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10th February 2004 Archive

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  • Mickey Mouse blesses Microsoft DRM

    Disney embraces Redmond

    The Disney Corporation has signed an agreement to use Microsoft's DRM technology to lock-down its digital media. In doing so, Microsoft has snagged two of the biggest 'content partners' for its technology, following on from last year's deal with Time Warner which signaled the end of the latter's browser ambitions. As was the …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 00:41

  • HP pumps Unix, Itanium and storage lines

    Dual core? We've heard of it

    HP has given its hardware line a good scrubbing on Monday, refreshing a broad list of server and storage systems. The new kit includes Unix systems running on the long-awaited PA-8800 processor, fresh Itanium-based servers and revamped tape libraries. HP has also tweaked its storage pricing models to allow for new pay-per-use …

    Hardware 10 Feb 2004, 01:14

  • iPod owner's open letter to Apple

    Letters Pepsi child shame threat to sales?

    Our Pepsi/Apple/RIAA Superbowl poll has generated a wonderful range of responses. [Vote here]. And quite unlike last week's postbag, these seem to bear none of the hallmarks of AstroTurf. This one is typical. I was planning on purchasing a new Ibook, it would have been my 5th Mac. Tell Steve he can take this "Jobs" and shove …

    Letters 10 Feb 2004, 01:16

  • Avoid Friendster and its clones, warns security expert

    Privacy grab

    Computer users who value their privacy should stay clear of 'social networking' websites, and should warn their friends away too, according to a distinguished Australian security professional. And for good-measure, the rash of new websites - with names apparently inspired by artificial food preservatives such as Ryze, Plaxo and …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 03:12

  • Juniper buys Netscreen for $3.4 billion

    Getting serious about security

    Juniper Networks has decided to dive into the low-end of the networking market with a $3.4 billion buy of security hardware maker NetScreen Technologies. With its proposed purchase, Juniper has signaled that is ready to sell lower-cost networking products for the corporate market alongside its high-end gear typically aimed at …

    Security 10 Feb 2004, 09:46

  • Cyberloo blast rocks Stoke-on-Trent

    Roof blown off killer roboconvenience

    There are promising signs that humanity is beginning to wake up to the threat posed by Terminator-style cyberloos and hostage-taking telephone kiosks. A blast yesterday decimated a state-of-the-art convenience in the city centre of Stoke-on-Trent, lifting the roof right off the digital dunny. A shaken city council spokesman …

    Rise of the Machines 10 Feb 2004, 09:46

  • Analysis Nokia – dooming Psion's legacy to obscurity?

    It may well yet be Psion's legacy will be to provide the world with the most popular piece of technology ever, while others reap the reward, and the founders join the long list of forgotten British pioneers. It's too early to call that one. But either way, the phase of Psion's adventure that began with the launch of its …

    Mobile 10 Feb 2004, 10:10

  • Smarter use of information ‘critical’ to egov success

    People want services with IQ, says IB

    Jim Irving, Information Builders’ UK MD, has called for the Government to extend its remit for the kind of services it should offering people online. Speaking at the eGovernment conference in London last week, Irving acknowledged that the government’s plans to get its services online by 2005 were well underway. But it needs to …

    Hardware 10 Feb 2004, 10:17

  • British Chambers of Commerce urges gov to cut red tape

    Teams up with Microsoft to promote IT

    The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today promised to kick off a campaign of lobbying which it hopes will force Whitehall to cut the Government red tape tangle that is increasingly ensnaring Britain's small businesses. The BCC initiative forms the main plank of a three-year collaboration with Microsoft and also aims to boost …

    Small Biz 10 Feb 2004, 10:29

  • The first fallout from Cybergate

    Was a crime committed?

    Did Republican staffers commit a crime by clicking on the "My Network Places" icon to access Democratic memos, asks SecurityFocus columnist Mark Rasch. Politics is dirty business, and rarely so much as in the area of patronage: appointments to sought-after federal jobs in general, and to the federal bench in particular. So it …

    Security 10 Feb 2004, 10:38

  • Sony extends Vaio desktop lines

    Reg Kit Watch Bundles wireless media server

    Desktop PCs Sony UK this week extended its Vaio desktop family with a pair of new product lines: the PCV-RZ500 series and the PCV-RS400 series. The new machines feature 90nm Pentium 4 processors. Sony is offering two RZ500 models: the home-oriented RZ504 and the pro RZ502P. The home model has the higher spec., but that's more …

    Channel 10 Feb 2004, 11:25

  • Barnardo's calls for greater Net protection for children

    Child abuse fears

    Children's charity Barnardo's has called for more cash and a greater commitment on the part of government to protect children from sexual exploitation. A hard-hitting new report, Just One Click, calls on governments not to abandon victims of paedophile activity whose "torture is broadcast around the world via the Internet and …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 11:30

  • Eurostar preps Wi-Fi train trial

    But not through the chunnel

    Eurostar, the company that runs rail services through the Channel Tunnel, will offer passengers Wi-Fi Internet access later this year. The move follows similar trial runs carried out by UK mainland train operators GNER and Virgin. However, unlike those services, Eurostar is believed to be considering offering the facility to …

    Wireless 10 Feb 2004, 11:53

  • Worms pour through MyDoom back door

    Updated More of the same

    Virus writers are exploiting machines infected by MyDoom-A to launch a denial of service attacks on Microsoft with the release of yet another Net worm. The Doomjuice worm, discovered yesterday, uses the back door installed by Mydoom-A to spread. Doomjuice does not propagate using email. Doomjuice (AKA MyDoom-C) scans random IP …

    Malware 10 Feb 2004, 11:58

  • Infinium Labs names key executives

    Plans new offices in LA, Seattle

    Following on from the recent appointment of Kevin Bachus as president, Infinium Labs has announced three new executive hires, along with the opening of an office in Seattle. A Los Angeles office is planned shortly. The three new faces on the senior management team are Rich Skoba, executive VP for sales and business development …

    Personal 10 Feb 2004, 12:14

  • AOpen Aeolus FX5900XT

    Review The mid-range graphics card to beat?

