Moncton IT Alliance

CBS to Acquire CNET

Via TechCrunch (source):

…apparently worth about $1.8 billion, which is what CBS just agreed to pay for CNET. The deals values CNET at $11.50/share, and puts a 45% premium on stock from their closing price yesterday. CBS, which is worth a little over $16 billion, is down just over 3% on the news as of 7:45 am PST.

It’s interesting that CBS has seen their stock dip on this announcement. Does this show that consumers/readers of CNET are not wanting to see CBS take over? With all of the free content that’s produced by CNET, whether or not it would remain free is something of a big question. Will this lead to a major netcast content creator suddenly charging for their content? Or a major company like CBS moving towards being friendly to free (to the direct consumer) content?

TrustMe Security Developer API Preview

After a much-anticipated announcement, TrustMe Security has finally released its developer API in a preview today at the Moncton Masonic Lodge.  The full API is due to be released at MESH 2008.

The lucky guys and gals who attended the API preview tonight and submitted their business cards for the drawing of an iPod Touch were also extended an invitation to use TrustMe Security’s beta framework.

On that note, congrats to Amber Wilson over at Spheric for winning that iPod Touch!

In the interim, stay tuned for more interesting news regarding TrustMe Security and their REST-ful API as official details emerge!

CRTC to Probe Bell

Via CBC (source):

The CRTC is launching a public consultation on internet traffic shaping after rejecting a request by smaller Canadian internet service providers to end Bell Canada’s throttling practices, saying the companies had failed to demonstrate that their businesses will be irreparably harmed by the action.

After allegations over the last years from consumers and smaller companies, will this be the beginning of an actual interest in the traffic shaping practices of major ISPs? If there is finally some pressure on Bell to stop using traffic shaping technologies on the connections of companies it contracts with, will we see similar pressure on companies like Rogers for its similar policies towards the average consumer?

This will certainly be interesting to watch.

No CyberSocial For May

Via CyberSocial.ca (source):

The Cybersocial in Moncton will not operate for the Month of May 2008.

While it’s a shame that there won’t be an event this month (they’re always so much fun!), at least we know! Their site seemed to be down the last couple days, so it’s good to see that they haven’t disappeared. Look forward to next month’s Cyber Social!

In the meantime, remember that tonight is the TrustMe Security API Launch in Moncton, and next week is Third Tuesday in Saint John! See you there!

TrustMe API Launch

Via meshEast (source):

TrustMe API Launch

Wednesday May 14, 2008
Doors open at 5:00 PM
Presentations at 6:30 PM

Drinks, light food and a special opportunity to learn about our API inside the Mason’s Temple. iPod Touch Giveaway.

Google Map of Location

Thanks to meshEast for bringing this to out attention! Hope to see lots of people out tomorrow night to support TrustMe!

Got An iPod? Get Some Money!

If you’ve got an early iPod (generations 1 - 3) in Canada, you have a new perk for having been early adopter; a rebate!

Via CBC News (source):

Owners of older iPods can get a $45 rebate from Apple Inc., now that the company has offered to settle two lawsuits involving the battery life of its portable media players.

…

Up to 80,000 Canadians could be eligible for the refund, according Montreal lawyer Philippe Trudel, who represented Lenzi. That would bring Apple’s total payout to $3.6 million.

Owners who qualify for the settlement will have to spend their refund through Apple Canada’s online store, but will not be able to use it on iTunes content.

While it’s not quite cash, it would still be a nice rebate on picking up some new Apple gear. While it doesn’t seem completely clear on how to claim your rebate yet, we’ll post once we hear more. If anyone out there finds out, drop us a line! I’m sure there are plenty of Monctonians who would love to have a couple extra Apple bucks!

No Blackberry Ban in Cars for NB

From CBC (source):

New Brunswick won’t be banning the use of cellphones while driving because it doesn’t address the other distractions drivers face while operating a vehicle, Justice Minister T.J. Burke says.

“I think many motorists can be distracted for numerous reasons: tuning their radio, eating a cheeseburger and driving while sipping on their Coke; adjusting their seat, climate controls and other devices,” Burke said. “I mean even scratching yourself in that place that’s itching so bad can be distracting, too.”

Banning cellphones isn’t the answer to eliminating those distractions, Burke said.

So keep that Blackberry at your side! Just because you’re a busy person doesn’t mean that you’ll be bothered any more than that time you just couldn’t stop to take care of that itch on the bottom of your foot that wouldn’t go away. Just remember to grab your headset when you’re going into Nova Scotia, where there is a ban in effect!

Moncton Casino Details Official:

As was just announced The New Brunswick Provincial Government announced this afternoon that the province’s first casino will be built near the Magnetic Hill tourist site in Moncton.

It has been confirmed that out of the four bidders that submitted applications to handle the project, Sonco Gaming New Brunswick Ltd. has been selected to construct the 90 million dollar facility.

Casino Complex Details:

• an “Entertainment Venue” Seating 1,500, 
• a 128-room hotel and
• a banquet hall with capacity for 1,400 people.

Also confirmed is this new Casino complex will NOT include a race track as earlier rumoured.

Related Post: Moncton Named in ‘Preferred Proponent’ for Casino

Source: Rogers News 91.9

Moncton Named in ‘Preferred Proponent’ for Casino

From the Government of New Brunswick (link):

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The province announced today that as a result of the request for proposals (RFP) issued on Nov. 8, 2007, a preferred proponent has been selected to construct, equip and operate a destination casino in New Brunswick.

The preferred proponent, Sonco Gaming New Brunswick Ltd., proposes to design, build and own a destination casino in the Moncton region, which will create 400 full-time equivalent jobs and cost about $90 million. There will be 770 full-time job equivalents created during construction.

…

This could mean some very interesting things for Moncton! At last, will Moncton become a new hub for the casino crowd? Will it mean even more exciting things in the Moncton IT world?

OO.o (OpenOffice.org) 3.0 Beta Released

After much anticipation OpenOffice.org has released the beta of Version 3 of their popular open source office productivity suite. New Features include ODF 1.2 support, Microsoft Office 2007 Import Filters, charting enhancements, improved note capabilities in Writer, new icons, enhanced pdfexport, multi-monitor support for impress, and a start center to simplify application access, not to mention the plethora of bug-fixes, and other minor feature enhancments.

New For the Mac OSX users OpenOffice.org 3.0 will now run nativly in OSX without the need for X11 to be installed.

OpenOffice is expected to fully release version 3 September 2nd, 2008, with a release candidate available as early as July 25th.

• OpenOffice.org 3.0 Beta Release Notes
• OpenOffice.org 3.0 Beta Features
• To download and get more info on OpenOffice 3.0