Lexmark introduces 3-in-1 home printing center with its award-winning inkjet printer technology.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2000

-- Multifunction product expands popular Z-line to offer

creativity and functionality with high-resolution color scanning,

photo-quality color printing and PC-free color copying --

Addressing the explosive growth of the digital photo market, Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE:LXK) today introduced the Lexmark Z82 Scan/Print/Copy (SPC), its first sub-$200 multifunction inkjet device for creative consumer and small business use. With the Z82, the company combines its core innovative inkjet print technology with basic scan and copy functions to offer added value and elevate color printing activities to a new level.

This value-packed imaging center enables home users who enjoy the benefits of both traditional and digital photography to capture and share memories via three color functions: high resolution scanning, photo-quality printing and PC-free copying.

For example, as the holidays approach, consumers can create seasonal greetings and party invitations in four quick and easy steps. Simply scan favorite traditional photos, design that special card, print one original and make enough color copies for all the family and friends on the list. Furthermore, parents can scan in the most recent portrait of their child and make multiple wallet size copies to print and insert into holiday cards.

Scan...

The flexible flatbed scanner of the Z82 is perfectly suited to handle books, reports and photographs. It offers up to 600 dots per inch (dpi) scan resolution (up to 4800 dpi enhanced) and 24 bit color scan depth.

Print...

Featuring a print engine from Lexmark's award-winning Z-line, the Z82 achieves photo-quality output up to 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution and print speeds of up to eight pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to four ppm in color. The Z82 prints on a variety of media types, including heavy-stock stationery and transparencies.

...and Copy

The Z82 functions as a stand-alone, PC-free copier capable of producing up to four copies per minute (cpm) in black, up to 1.5 cpm in color and up to 99 copies from one original. Its zoom range for reducing and enlarging is 25 to 400 percent. Users benefit from several job-finishing functions for added usability, such as poster, duplex and booklet printing - all PC free!

In addition, the Z82 ships with SmarThru 2 scanner software that provides users with a message center mailbox that can create, modify, send, receive and store e-mail and fax messages. The scan-to-fax service lets users scan documents, then launch a fax manager to send electronic faxes. The scan-to-e-mail service allows users to scan documents, launch a message form, attach the scanned document and send signed and encrypted e-mails.

Other Lexmark signature features that enable ultimate ease of use with the Z82 include:

 -- Exclusive Accu-Feed(TM) paper handling system that virtually eliminates paper jams and mis-feeds  -- Easy one-click printer driver installation  -- Convenient ink level indicators  -- USB and parallel connectivity  -- LexExpress(SM) warranty, featuring a next-business-day-exchange 

Availability

The Lexmark Z82 Scan/Print/Copy has an estimated street price of $199(a) (U.S.). The Lexmark Z82, which includes a high resolution black cartridge, high resolution color cartridge and parallel cable in the box, will be available at retailers including CompUSA and Best Buy.

About Lexmark International

Lexmark is a leading, global developer, manufacturer and supplier of printing solutions, including laser and inkjet printers and associated supplies for offices and homes. Founded in 1991, Lexmark employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and markets its products and services in over 150 countries. Lexmark reported approximately $3.5 billion of revenue in 1999 and can be found on the Internet at www.lexmark.com.

(a) Street prices are estimates; actual prices may vary. Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

The King is coming to Dubai, but it's time for me to hang up the old boots.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

I got a call from the King this week, which was very pleasant, if a little unexpected. With someone of that magnitude, even down the phone, you hope when you look round the best Ikea tea mugs are out and not the two dirham bargain basement ones, and that you're serving chocolate digestives rather than the custard creams and jammy dodgers.

To my eternal regret, I lifted my head off the sofa, and looked at the table to find half-eaten plates of fish fingers and chips. To make matters worse, one four-year-old hand had inadvertently knocked over a bottle of Ketchup, which was dripping gently onto the floor, oozing red sauce in amongst the tile cracks.

Not only that, but my eight-month-old daughter was perched daintily on my knee, slowly gumming a rusk to death, and gurgling merrily.A On the stroke of my 'Hello, Rob Mccaffrey speaking', she screamed. I'd knocked the TV control onto the floor, changing her beloved Business channel to the National Geographic. (That's not strictly true as she really just likes chewing it and playing with the buttons like the rest of us).

