SCO stresses software with OpenServer6

As SCO opens the doors to its annual SCO Forum jamboree in Las Vegas, it has launched a PR campaign to paint itself as a straightforward software company, playing down its high profile legal activities. And no PR campaign from SCO is complete without an open letter from CEO Darl McBride, this time promoting his company's OpenServer6 product - at the expense of Linux. McBride's public vilification of Linux through open letters has blown up in his face in the past, but this time around the agenda is promoting OpenServer6, the latest version of SCO's Unix operating system, and something that SCO must make a success of to stay viable. ...more

IBM plans mainframe simplification

As mainframes fall out of fashion IBM begins a five year program to make its System z computer easier to use. IBM has committed $100 million and five years research time to a project that it hopes will make its System z mainframe easier to use. The project will use staff from both the hardware and software divisions within IBM and will focus on automating the creation of many applications and make operation of the computer system. ...more

Humans phased out by robots

New computer systems could see the end of two respectable professions. New Scientist reports about the mysterious-sounding Poseidon system, which will be used to save people from drowning. Using a series of cameras dotted around the swimming pool, the system detects whether a swimmer is getting into difficulty and alerts a human lifeguard. ...more

Microsoft cash for Passports

Scandalous as it seems, Microsoft is offering to write out cheques to US MSN users that sign up to a Passport account and make a $100 or more purchase. Sadly a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the promotion was not open to UK users, but it confirms how far the company is prepared to go to ensure the adoption of the Passport, which retains and authenticates your personal data, such as account details and delivery address. The offer promises to write you a cheque for $20 when you spend between $100 and $199, $40 when you spend between $200 and $299 and so on up to a maximum of $100 for $500 and over. ...more

Comment: Internet experts face anti-terrorist threat

Internet security professionals everywhere are breaking the law and risk facing prosecution as terrorists. The remarkably non-specific UK Terrorism Act 2000, passed on Monday, makes it possible for the government to target and label network security specialists as terrorists because they hold, and sometimes publish, documentation about system vulnerabilities. While such information can be used by politically-motivated crackers to attack, penetrate or bring down computer systems, it is also essential for systems administrators who need to stay up-to-date with details of the latest software vulnerabilities so they can strengthen their firewalls, e-mail systems and Web sites. ...more