Wednesday, August 9, 2006Linspire Releases Desktop Linux OSSan Diego-based Linspire said Wednesday that it has released Freespire 1.0, a desktop Linux operating system based on the Debian Linux software distribution. The new Linux operating system is a version of the firm's commercial Linspire OS, except that it allows community-based modifications to the source code. Linspire also said that it would ship 3rd-party proprietary drivers, codecs, and application alongside the new Linux release. Linspire said that it will target its Linspire OS towards cons (More info...)
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Enterprise Adds EIR From PayPal to Look At Bay Area DealsSan Diego-based Enterprise Partners has appointed a new Entrepreneur-in-Residence, saying that it has added John Leenane, who was most recently at PayPal. Leenane is based in San Jose, and will expand the firm's presence in the Bay Area. Enterprise said that Leenane will concentrate on digital content and wireless deals. Leenane joins from PayPal, where he headed mobile merchant services and the firm's Text to Buy mobile commerce service. He was previously at VeriSign Payment Services. Enterpri (More info...)
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Internet Brands Buys Two More Travel Web SitesLos Angeles-based Internet Brands has purchased two more web sites, saying Tuesday that it has purchased CruiseMates.com and CruiseReviews.com, two web sites that provide user reviews and editorial reviews of cruise lines. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed. The sites are the latest in a string of travel related web sites that Internet Brands has purchased in recent months, including BBOnline.com, Wikitravel, and World66. InternetBrands said that the acquisitions are a part of the firm (More info...)
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WFI Buys Defense IT Services FirmSan Diego-based WFI, a provider of design, deployment, and management services for the wireless industry, said yesterday that it is acquiring Madison Research Corporation, a technical solutions service provider for the U.S. Department of Defense, for $69M. WFI said that Madison Research has 375 employees in 15 states, working on over 85 contracts for the U.S. and other governments. MRC's customers include the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and NASA. The deal includes cash and cash from a credit faci (More info...)
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Sage Software Buys EmdeonIrvine-based Sage Software, a provider of business software, said Tuesday that it is acquiring Emdeon Practice Services, a Tampa-based provider of software for doctors. The deal is worth $565M in cash. Sage said that Emdeon will form the basis of a new doctors' pratice division. Sage is owned by UK-based Sage Group plc. Emdeon provide software for small- and medium-sized doctors' practices in the U.S., including appointment scheduling, prescriptions, and billing.
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Jacobs Capital Launching $125M FundPasadena-based Jacobs Capital Group, a private equity group and venture capital investment group, is launching a new $125M private equity fund this week. Jacobs Capital will use the fund to invest in alternative investments such as venture capital funds, and will be a fund-of-funds. The firm said that it will primarily invest in emerging managers with various industry specialties and geographic focuses. Jacobs Capital has made investments so far in California Technology Ventures II, LLC, Aphelio (More info...)
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Provide Commerce, FTD Resolve LawsuitSan Diego-based Provide Commerce, operator of the popular ProFlowers, Cherry Moon, and Uptown Prime online retailers, and floral delivery service provider FTD Group said Tuesday that the two companies have resolved FTD's lawsuit against Provide Commerce. FTD had filed a lawsuit in August of 2005 over false advertising and unfair competition. The two companies said that neither party admitted to the allegations in their lawsuits against each other, and that no money will be paid to either side. T (More info...)
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Startup Looks For Exit On eBayA little known, very early stage Pasadena-based startup, Yoosi.com, has turned to the internet marketplace eBay to try to raise money for the firm's founding team, in the newest twist in the quest by Web 2.0 companies and projects for attention. Yoosi.com provides a web site that allows users to customize what information they see, mostly around RSS feeds and news. The firm compares itself to Pageflakes and Netvibes, two other early stage Web 2.0 startups. Yoosi.com was put up for sale on eBay A (More info...)
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Accruent Hires VP Product DevelopmentSanta Monica-based Accruent announced Tuesday that it has hired Ning Ning Yu as VP of Product Development. She will be responsible for the company's product teams and technology partnerships. According to Accruent, Yu has served at ASK Jeeves, Vertel, Digital Sky, and Sendia. Although Accruent did not include the information in its press release on the hiring, Yu joined Accruent from Marina Del Rey-based Infosearch Media, where she had been appointed CTO in just April of this year. Accruent prov (More info...)
posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006(Full story)