Digital Solutions/Inmate Telephone, Inc. Releases Third Quarter Update

August 15th, 2011


Altoona, Penn. (Vocus) December 4, 2008

Digital Solutions/Inmate Telephone, Inc., a technology firm focused on improving operational efficiencies within the corrections industry through automation, is pleased to announce the company?s continued growth within the third fiscal quarter of 2008.

Newly Acquired Facilities

DSI/ITI has been very successful over the preceding quarter in expanding their customer base across the country with their three core product lines ? the Offender Communication System (OCS), a trusted inmate phone service, the Offender Management System (OMS), the company?s industry-leading jail management software and their offender case management platform, the Probation and Parole Management System (PPMS). Listed below are the facilities that have signed product and service contracts with the company over the months of July, August and September.

Adams County Jail; Gettysburg, PA

Aroostook County Jail; Houlton, ME

Beaver County Probation Department; Beaver, PA

Belknap County Department of Corrections; Laconia, NH

Clinton County Probation Department; Lock Haven, PA

Coffee County Sheriffs Office; New Brockton, AL

Duchesne County Sheriff?s Department; Duquesne, UT

Fayette County Sheriffs Office; Fayette, AL

Genesee County Jail; Flint, MI

GEO Maverick County Jail; Eagle Pass, TX

La Paz County Jail; Parker, AZ

New York City Department of Corrections; New York City, NY

Peoria County Jail; Peoria, IL

Salt Lake County Sheriff?s Office; Salt Lake City, UT

Tomorrows Hope L.L.C.; Coalport, PA

Appriss

Online Games like FrontierVille and StarCraft 2 Show Extraordinary Growth in Bad Economic Times

August 14th, 2011


New York, NY (PRWEB) September 10, 2010

Maybe the bad economy has helped online social games like FrontierVille because people need a cheaper form of entertainment. Maybe Starcraft 2 provides the escapist relief in this Great Recession that movies did during The Great Depression. In any event, the extraordinary growth in the global video game software market should remain strong in the coming years with revenues expected to climb from over $ 46 billion in 2009 to over $ 64 billion in 2013. And as these game audiences grow, a separate market for game related items, not affiliated with the game developers, is blossoming for much smaller independent game guide companies featuring things like Frontierville tips and Starcraft 2 strategies among others.These non-affiliated independent products represent a separate but significant industry for game strategy and tips guides.

Zynga, the company which created Farmville, Mafia Wars and the latest hit FrontierVille gives their games away free and makes their money selling add-on products. This business model has made them the one of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley. And the overall success of online games and social games has spurred on small companies not affiliated with the game developers selling strategy books and tip guides such as Frontierville Secrets or Starcraft 2 Secrets just to name a few.

Presently, 20% of the US population plays social games such as FrontierVille. These so-called Facebook games keep getting bigger by the day. Zynga?s newest game sensation FrontierVille has already surpassed 30 million regular players and that game has only been out since June 2010. Zynga says 215 million people play its games every month. Zynga?s games include mega hits like Farmville, Mafia Wars, Texas HoldEm Poker and the previously mentioned new hit sensation Frontierville. Yet Zynga is only 3 years old having started in 2007. Zynga games and others have probably helped fuel the incredible growth of Facebook, which now has over 400 million users. According to the company, Developer Analytics, more than 65 million people play Zynga games each day. Zynga’s biggest hit to date is played by an estimated 75 million people each month and Zynga says a total of 215 million people play its games every month. Zynga games are huge on Facebook and Facebook Games are a huge driver of traffic and popularity on Facebook.

Here are some social game industry facts:

Gamers are made up of 53% females and 47% males.
The total US social gaming audience totals 56.8 million people.
In the case of Zynga games, the actual game is often free, but money is spent on in-game items from the company itself and on outside items from non-affiliated companies, such as on the websites FrontierVille-Secrets.com and Starcraft2-Secrets.com
A typical gamer is a 30 to 50 year old mother.
Another big success is the recently released StarCraft II Wings of Liberty by Blizzard Entertainment which was released in late July 2010. Starcraft 2 is a sequel to the original StarCraft from 1998. Starcraft II from Blizzard Entertainment is a confirmed blockbuster. On its first day of release, Starcraft II sold 1 million copies. And that does not include South Korea where Starcraft is huge and is a televised sport. By September 1st sales reached over 3 million games, making it one of the fastest growing games ever.

