'Furious' reaction to BT's direct DSL

BT announced yesterday that it will be making available a new means of acquiring broadband Internet access. Direct DSL will allow users to connect direct to the Internet via BT servers without first having to go through an ISP. Currently broadband users - other than those who get their services from cable providers Telewest and NTL or via satellite - buy access from one of many ISPs such as Demon or BTOpenworld. ...more

HP backs Debian

Hewlett Packard is expanding its support for Linux distributions by adding Debian GNU/Linux to its list. The company says that the software is now enabled across HP's range of ProLiant and BladeSystem servers. HP already offers support for a range of Linux distros including ones from Red Hat, Novell Suse and the Asianux foundation of Miracle, Red Flag and Haansoft. ...more

Sony pulls PS3 launch in Europe

Sony has announced that the much anticipated - and much delayed - PlayStation 3 games console will not arrive in Europe in 2006. Instead, the company is now expected to announce that the machine will not be available until March 2007. The company blames the delays on continuing sourcing problems for the blue laser diodes used by the machine's built-in Blu-ray disc. ...more

IBM brings wireless printing to the office

Wireless-enabled laptop users no longer need to plug into the office network to print documents. IBM has introduced a plug-and-print Wi-Fi adapter that enables users of notebooks, personal computers or PDAs to print documents remotely, without the need to purchase a new Wi-Fi-enabled printer or multi-function device. According to IBM, the Wireless Print Adapter plugs straight into a printer's existing RJ-45 Ethernet connection, without the need for configuring software drivers or open PCI expansion slots. ...more

Vista chaos: upgrades go AWOL

Microsoft is under attack from users and PC makers alike, after the company's Express Upgrade scheme for Windows Vista reportedly collapsed under the weight of demand. Customers who bought Windows XP machines shortly before the launch of Vista were offered upgrade vouchers for the new operating system. However, several disgruntled readers have contacted PC Pro, claiming that their upgrades have failed to arrive, more than a week after the Vista launch. ...more