About VCs Deal:
Electronic Arts Inc. sealed a deal with private-equity firm Elevation Partners to buy a videogame-development company for $860 million, bolstering its pipeline of action, adventure and role-playing titles with 10 yet-to-be released games.
How The Deal Is?
Elevation Partners will sell its VG Holdings Corp., the parent company of game makers BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios, which has produced hit titles such as Destroy All Humans! The deal -- the largest in EA's history -- includes two new games generating buzz in the industry, Mass Effect and Mercenaries 2: World in Flames.
Six of the 10 games under development are fully owned by VG .
The deal is EA’s largest and will add six more video games to the 10 EA is currently developing. The acquisition, which follows last week’s acquisition of gaming apps provider Super Computer International, reflects EA’s strategy of maintaining the rights of the games it publishes, rather than sharing ownership with outside parties like film studios.
Under the terms of the deal, which was negotiated by Elevation Partners, EA will give VG’s stockholders up to $620 million in cash, with $155 million in equity to certain of its employees, based on performace.
More at:http://www.ea.com/
Via-WSJ
Friday, October 12, 2007
Do people behave politely in virtual worlds than on blogs, forums and chat rooms on the Web?
Do people behave better in virtual worlds than on blogs, forums and chat rooms on the Web?
A group of virtual world advocates say "yes." They just can't prove it yet.
"Character rancor is much different on blogs, Twitter, (and so on)...It can get very petty," Jaron Lanier, scholar in residence at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, said here Wednesday at the AlwaysOn technology conference.
"In Second Life, it's almost more like theater," Lanier said. "I don't see people getting into petty interpersonal knots with each other. But this is anecdotal."
His theory is that people behave better in virtual worlds because they can be economically tied to their property, for example, and as he described it, they have "more to lose if they're creepy." Lanier's other theory is that seeing people, even in the form of an avatar, evokes empathy.
Lanier, a pioneer of virtual world technology who coined the term "virtual reality," acknowledges he's biased. In the 1980s, he founded VPL Research, the first company to sell virtual reality products; its patents were acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999. His most recent venture, animation software company Eyematic Interfaces, was bought by Google. And he's an adviser to Linden Lab, creator of the popular virtual world Second Life.
Lanier played host to a panel at Stanford University that included Philip Rosedale, CEO of Linden Lab; Irving Wladawsky-Berger, vice president at IBM; and Chris Melissinos, chief gaming officer at Sun. To be sure, all of the panelists have a stake in seeing virtual worlds take off more widely with Internet users, corporations and advertisers, so that they can become viable economic engines. A major factor in that growth will be in showing the intangible benefits of virtual worlds, such as fostering human relationships that are more polite than say, anonymous posts in Internet forums, according to the panelists.
"We've studied this," Rosedale said. "We have forums and we watch them fight in forums and then see them be civil to each other in Second Life."
Wladawsky-Berger backed up this notion by saying that virtual worlds present information technology in a much more human way. "As a result, we'll be able to do a tremendous amount more. Enterprise resource planning will be reinvented for virtual worlds," he said, giving the example that hospitals could manage their operations in a virtual world in a way looks more like their hospital.
IBM has 5,000 employees in Second Life, and according to Wladawsky-Berger, "virtual worlds are a godsend for meetings." He said that IBM has a code of conduct for staff in Second Life that they need to "be nice" and dress their avatars "appropriately" in meetings. But when among friends in the virtual world, they can do whatever they like, he said.
"Training and meetings are the killer apps of virtual worlds. Don't underestimate any technologies that help us do those things in a more human way," Wladawsky-Berger said.
Lanier joked that IBM staff "can't help it that they compulsively go to meetings."
Share what you all think....
Via-ZDNetnews
A group of virtual world advocates say "yes." They just can't prove it yet.
"Character rancor is much different on blogs, Twitter, (and so on)...It can get very petty," Jaron Lanier, scholar in residence at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, said here Wednesday at the AlwaysOn technology conference.
"In Second Life, it's almost more like theater," Lanier said. "I don't see people getting into petty interpersonal knots with each other. But this is anecdotal."
