Mauricio Morgan's blog

Google kicks Viacom in the nadgers

PC Pro School

THE US MEDIA CARTELS are reeling after Viacom lost a high profile copyright infringement lawsuit it had filed against Google's Youtube support.

For years now entertainment industry lawyers have been showing up in court claiming that individuals are so-called 'pirates' and winning.

It was only a matter of time before one of the media businesses decided to chance their arm and take on the lookup engine giant Google. If Viacom won, it would not just get large amounts of cash but it would also imply that the entertainment industries would successfully take control of the web.

They could then scare the willies out of all the web support providers (ISPs), search engines and web site operators to ban everything that might lead to filesharing.

Unfortunately Google proved to be a very hard nut to crack, and it prevailed, dashing the media cartels' hopes.

Judge Louis Stanton squashed three years of legal work by Viacom, which had sued Google for a billion dollars. It claimed that Google had posted copyright-infringing clips on Youtube.

At issue was the strength of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), the US federal law governing copyright infringement on the internet, to protect ISPs and web site owners through the misbehaviour of Internet users. Specifically, the question turned about the 'safe harbour' provision from the DMCA, which is created to allow service providers like Youtube the freedom to host content uploaded by customers without fearing that they will probably be held liable for whatever potentially copyright-infringing material customers might post.

The 'safe harbour' exception only applies if the ISP or website follows three rules: that it wasn't aware that the content was infringing, it wasn't profiting from the content, and it removed the content when asked.

Judge Stanton's ruling establishes, apparently for the first time, how the 'safe harbour' provision of the DMCA applies to a service like Youtube.

Searching through the ruling it appears that it does not matter if you know you're hosting infringing content. Google may have understood in general that there might be copyright infringing files on Youtube, but only if it knew that something particular infringed copyright did it need to remove the file.

Judge Stanton interpreted the DMCA to imply that Google could only be expected to identify those particular clips with Viacom's assist. He observed that in some cases Viacom had uploaded its copyrighted content to Youtube itself. He also noted that in one instance Viacom identified 100,000 clips in a single day in February, 2007. By the end of the next business day Youtube had removed "virtually all of them".

Unlike self-proclaimed 'pirate' websites that advertise hosting copyright infringing content or making it available, Google did not brag about doing so or promote Youtube as a 'pirate' operation.

The judge praised Google's Youtube service for tracking which users upload copyrighted content and, following three instances of removing their uploads for copyright infringement, banning them from the web site. Viacom claimed that Youtube's three strikes policy let copyright infringing customers off too easy.

You can read the court's choice here, and there's a less lengthy summary and analysis of the ruling at Groklaw.

Viacom has obviously said that it will appeal the judge's ruling against it, but that will likely take years.

Source: The Inquirer

Leaking Windoze

A decade ago a sneak preview from the next version of Microsoft Windows would have been news for weeks -- and not just within the tech press. With more than 90% of the marketplace -- a share it has maintained for nearly two decades -- you would think we'd be riveted to Microsoft's each and every move.

Instead the news -- a batch of slides from a confidential Windows 8 planning meeting -- appeared and disappeared with hardly a ripple. Certain, tame bloggers were on hand to squeal in geeky delight, but otherwise the tech press was as well busy obsessing about problems with the iPhone 4 and drooling more than Google's new edition of Android.

One blog named Microsoft Kitchen gives a good indication of the flavour of the, er, coverage. "Over the weekend, the Italian Windows website Windowsette got a hold of some super secret squirrel Microsoft presentations apparently laying around on the web somewhere," it gushes. It seems Apple even has much better fan bloggers.

Looking via the slides it's simple to see why the tech press didn't pay them that much attention. They range from the mind-numbingly obvious ("Customers should know what to buy") towards the embarrassingly plaintive ("How Apple does it").<br>

You will find several interesting suggestions sprinkled among the slides -- like using facial recognition to log in for your pc -- but the majority from the suggestions are either old, boring, or of questionable usefulness. Microsoft is competing against Apple and Google and what is it concentrating on? A quicker way to turn your pc off. Yeah, that's exactly what the globe is waiting for, dudes.

Let's appear at its other suggestions: an on the internet app store. Boy, that sounds familiar. Tablet computers? Do not you imply iPads? Improved assist and support. I've never utilized Google's help, or Apple's -- but you're correct guys, that's certainly a killer feature.

