Songbird Over Troubled Waters
Sun Review May 12, 2001

Microsoft has announced its latest operating system, Windows XP, will be available for sale in late October. The Home version is an upgrade from Windows 98 and Me; Professional is the upgrade from Windows NT and 2000. Both the Home and Professional versions are built from Windows NT/2000 code which makes it more crash resistant than earlier Windows versions. But Windows XP is also expected to be more restrictive with product activation, device drivers and application support. For example, XP includes measures to reduce software piracy by requiring product activation over an Internet or modem connection. It should also make it more difficult to run an ILOVEYOU or similar virus because unsigned software will be blocked from running. On the flip side, that also means product activation may become more of a chore if we have to request a new activation code each time we install the software. After all, how many of us have managed to mess up our installations twice or more? It may also be more difficult for independent software vendors to obtain that all-important Microsoft signature in order for their programs to run under Windows XP.

In Napster related news, Songbird (www.iapu.org) has introduced a new technology to enable music copyright owners - including artists, musicians , publishers and producers - to track down how their music copyrights are being infringed on the Web. 20-year old software creator and classical pianist Travis Hill explains that, "We wrote the software to protect our own work and to help others to do the same." Songbird works as an Internet search tool and tracks the digital fingerprints left by Napster users.

If you have been paying attention to the stock market you are well aware of the slowdown in the computer and high tech sector. Many large computer makers are taking aggressive steps to pull themselves out of this slowdown through massive job cuts, forced vacation time, and lower prices. Look for big savings as Hewlett-Packard has reduced prices by 28% and Compaq by 31% on some PCs.

And finally, I'd like to thank Dean Broughton for his invaluable editorial assistance, advice and friendship. Way to go, Dean!

Questions or comments? E-mail inge@ingenius.bc.ca or visit www.ingenius.bc.ca/webwoman