Advanced Micro Devices plans to build security and virtualization features into its server processors by 2006, the company said during its annual analyst event this month. Two initiatives, called Pacifica and Presidio, are underway at the chip maker, said Fred Weber, AMD's CTO. Pacifica is a virtualization technology, while Presidio involves security features, but further details were not disclosed. Rival Intel has discussed its Vanderpool virtualization technology at recent conferences, but like AMD, has not provided specific details. Intel also plans to release chips with hardware-based security features around 2006.

Microsoft is stepping up its efforts to win Novell NetWare users over to its Windows Server 2003 operating system by offering migration products and support. Microsoft's push comes at a time when Novell is increasingly shifting its attention to Linux. Those who make the change can get a $600 credit for services by Microsoft partners for each Win 2003 license with 50 client access licenses purchased in a migration, Microsoft said. Microsoft also will offer training programs and a free tool called Services For NetWare to help users migrate from Novell to Windows. Microsoft has teamed with Quest Software to offer a 20% discount on software designed to help customers with more than 1,000 seats move to Windows.

Hoping to harness a few million of the PCs not already running the SETI@home screen saver, IBM and United Devices last week launched a World Community Grid project designed to act as a clearinghouse for humanitarian computing efforts. Users who would like to see their computers work for the betterment of humanity every time they grab a coffee can download a 1.5M-byte software package that will turn their desktop PC into a number crunching node on a worldwide grid.