Michael Robertson responds to Ballmer’s Cnet Interview about the price/value difference between Lwindows and a simular Windows XP box. Micheal tries to claim that Lindows is $427.28 and Windows comes out to $1067.10. However he gets really shaddy on his list of pricing. If you replace Office XP on the Windows XP box with StarOffice for Windows (comparing apples with apples) you replace $478.87 with $75.95. Now lets put a comparable html editor like the one in the netscape or mozilla which costs $0. What’s the new total? $504.21. So is Windows worth the $75 difference? I hope so.

Intel adds security to network chips. The forthcoming processors are expected to reduce the cost and improve the performance of networking equipment. [CNET News.com]

Gateway snubs Office. In another blow to Microsoft’s Office suite, the PC maker plans to include Corel’s WordPerfect 10 and Quattro Pro 10 on its 300s desktops. [CNET News.com]

Arafat’s security adviser quits. A senior aide to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat offers his resignation before an expected announcement of a new cabinet line-up. [BBC News | WORLD]

Office Talk: A Primer to the Office XP Primary Interop Assemblies. Learn how to use the Office XP Primary Interop Assemblies to extend and automate Office XP features from Microsoft Visual Studio .NET code projects. [MSDN]

Microsoft delays Smart Displays. Microsoft won’t deliver Windows CE for Smart Displays for the holidays, delaying until at least the first quarter of 2003, portable monitors that use the software. [CNET News.com]

Saddam aims for 100% support. Iraqi voters take part in a referendum to endorse their leader for another seven years¸ with some people voting in blood. [BBC News | WORLD]

Market says Microsoft is most valuable. The software giant’s market capitalization reaches $265.1 billion, making it the world’s most valuable company, and the only tech company to make it into the top 10. [CNET News.com]

Another iPod Competitor. rael9real writes “NOMAD has intoduced a new player. It has USB 2 and FireWire … [Slashdot]
The Create Nomad Jukebox Zen: It’s cheaper then the IPod, it does data, windows, usb, firewire and WMA. I just might be sold, especially with the Mail in rebate. All I need is a review of the interface.

Microsoft Tries a “Switch” Campaign. Twirlip of the Mists writes “There’s a new page on Microsoft’s web site that … [Slashdot]
If one couldn’t guess from the text, this is way phony/marketing. See the Stock Photo. Everyone I know here is either extremely disappointed or down right angry about it.