Microsoft Acquires Skype for $8.5 Billion

Microsoft Corp. and Skype Global announced that Microsoft will acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.

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 Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft has a long-standing focus in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync, Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

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.

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.

Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009. Skype has made impressive progress over the past 18 months under Silver Lake’s leadership, increasing monthly calling minutes by 150 percent, developing new revenue streams and strategic partnerships, acquiring the intellectual property powering its peer-to-peer network, and recruiting an outstanding senior management team.

IITs set to get expensive – is it justified?

Getting into IIT looks tougher now, not because of marks but because of the money. In a bid to make all Indian Institute of Technology world class institutions, a committee has recommended a steep hike in their tuition fee from the current Rs 50,000 per student to at least Rs 2 lakh per annum. And what’s the justification - Anil Kakodkar committee said that it was reasonable considering the high demand for IIT graduates and the salary that an IIT BTech is expected to get. Though this fee hike is yet to be approved, it could serve as a big deterrent to the middle class students who are targeting IIT. But then if you want to get good facilities you have to pay for it, right? Is it justified to raise the fee to such an extent? Will this actually lead to better faculty and facilities? 

Google challenges Microsoft and Apple, launches PCs using Chrome OS

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SAN FRANCISCO: Laptop computers using Google's Chrome operating system will go on sale in June, as the world's No. 1 Internet search engine challenges Microsoft Corp and Apple on their home turf. 

The new Web-centric PCs, made by Samsung and Acer Inc, are Google's latest attempt to change how consumers and companies use their computers. 

The bare-bones operating system is essentially a web browser that steers users to use applications like email and spreadsheets directly on the web, instead of storing software such as Outlook or Word directly on PCs. 

Moving day-to-day functions onto the Internet removes the burden of time-consuming tasks associated with traditional PCs, like installing software and updates, backing up files and running antivirus checks, executives said. 

"The complexity of managing your computer is torturing users," Google cofounder Sergey Brin told reporters. "It's a flawed model fundamentally. Chromebooks are a new model that doesn't put the burden of managing your computer on yourself." 

In another move encouraging people to move their computing off their PCs and onto "the cloud", Google on Tuesday launched an online music locker service letting users store and listen to their songs wherever they are. 

For nearly two years Google has touted Chrome as an alternative to Microsoft Windows , which is used on more than 90 percent of the world's PCs, but faced delays launching laptops designed to use the software. 

Meanwhile, the exploding market for smartphones and tablets using Google's Android operating system has quickly taken center stage for the Internet heavyweight, and some observers say Google should reconcile or merge the two. 

"Our goal is to focus on the users and bring the best forward. Wherever we can share (technology with Android) we will share," said Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President of Chrome. "But the final expressions are two different visions." 

DRIVING ADS 

As with Android, Chrome software will be free, but is expected to spur people to use the Internet more often and search for more things, potentially boosting Google's Internet ads business. 

The operating system and "Chromebook" PCs expand on Google's web browser, also called Chrome, that competes against Microsoft's Internet Explorer. 

The laptops, using processors made by Intel, will be available for order on Amazon.com and Best Buy's online store on June 15. 

The Mountain View, California company will also offer businesses its Chromebooks, along with technical support, as a hassle-free solution for $28 a month. 

Google is competing fiercely against Apple to win consumers in the mobile market, with sales of Android-based phones recently overtaking iPhones but with its own tablets far behind Apple's iPad. 

Google kicked off its annual developers forum on Tuesday with an image of its Android robot eating an apple, a shot at its Cupertino, California rival. 

Also on Tuesday, Microsoft said it would buy popular Internet phone service Skype for $8.5 billion, beating out bids by Google and Facebook and highlighting its need to gain new customers for Windows as more consumers turn from PCs to mobile gadgets. 

Shares of Google were down 1.57 percent at $534.12.

