AOL/Time Warner in talks to buy Linux distributor

If the Red Hat fits, the world's largest media company may wear it. Media giant AOL/Time Warner is reportedly in negotiations to acquire the Linux distributor Red Hat, according to sources quoted in the Washington Post. Sources told the paper that the media giant may use the operating system to make inroads within Microsoft's desktop OS market, possibly with AOL software opening a Linux environment within Windows itself. ...more

Comment: Apple switch to Intel a smart decision

Apple Computer's decision to switch its PC and server product lines from IBM's PowerPC to Intel's x86 microprocessor family is a smart decision that will allow the company to improve the competitiveness of its mobile computing products, iSuppli believes. The company said it will begin introducing Intel x86-based Macintosh PCs and servers in 2006, and will migrate its entire line to Intel microprocessors by 2007. Apple did not divulge whether it will continue to design its own PC core-logic chipsets or if it will employ Intel chipsets along with Intel processors. ...more

UK Patent Office undergoes self-examination

The UK Patent Office is inviting inventors and others to comment on the workings of the current British patent system. The Patent Office says it is looking to find the 'Goldilocks' solution to the 'inventive step' - to identify the original idea that will underpin the granting of any new patent. An inventive step should not be too high a hurdle so that truly original inventions are unable to get the protection of a patent. ...more

For sale notice goes up at p2pnet

The Web's predominant anti-DRM and pro-p2p file sharing voice has been put up for sale, after running out of money. p2pnet, which has been run by Canadian Jon Newton since 2002, has seen the site's income fall by 80 per cent since the music industry - or Big 4 Organized Music as Newton prefers to refer to the major record companies and their RIAA mouthpiece - began taking legal action against p2p software developers, his main source of advertising revenues. Having started p2pnet in his spare time, Newton soon gave up work as a journalist to run the site full-time. ...more

Workers cost companies ?300 million on gambling

New survey finds that internet gambling at work costs firms in the UK more than ?300m each year in lost productivity. Over ?300 million is being lost in productivity as employees indulge in an online flutter at work. According to new figures released by business and technology consultancy Morse, online gambling is costing businesses ?306,236,140 each year. ...more