Google adds voice, video chat to Gmail, Google Apps

Google Inc. added a voice and video chat feature to Gmail today. The capability allows people who use the free e-mail service to click on a contact's name and talk face-to-face with the contact in a videoconference -- as long as both the user and his contact have computers equipped with webcameras and microphones.

Businesses that have bought an enterprise version of Gmail, found within the Google Apps software package, will also receive the feature at no extra charge.

Google believes that the voice and video features will benefit from the fact that webconferencing has become easier in recent years, thanks to the proliferation of Web-based applications and cameras that have been built into computers as standard features.

MS Patch Tuesday: Critical Windows, Office flaws fixed

Microsoft’s scheduled batch of patches for November crossed the wires today with fixes for at least four documented vulnerabilities affecting millions of Windows and Office users.

As previously reported, the company released two security bulletins — one rated critical, one rated important — with fixes for flaws that could lead to remote code execution attacks. The updates apply to users running all supported versions of Windows (including Vista and Windows Server 2008) and most versions of Microsoft Office.

Virgin Media to slash 2,200 jobs

Cable giant Virgin Media is to cut 2,200 jobs over the next four years as it looks to continue restructuring the company, according to a statement from the firm.

The 13,000-strong organisation claimed that the restructuring will ultimately drive "further improvements in its operational performance", and save around £120m a year.

The majority of job losses will come between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the end of 2010, and follow an "intensive period of review" undertaken after the merger of NTL and Telewest and the subsequent acquisition of Virgin Mobile in 2006.

How to Convert Web Sites to PDF Documents

Adobe has added a full-featured capture utility to its new Acrobat Pro 9. This Web conversion tool expands upon the capabilities of the feature that installed, in previous Acrobat versions, as a toolbar in your browser. Now, instead of capturing only one Web page (the page currently displayed in the browser) as a PDF, you can convert all the pages on a site to the link-depth of your choice.

Windows 7 in-depth review and video: This time Microsoft gets it right

Microsoft may call the newest version of its operating system Windows 7, but you may want to think of it as Windows 6.5. In overall look and feel, it mimics Vista, although there are enough changes to make it far more than just a juiced-up service pack.

Anyone looking for massive changes or some kind of paradigm shift will be disappointed. But those who want a better-working Vista with the kinks ironed out and some nifty new features introduced will be very pleased.

Overall, Windows 7 is a more functional, more efficiently designed operating system than Windows Vista, with far more attention paid to the user experience. From revamped a User Account Control (UAC) feature to better home networking, improved search and nice interface tweaks, the entire operating system has gotten an overall polishing. Even Windows Backup, one of the worst applications ever shipped with an operating system, has been turned into something useful.

Why Microsoft is running scared of Linux

Today, major PC vendors are selling netbooks like hotcakes on a cold Vermont morning and three out of ten of those are running Linux. As my comrade in arms, Preston Gralla observes, "Microsoft isn't just worried about ceding 30 percent of the netbook market to Linux. It's also worried that if people get used to Linux on netbooks, they'll consider buying Linux on desktop PCs. Here's what Dickie Chang, an analyst at research firm IDC in Taipei, told Bloomberg about that: 'It's a real threat to Microsoft. It gives users a chance to see and try something new, showing them there is an alternative.'"

What are the top software tools of 2008?

Minimizing Downtime in SAP Environments

Sun and SAP help "minimize downtime" to enhance the efficiency of IT operations. When business-critical systems are down for any reason - from hardware to software failures or planned downtime for maintenance or upgrades - the costs can be astronomical. This is especially true for SAP infrastructures where hundreds of users work concurrently on systems, such as materials management, supply chain management, and customer resource management. Together Sun and SAP have analyzed a procedure for minimizing planned downtime for SAP systems.

Google-enabled government starts with Obama's CTO

President-elect Barack Obama's plan to build a Google-enabled government began modestly this week with its new Change.gov Web site, which includes the means to apply for a job in the new administration.

One of the people this administration plans to hire: a CTO to manage federal IT. The person selected will be the nation's first chief technology officer.

Force India confirm McLaren Mercedes deal

Hot on the heels of a split with engine supplier Ferrari, Force India has confirmed a technical partnership with McLaren and Mercedes.

In a long-term deal, the Force India VJM02 cars will be powered by Mercedes, the first time that the manufacturer has supplied another chassis constructor other than McLaren in nearly 15 years.

Microsoft Readies Two Patches for Tuesday

Microsoft last week said it will release only two security updates on Tuesday -- down from the 11 issued in October's mammoth Patch Tuesday -- to fix bugs in Windows and Office.