Windows Messenger receives the XP treatment

Microsoft has released details of the XP version of its Instant Messenger, boasting audio and videoconferencing and PC telephone calls made easy. Hidden deep within a press release that attempts to compare the system with Bell's telephone, Marconi's radio and Tomlinson's email, are four paragraphs of interest. The XP flavour of Windows Messenger (WM) will feature "forward error correction" technology that reduces audio and video streaming delays. ...more

Time restarts again

TIME branded computers are set to reappear, with Time UK Factory Ltd due to begin trading next month. Previously, Time Computers not only sold TIME systems by mail order - often through full page advertisements in the national press - but also later through a chain of high street shops. However, while its machines offered high specs and low prices, it often performed badly in customer satisfaction surveys, which in part led to its eventual demise. ...more

ISPs go back to the future

Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is back in the spotlight after Trade and Industry Committee's UK Broadband Market report casts doubt on the future of DataStream. The report damned BT's DataStream product as having gained little confidence from ISPs: 'The danger is that, because of a lack of confidence rather than a lack of demand, there is insufficient uptake of DataStream and it will ultimately be allowed to wither.' In short, because, BT was forced - rather than chose - to offer DataStream to create competition, ISPs are not convinced that telecom regulator Ofcom's will ensure that BT sets its prices at a point that makes it a commercially viable for them. ...more

Source Code Club resurfaces to offer stolen Cisco code

The Source Code Club, a group of so-called hackers, has re-emerged after closing down their website in July. The group, which is now operating via Usegroup discussion boards is offering Cisco Systems Inc.'s PIX firewall software to potential buyers for a mere $24,000. ...more

Yahoo! socialises with MyWeb 2.0

Yahoo! is introducing its social search engine to Europe with the launch of MyWeb 2.0. The service allows a user to collect, organise and tag favourite web pages, searches and search history and then subsequently access them from any computer with an Internet connection. ...more