Bogged down by nonsense meetings
But it is in its product cycle slide that the clearest picture emerges -- a corporation bogged down by nonsense meetings about meetings and in desperate search of a purpose. It is still talking about yet more features when the new paradigm is simplicity and ease of use. This is exactly why Apple is now worth more than Microsoft, and why Google is snapping at its heels.

If Microsoft shareholders are looking for someone to blame, they ought to appear no further than CEO Steve Ballmer. Because he took over in 2000, Microsoft's share price has flat-lined. For all his brilliance as a salesman and a deal-maker, Ballmer lacks the vision that created Bill Gates the richest man in the globe for a lot more than a decade.

Unless Microsoft can revive that hungry creative spirit, it's doomed to a steady decline into irrelevance. The days of selling operating systems are over. Now it's all about selling attention, just as each and every company from Facebook to Twitter to Google is performing. If Microsoft really wants to compete, it requirements to do something radical, like make Windows 8 free and then make money from selling services surrounding the platform. But it seems the boys from Redmond just can't quit that Windows crack pipe.

It is easy to hate a big, imply, monopolistic corporation. Microsoft bashing is a really well-liked sport. But there's some thing terribly sad about these slides and this whole abortive PR stunt. We're witnessing the slow motion demise of what was as soon as the world's most exciting corporation. That it deserves its fate makes it no less tragic.

Source: Mail & Guardian

Cisco Crafts Android-Based Enterprise Tablet

Cisco on Tuesday announced a forthcoming tablet pc depending on Google's Android operating program for the business collaboration market.

The Cisco Cius, obtainable in early 2011, promises virtual desktop integration and help for Cisco mobile collaboration and communication technology. "Cisco Cius epitomizes how the network is changing the way we live, work, learn and play," mentioned Tony Bates, SVP and general manager of Cisco's enterprise, commercial and small business unit, inside a statement. Bates contends the Cius can assist transform how healthcare professionals provide patient care, how retailers serve their customers, and how universities deliver education to students. "Best of all, Cisco Cius provides IT [organizations] a way to dramatically lower the cost-per-user of provisioning those new experiences," he said.

Weighing 1.15 pounds (0.52kg), lighter and smaller than the 1.5 pound (0.68kg) Apple iPad which has reinvigorated the tablet marketplace, the Cius provides telepresence, HD movie streaming and real-time video, multi-party conferencing, e-mail, messaging, browsing, and cloud-based document authoring capabilities. Cisco did not disclose a cost for that Cius. Tom Puorro, director of product management in Cisco's IP communications unit, said in a phone interview that the iPad was not the primary driver for that creation from the Cius, though he did note that development was accelerated following the iPad's introduction. He mentioned Cisco began working on the device about 18 months ago.

It functions a front-mounted 720p HD camera that may reach frame rates of up to 30 frames per second; a 7" super VGA touch-target display designed for real-time and streaming movie; and single-button Cisco Telepresence support, both when the tablet is docked or on a Wi-Fi network.

The Cius supports 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networking and 3G cellular services, with 4G help planned in the future. Cisco says users can anticipate eight hours of operation on a full battery charge. The gadget also sports a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that may transmit streaming VGA-quality video and take still images, not to mention dual noise-canceling microphones.

Obviously, the Cius supports numerous Cisco collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, Cisco WebEx Connect, Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco Presence, and interoperability with Cisco TelePresence.

The Cius is being offered with an optional docking station that includes a telephone handset speakerphone, HD DisplayPort and USB ports.

Because the Cius is depending on Google's Android operating program, businesses deploying the device can appear forward to a large pool of developers and numerous applications that can enhance the device. Puorro mentioned that Cisco chose to base the device on Android "to capture the very large growing developer market" and to avoid reliance on a proprietary operating program, some thing that has hindered Cisco within the past.

Cisco is planning to release a set of device application programming interfaces (APIs) to developers via a forthcoming software developer kit (SDK).

Cisco sees the Cius as a tool for IT organizations that want to empower their mobile workforce without having neglecting corporate security requirements. The company says that customer trials of the gadget will begin within the third quarter from the year.

Source: Information Week

Google to challenge Facebook with new social networking service ‘Google Me’: rumor

Cisco on Tuesday announced a forthcoming tablet pc depending on Google's Android operating program for the business collaboration market.

