• Win Me Beta 3?
  Time: 07:50 EST/12:50 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Alex Harris

  We had a lot of e-mails this morning asking us if Windows Me (Millennium Edition) had reached beta 3, as a few websites had said it would on March 17th (Not us). Well as expected if you read this site, it hasn't reached Beta 3 yet. Microsoft are getting closer (They released a regular weekly interim build again last night which I don't believe was even a release candidate for Beta 3) and it is still expected early April. We hope that clears up some of the confusion.

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• Windows ‘Worm’ Virus Slithers
  Time: 04:44 EST/09:44 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  A new worm now "in the wild" has the potential to shut down Windows platforms and make the operating system permanently unusable.

  Computer Associates International discovered the worm, Win32/Melting.worm, on Tuesday, when customers started to find it in their e-mail systems, says Narender Mangalam, director of security solutions at CA. So far, it has hit some Fortune 1000 software companies, he says.

  "The risk level is moderate, and it hasn't caused too much damage because we believe we've caught it in time," Mangalam says. CA markets InoculateIT, a virus detection and prevention program.

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• Power PCs Still Lack Win 2000
  Time: 04:42 EST/09:42 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  A new high-end business PC should run the newest, most powerful operating system, right? But if your preference is Windows 2000, you may have to wait--particularly if you want a DVD-ROM drive.

  One month after Microsoft unveiled the long-awaited operating system, many powerhouse PCs, surprisingly, don’t yet offer it as an option.

  Compaq, for example, is lagging in bundling Win 2000 on its most powerful systems. And several other desktops on PC World’s most recent list of Top 10 Power PCs (or their slightly faster siblings) still come preloaded with Windows 98 Second Edition, not Windows 2000.

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• Encarta Goes Online Free
  Time: 04:40 EST/09:40 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  The online dictionary market will soon face new competition, as Microsoft announced it will launch a free online version of its Encarta World English Dictionary.

  Microsoft’s announcement comes just days after Oxford University Press announced the launch of its own Oxford English Dictionary (OED) online. The OED, however, uses a fee-based model, charging an annual fee of $550 for access.

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• Is Microsoft playing favorites?
  Time: 04:38 EST/09:38 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  As IT cleared a path for an expanded partnership with Andersen Consulting, Microsoft Corp. may have thrown up roadblocks for its other Windows 2000 service partners.

  The Redmond, Wash., company this week announced it will team with Andersen to create a $1 billion joint venture, called Avanade, to provide services for building and deploying Windows 2000 platforms and technologies.

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• Overheating Intel parts threaten Toshiba laptops
  Time: 04:35 EST/09:35 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  Intel has another hot problem: Some notebooks are dying because of faulty processor packaging.

  The flaw, which first appeared in Toshiba Satellite 4100 models, affects certain notebooks containing 400-MHz Pentium II and Celeron processors. Toshiba Tectra 8000 notebooks also could be affected. The problem, however, may not be confined to Toshiba.

  Intel was saddled with a number of product glitches in 1999, including an embarrassing bug that delayed the release of PCs containing Rambus memory.

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• WebTV hit by Melissa-like bug
  Time: 04:33 EST/09:33 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  WebTV has been hit by a self-replicating bug that is wreaking havoc with the network's message boards and newsgroups, a situation that knocks back the company's claim that it is immune to viruses and security holes.

  The problem, which some are calling the "Flood Virus," gets inside the e-mail system of WebTV owners and prompts the WebTV settop box to litter bulletin board and newsgroup sites on the company's network with redundant junk mail. Like the Melissa virus, the malicious WebTV code sends out the emails under a user's name without their knowledge.

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• Intel to release 850-MHz, 866-MHz amid shortage
  Time: 04:31 EST/09:31 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  Intel will come out with new Pentium IIIs on Monday, amid a lingering shortage of high-end processors.

  The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaking giant will announce 850-MHz and 866-MHz Pentium III processors for desktops on Monday, according to sources close to the company. The chips follow the recent, accelerated introduction of a Pentium III running at 1GHz. Price cuts are not expected on the rest of the Pentium III processors as yet. Intel last cut Pentium III prices at the end of February.

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• Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-016) - Patch Available for "Malformed Media License Request" Vulnerability
  Time: 19:53 EST/00:53 GMT News Source: Microsoft Product Security Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a denial of service vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows Media(tm) License Manager. The vulnerability could allow a malicious user to temporarily prevent the license server from issuing further licenses to customers for protected digital content (music and video).

  Windows Media License Manager is part of Windows Media Rights Manager, a component of Windows Media Technologies that enables content providers to distribute copyrighted digital media in encrypted form. When Windows Media Player opens protected digital media, it contacts the provider's server, presents the user's license request information, and obtains a license that allows it to play the media. However, a specially-malformed license request can cause License Manager to halt, thereby preventing legitimate subscribers from obtaining a license for the same or other content hosted at this site.

  The vulnerability does not in any way compromise the protection provided by the encryption or prevent offline playing of content that the user has already licensed. The server can be put back into normal operation by restarting the License Manager.

  Read more

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• Flight Simulator 2000 Update Released
  Time: 19:05 EDT/00:05 GMT News Source: Microsoft Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft today announced the release of the second update for Flight Simulator 2000. This new update makes shadows possible for aircraft, buildings, and dynamic scenery within Flight Simulator 2000. The Flight Simulator 2000 Update is available for download on the official Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/games/fs2000/.