So, in the 19302s during the Great Depression, people found some escape from the grim realities of the day by going to the movies. Today it looks like internet gaming has replaced movies as the means of escape during this ?recession? (which many observers think could be re-labeled a depression down the road) especially since movies are so expensive these days.

And if you haven’t heard, even Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Enterprises is getting in on the action with plans to launch a line of video games by the end of 2010.

FrontierVille

Fine Real Estate, Jewelry, Vehicles and Antiques to Be Sold to the Highest Central Virginia Bidder Dec. 17, 2005

August 13th, 2011

Farmville, VA (PRWEB) December 6, 2005

On Dec. 17, 2005 at 8 a.m., the estates of Pete & Dot Hillsman and W.H. (Bill) King will be placed on the auction block. Well-known throughout the greater central Virginia region, these late long-time Burkeville residents have left behind not only a lasting legacy but also a treasure trove of antique and collectible items. Now, through Carwile Auctions, Inc., their estates are being liquidated just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. Why fight the crowds and hassles of the mall when a one-of-a-kind Christmas present can be had at a friendly country auction? Those who are interested in attending this never-to-be-repeated event can find a full listing of items up for bid as well as directions to the sale online at the ?Upcoming Auctions? link of http://www.carwileauctions.com.

Some of the excellent to brand new condition items that will be put through the ?going, going, gone? warble include Mr. Hillsman?s family home on Agnew Street, antique pine and oak cabinets, a mahogany bedroom suite, pine dining furniture, a cherry desk, an 1850 Melodeon reed organ, four Rolex watches, numerous 14k and 18k gold jewelry pieces and three well maintained vehicles. A hand-painted vanity with mirror, a drop-leaf table with six embroidered chairs and a pecan hutch are just a few of the notable items the King estate will contribute to the combined estate sale.

Research conducted by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) in 2004 revealed that live auctions account for $ 203.2 billion a year in sales. The association also noted that more than 50 percent of Americans have attended live auctions. The reason most often cited for attending is the bidding frenzy and excitement that is generated. With Virginia state champion auctioneer James (Jimmy) Carwile behind the gavel, Carwile Auctions, Inc. is locally renowned for rousing that energy and excitement.

Carwile Auctions, Inc., however, doesn?t stop with their well-liked auctioneer. They go the extra mile in lending that down-home neighborly appeal to their auctions, and the Hillsman/King event will prove no exception. The home-cooked aroma of tangy stew or roasted chicken is likely to greet attendees? noses. Compliments of the Rice Volunteer Fire Dept., bidders can help out the local community while simultaneously wrapping up their Christmas gift lists. Enclosed heated tents will also be available for guests? comfort in the event of inclement weather. Sated bellies, warm hearts and elated smiles on Christmas morning are sure to result from the Hillsman/King estate auction.

For more information on Carwile Auction, Inc., contact Sandy Henderson at (434) 392-5604. To learn what one-of-a-kind treasures can be had at the Hillsman/King estate auction, visit the company online at http://www.carwileauctions.com and click on the ?Upcoming Auctions? link.

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Real Estate Boom Extending into Far Reaches of Rural Virginia Thanks to Carwile Auctions

August 12th, 2011

Farmville, VA (PRWEB) December 9, 2005

Farm and equipment auction specialists Carwile Auctions, Inc. has recently been experiencing unparalleled growth and selling success in the real estate auction arena. Still basking in the glory of an $ 870,000 property sale in Dillwyn, Virginia, just last week, the company already has three more prime real estate auctions lined up for the month of December, with several 2006 slots already booked. Greater Virginia real estate investors and buyers can view Carwile Auctions? upcoming real estate auctions online by clicking on the ?Upcoming Auctions? link of the company?s website at http://www.carwileauctions.com.

According to the National Auctioneer Association, in 2004, $ 13.1 billion of residential real estate sold at auction nationwide. That figure represents a 14.1 percent increase over the previous year. But while the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region has greatly benefited from this real estate boom, rural regions of Virginia have gone virtually unnoticed. By venturing into the real estate auction arena, Carwile Auctions is striving to balance out that disparity.

Dubbing rural Virginia ?The New Frontier,? the company is bringing in top dollar for prime Virginian properties that would otherwise stew in the marketplace for months to years on end or be sold below fair market value. In addition to the 13.15-acre Dillwyn parcel that recently sold for $ 870,000, in October, the Jo-Larr Ranch in Hampden Sydney, Virginia, brought in close to a half million dollars. Prior to being put up for auction by Carwile Auctions, this 66-acre horse/cattle ranch failed to sell for a full year and a half through traditional realtor means.

