Office 2010 - A New Build: What Microsoft will and won't say

A new build of Office 2010 — more recent than the Community Technology Preview (CTP) Microsoft delivered in July to a select group of testers — allegedly has leaked. (But as of this posting, not yet leaked to the Web.)

The new build, which, according to Wzor, is labeled “Beta 1,” (Build 14.0.4417.1000) includes some updates to Office 2010’s built-in Backstage document-management platform and some of the new volume-licensing-activation tweaks that company officials recently acknowledged were coming. There is also a new “upload center” in the leaked build, which could be related to Office Web Apps, the Web-ified versions of key Office apps that Microsoft is planning to release to testers this fall.

Microsoft officials declined to comment on the leak. I asked whether the allegedly leaked bits would be what Microsoft is planning to release as part of the public Beta 1 of Office 2010 due out later ths fall. A spokeswoman provided this statement in response:

“Microsoft officially released the Office 2010 technical preview in July and we are on track to deliver the public beta later this year. No additional Office 2010 code has been released by Microsoft since the technical preview. We strongly recommend that customers only download or use officially released Microsoft products, through appropriate Microsoft channels, since unofficial copies might contain malicious code.”

Even though Office 2010 seems pretty well baked, there’s still lots the company won’t say about the release, which Microsoft execs indicated to partners will ship in May/June 2010.

This story was extracted from ZD Network. Click Here for Full Story

This Is How You Steal 23 MacBook Pros, 14 iPhones, and 9 iPods In 31 Seconds

Quick: How can you get 23 MacBook Pros, 14 iPhones, and 9 iPods in 31 seconds, for free? Tip: According to this security video, you need four friends, a brick, and a visit to the Apple Store in Marlton, NJ. That's exactly what five guys did yesterday at 2am, at the Sagemore New Jersey Apple Store. All occurred in half a minute. When the security guard came, everyone and everything was gone.

This story was found at GIZMODO.com, Click here for more information

Google buys little-known video technology company

Google buys little-known video technology company
By CHRIS CHURCHILL
ALBANY TIMES UNION


HALFMOON, N.Y. -- Google Inc. announced Wednesday that it has agreed to buy a small software development company in New York's Capital Region.

The Silicon Valley search-engine giant said it would pay $106.5 million for On2 Technologies Inc., best known for developing technology that makes digital video easier to store and distribute in small files.

"It's a pretty heady experience," said Matthew Frost, the company's interim chief executive and a longtime employee. "For a small technology company, being acquired by Google is one of a small number of dreams you can have."

Although some hard-core techies are familiar with On2, most people in the region probably have never heard of the company, despite its local presence.

Even Michael Wacholder conceded Wednesday he wasn't familiar with the On2 -- and he's the director of the Rensselaer Technology Park and a historian, of sorts, of the local tech scene.

But Wacholder was delighted by the purchase, describing his lack of On2 knowledge as another sign the region's high-tech economy is growing. "I just can't keep up," he said, "and I think that's a pretty good indicator of the times."

On2 was founded 1992 in New York City as The Duck Corp., a classic "Silicon Alley" start up. But the company had a one-person Capital Region office manned by Eric Ameres, a 1988 graduate of RPI.

And that upstate office grew as the company did, tapping into the region's network of software engineers. "This is a great place to find talent," Frost said.

The upstate office might have even saved the company, which went public in 1999. When the high-tech bubble burst early this decade, most of On2's New York City rivals were doomed, in part, by unmanageable expenses.

But On2 had a Capital Region outpost where costs were much lower.

"We sort of slowly migrated from New York to here," Frost said.

Today, the company has roughly 30 employees in its Halfmoon offices. It has 50 other workers scattered in countries such as Finland, Japan, India, Korea, China and others.

On2 has always been about video-compression technology -- about making large video small enough for Internet and cellular networks, among others -- and its work underlies well-known technologies such as Skype, Adobe Flash Player and video chat services.

Google, which has been aggressive about becoming more than a search engine operator, presumably bought the company to strengthen YouTube, which it owns, and help it expand video technologies in a cell-phone market it wants to enter with force.

