Microsoft sued over its Genuine Advantage Tool

Microsoft is facing a class action suit over its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool that gathers data on users computers to detect pirated copies of its Windows.

The WGA program collects hardware and software data and sends it to Microsoft. The stored information is then used to warn of possible piracy violations.

The suit against Microsoft contends the company mislead users in delivering WGA to computers, masking it under batches of monthly updates that often include critical security patches.

Microsoft has blocked downloads of free tools such as Windows Defender but has allowed security patches for computers suspected of running pirated software.

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Google takes a stab at online payments

Google will launch a new service called Google Checkout which promises online sellers an easy way to add a checkout to their sites and can be used in addition to other options such as PayPal.

It will eliminate the need for consumers to resubmit data such as shipping and credit card information with each purchase.

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Intel releases new Woodcrest processor

Intel released its newest dual core Xeon processor, code named Woodcrest and labeled the 5100 series in hopes to stay ahead of AMD.

The new processor is targeted at the server market with a design that focuses on power efficiency. The chip offers a 40 percent power reduction while providing performance improvements of up to 135%.

Woodcrest offersspeeds of up to 3.0 GHz and a 1333 MHz front side bus. The 5100 series Xeons will run between $209 to $851.

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Microsoft plans to take over the telecommunications world next

Microsoft is looking to combine desktop computers with office and mobile phones, a combination known as unified communications.

Microsoft's products will connect its Exchange Server e-mail system with Internet based PBX systems, as well as traditional systems and will make it possible to view voice mail within Outlooks inbox.

The programs will also perform sophisticated functions linking desktop and cellular phones to desktop and server computers.

Microsoft will have to compete with IBM and open source manufacturer Asterisk for this technology.

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Toshiba ready to launch the first HD DVD recorder

Toshiba has already debuted the world's first HD DVD player in March.

Toshiba is a leading proponent of HD DVD optical disk technology and they competing with the Blu-ray standard promoted by Sony.

The new player will cost you around $3,466.

At the core of drives are blue lasers, which have a shorter wavelength than the red lasers currently in use, enabling disks to store data at the higher densities needed for high-definition movies and TV.

The new Toshiba drive is capable of storing up to 130 hours of high def digital programs.

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IBM tests a 500 Ghz chip

IBM said it was able to achieve frequencies above 500 GHz by "cryogenically freezing" the chip.

Using liquid helium, they were able to cool the circuits to 451 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

IBM said that silicon-germanium is likely to achieve even higher speeds, and may possibly to be able to reach 1 THz (1000 GHz) at room temperature.

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Euorpean countries want iPod songs to play on other music players

Consumer agencies in Norway, Sweden and Denmark are pressuring Apple to open its iTunes Music Store so that its songs could be played on other portable music devices besides iPod.

The agencies could seek injunctions against Apple, banning iTunes from their markets.

A French National Assembly proposal would force Apple and others to share their copy protection technologies so that competitors could offer music players and online stores that are compatible with theirs.

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Bill Gates giving up chief software architect position

Bill Gates announced on Thursday that he will gradually relinquish his current role while remaining a full time employee for the next two years. After that he will become a part time employee and chairman.

Microsoft's Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will assume the role of chief software architect right away.

Gates decided that wants to devote his attention to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which helps needy people around the world.

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New virus attacks Yahoo E-mail

There is a new virus called the Yamanner worm that exploits a Javascript vulnerability in Yahoo E-mail.

The Yamanner worm targets all versions of Yahoo Webmail except the latest beta version. Yahoo Mail users might be able to protect themselves by upgrading to the latest test version.

The worms sends itself to users with the subject header New Graphic Site. Once the mail is opened, the computer becomes infected and the worm spreads itself to other users on the Yahoo e-mail address list.

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New Windows Vista Beta available for download

Microsoft had just released its first public trial version of its new Windows operating system, Vista to the public. It's called Windows Vista Beta 2 and you can download it and try it out.

It is one of six of the future releases of the latest version of Windows.

Only download this if you have a fast internet connection since it is 3 gigabytes in size. And if you are not good with computers including troubleshooting this may not be for you.

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Firefox web browser having security issues

Mozilla recently issued an update for their Firefox web browser to repair about a dozen security vulnerabilities in Version 1.5, bringing the total to 43 so far this year.

There is a new version of the web browser available for download that includes the fixes for the security issues of which some are considered critcal.

Firefox now has nearly 200 million users or about 10 percent of the browser market covered.

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Symantec will compete with Microsoft for consumers' security business

Symantec will offer its new Norton 360 security software to compete with Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare service.

Norton 360 will include antivirus, antispyware, antiphishing, and antikeylogger protection, as well as a firewall, PC tuneup utilities, backup, and Web site authentication tools.

Symantec says that the new Norton 360 will be released before the end of the company's fiscal year in March 31, 2007.

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