Virtual Worlds and some updated good stuff

Hello!

A quick question for you. Are you using virtual worlds for professional purposes? I know we all use them for gaming, but I was wondering how many people use them as part of their learning experience or for other business-type uses. The reason I’m asking is that I think take-up of this tech for business use is low. I was in Second Life a couple of weeks ago and I don’t know where all my info pro colleagues were, but they weren’t in Second Life, and I enjoy using it. Maybe it was because of time zone differentials. If you are on there, look for Josephine Renfold. Yes – that’s me. Or are we all too busy twittering and on Facebook, etc., or do I just need to get out more……..  🙂 Let me know and I’ll tell you what others think. All responses are anonymous.

As a researcher, I’m always on the lookout for interesting legal cases, and the eBay v Newmark case was no exception.  On the Conclomerate web site there has been an extensive Poison Pill Forum, with some very good reportage from those who have provided their expertise on the issue of poison pills.

For those not in the know, a poison pill is something that a company that is the target of a takeover can use to put off the unwanted buyer, who may be a hostile buyer of the company (Barbarians at the Gate i.e. RJR Nabisco). However, what can also happen is that a White Knight (in shining armour!) comes to the rescue of the target company and offers a better (buy out) option that is good for everyone.

The discussions on the Poison Pill Forum include the relevancy of the above case being either a poison pill and takeover or if it has been “miscategorised”. Find the discussions here:

http://www.theconglomerate.org/2010/09/poison-pill-forum-steven-dvidoff.html

In my book I wrote about the Cuil (pronounced Cool) search engine.When I have tried to access it I get a “problem loading page” message. It doesn’t matter how I try and access it, there is no response.  It’s not unheard of for search engines to drop off the face of the earth, but it would be nice to be told. Whoops – hold on – found it here:

From Cuil to Frozen: The “Google Killer” Eats Its Own Medicine. PC Mag.com said: “Stick a fork in it. The oft-maligned Web search service started up by some ex-Googlers is currently offline, and reports indicate that Cuil might be gone for good. That’s not a moment too soon for PCMag’s John C. Dvorak, who labeled the search service as, “cheap, misleading PR,” “buggy,” “slow,” and ultimately, “pathetic” during its 2008 launch.” Now we know.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369346,00.asp

I hope you have found this useful. I’ll be back again soon.