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8th February 2006 Archive

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  • Amazon goes shopping for developers

    Web services in the basket

    Amazon is targeting software developers and entrepreneurs with expanded web services and marketing support to attract more shoppers to its service. The online merchant plans to expand its existing library of seven web services in the "near future", the company said Tuesday. Amazon currently makes web services and Amazon APIs …

    Financial News 8 Feb 2006, 00:50

  • Microsoft details Windows anti-virus pricing

    The rising cost of security

    Users running Windows will be charged almost $50 each year for having their PCs protected by Microsoft against attacks from hackers. Microsoft's Windows OneCare Live program will be launched in June and made available online and via retailers for an annual fee of $49.95 on up to three machines. Customers who beta test Windows …

    Operating Systems 8 Feb 2006, 01:29

  • GPL v3.0: Linus replies

    Born fair

    Linus Torvalds has replied to our analysis of his rejection of GPL 3.0. Here it is. Since you seem to be following the kernel mailing list, you could have picked a better email to comment on. Anyway, look for the one that talks about "reciprocity" to get an idea for why I like the GPLv2, and not the GPLv3 (I don't know how …

    Letters 8 Feb 2006, 01:52

  • SWsoft takes Linux server slicer to eleven

    Microsoft code still at ten

    With the server virtualization race in full swing, SWsoft today rolled out a major upgrade for its Linux product and a fresh tweak for its Microsoft code as well. Virtuozzo for Linux 3.0 stands as the most significant upgrade to SWsoft's server slicing product since 2002. The new software includes several upgrades for keeping …

    Servers 8 Feb 2006, 03:02

  • Dell tools up with Google

    MSN loses a bundle

    Google could dole out up to $1bn over three years for the rights to have the Google Toolbar pre-installed on Dell PCs. The PC maker confirmed today that it is piloting sales of PCs pre-installed with Google software. It was smoked out by the Wall Street Journal, which today published a well-sourced article on the battle for PC …

    Software 8 Feb 2006, 03:06

  • Overstock 'staunches bleeding' in 2005 with expanding loss

    Patient needs rehabilitation

    Say what you will about Overstock.com's overzealous CEO Patrick Byrne. The man's letters to shareholders are unrivaled. Byrne's latest missive arrived inside Overstock's fourth quarter and full year 2005 financial results. The data shows that Overstock enjoyed a remarkable surge in revenue and also a dramatic dive deeper into …

    Financial News 8 Feb 2006, 03:17

  • Chambers hails 'solid' Cisco quarter

    He would, wouldn't he?

    Cisco has turned in another solid quarter in Q2, CEO John Chambers says. He is "pleased with the solid revenue and earnings per share results ... but also especially pleased with our strong order momentum". In the three months to January 28, the networking equipment giant had sales of $6.6bn, advancing 9.3 per cent year on year …

    Financial News 8 Feb 2006, 04:00

  • Fujitsu sues CSC

    It's so funny how they don't talk anymore

    Fujitsu Services is taking CSC Computer Science to court in the UK over breach of contract. The Japanese services firm is suing its American rival for £7.6m, "or alternatively damages in like amount for breach of contract, or alternatively quantum meruit or constitution," said the legal claim, filed with the Royal Courts of …

    Public Sector 8 Feb 2006, 10:07

  • Intel activates VT for Xeon MP

    Virtualisation support enabled with BIOS update

    Intel has shipped a BIOS update for its Xeon MP 7000-based systems that will enable its Virtualisation Technology (VT) on servers with four or more CPUs. The feature has been built into the chips since they first shipped, in November 2005, but without BIOS support it hasn't been accessible. HP, Dell and IBM are also offering …

    Servers 8 Feb 2006, 10:23

  • France rules in favour of P2P

    But only for personal use...

