Microsoft downplays Blu-ray

Just as Sony makes its bid for Blu-ray domination with the final part of its global launch of PS3 kicking off in Europe today, Microsoft has been at pains to point out that rumours of the death of the HD DVD format have been greatly exaggerated. At the recent tech trade fair CeBIT, the Blu-ray Disc Association chairman for Europe, Frank Simonis, claimed that in three years time 'it will just be Blu-ray'. With the PS3's built-in Blu-ray player, it is widely expected that such a strong product and brand will give Blu-ray a stronger platform. ...more

Blair Witch online, the sequel

A webcast to promote the sequel to last year's blockbuster The Blair Witch Project seems to have hit it big on the Web, attracting 100,000 users in its first six hours online. The original Blair Witch, made for only $30,000, went on to gross $245m worldwide with the success of the film being widely attributed to a buzz that began on the Internet. The 64-hour live webcast began last week and can be accessed at www. ...more

Microsoft appeals second EC fine

Microsoft has formally lodged an appeal with the Court of First Instance against the €280.5mn fine imposed back in July. The fine was imposed on Microsoft by the European Commission following its failure to comply with the March 2004 Decision, requiring the software giant to publish the details of the interfaces to Windows Server 2003 that would allow rival software companies to develop applications on the same basis as Microsoft's own teams. ...more

MySQL under attack from bot

The world's most popular open source database is under attack from a bot. The UDF worm - so-called because it uses a User Defined Function that allows developers to build their own customised functions is spreading rapidly on instances of MySQL running on Windows. The worm is exploiting security vulnerabilities on Windows to propagate. ...more

Computer Aid bids for eBay support

The charity Computer Aid International is teaming up with eBay to boost the donations of computer equipment to the developing world. The scheme will enable sellers to donate a percentage of money made through sales on eBay to Computer Aid. The charity will, in turn, use the donations to ship kit to needy schools and hospitals. ...more