Aside from the higher selling prices and faster turnarounds, real estate auctions pose additional advantages to the seller and buyer alike. By setting both the auction date and the property price, the seller is never caught off guard with a lower-than-expected selling price or with the need to unexpectedly vacate the property come the Sold! declaration. From the buyer?s standpoint, with interested bidders setting the competitive standard, a fair market price is almost guaranteed. What?s more, property closing is swiftly completed, usually within 30 days.

For more information on Carwile Auctions, Inc., contact Sandy Henderson at (434) 392-5604. To learn what prime Virginian real estate the company will soon be auctioning off, visit them online at http://www.carwileauctions.com, where future sales can be viewed through the ?Upcoming Auctions? link.

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Auburn Opelika Marriott Chef Peter Idsall Named Alabama’s Chef of the Year

August 12th, 2011

Opelika, AL (PRWEB) December 13, 2007

With a love for great steaks and quality ingredients, it is no wonder Chef Peter Idsall of the Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National was named Alabama’s Chef of the Year.

The Alabama Hospitality Association and the Alabama Restaurant Association presented the eighth annual Hospitality Stars of Alabama awards at a Gala Awards Dinner in Birmingham on Monday, November 5th, 2007 and honored Chef Idsall. These awards recognize outstanding performance, commitment and achievements in the lodging, tourism and restaurant industry.

“The Chef of the Year Award recognizes the culinary professional who exemplifies culinary excellence through a combination of uniqueness and creativity, or one who has earned a reputation for his or her culinary expertise. The award winner has demonstrated the ability to create positive teamwork within the back-of-the-house staff and has been involved in community efforts,” said Layne Lunn of the Alabama Restaurant Association. “And Pete Idsall certainly fits the profile of Chef of the Year, in every way. We are proud as an association and an industry to be associated with Pete Idsall.”

Idsall, a native New Yorker, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a member of the American Culinary Federation. “We have grown to love Alabama and it is quite an honor to be named the state’s Chef of the Year,” said Idsall, executive chef at the Opelika, Alabama hotel. “It was a great surprise to be recognized by my peers.” He describes the hotel’s Lakeview Room restaurant in Auburn, Alabama as an upscale casual steakhouse. “We seldom see diners leave hungry,” he said. The restaurant features exceptional steaks and fresh vegetables.

“Not only is Pete Idsall a skilled chef, but he runs his kitchen in a timely and efficient manner while consistently preparing great meals for our hotel guests and area residents,” said Jay Prater, general manager of the Marriott Opelika Auburn Hotel. “He is a leader to the entire staff and in the community. Idsall spends his time volunteering as Chief Idsall at the Farmville Volunteer Fire Department where his leadership is in high regard.” He also spends time volunteering in area schools demonstrating his skills to the children.

“We are very proud of Chef Pete and he certainly is very deserving of this honor,” said Prater. “He has brought great culinary talents, leadership and wonderful dining memories to our hotel.”

About Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National:

Overlooking the award-winning Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, this Auburn Hotel is on par with the nation’s most distinctive facilities. Nestled on 2,000 acres of lakefront countryside, Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National is an exceptional golf and business retreat located 10 minutes from Auburn University in the quaint, historic town of Opelika. Situated on the shores of Lake Saugahatchee, this Auburn, AL hotel offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere, as well as 54 challenging holes of championship golf designed by legendary architect, Robert Trent Jones. Escape from ordinary Opelika hotels and indulge in the finest mix of business and pleasure. Enjoy guest rooms designed with the finest attention to detail complete with private balconies providing stunning views of the lush green fairways and sparkling lakes at this incredible Auburn, Alabama hotel. Discover an elegant oasis at the incomparable Auburn Marriott Opelika, AL Hotel. For more information or to make a reservation, call 334-741-9292 or visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/csgab-auburn-marriott-opelika-hotel-and-conference-center-at-grand-national/.

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Zynga Awards Four Scholarships To MDM Class Of 2010

August 11th, 2011

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) November 9, 2009

The Masters of Digital Media (MDM) Program together with Zynga, the industry leader in social gaming, has announced the winners of the inaugural Zynga scholarships for the MDM Program at the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver, B.C. Four students – Su Yon Sohn, Jason Chang, Ryan Nadel and Matthew Schroeter – have earned scholarships totaling $ 21,000.

