Opera composer for Linux

Now you can make your own browser for Linux with Opera Composer, released yesterday. The Opera Composer lets users customise their own Web browser and distribute it to friends, family, customers or colleagues for free. This new Linux version increases the language customisations by adding German, Norwegian Bokmaal, New Norwegian and simplified Chinese. Among the "mods" that can be made by users are personalised images for toolbars and backgrounds, customised splash screens and customised bookmarks, e-mail and contacts.

Always wanted to control your toaster, microwave or light switches using a remote graphical interface? Now you can, at least in theory, thanks to the release of uVNC, a micro VNC server that can be run on 8-bit microcontrollers. Household appliances that typically use 8-bit controllers include toasters and microwaves and with a uVNC server installed, each of these devices could have their own "user interface" that is accessible over a network. The question that has to be asked, however, is who would really want to control and configure their microwave using a remote graphical interface?

The UMTS Forum, the independent body which promotes the global uptake of 3G mobile systems and services, has published a new report that predicts global Wireless LAN (WLANs) solutions will add $2.8 billion to the 3G mobile data market by 2005. The report argues that 3G and WLAN are complementary rather than competitive technologies that together will strengthen the market rather than weaken it. The report says interest in WLAN - technology providing users with wireless untethered access to the Internet and corporate networks - has continued to grow throughout 2002. "It appeals because it meets a specific user need and is available today at a reasonable cost."

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