Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
New 52-week high for PIXR. eom
Bootz
Am I missing something here? With the intro of the G5, Apple is obviously going 64-bit.
So why would anyone want to buy any Apple machine -- 15-inch PB included -- that can never go there?
Someone enlighten me.
Before I buy more Chinese portal stocks.
Bootz
steele, welcome back!
Whassa matter? That Dell laptop too big to lug around?
Just joshin'...
But SINA did good while you were out of the country.
Anyway I could interest you in a turnaround at my expense?
Bootz
OT: ljk, that's right: CHU (China Unicom), not CHT (or CHL). But only because it's cheaper.
Bootz
roni, no IIJI here. Still have some ASIA and SINA, though, and am seriously considering some CHU.
Bootz
steele, howzitgoin'?
You must've missed this: the IHub MSFT board is dead as road kill in case you hadn't noticed. (Posts here outnumber you almost six to one and growing.)
Or in the words of Monty Python: deceased, passed away, gone beyond, breathed its last, gone to sleep, etc., etc.
As one of the Sheriffs of Noddingham of same, you'd think you'd be able to do a better job. Eh?
Maybe if you didn't waste your time posting here you could go drum up some interest in Microsoft.
I mean, the GKs do have friends and address lists, don't they? In which case you shouldn't have much trouble stirring up interest over there.
I know Investors Hub would certainly appreciate it if you could ever get that board going.
Failing that, guess you can always post here.
Although, what with 97% of the market, you wouldn't think that would be necessary.
Bootz
PS: What the hey happened to IIJI today? eom
Bootz
ljk, I made a rule like that -- that I would never ever even so much as mention a stock I didn't own, ever never?
If I did, then I revoke it as of today, having mentioned AMD earlier, as well as NTES -- neither of which own I.
However, I do have some SINA still (up over $2 last look), which seems to be trying to move into second place ahead of SOHU and behind NTES.
And a little XING and ASIA.
ASYT and CYMI (you once derided my mention of same over there) have had a good run of late. In fact, I'm tempted to exit both, but haven't done it yet.
Oh, I forget: we can't talk stocks here. Guess I'd better say AAPL before I get deleted.
Bootz
Don't call nickel Shirley! Wow, what happened to NTES? I looked away for a few minutes and it went up four bucks.
Bootz
Looks like AMD is getting all the 64-bit thunder today. Up 86 cents to $8.66.
Bootz
steele, another green day at the office here. Where is everyone, anyway?
Bootz
China blocks foreign software use in gov't
By Staff, CNETAsia
Saturday, August 16 2003 10:49 AM
A new policy by China's governing body the State Council will rule that all ministries have to buy only locally-produced software at the next upgrade cycle.
The move, aimed at breaking the dominance of U.S.-based Microsoft on desktop computers, will eliminate Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office productivity suite from hundreds of thousands of Chinese government computers in a few years' time.
Gao Zhigang, an official with the Procurement Center of the State Council, told reporters that the new policy will be in place by year-end.
At a special congress held to encourage ministries to upgrade to WPS Office 2003, a China-made office productivity suite, Gao said that only hardware pre-installed with domestic operating systems and application software will be purchased by government. Those seeking exceptions will need to submit a special request.
The new policy is expected to increase the number of government officials using domestic-made office software from a third to 100 percent eventually. Gao said that the new policy is meant to support the local software industry and protect state information security.
The new policy will continue till at least until 2010. These protections are standard and are not meant to discriminate against other countries, said the Council. China is a member of the World Trade Organization and it is unclear if the new bans contravene the body's charters.
"The domestic software industry is very insulated. There is poor interaction and partnership with user companies. The increased use of domestic software will make the China software industry more open," said Fei Lin, an official with the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.
The ban comes as part of China's efforts to challenge Western technology. Chinese software company Kingsoft used to take 90 percent of the market with its Chinese word processing tool, but lost nearly all market share to Microsoft Word when the product entered in the early 90s.
Experts say that the WPS system is the only product that will challenge Microsoft Office's dominance of the Chinese market.
In addition to commercial reasons for protecting local software, there are security concerns. China is placing official support behind the Red Flag Linux operating system, which they trust because the open-source code allows officials to see that there are no data spyholes installed by foreign powers. In response, Microsoft has been on a charm offensive, including granting the government inspection rights over Windows source code and creating a new CEO position for Greater China.
Recently, China rejected globally-dominant MPEG for its own audio-video compression standard, known as AVS. China is keen to move its IT infrastructure away from the dominance of Western companies and the fees levied by such firms.
ZDNet China's Zhang Xiaonan contributed to this report.
Bootz
Duke, what would I be hurting about?
I posted a reply to you earlier which the powers that be removed.
I said in same that I would never short MSFT.
Since the powers that be have a harder time deleting legitimate news releases, I occasionally post some here, if for no other reason than to keep things moving along. (Note: Gates has sold two more million shares since my last post, which I haven't mentioned. But I can, if you want me to.)
No hurt here, believe me.
It's as easy as cut and paste.
It's only when you actually try to say something that you get in trouble.
