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End date: 29th February 2012

ICANN says new Domain Name applications going smoothly

Marina del Rey, California… One week after the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) began accepting applications for new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs), the application system is said to be functioning without a hitch.

“I can state firmly that one week into the process, the application system for the new domain names is functioning just as it should,” said Rod Beckstrom, ICANN’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is a reflection of the careful planning, hard work and long hours our staff spent preparing for last week’s launch.”

At one minute past midnight (UTC) on Thursday, 12 January, ICANN began accepting applications for new generic Top-Level Domains, beginning one of the biggest changes in the Internet’s evolution.

The new program will greatly expand the current 22 Top-Level Domains (such as .com, .gov and .net) to include almost any word or name. It also allows, for the first time, non-Latin language scripts such as Arabic, Chinese and Cyrillic to be used in a gTLD.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Michael Salazar, Director of the New gTLD program. “ICANN spent six years working to ensure it got this program right and we worked particularly hard to make certain the application portion of the program went smoothly.”

As of today, there are 25 successful registrants in the online TLD Application System. However, this number does not necessarily represent the total number of applications since each registrant can apply for up to 50 new generic Top-Level Domains.

The deadline to register in the TLD Application System is 29 March. If applicants are not registered in the system by that date, they will be unable to apply.

In early May, approximately two weeks after the new gTLD application window closes, ICANN will publish a list of the applications and who has applied for which domain name. Until then, ICANN will not comment publicly about any specific application, the total number of applications received, or who has submitted applications.

Initial processing of the applications is expected to be completed in mid-November 2012 and the first new generic Top-Level Domains are expected to be online sometime in early 2013.

If you’re thinking of applying for your own gTLD, be aware that, at a cost of $185,000 (£120,000) just to apply, obtaining one of the new names is a serious financial commitment!

ICANN approves historic change to Domain Name System

ICANN’s Board of Directors has approved a plan to usher in one of the biggest changes ever to the Internet’s Domain Name System.

During a special meeting, the Board approved a plan to allow an increase in the number of Internet address endings – called generic top-level domains (gTLDs) – from the current 22, which includes such familiar domains as .com, .org and .net.

“ICANN has opened the Internet’s naming system to unleash the global human imagination. Today’s decision respects the rights of groups to create new Top Level Domains in any language or script. We hope this allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind,” said Rod Beckstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICANN.

New gTLDs will change the way people find information on the Internet and how businesses plan and structure their online presence. Virtually every organization with an online presence could be affected in some way.

Internet address names will be able to end with almost any word in any language, offering organizations around the world the opportunity to market their brand, products, community or cause in new and innovative ways.

“Today’s decision will usher in a new Internet age,” said Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of ICANN’s Board of Directors. “We have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration.”

The decision to proceed with the gTLD program follows many years of discussion, debate and deliberation with the Internet community, business groups and governments. Strong efforts were made to address the concerns of all interested parties, and to ensure that the security, stability and resiliency of the Internet are not compromised.

ICANN will soon begin a global communications program to tell the world about this dramatic change in Internet names and to raise awareness of the opportunities afforded by new gTLDs. The application process will also use this period to elaborate on what is involved in applying for a new generic top-level domain.

Under the plan, new gTLDs applications to be accepted beginning on January 12.

The decision to launch the new gTLD program raised the curtain on ICANN’s 41st public meeting, taking place in Singapore. It is just one of the issues that will dominate the weeklong meeting.

On Wednesday, the focus will turn to cyber security with the inauguration in Singapore of a specially built “hardened” facility, the first of three around the world that are helping to secure the domain names of all countries.

The Singapore meeting will continue through the week and conclude on Friday with a public meeting of the Board of Directors.

ICANN’s mission is to ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer – a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn’t have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers. ICANN doesn’t control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn’t deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet’s naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet. For more information please visit: www.icann.org.

Facebook tag suggestions feature

On Tuesday, Facebook announced via it’s blog that a Tag Suggestions feature has rolled out to most countries after initial launch in the US last year. The feature is intended to make the tagging of friends in photos much easier. When you or a friend upload new photos, Facebook will use face recognition software to match your new photos to other photos you’re tagged in. Similar photos are grouped together and, whenever possible, Facebook will suggest the name of the friend in the photos.

For example, if you upload pictures from your cousin’s wedding, Facebook may group together pictures of the bride and suggest her name. Instead of typing her name many times, all you’ll need to do is click ‘Save’ to tag all of your cousin’s pictures at once.

Some users have complained that although they can turn the feature off, they weren’t explicitly asked if they wanted it activated, and that it raises privacy concerns. Graham Cluley, senior consultant with security firm Sophos, said “Many people feel distinctly uncomfortable about a site like Facebook learning what they look like and using that information without their permission.” Defending the technology, a Facebook spokesperson said that there had been “misconceptions” about what it does but apologised for not properly informing users.

