24th October 2003 Archive

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Defense Department wants RFID tags on everything but sand

Have you seen my precious bodily fluids?

The US Department of Defense has announced a sweeping policy to slap an electronic tag on every item in its inventory - well, almost every item. By January 2005, the DoD will require all suppliers to place RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags on their goods. The feds hope this technology will help it keep track of massive …

Security 24 Oct 2003, 04:03
Nokia to unwrap new Communicator

Keyboards R'Us

Nokia is expected to take the wraps off its new Communicator at two 'Mobility' events next month. The new device will be the first 'instantiation' of the Hildon project and a showcase for its new Series 90 PDA platform. Hildon has morphed much since it began life at Psion as a user interface project. Like the defunct Series 5 …

Mobile 24 Oct 2003, 09:04
Flea bugs Windows users

VBS malware on the loose

A new virus called Flea is on the loose. The Visual Basic Script worm disguises itself as the ‘signature file’ in HTML-formatted mail. Flea can execute automatically when users open HTML formatted emails in Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. Unlike most Windows nasties, the bug does not depend on a user opening an infectious …

Anti-Virus 24 Oct 2003, 09:11
Micron samples 1Gb DDR II

First to market?

Micron yesterday claimed to have shipped "the industry's first 1Gb DDR II SDRAM components", though we note that its arch-rival, Hynix, made the same claim back in August. To be fair to Micron, Hynix is actually sampling the parts sometime this quarter, so the US company may well have pipped its South Korean opponent to the …

Channel 24 Oct 2003, 09:42
Fujitsu Software larges it up

Living in the shadow of a bigger brother

If you were handed a proposal from a software company that is in business reporting, but which is far bigger than Crystal Decisions, you'd take it seriously right? Likewise if that company was in development frameworks and it claimed to be bigger than BEA. What about if it also offered Business Process Management software and …

Hardware 24 Oct 2003, 09:58
Novell surrounds Microsoft Exchange

With Linux and Solaris clients

Novell this week announced support for Microsoft Exchange 2003 via its Ximian Connector for Microsoft Exchange. This will allow Linux and Sun Solaris clients the same rights, privileges and controls when attached to Exchange as a Windows email client. This means that Linux desktop users can manage their e-mail, calendars, group …

Software 24 Oct 2003, 10:07
Sony to ship blue laser storage rig next month

Not cheap, though

Sony's 23.3GB blue laser optical storage system will finally come to market next month, when the company ships products based on the technology. Those products were to have shipped in the summer. Aimed at the kind of high-end storage applications traditionally delivered by 5.25in, 9.1GB Magneto Optical (MO) discs, the …

Personal 24 Oct 2003, 10:16
Google mulls $15bn IPO – report

Online share auction touted

Google is preparing to float early next year in a deal valued at $15-25 billion, according to the Financial Times. The iconic Internet search outfit is mulling the idea of holding a massive online share auction early next year in an initial public offering (IPO), the paper says. Some reports claim that the IPO has already been …

Music and Media 24 Oct 2003, 10:24
Phone wars 2 – Nokia plans attack on Microsoft's PocketPC turf

Revenge of the Javi?

Surveying its conspicuous failure to make a dent in the mobile phone market or even to ruffle Nokia's feathers ever so slightly, Microsoft can console itself with one thought; as has been typical of Microsoft's battles for some years now, this has been a Microsoft invasion of somebody else's turf, so failure doesn't threaten the …

Mobile 24 Oct 2003, 11:06
NatWest customers targeted in ‘phishing’ scam

Debit dump

Net fraudsters have targeted NatWest customers in the latest fake email scam. Reg readers report receiving emails today purporting to be a security check from NatWest, which are in reality attempts to trick users into handing over sensitive account information to fraudsters. The scam mail (sample below) invites NatWest …

Security 24 Oct 2003, 16:16
Wireless pain – German style

Suffer as others suffer with WiFi-SM

Do you lie awake at night tortured by visions of events in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Do you sit at home paralysed with the realisation that millions of Africans face starvation? No, exactly - you're down the pub like everyone else and then off for a full eight hours untroubled kip. It's a sad fact that we world-weary …

Bootnotes 24 Oct 2003, 16:24
BIG idea calls for BB competition

One heart, one voice

A new broadband industry group - funnily enough, called The Broadband Industry Group (BIG) - has formed to "speak with one voice about the need for true competition in broadband". BIG - made up of Brightview, Cable & Wireless, Centrica, Energis, Freeserve and Tiscali - intends to lobby for change in a bid to make the UK's …

Data Networking 24 Oct 2003, 16:26
Security firm takes trusted Linux onboard

Trustix slips into the Comodo

Secure Linux operating system and software provider Trustix was today acquired by internet security company Comodo. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Comodo, which is best known as a certification authority for SSL certificates, said that the deal will allow the developers of Trustix to take advantage of Comodo’s …

Security 24 Oct 2003, 16:30
People turn back on email 'cos of spam

Had enuff

People are turning their backs on email because of the spam plague, according to research published by US outfit Pew Internet. Its research found that one in four people has reduced their use of email because of the increasing amount of spam clogging up their inboxes. Six in ten of those who use email less say they have cut …

Music and Media 24 Oct 2003, 16:44
Networking sector haunted (still) by dotcom collapse

Getting back on its feet, slowly

The after-effects of the catastrophic slump in the networking equipment market two years ago continue to hamper the financial performance of many leading suppliers. There are signs of progress at Nortel, Enterasys and Foundry - but recovery is slow. Meanwhile the best news in the sector came from a slightly unlikely source - …

Data Networking 24 Oct 2003, 18:04
Eager coder files suit against Britney Spears over hurt feelings

Pistol-whipped

A Japanese software engineer has filed suit against the sultry pop diva Britney Spears, claiming she caused him "extreme emotional distress." Masahiko Shizawa, a wealthy software entrepreneur from Yokohama, claims Spears' security team pulled out a piece and traumatized him in a recent encounter. Spears' muscle is said to have …

Bootnotes 24 Oct 2003, 19:48
Google swallows another competitor

Primedia bows to Adzilla

Online advertising broker Google has swallowed up a competitor and acquired itself another distribution channel into the bargain. Google will acquire Primedia's Sprinks ad business and gains exclusive rights to broker ads on its sites: the About.com network and 127 special interest magazine websites. Sprinks is also used to …

Music and Media 24 Oct 2003, 20:36
Seeking new Flame Warriors

Profundus Maximus vs Rottweiler Puppy

After a four year hiatus, one of the canons of Internet sociology is about to be updated with a Second Edition. Mike Reed tells us he is looking to refresh his illustrated guide to online personalites, Flame Warriors. The 49-page First Edition recorded for posterity - with unflinching detail and very acute observation - such …

Bootnotes 24 Oct 2003, 22:28
State attorneys doubt MS Antitrust compliance

But keep talking

State Attorney generals have expressed doubt that Microsoft's protocol licensing program (MCPP) complies with the requirements of the Antitrust Seattlement. But they don't think it's serious enough, just yet, to merit judicial intervention. California's assistant AG, Kathleen Foote said the attorneys needed more time to guage …

Business 24 Oct 2003, 23:07