1188815261Content WireDeskaccounting,email,global network,global provider,hackers,home networking,Internet,internet,invitation,launch,malware,music,networking,proportion,single point,six months,six percent,spam,stock,take advantage,third parties,three months,variants,virus,web based,web pages,web usersTop of the Virus PopDramatic drop during holiday season A dramatic drop in malware spreading in the form of email attachments, with just one infected message in every 1,000 emails in August, compared to one in 322 during the first six months of 2007. Spam, however, has continued to be a problem - much of it linking to malicious websites designed to infect users. A series of large-scale attacks have been made via spam email, directing users to infected webpages with the promise of ecards, pictures of nude celebrities, YouTube movies, and pop music videos. People visiting the sites are running the risk of having their PCs infected by malicious code which can then steal personal information, spam out more malware and junk email, or launch distributed denial of service attacks against innocent parties, according to Sophos, provider of IT security and control  The figures, compiled by Sophos's global network of monitoring stations, show The total number of infected webpages continues to grow, albeit at a slightly slower rate than the month before. During August, Sophos detected an average of 5,000 new infected webpages each day, compared to 6,000 in July. There was also a sharp spike in spam activity in the middle of August due to one of the world's biggest ever single spam campaigns designed to manipulate stock prices. The top ten list of web-based malware threats in August 2007 reads as follows: 1. Mal/Iframe 47.8% 2. Mal/ObfJS 17.7% 3. Troj/Decdec 14.0% 4. Troj/Fujif 4.3% 5. Mal/EncPk 2.5% 6. Troj/Psyme 2.2% 7. Mal/Packer 1.1% 8. Troj/Pintadd 1.0% 9. VBS/Redlof 0.7% 10. Mal/Behav 0.5% Others 8.2% Mal/Iframe and ObfJS have retained their positions at the top of the chart. Meanwhile, Decdec has crept up to third place, accounting for 14 percent of this month's web-based malware, up 11 percent on July. "Cybercriminals are successfully using email and the web in co-ordination to infect innocent internet surfers," said Carole Theriault, senior security consultant at Sophos. "Home users and businesses alike need to take more steps to protect themselves from online threats, or risk being hit time and time again. It should be clear for everyone to see that businesses, web hosts and ISPs are failing to properly defend their websites. Fraudsters are continuing to find rich pickings on the internet, duping users into handing over their personal information." The top ten list of countries hosting malware-infected web pages in August 2007, reads as follows: 1. China (inc. Hong Kong) 44.8% 2. United States 20.8% 3. Russia 11.3% 4. Ukraine 7.7% 5. Poland 2.4% 6. Germany 1.6% 7. Netherlands 1.1% 8. Italy 0.9% 9= Canada 0.8% 9= United Kingdom 0.8% Others 7.8% Whilst the top three countries hosting malware-infected webpages during August have remained unchanged from July, the percentage of malicious pages hosted by them has dropped by ten percent to 76.6 percent. The proportion of infected pages hosted by the Ukraine has more than doubled in the last month, and the Netherlands, Italy and Canada have all re-entered the chart. "While more than three quarters of infected webpages are hosted in just three countries, that doesn't mean you only get hit if you visit websites based in those areas," explained Theriault. "Hackers are hijacking websites around the world to make them point to malware on sites based in China, the USA, and Russia. Cybercriminals don't discriminate when it comes to targeting the web - they're just out for all they can get." The top ten list of email-based malware threats in August 2007 reads as follows: 1. W32/Netsky 30.5% 2. W32/Zafi 20.0% 3. W32/Mytob 15.0% 4. Troj/Pushdo 10.8% 5. Troj/Dloadr 4.8% 6. W32/MyDoom 4.4% 7. Mal/Dropper 2.3% 8. W32/Bagle 2.1% 9. W32/Sality 1.8% 10. W32/Traxg 1.2% Others 7.1% While the Pushdo Trojan horse has been around since March, it is a newcomer to the top ten, accounting for 10.8 percent of all email borne malware during August. Its rise is down to the fact that around four new variants of Pushdo are currently being spammed out every day, in a bid to try and bypass security systems. "Most malware writers seem to be taking an extended holiday from spreading their malicious code via email attachments, and are using spam and the web instead to infect users," said Theriault. "Criminals are hard at work trying to slip past filters at the corporate gateway, and businesses must ensure that their security solutions are kept up-to-date to defend against new virus variants and new spam techniques before they can strike." During August, Sophos continued to see hoaxes and chainletters spreading between internet users via email. One new hoax, which took advantage of the growing popularity of social networking websites, warned that Facebook users who accepted a friend invitation from a user called Bum_tnoo7 would be opening themselves up to identity theft. Sophos does recommend that users of social networking websites take steps to protect their identities online but this particular warning is bogus. <a href="http://www.sophos.com/"> </a>http://www.content-wire.com/top-virus-pop1154473200Content Wireadminaccessibility,accounting,Companies,consumer service,content management,Content