Employers have applied for 49,040 H-1B guest worker visas for next fiscal year, more than 75 percent of the program’s annual cap of 65,000, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The tally, made July 31, suggests the limit for the controversial visas could be reached near or on the first day of federal fiscal year 2006, Oct. 1. This fiscal year, employers hit the annual cap as of the first day.

Source: News.com

Popular software titles updated in the past week

• Gmail Notifier 1.0.25.0
• eXeem 0.27 Public Beta
• MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search 2.0.5.1110
• Google Earth Free 3.0.0464 Beta
• AOL Explorer (with AOL Desktop Search) 1.1.4234.1044 Beta
• 7-Zip 4.26 Beta
• Download Accelerator Plus 7.506 Beta
• DVD Region+CSS Free Lite 5.9.3.2
• Freenet 0.5.2.8
• Skype for Windows 1.3.0.60
• Spy Sweeper 4.0.4.430
• Nero Burning Rom 6.6.0.16
• FFDShow MPEG-4 Video Decoder 20050803 (Unofficial)
• AI RoboForm 6.3.98
• Azureus for Windows 2.3.0.5 Beta 16
• LimeWire for Windows 4.9.13 Beta
• AnyDVD 5.4.1.1
• QuickTime Alternative 1.60 Beta 2
• Maxthon Combo 1.3.3
• eDonkey2000 Client for Windows 1.4.3
• NetLimiter 2.0 Beta 2
• Zoom Player Standard 4.51
• DVD Audio Ripper 2.0.53.727

Boston’s Logan International Airport is attempting to pull the plug on Continental Airlines‘ free Wi-Fi node, which competes with the airport’s $7.95-a-day pay service.

In an escalating series of threatening letters sent over the last few weeks, airport officials have pledged to “take all necessary steps to have the (Wi-Fi) antenna removed” from Continental’s frequent flyer lounge. Continental’s free service poses an “unacceptable potential risk” to communications gear used by the state police and the Transportation Security Administration, the letters claim.

For its part, Continental says that a 1996 law prevents local officials from meddling with wireless service and has asked the Federal Communications Commission to intervene. Its letter to the FCC argues that the agency has “exclusive jurisdiction” over Wi-Fi and should keep local authorities at bay.

Source: ZDNet