Industry Opens Net Exchange-2000-07-01--Jeff Barbian; Eric Foster-Johnson; Dennis Sellers

Industry Opens Net Exchange

Twelve high-tech leaders have converged to launch an independent open-Internet organization to serve the high-tech supply-chain community. The merging body includes AMD, Compaq, Gateway, Hitachi, Hewlett-Packard, Infineon, NEC, Quantum, Samsung, SCI Systems, Solectron, and Western Digital. The venture aims to deliver services to buyers and sellers involved in computing and electronics-related industries.

Expected benefits include improved supply-chain efficiency through cost reduction, timely transactions, inventory saving, and higher-value services that will enable supply-chain partners to fundamentally redesign their business processes and create new business opportunities from end to end. The consortium will be operating under the world's largest e-marketplace opportunity-according to GartnerGroup, an estimated $600 billion in online business-to-business sales of high-tech components and parts will occur over the next few years.

"This is a major step toward a virtual economy for the high-tech industry," says Dr. Hau Lee, professor of Operations, Information and Technology at Stanford Business School. An initial resource investment of $100 million will give the founders equal ownership and full use of, and access to, their supply chains.

Compaq Brings Cryptography to Wireless

Internet security firm RSA Security has reached an agreement with Compaq Computer Corp. to bring the latest in cryptography to Compaq's wireless developers, as well as RSA's security products. The two companies launched a patented technology, called MultiPrime, designed to process encryption/decryption tasks on handheld and other embedded devices more than two times faster than previous methods. MultiPrime promises to provide enhanced security on such devices as mobile phones, pocket PCs, and personal digital assistants.

Microsoft Takes on RealNetworks

The digital-media marketplace is heating up. With the beta release of Windows Media Player 7, Microsoft looks to offer some serious competition to RealNetworks' RealPlayer and RealJukebox. The Windows Media Player 7 software, available via an Internet download, plays music and video streamed in real time. It also can record, organize, and play songs from CDs, and access 1,900 Internet radio stations. A final release of the player is due later this summer and will be included in the next rendition of Windows OS for consumers.

Microsoft also announced plans to overhaul its WindowsMedia.com Web site, which already carries music videos, movie footage, and more than 60,000 songs. To catch the Seattle-based RealNetworks, crosstown rival Microsoft has some catching up to do. Figures from Media Metrix, an Internet-usage analysis firm, showed that RealNetworks currently holds a sizable user lead, with nearly 30 million people-more than all other rival players combined.

Intel Aligns Services for the Internet Economy

Intel Corp., the leading microprocessor chip maker, announced a strategy that has combined its Intel Architecture Business and Microprocessor Products Groups into a single organization, called the Intel Architecture Group (IAG), to deliver platforms and solutions for the Internet economy. Under this reorganization, development of microprocessors, chipsets, motherboards, systems, and related software at the platform level will be combined into platform-focused business operations targeted at the enterprise, desktop, and mobile segments. Also included under IAG is a set of solutions for e-business and e-homes-all optimized for Intel architecture and the Internet.

LILO, LILO, it's off to work we go--making booting up Linux a breeze

Despite all the success of Linux, booting up the operating system has always been a task fraught with problems. Part of this comes from the fact that Windows isn't very well-behaved when it comes to sharing a hard disk with other operating systems. Part of this comes from limitations in the BIOS (basic input/output system) that interfaces with the boot hardware on most PCs.

LILO, short for Linux Loader, provides the primary way people boot Linux. Red Hat Linux, for example, promotes LILO as the main way to install Linux. When you install Red Hat Linux, you also install LILO by default. Other Linux distributions, such as Slackware, highlight other ways to load Linux, including LoadLin, a program that can boot up Linux from Windows. For years, the main problem with LILO has been that it will not support booting from a hard-disk partition over the 1024th disk cylinder. Technically, only the Linux kernel and the boot loader had to be under the 1024th disk cylinder, but to be safe, most users had to ensure the entire disk partition was under the 1024th cylinder.

This may seem obscure, but it is a real problem for two reasons. First, many Linux users install Linux on a system that already runs Windows. Chances are, Windows was installed first, on the lower end of the disk. Linux then goes on the higher (unused) disk cylinders, introducing problems. Many users had to delve far too deep into hard-disk mechanics and disk partitions to ensure that LILO got installed in the proper place. Quite a few users create special small boot partitions for the /boot directory and then additional partitions for the rest of their Linux installation. All of this makes for a more problematic installation of Linux. And if you don't follow the rules, your Linux system won't boot. Tracking down this type of problem is not for the faint of heart, and there is little help for newcomers.

