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Microsoft Opens 'Hackers' Web Site

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

August 27, 2007, 1:43 PM

It's no secret that Microsoft employs individuals that attempt to bypass the security restrictions built into its software products in order to make them safer, but the company has rarely publicized this fact. That's changing with a new Web log called hackers @ microsoft.

The Redmond company plans to utilize the blog to introduce its "white hat hackers" and show people what they do for Microsoft, although in keeping with tradition, those mentioned on the blog will likely go by their pseudonyms. "At his or her core, a true hacker is someone who is curious and wants to learn how systems work. This can and of course at Microsoft is done in an ethical, legal manner," techjunkie writes in the first posting on the site.

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By drumcat

posted Aug 27, 2007 - 2:07 PM

It's marketing speak. The people who they are describing are often considered "crackers", because they are trying to crack code. "Hackers" on the other hand are people who like to cobble things together and make them work, like people who mod their xbox, or assemble a home network.

Then again, this is the same marketing department that told you that wma @ 64kbps was "CD quality", and brought you that ever-so-useful Microsoft BOB.

Score: 0

By AkumaKuruma

posted Aug 28, 2007 - 11:57 AM

Microsoft BOB is proof that you shouldn't always listen to your girlfriend (j/k)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_bob#Origins

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Aug 28, 2007 - 12:04 AM

Ah, Bob.

The good old days.

Trying to tell someone how to check their email on that thing should have been criminal torture.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Aug 27, 2007 - 3:11 PM

Well put, sir.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Aug 27, 2007 - 2:21 PM

"Then again, this is the same marketing department that told you that wma @ 64kbps was "CD quality", and brought you that ever-so-useful Microsoft BOB."

It's nice to hear a criticism against Microsoft that's actually justified for a change. Too many anti-Microsoft statements that are just based off of someone else's opinion rather than something that actually happened :)

Score: 0

By hell0

edited Aug 28, 2007 - 4:50 AM

Um, I don't know about that. I've had a lot of things happen to me when dealing with Microsoft products. Not very good things.

As a matter of fact, just a few hours ago, after updating my SATA controller driver my PC wouldn't boot into Windows anymore and would BSOD. That's after the install said it was successful.

It's little things like this, which happen all too often with Windows, that give Microsoft such a bad reputation. It is completely justified, Windows is a mess!

Score: 0

By slinkys_delsol

posted Aug 29, 2007 - 10:58 AM

If you are getting a BSOD on Boot, then you have the wrong drivers installed.

If it is not that, then the Hardware you bought doe snot like something. I remember years ago there was an issue using ATI Video Cards with WD (Western Digital) Drives. Just would BSOD without warning and they had all the proper drivers.

It ended up being an ATI Issue.

Score: 0

By GordieT

posted Aug 28, 2007 - 7:15 AM

Just a few questions.

1. Did you update hardware or software (drivers)?

2. Did Microsoft design or write this softare and/or hardware?

3. If it was not Microsoft, is it their fault 3rd party software/hardware didn't work?

Score: 0

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