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News for the Week Ending June 29, 2002

Commodore.ca - Announcing the Lindows.com Builder's Program

...For just $500 a month, and with no long term commitment, you will receive:

The Builder's Program is a radical departure from the "per copy" licensing practices most of you are familiar with. This program can be a huge savings for your company in both licensing and logistical costs, which will both make you more profitable and deliver savings to your customers as well.

As an Authorized Builder you also receive these additional benefits:

  • Sign-up is completely electronic 24/7 http://www.lindows.com/builders

  • No long term commitment

  • No paperwork or auditing hassles

  • Great solution for non-Microsoft machines or MS replacements

  • World class eSupport available 24/7

  • Builder's customers receive 3 free Click-N-Run software application from the Click-N-Run Warehouse www.lindows.com/warehouse.

There is a 30 day money back guarantee on the program. So, if you are new to LindowsOS, but serious about offering a choice in desktop operating systems, the Builder's Program provides you plenty of time to download, evaluate and determine if you want to continue with the program. 

...There are no long term commitments, complicated contracts or administration hassles. If the program isn't working for you, cancel anytime you like, and if it's your first month, get a full refund.  ...Visit http://www.lindows.com/builders to sign-up.

Toms Hardware - Mysteries Of The CDRW and Back Ups Revealed

...Some of the new, advanced protection schemes that commercial software products employ to protect their product rights fall outside of the established "Red Book" and "Orange Book" industry standards developed by Sony and Philips for data and audio CDs. Naturally, this can present quite a challenge for the typical CDRW drive user...

...Currently, for data software, there are at least 25 different data CD protection schemes of which we are aware. For audio CDs, there are only about five different protection schemes....

...Not following the data and audio CD standards can lead to compatibility problems that are difficult to solve. Usually, when a compatibility problem is reported to the software manufacturer, the software manufacturer will just suggest purchasing another CD-ROM/ DVD-ROM drive, or to check with the manufacturer of your drive. This "pass the buck" approach to customer service reiterates the idea that so-called 'protections' bend the standards to the point that the protections actually no longer conform to all of the standards.

Philips has rebelled against the recording labels as of late, warning them that many of their proposed implementations for copy protection schemes break the rules for audio CDs in such a way that they may just create new compatibility nightmares. Some recording companies have countered that they never offered a guarantee that their audio CDs would be playable on PCs. Much of this argument centers around the use of the Compact Disc Digital Audio logo that is on almost all CDs. The Compact Disc Digital Audio logo is a mark that is supposed to represent compatible operation in other devices that bear the same mark.

Macrovision's Safedisc is currently the most popular protection scheme used on commercial data CDs. The Safedisc technology is primarily a software-based solution that does not require any changes to standard PC or CD-ROM hardware. It has both an authenticating digital signature embedded on the disc, as well as a multi-layered, encrypted wrapper that secures the CD-ROM content. The digital signature, which cannot be copied by CD recorders or mastering equipment, is embedded by the laser beam recorder at the time the CD-ROM is mastered at the replication facility. However, many drives that support RAW reading and RAW writing can backup discs that use this protection scheme.

Safedisc 2.0 includes disc burning prevention technology that includes the introduction of additional digital signatures for improved resistance against copying. It also offers "fail-safe manufacturing" to ensure that Safedisc masters will be mastered only on Safedisc-enabled production lines, which should improve quality control and help reduce compatibility problems. Some drives that are able to do RAW reading and RAW writing can back up the CDs that use the 2.0 version of Safedisc. The newest 2.51 version of Safedisc, however, is a totally different story. The 2.51 version of Safedisc includes the use of a new "weak sector technology" that is very difficult to back up. These weak sectors cause synchronization problems with many CD-writers, which results in unusable back ups and the creation of CD "coasters" for your coffee table. Currently the number of CDRW drives that can successfully back up titles protected with Safedisc 2.51 is quite limited, and, due to this fact, the use of Safedisc 2.51 continues to gain popularity...

...Cactus Data Shield is designed to fully protect (audio) CDs and DVDs, and to be fully compatible with existing commercial players and drives. Cactus Data Shield prohibits Internet piracy by preventing unauthorized transmission/ conversion of digital files (music/ MP3, software or video) over the Internet. There were some reports that this protection could cause damage to stereos and loudspeakers, but apparently these were just rumors. Cactus Data Shield works by inserting modifications into original CDs in such a way that it confuses CD-ROM devices during the copying process.  ...In the U.S., the verdict is still out on how effective the protection actually is and how much it has actually reduced the duplication of the music on the titles that use it....

...If you are trying to determine the type of protection that is used on a specific title, a utility called Clony XXL can help identify it for you. Once you identify the protection scheme used, it is then easier to isolate the correct software and approach that needs to be used to back up the title in question...

...During our testing, we used two programs that seem to have a high success rate in making back ups...

