A “launchpad for emerging technologies”, the simulation engine gives the entrepreneurs an opportunity to test their ideas against simulated market forces with a share trading, review and voting system of Spigs (a thumbs up vote) and a Scrap (as it is obviously described).

“Through our proprietary simulation they can build and refine an idea, find the right resources to contribute, create buzz, and calculate a multitude of targeted metrics to provide insight into viability and simulate the likelihood of success. The spigit simulation engine measures and quantifies interactions on social networks. The spigit simulation engine captures dynamic feedback from all participants, tracking hundreds of dynamic events and through a series of algorithms, computes results producing valuable predictions and identifies key social connections to maximize professional and economic gains.”

With the Spigit business simulation, the entrepreneur has to go through 3 distinct stages - The Incubation, Validation and Emergence. The entrepreneur or founder of the business must complete several requirements, criterion and milestones to advance to the second and third stages. The 3rd stage allows the founder to pitch their ideas to believers for its IPO and managing the IPO ensuring maximum return on investment for all its sponsors and investors. The idea that gains the highest peak market capitalization over a quarter wins the game with a Spigit Splash! Award.

This is a useful and invaluable business exercise for the would be business. While creating a less risky scenario for judging public demand, it is a proving ground of sorts for new ideas so that entrepreneurs can decide whether or not an idea has legs before investing real time and money.

The only hesitation I would have in going through this simulation is the fact that ideas that are put out to the public as an imaginary company have the likelihood to be stolen by another person or company. At the moment, Spigit does not offer any special patent protection for the new ideas, therefore one must be careful and extremely comfortable with publicly putting your idea there. You may want to get legal advice on how to protect your idea or individual documents before exposing it on Spigit.

Spigit is co-founded by Paul Pluschkell (CEO) and Padmanabh Dabke (CTO) and is based in Pleasanton, California.

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Pings can be used to remind you of social events, sales activities, task coordinations, important tasks and more. Being interactive, you can automatically reply to that Ping to reschedule it for another date or time. Logging into your customized PingMe page allows you to see your reminders arranged as interactive Post-it type notes neatly organized and tagged appropriately.

There is also a handy Contact System that allows you to share, send and receive Pings from friends, family and co-workers easily. What is extremely useful is that PingMe can be set to constantly bug you until you finish doing or confirm the task in question - a kind of online interactive alarm clock snooze feature like what Microsoft Outlook has on your desktop and much needed in the mobile world.

Developed by Zetetic LLC, PingMe is a perfect way to “keep intouch with yourself”, stay efficient, organized and to keep up with your busy schedule — a perfect Life Hack. Zetetic LLC makes 2 other software packages to include STRIP (A Secure Tool for Recalling Important Passwords for the Palm) and simAXS (A Single Sign-on simulator)

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In addition, Sun also announced that it has added web search functionality to all StarOffice products, enabling online search capabilities directly from its productivity suite. This new functionality is now available through the Google Pack download.

“Using ODF within StarOffice allows for interoperability and choice among those seeking free and open standards-based office productivity applications,” said Rich Green, executive vice-president of Software, Sun Microsystems, Inc. “With OpenOffice.org adoption growing at nearly three million downloads a month, we are seeing overwhelming adoption and exciting new opportunities emerging. We are absolutely thrilled to offer a new version of StarOffice that includes Google’s web search capabilities.”

Google Pack offers users a safe and easy way to install all the essential software they need in a matter of minutes. The addition of Sun’s StarOffice gives Google Pack users free access to an enterprise-strength office application. Starting now, users can install StarOffice as part of the Google Pack installation process. For more information about Google Pack, please visit http://pack.google.com.

About StarOffice

StarOffice software is a powerful, affordable, and comprehensive office productivity suite (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, database, drawing program, web publishing application) that runs on Solaris(TM), Windows and Linux. Compatible with Microsoft Office, it includes a built-in PDF export tool and supports ODF, XML, Flash and HTML. Based on OpenOffice.org software, StarOffice software suite is indemnified and supported by Sun Microsystems.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Sun Microsystems develops the technologies that power the global marketplace. Guided by a singular vision — “The Network is the Computer” — Sun drives network participation through shared innovation, community development and open source leadership. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://www.sun.com.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION:
    Chhandomay Mandal
    Sun Microsystems
    (603) 589-0576
    chhandomay.mandal@sun.com

Sun, Sun Microsystems, Solaris, StarOffice and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

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Their concept is based on the fact that in the real world, the people and activity around you affect your decisions and behavior, and that “no one has ever been able to benefit from these environmental influences online.” Me.dium allows you to do just that i.e. revealing the hidden and the online world clearly.

When you load up the software, you’ll see a floating iconic map of other pages based on Me.dium’s recommendations, the characteristics of the page you are looking at, or the pages you have recently visited. The other pages that are recommended are tailored to your browsing preferences automatically. Other floating web page icons are based on real time web pages of other Me.dium users currently on the web.

Clicking on the a featured “Talk” tab, allows you to simultaneously chat with the individual users on that particular website and subsequently put him/her on your friends list.

For the security minded guys out there, Me.dium only stores 4 things when you use the software - web-page (URL) visits you choose to share with us, your most recently visited web-pages, your list of friends, and any profile information you choose to share with us.

“Me.dium never captures log-in information when you are visiting a secure (HTTPS) website or accessing authentication information stored in your system’s cookies. For example, if you’re logged into an e-mail program, such as Yahoo! Mail, your e-mail is not visible to users; rather other users see a blank Yahoo! Mail log-in page without any personal identifying information. Similarly, whether you choose to be anonymous or not, Me.dium does not have nor does it give anyone access to your computer or files.”

