Ireland to close digital divide

Ireland has launched an initiative to deliver broadband access to remote areas of the country. In a series of public-private partnerships (PPP), telecommunications companies will take up the challenge to provide a "digital corridor" to link communities across the country. The idea is that hubs in public buildings such as hospitals, schools and clinics will deliver an access point for ordinary people. ...more

IE team zaps bugs first, meets standards second

Microsoft's lead engineer for Internet Explorer 7 has admitted that the browser will not meet a popular test for CSS 2 compliance. The development team, he said, is putting bug fixes before standards in the rush to get the browser out. Following the release of the first IE 7 beta, Chris Wilson announced in the IE blog that the browser will not pass the Acid2 test when the final version ships. ...more

IT contractors see pay rates rise, after four year slump

IT freelancers are beginning to see their pay rates rise for the first time in four years says a survey by THE Association of Technology Staffing Companies (ATSCo). According to ATSCo, IT workers in tech companies such as electronics and software enjoyed average pay rises of between 6 and 9 per cent in the last six months of 2003. Meanwhile, IT freelancers in the key financial services sector saw their pay increase by 2 per cent. ...more

New worm exploits ancient IE flaw

Sophos yesterday alerted users to the presence of a new worm, under the name of Gibe-F or Swen.A@mm. The worm exploits a vulnerability in MIME components of Internet Explorer, for which a patch was first issued in March 2001. ...more

Buffalo soldiers ahead with first 802.11g client card

Buffalo Technology claims its notebook adaptor is the industry's first to receive certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance. The 802.11g card offers 54Mbits/sec and fits Type II and III PC Card slots. ...more