blogging tools

Way cool Gmail feature
I’ve been using Gmail for domains for seven months for Project Red Stripe and it’s been a bit like the beginnings of a romance. First of all, every day you find something great about it that you didn’t know before. Then every week. And then this…. You can create pseudo addresses. What’s that you ask? Well it means [...]

I’ve been using Gmail for domains for seven months for Project Red Stripe and it’s been a bit like the beginnings of a romance. First of all, every day you find something great about it that you didn’t know before. Then every week.

And then this….

You can create pseudo addresses. What’s that you ask?

Well it means that you can sign up to services with unique e-mail addresses so that any mail from them still comes into your mailbox. BUT, you now know where any sold-on addresses came from (using Gmail’s filters).

So, in the case of my projectrestripe.com account:

mike+spamfromprsblogpostprojectredstripe.com (obviously swap the for @)

will also get to me, but if the address gets harvested I will know where it came from. Now, I’m sure that pretty soon services will start to defeat this, but for now it’s fantastic.

See Aaron Lynch’s blog entry for the lowdown.

Rewarding idea submitters
By now if you submitted an idea to us you should have received your six months subscription to Economist.com. We wish you happy reading and thank-you once again for taking the time to put together so many well thought out ideas. With hindsight getting your permission to publish all the ideas on the site certainly had merits [...]

By now if you submitted an idea to us you should have received your six months subscription to Economist.com.

We wish you happy reading and thank-you once again for taking the time to put together so many well thought out ideas.

With hindsight getting your permission to publish all the ideas on the site certainly had merits - it would have been great to get comments, builds, bombs, sun and rain for them - but equally we were pretty time-poor.
Still, there is always the potential son-of-Project Red Stripe!

And the idea is…
After four and a half months of sweat and toil we are pleased to announce our idea: We are developing a web service that harnesses the collective intelligence of The Economist Group’s community, enabling them to contribute their skills and knowledge to international and local development organisations. These business minds will help find solutions to the [...]

After four and a half months of sweat and toil we are pleased to announce our idea:

We are developing a web service that harnesses the collective intelligence of The Economist Group’s community, enabling them to contribute their skills and knowledge to international and local development organisations. These business minds will help find solutions to the world’s most important development problems.

It will be a global platform that helps to offset the brain drain, by making expertise flow back into the developing world. We’ve codenamed the service “Lughenjo”, an Tuvetan word meaning gift.

So how does it work?

In a nutshell, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), charities and other organisations - as well as entrepreneurs active in developing countries - will be able to post tasks on Lughenjo asking for help in solving problems. Qualified individuals can then provide such help by donating their knowledge and skills. By connecting these two groups Lughenjo will create a marketplace for good and a new channel for skills and knowledge transfer.

So what difference can it make? We can’t help but think that if we allow The Economist Group’s community to give their time and expertise online - quickly and easily - then something great will happen. Initially we’ll start small. Lughenjo users will be able to answer questions that are posed by accredited international development organisations. Think Yahoo! Answers for good.

The key will be what happens later, when tasks become more complex. Imagine a CEO examining a business plan for a developing world social enterprise. Or when one of the 450 000 finance and accounting professionals of CFO and Economist.com can look over the books of an NGO in Nairobi. The possibilities are endless. What’s more, by allowing skilled, smart, professionals to help development organisations, they will help solve development problems with market-based solutions.

But what’s the business model? Lughenjo will be a social business enterprise. A business that does good, and returns a profit. To do this we’ll do what media companies do best and put ads in front of eyeballs.

Time for questions

There are many questions, which we have thought long and hard over. Does the world need another volunteer-matching site? Will time-poor professionals donate their time? Do NGOs and other organisations actually need such a site? Can you make money on the back of charity?

In the next few weeks we’ll be dealing with these issues on our blog (starting with the question of making money from philanthopy, below) and at the same time putting together a great pitch for the Group’s management team.

So there it is. We’d love to get your feedback on the idea - feel free to post a comment.

And if you work at an NGO or are a social entrepreneur who would use Lughenjo for getting help, then please e-mail us on:

Does the world need another volunteer matching site?
If you live in the US or the UK, it feels like the answer should be “no”. In these countries, it feels as if there are now as many of them as pet food-selling start-ups during the dotcom boom. To mention only a few: VolunteerMatch, NetworkForGood, Idealist and TimeBank. The biggest is San-Francisco-based VolunteerMatch. In [...]

If you live in the US or the UK, it feels like the answer should be “no”. In these countries, it feels as if there are now as many of them as pet food-selling start-ups during the dotcom boom. To mention only a few: VolunteerMatch, NetworkForGood, Idealist and TimeBank. The biggest is San-Francisco-based VolunteerMatch. In 2006, it averaged more than 38,000 active volunteer opportunities a day

Yet when it comes to sites listing opportunities in international volunteering, the field is much less crowded. And international online volunteering, although it has been around for quite a few years, is an even more open space. The UN, for instance, has pioneered the concept with a site called OnlineVolunteering. But the more relevant example for Lughenjo’s purposes is Nabuur, a Dutch site, whose name is an old Dutch word meaning “neighbour”.

Nabuur selects local communities (“villages”) that then can ask for help with projects such as a new computer training centre and a library. Specially trained volunteers (“facilitators”) split up the projects into tasks, which registered users (“neighbours”) can do on their computer within two to eight hours. In 2006, Nabuur had 150 villages and 8,000 neighbours, who completed 150 tasks and seven projects. OnlineVolunteering, for its part, had some 70,000 registered users last year, who among them completed 2,800 assignments.

Nabuur and OnlineVolunteering clearly show that online volunteering has a future. But they also underline what is missing for it to really take off, particularly at a global level. In many ways, it is in the state that online music was before Apple introduced the iPod and its iTunes service. Digital music players, tiny hard drives, downloading sites and rights management systems all existed before Steve Jobs combined his determination with a thick layer of marketing glue to create a set of blockbuster products.

As was the case with online music before the iPod, a trigger is needed for online volunteering: one powerful player with a highly trusted brand who dares to put it all together in order to create a global platform.

To see the potential of knowledge-and-skills-exchanges online, one need only take a closer look at for-profit firms in this space. On Elance, for instance, tens of thousands of small businesses post projects such as building a website and designing a logo. Freelancers around the world then bid for these projects. Elance facilitates these exchanges and takes a cut. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, for its part, shows that even small jobs - which the service calls “human intelligence tasks” (or HITs) - are tradable online.

A similar site to exchange skills and knowledge to solve development problems could make a huge difference. International and local development organisations need money of course. But skills and knowledge are often the true bottleneck. And even if both are available locally, the networks to spread them are often missing. We believe that Lughenjo will not only be a partial substitute for such networks, but also help build them.

Great idea, you may think, but can Lughenjo attract a critical mass of volunteers and organisations to this skills exchange to give it enough liquidity? This certainly is a crucial issue, and we’ll cover it in our next post.

Pet Peeves around North American Grammar and Phrases
Completely random post here.� Here are grammar offences (or just irksome/lazy phrasing) that can regularly be heard on TV news, talk-shows and interviews in the US (some by prominent news casters), but occasionally in Canada too. “We’ve already began” That should be, “We’ve already begun,” or, “We’ve begun…”� Yes, scientists in commercials for unpopular oil companies lose [...]

GDC 2009 - Day One Video


Brent's Other Podcast #4 - GDC 2009, Day 1 from Brent on Vimeo.

Brent descends on the Game Developer's Conference 2009 with a video camera this year and the goal is a little different: tell you about cool game-related technology, MMORPG news and give you a taste of what the GDC experience is all about. This is day one of the conference. (Also available as a podcast feed and full size download.)

E.D.D.
Expansion Deficit Disorder or "E.D.D." - a disorder common among some of the gaming communities more driven members. Whenever an expansion to a new mmo comes out, these individuals are compelled to reach the new level cap as fast as possible, throwing all caution, common sense and health issues aside. As one urban rumor has it, one graduate student in applied mechanics, his neurons fried from an attempt at leveling Warhammer Online in record time, submitted his masters thesis on the subject of practical time travel in an attempt to reach the level 80 cap in Warcraft before the Wrath of the Lich King Expansion was even released; but these are, of course, only idle rumors.

O.K I will admit it - one of my favorite podcasts isn't even part of the Virgin Worlds collective. The show Blue Plz, hosted by Total Biscuit (T.B.), is the sort of show that you may love, or you may hate but it always makes you think. Last week I listened to T.B. start his show with 15 minutes of screaming about how horrible and easy the end game instances are in Wrath "" at one point in the show he complained about "not having anything to do, considering we've beaten' pretty much everything in Wrath in 2 weeks..."

Since the day I first set foot in Azeroth and cast my eyes upon the great gateway of Ironforge (back when the biggest, baddest instance was Molten Core) to the present there the Warcraft community has been fraught with players I call the "Un-silent minority". Now I am not talking about the trolls who fill the "official forums" whining whenever someone of class other than theirs manages to top them on the DPS meters thereby shortening their "e-peen". I am not even talking about players who find that raiding is their favorite part of the game.

I am talking about players who are self described "hardcore" raiders - the sort of players to whom the game comes first, even before family, and raiding becomes not a lifestyle but life. I might narrow it down even further to those members of the "hardcore" community who are dead set certain that the rest of the 11,499,999 of us all look up to them as the crème de la crème. There are many reasons to look up to someone, but about the last reason to idolize someone is how fast they can push a button on a keyboard.

After The Burning Crusade expansion came out, Jeff Kaplan and Rob Pardo both gave interviews where they admitted that high end content like The Black Temple was being experience by about 1% of the player base at the time. And all the while they were raiding, members of that 1 percent where busy applying terms like "welfare epics" and busily trying to fit the remainder of the 10 million players (at the time) into a nice neat little box they labeled "casual players" - as if the rest of us were some how not up to their professional standards.

Back in grad school we were all taught that good marketing means making your product meet the needs of the consumer. How long, I wonder, would the Activision/Blizzard gorilla be able to through its weight around if it catered to only one percent of its customers?

There are some players who think that the shoe is now on the other foot, and it is the turn of the hard core raiding guilds to complain - after all, turn about, as it is said, is fair play. But with the release of the Wrath of the Lich King Activision/Blizzard is continuing its efforts to let the players have their cake and eat it too, with content that is variable beyond simply a choice between normal and heroic difficulties. In the mean time, those players looking for difficulty beyond what Warcraft has to offer can either turn to running Nax in their undies or have someone dump them in Zero Security space in a frigate in Eve Online.

See you online,
- Julie Whitefeather

One Giant Leap
By Julie Whitefeather

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" - Neil Armstrong, July 21, 1969

When Neil Armstrong, very much a modern day Magellan, uttered these words as he stepped down onto the surface of the moon for the first time, the way we saw the universe was changed forever. Yet, in retrospect, it is easy to forget about the turmoil that ran through society during the sixties in the figure of the Viet Nam War.

Using a bit of dramatic license we can easily see an analogous situation in online gaming communities now - No subject amongst gamers seems to cause as much turbulence, as much heated debate, and just nasty behavior as the Activision/Blizzard's World of Warcraft (WoW). Love it or hate it, the 800 pound Blizzard Gorilla seems to leave NO ONE with "no opinion". Truly hell has no fury as a gamer whose game has been scorned, and that seems especially true of WoW players. I have had WoW players hurl anger and angst at me when I scorn WoW. Yet if I praise WoW and Blizzard those same players ignore the praise, while Warhammer Online (WAR) players get their dander up faster than a cat in a room full of pit bulls.

Still, whether you love WoW or hate WoW, and even if you are all set to burn Rob Pardo and Jeff Kaplan in effigy, there is no denying one thing - phase technology, as Blizzard has introduced us to in the Wrath of the Lich King (Wotlk), is one of those giant leaps in gaming. Here is an excerpt from a recent review by PC Gamer's, Adam Oxford:

"But Blizzard's story telling is front and center more than ever before, thanks to something it terms 'phase technology.' With it, two people can be in the same region at the same time and see two totally different things...Finally your actions in WoW are no longer meaningless; the universe can and will be different after your actions without breaking the game for players of lower level. That's a pretty big step forward." - Adam Oxford, PC Gamer Magazine

Ironically, Mythic Entertainment's now famous front man, Paul Barnett, was quick to tell us all how public quests were that giant leap forward. In an interview in Beckett Massive Online Gamer magazine, prior to the release of WAR, we were told "public quests are one of those things that pass my genius test." He went on to tell us how "public quests will change the face of MMOs forever."

In the end, as grandmother used to say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

What looked good on paper, what seemed to work in beta, is a far cry different from actual practice now that the game has been out awhile - with the early levels of WAR all but deserted, public quests without enough players are like a car without fuel: it doesn't run without gas (or players) to power it.

I am sure at some point that someone will point to another game and say "they did phase technology first". Heck, who knows, it may even be me. But whether Blizzard originated it or adopted it, the fact remains that phase technology IS that giant leap forward that will change the face of MMOs forever.

Many is the time that I have played through a raid instance or quest line to finally defeat the "boss" only to come face to face with that same boss at a later time. The same thing always passes my mind when this happens: "Didn't I already defeat you?" I have heard columnists and players alike complain about not being able to have a permanent affect on the virtual world of the game they are playing.

Now that can all change.

For those of you who have completed the "Wrath Gate" quest line in Wrath of the Lich King (no spoilers here) you will have seen that it has a very permanent affect on the land of Northrend (the new land mass in Wotlk). Yet if you have not completed this quest line you will not see parts of Northrend the way I do. In fact some of it will be completely different. This presents interesting possibilities that Blizzard seems to have only begun to explore. I can only imagine how the developers that worked on phase technology must feel about it, but the words of Rick Ellis, head of Monolith, may just express it:

"The next time you are playing and have a strong reaction to a game, as you walk away from your experience, know that somewhere, there is a developer with a Joker-like grin on his or her face, basking in the knowledge that their work made you jump, scream, or cry." - Rick Ellis, Head of Monolith

See you online,

- Julie Whitefeather


No Bad P.R.
By Julie Whitefeather

"Say what ever you want about me, just spell the name right" - Mae West

The quote above goes to the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity; there is only publicity. There are, of course, exceptions to this adage - just ask people like Christian Bale (who dodged a bullet) and Michael Richards (who forgot to duck). But while there may be no such thing as bad publicity, there is DEFINITELY such a thing as bad marketing. Perhaps this was not always a factor in creating a successful game, but one company changed all that, at least to a large degree...

Blizzard - before we had to put the "Activision" in front of it

Whether you love Activision/Blizzard or hate it, there is one thing that it has done over the years since the creation of World of Warcraft (WoW) and that is to take p.c. gaming out of the closet. The day when someone would have to hide the fact that they play an mmo has indeed gone the way of the dinosaur. People from all cultural, social and economic backgrounds play WoW.

Yes we are living in tough economic times, and many games lose customers simply through attrition. Still others are hemorrhaging customers so fast they have closed their doors for good. None of this is astounding, or unexpected. What DOES astound me is what some developers and publishers choose to do about it (some of the causes I will talk about in my next article). The initial travesty is that there are still professionals in the videogame industry that haven't heard the phrase "make sure the game is polished" enough - and to extend the concept, fix what you have put out on the shelves before you put out more.

Case in point.

While Mythic was losing 450,000 customers at the end of last quarter, they were also busy shoveling more of the same content that HELPED lose 450,000 customers. But new "shinies" don't equal new customers unless the customers happen to be packrats instead of humans. This is reflective of an even deeper problem and that is failure to understand their customers. Now there is no doubt that there is a great desire to do so - in fact I would go so far as to say that they knock themselves out trying. But this isn't going to happen any time soon - not while they are still busy shoving what THEY want out of the game down player's throats. By way of example take a look at what Mark Jacobs himself has constantly told players is the crux, the main point, of the game and that is realm vs. realm (RvR) combat. Yet in the opening months of the game they were still busy trying to entice players out of scenarios and out into open RvR and they continue to do so.

All this goes to a lack of understanding of the difference between marketing and advertising. There is no doubt that Mythic is not just good at advertising - they are FANTASTIC at it. There is no doubt in my mind that Paul Barnett is such a good pitchman that he could make someone look forward to having the plague. But all the advertising in the world, even were polished to a diamond finish, isn't worth a tinker's damn if the devs or producers overlook good marketing. Good marketing, my friends, is all about making your product meet the needs of the customer, and not the other way around.

Think I'm wrong?

The 450,000 customers went somewhere; where did they go? Yes some may be due to the downturn in the economy, and some may be simply players chasing the next latest game. Before you answer the question, however, ask yourselves some of the following questions. If players had to get rid of some of their subscriptions and dump others why did they dump Warhammer Online (WAR)? If players are simply chasing the latest, hottest game what is there about WAR that didn't entice them to stay?

At this point some readers may jump to the same conclusion as some of the listeners to the "No Prisoners, No Mercy" podcast - that I hate Mythic or War or both. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. If I didn't care about the game I wouldn't continue to write about it and podcast about it; instead I would simply ignore it. But I do care, and yes I have been reading Warhammer novels, and playing the tabletop game since long before anyone even considered adding "online" after the name. So until next time...

See you online,

- Julie Whitefeather

Psiloc Looking for Emoroom Beta Testers
SiMo readers, this is your chance to get a sneak preview of a very cool new app / service that Psiloc is cooking up… Psiloc is looking for Beta Testers to test our latest innovative service - Emoroom. The idea of service is building a space where people who are in a relationship can exchange messages [...]

SiMo readers, this is your chance to get a sneak preview of a very cool new app / service that Psiloc is cooking up…

Psiloc is looking for Beta Testers to test our latest innovative service - Emoroom. The idea of service is building a space where people who are in a relationship can exchange messages using a unique connection between their cell phones and the Internet.

The participants of this project will have the opportunity to be the first ever to test and use software that is globally unique.

Requirements:

• an S60 3rd edition device
• access to the Internet from the device
• partner or spouse having an S60 3rd edition device with access to the Internet
• discretion (this is a private beta so no blabbing!)

If you fit the bill, shoot me a note at zach [[at]] mobile9 [[dot]] com and we’ll get you set up. Please include your S60 handset model and your mobile number with country code in your email. Thanks from SiMo and Psiloc!

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An Evening with S60 New York
Saara from the See Into S60 blog writes about the upcoming Evening with S60 meet up. I went to the one in London last year and it was pretty good, if you are in New York I’d encourage you to attend. Remember to sign up! I’ve been on holiday for four weeks and very happy [...]

Saara from the See Into S60 blog writes about the upcoming Evening with S60 meet up. I went to the one in London last year and it was pretty good, if you are in New York I’d encourage you to attend. Remember to sign up!

I’ve been on holiday for four weeks and very happy to be back with some great news for everyone in and around New York! If you have been itching to talk to other S60 fans in the area, well here’s your chance! For the second time, An Evening with S60 lands in New York on Wednesday September 17th from 7:30 PM to 10 PM at the Nokia Flagship Store, 5 E 57th Street, NY 10022. Come join us for an evening fun with good food, drinks, people and of course cool technology! This is a night you don’t want to miss!

Sign up here!

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Skyemobile: New Mobile Marketplace Prepares to Make a Splash
In a day and age where mobile developers are caught between a rock and a hard place, it was only a matter of time before a company took the opportunity to create a marketplace that would address the needs of the consumer without sacrificing the will (and livelihood) of the developer. Let’s face it; as [...]

In a day and age where mobile developers are caught between a rock and a hard place, it was only a matter of time before a company took the opportunity to create a marketplace that would address the needs of the consumer without sacrificing the will (and livelihood) of the developer. Let’s face it; as a mobile developer, unless you write apps for the iPhone you’re basically looking at Handango if you want exposure. Sure, you can go with one of several smaller shops but the volume won’t be anything like Handango. The problem? 50% of your revenue goes out the door as soon as you upload your first app to be sold by Handango.

Those who have attempted to step out and contend with Handango have experienced mixed success. While no one has come close to approaching Handango as the market leader, companies such as MobiHand have done well for themselves by taking a pro-developer approach. The problem is that no one to this point has exhibited all the key elements that are required to topple a market leader:

1. Innovation
2. Determination
3. Reach
4. Marketing

With that in mind, what better company to embark on such a mission than a company with deep roots in mobile application development? Skyestream is just that; a developer first. It has a variety of apps under its belt including several best sellers that are among the most popular apps ever released for Symbian devices. It is approaching this space with a wealth of experience from both sides of the fence. Their goal is a noble one: Create a new and innovative mobile retail marketplace that values the consumer and developer equally (my words, not theirs).

While I won’t spoil the surprises, I will say that Skyestream is implementing some exciting new functionality and a very attractive feature set that will benefit both the customer and the developer. For the customer; easier access to apps of interest, more and better information about the apps that is far more accessible, and a simplified desktop and mobile shopping experience are among the benefits you can look forward to. Developers on the other hand can anticipate a much more favorable revenue split, new ways to market your products and a variety of tools and features that improve the overall selling experience such as zero developer admin / content-loading overhead.

Contrary to the current leader in mobile app retail, Skyestream is dedicated to moving the space forward in such a way that better-suits all parties involved. While the mission is hardly a simple one, I’m quite confident that if anyone can make a dent in the way this game is played it’s the great team over at Skyestream.

Developers, if you want more info feel free to ping me or shoot a note over to info [[at]] skyestream [[dot]] com. S60 users, here’s the URL to keep your eye on in the coming months: www.skyemobile.com.

UPDATE: A couple more screen shots for your viewing pleasure:

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Japanese girls photos
Some hot and sexy Japanese girls photos you can’t refuse in order to start learning Japanese for free. � In stead of just looking at Japanese girls photos, wouldn’t it be more fun to be able to talk to one? � Well, it’s not only more fun, but it’s also very easy: learning just a few Japanese words will [...]

Some hot and sexy Japanese girls photos you can’t refuse in order to start learning Japanese for free.

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In stead of just looking at Japanese girls photos, wouldn’t it be more fun to be able to talk to one?

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Well, it’s not only more fun, but it’s also very easy: learning just a few Japanese words will make you look sexy in the eyes of the Japanese, just make sure you learn the right Japanese words!

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A simple way to start conversation below. A snippet out of the first Japanese lesson of Rocket Japanese (99.95$ only with money back guarantee) where Kenny says hallo to Japanese girl Sayaka:

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Click to listen to the Japanese audio (61Kb, mp3)

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Imagine you are Kenny and you are talking to sexy Japanese girl Sayaka like so:

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• Kenny: Sayaka san, konnichiwa!
• Sayaka: Ken? san, konnichiwa! O genki desu ka?
• Kenny: Genki desu, arigat?, anata wa?
• Sayaka: Watashi mo genki desu, arigat?.

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• Kenny: Hello, Sayaka!
• Sayaka: Hello, Kenny! How are you?
• Kenny: I’m good, thank you, and you?
• Sayaka: I’m good too, thank you.

�

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Next time you are watching Japanese girls photos, remember you can speak to Japanese girls as well

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Just learn a few words every day at learning Japanese for free and in no time you will be talking to in stead of just looking at Japanese girls!

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Dirty pick up lines
Enjoy our top 10 dirty pick up lines which could make you laugh and your date run. Dirty chat up lines do work when: � you do love each other and� your partner loves your sense of humor big time. � If you really want to learn how to pick up a girl, then buy Ann May’s : How to [...]

Enjoy our top 10 dirty pick up lines which could make you laugh and your date run. Dirty chat up lines do work when:

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• you do love each other and
  �
• your partner loves your sense of humor big time.

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If you really want to learn how to pick up a girl, then buy Ann May’s : How to Become a Lady Killer. ($59.95 for a lifetime of fun, love and success dating with Money Back Guarantee!)

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Top 10 most dirty pick up lines

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If you want to read more cheesy pick up lines, check out these dirty chat up lines.

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1. Are you Natasha, my contact?
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2. Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only ten I see!
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3. Are you new around here? I’ve had sex with most of the girls in here so it’s nice to see new talent.
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4. Can I borrow 70 cents? (No) Then how about 69. I’m sure you can offer 69.
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5. Let’s get drunk and take advantage of each other. Or, I could get drunk and you could just take advantage of me. OR, you can stay here and get drunk and I can go home and take advantage of myself. Either way, it’s up to you.
   �
6. If I flip a coin, what do you reckon my chances are of getting head?
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7. I’m like Domino’s Pizza, if you don’t come in 30 minutes the next one is free…
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8. My name is Justin. Justincredible.
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9. (Rub her forehead) Did you know that you’ve got "threesome" written on your forehead?
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10. Put a pen and a $20 in your pocket. Approach the target and take out the twenty and the pen. Rip the $20 in half and write your number on one half. Give the target the other half, then say call me tonight so we can figure out how to send that money, and walk away.

�

Please leave a comment when you know more funny dirty pick up lines.

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When for a change you want to learn pick up lines that work in your favor, we recommend you read Ann May’s simple steps you must take to meet, attract, date and bed stunning women in record time. (only $59.95, Money Back Guarantee)

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Kim Sharma in Bikini
Bollywood boobs Kim Sharma in bikini heads straight for the camera: the famous Bo Derek wet-look re-incarnated in Tollywood movie Yaagam. � Yes, since Bollywood in Bikini is something quite rare, Kim Sharma went to Calcutta based Tollywood to strut her stuff. For those looking for an Asian date: Indians always come with "the full package", at [...]

