microsoft

It was about this time last year that Microsoft began a shock-and-awe campaign against piracy. Its most coveted weapon? WGA, or the Windows Genuine Advantage, which checks the legitimacy of their software and reports back to Microsoft headquarters. ... An anti-piracy program based on a spyware-like strategy? Only Microsoft could do it! The backlash against the company was strong, and may have even kept a few users away from the much-hyped Windows Vista. However, there's still no stopping the Redmond-based firm's war on piracy. It's now going after some 23 California and Florida companies for ... (view more)

Although they certainly take a lot of heat from competitors like Google, Apple, or even the Vista-buying public, Microsoft is one of the most iconic and arguably trustworthy names in tech. That's currently working against web mail users, many of ... which are being duped by a security threat that disguises itself as a Microsoft update. Compared to most spam threats, this one is particularly brilliant (and thus, dangerous). The fake emails, which carry and install malware, are actually personalized for the unlucky recipient. According to security company Internet Storm Center, the victim's first ( ... (view more)

Although chairman and recent Harvard graduate Bill Gates has bragged that Microsoft has shipped its new operating system, Windows Vista, some 40 million times, there has been much criticism of the product. That's not news. However, word that ... Microsoft will offer more simplified methods of "downgrading" new systems to Windows XP, is. Much to the company's chagrin, customers have demanded that newly purchased computers ship with the outgoing operating system XP rather than Vista, which took some ten years to create. (Source: networkworld.com ) The new, XP-friendly initiative will help customers ... (view more)

Following in the footsteps of other Linux distributors, Mandriva is publicly rejecting Microsoft's advances for a patent protection deal. In the past, Microsoft has signed agreements with Linux firms like Novell, Xandros, and Linspire. The Windows ... developer claims that open-source applications violate many of its patents. However, with these treaties, Microsoft promises (in writing) not to sue the companies for patent infringement. Wait a sec...who's Mandriva? Mandriva is an open source company associated with Linux. Its headquarters are in Paris, where it acts as a founding member of the ... (view more)

...continued from Part 1 and Part 2 . Every year Microsoft introduces the "latest technology", bent on revolutionizing computers or their software. Anyone who's familiar with Microsoft is naturally suspicious when "new" technology is introduced -- ... and for good reason. Web TV, Microsoft TV and WinCE smartphones, Xbox, various versions of Media Center PCs, Watches, Media2go, Xbox 360, and the Zune (to name a few) are all products that either went away rapidly or lost billions of dollars. This year it's Windows Vista, Longhorn Server and a new Computer Table called "Surface" with a hefty price ... (view more)

... continued from Part 1 (of 3). Recently, I laid out some of the reasons why Microsoft's marketing offensive for Windows Vista has overextended the supply lines of reality. Although it looks great and might have potential, there are only a handful ... of reasons to upgrade now. So, what are those flashy features being pushed by Microsoft? Let's take a look at some of the new tools that the company believes make purchasing Vista worthwhile. BitLocker BitLocker is a security enhancement and works by encrypting the data on your hard drive using a hardware key and pass phrase -- but is only ... (view more)

According to reports, "Leading names of Linux, the world's biggest grassroots software phenomenon, are spending three days debating whether an increasingly commercial open source community should fight or ignore the world's largest software maker." ... Below the surface, it appears the Linux group must now deal with internal divisions that could cause massive fractures in its future growth. (Source: neowin.net ) Microsoft, a recent threat to Linux, contrasts open source in many ways. Linux's software is freely used by the public, whereas Microsoft charges for software. As well, Linux suppliers ... (view more)

A few days ago, I reported on the face-off between Microsoft and Google. Although hockey season's long over, it seems the two were ready to duke it out over the future of desktop searches within operating systems like Vista. At the heart of the ... matter is Google's complaint that Microsoft's Windows Vista breaks antitrust law by making it exceptionally difficult to install secondary desktop search programs, like Google Desktop. Although Microsoft admits these programs run a bit slow, they still run, and thus, break no antitrust laws. (Source: zdnet.com ) When we reported on the rising ... (view more)

Microsoft Network Monitor 3 Network Protocol Analyzer is a tool to allow capturing and protocol analysis of network traffic. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads Sim Wiz SimWiz defines, validates, communicates and runs simulation models. Its ... accompanying tutorial is sufficient to guide the novice in numerous representative applications of simulation, including traffic, call centers, factory floor, maintenance, inventory, hospital. http://my.jce.ac.il/bani/ (view more)

Microsoft has admitted that many customers are reluctant to switch to Windows Vista because of its sub par reputation, and the company is now trying to convince customers that there is no need to worry. In a newsletter, Microsoft said, "some ... customers may be waiting to adopt Windows Vista because they've heard rumors about device or application compatibility issues, or because they think they should wait for a service pack release." Although Microsoft will be releasing a Service Pack later this year, the company is anxious for users to adopt the new operating system now. (Source: slashdot.org ... (view more)