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2nd November 2005 Archive

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  • Sun trims loss despite weaker server sales

    Acquisitions boost bottom line

    Sun Microsystems continued to suffer from waning product sales during its first quarter but did manage to trim its net loss. Executives blamed the recent introduction of new Opteron-based servers for part of the sales slump, saying key customers put off purchases to evaluate the new gear. Sun posted first quarter revenue of $2. …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 00:45

  • Hollywood wants its finger in the analog hole

    Insert here

    Hollywood is running another batch of ersatz legislation up the flagpole, in the hope of finding Congressmen who'll salute. The latest proposals aren't bills destined for the floor of the House so much as discussion documents intended to gauge Congressional reaction at a copyright panel hosted by the House Judiciary Committee …

    Media 2 Nov 2005, 06:43

  • SGI delisted, becomes penny stock

    Whispers of immortality

    Silicon Graphics Inc today issued a melancholy press release confirming that it has been kicked off the New York Stock Exchange, and will now trade as a "penny stock". The news will bring a shudder to many in Silicon Valley for whom SGI was not simply an employer - and many Reg friends have passed through its doors - but a …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 06:44

  • Software vision ain't what it used to be at Microsoft

    Not .NET

    It was meant to usher in a new era for Microsoft. Bill Gates, along with recently appointed CTO Ray Ozzie and an entourage of lesser-known vice presidents pitched presentations and demos to press and analysts in San Francisco, California, to convince them Microsoft has a vision for "software as a service". True to Microsoft …

    Software 2 Nov 2005, 09:18

  • S3 turns to Transmeta tech for low-power graphics chips

    Signs 90nm fab deal with Fujitsu

    S3 Graphics, chip maker VIA's graphics processor subsidiary, has signed Fujitsu to fab the company's products at 90nm, the partners announced today. Fujitsu will produce S3's Chrome family, including the upcoming Chrome 20 mid-range chip, expected to be clocked at 700MHz or more yet consume only 5-15W of power. Today, S3 said …

    System Builder 2 Nov 2005, 09:21

  • Deutsche Telekom backs away from O2 counterbid

    That's it

    Deutsche Telekom has ruled itself out of making a bid for O2, the telecoms giant confirmed today. In a statement handed to Reuters, DT's top beancounter Karl-Gerhard Eick said: "Deutsche Telekom will not make a counterbid for O2. This would not be in the interests of our shareholders." So that's that, then. Shares in O2 …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 10:20

  • Intel flicks switch on second 65nm fab

    Fab 12 goes live

    Intel has finished upgrading its Chandler, Arizona-located Fab 12 chip manufacturing facility to 65nm production standards, the company said today. The 300mm-wafer fab is Intel's second 65nm production facility. It's been powered down for the last year and a half, but it's now punching out wafers, with the number of wafer …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 10:23

  • Man sacked for message board posting calls in lawyers

    Internet anonymity back on trial...

    A US man sacked after 16 years working for the same energy company is suing the firm after it dismissed him for making anonymous comments on an internet messageboard. He is taking action against Allegheny Energy for misuse of legal process because he claims they filed a "John Doe" suit only in order to discover his identity, …

    Media 2 Nov 2005, 10:31

  • NHS e-bookings system is a year behind schedule

    Sick of delays

    The NHS' much discussed eBookings system is a year behind schedule, because of problems linking computers in GPs' surgeries to those in hospitals. The Choose-and-Book system was designed to give patients a choice of places they could be referred to when they needed specialist treatment. Sir Nigel Crisp, head of the NHS, said …

    Management 2 Nov 2005, 10:35

  • HTC touts record Q3 sales, income

    Demand for its Windows Mobile smart phones booming

    HTC, the Taiwanese handset manufacturer that has revolutionised the Windows Mobile-based smart-phone business, this week reported record third-quarter sales and income despite the quarter being traditionally a slow one. For the three months to 30 September 2005, the company recorded revenues of TWD16.56bn ($492.71m), up 7.3 per …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 10:39

  • Novell gets new boss

    Restructure ahoy?

