IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 13 August
13-08-2009
by Sylvia Leatham
Xtra-vision future uncertain | Science exams may get overhaul
The Irish Times says that John Collison, a teenager who sold a software company for more than EUR3 million, scored one of the highest Leaving Cert results in the country. Collison, co-founder of Auctomatic, was one of 11 Leaving Cert students who received eight A1s in the State exams. The 18-year-old achieved 10 A grades in total. Auctomatic manages eBay accounts for high-level users. The company was sold to Canadian firm Live Current Media last year for USD5 million.
The paper also says that work on a 15-metre-high communications mast in a west Kerry village was suspended on Wednesday after an overnight incident in which more than 20 people interfered with the foundations. The mast on an Eircom-owned site in Annascaul is to form part of a national network providing secure digital radio services for the Garda and emergency services. The protesters say they are worried about visual obtrusion and health and safety risks.
The paper also reports that the future of entertainment chain Xtra-vision is uncertain after the firm's US owner appeared close to a sale of the group. The identity of a buyer is unclear but sources said that advanced due diligence is continuing. Xtra-vision is owned by Blockbuster, a worldwide chain of entertainment outlets. A spokesman for Blockbuster declined to confirm that a sale of Xtra-vision was being agreed, but acknowledged the firm had been exploring the sale of its international assets.
The Irish Independent says that Lumension Security Corporation is to create 30 new jobs in Galway, as reported by ENN on Wednesday.
The paper also reports that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will engage with a number of schools in the coming year to trial a range of practical exams for science subjects. The NCCA is already trialling Project Maths in 24 schools with a view to making the subject more practical. For the science subjects, the type of practical assessments under consideration include short tasks carried out in a laboratory setting, interviews based on practical work, and computer-based assessment.
The Irish Examiner reports that the Data Protection Commissioner has warned about the dangers of unsolicited mobile phone texts after a 74-year-old woman complained of being stung for EUR10 per week. The texts can begin to appear after a phone user gives their mobile number to a marketing company, often without realising it. Under EU regulations, a person can not send unsolicited communications for the purpose of direct marketing, unless the recipient has consented to receiving the communication.
The Wall Street Journal reports that China's industry minister has said that China won't force through the mass installation of the Green Dam internet filtering software on PCs and other consumer products. Li Yizhong said the software was always intended to be optional and not a mandatory installation. China will continue to install the software, called Green Dam-Youth Escort, on computers at schools, internet cafes, and other public places, he said.
The paper also says that Google's acquisition of video compression software maker On2 Technologies has been challenged in court by On2 shareholders who claim the deal's USD106.5 million price tag is "unfair". The complaint seeks class action status and a permanent injunction blocking the deal. The plaintiffs also demand that the defendants, which include On2's board as well as Google, account for all damages caused.
The Financial Times says that Microsoft has been ordered to modify the main versions of its Word software and pay USD240 million for infringing on a patent held by Toronto company i4i. The ruling by a federal judge in Texas affirmed a jury decision in May, rejecting Microsoft's attempts to set i4i's complaint aside on numerous grounds. The judge granted an injunction barring Microsoft from allowing Word 2003, Word 2007 or forthcoming versions to open files that contain custom XML, which allows users create their own forms and templates. Microsoft said it would appeal to the higher court in Washington that reviews patent cases and that it was hopeful the injunction would be stayed by judges there pending a final ruling.
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