BrowserPlus! Gears Of Yahoo

Yahoo has released the BrowserPlus! a long in the making, software and software distribution framework that allows device developers to seamlessly bridge the browser programming environment to any component they can come up with. The Software only operates within the Yahoo Sites at the moment and in order to get the software you need an invitation as well.
If you have access Yahoo's Mash, you can access Browserplus through the PhotoDropper within the Mash.
Yahoo says;

What is Yahoo BrowserPlus™?

Yahoo! BrowserPlus™ is software that lets you do more inside your web browser. BrowserPlus makes it easy to install and use web plugins for a richer experience on the internet.
I got my info from Woodward, an engineer at Yahoo's incubator, Brickhouse.

tag: Web 2.0 Framework, Browserplus, PhotoDropper, Brickhouse

Intel Mash Maker, Mash Your Way Into Social Stardom

Intel has released beta version of its Mash Maker. I joined and played with it and I really like it.Then I set out to explore countless mashups done already by various people. Some are good and some are bad but you get a real nice ideas about what you could do with this tool. For now;

You can:

• Build mashups on-the-fly - combine content from multiple sources such as web content, videos, maps, RSS feeds, photos, and display in one place
• Manage your mashups - tools that let you manipulate, save as favorites, edit, sort, annotate, and share your mashups with friends, or with social network sites
• Design and tailor your mashup your way - visualization features that let you customize, control the layout, and view your mashups any way you want
• Adapt your mashup to your persona - inherent enabling technology delivers on-demand information, adapts to your areas of interest and preferences

tag: intel mash maker, mashup, web content, videos, maps, RSS feeds, photos,

Did Mybloglog Twitter you today?

Do not worry it is not a twitter bot nor a fluke. According to a Myblolog post, they have added a script to follow everyone that adds their twitter account to their MyBlogLog profile.
Here is the explanation form Mybloglog People. (Yes according to a twitter, there are people working at Mybloglog ;).
tag: twitter, Mybloglog, twitter bot

New Twitterati Tool, Twubble

To tell the truth, I found a few friends through twubble, the new application for the Twitter. Bob Lee of Android fame who developed the application was interviewed recently. Yes that is the icing on the cake, listen how he used the GWT and Twitter API to create the application. I enjoyed watching the video.
Google Code Blog: Bob Lee is a lot of Twubble
tag: twitter, GWT, twubble,

Jo Ito Interviewed At Cannes

Loïc Le Meur interviewed Jo Ito while walking on the beach where Jo had a few words about CC (Creative Commons) and that what the future of content holds. Jo was attending MIPTV, "The World's Audiovisual and Digital Content Market". The Video is a must see and Jo apologizes to Champaign drinking people at the conference on his post, Chat with Loic.

tag: Creative Commons, Loïc Le Meur, Jo Ito, Joi, MIPTV,

Move Your Blogging To Facebook With Blog It Powered by TypePad.

Six Apart, the software company behind blogging platforms TypePad, Movable Type, and Vox, has launched a new Facebook application called "Blog It." This cross-platform blogging application for Facebook, Blog It Powered by TypePad. It brings blogging to Facebook as well as taking face book to blogging. This application makes it easy to blog from within Facebook and let your friends, network and others know about what you are doing.
I know this is one application on facebook that I will be using. Another thing is that you don't have to be blogging on Six Apart platforms, Blog It support bloggers on Blogger, LiveJournal, Movable Type, Pownce, Tumblr, TypePad, Twitter, Vox, WordPress.com and WordPress.org!
Facebook members who install the application can post to multiple blogging services at one time, update their Facebook status in sync with micro-blogging services like Twitter, and have updates from the app appear in their Facebook Mini-Feeds.
I think now I can live facebook.
tag: facebook, Social networking, blogging, Six Apart, TypePad, Movable Type, Vox, Blog It, Blogger, Twitter, LiveJournal, Movable Type, Pownce, Tumblr, TypePad, Twitter, Vox, WordPress.com, WordPress.org

