Software Industry Announcements and News
SharewareRadio.com interviews W3i
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 05.22.10 under ASP Member Companies, Network & Internet
SharewareRadio.com interviews W3is Ryan Weber
News Reports:
Digital River buys fatfoogoo for $10M
Google tweaks search pages and logo
U.S. to push for new broadband rules
Adobe CTO slams Apple as anti-internet
Google readies its E-Book plan
The Kiss My Butt Award of the Week
This week it goes again to Rupert Murdoch.
This week’s Interview
This week’s guest is Ryan Weber. Ryan is CMO & Co-Founder of W3i.
This interview was held in Boston at SIC.
Souped Up Program Solution for Windows 7 Multi-Monitor Setup
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 05.19.10 under ASP Member Companies, System Utilities
Set to end the frustrations of all Windows 7 users who work with more than one monitor, Actual Tools has just launched a new version of Actual Multiple Monitors. It is the first multi-monitor management utility that provides the most complete emulation of Windows Taskbar on secondary displays.
The Taskbar is an integral part of the Windows user interface and has been significantly redesigned in Windows 7 with such handy features as Pin and Peek. But owners of multi-monitor Windows setups discovered rather quickly there were no proper tools to efficiently manage tasks on secondary monitors. Even the newest Windows 7 still does not provide a Taskbar for this scenario.
No Taskbar means it is necessary to drag the mouse to the primary display and back each time certain programs need to be activated via the Taskbar button. This is also the case when a new application is launched via the Start menu or a particular icon is accessed in the notification area. This “mouse shuttle” effect quickly annoys and distracts, greatly increasing the workload and mouse clicks which may lead to repetitive strain injury.
Actual Multiple Monitors 2.1 by Actual Tools is the first product on the market to offer equivalent implementation of the Windows 7 Taskbar on secondary monitors. When launched, the program adds a full copy of the main Taskbar onto each secondary display. Each Taskbar copy has a Start button, copy of the notification area, and shows live previews over the Taskbar buttons (with support for the Aero Peek feature). It provides the unique ability to pin buttons, which is the case with the main Windows 7 Taskbar.
“Efficient task management in a multi-monitor environment is impossible without habitual instruments,” said Michael Tretyakov, CEO of Actual Tools, “and our primary goal is to provide all multi-monitor Windows users with a task management tool fully identical to the main taskbar.”
In addition to the outstanding multi-monitor Taskbar, Actual Multiple Monitors has many other features to manage multi-monitor desktop in an efficient manner. An Alt-Tab Task Switcher is cloned on all monitors. There is a quick toggling of secondary displays on/off. The primary display can be assigned via the context menu of the notification area icon. A special button in each window’s title bar allows instant transfer of any window onto the required monitor.
Actual Multiple Monitors provides the ability to maximize any window to the entire desktop or implement horizontal/vertical maximization to its current monitor. It’s possible to store various desktop configurations as named profiles and switch between them in a single click. Furthermore, the current order and layout of desktop icons can be stored and fully restored.
All these features combined in a single product make Actual Multiple Monitors a must-have program for each and every owner of dual-, triple- or other multi-monitor setup. The streamlined product answers all the prayers of those running Windows 7.
Pricing and Availability
Actual Multiple Monitors runs on all Windows platforms since Windows 2000 (including 64-bit editions) and costs $29.95 (USD) for a single-user license. Discounts for volume buyers are available here http://www.actualtools.com/multiplemonitors/order/#volume_discounts . Additional information on Actual Multiple Monitors, a collection of tutorial articles and success stories, as well as a 30-day evaluation copy is available from http://www.actualtools.com/ .
About Actual Tools
Founded in 2001, Actual Tools is a software development company specializing in desktop enhancement applications. The innovative solutions provided by Actual Tools are created to meet the needs of the users and to make work with a computer fast, pleasant and convenient. For more information please visit http://www.actualtools.com/
Digital River Acquires fatfoogoo
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 05.05.10 under ASP Member Companies, Business
Creates industry-leading in-store and in-game commerce solution for game publishers
MINNEAPOLIS–Digital River, Inc., a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, announced that it has acquired fatfoogoo, a Europe-based, in-game and online commerce service provider. The combined forces of Digital River’s e-commerce solutions with fatfoogoo’s technology will offer game publishers and developers an unparalleled, single e-commerce connection to manage their online product sales both in-store and in-game.
“The sale of virtual goods through micro transactions continues to grow in popularity with consumers and is establishing new revenue models for the games industry,” said Joel Ronning, CEO of Digital River. “With the addition of fatfoogoo, we’ve strengthened our commitment to the gaming marketplace. We believe the combination of our in-game and in-store commerce solution along with our subscription management capabilities will be unmatched in the industry. This partnership continues our promise to provide existing and future clients with the leading e-commerce technology and expertise they expect from Digital River.”
The e-commerce solutions from Digital River and fatfoogoo are easily integrated to offer game publishers all the scalability and reliability of a proven in-store platform along with turn-key technology designed to operate a successful in-game marketplace. In addition to providing in-game store functions, such as global payments and inventory management, the solution supports the use of virtual goods and currencies, electronic wallets, peer-to-peer marketplaces and auction capabilities.
Digital River’s fatfoogoo business unit will continue to operate out of its current location in Vienna, Austria. fatfoogoo will deliver its technology as an integrated part of Digital River’s e-commerce offering for games as well as a stand-alone solution.
