Web 2.0 News Desk

Yahoo! Named “Platinum Sponsor” of Cloud Computing Expo

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT

SYS-CON Events announced today that Yahoo!, a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide, was named "Platinum Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 4th International Cloud Computing Conference & Expo (www.CloudComputingExpo.com), which will take place on November 2 - 4, 2009, Santa Clara Convention Center, in Santa Clara, California.

Yahoo! Cloud Computing SVP To Keynote Cloud Computing Expo

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Yahoo! is investing significantly in Cloud Computing to support the company's global applications and audience of more than 500 million users. Yahoo!'s cloud confronts technical challenges at an almost unprecedented scale - requiring tens of petabytes of storage, tens of thousands of machines, and synchronization across multiple data centers around the globe.

Ulitzer vs. Ning - a Quick Review

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:30:00 EDT

Having used both sites for about two weeks, there is still a great deal I am learning to do with both Ulitzer and Ning, but a reader asked if I would do a quick comparison, so I will.

An A to Z of Cloud Computing Companies in 2009

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:45:00 EDT

A robust ecosystem of solutions providers is emerging around cloud computing.Here, SYS-CON's Cloud Computing Journal expands its popular list of most active players in the fast-emerging Cloud Ecosystem, from the 'mere' 100 we identified back in January of this year, to half as many again - testimony, if any further were needed, to the fierce and continuing growth of the "Elastic IT" paradigm throughout the world of enterprise computing.

Angel Investor Heaven in Social Media

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:15:00 EDT

Great Time for Start-ups

There may have never been a better time than right now to be a start-up in the Silicon Valley, Austin or Boston which is where many of these new social technologies are emerging. Look at the dramatic decrease in the cost of processing power, storage and web-based computing. This dramatic turn in the favor of development capabilities against capital benefits the many start-ups who want a piece of the growing social media pie. Not only do new development frameworks…

NIMBY Attitude Stalling U.S. Growth -AEP Chairman, Michael Morris

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EDT

Michael Morris leader of America’s largest electricity generator, American Electric Power (AEP) speaks out for MeettheBoss.com

Zookel Recognised as the Only Job Website Nominated at the 2009 TechCrunch Europas

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:30:00 EDT

Voting will soon be closing for the inaugural TechCrunch Europe Awards 2009. The awards were established to honour the best tech start-ups in web and mobile across Europe. Zookel is a new breed of job website and is acknowledged as one of the fastest growing in the UK and as a result, the business has been nominated for a TechCrunch start-up award.

Comodo Internet Security Earns 5 Prestigious CNET Stars

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:36:32 EDT

Comodo's free pc security software, Comodo Internet Security, has earned five stars, the maximum number possible, at CNET/Download.com. Comodo Internet Security is a combination antivirus and firewall product boasting Default Deny Protection. The suite's Host Intrusion Prevention System includes a proprietary whitelist of more than 4,000,000 trusted files. If software tries to install itself, but is not included on the whitelist, Comodo Internet Security prevents it from installing until the computer user can grant permission.

Unisys & Cloud Computing: Breaking Through Barriers to Adoption

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:45:00 EDT

Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) yesterday moved to overcome CIOs’ concerns about security of data in the cloud, cited by organizations and industry analysts as the top impediment to adopting cloud computing for business needs. Unisys unveiled an innovative cloud computing strategy and solutions portfolio for organizations to move enterprise application workloads securely to tailored cloud environments with greater confidence in maintaining the integrity of critical information. "I believe that cloud computing will revolutionize the way enterprises obtain business and IT services and change the kind of payback they get from their IT investments," said Rich Marcello, president, Unisys Systems and Technology (pictured below), adding:

Google ToolBar PageRank vs Actual Page Rank

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EDT

Most of us are unaware of the fact that Google toolbar Page Rank (PR) varies from Google actual (internal) Page Rank. Within Google's actual databases, each of your pages is stored and does have some form of numerical Page Rank calculated value. This is quite likely to differ from the toolbar page rank. It seems to be confusing as most of us refer to the toolbar for the relevancy of the page but in fact the actual Page Rank values are some decimal numbers such as 3.831 which might be shown as PR 4/10 or PR 3/10 on the toolbar scale. The Toolbar Page Rank value only indicates that a page is in a certain range of the overall scale. One PR=5 page could be just above the PR=5 division and another PR=5 page could be just below the PR=6 division, which is a huge Difference.

