Nvidia boosts video playback with PureVideo technology

Nvidia has added PureVideo technology to its GeForce 6 Series of GPUs (graphics processing units). A mixture of hardware and software, it supports playback of MPEG-2 and high-definition (HD) video content on a PC. Nvidia claims that PureVideo eliminates the need for additional hardware or chipsets while taking the load off the CPU (central processing unit). ...more

BBC launches My Web, My Way for disability access

The BBC has added a new section to its website that is designed to help people with disabilities get more out of the Web. My Web, My Way provides the tools and information needed to use the Internet for people with a recognised disability - visual, hearing, motor, cognitive or learning impairment - and also for those who have a lesser problem that they may not consider a disability but still affects their ability to surf freely. The site has separate guides for Windows, Mac and Linux users with information of configuring your browser and mouse and keyboard settings and links to additional software such as screen readers for the visually impaired. ...more

MSN cleans up its search

Microsoft has revamped its MSN Search user interface to give it a cleaner look. The new facelift marks another step in Microsoft's move into the hotly contested search battleground. Whilst Microsoft has revamped the user interface, it continues to take its listings, both sponsored and 'organic' from Overture, which is now a subsidiary of Yahoo. ...more

Virus Bulletin Conference: Industry unveils unified naming for virus threats

A new initiative set up to dispel confusion over virus-naming, the Common Malware Enumeration (CME), was launched on Wednesday. The industry group, backed by a string of global security companies, aims to provide a common name for high profile threats in the hope that customers will be able to protect their computers from malware attacks more effectively. The need for a more uniform approach to virus-naming has been a long-standing issue for users. ...more

Firefox 2 goes public

The Mozilla Corporation has announced the release of Firefox 2, introducing anti-phishing protection, improved built-in search tools, changes to tabbed browsing, the ability to restore an interrupted session, better support for Web feeds, a spelling check and support for dynamic bookmark titles. The updated default theme refines the look of the buttons and other visual elements, attaching the Go button to the Location Bar and adding an equivalent button to the Search Bar. Several other buttons, such as the feed icon in the Location Bar and the search engine icon in the Search Bar, have been redrawn to make it more obvious that they are interactive. ...more