Anyway, on the other end of the line was a Scottish accent so strong it made Derek Whyte sound like Nigella Lawson. "Aarrgggbraagagghvaaarrraaarrrochhhh". I thought it was a fault on the line, but the three words tagged on the end gave me my clue.

"It's Kenny Dalglish".

As I said, the King was indeed on the line! To any football fan of a certain age, Kenny Dalglish is the King.A To everyone, he's known simply as King Kenny. "Rob, I'm coming to Dubai".A That was all it took. The great man is on his way to the Emirates. Now, I have to say I'm thrilled, excited, but also a little nervous, because the King is the only man I've interviewed to make me break out into cold sweat before the camera has rolled. In his company I revert to a mumbling, shambolic wreck, which he has noted to others on a number of occasions.

One time I was hammering Ronnie Whelan and Ian Rush within an inch of their lives after nine holes of golf, when the King appeared fromA nowhere and joined us on the tenth.A Suddenly, it was me and the King versus The Ledge and the Vich. (Ronnie's known as the Vich, don't ask me why. You don't need help with Ledge do you? OK, it's Rushy.)

I fell apart and they caned me. "Kenny. D'ya know you're his big hero? He'll fall to bits now, just watch! "Don't go all shy just 'cos you're playing with your hero!" they said.A To make matters worse, they both knew about a code I always used when on a first date with a girl. A pal would ring up, and if the date was going well, I'd say: "We're interviewing Kenny Dalglish tomorrow."

If the date was absolutely brilliant, I'd increase the number ofA 'Kenny Dalglishs. Anything between three Kennys and five meant red hot!A If I was having a shocker, I'd say the name of Kenny's then assistant- manager at Blackburn, Ray Harford.

Needless to say, this story was trotted out as I poured nervously over aA swinging left to right five-footer. I felt like crying and walking off! Anyway, for the record, King Kenny is on his way to a Showtime studio near you next season. Watch this red carpet sorry, I meant space!

A NEW BREED OF SWEEPER

I see Blackburn and England rising star David Bentley says he's addicted to vacuuming.A Maybe he can hoover our red carpet for Kenny! Apparently he spends hours going over the house. Wish he'd come round to ours. Think he might have to take a bit of a pay cut though.

PUBLIC DISGRACE

Finally, after my rant last week about parents not behaving properly at a kids' football tournament, I must issue a public apology following my miserable performance in the Showtime v Royal Merdien 11-a-side down at Jebel Ali last week.A I ended up playing for the Meridien, and whingeing, moaning, arguing and kicking my erstwhile colleagues.

I even ended up whingeing and moaning at the Meridien lads, and finished off whingeing, moaning, and haranguing referee Dave Harvey, who's not only a good referee, but a thoroughly decent bloke too. Instant red card would have been too lenient a sentence for a performance more Birkenhead Sunday League than Bur Dubai. Apologies all.

I was a lonely, miserable, yes embarrassed figure when I went home to be greeted by a look from my wife that said 'for goodness sake, not again. These people are your friends and colleagues. When will you ever grow up and play nicely?' (Or much stronger words to that effect!). Lying in bed I was in agony having pinged some rib muscles going for a header. Have you ever had that? It's excruciatingly painful, when you can't move, laugh, or worst of all cough!

My left knee had swollen to the size of Neptune. I was left with a depressing feeling that says, 'stop clinging on. Give up. You are completely past it'.

See you next week.

>> Rob McCaffrey's column is brought to you in association with Aces Middle East

Why not let Rob and 7DAYS know your thoughts? E-mail your letters to sportletters@7days.ae. We reserve the right to edit letters.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Google antitrust watchers: Place your bets, please.

Summary: The U.S. antitrust probe into Google Inc. could hem in its growth ambitions for years, even if regulators do not unleash their most formidable weapons...

SAN FRANCISCO: The U.S. antitrust probe into Google Inc. could hem in its growth ambitions for years, even if regulators do not unleash their most formidable weapons: Seeking a breakup of the Internet giant or exerting control over its cherished search algorithm.

The Federal Trade Commission's probe into business practices at Google, announced last month, puts it in the company of Microsoft Corp., IBM and other once-dominant businesses that landed in the government's crosshairs. In perhaps the most drastic case, the process led to the break-up of AT&T Corporation.

Some analysts and investors believe Google will strike a settlement with the government to avoid the distraction and business risk that would come with a prolonged court fight.

But they also note that a worst-case outcome could curtail Google's growth prospects and undermine its position at the top of an increasingly competitive Internet industry, with Facebook, Groupon and others already stealing the limelight.

