Arts & Entertainment

Microsoft closes Tellme deal

Microsoft said Thursday it has closed its deal to buy voice recognition specialist Tellme Networks.

Tellme CEO Mike McCue remains at Microsoft as head of that unit, working with Zig Serafin, who is the general manager of Microsoft's Unified Communications Group. The company, which reports into Jeff Raikes' business software unit, is remaining in its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters. Mountain View is also home to Microsoft's existing Silicon Valley offices.

Microsoft announced its plans to buy Tellme back in March, following months of negotiations and rumors and reports that a deal was near.

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10 Tips on how to pack a self storage

Once you have leased a self-storage unit the next step is to pack it right. Sit down calmly and make a list of what you want to store in the self-storage unit. Mark against each object when you are likely to need it. This will provide a kind of guideline on where to place objects you may need to retrieve fairly soon. The advantage of this exercise is that objects you are likely to need can be stored in front or at the top so that you can take it out easily.

Here are a few packing tips you may find useful:

1. Pack in boxes that are tough, water resistant, and of more or less uniform size. The trick is to stack heavier things at the bottom followed by lighter ones, and at the top stack fragile breakables.

2. If you are opting for a large unit then you can leave space between the furniture and boxes so that accessibility is maintained.

3. Fill all boxes to the brim and use old sheets, towels, and newspapers as packing. When boxes are half or three fourths full they will collapse when other boxes are placed on them.

4. Treat all metal objects with rust protectors and things like books with boric powder or tobacco leaves to protect them from insect attack. Look up preservation of books and follow the instructions.

5. To secure valuable things ensure they are put right at the back or at the very bottom. This makes it hard for thieves to take things away.

6. If you are required to provide your own locks then choose a padlock that is of quality and hard to open with a hair clip.

7. Put down de humidifiers and allow for air to circulate inside the locker. Lay down plastic sheeting on the floor of the unit and places the boxes on a wooden pallet this will keep boxes from suffering water related damage.

8. Leave the doors of all appliances ajar this prevents fungal growth. Use the space in appliances to store small things.

9. Refrain from storing any inflammables in the unit. Read the safety manual thoroughly before placing objects in the unit.

10. Maintain a diary and record which boxes are placed where and what each box contains. Stick labels on each box with a coding that matches your list. Never mark the contents on the label. Never say "painting by Monet," on top of a box, will you just be asking for trouble.

Most companies charge extra for packing the units. So, if you want to make a saving then be prepared to do the packing yourself. Use the space efficiently, experts recommend that you fill the unit completely.

Take the advice of the storage unit staff. Since they deal with units daily they can offer you valuable advice. Always value the goods correctly this will ensure that you get sufficient insurance cover.

Observe all the rules of the units and always register at the reception when you access the self-storage unit. This procedure helps maintain safety and security.

About Author:

Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for http://www.1888MovingCompanies.com, the premier website to find help on Moving including topics on moving companies search, compare movers, moving insurance, auto transport, moving tips and more.

Net radio operators lose appeal over fees

In a potential blow to Internet radio services, a federal copyright panel on Monday largely upheld a contentious decision that would elevate royalty fees Webcasters must pay to record labels.

The three judges on the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board said that after reviewing filings submitted by small commercial Webcasters, National Public Radio, and others, none of them had "made a sufficient showing of new evidence or clear error or manifest injustice that would warrant rehearing."

The board in its five-page order (click for PDF) also declined to postpone the May 15 deadline when the new fees are scheduled to kick in.

Release March 1, the new rules (PDF) prescribe rate hikes of .08 cents per song per listener retroactive to 2006. The rates would climb to .19 cents per song by 2010, which amounts to a 30 percent increase per year. Each station would also have to hand over a minimum $500 royalty payment under the ruling.

The judges in their decision issued two clarifications--one about the way royalties would be calculated for 2006 and 2007 and another stating that the royalty rules would also apply to music streamed over mobile devices. But they left a number of other questions about the ruling unanswered.

Internet radio operators argue that, when compared with broadcast and satellite radio, they already pay the highest royalty rates in proportion to their revenue, and any further changes could imperil their offerings. A group of artists, labels, Webcasters and listeners has formed the SaveNetRadio Coalition to pressure Congress to get involved.

"As a former touring musician myself, I'm no stranger to the challenges facing working musicians," Tim Westergren, founder of the Internet radio service Pandora, wrote in a Monday e-mail. "The issue we have with the recent ruling is that it puts the cost of streaming far out of the range of ANY Webcaster's business potential."

Read more news here : Net radio operators lose appeal over fees