Microsoft gives Spaces the Live makeover

Microsoft has begun implementing Windows Live Spaces, the successor to what it claims is the world's most widely used blogging service, MSN Spaces. Windows Live Spaces lets users customise their website from more than 100 themes and add blogs, photo albums, music lists, or any kind of list and publish the whole thing not just to the Web, but also to mobile devices and email groups. It is designed to connect users to what Microsoft calls their real social network of friends - namely people in their Windows Live Contacts list - by integrating with Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail and other services - and to introduce them to people through these trusted contacts. ...more

Ich bien ein Computer Programmer

When it comes to recruiting for high-tech positions, Europe cannot meet its own demand. Germany in particular. The Associated Press reports that when it comes to unfilled IT (including e-commerce) positions Germany leads the field within Europe. ...more

Legality of high-tech surveillance put to the test

The case of "Little Nicky" is coming before a US federal judge to rule on the legality of the FBI's high-tech surveillance. We first reported on the case of Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo - son of a jailed mobster - back in December of last year. Initially frustrated by his use of PGP encryption, the FBI implanted a special keystroke-logging device to monitor his work on a computer where gambling records were allegedly stored. ...more

Wizcom updates Pen-based scanning range

Wizcom's updated Pen-based scanning range - the Infoscan, SuperPen and SuperPen Professional - is now being distributed in the UK by Widget Ltd. Aimed at anyone who works with text, you simply drag the nib over the lines you want to store, much like using a highlighter pen. Using a serial or USB connection you can then transfer the data back to a PC or laptop. ...more

Broadband connections rise 250 per cent in 12 months

The number of broadband connections across the UK has risen by 250 per cent over the past year, according to new figures from industry-regulator Oftel. Oftel's latest Internet and Broadband brief shows that there are more than 1.77m broadband subscribers - 960,000 via cable modem and 810,000 via ADSL, compared to around half a million 12 months ago. ...more