Red Hat reports a profit and a purchase

<font size="3">Red Hat reports a profit and a purchase</font>

update Red Hat's quarterly profit and revenue hit all-time highs, the Linux seller said Thursday, as it announced an agreement to acquire storage specialist Sistina Software for about $31 million in stock.

The Raleigh, N.C.-based company had net income of $4.1 million, or 2 cents per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, which ended Nov. 30. That compared with $214,000 for the year-earlier quarter and matched an average of analyst estimates compiled by First Call.

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BT trials radio broadband

<font size="3">BT trials radio broadband </font>

BT is to trial broadband over the air as part of its effort to bring broadband access to everyone by the end of 2005.

105 triallists from four regions (Ballingry in Fife, Scotland, Pwllheli in Wales, Porthleven in Cornwall and Campsie in Northern Ireland) will test the new technology in the pilot that will last until March of next year.

Full Story: pcpro.co.uk

Microsoft plans Windows 2000 Server retirement

<font size="3">Microsoft plans Windows 2000 Server retirement</font>

From 1 April 2006, Microsoft's Windows 2000 Server family will no longer be available.

The announcement comes eight months after the introduction of Windows Server 2003, the successor to Windows 2000 Server, and almost four years after the Windows 2000 Server launch on 17 February 2000.

Read the rest of the story: here.

Exam for SBS 2003 Goes Live

<font size="3">Exam for SBS 2003 Goes Live
</font>Exam 70-282, aimed at Small Business Server implementers, now available.

Microsoft has released Exam 70-282, Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business on Monday, December 15. According to the exam objective guide (click here), the exam counts as an elective under the MCSE for Windows 2003 track.

Microsoft Learning has released Exam 70-298, Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network, on Monday, December 15. The exam counts as a core exam toward the MCSE on Windows 2003 track and is a prescribed exam for the MCSE: Security on Windows 2003 specialisation.

Full Story: mcpmag.com

Take Steps to Avoid Getting Tricked by Spoof Websites

<font size="3">Take Steps to Avoid Getting Tricked by Spoof Websites </font>

During the hectic holiday season, many shoppers rely on the convenience and speed of shopping online. If you're among them, be sure to use the same level of caution on the Web that you would use at a crowded mall or gift shop. Otherwise you could be taken advantage of by malicious individuals. And unfortunately this year, the holiday shopping season is coinciding with a rise in spoofing on the Web.

Rest of Story: Take Steps to Avoid Getting Tricked by Spoof Websites
News source: Microsoft Support - KB 833786

Security Lockdown Wizard Coming to Windows 2003 in SP1

<font size="3">Security Lockdown Wizard Coming to Windows 2003 in SP1</font>

The security configuration lockdown wizard for Windows Server 2003 that was supposed to be delivered shortly after the operating system shipped has now apparently been pushed into the first service pack.

Read the rest of the story here

Designing Security Exam 70-298

<font size="3">Designing Security Exam Now Available</font>
Security specialization exam 70-298 to be released December 15.

Microsoft Learning has released Exam 70-298, Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network, on Monday, December 15. The exam counts as a core exam toward the MCSE on Windows 2003 track and is a prescribed exam for the MCSE: Security on Windows 2003 specialisation.

Full Story: mcpmag.com

Microsoft to cut swastikas from software

<font size="3">Microsoft to cut swastikas from software
</font>
Microsoft Corp. said on Friday that its latest version of Office software inadvertently contained a font featuring two swastikas, and said it would offer tools to remove and replace the offending characters from the program.

The swastika, which was made infamous by Nazi Germany, was included in Microsoft's "Bookshelf Symbol 7" font. That font was derived from a Japanese font set, said Microsoft Office product manager Simon Marks.

"It was discovered by one of our customers a couple weeks ago," Marks said, adding that there was "no indication of malicious intent."

News source: CNN

Internet auction hacker busted for fraud

<font size="3">Internet auction hacker busted for fraud</font>

OSAKA -- A man who hacked into the account of an Internet auction site user, then swindled money from a victim by pretending to sell an expensive plasma television has been arrested, police said.

Read the rest of the story: here

Anti-spam law critics predict failure

<font size="3">Anti-spam law critics predict failure</font>
EU directive will be crippled by countries failing to comply, warn anti-spam experts

The new anti-spam directive which came into force 11-12-2003 will not stop unsolicited email, critics have warned. Under the terms of the European Privacy and Communications Directive, businesses sending marketing emails to consumers will have to obtain express permission from the recipient. It will be illegal to send emails or text messages to mobile phones unless companies can prove an existing customer relationship for similar products and services.

Failure to comply could lead to a £5,000 fine for each offence.

News source: vnunet.com