Stories about: Vantage Point

Researchers in the U.S. and the U.K. are developing computer systems that make deliberately ambiguous interpretations of human environments. What's more, the systems are often flat-out wrong. But the developers are delighted with their progress so far, saying that with computers, sometimes less is more.

AUUG, the Australian users organization for Unix, Linux and open source professionals, is facing one of the toughest challenges in its 30-year history as long-standing members question its relevance.

Novell's new CEO Ronald Hovsepian and current CTO Jeffrey Jaffe have a lot to talk about, as the company refocuses on open-source software following an executive shakeup in June. Both executives gave some insights on Novell's strategy to use the majority of its resources -- support, marketing, sales, product development and some US$1.4 billion in cash reserves -- to become a full-fledged Linux company. The CEO and CTO also talked about why everyone should have a Linux desktop pilot running.

Almost a week after it first appeared on the Internet, the Fizzer worm appears to be losing momentum, but experts disagree on whether or not the new computer virus has peaked.