Roof Extensions - Traditional Deck
7 months ago
Praise For Mugabe
There are still people out there who preach Praise For Mugabe.
Wait a minute! I thought dictators grab land and rights from their own people.
Wait a minute! I thought dictators grab land and rights from their own people.
NEWTONS FEAR OF FLYING
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II star THANDIE NEWTON has noticed a huge downside to motherhood - it's caused her to develop a deep fear of flying.
The Zambia native has lost her passion for taking to the skies since giving birth to her first daughter RIPLEY in 2000.
The mother-of-two says, 'The first plane ride after having her I just found it extremely difficult... Just having a kid and being so in touch with life and new life makes you more aware of your mortality.'
Source: Contactmusic.com.
How will she travel to Zambia then? Impossible mission.
The Zambia native has lost her passion for taking to the skies since giving birth to her first daughter RIPLEY in 2000.
The mother-of-two says, 'The first plane ride after having her I just found it extremely difficult... Just having a kid and being so in touch with life and new life makes you more aware of your mortality.'
Source: Contactmusic.com.
How will she travel to Zambia then? Impossible mission.
Teenage ‘daisy chain’ sex alert
Times Online elaborates on "Teenage daisy chain sex", the worrying latest trend — where groups of teenagers indulge in a variety of sexual activities.
Airbus A380 takes off
The flying elephant A380 takes off for maiden flight.The technology is very impressive and I think that's all there is to be excited about.
The superjumbo lives by it's name, oversized and overbudget an overhere.
Environmentalists are naturally concerned about this fuel guzzling monster of an airbus. I live under the Heathrow Airport flight path. It is predicted that by 2016, the A380 will account for one in eight flights out of Heathrow.
It appears that most of the changes will be mainly in the business and first class area of the airbus. The economy class, where most people spend their flight time, will not be different from an other commercial aircraft.
This is very fitting for a superjumbo, catering for super-fat-cats.
The superjumbo lives by it's name, oversized and overbudget an overhere.
Environmentalists are naturally concerned about this fuel guzzling monster of an airbus. I live under the Heathrow Airport flight path. It is predicted that by 2016, the A380 will account for one in eight flights out of Heathrow.
It appears that most of the changes will be mainly in the business and first class area of the airbus. The economy class, where most people spend their flight time, will not be different from an other commercial aircraft.
This is very fitting for a superjumbo, catering for super-fat-cats.
Lakeland Woman Learns School She Founded in Zambia Is Thriving
Josephine Fogg and her daughter, Jacqui, look over photographs of a school in Zambia that Josephine started in 1988 while they relax in Josephine's home in Lakeland recently.
'Before we left Zambia, an old man told me an African proverb: Children who go to that school will cross rivers,' Fogg said. 'He meant that they would go far in life.' Read on and weep....
Shhhhish, Don't say vagina
A button bought at a production of the Vagina Monologues brings some students into conflict with the school.
Liquid cannabis
Cannabis spray gets go-ahead in Canada. Canada is the first country in the world to approve a cannabis spray that relieves pain in people with multiple sclerosis.
Sir John Mills: Your tributes
The veteran actor Sir John Mills has died at home following a short illness at the age of 97. Sir John's distinguished career lasted more than 70 years and he was the star of classics such as Ice Cold in Alex as well as some 109 other films.
Mill's won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ryan's Daughter. He also worked as a director. Send your tributes for Sir John Mills.
Targeting Through Tagvertising
Steve takes a look at a new phenomenon in Advertising called "tagvertising":
"Tagvertising = Blogging 2.0... Already? As you read this, millions of individuals are working under their own volition to create a new Dewey Decimal System for the Internet. In the process -- perhaps without even realizing it -- they are laying the groundwork for a new contextual online advertising paradigm called 'Tagvertising.'
The consumer phenomenon is called 'tagging' or 'folksonomies' (short for folks and taxonomy). Tagging is powerful because consumers are creating an organizational structure for online content. Folksonomies not only enable people to file away content under tags, but more importantly also share it with others by filing it under a global taxonomy that they created.
Here's how tagging works."
"Tagvertising = Blogging 2.0... Already? As you read this, millions of individuals are working under their own volition to create a new Dewey Decimal System for the Internet. In the process -- perhaps without even realizing it -- they are laying the groundwork for a new contextual online advertising paradigm called 'Tagvertising.'
The consumer phenomenon is called 'tagging' or 'folksonomies' (short for folks and taxonomy). Tagging is powerful because consumers are creating an organizational structure for online content. Folksonomies not only enable people to file away content under tags, but more importantly also share it with others by filing it under a global taxonomy that they created.
Here's how tagging works."
Individual-i
Individual-i stands for:
Freedom from surveillance
Personal privacy
Anonymity
Equal protection
Due process
Freedom to read, write, think, speak, associate, and travel
The right to make your own choices about sex, reproduction, marriage, and death
The right to dissent
link to Individual-i home page.