All this has changed with the latest release of LILO. Using EDD BIOS extensions, the new LILO, version 21.4, eliminates the 1024th-cylinder restriction. You do, however, need a newer BIOS (post-1998) that supports the EDD packet-call interface. For older systems, you can use software such as EZ-Drive or MaxBlast. LILO also now supports disks up to 2TB.

You can download LILO from ftp://sd.dynhost.com/ pub/linux/lilo. But most users will be better off waiting for the next releases of major Linux distributions. Let the distributors integrate LILO into their software. Then, you should just be able to install and get the new LILO without any extra hassle.

Apple announces another profit

Apple reported a profit of $233 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2000. Revenues were $1.94 billion, up 27 percent from the year-ago quarter, and gross margins were 28.2 percent. For the first half of the year, Apple's unit growth has shot up 37 percent, and its revenue is up 32 percent. Sales of 1.04 million units drove year-over-year unit growth of 26 percent.

In announcing its financial results, Apple made it clear that its professional products, which have been overshadowed by the consumer-oriented iMac and iBook line in recent months, are making a comeback. According to Fred Anderson, Apple's Chief Financial Officer, more than 100,000 PowerBooks and 350,000 Power Mac G4 systems were sold during the quarter.

Apple's board of directors and stockholders also approved a two-for-one split of its common stock. At the close of business on May 19, each shareholder of record received one additional share for every outstanding share held on the record date. Trading began on a split-adjusted basis on June 21.

Apple tightens focus on digital video

At April's National Association of Broadcasters Expo, Apple expanded its focus on digital video with a plethora of unexpected announcements.

The company plans to buy DVD-authoring software products and the associated underlying technology from Astarte GmbH, developer of DVD-authoring tools. Pinnacle Systems and Apple announced uncompressed standard-definition and uncompressed high-definition video solutions available only on the Mac. And Matrox Video Products Group and Apple touted the first PCI video card for real-time digital video editing on the Mac.

Apple revamps K-12 sales program

Apple announced plans to significantly increase its number of field-based Apple employees in K-12 education sales and support. Because the company is beefing up its staff in the K-12 education market, it's discontinuing all current K-12 education-sales agent contracts effective July 1. After that date, all Apple K-12 education-sales activities will be handled directly through Apple.

