Microsoft deal gives Samba access to Windows protocol documentation; Ballmer a big '07 newsmaker

Microsoft Alert NetworkWorld.com | Software Research Center | Update Your Profile Microsoft deal gives Samba access to Windows protocol documentation By Ellen Messmer Open-source proponents say they've reached a legal agreement with Microsoft under which the software giant is making available protocol documentation needed to fully interoperate with the Microsoft Windows workgroup server projects, allowing them to better support "Free Software" projects such as Samba. Read full story Senior Editor Ellen Messmer covers security for Network World. Contact her at emessmer@nww.com. MORE STORIES SPONSORED BY QUALYS Webcast: Five PCI Best Practices Listen this to this webcast to learn the latest about the PCI Data Security Standard. Discover why you need to comply with this specification designed to keep owner credit card information private. Learn how to avoid PCI DSS compliance failure and five best practices to supporting the standard. Listen to this webcast now. RELATED NEWS: IT people, places and things that matter, 12/20/07 Steve Ballmer, the voice of Microsoft, has been one of the biggest newsmakers of '07. He didn’t disappoint folks hoping to hear inflammatory statements and corporate bravado. Vista gets a big thumbs down, 12/20/07 Readers, bloggers and other industry watchers selected Vista as on of the five major things the industry got wrong in 2007.  Podcast: Samba/Windows interoperability news: Jeremy Allison One of the lead developers at the popular Samba project, which implements Microsoft file and print sharing, talks about today's protocol documentation announcement. (25:51) Microsoft to research advanced algorithms in India, 12/20/07 Microsoft Research in India has formed a group to work on advanced software algorithms, looking for a way to more efficiently process ... Today on Microsoft Subnet Mitchell Ashley declares that open source has become Google's best weapon against Microsoft. Plus, certification guru Patrick Regan offers a cadre of tips for passing the Windows Vista, Configuring Exam; security expert Tyson Kopczynski extols the virtues of PKI; and SharePoint expert Sue Hanley has the secret to innovation – something called "The Global Brain." Certification dilemma Should you get certified on the newest technology or go for the current, aging version. Master traininger Ron Colonna surprisingly recommends that you go with the older stuff. (Plus, enter to win a free training course worth up to $2,500 from New Horizons.) Also From Microsoft Subnet The 10 most-read Microsoft Subnet blog entries of '07. How Come Google spell checks better than Microsoft Office? Google Talk - Translation Bots. Plus: Last few days to enter to win free Microsoft training; free MCTS exam cram book. EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS Exploring what matters most in IT today. TAMING THE VIRTUAL BEAST VM management tools from Microsoft, VMware, XenSource leave room for improvement. SPONSORED BY QUALYS Webcast: Five PCI Best Practices Listen this to this webcast to learn the latest about the PCI Data Security Standard. Discover why you need to comply with this specification designed to keep owner credit card information private. Learn how to avoid PCI DSS compliance failure and five best practices to supporting the standard. Listen to this webcast now. Complimentary Subscriptions for IT Professionals Sign up today and receive a yearly subscription to Network World magazine. Each week Network World is jam-packed with news, analysis, expert industry opinions and management advice that many network IT professional can't live without. Why not join them? Click here to subscribe: http://www.nww.com/PSA2_0102 Featured reader resource 90% of IT Managers are leaving their company at risk for a DNS ATTACK. Get the tools and resources you need to keep your DNS healthy and secure. Run a DNSreport on your domain today - 56 critical tests run in 8 seconds. 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