Software developers across the globe now have a chance to integrate their developments into MySpace with the launch of a new developer platform.
MySpace has premiered the Developer Platform Site, created as a "sandbox", in which software wizards worldwide can craft mini-applications, called widgets, for MySpace member profile pages. The site (http://developer.myspace.com) has open standards for building, testing, and deploying mini-applications called widgets for MySpace.
According to Chris DeWolfe, chief executive officer and co-founder of MySpace, "The future of the global social Web will leverage the creativity of the masses to produce meaningful and diverse social experiences, pushing the industry to be more innovative and progressive."
The new Developer Platform Site includes three sets of APIs: OpenSocial with MySpace extensions to enable javascript and html; action scripts to allow Flash to speak directly to the APIs; and REST to enable server-to-server communication (speeding-up applications).
The developer site will also host a developer team Blog where developers can discuss product updates, platform news, insights and commentary, and interact with the MySpace Developer Team. The Blog url is: http://developer.myspace.com/Community/blogs/devteam/default.aspx.
For a one-month application development period, applications developed will not be visible to the MySpace community so as to enable developers to install, iterate, and test the security of their applications in a live environment.
The developer's platform will be rolled out to users in March. The new applications will be available in an application gallery, and MySpace members will be able to add these applications to both their personal user home and profile pages.
On the security front, Aber Whitcomb, chief technology officer of MySpace, claimed, "Applications will be governed by the same privacy controls that are in place for members. An application will never have access to information that cannot be found on any member's profile page."
Interestingly, MySpace has followed in the footsteps of Facebook in offering a developer platform site. Early last year, Facebook opened its platform for developers to make mini-applications for its members. Incidentally, those applications have proved a boon for Facebook, in turn making it more popular than ever before. But it still ranks second after MySpace. topic from " http://www.techtree.com/India/News/MySpace_Intros_Developer_Platform/551-86605-643.html "
Two major Hollywood studios are working together on one of the hottest properties in the biz. Who slipped hallucinogens in my coffee again?
Just as the audition shows wind down on News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) Fox network, "American Idol" pops up in a new venue. This time, Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) is turning television's biggest show into a Walt Disney World attraction, complete with tie-ins to the Fox property itself. After auditioning in a video booth, selected park visitors will get to perform in front of a roomful of mouse-eared tourists plus three judges, and daily winners get ushered to the front of a real audition line when that time comes.
The premise of the deal is understandable: tap into the "Idol" cachet to draw more visitors to the recently renamed and always underrated Hollywood Studios park. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but the numbers hardly matter anyway. It's the execution that comes as a surprise. Of course, it turns out that Fox never had a say in the matter. My coffee is clean this time.
Disney negotiated the property directly with 19 Entertainment and Fremantle Media, from which Fox simply holds a license to run the show. It's a side deal worthy of comparisons to David Letterman's interim writers contract, and a potentially shrewd marketing move. Now, when Fox promotes its golden goose, a squeaky rival also stands to profit from those marketing dollars.
Fremantle doesn't seem to worry about how bewitched, bothered, and bewildered its broadcasting partner might be over this state of affairs.
"It is owned by us, so we can extend the brand in the off-air space in the ways that we want to," a Fremantle spokesman told the AP. "We don't see this in any way as a News Corp. vs. Disney debate. That's never been part of the discussion, and it's not something that's relevant to us. It's just part of 'American Idol.'"
It remains to be seen whether Disney will divert traffic from rival theme park operators like Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) and Six Flags (NYSE: SIX) with visions of a Simon Cowell tongue-lashing. Either way, the deal is signed, sealed, delivered, and auditions will start later this year.
topic from " http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/02/08/the-mouse-will-host-disney-world-idol.aspx "
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it may borrow money for the first time in its history to fund a portion of its $44.6 billion unsolicited offer for Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research).
Microsoft also said it expects Yahoo's board to agree to the deal quickly, but Yahoo said over the weekend that it expects to take "quite a bit of time" to weigh all of its strategic options including remaining independent.
A source familiar with Yahoo's strategy said it is considering a business alliance with Google Inc (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) to fend off Microsoft's offer.
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said the software company may take on some debt to finance the cash portion of its 50-50 stock and cash offer for Yahoo, instead of drawing down its entire $21 billion cash pile.
"It's likely we're actually going to borrow for the first time," said Liddell in an annual strategy meeting with analysts. "It's going to be a mixture of the cash we have on hand plus debt."
Liddell declined to say whether Microsoft was already buying Yahoo stock on the open market. He also did not give any information on what form of debt Microsoft will seek in the capital markets.
Microsoft made public on Friday its offer to pay Yahoo shareholders either $31 in cash or 0.9509 of a share of Microsoft common stock. The deal aims to create a formidable number two to challenge Google Inc's (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) dominance in Web search and digital advertising.
