New IE 6 SP1 build released to testers

Advertisement (Why?)

Thanks betacollector for letting us know that Beta testers have got a new build of IE6 SP 1 to play with, additional notes on this build are as follows.

To install IE 6 SP1 build 2800.1005 you must either uninstall your previous tech betas or use a clean machine to install this release of Internet Explorer 6 SP 1.

128-bit doesn't appear when mousing over padlock on https site

Mousing over the padlock in the status bar on a https site will not cause the 128-bit message to appear. However 128-bit encryption does still occur although the tool tip is broken.

I am sorry to say we don't have a copy of this newer build :( but we were sent in a screenie (by someone who wishes to remain Anonymous that for obvious reasons cannot be confirmed as authentic (because we do not have this build) The guy that sent it in has offered to send in the full release notes (we requested he do this) I am interested in this newer download "warning" feature.

Screenshot: New File (Save/Open) Dialog

COMPETING WITH .NET

Borthwick said Windows XP repeatedly prompts users to sign up for Passport, Microsoft's authorization software for .NET.

AOL recently joined other large companies in the Liberty Alliance, that seeks to develop a competing authentication service, after failing to agree with Microsoft on making .NET compatible with an AOL suite of services dubbed Magic Carpet.

Borthwick said the states' proposal for broader disclosure of the inner-workings of Windows and protections against retaliation by Microsoft would allow rivals to develop services to compete with .NET.

The AOL executive also praised proposals by the states to allow third parties to license a stripped-down version of Windows that could be used to design customized computer desktops that feature non-Microsoft software.

Borthwick provided the court with a prototype for a child's computer featuring the Lego building toy that uses non-Microsoft middleware applications like Yahoo Messenger and Kodak picture maker.

He also saw possibilities for a sports PC or a music PC aimed at high-school and college students.

The proposed settlement aims to give computer makers greater freedom to feature rival software, but Borthwick said Microsoft's middleware would only be hidden.

Microsoft need only wait 14 days before prompting the consumer to reconfigure the desktop or sweep competing icons away into a folder off the opening screen, he said.

INTERACTIVE TV

The states argue that remedies in the case should be broad enough to protect technologies that have arisen since the case began, handheld computing devices and interactive television.

Earlier on Wednesday, Microsoft disputed the testimony of an interactive television executive who charged Microsoft had muscled in on his company's business.

Microsoft attorney Dan Webb challenged Mitchell Kertzman, chief executive of Liberate Technologies , to cite any examples in which Microsoft had used illegal tactics to cut into Liberate's business. Webb also questioned Kertzman's claim that Liberate poses a competitive threat to Microsoft.

Kertzman had said Microsoft was making inroads into interactive television by requiring the use of its software as a condition of major investments in cable television firms.

Webb pointed out that most of those companies, including Telewest , AT&T Corp. and Comcast Corp., still used Liberate software in their TV set-top boxes.

"Apparently you've done well with AT&T in spite of Microsoft," Webb said sarcastically.

Kertzman said Microsoft had so far not taken away any of Liberate's business because it had failed to produce interactive TV software. "We are doing well in this nascent stage of the market despite Microsoft's efforts to control the channels of distribution," he said.