It is reported that Microsoft is to change the licensing model for its next generation server applications, by charging users on a per-processor basis rather than by number of users.

This emulates a similar approach by IBM and Oracle.

Microsoft claims that the purpose for the change is that it is difficult to estimate how many users are using an Internet based application so the per processor basis makes sense. The more processors you have, the more users you can service.

Fleecy Moss has announced that Amiga is to form a strategic alliance with Matrox, the video graphics people. It seems that Amiga is looking for the 3D capabilities of Matrox so the new Amigas 'turn 3D fiction into 3D reality'.

Matrox have said:

"Matrox is always pleased to have an opportunity to assist in developing third party products. Amiga has a history of offering a solid platform and we’re happy to provide resources for their future products."

I would have thought Matrox would be happy to provide help to anyone wanting their products so it sounds like another normal business venture being hyped up by Fleecy.

What a strange name. Is it short for damn Amiga or did it originate in Jamaica! Anyway, this is what Amiga.com has to say.

In direct response to the many requests for an economical workstation for use in development on the Amiverse platform, we are pleased to announce the release of the d'AMIGA Developer Workstation. The d'AMIGA represents outstanding value to our community in its functionality and support. Feature for feature, it represents the most affordable performance and comprehensive support available on a standardised platform to Amigans and other Amiverse developers.

The d'AMIGA developer workstation is available through your preferred dealer as follows:

• USA - Software Hut Inc.
• Canada - Wonder Computers International Inc
• UK - Eyetech Group Ltd.
• Europe - KDH Datentechnik
• Australia - Unitech Electronics

Sony have said that, in conjunction with Philips Electronics, they will begin licensing 'double density' CD technology in September.

By increasing the track pitch and the pit length they expect to double the existing CD-ROM capacity from 650 MB to 1.3 GB.

The new products are likely to be priced favourably against DVDs and products based on the new technology are expected at the turn of the year.

Another company, Constellation 3D, has another idea that will develop multi-layer disks. They say that such disks could eventually hold a terabyte of data and they anticipate a manufacturing cost of $2. Presently only analogue disks are available, but prototype digital disks are expected in the Autumn.

IBM experimented with this technology in the past before deciding it was not feasible as the signal degraded with increasing layers. Constellation say that by using a fluorescent polymer on the disk surface signal quality will be higher.