Windows 7 RC1 made available for download

Microsoft made the first release candidate of Windows 7 available for free download on Thursday. In an unprecedented move for the company, the software will run on a user's PC for more than a year.

Windows 7 RC1 can be downloaded now by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, and the general public will be able to download it on May 5. There is no limit to how many copies can be downloaded. The software will run until June 1, 2010, in what a Microsoft marketing manager described to ZDNet UK as a "try before you buy" scenario.

Windows 7 RC1 made available for download

Microsoft made the first release candidate of Windows 7 available for free download on Thursday. In an unprecedented move for the company, the software will run on a user's PC for more than a year.

Windows 7 RC1 can be downloaded now by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, and the general public will be able to download it on May 5. There is no limit to how many copies can be downloaded. The software will run until June 1, 2010, in what a Microsoft marketing manager described to ZDNet UK as a "try before you buy" scenario.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Windows 7 RC1 made available for download

Microsoft made the first release candidate of Windows 7 available for free download on Thursday. In an unprecedented move for the company, the software will run on a user's PC for more than a year.

Windows 7 RC1 can be downloaded now by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, and the general public will be able to download it on May 5. There is no limit to how many copies can be downloaded. The software will run until June 1, 2010, in what a Microsoft marketing manager described to ZDNet UK as a "try before you buy" scenario.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Software patents hot topic at Microsoft event

SINGAPORE--A Microsoft panel discussion with two members of the open source community changed course when attention was swung to patent issues raised by a member of the audience.

During a Microsoft interoperability event Tuesday, Harish Pillay, president of the Linux Users' Group (Singapore), asked if Microsoft would make its software patents available to the open source community.

Pillay asked if Microsoft would release its patents to the Open Invention Network (OIN), in line with its pledge toward interoperability.

Software patents hot topic at Microsoft event

SINGAPORE--A Microsoft panel discussion with two members of the open source community changed course when attention was swung to patent issues raised by a member of the audience.

During a Microsoft interoperability event Tuesday, Harish Pillay, president of the Linux Users' Group (Singapore), asked if Microsoft would make its software patents available to the open source community.

Pillay asked if Microsoft would release its patents to the Open Invention Network (OIN), in line with its pledge toward interoperability.

Software patents hot topic at Microsoft event

SINGAPORE--A Microsoft panel discussion with two members of the open source community changed course when attention was swung to patent issues raised by a member of the audience.

During a Microsoft interoperability event Tuesday, Harish Pillay, president of the Linux Users' Group (Singapore), asked if Microsoft would make its software patents available to the open source community.

Pillay asked if Microsoft would release its patents to the Open Invention Network (OIN), in line with its pledge toward interoperability.

Software patents hot topic at Microsoft event

SINGAPORE--A Microsoft panel discussion with two members of the open source community changed course when attention was swung to patent issues raised by a member of the audience.

During a Microsoft interoperability event Tuesday, Harish Pillay, president of the Linux Users' Group (Singapore), asked if Microsoft would make its software patents available to the open source community.

Pillay asked if Microsoft would release its patents to the Open Invention Network (OIN), in line with its pledge toward interoperability.

Windows 7 RC1 made available for download

Microsoft made the first release candidate of Windows 7 available for free download on Thursday. In an unprecedented move for the company, the software will run on a user's PC for more than a year.

Windows 7 RC1 can be downloaded now by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, and the general public will be able to download it on May 5. There is no limit to how many copies can be downloaded. The software will run until June 1, 2010, in what a Microsoft marketing manager described to ZDNet UK as a "try before you buy" scenario.

Windows 7 RC1 made available for download

Microsoft made the first release candidate of Windows 7 available for free download on Thursday. In an unprecedented move for the company, the software will run on a user's PC for more than a year.

Windows 7 RC1 can be downloaded now by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, and the general public will be able to download it on May 5. There is no limit to how many copies can be downloaded. The software will run until June 1, 2010, in what a Microsoft marketing manager described to ZDNet UK as a "try before you buy" scenario.

Windows 7 RC1 made available for download

Microsoft made the first release candidate of Windows 7 available for free download on Thursday. In an unprecedented move for the company, the software will run on a user's PC for more than a year.

Windows 7 RC1 can be downloaded now by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, and the general public will be able to download it on May 5. There is no limit to how many copies can be downloaded. The software will run until June 1, 2010, in what a Microsoft marketing manager described to ZDNet UK as a "try before you buy" scenario.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Software patents hot topic at Microsoft event

SINGAPORE--A Microsoft panel discussion with two members of the open source community changed course when attention was swung to patent issues raised by a member of the audience.

During a Microsoft interoperability event Tuesday, Harish Pillay, president of the Linux Users' Group (Singapore), asked if Microsoft would make its software patents available to the open source community.

Pillay asked if Microsoft would release its patents to the Open Invention Network (OIN), in line with its pledge toward interoperability.

Fighting slump: A CIO's game of golf

SINGAPORE--Managing corporate IT in the current economic environment requires one to think a tactical game of golf or squash, according to an IT head based in the country.

IT heads need an effective blend of short serves and long shots, or short-term and long-term strategies, Nariman Karimi, senior vice president and CIO of DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said Thursday. He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the Singapore Management University (SMU) as part of the Apex Global Case Challenge 2009.

Software patents hot topic at Microsoft event

SINGAPORE--A Microsoft panel discussion with two members of the open source community changed course when attention was swung to patent issues raised by a member of the audience.

During a Microsoft interoperability event Tuesday, Harish Pillay, president of the Linux Users' Group (Singapore), asked if Microsoft would make its software patents available to the open source community.

Pillay asked if Microsoft would release its patents to the Open Invention Network (OIN), in line with its pledge toward interoperability.

Reports: Google, DOJ talked about Book Search

The Justice Department is examining antitrust issues regarding a proposed settlement of Google Book Search lawsuits with the search giant, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

It's unclear what might come of the reported talks, but the Justice Department is not to be treated lightly. The department leads enforcement of antitrust law, and Google backed down from its threatened antitrust lawsuit against it in 2008 regarding a search-ad partnership with Yahoo.

Reports: Google, DOJ talked about Book Search

The Justice Department is examining antitrust issues regarding a proposed settlement of Google Book Search lawsuits with the search giant, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

It's unclear what might come of the reported talks, but the Justice Department is not to be treated lightly. The department leads enforcement of antitrust law, and Google backed down from its threatened antitrust lawsuit against it in 2008 regarding a search-ad partnership with Yahoo.

