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29th August 2001 Archive

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  • Wintel touts the next leap in computing

    Intel Developer Forum Big picture show for WinXP, Pentium 4

    Intel has demonstrated a working 3.5GHz processor as part of a joint offensive by Microsoft to shake off the spectre of tech recession that hangs over this year's Intel Developer Forum. The demo, at Intel general manager Paul Otellini's keynote this morning, followed hot on the heels of a yesterday's 2GHz Pentium 4 launch. It …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 08:03

  • Win XP slays buffer overflow bugs

    Source code security audit

    Microsoft has eradicated buffer overflows with Windows XP, following a source code security audit, group veep Jim Allchin claimed during a keynote at the Intel Developers Forum in San Jose. A buffer overflow, which may cause a system or process to crash, happens when a program or process attempts to store more data in a buffer …

    Security 29 Aug 2001, 08:12

  • Intel goes bananas over Banias

    Intel Developer Forum Next gen due 1H 2003

    Processors based on Intel's next generation mobile architecture, codenamed Banias, will be available in the first half of 2003, the chip giant told attendees at its Developer Forum today. Banias processors are based on a new core design optimised for mobile applications, featuring low power circuitry and are designed to squeeze …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 08:15

  • McKinley, Deerfield speeds and feeds

    Intel Developer Forum cf. Roadmappi Mundi of Yore

    We can't help but admire how Intel learns from its mistakes. Exactly two years ago, at the Intel Developer Forum at Palm Springs, a table of us European journalists were handed a Merced processor, from the very first wafer of Itanic, at an evening reception. We remember the look of horror as an hour later the chip was returned …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 08:23

  • SecurityPortal flounders on titsup.com atoll

    Business plan didn't hack it

    SecurityPortal.com, the online security content aggregation site, has been put on ice by parent firm, AtomicTangerine. The people behind the SecurityPortal Web site, which billed itself as the "focal point for security on the Net", claimed 250,000 information security professionals read the site each month. As well as acting as …

    e-Business 29 Aug 2001, 08:37

  • Palm, Handspring wireless PDAs debut on Web

    For once, leaks are official

    Palm and Handspring have both had their wireless PDA plans made public. Details of Palm's i705 - the successor to the VII family - and Handspring's Treo k180 and g180 have been posted on the Federal Communications Commission's Web site as part of the process both companies must undertake to get their devices approved for …

    Personal 29 Aug 2001, 10:29

  • Motorola to link PowerPC direct to DRAM

    On-chip controllers to accelerate data access rates

    Motorola is set to build a memory controller directly on board its high-end PowerPC chips in a bid to accelerate the processor's ability to keep itself pumped up with instructions and data. The company's focus is, of course, on better tailoring PowerPC for embedded applications, in particular communications roles. However, such …

    Mac Channel 29 Aug 2001, 10:33

  • Psion makes loss, kills dividend

    Restructuring darling

    Psion has posted a £13 million loss for the first six months of 2001, even accounting for a £41 million restructuring charge as it ditches the PDA business that made it famous. As a result it has ditched its dividend. Chairman David Potter said that Psion would be focusing on high-margin corporate stuff from now on while …

    Business 29 Aug 2001, 10:34

  • Gateway slashes quarter of staff

    Plans to exit Europe

    Gateway plans to cut a quarter of its global workforce and exit most of its overseas market. The move by the US computer maker will include chopping around 5,000 staff and shutting its Salt Lake City factory. Gateway said yesterday it expected the cutbacks to save it $300 million per year. The company is axing its businesses …

    Business 29 Aug 2001, 10:52

  • Samsung, Hynix DRAM exports slump

    Surprise, surprise...

    Korea's major DRAM producers are clearly having a very tough time selling memory. A very tough time indeed. And it's getting worse. Take the amount of memory Samsung and Hynix export. In July between them they exported $213 million worth of memory chips, down 41.5 per cent on June's figure and 69.4 per cent on January's, …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 11:03

  • Dmitri Sklyarov indicted

    Nothing to do with Adobe, mind you

    Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov, who helped develop the Advanced eBook Processor (an application which cracks the lame access controls on Adobe's eBook Reader), has been indicted by federal grand jury in San Jose, California on five counts of copyright violation under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) -- …

    Security 29 Aug 2001, 11:18

  • Corel finds buyer for Linux distro?

