Dell takes Linux to mainstream.

Dell takes Linux to mainstream.

HARDWARE gaint Dell Computer is to launch a line of of desktop systems running Linux to be sold in Europe by a reseller, broadening alternative offerings to Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows software.

The computers, which are being sold online by Questar of Milan, will ship with Lindows's Linspire operating system — in English or Italian-language versions — and will receive Dell technical support, Questar said.

Full story: here

Microsoft Expands Access to it's Source Code

Microsoft Expands Access to Windows Source Code

Microsoft Corp. has expanded the Source Licensing Program under which its Most Valued Professionals get access to the source code for the Windows operating system.

The Redmond, Wash., company said on Monday that all the MVPs within the Microsoft platforms community and living within the 27 eligible countries worldwide will now be able to access Windows source code at no cost.

The source code provided under the program covers Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and future versions of Windows operating systems, including all released versions, service packs, betas and subsequent releases.

Full Story here

New Beta for Old Windows Exam?

New Beta for Old Windows Exam?

Microsoft to release beta version of 70-291 exam with questions relating to upcoming Windows XP SP2, say sources.

Based on data that appears on the Pearson VUE testing site, Microsoft is expected to release a beta version of the 70-291, Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, which will be available from July 19 to July 27. During the beta period, the exam will be numbered 71-291. According to sources, speculation is that this beta may be a brand new beta with questions relating to features in the upcoming Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Full Story: here

Microsoft to reach 1 billion users by 2010

<img border="0" src="../logos/ms_flag.gif" align="right"><font size="3">Microsoft: Expect 1 Billion-Plus Windows PCs by 2010</font>
The Redmond software vendor says the Windows market is nowhere near saturated.


TORONTO - There are 600 million Windows PCs today, according to Microsoft. But by 2010, there will be more than 1 billion of them, company officials claim.

Will Poole, the head of Microsoft's Windows client business, made these bold predictions here at the annual Microsoft worldwide partner conference in his keynote on Monday morning.

Poole said Microsoft expects the demand to come from enterprises in developed countries, all sizes of companies in developing markets and from OEMs that tailor Windows for specific markets.

Many industry watchers have talked about the Windows desktop market as being a saturated one, with little potential for the huge unit and revenue growth of the past. But that's not the picture Microsoft's painting.

"PC replacements...

Red Hat Announces Architect Cert

Red Hat Announces Architect Cert

Red Hat Certified Engineers (RHCEs) will soon have another level of Red Hat certification to aspire to: Red Hat Certified Architect.

The company announced its plans for this new certification last week, saying that the title is, "designed for experienced Linux system administrators who already have skills at the level of Red Hat's... RHCE credential."

Like the RHCE and the lower-level Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT), the RHCA will focus on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.

Full Story: certcities.com

Internet browser breach defused

Internet browser breach defused

Thanks to Fergal1982 for this article

The Russian web server at the centre of a serious net security problem has been shut down.
When visited by unwitting web users the server exploited loopholes in Microsoft's Internet Explorer and opened a backdoor into compromised PCs.

When first discovered, the security problem prompted experts to tell people to avoid using Internet Explorer.

The problem was judged serious because many trusted websites were innocently sending people to the suspect server.

Full Story: bbc.co.uk

Cisco Launches Storage Specialties

Cisco Launches Storage Specialties

Last week Cisco added two new storage titles to its suite of Qualified Specialist credentials: Cisco Storage Networking Design Specialist and Cisco Storage Networking Support Specialist.

The titles cover Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Directors and Switches, Cisco MDS 9509 Director Switch, Cisco 9216 Fabric Switch, and Cisco MDS 9120 products, the company said.

Full Story: certcities.com

Teleportation breakthrough made

<img border="0" src="../logos/web.gif" align="right"><font size="3">Teleportation breakthrough made</font>

Thanks to Fergal1982 for this article

Scientists have performed successful teleportation on atoms for the first time, the journal Nature reports.
The feat was achieved by two teams of researchers working independently on the problem in the US and Austria.

The ability to transfer key properties of one particle to another without using any physical link has until now only been achieved with laser light.

Experts say being able to do the same with massive particles like atoms could lead to new superfast computers.

This development is a long way from the transporters used by Jean-Luc Picard and Captain Kirk in the famous Star Trek TV series.

Full Story: bbc.co.uk

CompTIA Announces Linux+ Update

<img border="0" src="../logos/comptia.gif" align="right"><font size="3">CompTIA Announces Linux+ Update</font>

This one is a little late, sorry.

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) announced that it will be updating its entry-level, vendor-neutral Linux+ credential, releasing the new exam by "late 2004."

CompTIA characterises the upcoming exam as a "major" upgrade. Detailed objectives for the new exam can be found here.

CompTIA Linux+ Certification Program Manager Yvonne Keith told CertCities.com that changes were based on feedback from subject matter experts, who recommended adding significant security material as well as a documentation section, and de-emphasizing hardware. "We also tried to focus the hardware better...toward Linux," she commented.

New SuSE Cert Launches Worldwide June 21

New SuSE Cert Launches Worldwide June 21
Those interested in become SuSE Certified Linux Professionals (SCLPs) can do so beginning next week, although the exact name of the credential may change in the near future.

According to Novell Spokesperson Bruce Lowry, the SCLP exam (#SL 103) will debut Monday at Prometric testing centers worldwide. Those interested in earning the title must first hold the Linux Professional Institute's two-exam Level I certification, then pass the SL 103 exam.

Full Story: certcities.com