Management,content management services,customer service,finance,Finance,financial institutions,financial management,financial services,leading the way,management market,margins,market research,marketing,Marketing,Mediasurface,news content,news service,news sites,partnership,partnerships,People,public sector,recent research,reveal,score,signs,Standards,taxonomy,time to market,web content,web content managementFinancial Services Websites Fail Accessibility TestsThe results of a recent survey of the websites of UK Financial Services companies reveal a disturbing variance in the standards of public facing websites. The survey shows that some sites are achieving 10 out of 10 for accessibility and performance whilst competitors in the same sector score marks a hundred times worse. The results are published in the July edition of the Financial Services Website Accessibility Report produced by Mediasurface, the leading AIM-listed web content management provider. The research analysed the accessibility and performance of 727 UK Financial Services websites and was carried out in partnership with SiteMorse (www.sitemorse.com) the market leading automated website testing services provider. Tests were carried out between Friday 21 and Monday 24 July 2006 for this second joint quarterly report and covered companies in Banking (Retail and Wholesale), Financial Investment Institutions, Insurance, Professional Services (Legal and Accounting) and Consumer Finance (Building and Friendly Societies, Mortgage Lenders, IFA's etc). Approximately a quarter of sites failed basic 'A' accessibility 12 websites were completely error free whilst the worst suffered 17,154 errors ? The Charcol website was found to have the fastest response time; the slowest was measured as 276 times slower. The fastest download speed was the European Central Bank, with the slowest 3,798 times slower There was good news for Guardian Financial Services (www.guardianfs.co.uk) who passed both A and AA accessibility tests on each page of their website scoring a perfect 10/10 SiteMorse mark. Solus Funds (www.solusfunds.com) and Millfield Partnerships (www.millfield-partnership.co.uk) came second and third respectively. Andy Peart, Chief Marketing Officer for Mediasurface commented: "This latest Mediasurface and SiteMorse Report clearly demonstrates there is a huge difference in the way companies in the Financial Services conduct themselves online. Although Accessibility and Performance may be being talked about within the UK Financial Services sector as a way to differentiate online customer service, people responsible for website content within these organisations are yet to take this topic seriously". More details on the report www.mediasurface.com/downloadshttp://www.content-wire.com/financial-services-websites-fail-accessibility-tests-01144191600Content Wireadminaccounting,Companies,consumers,consumption,data services,game,Germany,leading publishers,Media,metrics,mobile content,mobile data,mobile devices,mobile operators,mobile phones,mobile services,music,music services,pace,personalization,proprietary,publishers,segment,senior analyst,senior vice president,vice president,video content,video servicesContent for Generation MSchool-age teens and young adults are leading users the mobile applications sector in Britain and Germany, says M:Metrics, the mobile market authority. In its February Benchmark Survey, the measurement firm found that Generation M, 13 to 24-year-olds, are the most predisposed to use mobile data services. Content companies should not overstate the importance of this group, however, as subscribers 25 and older comprise in excess of 70 percent of mobile content consumers. “Although 13 to 24-year-olds make up less than 20 percent of the mobile audience in the UK and Germany, they show a high propensity to consume mobile content, with 62 percent of British, and 47 percent of German members of Generation M using one or more mobile applications,” said Paul Goode, vice president and senior analyst, M:Metrics. “But the appeal of mobile content extends beyond youth, as the majority of mobile content consumers are over 25. The challenge the mobile content industry faces is to similarly engage a higher percentage of older consumers.” Even in mobile game consumption, an activity typically associated with youth, adults 25 and older comprise 62 percent of game downloaders in both Britain and Germany. But, only two percent of German and three percent of UK mobile subscribers 25 or older downloaded a game in February. This compares to five percent of German teens downloading a mobile game and eight percent of their British counterparts. Subscribers in the 18 to 24 age group are the most likely to download a mobile game. In Germany, this age group accounts for 27.3 percent of the market and in the UK, 26 percent. In both geographies, males out-gamed females, although the gender gap is largest in Germany, at 60 percent male, 40 percent female, versus 54 percent male, 46 percent female in Britain. M:Metrics also reports that in both Germany and the UK, 13 to 17-year-olds are twice more likely than the average subscriber to download a short video clip, and three times more likely to stream music over the air. Fashion-conscious females outdo males in personalizing their phones with ringtones, wallpapers and ringback tones, accounting for 53 percent of subscribers who purchased personalization content in Germany and 56 percent in the UK. Teenagers were the