Bollywood boobs Kim Sharma in bikini heads straight for the camera: the famous Bo Derek wet-look re-incarnated in Tollywood movie Yaagam.

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Yes, since Bollywood in Bikini is something quite rare, Kim Sharma went to Calcutta based Tollywood to strut her stuff. For those looking for an Asian date: Indians always come with "the full package", at least that’s what the Bollywood movies suggest.

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Kim Sharma Bikini

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But Yaagam is more than just a Kim Sharma bikini on the beach story. Also featured are male star Navadeep and female hot Indian actress Bhoomika Chawla:

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Asian Dating with Bhoomika

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Yaagam of course is a love story with a touch of mass elements. Navadeep and Kim Sharma work in a bar, Bhoomika plays the role of an air-hostess.

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How these three are connected to each other and what happens after the 3 encounter each other "is moulded in an interesting manner".

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Don’t hesitate, get your own Asian date and sign up for free: yes: free as long as you live!

Technorati Tags: bollywood, kim sharma bikini, kim sharma in a bikini, love, love story, tollywood, yaagam, yagam

La vache qui rit à la DP-san
This post finishes with Japanese girls trying to kill anybody eating smiling dolphins… How did things get out of hand? � It all started when DPsan bought his belovered Goddess the Shogun DVD… � Yet after all the Japanese posts I made, vivid reader DPsan failed miserably in saying I love you in Japanese. � Quite the opposite: DPsan loves [...]

This post finishes with Japanese girls trying to kill anybody eating smiling dolphins… How did things get out of hand?

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It all started when DPsan bought his belovered Goddess the Shogun DVD…

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Yet after all the Japanese posts I made, vivid reader DPsan failed miserably in saying I love you in Japanese.

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Quite the opposite: DPsan loves dolphins, smiling dolphins, the ones you could find being grilled in his garden. Seems that the Japanese whale hunters have now a follower in good old England.

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In DPsan’s defense, he did try his beAst to learn Japanese watching the DVD Shogun with actor Richard CameFromSpain: not surprisingly -Spain- the country where they still have bullfights killing bulls with yet again swords.

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In the defense of the dolphins, I am sending over my Japanese class mates who equally as DPsan love shogun…

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..equally love chopping stuff… not only Japanese stuff… and size doesn’t matter…

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… not to be overly exaggerating, just trying to prove a point. A sharp point obviously.

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DPsan, you better learn how to say in Japanese " I am sorry, I love dolphins anywhere but on my plate". Otherwise the above Japanese Chopping-Squad knows where you live (love that expression 70’s teen!)….

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• For those who want to date Japanese girls, read further here about how to date a Japanese bath girl - or so you should imagine…
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• For those who want to learn Japanese, read our reviewed and recommended Japanese courses here.

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Technorati Tags: daddy paper surfer, dolphins, DPsan, friends, Japanese Girls, la vache qui rite, Richard Chamberlain, shogun

Make your first $100 guaranteed
If you need the extra money like any of our readers does, you surely have tried to make money on the Internet. � But did you make $100 dollar? When you worked hard for it, most likely you did, but… did you ever make $100 a day? � That’s a minimum earnings promise you receive after joining the [...]

If you need the extra money like any of our readers does, you surely have tried to make money on the Internet.

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But did you make $100 dollar? When you worked hard for it, most likely you did, but… did you ever make $100 a day?

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That’s a minimum earnings promise you receive after joining the You Can Be Making Money 15 Minutes From Right Now program.

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You will become a member of a Millionaires Club that will teach you - with money back guarantee - how to make money online using:

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• step by step video tutorials
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• a 24/7 support help desk

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They teach you how to make a full-time income within your first 2 weeks using one of the 3 following strategies:

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• start promoting affiliate products
• a secret quick money strategy that generates income in 15 minutes or
• build your own product based online business.

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We repeat that these Maverick Money Makers work with a money back guarantee, so when you are not creating income after 15 minutes using their secrets, you simply ask your money back.

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Home remedies for head lice
If your kids come home and school is closed because there is a lice epidemic, don’t scratch your head in dispear… � Read all you need to do to get rid of lice in this post about home remedies for head lice. Main thing is getting yourself a lice comb and keep on combing till all the [...]

If your kids come home and school is closed because there is a lice epidemic, don’t scratch your head in dispear…

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Read all you need to do to get rid of lice in this post about home remedies for head lice. Main thing is getting yourself a lice comb and keep on combing till all the lice and their eggs (nites) are gone.

Technorati Tags: get rid of lice, HEALTH, lice epidemic

How do you say I love you in Japanese
How to tell a Japanese girl that you love her without her running away forever? � Make sure you never use: Aishite iru which translates to I love you but won’t get you far as it is only appropriate in Japanese love poetry or when you are really dating the younger, most modern Japanese generation.. � A better [...]

How to tell a Japanese girl that you love her without her running away forever?

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Make sure you never use: Aishite iru which translates to I love you but won’t get you far as it is only appropriate in Japanese love poetry or when you are really dating the younger, most modern Japanese generation..

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A better way to confess your love to a Japanese girl is saying "I like you" like :

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• dai-suki : I like you a lot, or
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• taisetsu : you’re precious

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Action speaks louder than words, and this is especially true when dating Japanese girls. Show your Japanese date that you love her: she has to feel it, rather than hearing it.

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For sure your Japanese girl will feel your love when you are trying to make a complete conversation with her in Japanese, and not simply trying to impress her with one phrase.

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If you want to speak Japanese fast, have a look at my recommended Japanese courses including memorizing techniques and of course audio at Learn to speak and write Japanese. My top recommended course cost only 4.95$ for 21 days.

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How do you say I love you in Japanese video

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Listen how to say Aishite iru - I love you in Japanese - and how the girl reacts to it… backing off!

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How do you write I love you in Japanese

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Although not that successful in speech, writing I love you in Japanese can bring you one step closer to your Japanese girl’s heart. This video shows you how to write aishitemasu, another way of translating I love you in Japanese:

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Lesson learned dating Japanese girls

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• before you start: read first our tips on how to date Japanese bathing girls
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• only then you need to find a Japanese girl like on Asian Dating
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• then you need to make sure your action speaks louder (if not only) than your words

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Learning how to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese won’t help you that much, but you will surely impress when you learn how to speak every day Japanese words.

Technorati Tags: Dating, how do you say I love you in Japanese, I love you in Japanese, Japanese Girls, japanese love poetry, love in Japanese

Be the guy that gets the girl
If this weekend you want to be the guy that gets the girl, then read on how a girl can help you out. � Learn how every guy will get a girl if you purchase the entire book now and apply it tomorrow evening (it’s always good to sleep things over and let them fully ripe [...]

If this weekend you want to be the guy that gets the girl, then read on how a girl can help you out.

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Learn how every guy will get a girl if you purchase the entire book now and apply it tomorrow evening (it’s always good to sleep things over and let them fully ripe inside your body before taking action).

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If you are stingy, then try to get by with my free summery of Guy Gets Girl

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DO’s for any guy wanting to get a girl

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• Smell good – You must have noticed women wear perfume. It is important to smell good, when you are sitting with a woman of your dreams. This will be your most prospective quality to end up with a desirable climax with dream woman.
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• Be confident – Guy Gets Girl will teach you how to feel more confident, especially next to the girl of your dreams. Confidence is one of the most sought after quality of a man desired by a woman. You may not look like a superstar, but good traces of confidence may bring the women to her knees and I mean it literally.
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• Place your feet in her shoes – No, don’t start wearing our heels! I mean: it is a tested technique to think like a woman and act accordingly. That’s why you should buy the entire Guy Gets Girl book, because it’s written by a girl and shows you exactly what women want.

  Women are sensitive, yet obsessive for real qualities of men. Thus, share a good space with her and let her decide for something more than a date with you.
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• Dress like never before - Don’t wear the clothes you hang out with at home! First of all, you need to improve your dressing style. Women have a great attraction towards men, who have correct sense of choosing clothes to compliment his personality. A woman will always look forward to see your assets hidden in the clothes.
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• Unfold your cards slowly – It is obvious what you are after yet don’t act as such! It is not desirable to let your woman know about all your qualities at once. It must be a slow
  rate process to introduce your real worth to the woman in front of you.
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• Make a sensual touch – A simple touch can be giving her a present and touching her hand. Women like to be touched and tendered by men and this is your biggest advantage. You can make them crave for your body by touching them sensibly and at right places. However, be patient in asking them for a romantic night.

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DON’T’s for any guy wanting to get a girl

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• Don’t over spend (yet don’t be stingy: if you want to impress me then don’t be stingy and buy Guy Gets Girl :-). - Don’t over spend, unless you want to date Paris Hilton and the like. It is a general thought that women are always attracted towards wealthy males in the town. However, women are interested in other qualities existing in the perfect match for date.
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• Don’t use one tactic for all women. - It is also believed against reality that in order to seduce a woman, you have to pass the acid test of her preferences. In reality, you can easily modify the preferences of a woman by learning some effectual tips.
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• Don’t think women are less interested in sex than men. - Here is the most important one! You have to believe this truth that women are equally interested as men in having a sexual relationship. Many guys are always in the state of hesitation, as far as approaching a woman for sexual relationship is concerned.

  A large part of the Guy Gets Girl pdf is dedicated to sex. Tiffany reveals men what women really want men to know in bed. You will also learn when it is the perfect time to make your move, the notorious “One-Night Wonders” technique and much more.
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• Don’t do tomorrow what you can do today. - Also, it is the major hassle in the process of seducing a woman that there is always a right time to approach her. In reality, right time is now, the moment you finishes reading this till end.
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• Don’t think some women are out of your reach. It is one of the woman seducing myths that it is too late to get better with a dream woman. Believe it by words! You can improve your skills and bet for most seductive women around you.

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If you want to read in detail what I mentioned above and be sure to be the guy that gets the girl, then click now to buy Guy Gets Girl, only $49.95 with Money Back Guarantee.

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How to sweet talk a girl
5 great tips to attract or keep a girl in your arms. If you know how to sweet talk a girl, you will find out that love doesn’t have to cost you a bomb. � Always remember that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but you want to be more than just a friend! � The 5 tips [...]

5 great tips to attract or keep a girl in your arms. If you know how to sweet talk a girl, you will find out that love doesn’t have to cost you a bomb.

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Always remember that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but you want to be more than just a friend!

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The 5 tips below are all about observing your girl and telling her how you notice her, without scaring her off as if you were a stalker or an FBI agent.

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5�ways to sweet talk a girl

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1. How about telling her you love her?

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When was the last time you used the words "I love you"? It is important to tell your loved one you love her every now and again. Of course she already knows you love her, but it does need to be repeated to make her feel even more wanted and special.

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2. KISS

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Literary: always kiss her hello and goodbye. Before going to work, when coming back in the evening, when you arrive and she is napping: always enter with a kiss!

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3. Flowers

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The greatest way to "sweet talk" is sending your girl flowers delivered in her office! That way she will be the centre of attention and all the other girls in the office will be so jealous of her romantic partner. Of course write some sweet romantic words on the card and put lots of kisses as usual.

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4. Pay her compliments

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Make sure to notice when your girl has been shopping and bought some new shoes, fragrance, moisturizer or went to the hair dresser. Especially focus on the hair dresser : notice when she has had a new hair style! Same goes for new shoes and more obvious a new dress.

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5. Be Spontaneous

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Don’t learn some sweet talk phrases by hearth and fire them randomly. But do let her know how you feel: does she make you feel good inside, did she become part of your life you can’t live without with… Say how good you feel and of course how she is causing you to feel that way!

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Knowing how to sweet talk a girl is actually listening to how she makes you feel and telling it to her.

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You can read more successful tips in how to date, get and keep a girl in Tiffany Taylor’s "How To Approach Any Woman, Anywhere And Know Exactly What To Say To Get Her To Give You Her Number And Go On A Date With You - NOW".

Technorati Tags: Dating, dating tips, how to sweet talk a girl, how to talk to girls

What Jennifer Aniston can teach you about dating
May last year Jennifer Aniston was dating John Mayer in bikini at the pool and this May you can see Jennifer offering her but to a puzzled Steve Zahn in their latest movie "Management", unlike Friends, not that funny. � But we were talking about what Jennifer Aniston can teach you about dating. Obviously a lot because [...]

May last year Jennifer Aniston was dating John Mayer in bikini at the pool and this May you can see Jennifer offering her but to a puzzled Steve Zahn in their latest movie "Management", unlike Friends, not that funny.

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But we were talking about what Jennifer Aniston can teach you about dating. Obviously a lot because she hooked Brad Pitt. So what went wrong with their relationship?

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Quite simple: Brad Pitt comes on Oprah saying he loves kids and Jennifer Aniston comes on Oprah saying she will have kids but not in the near future.

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Now do your maths: who has been adopting the most kids the last few years? Right, that must be Angelina Jolie. No wonder the man that wants kids takes the woman that gives him kids.

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Dating is as easy as that: find out what the other wants and give it.

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Successful relationships continue to be successful when you already have what the other was looking for. Meaning on a date you can act out a bit an win over your date. But if you want it to be a keeper, you better make sure that your act is based on your own reality.

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Anjelina Jolie in Stockings

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Since Brad Pitt’s act is based on jumping ship, Angelina has a lot to worry about. No wonder Angelina Jolie got mad recently in Cannes when Brad was seen with only even a friend of Jennifer Aniston - Courtney Cox. Maybe Angelina should only adopt real children in the future, not the ones dressed up like actors…

Technorati Tags: angelina jolie, anjelina jolie in stockings, brad pitt, Dating, dating tips, jennifer aniston

BarCampMiami 2009
Today I attended BarCampMiami, a free “un-conference” organized by local industry contributors and sponsoring companies, which was also the first BarCamp I’ve attended. This post will be a review ofamy my first impression and some feedback for the organizers, two of whom I personally know, Brian Breslin and Alex de Carvalho. For those of you who [...]

Hello, South by Southwest 2009
This afternoon, I’ll be heading to Austin, TX for a little conference called South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive. When I say little, I should probably mention that there will be at least 6,000 people there, with a few thousand more for the other portions (film and music) for good measure. The first (and previous) time I [...]

Six Degrees of Happiness
My BFF’s wife Meli tagged me in a post on her new blog Melificent.com, and so I figured it’d give me a good reason to update my blog as well. For some reason, I thought I’d get away from memes forever since leaving LiveJournal years ago, but they’ve oddly come back with a vengaence on Facebook [...]

Retiring This Blog Soon
It’s time to part ways with this site-as-a-blog format I’ve been running for about 8 years (from fullmanator.com till now). I have some plans to splinter my professional blog off to another domain and make this site more personal, more social than I’m used to. Hopefully this move will spark some more ideas on where [...]

ChrisFullman.com: Now With WordPress 2.7
I’ve switched to Wordpress 2.7 from Movable Type 4.2. I’ll be posting my thoughts on why (since a lot of you will be asking) a little later. RSS/Email subscribers: Sorry if you see a bunch of older posts. I wish it didn’t happen that way, but that’s how it goes with changes like this.

Live from Captiva: The Digital Divide
Gian Fulgoni has a better view of the online landscape than most of us. As the CEO of comScore, he has access to a massive database that captures every click of online activity from over 2,000,000 panel members. So when it comes to spotting trends, Gian’s got a pretty good vantage point. Online Branding for CPG � As [...]

Gian Fulgoni has a better view of the online landscape than most of us. As the CEO of comScore, he has access to a massive database that captures every click of online activity from over 2,000,000 panel members. So when it comes to spotting trends, Gian’s got a pretty good vantage point.

Wi-Fi in the sky
"Yes. Times are tough. But, these times will pass. And, even so, serious professionals will gladly hand out $12.95 to stay connected to the world they so depend upon and to be as efficient with their productivity as possible."

Wi-Fi is coming to an airline near you. It's about time.

Last week Air Tran announced that it would be the first carrier to have its entire fleet wired with Wi-Fi networks. Now, Delta, Virgin, Air Canada and a host of others are in a mad dash to offer the ability for passengers to connect via a wireless network to their lap tops, Blackberry or other PDA devices.

It isn't free though. And, as Joe Sharkey points out in his column today, a real question exists as to whether passengers will cough up the $9.95 fee (for short flights) or the $12.95 expenditure for those flights over three hours.

Initially, the move to wireless seemed like a natural money maker for this industry. After all, it only costs about $100 per plane to install. So, before our economy hit rock bottom this seemed like a no brainer. Now, everyone is watching costs and no one wants to be nickeled and dimed.

Shockey also rightfully complains that the tiny seats provided on short flights makes it damn near impossible to actually maneuver and type on a laptop effectively. No doubt that can be a hindrance. But, overall this blogger believes that the flight to finally install a real connection to our business world (as in Wi-Fi) during our flights is a long time coming. And, there is no doubt that this will be a true win-win scenario for all.

Just think about some of the "pain" you've experienced and this will make sense. How many times have you been in the middle of a timely email, only to have to shut down for three or four hours because those are the rules? Or, as you've passed the time away reading airline magazines and eating peanuts, how often have you wondered whether your colleagues received that important prospect call to let the team know whether the account (or piece of new business) was won or lost?

Yes, times are tough. But, these times will pass. And, even so, serious professionals will gladly hand out $12.95 to stay connected to the world they so depend upon and to be as efficient with their productivity as possible.

My bet is that by the end of 2010, airlines will only be kicking themselves for not installing this new incremental revenue line sooner. Who knows? Maybe one of the more marketing minded carriers will actually copy fast food franchises and offer us a "value combo." For just $16.95, we'll be given Wi-Fi access, a pillow/blanket and a thumb-sized bottle of our favorite liquor bottle to boot. Now, wouldn't that be something...

One man's agony is an entire industry's gain
"The so called experts offer a variety of theories as to why life is miserable for some (like me) now and why it's steadily gotten worse for two to three years now. "

Zyrtec D, Zicam Allergy, Mucinex, Alavert, Tylenol Sinus and Congestion, Sudafed Allergy, Afrin Sinus Congestion Spray and the list goes on and on. These are but just a handful of over the counter allergy medications that now line our medicine closet at home. I won't bore you with the prescription based spring allergy solutions that fill my bin as well. Oh, by the way, none of them actually work. They treat the symptoms for a few hours and then the fun starts all over again.

Spring is here. Pollen is in the air. And, for the second year in a row, I'm in absolute agony.

The so called experts offer a variety of theories as to why life is miserable for some (like me) now and why it's steadily gotten worse for two to three years now.  I've read everything from global warming (of course, that's the easiest villain to pin it on), to the fact that a prolonged winter has caused a late bloom with double or triple the intensity of trees and flowers pollinating all at once (which may also be caused by global warming).

Whatever the reason, this severe reaction to Spring is new to me and millions of others. And, that means only one thing for consumer product and pharmaceutical companies who market their products as the savior to our painful sinus problems: opportunity.

That's right. These companies can smell it in the air (right next to the pollen of course). I can actually see the drool coming off of their proverbial chins (no, it's not sinus discharge either). This industry understands one key point: consumers will do almost anything to feel good and live without pain. And thus, their pills, sprays, gels, tablets and syrups are flying off the shelves faster than the first release of the iPod.

And, the numbers really do tell the story. According to a recent story in Drugstorenews.com, sales of over the counter allergy drugs are already bypassing last year's numbers by almost 30 percent. And, this broke the former sales record established during the same time last year. The allergy brands behind these astonishing sales have become incredibly astute marketers as well. Of course, we run into their ads in all of the typical places (online, print and all over broadcast media). But, I see that they've entered into the social media world through Facebook, third party blogs, as well as creating dialogue with affected online consumers who are desperately looking for solutions. As a marketer and businessman, I congratulate many in the industry. They saw an opening and jumped right in to take ownership.

How long will this golden opportunity last (severe allergy season)? God only knows. But, one thing is for sure. There won't be any shortage of new products hitting the market soon because we're all still looking for a real solution and at this point the cost is almost an afterthought.

The Persuasive Power of Face to Face
Think of the most persuasive person you know. The salesperson you can’t say no to, your mother (guilt always works), your spouse or your 6-year-old child.�Now, imagine if you had never met the person in person and they were trying to persuade you over the phone, or by email. Would they be as persuasive? No. [...]

Think of the most persuasive person you know. The salesperson you can’t say no to, your mother (guilt always works), your spouse or your 6-year-old child.�Now, imagine if you had never met the person in person and they were trying to persuade you over the phone, or by email. Would they be as persuasive? No. Persuasion just don’t work as well if you’re not face to face

What is a Canonical URL?
Lots of discussion about canonicalization and canonical URLs lately.� I’ve discussed URLs and URL structure a few times in the past.� We thought that we would help illustrate the idea of canonical URLs.� From an SEO point of view here is the definition of a canonical URL: Canonical URL:�the search engine friendly URL that you want [...]

Lots of discussion about canonicalization and canonical URLs lately.� I’ve discussed URLs and URL structure a few times in the past.� We thought that we would help illustrate the idea of canonical URLs.� From an SEO point of view here is the definition of a canonical URL:

Canonical URL:�the search engine friendly URL that you want the search engines to treat as authoritative.� In other words, a canonical URL is�the URL that you want visitors to see.

Quite often canonical URLs were used to describe the homepage.� The typical example used is that most people treat the following URLs as the same:

www.example.com
example.com
www.example.com/index.html
example.com/home.asp

The fact is that these are all different URLs.� From a search engine perspective, this can cause a bit of an issue.� Hence the idea of canonicalization.� Canonicalization is the process of picking the best URL (to present to the search engines) when there are multiple choices available.� Typically a search engine, such as Google will attempt to pick the best URL that they feel is the authority for that page.� However, sometimes they may in fact select the wrong one.� Now let’s suggest that you have product pages that depending on how the user navigated to the pager returns a different URL… same page but different URL, now we have a duplicate content issue.� Not to mention the nightmare for interlinking and external link inventories.�

The easiest way to avoid this is to let the Search engines and the users know which is your "preferred URL" a.k.a canonical URL.� One suggestion is to redirect all of the variations to your canonical URL (the URL that you want to be the authority).� In February, the major search engines announced another solution with the canonical tag.� This tag gives you control of the content that you want the engines (and users) to see.

Matt Cutts of Google fame has discussed duplicate content and canonical tags a number of times.� One of the questions that he was asked included:

Q: So when you say www vs. non-www, you’re talking about a type of canonicalization. Are there other ways that urls get canonicalized?
A: Yes, there can be a lot, but most people never notice (or need to notice) them. Search engines can do things like keeping or removing trailing slashes, trying to convert urls with upper case to lower case, or removing session IDs from bulletin board or other software (many bulletin board software packages will work fine if you omit the session ID).

We have seen sites that have upwards of 15 versions of the same page but with different URLs.� The simplest solution is to have one final destination URL.� An easy way to do this is through the canonical tag or by redirecting all of these pages to one authoritative page.� The canonical tag is imple to use, all you need to do is add this tag to specify your preferred version of a URL inside the (head) section of the duplicate content URLs.

Canonical simply means relating to or belonging.� It also means reduced to the simplest and most significant form.� Just remember that a canonical URL is the simplest and most significant (authoritative) version of the URL that you want to be seen.

Ligers Maul Orchard Park Mallers 14-6 in Home Opener
Well the message must have gotten through.� Last week Enquiro Ligers manager Tracy Nimetz stated that the Ligeres stranded too many runners on base.� In the teams home opener, the Ligers generates a season high 14 runs in a 14-6 rop over the Orchard Park Mallers.� "One thing we wanted to see was more agressive [...]

Well the message must have gotten through.� Last week Enquiro Ligers manager Tracy Nimetz stated that the Ligeres stranded too many runners on base.� In the teams home opener, the Ligers generates a season high 14 runs in a 14-6 rop over the Orchard Park Mallers.� "One thing we wanted to see was more agressive base running…" said Tracy.� "It appears that the message was well received."� With pitcher Chris Pinkerton making his first start of the season, the Ligers got off to a 10-0 lead on the strength of two home runs from Ligers left fielder Jody Nimetz..� In fact everyone was hitting well for the Ligers who advanced through the batting order quickly in the first few innings of the game.

�Ligers RF, Doug Moore gets ready to crank one to the outfield.

After dropping the first two games of the season, the Ligers played solid defensively and were strong with the bats.� Julie Stork had a�tremendous game at second base making many outs and almost turning multiple double plays in addition to some timely hits.� As a result she was named the "Mrs. Big" player of the game for the Ligers.� In fact there were great efforts from the entire team.� In addition to his two homeruns, Ligers veteran Jody Nimetz wowed the sold out crowd with a behind the back catch robbing one of the Mallers from extra bases.� Nimetz said that he was inspired by the efforts of right fielder Dougie Moore who in the previous inning made a diving attempt to snag a catch hit deep into right field.� "I knew that I had to step it up when I saw Doug diving to make the catch… I had been practicing the behind the back catch for a while but hadn’t made one in an actual game since high school…"� The catch prompted third baseman Amanda Lock to say "..oh no he didn’t just make that catch..".� Probably the most surprised person was Nimetz himself who admitted that he had overran the ball and the behind the back attempt was a desperation move.� "I thought that it was going over my head, so at the last second I just decided to go for the catch…".� The catch landed Nimetz the "Big Hunk" award a rarity presented only after exceptional games.� As the team lined up to shake hands after the game, Ligers center fielder Steve Herrington whispered to Jody that he "had his back" thinking that the Mallers would be upset with the grandstanding of Nimetz.� Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and a few of the Maller players actually complimented the catch.

