BetaNews Staff

Mandrakesoft announced a new release of its Linux distrobution. Mandrake 7.0 Beta is available for download and testing. This package includes a new graphical installer, more hardware configuration tools, and improvements in the desktop to make managing your computer easier. This distribution can be found at http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/oxygenbeta.php3 with instructions for installing.

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On November 9, 1999 the future of Internet access was changed forever. Armed with a patent covering 46 different technologies involved in its Advanced Sub-Carrier Modulation™ process, Mediafusion began contacting power companies and building contractors promoting their new product. In less than twelve months, homes, schools, businesses and rural areas may be connected to the net transferring data at a blazing 2.5GB/sec.

Using a hub which replaces regular household electrical outlets, and the naturally occurring magnetic fields which surround power lines, Powerline Area Networks (PAN) will deliver phone, satellite, Internet, radio and video data at near light speeds without signal interference, degradation, or problems with electrical load imbalances. The entire setup for a household is predicted to cost a mere $60 making it much cheaper than current options, while bringing an exponentially larger transfer rate.

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A new type of ROM, Fluorescent Material Read Only Memory, is slated to go into production next year. Armed with three other products in their arsenal, C3D Inc. hopes to break new ground in the storage capacity market, bringing faster access speeds with it.

Current CD's store data on a single layer. While DVD technology brought double layer capacity, none have achieved the level that C3D's ClearCard and FMD ROM storage devices have. Using 20 layers of data storage, the ClearCard will be capable of storing 10 gigabyes of information on the size of a credit card. This is 2500 times the capabilities of current media. Per gigabyte, production costs are the same for this multi-layer data storage, making it no more expensive than DVDs or CDs.

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By: Brian Krebs, Newsbytes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A professor and a research scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have filed a lawsuit against online search
engine Ask Jeeves Inc. [NASDAQ:ASKJ], saying the service infringes upon patents the two hold in "natural language" question-and-answer technology.

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Accessories plus contains many features and program updates that Microsoft did not include in Windows and Windows updates. SPT told eFront that the program includes:

"...an enhanced "integrated" clock; the ability to "easily" change folder colors and create custom folders; an updated notepad; a desktop clipboard utility; and many system enhancements, settings, and fixes for Windows"

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Wireless Application Protocol's (WAPs) include mobile phones, pagers, and PDA's such as the Palm VII or other wireless internet devices. These devices are capable of most functions available to regular Web sites, but require a special language called WML (Wireless Markup Language) which differs from regular HTML.

Hoily is a free service to people who want the ability to access their Web site from anywhere or anytime. Using a special WAPbuilder, users can easily and quickly create Web pages that are WML compatible.

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This new service, launched by Neurotech, comes equipped with the basic features such as an address book, and folder options. Users can currently choose from two different interfaces in which their mail is presented, with more to be added in the future. Sending mail is very simple, fast, and easy to use. The pages are not bogged down with extras. Its main page once logged in consists of simple graphics to choose what you want to do. It lacks extra links and graphics like many other Web based e-mail services while still making it interesting and easy to work with.

Submail.net is in constant development, and the programmers are looking for suggestions and help. They hope to open source the project in a few months, and are looking for bug reports from serious beta testers.

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Buzz3D creates a virtual three dimensional environment in which users can view multiple Web pages without having to jump from site to site, leaving the previous one behind. Traditionally, browsers load one site at a time and only use their given bandwidth at that moment. With Buzz3D, sites are loaded simultaneously, using all of the bandwidth.

These sites are placed in an open 3D area so that users can move from site to site as if they were in an art gallery. Users can move from 'picture' to 'picture' with a few simple mouse clicks. A screen shot is available on their Web site, along with a

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This new Web site hopes to connect consumers to services via the Internet. Handshake.com offers users the ability to browse through various vendors and merchants in several areas of service. This gives consumers a better choice in who they use for services ranging from wedding photography, to automotive work, to house cleaning.

After signing up for the service, free of charge, you can then request a specific service. After answering a few questions, Handshake.com contacts the merchants in your area via fax, phone, or e-mail to let them know your interest. The merchant then makes a bid, and you are then notified through e-mail of the latest bids.

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This program allows developers the quick and easy addition database function to their software programs. Using this control, programmers can write powerful database functions in one language and impliment those functions in a different language with little or no change. GibsonDB Database ActiveX Control works with development tools such as Director from Macromedia, Toolbook II by Click2Learn.com, JavaScript for Internet application, and Visual Basic made by Microsoft, as well as any other development system supporting ActiveX.

This shareware program offers full SQL support along with availability of such databases as Microsoft Access and FoxPro. The latest version of this product boasts features like ODBC support, browser imbedding for Intranet functions and new Access 2000 support.

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Developers at Tribal Voice have issued a work around so that their chat program, IM Here, will be able to connect to AOL and use their servers. This work around is posted on the AT&T Web site. Get it here!

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In an apology today, Sun Microsystems informed reporters that Blackdown, a group of java developers, also helped port Java 2 to Linux. Apparently a miscommunication in the company prevented Blackdown acknowledgement in the press release. Read more about Java 2 on BetaNews.

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New York Times reports today that in a deal between the worlds largest elevator manufacturer, Otis Elevator Company, and Next Generation Network, the elevators which Otis installs beginning next year will contain digital screens with news headlines, weather and traffic reports, and advertisements provided via the internet. While Otis will provide the sales and installation in the elevators, Next Generation will provide content while IBM will be the hardware and software behind the internet access.

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Be, Inc. announced today that it will begin bundling the Web browser Opera with its operating system beginning next year. Opera will also serve as the user interface for Be, Inc. internet appliances featuring software named 'Stinger' which will feature full customization capabilities. eFront will have a more in depth story about the appliances and Stinger in the near future.

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Opera has posted a screenshot of how things are going with the Linux/X11 port of the Opera browser. On a scale to 20, its completion is at 12. Opera Software informs users that there are only a few more bugs between Windows and X to work out.

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