His theory is that people behave better in virtual worlds because they can be economically tied to their property, for example, and as he described it, they have "more to lose if they're creepy." Lanier's other theory is that seeing people, even in the form of an avatar, evokes empathy.
Lanier, a pioneer of virtual world technology who coined the term "virtual reality," acknowledges he's biased. In the 1980s, he founded VPL Research, the first company to sell virtual reality products; its patents were acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999. His most recent venture, animation software company Eyematic Interfaces, was bought by Google. And he's an adviser to Linden Lab, creator of the popular virtual world Second Life.
Lanier played host to a panel at Stanford University that included Philip Rosedale, CEO of Linden Lab; Irving Wladawsky-Berger, vice president at IBM; and Chris Melissinos, chief gaming officer at Sun. To be sure, all of the panelists have a stake in seeing virtual worlds take off more widely with Internet users, corporations and advertisers, so that they can become viable economic engines. A major factor in that growth will be in showing the intangible benefits of virtual worlds, such as fostering human relationships that are more polite than say, anonymous posts in Internet forums, according to the panelists.
"We've studied this," Rosedale said. "We have forums and we watch them fight in forums and then see them be civil to each other in Second Life."
Wladawsky-Berger backed up this notion by saying that virtual worlds present information technology in a much more human way. "As a result, we'll be able to do a tremendous amount more. Enterprise resource planning will be reinvented for virtual worlds," he said, giving the example that hospitals could manage their operations in a virtual world in a way looks more like their hospital.
IBM has 5,000 employees in Second Life, and according to Wladawsky-Berger, "virtual worlds are a godsend for meetings." He said that IBM has a code of conduct for staff in Second Life that they need to "be nice" and dress their avatars "appropriately" in meetings. But when among friends in the virtual world, they can do whatever they like, he said.
"Training and meetings are the killer apps of virtual worlds. Don't underestimate any technologies that help us do those things in a more human way," Wladawsky-Berger said.
Lanier joked that IBM staff "can't help it that they compulsively go to meetings."
Share what you all think....
Via-ZDNetnews
Does Size Matters?
As the world's top condom experts convene this week to update international standards, one American entrepreneur has a simple message: Size matters.
It's shaking up an industry that has generally taken a one-size-fits-all approach.
Frank Sadlo, founder of TheyFit, which makes what he claims are the world's first custom-fit condoms, is pushing for updated standards to allow greater variation in condom size.
It's not just about well-endowed men in cramped prophylactic quarters, Sadlo told a meeting Thursday of delegates from 21 countries under the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization.
When given a choice, he said many men prefer condoms smaller than the standard minimum 6.3 inches long, with more than half ordering those less than 5.12 inches.
At the session in Seogwipo on South Korea's Jeju Island, more than 100 representatives — including leading manufacturers, government standards bodies and aid groups — pored over 42 pages of specifications and testing requirements for condoms.
Standards are especially crucial — failure could mean the spread of potentially deadly diseases or unwanted pregnancy.
"Our job is to do away with inferior condoms," said Eng Long Ong, meeting chairman and deputy head of the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council, which estimates 13-14 billion condoms are made each year.
Getting quality condoms can be especially difficult in places like Africa, where they are a major part of AIDS prevention campaigns.
Ian Matondo, an adviser to the Malawi Health Ministry, said the issue of condoms breaking in Africa had nothing to do with the size of men's penises but was due to poor manufacturing.
The standard for testing condom strength is to fill it with air, a technique pioneered by the Swedes in the 1950s. Condoms of the standard length and width must hold at least 4.76 gallons of air — far more than it would ever be expected to contain under normal use.
Varying condom size would require standards and test equipment to change and is expected to require another a year for approval, Sadlo said.
The length issue is just one of many being debated at the five-day meeting, the 24th such session since 1975, where delegates were creating new standards for synthetic and female condoms.
Synthetic polyurethane condoms are an alternative for people allergic to rubber latex and can be thinner without losing strength. They also conduct heat better for "much more sensitivity with lovemaking," said Grant Burt, international division director for Japan's Sagami Rubber Industries Co.
