Technology Review: Harvard scholars chosen by MySpace to lead task force exploring Internet safety

A group of leading internet scholars from Harvard University has been appointed to study ways to keep children safe on the Internet. This is a problem that wreaks a high social and human cost every year. Technology Review: Harvard scholars chosen by MySpace to lead task force exploring Internet safety

Google's Wireless Auction Play

Google recently made a bid on the new wireless spectrum being offered for auction. Then it withdrew, but only after the competition upped their bids to counter Google's bid. It was an interesting play, that left the spectrum more expensive than it otherwise might have been and therefore raised the cost of the business to google's competition. Was this the intention, or did Google just get turned off by the convoluted auction process? Or did they change their strategy along the way? Google's Wireless Auction Play

globeandmail.com: There's growing harmony in music piracy debate

Illegal music downloading continues to be a major force in the industry, but the industry and the legal system won't let go. Some progress may eventually be made, as the pressure mounts on the ISPs to invoke some controls and the industry itself learns to cope by offering better, less expensive terms for its product. globeandmail.com: There's growing harmony in music piracy debate

globeandmail.com: Your HD DVD just became a collector's item

It appears that Toshiba has thrown in the towel on its HD DVD technology and its pitched battle with Sony and its Blu Ray technology. Aside from the obvious potential implications for all those DVD players out there, it raises potentially serious issues for computer users. DVD's have been widely used for data storage and backup and the prospect that this technology might not be available down the road means that data backup and storage strategies need to be reconsidered. There may not be a big rush, though. What the Toshiba move does is to open the field for Blu Ray but it will still be up to consumers which way the technology goes. We won't know that for some time to come. globeandmail.com: Your HD DVD just became a collector's item

E-Commerce News: E-Commerce: Fulfillment: The Unexpected Key to Successful E-Commerce

A lot of the early writing on e-Business stressed the need for radical changes in the supply chain of business to enable them to meet the rapid fire demands of electronic customers. After several years, however, it seems a lot of companies just don't get it, even now. It's no good just to tamper with the traditional supply chain/fulfillment model and try to speed it up. It needs to be turned on its head so that products are built after the order is received, and built to the customers specifications. The customer needs to help design it. E-Commerce News: E-Commerce: Fulfillment: The Unexpected Key to Successful E-Commerce

Digital crisis: Motion pictures may fade to black

Hollywood is experiencing issues with the digital storage of movies that carry lessons for all of us who rely on digital technology to save important content. The issue is that there are numerous factors that cause the digital images to deteriorate, and a great deal of money is being spent to try to preserve the quality of the original. Either the technology needs to improve or companies need to revisit their data archiving budgets. Digital crisis: Motion pictures may fade to black

Technology Review: Microsoft kicks around ideas for future of Web advertising

Online marketing is undergoing a big change as a result of newer technologies. We'll hear more about audience intelligence, bugs in videos and the like. It should mean more effective placement of ads down the road. Technology Review: Microsoft kicks around ideas for future of Web advertising

MySpace Users Build Up Ad Immunity

It seems that while revenue for social networks like MySpace is growing, click-through rates are falling. It raises a question about the long term viability of advertising on social networks. Will companies continue to pay for ads that don't deliver results? MySpace Users Build Up Ad Immunity

reportonbusiness.com: Microsoft bids $44.6-billion for Yahoo!

In a major announcement, Microsoft has revealed a takeover bid it has made of Yahoo. If the deal goes through, it will change the landscape for Google, who will have a formidable competitor. Watch for business model changes in both as the competition heats up. reportonbusiness.com: Microsoft bids $44.6-billion for Yahoo!