MSN shuts down NYT researcher's blog

The New York Times says that one of its researchers based in China has had his MSN Spaces blog shut down for his coverage of a newspaper strike. The blog, written by Zhao Jing, was pulled last week for its coverage of how journalists at The Beijing News walked out on strike following the firing of its editor. A spokesperson for Microsoft told the paper that it was a case of capitulating to China's political peccadilloes or not operating in the territory. ...more

Google makes it easier to get together with Groups 2

The ever industrious Google has enhanced its Google Groups service with a range of new features Google Groups 2, is now a kind of cross between a blog and Usenet that allows users to create, search, and browse email mailing lists, and subscribe to and track favorite groups. Someone wishing to create a 'Google Group'can do so within minutes. Once someone has created their group, which can be public or by invitation only, topics can be created at the management level and comments can be made via email. ...more

Snap happy DVD player

The PC desertion continues as Apex Digital unveils a DVD player that takes one of the bastions of PC use to the TV - viewing digital photos. The Apex Digital 5131 incorporates a chip that allows the player to read Kodak Picture CDs. You can pan and zoom, catalogue your shots and create slide shows or add special effects. ...more

Google goes Solar

Google is to make a multimillion dollar investment in solar-powered panels to generate electricity for the Googleplex in California. The company says it will begin installation of 1.6 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels at our Mountain View campus 'soon'. ...more

US ruling against P2P networks already stifling innovation

The recent US Supreme Court ruling against P2P networks is already stifling innovation in filesharing networks, The Guardian has discovered. The ruling, which found P2P developer Grokster liable for illegitimate uses of its software, is deterring venture capitalists from injecting funds where they fear future legal action may make their investments worthless. 'Money has shifted into places which will avoid any conflict with the copyright holders,' said Professor Larry Lessig, described as the top American advocate for copyright reform. ...more