Google Chromebook – Notebook Based On Chrome OS Announced

Google announced the availability of Chromebook made by their partners Samsung and Acer. “Chromebooks” which is a Chrome operating system-based notebook PC will be available online from June 15 in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Spain, Google Inc said, adding that more countries will follow in the coming months.

With a Chromebook you won’t wait minutes for your computer to boot and browser to start. You’ll be reading your email in seconds. Automatic updates the software on your Chromebook will get faster over time.

Your apps, games, photos, music, movies and documents in chromebook will be accessible wherever you are.

Chromebooks will last a day of use on a single charge. And with optional 3G, you’ll have the web when you need it.

Chromebooks have many layers of security built in so there is no anti-virus software to buy and maintain.

At the core of each Chromebook is the Chrome web browser. The web has millions of applications and billions of users. Trying a new application or sharing it with friends is as easy as clicking a link. A world of information can be searched instantly and developers can embed and mash-up applications to create new products and services.

With HTML5 and other open standards, web applications will soon be able to do anything traditional applications can do, and more.

Google also announcing Chromebooks for Business and Education. This service from Google includes Chromebooks and a cloud management console to remotely administer and manage users, devices, applications and policies. Also included is enterprise-level support, device warranties and replacements as well as regular hardware refreshes. Monthly subscriptions will start at $28/user for businesses and $20/user for schools.

In the U.S., Chromebooks will be available from Amazon and Best Buy and internationally from leading retailers.

Read more at TECK.IN: http://teck.in/google-chromebook-notebook-based-on-chrome-os.html#ixzz1MJAuDJnv

8 important manners you should teach your little ones

We all want to raise our little ones to be polite and well behaved, and learning those lessons starts at home. It's never too early to teach your little ones basic manners! Here are eight of the most important manners you should try to teach your little ones before they go to school. They won't remember them all, or get them right every time, but patience and perseverance should get you through:

1.    Always say please and thank you.
Whether they're activities as small as giving your little one a snack, or them asking if they can play in the garden, always reinforce the importance of saying please and thank you. No matter how young your children are, you can't start enforcing this rule too early!

2.    Table manners
When your tiny tots are just learning to eat at the table, start teaching them the manners you'd like them to have for the rest of their lives! Rules like not eating with their mouths open, or not putting their elbows on the table, are good life lessons for your children to learn as soon as possible.

3.    Play dates
When you're little ones go on play dates, or to birthday parties, remind them to thank their friends parents for having them over. If you aren't going to be attending the play date or event with your little one, ensure your little ones know they should treat their friends parents (and all grown-ups) with the same respect they treat you.

4.    Birthday party etiquette
It's often said that kids go wild at birthday parties - all the sweet snacks and fun can make little ones get excited, and sometimes forget their manners. But no matter how excited your little one is on their birthday, there are some manners they shouldn't forget: to open their presents thoughtfully (not ripping off the paper, or tossing the present to one side as soon as they've seen it) and to say thank you for every gift, and to every attendee.

5.    Mind the language
There will come a moment every parent dreads: the moment your little one swears. And then finds it funny! The worst thing you can do in this scenario is laugh. Let them know that you already know that word, you think it's unpleasant, not funny, and ask your little one not to use it again!

6.    Don't be mean
Kids tease each other, and they find it funny. But this can sometimes go a step too far and lead to bullying. Make sure your little ones don't call others mean names, and don't make fun of anyone for any reason. Ganging up on someone else is cruel, not clever.

7.    Excuse me!
Once your little ones have mastered saying please and thank you, teach them to say excuse me. It's the polite thing to say when you have to interrupt someone, or bump into somebody.

8.    TMI!
There are some things that are too much information, and that your little ones shouldn't talk about in public! These include genitals, poo, nose picking, and all the other gory things that amuse kids! 