Cloud computing: Resistance is futile

There may be a number of unresolved security issues around cloud computing but if you try to resist the trend you are likely to be shown the door.

This was the claim of Philippe Courtot, chairman of security company Qualys, speaking at the RSA Conference in San Francisco last week.

"We know that it's getting harder and harder to secure the current computing infrastructure and something has to change. Fundamentally there are too many variables and too many security patches," he said.

Cloud computing: Resistance is futile

There may be a number of unresolved security issues around cloud computing but if you try to resist the trend you are likely to be shown the door.

This was the claim of Philippe Courtot, chairman of security company Qualys, speaking at the RSA Conference in San Francisco last week.

"We know that it's getting harder and harder to secure the current computing infrastructure and something has to change. Fundamentally there are too many variables and too many security patches," he said.

Report: Conficker in attack mode

The Conficker threat has a new twist, with the worm now reportedly installing a second mass-mailing virus that many know as Waledac.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, Conficker-infected machines are now being turned into servers for e-mail spam. Quoting Vincent Weafer, vice president of Symantec Security Response, Xinhua reported Conficker now installs a second virus--Waledac--that sends out e-mail spam without the computer owner's knowledge.

Report: Conficker in attack mode

The Conficker threat has a new twist, with the worm now reportedly installing a second mass-mailing virus that many know as Waledac.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, Conficker-infected machines are now being turned into servers for e-mail spam. Quoting Vincent Weafer, vice president of Symantec Security Response, Xinhua reported Conficker now installs a second virus--Waledac--that sends out e-mail spam without the computer owner's knowledge.

Report: Conficker in attack mode

The Conficker threat has a new twist, with the worm now reportedly installing a second mass-mailing virus that many know as Waledac.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, Conficker-infected machines are now being turned into servers for e-mail spam. Quoting Vincent Weafer, vice president of Symantec Security Response, Xinhua reported Conficker now installs a second virus--Waledac--that sends out e-mail spam without the computer owner's knowledge.

Tech giants form open cloud standards group

A major systems-management standards body has formed a group dedicated to developing open management standards for cloud computing.

The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), whose board includes representatives from companies such as VMware, IBM, Microsoft, Citrix and HP, announced the creation of the Open Cloud Standards Incubator (OCSI) group on Monday.

"Cloud computing will have a major impact on IT management," said DMTF president Winston Bumpus in a statement. "With the DMTF's track record for leading the industry in the development of proven standards for management interoperability, along with its extensive network of Alliance Partners, this Open Cloud Standards Incubator provides an ideal setting for initiating work on specifications to enable interoperable cloud management."

Tech giants form open cloud standards group

A major systems-management standards body has formed a group dedicated to developing open management standards for cloud computing.

The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), whose board includes representatives from companies such as VMware, IBM, Microsoft, Citrix and HP, announced the creation of the Open Cloud Standards Incubator (OCSI) group on Monday.

"Cloud computing will have a major impact on IT management," said DMTF president Winston Bumpus in a statement. "With the DMTF's track record for leading the industry in the development of proven standards for management interoperability, along with its extensive network of Alliance Partners, this Open Cloud Standards Incubator provides an ideal setting for initiating work on specifications to enable interoperable cloud management."

Tech giants form open cloud standards group

A major systems-management standards body has formed a group dedicated to developing open management standards for cloud computing.

The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), whose board includes representatives from companies such as VMware, IBM, Microsoft, Citrix and HP, announced the creation of the Open Cloud Standards Incubator (OCSI) group on Monday.

"Cloud computing will have a major impact on IT management," said DMTF president Winston Bumpus in a statement. "With the DMTF's track record for leading the industry in the development of proven standards for management interoperability, along with its extensive network of Alliance Partners, this Open Cloud Standards Incubator provides an ideal setting for initiating work on specifications to enable interoperable cloud management."

Tech giants form open cloud standards group

A major systems-management standards body has formed a group dedicated to developing open management standards for cloud computing.

The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), whose board includes representatives from companies such as VMware, IBM, Microsoft, Citrix and HP, announced the creation of the Open Cloud Standards Incubator (OCSI) group on Monday.

"Cloud computing will have a major impact on IT management," said DMTF president Winston Bumpus in a statement. "With the DMTF's track record for leading the industry in the development of proven standards for management interoperability, along with its extensive network of Alliance Partners, this Open Cloud Standards Incubator provides an ideal setting for initiating work on specifications to enable interoperable cloud management."

UK outlines Facebook monitoring plans

The UK government wants communications service providers to record, retain and process details of all communications that take place over their networks, the home secretary said on Monday.

Jacqui Smith was speaking at the launch of a consultation entitled Protecting the Public in a Changing Communications Environment. She said it was essential for such information to be easily accessible by public authorities, including the police, the Serious Organized Crime Agency (Soca), HM Revenue & Customs, and the intelligence agencies.

Canonical's Ubuntu reaches for the cloud

Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution, on Thursday announced two major components of its cloud-computing strategy.

With the launch of version 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope, Ubuntu Server Edition is available on Amazon EC2, while Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud is an EC2-compatible system that can create a cloud on a company's own network.

"We can see the benefits of the cloud, and the risks," Simon Wardley, software services manager for Canonical, told ZDNet UK. "The risks are transitional do I trust the vendor? Are there second-sourcing options? What's the learning curve? So with Ubuntu, users can build their private infrastructures and go public when they're ready."

New LCD monitor watches you

Monitor-maker Eizo Nanao has announced the inclusion of a "EcoView Sense" feature into their just announced FlexScan monitors; the 20-inch EV2023W and the 23-inch EV2303W.

The EcoView feature, allows the monitors--using motion detectors--to detect if a person is sitting in front of it.

What developers want from the cloud

Software developers want a transparent cloud that is based on standards, and expect platforms to provide tools to package apps for quick deployment.

Sam Johnston, founder and chief technology officer of Australian Online Solutions, which provides cloud services and applications, said: "Open standards, particularly for APIs [application programming interfaces] and formats are far more important for cloud platform services platform-as-a-service [PaaS] than any tool a provider offers."

Cryptography experts debate cloud-computing risks

A group of pioneers in the security field, whose work in encryption is used to protect internet data and communications every day, spoke about the state of security at a cryptographer's panel at the RSA security conference in San Francisco on Tuesday.

They tackled various questions about cybersecurity in general, but the topic that dominated was cloud computing.

"Cloud computing is a challenge to security, but one that can be overcome," said Whitfield Diffie, chief security officer at Sun. "I believe cloud computing will get to [the point] where no real program... will be done anymore on the computers of the company that's doing it," he said.