Macworld NY to offer MacBeginnings

The upcoming Macworld New York Expo will feature dozens of new courses, as well as updated presentations of well-received programs from past shows. It will also see the rollout of MacBeginnings, introductory sessions that provide first-time attendees and new Mac users a starting point from which to enter the Mac community. The expo will run July 18-21 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Here are the topics we cover computer certification computer careers computer training computer games consulting data recovery data security digital entertainment emerging technology gadget reviews handheld computers hardware reviews home automation home networks home office how-to advice internet linux local companies local news local profiles macintosh mp3 players network security online music online security open-source small-business technology soho software reviews technology books technology dictionary vpn web site reviews wi-fi windows wireless technology tech articles tech news press releases tech dictionary education resources career solutions create your personal blog upload your videos become a writer usergroups special interest group SIG 3com cipts adobe adobe certified expert apc ncpi apple achds acpt acsa actc avaya bea 8.1 certified administrator 8.1 certified architect 8.1 certified developer 9 certified administrator bicsi rcdd checkpoint ccmse ccsa ccsa ngx ccse ccse ng plus with ai ccse ngx cisco access routing and lan switching ccda ccdp ccie ccip ccna ccnp ccnp old ccsp ccvp crmam ip communications optical proctored exams for validating knowledge sales specialist storage networking vpn and security wireless lan citrix cca 3.0 cca 4.0 cca 4.5 cca xp ccea 3.0 ccea 4.0 ccea xp ccia ciw ciw associate ciw certified instructor master ciw admin master ciw designer master ciw enterprise developer security analyst comptia a+ network+ security+ server+ computer associates ca cusa cuse cwna cwna cwsp dell eccouncil cea cep certified ethical hacker chfi e-commerce architect emc emc specialist implemenation technology foundations enterasys ese eta exam express exin exin itil extreme networks ena ens filemaker f7cd f8cd fortinet fortigate foundry cne fujitsu fujitsu guidance software ence hdi css hda hdm hdsa hitachi hitachi certified professional hp ais apc app aps ase certified systems developer csa cse master ase huawei hcne hyperion hcp ibm advanced deployment professional advanced technical expert application developer business process analyst certified administrator certified advanced system administrator certified advanced technical expert certified associate developer certified enterprise developer certified solution designer certified specialist certified systems expert database administrator db2 deployment professional enterprise developer eserver certified specialist ibm on demand business solution advisor solution designer solutions developer solutions expert storage administrator system administator iisfa cifi intel isaca cisa isc cissp sscp iseb itil ism cpm juniper jncia jncis legato lcaa lcea lotus clp lpi lpic level 1 lpic level 2 lpic level 3 macromedia mcafee mcdata csnd microsoft crm mbs mcad .net mcdba mcdst mcitp mcp mcpd mcsa longhorn mcsa 2003 mcsa 2008 mcsd .net mcse mcse 2000 security mcse 2000 to mcse 2003 upgrade mcse 2003 mcse 2003 messaging mcse 2003 security mcse 2008 mcts microsoft business solutions microsoft partner competency mile2 cnsa network appliance nac-na nac-nie naca nace nacp network general sniffer certified professional nokia nokia security administrator nortel ncde ncds ncse ncss ncts novell5 cna 5 cne 6 cna 6 cne 6.5 cne cne upgrade omg ocup oracle 10g dba 10g oca 11i 8i dba 9i dba 9i internet application developer oca ocp8 to ocp8i dba upgrade exam pmi project management professional polycom pcve redhat rhce rhct sair sas institute sas scp saas scp snia snia certified architect snia certified professional snia certified systems engineer snia storage networking certification program administrator professional associate symantec scse scsp scta scts teradata tca v2r5 tcad v2r5 tcda v2r5 tcis v2r5 tcm v2r5 tcp v2r5 tia ccnt ctp tibco tcp trusecure ticsa veritas infraguard chamber of commerce vcp vmware certified professional webex linkedin facebook myspace Professional page layout, image editing, vector illustration, and print production Website design, development, prototyping, and blogging Creation of rich interactive content Industry-standard visual effects and motion graphics Video capture, editing, and production; DVD titling; and digital audio, Adobe Photoshop CS3 extended, Adobe illustrator CS3,Adobe indesign CS3,Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional, Adobe Flash CS3 Professional, Adobe Dreamweaver CS3,Adobe Contribute CS3,Adobe Fireworks CS3,Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional, Adobe Premiere Pro CS3,Adobe Soundbooth CS3,Adobe Encore CS3,Adobe OnLocation,Adobe Bridge CS3,Adobe Version Cue CS3,Adobe Device Central CS3,Adobe Stock Photos, Intel Pentium 4 (1.4GHz processor for DV; 3.4GHz processor for HDV), Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, (dual 2.8GHz processors for HD), or Intel Core, Duo (or compatible) processor; SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions) 1GB of RAM for DV; 2GB of RAM for HDV and HD; more RAM recommended when running multiple components 10GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation) Dedicated 7,200 RPM hard drive for DV and HDV editing; striped disk array storage (RAID 0) for HD; SCSI disk subsystem preferred Microsoft DirectX compatible sound card (multichannel ASIO-compatible sound card recommended),1,280x1,024 monitor resolution with 32-bit color adapter Blu-ray burner required for Blu-ray Disc creation OHCI compatible IEEE 1394 port for DV and HDV capture, export to tape, and transmit to DV device QuickTime 7.1.2 software required to use QuickTime features Broadband Internet connection required for Adobe Stock Photos* and other services

