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Bringing the Power of the Cloud to the Research Community
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Posted by Dan Reed
Corporate Vice President, Technology Strategy and Policy
Microsoft has long believed in the need for government and the private sector to work together to advance science and technology. A few of my colleagues, such as Rick Rashid of Microsoft Research, have blogged on the topic here.
Today, I am pleased to highlight a new partnership that embodies precisely this belief. Microsoft and the National Science Foundation have announced an agreement that will provide free access to advanced cloud computing resources for select NSF-funded researchers for the next three years.
It is our shared hope that the storage and computational power of Windows Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, and access to easy-to-use client and cloud tools will enable researchers to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in vital yet highly complex areas of inquiry, ranging from climate change to genetics.
As I blogged at the time we announced Windows Azure, cloud computing offers a potential mechanism to increase the efficiency of current scientific research, ensure continuity of critical data and enable new kinds of research not now feasible.
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‘Maga No Need Pay’: Nigeria Gets Creative to Fight Cyber Scams
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Posted by Tim Cranton
Associate General Counsel
This week, a new pop song hits the airwaves in West Africa with a highly unusual message: Don’t be seduced by cybercrime.
Cybercrime is a global issue, but perhaps no form of cybercrime has been more associated with a region than the advance fee fraud collectively known as “Nigeria” or “419” scams (419 is the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud). Through schemes such as fake lotteries, bogus inheritances, romantic relationships, investment opportunities or – infamously – requests for assistance from “officials,” scammers promise an elusive fortune in exchange for advance payments.
West Africa is by no means the only source of these scams, but the region is stepping up to address their impact in a variety of creative ways.
419 scams have taken root in Nigeria’s popular culture. Scammers enjoy a rebellious, “cool” mystique, even producing songs and music videos that celebrate their own audacity. At the same time, 419 scam victims around the world are often stigmatized as naïve or gullible, which discourages many from coming forward.
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Changing the World, One Community at a Time
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Posted by Akhtar Badshah
Senior Director, Global Community Affairs
Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director, Global Community Affairs
We’ve been extremely pleased and inspired by the tremendous response to our online competition, 7 Ways to Change the World, which we launched last October along with Microsoft Windows 7. The competition asked people to share their ideas on how personal computers can help nonprofit organizations make a greater impact in their communities. More than 130 videos were submitted by local and national nonprofits, each providing a creative and heartwarming demonstration of the power of the PC to help change the world.
With so many excellent entries, it was incredibly difficult to choose just 7 winners, each of whom received a new PC running Windows 7 and a $7,000 grant to help implement their ideas:
- American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter produced a humorous video demonstrating how the snap, shake and sticky features of Windows 7 could help the organization be even more effective in fulfilling its vital responsibilities for disaster relief, fire response, and service to military families.
- The Bremerton, Washington, branch of Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound produced a winning video that introduc ed Windows 7 as a new club member and demonstrated how it would enhance club programs, helping the organization overcome budgetary challenges in a tough economy.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, in the San Francisco Bay Area, runs after-school programs that help young people succeed and stay in school, but “Without the necessary technology, we’re having a hard time keeping kids engaged as they age,” says Associate Unit Director Peter Pheap. The clubs’ video shows a student using his computer in 7 imaginative ways to improve and get involved in his community.
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How Can Policymakers Promote Innovation and Strengthen Privacy?
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Posted by Peter Cullen
Chief Privacy Strategist 
On January 28th, in conjunction with Data Privacy Day, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) convened its second “Exploring Privacy” Roundtable in Berkeley, California. The roundtable brought together some of the preeminent privacy thinkers from academia, industry, civil society and government to discuss complex and nuanced issues around technology policy, mobile computing, social networking and cloud computing.
One of the main topics of the day was the intersection of technology and policy. Specifically, given the importance of today’s technology-enabled, information-based services, what type of policy would help strengthen privacy protections, while at the same time allowing innovation to flourish? The dialogue reinforced that technology will almost always outpace policy, so we need to be careful as we think through what policy and or regulatory approaches might be required while ensuring we do not deny new and innovative products to the public. Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith laid out some of Microsoft’s views on this important topic in a recent speech on cloud computing at the Brookings Institution.
Fundamentally, regulating privacy or the use of information is about defining and assessing specific risks and harms, and mitigating those risks and harms through a balance of law, policy, standards education and encouraging market innovation. Indeed, accountability and the “use and obligations model” - discussed extensively at the FTC hearing in December – are increasingly used as examples of a privacy framework that better matches today’s information flows while ensuring the requirements and obligations of data protection are appropriate, and ensures risks can be assessed and mitigated on an ongoing and dynamic basis.
