IBM keeps server crown

IBM remains the server king according to the latest survey of the server market by analysts Gartner. Big Blue increased its market share by revenue to 30.7 per cent - up a percentage point from the equivalent quarter in 2003. ...more

Oracle issues multi-patch security bulletin

Database giant Oracle has released its quarterly security bulletin, with some 65 patches for its customers to deal with. The fixes patch security problems in various versions of Oracle's Database, Database Client, Application Server, Collaboration Suite, E-Business Suite and Applications, Enterprise Management, JD Edwards and PeopleSoft products. Seibel products are not included in the update, but are due to be integrated into the company's Critical Patch Update Process for the next release in October. ...more

Smart devices shipments leap 75 per cent

Smartphones are continuing their relentless march to world dominance. According to the quarterly smartphone report from market analysts Canalys, global shipments of smart mobile devices leapt 75 per cent in Q3 2005 over the equivalent quarter of 2004. Nokia comfortably held onto its number one position as the world's leading supplier of smartphones. ...more

High-tech giants confront grey market

Several leading high-tech companies have joined an alliance to counter the growth of the 'grey market' in computers. A grey market is where products are taken out of 'normal or authorised' distribution channels and sold elsewhere at a lower price than would usually be available. This is exactly what happened in the UK when Tesco acquired a batch of iMacs on the 'grey market' and then sold them in its stores for ?100 less than Apple's authorised outlets' price. ...more

Start-up Dipsie seeks out hidden pages

A US start-up has come up with a way of exposing web pages to search engine spiders that are currently invisible. These might include pages inside databases, or which use JavaScript or flash-based navigation that is impossible for a search engine robot to follow or sites based around frames. Typically, the solution has been to use a technique known as 'cloaking which intercepts a search engine spider and redirects it to index content which is different to that which a human might see if they are visiting the page. ...more