Microsoft makes Virtual Server R2 free

Microsoft will give away its Virtual Server R2, a move seen as reflecting the furiously competitive virtualisation software market. This is Microsoft`s second price cut for its flagship virtualisation product, which can host multiple virtual machines running either Linux or Windows, reports PC World.

Virtual Server 2005 originally cost $999 and $499 for the Enterprise and Standard editions, respectively, when released in September 2004.

Microsoft then released Virtual Server R2 at $199 and $99 for the Enterprise and Standard editions, respectively, in December.

MySpace has removed 200 000 profiles from its site in the last few months. The "objectionable" pages have been taken down for including hate speech or being too risqu'e, reports The Register.

The site contains thousands of profiles of individuals outlining their musical tastes and dating needs. It has also proved popular with school bullies setting up pages attacking their victims.

Holding company News Corporation wants to smarten up MySpace to attract more advertisers and marketers without alienating its users, who are attracted by its slightly anarchic feel. It is hoping to attract advertising from mainstream brands and is setting up an account team to help sell space across its Internet properties.

Windows Vista`s features will be parcelled out in six editions, which could complicate buying decisions, reports Information Week. Windows Vista Enterprise is for Microsoft`s largest corporate customers. It has security features such as BitLocker hard-disk encryption, Virtual PC software for migrating applications, and a Unix subsystem that lets IT workers run Unix software on their PCs.

Windows Vista Business includes features similar to Windows XP Professional edition. Windows Vista Home Premium is the mass-market version aimed at home users, Windows Vista Ultimate combines the features of Vista Business and Home Premium, and Windows Vista Home Basic is aimed at the e-mail and Web-surfing crowd.

Windows Vista Starter will be available only in emerging markets like Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand and runs only in 32-bit mode.

AOL has made several improvements to its mobile offerings, including an enhancement to its mobile search service that would format any page for the mobile screen, reports Beta News.

Through a new "Surf the Web" feature included within AOL Mobile Search, users would be able to view any standard Web page through a special trans-coding feature.

Most, if not all, pages will initially be rendered using the automatic system, and would change based on necessity, says Raine Bergstrom, director of emerging technologies, AOL Wireless.