Microsoft schools offer rejected

Judge J Frederick Motz has rejected Microsoft's proposal to donate '$1 billion' of computers, cash and software to US schools in order to settle more than 100 anti-trust cases brought by customers who were overcharged for Microsoft software. The judge ruled that Microsoft's offer 'appears to provide a means for flooding a part of kindergarten through [to] high school market,' a market in which the company has not traditionally been strong, particularly in relation to Apple. He also agreed with some of the deal's critics, saying that were he to approve the deal, the effect could be seen as 'court-approved predatory pricing'. ...more

Hands-on with Lexmark's new wireless inkjets

Lexmark today unveiled its new line of inkjet printers and all-in-ones, with a firm emphasis on making wireless printing affordable for all. PC Pro was given a hands-on demonstration of the new models at the company's headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. The new line consists of two inkjets and three all-in-ones, with wireless printing available as standard on the dearest models. ...more

Gluacoma risk linked to heavy computer usage

Researchers at a Japanese university have produced the first reliable evidence of a link between heavy computer usage and the onset of the eye disease, glaucoma, in shortsighted people. The Toho University School of Medicine found that 'intensive' computer users who are already shortsighted are 87 per cent more likely to develop the disease, which ultimately can lead to blindness. The researchers suggested that the optic nerve in myopic people may be more susceptible to damage and that this is exacerbated by computer usage. ...more

Mozilla 1.6 released

The Mozilla Organisation has released the latest version of its eponymous Web browser, and although it's not overly laden with new features, there's enough to keep users interested. For those who are interested, much of what is new is listed in the release notes. Mozilla 1. ...more

Microsoft to see sales resurgence, says new study

Microsoft appears to be at the start of a resurgence, according to a new survey by SG Cowen. More than half of the 500 companies surveyed for its second quarter report said they intended to spend more with the company, with just 6 per cent looking to cut back. And with penetration levels already in the mid-nineties, that's some achievement. ...more