"It just wants to control certain patents and technologies that will enable it to deliver content," said Sameet Sinha, a San Francisco-based analyst who watches Google for JMP Securities Inc.

It was unclear Wednesday just what Google intends to do with On2. A e-mail from corporate spokesman Andrew Pederson only said that Google is "looking forward to closing the deal" and working with On2 workers "to improve high-quality online video."

"Unfortunately I can't provide more information about our plans right now," Pederson said.

But Frost noted that Google is acquiring more than technology -- it's acquiring a talented pool of engineers.

Under the terms of the deal, which needs approval from On2 shareholders, the company's investors will get 60 cents in Google stock for each share they own.

Ameres, who was of the company's first employees but left On2 last year for a job at RPI, said learning of the acquisition was bittersweet.

"It's the closing of a chapter," Ameres said. "It's like watching a child go off on their own. They're married, have children and have their own family now."

That family, of course, is the Google empire.

Chris Churchill can be reached at 454-5442 or by e-mail at cchurchill@timesunion.com. Business writer Larry Rulison contributed to this story.

Read more about Tech Stories at CALIGEEKS TECH TIPS & TRICKS

What is the Internet

The Internet today is a global system of interconnected computer networks that consists of millions of private and public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, and other technologies. The internet in modern time hold a great deal of the interactivity that connects folks around the globe. It look a lot of work and innovation to get this job done, here is an informative overview of the history of the internet.

Signing off world,
JA

Dr. Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple’s Board of Directors

Dr. Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple’s Board of Directors, Apple released a news press on their webpage earlier today, they announced that Dr. Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google, is resigning from Apple’s Board of Directors.

“Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple’s Board.”

Source: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/08/03bod.html

"Technology" a poem by Ian Richardson

"Technology"

It’s a rise and a fall
Right?
It took us out of the dirt
And into the nuclear age.
No blink space,
The eyebrows were melting before
There was time.
Useless now anyway,
The eyes had gone a long time ago,
With the frontal lobes.
Thanks Reality TV.
But it’s not the way it has to be
You know it isn’t because you’ve seen,
The sick stand again,
And be seen.
You’ve seen what it can do
In the right hands,
And how would you stretch your fingers?
I’m not talking about ergonomics.

Ian Richardson
richardsoni@berkeley.edu

The Footsteps of Digital Entertainment

Get ready, film buffs, the gateway to mega media experiences is around the corner! So you’re one of those Americans who finds your head stuck into your laptop, where's your Television set? Your TV is probably just making background noise if it's still on. Like it really has a place anymore. Is it really time for the Digital Age to make the TV obsolete? We think so. The internet is now a new medium for informing and selling to a global audience.

While many of our favorite shows originate on Cable Television, production companies are realizing proactively greater revenue from iTunes, Netflix, and other online affiliated sources to screen their content. New shows are being created with budgets so small, anything is possible. Sony Pictures produced a show starring David Faustino an American actor best known for his role as Bud Bundy on the sitcom Married... with Children. After one successful season, he has been able to win the affection of many via Crackle TV. Star-Ving Stars a few of the cast member from Married with Children and spoofs at the life of Bud Bundy.

Here is a short video clip of the show Star-Ving:


To start a webseries, two things must be taken into account. The content you are creating and the venue for it. David Faustino understands this and has made his online experiences very profitable bringing in new exposure via online marketing. The internet is becoming a socially driven venue for new media content. Actors are remembering how fun it can be to take a role less seriously and fans are soaking up anything these fun stars are willing to wink to them. If you want to make a good webseries, carefully consider how you can tell one cohesive story in about 13 episodes. Typical runtime for a webisode is 13 minutes.

The venue. You know how DVDs have bonus material that keep their audience entertained after watching their flick? So does a good webseries. In addition to fun bonus material with cast and characters, a good webseries has a website that makes viewers feel like they are in their own little theater. Interactivity with the audience is a must as it generates a new dimension for attracting clients.



When I was acting Roger Whitaker on Exit Stage Left I learned the potential of what a webseries could be. With a talented cast, a good story, decent camera and crew, some music, anything is possible! Anyone, without fear of losing some money, can put together a great show with a guaranteed outlet for viewing. The internet!

