Net searchers stick with the familiar

Microsoft may have declared its intention to become the biggest player on the Internet stage, but users appear to think differently. The latest Nielsen//NetRatings figures show a fall in MSN's share of Web searches. At the end of July, Microsoft CEO Steve Baller declared that the company was 'going to win on the Web'. ...more

Apple fans shut down Real petition

Apple fans have succeeded in shutting down an online pettion set-up by Real Networks. The petition called for Apple to open up the iPod to downloads from online music stores other than iTunes. But, showing a staggering lack of understanding of the passion of many Mac users, Real invited comments as well as names and email addresses. ...more

Skype to take IP telephony to business

Skype is looking to add new revenue streams, with the announcement that it has a premium product in the wings that will allow businesses to use the high quality Net phone technology. In a speech given earlier today for the Internet Telephony conference in Los Angeles, Skype CEO and co-founder Niklas Zennstr?m outlined the Skype for Business strategic initiative that will result in a Skype for Business product in 2005. 'The Skype for Business offering will address ways to better serve the business community and targeted toward individuals and workgroups, not CTOs for enterprise wide deployments,' he said. ...more

Which names 'best buy' dial-up ISP

Consumers' organisation Which has given its 'Best Buy' award for dial-up Internet access to Firenet's PAYG and unmetered dial-up packages. The services were judged on three criteria: file download and upload speeds and the reliability of the service, specifically the number of dial-up errors, engaged tones and connection drop outs. Firenet CEO Alan Castle said, 'This is excellent news, we cannot believe how well our customers talk about us so much, where the likes of Which magazine test us, and give us the best buy ISP for the third time in a row. ...more

MySQL gets itself into a Cluster

MySQL, the world's most popular open source database manager is continuing its march into the Enterprise market with the introduction of MySQL Cluster. The addition of clustering architecture to the product now means that it can deliver 99.999 per cent availability, making it suitable for business critical applications says developers MySQL AB. ...more