Gawkwire: Web Hosting and Internet News Resource

Ballmer Ordered to Testify in 'Vista Capable' Case

2008-11-26T12:00:00-05:00

The advertising and marketing company hired to create Apple's commercials poking fun at Microsoft Relevant Products/Services's Vista operating system might get new material to work with. After Microsoft tried to protect its top brass from testifying in a case involving "Windows Vista Capable" PCs, a judge has ordered CEO Steve Ballmer to give a deposition.

In September, Ballmer tried to avoid being pulled into the suit and having to go through the discovery process, but U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman has denied a motion to exclude Ballmer, according to the judge's order posted on SeattlePI.com's blog. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/business/ballmer_ordered_to_testify_in_vista_capable_case.html

Google Wikifies; Build Your Own Results

2008-11-26T09:28:00-05:00

Google has built an empire using its famous PageRank algorithms and other technology to generate search results. Now, it's giving users the option to be more directly involved with results by way of its SearchWiki.

The latest offering from Google lets users customize search result rankings and add comments to results.

In a blog post, Google said SearchWiki might be particularly useful for repeat searches, like a favorite vacation resource site, to make sure it shows up near the top of results for, say, the term "vacation." ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/technology/google_wikifies_build_your_own_results.html

Microsoft feared Mac vs. Vista comparison in '05

2008-11-19T09:43:00-05:00

More than a year before Windows Vista's release -- and long before Apple started poking fun at the operating system -- Microsoft officials were already worried about comparisons between Mac OS X and Vista, insider e-mails disclosed yesterday revealed.

An e-mail thread from October 2005, more than 15 months before Vista debuted, showed that an article in the Wall Street Journal by columnist Walter Mossberg grabbed the attention of managers at Microsoft. In a column headlined What PC to Buy If You Are Planning On a Vista Upgrade, Mossberg spelled out his recommendations for a desktop PC, focusing on the features buyers should keep in mind if they wanted to run Vista when it hit the street. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/business/microsoft_feared_mac_vs_vista_comparison_in_05.html

The Microsoft-Novell Linux deal: Two years later

2008-11-18T09:28:00-05:00

Two years ago this month, Microsoft forged its controversial partnership with Novell that, among other things, had the two companies agreeing not to sue each other over intellectual property issues, in part to protect Suse Linux users over any patent litigation from Microsoft.

Just how well has that deal worked out? That depends on whom you talk to.

Microsoft and Novell paint nothing but a rosy picture of the arrangement. "[Customers] like the idea that Microsoft and Novell are in the same room," says Susan Hauser, Microsoft's general manager for strategic partnerships. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/business/the_microsoft-novell_linux_deal_two_years_later.html

Is an Apple search engine in the works?

2008-11-17T09:57:00-05:00

A story published by tech blog TechCrunch Thursday cites "multiple (if thin) reports" claiming the Mac-maker is developing its own search competitor. The story notes that Apple's Safari browser , which currently commands about 6.5 percent of the browser market, uses Google as its default search engine -- thereby handing off valuable real estate it could be using to its own advantage. While TechCrunch points out that Apple doesn't appear to be hiring search experts, it also notes that "the rumors persist" and many employees at other search companies have reported hearing the same rumblings. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/technology/is_an_apple_search_engine_in_the_works.html

Media Spotlight Scatters a Botnet Host

2008-11-14T09:43:00-05:00

A Web host accused of playing a key role in the world's spam and botnets has been largely yanked from the Internet.

Although ISPs routinely cut off access to sites and Web hosts accused of illegal or disruptive activity, what's unique about this story is that a mainstream media outlet had a hand in bringing down McColo, the U.S.-based Web host in question.

While digging into the company, Brian Krebs at The Washington Post's Security Fix blog prompted two of McColo's largest ISPs to effectively sever it from the Internet. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/web_hosting/media_spotlight_scatters_a_botnet_host.html

Once-Defiant Yahoo Now Wants a Microsoft Takeover

2008-11-08T06:00:00-05:00

In the wake of shattered hopes for an advertising agreement with Google, Yahoo wants Microsoft to rescue it from its financial woes.

Google on Wednesday terminated its agreement with Yahoo following an indication that the Department of Justice would seek to block it. Yahoo was counting on the agreement to accelerate investments in its top business priorities through an infusion of cash. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/business/once-defiant_yahoo_now_wants_a_microsoft_takeover.html

Google Kills Search-Advertising Deal with Yahoo

2008-11-07T12:00:00-05:00

The search-advertising marriage between Google and Yahoo has been called off. A flurry of press releases from the two search-engine giants and the antitrust division of the Department of Justice made it clear that Google wasn't willing to go forward with the deal in the face of possible DOJ action. The whooshing sound you hear is $800 million in ad revenue disappearing from Yahoo's bottom line.