?Congratulations to Su Yon, Jason, Ryan and Matt on winning Zynga?s first scholarships to the MDM Program,? said Dr. Gerri Sinclair, Executive Director of the MDM Program and CEO of the Centre for Digital Media at Great Northern Way Campus. ?I?d also like to thank Zynga for their support through our Industry Affiliate Program and now through funding these scholarships. To have our students recognized by Zynga, the world?s leader in social gaming, is a testament to the remarkable next-gen talent pool we are developing here at the MDM Program.?

?At Zynga, we?re pleased to offer our support to Su Yon, Jason, Ryan and Matt who will be graduating in 2010,? said Colleen McCreary, Senior VP and Chief People Officer at Zynga. ?Zynga commends these students on their academic excellence and for their experience in and passion for social gaming and we look forward to their contribution to Zynga?s mission of connecting the world through games.

The scholarship winners are:

New MyBookBuyer app Allows Students to Sell Textbooks on Facebook

August 10th, 2011


Milpitas, Calif. (Vocus) February 16, 2010

Cash-strapped students can now sell textbooks without leaving Facebook, thanks to the new app released by textbook buyback company MyBookBuyer designed to allow students to avoid the long lines, limited buyback days and general inconvenience of selling back their textbooks at the end of the term.

?This app offers students a convenient and easy way to sell their used textbooks without ever having to leave Facebook,? says MyBookBuyer spokesperson Amy Finch. The service couldn?t come at a better time for students.

Textbook prices continue to skyrocket, rising faster than inflation and even faster than the cost of tuition, adding to the already heavy financial burden facing college students. For a growing number, recouping some of that money by selling textbooks at the end of the semester or quarter is an important part of how they stay afloat and afford the high cost of education.

For years, MyBookBuyer has provided students an alternative to standing in line for hours at college bookstores or waiting for each book to sell on sites like Amazon and shipping them out one by one. At MyBookBuyer.com, the company provides free quotes to let students instantly find out how much they can get for their used textbooks. Students can then sell all their books at once, and get a free, prepaid shipping label to use to send in their books. Now the company is making textbook buyback even more convenient with their new Facebook app.

For many students, Facebook is as much a part of their routine as class or homework. They already use the site to keep up with friends, share photos and play games. Now between ?liking? their friend?s latest status update and planting new batch of crops in Farmville, students can sell used textbooks without even leaving the social networking site.

?Students need to get back some of the money they spend on textbooks, but they?re also busy,? says MyBookBuyer employee Richard Converse, ?since so many students are already on Facebook, an app just seemed to make sense.?

The application offers all the same functionality of MyBookBuyer.com, letting students look up their textbooks by ISBN number, and letting them print free shipping labels for either UPS or the US Postal Service. Students can even get paid online through PayPal, but they also have the option of getting a real, paper check sent to them through the mail.

MyBookBuyer says the app may revolutionize the way that students sell college textbooks, betting that students would rather not lug their books all the way to their campus bookstore when they can just visit the app located in a tab on the MyBookBuyer Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/mybookbuyer. MyBookBuyer has also used their fan page to organize fundraisers for important causes, raising nearly $ 3,000 for disaster relief in Haiti, the fight against breast cancer, and the Toys for Tots program over the past 6 months. The page is already over 6,500 fans strong.

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American Original Breaks Into The Social Networking Online Gaming Business with Sports Entertainment Icon Paul Heyman

August 10th, 2011

Hollywood, California (PRWEB) July 27, 2010

American Original founder Jeff Katz announced at Comic-Con over the weekend he was moving the company into the lucrative online gaming business, as American Original will produce an inter-sport fighting game based on the global success of titles like Mafia Wars and Farmville.

“In looking at the landscape it was clear there was demand from the combined fighting and gaming audience for MMA, pro wrestling and boxing games,” Katz stated, “Instead of settling on one fighting form we decided that there was an extraordinary opportunity in front of us to combine the three disciplines and create a radical new game that could serve that entire audience.”

