From ARS Technica

Recent reports claim that Microsoft has patented the concept behind the "sudo" command line tool.

A closer look at the patent in question tells a very different story.
Righteous indignation erupted on the Internet last week following reports that Microsoft had patented sudo, a traditional command-line tool that is widely used on Linux and some UNIX platforms for selective privilege escalation. Some enthusiastic patent reform advocates predictably held up the patent as an example of the problems that afflict the patent system.

from Computerworld

Pilot program with Ferrari, Pepsi, Porsche and others helps squeeze every dollar out of OS, says analyst

Microsoft today announced that it would sell Windows 7 desktop real estate to advertisers and launched a pilot program that includes Coke, Infiniti and Porsche.

Using Windows 7 themes -- collections of backgrounds, borders and audio elements -- advertisers will be able to brand the desktop, Microsoft said.

From C/Net News

Microsoft has halted distribution of its Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool after questions were raised as to whether the software utility makes improper use of open-source code. The tool is designed to help owners of Windows XP-based Netbooks get Windows 7 onto their machines.
(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has halted distribution of a tool aimed at making it easier to put Windows 7 on Netbooks amid allegations that the utility makes improper use of open-source code.

From Computerworld

Here are 20 tricks to tweak Windows 7 into the interface that works best for you.

Just got your hands on Windows 7 and want to bend it to your will? No problem. We've got plenty of tips, hacks and secrets to keep you busy for a long time, including automatically opening Windows Explorer to a folder of your choice, speeding up taskbar thumbnails, finding hidden desktop themes, forcing User Account Control to act the way you'd like, keeping your Explorer searches secret from others, and more.

From Computerworld

CIOs say they are in no rush to upgrade from XP

- Consumers may appear to be snapping up Windows 7, but large companies won't, according to CIOs interviewed this week.

IT leaders who spoke to Computerworld at the Society for Information Management's SIMposium 09 conference this week in Seattle say their companies remain almost completely running Windows XP on the desktop.

Mac OS X 10.6.2 delivers more than three dozen fixes, but crashes Atom-based netbooks.

By Paul McDougall
InformationWeek
November 10, 2009 10:23 AM

Apple's latest update to its Mac OS operating system offers more than three dozen fixes for bugs ranging from unprompted data deletion to spontaneous system logouts. And to the consternation of some Apple fans, it also disables netbooks hacked to run the OS on Intel (NSDQ: INTC)'s Atom processor. [Comments...]

From DailyTech:

Microsoft is predicting slower adoption after the initial buzz, do to the state of the economy

Microsoft seems well positioned for the future. Its new Windows 7 operating system has been largely well-received by the press and public thanks to an unprecedented public testing program, which saw millions taking Windows 7 for a free spin.