According to a statement by David Drummond, Google's senior vice president for corporate development and chief legal officer, Google continues to believe the deal would be good not just for Google and Yahoo, but for users, advertisers and publishers as well. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/business/google_kills_search-advertising_deal_with_yahoo.html

Researcher Finds iPhone 3G Flaw

2008-11-07T09:19:00-05:00

There is a bug in iPhones and iPods that could enable hackers to crash the devices, according to independent security consultant Piergiorgio Zambrini.

Zambrini said the flaw is in the audio portion of Apple's video format. A malicious program could be crafted that incorporates the bug into a video file and would crash the Apple device when the file is run. The bug does not cause permanent damage, but makes the iPhone or iPod crash and reboot. ... Go to source

http://www.gawkwire.com/technology/researcher_finds_iphone_3g_flaw.html

The Seven Deadliest Social Networking Hacks

2008-11-05T09:28:00-05:00

It started with a stolen Facebook photo attached to an inflammatory profile. It led to online harassment, death threats, and emails to the victims boss questioning the victims character. But an online personal attack against Graham Cluley earlier this year is one example of how easy it is to use a social network to damage the identity of an individual -- or an entire company.

Cluleys case shows just how rapidly social networks can spread a smear campaign or personal attack -- and how it can quickly spread to the victims professional life. Cluley, who is a senior technology consultant with Sophos, recently met another victim who experienced a similar attack on Facebook, Kerry Harvey. He says it was apparently an acquaintance of Harveys who built a phony Kerry Harvey Facebook profile that branded her occupation as a "prostitute," complete with her cellphone number. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/technology/the_seven_deadliest_social_networking_hacks.html

The Key Elements of Self Regulation in the Call Center

2008-11-05T12:00:00-05:00

As many of you know, the American Teleservices Association is creating the first self-regulatory organization for our industry that will incorporate audits and certification. The ATA represents the call centers, trainers, consultants, and equipment suppliers that initiate, facilitate, and generate telephone, Internet, and email sales, service, and support Relevant Products/Services.

Call centers offer traditional and interactive services that support the e-commerce revolution, provide specialized customer service for Fortune 500 companies, and generate annual sales of more than $500 billion. From our original work on the concept of an SRO (Self-Regulatory Organization), we have been focused on creating a long term partnership with the bodies that regulate our industry. In particular, we want to become part of the overall solution for remediation in appropriate cases for the FTC, FCC, and ultimately the States. For this reason, we involved the FTC and the FCC very early in the SRO design process to make certain we were in line with their thinking as well as that of our members. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/business/the_key_elements_of_self_regulation_in_the_call_center.html

What's up with the GNOME Linux Desktop?

2008-11-04T09:26:00-05:00

It takes money and it takes new ideas to build a better desktop, both of which are being raised by the open source GNOME Foundation. GNOME is one of the most popular Linux desktop GUIs and is included in nearly every Linux distribution.

The GNOME Foundation is now getting the official support of both Motorola and Google as sponsors and members of the GNOME Board of Advisors. The new advisors come as GNOME continues to expand the mobile Linux footprint as well as gear up for the next big thing GNOME 3.0. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/technology/what_s_up_with_the_gnome_linux_desktop.html

Worm Exploiting Microsoft Windows Server Spotted

2008-11-04T09:24:00-05:00

A worm designed to exploit the recently patched vulnerability covered in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 has been detected, US-CERT, the government's cybersecurity organization, warned Monday.

Just over a week ago, Microsoft issued MS08-067 as an out-of-band patch to fix a critical flaw that could allow a remote attacker to take over Windows computers without any user interaction. The flaw has to do with the way the Microsoft Windows server service handles Remote Procedure Call requests. ... Go to source http://www.gawkwire.com/web_hosting/worm_exploiting_microsoft_windows_server_spotted.html

Blogs Better at Pushing Product?

2008-11-01T06:00:00-04:00

What do you think has more potential to influence buying decisions online: links in blog posts or a burgeoning social network?

If you chose social network, you would probably be using common sense. If you chose bloggers, you're on to something that Jupiter Research and Web metrics firm BuzzLogic have uncovered in recent research.

For avid blog readers, the links found within posts are the preferred method for retrieving related content from other blogs, Jupiter found. The results of its survey offer some hints for e-commerce and advertising opportunities. ... Go to source

http://www.gawkwire.com/business/blogs_better_at_pushing_product.html