Microsoft counters Sun over Java dispute

Microsoft lashes out at Sun - it's trying 'to obtain a free ride on Microsoft's success'. Microsoft has made a district court filing that rejects Sun's complaints about Microsoft's use of Java technology. It also alleges that Sun uses continuing litigation to gain unfair advantages and that its current complaints violate the contractual obligations imposed by an earlier case and California business laws. ...more

.xxx domain rises again

Democrat Senators, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Max Baucus of Montana, have introduced a Bill called the Cyber Safety for Kids Act of 2006, which has revived the moribund idea of a .xxx domain. The idea of an . ...more

Microsoft president calls for "cost conscious" attitude

Steve Ballmer has called for a return to the days of old at Microsoft when a "cost conscious" culture was the order of the day. In a memo sent to Microsoft employees, Ballmer outlines a need for the company to change its business priorities and that this is something it can not do without better streamlining of its expenses and investments. The New York Times quotes Ballmer as writing: "We all have a big incentive as shareholders to re-ignite the kind of cost-conscious culture that marked Microsoft's earlier years. ...more

Newly appointed government e-Envoy signals shift away from e-service rollout

Andrew Pinder has stepped aside as the UK's e-Envoy, and will be replaced by one Ian Watmore, formerly MD of consulting company Accenture - formerly Andersen Consulting. The new government representative for all things e-, his main responsibility is for 'developing policy and planning for ICT (information communication technology) within Government'. Officially, he is now the 'Head of e-Government' and part of the e-Government Unit, which will be based in the Cabinet Office to 'join up electronic government services around the needs of customers'. ...more

BT and Broadreach agree WiFi hotspot roaming agreement

Two of the UK's leading WiFi hotspot suppliers have signed a roaming agreement that will allow their subscribers to use each others' networks. Users will have equal access to BT Openzone's 1,500 hotspots and Broadreach Networks' 350 access points across the UK, in locations as diverse as BAA Airports, Hilton Hotels, Travelodge, Ramada Jarvis Hotels, railway stations, Virgin Megastores, McDonald's flagship and drive-thru restaurants, PC World stores, Little Chefs and Moto and RoadChef service stations. As a result of this and other similar agreements, Openzone subscribers now have use of some 7,800 hotspots nationwide. ...more