Chinese law bans OS-free PC sales

In a bid to reduce software counterfeiting, the Chinese government has told computer manufacturers that they are no longer allowed to ship PCs without having first installed an operating system. The order was made at the end of last month ahead of a visit by the country's president, Hu Jintao, to the USA. However China insisted that the move was not prompted by pressure from US software companies, who have called for the Bush administration to take action to reduce the level of counterfeiting. ...more

YouTube eyes advertising revenues

YouTube has begun to reveal how it hopes to cash in on its phenomenal success by announcing two new advertising concepts: Participatory Video Ads (PVA) and Brand Channels. A PVA is a user-initiated video advertisement with all of the YouTube community features enabled. Consumers can rate, share, comment and embed advertising content that they find 'interesting, informative and entertaining'. ...more

Microsoft turns to new Windows identity management system

Microsoft is working on a new personal information and identity management system for Windows, it has emerged. The company is hoping that the new technology called 'info-cards' will give users greater control over their personal data whilst making it a secure way to shop on the Web and use online services 'It's going to put control of digital IDs into the hands of an end-user,' Michael Stephenson, a director of Microsoft's Windows Server division, told Reuters.'The end-user will be in full control. ...more

A new program to trap Cyber skivers

A new program has been launched that is designed to improve Internet security and clamp down on time-wasting employees who surf the Net for personal use. The software, developed by Glasgow-based Actis Technology, monitors employees' patterns of Internet usage to ensure that confidential material is not abused and highlights Web activity that is not related to business or which breaks company policy on Web use. Companies have become increasingly worried about "cyber skivers" and a recent report noted that up to a third of Web activity at work is for personal use. ...more

UK games chart: Need for Speed is still the most wanted

The rise of The Sims 2 and Pro Evolution Soccer 5 can not dislodge the long-time reigning champ from the top of the ELSPA UK games chart. EA's street racing game Need For Speed: Most Wanted still holds the number one position. King Kong: Official Game of The Movie slips from two down to four, with The Sims and Pro Evolution Soccer doing their best to take advantage, but this weeks chart is still static, in the wake of the Christmas spending bonanza. ...more