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Platinax Internet >> Platinax Internet News
February 16, 2005Internet Explorer 7Microsoft have issued a press release declaring that a beta-version of Internet Explorer 7 will be available this summer. Outlinging their ideas in Gates Highlights Progress on Security, Outlines Next Steps for Continued Innovation, it admits to security failings but seeks to address them. The IEblog at MSN tries to provide more information in IE7.
Posted by brian_turner at 09:27 AM February 01, 2005Microsoft launch new searchMicrosoft officially launched MSN search late yesterday, bringing a new dynamic to the fore of internet search. Microsoft, via it's MSN service, had originally relied on third-party technology by Yahoo! to provide their search results. However, now MSN are openly using their own technology for producing search results, as part of a search engine project that has been 21 months in development. Although MSN have probably been introducing some of their results into mainstream search returns, before last night's official release, the stage is now set for a direct confrontation with Google. The fact that Google has been punishing newer sites with its Google Sandbox might reflect badly in its relevancy, by comparison to MSN. Microsoft launched with a public letter from Bill Gates on a redesigned MSN homepage, with full integration in at least 25 countries. A massive marketing campaign is now expected as Microsoft demonstrates its corporate muscle power behind the search technology, which also integrates over 40,000 Encarta articles. Posted by brian_turner at 09:43 AM | TrackBack December 31, 2004eBay drops Microsoft NET passportIn a move that sees Microsoft's proprietary Microsoft NET passport left for use only on its own sites, and those of close partners, online retail giant ebay has disallowed access via the service. Announcing that it would no longer be allowing users to sign in with a Microsoft Passport, users of eBay will only be able to use their eBay login. According to eBay, support for Microsoft passport will be dropped in late January. The move effectively announces the failure of Microsoft to fulfill it's vision of using the Microsoft NET Passport a central feature of personal and financial information on the internet. Aside from privacy concerns and technical glitches, the revelations last year that the data acquired was not even securely stored has helped move companies away from utilising the service. Posted by brian_turner at 12:59 PM | TrackBack December 23, 2004MSN release search WikiAs reported in the MSN search blog, MSN have launched a Wiki to support their general attack on search markets, not least web and desktop search. Named the MSN searchfeedback Wiki, it lists major areas of intended discussion as Web Search, Desktop Search, and Site Owners. The Wiki is set up as part of Microsoft's Channel 9 project. As a few points of note:
Posted by brian_turner at 01:59 PM | TrackBack December 22, 2004Microsoft loses European Comission fightMicrosoft has lost it's fight so far with the European Commission in Europe's biggest ever anti-trust case, totalling 497m euros (��331m; $613m). Microsoft had appealed that punitive demands of the EC would cause "irreparable damage" were entirely dismissed by the European Court of First Instance, second only to the European Court of Justice in terms of legal authority in Europe. As of January 2005, Microsoft cannot release versions of Windows operating systems bundled with the Windows Media Player - a flasgship enterprise of the Windows XP operating system. Microsoft has also been ordered to reveal sections of code to allow third parties to develop additional media applications for Windows. According to: Brussels blow to Microsoft upheld
In Microsoft readies scaled-back Windows, CNet further reports on the press conference Microsoft held, in which Microsoft group product manager, Matt Pilla, complained that European comsumers would be getting less value for their product. After all, In addition to lacking a copy of Windows Media Player, the new version of Windows won't be able to do things like play a CD or MP3 file or transfer music to a portable device--at least not without additional software from another company. Although it's easy to be sympathetic to the EU consumer, who will now have to make a decision regarding their choice of media player, anybody familiar with Microsoft as a company will be well aware that the European Commission's concerns of abuse of monopoly are a well-known Microsoft tactic. Posted by brian_turner at 03:50 PM | TrackBack December 14, 2004Microsoft search suite: Desktop, Toolbar, and...Beta?Microsoft finally opened it's doors to search, with the release of it's beta search suite, which incorporates desktop search, updates the original toolbar, and offers toolbar search for Outlook as well. According to the press release at Microsoft: Microsoft Introduces MSN Toolbar Suite Beta With Desktop Search :
Gary Price at Search Engine Watch adds to the release, by noting in Microsoft's "Broader" Search Strategy that a preview of Messenger 7 also includes a search box (as does Yahoo!'s messenger):
MSNBC also covers the main story with more vivid coverage in For Softies, Search Is the New Black, with a nod to the fact that Bill Gates apparently doesn't like the attention that Google gets instead of Microsoft: Bill Gates has a Google thing. When I asked him about the search competition last summer, he turned on the sarcasm. "We'll never be as cool as them. Every conference you go to, there they are dressed in black, and no one is cooler!" Clearly Gates's dander was up, not only because the Google upstarts were eating his lunch, but they were press darlings as well. Behind the rant was a taunting subtext: watch me. Bill, you see, had been busy figuring how to get his lunch back. All sounds great - but the only thing that nags me is...is it all Firefox compatible? :) (NOTE: Copernic's Desktop search is now apparently Firefox friendly: Copernic Releases Firefox-Supportin' Copernic Desktop Search) More seriously, though: Do we yet have a confirmed release of the MSN Search Beta? Posted by brian_turner at 01:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack December 09, 2004Windows Server "R2": due October 2005According to an article at Betanews, beta-testing of the new Windows Server platform, currently running under the title of "R2", came with information of a target release date of October 2005. Which means December 2005. Or January 2006. Or...