Linux leader: Oracle-Sun good news for Linux

Linux Foundation leader Jim Zemlin has given a warm welcome to Oracle's purchase of Sun, saying it is "good news" for Linux.

The acquisition is good for Linux because business-software leader Oracle is strategically aligned with Linux, as well as a Linux distributor and a major user of the open-source operating system, Zemlin wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.

The purchase of Sun, announced on Monday, means Oracle will take over the Solaris Unix-based operating system, as well as two key open-source products: the Java programming language and the MySQL database. In its announcement, Oracle said Solaris was the "best Unix technology available in the market" and that it would optimize its database software for the operating system.

Twitter: The CIO's new best friend?

Twitter may have doubled its user numbers last month but CIOs are split over whether or not the microblogging service makes a useful business tool.

In the latest silicon.com CIO Jury, seven out of the 12 members said they are currently using Twitter for information, for networking or for other business-related purposes.

While some CIOs are simply using the site for personal updates - or "messing about", as one IT chief put it, many others are using Twitter to promote their companies or share information on the business.

The Cold War moves to cyberspace

Somewhere deep in Washington's national security apparatus, more than a few old-timers surely pine for the clarity of the Cold War. Black versus white, American versus Russian, spy versus spy--the good old days.

Conficker infected critical hospital equipment

SAN FRANCISCO--The Conficker worm infected several hundred machines and critical medical equipment in an undisclosed number of hospitals recently, a security expert said on Thursday in a panel at the RSA security conference.

"It was not widespread, but it raises the awareness of what we would do if there were millions" of computers infected at hospitals or in critical infrastructure locations, Marcus Sachs told CNET News.com after the session. Sachs is the director of the SANS Internet Storm Center and a former White House cybersecurity official.

IBM's latest DB2 woos Oracle customers

IBM on Wednesday released the latest version of its database management system DB2, version 9.7, with new features that include the ability for the database to run applications written for Oracle and other platforms.

Apart from the ability to run Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server applications, the latest version of DB2 also has improved data compression and better power efficiency, according to a company statement.

"DB2 is now compatible with all of the other databases," Doug Combs, IBM's information-management software leader, told ZDNet UK. "The data compression makes deployment quicker and easier as well," he said.

EC takes antitrust steps against Intel

The European Commission, taking a major step toward fining and imposing sanctions on Intel for violating antitrust law, has sent a draft decision ruling against the chipmaker to EU member states, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.

Sun-Oracle FAQ: Did IBM make a big mistake?

Oracle's proposed $7.4bn acquisition of Sun Microsystems has shaken up the tech industry.

The mega-deal, which comes soon after IBM's bid for Sun fell apart, strengthens Oracle's hand in the software market and gives Oracle control over the Unix-based Solaris operating system and Java programming language. More dramatically, it could pave the way for database giant Oracle to become a systems vendor.

So what are the challenges for the players involved, and the implications for the industry as a whole? We asked a panel of expert analysts to weigh in on various aspects of the deal.

Bluetooth 3.0 released - 8X faster

The specification for a new version of Bluetooth was formally adopted on Tuesday, the industry group behind the standard has announced.

Bluetooth 3.0's main benefit over its predecessor is its enhanced transfer speed. Whereas Bluetooth 2.1+EDR offered maximum speeds of around 3Mbps, the new version of the technology takes that up to around 24Mbps, through its use of the 802.11 radio protocol better known as the basis for Wi-Fi.

IT security still has 'perilous gaps of risk': RSA

Vendors must club together to fix the "perilous" gaps dogging security implementations, according to the president of security company RSA.

In his opening keynote at the annual RSA Conference, Art Coviello called for the improved collaboration.

"Today security is viewed as way too costly and not effective enough," he told the conference in San Francisco. "Security technologies are still applied piecemeal from multiple vendors, cluttering the information landscape, leaving perilous gaps of risk," he said.

CIO Jury: Should you still be scared of malware?

While the recent Conficker worm may have turned out to be a damp squib, enterprises are still very much on their guard against malware.

Asked whether viruses are still a genuine threat to corporate IT security, 11 out of the 12 members of silicon.com's CIO Jury said they are.

With viruses seemingly not bringing down networks worldwide as they once did, some businesses could risk becoming complacent around their strategy - a danger Mike Cope, IT director at Virgin Atlantic, warned against.

CIO Jury: Should you still be scared of malware?

While the recent Conficker worm may have turned out to be a damp squib, enterprises are still very much on their guard against malware.

Asked whether viruses are still a genuine threat to corporate IT security, 11 out of the 12 members of silicon.com's CIO Jury said they are.

With viruses seemingly not bringing down networks worldwide as they once did, some businesses could risk becoming complacent around their strategy - a danger Mike Cope, IT director at Virgin Atlantic, warned against.

CIO Jury: Should you still be scared of malware?

While the recent Conficker worm may have turned out to be a damp squib, enterprises are still very much on their guard against malware.

Asked whether viruses are still a genuine threat to corporate IT security, 11 out of the 12 members of silicon.com's CIO Jury said they are.

With viruses seemingly not bringing down networks worldwide as they once did, some businesses could risk becoming complacent around their strategy - a danger Mike Cope, IT director at Virgin Atlantic, warned against.

DoD Gates: We're always under cyberattack

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States is "under cyberattack virtually all the time, every day" and that the Defense Department plans to more than quadruple the number of cyber experts it employs to ward off such attacks.

CIO Jury: Should you still be scared of malware?

While the recent Conficker worm may have turned out to be a damp squib, enterprises are still very much on their guard against malware.

Asked whether viruses are still a genuine threat to corporate IT security, 11 out of the 12 members of silicon.com's CIO Jury said they are.

With viruses seemingly not bringing down networks worldwide as they once did, some businesses could risk becoming complacent around their strategy - a danger Mike Cope, IT director at Virgin Atlantic, warned against.

DoD Gates: We're always under cyberattack

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States is "under cyberattack virtually all the time, every day" and that the Defense Department plans to more than quadruple the number of cyber experts it employs to ward off such attacks.

DoD Gates: We're always under cyberattack

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States is "under cyberattack virtually all the time, every day" and that the Defense Department plans to more than quadruple the number of cyber experts it employs to ward off such attacks.

Cyberspies breach US fighter-jet project: Report

Computer spies have repeatedly breached the Pentagon's costliest weapons program, the $300 billion Joint Strike Fighter project,

Botnet contains 1.9 million infected computers

Security company Finjan has tracked down what it says is one of the largest networks of compromised computers, controlled by a single gang of cybercriminals.

