SUSE Appliance Toolkit from Novell Makes it Easy to Build and Deliver Applications to the Cloud

SUSE Appliance Toolkit 1.1 adds support for Amazon EC2, KVM and OVF virtualization formats, and new data center capabilities.

Waltham, MA, September 30, 2010 -- Novell today announced significant advances to its SUSE® Appliance Toolkit, which features the award-winning solution SUSE Studio™

and a comprehensive suite of tools designed to make Linux-powered applications portable and cloud-enabled. This latest version of the toolkit supports the creation of Amazon EC2 images, new virtualization formats and advanced data center capabilities. As a result, independent software vendors (ISVs) and enterprises can build optimized application images in minutes rather than days for deployment in private and public clouds.

SUSE® Appliance Toolkit, a WorkloadIQ™ product, is a comprehensive collection of tools that help independent software vendors (ISVs) and enterprise IT departments reduce the complexity of software deployment, maintenance and support costs across physical, virtual and cloud environments. ISVs and enterprises can accelerate the delivery of applications to the cloud through SUSE Appliance Toolkit's guided appliance building and integrated “test-drive” feature that enables rapid testing and iteration.

“As the industry’s first open source video stack, our customers use our technology to enhance their websites with video and interactive rich-media functionalities,” said Ron Yekutiel, chairman and CEO at Kaltura. “With SUSE Studio and the SUSE Appliance Toolkit, we can quickly expand our value-added service offerings with the creation of virtual appliances, providing our customers with customized versions of our integrated video capabilities that can be quickly installed in their physical, virtual and cloud computing infrastructures.”

New to SUSE Appliance Toolkit 1.1
Novell has enhanced the many tools available in SUSE Appliance Toolkit – SUSE Studio Onsite, WebYaST, SUSE Lifecycle Management Server and support for KIWI -- by adding features including:

* Build Amazon EC2 images -- announced in August 2010 as part of the SUSE Cloud Program, Amazon Web Services will soon offer on-demand instances of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with hourly pricing; now ISVs and enterprises alike can build SUSE Linux Enterprise-based application images for Amazon EC2 using SUSE Appliance Toolkit.

* Support for KVM and OVF virtual machine formats -- expands the breadth of virtual environments for which ISVs and enterprises can quickly package their applications, enabling greater flexibility and, with OVF, greater portability.

* Support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP1 -- delivers the industry’s broadest virtualization capabilities, powerful advances in performance, reliability and security, and more flexible maintenance and support options, thus enabling enterprises to reduce cost and risk whether they are consuming ISV appliances or building their own cloud-enabled application images.

* Advanced capabilities for enterprises -- expands the scope of supported applications and use cases. New enhancements including network booting via PXE, reassembly of larger physical disks into logical disks using LVM, and importing of existing KIWI and AutoYaST scripts. ISVs can also use these features to meet the needs of their large data center customers.

“Cloud computing offers the promise of agility and speed to market, but organizations often lack the tools to quickly and efficiently deploy their applications to cloud environments,” said Markus Rex, senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions at Novell. “The software appliance form factor – a pre-configured combination of operating system, middleware and application – provides the ideal bridge to the cloud. With SUSE Appliance Toolkit, enterprises and technology providers can create, test and enhance applications for cloud infrastructures, all in a few minutes.”

About the SUSE Appliance Toolkit
SUSE Appliance Toolkit is part of the SUSE Appliance Program, a comprehensive business and technology program that helps ISVs simplify appliance creation, reduce development and support costs, and extend applications to the cloud. A key component of SUSE Appliance Toolkit is SUSE Studio, the industry’s most successful web-based appliance creation tool with more than 85,000 registered users worldwide.

SUSE Linux Enterprise JeOS (Just enough Operating System), a minimal configuration of SUSE Linux Enterprise included with SUSE Appliance Toolkit, offers a highly compact starting point for building optimized application images, thus minimizing resource requirements and maximizing security. SUSE Studio, a component of SUSE Appliance Toolkit, allows users to build application images for physical, virtual and cloud environments, all in a matter of minutes.

