Wednesday, December 17, 2008Docstoc Ties Into Firefox Browser SoftwareSanta Monica-based Docstoc is tying into a Firefox browser extension, saying Wednesday that it has tied into MashLogic, which analyzes web pages and gives users more information about sites they are visiting. According to Docstoc, its documents will be used to provide another layer of information in the MashLogic browser extension. MashLogic's browser extension highlights keywords, and then presents related URLs when users click on those keywords. The arrangement adds documents gleaned from Docs (More info...)
posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008(Full story)
Western Digital Axes 2,500Lake Forest-based Western Digital announced this morning that it is cutting 2,500 employees, or five percent of the firm's workforce, as it sees softer demand for the firm's hard disk drives. According to the firm, demand for its products in the December quarter is "significantly below" the firm's expectations. As part of the cuts, the firm also said it would reduce compensation of the firm's executive officers, board of directors, and senior management; cut manufacturing and use of temporary wo (More info...)
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Buy.com: December Sales UpAliso Viejo-based Buy.com is continuing to report good sales this holiday season, saying today that it has seen its revenues grow over 40 percent for the first 15 days of December, compared with 2007. The firm said the record growth was in part a result of consumer awareness of its promotions, aggressive pricing, and the inclusion of product video content on the site. Buy.com also reported that average customer orders are up by over 20 percent due to bigger purchases. Buy.com sells consumer elec (More info...)
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Symwave Snags Advisors From Dell, Intel, Best BuyLaguna Niguel-based semiconductor supplier Symwave has snagged three notable advisors for the firm's Technical Advisory Board, saying Wednesday that it has brought on Dr. Kevin Kettler, Brian Chubboy, and Gil Frostig to the new group. Kettler is Chief Technical Officer at Dell, where he is responsible for the design, development, and performance analysis of Dell's various products. Chubboy comes from Best Buy, where he serves as senior manager for Best Buy's Exclusive Brands. Finally, Frostig jo (More info...)
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Vangard Voice Systems Raises $2MIrvine-based Vangard Voice Systems said Wednesday that the firm has raised $2M in a Series B funding round, form Berkshire Ventures, LLC. Vangard develops software tools for voice-enabling enterprise applications. The round is the second to come from Berkshire, which invested $3M in an earlier funding in 2006, along with angel support. Vangard's voice recognition software is used to enable voice recognition in applications--for example, filling out medical forms, logistics, and elsewhere.
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Livestrong.com Releases Traffic StatsSanta Monica-based Demand Media has released traffic statistics for its LIVESTRONG.COM web site, its joint venture with cyclist Lance Armstrong, saying that the site now has more than 4 million monthly visits and over 650,000 registered members. The site, which launched in June, is focused on health, fitness, and related information. Demand Media also said that more than 4,300 groups have formed on the site. Along with releasing traffic stats, the company said it has launched a new effort to att (More info...)
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Kofax Adds Partner VPIrvine-based Kofax, which develops document capture tools, has hired on Jim Vickers as its Senior Vice President of OEM and Partner Strategy, the firm said today. Vickers joins the firm from Taylor Corporation, and has also served at EMC/Captiva Softare and Electronics for Imaging. Kofax said that Vickers will oversee all OEM, point-of-sale, channel management, and business development.
posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008(Full story)
Interview with Anne Walls and John Singleton, WordHustlerAnne Walls and John Singleton are co-founders of WordHustler (www.wordhustler.com), a local Hollywood startup looking to help writers connect with publishers. WordHustler launched in May of 2008 in a beta. We caught up with both Anne and John to learn more about the company.
What's the whole idea behind WordHustler?
John Singleton: WordHustler is a service that empowers writers to get connected with people who publish or produce their work. we do that by eliminating the hassles of the tra (More info...)
posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008(Full story)