Village Gamer

OpenText subsidiary Metastorm has announced the release of Version 9.1 of the Metastorm BPM^®software suite, Version 9.0 of Metastorm Smart Business Workspace and Metastorm’s new Business Performance Intelligence Dashboards.

Key features include:

• Enhanced Social BPM capabilities that help to facilitate collaborative process design and instant collaboration on specific work items for faster, improved resolution
• Ability to find colleagues fast with individual user profiles searchable by user’s skills
• Enhanced design features that support the development of more dynamic applications for improved usability, higher user productivity and rapid global deployment
• New Metastorm Business Performance Intelligence Dashboards that deliver dynamic and easily personalized graphical dashboards to facilitate meaningful data analysis for informed decision-making across the Metastorm Business Transformation Platform

Metastorm BPM is recognized by the top industry analyst firms and by its customers as a leading technology for business process management due to the breadth and depth of its functionality. The new capabilities in this release enable organizations to take the lessons learned from social media and apply them to business processes – allowing organizations to drive greater business productivity and improvement.

These new product enhancements help organizations successfully implement business process improvement initiatives by empowering users to become more engaged and productive. Metastorm’s social collaboration tools provide businesses with a highly personalized workspace and unparalleled access to top contributors, enabling them to drive innovation and increase collaboration and improve efficiency among employees. These tools help employees find other people within their organization with specific skill sets required to help them complete their work. Companies can also route work to the most appropriate employee based on individual skills and workload – ensuring the most cost-effective strategy for work allocation.

“Our latest versions of Metastorm BPM and Metastorm Smart Business Workspace apply the concepts of connecting today’s knowledge workers by leveraging social networking and social collaboration tools in a way that offers a highly personalized user experience. This results in faster, easier access to information anytime and anywhere,” said Greg Carter, chief technology officer and executive vice president of Metastorm. “The addition of the Metastorm Business Process Intelligence dashboards further strengthens our ability to offer our customers the resources to make smart, informed business decisions and drive meaningful change across the enterprise.”

“The latest release of Metastorm BPM and Metastorm Smart Business Workspace and addition of the Metastorm Business Process Intelligence dashboards confirms Metastorm’s commitment to investing in product innovation, exploring new solutions and the ability to make great strides to achieve our product roadmap post-merger with OpenText,” said Robert Caldwell, general manager of the Metastorm business unit at OpenText. “We are excited to offer our customers these enhanced solutions to help them achieve their business goals and vision.”

OpenText Metastorm offers a complete business transformation platform powered by its market-leading software for enterprise and business architecture, business process analysis, and business process management. The Metastorm platform helps organizations close the gap between strategy and execution and gain the visibility, planning, management, agility and insight needed to make the right business improvements. With Metastorm, OpenText offers the most comprehensive platform for change for an organization – from the strategy and goals that drive the business, to the day-to-day systems, processes and people who run it, to the content needed to make the best business decisions.

Mitec Telecom Inc. announced today that the company has been selected to participate in the newest phase of the Kativik Regional Government’s infrastructure development program by supplying components to support network infrastructure and services in the Inuit villages of Nunavik, the northernmost region of Quebec.  Financial contributors to this phase of the regional infrastructure development program are Industry Canada, the government of Québec, Telesat and the KRG. Deliveries are expected to take place in Q2, fiscal 2012.

Mitec’s VSAT division will be involved in this build-out by providing its satellite network infrastructure components, which are the backbone for communications in rural areas.

“We are pleased that the KRG has selected Mitec to participate in this program and look forward to exploring ways to work with Nunavik villages and other communities in Canada to facilitate their communications requirements with our robust product line”, commented Jeffrey Mandel, Mitec’s President and CEO.

ACM SIGGRAPH, the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Graphics and Interactive Techniques will present its Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art to Charles Csuri for his visionary and creative merging of art and technology.

Through his work, Csuri inspired generations to embrace computer imaging as a serious form of artistic investigation.  An artist, computer graphics pioneer and professor emeritus at The Ohio State University, Csuri will receive the award at SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver, BC, August 8.

ACM SIGGRAPH Art Award Chair Cynthia Beth Rubin said Csuri is a true visionary.  “Decades ago he embraced the aesthetic potential of early computer imaging, and since then he has unfailingly worked in both teaching and aesthetic production, keeping us growing, discussing, and moving forward.”

Csuri was instrumental in the establishment of Ohio State’s Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD), a leading center on the use and integration of emerging arts technologies, with funding from the National Science Foundation.  “Chuck Csuri’s early and unique vision of an interdisciplinary collaborative, creative research center between the arts and sciences continues to permeate our culture,” said Maria Palazzi, director of ACCAD. “All of us who have had the privilege to study and work in this environment are profoundly grateful to Chuck for his vision, persistence and leadership in this field and at Ohio State.  He has impacted the lives of generations of students who are now top professionals in graphics and animation throughout the world.”