Many companies are finding ways to capitalize on the growing need to expand interactive viewership among online shows. SocialVision Inc., for example, has developed technology that will allows interactive chatrooms for viewers of certain web shows. This fledging market is growing exponentially. And for the TV? It has had its day. Why choose to watch programming when I can swoogle my google and watch a brand new episode of my favorite show anytime, anywhere, and again and again and again.

By Nicholas Locicero
(challenge, insight, inspire)

Web developers, here's FREE tips to drive traffic to your webpage.

An inbound link is a hyperlink transiting domains. Links are inbound from the perspective of the link target, and conversely, outbound from the perspective of the originator. Inbound links were originally important (prior to the emergence of search engines) as a primary means of web navigation; today their significance lies in search engine optimization (SEO). Here are a couple of webpages that will assist you with increasing site visits to your webpage. Enjoy this information, it will make you millions. Ball at your own risk!



http://actionguide.sitesell.com/
http://info.vilesilencer.com/
http://www.avivadirectory.com/strongest-directories/
http://www.web-directories.ws/blog/
http://www.strongestlinks.com/directories.php?sortcolumn=alexa

A Geek's Perspective on Yahoo! & Microsoft Partnership‎

Who Will Benefit From the Microsoft Yahoo Deal?

Microsoft and Yahoo! pursued merger discussions in 2005, 2006, and 2007, that were all ultimately unsuccessful. At the time, analysts were skeptical about the wisdom of a business combination. On July 29, 2009, it was announced with a 10 year deal that Microsoft will have full access to Yahoo search engine to be used in Microsoft future projects for its search engine Bing. Under the deal, Microsoft was not required to pay any cash up front to Yahoo. The day after the deal was announced, Yahoo's share price declined more than 10% to $15.14, about 60% lower than Microsoft's takeover bid a year earlier.

The Microsoft and Yahoo! search deal has been announced and the internet is buzzing with information that leads even the slightest internet saavy individual to ponder on the deal. The big question is who will be the biggest winners and losers in this deal. It looks likely to help Microsoft but how will it affect Google and Yahoo!? The single biggest effect of the deal is that the now-separate auctions to place ads on the search engines of Microsoft and Yahoo will be combined. Since the two companies don’t have all the same customers, the total number of bidders will increase right away. And more bidders will be attracted to a marketplace that now has 30 percent of the search-ad inventory. More bidders for the same supply should lead to higher prices. That means more money for Microsoft and also for Yahoo!, which will get 88 percent of the revenue from searches on its sites.



But that doesn’t mean that Google will lose anything. It still has the largest marketplace, the best advertising technology and thus the highest revenue per search. Even if Microsoft earns more, the bids on Google won’t necessarily go down.

Signing Off,
JA

It Seems like Everyone is Twittering these days

Apple iPhone rejected Google Voice App

Just one week after I applied to become a beta tester for Google Voice, the app gets rejected by Apple for use on the iPhone. Apple may have rejected the Google Voice app from the App Store, but BlackBerry owners can tap into this call-management center right now, getting better organized with free features. The application allows any user to have a google number for free calls, SMS, voicemail with transcripts, conference calling, and more. The app will still be available Android based smart phones and 'BlackBerry's.

A Google spokesman told Gizmodo:
"We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone. Apple did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the Apple App Store. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users - for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers."

Apple may not be the culprit behind blocking the app thought, it could have more to do with AT&T. This app could potentially hurt profits by allowing customers to get free features that they have to pay for right now. Maybe we will see this app return if the iPhone gets released to multiple networks.

Google Voice gives you a single phone number and tools to forward incoming calls to any line you want. So no matter where you are--in a taxi, at a satellite office away from your regular desk, staying in a hotel, or anywhere--that single number can ring those destinations at the same time. You just answer wherever you happen to be. Click Here to Learn More About Google Voice

Signing Off World,

John Ali

The Tech Geek

jali@caligeeks.com

You Can Install RAM Memory to Your MacBook Pro in less than 5 minutes!

