Will Microsoft make another offer for Yahoo? This week we take a look at the latest shenanigans between the two companies, Google open-sourcing its code, new European laws targeting file sharers and Intel’s new Atom processor.

We also examine Microsoft’s free downgrading scheme, and the father of the world wide web’s pleas for openness.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter. If you do, then why not take a peek at our blog?

Hazel Butters
CEO
Prompt Communications

Yahoo and Microsoft merger still a possibility

By Duncan Heaney

For a while there, it looked as if Microsoft’s purchase of Yahoo had fallen through. The offer was rejected, talks broke down, and Yahoo ran into the loving embrace of Google.

But a Microsoft / Yahoo merger may still be on the table it seems. It all depends on whether Carl Icahn gets his way or not. Icahn, a billionaire investor who has built up a four percent stake in Yahoo, is attempting to seize control of the company’s board, claiming that it has neglected its duties to maximise shareholder value.

This week, Microsoft confirmed rumours that it had been talking to Icahn about taking control of Yahoo if he succeeds in his bid to replace the board of directors. In an official statement, Microsoft claimed that it would be interested in making a new offer to a new board of directors. Until the new board is elected, Microsoft won’t discuss prices.

Icahn has written to Yahoo shareholders to let them know that Microsoft is still interested. He promises that should shareholders elect his board he would immediately start negotiations with Microsoft to sell the company, or alternatively kick out current chairman Jerry Yang in favour of a more experienced CEO.

So the Microsoft / Yahoo saga trundles on.

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Google opening up but still searching

By James Gerber

Google is at a crossroads. Does it become fully open source and become a trailblazer or does it stick with its mostly proprietary model?

Over the past couple of weeks, news has come out about Google open sourcing lots of its code, from Browser Sync to Ratproxy and Protocol Buffers. (No, I’ve never heard of any of those either, but developers are excited).

Here’s a quick rundown of what the newly open sourced code does: Browser Sync works in Firefox to continuously synchronize your browser settings, Ratproxy is an application security testing tool which helps stop malware from infiltrating websites, and Protocol Buffers is Google’s Data Interchange Format, similar to XML in how it transports data between different coding structures.

It’s useful code to make open for sure, but Google can do more. Google’s bread and butter is not its programs, nor is it in search. It’s in advertising. Google clearly understands the power of open source, but maybe it’s confused on how it should proceed. Open up, I say. Some open source licenses would be advantageous in drawing a community of developers to build on Google’s applications and search engine while still benefiting Google. Google could pay for its advertising on new sites built from its technology, and continuously improve its software to stay ahead of competitors.

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EU calls on ISPs to eject file sharers

By Dave Wilby

A new bundle of telecommunications laws suggested by the European parliamentary committee could allow ISPs to disconnect persistent file-sharers, reports ZDNet UK. Should the 'telecoms package' pass a vote in the European parliament, it could support greater collaboration between ISPs and content providers, which some observers believe is the first step towards forcing service providers to warn then cut off customers they believe are sharing copyrighted material. However, MEP Malcolm Harbour, one of the report’s authors, said in a BBC interview that the laws: "have nothing to do with copyright enforcement. The interpretation of them is alarmist and scaremongering and deflects from the intention which was to improve consumers' rights.”

In a related development, MEPs said in a statement this week that a Body of European Regulators in Telecommunications (BERT) should be established as an alternative to the European Telecom Market Authority (ETMA) proposed by the EC. Such a body would manage mobile and fixed line access, as well as spectrum freed up by the digital switchover. BERT would not meddle with network and information security matters, which would remain under the umbrella of ENISA (European Network and Information Security Agency).

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Intel’s Atom processor hits the high street

By Terrie Chilvers

PC World is claiming to be the first on the high street to offer a netbook featuring Intel’s new Atom chip. Priced at £280, the Advent 4211 is manufactured by MSI, which also produces the MSI Wind (still to be launched).

Netbooks are smaller in size than the average laptop with lower specifications, making them ideal for people on a budget who want to send emails, surf the internet and use office applications. The Advent 4211 sports a 10.2 inch screen, 1GB RAM and an 80GB hard drive. It also has Bluetooth and a 1.3 megapixel webcam built-in.

Intel’s Atom chip is its smallest processor yet and because it uses less power, can extend the battery life of a device substantially. PC World’s trading director, Jeremy Fennell said: ‘Netbooks are heralding a new era of mobile computing… The practicality of netbooks will no doubt see their continued growth and see them integrated into business and social lifestyles.’ (as reported by ZDNet).

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Microsoft looks for new ideas from a new office

By Zachariah Hofer-Shall

As ComputerWorld reports, Microsoft has announced a last ditch effort to convince business users to buy Vista PCs: free support downgrading to Windows XP.

In a new deal called ‘Windows Vista Small Business Assurance’, Microsoft offers “one-on-one coaching and assistance” for the Vista operating system, a role that was previously given to the hardware manufacturers. The big twist of this is that if small business users aren’t happy with the product, Microsoft representatives will walk users through the process of downgrading to XP.

On one hand it’s impressive that Microsoft sees the challenges in rolling out its new operating system, but on the other hand Vista was launched in November of 2006. It’s been nearly two years and offering free downgrades seems like a complete admission that Vista just isn’t very good. The ComputerWorld article references hardware compatibility challenges as a source of slow Vista adoption, and providing this support and training almost completely negates that argument. So if you’re in a small business and holding out on upgrading your computer’s operating system, now might be a good opportunity: because hey, the worst thing that could happen is that you get XP again.

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Keep the internet open for all, stresses Berners-Lee

By Dave Wilby

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man most often credited with the invention of the World Wide Web as we know it, has called on governments, scientists and businesses to do more to ensure the web stays open for all, the BBC reports.

Berners-Lee was speaking at the launch of a partnership between the Web Science Research Initiative (WSRI) and the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA). He said: "The development of the Web will have major social, economic and political implications for our future. At its core must be a commitment to maintain the principles of openness as a platform for the sharing of information.”