Chris Pinkerton also homered for the Ligers as he went 3 for 4 in his season debut.� Chris threw a couple of strikeouts and made a number of key throws to first and second base with a stellar defensive performane prompting consideation for the "Mr. Big" award. �Ian Everdell faced a lot of action at shortstop making a number of great plays.�� He did manage to take�one hard hit ball off of the right knee but stayed in the game with some clutch hits including a deep drive to center field.� Overall there were very few breakdowns as the Ligers dominated the Orchard Park Mallers.�

The Ligers were without Bill Barnes (Rockets commitment), Chris Davies (illness), and Andrew Spoeth.� Look for a spirited effort next week as the Ligers continue their homestand.

Liger photo courtesy of liger.org

Conversations from Northwest Flight 033
“So, what is it you do?”� Oh no! It was the question I dread. I froze.� The question was posed by a very nice woman in her mid 50’s who was returning to Bellingham from a one-month trip over to Europe. She was my seatmate on yesterday’s flight back from Amsterdam. � Since I got into search, I’ve [...]

“So, what is it you do?”�

Oh no! It was the question I dread. I froze.�

The question was posed by a very nice woman in her mid 50’s who was returning to Bellingham from a one-month trip over to Europe. She was my seatmate on yesterday’s flight back from Amsterdam. �

Since I got into search, I’ve hated that question, mainly because I don’t know how to answer it. I’ve tried several times, and it’s never been a terribly satisfying experience.

There was my mom, who was trying to understand what her eldest child did. I believe really, truly, she asked with the best intentions.� But this was before she had a computer and Google was just one of those words you hear that has no frame of reference, like antebellum, Shevardnadze or Hezbollah. You know the word is important to someone, just not you. 30 seconds into my answer, I knew it was hopeless. “I work with computers, Mom, on the Internet.”�

“Oh, my friend was talking about that. She’s having problems with her computer. Could you fix it?”�

“Sure, Mom”�

Then there was the US Customs Agent in Sumas, Washington, who asked me the question while I was trying to gain entry in the country to go talk at a Google Sales Conference.

“So, you work with Google?�

“Kind of. I’m not an employee of Google, but our clients use them.”�

“To search?”�

“No, to advertise.”�

“Advertise? Where?”�

“On the results page.”�

“There are no ads on Google.” �

“Well, actually there are.”�

The conversation could have gone two ways here. I could have explained the entire monetization of search, or I could look for the nearest available exit from the conversation. I opted for the later. I gained entry to the US, but never did convince the agent that Google sold ads.�

Just to be clear; I hate the question, not the answer. Search has been extraordinarily generous to me. It’s not a job. It’s not even a chance at a multi-million dollar buy out. It’s the passion. It’s a chance to wake up every morning and discover something nobody knew before. It’s knowing that your opinion counts just as much as anyone’s, because we’re all figuring it out and none of us, not even all those PhD’s at Google, are experts yet. It’s getting the chance to explore the potential with some of the most exciting companies in the world, around the globe. And it’s the absolute blessing to be able to spend your time doing that and make enough money to provide your family with a good lifestyle. I’m not rich, but I am very happy.�

Search allowed me to exceed my dreams. I started off wanting to be Darren Stevens, the ad exec working for the big agency. Sometime in my mid-twenties, I decided I was less of a Darren Stevens and more of a Michael Steadman. If that name’s not familiar, Michael Steadman was Ken Olin’s character in thirtysomething. I wanted to be co-owner of the Michael and Elliot Company, a small but dynamic ad agency with a handful of talented and dedicated employees, cranking out great creative for regional advertisers. �

Today, my company has over 30 employees, a brand new sales office in San Jose and we work with major accounts globally. My opinion is respected in an industry I love. I travel and speak all over the world. �In fact, a research contract with Europe’s biggest telecom and a speaking gig with Google’s UK team were what led me to my plane ride back from Amsterdam yesterday. Based on what my life goals were, search allowed me to whiz by them some time ago and there’s still no end in sight. �

But still, there was that damned question:�

“So, what is it you do?”�

Oh..what the hell…�

“I’m a search marketer.”�

“Mmm. That must be interesting.”�

Wow! She got it. She knew what I was talking about. It was just as if I said I was an accountant or a lawyer.�

“Yes. It is. Very interesting.”�

She went back to her book. Perhaps it was on the Hezbollah, or a biography of Shevardnadze.�

Originally published in Mediapost’s Search Insider�May 28, 2009

�

This article brought to you by…
I’ve read a lot about ads; ads for mobile, ads for Twitter, ads in Facebook, ads on TV, display ads, text ads, ads here, your ad there. Ads are seen as a way – the way – to monetize these media. � Selling ads is great if you’re in the media bubble. You can sell lots [...]

I’ve read a lot about ads; ads for mobile, ads for Twitter, ads in Facebook, ads on TV, display ads, text ads, ads here, your ad there. Ads are seen as a way – the way – to monetize these media. �

Selling ads is great if you’re in the media bubble. You can sell lots of ads to sellers who want to reach buyers. This marketing trinity is a tried and true win-win arrangement, and I don’t see it going away anytime soon.
�
But let’s set aside the media interests for a minute and consider the other two players in this marketing trinity, the buyer and the seller. As Gord Hotchkiss mentioned recently in The Persuasive Power of Face-to-Face, buying and selling works best for everyone when there’s a high degree of trust, and an impersonal ad may not be the most effective way to build that trust.

What does a seller really want? A seller wants to be top-of-mind with the buyer when they’re making a decision to purchase. A buyer wants to find a solution to their problem as efficiently as possible, whether it’s a small repeat purchase or a large ‘blank slate’ kind of purchase. And this is why online search is so useful in B2B buying and selling. Buyers can research sellers, products and services online. Sellers can hunt for new customers online, and everyone can check out everyone else’s competition.

I get a little alarmed when my inbox fills up every day with new articles and surveys about selling ads in this space or that space, or how best to personalize ads, because sometimes it makes me feel like we’re all missing the point. The point is not how to sell more ads, charge more for ads, place ads in front of more people and so on. OK, well, maybe that is the point if you’re an ad sales rep. But from the buyer or seller’s perspective, the question is really how can we be introduced to each other at an appropriate time, in an appropriate manner, and develop enough trust within the timeframe of the buyer’s purchase process to satisfy the interdependent needs of the buyer and the seller.

That introduction of the buyer to the seller often involves media of some kind, plus a flavor of marketing. From the sign on your door (media), to word of mouth (marketing), somehow as a buyer I need to find out about your potential solutions to my needs.

Search, and to some degree social networks, are amazing places to discover what people are thinking about. The internet is a great tool for communicating and connecting to people. But before marketers get excited about interrupting me yet again in another medium, let’s take a breath and remember the people involved in whichever environment we’re trying to reach them in. Like a good waiter, be there when I need you, and the rest of the time please don’t keep interrupting my meal trying to up-sell me on dessert. I’ll let you know when I’m ready, if you’re paying attention.

�

You don't manufacture software

Gianugo Rabellino of Source Sense and the Apache Foundation and presented a demolition of the need or inexorability of charging for right to use, he finished this demoltion by quoting Eric Raymond from his paper, "The Magic Cauldron"

"....software is largely a service industry operating under the persistent but unfounded delusion that it is a manufacturing industry. "

Spot on in my opinion, creative workers need to get used to selling time and earning wages again.

tags: economics opensource adoption uk publicsector kable

A short URL for the "Third Wave" slides

I have created a short URL at is.gd for the slides I used on Wednesday; http://is.gd/ueDO is the mediacaster web page that hosts my slides.

tags: Technology opensource davelevy slides

Influencing Planet's output name space

Earlier, last week on the planet developers mail list, Fredric Muller writes

From the help file I read:
# The following provide defaults for each template:
# output_dir: Directory to place output files

Now I am trying to figure out how to have one of those template file
output in a different directory (like they all go into /var/www/planet/
and I would like one of them to go to /var/www/ ).

I can think of a couple of ways of solving this problem. My first way, which may not be the simplest, is based on the fact that I have several planet instances and for the most advanced and thought out installation I have answered this problem as follows. It is designed to answer another problem and so might be overkill.

• I install planet into its own user and hence home directory.
• I plan to run more than one planet so,
• I create a sub directory for each instance
• I create a Logs directory since I plan to run the planets from cron, pipe the logs into files and keep them for a while. Both the logs and the log name control files are kept here.
• In the instance sub directories I place the config.ini file and the template sources; the index.tmpl will also be different as will any images used to decorate the planet html file such as feed logos or page decoration
• In the home directory I create a shell script, which calls planet.py to act as the argument to cron and a crontab source file.
• test the script for each instance of Planet
• set the crontab using the source file

because I have multiple config.ini's and index.tmpl files, I can (and do) have multiple output directories and also ensure that the HTML pages meet my look and feel requirements. I do this at http://davelevy.dyndns.info/planet/davelevy and http://davelevy.dyndns.info/planet/g3 and on my development site have a standard planet venus and a mingle solution. I shall be moving the two planets above shortly so I suggest that you don't rely on them for a while. Within Sun's firewall, I have a community feed and one for me (like planet davelevy above) that uses this technique. The original requirement was based on the need for quite different config.ini files, with different input feed lists but Fredric's case is also solved using the technique.

I also have a script to tidy up the logs, maybe I should publish them all. (If you want'em comment or reply to the planet development list and ask. )

The second answer for Fredric's case, is that since I encapsulate ${HOME}/planet.py into a script, I could always end the script with an appropriate cp command, provided there was no contention for the name /var/www/index.html.

tags: technology planetplanet

More news and where to find me

Despite not writing here, I have been busy, you can follow me, if you really want at, my friend feed or slightly less completly at my secondbrain. You can see both there and here, that I am finding the tendancy to microblogging too strong, although twitter's discipline of 140 characters is often a challange.

I also aggregate some of my feeds at planet davelevy, and there is a mingle view, but that's not updated regularly. I really need to fix up a plazes filter for planet. DME has written some code but I can't seem to find time to implement it anywhere, and I need to get a dynamic hosting site and get off my qube.

Another intra-net community

Another tip from midweek, by Miles Berry, the british education community is adopting a community software product called the learning landscape for schools, its based on code from http://elgg.org/. Schools have even more concern that they control access to their communities than business and one of elgg's advantages is that you can install it on your own server and place it behind your firewall.

This was written at the time, uploaded on the 7th May and backdated to the time of occurrence.

tags: technology security socialsoftware

Installing the Amber Road simulator on a Laptop

Sun's Open Storage software comes as an appliance from http://www.sun.com. Currently available as a VMware image, and I now have it running on my trusty laptop.

The management panel in in the browser, the appliance console is the black window, I have started the CIFS service, mounted a file system using SMB onto my host image (the windows folder) and I have opend a file using notepad. It was easier to do than attach my Vista systems to my legacy home windows network.

I had to install VMware Player first and when the VM starts for the first time, you are offered a text menu to install the network identity and point to the network gateways. I was nervous about VMware because I wasn't sure about what VMware does to implement the network interface. This wiki page has been created by the FISHworks team to help you, which discusses how you configure each of the four netowrk interfaces and I advise you to think hard about the node name and domain name as I havn't yet worked out how to change it. The wiki's advice on the network gateways didn't work for me so I used 192.168.1.1 dor both the default gateway and DNS server. Anyway the boot screen looks like this,

I am off to install it on my home server and maybe I'll try the Virtual Box version and use the appliance to manage my home network storage, I think its legal, but in order to get the performance advantage at scale, you'll need to buy the hardware.

tags: technology software unifiedstorage simulator amberroad vmware sunw storage howto

Convergence

There is a conversation on google groups, cloud computing [XML] about CISCO's plans to enter the server market, kicked off by this article at Business Week.

The dimension, only just, missed in that conversation is the opportunity to get design synergies on the hardware between networking and systems. Why do large scale users have to buy switches and servers as seperate procurements? Perhaps the next stage is to migrate the network functionality to a software appliance, so one buys a box and then decides what to do with it. (I know that a switch needs a lot of ports where a non-switch system only needs two, but modern blade systems are modularising this design area as well.)

The interesting questions then left are whether the data centre, or network can consolidate to one cabling standard and perfromance. When will the need for seperate networking (or interconnect) technologies between CPUs and Systems decline? (If ever?)

I know some computer scientists thinking about tomorrow's problems are interested in this sort of thinking.

tags: technology business cloudcomputing M+A sunw CISCO networking hardware convergence

If you're travelling to Bristol

The 'Hackathon' is at the University of Bristol, on Woodstock Rd., which charges for parking on Saturday, but is free on Sunday. We should have been cuter on that, and I got lost last night on the way in. Better research would have helped. I wonder if Google Earth would have helped, I doubt it'd have helped plan my car parking, but it might have helped me avoid getting lost.

tags: culture travel bristol

Implementing Opensource

Alisdair Mangham, the head of IS & Development for the LB of Camden argued from experience, as he presented a case study, that you need to own software development expertise to adopt open source and this became a theme for the rest of the day. Alisdair argied for an adoption led deployment, I was interested how yet again, he as do many others argue that Finance is a mission critical function. Its not always true, and becoming less so. Businesses compete on price or by differentiation. Its very hard, or illegal to innovate your finance processes, and price advantage is gained by efficient processes not innovative finance. Today, it should be at the front of the queue for outsourcing. Another GEM from Alisdair is that licence terms are not important to an End-User site and he knows, he's read a few. The point he makes is that unless you are looking to do business as a software house, the liabilities you incur through licence is not important. I wonder if he's considered aquiring indemnity.

tags: economics opensource adoption uk publicsector kable

And a surprise on my arrival home

Travelling home today; the hotel had one internet terminal in the lounge so I have been out of contact during the weekend. We visited the sites and some of my pictures, including this one are uploaded into my barcelona set at flickr.

I was in the air as the press releases about Oracle and Sun were circulating. I got a text message when I landed. Twitter had turned itself off while I was abroad and this is probably a good thing, but it was old fashioned SMS that let me know and now like you, I just have to wait and see what happens.

tags: travel barcelona spain m+a sunw oracle

Off-Topic: Everybody, TRANSFORM!
Sorry, this is so totally off-topic, but you guys really really gotta see this! Transformer USB

Zero Dollar Marketing - does it exist?
This is like Atlantis. Everyone has heard of it, but no one seems to be able to find it. I really want to clarify something. You see, I have been hearing many people speak of Zero Cost Marketing; and that is so very wrong. By all the laws of nature and of commerce, how can [...]

Product Innovation: Get Out of The Box
Anyone who has ever done product management, product marketing or just tried to create their own product or services will understand the problem. When people are used to doing something in a certain way, it is hard to change. It took almost 50 years for the Telephone to become accepted and used. When the PC first [...]

Measuring Marketing Success
Isn’t it interesting that “marketing” and “measuring” are such poor bed partners? Accountability is an area of management that is looked upon by many as a necessary evil. You see, these people are usually employees. Measuring simply adds another list of things to do. After going through all the sweat and toil, they now have to [...]

Thinking Out of The Box
Here is an interesting one - how do you think out of the box? More importantly, how do managers and business owners get their people to think out of the box? Whether you are in marketing, sales, or operations; the ability to think out of the box is very important, right? Wrong. Our entire education has [...]

Facing the Economic Recession
You know, one of the most silliest, stupidest piece of “wisdom” I have given over the years, was that people should be spending more marketing dollars during a recession as that was an opportunity to quickly win ground. Well, we are all slipping and sliding down the merry slope of one of the worse recessions in [...]

Taiwan Trip 2009 Part 5
This is the final part of my Taiwan trip. It has been a month since the visit to Taiwan. I can’t wait to see my pre-wedding photo already, but I gotto be patient as Jess (my coordinator at Julia Wedding News) told me the photos are not ready yet. Anyway, let’s continue with my trip. I [...]

This is the final part of my Taiwan trip. It has been a month since the visit to Taiwan. I can’t wait to see my pre-wedding photo already, but I gotto be patient as Jess (my coordinator at Julia Wedding News) told me the photos are not ready yet.

Anyway, let’s continue with my trip. I actually plan to revisit some places in my itinerary for this coming few days. Therefore, the days were quite relax and no rushing.

We had our brunch at the Japanese Restaurant, Dah Che Luen Restaurant nearby the hotel.

One of the waitress suddenly came and ask where are we from. After we told her we are from Malaysia, she came back to us by bringing 2 flags, Malaysia and Taiwan Flag. The flags were then placed at our table. I saw Japan flag at other table also. Interesting la, but no special treatment or so. :p

After the brunch, we go to Guang Hua Market. It’s place selling all computer stuff. Like Lowyat/ Sim Lim. I am surprise to see every shop selling ink cartridge, its like people in Taiwan are heavily printing papers.

Well, we just browse thru the shopping centre to see what is interesting. I managed to buy a cute Pooh Bear Thumbdrive for myself. :)

Spot this at all the MRT station. I think Singaporean should really practice this. :)

We then make our way to the Hot Spring. One of the must-go when visiting Taiwan during this cold season.

Out of so many hot spring, we chose to go to Spring City Resort at Xin Bei Tou.

The surrounding of the resort was quite nice. There a lot of hot spring available at most of the resorts at Xin Bei Tou. Basically you can randomly make the price comparison before you decide which one to go.

For me, I just randomly choose this Spring City resort as I read some good comments about this from forum. They have private room for couple like us. Off coz it will be pricey a bit compare to the public hot spring. Check it out if you wanna know more about the package available.

The room is not big. Just nice for a bathtub and desk to put the toiletries, towel, hairdryer, etc.

There are 3 pipes that control the water output. Hot spring water, cold water and warm water. We mixed everything as HK did not like it too hot.

Since it’s private room, we take off everything. :) I am not sure what you should wear when you wanna soak at public hot spring. Probably just a towel.

We only book for 1 hour. It’s actually quite enough.

We actually feel very good after soaking in hot spring. Feel very refreshing!

Then we decided to go back Xi Men Ting for early dinner. To Modern Toilet restaurant.

Interesting chairs and tables. We sit on toilet bowl.

Food is served on a toilet bowl cap.

Serve drinks in Chamber pot. :p After drink, we brought this back. Probably can use it in future. HAHA.

My food is served in TOILET bowl. Haha

Chicken wings are better, its in bathtub.

A list of the ice-cream with disgusting names in the menu. If you cant read chinese, I give you one example, “Baby Shit” - ice cream made from Vanila + Kiwi.

This ice cream is in the set menu that we ordered.

After the dinner, we head to one of the famous spot where a lot of Taiwanese Drama took place at, Miramar Entertainment Park.

It is beautiful.

I went before Eye on Malaysia (in 2007) and also Singapore Flyer (In 2008). Now I am at Miramar Ferris Wheel (In 2009). I wonder which eye next year! Haha.

Hongkiat actually a bit afraid of height. He was not afraid the last time we went for Singapore flyer before the gondola was so big and stable. This one was like small and swing a bit if we make big movements.

Sceneries outside were not really interesting. No skycrappers. Therefore we camwhore a lot in the gondola.

He was so relief when we were almost finish the round. :p Oh yea, we paid NT150 to go just 1 round. It took about 20 minutes.

It’s easy to go to Miramar. Just take a free shuttle bus from JianTan Mrt Station (where the famous ShiLin Night Market was located). The interval is about 15mins. You don’t have to wait very long for the bus. :)

Let’s fast forward to the next day. Another relaxing and slow day.

Actually I still left quite a lot of NT dollars, which I desperately wanted to use for shopping. So we decided to go shopping with only one intention - spend money.

We went to Zhong Xiao again.

Saw this at all MRT station.

But end up buying some sourvenirs and nothing for myself or Hongkiat. Depress lo!

Was resting at a park outside a starbucks cafe. Saw this bunch of kids playing. Very cute of them.

Then went to Sogo for lunch. Had a simple lunch at one unknown restaurant in one of the SOGO. Let me remind you again, there are 3 Sogo at Zhong Xiao. :)

We also went to the Famous bookstore - Eslite Bookstore. It opens 24 hours a day. We bought quite some books from there. Hehe.

After hours of browsing at Eslite, we met up with my friend (who is studying at Taiwan) for dinner.

Dinnering FeiTian Restaurant (飞天麻辣火锅) near our hotel. But they timed us, limit to 2 hours of dining only.

The soups were delicious. We ordered the super spicy soup, clear soup and herbal soup. All were good.

Free flow of meats! Beef, lamb, pork.

My handsome friend - Kar Loon.

One of the service that I really need to give my compliement to them was they provide a cover for their customers to cover up the jacket/sweater/bags whenever they are seated. You can imagine the kind of smells developed in the restaurant. It was very thoughtful of them.

After 2 hours of steamboat dinner, saying bye to the handsome, we are back to Xi Men Ding. You know, for the very last time of walking around XMD. To catch whatever we missed, to buy whatever we think it’s interesting.

The famous Red House Theather at Xi men Ding. Very near to our hotel. Just right behind the street.

Unfortunately, we still ended up walking and buying nothing. Although there were a lot of interesting stuff like little accessories, but it’s too kiddo. :p I won’t need them.

7 days has passed. I enjoyed my trip. I always enjoy traveling with Hongkiat. Needless to say.

We left Taiwan on day 8. Did a very last minute shopping on skin care products. Taiwanese are really crazy about skin care. They have all sorts of products on skin care.

Saw this interesting figure at Taiwan Airport.

We had our very last meal at Taiwan. But we ran out of NT dollar. I have to pay the meal by creadit card. Hehe.

Ru Rou Fan! Yummy-licious!

Guess what, my biggest spending in the entire trip. :) Shall reveal it in a seperate post.

Bye Taiwan.

The next trip should be a country in Asia too. :) Looking forward to it.

p/s: I did not gain weight after the trip. Muahahah!

Pulau Tioman Trip
I went to Pulau Tioman with my colleagues during the Good friday holiday. It was a long weekend. We have verbally agreed to go on trip together since last year. :) Now we made it! Initially, we have 9 people going, but one of us had some urgent matter came up. She gotto leave us when [...]

I went to Pulau Tioman with my colleagues during the Good friday holiday. It was a long weekend. We have verbally agreed to go on trip together since last year. :) Now we made it!

Initially, we have 9 people going, but one of us had some urgent matter came up. She gotto leave us when on the way going to Jetty. Poor girl.

Our itinerary is simple.

Singapore -> Mersing (Take Ferry ride to Tioman) -> Tioman Paya Resort -> Mersing -> Singapore

We booked a van to purposely come and pick us up from Singapore to Mersing. It’s rather expensive than taking bus, but more flexible and convenient. I am glad that we make the right choice of getting a van instead of bus (which pretty much save us all from trouble later).

The journey from Singapore to Mersing (Johor) took about 3 hours. We arrived at Mersing Jetty around 9.30am which is still early for the ferry departing time (10.30am). But the workers there keep rush us to get on ferry asap.

The ugly me.

Left to right - Novi, Mini, Suet Yi and Siew Ling.

Left to right - Sue Mei, Amber, Karen and Me.

Camwhoring in ferry. 2 hours journey from mersing to tioman Paya (our chalet)

We are going to Tioman Paya Resort. :)

Simply love the scenery! Nice sky view, nice sea view!

Leng luis in action.

Absolutely stunning!

So we finally reach the Tioman Paya Beach after 2 hours of Ferry ride. Luckily no one vomit.

The beach side near our chalet.

On the way to chalet.

A very simple reception. We check-in there. All payment was done 1 week before we came. The package we bought was about RM350, included 2-way ferry, 5 meals and 2 nights accommodation. Sea activities were included but we gotto rent the tools.

We booked 2 chalet rooms. Both rooms were next to each other and attached with a pathetically small air-con each room. Although we on the air-con at noon, but we still feel like sauna!

The package we bought did not include lunch on our arrival, therefore we just order some fried noodles and fried rice for lunch.

The lunch was not bad.

On our first day of arrival, there wasn’t any activities arranged. The sea outings was planned the next day. So we have a lot of free time exploring what’s nearby.

So after the lunch, the boss of resort suggest us to take a walk to this Rock Fall. Well, it’s not a place whereby rocks are falling, but it’s a waterfall. Just that a lot of rocks at the waterfall.

See, rocks.

That’s the rock fall we found.

The water there was clear. But we dare not stay too long there. The waterfall was located quite deep inside the forest. No one was there except us. Quite creepy la. Sorry, I chicken out.

Then we get out of the Rock fall and proceed to the nearest beach side.

The biggest sunny day ever. Freaking hot but also windy. Hehe.

Another group photo. All look young, right? Except me. :)  They were all below 26. Hell!

I cant even recognize which one was my foot.   O.o

I kinda like this picture. But I dislike my smile.

Oh, this has to be one of my favourite pictures! She posed naturally and I also love the water. Nice pose, Amber.

The sand were so smooth over here. The water was so crystal clear. Guess what, we spent 2 hours playing there. I had a lot of fun and showing my big tummy to them shamelessly with my bikini top. Off coz, not going to show here.

