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Fwd: Press Release: Leading Consumer Watchdogs Call Windows XP "Illegal Extension of Microsoft Monopoly", Urge Strong Remedy in Antitrust Case
by Declan McCullagh 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

>X-Sender: mcooper(a)mail.essential.org >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1 >Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 12:22:58 -0400 >To: declan(a)well.com >From: Mark Cooper <mcooper(a)consumerfed.org> >Subject: Press Release: Leading Consumer Watchdogs Call Windows XP > "Illegal Extension of Microsoft Monopoly", Urge Strong Remedy in > Antitrust Case > > >To: Declan McCullagh > Washington Correspondent > Wired News > > >CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA >CONSUMERS UNION > >Leading Consumer Watchdogs Call Windows XP "Illegal Extension of Microsoft >Monopoly", Urge Strong Remedy in Antitrust Case >For Release >12:15 p.m., EDT >Thursday, October 25, 2001 > >Contact >Mark Cooper of CFA at 301/807-1623 >Chris Murray of CU at 202/462-6262 > > >(Washington, D.C., Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001)-Responding to the official >launch of Windows XP, two of the nation's leading consumer organizations >today reiterated their concerns about the anticompetitive and >anti-consumer aspects of Microsoft's new bundle of software and Internet >services. The groups concluded that it is an illegal extension of the >company's illegal monopoly, and which will cause significant harm to both >the nation's consumers and non-Microsoft-affiliated software firms and >Internet service vendors. >Christopher Murray, CU's Internet and Telecommunications Counsel, said, >"We want to be clear that in contesting Microsoft's latest product we are >not taking an 'anti-innovation' position. It is precisely because we are >pro-innovation that we are disappointed with the way in which Microsoft is >telling users, 'If you want one-click convenience, we'll give it to you, >but only to our affiliates and commercial partners. Forget about one-click >convenience anywhere outside of our walled garden.' >Mark Cooper, Director of Research for CFA, added, "The real issue with XP >is whether innovation will be driven by a vigorous competitive process or >managed by a single, dominant firm that can choose, at any moment and with >a vast and ever-expanding store of anti-competitive tactics, to protect >and promote its interest at the expense of consumers." > >The groups, following up on a report they released last month that >describes in detail continuing Microsoft anti-competitive practices, cited >the following central objections to Windows XP: > > * Passport, Microsoft's payment and ID authentication service, should > not be bundled with XP. Users should have a choice of authentication > systems and Microsoft should provide customer support without users > having to sign up for a Passport; > > * Microsoft should provide an "open" alternative to the world of > Microsoft-affiliated commercial partners. Users should be able to easily > reconfigure one-click features on Internet Explorer 6 (the browser > bundled with XP) such as "My Music," and "My Photos," to point to > non-Microsoft services; > > * Windows Media Player, the music and video player bundled with XP, > should provide support for high-bitrate MP3 music, rather than eschewing > that format in favor of Microsoft's proprietary "Windows Media Audio" > format; and > > * "pre-certification" of all software drivers, while helpful to > maintain platform stability, has enormous potential for anti-competitive abuse. > >Cooper concluded, "We are heartened to learn of the apparent decision by >some state prosecutors to hire a hard-nosed lawyer during settlement >talks. State and federal prosecutors need to vigorously pursue a strong >remedy to stop current and prevent future anti-competitive behavior. Any >remedy sanctioned by the courts needs to be closely monitored, and >Microsoft should be substantially penalized if it fails to comply, either >financially or even, as a last step measure, break up of the company." > >The Consumer Federation of America is the nation's largest consumer >advocacy group, composed of two hundred and eighty state and local >affiliates representing consumer, senior, citizen, low-income, labor, >farm, public power and cooperative organizations, with more than fifty >million individual members. CFA is online at http://www.consumerfed.org/. > >Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, >nonprofit testing and information organization serving only consumers. CU >is comprehensive source for unbiased advice about products and services, >personal finance, health and nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since >1936, CU's mission has been to test products, inform the public, and >protect consumers. CU's income is derived solely from the sale of Consumer >Reports and its other services, and from noncommercial contributions, >grants, and fees. CU is online at http://www.consumersunion.org/. > ># 30 #

