Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the social networking site more problems are presented. It this continues maybe Microsoft will benefit since the details and trends represented in stories about MySpace share an uncanny resemblance to MS. Big company, big site, surprisingly popular with massive problems and much criticism for failure to take corrective measures or taking too much time to do so.

The two well known hacker conventions opened this week and vulnerabilities at social networking sites are being circulated again. The article linked in this post also offers some humor about a reported NBC ‘oops’ at the convention as well as a summary of the conventions. But the SN sites are subject to the same risk as the rest of cyber space.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Hackers: Social Networking Sites Flawed
Friday, August 03, 2007
By JORDAN ROBERTSON, AP

LAS VEGAS —
Social networking Web sites such as MySpace.com are increasingly juicy targets for computer hackers, who are demonstrating a pair of vulnerabilities they claim expose sensitive personal information and could be exploited by online criminals.

The flaws are being demonstrated this week at the Black Hat and Defcon hacker conferences, which draw thousands of people to Las Vegas each year for five days of training and demonstrations of the latest exploits.

Democratic rivals in race to recruit bloggers

· All eight contenders head for internet conference
· Republicans stick to traditional campaigning

Ewen MacAskill in Washington
Thursday August 2, 2007
The Guardian

US presidential contenders including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are heading to Chicago for the biggest gathering of leftwing and anti-war bloggers, in a move that highlights the increasing importance of online activists in American politics. All eight Democratic contenders will be present for the second YearlyKos convention, which opens today, in contrast with last year when only Bill Richardson turned up.

Whether left, right or somewhere in between, the notion that the blogosphere as well as the net in general have strategic importance in politics should be lost on no one. The majority of stories relate the Democratic party embrace of the net while the Republican party is described as rejecting or ignoring its importance. In addition, most accounts claim the left dominates the blogosphere while the right is far behind. One thing is certain by nearly any measure, the Daily Kos ranks right up there in terms of presence, traffic and other specs. The counterpart from the right is arguably Michelle Malkin. While there are plenty of sites featuring both sides of the political spectrum, just as in the politics itself, the manner in which this medium is approached has striking differences when comparing left and right.

So all eight Democratic candidates are heading to the YearlyKos convention to woo bloggers. Based on statistics available regarding demographics and choice of medium, the 24 and below age group dominates use of the latest electronic devices and if interested in news, opinion or public affairs selects the internet for information. The younger demographics also seek peer opinion with the same technology perhaps much more than older age groups. If the strategy is to gain votes primarily from the 24 and below age group, the benefit may be more limited than one might expect. The number of registered voters is lower compared to the public at large. Those who follow through after registration is not an impressive number and the interest in politics and voting may also be surprisingly limited. Maybe the Dems are just covering their bets since the money and time invested is not excessive.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

He warns, in the video segment posted by his campaign, that if we don’t beat back these unnamed oligarchs, “They’re going to control the media. They’re going to control what’s being said.”

As if John Edwards’ rabid rants encouraging surrender in Iraq, demanding immediate withdrawal and desecration of the honorable memory of those who paid the price for his free speech last Memorial Day was not enough, he is now attacking a phantom enemy to provide a target for his weak support. The reality of his failing campaign and rising insignificance of his presence in the 2008 campaign requires emotional appeals for a desperate audience he hopes exists.

It seems an unworthy choice for a wealthy man once touted as a more than capable trial attorney who attracted admirers near and far to witness (no pun intended) his court room finesse turn a jury. But if you think about it this is a natural strategy for a man who made millions using the misfortune of others to build his own fortune. The same tactic used by life insurance salesman to make one feel guilty for not buying.

H/T to The Politico linked in the excerpt at the top and for providing the YouTube link to the John Edwards’ ‘blogger outreach’ campaign video.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
Edwards: They Want to Shut Me Up

This still image is enough fun all by itself. The link to the video is not necessarily recommended as it is a little over the top. But click if you must. Every campaign brings its humor and there is no denying the fact that Bill Clinton’s chance of becoming the first male First Lady and exploring new gender territory plus this video are not nearly as disgusting as the possibility that the Clintons could be back in the White House someday. EEEeeewwww!!!

