PRN: SmallBizRocket Gets California Small Business Online

SmallBizRocket Gets California Small Business Online

Jimdo & California SBDCs’ Initiative Puts Small Businesses on the Web

[20-August-2012]
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Jimdo, the DIY website creator, launches SmallBizRocket (www.smallbizrocket.com) in cooperation with Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) throughout California to get all of the state’s growing 3 million small and medium-sized businesses onto the web with their own site.

“Despite the increasing number of searches on the web for products, services, and local businesses, 62 percent1 of California’s small businesses still don’t have a website. SmallBizRocket is changing that by simplifying the process of obtaining a site,” says Dan Ripke, SBDC Regional Director.

Small business owners who sign up for the project will get a free year of JimdoPro, which includes a domain name, email account, online store, customizable templates, Jimdo’s award-winning website building tool, and premium support from Jimdo’s customer service team in San Francisco. Jimdo’s intuitive interface allows for the creation of websites and online stores without knowledge of code. Websites may be updated online from any computer, and all changes are in real time.

SmallBizRocket gives businesses the jump-start, support, and education they need to succeed on the web. As part of the initiative, select SBDC locations will be offering seminars, conferences, and consultations. Jimdo will host events and webinars focusing on how small businesses can successfully utilize web-based technology.

Sources
1 Google, 2012

About Jimdo

Jimdo–Pages to the People (www.jimdo.com) was founded in February 2007 by three young entrepreneurs – Christian Springub, Fridtjof Detzner, and Matthias Henze. Jimdo enables anyone – no technical knowledge required – to get a website online, complete with blog, photo galleries, video, online store, and social media integration. Funding from industry leaders like the Samwer brothers (CityDeal/Groupon, Facebook, LinkedIn), allowed Jimdo to scale quickly, and it is now available in 11 languages. In June 2012, the 6,000,000th Jimdo site went online. Follow us on Twitter @jimdo.

About SBDC

TheSmall Business Development Center (SBDC) Program is the leader in providing small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today’s challenging economic climate. Local SBDCs provide comprehensive and expert guidance on issues such as start-up basics, financing, business and marketing plan development, procurement and government contracting.

SOURCE Jimdo

PRN: AppDynamics Positioned in the “Leaders” Quadrant of the Magic Quadrant for Application Performance Management

AppDynamics Positioned in the "Leaders" Quadrant of the Magic Quadrant for Application Performance Management

Evaluation Based on Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute

[20-August-2012]
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — AppDynamics, a leading provider of Software-as-a-Service application performance management (APM) solutions, today announced it has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the “Leaders” quadrant of “Magic Quadrant for Application Performance Management” report published August 16, 2012. For a complimentary copy of the report, visit www.appdynamics.com/gartner.

“We’re pleased with Gartner’s placement of AppDynamics in the ‘Leaders’ quadrant for Application Performance Management,” said Jyoti Bansal, Founder & CEO of AppDynamics. “The needs of application performance management buyers have changed as applications have become more distributed, agile, and complex. I created AppDynamics specifically to empower Ops and Dev teams within these highly challenging environments, and we’re honored by Gartner’s recognition of both our industry vision and ability to execute. We see it as a testament of our ability to serve our rapidly growing customer base.”

AppDynamics stands at the forefront of a massive shift in how web applications are managed: modern applications are no longer monolithic in nature but are highly distributed and dynamic. As a result, traditional application performance management solutions have become ill-suited for the needs of today’s IT Operations and Development teams. AppDynamics’ ability to capitalize on this trend has led to tremendous market awareness and adoption of its solution—the company has already doubled its growth in the first half of 2012, and over 90,000 people have downloaded its free performance monitoring solution for Java/.NET apps.

