www.bahhumbug.com

Another festive season is approaching. But if that thought doesn't fill you with joy, don't fear - there are plenty of Web sites out there that will help make the whole experience slightly more pleasant. If you can't be bothered to traipse down to the shops and drag home a Christmas tree, get in touch with E-garden. ...more

Intel champions virtualised home media server

Intel is flagging its virtual processor Vanderpool technology again, releasing a preliminary Vanderpool Technology External Architecture Specifications (EAS) and urging industry-wide collaboration. This virtualisation - with multiple applications or operating systems running in independent partitions - allows one physical computer to serve as multiple 'virtual' systems. As well as enabling the more flexible switching of processor resources, depending on different task requirements, it could also provide a basis for improved security and reliability. ...more

iPod joins fashion

Apple's iPod may already be the smartest portable music player around, but its place amongst the elite of the fashion world has been cemented by Christian Dior and its designer Hedi Slimane. Style.com reports that Slimane was driven to design the case as he had nowhere suitable to keep his own iPod - which, to his credit, is packed with tunes from The Smiths, Blondie and The Clash. ...more

UK watchdog howls at DRM woes

A government watchdog for consumer interests has declared its opposition to the rise of Digital Rights Management - the means by which content providers control access to their products. The National Consumer Council (NCC) is calling for new laws to better protect consumer rights when it comes to enjoying digital content. Citing the geographic restrictions on DVDs and the content protection surrounding certain CDs, the organisation believes that the use of DRM is constraining the legitimate consumer use of digital songs and films. ...more

Windows apps CrossOver to Mac

Codeweavers has released a limited beta version of CrossOver Mac, software that enables Windows applications and games to run on Intel Macs. Unlike dual-boot and virtualisation environments that require the purchase and installation of a copy of Windows, CrossOver integrates with OS X to enable Windows apps to run within the Mac operating system. 'CrossOver Mac will be the very best way to run your Windows applications on your Intel Mac,' said Codeweavers' CEO Jeremy White. ...more