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AVATARLABS RELEASES POO LOG HD APP FOR IPAD AND V1.1 FOR IPHONE AND IPOD TOUCH

App Helps Answer Important Question: “What is your poo telling you?”

Los Angeles – September 14, 2010 – AvatarLabs today announced that its newest application Poo Log HD for iPad is now available from the Apple App Store. The app, based on the popular book “What’s your poo telling you?” by Josh Richman and Anish Sheth, M.D. helps answer that all-important question. The app can be downloaded at http://itunes.com/apps/PooLogHD.

The Poo Log app features a digital timer and journal for recording, studying and tracking of the individual’s digestive workings, as well as bathroom humor and medical information to ensure healthy living. The Poo Log HD app for iPad enables users to create multiple individual profiles and track their poo, making it a great tool for family health. The iPad version allows users to set their poo date and time, and also contains three viral videos created by AvatarLabs. The iPhone and iPod Touch updated v1.1 adds the ability for users to change the date of their poo entries. The iPhone version can be downloaded at http://itunes.com/apps/PooLog.  

To celebrate the launch, app developer AvatarLabs has crafted an advertising campaign to communicate how easy it is to use the app, whether it be on the go, at home or at the office. The ads have a very familiar look and feel, even to those unfamiliar with the app itself.

Ad campaign highlights include a visual of the Poo Log home page on the iPad, held by a user seated on his home toilet. Copy asks, “What’s your poo telling you?” A second execution depicts a woman in a work restroom with similar visuals and copy that reads “Poophoria. Get it.”

The app and author Anish Sheth, M.D. were also recently featured on ABC Health, which can be seen at http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/poo-telling-poop-feces-fecal-matter-bowel-movements-indicator-overall-health-signs-signifies-11421471.

Poo Log can also be found on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PooLog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT AVATARLABS

AvatarLabs is an award-winning, full-service digital agency founded in 2001 to push the boundaries of motion graphics, interactive design and front/backend technology. Its expertise includes mobile apps, online advertising, websites, games, social media, viral marketing, digital marketing strategy and content production. The agency has created innovative digital ad campaigns and sites for films such as “Avatar” and “Alice in Wonderland.” AvatarLabs-created apps, such as Terminate Me, Monsters Vs. Aliens and Poo Log, have received over three million downloads in the iPhone App store. For more information, visit www.AvatarLabs.com.

 
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Security Fears & Cloud Computing: Building Trust In New Data Delivery Models

Cloud computing could fundamentally change the way businesses adopt new applications and computing power but it also introduces new threats from a security perspective

Melbourne and Amsterdam, 15 September 2010. Cloud computing has been widely heralded as the “next big thing” in technology circles. At the same time it has arguably been overcomplicated in terms of the way it has been described.

Peter Cameron, Managing Director of AVG (AU/NZ), says: “What if I told you that Hotmail was a good example of cloud computing, would that make it more straightforward? The concept really is as fundamental as a user tapping into a data centre via his or her Internet connection to get access to an online service, which in this example would be Hotmail email.

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“Let’s expand this definition while still keeping it simple. As our web usage has become more sophisticated and web pages themselves have become more dynamic, the definition of an online service has progressed.

“Where we once used the web to find information, we now interact with the web as its services have evolved to become applications in their own right. These services now exhibit computer functionality in the same form that you would expect to get from your own PC,” Cameron says.

Did You Know:

 

  • Cloud computing is bound by the same trust issues as any other technical service, but with the additional complexity of adding another layer of abstraction.
  • If architected and deployed correctly, cloud computing can bring new, more scalable streams of computing power.
  • Security thought-leadership association, the Jericho Forum, has outlined steps companies should take before signing up to cloud services in its Cloud Cube Model.
  • AVG LinkScanner® safe search and surf technology can apply more than 100 different potential threat indicators to a web page.

 

So cloud computing power begins life in a centralised data centre and is then delivered to users as individuals, or on an aggregated level to an entire company. This so-called enterprise level rung of the computing ladder is where we would use the term Software-as-a-Service or SaaS.  

Cloud Computing Without Trust is Just Low-Hanging Fog 

If cloud computing is delivered (and quite crucially, also deployed) intelligently, it is a positive game changer as it has the potential to deliver real cost savings through the sharing of hardware and software resources that its operation naturally dictates. Compound this fact with the efficiencies that can be brought about in terms of flexibility when demand for IT escalates (or equally declines) and it is clear to see that this cloud computing paradigm has an important place to play in modern data centres everywhere.

