WinInfo Daily UPDATE, May 5, 2005

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In the News - Starting Up: Microsoft to License R&D - Pirates, Get Yer Legit Copy of Windows XP Pro Here ==== In the News ==== by Paul Thurrott, [email protected] Starting Up: Microsoft to License R&D Buddy, can you spare some technology? Microsoft announced yesterday that it will begin licensing some of its R&D technology bonanza to startup companies. The idea is to ensure that the huge number of software and hardware inventions that come from Microsoft's 700 researchers make it to market. According to the company, Microsoft simply isn't big enough to do it all. "If we pull this off, if we're able to collaborate effectively [with start-ups], then we can create new companies and new jobs," says the project's senior director David Harnett. To jumpstart the initiative, dubbed Microsoft Intellectual Property Ventures, Microsoft will begin licensing 20 technologies. Microsoft will negotiate the agreements on a case-by-case basis and will retain part ownership in any companies that want to use its technology. Microsoft's move to license its R&D work is interesting. The company says it wants to increase the revenue flow from its patents, and one way to do that is to license them to other companies. Microsoft representatives noted that computer giant IBM has successfully licensed its own patents, generating billions of dollars in revenue as a result. Some technologies that Microsoft will license include:
- Face detection and tracking and natural-language processing for educational courseware
- LaunchTile--a PDA navigation scheme
- BioCert--enables the creation of digitally signed, tamper-proof ID cards that incorporate biometric information
- Xnav--a gesture-based text-input and device-navigation system for games A full list of licensed technologies is available from the Microsoft Web site. http://www.microsoftipventures.com Pirates, Get Yer Legit Copy of Windows XP Pro Here Microsoft alerted me last night that it will modify its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program, which seeks to prevent software piracy by requiring that users validate their Windows copies online when seeking nonsecurity updates from the Microsoft.com Web site. According to a company representative, Microsoft will now offer legitimate versions of Windows XP Professional Edition to US customers who unwittingly purchased illegitimate copies of the OS. As with any deal with the devil, the WGA XP offer comes with some strings attached. For starters, users who want to obtain a legitimate copy of XP Pro are asked to first seek a remedy from the company that sold them the bogus version. If that approach fails, Microsoft requires a proof of purchase, the counterfeit XP CD-ROM, and a detailed accounting of the purchase, including information about the parties who sold the software. Customers can also opt to obtain an electronic key for $150 that transforms their bogus XP copies into legitimate copies. The qualifications for obtaining the key are less strict: Users only need to provide a detailed report and pass an electronic scan that ensures that their Windows versions haven't been tampered with. I was unable to discern whether a user's first-born son would be required as well. The XP replacement program will run through June 30, 2005, according to the company. For those of us stuck with unwittingly pirated versions of XP, it's a deal we simply can't refuse. ==== Events and Resources ==== (A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events ) Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in a City Near You Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now! http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/sqlserverusa/index.cfm?code=0502emailanncs ==== Featured White Paper ==== Configuring Blade Servers for Your Application Needs Blade servers are the evolution of the server market. They pack a lot of function into a small space, conserve power, and are flexible. From setting up storage, configuring a file-and-print server, a Web server, an email server, a database server, or a terminal server, you’ll learn all the tips you need in this free white paper. http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/hp/configuringblade/index.cfm?code=0504emailannc ==== Announcement ==== (from Windows IT Pro and its partners) SQL Server Magazine Gives DBAs and Developers What They Need With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren’t already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe. Act now and save 47% off the cover price, plus get the new Reporting Services poster. http://www.sqlmag.com/rd.cfm?code=mdeu2155wu Reality Check: What to Expect with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Find out whether Windows 2003 SP1 lives up to expectations and what you can gain from deploying it. Michael Otey will review the service pack and answers your questions about Windows Firewall, Data Execution prevention (DEP), boot-time protection, the anxiously awaited Security Configuration Wizard (SCW), and much more. http://www.microsoft.com/communities/chats/default.mspx SQL Server Magazine Gives DBAs and Developers What They Need With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren't already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe. Act now and save 47 percent off the cover price, plus get the new Reporting Services poster. http://www.sqlmag.com/rd.cfm?code=mdeu2155wu ==== Sponsored Links ==== Converting a Microsoft Access Application to Oracle HTML DB Convert MS Access into a Web application for multiple users. Download now! http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;15956147;8214395;r?http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers/oracle/htmlaccess/index.cfm ==== Contact Us ==== About the newsletter -- [email protected]
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