After weeks of waiting for a new, official Windows Vista test build, testers got their fix on Aug. 25, when Microsoft posted release number 5536 for download. The new build is available to a preselected set of technical beta testers only. The new release is designated as a "pre-RC1," or pre-Release Candidate 1, build. The build previews some of the new features and design changes that Microsoft will make available to millions of testers–probably some time next month–as part of the Vista RC1 build.

Called everything from the MyPods to the Baby Boomlets to the Boomerang Generation, they’re quickly filling the department ranks. eWEEK investigates why these employees are different and why you should care. Generation Y workers have a reputation for experiencing boredom and frustration with slow-paced environments, traditional hierarchies and even slightly outdated technologies–that is, almost everything common in most workplaces.

As Microsoft makes available the first release candidate of Internet Explorer 7, which is feature equivalent to the Beta 3, eWEEK Labs takes this opportunity to provide an in-depth visual walkthrough on the new security features in the Web browser.

Microsoft re-released its MS06-042 bulletin to provide patches for a code execution Internet Explorer flaw that was introduced by the original fix. The reissued browser patch, which is effectively an out-of-band update, brings an end to an embarrassment episode that included a verbal spat between Redmond, Wash., software maker and a private security research firm. Microsoft originally described the problem as a browser crash but was later forced to acknowledge the critical security risk after eEye Digital Security issued a public warning that the crash was remotely exploitable.

In this video interview, George Olsen, the founder of Boxes and Arrows, talks about about the role of usability, information access, and aesthetics in software development. He explains why user-focused design is a better term than user-centered design; the impact of team size on design features and specialization; and what developers can learn from product development.

The United Kingdom has the highest spyware infection rate of any European country, security vendor Webroot has said in a new report. The company’s quarterly State of Spyware report, based on an international survey of enterprise and consumer PCs, found that spyware infections are again on the rise after a lull last year. In 2004, many security experts said the spyware problem had reached its peak, and Webroot said it detected a slowdown in infections for the second half of 2005. No longer, however.

Microsoft issued what it hopes will be the last test version of Internet Explorer 7 before the new browser is released later this year. As the company has with recent beta versions, the near-final Release Candidate 1 version is being made available for free download, though users are required to confirm they are running a legitimately purchased version of Windows.

IT executives say enormous changes are rocking their organizations, from outsourcing to new infrastructure technologies. Yet morale at IT organizations–while often a problem–is not deteriorating.

Massachusetts will begin using OpenDocument as the default document format later this year as planned, but it will be sticking with Microsoft Office in the near term, the state’s top technology executive said. As expected, Louis Gutierrez, chief information officer of Massachusetts’ Information Technology Division, on Wednesday sent a letter seen by CNET News.com to advocates of people with disabilities. The letter was in response to their concerns about the commonwealth’s plan to move to the OpenDocument format, or ODF, standard.

NetOp Tech, a subsidiary of Danish software developer Danware A/S, launched its latest software product for IT remote control in the United States. NetOp Remote Control 9.0 offering new security and real time sight and sound communication features. The program allows remote control of one or more computers from another computer and is typically used for network management, system administration and technical support. With NetOp Remote Control 9.0, helpdesk personnel can have their identity verified by users–if remote control is required–by using a smart card and a smart card reader. This is facilitated via a security server, which communicates with a Windows 2000/2003 Server with Microsoft CA installed. Helpdesk personnel and users can also communicate during support sessions via web-cam and a chat session, for real-time sight and sound.