Awesome slide deck from Marta Kagan describing Social Media and it’s impact on business.

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• HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 3: Extender & Conclusion - Chris Lanier’s Blog
  HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 3: Extender & Conclusion
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• Bootstrapper » 50+ Google Reader Productivity Hacks
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• State confirms Microsoft coming to Iowa | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register
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  The technology equipment inside the building als

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I posted a comment to FriendFeed early today linking to an interview with Microsoft’s Debra Chrapaty where she said in a video Microsoft would be building a data center in Iowa. I’ve been waiting to hear more details since that comment before blogging but have heard nothing.

So if Microsoft invests in their new Iowa data center in the same manner as they traditionally have - we could see a $500 million facility coming our way. If Microsoft is going to reach their goal of having “many millions of servers” and competing with Google’s infrastructure this is the course they need to take.

No word as of yet on location… Why Iowa? Cheap(er) power, Cheap(er) labor, centralized location. Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said technology based companies look at Iowa because of the well educated work force and good training programs at community colleges (via Chicago Tribune). According to the Des Moines Register, the tax benefits are the same as the deal Google got in Council Bluffs…

The state agreed to provide sales and use tax exemptions on purchases of computers, equipment and electricity necessary for use in a Web portal business with an investment of at least $200 million in Iowa.

The technology equipment inside the building also would be exempt from property taxes.

The tax breaks are the same as the ones lawmakers passed last year to lure high-tech giant Google.

More to come as the news unfolds…

UPDATE: I just got word from KCCI the new data center will be located in the Greater Des Moines area…

Iowa Department of Economic Development spokeswoman Stephanie Bjornson said the company confirmed Tuesday its intentions to locate the center in the Des Moines area.

She said they are looking at a final list of sites.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver had this to say…

“On behalf of all Iowans, let me be among the first to say ‘Microsoft, Welcome to Iowa!’ In making its decision, Microsoft recognized what we in Iowa have known all along – our workforce and quality of life is second-to-none. One of my top priorities as Governor is to create good jobs with good wages, and together with Microsoft, we’re doing just that,” said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. “Their decision to make Iowa their newest home will have a tremendous impact on our local economy and our state as a whole. Microsoft’s innovative spirit is a perfect match with that of our hard working people. We look forward to working with Microsoft in the coming months as this project takes shape, and expand our economic opportunities here in Iowa.”

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• Automatic Macro Insertion
  - Ad Manager will automatically detect the ad tags from several popular
  3rd party vendors when you paste them in as new creatives. When
  properly detected, the click-tracking and cache-busting macros will be
  inserted automatically.
• Competing Line Item Report
  - The quantity booked, amount delivered, and the current delivery
  status have all been added as new columns to the competing line items
  report.
• Overbook Details - When
  warned about possible overbooking, you now have the option to book only
  the inventory that is available. A new link to a “Detailed Inventory
  Check” will also provide quick access to more information.
• Export Ad Slots - The new
  “Download Ad Slots” link on the Ad Slots tab will export your entire
  slot list to a CSV file. This is useful to audit your inventory and
  verify AdSense settings.
• Edit Company Name - The company display name is now editable on the Admin > Settings tab. This name is seen by advertisers who you invite to log in and see their orders.

By the way - I love Google Ad Manager…

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