predominant users of personalization content. In both countries, the 13 to 17-year old age group was the proportional leader in consumption. Surprisingly, those over 25 account for 75 percent of the German, and 85 percent of the UK markets. “This data shows that that mobile content has mass appeal,” observed Goode. “But in order for this sector to grow, publishers, operators and other mobile content owners need to better identify underserved market segments and develop media that will compel all consumers to look to their devices for information and entertainment.” <script type="text/javascript">google_ad_client = "pub-7258139694566163";google_ad_width = 300;google_ad_height = 250;google_ad_format = "300x250_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "CC99CC";google_color_bg = "E7C6E8";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "00008B";google_color_text = "663366";</script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script>http://www.content-wire.com/content-generation-m1144191600Content Wireadminaccounting,Companies,consumers,consumption,data formats,data services,game,Germany,leading publishers,Media,metrics,mobile content,mobile data,mobile devices,mobile operators,mobile phones,mobile services,music,music services,personalization,proportion,publishers,senior analyst,senior vice president,storage,vice president,video content,video services Content for Generation MSchool-age teens and young adults are leading users the mobile applications sector in Britain and Germany, says M:Metrics, the mobile market authority. In its February Benchmark Survey, the measurement firm found that Generation M, 13 to 24-year-olds, are the most predisposed to use mobile data services. Content companies should not overstate the importance of this group, however, as subscribers 25 and older comprise in excess of 70 percent of mobile content consumers. “Although 13 to 24-year-olds make up less than 20 percent of the mobile audience in the UK and Germany, they show a high propensity to consume mobile content, with 62 percent of British, and 47 percent of German members of Generation M using one or more mobile applications,” said Paul Goode, vice president and senior analyst, M:Metrics. “But the appeal of mobile content extends beyond youth, as the majority of mobile content consumers are over 25. The challenge the mobile content industry faces is to similarly engage a higher percentage of older consumers.” Even in mobile game consumption, an activity typically associated with youth, adults 25 and older comprise 62 percent of game downloaders in both Britain and Germany. But, only two percent of German and three percent of UK mobile subscribers 25 or older downloaded a game in February. This compares to five percent of German teens downloading a mobile game and eight percent of their British counterparts. Subscribers in the 18 to 24 age group are the most likely to download a mobile game. In Germany, this age group accounts for 27.3 percent of the market and in the UK, 26 percent. In both geographies, males out-gamed females, although the gender gap is largest in Germany, at 60 percent male, 40 percent female, versus 54 percent male, 46 percent female in Britain. M:Metrics also reports that in both Germany and the UK, 13 to 17-year-olds are twice more likely than the average subscriber to download a short video clip, and three times more likely to stream music over the air. Fashion-conscious females outdo males in personalizing their phones with ringtones, wallpapers and ringback tones, accounting for 53 percent of subscribers who purchased personalization content in Germany and 56 percent in the UK. Teenagers were the predominant users of personalization content. In both countries, the 13 to 17-year old age group was the proportional leader in consumption. Surprisingly, those over 25 account for 75 percent of the German, and 85 percent of the UK markets. “This data shows that that mobile content has mass appeal,” observed Goode. “But in order for this sector to grow, publishers, operators and other mobile content owners need to better identify underserved market segments and develop media that will compel all consumers to look to their devices for information and entertainment.”http://www.content-wire.com/content-generation-m-01138752000Content Wireadminaccounting,Advertising,Business,business metrics,computer,corporate marketing,game,Google,market research,market share,marketing,Marketing,metrics,migration,publishers,research director,sales and marketing,sales efforts,share price,stock,Turkey,user experience Financial analysts get Google forecasts wrongQuarterly revenues were up 22% on Q3, and up 86% on the same period in 2004, reaching $1.92bn. For the full year, revenues - of which 99% comes from advertising - were up 92%, reaching a staggering $6.14bn. Considerable global expansion efforts during the year saw operating expenses grow ahead of expectations by 42% to $1.55bn. Despite this, the company reported full-year operating profits that were up by 88% on 2004 at $2.02bn. Google's enterprise software licensing business, while still accounting for only 1% of the company's overall business in 2005, grew by 60% over the previous year. Revenues from outside the US grew faster than overall revenues, going up to 39% of the total compared to 34% in the previous year. Richard Holway, Director at Ovum Research, comments: "It requires a double take when a company that has just reported Q4 gross