Service Pack 3 for Windows Xp is now available for download on the web and will be rolled out to automatic updates by June 30th. The update adds compatibility between Server 2008 and Vista. There are also some security and network improvements.

Source: PCWorld

Update: It seems that XP SP3 will be delayed for a while longer. Not a Microsoft product being delayed, that’s unheard of. It seems that at the last minute a issue was found with Point of Sale software that Microsoft makes that runs on XP.

Source: The Register

A little while back I wrote about NetSol nefarious domain front-running. Well they’re at it again. NetSol will put up parking page with their own adverts on your sub-domains that aren’t being used. Now it seems that unless you read the 59,000 word long EULA you wouldn’t even know about it and the fact that you can opt out.

This is an excerpt from their EULA:

You also agree that any domain name directory, sub-directory, file name or path (e.g.) that does not resolve to an active web page on your Web site being hosted by Network Solutions, may be used by Network Solutions to place a “parking” page, “under construction” page, or other temporary page that may include promotions and advertisements for, and links to, Network Solutions’ Web site, Network Solutions product and service offerings, third-party Web sites, third-party product and service offerings, and/or Internet search engines. You agree that Network Solutions may change the content and/or appearance of, or disable any of these temporary pages at any time, in its sole discretion, and without prior notice.

Edit: I came across this personally when looking at my position in the Google ranks. This site comes up before me and has an under construction page. You wouldn’t really know it was under construction except for a tiny little text box in the top right corner.

Source: The Register

Well not quite, but the software company is loosening the grip on it’s proprietary protocols. These include Exchange/Outlook and SharePoint/Office. How loose you ask, how about a whooping 14,000 pages. These join the around staggering 30,000 pages of other various Windows Server and Client protocols. The additions to the MSDN can be found here. Microsoft said that it will be releasing the finished documentation in June.

The devil is in the details though, even though the documentation is public if Microsoft feels that the protocol is patented any commercial product wanting to implement the protocol will have to pay royalties. The bright side is that noncommercial open source software may implement the protocols without royalties. Many say this effort is from pressure from the EU but this is still a step in the right direction.

Source: Information Week

I just downloaded Safari 3.1 for Windows, yes downloaded not forced-updated, and my initial impressions are good. Apple has been catching crap over the way the have released Safari to Windows users through Apple Software Updater. While the name implies that it will only update software you’ve installed Apple decided to push out Safari with it as well, the kicker is that it is checked by default. Infoworld explains more.

Safari feels very fast opening pages. It’s got all the standard web browser features, tabbed browsing, rss feed reader, form auto-fill. I really like the built-in rss reader, it puts Firefox reader to shame. Screen shots will follow. Another big feature is the private browsing right out of the box in Firefox you need a plugin for that but Safari has this as a standard feature.

Update: It seems that Apple violates it’s on EULA with the new Safari for Windows. According to The Register Safari can only be installed on Apple hardware running Windows.
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