Don't mistake VSA for VBA

Microsoft is keen to clarify that it's upcoming VSA framework is not a replacement for Visual Basic technology. And it won't be avialble on MSDN, either. This was a point Ari Bixhorn, Microsoft Product Manager Visual Studio. ...more

Researchers create 500GHz from silicon mix

IBM and the Georgia Institute of Technology have demonstrated the first silicon-based computer chip capable of operating at frequencies above 500GHz. And that is just a start. Computer simulations suggest that the silicon-germanium (SiGe) technology used in the chip could ultimately support even higher operational frequencies close to 1,000GHz. ...more

EC tells Microsoft to change name of new media-less Windows

The European Commission is less than pleased with Microsoft's new moniker for a Media Player-less version of Windows. Redmond has been requested by the Commission to return to the drawing board to come up with something less pejorative than the proposed 'Windows XP Reduced Media Edition'. 'We believe the name was fully compliant,' maintained a Microsoft spokesperson. ...more

Samsung IBM, Chartered join on 32nm chip development

Samsung, IBM and Singapore's Chartered Semiconductor are joining forces to develop and manufacture chips using an 32 nanometre processing technology, the companies have announced. The alliance partners, also including Germany's Infineon Technologies and privately owned US Freescale Semiconductor, said in a statement they signed development agreements that include 32-nanometre process technologies. Jointly developing technologies and synchronising manufacturing processes are growing trends in the industry - they help chip makers cut costs and serve high-volume clients. ...more

Xandros Linux takes Microsoft's patent protection

Xandros has followed in the footsteps of Novell and signed a deal with Microsoft over intellectual property rights. The deal follows Microsoft's recent claims that free and open-source software infringes 235 of its patents, which were largely dismissed by the open-source community. The move represents something of a risk for Xandros, given the criticism that Novell faced for jumping into bed with Microsoft. ...more