So there is a chance that if you have any thoughts of voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton, this link will help change your mind and bring you to your senses.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat..com

Just a little tidbit that popped up. Shortly after the midterms this notice was placed on housedemocrats.gov. Although trivial by comparison to their inability to perform in Congress, they can’t even get this done in six months. Belos these four sentences including this one, all was copied and pasted from House Democrats
HouseDemocrats.gov is coming soon.

In the meantime, please visit other House Democratic web sites:

www.Speaker.gov

www.democraticleader.house.gov

www.democraticwhip.house.gov

The Darth Vader of information technology has been very active this year. Precisely when the United States is in the midst of a national debate on critical issues, Bill Gates stands as the poster boy for what is wrong with corporate America. While spewing pleasant sounding descriptions on his version of American history mixed with less than subtle promotion of his corporate agenda, Gates again used the influence of his obscene wealth to ‘encourage’ Congress to do as he says. Here is the first excerpt from his testimony before a Senate hearing in March of this year.

Unfortunately, America’s immigration policies are driving away the world’s best and brightest precisely when we need them most. I appreciate the vital national security goals that motivate many of these policies. I am convinced, however, that we can protect our national security in ways that do less damage to our competitiveness and prosperity.

Moreover, the terrible shortfall in our visa supply for the highly skilled stems not from security concerns, but from visa policies that have not been updated in over a decade and a half. We live in a different economy now. Simply put: It makes no sense to tell well-trained, highly skilled individuals – many of whom are educated at our top colleges and
universities – that the United States does not welcome or value them.

Are you convinced that Bill Gates only has our best interests at heart? You will notice he did not mention why he prefers imported labor rather than the home grown variety. This early in the testimony Mr Gates declined to insult Americans about their abilities to compete for jobs in the tech sector. Later he expresses a ‘concern’ that Americans educated in American schools are 2nd rate but has just stated foreign-born individuals taught at the same schools are the best and the brightest. This is the less than subtle promotion Mr. Gates uses to express his desire for cheaper, more obedient and submissive foreign talent over American candidates.

You are encouraged to read the entire testimony at the link provided. Mr Gates lobbies for American business to be able to educate all the world in our schools and immediately allow the rest of the world to live and work here or else, as he warns, American business will continue to sidestep their responsibility by moving jobs offshore. Here is the most recent evidence of his lack of patience and intent to use whatever means necessary to reach his objective.

Toronto Mayor and Microsoft Canada open digital arts and technology skills centre in Jamestown, Rexdale

Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre to offer community members skills
development through access to technology and education

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 3 /CNW/ - Together with Toronto Mayor David Miller,
Microsoft Canada today launched the Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre in Jamestown
- one of 13 priority neighbourhood areas identified by the City of Toronto for
focused support and investment. The Centre will provide free access to
state-of-the-art technology including digital arts and Microsoft curricula to
introduce Jamestown and Rexdale youth to potential careers in new media while
providing computer literacy skills. The Centre was made possible through joint
collaboration with community partners and by a Microsoft Community Technology
Skills (CTS) grant which includes a cash donation, software, hardware and
technical support valued at over $400,000 CDN.

The story above is one of many examples of Bill Gates and Microsoft bribing officials and communities who are quite willing to accept a deal with the devil to achieve their goals, right or wrong. The country where Gates amassed his wealth receives no ‘give back’ sentiment from the world’s wealthiest individual. His apparent true philosophy is what have you done for me lately.

Canada’s cities shortchanged and tapped out

Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, July 06, 2007
If big cities are to fulfil their potential as the principal drivers of Canada’s economy, they must go far beyond their original role as simple providers of property-related services such as street-building and repair, police and fire services, garbage collection, water and sewer services.

They also need to make themselves attractive to the new generation of knowledge-based revenue generators — those highly skilled people who can live anywhere they choose.

Thursday’s announcement that Microsoft’s first Canadian software development centre will be located in Vancouver underlines the importance of civic amenities that tip the balance when a company can locate wherever it wants.

