SECURITY...

• Internet Explorer Cumulative Update MS04-040 (KB889669) - Microsoft has issued a patch (Win98/ME / WinXP/2k/NT), out of its normal security patch cycle, for a critical bug in Internet Explorer versions from 6.0 up to but not including Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). According to the advisory issued by Microsoft, the bug could allow remote code execution on an affected system. The vulnerability is a buffer overflow in the handling of IFRAME and EMBED tags.
• Security Vulnerability in Netscape 7 With PNG Files - Multiple security vulnerabilities have been discovered in the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) Library libpng(3) which also affect Netscape 7 shipped with Solaris since Netscape 7 includes the affected libpng routines. This may allow an unprivileged user to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of a local user. This condition can be exploited when the local user has loaded a Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format image file supplied by an untrusted user and views a malicious web site or views an e-mail message containing a malformed PNG image with that application.
• Microsoft confirms flaw in Windows - Microsoft has confirmed the flaw that has been detected in Microsoft Windows, which can be exploited by malicious users to compromise a vulnerable system. The vulnerability is caused due to an error within WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) during the handling of replication packets. This flaw can be exploited to write 16 bytes to an arbitrary memory location by sending a specially crafted WINS replication packet to a vulnerable server, claims security research firm Secunia.
• Windows XP SP2 flaw complex but dangerous - Security experts have identified a modified exploit that can target computers running Windows XP SP2. Although the exploit is tricky to perform, it combines two vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer 6 with a series of ActiveX exploits to break security settings in computers running SP2. It runs when a user moves a file or an image from one part of a Web page to another, but in the process the exploit downloads code to machines that circumnavigates Local Computer security settings in SP2.
• BitTorrent servers under attack - The attacks apparently targeted the central BitTorrent directories used by people to find movies, music and other content on the file-swapping network, according to information posted Wednesday on LokiTorrent, a BitTorrent tracking Web site. "We had a massive DDoS attack lasting almost 10 hours today," said the posting on the site. "It seems we were not alone in this attack, as many other torrent sites also fell victim to them.
• Lycos Anti-Spam Screensaver Brings Down Spam Sites - Earlier this week Lycos Europe released a screensaver that bombards spam websites with data to try to increase the cost of running such sites. But analysis shows that, in some cases, spam websites are being completely overwhelmed by the traffic being directed their way. The Lycos plan has also come under fire for encouraging vigilantism. 
• Wozniak's Wheels of Zeus Tackles Data Encryption - The Apple co-founder's "wOz Location-Based Encryption" application uses GPS tracking to encrypt and decrypt sensitive data within a proprietary wireless hub.
• Demo disc can possibly wipeout PS2 game progress memory - PlayStation 2 owners are seething after discovering that a demo disc distributed by Sony could accidentally erase the memory cards attached to their consoles, wiping out many hours of progress in games such as "Grand Theft Auto." Sony acknowledged the problem last week in a postcard sent to members of its PlayStation Underground fan club, warning members to be careful with holiday demo discs sent out last month. Don't play the trial version of the Capcom adventure game "Viewtiful Joe 2" included on the disc, Sony warned, unless you want to start over from scratch on every PS2 game you own.
• Microsoft sues seven sex spammers - Microsoft today began an anti-spam blitz by filing seven lawsuits against hackers who allegedly used PCs infected with Trojans to send sexually explicit spam email that violated the Can-Spam US anti-spam law.

OFF-TOPIC...