Partnering with Katz is Paul Heyman, whose tenures as owner and Head of Creative at the ECW Extreme Championship Wrestling group and Head Writer for WWE Smackdown under Vince McMahon were met with enormous critical praise. Heyman, who is also co-founder of Looking For Larry Productions in New York (parent to his “Heyman Hustle” http://www.heymanhustle.com pop culture website), sees an opportunity with this venture he has long been seeking. “We’re always looking for new frontiers,” Heyman stated from L4L’s New York office, “this is a social networking APP, a sports game, and fantasy play all rolled into one sexy, enticing package. The proof is not going to be in the pre-hype. When we launch this game in 4th quarter, the proof will be in the game itself, or it simply won’t be. We’ve placed a well-educated bet on the designers and the potential to implement this game on a broad basis.”

Gamers will be able to create their own custom fighters in any of the three disciplines, leading their character from the bottom of the rankings all the way to championship gold. With each victory comes further customization options, moves, attributes and unlockable features. As an added bonus, users will also be able to play mixed matches, pitting wrestlers against MMA stars, MMA stars against boxers and so on. Additionally, downloadable content featuring a host of star performers – past, present and future – from the worlds of wrestling, MMA and boxing will be available for purchase as players fully customize their own roster of fighting athletes and created characters.

The game is scheduled to launch 4th Quarter 2010 exclusively on Katz’s http://www.geekweek.com website, with expansion to social networks and smart phones planned for 2nd quarter 2011. “We aren’t rushing into anything,” Katz said, “we believe there is an audience for this venture and we’re going to bring it into the marketplace in smart, strategic steps.”

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Sonar6 Wins at the 2010 WriteMark Plain English Awards

August 9th, 2011


Auckland, NZ (PRWEB) October 20, 2010

In its first year participating, performance management software vendor Sonar6 has taken the Best Plain English Document (Private Sector) trophy at the WriteMark Plain English Awards.

The Plain English Awards are held annually to celebrate clarity in business writing and raise awareness of the benefits of plain English in communication. Sonar6 won the Plain English Document category for its color paper series; a new take on traditional research whitepapers.

Sonar6 CEO John Holt was on hand to receive the award, and says the recognition reflects feedback from the industry: “Performance management doesn’t need to be made complicated and boring. Our marketing team is fanatical about creating content that’s entertaining, informative and accessible; free from happy talk and marketing speak. We’ve had really positive feedback on our color paper series, and it’s fantastic to have our hard work recognized with the Best Plain English Document award.”

The series includes:

Ifeelgoods? Facebook Credits for Online Advertising Featured in ad:tech New York 2010 Innovation Alley

August 8th, 2011


Menlo Park, CA (PRWEB) October 29, 2010

Ifeelgoods, Inc., a virtual goods incentive company, has been selected for Innovation Alley at ad:tech New York 2010, where it will be featuring its innovative use of Facebook Credits as an incentive in online advertising. Innovation Alley is a dedicated area on the ad:tech exhibit floor showcasing start-up companies with innovative digital marketing products. Ad:tech New York 2010 is scheduled for November 3-4, 2010, at the Javits Convention Center.

Ifeelgoods is the first platform to allow marketers to use Facebook Credits as incentives in their online advertising outside of social games using the Facebook Credits API.

Ifeelgoods? Facebook Credits incentive solution improves online advertising click-through rates, lowers cost per acquisition and makes online advertisements more engaging by using Faceook Credits in place of traditional promotions such as discounts, coupon codes or gifts with purchase. Facebook Credits can be used in a variety of ways for online advertising such as, Start an account and get 25 free Facebook Credits or Apply for our credit card and get 50 free Facebook Credits.

More than 200 million people play games on Facebook each month. Facebook Credits are accepted by many of the leading games on Facebook, including Zynga?s FarmVille and Mafia Wars; CrowdStar?s Happy Aquarium; PopCap Games? Bejeweled Blitz; Playdom?s City of Wonder; and EA SPORTS FIFA Superstars from Playfish.

?Social gaming is the next frontier in online marketing,? said Ifeelgoods co-founder and CEO Michael Amar. ?We are excited to introduce the ad:tech community to an easy way to make their online advertising more effective by tapping into this market.?

To schedule an appointment with Ifeelgoods during ad:tech, please email adtech(at)ifeelgoods(dot)com.

About Ifeelgoods

Ifeelgoods makes online retail promotions more effective and less expensive by using relevant virtual goods and currencies from the most popular social games in place of traditional promotions such as discounts, coupon codes or gifts with purchase. Requiring light integration, Ifeelgoods is a hosted solution that manages retailer virtual goods promotion offers, redemption and customer service. Ifeelgoods is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, and has locations in McLean, Virginia, and Paris, France.

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