US reviews tech business dealings with China

According to news site CNet, the US is to reassess the way its firms deal with dictatorial countries such as China. Human right groups within the US House of Representatives and Congress are to hold meetings next month to discuss the controversial ease with which US tech firms, keen to expand into China, quickly capitulate to the country's censorship laws and other demands. Last summer, for example, Microsoft agreed to ban the use of the words 'democracy', 'freedom' and 'human rights' on the Chinese version of its MSN service. ...more

Broadband undercuts dial-up on price

Broadband access has become cheaper than dial-up for the first time, latest figures indicate. Consumers with a dial-up connection are now almost certain to make savings by switching to broadband, irrespective of whether they pay per minute or via a monthly fee for unlimited access, according to SimplySwitch.com, the price comparison service. ...more

Government tops chart for IT contract work

Where do all your taxes go? Well, according to new research, increasing amounts are being spent on IT contractors. A study indicates that the Government is now the biggest employer of IT contractors, and it seemingly has doubled its share over the last two years. According to Giant Group, the public sector now accounts for 27 per cent of work by contractors in the UK, up from 13 per cent in 2003. ...more

Novell guns for identity

Novell deepened its commitment to identity computing at its BrainShare conference in Salt Lake City this week launching new initiatives. Its Application Services Foundation and Identity Services Foundation set out a modular architecture for running software and identity services across the enterprise. The idea is to enable enterprises to manage identity and assets through entire life cycles. ...more

Griffin takes iTrip to UK

Griffin Technology has begun shipping its iTrip range of iPod accessories to the UK, after low-power FM transmitters became legal on Friday. iTrip plugs into an iPod's dock connector and transmits audio via an FM frequency to a nearby radio receiver, such as a car stereo. Use of such devices was previously prohibited under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, although it has never been illegal to sell them. ...more