Microsoft to develop more than 40 new languages for XP and Office

Microsoft has promised to develop up to 40 new language versions of its flagship Windows XP and Office 2003 products over the next 12 months. The scheme is part of an ambitious Local Language Programme that, the company hopes, will allow people wider access to technology in a language familiar to them. The LLP is in partnership with government and academic institutions worldwide. ...more

The final WEEE countdown begins

The computing industry is starting to run out of time to ensure compliance with the WEEE directive. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive officially has come into force, making manufacturers accountable for reducing the amount of WEEE waste headed for land fill sites by reusing and recycling where possible and footing the associated bills. The new legislation, which was originally meant to take effect in August 2005, has been welcomed by many environmental bodies, but IT professionals and manufacturers haven't embraced the extra costs or responsibility involved. ...more

Hewlett-Packard repackages its business PCs

Hewlett-Packard is to launch its new PC in Europe in November. The e-PC is aimed at both corporate and small business markets and is an attempt by the company to phase out their eVectra and Brio products. Eric Chanoit, worldwide marketing manager for e-PC claims that the characteristics of the existing two models have been combined because "there is not a lot of difference between corporate and small business needs". ...more

AOL floats ICQ Lite

AOL is today expected to release a new version of the ICQ instant messenger today, to be known as ICQ Lite. The new software will be separate from, but interoperable with, AOL's other IM, http://www.aim. ...more

Solar storms create 'profound' disruption to GPS systems

A solar eruption in December disrupted the Global Positioning System (GPS), the satellite-based navigational system used by the military, scientists and civilians, researchers report. The solar flare created radio bursts that traveled to the Earth, covering a broad frequency range, the researchers said, affecting GPS and other navigational systems. Solar flares have been known to knock out satellites and even electricity grids, but the researchers told the Space Weather Enterprise Forum this was an unexpectedly serious new effect. ...more