release 5 "likely had some minimal impact on the first quarter sales and less on the second quarter," said IDC vice president Ian Campbell.

   
• New 'Monopoly' virus discovered
  Time: 12:18 EDT/15:18 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  There's a new Melissa-like computer virus that not only attacks Microsoft software, it taunts the software giant's leader. The so-called VBS/Monopoly virus pops up a dialog box that says, "Bill Gates is guilty of monopoly. Here is the proof. :-)" and then displays a picture of Gates superimposed on a Monopoly game board. It also sends itself to every e-mail in the victim's address book. But anti-virus firms say the virus is not yet spreading widely around the Internet.

  Notice of the virus apparently first posted by a Russian anti-virus lab, Kaspersky Labs AVP, on Monday. (Microsoft is a partner in MSNBC.) Like Melissa, it arrives to victims as an e-mail attachment to a note. The subject line on the e-mail is "Bill Gates joke." But unlike Melissa, anti-virus companies have been alerted to it before it was able to spread, so it won't likely have Melissa-like widespread impact.

   
• About, Netscape in search pact
  Time: 12:16 EDT/15:16 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  About.com Inc. (Nasdaq: BOUT) will become a a premier search provider on America Online Inc.'s (NYSE: AOL) Netcenter, the companies said today. About.com will also be included as a pre-loaded bookmark in Netscape's Communicator browser. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

   

• Race is on to fix Office 97 flaw
  Time: 12:15 EDT/15:15 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  On one hand, the Office 97 vulnerability revealed last week turns out to be as big a breach as could be imagined. Simply by opening an e-mail, or even previewing one, a victim could have all files snooped by an intruder, even have his or her hard drive erased. And it turns out a fix for the flaw is still at least a week away. On the other hand, there have been no victims -- so how bad could the problem really be? For now, the race is on to create and disseminate a fix before an ill-intentioned hacker figures out how to take advantage.

  "This is the 'Good Times' virus hoax come to life," said security expert Russ Cooper, who runs the popular security mailing list NTBugtraq. Good Times is one of the longest-running Net hoaxes -- it suggests that simply reading an e-mail with the subject line 'Good Times' can destroy a victim's computer. That was just a myth.

   

• DirectX 7 Hits Release Candidate Stage
  Time: 04:51 EDT/09:54 GMT Source: Microsoft Posted By: Alex H

  DirectX 7 is now in its final beta stage, Release Candidate 1 (Build 229.2) has been posted to testers. The final release in expected to be available next month via Windows Update and the DirectX website.

   
• Grove: Merced due in a couple of weeks
  Time: 03:51 EDT/08:51 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Intel Corp. Chairman Andy Grove said Tuesday that Intel's first 64-bit processor, code-named Merced, will yield silicon "in a few weeks time" and that "we will know then whether it works or it doesn't. In a surprise appearance at LinuxWorld Expo in San Jose, Calif., Grove and Intel senior vice president Sean Maloney demonstrated the Linux kernel running on top of the Merced simulator generating a transaction.

   
• Another Fed Web site knocked out
  Time: 03:51 EDT/08:51 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission knocked out by taunting hacker in latest assault on government Web sites.  Instead of the usual bureaucratic greetings found on government Web sites, people attempting to access the page were met by a cartoon character of a female vamp holding a whip.

  The hack, which was claimed by "Sarin," also left a brief note, taunting administrators for leaving their site vulnerable to hacks after "widespread publicity" given to copycat attacks in the last several months. "I'd seriously consider hiring a new admin if I were you," Sarin wrote.

   

• Soccer hooligans organizing online?
  Time: 03:49 EDT/08:49 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  English soccer hooligans may have used the Internet to organize violence that erupted around Saturday's match between Cardiff City and Millwall, according to a BBC report. Police are reportedly concerned that the Internet is being used both to organise and give running commentaries on football.

   
• Site News
  Time: 03:47 EDT/08:47 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Alex H

  Just to let you know about the new sections that will be coming to Active Windows. There will be a mp3 section coming soon - that will give links and information about mp3's, a business section - so you can be at work and find all the business and financial news you need without have to search all over the web, and a games section - where you will find all the latest news about upcoming games, patches, drivers etc etc. I think this was prompted mainly by the huge amount of news that is getting put on the main page. Instead of having to trawl through loads and loads of news to find what you are looking for, we thought we would break it up into sections. If you have any comments about the new sections or have some news you would like posted in the new sections or even the main page, do not hesitate to email either myself ,  Byron or anyone else on the team.

   
• Intel, IDT in cross-licensing agreement
  Time: 03:39 EDT/08:39 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Integrated Device Technology and Intel entered a cross-licensing agreement to use each other's intellectual property covered by patents. Chipmaker Intel will pay IDT $20.5 million as part of the agreement, and both companies will license most of each other's technologies, the companies said in a statement. No further terms of the agreements were disclosed.

  "This new agreement provides the design engineers of both Intel and IDT with greater flexibility as they design new products, enabling both companies to better serve customers' requirements," said Pat Gelsinger, general manager of Intel's Desktop Products Group. IDT provides semiconductor solutions to leading-edge system designers in communications and computing. Intel is the world's largest maker of semiconductors.

   
• IBM, airline industry group team on e-ticketing
  Time: 03:39 EDT/08:39 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  The International Air Transport Association and computer maker IBM tomorow will unveil a plan to create a system that allows airlines around the world to exchange electronic tickets, the paperless replacement for traditional air tickets. Working with the IATA, International Business Machines will help design the centralized e-ticket system and then develop and manage it. The e-ticketing system will be designed to run on IBM mainframe computers.

  The partners said the new service, built to meet airline industry standards, is expected to significantly expand the acceptance and use of e-ticketing among IATA's 266-member air carriers and within the industry as a whole. Electronic ticketing has taken hold in North America, where a growing percentage of U.S. travelers are choosing them over paper to speed airport check-in procedures and to protect themselves against lost tickets. But the procedure has been slow to take hold among overseas flyers, in part because of the incompatibility of each airlines e-ticketing systems, an IBM spokesman said.

   
• Who will win the DVD standards fight?
  Time: 03:36 EDT/08:36 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Wrangling over standards threatens to stall the adoption of DVD rewritable drives, even as peripheral manufacturers prepare new products for market. In a chapter taken out of the videotape wars of the 1980s, where major electronics companies lined up behind either VHS or Beta, the standards standoff could leave consumers once again holding useless chunks of plastic.

  The players are strikingly similar. Beta backers Sony and Philips support one standard, DVD+RW, and VHS victors Hitachi, Panasonic, and Toshiba support the other, DVD-RAM.

  "Do you want to bet on the guys who did VHS or the guys who did Beta?" asked Jim Porter, president of Disk Trend. "We see the same foolishness being repeated over and over again here and the inability to sit down in a smoke-filled room and agree what a single standard should be." DVD+RW writes disks that most DVD drives and players can read. DVD-RAM, on the other hand, stores optical disks in caddies that won't work in older DVD devices. DVD rewritable's main advantage over the more popular CD rewritable is capacity, 4.7GB versus 640MB.

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