BECTA is explored yet again by a reporter. who is turned away without answers to key questions

Microsoft signs secret deals in Europe and even concerned parliament members/representatives are unable to gain insight

So you use that web browser to fill the application for a credit card at Citibank, and finally receive it. But when you start using that credit card and want to check you card usage on-line, the system won't work when accessed with Linux. That's exactly what has got Linux users furious at the banking giant.

"...I use GNU/Linux + Firefox to manage my finances on a variety of web sites including Wells Fargo and Vanguard, and I have not had the frustration I experienced today at citicards.com and citibank.com..."

Microsoft signs secret deals in Italy and the public that pays for it is denied access to information

Few events have created more fodder for the blogosphere, more fuel for Microsoft critics and more emotional responses than the Microsoft patent deals with Novell, Linspire and Xandros. While putting together a list of things people hate about these deals is easy, generating a list of positive aspects is much harder.

For sometime there, I generally figured that once the next revision of the GPL came about, all of these deals that are being made with Microsoft will eventually be put to bed. I was also delighted to see Mandriva standing against the alleged patent violations that Microsoft brought up time and again.

Installing software on Linux for new users has got to be one of the stumbling blocks to people switching from a Microsoft based OS.

Apparently Microsoft has a thing for conservative Japan. Just when I thought Microsoft had closed patent cross-licensing deals with every Japanese firm ever to have considered corporate existence, Microsoft surprises me with a deal with Onkyo.