The 9th annual How Weird Street Faire And NEW HOW WEIRD @ NIGHT

We See People For PeaceThe 9th annual How Weird Street Faire Sunday May 4, 2008
San Francisco,Earth
11:11 am - 5:55 pm OUTDOORS
6 pm - 2 am INDOORS
www.HowWeird.org
It's back and at a new location! This year, the faire will encompass Howard Street between 1st Street and New Montgomery, 2nd Street between Mission and Howard, and all four blocks of Minna St. and Natoma St. off of 2nd Street. There will be an urban crop circle at the center intersection of Howard and 2nd Streets.The main entrances are on Howard Street & 1st Street and on Howard Street & New Montgomery (with bike parking). This is 2 blocks from the Montgomery BART and MUNI stop.The day is open to all ages, with requested donation of $10(or $5 in costume). In 2008, there are seven city blocks filled with art and celebration. There are food and vendors from around the world selling uniqueand creative wares. There are non-profit organizations to educate and inspire you. There are performance artists and thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets. And there is the opportunity to meet members of your extended family, and forge lasting connections. This year will feature 9 stages of music by collaborations of collectives and artists; including CCC, Tantra, An-ten-nae.net, Muti Music, Raindance, Koinonea, Cyberset, Sunset, Om Records, Space Cowboys, GrooveGarden, Mystic Beat Lounge, Earthdance, Surya Dub, Non Stop Bhangra, Electric Vardo, Yoga Tai Chi Collective, Symbiosis, Opel, Deep End, Opulent Temple, Lowpro Lounge, Supperclub, and more!
The How Weird Street Faire showcases many diverse genres of electronic music, including Live Electronica, Downtempo, Breaks, Psytrance, House, Techno, Drum & Bass, World Beat, and too many sub-genres to name!The How Weird Street Faire uses music to bring many different kinds of people together and create a common bond. Dancing knows no boundaries or political affiliation. Music, more than any other form of communication, is able to transcend differences between people. It is through music and art that peace is always possible.

Introducing¦HOW WEIRD @ NIGHT from 6 pm to 2 am At night, the faire moves indoors to venues at the new location, including NV, Temple, Supper club, 111 Minna Gallery, and more! Stages from the faire will be hosting music and other performances. The evening venues are 21 and over with ID. Visit the website for full details and a map of all the activities.Come join San Francisco's most unique peace celebration!
Check the website for regularly updated information ¦ www.HowWeird.org

The How Weird Street Faire is an experiment in creating peace, and a benefit for the non-profit World Peace Through Technology Organization.Want to help? Email peace@howweird.org
tag: People For Peace, How Weird Street Faire, HOW WEIRD @ NIGHT, Music, Global Peace

twhirl 0.7.5, the Twitter client is ready.

twhirl 0.7.5, the Twitter client has been released. According to a post at twhirl blog it was released to fix a problem that a slight modification in Twitter’s API caused twhirl to no longer show avatars and usernames.

In addition to this, a brand new service: tweetburner is supported to provide short urls to post on twitter. Unlike other tinyurl services, tweetburner could track statistics about how often links are clicked, and much more.

More about the release and other information could be found here.

tag: twitter, twhirl 0.7.5, tweetburner,

Jaiku Joins Google!

Jaiku is joining Google. I found this while over there to find out information Jaiku moving to Google App Engine. Both are good for Jaiku and Jaiku users. Following information was posted on Jaiku.

"While it’s too soon to comment on specific plans, we look forward to working with our new friends at Google over the coming months to expand in ways we hope you'll find interesting and useful. Our engineers are excited to be working together and enthusiastic developers lead to great innovation. We look forward to accomplishing great things together. In order to focus on innovation instead of scaling, we have decided to close new user sign-ups for now.

But fear not, all our Jaiku services will stay running the way you are used to and you will be able to invite your friends to Jaiku. We have put together a quick Q&A about the acquisition.

