OpenOffice.org, FOSS, and the preservation of Gaelic

OpenOffice.org, FOSS, and the preservation of Gaelic

By itself, the release of OpenOffice.org for Scots Gaelic is a small event within the communities of free and open source software (FOSS). It is only one of the more than 50 localizations available for OpenOffice.org 1.x. However, the release shows a potential for FOSS that is often overlooked, particularly by those for whom English is their native language. Specifically, FOSS has the potential to help resuscitate a declining language and thereby aid in revitalizing a disintegrating culture.

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MS issues final software update for Win2K

MS issues final software update for Win2K

Microsoft released a final update rollup for Windows 2000 on Tuesday (28 June) just two days before expiration of mainstream support of the still-widely-used operating system. The update contains every security patch issued since the release of Service Pack 4 and the end of April 2005 along with various non-security related software bug fixes. The release is described as a consolidated update, rated than a service pack, and contains only a few items that have not already been issued as standalone fixes.

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Demand for IT contractors rises

Demand for IT contractors rises

As the temperature rises, so does the need for temporary IT workers


A report published this week has shown an increase in demand for IT contractors.

Developers, Unix specialists, analysts, and project managers now command an average rate of £27.60 per hour, up from £27.01 in May, according to a Contractor UK market report. This is the highest rate paid to contractors this year, exceeding January's previous high of £27.56.

This rate rise is partly caused by the summer, according to the report, with short-term contracts more common as full-time workers go on holiday. This is compounded by contractors themselves taking breaks after completing six-month contracts.


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Source
Yahoo.com
[Thanks to KeithNN for bringing this story]

Trojan spyware suspects arrested as major industrial espionage scandal emerges

Trojan spyware suspects arrested as major industrial espionage scandal emerges

A London-based Israeli couple are at the centre of one of the world's largest industrial espionage and computer hacking scandals. Computer specialist Michael Haephrati and his wife Ruth are accused of supplying the sophisticated Trojan horse software used by private detective agencies to spy on scores of top Israeli firms.

But police believe this is just the tip of the iceberg, and firms worldwide, including those in the UK, may have had confidential information compromised after being infected by spyware supplied by the Haephratis.

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France gets nuclear fusion plant

France gets nuclear fusion plant

France will get to host the project to build a 10bn-euro (£6.6bn) nuclear fusion reactor, in the face of strong competition from Japan. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) will be the most expensive joint scientific project after the International Space Station.

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The Internet transforms modern life

The Internet transforms modern life

(CNN) -- In 1994, most people had to call the bank to check their balances. Or inquire in person, or wait for a paper statement to arrive in the mail. Baseball box scores were found in the newspaper. Weather forecasts came over the phone from the weather bureau, or on TV.

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The facts behind the "Get the Facts" ad campaign

The facts behind the "Get the Facts" ad campaign

Commentary: Like many readers, I find Microsoft's Get the Facts (GtF) ads repugnant, especially when they appear on sites dedicated to Linux and open source software. I understand that such organizations' editorial and ad sales staffs operate independently, meaning neither side tells the other what content it is or isn't allowed to carry, but I still don't like it. Happily, however, the bogus GtF ads may not be around much longer.

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Indian call centre 'fraud' probe

Indian call centre 'fraud' probe

Police are investigating reports that the bank account details of 1,000 UK customers, held by Indian call centres, were sold to an undercover reporter. The Sun claims one of its journalists bought personal details including passwords, addresses and passport data from a Delhi IT worker for £4.25 each.

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Have certifications lost their luster?

Have certifications lost their luster?

That certification you're working on may not be worth what you think it is. New research suggests employers are less impressed with a long list of certs than they are with real hands-on experience.

According to new research released last week by New Canaan, Conn.-based IT research consultancy firm Foote Partners, pay for non-certified skilled professionals grew almost five times as much as certified counterparts in the first three months of 2005. Pay for non-certified skilled IT pros grew 2.8% from January through March, while certified workers saw a 0.6% increase during that same time period.

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Microsoft releases three critical security bulletins

Microsoft releases three critical security bulletins

It's back to business as usual for Microsoft: The software giant has released 10 security bulletins for June, three of which are critical. John McCormick has the details on the three critical patches. After some relatively slow months, Microsoft's dreaded monthly patch day has re-emerged as an important source of security information. The software giant released 10 security bulletins for June last week.

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