The race to build more-powerful Web-based applications could accelerate with the addition of software that lets Windows developers create Flash applications without knowing Flash. Xamlon will be releasing its preview version of Xamlon Pro Flash Edition, software that converts applications created with Windows programming languages and development tools into applications that run in Macromedia’s Flash animation player.

Symantec has reported glitches in its antivirus software that could allow hackers to launch denial-of-service attacks on computers running the applications. In a notice posted on its Web site this week, Symantec detailed two similar vulnerabilities found in its Norton AntiVirus software, which is sold on its own or bundled in Norton Internet Security and Norton System Works. The flaws, which could lead to computers crashing or slowing severely if attacked, are limited to versions of the software released for 2004 and 2005.

Rhinotek’s chairman has sharply criticized Hewlett-Packard over a lawsuit asserting that the inkjet cartridge refiller falsely advertises its products as new. "I think HP is utilizing a bullying tactic," Gerald Chamales, who also is founder of the 150-employee company in Carson, Calif., said late Tuesday. "I think consumers are tired of being gouged by what I call the cartel, which is the major printer manufacturers, led by HP, Lexmark and Canon, (and which is) forcing people to not have a choice when it comes to ink and toner cartridges."

The next version of Microsoft’s Exchange Server–software used to manage email, Contact lists and Calendars–will arrive in 2006, according to a company executive. Andy Lees, corporate vice president of marketing for Microsoft’s server and tools business, revealed the ship date Tuesday. Previously, the Redmond, Wash.-based software company had said the software would arrive in 2006 or 2007. The software, currently called Exchange Server 12, will incorporate new features to handle voice mail and faxes.

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Britney Spears are the subjects of a virus scam that is attempting to recruit computers for a denial-of-service attack on Microsoft. Hackers have released a self-spreading worm, called Ahker-F, that promises salacious movie clips of the celebrities. Attached to the email is a .Zip file that contains the worm. If opened, the worm spreads to the user’s email contacts, disables security settings on the PC, and launches a denial-of-service attack against Microsoft’s security update Web site.

Microsoft has acknowledged that a security patch issued in January for its Windows 98 and Windows ME operating systems may cause performance issues for customers who have downloaded the update. According to a notice posted Friday in the discussion group section of the company’s TechNet site, Microsoft’s KB891711 update, which was released to address a vulnerability related to cursor and icon format handling, fails to adequately protect users of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows ME. The patch was included as part of security bulletin MS05-002, one of the software giant’s regular monthly updates.

Microsoft has wrapped up development on the first major update to its Windows Server 2003 operating system and released it for download. The software giant said that Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 is currently available for download via Microsoft’s Web site and will soon start showing up on new servers. Among the primary benefits of the free update is the inclusion of security enhancements similar to those added to Windows XP with last year’s Service Pack 2.

On Thursday, Microsoft filed 117 federal lawsuits against unnamed defendants, accusing them of a high-tech form of identity theft known as "phishing." The lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, accuses the "John Doe" defendants of using mass email or pop-up ads to coerce consumers into revealing personal information such as bank account information, passwords or social security numbers.

Organizers of the Comdex trade show, once the high point of the year for the technology industry, confirmed on Tuesday that the event will skip its main Las Vegas incarnation again this year. MediaLive International, which acquired the rights to Comdex several years ago, canceled the 2004 event after several years of declining attendance, inconsistent marketing and growing competition from programs such as the Consumer Electronics Show. At that time, company executives vowed the show would return revamped and revitalized in 2005. But MediaLive spokesman Ben Stricker confirmed Tuesday that Comdex will need at least another year to get its act together. "Comdex will not be returning to Las Vegas in 2005," he said. "We hope to produce another Comdex in 2006."

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday called for more government protection against identity theft after a laptop storing nearly 100,000 Social Security numbers was purloined from a California university. Feinstein is proposing legislation requiring consumers to be notified when their personal data is compromised. She also demanded that the federal government restore funding for California’s identity theft task forces.