Jyri Engeström and Petteri Koponen, Jaiku Founders"

tag: Social networking, micro blogging, Jaiku, Google

Interact With Google News

To me Google news has always been a one way street. I always, few times a day, visit my customized news page and then leave for other pages.
But now Google News blog tells us that now we can use newly launched form that will make it easier for all of us around the world to report an issue with Google News. With the Report an Issue page you’ll be able to send us a quick note to inform us about the problem you’re having with your edition of Google News.
Google News Blog: Need Help? Contact our Support Team!
tag: Google News, Google

Block That Facebook Beacon Light

The Advertising 2.0 (or is it 1.9) entry by facebook, the facebook beacon brought a lot of criticism when it was launched. Now there is another helper to fend off stealth marketing by Facebook. This time it is flugpo and mydataismydata.org.

A new internet explorer plug-in which is actually a tool bar, will allow users to monitor and delete cookies created by the Facebook Beacon advertising system. The cookies are used by Facebook to inform a user's friends about his or her purchases.

The free MyDataIsMyData plug-in developed by mydataismydata.org, and sponsored by social network Flugpo will provide multiple options for monitoring and deleting cookies, offline content and visits to Beacon's partner companies.

"Selling private information for profit unbeknownst to the users is an abuse of trust and MyDataIsMyData.org hopes to empower users by allowing them to control the amount of personal information that they make visible."

Press release

tag: facebook, facebook beacon, flugpo, mydataismydata.org, MyDataIsMyData plug-in,

New Threat To Israel National Security - Facebook

Associated Press is reporting that Israeli defense officials are saying that they have identified an unlikely new threat to national security - Facebook.
AP
tag: facebook, national security

Live Maps from Microsoft Getting Livelier!.

Las Vegas, According to Live Maps

If mapping was a part of your social networking, Live Maps from Microsoft has done a major update and is looking livelier!.
One of the best is that added support for exporting waypoint Collections to KML, GPX and GeoRSS which you can load directly to just about any portable Navigation system. I love this as I love traveling and have no sense of direction. But I think what matters most is that more capability for mashups.
Following are the new features;
Export your Collection to Your Navigation/GPS device.
Improved 3D cities.
3D modeling with 3DVIA
Labels for Birds Eye imagery
1-Click Directions (Party Maps!)
MapCruncher Integration!
Enhanced Explore of Map Content from across the web contributed by other People
Neighborhood Subscribe via GeoRSS
Tour Enhancements including Hi-Def Movies.
Directions and Traffic Enhancements

The New Release of Live Maps and Virtual Earth 3D is now Live!

tag: Live Maps, GeoRSS, MapCruncher, 3DVIA, Birds Eye imagery, Navigation, GPS, mashup

Buzznet has completed the acquisition of music blog Stereogum

POP CULTURE AND MUSIC COMMUNITY Buzznet has completed the acquisition of music blog Stereogum for close to $5 million in stock. The Los Angeles-based social network has also agreed to pay "a significant sum" for the media-sharing software maker Qloud, according to a source close to the deal who wished not to be named.

However, reached for comment, Buzznet CEO Tyler Goldman insisted acquisitions were not--nor will they be--a cornerstone to the company's growth strategy.

"Acquisitions are not an important part of our strategy," Goldman said. "Like the best communities online, we're growing organically."

The investments come less than a week after Buzznet closed a round of financing in the neighborhood of $25 million--news first reported by industry blog paidContent, but later confirmed by Online Media Daily through an independent source. Universal Music-owned Interscope reportedly contributed to this latest round.

Presently a destination for pop-punk and alternative rock fans and artists, the deals are designed to assist in Buzznet's expansion into new music genres.

"Stereogum is the most respected voice on the Web covering music," said Buzznet's general manager Scott Boyd.

As a result of the acquisition, Stereogum on Tuesday plans to launch Videogum, a new entertainment blog focused on what's happening in the world of pop culture programming, including television, movies, Web shorts and video games.

