Microsoft Unveils Child-friendly Net Browser

To protect children from viewing inappropriate content and from the even greater danger of online paedophilia, Microsoft has launched an enhanced version of Internet Explorer 8. Called the 'Click Clever, Click Safe' browser, it will empower youngsters-and families with a one-click tool to report offensive content or the threat of cyber bullying to the authorities. The Internet giant said it developed the tool in collaboration with Ceop, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, reports The Telegraph.

It is estimated that almost two-thirds of under-18s in the UK have been contacted online by strangers. More than a third responded to the person's overtures. 41 per cent of parents were unaware whether their children had updated their privacy settings on their social networking profile. More than half the youngsters questioned said their parents did not monitor their online activities.

IBM Launches Eight-core Power7 Processor

IBM on Monday launched its latest Power7 processor, which adds more cores and improved multithreading capabilities to boost the performance of servers requiring high up time.

The Power7 chip has eight cores, with each core able to run four threads, IBM said. A Power7 chip can run 32 tasks simultaneously, which is quadruple the number of cores on the older Power6 chip. The Power7 will also run up to eight times more threads than Power6 cores.

The new chip also has TurboCore technology, which allows customers to crank up the speed of active cores for performance gains. The technology also puts memory and bandwidth from eight cores behind the four active cores to drive up the performance gains per core.

The company also launched four Power7-based servers. IBM Power 780 and Power 770 high-end servers are based on modular designs and come with up to 64 Power7 cores. The IBM Power 755 will support up to 32 Power7 cores. The company also launched the 750 Express server. The Power 750 Express and 755 will ship on Feb. 19, while the Power 770 and 780 will become available on March 16.