  In addition to shadows, the Flight Simulator Update includes corrections for autopilot-induced oscillations while following the ILS glideslope. In addition, ATIS frequencies are now limited to frequencies tunable with the communication radios and the Learjet 45 and Boeing 737-300 ADF needles correct for magnetic variation.

  After downloading and installing the update, players must make sure that the Aircraft Shadows and Ground Scenery Shadows settings are selected in the Image Quality tab of the Display Settings dialog box in order to view shadows in Flight Simulator 2000.

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• Microsoft tackles Web email breach
  Time: 14:25 EDT/19:25 GMT News Source: News.com Posted By: Byron Hinson

  In response to a number of customer complaints, Microsoft has posted a fix for a security problem that could have potentially crashed the computers of people who use Web-based email. Microsoft today alerted Windows 95 and Windows 98 consumers that a patch for the bug, called the "DOS Device in Path Name," has been posted and can be downloaded off the software giant's Web site.

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• Tecmar warns about tapes and Windows 2000
  Time: 09:53 EDT/14:53 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Got a peripheral tape solution based on floppy and parallel port tape drives? Thinking of upgrading your operating system to Windows 2000? Be careful. Tecmar has just issued a warning that its Ditto drives will not work with Windows 2000. According to a statement from the firm, the operating system does not provide drivers for floppy and parallel port drives and there is no intention to support them in the future.

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• Online Dictionaries Face New Competition as Microsoft Launches Free Online Version of Encarta World English Dictionary
  Time: 09:52 EDT/14:52 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  The definitions of English words written and spoken around the world are now just a click of the mouse away with the launch of a free online version of the Microsoft^® Encarta^® World English Dictionary from Microsoft Corp. The online dictionary offers quick, easy-to-understand definitions that talk to users with audio pronunciations in a human voice. The online dictionary is scheduled to be available at http://www.encarta.com/ on April 17 and will provide access any time, anywhere at no cost.

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• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 System Tools Page Added
  Time: 09:23 EST/14:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin2k Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have added a Microsoft Windows 2000 System Tools Page to our Windows 2000 section; it has all the latest Microsoft supported tools to perform a variety of different tasks on your Windows 2000 operating system - including diagnostic indicators, upgrade utilities, and more. Very handy information.

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• ActiveWin2k: Windows 2000 Compatible Server List Added
  Time: 09:23 EST/14:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin2k Posted By: Robert Stein

  Do you plan on installing a server or buying a pre-installed with the Windows 2000 operating system? Make sure you check out this list of over 250 Microsoft Windows 2000 compatible servers. It includes all the major manufacturers.

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• ActiveWin2k: Windows 2000 Patches Page Updated
  Time: 09:23 EST/14:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin2k Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have updated our Windows 2000 Patches Page; This updated list includes a Critical Update regarding Microsoft Virtual Machine (VM) and several recommended updates including Terminal Services Activation Failure, AOL .ART Images, and an incorrect signature for Xenroll.dll. Be sure to check it out!

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• ActiveWin: Pinnacle Systems Studio DV: Review
  Time: 07:23 EST/12:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin Posted By: Robert Stein

  Julien has posted his review of Pinnacle System's Pinnacle Studio DV. Here is a snippet from the review:

  Some say “You’ve got a friend in the business”… But for pinnacle, we should use to say: “You’ve got a video’s friend”. Pinnacle is a German manufacturer well known for its great professional capture video cards such as the miroVideo DC30 series. Apple first introduced the Firewire standard. Camcorders manufacturers included it on their digital Mini-DV camcorders to share videos with a REAL and FULL digital quality. The Studio DV PCI board’s intended use is with Mini-DV digital camcorders. It’s an IEEE 1394 board, based on a Texas Instruments’ chip; it will bring to your computer 3 iLink/MiniDV/Firewire/IEEE 1394 connectors (two external and one internal). It even allows you to plug IEEE 1394 hard disks. With a bandwidth of 400Mb per seconds the Studio DV board is definitely an interesting cheap solution to capture digital videos. It comes with the awarded ‘Studio’ software that allows users to mount, edit, their favorites videos by adding great effects (titles, transitions, sounds, music, and much more) in a few click.

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• Sony embarrassed by another PlayStation2 flaw
  Time: 04:37 EDT/09:37 GMT News Source: Yahoo! Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp faced fresh embarrassment on Friday when its new, hugely hyped PlayStation2 (PS2) game console revealed another flaw, sending its share price sliding.

  Sony's game making unit Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) said it had found users of PS2, launched two weeks ago in Japan amid huge publicity and frenzied demand, could manipulate it to watch digital video disk (DVD) software sold overseas.

  That is in breach of an agreement among DVD player makers worldwide that stipulates machines can only play domestically sold disks equipped with disenabling codes.

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• Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-017) - Patch Available for "DOS Device in Path Name" Vulnerability
  Time: 04:25 EST/09:25 GMT News Source: Microsoft Product Security Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95, Windows 98, and Windows 98 Second Edition. The vulnerability could cause a user's system to crash, if they attempted to access a file or folder whose path contained certain reserved words.

  DOS device names are reserved words, and cannot be used as folder or file names. When parsing a reference to a file or folder, Windows correctly checks for the case in which a single DOS device name is used in the path, and treats it as invalid. However, it does not check for the case in which the path includes multiple DOS device names. When Windows attempts to interpret the device name as a file resource, it performs an illegal resource access that usually results in a crash.

  Because it is not possible to create files or folders that contain DOS device names, it would be unusual for a user to try to access one under normal circumstances. The chief threat posed by this vulnerability is that a malicious user could attempt to entice a user to attempt such an access. For instance, if a web site operator hosted a hyperlink that referenced such a path, clicking the link would result in the user's machine crashing. Likewise, a web page or HTML mail that specified a local file as the source of rendering information could cause the user's machine to crash when it was displayed. If this happened, the machine could be put back into normal service by restarting it.