Posted by brian_turner at 10:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack November 30, 2004Microsoft to give dividendApparently, Microsoft has been holding back on dividend payments to shareholders over the past few years. However, in a possible attempt to reinvigorate the company, after share price lows to below $30 a share this August, Microsoft will drop a $33 billion on their shareholders - resulting in a $3 dividend per share. Market analysts predict that some of this money is certain to be reinvested in Microsoft stock - which will no doubt help buoy the company share price. However, predictions are also being made on a general increase in share price over 2005 as news of the release of Longhorn becomes a more gradual reality. However, it's certainly worth considering that any rise in share price next year is going to be tempered. This not least by punctuations of bad news on the development frontm if Longhorn is further delayed - possibly by update projects on IE, to try and prevent loss of browser market share to Firefox - especially when browsers and their toolbars have become of the major battle lines of the Search Engine Wars. The slow but sure march to Open Source in Western business and government, plus it's possible conquest of the developing world, could also put a real damper on Longhorn's release. I've also speculated elsewhere on the future possibility of Google patronising a Linux distribution, to help take the Search Engine Wars closer to home, and capture the advertising market at the consumer before they've even log online. Anyway, more on the dividends story here at CNN: Microsoft's $33B holiday gift. Posted by brian_turner at 10:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack November 28, 2004Government IT failure was Windows NT to XP upgradeAccording to reports at Slashdot, the massive computer crash at the Department of Work and Pensions - which wiped out over 80% of the department's computers, and is probably the largest departmental crash in UK government history - was apparently caused by trying to upgrade the network from Windows NT to Windows XP. According to a quick Q&A of the story at the BBC: Q&A: Benefit computer crash, the DWP faces further criticism, because it apparently: spent ��413m on external management and technical support, including consultants, advisers, accounts and lawyers in 2003/04 It continues the problems that government departments have had running Windows systems - and surely will do nothing to stop the escalating damage to Microsoft as a developer who can deliver on reliability as well as security. Posted by brian_turner at 10:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack November 18, 2004Microsoft attacks Linux in the developing worldMicrosoft Chief Executive Office, Steve Ballmer, speaking at a meeting of Microsoft's Asian Government Leaders Forum in Singapore, claimed that Linux violated at least 228 patents - and warned that developing countries that embrace Linux could face could face massive liabilities on intellectual property rights claims. Primarily behind the claims is US company SCO, which has claimed intellectual rights to areas of Linux code - but in a case already dragging, SCO has failed to offer public proofs and is reported to be losing backers. Steve Ballmer also rubbished claims of Microsoft's security record, insisting that where something is broken, Microsoft will fix it - which it has to be said, runs counter from my own experience of life with Microsoft XP after Service Pack 2. The aggressive approach of Microsoft is very much in part to major losses to Linux, which harms Microsoft's distribution further. According to a BBC report: Microsoft 'warns of Linux claims' Singapore's Ministry of Defence recently switched 20,000 of its personal computers from Microsoft's operating platform to open-source software. A recent UK government report has already recommended substantial savings if departments moved to Linux, and government agencies in France and Germany have already started using free Linux distrubitions. What'll be interesting to see is whether The Microsoft XP SP2 update, which apprently crippled 10% of business computers running the install, will hasten the increase in use of Linux distributions.
Posted by brian_turner at 02:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack October 22, 2004Microsoft IstanbulMicrosoft continues to try and strengthen it's product ranges in the commercial sector, by improving corporate instant messaging that synchornises with Outlook, not least the calendar and scheduling information. Currently code-named "Istanbul", it will only run if installed with LCS 2005, which allows the instant messaenging clients of Yahoo!, AOL, as well as Microsoft, to all work together. As reported here: New life for Microsoft's enterprise IM Microsoft on Tuesday announced enhancements to its corporate instant-messaging service that will weave in features commonly found in the company's Outlook email software.
Posted by brian_turner at 01:18 PM | Comments (0) September 28, 2004Microsoft offer Wiki to open sourceFrom CNet News: "Microsoft said Monday that it is dipping a third toe into the open-source waters, adding a collaborative creation program to the list of Microsoft efforts that the company is freely sharing. Microsoft has a chequered past history with open source, withdrawnig from various UN groups for pushing open source over Microsoft products, else were being pushed to offer more to open source development. It's interesting to note the CNET News article also mentions that Microsoft has also opened up parts of its Office code for Governments and Universities. Posted by brian_turner at 06:09 PM | Comments (0) Hotmail charges for OutlookToday it was announced that Microsoft's Hotmail e-mail service would no longer allow free download of Hotmail e-mails to Outlook Express, or other e-mail clients. Apparently up to 18 million users could be affected, but Microsoft chiefs insist that the move is necessary to fight abuse of their free e-mail service, and their general strategy against spam. the story is well-covered here: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39167937,00.htm Posted by brian_turner at 04:26 PM | Comments (0) |
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