Microsoft

In an effort to boost sales of Windows, Microsoft has its sights set on its nearest competitor.

But it's not Linux. And sorry, Apple Computer fans, it's not the Mac.

Microsoft has stated that next week's monthly dose of security bulletins and patches will be among its biggest ever.

According to the Advance Notification service, which pre-announces upcoming patches but limits the information disclosed, next Tuesday's roundup will include 13 security bulletins, at least three of which will be marked "Critical," the Redmond, Wash.-based developer's most dire warning.

Microsoft downplayed the significance of a reported flaw in its latest update to Windows XP.

Responding to a Russian security company's claim that it found a way to beat a protective element of Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2, the software giant on Tuesday said it does not believe the issue represents a vulnerability. In fact, the company said the technology highlighted by Moscow-based Positive Technologies was never meant to be "foolproof" and added that the reported flaw does not, by itself, put consumers at risk.

Microsoft Corp. will not unveil the next generation of its Xbox video game console at the Game Developers Conference in March, the company said on Monday.

Citing a conversation with Microsoft management, American Technology Research analyst P.J. McNealy said the company was more likely to take the wraps off its new console in May at the broader Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed McNealy's report that the new Xbox would not be shown off at GDC.

Microsoft will integrate the Belgian eID Card with MSN Messenger. Microsoft's Bill Gates and Belgian State Secretary for e-government Peter Vanvelthoven announced the alliance today in Brussels. "We're working to ensure that our technologies support e-ID, to help make online transactions and communications more secure," Gates said. eID stands for Electronic Identity Card. The card contains an electronic chip and gradually will replace the existing ID card system in Belgium. By end-2005, over 3 million eID cards will be distributed in the country.

In reporting its second-quarter financial results Thursday, Microsoft said revenue at its Server and Tools division, which caters to business customers, grew 18 percent year over year. Licenses sales of Windows server, which competes head-to-head with open-source software Linux and other server operating systems, grew 17 percent year over year.

Microsoft recently announced its latest ploy to extort more money from the public and further strengthen their software monopoly: they want to make you pay for a legal copy of Windows before you get any OS add-on features or updates. To make matters worse, they are even extending this restriction to security updates, potentially placing millions of software pirates and their families at risk. At least that's the way that some people see it.

Microsoft have agreed to change the name of "Windows XP Reduced Media Edition."

The European Commission have asked Microsoft to rename the media free edition after fears that the name would discourage people from purchasing the edition. The name is now unknown and Microsoft and EU officials are working together to come to an agreement on the new editions naming scheme.

A Russian security company claims it found a way to beat a security measure in Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2, a major update aimed at securing customers' PCs.

Microsoft is leaving its options open on charging for full versions of anti-spyware and virus disinfection tools. Speaking in London yesterday, Detlef Eckert, chief security adviser for Microsoft EMEA, revealed there will be a second beta of Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware application. However, the company remains unsure how the product will evolve from then on. "It could evolve into a consumer or enterprise product. There could be a basic and plus version," he said.