revenues up 86%, revenues net of commissions nearly doubled at $1.29bn and profits up 82% to $372m, sees its share price crash by 15% in after-hours dealings, knocking $19bn off its market value. The "problem" is that Google doesn't play the game of "steering" financial analysts to make estimates with which it is comfortable. Therefore the analysts have to make up their own. So it is the analysts who should be blamed for getting their forecasts wrong! Google's CEO Eric Schmidt said on the call last night, 'we are very pleased with the performance in every way' and he also added that these results had exceeded Google's internal forecasts. The "problem" is also that, although these growth rates are stellar by anyone's measure, they do represent a slight reduction in the growth rates reported in the last five consecutive quarters. Higher corporate taxes, the dollar exchange rate, a $90m charitable donation, $58m stock options and higher sales and marketing costs all hit profits. Interestingly, Google's UK operations (its biggest market outside the US) were singled out as performing particularly badly in the Christmas period. It seems that Google hasn't quite cottoned on to the fact that us British have a really long Christmas break when we tend to use our computers less. Google, of course, only gets paid when we use those click-through sites, which doesn't tend to happen when you are sleeping off the effects of Turkey overload. Connecting Google's market value with any performance metrics has taxed us for so long that we have given up trying to figure it out. Putting share price and valuation to one side, Google is continuing to invest medium-to-long-term without too much of an eye on short-term expediency. That must be good, and should give its competitors even more cause for concern." www.ovum.comhttp://www.content-wire.com/financial-analysts-get-google-forecasts-wrong-01137110400Content Wireadminaccounting,addressed,best practices,blog,Business,business case,business process,business user,Companies,corporations,delivery solution,Democracy,global reach,global technology,Google,help companies,human rights,Human Rights,initially,Internet,internet,Microsoft,next generation,People,Politics,respect to,target,Technology,technology companiesWhen Technology meets PoliticsReporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) has started a <a href="http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16121"> campaign</a> with the aim to influence interational technology providers to operate in respect of human rights, in particular when it comes to internet, democracy and freedom of expression. Julien Pain of RSF answers some questions. Is the petition concerned with any other aspect of human rights, and international trade? Don't you think service and goods providers worldwide should be made to abide to an ethical code of conduct by international law? With this campaign, we're only targeting companies working in the Internet sector, and especially Yahoo, Microsoft, Cisco, Fortinet, Secure Computing, and to a lesser extent Google. These are all American companies. So far these are the ones we know about which collaborate on online censorship with repressive regimes. What evidence are you basing your case on? For example, Yahoo, we have <a href="http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20050501_1.htm">Shi Tao's verdict</a> Microsoft: we tested their blog tool. Cisco : we have a brochure where they discribe tools to help the Chinese police If such an important case is likely to have an impact, shouldt the provision apply to any company irrespective of nationality? It does. It's mentioned in our press release : These recommendations are addressed to the US government and US legislators because all the companies named in this document are based in the United States. Nonetheless, they concern all democratic countries and have therefore been sent to European Union officials and to the Secretary General of the OECD as well. What international legal instruments /organisms can be used to enforce a human right provision? The issue can be taken by the UN Global Compact. But the best solution would be an OECD recommendation, that would be then applyed by all OECD members How long can a legislatory process like you suggest take ? First, we're asking for self regulation. We want companies to draft a code of conduct. If they don't do it, then a legislation would be drafted. Reporters Without Borders is convinced that a law regulating the activities of Internet companies should only be drafted as a last resort, and we recommend a two-step approach. Initially, a group of congressmen should formally ask Internet corporations to reach an agreement among themselves on a code of conduct that includes the recommendations we make at the end of this document. The companies would be urged to use the help of organisations specialised in freedom of expression in drafting the document. The request would include a deadline for the companies to submit their draft code of conduct to the congressmen concernedIn the event that no satisfactory code of conduct has been drawn up when the deadline expires, or the proposed code has not been accepted by a sufficient number of representative companies, the congressmen would set about drafting a law that would aim to ensure that US companies respect freedom of expression when they are operating in repressive countries and elsewhere. Sounds like it could take years Well. I'm an