Acresso who? Macrovision spinoff changes name, again

Under a legal threat from another software firm with a similar name, Acresso Software Inc. is changing its name to Flexera Software after just 19 months. Acresso sells software such as software its installation utility, InstallShield, and software license manager, FLEXnet, to software vendors and enterprises. The company will officially announce the change next Tuesday, but had already notified partners and customers on Thursday.

It was spun out of Macrovision Corp. after the unit was acquired by venture capital firm Thoma Brava Cressley in April 2008. Macrovision retained the digital rights management (DRM) apps for which it is best-known. Acresso, which the company said was derived from the Latin word "Cresco" for "to grow, increase" faced a "challenge" on its name from ERP software maker Agresso Software , said Randy Littleson, senior vice-president of marketing for Acresso. "Our executive team decided that there were better ways to invest our time and money, and that we didn't need this distraction," Littleson said. "The action we're taking will let us avoid a potential lawsuit." Acresso did not immediately return an e-mailed request for comment. It changed its company name in July to Rovi Corporation. Acresso was founded in 1980 and has annual revenue of about $475 million. That dwarfs Acresso, which has 375 employees and annual revenues of $115 million.

It also has 3,500 employees at 16 offices globally. Flexera will be the fourth name in five years facing long-time users of InstallShield, which was bought by Macrovision in 2004. Perhaps predictably, early public reaction to the new name tended towards the sarcastic. "As if the makers of InstallShield hadn't already done enough damage to their brand, let's just go change names yet again!" wrote Christopher Painter, an InstallShield consultant, on his blog yesterday. "Acresso Software is becoming Flexera Software for no apparent reason. Littleson said the company considered changing its name to Installshield, being that it is its best-known product, but ultimately came to the conclusion that it didn't represent the breadth of its application stable. Go ahead. #ScrambleMyBrands," another tweet said. He dismissed the notion, brought up by some bloggers , that the new name will cause legal trouble or just confusion with a solar and wind power company Flexera. "We're quite aware of it.

We think this is very different, compared to when it was two software companies." That's one of the reasons why it's Flexera Software," he said. "How similar are we to an energy company?

Got Extra USB Drives? Updated Pogoplug Puts Them to Use

Have some extra USB hard drives you'd like to put to a good use? Though marketed primarily as a media-sharing device, the forthcoming second-generation Pogoplug is a cool and useful tool for sharing business information as well. How using them to create an Internet storage cloud for your company, yourself, or your family? The device was introduced earlier today.

It provides a hardware device and online service that together provide secure file access and sharing. Here's the pitch: For $129, Pogoplug gives you the ability to connect USB hard drives directly to the Internet. Scheduled to ship next month, Pogoplug 2 (as I am calling it) is optimized for Internet viewing and sharing of multimedia files. Because the Pogoplug service keeps track of stored files-indexing across multiple hard drives-it allows users to share files without having to upload them. It can, for example, stream video to an iPhone, which can also upload and download files from the storage cloud the Pogoplug creates. Optional Windows and Mac desktop apps provide local access to Pogoplug-managed storage.

The new model offers four USB connections, allowing multiple drives to be connected without the need for a USB hub. There is no monthly charge for the online service, included in cost of the device. Other new features include better transcoding and wider support for streaming movies on the Web or to an iPhone app. There is also tighter integration with Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, as well as automatic organization of your music, photos, and videos. The new software also provides the ability to automatically sync photos, music, videos, and other content from apps such as iTunes and iPhoto. An address book remembers e-mail addresses with which you've shared content for future sharing.

If not, Seagate's DockStar is a somewhat less expensive device, based on Pogoplug technology. The first version, introduced in January at CES, had but a single USB connection and was pretty utilitarian in appearance. (Here is our review). The new Pogoplug is fairly attractive, if you like bright pink. The hitch? Storage is, after all, a terrible thing to waste. After the first year, Pogoplug service will cost Seagate customers $29.95-a-year. (The DockStar is one of our "25 Top Tech Gifts" for 2009). Meanwhile, Pogoplug's maker, a company called Cloud Engines, said it will "soon" enable additional features, such as "backup, file synchronization, photo printing and more." My take: I didn't think the first Pogoplug was useful enough the buy one, but having recenty discovered a half-dozen extra USB drives around my office, the device suddenly seems almost necessary.

