Facebook unveils 'groups' feature and user controls.

Facebook has introduced a raft of features aimed at giving users more control over their personal data.

A groups feature will allow users to specify circles of friends with whom they want to share different data.

For the first time, users will also be able to download all the data they have uploaded onto the site.

They will also find it easier to see how individual applications are using personal information, Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said

Read Full Report : Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley

Facebook unveils 'groups' feature and user controls

There are yet more new features being added to the updated Facebook

Facebook has introduced a raft of features aimed at giving users more control over their personal data.

A groups feature will allow people to specify circles of friends with whom they want to share different updates and information.

For the first time, users will also be able to download all the data they have uploaded onto the site.

They will also find it easier to see how individual applications are using personal information, Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said.

BBC NEWS : 6 October 2010

IP : Apple faces $600m damages claim

The row covers technology used in iTunes, Time Machine and Spotlight

Apple has asked a court to reconsider an impending decision that could cost it more than $600m (£379m) in damages.

On 1 October, a US jury found in favour of Mirror Worlds in a patent wrangle over technology to display documents on computer screens.

Mirror Worlds alleged that Apple had infringed four of its patents.

After weighing evidence the jury said three had been infringed and awarded the company $208.5m damages for each one.

BBC News :  5 October 2010

Digital Frontiers: Brave New Communications World

VOAvideo | September 22, 2010 - The Internet and mobile phones have brought a sea change to the ways we communicate. People around the world have greater connectivity than ever before, but these communication tools can change social behavior for better and for worse. VOA's Martin Secrest has more:

Microsoft launch Internet Explorer 9 web browser

Microsoft has launched its latest bid to be computer users' default window on to the web.

The software giant has released the latest version of its popular web browser, Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), which it will help revive its fortunes in an increasingly competitive market.

Since 2003 the company has seen a 97% lead dwindle to 60% today.

It will compete with new versions of other popular browsers such as Mozilla's Firefox and Google's Chrome.

BBC News 15 Sept 2010

Twitter gets first major revamp in four years.

Twitter has undergone its first major facelift which aims to provide a rich multi-media experience for its 160 million users.

The redesign aims to make it easier for users to check out photos and video.As Twitter competes for advertising dollars, it is also seeking to ensure people stay on the website for longer and return more often.Twitter.com now spreads information over two "panes" instead of over one page.

BBC News 15 Sept 2010

Windows 7

Tour Windows 7 - Microsoft Windows

HP suing CEO that resigned then joins Oracle.

Hurd Is Now a President at Oracle, H.P.’s Rival

Late on Monday, Oracle announced that Mr. Hurd had joined the company as a president and a director. Mr. Hurd resigned from H.P. one month ago, after an investigation by the board into a personal relationship with a contractor turned up questionable expense reports.

Oracle’s decision to hire Mr. Hurd presents Silicon Valley with a true soap opera, filled with fierce business dealings and saucy relationships.

By ASHLEE VANCE - Read full report NY Times | Published: September 6, 2010

Garrity Calls HP Suit Against Hurd an `Expected Move': Video

Sept. 7, 2010 | (Bloomberg) -- David Garrity, principal at GVA Research LLC, talks about Hewlett-Packard Co.'s decision suit against former Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd, who was hired by Oracle Corp. as president, to force the executive to comply with agreements to protect confidential information. Oracle, the world's second-biggest software company, announced the hiring yesterday and said Hurd would serve as a board member, reporting to CEO Larry Ellison. Garrity talks with Carol Massar on Bloomberg Television's "Street Smart." (Source: Bloomberg)
view from youtube


Attorney Tecce Discusses H-P Lawsuit Against Ex-CEO Hurd: Video

Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Fred Tecce, a lawyer at McShea Tecce and a former U.S. attorney, talks with Bloomberg's Julie Hyman about Hewlett-Packard Co.'s lawsuit against former Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd, who was hired by Oracle Corp. as a president, to force the executive to comply with agreements to protect confidential information. (Source: Bloomberg)
view in youtube

Google and Skype could be hit by India data curbs

India's clampdown on telecom firms is likely to affect Google and Skype.