The caveat here though is that cloud computing requires trust in the service provider who hosts the data centre and without trust we have no guarantee of security.

So how do we move forward? Well, while cloud computing is still in its adolescence (comparatively speaking) we need to examine how much data the business will expose to externally outsourced computing power.
Security guru Bruce Schneier recommends a closer examination of the security issues related to moving more resources to the cloud. “IT security is about trust. You have to trust your CPU manufacturer, your hardware, operating system and software vendors – and your ISP,” Schneier states on his blog ‘Be Careful When You Come to Put Your Trust in the Clouds’. “Any one of these can undermine your security: crash your systems, corrupt data, allow an attacker to get access to systems.

“When a computer is within your network, you can protect it with other security systems such as firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). You can build a resilient system that works even if those vendors you have to trust may not be as trustworthy as you like,” says Schneier. “With any outsourcing model, whether it be cloud computing or something else, you can’t. You have to trust your outsourcer completely. You not only have to trust the outsourcer’s security, but its reliability, its availability and its business continuity.”

How Do We Get Inside the Cloud? 

The Jericho Forum has developed a series of strategies that it believes companies should adopt when dealing with cloud computing providers. These strategies are encapsulated in what is known as the Jericho Forum’s Cloud Cube Model, which discusses the key factors that companies should consider before entering into an agreement with a vendor or service provider.

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Adrian Secombe, Jericho Forum board member and chief information security officer for the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, says: “The cloud approach to organising business can be both more secure and more efficient than the old-style silo structure.

“Viewed from a different perspective it opens a potential Pandora’s Box of security nightmares… not least of which is loss of data confidentiality and integrity.

“A carefully analysed and chosen approach to implementing cloud computing can bring those security issues back under control,” says Secombe. “It’s essential to get the foundations right and for each business to develop a cloud model that enables consumerisation, drives down cost and reduces risk.”

Apart from the potential trust concerns associated with migrating email to a hosted managed service provider, there do not appear to be any specific security threats posed by such online applications themselves.

However, up to date anti-malware software such as AVG Internet Security Business Edition can provide an invaluable protection layer for mission critical systems.

AVG’s LinkScanner free software for Windows and Mac also helps to prevent web-based attacks, which could ‘potentially’ be integrated into cloud-based applications and associated websites. LinkScanner actually uses a cloud-based database for part of its assessment as to whether a particular website is hosting malicious code.

“AVG LinkScanner can apply more than 100 different potential threat indicators to a page. If the result is inconclusive, LinkScanner then makes a call to the cloud to check a multitude of phishing feeds plugged into the AVG research network to make a final determination regarding threat potential,” Cameron says.

While cloud computing may not ultimately live up to all the hype that has surrounded it, it appears to be the logical way for the next generation of computing to develop. It’s safe to say that most businesses will eventually adopt at least some aspects of the model – especially if it proves to be more economical and flexible.

“The need to trust whoever is providing the cloud service appears to be an inescapable reality but it is also apparent that there are some steps that companies can take to mitigate risk – from high-level modelling to more tried-and-tested approaches to Internet and hardware security,” Cameron concludes.

What To Do

 

  • Check out the Jericho Forum cloud computing cube model before entering into an agreement with a vendor or an ISP.
  • Analyse how much data you will be exposing to outsourced computers and how much risk this puts your business at.
  • Use up to date anti-malware software such as AVG Internet Security Business Edition to protect mission critical systems.

 

See also AVG Technologies’ CEO, J.R. Smith’s blog – Security must be a key consideration when considering cloud computing.

AVG (AU/NZ) has a comprehensive range of security tips for home and business users on its web site at www.avg.com.au/resources/security-tips/.

About AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltdwww.avg.com.au

Based in Melbourne, AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd distributes the AVG range of Anti-Virus and Internet Security products in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. AVG software solutions provide complete real-time protection against the malware, viruses, spam, spyware, adware, worms, Trojans, phishing and exploits used by cyber-criminals, hackers, scammers and identity thieves. AVG protects everything important and personal inside computers — documents, account details and passwords, music, photos and more — all while allowing users to work, bank, shop and play games online in safety.

AVG provides outstanding technical solutions and exceptional value for consumers, small to medium business and enterprise clients. AVG delivers always-on, always up-to-date protection across desktop, and notebook PCs, plus file and e-mail servers in the home and at work in SMBs, corporations, government agencies and educational institutions.