8 important manners you should teach your little ones

We all want to raise our little ones to be polite and well behaved, and learning those lessons starts at home. It's never too early to teach your little ones basic manners! Here are eight of the most important manners you should try to teach your little ones before they go to school. They won't remember them all, or get them right every time, but patience and perseverance should get you through:

1.    Always say please and thank you.
Whether they're activities as small as giving your little one a snack, or them asking if they can play in the garden, always reinforce the importance of saying please and thank you. No matter how young your children are, you can't start enforcing this rule too early!

2.    Table manners
When your tiny tots are just learning to eat at the table, start teaching them the manners you'd like them to have for the rest of their lives! Rules like not eating with their mouths open, or not putting their elbows on the table, are good life lessons for your children to learn as soon as possible.

3.    Play dates
When you're little ones go on play dates, or to birthday parties, remind them to thank their friends parents for having them over. If you aren't going to be attending the play date or event with your little one, ensure your little ones know they should treat their friends parents (and all grown-ups) with the same respect they treat you.

4.    Birthday party etiquette
It's often said that kids go wild at birthday parties - all the sweet snacks and fun can make little ones get excited, and sometimes forget their manners. But no matter how excited your little one is on their birthday, there are some manners they shouldn't forget: to open their presents thoughtfully (not ripping off the paper, or tossing the present to one side as soon as they've seen it) and to say thank you for every gift, and to every attendee.

5.    Mind the language
There will come a moment every parent dreads: the moment your little one swears. And then finds it funny! The worst thing you can do in this scenario is laugh. Let them know that you already know that word, you think it's unpleasant, not funny, and ask your little one not to use it again!

6.    Don't be mean
Kids tease each other, and they find it funny. But this can sometimes go a step too far and lead to bullying. Make sure your little ones don't call others mean names, and don't make fun of anyone for any reason. Ganging up on someone else is cruel, not clever.

7.    Excuse me!
Once your little ones have mastered saying please and thank you, teach them to say excuse me. It's the polite thing to say when you have to interrupt someone, or bump into somebody.

8.    TMI!
There are some things that are too much information, and that your little ones shouldn't talk about in public! These include genitals, poo, nose picking, and all the other gory things that amuse kids! 

Pakistan Seeks Permanent Ban on Facebook: This Week in Online Tyranny

Permanent Ban Sought Against Facebook in Pakistan. In a feature on EFF, "This Week in Internet Censorship," Jillian York points to a report on a judicial review of past petitions in the country directed against the social network.

"The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought till May 10 record of previous petitions filed against the social networking website, Facebook, for blasphemous content. Justice Azmat Saeed passed the order on a petition seeking a permanent ban on Facebook in Pakistan for holding a contest called the 2nd Annual Draw Muhammad Day."

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Tunisia Rediscovers Its Censorship Culture.EFF reports that the Tunisian military may have returned to online filtering, having targeted a democracy activist's Facebook page. The interim government has apparently also quietly passed a censorship law.

Arab Spring Blows into Nepal. Show Up, Stand Up, Speak Up, a Nepalese Facebook page, has inspired a street protest in the capital of Katmandu.

WikiLeaks Makes Volunteers Sign Non-Disclosure with $20 Million Penalty. Calling all of the material leaked to the organization, the "property" of Wikileaks, the agreement [PDF] repeatedly treats the material as commercial product.

Italians Take Down Blog Prior to Court Action. Google has shut down Perguia Shock, an English language blog maintained by an American journalist. A prosecutor, who has filed a multitude of anti-speech lawsuits in the past has done so in this case. This is a result of a "preventative disclosure" (!) demand issued to Google.

TCS ranked among Britain's top five employers

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Thursday said it has been ranked among Britain's top five employers by the CRF institute. The CRF Institute identifies the front runners in excellent human resource (HR) management, leadership and strategy, using international standards. 

'The certification based on independent research done by the institute and audited by Grant Thornton demonstrated that TCS performed extremely well across all 11 key areas of HR practice,' the company said in a regulatory filing. 

