Buyout, buyout, buyout.... CBS takes LastFM for $280 Million

That's right.

There have been so many buyouts... amazing.

I just read that CBS has purchased LastFM for $280 Million.

I use LastFM, I enjoy it..... seeing what I listen to mostly. I don't really use any of the features that would suggest new music.

I'm usually pretty fussy on what I really like..... although I do like a very wide variety of music genres.

(Reuters + ZDnet)

Google "Street Views" in Maps

I checked this out today and I was very impressed.

I played around looking at different areas of New York with this today. All street views. Pretty wild really.

It is almost scary when you start thinking about the amount of data being mined... and also being analyzed.

(PC World)

Google buys GreenBorden

Another addition to the google family.

Google bought GreenBorden, they are an internet security firm.

(Yahoo+AFP)

Google buys Feedburner

The mighty Google has made another aquisition.

Feedburner is the latest to be bought our by the giant.

(Article here)

Linux users are inviting Microsoft to sue them

This is a neat article.... actually the original title of the article is great.

Microsoft had claimed that Linux had infringed on 235 patents.... these users seem to want to challenge them on this claim....

I love this article.

By the way, I administer both Microsoft 2003 and Linux servers..... I do like both products.

Although, I think that in some cases.... these patent infringement accusations and lawsuits have the ability to hinder actual useful progress...

Is Microsoft blowing hot air??

Possibly.... we'll find out I'm sure.

(Yahoo - Infoworld)

Web based messengers

Here's a recent article on web based messengers.... I'm not sure if there is a complete list of the ones they've reviewed... but they list their top 6.

(PC World)

Water proof camcorder

Do you swim?
Do you want to record "under water" digital videos?

There's gonna be a new camcorder for you on the market.

The Xacti E1 might just be for you. It looks like a nice little gadget.

How much did VoIP weigh in 2006?

I thought this was an interesting article.

I've never thought about bytes, kilobytes and their weight...

In this article, Russell Shaw shows us how to calculate this in a round a bout way.

(His ZDNet blog post)

Microsoft buys aQuantive Inc.

Seems as though on Friday, Microsoft made their move in the web services wars... they bought aQuantive Inc. A company that specializes in online ads and such....

Microsoft is said to have offered $6 billion cash for the purchase.

They will eventually include these ads in their xBox games and probably in other online services.

Google, Microsoft, Yahoo.... etc... let the wars continue.

(Article by AP on yahoo.com)

Linus Torvalds - on Microsoft patent infringment accusations

Here's an article directed at Microsoft's recent claims that Open Source software "owes them" because of many patent infringments.

(Information week)

Quite an article : DRM against Microsoft, Apple, Adobe and Real

This is quite a claim.... a small software company sends cease and desist notices to Microsoft, Apple, Adobe and Real Networks for not using its product.

Wow...

The company's name is Media Rights Technologies.

Check it out @ The Register

Microsoft's demand for royalties - Open Source

Microsoft seems to want royalties on open source software.

Microsoft claims that there are 235 violations of it's patents.

There are patents ranging from user interface, Linux Kernel... Open Office...etc.

With a huge business like this, I see some practical problems.

This company has a virtual monopoly on operating systems. Thus holding so many patents to 'x' out the competition on hardware that pretty much ONLY sells it's operating systems..... maybe I should not have used the word virtual.

Also, with one company with so much influence because of this "virtual monopoly" in the OS buiz... if Microsoft can use it's many patents to then shut down all these open source projects and possibly extend the range into other businesses.... another problem arises.

Microsoft could slow the pace of useful technology... bye bye innovation. Not to say that Microsoft doesn't have some ideas on what to develop next.... but they are not the sole group of developpers who are inspired to create new things/technology...

This is partially a battle of control.

(PC World article)

IBM and Green energy

According to this article, IBM will be spending $1 Billion a year to double it's energy efficiency.

I think that is great news. Although there are all kinds of opinions about global warming, changes in weather etc... we all know that pollution is bad. And, I think we've seen that conserving or being as energy efficient is very important.

This is a responsible move in my opinion. And in the long run, I'm sure it will pay off.

(Yahoo - PC World)

Oasis database technology

A new database technology has been released.

