New & Noteworthy: 802.11 standards; "Gatored"; Fry's aborts Outpost bid; Windows future; more

Making 802.11 standards work together Interoperability difficulties are keeping wireless deployments on hold, according to this eWeek article. The article considers the numerous< variants of 802.11 in use and on the horizon.

Web sites prey on rivals' stores From CNet: "A growing number of online companies are ambushing competitors through software that puts ads where marketers want them most -- in front of customers visiting rival Web sites. It's called getting "Gatored," after one of the most popular applications underlying it, and some Web sites are out to restrict the practice." More.

Fry's decides not to pursue acquisition of Cyberian Outpost From Bloomberg: "Fry's, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, said it decided not to pursue an offer for the operator of the Outpost.com online store at the current time." More.

Windows, Windows Everywhere This LA Times article is a funny yet dark prediction of a future world ruled by Windows. In this version, at least the Mac still thrives. The opening line: "I'm sending you this e-mail from 2021 -- 40 years after IBM released its first personal computer -- in a last attempt to prevent the mistakes in computer development that put civilization in jeopardy."

It's enough to make an agnostic believe From the London Observer: "For normal humans the idea of being attached to software is as bizarre as being fond of the tarmac on which one drives to work." More.