Stories by Lee Copeland

DaimlerChrysler Takes to the Web

After idling for months, DaimlerChrysler AG now appears ready to carve out its Web turf by launching a series of consumer Web sites as early as this week, officials said.

IBM to transform WebSphere

IBM wants to transform its WebSphere application server into an infrastructure platform and double its share of the Java application market. But analysts and users said this week that IBM still has some work ahead of it.

Microsoft Publishes .Net-Related Specifications

At its Professional Developers Conference here Tuesday, Microsoft Corp. announced preliminary versions of two new software development specifications that company officials described as integral to the Internet-based .Net Web services strategy Microsoft unveiled last month.

.Net blurs line between apps and web, says Gates

At Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference here today, Bill Gates further expounded on the internet-based .Net web services initiative the company announced last month, saying the new strategy will blur the line between applications and websites.

Microsoft users seek answers at DevCon

At Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference in Orlando next week, users are hoping the computing giant will lift the covers on a slew of new initiatives.

IBM to Turns WebSphere into Java Middleware Platform

IBM Corp. wants to transform its WebSphere application server into an infrastructure platform and double its share of the Java application market. But analysts and users said this week that IBM still has some work ahead of it.

Free Service Doesn't Help Verio Web Outage Victims

In response to severe Web service outages, Verio Inc. plans to offer affected customers one month of free service - worth about $150. But several users said that gesture doesn't begin to cover their business losses.

IBM Exec: Microsoft Sees Need for Interoperability

IBM has long prided itself on supporting multiple computing platforms, including Java and Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT. The company got a new platform and a new language to support this week, when Microsoft unveiled its Microsoft.Net architecture for linking applications and its new C# development language. Computerworld senior editor Lee Copeland spoke with Steve Mills, general manager of IBM's Software Solutions division, about Microsoft's plans.

Microsoft Taking Standards Route

Microsoft this week submitted its newly announced C# language as a specification to an international standards body, a move users say is a must amid growing platform interoperability woes and concerns about the breakup of the software giant.

IBM Has Big Plans for WebSphere Software

IBM Corp. has unveiled plans to expand its WebSphere application server into a piece of middleware infrastructure technology and to create a bevy of Java-based applications that will run on top of it.

Microsoft to unveil C#, Java's competitor

Microsoft this week plans to unveil a graphical programming language, called C#, that's intended to make it easier for Windows operating systems to interoperate with other platforms through web services.

Saturn, EBay Team Up to Boost Used Car Sales

General Motors Corp.'s slumping Saturn Corp. unit wants to kick-start new-car sales by offering to inspect used vehicles that are offered for sale on eBay Inc.'s auction Web site.

Auto Suppliers Mull Starting Online Exchanges

Even as the Big Three automakers seek federal approval to create an online trade exchange, seven giant suppliers of automobile components want to study the costs and the feasibility of creating separate exchanges of their own.

[]