NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 29 May
29-05-2009
by Deirdre McArdle
EpiSensor, IBM partner on environment | Novell profits driven by Linux
Limerick-based wireless sensor network developer EpiSensor has linked up with IBM to devise real-time, environmental monitoring solutions for energy, water and carbon management. EpiSensor brings its experience in developing environmental monitoring solutions using the open and interoperable ZigBee1 global standard for wireless sensor technology to the partnership. The pair will work closely at IBM's Environmental Solutions Centre of Excellence in Dublin.
Software firm Novell has posted second-quarter revenue of USD216 million, down from USD236 million in the same period last year. Net income, however, came in at USD16 million for the period -- almost triple the USD6 million reported in 2008. Linux product sales were the star performer, recording a 25 percent year-on-year increase to USD37 million. Revenue in the firm's identity, access and compliance management software segment climbed 2 percent to USD28 million. "Our Linux and identity businesses have the greatest potential to continue to expand operating margins, and we plan to attain profitability within these businesses no later than 12-18 months from today, barring unforeseen circumstances," said Novell chief executive Ron Hovsepian.
The European Union has said it aims to investigate Google's plans to make millions of books available online. The decision was made following concerns raised by Germany. The EU's industry ministers agreed to ask the European Commission to look at how Google's settlement with authors in the US affect writers' rights in the EU. Authors and publisher groups in the US recently reached a deal to allow Google to digitise millions of books. The EU will now study Google's plans and "if need be[...] take steps", said Vladimir Tosovsky, industry minister for the Czech EU presidency, in a news conference.
US President Barack Obama is on Friday expected to outline objectives for dealing with cyber threats and to create a position of "cyber czar", who would be responsible for co-ordinating the government's digital security efforts. Obama is also expected to call for a new education campaign in order to raise public awareness of the challenges and threats related to cyber security. According to a White House spokesman these developments are the first step towards securing America's cyber infrastructure. In a separate development, the Pentagon is to create a new military command for cyber space, according to a report in the New York Times.
The Higher Hamburg Court has upheld an earlier decision of the Regional Court of Hamburg to grant Ryanair an injunction preventing Vtours from scraping the budget airline's website to resell its flights at inflated prices. Ryanair allows "price comparison only" websites to access its timetable and pricing information. "Vtours, like all other cost comparison websites, can enter into a licence agreement with Ryanair, for a charitable donation of just EUR100, which will allow it to legally provide consumers with genuine cost comparisons and guarantee that passengers are not subjected to sneaky hidden charges," said Ryanair's Stephen McNamara.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 