The Linux Year [part 1] - a look back at 2005

With the birth of each new year, the accolade of 'year of the penguin' has been dusted off and pre-emptively awarded time after time. 2005 was no different, and there's little reason to suppose that 2006 will underwhelm either. We're coming out of 2005 with a massive vindication of the open source movement. ...more

Microsoft to ship 'N' versions of Windows next week

Microsoft has finally announced a shipping date for versions of its Windows operating system into Europe. The newly created Windows XP Home Edition N and Windows XP Professional N, which do not include versions of Windows Media Player, are being released to manufacturing across Europe by 15 June. The two versions have been released as part of Microsoft's compliance with the March 2004, ruling by the European Commission that the company abused its monopoly in operating systems to gain competitive advantage in the emerging battle for multimedia players. ...more

AOL ads get rich

AOL is planning to bring media rich adverts to its subscription-based services. The company has previously been limited to selling simpler pop-up adverts, but has developed the technology to allow adverts containing Flash animations and other streaming media. Rich media advertising generally generates more revenue per unit than standard commercials. ...more

Freeserve subscription flaw detected

A bug has been detected in the sign-up page for Freeserve's unmetered access service. When users upgrade to Unlimited Freeserve Time they are emailed a link to a web page that alters the settings on their browser software so that you automatically dial into the new number. However, Microsoft Outlook Express will need to be changed manually otherwise it will continue to dial the old number and you will be charged local rates. ...more

Computer makers sued over 'deceptive' hard drive sizes

Four Los Angeles residents are suing the world's leading computer manufacturers, alleging that they mislead customers when advertising the size of their hard drives. Reuters reports that the lawsuit focuses on the fact that although computers write data in the binary system drive sizes are described using decimal. Consequently, a hard drive advertised as 20GB provides just 18. ...more