For the record 28 September

28-09-2007

by Emmet Ryan

Microsoft to extend sales of XP | Mario and Sonic join forces

Microsoft has yielded to the will of customers and announced that it will continue to sell Windows XP to large computer makers and retailers through the end of June 2008, five months later than the deadline it set when Vista shipped to the public earlier this year. Smaller computer sellers will still be able to preinstall Windows XP on machines until 31 January 2009.

Irish online travel provider Web Reservations International opened a new office in New York on Friday. The latest move will increase the company's international presence, with offices already in Dublin, Sydney, San Mateo and Shanghai. The opening ceremony was held in the Irish Consulate in New York and was attended by Micheal Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

IT security interest group the Business Software Alliance (BSA) said it prevented over 36,000 illegal software products, offered on online auction sites, from being sold in the first six months of 2007. The association's latest data on internet piracy also revealed that the retail value of the software being offered illegally via online auctions and identified during this period came to over USD8,000,000.

The hype over the launch of Halo 3 has barely begun to subside and yet gamers are already licking their lips over news that another game featuring iconic characters, 'Sonic & Mario at the Olympic Games', has been confirmed for release on 23 November. The title, which will be published for Wii and DS, is being released ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing next year and Sega expects the game to sell at least 4 million copies worldwide. Gamers will be able to use the two characters, better known for their exploits in another era of gaming, in events such as fencing, sprinting and rowing. Sadly for Sonic fans the gymnastics section of the game doesn't include the rings as one of the disciplines.

Finally, social network LinkedIn is finally getting with the programme and allowing its 14 million members to add a photo to their profiles. The company said it is making the move to help its members recall past colleagues and contacts as faces are often more easy to remember than names. The business-oriented social network has previously avoided using photos in an effort to preserve the professional tone of its offering.