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17th November 2004 Archive

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  • HP redeems pride with strong Q4

    Billion dollar printer profit steadies the ship

    HP delivered a solid fourth quarter when it needed it most, posting gains in all of its major businesses and reversing the effects of ordering system problems that plagued it one quarter earlier. HP stormed into the fourth quarter looking for redemption. The company's server and storage businesses took major hits in the third …

    Business 17 Nov 2004, 00:31

  • MPAA wants parents, teachers to rat on their kids

    Doing the dirty work

    Conservatives often accuse Hollywood of failing to pay heed to 'family values', but the Motion Picture Ass. of America's latest initiative is designed to split families right down the middle. The MPAA hopes that new software will encourage parents to turn their children over to the authorities as file-sharing felons. The …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 00:35

  • Arafat worm exploits new MS vuln

    Novel infection technique

    A worm which exploits curiosity about the death of Yasser Arafat is the first to exploit the known Extended MetaFiles vulnerability. Aler is a network worm that was widely bulk-mailed with the subject "Latest News about Arafat!!!". These infected emails had two attachments, one a clean JPEG file and the other an infected EMF …

    Malware 17 Nov 2004, 09:15

  • Online Xmas shopping puts business 'at risk'

    Trojans, spam and viruses all in Santa's sack

    Almost a quarter of us are planning to do our Christmas shopping from our desks at work, according to a survey released yesterday. More 18-29 year-olds – 28 per per cent – will turn to their office net access to get their presents bought in time. As the festive season approaches, the number of people sending electronic …

    Small Biz 17 Nov 2004, 09:21

  • China's IT: an inside outsider's view

    Letter Insight into piracy rates

    We had a letter from a man identifying himself only as Dr. John who teaches at a University in China. What he had to say about the Eastern technology revolution is something of an eye opener: Over the past 4 years, I have had a chance to see the IT side of China in a unique way. Living and working here in the Middle Kingdom, …

    Letters 17 Nov 2004, 09:32

  • UK data protection laws are 'chaotic'

    DPA terms 'must be tightened'

    The Government has acknowledged that much work needs to be done to improve UK data protection laws, according to a new report. The report, by law firm Rowe Cohen, claims the Government's Data Protection Working Party has agreed that the terms of the Data Protection Act must be tightened in order to punish people who break the …

    IT Director 17 Nov 2004, 10:21

  • Pulp Fiction writer sues Microsoft over virtual yoga

    'Everyone be cool, this is a robbery'

    Despite its best efforts to settle legal action it seems Microsoft just can't stay out of court. Roger Avary, who won an Oscar for writing Pulp Fiction with Quentin Tarantino, is suing the software giant alleging it stole his idea for a yoga game. Writing on his blog Roger Avary said: "After centering myself in a Vinyasa class …

    Developer 17 Nov 2004, 10:23

  • Iomart posts maiden profit

    Congrats

    Iomart - the Glasgow-based security and web services outfit - has notched up its maiden profit. For the six months to the end of September Iomart increased revenues by 121 per cent as turnover hit £6.4m helping it generate a profit of £167,000. The business-focused internet business now has 190,000 customers - 140,000 of which …

    Financial News 17 Nov 2004, 11:10

  • Don't hit the computer, it won't change channels!

    It makes me so angry!

    "Technology-related anger" is increasing, at least according to a Master's thesis by German sociologist Dr. Marleen Brinks at the Fernuniversität Hagen. People yell at scanner cash registers or vent their frustration at their PCs. Brink sent 340 questionnaires to people who spend at least 30 hours a week on computers, Heise …

    PCs 17 Nov 2004, 11:14

  • Trigger-happy surfers pop a cap in Bambi's ass

    Virtual white hunter, black heart

    Texas wildlife officials are up in arms over a plan to offer live hunting of real animals via the internet, Reuters reports. John Underwood's live-shot.com already gives virtual sharpshooters the chance to pop .22 rounds at paper targets, but he reckons that having a crack at the real thing could prove a real blast for trigger- …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 11:16

  • Computers make you blind: official

    Add glaucoma to the threat list

    We all know that prolonged computer use can cause RSI, back trouble, high blood pressure and steam to vent from both ears, but it appears that's the least of our worries, because we'll soon all be blind and that will be an end to it. According to a Japanese study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, …

    PCs 17 Nov 2004, 11:17

  • PeopleSoft battle enters last lap

    Shareholders split on what to do

    The battle for the heart and soul of PeopleSoft is going down to the wire, with major shareholders split as to what the company should do. Oracle has offered $24 per share for the firm - but its offer expires on Friday. An ever-growing percentage of the firm is being bought up by short-term investors looking to cash in on a …

    Applications 17 Nov 2004, 11:33

  • Chinese 3G may follow Europe

    European standard preferred...

