May 6 - 7:00pm EDT   Microsoft on Tuesday resumed the availability of Windows XP SP3 at its website. Last week, the company pulled the update from its public servers due to some compatibility issues; it delayed the general release of Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), due to a last-minute discovered incompatibility. The update, released to manufacturing two weeks ago, was expected to be generally available on April 29th and later in early Summer as an automatic update. Microsoft said it is now offering "hotfix" for the compatibility issues with its Dynamics Retail Management System, which it says should be installed first. [full story]

November 29 - 2:05pm EST   Microsoft will have to pay $140 million in damages after being found culpable of patent infringement for a password system, a judge in a Marshall, Texas court has ruled this week. The software firm's Windows XP operating system and Office 2003 have both allegedly abused patents held by licensing firm Z4 Technologies that address a system which asks the user for two password-like security codes that can be used to both access and deactivate software. Requiring CD keys and activation codes for these programs is a blatant violation, Z4 claims. AutoCAD and Maya creator Autodesk is also liable and will pay $18 million to the court. [full story]