That’s right. Cave to the power and influence of corporate greed. Nothing helps sustain the repeated use of unethical business practices more than public officials willing to abandon principle to achieve short term gains. Engaging in long term alliances that will require continued disregard for proper public policy runs counter to good government.

The latest indication of Microsoft/Bill Gates’ disinterest in the public good is featured in news related to the GPLv3 licensing and the software giant’s entrance into matters of open source. Currently this blog has no opinion on MS’s responsibility under law, if any, on matters of open source. The only point to be made is whether anyone sincerely expected Microsoft to be truly concerned about advancing the promise of open source? Offering the swamp land in Florida or the Brooklyn Bridge for sale to those who believe that is another scam that would succeed with that mentality.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Microsoft tries evading new GPL grasp

By Stephen Shankland
Fri Jul 06, 2007
Microsoft on Thursday took steps to avoid entanglement with a new version of the General Public License, the most widely used license in the free and open-source software domain.

Microsoft: ‘Your Puny GPLv3 Can’t Hold Us!’

By Terrence Russell
July 06, 2007 | 2:00:52 PM
Steve_ballmer Strange things are afoot over in Redmond. With the release of the GPLv3 last week, it’s already been suspiciously quiet over at Microsoft. Even more perplexing was the software giant’s statement yesterday regarding the GPLv3:

Linux official lines up with Microsoft against GPLv3

‘Too many owners of Linux’ to change basis of free software license
By Paul Krill
The new GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3 is not a fit for Linux because switching would require permission from the kernel’s thousands of de-facto owners, a maintainer of the SCSI portion of the kernel said on Thursday.

At the same time Microsoft released a statement that the company has no obligations under GPLv3.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, Rosemary’s Thoughts, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog’s Weblog, Webloggin, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Cao’s Blog, Conservative Thoughts, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Planck’s Constant, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, and Public Eye, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Leave it to Forbes to present the title ‘Romney Outguns Opponents’ while the article itself may present a slightly different take. On TV ads Romney and, a surprise, Richardson are cranking out the TV ads. Richardson is a close 2nd in Iowa to Romney on TV ads. Who’d a thunk it?

McCain is getting more buzz online but his website isn’t. His online ads are doing well apparently. Obama leads the Dems and maybe all on net buzz since it is reported Dems buzz tops the GOP 2 to 1. Clinton is working to catch others like Obama in net audience. Is that what the stupid song search was doing?

Perhaps what the Forbes title means is Romney outspent rather than outgunned opponents. When you consider his political and business success it is hard to believe the net result would not favor his campaign. Early on this blog referred to Romney as the thinking man’s candidate. That appraisal still holds. Let’s not forget it’s a long campaign season and this is summer when much of the campaign spending may fall on deaf ears. This fall things will heat up in anticipation of the early primaries. The reports may be right that after all the calendar juggling Iowa and New Hampshire may be more important this year than before.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Romney Outguns Opponents

Andrew White 07.03.07, 6:00 AM ET
WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has placed more local TV ads than all other presidential candidates combined, Nielsen Monitor Reports released Monday.

With 4,549 ads placed through June 10, the Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate is leading all other candidates in overall TV advertising, with more than double the amount of TV ads from Democratic candidate Bill Richardson, who placed the second most TV ads through the middle of June with 2,232.

Some iPhone users have activation delays - source

Some iPhone customers put on hold

Consumer group questions iPhone battery replacement

Apple’s iPhone has network activation glitches

Novelty may not be worth price of Apple iPhone

iPhone activation complaints continue; AT & T says situation has …

My unusable iPhone

iPhone activation problems reported

iPhones loved despite flaws

Hackers get access to iPhone firmware

AT&T Says IPhone Activation Improving

iPhone: Poor Compatibility with Web Apps

iPhone Quirk Limits Headphone Choices

The big AT&T iPhone activation screwup: here’s why

Bloops! First Anti-iPhone Rants Rolling In

Glitches follow iPhone glee

20 hours and counting — and still no iPhone activation

The iPhone: Lots to Love, but Flaws Too

The iPhone: 10 Things Apple Did Right, 10 Things That Need Work

iPhone activation complaints continue

How the iPhone Service Plan Measures up

IPhone First Impressions: Not Worth The Money

Secure Computing Warns: iPhone Release Immediately Followed By New Web-Borne Malware Threat

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ: SCUR) , a leading enterprise gateway security company, today warned that email spam, indicating that the recipient has won a new iPhone, is directing users to a malware hosting website.