  Read more

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• ActiveXBox - Screenshots and Movies Updated
  Time: 18:31 EDT/23:31 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  We have updated our ActiveXBox - Screenshot and Movie page with a few more movies. These movies are quite large in size but we think you will enjoy them.

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• ActiveDVD: Mystery Men: DVD - Review
  Time: 16:03 EST/21:03 GMT News Source: ActiveDVD Posted By: Byron Hinson

  I have posted my review of the recently released Universal DVD - Mystery Men. Here is a snippet from the review:

  Despite the great casting, good characters and some fine directing from first-time director Kinka Usher, I just didn't find Mystery Men at all funny, not even once which I found very surprising when you consider the comedians who are involved in the movie.

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• A new thorn in Microsoft’s side?
  Time: 14:43 EST/19:43 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft is obsessed with Sun. Microsoft watches AOL's every move. Microsoft continues to try to second-guess the various Linux players.

  But does Microsoft fear BSDI, a.k.a. Berkeley Software Design Inc.? I know Microsoft knows who BSDI is, because it is BSDI's software that powers Microsoft’s HotMail site, despite Microsoft's best efforts to move it into Windows 2000. But does BSDI keep the "Redmonians" awake at night? Probably not.

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• MSN Mobile 2.0 Released
  Time: 14:38 EST/19:38 GMT News Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron Hinson

  MSN Mobile Version 2 has just launched. Here is some more information about the service:

  Welcome to MSN™ Mobile version 2.0! MSN Mobile now offers even more services and content for wireless devices, such as:
  
  

  • New content partners. You’ll now find content from MSNBC, ZDNet, and MSN MoneyCentral™.
  • E-mail Alerts for MSN Hotmail®. Receive an alert on your pager or cellular phone whenever you receive an e-mail message in Hotmail.
  • Support for Web-enabled cellular phones. Use your Web-enabled cellular phone, such as the Sprint Wireless Web phone, to browse MSN Mobile directly. With these new features, you can now get more of the information you need ... anytime, anywhere.

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• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows® 2000 Professional operating system: Review
  Time: 06:13 EST/11:13 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have posted our 18 page review of Windows 2000 Professional Edition. Here is a snippet from the review:

  During the past few months Activewin has been a leader in presenting our readers with the most up to date features and improvements that Windows 2000 has to offer. We are proud to present you all with our full and complete review on the just released Windows 2000 Professional Operating System.

  Some may believe Windows 2000 is the successor of Windows 98SE. The fact is that Windows 2000 is the replacement for Microsoft's Windows NT business and network platform. Windows 2000 is a full operating system based on a full NT 32 bit engine that allows high end multi tasking, high security levels, and advanced networking features while still supporting DirectX and all the latest hardware.

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• Oklahoma Supreme Court Fully Deployed on Windows 2000; Sees Flawless Performance on 63 Servers, 1,200 Clients Statewide
  Time: 14:36 EST/19:36 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Oklahoma Supreme Court, with 70 facilities and more than 1,200 users statewide, has migrated to a 100 percent Microsoft^® Windows^® 2000 operating system-based enterprise to boost manageability and reliability and to support a new, statewide case-tracking system that is available internally and over the Web.

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• MS may try to boost WinCE, Linux-style
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Feeling pressure from Linux in the embedded-device market, Microsoft Corp. is contemplating giving Windows CE to some developers for free. The company is unlikely to go so far as to claim its effort to be Linux-like open source, but it nonetheless seems to hope it can ride the open-source movement's coattails.

  Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) could make public its plans to open the Windows CE source base as soon as its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in late April, sources say.

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• MS wins more time in Euro antitrust case
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft has been given a few more days to respond to the European Commission requirement that it provide data relating to the complaint made public last month. This was lodged by end users, SMEs and competitors (including Sun), and concerns alleged leveraging of Windows 2000 in the server market.

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• MS gives away Win2k Pro code for free
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft faces something of a licensing issue in Spain, following the accidental free distribution of an estimated 100,000 copies of full, non time-limited Windows 2000. The code was cover-mounted by the Spanish edition of IDG's PC World, which we understand has had record-breaking sales for the month.

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• Nvidia gets $200m X-Box injection
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Graphics chip giant, Nvidia, is to receive a $200 million payment from Microsoft next month as an advance on multimedia development work for the X-Box. The X-Box has become one of the industry's most talked about yet-to-ship products and has seen a rows break out over who would win the supply deals for a variety of components. According to NewsTraders.com, the announcement of the $200 million payment came via Nvidia's end of year financial filings.

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• Microsoft Joins Forces With Freddie Mac, Chase Manhattan, GMAC-RFC, Norwest Mortgage and Bank of America To Form New Company
  Time: 08:47 EST/13:47 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of HomeAdvisor Technologies Inc., a new company that will revolutionize the way homes are bought and sold, shaving weeks off of the mortgage-closing process and saving consumers more than $2,000 over the life of a loan by providing lower rates and reduced closing costs. The new company will be announced today in front of more than 100 of the nation's leading real estate brokers by Steve Ballmer, president and CEO of Microsoft, as well as executives from Freddie Mac; Chase.com; GMAC-Residential Funding Corp. (GMAC-RFC); Norwest Mortgage Inc., a Wells Fargo company; and Bank of America. This is the latest step in fulfilling the MSN™ vision of the Everyday Web, which includes building strategic partnerships to deliver the strongest services, information and marketplaces for all MSN customers.

