Sophos Backs MS: No Need for API Access

  Submitted by Moochman Privacy, Security 29 Comments
Symantec has previously complained that Vista's PatchGuard kernel-protection technology might limit Symantec's ability to protect the kernel with its own software. But what do other security vendors think? Yesterday Sophos' Ron O'Brien told BetaNews that "Nothing about the way PatchGuard works would hinder Sophos' architecture for an enterprise security suite. In fact, he argued, if Microsoft wants to use its own methods to close off the kernel, that's a good thing."
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Vista Scoots to New Boot But It’s Still Kinda Rooted

  Submitted by Dan Warne Windows 65 Comments
"One of the more questionable tactics that Microsoft has implemented in Vista is to automatically overwrite any existing MBR during the installation process without asking if you mind or giving you an option to back up. Microsoft says that the Windows installation system can’t intelligently interrogate an existing non-MS MBR, although such features are quite common in the install routine for other OSes."
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Mandriva 2007 To Play Windows Games

  Submitted by Dan Warne Mandriva, Mandrake, Lycoris 9 Comments
The popular distribution formerly known as Mandrake will include in its next 2007 release Transgaming’s Cedega engine to play mainstream Windows gaming titles out of the box. For those not familiar with Transgaming the company has worked for years on a WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator) derivative to empower Linux users to run Windows games natively on the Linux desktop. In the meantime, CrossOver beta 2 has been released for Linux.
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HP Buys VoodooPC

  Submitted by Adurbe Hardware 8 Comments
After Dell buying Alienware, HP has now bought VoodooPC. "Even though you may not know it, there is one thing about HP that makes them stand out among the rest: serious innovation. Backed by a USD 3.5+ billion dollar R&D budget, HP labs was generating an average of eleven unique patents a day. We're not talking about 'supply chain innovations' either; they are sitting on a treasure trove of product innovations with massive potential. For me, getting a ticket into HP Labs would be like Charlie getting a ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory. I was relentless... Yes, HP was/is the company that both my brother and I agreed is the perfect match for Voodoo."
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Debian To Rebrand Firefox

  Submitted by csousa Mozilla, Gecko 141 Comments
Debian adheres to a strict interpretation of what is Free Software and what isn't. The Firefox logo is trademarked, so Debian doesn't consider it to be Free and will not include it as part of its distribution. Mozilla claims that using the Firefox name without the official branding is a trademark violation. Furthermore, Mozilla claims that if Debian runs any patches to the version of Firefox included with Debian distros, it has to run them by Mozilla first for approval. What all this ultimately could mean is that the Firefox name is wiped from the face of Debian and its offshoots. Debian developer Eric Dorland confirmed to internetnews.com that Debian will re-name Firefox and that the re-naming process could be completed as soon as next week.
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Lenovo, IBM Recall Thinkpad Batteries

  Submitted by csynt IBM 11 Comments
Lenovo and IBM have announced a battery recall of Sony-made notebook batteries. "Lenovo and IBM Corporation, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies, have announced the voluntary recall of certain lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Sony Corporation. In the interest of public safety, Lenovo will offer customers free-of-charge replacement batteries for all recalled batteries." Apple, Dell, and Toshiba have all also recalled Sony batteries due to fire hazards.
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Hands On: A Mac Fan Takes on Vista

Windows 43 Comments
"Earlier this month, when I found I could install Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) on my MacBook Pro, I quickly took the plunge, practically chortling at the thought that my dual-core laptop could run Microsoft's next operating system. What better way to show that when you buy a Mac you get two computers in one? I've been using Vista off and on for a couple of weeks now, but I'm not chortling as much." More here.
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Duval: Ulteo Can Be Installed and Is an Ordinary OS

Linux 5 Comments
Gael Duval has emailed us to let us know of an error in our previous coverage of his new project, Ulteo. "There is small confusion in the Linux Format article which leads to confusion. In fact, what is shown in the LXF article is the 'Ulteo Connected Desktop', which is actually to way to use Ulteo within a web-browser, with all basic applications, for free. Anyway, this feature is just a part of the Ulteo concept, and of course the full Ulteo OS can be installed on a PC." Stay tuned for a short interview with Duval which will give some answers concerning Ulteo.
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IEs4Linux: Internet Explorer on Linux Made Easy

  Submitted by devnull Internet Explorer 28 Comments
"IEs4Linux is the simpler way to have Microsoft Internet Explorer running on Linux (or any OS running Wine). No clicks needed. No boring setup processes. No Wine complications. Just one easy script and you'll get three IE versions to test your Sites. And it's free and open source." Very handy for web developers, it will allow you to test your websites without rebooting.
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Microsoft Accused of Withholding Vista APIs

Microsoft 73 Comments
Anti-malware company Symantec has accused Microsoft of withholding key information about its upcoming Vista OS, in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage in the security market. Symantec claimed this week that Microsoft is refusing to hand over the APIs for Windows Defender, its anti-spyware product which will be included in Vista. Without the APIs, Symantec claims that it isn't able to ensure that its own security products are compatible with Vista. Microsoft, though, insisted on Wednesday afternoon that the APIs are now available.
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