BBC reports that more than one-third of business software used by companies around the world is pirated. According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a well known proponent of anti-piracy campaigns, 35% of the programs used by companies are unlicensed. The BSA added that this figure remained unchanged since 2003. The BBC report gave a rundown of the piracy rates around the world:

• Asia - 55%
• Central Europe - 68%
• Latin America - 66%
• Middle East/Africa - 60%
• North America - 22%
• Western Europe - 36%

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You might be wondering why this post was included here when all the previous posts were about technology. Let me remind you of this Web site’s title then- Articles, News, Updates and Reviews on Technology and Life. I love music, particularly metal and I consider it a part of my life. So there you go, music belongs to the Life aspect of Project Afterlight. Anyway, on with the topic.

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A CNN report tells of Microsoft wanting royalties from distributors and users of free software like Linux. Microsoft claims that free software violated 235 of its patents. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s senior vice president and general counsel enumerates the violations of free software:

• Linux kernel - 42 Microsoft patents violated
• Linux GUI - 65 Microsoft patents violated
• Open Office suite - 45 Microsoft patents violated
• E-mail programs - 15 Microsoft patents violated
• Other FOSS programs - 68 Microsoft patents violated

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I just received an e-mail from amped.com.ph today about War Rock. For those of you who didn’t know, War Rock is an online first person shooter (FPS) game developed by Dream Execution Technology Co., Ltd of Korea and distributed in the Philippines by ABS-CBN Multimedia Inc.

From the WarRock Philippines Web site:

ABS-CBN Interactive introduces the first Online Military Tactical FPS in the Philippines – WarRock. Developed by Dream Execution Technology Co., Ltd. of Korea, War Rock takes the multiplayer FPS genre to the next level with stunning graphics, state of the art weapons, action packed gameplay and endless fun for everyone. With five different character classes to master, gamers can play individually or in a team. Players can participate in three modes of gameplay including Close Quarters Combat, Urban Ops and Battlegroup. War Rock first started service in Korea then the United States and Japan, and now it’s here!

In War Rock, you play as an elite soldier with hundreds of players from all over the country, showcasing not only your skills but also accuracy and strategy. Complete objectives in mission based game modes or survive exciting team battles. To further enhance your game, there is an optional virtual shop where you can purchase a wide variety of new and better items, content and services – all just a click away. No need for game time fees, in War Rock, you Play 4 Free™. No other games in the Philippines today can compare.

Those of you residing in the Philippines may now download the client and apply for a closed beta account. Just visit the WarRock Philippines Web site for more details. Oh, I forgot- Windows users only.

The Wall Street Journal reports that EBay is in talks to acquire StumbleUpon for a potential price of $75 million. It was said that with the nature of StumbleUpon’s business, EBay could very well use it for its maturing online-auction service.

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Have you ever heard of Joost? According to Wikipedia:

Joost is a system for distributing TV shows and other forms of video over the Web using peer-to-peer TV technology, created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis (founders of Skype and Kazaa).

And I’ve got Joost invites! So jump on and join the bandwagon. Get your share of Joostilicious Internet TV. No strings attached.

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I thought of updating my Windows XP operating system today. What a surprise! 6 updates for Microsoft Office 2007. This is actually the first batch of updates for Office 2007. Washington Post reports 13 other updates that Microsoft released today. It has been about a couple of months since updates of this volume came out. Well, expect more in the coming months.

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