For instance, has anyone on this board NOTICED THAT THERE'S BEEN A BLACKOUT ON THE EAST COAST!?
Apparently not.
Cheers,
Bootz
Bill Gates Sold 1 Million More Microsoft Shares Wednesday
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates sold 1 more million shares of the company's common stock Wednesday, according to a Form 4 filed Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Gates sold the stock for $25.53 to $25.77 a share. After the transaction, he owned 1,166,499,336 shares directly and 428,520 common shares through his wife, the filing said.
Gates has reported selling 17 million shares since July 23.
Shares of Microsoft recently traded at $25.48, down 15 cents.
-By Ben Siegel, Dow Jones Corporate Filings Alert; 202-862-3544
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 15, 2003 13:10 ET (17:10 GMT)
Bootz
Hey, wattage it with all the power outages, anyway? em
Bootz
NBC announced the capture of some high Al Qaeda muckety-muck. em
Bootz
zanny, you're not gonna believe how hilarious this is:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=1320916
Bootz
Apple net sales during the third quarter of 2003 increased 8% or $116 million from the same period in 2002, and increased 4% or $193 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. According to Apple, several factors contributed favorably to the net sales:
Sales of peripherals and other hardware rose $137 million or 93% during the quarter and rose $238 million or 49% for the first nine months of 2003. Apple said the increases are "the result of significant year-over-year increases in quarterly and year-to-date iPod net sales experienced in all of the company's operating segments."
Net sales of software rose $26 million or 41% during the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same quarter in 2002 and rose $73 million or 37% for the first nine months of 2003. "These increases reflect higher net sales of Apple-branded application software, Mac OS X client and server software, and third-party software."
Service and other sales rose $19 million or 33% during the third quarter and $30 million or 17% for the first nine months of 2003. These increases are the result of increases in net sales associated with AppleCare, the iTunes Music Store, and Apple's .Mac Internet service.
Apple's retail segment had net sales of $428 million during the first nine months of 2003, up from $181 million during the same period in 2002, a 136% increase. 2003 third quarter sales rose $82 million or 130% from the same quarter of 2002. During the first nine months of 2003, approximately 44% of the retail segment's net sales came from the sale of Apple-branded and third-party peripherals and software.
"Although total Macintosh unit sales were down 6% during the first nine months of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, unit sales of portable systems have been relatively strong." PowerBook unit sales were up 71% and 43% during the first three and nine months of 2003 versus the same periods in 2002, respectively. iBook unit sales were up 12% and 3% during the first three and nine months of 2003. "Portable systems represented a record high 46% of all Macintosh systems sold during the third quarter of 2003."
On the other hand, Apple said that net sales during the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 were negatively impacted by three notable factors:
Total unit sales of desktops fell 23% and 18% during the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. Unit sales of iMac systems were down 24% during the third quarter of 2003 versus the same quarter in 2002 and were down 15% for the first 9 months of 2003. Apple said that iMac sales have been "negatively affected by the shift in sales away from desktop systems in favor of portables. Also, the current flat panel iMac form factor is in the seventh quarter of its life cycle."
Unit sales of Power Mac systems fell 20% during the quarter and 24% during the first nine months of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. Apple said that "customers continue to delay upgrades of their Power Macintosh systems due to the company's ongoing transition to Mac OS X, customer perception of microprocessor clock speed on overall system performance, and in anticipation of the introduction of Power Mac G5." The company also noted that some were waiting to upgrade to the Mac OS X version QuarkXPress. However, Apple said it "did not experience the anticipated increase in Power Macintosh sales that it expected following the introduction of Adobe's PhotoShop 7 for Mac OS X during 2002."
Apple said it has experienced "ongoing weakness" in its U.S. education channel. Net sales in education during the first nine months of 2003 were down approximately 3% from the same period in 2002. The company "believes weakness in its U.S. education channel has been caused by multiple factors including funding pressures due to weak economic conditions, large budget deficits in many states, and due to increased competition."
Apple said its retail segment lost $6 million during the first nine months of 2003 compared to $18 million during the same period in 2002. Interestingly, Apple said that a portion of the operating expenses associated with certain high profile retail stores (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago) is allocated from the retail segment to corporate marketing expense. "Allocation of these expenses reflects the unique nature of these stores which, given their larger size and extraordinary design elements, function as vehicles for general corporate marketing, corporate sales and marketing events, and brand awareness."
During the third quarter of 2003, Apple said it sold all of its remaining holdings in both ARM and EarthLink, consisting of 278,000 shares of ARM stock for net proceeds of approximately US$295,000, and a gain before taxes of $270,000, and 3,960,000 shares of Earthlink stock for net proceeds of approximately $23 million, and a gain before taxes of $2 million.
Apple recorded total restructuring charges of $27 million during the nine months ended June 28, 2003, including approximately $7.4 million in severance costs, a $5 million charge to write-off deferred compensation, $7.1 million in asset impairments and a $7.3 million charge for lease cancellations.
Research and development costs increased 13% and 9% for the three and nine month periods ending in June of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. Apple noted that it "has historically relied upon innovation to remain competitive."