Backed by Steve Case, Qloud is perhaps best know as the maker of the "My Music" application on Facebook, which has nearly 2 million installed users. The service offers free streaming of music and videos on users' social network of choice based on their favorite artists and iTunes playlists.

Last year, Buzznet raised roughly $6 million in a round led by Redpoint Ventures and Anthem Venture Partners.

Like MySpace in its early days, Buzznet is focused on musicians and music culture, with typical offerings of blogs, videos, and photo-sharing features.

tag: social network, Blog, Buzznet, StereogumQloud, Facebook, iTunes

Future Of OPLC

Michael Fitzgerald has listen to Nicholas Negroponte talk about One Laptop Per Child. Negroponte has said that making it a non-profit company gave him two advantages over making the company a for-profit firm:

1) “I was able to attract better talent than I could have even with stock options.”

2) “I could meet with heads of state because I had a mission.”

He says that what’s been weird about being a non-profit is having a competitive impact on large for-profit firms that make notebook computers.

As you know, OPLC has been under guns missiles and what ever criticism about Give one Get One program, it is creating sub what ever notebooks that people could afford and actually do well to accomplish what is needed to be done.

Asus EEE pc, Intels own classroom pc and the new HP's new sub note book, I do not think would have seen the light sooner if not for OLPC. (I have all except the new HP). I actually do my work on the run with Asus. The OLPC which I got with Give one Get one program is already in a third world country.

You can read more including Micheal's own comment at BNET Insight (a resource of business knowledge).

tag: OPLC, BNET Insight, classroom pc, Asus EEE pc,

Honouring Life Network, to help combat suicide among Aboriginal youth.

In the days of us needing to see closer to us to see people, Canada is marching forward. The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) CEO Dr. Paulette Tremblay to unveil a new Web site to help combat suicide among Aboriginal youth. Called the Honouring Life Network, the site is targeted at both Aboriginal youth and suicide prevention workers in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

OTTAWA, ON - Today, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, was joined by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) CEO Dr. Paulette Tremblay to unveil a new Web site to help combat suicide among Aboriginal youth. Called the Honouring Life Network, the site is targeted at both Aboriginal youth and suicide prevention workers in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Health Minister Tony Clement, Minister Strahl, and NAHO CEO Dr. Paulette Tremblay presented the site to media and guests at a lunch hour press conference in the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Ottawa.

"Suicide among Aboriginal youth is an urgent matter," stated Minister Clement. "I am very proud that the Government of Canada has funded this innovative tool that will help First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth rediscover the joy of life, and let them know that there are resources available to help them through difficult times," added the Minister.

Health Canada provided funding for the Honouring Life Network Web site under the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, a five-year $65 million strategy that seeks to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors associated with suicide through community-based programming.

"Suicide is a grave problem in our communities, one that affects our youth at vastly disproportionate rates from the rest of Canada," said Paulette Tremblay, CEO of NAHO. "We believe that the Honouring Life Network will be an invaluable tool for those working to prevent suicides in our communities."

Available in English, French and Inuktitut, the site contains resources for youth and youth workers, including a Youth Worker's Forum where youth workers from across the country can connect to discuss and share suicide prevention resources and strategies. Personal stories and fact sheets are also available for youth to read about specific issues that they, or their friends, might be facing. The site’s comprehensive directory of suicide prevention resources is updated regularly to help youth workers in Aboriginal communities find the most relevant and up-to-date information and material.

The Web site stemmed from a joint working group of the Indian Health Service in the United States and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada.

For more information, please visit the Honouring Life Network Web site.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization is an Aboriginal-designed and -controlled body committed to influencing and advancing the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples through knowledge-based strategies.

tag: Indian Affairs, suicide prevention, Aboriginal youth, National Aboriginal Health Organization, NAHO, Honouring Life Network, Inuktitut, Inuit Health

Deki Wiki “Itasca”; the Ultimate Software Developer Collaboration and Mashup Platform

I have been playing with Deki Wiki for a while now, trying to utilize it for a project I am working on. It is me the one who is slow and cumbersome, not the DekiWiki. Actually it is running right now on a virtual machine on this same computer I am working on. I have gone through a few upgrades since I started and system has been running smoothly. I just need to make mind up for going live. Now I am about to upgrade to Itasca.