optimist. If there's enough polical will, they can speed up the process US representatives, and even the state department, are concerned about this issue. It gives a bad image of the US What are you doing to promote your cause internationally, and what response do you expect? I'd be happy if 10 000 people sign our petition. Though I know it's gonna be hard to reach that many people.Then I hope our lobbying before US representatives will be fruitful. We'll see what they are ready to do Is there any way that you can target specific user groups, setting up a Yahoo or Google campaign for example? We are working on that, we have started asking bloggers with an interst in human rights to sign the petiion and start posting about it. What can individuals do to support ethical business practices in general, or more specifical, to support your campaign They can sign or petition. Link or write letters to these companies. Shareholders of these companies could also send letter to the Investor relation desks and warn them that they will sell their shares if these companies do not take recommendations into account www.rsf.org (remote desk: Paola Di Maio)http://www.content-wire.com/when-technology-meets-politics1134432000Content Wireadminaccounting,Apache,architecture,Business,business content,business development,business process,business process management,business professionals,Companies,content integration,content management,Content Management,content management platform,content management solution,content management systems,content management tools,content technology,creative professionals,Development,development time,development tools,digital assets,digital publishing,enterprise content,enterprise content management,enterprise systems,Enterprise Web,flexibility,global content,global technology,help companies,integration platform,Internet,internet,management platform,management technology,management tools,open architecture,People,productivity,robust content,sorts,Technology,technology allows,technology companies,technology integration,technology platform,web content,web content management,web managers,WorldWeb Content Management Solution for SMERubenstein Technology released RubyContent 3.0 -- the latest version of its web content management solution, optimized for the needs of the small-to-midsize (SMB) digital enterprise. RubyContent 3.0 features a comprehensive set of automated business tools that allows intuitive management of website content-by-content managers and creative professionals -- with no IT support required. Highlighted Links RubyContent 3.0 Rubenstein Technology Group "Most companies don't update their website content often enough because it's too complex, time-consuming and difficult. When they do update their sites, content producers routinely depend upon IT people for help, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted time and resources," stated Jaron Rubenstein, President of Rubenstein Technology Group. "RubyContent alleviates this chronic bottleneck with a robust solution that manages the content publishing process, ensuring maximum productivity for creative and other non-technical staff," he said. Leveraging the Internet as the world's first truly global business medium, RubyContent 3.0 also provides complete multiple language integration -- enabling the management of website content in nearly any written language. Built on the open-source LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL/PostgreSQL, Perl) web development platform for stability, interoperability and flexibility -- as well as the extensive customization options it provides for clients, its open architecture also allows for complete integration with all other Ruby modules, as well as existing back-office systems such as ERP, logistics and accounting. www.rubensteintech.com/ruby/content/details.htmlhttp://www.content-wire.com/web-content-management-solution-sme-01132876800Content Wireadminaccounting,accuracy,browser,Business,business content,business development,business partners,business process,business solutions,CMS,Companies,computer,computer systems,content management,Content Management,content management platform,content management solutions,content management system,content management systems,content management tools,content technology,Development,development time,development tools,interactivity,Internet,internet,management market,management platform,management solutions,management technology,management tools,menus,Microsoft,new business,new generation,new technology,proprietary,proprietary technology,provide tools,revenue stream,Standards,target,Technology,technology companies,technology platform,technology solutions,time to market,web based,Web CMS,web content,web content management,web content management systemContent Management System Tools Available for Free DownloadEdentity Web Systems released Agility Content Management System (CMS) developer tools. Agility’s success has been driven by working closely with customers and partners to provide flexible solutions for web content management. Most CMS companies openly discourage external development of their products, Agility embraces it. “Our developer tools put the power of Agility into the hands of your Web developer or your favorite Web development company,” said Jon Voigt, Director of Technology for Agility. “Because our tools are based on standards and the Microsoft .NET framework, there is no proprietary technology to learn. With a single install, your