GPL version 3 makes DRM progress

A second discussion draft for version 3 of the GNU General Public License has been published. The draft contains a number of revisions, including a clarification of how it will handle DRM technologies. Whereas earlier drafts had been interpreted as outlawing the use of DRM, new wording allows the use of DRM only where it doesn't impact on the freedoms inherent in the GPL enjoyed by licencees. ...more

Curtains go up on UnitedLinux

First public beta for release end of the month. UnitedLinux, the Linux server edition of the SuSE, TurboLinux, Conectiva and Caldera coalition will offer a 'closed' public beta of version one at the end of September, with the boxed version scheduled for the end of November. UnitedLinux will provide the underlying technology for each company's own branded Enterprise Server edition which will bear the slogan 'powered by UnitedLinux'. ...more

Agreement reached on 802.11n standard

Rival developers of next-generation Wi-Fi technologies have put their differences aside and agreed to work together to finalise the 802.11n standard. TGn Sync, WWiSe and MitMot will combine their proposals to submit to the IEEE later this year. ...more

BT cuts rural broadband startup cost

BT has announced that it is reducing what it charges third parties, such as ISPs or Rural Development Agencies, to independently upgrade an exchange to broadband. Previously, any organisation wanting to upgrade an exchange itself, rather than waiting for BT to do it, had to pay ?45,000 over three years for 30 connections plus ?30,00 for each additional block of 30. From January the set-up charge will drop to ?25,000 plus ?13 per month for each of the 30 connections, a total of ?29,680 over three years. ...more

Reviving HP has IBM in its sights

Hewlett Packard is continuing its climb back from the doldrums of a couple of years ago and now may be about to overtake IBM as the world's biggest computer company. HP's net revenues for the third quarter of its financial year were $21.9 billion, it has revealed, representing growth of 5 per cent over the equivalent quarter this year. ...more