Microsoft faces potential racketeering class action suit; Novell quietly beefs up indemnification

Microsoft News Alert This newsletter is sponsored by Microsoft Download the Windows Server(r) 2008 Beta: Join the global community. The Windows Server(r) 2008 Beta operating system is ready. See how built-in Web technologies make Windows Server 2008 a robust, security-enhanced, and reliable foundation on which you can develop, deliver, and manage rich user applications and experiences. Join the growing global community. Download the beta today. Network World's Microsoft News Alert, 10/16/07 * TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Microsoft faces potential racketeering class action suit Now here's a lesson. If you offer an online service, don't sign people up to it in sneaky fashion or you could find yourself on the losing end of a massive lawsuit. The story goes that in 2003 James Odom bought a PC from Best Buy that included a six-month free trial to MSN. He goes home happy only to discover that Best Buy allegedly used his credit card from the purchase of the PC to actually sign him up for a MSN account. When the free trail ended, Microsoft began charging Odom's credit card, the lawsuit says. The Supreme Court has just, in effect, ruled that a class-action suit may proceed. Novell quietly beefs up indemnification while a Microsoft connection is found in Linux lawsuit Case Studies, Market Trends, Peer Discussions Network Worlds newly enhanced WAN Traffic Optimization Buyers Guide has everything you need to stay current, research new technology, compare products and implement solutions - all in one convenient location. Visit now for case studies, how-tos, best practices, buying tips, peer discussions and more. Click here to go to the Buyers Guide now. Microsoft Research: detecting and patching mutating worms Ballmer's vision: crafty or angry? 10 funniest Microsoft YouTube videos  * FROM OUR BLOGGERS: Michael Dortch: Musings on Microsoft Microsoft and Linux/Open Source: Oh, dear... "So Steve Ballmer's rattling the sabers again, saying that Red Hat is violating Microsoft intellectual property, and that Red Hat customers should pay for the privilege. More of the same old song, but slightly more than, to quote James Brown, "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin.'" Microsoft author expert Kerrie Meyler Operations Manager: Management Pack Evolution "If you've worked with both MOM 2005 (or MOM 2000) and OpsMgr 2007, you will have noticed that the structure of management packs has changed with Operations Manager 2007. Let's talk about that a little." Enter to win on of 15 free copies of Meyler's book Microsoft Operations Manager Unleashed. Tyson Kopczynski: Hidden Microsoft gems The Microsoft Stealth Updates fiasco? Get used to it! "Hmmm... where to start? I guess my first statement would be, 'Get used to it.' Microsoft is not the only game in town bent on using a subversive activation model. After all, the whole concept of purchasing, installing, and owning software is rapidly changing. So, what Microsoft is currently doing is just the staging point for the holy grail of "Software as a Service." (I really do hate that term.)" Collaboration expert Sue Hanley's blog Collaboration means a cultural shift "You don’t buy collaboration technology just because you can – or because someone else is doing it.  Because the technology alone doesn’t help your organization become more collaborative." Ron Colonna: Microsoft Certification/Training Corner Once you decide to get certified ... "Let's look at some of the alternative methods for getting the knowledge you need to get certified. The first and probably most common way is work experience.  For those of us lucky enough to have a job in the field, we pick up a lot of information just by doing our jobs." Chris Dalby: The Essential Microsoft Toolkit OutTwit = Twitter for Outlook "If, like me, you are addicted to Twitter, then get yourself a download of OutTwit, which is a new plug-in for Outlook so you can Twitter directly from Outlook." * HOT DISCUSSIONS AMONG MICROSOFT SUBNET READERS:  Is Apple more controlling than Microsoft? Ballmer claims Red Hat violates Microsoft IP Vista over the WAN: good but not great GPhone in the wild!? * FREEBIES, GIVEAWAYS AND OTHER NOTABLES: The winner of the October New Horizon's Microsoft training giveaway will be announced today. But don't worry. The next giveaway also begins today. So enter to win a free training course from New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. Win one of 15 copies of Microsoft Operations Manager bible Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 Unleashed (MOM): With A Preview of Operations Manager 2007 Check out Microsoft Subnet’s library for more free chapters and special discounts on best-selling books.  Visit the Microsoft Subnet page for daily news, opinions, hot topics.

MOST-READ STORIES: 1. Top 10 strategic technologies for 2008 2. Security companies to watch 3. Salary survey: IT pay falls short 4. Funniest Microsoft videos on YouTube 5. 'Networkiest' horror films 6. Google GPhones or GPhonies? 7. Quantum cryptography to secure ballots 8. Is Apple more controlling than Microsoft? 9. Oracle's 10 acquisitions in 2007 10. Would BEA disappear under Oracle? MOST E-MAILED STORY: Top 10 strategic technologies for 2008

Contact the author: Senior Editor John Fontana covers Microsoft for Network World. Julie Bort edits Microsoft Subnet Microsoft Subnet: The independent voice of Microsoft customers This newsletter is sponsored by Microsoft Download the Windows Server(r) 2008 Beta: Join the global community. The Windows Server(r) 2008 Beta operating system is ready. See how built-in Web technologies make Windows Server 2008 a robust, security-enhanced, and reliable foundation on which you can develop, deliver, and manage rich user applications and experiences. Join the growing global community. Download the beta today. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007