 

India has toughened its scrutiny of telecoms firms with a directive demanding "access to everything".

An Indian Home Ministry official told the BBC that "any company with a telecoms network should be accessible".

"It could be Google or Skype, but anyone operating in India will have to provide data," he said.

BBC News : 30 Aug 2010

Facebook Sues Teacher Resource for Using the Word "Book".

Does Facebook Have a Case?

Original Article: Facebook is suing a company called Teachbook, which operates a social networking site for teachers, apparently because it has "book" in its name and "competes" with Facebook. Teachbook is described as "a professional community for teachers". Sounds like a threat to Facebook's existence doesn't it? 

Read more :

Google offers free voice calls via Gmail .

By Maggie Shiels Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley 

Google's Craig Walker said the product promotes "cheap easy communication"

 

Google is taking on internet telephone companies like Skype by allowing users to call from its free web-based email service.

For the moment only users in the US will be able to make calls from inside their Gmail account.

Facebook COO - Sheryl Sandberg

at Nielsen Consumer 360.

June 15, 2010  |  The world now knows a little more about Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's Chief Operating Officer. She runs in Nike shoes, wears Covergirl mascara and her kids eat Cheerios.

Sandberg delivered a personal glimpse into her own association with brands and communities as she delivered a keynote address to Nielsen's Consumer 360 conference today. Video below:

Australia warns Facebook users

AlJazeeraEnglish — June 05, 2010 — Australian police are urging teenagers to take their personal details off social networking websites, after an 18-year-old woman was murdered.

Police believe teenager Nona Belomesoff befriended her killer through the Facebook website.

Belomesoff's body was found on May 14, two days after she embarked on an excursion with a man she met on the website, who told her that they were going to rescue hurt animals.

Christopher James Dannevig, the 20-year-old man charged with the murder, is alleged to have established a fake Facebook profile and claimed on it to work for an animal welfare organisation.

He is believed to have offered Belomesoff a job and to have encouraged her to take the camping trip with him.

Belomesoff's body was later found at a creek south of Sydney.

Web revolution sweeps Whitehall

By Brian Wheeler
Political reporter, BBC News

Work is under way to update departmental websites

Never mind the events in Downing Street. There is a revolution going on in cyberspace too.

Government web activity was frozen during the general election campaign but now that the new coalition Lib Dem/Conservative government is taking shape it has exploded into frenetic life. 

Mouse-wielding civil servants across Whitehall are engaged in a frantic rush to archive old pages full of defunct policies and pen portraits of now departed Labour ministers and to replace them with shiny new web pages that reflect the priorities and personalities of their new political masters. 

Facebook downplays privacy crisis meeting

By Maggie Shiels | Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley

Facebook was started as a way for students to share information

Facebook has downplayed the significance of a company-wide meeting to discuss privacy issues.

The blogosphere described the meeting as a panic measure following weeks of criticism over the way it handles members' data. 

Several US senators have made public calls for Facebook to rethink its privacy safeguards. 

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, launched a petition directed at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. 

10 ways to get the most out of your IT training

TechRepublic - April 26th, 2010 | Author: Don Whitnah

In an unstable economy, information technology professionals — whether employed or searching for work, new to the field, or nearing retirement — should always be looking for ways to keep their skills current. Many companies still require IT certification training or some form of continuing education for that very purpose. Some include this necessary training as an employee benefit, but unfortunately, many others have cut these training programs completely over the last few years to trim costs. Fortunately, according to a survey of 100 business leaders by The New Learner (released in March), training and development in the workplace should increase by 50 percent during 2010, “with the main learning medium straying away from industry-wide conferences and being replaced by alternative online solutions.”

What is Digsby?

GoDigsby — September 20, 2009 — Digsby helps you save time by letting you manage all your IM, email, and social network accounts from one easy-to-use free application. http://www.digsby.com/

Instant Messaging

digsby is a multiprotocol IM client that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list.