Linux competes to keep with graphics developments
by Brian TurnerNovell is trying to keep pace with new graphics developments on Windows and Apple, with the release of its Xgl graphics software.
Novell operates Suse, one of many “flavours” of the open source Linux operating system.
Linux is traditionally seen as less graphics-friendly, and it used to be the case that users would have to perform [...]
1 in 20 files contain spyware
by Brian TurnerA study by the University of Washington has found that spyware is “alive and well on the internet”.
After studying more than 20 million domains, they found 1 in 20 executable files contained spyware of some form, and that 1 in 62 domains attempted to install spyware directly to a surfer’s machine.
The study also identified game [...]
Amazon takes on 1000 author bloggers
by Brian TurnerMediapost reports that Amazon has 1000 authors signed up for its blogging program.
A blog is a form of online journal, and has found favour recently as both a media publishing and viral marketing platform.
While Amazon can boast 1000 writers signed up, many have yet to begin blogging.
Something Mediapost rightly points out, refering to comments by [...]
February 6, 2006
Mobile phones used to tag employees
by Brian TurnerConcerns are being raised over systems increasingly used to track employees and equipment.
The tracking systems can use mobile phones and nothing more than a PC connected to the internet to track their positions.
While the systems require employees to opt-in, and may promise cost-benefits, there seems little coverage of how employees feel about it.
While some business [...]
Yahoo! and AOL introduce email costs
by Brian TurnerYahoo! and AOL have announced that they are introducing charges to prioritise e-mail.
Emails that are paid for will be given preferential treatment – which means they are likely to bypass currently used spam filters.
Costs involved are reported to be around 0.10 – 1.00 pence per e-mail, which may prove an incentive by companies to use [...]
February 5, 2006
Amazon to launch contextual advertising program
by Brian TurnerAccording to internet publisher Chris Beasley, Amazon are contacting partners for beta-testing a new contextual advertising network.
While originally thought it may be links to Amazon products, Chris Beasley was informed by the sales rep that Amazon are actually creating a full contextual advertising network – a clone of AdSense.
Amazon currently serve Google Ads to its [...]
February 4, 2006
The Worm that didn’t turn
by Brian TurnerAfter much publicity, warning of an imminent threat by a dangerous worm, the damage to IT systems failed to materialise.
The so-called Kama Sutra (aka Nymex E, Blackmal E) worm had appeared in mid-January, and was timed to delete files on February 3rd.
Despite an estimated 300,000 PCs believed infected, the day passed by without any [...]
February 3, 2006
Internet destroys teen zine
by Brian TurnerOnce the darling of music-loving teenagers in Britain, magazine Smash Hits is publishing it’s final edition next week.
After a 28-year run, it’s seen its readership plummet from half a million readers, to just over 100,000.
And the internet is to blame, according to the Register.
While it’s easy to be cynical about modern pop culture, what the [...]
Shell reports massive profits
by Brian TurnerRoyal Dutch Shell set a FTSE record last year, by reporting profits of around £10 billion, the largest ever reported by a UK-listed company.
This year it broke it’s own record by 30%, reporting profits of over £13 billion.
The profits come after a year when oil traders panicked at political instability and consumption rates, causing the [...]
Amazon sees profits fall
by Brian TurnerAmazon caused investor scorn when it reported it’s Q4 earnings – and revealed that operating profits had only increased 1% over Christmas.
Q4 Net profits actually fell on last year, from £190 million to £110 million.
Wall Street responded by dropping value of Amazon stock by 10%.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the ecommerce giant was [...]
February 1, 2006
Good manners are good business practice
by Brian TurnerThere’s an ancient saying – Good manners are worth gold.
Applying them to your business isn’t simply good practice – it can also increase revenues through customer retention and acquisition.
Here’s a few tips in how to apply good manners in a customer-centric business model:
1. Communicate
When a customer asks for help, reassure them that you are there [...]
Google profits disappoint, shares fall
by Brian TurnerGoogle shares lost 10% value overnight after reporting lower than expected fourth-quarter profits to Wall Street.
While revenues were up 82% to just over £200 million, operating costs and taxes were also up sharply.
It is the first time the company has disappointed Wall Street since floating on the stock markets.
However, it remains certain that extensive expectation [...]
ICANN and Verisign moving to deal on .com
by Brian TurnerThe Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Verisign have come to a tentative agreement on handling .com domain names – after years of ugly legal wrangling.
ICANN is responsible for regulating the use of domain names, while Verisign is the world’s largest domain registrar, and effectively controls registration of all .com, .net, and [...]