The 1.9 million-strong botnet has grown rapidly since it was first detected in February, while the command-and-control server running it appears to be hosted in the Ukraine.

Finjan chief technology officer Yuval Ben-Itzhak told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that Finjan had traced the command-and-control server to the Ukraine by intercepting a Trojan and tracking its communications. The Trojan is detected as 'Pakes.app' by antivirus company AVG.

Botnet contains 1.9 million infected computers

Security company Finjan has tracked down what it says is one of the largest networks of compromised computers, controlled by a single gang of cybercriminals.

The 1.9 million-strong botnet has grown rapidly since it was first detected in February, while the command-and-control server running it appears to be hosted in the Ukraine.

Finjan chief technology officer Yuval Ben-Itzhak told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that Finjan had traced the command-and-control server to the Ukraine by intercepting a Trojan and tracking its communications. The Trojan is detected as 'Pakes.app' by antivirus company AVG.

Botnet contains 1.9 million infected computers

Security company Finjan has tracked down what it says is one of the largest networks of compromised computers, controlled by a single gang of cybercriminals.

The 1.9 million-strong botnet has grown rapidly since it was first detected in February, while the command-and-control server running it appears to be hosted in the Ukraine.

Finjan chief technology officer Yuval Ben-Itzhak told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that Finjan had traced the command-and-control server to the Ukraine by intercepting a Trojan and tracking its communications. The Trojan is detected as 'Pakes.app' by antivirus company AVG.

Botnet contains 1.9 million infected computers

Security company Finjan has tracked down what it says is one of the largest networks of compromised computers, controlled by a single gang of cybercriminals.

The 1.9 million-strong botnet has grown rapidly since it was first detected in February, while the command-and-control server running it appears to be hosted in the Ukraine.

Finjan chief technology officer Yuval Ben-Itzhak told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that Finjan had traced the command-and-control server to the Ukraine by intercepting a Trojan and tracking its communications. The Trojan is detected as 'Pakes.app' by antivirus company AVG.

Botnet contains 1.9 million infected computers

Security company Finjan has tracked down what it says is one of the largest networks of compromised computers, controlled by a single gang of cybercriminals.

The 1.9 million-strong botnet has grown rapidly since it was first detected in February, while the command-and-control server running it appears to be hosted in the Ukraine.

Finjan chief technology officer Yuval Ben-Itzhak told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that Finjan had traced the command-and-control server to the Ukraine by intercepting a Trojan and tracking its communications. The Trojan is detected as 'Pakes.app' by antivirus company AVG.

High-profile New Zealand websites hacked

Hackers appearing to hail from Turkey have struck a number of high-profile New Zealand sites belonging to companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Xerox and F-Secure.

Microsoft's main site was defaced, together with the sites for MSN, Windows Live, Hotmail and MSDN.

The sites have been defaced with political messages such as 'Stop the war Israel' and the hackers' online nicknames. At this stage, it is not known if any user data, such as Hotmail emails, was compromised by the hackers.

High-profile New Zealand websites hacked

Hackers appearing to hail from Turkey have struck a number of high-profile New Zealand sites belonging to companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Xerox and F-Secure.

Microsoft's main site was defaced, together with the sites for MSN, Windows Live, Hotmail and MSDN.

The sites have been defaced with political messages such as 'Stop the war Israel' and the hackers' online nicknames. At this stage, it is not known if any user data, such as Hotmail emails, was compromised by the hackers.

High-profile New Zealand websites hacked

Hackers appearing to hail from Turkey have struck a number of high-profile New Zealand sites belonging to companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Xerox and F-Secure.

Microsoft's main site was defaced, together with the sites for MSN, Windows Live, Hotmail and MSDN.

The sites have been defaced with political messages such as 'Stop the war Israel' and the hackers' online nicknames. At this stage, it is not known if any user data, such as Hotmail emails, was compromised by the hackers.

High-profile New Zealand websites hacked

Hackers appearing to hail from Turkey have struck a number of high-profile New Zealand sites belonging to companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Xerox and F-Secure.

Microsoft's main site was defaced, together with the sites for MSN, Windows Live, Hotmail and MSDN.

The sites have been defaced with political messages such as 'Stop the war Israel' and the hackers' online nicknames. At this stage, it is not known if any user data, such as Hotmail emails, was compromised by the hackers.

High-profile New Zealand websites hacked

Hackers appearing to hail from Turkey have struck a number of high-profile New Zealand sites belonging to companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Xerox and F-Secure.

Microsoft's main site was defaced, together with the sites for MSN, Windows Live, Hotmail and MSDN.

The sites have been defaced with political messages such as 'Stop the war Israel' and the hackers' online nicknames. At this stage, it is not known if any user data, such as Hotmail emails, was compromised by the hackers.

OLPC drops AMD for Via chip

The One Laptop per Child project's XO laptop will switch to a Via processor as part of a general hardware refresh.

Generation 1.5 of the XO machine will have the same industrial design as the original model, but will use a Via C7-M processor, John Watlington, OLPC's vice president of hardware development, wrote in a post on Friday. Currently the XO, which is aimed at educational markets in developing countries, uses an AMD Geode processor.

OLPC drops AMD for Via chip

The One Laptop per Child project's XO laptop will switch to a Via processor as part of a general hardware refresh.

Generation 1.5 of the XO machine will have the same industrial design as the original model, but will use a Via C7-M processor, John Watlington, OLPC's vice president of hardware development, wrote in a post on Friday. Currently the XO, which is aimed at educational markets in developing countries, uses an AMD Geode processor.

Oracle-Sun: IBM surprised, Ballmer speechless

Reporters caught up with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in Moscow to get his take on Oracle's deal to buy Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion.

But apparently Ballmer, who is rarely at a loss for words, didn't exactly have a sound byte at the ready.

"I need to think about it," Ballmer told reporters in Moscow, according to Reuters. "I am very surprised."

I'm hearing that Ballmer wasn't the only one surprised by Monday's deal. According to a source of mine, IBM hadn't given up on purchasing Sun and was blindsided by Oracle's move.

Oracle-Sun: IBM surprised, Ballmer speechless

Reporters caught up with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in Moscow to get his take on Oracle's deal to buy Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion.

But apparently Ballmer, who is rarely at a loss for words, didn't exactly have a sound byte at the ready.

"I need to think about it," Ballmer told reporters in Moscow, according to Reuters. "I am very surprised."