Secure Computing has discovered a website that is attempting to exploit over 10 Active X vulnerabilities in its efforts to install a malicious payload including the MSODataSourceControl vulnerability that Secure Computing warned users about only 2 weeks ago. The website is tracking visitors on the site and then redirecting repeat visitors to a different, clean webpage in efforts to thwart security researchers as well as using XOR encryption to obfuscate the attack.

“This yet again confirms the expanding trend in web-borne malware,” said Paul Henry, vice president of technology evangelism for Secure Computing. “This threat is particularly insidious in that scripts within the HTML code returned to the user contain exploit code for multiple vulnerabilities to improve the malicious hacker’s chances of gaining the necessary access to install the rootkit /spam bot malware. While most organizations fully inspect the traffic directed to their Internet facing web servers, many do not inspect the traffic that is returned to their internal users when visiting Internet web sites.”

The initial activity of the rootkit/spam bot malware is to incorporate the compromised PC into a spam sending botnet. Because the malware is rootkit- based, it would be a simple matter for the malicious hacker to at any time update the malware to include other nefarious tasks, such as key logging on the compromised PC to capture the user’s financial credentials for use in ID theft.

Viruses, worms, Trojans and other malware have traditionally been distributed over email with further propagation through each compromised users’ email address books and made to look like messages coming from them. “With this threat, we again see the addition of a web attack component to traditional email-based malware,” said Henry. “Secure Computing has recently seen other evidence of web-borne malware propagating through the use of fake video-hosting sites and fake greeting card messages.”

“Because of the popularity of the iPhone brand this is the first in what’s bound to be a series of scams involving the iPhone,” added Henry.

Customers using Secure Computing’s Webwasher(R), the industry’s first and only reputation-based Web gateway security solution, are protected against this. Webwasher protects enterprises from spyware, phishing, malware, data leakage, and Internet misuse, while ensuring policy enforcement, regulatory compliance, and a productive application environment. It incorporates global intelligence from the company’s industry-leading reputation system, TrustedSource(TM), which provides source-based reputation scores for web page content, messages, attachments and images. Webwasher employs the most sophisticated behavioral and signature-based techniques for stopping malware, as well as patented content analysis software for stopping data leakage.

About Secure Computing:

Secure Computing (NASDAQ: SCUR) , a leading provider of enterprise gateway security, delivers a comprehensive set of solutions that help customers protect their critical Web, email and network assets. Over half the Fortune 50 and Fortune 500 are part of our more than 20,000 global customers in 106 countries, supported by a worldwide network of more than 2,300 partners. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and has offices worldwide. For more information, see http://www.securecomputing.com/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Secure Computing’s timely identification of security threats and its ability to protect against such threats, and such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are delays in product development, undetected software errors or bugs, competitive pressures, technical difficulties, changes in customer requirements, general economic conditions and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Secure Computing’s periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All trademarks or tradenames used herein belong to their respective owners.
Website: http://www.securecomputing.com/

The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot. Consumers pay too much for everything and then at some point complain that prices are too high. Everything costs too much because you keep buying it at ridiculous prices. The business community doles out technology products and services, as well as others, in tiny incremental phases at bloated prices and minimal or substandard capability, performance, features, quality, etc., etc., and consumers keep flocking to each new marketing ploy. The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot.

The youngest among us are the easiest to fool. Haven’t been on the planet long enough or care about the trends that matter. Gotta have the newest and coolest even if it is a marketing campaign that defines the object. The trend is the business community has long known how to use hype to drive revenue. They not only target the younger demographic due to the extreme discretionary income as compared to other groups but they are keenly aware that they are largely clueless when it comes to intelligent purchasing decisions supported by fact.

As for the older demographic that follows suit, they once were part of the younger demographic that was clueless and no improvement in buying decisions has occurred over time. These two demographics are in large part responsible for the continued promotion of second rate products and services at unreasonable prices.

