Apple Computer Inc. has released AppleScript 1.4.3 for OS 9. The new version fixes an incompatibility that prevented the Standard Additions "mount volume" command -- which mounts non-AppleShare volumes, including Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT and Apple's own OS X -- from working. The update is available now for download and can be found at asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11683.
Microsoft Corp.: If you have multiple network adapters
on a Windows 2000 Professional, Server, or Advanced Server computer, unbinding
IPX from an adapter will disable NWLink Net BIOS binding for IPX from that
adapter. Microsoft is testing a fix, which should be in the next service pack.
If you need it now, ask Microsoft Technical Support for this file: 04/13/2000
04:19p 5.0.2195.1340 467,728 Netshell.dll.
Andy Martin, CTO, Garden.com Inc.
Intel Corp. will begin supplying computer makers with specifications for its Protected Access Architecture. The security system requires users to identify themselves through a biometric device such as a fingerprint scanner before the operating system is loaded. Unlike most current laptop security features, the Intel system will not even boot the OS until user validation has been completed, making the unbooted system "as valuable as a brick," according to Intel.
Lotus Notes and Domino 5.03 fix a bug that was sending MIME mail unencrypted rather than encrypted. This would happen if the sender was working offline with a local copy of the Directory Catalog, and an Internet certificate was missing.
Following on the heels of Wells Fargo & Co.'s launch of Web-enabled ATMs, the company has moved further into the e-commerce space via an alliance to provide EFT (electronic funds transfer) transactions for the Gelco Information Network, a provider of outsourced solutions for the government and the consumer-goods industry. The agreement is the latest step toward Gelco's electronic marketplace, which will launch later this year, Gelco officials said. The electronic-payment engine will allow consumer-goods trading partners to use EFT to execute payments via the Internet, officials said. An electronic trade-offer system will enable manufacturers, wholesalers, and sales agents to present trade-marketing programs and offers directly to retailers via the Internet, according to Gelco.
Apple Version 4.1.2 of Apple Computer Inc.'s QuickTime incorporates some internal improvements that Apple says enable it to work better with proxy servers and firewalls.
Cisco Systems Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ArrowPoint Communications Inc., a supplier of switches that can speed up the delivery of Web content, in an all-stock deal valued at $5.7 billion, officials at the networking giant announced last week. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the board of directors at both companies, Cisco will exchange 2.1218 shares of Cisco stock for every outstanding share and option of Acton, Massachusetts-based ArrowPoint. ArrowPoint, which recently held its IPO, has customers ranging from Excite@Home to Exodus Communications. ArrowPoint's products, in combination with Cisco's Internet infrastructure offerings, will be aimed at ISPs, Web-hosting companies, and others to improve the user experience of surfing the Web, officials at the companies said. ArrowPoint's software features also can be integrated into existing Cisco products.
Novell Inc. has an important warning for users of BorderManager 3.5 who are thinking about installing Enhancement Pack 1. You shouldn't do it if you need SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) authentication to an HTTP Accelerator. An incompatibility will open up a security hole that could give outsiders access to the HTTP Accelerator without asking for authentication.
Shareholders of MCI WorldCom Inc. last week "overwhelmingly approved" the pending merger with Sprint, with more than 98 percent of WorldCom shares voting in favor of the deal. Despite reports that the Federal Communications Commission has put a hold on the merger's progress to await more information about long-distance and Internet market share, WorldCom continues to anticipate a "second quarter of 2000" merger approval date from the U.S. government.
Information Technology Association of America - www.itaa.org
Network managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company's network infrastructure, including maintenance and troubleshooting.
Corel Corp. informed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last week that it could run out of cash within 90 days if its merger with Inprise/Borland does not go through. Corel and Inprise/Borland announced on April 10 that the waiting period for the merger had expired. Corel recently posted a first quarter loss of $12.4 million, and company representatives said they expect to post more losses during the next six months. Should the merger be approved, the new Corel would offer a single source for a range of Linux productivity applications, development tools, and professional services.
Microsoft Corp.: Some users of Windows 2000 Professional, Server, and Advanced Server may have problems when opening files that were sent using Infrared File Transfer (IRFTP.EXE). When the file is received, the access rights are set to Power User, so regular users will see this message: "Access to the specified device, path or file is denied." As a work-around, users needing these files should be promoted to Power Users.
Apple Computer Inc. Macintosh OS 9.0.4 includes an updated version of Open Transport 2.6.1. This new version fixes a bug that previously caused a crash when Open Transport was receiving empty packets on UDP (User Datagram Protocol) port 49152.