I'm hearing that Ballmer wasn't the only one surprised by Monday's deal. According to a source of mine, IBM hadn't given up on purchasing Sun and was blindsided by Oracle's move.

Twitter's big tweet: Oprah

Oprah's first tweet. Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

The official answer's in regarding Twitter Chief Executive Evan Williams' teasing tweet Thursday about Friday being a "very big day": @Oprah.

Sony Ericsson to lay off 2,000

Sony Ericsson plans to lay off a further 2,000 employees, in the wake of deeper quarterly financial losses.

The layoffs, announced on Friday, are in addition to the 2,000 job cuts the handset maker outlined in July. They came the same day that Sony Ericsson reported its first-quarter earnings results, which showed that the company had a pre-tax loss of $466 million (358m) for the first three months of 2009. The company's earnings slipped into the red in the third quarter of 2008, and its losses have deepened ever since.

Ubuntu 9.04 release candidate published

The Ubuntu project has published a release candidate, or final testing version, for the upcoming 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope version of its popular Linux distribution.

Aussie Nigerian-style scammer gets six years

A Perth man has reportedly been jailed for six years for his role in a Nigerian-style scam campaign that netted $132,400 from four Australian victims.

The West Australian newspaper reported this morning that 30-year-old Tuoyo Clement Nikaghanri had been sentenced to six years in prison for his part in the scam, which reportedly drew in victims via emails and internet sites between 2005 and 2008.

The newspaper reported that the sentence was handed down by District Court Judge Phillip Eaton. WA Police Detective Senior Constable Jamie McDonald, who works in WA Police's Technology Crime Investigations Unit, confirmed the report was accurate.

QlikTech taps into BI via the iPhone

The business-intelligence firm QlikTech has released an application for the iPhone that uses the native multitouch and GPS functionalities of Apple's popular handset.

QlikView for iPhone, which was made available on Thursday, allows users to use finger-swipes and pinches to interact with business data. The application also uses the iPhone's Coverflow feature usually meant for flipping through album covers as a means of cycling through analyses. The client software taps into the user's main QlikView business intelligence software to access data, such as that relating to sales, competitive analysis and inventory.

End of tax-free Internet shopping may be near

If a little-known but influential alliance of state politicians, large retailers, and tax collectors have their way, the days of tax-free Internet shopping may be nearly over.

A bill expected to be introduced in the U.S. Congress as early as Monday would rewrite the ground rules for mail order and Internet sales by eliminating what its supporters view as a "loophole" that, in many cases, allows Americans to shop over the Internet without paying sales taxes.

From IT sales to stand-up comedy

Did you hear the one about the CIO who thought going green was something to do with Scottish football jerseys? Or the one about the techie and his unusual second life? Or the one about the IT saleswoman who became a stand-up comedian?

Gags about techies - the IT Crowd aside - aren't exactly common. But then again there aren't that many people in the IT industry that have swapped software and hardware for stand-up comedy, either.

Microsoft says EU antitrust deadline extended

Microsoft on Wednesday confirmed a report that it had received a one-week extension from European antitrust regulators to respond to charges that it had sought to thwart rivals by bundling its web browser with Windows systems.

Many still vulnerable to Conficker

Antivirus company Sophos has sent an alert saying many users still have yet to patch their PCs against the exploit that makes them vulnerable to the Conficker worm.

Sophos' senior technology consultant Graham Cluley, said in a blog post Thursday, the antivirus company found 11 percent of users who had taken an endpoint assessment test at its Web site did not have the Microsoft OS08-067 patch installed.

The patch, available since October last year, fixes a vulnerability which allows the Conficker worm to infect PCs.

Zeebo - the fourth game console?

When low-cost games console Zeebo arrives in Asia next year, it will likely appeal to emerging markets in the region, but is not expected to pose much competition to Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation audience, say analysts.

Saving green by being virtually green

Commentary--The focus of IT departments has shifted palpably in the last few months. Until last year, their focus was on becoming more environmentally conscious and making concerted efforts towards greening the datacenters. Today, the entire focus is on cost savings, cost avoidance and cost deferment. Few organizations realize that virtualization can be a critical link to creating a utopian world where IT can lower costs while at the same time be more green.

Cutting costs by scrapping paper

Commentary--Businesses of all sizes are bracing for what is to come later in 2009 and beyond. The recession is forcing organizations to reset expectations and cut costs while identifying pockets of growth. From the technology perspective, IT budgets and purchases are being scrutinized more than ever before, despite the fact tech innovation can help improve the bottom line.

Next Exchange to include e-mail 'mute' button

The next version of Microsoft's corporate e-mail server will not only offer the ability to view e-mail by conversations, but also the option of "muting" any thread that a user would rather not take part in.

Conversation threading, a popular feature from Google's Gmail, and the mute option are several of the new features in Exchange 2010, the next version of the company's e-mail and calendar server. The software is entering public beta on Wednesday, with a final launch slated for the second half of this year.

Canonical hits back at Microsoft in netbook spat

Canonical, the company that sponsors the Ubuntu Linux distribution, has attacked a Microsoft blogger's claims about why Windows netbooks outsell their Linux counterparts.

On 3 April, Brandon LeBlanc wrote on the Windows Experience Blog that, in the United States in February, 96 percent of netbooks sold had Windows as the preinstalled operating system. "A number of analysts and researchers following the space see ample evidence indicating customers really DO want netbook PCs to work like their larger brethren and that the way the vast majority of consumers make that happen is by buying a netbook PC with Windows," he wrote.

Canonical hits back at Microsoft in netbook spat

Canonical, the company that sponsors the Ubuntu Linux distribution, has attacked a Microsoft blogger's claims about why Windows netbooks outsell their Linux counterparts.

On 3 April, Brandon LeBlanc wrote on the Windows Experience Blog that, in the United States in February, 96 percent of netbooks sold had Windows as the preinstalled operating system. "A number of analysts and researchers following the space see ample evidence indicating customers really DO want netbook PCs to work like their larger brethren and that the way the vast majority of consumers make that happen is by buying a netbook PC with Windows," he wrote.

Amazon's 'adult' book fail: Glitch or hack?

Amazon got blasted by gay rights groups this weekend after gay and lesbian book titles were delisted from its site. Was it an internal glitch, as Amazon claims, or is an Internet troll with a vendetta responsible?

Amazon spokeswoman Patty Smith told CNET News on Monday that the "glitch" was being fixed, but declined to elaborate.

