SEATTLE - The FBI is investigating a break-in by hackers who penetrated Microsoft's computer network and gained access to its closely guarded source code, which if disseminated could badly hurt the software giant. Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray said the hackers did not see the source code - or basic building blocks - of the company's most popular products, as originally feared. He said that limits the extent of the possible damage. "The investigation shows no evidence the intruder gained access to the source codes for Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Office," Murray said Friday. "That is very good news." Windows is the company's flagship operating system for personal computers and networks, and Office is its package of word processing, spreadsheet and other business software. The hackers, who were discovered by Microsoft security personnel Wednesday, viewed codes for only one product, one being designed for release years from now, added company spokesman Rick Miller. Sunnyvale-based Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has donated $1 million to the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County to increase the supply of affordable rental housing, first-time home buyer's assistance, and various services for the homeless. In addition, the Housing Trust will create a revolving loan fund and provide grants to support existing housing programs.
AMD spokesman John Greenagel said, "People who work in the valley should have an opportunity to live in the valley." He added, "We cannot be a viable community if only the wealthy can live here. Hourly workers, teachers, firemen and police officers deserve to live here, too."
According to Silicon Valley Projection 2000, the number of jobs in Silicon Valley has grown an average of 4 percent per year, while the number of new homes has barely increased by 1 percent. In fact, the apartment vacancy rate in the area is less than 1 percent.
The report also finds that rents have jumped dramatically, more than 60 percent within the past five years in both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The average for a one bedroom apartment costs nearly $1,500 a month, compared with an average of $600 in 1995.
In addition, Silicon Valley homes are among the highest priced in the United States. The average price tag for a single family home is $617,000, almost double the 1995 average of $329,000.
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.