The disruptive AppDynamics approach to application performance management includes:

  • A solution for managing high-volume production environments with less than 2% overhead
  • Complete visibility into distributed application environments through a focus on business transaction performance
  • Deep diagnostics that display code-level detail in only a few clicks when performance problems occur
  • Automatic discovery and dynamic mapping of application environments—strong fit for agile and cloud-based applications
  • Ability to allocate capacity on the fly during peak load times based on preconfigured thresholds

Disclaimer:
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About AppDynamics
AppDynamics is a leading provider of Software-as-Service (SaaS) and on-premise application performance management for modern application architectures in both the cloud and the data center. The company delivers solutions for highly distributed and agile environments, helping companies such as Priceline, TiVo, AMICA Insurance, Hotels.com, StubHub, DSW, Staples, Insight Technologies, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Cornell University monitor, troubleshoot, diagnose, and scale their production applications. Over 80,000 people have downloaded AppDynamics Lite, the company’s free troubleshooting solution for Java/.NET. Visit our blog or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE AppDynamics

PRN: Two Gulf Coast Activists Honored by Tides and Jane Bagley Lehman Award

Two Gulf Coast Activists Honored by Tides and Jane Bagley Lehman Award

[20-August-2012]
The Jane Bagley Lehman Awards recognize individuals who exhibit a deep commitment to the public interest, and whose work demonstrates innovative approaches to social change.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Tides is proud to announce the 2012 Jane Bagley Lehman Award winners, two astounding local leaders and grassroots activists who brought their communities together and advocated for truth, accountability, and justice in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Brenda Dardar-Robichaux and Marylee Orr work every day to provide for the people who have been adversely affected by the oil spill and to hold BP accountable for the damage wrought upon their communities. From testifying in front of Congress to running an in-house clinic to tend to skin and respiratory problems and memory loss, to taking court action and providing educational tools to their community to deal with chemicals in their blood, these two women remind us wha t ordinary people can accomplish and the power of local leaders in driving national change.

“When I started doing this work, I was called Henny Penny and Chicken Little, and now I’m sitting on agency panels and taking court action to make BP listen,” says Marylee Orr. “Ordinary people can really do a lot.” In efforts to raise awareness and draw attention to the toxic exposure and the high concentrations of volatile organic chemicals found in former clean up workers, commercial divers, and individuals living and recreating in the coastal areas after the oil spill, Mary Lee, executive director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), and LEAN have developed creative tools to educate communities about toxic exposure and video testimonials for impacted individuals to share their stories. “My goal is to help people become the experts of their own situation,” says Orr, “and to be able to lead them to a stronger sense of leadership in their community.”

Brenda Dardar-Robichaux has testified before Congress twice to talk to them about holding BP accountable. “BP is responsible for hazardous waste in the heart of the Indian community. They say, look at the jobs we have created. I say it doesn’t give you the right to destroy the community. There is no balance here,” Dardar-Robichaux says. Brenda and her husband, a physician, have re-modeled their family home to incorporate an in-house clinic, where they tend to the skin problems, respiratory problems, and memory loss of those affected in their community. “My greatest accomplishment is to provide for the medical needs of the people who have been adversely affected by the oil spill,” she says.

Tides is proud to honor these two women, who have worked to catalyze community action in the Gulf, with the Jane Lehman award. Each woman will receive a grant of $15,000 and will be honored at Fairgrinds in New Orleans on August 28th.

About the Jane Bagley Lehman Awards:

The “JBLs” seek to recognize individuals who have exhibited a deep commitment to the public interest and whose work demonstrates innovative approaches to social change. Jane Bagley Lehman was one of the founders of the Tides Foundation in 1976, and the Chair of the Board until her death in 1988. An unconventional philanthropist, her insatiable curiosity was matched by a willingness to take risks. Jane was most intrigued by the approaches and strategies of advocates and organizers and their willingness to challenge traditional assumptions. She also cared deeply that the results of these efforts be translated into the broader area of public policy.

It is in this spirit that the Jane Bagley Lehman Awards for Excellence in Public Advocacy were established. It is our hope that the awards will reflect Jane’s spirit as well as her commitment to issues of social justice.

About Tides
The Tides mission is to partner with philanthropists, foundations, activists and organizations across the country and around the globe to promote economic justice, robust democratic processes, and the opportunity to live in a healthy and sustainable environment where human rights are preserved and protected. Tides provides financial and management services –and inspiration- to donors and doers so they can focus on achieving their vision of a just world. With offices in San Francisco and New York City, Tides provides fiscal sponsorship for over 200 groups across the country, operates and supports green nonprofit centers, and granted $108 million in 2008 alone. For more information, visit www.tides.org.