Female condoms are seeing increasing use in Africa, where they are often distributed for free so women can take control of disease prevention, said Matondo.
Innovation for male condoms has focused on adding textures to enhance sexual pleasure, or offering different colors or lubricants. At the meeting, South Korean manufacturer Unidus displayed its "Long-Love" condom — featuring desensitizing cream inside to prevent premature ejaculation so men "make a lasting impression."
Widths vary but condom length is usually standard, as it believed latex can stretch to fit all men. The average adult penis is 5 to 6 inches long, experts said.
Sadlo said his inspiration for custom condoms arose from his days playing baseball at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where locker room tales of exploits with the opposite sex often failed to include use of condoms due to complaints they did not fit.
A more comfortable condom contributes to men actually using them, said Michael Reece, director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University.
"Typically, when a man complains about condom fit, we have assumed that he means that condoms are too small and we have often just ignored this complaint because we think that men are bragging about the size of their penis," Reece said via e-mail.
He said men also have problems with condoms being too large.
"It is time for those who establish condom manufacturing standards to consider whether an expanded range of condom sizes is necessary," Reece said.
Sadlo offers a "fit kit," a sheet of paper printed from a computer for sizing — and advising the user to watch out for paper cuts. The chart only runs from long to longer.
The product was offered from 2003-2006 in the United States before he withdrew it to upgrade from 55 to 95 sizes. Changing international standard would make it easier to widely offer the product, rather than seeking approval in each country.
Sadlo said it has been difficult to transform the condom industry.
"In order to bring about revolutionary change, you need to have the mind-set of a trailblazer, you need to keep focused on your vision," he said.
Via-USA Today
It's shaking up an industry that has generally taken a one-size-fits-all approach.
Frank Sadlo, founder of TheyFit, which makes what he claims are the world's first custom-fit condoms, is pushing for updated standards to allow greater variation in condom size.
It's not just about well-endowed men in cramped prophylactic quarters, Sadlo told a meeting Thursday of delegates from 21 countries under the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization.
When given a choice, he said many men prefer condoms smaller than the standard minimum 6.3 inches long, with more than half ordering those less than 5.12 inches.
At the session in Seogwipo on South Korea's Jeju Island, more than 100 representatives — including leading manufacturers, government standards bodies and aid groups — pored over 42 pages of specifications and testing requirements for condoms.
Standards are especially crucial — failure could mean the spread of potentially deadly diseases or unwanted pregnancy.
"Our job is to do away with inferior condoms," said Eng Long Ong, meeting chairman and deputy head of the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council, which estimates 13-14 billion condoms are made each year.
Getting quality condoms can be especially difficult in places like Africa, where they are a major part of AIDS prevention campaigns.
Ian Matondo, an adviser to the Malawi Health Ministry, said the issue of condoms breaking in Africa had nothing to do with the size of men's penises but was due to poor manufacturing.
The standard for testing condom strength is to fill it with air, a technique pioneered by the Swedes in the 1950s. Condoms of the standard length and width must hold at least 4.76 gallons of air — far more than it would ever be expected to contain under normal use.
Varying condom size would require standards and test equipment to change and is expected to require another a year for approval, Sadlo said.
The length issue is just one of many being debated at the five-day meeting, the 24th such session since 1975, where delegates were creating new standards for synthetic and female condoms.
Synthetic polyurethane condoms are an alternative for people allergic to rubber latex and can be thinner without losing strength. They also conduct heat better for "much more sensitivity with lovemaking," said Grant Burt, international division director for Japan's Sagami Rubber Industries Co.
Female condoms are seeing increasing use in Africa, where they are often distributed for free so women can take control of disease prevention, said Matondo.
Innovation for male condoms has focused on adding textures to enhance sexual pleasure, or offering different colors or lubricants. At the meeting, South Korean manufacturer Unidus displayed its "Long-Love" condom — featuring desensitizing cream inside to prevent premature ejaculation so men "make a lasting impression."
Widths vary but condom length is usually standard, as it believed latex can stretch to fit all men. The average adult penis is 5 to 6 inches long, experts said.
