Microsoft's Vista AV Fails Certification

An anonymous reader writes

"Microsoft's much-hyped anti-virus solution, Live OneCare and three other Vista AV products failed to achieve the Virus Bulletin's VB100 certification. The other products are McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise, G DATA's AntiVirusKit 2007, and Norman's VirusControl. All failed to pass a series of tests that are required to display the VB100 badge. 'With the number of delays that we've seen in Vista's release, there's no excuse for security vendors not to have got their products right by now,' said John Hawes, technical consultant at Virus Bulletin."

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Google Docs to support Powerpoint

KindredHyperion writes

"Garett Rogers at ZDNet has an article on the prospect of a Powerpoint-esque addition to Google Docs and Spreadsheets. From the article: "If you dig around the language files in Google Docs, you will find what appears to be traces of a new service preparing for launch soon. Meet Google Presently — an online presentation creator that will likely read and write the most common formats like Microsoft PowerPoint and Open Office Impress.""

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Amazon & Tivo Take on Netflix

RadioTV writes

"Amazon is in Beta testing with select Tivo users to allow Unbox videos to be downloaded to Series 2 and 3 set-top boxes. The FAQ for the service is available."

The price point for movies is fairly reasonable. No HD and won't work with DirecTV's obsoleted HD tivo, but this is a step in the right direction.

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Dell Laptops Have Shocking New Problem

dapsychous writes

"A friend of one of my coworkers has noticed a problem in Dell notebook computers (also covered in this engadget article) about a problem that has been popping up lately in Dell 17" notebook computers. It seems that these computers are putting out between 19 and 139 (65 according to article, 139 according to him) volts of AC power as measured from any chassis screw vs. earth ground. This has led to several problems including fried ram, blown video circuits, and a stout zap on his left hand. According to him, Dell has tried to keep him quiet about the problem and has even gone so far as to have him banned from a few websites, and threatened him with legal action if he tells people about the problem."

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Facebook ready to make TV debut

Facebook.com, the social-networking Web site, said Tuesday it is moving into television by teaming up with cable operator Comcast's online video site Ziddio to produce a new series from users' clips called Facebook Diaries.

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Sony Ericsson to launch eight new phones

Sony Ericsson, the world's No. 4 mobile-phone maker, aggressively expanded its lineup of low-cost phones Tuesday, joining bigger rivals in the fight for customers in emerging markets.

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LG wins contest for low-cost 3G phone contract

LG Electronics has won a contest organized by the GSM Association to produce a low-cost handset for third generation mobile phone networks, a source close to the contest told Reuters on Tuesday.

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Kodak's consumer printers aim to chop ink costs

Eastman Kodak announced a new line of inkjet printers on Tuesday that are geared toward everyday consumers and designed to cut down on ink costs.

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What rising sea levels could mean for coastal areas

If sea levels rise a meter, the streets of Miami could end up underwater while New Orleans could become part of the Gulf of Mexico. But those aren't the only areas that will be in trouble, if two researchers from the University of Arizona are correct.

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Jailed blogger hits record as supporters rally

SAN FRANCISCO--Dozens of supporters of jailed freelance video blogger Josh Wolf gathered at City Hall here Tuesday to rally for Wolf's release.

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Solar 'Heliotube' company partners with installers

Solar power start-up Practical Instruments has signed on three installers of its "Heliotube," a solar panel equipped with tubes that follow the sun's direction.

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Internet backbone at center of suspected attack

There are signs that hackers attacked key parts of the backbone of the Internet on Tuesday, but no damage seems to have been done, experts said.

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Kyoto Protocol successor on British agenda

Britain wants to launch a major international clean-energy project with other European countries, Japan and the United States in a drive to combat climate change, Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Tuesday.

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If catastrophe strikes tomorrow, are we ready?

If a major catastrophe struck the United States today our first responders would not have the communications capabilities they need to save lives. Our federal, state and local public safety officers lack "interoperability," the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently across jurisdictions. Currently, in most places in the United States, a state police unit cannot directly communicate with a local sheriff. Nor can a county fire chief talk directly to a local firefighting unit or to federal officials.

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Outsourcing your 'Warcraft' skills

According to an estimate from a company called Power-levels.com, it would take someone starting from scratch 768 hours to reach the highest level you can hit in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade.

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Video stars in Cisco's earnings boost

Demand from cable operators and phone companies upgrading and building new networks to carry video is fueling growth for Cisco Systems, the world's largest supplier of equipment that shuttles bits around the Internet.

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Warner Music enters social-networking content deal

Warner Music Group has signed a deal to allow its entire catalog to be played over the fast-growing social-networking music service LastFM, the innovative site that links music fans to new and old hits.

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