If you want to turn the feature off, here’s how:

Log-in to your Facebook and click ‘Account’ on the top right hand side of your homepage and then ‘Privacy Settings’
Under the list of options click ‘Customise settings’
Scroll to the section ‘Things others share’, and click the ‘Edit settings’ button next to the words ‘Suggest photos of me to friends’
A box will pop up and you then click the grey button which says ‘Enabled’ and select ‘Disabled’, then close the box by clicking ‘OK’.

Microsoft confirms purchase of Skype

Microsoft has confirmed that it has agreed to buy internet communications service Skype. The company is to pay $8.5 billion (£5.2bn) in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.

Microsoft say that the acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.

“Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world.”

Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft, and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer.

Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype was acquired by eBay for $2.6bn in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009.

Ben Woods, head of research group CCS Insight, is reported to have commented “The big unanswered question is how do Skype assets work for Microsoft… how do you justify the price?”

Zynga breaks ground with the launch of CityVille

Zynga has announced the global launch of CityVille, a new social game allowing anyone anywhere to build their dream city from the ground up.

Zynga is the world’s largest social game developer with more than 225 million monthly active users playing their games. Zynga’s games include FarmVille, FrontierVille, Mafia Wars, Zynga Poker, Café World, Treasure Isle, YoVille, FishVille and PetVille.

Available in beta in the coming weeks, CityVille is debuting in five languages — marking the first international game launch for Zynga. CityVille is Zynga’s most social game to date with new features that allow players to build a city, interact with friends’ cities, and build franchises with the help of their friends.

While Rome may not have been built in a day, the growth of a CityVille town is in the hands of the player. CityVille represents the most sprawling game board for Zynga allowing players to grow a thriving city, balance the needs of citizens, run restaurants and businesses and harvest crops. CityVille also features Zynga’s first 3D-rendered buildings and characters and represents the most interactive Zynga game board to date.

“CityVille is where Monopoly meets Main Street,” said Sean Kelly, GM of CityVille. “We are thrilled to bring the world our most social game to date — building on the best-of-breed gameplay that Zynga fine-tuned with FarmVille and FrontierVille. Instead of harvesting crops you’re harvesting your neighborhood, instead of clearing your friend’s frontier you’re working on a friend’s franchise. We hope players from around the world have as much fun playing CityVille as we had building it.”
(more…)

The Beatles now on iTunes

Apple Corps, EMI and Apple today announced that the Beatles, the most influential and beloved rock band in music history, are now available for the first time on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com). Starting today, the group’s 13 legendary remastered studio albums with iTunes LPs, the two-volume “Past Masters” compilation and the classic “Red” and “Blue” collections are available for purchase and download on iTunes worldwide as either albums or individual songs. Fans can also get a special digital “Beatles Box Set” featuring the “Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964” concert film, a worldwide iTunes exclusive which captures the Beatles’ very first US concert.

“We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said Sir Paul McCartney. “It’s fantastic to see the songs we originally released on vinyl receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around.”

“I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes,” said Ringo Starr. “At last, if you want it—you can get it now—The Beatles from Liverpool to now! Peace and Love, Ringo.”

“We love the Beatles and are honored and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.”

“In the joyful spirit of Give Peace A Chance, I think it is so appropriate that we are doing this on John’s 70th birthday year,” said Yoko Ono Lennon.

“The Beatles on iTunes—Bravo!” said Olivia Harrison.

“The Beatles and iTunes have both been true innovators in their fields,” said EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon. “It’s a privilege for everybody at EMI to work with Steve Jobs and with Apple Corps’ Jeff Jones and their teams in marking a great milestone in the development of digital music.”

Each of the Beatles’ 13 legendary remastered studio albums, including “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Revolver,” “The Beatles [The White Album]” and “Abbey Road” include iTunes LPs, which create an immersive album experience with a beautiful design and expanded visual features including a unique mini-documentary about the creation of each album. The two-volume “Past Masters” compilation and the classic “Red” and “Blue” collections are also available.

The announcement seems to have settled a dispute which has run since 1978 when The Beatles’ representatives filed a lawsuit against Apple Computer, as it was then known, for trademark infringement over the name and symbol used by the US company. The case was settled in 1981 for an undisclosed sum plus an agreement that the technology company would not compete in the music business.

In 1989 Apple Corps sued again, claiming that Apple Computer had violated the terms of the previous settlement by adding increased musical capabilities to its hardware. After 100 days in court an agreement was reached in 1991 and Apple Computer payed a sum of roughly $29 million.

Apple Corps sued again in 2003 after the iTunes Music Store was launched, which they alleged violated the 1991 agreement. The US company emerged victorious in 2006 after a High Court judge in London found in their favour and ordered Apple Corps to pay legal costs.

