Microsoft's Little Black Box

REDMOND, Wash. – Mirroring black box technology used by the Federal Aviation Administration to track malfunctions related to airplane crashes, Microsoft laid plans this week to offer PC users the same type of impenetrable tracking device that can survive even the worst PC crashes.

Also known as an airplane's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, the black box – while infact orange in color – is what investigators look for in the aftermath of wreckage to point to where things went wrong.

In a similar vein, Microsoft intends to add a data-tracking system to its next-generation Windows platform Longhorn to more closely monitor the steps preceding a computer crash.

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates told attendees at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference that the PC black box diagnostic technology will be able to provide Microsoft with more detailed data on what trips up its systems. The company will combine the technology with its Watson error reporting tool that already exists in the Windows platform.

Gates said that the new data recorder will even be able to recount document contents that were being created at the time of the crash and that data can be forwarded to either IT staffers or wherever else the PC user or company directs the information flow. Microsoft said it also will share the data with its product developers, a fact that has many free speech advocates up in arms alleging that Microsoft will use this type of access to gain firmer control of PC users and companies that use its software and hardware products.

But Microsoft is claiming that the new crash-tracking tool will benefit the user as much as its developers in being able to pinpoint trouble spots and rescue data.

"Our stance on this is that the user is in control," a Microsoft representative said. "In the consumer environment, you will be presented with a dialog that clearly gives you the choice whether to share the information and then also provides exactly what the detail is so you can parse character by character what's being sent."

Microsoft also will enhance its upcoming Longhorn operating system with Secure Startup, an encryption feature that insures that computers such as notebooks that are disconnected from a network are not affected by malicious programs. According to the computer maker, a security chip in the Longhorn platform will make sensitive files inaccessible if someone tries to boot the machine from a portable hard drive or floppy disk.

The latest release date for Longhorn is December 2006.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

Show More