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It began with retailers fearing that sales of wireless kit were set to plummet amid fears of Wi-Fi radiation. It ended with the BBC accepting there was 'no hard evidence' to substantiate fears. Still, there's nothing like a good scare story to keep the tabloids happy. Next week: why iPods will give you leprosy.

This week also saw Dell give the open-source movement a shot in the arm, by announcing details of its Linux distro, ahead of the launch of three PCs pre-installed with Ubuntu (two desktop Dimensions and an Inspiron laptop). It also looks like the company famed for its direct sales business model is losing its religion and embracing conventional retail - its PCs could soon be in UK shops.

In My BT Vision of hell PC Pro's Rachel Zamorski finds out that BT's new TV service is more demanding than on-demand. Plus, in Drive-by mapping: the technology behind sat nav, PC Pro's Jim Martin went behind the scenes with Teleatlas to find out how sat nav maps are made. And there wasn't a compass in sight.

Here's our pick of the week's headlines:

Friday 25 May

Intel slims down laptop to 0.7in
Intel has unveiled further details of the 'world's slimmest laptop', which is only marginally thicker than the delectably slim Razr mobile phone.

Researchers close to breaking 1024-bit RSA encryption
The 1024-bit RSA encryption algorithm is close to being cracked, after encryption researchers demonstrate that a 307-bit Mersenne number could be broken down into primes.

Dell turns to retail - PCs could soon be in UK shops
Dell is to break with its 23-year direct sales tradition next month and start selling personal computers in North America through Wal-Mart.

Thursday 24 May

Digital divide narrowing - Ofcom<

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The digital divide between the various parts of the UK has diminished significantly over the past 12 months, according to new Ofcom research.

BBC: 'no hard evidence' for Wi-Fi scare
The BBC has admitted 'there is no hard evidence' on the long-term effects of Wi-Fi equipment, following its controversial Panorama investigation.

EFF signs up Novell for software patent disputes
Novell has signed up to support the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and its patent busting campaigns.

Ubuntu chief: Microsoft will lose patent war
On the day that Dell starts to sell PCs pre-loaded with Ubuntu, the Linux company's chief has warned Microsoft that it faces certain defeat if it attempts to start a patent war.

Wednesday 23 May

Businesses 'wasting money on Wi-Fi hotspots'
Businesses are wasting thousands of pounds on Wi-Fi hotspot fees because they don't use the minutes they pay for.

Intel forges semiconductor alliances for new flash firm
Intel has joined forces with a semiconductor specialist, STMicroelectronics, and a private equity firm to create a new flash memory business.

BT to bring VoIP to the PSP - The Wireless Event
BT and Sony are teaming up to provide voice and video calls on the PSP console.

Tuesday 22 May

Drive-by mapping: the technology behind sat nav
In this exclusive video report, PC Pro's Jim Martin goes behind the scenes with Teleatlas - one of the UK's major sat nav map data suppliers - to find out how maps are made.

My BT Vision of hell
A few months ago, desperately wanting a Sky+ box but refusing to pay hundreds of pounds for one, I ditched Sky - much to the horror of my family - and signed up for BT Vision.

Monday 21 May

IBM powers world's fastest chip
New Power6 chip offers environmentally-friendly computing with reduced power consumption.

Retailers panic over BBC Wi-Fi scare
Leading electronics retailers fear that sales of wireless networking equipment are set to plummet following a BBC Panorama investigation into Wi-Fi radiation.

Google wants your ISP's email
Your ISP email could be turned into a Gmail account if the search giant has its way.