10th August 2007 Archive

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AT&T censors Pearl Jam's anti-Bush sing-along

Analysis Home of the bland

AT&T has apologized for the censorship of lyrics that were critical of US President George W. Bush during a webcast of a performance by rock band Pearl Jam at a recent Lollapalooza festival. During a performance of the song "Daughter" on Sunday in Chicago, the band segued into an improvised version of Pink Floyd's "Another …

Music and Media 10 Aug 2007, 01:17
Vonage works around Verizon patents

But customers stay away

Vonage is still smarting from that legal tete-a-tete with Verizon, but after throwing together a trio of patent workarounds, it's confident that a full recovery is on the way. Today, during an earnings call with inventors and industry analysts, the pioneering voice over IP company said that, thanks to its ongoing patent battle …

VoIP 10 Aug 2007, 03:42
EnterpriseDB chases Oracle and MySQL on Web 2.0

LinuxWorld Once again, with feeling

Having spent three years trying to get purchase on Oracle's mighty database business, EnterpriseDB is embracing Web 2.0 developers with a bundled version of Postgres. EnterpriseDB - whose existing database product is a version of Posgres that's sold under a commercial license and that the company claims is compatible with …

Applications 10 Aug 2007, 03:59
Linux vendors and Microsoft follow the money

LinuxWorld Immovable rock, meet unstoppable force

Novell's recently unpopular chief executive was doing more than reading from a crudely scripted speech when he told LinuxWorld to get with the program and deal with Microsoft and mixed source. Ron Hovsepian's keynote employed words that would have been considered heresy during the scandal-wearing glory days of LinuxWorld in San …

Applications 10 Aug 2007, 04:20
Harry Potter and the Virus of Doom

Spoiler Alert A wizardly rival to BOFH?

A lot of people have been wondering what Harry Potter's future is really like. I have the answer: he's going to be an amateur detective. But nobody will know this, because he'll be working in a tech support call centre for Weasley Computers. The End of Harry Potter is really just the end of Potter the Schoolboy. The nice, …

Security 10 Aug 2007, 08:46
OGCbs drops transformation framework

Halts tender process

OGCbuying.solutions has cancelled its plans for a framework agreement on integrated solutions. The move halts a process that could have involved up to £1bn in business around efforts to implement the Transformational Government strategy. The tender document published in October 2006 said that the framework, under the Catalist …

Government 10 Aug 2007, 08:59
Punch out your own code on a Greenphone

We get keyed up about Trolltech's Qtopia

Trolltech's Qtopia is a commonly used mobile Linux. It's used in a large number of different devices – from Sony's mylo communicator, to Motorola and Panasonic's Linux phones. While you might not have come across it in the Carphone Warehouse, it's a common platform in one of the biggest mobile markets going – China. But how …

Developer 10 Aug 2007, 09:02
Nokia revises chipset strategy

Will outsource chip development

Nokia is to outsource most of its chip development to other manufacturers in order to reduce its R&D spend and concentrate on developing core chipset technologies. The Finnish firm, which is the world's largest mobile maker, said the new licensing and multi-sourcing model would allow it to broaden its pool of chip suppliers, …

PCs & Chips 10 Aug 2007, 09:08
UK gambling ad ban hits overseas operators

Except those in Alderney and the Isle of Man

Online gambling companies based outside the European Economic Area are to be banned from advertising in the UK. The Gambling Act will be used to bar the advertising of over 1,000 websites. The Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) James Purnell has laid the proposal before Parliament today in …

Law 10 Aug 2007, 09:14
NASA: astronauts do not fly drunk

Investigation draws a blank

There is no evidence to support allegations that NASA astronauts have been flying drunk, NASA said this week. The space agency has been reviewing the last 10 years of missions, and says it has turned up nothing to suggest that crews have been hitting the bottle before missions, Reuters reports. This is despite earlier reports …

Space 10 Aug 2007, 09:44
'Wild West' internet needs a sheriff

Peers call for legal liability for security bugs

The government needs to do more to protect ordinary users from cybercrime and safeguard the growth of e-commerce, according to a report from the House of Lords' Science and Technology Committee. Peers argue that a "laissez-faire" attitude to internet security by a range of interested parties including government, ISPs, …

Security 10 Aug 2007, 10:02
New MoD push to silence internal dissent

There's my foot, sergeant! Pass me the gun, quick!

