EC aims for greater Internet control

The European Commission is hoping to take a more hands-on role in shaping the future of the Internet at a United Nations summit next week. The UN is proposing a new, multinational method of supervising the allocation and management of the domain name system (DNS) - .com, . ...more

Microsoft aims to cut cost of business intelligence software

Microsoft looked at possible acquisitions to gain a foothold in the market for so-called business intelligence software, but decided to build its own business and compete on price against industry leaders, the company's business division president said on Wednesday. Instead of an acquisition, Microsoft is banking on the popularity of its SQL Server database management software and its Office suite of applications to win over customers looking for software to help companies track business performance. 'I've never been opposed to the idea of looking at players in the industry. ...more

Lakeside comes to the Web

Shoppers who can't get to big, out-of-town malls could soon recreate the experience on the Net. Capital Shopping Centres and two other Internet companies are working to build online malls using the brand of big shopping centres such as Bluewater and Lakeside, says the Financial Times. The sites will be virtual recreations of the real thing with the retailers being charged rent to appear. ...more

Macromedia announces Flash contest

Macromedia has announced the Design a Site competition for Flash developers as part of its ongoing campaign to improve Flash-powered Web site accessibility. The competition involves designing a Web site for Snug Wear, a fictitious clothing company, that conforms with Macromedia's usability tips, like keeping user goals in mind and avoiding unnecessary intros. The site should be "attractive, creative and fun, showing Snug Wear's clothing to be cool and stylish", and should show how Flash can be used to improve the "user experience". ...more

Nokia, Oracle and IBM line up against Microsoft

A coalition of IT giants has renewed support for EU's antitrust battle with Microsoft, reports Reuters. The European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS) has asked the EU court in which Microsoft's appeal is being heard that it be allowed to support the European Commission's (EC) case. ECIS is backed by Nokia, Oracle and IBM, as well as Red Hat and RealNetworks. ...more