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• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Compatible Laptop/Mobile List Posted
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just added a Windows 2000 Compatible Laptop/Mobile List to our ActiveWin2k Section; if you are interested in buying a pre-installed laptop or wish to upgrade your current laptop to the Windows 2000 platform make sure you check out this list! It includes all compatible laptops from the major manufacturers.

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• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Compatible Clusters List Posted
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just added a Windows 2000 Compatible Cluster List to our ActiveWin2k Section; this list is vital to system administrators and network operators who are interested in upgrading their network to the Windows 2000 platform.

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• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List Updated
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just posted Microsoft's latest update of the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List - This comprehensive list vitally lists all the hardware components that will work with Windows 2000. Check it out! The list is large - 2.2 MB in text format.

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• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Certified Programs Updated
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just received Microsoft's latest list of Certified Programs - This certification means the application uses advances in Windows technology as defined in the Windows 2000 Applications Specification standards; not being certified does not mean the program will not work, it just means that it is not guaranteed. Applications that carry this Certified-for-Windows logo are designed to deliver new levels of reliability, manageability.

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• Oops! IE5 can lock out Win users
  Time: 15:10 EST/20:10 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron Hinson

  You want Windows 2000 security? Simple, all you have to do is install Internet Explorer 5.0 with 128-bit encryption on Windows 2000 Professional or any W2K server. One reboot later you'll find that you have the ultimate in security: No one -- including you -- will be able to log in to the Windows 2000 system. Whoops.

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• Windows Me to eliminate some networking support
  Time: 15:01 EST/20:01 GMT News Source: News.com Posted By: Robert Stein

  Windows Me, formerly known by its code-name, Millennium, will not include technology that allows users to connect directly to corporate local area networks (LANs) running Novell or Banyan file server software, the company confirmed. News of the decision first appeared in a report from the Gartner Group, a market analysis firm. Unlike previous Microsoft operating systems, Windows Me, expected to debut this fall, is positioned solely for home users, who would be unlikely to connect their PCs to corporate networks. Microsoft argues that the networking technology being dropped from Windows Me is more of a hassle for consumers, not a convenience.

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• Microsoft Announces IPv6 Technical Preview for Windows 2000
  Time: 14:49 EST/19:49 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Robert Stein

  Microsoft Corp. today announced it will make the technical preview of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) available for free* download on the Microsoft Software Developers Network (MSDN™) Web site, for use by developers for Windows^® 2000. The preview will help developers prepare their applications for smooth, successful deployments as an industrywide conversion to IPv6 nears. The code and related information will be posted and available for download on March 20, 2000.

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• Microsoft and Pro Golf's Elite Launch the Largest, Most Authentic Golf Event in the History of the Internet with a $100,000 Grand Prize
  Time: 14:49 EST/19:49 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Robert Stein

  One day before the best players in professional golf begin competing at the Bay Hill Invitational 2000, Microsoft Corp. assembled an impressive team of its own to unveil details of the largest, most authentic golfing event in the history of the Internet. Golf's newest sensation, Sergio Garcia, along with Microsoft and WingspanBank.com representatives, announced the WingspanBank.com Virtual Golf Association™ Tour (http://www.zone.com/vga/). In addition, Microsoft^® Games General Manager Ed Fries announced the addition of Sergio to the Microsoft roster of athletes as a spokesperson for the VGA™ and a co-developer of future versions of the "LinksÔ " PC golf simulation.

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• Microsoft Teams Up With Sergio Garcia, Golf's Newest Superstar, To Bring Sports Into the 21st Century Via "Links" and the Internet
  Time: 14:49 EST/19:49 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Robert Stein

  Adding one of the hottest young athletes to its PC sports games roster that already includes Arnold Palmer, Mark Brunell and Nomar Garciaparra, Microsoft Corp. today announced a relationship with professional golfer Sergio Garcia to promote the Microsoft^® "Links™" PC golf simulation and its WingspanBank.com Virtual Golf Association™ (VGA™), the largest, most authentic golfing event in the history of the Internet (http://www.zone.com/vga/). The announcement comes a day before Sergio competes in the Bay Hill Invitational 2000, hosted by Palmer and featuring a $2.8 million purse.

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• MS-RealNetworks? What's the real deal?
  Time: 10:27 EST/15:27 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Robert Stein

  Microsoft proclaimed on Tuesday that long time rival RealNetworks plus a handful of other vendors, including Yahoo!, Sonic Foundry, AOL Winamp and Lycos Sonique -- had agreed to license Microsoft's Windows Media format technology. As a result of the latest round of deals, according to Microsoft, Windows Media is now poised to become the "universal" digital audio format. But RealNetworks, not surprisingly, had a slightly different take on what Real is characterizing as Microsoft's claim that its rival is throwing in the towel.

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• How IBM plans to change the chip world
  Time: 10:27 EST/15:27 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Robert Stein

  That day is not far away. IBM Corp.'s Enterprise Systems Group already has working prototypes of its forthcoming Power4 processor, a chip that officials say will boost the performance of high-end servers used for Web hosting and e-commerce.

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• Will X-Box win (X) Windows Everywhere for MS?
  Time: 09:49 EST/14:49 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  US reports earlier this week claimed that Microsoft has been busily stripping LAN features from its forthcoming consumer operating system, Windows Millennium Edition (WME), thus forcing corporate users to migrate to Win2k instead. But we shouldn't be surprised - in reality, the move simply illustrates that Microsoft's OS strategy is still in a state of flux.