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has brought in sweeping new rules intended to prevent military personnel from releasing information which shows the MoD in a bad light. The new document, designated DIN 2007DIN03-006, was first discussed on the ARmy Rumour SErvice (ARRSE) forum yesterday morning. The Guardian has also covered it …

Government 10 Aug 2007, 10:09
Doctor Who signs up thinking man's crumpet

Beeb butters up viewers with Good stuff

In a flurry of hyper-drive, telephone box powered activity, the Beeb has announced yet more guest stars for the forthcoming, much-awaited fourth series of Doctor Who. Hurrah, we say, as everyone's favourite OBG (Oldie, But Goodie) Felicity Kendall will be appearing in the show as Lady Clemency Eddison. Besides from that, …

Entertainment 10 Aug 2007, 10:13
'Portable' CD player puts MP3 into a spin

Listen carefully

During the transition period between technology formats, such from CDs to MP3s, consumers inevitably go through a period where they want 'all in one' players'. So, one designer has developed a concept MP3-cum-CD player that promises to play MP3 and traditional CDs, but in a way that’s anything but traditional. The DMP looks …

Reg Hardware 10 Aug 2007, 10:29
BOFH: Damsels in distress

Episode 28 Why yes, I can help

So the PFY and I are both on a quick junket to Paris and have managed to score seats in business class thanks to the combination of the Boss' short sightedness and the PFY accidentally stepping on his glasses until the lenses broke. "So what's this junket about then?" I ask the PFY while making the exact amount of eye contact …

BOFH 10 Aug 2007, 11:02
Ex-MI5 agent Shayler claims to be chav messiah

Eccentric ex-spook checks in from fruitcakeville

Well-known former MI5 officer and 9/11 conspiracy theorist David Shayler has taken a further step along the path to fruitcakeville, suggesting to a TV news interviewer that he is the Messiah. Describing an occasion on which he had been anointed by a mystic representing biblical figure Mary Magdalene, the confused ex-spook told …

Government 10 Aug 2007, 12:11
Universal tests DRM-free future

Flogs MP3s without copy protection for trial period only

Universal Music Group, the world's largest music label, has said it will temporarily allow the sale of thousands of its albums and tracks DRM-free. For the next few months, the likes of Amy Winehouse, the Black Eyed Peas, and 50 Cent will see the MP3 format of their music sold without copy protection technology. Universal said …

Music and Media 10 Aug 2007, 12:16
So you wanna program games?

Editors' Blog Get thee to Los Angeles

If computer game development is your thing, save your pennies and get yourself over to the Los Angeles Convention Centre. From 18-21 October, the Game Developers Conference is being held in association with the Entertainment for All (E for All) exhibition. Billed as a game career seminar, the conference will give attendees the …

Developer 10 Aug 2007, 12:17
China to map 'every inch' of the moon

There's Helium-3 in them thar hills

China has announced plans to map "every inch" of the surface of the Moon as part of its ambitious space-exploration programme. The NSA (National Space Administration) also made no bones about China's commercial interest in space, telling reporters that the Moon holds the key to future generation of energy. Ouyang Ziyuan, head …

Space 10 Aug 2007, 12:20
Panasonic showcases future TV line-up

You'll need to live in Japan though

Panasonic has launched seven new Viera 1080p HD TVs. The range includes six plasma TVs ranging from 42 to 65in and a single 37in LCD TV, all with a selection of futuristic features. The plasma line up is broken down into the PZ750 series, which includes 65, 58, 50 and 42in models, and the PZ70 range, which comes in either 50 …

Reg Hardware 10 Aug 2007, 13:04
US Navy seeks hydrogen-powered forklifts

Won't set the world on fire. Maybe the warehouse

US Navy boffins are seeking to kit out American military stores depots with hydrogen-powered forklifts, or - as they prefer - "hydrogen-fueled material handling equipment". Back in January, the Naval Surface Warfare Centre, crane division, issued a request for proposals seeking contractors to provide hydrogen-driven forklifts …

