Asia and Europe are to be linked by a high-speed information network to boost joint research projects, officials announced late last week. The project, which aims to bring the two continents together through exchanges in science and information and communication technology, was endorsed at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit last Friday. Discussions are underway between Korean and European Commission experts on connecting networks between the two continents.
An existing submarine cable link will also be used. "The Trans-Eurasia Information Network will be a useful channel through which various kinds of information can be exchanged among ASEM partners across the Eurasia region," said an official statement.
KELLS SELLS ONLINE: X Communications has won the Glen Dimplex Design Award in the multimedia category for the Book of Kells CD-ROM. Designed by Eva Kniel, the CD-ROM makes Ireland's most famous book available for the first time in digital format. More information on the book can be obtained from www.bookofkells.ie.
DECREASING DIVIDE: Some 41.5 per cent of US households now have Net access, a jump of 58 per cent from the level in late 1998, according to a US Commerce Department report. The report said that in August 2000 51 per cent of US households had a PC, up from 42.1 per cent in December 1998. The report also suggested the digital divide was getting smaller.
EMAIL OFFENSIVE: Merrill Lynch & Co recently sacked 15 of its staff in London for sending offensive material across its email system. The staff were fired from several departments across the London operations. "As is Merrill Lynch's policy, the firm will not tolerate any abuse of its business email system," a spokesperson said.
EMAIL PRIVACY: The German government is considering legislation that would bar firms from reading private email sent from the workplace. A spokesman for the Labour ministry confirmed it was considering a draft proposal to make workers' email private as long as it did not impair the interests of their employers.
TRANSATLANTIC RESCUE: Paramedics in Canada helped save a man in Scotland from dying of an overdose after being alerted by a Canadian who had learned of the man's condition while in a chat room. A surfer in Calgary called 911 and said a Scot was asking for help in the chat room after taking an overdose of Valium and alcohol. After receiving the call, the Calgary dispatcher contacted Scottish police, who located the man and transported him to a hospital.
PORN LOSER: Madonna has won the right to use the address www.madonna.com after an international arbitration panel ruled that a pornographer had improperly registered the site. The panel of the World Intellectual Property Organisation unanimously ordered that Madonna take over the site from New Jersey pornography entrepreneur Dan Parisi.
MICROSOFTY: George W Bush prefers "innovation over litigation," his strongest comment in months on the Clinton administration's antitrust case against Microsoft. His comments echoed Microsoft's broad justification for its actions. Asked about the Microsoft case on CNBC television, Bush first said he would not talk about pending cases but then, in an aside which must have gladdened Bill Gates heart, added: "I will tell you this, I have always stood on the side of innovation over litigation I think that some fundamental questions ought to be asked: Are the customers being harmed and is innovation being stifled?"
TRUCE OR DARE: The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is holding its first ever truce for Irish businesses using illegal software. Registrations start on November 1st for a period of 30 days and during this period, BSA will encourage businesses to make use of its website www.bsatruce.com for advice, assistance and tools. The same group has also announced that a reward of up to £5,000 will be paid to persons providing it with information concerning illegal internal business copying of software. Info - 1890 510 010 or www.bsa.org.
IN BRIEF...UTV Internet are to be the online sponsorship of the Concern Fast to be launched in November. . . Parthus Technologies has announced record revenues for the quarter ended September 30th. Continued strong demand for Parthus Mobile-Internet platforms lead to 204 per cent growth in license and royalty revenues. . . Microsoft's stock jumped 19 per cent last week after the company's quarterly profit report beat expectations. . .