"This is an embarrassing and ham-fisted cataloging error for a company that prides itself on offering complete selection," she wrote in an e-mail statement.

Teen takes responsibility for Twitter worms

As a second Twitter exploit began circulating on the micro-blogging site Sunday, a teenager from Brooklyn told CNET News he created both worms because he was bored and wanted to draw attention to the Twitter flaw.

Much like Saturday's StalkDaily worm, the "Mikeyy" worm posts unwanted messages to users' pages. The "Mikeyy" worm began spreading on the micro-blogging site early Sunday, posting messages such as "Mikeyy I am done...," "MikeyyMikeyy is done.," and "Twitter please fix this, regards Mikeyy."

Video ad winner does Linux no favor

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when the Linux Foundation announced a contest to produce a TV advertisement for Linux they meant well. It's just a shame the results don't end up doing Linux any favors. At all.

The problem with asking amateur film makers to make ads is that you get amateur results, unfortunately. And so, like watching your father dance at a wedding, it just ends up being embarrassing. Leaving aside the number of entrants who were so enthusiastic about the competition that they forgot the rule limiting the videos to 60 seconds, you have to wonder how some of the entries are meant to persuade people to use Linux.

Researchers develop micro-robot

A flying micro-robot has been developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

A research team lead by professor Mir Behrad Khamesee manipulated magnetic fields to levitate and move a robot weighing less than one gram around three axes, according to a paper seen by ZDNet UK

AT&T calls on Twitter during outage

Want to find out why you suddenly don't have Internet access or cell phone service? You might want to check out the social-networking site Twitter.

It seems that Twitter was one of the main ways that phone company AT&T has been communicating with customers and updating the public about the fiber cut that caused thousands of people in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area to go without broadband, phone, and wireless service for most of Thursday.

iCloud virtual desktop public-beta launched

Swedish startup Xcerion on Tuesday launched the public beta-test of iCloud, a virtual desktop aimed at consumers and mobile workers, which it hopes to develop into an application marketplace comparable to Apple's App Store.

For end users, iCloud offers a web-based desktop available from any internet-connected PC and offering a set of productivity, developer, media and communications applications.

The five defining characteristics of cloud computing

Commentary--Interest in cloud computing is rampant across the entire IT industry and everyone has a different perspective and understanding of the technology.

Gartner sees boom for virtualization in slump

The European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) market for virtualization software is likely to be very robust in 2009, with the market for hosted virtual desktops leading the field, according to analyst Gartner.

However, the company warned that the global recession could put a temporary brake even on technologies designed to save businesses' money.

"The current recession that is affecting various economies in EMEA could prove to be a short-term brake on uptake of virtualized technologies, so vendors must be aware of how the technology can save organization money by better server use and lower associated power and cooling costs within data centers," said Gartner analyst Rene Millman.

Acer: Android isn't ready for netbooks; Verizon deal?

Acer executives said that Google's Android still has a long way to go before it can be used as the operating system for the hot new category of laptops known as Netbooks. And the CEO of the Taiwanese company hinted that its Netbooks may soon end up on Verizon Wireless' network.

Hot Java injection for Google App Engine

Support for Java and cron jobs, and database mobility improvements headline an update to Google's App Engine announced by the search giant today.

Google describes App Engine as a complete development stack that uses familiar technologies to build and host web applications on Google's own infrastructure.

Peter McKenzie, technical lead for Google Australia, told ZDNet.com.au that the Java implementation would be based around standard application programming interfaces and libraries to ensure deployment to standard J2EE servlet containers including WebSphere and Tomcat. Google's Java support will integrate with Google Web Toolkit and Google Plugin for the Eclipse integrated development environment.

Hot Java injection for Google App Engine

Support for Java and cron jobs, and database mobility improvements headline an update to Google's App Engine announced by the search giant today.

Google describes App Engine as a complete development stack that uses familiar technologies to build and host web applications on Google's own infrastructure.

Peter McKenzie, technical lead for Google Australia, told ZDNet.com.au that the Java implementation would be based around standard application programming interfaces and libraries to ensure deployment to standard J2EE servlet containers including WebSphere and Tomcat. Google's Java support will integrate with Google Web Toolkit and Google Plugin for the Eclipse integrated development environment.

Hot Java injection for Google App Engine

Support for Java and cron jobs, and database mobility improvements headline an update to Google's App Engine announced by the search giant today.

Google describes App Engine as a complete development stack that uses familiar technologies to build and host web applications on Google's own infrastructure.

Peter McKenzie, technical lead for Google Australia, told ZDNet.com.au that the Java implementation would be based around standard application programming interfaces and libraries to ensure deployment to standard J2EE servlet containers including WebSphere and Tomcat. Google's Java support will integrate with Google Web Toolkit and Google Plugin for the Eclipse integrated development environment.

Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid: report

WASHINGTON Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid: report

WASHINGTON Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Pentagon bill for cyberattack cleanup? $100 million

The Pentagon spent more than $100 million in the past six months cleaning up after Internet attacks and network issues, military leaders said on Tuesday.

"The important thing is that we recognize that we are under assault from the least sophisticated--what I would say the bored teenager--all the way up to the sophisticated nation-state, with some petty criminal elements sandwiched in between," Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, told reporters at a cyberspace conference in Omaha, Neb., as reported by CBS News.

Pentagon bill for cyberattack cleanup? $100 million

The Pentagon spent more than $100 million in the past six months cleaning up after Internet attacks and network issues, military leaders said on Tuesday.

"The important thing is that we recognize that we are under assault from the least sophisticated--what I would say the bored teenager--all the way up to the sophisticated nation-state, with some petty criminal elements sandwiched in between," Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, told reporters at a cyberspace conference in Omaha, Neb., as reported by CBS News.

Pentagon bill for cyberattack cleanup? $100 million

The Pentagon spent more than $100 million in the past six months cleaning up after Internet attacks and network issues, military leaders said on Tuesday.

"The important thing is that we recognize that we are under assault from the least sophisticated--what I would say the bored teenager--all the way up to the sophisticated nation-state, with some petty criminal elements sandwiched in between," Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, told reporters at a cyberspace conference in Omaha, Neb., as reported by CBS News.

Pentagon bill for cyberattack cleanup? $100 million

The Pentagon spent more than $100 million in the past six months cleaning up after Internet attacks and network issues, military leaders said on Tuesday.

"The important thing is that we recognize that we are under assault from the least sophisticated--what I would say the bored teenager--all the way up to the sophisticated nation-state, with some petty criminal elements sandwiched in between," Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, told reporters at a cyberspace conference in Omaha, Neb., as reported by CBS News.

