April 19, 2007 - Imation Corp. (NYSE:IMN) and TDK (NYSE:TDK) announced today that they have reached a definitive agreement under which Imation will acquire TDK brand world wide recording media business and use of the TDK brand name for recording media products, for $300 million in a combination of Imation common stock and cash with potential for payment of up to an additional $70 million based on future financial performance of the acquired business. TDK will retain its R&D, manufacturing and OEM business. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction.Highlights of the proposed transaction include the following: Imation will acquire TDK brand recording media business and use of TDK brand name for current and future recording media products including magnetic tape, optical media, flash media and accessories. At closing, TDK will receive approximately $280 million in Imation common stock, representing approximately 17 percent of shares outstanding, and $20 million in cash subject to certain conditions. This transaction will make TDK the largest shareholder of Imation and TDK will have the right to nominate a representative to serve on the Imation Board of Directors. By agreement, TDK's ownership stake will not exceed 22 percent of Imation common stock on a fully diluted basis. TDK brand recording media business operates globally, with major operations in Europe, Japan, the United States, and Asia. A number of TDK brand recording media employees are expected to transfer to Imation upon close. The transaction is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2007, subject to customary closing conditions. TDK will continue R&D and manufacturing operations for recording media products including audio, video and data storage tape, and Blu-ray optical discs. TDK will supply Imation as well as its other OEM customers. The transaction includes a Supply Agreement providing uninterrupted and continuing supply of TDK brand products to the
InfoWorld published an article about Microsoft plan to patch DNS vulnerability in Windows servers operating systems. Apparently Microsoft is planning to patch the vulnerability on 8th of May. It is pretty long time to wait for critical vulnerability. Meanwhile, MS suggests a workaround which is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory...4.mspx
April 17, 2007 Presently employed exclusively in high-end PCs, quad-core microprocessor technology over the next two years is expected to spread rapidly to more-affordable computers, appearing in nearly half of all mainstream desktop systems by the end of 2009, according to data from iSuppli Corp.'s new Technology Penetration Database. New microprocessors, such as Intel Corp.'s Core 2 Quad and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s upcoming quad-core processors, offer a high level of performance by combining four processor cores into a single package or silicon die. However, the high cost and limited availability of quad-core microprocessors has restricted their use to the high end of the PC market. Pricing for a quad-core microprocessor is as much as 170 percent higher than for a dual-core chip, according to iSuppli.* Peak performance In the first quarter of 2007, only 16 percent of performance desktop PCs were based on quad-core microprocessors. By the fourth quarter of 2007, that number is expected to rise to 33 percent and then to 94 percent by the fourth quarter of 2009. iSuppli defines performance desktop PCs as those having the latest and greatest technology and components and that are priced at $1,000 or more. The performance segment represents only 6 percent of total PC unit shipments. Going mainstream Meanwhile, quad-core microprocessor technology has not begun to penetrate the mainstream desktop PC segment. iSuppli estimates that no mainstream desktop PCs will ship with quad-core microprocessors in the first half of 2007. However, quad-core penetration in mainstream desktop PCs will rise to 5 percent in the third quarter of 2007 and then to 7 percent by the fourth quarter. Penetration will continue to increase in the following months, hitting 18 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, and then reaching nearly half of the market, at 49 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2009. iSuppli defines mainstream desktop PCs as those having the most common specification and fun
Outlook 2007 can be pretty slow if your PST files are large. Apparently Microsoft is aware of this issue and the company released an update that should help to rectify this issue: This update fixes a problem in which a calendar item that is marked as private is opened if it is found by using the Search Desktop feature. The update also fixes performance issues that occur when you work with items in a large .pst file or .ost file. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933493
PALO ALTO, Calif., April 17, 2007 - ProCurve Networking by HP today announced new and updated products in its ProActive Defense security portfolio to provide customers reliable network protection and comprehensive network access control that adapts to their existing network environments. ProCurve Network Immunity Manager is a security management application that delivers intelligent network threat management, detection and response to help protect against threats such as virus attacks. ProCurve also plans to deliver the ProCurve Network Access Controller 800, an easy-to-use appliance that adds endpoint integrity to the company's secure access control solution. Lastly, the ProCurve Identity Driven Manager (IDM) 2.2 solution will be a free upgrade for existing IDM 2.0 customers. IDM 2.2 will work with the new network access controller to provide endpoint integrity while easing deployment and reducing complexity. All ProCurve security products are part of the ProCurve ProActive Defense strategy, which combines pre-emptive techniques such as comprehensive access control with innovative defensive methods such as automated threat detection and response. "Fortifying security for enterprises without massive and costly replacement of network infrastructure is a critical focus of ProCurve's Adaptive Networks vision," said Paul Congdon, chief technology officer and security business director, ProCurve Networking by HP. New ProCurve Network Immunity Manager ProCurve Network Immunity Manager, a plug-in to ProCurve Manager Plus 2.2, automatically detects and responds to threats. By analyzing information from multiple sources such as third-party security appliances and ProCurve network devices, the solution helps provide protection against zero day and known virus attacks in both wired and wireless networks. It also provides comprehensive reporting to assist enterprises with regulatory compliance. Like all ProCurve products, ProCurve Network Immunity Manager is standards-based, e