Why do houses cost so much? Because first time buyers only consider what they want and finding a way to qualify for a price they do not see as inflated. The mortgage industry is only too happy to invent flawed solutions like the subprime industry to accommodate such foolish transactions.

Why do cars cost so much? Why does health care cost so much? Why is the cost of an education higher than most think it should be? Although the details may vary the overall reasons for the cost of goods and services and their associated real value are so dramatically skewed. People convince themselves they need what they are buying and have no patience, discipline or any buyer sophistication adequate to the task. This is followed by subsequent complaints about how bad things are without the consumer accepting any guilt for the outcome. The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Pursuing Holiness, CatSynth.com “catback” weekend, The Magical Rose Garden, third world county, Right Celebrity, Wake Up America, Woman Honor Thyself, stikNstein… has no mercy, Pirate’s Cove, Nuke’s news and views, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Church and State, The Random Yak, A Blog For All, 123beta, DeMediacratic Nation, Jeanette’s Celebrity Corner, Webloggin, Cao’s Blog, , Conservative Cat, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Allie Is Wired, Walls of the City, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, High Desert Wanderer, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

While the initial popularity of YouTube videos can fade just like any other pop culture attraction, it may be worthwhile to contribute to the longevity of creative media that not only serve to entertain but enlighten. While serious Clinton junkies may obsess at the durogatory implications, the rest of us may ponder the realistic possibility that another Clinton White House may not be nearly as funny as this video.

Perhaps these YouTube offerings are the conservative antidote to the liberal kool aid offered by Michael Moore.

Whether you have watched HRC’s 1984 video or not, click the pic and consider your options.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

YouTube Hillary 1984

Answering to YouTube
Los Angeles Times, CA - Jun 21, 2007
… Apple’s famous “1984″ commercial into an attack on Hillary Rodham Clinton — they’ve never taken part in an honest-to-goodness presidential debate. …

Presidential runners tap into YouTube
Personal Computer World, UK - Jun 15, 2007
A YouTube video that linked Democrat Hillary Clinton to Apple’s famous 1984 television advertisement has also been widely discussed.

Hillary’s personality problem is no laughing matter
New York Daily News, NY - Jun 10, 2007
And when millions of people were watching a YouTube video portraying Clinton as a programmed digital dictator from the famous “1984″ Apple commercial,

1984 copyright owner rattles legal saber over Hillary …
The copyright holder of George Orwell’s 1984 may file suit over a video — widely viewed on YouTube — that used Apple’s 23-year-old Macintosh ad to jab at …

The 1984 Hillary YouTube Video - Updated at Emergence Media
With the 2008 Presidential Elections just getting a start, the “Vote Different”/1984 Hillary video is just one example of how social media will impact the ..

Google has hopped on the Microsoft anti-trust bandwagon. While near the same time Google is being accused of malpractice when it comes to privacy issues. And as Google just hired someone from the Justice Dept to be their lobbyist in regard to defending its planned purchase of DoubleClick. AT&T and Microsoft are not thrilled with the possibilities of Google buying the internet ad monster.

Sounds like a bunch of spoiled brats fighting over what all of us should oppose. Everyone should be aware of Microsoft’s predatory practices but Google is no saint. After all this time AT&T has overcome the baby bell breakup blues and everything is nearly back to the start. Except we’re all paying too much for second rate services.

Based on these and other reports it may be the fed is cozying up to MS after all the litigation and anti-trust messes of the not too distant past. Could it be the government is enamored again with Bill Gates after his testimony to Congress that visa quotas should be unlimited. Yes, he did that this summer and we’re in an amnesty fiasco now.

With many other reasons to oppose MS, that fact alone would be sufficient. But then it is not like Google, AT&T or many other big deal corporations are concerned about being good corporate citizens or adhering to adequate corporate governance.