Apple settled a patent infringement case relating to laser printer technology with Pitney Bowes during the second quarter of 2003 for "an amount that did not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of operations."
As of June 28, 2003, Apple said it had $4.545 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, an increase of $208 million from 2002.
For the fourth quarter of 2003, Apple expects "a high single-digit percentage increase in net sales from the third quarter and a slight sequential increase in quarterly earnings." The company also expects fourth quarter gross margin "to be approximately 100 basis points lower than the third quarter due to lower Mac OS sales and increased manufacturing costs associated with the production rampup of new Power Mac G5 systems." Operating expenses are expected to be $420 million. "This excludes approximately $10 million of software development costs related to development of Mac OS X Panther that the company anticipates capitalizing during the fourth quarter."
Bootz
Bill Gates Sold 1 Million More Microsoft Shares Monday
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates sold 1 more million shares of the company's common stock Monday, according to a Form 4 filed Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Gates sold the stock for $25.58 to $25.85 a share. After the transaction, he owned 1,168,499,336 shares directly and 428,520 common shares through his wife, the filing said.
Gates has reported selling 15 million shares since July 23.
Shares of Microsoft recently traded at $25.62, down 11 cents.
-By Ben Siegel, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-3544
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 13, 2003 12:26 ET (16:26 GMT)
Bootz
=DJ UPDATE: Blaster Worm Cripples PCs, Fixing It Not Easy
(This article updates a story published at 2:36 p.m. EDT)
By Riva Richmond Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--A computer worm that emerged Monday afternoon continued to burrow aggressively through Internet connections Tuesday, crippling hundreds of thousands of machines using Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows 2000 and XP operating systems.
The worm, dubbed Blaster, or LovScan by computer-security companies, takes advantage of a programming flaw that affects nearly all versions of the Windows operating system, but infects only those using 2000 or XP. Microsoft revealed the flaw on July 16 and provided free fixes to customers for download. Government and industry experts have widely expected a worm would surface to exploit the flaw and have urged computer users to download Microsoft's patch (http://www.microsoft.com/security/).
But many corporate technology departments and home users apparently failed to heed those warnings, since the worm has struck computers everywhere around the world.
Symantec Corp. (SYMC), a security software maker, said its DeepSight threat monitoring system has seen infections in about 130,000 Internet-connected computers as of Tuesday afternoon, though that number continues to rise.
"A (North American) machine running XP or 2000 has about a 25 minute life span before it's contacted by this worm," said Alfred Huger, senior director of engineering for Symantec Security Response.
"In relative terms, this one has the most potential (for damage) of any worm we've seen to date," because so many computers run the flawed Microsoft software programs, Huger said. "The saving grace was the worm was written very poorly, so it's slow."
But Blaster is working well enough to cause major problems for Internet users. Though it hasn't managed to slow the broader Internet, it has bogged down smaller networks and become a plague to home users.
Russ Panzer, of Hewlett, N.Y., said his home computer and office laptop got infected late Monday. "I can't stay online long enough to fix it," he said. "It's very frustrating. I've already spent a couple of hours trying to fix this."
Blaster causes infected PCs to issue error warnings, shut down and then mysteriously restart again. After coming back to life, they start scanning the Internet for more vulnerable PCs to infect. The worm is programmed to stage an attack on Microsoft's patching site, www.windowsupdate.com, on Saturday.
The worm uses up so much bandwidth scanning for other machines, that victims have been unable to connect to Microsoft's Web site long enough to download the operating-system fix or to antivirus-companies' Web sites to download tools for eradicating the worm.
Security companies and the Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center, a federally funded group connected to Carnegie Mellon University, Tuesday offered lengthy instructions to these users about how to manually delete the worm from their computers (see below), a step that could buy them enough time before reinfection to download the Microsoft patch.
Microsoft said XP users' first step should be to activate the firewall included in their operating system (instructions at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283673 and below), which will block the worm's communication and give them time to patch and download antivirus software that can eliminate the worm. Windows 2000 users could use any personal firewall they may have to do the same job, namely blocking Internet port 135, the gateway the worm uses to spread.
Antivirus software won't prevent infection from this particular worm because it travels directly from the Internet into the operating system, never triggering a virus scan. As such, all Windows users are urged to apply Microsoft's patch, the only sure way to avoid infection.
As such, fixing the problem is complicated, even for tech-savvy users.
"The world of the PC is totally alien to me, so I felt like a fish out of water," said Preston Alexander, a programmer of mid-range IBM computers who lives in Boston. His home machine is infected because his attempts to install Microsoft's patch before the outbreak failed. "They give it to us common folk, but then to fix it you have to be a rocket scientist."
CERT/CC recommendations for infected users: 1. Physically disconnect the machine from the network by removing phone-cord, cable, DSL, wireless card connectors.
2. Kill the "msblast.exe" process in the Task Manager by following these steps: a) press CTRL-ALT-DELETE, b) click "Task Manager" button, c) select "Processes" tab, d) highlight "msblast.exe", e) click "End Process" button (note that this will bring up a Warning dialog box which a user needs to answer "Yes").