SOURCE Tides

PRN: GradGuru for iPhone Gives Community College Students the Information, Tips and Tricks They Need to Succeed

GradGuru for iPhone Gives Community College Students the Information, Tips and Tricks They Need to Succeed

A Community College Advisor in Your Pocket? There’s an App for That

[20-August-2012]
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Inspired by its mission to increase completion rates among the United States’ 12 million community college students, GradGears released GradGuru today for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch devices today. GradGuru is a free mobile application that guides and motivates community college students to take actions and engage in behaviors that have been proven to lead to higher and faster completion rates.

GradGuru for iPhone and iPod Touch helps students keep track of campus-specific deadlines; better understand the milestones they need to hit; learn what behaviors lead to academic success; tap existing student support and financial aid resources; and share these lessons with one another.

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, less than half of the 12 million students enrolled in a community college earn an A.A. degree or transfer to a four-year college within six years. Those who complete at least an A.A. degree earn more than $500,000 more over their lifetimes; those who don’t are more likely to be relegated to a life of poverty.

“Students are busy with work and family. And navigating community college is complicated, especially for the 40% of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Seeing an advisor or counselor is increasingly difficult as enrollments grow and resources fall. GradGuru will fill a big part of the information gap, making it easier for students to keep track of deadlines, learn tips and tricks to stay in school, and finish faster,” said Catalina Ruiz-Healy, Founder of GradGears.

GradGuru is available on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gradguru-your-community-college/id552582336?mt=8&ls=1 . “Thanks to GradGuru, I have a better understanding of what to expect from college, how to ask for help, and most importantly, a lot more confidence that I CAN make it through,” said City College of SF student Veronica Garcia.

GradGears is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, CA. Our mission is to increase and accelerate community college student success. GradGuru is being piloted on ten campuses in the Bay Area. Students everywhere are able to receive GradGuru’s tips and tricks.

For more information, visit http://gradguru.org

Contact: Catalina Ruiz-Healy
GradGears, Inc.
Phone: (415) 310-9172
Email: catalina

SOURCE GradGears

PRN: Interactive E-Book Introduces World’s First Instant Collaboration

Interactive E-Book Introduces World’s First Instant Collaboration

WeJIT Connects Readers and Authors Inside the eBook

[20-August-2012]
SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Democrasoft, Inc. (OTC: Pinksheets: DEMO) and VOOK ePublishing in San Francisco, today announced the arrival of the world’s first two-way interactive e-book, which features a new technology that allows real-time author and reader-to-reader dialog and collaboration from inside an e-book.

The newly-released book grabbing all the attention, 11 Days in May, published by Waterfront Press, will offer readers the opportunity to communicate directly with both author JD Messinger, and also with other readers, from right inside the e-book. This groundbreaking discussion capability is made possible by a new cloud-based collaboration technology developed by Democrasoft, which links any reader with a book’s author, other readers or any other person with access to the Internet. The new technology is called “WeJIT,” and it promises to forever change the way authors, their books and their readers come together.

According to Democrasoft Chairman & CEO Richard Lang, WeJIT is a new approach to collaboration that allows instant communities to form around any topic of common interest. With a few clicks, an individual WeJIT is formed by any individual wanting to enable an instant, collaborative community. In essence, the WeJIT is a one-page website, with a unique URL, dedicated to a particular topic of discussion, debate or even decision-making, in a multitude of engagement models. It can be formed in a matter of seconds, free of charge for individual use (www.MyWeJIT.com). In the case of 11 Days in May, author JD Messinger has created and embedded 32 WeJITs inside his new e-book, on an assortment of topics covered in the book.

“This is an amazing way for me to communicate with my readers, while they’re actually reading the book,” said Messinger. “It creates the opportunity for readers to have vibrant dialog and exchanges on the multiple ideas contained inside the book. In a way, it creates an instant book club around any subject that readers care to participate in and to involve others in.”

William Gladstone, founder and CEO of Waterfront Press, the publisher of both the e-book and printed editions of 11 Days in May, also points out that readers of the new e-book can actually forward the URL for any embedded WeJIT to anyone, even those who don’t have the book and may have never heard of it.