  The major problem lies on the extremely blurred borders between business and consumer software, and the appearance of X-Box on the horizon has muddied the waters further. One clear element of Microsoft's current policy is that Win2k is the 'official' business OS, so there's clearly no long-term place for a Win9x-derived operating system (i.e., WME) in business, and the wonderful world of Active Directory will consequently exclude WME.

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• Storm over MS bid to bounce MSCEs into Win2k
  Time: 09:49 EST/14:49 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft's current treatment of its MCSEs (certified systems engineers) shows just how fundamental are the problems faced by the company with Windows 2000. Microsoft is trying to pressure MCSEs who have taken the NT4 exam to take a combined Windows 2000 exam, code-numbered 70-240, before they might otherwise choose to do so.

  Keith Weiskamp, CEO of exam-crammers Coriolis, wrote an open letter to Bill Gates and Microsoft in which he says: "MCSEs serve as an adjunct sales force and technical support arm for Microsoft" and castigates Microsoft for the cavalier disregard it has shown towards its loyal followers. More than 2,000 people on coriolis.com have added their comments to his petition, and in the whole saga, their comments eloquently express their frustration.

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• Microsoft Increases Efforts to Protect Intellectual Property Rights In Washington State
  Time: 09:48 EST/14:48 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. officials today announced that a year after it last mystery-shopped for genuine software in its back yard, the company has found an even greater need to protect consumers, honest resellers and the value of intellectual property in its home state. Microsoft's most recent efforts uncovered four Washington state computer resellers that have allegedly distributed counterfeit Microsoft^® software. This effort to stop the distribution of counterfeit software comes on the heels of a March 7 guilty plea in a criminal action by a Federal Way man who was manufacturing a large amount of counterfeit software in his apartment.

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• Microsoft Takes Action Against Three Resellers in Upstate New York For Alleged Distribution of Counterfeit Software
  Time: 09:47 EST/14:47 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has filed software piracy lawsuits against three companies in upstate New York. The lawsuits, alleging copyright violations and trademark infringements, were filed against businesses for the alleged distribution of counterfeit and/or infringing Microsoft^® software and/or end user license agreements. The lawsuits aim to protect customers and legitimate distributors from the harmful impact of software piracy.

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• Five Manufacturing and Engineering ISVs Earn Windows 2000 Certification
  Time: 09:47 EST/14:47 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Today at the National Manufacturing Week Conference and Exhibition, Microsoft Corp. announced that five manufacturing and engineering ISVs have earned Microsoft^® Windows^® 2000 certification for their applications and provide an exceptional user experience for manufacturers and other businesses.

  The ISVs releasing or announcing newly certified Windows 2000 manufacturing applications are Alibre Inc., Datasweep Inc., Motiva Software Corp., Parametric Technology Corp. (PTC) and SolidWorks Corp. Microsoft will host a Windows 2000 certification award ceremony on Wednesday, 8-9:30 a.m. at its DNA for Manufacturing Theater, Booth 6310.

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• Windows 2000 Conferences Provide Technical Tools For Fast and Cost-Effective Deployment
  Time: 09:47 EST/14:47 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  As hundreds of companies continue migrating to the MicrosoftÒ WindowsÒ 2000 operating system, Microsoft Corp. today announced the Windows 2000 Deployment Conferences. These conferences are designed to provide customers with an exceptional depth of technical content delivered by product experts from the Windows 2000 development team and Microsoft Consulting Services and customers already running their businesses on Windows 2000. The two conferences are part of the Microsoft TechNet series of events for IT professionals and will take place March 27-29 in Geneva and April 26-28 in New Orleans, La.

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• Windows Media Poised to Become Universal Format for Digital Audio
  Time: 09:46 EST/14:46 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that RealNetworks Inc. has licensed Microsoft^® Windows Media™ Format audio technology, which offers industry-leading digital audio quality and integrated digital rights management. Real Networks joins the widespread industry support for Windows Media, which is opening the door for the first common, secure digital media format across every major portable digital music device, digital media player, jukebox and content provider. Microsoft also today announced that Media Metrix Inc., the pioneer and leader in Internet and digital media measurement worldwide, reported in its latest SoftUsage Report that Windows Media Player was used more than any other multimedia player among U.S. households with PCs in December 1999.* This unique combination of industry support and consumer adoption of Windows Media technology furthers the promise of access to digital media any time, any place and on any device.

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• Ballmer says Internet is backward
  Time: 14:47 EST/19:47 GMT News Source: Infoworld Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Returning to the venue where he launched his Microsoft career 21 years ago, company president and CEO Steve Ballmer on Tuesday told a gathering of industry executives that the Internet is 100 percent backward from the way it will be 10 years from now. 

  Speaking at the PC Forum conference, Ballmer said the Internet now is in the control of Web site producers, rather than in the control of end-users. To change that paradigm, Microsoft will evolve as a company to deliver client software that is tightly integrated with Web services.

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• Steve Ballmer Announces Increased Commitment of MSN To RealNames' Internet Keyword Navigation Solution
  Time: 14:35 EST/19:35 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Today at PC Forum 2000, Microsoft Corporation president and CEO Steve Ballmer announced Microsoft's commitment to the RealNames Corporation Internet Keyword solution, through a new agreement that enables direct and intuitive Web navigation via MSN™ Search and Microsoft^® Internet Explorer browser software. Based on open standards, Internet Keywords are a universal naming system that utilizes everyday language such as brand names and phrases in English and most other languages to locate information across the Internet, bringing faster and easier Internet navigation to consumers around the world. Microsoft also announced that it is taking an equity stake of approximately 20 percent in RealNames. Together, the two companies will work on joint marketing projects related to Web navigation and the use of brand names and trademarks on the Internet.