3PAR, Accellion, Acronis, Actional, Active Endpoints, ActiveGrid, activePDF, ActiveServers, ActiveState, Actuate, Adaptec, Agile Software, AGiLiENCE, Agilysys, Akorri, AlachiSoft, Alter Logic, Altor Networks, Altova, AMD, AMDAHL, Amentra, Amyuni, anacubis, Apani, APC, Appcelerator, AppSense, AppStream, Array Networks, Ascential, Astaro, Attune Systems, Autodesk, AutoVirt, Availl, Avanade, Azul Systems, Barracuda Networks, BEA Systems, B-hive, Black Duck Software, Blackbaud, Blade Network Technologies, Blue Coat, Blue Lane, BlueArc, BlueNote Networks, BluePheonix Solutions, BMC Software, Borland, Bristol Technology, Brix Networks, BroadVision, Brocade, Burton Group, Business Objects, CA, CalAmp, Cassatt, Cast Iron Systems, Catbird, Cayenne Technologies, Ceedo Technologies, Cenzic, Certeon, CiRBA, Cisco Systems, Cision, Citrix Systems, ClearApp, ClearCube Technology, CollabNet, Compass America, Composite Software, Compugen, Compuware, Configuresoft, Continuity Software, Coraid, Courion, Coyote Point Systems, Crescendo Networks, CSC, DataCore, DataSynapse, Dell, Desktone, Digipede Technologies, Double-Take Software, Ecora Software, EDS, eG Innovations, Egenera, Elastra Corporation, Electric Cloud, Embotics, EMC Corporation, Emulex, Endeavors Technology, Enigmatic Corporation, Enterprise Management Associates, Entuity, EqualLogic, Ericom Software, ESRI, EVault, eXludus Technologies, F5 Networks, FalconStor, FastScale Technology, Foedus, Force10 Networks, Fortisphere, Forum Systems, Fujitsu, GemStone Systems, Getronics, GlassHouse, Green Hills Software, Grid Dynamics, GridGain Systems, GT Software, Hitachi, HP, Hyper9, Hyperic, IBM, ICEsoft, IGEL Technology, Illumita, ILOG, IMEX Research, Information Builders, Ingres, InstallFree, Integrien, Intel, Intellium, International Computerware, iTKO LISA, JBoss, Juniper, KACE, Kidaro, LeftHand Networks, Leostream, Lifeboat Distribution, Liquid Computing Corporation, Liquid Technology, Lynux Works, Mainline, ManageIQ, Managed Methods, ManageSoft, Marathon Technologies, McAfee, Mellanox Technologies, Microsoft, Mid-Atlantic Computers, Mindbridge Software, Mindreef, MKS, MonoSphere, Motorola, MQSoftware, mySoftIT, NASTEL, Ncomputing, NEC, Neocleus, NeoPath Networks, Neoware, NetApp, Netegrity, Neterion, Netuitive, Neverfail, Nexaweb, NextAxiom, Nimbus, Nimsoft, Niyuta, NoMachine, Novell, ONStor, Opalis Software, Open Kernel Labs, OpenSpan, OPNET Technologies, Optaros, OpTier, Oracle, Pano Logic, Parallels, Parasoft, Perforce Software, PHD Technologies, Phoenix Technologies, Phurnace Software, Pillar Data Systems, PlateSpin/Novell, Progress Software, Prolifics, ProSync Technology, Provision Networks, QLogic, Quest Software, Racemi, Raritan, Raxco Software, Red Hat, Reflex Security, Resolution Enterprises, RingCube Technologies, Riverbed Technology, Rogue Wave Software, RSA Security, Sagnet Solutions, SanDisk Corporation, SAP, SAVVIS, ScaleMP, Scalent Systems, Seanodes, Secure Command, Secure Computing, Sentillion, Shavlik Technologies, ServInt Internet Services, Silpion IT Solutions, SIMtone, Skytap, Skyway Software, Software AG, Sonasoft, SourceGear, Splunk, StackSafe, SteelEye Technology, StillSecure, StoneFly, Stonesoft, Stoneware, StoreVault, StrikeIron, STT WebOS, Sun Microsystems, SunGard, Supermicro Computer, Surgient, SWsoft, Sybase, Symantec, Systar, TBD Networks, Tenfold, TheInfoPro, Thinstall, Third Brigade, TIBCO Software, Tidal Software, Tideway Systems, TOA Solutions, TRANGO Virtual Processors, Trend Micro, Tresys Technology, Trigence, Tripwire, Ulteo, Unisys, United Devices, VaST Systems, VDIworks, VeeAm Software, Verari Systems, Verio, VeriSign, Vicom Computer Services, VirtenSys, Virtera, Virtual Iron, VirtualLogix, Virtugo Software, Virtutech, VisionCore, Vizioncore, VKernel, VMLogix, vmSight, VMware, Vordel, vThere-Sentillion, Vyatta, WaveMaker, Web Age Solutions, WSO2, Wyse Technology, XDS, XenoCode, Xiotech, xkoto, Xsigo Systems, Zenith Optemedia, Zeus Technology.