Let the behemoth battles begin. (or continue)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Google Reportedly Says Microsoft Windows Vista Puts Rivals At Disadvantage - Update [GOOG]

http://www.rttnews.com/sp/breakingnews.asp?date=06/10/2007&item=12&vid=0
6/10/2007 11:24:25 PM Sunday, reports indicated Google Inc. (GOOG) complained to antitrust officials that Windows vista operating system software of Microsoft Corp (MSFT) puts rivals at a disadvantage in violation of Microsoft’s antitrust settlement. In a white paper sent to the Justice department and state attorney generals in April, Google said that the Windows operating system hinders consumers from using desktop applications provided by Google and others.

The US Justice Department’s Change Of Heart Over Microsoft

Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2007
LAWFUEL - The Law Newswire - After a decade, the US Government has moved from attacking Microsoft to defending it - a sign that the antitrust fight has moved from the desktop to the Internet. The New York Times reports.

Nearly a decade after the government began its landmark effort to break up Microsoft, the Bush administration has sharply changed course by repeatedly defending the company both in the United States and abroad against accusations of anticompetitive conduct, including the recent rejection of a complaint by Google.

Google hires former Department of Justice official

By Jonathan Thaw
Bloomberg News
Published June 1, 2007, 3:28 PM CDT

Google Inc., owner of the world’s most-popular Internet search engine, hired a former U.S. Department of Justice official to advise the company on its $3.1 billion purchase of DoubleClick Inc.

Makan Delrahim served as deputy assistant attorney general for the department’s antitrust unit. The DoubleClick purchase won’t stifle competition in the online advertising industry, he said in an interview today.

I embrace Google’s latest, ’smile, you’re on candid camera’ efforts as much as I did the cell phone camera. Although the argument can be made that wireless phone cameras may assist the public interest in certain situations, there is a lot of room for abuse. And it is not like questionable choices aren’t pervasive in the land of plenty.

Could it be that Google is showing us the future or influencing its development? Or will Google’s antics find it as controversial in the buiness world as a Wal-Mart or Halliburton. Sentenced to live out a corporate existence defending its behavior while flourishing in profits without contributing meaningful advances in their chosen landscape?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Google hits the streets, raises concerns

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE
AP BUSINESS WRITER
SAN FRANCISCO — Google Inc. bills the latest twist on its online maps as “Street View,” but it looks a bit like “Candid Camera” as you cruise through the panorama of pictures that captured fleeting moments in neighborhoods scattered across the country.
Potentially embarrassing or compromising scenes like these are raising questions about whether the Internet’s leading search engine has gone too far in its latest attempt to make the world a more accessible - and transparent - place.

Alltel to be acquired by TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners for $71.50 per share

Release date: May 20, 2007

Little Rock, AR - Alltel Corp. (NYSE: AT) today announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners (”GSCP”), in a transaction valued at approximately $27.5 billion.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, TPG Capital and GSCP will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Alltel for $71.50 per share in cash. The purchase price per share represents a 23% premium over Alltel’s closing share price prior to media reports of a potential transaction published on December 29, 2006. Alltel intends to pay its regular quarterly common share dividend until closing.

Alltel’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement after a comprehensive review of the company’s strategic options, and has recommended the approval of the transaction by Alltel’s shareholders.

Completion of the transaction, which is currently expected to occur by the fourth quarter of 2007 or by the first quarter of 2008, is contingent upon customary closing conditions, including approval by Alltel’s shareholders and certain regulatory approvals. Shareholders will be asked to vote on the proposed transaction at a special meeting that will be held on a date to be announced. Scott Ford, Alltel’s chief executive officer, will remain in his current role.

“This transaction delivers substantial and certain value to our shareholders while providing the company with long-term partners who share our commitment to our customers, employees and the communities we serve,” said Mr. Ford. “TPG and GSCP are long-term investors who are willing to make the investments necessary to continue to grow our wireless business in all of our markets. This transaction also ensures our customers can continue to rely on Alltel to deliver high-quality service and leading edge products and services.”

“Alltel is a great company with a terrific management team,” said Jim Coulter, founding partner, TPG. “We look forward to working with them to continue to grow one of the nation’s premier wireless providers.”

“Alltel has a long history of growth through strategic acquisitions, combined with a strong focus on customer service,” said Richard Friedman, head of the Merchant Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with an exceptional management team to continue to support their strategies for growth.”