...The Blindread/ Blindwrite combo package is actually two separate programs, each with a specific purpose. The Blindread program is used to extract the data from the CD, while the Blindwrite program is used to write the extracted CD data to the CDRW drive... We have been using this program for some time now, and our experience with Blindread/ Blindwrite has been very positive. The addition of the enhance-weak sectors option during the write process was helpful in backing up some of the more difficult titles. Although it might be a bit inconvenient to have to use two programs to get the job done, we found that it still worked well and, because of the more simple interface, it might be a better starting place for beginning users...

...Elby's CloneCD is one of the most well-respected back up software programs that is available today. With CloneCD's new Version 4 makeover, the team at Elby has updated the look and feel of the software to be more like Windows XP.

CloneCD is able to use Windows's IDE drivers and that is perhaps one of its major advantages. It supports a variety of languages and is available (believe it or not) as a commercially boxed, off-the-shelf product. This lends considerable credibility to an already well-known product. CloneCD offers more options and more control over both the 'read' and the 'write' processes than Blindread/ Blindwrite does, and it offers them in an integrated, all-in-one package. The documentation included with the product is fairly thorough, and while it doesn't cover every possible scenario, it covers enough of the basics to get you started.

Another plus is CloneCD's large following on the web, and much of the information that is required regarding the proper settings for specific titles can be found there. The website does point out that, in order for CloneCD to be fully effective, the CDRW drive must be able to handle proper EMF encoding/ decoding. This is where the drive's firmware comes into play.

We consider CloneCD to be a great package with an incredible amount of features and options available to cover a variety of situations. However, due to varying country restrictions, the "Enhance Weak" sectors mode is not supported in every country, which can pose a problem with some titles. Nonetheless, it can be a very effective tool for backing up much of your software...

...It has been our experience that discs written at slower speeds seem to be slightly more compatible with some CD/ DVD-ROM drives. According to one of the authors of Blindread/ Blindwrite, the speed at which the disc is written shouldn't really matter...

...To further complicate matters, you must also have a drive that is able to extract (read) the CD in question correctly. In the read mode, you will need a drive that is able to read CDs in RAW+96 = 2352 bytes RAW Data + 96 Bytes P-W Subchannel Data. This is the best mode for reading copy-protected discs for back up. In this mode, the drive is able to read all subchannel information like ISRC, catalog numbers, CD+G, CD+MIDI, gaps, indices, and digital signatures, which can be important in making a back up that will work...

...Here is a breakdown of the copy protection schemes used on each of our test discs.

Blindread/ Blindwrite - Back up Pass/ Fail Test

 

Test Disc 1

Test Disc 2

Test Disc 3

Test Disc 4

CRW-1610A

Pass

Pass

Fail

Pass

LTR-24102B

Pass

Pass

Fail

Pass

PX-W2410A

Pass

Fail

Fail

Pass

DVDRW208

Pass

Fail

Fail

Pass

CloneCD - Back up Pass/ Fail Test

 

Test Disc 1

Test Disc 2

Test Disc 3

Test Disc 4

CRW-1610A

Pass

Fail

Fail

Pass

LTR-24102B

Pass

Fail

Fail

Pass

PX-W2410A

Pass

Fail

Fail

Pass

DVDRW208

Pass

Fail

Fail

Pass

Reuters - Microsoft Working on Hybrid Xbox Project

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. has been quietly working since last fall on a device combining its money-losing Xbox ( news - web sites) video game console and with its digital video recorder, technology magazine Red Herring reported on Tuesday.

The publication also cited a source as saying internal Microsoft estimates showed that the software giant would lose $750 million on the Xbox game console this fiscal year and $1.1 billion in the next fiscal year, ending June 2003.

That compares with an estimate given to Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates ( news - web sites) in 1999 that the Xbox project could lose $900 million over eight years, author Dean Takahashi said.

Takahashi recently released a book, "Opening the Xbox," about the early history of the Microsoft console, part of a broader strategy by the software maker to move away from its reliance on PC software into digital entertainment.

Representatives of Microsoft were not immediately available for comment.

At the Xbox's cost of about $325, Red Herring reported, Microsoft loses at least $150 on each box, which retails for $199 but is sold wholesale to stores for $175.

That $325 cost-of-goods will come down to $225 eventually, the magazine said, quoting an unnamed source, though it will likely take five years.

By comparison, the article said competitors Sony Corp ( news - web sites). and Nintendo ( news - web sites) Co. Ltd. were expected to lower the costs of their competing PlayStation 2 ( news - web sites) and GameCube, respectively, much faster, Red Herring said.

Meanwhile, Microsoft engineers have been at work for about nine months on a project combining the company's UltimateTV recorder with the Xbox, Red Herring said.

The magazine cited speculation that such a combined machine could be launched next year for a price of around $500, which factors in the added costs of a larger hard drive and TV tuning equipment.

The Xbox, PS2 and GameCube are competing for share in a global game market that is expected to top $30 billion in hardware and software sales this year.

All three companies make losses on their hardware products, but make up those losses with sales of higher-margin software.

commodore.ca - MS Software Update Service

Macromedia Flash Demo - SUSDemo.swf

PCMagazine Online - Microsoft Rethinks Windows .Net Server Packaging

By  Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft Watch

Microsoft Corp. has decided to pull its real-time communications features and standards support out of Windows .Net Server and repackage those features as a separate .Net Enterprise Server add-on, according to sources close to the company.

