Type of Article: MacMinute Web Site

Thirty years ago today, Ray Tomlinson of BBN Technologies, sent what is widely regarded as the first email. C|net has published an article that takes a rather detailed look at how far email has come and its significance in today’s society.

International Data Group has purchased Ziff Davis’ 50 percent stake in Mac Publishing, LLC, giving it full control of the company responsible for Macworld magazine, MacCentral, and other sites. MacPublishing, LLC, will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary; specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Adobe has released International versions of its eBook Reader software, making it the only eBook software available in German, French, and Spanish, as well as English. The free download will enable users to read localized eBook content.

Microsoft may face a fine as high as US$2.5 billion and be required to drop features in Windows by the European Commission, as part of the EU’s antitrust case against the company. Microsoft maintains that it has not violated European antitrust law.

Charles Haddad’s latest “Byte of the Apple” column for BusinessWeek Online discusses Apple’s need to maintain Mac OS 9, noting that it’s still the default operating system on new Macs. Haddad predicts that it will take another 18 months until Mac OS X hits critical mass, due in part to the need for more applications, as well as persuading users accustomed to the older operating system to make the migration.