YouTube to show Movies, TV shows

YouTube has reached agreement with Sony Pictures and other Hollywood studios to show full-length movies and television shows on the video-sharing website, leading technology blogs reported.

TechCrunch, a well-connected Silicon Valley blog, said other studios and media companies which have agreed to allow their content to be posted for free on the Google-owned site include Metro Goldwyn Mayer, CBS, Lionsgate, Starz and the BBC.

The move by YouTube is its latest attempt to bring more professional content to the site known for its amateur videos and to generate revenue.

YouTube already has agreements with MGM, CBS and Lionsgate, but they concern the hosting of only a few shows from their vast archives.

Earlier this month, Universal Music Group and YouTube announced plans to launch a music video website, VEVO.com, featuring artists from the world's largest music company.

Google purchased YouTube in 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars and has been searching for ways to translate its immense popularity into a money-making venture.

Internet Explorer 8

Microsoft on Thursday released Internet Explorer 8, a new version of its ubiquitous Web browser, adding features which the US software giant claims makes it safer and loads pages faster.

Internet Explorer 8 was available for downloading in 25 languages starting on Thursday at www.microsoft.com/ie8, the Redmond, Washington-based computer software giant announced in a statement.

Microsoft said IE 8 was faster than previous IE browsers and included "leading-edge security features in direct response to people?s increasing concerns about online safety."

According to the Internet research firm Net Applications, IE had a total browser market share of 67.5 percent in January.

Mozilla's Firefox was next with 21.53 percent, followed by Apple's Safari with 8.29 percent and Google Chrome with 1.12 percent.

The Planet Announces Reseller Hosting Promotions

The Planet(www.theplanet.com), a privately held dedicated hosting company, announced a promotion to help resellers increase hosting revenues. The company states that beginning today and through March 31, customers who purchase five or more select servers will receive per-server discounts up to 68 percent.

It further states that resellers can use these bulk servers to provide an upgrade path for their larger customers who require a dedicated platform. The company adds that the additional servers can also accommodate an expanded infrastructure for resellers looking to provide shared or value-added offerings, including applications and custom services.

''In the competitive hosting landscape, resellers are tasked with offering their customers a wide range of options, coupled with the best value for their dollar,'' said Urvish Vashi, General Manager of dedicated hosting for The Planet. ''With this bulk-discount offering, resellers can move their customers to a dedicated environment cost effectively.''

Google Ocean

Google Ocean (http://earth.google.com/ocean/), which is included in the newest download version of Google Earth, allows users to explore the high seas with thousands of images of underwater landscapes from volcanoes to sea life.

Users can also watch videos, read stories and contribute photos as they explore the ocean.

Google Earth, which combines satellite photos, maps and information to enable users to explore streets and cities around the world, has been downloaded 500 million times since it was introduced in 2005.

Microsoft’s online employment resource

Microsoft Corp on Sunday announced the creation of a website, Elevate America, aimed at improving access to job training tools.

www.microsoft.com/ElevateAmerica, provides resources to help individuals gain the technical skills needed for acquiring jobs, the world’s largest software company said.

The economy has shed 3.6 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007 with about half of the decline occurring in the past three months, recent Labor Department data showed.

The website provides access to several Microsoft online training programs, including how to use the Internet, send e-mail and create a resume, as well as more advanced programs on using specific Microsoft applications.

“We are also providing a full range of work force development resources for state and local governments so they can offer specialized training for their workers,” said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president of Microsoft Global Corporate Affairs.

Microsoft tapped Washington state as the first state to provide Elevate America to its residents.

Microsoft To Kill Vista, XP Upgrade Blockers

Microsoft wants users of its Windows operating systems to move to upgraded versions of the software, so it's killing a tool that prevents upgrades from automatically self-installing.

"I have some important information for those of you who have installed the Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows XP or Windows Vista," wrote Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft's in-house Windows blogger, in a Friday post.

"The Service Pack Blocker Tool temporarily prevents the installation of a service pack through Windows Update, typically for one year after general availability of the service pack. We are announcing the upcoming expiration dates for the Service Pack Blocker Tool for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3," LeBlanc wrote.
LeBlanc said the blocker for Vista SP1 will expire on April 28, while the blocker for XP SP3 will expire on May 19.

Despite the tools' expiration, LeBlanc noted that companies that don't want to upgrade to the Windows service packs won't be forced to do so. Users that have the Automatic Updates feature turned on will receive an alert from Windows Updates indicating that an important update is available for installation. Users can then elect to install the service packs or ignore the update.

Users that don't have Automatic Updates turned on will receive the alert only after manually checking for updates in Windows Update.

LeBlanc said Microsoft is urging enterprises that haven't already done so to install the service packs. "Microsoft strongly recommends all customers move to Windows Vista SP1 if they are running Windows Vista or Windows XP SP3 if they are running Windows XP," he wrote.

Software makers typically issue service packs to improve security, stability, and other product attributes.

"Our goal in announcing the removal of the blockers early is to provide you with an early notification to ensure you're prepared to deploy the appropriate service pack when the blockers expire," wrote LeBlanc.

Google's Chrome browser is released

The new rival to Explorer and Firefox, now available for testing in Windows, makes up in exceptional speed for any minor shortcomings. And it's got a nice array of features.

Google's much-anticipated new Web browser, Chrome, arrived today. It's streamlined, has some great new features and is very, very fast.

Chrome, the most talked-about new tech product is ready for download as a free download is officially called a beta test version.

Download Google Chrome from here.

.ME Domain Crosses 100,000

The .ME Registry today announced that more than 100,000 domain names have been registered. This milestone comes a little more than two weeks after opening for live, real-time registrations by the general public and less than four months after opening its doors.

The company says that the registration process for .ME began in May with the Sunrise period for trademark holders. Land Rush for the general public to register names began in June. It avers that in total more than 30,000 applications were received in the Sunrise and Land Rush periods.

It also articulates that more than 100 registrars currently offer .ME domains through their registration platform. .ME has seen its greatest interest among English speaking countries including the United States (71%), the United Kingdom (6%), Canada (4%), and Australia (2%). More than a thousand auctions are currently open for popular .ME domains, with the highest bid over $32,000.

New .INFO Product Site from Afilias

Afilias, a global provider of registry services, today announced that it has launched a new product site (www.info.info) where domain name registrars and Internet users can get information about the .INFO domain.

The company avers that the new site contains .INFO WHOIS search, a news blog, statistical information, links, and FAQs about the domain name registration process. A major feature is also a directory of .INFO sites and a submission form where site owners can submit their .INFO Web site to be added to the directory and possibly be featured on the home page. It adds that internet users can also use the ShareThis feature to post information from the new info.info site into their favorite social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, del.icio.us, digg, etc.