Sadlo said his inspiration for custom condoms arose from his days playing baseball at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where locker room tales of exploits with the opposite sex often failed to include use of condoms due to complaints they did not fit.
A more comfortable condom contributes to men actually using them, said Michael Reece, director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University.
"Typically, when a man complains about condom fit, we have assumed that he means that condoms are too small and we have often just ignored this complaint because we think that men are bragging about the size of their penis," Reece said via e-mail.
He said men also have problems with condoms being too large.
"It is time for those who establish condom manufacturing standards to consider whether an expanded range of condom sizes is necessary," Reece said.
Sadlo offers a "fit kit," a sheet of paper printed from a computer for sizing — and advising the user to watch out for paper cuts. The chart only runs from long to longer.
The product was offered from 2003-2006 in the United States before he withdrew it to upgrade from 55 to 95 sizes. Changing international standard would make it easier to widely offer the product, rather than seeking approval in each country.
Sadlo said it has been difficult to transform the condom industry.
"In order to bring about revolutionary change, you need to have the mind-set of a trailblazer, you need to keep focused on your vision," he said.
Via-USA Today
MyPRGenie is the leading press release distribution service for pdf, text, pictures and video releases
What Company Is Offering:
MyPRGenie is the leading press release distribution service for pdf, text, pictures and video releases. With the basic FREE MyPRGenie solution, you can go online to order a PR package that distributes your press release to up to 4,000 reporters and editors. For the premium MyPRGenie solution, you can substantially increase your exposure and distribute your news to up to 10,000 search engine and web directory submissions, maximize your search engine rankings and target key editors and reporters.
How It Works;
In general , PR firms were hired to write up releases and get the word out, at a significant cost. MyPRGenie is bound to change the way the system works. They’re making it easier, automating the process for a fraction of the traditional cost. More than that, MyPRGenie specifically targets the right people, reporters, publications, etc. to get maximum buzz. They offer a basic service which allows distribution to up to 20 sources for free. For about $100 they’ll get the word out to 120 different resources in one industry; to target the entire industry list you’ll need to shell out $199++ (up to $750). Each plan allows for posting on the site itself, images and multimedia attachments, RSS feeds, customization options, and targeted distribution. The service is targeted at small to medium sized businesses; current clients range from social networks to non-profits all over the world.
More at:http://www.myprgenie.com/
More at:
MyPRGenie is the leading press release distribution service for pdf, text, pictures and video releases. With the basic FREE MyPRGenie solution, you can go online to order a PR package that distributes your press release to up to 4,000 reporters and editors. For the premium MyPRGenie solution, you can substantially increase your exposure and distribute your news to up to 10,000 search engine and web directory submissions, maximize your search engine rankings and target key editors and reporters.
How It Works;
In general , PR firms were hired to write up releases and get the word out, at a significant cost. MyPRGenie is bound to change the way the system works. They’re making it easier, automating the process for a fraction of the traditional cost. More than that, MyPRGenie specifically targets the right people, reporters, publications, etc. to get maximum buzz. They offer a basic service which allows distribution to up to 20 sources for free. For about $100 they’ll get the word out to 120 different resources in one industry; to target the entire industry list you’ll need to shell out $199++ (up to $750). Each plan allows for posting on the site itself, images and multimedia attachments, RSS feeds, customization options, and targeted distribution. The service is targeted at small to medium sized businesses; current clients range from social networks to non-profits all over the world.
More at:http://www.myprgenie.com/
More at:
"Video Jobs Ads" are a great way of getting an inside look at companies
What Company Claims:
These video job ads are a great way of getting an inside look at companies; get a feel for what they're doing, what they're about and why you might want to work for them. Enjoy the videos, and tell us what you think.At StandOutJobs.com you can get a whole lot more information about companies and positions by seeing job opportunities that feature videos.