Here is their press release.

MindTouch Releases Deki Wiki “Itasca”; the Ultimate Software Developer Collaboration and Mashup Platform

MindTouch today announced the release of Deki Wiki “Itasca”––the latest version of its award-winning open source collaboration platform. Deki Wiki “Itasca” adds new capabilities to meet the growing collaboration need for project managers and development teams.

Deki Wiki source code and VMware image are available for download at http://MindTouch.com for free and without restriction. Also new in “Itasca” is the ability to deploy Deki Wiki directly on Amazon EC2.

Deki Wiki project management features connect teams of developers, leads, and testers throughout the software development lifecycle. Developers now benefit from integration with Atlassian Jira, Trac, Mantis, and Subversion to get real-time reports of bugs and code check-ins, providing a unified interface to all systems.

Furthermore, Deki Wiki provides syntax highlighting for 15 programming languages, including PHP, Ruby, and C#, for sample code and documentation.

Deki Wiki “Itasca” also adds many improvements to the user interface making it easier than ever to access the power of the platform. Teams can instantly bring their content to life, by combining components and applications from across the Web––with access to hundreds of services from Yahoo, Google, Microsoft, and others. With Deki Wiki, users can collaborate instantly, share data across systems, and present information compellingly.

Other improvements include:

• “Smart Linking” automatically suggests the most relevant pages and files for links
• Improved performance, and more than 100 bugs squashed
• Improved support for OpenLDAP, eDirectory, and ActiveDirectory
• And more…

Deki Wiki is a free open-source collaboration platform for authoring, aggregating, organizing, and sharing content. With over 250,000 installations, Deki Wiki is the world’s most popular vendor-backed enterprise wiki. To learn more, visit http://MindTouch.com or MindTouch’s developer community at http://OpenGarden.org.

tag: Social networking tools, Deki Wiki Itasca, Deki Wiki, MindTouch, Amazon EC2, Atlassian Jira, Trac, Mantis, OpenLDAP, eDirectory, ActiveDirectory, Mashup Platform, Developer Collaboration

MySpace has unveiled MySpace Latino, Official Launch on April 11th 2008

MySpace has unveiled MySpace Latino, a bi-lingual site dedicated to Latino in all of us. The beta test indication is gone which has been there since last year. The content is in both Spanish and English. In conjunction with the launch which is slated for April 11th, MySpace will have a number of content partners to kick-start new interest areas on the site.

If you are in Miami, Florida, get ready for the Official Launch of MySpace Latino April 11th With Tego Calderon+ Circo+ Locos Por Juana and a Specail Guest. Doors Open at 8:30 and the show begins at 9:00PM Sharp.
This is a FREE event. find out what you have to do to get it!!;

ADD SHOWS SECRETOS to your top friends and bring a print out of your profile to STUDIO A starting at 2:00pm on 4/11/08 to pick up your wristband!
This is a first come first serve event so get there early to ensure success! Doors close at capacity. 18+ only.

tag: bi-lingual social networking, myspace, SHOWS SECRETOS, Tego Calderon, Circo, Locos Por Juana, MySpace Latino,

The Haas School of Business Technology Club, UC Berkeley Hosts the Future-M With VSC Consulting

This being held at my Home Grounds, it has to be be good! ;) but jokes aside, this is a very serious opportunity for anyone involved or interested in gaming, mobile, venture capital and marketing. This will be a favorite campus event and being a limited seating event, I guess you would better register soon. Registration links are at the bottom of the news release. Seating will be limited to first come, first served for the first 100 guests.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA / BERKELEY, CA) – April 7, 2008 – Several visionaries leading the technology economies of gaming, mobile, venture capital and marketing will come together to share experiences and opportunities for the student body of UC Berkeley this Wednesday, April 9th. Digital marketing communications boutique, VSC Consulting, with the support of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business Technology Club, is hosting Future-M - an informational panel and networking event based on the principles of entrepreneurship. Now in its third year, the event will allow both graduate and undergraduate students to learn from and socially network face-to-face with Silicon Valley’s leading market makers.

