Software

Microsoft does not compete with open source

When Google talks, people listen. Therefore, when Google offers alternatives to Microsoft, it is prudent to consider their impact. Google Docs & Spreadsheets, now in beta, is a multipronged assault on Fortress Microsoft.

Despite assurances from Microsoft, security vendors are wary that the software giant has not given a definite timeline for releasing code to allow third-party security software to work around the Windows Vista operating system kernel protection for 64-bit systems.

Microsoft confirmed Vista would be available to consumers on Jan. 30 and released the Operating System to manufacturers.

Microsoft Corp. will release six groups of security patches next Tuesday, fixing crtical flaws in its Windows operating system and the company's XML (Extensible Markup Language) parser, Microsoft said Thursday.

The NetBeans open source platform championed by Sun Microsystems has less industry support than rival Eclipse, which enjoys the backing of vendors such as IBM and Oracle. But Sun late last month launched an effort to boost NetBeans and is seeking new endorsements.

To achieve an operating system glasnost

Google Docs and Spreadsheets, now in beta, is a multi-pronged assault on Fortress Microsoft. The service provides documents and spreadsheets, and while many users also need presentation capabilities