3. Delete any files named "msblast.exe" on the machine by following these steps: a) click on "Start", then "Search", then "Find Files or Folders", b) search for "msblast.exe", c) for each match, right-click and select delete.
4. Disable DCOM on all affected machines by following these steps:
a) Run Dcomcnfg.exe, which is typically accomplished by going to Start, click Run and type "decomcnfg."
If you are running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 perform these additional steps: 1) Click on the "Component Services" node under "Console Root," 2) open the computer's sub-folder, 3) for the local computer, right click on "My Computer" and choose "Properties," or for a remote computer, right click on the "Computers" folder and choose "New" then "Computer." Enter the computer name. Right click on that computer name and choose "Properties."
Then, 1) choose the "Default Properties" tab. 2) select (or clear) the "Enable Distributed COM on this Computer" check box. 3) If you will be setting more properties for the machine, click the "Apply" button to enable (or disable) DCOM. Otherwise, click "OK" to apply the changes and exit Dcomcnfg.exe.
b) Enable the Windows XP firewall, or ICF, by following these steps: 1) In "Control Panel," double-click "Networking and Internet Connections," and then click "Network Connections." 2) Right-click the connection on which you would like to enable ICF, and then click "Properties." 3) On the "Advanced" tab, click the box to select the option to "Protect my computer or network." 4) If you want to enable the use of some applications and services through the firewall, you need to enable them by clicking the "Settings" button, and then selecting the programs, protocols, and services to be enabled for the ICF configuration.
5. Reboot the machine and reconnect to the network.
6. Install the patch from Windows Update at http://www.windowsupdate.com, following any directions there.
7. Read and apply the clean up measures outlined in Microsoft's bulletin at http://microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-026.asp
-By Riva Richmond, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5670; riva.richmond@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 12, 2003 16:48 ET (20:48 GMT)
Bootz
Bill Gates Sold 1 Million More Microsoft Common Shares Friday
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates sold 1 more million shares of the company's common stock last Friday, according to a Form 4 filed Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Gates sold the stock for $25.58 to $25.88 a share. After the transaction, he directly owned 1.17 billion shares and indirectly owned 428,520 common shares through his wife, the filing said.
Gates has reported selling 14 million shares since July 23.
Shares of Microsoft recently traded at $25.57 each, down 4 cents.
-By Ben Siegel, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-3544
Bootz
Feared Windows Worm Starts Attack
Aug 12, 2003 (Internet.com via COMTEX) --
Exploiting what may be the most wide-spread Windows vulnerability ever, a new worm is on the loose, setting up a distributed denial-of-service attack against Microsoft Corp. and fulfilling security experts' ominous predictions.
MSBlaster, as it's been labeled by its author, hit the wild late on Monday and has been spreading fairly quickly across the globe taking advantage of a vulnerability in Microsoft's Windows operating system. But unlike most worms, this one isn't spreading via email. End users don't have to errantly click on a malicious attachment or be drawn in be a devious subject line. MSBlaster, also known as Lovsan and Poza, is distributing itself machine to machine through Port 135.
''Unlike most worms, people don't even know they've got it,'' says Chris Belthoff, a senior security analyst with Sophos, Inc., a security and anti-virus company based in Lynnfield, Mass. ''If your system isn't patched, it's unlikely you would even know you were infected... There's no email. No one has to click on anything. If systems were left unprotected, then the potential for spreading is very high.''
The worm isn't deleting information or wreaking havoc on the infected systems, say security analysts. MSBlaster doesn't even carry a destructive payload. Instead, it's geared to harvest as many vulnerable systems as possible and launch the DDoS attack on the windowsupdate.com Web site starting this Friday. The worm even has a message to Microsoft in its coding: 'billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!'
What analysts are concerned about is the number of vulnerable systems that the worm could infect.
MSBlaster exploits a flaw with the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) process, which controls activities such as file sharing. The flaw enables the attacker to gain full access to the system. The vulnerability itself, which affects Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP machines, affects both servers and desktops, expanding the reach of any exploit that takes advantage of it.
Where the vulnerability affects servers and desktops in such popular operating systems, there are potentially millions of vulnerable computers out there right now. The security industry sent out a widespread warning about two weeks ago, spurring many companies to install the necessary patch, which was available from Microsoft almost a month ago.
But security analysts worry that there are still millions of unpatched machines vulnerable to the new worm.
Dan Ingevaldson, an engineering manager with Altanta-based Internet Security Systems, Inc., says they did some testing within the last few days and found that about 70 percent of systems were still unpatched.
''Just say there are 20 million vulnerable computers,'' says Ingevaldson. ''If you patch 20 percent of them, you're still looking at 16 million vulnerable computers.''
Ingevaldson says they're not exactly sure of the number of vulnerable computers but is confident that it ranges in the millions. By contrast, SQL Slammer, which caused a lot of problems around the world, infected only about 100,000 computers.
''We're talking about a lot more than SQL,'' says Ingevaldson. ''A lot of vulnerabilities exist in Internet Explorer and Outlook, but this is a core piece of the operating system. It's one of the most widespread and serious of the vulnerabilities we've seen. I'm not sure if it's the most widespread, but it's definitely one of the most.''
