Experts list dangerous coding errors

Computer experts from 30 organisations worldwide have once again compiled a list of the 25 most dangerous programming errors, along with a novel way to prevent them: by drafting contracts that hold developers responsible when bugs creep into applications, reports The Register.

The list for 2010 bears a striking resemblance to last year's list, which was the first time a broad cross-section of the world's computer scientists reached formal agreement on the most common programming pitfalls. The effort is designed to shift attention to the underlying mistakes that allow vulnerabilities to happen in the first place.

The updated list was spearheaded by the not-for-profit Mitre Corporation, the Sans Institute, the National Security Agency, and the US Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division.

The world's biggest social network has revealed details of a stripped-down, text-only version of its mobile site called Facebook Zero, states BBCNews.

The low-bandwidth site is aimed at people viewing Facebook on their mobile and will be unveiled "in the coming weeks". The social network recently said that more than 100 million people now access Facebook from their phone.

Analysts at CCS Insight said the new site could help operators free-up critical bandwidth on their networks. Data from industry body the GSM Association recently revealed that Facebook accounts for nearly half of all the time people in the UK spend going online using their phones.

Research in Motion has debuted a Web browser for its BlackBerry devices, touting the programme as easier and faster to use as the phone maker pursues consumer customers, writes BusinessWeek.

The new WebKit browser, available this year, will download files quicker and display Web sites better, co-chief executive officer Mike Lazaridis said in an interview from the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain.

RIM needs to improve browsing to win consumers in a market crowded with devices, says Steven Li, an analyst at Raymond James, in Toronto. Four months ago, RIM debuted a revamped version of the Storm, a larger-screen BlackBerry for easier browsing, to respond to mixed reviews of the first version and competition from smartphones like Apple's iPhone.

In a survey of more than 100 000 people in more than 50 000 households across the US, 40% reported no broadband or high-speed access to the Internet, while 30% said they have no Internet access at all, reports CNET.

Sponsored by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and conducted by the Census Bureau, the survey found that most of those interviewed said they either don't need broadband or find it too expensive.

Some said they have no computer, but many of those in rural areas reported that broadband is simply not available.