Novell acquires Ximian

Novell has acquired Ximian, the Boston-based company that is a force in the Open Source world. The move is intended to drive Novell's growth into the Linux arena and the company believes it is buying 'best-of-breed Linux desktop, groupware and management technologies'. Ximian is best known for its work with the Mono and GNOME projects, and Novell has promised continuing support for these ventures. ...more

Microsoft shrugs off IT downturn

World recessions, IT downturns and sluggish PC sales are obviously not enough to constrain the financial success of Microsoft. The results announced last evening were broadly in line with Microsoft's forecast. Fourth quarter revenues of $6. ...more

BT cracks down on broadband data gluttons

BT is cracking down on data gluttons, notifying around 3,000 of its broadband users that they will either have to cut down or pay up for excessive use of its broadband connections. It says it is targeting subscribers that are downloading up to 200GB every month. Current limits to its broadband offerings range between 2 and 40GB per month. ...more

IBM donates software to guide Firefox

IBM has announced that it is contributing software to the Firefox Web browser to make it easier for users with visual and motor impairments to use the Web. The code will enable the navigation of websites and Web pages with keystrokes rather than mouse clicks and will make it possible for pages to be automatically narrated or magnified. Also DHTML accessibility technology will let software developers build rich Internet applications that, while relying heavily on visual elements and interactivity, will still be accessible to users with disabilities. ...more

New Scotland Yard launches most wanted site

New Scotland Yard has launched a top-ten Web site a la FBI, that lists the UK's most wanted. The Web site contains pictures of those still at large, along with details of their exploits that range from cold-blooded murder, firearm offences and drug trafficking, to child neglect and even someone with a penchant for 16th and 17th century antique maps who may be responsible for some of the 4,500 missing ancient books and charts across Europe. Topping the FBI's top ten most wanted fugitives is Osama Bin Laden, but he fails to make it on the Scotland Yard chart. ...more