    Chinese mobile companies are moving away from the homegrown standard for next generation phone services. They are now likely to use the standard - TD-SCDMA - to support the rival European standard WCDMA. If, as is predicted, the government awards four licenses or less then no operator will adopt TD-SCDMA only for a national …

    Mobile 17 Nov 2004, 11:44

  • Are you a mobe-hating foot fetishist?

    Yes? Click here

    The internet has certainly proved an absolute boon for those whose sexual proclivities lean towards the highly esoteric, and never before in the history of human deviancy have the needs of minority interest groups been so comprehensively catered for. Which is as it should be, within reason. After all, why should those who …

    Bootnotes 17 Nov 2004, 12:05

  • mmO2 looks set for first ever dividend

    Earlier than expected

    mmO2 is to pay its maiden dividend earlier than expected after a strong performance in the first half of 2004. The UK-based mobile operator, which reported its half-yearly results today, has grown group revenues by 23 per cent for the six months ending 30 September to £3.285bn, compared to £2.680bn a year earlier. The rise was …

    Mobile 17 Nov 2004, 12:26

  • Deny All plots European expansion

    Application firewall push

    Application security firm Deny All launched in the UK today in a major European expansion programme that will see it move into Germany and Italy next year. The French security software outfit said that the growth in web applications is driving demand for its technology. Deny All's rWeb application firewall inspects traffic …

    Enterprise Security 17 Nov 2004, 12:31

  • Bulgarian seeks redress over gay pig

    Porker batting for the wrong side

    Bulgarian farmer Galen Dobrev is claiming substantial damages from the breeder who sold him a prize-winning pedigree pig after the porker turned out to be a little more pink than the average Babe, Ananova reports. An outraged Dobrev told the court where he is sueing the breeder: "It's a disgrace, all he was interested in was …

    Science 17 Nov 2004, 12:46

  • Bristol Council ditches MS for Star Office

    Poster child public sector contract for open source

    Bristol City Council is shifting 5,000 workers off proprietary desktop software and onto open source to help it save £1.4m over the next five years. Corel WordPerfect, Microsoft Office and Lotus 1-2-3 will all be ditched in favour of Sun's StarOffice 7. The decision was made on Monday by Councillor John Bees, executive member …

    Applications 17 Nov 2004, 12:47

  • US company fined for UK rogue dialler scam

    Watchdog growls

    A company based in New York has been fined £100,000 ($185,500) for ripping off UK punters with a premium rate number scam. Some 850 people complained to watchdog ICSTIS that B&B Services LLC had caused them to run up huge phone bills while connected to the internet. People claimed that dialler software installed on their PCs …

    Security 17 Nov 2004, 12:49

  • MPAA takes filesharers to court

    Seeking injunctions, and fines of $150k

    The Motion Picture Association of America has gone on the offensive in its battle against piracy and peer-to-peer sharing of movies, and has launched more than 200 civil suits against users it identifies as being the worst offenders. The organisation has filed between 200 and 300 lawsuits, according to reports, and the Los …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 13:01

  • NASA scramjet nudges Mach 10

    But does it have a future?

    NASA's third and final test of the X-43A scramjet ended successfully yesterday when the vehicle reached a velocity of almost Mach 9.8 over the Pacific. The record-breaking flight is a triumph for the team behind the X-43A; but the technology's future remains uncertain. The X-43A and its Pegasus booster rocket were lifted by B- …

    Science 17 Nov 2004, 13:35

  • Motorola: 3G handsets selling like hot cakes

    Boom times ahead for WCDMA phones

    Sales of Motorola 3G phones based on the WCDMA standard will more than quadruple next year, the company said yesterday. WCDMA (Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access) handset sales will account for five per cent of unit sales this year, according to Ron Garriques, president of Motorola's handset division. "We think that could …

    Mobile 17 Nov 2004, 14:09

  • Brits, broadband and smut

    We're the dirty old men of Europe

    Brits use their broadband connection for accessing smut, according to research from US-based software outfit SupportSoft. Since this outfit has spent time and money interviewing 349 European broadband users as part of its survey then it must be true. Four in ten Italians said their top use for broadband was for business. Just …

