Government Gateway closed to Mac and Linux users

Tony Blair's target of putting all government services online by 2005 has run into intense criticism this week, as news emerged that access to many of Government Gateway services is restricted to users of Windows and Internet Explorer. Although Government Gateway currently offers only limited services, it will eventually provide the means by which all paperwork sent to government departments will be superseded by online forms. Investigations by Linuxuser magazine found that accessing the sites with other browsers proved unreliable and that attempting to use any of the secure services proved impossible. ...more

HP updates entry-level LaserJet range

HP has announced what it describes as its 'smallest and most affordable monochrome printer ever' - the entry-level LaserJet 1010, aimed at home users and small businesses. Additionally, accompanying the 1010, HP has announced LaserJet 1012 and 1015 printers, which have slightly faster print speeds and additional memory. The 1015 is also Mac compatible. ...more

Symantec sues Microsoft

A bitter fight has broken out between Microsoft and security specialist Symantec that could threaten the launch of the Vista and Longhorn server operating systems. Symantec claims that Microsoft is illegally using its security code in the new OSs and has filed a lawsuit claiming damages and an asking for a court injunction to prevent their market debut. Any legal delay to the rollout of the much delayed Vista would be another blow to Microsoft as it attempts to build market awareness ahead of the official launch at the end of this year. ...more

Mobile phone fire puts US man in hospital

A California man was badly burned at the weekend after his mobile phone spontaneously combusted. Luis Picaso of Vallejo suffered second and third-degree burns on half his body, after his polyester-blend trousers and nylon shirt caught fire. The fire also melted the plastic chair that he had been napping in. ...more

Microsoft preempts leak of SAP merger plans

A merger between Microsoft and SAP, the massive German business process software giant? This rather astonishing development was the subject of exploratory talks between the two companies. Microsoft has revealed today. The talks took place a 'few months ago' according a Microsoft statement on the matter. ...more