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20th December 2007 Archive

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  • Viacom shuns Google's DoubleClick for Microsoft

    Yes, they say, it is Google's DoubleClick

    After suing one Google acquisition for $1bn, US media behemoth Viacom has now divorced another, leaping headlong into the arms of Microsoft. Back in March, Viacom slapped a $1bn copyright infringement lawsuit on YouTube, and as lawyers continue to bicker about whether Google is responsible for Viacom-owned clips posted to the …

    Applications 20 Dec 2007, 01:25

  • Counterfeiters told to pay Symantec $21m

    What chance of collecting?

    Symantec today hit pay dirt, winning $21m damages from the US courts against a counterfeit software ring spanning the US and Asia. Which is nice: in December 2006, the last time Symantec spoke on the matter, the security software firm had pressed for damages of $15m-plus. The judgments were handed down in US District Court in …

    Channel Register 20 Dec 2007, 01:25

  • Dutch arrest 14 mules in ABN AMRO scam

    Money wired to Russia and Ukraine

    Dutch police have arrested 14 suspects who allegedly lent their bank accounts at ABN Amro to cybercriminals in Russia and Ukraine. After being recruited by the fraudsters, the mules received funds taken from phishing scams, which they transferred overseas. The twelve men and two women were bailed today. Customers of ABN Amro …

    Channel Register 20 Dec 2007, 01:28

  • Indonesian hacker touches souls by bringing down police website

    Transmigration of the SQL

    The path to enlightenment got a little shorter for the citizens of Tucson, Arizona and they have a hacker half-way around the world to thank. An Indonesian man who goes by the handle Hmei7 bypassed the city's firewall and executed a SQL injection on the website of the Tucson Police Department. That gave him access to the media …

    Enterprise Security 20 Dec 2007, 01:36

  • Graphene breakthrough threatens silicon's chip glory

    This time they mean it

    For years graphene has proved a cruel temptress for the semiconductor avant garde. The material - a layer of carbon atoms grouped in the ever popular honeycomb lattice - promised major performance gains over silicon. The problem with the stuff, however, has been arranging it in a large enough layer to replicate the 8- to 12-inch …

    PCs & Chips 20 Dec 2007, 09:57

  • NHS frets over Brits' genitalia

    To pixelate or let it all hang out?

    UK health portal NHS Choices has got itself into a bit of a tiz over whether or not to show unexpurgated genitalia in a forthcoming update of its interactive Body Map - an issue apparently so sensitive it has decided to put the matter to a public vote. The blurb explains: NHS Choices will soon be updating its body map with …

    Biology 20 Dec 2007, 10:04

  • Tekken set to kick big screen ass

    'Martial arts spectacular,' promises director

    Dwight Little of Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid fame will direct a movie adaptation of popular Namco martial arts game Tekken, Variety reports. Production on the iron-fisted flick is slated to begin on 4 February. Crystal Sky Pictures is providing the cash to turn Alan McElroy's script into what Little describes as a …

    Entertainment 20 Dec 2007, 10:12

  • The art of software murder

    Stob When good apps turn bad

    Only the guilty need be afraid Did you ever try Paint Shop Pro? It is the most splendid of programs, a faithful collie dog of a program. Whistle for it and it bounces up off your hard disk, and licks your face, and gambols around all eager and excited and ready to play. Design industry pros may swear by Photoshop, but that …

    Verity Stob 20 Dec 2007, 10:23

  • Apple mugs Think Secret

    Site to close after legal settlement

    Acclaimed Apple news site Think Secret is to close, following the settlement of a lawsuit from Apple. The site's proprietor, 22-year-old Harvard student Nick Ciarelli, said in a short statement: "Apple and Think Secret have settled their lawsuit, reaching an agreement that results in a positive solution for both sides. As …

    Law 20 Dec 2007, 10:26

  • US switches off the incandescent lightbulb

    Energy bill marks end for Edison's bright idea

    US prez George W. Bush yesterday signed a "landmark" energy bill which will see the nation's incandescent lightbulbs phased out in favour of low-consumption alternatives. The bill requires lighting to use "up to 30 per cent less energy", Reuters explains, effectively outlawing the 125-year-old Edison invention. The bill takes …

    Environment 20 Dec 2007, 10:33

  • N95 struggles to find itself

    What Nokia gives, Nokia can take away

    The latest firmware for the Nokia N95 offers many new features and much better memory management, and is free to download - but it also takes away the tracking feature from Nokia Maps, which the company now claims was a limited-time promotional offer. The ability to track your current position is a fairly basic function of GPS …

    Mobile 20 Dec 2007, 10:34

  • Oracle slaps SAP in the chops

    And slaps $1.3bn on Q2 bottom line

    Database giant Oracle said yesterday that it saw earnings jump by 35 per cent in its second quarter buoyed by strong sales of software licenses. It reported net income of $1.3bn, or 25 cents per share, for the three months ended 30 November compared to $967m, or 18 cents per share, for the same period last year. Revenue at …

    Applications 20 Dec 2007, 11:16

  • Sky told to flog ITV shares

    Monopoly watchdogs don't like the smell of big stake

    Government regulators have demanded that Sky offload most of its stake in ITV because it threatens competition in the TV market, and could harm consumers. The Murdoch-owned broadcaster bought 17.9 per cent of ITV earlier this year, in what was widely interpreted as a spoiler to a mooted takeover by Virgin Media. The …

    Financial News 20 Dec 2007, 11:18

  • Adobe plugs multi-platform Flash vulns

    A patch in time...