David Balto, a former policy director for the FTC, said government efforts to oversee Google's day-to-day operations could cramp its ability to innovate.

"It would be like putting mittens on Da Vinci's hands," he said. "We'd still get paintings but they would be nowhere as brilliant."

Balto and other legal experts say a break-up of Google is nearly inconceivable, however. Forced divestitures of business are considered an extreme measure that regulators are loath to take for fear of hurting innovation and business efficiencies.

Nor is it easy: a federal judge sided with the regulators in 2000 and ordered software giant Microsoft split into two companies, but the decision was overturned on appeal.

"An antitrust investigation like this is of the utmost importance to a company like Google," said Robert Lande, a director at the American Antitrust Institute, who formerly worked for the FTC's bureau of competition. "The worst-case scenario could be very dramatic consequences."

He stressed however that at this stage it's impossible to predict how the FTC will act and noted that the agency drops many investigations without ever bringing charges.

The AAI has said it supports the government investigation into Google but has not taken a position on whether any remedies are required.

Easier than dismantling mergers, in which Google could argue that extricating acquired technology from its services would cause severe disruption, is preventing new mergers, say legal experts.

Regulators have started taking a harder look at Google's acquisitions, such as last year's AdMob and travel software company ITA Software. While Google ultimately got the green light to complete both of those deals, some analysts and investors worry that it may not be as lucky in the future.

Google controls more than two-thirds of the global search market.

But new Web technologies, such as social networking, smartphone applications and location-based services, offer new ways for people to find information online.

To stay relevant, Google needs to constantly adapt to the times, revamping and expanding its offerings.

Last year Google acquired more than 40 companies.

"The biggest risk is that they would feel encumbered by whatever decision is made in order to expand beyond their core search business," said Evercore Partners analyst Ken Sena.

"If Google doesn't feel like they can really adapt their product or add new features, that itself is a pretty big negative," Sena added.

For now, Wall Street appears to be more concerned with Google's financial performance. Shares surged more than 13 percent Friday after stellar second-quarter results. Google executives on the earnings conference call were not asked a single question about the regulatory scrutiny.

Google has said little about the FTC probe since disclosing it last month, other than saying that it does not believe it has done anything wrong and will work with the commission.

But the pressure is mounting. The company also faces antitrust investigations from several states and in the EU, and has begun bulking up its legal team with antitrust experts and lobbyists.

Critics contend that Google's uses its search dominance to gain an unfair advantage over rivals, giving top-billing to its own services such as online maps, shopping and travel.

The allegations have put a spotlight on Google's algorithm, which uses hundreds of "ranking factors" to determine which Web sites float to the top of its search results.

The algorithm is the closest thing to a state secret for Google, and fiercely protected by the company. Meddling with it could be a complex and onerous process for the government.

"If the problem relates to bias in search results, that's extremely hard for any governmental agency to rectify," said David Yoffie, a professor at Harvard Business School.

One antitrust remedy, known as a "must-carry" rule that effectively forces a monopoly to provide access to competing services, is not as clear-cut with a search engine compared to requiring a cable television provider to carry certain television stations, explained Yoffie, a former member of the Justice Department's commission on international antitrust.

"You say that sounds like a good idea, but then you say -- OK, well, which five competitors do you show?" he explained. "It's a lot harder in Google's case because they have so many software products and services that one could argue they are favoring with their search," he said.

Some see a potential model in the government's policing of Microsoft, in which an expert committee was created to oversee some practices and look into complaints on case-by-case.

"They were all over whatever Microsoft was doing," said Gary Reback, an antitrust attorney who was involved in the Microsoft case and now represents clients opposed to Google.

A similar committee could provide an effective way to look into complaints of favoritism in Google's search algorithm, Reback said.

Copyright 2011, The Daily Star. All rights reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Hagens Berman Reminds Consumers of Class-Action Lawsuit against Verizon.

NEW YORK -- Hagens Berman LLP, a national consumer-rights law firm announced that its class-action lawsuit against Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) claiming the company charged its customers for text messages sent to MiFi devices, PC Cards and USB modems continues to move forward.