Science 10 Aug 2007, 13:21
Novell tells LinuxWorld to face the future as Rollins rolls in dosh

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Summertime Linux blues Well folks, the August doldrums are well and truly upon us. With the Reg newsroom resembling the Black Hole of Calcutta, but with less atmosphere, we're thankful to LinuxWorld for topping up the news. Novell boss Ron Hovsepian told the fanboys to accept its deal with Microsoft as part of the open source …

Business 10 Aug 2007, 13:59
Orange lands Lampard TV coup

Reality-mobile

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard got his own TV channel yesterday, admittedly only available to Orange customers watching on their mobile phones, but it's one up on a MySpace page. The channel, dubbed "Fat Frank TV" by some, will feature interviews and fly-on-the-wall footage of Frank's professional and personal life. Fans will …

Mobile 10 Aug 2007, 14:03
Fibre Channel gets an 8Gig kicker

But it won't stop people defecting to iSCSI

The first 8Gbit/s Fibre Channel storage networking products are out, and could drive the final nail into the coffin of 10Gbit/s Fibre Channel. However, the new technology seems unlikely to stem the drift to iSCSI over 10Gbit/s Ethernet, although it might perhaps slow it a little. 8Gbit/s has the advantage that it uses the …

Hardware 10 Aug 2007, 14:08
SNIA offers green advice

Storage group uses carbon bandwagon to spread its wings

SNIA, the Storage Networking Industry Association, has set up a task force and technical working group to address "green storage". The groups will develop resources to help IT managers understand and address environmental issues, the organisation said. Jürgen Arnold, SNIA Europe's chairman, said while there's plenty of …

Storage 10 Aug 2007, 14:09
ATI driver flaw exposes Vista kernel

Purple Pill leaves bitter taste

An unpatched flaw in drivers from ATI creates a means to smuggle malware past improved security defences in the latest version of Windows and into the Vista kernel. Microsoft is working with ATI on an update which security watchers warn might be far from straightforward to roll-out. The existence of the security flaw in ATI' …

Operating Systems 10 Aug 2007, 14:43
Watchdog pokes Sky's Amstrad deal

Set-top boxing match

Sky's £125m buyout of Amstrad will face scrutiny from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), regulators have announced. The City watchdog will probe whether the deal will substantially reduce competition in the set-top box market. Amstrad already builds 30 per cent of Sky boxes. The OFT has the power to trigger a full inquiry from …

Financial News 10 Aug 2007, 14:44
Google starts charging for storage

As Microsoft offers on-line folders for free

Google has begun charging users for additional storage once they fill their free allowance, according to a blog post by one of the company's lead software engineers. Price plans start from $20 a year for an extra 6GB and run to $500 a year for 250GB. Google account holders can buy storage here. The engineer, Ryan Aquino, …

Storage 10 Aug 2007, 14:45
Evesham boss changes tune on tax break scheme

2006: 'Not...dependent on HCI'. 2007: 'Blame HCI'

Evesham Technology chairman and founder Richard Austin appears to have performed an impressive U-turn over the reason behind the firm's current financial crisis, which has seen some 150 staff made redundant. Austin has spent the last week blaming the government's withdrawal of the Home Computer Initiative (HCI) scheme for the …

Channel Register 10 Aug 2007, 15:03
Nokia N800 gets WiMAX

Gears up for big Sprint

Nokia's N800 tablet is to get Mobile WiMAX connectivity in order to be used on Sprint's US WiMAX network next year, though it's probably keeping Wi-Fi and Bluetooth just in case. The N800 sits oddly in Nokia's portfolio of mobile phones, and the occasional set-top box. With VoIP it can make and receive phone calls, but calling …

Mobile 10 Aug 2007, 15:07
Securo-prof claims to invent new, much deadlier dirty bomb

Probably best dealt with by a cold shower

Researchers from King's College London have raised the spectre of a new terrorist technique which would "kill an order of magnitude more people than a dirty bomb" and is "likely to incite considerably more fear". Writing in securo-thinktank journal Survival (short digest here - full article requires payment), James Acton, M …

Science 10 Aug 2007, 15:15
Another 1,400 Sony batteries sent for slaughter

Flaming pyres, panic in the shires..

