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Following their failed bid on Yahoo, Microsoft is giving Facebook a bit of a poke to see if they’ll poke back over the possibility of a full acquisition. While they already claim $240 million investment in the company, values are being thrown around in the ballpark of $15 billion.

As anticipated, Grand Theft Auto smashed all sorts of sales records, raking in some $500 million in its first week. The Hooker and Prostitutes Union (HPU) have now changed their tune, now staking a claim in the success of the game. “Even though the game depicts violence against us, it’s all true and now it gives us an extra element of credibility” says Lindy LaLa the union’s spokeperson. Now a new group has come out against the game, RAD (Russians Against Defamation) are complaining that “in the game Russians are depicted in a bad way” they go on to say that “not all Russians are that ugly” citing Baryshnikov, Kournikova and Sharapova as examples. Plus, only 70% of Russians regularly wear sweat suits. (Side note, most copies sold on XBOX)

MySpace launches “Open Availability”, data share with Yahoo, Ebay and Twitter, et al.

http://mashable.com/2008/05/08/breaking-myspace-announces-data-availability-with-yahoo-ebay-and-others/

Pownce says game on with shared files in friend streams, and more storage space for everyone. Competitor to box.net, ups the game on twitter.

Drewmors

Microsoft trying to buy Facebook now that they’ve dumped Yahoo at the arranged marriage alter?
Do they really want FACEBOOK or do they want Mark Zuckerburg (or both?). Zuckerburg the next Bill Gates? Long term CEO? Ballmer/Gates’ Successor?

The debate on Net Neutrality rages on. Also raging on…

Schmidt faced

Senators to ISP’s: “Think twice” about ‘Net neutrality or else.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080506-senator-to-isps-think-twice-about-net-neutrality-or-else.html

Years ago, Congress began protecting ISPs from the twin threats of regulation and taxation; in return, ISPs were expected to deliver an unimpeded connection to the Internet. A move away from a neutral ‘Net would undermine the “very philosophical underpinnings of what we fought for for the last 15 years,” according to Ron Wyden (D-OR). If that happens, he sees no reason for Congress to continue sheltering ISPs.

Iris on the Virus
Chinese cyber attacks
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/08/belgium_india_china_warnings/

Tech Tip
Getting away from your PC

Tech this out
More proof that hackers are generally assholes….the website for the epilepsy foundation was recently hacked with the intent on causing seizures. They exploited a vulnerability in the publishing software that would barrage the users with a lot of flashing images and bright colors.

The MPAA has won a victory against TorrentSpy, claiming a $110 million judgement and permanent injunction for distribution of pirated video. As a result TorrentSpy has shut up shop.

Sites of the week

www.Domize.com
www.Xkcd.com