| AV giants target eBay software fraud
Two of the world's largest antivirus software vendors are launching legal action against a group of software pirates selling illegal versions of well-known security software on eBay, as part of a major crackdown on software fraud on the auction site. The trade in illegal software on eBay is a booming industry and one the auction site has been reluctant to address, saying it is the role of the vendors to protect their intellectual property. Now McAfee and Symantec have decided to get tough on the pirates, throwing their considerable weight behind a Software and Information Industry Association (Siaa) campaign to clean up eBay. The Siaa is planning to ensnare criminals by buying software from eBay and suing those whose products turn out to be illegal. The initiative was kicked off with the announcement of legal proceedings against five US-based individuals who face claims for damages as well as court orders restricting them from committing their alleged crimes in the future.
Apple peels away old retailing style
LOS GATOS, Calif. — Not a cash register is in sight. The electronics on display are all powered up and ready for use.Personal trainers, specialists and newly minted concierges in aqua-blue shirts make the Apple Store feel part salon, part Internet cafe — just without the espresso. Over the past year, Apple Inc. has revamped its 201 stores, changing the layout, adding services and increasing its staffing. "Apple indeed does things differently from the rest of the retail gang," said Kurt Barnard, president of the Barnard Retail Consulting Group. Clipboard-carrying concierges greet customers at the door to direct them to the right section of the store or to the personal shopper or trainer with whom they had made an appointment. Several others mill the floor in case someone has a question or is ready to buy an iPod, an iPhone or a Macintosh computer.
Dear Dieter (Zetsche)....
You spoke about integrity as a top priority during DaimlerChrysler's annual shareholder meeting on Apr. 4. So I couldn't help wondering what you would have thought about the scene in the press center during that long day when one of your managers went around encouraging journalists with a friendly smile not to take the shareholders' criticism too seriously. Do you really mean to be telling the press, "Hey, we don't care what shareholders think. Especially the ones that criticize us." Isn't that a rather appalling lack of respect for the owners of your company? Daimler's shareholders are angry not only about the value destroyed by the merger with Chrysler. They are fuming over the failure by management and board members to take responsibility for the errors made. Hilmar Kopper and Juergen Schrempp were pilloried at the meeting because they arrogantly refused to acknowledge shareholder criticism.
Technology Leader SECNAP Introduces Hosted Spam Solution
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- SECNAP(R) Network Security Corporation today announced the addition of an innovative hosted solution to the company's extensive anti-spam product line. Hosted SpammerTrap(TM) leverages the same user-friendly software as the popular SECNAP SpammerTrap(TM) line of email security devices to deliver virtually 100% accuracy around the clock. Customers who need a proven spam solution but prefer to let experts manage it are ideal candidates for Hosted SpammerTrap, which eliminates capital equipment and space requirements. The service is available to any size company, and integrates easily into third-party email programs or servers. An introductory promotion offers a free month of service. According to Ilan Zachar, CIO of Gazit Group USA, "We were using a competitor's hosted service (Postini) but found that we required some functionality they didn't offer.
Fifty years on from the Munich disaster, Busby's legacy continues to ...
Fifty years ago today a disaster that reverberated throughout the world of football occurred when the Manchester United team and a number of journalists were involved in a horrific crash at the Munich Riem Airport. Seven players died at the scene as did eight leading soccer writers. The brilliant Duncan Edwards, already an established international with 18 England caps to his credit at the age of 21, passed away 15 days later. The team had played a European Cup match, that ended in a 3-3 draw, against Red Star in Belgrade. The result was sufficient to secure Manchester United place in the semi-finals. The return flight to England was undertaken in appaling weather, and the plane landed in Munich to refuel. Although there was snow and ice everywhere, there was no concern initially among the Manchester United officials - who included the highly respected coach Matt Busby - players, or members of the media.
Leaders offer up predictions for '08
Detroit Mayor "Kwame Kilpatrick will file a paternity lawsuit against Roger Penske, claiming to be Penske's illegitimate son. Kwame will balance his budget one way or another." ROBERT FICANO, Wayne County executive: • "A plan to expand Cobo Center WILL be approved in 2008." JERRY YORK, adviser to Las Vegas billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, former chief financial officer of Chrysler and IBM, former board member of General Motors and current board member of Apple, is mulling these issues heading into 2008: • "What will U.S. auto industry volume/incentive spending per unit be in 2008? (I am betting on an industry of 15.25 million to 15.5 million units.)" • "What will the domestic three (automakers') North American profitability/cash flow be in 2008? And will Cerberus stick to its publicly announced plans to treat Chrysler as a long-term investment?" • "Will the domestic three increase their product renewal rates in the 2009 to 2011 period to stabilize their North American market shares?" • "Will the domestic three begin taking any more meaningful actions to eliminate troubled brands and/or reduce dealer body sizes?" MARK FIELDS, Ford Motor Co.
Cruel defeat snuffs out European dream
IN THE end, the emotions were not so much mixed as scrambled to the four corners of Hampden. We had seen Italy score in 70 seconds, we had seen them dominate the early minutes with some chilling football that not only took the fire out of the home support but also shocked Alex McLeish's team to the core. But in the final stages of the game it was the world champions who had the heat coming on them, their lead wiped-out by a scrambled Barry Ferguson goal just after the hour, their assurance of before in danger of being stripped away. With ten minutes remaining, Scotland drove forward once again, the substitute Kenny Miller linking with James McFadden and sending the most delicious ball across the Italian penalty area. The Azzurri were at sixes and sevens, Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta, two of the game's pre-eminent defenders from two of the world's most glamorous clubs, were over-run.
World Superstars Boost Sofia Property Prices
Obelisk says Sofia property investments are attracting the attention of Hollywood celebrities and pop icons, prompting the emergence of a new luxury market. Cheap holidays, cheap skiing, cheap flights, cheap food and drink, and of course cheap property - ‘Cheap' has been the main attraction for British investors buying into Bulgaria. However, big changes are in the air with an increasing number of foreign investors and Hollywood A-listers buying up the more exclusive high-end property. Antonio Banderas, who already owns property in Spain, is amongst "Hollywood royalty" spending many months in the capital filming The Code, due for release this year, along with Morgan Freeman who has revealed his interest in purchasing a block of executive apartments in Sofia. The newly renovated film studio in Sofia has created a house-hunting frenzy from top filmmakers and celebrities.
JAQUITTA'S JOURNEY: Read Her Blog
I thought I'd write a quick blog before taking my 3 to 4 hour nap. Radiation has finally kicked in and it makes me incredibly tired. The doctors mentioned fatigue, and I'm experiencing it. To bottom line it: I feel tired the majority of the time. However, I only have a few days left before it's all over. The countdown is on! The only side note is that doctors have warned me that even though the radiation will be over in a few days, I may still feel the effects 2 months after. So, Happy Joy, joy right? Anyway, I try to sleep as much as I can. I will admit working and getting treatment is wearing on me a bit, but if it gets to be too much I just have to back off. I have to accept the fact that my extra pounds are still holding on. I've been told it comes off gradually, that the chemo med's are still kicking in my body and that's part of the reason why it's not coming off as rapidly as I'd like.
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