When I bought my used MacBook Pro I got it with 1GB of DDR2 memory, a minimum amount of RAM. The reason is that Apple charges a lot more for memory than what you can buy from an aftermarket seller. I purchased I purchased a 2GB memory upgrade from an online retailer for $37, which included the cost of shipping. The online vendor for this purchase was OWC. An interesting fact about OWC's website is that they have an app that identifies exactly which memory module works with your MacBook model. With their assistance I was able to save about $100 in installation fees.

While 1GB of memory is adequate to run OS X smoothly on a MacBook Pro I think it's important to have as much memory as you can possibly run on your machine. Some applications— especially Adobe Photoshop, iTunes, Safari, & Final Cut Pro, my primary video editing software—makes the speed and overall performance of my computer slower. My multi-tasking requires a great deal of computerized processes, therefore upgrading its memory is an inexpensive, efficient method to boost the performance of a computer.

The only downside to buying the memory from an outside vendor (other than Apple) is that you have to install it yourself or take it somewhere and have them install it for you. Installing memory on a MacBook is very simple (it shouldn't take over 5 minutes) and the only tools you need are a coin and a #0 phillips screwdriver. The RAM installation was a breeze and took very little instruction. Of course, if you need steps, you can easily consult the manual that ships with the MacBook Pro.

Warning: The internal components of your MacBook can be warm. If you have been using your MacBook, wait ten minutes after shutting the computer down to let the internal components cool before continuing. Always disconnect and remove the AC Power adapter and the laptop's battery prior to upgrading its hardware.

Technology en Mi Sangre

In college I ran a charming IT Business, Berkeley Tech Support. Berkeley Tech Support and it's sister company, Compu Experto [punto] com have been sharing all the love with the community. Berkeley Tech Support has been Re-Generated to assist the needs of a larger audience via Cali Geeks' IT Solutions Network. Cali Geeks' IT Solutions Network (or CaliGeeks.com for short) does WHATEVER IT TAKES to make sure that your IT needs are met. We've helped hundreds of Students, Home Residents, Small Businesses, Non-Profit customers. We have been able to bring light to those difficult situations that require love and thirst for knowledge *Gus Snaps Fingers*

Since 1999 I have been dealing with optimizing the performance of computers. I went to a K -12 school with the famous Gustavo Mendez (who loves BJ's) and Nicholas Pham. At ELC, I excelled academically. As a curious middle school kid, I was taking web design classes with high schoolers. In High school, I was very socially familiar with the environment as I was the student body president and president of the information technology governance at Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy, CA.
I was able to manage IT challenges from a very young age as I started my own small business. JaNix Computer Repair was an amazing learning oppertunity. I was able to attain insight and challence in Information Technology. I have built over 3000 computers single handedly some of the experiences were hotter than a Vicente Fernandez song. One time I took off condom off a not so floppy, drive with tweezers. A better experience was rewiring a network on a yacht ride to Puerto Vallarta Mexico with a good friend, Aesop Castro.

As Djay, a main character in the movie Hustle and Flow would say, "I have dealt with every kind of issue that you could imagine."

Signing Off World...

John Ali Samadzadeh

Cali Geeks

Welcome to Cali Geeks

Tech Tips & Tricks:

Delivering Insight & Innovation to Technological Support

Look forward to blogging with ripped tech personal trainers who can help you manage the success of your IT needs via the Web Marketing of Technology Consultation. CaliGeeks Tech, Tips & Tricks Blog provides passionate technological aspirations that seek to inform a wide audience of people with the latest technological the in-depth reviews. Expect to receive insightful information via our photo and video blog entries..

When we're not reviewing, we're working on thoughtful blogs, podcasts, and advice on tech gear from cell phones and digital cameras to laptops and GPS devices. Find out more about us and our products. Visit http://www.twitter.com/CaliGeeks for more information, and do not forget about our exclusive offers and latest info on technology.

Feel free to email me Carlos V "The Tech Don Juan"

cvelador@caligeeks [dot] com

Carlos Velador

Customer Experience VP

Cali Geeks' Board Rep