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• Over 1 Million Units of Windows 2000 Acquired by Customers Worldwide
  Time: 14:34 EST/19:34 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced it estimates that customers have obtained more than 1 million copies of the Microsoft^® Windows^® 2000 Professional, Server and Advanced Server operating systems since the worldwide launch less than one month ago. This milestone includes estimates from channel resellers, retail outlets and PC manufacturers; Microsoft has yet to count its largest customers around the world that have acquired licenses through enterprise agreements. In addition, Microsoft Customer Support is receiving the lowest volume of calls per unit licensed of any previous Microsoft operating system, indicating that customers are having an extremely positive experience upgrading to Windows 2000.

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• Microsoft Takes 20 Percent Stake in Keyword Firm
  Time: 09:11 EST/14:11 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Software giant Microsoft Corp. (NasdaqNM:MSFT - news) on Tuesday said it was buying a 20 percent stake in RealNames Corp., developer of an Internet ``keyword'' address system that hopes to challenge America Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL - news), which boasts a similar feature.

  Financial details of the investment were not disclosed because RealNames is in a legally mandated ``quiet period'' before its initial public offering of stock. But the deal makes Microsoft the biggest single investor in the company, RealNames Chief Executive Keith Teare, said in an interview.

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• IE5 plus 128-bit logs Win2k users off, warns MS
  Time: 09:05 EST/14:05 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft has told IEAK (IE Access Kit) partners to freeze distribution of builds of IE5, following the discovery of a "serious problem" that stops Win2k users logging on to their machines. The gotcha relates to the installation of the 128-bit security patch for IE 5.0, 5.0a and 5.0b on Win2k as part of an IE5 IEAK package, and is caused by "important security files" in a Win2k installation being overwritten by older ones.

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• Epitonic.com Provides Music for Yahoo! Music And Microsoft's WindowsMedia.com
  Time: 09:05 EST/14:05 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Epitonic.com, the epicenter of downloadable music for the aurally fixated, announced today that it is providing underground music and editorial reviews for distribution on both Yahoo! Music (http://music.yahoo.com ) and on WindowsMedia.com, the MSN guide to audio and video on the Internet. The agreements between Epitonic.com, a top player in the online underground music scene, and two of the Web's most recognized brand names make it easier than ever for Gen-i music lovers to discover the latest in cutting-edge music.

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• Microsoft Opens New Partner Solutions Center for Customers
  Time: 15:11 EST/20:11 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  As part of its ongoing commitment to customers, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled its newly constructed Microsoft^® Partner Solutions Center (MPSC) in Redmond. The new MPSC facility is a 21,000-square-foot facility that has been uniquely designed to enable partners and customers (telecommunications companies, application service providers, Internet service providers and cable companies) to more effectively meet the increasing demand for new rapidly deployable solutions and services, including DSL and cable modem technologies, wireless Internet access, Internet gaming and streaming video content, and Web-based and Web-hosted applications. The new facility will also give Microsoft and its partners a place to test the security of those new solutions to ensure that customers have the greatest level of protection possible from hackers and computer virus attacks that have become increasingly common recently.

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• Microsoft Praises Colorado's Executive Order To Prevent Software Piracy in State Government
  Time: 15:10 EST/20:10 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. officials today applauded the state of Colorado and Gov. Bill Owens for establishing a strong government policy to prevent software piracy in Colorado state agencies. Colorado is the third state to issue a state executive order requiring all state agencies and recipients of state funds to use and acquire legally licensed software. President Clinton issued a national executive order against software piracy in October 1998. Gov. Owens signed today's order at a meeting of The Governor's Commission on Science and Technology in Aspen, Colo.

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• Microsoft Unveils New Partner Solutions Center for Rapid Deployment Of End-to-End Network Solutions
  Time: 15:10 EST/20:10 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  As part of its ongoing commitment to the network service provider community, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a new and expanded Microsoft^® Partner Solutions Center (MPSC) dedicated to the rapid development of secure, end-to-end network solutions. These types of solutions are needed by network service providers (telecommunications companies, application service providers, Internet service providers and cable companies) to maintain a competitive advantage in today's industry.

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• Can Windows ME Get Down to Business?
  Time: 14:48 EST/19:48 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft has quietly eliminated local area networking features from its forthcoming Windows Millennium Edition client operating system, which may effectively force corporate users into migrating to Windows 2000.

  In Windows ME, Microsoft has stripped out software needed to connect to Novell NetWare or Banyan file servers, and the operating system won't support an interface into Microsoft's Active Directory. The actions appear to leave enterprise customers on Windows 9X platforms little upgrade choice but to move to Windows 2000.

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• COM2001.com Unveils InternetCOMMUNICATOR at Microsoft Conference
  Time: 14:48 EST/19:48 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  COM2001.com unveils its InternetCOMMUNICATOR(TM), a communications platform featuring advanced unified messaging. InternetCOMMUNICATOR is based on Windows 2000 Data Center and Microsoft Exchange 2000, and will be presented at the Microsoft Network Services Executive Summit. Working with Microsoft, COM2001.com specializes in streamlining messaging and communications systems including voicemail, email and fax engineered to support millions of subscribers.

