Technology Briefs - Sept. 30 - Oct. 6
The Latest Headlines:
- Satellite Radio Remains Popular With Truckers
- Report: German Truck Toll Plan Delayed Again
- Missouri Increases Use of Biodiesel
- Suit Holds Microsoft Responsible for Viruses
- Report: German Truck Toll Plan Delayed Again
Satellite Radio Remains Popular With Truckers
Although XM Satellite Radio Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. are both still unprofitable, they continue to gain popularity among truck drivers, the Washington Post reported Monday.XM estimated that 70,000 of its nearly 1 million subscribers are truck drivers, while Sirius said about 20,000 of its 105,000 subscribers are truckers, according to the Post.
XM has cultivated truckers as an audience, creating a channel dedicated to them called Open Road that features lots of country music and talk shows hosted by trucker radio celebrities.
Report: German Truck Toll Plan Delayed Again
Toll Collect GmbH, a partnership between DaimlerChrysler AG and Deutsche Telekom AG, now expects to launch Germany's new automatic highway toll system for trucks in early 2004, Bloomberg reported citing a German television station.Under the system, truckers would be required to pay an average 22 cents a mile when traveling on German highways. It is intended to help pay for autobahn repairs and boost federal revenue, Bloomberg said.
The launch of the toll has already been delayed three times. The most recent start date of Nov. 2 was canceled because of problems with the system's satellite technology. Transport Topics
Missouri Increases Use of Biodiesel
Public agencies in Missouri are turning to biodiesel, which is made largely from soybeans, instead of regular diesel as pressure grows to cut emissions from their fleets of trucks, the Associated Press reported.The fuel, which can cost anywhere from a nickel to 20 cents a gallon more than traditional diesel, generally is sold in a blend that is 20% biodiesel, known as B20.
The state's Department of Transportation, with a fleet of about 4,500 diesel-powered trucks, is looking to expand its use of the fuel, while Lambert Airport uses it in its snow-removal equipment and fire trucks, AP said.
Columbia, Jefferson City and Fort Leonard Wood are among the other areas of the state that have recently stepped up its use of biodiesel. Transport Topics
Suit Holds Microsoft Responsible for Viruses
Microsoft Corp. was sued for failing to better secure its software against computer viruses and worms, the Washington Post reported Friday.The suit was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles on behalf of a single consumer who claims to be the victim of identity theft as a result of a hacking incident. It is designed to be a class-action case if other consumers with similar claims step forward, the Post said.
The suit takes a different approach from previous efforts to claim damages due to software flaws. It argues that because consumers have little choice other than Microsoft software, its failure to provide secure programs constitutes an unfair business practice under California law, according to the Post.
In addition to compensation for losses, the suit seeks to require Microsoft to improve security notification. Transport Topics
