Microsoft files more docs to avoid further E.U. fines ... Linksys small-business Wi-Fi grows up

Today's IT News Audio Update
Microsoft files docs with EC to stave off increased fine ... Linksys brings WiFi gear with management tools to SMBs ... IBM plans more AMD-based servers


IN THE NEWS

Microsoft files more papers to avoid further E.U. fines
Microsoft Corp. has filed another batch of technical information with the European Commission, in an effort to avoid an increase in fines resulting from a 2004 antitrust ruling against the company, a Commission spokeswoman said Monday.

Linksys small-business Wi-Fi grows up
Small businesses will get some of the wireless LAN bells and whistles enterprises already have as Cisco Systems' Linksys division expands its product lineup on Monday.

Sandisk to acquire M-Systems for $1.6 billion
SanDisk Corp. will acquire competing flash memory developer M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd. for $1.6 billion, the two companies said late Sunday.

Investments in analytical tools pay off, Accenture says
Enterprises are increasingly investing in analytics technologies, such as customer relationship management, data warehousing and business intelligence software, and investments in these technologies are paying off, according to new market research released Monday by Accenture Ltd.

CA gains new CFO, won't comment on layoff rumors
Troubled software vendor CA Inc. announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer (CFO) Friday, while declining to comment on rumors of potential layoffs.

Microsoft to charge for Office 2007 beta 2
Microsoft Corp. Friday said that next week it will begin charging $1.50 for users to download a copy of the Office 2007 beta 2.

Microsoft recalls Small Business Server 2003 R2
Microsoft Corp. has recalled an updated version of Small Business Server because of a glitch discovered during a regular software production audit, the company said Friday.

Click-fraud settlement good for Google
Google Inc.'s settlement of a class-action lawsuit this week goes a long way toward protecting the company from litigation related to click fraud, a problem some say could cripple Google's business.

IBM to expand line of AMD-based servers
In an effort to compete with Sun Microsystems Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp. is expected to announce Tuesday it will expand its line of servers powered by chips from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD).


ITWHIRLED

Blogging about blogs, blog-mocking division
Most blogs tend to be commentary about other things, rather than original research. And most blogs tend to be pretty dismal, just because most of the creative output of humanity is pretty dismal. Thus, AwfulBlogs is a natural progression in the blogging world. AwfulBlogs finds blogs that are dumb and boring and then mercilessly mocks them. Victims include blogs about UFOs, homeschooling, and the egregious "Merchant Account Blog."