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22nd September 2000 Archive

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  • Intel blames Europe for lower profits

    Updated It's all our fault as shares slump

    Intel issued a profits warning last night on Wall Street and said that its Q3 would not be as buoyant as it expected. And it's all Europe's fault, reports local newspaper The Wall Street Journal. Apparently, Europeans haven't been buying as many Intel products as previously, but blaming us because it can't supply enough of its …

    Channel 22 Sep 2000, 00:34

  • TSMC outstrips Intel in wafer starts

    Taipei Fabber and mobber of all factories

    The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is now making more wafer starts than Intel and is up there in the top league of semi firms, it has emerged. Shang yi Chiang, vice president of research and development at TSMC, also said that the firm, which acts as a foundry for so-called fabless firms, has streamlined its …

    Channel 22 Sep 2000, 02:24

  • Intel Foster secrets revealed

    Pop goes the weasel

    An Intel presentation that was up on its Web site before the firm realised it was there reveals the firms plans on its server technology well into next year. As well as confirming that Foster will come in a 603 pin out, the document, which we saw just before Intel pulled it ut of public view, also discusses Jackson software …

    Channel 22 Sep 2000, 03:26

  • Sex and race don't predict Net use – study

    So much for the 'Digital Divide'

    Half the adults in America still have no access to the Internet, and nearly sixty percent of that group have no interest in getting wired in future, a new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project reveals. Only a piddling twelve per cent of those lacking Internet access report that they definitely intend to get …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 07:13

  • Psion Teklogix remains Sun Java loyalist

    Much late-binding in the marsh

    Psion formally sealed its union with Teklogix today, effectively trebling the size of its Enterprise (nee Industrial) division. Psion Teklogix will comprise half of the Psion company in both head count and revenue terms. Teklogix, a Canadian company, sold complete 802.11 wireless RF based systems, and focused on big enterprise …

    Business 22 Sep 2000, 07:35

  • Hoards of American e-tourists coming your way

    Spending cybercash like it's going out of fashion

    Slap on the sunscreen and log on - Net holiday bookings look set to be one of the fastest growing areas of the bubble economy this year. Holidaymakers worldwide will buy $19.5 billion worth of getaways in the fourth quarter 2000 - that's up 85 per cent on last year, according to a report by the Gartner Group. The US will still …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 07:38

  • MBO SNAFU – CCM MD OUT

    Untenable, resigned, gardening leave, etc etc

    The MD of Cheshire-based distributor Computer Components Marketing (CCM) has quit after a failed MBO attempt. Brent Cutler was trying to lead a management buyout of the components distributor from its parent company Fundamental e-Investments. He had tried unsuccessfully to buy the distribution arm twice in the last four years …

    Business 22 Sep 2000, 07:39

  • AltaVista in High Court defence today

    Who gives a fig? Er, FIG does, we guess.

    AltaVista is due in the High Court today to defend its claim against alleged breach of contract brought by British ISP, the Free Internet Group (FIG). FIG started legal proceedings in June claiming it has lost profits of £215 million over three years from advertising, sponsorship, premium rate telephone services, click revenue …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 07:57

  • UK Govt loses faith in Oftel

    At last...someone's finally noticed

    The British Government has lost faith in telecoms regulator, Oftel, over its handling of Local Loop unbundling (LLU), the FT reports today. The paper claims senior sources in Government believe Oftel has allowed BT to "stifle" the development of the Net in Britain. It also quotes a senior European source who claims that …

    Data Networking 22 Sep 2000, 09:32

  • Prophets guide Via's chipset profits

    Interview CEO guided by religion

    Via's president and CEO, Wen-Chi Chen, used to work at Intel but he doesn't subscribe to Andy Grove's view that only the paranoid survive. "We're Christians, and we're never paranoid," he told The Register today. "We think we're following good guidance from God." Nor does Chen see any dichotomy between his training as an …

    Channel 22 Sep 2000, 10:04

  • iomart sets sail for broadband

    and a yo-ho-ho and a bottle of scotch

    Glasgow based telco and Net services company, iomart Group plc, has won the right to install its own broadband DSL infrastructure in BT's local exchanges as part of Local Loop Unbundling (LLU), it announced today. The e-outfit - which is behind the ISP Madasafish, will focus initially on the Scottish market - will begin …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 10:25

  • Can Bill Gates broadband satellite bet beat re-entry burnout?