Regardless of exactly how many computers will be affected, MSBlaster is likely to create a stir, if not serious problems, at Microsoft.
By aiming the DDoS attack at windowsupdate.com, the author of the worm is deliberately trying to make it difficult for IT managers and individual users to download the patch they need to secure their systems against the worm. ''It will focus all the net congestion on that site,'' says Steven Sundermeier, vice president of products and services at Central Command Inc., an anti-virus company based in Medina, Ohio. ''If it spreads enough around the world, it could shut down that site. And if that happens, it will render patching impossible.''
A Microsoft spokesman could not be reached by deadline, but Ingevaldson says he's heard reports that Microsoft has been working on securing their Web site since Monday afternoon.
''I'm sure Microsoft is a seasoned veteran when it comes to defending against DDoS attacks,'' he adds. ''I have heard they're not very worried about the coming attack on Friday. Maybe they know something I don't. They're big and they're very savvy about these kind of things. They've got a lot of muscle and a lot of experience.''
http://www.internet.com
Bootz
Jury Finds Microsoft Infringed Patent
United States, Aug 12, 2003 (Newsbytes via COMTEX) --
A federal court jury yesterday decided that Microsoft Corp. must pay $520.6 million to a Chicago technology entrepreneur and the University of California after deciding that the company's popular Internet-browsing software infringes an existing patent.
The award, one of the largest in a civil case this year, comes as Microsoft faces possible antitrust fines in Europe and more than 30 other patent-infringement suits.
Michael D. Doyle, chief executive of Eolas Technologies Inc., claimed that while he was at the University of California in San Francisco in the early 1990s, he and two other researchers developed the technology that allows a Web browser, such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer, to access interactive features of a Web page.
Those features, such as altering data or viewing objects from different angles, are central to the way Web browsers now operate, particularly enabling online commerce.
The three men filed for a patent in 1994 and were awarded it in 1998. Microsoft's browser came out in 1995 but the suit alleged that Microsoft began using the technology after the patent was filed and used it after the patent was issued. They argued that Microsoft's infringement allowed it to destroy competition from Netscape Communications, which pioneered Web browsing but now has less than 10 percent of the market.
Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler said the company will appeal the verdict, which came in U.S. District Court in Chicago. He said the browser was built upon other technology developed by Microsoft.
Doyle said his firm, which develops technologies to license to other firms and has more software in the patent pipeline, will now be able to expand his business.
Administrators of the University of California, which holds the patent and licensed the technology exclusively to Doyle's company, applauded the decision.
"This verdict is a significant landmark in defining and protecting Internet technology whose benefits literally reach the whole world," James E. Holst, the university's general counsel, said in a statement. "As a public institution that reinvests its licensing revenue in its larger research mission, we are gratified by the jury's recognition that UC and Eolas must be fairly compensated for use of its patented technology."
School officials declined to disclose how the money would be split between Eolas and the university.
The award is one of several recent defeats for major technology firms.
Patent-infringement suits are commonplace, especially in technology. But they rarely succeed in even getting to trial. This year, however, tech powerhouses eBay Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd., which makes the popular BlackBerry mobile e-mail device, have lost similar cases.
Microsoft still faces more than 30 pending cases, while 12 others have been thrown out in the past three years.
One of the most significant cases, filed by Silicon Valley-based InterTrust Technologies Corp., charges that security features in Microsoft's software violate its patents. A judge in California has ruled that the case can proceed to trial, though she has first required the two sides to try to settle.
Reported By TechNews.com, http://www.TechNews.com
Copyright 2003 The Washington Post Company
Bootz
Virtual PC now included in the latest version of Office v X:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/aug03/08-12OfficeRelaunchPR.asp
Bootz
steele, I did not get irate. Nothing in your link can be characterized as irate.
I won't even bother to ask for an apology.
Bootz
With apologies to Roni, it looks like the CPs are off to the races again.
Bootz
chasky, it is a dangerous short, which is why I haven't done it yet. SINA just went green, after being down more than $2 earlier this morning.
Bootz
iPod add-ons:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3000_7-1025145.html
Bootz
AAPL CEO to Appear on CNBC's "Business Center" Today [delayed]
Ridgeland, MS, AUG 07, 2003 (EventX/Knobias.com via COMTEX) --
According to the published guest list on the CNBC website, the CEO of Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ NM : AAPL), Steve Jobs, is scheduled to appear today on CNBC's "Business Center" between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET.
Bootz
OT: Looks like the CPs may have finally run out of steam. CHINA had good news out yesterday and went down. Good news out again today -- and down again.
Not a good omen.
I hate to switch to a short position here, what with Saddam Hussein still uncaptured or unkilled, but it may be time to do just that.
Bootz
THE IMAGE : Cracking the Code of Advertising
United States, Aug 07, 2003 (Newsbytes via COMTEX) --
The Taglines: For Apple's iTunes: "A Whole New Way to Buy Music." For BuyMusic.com: "Get Loaded: Music for the Rest of Us."
