The top software executive at Hewlett-Packard Co. has resigned for personal reasons and will leave the company on Dec. 9. Nora Denzel, senior vice president and general manager of HP's Software Global Business Unit, has been at HP since 2000. Denzel will be replaced temporarily by Todd DeLaughter, senior vice president and general manager of HP's OpenView Business Unit.

New Firefox browser release finally ships

After a host of test releases and a false start, a new version of the Firefox browser shipped last week. Firefox, which was downloaded more than 100 million times in October, is an alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer. Version 1.5 includes a wizard that lets users report Web sites that don't work in the Mozilla Foundation's browser in order to help developers ensure that sites that support IE also work in Firefox.

HP buys OpenView partner Trustgenix

HP has agreed to buy identity management software maker Trustgenix Inc. for an undisclosed sum. HP's OpenView Select Federation product is built around software licensed from Trustgenix. The product lets companies use Web single sign-on and cross-domain features to integrate with partners' systems. The deal is expected to close within 30 days.