Silverlight strikes out with MLB

The thwacking sounds of bats striking balls will once again fill stadiums, as Monday is opening day for Major League Baseball. This year, Microsoft will watch from the sidelines.

MLB.com no longer uses Microsoft's Silverlight to stream games to its 500,000 subscribers. This season fans will watch live and on-demand video via Adobe's Flash player.

Silverlight strikes out with MLB

The thwacking sounds of bats striking balls will once again fill stadiums, as Monday is opening day for Major League Baseball. This year, Microsoft will watch from the sidelines.

MLB.com no longer uses Microsoft's Silverlight to stream games to its 500,000 subscribers. This season fans will watch live and on-demand video via Adobe's Flash player.

Silverlight strikes out with MLB

The thwacking sounds of bats striking balls will once again fill stadiums, as Monday is opening day for Major League Baseball. This year, Microsoft will watch from the sidelines.

MLB.com no longer uses Microsoft's Silverlight to stream games to its 500,000 subscribers. This season fans will watch live and on-demand video via Adobe's Flash player.

Debian gets FreeBSD kernel support

The open-source Debian operating system on Sunday gained support for the FreeBSD kernel, allowing users to run the same operating system on two different software cores.

The project was announced in a message to the Debian developers' announcement list.

Traditionally Debian runs on the Linux kernel, but Debian developers said the Unix-based FreeBSD kernel offers certain benefits, such as support for drivers that might not be available on Linux.

Silverlight strikes out with MLB

The thwacking sounds of bats striking balls will once again fill stadiums, as Monday is opening day for Major League Baseball. This year, Microsoft will watch from the sidelines.

MLB.com no longer uses Microsoft's Silverlight to stream games to its 500,000 subscribers. This season fans will watch live and on-demand video via Adobe's Flash player.

Silverlight strikes out with MLB

The thwacking sounds of bats striking balls will once again fill stadiums, as Monday is opening day for Major League Baseball. This year, Microsoft will watch from the sidelines.

MLB.com no longer uses Microsoft's Silverlight to stream games to its 500,000 subscribers. This season fans will watch live and on-demand video via Adobe's Flash player.

Debian gets FreeBSD kernel support

The open-source Debian operating system on Sunday gained support for the FreeBSD kernel, allowing users to run the same operating system on two different software cores.

The project was announced in a message to the Debian developers' announcement list.

Traditionally Debian runs on the Linux kernel, but Debian developers said the Unix-based FreeBSD kernel offers certain benefits, such as support for drivers that might not be available on Linux.

Microsoft seeks the right touch for Surface

While much of the attention on multitouch surrounds what devices the interface will next find its way onto, Microsoft is also looking at how to improve the gestures themselves.

At a computer interface conference in Boston, Microsoft is presenting ideas for how to perform 27 different commands--ideas that stemmed by showing test subjects a set of commands and asking them to do the most logical gesture. Those that were popular among multiple people were the ones the researchers said made the most sense.

Microsoft seeks the right touch for Surface

While much of the attention on multitouch surrounds what devices the interface will next find its way onto, Microsoft is also looking at how to improve the gestures themselves.

At a computer interface conference in Boston, Microsoft is presenting ideas for how to perform 27 different commands--ideas that stemmed by showing test subjects a set of commands and asking them to do the most logical gesture. Those that were popular among multiple people were the ones the researchers said made the most sense.

Microsoft seeks the right touch for Surface

While much of the attention on multitouch surrounds what devices the interface will next find its way onto, Microsoft is also looking at how to improve the gestures themselves.

At a computer interface conference in Boston, Microsoft is presenting ideas for how to perform 27 different commands--ideas that stemmed by showing test subjects a set of commands and asking them to do the most logical gesture. Those that were popular among multiple people were the ones the researchers said made the most sense.

Microsoft seeks the right touch for Surface

While much of the attention on multitouch surrounds what devices the interface will next find its way onto, Microsoft is also looking at how to improve the gestures themselves.

At a computer interface conference in Boston, Microsoft is presenting ideas for how to perform 27 different commands--ideas that stemmed by showing test subjects a set of commands and asking them to do the most logical gesture. Those that were popular among multiple people were the ones the researchers said made the most sense.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Gore: Wireless access to info means power

LAS VEGAS--Former Vice President Al Gore sought to link the democratic effects of information sharing with the growth of the wireless industry as the solution to all of life's problems.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Scientists use virus to build a better battery

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated how a genetically modified virus can be used to construct both the cathode and anode of a lithium-ion battery.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Gore: Wireless access to info means power

LAS VEGAS--Former Vice President Al Gore sought to link the democratic effects of information sharing with the growth of the wireless industry as the solution to all of life's problems.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Gore: Wireless access to info means power

LAS VEGAS--Former Vice President Al Gore sought to link the democratic effects of information sharing with the growth of the wireless industry as the solution to all of life's problems.

Gore: Wireless access to info means power

LAS VEGAS--Former Vice President Al Gore sought to link the democratic effects of information sharing with the growth of the wireless industry as the solution to all of life's problems.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Web 2.0 disruptive, but necessary to business

Once cool, hip tools for the young, social-networking sites and other Web 2.0 applications are fast becoming essential business tools that can help drive productivity and reduce communication costs. However, they also carry inherent security risks that may be overlooked by enterprises.

Competitive advantage can be gained by businesses looking to improve work processes through new technology such as those provided by Web 2.0 tools. However, in order to realize these benefits, companies must be prepared to restructure, said Andrew Walls, Gartner's research director of security, risk and privacy.

Gore: Wireless access to info means power

LAS VEGAS--Former Vice President Al Gore sought to link the democratic effects of information sharing with the growth of the wireless industry as the solution to all of life's problems.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Gore: Wireless access to info means power

LAS VEGAS--Former Vice President Al Gore sought to link the democratic effects of information sharing with the growth of the wireless industry as the solution to all of life's problems.

Intel ships Moblin to the Linux Foundation

On Thursday, the non-profit Linux Foundation (LF) announced that it was going to host the Moblin project which aims to develop mobile Linux-based applications.

Moblin was a project under development by Intel which has effectively handed control over to the Linux Foundation. The Moblin project "will be supported by the LF", the Foundation said in a statement.

"This is a departure for Intel, Jim Zemlin, the executive director of the Linux Foundation told the New York Times. This is a company that has the resources and internal staff to create innovative technology on their own. They obviously see Moblin as a strategic platform.