New Radian6 Development and the Analysis of Conversations

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EDT

Radian6 Announces Social CRM and Web Analytics Integration Published 06/24/09 New features empower companies to extend customer relationships into the social web and more clearly determine social media ROI. Fredericton, NB (June 24, 2009) - The social web is touching more and more business processes inside the enterprise. Marketing, customer support, sales, and community professionals increasingly need to understand how the conversations happening in social media impact and drive their customer relationships.

Using Metrics to Vanquish the Fail Whale (Twitter)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:55:00 EDT

You really want to instrument everything you have,” Adams told an audience of 700 operations professionals. “The best thing you can do is have more information about your system. We’ve built a process around using these metrics to make decisions. We use science. The way we find the weakest point in our infrastructure is by collecting metrics and making graphs out of them.”

IBM's Social Networking Through Cloud Computing

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:15:00 EDT

LotusLive Connections simplifies working together, making it easy to identify and work with experts from any company online with the flexibility, convenience and affordable pricing associated with multi-tenant cloud services. Instant messaging, file sharing and activities are all instantly accessible for use with LotusLive networks.

Bluenog Releases ICE 4.5 to Enterprise 2.0 Community

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Bluenog has announced the availability of Bluenog ICE 4.5, the only Enterprise 2.0 application development platform built on pre-integrated open source collaboration, content management, presentation and reporting projects. ICE 4.5 is the new release of Bluenog's award winning flagship commercial product. Its Integrated Collaborative Environment of content management, portal, and business intelligence software now includes an Enterprise Wiki, secure group calendaring features and enhanced centralized administration.

Rebel Brown's eBook It's Not About You Anymore

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EDT

We are very excited to bring to you Rebel Brown's Positioning eBook It's Not About You Anymore. Rebel Brown is a go-to-market strategist and Spin Doctor specializing in start ups, turnarounds and start-arounds in the high technology arena. She has helped to define, position and launch over 75 individual products and companies since she began consulting 20 years ago. Her clients who are technology vendors and venture firms leverage her strategic marketing and go-to-market expertise. She identifies and transforms differentiation - customer's crown jewels - into compelling, customer-centric value that sells. Her business is PeopleWhoKnow. Rebel's Blog is Phoenix Rising. Rebel's Twitter handle is RebelBrown.

HNWIs Meettheboss For Wealth Advice

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EDT

On a larger scale, investors are feeling the strain as their trust in banks and other corporations continue to fade. Last year investors were forced to ‘help out’ banks as the crisis widened, only to be let down by a series of disappointing products companies claimed would create balance and make money. Many feel that there have been too many broken promises, tax payers losing their faith in an industry which was once thought of as ‘dependable’.

AJAX World RIA Conference & Expo Kicks Off in New York City

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EDT

In the tight economy, front-end engineers and front-end engineering can play a conspicuous role: good user experience, as the iPhone spectacularly demonstrates, means good business. At the 7th International AJAX World RIA Conference & Expo which opened Monday in New York, the speaker lineup is as usual dripping with real-world expertise. So here we bring you an A-Z of Front-End & RIA Engineering in the form of the sessions we're serving up today and tomorrow.

Fairtheworld Becoming Another Twitter?

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EDT

The concept of Web 2.0 gave birth to emerging, excellent Internet players such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Fairtheworld 3D Virtual Exhibition is tailor-made for international high-end enterprises. It concentrates the supply-and-demand information provision, vivid display of production chains, 3D exposition, third party supporting services integration, screening of high-end job seekers and other innovative functions.

The Cloud Computing Metaverse

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:15:00 EDT

In describing my theory on the Cloud Multiverse, I may have missed the few obvious implications of using the prefix "multi" or consisting of more than one part or entity. Although the Cloud Multiverse thesis suggests there will be more then one internet based platform or cloud to choose from. It does little to describe how each of those clouds interact. For this we need another way to describe how each of these virtualized interconnected environments interact with one another.

Microsoft Bleeding from the YouTube Wars

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EDT

According to CNET, the new economical Microsoft is scaling back its YouTube-competitive Soapbox web video service, meaning to limit content to categories covered by its online properties like finance and entertainment. It could just as easily give the venture up as a complete loss and shut it down. Microsoft VP Erik Jorgensen indicated that continuing with the YouTube approach is too costly in this economy.

