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The PDF redaction problem: TSA may have been using old software
Betanews tests and research reveals that if the Transportation Security Administration was using modern software, it might not have a security issue now.
Google Maps doesn't prevent car accidents, only search accidents
This week, Google updated Maps for Android 3.3.1, adding topography, nearby points of interest, and error reporting.
The $1 DVD rental debate: LA group says Redbox will lose movie makers $1B
A report from the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation says cheap Redbox DVD rentals could seriously damage the movie business.
After telling US to mind its own business, Kroes slaps caps on Rambus royalties
The holder of many patents worldwide pertaining to DDR memory offered to reduce its royalty stake in that technology, and today the EU said yes.
Third-party mobile browsers Skyfire and Bolt give Opera a run for its money
Opera may be the biggest name in third party mobile browsers, but Skyfire and Bolt are charging forth with compelling updates.
In a peace offering to newspapers, Google offers a new news format
It's probably not a solution to the woes of major news publishers, but Living Stories may gather a few of those publishers together in search of one.
DOJ: Microsoft interop docs are now 'substantially complete'
A major milestone in the US Government's oversight of Microsoft is passed, as the Justice Dept. is now saying the company's protocol documents make sense.
First impressions of Droid: Easy, breezy, friendly, if a little fat
Though it's not quite as well-polished as Apple's iPhone OS, the version of Android that Motorola's Droid phone sports is still a breeze to use.
EC's Kroes to US senators: Mind your own business on Oracle + Sun
UPDATED The EU's antitrust chief told the United States Senate Tuesday that any merger that takes place in the world is more her affair than theirs.
Betanews Podcast: Rupert Murdoch and the buying stuff online problem
We'll have a more difficult time paying for online news if the underlying protocol for online payment has a big gaping hole in it.
Windows fix for TLS security bug still forthcoming, won't be Tuesday
Anyone looking for a fix for last month's discovery of a potentially serious security hole in TLS and SSL may have to wait until everyone is ready to act together.
Beta Software Glitch Causes TiVo Reboots
By Mykel Nahorniak on April 18, 2001, 3:36 PM
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A particular beta distribution of TiVO software is causing the unit to reboot repeatedly, according to users. Subscribers have been issued a fix by the company, however it has not yet reached everyone. The problem only effects those using DirecTV services. "It seems that there are isolated incidents of people having problems," said a TiVo spokeswoman. "The problems are tied to WishLists and searches for actors with single names..." TiVo recently released the beta of version 2.0, offering added features and speed not found in 1.3.
An estimated 153,000 customers were using DirecTV services at the end of January. Many users have been posting complaints for several months, yet the issue has only been brought up to TiVo executives rather recently.
Caldera to Open Project 42 Beta
By Mykel Nahorniak on March 14, 2001, 5:30 PM
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Caldera Inc. plans to release its first public version of 'Project 42,' their latest distribution of OpenLinux. Designed for businesses, Caldera has developed the most recent version to be an uncomplicated, yet sophisticated server. The latest development will show up very shortly on Caldera's beta site. Keep checking back for more updates as it unfolds.
Based on the Linux 2.4 kernel, Project 42 features secure Web, file and print servers along with a set of network infrastructure services. Project 42 is Caldera's attempt to poke their Linux distribution into the mainstream vendor line.
Microsoft Unleashes Mobile Manager
By Mykel Nahorniak on February 14, 2001, 6:19 PM
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On the move, and tired of having to login on your laptop to check mail and other updates? If your mail services are hosted by a Microsoft Exchange Server, your answers may be solved. Microsoft has released mobile software which allows you to download updates from your home or office computer to a text-enabled mobile device.
Fully integrated with the Office 2000 suite, the package enables users to receive notifications on their cellular phone, pager, handheld PC, or other device whenever their desktop PC is running.
Gates Officially Announces WindowsXP
By Mykel Nahorniak and Aaron Dobbins on February 13, 2001, 11:51 PM
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Microsoft's Bill Gates officially announced the WindowsXP operating system yesterday, bringing with it a slew of articles, Web site, and screen shots of the upcoming software. Beta 2 invitations were sent out this week to some testers not originally included in the beta test, much like Microsoft is doing with OfficeXP. Testers thus far are raving about the new interface, which is being revamped for Beta 2 to include the new Luna interface.
Several features of Luna have Windows lovers reved up to get their hands on a copy, which currently stands at Build 2428 released to testers this week also. Alpha-blending has been included to add new dimensions to the look and feel of the Windows desktop, along with a new skinning system to provide users with "themes" much like WindowBlinds from Stardock.
DivX Codec Optimized to Create 3ivX
By Mykel Nahorniak on December 1, 2000, 3:42 PM
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A new codec team, Happy Machines, plans to optimize the DivX codec to the fullest extent, resulting in lower file sizes, higher quality, and faster encoding. The developers of 3ivX plan to offer the codec to Windows, Macintosh, BeOS and *nix systems. Mr. Stux, one of the developers of DivX for Mac, is supervising the team's progress.
