1st September 1999 Archive
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Apple unwraps ‘desktop supercomputer’
Steve Jobs unveils Power Mac G4
Steve Jobs, no stranger to the dramatic announcement, introduced the Power Mac G4 yesterday in San Francisco, dubbing it "the first desktop supercomputer" and the fastest PC ever created -- 'PC', you'll note, not 'workstation'. It has a specification and price makes it a very attractive offering, and as it is capable of one …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 06:00
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Apple's G4 – the real Windows challenger?
Microsoft's $150m investment in Apple may have done it more harm than good
Microsoft's modest $150 million investment in Apple (when Jobs was booed for accepting it in return for Internet Explorer being the default browser) may be Microsoft's best ever use of its cash in that Apple shares may zoom up further -- they hit $65 at close of play Monday. Past may not be prelude in that the money that …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 06:05
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ASA awards brickbats to IT firms
'Nasty concoction'
The ASA has been kept busy despite the holiday season judging by its report this month. Exchequer Software was pulled up for using scare tactics in an accountancy software advertisement. Pegasus Software objected to the Bournemouth company’s ad, which showed a man being hung over a cauldron with the words: "VAT & EMU. A nasty …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 06:29
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Is MS lobbying Compaq for more Merced Win64 help?
Jim Allchin begs for DECWest, allegedly...
Microsoft is engaged in high level discussions with Compaq in an attempt to keep the latter's developers working on the Intel version of 64-bit Windows, and it's prepared to pay, according to informed sources. The claim comes, appropriately enough, as Microsoft demoed 64-bit Windows "booting and running" on Merced silicon, and …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 07:04
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Whoops – Dell suggests Win2k ship date slips into next year
Free upgrade programme doesn't start until February...
Microsoft's top hardware buddies at Dell have unexpectedly supplied evidence that Windows 2000 might not ship until February - at the earliest. We noted last week that Bill Gates (speaking to a Dell audience) might have been suggesting more delays, and we also had a tip tip that the big launch would be in January, but Dell's …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 07:46
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Witch casts spell on Vodafone
Izzy wizzy, let's get busy
A white witch claims to have put a hex on Vodafone following the company's plans to erect a phone mast in the English countryside. Kevin Carlyon, self-proclaimed King of the White Witches, carried out a pagan ritual to stop Vodafone putting the mast up in East Sussex. Carlyon called upon the services of the spirits of earth, air …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 10:06
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Responsibility for Net security rests with users
Hotmail hole reveals need for encryption, says Demon
Demon Internet believes Net users should take greater personal responsibility for protecting themselves online from hackers and saboteurs. Richard Clayton, Internet Expert at Demon (we didn't make that up, that's what it says on his business card0 -- Ed) made the appeal in response to the meltdown of Microsoft Hotmail on Monday …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 11:24
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Apple's Power Mac G4: a tale of two boxes
Analysis Wait for the way better, 450MHz and up G4s, due next month
Apple interim CEO Steve Jobs yesterday unveiled the long-awaited Power Mac G4 during his keynote at the Seybold conference. Jobs was understandably interested primarily in pushing the crowd-wowing "desktop supercomputer" one sustain gigaflop performance statistic and the Intel-beating benchmarks -- did those Windows Photoshop …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 11:25
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VAT man caught in Web of e-commerce tax dodges
Industry leaders warn government is missing out on millions
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has warned that the government could lose up to £10 billion per year in VAT revenues, thanks to the Internet. It says that the scale of online shopping will make it impossible for authorities to track all transactions. The biggest threat comes from products such as software or music, that can be …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 11:38
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Carrera pumps up Athlon to 800MHz
Super-charged, super-cooled and damn quick too
The Maurice Greene* of processors is now available from British system builder Carrera. This clever lot have super-charged AMD's Athlon processor, which now runs at a staggering 800MHz, and put it in a workstation -- the Octan Frio. The Athlon processor is cooled to 40 degrees below zero by a patented cryochamber, made by …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 11:40
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LocalTel MD blasts BT
Embattled telco's troubles caused by giant's blunder
Jeremy Stokes, the MD of Surrey-based telco LocalTel, says the blame for the problems that have plagued Screaming.net over the last four months lies squarely on the shoulders of BT. He told The Register how BT's inability to handle the transfer of BT customers to LocalTel caused confusion, disruption and untold misery for many …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 12:05
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Unisys demands $5k licence fee for use of GIFs
From practically everybody, apparently...