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• Does Yahoo's financial Webcaster favor Microsoft?
  Time: 09:14 EST/14:14 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Issues surrounding software management during and after migration to Windows 2000(TM) will be examined in a Web-based seminar at 8:15 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (11:15 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) on March 14, 2000. The seminar, ``Migrating to Windows 2000: Maximize Your Investment -- Lower Your TCO,'' will be hosted by Novadigm®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVDM - news), a leading provider of automated software and content management solutions and a Certified Microsoft Partner.

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• Does Yahoo's financial Webcaster favor Microsoft?
  Time: 09:11 EST/14:11 GMT News Source: News.com Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Yahoo is being choosy about who can see its new FinanceVision Webcasting service first. Although the Web giant is promoting its product as a major destination for online financial information, it has released a beta version of FinanceVision only for Microsoft Windows.

  The specifications on FinanceVision's preview page indicate that while the software can run on AOL's Netscape browser, people must have Internet Explorer to complete the initial installation. The specs also call for Microsoft's Windows Media Player 6.4 or above but say nothing about RealNetworks' RealPlayer or Apple Macintosh systems.

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• Microsoft Windows DNA for Manufacturing Receives Control Engineering 1999 Editors' Choice Awards
  Time: 09:03 EST/14:03 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. last night earned a prestigious 1999 Editors' Choice award from Control Engineering magazine for the Microsoft^® Windows^® DNA for Manufacturing platform, a comprehensive, integrated platform for building and deploying distributed applications for the Business Internet. The award was presented at a gala reception at Chicago's Ritz-Carleton Hotel for the National Industrial Automation Show and Conference opening today.

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• Andersen Consulting and Microsoft in $1 Billion Pact To Form Joint Venture and Expand Global Alliance
  Time: 09:03 EST/14:03 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Andersen Consulting and Microsoft Corp. today announced plans for the formation of a joint venture and the expansion of their existing relationship under an agreement designed to address the needs of enterprise customers. The two organizations will team to create business value for customers seeking to buy, build or integrate large-scale industry solutions, including e-commerce offerings, built on the Microsoft^® enterprise platform and Windows^® 2000 operating system.

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• China eases rules on encryption software
  Time: 03:45 EST/08:45 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  China has eased tough new restrictions on encryption technology, announcing that a vast category of consumer software and equipment -- including mobile phones and Microsoft Windows -- would be exempt from the rules.

  The government agency in charge of enforcing the rules sent a ``clarification'' letter to U.S. business organisations last week which steps back from the hard position it had taken when the rules were adopted on January 31.

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• Andersen Consulting and Microsoft in $1 Billion Pact To Form Joint Venture and Expand Global Alliance
  Time: 03:45 EST/08:45 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Andersen Consulting and Microsoft Corp. today announced plans for the formation of a joint venture and the expansion of their existing relationship under an agreement designed to address the needs of enterprise customers. The two organizations will team to create business value for customers seeking to buy, build or integrate large-scale industry solutions, including e-commerce offerings, built on the Microsoft® enterprise platform and Windows® 2000 operating system.

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• SRS Labs Announces Agreement with Microsoft
  Time: 11:35 EST/16:35 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  SRS Labs, Inc. announced that Microsoft Corp. has made an equity investment in SRSL. In addition, the companies have entered into a strategic technology and marketing alliance.

  SRSL reported that this alliance gives MSFT access to SRSL's full complement of advanced audio and voice technologies, ``including the highly acclaimed WOW audio enhancement, voice intelligibility and surround sound.''

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• Microsoft, World Online Agree on Cooperation Pact
  Time: 11:34 EST/16:34 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Dutch-based Internet service provider World Online said on Friday it had signed a statement of intent with U.S. software giant Microsoft for broad cooperation in Europe. ``The relationship is aimed at the markets of the countries in which World Online and Microsoft are both active, such as the Netherlands and Belgium,'' World Online said in a statement. It gave no financial details of the deal, but added both parties expected to implement the agreement in the near future.

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• X-Box News Moves - ActiveXbox section opened - ActiveXBox Community opened
  Time: 11:34 EST/16:34 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Byron Hinson

  We have decided to start to put all X-Box related news (Except big stories) onto a special X-Box news page which can be accessed either via our drop down menu, or via the link on the site navigation.

  We would just like to remind you that we have opened up the X-Box section temporarily on this site until we setup the domain name early next week. you can access the X-Box section via the following URL - http://www.activewin.com/xbox. We have also updated this section with some new X-Box images sent in by Microsoft PR.

  The X-Box MSN Community has also recently been opened and is a place where you can talk with other interested X-Box parties via the message board and chat room. You can access this site by the following URL - http://communities.msn.com/TheXBox.

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• AMD claims Intel giving away chips for X-Box
  Time: 06:31 EST/09:31 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Alex Harris

  The head of AMD's investor relations made a statement yesterday about Microsoft not using its technology in its sort of up-and-coming X-Box.

  Thanks to AMD Zone and Ace's Hardware for pointing us to this post on Silicon Investor and to some other useful information.

  Toni Beckham, from AMD Investor Relations, said: "Microsoft will NOT use AMD processors for its XBox product. Although we are always looking for opportunities for a closer relationship with Microsoft, AMD was not prepared to give the processors away to gain the XBox business.

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• Praise for X-Box -- but doubts, too
  Time: 06:27 EST/09:27 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  Microsoft Corp.'s X-Box game console grabbed praise at the Game Developers Conference on Friday, after founder Bill Gates showed off demos of the technology during his hour-long opening keynote.

  Yet, at least one industry analyst questioned if Microsoft can make its Fall 2001 deadline.