The Cisco Cius, obtainable in early 2011, promises virtual desktop integration and help for Cisco mobile collaboration and communication technology. "Cisco Cius epitomizes how the network is changing the way we live, work, learn and play," mentioned Tony Bates, SVP and general manager of Cisco's enterprise, commercial and small business unit, inside a statement. Bates contends the Cius can assist transform how healthcare professionals provide patient care, how retailers serve their customers, and how universities deliver education to students. "Best of all, Cisco Cius provides IT [organizations] a way to dramatically lower the cost-per-user of provisioning those new experiences," he said.

Weighing 1.15 pounds (0.52kg), lighter and smaller than the 1.5 pound (0.68kg) Apple iPad which has reinvigorated the tablet marketplace, the Cius provides telepresence, HD movie streaming and real-time video, multi-party conferencing, e-mail, messaging, browsing, and cloud-based document authoring capabilities. Cisco did not disclose a cost for that Cius. Tom Puorro, director of product management in Cisco's IP communications unit, said in a phone interview that the iPad was not the primary driver for that creation from the Cius, though he did note that development was accelerated following the iPad's introduction. He mentioned Cisco began working on the device about 18 months ago.

It functions a front-mounted 720p HD camera that may reach frame rates of up to 30 frames per second; a 7" super VGA touch-target display designed for real-time and streaming movie; and single-button Cisco Telepresence support, both when the tablet is docked or on a Wi-Fi network.

The Cius supports 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networking and 3G cellular services, with 4G help planned in the future. Cisco says users can anticipate eight hours of operation on a full battery charge. The gadget also sports a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that may transmit streaming VGA-quality video and take still images, not to mention dual noise-canceling microphones.

Obviously, the Cius supports numerous Cisco collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, Cisco WebEx Connect, Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco Presence, and interoperability with Cisco TelePresence.

The Cius is being offered with an optional docking station that includes a telephone handset speakerphone, HD DisplayPort and USB ports.

Because the Cius is depending on Google's Android operating program, businesses deploying the device can appear forward to a large pool of developers and numerous applications that can enhance the device. Puorro mentioned that Cisco chose to base the device on Android "to capture the very large growing developer market" and to avoid reliance on a proprietary operating program, some thing that has hindered Cisco within the past.

Cisco is planning to release a set of device application programming interfaces (APIs) to developers via a forthcoming software developer kit (SDK).<br>

Cisco sees the Cius as a tool for IT organizations that want to empower their mobile workforce without having neglecting corporate security requirements. The company says that customer trials of the gadget will begin within the third quarter from the year. The web has erupted with a wave of rumors about a new interpersonal networking support created by web giant Google. Bloggers are saying the service (which is tentatively known as "Google Me") will be in direct competition with Facebook.

The rumor went viral after Digg founder Kevin Rose (@kevinrose) reportedly tweeted, "Ok, umm, large rumor: Google to launch facebook competitor really soon "Google Me," really credible source" on June 28.

Rose has since deleted the message but others closely involved with Google have stepped in to add fuel towards the rumor fire.

According to TechCrunch, Former Facebook CTO Adam D'Angelo has confirmed the rumor. D'Angelo shared his thoughts on question-and-answer site Quora (a company which D'Angelo founded) saying, "Here is what I've pieced together from some reliable sources: This isn't a rumor. This really is a real project. You will find a big number of individuals working on it. I am completely confident about this."

"They realized that Buzz wasn't enough and that they need to build out a full, first-class interpersonal network. They're modeling it off of Facebook."

"Unlike previous attempts (prior to Buzz at least), this is a high-priority project within Google.
They had assumed that Facebook's growth would slow as it grew, and that Facebook wouldn't be able to have too much leverage over them, but then it just didn't stop, and now they're really scared."

"This obviously has the potential to become huge, and Facebook needs a strong competitor. But even if Google has an incredible site in the pipeline, creating the next Facebook is going to be simpler said than done," mentioned TechCrunch's Jason Kincaid on the Google vs Facebook interpersonal networking battle.

Lookup Engine Land's Greg Sterling pondered, "Will 'Google Me' Be A Worthy Facebook Challenger Or Will It Be DOA?" A valid query following Google's prior social networking endeavors, Google Buzz and Orkut garnered lack-luster responses and low consumer retention - particularly when compared to Facebook's 400 million active user base.

