IE7 tops 100 million users

More than 100 million people are using IE7, the latest version of Microsoft's browser, demonstrating its popularity since it launched last year, states the software giant. The company unveiled the figures, compiled by web usage researcher WebSideStory, on its IE blog. It claims that more than a quarter of people visiting US websites last week did so using IE7. ...more

US anti-spam laws face first test

In a first test of the recently-enacted Can-Spam legislation in the US, a Californian ISP Hypertouch has filed a lawsuit against BlueStream Media and BVWebTies which owns BobVila.com. 'The Can-Spam Act provides only the most minimal protections to the public,' said Hypertouch President and Founder Joe Wagner. ...more

Comment: Podcasters beware, the marketeers are coming

This year has been earmarked as the tipping point for the new age of online media, with blogs, podcasts and video podcasts beginning to challenge the dinosaurs of broadcasting. The supposed mass migration of people to the web will relieve traditional media firms of their viewers and listeners, putting pressure on the old-school rules of advertising. If you read too much into the meanderings of many online blogs, this new frontier promises a world of free entertainment, bereft of adverts and annoyances such as having to abide by the strict schedules of TV or radio. ...more

EC clears Hitachi's IBM disk takeover

The European Commission has given the go-ahead for Hitachi to acquire sole control of IBM's hard disk business. A statement issued by the Commission reads that although 'As a result of the transaction, Hitachi will have a leading position in HDDs for mobile applications.. ...more

The rewards of hacking

It's fast becoming a clich? of the digital age: hacker causes outrage with technology attack, before being offered employment to put hi-tech skills to better use. Following on from our report a month ago about a Bulgarian who hacked his president's Web site only to be then offered employment, comes news of the man behind the recent "Anna Kournikova virus". Reuters reports that the Dutchman - known as "OnTheFly" - has now been offered the chance of a job by a Dutch mayor: the Mayor of Sneek, Siebold Hartkamp. ...more