An ecosystem for embedding

Microsoft continues to embed itself in the real-time development arena. The 'Embedded Ecosystem' is a new initiative announced by Microsoft at ESC West (Embedded Systems Conference), in San Jose, California. Aiming to build stronger connections between Windows Embedded developers, partners and customers, there are three specific offerings: an extranet-based Windows Embedded Partners Program, the addition of a dedicated Embedded Developer Centre within the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site, and the Windows Embedded Online Customer Marketplace for matching prospective buyers with pre-qualified partners. ...more

VeriSign branded monopoly by rivals

ICANN has been accused of setting up VeriSign as a monopoly in the domain-name registration business. Earlier this month, ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) ruled that VeriSign would have to give up control of the .org and . ...more

Microsoft returns to patching for June security update

Microsoft is expecting to announce a slew of patches for security flaws in its monthly update next Tuesday. Following last month's lull, which was clear of critical updates, 14 June will see Redmond's Windows product range subject to seven patches. The most severe is rated as Critical and some will mean computers need to be restarted. ...more

Supercomputer to work on life-threatening illnesses

The Atlanta-based corporation NuTec Sciences has commissioned the world's largest "commercial" supercomputer to help investigate the workings of human genes. IBM will provide the cluster of e-servers that will analyse the combinations of genes that can cause disease. We reported previously on an IBM supercomputer being used by a government agency to monitor objects in outer space, but this is a commercial application to reduce the cost of designing new drugs. ...more

Mobile device theft leaves IT managers red-faced

Nearly three in four companies have no security policy for mobile devices, meaning the blame for security breaches resulting from theft will lay at the door of the IT manager's office. The PDA Usage Survey 2003 has found that one quarter of those polled had lost a mobile device - most commonly (40 per cent) in a taxi. Yet 50 per cent have not insured the device and only two per cent have insured the data on it. ...more