Disney Brands a Netbook

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EDT

It had to happen. Only the timing seems a bit off because of the recession. But there’s gonna be a Disney netbook, a “Netpal” for 6–12 year-olds, made by netbook pioneer Asustek and selling for $350 at Toys “R” Us starting in late July. A version with more storage and a longer battery will go through Amazon.com and other retailers. The widget should go international by the end of the year.

Invitation-Only Social Network for Real Estate

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

The invitation-only community, ConnectedInvestors.com (www.ConnectedInvestors.com), was founded in 2005 by real estate investor, entrepreneur, and author Ross Hamilton. Hamilton says he started the real estate investor focused social network to help other investors create a community to support each other as well as to serve as an online way to track deal flow and utilize all of the best-of-breed available web marketing tools like automated customer list building, automatic customer follow up, and audio/video compatibility.

IBM Adds to its Cloud Repertoire

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:30:00 EDT

Figuring that the cloud may be the “most significant shift in technology since the outset of the Internet,” IBM is moving to ensure it gets its piece of what could be a $66 billion business in three years.

Wine Blog Launched on Ulitzer

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EDT

Ulitzer content is grouped in 25 distinct subjects from "Aerospace and Defense" to "Travel and Hospitality." Each subject group offers an unlimited number of topics, and each topic may contain thousands of peer-reviewed feature stories, bylined articles, blog posts, news, reviews, commentary, and unique editorial content authored by top experts in their fields. Ulitzer is designed to replace Wikipedia with Its three-dimensional live content offerings and dynamic topic structure.

China Ripped Off U.S. Code for Its ‘Censorware’

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Solid Oak Software claims the Green Dam “censorware” that the Chinese government has ordered pre-installed on every PC sold in China starting July 1 contains programming code and proprietary encryption techniques from its anti-pornography CyberSitter package. In fact, it thinks that Green Dam is largely its code.

HP Sets Out To Help IT Re-invent Itself

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT

Analysts in addition to myself are hearing consistently from IT executives that cost-optimization, cost-containment, and cost-reduction initiatives are the top priorities being driven from the business side onto IT.

Social Media Distributor Joins Boundless Network

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:59:00 EDT

Boundless Network (http://www.boundlessnetwork.com), a technology-enabled branded merchandise distributor, announced today that Chicago-area distributor Big Frey Promotional Products has joined the company. Boundless Network has completed 11 acquisitions since the beginning of 2008, including the addition of four branded merchandise distributorships in the Midwest region, significantly expanding the company's presence in the area. The company continues to seek additional branded merchandise partners across the country.

Dell Outlet States Promotional Success Using Twitter

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EDT

We’ve surpassed $2 million in revenue in terms of Dell Outlet sales, but we’re also seeing that it’s driving interest in new product as well. We’re seeing people come from @DellOutlet on Twitter into the Dell.com/outlet site, and then ultimately decide to purchase a new system from elsewhere on Dell.com. If we factor those new system purchases that come from @DellOutlet, we’re actually eclipsed $3 million in overall sales."

Thinking Global, Big Chinese PC Maker Allies with NComputing

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:15:00 EDT

Lenovo’s not the only Chinese PC maker with global ambitions. So has Haier Computer Group, reportedly the country’s second-largest PC maker and part of the $16 billion Haier Group, already the world’s fourth-largest white goods manufacturer. So, Haier has tied up with NComputing, the American company with the ultra low-cost virtual desktop solution, to jointly pursue large educational and government opportunities such as the one they captured in 2007 in Macedonia to supply 180,000 seats throughout the country’s school system for under $150 a seat including hardware, software, and network infrastructure.

Audi Covers Race on Social Media Websites

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Taking its racing efforts and online communications a step further, Xbox and Audi have announced that they will host an exciting and exceptionally unique AXF-24 Audi-Forza Challenge on June 13 and 14 at the Audi Forum in New York City. The event is open to fans who register online at http://audiexp.com. The R10 TDI will be on display, as well as R8 FSI chassis 605, which won the R8 FSI's final race worldwide at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT in 2006. The R8 FSI competed at Le Mans from 2000-2005 and the first half of the 2006 American Le Mans season, just as the successor R10 TDI was being phased into operation for its first race at Le Mans. As model year 2010 vehicles go on sale in Fall 2009, Audi will become the first automobile manufacturer in the United States to sell 100% of its gasoline engines with direct injection technology, branded as FSI. This high tech direct injection technology simultaneously maximizes power and fuel efficiency.

