Apple issues fix for MacBook shutdown problems

Apple Computer has issued a software fix to address a problem of some MacBooks shutting down randomly, without warning, The Mercury News reports.

The problem affects a "small percentage" of the notebook computers that Apple introduced in May, the company said in an e-mailed statement. Apple posted a firmware update on its Web site on Thursday and advised all MacBook owners to install the software.

The fix will eliminate the need for customers to bring their machines in for service, the company stated.

This month Microsoft and Mozilla released new versions of their Internet Explorer and Firefox Internet browsers.

Firefox seems to be leading early on in the download race, and it`s been more of a hit with the critics, says The Age.

"Within 24 hours of the official launch on Tuesday, there were over two million people using Firefox 2, and we were seeing a peak rate of more than 30 downloads per second from our Web site," said Firefox developer Mike Beltzner in a post to his personal blog.

An online report confirms that Microsoft`s "Windows Genuine Advantage" program for Microsoft Office, creatively titled the "Office Genuine Advantage" program or OGA, has already been in beta-testing for several months.

According to ITWire, it is now about to be switched on for all, with no choice to "opt out" of the validation process as there has been during the beta testing phase.

As of last week, anyone using a pirated version of Office will no longer be able to download Office templates or other Office downloads. From January 2007, pirated Office users will no longer be able to check for and download Office updates.