NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS 09/20/04 Today's focus: Show Microsoft a finger
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Fingerprint recognition from Microsoft * Links related to Windows Networking Tips * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Alterpoint Read the latest analyst report on Network Change and Configuration Management (NCCM) written by EMA's Dennis Drogseth. This report discusses the latest developments in the NCCM market, including an in-depth look at DeviceAuthority Suite, a comprehensive solution for configuring, changing, and controlling today's complex, multi-vendor IT network infrastructures. Download the report today to learn how you can leverage NCCM to reduce the cost and complexity of managing network change. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=81333 _______________________________________________________________ OF COURSE YOU KNOW HALF OF ALL EMAIL IS SPAM. But do you know which half? And how to keep it out of the in-boxes of corporate management who finger spam as their chief frustration? Get the practical answers and innovative technology tech you need now to solve No. 1 problem threatening every network-driven enterprise at Strategy & Management for Messaging & Spam, a September must-attend event from Network World. nwfusion.com/MSF4N14 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Show Microsoft a finger By Dave Kearns How often do your words come back to haunt you? Just a few months ago, in the Identity Management newsletter (see link below) I said that in the mid-to-late 1990s we thought that all keyboards would have fingerprint readers built-in. I also suggested that you check out such keyboards the next time you were in a computer store. How wrong I was, at least as far as Microsoft is concerned. <aside> I often think that the companies I cover (Microsoft, Novell, Sun, etc.) read my newsletters then go out and do just the opposite of what I suggest. You're not paranoid if they really are out to get you! </aside> The Sept. 8 issue of the Seattle Times carried a story headlined "Fingerprint recognition a first in biometric field for Microsoft." I had to read on, since it was 1998 when I first saw a demonstration of a fingerprint reader used to authenticate a user, so I wondered what could possibly be a "first." Microsoft does dabble in the hardware field, usually with mice and keyboards. Generally speaking, it demonstrates a new design or technology (the scroll wheel on a mouse, the ergonomic keyboard, etc.), which is quickly picked up and exploited by other manufacturers. This serves Microsoft's purpose, since the company isn't out to make money from hardware. Instead, its software can exploit the new features (the "start" key on keyboards, for example) so that users will continue to upgrade their Microsoft software while also buying the third party hardware and gaining extra functionality. Everybody's happy, everybody profits and the world keeps spinning. As the Times article revealed (and a quick look at the accompanying picture should have told me!) Microsoft's small hardware products division has released three fingerprint recognition devices. Well, it's actually one device, but three configurations: a stand-alone reader, plus one integrated into a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse. The included software allows the user to store all of their passwords (for network and/or Web access) in a "secret store" then use a simple fingerprint scan to automatically log them in. First, the user needs to "register" their fingerprints. Yes, that's plural. You can register one, or all, of your fingerprints then differentiate among them for different authentication sites. You might use the left index finger for general purpose authentication, but your right pinky for your bank account, or the financial database. The usual caveats about forged fingerprints are minimized since a "fingerprint thief" would need all of your fingers - and know which ones you used for what! Then, when you visit a site that requires a password, just touch the fingerprint reader with any registered finger (and the phrase "registered finger" does make me chuckle), enter your data, and then click OK - it's the last time you need to enter that information. In fact, if you turn on Fast User Switching in Windows XP, you can use the fingerprint reader to switch between user accounts without actually logging off from the computer. With a touch of a finger, you can quickly switch between users without closing programs and files - and each user's personal content stays personal. All of this functionality is available with any of the three fingerprint-ready products, by the way. Drop over to <http://www.nwfusion.com/nlwnt620> to see the demo (warning, this site uses Macromedia Flash) and think of the possibilities for your network. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Could the cards hold the answer to our identity needs? Network World Identity Management Newsletter, 05/19/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/dir/2004/0517id2.html Microsoft, Polycom team on collaboration products Network World, 09/20/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/092004polycom.html _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Dave Kearns Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>. Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management. Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these respective addresses: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Alterpoint Read the latest analyst report on Network Change and Configuration Management (NCCM) written by EMA's Dennis Drogseth. This report discusses the latest developments in the NCCM market, including an in-depth look at DeviceAuthority Suite, a comprehensive solution for configuring, changing, and controlling today's complex, multi-vendor IT network infrastructures. Download the report today to learn how you can leverage NCCM to reduce the cost and complexity of managing network change. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=81333 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Breaking Windows networking news from Network World, updated daily: http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/win2000.html Archive of the Windows Networking Tips newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/nt/index.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE ACCESS NW'S IN-DEPTH REPORT ON: BLADE SERVERS Available now is Network World's Technology Insider on: Blade Servers. Find out why early adopters of blade server technology say the benefits aren't science fiction, how blade servers differ by vendor, why blade servers are perfectly suited for today's data centers, review our extensive blade server buyer's guide and more. Click here: <http://www.nwfusion.com/nlwnt621> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply today at http://www.subscribenw.com/nl2 International subscribers click here: http://nww1.com/go/circ_promo.html _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx> To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Preferences.aspx> To change your e-mail address, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx> Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to this message. This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please use this address when modifying your subscription. _______________________________________________________________ Have editorial comments? Write Jeff Caruso, Newsletter Editor, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Inquiries to: NL Customer Service, Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 For advertising information, write Kevin Normandeau, V.P. of Online Development, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Copyright Network World, Inc., 2004 ------------------------ This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