How It Works:
At StandOutJobs.com you have a list of current employment opportunities and along with the traditional descriptions of ; responsibilities, qualifications, and brief company bio’s you get a video that describes the position and company. This visual information gives you a better feel of the company because usually a company employee is giving the speech or tour. You can get an idea of the company environment and the type of people who work there by watching the video. Users can also post comments on the job opportunity voicing their opinion on the video or company in general. If you are a company hiring StandOutJobs.com gives you another way to get potential employees’ attention. Attract professionals by placing a video ad on StandOutJobs.com. Find interesting jobs by looking at interesting job ads at StandOutJobs.com.
More at:http://standoutjobs.com/
These video job ads are a great way of getting an inside look at companies; get a feel for what they're doing, what they're about and why you might want to work for them. Enjoy the videos, and tell us what you think.At StandOutJobs.com you can get a whole lot more information about companies and positions by seeing job opportunities that feature videos.
How It Works:
At StandOutJobs.com you have a list of current employment opportunities and along with the traditional descriptions of ; responsibilities, qualifications, and brief company bio’s you get a video that describes the position and company. This visual information gives you a better feel of the company because usually a company employee is giving the speech or tour. You can get an idea of the company environment and the type of people who work there by watching the video. Users can also post comments on the job opportunity voicing their opinion on the video or company in general. If you are a company hiring StandOutJobs.com gives you another way to get potential employees’ attention. Attract professionals by placing a video ad on StandOutJobs.com. Find interesting jobs by looking at interesting job ads at StandOutJobs.com.
More at:http://standoutjobs.com/
MyLifeBrand received $750,000 in seed money
What Company is About:
MyLifeBrand, the recently launched social network that offers a private label solution as well as several other tools for online community-building.
How It Works:
This particular social networking tool has cast a particularly large net, covering several bases and many aspects of online social networking. It’s got a profile aggregation tool, a group-formation tool, private label options and more. In this way, it looks to appeal to individuals that already have existing profiles on other networks, those that would like to create their own network, businesses that are looking to offer an online group for networking purposes, and businesses that would like to incorporate social networking modules into their existing website.
How Much The Got From VCs:
They received $750,000 in seed money from an undisclosed source.EVP Dan Scalisi discussed the funding in an interview with socalTech.com and said the company is also pursuing a new round for an unspecified amount.
From the web-based service to the software service, MyLifeBrand has started out this year with a very ambitious goal. Shortly after its launch late this summer, MyLifeBrand teamed up with the Utah Jazz to offer a branded social network for team fans.
More at:http://www.mylifebrand.com/
MyLifeBrand, the recently launched social network that offers a private label solution as well as several other tools for online community-building.
How It Works:
This particular social networking tool has cast a particularly large net, covering several bases and many aspects of online social networking. It’s got a profile aggregation tool, a group-formation tool, private label options and more. In this way, it looks to appeal to individuals that already have existing profiles on other networks, those that would like to create their own network, businesses that are looking to offer an online group for networking purposes, and businesses that would like to incorporate social networking modules into their existing website.
How Much The Got From VCs:
They received $750,000 in seed money from an undisclosed source.EVP Dan Scalisi discussed the funding in an interview with socalTech.com and said the company is also pursuing a new round for an unspecified amount.
From the web-based service to the software service, MyLifeBrand has started out this year with a very ambitious goal. Shortly after its launch late this summer, MyLifeBrand teamed up with the Utah Jazz to offer a branded social network for team fans.
More at:http://www.mylifebrand.com/
Commentt is a video widget that you can place on your blog or website in order to accept video and audio comments from other users.
What Company is Offering:
Let your place be more interactive! Our free widget lets visitors place their own audio and video messages on your site, blog or profile.In Other words:
Commentt is a video widget that you can place on your blog or website in order to accept video and audio comments from other users. This offers a comment thread that appears in the form of video clips that are submitted by site visitors. There’s an option for audio clips to be left as well.
How It Works:
As with most video widget commenting tools, you can only leave a comment if you’re equipped with a webcam or microphone–no uploading of files for commenting purposes. There’s also an option to email a comment. Each widget comes complete with a direct link and embed code for sharing options. This widget tool is very similar to blipback, and Your Truman Show is moving in this direction as well.
