Firefox and Thunderbird get new betas

Mozilla has released new beta versions of its Firefox Web browser and Thunderbird email client. Firefox 1.5 Beta 2 is aimed at testers, extension and theme authors and Web developers and includes improvements to the automated update system, website rendering and performance, plus several security fixes. ...more

SubSeven Trojan hits Mac

One of the most popular and potentially damaging computer viruses has been converted to infect the Mac. Previously only the client part of the SubSeven Trojan had been available, allowing Mac users to gain control of infected PCs running the SubSeven server. However, a self-acknowledged underground programmer known as Agent OJ now claims to have ported the server to run on the Mac, and needs only 2 months before releasing the full version onto the Internet. ...more

Is it the end for LCDs?

LG Electronics has announced the development of a new display screen that could mean the end of traditional liquid crystal displays. The new 1.8 inch colour organic electro luminescence (EL) display is to be used in new LG mobile phones. ...more

2004 proved year of the blog

Internet users reading blogs, or online diaries, have rocketed 58 per cent in the last year in the US to 32 million, according to a recent survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. That figure represents more than a quarter of the online community. The surging interest in blogs stems not only from its high profile media coverage over the past year, but it was also galvanised by events that polarised political opinion, such as the US election campaign and the Iraq war - suggesting blogs are only as interesting as the events they comment on rather than those that write them. ...more

Music industry accused of file-sharing practices

A lawyer has alleged that executives in the music industry have condoned radio DJs using file-sharing networks to acquire the latest hits, rather than send them CDs. Ray Beckerman, with Vandenberg & Feliu LLP, represents a number of defendants on the wrong end of lawsuits from the RIAA. He told us that: 'Based on my information [music industry executives] condoned the use of peer-to-peer file sharing as a device to avoid having to use demo CDs, and perhaps for other purposes as well. ...more