    The French courts have ruled that using peer-to-peer networks (P2P), providing you are doing so for personal rather than commercial reasons, is legal. The decision comes just as the French Parliament meets to discuss whether internet users should pay a voluntary tax or surcharge of €5 a month to use P2P networks. The decision …

    Music and Media 8 Feb 2006, 10:32

  • 'Santa Rosa' Centrino systems due March 2007

    Release pushed back to give 'Napa' more room, sources claim

    Intel's fourth-generation Centrino platform, codenamed 'Santa Rosa', will ship in just over a year's time, Taiwanese notebook manufacturer moles have claimed. The March 2007 timeframe represents a more narrow launch window than the H1 2007 span mentioned in previous Santa Rosa reports. The platform will be based on Merom, the …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 10:40

  • CeBIT to demo AMD Socket M2-equipped mobos

    Show to host formal launch too?

    AMD's 940-pin, DDR 2 SDRAM-supporting Socket M2 (also known as Socket AM2) will be presented to the public at the CeBIT show next month. So claim unnamed industry sources cited by DigiTimes. The sources also suggest motherboard makers will receive sample socket by the end of this month, allowing them to demonstrate their wares …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 10:54

  • Micron cuts Scottish jobs

    Change in direction puts up to 134 on street

    Up to 134 jobs could be lost at Micron's East Kilbride manufacturing plant, but the company says the downsize is evidence of a change of direction rather than economic downturn. Micron, traditionally known for its memory products, has recently diversified into higher margin products like mobile phone image sensors. A spokesman …

    Financial News 8 Feb 2006, 11:02

  • Apple's in the eye of flaw finders

    The year of the OS X exploit?

    At the recent ShmooCon hacking conference, one security researcher found out the hard way that such venues can be hostile, when an unknown hacker took control of the researcher's computer, disabling the firewall and starting up a file server. While such compromises have become common in the Windows world, this time the …

    Security 8 Feb 2006, 11:07

  • Nvidia touts multi-monitor notebook graphics chip

    Calling all call centres

    Nvidia has launched what it claims is the first mobile graphics chip pitched specifically at business users in the hope of wooing more notebook manufacturers away from chipset-based integrated graphics solutions. The Quadro NVS 110M is derived from Nvidia's desktop-oriented Quadro NVS series. On the desktop, the chip's key …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 11:17

  • T-Mobile ticked off for 'net wherever you are' claim

    Wanadoo 8Mb complaints also upheld

    T-Mobile has been ticked off for making exaggerated claims about its "web'n'walk" mobile internet service. Launched last October, the cellco said the new service, which lets punters access the net via their handsets, would "redefine the mobile internet market" and would be used by people in the same way they tap into the net. …

    Mobile 8 Feb 2006, 11:23

  • Spanish hacker jailed for two years

    Dos años for DDoS desperado

    A Spanish hacker who launched a denial of service attack that hobbled the net connections of an estimated three million users has been jailed for two years and fined €1.4m. Santiago Garrido, 26, (AKA Ronnie and Mike25) launched the attack using a computer worm in retaliation for been banned from the popular "Hispano" IRC chat …

    Enterprise Security 8 Feb 2006, 11:26

  • RM wins £6.4m contract

    Firm to provide Solihull ICT

    RM has won a £6.4m contract from Solihull Council to provide the authority's schools with ICT services. The deal is part of the borough's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. As well as providing services to existing schools, RM will be involved in designing and developing ICT for planned education investment. RM …

    Channel Register 8 Feb 2006, 11:53

  • iPod chip maker plans Wi-Fi, Bluetooth support

    PortalPlayer goes wireless

    The availability of wireless iPods came a step closer today after PortalPlayer, the chip maker behind the Apple music player's audio logic, will add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support to its products, Reg Hardware has learned. The move comes courtesy of a tie-in with UK-based Bluetooth chip design pioneer CSR, aka Cambridge Silicon …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 11:55

  • Fujitsu Siemens 3G PDA phone 3GSM debut confirmed

    Launches the Pocket Loox C550 in the meantime

    Fujitsu Siemens' anticipated announcement next week of an all-singing, all-dancing pair of Pocket Loox T-series PDA phones has been confirmed, Reg Hardware can reveal. Separately, the company this week indicated the current Pocket Loox 700 may be for the chop, replaced by a new C-series model, the C550. Sources familiar with …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 12:50

