Microsoft Patches Zero Day Flaw in Windows
by Alex Woodie

Microsoft yesterday issued four security patches for its products, including one patch that fixes a critical zero day vulnerability in a Windows component that is currently being exploited on the Web. All told, Microsoft patched six flaws yesterday, including four critical flaws that attackers could use to take complete control of affected systems. READ MORE >

HP More Than Doubles Services Biz with EDS Acquisition
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

To say that Hewlett-Packard has wanted to be a powerhouse in IT services is a bit of an understatement. Almost straight out of the gate in 2000, then-new chief executive officer Carly Fiorina, the first non-HPer to run the company, tried to do a $17 billion deal with the IT consultancy arm of accountant PriceWaterhouse Coopers and failed, which IBM accomplished two years later with $3.5 billion just as HP had taken a left turn and acquired Compaq for $20 billion in 2001. The Compaq deal gave HP enterprise servers, storage, and some services. But nothing like the $13.9 billion acquisition today of Electronic Data Systems. READ MORE >

Massive Expansion in Progress at Microsoft Data Centers
by Alex Woodie

In its quest to compete with Google for Internet utility computing supremacy, Microsoft is ramping up its construction of data centers to new, cloud-like heights. According to Debra Chrapaty, the corporate VP in charge of Microsoft's datacenters, the company is installing 10,000 new servers per month into its data centers. The monumental task is made somewhat easier thanks to recent advances in using steel shipping containers as turnkey data centers that can be dropped off practically anywhere. READ MORE >

Microsoft Gives Customers a Break on New SMB Windows Packages
by Alex Woodie

Microsoft yesterday revealed pricing details of Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008. With pricing starting at about $1,100 and $5,500, respectively, the products should give customers a decent break compared to purchasing the bundles' components individually. But more importantly, Microsoft is giving customers a break on client access licenses (CALs). Microsoft also announced a 'public preview' of these products, but it's not clear how interested parties can participate. READ MORE >