Greedy bean-counters at Unisys are proposing to milk great swathes of the Web for $5,000 a pop in licence fees. The company's scheme, which came to light in the last couple of days, is effectively a souped-up reprise of the its 1994-95 attempt to enforce patent rights concerning GIF files. Unisys owns the patent to the LZW …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 12:33
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Compel rings the changes with new division
Merges all consultancy businesses into one and changes names aplenty
Compel Group has renamed two of its three divisions and added a separate IT consultancy arm to its organisation. The reseller and services company today launched Compelscope, which consists of more than 60 consultants drawn mostly from the Compel Group, according to a company statement. Services include IT advice to businesses, …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 12:34
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BTCellnet/Barclaycard caught out by customer demand
Mobile phone promo leaves many users cut off
Barclaycard has apologised after being unable to cope with a barrage of applications for its free mobile phone offer. Customers flocked in their droves to get one of the free handsets, worth £89.99, in a joint promotion between Barclaycard and BTCellnet. But over half the applicants, 185,000, suffered delays with the offer. Many …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 12:35
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Online insult mars Freenetnames launch
Updated Users trying to register are greeted with bizarre message
Net users who tried to register with Freenetnames, the UK's newest subscription-free ISP, were greeted today with the words: "Sorry, I don't like you." The offending page, in simple black on white text, was hurriedly whipped down at lunchtime today but that won't have prevented hundreds -- if not thousands -- of Net users from …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 12:41
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Nvidia Sucks big time in domain registration blizzard
Get your retaliation in first
Our thanks to reader Tjark Verhoeven for this little Nvidia gem. It seems that Nvidia doesn't want anyone to "steal" the name of its precious new toy: NV Corp (GE-FORCE5-DOM) GE-FORCE256.COM NV Corp (GE-FORCE6-DOM) GE-FORCE256.NET NV Corp (NVIDIASUCKS3-DOM) NVIDIASUCKS.COM NV Corp (GEFORCE3-DOM) GEFORCE256.COM NV Corp ( …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 13:22
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Intel claims IA64 will outperform Risc offerings
Intel Developer Forum But how will Chipzilla achieve volume sales of Merced?
Our busy day in Palm Springs yesterday finished off with a dinner with the Merced team. You might remember that at the Spring Intel Developer Forum (IDF), we took snaps of the Merced cartridge, which was then siliconless, courtesy of Steve Smith, GM of the Merced group. This time, everyone was advised to bring a camera and Smith …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 13:37
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Dead Dell deal costs ATI dearly
Loses contract to supply graphics cards to desktops
ATI's share price dropped 13 per cent yesterday as investors' nerves frayed over the collapse of a deal with Dell. After the graphics card maker lost the bidding for the Dell contract to rival 3D graphics specialist Nvidia, ATI shares plummeted. The price fell C$2.40 (£1) to C$17.60 before mid-morning trading was stopped on the …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:09
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Yeeh Hah! Register promised Barrett-on-horse-pic
Craig has 20 log cabins in the country
Long-time readers may remember that we have been chasing a copy of a picture of Craig Barrett on a horse for some months now. We are happy to tell our readers that the picture, in wide circulation inside Intel in the US, is almost within our grasp. US PR folk have told us they see no reason why we cannot have a copy of the …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:25
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Intel branches into drink business
It's already in the hotel biz, of course...
The Wyndham Hotel, Palm Springs, has stacks of Intel personnel staying. And it seems to have struck a deal with the chip giant to provide the right kind of drinks during chill-out time. So, for example, at the bar you can buy the IntelRoyalMartini in two flavours -- vodka and gin; not to mention the famous IntelSierraNevada beer …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:29
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Intel applies more pressure on Alpha as IA64 ramps
Intel Developer Forum Why use anything other than Intel architecture (such as Alpha?)
