News in brief - part 2

Microsoft has moved its MSN news service onto the Web. It is introducing a charge of $6.95 per month for subscribers looking to access non-news content from its Internet pages.

Sun Microsystems has hinted at the forthcoming release of a number of products. Bill Joy, co-founder and president of Sun, gave details at Internet World that Sun would soon be releasing six new APIs and Java classes.

While it may be losing some partners to its rival, the British Software Alliance (BSA), Fast has gained a member in the Audit Commission, an independent body which oversees local authorities and the NHS in England and Wales.

Software consultancy firm MMT Computing saw pre-tax profits jump by 70 per cent to u2.4 million from u1.4 million for the six months ended February 29 1995. Its share price rose by 86p to 458p when analysts heard the figures. Turnover rose from u6.42 million to u8.26 million over the same period.

The company is seeking to expand into Europe as well as Australia.