Although Windows 2000 won't be officially released for nearly three more weeks, a security hole has already been discovered. This problem, discovered by one of Microsoft's associates after Win2K went gold, is related to the File Index Server bundled with 2000. Microsoft has created a patch, but is downplaying the significance of the problem. That patch will be added to Windows 2000's already-developing Service Pack 1, now tentatively scheduled for release in June along with the high-end DataCenter version of 2000. This marks the first time in history that a security fix has been issued for a product still technically in development.

COURT NOTES: Working through a blinding snowstorm, attorneys representing the Department of Justice last week filed another series of legal documents in the antitrust trial against Microsoft. This filing, a rebuttal to last week's 'finding of law' from the defendant [see NewsSource, Jan. 24], went exactly as expected with the government again attacking Microsoft's finding by citing Jackson's earlier decision that the company is indeed a monopoly. Microsoft now has until February 1 to file its own rebuttal, followed by (assuming there is no settlement) oral arguments about the finding of fact beginning on February 22.

Being unusually candid about future plans, Microsoft has confirmed that the development teams working on two future versions of Windows have been combined. The two products that were in development, a Windows 2000 sequel called 'Odyssey' and the long-promised consumer version of NT known as 'Neptune', have been combined into one core system Microsoft has badged 'Whistler'. Whistler also happens to be the internal name for a voice recognition product, but Microsoft denies any connection between the two - although we find it somewhat unlikely that they would work on two separate projects with the exact same code name. You can bet money that the next generation of Windows after 2000 will be featuring speech technology, just like Mac OS 9 already does.
Neptune will likely be split into five different flavors of Windows before it finishes development, four to replace Windows 2000's iterations and an additional system aimed at home users to replace the forthcoming Windows 9X-based Millennium. Millennium itself has been downgraded from a radical Windows redesign to a glorified service pack that will probably be released this fall as Windows 98 Third-Edition. All the swapping can be directly accredited to Jim Allchin, who was named Supreme Commander of Microsoft Platform Development back in December [see NewsSource, Dec. 06 '99].

U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte, presiding over Sun's lawsuit against Microsoft, has reissued an earlier order that was overturned on appeal because of a technicality. The order, forcing Microsoft to change the Java virtual machine in some products, was shot down on appeal by a three-judge panel - not for the merits of Sun's case, but because Whyte was unclear about the copyright law he cited in the decision [see NewsSource, Aug. 30 '99]. This time the judge cleared up his original ruling, again preventing Microsoft from shipping its own versions of Java until the lawsuit is settled. Microsoft is not expected to attempt another appeal.

As we reported last week, Linux developer Michael Chaney decided to auction on eBay a $500 check Microsoft sent him for re-registering the passport.com domain. The bidding has ended, with the check finally being sold to SwiftView founder John Corrigan for $7,100. Corrigan and Chaney will together donate the proceeds to Sisters of the Road Cafe, a Portland soup kitchen. Corrigan in turn has promised to auction the original check again along with his canceled payment check and donate that profit to charity also.

Building support for the Windows Media format through artificial means, Microsoft last week invested in the Intertainer media company. In exchange for the undisclosed investment, Intertainer will provide content for Microsoft's Windows Media portal and offer Windows Media files through its broadband service. Microsoft also made an unrelated agreement with Liquid Audio to have Windows Media support added to that company's server and player products.
Former US Labor Secretary Ann McLaughlin has been added to Microsoft's board of directors. McLaughlin will replace Mattel CEO Jill Barad, who gave up her board position after Mattel's purchase of Microsoft competitors Broderbund and The Learning Company. McLaughlin, like Barard before her, will be the company's only female board member.
Already invested in application hosting companies on the east and west coasts, Microsoft last week moved to tie up that market in the southern US with an investment in Atlanta-based Interland. Just like the other ASPs Microsoft has invested in, Interland will now participate in the Office rental program due to launch sometime this summer.

Microsoft Antitrust Files Unsealed
Play within a play
Some Windows 2000 systems shipping this week
Microsoft bullies IT news site into submission
Microsoft fudges Win2K speed trials
MSN Net access overload prompts lawsuit