  • Hwang Woo-suk accuser questioned

    Prosecutors harvest evidence

    The whistle blower in the South Korean stem cell research fraud scandal has today been questioned by prosecutors, Reuters reports. Roh Sung-il was director of a fertility clinic in Seoul, and together with disgraced Professor Hwang Woo-suk was a co-author of one of the discredited research papers. Key data was fabricated in …

    Science 8 Feb 2006, 12:51

  • Russian keyloggers hit bank customers

    French banks lose €1m

    Russian scammers used key logging Trojans to steal more than a €1m from French people accessing online bank accounts. The Trojans were sent by email but were not activated until people accessed their online bank accounts. Then the Trojan forwarded on user names and passwords to the crooks. The thieves then used the details to …

    Security 8 Feb 2006, 12:54

  • Symantec reels in Relicore for data centre push

    Ch-ch-ch-changes

    Symantec has agreed to buy data centre management firm Relicore for an undisclosed amount. The deal, announced Tuesday, is expected to close in mid-February 2006. Relicore makes data center change and configuration management products that allow firms to simplify management by providing tools to automatically discover, map, and …

    IT Director 8 Feb 2006, 13:02

  • Curry's 'latest AMD CPU' ad misled viewers

    £499 PC did not contain £595 processor

    UK high street retailer DSG, owner of the Dixons and Curry's store chains, has been slapped on the wrist by advertising watchdog the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for claiming a £499 PC contained "the latest 64-bit AMD processor" when... er... it didn't. The offending ad was broadcast on TV in December 2005 to promote …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 13:13

  • BT repackages Fusion batphone for business

    Firms need to tick boxes

    BT has repackaged its Fusion phone for small businesses. When Fusion was launched last year it was boxed up as a consumer product. Now, though, BT wants firms with up to ten workers to start signing up for BT Fusion - the phone that works like a mobile when used out of the office, while calls made from the office are routed …

    Networks 8 Feb 2006, 13:29

  • Fossett finally flying

    Record bid is go!

    Steve Fossett has taken off from Cape Canaveral in his bid to break the world record for the longest uninterrupted flight. Fuel leakage problems which grounded the attempt on Tuesday have apparently been overcome. The 61-year-old sped down the three mile runway, normally used for space shuttle landings, shortly before 1230 GMT …

    Science 8 Feb 2006, 13:58

  • Vint Cerf condemns two-tier internet

    Dumb idea is dumb says man

    Vint Cerf told Congress yesterday that ideas proposed by telecoms companies for a two-tier internet were fatally flawed and, if necessary, legislation should be passed to make it impossible. Giving evidence to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee, Cerf called for a "net neutrality" law to force broadband …

    Financial News 8 Feb 2006, 14:34

  • Symbian slashes smart-phone OS fees

    Software could cost vendors just $2.50 a unit

    Symbian is to halve the cost of its mobile phone operating system in a bid to boost the take-up of its software and spread the OS' reach out of the high-end smart phone sector. The new model could see vendors pay as little as $2.50 a unit, the company said. Symbian currently charges handset manufacturers $7.25 for each of the …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 15:06

  • Disaffected Avecho workers kicked offline

    Ex-avecho.com is a dead parrot

    Former workers of controversial UK-based anti-virus vendor Avecho Group have pulled a website criticising their former employer following legal threats from new owners of the company. The assets and business of Avecho Group were sold to Stylish Limited for an undisclosed amount after the AV firm went into administration on …

    Malware 8 Feb 2006, 15:16

  • Tantalising tomes from the Reg bookshop

    Cash'n'Carrion Choice cuts - Feb 8

    Well, it's about time (all right, long overdue) for a whole new range of exciting books in the Reg bookshop. This week - 'cause from now on Cash'n'Carrion will have new books to challenge, inspire and entertain (??) you every week (promise...) - we've got books to put your programming skills through its paces. And your wallets …

    Developer 8 Feb 2006, 15:17

  • Motorola unveils 'thinnest' slider phone

    Still thicker than the SLVR

    Motorola today announced a slider phone that's a mere 14.8mm thick. Called simply the Z - for no other reason than it's the last letter of the alphabet, Moto bosses said - the handset sports a 2.2in display, a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, an MP3 player and the company's now standard cut-metal keypad - two of them in this case …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 15:19

  • Sony readies mainstream all-in-one media PC

    Viiv who?