 
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PERFECT WORLD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES FIRST GLOBAL PVP TOURNAMENT

Team Vengeance Will Compete Against Nine Other Countries for $27,000

September 14, 2010 – Foster City, Calif. – Perfect World Entertainment Inc., today unveiled the captain for Team Vengeance, who will lead the team against nine other countries worldwide for the title of greatest Jade Dynasty PvP team in the world as well as for the grand prize of $27,000. The Jade Dynasty Global PvP Tournament will take place on September 18 – 19, 2010 and the captain from each country will be flown to Beijing, China to compete in front of thousands.

“We’re pleased to announce that Kayure Patel also known as Tricey on the Billows server, has been selected to lead Team Vengeance in the first world PvP tournament for Jade Dynasty, which will once and for all prove who are the best players in the world,” said Andrew Brown, Product Manager for Jade Dynasty. “Kayure is a natural born leader, having played on the Billows server since September 16, 2009 and has shown impressive skills in his PvP matches.”

Twenty players and five alternatives will be representing Team Vengeance in the global PvP tournament.

For more information about Jade Dynasty, please visit the official website at http://JD.PerfectWorld.com

About Jade Dynasty
Based on Zhu Xian, one of China’s most popular internet novels, Jade Dynasty features a unique martial arts style of gameplay wrapped in a huge, evolving game world. Offering a multitude of features and systems not commonly found in free-to-play MMORPGs, Jade Dynasty does not require a monthly subscription, is free to download and is free-to-play.

About Perfect World Entertainment Inc.
Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), publishes free-to-play online games and provides online services in North America. The Company primarily publishes online games based on the Perfect World proprietary game engines and game development platforms. The Company’s releases include “Heroes of Three Kingdoms,” “Battle of the Immortals,” “Ether Saga Online,” “Jade Dynasty” and “Perfect World International,” a free-to-play MMORPG which is currently played by millions of people worldwide; and a single-player action-RPG “Torchlight.”

 
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The new Stronghold Mode – part of the upcoming Liars and Cheats Pack

Straight from Rockstar…

Liars  for Red Dead Redemption – is our take on the popular “Attack & Defend” multiplayer gameplay variation, and features some of the most exciting and strategic gameplay of any of Red Dead Redemption’s diverse Competitive Multiplayer modes.

Supporting up to 16 players on any one of four maps [Blackwater, Escalera, Fort Mercer & Thieves Landing], Stronghold Mode begins with one team on the attacking side.  They are given a shared number of lives and a time limit to capture a series of control points spread across the map.  The other team is classified as the defending side, tasked with maintaining ownership of those control points for as long as possible. Once the attacking team has either captured all the control points, run out of time or lost all their lives – the teams switch sides, with the attackers becoming the defenders, and vice versa.  

Whichever team team captures the most points in the shortest amount of time wins the match.  On certain maps, cracking safes in Stronghold Mode gives players access to the all-new devastatingly destructive Explosive Rifle.  Stronghold Mode also has its own related challenges that award players with bonus XP and custom multiplayer titles.Look for more details throughout the week on the vast assortment of new content that’s featured in the Liars and Cheats Pack for Red Dead Redemption.

 
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2K Sports Announces NBA® 2K11 Demo Now Available on Xbox Live® Marketplace and PlayStation®Network #NBA2K11

Relive the 2010 Finals as the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics with  NBA 2K11 demo 

Sydney – Australia– September 15, 2010 – 2K Sports today announced that a free demo of NBA® 2K11 is now available on Xbox LIVE® for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®Network for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The demo will allow players to relive this past season’s exciting NBA Finals and play one quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics. The demo will give fans will a glimpse of this year’s improvements, including revamped IsoMotion™ dribbling controls, dynamic shot control and all-new visuals in the NBA 2K11 demo.

2K Sports is going big for the next iteration of NBA 2K, the top-selling and top-rated NBA videogame simulation franchise*. In this year’s edition of NBA 2K, NBA 2K11 will bring recent Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Jordan back to the game. For the first time, fans will be able to play as His Airness and recreate ten of Jordan’s best career games in NBA 2K11, including “The Shrug” game during the 1992 playoffs where Jordan scored six three-point shots in a scorching 35-point first-half performance.

NBA 2K11 is rated G by the Australian Classification Board and will be available in Australia and new Zealand on October 8, 2010. For more information, please visit www.2ksports.com/nba2k11 or to download the new Michael Jordan trailer, please visit www.2ksports.com/nba2k11/jordanreveal.zip.

2K Sports is a division of 2K, a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

*According to 2008 – 2010 Gamerankings.com and The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales through August 2010.