Another favourite pictures!

Before the sun set, I decided we all should pose this way! Haha. Interesting. Again, I don’t know who is who.

After playing so long at the beach side, we all went back for shower and prepare for dinner. Some of them decided to take a short nap, you have no idea how tired all of us were. We woke up around 5am in the morning, took 3 hours on the road, 2 hours ferry then continue playing till sun set. It was damn tiring especially after the sun tan at beach side.

Anyway, the dinner was very satisfying. We love all the dishes especially curry chicken.

The soup was great. “Salty vege toufu soup”!

Hungry ghost all of us. Hehehe.

Some night activities like playing pool. Look at Amber’s pose… hmm, kinda weird.

We also play Uno inside the room till midnight. That conclude our first day at Tioman! Tiring and fun. We all get sun tan a bit but not as worse as second day where we went sea outings!

Oh, the pathetically small air-con almost freeze us to death, unbelievable. Probably due to the raining in the middle also.

On our second day, we were preparing to go for sea activities. Snorkeling to see corals and Marine park to see fishes.

We are lucky enough because the rain stop at 8am. After we finished our breakfast, everyone gathered together and wait for the tour guide’s call.

I made them all wear this and pose for me. Keke.

We went back to jetty to get on boat where we will all be sent to Marine Park.

Cute Suat Yi and Novi.

Well, the whole boat carry at least 30 people I guess.

We manage to get the front seats, at least it’s not against the direction. Because some of them got sea sick.

Before we went to marine park, we were brought to the duty free shop. Freaking commercialize package! Sien. The tour guide made us stay there for 1 hour.

Then we were brought back to the boat again and send us to Marine park which was very near to this Duty free shop.

There you go. Everyone can see the protected fish species there. We bought some bread and feed the fishes. Very interesting experience. I actually never did this before. I went to Redang and Tioman when I was still kid. I can’t remember if I did this before.

Our packed Lunch. No appetite to eat, coz it was all cold. :p

After 2 hours at the marine park, we were brought some spot nearby to see corals.

The me with full gear!

Guess what, the current there were soooooo fast andd rush… Once we were at the sea, we were busy looking at corals, we were pushed towards the beach side without realising a bit. When we realise we were so far away from the boat, we tried to swim back. But no matter how hard we wanna swim back to the boat, we were not able to get nearer, not even an inch. It was kinda scary, thought we will not able to go back and the boat will leave us. Haha.

I guess the safe guard know about this, he drive a small boat just to get us, the bunch of lost soul. Hehehe. Then we were safe!

This picture was taken with max digital zoom! haha. Thanks to Sue Mei.

A pretty girl in bikini. No fats at all, with her ang mo bf.

After the sea outing, we were back to the resort. We all got sun burn! Okay, not to the extend like get burn la. But everyone was at least 2 skin tone darker! Damn. Okay, that was quite expected result, I know. No futher complains.

But everyone say I am darker already. :((((( I am a bride to be in Oct leh! Should not have go for this trip. ahahha. I’ll work harder to get fairer from now on.

Anyway, back to the trip. It’s dinner time after a rest from sea outings. Second day’s dinner was kinda disappointing. Dishes were different from day 1, but not as delicious as day 1.

Calamari, fried sotong la!

Boring dish

I think the fish was not fresh. I ate 1 piece and I discontinue. :p

Another boring dish.

AHhhhh, my favourite soup.

We cant even finish half of the dishes. Only manage to finish the soup and fried egg.

After the dinner, we decided to have some beer and karaoke section. The karaoke was FOC. Part of the facilities provided by the resort.

We occupied the whole restaurant. We sing till they close shop. That was about 10pm only. We gotto carry on with the Uno card games in our room. Again, we stay up till midnight.

A 3days 2 nights trip was pretty enjoyable, if you hang out with the correct crowd. I am glad that the trip was over with full fun.

We check out the room after breakfast. We were told that ferry will come at 10am.

The outlook of our chalet.

The surrounding area.

My breakfast. :p

Probably I wont be back in near future. I think Redang is a lot more beautiful than Tioman. We chose to come Tioman because it’s the nearest beautiful island (to Singapore) and cheaper package.

The happy me, before the unfortunate incident.

An attempt to jump.

Ferry came late. 30 minutes late.

After this, I don’t have anymore pictures. Because ferry came and my camera decided to jump sea. I am lucky enough to be able to save my memory card. Else, i wont have all these pictures.

Belle told me frankly that she laughed at me when I blog about my unfortunate incident about the camera. I am sad. I truly am.

Now i feel stupid to talk about the incident. Please go help yourself by reading the post again and laugh all you can. I don’t care anymore. :)

This post has total of 90 pictures. 95% of the pictures were from my beloved camera. The remaining 5% of pictures, I get from friend’s camera.

Social Media and the Patient Experience
Body here

My New Prada Bag
Muahahah! *Evil laugh* This is a show off post. For those who cannot stand me showing off, please X immediately. :) Don’t say I never warn hor. One year ago, Hongkiat bought me a really nice coach bag for my birthday, which is still very much my favourite. He always wanted to buy me the nicest thing. There [...]

Muahahah! *Evil laugh*

This is a show off post. For those who cannot stand me showing off, please X immediately. :) Don’t say I never warn hor.

One year ago, Hongkiat bought me a really nice coach bag for my birthday, which is still very much my favourite. He always wanted to buy me the nicest thing.

There he goes again. During our trip to Taiwan, he suggest that I should get another bag for myself. But this time, he say wanna get something different from Coach. I should have had enough of Coach bag.

We bought the bag at Taoyuan Airport.

We went into Gucci, saw a bag which is quite cute. But it didn’t really make us wanna buy it. So we went to Prada. The shop was bigger, brighter and more grand. The sales person also handsome and pretty.

Finally, ‘Ka Cheng’. We paid for one lovely bag which was apparently the most expensive bag I have.

I suppose I don’t need much description. If you wanna check out this bag online, i give you this name, Prada Bauletto, art: BL 0575.

This model has few more colors, like black, purple, pink etc. But Pink is cute but too bimbo (and I already have one really nice pink tote), black is ordinary prada, so I just take this. :)

But but but, this is not my birthday pressie wo. KAKAKA.

Who knows what he bring back from London? I wonder. (But no pressure, dear.)

Steel Garage - Miscellaneous For Sale
Mount Vernon News - Garage Door sections, insulated, $1.00 per foot. Call (614) 206-5348. 15 x4 steel sided round pool, sand filter system $300; 12 x3 pool liner, brand new, $75; all kinds of plant starts Details Tags: steel garage, [...]

Mount Vernon News - Garage Door sections, insulated, $1.00 per foot. Call (614) 206-5348. 15 x4 steel sided round pool, sand filter system $300; 12 x3 pool liner, brand new, $75; all kinds of plant starts Details

Tags: steel garage, steel garage doors, steel building garage, steel residential garage, steel building garage kit

Hurricane season no longer (Steel Garage) breezily dismissed
Palm Beach Post - Since the 2004 hurricane season, the Sickelses have put a new steel roof on their home in The Acreage, braced the garage door with a steel rod, added solar panels and bought corrugated paneling for their doors and windows. “I just take a bedroll into Continue reading NPR [...]

Palm Beach Post - Since the 2004 hurricane season, the Sickelses have put a new steel roof on their home in The Acreage, braced the garage door with a steel rod, added solar panels and bought corrugated paneling for their doors and windows. “I just take a bedroll into Continue reading

NPR News - It was a simple cannon-type device of the sort that today any number of people could build in a garage. It was bulbous and One thousand nine hundred feet above the city it fired a dull gray plug of highly enriched uranium down a steel tube into a Continue reading

ChicagoSports.com - INDIANAPOLIS — Peek through the doublewide wooden doors into the replica A.J. Foyt garage. Marvel at Carl Fisher’s one-of-a-kind 1905 Premier, a hulking skeleton of steel that was too heavy to race. Walk through a 100-year timeline of technology and Continue reading

1960 Sun - 101 Things To Do 106th Annual Student Exhibition 2007 Acura MDX 2007 Camp Directory 2007 Camp Guide 2007 Chrysler 300C 4dr Sedan 2007 Roadrunner Summer Camp 2007 Summer Skills Day Camp 2007 Suzuki Reno 22nd Annual Mushroom Festival 23rd Psalm 3rd Continue reading

Tags: steel garage, steel garage doors, steel building garage, steel residential garage, steel building garage kit

Steel Garage - Online Press Release
PRWeb - The site features music from several of the major urban music industries including Speed Garage, Bassline House, UK Garage, Funky House, Hip Hop and Hard Dance. Launched back in June last year the site has seen a steady increase in its popularity Continue Allentown Morning Call - Board member Jim [...]

PRWeb - The site features music from several of the major urban music industries including Speed Garage, Bassline House, UK Garage, Funky House, Hip Hop and Hard Dance. Launched back in June last year the site has seen a steady increase in its popularity Continue

Allentown Morning Call - Board member Jim Vastine said the collapse of several large local companies, including Bethlehem Steel, has hurt the area’s The garage-style doors date to the buildings’ construction in the 1960s. The airport will receive a $238,000 grant from Continue

Tags: steel garage, steel garage doors, steel building garage, steel residential garage, steel building garage kit

May 2006 (Steel Garage)
Cape Cod Today - Welcome to CapeCodToday’s Blog Chowder! This page aggregates the most recent postings from all the CapeCodToday bloggers for your convenience. Bookmark this page or see below left for RSS options. This orange calendula prepares for its moment in the Continue reading MaineToday.com - Portland International Jetport is moving [...]

Cape Cod Today - Welcome to CapeCodToday’s Blog Chowder! This page aggregates the most recent postings from all the CapeCodToday bloggers for your convenience. Bookmark this page or see below left for RSS options. This orange calendula prepares for its moment in the Continue reading

MaineToday.com - Portland International Jetport is moving ahead with plans to build a $36.1 million parking garage to meet growing passenger demand and expansion goals. The five-level, 1,039-space garage would be be built of galvanized steel and precast concrete. It Continue reading

Mount Vernon News - Garage Door sections, insulated, $1.00 per foot. Call (614) 206-5348. 15 x4 steel sided round pool, sand filter system $300; 12 x3 pool liner, brand new, $75; all kinds of plant starts Continue reading

Mount Vernon News - For Sale: 1989 Condor 2548 electric PLATFORM LIFT, 26 ft. working height, platform 48 x 6 6 , with new batteries, $1500.00 Call (740) 397-5258 or (740) 504-4205. Garage Door sections, insulated, $1.00 per foot. Call (614) 206-5348. All steel Continue reading

Tags: steel garage, steel garage doors, steel building garage, steel residential garage, steel building garage kit

Latest News (Steel Garage)
dBusinessNews.com - An upper floor garage features a poured-in-place concrete slab. Structural insulated panels form the roof and wall base, and At 3,464 feet long, the $247 million bridge uses orthotropic steel box girders and was designed for the maximum credible More Mount Vernon News - Super Large Garage Sale [...]

dBusinessNews.com - An upper floor garage features a poured-in-place concrete slab. Structural insulated panels form the roof and wall base, and At 3,464 feet long, the $247 million bridge uses orthotropic steel box girders and was designed for the maximum credible More

Mount Vernon News - Super Large Garage Sale Fri. May 11 & Sat. May 12 9a.m.-6p.m 10 Clay St. behind Mr. Pizza Lots of mens, womens & childrens Trailers, electric fence kit, greenhouse kits, stainless steel sinks, tank sprayer, hay wagons, horse tack, miscellaneous More

Daily Mail - Blastproof steel and lightweight Kevlar carbon-fibre material - used in bullet-proof vests - will line the interior. Quite where the Blairs will park their new motors when they move to Connaught Square - which has no garage - is not known More

Tags: steel garage, steel garage doors, steel building garage, steel residential garage, steel building garage kit

Green architects awarded for their work (Steel Garage)
Houston Chronicle - The exterior is made of recycled steel, concrete plaster and aluminum, with solar powered fixtures; the home’s linear design includes the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, an outreach center for the homeless, a four-story parking garage Continue reading NPR News - It was a simple [...]

Houston Chronicle - The exterior is made of recycled steel, concrete plaster and aluminum, with solar powered fixtures; the home’s linear design includes the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, an outreach center for the homeless, a four-story parking garage Continue reading

NPR News - It was a simple cannon-type device of the sort that today any number of people could build in a garage. It was bulbous and One thousand nine hundred feet above the city it fired a dull gray plug of highly enriched uranium down a steel tube into a Continue reading

Tags: steel garage, steel garage doors, steel building garage, steel residential garage, steel building garage kit

Retrotech 80 : l’histoire du CD-ROM

Pour les fondus du CD-ROM
Source : http://claude.gendre.9online.fr/scan23.jpg

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/04/2230245&from=rss

Luscious Lemon Cheesecake
Luscious Lemon Cheesecake I made this recipe by combining some awesome ideas from the Sweet Treats section at the Active Low Carber Forums. The base is a standard low-carb cheesecake crust, the cake is a slightly tweaked version of the...

Luscious Lemon Cheesecake

I made this recipe by combining some awesome ideas from the Sweet Treats section at the Active Low Carber Forums. The base is a standard low-carb cheesecake crust, the cake is a slightly tweaked version of the incredibly Bawdy's Cheesecake, and the topping is a higher-fat version of NancyLC's Lemon Curd.

Here goes:

Preheat the oven to 350*F.

First make the base by combining:

1.5 cups almond flour (if you have other nuts you like, feel free to throw a few crushed ones in - macadamias are great for this)
5 tbsp melted butter
5 tbsp granular Splenda

Line an 8x8 cake pan with greaseproof paper. The easiest way to get the paper to "stick" to the pan is to smear a little butter from the butter wrapper around the pan and press the paper into place.

Press the cheesecake crust mixture into the bottom of the pan, and pop in the oven for 10-15 mins, until the edges start turning golden brown. I find the pre-baking stops the base soaking up the cake batter and becoming soggy.

While the crust is baking, combine the following in a large food processor or mixing bowl:
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon extract
Juice of one lemon
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup sugar-free vanilla syrup (or 1/2 cup of Splenda or equivalent sweetener)

Blend until combined. Then add:

16 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese (it's easier if the cream cheese is softened beforehand, and cut up into pieces before you add it)
2 tbsp melted butter

I usually let the crust cool a while before pouring the batter on top. Then, I bake the cheesecake in my own improvised water bath. I plop the cake tin into a wok half-filled with water and then put the whole ensemble in the oven to cook. The water prevents the top of the cake from cracking. Alternative methods: a pan of water placed below the oven shelf you use for the cheesecake. This isn't absolutely necessary, so if you feel intimidated by it or don't have the pans, don't worry about it - it just makes for a prettier overall result.

Turn the oven down to 325* and bake for 35-40 minutes. IMPORTANT: After the cooking time finishes, don't open the oven door. Just turn it off, otherwise the whoosh of cool air will crack your cake. Leave the cake in the turned-off oven for an hour (more if you can), before letting it cool at room temperature, and then moving to the refrigerator.

While the cheesecake is baking, it's time to make the topping.

Grate the zest of two lemons into a bowl. (When you hit white, stop grating and move to the next section.)
Add the juice of both lemons
Stir in 3/4 cup of Splenda (or other granular sweetener)

Now, add two whole eggs, plus two egg yolks, and stir everything up.

The next part is to slowly, slowly cook the mixture so it turns to curd. Place your mixing bowl over a pan of simmering water, and keep the heat low-med. If you cook it too fast, you'll get lemony scrambled eggs. (I always found this double-pan method intimidating, but give it a try, it's not as hard as it seems.) It should take around 10-15 mins to cook. Keep stirring so the heat moves through the mixture evenly. It should start thickening, and once it reaches a pudding-like consistency, remove it from the heat.

Add 6 tbsp butter for a richer, creamier taste. It will melt and combine if you stir pieces of butter in immediately. This is optional, so you can skip it if you'd like to marginally lower the calories of the final product!

Put your lemon curd in a container and place cling wrap over the top so it's touching the mixture, otherwise a skin will form. Place in the refrigerator to cool and thicken. This can be used as a topping for more than just cheesecake - on low carb yogurts, flax muffins and more. It tastes like an extremely intense lemon custard.

Once everything is cool, you can remove the cheesecake from the pan and spread the lemon curd over it. The result is a deliciously creamy, rich cheesecake with tangy lemon topping. Heaven for lemon lovers.

Makes 14 good size slices, each one:

331 calories
31g fat
8.5 carbs (7.5 net)
6.6 g protein

Retrotech 71 : le cerveau n'est pas encore complètement battu par l'ordinateur

Source : http://www.fotosearch.fr/comp/VSL/Anatomy/018_1545.jpg

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/15-07/ff_humancomp

Retrotech 74 : l'obsolescence technologique est une bombe à retardement

http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/130521373/article.pl

Retrotech 70 : retour sur la première chaîne TV américaine de l'histoire

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/07/dayintech_0702

Retrotech 75 : explorez le côté obscur du web

http://digg.com/tech_news/8_Ways_for_Searching_the_Dark_Web_Beyond_Google

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Retrotech 73 : Steve Wozniak au sujet de l'Open Source, des DRM, etc.

http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/130464332/article.pl

Retrotech 79 : un bon bakchich reste un bon standard

http://www.zdnet.fr/actualites/informatique/0,39040745,39370985,00.htm?xtor=EPR-101

Sinon, à propos de bakchich : http://www.bakchich.info/

United Yacht Sales updated Mon Jun 2 2008 11:00 am CDT
United Yacht Sales is one of, if not the largest Yacht Brokerage firms in the United States. We are pure Brokers. United’s policy is to not dilute our services by stocking new boats as our Brokers are tasked solely with placing Buyer and Sellers together. United Yacht Sales’ inventory is our 600+ quality brokerage listings from large power and sailing yachts to smaller weekenders. We represent your best interest in every transaction, at all times! With over 75 Affiliate Member Brokers in 12 key yachting centers nationwide, United’s national team of professional brokers are positioned to assist Buyers and Sellers with all of their pre purchase and purchase requirements. All United Yacht Sales’ Brokers are exceptionally well qualified, with an average of over 17 years of experience in the brokerage business. United brokers act as true Independent Agents, always representing the needs of our clients. This not only qualifies them to do the job well, but also gives them the ability to get the job done in a professional and timely manor. There are no levels of management to interfere with the Broker’s ability to facilitate a transaction, which clearly sets United Yachts Sales apart from the competition. We look forward to representing your interests and to being of continued service.

Like Sand Through the Hourglass…
My weekend is slowly coming to a close. Typically I am off every Friday and Saturday, and am “on-call” for work on Sunday. This week I worked Friday. And I am on-call today, but did not get called in! Praise my lovely friend and charge nurse, Lawan! It felt good [...]

Redemption
I think I made up for my day off yesterday! Today I stopped by the fitness center at the hospital prior to starting my shift. I did 25 minutes on the elliptical, with 5 minutes of treadmill walking before and after. This is HUGE for me. When I first started seriously working out, around week [...]

Social Butterfly
To all my fans, all 3 of you! I am sorry I don’t blog more. But I am very busy during the week. I am gone from home for 12 to 14 hours per day and when I get home, I don’t feel like blogging. Or watching TV. Or doing [...]

What a difference a week makes!
It’s been a great week for me and I hope it has been for the rest of you as well! I started out Monday morning at the very early time of 6:30 am! I met my trainer for 30 minutes of torture, oops, I mean training! I followed that up with 30 minutes of cardio. Then [...]

Movin’
Hey guys! Thanks for visiting me for my short stay at wordpress. Unfortunately, I am moving back to Blogger. Come see me at maireadchaney.blogspot.com! Love y’all!

Vote for our site!!
Well, not THIS site. But my group’s site, Reality of Weighting, has been nominated for Best Health Blog! If you agree, go to Blogger’s Choice Awards and vote! If you’ve never checked out our site before, do it now! I think you’ll find it inspiring! If you’re interested, join our [...]

Власти Японии прогнозируют нулевой рост экономики до марта 2010 года
Правительство Японии сделало в пятницу прогноз о нулевом росте экономики вплоть до марта 2010 года на фоне попыток преодолеть последствия мирового финансового кризиса, сообщило в агентство Франс Пресс. Это первый прогноз правительства о нулевом росте страдающей от рецессии и снижения уровня спроса и экспорта на внутреннем рынке крупнейшей в Азии экономики за последние семь лет, отмечает [...]

Держи бренд выше
Более года шла реализация совместного проекта Евросоюза и России “Развитие финансовых рынков. Поддержка государственной политики, направленной на повышение конкурентоспособности российской экономики”. И в конце прошлой недели эксперты подвели первые итоги завершенной работы. Цель проекта - обозначить точки роста и механизмы их стимулирования - была определена еще до начала мирового финансового кризиса. И с каждым днем становилась [...]

Кризис диктует необходимость смены экономической модели, считают эксперты
Доживет ли Россия до 2020 года? Насколько разрушительными будут для России последствия всеобъемлющего экономического кризиса? Наблюдаются ли в России признаки цивилизованного заката? Ответ на эти вопросы был дан на состоявшейся 22 декабря в Центральном доме журналиста презентации доклада Института национальной стратегии (ИНС) на тему «Национальная стратегия в условиях кризиса». Как пояснил учредитель ИНС [...]

Yellow Pages & Blog Payola
Ed Kohler, outspoken critic of YP industry, “outed” DexKnows.com for using Pay-Per-Post to increase links and associated PageRank for their site. As you may know, Pay-Per-Post involves paying bloggers to write articles endorsing products, services or companies, and in this flavor it also involves using those posts to link back to the company’s site in order [...]

Ed Kohler, outspoken critic of YP industry, “outed” DexKnows.com for using Pay-Per-Post to increase links and associated PageRank for their site.

As you may know, Pay-Per-Post involves paying bloggers to write articles endorsing products, services or companies, and in this flavor it also involves using those posts to link back to the company’s site in order to help build PageRank.

The blog post is very thinly disguised payola - as Kohler points out, the blog is purportedly belonging to someone in Arkansas, while this post appears to be all oriented around providing keyworded links involving Pizza in Minneapolis through DexKnows. The blog has a large “payperpost” ad badge on it, too, and if you read through the articles, every single one seems to be engineered to sound like someone writing about random daily life incidents, but always with a couple of injected keyword links.

In context, it’s glaringly obvious that the blog is a paid posting. Kohler posts a comment below it, asking if it’s a paid post for Dex, and the author replies that she doesn’t “know who’s Dex”.

Kohler further pokes fun at Ken Clark, a yellow pages industry advocate, for also linking to that blog post and citing it as a golden example of how valuable the general public finds print yellow pages. Again, Kohler posts a comment below Clark’s blog post, challenging him for linking to it while while calling it an example of a consumer’s “actual experience”.

Clark responds back defensively, saying that there’s no reason to think it’s a pay-per-post piece!

While trying to insist that the original post isn’t payola is pretty laughable, it seems obvious that Clark was just innocently duped by the faux blog. The YP industry has been in a very defensive mode lately due to bad press about print YP viability versus online ad competition, and it’s unfortunate when the legacy industry advocates display this sort of naïveté with new media — it really tends to undermine their case to some degree when they demonstrate a lack of savviness in the new marketplace.

Here are some of the other pages I found linking to DexKnows which also appear dubious:

www.livelaughblogg.com/2008/08/find-dentist-in-minneapolis.html

www.productivus.com/blog/2008/07/phone-directory/

www.joy32-joy.com/2008/08/dexknows-las-vegas.html

www.obstaclesandglories.com/2008/08/dexknows-flagstaff.html

www.langging.com/2008/08/minneapolis-directory.html

Once you visit a few of these, the types of blogs they are posted upon all begin to seem to be faux, and the posts themselves begin to all appear fraudulent.

This whole interchange illustrates what sort of problems there are with pay-for-post done badly, and DexKnows is likely now to reap some considerable Google penalty for getting involved in this sort of thing.

There’s not necessarily anything wrong with pay-per-post, so long as it’s clearly labeled as a paid sponsorship message of some sort. When it’s not clearly labeled, it fools people into thinking it’s an objective endorsement.

Google and the other search engines take a dim view of paid links which seek to manipulate natural search rankings. Google penalizes pay-per-post blogs when they detect them for this reason.

In fact, I heard Matt Cutts state at SMX Advanced a few months ago that Google is likely to devalue links obtained through any duplicitous means, including viral link bait (such as shocking ficticious stories engineered for the purpose of rapidly building up PageRank).

Link-building is one common component of search engine optimization, so it’s not all that surprising that R.H. Donnelley would be doing it in some fashion for their DexKnows.com site. However, link-building is also an extremely sensitive area where the search engines are concerned, and using really aggressive tactics like this are very dangerous. Here in this case, some amount of money has been expended to obtain paid blog postings, but now it’s likely that all that money has been wasted as these sites will undoubtedly get any PR yanked, if they had any to begin with.

It’s quite possible that DexKnows.com didn’t know that this sort of thing was being done. They may have provided some link-building budget to an agency or external contractor, and they may not’ve been aware of what was being done in their name. If this is the case, it would likely be worthwhile for them to clean up what was done, discontinue contract with that agency, and send Google an apology note.