Csuri began his work in intertwining of art and computer science in the 1960s. He experimented with computer animation, winning awards and acclaim throughout Europe and the United States.  As a painter, Csuri was immersed in the passionate discussions of his time, when abstract expressionists challenged everything from the purpose of art to the functions of abstract compositional elements.  Through his personal network of colleagues, he was also aware of parallel discourses among scientists who debated the role of computers in society.   His profound understanding of these two cultures put him in a unique position to merge aesthetics and computing, long before either group recognized the potential synergies.

With support from NSF, the US Navy and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Csuri directed research on computer graphics for over 22 years. The results of these studies have been applied to flight simulators, computer-aided design, architecture, magnetic resonance imaging, visualization of scientific phenomena and special effects for TV and film.

Csuri’s work is included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Zagreb Museum of Contemporary Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the ZKM Center for Art and Media, and other important collections.  He received B.F.A. and M.A. degrees from Ohio State.

Telus has selected a packet microwave solution from DragonWave Inc. to provide additional high-capacity connectivity forspecial events. Working with DragonWave’s partner, Alliance Corporation, Telus selected DragonWave’s Horizon Compact primarily because its all-outdoor, zero-footprint design will allow for rapid deployment of service to remote locations without need for trenching optical fibre.

“The DragonWave solution offers us a cost-effective, simple and fast way to provide capacity forspecial events,” said ZouheirMansourati, VP, Network Technology & Planning, Telus. “Our partnership with DragonWave to provide last-mile capacity for video and data connectivity allows us to continue providing reliable, high-performance Telus serviceswherever and whenever opportunities present themselves.”

The Horizon Compact provides a resilient, high-performance backhaul network solution that enables service at low power consumption per bit and minimal ecological footprint. The DragonWave solution delivers simplified operations and improved total lifecycle costs.

“With the Horizon Compact, Telus can rapidly and economically deploy the reliable bandwidth that it requires for video conferencing and other innovative servicesforspecial events.” DragonWave President and CEO Peter Allen said. “Our solution’s capacity and built-in economical flexibility are unparalleled in the packet microwave industry.”

The DragonWave Horizon^® line of packet microwave systems delivers the highest levels of spectral efficiency and reliability for carrier-grade delivery of advanced applications and services. An uncompromised product design delivers pure “packet” microwave performance with software-scalable, ultra-low latency transport of up to 4 Gbps per link.

Cineplex Entertainment has announced that the official grand opening of the new IMAX theatre at SilverCity Windsor Cinemas will take place on Thursday July 14^th with a promotional presentation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: An IMAX 3D Experience. Beginning July 15^th, guests at SilverCity Windsor Cinemas can enjoy this highly anticipated final installment of the blockbuster film series based on the beloved books by J.K. Rowling.

The IMAX theatre at SilverCity Windsor Cinemas provides guests with an immersive movie-going experience. The theatre features revolutionary projection technology that delivers crystal-clear images and is complemented by IMAX’s latest sound system, which features its proprietary loudspeaker technology and uncompressed digital sound.

“SilverCity Windsor Cinemas is the first theatre in Southwestern Ontario to present the latest Hollywood movies in the immersive IMAX format,” said Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. “With the addition of the IMAX theatre, we are providing our guests in Windsor and the surrounding areas with a great new entertainment option to experience.”

Scene members who purchase tickets for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in IMAX 3D at SilverCity Windsor Cinemas between July 15^th and July 29^th will earn 500 bonus Scene points. Scene members earn points with every movie admission ticket purchased at Cineplex theatres and can redeem their points for free movies and other great entertainment rewards. The Scene program is free to join.

Tickets can be purchased for upcoming IMAX presentations at the theatre box office, through the Cineplex Mobile Apps, online at the Cineplex web site, or via the Cineplex mobile site.

Every year Canada’s three levels of government invest about $12 billion in grants and contributions, but many companies report that they have little understanding of how to access these resources. With today’s launch, The Funding Portal can help Canadian businesses secure public funding through four easy steps: Find It, which is free. Should you wish to Apply for It, Score It and Advance It through the Funding Portal,  these latter three steps all require the payment of fees based upon the amount being applied for, in return for professional reviews of your application and the ultimate submission of your funding request, as described below.

The Funding Portal website features TFP Search™, a high-powered search engine that allows users to instantly search all Canadian public funding programs. Users complete their applications in secure online workrooms and can have their drafts evaluated by the Portal’s Expert Review Panel to gain valuable feedback through a TFP Scorecard™.

