Microsoft unveils new Windows Media DRM

Microsoft has released details of the next version of its Windows Media DRM system., codenamed 'Janus'. The new format concentrates on adding features to simplify the business of 'subscribing' rather than 'buying' digital content. ...more

MORI: Internet users prepared to pay ISPs for better spam protection

Internet users are prepared to pay extra to their ISPs in return for protection against spam and 'malicious Web content', according to a new survey. MORI found that the majority of Web users look to their ISPs to block spam, viruses and obscene websites for which 45 per cent are prepared to pay as much as ?2 extra per month. Twenty-nine per cent believe the problem is so bad that they would pay an additional ?5. ...more

Celeron sells for less

Intel has announced price cuts for its current range of desktop Celeron processors. The move is seen as paving the way for a new faster family of Celerons, based upon its NetBurst architecture currently used in P4s. The price cuts comprise of 12 per cent off the 1. ...more

Penguin opens first wiki novel for participation publishing

Fancy trying your hand at creative writing but can't quite find the time? Tired of scribbling away all by yourself? British publisher Penguin may have the answer - a Web-based, collaborative novel that can be written, edited or read by anyone, anywhere thanks to 'wiki' software, the technology behind Web encyclopaedia Wikipedia. The novel, A Million Penguins, went live on Thursday and its first lines are already being written, edited and rewritten by enthusiasts on www.amillionpenguins. ...more

Easy ride for 3G and broadband under Ofcom?

Dave Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications at Oftel, has outlined the role of Ofcom, the joint regulator of the broadcast, media and communications industry. He indicated that Ofcom would be at pains to avoid: "Inappropriate regulatory decisions [that] could threaten the ?8bn of investment planned by operators for building new third generation mobile phone networks and upgrading existing networks for broadband services." Speaking at a conference today at the Oxford Economic Research Association, he said: "Ofcom will need to balance incentives to invest and innovate with the opportunities for greater competition between communications networks. ...more