Yahoo, Microsoft make IM clients interoperate ... Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs

Today's IT News Audio Update
U.S. Judge questions telecom mergers ... Yahoo, Microsoft make IM clients interoperate ... Congress pushes for energy-efficient servers


HIGHLIGHTS

News: Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
News: Microsoft and Vodafone to help produce Palm's next Treo
News: Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS
Windows Tip: Resources for Regulatory Compliance
ITwhirled: 10 Really bad ideas


NEWS UPDATES

Microsoft releases new OS for old PCs
Microsoft Corp. released a new version of its operating system for businesses this week that extends the life of older PCs by effectively turning them into thin-client computers.

Microsoft and Vodafone to help produce Palm's next Treo
Palm Inc. will collaborate with Vodafone Group PLC and Microsoft Corp. to create a new smart phone, the device maker said on Thursday.

Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS
Computer researchers in Europe are developing a new prototype architecture for halting distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks, where a barrage of traffic is directed at a Web site or server to shut it down.

Microsoft says E.U. fine won't affect Vista launch
European Commission fines levied against Microsoft Corp. won't affect the launch of Windows Vista, the head of the software maker's Japanese unit said Thursday.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 facing hurdles in Japan
When Microsoft Corp. launched its Xbox 360 in Japan last year, it hoped things were going to get better for its games business in the country.

Microsoft, Yahoo make IM clients interoperate
Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. for the first time will allow interoperability between the consumer versions of their instant-messaging (IM) clients, the companies said Wednesday.

Researcher to show code for 'wormable' Windows flaw
With security vendors worrying that a recently patched Windows bug may lead to a major worm outbreak, the researcher who discovered the flaw said Wednesday that he is weeks away from releasing code that exploits the problem.

Sony rated top brand in U.S. for 7th year in a row
Sony Corp. was ranked the best brand in the U.S. for the seventh year in a row, Harris Interactive Inc. said Wednesday.


WINDOWS TIP

Resources for Regulatory Compliance
By Mitch Tulloch

Ensuring your company's IT infrastructure is compliant is no easy job. For one thing, you must first be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to your industry. Next you must be aware of how these laws impact IT operations. And finally, you must develop a set of internal procedures and controls to ensure your enterprise complies with these laws and regulations and can stand the test of an external audit or even worse, a lawsuit. Here are three resources to check out.