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Symantec launches emoticon look-alike photo challenge

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On to the lighter side of things, here’s a fun and unique photo challenge that anyone from around the world can take part of.

Symantec, a global leader in infrastructure and security software, launches Norton 360 Emoticon Look-Alike Competition, giving everyone a chance to bag the grand prize worth $10,000, and 5 consolation prizes worth $1,000 each.

Contest mechanics is simple. Just snap a picture of your best expression of an emoticon, be it yourself or someone else, and then upload the photos to Symantec’s contest page.

This photo challenge, that runs from today until September 30, hopes to document the feelings and expressions of Internet users from around the web and to boost up their latest security solution product, the Norton 360. Everyone who joins gets free coupon which entitles them to 15% off Norton 360 or 15% off Norton Save and Restore.

Know more about this photo contest here.

Originally posted on August 17, 2007 @ 5:59 am

Survey: almost half of PC users don’t defrag

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defrag.jpgMore than 42% of PC users neglect to defragment their computers, according to a survey conducted by online opinion polling and market research service provider Vizu Corporation.

Moreover, Nearly 16% of those who answered the poll said they had “no idea” what disk defragmentation is, while more than 26% said they never defrag their machines.

Defragmentation reorganizes the file fragments on a hard disk into contiguous clusters that help speed response time. Tests have shown that activities such as word processing, email searches, Web surfing, and anti-virus and spyware scans can take almost 15 times longer on hard drives that have not been defragged than on those that have.

Make it a habit to defrag your personal computer every single day, so you will don’t have to suffer its dire consequences. It usually takes less than 30 minutes per day. For those who have no idea about this, read the Elder Greek for a simple tutorial on Disk Defragmenter Utility.

Originally posted on August 16, 2007 @ 11:44 pm

New filtering software blocks MySpace, Facebook

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myspace-blocker.jpgSolid Oak Software, a company which provides Internet filtering products for parents and others, announced today a new program designed to block access to select popular social networking sites. CyberSitter Social Networking Blocker is available now for free personal usage.

CyberSitter Social Networking Blocker, said Solid Oak, is designed to block unauthorized access to MySpace and FaceBook. It also blocks access to several hundred known Web proxies that can be used to bypass filtering programs.

“We have been doing this longer than anyone else out there,” says Brian Milburn, president of Solid Oak Software. “We have the expertise, we know the web sites, and we know the dangers, and we are stepping up and giving away a tool we hope will help keep kids a little safer and help parents sleep a little better.”

Originally posted on July 31, 2007 @ 7:51 pm

ODP developer Action Engine gets $20M funding

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Action EngineBellevue-based Action Engine, developer of a software platform utilized for web-enabled mobile devices, raises $20M to fund its continuing projects and development.

As an acknowledged leader in On-Device Portal technology, Action Engine is known for its ODP platform that enables mobile advertising, and other management capabilities that aims at increasing profitability and elevating client’s brand. Among Action Engine’s existing clients include media companies and online networks who are expanding their mobile marketing strategies such as MSNBC.com, TiVo, SmartTV, Globe Telecom, SingTel, Verizon Wireless, and more.

AE has raised over $65 million in total VC funding since 2000.

Originally posted on July 30, 2007 @ 12:35 pm

Hakia toolbar eliminates double Web searching

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hakia-scoopbar.jpgHakia, a meaning-based search engine, unveiled today a toolbar for Internet Explorer users. The new Hakia ScoopBar is designed to eliminate what Hakia calls “double searching.”

“Double searching” occurs when you first find a Web page for a specific term and than have to search through that page to find exactly what you were looking for. The toolbar automatically highlights the relevant text in response to your search and locates the text by scrolling directly to that portion of the Web page. An additional feature lets you save the relevant section of a Web page for later use offline.

“When most people search, they have to search and search again through a results page to find the relevant text,” said Dr. Riza C. Berkan, founder and CEO of hakia.com. “The automated sequence of highlighting, positioning, and scooping saves researchers a great deal of time. We are cutting the work of search in half.”

Originally posted on July 27, 2007 @ 5:23 pm