News

Data centre hardware

July 12, 2006 12 Jul'06
Intel to ship Core 2 Duo chips for PCs this month

Intel has confirmed it will start shipping its new Core 2 Duo processors for PCs this summer.
July 12, 2006 12 Jul'06
VMware ships free virtualisation platform

VMware has announced the general availability of its free VMware Server virtualisation platform after a five month beta programme.
July 12, 2006 12 Jul'06
Sun aims new x86 servers at virtualisation projects

Sun Microsystems has launched three new x86 servers, powered by AMD Opteron processors.
July 11, 2006 11 Jul'06
Computer Misuse Act update: Get the balance right

The computer crimes we most often hear about involve fraud, extortion and child abuse but the problematic offences of hacking and viruses, set out in the 1990 Computer Misuse Act, are on the increase.

July 10, 2006 10 Jul'06
'Standards, not infrastructure' are way forward for Lloyd's of London

Lloyd's of London has no plans to reverse its recent arm's-length approach to market technology, five months after walking away from an ill-fated £70m investment in electronic trading, the insurance market's IT chief has told Computer Weekly.
July 10, 2006 10 Jul'06
The big question: Are firms taking business continuity sufficiently seriously?

The Big Question is an initiative between Computer Weekly and recruitment consultancy PSD. Each week we put the Big Question to top IT professionals to get their take on a current talking point.
July 10, 2006 10 Jul'06
Verari drives Woodcrest endorsement

Verari Systems, a developer of platform-independent blade computing systems, is to introduce server platforms based on the new dual-core Intel Xeon processor 5100, known to many as Woodcrest.
July 06, 2006 06 Jul'06
UK researchers unveil cheaper chip manufacture method

UK researchers say they have found a cheaper and more energy-efficient way to make computer chips.
July 05, 2006 05 Jul'06
Councils compete for IT excellence award

Local authorities are being asked to enter their most successful IT projects to the Society of IT Management’s annual Local Government IT Excellence Awards.
July 04, 2006 04 Jul'06
China adopts RFID mail processing system

China Post is using RFID (radio frequency identification) systems from Symbol to track express mail bags in the Shanghai commercial area.

July 04, 2006 04 Jul'06
National Grid for Learning scrapped

The National Grid for Learning (NGfL) has been scrapped.
July 03, 2006 03 Jul'06
Guide to boost mobile web

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is working with wireless and internet companies on web design guidelines to make it easier for mobile phones to access web pages.
July 03, 2006 03 Jul'06
Dell probes laptop blast

Dell is investigating why one of its laptops exploded at a conference in Japan. Pictures showing flames bursting from the laptop were posted on the web.
July 03, 2006 03 Jul'06
Dancing electrons may make computers race

A research project has begun which could lead to the development of computers that run 500 times faster than machines today.
July 03, 2006 03 Jul'06
Technology and Tech Data news in brief

Short takes from this week's technology and tech data news
July 03, 2006 03 Jul'06
Fujitsu servers simplify datacentre management

Fujitsu Computer Systems has launched a range of severs that include management control techniques to simplify server management in complex and virtualised environments.
June 29, 2006 29 Jun'06
Blue Gene still the supercomputer to beat

IBM's Blue Gene platform still heads the Top 500 list of supercomputers.
June 28, 2006 28 Jun'06
W3C issues mobile device design guidelines for websites

The Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) has published best practice guidelines for designing websites to be viewed on mobile devices.
June 27, 2006 27 Jun'06
'Emotionally aware' computer to be unveiled

Cambridge University scientists are to demonstrate an “emotionally aware” computer, with software designed to read human thoughts by analysing facial expressions.
June 27, 2006 27 Jun'06
Downtimes: NHS network shows red card to World Cup games

More footie-related goings-on... Patients at hospitals where National Programme for IT systems have been implemented can be reassured that the UK-wide health network is not being used to allow doctors to watch football.
June 27, 2006 27 Jun'06
Will Microsoft lose its position as the world's dominant IT company after Bill Gates steps down?

The Big Question is an initiative between Computer Weekly and recruitment consultancy PSD. Each week we put the Big Question to top IT professionals to get their take on a current talking point.
June 26, 2006 26 Jun'06
Your shout: chip and Pin, card fraud, Xbox

Have your say at Computerweekly.com
June 26, 2006 26 Jun'06
SUSE Linux course on a stick

Novell has unveiled a SUSE Linux Enterprise training course contained on a portable USB drive, which it says is an industry first.
June 26, 2006 26 Jun'06
Dell investigates exploding laptop

Dell has confirmed it is investigating how one of its laptop computers exploded into flames at a conference in Japan.
June 26, 2006 26 Jun'06
Intel poised to ship Xeon server chips