development team can be up and running in a matter of minutes. All of these time savings mean a drastic reduction in cost compared to our competitors.” As well as being built from the ground up using the Microsoft .NET platform, Agility CMS has some remarkable features such as its full-screen content editing in a Microsoft Word-like content editor, and complete page generation with auto-generated menus and sitemaps. Agility CMS is completely browser based and is available from any computer with an Internet connection. “With our developer tools now available we are able to pursue the development of new VAR channels and work directly with developers and system integrators,” said Luca Gorlero, Director of Business Development. “Once they see the value of the tools and how they greatly improve development speed and accuracy they will become our best advocates in the market place.” The company main revenue stream comes from hosting www.agilitycms.comhttp://www.content-wire.com/content-management-system-tools-available-free-download1127602800Content Wireadminaccounting,content integration,content management,Content Management,content management software,content management solutions,content technology,email,email marketing,genes,Google,Hot Banana,incumbent,integration software,management solutions,management technology,marketing,Marketing,partnership,search engine,search software,search technology,Technology,technology allows,technology integration,technology provider,technology solutions,web content,web content management,web pagesContent Management Integrates EmailHot Banana has become an affiliate partner of ExactTarget,provider of on-demand email marketing software solutions the first phase of an integrated technology partnership. ExactTarget's permission-based email marketing campaigns drive qualified visitors to Web sites that are not always optimized for eMarketing, says the company "Hot Banana solves that problem," says Chris Baggott, chief marketing officer and co- founder of ExactTarget. The Suite is already integrated with WebTrends 7, is search engine friendly and allows non-technical marketers to easily change campaign content on their Web site. "With this integration, ExactTarget customers will be able to extend their WebTrends 7 tracking from our email campaigns throughout their Web sites. Additionally, Hot Banana allows custom landing pages and micro marketing sites to be built and published quickly and easily," said Baggott. www.hotbanana.com <script type="text/javascript">google_ad_client = "pub-7258139694566163";google_ad_width = 300;google_ad_height = 250;google_ad_format = "300x250_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "CC99CC";google_color_bg = "E7C6E8";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "00008B";google_color_text = "663366";</script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script>http://www.content-wire.com/content-management-integrates-email-01115938800Content Wireadminaccounting,collaborative content,Companies,consulting firm,content integration,content management,Content Management,content management platform,content management services,content management software,content management solutions,Content Technologies,Development,document management,email,enterprise content,enterprise content management,environments,global content,global provider,help companies,information exchange,Information Management,infrastructure,integration platform,integration software,Interwoven,Interwoven,lifecycle,management consulting,management platform,management solutions,Microsoft,perspective,relationship,relationship management,software platform,strategic alliance,tight integrationHigh Velocity ECM Solutions on the Microsoft platformInterwoven, provider of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions for has become a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and will deliver tightly integrated end-to-end ECM solutions for the information worker. The strategic relationship was unveiled this week by Martin Brauns, chairman and CEO of Interwoven, and Rob Bernard, general manager of Global ISVs for Microsoft. Interwoven, building on Microsoft technologies, will enable information workers-starting with professional services firms including legal, accounting, management consulting, corporate legal departments, and IT consulting-to manage the entire content lifecycle through the tight integration of the Interwoven WorkSite Collaborative Document Management, E-Mail Management, and RecordsManager solutions with the Microsoft platform including Office and Windows. The alliance is being welcomed by professional services companies . "We see tremendous value for our firm in the strategic relationship between Interwoven and Microsoft," said David Hamilton, IT director at Freshfields. "We use both Interwoven WorkSite and Microsoft Office extensively across our organization, and from an immediate perspective we are planning to roll-out Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Windows XP in combination with Interwoven WorkSite 8. Having our two main software suppliers working even more closely together will make this a very seamless and straightforward implementation and will help us simplify our IT operations and future development roadmaps. This relationship is a winning combination for customers." www.interwoven.comhttp://www.content-wire.com/high-velocity-ecm-solutions-microsoft-platform1115766000Content Wireadminaccounting,architecture,GoogleTEST