The Ads: In May, Apple Computer Inc. launched iTunes, its pay digital-music download site, with a blitz of television and print ads, reportedly spending more than $20 million. A Gibson guitar is iTunes' simple yet powerful icon, appearing throughout the campaign. BuyMusic -- which bills itself as a rival, lower-priced digital-music store for Windows-based PCs -- has co-opted the Apple guitar in a commercial that escalates parody to full frontal assault. A Gibson guitar is shown against a white background, being photographed for an ad. As one character says "That's a wrap" and the set clears, the photographer -- played by Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee -- sneaks up on the $6,000 guitar and smashes it to bits. Take that, Apple! "When you have a revolution, you have bands like the Beatles or the Stones or the Who, who end up smashing guitars," said BuyMusic founder Scott Blum, founder of parent company Buy.com. "It's a great parody to take what [Apple] has done and take it to the next level." Apple had no comment on the BuyMusic ads.
The Strategy: Since the rise of Napster in 1999, the music industry has been fighting online song swapping. The industry claims the practice violates copyright laws and blames it for double-digit decreases in sales of compact discs. Music companies have tried to start their own online services, which charge for music, but consumers have generally reacted with a yawn. Along comes Apple's Steve Jobs, who manages to do what the labels could not: secure the rights from all five major music companies, assemble a 200,000-song catalogue and sell digital tunes in one place for one price -- 99 cents each. So far, iTunes has sold about 7 million songs. The catch: Apple's iTunes service is available only to Mac users -- about 3 percent of the market -- though Jobs promises a Windows version by year-end. BuyMusic, which will spend $40 million on this ad campaign, is attempting to beat Apple to the PC market by selling a Windows-based service, hence the "Music for the Rest of Us" tagline. BuyMusic has a 302,000-song catalogue with prices as low as 79 cents per song. Blum would not say how many songs his service has sold.
The Meaning: Successful businesses need strong icons, and Apple's guitar is the first memorable icon associated with a pay Internet music site. The fact that BuyMusic attacked Apple's guitar is proof of its nascent power. The guitar could be to Apple what the yellow "running man" icon was to AOL as it became the top Internet service. BuyMusic may be latching on to Apple's guitar to generate buzz, but in the long run, Apple's rival will need to create its own Gibson.
Bootz
steelie, that would be Mr. Bootz to you, please.
So you're saying that if someone references a particular QT (or RP) file here or on RB, the only way you can review it for comment (ie, "criticism" & immediate dismissal) is at work?
Since you're self-professedly unable to do so at home?
Just curious.
Bootz
PS: What's wrong with RP, btw? Conflicts with WMP? Though I can't imagine how that could possibly happen.
steele, then I take this to mean that, in the future, you won't be able to comment about how bad a particular file sounds or looks in QuickTime or RealPlayer, having deleted both from your computer?
Hmm, more's the pity.
Given a different bent, you could've been an art critic.
Bootz
EU's Remedies Not As Strict As Microsoft Rivals Wanted
By Marcelo Prince Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--The remedies being sought by European regulators from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) for its alleged antitrust abuses are not as strict as some rivals had sought and some investors had feared.
The potential for a multibillion dollar fine notwithstanding, the European Union's proposed final remedies, which were outlined Wednesday, are unlikely to curb Microsoft's dominance of personal computer software or its forays into new markets, investors and analysts said.
It appears European regulators won't demand that Microsoft reveal its Windows source code, or blue prints, or require more serious changes, such as product divestitures, analysts said.
"We assumed it would not be ... a break-the-company type of agreement, which this doesn't appear to be," said Marty Shagrin, technology analyst at Victory Capital Management, which owned 17 million Microsoft shares at the end of March.
As it wraps up a four-year-old investigation, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said Wednesday the world's largest software company is still engaged in anticompetitive behavior and gave Microsoft a final chance to modify its software and business practices.
The Redmond, Wash., company has two months to respond. Jim Dessler, a Microsoft spokesman, said the company is still examining the EC's statement of objections, but remains open to settlement discussions.
"We take this investigation very seriously and continue to work hard to maintain a dialogue to allow a positive resolution" of the EC's probe, Dessler said. He declined to discuss the remedies in detail.
The EC issued a statement outlining two remedies. First, it wants Microsoft to disclose more technical information to rivals, such as Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUNW), about how its Windows operating system interacts with server computers so they can "compete on a level playing field."
Second, the EC wants Microsoft to separate its media player software from Windows to "ensure that consumers have a fair choice." It can either offer a version of Windows without its media player or a version that also includes competing products, from rivals like Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) and RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK).
Some Microsoft competitors had petitioned the EC to impose stricter penalties. One group pushed for a breakup of the company. Some wanted to force Microsoft to disclose its Windows source code, while others wanted to remove a number of products, including its instant-messaging, e-mail and Web browsing software, from Windows.
However, the EC's proposed remedies are not substantially different from the settlement Microsoft reached with the Department of Justice in its U.S. antitrust case, said Rick Sherlund, software analyst at Goldman Sachs.
"We see nothing (in the proposed remedies) that would be disruptive to (Microsoft's) business and view this as a positive for the stock," Sherlund wrote in a research note. He rates Microsoft at outperform and doesn't own the stock. Goldman Sachs has done investment banking work for Microsoft in the past 12 months.
