SECURITY... 

• Security firms warn of new Microsoft threats - Sophos PLC reported evidence of new malware planted on Web sites that exploits a previously announced -- and as-yet-unpatched -- Internet Explorer security vulnerability. The Clunky-B Trojan horse allows hackers to install and run malicious software on users' machines when they visit sites containing the malware, said Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant at Sophos.
• IE flaw lets intruders into Google Desktop - A security researcher in Israel has found a way to steal information from unwitting users of Google's desktop search tool by exploiting an unpatched flaw in Microsoft's ubiquitous Internet Explorer.
• Sober worm stalls MSN, Hotmail - A variant of Sober known as Win32/Sober.Z@mm is pummeling servers at Hotmail and MSN with "unusually high mail load," causing delays in e-mail delivery to Hotmail and MSN customers, said Brooke Richardson, MSN's lead product manager.
• Microsoft Windows Metafile DoS-gdi32.dll, MS05-053, Exploit - Remote code execution and denial of service vulnerabilities have been discovered in Windows Metafile (WMF) and Enhanced Metafile (EMF) image formats that allow remote code execution or on an affected system. The following crafted Metafile when viewed by Internet Explorer causes the CPU utilization to rise to 100%.
• MSDTC Denial Of Service (Exploit, MS05-051) -  A flaw in the way MSDTC handles malformed packets allows an attacker to hang the service and exhaust resources on the server.
• Cisco warns of HTTP flaw - The flaw could allow a hacker to view a memory dump (a record of the data in a router's memory) of an IOS router via the HTTP server and inject script code into the router through the HTTP server.
• Panda fixes flaw in antivirus products - Panda Software has fixed a flaw in its antivirus products that could have allowed an attack resulting in control over a user's computer, a company spokesman said Friday.
• Google adds virus scan to Gmail client - The firm said that when you send and receive attachments, they're auto scanned for viruses. If Gmail thinks your mail has viruses, it will attempt to clean the file or remove it. But if it detects a virus and can't remove it, then you won't be able to download it.
• Microsoft launches anti-virus service - Microsoft has launched Windows One Care Live Security beta, an anti-virus and anti-spyware service for consumers only. The service offers anti-virus, firewall, backup and recovery, as well as personal computer maintenance.

CRIME/LAW...

• Warez servers in Germany confiscated - German police have confiscated five warez servers with 6 terabytes of illegal copies of movies and games in the German town of Coburg on the fringes of northern Bavaria. The servers, with names as Temptation and Paradise Island, were accessible to over 1,200 people for € 30 to 120 per month. Police arrested at least one 26 year old.
• 180solutions sues Zone Labs - Adware provider 180solutions has filed suit against ZoneLabs (producer of anti-spyware program ZoneAlarm), alleging that ZoneAlarm improperly classifies their product as spyware.
• EA sued over feature in Madden NFL -  A video game developer has sued Electronic Arts, charging that the world's biggest video game publisher stole his idea for a game feature and incorporated it into the popular football title Madden NFL 06.

OFF-TOPIC

• First Look at the X-Men 3 Teaser Trailer! - The trailer is a montage of scenes from the film. It starts out with a voice over by Patrick Stewart. As he talks about the war of mutants (as well as angels and demons), we see a bunch of very, very brief scenes. The trailer then concludes with the X and Wolverine's claws as seen on the poster. The X-Men 3 teaser trailer will be attached to King Kong when it hits theaters, but it will debut online this coming Monday, Dec. 5th. Watch for it on Apple's website in High Definition quality.
• Robots aim to explore and build on other worlds - NASA is offering two new $250,000 prizes to stimulate advances in the use of robots in planetary exploration and automated construction.
• 6 Percent to 10 Percent of Internet Users Are Addicted - These specialists estimate that 6 percent to 10 percent of the approximately 189 million Internet users in this country have a dependency that can be as destructive as alcoholism and drug addiction, and they are rushing to treat it. Yet some in the field remain skeptical that heavy use of the Internet qualifies as a legitimate addiction, and one academic expert called it a fad illness.

TECHNOLOGY...

• Microsoft tweaks browser to avoid liability - The software giant is notifying Web developers and other partners on Friday that it is changing the way Internet Explorer handles certain Web programs, known as ActiveX controls and Java applets. With the change, Web developers will need to slightly modify their pages or consumers will have to make an extra click to get to some content, such as for a Macromedia Flash-based advertisement.
• NVIDIA to intro 90-nano desktop GPUs in Q1'06 - DigiTimes is claiming that NVIDIA will introduce new G72 and G73 desktop graphics processors in the first quarter of next year. The chips will be built using 90-nano fabrication technology, and will power the GeForce 7200 and 7600 series, respectively
• Will Sonys PS3 be the last nail in the HD-DVD coffin? - We know that Blu-ray has garnered massive content support from the studios with about 80% of all of Hollywood's content locked up. But, Sony is not stopping there, it's well known that the Play Station 3 will be blessed with a Blu-ray drive.  However, the HD DVD is the only next-gen format to provide for the ability to legally make copies of optical content. Dubbed "Managed Copy," HD DVD implements part of the AACS control mechanism to allow for things such as putting digital copies of a disc on a hard drive, transferring a movie (legally) to a portable player, or streaming content on a home network. Furthermore, HD DVD makes Managed Copy mandatory: all content provided on HD DVD must give users the option of making at least one copy.
• Merriam-Webster Launches Open Dictionary - Merriam-Webster just released Open Dictionary (firefox plugin) to better take and share the pulse of language through the Web
• Company Claims Development of True AI - GTX Global Corporation announced that GTX Global Corporation has developed the first true artificial intelligence, so named Cognitive Robotics, or more particularly, a human-like information management and delivery system.
• Dot-eu domain to go live next week - With just under a week to go until companies can register for a dot-eu domain name, the European Commission is preparing for a rush of registrations when the new top-level domain goes live. The sunrise period - where trademark holders and public bodies can register their dot-eu URLs before the public are allowed to - will officially begin on 7 December.
• ICANN goes floppy on porn domain - The proposed .xxx porn domain has been mysteriously dropped from ICANN's board meeting agenda.
• Skype gets into video - Skype has unveiled the latest version of its popular internet telephony application, with free video calling topping the list of new features.
• Ericsson and NRK launch interactive mobile TV - Ericsson and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) have conducted the world's first live trial of interactive mobile TV. The trial demonstrates a new way of using mobile TV, which allows mobile phone users to vote, chat and communicate with a television presenter while watching their favorite show - all at the same time on their mobile.
• Xbox 360 Euro-launch coverage - Xbox 360 UK launch review @ bit-tech.net / Xbox 360 UK launch review @ HEXUS / Xbox 360 Ireland launch review @ XboxGamers / Xbox or not, it's a jolly gaming holiday / Opinion: Xbox 360 launches in Europe @ TG Daily / Xbox 360 review @ TrustedReviews.

HARDWARE... 

