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Yahoo Creates Brand Universe

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Internet, Movies, Video Games,

Yahoo has launched Brand Universe, Internet sites that are based on popular brands, such as movies, TV shows, celebrities, and video games. As if the net isn’t already crowded enough, they are taking content from Yahoo Answers, Flickr, Del.ici.ous, and other Yahoo properties to create 100 sites.

“We don’t connect the dots for our users around those brands,” claims Vince Broady, head of games, entertainment and youth. “Brand Universe is designed to fix that problem. What we are really trying to do is create environments where fans of brands can hang out when they are online.”

Although they have not asked permission of these sites for their usage, they are willing to discontinue the idea should any of them object. Future sites will include Lost, the Sims, Harry Potter and the new Transformers movie.

Gallery: Yahoo Creates Brand Universe

The Bleeding Edge 119: Microsoft Vanishing Point Finale Party

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Internet, Microsoft, Software, Videocasts, Videos,

Gallery: The Bleeding Edge 119: Microsoft Vanishing Point Finale Party

The Internet Invades Politics

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Internet, Videos,

Every day the web becomes a more powerful social network. Iraqi assassinations were posted on the Internet in their entirety. Viral videos helped to cause the demise of former senator George Allen and comedian Michael Richards. It also was the source of coming out parties for both Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. Just as TV was the turning point in the race for President during the debates between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, we consider the possibilities that those of you interested in the politics of our U. of S. will be turning more to the likes of YouTube than the boob tube for next year’s big race. After viewing last night’s “The Agenda” on tvo.org with Steve Paikin, we see that we aren’t the only ones.

Gallery: The Internet Invades Politics

Microsoft Releases Vista to The Public

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Microsoft, Software,

We know we don’t need to tell you that Microsoft Vista and Office 2007 were unleashed upon the masses today. This is a headline for not only every ezine on the planet, but newspaper and TV news as well. You can even catch the webcast yourself if you weren’t able to attend the gala. What we admire is the glitz and glamour that only a Bill Gates could provide. In a press conference given at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square, Gates actually commented, “Everything is becoming digital. Vista is key to the era.”

Software analysts claim that Windows and Office are Microsoft’s most profitable products and account for about half of its $12.5 billion in 2nd-quarter revenue. So the Olympic-like festivities were used to convince Windows and Office devotees to shift to the new versions. Microsoft expects to sell 200 million copies globally in the next two years. That’s a hell of a cash cow.

Gallery: Microsoft Releases Vista to The Public

Worth1000 Allows Photoshop Artists iCreativity

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Home Entertainment, Internet, Software,

With so much media over-saturation on the Internet, Worth1000 has come up with a unique idea to keep your inspirational juices flowing. Recently they devised a contest that you could enter with your own iGadget. Ranging in products from the iGod to the iCar, the contestants illustrate how any budding net artist can utilize Photoshop to create art.

Claiming 5 million+ hits on their site, Worth1000 also allows its members to design their own contests. Visit Worth1000 to view more of the 100+ entrants in this contest or to find out how you can join their ranks and enter your own art in one of their 7,649 galleries.

Gallery: Worth1000 Allows Photoshop Artists iCreativity

YouTube to Share the Wealth with Subscribers

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Videos,

Co-founder of YouTube Chad Hurley has announced that the company has finally decided to share it’s revenue with users, after many of them jumped ship to such sites as Revver and MetaCafe, which pay according to hits and popularity. Hurley, who sold YouTube to Google last year, made the announcement at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this past Saturday. No timeline of payment launching or amount was mentioned, but we think that it’s about time that creative types such as ourselves were paid for our efforts.

Gallery: YouTube to Share the Wealth with Subscribers

Cleveland Cavalier Fans Get Electronic Ticketing

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech,

Cavalier logo One third of Cleveland Cavalier fans have begun using Flash Seats, owner Dan Gilbert’s answer to paper ticketing. Simply swipe your drivers license or credit card at the arena to complete a transaction. Not only does Gilbert find this to be a solution for saving a tree, he also believes that it will thwart scalpers’ efforts to double or triple the list price.

“I hope to be in every league starting next fall,” says Flash Seats chief executive officer Sam Gerace.
Ticketless registration is already a $10 billion-a-year industry, with about $3 billion being sold online. Ticket holders can transfer seats by e-mail and even sell them through Flash Seats with a 20% buyer fee.

Gallery: Cleveland Cavalier Fans Get Electronic Ticketing

Finnish Novel Written Entirely in SMS

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Internet,

text message

Finnish author Hannu Luntiala has created an entire novel with and about text messaging. Entitled “The Last Message,” the plot consists of an IT exec who resigns, travels throughout Europe and India, and communicates only through text messaging. The 332 page “phone book” consists of approximately 1,000 messages which of course are written in SMS.

“I believe that, at the end of the day, a text message may reveal much more about a person than you would initially think,” says Luntiala, who also heads a company that keeps databases on Finns.

Publishing firm Tammi is considering make the novel available in other languages. We’re not exactly sure of the point here, but this may start a whole wave of Orwellian Newspeak.