Joost and ITV plunge into web TV battle

Joost - the internet TV service from the founders of Skype - claims to have 'officially opened for business', even though you still need an invite to download the software. It comes on a day of frantic activity in the web TV arena, with the BBC getting the go-ahead for its iPlayer , and ITV announcing details of its own on-demand service. Members of the Joost beta are now able to invite as many people as they want to join the peer-to-peer television service, in a soft launch that mirrors the way Google slowly introduced its Gmail service. ...more

Cyber Pounce for cats

With the first rays of summer appearing, silly season has finally arrived. It is with great delight that I want to bring your attention to a new PC game that has been designed with real-life felines in mind. Yes, I am talking about a suite of "games" designed for cats. ...more

Libraries address digital archive copyright restrictions

The EU's High Level Expert Group on Digital Libraries, which includes representatives of the British Library, the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, the Federation of European Publishers and Google, will today present its advisory report on copyright issues to the European Commission. The group advises the Commission on issues regarding digitisation, online accessibility and digital preservation of cultural material. The report is expected to suggest that voluntary agreements between libraries and rightsholders are the best way to facilitate work on digital preservation, orphan and out-of-print works. ...more

House of Lords to investigate Net security

The House of Lords is turning its attention to the issue of Internet security and its threat to the individual. Citing the spread of broadband and the increase of e-commerce, its Science and Technology Committee is launching an inquiry 'to investigate personal internet security'. The Select Committee will be chaired by Lord Broers and its work has begun today with a call for evidence. ...more

Ex-staffer wins damages from Intel

A woman has won compensation from Intel after a High Court judge decided that the chip giant had contributed to her depression. By placing 'undue workload' on 'Mrs D' after a company reorganisation, it was found, her bosses at Intel knew she had a history of depression and yet did not act to avert a breakdown which occurred in June 2001. Mrs D, who worked as a as a senior accountant/finance analyst with Intel UK, painted a picture of a company in confusion following a reorganisation in 2001. ...more