An independent researcher needed just 15 minutes to find the first bug in the Beta 2 preview release of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer 7 browser. Californian Tom Ferris published his findings just hours after Microsoft released the beta code. Right now, the bug can be exploited only to crash the browser, but Ferris says it's likely that it could eventually be modified to run unauthorized code.
Massachusetts names new CIO
Louis Gutierrez has been selected to head the Massachusetts Information Technology Division and oversee the implementation of its controversial OpenDocument format plan, which is slated to take effect in January 2007. Gutierrez, previously chief technology strategist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, will assume the post today, replacing Peter Quinn, who resigned last month.
Symantec hires Oracle exec as CIO
Symantec Corp. has named David Thompson, formerly senior vice president and CIO at Oracle Corp., its new CIO, effective today. Thompson replaces Mark Egan, who will stay with Symantec for about six months to finish work on IT projects related to last year's purchase of Veritas Software. Thompson joined Oracle as part of its PeopleSoft acquisition.
Capellas joins Cisco board of directors
Michael Capellas, former president and CEO of MCI Inc., has joined the board of directors at Cisco Systems Inc. Cisco did not say what role he will play on the board. Capellas left MCI last month after a multibillion-dollar acquisition of the company by Verizon Communications Inc. He has also served as president of Hewlett-Packard Co. and chairman and CEO of Compaq.