Batteries continue to be a hot topic for Sony, but not in a good way. Toshiba American Information Systems has announced the recall of some 1,400 Sony batteries used in its Satellite and Tecra notebook range. The warning states that the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can, as usual, overheat and pose a fire hazard to …

Reg Hardware 10 Aug 2007, 15:25
HTC rumours hot up

New handsets afoot?

HTC doesn't seem to be running short of ideas for smart phone concepts. It's rumoured the manufacturer has developed a new touchscreen handset and that it could also be working on a separate slider smartphone. Internet reports have it that the HTC P6550 Sedna will have a 3.5in QVGA touchscreen and come equipped with a 3- …

Reg Hardware 10 Aug 2007, 15:29
Earth will feel the heat from 2009: climate boffins

Predicting brisk trade for bikini makers

Chuck out your thermals: global warming is coming, and it isn't waiting for 2100. A new climate model predicts that by the end of this decade, there is an even chance that global temperatures will be hotter than 1998, the warmest year on record. The model, developed by scientists at the Met Office in the UK, suggests that the …

Science 10 Aug 2007, 15:31
Competition: Correct history with Google's News Comments

Summer Fun Write retrospective PR - win a T-shirt

There's something about Google and news. Nothing brings out the autistic side of Google's corporate personality more than answering criticism about its handling of news material. Defending the service we see all the company's less attractive characteristics magnified: its utopian faith in the power of its algorithms, its cloth- …

Site News 10 Aug 2007, 15:44
Outlook grim as Cloudmark update crashes email clients

Stormy weather

A dodgy spam definition update from Cloudmark has crashed users' email clients. Users of the anti-spam service were left unable to run either Outlook or Outlook Express without their email clients crashing. Cloudmark blamed the problem on a corrupted file that formed part of the update, issued on Thursday. The firm has now …

Spam 10 Aug 2007, 16:03
Web designer-turned-hacker avoids jail

Tales of mystery and intrigue from the world of motorcycling

The boss of a British website design firm has received a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to hacking into a competitor's website. Mark Hopkins, 31, of Bromsgrove in the West Midlands pleaded guilty in July to unauthorised access to computer systems, offences contrary to Section One of the Computer Misuse Act. He …

Enterprise Security 10 Aug 2007, 17:49
Taking the trade out of tradeshows - start-ups set for failure

LinuxWorld The perils of the NDA booth

It's becoming easier and easier to spot start-ups likely to fail. Take, for example, FastScale. This company's marketing team has done what you might think impossible by missing the point of a tradeshow. Officials at FastScale's LinuxWorld booth refused to give me a demo on their software, arguing that they don't really do that …

Servers 10 Aug 2007, 18:12
eBay seller nabs $1500 for Jesus-like garage stain

American icon

An American family just sold the stain on the floor of their garage for more than $1500. This may or may not be a sign from God. According to the The Associated Press, the stain looks like Jesus Christ. To us, it looks like a stain. Smudge on a driveway in Virginia After noticing some driveway sealant on the floor of their …

Bootnotes 10 Aug 2007, 20:04
Dissecting penguins for fun and profit

Meat Cast LinuxWorld - From Dell to beer and BarCamp

Semi-Coherent Computing goes penguintastic this week as I hit the LinuxWorld tradeshow in search of data center justice. Rather than the usual long-form type show with one guest, I've interviewed five people at the conference for your listening pleasure. I tried to cover a wide range of topics with the guests, including the …

Semi-Coherent 10 Aug 2007, 20:42
Pirate Party invades Utah

Down with the RIAA!

The Pirates have touched down in the American desert, determined to protect the freedoms of internet users everywhere. Yesterday, the Pirate Party of the United States announced its intention to register as a political body in Utah, its first move into American state politics. The fledgling Utah operation is now accepting " …

Government 10 Aug 2007, 22:47