“We are excited to join Digital River’s family of companies. This acquisition provides fatfoogoo with the backing of a proven e-commerce leader and enhances our leadership in the European market,” said Martin Herdina, fatfoogoo’s CEO. “Together we’re positioned to lead the future of in-game commerce with a solution that will uniquely stand out in a competitive marketplace.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Digital River acquired fatfoogoo as part of a cash transaction for approximately $10 million. The agreement also provides fatfoogoo shareholders with an earn-out opportunity based on the fatfoogoo business unit achieving certain performance targets. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About fatfoogoo
fatfoogoo is the leading in-game commerce ecosystem for monetizing online games and virtual worlds. fatfoogoo’s solutions allow both publisher-to-player and player-to-player financial interaction, as well as virtual currency management and traditional user and subscription management. Publishers can choose white label turnkey solutions or individually configured modules.
Founded in 2006, fatfoogoo is headquartered in Austria and also has offices in the U.S. and U.K. For more information, please visit www.fatfoogoo.com.
About Digital River, Inc.
Digital River, Inc., a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, builds and manages online businesses for software and game publishers, consumer electronics manufacturers, distributors, online retailers and affiliates. Its multi-channel e-commerce solution, which supports both direct and indirect sales, is designed to help companies of all sizes maximize online revenues as well as reduce the costs and risks of running an e-commerce operation. The company’s comprehensive platform offers site development and hosting, order management, fraud management, export controls, tax management, physical and digital product fulfillment, multi-lingual customer service, advanced reporting and strategic marketing services.
Founded in 1994, Digital River is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices across the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America. For more details about Digital River, visit the corporate website at www.digitalriver.com or call +1 952-253-1234.
Linux Versions of Sudoku Epic, Mahjong Epic from Kristanix
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 03.28.10 under ASP Member Companies, Games & Entertainment
March 12, 2010: Kristanix Games announces the release of Linux versions of its most popular games. The Linux Games project now includes such high quality casual games as Sudoku Epic, Solitaire Epic, Mahjong Epic, Jewel Twist, Fantastic Farm, Crossword Twist and many more. The clear interface, rich graphics and variety of genres (time management, puzzles, cards, match3, math games, etc.) guarantee hours of entertainment! Free trial editions of Linux Games are available at http://www.kristanix.com/linuxgames/
Solitaire Epic for Linux
Solitaire Epic features more than one hundred involving levels, unlimited hints and undo! Besides, it is actually a three-in-one game, as there are three solitaire styles: Klondike, Tri Peaks and Matching. An interesting option is that the player can make his/her own customized levels!
Sudoku Epic for Linux
Billions of sudoku puzzles with tips! Customizable difficulty levels and puzzle sizes (from 4×4 to 16×16). Bonus: it is possible to enter a puzzle from a different source and the program will solve it.
Kakuro Epic for Linux
Kakuro math puzzles are for those who would like to train their minds. Difficulty level and board size can be changed; if a puzzle proves to be too difficult, the game provides the player with useful tips. Just like Sudoku Epic, Kakuro Epic can also solve puzzles from other sources.
Fantastic Farm for Linux
A truly magical farm for time management game lovers! The player’s task is to take care of plants, animals and magical machines in order to get enough products and save the endangered farm! More than 150 levels, five game modes, various species and fantastic machines, great power of magic – all that is enough to fascinate anybody for a very long time.
Crossword Twist
Three different crossword modes in one game: common Fill-In mode, challenging Jigsaw mode and Cipher mode, which involves deciphering numbers. The players will appreciate the great number of levels, the absence of time limits and unlimited hints.
Pricing and Availability
The games are compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac. Their prices range from 9.95 USD to 19.95 USD. Volume discount of 20% is available. Further information on the games, as well as their free trial versions, can be found at http://www.kristanix.com/linuxgames/
About Kristanix Games
Founded in 1999, Kristanix Games combines creativity and great expertise when developing its fascinating and colorful games. That is why its products are so popular with casual game lovers. The major products of Kristanix Games are Sudoku Epic, Solitaire Epic, Mahjong Epic and Fantastic Farm. For more information please visit the company’s website at http://www.kristanix.com
SharewareRadio.com interviews Nine-Patch Multiple-Choice
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 03.25.10 under ASP Member Companies, Audio & Multimedia
SharewareRadio.com interviews Nine-Patch Multiple-Choice’s Richard Hart
News Reports:
Suspect arrested in Obama Twitter hack
Verizon Wireless to open app store
Second Ada Lovelace Day celebrated worldwide
Egypt bans free mobile net calls
Nigeria Islamic court ‘bans Twitter feed’
The Kiss My Butt Award of the Week
This week it goes to This week it goes to a Brazilian court
This week’s Interview
This week’s guest is Richard Hart. Richard’s company is Nine-Patch Multiple-Choice.
This interview was held in Boston at SIC
SharewareRadio.com interviews Techinline
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 03.25.10 under ASP Member Companies, Audio & Multimedia, Web Sites
SharewareRadio.com interviews Techinline’s Serge Soroka
News Reports:
FCC plan may seek free broadband
Plans for .xxx top-level domain pop up again
Former TSA Analyst charged with computer tampering
The beginning of the end of data retention
Better U.S. Net rules for Iran, Cuba and Syria
The Kiss My Butt Award of the Week
This week it goes to Rupert Murdock
This week’s Interview
This week’s guest is Serge Soroka. Serge is VP Sales and Marketing for Techinline.
This interview was held in Boston at SIC 2009