Netscape sets a course for Navigator

Netscape has announced that the next version of its eponymous Web browser will be known as Netscape Navigator 9, reviving a name that has not been used since the last century. Early releases of the browser, versions 1 to 3, carried the Navigator moniker, but version 4 was renamed Netscape Communicator to reflect the fact that the Web browser was just one component of the software that also provided email and instant messaging. By the time version 6 was released in 2000 - there was no version 5 - the name had been simplified to Netscape as responsibility for the development of the software was handed first to Mozilla and then to Mercurial Communications by its owner, AOL. ...more

British Government report gives green light to Linux

The UK Government has released its report on the viability of Open Source software in the public sector, giving the platform its full backing where it offers the best value for money. The report arrives on the same day that Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer sent round his executive email on the cost-savings of Windows. Ballmer's arguments centred on the higher cost and difficulty of finding support and in-house training for adopters of the platform along with the exposure to intellectual property risks that Microsoft would cover you for. ...more

World Cup fever in your Palm

Here's a noteworthy freebie for all Palm-owning soccer fans. PalmOS-based handheld owners can get hold of TinyStocks' WCup 2002 for free and keep up to date with the latest games. Look up which games are played on which days and what games are played at each of the 20 stadiums. ...more

BlackICE Defender personal firewall open to attack

Denial of Service and remote access vulnerabilities for Windows 2000 and XP. Internet Security Systems has released a series of patches for its BlackICE range of security applications. A recently-discovered hole means that an attacker may crash or, at worst, take control of Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems running the BlackICE Defender personal firewall and intrusion detection system. ...more

SUSE makes a play for consumers

SUSE has launched version 9.3 of its Professional Linux distribution, with the emphasis on the consumer. Novell-owned SUSE has always stood firm in supplying a standalone version of its Linux distribution, despite changing market dynamics, and has years of experience developing SUSE Professional - which has always sought to be all things to all people. ...more