Intel is to start shipping its new Xeon dual-core server processors this week.
June 23, 2006 23 Jun'06
Intel opens new 65nm chip plant in Ireland

Intel has opened a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing facility in Leixlip, Ireland, as it gears up to serve its new faster Core processor line of chips.
June 23, 2006 23 Jun'06
The right tools for the desktop

Desktop computing is all about making sure end users have the right tools for their job.
June 21, 2006 21 Jun'06
IBM ups the ante in blade server offerings

IBM, who claims to have been the leader for 11 consecutive quarters of the rapidly growing blade market according to IDC statistics, has launched what is says is the industry’s first 10-Gigabit (10G) Ethernet blade switch, from Blade Network ...
June 21, 2006 21 Jun'06
Your shout: IT governance, utilities, staff, maps

Readers' views on the week's news
June 20, 2006 20 Jun'06
HP offers 40% datacentre power saving

Hewlett-Packard has developed server rack technology that it claims can reduce datacentre electricity costs by 40%.
June 20, 2006 20 Jun'06
Report fuels calls for new NHS IT review

Audit Office praises progress but warns of delivery challenges.
June 20, 2006 20 Jun'06
Oracle issues list of ‘safe’ Linux set-ups

Oracle has issued a list of Linux configurations it has tested with its 10g database to help users deploy pre-tested open source configurations.
June 19, 2006 19 Jun'06
Downtime: Would you like fries with your hard drive?

If you were the manager of a branch of a global fast-food chain, where would you choose to put the hard drive for your brand-new digital IP CCTV system?
June 19, 2006 19 Jun'06
BAE looks to improve plane design using high-performance computing

BAE Systems is to develop a proof-of-concept design system for planes using a Microsoft-based grid computer system run by the University of Southampton.
June 19, 2006 19 Jun'06
Banks trial evolutionary computing approach to ‘breed out’ inefficiency

Four investment banks are piloting a system based on “evolutionary computing” to increase returns on structured derivatives products.
June 15, 2006 15 Jun'06
EC calls for cap on mobile roaming charges

The European Commission has tabled its latest proposal to help cut mobile phone roaming charges.
June 15, 2006 15 Jun'06
O2 and RIM target SMBs with new BlackBerry

O2 and Research In Motion (RIM) have unveiled the new BlackBerry 7130g in the UK, a communications device aimed squarely at the SMB sector.
June 13, 2006 13 Jun'06
BCS and ISM link membership

The British Computer Society and the Institute of IT Service Management have made a deal that will allow members of one organisation to join the other.
June 13, 2006 13 Jun'06
Investigating why people misuse computers and how to stop them

Why individuals commit computer misuse and the way in which they relate to the virtual world is to be raised by Stefan Fafinski, a Fellow of the British Computer Society, when he gives the Joseph Lister Lecture at the British Association for the ...
June 13, 2006 13 Jun'06
Royal Opera House sets the scene with virtual reality system

The Royal Opera House in London has installed a virtual reality system to enable the production team to design sets and lighting more quickly. The system, installed by Nvidia, lets designers do in hours what previously took a stage crew weeks.
June 13, 2006 13 Jun'06
Going, going, gone: OGC auctions IT hardware

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) said 12 public sector organisations have used an electronic auction to achieve a total of 41% savings on IT hardware.
June 12, 2006 12 Jun'06
Microsoft releases first high performance computing server

Microsoft has announced the release of Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, its first high-performance computing technology offering.
June 09, 2006 09 Jun'06
Google tool enhances Firefox browser

Google has developed a tool that allows Firefox browser users to synchronise the settings of their browsers across multiple computers.
June 08, 2006 08 Jun'06
OGC helps public sector get 41% discount on IT hardware

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) says 12 public sector organisations have used an electronic auction to achieve 41% savings on IT hardware.
June 07, 2006 07 Jun'06
Lexmark targets SMBs with new colour laser printer

Lexmark International has introduced the Lexmark C500n colour laser printer especially for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
June 06, 2006 06 Jun'06
AMD prepares for four-core processors

Chip manufacturer AMD has announced plans for an new platform with a four-core, multi-socket processor.
June 06, 2006 06 Jun'06
Hybrid hard drive boosts notebook PC performance

A hybrid hard drive demonstrated by Samsung at Microsoft’s WinHec hardware developers conference last week could herald more efficient notebook computers.
June 06, 2006 06 Jun'06
SMEs struggling on way to mobility

Establishing a mobile strategy is tough for SMEs taking on the intricacies of 3G and Wi-Fi, with replacement technology such as HSDPA also vying for attention
June 06, 2006 06 Jun'06
Test Internet Protocol v6 now, analysts urge firms

Companies are being urged to pilot Internet Protocol version 6 as the next-generation networking standard is increasingly included in desktop operating systems.
June 05, 2006 05 Jun'06
PC sales remain buoyant