Merrill Lynch & Co., Stephens Inc. and JP Morgan Securities Inc. acted as Alltel’s financial advisors, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor. Citigroup and Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisors to TPG and GSCP; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP acted as legal advisor to TPG; Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as legal advisor to GSCP, and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP acted as regulatory counsel to the buyers. Acquisition financing will be provided by Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Barclays and RBS.

About Alltel

Alltel is owner and operator of the nation’s largest wireless network and has 12 million wireless customers.

About TPG Capital

TPG Capital is the global buyout group of TPG, a leading private investment firm founded in 1992, with more than $30 billion of assets under management and offices in San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, New York, Minneapolis, Fort Worth, Melbourne, Menlo Park, Moscow, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. TPG Capital has extensive experience with global public and private investments executed through leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, joint ventures and restructurings. TPG Capital’s investments span a variety of industries including communications, technology, healthcare, retail/consumer, travel, media, industrials and financial services. Please visit www.tpg.com.

About GS Capital Partners

Since 1986, Goldman Sachs has raised thirteen private equity and mezzanine investment funds aggregating $56 billion of capital commitments. GS Capital Partners is the private equity vehicle through which The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., conducts its privately negotiated corporate equity investment activities. GS Capital Partners is currently investing its GS Capital Partners VI fund. GS Capital Partners is a global private equity group with a focus on large, sophisticated business opportunities in which value can be created through leveraging the resources of Goldman Sachs.

Forward-Looking Statements

Alltel claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events and results. Actual future events and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors. Representative examples of these factors include (without limitation): the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement with TPG and GS Capital; the inability to complete the merger due to the failure to obtain stockholder approval for the merger or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the merger, including the receipt of all regulatory approvals related to the merger; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations; adverse changes in economic conditions in the markets served by Alltel; the extent, timing, and overall effects of competition in the communications business; material changes in the communications industry generally that could adversely affect vendor relationships with equipment and network suppliers and customer relationships with wholesale customers; changes in communications technology; the risks associated with the integration of acquired businesses; adverse changes in the terms and conditions of the wireless roaming agreements of Alltel; the potential for adverse changes in the ratings given to Alltel’s debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations; the uncertainties related to Alltel’s strategic investments; the effects of litigation; and the effects of federal and state legislation, rules, and regulations governing the communications industry. In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, and governmental and public policy changes.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT:

In connection with the proposed merger, Alltel will file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other relevant documents filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Alltel’s security holders and other interested parties will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the proxy statement and other relevant documents (when available) by directing a request by mail or telephone to Director-Investor Relations, Alltel Corporation, One Allied Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202, telephone 1-877-446-3628 or from Alltel’s website, www.alltel.com.

Alltel and its directors and certain of its officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Alltel’s shareholders with respect to the merger. Information about Alltel’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Alltel’s common stock is set forth in the proxy statement for Alltel’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2007. Shareholders and investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of Alltel and its directors and executive officers in the merger, which may be different than those of Alltel’s shareholders generally, by reading the proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the merger, which will be filed with the SEC.

For additional information contact:

Alltel Media Contact
Andrew Moreau 501-905-7962
Vice President - Corporate Communications
andrew.moreau@alltel.com

TPG Capital Media Contact
Owen Blicksilver 516-742-5950
Owen Blicksilver PR, Inc.

GSCP Media Contact
Peter Rose 212-902-5400

Alltel Investor Contact
John Ebner 501-905-8991
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer
alltel.investor.relations@alltel.com

Alltel, NYSE: AT
www.alltel.com

What’s wrong with the (Katie) Couric Broadcasting System, also known as CBS? Their Saturday evening news broadcast was dominated by pro-illegal immigration and anti-war bias. Show a report of a courageous military family and then say ‘they are out of step’ with most Americans. Move to an invalid conclusion that a majority of Americans believing the President mishandled the war equates to supporting a withdrawal. Show how the poor, poor people in the Hamptons can’t live without importing temporary workers. Rather than adjust their business plan to effectively manage a business or admit any flaw in their operational strategy, blame everything on someone else.

Thanks CBS for your blatant misuse of the public airwaves to promote your corporate philosophy.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

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