    Analysis Teledesic and ICO strive to lose the money hole tag

    Thanks to more than a thousand pages of regulatory filing with the SEC, we now know the business plan for broadband satellite ventures Teledesic and New ICO. The companies are to be merged later this year as a result of a rescue bid by Craig McCaw London-based ICO Global Communications. McCaw injected $1.2 billion into the …

    Data Networking 22 Sep 2000, 10:51

  • CallNet up for sale

    Go on, make an offer

    World CallNet Inc - which operates the British ISP CallNet - has called in London-based BDO Stoy Hayward to negotiate a trade sale of the service provider. CallNet said it took the decision in the "interest of shareholders and all stakeholders". Administrator, Malcolm Cohen, told Reg this morning that there had already been …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 11:11

  • MS Xbox deal : Nvidia goes multimedia

    New core competencies R us

    Microsoft's Xbox is causing a radical rethink of who does what and to whom. Graphics behemoth Nvidia is to move into the audio and communications arenas on the back of the Xbox, scheduled for launch next Autumn. Nvidia is supplying the Media Communications Processor (MCP) for the Xbox video game console. The MCP will handle the …

    Channel 22 Sep 2000, 11:23

  • Northamber lifts hatches and comes out to play

    A display of financial prudence

    Northamber has released its year-end results and given a good indication of how its year of careful financial management has gone. Chairman David Phillips said: "These strong, rewarding results cover a protracted period of adverse and then lacklustre market conditions, pre and post the millennium." He may be right or wrong …

    Business 22 Sep 2000, 11:26

  • Hardware Roundup Cheap gaming a-go-go

    Disks, graphics, Xboxes - it's all here folks

    Seagate's new 18XL Ultra 160 SCSI Barracuda drive gets the once over at Gamer's Depot. They like the price and the performance but warn that a decent SCSI adapter could set you back a few bob. And the same chaps put MSI's newly released GeForce 2 MX-powered video card through its paces here. They like the performance but aren't …

    Hardware Roundup 22 Sep 2000, 11:35

  • Oftel fights back against Govt lost confidence

    Has anyone tried looking down the back of the sofa for it?

    Oftel has defended itself against mounting criticism that it is responsible for stifling the growth of the Internet in Britain. With its back firmly up against the wall Oftel "totally refutes" all allegations made against it and says it is not dragging its feet over Local Loop Unbundling (LLU). And it claims it won't be …

    Data Networking 22 Sep 2000, 11:37

  • Hyundai expects October DRAM price rise

    Knock on from PC sales

    Hyundai Electronics expects DRAM prices to rise in October following an increase in demand for PCs. Bloomberg quotes product marketing director Mario Martinez as saying, "Prices should come back up by the end of September of early October. Everyone has been holding their breath." The 64 megabit PC100 DRAMs were $6.59 yesterday …

    Business 22 Sep 2000, 11:51

  • Apple UK MD moves to take up Euro role

    Education. Education. Education

    Apple UK's General Manager, Brendan O'Sullivan, is leaving the local operation to head the company's Europe-wide drive to boost sales in the education market. O'Sullivan will be replaced by Mark Rogers, currently interim VP for sales and marketing for Asia/Pacific. Rogers joins in October. The appointment of a sales and …

    Mac Channel 22 Sep 2000, 12:23

  • FTC starts gearing up for AOL/Time Warner battle

    Okay, so now we're getting somewhere

    Right. After too many days of aimless newspaper articles, we're finally getting an indication as to what is going on with the AOL/Time Warner merger. If you remember correctly, the FTC has to pass on the instant messaging malarkey (swiftly picked by the FCC) but is now getting its teeth into the rest of it. Apparently the FTC …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 13:06

  • L&H subpoeanead by SEC

    Accounts sous investigatione

    Speech and language specialist Lernout & Hauspie has been subpoeanaed by the SEC because the agency wishes to investigate its previous years' accounts. Such an action is more serious than a previous action by the SEC concerning how research in progress was accounted for - a move that the SEC also made against a considerable …

    Software 22 Sep 2000, 13:27

  • Bedroom NASA hacker set to bite pillow in choky

    Pinecrest boy pining for freedom

    A Florida teenager was banged up for six months yesterday after admitting he hacked into NASA systems. Jonathan James, known as "cOmrade" on the Net, pleaded guilty to intercepting 3,300 emails, stealing passwords, and nicking data from 13 NASA computers - including some involved with the International Space Station. The not- …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 14:52

  • White coats to examine digital divide

    Brit Govt to investigate impact of technology on society

    The British Government is to create a new research centre by Christmas to investigate the impact of new technology on society. Michael Wills, the Minister for Learning and Technology, said the new centre would spearhead the Government's drive to end the digital divide. Mr Wills said: "As we enter the 21st century a rigorous …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 14:58

  • Pentium 4 pricing revealed

    Unimpeachable sources spill the beans

    Intel's Pentium 4, due for launch at the end of October, may initially only be available in 1.3 and 1.4GHz variants, very reliable sources told The Register today. The evidence comes in the shape of the pricing for the new chip - The 1.3Ghz P4 is priced at $635, while the 1.4GHz variant will set you back $805. There is no …