There are plenty of ways of doing link development that do not run against the search engines’ guidelines.

I employed a number of best-practice style link-building strategies when I worked at Superpages.com. One of the most basic strategies is to build valuable, useful content which people will want to link to. For instance, links from .EDU sites are some of the most valuable in terms of ranking power, but very hard to achieve since universities and schools are generally not open to being paid to link to commercial interests. So, we built campus yellow pages for hundreds of universities and colleges across the U.S., and this resulted in many of those schools linking back to Superpages.com.

For the same amount of resource time and expense, you can build something that’s bona fide as opposed to something intended to fool the search engines.

Will be at Forever Yours Dream Wedding Showcase
Posted by Martin: I will be at the Forever Your Dreams Wedding Showcase at the Science Muesum on Sunday. Print up this blog post and bring it with you for an additional 5% off any video or photography package.

Posted by Martin:

Prints on Sale to Support Habitat for Humanity
Posted by Martin: I have two new prints up for sale this week. These are of the lighthouse in Manteo, North Carolina in the Outer Banks. A portion of this auction goes to support Habitat for Humanity. Click on the...

Posted by Martin:

I have two new prints up for sale this week.  These are of the lighthouse in Manteo, North Carolina in the Outer Banks.

A portion of this auction goes to support Habitat for Humanity.

Click on the images to check out the auctions.

Green Powered Home Theater! Awesome!
Posted by Martin: Via Engadget. I love developing and trying to find ways to improve my home theater. But I've been recently researching ways to increase the ways of lowering my energy consumption, but this video by Home Theater Specialists...

Posted by Martin:

Via Engadget.

I love developing and trying to find ways to improve my home theater.  But I've been recently researching ways to increase the ways of lowering my energy consumption, but this video by Home Theater Specialists of America shows an example of using solar panels to off set the power consumption in a home theater.

Hope to see you on February 15 at Forever Yours Dream Wedding Show
Posted by Martin: I will be at the Science Muesum of Virginia on February 15 for the Forever Yours Dream Wedding Show. If you are looking for wedding photography and video swing on by and let's chat. I will be...

Posted by Martin:

It is official-No More VHS. Period
Posted by Martin: I was recently asked by a former client to make a VHS copy of their wedding. Grandparents didn't have a DVD player. Well, according to this article VHS is no longer being made. I am now officially...

Posted by Martin:

Upgrade Linux KDE or Windows 7? Hmmm.
I’m never a fanboy of any particular thing. I’ve always got to see the good and the bad in whatever I get or use. This might be enhanced even more after reading some great books in the past couple months like “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Areily and “The Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell (not getting anything [...]

I’m never a fanboy of any particular thing. I’ve always got to see the good and the bad in whatever I get or use. This might be enhanced even more after reading some great books in the past couple months like “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Areily and “The Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell (not getting anything just personally loved those two books). However, recently I was looking through the CNET site and found this video that I thought was fantastic.

Basically, the CNET columnists were thinking about the fact that Windows 7 looks a lot like KDE 4 on Linux. I’ve got to say, I’m much more impressed with Windows 7 than Vista since I have been playing with the beta lately but as stuck as I was on KDE 3.5 I’ve finally upgraded to it full time and love it now. Think is, I think the Linux desktop is pretty much all there now with KDE 4 which is evidenced by this video. In the video they showed random people KDE 4 and told them it was Windows 7 and asked if they’d upgrade.

My conclusion is: Whatever road you take in life. Please skip Vista.

Maximizing Google Adsense Revenue
Google has got the reputation of being the most used search engine available on the internet. From then on any program that Google has launched has been nothing but a success, take Google Adsense for example. Millions of webmasters over the world integrate adsense into their site in the attempt to make a nice stream of profit every month. There are certain tips & tricks in which you can boost your adsense earning so make sure you follow them!

When you integrate Google adsense into your site people will tell you good layouts and types to use in order to get good click through ratio (CTR), the vertical skyscrapers have shown to provide good results but you are best testing various layouts to find the best for your site. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. Another thing that will need testing is the colour of the ad, one word of advise is to use the same border colour as the background colour as this blends the advertisement into the website better which gives a higher CTR.

Many people can spot an advertisement a mile off making them avoid it but the key to making a good income from adsense is to legally blend it into the site making them assume it’s a genuine link, you cannot trick them by saying click here or placing ads next to pictures so they are relating the text to the picture. You have to be careful and follow the terms and conditions very carefully as one false move will result in your account getting terminated, along with any income for that month. You are only allowed one account per person, if you are found to making another account after you have been banned then you will get found out when they come to review your account and terminate that one which will mean you have wasted all that time building the balance up to $100 which can take several months in some cases.

By knowing what the higher paying keywords are in your niche you can make more money for doing no extra work, just make sure that you revolve your content around them so that the advertisements are relevant to it giving a higher payout per click. Make sure that you don’t make irrelevant pages just to bump up your adsense account balance as it’s breaking the terms and conditions and lead to account termination.

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An it’s your fault world
Today I had a very interesting moment. I have a vacuum cleaner at home that has stopped working. Relenting to pressure from my kids who didn’t want to sweep our living room and my wife I decided to go ahead and fix it. Upon openning it I found all kinds of particles stuck and other [...]

Today I had a very interesting moment. I have a vacuum cleaner at home that has stopped working. Relenting to pressure from my kids who didn’t want to sweep our living room and my wife I decided to go ahead and fix it. Upon openning it I found all kinds of particles stuck and other things that I cleaned but when I found that the belt inside was broke I knew that that was the real problem so I took off the broken belt and went to the vacuum repair shop. He asked me what kind of vacuum I had and when I stumbled and stammered my words he just figured let me go ahead and look at the old one (which I wanted him to do in the first place). He gave me a band for $2 and I was off to the house.

Moments after putting the piece back together I vacuumed the floor with great results but the smell of burned rubber. I openned the vacuum again and the roller with the brushes was broken and parts were melted.

Fast forward to today. I take the vacuum back and after a brief discussion I come to find out that the repair guy didn’t stock these kinds of parts for my vacuum and his suppliers didn’t stock my model. The causes could have been varied but when one of them was a belt being too small. The same belt that he sold me for $2 could end up costing me a lot more. It wasn’t even a scam because he didn’t even work on my vacuum type. I was torn in how I should respond.

In my line of work I fix people’s computers all day everyday. The one thing that I have a big problem with is people blaming me for a possible problem. I take my reputation very seriously. What almost 99% of the problem wasn’t from anything I did and I know before I come back. I do come back because I am one that takes responsibility. However, we live in an “it’s your fault” world. I definitely understand that there is the remote situation where you may have forgotten something but I would have liked the repair man to admit the possibility to his guilt in giving me the wrong size and look for solutions with his supplier. Alas, he didn’t and I was stuck with a broken part and no ideas where to go.

Are you this guy/girl? One of the main things I go over with my children is reliability and responsibility. Your life and your work are all due to decisions you’ve made somewhere down the line. Everything is because you made it that way so take responsibility. However, responsibility without action is just playing another blame game but with yourself.

My goal everyday is to make this world a little better to live in. If just a couple people read this and decide I’m going to fix some of the things I’ve caused then maybe it will spread and form this utopia that we all dream of.

Let the blame game end with you. No excuses. Just action.

Don’t use the sugar for Cherrios
I was talking with my wife tonight and I was talking about people that are just exceptional. On that immediately came to mind was a player on the TV show “The Apprentice” a couple years ago. His name was Randall. A tall dark skinned black man that was and still is the most magnificent competitor [...]

I was talking with my wife tonight and I was talking about people that are just exceptional. On that immediately came to mind was a player on the TV show “The Apprentice” a couple years ago. His name was Randall. A tall dark skinned black man that was and still is the most magnificent competitor to play the game. He was a good speaker, kind, a gentleman, and amazingly brilliant in all of his choices, decisions, and leadership.

One thing about him though is that in all his education and business success he did not forget where he was from. Humble beginnings in a common middle to low income black home. He didn’t forget because in all the things that he did he still seemed to bring out this style of speech that would remind you of a country farmer reminiscing about a wild day on the farm.

I am also that guy. The problem with that is that sometimes you need to give a little background.

In common black homes you had two things Cherrios and Koolaid. They both required one thing: Sugar. Let me give you a little of this street knowledge. When thinking about storage. I was recently working on a problem with the Postfix mail server that reminded me of a problem I used to have with a server. The other stuff was on the same partition with the email server so if it filled up then the email couldn’t come through. When been start getting messages saying your email address doesn’t work then they will start deleting your name from their email list.

Don’t use the sugar for the Cherrios… Use it for the Koolaid. This relates to my delema because if I used the hard drive for other stuff then when dinner comes I wouldn’t have “Koolaid” as a refreshing cold drink.

When doing network or other resource planning always decide what needs the resources the most and give it a whole lot more than you think it needs. Always better to be too safe than too sorry.

Is it really China attacking us?
I a thought just brought itself together to me yesterday that I had to throw out there. During the Olympics I was talking to my kids about China and how we find that they attack American servers so much. I personally have tried to track down IP addresses on servers I’ve run and even at [...]

I a thought just brought itself together to me yesterday that I had to throw out there. During the Olympics I was talking to my kids about China and how we find that they attack American servers so much. I personally have tried to track down IP addresses on servers I’ve run and even at my home in the past and traced them down to a Chinese IPs before I even knew about all the attacks.

Fast forward to the night before last. I was watching a James Bond movie called “Tomorrow Never Dies.” The movie’s plot in short was a plot by a media magnet billionaire (obviously Ted Turner) making the news so his magazines, TV, and newspapers could report it first. So, he used a stealth ship and park it near the Chinese ships and attack the British and vice versa.

So, in my preparation to write this post I was listening to a podcast called Linux Outlaws and found out that John C. Dvorak or the Twit network also came up with this conclusion. What if it’s someone else attacking us by attacking Chinese servers and routing through them? In my own history I have found that a server that I had control of but wasn’t supposed to really touch was compromised many years ago. The thing is, during the forensics process of this I found out that the attackers were from Germany and using my server to attack the company 3COM (who also notified me of the attack). Dvorak seems to think it is the Russians attacking US computers but I haven’t thought too much about the “who” just the “not who.”

Just a side thought. Tomorrow Never Dies was made in 1997. Somebody else was watching and coming up with this idea. Plus, we know that the Chinese servers aren’t totally without holes. The whole drama about the Chinese gymnists being too young really broke after an american IT security guy hacked (well not really hacked but run with me) into Chinese search engine servers cache files, got data, and used Google to translate the pages. From that he found that all the references to a gymnast meet just last year where the girls were 13 and now they’re 16 by the time of the Olympics. Right…

Scale 7x on FLOSS weekly
I’m gearing up for the SCALE 7 conference so I was listening to some friends of mine Gareth Greenway and Shyam Kapadia on FLOSS Weekly episode 46.  Make sure to give that a listen.

I’m gearing up for the SCALE 7 conference so I was listening to some friends of mine Gareth Greenway and Shyam Kapadia on FLOSS Weekly episode 46.  Make sure to give that a listen.

From the Time Capsule
Here’s a “20/20″ report from 1981 on the new hip-hop trend spreading across America.

Here’s a “20/20″ report from 1981 on the new hip-hop trend spreading across America.

Obama’s Deleted Notre Dame Remarks
And lastly, to the President and the Trustees of Notre Dame, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. As you may know, I will be announcing my first nomination for the Supreme Court next week, and it will mark the first time as President that I will have to deal with the difficult [...]

And lastly, to the President and the Trustees of Notre Dame, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.

As you may know, I will be announcing my first nomination for the Supreme Court next week, and it will mark the first time as President that I will have to deal with the difficult controversy surrounding abortion. With that in mind, your invitation to give this speech could not have come at a better time.

Having the chance to stand here wearing the robes of the nation’s most prestigious Catholic university and make feel-good remarks about how open-minded I am on abortion offers me the perfect boost as I enter this difficult period.

This week, when I nominate a principled pro-choice ideologue to the Supreme Court, the nation will still have my remarks today on “understanding” and “common ground” ringing in their ears, and the image of me receiving an honorary law degree from this Catholic institution on their minds. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Now I know there are many who believe in following the leadership of the Church, especially when the Church states that Catholic higher learning institutions should not honor political leaders who oppose Church teachings. Thankfully, however, those people are limited to holding signs and forming prayer circles outside while I receive praise and applause inside.

This occasion also helps me with voters. Right now many Catholics in this country are torn between their desire to support myself and my policies and the obvious conflict this poses for their religious faith. But when those voters turn on the news tonight and see me wearing the robes of Notre Dame University, surrounded by this school’s smiling leaders, they will sense that their conflict has been assuaged.

Because of your example they will believe, in this era when over a million unborn babies are aborted each year, that there is nothing wrong with being Catholic and supporting an abortion rights leader. And this could not serve me better.

So thank you, leaders of Notre Dame, for giving me this opportunity. Thank you, students of the class of 2009, for applauding me like the starry-eyed bunch of cafeteria-Catholics that you are. I also want to thank those media institutions who are here for covering this in a way that is as favorable as possible to myself and as unfavorable as possible to those who have a problem with my being here.

May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

Curious
President Obama has named one of my Republicans to watch, Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah, as ambassador to China. It’s a curious move, but potentially politically shrewd. Huntsman speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and served as a Mormon missionary to Taiwan. He is generally conservative, but his support for environmental protection and civil unions, and [...]

President Obama has named one of my Republicans to watch, Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah, as ambassador to China. It’s a curious move, but potentially politically shrewd. Huntsman speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and served as a Mormon missionary to Taiwan. He is generally conservative, but his support for environmental protection and civil unions, and his criticism of the GOP’s Congressional leadership, had made him one of the “moderate” contenders for the 2012 nomination along Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (I don’t know what to make of Gov. Charlie Crist running for Florida’s Senate seat rather than the White House). Obama’s move here takes Huntsman out of the 2012 race preemptively, which I can’t help but be a little disappointed by.

They Deserve Each Other
Over at The American Scene, Conor Friedersdorf has a great post on why the outrage by certain neoconservatives over the Obama administration’s consolidating of power rings hollow. In one breath these neoconservatives, lead by the talking heads at Fox News, decry the administration’s heavy-handed tactics in dealing with various crises and proclaim a rising [...]

Over at The American Scene, Conor Friedersdorf has a great post on why the outrage by certain neoconservatives over the Obama administration’s consolidating of power rings hollow. In one breath these neoconservatives, lead by the talking heads at Fox News, decry the administration’s heavy-handed tactics in dealing with various crises and proclaim a rising “liberal fascism,” while in the next breath they push for continuing aggressive Bush/Cheney policies with regards to executive power and pursuing the war on terror. He writes:

What’s truly weird is the subset of Obama critics who’ve tried to persuade me that he is a dangerous radical with ties to terrorists, or that he is plotting to transform the United States into a Communist dictatorship, or that he is going to seize the guns of law abiding Americans, or that he is an extreme leftist who cannot be trusted… and who nevertheless argue that President Obama should continue the Bush era practice of invoking the War on Terrorism to wield unprecedented executive power….

How can men who make these claims about Barack Obama simultaneously insist that a country governed by him is well served by an executive branch given expansive powers during war time? How can they insist that he’ll end freedom in America, and defend the idea of warrantless wiretapping? Is it credible to argue that he is a radical opportunist who seeks the prosecution of political opponents, and that he should have the power to order waterboarding, “walling,” and other brutal interrogation tactics? It’s as if one moment they’re comparing him to Joseph Stalin, and the next they’re demanding that he wield all the power they helped afford him by arguing for its righteousness during the Bush era.

…Were President Obama even half as bad as some of his critics claim, shouldn’t they be agitating for less executive power, more Congressional oversight, and perhaps even conclude that they were mistaken to help increase the power of the executive branch given that they haven’t any idea who’ll hold the presidency in the future? [emphasis added]

Of course in today’s politics, calling for checks and balances and limiting executive authority makes you a dangerous Ron Paulian.

The End of Capitalism as We Know It
Arguably the most fundamental, crucial element to a civil society is the rule of law. A corollary to this notion is that of contract rights - when two or more people enter into a valid agreement that they intend to be honored, the agreement should indeed be honored. In the U.S., contract law is sacrosanct [...]

Arguably the most fundamental, crucial element to a civil society is the rule of law. A corollary to this notion is that of contract rights - when two or more people enter into a valid agreement that they intend to be honored, the agreement should indeed be honored. In the U.S., contract law is sacrosanct and it would not be facetious to say that the entire world’s economy depends on America’s respect for its laws and contracts.

All contracts are important in some way, but credit contracts are particularly important to a functioning capitalist system. That’s why Article V of the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from interfering with the obligation to pay debts. And Article 1, Section 8 reinforces this point by delegating to the federal government the sole authority to enact “uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies.”

Under these long standing bankruptcy laws - enacted and enforced by the federal government under the Constitution - a secured creditor is entitled to first priority under the “absolute priority rule.” Other nonsecured creditors have “junior” priority. The purpose of this rule should seem clear. When you offer credit to some one or some thing, and do so on the condition that it is secured by an asset, you should be first in line to collect before those providing credit without such security. Unfortunately President Obama’s actions throughout the Chrysler bankruptcy have trampled over these well worn bankruptcy laws, contract rights, and event the rule of law.

One of Chrysler’s secured creditors was the State of Indiana, or more particularly, pension funds administered by the state. But now that Chrysler has filed for bankruptcy, Indiana and other secured creditors are being forced to the back of the line so that unions can proceed to the front. For every dollar of secured creditors’ claims, they’re receiving only 30 cents. Compare that the the United Auto Workers union, an unsecured junior creditor, who will get 50 cents on the dollar.

Why? It’s not because any contract, agreement or bankruptcy law calls for it, but because the federal government decided it was politically convenient. Of course, we’ve become far too familiar with the government robbing Peter to pay Paul, but in this instance the government is violating the rule of law to do it. The arbitrary whims of Obama’s administration threaten the very foundation of capitalism.

Henceforth lenders will hesitate to provide credit, and eager entrepreneurs and businessmen will struggle to find it, because any credit can now apparently be confiscated by government greed regardless of the law or the existence of a binding contract. Simply put, the price of borrowing will now go up because lenders must account for a new risk - government intervention.

Obama has assisted the UAW in this instance, an entity which just so happened to be crucial to his election. But how many union workers in the future will be laid off - or never hired in the first place - because their employer couldn’t find credit or loans for expansion?

Thousands upon thousands of people are getting steamrolled by this outrageous affront to the credit system, but only Indiana has objected, and its efforts appear to be fruitless thus far. I fear that President Obama’s actions in the Chrysler bankruptcy signal the dawn of a new era in which powerful political interests trump capitalism and the sanctity of contracts. May God have mercy on us all.

Shizuoka Sake Tasting 28/4: Fujimasa Brewery
The Japan Blog List Please check Shizuoka Gourmet Blog for all the gastronomy in Shizuoka Prefecture! ————————————————– I was recently given a bottle by Fujimasa Brewery In Fujinomiya City. As I’m not one to refuse a bottle, I gladly accepted and drank (tasted) it! Fujimasa Brewery: Nama Sake Alcohol: 15~16 degrees Bottled in May 2008 Clarity: Very clear Colour: transparent Aroma: Fruity: banana, pineapple Body: Velvety Taste: [...]

Shizuoka Sake Tasting 17/8: Sanwa Brewery
The Japan Blog List Please check Shizuoka Gourmet Blog for all the gastronomy in Shizuoka Prefecture! ————————————————– My good friend Mr. Nagashima of Nagashima Liuor Shop came up with an unusual bottle by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City. It bore a very difficult Japanese name to read, “origarami”, basically meaning “melting”. The bottle was not on display [...]

English Sake Brewer Master in Japan: Phillip Harper (2)
The Japan Blog List Please check Shizuoka Gourmet Blog for all the gastronomy in Shizuoka Prefecture! ————————————————– A lot has been written and will be written both here in Japan and abroad on Phillip Harper as he has, with the likes of John Gauntner, Timothy Sullivan and Melinda Joe, established himself as one of the references proving once [...]

The Last Bottle 5/3?: Yoshiya Brewery
The Japan Blog List Please check Shizuoka Gourmet Blog for all the gastronomy in Shizuoka Prefecture! ————————————————– As Yoshiya Brewery has officially ceased operations last March, I acquired a few of their bottles for posterity, at least for the sake of his retired Masterbrewer Harushu Nakashima! Yoshiya Brewery: Chuumasa Junmai Ginjo Rice milled down to 50% (extravagany) Alcohol: 15~16 degrees Dryness: + [...]

English Sake Brewer Master in Japan: Phillip Harper (1)
The Japan Blog List Please check Shizuoka Gourmet Blog for all the gastronomy in Shizuoka Prefecture! ————————————————– A lot has been written and will be written both here in Japan and abroad on Phillip Harper as he has, with the likes of John Gauntner, Timothy Sullivan and Melinda Joe, established himself as one of the references proving once [...]

Boosterthon Fun Run
Dear Parents, On behalf of everyone at Garrison Mill Elementary, I want to thank you for all your help in making this year's Boosterthon Fun Run a huge success! Don't forget to come out tomorrow as your child runs for...

Google Code - Developer's Guide - iGoogle Themes
A theme is custom design for the iGoogle page.

GoogleLitTrips.com - Google Maps View of Literature's Place
Using Google Earth, students discover where in the world the greatest road trip stories of all time took place.

DisneyWorld.com/3dparks - Walt Disney World in 3D - by Google Earth

Wired - The End of Theory: The Data Deluge Makes the Scientific Method Obsolete

Photoscape.org - Free Photo Editing Software Download from Google

Google Chrome - Download a new browser
www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/technology/personaltech/03pogue.html Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier. Scott McCloud - www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome

Um bilhão de downloads na App Store
A Apple anunciou hoje que a App Store, loja online para venda de aplicativos para iPhone e iPod Touch, completou 1 bilhão de downloads. Parabéns a Apple pela excelente iniciativa de criar um negócio altamente lucrativo e que teve apoio/adesão absoluta dos usuários de seus programas, que, assim como eu, colaboraram para essa façanha. A App mais [...]

A Apple anunciou hoje que a App Store, loja online para venda de aplicativos para iPhone e iPod Touch, completou 1 bilhão de downloads.

Parabéns a Apple pela excelente iniciativa de criar um negócio altamente lucrativo e que teve apoio/adesão absoluta dos usuários de seus programas, que, assim como eu, colaboraram para essa façanha.

A App mais baixada na categoria Pagos foi o Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, seguido do Koi Pond, Enigmo, Bejeweled 2 e iBeer. Outras aplicações também são interessantes de destacar nessa categoria, como o Moto Chaser, o Tetris, Super Monkey Ball, o Cro-Mag Rally, iShoot e o Monopoly.

Nos gratuitos o mais baixado foi o Facebook, seguido do Google Earth, Pandora Radio, Tap Tap Revange e Shazam. Vale apena destacar entre esses o Tap Tap Revange, um dos melhores jogos gratuitos já inventados para celulares e no maior estilo Guitar Hero.

Veja a Playboy da Josy Oliveira ex - BBB nua - pelada
A ex-BBB Josy Oliveira aceitou o convite da Playboy para ser capa/destaque da edição maio. Há algumas novidades na loira do BBB, que colocou 350 ml de silicone em cada seio, sendo que o ensaio foi feito apenas 4 dias após o implante. Agora basta esperarmos alguns dias para chegarem as fotos completas.

A ex-BBB Josy Oliveira aceitou o convite da Playboy para ser capa/destaque da edição maio.

Há algumas novidades na loira do BBB, que colocou 350 ml de silicone em cada seio, sendo que o ensaio foi feito apenas 4 dias após o implante.

Agora basta esperarmos alguns dias para chegarem as fotos completas.

Veja o Brasileirão 2009 - Assista o Campeonato Brasileiro ao vivo pela Internet de Graça
O Brasileirão 2009 - Campeonato Brasileiro, como todos sabem, possue diversos jogos que só são transmitidos para quem compra os canais PFC - Premier Futebol Clube, o famoso sistema pay-per-view. O que poucos sabem é que existem alguns sites e programas em que é possível encontrar as transmissões dos jogos e assistir em seu pc, na [...]

O Brasileirão 2009 - Campeonato Brasileiro, como todos sabem, possue diversos jogos que só são transmitidos para quem compra os canais PFC - Premier Futebol Clube, o famoso sistema pay-per-view.

O que poucos sabem é que existem alguns sites e programas em que é possível encontrar as transmissões dos jogos e assistir em seu pc, na maior comodidade e de graça.

Mas como faço para assistir? É simples, para assistir os jogos em seu computador basta clicar aqui e assistir seu time do coração e muito mais.

Would You, Could You, “Go Dark”?
For the many natural introverts at SxSW last week, staying “on” for a full week was draining to say the least. Like Aaron, I’m a natural introvert. Many folk who don’t know me wouldn’t believe this. Folk like Aaron who do, get it. But trust me, I am. I’ve become more extroverted, but every personality [...]

For the many natural introverts at SxSW last week, staying “on” for a full week was draining to say the least. Like Aaron, I’m a natural introvert. Many folk who don’t know me wouldn’t believe this. Folk like Aaron who do, get it. But trust me, I am. I’ve become more extroverted, but every personality profile will always label me an introvert - and for good reason: I recharge with quiet, I prefer small groups to large groups, and I get stressed in large groups where I don’t know folk (like, erm, southby).

