December 2000 Technology Updates
1. New TLDs
On November 16, 2000, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approved seven new top-level Internet domains. Top-level domains (TLDs) had been limited to .com, .org, .net, .gov, .mil, and country specific names. ICANN is a non-profit company that has overall responsibility for handling Internet domain names. It has been exploring the expansion of TLDs for a number of years.
The seven new TLDs are: .info, .biz, .name, .pro, .museum, .coop, and .aero. The .info TLD will be used by sites that provide general information. Businesses will use .biz and individuals .name. The .pro name is for use by professionals, .museum by museums, and .coop for industry cooperatives. The aerospace industry will use the .aero name. The new TLDs are expected to go into effect sometime early next year.
For more information, click on this link:
2. PC Tips - Windows 2000 quick launch bar
Windows 2000 contains a quick launch bar that appears immediately to the right of the Start button, on the bottom of the screen. The quick launch bar allows a user to launch an application by clicking on the icon once. To add or remove applications from the quick launch bar follow these steps:
To add:
- Open Windows Explorer.
- Find the icon for the application you want to add to the quick launch bar.
- Click on the icon and drag it onto the quick launch bar. Release the mouse.
The application has been added.
To remove:
- Right click the icon you want to remove.
- From the menu select delete.
- Confirm the deletion (note this only deletes the shortcut to the application, not the application itself).
The application has been removed from the quick launch bar.
3. Internet traffic soars in search of election news
The close election for U.S. president resulted in what many experts believe was the busiest traffic day on the Internet, on election eve (November 7, 2000). Traffic at news sites seems to have increased anywhere from 150 to almost 500 percent. Many of the top news organizations reported a record number of hits on their Web sites. ABCnews.com shattered its old record of 10 million pageviews (when the Starr Report was released), with over 27 million pageviews.
Once it became clear that Florida would hold the key to the presidency, Internet traffic began to flood the Florida Department of State Division of Elections Web site. The site went down a number of times on election eve as news organizations, ordinary citizens, and even the candidates tried to get the latest numbers. Traffic to this site and to various news organizations remained high as the Florida recount proceeded.
For more information, click on these links:
4. Microsoft Cracked
Microsoft, the world's leading software company, had its computers cracked by hackers during the last week in October. The hackers were able to view the company's source code, which is usually secret. Source code is a computer program's basic language, which tells the computer what to do. Microsoft does not believe that any of its source code was altered by the hackers, but independent computer security experts aren't so sure. If the hackers did make any change, future releases of Microsoft products may be vulnerable to further hacker attacks or cause other problems.
The hackers reached the Microsoft network by using a computer worm known as QAZ. A computer worm is a program that replicates itself across a computer network. In this case the hackers were probably able to put the worm on the Microsoft network by sending it in an e-mail. The worm then e-mailed Microsoft passwords back to the hackers in St. Petersburg, Russia.
For more information, click on these links:
5. Copyright hearing
On November 29, 2000, the Library of Congress Copyright Office convened a one-day hearing on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The DMCA was enacted into law in 1998 and deals with the copyright of digital products, such as movies, CDs, software, and electronic books.
The November hearing revolved primarily around the concept of "first sale." The main thrust of the concept is that once a copyright owner sells a copyrighted product, the owner loses the right to control future distribution of that product. Thus, a person who buys a printed book may resell it later. However, the owner of a digital book does not have the right of resale under the DMCA. Opponents of the DMCA object to provisions in the law that make it a crime to circumvent encryption technologies. They argue that encryption limits a person's ability to resell a copyrighted product.
For more information click on these links:
6. Refurbs take off
While many people view used cars as suspect, the same apparently is not true for used computers. The market for these so-called refurbished or refurb systems has taken off. Many refurb systems are available from reputable companies, such as Dell and Gateway. They come with a warranty and a price up to 30 percent less than a new system.
At Dell and Gateway many refurbs are custom orders that were cancelled after the company made the systems but before they were actually sold. These systems cannot legally be sold as new, but in actuality they are. Dell's refurb sales have been so successful that it has closed its outlet store in Texas and moved the entire operation to its Web site in order to reach a wider market.
When shopping for a refurb the customer must be aware of the vendor and the warranty policies. While Dell and Gateway provide the same warranty for a refurb as for a new machine, many vendors provide only a limited warranty. In addition, some vendors sell damaged or faulty systems as refurbs.
For more information, click on these links:
7. Microsoft appeals
Microsoft filed its first brief in its anti-trust appeal on November 27, 2000. In the 150-page document, Microsoft's lawyers attack district court judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's finding of facts that Microsoft is a monopoly. In addition, the brief accuses Jackson of allowing improper courtroom procedure and bias against the company. Jackson is not expected to have any further dealings in this case, even if it is sent back to district court. Jackson had ruled in June that Microsoft violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and should be broken into two companies.
The Justice Department will respond to Microsoft's brief on January 12, 2001. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for late February. However, by then the government may lose outside counsel and top litigator David Boies. Boies handled Vice-president Gore's election appeal, and it is unlikely that a Bush administration would continue to use him in the Microsoft case.
For more information, click on these links:
8. AOL pager
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, AOL unveiled its Mobile Communicator on November 30, 2000. The device is a two-way pager capable of sending and receiving e-mail and AOL instant messages. The Mobile Communicator is AOL's first attempt to implement its AOL Anywhere strategy to make its online service available from devices other than personal computers.
The Mobile Communicator is equipped with a miniature keyboard and a three-line screen. The device costs $329.95 plus a monthly service charge of $19.95. The monthly fee allows unlimited use.
For more information, click on these links:
9. China moves to censor Web sites
On election day in the United States (November 7), China announced new restrictions on Web sites that contain news reporting, discussion boards, and chat rooms. The new rules require China-based Web sites to report only state-controlled news. Even then the site will need special permission. In addition, special permission must be obtained before a site publishes a foreign news feed. Sites must also limit discussion boards and chat rooms to approved topics and monitor them for compliance.
The new rules fall under the purview of the State Council Information Office, which is closely tied to the Communist party. A number of China-based Web-site operators indicated that they already operate under the restrictions, which have always been seen as unwritten rules.
For more information, click on these links:
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