Me.dium is a twist in usual online social networking and allows you to interactively discover your likes/ dislikes based on online environmental behaviors. A great concept and a great tool!

About Me.dium

Me.dium is a Boulder, Colorado company and is founded by David Mandell, Robert Reich and Peter Newcomb. Currently headed by Kimbal Musk, it officially launched on August 6th and currently supports IE7 and Firefox.

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Features:

* Combination AC/DC adapter
Utilize any standard wall, auto or airplane outlet and works with international plugs.

* The iGo Dual power accessory
This allows users to charge their notebook plus a low-power gadget simultaneously, including mobile phones, Bluetooth® headsets, smartphones, MP3 players and more. Powers and charges your notebook plus a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone or MP3 player at the same time!

* Up to 70W continuous power output

* Dimensions - 4.8″ x 2.7″ x 0.9″

* Weighs at only 8 oz.

* Comes with a compact carrying case

The iGo everywhere85 is priced at $129.99.

iGo everywhere85 product page
iGo everywhere85 compatibility notebook check for the adapter

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Basically, he used Ferret to capture the Wifi signal Session IDs and Cookies from the victim’s Web browser session and used Hamster to clone the Session IDs/Cookies. The cloned web identity was then used to gain full read/ write access of the Gmail account. The scary part of it all is that one doesn’t need to be a super programmer to hack into an email system i.e. just knowing how to use the scripts would be enough. The term script kiddies comes to mind.

Just shows how much you should be aware of potential exploits within email. George Ou from Znet, posted a good article on security steps to safeguard yourself when using email. You should know however, that there is never a case where it is 100% hacker proof — to think it is would be foolish.

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The encrypted files are a perfect disguise for sensitive information. Nobody, not even your wife, boss, or a hacker would realize that your important papers or letters are stored in your last holiday pictures, or that you use your personal web page to exchange messages or secret documents. Invisible Secrets 4 can be purchased at $39.95 directly from their site.

Invisible Secrets 4 features:
* file and email encryption using 8 algorithms (AES - Rijndael, Twofish, RC 4, Cast128, GOST, Diamond 2, Sapphire II, Blowfish)

* Steganography
Hides your sensitive data into innocent files, so nobody can find them. Features five innocent carriers for hiding: JPEG, PNG, BMP, HTML and WA

* a password management solution that stores all your passwords securely and helps you create secure passwords

* a virtual keyboard created in order to prevent any key logger software from stealing your passwords

* a shredder that helps you destroy beyond recovery files, folders and internet traces

* a locker that allows you to password protect certain applications

* the ability to create self-decrypting packages and mail them to your friends or business partners, you will be able to safely send the self-decrypting packages as zip files

* a tool that allows you to transfer a password securely over the internet

* a cryptboard to help you use the program from Windows Explorer

Company Information

Neobyte Solutions was founded by Alin Merches and Adrian Gheara with a clear aim to set high standards of service, and to deliver imaginative software solutions for the international business community. Its headquartered in Romania and has subsidiaries in the USA - NeoByte Solutions USA and Sharpe Communications.

Neobyte Solutions Company Site
Invisible Secrets Software Site
Invisible Secrets 4 Trial Download

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Here are some useful links around the blogosphere:

iPhone software update 1.0.1 released (updated) by Znet
Installation and update process (visual pictures included) by Znet
Tuaw’s analysis of the iPhone update
Information about the security content of iPhone v1.0.1 Update (Official Apple article)
Apple’s Security Download Page

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* The iPhone Smart Case
An inch thin case sporting a smooth, eye-catching material that easily slips in and out of your jeans pocket. It has rubberized textile flanks each side for easy grip. The unique, multi-layered padding system combines a high-impact, rigid insert with a soft, scratch-free Ultrasuede? liner to keep the iPhone protected. It comes in 3 different case styles with multiple carrying options; attach it to a strap, clip it on a belt, or slip it in a pocket.

* The iPhone Travel Case
A case designed to keep the iPhone and its accessories all together and tangle-free. Custom-sized, padded interior compartments keep gear organized and separated. Zippers are self-locking to ensure the contents doesn’t spill out accidentally. The cases come in three sizes and can easily be stowed in a backpack, purse, or messenger bag.

* The iPhone Suede Jacket
This Ultrasuede? case offers protection from scratches without bulk and fits the iPhone snuggly doubling as a screen cleaner.

All three products are now available for shipping from www.sfbags.com. Pricing starts at$9 for the iPhone Suede Jacket and up to $39 for the Smart/ Travel cases.

About WaterField Designs

WaterField Designs manufactures custom-fitted, high-quality cases and bags for a full-range of laptop computers, cameras, and other digital gear. All products are manufactured to exacting standards in San Francisco.

Full Press Release
Company [Waterfield Designs]

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The IronKey?s core features include:

* Hardware-Encrypted USB Flash Drive: With its strong hardware cryptography and authentication, there is no need to install additional hardware, software or drivers.
* Password Management: The IronKey provides a single place for users to safely encrypt and manage all of their passwords; plus you can back up the encrypted passwords online in case you ever lose the device.
* Password Recovery: The IronKey.com online services also allow users to recover their device password if they ever forget it.
* Portable Secure Browsing: With a click of a button, the onboard Firefox web browser enables secure and private web surfing, even through unprotected wireless networks, with enhanced Tor technology.
* Assists in Regulatory Compliance: The IronKey helps organizations meet regulatory requirements such as Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA and GLBA.
* Rugged and Durable: Unlike plastic USB drives, the IronKey?s rugged metal casing is filled solid with epoxy, making it both tamperproof and waterproof.

Source and Full Press Release [Business Wire]
Company [IronKey]

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