I will probably order one online, that is if I can get past the obnoxious self-starting music and videos on the Pogoplug Web site. With the product features now improved, maybe the site can be fixed, too. It keeps repeating over and over. David Coursey tweets as @techinciter and can be contacted via his Web site.

Novation Launchpad debuts

Novation has unveiled Launchpad, an easy-to-use audio controller that works with Ableton Live 8 performance software to let you create musical compositions. You can start a rhythm from a library of provided samples, layer additional sounds, and edit to create a finished song. Launchpad, which is available for $199, consists of a panel of buttons, each of which can be used to launch an audio event-a sound sample, a rhythm, a melody loop, and more.

You can also use your computer's microphone input to add live vocals or other sound sources. Designed for DJs, live performances, or studio work, its price and ease of use are designed to appeal to musical hobbyists, as well. Launchpad is a dedicated controller for Ableton Live, co-developed by Novation and Ableton. Load the Ableton Live 8 program into your computer and plug Launchpad into the USB port. These are lit by LEDs displaying clip status in real time: Yellow means a sound clip is loaded; green shows a sound is playing; red shows a clip is recording.

Launchpad features a multi-color 64-button grid for launching clips and eight dedicated scene-launch buttons. Multiple Launchpads can be connected at the same time, so people can create "Launchpad bands" in which one person launches rhythms, another bass lines, and a third melody samples, the company says. You can mix, record, add new layers, play back, adjust pitch and volume, and explore panning and various production effects. The sound sources are included in the Ableton Live software. Launchpad is USB bus-powered and measures about 9.5 inches square and less than an inch high. Launchpad comes with a custom software package: Ableton Live 8 Launchpad Edition.

The recommended configuration is an Intel Mac running OS X 10.4 or later with 1GB of RAM, though it will work with a Power Mac G4 or later, 512 MB of RAM, and OS X 10.3.9 or later. It features eight audio and eight MIDI tracks plus eight Session View scenes. Launchpad requires Ableton Live 7 or higher. It also includes Live's classic effects and allows custom mapping.

How to prepare for a performance review

Performance reviews can be stressful, but they're also an opportunity to re-examine your current position, your relationship with your employer and your career goals. Here are five points to consider before your review. 1. What did I do this year? By asking yourself some key questions, you'll increase the chances that your performance review will be productive for both you and your employer. Start by reviewing the year (or whatever time period has passed since your last review). Examining old e-mails and files may refresh your memory.

Keep an eye out for any cases in which you went beyond the call of duty. Take a month-by-month look at your responsibilities and achievements, both expected and unexpected. For example, did you take on added responsibilities when staff size was reduced? Even an attentive manager isn't likely to remember all of your contributions. Did you find ways to reduce the costs associated with a particular project or process? As you look back, also note any projects that didn't meet expectations, as well as any challenges you've experienced.

Such preparation will ensure you are not blindsided if an issue is brought up during your review and will help lay the groundwork for a substantial discussion with your supervisor. 2. What are my career goals and priorities? What happened, and what was your role in the end result? Chances are you came out of your last performance review with some new goals or areas for improvement. If there are objectives that fell by the wayside, consider whether they remain important, or if new ones are now more appropriate. Take the time to find and review last year's appraisal. During your review, don't hesitate to ask about your employer's current ability to assist you with these goals.

Is there technical or business training you'd like to pursue? Many worthy career advancement intentions were set aside in 2009 as organizations focused on staying afloat. Most managers have a genuine interest in helping employees keep their careers moving forward, but supervisors need honest input. 3. Should I ask for a raise? Also consider alternate ways your employer can express appreciation for your contributions, such as flexible scheduling, work-at-home options or additional benefits. Even if you think a raise is richly deserved, take into account the financial condition of your employer before broaching the subject. If you do ask for a raise, be prepared to back up your request with specific evidence of ways you've saved the company time and money.

Publications such as the Robert Half Technology 2010 Salary Guide can give you an objective range to share with your manager. 4. What if I get a negative review? To home in on a realistic amount, consider past raises, the state of the company and the salary levels of other people in your area who hold your position. First, be sure not to blow criticism out of proportion. Keep in mind that your boss may make a point of identifying areas for improvement even for top performers. A few suggestions for improvement can feel like harsh judgments, especially if you're accustomed to praise. Work with your supervisor to create a plan for addressing issues that arise.