    Telecoms 17 Nov 2004, 14:57

  • UK.gov launches technology five-year plan

    'Creating wealth from knowledge'

    Tony Blair and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt will today announce the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) five-year programme, 'Creating Wealth from Knowledge'. The programme - which is intended to make scientific research in the UK more attractive in response to growing competition from such …

    Public Sector 17 Nov 2004, 15:08

  • eBayer punts Virgin Mary in grilled cheese sandwich

    Toasted simulacrum madness

    Ever had one of those momemts when a crucifix was not enough? When a christingle couldn't cut it? When you wanted to show your faith in a tangible, unequivocally ecumenical way? Well, the answer is at hand! Prove your piety by purchasing the world's tastiest holy relic, the Virgin Mary in Grilled Cheese, currently at the low …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 15:25

  • 3 offers 'smallest, lightest' 3G handset

    NEC 338 goes on sale

    UK 3G network 3 today launched what it claims is Europe's "smallest and lightest 3G handset", the NEC 338. Available in glossy black and silver, this clamshell handset weighs only 114g and measures 9.4 x 4.7 x 2.3cm. The phone allows customers to access the full range of 3's services including live person-to person video calls …

    Mobile 17 Nov 2004, 15:27

  • Dutch snap world's largest digital photo

    Images fused into 2.5bn px monster

    The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research has produced what it claims is the largest digital panoramic photo in the world. At 2.5 billion pixels, it's 500 times more pixel-packed that can be produced with modern five megapixel consumer cameras. The photograph shows the Dutch town of Delft and its surroundings …

    Science 17 Nov 2004, 15:56

  • MS CRM wins hearts, minds, wallets

    Business is key, not technology

    David Batt, general manager of Microsoft CRM, said the CRM market is growing at between 10 and 15 per cent but Microsoft's CRM offering has grown more than 80 per cent a year in its first three years. Microsoft has found 3,500 customers and claims 62 per cent would be happy to be reference customers for the vendor. According to …

    Applications 17 Nov 2004, 16:24

  • UK 3G rollout targets 'too tough'

    Give us room for manoeuvre, says O2

    Mobile operator O2 is urging telecomms regulators to be more flexible over tough rollout targets for 3G networks. Operators are expected to build out networks so that they cover 80 per cent of the UK population by 2007. Even though it remains confident of meeting this deadline, O2 wants Ofcom to give operators more room for …

    Mobile 17 Nov 2004, 16:29

  • Motorola buys MeshNetworks

    Connecting up the dots

    Motorola yesterday announced a deal to acquire wireless application developer MeshNetworks for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition, which is subject to various customary conditions and approvals, is expected to close by the end of the year. The deal will allow Motorola to extend its broadness wireless technology profile by …

    Mobile 17 Nov 2004, 17:23

  • ID card doubts - Blunkett blames dead German philosopher

    I think, therefore who am I?

    Home Secretary David Blunkett said today that the German philosopher Immanuel Kant is to blame for scepticism about the government's plans for a compulsory national identity card. He was speaking at a meeting at the Institute of Public Policy Research, restating his arguments in favour of the scheme. The British public's fear …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 18:41

  • Maxtor's revolving door brings in new Prez and COO

    They come, they go

    Maxtor continued today its executive shuffle, naming a new president and COO just two days after its former president and CEO resigned. Michael Wingert, former CEO of Cornice, has been tapped as Maxtor's new Prez and COO. He is taking over the president role from Paul Tufano who unexpectedly resigned earlier this week. Tufano …

    Storage 17 Nov 2004, 18:56

  • Piracy funds terror, Guardian lesson tells schools

    Balanced discussion of copyright issues begins

    Education about copyright and "digital piracy" has arrived quietly in UK schools, under the banner of, would you believe it, The Guardian. Yesterday's issue of Education Guardian carried a feature on the subject tied into The Guardian's subscription-based schools resources operation, Learnpremium, which is offering curriculum …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 18:59

  • Register backs Blunkett drive for trust in government

    Bye then, David...

    Earlier today David Blunkett railed against the decline in the public's trust of government, lamenting the widespread view "that if a government is up to something, it must be about removing freedoms." We at The Register agree with David on very little, but we share (for slightly different reasons, we fear) his sadness over the …

    Music and Media 17 Nov 2004, 23:22