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Following hot on the heels of the Firefox 1.0 release, the Mozilla Foundation is developing an integration path for desktop search tools that will be an optional enhancement to the Firefox web browser. Competing directly with Google Desktop Search, the browser-enabled search feature lets users remain in a commonly-used software application while searching for data files on their workstation or local area network. BTW, Google’s free search application is available solely for noncommercial use, don’t try using it on your office computer.

 

The Mozilla Foundation has released Firefox 1.0, the long-awaited competitor of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser. Developing a loyal following during beta testing, Firefox was released at 1 A.M. PST today and users from around the world quickly brought the mozilla.org servers to a grinding halt.

 

I have a favor ask of you. I am researching how the personal computer (PC) has affected the face of America. Specifically, I am interested in the PC’s effect on American culture and attitudes. For example, how has access to a PC affected behavior and expectations? To do this , I’m asking for your experiences that were brought on by the PC revolution.

 

A multi-state ring of software pirates was apprehended by U.S. law enforcement authorities, resulting in a seizure of possibly $87 million worth of pirated software. The raid followed a two-year investigation of 11 people from California, Texas, and Washington. The 11 defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute counterfeit computer software and documentation with a retail value of well over $30 million. according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

 

The Free Standards Group announced this morning the availability of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) 2.0, an essential component for the long-term market success of Linux. By ensuring a common, agreed-upon standard from which Linux applications may be developed, the LSB supports Linux developer’s competition with Microsoft and its Windows operating system.

 

Students, faculty, and staff at seven campuses of the California State University (CSU) system are at risk for identity theft after a hardware technician improperly disposed of a computer hard drive with unencrypted database tables that included Social Security numbers and other personal details. The CSU is required, under California law, to notify all affected parties.

 

WinZip, the popular file compression application has been updated. The new version not only includes the most common features of compressing and decompressing files, it now includes a simple interface that can encrypt zipped files using the U.S. Government AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).

 

Microsoft Corporation reports that users who have installed the Windows XP Service Pack 2 (WinXPSP2) and wish to use the popular Microsoft Security Baseline Analyzer (MSBA) must update the security application due to changes in the way the new operating system handles security.

 

Metropolitan-wide broadband services may soon be coming from overhead. Sanswire Networks, LLC hopes to bring broadband to entire metropolitan areas via tiny airships. Atlanta, Georgia may be the first city to benefit from this interesting digital communication service, starting as early as next week.

 

Gustav Hendrickson, the current Director of the ECHO, the Electronic Communications & Honesty Organization, will announce tomorrow that all new computers delivered after March 2004 should include free e-mail service.

 

Microsoft is readying the Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) upgrade for release in mid-2004. The upgrade will address many of the security problems that currently plague the company’s flagship operating system.

 

There are two ways the Microsoft Windows users can protect themselves from common computer risks: 1) update virus signatures every day and 2) use Windows 2000/XP with a screen saver password.

 

The State of Massachusetts has implemented a policy toward software purchases that favors open-source applications and open standards for state-owned computers.

 

Sharman Networks, Ltd., owners of the KaZaA peer-to-peer file-sharing network, have sued entertainment companies for copyright infringement. Yep, that’s right, the company that makes it possible to swap bootleg digital music is suing the music companies.

 

IMing, shorthand for Instant Messaging, could waste a lot of valuable business time. Even though IM could be a digital replacement to the office water cooler, replacing the physical congregating to swap office gossip and the athletic spreads, IM seems to be used appropriately.

 

Radixs, based in Singapore, has unveiled an operating system runs programs designed for Windows, Linux and PalmOS. The operating system, MXI, creates an emulation environment in which applications written for the emulates emulation that enables the non-native program to perform as smoothly and quickly as it would on its native OS, claims Radixs.