If you find yourself tempted to divert blame onto a colleague (or, worse, your boss), it may be best to hold your tongue and request another meeting to discuss the issue further after you've had time to review it more objectively. Reacting defensively or emotionally to criticism can easily be more damaging than the problematic performance itself. If the criticism came as a surprise, it's a sure sign that you and your manager haven't been communicating optimally. In turbulent times, strong employees are often tempted to present themselves as selfless team players who are willing to take on added responsibilities without complaint. Suggest regularly scheduled meetings to keep each other better informed. 5. What are my concerns? Savvy managers recognize, however, that overloading their top performers is a surefire way to lose them when conditions improve.

Your manager may ask for direct feedback on his or her performance. While you may be genuinely grateful to have a stable position in today's economy, stifling valid concerns serves neither you nor your employer. While providing this input may be uncomfortable, your response needn't be dishonest or ambiguous. A performance review should be a conversation, not a trial. Be respectful, and always balance any concerns with appreciation for areas of strength. While you may make progress toward identifying goals and clearing up uncertainties, keep in mind that thorny issues may not be resolvable in one sitting.

Carrying the lessons of the review into the year ahead will help you keep your day-to-day priorities and your long-term goals in alignment. If that's the case, make sure you've agreed on a follow-up plan before you leave. Dave Willmer is executive director of Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Technology has more than 100 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.rht.com.

Sun, Oracle chiefs vow: Sun technologies will live on

Sun Microsystems Chairman Scott McNealy and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison both took the stage at the Oracle OpenWorld 2009 conference Sunday evening to offer reassurances that Sun technologies will not go away should Oracle complete its planned acquisition of Sun. As a matter of fact, combining Sun's research and development budget with Sun's presents  "one of the great R&D opportunities of all time," McNealy said. [ Find out why some user are nervous about Oracle owning MySQL. | Relive Sun's storied history in InfoWorld's slideshow "The rise and fall of Sun Microsystems." ] Oracle, for example, intends to spend more money developing Sparc than Sun does now, he said. "That's a good sign for Sparc innovation," McNealy said. "You look at the core technologies that we're developing: They're going to find a nice home in this next chapter," he said, referring to merger. From Java to the Solaris OS to the Sparc CPU platform and Sun storage technologies, Oracle will be good for all of them, the executives stressed at the San Francisco event. Ellison, for his part, took exception with IBM for suggesting Oracle was not committed to Sun's wares, particularly Sun hardware. "We're looking forward to competing with IBM in the systems [business] and we think the combination of Sun and Oracle [is] well-equipped to compete successfully against the giant," Ellison said.

The challenge would be part of a new ad campaign. Ellison said he would give $10 million to anyone - any major company or enterprise - whose existing database application would not run at least twice as fast on Sun gear. But he acknowledged Oracle recently was fined $10,000 for running a recent ad comparing Sun and Oracle to IBM, in which the benchmark evidence had not yet been documented.  His explanation cited overzealousness on Oracle's part. "If IBM wants to compete, we're happy to compete and we made a series of commitments," Ellison said. And with a little more investment, it could be even better," said Ellison. Solaris, meanwhile, is the leading enterprise OS and the leading OS for running the Oracle database, he said. "We said we're not selling the hardware business and we think Sparc is a fantastic technology.

Oracle also plans to increase its investment in the open source MySQL database, Ellison said. MySQL currently is owned by Sun. He added that Oracle already has continued to invest in the Innobase technology it acquired that serves as the transaction engine in MySQL. There had been speculation that Oracle bought Innobase "to kill it," but that has not happened at all, Ellison stressed. IBM had been a rumored suitor for Sun prior to Oracle forging a deal to buy the company nearly six months ago. McNealy said efforts to close the sale were proceeding with authorities.

The sale remains held up by the European Union, which is concerned over commercial database giant Oracle owning MySQL.  Recently, Ellison said Sun has been losing $100 million a month waiting for the sale to close. To argue on behalf of Oracle's commitment to Java, McNealy brought Sun Vice President James Gosling, considered the father of Java, onstage. The JSR process is used to submit modifications to the platform to the community at large. Oracle's product mix features Java and the company has  participated in numerous Java Specification Requests (JSR), Gosling said. Oracle, though, has been a bit unprepared for the volume of activity in the Java world, Gosling, said. "We do 15 million downloads of the JRE (Java Runtime Edition) a week on average," he said.