 
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PRIEST – Trailer Available to Download

 
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VIDEO: NEW Final Fantasy XIV CGI Trailer

Final Fantasy XIV PC Collectors Edition will be available September 22nd , PC Standard Edition September 30th and Playstation 3 in March 2011.

http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/

 
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myDiary release date for Europe/Australia/New Zealand

myDiary, the latest release in the highly successful myLifeCollected™ range, goes on sale in Europe, Australia & New Zealand on Friday 17 September. myDiary allows users to organise their lives by keeping track of appointments, making daily journal entries and even setting daily alarms. It also features icons to indicate the time, volume and current battery level.

“myDiary is a logical extension to our myLifeCollected range.”, said Nic Watt, Creative Director at Nnooo. “Our vision with this range was to extend the DSi™ from portable games console into a games and multimedia device. The myLifeCollected range, which also includes our range of myNotebooks™ and myPostcards™, gives people the chance to keep notes, organise their lives and create postcards for their friends and family all on the one device.”

In myDiary, users can tap on a day to write and review notes and add alarms to keep track of important events and birthdays. myDiary can be customised to your personal taste by changing the user interface using 12 unlockable background and ink colours. There is also a security function to keep daily notes private.

“We are very pleased with the reaction to this line of applications” said Watt. “Our next step is to move back into the gaming arena using the innovative augmented reality feature of the DSi. We will announce more about our next game, Spirit Hunters Inc, in the coming weeks.”

myDiary will cost 200 points and will be available from Friday 17 September in Europe, Australia & New Zealand.

More information about Nnooo is available at www.nnooo.com while myDiary information can be found at www.mylifecollected.com.

 
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VIDEO: Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood **Gameplay Trailer**

 
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What’s On at the Immigration Museum September to November 2010

Australia’s Muslim Cameleers: Pioneers of the Inland 1860s – 1930s

This exhibition reveals the remarkable contribution that Australia’s first Muslim community, from Afghanistan and British India, made to the exploration and settlement of Australia’s arid interior. Cameleers assisted all major expeditions into Australia’s uncharted interior starting with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860 and have contributed significantly to Australia’s economic and cultural development. Exhibits include fascinating photographs, camel saddles, historic clothing, textiles and original documents.

Date: Until 19 September 2010 – LAST DAYS

 

Spring school holidays

Learn about the world’s youngest nation, Timor Leste, at the Immigration Museum these school holidays. Join in and try the East Timorese tradition of weaving Tais or make your own traditional kite. Explore stories from Victoria’s East Timorese community and discover the ritual called Se Matebian in the new exhibition, Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste.

Date: 18 September – 3 October 2010

Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste

This exhibition explores a ritual called Se Matebian, which takes place each year on All Souls Day and honours East Timorese ancestors. It looks at how the East Timorese community in Australia continue to practise this ritual today. Personal stories and reflections of people from the East Timorese community are shared and featured objects include a silver breast plate and head piece worn by elders during ceremonial peace, a silver jewellery box with an ancestral worship home on top, jewellery associated with ancestors, timber statues representing ancestors, hand woven baskets and East Timorese fabrics.

Date: From 19 September 2010

Fighting for Equality: People with disabilities from ethnic backgrounds speak out

In 1981 the International Year of the Disabled Persons inspired carers and people with disabilities in Melbourne to create a unique service called ADEC.  Its name stands for Advocacy Disability Ethnicity Community. Today it continues to empower people with disabilities from ethnic backgrounds, their carers and families to fully participate as members of the Victorian community. Fighting for Equality explores the challenges and experiences of people with disabilities from ethnic backgrounds, their carers and their families and offers hope and advice to others in similar situations.

Date: 25 October 2010 – 2 May 2011

West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit
From spiritual beliefs to daily life, masks to music, cloth to carving, West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit features over 200 objects from 28 different contemporary West African cultures expressing the diversity and dynamism of this unique and fascinating region. Bordered by the Sahara Desert to the north, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, West Africa is an area of tradition and change. The collection featured in this exhibition, including masks, carved figures, musical instruments, furniture, weavings and dyed textiles, as well as photographs and film, express the identity and creativity of the diverse cultural groups of West Africa, reflecting the everyday life of West African communities.

Date: 12 November 2010 to 29 May 2011

 

Brazilian Festival

Join in on fun Brazilian festivities as the Immigration Museum celebrates the Brazilian community in Victoria. Experience Brazilian culture through traditional music, dance and capoeira; a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music and dance. Watch films, taste delicious Brazilian food and participate in family activities at this one day festival.

Date: 11am – 4pm, Sunday 14 November 2010


Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne.  Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm. Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE. More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum