A Cisco Systems representative has apologised for an ill-considered email sent out today that suggested the terrorist-created chaos in the US was a "good opportunity" for UK resellers to sell kit here.

The email said: "Please be aware that if you have customers in the city, temporary dealing rooms are being set up if they do not already exist. This is a good opportunity to sell kit to accommodate these financial institutions needs."

In a display of arguably worse insensitivity, a contact of ours was phoned by a sales rep from Abraxas Recruitment to ask if "in the light of yesterday's events" his IT company needed any more staff.

Scraping the barrel in terms of bad taste, someone has created a game where players are asked to defend the World Trade Centre from hijacked planes using a missile system. A caveat states "this game is not meant to offend anyone, my deepest condolences to all you who have lost someone in this tragedy". This game has since been removed. ®

Assault on America: complete coverage