    Things never stay still for very long in the graphics business but even I was surprised by the speed with which Nvidia released its latest chip. Though the GeForce FX 5700 Ultra appeared only a few weeks ago, Nvidia has already released another chip out into the wild, writes Benny Har-Even. What's even more surprising is that …

    Reviews 10 Feb 2004, 12:31

  • Legal Net music romps ahead of DVD, vinyl, tape

    CD sales still dominant, though

    Legal music downloads outsold some of their physical counterparts for the first time in January 2004, according to figures released today by trade organisation the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Last month, over 150,000 downloads were sold in the UK - measures as downloads from UK URLs to known UK IP addresses - with the …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 12:43

  • PalmSource to rebrand OSes Garnet, Cobalt

    One for smartphones, the other for PDAs

    PalmSource is expected to give its operating system offerings less prosaic brand names when it kicks off its Developer Conference in San Jose later today. Palm OS 5 will be offered as 'Palm OS Garnet' - no, not Alf's younger brother - while its successor will now be called 'Palm OS Cobalt', according to separate media reports …

    Mobile 10 Feb 2004, 13:17

  • Kazaa demands Oz trial delay

    Wants to wait for Grokster/MPAA appeal verdict

    Kazaa today asked the Australian Federal Court to suspend proceedings brought against it by local music industry representatives for alleged copyright infringement. Lawyers representing the file-sharing service's parent company, Sharman Networks, also said they plan to challenge the validity of a court order that paved the way …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 14:07

  • Doctors divided over £2.3bn NHS IT project

    OK in principle, but what about the implementation?

    Nearly a third of UK doctors think the NHS’s National Programme for IT (NPfIT) is a bad use of resources according to a survey conducted by GP -oriented portal Medix UK. The £2.3 billion project has divided opinion in the medical profession, and raised concerns over the way the project is being implemented. According to the …

    Hardware 10 Feb 2004, 14:11

  • Nintendo to ship GameCube 2 in ‘2005-6’ – official

    Same time as Sony, M$

    Nintendo today denied Japanese reports that it has delayed the launch of the GameCube's successor and that its 2005-6 release target is the one it has always had in mind. "Other companies aren't expected to come out with next-generation consoles until late 2005 or 2006," Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa told Reuters. "Our …

    Personal 10 Feb 2004, 14:33

  • UK.gov announces hi-tech elite police squad

    Robocops and robbers

    The Home Office has announced a new team of specialist investigators that will take on the challenge of dealing with organised crime in a digital world. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) will pool expertise from across the nation's police forces, bringing together specialists in technology and finance as well as those …

    Security 10 Feb 2004, 14:37

  • Wi-Fi in the real world – pt. 1

    Yes, it works - but is it usable?

    Wi-Fi Internet access may sound like the best thing since sliced bread, but does it yet make mobile working a reality? The Reg went wireless to find out. Here, Nico Macdonald checks out the UK capital's hotspot scene. Next week, we take a trip out of town. During the last week of January, the joys of free Wi-Fi were offered …

    Wireless 10 Feb 2004, 15:47

  • German web host slams ex-partner NSI in domain dispute

    URLs held 'hostage' after registration deal ends

    German web host Strato is battling with its former partner, US-based domain name registrar Network Solutions (NSI), over 240,000 web site addresses. Strato formerly had a resale agreement with NSI, and registered all its .com, .net and .org domains through the US registrar. In January, the agreement ended, and Strato decided to …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 16:02

  • Espotting, FindWhat.com sign new merger pact

    Revalues merged firm at $170m

    Paid-for search outfit Espotting has signed an amended merger agreement with FindWhat.com. The new deal values Espotting at $170 million, up $7 million from the original deal. Under the terms of the new agreement Espotting stockholders will receive seven million shares of FindWhat.com common stock and approximately $20 million …

    Music and Media 10 Feb 2004, 17:15

  • Sun bets future on US IV and Opteron boxes

    Here at last - almost

    Later today, Sun Microsystems will lay the groundwork for its next two years in the server market, unveiling new UltraSPARC IV-based and Opteron-based servers. With the product launch Sun is touching on something old and something new. The UltraSPARC IV chip is a dual core version of the UltraSPARC III chip already shipping in …

    Servers 10 Feb 2004, 19:40

  • Segways banned from ‘happiest place on Earth’

    Too goofy for Disney

    You won't see inventor Dean Kamen chasing Minnie Mouse around Disney World on his Segway. The expensive scooter has been banned from Disney owned theme parks. Disney is requiring that customers use its own rental scooters while visiting its four theme parks. The main reason for the Segway ban stems from a lack of approval from …

    Bootnotes 10 Feb 2004, 22:35