  "It's very cool," said Peter Glaskowsky, senior analyst for chip technology watcher MicroDesign Resources, an arm of Cahners. "Yet, there is a very real risk that they will slip beyond September of next year. Microsoft has rarely made a schedule that far out."

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• ActiveXbox section opened, ActiveXBox Community opened
  Time: 13:34 EST/18:34 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Byron Hinson

  We would just like to remind you that we have opened up the X-Box section temporarily on this site until we setup the domain name early next week. you can access the X-Box section via the following URL - http://www.activewin.com/xbox.

  The X-Box MSN Community has also recently been opened and is a place where you can talk with other interested X-Box parties via the message board and chat room. You can access this site by the following URL - http://communities.msn.com/TheXBox.

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• Microsoft Allegiance Gold
  Time: 09:36 EST/14:36 GMT News Source: Microsoft Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft's Allegiance, the upcoming multiplayer space-combat game from the minds of Microsoft Research has gone gold and will ship on March 30th. It combines the challenges of tactical squadron-based combat, intense one-on-one space dogfights, and amazing graphical and sound effects into a space-action experience like nothing you've seen before. You can pre-order it today.

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• Kids Passport Controls Young Browsers
  Time: 04:00 EST/09:00 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is now a parent of two, and his company is developing products to let parents control the surfing habits of their computer-savvy kids. Kids Passport, which is scheduled to ship in April, lets parents limit the personal information their children can divulge online.

  Kids Passport actually resides on Web sites, but gives parents case-by-case control. Parents can restrict a child's access to sites that collect or share user information, such as a birth dates, e-mail addresses, or home addresses. This type of information is often requested by message boards, mailing lists, or contests.

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• X-Box Promises Glittering Graphics
  Time: 03:58 EST/08:58 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  Microsoft Chair Bill Gates took a few shots at Sony and wowed the crowd of game developers and enthusiasts here Friday, as he unveiled Microsoft's X-Box game console, which won't ship for more than a year.

  Microsoft tried to make Sony's PlayStation 2 seem like old news even before its fall U.S. debut. The rival system shipped in Japan this week.

  Microsoft's device won't be ready until fall 2001, but the first public display of the silver, X-shaped prototype showed impressive power at rendering video playback. Microsoft gave no game-playing demonstration. However, from butterflies in a beautiful Japanese garden to a buxom Lara Croft-esque warrior and her trained battle droid doing martial-arts moves, each animated scene highlighted the X-Box's capability to render shadows and realistic movement. The demo drew "wows" from the game-savvy crowd.

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• X-Box: Next generation ... and beyond?
  Time: 03:43 EST/08:43 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  Software maker Microsoft Corp. announced its new gaming console, the X-Box, at the Game Developer's Conference here Friday morning.

  The next-generation console, which will compete head-to-head with Sony's PlayStation2, will marry customized twists on standard PC technology to create a game machine "twice as fast as any other platform on the market today," said Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates during the opening keynote at the conference -- the first public showing of the game machine.

  "This is the future of console gaming," he said.

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• Does Yahoo's financial Webcaster favor Microsoft?
  Time: 03:41 EST/08:41 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  Yahoo is being choosy about who can see its new FinanceVision Webcasting service first.

  Although the Web giant is promoting its product as a major destination for online financial information, it has released a beta version of FinanceVision only for Microsoft Windows.

  The specifications on FinanceVision's preview page indicate that while the software can run on AOL's Netscape browser, people must have Internet Explorer to complete the initial installation. The specs also call for Microsoft's Windows Media Player 6.4 or above but say nothing about RealNetworks' RealPlayer or Apple Macintosh systems.

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• MS undergoing 'Millennium' meltdown?
  Time: 03:38 EST/08:38 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  Will WindowsMe make it onto consumer PCs in time for the holiday 2000 season? What once appeared a foregone conclusion is not quite so certain, at least according to some beta testers who say recent beta releases remain buggy.

  Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Millennium Edition (aka WindowsMe) is slated for debut later this year. But this once-ambitious upgrade to Windows 98 Second Edition has been considerably scaled back since it went into beta testing in 1999.

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• Intel wins X-Box deal at 11th hour
  Time: 03:36 EST/08:36 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  One of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding Microsoft Corp.'s announcement of its X-Box gaming console is how Intel Corp. stole Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s nearly guaranteed spot as the primary chip vendor for the system.

  While industry watchers are speculating that Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) simply undercut AMD's Athlon price with its Pentium III, Microsoft's role in playing one company off against the other remains shrouded in mystery.

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• Gates: X-Box performance twice as good as other game platforms
  Time: 03:31 EST/08:31 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates officially unveiled the X-Box game machine at the Game Developers Conference here Friday, claiming the box will have "twice the performance of any platform in use today." The X-Box will be powered by a customized Pentium III chip and a next-generation graphics processor from Nvidia, and will come with 64MB of RAM and an 8GB hard drive. According to Microsoft, the X-Box will be able to process 1 trillion operations per second.

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• Microsoft belatedly admits Win95/98 hole
  Time: 03:29 EST/08:29 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today admitted it found out months ago that there is a hole in its Windows 95 and 98 operating systems that leads to system crashes, yet decided the problem wasn't serious enough to warrant alerting customers or issuing a patch. The problem arises when a user goes to a Web page or opens a Web-based e-mail message that contains a hidden string of characters that instructs the computer to use DOS commands for accessing the keyboard, printer and other devices, said Eric Bowden, general manager of Bug-Net.com, an online bug-tracking service.

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Read more of the past months news in our News Archive for January and February News.

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