Google Earth focusses on the Winter Olympics

Google Earth is going to the Winter Olympics. An update to the satellite imagery and mapping application has been released with enhanced images of Torino and the olympic venues, plus 3D views of some of the terrain where events such as the skiing will take place. Google Earth is a free download from earth. ...more

The PlayStation 2 gets violent

The links between computers games and violence were finally established in the US on Thursday when scuffles broke out at some stores across the country. Shortages of the next generation console meant that PS2 fans in areas as varied as North Dakota and Woodstock were left hot around the collar. As tempers flared, people were threatened and violent behaviour displayed. ...more

www.bahhumbug.com

Another festive season is approaching. But if that thought doesn't fill you with joy, don't fear - there are plenty of Web sites out there that will help make the whole experience slightly more pleasant. If you can't be bothered to traipse down to the shops and drag home a Christmas tree, get in touch with E-garden. ...more

Spammed-out ISP awarded $1bn damages

A US judge has awarded damages totalling $1bn to an ISP whose mail servers were swamped by spam. Robert Kramer runs an email service for some 5,000 subscribers in Iowa and filed lawsuits against 300 spammers after his servers received up to 10 million junk emails each day. District Judge Charles R Wolle has awarded damages against three companies under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act and the Iowa Criminal Conduct Act, which allows plaintiffs to claim up to $10 per spam message received. ...more

Airplane online prices made plain

Following on from last week's news that Lufthansa was to begin its rollout of in-flight broadband access, Boeing has announced the details of charges for its onboard Connexion system that provides the broadband Internet service, and which will apply to all carriers using the system. As well as Lufthansa, Japanese carriers and the Scandinavian SAS are also pursuing the service. As we reported, Lufthansa will be officially beginning its Connexion-based service in April, with two credit card-based payment options. ...more