Benchmarking Windows 7; Compaq's $429 laptop; RIM's new BlackBerry [ZDNET WEEK IN REVIEW]

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Must-Read News Stories Apple warns of Mac attack risk via image files Ryan Naraine: In an update that contains fixes for a total of 19 documented vulnerabilities, Apple says malicious hackers could rig PNG and other images to take complete control of unpatched Mac systems. READ FULL STORY Mozilla shuts online store after security breach Sponsored Enhancing desktop and laptop security performance with disk defragmentation Download this white paper to read the results of a study that was conducted to determine the impact of disk fragmentation on the performance of security scans and other anti-malware programs. (Diskeeper) SmartPlanet: Is high-speed rail worth it in the U.S.? Andrew Nusca: Is the Obama administration's proposed high-speed rail project a much-needed infrastructure project or an optimistic waste of financial resources? According to Harvard economics professor Edward Glaser, it's a bit of both. READ FULL STORY John Dodge: High-speed rail is worth it This Week's Highlights Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP Putting Microsoft's new operating system to the test, ZDNet Germany finds that the change from Vista to Windows 7 is like releasing a car's handbrake. The early signs suggest that Windows 7 will enjoy a much better take-up than Vista. READ FULL STORY Windows 7 ultrathins still not hitting the true netbook sweet spot Special Report: Windows 7 at finish line Windows 7 first look: More than just Vista fixes Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Windows 7 activation...FAIL! The Ultimate Windows 7 Upgrade FAQ Tech testers to get free copy of Win 7 Sponsored How file fragmentation occurs on Windows XP / Server 2003 This intriguing white paper looks at how Windows XP/Server 2003 handle free space and how to address fragmentation problems through regular, automated file defragmentation. (Diskeeper) What's Microsoft's next billion-dollar business? (Hint: it's not search) Mary Jo Foley: While many company watchers continue to fret over what Microsoft will and won't do to make money in the search/online advertising space, there are other less sexy Microsoft business units plodding successfully along with relatively little public notice. READ FULL STORY Microsoft denies holding up Win 7 tools for PC makers Microsoft's Project Natal for business: In your dreams Ballmer on the Microsoft-Yahoo deal: 'Nobody gets it' Microsoft-Yahoo: Gauging the IT integration risks Social networking security: What, us worry? Jennifer Leggio: Recent surveys reveal lukewarm concern in the enterprise toward Web 2.0 security risks. In fact, only 3 percent of respondents see their companies "seriously affected" by recent Facebook and Twitter phishing attacks. But do enterprise users understand the real risks? READ FULL STORY Video: The risks of doing business on Facebook When collaboration is literally life or death U.S. Marines ban Facebook, MySpace, Twitter Fake Facebook group shows potential security issues Twitter knocked offline by DDoS attack When collaboration is life or death Oliver Marks: If you think collaboration technologies like Facebook and Twitter simply break down rigid management hierarchies in large organizations, consider the US military -- which have had a significant online presence within various online forums for a decade or more. READ FULL STORY Social media: Pondering the corporate ROI The groundswell of social media backlash US cyberwarriors a reluctant crew The CEO's top five fears of social media IT Security: Context is king Enterprise data in a radically open, Web-based world Dion Hinchcliffe: If the U.S. government can open its databases, why can't your organization? Open data promises instant connectivity between ad hoc partners while reducing integration costs, improving transparency, harnessing external innovation, and even creating entirely new business models. READ FULL STORY Security risks of Web 2.0 tools should not be overlooked by enterprises, individuals Google's campaign for Apps doesn't address the IT data elephant in the room Running your SOA like a Web startup Salesforce.com: Rethinking the database Ten top issues in adopting enterprise social computing Sony's Reader: the road ahead Larry Dignan: Sony launched two new e-readers, including a $199 model that could bring e-books to the masses. Yet Sony faces stiff competition from Amazon's Kindle, Plastic Logic (in 2010) and a rapidly expanding field of competitors. READ FULL STORY Sony's two new readers include a pocket-sized $199 device Gallery: Sony launches touch-screen, pocket e-readers E-reader devices: The fun is just starting $299 Kindle: Great, now