It is an often quoted cliché that Australian investors don't give local ICT stocks a fair go.

Digital on demand supplier to the hospitality industry Entertainment Media and Telecoms Corporation (ASX: ETC) has acquired the hospitality entertainment business of Verizon Select Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon Communications for US$1.5 million.

The Beer Files prize winner for the month of Oct/Nov is Mike Barton of NSW. He will be notified by email today. All registered members are elligible for the Nov/Dec draw, which will be announced around this time next month.

According to a report on games website www.gamespot.com, a group of developer employees at games giant Electronic Arts (EA) are preparing to launch a class action suit over alleged unpaid overtime.

Microsoft took over the market lead from PalmSource in the number of PDA shipments worldwide for the third-quarter with 48.1 percent of the 2.8 million PDA shipments, report The New York Times/AP and The Mercury News (13 Nov). See News Roundup.

Less than a week after collecting a $US536 million settlement from Microsoft, Novell yesterday filed another lawsuit accusing the software giant of violating antitrust laws, reports The Mercury News/SiliconValley.com (12 Nov.). More in News Roundup.

Demand for IT executives surged by 33% last month (October), according to data from HR research group, E.L Consult.

Sydney-based Smart Internet Technology Cooperative Research Centre has announced an agreement with Infosys Technologies Limited for joint R&D efforts, which  will see Infosys contribute $800,000 toward Australian research and development over the next four years.

Adelaide-based ISP, Chariot Limited (ASX:CTI) and UK and US-based VoIP enterprise, Transcom International Limited, have formed a partnership to launch a low cost internet telephony system early in 2005.

Skype, the global internet telephony company, has teamed with German engineering giant, Siemens, to offer its free VoIP software on recently launched Siemens Gigaset DECT cordless phones. This will enable cordless voice calling to millions of internet users across Europe and the phones should soon be available in Australia.

A survey of more than 100 leading organisations in the Asia Pacific region has identified a trend to reverse IT outsourcing decisions of the past.  KPMG’s 2004 Asia Pacific Outsourcing Survey also predicts only modest growth for offshore outsourcing.

The rate of operational deployment of IP telephony by large companies is accelerating rapidly, according to a recent global survey conducted by Australian PROGNOSIS systems management software developer Integrated Research (ASX: IRI).

Dell today launched the Inspiron 9200, the company's first notebook with a 17-inch wide-aspect screen. The 9200 measures about 41.5 mm thick, weighs a little more than 3.5 kg 1 and retails from $2499.

Australian internet pioneer, Steve Outtrim, is to launch a new Australian high-tech development centre in the heart of the Melbourne CBD.

Perth-based ISP Datafast Telecommunications Ltd (ASX: DFT), which is in merger talks with Adelaide-based Chariot Limited (ASX:CTI), has acquired the businesses of the Melbourne-based Affinity ISP group.

Australia's original domain name registrar for .com.au, Melbourne IT (ASX:MLB), is diversifying its business further in the wake of increased domain registration competition, with the release of a new suite of online solutions for SMEs.

The news that Taipei, a city of 3 million, is to install ubiquitous Wi-Fi coverage should not come as a surprise to anyone who has had a taste of wireless broadband via the numerous hot spots springing up around our capitals. What it portends, however, is not good news for traditional carriers.

Microsoft, after years of unsuccessful attempts to make a serious impact in the enterprise applications space, has announced a new souped up edition of Microsoft Office with ERP functions aimed at small businesses. The new version of Office, scheduled for release in late 2005, will include enterprise applications such as accounting, payroll financial management and CRM.

Financial services software vendor, IT&e Limited (ASX:ITE), has signed an agreement to license its software to Penson Worldwide, Canada’s largest clearing firm, for use as its on-line trading platform for Fixed Income products.

Technology One (ASX:TNE) boss, Adrian Di Marco, painted a bleak future for PeopleSoft users in the wake of an Oracle take-over at today's AGM.