microsoft

Microsoft fixes 14 flaws in 9 patches; 6 are critical

Microsoft today released its August 2007 security bulletin, which includes nine updates: Six are designated as "critical" by the software giant and three are deemed "important." Two patches affect Microsoft products on the Mac, and one affects Windows Vista. All Microsoft security patches for Windows and Office software are available via Microsoft Update or via the individual bulletins detailed below.

MS07-042: CriticalTitled "Vulnerability in Microsoft XML Core Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (936227)" this bulletin affects users of Microsoft XML Core Services in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista; it … Read more

Adobe mulling a move into the Office market?

Wired is suggesting that Adobe Systems may launch a competitor to Microsoft Office. Not only would this not be surprising (though I see little evidence in the article pointing to the presumption), but if anyone were to do it well, it would be Adobe.

The only thing better would be if Adobe, Apple, and OpenOffice could get together. Open source plus two of the most innovative makers of software in the industry...I'm salivating. (In fact, don't you think that it makes a lot of sense for Apple to acquire Adobe, given the similar corporate mentalities/competencies? Me, too.)

From the article:… Read more

Intuit building Quicken Online

Intuit is planning to release a Web-based edition of its leading personal finance application this winter, possibly early in 2008. Quicken Online marks a key transition for a company that has made its bones selling new versions of its boxed software each year.

I've wondered for a while when a big software brand would offer online financial software with some measure of security and a respectable amount of features beyond basic bank account check-ins. The few that I tested late last year were woefully inadequate. Few people seem willing to trust their personal finances with an unknown brand, for … Read more

The best defense is a good offense

Who knew squirrels could be so smart? Apparently, California squirrels are fed up with rattlesnakes and so do what each of us would do under similar circumstances:

Heat up our tails and shake them vigorously at the snakes.

But apparently it isn't just a reflex, because they only do it with rattlesnakes.

Confronted by gopher snakes, which can't sense heat, the squirrels wave their tails vigorously, but don't bother to heat them up.

It makes me wonder why we don't do the same to Microsoft and other would-be predators on open source.… Read more

Siggraph 2007 wrap-up

Here are a final few tidbits from my last day at Siggraph:

Microsoft Research gave a great presentation on HD View, a company project based on capturing, assembling, and displaying multi-gigapixel image. These images are stitched together from hundreds of pictures captured through… Read more

The power of Apple's culture

I spent much of yesterday down at Apple, and while it's no secret that I'm an Apple fan, even I was surprised by how enlightening the experience was. Apple is not Apple because of its technology. Apple is Apple because of the fervor with which its employees believe in the corporate mission.

That fervor was evident in abundance as I ate in the cafeteria, as I walked the halls, and even in the lobby.… Read more

Microsoft's August Patch Tuesday to include nine patches

In a preview of what's to be expected Tuesday, Microsoft said the August Patch Tuesday will include nine patches, six of which it will rate as "critical." The remaining three are considered "important."

The patches will cover the Windows OS, the Microsoft Office suite, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and Windows Virtual PC. Of the six critical patches, one is shared between Windows and Microsoft Office.

It is expected that one or both recent hot fixes to Windows Vista released last week will also be included on Tuesday.

Cloud Storage: Windows Live SkyDrive gets named and updated

Microsoft announced today that they would be renaming their online storage solution, Windows Live Folders, to Windows Live SkyDrive. I wrote about Windows Live Folders back at the end of June when the product was first released into a limited beta if you want a little perspective on this release.

In addition to the announcement today that the final name is Windows Live Folders, Microsoft also pushed out some upgrades to the service. Those include an updated user interface, drag and drop file upload, a "recently viewed users" section, the ability to embed files in web pages or … Read more

Ford releases Sync pricing info

CNET readers were so impressed with Sync, the in-car media application developed by Microsoft for Ford, that they voted it the winner of the People's Voice award for Best of CES 2007. Today Ford released details on how much the people are going to have to fork over to choose Sync on select 2008 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln models: a pretty reasonable $395.

Those who do option up will get one of the most sophisticated media and communications systems available. As we found in our hands-on test, the Sync application, which runs on a Microsoft Auto platform, enables drivers … Read more