Microsoft files 26 software piracy suits

Microsoft has filed some 26 suits across seven US states against alleged software pirates. As part of its Genuine Software Initiative, Microsoft has pursued a number of fronts to counter the counterfeiters. When it comes to lawsuits, the aim is to ensure a level playing field for its reseller channel who have to compete against cheap knock-offs. ...more

Clinton relaxed on US technology exports

In the twilight days of his Presidency, Bill Clinton has relaxed some of the controls surrounding the export of computers from the United States. The changes are two-fold: an expansion of the list of countries "trusted" for exports and a raising of the threshold for processing speeds for "not-so-trusted" countries. The list of countries to which exports can be made without prior government review has been expanded. ...more

Huge new communications satellite launches

A powerful new communications satellite has been successfully launched from a converted oil platform in the Pacific Ocean. The satellite, known as Inmarsat-4 F2 has been launched to upgrade broadband and 3G communications across the Americas, the western Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific. Inmarsat-4 F2 is the second launch in the series. ...more

Microsoft warns of Windows 2000 hole

An unchecked buffer in Windows 2000 leaves servers open to exploit. Microsoft has warned of an unchecked buffer in Windows 2000 servers running IIS (Internet Information Server). An attacker could expoit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted WebDAV request that would call the component containing the unchecked buffer. ...more

First look: HP's new shake-free business printers

HP has given PC Pro a hands-on demonstration of its new business inkjet range, including an innovation that promises to eliminate annoying printer vibration. The Officejet Pro K5400 colour printer forms the heart of the new line, coming in three flavours to suit home and small businesses. It prints at an impressive 36ppm mono and 35ppm colour in draft mode - hence HP's claims that it is faster than lasers - although for true laser quality output that drops to 12ppm and 10ppm respectively. ...more