Microsoft Finds Flaw in Server Software

<font size="3">Microsoft Finds Flaw in Server Software</font>

The problem affects all customers who installed SharePoint Services after Nov. 24. SharePoint, which is used to create a company intranet, is included as part of the standard and premium editions of the recently launched Small Business Server 2003 package, which also includes the Windows Server 2003 operating system and Microsoft Exchange e-mail software. The problem prevents SharePoint from installing properly.

Read full article: zdnet.com

Microsoft December Security Update & Webcast Week Previe

<font size="3">Microsoft December Security Update &amp; Webcast Week Preview</font>

On December 9, Microsoft will release its new monthly security bulletins scheme. Each month, after a security patch release, Microsoft's Product Support Services core team will conduct a technical chat to explain the patch and vulnerability and help users understand the impact of the patch in their environments. The next chat will be December 12, 2003. Join [MS] in this webcast for a live discussion of the technical details of the December security bulletins and steps you can take to protect your environment.

December is also TechNet Security Webcast Week. The TechNet Security Webcast Week, the first week of December 2003, spotlights TechNet’s continuing webcast coverage of one of the hottest topics for IT professionals today. The webcasts listed are live webcasts. After each webcast occurs, this page will be updated with...

Flaw in Linux kernel allows attack

<font size="3">Flaw in Linux kernel allows attack</font>

The Debian Project warned on Monday that a flaw in the Linux kernel helped attackers compromise four of the open-source software project's development servers. During several intrusions Nov. 19, the flaw enabled an attacker who already had access to a server to remove the limitations that protected the system from everyday users. The technique is known as a privilege escalation.

Members of the development team found the flaw in September and fixed the latest version of the core Linux software, or kernel. The fix came a bit late, however. The latest version of the kernel, 2.4.23, was released Friday, eight days after the Debian breach. The Debian Project, which uses only truly open-source software in its make-up, stressed that the breaches hadn't affected the project's code base.

"Fortunately, we require developers to sign the upload (software)...

Plastic promises dense data store

<font size="3">Plastic promises dense data store</font>


A common plastic used to keep monitor screens clear of fluff could soon be used as a high-density computer memory.
In the journal Nature, the US researchers behind the discovery say it could let them pack a gigabyte of data into a sugar cube-sized device.

The material is also very cheap to manufacture and data can be written down and read back from it quickly.

The researchers predict that it could take only a few years to turn their discovery into working devices.

Rest of Story : BBC News

PC eye-control for severely disabled

<font size="3">PC eye-control for severely disabled</font>

Award-winning Spanish technology that lets severely disabled people control a computer using eye movement could soon be available in the UK.
The Iriscom, which emulates mouse movement by tracking the iris, is already on sale in Spanish-speaking countries and Portugal. Iriscom moves the mouse pointer by tracking a person's eye movement and mouse clicks are performed by blinking. It also has an on-screen keyboard so users can input text.

It can be used by anyone who has control of one eye, including people wearing glasses or contact lenses.


Rest of Story : BBC News

BBC to sell off technology unit

<font size="3">BBC to sell off technology unit</font>

The BBC has announced plans to sell its technology arm, saying the move could save £20-30m a year. The BBC's board of Governors has backed the proposal, which will need government approval. Under the plans, outside firms will be asked to bid for the BBC's technology contract, with the condition that they buy BBC Technology Ltd. Last year the unit, which employs some 1,400 people, provided the BBC with profits and savings totalling £19m.

The move is part of a "self help" order imposed on the broadcaster by the government as part of its 2000 licence fee settlement.

Rest of Story :BBC News

BT to upgrade 21 exchanges for ADSL

<font size="3">BT to upgrade 21 exchanges for ADSL</font>

Another 21 exchanges are to be converted to ADSL after local communities managed to secure enough demand for BT to sit up and take notice.

All the exchanges listed below should be converted to broadband during February next year as part of BT's broadband registration scheme.

MINEHEAD, Somerset
BLEWBURY, Oxfordshire
ILMINSTER, Somerset
EGREMONT, Cumbria
WANBOROUGH, Wiltshire
BAMPTON CASTLE, Oxfordshire
GLASGOW PROVANMILL, Strathclyde
BALDOCK, Hertfordshire
HECKINGTON, Lincolnshire
CARDIGAN, Dyfed
BRYNMAWR, Gwent
SOULBURY, Buckinghamshire
HECKFIELD, Hampshire
FONTMELL MAGNA, Dorset
SHIPDHAM, Norfolk
FARNSFIELD, Nottinghamshire
GREAT BARTON, Suffolk
BURFORD, Oxfordshire
ECKINGTON, Hereford &amp; Worcester
EDINGWORTH, Somerset
MELTHAM, West Yorkshire

Source...

BT Network Problem

BT problem with Broadband today

Just got this info from Tiscali Service Team:

"There is a problem with BT national network affecting all broadband customes across all ISPs. The estimated time of resolve from BT is noon."

Windows 95, 98 get system restore

<font size="3">Windows 95, 98 get system restore </font>

UK-based Waycam Technologies has launched a set of data recovery tools that can add the System Restore facility to older versions of Windows. Waycam Technologies, a Lincolnshire-based security specialist, has launched a set of data recovery tools that protect PCs from accidental or malicious data loss by creating a "protected area" on the system hard drive and using it to record all changes made by the user. Waycam's Goldensoft’s Recovery Series is designed for small businesses and home users who want to add another layer of protection to their data. The system is similar to that provided by Windows XP's System Restore utility, which allows a PC's configuration to be "rolled back" in case a conflict arises, but Waycam's utility can be used with all versions of the Microsoft OS made after Windows 95.

Full Story:...

LA officials call for end to master/slave labels

<font size="3">LA officials call for end to master/slave labels</font>

The computing world's venerable master/slave naming convention has come under fire by Los Angeles county officials who charge that this type of product description is offensive.

A discrimination complaint has been filed with the county's Office of Affirmative Action Compliance after one county worker saw a video recording device with the "slave" and "master" tags, according to Reuters. The complaint was enough to call county officials into action, asking vendors to re-label their gear.

"Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label," Joe Sandoval, division manager of purchasing and contract services, said in a memo sent to County vendors and obtained by Reuters.

"We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify and remove/change...