Associated Press - Microsoft Discloses Security Project
By TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Microsoft Corp. has disclosed an ambitious new project to improve security by creating within its Windows software a virtual "vault" where customers would conduct electronic transactions and store sensitive information.

The effort, called "Palladium," would require consumers to buy new computers and other devices equipped with ultra-secure computer chips from Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., which already are involved in the project, or other companies.

...Microsoft said the technology, which stemmed from early work by its engineers to deliver digital movies that couldn't be pirated, won't be available for at least 18 months. Company officials have told other executives in private briefings they do not expect to see mainstream products for at least five years.

...Some industry experts were skeptical of Microsoft's chance for success.

"If this works, it will be the first time in the history of computing that it works," said Bruce Schneier, a cryptography expert and author of "Secrets & Lies, Digital Security in a Networked World."

"Lots and lots of encryption is broken all the time because it's done wrong," Schneier said. "The odds are actually zero this will be secure."

David Farber, the Federal Communications Commission ( news - web sites)'s former chief technologist, said he was "somewhat satisfied" with Microsoft's plans, but he will watch closely to ensure the company doesn't try to use Palladium to control the world's software markets.

..."Users can be assured that your intentions are properly carried out," Juarez said. "No one can masquerade as you. They're not on your computer."

...Under Palladium, Intel and AMD, the world's largest chipmakers, will redesign computer processors to include cryptography features. Palladium also will require changes to video and keyboard technologies to ensure that a customer's typed information is displayed without changes on the screen. That would require billions of dollars in new equipment upgrades by consumers, corporations and governments.

Further, since a consumer's personal information will be scrambled within a vault and tied to a specific computer chip, that information could not readily be stored elsewhere in case of disaster or if the computer fails.

Microsoft also acknowledged that it hasn't resolved sensitive issues of permitting access by government with a court order to a person's encrypted data. The FBI ( news - web sites) has indicated it rarely encounters scrambled information during investigations, but making such technology as ubiquitous as Windows could invite use by criminals or terrorists.

CNET - IBM brings partitioning to low-end server
Stephen Shankland

IBM will begin an overhaul of the lower end of its Unix ( news - web sites) server line Tuesday, announcing a system with the Power4 processor and the capability to behave like several independent systems

As reported, the p630 brings IBM's newest processor to the lower-priced sub-$100,000 Unix server market where Sun Microsystems and Hewlett-Packard ( news - web sites) are stronger. Prices range from $12,495 for a basic model to beyond $30,000 for a four-processor system with more memory.

The product will begin shipping in volume on Aug. 30, with more sophisticated software and expansion capabilities arriving later in the fall, said Jim McGaughan, director of IBM eServer product marketing.

The four-processor system from IBM is targeted at Sun's new V480 " Cherrystone" system and HP's rp5470. Unlike those systems, though, IBM's can be divided into four "partitions," each running its own copy of Unix or Linux ( news - web sites).

Sun is aiming its V480 at Intel servers; in particular, a bevy of new models using four of Intel's Xeon server processors. IBM, which sells its xSeries Intel servers as well as pSeries Unix machines, downplays product overlap.

...Partitioning in IBM systems lets a separate copy of the operating system run on an individual processor, but changing the computing resources assigned to one partition requires rebooting. With the new version coming in the fall--to IBM's top-end Unix servers as well as to the p630--administrators will be able to change those partitions without shutting them off.

Partitioning is useful for customers balancing several jobs within the same computer, isolating one partition from software updates or system crashes in another.

Though the systems can run Linux, McGaughan doesn't expect the option to be used widely beyond evaluation projects and technical tasks such as biotechnology computing. Linux chiefly is used on Intel-based servers, but IBM is backing its use on all its product lines.

...Although IBM's p630 will support 32GB of memory when higher-capacity memory modules become cheaper, it tops out at 16GB. Because IBM customers use an average of 2.5GB on their four-processor systems, the maximum capacity isn't much of an issue at present, McGaughan said.

IBM's system, like newer Intel servers--but not like Sun's products--has PCI-X slots to accommodate adapters to fast networks or storage systems. Sun is still evaluating the feature for its products.

ZDNet - Microsoft wants a few good salesmen
Mike Ricciuti

Microsoft said Monday it plans its largest sales force expansion in a decade by adding 450 positions within the next year.

The software giant said the expansion of its sales force is intended to further its plan to target customers in multiple industries with a range of Microsoft products. Instead of focusing on selling individual products, such as its Windows operating system or Office business applications, Microsoft is slowly shifting to a model of selling a range of products targeted at customers in specific industries, such as financial services...

ZDNet - Microsoft Software Assurance Upgrades Not Selling
Mike Ricciuti
...Microsoft is also revamping its software licensing plan. A new licensing plan aimed at businesses, which is intended to make revenue more predictable for Microsoft, takes effect on July 31. But as of last month, two-thirds of Microsoft's largest customers had not signed up for the plan...

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