In 2001, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington upheld a federal court's ruling that Microsoft was a monopoly that had illegally abused its power during the 1990s, curbing competition from rival products. But the appeals court threw out an order that the company be broken apart.
Last year, Microsoft reached a settlement with the Justice Department that largely left the company's market dominance intact. Microsoft agreed to disclose some Windows blueprints to competitors and to allow PC makers to include rival products on new computers, among other concessions.
The European Union may impose a fine of up to 10% of Microsoft's annual sales, or up to $3.2 billion. But it's not clear whether regulators will seek the maximum penalty, analysts said. If it does, Microsoft will have little trouble footing the bill. It has more than $50 billion in cash and investments.
Despite the potential for a large fine, some analysts viewed the EC's latest action favorably. It suggests the prolonged probe is drawing to a close and may free Microsoft to boost its dividend, they said.
The software giant is under pressure from investors who want it to distribute its cash hoard by raising its dividend. Microsoft executives have argued any dividend change must wait until legal risks, including the EC probe and a suit by Sun Microsystems, are resolved.
The EC's proposed remedies "do not on the surface appear to be overly onerous extensions beyond the US remedies," wrote Charles DiBona, analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein in a research note. Once the case is resolved Microsoft will "feel freer to address the issue of its cash, one of the biggest overhangs weighing on the stock."
DiBona rates Microsoft at outperform and doesn't own the stock. Bernstein, a unit of Alliance Capital, doesn't provide investment banking services.
Shares of Microsoft were recently up 12 cents, or 0.5%, to $25.79. Despite a 25% rally in the Nasdaq Composite and 8% rise in the Dow Jones Industrials year to date, Microsoft shares are hovering near where they began 2003.
Bootz
OT: Can't believe the sell off in the CPs today, given that CHINA reported a 3rd quarter net income improvement of 98% from a year ago.
Might be time to exit the sector?
Bootz
Apple Releases DVD Studio Pro 2
CUPERTINO, Calif., Aug 6, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
Apple(R) (Nasdaq: AAPL) today announced that DVD Studio Pro(R) 2, a powerful new application re-designed to simplify professional DVD authoring with a breakthrough user interface, will be available through Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers beginning August 18. Starting today, customers can place their orders at www.apple.com/dvdstudiopro. New features such as Apple-designed fully customizable templates, an innovative menu editor, timeline-based track editing and a new world-class MPEG-2 encoder make DVD Studio Pro 2 a must-have application for every creative professional.
DVD Studio Pro 2 offers unprecedented integration with Final Cut Pro(R) 4, Apple's Emmy award-winning video editing software, and completes Apple's professional suite of software which includes Shake(R) 3, the industry-leading compositing and visual effects software; Soundtrack, the innovative music production tool; and Logic Platinum, the standard in computer-based music production.
"DVD Studio Pro 2 is the breakthrough DVD authoring application that video professionals have been asking for," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Marketing. "Regardless of whether your DVD project is simple or complex, no other professional DVD authoring tool offers the type of advanced capabilities and ease-of-use that DVD Studio Pro 2 does."
DVD Studio Pro 2 features a new user interface so easy to navigate that both Final Cut Pro editors and users of consumer DVD authoring applications, such as Apple's iDVD(TM), can get started right away. DVD Studio Pro 2 provides professionals with a solution that scales from building basic DVDs easily to handling the most advanced projects.
New Apple-designed templates in DVD Studio Pro 2 include a variety of styles, buttons and backgrounds so users can start creating elegant DVDs in a few simple steps. The templates are fully customizable, allowing users to jumpstart their DVD projects with the look of a Hollywood title or to create their own templates from scratch to re-use or share with customers and colleagues.
"DVD Studio Pro 2's wedding templates are exceptionally elegant, exuding the beauty and excitement of the special occasion," said Denis Reggie, wedding photojournalism pioneer. "DVD Studio Pro 2 gives wedding photographers substantial creative freedom, and their clients are guaranteed to receive a brilliant DVD that will last through time."
The innovative new menu editor in DVD Studio Pro 2 provides the tools DVD authors need to create professional-quality menus, while also integrating with popular graphics applications such as Adobe Photoshop. Context-sensitive drop palettes allow users to make otherwise tedious connections in one step, dramatically reducing the work required to make a DVD.
Based on the popular timeline in Final Cut Pro 4, a new timeline-based track editing feature in DVD Studio Pro 2 enables users to work faster and more efficiently with a linear view of clips, audio and other assets. In addition to arranging up to nine video angles, eight audio streams and 32 subtitle streams, DVD Studio Pro 2 users can do basic trimming, merge clips and manage chapter markers in one location.
"DVD Studio Pro 2 delivers a straightforward user interface, outstanding speed and basically everything we need to produce high-quality DVDs," said AJ Pyatak, chief scientist at Outpost Digital. "By coupling Final Cut Pro 4 with DVD Studio Pro 2, we have the ultimate solution to complete a DVD project from beginning to end on one system."