This year’s lineup for the event includes five entrepreneur CEOs and a leading venture capitalist in the digital media industry including:

• Nitin Bhandari, founder and CEO of Skyfire (http://www.skyfire.com), a new, “game-changing” downloadable mobile web browser that makes browsing on your phone exactly like browsing on your PC. You can use the web from your mobile phone with unprecedented speed and simplicity. It supports any web technology so you can watch videos, listen to music, socialize on networks and browse -- just like the PC.

• Tim Chang, a principal venture capitalist at Norwest Venture Partners (http://www.nvp.com), a firm that currently manages more than $2.5 billion in venture capital and has funded over 400 companies since inception. Tim has recently invested in 3Jam, a multiparty mobile text messaging platform and service, and has joined the board of directors. Tim also works with the boards of deCarta and Double Fusion.

• Jameson Hsu, founder and CEO of Mochi Media (http://www.mochimedia.com), the world’s largest online games advertising network for advertisers, publishers and game developers. The MochiAds network connects advertisers with game developers, providing turnkey opportunities to reach the one in three Internet users playing games online.

• Matt Marshall, founder and Editor-in-Chief of VentureBeat (http://www.venturebeat.com), a daily blog offering news and information concerning venture capital funding.

• Robert Patterson, Berkeley alumni and founder of Aap!Global (http://www.aapglobal.com), a leader in alternative advertising mediums that develops and manages high impact advertising spaces in partnership with established media companies. The company’s escalator advertisement’s were featured in Brandweek’s 2007 Best In International Marketing Feature.

• Vijay Chattha, founder and Chief Talker at VSC Consulting (http://www.vscconsulting.com), a marketing communications boutique firm built upon a unique model of startup growth and measurement and winner of sixteen awards in public relations since 2002.


Chattha’s vision for Future-M is to bridge three current disconnects between students and startups.

• What can I do in higher education that will prepare me to be an entrepreneur in technology?

• What classes should I take/avoid?

• What intangible lessons and experiences can be shared outside of traditional formal education?

"Conversely our panelists realize" Chattha says, "that students who are participating will be the business leaders of the future. Future-M allows our featured panelists to attract and foster top talent on campus and inspire them to shape future consumer trends. Our goal with this event is to connect these two dynamic forces"

"I am excited to connect with the best and brightest future entrepreneurs from Berkeley" said Tim Chang, venture capitalist at Norwest Venture Partners. "NVP often gets involved with events like VSC’s Future-M to search for fresh startup talent and innovation"

Future-M’s panel of charismatic speakers will offer fresh insights into the modern day realities of the business world. The event takes place Wednesday, April 9, 2008 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Faculty Club off Piedmont Avenue on the UC Berkeley Campus. Free snacks and refreshments will be served and each of the panelists will be accepting resumes for jobs and summer internships.

Where: Faculty Club
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6050
Directions: http://www.berkeleyfacultyclub.com/piedmont/

When: Wednesday, April 9, 2008
6 PM to 8 PM

Registration: RSVP by visiting one of the following links:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=27408131728.
Going: RSVP at Going.com
Seating will be limited to first come, first served for the first 100 guests.

tag: Venture People, Digital marketing communications boutique, VSC Consulting, UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business Technology Club, Future-M, gaming, mobile, venture capital, marketing

Rest in peace, Mr Heston.

People we see in Movies

I was awed by Ben-hur, when I saw it as a child. But that awe did not keep me from falling asleep. It was too long for a child. It was only after I have grown up, that I saw the movie to the end, a few years ago. But I never forgot that thin lipped chiseled face and his acting. Charlton Heston is hard to forget. Rest in peace, Mr Heston.