    Adobe has published an update fixing numerous security vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash. Earlier versions of Flash prior to 9.0.115.0 on multiple platforms (Mac OS, Linux, Windows) are subject to various security bugs that create the possibility of all sorts of mischief, including cross-site scripting attacks and information …

    Security 20 Dec 2007, 11:19

  • How green is your business, exactly?

    Reader poll Are you a tree-hugger or a Brazilian logger?

    Those among you who were concerned that El Reg might have slouched through what remains of 2007 without our Strategy Boutique for one last time throwing the IT barometer into the deep end of the knowledge pool and seeing if it floats, will be delighted to learn that we have something to brighten your pre-Xmas skive: the bumper " …

    Tech Panel 20 Dec 2007, 11:21

  • AMD lays down laptop platform plan

    Mobile roadmap 2008-2009

    What's AMD got planned for notebook makers and buyers over the next few years? Its plans are broadly known - the 'Puma' platform will be released in 2008 followed by the first 'Fusion' architecture mobile CPUs the following year - but now we can begin to flesh it out a little. Puma incorporates 'Griffin', AMD's first mobile …

    reghardware 20 Dec 2007, 11:22

  • Invisio G5 'world's smallest' Bluetooth headset

    Review Truly tiny... or truly tinny?

    Danish company NextLink may claim its Invisio G5 is the world's smallest Bluetooth headset - it's certainly one of the tiniest we've seen - but if you think the brandname means no one's going to spot you're wearing one, think again. However, we're getting ahead of ourselves - beyond its size, the G5 has some other neat touches …

    reghardware 20 Dec 2007, 12:02

  • Drivers on the phone face the slammer

    It's the only language they understand

    New guidelines from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) mean that drivers on the phone could face two years in prison, as prosecutors may decide to push for a Dangerous Driving conviction which carries the stiffer penalty, according to the BBC. Using a non-hands-free mobile phone when driving has been illegal in the UK since …

    Mobile 20 Dec 2007, 12:09

  • Slow death planned for Sun's Java IDE biz

    Solaris tools breath easy

    The release of the 6.0 version of the Sun Microsystems-sponsored, open-source NetBeans IDE last week sounded the death knell for two other Sun-spawned development tools: Java Studio Enterprise and Java Studio Creator. As reported, Sun plans to fold the functionality of the two IDEs into NetBeans and "encourage" users of those …

    Software 20 Dec 2007, 12:10

  • Intel gears up for for 45nm frenzy in 2008

    Processor, platform and chipset roadmap

    It's time to synchronise watches, check diaries and make sure we're all up to speed on Intel's 2008 processor launch plans. First make a note on 7 January that the chip giant will be formally unveiling its 45nm 'Penryn' mobile processors, part of what it calls the 'Santa Rosa Refresh' - an update to the latest generation of …

    reghardware 20 Dec 2007, 12:23

  • Ofcom investigates X-Factor debacle

    'Please try again later'

    Media watchdog Ofcom today confirmed that it will be investigating more than 2,000 complaints it has received from X Factor fans who have been crying into their beer mulled wine Bacardi Breezers after Welsh opera-singer Rhydian Roberts lost out to surprise victor Leon Jackson. A row kicked off immediately after the live final …

    Telecoms 20 Dec 2007, 12:33

  • Palm to unlock Treo 500 next month

    De-Vodafoned across Europe

    Palm will next month make available an unlocked version of its Treo 500 smartphone following the end of carrier's Vodafone's time offering the handset on an exclusive basis. Palm didn't state what the 500's specs will be, so we assume they'll match those of the Vodafone model, the 500v - reviewed here. That means a 320 x 240, …

    reghardware 20 Dec 2007, 12:39

  • Info chief prescribes shock therapy for health dept

    Scathing judgement on junior doc debacle

    The Information Commissioner’s Office has slated the Department of Health over a data protection debacle that saw Doctor’s intimate personal details plastered over the web. The security breach on the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) website, which the ICO became aware of in May, meant junior doctor’s personal data, …

    Public Sector 20 Dec 2007, 12:53

  • Digital music: Go legal, get screwed

    Sign your own death warrant

    The Big Four record labels want us to think that the sound recording business is a reformed character these days. Recently, we've heard ritualistic self-flagellations from a succession of top executives. There was Ed Bronfman at Warner's, prostrating himself in front of Apple. In a similar vein, Universal's chief Doug Morris …