    Sony this week took the wraps off its latest all-in-one entertainment PC, the Vaio VA1, follow-on to the consumer electronics giant's V3 machine. The star of the show is the integrated 20in 16:9 aspect ratio display with Sony's X-black colour-enhancing technology. The 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Pentium D 820 processor isn't quite …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 15:35

  • Walsall lost trust in Fujitsu

    Brinksmanship scuppered flagship deal

    Walsall Council kicked Fujitsu Services out of negotiations for a £500m outsourcing deal because it was jaded by the IT supplier's "brinkmanship" and exasperated by disagreements over contractual liability, it has emerged. Councillors wanting to know why a three-year procurement process had failed, attended a council meeting on …

    Public Sector 8 Feb 2006, 15:40

  • Aramiska Ltd to hold creditors' meeting

    Notice is hereby given...

    Aramiska Ltd, the broadband satellite service that pulled the plug on its service less than a fortnight ago leaving hundreds of users without net access, has gone into voluntary liquidation. The UK operation of the firm, which was based in Bromley, Kent, has called a meeting of creditors for this coming Friday (February 10). A …

    Telecoms 8 Feb 2006, 15:53

  • An all-island Ireland

    O2 abolishes cross-border roaming charges

    O2 says its customers will no longer incur inadvertent roaming charges while taking calls near the border and has announced a new all-island tariff. Inadvertent roaming occurs when a mobile phone user unknowingly connects to a base station in Northern Ireland while in the Republic of Ireland, and vice versa. From the beginning …

    Mobile 8 Feb 2006, 16:09

  • Panasonic DMC-FZ30

    Review Massive zoom range

    Panasonic's DMC-FZ30 is an eight-megapixel all-in-one 'bridge' camera with a powerful 12x optical zoom lens and SLR-like styling. Like other long-zoom bridge cameras, Panasonic's aiming the FZ30 at buyers of budget digital SLRs, with key advantages including LCD-based composition using a flip-out screen, movie mode and of course …

    Reg Hardware 8 Feb 2006, 16:39

  • Trekkie turns flat into Starship Voyager

    Declared bankrupt rather than insane...

    Obsessive Trekkie Tony Alleyne has spent so much cash turning his flat into a replica of the Star Trek Voyager that he's had to declare himself bankrupt. Alleyne spent £12,000 converting his flat in Hinckley, Leicestershire, into a detailed replica of the Voyager spaceship. The flat has its own transporter room (not functioning …

    Bootnotes 8 Feb 2006, 16:40

  • IBM goes networking and chip mad with new blade lineup

    Cell sampling

    IBM has unveiled a major overhaul to its blade server line that includes a new, networking-rich chassis and fresh variations on Power and Xeon-based blades. In addition, IBM has capitalized on the interest around the Cell processor by announcing a development blade that uses the multi-core chip. Let's look at the new …

    Servers 8 Feb 2006, 20:12

  • Borland rides Segue on trip out of IDE biz

    It's all about quality

    Borland Software is flogging its JBuilder, Delphi, C++ and C# business while buying Segue Software, in a strategy to reverse corporate losses by focusing on software performance instead of development. Borland, which saw revenue from sales of its software drop by nearly a quarter during its fourth quarter and for the year, said …

    Financial News 8 Feb 2006, 20:21

  • SGI warns that bankruptcy might be year-end option

    Starts 3D 'For Sale' sign design

    SGI issued its most ominous regulatory filing to date, warning that a bad 2006 could force the former high-flyer into bankruptcy. In order to improve its business, SGI will consider measures ranging from axing or selling off product lines to pursuing "a strategic partner or acquirer." The hardware maker will basically look at …

    Servers 8 Feb 2006, 22:47