So it comes as no surprise that Aaron’s contemplating the costs/benefits of “going dark”. His post, which I recommend you read before reading the rest of mine, really struck a chord with me. Having gone dark for a week in January, I can attest to its benefits and the social costs that Aaron mentions. But, I can also testify that it is oh so worth it!

I can see the benefits of going dark for 5-7 days to a whole slew of people, even ones who aren’t introverted. Things like just having space to contemplate, think deep thoughts, find yourself, plot your next steps in life, etc.

Could you unplug for a week? Why not? What would it take to make you able to do this?

If you could, would you unplug for a week? No cellphone, no internet outside of a “private” email address that your assistant/wife/etc has?

If you would unplug for a week, what’s stopping you?

Aaron and I have been bouncing around a few ideas about this, and I think we’ll  continue to. But I know I’d be interested in folks’ thoughts on going dark. The comments on Aaron’s post got bogged down on his celebrity or whether he should, and kinda missed the point.

Going dark is hard, but necessary for most folk (introverted or not). And while I’m not currently feeling the need, I bet by summer/early fall I will.

So if you could, if you would, what would it take for you to want to go totally offline for a week?

Let me know in the comments.

Patch PES Soccer 4.0 - Brasileirão, Libertadores, Estádios, Narração para Pro Evolution Socer 2009
Esse é o mais novo patch desenvolvido pela equipe do PES Soccer Brasil desenvolvido para o PES 2009. Confira o que contêm nele: Brasileirão Série A Brasileirão Série B Taça Libertadores das Americas Fifa Liga Italiana Liga Espanhola Liga Inglesa Todos uniformes de todos times e seleções no GDB Adboards novos Scoreboard novo Gritos de torcidas SERIE A E B Bandeirinha de escanteio Bolas novas Redes novas Chuteiras novas com [...]

Esse é o mais novo patch desenvolvido pela equipe do PES Soccer Brasil desenvolvido para o PES 2009. Confira o que contêm nele:

• Brasileirão Série A
• Brasileirão Série B
• Taça Libertadores das Americas
• Fifa
• Liga Italiana
• Liga Espanhola
• Liga Inglesa
• Todos uniformes de todos times e seleções no GDB
• Adboards novos
• Scoreboard novo
• Gritos de torcidas SERIE A E B
• Bandeirinha de escanteio
• Bolas novas
• Redes novas
• Chuteiras novas com os menus
• Times Brasileiros atualizados
• Músicas novas
• Novos Estádios

Imagens:

Downloads para o Jogo:

Narração André Henning

Músicas PES 2009

PES Soccer 4.0 (Times, uniformes, …)

Gritos de Torcida (Brasil A e B e Europeus)

Estádios (Parte 1 | Parte 2)

Vídeo mostrando como instalar

Créditos:

Ezequiel Arcanjo
Sergio
Spider
Geometal
Daniel
Esmil

Twitter #10morepounds Community Weightloss Project: Week 1
This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series 10morepoundsOver the last couple of months, my weight loss has stalled in the 225 pound range, down from 255 pounds ish. This morning the scale hit 229, and I decided it was time to step it up again. And what better way than to get [...]

Over the last couple of months, my weight loss has stalled in the 225 pound range, down from 255 pounds ish. This morning the scale hit 229, and I decided it was time to step it up again. And what better way than to get a bunch of others involved, get some motivation and accountability going, and share tips/tricks/successes/failures?

So last night I started a new Twitter tag: #10morepounds for folk to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks.

I wanted to kick this off with some simple tips, tricks and thoughts for those who haven’t been in weight loss mode for the last year, or who just need a bit of an extra kick.

The Participants

Before I do, though, here are the participants (comment/tweet at me if you’re not on the list, or if you want your name to link to somewhere else like your webpage!):

• @jeremywright
• @vcmike
• @pensieverobin
• @erikalehmann
• @L3N
• @zaneology
• @jleray
• @mybiziz
• @garyhilson
• @csmillie
• @thekarin
• @michellechilds
• @sydneyowen
• @sarahprevette
• @terryjsmith
• @acowboyswife
• @ellenpeters

How It Works

Alright, this is pretty darn simple:

• 10 weeks
• Lose 10 pounds
• Every Monday take your weight, and state on twitter how much you lost (note for girls: not your actual weight, unless you went to)
• Every Monday, I’ll post my tips and such. If you have any of your own, comment on one of the series posts!

Week 1 Tips

I’ve written a bunch about my weight loss tips, but since that’s old and there’s a lot of it and its overwhelming, here are some thoughts for simple things you can do now to kickstart your metabolism, drop some bad habits and start the hard stuff (like EXERCISING).

First, though, some basics:

• The more water you drink, the more weight you lose
• The more you split your meals up, and eat smaller portions throughout the day, the more weight you lose
• The less grease and fast food you eat, the more weight you lose
• The less pop you drink, the more weight you lose
• The more grapefruit specifically, but fruit/veg generically, you eat, the more you lose
• The more you keep your heart rate up for more than 10 minutes a day, the more weight you lose

If you do these things, you’ll lose weight. But more importantly, doing these things will probably break most of your bad habits, get your body processing food more efficiently and set you up for success over the next 10 weeks!

If you aren’t doing moost of the above, don’t even worry about the rest of the stuff below. It’ll just make it harder to remember everything. If you’re already most of the above, here are some more specific things I used to do, and now need to get back into the habit of doing!

• Use programs such as 100pushups and 200situps to lay a foundation of daily exercise (I swap out between each program each day, as it works a different part of your body). Since we have 10 weeks, it’s perfect to get both programs done (since you’ll undoubtedly miss some weeks, do some weeks over, etc). Start today! Do them in the morning.

• 

  Image by Getty Images via Daylife

  Do 20-30 minutes of cardio. Goal here is to sweat for 10 minutes. Walk if you’re out of shape, jog if you can, run with the dog, play frisbee, play football with your kids, play basketball… Just get out and do something. You can even just run up and down 2 steps in your house if you want. Just get the heart rate up for 5 minutes, then do something slightly more leisurely for a minute or two, then back at it again. Do this a couple of times a week.

• Weigh yourself at the same point every day. Early morning, pre eating, post… erm, release is best.
• Eat half a grapefruit every morning. Grapefruit covers a multitude of sins!
• Do other kinds of workouts. Don’t have a gym? Use one of the hotel workout regimens out there.

Now Get To It!

You signed up to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks. It is TOTALLY doable. In fact, you’ll probably lose 2-4 pounds this week alone if you hit this. But you’ve got to keep it up for the whole 10 weeks.

And here’s the dirty little secret… If you do, you’ll be in the habit of all of this, and you’ll keep losing weight afterwards!

Talk Back

Have thoughts, tips, etc? Comment so other #10morepounds folk can learn along with you!

Interested in Joining In?

Use the #10morepounds tag on twitter, comment or email me (jeremy@b5media.com)!

Some extra articles that MIGHT help (haven’t read them all, so I dunno!)

• A Quick Weight Loss Diet Recommendation (healthlifestyleforever.com)
• Jazz It Off - Week #1 (petroville.com)
• Pre-Wedding Weight Loss (weight-loss-methods.suite101.com)
• Easy Weight Loss Plan (healthlifestyleforever.com)
• Weight loss: cut more calories or do more exercises (weightlossnutrition.org)
• Reliable Weight Loss Keys (healthlifestyleforever.com)
• End of Week 1 Followup (ensight.org)

Patch D&B Elite V2 para PES 2009 - Pro Evolution Soccer - Xbox 360
Esse é um dos melhores patches já desenvolvidos para o PES 2009 - Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 - para os donos do console Xbox 360. Ele atualiza/altera os uniformes de diversos times, vale apena utilizar, mas infelizmente não possui campeonato brasileiro incluído. Para efetuar o download para o seu computador clique aqui e e para saber como [...]

Esse é um dos melhores patches já desenvolvidos para o PES 2009 - Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 - para os donos do console Xbox 360.

Ele atualiza/altera os uniformes de diversos times, vale apena utilizar, mas infelizmente não possui campeonato brasileiro incluído.

Para efetuar o download para o seu computador clique aqui e e para saber como instalar no seu jogo clique aqui.

Patch Fifa Ultimate 09 para Fifa 2009 - Completo
Esse patch muda completamente o menu do FIFA 09 tornando ele muito mais real e completo, vale apena instalar. Contém no patch: - 361 novos times (219 do brasil) - 61 novos estadios - 38 novos campeonatos - 30 novas ligas - Menus e Narração em Português - Série A, B, C e D do Brasil Completas - Copa do Brasil com [...]

Esse patch muda completamente o menu do FIFA 09 tornando ele muito mais real e completo, vale apena instalar.

Contém no patch:

- 361 novos times (219 do brasil)
- 61 novos estadios
- 38 novos campeonatos
- 30 novas ligas

- Menus e Narração em Português
- Série A, B, C e D do Brasil Completas
- Copa do Brasil com 64 times, ida e volta
- Toca o hino do clube após o gol (serie aeb brasil)
- Brasileirao A, B, C e D no modo dirigente podendo subir e cair de divisão
- Libertadores, Copa Sulamericana e Mundial de Clubes Fifa
- 18 campeonatos estaduais com todos os times
- Euro Copa 2008, Copa do Mundo, Eliminatórias da Copa
- Menus personalizados ao entrar na partida com as torcida do times brasileiros
- Elencos atualizados até 02-02-09
- Patrocinadores e técnicos reais no modo dirigente
- Chuteiras e bolas novas oficiais da nike, adidas, puma, etc
- Bandeiras Reais das Torcidas
- Placar da Globo ou Band
- Todos os times de todas as ligas sulamericanas
- Placas de Publicidade Reais do Brasil e Internacionais
- Todas as selecoes sulamericanas, Japão e time real da Holanda
- Novos times internacionais da Rússia e Japão
- 113 novas faces de jogadores brasileiros

Download do jogo:

Parte 1 | Parte 2

Update Graphics 2.0

Update 3.0

Feedback Wanted: Starting Blogging Again
As anyone who knows me knows, over the last few years my blogging has slowed down from roughly 10 posts a week to roughly 10 posts a year. Most of this is due to all of my free time being sucked up by b5media. And another chunk is because I do most of my communicating, [...]

As anyone who knows me knows, over the last few years my blogging has slowed down from roughly 10 posts a week to roughly 10 posts a year. Most of this is due to all of my free time being sucked up by b5media. And another chunk is because I do most of my communicating, ideas, networking on Twitter. But some of it is because I simply didn’t have any inspiration for blogging.

Image by Matthew Burpee via Flickr

A few weeks ago, over lunch with Jay Goldman he mentioned his 10�10 rule, which is basically: write out 10 ish big areas you’re interested in blogging about, and 10 ish ideas for each. That is your first 100 ish posts (though realistically you’ll have other ideas along the way), so it’s 2-4 months of blogging.

As you might expect, I decided to do the exercise just to see what happened. I’ve wanted to blog more for the last year, but lacked more than a post at a time. This would hopefully provide fodder for many posts over the coming months.

But I ran into a conundrum, because the topics were more diverse than I expected (at least the ones that excited me). Now the fitness/health stuff I’ve already decided to break off into a separate site, so it’s not on this list, but here’s what I’ve come up with:

• Top entrepreneurs in canada interviews/profiles
• Canadian company profiles
• Running a blog network
• Canadian VC firm profiles
• Online advertising
• Scaling a blog / media company
• How to raise funding
• Technical challenges of running a blog network / online media company
• Ideas for thriving in a down  economy
• Social media / new media tools we use at b5media
• Interviews with bloggers I admire

I’ve put these into 2 big buckets: b5media CEO blog, and more of a journalism/startup kind of blog. Part of this is a deep desire to see Canadians gain more profile. As a country, we suck at tooting our own horns, so I’d like to take time to toot our collective horns for us. Part of it is also looking to help folk who were like me 4 years ago: knowing there were ways to scale their company but having no idea how or who to talk to or what the options were or who the people in the industry even were.

So I’m looking for some feedback, on a few specific questions (but feel free to give feedback overall):

1. Should I keep Ensight a personal blog?
2. Should I retire Ensight, cause it has so much history and just start fresh?
3. Should the CEO stuff live here, if I am keeping it a personal blog, or somewhere else?
4. Should I split the “media” stuff off?
5. Should I split the “startup” stuff off?
6. Should I split the Canadian journalism/entrepreneur stuff off?
7. Would splitting the Canadian stuff off seem weird, given TechVibes/StartupNorth are already doing some of this (to varying degrees)?

And finally: are there other topic areas you’d like to hear me blog about?

I’m opening this up mostly because I could be happy going multiple ways, but I am a big believer in splitting topics up so that you feel less like a monolithic subject staring you in the face when you want to blog.

So, thoughts, questions, comments, concerns?

I has the sick agains...
Second cold of the season. Trying to stave off any further encroachment through massive amounts of sleep and Vitamin C.

I'll post more once remaining vertical is less of a challenge for me.

*hugs* Happy New Year, lovelies.

*ahem* Yes, well.
Well, so much for my pledge to post something at least once a day.

Now that the pump-crisis is over, things are more or less back to their usual routine, for better or for worse.

My Diabetes control is pretty fubar at present because of weather changes and the deteriorating condition of my teeth (a condition that's actually exacerbated by elevated glucose levels, so the whole mess is a big vicious cycle now--bad teeth lead to poor glucose control which then leads to worse teeth which then...).

And I've been putting off actually doing anything about it because I'm scared shitless of going to the dentist. Chances are high that in order to correct the issue they'd have to remove the majority of my lower teeth, and probably a couple of the upper ones, and I can't even begin to speculate on how I would pay for such a procedure. I'm less concerned about pain issues because, well, I've been in more or less constant low-grade discomfort for the past year, sometimes pain so intense that I break down and weep from it. It's hard to imagine a competent dentist making it much worse.

Key word being "competent," and that's the rub. I haven't been to a dentist in the better part of 8 years, and that was up in Virginia. I don't know shite about Austin dentists other than what I hear from recommendations, and my capacity to trust such recommendations diminishes as soon as someone says, "well, I myself went to that dentist and they SUCKED." Because then I have to contemplate the possibility that maybe said dentist isn't as good anymore as he was when those folks went who liked him/her. Or maybe they're just SAYING he's good because they get a rise out of misleading people. Of course, the same could be said for the person who gave the bad review. There's no real way to tell.

But if I trust in the wrong dentist, I could end up making my problems much worse instead of any better. It's happened to me before. To an extent, trusting in the wrong people is why I'm in such a giganormous personal mess to begin with.

I need new glasses. I really would like a haircut, too, to clear up the royal mess I made of it the last time I had delusions of being an amateur barber. I see myself taking care of these much more readily than my teeth. They don't seem as daunting, even though for health reasons I "should" be taking care of my teeth first. Hell, I should have taken care of them a couple of years ago, when I first started noticing problems.

You'd think that the desire to be free of pain would be an adequate enough motivator, right? And that's the weird thing. I DON'T like the state of my teeth. I don't like what it's doing to my Diabetes care. I'm certainly not getting any jollies from the pain, that's for damn sure. I WANT to take better care of myself. But I don't.

I recently noticed that when talking to myself, at some point I began saying "I hate myself" and NOT trying to refute it. Oh, sure, I've been launching negative statements at myself ever since I first became aware of my my mother's fist, but there was always a second voice responding, quite emphatically, "cut it out, you doooooon't!" and then going on to remind me of positive things about myself. But that voice appears to be gone now. The tally of failures has exceeded the tally of successes, and what successes I used to hold up as "proof of my worthiness" seem so ridiculously small now. And with each passing day my brother seems to be growing increasingly discontent with my presence here in his house. I NOW he doesn't want me here anymore, but because of one of Dad's last known wishes--that the family do whatever it has to to keep me off the streets--he feels honourbound to try and put up with me anyway. And that's beginning to breed resentment on his part. He's admitted as much to me. But I don't know what to honestly DO about it. Since returning from Virginia, every living situation I've been in with others has led to me eventually being thrown out for being too difficult to live with. So it would seem that the most obvious answer would be to move out on my own. And I find myself both excited but terrified at the prospect of trying to navigate that particular logistical minefield on my own.

I feel so weak. And I hate myself for having BECOME so weak. I'm sick and tired of being so sick and tired. And I'm sure y'all are fed up with hearing about it, so I'll leave you be for now.

The Enemy has me by the balls.

In hindsight...
I really should have constructed this shell with a more easily accessible exit-hatch lever.

Painting it the same colour as the rest of the interior wasn't a particularly bright move, either.

Pump Components The insulin pump might be a miracle of modern medical science, but gee whiz, the need to continually replace these two components can be a real pain in the ass at times.

As you may have guessed, supplies arrived today. Well, actually I received some emergency supplies on Monday, but the box I received today will do me for the next three months, giving me plenty of breathing-room now to figure out how I'm going to pay off the rest of what I owe Disetronic.

So...huzzah!

Oh, and by the way...
Stop being such a gods-rotting tragedy queen, mkay? Just...shut..up.

And move on.





Byron P. Kocen, my adoptive father.

The fact that he really is dead now, hits me harder on some days than others.

Ah, I love it when friends and family miss the point...
I could give less than two hoots of a walrus-fuck about the fact that I am in debt to Disestronic. What has me pissed off where they're concerned is that they won't send me any more pump supplies until I pay off that past-due balance. I am going to try and see whether I might be able to work out something with them to at least get SOME supplies regardless.

I am equally unconcerned about still being charged for the pump even though it's not currently being used by me. It's annoying, but sending the pump back would ultimately cause more hassles than it's worth, considering I don't plan on being without supplies forever.

(My financial state has been wrecked for so long now that I've more or less just given up on hopes of ever being fully back in the black again. And I'm okay with that. The only reason I care about money these days is because I live in a society that more or less forces people to care.)

What has me so blooming out-of-sorts is not having any pump supplies, which is forcing me to try and manage my illness with shots, which totally is not working, which is causing so many wild swings between high and low points that my ability to function mentally is greatly impaired, and my psychological well-being is in danger.

Granted, I realise that simply being back on the pump again is not going to solve the rest of my problems, but I know for a fact that it would make those other issues substantially easier to deal with because my overall mental state would be functioning muuuuch better. But I need to get back on the pump soon or else I think my body's going to go south in a serious hurry, assuming my mind doesn't get there first. For that reason, I don't actually care whether I buy the supplies with my own money or I receive them through charity.

Totally. Don't. Care.

Hell, right now if Quasimodo were to shamble forth from his dusty grave, and walk up to me with a refill-cartridge in one hand, and an infusion set in the other, then say to me, "Give me a really nice, messy rimjob and these are yours"..... I'd totally be munching on that hunchback's ass with gusto.

Pride is for those who can afford it.


I hate being back on shots.

Hate it.
hate it.

FUCKING HATE IT.

I might as well not even bother anymore. I may as well be trying to manage without any bloody insulin at all for all the good the syringe regimen is doing. But unless I can pull a good thousand bucks out of my ass to pay my past due balance with Disetronic, I won't be able to get any more pump-supplies. And I won't be pulling a thousand bucks out of my bunghole anytime soon, since my monthly income is only 770 dollars and maybe 50 dollars of it is actually saveable from month to month.

And here's the fun part: even though the company won't send me any more supplies until I'm able to at least pay the past-due balance, they're still charging me each month for the pump I have because it's considered a "rental." So each month, the past-due balance grows even higher, making it even less likely for me to be able to payoff.

I'm pretty fucked, kids. Whole reason I went onto the pump in the first place, eight years ago, was because my endocrinologist at the time could tell that the "6-shot a day" thing totally wasn't working in my case. It's ironic that I have in my possession a device worth a good 2,000 dollars and considered a miracle of modern medical technology, and it's rendered completely useless to me without three plastic components that cost altogether maybe 5 dollars to make. Swear to goddess, if I die from this and someone says at the funeral, "oh, what a shame he didn't take better care of himself," I'm going to totally bust out of my coffin and go Romero on their ass.

Link-snack, April 30, 2009
I've been trying to get back into swimming the last few weeks. I'll swim a few laps and then walk a few laps. Today, for the first time since my knee surgery, I really swam! Before, I was gently swimming;...

I've been trying to get back into swimming the last few weeks.  I'll swim a few laps and then walk a few laps.  Today, for the first time since my knee surgery, I really swam!  Before, I was gently swimming; today, I threw myself into it.  It was wonderful!

I had forgotten how exhausted really swimming makes me when I haven't done it for a while - hence tonight's link-snack:

• First, my tribute to the Awkward Blogger.  I have a number of her posts to link to tonight, including her birthday tribute to Barbra Streisand, her review of a stage performance of Sunday in the Park with George, and an unusual take-off on a song from Chitty Chitty Bang Band.

• Parade article on Hugh Jackman:  

 

• In She may have a point, Finslippy reacts to someone's opinion that she is crazy:

• I really enjoyed the clothes (and the name) at Fairy Gothmother. Some favorites here, and here, and here, and here, and here.  A number of them look like they would be at home in Moulin Rouge, which we just watched again recently.  Actually, one looks like a combination of Moulin Rouge and My Fair Lady.  [Hat tip to Lingerie Blog by Petite Coquette]

• Walk on the Wild Side [Hat tip to The Presurfer]

What's Been Happening, and (sort of) Recently on Musiclectic
I realized that I haven't posted the results of my audition for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I found out, late Monday night/early Tuesday morning, that I got into the women's chorus, and older son is one of the...

I realized that I haven't posted the results of my audition for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I found out, late Monday night/early Tuesday morning, that I got into the women's chorus, and older son is one of the brothers.  I was so excited that I couldn't calm down and go to sleep until almost 3 am!  I'm still excited!

That's the positive side.  On the negative side, everyone has been rather stressed this week.  The heat really gets to older son so he didn't feel well on Tuesday.  We've had a heat wave (in the 90's) with (I think) record breaking temperatures.  Dear husband is very busy at work.  Daughter has the SAT coming up on Saturday and two AP tests the following week.  She's been really pushing herself for weeks.  She also sprained her ankle this weekend so she doesn't even have the stress relief of going to dance.  My knee has been slowly getting better since my setback in March, but it's worse again this week. 

I've been trying to stay calm (okay, as calm as I can normally get), but, today, everything finally got to me.  I was in a terrible mood and de-cluttered furiously all morning.  Everyone else decided to stay upstairs. 

After I worked that out of my system, I felt much better (and the house looks much better! (grin).  I feel more "here" than I have in weeks.  I've even posted again on Musiclectic.  I haven't been able to do that for months - the well dried up.  I'm glad I finally care about it again. 

• "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "Alright, OK" by the Count Basie Orchestra and Joe Williams (which I posted months ago but didn't mention)

• "Why Can't This Be Love" by Van Halen

We did take a break this weekend and went to Norfolk and Virginia Beach.  I may, eventually, post pictures. 

[Azalea photo taken by older son at the Greensboro Arboretum two weeks ago.  I haven't gotten around to posting those, either.]

Happy Mother's Day!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Superfluous Soprano Redux
Remember that we had too many sopranos in choir back in the early spring? Where did they all go?! We've been working on a really interesting piece since the winter. It's a setting of some of the psalms, for choir...

Remember that we had too many sopranos in choir back in the early spring?

Where did they all go?!

We've been working on a really interesting piece since the winter.  It's a setting of some of the psalms, for choir and harp, written by our choir director.  The performance is in a week and a half.  It's been a really challenging and fun piece to learn.  After working on it, normal choir music seems rather easy. 

Last night, we rehearsed it with the harp for the first time.  The harp part makes it even more interesting. 

That really large group of sopranos we had earlier?  We had five at last night's rehearsal.  Last week, we had four.  One more soprano will be there for the concert, but, as far as I know, that's it.  The director was encouraging our section to sing out last night.  Every soprano voice is needed.

I'm not only not superfluous; I'm needed! (grin)

[Photos taken at Ayr Mont and in downtown Hillsborough last weekend during our long walks while daughter was taking the SAT.]

[Have fun saying, "I told you so" about this post (grin)]

"Open a New Window," sung by Angela Lansbury in "Mame"
Yesterday, I was listening this song, over and over, on my mp3 player while taking a walk and composing a blog post. Mary Martin originally was considered for the part of Mame, and forty other actresses were also considered for...

Yesterday, I was listening this song, over and over, on my mp3 player while taking a walk and composing a blog post. 

 

Mary Martin originally was considered for the part of Mame, and forty other actresses were also considered for the part.  Angela Lansbury, who was not known for musicals at that time, eventually got it, and won a Tony award. 

"Raised on Robbery" - Joni Mitchell
This is one of my favorites of her songs. I've been adding lots more music to my mp3 player. Tonight, I did the Dar Williams/Maura O'Connell/Joni Mitchell/Kathy Mattea shelf. [Click here if you can't see the video] Joni Mitchell links:...

This is one of my favorites of her songs.

I've been adding lots more music to my mp3 player.  Tonight, I did the Dar Williams/Maura O'Connell/Joni Mitchell/Kathy Mattea shelf.