A strong growth in laptop sales, encouraged by falling prices, is keeping UK PC sales buoyant, new figures from industry analyst IDC show.
June 05, 2006 05 Jun'06
Toshiba beefs up hard drive density

Toshiba has announced a 2.5-inch hard disc drive with 200Gbytes capacity aimed at the laptop and mobile device market.
June 05, 2006 05 Jun'06
Membership milestone for Itanium Solutions Alliance

More than 60 companies from around the world have now joined the Itanium Solutions Alliance (ISA) to advance the adoption and ongoing development of Itanium2-based solutions.
June 02, 2006 02 Jun'06
AMD details advanced chip designs

AMD has released details of its next microprocessor architecture to improve performance.
June 01, 2006 01 Jun'06
Moving closer to pervasive wireless

As mobile and wireless technology adoption continues apace, the technology itself will develop steadily over the next five years, rather than leaping ahead, analysts have predicted.
May 31, 2006 31 May'06
Tax credit system delivers £1.8bn overpayment

The number of families receiving overpayment of tax credits from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs rose during 2004/2005.
May 31, 2006 31 May'06
Government ‘gifted but misguided’

A fundamental weakness of the UK government’s transformational government strategy is the lack of will among top civil servants to give up control of their autonomous departments, according to a leading academic.
May 30, 2006 30 May'06
Iranian computer game may get release

An Iranian computer game where players try to rescue one of the country’s top nuclear scientists from the grip of US forces in Iraq could soon be appearing on PCs.
May 26, 2006 26 May'06
AMD scores on servers

Following its announcement of a new roadmap for desktop processors, AMD is celebrating the fact that its processors have been selected by Dell to drive the latter‘s forthcoming range of servers.
May 26, 2006 26 May'06
Stanford spin-off unveils virtualisation vision

A spin-off from Stanford University's Computer Science Department, moka5, has entered the desktop virtualisation business.
May 25, 2006 25 May'06
Registration starts for .mobi domain names

The sale of .mobi web domains has started to allow companies to build web pages that easily work on mobile devices, including phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
May 24, 2006 24 May'06
HP and IBM to ship new Xeon-based servers

HP and IBM are launching servers based on Intel's latest dual-core Xeon processors.
May 23, 2006 23 May'06
Downtime: digging deep as Revenue gets down to brass tax

Downtime’s story about one of the team’s £1.60 tax bill – for which HM Revenue & Customs demanded immediate payment, let’s not forget – has sparked a flurry of e-mails from readers pointing out that for the taxman this represents big money.
May 23, 2006 23 May'06
Annual charity ball aims to beat last year's total

A Night in Atlantis is the theme of this year’s Intellect ICT Charity Ball, which takes place on 27 June in the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London.
May 23, 2006 23 May'06
Sleep out to help homeless children

The annual Byte Night charity sleep-out will take place on 22 September at London’s Victoria Tower Gardens on the Embankment next to the House of Lords.
May 23, 2006 23 May'06
The big question: Do you think the web will be the primary channel for business within five years?

The Big Question is an initiative between Computer Weekly and recruitment consultancy PSD. Each week we put the Big Question to top IT professionals to get their take on a current talking point.
May 23, 2006 23 May'06
Your shout: convergence costs, shared services, IT value

Computer Weekly readers' give their views on the week's news
May 22, 2006 22 May'06
Samsung pioneers lighter fuel phones

Samsung has joined with specialist firm MTI MicroFuel Cells to develop mobile phones and devices powered by fuel cell technology – an alternative to traditional rechargeable batteries.
May 22, 2006 22 May'06
Microsoft offers pay-as-you-go PCs

Microsoft has launched a “pay-as-you-go” PC aimed at consumers in emerging markets, who will be able to buy computer time through pre-payment cards or a monthly subscription.
May 19, 2006 19 May'06
IT turns professional with skills initiative launch

An IT skills initiative hellbent on improving the professional mettle of the industry and putting a business shine on IT skills has been launched
May 19, 2006 19 May'06
Microsoft spells out Vista requirements

As expected, Microsoft has this week spelt out what system requirements are needed to take full advantage of the new features in its forthcoming Vista operating system.
May 19, 2006 19 May'06
Dell to ship enterprise servers with AMD chips

Dell has announced that it will use Opteron processors from AMD in its high-end servers by the end of the year.
May 18, 2006 18 May'06
IBM's Domino to fully integrate with Blackberry system

IBM and RIM are tightening integration between Big Blue’s Lotus Domino e-mail server and RIM’s Blackberry mobile push-e-mail system.
May 18, 2006 18 May'06
Microsoft to reveal Vista system requirements

