Well, we all have to know the news, don't we? Even web designers. Things like new technologies, court hearings (that's Microsoft's area of proficiency), mergers and buy-outs.

webIGN cannot compete with news agencies like Reuters, so if you want the news and up-to-date comments, the best link for you is Reuter's at Yahoo.

Another good source of news is Wired News.

If you want to read a speculation on the future of the web design, read this short article (exclusive at webIGN): Future of web design.

However, if you did not follow the news at all, like if you were on vacation or something, here is the quick summary (and hey, this is opinionated):

Microsoft settled its court case by agreeing to ship a version of Windows95 that does not install an Internet Explorer icon on your desktop. Wow. That's a clear victory for justice. Especially with Microsoft Windows98 being released soon.

Netscape decides to make a new Netscape Communicator source code publicly available. All programmers are happy. Commentators say that this was a very clever move. The only way to beat Microsoft is by "employing" outside knowledge. Yeah, yeah, beat the Empire. Launch the Rebel Assault. Get Darth, get him, get him...

Compaq buys Digital. Hasta la vista Alta Vista?

And for all you who have been on a very long vacation, these are the very old news (oh, old news... an oxymoron).

Sun Microsystems received an ISO for it's Java programming language. Now Java is an internationally recognised standard. Watch Microsoft closely about this one.

W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) finalised the HTML4 standard and CSS1 standard. Both are available for takings or reading at w3c site. And W3C works to get its CSS2 standard finalised as soon as possible.

Microsoft releases a new Operating System for IBM PC compatibles, MS DOS 5.0... oh, no, that's too old. Still, you have to know this!

opinion
Dont you get p_____ off with all those constant changes? I mean, my Windows95 is now running just at the speed I want it to. It's fast. I remember when I had to change from Windows 3.11. When I first ran Windows95 it took me for ages to actually load anything. Can't Intel release Pentium II 2000 Mhz straight away, so that we don't have to spend money on every one of its processors? I mean, surely it does not make a big difference in terms of cost to Intel. I just get tired of constantly changing my system. Constantly downloading a new browser, constantly getting used to a new OS... Waiting for years until a developer releases new service packs so that finally you can work without constantly rebooting and then having to change again, reboot all the time, then install millions of fixes, then change the OS again. Am I getting old? ;)

That's it for now, I'm afraid. If you want more, read the news :)