01/01/2007

January 2007 - Partnering for Profitability

Plus: partner strategies for working in an atmosphere of M&As; how to take advantage of technology spending; surviving company politics; a look at Windows Vista, from a partner perspective; more


News

Dell Ousts Rollins, Returns to CEO Role

Michael Dell, founder and chairman, returns to CEO role at Dell; warns of 4Q shortfall


Wow! Vista Finally Here

Gates promises Vista will wow PC buyers.


Report: Microsoft Extends Global Support for XP Home By A Year

Global consumers of XP Home to get extended support past '09, perhaps even longer than 2010.


Some Fraud Resulting From Hacked TJX Data

Bankers association reports that hackers have made fraudulent transactions using hacked TJX customer data.


Microsoft: What's Wrong With Edits?

Microsoft cash offer raises question: What's wrong with accepting money to write on Wikipedia?


Nationwide Insurance Data Stolen

Lockbox with backup tapes containing data on 130,000 Aetna members taken in break-in at insurer's outsourced billing services firm.


Microsoft Extends Service on XP After '09, For Price

On the eve of the consumer launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft Corp. is extending the period in which it will offer support for the previous version, Windows XP.


Microsoft Antitrust Update: Juror Nixed

Juror in Iowa antitrust trial against Microsoft dismissed for undisclosed reasons.


Microsoft in Hot Water for Offering To Pay for Wikipedia Edits

Critics charge that Redmond giant's pay-to-edit approach with online encyclopedia's articles breaks spirit that Wiki community has been built on since inception.


Vista Launch Appears To Be All Business

Quiet surrounding Vista launch highlights changed atmosphere for Microsoft since Windows 95 frenzy.


Microsoft Antitrust Case Lawyers Claim Violation

Microsoft antitrust plaintiffs allege misconduct over lack of API sharing.


Microsoft To Build New Data Center in San Antonio

Microsoft Corp. will build a $550 million data center in San Antonio to house its growing online services.


Clothing Retailer Says Computer Systems Hacked for Customer Data

TJX Cos., operator of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls discount stores, said Wednesday its computer systems were hacked late last year and customer data has been stolen.


DVD Security Group Probes Hack of Copyright Protection Technology

A business group behind copy-protection software for next-generation DVDs was investigating reports that hackers found a way to circumvent its technology.


Microsoft To Offer Vista as Online Download

Microsoft Corp. will make Windows Vista available for sale and download online.


Calif. May Drop Charges Against Investigator in HP Scandal

The state will likely drop criminal charges against an investigator in the Hewlett-Packard Co. boardroom spying scandal because he already pleaded guilty to similar crimes in federal court.


New Spam Trick: Mimic Legit Newsletters

Spammers have tweaked legitimate e-mail and sent them through normal spam channels.


HP Extends Lead Over Dell in PC Market

Hewlett-Packard Co. extended its lead over Dell Inc. in the worldwide personal-computer market in the fourth quarter.


Next Week: Another Beta Exam for Vista Consumer Support

Microsoft expected to put another Vista exam in front of beta testers next week.


Intel Profit Drops 39 Percent, Still Beats Estimates

Intel's Q4 profit plunged 39 percent, reversing a painful price war with much-smaller rival AMD.


'Longhorn' To Be Officially Dubbed...

It's official. Well, sort of. Windows enthusiast site ActiveWin.com reported this week that an unnamed Microsoft official has confirmed the final name for "Longhorn" server.


First Windows Vista Exam Now Live

Exam 70-620 now available, as well as two new-generation exams for SharePoint implementers.


Developers Get Exam Discounts Assist

Microsoft is pushing to get more developers with MCAD and MCSD.NET titles to upgrade their certifications to the new-generation MCPD, by providing discounts on the MCPD upgrade exams.


Investigator Faces Charges in HP Spying Probe

A private investigator who had a role in HP's boardroom spying scandal was charged Wednesday with federal identity theft and conspiracy charges.


Microsoft Patches 4 Holes, 3 Critical

Microsoft Corp. released three security patches for Office and one for Windows on Tuesday, fixing holes that could let an outsider take control of an unwitting victim's computer.


Singaporean Charged for Online Bomb Hoax

A Singapore court charged a man for posting a bomb hoax online while illegally tapping into a wireless Internet network.


Venezuelan Teen Detained in Hacking Case

A 17-year-old has been detained by Venezuelan authorities after hacking into multiple government Web sites.


New Year, New Vista Exam Beta

Microsoft releases another exam for Vista-related MCTS title.


PDFs Vulnerable, Say Security Researchers

Flaw found in Adobe' Acrobat PDF format appears to target IE, Firefox browsers.


Virtual PC 2007 Release Candidate Ships

Microsoft began shipping the release candidate for Virtual PC 2007 this week, putting the virtualization environment on track for final shipment in the first quarter as expected.


1105 Media to Acquire Fawcette Technical Publications

1105 Media, Inc., has acquired the operating assets of Fawcette Technical Publications, Inc., publisher of Visual Studio Magazine and producer of numerous international conferences, including VS Live!


Training: Learning from Afar -- at Your Own Pace

New model spreads training over weeks instead of days.


Partner Perks: Seeking Solutions for the Skills Shortage

Microsoft wields Partner Skills Plus program to address a premiere partner complaint.


Linux Deal: Too Good to Last?

Microsoft-Novell reach pact, then come to blows.


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