A settlement was finally reached in 2007 whereby the technology company took control of the trademarks and licensed them back to Apple Corps.

Organised gangs deceive web users

New research released today by GetSafeOnline.org, the UK’s national internet security initiative, indicates that almost 1 in 4 (24%) UK adult web users have been approached by someone claiming to be from an IT helpdesk offering to check their computers for viruses.

Organised criminal gangs are exploiting security-conscious internet users by tricking them into downloading and paying for anti-virus (AV) protection which is actually malicious software – known as ‘scareware’ – in disguise. Often operating on a commercial scale, these gangs target victims through cold calls and by deceiving legitimate webmasters into advertising phony software for a ‘pay per download’.

Evidence from some of the most serious ‘malicious anti-virus’ (also known as ‘rogue AV’) cases known to date indicate that organised gangs stand to make millions while victims are left out-of-pocket, their bank details stolen and their computers seriously compromised, say experts at GetSafeOnline.org.

Typically posing as help desk staff from legitimate IT companies, fraudsters prey on consumers concerned about protecting their computers by trying to ‘sell’ them fake security software or by warning them that their machine has been infected and they have to pay to fix the problem. Victims are misled into thinking that their computers are infected with malicious software which can be fixed at a nominal cost – usually around £30 to download a ‘patch’. The ultimate goal is to obtain credit card information or secure remote control of the victim’s computer for other illegal activity, such as identity fraud or to launch phishing attacks that are then untraceable.

The Rt Hon Baroness Neville-Jones, Minister of State for Security, comments: “Given that our latest research indicates 80% of UK internet users have never heard of these ‘IT helpdesk’ scams, yet almost a quarter have been approached by them, it is vital that we make people aware of this threat. While it’s encouraging to see that UK web users are today more security-aware, criminals will always try to be ahead of the game and will use increasingly sophisticated methods to take advantage where they can”.

Dr Emily Finch, criminologist at the University of Surrey, explains: “The one-to-one nature of the telephone calls also signals a more invasive approach [than e-mail]… telephone calls use the personal touch to gain trust. By knowing just a little bit of information about someone (e.g. date of birth, full name, address – easily obtainable by fraudsters who know where to go), criminals begin to sound credible and plausible in their approach”.

Tony Neate, Managing Director, GetSafeOnline.org, advises: “Web users should ignore ‘cold calls’ from companies offering free virus checks, and be very cautious of any on-screen pop ups. Most reputable IT providers do not approach customers in this way without prior notice or a direct request.”

Malicious AV operations are one of the key threats being highlighted at the annual Get Safe Online Summit taking place in central London today, marking the start of this year’s Get Safe Online Awareness Week, which runs until the 19th November. The Summit brings together stakeholders from Government, industry and the public sector to discuss internet crime and strategies for helping consumers and small businesses protect themselves online. Attendance is by invitation only.

Rural broadband pilot areas named

Four rural areas have been selected to pilot the next generation of high speed broadband. This is in preparation for a £530m project to help upgrade areas of Britain that the broadband market alone would not meet.

The rural areas to be connected, at speeds only usually found in densely populated urban areas, are Cumbria, North Yorkshire, the Golden Valley in Herefordshire and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The pilot exercise will help establish the commercial costs and challenges involved in rolling out superfast broadband right across the UK. Each pilot area will get between five and ten million pounds.

£530m in funding will support the roll-out of broadband across the UK between now and 2015 to areas that the market alone will not reach.

According to information on the DirectGov website, work will begin on upgrading the broadband infrastructure in the four areas following further definition of the pilots and a procurement process. It is hoped that suppliers will start rolling out upgraded infrastructure within a year. The pilots will be paid for with a combination of public and private investment. The government wants the UK to have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015, with a minimum download speed of two megabytes per second for virtually every community. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will then use these networks to offer affordable services to homes and businesses.

An easy way to make a living

I Wear Your Shirt is a two man American advertising company that uses the wearing of T-shirts to promote businesses and spread messages. Buy two T-shirts and get your company logo or birthday message etc printed onto them. Buy a day or more via the calendar on the company’s website and then send one t-shirt to the company’s founder, Jason Sadler, who lives in Florida, and the other to Evan White who lives in Los Angeles. Sadler and White then wear your shirt on the day or days you’ve bought.

They advertise by making videos and taking pictures wearing the t-shirts and upload the results to Ustream and YouTube. They also have a blog, Flickr, Twitter and Facebook accounts that they use to promote the companies and people who paid them to wear the shirts.

Days in 2010 started at $2 on January 1 and then increase $2 everyday, until December 31 when the price is $730. It is widely reported that after factoring in the money gained from the sale of monthly $1,500 sponsorships, plus contests and other enterprises, Sadler’s total income in 2009 was $83,000 and the prices have doubled for this year.

Perhaps I could do something similar in the U.K. with socks – and advertise a different company on each foot