Microsoft aims to cut cost of business intelligence software

Microsoft looked at possible acquisitions to gain a foothold in the market for so-called business intelligence software, but decided to build its own business and compete on price against industry leaders, the company's business division president said on Wednesday. Instead of an acquisition, Microsoft is banking on the popularity of its SQL Server database management software and its Office suite of applications to win over customers looking for software to help companies track business performance. 'I've never been opposed to the idea of looking at players in the industry. ...more

Apple's Ive shortlisted for UK award

The award is open to all UK-born or UK-based designers and is run alongside an exhibition at the Design Museum in London. Votes from visitors to the exhibition will be added to online votes to choose the winner. Ive, vice president of Industrial Design at Apple, is responsible for all Apple's design innovation since he broke the rules for computer design with the original iMac. ...more

Mozilla welcomes prospect of XP-only IE 7

The Mozilla Foundation is anticipating that Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 release will convince a great many businesses to switch to Firefox. The reason, according to the foundation's Asa Dotzler is that while IE7 will require at least Windows XP, many organisations are happily running Windows 2000 with no reason to change. 'We're excited about Microsoft launching IE 7,' he said, 'it will remind a lot of people that if they want better features they have to spend hundreds of dollars upgrading'. ...more

SCO's lawyers scoop $9mn, take aim at Linux

SCO has announced a pay out for its lawyers, shelling out $1mn in cash and 400,000 shares, as well as an 'expanded arrangement' to pursue its Linux licensing initiatives. Recent news reports have suggested legal firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner - SCO's lawyers representing the company in its suit against IBM - will get a 20 per cent cut of settlements resulting from the IBM case. However, the deal has become much clearer: SCO will now take a $8,956,000 charge in the fourth quarter for the cash and stock deal with its lawyers. ...more

Sober virus set to continue reign

Antivirus vendors have totted up the figures for December, with some showing nearly four in five reports accountable to the Sober worms. Sophos put the Sober-Z worm at number one for the month, claiming 78.9 per cent of reports. ...more