German MEP attacks secret monitoring

The shadowy Echelon computer surveillance network is under attack from a German MEP (Member of the European Parliament). Originally, created by the US and UK governments back in the 1940s, the system is now thought to monitor most voice and data traffic circulating in western countries. According to a report in USA Today Ilka Schrvder, a Green Party member, has filed criminal complaints with the German Federal chief public prosecutor, as well as with public prosecutors' offices in Berlin and Traunstein. ...more

Fire closes BT lines to 130,000 Manchester homes and businesses

Internet connections Manchester have been interrupted this morning following a fire. In a statement, BT said, 'A fire in cable chambers running beneath the streets of central Manchester has caused extensive damage to (underground) cables and widespread disruption to phone services in Manchester and the surrounding area. 'The fire is affecting some 130,000 homes and businesses in the centre of the city. ...more

Coming soon - Lost the Internet game

The producers of the cult TV show 'Lost' are developing an interactive game to draw in the millions of viewer around the world. The puzzle to be known as the 'Lost Experience' will plant clues in various places to help contestants solve the mystery. Although the game is said to be mainly based on the Internet, the producers are saying that clues to the puzzle could be in 'any and every' platform which could mean emails, TV ads, billboards and old bus tickets for all we know. ...more

Microsoft meets expectations with healthy profits

Microsoft has met analyst's expectations with its latest financial results - fourth quarter figures for the three month period ending 30 June. With revenues reaching $8.07 billion, up 14 per cent from the same period a year ago, operating income for the fourth quarter was $3. ...more

Visual Studio .Net gets LiveSource support

Programming support that has been available for Java will now be available for Microsoft's .Net Framework. Improved design and modelling support is the promise of the 'Together Edition for Microsoft Visual Studio . ...more