Charlton Heston, the Oscar-winning actor who achieved stardom playing larger-than-life figures including Moses, Michelangelo and Andrew Jackson in historical epics and went on to become a best-selling author, a contentious Hollywood labor leader, an unapologetic gun advocate and darling of conservative causes, has died. He was 84. Heston died Saturday at his Beverly Hills home, his family said in a statement.
Read more at LA Times

Hiroko Mima Crowned Miss Universe Japan 2008

21 Year Student Hiroko Mima has been crowned Miss Universe Japan to be the representative to this summer’s Miss Universe pageant. The 21-year-old college athlete, who enjoys the high jump as well as traditional Japanese dance, will represent the country at the global beauty pageant this summer.

tag: Miss Universe Japan, Hiroko Mima, Miss Universe pageant

Mobile Social Networking With Facebook For Blackberry Smartphone Application.

Las Vegas, NV,“ CTIA Wireless 2008 - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced that downloads of the Facebook® for BlackBerry® Smartphones application have surpassed the 1,000,000 mark. The easy-to-use mobile software application, which leverages the push-based BlackBerry(R) service and Facebook(R) Platform to offer an unparalleled mobile experience for Facebook users, was launched at the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment 2007 show on October 24, 2007.

"When we launched Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones, we believed that consumers would recognize the value of marrying social networking with mobility and that vision has now been validated more than a million times," said Mark Guibert, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "This innovative mobile application, combined with the refined usability of BlackBerry smartphones and the incredible convenience of the push-based BlackBerry service, makes it easier than ever for Facebook users to stay connected with people wherever they choose."

With the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Facebook users can wirelessly send and view messages, photos, pokes and Wall posts. The rich, native application goes beyond browser-based access, automatically pushing notifications to the user's BlackBerry smartphone as friends and colleagues send notes, Wall posts or pokes. The application allows users to take a photo, upload it to the site with captions and tags; quickly and easily invite friends; manage events; manage photo albums; and manage their status while on the go.

Since its initial launch, Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones has added language support for French, German and Spanish. The software application is available as a free(i) download from www.facebook.com/blackberry or www.blackberry.com/go/facebook and can also be downloaded using a BlackBerry smartphone from m.facebook.com or mobile.blackberry.com.

Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones is being showcased this week at CTIA. Visit the BlackBerry booth (425 in Center Hall) for a demo.
tag: facebook, Research In Motion, CTIA Wireless 2008, Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Mobile Social Networking

Second Life Goes To Congress, (Congress Goes Virtual).

Linden Labs' Second Life appeared before a congressional subcommittee hearing about online virtual worlds that was broadcast simultaneously in the company's own virtual world, yes Second Life.
From the real-world, executives from Linden Labs, IBM and TechSoup, a tech firm that helps nonprofit organizations take advantage of virtual worlds. The panel responsible for oversight of the Internet is chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who has his own "avatar," or online image.
Answering to questions, "It is likely that virtual world activities are somewhat more policeable and the law somewhat more maintainable within virtual worlds," said Rosedale, chief executive of Linden Lab.
Questions asked regarding SL included about sexual predators and terrorists, from the reactions, the answers were acceptable.
You can read more here and here,
tag: Linden Labs, Second Life, IBM, TechSoup, virtual world,

India's football captain Baichung Bhutia

Nonviolence People We See
India's football captain Baichung Bhutia has refused to carry the Olympic torch during its journey through the Indian capital Delhi later this month.

He told the authorities the move was in protest against China's crackdown on Tibetan demonstrators, officials said. "I sympathise with the Tibetan cause. This is my way of standing by the people of Tibet and their struggle. I abhor violence in any form," Bhutia told the Times of India newspaper.(BBC)
tag: World People We See, Nonviolence People We See, India's football captain Baichung Bhutia, Tibetan demonstrators, people of Tibet