    Sale to be announced later today, apparently

    Corel appears to have finally rid itself of its Linux business, which it pledged to sell off back at the start of the year. The deal is expected to be announced today, but moles have leaked details to Reuters already. The newswire claims the buyer is a start-up called Xandros and has signed a $2 million cheque for Corel's Linux …

    Software 29 Aug 2001, 11:29

  • UK let down by ‘abysmal’ mobile phone shops

    In-depth survey puts spotlight on shoddy service

    Mobile phones may be ubiquitous but we are all being let down by sub-standard phone shops that fail to deliver an appropriate level of service. That is the conclusion of an in-depth report released today by Strand Consult. Strand Consult visited 132 mobile phone shops dotted around London and marked each on the quality of …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 11:37

  • Sysadmin spy left digital trail

    Retired USAF sergeant surfed top secret Web

    The FBI investigation that lead to last week's arrest of a former Air Force sergeant on espionage charges had more in common with a modern Internet hacker hunt than a John le Carre novel, court records show. Brian P. Regan, 38, was arrested Thursday at Washington Dulles International Airport while boarding a Lufthansa flight …

    Security 29 Aug 2001, 11:48

  • Intel admits DDR i845 will ship early (ish)

    Mobo makers fiddle while Louis Burns

    It looks like our take on the reports that Intel will be shipping the DDR version of its i845 Pentium 4 chipset early were right. The chip giant is going to ship the next version of Brookdale in Q4 this year - as opposed to the official, roadmapped timeframe the following quarter. But that's only so mobo makers can be made …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 11:53

  • Ricoh RDC I-700

    Review Digital camera

    The capabilities of Ricoh's new RDC I-700 extend way beyond the functionality of a normal digital camera. Based on the similiar RDC-7, it is Web-enabled so you can send photographs by email or upload them directly to the Internet. It's a niche product with a high price, but an interesting device that deserves our Recommended …

    Personal 29 Aug 2001, 12:12

  • Notebook boss cheats death on Ducati Monster

    Rock MD rides into the office - literally

    Rock Computers boss Nick Boardman was back at work today after surving a motorbike stunt that nearly cost him his life. Last week Boardman decided to show off his latest purchase - a 104 horsepower Ducati Monster S4 - to staff at the company's Warwickshire HQ. And for extra effect the Evil Knievel of notebook manufacturing …

    Bootnotes 29 Aug 2001, 12:14

  • Action bags £15m supply deal

    Which won't hurt any takeover talks

    Action plc has scored a major supply deal with WS Atkins valued at £12-to-£15 million for calendar year 2001. The deal has been announced amid rumours that Action, the UK's biggest mail-order reseller, is in the frame to be bought by Insight Enterprises, the US direct marketing IT reseller. The Financial Mail on Sunday …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 12:25

  • Amazon opens PC store doors

    Just what the world needs

    Amazon today opened its PC store to the American public- and it's a straight A-brand affair. The etailer is touting AMD, Apple, Compaq, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba lines. It is also flogging consumables, add-ons and refurb kit complete with warranties supplied by a clutch of "trusted sellers". The store opens ahead of …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 13:10

  • Hynix's biggest creditor nixes bailout plan

    Korea Development Bank demands an independent rescue scheme

    Korea's state-run Korea Development Bank will not lend any more cash to Hynix unless a respected third-party comes up with a solid plan to rescue the debt-ridden memory maker. The debt bail-out scheme currently being touted by the Korea Exchange Bank and due to be discussed by Hynix's creditors at a meeting on Friday doesn't …

    Business 29 Aug 2001, 13:25

  • BT Retail chief ‘fiercely opposed’ to sale of local loop

    Time to stand and fight

    Pierre Danon has been at BT for less than a year and already he's being tipped to take on the top job at the telco when Sir Peter Bonfield finally decides to step down. That's some endorsement. The Register caught up with CEO of BT Retail to find out how he's bringing about change within the company. Anyone who harbours any …

