Five on the critical list in Microsoft's security update

As Microsoft warned in its advance notification, this month's bundle of security bulletins contains seven patches, five of which are critical. Two of the critical flaws relate to Windows and involve the possibility of remote code execution. The first, MS06-035, addresses two problems: a Mailslot Heap Overflow vulnerability and a SMB Information Disclosure vulnerability. ...more

Ofcom publishes proposals for radio spectrum auction

Ofcom has published proposals for the release of radio spectrum, which the telecoms regulator says could be used for a range of new broadband, wireless communications and broadcast services by both businesses and consumers. It intends to auction licences for frequencies at 10GHz, 28GHz and 32GHz on a technology and application-neutral basis in the latter half of 2007. Potential uses of these bands that have been identified include: broadcasting use for video links and wireless cameras, particularly in the 10GHz band, which could be developed in time for use during the London 2012 Olympic Games; high-capacity, high-speed data connections for mobile and fixed broadband networks for the 10, 28 or 32GHz bands; and broadband access networks for the 10 and 28GHz bands. ...more

Stephen King loses the plot

Horror master Stephen King has been publishing his latest work, The Plant, exclusively on the Internet, but his story has run out of steam and Mr King has decided to put the novel on the backburner. The story has been published in monthly instalments from Stephen King's Web site and costs $1 each for the first three chapters with all subsequent editions selling for $2 - the overall novel was planned to cost $13 (about the same as a regular book in the US). However, The Plant is, in Mr King's own words, "going back into hibernation" while he concentrates on other projects. ...more

British students 'not equipped for knowledge economy'

British students are still failing to meet the demands of the emerging knowledge economy it was claimed today. Despite yesterday's announcement of record pass rates in GCSE examinations, the high tech industry pressure group Intellect says that the country will struggle to compete in the information society of the 21st Century. 'The UK hi-tech industry welcomes the news that the overall G. ...more

Do a degree and get a PDA for free

Students today, eh? Now they have their own Palm handhelds given to them when they start college. At least they will do at the University of South Dakota.. ...more