Friday, January 9, 2009

Top 10 online stories of 2008

By Mass High Tech staff

Video Gallery

MHT's Efrain Viscarolasaga: Solar installation booms in New England

MHT managing editor Rodney Brown on NECN: 22 tech companies give back to community

MHT Editor Doug Banks on NECN: How companies are using social media

In 2008, visitors to our website were drawn most to stories about alternative energy sources, dog-like robots, M&A deals and viruses. Among the stories about online racing sims and research showing stem cells’ improved treatment of Parkinson’s disease, the sudden death of MIT stalwart and re-engineering guru Michael Hammer received a great deal of attention, marking how well known he was in the tech community as a whole.

1. Wood pellet markets heats up as oil prices soar

Update
As the high cost of heating oil dropped over the fall, the interest in alternative ways to heat one’s home waned. Still, businesses are trying to fill orders.
“The summer, fall and early winter were crazy. No one could keep with the demand. Today, we are finding that most consumers have received at least some pellet fuel, so the panic has subsided, but we are still sold out through April 1st,” said Justin Moran, director of sales and marketing for Woodstone USA LLC of Hingham.

2. Boston Dynamics shows off lifelike robot dog

3. Report: Ars Technica bought by Wired Digital

Update
In May, Conde Nast acquired Malden-based blog site Ars Technica and brought it into its WIRED Digital unit with Wired.com, Reddit, WebMonkey and HotWired. Ars Technica said it planned to increase its coverage by bringing in more experts and to expand with new IT and science subject areas and new offices opening in San Francisco and Chicago.

4. MIT: Stem cells from skin treats Parkinson's symptoms

5. Re-engineering guru Michael Hammer dies at 60

6. Bay State Senate bill would mandate electronic health records

Update
The e-records provision was included in the Health Care Cost Containment bill that was signed into law in August 2008, explained an aide in Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray’s office. Among its provisions, it sets a goal of statewide adoption of electronic health records by 2015. It also dedicates $25 million to the new Massachusetts e-Health Institute to facilitate the financing and deployment of the statewide, compatible system of electronic health records.

7. IRacing hopes for win with online racing sim

Update
When we wrote about iRacing for the first time in June, the company had just developed its racetrack simulator that works on a PC. Now, the company wants to make virtual racing a sanctioned sport.
The Bedford company has signed up 37 racing clubs around the world and is planning to kick off a yearlong “World Cup of iRacing” tournament in February, in which countries will compete against one another.
“It’s racing in the virtual world,” said company president Anthony Gardner. “We’re not a game. These aren’t fantasy tracks and cars. They’re real tracks and cars. It’s a real-live tool.”

8. Lantheus Medical Imaging launches from Bristol-Myers unit buyout

Update
Since we first reported in March on the launch of Lantheus Medical Imaging from a former medical imaging business unit of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Lantheus won a three-year supplier contract by Premier Purchasing Partners LP and marked its growth with four new hires.

9. Boston media members hit by 'Koobface' Facebook virus

Update
When MHT reported that a handful of media technology companies in the Boston area had been struck with the so-called Koobface virus that was targeting Facebook users, the news was picked up around the world. Facebook users responded in typical Facebook fashion — by creating a group alerting fellow users of the threat. As of Jan. 3, the group had more than 6,900 members.
Despite the worldwide coverage the Koobface virus garnered, McAfee Inc. Threat Center has rated it as a “low” threat, in part because it requires you to actively OK a download onto your computer, a strategy we hope most MHT readers are wise to.

10. Novartis launches startup Forma Therapeutics, seeks CEO

Update
Since Mass High Tech first wrote about Cambridge-based oncology treatment startup company Forma Therapeutics Inc. in April, it announced just this week that it raised $25 million to fund its expansion. Forma also announced its formal debut as a global drug discovery company.