Inside Facebook, readers seemed happy about the news. One user commented, "great news ..i hope google kill facebook and make the largest interpersonal media in the world." One more posted, "I hope they succeed up to a point where they provide balance. It would be unhealthy for the marketplace for one player to become dominant and in fact that becomes like Microsoft and now Apple, but balance is great."

Lookup Engine Land's readers were not so optimistic concerning the service, "Let's face it, this will most likely go the same way as Google Wave and Buzz," read one comment about the site, "Facebook is far as well ingrained into everyday life that I doubt very much we will see any social networking website challenge it for some time, if ever."

When asked for comment on "Google Me" a spokesperson from Google told Relaxnews, "We don't comment on rumor or speculation."

Source: The Independent Media

Google Seeks to Hire “Head of Social”

Though competition from Google sends shivers down spines in just about each and every sector — from news and book publishers to phone makers to venture capital — the company’s dominance has a gaping hole on the interpersonal web. Google has tried to introduce social websites, from Orkut to Buzz, but they’ve had limited appeal, hampered by a misunderstanding of user requirements. In recent months Google has added a interpersonal layer onto its current items, like search and maps. And it does have powerhouse publishing and communication properties in Blogger and Gmail on the outskirts from the interpersonal web. But there’s no formidable master plan to speak of.

Until now, however, it wasn’t clear to what extent the algorithmically driven Google understood that it had a social problem. At the Google Buzz launch, Sergey Brin lamely talked up the success of Orkut, a rare emission of marketing speak from the normally blunt Google co-founder. Brin and other Google presenters seemed to are already groomed not to mention the “F-word” — aka “Facebook,” the leading interpersonal website about the internet. And we all know how well Buzz was received.

Much more recently, Google staffed up on advocates of open social internet standards such as Joseph Smarr and Chris Messina and tried to put together industry-unified alternatives to Facebook. And in a highly unusual move, the organization altered its core asset, front-page research outcomes, with real-time updates from Twitter via a paid deal late last year.

But now Google has retained an international executive search firm to recruit a “Head of Interpersonal.” Here’s how the work is described, according to a recruiting letter we obtained:

 This is a new and very strategic position, as Google knows it is late on this front and is appropriately humble about it. In Google’s view, conceptually, you will find two ways to tackle interpersonal, every impacting who might be productive in this senior post: 1) building an innovative offering specifically in this area; or 2) developing the capability and integrating social into Google’s current portfolio.

There’s also the possibility of acquiring an existing interpersonal site — which is what someone qualified for this work would likely be busy running — but that’s not overtly stated. As for internal candidates, Google’s most prominent spokespeople on interpersonal are already folks for example Smarr, engineering director David Glazer, and VP of product management for apps, Bradley Horowitz. It’s not clear if they’re being regarded as well.

Is there a silver bullet for Google in social? Probably not. But should you believe you could be it, the company may be searching for you.

Source: Gigaom

Help Your Business, Archive Your Emails

When it comes to transmissions relating to companies, emails are most favored. Virtually 83% of vital information for a business can be seen in its email files. Actually, emails are of such value that they are normally stored for the same period as any written confirmations or other orders. A recent investigation written and published by Gartner Group states, "Email transmission accounts for around 97% of all transmission of a business. Hence, it is essential that any business organization invariably invest directly in an email archiving system to ensure that not only would their email be safeguarded for future use, but that it would also be preserved in a secure manner."




The principal target of such an archive procedure is to extract the subject as well as body of any emails that may be received or sent out from the business. The procedure stores all such archives in a read-only file, thereby making certain no difference in the emails. Another advantage associated with such email archiving is that it can help conserve space ordinarily needed for an email on the server, since all archives are placed in a compacted file format.




One of several key good reasons why businesses might need such emails to be stored is for future reference. For example, these emails may be used as permissible evidence in court for any lawsuits. If alternatively of an archive, such emails were simply stored on a backup system, it would cost the business large effort and expenses when browsing through the hundreds of emails. When stored in an archive, such emails are maintained in their initial structure, limiting the likelihood of spoilage or tampering. At the same time, they can also be researched fairly quickly.



An email archive may help limit the possibilities of a company being found responsible of fraud or disregard by court as all emails are well preserved and saved for future use.

Mauricio Morgan

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