    Music and Media 20 Dec 2007, 13:09

  • BBC boosts staff morale with jelly

    Execs play Jesus on bonding course

    Embattled BBC execs have cheered themselves up with a bizarre quasi-religious bonding course. Reports say top brass and presenters were required to wash jelly off each others' feet as part of a day of strategy boutique imagineering. It was part of an exercise that forced the suits to walk through tanks of the raspberry- …

    Music and Media 20 Dec 2007, 13:40

  • MoD sorts out 'turkey' helicopters for Xmas

    That's Xmas 2009, sadly

    One of the sorriest British defence procurement stories of recent times - which means a very sorry story indeed - finally approached resolution this week. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that it will modify eight large helicopters it has had since 2001 so that they can actually be used. You read that right: even …

    Public Sector 20 Dec 2007, 13:58

  • France Telecom sees rivals teaming up

    SFR to take control of Neuf Cegetel

    France's second largest network operator SFR has notified Neuf Cegetel, in which SFR already holds a 40 per cent stake, of its intention to buy up a controlling interest in the company. This will take the form of another 30 per cent, currently owned by the Louis Dreyfus group. SFR is owned by Vodafone and Vivendi, with the …

    Networks 20 Dec 2007, 14:01

  • TJX settles with banks over credit card breach

    Now it only has to worry about disgruntled punters

    Retailer TJX has reached a settlement with all but one of the seven banks and bankers' associations that sued it after a security breach put millions of customers' credit data at risk of fraud. Under the agreement the Massachusetts Bankers' Association, Connecticut Bankers' Association and Maine Association of Community Banks …

    ID 20 Dec 2007, 15:42

  • Monitor maker aims s.book sub-notebook at Asus Eee PC

    Better spec, higher price

    Fancy Asus' tiny Eee PC but put off by the equally diminutive spec? Monitor specialist Belinea's s.book micro laptop may be just the ticket: it's got the same 7in screen as the 4GB Asus, but comes with double the memory, 20 times the storage capcity and a 1.2GHz CPU. To be fair, it'll set you back a little more than the Eee PC …

    reghardware 20 Dec 2007, 15:47

  • Nokia wins hearts, minds with breakthrough mobile

    Finnish phone giant gets it right

    Nokia has received plenty of criticism recently for its outre designs and - this year in particular - poor battery life. However, I've been using a phone which overcomes many of these problems. In contrast to many other Nokia models, function triumphs over form. This is a no-frills business model with several important …

    reghardware 20 Dec 2007, 16:06

  • US 'robot surge' deal re-inked after droid piracy fracas

    Roomba maker set to build mechanoid legions

    Noted droid manufacturer iRobot has this week landed a major contract from the US Army, after the deal had initially been awarded to a competitor. However, iRobot successfully argued that its rival, Robotic FX, had stolen its technology. The deal in question is known as "xBot" and could be worth as much as $300m for no fewer …

    Law 20 Dec 2007, 16:31

  • Lenovo insists EMEA retail expansion still a goer

    Expects to swerve any economic slowdown

    Chinese computer maker Lenovo has rebuffed claims that it was considering scaling back its 2008 retail ambitions in the EMEA region in the face of the credit crunch crisis and any potential economic nosedive. A Lenovo spokeswoman told El Reg that the firm, which until now focused on punting its PC goods to business customers, …

    Channel Register 20 Dec 2007, 16:40

  • Kaspersky false alarm quarantines Windows Explorer

    Accidents will happen

    A faulty signature update from Kaspersky Lab on Wednesday flagged up Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) as infected with a low-risk virus, Huhk-C. As a result the core Windows component was quarantined or worse. Kaspersky released a revised update alongside advice on how to recover legitimate system and application files from …

    Channel Register 20 Dec 2007, 17:00

  • FTC rubberstamps Google DoubleClick merger

    But not without dissent

    The FTC has voted to approve Google's of web advertising powerhouse DoubleClick, after an eight month investigation - but not without a dissenting voice. A 4:1 majority of commissioners concluded that the market was healthy and didn't warrant intervention in the $3bn deal. "Current competition among firms in this market is …

    Financial News 20 Dec 2007, 17:06

  • CNET blogger in self-righteous crash-and-burn

    Idiot 2.0 passes judgement on idiots

    This crock of shite by CNET blogger Steve Tobak must take the award for 2007's most self-righteous, sanctimonious bollocks. Read on: I don't know how many times I've read a post or an article by some small-minded, self-important journalist advising a public company's board of directors on how to "fix" the company. The most …

    Bootnotes 20 Dec 2007, 19:26

  • Vista sets 2007 land-speed record for copying and deleting

    48167 Days and 23 hours to create CD

    It's been almost nine months since we first reported on Windows Vista's inability to copy, delete and move files without stalling indefinitely, and yet the problem continues. Screenshots relayed this week by two Reg readers say it better than we ever could. "48167 Days and 23 hours remaining," one of them reads. "36843 Days …

    Operating Systems 20 Dec 2007, 19:55