“What’s amazing is that readers are actually poised to increase book sales by inviting others to join in specific discussions launched from within the e-book,” said Gladstone. “That’s a first in the publishing world and when you combine it with the other interactive features offered on the VOOK epublishing platform, we think you’re looking at a watershed event for authors and publishers around the world.”

Matthew Cavnar, VP of Business Development at Vook, said that the Vook ePublishing platform combined with the WeJit capabilities perfectly compliment the interactive features already embedded within 11 Days in May. These other features include images and videos; specially composed music; Messinger’s CNN radio interviews with famous guests, and original artwork.

“The combination of VOOK’s publishing platform and Democrasoft’s WeJIT capabilities is something that we believe is going to completely redefine e-book publishing,” said Cavnar. “We are very excited about the possibilities going forward and believe that this combination is about to take what was already a terrific e-book and turn it into a real game-changer.”

Lang says that the inclusion of WeJIT capability in e-books, beginning with 11 Days in May, is evidence of one of the core advantages that WeJITs bring to online collaboration: “portability.” He points to the fact that every self-contained WeJIT discussion or collaboration is associated with a unique URL (web address), which can then be shared with anyone, using existing social networking platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, to name a few. He said that in future e-books, readers themselves would be able to instantly create and share WeJITs around any topic they are reading about in an e-book.

“WeJIT is not a competing social network,” said Lang. “Instead, WeJIT is a way to enable an instant community to form around any individual topic, comprised only of people with an interest in that particular topic. There’s no need to join, manage or moderate yet another platform. WeJIT is to collaboration what Google is to search.”

Lang said that anyone wanting to create their own WeJIT to instantly engage any group, large or small, on any topic, can do so by visiting: www.MyWeJIT.com and creating a WeJIT for free. According to Lang, the WeJIT platform is available to larger groups and organization under a variety of licensing arrangements, including white-label.

11 Days in May is available for hardcover pre-release at www.Amazon.com and www.BarnesAndNoble.com. The e-book is available now from Vook at http://vook.com/storefronts/book/11-days-in-may.html.

About JD Messinger. JD Messinger is the former CEO of Ernst & Young Consulting (Singapore), one of 37 distinguished graduates from Annapolis (1981), a former fireman, nuclear submarine officer, and former radio and television show creator, producer and host. In the world of business, JD helped supervise the Valdez Oil spill cleanup and is an advisor to Fortune 100 clients and governments on five continents. He lives in Texas with his wife and their three children. For more information please visit www.JDMessinger.com.

About Waterfront Press and Waterside Productions, Inc. Waterfront Press is a wholly -owned subsidiary of Waterside Productions, Inc. a full-service literary agency founded in 1982 in Cardiff, California. As the world’s premier literary agency for computer and technology authors, Waterside Productions’ agents have successfully represented more than 5,000 books to over 50 publishers, generating more than $200 Million for authors. Waterfront has worked with some of the top authors in the world including Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, and Neale Donald Walsh. For more information please visit www.Waterfrontdigitalpress.com or www.Waterside.com.

About Vook. Founded in 2009, Vook has created an innovative technology platform that allows anyone to create great e-Books, add video, audio and images, publish the e-Books to their own Webpage and to the major e-Tailers and track their sales. Vook works with a range of content partners including NBC, Simon & Schuster, Franklin Covey and Hay House and most major distribution channels including Apple, Amazon, Google and Barnes & Noble. For more information, please visit www.Vook.com.

About Democrasoft. Democrasoft, Inc. is an innovation and licensing company with a history of pioneering technology. It is the creator of the Collaborize platform and Collaborize Classroom (www.CollaborizeClassroom.com), the award-winning blended-learning platform for grades K-20. It is also the creator of WeJIT (http://www.mywejit.com), a new model for self-contained, topic-based online collaboration that stretches across various platforms and communities. Democrasoft is dedicated to facilitating a vision of online “social networking with purpose.” For more information, please visit www.Democrasoft.com.

For inquiries or more information, please contact Imal Wagner at ImalWagner.

For more information about WeJIT’s, or to schedule an interview with Democrasoft senior management, please contact Mark Kithcart at: mkithcartor call 888-993-8683 x 706.

SOURCE Democrasoft, Inc.

Company Codes: OTC-PINK:DEMO