Analysts applauded Microsoft's decision to take on debt.
topic from : " http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSWNAS894220080204 "
Hollywood's honorary mayor Johnny Grant, who was best-known for unveiling stars on Tinseltown's ``Walk of Fame," has died aged 84. / AFP
By Jeffrey Miller
Hollywood and the USO (United Service Organizations) lost a very dear and special friend with the passing of 84-year-old Johnny Grant on Jan. 9.
The avuncular Grant, who was the honorary mayor of Tinseltown, was Hollywood's most recognized spokesman for his work as chairman of the Walk of Fame Selection Committee, not to mention Hollywood's Ambassador of Goodwill.
Whether it was serving as a sort of `master of ceremonies when someone was to receive a ``star" on Hollywood's famous ``walk of fame'' or working with various charity organizations,Grant contributed much to promoting goodwill within the community.
Although Grant had a distinguished career in radio and television that spanned over six decades, from his earliest work as a newscaster in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to his star-studded productions of the Hollywood Christmas Parade and hundreds of charity telecasts, the heart and soul ofGrant's life was his dedicated USO service.
He was the master of over 4,500 ceremonies, completed more than 14 trips to Korea, 14 tours in Vietnam and an amazing 50 USO overseas shows. Additionally, he personally organized visits to lift the morale, hopes and dreams of U.S. service members serving overseas.
I first had the chance to see Grant in 2000 when he came to Korea to take part in a USO banquet for U.S. Korean War veterans who had returned to Korea for commemoration events in June of that year on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.
A year later, in June 2001, I had the chance to personally meet Grant for an article for The Korea Times when he was on one of those USO trips to Korea to entertain the troops.
Back then at 78 years of age, there seemed to be no stopping a man who got his start with the USO with the help of another legendary USO personality, Bob Hope.
He had many fond memories of visiting Korea, especially when it came to entertaining the troops, which had been his lifeline as a USO entertainer.
What struck me most about the interview I had with him was how he had never forgotten his first USO tour in Korea when he came here during Christmas in 1951.
``The first time I remember landing at Gimpo and finally coming into downtown Seoul, about the only building that was still standing was the old Chosun Hotel,'' recalledGrant during the interview.
``We stayed there. I just couldn't believe the devastation that had already taken place here in Seoul.''
Listening to Grant recall in that interview what it must have been like in Korea during the Korean Conflict, which lasted from 1950-53, reminded me of all the sacrifices men and women made on the behalf of Korea.
I was covering many of the Korean War commemoration events taking place around the peninsula. Listening to Grant talk about how he and others had entertained troops during the war made me feel a part of history.
Grant, like many of the returning veterans I would meet from 2000-2003, helped me to understand the Korean War better and those sacrifices that so many young men and women made.
In the years following the Korean War, coming back to Korea, whether to perform or to visit, was always quite rewarding for Grant.
What had impressed him the most about Korea in the years following the conflict was how much Korea had changed and evolved in such a short period of time, not to mention how the country was able to rebuild.
``I've loved the spirit of the Korean people. In many ways they are entrepreneurs, they love adventure,'' recalled Grant during the interview. ``They love to take chances.''
I felt fortunate that I could have met someone like Grant when he returned to Korea in 2001 and sit down with him and talk about his experiences as an entertainer coming to Korea during the Korean War.
What I have always admired most about the entertainers who have come to Korea to visit the troops has been how much they appreciate not only the chance to come here, but also the important role they play being a part of the USO and its mission around the world.
To be sure, the USO has played a very important role here in Korea over the years since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War ― not only for service members serving here on the peninsula ― but also as a bridge between the military and the Korean community.
People vaguely aware of the USO think that it is only for service members stationed in Korea, but the USO also has programs and services for civilians ― Korean and non-Korean ― ranging from tours here and abroad, tickets to concerts and other events, as well as a canteen with some honest-to-goodness home-style cooking.
Grant was a very kind and gracious man and I was fortunate to have had the chance to sit down and talk with someone who had such a rewarding life.
A few weeks after the interview, Grant sent me an email thanking me for the interview and inviting me to visit him if I was ever in Hollywood. Sadly, I never had the chance to take him up on his offer.
Yes, Hollywood and the USO lost a very dear and special friend. Johnny Grant will be missed, but his legacy and the life he dedicated to the USO will remain an integral part of the USO's mission both here and around the world.
The writer, who is currently teaching at Woosong University in Daejeon, has been a feature writer and regular contributor to The Korea Times since 1998. He can be reached at sparksjam@gmail.com.
topic from " http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2008/02/137_18425.html "
By Jeffrey Miller