Average laptop worth $1m

New research by a computer security firm has estimated the value of the average laptop to be worth close to $1mn. Symantec discovered that that is the value of intellectual property and commercially sensitive data stored in emails and while the average is high enough, some laptops were carrying around information potentially worth ?5mn. However only 42 per cent of the companies automatically backup emails, with 45 per cent leaving it up to the employee, which leaves 13 per cent that just do not bother. ...more

OpenOffice 2.0 released

The new version of the OpenOffice productivity suite is now officially released. The open-source suite now sports a more professional looking user interface and a brand new database module. It also features the ace-in-the-hole - the Open Document file format based on the open-standard OASIS format for office applications. ...more

Quick nab a QuickQam

Logitech, the company famous for producing all manner of mice and other input-related peripherals, has announced a new QuickCam Express package. For ?59.99, you get not one but two of the tiny Logitech Internet cameras, which could make a good present for your far-flung relatives. ...more

Warner signs with YouTube

Media empire Warner Brothers and video social networking phenomenon YouTube have signed a deal which means that content from the music arm of the giant can be shown legally on the site. The deal predictably covers the posting of music videos from WMG's stable of artists such as Madonna as well as behind-the-scenes footage, artist interviews, original programming and other 'special content'. An interesting twist, however, is that the deal also allows YouTube users to incorporate copyright WMG music into the videos they create and upload onto YouTube. ...more

And also today (16-May-2001), for the record...

Here, in brief, are some of the day's other stories. That Xbox announcement Bill Gates has announced at the E3 show in Los Angeles that Microsoft will launch the Xbox on 8 November. The asking price will be $299. ...more