 

[Click here if you can't see the video]

Joni Mitchell links:

• Her website
• 2007 interview on the Tavis Smiley show
• 1996 CBC interview

Today's Friday 10 (random songs from my mp3 player):

• If Wishes Were Changes - Nanci Griffith (folk)
• Hot - Smash Mouth (pop)
• Power of Two - Indigo Girls (folk)
• Paperthin Hymn - anberlin (pop)
• An Paistin Fionn - Niamh Parson (Celtic)
• What Was It Like - Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Once You Lose Your Heart - Me and My Gal (Broadway Soundtrack)
• Hot Lunch Jam - Fame (movie soundtrack)
• Outona Oumila Mailla - Värttinä (Finnish folk)
• The Seven Deadly Virtues - sung by Roddy McDowell in Camelot (Broadway soundtrack)

Saturday Fun Song: "El Tango De Roxanne" from Moulin Rouge (and a late Friday 10)
The Police's Roxanne was used to excellent effect in El Tango De Roxanne in Moulin Rouge: I seem to like tango videos. This week's (late) Friday 10: I Want to Be Your Girlfriend - Mary-Chapin Carpenter (she started as a...

The Police's Roxanne was used to excellent effect in El Tango De Roxanne in Moulin Rouge:

I seem to like tango videos.

This week's (late) Friday 10:

• I Want to Be Your Girlfriend - Mary-Chapin Carpenter (she started as a country singer, her last two albums have been more folk-y, but this song is more pop-ish)
• Forget About the Boy - Sutton Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie Broadway Soundtrack)
• Never Will Give Up - Alison Kraus and the Carter Family (gospel)
• Maneater - Hall and Oates (pop)
• Come Take a Trip in My Airship - Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt (folk)
• Love of Mine - Tish Hinojosa - (sort of Tex-Mex folk)
• Love at the Five and Dime - Nanci Griffith (folk)
• Music is a Woman - Gregory Hines (Sophisticated Ladies Broadway Soundtrack)
• Feel So Bad - Ray Charles (jazz, from the album, Charles Sings, Basie Swings)
• Anyone Can Whistle - Mandy Patinkin (Broadway)

 

 
 

Comparing the Scale of Gaza & Israel to DC, Baltimore and New York

As Israel's ground troops enter Gaza after more than a week of bombardment, it's worth spending a moment getting a sense of the geographic scale of the region, particular for those of us in the US who aren't used to the scale of smaller countries.

First, here's a map of Gaza and Israel. Gaza is in the bottom left corner of the map, surrounded by the small red border, and Jerusalem is near the top right. The larger red border on the right side represents the demarcation between Israel and the West Bank. The image was taken in Google Earth at an altitude of 125.19 kilometers.

Next, let's look at the DC-Baltimore area at the same scale. DC is near the center of the map, while Baltimore is near the top right of the picture.

Last, we've got the greater New York City area, also taken at the exact same scale of the Gaza and DC maps. Manhattan is in the center left, while the western end of Long Island dominates the rest of the image.

Backyard in the Mist

I took this 370-megabyte panorama photo of my backyard today using the Gigapan robotic camera mount. Click the picture to keep zooming closer and closer to see the full resolution.

Gigapan Photo of the Inauguration

I was hoping to take a Gigapan panorama photo of the Inauguration but unfortunately my credentials weren't good enough to set up a tripod. Fortunately, photographer David Bergman had the right credentials, and took this extraordinary photo:

The entire photo is nearly 1.5 gigapixels in size. Be sure to zoom in closer and closer to experience the full effect. Learn more about how David took it on his blog or check out the full screen version on the Gigapan website.

Congratulations on getting the photo, David. I'd really hoped to do it myself so I'm glad at least one other Gigapanner got to do it. -andy

Introducing Sean David Carvin!

Our son Sean David Carvin was born today at 1:40pm. He weight 7 lbs, 8 oz and stretched an even 20 inches. Susanne and Sean are both doing great, though she'll have to be in the hospital for a few days to recover from the c-section. Tomorrow, we'll bring in Kayleigh to meet her new baby brother. -andy

Sean meets his mom

Watch the Video

Mothra Lives!

The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is one of the largest moths in the world. This one, which I photographed at the Brookside Gardens Butterfly Pavilion in Wheaton, Maryland, has a wingspan of approximately 10 inches. Each wing was just a little larger than my entire hand.



This was as close as I could get to the moth without disturbing it. If my hand had been adjacent to it, each wing would have been a little bit larger than my hand. It's the largest type of moth in the world.

Shriner on a Segway

The Shriners were in full force at the 2009 Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade today. Some of them were in little cars, but I wasn't expecting to see any of them to be riding a Segway. If the Dead Kennedys ever get back together, they'll have to use this one for an album cover. :-)

And yeah, I know it's not St. Patrick's Day yet. I think they do the parade the first Saturday in March. -andy

How to Study with Focus, Confidence and Purpose
In my previous article, Why Are You Still Trying, I mentioned that I failed to get into Dental School a couple of times since graduating University in ‘06. In ‘08 I finished my Masters degree, and I’m currently on the waiting list for NYU Dental School. Whether I’ll get accepted or rejected for this coming cycle [...]

In my previous article, Why Are You Still Trying, I mentioned that I failed to get into Dental School a couple of times since graduating University in ‘06. In ‘08 I finished my Masters degree, and I’m currently on the waiting list for NYU Dental School.

Whether I’ll get accepted or rejected for this coming cycle is currently up in the air, and a factor that is out of my control. What is in my control is to retake the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and reapply with higher scores.

With over 6,000 people applying for 200 spots, it doesn’t matter that my score is well above average, so now I’m shooting for the 99th percentile. The DAT is a 4.5 hour test that includes 1) Biology 2) General Chemistry 3) Organic Chemistry 4) Perceptual Ability 5) Reading Comprehension and 6) Quantitative Reasoning.

The best methods for studying the DAT might be of little use to you, but the general techniques to optimize studying are important to each of us whether we are studying for school, work, or life. I’ll share the techniques I’ve learned at University, my Masters Program, self-education, and of course my twitter friends (I often ask them for best study techniques).

Start With a Clear Intention

When you start the timer on your study session, it’s important to have a clear intention as to what you expect to get out of and accomplish in the study session. Without a clear intention you’re liable to day dream, spend too much time shuffling and organizing, and ultimately demotivate yourself from having an awesome study session.

You can get yourself into the zone of having a clear intension by starting with the end in mind. Imagine yourself on test day, and create an outline of everything that you have to know and understand by that day. Then back track each day before the exam and figure out how much of the material you need to absorb daily until you arrive back at the current moment.

At this point is should be clear what you need to do today, tomorrow, and each day after until you reach full competency on exam day. This technique will serve to keep your mind organized, and motivate you to make the most of your study sessions.

Timed Studying and the 50-10 Principle

The way I used to study was by arriving at my study destination, whether it was library or my personal desk, and assign myself X amount of hours to study. When I was hungry I ate, when I was tired I took a break, but I generally went through this whole time period studying.

Over the past few weeks I’ve done more of what I call “timed studying” then I’ve ever done in the past. The only extra tool that you need to do this, aside from your books and writing utensils, is a simple timer (whether it’s on your phone, watch, or computer).

There are two things that you will want to time yourself on. Your study times and your break times. I’ve experimented with 30 minute studying, and 5 minute breaks, but ultimately found the 50-10 setup much more productive for my own taste.

50 Minute Study Sessions. Everything I need for this session is in front of me before I begin, and the only thing I do during this time is study. My phone is on silent, my family is alerted not to bother me or use loud noises, and I’m on a mission-unstoppable to get through the 50 minutes as productively as I’m capable of.

Most of the time when the buzzer sounds I’m still in the middle of something. It’s important that you don’t continue to cross your t or dot your i at this point and RESPECT the timer. Respecting the system, and in this case the timer, is the single most important factor in discipline. It’s all about respecting and not giving way to the moral code (timer system), that you have set up for your self and your studying.

10 Minute Break Sessions. As important as it was to have an intention for your study session, it is important to have an intention for your break session. The ultimate intention of a break session is to refresh yourself so you can have a focused uninterrupted study session right after.

I use my study sessions to use the restroom, eat, drink, and do exercises and breathing techniques in order to have my body be at 100% once I begin studying. If I am hungry, the food I’ll get will be light, such as a small bite of leftovers, or a fruit.

Exercising During Break. It’s important to get the heart rate up, and to get blood and oxygen to our brains to invigorate our brains for the next study session. Exercises enables our brain to release a special protein that is conducive to creative new neuron connections and thus learning better.

Some of the exercises I do are running up and down the stairs, jumping jacks, perfect pushups, pull ups, squats, bicycle sit ups, handstands, and various dumbbell exercises. You can be creative here, and use part of your break to work on whatever you want.

Breathing Exercise. Recently I have started to implement Yoga breathing techniques, based on advice from my friend Cynthia. You can breathe in for a 4 count and breathe out for an 8 count and then increase these numbers as you get better. The main thing to remember about breathing is to forcefully exhale every last bit of air (and thus Carbon Dioxide) out of your lungs, creating room for much more Oxygen.

The Magic of the 50-10. When I go through the 50-10 technique something amazing happens. I have complete concentration and motivation throughout the whole 50 minute study session. When the buzzer rings to tell me the 50 minutes are up, I think “ohh man, not yet, I still want to study more.” I get up right away regardless. I go through my 10 minute break routine, and then it hits me - the 10 minutes of ‘break’ feel longer than the 50 minutes of studying, and I’m excited to get back to studying.

Daily Exercise

Memory and brain function have been linked to exercise in many official scientific experiments. If you’re healthy, you could easily be doing a minimum of 30 minutes of light cardio every single day, and eventually work up to an hour of intense cardio workouts.

Know your body, consult a doctor for advice before starting, and remember to take baby steps when first starting up the exercise habit. Instead of starting really strong, hurting yourself, and not coming back to the exercises, it’s smart to start slow and progress whenever you’re comfortable enough to take the next step.

There are 80 and 90 year olds finishing Marathons, so there’s no reason why you can’t build yourself up to doing just 1 hour of cardio every day. I understand that if you’re handicapped in some way this presents more of a challenge, but it’s important to reach higher levels from your own baseline and not compare yourself to others.

Don’t forget about strength training. It’s very important to have the other muscles that aren’t involved in your cardio routine being firm, not flabby. If you spend your days studying, then you can throw in a few good sets of strength training several times a day during your 10 minute breaks.

Using Multiple Senses

Certain people are keener on certain study modes over others, such as auditory versus visual. It’s important to remember that visual learning is still the best way to learn, and that the other modes of studying are excellent supplements.

Since vision is dominate in learning, it’s important to get the most use out of that by using flash cards, using different colors to make notes, draw diagrams, and create mind maps. The different shapes and colors can all serve to give your memory extra triggers.

Just reading the material is usually not enough for more complicated topics. It’s important to write down notes, in your own words, in ways that will make sense to you and trigger recall of information.

When it comes to auditory learning, attending lecture might be important, but it’s not absolutely necessary. There are two different methods that I use to incorporate other senses, which are speaking, and listening.

Sometimes I read what I’m studying out loud. Other times I read the notes that I’ve made out loud. I also make personal audio recordings of myself reading my notes, and then I play them back to myself when driving, exercising, or in the background of other things that I’m doing.

I normally encourage single-tasking when studying, but I look at this as an extra supplement that doesn’t take away from your normal study time. This type of personal recording is also different from other people’s lectures, because you don’t feel compelled to stop what you are doing and takes notes - the notes are already there from when you personally created them.

Engaging the different senses helps the memories to be formed through different incoming avenues. It also allows you to recollect the information through different parts of your brain, making it more likely that you won’t forget the facts on test day.

Single-Tasking

In our consciousness, our brain is only capable of focusing on one thought at a time. Try it. Focusing in on two different thoughts is virtually impossible. While it is possible to switch rapidly between thoughts and actions, it takes time to get into a deep state of focus and concentration that is conducive to studying, memorizing, and understanding.

There are certain things that I like to do in order to enable single-tasking and optimize focus. I like to sit at a very large desk that has a lot of open space. I have all the necessary tools in front of me, so at any given time I don’t have to get up and retrieve them from another location.

Colored markers, notebook, index cards, text books, review books, water bottle, and anything else I might need in the course of a study session are right at my grasp. My computer stays at another location. I write down my questions and make a separate research session with the computer when the need arises.

The only thing I’m really doing while I’m studying is focusing in on one very narrow topic. I’m proactively reading the information and then figuring out ways to store the information, whether it be in some kind of mental chamber, or in some creative way on paper.

Nourishment and Hydration

Whether you’re vegan, kosher, or carnivore, eating heavy foods and overeating is going to make you less alert. Not something you want while going through big study sessions. For this I recommend eating a big meal in the morning, and then having really small snack size meals several times throughout your day.

Never eat to the point where you’re full. See if you can get a sense of your stomach capacity and eat to 60-75% capacity. In the morning this means a large meal, but during the small meals in your day (during your 10 minute breaks for example), it’s going to take less food to get up to 75%.

When we eat, our digestive system uses a tremendous amount of energy to digest the food, our blood sugar can get a bit wacky, and we get tired. Tired isn’t bad when we want to rest, but we don’t want to rest while we’re studying.

Your brain takes up about 2% of your body weight, and it uses 20% of your daily energy. If you spend the day studying, I would argue that your brain uses even more energy. Combine that energy consumption with the exercise you do in the morning, during your 10 minute breaks, and during digestion and you’re going to burn a lot of calories.

You need to get those calories in by eating a lot of fresh and healthy food. Since your body and each individual cell is literally made from the food you eat, it makes sense to eat healthy. Don’t forget that your brain needs a lot of healthy fats to consume, which you get not from fried fatty foods, but from avocados and various nuts and seeds.

Make sure you stock up on the nutritious essentials. Just like you want to have everything on hand for your 50 minute study session, you want to have things ready for your 10 minute breaks.

Our body requires about 3+ liters of water every day. You’ll get some of it from eating a lot of fruits, but you still need to drink a lot of water to keep your body functioning like a well oiled machine. Water will make you feel more alert and well in general. Make sure you don’t forget to drink, drink, drink!

Turn off Distractions

While I do use my iPhone as a timer, I put it on silent and turn off vibrate mode. This way I don’t get distracted and look up each time I get a phone call or text message. This is important because each distraction that looks like it weighs an ounce actually costs a ton in lost focus.

When I’m studying at home, I ask my family members not to interrupt me, and not to turn the TV on too loud. Some people hate studying at home and they assume the role of a victim. They say that their family is so distracting, and there are so many other distractions in the house. I used to say this too.

I stopped being the victim by speaking up. Family doesn’t always realize they are distracting you, and are not doing it intentionally. Kindly ask them to be quieter and they will happily oblige. It’s your job to keep your study environment distraction free, not anyone else’s.

All other distractions can wait after you’ve gone through all your 50-10 study sessions. Your study is really important, and all the little distractions that pop up are usually just urgent. If you’re constantly putting out the fires and letting urgent tasks get your attention, you’ll never get to what is really important.

Reviewing

Reading something and taking notes is just not enough. Definitely not enough when dealing with such high volumes of information as the DAT. This means that it’s necessary to review, and to do this often.

After you’ve finished your study sessions and written notes, it’s important to look over the notes right away. Within 12 hours of your session, it is important to review all the information again. This is the key to getting things from short-term to long-term memory.

I also recommend reviewing things from day one every day until test day. This involves extra review for things you aren’t 100% certain about, and minor review for things you feel confident about. If you’re taking notes on a word document or paper, you will want to condense your notes each time you look at them.

Condensing your notes means using less words to explain the same concept, such as trigger words that would make sense only to you. You might also consider cutting out things that have become a complete no brainer.

When dealing with a longer study time, you might want to keep one document that is absolutely complete, and another one that you keep condensing. During the week of the test you’ll take a peek at the longer document to make sure you didn’t forget anything.

Practice Questions

Whenever studying for a test it’s important to pretest what you really know. Get your hands on any old tests, practice tests, or similar text book questions. Don’t just casually browse through the practice questions. Instead, play a game where you treat the practice questions as a real test.

In order for this game to work, you have to assign a time limit to a certain number of questions in order to keep the pressure on yourself. You’ll go through the entire question set first, and then look at the answer key to check your answers.

You’ll encounter three important types of scenarios when you go over the questions. A) You will be 100% confident in the answer and get it right. In this case, you move on. B) You’ll get the question wrong. In this case, you go back to the text book and reread the whole section to fully understand why you got the question wrong. C) You got the question right, but it was sort of, kind of, maybe a guess. You might not be so lucky on the test, so you must go back to your text and fully understand this area.

Final Words

Please note that different techniques will work better for certain individuals, that’s why it is important to both find what works for you and optimize your techniques daily.

My current daily mission, until I take this test, is to proactively study my material, in a distraction free environment, keeping up with the pace I set for myself when I was thinking with the end in mind. This allows me to be confident in my abilities, zone in and focus on the content, and do this all with a clear intention and purpose.

I like to start studying early, remain distraction free, and work into the evening. This doesn’t leave too much side room for day dreaming, or thinking of great topics to write here, so I hope you enjoy this one, which is a good reflection of what my life is looking like at the moment.

If you like this article, I would love it if you gave it a thumbs up on StumbleUpon and a vote on Reddit.

---

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Attention: Don’t forget to download my free ebook, How to Get a Girlfriend!!

Get The Most Out Of Your Vehicle
Find out how to get the most out of your vehicle and keep your ride going for the long haul. Learn some easy car maintenance tips to keep your car in great running condition. More... (http://news.carjunky.com/car_maintenance/get-the-most-our-of-your-vehicle-cdh684.shtml)

Auto Sense: If Squirrels Could Talk About Car Maintenance
Auto sense, car maintenance shocks and struts go hand in hand...if squirrels could talk, they would tell you everything you need to know to keep your car in great running condition. Find out more with the Squirrel campaign from Monroe brand shocks and struts. More... (http://news.carjunky.com/car_maintenance/auto-sense-talk-about-car-maintenance-cdh683.shtml)

Make Damaged Wheels Look New Again
Did you ever wonder how to make damaged wheels look new again? Your car tires can make or break your cars' appearance. Find out how a wheel restoration kit can renew the look of your tires. More... (http://news.carjunky.com/car_maintenance/make-damaged-wheels-look-new-again-cdh687.shtml)

Personal auto insurance market stays competitive in recession
The personal auto market remains competitive across the country, even as rates begin to creep upward. Experts in the field said they expect competition to continue throughout the year and into 2010. ... (http://www.autoinsuranceselect.com/article/617/Personal_auto_insurance_market_stays_competitive_in_recession)

Skulduggery Pleasant
About a week ago, I found a note and a book on my pillow. The note read, "TO DADDY: Me + mummy loved it, it's your turn now (when you have time!) and I hope you enjoy it as much...

About a week ago, I found a note and a book on my pillow. The note read, "TO DADDY: Me + mummy loved it, it's your turn now (when you have time!) and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Megan xxxxxxxx"
The book was 'Skulduggery Pleasant'. My eldest daughter is now giving me book recommendations!

And... in case you wondered, I finished it this morning, and I can't wait to read the follow-up. Skulduggery is, without doubt, the coolest, sharpest-talking skeleton ever. Ha ha.

Carla and I are now not only trying to read a book-every-week this year. We have also agreed that, at the end of the year, we will compare the variety of our reading. I'm fairly confident that 'Skulduggery Pleasant' has nudged me into the lead. ;o)

PS. I'm always open to book-recommendations... even from 12-year-olds.

The Real Deal
There ain't been no one better since.

Wild Geese on the Holy Island
For the next four days, I'll be on Lindisfarne/Holy Island with Emma Nicholson and the other 24-7's Wild Goose interns, and their coaches, for some 'retreat and reflection' time. The island has already become a special place for Emma (my...

For the next four days, I'll be on Lindisfarne/Holy Island with Emma Nicholson and the other 24-7's Wild Goose interns, and their coaches, for some 'retreat and reflection' time.

The island has already become a special place for Emma (my wife, Emma) and I. She took her Mustard Seed Order vow while sitting on the bleak, deserted Eastern shore of the island, promising to be True to Christ, kind to all people, and to take the Gospel to all nations. We wrote her vows on a stone and left it on the shore. I might try to find it this weekend. :o)

During this retreat, Emma's Dad, Tim, will be doing a session on Calligraphy - Identity with us. We'll be praying 24-1, and also spending 24 hours in silence. We'll learn some of the Northumbrian community story and some of the early Celtic Christians. We'll walk and talk and eat and reflect a lot together... and alone. I can't wait.

Back on Monday... bye. x

David Stern Pushes for Instant Replay


Making Soup
Once again, I am grateful to Jamie Oliver's cookery-for-novices-like-me book, 'Ministry of Food'. I made his sweet potato and chorizo soup for Emma, Helen and Ian last night. Very tasty!

Once again, I am grateful to Jamie Oliver's cookery-for-novices-like-me book, 'Ministry of Food'. I made his sweet potato and chorizo soup for Emma, Helen and Ian last night.

Very tasty!

Community Meal
What a beautiful day! The sun shone. The children played... playmobil, couronne and Skalextric inside... badminton outside. The adults played too... and then we ate Emma's amazing food, and talked and prayed together. Beautiful. Gathered around the table, it was...

What a beautiful day! The sun shone.

The children played... playmobil, couronne and Skalextric inside... badminton outside. The adults played too... and then we ate Emma's amazing food, and talked and prayed together. Beautiful.

Gathered around the table, it was good to share little bits of our lives... Jon's front-room mini-gig went really well last night... Drew has been having great conversations with his students at school... Jo is feeling the pressure of end-of-term busyness... Sue is hoping to get a part in The Tempest in York... Dewi has got work-exams this week... Rosi is still seeking the right role at Comic Relief... Richard mentioned friends in China who need our prayers... I asked everyone to keep praying for Poppy...

And then, as we broke bread and drank wine together, I read this from today's Celtic Daily Prayer book entry;

"I read a story about a boy who lost a dog in New York City. As he walked up and down the streets, systematically and slowly, a friend complained that he wasn't even looking for the dog. He answered, 'I'm not looking for him. I'm letting him find me. Sooner or later, he will discover the trail I am putting down and follow until he comes to me.'"

The writer goes on to say that Jesus is not looking for "converts". Jesus simply lays down a trail that people find, at different points in their lives, and follow until they find him. And he does this through us.

As we prayed for one another, for our own needs and struggles, we also asked Holy Spirit to help us lay down trails in our conversations with neighbours and friends, in our shopping and working and walking-around lives... trails that carry Jesus scent somehow, trails that others can follow and find him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Before they set off home, Sue and Drew left Emma an unexpected present - a box of wonderful Italian food-stuff... wine and oil and pasta sauces and linguini and a cook-book. Needless to say, Emma loved it. Here's Emma, kneeling on the floor, unpacking the box.

The Lindisfarne Scriptorium card reads;

"Life Journey
Winding
Patterns Undulating/Overlapping
Weaving Community
Touch as you pass Smile
Hold The Moment
As God Holds You
In His Heart"

Karl Says Mavs Fans are Racist; Cuban Disagrees


Wayman Tisdale: R.I.P.

Zillow Takes Zestimates to the Streets
Ever since Zillow evolved into.. well, whatever it is now (some sort of real estate search, AVM, mortgage rate and discussion forum Frankenstein Hydra, as far as I can tell), the controversy over Zestimates seems to have quieted down. Maybe it’s that the novelty of seeing what your home is worth has worn off as housing prices [...]

Ad: Reach over 5500 savvy Realtors, brokers and technologists every day. Advertise in FOREM's feed today!.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ever since Zillow evolved into.. well, whatever it is now (some sort of real estate search, AVM, mortgage rate and discussion forum Frankenstein Hydra, as far as I can tell), the controversy over Zestimates seems to have quieted down.

Maybe it’s that the novelty of seeing what your home is worth has worn off as housing prices crash.

Perhaps it’s that the PR pros at Zillow have done such a phenomenal job positioning the company in the media as a legitimate data source that the Zestimate has become an accepted statistic.

Or more likely, maybe it’s that the industry has been successfully wooed with the promises of easy, cheap marketing online tools (which are especially seductive in a down market) and any remaining resistance has slipped by the wayside.

In either case, Zestimates just don’t seem to be the point of contention they once were.

But today Zillow launched an iPhone app. One that, I suspect, promises to bring the debate over Zestimates (and their accuracy) back to the forefront.

Upfront - it’s a very slick app. The app’s location awareness (as demonstrated on the video embedded above) is truly a killer feature - fire it up, and the app immediately shows you where you are and then displays all the data on homes nearby. As you move around, the map and associated values update too. Freakin’ cool.

(That said, it was a little sluggish this morning however, not sure if was AT&T’s network or Zillow’s servers struggling to keep up).

Having had a chance to play with it a bit - I can vouch that as a potential buyer it is incredibly cool to be able to walk around my neighborhood and see what each home is worth and gauge what I could get for my money.

Sure, I know. A Zestimate is just a “starting point”. But here’s the thing, seeing that number while standing outside the home is a powerful physical association to price. One that as more and more people have access too (through other mobile platforms, see A House They Found on Zillow…) it’s going to start to have a greater impact; on negotiations and much more.