Leading ISVs and technology providers have shown widespread support for the SUSE Appliance Program, including Adaris Technologies, Black Diamond Software, Codice Software, Commvault, Extis GMBH, GroundWork Open Source, HP, IBM, Infobright, Ingres, Kaltura, Lymeware, Messaging Architects, Mindtouch, PurposefulClouds, REDE, ROC Software, SAP AG, SEP, Sonoa Systems, VMware and Zmanda.

Availability
SUSE Appliance Toolkit is available now. For more information about the product, visit www.novell.com/toolkit. For more information about the SUSE Appliance Program, visit www.novell.com/appliances.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL), a leader in Intelligent Workload Management, helps organizations securely deliver and manage computing services across physical, virtual and cloud computing environments. We help customers reduce the cost, complexity, and risk associated with their IT systems through our solutions for identity and security, systems management, collaboration and Linux based operating platforms. With our infrastructure software and ecosystem of partnerships, Novell integrates mixed IT environments, allowing people and technology to work as one. For more information, visit Novell.com.

Copyright 2010 Novell, Inc. All rights reserved. Novell, the Novell logo, the N logo, openSUSE and SUSE are registered trademarks and SUSE Studio is a trademark of Novell Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Wavelink Releases Web-based Version of Remote Control Helpdesk Software for Mobile Devices

Wavelink Remote Control 4.0 for Avalanche allows helpdesk staff to remotely troubleshoot and remedy mobile devices from a web browser.


MIDVALE, UT, September 30, 2010 -- Wavelink Corporation (www.wavelink.com) today announced a new release of its Avalanche Remote Control™ product. Wavelink Remote Control 4.0 for Avalanche features a new web-based interface with the ability to remotely connect to any device over the WLAN or WWAN from any standard web browser to troubleshoot and remedy device and application problems and provide end-user support and training.

Remote Control 4.0 seamlessly integrates with Wavelink Avalanche, the industry’s leading software for mobile device management and wireless infrastructure management. With Wavelink Remote Control, administrators and helpdesk staff can remotely take total control of a mobile device to diagnose and fix both application and device problems. The product delivers the ability to start and stop processes, compare and edit registry settings in real time and update software files and applications. Administrators can remotely train end users to use the device and applications and any new features as they become available. This reduces training time, drastically reduces mobile device down-time and increases end-user productivity.

“As with Avalanche 5, this version of Remote Control takes the most feature-rich application on the market and delivers it through an intuitive web interface,” said Peter Cannon, senior product manager for Wavelink. “Allowing an administrator to simply use a web browser to see what the user sees and make changes directly to the device takes the guesswork out of resolving problems, saving considerable time and money.”

With this release of Wavelink Remote Control, an administrator can respond to a help desk request using their smartphone, such as an iPhone*, Android* or Windows Mobile* device. For example, a text or e-mail alert could be sent to a remote administrator who uses their smartphone to connect directly to the mobile device that needs attention. At this point, the administrator can perform tasks such as viewing and verifying a registry and starting or stopping a process.

Wavelink Remote Control works inside and outside the four walls, over wireless wide area networks and local area networks. It supports both Windows* and Linux* environments and is now available through Wavelink and its partners. For more information please visit http://www.wavelink.com/products/avrc.aspx.

About Wavelink
With more than 5 million licenses sold, Wavelink is the leading provider of multi-vendor mobile device management, wireless infrastructure management, terminal emulation, voice, and mobile application development software. Wavelink technology solves the unique challenges involved in deploying, managing and controlling today’s enterprise mobility systems, and facilitates peak performance from frontline staff. More than 10,000 companies in the retail, manufacturing, government and logistics industries rely on Wavelink to accelerate application delivery, reduce device management and support costs, and tighten network security.

# # #

* Wavelink and Wavelink Avalanche are registered trademarks and Avalanche Remote Control is a trademark of Wavelink Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

eSoft Receives Investment to Expand Marketing and Channel Programs

Company Appoints Mike Donnell CEO

Broomfield, CO, September 30, 2010 – eSoft today announced it has received an investment of an undisclosed amount to reach a broader market with its award-winning Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliances. The company will use the investment for channel programs, marketing and promotions, and product development and engineering. eSoft has also appointed Mike Donnell as its chief executive officer.

“eSoft is receiving this investment, due to its credibility and track record, so that it may expand its reach, offer more diverse channel, marketing and promotion programs, and focus on further development,” said Donnell. “I’m thrilled to be joining such a talented team. The UTM products have been well received by the channel and customers, and reviews have been glowing. It’s exciting to think of the possibilities going forward.”

eSoft has also spun off the wholesale SiteFilter business, which provides OEM licensing partnerships, to zvelo, Inc. Donnell replaces Jeff Finn, who is now CEO of zvelo, Inc. eSoft is headquartered at the original Broomfield, Colorado location, with no changes to the eSoft UTM employees.

With 20 years of experience leading public and private companies to record growth and profitability, Donnell’s successes include sustaining more than 50% revenue growth at three of the companies he led, and leading two companies that had been unprofitable for more than 10 years to profitability within three months. He has held president and CEO positions with Sutus, New Global Telecom, Zi Corporation, and Cellular One (CMT Partners). Donnell led Cellular One, as CEO, to industry record levels of combined growth and profitability.

Channel Partners:
For channel opportunity information, visit http://www.esoft.com/partner/channel.cfm or call (888) 903-7638.

About eSoft Inc.
eSoft is a leading network security company that provides comprehensive protection against dynamic, Internet-based email and web threats. eSoft's industry-leading SiteFilter® technology provides the most comprehensive secure web filtering solution available, providing real-time categorization and exploit detection of new websites and protection from Web 2.0 threats, phishing attacks, and malicious or infected websites. eSoft solutions protect millions of users in over 80 countries from the latest and most dangerous Internet threats.

For more information, contact eSoft at
295 Interlocken Blvd., #500,
Broomfield, Colo., 80021, USA,
Phone + 1 303-444-1600
Fax + 1 303-444-1640
www.esoft.com or pr@esoft.com

Motorola Launches Milestone in India

September 27, 2010 -- This Android 2.1 powered phone has the ability to use numerous applications at once. It is one of the thinnest QWERTY sliders in the world. This milestone phone has pinch, zoom and hi-resolution display. Google mobile applications like Google maps, YouTube, Google search and Gmail are integrated in this device. Users can also access thousands of widgets and apps from Android market.

The users can freely access the maps of 401 cities that are in India. These maps are voice guided and street level navigable. It offers routing and voice guided navigation in the cities and also across the major state and national highways. With the help of this phone Indian consumers can drive to 6 villages and 400,000 towns and explore their points of interest like premium/budget hotels, eating joints, petrol pumps, hospitals, ATMs and also the religious and tourist spots. The only thing the consumer has to do is to launch ‘India’ maps from MOTONAV application and enjoy the navigation experience. Since the maps are completely loaded in the milestone the GPS navigation service can be used without inserting the SIM. The GPS service is free without any data or navigation charges and is independent of mobile networks.

The features of Milestone are double tap zoom, pinch and zoom, 8GB memory card, 3.5mm headset jack, for a superior talk quality it has Crystal talk plus, stereo Bluetooth, hogh speed USB 2.0, 5 megapixel camera with AutoFocus, Dual-LED Flash and image stabilization, cortex A8 processor of high speed, 9.39cm display, Motorola media link and phone portal.

The additional apps and functionalities are GPS navigation, Email Support, IM support, Calendar, Unified Microsoft office, Google and Facebook contacts and a suite of Google applications. You can get a Milestone in India for an MRP of Rs.32, 990.

Nokia C5 Review

Nokia C5 is one of the C-series mobiles of Nokia. Nokia C5 also runs on the Symbian S60 3rd edition operating system. The C5 looks attractive and decent. The C5 has 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS, good battery, Social networking support, multimedia player, FM Radio, superb keyboard and etc. It lacks Wi-Fi support. Read out the full review to find out more about the impressive C5.

Design

The Nokia C5 has simple, attractive design and looks decent. We are impressed with the build quality and look of the C5. The body is made from large number of metal parts. It measures 112mm tall, 46mm wide and 12.3mm thick. It weighs around 89grams and weight is perfectly balanced.

The C5 sports 2.2inch QVGA display, which has the resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and supports 16 million colors. The image quality is average and sun legibility is very poor. We don’t have any gripes with it, taking price as consideration.

The buttons are really nice. The buttons are large, well made and offer proper travel and well feed back. The typing is very easy on this alphanumeric keyboard. The qwerty keyboard could have been still great. The navigation array include 5 way Navigational toggle, two soft keys, a Call, end, clear and application keys.

The 3.5mm audio jack, microUSB ports and charger are on the top side of the device. The battery cover is made from metal and easy to remove. A volume rocker and a microSD card slot are present on the right spine.

Interface

The Nokia C5 runs on the Symbian S60 3rd edition. It is almost same as other Symbian Nokia phones like Nokia 5630 XpressMusic. The phonebook is interface with social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Any updates from your friends in Facebook will notify directly on the home screen along with the particular contacts. You can customize your favorite contacts and then you access them directly on the home screen with one press of a button.

Connectivity & Internet

You can transfer the data through Bluetooth with A2DP or USB. You can stream audio to Bluetooth headset wirelessly. You can surf the internet through GPRS. There is no GPRS and Wi-Fi. The data transfer speed is enhanced with the EDGE support.

It also features Nokia Messaging support that handles multiple email accounts with ease. You can quickly switch between the email accounts directly within the application. It supports popular email accounts like Gmail, Ovi Mail, Hotmail, Yahoo mail, Windows Live and other email accounts. The C5 is nicely integrated with various social networking sites like Facebook, Hi5, Youtube, MySpace and Twitter. It also supports Instant Messaging for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and “Windows Live Messenger”. The C5’s web browser supports full HTML and Flash lite v3.1.

Camera

Like Nokia 5630 XpressMusic, the Nokia C5 is also equipped with 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and Full focus. In Full focus, the technology ensures the objects will remain in focus. The interface include 4x zoom, panorama mode, color tones, manual exposure settings, scene modes, Photo editor, simple video editor, light sensitivity modes, Red Eye Removal, and White Balance. It can shoot 640×480 pixel videos at 15fps.

The image is quite good. The images look bright, crisp and colorful with good detail. The video quality is average with less bright. The Flash is not strong enough to take good pictures in dark conditions.

It has 50MB of internal memory and you can add microSD card up to 16GB.

Multimedia

The music player’s interface is simple and convenient to operate. The music player supports all popular audio and video formats. The built-in equalizer boosts the sound effect. You can also download and listen the songs from Nokia Music. You can filter the songs with Genre, artist, and name. You all get FM Radio with RDS feature. The sound quality in headphones and as well in loudspeaker is clear and louder. There is a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones.

GPS

The Nokia C5 scores more over other rivals as it supports A-GPS and has free life time navigation subscription for Ovi Maps. . It will locate your current position on the Map within matter of few seconds, thanks to A-GPS feature. You will also get details about the restaurants, landmarks, and other POIs. It also includes the extra features like Michelin and Lonely Planet that offer tips on sightseeing spots.

Other Applications

The other essential features of the Nokia C5 include Mobile Search, a timer, Calendar, To-do list, Note pad, unit & currency Converter, voice recorder, a world clock, vibrate mode, Calculator, a 1000 entry phonebook, Voice commands, Flight mode, text, audio & multimedia messaging, message reader and speaker phone.

You will also get Quick Office suite to create, manage your documents. On the other hand it will also feature Adobe PDF reader.

You can customize the mobile with wallpapers, themes, ringtones, widgets, message alerts, and screen savers. You can download all these from the Ovi Store. You will also get access to Ovi Files, Ovi Suite, and Ovi Share. You can also back up your contacts with the help of Ovi Contacts. It has two built-in games namely Brain Challenge and Bounce Tales.

Performance and Conclusion:

The Nokia C5 is powered by snappy 600MHz processor and 128MB and this is more than sufficient for the Smartphone to carry out its functionality without any lag. The call quality is good and callers on other end also doesn’t have problem though there was some minor issues with sharpness in the sound.

The Nokia C5 is powered by 1050mAh Lithium Ion battery. It has the rated battery life of 12hours of talk time (2G), 4.9 hours talktime (3G), 630 hours of standby time (2G) and 670 hours (3G). The battery life is excellent in this category.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone features a comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard for fast, accurate typing, optical trackpad for fluid navigation, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as dedicated media keys, so music lovers can easily access their tunes while on the go. The new smartphone also features a camera that can record video and a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32 GB memory cards for media storage. Support for 3G networks makes browsing faster, streaming music smoother, and gives users the ability to talk on the phone while they browse the web or instant message with BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger)

New addition to the globally popular BlackBerry Curve series is fast, easy-to-use, richly-featured and BlackBerry 6 ready

Singapore - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G, an exciting addition to the popular BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones. Designed to provide the growing mass of smartphone purchasers with a distinctly powerful, approachable and affordable choice, the BlackBerry Curve 3G supports high-speed 3G (HSDPA) networks around the world and gives users the exceptional communications features they need to accomplish more than ever, when they’re at home, at work and everywhere in-between.

“The BlackBerry Curve 3G is both an accessible and feature-rich smartphone, which will be popular with customers in Singapore who highly value communications and productivity tools that help them get ahead of their day. With the ability to connect to 3G and Wi-Fi networks, users can access information and communicate quickly with the people that matter most, as well as take advantage of useful features like built-in GPS to share their location on BBM and social networking sites,” said Gregory Wade, Managing Director, South East Asia, RIM.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone features a comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard for fast, accurate typing, optical trackpad for fluid navigation, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as dedicated media keys, so music lovers can easily access their tunes while on the go. The new smartphone also features a camera that can record video and a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32 GB memory cards for media storage. Support for 3G networks makes browsing faster, streaming music smoother, and gives users the ability to talk on the phone while they browse the web or instant message with BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger).

The BlackBerry Curve 3G ships with BlackBerry® 5 and is BlackBerry® 6 ready. BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones. It retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, subject to carrier certifications, in the coming months.

The new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9300) is expected to be available in Singapore in the coming weeks.

For more information about the new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone visit www.blackberry.com/curve3G. For more information about BlackBerry 6, visit www.blackberry.com/6.

About Research In Motion (RIM)

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws.  When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate",  "may",  "will", "should", "intend," "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances.  Many factors could cause RIM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov).  These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM's forward-looking statements.  RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.  RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

Microsoft Helps Demi and Ashton (DNA) Foundation Fight Online Child Exploitation

High-profile couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher today announced they have enlisted Microsoft and other large technology companies to join a task force to find innovative new ways to combat child exploitation on the Internet.

Redmond, WA, September 27, 2010 -- The Demi and Ashton (DNA) Foundation today announced they have enlisted Microsoft to help combat child sex trafficking online, the actors announced Thursday at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York City.

Pamela Passman (speaking), Microsoft corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Global Corporate Affairs, joins Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore on stage at the Clinton Global Initiative event in New York City to discuss how technologies such as PhotoDNA can help fight child trafficking. Sept. 23, 2010 Click for high-res version.

High-profile celebrity couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher at a press conference asked technology companies, including Microsoft, to form a task force to find creative solutions for addressing online child exploitation.

Samantha Doerr, communications manager for Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, said the company is looking forward to working with the task force. “Given our history in combating child exploitation with PhotoDNA, Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS), National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and more, we view this partnership as another valuable opportunity to help raise awareness of this issue,” she said.