make it read PDF! Kindles in color by 2010? Prime View to buy E Ink for $215M Photo Gallery Windows 7: RTM in pictures The official release of Microsoft Windows 7 has earned an Outstanding rating from CNET, and in this gallery you'll see why. Here's a comprehensive look at the new operating system. VIEW THE GALLERY Sony Party-shot photos MyTouch 3G gets campy launch in S.F. More ZDNet Photo Galleries OpenOffice users: Just say no to a Microsoft-like Ribbon interface Mary Jo Foley: From the "truth is stranger than fiction" desk, the OpenOffice.org camp is showing off a prototype of its rival desktop productivity suite that has a very Microsoft-Office-like interface. READ FULL STORY Microsoft privately testing Office 2010 streaming-download model Microsoft Office 2010: The odyssey continues HP debuts Compaq 515, 610 budget full-size business laptops; $429 Andrew Nusca: HP on Tuesday announced the Compaq 515 and 610 budget business laptops for mobile professionals, further blurring the lines between the netbook and notebook segments. READ FULL STORY John Morris: HP rolls out more Compaq budget laptops Where's the competition to Sony's P-Series? Dead-Finger Tech: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch unibody, 2009) Laptop or desktop + netbook for back to school? Featured TalkBack SmartPlanet: Do women make better managers than men? Andrew Nusca: Are female bosses better managers, advisers, mentors and employees? Apparently some (men and women) believe so. The most recent proclamation came from a female executive for the Elle Group, who said women were better, "hands down." READ FULL BLOG What do you think? Post Your Thoughts in TalkBack Reader TalkBacks Telcos: stop wasting our time & money! "Personally, I just wait." -- Lerianis10 Firefox to hit 1 billionth download "I use it every day. I love the Fox." -- zdnetlol Laptop Warranties and Accidental Damage Coverage: What You Need to Know Jason Perlow: After being flogged in public, HP contacted me and replaced my broken laptop that they had earlier claimed was accidentally damaged and not covered by their warranty. I appreciate HP's willingness to rectify the issue, but there clearly needs to be some improvement in communicating what sort of items are covered under warranty. READ FULL STORY Sitting "Shiva" For My Dead Laptop ZDNet Reviews BlackBerry Curve 8520 marks consumer, business power play for RIM Andrew Nusca: The most popular smartphone in America gets a new member of the family, aimed to please business users and multimedia-friendly consumers with a shockingly low price. Does it succeed? READ THE REVIEW Panasonic SC-BT200 home theater system Asus Essentio CG5290-BP007 More ZDNet Reviews Sign up for ZDNet's Product Watch Newsletter for the latest product reviews, news, and expert analysis Why writing a Windows-compatible file server is hard Jeremy Allison: Sometimes I encounter a coding problem so intransigent that fixing it is a triumph worth sharing with the world. And have I mentioned how much I hate Microsoft Excel? Welcome to a day in the life of a network engineer. READ FULL STORY In Office SP2, Microsoft manages to reduce interoperability Jeremy Allison: Windows and a sound of thunder Tom Foremski: Software engineers, move over: It's the era of the media engineer Software engineer, systems analyst 'least stressful' jobs in America	In The Blogs The future of... Passport control A look at On2 Technologies and why Google wants it Is Bing worth all the money Microsoft is throwing at it? U.S. Marines ban Facebook, MySpace, Twitter ERP sales are falling: here's one reason FCC: We'll be relentless for competition, consumers, innovation and investment Chip industry's boom/bust cycles and the failure of business intelligence Michael Arrington snared in libel verdict: lessons for us all SmartPlanet: Is your work-life balance off-balance? SP: 5 tips for defending your next business deal SP: Why your children won't land on the moon SP: Starbucks eyes 'lean manufacturing' techniques Now Introducing... Technology, perspective & insights shaping the world. SmartPlanet is the premier destination for savvy advice, thought-provoking analysis and expert discussion on the intersection of technology, business and life. Visit SmartPlanet.com today! (Want more? Sign up for the SmartPlanet newsletter to receive a regular digest of the best stories.) Most Rated Posts Windows 7 first look: More than just "Vista, fixed" Microsoft sticker shock: Anytime Upgrade, Family Pack details Researchers find insecure BIOS 'rootkit' pre-loaded in laptops Ballmer: Ultra-thin PCs will be the answer to netbooks Beware the gotchas in Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade, family pack pricing   New Technologies Sponsored White papers PCI DSS Compliance