More at:http://commentt.com/index.html
Let your place be more interactive! Our free widget lets visitors place their own audio and video messages on your site, blog or profile.In Other words:
Commentt is a video widget that you can place on your blog or website in order to accept video and audio comments from other users. This offers a comment thread that appears in the form of video clips that are submitted by site visitors. There’s an option for audio clips to be left as well.
How It Works:
As with most video widget commenting tools, you can only leave a comment if you’re equipped with a webcam or microphone–no uploading of files for commenting purposes. There’s also an option to email a comment. Each widget comes complete with a direct link and embed code for sharing options. This widget tool is very similar to blipback, and Your Truman Show is moving in this direction as well.
More at:http://commentt.com/index.html
Gifts.com, the leading online provider of gift ideas, announced the purchase of GiveFun.com.
What Company is About:
Gifts.com, the leading online provider of gift ideas, announced the purchase of GiveFun.com. Adding the gift card functionality of GiveFun to the high level partnerships of Gifts.com is a sensible move for IAC, holding company for a variety of one-stop solution sites including Ask.com, Evite, RealEstate.com, and others.
How It Works:
Users of Gifts.com can now customize gift certificates for a variety of retailers including GAP, Brookstone, Macy’s KB Toys, etc without leaving the main site. This move solidifies Gifts.com as a primary player in online gifts and also injects another personalization tool to compliment existing services like “Personality Profiler” and “Wish List.”
GiveFun will continue to accept orders for the immediate future, but will gradually migrate all operations to a featured section on Gifts.com.
More at:http://www.gifts.com/
Gifts.com, the leading online provider of gift ideas, announced the purchase of GiveFun.com. Adding the gift card functionality of GiveFun to the high level partnerships of Gifts.com is a sensible move for IAC, holding company for a variety of one-stop solution sites including Ask.com, Evite, RealEstate.com, and others.
How It Works:
Users of Gifts.com can now customize gift certificates for a variety of retailers including GAP, Brookstone, Macy’s KB Toys, etc without leaving the main site. This move solidifies Gifts.com as a primary player in online gifts and also injects another personalization tool to compliment existing services like “Personality Profiler” and “Wish List.”
GiveFun will continue to accept orders for the immediate future, but will gradually migrate all operations to a featured section on Gifts.com.
More at:http://www.gifts.com/
IncBizNet For Creating An Online Social Network For CEO's Of Top 5000 Inc Companies
What They Are Offering:
Inc. Magazine is the latest in the printed media industry to create an online social network. This one is ultra niche, honing in on the CEOs of private companies that are on Inc.’s 5000 list, making them the cream of Inc.’s crop. The site, IncBizNet, is currently in private beta, and you can request for your company to be added to the network if it’s not already “on the list.”
How It Works:
So for the actual community features, you’ll get a profile for your company, a free press release option through IncBizNet’s wire feed, and a company blog. Discuss topics with other CEOs in facilitated boards or connect on an individual level. Share multimedia items as well, including documents, video and images.
So will CEOs find value in such an online network? This isn’t the type of tool that needs to look to other social networks for leveraging purposes, and could be seen as merely a file-sharing intranet for executives. Does Inc. plan to offer additional resources for these people that rarely have time for online networking?
More at:http://incbiznet.com/
Inc. Magazine is the latest in the printed media industry to create an online social network. This one is ultra niche, honing in on the CEOs of private companies that are on Inc.’s 5000 list, making them the cream of Inc.’s crop. The site, IncBizNet, is currently in private beta, and you can request for your company to be added to the network if it’s not already “on the list.”
How It Works:
So for the actual community features, you’ll get a profile for your company, a free press release option through IncBizNet’s wire feed, and a company blog. Discuss topics with other CEOs in facilitated boards or connect on an individual level. Share multimedia items as well, including documents, video and images.
So will CEOs find value in such an online network? This isn’t the type of tool that needs to look to other social networks for leveraging purposes, and could be seen as merely a file-sharing intranet for executives. Does Inc. plan to offer additional resources for these people that rarely have time for online networking?
More at:http://incbiznet.com/
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