Focus On: Operating Systems

In the constellation of Windows network managers, Vlad Mazek's a shiny new star. He's a hyper-active Windows crusader who administers a fleet of enterprise-class servers. So with all that Windows experience, why did Mazek choose Linux for his latest Windows-promoting project? Mazek says, when you get right down to it, it's strictly about cost: Linux is cheaper, even for a Windows MVP. That's bad news for Redmond. And very good news for Linux.

To survive in today's security environment, Microsoft must toughen its operating system. But As Windows' OS code gets tighter, old applications will inevitably break. How did Windows end up boxed into a corner where any changes it makes will shatter an application written by a rule breaker of the past? Email Battles tells you how Microsoft got here, and how Microsoft can drag itself out of this mess... And Microsoft isn't going to like it.

Samba allows UNIX, Linux, IBM System 390, or OpenVMS hosts to interact with Microsoft Windows clients and servers as if they were Windows file and print servers... Unless the remote client or server is running Windows Vista. At that point, client directory queries are returned with all but the first 100 files truncated. Microsofties say it's all Samba's fault. Email Battles begs to differ.

After all the recent Vista hype, you probably think everyone's ready to dump XP and upgrade. You'd probably be right, if enough people could figure out why they should, beyond unsexy security enhancements and local search stuff. Email Battles does its best to slap some lipstick on that product.

The developers set out to invent a method for running programs through browsers (especially Netscape), to nullify the importance of the underlying operating system (especially Windows). Instead, their invention helped Microsoft supplant Netscape Navigator with a combination of Internet Explorer and ActiveX controls. Now, with the US Patent Office and Supreme Court at its back, Eolas is enforcing its patent. Where does Eolas go from here?