Book review: Microserfs by Douglas Coupland

The story of Microserfs traces the lives of six self-declared geeks - Dan (the narrator), Michael, Susan, Abe, Bug and Todd. It moves from their live-to-work existence at Microsoft's Redmond campus to a learning-to-live environment in northern California as part of a start-up company in Silicon Valley. On the surface the story is about life as a programmer, working in an intensive, cutting edge environment. ...more

KDE 2.0 moves to the centre of the Linux universe

A major new version of KDE - the Linux-based desktop environment - has been released. KDE 2.0, dubbed "Kopernicus", features a range of productivity tools, from Konqueror, which is a full featured web browser and file manager, to KOffice, an integrated office suite. ...more

3G live within the UK

It didn't win the race to be the world's first 3G network - DoCoMo took the honours in Tokyo - but the UK competitor has finally gone live. Manx Telecom - a subsidiary of the formerly BT-owned mmO2 - has switched on a 'fully operational' third-generation (3G) mobile network in the Isle of Man. Its purpose is to serve as a test bed - within the relatively small, hilly island - for a variety of user trials. ...more

Take-Two in trouble over Elder Scrolls IV topless mod

Take-Two is reportedly in hot water once again over hidden content within a game it co-publishes. Following the long-drawn out controversy over 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas', which was found to include a hidden 'pornographic' mini game, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has now apparently fallen foul of a US regulator. The US Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has changed the game's rating to 'mature' from 'teen', reports Reuters, which means it is deemed unsuitable for those under 17. ...more

Microsoft takes Advantage

Microsoft has taken its Windows Genuine Advantage programme out of beta and launched it as version 1.0. The programme, which 'offers' updates and other free software to those customers who register their operating system is now rolled out worldwide. ...more