The Funding Portal boasts Canada’s top funding experts, including: Marielle Piché, the former Executive Director of the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP); Dr. Kevin Goheen, a respected expert on tax credits (SREDs); and Dr. Sherif Barakat, a recently retired Vice President, National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

Businesses can also advance their applications using The Funding Portal’s advancement services provided by trusted accounting, law, government relations and intellectual property firms. The new service is already receiving praise from key industry associations, including the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA) and Chambers of Commerce.

“Our members report significant challenges identifying the public funding programs that exist and in complying with the application processes—they welcome the launch of this public funding portal,” said John Reid, CATA’s president and CEO.

The Funding Portal is operated by the same group who operates The Funding Store, a private funding search and application service for Canadian businesses.

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CDW Canada has announced its sponsorship of popular Canadian race car driver Alex Tagliani in the Honda Indy Toronto and Honda Indy Edmonton. Tagliani is one of only three Canadian drivers entered in the Toronto event, which will be run at Exhibition Place from July 8 to 10, 2011.

“We’re pleased and proud to be sponsoring Alex in these exciting IndyCar races,” says Mary Ann Yule, Vice President and General Manager, CDW Canada. “In the world of technology, speed and precision is vital — just as in the racing world. Alex is a great representative of racing in Canada, and his skill, perseverance and positive attitude have made him one of the best Canadian racers ever.  As a Canadian company, we’re particularly strong supporters of his journey to the finish line in Toronto and Edmonton.”

Tagliani enters the Honda Indy Toronto fresh from back-to-back pole position in Texas and Indianapolis where he won the prestigious Indy 500 Pole Award, becoming the first Canadian ever to win 500 pole. Driving for the Sam Schmidt Motorsports team, the Montreal native has enjoyed much success during his career. After driving in the Champ Car World Series from 2000 to 2007, he now competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series where he recorded five top-ten finishes last year and finished 13^th overall.

The Honda Indy Toronto is Ontario’s largest annual sporting event, and this year’s race marks the 25^th anniversary of open-wheel racing excitement on the streets of Toronto. The 11-turn temporary street course near downtown Toronto has proven to be one of the most challenging IndyCar courses anywhere, and has hosted many of the world’s top drivers. Following this weekend’s race, CDW Canada’s support of Alex Tagliani will continue at the Honda Indy Edmonton from July 22 to 24, 2011.

Game publisher Wicked Interactive has announced that the popular, free-to-play, online first-person shooter Mission Against Terror (M.A.T.) will begin commercial launch today. Wicked Interactive’s SUBA Games platform, best known to shooter fans for such titles as Cross Fire, is hosting M.A.T. With the official commercial launch of M.A.T., SUBA Games endeavours to blow through expectations of all SUBA Games’ Cross Fire and M.A.T. fans.

“We are delighted to be launching M.A.T. 2.0 today,” said Sam Ho, Director of Wicked Interactive. “M.A.T. 2.0 comes with a massive amount new content and updates.  The biggest change is that the game is no longer in Open Beta status.  M.A.T. 2.0 strikes hard with its commercial release; rocking a new user interface, a new game mode, an expanded crafting system, seven maps and over a dozen weapons.”

Hybrid Invasion is a brand new game mode that is being introduced with this patch, expanding on the need to band together as team mates to survive.  Players will survive wave after wave of hybrid creatures that are a combination of AI robots, mummies and biological weapons.  If players survive long enough, they will encounter the Tyrant; a hammer-swinging monstrosity that’ll take a well trained and well armed squad to put down!

The expanded crafting system will allow players to create a variety of items out of multiple types of materials.  Before the patch, players had to collect just a robot part from AI Mode and use a Weapon Casting Machine on it to create one of several weapons.  With the new patch, players will be able to use all kinds of materials like PCB boards, diodes, metal, nylon, leather, dyes, etc to create not just weapons, but clothing and items as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Hothead Games producer Hamish Millar (heyyyy, we know that guy!) provides an in-depth tutorial of the gameplay from the Tower Mode in this new Kard Combat video.  Kard Combat, which is already available for Canadian iOS gamers will be unleashed upon the masses in the iTunes App Store on July 13th.

Watch the video to learn how players can earn upgrades for their mage, items, and additional cards by completing the Tower campaign.  The walkthrough covers basic strategy, offensive and defensive tactics, card combinations, and powerful spells.  This particular battle is fought out on the Master difficulty level, but nothing less should be expected from the producer of the game.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcjfDJvq-Vc]

Kard Combat is rated 12+ for the following:

* Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes
* Frequent/Intense Horror/Fear Themes
* Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or Fantasy Violence

Device Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 3.1.3 or later.