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Pentagon Seeks Ideas on Combating Terrorism
by dlnews_sender＠DTIC.MIL 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense No. 540-01 (703)697-5131(media) (703)697-5737(public/industry) IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2001 PENTAGON SEEKS IDEAS ON COMBATING TERRORISM The Department of Defense announced today that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office Technical Support Working Group are jointly sponsoring a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) asking for help in fighting terrorism. The BAA, issued Oct. 23 (No. 02-Q-4655), specifically seeks help in combating terrorism, defeating difficult targets, conducting protracted operations in remote areas, and developing countermeasures to weapons of mass destruction. Its objective is to find concepts that can be developed and fielded within 12 to 18 months. The BAA provides for a three-phase process in which interested parties initially submit a one-page description of their concept. Initial responses are due by Dec. 23, 2001. After a review of a submission and if DoD is interested in further information, the submitter will then be asked to provide a more detailed description of up to 12 pages of the idea. Submitters of concepts that the department is not interested in pursuing further will be so notified. DoD will evaluate phase two submissions and ask those who have offered the most promising ideas to submit full proposals in a third phase that may form the basis for a contract. Phase two submitters who are not asked to submit full proposals will be so notified. Submitters of a full phase three proposal that is not accepted by the department may request a formal debriefing. Debriefings will not be provided to phase one and phase two submitters whose concepts were not accepted. Interested parties can obtain more information concerning this BAA by visiting http://www.bids.tswg.gov . [Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/b10252001_bt540-01.html] -----

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Pentagon Seeks Ideas on Combating Terrorism
by dlnews_sender＠DTIC.MIL 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense No. 540-01 (703)697-5131(media) (703)697-5737(public/industry) IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2001 PENTAGON SEEKS IDEAS ON COMBATING TERRORISM The Department of Defense announced today that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office Technical Support Working Group are jointly sponsoring a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) asking for help in fighting terrorism. The BAA, issued Oct. 23 (No. 02-Q-4655), specifically seeks help in combating terrorism, defeating difficult targets, conducting protracted operations in remote areas, and developing countermeasures to weapons of mass destruction. Its objective is to find concepts that can be developed and fielded within 12 to 18 months. The BAA provides for a three-phase process in which interested parties initially submit a one-page description of their concept. Initial responses are due by Dec. 23, 2001. After a review of a submission and if DoD is interested in further information, the submitter will then be asked to provide a more detailed description of up to 12 pages of the idea. Submitters of concepts that the department is not interested in pursuing further will be so notified. DoD will evaluate phase two submissions and ask those who have offered the most promising ideas to submit full proposals in a third phase that may form the basis for a contract. Phase two submitters who are not asked to submit full proposals will be so notified. Submitters of a full phase three proposal that is not accepted by the department may request a formal debriefing. Debriefings will not be provided to phase one and phase two submitters whose concepts were not accepted. Interested parties can obtain more information concerning this BAA by visiting http://www.bids.tswg.gov . [Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/b10252001_bt540-01.html] -----

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25 Oct '01

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by Andres blummenstein 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

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Unscubscribe ATM
by Ignacio.Lazaro＠quierotv.com 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

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[techdiff@ix.netcom.com: [Med-privacy] National Individual Identifier]
by Adam Shostack 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

----- Forwarded message from peter marshall <techdiff(a)ix.netcom.com> -----

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FINALLY! we can buy Staria
by Dr. Evil 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

(is that the correct plural of Starium?) http://www.tactronix.com/s100.htm NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS FOR DELIVERY IN DECEMBER 2001/JANUARY 2002 Very Limited Quantity Available A 50% Deposit Will Reserve Your Units Today!! 1-10 Units $995 USD Each 11-20 Units $936 USD Each 21-50 Units $884 USD Each 51 Units+ Call For Price What do people here think of this? My initial thoughts are: Pros: 1. Voice encryption is great. It's the Last Great Encryption Taboo (the other is file encryption, but that's not nearly as taboo as voice). I'm glad to see something on the market which addresses this. Obviously, all traffic, including saying hi to grandma, should be encrypted. 2. The unit looks very easy to use. I could travel anywhere in the world with it (well, anywhere that it's legal) and plug it in and press one button and it works. That's great. Cons: 1. I would like to see an open source reference software implementation, or some way to verify that there are no "naughty bits" in this thing. I know, open source isn't much of a business model, but with encryption products, it seems almost essential. 2. It's expensive. It costs more than a PC. However, $2k for two units is small compared to the value of data it could be securing, so for many users, the price will be fine. 3. A minor nitpick: It uses 3DES. What's wrong with AES? I think I would like to buy some of them, but I can't decide if I want to be an early adopter, or wait for cheaper and better versions to come out.

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DoD Cries for Help
by John Young 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

Protect your own loved ones and save $300 billion in annual defense funding, $30 billion for intelligence and umpteen billions more for hapless Health and Human Services, Justice, FBI, Congress, Supreme Court and not least the Presidency riding its sad nag of anti-terrorism bassackwards. -----

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Would you like your frog flash cooked or freeze dried
by Subcommander Bob 25 Oct '01

25 Oct '01

>Indeed. The frog has been adjusting to the heating water rather too >well. It's time to flash cook the frog. How about freeze-drying and milling him? Wait until spores show up in hospitals... if you want to kick it up a notch.

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