in the UNIX/Linux Datacenter This paper discusses how creating a secure access control infrastructure in heterogeneous UNIX/Linux environments supports Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance. (Symark Software) Enhancing desktop and laptop security performance with disk defragmentation Download this white paper to read the results of a study that was conducted to determine the impact of disk fragmentation on the performance of security scans and other anti-malware programs. (Diskeeper) How file fragmentation occurs on Windows XP / Server 2003 This intriguing white paper looks at how Windows XP/Server 2003 handle free space and how to address fragmentation problems through regular, automated file defragmentation. (Diskeeper) Free eBook: The Definitive Guide to Social CRM Discover how online CRM can help you take advantage of next-generation customer interactions to outperform the market and differentiate your business. Evaluating financial management software ...Is it time for a change? This white paper from SoftResources identifies key challenges businesses face with regard to their financial management software and outlines five considerations for choosing a solution that solves those problems and delivers maximum ROI. (Sponsored by Microsoft) More white papers: Most popular papers Recently added papers Most popular papers by industry More Popular Resources 10 IT flame wars that will never go away Windows XP services that can be disabled 10 dumb things users do that can mess up their computers Don't let Windows XP startup problems leave you dead in the water The 10 most annoying programs on the Internet Videos and Podcasts Which smartphone platform should developers aim for? For start-ups without a lot of time or money, is it smarter to develop for the iPhone first or the Android OS? Panelists at the AlwaysOn Summit at Stanford discuss the pros and cons of each platform. With 65,000 apps available, the iPhone may be the most popular smartphone, but that also means that many more apps can eclipse yours. PLAY VIDEO Open-source bonuses for the big guys At the AlwaysOn Summit at Stanford University, panelists discuss benefits that huge companies like Google and Facebook could get from embracing open source, such as third-party developers integrating their products into new application versions and easier connectivity with emerging technologies. PLAY VIDEO The month ahead: Tech companies set sights on students As students savor their last weeks of summer vacation, parents are trying to decide which laptop will best suit their kids' needs. ZDNet correspondent Sumi Das and senior editor Sam Diaz look ahead to August and discuss what the tech companies have to offer. PLAY VIDEO How does a solar cell work? How does solar conversion work now and how do we want it to work in the future? Paul Altivisatos, interim director for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at UC Berkeley, explains how a solar cell works and how the solar energy of the future can become more efficient. PLAY VIDEO Freemium: The first business model of the 21st century At the Revenue Bootcamp Conference in Mountain View, Calif., Chris Anderson, author of "Free: The Future of a Radical Price," discusses how different companies use the free-to-premium, or freemium model to not only make money, but often keep customers at a higher rate than fully paid services. PLAY VIDEO Play more video and audio Hot Sponsored Downloads ZC Video to iPod Converter Hotspot Shield - Freeware Registry Booster AVS Audio Editor Opera - Freeware Most Popular Downloads  ImgBurn 2.5 ImgBurn 2.5 is a lightweight CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray burning app with five modes, each for performing a different task: Read, Build, Write, Verify, and Discovery. Version 2.5 adds an "Advanced" input mode to build mode where you have total control over the disc layout. License: Free OS: Windows  Where 8800 A mobile GPS app with a wealth of widgets, Where is your first stop when looking for things to do and places to go. License: Purchase OS: Mobile  PDF Xtractor 1.5 An easy to use program that allows for a quick removal of pages from a PDF file. Provides a preview of the source PDF for easy browsing and page selecting. License: Free to try OS: Windows  PC Tools Firewall Plus A powerful personal free firewall for Microsoft Windows that protects your computer from hackers and intruders. License: Free OS: Windows  Technitium MAC Address Changer With a simple user interface, Technitium MAC Address Changer allows you to change Media Access Control (MAC) Address of your Network Interface Card (NIC) irrespective to your NIC manufacturer or its driver. License: Free OS: Windows
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