    Novell has promoted Ron Hovsepian from vice president and president, global field operations to president and chief operating officer. He will have direct responsibilty for worldwide product development, marketing and sales. Hovsepian joined Novell in 2003 as president of North America from IBM where he worked for 17 years. He …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 10:57

  • MessageLabs nabs Omnipod for IM security

    POD people

    Net security firm MessageLabs is extending its services beyond email and web filtering with the acquisition of Omnipod, a provider of enterprise instant messaging. The deal, which is subject to shareholder approval, extends MessageLabs’ offering to include managed email, web and instant message services. Financial terms of the …

    Security 2 Nov 2005, 11:19

  • Telecity snaffles Redbus

    Data centre consolidation

    TeleCity is to acquire rival data centre outfit Redbus in a move that sees further consolidation within Europe's colocation industry. The takeover values Redbus at £59m with the enlarged group better able to compete in the fragmented data centre market. The deal also gives the enlarged group greater financial clout to invest in …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 11:24

  • Nokia delivers digital TV phone

    Tech Digest 50 channels on your mobile one day soon

    Tech Digest Nokia took the wraps off its first phone with an integrated digital TV decoder today at its annual Mobility Conference in Barcelona. Set to launch in Q2 2006, the N92, which runs using Nokia's Series 60 interface, features a DVB-H TV tuner that in the future will be able to receive as many as fifty TV channels. …

    Mobile 2 Nov 2005, 11:34

  • EasyMobile goes live in Germany

    Now up and running in three countries

    EasyMobile - the cheap and cheerful discount phone service backed by no frills airline entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou - has launched its service its Germany. Today's cork-popping ceremony comes a little over a week since easyMobile launched its service The Netherlands. EasyMobile launched its first service in the UK in March …

    Mobile 2 Nov 2005, 11:48

  • Astronomers find Eta Carinae's companion star

    Long suspected, now outed

    Researchers using NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer satellite have made the first ever direct observation of Eta Carinae's companion star. Astronomers have good indirect evidence that a companion star exists. They have observed a five and a half year period repeating pattern of changes in the star's visual, X-ray …

    Science 2 Nov 2005, 12:05

  • Apple iPod sales to pass 37m this quarter - analyst

    Analysis Can it be done?

    Apple will have sold more than 37m iPods by the end of the year, putting it in a position where it really can start enjoying the much-vaunted halo effect that will boost its share of the computer market. So claims senior Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, according to a Forbes report. "We expect the iPod to continue to be a …

    The Channel 2 Nov 2005, 12:27

  • eBay ID fraudster jailed

    Four years for phisher king

    A UK-based phishing fraudster who raked in an estimated £200,000 after tricking eBay members into handing over their account details was jailed for four years on Tuesday. David Levi, 29, of Lytham, Lancashire, who is already in prison serving a four-year sentence for drug offences, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud. He was …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 12:57

  • Supercharge the Linux kernel

    Site offer Definitive guide at 30% off

    Linux® Debugging and Performance Tuning is the definitive guide to Linux software debugging and performance optimization at both the kernel and application levels. Using extensive Linux code examples, Steve Best systematically introduces open source tools and best-practice techniques for delivering bug-free, well-tuned code. …

    Site News 2 Nov 2005, 12:58

  • Samsung SGH-D600 mobile phone

    Review Gorgeous?