Having the power of the Zestimate in your hand is a mighty weapon to wield. Personally I can’t wait to walk into a home on a buying tour with my agent and being able to instantly call up how much Zillow says that home is worth and then compare it to the list price.

Given that scenario, I suspect the debate over Zestimates, long dormant - may just have woken up again.

The Zillow app is free and available in the App Store.

More: Read 1000Watt Consulting’s take on the app.

Ad: Reach over 5500 savvy Realtors, brokers and technologists every day. Advertise in FOREM's feed today!.

WWE

Wrestling can be traced back to cave drawings in France, but the pro wrestling that we see today is thought to have originated in the late 1800’s. It is thought that the first pro wrestling shows were held at carnivals. WWE was first established in 1952 by Vince McMahon’s grandfather, Jess McMahon and Raymond “Toots” Mondt, as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation and later joined the National Wrestling Alliance in 1953. It would later be named the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). It was shortened to WWF in 1979. The first “Wrestlemania” was held in 1985 and was a resounding success.
Coming back to WWE, its origin saw a new entry way to professionalism. These famous lines started it all, “Our new name puts the emphasis on the “E” for entertainment, what our company does best. WWE provides us with a global identity that is distinct and unencumbered, which is critical to our U.S. and international growth plans.” said Linda McMahon, CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, on May 6, 2002, giving birth to WWE of today.  It was an attempt to capture a greater market share and to represent the growing diversity of its entertainment properties; World Wrestling Federation Entertainment today announced a change in its name to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc (WWE).The change of it name has its own controversial history, the World Wildlife Fund sued the WWE (then known as the WWF) stating that they (WWE) had violated an agreement concerning use of the acronym WWF outside of North America. The World Wildlife Fund’s suit was upheld in a British court. In 2002, the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment. This name change provided a distinct and unburdened global identity to the World Wrestling Entertainment as an integrated entertainment and media company.
Vince McMahon is the majority owner and chairman of the company and his wife Linda McMahon holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Together with their children, Executive Vice President of Global Media, Shane McMahon and Executive Vice President of Talent and Creative Writing, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, the McMahons hold approximately 70% of WWE’s economic interest and 96% of the voting power in the company.
McMahon represents the third generation of a professional wrestling dynasty: his grandfather, Jess McMahon, worked as a boxing and wrestling promoter, while his father, Vince McMahon, Sr., founded the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. Capitol dominated professional wrestling in the Northeastern United States during the mid-20th century, when the sport was divided into strictly regional enterprises.
The growth sees a host of eclectic marketing and business strategies. McMahon recruited new talent and bought out competition across the country, forming a corporation he called the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and a parent company called Titan Sports, Inc.
WWF wrestling was technically not a real sport, as the outcome of each match was known in advance. Thus Mac Mohan hyped up its entertainment aspect, introducing wrestlers with theatrical personae and flashy costumes and staging elaborate displays for the benefit of the arena crowds and the cable audience. It worked–in 1987; the WWF sold $80 million in tickets to live events, according to Forbes magazine.
On October 25, 2000 WWE Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) announced that its common stock will begin trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WWE effective today, positioning WWE  as one of the premier businesses of the world.
The company’s global headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut with offices in Los Angeles, New York City, London, and Toronto.

Wrestling can be traced back to cave drawings in France, but the pro wrestling that we see today is thought to have originated in the late 1800’s. It is thought that the first pro wrestling shows were held at carnivals. WWE was first established in 1952 by Vince McMahon’s grandfather, Jess McMahon and Raymond “Toots” Mondt, as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation and later joined the National Wrestling Alliance in 1953. It would later be named the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). It was shortened to WWF in 1979. The first “Wrestlemania” was held in 1985 and was a resounding success.
Coming back to WWE, its origin saw a new entry way to professionalism. These famous lines started it all, “Our new name puts the emphasis on the “E” for entertainment, what our company does best. WWE provides us with a global identity that is distinct and unencumbered, which is critical to our U.S. and international growth plans.” said Linda McMahon, CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, on May 6, 2002, giving birth to WWE of today.  It was an attempt to capture a greater market share and to represent the growing diversity of its entertainment properties; World Wrestling Federation Entertainment today announced a change in its name to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc (WWE).The change of it name has its own controversial history, the World Wildlife Fund sued the WWE (then known as the WWF) stating that they (WWE) had violated an agreement concerning use of the acronym WWF outside of North America. The World Wildlife Fund’s suit was upheld in a British court. In 2002, the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment. This name change provided a distinct and unburdened global identity to the World Wrestling Entertainment as an integrated entertainment and media company.
Vince McMahon is the majority owner and chairman of the company and his wife Linda McMahon holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Together with their children, Executive Vice President of Global Media, Shane McMahon and Executive Vice President of Talent and Creative Writing, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, the McMahons hold approximately 70% of WWE’s economic interest and 96% of the voting power in the company.
McMahon represents the third generation of a professional wrestling dynasty: his grandfather, Jess McMahon, worked as a boxing and wrestling promoter, while his father, Vince McMahon, Sr., founded the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. Capitol dominated professional wrestling in the Northeastern United States during the mid-20th century, when the sport was divided into strictly regional enterprises.
The growth sees a host of eclectic marketing and business strategies. McMahon recruited new talent and bought out competition across the country, forming a corporation he called the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and a parent company called Titan Sports, Inc.
WWF wrestling was technically not a real sport, as the outcome of each match was known in advance. Thus Mac Mohan hyped up its entertainment aspect, introducing wrestlers with theatrical personae and flashy costumes and staging elaborate displays for the benefit of the arena crowds and the cable audience. It worked–in 1987; the WWF sold $80 million in tickets to live events, according to Forbes magazine.
On October 25, 2000 WWE Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) announced that its common stock will begin trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WWE effective today, positioning WWE  as one of the premier businesses of the world.
The company’s global headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut with offices in Los Angeles, New York City, London, and Toronto.

Olympics

As the legends would have it, the Olympic Games, one of the world’s largest and grandest international multi-sporting event, was founded by Heracles, the son of Zeus. Zeus was considered one of the most important Olympic gods apart from Athena and Apollo. The Olympic Games were closely related to Religion and religious festivals of the cult of Zeus promoting a secular spirit, energy and accomplishment of the Youth and good relations between the cities of Greece. According to legends Heracles, first called the game “Olympic”, and established the custom of holding them every four years.
Written records suggest that the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC which is based on the imprints found of the winners of a footrace held every four years starting from 776 BC. At this game a nude runner Coroebus, won the 192 meters race to become the first Olympic champion. The games were held in Olympia located in the western part of the Peloponnese, 145 km west of Athens, Greece, and comprised of only a few events where any male youngster from the various cities of Greece could participate to show off their physical qualities, it comprised of contests of music, sports and literature. The game grew in course of time and was played every four years for nearly 1200 years. Gradually in due course of time the game lost its hold as the Romans gained power and hold over Greece. At around 393 AD, emperor Theodosius, invited the end of the games, blaming it of pagan influences. This event marked the end of the first generation of Olympic Games known as Ancient Olympic Games. The second, known as the Modern Olympic Games came into existence in the late 19th century. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French historian, was the brain behind the resurrection of the game. He re-started Olympics, in 1894 by forming the International Olympic Committee, which is the governing body of the Olympic movement. The first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece. “Faster, Higher, Stronger”, is the Olympic motto, stressing importance to achieving the celestial point in life rather than gaining first position. The five colored rings on a white base form the Olympic flag. The intertwined rings represent the unity amongst the five continents. Now a days, Olympics takes place every four years.
The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation on Earth is represented at a celebration of the Games.

As the legends would have it, the Olympic Games, one of the world’s largest and grandest international multi-sporting event, was founded by Heracles, the son of Zeus. Zeus was considered one of the most important Olympic gods apart from Athena and Apollo. The Olympic Games were closely related to Religion and religious festivals of the cult of Zeus promoting a secular spirit, energy and accomplishment of the Youth and good relations between the cities of Greece. According to legends Heracles, first called the game “Olympic”, and established the custom of holding them every four years.
Written records suggest that the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC which is based on the imprints found of the winners of a footrace held every four years starting from 776 BC. At this game a nude runner Coroebus, won the 192 meters race to become the first Olympic champion. The games were held in Olympia located in the western part of the Peloponnese, 145 km west of Athens, Greece, and comprised of only a few events where any male youngster from the various cities of Greece could participate to show off their physical qualities, it comprised of contests of music, sports and literature. The game grew in course of time and was played every four years for nearly 1200 years. Gradually in due course of time the game lost its hold as the Romans gained power and hold over Greece. At around 393 AD, emperor Theodosius, invited the end of the games, blaming it of pagan influences. This event marked the end of the first generation of Olympic Games known as Ancient Olympic Games. The second, known as the Modern Olympic Games came into existence in the late 19th century. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French historian, was the brain behind the resurrection of the game. He re-started Olympics, in 1894 by forming the International Olympic Committee, which is the governing body of the Olympic movement. The first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece. “Faster, Higher, Stronger”, is the Olympic motto, stressing importance to achieving the celestial point in life rather than gaining first position. The five colored rings on a white base form the Olympic flag. The intertwined rings represent the unity amongst the five continents. Now a days, Olympics takes place every four years.
The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation on Earth is represented at a celebration of the Games.

Twitter

The free social messaging utility for staying connected in real time with friends and family is what www.twitter.com promises. This free social networking and micro blogging service which enables its users to share and read other user’s updates known as tweets, was founded in March 2006 by Obvious Group, with its Head quarters in California, U.S.A. This ten person start up has 29 employees as of now.
Coming from the Chairman Jack Dorsey’s mouth, it all started when at 18, he moved to New York City to attend NYU and began working at one of the biggest courier services in the country, DMS, where he continued working as a software developer, writing dispatch software. Jack was fascinated by the fact that all the users of this software - taxi drivers, limo drivers, couriers were really just reporting what they were doing, baring down essential facts only, thus the idea for Twitter was envisioned. In 2000, Jack launched his own company to dispatch couriers, taxis, and emergency services via the web. Over the next few years Jack continued working out his idea of fusing dispatch software, instant messaging, and text messaging to create real-time status communication, and in 2006 he approached San Francisco-based podcasting company ODEO, which was also interested in text messaging. It was there that he met Biz Stone and ODEO co-founder Evan Williams. Jack Dorsey and Biz Stone spent just 2 weeks creating the first Twitter prototype and implemented it as an internal service for ODEO employees. They launched a full-scale version of Twitter in July of 2006. Three months later Biz, Evan, Jack and other members of the ODEO team formed Obvious Corporation, and acquired ODEO and all of its assets - including Odeo.com and Twitter.com - from the investors and other shareholders, and Twitter was spun off into its own company in 2007.
Twitter is all about tweets which is a form of SMS, or text based posts where users have to condense their sentiments in 140 words
In November 2008 a research estimated 4- 5 million twitter users. Since its inception in 2006, twitter has gained extensive notability and worldwide popularity. It is often described as the “SMS of Internet,” as the site provides the benefit of sending and receiving short text messages. Twitter continues to grow in importance and has gained popularity in both the consumer world and corporate world.
A February 2009 Compete.com blog entry ranks Twitter as the third most used social network after Facebook and MySpace. In March 2009, a Nielsen’s blog ranked Twitter as the fastest growing site in the Member Communities category for February 2009. Twitter had a growth of 1382%; Zimbio had a growth of 240%, followed by Facebook with a growth of 228%.
The key people of the Company are Jack Dorsey who is the Chairman, Evan Williams the CEO, and Biz Stone the Creative Director.

The free social messaging utility for staying connected in real time with friends and family is what www.twitter.com promises. This free social networking and micro blogging service which enables its users to share and read other user’s updates known as tweets, was founded in March 2006 by Obvious Group, with its Head quarters in California, U.S.A. This ten person start up has 29 employees as of now.
Coming from the Chairman Jack Dorsey’s mouth, it all started when at 18, he moved to New York City to attend NYU and began working at one of the biggest courier services in the country, DMS, where he continued working as a software developer, writing dispatch software. Jack was fascinated by the fact that all the users of this software - taxi drivers, limo drivers, couriers were really just reporting what they were doing, baring down essential facts only, thus the idea for Twitter was envisioned. In 2000, Jack launched his own company to dispatch couriers, taxis, and emergency services via the web. Over the next few years Jack continued working out his idea of fusing dispatch software, instant messaging, and text messaging to create real-time status communication, and in 2006 he approached San Francisco-based podcasting company ODEO, which was also interested in text messaging. It was there that he met Biz Stone and ODEO co-founder Evan Williams. Jack Dorsey and Biz Stone spent just 2 weeks creating the first Twitter prototype and implemented it as an internal service for ODEO employees. They launched a full-scale version of Twitter in July of 2006. Three months later Biz, Evan, Jack and other members of the ODEO team formed Obvious Corporation, and acquired ODEO and all of its assets - including Odeo.com and Twitter.com - from the investors and other shareholders, and Twitter was spun off into its own company in 2007.
Twitter is all about tweets which is a form of SMS, or text based posts where users have to condense their sentiments in 140 words
In November 2008 a research estimated 4- 5 million twitter users. Since its inception in 2006, twitter has gained extensive notability and worldwide popularity. It is often described as the “SMS of Internet,” as the site provides the benefit of sending and receiving short text messages. Twitter continues to grow in importance and has gained popularity in both the consumer world and corporate world.
A February 2009 Compete.com blog entry ranks Twitter as the third most used social network after Facebook and MySpace. In March 2009, a Nielsen’s blog ranked Twitter as the fastest growing site in the Member Communities category for February 2009. Twitter had a growth of 1382%; Zimbio had a growth of 240%, followed by Facebook with a growth of 228%.
The key people of the Company are Jack Dorsey who is the Chairman, Evan Williams the CEO, and Biz Stone the Creative Director.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel tower is an iron tower in Paris, France. It is built on the Champ De Mars, a large green space close to the Seine River. The tower is considered to be a global symbol of France and the tower also comes under the 7 wonders of the world. It is one of the most popular structure and the tallest building in the beautiful city of Paris. The tower was constructed in the year 1889 and around 200,000,000 tourists have visited this place since it was built. In the year 2006 the place was visited by 6,719,200 tourists which shows that place is quite popular and one of the paid structure in the world.
The tower is 325 m (1,063ft) high which will be equal to 81 levels of a normal building and also the antenna which is 24 m (79ft) high. The designer of this tower was Gustave Eiffel and tower was named after him. Presently the Eiffel tower is the fifth tallest structure of France but in Paris it is the tallest structure. The metal and non metal structure of the tower weighs around 10,000 tones but if we will see only the component it weighs around 7,300. The formation of the tower was determined through mathematical calculations and wind resistance. On the Eiffel tower there are 72 names engraved by Gustave Eiffel on their contribution in building the tower. The name includes the names of the French scientists, engineers and some other notable people. The construction of the tower actually got started in 1887 but tower got completed in 1889.
The first level of the tower is 57.63m (189 ft). Space CINIEFFEL gives an outstanding Panorama of outlook from the Eiffel tower. Souvenir shops, restaurants, post office can also be seen. In Panorama gallery the monuments of Paris are displayed. The second level is 115.73 m and offers telescope shops, Jules Verne restaurant (extremely costly) and also the animated displays. The third is 276.13 m. outstanding panorama views, Paris day or night and also its surroundings. Presently, the restored office and the featuring wax statue of Gustave Eiffel and Thomas Edison is in conversation.

Eiffel tower is an iron tower in Paris, France. It is built on the Champ De Mars, a large green space close to the Seine River. The tower is considered to be a global symbol of France and the tower also comes under the 7 wonders of the world. It is one of the most popular structure and the tallest building in the beautiful city of Paris. The tower was constructed in the year 1889 and around 200,000,000 tourists have visited this place since it was built. In the year 2006 the place was visited by 6,719,200 tourists which shows that place is quite popular and one of the paid structure in the world.
The tower is 325 m (1,063ft) high which will be equal to 81 levels of a normal building and also the antenna which is 24 m (79ft) high. The designer of this tower was Gustave Eiffel and tower was named after him. Presently the Eiffel tower is the fifth tallest structure of France but in Paris it is the tallest structure. The metal and non metal structure of the tower weighs around 10,000 tones but if we will see only the component it weighs around 7,300. The formation of the tower was determined through mathematical calculations and wind resistance. On the Eiffel tower there are 72 names engraved by Gustave Eiffel on their contribution in building the tower. The name includes the names of the French scientists, engineers and some other notable people. The construction of the tower actually got started in 1887 but tower got completed in 1889.
The first level of the tower is 57.63m (189 ft). Space CINIEFFEL gives an outstanding Panorama of outlook from the Eiffel tower. Souvenir shops, restaurants, post office can also be seen. In Panorama gallery the monuments of Paris are displayed. The second level is 115.73 m and offers telescope shops, Jules Verne restaurant (extremely costly) and also the animated displays. The third is 276.13 m. outstanding panorama views, Paris day or night and also its surroundings. Presently, the restored office and the featuring wax statue of Gustave Eiffel and Thomas Edison is in conversation.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal- A symbol of love, is a crypt positioned in Agra, India. It was built under Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor in the remembrance of his beloved spouse, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is measured to be the most excellent example of Mughal construction, a technique which combines essentials from Turkish, Indian, Islamic and Persian architectural approach. In the year 1983, Taj Mahal was named as the jewel of the Muslim art in the country and it became UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is among the unanimously masterwork of the world’s heritage. Taj Mahal is an incorporated symmetric complex of structures which was completed in the year 1648. The chief designer of Taj Mahal is Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

The Taj Mahal has been honored among the most beautiful monuments on the earth. It is one of the seven wonders. The center of attraction of Taj Mahal is the pasty marble tomb that stands on the square platform consisting of an even construction with an iwan, Arch shaped entrance, topped by a very large dome. Similar to most of the Mughal tombs, the basic essentials are Persian in basis. The pedestal of this beautiful monument is an outsized, multi-chambered construction. The beauty of Taj Mahal attracts millions of tourists every year mostly overseas. The tourists prefer to visit during the time, when the weather is cool i.e. mostly between October to February. For the safety reasons, only 5 items are allowed inside the premises of the Taj Mahal which are small video cameras, water bottles, still cameras, small purses and mobile phones.

The dazzling architectural display of the Mughals which is shown on the tomb, the exterior decorations that includes Herringbone, Plant motifs, Incised Painting and Spandrel detail, the interior decorations that includes the Arch of Jail, Inlay detail, delicate pierce work and the detail of jail, the beautiful garden and the outlay buildings like the gateway of the Taj Mahal and the masjid in the premises makes this beautiful monument a major tourist attraction. The lovers consider it to be a holy place and a paradise to be in.

The Taj Mahal- A symbol of love, is a crypt positioned in Agra, India. It was built under Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor in the remembrance of his beloved spouse, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is measured to be the most excellent example of Mughal construction, a technique which combines essentials from Turkish, Indian, Islamic and Persian architectural approach. In the year 1983, Taj Mahal was named as the jewel of the Muslim art in the country and it became UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is among the unanimously masterwork of the world’s heritage. Taj Mahal is an incorporated symmetric complex of structures which was completed in the year 1648. The chief designer of Taj Mahal is Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

The Taj Mahal has been honored among the most beautiful monuments on the earth. It is one of the seven wonders. The center of attraction of Taj Mahal is the pasty marble tomb that stands on the square platform consisting of an even construction with an iwan, Arch shaped entrance, topped by a very large dome. Similar to most of the Mughal tombs, the basic essentials are Persian in basis. The pedestal of this beautiful monument is an outsized, multi-chambered construction. The beauty of Taj Mahal attracts millions of tourists every year mostly overseas. The tourists prefer to visit during the time, when the weather is cool i.e. mostly between October to February. For the safety reasons, only 5 items are allowed inside the premises of the Taj Mahal which are small video cameras, water bottles, still cameras, small purses and mobile phones.

The dazzling architectural display of the Mughals which is shown on the tomb, the exterior decorations that includes Herringbone, Plant motifs, Incised Painting and Spandrel detail, the interior decorations that includes the Arch of Jail, Inlay detail, delicate pierce work and the detail of jail, the beautiful garden and the outlay buildings like the gateway of the Taj Mahal and the masjid in the premises makes this beautiful monument a major tourist attraction. The lovers consider it to be a holy place and a paradise to be in.

Rambo

Rambo

Rambo is a fictional character John Rambo, a former Green Beret who first came into view in the novel First Blood. The character by created by David Morrell and it became the basis for a series of blockbuster action films with Sylvester Stallone in the lead. The films based on the character are: Rambo: First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III and the most recent Rambo V. The first three movies were released in the 1980s and fourth came after a gap of almost 20 years in 2008. The fifth movie is also in the early stages of production and is slated for a 2009 release. Rambo series is often talked about for its violence and the latest Rambo flick was the bloodiest with 262 kills averaging at 3.2 per minute. This number was greater than that of the earlier 3 movies combined.

The film centers on a disturbed Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, John Rambo. The imaginary character of John Rambo was born to a Native American father R. Rambo and a mother of German descent on 6th July, 1947. After graduating in 1965, he joined the United States Army on 2nd January, 1966 at an age of 18. During the Vietnam War, he was captured in November1971 and was subjected to repeated torture. He escaped in May 1972 and returned to U.S. Rambo was a sort of war machine who was trained in weaponry, many aspects of survival, guerrilla warfare and hand to hand combat. In popular society, the name Rambo is used as an eponym to refer to methods of military operations or to someone who demonstrates great courage and valor through tremendous skill and violence in demanding situations. The term is also sometimes used derogatorily to refer to people who tactlessly indulge in a fight with no consideration to one’s safety or watchful planning.

Rambo has been one of the most successful series to have been made in Hollywood. Each of the Rambo movies had been massive hit worldwide. Rambo also helped establish the reputation of Sylvester Stallone as one of the finest action actor.

Rambo

Rambo is a fictional character John Rambo, a former Green Beret who first came into view in the novel First Blood. The character by created by David Morrell and it became the basis for a series of blockbuster action films with Sylvester Stallone in the lead. The films based on the character are: Rambo: First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III and the most recent Rambo V. The first three movies were released in the 1980s and fourth came after a gap of almost 20 years in 2008. The fifth movie is also in the early stages of production and is slated for a 2009 release. Rambo series is often talked about for its violence and the latest Rambo flick was the bloodiest with 262 kills averaging at 3.2 per minute. This number was greater than that of the earlier 3 movies combined.

The film centers on a disturbed Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, John Rambo. The imaginary character of John Rambo was born to a Native American father R. Rambo and a mother of German descent on 6th July, 1947. After graduating in 1965, he joined the United States Army on 2nd January, 1966 at an age of 18. During the Vietnam War, he was captured in November1971 and was subjected to repeated torture. He escaped in May 1972 and returned to U.S. Rambo was a sort of war machine who was trained in weaponry, many aspects of survival, guerrilla warfare and hand to hand combat. In popular society, the name Rambo is used as an eponym to refer to methods of military operations or to someone who demonstrates great courage and valor through tremendous skill and violence in demanding situations. The term is also sometimes used derogatorily to refer to people who tactlessly indulge in a fight with no consideration to one’s safety or watchful planning.

Rambo has been one of the most successful series to have been made in Hollywood. Each of the Rambo movies had been massive hit worldwide. Rambo also helped establish the reputation of Sylvester Stallone as one of the finest action actor.

Myspace

MySpace, “a place for friends”, is a social networking website where its users can create their own profile, upload videos, blogs, and pictures and meet new friends. The website is for adults as well as teenagers. It has its headquarters in Beverly Hills, California, USA where it shares an office building with its immediate owner, Fox Interactive Media. This fifth most popular website in English language and one of the top brands in the world, traces a history filled with public disputes along with deals on mergers which zeroed down to nothing and allegations.
Thomas “Tom” Anderson, is the President of this social networking website MySpace. Anderson is the man who is recognized as the founder of this site along with CEO Chris De Wolfe, but Brad Greenspan, the former Chairman, CEO and largest individual shareholder of Intermix Media, claims to be the true “founder of MySpace”.
Going back in time after the 2002 launch of Friendster several employees of eUniverse saw its potential and decided on the launch of a social networking website on similar lines and thus in August 2003, the first version of MySpace was ready for launch. According to its founder, “We followed Friendster’s launch and growth for several months when I decided that eUniverse would be in the social networking business. In the summer of 2003, as the CEO of eUniverse (and largest shareholder), I made the decision to use our technology, resources, and capital to launch Myspace.com, which debuted to the public on August 15, 2003”.The original users of MySpace were eUniverse employees.The project was overseen by Brad Greenspan (eUniverse’s Founder, Chairman, CEO), who managed Chris DeWolfe (MySpace’s starting CEO), Josh Berman, Tom Anderson (MySpace’s starting president), and a team of programmers and resources provided by eUniverse. Coming from one of its founder’s mouth MySpace was 100% created and marketed by eUniverse, in 2003.The best talents of eUniverse were taken and infused into the MySpace team, many sharp minds have contributed to adding features and ideas to improve the functionality of the site. Merely six months old MySpace surpasses Friendster as the most trafficked social networking site.
This family of community websites has ultimately become worth tens of billions of dollars.
By February 2005, MySpace traffic started growing by 6% per week. It was during that time DeWolfe me