    Data Networking 29 Aug 2001, 14:32

  • Online adults won't pay for music downloads

    Most don't use their PCs as hi-fi kit, that's why

    If the music industry thinks it can make money charging for digital music downloads, it can think again - punters just aren't interested in paying for music online. So concludes G2, yet another subsidiary of research colossus Gartner Group, after surveying the purchasing plans and habits of 4000 online adults. Tellingly, only …

    Music and Media 29 Aug 2001, 14:34

  • NGUK gets fragged

    Boss hints of unfriendly fire

    It looks like gaming ISP NetGames UK's decision to cancel their 0800 Internet dialup service was the beginning of the end. As forum posts over the last few days indicate, the entire core staff of the company has been sent packing, and although the servers remain, leagues and tournaments are being placed on hold pending further …

    Games Industry 29 Aug 2001, 14:51

  • ATI signs up to support 3GIO

    Nvidia left to its own HyperTransport devices

    ATI has thrown its weight behind 3GIO, the Intel-backed third-generation I/O spec., in opposition to arch-rival Nvidia's support for HyperTransport, the AMD-backed third-generation I/O spec. Cynics will argue that ATI's support was bought at the price of a Pentium 4 bus licence. The truth of the situation is probably more …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 15:05

  • CBI warns of UK cybercrime epidemic

    Net fraud complaints centre called for

    Two thirds of British companies have been hit by cybercrime in the last 12 months, according to a survey out today. Hacking, viruses and credit card fraud were the most common incidents, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) claims. Its survey of 148 companies also found that the main threat came from external hackers, …

    e-Business 29 Aug 2001, 15:49

  • Torvalds best man quits SuSE

    Adieu CTO

    Dirk Hohndel has quit his post at SuSE, ending a seven year association with the company he helped found. Hohndel was CTO and since February acting President of the US operation. Linus Torvalds' best man leaves to pursue "personal and professional" interests, according to a statement put out by SuSE's Oakland office, which …

    Business 29 Aug 2001, 17:22

  • Scott Adams designs the post-Dilbert cubicle

    Modular, ergonomic satire?

    What on earth has overcome Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert? While his Dilbert cartoons continue to lampoon the sadism and futility of white collar office life, Adams has apparently lent his blessing to what he most despises: the cubicle. Design company IDEO is showcasing a cubicle inspired by and developed with input from …

    Bootnotes 29 Aug 2001, 17:31

  • Internet Explorer 6 – one man's odyssey

    Kieren very decently decides not to make his PC run even slower...

    If you didn't know, Internet Explorer 6 was officially released yesterday (you can get it here). So we figured we'd download it, try it out and tell you whether it's worth it. [We're assuming you're not upgrading to Windows XP at the moment, in which case you'll get Explorer 6 anyway. You do need Win98, 2000, NT4] So, what do …

    Software 29 Aug 2001, 20:43

  • Flash flood swamps AMD

    Old dependable no longer so dependable

    AMD sales will fall 15 per cent sequentially from Q2 to Q3 - and flash memory is largely to blame, the company said to day. In previous guidance for the quarter, AMD said that sales would fall 10-15 per cent to the quarter. Sales of flash memory, for so long the AMD milch cow, are still expected to sink 30 per cent, panning …

    Business 29 Aug 2001, 22:20

  • Who needs RDRAM anyway?

    Intel Developer Forum Memories are made of this

    Intel has given its firmest commitment yet that a lower-cost SDRAM chipset for its Pentium 4 processors will be available in the "next couple of weeks". The promise on delivery of the i845 chipset was made by Anand Chandrasekher, Intel's vice president of marketing, during a roundtable at IDF today, where he (perhaps …

    Channel 29 Aug 2001, 22:24

  • Secure the Wireless Network firmware

    Intel Developer Forum Intel WEP Schlep

    Security issues surrounding wireless networking can be addressed without upgrading hardware, Intel said today. The future ubiquity of wireless networking has been a key theme of the IDF this week, with much talk of a mobile computing future where laptop computers automatically select the best connection via either a wireless …

    Security 29 Aug 2001, 22:33