• CPU - CPU Database / Are Three Cores Better Than Two?
• Motherboard - The Dual Graphics Platform Battle, Part 1 / ABIT's AN8-SLI, DFI's LANParty UT RDX200 CD-DR / DFI nForce4 Infinity SLI / ECS PF5 Extreme Intel 945 775LGA
• Complete / SFF Systems - Biostar iDEQ 350G SFF PC / Gateway 524GB Desktop PC
• Memory - Corsair DDR1 2GB Memory Roundup / OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Gold GX XTC 2048MB memory
• Storage - Hitachi vs. Western Digital vs. Seagate/ Seagate 500GB Barracuda 7200.9 / Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100GB / Western Digital 80GB Passport External Hard Drive || Indus Idex 400 Hard Drive Switch / Enermax Laureate (EB205U-S) || Corsair Flash Voyager 4GB / ScanDisk Extreme III Flash Cards Roundup / OCZ Rally Flash Drives || Pioneer DVR-110 DVD Burner
• Video - 5-way GeForce 7800GT Round-up / ASUSTeK A7G with ATI RADEON Mobility X1600 / ATI Radeon X1300 Pro  / e-GeForce 7800 GTX BlackPearl 512MB / EVGA e-GeForce 6800 GS / GeForce 7800 GTX 512 MB vs. Radeon X1800 XT 512 MB / HIS Radeon X800GTO 256MB / Matrox DualHead2Go / PowerColor Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory 128 MB / PowerColor X1800 XT / S3's Chrome S27 / XFX GeForce 6200 TurboCache 64 MB
• Monitor - Dell 5100P projector / Hyundai ImageQuest Q90U - 3ms 19" LCD Monitor
• Cooling - Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro Cooler / AVC Z7UB301 'AMD Reference' Athlon64 Heatsink / Coolermaster Musketeer 3 / Thermaltake Big Typhoon CPU cooler / Thermalright V1 Ultra / Zalman CNPS9500 LED
• Watercooling - asetek WaterChill Extreme watercooling kit / Danger Den DD12V-D4 Water Cooling Pump
• Case - Asys Freedom Tower Series (CK-1022-5) Eiffel Tower case / Cooler Master Stacker 830 case (video-review) / Mountain Mods Bob Slay Clear Acrylic Case  / Sansun SN-C001 BAT Case / Sunbeam Trio Case / Superpower XP01F PC Gaming Case
• Sound - Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music Sound Card || Altec Lansing XT1 Portable Speakers / Klipsch iFi iPod Speaker System / Logitech Z-5450 Digital 5.1 Speaker System || Noise Cancelling or Noise Reduction When It Comes to Headphones
• PSU - Coolmax CXI600W PSU / MGE XG Vortec 500W / SinTek 600SLI 600W PSU / Zalman ZM460-APS Ultra Quiet 460Watt Power Supply / XG Vortec 600 Power Supply
• Peripheral - Logitech G5 and G7 Laser Gaming Mice / Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse
• Printer - Epson PictureMate 100 Printer
• Notebook - Alienware Area-51 m5700 laptop / BenQ S53W Centrino Notebook / The Ultralight Sharp M4000 WideNote
• Cameras, MP3/DVD players/recorders - Canon DC20 DVD Camcorder || Dream'eo Enza Portable Media Centre / NeuNeo HVD2085 DVD Player / Nu Tech Dark Shadow 256MB MP3 Sunglasses / Samsung DVD-R120 DVD Recorder 
• Misc - Jackson Armor Card
• Phones/PDAs - Sony Ericsson W600i

GUIDES...

• Compatibility issues with Maxtor DiamondMax 9/10 and nForce4 - It seems that there is a serious compatibility issue between some of the Maxtor DiamondMax 9/10 SATA series with an early firmware revision and some nForce4 based motherboards. Some of the effected motherboards are the ASUS A8N series, the DFI LAN Party NF4, and some MSI nForce4 based boards. The problem lies between onboard SATA controller and the hard drive. The workaround is a firmware upgrade for the hard drive.
• Optimize Your SLI Rig - You just spent hundreds of dollars to build your own SLI computer for some serious gaming. But, you are having problems trying to configure your system to work at its full capability.
• PC submerged in mineral oil video - A working PC fully submerged in liquid, running at a CPU core temp of -7 degrees and an ambient temp of -61 degrees!
• Guide To Saving Videotape Memories - The TechZone published a guide about saving videotape memories.
• High-end Gaming PC Buyer's Guide -The basic goal of our high-end guide is to give you a general idea of what kind of gaming PCs are possible with a budget of $2500.
• Moving a Beginner to Linux - Tired of fighting to keep your Windows clean? Try Linux.
• Updated Firefox Tweak Guide - From the basic to the advanced, the following 11 pages of information are sure to enhance your Firefox experience.
• How to use MSCONFIG - A nice guide for beginners.
• How To Take Control Of Your Inbox & Reduce Spam - There is a way to reduce the problem and manage it effectively using the 7 steps.
• Quake 4 Performance Optimization Guide - Disappointed with your performance in Quake 4?