The lawsuit, filed on August 4, 2010, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Verizon charged, and continues to charge users of mobile broadband devices for text messaging, even though the devices themselves have no effective capacity to view the messages. The lawsuit further alleges that this practice is a violation of various consumer protection laws, including the Federal Communications Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

Verizon's mobile broadband devices allow its customers to access the internet through Verizon's wireless network. Each device is assigned a unique 10-digit telephone number and therefore, text messages can be sent to the 10 digit number associated with the device. However, according to the lawsuit, the devices have no screens and users have no effective way to view the text messages sent to their mobile broadband devices.

Hagens Berman has brought the action on behalf of all individuals who were charged for text messages while using a Verizon Mobile Broadband device from July 28, 2004, to the present. Furthermore, Hagens Berman seeks compensatory damages as well as an injunction prohibiting Verizon from continuing to bill customers for text messages through Verizon Mobile Broadband devices.

If Verizon billed you for text messages in connection with your Verizon Mobile Broadband device, you can request further information or join the case at www.hbsslaw/com/verizonmifi or by email at VerizonMiFi@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Seattle-based Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is one of the top class-action law firms in the nation, with offices in Boston, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1993, we represent plaintiffs in class actions and multi-state, large-scale litigation that seek to protect the rights of investors, consumers, workers and whistleblowers. More information about the firm is available at www.hbsslaw.com.

JUST DESSERTS.(Features)

Byline: Miranda Sawyer

WELL, what a turn up. There I was, idly googling "How To Make A Bomb Using The Contents Of Your Cupboard: Sugar, Match-heads and a Miniature Light Bulb" (what can I say? I haven't done a supermarket run in a while), when up popped a recipe for cupcakes!

So I ground the light bulb into flour and used the matches to make pretty swirls in the icing - and now I've cast aside my bomb-belt and set up my own cakemaking business! Isn't the internet amazing!

For those who think I've lost the plot, MI6 recently infiltrated an al-Qaeda online magazine and replaced a bomb "recipe" with one for cupcakes.

As a reluctant, not to say terrible, cook, I was wondering if creating the bomb might be easier. I mean, no one would look at it and say: "Are you sure the icing should be quite so purple?", or, "Is that a burnt bit?". And they certainly wouldn't say: "It hasn't risen enough," and pick it up and drop it on to the kitchen table just to prove their point.

Verizon Wireless Increases Capacity, Sends Cells on Wheels to Areas Most Impacted by Storm.

-In the days following the devastating storms in Alabama, Verizon Wireless has worked to restore damage done to its networks and to deliver additional capacity to help families and first responders maintain communication during the recovery.

Verizon Wireless has two Cells on Wheels (COWs) operating in Tuscaloosa and Pleasant Grove to boost coverage in two of the hardest hit areas of the state. Temporary towers are operating in Cullman, Centreville, Jasper and east of Lake Martin to replace towers badly damaged in the storms. Verizon also added capacity on existing towers in Bessemer, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville, Hueytown and Midfield to accommodate increased traffic across the network. At this time, more than 99 percent of Verizon Wireless' network across the state is fully operational.

In addition, all Verizon Wireless locations in the affected areas including those in Huntsville, Decatur, Guntersville, Fort Payne, Cullman, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa are open to residents, regardless of whether or not they have Verizon Wireless service, so that those impacted by the storms can make calls and charge phones. Mobile communications stores providing charging stations, phones and retail service are operating at Hill's Foodland Grocery in Pleasant Grove (851 Park Road) and at Publix in Harvest (5850 Alabama 53). A mobile Internet cafe is set up near Phil Campbell High School (65 School Avenue, Phil Campbell) and a phone bank has been set up at Scott Elementary School in Pratt City (1517 Hibernian Street).

Mobile communications stores will serve residents Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. CDT.

Keywords: Networks, Verizon Wireless, Wireless Network, Wireless Technology.

This article was prepared by Network Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Network Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.

RING OF STEEL FOR THE AVIVA ...

RING OF STEEL FOR THE AVIVA

NORTHERN Ireland's Carling Nations Cup clash with the Republic in Dublin WILL go ahead next month amid ultra tight security.

Travelling fans face strict controls after incidents surrounding the opening series game against Scotland in February at the Aviva Stadium.

Offensive behaviour by a handful of idiots, who then posted their shame on the Internet, will hit all 8,000 Dublin-bound Northern Ireland fans.

A meeting on Tuesday involving the IFA, FAI, gardai and sponsors Carling will finalise plans that will see fans bussed in and out of Dublin in a heavily-policed convoy with an equally strong security presence in and around the stadium.

Travelling fans will only be able to apply for tickets through the IFA who will vet all requests.