google code<script type="text/javascript"> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-7258139694566163";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 240;google_ad_format = "120x240_as";google_ad_channel ="";google_ad_type = "text";google_color_border = "CC99CC";google_color_bg = "E7C6E8";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "00008B";google_color_text = "663366";//</script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script>test text text texthttp://www.content-wire.com/test-google-code1113778800Content Wireadminaccounting,Adobe,authoring tool,best practices,Business,business applications,business content,business development,business opportunities,business solutions,chief executive,collaboration,Companies,content acquisition,content integration,content technology,Development,development time,dynamic content,enterprise applications,enterprise content,enterprise systems,functionality,images,innovation,integration platform,integration software,Media,mobile content,mobile devices,new business,new product,new technology,operating systems,platforms,product integration,share price,significantly,software applications,software platform,stock,system integration,team collaboration,Technology,technology companies,technology integration,technology platform,technology solutions,vice president,video content,voice servicesDocument software acquires dynamic content toolAdobe Systems announced is to acquire Macromedia in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion. The combination of Adobe and Macromedia will provide customers a more powerful set of solutions for creating, managing and delivering compelling content and experiences across multiple operating systems, devices and media. Together, the two companies will meet a wider set of customer needs and have a significantly greater opportunity to grow into new markets, particularly in the mobile and enterprise segments. "Customers are calling for integrated software solutions that enable them to create, manage and deliver a wide range of compelling content and applications -- from documents and images to audio and video," said Bruce Chizen, chief executive officer of Adobe. "By combining our powerful development, authoring and collaboration software -- along with the complementary functionality of PDF and Flash -- Adobe has the opportunity to bring this vision to life with an industry-defining technology platform." Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by both boards of directors, Macromedia stockholders will receive, at a fixed exchange ratio, 0.69 shares of Adobe common stock for every share of Macromedia common stock in a tax-free exchange. Based on Adobe's and Macromedia's closing prices on Friday, April 15, 2005, this represents a price of $41.86 per share of Macromedia common stock. Upon the close of the transaction, Macromedia stockholders will own approximately 18 percent of the combined company on a pro forma basis. In the combined company, Chizen will continue as chief executive officer and Shantanu Narayen will remain president and chief operating officer. Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Macromedia, will join Adobe as president of worldwide field operations. Murray Demo will remain executive vice president and chief financial officer. Dr. John Warnock and Dr. Charles Geschke will remain as co-chairmen of the Board of Directors of the combined company and Rob Burgess, chairman of the Macromedia Board of Directors, will join the Adobe Board. "Both Macromedia and Adobe are passionate about creating and enabling great experiences across a wide range of devices and operating systems," said Elop. "Our combined teams will be a powerful force for innovation around cutting-edge platforms for delivering content and applications." Integration The two companies are developing integration plans that build on the cultural similarities and the best business and product development practices from each company. "While we anticipate the integration team will identify opportunities for cost savings by the time the acquisition closes, the primary motivation for the two companies' joining is to continue to expand and grow our business into new markets," said Chizen. The acquisition, which is expected to close in Fall 2005, is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the stockholders of both companies and regulatory approvals. The transaction will be accounted for under purchase accounting rules.http://www.content-wire.com/document-software-acquires-dynamic-content-tool1109116800Content Wireadminaccess digital,accounting,broadband,broadband access,consumers,desire,flexibility,functionality,market research,market research firm,mobile devices,necessarily,new research,new technology,research analyst,research firm,revolution,target,target market,taxonomies,Technology,technology research,technology solutions,wireless industry,wireless solutionsIncreased Mobility Driving Big Changes in PC IndustryIn-Stat researchers say that the dynamic is already apparent as consumers' desire for increased mobility combined with new technology, especially wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) access, have reinvigorated the growth of the PC market in both mature and emerging markets. Mobile PC growth in 2004 topped 25%, outpacing all other computing segments. "The changing market dynamics are driving a divide in the desktop market toward either low-cost solutions or