DVD Studio Pro 2 also offers an integrated MPEG-2 encoder that delivers pristine video at low bit rates. Compressor, a batch transcoding tool that comes bundled with both DVD Studio Pro 2 and Final Cut Pro 4, lets users export directly to multiple formats including MPEG-2 for DVD and MPEG-4 for streaming media. A.Pack encodes uncompressed audio into highly compressed Dolby Digital AC-3 streams, which can then be used in DVD Studio Pro 2 for full 5.1-channel surround sound or simply as a compressed 2.0 stereo track.
Pricing & Availability
The English language version of DVD Studio Pro 2 can be ordered today through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com) at a suggested retail price of $499 (US). DVD Studio Pro 2 will be available for purchase through Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers beginning August 18. Localized versions in German, French and Japanese will be available in September. Full system requirements and more information on DVD Studio Pro 2 can be found at www.apple.com/dvdstudiopro .
Bootz
One of iTunes Music Store's biggest strengths is its one-click purchase system. BuyMusic has a similar system, but it requires four, five, or even more clicks to get music.
Once you submit credit card info and read the lengthy licensing disclosures, you get to download tracks. Unlike in iTunes Music Store, which automatically downloads each track into the Purchased Music folder, you've got to click on each BuyMusic download and specify where to save it. So if you've stuck 20 tracks in your shopping cart, you've got to click at least 20 times to download everything. Downloading 13 tracks took two minutes and 30 seconds, not including time between individual downloads.
Advantage: iTunes Music Store
Above from TechTV comparison at:
http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/story/0,23008,3491640,00.html
Bootz
Here's a nice comparison between Buy Music and the iTunes store.
http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/story/0,23008,3491640,00.html
Bootz
From Dvorak's latest column.
"Best-Kept Secret Dept.: There is nothing secret about ZeroConf (for Zero Configuration), an initiative begun in 1999. But few Windows users are aware that Apple has initiated its use, with a scheme called Rendezvous. This is essentially a self-discovery network that combines elements of a Bluetooth piconet and universal plug-and-play capability.
"With Rendezvous running on an 802.11b-enabled Mac laptop, you can enter an area and automatically discover other travelers also using the technology. Although Rendezvous was released in May 2002, Apple has not overpromoted the concept, since it appears to be used mostly as an ad hoc peer-to-peer system for trading music files.
"A friend of mine who travels a lot says that most Mac users, when they get on an airplane, immediately boot their machines to see whether Rendezvous finds any other Macs on the plane. People can exchange files, chat, or whatever. The Windows world has nothing like this. In fact, so-called Zero Configuration Networking was chartered in September 1999 by the Internet Engineering Task Force. The idea was to take two laptops and hook them together and let them figure out how to communicate without a lot of intervention. 802.11 makes the proposition even more interesting."
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1207104,00.asp
Also note the camera review:
"Nice Little Camera Dept.: I got my hands on the newest 4.2-ounce Minolta DiMage Xt camera, which has a 3.2-megapixel CCD. It's quite a stunner as a pocket camera. The way I see it, Minolta got into the digital game late and had to do something different. About the same size as a deck of cards (but lighter), the camera is an engineering marvel. The company actually trimmed size and weight from its previous 2-megapixel model. The 3X optical zoom lens is accomplished with internal prisms.
"With the DiMage Xt, you have no reason not to carry a camera with you all the time. At a street price of less than $400, this camera is everything you'd want in a high-quality, supercompact snapshot camera. My only quibble is that the flash is anemic. Other than that, I highly recommend this little gem. It also takes QuickTime movies with sound. Hot stuff."
Think I'll get me one of them puppies.
Bootz
The Windows world has nothing like this?
From Dvorak's latest column.
"Best-Kept Secret Dept.: There is nothing secret about ZeroConf (for Zero Configuration), an initiative begun in 1999. But few Windows users are aware that Apple has initiated its use, with a scheme called Rendezvous. This is essentially a self-discovery network that combines elements of a Bluetooth piconet and universal plug-and-play capability.
"With Rendezvous running on an 802.11b-enabled Mac laptop, you can enter an area and automatically discover other travelers also using the technology. Although Rendezvous was released in May 2002, Apple has not overpromoted the concept, since it appears to be used mostly as an ad hoc peer-to-peer system for trading music files.
"A friend of mine who travels a lot says that most Mac users, when they get on an airplane, immediately boot their machines to see whether Rendezvous finds any other Macs on the plane. People can exchange files, chat, or whatever. The Windows world has nothing like this. In fact, so-called Zero Configuration Networking was chartered in September 1999 by the Internet Engineering Task Force. The idea was to take two laptops and hook them together and let them figure out how to communicate without a lot of intervention. 802.11 makes the proposition even more interesting."
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1207104,00.asp
Also note the camera review:
"With the DiMage Xt, you have no reason not to carry a camera with you all the time. At a street price of less than $400, this camera is everything you'd want in a high-quality, supercompact snapshot camera. My only quibble is that the flash is anemic. Other than that, I highly recommend this little gem. It also takes QuickTime movies with sound. Hot stuff."
Hmmm, now why would Minolta stick QT into its camera?
Bootz