Stories by Jack McCarthy

Red Hat revenues increase 95 per cent in Q2

Despite posting a $US3.1 million loss in its first public earnings report covering its second fiscal quarter, Red Hat Software said it saw revenues increase 95 per cent from the same period last year.

US Senate: Y2K presents headaches, not disasters

Although no disasters are predicted, the year 2000 computer problem still has the potential to disrupt sectors of the economy, healthcare delivery and local government operations, a US Senate committee report said on Tuesday.

US relaxes encryption controls

The Clinton Administration has loosened export controls on mass-market encryption software, winning immediate approval The White House said encryption product of any key length may be exported without a licence, after review, to commercial firms in any country, except for seven that are considered by the US government to be terrorist states.

Microsoft DNA 2000 aims at Web business

Citing what he terms the third generation of internet development, Microsoft president Steve Ballmer yesterday laid out the software giant's Web applications development strategy.

Microsoft names Belluzzo to head internet unit

In a move it hopes will strengthen its position in Internet services, Microsoft yesterday announced that Richard Belluzzo will head the software giant's online Consumer and Commerce Group.

Online auctions: 60pc software is illegal

Consumers who shop for software at online auction houses are being told to be careful, following a survey of three popular online sites that found most software products offered for sale were illegitimate copies or compilations.

IDC: direct sales to top channel by 2001

The popularity of the internet and new corporate distribution strategies are fuelling direct PC sales that are expected to outpace indirect sales by 2001, according to an IDC.

Iridium comes up with restructuring plan

Iridium, the financially-troubled satellite phone provider, has filed a proposed restructuring program with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that would convert debt it owes bondholders and its principal backer, Motorola Inc, into 45 per cent ownership in the company.

NZ, Colorado Telco File Lawsuits Against IBM

The government of New Zealand filed a lawsuit today against IBM Corp., saying Big Blue broke a contract by withdrawing its staff from the development of a police information system earlier this month.
IBM also ran into other legal difficulties in New Zealand yesterday when a Colorado telecommunications company sued the computer giant and its New Zealand subsidiary for allegedly failing to deliver a software program for billing and customer service in an unrelated case.

FCC Brief Opposes Cable Internet Access Regulation

As expected, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filed a legal brief today in a federal appeals court opposing local regulation that would compel cable companies to open up access to their networks to rival ISPs (Internet service providers).
The FCC filed a "friend of the court" brief in support of AT&T Corp. in its appeal of a federal court ruling in Oregon that required the telephone giant to allow ISPs other than affiliates to have access to its network, and thus provide AT&T customers more choice in ISPs.

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