WebProNews

CNET Analyzing Ethics or Attacking Rivals?

I’d like to hear your thoughts on CNET’s look at whether journalists are starting to break the informal code that prevents conflicts of interest. Their expose of well known MarketWatch journalist, Bambi Francisco, reads as more of an attempt to undermine a rival publication, than a serious look at whether traditional journalists should avoid getting involved with companies they write about.

Zune Marketplace Takes EMI's Lead

The iTunes Music Store may be the first to offer DRM-free songs from EMI artists, but the Zune Marketplace won’t be far behind. Microsoft has plans to make the premium tracks available for download from its online store in the near future, and believes this move can only help promote healthier competition between the Zune and the iPod.

ICANN Rejects .XXX Domains

Despite support from some adult sites and anti-porn activists, the ICM Registry’s proposal for a .xxx top-level domain was rejected by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers in a 9-5 vote. ICANN states that a .xxx TLD would be difficult to enforce worldwide as well as create “public policy concerns.” From CNET:

Trackbacks - Are They Dying?

Steve Rubel at MicroPersuasion thinks trackbacks are dying. He cites tests of news trackback features at CNET and Yahoo that didn’t last as indicators that enthusiasm about trackback is waning.

Second Life Not a Passing Fad

CNET says, “Starting on Wednesday, representatives of companies including MTV Networks and its Nickelodeon, IBM, AOL and Disney, as well as institutions like Harvard University, the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control, will gather here for Virtual Worlds 2007, the first major conference designed specifically to promote marketing in virtual worlds to Fortune 500 companies.”

PayPal and the Google Checkout Threat

CNET has an interview with PayPal Chief Technology Officer Scott Thompson. It’s mostly about PayPal’s technology and anti-phishing tactics, but does have one question on Google Checkout.

Yahoo Admits Problem Clicks Reach 15%

Now that Yahoo CEO Terry Semel has gushed we expect to see “some very exciting numbers” in Q1 from Yahoo, in part due to the launch of Panama, the company has decided it’s time to tackle click fraud head-on. Yahoo has today announced the promotion of Reggie Davis to a new position within the company - vice president of marketplace quality. Basically, his role will be to reduce the amount of click fraud on the Yahoo search network and improve relations with advertisers, or what CNET is calling a “click fraud czar.” Along with the move comes details from Yahoo on the “discard rate” - similar to Google’s “invalid clicks” - it sees on the Yahoo Search Marketing platform.

Former Disney CEO Launches Online Video Project

CNET is reporting former Disney chief, Michael Eisner, is involved with the launch of Vuguru, an independent studio for the production of online videos.

Google Scares Up Free Photoshop

You may be tired of hearing about Google by now. This article is actually about how Adobe plans to create a free Web-based version of Photoshop. But Google's the reason they're doing it. Google's the reason anybody's doing anything online. That company just can't seem to find a pair of britches that fit.

SL, Open Source and Franchising

Interesting news that Linden Labs have open sourced the Second Life client source code under GPLv2.