Freedom from surveillance
Personal privacy
Anonymity
Equal protection
Due process
Freedom to read, write, think, speak, associate, and travel
The right to make your own choices about sex, reproduction, marriage, and death
The right to dissent
link to Individual-i home page.
Infomania worse than marijuana
There is a rise in informania. The study claims that Workers distracted by email and phone calls suffer a fall in IQ more than twice that found in marijuana smokers.
"The University of London psychologist who carried out the study, Dr Glenn Wilson, told the Daily Mail that unchecked infomania could reduce workers' mental sharpness.
Those who are constantly breaking away from tasks to react to email or text messages suffer similar effects on the mind as losing a night's sleep, he said. "
Just think what happens to maurijuana smokers who suffer from infomania!
"The University of London psychologist who carried out the study, Dr Glenn Wilson, told the Daily Mail that unchecked infomania could reduce workers' mental sharpness.
Those who are constantly breaking away from tasks to react to email or text messages suffer similar effects on the mind as losing a night's sleep, he said. "
Just think what happens to maurijuana smokers who suffer from infomania!
Owners blamed for mine blast in Zambia
Rescuers have intensified a search for bodies a day after a blast at a Chinese-owned factory in a Zambian copper mine killed more than 50 people, fuelling charges that the owners flouted basic safety norms and treated employees like "pigs". more....
DR. MUMBA EXPELLED FROM MMD NEC
BREAKING NEWS!!!
We regret to inform you that the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) has expelled Dr. Nevers Mumba from the MMD NEC and has postponed the MMD Convention.
This is a sad day for democracy in Zambia and should be protested in the strongest terms by all Zambians regardless of Party affiliation. We call on the international community to immediately investigate the circumstances leading to Dr. Mumba's expulsion from the MMD NEC. Donor communities and nations need to pay attention to what is happening in Zambia.
We have been warning for some time of the increasing threats against Dr. Mumba's candidacy leading to his suspension from the MMD NEC. Dr. Mumba has dismissed the charges against him and the strongest of actions has been taken against him by expelling him from the MMD NEC. We believe this action shows that the current MMD leadership will stop at nothing to hinder democracy in Zambia.
Dr. Mumba had firm evidence of electoral corruption and presented this to the MMD Leadership. In response, the MMD Leadership has expelled him from the NEC. This is corruption at its best.
Zambia is a free and democratic nation. The action taken against Dr. Mumba violates democratic principles and values and should not be allowed to stand. The people of Zambia will not stand for this.
Mumba for President Campaign Team
We regret to inform you that the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) has expelled Dr. Nevers Mumba from the MMD NEC and has postponed the MMD Convention.
This is a sad day for democracy in Zambia and should be protested in the strongest terms by all Zambians regardless of Party affiliation. We call on the international community to immediately investigate the circumstances leading to Dr. Mumba's expulsion from the MMD NEC. Donor communities and nations need to pay attention to what is happening in Zambia.
We have been warning for some time of the increasing threats against Dr. Mumba's candidacy leading to his suspension from the MMD NEC. Dr. Mumba has dismissed the charges against him and the strongest of actions has been taken against him by expelling him from the MMD NEC. We believe this action shows that the current MMD leadership will stop at nothing to hinder democracy in Zambia.
Dr. Mumba had firm evidence of electoral corruption and presented this to the MMD Leadership. In response, the MMD Leadership has expelled him from the NEC. This is corruption at its best.
Zambia is a free and democratic nation. The action taken against Dr. Mumba violates democratic principles and values and should not be allowed to stand. The people of Zambia will not stand for this.
Mumba for President Campaign Team
The Good God Google
Google Inc., Silicon Valley's latest garage-to-riches story, is metamorphosing before our collective eyes into the single most important company on the planet, if it hasn't claimed that title already.
And if you haven't been following its (near) weekly parade of new Web-based software tools, then it's time you took notice: The Internet ... nay, the entire computing experience ... nay, the fundamental way in which we access and interact with information, is soon to become radically different. Read More.....
And if you haven't been following its (near) weekly parade of new Web-based software tools, then it's time you took notice: The Internet ... nay, the entire computing experience ... nay, the fundamental way in which we access and interact with information, is soon to become radically different. Read More.....
Google Personalizes the Web
Say goodbye to bookmarks: Google has rolled out a seriously cool search history feature that automatically keeps track of all of your web searches and every page that you view from search results.
The new Google My Search History feature is a beta application launched in Google labs. To use it, you need to have an active Google account (Gmail, Google Groups or Google Answers—registration is free). From that point on, all of your queries and search results are logged by Google.
England on the rise
ENGLAND have moved up two places in the monthly Fifa world rankings to sixth. Not that they should be taken seriously according to Jurgen Klinsmann, the Germany coach.
“The rankings are a joke,” he said. Germany have dived to 20th — below Mexico, the United States and Iran — because, the former Tottenham Hotspur forward explained, as hosts of next year’s World Cup finals they do not enter the qualification tournament and so play only friendly matches, which do not allow them to accrue many points in Fifa’s ratings system.