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Microsoft Celebrates Data Privacy Day
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
Protecting privacy online and securing personal data are major priorities for Microsoft. So, to commemorate Data Privacy Day in the U.S. (and Data Protection Day in Europe), the company has been sharing its latest thinking on privacy policies and technologies in a variety of forums.
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Microsoft Reports Results for Second Quarter FY10
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
Microsoft this afternoon reported results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended December 31, 2009. The company recorded revenue of $19.02 billion, operating income of $8.51 billion and net income of $6.66 billion in the period.
A copy of the earnings release is now available. Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein will discuss the results on a conference call with investment analysts at 2:30 p.m. PT, which will be Webcast on our Investor Relations page.
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Realizing the “Buy Once, Play Anywhere” Vision for Digital Media
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Posted by Paul Mitchell
General Manager of Policy & Standards, Entertainment & Devices Division
Paul Mitchell
The recent International Consumer Electronics Show was a showcase for how the media industry today is being completely transformed by new digital production technology and hybrid distribution models. Consumers now have many new ways to access video using the Internet – from Hulu and Fancast Xfinity on PCs, to Netflix Watch Instantly through Blu-Ray players, digital TVs, Xbox and other game consoles.
But all these new options are not trouble free. While any DVD will play back on any DVD player, each of the new digital delivery systems has tended to use its own special format, which means that a file prepared for one system doesn’t work with another. This has created confusion in the marketplace and raised the cost and complexity of digital distribution.
The ease with which digital files can be copied belies the complexity involved in creating a robust portable media format that supports everything from high definition to video more appropriate for a mobile device. The format must work with closed captions and other accessibility aids, and with multiple language audio and commentary tracks. The format must work for a variety of business models such as retail sale, rental, video on demand, and subscription. It must support an ever-expanding list of target devices, from Internet-enabled TVs to Smartphones and Wi-Fi enabled tablets.
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Microsoft & Internet Freedom
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Posted by Steve Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer
(Cross-posted from The Microsoft Blog)
Over the last few weeks, there has been much said about issues of security, privacy, and censorship as it relates to the Internet in China and around the world. I want to reinforce the comments made by Craig Mundie last week, in response to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s important speech on Internet freedom.
Microsoft is committed to protecting and advancing free expression throughout the world, even as we work to comply with local laws in the 100+ countries in which we operate. In many countries throughout the world, Internet and technology companies must comply with laws that impact privacy and freedom of expression, particularly peaceful political expression.
In January 2006, Brad Smith announced on behalf of Microsoft a formal set of principles on how our company would address freedom of expression on the Internet, in a speech to European government leaders in Lisbon, Portugal. Over the past four years, we have consistently adhered to these principles promoting freedom of expression. Microsoft's executive leadership and Board of Directors have consistently supported these principles and remain fully committed to them today.
Similarly, we are proud to be co-founders of the Global Network Initiative, an organization dedicated to advancing Internet freedom, along with other leaders from industry, human rights organizations, academics, and socially responsible investors. We hope that other technology companies will join this effort. While individual GNI member companies may make different business decisions, we are united in our commitment to these principles and are working together to support and grow the important work of the GNI.
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Public Safety on the Agenda
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Posted by Tim Bloechl
Managing Director, Worldwide Public Safety and National Security
Tim Bloechl
Fighting terrorism. Combating crime. Responding to natural disasters. These are the all-important scenarios being explored this week at the Microsoft Worldwide Public Safety Symposium. Some of the world’s top minds in the fields of public safety, criminal justice and national security are gathered on the Microsoft campus in Redmond to consider how information technology and the power of software can help them meet the urgent challenges they face.
These days, public safety professionals need to know more; they need information faster; and they need the ability to share information and achieve greater situational awareness across jurisdictions -- local, regional, national and even international. At the symposium, these professionals are working together with industry partners to consider how technology can help create practical solutions to make communities safer and improve national and international security.
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Infusing “service-learning” and technology in the classroom
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Posted by Anthony Salcito
Vice President, Worldwide Education
As educators, government officials and business leaders look for collaborative ways to reform U.S. education, we believe “service-learning” and technology can play central roles in the success of our young people.
I’ve blogged before about the benefits of connecting kids to volunteerism (see posts here and here). Right now, only 32 percent of elementary and secondary schools offer service-learning opportunities, which incorporate community service into education to teach the value of civic responsibility. But we know the benefits are widespread. Likewise, the demonstrated effects of career and technical education (CTE) have included higher scores in math and science and lower dropout rates. So, we think service and technology could be the perfect marriage.
We also know that in addition to technology support, teachers need help enriching their curriculum with interactive and comprehensive classroom experiences that keep students engaged. And we know kids have embraced the role of technology in their lives -- often they know more than their teachers about computers and mobile devices! -- and are excited about the opportunity to give back. So, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, today we are excited to announce the Service & Technology Academic Resource Team (START).
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