• DNA 'Velcro' binds nanoparticles  - Strands of DNA have been used to fasten - and then separate - nanoparticles in experiments that could lead to the development of fundamentally "self-constructing" materials. DNA consists of two complementary strands that bind together depending on the chemical "bases" on either strand. Attaching nanoparticles by appending them to complementary strands of DNA is a tried and tested technique, already used in some protein sensing systems. But, until now, no one has shown that it is possible to separate the strands again afterwards.
• Fuel Cell Supply Chain Market to Hit $1 Billion by 2012 - The automotive fuel cell industry now stands out as a glimmering beacon in the supply chain's vertical landscape. Driven by factors ranging from homeland security to diminishing natural resources, the fuel cell supply chain market will explode to somewhere between $1 billion and $2 billion by 2012, according to analysts at ABI Research.
• Magnesium may reverse middle-age memory loss - Magnesium helps build bones, make proteins, release energy stored in muscles and regulate body temperature. In the cover story of the Dec. 2 issue of Neuron, MIT researchers report a possible new role for magnesium: helping maintain memory function in middle age and beyond. The adult daily nutritional requirement for magnesium, a trace mineral found in foods such as dark green, leafy vegetables, is around 400 mg a day
• Japanese robot to chat lonely elderly out of senility - Japan's growing elderly population from will be able to buy companionship in the form of a 45-centimeter (18-inch) robot, programmed to provide just enough small talk to keep them from going senile.
• The threat from life on Mars - Earth must take precautions to avoid contamination from lifeforms that must now be presumed to exist on Mars, leading scientists gave warning yesterday. Potentially deadly microorganisms could be returned to Earth on a probe which is being planned to collect samples from the Martian surface. The warning comes after a detailed scientific analysis of data sent back by the roving vehicle Opportunity which landed on Mars on January 25.

TECHNOLOGY...

• Google Groups 2 Beta Hits the Web - Google has swapped out its main Groups service with a beta of Google Groups 2, which the search giant has been testing since last May. Users who click the "Groups" link on the Google homepage will be redirected to the beta offering that promises enhanced features and focuses on community building. In fashion with MSN's Communities and Yahoo!'s Groups, Google Groups 2 allows users to design their own group Web sites, mailing lists and newsletters.
• MSN Spaces Launched - MSN Spaces, Microsoft's blogging service, has opened itself to the public for beta testing. The service, previously only available in Japanese, is now available in English. Like the recently launched search beta, it does appear a little shakey in terms of .
• Windows XP Starter Edition To Expand Availability - Microsoft said on Thursday it will begin shipping a low-cost version of its Windows XP operating system to three Asian countries and Russia by early-2005, tapping developing markets as growth slows elsewhere.
• MP3 surround sound unleashed free demo available - Fraunhofer IIS, Thomson and Agere Systems unveil free MP3 Surround evaluation download. Full versions of MP3 Surround encoder and decoder available from www.mp3surround-format.com.
• Nvidia has canned NV48? - TheInquirer is reporting that Nvidia decided to cancel its NV48 project and reliable sources are claiming that you won't see those cards at all. According to the original plan we were supposed to see those cards in Q1 2005 but Nvidia realised that it made no sense at all to push a 20 to 30 MHz faster card

HARDWARE...

• Albatron PCIe-enabled GeForce 6600 card uses heatpipe cooling - Albatron Technology has released this week the PC6600U graphics card on the heels of Nvidia's GeForce 6600 graphics chipsets. The PC6600U is a PCI-Express (x16)-based card that utilizes a heatpipe thermal solution.
• MSI's GeForce 6800 PCI Express - nVidia's GeForce 6800 PCI Express card performs at nearly identical levels to that of the GeForce 6600 GT card, which in itself is roughly $150 - $200 less expensive. The GeForce 6800 PCIe should be a faster card in theory, as it has twice as much memory and a significantly higher DDR memory clock speed. Still, our performance numbers show that the cards are basically on equal footing throughout all of our benchmarks. There may be good reason why nVidia is not promoting this product with the same gusto of their other 6800 and 6600 products.
• Logitech MX900 Bluetooth Mouse - What the MX900 does bring to the table over the MX700 is it'll transform your computer into a Bluetooth control center
• ASUS WL-330 Pocket Wireless Access Point  - This nifty little gadget's main purpose is as a massively portable 802.11b wireless access point; hook it into any wired Internet source and you have an instant hotspot. This diminutive device also doubles as a USB-powered 802.11b wireless adaptor.
• Samsung Syncmaster 172X Display  - PyroPort.com take a brief look at Samsung's Syncmaster 172X Display.

