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c|net, 12/8/02: Dell looks to serve small fry
By Ed Frauenheim
Dell Computer is trying to be a better buddy to the little guy.
The computer maker on Monday announced a new program to help small businesses buy, install and manage computer networks. For the first time, Dell will provide on-site technology consultants to assess a small company's network needs, install networking gear, provide online training programs, and offer support for networking equipment made by other manufacturers.
The program, which begins with a consultation at a starting price of $199, is aimed at small-business owners who are eager to get an effective computer system in place, but are unsure where to turn to for advice, said Chris Hilderbrand, Dell's manager of small and medium business services.
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PC Market
Infoworld, 12/6/02: IDC sees PC market rebounding in 2003
By John Blau
DEMAND FOR PCS will pick up in 2003 and accelerate in 2004, fueled in part by wireless and broadband networks, according to new market research published Friday by IDC.
Worldwide shipments of computers based on PC architectures, such as desktops and notebooks, will increase by 8.3 percent to 147.5 million units in 2003 and by 11 percent to 163.8 million units in 2004, IDC of Framingham, Massachussetts, said in a statement.
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Wireless
The New York Times, 12/9/02: Wi-Fi Internet Access Is Hot, but Its Profit Potential Is Tepid
By BARNABY J. FEDER
With the Wi-Fi wireless Internet access standard becoming a bandwagon that even big players like AT&T, I.B.M. and Intel are joining, equipment companies big and small are hoping to ride along. But many industry analysts say it could be hard to make money in Wi-Fi, which is unlikely to represent more than a tiny fraction of the overall telecommunications equipment market for at least several years.
Many of the early leaders in Wi-Fi are obscure companies like Proxim, Buffalo, Linksys and Dlink. And those that do not sell gear directly to consumers must rely on selling to Wi-Fi service providers that are themselves start-ups still trying to find their way, companies like Boingo Wireless, HereUAre Communications, FatPort and Surf and Sip. The service providers set up "hot spots" at places like airport lounges or Starbucks coffee shops, where anyone with a laptop computer or other device equipped for Wi-Fi can go online.
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Security
Computerworld, 12/6/02: Feds raid Mass. software firm suspected of ties to al-Qaeda
By Patrick Thibodeau and Dan Verton
WASHINGTON -- Federal agents last night raided a Quincy, Mass.-based software firm, Ptech Inc., that sells enterprise software to federal agencies doing secret work, as well as to high-profile businesses, including IBM and Motorola, for possible ties to al-Qaeda.
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Microsoft
ZDNet, 12/9/02: Microsoft: IE hole worse than reported
By Joe Wilcox
Microsoft on Friday raised its threat rating for a security flaw in its Internet Explorer browser to "critical," in response to criticism of its initial assessment of the hole's danger.
A representative of Microsoft, which has come under fire for its security policies, said the company had changed its original rating of a flaw in IE versions 5.5 and 6 as a result of comments posted to the Bugtraq online bulletin board by a security consultant.
As previously reported by CNET News.com, Thor Larholm, a vulnerability researcher with security consultancy Pivx Solutions questioned Microsoft's "moderate" rating--issued Wednesday--in a Buqtraq forum posting.
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The Wall Street Journal, 12/9/02: Microsoft Wages Campaign Against Using Free Software
By WILLIAM M. BULKELEY and REBECCA BUCKMAN
Sometimes it seems as if Microsoft Corp. doesn't want government to save money -- at least not if it comes by using free software.
Microsoft is waging a major lobbying and public-policy campaign to stop government agencies in the U.S. and abroad from embracing free, "open-source" software, especially the Linux operating system, which poses a growing threat to Microsoft's Windows.
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