    Just like Chelsea Football Club's manager, the D600 is a suave and sophisticated phone that comes across as one cool cucumber. But does the phone have the features to match or is it all style and no substance? We have to admit it, we love the D600. Its black curvy lines, the large screen and the sliding motion ensure this phone …

    Reviews 2 Nov 2005, 13:01

  • Gay Americans favour hybrid electric vehicles

    As do transsexuals, lesbians and bisexuals

    It's a little-known fact, but US gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender consumers buy cars. What's more, they show a penchant for the luxury end of the market and are "significantly more interested in hybrid electric vehicles than their non-gay counterparts". That's according to a study by Harris Interactive which has managed …

    Bootnotes 2 Nov 2005, 13:05

  • PC recycling to boom

    IDC predicts explosion

    With the number of installed PCs worldwide fast approaching 800m, IDC expects the PC recycling market to grow to meet disposal regulations. The research firm estimates there were 749m installed computers around the world in 2004. With the market showing no signs of slowing, and companies around the world routinely involved in …

    The Channel 2 Nov 2005, 14:00

  • SDBot raises IM security concerns

    Next popular attack vector?

    The latest variant of SDBot spreads through America Online instant messaging software (AIM) and installs surreptitious remote control software on victims' computers, focusing the media on security experts' concerns that instant messaging will become the next popular vector for these programs. The program - known as W32.Loxbot.B …

    Security 2 Nov 2005, 14:07

  • ASA finds Mazda 5 surprisingly stimulating

    Rejects breast-related TV ad complaints

    Hundreds of complaints about an advert for Mazda, that showed a female mannequin becoming sexually aroused by a driving experience, have been rejected. The ads were likened to the family-friendly humour of a Carry On movie. The ad showed a man loading female mannequins wearing lingerie into the back of a Mazda car. As the …

    Bootnotes 2 Nov 2005, 14:10

  • Single Chinese man spawned 1.5m

    Descendants a-go-go for Qing dynasty grandad

    Researchers have discovered that 1.5 million Chinese men from north-east China and Mongolia are directly descended from one busy chap called Giocangga - grandad of the founder of the Qing dynasty. According the the BBC, the high prevalence of a set of genes passed on from Giocangga's Y chromosome is due to his offsprings' hard …

    Bootnotes 2 Nov 2005, 14:15

  • BT wins contract for rural broadband

    Happy days for Fradley, Rudyard, Yockleton, Burwarton etc

    Some of the UK's most remote areas should be able to tap in to broadband by next summer after BT was awarded a public sector contract to wire up 45 areas in the Midlands and the South West of England. The UK's dominant fixed line telco beat off competition from eight other suppliers including Cable & Wireless (C&W) and Claranet …

    Broadband 2 Nov 2005, 14:40

  • CSC shares leap on takeover talk

    Lockheed Martin in the frame

    CSC shares jumped more than $8 yesterday on rumours that the company could be in line for a massive takeover. Shares closed at $58 after floating at around $50 for most of the year. Lockheed Martin is leading a group of investors who will pay up to $12bn for the services company. The group is offering between $64 and $65 a …

    The Channel 2 Nov 2005, 14:48

  • BP boss appointed science body president

    Industry background a plus

    The chief executive of BP is lined up to take over as president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BA) when the current president, Francois Cairncross, steps down in September 2006. The BA was established in 1831 with the idea of making science accessible to the public. "We aim to promote openness about …

    Science 2 Nov 2005, 15:02

  • PETA prez sells herself on eBay

    Animal-lover yours for one day

    In the great tradition of "buy my services for a day and do with me what you will", the president of animal-hugging pressure group PETA is auctioning her services on eBay. The blurb explains: Here’s a unique chance to hire hands-on corporate administrator and founder Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical …

    Bootnotes 2 Nov 2005, 15:12

  • 32,000 face axe at Deutsche Telekom

    Job cuts are 'unavoidable'

    Deutsche Telekom (DT) is to zap 32,000 jobs in Germany over the next three years as it looks to cut costs and restructure its business. The telecoms giant insisted today that there would be no compulsory job cuts as part of the overhaul, which is set to cost the company €3.3bn in charges. In short, DT is facing up to the …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 15:25

  • EDS scrapes to profit

    Skin + teeth...

