ICQ, Inc. has once again opened the alpha test for ICQ 2000a, the newest version of their chat software. Version 2000a features a new user interface, redesigned preferences, a quick launch bar, music file support, ICQmail, a new answering service, and more. A new relelase of the alpha, Build 3086, features better Windows 2000 support and may be downloaded from ICQ, although the number of testers allowed will be limited, so don't delay. Download ICQ 2000a via FileForum.

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Red Hat Linux 6.2 officially hit beta today, making an appearance on the company's FTP servers. Red Hat, Inc. usually posts betas of its Linux distribution before final release to iron out any last minute bugs. Red Hat is currently the leading Linux distribution, offering priority FTP access and technical support to paying customers. Version 6.1 hit stores last October, adding an easier installation and improved system management utilities. The new beta may be downloaded from Walnut Creek CDROM.

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A report in today's Toronto Globe & Mail newspaper said that Corel
CEO Michael Cowpland declared his company will snap up more Linux
companies once it acquires Inprise. Cowpland reportedly announced
that Corel wants to become the dominant player in the Linux arena.

The newspaper quoted him as saying, "We're trying to create
critical mass on the Linux side as quickly as possible."

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Just over two weeks after it was sued for copyright violation by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), MP3.com has countersued the association - and Hilary Rosen, its president - alleging unfair business practices.

On January 21, the RIAA took legal action against MP3.com, alleging that the online music firm had violated copyrights by releasing new software that allows users to send online music files to any PC users.

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Wildcard Design has announced they are looking for BeOS users willing to beta test their upcoming port of Worms:Armageddon. Armageddon is a fast-paced turn-based strategy game starring a cast of sharp-witted and heavily armed worms out to wreak havoc inside your unsuspecting computer. To apply, e-mail betasign@wcdesign.com with your system specifications, e-mail address, and beta testing experience. The application period will last for one week.

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My.MP3.com has released a beta version of their Beam-It software for Linux. My.MP3.com allows you to add, organize, and listen to your music collection online. The Linux port requires Netscape Communicator 4.5 or better, 32MB of RAM, and i386 hardware. Reports are coming in from Slashdot that the Linux version works quite well. Read more about My.MP3.com on BetaNews. Download the new software from My.MP3.com.

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Khaled Mardam-Bey has released a new version of mIRC, a shareware IRC client for Windows. mIRC is highly configurable with all the goodies other clients on UNIX, Macintosh and even on Windows offer, combined with a nice and clean user interface. Version 5.7 adds support for Microsoft Agent, a new user interface, quick access menus, new file send options, and a myriad of bug fixes over 5.61. Download this latest release directly from FileForum.

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Sony Corp. reportedly announced today it has signed a deal with Japan's largest network of convenience stores to distribute PlayStation games sold on the Internet.

According to a Reuters report today, Japanese fun fans will be
able to order a game online and collect it at their local
7-Eleven, a network of 8,000 convenience stores across Japan.

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Microsoft has sent word to testers that it is set to begin beta testing its upcoming game, Starlancer. According to Microsoft, "Starlancer is the gripping space combat game from Erin and Chris Roberts, creators of the popular Wing Commander and Privateer series of games. Starlancer combines the intense action of first person space combat with the drama and intrigue of a classic WWII air combat movie." Stalancer will feature a full 3-D graphics environment, as well as support multiplayer gaming via the MSN Gaming Zone. For more information, visit the Starlancer Web site, or check out the Starlancer test room on the Zone. Starlancer is set for release later this year.

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Ericsson has taken the wraps off the world's first IP (Internet Protocol) wireless base station system. The system, the firm
says, clears the way for the arrival of wireless-specific Internet access devices.

Unveiling the system at the GSM World Congress event in Cannes,
France, today, Ericsson said that, by supporting native IP, carriers
can make more than 40 percent more effective use of the transport
capacity of their networks.

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An online photography company owned by Eastman Kodak Inc. and a London-based pay-TV support group are teaming up to offer consumers the ability to practically broadcast their own digital photos over the Internet by using one's TV.

NDS Group plc, which provides business solutions to
pay-TV operators through conditional access and interactive technology,
and Herndon, Va.-based PictureVision Inc. announced that they have
entered into an agreement to jointly develop and market new
applications called NDS Interactive Photo Applications.

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The U.K. online news service the Register (http://www.theregister.co.uk/ )
reported Thursday that the online music distributor would adopt the
Microsoft
produced Windows Media as its standard. Joe Laszlo, Jupiter broadband
services analyst, said the move made some sense. But it may also come back
to haunt the service.

Many record companies have expressed displeasure with the MP3 format,
largely because no standard has yet been developed that can effectively
block pirating of music files created in the format.

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At the Internet Showcase conference, vendors rolled out bleeding-edge technologies such as a biometric pen that authenticates signatures and an online meeting planning service
tailored to federal users.

Sam Asseer, chairman of LCI Technology Group NV of the Netherlands,
said the company's Smartpen Biometric Authentication System will be
part of Litton PRC's proposal for an upcoming Defense Department
contract.

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4Front Technologies and the X MultiMedia System team have released XMMS version 1.0.0. XMMS is a multi-format audio player capable of playing .wav, .mod, .mid and .mp3 (MP3 Audio) files under Linux. Version 1.0.0 adds CDDB support, multiple GUI updates, mousewheel options, full screen visualization plug-in support, .wsz skin file support, and more. XMMS is released under the GNU Public License and has been widely hailed as one of the best multimedia applications for Linux. For more information, visit http://www.xmms.org.

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America Online attorneys are moving to block
the online distribution of prototype images from America Online's
unreleased subscriber software, Version 6.0.

Company officials have not been available for comment, but the
15-year-old who obtained the prototype and posted it to his Website,
Kenton.org, maintains that he has done nothing wrong. Contrary to the
letter he received from AOL attorneys, the 15-year-old from central
Arkansas who identifies himself only as "Kenton" said, he did not
obtain the material illegally.

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