The Asian community entered 2005 reeling from the devastating effects of the Dec. 26 Tsunami that battered the coastal lines of several nations including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

But the region has since recovered, and the IT industry this year bustled around more plans for open source, gasped over new megamerger deals and griped about increasing security problems.

Much of the water-cooler chatter revolved around several megamergers, as well as the rivalry between Microsoft and search company Google, which intensified as 2005 rambled along.

Companies worldwide were dogged by a growing number of security incidents and problems in 2005 such as the critical breach which saw 40 million credit card accounts exposed, Microsoft's major patch bungle, and Sony's "rootkit" copy-protection technology.

Here are the top 10 headlines, ranked chronologically, that created the biggest impact in 2005. Though it's not listed here, blonde socialite Paris Hilton's hacked mobile has also been a popular read among ZDNet Asia readers since the news broke in February.

Asian users not entirely safe from Sony 'rootkit'
Security experts warn Sony's copy-protection technology is not "language-specific" and can affect users in the region, particularly those who purchase CDs online.
Thursday, November 17, 2005

Critical Windows patch may wreak PC havoc
Patch to fix serious Windows flaws can lock users out of their computer, block applications or cause other trouble.
Monday, October 17, 2005

Sun and Google shake hands
Multiyear partnership will develop and distribute Google Toolbar, Java, OpenOffice and OpenSolaris--and Google will buy lots more Sun servers.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005

eBay buys Skype in US$2.6 billion deal
The e-commerce giant confirms rumors that it will be acquiring the popular IP telephony company, in a bid to extend its global marketplace and payments platform.
Monday, September 12, 2005

Credit card breach exposes 40 million accounts
Security vulnerability lets intruder enter network and nab info on millions of credit card holders.
Monday, June 20, 2005

Apple to ditch IBM, switch to Intel chips
Apple will announce its plans Monday in a move that raises questions about the Mac maker's future computer strategy.
Monday, June 06, 2005

When open source comes marching in
Open source is gaining traction in the public sector, as Asian governments look for alternative software that meet business needs and offer more bang for the buck.
Thursday, May 19, 2005

Intel unfazed by AMD's dual-core launch
AMD debuts its dual-core Opteron processor months before rival Intel is due to release its dual-core Montecito chip. But Intel says it's not about who hits the market first.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Is RFID worth the trouble?
Early RFID adopters share their experience and stress the importance of experimenting.
Thursday, April 14, 2005

Fiorina steps down at HP
Carly Fiorina ends reign as HP's CEO and chairman. CFO Robert Wayman takes over in the interim.
Thursday, February 10, 2005