Stateside spam goes into decline

Spam originating from the world's most prolific nation - the US - has fallen by an eighth since the start of the year according to security experts at Sophos. The US still heads up the list of the world's heaviest spammers, with 35.7 per cent of spam being sent from there, but this is down 12 per cent in the first quarter of 2005 as legislation such as the CAN-SPAM act takes effect, and suits brought by top US ISPs against spammers take their toll. ...more

Mandrake 9.2 announced

Mandrake's latest Linux version is now available, with an officially stamped consumer desktop offering. Fran?ois Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft, said: 'Mandrake 9.2 marks a new step in MandrakeSoft's quest to offer easy-to-use Linux products for all computer users. ...more

Microsoft optimises MSN for Pocket PCs and Smartphones

Microsoft has announced that Pocket MSN - a version of its MSN online data services - will be optimised for handheld devices and mobile phones. To be precise, devices running Windows-based Pocket PC and mobile phones based on Microsoft's Smartphone OS. The selling point for Pocket MSN will be 'always on' access to online users, whether through email, instant messaging or other online services, such as news based alerts. ...more

Eolas Web plug-ins patent annulled

The US Patent Office has rescinded the controversial patent granted to Eolas governing the execution of remote code on Web pages. Last year the company successfully sued Microsoft in an Illinois court for 'patent infringement' and won damages of $521mn. The Patent Office's invalidation of the claim will come as a welcome relief not only to Microsoft, but to millions of Internet Explorer users and website developers. ...more

Spansion maps out future for 8Gbit memory parts

Spansion, the flash memory joint venture between AMD and Fujitsu has laid out its plans to develop 8Gbit memory parts based on 65nm lithography. Included in the three year road map set out by Spansion are plans to produce the first 90nm, 1Gb NOR device and what the company claims are 'new mass data storage products for mobile phones' at the beginning of next year. The company plans to move to 65nm 8Gbit parts by 2007, In addition, the company announced plans to develop what it calls 'ORNAND' technology. ...more