He lauded recent Sun-Oracle performance benchmarks and noted the recently introduced Sun-Oracle Exadata Database Machine Version 2, which combines Sun hardware with Oracle's database and storage management software.  Fowler also announced the Sun Storage F5100 Flash Array, which integrates 1.6TB of Flash storage into a device that looks like a server. Also appearing onstage at OpenWorld was John Fowler, Sun vice president of system. "My team is excited about working closely with Oracle because we have been working with Oracle now [for] what's measured in decades," Fowler said. McNealy cited a long list of Sun accomplishments, including the Network File System, the various editions of Java, Sparc's being the first 64-bit volume RISC architecture, and the company's contributions to open source, including its use of Berkeley Unix. "We were the Red Hat of Berkeley Unix," he said. In a Top 10 list entitled "Top 10 Signs Engineers Have Gone Wild," McNealy  took potshots at Apple for not supporting Java on its iPhone. "Friends don't let friends type on an iPhone especially since it doesn't run Java. In a brief interview after the evening presentation, Tim Bray, Sun's director of Web technologies, would not comment on whether the Sun name would go away as part of the merger with Oracle or whether Sun would become a division of Oracle.

Are you listening, Steve," McNealy said, referring to Apple CEO Steve Jobs.  "[The iPhone is] the only device on the planet that doesn't run Java." He also ridiculed President Barack Obama's winning of the Nobel Peace prize last week, without mentioning the President by name. Follow the latest trends for developers, open source, and database management at InfoWorld.com.   One of the engineering signs on McNealy's list pertained to a Nobel prize for a gas mask bra, leading McNealy to follow the reference with a comment that such an award was "no more ridiculous than some other Nobel prizes that I've heard of." This story, "Sun, Oracle chiefs vow: Sun technologies will live on," was originally published at InfoWorld.com.

Troubleshooting faulty space robot 220 miles above Earth

Computer programmers and engineers are troubleshooting a problem with a 3,400-pound robot that is orbiting about 220 miles above Earth. The $200 million robot, built by the Canadian Space Agency in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, is designed to handle maintenance on the outer walls of the International Space Station. ? The problem started two nights ago, when astronauts went to fire up Dextre as part of a test to see how it fared during Endeavour's liftoff. Earlier this week, the space shuttle Endeavour lifted off carrying nine robotic components - the makings of Dextre ,?a 12-foot tall robot with a wing span of 30 feet. The robot did not respond as required.

Wander said that the astronauts already have the robot covered with thermal blankets but in about a week, those blankets won't be enough to protect Dextre from the brutal cold. "You just can't leave it without power," said Allard Beutel, a spokesman with NASA .?"The system needs to be heated with electricity running through it. Dextre was orbiting the Earth, 220 miles above its home and engineers, and it simply would not respond to commands. "Power was reaching Dextre, but his computer wasn't acknowledging that it had received a command and start up," explained Michel Wander, a systems engineer who worked on Dextre at the Canadian Space Agency ? "It's just not able to switch on the components." The problem with not being able to power up the robot? - other than having an unresponsive 3,400-pound, $2 million robot attached to the space station - is that Dextre eventually will need to receive enough electricity to keeps its joints, cameras and sensors from freezing up in the harsh conditions of space. The longer things are in space without power and heat, you have problems. We don't want to start having parts not working." The engineers at NASA and the Canadian Space Agency first suspected that the problem was a bug in the software. In theory, you'll start having mechanical problems.

Canadian programmers immediately began building a patch that was sent to the space station via radio dishes. At this point, Wander said the engineers suspect that there's a configuration problem with the cable that links Dextre to the pallet that it's attached to. The software patch didn't fix the problem. Electricity and software commands should be going to Dextre through the cable. To find out if the assumption is correct, Wander said around 10 p.m. EDT tonight, they'll grab hold of Dextre with a robotic arm that already is attached to the space station. If that's the case, the problem isn't with the robot itself and it should work as planned once it's off the pallet, fully assembled and permanently attached to the space station, he said.

Using the arm to bypass the potentially flawed cable, Dextre should be able to power up. "It's not nerve wracking. We have an idea of what the problem is," said Wander. "If this doesn't work tonight, then yes, it will be more serious." People can watch the astronauts and engineers trouble shoot Dextre tonight on NASA TV .