Face-to-Face ... to Facebook

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EDT

This year's TS2 Conference & Expo in Chicago features one of the most comprehensive and integrated social media marketing and communication programs in the trade show industry to date. In addition to pre-show marketing using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging, industry group "buzz-building," and mobile marketing, the show will feature a wide range of on-site connection techniques and enhancements, including:

How to Monetize Social Media

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:45:00 EDT

According to Casey Coffman, CEO of Coffman Group (www.coffmangroup.com), "No one with any intelligence will continue to buy this stuff (social media) without the resources to track sales conversions. We want the real ROI, not the one that marketers invented to continue their spending with CFOs. Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings (www.jenningspr.net), and I know with the right social media marketing and proprietary social media selling process, we will combine the best of both worlds," explained Coffman.

PR Is Dead...Long Live PR

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EDT

“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated” - a quote attributed to Mark Twain but apropos for today’s PR industry. I’ve seen several pieces of late, written by journalists and bloggers who appear rushed to sound the death knell over public relations. “New media and Web 2.0 changed the game,” they say, “and make public relations obsolete.”

CEO Transformation in 48 Hours

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:50:00 EDT

One of the world's most sought after executive coaches, Susan Steinbrecher, has launched an exclusive engagement called CEO Transformation in 48 hours. This 48 hour, one-on-one intense engagement is for CEOs and top tier executives who want to fulfill the vision they have for the future of their company - and for themselves - in short order.

Brad Templeton: Pioneer Whose Company Began the Dot-Com Era

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:30:00 EDT

20 years ago yesterday, Brad Templeton posted to USENET the public launch of ClariNet, his electronic newspaper service delivered over the Internet. According to Templeton, "ClariNet was the first business founded to use the Internet as its platform for business, and the era of the 'dot-com' had begun."

Transforming Internet Datacenters

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EDT

With the explosive growth of Web-based businesses and applications, datacenter workloads have increased exponentially. IT managers are finding it difficult to meet the accelerating demands for performance, capacity, scalability and reliability, while at the same time meeting budgets, maintaining service-level agreements and driving green initiatives.

Apple Vacations Launches Social Media Blog

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:54:00 EDT

"By launching The Juice as a follow up to our pages on Facebook and Twitter, we have created an integrated social media strategy so that our brand loyalists can be the first to know about Apple Vacations' sales and special offers," said Timothy Mullen, Senior Vice President. "Our advocates can step up and support our brand, or conversely, give us their opinions on where we can do better. It's a real-time conversation that we want to have so that everyone benefits from the public discussion. And, if we listen carefully, then get the right product into a customer's consideration set, we've got a great chance at making a sale through these mediums."

1st Annual Government IT Expo: Call for Papers Deadline July 15

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EDT

SYS-CON announces the Call for Papers for the 1st Annual Government IT Conference & Expo (GovITExpo), to be held October 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. Submissions are welcomed from exceptional speakers who are also Infrastructure, architecture, and software engineering experts who have first-hand experience in the development, procurement or implementation of IT for Government or Federal agencies.

AJAX & Rich Internet Applications Take Center Stage This Month in NYC

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EDT

Adobe Air, AJAX and AJAX Push, BlazeDS, Browser Issues, Cloud Computing, Comet, Developer Productivity, DotNetNuke, EC2, Enterprise RIA, Flex, HTML5, IE8, Information Dashboards, iPhone Development, JavaScript 2, Java Servlet 3.0, Mashups, Real-Time Web, Rich Clients, Ruby on Rails, Silverlight, Thin Clients, UX, VOIP, Web Platforms - a round-up of the Themes & Topics due to be discussed at the 7th International AJAX World RIA Conference & Expo, being held June 22-23 June, 2009 at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

Comodo Simplifies Administration of Secure Email Certificates

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:45:57 EDT

If an entire organization regularly sends encrypted email, hundreds or thousands of secure email certificates, one for each employee or email address, may be required. To simplify the management this complex task, Comodo's Certificate Manager can be used to deploy and administer all types of digital certificates used by an organization. Comodo's secure and accredited PKI systems and Certificate Manager help thousands of organizations to simplify their digital certificate administration and needs.