Open source `stimulates local economies`

Local public sector bodies can use Open Source software to stimulate the local economy, according to delegates at the Open Source in the Public Sector conference. At the conference many IT heads were unhappy that millions of pounds spent on software licensing each year were piped direct across the Atlantic to Silicon Valley or Redmond. Martin Dekkers, Principal, Cynaptic Information Industries, said: 'When you look at Open Source software for the public sector, it's such a good fit on so many levels. ...more

Comment: Praying for electronic music distribution

There's never been a better time to be an American lawyer, especially if you specialise in electoral law or copyright infringement. I've lost track of the Florida recounts and of the number of music industry lawsuits lobbed in the direction of Napster and MP3.com. ...more

AOL blocks a billion viruses in a year

AOL is claiming that it has prevented over one billion viruses, worms and other nasties from reaching its members' machines in the past year. The company says it has fended off some 30 major virus attacks or roughly one every ten days. The system peaked last summer with the outbreak of the Sobig. ...more

Napster shows revenue surge as ad-supported music attracts audience

Napster managed to cut its losses by $10 million in the last quarter, despite a seven per cent fall in subscriber numbers. Napster CEO Chris Gorog attributed the decline to the launch of a free service in May. However the income from advertising on the new site underpinned record revenues for the digital music business as a whole. ...more

PalmPalm launch Linux mobile phone

Following on from the Linux and Bluetooth watch, it seems to be Linux with everything, as the Korean company PalmPalm announces the world's first Linux mobile phone. The IMT-2000 smartphone has been developed with SK Telecom Ltd and Seoul National University. The phone features a 206Mhz StrongARM processor, a 4in colour TFT display, a Bluetooth interface and serial and USB ports for computer connectivity. ...more