SOFTWARE...

• Apache 2.2.0 - This version of Apache is a major release (download) and the start of a new stable branch. New features include Smart Filtering, Improved Caching, AJP Proxy, Proxy Load Balancing, Graceful Shutdown support, Large File Support, the Event MPM, and refactored Authentication/Authorization.
• KDE 3.5 - KDE 3.4.2 has been just released to the public.
• OpenOffice.org for Windows 2.0.1 RC2 - OpenOffice.org (download) is the open source project through which Sun Microsystems is releasing the technology for the popular StarOffice productivity suite.
• Sun Java 2 Runtime Environment Standard Edition 5.0 Update 6 - Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) provides a complete environment for applications development on desktops and servers and for deployment in embedded environments. It also serves as the foundation for the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and Java Web Services.
• Spybot Search and Destroy Detection Update 1215 - This updates the detection rules. Only needed if you do not want to use the update function integrated into Spybot-S&D.
• Microsoft's SNARF e-mail sorter - The software maker this week released a free utility that aims to sort e-mail in a new way: It can organize messages not just by how recent they are, but also by whether the recipient knows the sender well.
• i.Scribe 1.88 - i.Scribe is a small and fast email client with an intergrated contact database and calendar.
• Google Talk 1.0.0.78 Beta - Google Talk (download) enables you to call or send instant messages to your friends for free-anytime, anywhere in the world.
• µTorrent 1.2.3 Beta Build 356 - µTorrent is an efficient and feature rich BitTorrent client for Windows sporting a very small footprint.
• Powerful free Xbox360 video converter - This program convert a variety of video types into MPEG-2 files suitable for playing on Xbox 360.
• Skype 2.0.0.43 Beta - Skype (changelog / download) is a little program for making free calls over the internet to anyone else who also has Skype. It's free and easy to download and use, and works with most computers. This new version adds Skype video (webcam) feature.
• RealPlayer 10.5 Build 6.0.12.1465 - Get the latest version of this media player from RealNetworks.
• The Core Media Player v4.11 Matroska' Edition - CoreCodec and The Core Media Player Development Teams have released The Core Media Player v4.11 Matroska' Edition (download). Now includes the powerful Haali Media Splitter
• ImgBurn 1.1.0.0 - ImgBurn (download) can write most types of CD / DVD images and it supports all the latest writers (including booktype / bitsetting on many of the major ones - i.e. BenQ, LiteOn, NEC, Plextor, Sony).
• CPU-Z 1.31 - CPU-Z (download) is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system.
• nVidia BIOS Modifier v3.2 - nVidia BIOS Modifier has been updated to version v3.0 ! This tool must be used by ADVANCED users ONLY! This tool works correctly with BIOSes of 6x00 / 7x00 series cards ONLY (including QUADRO series, built on NV4x and higher) !!! BIOSes of 5x00 and older aren't supported.
• RivaTuner 2.0 RC 15.8 - The purpose of this utility (changelog) is to give you access to all the undocumented features of Detonator and Catalyst drivers.
• Intel Pro & ProSet 10.1 Network Card Drivers - download
• Intel Graphics Accelerator Driver 14.18.0.4421 WHQL - The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver contains support for the following Intel Chipsets: 852GM, 852GME, 855GM, 855GME, 915G, 915GV, 915GM/GMS, 910GML, 945G, 945GM.
• Realtek AC'97 Drivers 3.80 WHQL - This driver supports all ALC series audio chipsets from ALC101 up to ALC861. The driver can also be found on MajorGeeks.
• ATI Omega drivers v2.6.83 (Catalyst 5.11) - The purpose of the Omega Drivers is to provide gamers with an alternate set of drivers, ones that have more options and features than the original sets. The drivers contain optimizations, extra features (like OC capabilities), more resolutions and internal tweaks that can give them the edge in a gaming environment over the normal drivers, which are often tailored for synthetic benchmarks. (thanks HairBall)