ACM TechNews - Friday, April 14, 2000

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ACM TechNews
Volume 2, Number 43
Date: April 14, 2000
Site Sponsored by Gateway (http://www.gateway.com)

Top Stories for Friday, April 14, 2000:
http://www.acm.org/technews/current/homepage.html

"Microsoft Acknowledges Its Engineers Placed Security
 Flaw in Some Software"
"Congress Weighs In Anew on the Microsoft Debate"
"Computer Bugs Seen Spreading to New Hosts"
"Linux Server Shipments Soar 166 Percent in Q4"
"Ireland Seeks to Plug the Software Skills Gap"
"On-line-Only Retailers Likely to Fade"
"ACLU's Filter Appeal Rejected"
"NSA Chief Tries to Dispel Privacy Worries"
"Cellphone Big Three in Net Security Pact"
"Your Boss May Be Watching"
"As IPO's Stumble, Anger and Skepticism Rise"
"German Court: AOL Liable for Music Piracy"
"European Commission Makes Proposals For Running Internet"
"Why Gates Is Rolling the Dice"
"CRM Hot for Start-Ups"
"B2B Apps Are Hot Item on Menu"
"Brick-and-Mortars Take the E-Commerce Plunge"
"What Good is 3D CAD Anyway?"

******************* News Stories ***********************

"Microsoft Acknowledges Its Engineers Placed Security
 Flaw in Some Software"
Microsoft engineers deliberately placed a file in some of the
company's Internet-server software that could allow hackers to
obtain Web site management files from thousands of sites, the
software giant admitted yesterday after two security experts . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item1

"Congress Weighs In Anew on the Microsoft Debate"
Justice Department antitrust division chief Joel I. Klein
appeared yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee to
discuss the Microsoft case.  Klein advised legislators that
"Everyone would benefit from a toning down of the rhetoric and a . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item2

"Computer Bugs Seen Spreading to New Hosts"
There is a growing concern among industry officials and employees
that because any product connected to the Web is subject to
Web-based attacks, future Internet-enabled systems, such as 911
switchboards or burglar alarms, could be at risk.  Additionally, . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item3

"Linux Server Shipments Soar 166 Percent in Q4"
Linux server shipments grew 166 percent to 72,422 units between
the fourth quarter of 1998 and the fourth quarter of 1999, making
Linux the most rapidly growing server platform, says an
International Data (IDC) survey.  In terms of shipments, Linux . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item4

"Ireland Seeks to Plug the Software Skills Gap"
Ireland, the largest exporter of software in Europe, faces a
shortage of skilled IT workers and is working to solve the
problem by changing immigration laws and providing training
programs.  Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern this week announced . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item5

"On-line-Only Retailers Likely to Fade"
Many online retailers are expected to fail due to competition and
financing problems by the end of next year, predicts Forrester
Research.  Internet-only retailers are in the most precarious
position, while catalog companies that have moved to the Web and . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item6

"ACLU's Filter Appeal Rejected"
A federal judge has denied the ACLU's appeal of the recent court
ruling involving Cyber Patrol and the "cphack" code-busting
program.  The ACLU had asked for a temporary stay of U.S.
District Judge Edward Harrington's order that Web sites stop . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item7

"NSA Chief Tries to Dispel Privacy Worries"
The National Security Agency (NSA), viewed by many as a sinister
and all-powerful intelligence body, continues to defend itself in
the face of mounting criticism from U.S. and European privacy
advocates.  On April 12, the director of the NSA denied that the . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item8

"Cellphone Big Three in Net Security Pact"
The three largest cell phone manufacturers in the
world--Ericsson, Motorola, and Nokia--announced a partnership on
Tuesday to create an open, international framework for secure
e-commerce transactions via wireless handsets.  The three . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item9

"Your Boss May Be Watching"
Almost three-fourths of large companies in the U.S. monitor their
workers' use of communications technology, including Internet
surfing, PC use, email, and phone calls, according to a survey
released by the American Management Association on Wednesday.  . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item10

"As IPO's Stumble, Anger and Skepticism Rise"
The recent southward trend of European tech companies' stock
prices is alienating investors and potential investors alike.
The European market's ill fortune began March 14 when
Lastminute.com held its IPO.  The offering turned out to be a . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item11

"German Court: AOL Liable for Music Piracy"
A German court has ruled that AOL Germany is liable for the
illegal trading of digital music files on its servers, a decision
that could bolster the music industry's defense against piracy on
the Internet.  AOL Germany says it will appeal the decision, . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item12

"European Commission Makes Proposals For Running Internet"
The European Union on Tuesday proposed several measures designed
to boost Europe's presence on the Internet.  The EU's European
Commission proposed a new top-level domain for Europe, dot-eu,
and expressed the need for Europeans to have access to cheaper . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item13

"Why Gates Is Rolling the Dice"
Rather than settle a Sherman Antitrust Act dispute with the U.S.
government, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has chosen to focus
most of the company's energies and efforts on its new Internet
strategy.  Apparently, the software giant sees the antitrust case . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item14

"CRM Hot for Start-Ups"
Many dot-coms looking to cash in on business-to-business
e-commerce are turning to customer relationship management (CRM).
Kovair and trustedanswer.com are among the startups that entered
the CRM market this week.  On Monday, Kovair released hosted . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item15

"B2B Apps Are Hot Item on Menu"
Seeking to capitalize upon the need for Internet startups to
become operational as soon as possible, such companies as Ariba,
BroadVision, Commerce One, IBM, and Open Market have begun
offering business-to-business (B2B) application packages to . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item16

"Brick-and-Mortars Take the E-Commerce Plunge"
Although brick-and-mortar companies have taken the time to
familiarize themselves with e-commerce and believe they are now
ready to move online, there are still several obstacles
traditional companies must overcome in order to survive in . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item17

"What Good is 3D CAD Anyway?"
Although there are no definitive guidelines executives can refer
to when directing an engineering firm's transition from 2D CAD
software to 3D CAD software, Grove Worldwide's manager of
engineering systems Stephen Schoonmaker offers some advice to . . .
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2000-2/0414f.html#item18

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