GUIDES...

• DDR/DDR2 Memory - If you haven't already, I recommend reading this memory guide which explains how memory works and shows the performance impact of different latencies, speeds and types of memory. This information can be very useful when it comes to your buying decision.
• Dual CPU Database Server Comparison - Intel made a very good comeback with Nocona, as this 3.6 GHz CPU is just a tiny bit faster in DB2. This concurs with some of Jason's MS SQL server results. Of course, it is a very big question mark whether or not Intel can push this Xeon much higher. Meanwhile, it is clear that AMD has quite a bit of headroom with its new 90 nm process technology.  The Opteron systems still have a price advantage over similar Xeons, mostly thanks to the cheaper - to-produce motherboards and DDR-I. A ProLiant DL145 2.4GHz Opteron 2GB ATA Rack Model with 2 CPUs and 2 GB of memory costs about $4300, while a comparable ProLiant DL360 G4 Xeon 3.60GHz Processor, SATA - Rack Model arrives at about $4900.
• Speakers versus headphones - Dan's Data has compared speakers versus headphones

SOFTWARE...

• Windows XP embedded goes gold - Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices Group has released the final version of Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2. The latest release of the componentized version of Windows XP -- targeting a wide range of embedded systems and devices -- is now available for free download from Microsoft's website. The free 120-day evaluation software kit comprises the entire product including binaries and tools, and can be used to develop, build, deploy, and test a target OS image in a real device, according to Microsoft product manager John Starkweather.
• Office 2003/XP Add-in: Remove Hidden Data - With this add-in you can permanently remove hidden and collaboration data, such as change tracking and comments, from Word 2003/XP, Excel 2003/XP, and PowerPoint 2003/XP files.
• Thunderbird 1.0 RC1 - A release candidate 1.0 of Thunderbird is available.
• FileZilla Server 0.9.4d - FileZilla is a fast FTP and SFTP client for Windows with a lot of features. FileZilla Server is a reliable FTP server.
• CopyToDVD 3.0.37 - The new version of CopyToDVD 3.0.36 introduced a problem when trying to burn a dvd video project from the Manager/Starter, the version 3.0.37 fixes it. To forgive the inconvenience, they created a special coupon ( you can enter it using Element5/ShareIt order form ) of 25% on the price of CopyToDVD, the coupon is available up to the 5/12/2004. Coupon code is "killbug36".
• WinAmp 5.07 - Nullsoft Winamp (download full ~ lite) is a fast, flexible, high-fidelity media player for Windows. Winamp supports playback of many audio (MP3, OGG, AAC, WAV, MOD, XM, S3M, IT, MIDI, etc) and video types (AVI,ASF,MPEG,NSV), custom appearances called skins (supporting both classic Winamp 1.x/2.x skins and Winamp 3 freeform skins), etc. This new version has critical Security bug fixed in in_cdda.dll and .m3u handler.
• Asterisk Key 7.0 - Asterisk Key shows passwords hidden under asterisks.
• VisualRoute 2005 9.0a - VisualRoute (download) delivers the functionality of key Internet "ping," "whois," and "traceroute" tools, in a high-speed visually integrated package. VisualRoute automatically analyzes Internet connectivity and performance problems, displaying the results in an easy to understand table and on a world map
• ATI Catalyst 4.12 beta 2 - Station-Drivers.com have posted a new set of Catalyst Drivers version 4.12 beta 2 ( 6.14.10.6497 ) with control panel v6.14.10.5134 for Windows XP/2000.
• ForceWare 67.03 Win2K/XP Official - Although labeled beta, NVIDIA has released a new official driver, this is ForceWare 65 with build 67.03 for Windows 2000/XP.