This software is designed for people who have very little to no knowledge of programming. Basically it seems like it lets you build your database using drag and drop functionality... no SQL statements.... etc.

I wonder exactly how it runs. I'd love to see it just out of curiosity.

(IT Business)

Comcast - New high speed network in the works

There was a demonstartion of Comcast's new network technology recently.

It came in at about 150 megabits per second. That's pretty fast.
;-)

The company mentioned that within a couple of years this new technology should be available on their network... and that it wouldn't be that far off from current cable modem prices.
(That would be great news)

(Yahoo - Canadian Press)

Yahoo Travel

Yahoo has re-worked their travel site.

If you are travelling or planing a trip, this site may be of help to you. Could save you a little bit of $$ as it is supposed to help you with your travelling choices.

I am a bit of a fan of some of Yahoo's web services, I haven't personally used this site yet.. but I'll certainly keep an eye on it.

http://travel.yahoo.com/

Sun comes out with their own RIA

Following the growing popularity of RIAs like Flex, Microsoft had made their announcements about Silverlight.

Now, Sun has announced they are coming out with their own version of the RIA platform.

I was a bit surprised at this. Microsoft, I did expect to jump into the boat and wasn't that surprised that they were going to open source part of Silverlight.

But Sun coming out with Java FX (yes that is it's name!)... I didn't really see coming.

I wouldn't think that it will take over this market, but then again, you never know.

One thing is for sure... the competition is growing fierce.

(Article here)

MySpace to purchase Photobucket

The never ending stream of big IT merges and buyouts... at least it seems like it.

MySpace is reported to be buying Photobucket... interesting, as the 2 were previously feuding.

Remember Macromedia VS Adobe?? (Now known as Adobe!)

$250 million in cash.....

Online services like this.... bigtime business nowadays.... overpriced??

I wonder how much money they actually generate.

(Yahoo - Reuters)

More on Microsft + Yahoo merger rumours

Here's an interesting post on the merger rumours...

This would be so huge if it happened.

(Information week article)

$10 laptop

This is pretty neat.... even innovative.

In India, they are going to try and develop the $10 laptop.

(Check it out)

Microsoft / Yahoo rumours revisited

The mere thought of this merger makes me twitch...

2 Giants, align... to attempt to take over...

Nothing but rumour so far.... but is it?
(eerie music here)

Here is a post with some reasons why they perhaps would want to combine their respective forces...
PCMag

Here is another article talking about a deal...
PCMag again!

Check out the estimated buying price.... $50 billion

Is that all??

Google VS Microsoft - Silverlight fight

Google VS Microsoft.

Seems like some people over at InfoWorld are thinking that Microsoft might use (or might try to use) Silverlight to provide "richer" or more interesting online services than Google.

So far, from what I've read, it's a bit hush hush.

But you never know.

(InfoWorld article)

Digg dug?

Apparently, Digg has recently found itself in quite a conflict.
(Digg's website)

Seems like when some HD-DVD hack code was posted, it was pulled by Digg... which infuriated many of Digg's userbase.

On a site like Digg, and most of the internet (IMO).... it's all about being user driven.

Really.

The internet is amazing in many different ways. Many companies have exploded in such a short time.... but, a company can also implode or disapear in an equal short time.

The new world.

(ZDNet blog)

Dell to run Linux Ubuntu

I think this is great.

More choice, in the mainstream.

Dell has announced that they will be offering Linux Ubuntu on some desktop and notebook models.

I've used Ubuntu, and still use it on 2 servers. Ubuntu has a large community base, and it's user interface is great.

There may be a bit more of a move in the air towards both Mac and Linux... I've always been a windows guy on my laptops and PCs, mainly because of compatibility. But now, because of software like Open Office, and even Google Apps, I have decided that I will make a switch.

I'm considering a Mac laptop or desktop, and I may set up an Ubuntu desktop for work.

(ZDNet blog post)

Deleting data on your hard drive

This is an interesting article on deleting data from your hard drive.

Certainly, an interesting read for anyone that may want to clear data off a hard drive.

(ZDNet blog)

Want Google to buy you out?

Here's an interesting post on how to get bought....

(Article here)

And now.... good luck!

:-)