high-end, high-performance computing solutions," says Jim McGregor, an analyst with the high-tech market research firm. "Simultaneously, the mobile PC is set for a new revolution in design targeting changing user requirements." Other Findings * Although the PC will not necessarily replace all other consumer or communications devices, especially in the home, future PC designs will allow users more functionality and flexibility. This will result in the mobile PC market accounting for close to half of annual sales by the end of this decade. * The flexibility and functionality of PCs will continue to increase, but the PC will not become the digital communication nexus to the home. * The changes in the PC market will also affect the underlying semiconductor market by driving the need for more integrated and specialized solutions to a broadening target market. www.in-stat.comhttp://www.content-wire.com/increased-mobility-driving-big-changes-pc-industry1107302400Content Wireadminaccounting,adoption,Business,business content,business information,business need,business professionals,business user,business users,collaborative content,content management,Content Management,content management capabilities,content management software,content repository,core business,corporations,document management,functionality,Information Management,Interwoven,Interwoven,management capabilities,management environment,management functionality,management market,mobile content,new business,productivity,repository,robust content,search capability,search software,time to market,user experience,user interfaces,users experienceCollaborative Document Management Offlinen today's fast-paced environment, business users need the ability to access information at any time, from any location. This is especially true for lawyers and accounting professionals who spend a substantial amount of time in court, on the road, working at home or at client sites. Previously, working offline was tedious for collaborative document management users, as they had to download specific files to a laptop for remote use. This approach lacked the necessary organizational structure, context, and core document tracking and search capabilities for efficiently managing information offline. Interwoven introduced OffSite, an offering that provides business professionals with the capability to access and modify their working documents, e-mails, and projects while working offline. A new module for Interwoven WorkSite 8 software, OffSite enables business professionals to experience the same robust functionality and rich user experience of WorkSite -- when disconnected from the network. With the addition of OffSite, Interwoven WorkSite is now the most complete mobile-enabled collaborative document management offering on the market today, making it possible for business professionals to achieve a high-degree of productivity wherever they are. Interwoven OffSite addresses these limitations and brings collaborative document management functionality to mobile business professionals, says the company As a fully-portable version of WorkSite, OffSite uses the same familiar user paradigms and interfaces available in online mode for ready adoption and seamless productivity. Complete collaborative document management functionality provides users with the ability to browse the file hierarchy, view and modify existing documents, create new documents, and search repository content just as if they were connected to the network. www.interwoven.comhttp://www.content-wire.com/collaborative-document-management-offline1106092800Content Wireadminaccounting,adoption,benefit,choices,consumers,demand technology,genes,information technology,market research,market research firm,new research,new technology,recent research,research analyst,research firm,strategic partnership,subscriber growth,Technology,technology research,trafficDigital Radio Gaining Ground in US and EuropeDigital satellite radio will have impressive growth in its subscriber base over the next several years in the United States, with 3 million net new subscribers annually in the US alone through 2008, according to In-Stat A recent survey of the high-tech market research firm's Technology Adoption Panel of US consumers indicates a growing awareness of digital satellite radio services. Half of the survey's respondents had heard of satellite radio, and felt they had a good idea as to what it offers. iBiquity's HD radio is less well-known. "However, price is still a barrier for many consumers, particularly with new HD radios," says Michelle Abraham, In-Stat Analyst. "Most consumers want to spend less than $200, and although satellite radio receivers are readily available for less than $100, HD radio receiver prices must decline before they are of interest to many consumers." Among the findings * The features offered by digital radio that were most appealing to survey respondents were the ability to receive news, weather, and traffic information on demand, along with more programming choices. * Survey respondents who were familiar with satellite radio but did not own one, said the monthly subscription fee was the primary deterrent for purchasing a satellite radio. * Declining DAB radio prices, unique digital radio stations, and a wide range of DAB radio products combined to propel the UK market to new heights in 2004. Other countries in Europe have taken note. www.in-stat.comhttp://www.content-wire.com/digital-radio-gaining-ground-us-and-europe