MS to issue cursor flaw patch early

Microsoft plans to make a patch available this week for a Windows flaw that has already been used in an attack, reports News.com.

Microsoft issued an advisory on the animated cursor flaw on Thursday and by Friday malicious code was circulating that took advantage of the hole.

In an e-mail, Microsoft said it had originally planned to patch the flaw on 10 April as part of its regular monthly security update, but now plans to release the patch on Tuesday because of the public exploit.

Dell will sell desktop and notebook PCs with Linux already installed, reports Manila Standard Today

"Dell has decided to expand our Linux support beyond our existing servers and workstation line," the company said on its IdeaStorm Web site, which solicits suggestions from customers and enables them to vote on these ideas.

Since the Web site was launched this year, users have consistently asked for better support for Linux, making it the top suggestion, Dell said. This encouraged the company to create a survey last March asking its customers what they wanted in a Linux PC.

IBM has demonstrated more than 20 new technologies, including several that make the Internet and offline applications more accessible to the disabled, reports PC World

A technology called Easy Web Browsing helps the elderly, people with limited vision and the colour-blind by reading text out loud and allowing users to customise the size and colour of Web content.

Macy's Web page recently became one of more than 100 worldwide that use the technology, which allows users to download a tool that essentially replaces the standard Web browser when a shopper is logged onto Macys.com.

Online pranks on 1 April proved, once again, that surfers should not believe everything they read on the Internet.

Taking the limelight this year for its April Fool's prank was search giant Google, which offered consumers free high-speed wireless Internet through their home plumbing systems, reports The Australian.

Code-named Dark Porcelain, Google said its Toilet Internet Service Provider worked with Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system. The gag included a step-by-step online installation manual and a selection of frequently asked questions.