The study recognised that the company has outstanding policies, a 'make it happen' culture, is dedicated to the long-term development of its staff in Britain and offers excellent working conditions. 

This performance culminated with TCS being ranked as one of the five highest ranked large organisations in that country along with Thomson Reuters, G4S plc., Centrica plc. and McDonalds. 

'Our employees are our foremost strength. We have always believed that knowledge, skills and talent development are key ingredients for strengthening and growing an economy,' said A.S. Lakshminarayanan, vice president and head of TCS in Europe.

Internet speed reducing in India

Even as other countries worked for better internet connections, in India the speed of internet connection has come down in the last one year.

According to a report by Akamai, a firm that runs a globally distributed network of servers, in India the average internet speed was 0.8mbps in Q3 of 2010. This, according to the report, amounted to a -6.9% quarterly decline and a -9.1% yearly decline. India was the only country to see the fall in internet speed among the 12 Asian countries that were covered in the study. 

According to Akamai, the average internet speed in the world was registered at 1.9mbps. South Korea topped the list of countries with fastest internet connection with average speed of over 13mbps. In the same list, India ranked 143. Among the table of 45 countries for which data was made available in the Akamai report, only Egypt and Sudan fared worse than India. 

While number of broadband subscribers has increased in India, the quality of connection remained poor. 'Though online research appears to indicate that the Indian government considers connections above 256 Kbps to be 'broadband', the continued growth in the percentage of connections below that threshold (2mbps) should be of some concern,' the report noted. In India, it found that over 35% internet connections had a speed of 256kbps or less. 

In the National Broadband Plan, which was prepared in December last year, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested that minimum broadband speed should be increased to 512kbps from January 1, 2011. 

'It is universally recognized that the minimum speed as per definition of broadband in India is very low i.e. 256kbps. What has been proposed by the Authority as part of the National Broadband Plan is a minimum download speed of 512 Kbps immediately and 2 Mbps by January 1, 2015,' noted TRAI. 'It is absolutely essential that this definition is adopted; failing which, there will be serious quality of service issues.' 

However, four months later, the recommendations are yet to be enforced and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) continue to offer 'broadband' plans with 256kbps speed. 

Sources allege that most of private ISPs don't want the government to increase the minimum broadband speed. Broadband users claim these service providers sell high-speed internet connections but with 'ridiculous data limits of 5GB per month'. The practice, termed 'fair usage policy', stipulates that once a subscriber has consumed the allotted data, his speed is reduced to 256kbps, in some cases from as high as 4mbps. 

'Even though the high-speed internet plans are marketed as those with unlimited data transfer, the reduction in speed virtually renders the internet connection unusable,' said a broadband user. 'By providing 256kbps they can still claim to provide broadband services. ISPs do it so that they can sell their 'speed boost' services. If the government increases the minimum speed of broadband in India, this malpractice can be stopped.' 

In the last few years, availability of good and robust internet connection has come to be regarded as a vital parameter of development. In fact, Finland last year made internet connection a 'legal right' for its citizens. In 2009, a French court termed access to 'internet a fundamental right'.

NASA website hacked

Hackers compromised pages on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory website

WASHINGTON: Software scammers offering cheap Adobe software have hacked into numerous web pages of NASA, just days before its final launch of the shuttle Endeavor, and Stanford University.

According to Fox News, hackers compromised pages on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratorywebsite, before the May 16 scheduled launch of the shuttle Endeavor.

The affected pages included barrages of "nonsense text" and interest-generating keywords, like "Edit buy adobe premiere pro cs4 some callouts and balloons to make this time it took you and saved you a long time," the report quoted technology site Computerworld, as saying.

The scammers employed the effective tool of search engine poisoning, by which they tricked Googleinto ranking their manipulated pages at the top of its rankings, to draw attention of netizens.

NASA removed its website, but other targets including Web pages belonging to Stanford, Syracuseand Northeastern Universities, still have not.