At a keynote speech this morning, John Miner, who heads up Intel's enterprise division, said that the company would move high end Pentium Xeons lower in the market as it ramps up the Merced and IA64 platform. And there is no need for large companies to use competing platforms like the Alpha, Miner said. Miner said that IA64 …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:35
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Fight breaks out between rival telcos
Allegations of copyright infringement hotly disputed
A war of words has broken out between two rival telcos after LocalTel accused Telnet of being in breach of copyright and the Trades Descriptions Act. On Friday, LocalTel issued a statement threatening legal action against Telnet, the telco behind two-week old ISP GreatXscape, unless it withdrew from circulation all CDs, …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:36
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DIY networking hits the high street
Tempo signs to distribute Mr Network
Microcomputer Research International (MRi) is to sell its 'Mr Network' branded network start-up kit through Tempo Superstores outlets. This is a new market for MRi, since networking is traditionally the domain of the IT expert, not the average end user. Ian Ross, sales director at MRi commented: "No other manufacturer offers …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:41
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New multimedia cards are Absolutely Outrageous
Developer bases new offerings on Aureal and nVidia technology
Absolute multimedia has launched its 'Outrageous' line of sound and graphics cards in the UK. The company's offering includes the 3D Sound, 3D Graphics and 3D Graphics Ultra. 3D sound is based on the Aureal 8830 chip. It offers surround sound and supports A3D, Digital Dolby Surround and AC3. The package includes Music Match …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 15:51
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Intel acquires another firm as IXA mycelium spreads
Intel Developer Forum Makes fresh acquisition -- updated
Intel announced this morning it has brought another networking company, Netboost, as part of its move to become a leader in the networking market. At the same time, Intel will roll out its IXA architecture and proudly announce its network chip, the IXP 1200. These details were leaked out by two US publications at the end of last …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 16:00
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Free ISP carrier makes a profit
This is not a wind up -- honest
Telinco -- the outfit behind the Sun's CurrantBun.com and TheMutual.net -- claims it is the first major subscription-free ISP to make a profit. With 600,000 registered customers and 78 subscription-free ISPs on its client list, Cheshire-based Telinco said its business has grown tenfold over the last year. Telinco said it retains …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 16:01
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3dfx, S3 merger talks still on
Major rumour, yes -- but it can't yet be ruled out...
Register sources reckon 3dfx's subtle plan to take control of the 3D graphics industry and more is still a runner. The plan, which emerged back in June, has 3dfx launching a bid to buy rival 3D graphics specialist S3. Since details of the scheme emerged, of course, S3 announced its decision to buy Diamond Multimedia through a $ …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 16:50
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Iridium US user figures up 25 per cent
Yes, but from what, precisely? Iridium isn't saying
Troubled cellphone-by-satellite provider Iridium today trumpeted its North American sales operation's successful attempt to boost its subscriber base. So, Iridium North America now has 25 per cent more subscribers than it did since it cut call and phone prices back in June. It's a shame, though, the company neglected to mention …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 17:47
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Compaq may be forced to back down on Alpha NT
Large corporation fuming at decision
Sources said that Compaq was coming under pressure to reverse its decision not to support Win64 on Alpha NT. Information received today indicated that a Fortune 500 company is so irritated at Compaq's decision that it has asked its legal department to look closer at the matter. The Fortune 500 firm, which we cannot name for …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 18:13
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Merced could be a great games machine
Intel Developer Forum Can Chipzilla prevent the inevitable?
When the Merced, with 4Mb of on die cache, and at speeds of 750MHz on a .18 micron process, and a set of slightly different Screaming Cindy extensions, starts to appear in volume next year, it could be the perfect gamer's machine. The microprocessor is being positioned as a heavyweight beast for the corporate server marketplace …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 18:24
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Cumine 7xx processors confirmed for late October
Intel Developer Forum It's not from the horse's mouth, but it's pretty close
A US distributor told The Register today that he had been promised delivery of 7xx Coppermine Pentium IIIs by the end of October. He said his Intel representative would not be pinned down on the exact speed of the chips, but would get them, in quantity, at the end of October or in very early November. Yesterday, Craig Barrett, …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 18:31
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Net Finance News: 22-28 Aug 1999
intro
27 Aug 1999 ICANN moves on cybersquatting Online sales hit logistical brick wall Sports Internet gambles on Surrey Group 26 Aug 1999 QXL, the UK’s answer to Ebay and Onsale, estimates its revenues this year at between £15m and £30m this year - a pretty wide variation, really. In an interview with the FT, chief executive …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 19:43
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Intel in full cunning strategic retreat over PC-133
Intel Developer Forum Requests from vendors make them promise support
Chip giant Intel has now bent to inevitable pressure and said that, after evaluation, it will now support PC-133. The news came from Peter MacWilliams, an Intel fellow, at an announcement at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF). MacWilliams said that Intel had realised the difficulties some companies had in moving from synchronous …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 23:19
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Amiga president bails
Collas quits -- no reason given beyond 'to pursue personal interests'
So farewell, then, Jim Collas. You were president of Amiga, inc. but now you have quit to pursue "personal interests", as your former employer puts it. Did you jump -- or were you pushed? Actually, we suspect the former. Collas was put in charge of Amiga in an attempt to make something of the moribund operation PC vendor Gateway …
Business 1 Sep 1999, 23:38
