Marissa Reaume

Following in the footsteps of other Linux distributors, Mandriva is publicly rejecting Microsoft's advances for a patent protection deal. In the past, Microsoft has signed agreements with Linux firms like Novell, Xandros, and Linspire. The Windows ... developer claims that open-source applications violate many of its patents. However, with these treaties, Microsoft promises (in writing) not to sue the companies for patent infringement. Wait a sec...who's Mandriva? Mandriva is an open source company associated with Linux. Its headquarters are in Paris, where it acts as a founding member of the ... (view more)

Is love brewing between MySpace and eBay? The answer: most likely. MySpace, an online social network, may partner with eBay to enhance its site. How? In the future, auctioneers eBay will provide MySpace with e-commerce features. MySpace founders ... want to offer clients the opportunities and tools to sell their products while socializing, and eBay is a prime candidate for supplying the desired mechanics. However, nothing's set in stone. MySpace has voiced its feelings concerning the partnership, saying "we haven't decided yet, but it would be probably a good bet that someone like eBay could be a ... (view more)

According to reports, "Leading names of Linux, the world's biggest grassroots software phenomenon, are spending three days debating whether an increasingly commercial open source community should fight or ignore the world's largest software maker." ... Below the surface, it appears the Linux group must now deal with internal divisions that could cause massive fractures in its future growth. (Source: neowin.net ) Microsoft, a recent threat to Linux, contrasts open source in many ways. Linux's software is freely used by the public, whereas Microsoft charges for software. As well, Linux suppliers ... (view more)

Wondering why the majority of MySpace accounts were recently hijacked? The answer was revealed in an entry on Google's Online Security blog. "Starting in mid-March, the number of page views generated on phish sites increased five-fold, with almost ... all (95 per cent) targeting the popular social networking site." (Source: net-security.org ) The reason for the rapid increase: MySpace makes it easy for con-artists to identify and win the trust of individuals associated with specific companies. Since many people use the same login information for multiple web accounts, once a MySpace client's ... (view more)

Another patent infringement occurs in the world of technology. This time, Sony may be the guilty party. Certicom, a Toronto-based development company, is suing the Sony Corporation for patent infringement. The equipment in question includes Sony's ... Playstation 3, DVD players, personal computers, and various high definition televisions and audio products. Sony is accused of breaching Certicom's patents by manufacturing, using, importing, distributing, and selling their products in the United States without Certicom's permission. The violated Certicom patents, employed in content protection ... (view more)

Who is reading your instant messages? If you're using Yahoo Messenger, your privacy may be compromised. Yahoo Messenger vulnerabilities can allow remote hackers to access a user's system. The bugs were discovered by eEye Digital Security within the ... last few weeks; the security company gave these particular bugs its highest risk rating since the flaws enable remote code execution. However, the latest threats are not the only security issues connected to Yahoo Messenger. In fact, the researchers at eEye have located many other problems with this particular program. The eighth version of Yahoo's ... (view more)

Ever heard of Google Street View? The new service is raising eyebrows within the online community and elsewhere, as it threatens worldwide privacy. For example, while searching for her home, Ms. Kalin-Casey was able to see her cat in the living-room ... window of her second-floor apartment building. Kalin-Casey ultimately wants to know "where you draw the line between taking public photos and zooming in on people's lives." (Source: net-security.org ) Discussion about the confidentiality issues of Street View has been all over the web since Kalin-Casey recently voiced her concerns in an email to ... (view more)

Microsoft is suing three perpetrators suspicious of using hotmail networks to endorse stocks. "Pump-and-dump email scams are a form of fraud where the criminals purchase stock in a company -- typically an inexpensive penny stock -- and then promote ... the equity in millions of unsolicited email messages." (Source: wininsider.com ) This quick and easy form of spamming is one of the more profitable styles at the present time. Those responsible for sending pump-and-dump emails gain monetary rewards, whereas Microsoft, on the other hand, is burdened with considerable costs. Research focusing on the ... (view more)

Target Technology (TT), a Californian company is taking legal action against Sony due to claims of patent infringement. The tension was sparked by Sony's use of Blu-ray technology in its PlayStation 3 games console. The angered party contends that ... the technology Sony used to produce Blu-ray discs violates one of its patents. The copyright, which was granted to Sony in 2006, "describes the use of silver-based alloys, which have the advantages of gold in the production of the discs, but at a lower cost." (Source: channelregister.co.uk ) In terms of demands, Target Technology wants three Sony- ... (view more)

Some may wonder what former U.S. president, Bill Clinton, is doing for the world at the present time. The answer: saving the environment. The Clinton Foundation is known worldwide for its goals to supply health care, and to create economic growth; ... however, its most recent project tackles global warming. Clinton's foundation has teamed up with software giant, Microsoft, to develop software and services that can be used universally to monitor carbon emissions. Additionally, cities around the world will be able to communicate ideas about environmental protection. As an added bonus, the ... (view more)