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6th May 2003 Archive

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  • IBM plots new processors for Unix servers

    Tries to ruin HP's special day

    IBM scampered on Tuesday to announce new processors for its high end Unix systems on the same day that rival Hewlett-Packard will lay out its enterprise hardware plans. IBM will start shipping its high end p690 server - code-named Regatta - with 1.5GHz and 1.7GHz Power4+ processors by the end of May. Big Blue will also make …

    Servers 6 May 2003, 08:16

  • Fujitsu Siemens extends three-year warranties to four

    More than meets the eye

    If you want proof that PC hardware is reliable, look no further than today's Fujitsu Siemens UK announcement that owners of the company's Scenic range of desktops will now be offered a four-year on-site warranty. Well, so you'd think, but the deal isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Only two Scenic lines are supported: the N …

    Small Biz 6 May 2003, 10:16

  • Thus cuts losses, increases T/O

    Demon notches up 25,000 broadband punters

    Losses at Thus almost halved during last year as the telco increased turnover in its telecoms, data and Internet operations. Publishing results for the year to the end of March the alternative telco that competes with the likes of BT increased turnover by nine per cent to £291.2 million. Pre-tax losses fell 44 per cent to £58.8 …

    Music and Media 6 May 2003, 10:37

  • Apple music kiosk nets ‘1m downloads’

    Pigopolists happy

    Not surprisingly, Apple's music partner, Universal, is continuing to hype the online kiosk the pair launched last week. Universal claims that the store clocked one million downloads in its first week of operation. But the music 'industry'[*] is desperate for the venture to succeed, as it represents the first public acceptance …

    Mac Channel 6 May 2003, 10:44

  • AMD ships Athlon MP 2800+

    For those who think Operton too pricey

    AMD today launched an ever-so-slightly redundant addition to its Athlon MP line. The 2800+, based on the Barton core, sits between existing MP parts and the new Opteron family of 64-bit server/workstation chips. The 2800+ is priced at $275 (in batches of 1000 chips), just under the $283 Opteron 240. The new part is aimed at one …

    Channel 6 May 2003, 11:14

  • Powerline broadband pilot nets 200 trialists

    Need for speed

    Southern Electric claims it has received a "good amount of interest" in its commercial trial of broadband through three-pin electrical sockets in Winchester. Details of the trial were formally announced at the end of April. Since then, around two hundred people have signed up for the service via Southern Electric's Web site. …

    Telecoms 6 May 2003, 11:18

  • Off the Rails: Enquiry Web site fails to deliver

    Analysis Germans do it better

    The recent revamp of the UK rail enquiries website has been a backwards step from a usability point of view, with the site generally less friendly towards passengers wanting train times than its predecessor. This is a site where usability is particularly important. Looking up the times of trains is its whole purpose, so there’s …

    Music and Media 6 May 2003, 13:06

  • Microsoft in ‘constructive’ EU talks

    Outstanding concerns

    Microsoft said this week that it was working with European antitrust officials on their investigation of the software giant. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer said that the Redmond, Washington-based software firm was working "constructively" with EU antitrust officials, who are …

    Software 6 May 2003, 13:17

  • Psion Software syncing fast

    Transcendental

    Psion Software is syncing fast, in fact not just fast, but transparently and with consummate ease. Without doubt one of the biggest challenges of using sophisticated applications on a small device is usability. Many vendors would claim their products are intuitive, but when you have a dozen differently intuitive tools you use …

    Mobile 6 May 2003, 13:34

  • Apple updates eMac to 1GHz

    Reg Kit Watch Ready for 802.11g too

    Desktop Apple has updated its eMac all-in-one desktop Mac. The new line-up sports ATI Radeon 7500 graphics and Airport Extreme 802.11g wireless networking. The eMac range now includes a 1GHz G4 processor, as predicted a wee while ago by our chums at Think Secret. The three-machine line-up offers 40, 60 and 80GB hard drives, and …

    Mac Channel 6 May 2003, 14:33

  • SiS R&D fab re-opens after SARS suspect shuts plant

    Normal business resumed after disinfection

    SiS has confirmed that its Hsin Chu R&D fab was temporarily closed last week after one of its R&D staff had been quarantined by the Taiwanese health authorities with suspected SARS. The employee has now sent home. She is still in quarantine, and will remain so until 19 May, but was allowed home after thermal, blood and x-ray …

    Channel 6 May 2003, 15:03

  • MP critical of ‘unfair competition’ from BT

    Oftel gets ticking off too

    Labour MP Brian White has branded a recent wholesale price cut from BT as "unfair competition" and called on the telecoms regulator to react more quickly to complaints. He also blamed "BT's dominant position in the wholesale market" as being responsible for current problems concerning the roll out of broadband across the UK. …

    Telecoms 6 May 2003, 16:11

  • Interview Doing The Right Thing: Apple UI history

    "If you do this kind of work," says interaction designer Gitta Salomon, "everything bugs you. Your car, your cordless phone, your home entertainment system - you hate everything." I feel the same way too. Bad human interface design - the sort that really gets in your way - is like a personal DoS attack. Why don't voicemail …

    Software 6 May 2003, 18:46