    Channel 22 Sep 2000, 15:02

  • A quarter of Americans give Web the finger

    Too expensive and dangerous (the Web, not the good ol' boys)

    Yet more research into cyberusage has been released - this time it seems Americans are shunning the Web. Half the adults in the US don't have Internet access, and 57 per cent of those say they don't want it. Too expensive, apparently, and too dangerous, confusing, and not worth giving the time of day to. Those least in favour …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 16:23

  • Windows for Warfare – more info on Win2k's Navy carrier gig

    Win2k to launch missiles, planes, monitor systems

    More details have emerged of the Win2k-running US Navy aircraft carrier we reported as being planned back in July. According to Government Computer News the CVN 77 will commence construction in February next year, and will be commissioned, running 'Son of Windows,' in 2008. Roll that seven year period back instead of forward, …

    Software 22 Sep 2000, 16:45

  • 128k wireless data, now: Metricom blazes US into lead

    Wireless wonder or evolutionary dead-end?

    USA Today last week ran a headline "Rest of World Catches Up" - we think they were talking about the Olympics, actually - but it's not a description visiting Europeans would readily apply to the US wireless business. Think again, however. While Europeans wait for packet based GSM, GPRS, the US is opening up a data lead - if you …

    Data Networking 22 Sep 2000, 16:48

  • Forbes doesn't release breakdown of the world's poorest men

    But would you be interested to know Bill Gates is still the richest?

    About every two months, some exposure-hungry company releases a list of the richest people in the world. This grew so boring (because Bill Gates was always number one) that one firm even produced the "richest men under 40" - or something like that - just to oust Bill and get some more column inches. Well, we secretly hoped …

    Business 22 Sep 2000, 16:59

  • Weirdos of the Week Live and uncut

    Making sure you have a shot of something before you start on this one

    [We don't know, we just don't know. These are unedited because, quite frankly, we didn't want to ruin their twisted beauty. Enjoy] Well seeing that I'm as edjacated as any other AMD fan here let me state my case. First off let me state anything AMD makes has just got to be way better than anything Intel makes so there is really …

    Letters 22 Sep 2000, 17:02

  • SDMI hacking and haranguing: we're bad and wrong

    Strangely calm, intelligent and thoughtful pieces to Reg rant

    [We ran a story in which we lambasted the macho stance of "hackers" replying to the SDMI's challenge to crack its music watermarks for $10,000. We said: "Either take it on or walk away." Then, itching for an interesting battle, we cried: "Get stuck in!" Those waving their balls about didn't bother getting in touch, but plenty of …

    Letters 22 Sep 2000, 17:07

  • HP gives Carly all top three jobs

    Chairman/woman/
    person kind of thing

    Hewlett Packard today gave CEO and president Carly Fiorina the additional post of chairman. Fiorina succeeds Dick Hackborn, who was non-exec chairman and remains a member of the board. The move propels the 46-year-old into the top IT female role - she is the only woman to hold all three jobs at a major technology company. The …

    Business 22 Sep 2000, 17:12

  • Best of the Rest: variation is the spice of life

    Is this right? Oh well, it is in this case, alright?

    [Fascists, porn, AMD monsters and autopsy pics. What a lovely blend] Industrial tribunal gets down and dirty I love all this crap with anti-porn software... I seem to remember an anti-port device a while back that worked on TV pictures, by looking at the quantity of skin colour on the screen. Unfortunately, like so many …

    Letters 22 Sep 2000, 17:15

  • Readers' Letters Hacking, smacking and whacking

    It's a slap and tickle special this week folks

    [Well, we thought summer was over and autumn (rain and rain with some cold and a few leaves) had arrived. But today, pleasantly, a bit of sun appeared. Hence Letters is a mite smaller than usual - we need to get out there I tell you] SDMI hacking and haranguing: we're bad and wrong Strangely calm, intelligent and thoughtful …

    Letters 22 Sep 2000, 17:21

  • US Vets hacked to pieces

    Friendly fire leaves personal details exposed

    War is a serious pastime in America and it doesn't take much to imagine an army of US veterans declaring "This is war!" when the full details of their government association's dreadful computer security came to light. At hearings held by the House Veterans' Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, Veteran Affairs' Assistant Inspector …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 18:08

  • What the Hell is… CueCat?

    A New-Economy marketing gimmick gone horribly wrong ;-)

    It's the size of a computer mouse, shaped vaguely like a cat, and plugs into your PC. It reads bar codes on printed pages and even on products, and immediately directs your browser to selected Web sites for a sales pitch. Hobbyists have cracked the firmware, cracked the software, and someone has even cracked its creator's …

    Music and Media 22 Sep 2000, 22:08