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AT&T and Starbucks begin nationwide Wi-Fi rollout

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starbucks.jpgAT&T Inc. and Starbucks announced the beginning of the rollout of its Wi-Fi service at company-operated Starbucks stores, kicking off a nationwide effort that will continue through 2008.

As of May 1, qualifying AT&T customers can connect to the Internet from Wi-Fi enabled company-operated Starbucks locations nationwide by simply selecting “ATTWiFi” after powering up their computers. Free AT&T Wi-Fi service is currently offered with AT&T’s three higher-speed residential broadband packages, all small business broadband packages and with all AT&T U-verseSM offerings with high speed Internet service.

For other customers, AT&T Wi-Fi service will reach company-operated Starbucks locations on a market-by-market basis throughout the year. The experience will include a mix of free and paid connection options for both frequent and occasional Wi-Fi users and qualifying Starbucks customers. Once AT&T Wi-Fi service is available, customers will be able to shop and surf both Starbucks’ and AT&T’s respective home pages for products and services.

Originally posted on April 26, 2008 @ 6:21 pm

VIEW Index offers insight into NASDAQ 100 companies’ online video use

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Recent findings from VideoBloom’s Video-Enabled Web Index, or VIEW Index, report that 48% of NASDAQ 100 companies have online video on their web site; 52% do not offer any Web video. Many of the companies that do not have online video are in the pharmaceutical, semi-conductor and computer hardware industries, while the media, Internet, games and software industries feature Internet video prominently.

Among the 48 companies that have web video on their Web site, there is a variance in the number of clicks it takes to get from their home page to the online video (8 companies actually showcase video on their home page). Sixteen companies have Internet video one click away, ten companies take two clicks to find the online video and twenty-two require three clicks or more.

Originally posted on April 26, 2008 @ 6:08 pm

Microsoft completes tender offer for FAST Search & Transfer

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fast.pngMicrosoft Corp. has completed settlement of its tender offer for Fast Search & Transfer ASA, provider of enterprise search solutions. Microsoft’s plans to acquire FAST were originally announced in January. FAST will operate as a Microsoft subsidiary, with a dedicated enterprise search research and development center in Oslo, Norway, and offices throughout the world.

John Markus Lervik will transition from his role as FAST CEO to become Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Enterprise Search, reporting to Teper. Under Lervik’s leadership, the group’s charter will include the development of a comprehensive portfolio of enterprise search offerings, including Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express, search for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and FAST ESP, and future delivery of a single enterprise search platform.

Originally posted on April 25, 2008 @ 9:49 am

Dogpile.com forges content agreement with Kosmix

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kosmix.pngInfoSpace, Inc.’s Dogpile, the search site that combines the top results from the leading search engines, has forged an agreement with Kosmix, a content categorization engine for topics on the web. With this relationship, Kosmix is providing the new “Dogpile Health Guide” widget, with content on a wide variety of health topics, giving Dogpile users better access to expert health-related information on the web.

Originally posted on April 25, 2008 @ 10:31 am

Filed Under: Web

Video Game Addiction: Help is on the Way

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Kevin Roberts, a Michigan educator who specializes in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and learning issues, is now conducting support groups for teens and adults who struggle with video game addiction. Roberts, himself a recovering video game addict, leads weekly groups which emphasize staying “sober,” setting goals and developing healthy behaviors.

Roberts’ meetings combine elements of 12-step groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, with personal growth processes that stress accountability and responsibility.

Roberts encourages group members to support each other. “If you have an intense craving to play a game,” he tells his groups, “pick up the phone and call someone.” Roberts blames previous relapses in his own recovery from addictive gaming on his reluctance to seek support.

In addition to leading support groups, Roberts facilitates family interventions. “Some video gamers spiral out of control,” Roberts said, “and many families need help to deal with the situation.” Roberts, who speaks at schools, conferences and community groups, discusses solutions and strategies in his forthcoming book, Video Game Junkie: a Recovering Addict Helps You Understand, due out late May, 2008.

Roberts was a teacher at the Roeper School for the gifted in Birmingham, Mich. and has been an ADD coach and educational consultant for ten years. He speaks five languages and has a one-man show, Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie, which will debut in November.

Link: VideoGamingAddicts.org

Originally posted on April 26, 2008 @ 10:14 am