Ten ways to make your boss love you - and save your job

No matter where you happen to be perched on the IT career tree, the branches are probably looking shaky right now. From chief information officers to IT admin staff, the days of taking continued employment for granted are over.

When it comes to job performance, the recession has ratcheted up levels of scrutiny tenfold. That means managers will be measured more closely then before on how their team is performing and will want rid of anyone who reflects badly on them. No matter how good your relationship is with your boss, they are unlikely to put friendship above their own continued existence in the company.

Verizon promises 4G wireless for rural America

LAS VEGAS--The new 4G wireless broadband network that Verizon Wireless plans to launch in 2010 could be rural America's answer to its broadband access prayers. But extending the network to every nook and cranny in the U.S. will likely take years.

Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Verizon Wireless, said during an interview at the CTIA Wireless 2009 tradeshow here Wednesday that the new 4G network that the company is building will blanket the entire continental United States, including the far corners of rural America.

Ten ways to make your boss love you - and save your job

No matter where you happen to be perched on the IT career tree, the branches are probably looking shaky right now. From chief information officers to IT admin staff, the days of taking continued employment for granted are over.

When it comes to job performance, the recession has ratcheted up levels of scrutiny tenfold. That means managers will be measured more closely then before on how their team is performing and will want rid of anyone who reflects badly on them. No matter how good your relationship is with your boss, they are unlikely to put friendship above their own continued existence in the company.

Ten ways to make your boss love you - and save your job

No matter where you happen to be perched on the IT career tree, the branches are probably looking shaky right now. From chief information officers to IT admin staff, the days of taking continued employment for granted are over.

When it comes to job performance, the recession has ratcheted up levels of scrutiny tenfold. That means managers will be measured more closely then before on how their team is performing and will want rid of anyone who reflects badly on them. No matter how good your relationship is with your boss, they are unlikely to put friendship above their own continued existence in the company.

Ten ways to make your boss love you - and save your job

No matter where you happen to be perched on the IT career tree, the branches are probably looking shaky right now. From chief information officers to IT admin staff, the days of taking continued employment for granted are over.

When it comes to job performance, the recession has ratcheted up levels of scrutiny tenfold. That means managers will be measured more closely then before on how their team is performing and will want rid of anyone who reflects badly on them. No matter how good your relationship is with your boss, they are unlikely to put friendship above their own continued existence in the company.

Verizon promises 4G wireless for rural America

LAS VEGAS--The new 4G wireless broadband network that Verizon Wireless plans to launch in 2010 could be rural America's answer to its broadband access prayers. But extending the network to every nook and cranny in the U.S. will likely take years.

Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Verizon Wireless, said during an interview at the CTIA Wireless 2009 tradeshow here Wednesday that the new 4G network that the company is building will blanket the entire continental United States, including the far corners of rural America.

Ten ways to make your boss love you - and save your job

No matter where you happen to be perched on the IT career tree, the branches are probably looking shaky right now. From chief information officers to IT admin staff, the days of taking continued employment for granted are over.

When it comes to job performance, the recession has ratcheted up levels of scrutiny tenfold. That means managers will be measured more closely then before on how their team is performing and will want rid of anyone who reflects badly on them. No matter how good your relationship is with your boss, they are unlikely to put friendship above their own continued existence in the company.

Conficker an April Fool's joke? Maybe not

The Conficker worm variant expected to mobilize on April 1 activated as expected, but did not upload any new malware, according to security companies.

The worm, also known as Downadup, has infected between one million and 15 million machines, according to some estimates. The worm shuts down security services, blocks computers from connecting to security websites and downloads a Trojan.

The Conficker C variant was programmed to connect infected machines to 50,000 domains on Wednesday. The worm was then expected to deliver a malware update to the computers. However, the anticipated threat has failed to materialize.

Verizon promises 4G wireless for rural America

LAS VEGAS--The new 4G wireless broadband network that Verizon Wireless plans to launch in 2010 could be rural America's answer to its broadband access prayers. But extending the network to every nook and cranny in the U.S. will likely take years.

Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Verizon Wireless, said during an interview at the CTIA Wireless 2009 tradeshow here Wednesday that the new 4G network that the company is building will blanket the entire continental United States, including the far corners of rural America.

Conficker an April Fool's joke? Maybe not

The Conficker worm variant expected to mobilize on April 1 activated as expected, but did not upload any new malware, according to security companies.

The worm, also known as Downadup, has infected between one million and 15 million machines, according to some estimates. The worm shuts down security services, blocks computers from connecting to security websites and downloads a Trojan.

The Conficker C variant was programmed to connect infected machines to 50,000 domains on Wednesday. The worm was then expected to deliver a malware update to the computers. However, the anticipated threat has failed to materialize.

Conficker an April Fool's joke? Maybe not

The Conficker worm variant expected to mobilize on April 1 activated as expected, but did not upload any new malware, according to security companies.

The worm, also known as Downadup, has infected between one million and 15 million machines, according to some estimates. The worm shuts down security services, blocks computers from connecting to security websites and downloads a Trojan.

The Conficker C variant was programmed to connect infected machines to 50,000 domains on Wednesday. The worm was then expected to deliver a malware update to the computers. However, the anticipated threat has failed to materialize.

Cloud Security Alliance set to launch at RSA

A trade organization dedicated to cloud-computing security has been announced.

The Cloud Security Alliance, whose founding members include eBay, PGP Corporation and Qualys, is seeking to promote the best ways to secure cloud computing and outline how to use cloud computing for the protection of other types of computing.

"The very nature of how businesses use information technology is being transformed by the 'on-demand' cloud-computing model," Dave Cullinane, chief information security officer for eBay, said in a statement. "It is imperative that information security leaders are engaged at this early stage to help assure that the rapid adoption of cloud computing builds in information-security best practices without impeding business."

Apps to dominate CTIA Wireless 2009

We've barely unpacked our bags from GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, and we're on the road again to Las Vegas for CTIA Wireless, the U.S. tradeshow and conference held every spring where the biggest and most influential players in the U.S. mobile market gather.

Conficker tracking - all's quiet, so far

April 1, 6:35 a.m. PDT: McAfee says its Avert Labs is seeing Conficker-infected hosts attempting to call their "master" to get instructions, but those calls are not getting through. "This could be deliberate and the infected hosts may try again later, perhaps over the weekend when people aren't watching as closely," McAfee spokesman Joris Evers says. Hear more on this podcast. And for more technical details on what the worm is doing, McAfee Avert Labs has an updated blog posting.