Microsoft is today expected to spell out what system requirements are needed to take full advantage of the new features in its forthcoming Vista operating system.
May 17, 2006 17 May'06
AMD launches dual core laptop chip

AMD is to supply dual-core chips for laptop PCs with the appearance of its Turion 64 X2 processors.
May 17, 2006 17 May'06
BT names Wi-Fi cities

BT named the first six of 12 cities where it will roll out metropolitan-wide wireless networks.
May 16, 2006 16 May'06
AMD launches energy efficient chips

Chip manufacturer AMD has launched a range of energy efficient processors to allow manufacturers to produce smaller desktop machines that consume less power.
May 16, 2006 16 May'06
IT staff are top of the league for stress

People who work in IT have the highest level of stress, suffering more than those in medicine, engineering and education, a survey has found.
May 16, 2006 16 May'06
Need for NHS IT audit raised in parliament

A campaign by 23 experts in computer-related science for an independent audit of the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) is gathering strength after it was raised in the House of Commons.
May 11, 2006 11 May'06
Top companies wasting £61m a year on PC power

The UK's top 200 listed companies are wasting more than £61m in electricity a year by not maximising the energy efficiency of their desktop computers.
May 10, 2006 10 May'06
New HP laptops major on design

HP has launched a range of new laptops with the emphasis on style rather than configuration to drum up extra sales.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
Silicon Graphics goes belly up, files for Chapter 11

Silicon Graphics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after continuing to lose money.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
Price cuts produce Dell profits warning

Dell has issued a profits warning as it prepares to post its results for the first three months of the year.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
APC gets ready for shift to blades

American Power Conversion (APC), a global provider of end-to-end infrastructure availability systems, has launched a programme to help enterprises plan and implement high density applications such as blade servers.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
Business critical network monitoring simplified

Mutiny has announced the release of Mutiny 3.5, the latest version of its critical services monitor.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
SMBs in Blackberry focus

Research In Motion (RIM) has launched a version of the Blackberry Enterprise Server Express aimed directly at small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), branch offices and companies new to Blackberry.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
MPs back call for technical review of NHS programme

MPs of the main political parties have expressed concerns over the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) and have joined leading computer scientists in calling for an independent review of the scheme.
May 09, 2006 09 May'06
Doubts raised over Vista PC security tool

Questions have been raised about the viability of a new PC hardware component aimed at boosting the security of Windows Vista.
May 08, 2006 08 May'06
News in brief

Short takes on this week's news
May 08, 2006 08 May'06
Wells Fargo loses customer data

US bank Wells Fargo has said a computer containing confidential data about mortgage customers has gone missing and may have been stolen, triggering the latest identity theft scare in corporate America.
May 08, 2006 08 May'06
Beatles lose latest Apple trademark dispute

The Beatles have lost their court battle against Apple Computer over its iTunes music download service.
May 08, 2006 08 May'06
ForeScout joins TCG

Network access control and intrusion prevention solutions provider joins Trusted Computing Group (TCG).
May 03, 2006 03 May'06
Tories to investigate government IT fiascos

The Conservative Party is setting up a working group to examine how the Labour government has deployed and managed major IT projects.
May 02, 2006 02 May'06
New Origami device unfolds

Samsung launched its Windows-based Origami mini-tablet device in the US yesterday.
May 02, 2006 02 May'06
Mac OS as vulnerable to hackers as Windows

A big increase in the number of flaws being discovered in the Mac OS X suggests that the operating system may be as prone to malicious attacks as Windows-based systems, says the SANS Institute.
May 02, 2006 02 May'06
Debate praises UK E-Science Programme as grid computing speeds up research

The UK’s E-Science Programme has been hailed a success by leading researchers at a BCS Thought Leadership Debate. But they warned that momentum must be maintained to reap the long-term benefits.
May 02, 2006 02 May'06
Meltdown warning over HP battery packs

Hewlett-Packard is to recall more than 15,000 laptop batteries worldwide because a fault makes them a fire hazard.
April 28, 2006 28 Apr'06
Police National Computer no help in tracing missing ex-cons

Police cannot trace more than 20 of the 80 most dangerous foreign prisoners freed in the UK without facing deportation because their details are not on the Police National Computer.
April 27, 2006 27 Apr'06
Smart mobile devices slip back in Europe

Shipments of smart mobile devices fell by 10% in western Europe in the first quarter of this year.
April 25, 2006 25 Apr'06
Your shout: NHS IT, NPfIT, patient services

Have your say at computerweekly.com
April 25, 2006 25 Apr'06
Operations delayed after care records roll-out

The chief executive of the first NHS trust in Southern England to go live with a key part of the health service's £6.2bn IT-based modernisation has warned that problems with the deployment have created a backlog of work that means patient care may ...