Microsoft boosts Live Communications Server 2005

Microsoft has showcased the latest in its offerings around real-time collaboration. In an international web conference, Bill Gates from San Francisco, aided by colleagues in cities across the US and UK, highlighted how updating Office with features that remove restrictions and add richness to the way people work together can benefit the 'information worker'. Gates described Office as the 'most used software application of all time'. ...more

UPDATE: Microsoft issues long-awaited Windows XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft's Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has been released to manufacturing, according to the company. The update - as much as a massive 80MB - has now been finalised and the 'gold code' is being pressed onto CDs and distributed to computer makers so they can preload it on their products. Because of the massive 100mn users expected to download the update and the hefty weight of the code itself, Redmond has employed a complex strategy for distribution. ...more

IBM,HP, Sun, Intel to promote grid computing

Several of the world's largest server manufacturers are joining together to develop better technologies to build grid networks. Formed out of the Globus Alliance, the Globus Consortium will seek to apply the principles of grid computng to the commercial world. The companies so far named as part of the Consortium are IBM, Sun, Hewlett Packard and Intel. ...more

Solaris 9 x86 finally released by Sun

After months of waiting Sun Microsystems has finally released its Unix-based Solaris 9 x86 Platform Edition operating system for PC based servers. With the release of this product, Sun is hoping to capture part of the entry-level Unix based server market and take some of the wind out of the April launch of Microsoft's Windows Server 2003. Included with the product are SunScreen 3. ...more

Canon unveils two new IXUS digicams

Canon has updated its range of Digital IXUS cameras with two new models. Both cameras maintain the style and appearance of the IXUS line, with small, compact bodies constructed out of stainless steel and aluminium. The Digital IXUS 330 is the larger of the two, at 95 x 63 x 32 mm. ...more