Microsoft, Barnes & Noble, and Barnesandnoble.com have announced an eBook Initiative to sell thousands of downloadable books for computers or Microsoft's Pocket PC handhelds (using Microsoft Reader e-book software). Available mid-2000. Speech synthesis capability is also planned. [LA Times, 07Jan00. Edupage.]

Intel Corp. is planning a new line of simple-to-use consumer "Web appliances," most likely provided free with a subscription service such as home shopping or online banking. The first models (in mid-2000) will integrate email and ADSL/cable Internet telephony features such as call management and fax. Those sold in Europe will have smartcard capabilities. The appliances will run Linux. [Financial Times, 05Jan00. NewsScan.]

IBM will create a 200-person Linux development organization in the US and India, chiefly producing software for IBM servers. [WSJ, 10Jan00. NewsScan.]

Hundreds of thousands of programmers worked to fix Y2K glitches, and many of are now accepting large pay cuts. One company, Professional Access, is dropping it's contract rate from $120/hour to $70/hour. E-commerce projects are opening up, but the programmers are finding that their Y2K experience is not particularly valued. [LA Times, 05Jan00. Edupage.]

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