Friday, October 3, 2014


Thanks for joining us at DrupalCamp LA 2014

Watch all the recorded sessions online free on the DrupalCamp LA official YouTube channel:

DrupalCamp LA 2014 is over. Join us May 11-15, 2015 for DrupalCon Los Angeles, and in Summer 2015 for DrupalCamp LA 2015.

Allen Lowder
Custom Software Solutions

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Naymz


Naymz was created to help you define and manage who you are on the internet.
It is a professional social networking site that allows you to network with other professionals and to manage your online reputation.
It is reported to have 1.8 million members and was founded by  Nolan Bayliss, Tony Czupryna, and Tom Drugan in January 2006

Allen Lowder
Custom Software Solutions

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Malibu CC









I played golf at Malibu Country Club on Friday.

The course is well maintained and the views were spectacular.

The course is open to the public and is reasonably priced.


-Robert Allen Lowder 5/15/11

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Microsoft buys Skype

Microsoft has agreed to purchase Skype for $8.5 Billion dollars.
The sale is subject to regulatory approval. Microsoft expects approval by the end of this year.
This purchase will give the world's largest software maker a new conferencing platform.

Skype currently has 170 Million users worldwide. Microsoft believes it can attract hundreds of millions of additional users by integrating Skype with it's wide range of products such as Windows, Outlook, Microsoft Mobile and their XBox gaming systems.

Microsoft already has a product similar to Skype, in Windows Live. Skype has a much larger user base and works across platforms.

Microsoft could also incorporate Skype into it's business video conferencing software.
Skype to Skype calls are currently free and Skype to landline or cell phones are offered at a low cost.

This has allowed Skype to offer alternatives to traditional phone companies and offers a cost savings to its users. This has allowed Skype to become the largest provider of international calling services in the world.

This purchase by Microsoft is the largest in the company's 36 year history.

Skype was founded in 2003 by Scandinavian entrepreneurs Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom.


Allen Lowder 5/10/11

Sunday, April 24, 2011

FBI siezes Online Poker sites - update

On April 15, top online poker sites, Pokerstars.com, FullTiltPoker.com and AbsolutePoker.com have had thier domains seized by the FBI.

Pokerstars updated their site on April 20, 2011 to address concerns that their United States players have expressed concerning money held in their accounts.

The new homepage indicates that PokerStars will no longer allow real money players from the United States.




















Pokerstars has reached an agreement with the United States Department Of Justice to allow current players to cash out their accounts.

United States players will be allowed to continue to play on the site, but for play money only.

They list a link to create a new play money account and download a new play money only application.

They also have a link to a Frequently Asked Questions page.

-Allen Lowder 4/24/11

Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Futrure of Online Poker?

Online Poker sites taken down by FBI

Three of the largest online poker sites, Pokerstars.com, FullTiltPoker.com and AbsolutePoker.com have had thier domains seized by the FBI on Friday, April 15, 2011.

If you attempt to access these sites today, you will see a message left by the FBI and Dept of Justice stating "This domain name has been seized by the F.B.I. pursuant to an Arrest Warrant in Rem obtained by the US Attorney's Office..."














According to Reuters, charges were filed against 11 people involved. The charges involve violation of internet anti-gaming laws and fraud by "tricking regulators and banks into processing billions of dollars in illegal internet gambling proceeds." The FBI claims these people violated the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

The FBI also issued restraining orders against a reported 75 bank accounts across 14 nations, which were allegedly used by the companies to launder billions of dollars in gambling proceeds.

U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Preet Bharara said in a statement that “These defendants concocted an elaborate criminal fraud scheme, alternately tricking some U.S. banks and effectively bribing others to assure the continued flow of billions in illegal gambling profits.”

All three of the companies involved are registered in countries outside the United States. Full Tilt Poker is based in Ireland, PokerStars is based in Isle of Man and Absolute Poker is based in Antigua.

Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato of New York, chairs a Poker advocacy group called Poker Players Alliance (PPA). Former Senator D'Amato issued a statement following the legal action Friday.

“On behalf of the millions of poker players across the country, we are shocked at the action taken by the U.S. Department of Justice today against online poker companies and will continue to fight for Americans’ right to participate in the game they enjoy," he said. "Online poker is not a crime and should not be treated as such"and said the group would offer "detailed analysis when the full facts become available.”

-Allen Lowder April 17, 2011