Late last year, Microsoft donated its PhotoDNA technology to NCMEC to help find and remove some of the worst known images of child sexual exploitation from the Internet. The technology was created by Microsoft Research, and helps calculate the distinct characteristics of a digital image to match it to other copies of that same image.

Microsoft, Canadian police, and international law enforcement officers also developed the Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS), a unique software tool that helps law enforcement officials collaborate and share information with other police services. CETS was created to increase the effectiveness of investigators and teams by providing them with software to store, search, share and analyze large volumes of evidence and match cases across police agencies.

Doerr said Moore and Kutcher’s DNA Foundation task force is likely to call upon these Microsoft technologies as it grows into its goal of reducing child exploitation.

The task force has had several initial meetings already, including one meeting hosted by Microsoft at its Silicon Valley office, Doerr said. The invite list included a substantial group of top tech companies, “almost all of whom are competing against each other in various forums.” Given that, and the number of participants, Doerr said she wasn’t sure what success the task force would see.

Alison Thompson, marketing communications director for Microsoft Citizenship. Click for high-res version.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised at this experience, and the savvy, participation, and smart, engaged questions from Demi and Ashton,” Doerr said. “This is something they’re really serious about.”

At the Clinton Global Initiative meeting, Moore and Kutcher also announced a new “Real Men” ad campaign in which male celebrities will bring attention to the issue of child trafficking and exploitation. For today’s announcements, Moore and Kutcher were joined on stage by Pamela Passman, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Global Corporate Affairs, and other key participants.

“Because of the nature of the problem, the victims themselves are often faceless. It hasn’t really been talked about widely because frankly, it makes people uncomfortable,” Doerr said. “For Microsoft, it was natural to want to talk about the work we’ve already been doing in related areas. It’s great to see them doing this, and having the opportunity to apply what Microsoft has learned in related efforts to stop complex child trafficking problems.”

Doerr said the task force is still in its early days, but the group will continue meeting and is committed to finding ways to confront the exploitation of children online.

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) was founded in 2005 as a non-partisan initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation. The CGI aims to address major global problems, ranging from education issues to the environment, by “moving beyond discussion” and fostering shared responsibility.

The CGI annual meeting in New York City attracts a wide cross-section of who’s who attendees, including presidents, former heads of state, CEOs, leaders of nonprofits, celebrities, academics and more.

CGI has involved Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as Microsoft. Microsoft is a sponsor of the event in addition to participating in forums that align with the company’s key community outreach areas including education and environmental sustainability.

It’s great to see them doing this, and having the opportunity to apply what Microsoft has learned in related efforts to stop complex child trafficking problems. Samantha Doerr, Communications Manager, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit

“For us, it was a natural fit to become not only a sponsor but an active participant in making commitments,” said Alison Thompson, marketing communications director for Microsoft Citizenship. “It’s been an incredible opportunity to collaborate with public, private and non-profit organizations on any number of societal issues and see how we can work together to solve them.”

Microsoft is a key stakeholder in Global Give Back Circle (GGBC), a program spotlighted at last year’s CGI meeting, Thompson said. The program helps disadvantaged girls in Kenya further their education and receive job skills so they can improve their lives and give back to their communities. Microsoft collaborated with GGBC to install computer labs in Kenya and to support IT skills training for the girls. Some of the women working for Microsoft West, East and Central Africa (WECA) also serve as mentors.

“They’re an amazing group of girls, and it’s very humbling to sit down and learn someone’s story, where they’ve come from, and how their drive and desire is leading them to do something great with their lives,” said Thompson, who met some of the girls in the program at last year’s meeting.

One of the students from the Global Give Back Circle is attending this year’s meeting, and participated in a panel discussion with Passman. After her experience with the Global Give Back Circle, she earned a full-ride scholarship to Carthage College in Wisconsin. She plans to study medicine and return to Kenya after school to help her community.

“I’m very proud, and very moved to see how our citizenship efforts and partnerships are really making a difference,” Thompson said.