As said on their site, "We are currently concentrating on getting things done and working on all platforms. That means that our code is generic and fully NOT optimized. 3ivX is a temporal codec. That means it tries to find motion from one frame to another. It also means that it will be very efficient on movies that contain little difference from one frame to another, but will have a hard time with movies that have a lot of action."
Dransik Beta Testing
By Mykel Nahorniak on October 25, 2000, 8:23 PM
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A developer of such games as Ultima Online, Ultima 8 and the Crusader series is creating a game of his own... out of his own pocket. Free to play, this multiplayer role-playing game (MPRPG) is quickly gaining popularity throughout the internet. Dubbed 'Dransik,' players must gain experience and formidable weapons to fight enemies and subdue other players.
Players who first enter start out in a small town called 'Jeel,' and must gain experience by killing spiders and bats south of the village. After higher levels are reached, the character will have enough power to travel further into the world of Dransik. 'Good' players have a green name tag, to show that they do not attack other players, or townspeople, while red 'Evil' players have shown just the opposite.
KDE 2 Final Released!
By Mykel Nahorniak on October 23, 2000, 8:55 PM
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After a long beta period, the good folks at KDE have released their latest and greatest shell over X Windows, KDE 2.0. The new release comes bundled with some neat new features that give Gnome a run for its money... er, open source profits. Dubbed Kopernicus, the latest version is developed by creators spanning over 30 countries.
"With the experience gained from developing KDE 1, we almost completely re-engineered KDE 2 to make it even more intuitive, powerful and user friendly," noted founder of the KDE project, Matthias Ettrich.
3Com Releases Web Appliance
By Mykel Nahorniak on October 17, 2000, 4:43 PM
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'Audrey' is the name of 3Com's attack at the Internet appliance department, which became available on Tuesday. Ringing in at $499, this device allows the consumer to access e-mail, planning tools, and syncronization with handheld devices. The gadget features an 8" color display, a NSG (National Semiconductor's Geode) processor, and a 56k modem.
"One way to think of this is the Palm of the home," said vice president of 3Com's consumer business, Julie Shimer. "We want to deliver an enjoyable Internet experience in the nerve center of the home. In most homes, that's the kitchen."
Mac OS X Allows Two Programming Paths
By Mykel Nahorniak on October 16, 2000, 5:00 PM
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Apple is attempting to aid programmers in their tasks by offering two programming options for Mac OS X applications. Developers have the choice of rewriting existing OS 9 code using the Carbon APIs, or they may start from scratch utilizing the Cocoa API technology. A rather strange selection of names for the APIs, but they do the job nonetheless. Cocoa coded applications will only work on OS X, while Carbon written code is usable in OS 9 and X.
Apple has posted a list of OS 9 software that works in the Classic Environment, and a list of software that is OS X-optimized. For more information, visit ZDNet.
Microsoft SNA Server 4.0 SP4 Beta Testing
By Mykel Nahorniak on October 12, 2000, 8:39 AM
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Microsoft.com Gets Slight Makeover
By Mykel Nahorniak on October 10, 2000, 5:52 PM
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If you haven't visited Microsoft's home page lately, you may be suprised to see that their initial layout has changed. Many navigational aspects remain the same, but the creators made it more eye-appealing by including many images and colors. Also, the main page focuses on every division of the company, rather than just a few topics. Microsoft.com's simple logo indicates loud and clear, "this site belongs to us."
Check out the new layout by visiting Microsoft.
AMD Unleashes 1.1GHz Processor
By Mykel Nahorniak on August 28, 2000, 10:25 AM
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Sunnyvale-based AMD announced earlier today that their fastest chip to date, the 1.1GHz, is now available. Major computer manufacturers including Compaq, Gateway, HP, and IBM plan to bundle new PCs with the coveted processor. Rob Herb, vice president of AMD noted, "By supplying the highest performing PC processors in volume, AMD has reshaped the performance segment of the market, which now extends from 800MHz to 1.1GHz. Because of AMD's superior product architectures, manufacturing ability, and outstanding execution, at any system price point, business and home users will get a more powerful PC with an AMD processor-based system." AMD has validated more than 10 motherboards which support the Socket A architecture.
For the full press release, click here.
X-Box Development Kits Released
By Mykel Nahorniak on August 1, 2000, 4:39 PM
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Software giant Microsoft Corp. announced today that it has begun shipping its first X-Box development kits, or XDKs, to game designers around the globe. The XDK will be a 3-phase program allowing game developers to design their games on familliar Intel and NVidia chip architectures. The press release also added, "Today's PC-based XDK system is designed to provide developers with maximum freedom to create. It includes early graphics hardware, a large hard drive, a beta version of DirectX 8, technical documentation, and off-the shelf game pads that simulate Xbox functionality."
Do you think Microsoft's first console will live up to the hype? Tell us what you think!