NEWS IN BRIEF
For the record 24 May
24-05-2007
by Charlie Taylor
Imagine confirms Cinergi acquisition | Sophos launches security blog
Telecoms firm Imagine has confirmed it has acquired its rival Cinergi for an undisclosed sum. Cinergi, which supplies broadband and telephone services to residential and business customers, has around 7,000 customers in Ireland.
Sophos has launched a security blog designed to provide breaking news, insight and commentary on emerging security threats. The new blog, which will be written by researchers from the firm's malware and spam analysis lab, will be updated several times a day to cover the latest technical information and stories of interest. Regular contributions from researchers based in Oxford, Boston, Vancouver and Sydney will allow for round-the-clock updates.
Over 60 percent of SMEs in the UK feel that their websites don't reflect their company brand, a new survey from Mediasurface reveals. In addition, while 37 percent of firms update their website on a weekly basis, 52 percent of individuals in the companies surveyed are unaware how often their sites are updated. The study also indicates that 10 percent of small businesses in the UK still do not have a web presence and that while there's countless publicity about Web 2.0, 41 percent of small firms aren't familiar with the term. Of those that have heard of Web 2.0, just 37 percent believe it will impact on their business.
Novell has announced it is to team up with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to work on reforms to software patents worldwide. The organisations will work to lobby governments and national and international organisations to develop legislation and policies around patents designed to promote innovation. A key area of focus will be the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), where member governments of the United Nations meet to coordinate positions on intellectual property issues. In addition, Novell will contribute significant resources to the EFF's ongoing "Patent Busting" project. Launched in 2004, the project is designed to attack patents that impose particularly heavy burdens on software developers and internet users by identifying prior art that can be used to invalidate those patents and by pursuing invalidation of those patents through re-examination efforts.
Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) owners will soon be able to make voice and video calls over a wireless internet connection using new VoIP software developed by BT. The service, which takes advantage of BT's 21 Century Network (21CN), will initially only work on home or BT wireless hotspots, although BT said it will eventually be made available to telcos in other countries.
UPC Ireland, the parent company of NTL and Chorus, has announced the appointment of Gavan Smyth as head of business development. Smyth, who holds a degree in Business and Marketing from University of Ulster, previously working with Allied Telesis and Fujitsu Services. In his new role, Smyth will be responsible for enterprise and SME business streams, and for managing the sales team, product managers and project managers within UPC Business.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 