Nildram joins capping ISPs

Nildram is the latest ISP to launch 'capped' 512Kbps broadband services, though it prefers the term 'pay as you go'. Two packages are available: 'dslSurf 500 PAYG time' which provides up to 50 hours connection time per month and 'dslSurf 500 PAYG data' which allows for 1Gbit of downstream traffic each month. Both cost 49, plus activation and modem, which does not appear particularly cheap. ...more

Microsoft sets launch date for Visual Studio, SQL Server and BizTalk Server

Microsoft has set the date for its long awaited release of Visual Studio and SQL Server, the week beginning 7 November. This confirms an announcement from earlier in the year - Microsoft delays major developer tools and database releases. As well as its flagship software development suite, the venerable Visual Studio, and the next-generation version of its enterprise-scale database system, SQL Server, Microsoft will also release its business process management software, BizTalk Server 2006. ...more

Microsoft sets IE7 free

Internet Explorer 7, which has now been released out of beta status, is Microsoft's first major upgrade to its Web browser since 2001, with new features aimed at preventing online fraud and improving ease of use. IE is still the most widely-used software to surf the Web, but the long gap between major releases allowed for the emergence of the company's most formidable browser competitor since it vanquished the once-dominant Netscape. Mozilla Firefox, the free open-source browser, has steadily gained users since its introduction in 2004 with features such as the integrated search window to allow Web queries without opening another page, tab browsing to toggle between different sites and a pop-up window blocker. ...more

Only on the Internet...

The power of the Internet to bring people together in a spirit of competitiveness and animosity should not be underestimated. The latest example is provided by a "Photo of the Year" competition - harmless enough, you would think - run by an America Website, MSNBC. The trouble is that a notorious event from the Middle East conflict, was voted into the lead. ...more

EMI chief declares 'consumer is king'

The CD, as we know it Jim, is dead. So says none other than the Chairman of EMI, one of the world's biggest music publishers. Speaking to an audience at the London Business School, Alain Levy said that the days when a music company could dictate how music was delivered was now gone. ...more