    Services behemoth EDS scraped to a profit yesterday, making profits of $8m in the third quarter against a loss of $153m in the same period last year. The firm signed contracts worth $5.3bn, up 83 per cent on last year's quarter. It also announced the imminent management buyout of its consulting arm, AT Kearney. Revenue for the …

    The Channel 2 Nov 2005, 15:39

  • Hollywood tunes into anti-piracy audio signals

    HD DVDs with movie-stamped watermarks

    Pirate DVDs made by copying movies in cinemas could become a thing of the past in the HD era, if technology presented to the DVD Forum proves successful. The system requires film distributors to embed an inaudible watermark in film soundtracks. HD DVD players will contain a sensor that listens out for the watermark in the …

    Peripherals 2 Nov 2005, 16:10

  • Watmore government policies?

    UK Gov IT Strategy document takes aim at citizens

    The man at the helm of Britain's e-government unit unveiled a broad-brush strategy to be filled out by Easter in consultation with industry. The three guiding principles of Ian Watmore's strategy are to improve skills, put citizens' needs at the heart of IT and develop shared services. So on the face of it, no bombshells. But …

    Policy 2 Nov 2005, 16:31

  • Blair unsettles greens, edges away from Kyoto

    Wants high tech solutions now

    UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday that the solutions to climate change lay not in externally imposed emissions targets, but in developing new, green technology. Speaking at an international conference on climate change, Blair noted that legally binding targets on emissions, such as those laid out in the Kyoto Protocol …

    Science 2 Nov 2005, 16:47

  • Swedish programmer in Greek spam probe protests innocence

    Beware of Geeks bearing computers

    A well-known Swedish programmer is fighting to clear his name after he was arrested in Greece last week on charges of spamming people with penis pill adverts and the like. Rick Downes runs software companies Rixstep.com and Radsoft.net and is strongly against spamming. Downes runs these firms part time from his home in Crete …

    Security 2 Nov 2005, 17:03

  • Stock fallout hits Mercury management

    Needs own SOX software

    Sweeping management changes have been instigated at Mercury Interactive following an official investigation into irregular allocations of the company's stock. Self-styled business technology optimization specialist Mercury has accepted the resignations of chief executive officer (CEO) Amnon Landan, chief financial officer …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 18:54

  • Sun's 128-bit ZFS file system to ship this month

    The Zettabyte wait is over

    More than a year ago, Sun unleashed the idea of the Zettabyte File System (ZFS), and customers paid attention. A high-performance 128-bit file system that prevents data corruption and stretches across tons of systems? Sure. Why not. Customers, however, have become concerned in recent months that ZFS was no more. Sun officials …

    Storage 2 Nov 2005, 19:03

  • Symantec shares collapse as sales shrink

    And CFO quits

    First Symantec shocked investors, then investors shocked Symantec. The software maker saw its stock drop more than 20 per cent after reporting a second quarter loss, announcing the surprise departure of its CFO, and issuing a gloomy sales forecast. When Symantec's acquisition of Veritas was first announced, many feared that the …

    Financial News 2 Nov 2005, 21:23

  • Developers become advertisers with Microsoft

    Following the money

    Google has given Microsoft something to think about with a seemingly successful advertising-based business model, but Microsoft can "out Google" Google with developers. That's the enthusiastic view of Microsoft's recently appointed chief technology officer (CTO) Ray Ozzie, who believes Redmond can utilize MSN to beat Google and …

    Developer 2 Nov 2005, 22:55

  • Ex-PeopleSoft chief's Kubla Khan thwarted

    No justice

    Heart wrenching news from Northern California, where former PeopleSoft chief David Duffield has been forced to give up plans to build a 72,000 square-foot mansion in Alamo, Ca, a suburb near San Francisco. The software executive's estate spans 22-acres, and he intended to erect a massive house, a horse stable, two swimming …

    Bootnotes 2 Nov 2005, 22:57