CNet reports that “A standards body comprising such tech heavyweights as Apple Computer and Cisco Systems has released a specification for streaming MPEG-4 video and audio via the Web.”

– by Tina Gasperson –
Why are so many middle managers and executives technically inept? If they weren’t, we might have more companies running their intranets on Linux. But if they weren’t, we might not be able to surf, download, and email on company time quite so much.Today’s web review is for deskbound workers with clueless superiors. It’s calls Don’s Boss Page. When the index page is loaded, it looks like an Excel chart. If you scroll down, you’ll see the real intent of the site.

There reside, of all things, sound effects to make it sound like you’re typing away, a list of hints to make it easier to “stealth-surf” and get away with it, and something called “the panic button,” a clickable icon that quickly brings up the fake Excel chart screen in case your boss shuffles by unexpectedly. If he stops in to the cube to see how you’re doing, you might be in trouble. But we’ll just go on the assumption that he won’t do that based on previous experience.

Here are a few of the hints to get away with stealth-surfing: Hide the buttons and navigation on Netscape so it doesn’t look like you’re using Netscape; change the color scheme to black and white; keep a legit application open under your browser and use alt-tab to bring it up quickly.

The site also has some pretty funny e-postcards to send to your co-workers, and a list of Web sites that have the cool little panic button displayed on their sites, bringing new meaning to the term “safe-surfing.” Let’s see … the Claudia Schiffer fan club site is there, as well as a page for Cindy Crawford, and PezBoy’s Star Wars Corner! Just make sure the panic button works and you know where it is before you start ogling the bikini shots and forget you’re at a place of business. And don’t forget alt-tab — it’s saved thousands of jobs.

Enjoy being a slacker — go visit Don’s Boss Page.

Kelly McNeill writes “Feeling the competitive heat, Microsoft is moving quickly to shore up security of its network software after being repeatedly targeted by hackers and virus makers. In a statement, the company said that it is “incumbent on Microsoft, being in the leadership position,” to help close unwanted security breaches. Microsoft’s announcement follows a string of Internet worms and other problems, including the Code Red worm of August and Nimda worm last month, that invaded computers worldwide via vulnerabilities in the company’s software.”

From ZDNet: “IBM has released a flat-panel monitor that rests on a cranelike arm, allowing it to be positioned–like a desktop lamp–in nearly any direction or angle.”

CNN reports that “Users of Sega’s Dreamcast gaming console will now be able to surf Web sites and play games that use the popular Java programming language, because the latest version of Dreamcast’s Internet browser comes with built-in Java support.”

LinuxSecurity Contributor writes “Daniel Swan sent us a note indicating he’s updated the c.o.l.s FAQ and it’s indeed much
improved! Would you like to contribute? Send us a note and share your experiences. The FAQ
covers “Specifically, security as it pertains to the Linux operating system.
http://www.linuxsecurity.com/articles/documentatio n_article-3794.html”

Debian Planet asks about switching from Slackware to Debian with Debian’s apt package management tool.

This whitepaper by Greg Haerr (CEO of Century Software and
founder of the Microwindows and ViewML projects) provides an
introduction to the use of Linux as an embedded operating
system. Haerr reviews the benefits of Linux to embedded
applications, explains the basics of graphical windowing
system technologies, and provides a technical and
architectural overview of both Microwindows (a windowing
system for embedded devices) and ViewML (an embeddable web
browser).

It’s at LinuxDevices.com.

CNet reports on a survey released Thursday saying man corporate customers are unhappy with upcoming changes in Microsoft
software-licensing programs and would consider changing to competitors’ products.

IDG News Service reviews the RIAA’s lawsuits against several Napster clones.

“We cannot sit idly by while these services continue to operate illegally, especially at a time when
new legitimate services are being launched,” Hilary Rosen, RIAA president and chief executive
officer, said in a statement.