Brazil continue to top the list, with the Czech Republic replacing France in second to become Europe’s highest-ranking team. Wales, however, drop two places to 73rd after two defeats by Austria. They have been overtaken by Zambia.
Source: Times Online:
“The rankings are a joke,” he said. Germany have dived to 20th — below Mexico, the United States and Iran — because, the former Tottenham Hotspur forward explained, as hosts of next year’s World Cup finals they do not enter the qualification tournament and so play only friendly matches, which do not allow them to accrue many points in Fifa’s ratings system.
Brazil continue to top the list, with the Czech Republic replacing France in second to become Europe’s highest-ranking team. Wales, however, drop two places to 73rd after two defeats by Austria. They have been overtaken by Zambia.
Source: Times Online:
New pope is former Hitler Youth
Ratzinger's past includes brief membership of the Hitler Youth movement and wartime service with a German army anti- aircraft unit. (...) Ratzinger was enrolled in an anti-aircraft unit that protected a BMW factory making aircraft engines. The workforce included slaves from Dachau concentration camp. Ratzinger has insisted he never took part in combat or fired a shot - adding that his gun was not even loaded - because of a badly infected finger. He was sent to Hungary, where he set up tank traps and saw Jews being herded to death camps. more from source....
CBS News | Flying Cars Ready To Take Off
Have you ever dreamt about the day you can buzz around in your very own flying machine?
Yes, I had dreams about wheel-less cars during pre-school. Weird as it seems CBS News confirms I'm not bonkers.
Yes, I had dreams about wheel-less cars during pre-school. Weird as it seems CBS News confirms I'm not bonkers.
Plonkers!
Confrerences are a waste of time and in case you have doubts maybe the MIT students will convince you. Where else can this be plausible:
'Rooter' features such mind-bending gems as: 'the model for our heuristic consists of four independent components: simulated annealing, active networks, flexible modalities, and the study of reinforcement learning' and 'We implemented our scatter/gather I/O server in Simula-67, augmented with opportunistically pipelined extensions.
Nice one!
'Rooter' features such mind-bending gems as: 'the model for our heuristic consists of four independent components: simulated annealing, active networks, flexible modalities, and the study of reinforcement learning' and 'We implemented our scatter/gather I/O server in Simula-67, augmented with opportunistically pipelined extensions.
Nice one!
Remembers the days...
However Mugabe's grip on power holds up, he has one umistakable enemy, Memory! You can push people around, intimidate them and even jail them. History shows, time and again, that you can not rob anyone of their history, or memory.
At the moment when Zimbabwe has nothing to show for or boast about to the international community, President Mugabe will be celebrating his historic ascent to the dubious league of great dictators.
While the president and his posse wallow in their achievements or lack thereof, the rest of the world should just remember the days...
Independence celebrations, what!
At the moment when Zimbabwe has nothing to show for or boast about to the international community, President Mugabe will be celebrating his historic ascent to the dubious league of great dictators.
While the president and his posse wallow in their achievements or lack thereof, the rest of the world should just remember the days...
Independence celebrations, what!
Gmail adds feed reading
I have been using Bloglines for my daily dose of info. I have a Gmail account I did not know can do virtually the same! evhead elaborates.
Kudos to the cool geeks at Gmail.
Kudos to the cool geeks at Gmail.
Deception and Betrayal
We lived in interesting and wicked times. Take for instance this;Woman loses heart, cash to fraudster.
"These girls get cheated easily because of their desperation to get married. Most of those they fall in love with are men younger to them, who are either studying or unemployed but they pretend to be working and earning good salaries."
"These girls get cheated easily because of their desperation to get married. Most of those they fall in love with are men younger to them, who are either studying or unemployed but they pretend to be working and earning good salaries."
Hang up please, and call me on the Internet -
Before business trips, Suneet Tuli used to leave behind a long list of numbers where he could be reached and told important clients to ring him on his cell phone. The routine was cumbersome and cost him about $800 a month in phone bills.
Now, he has local numbers for New York, London and Mexico City despite no permanent presence in any of those cities. The lines automatically forward to another number that seamlessly transfers to a cell phone with the best rates for wherever he happens to be.
link to story
Now, he has local numbers for New York, London and Mexico City despite no permanent presence in any of those cities. The lines automatically forward to another number that seamlessly transfers to a cell phone with the best rates for wherever he happens to be.
link to story
Financial Times launches afternoon freesheet
Reuters.co.uk reports:
"The Financial Times is launching an afternoon freesheet called FTpm, which will squeeze up-to-the-minute news and advertisements onto a double-sided piece of pink A4 paper."
"The Financial Times is launching an afternoon freesheet called FTpm, which will squeeze up-to-the-minute news and advertisements onto a double-sided piece of pink A4 paper."
The Human Journey
National Geographic has developed a five-year genographic study where participants can join in and track their genetic lineage to a common African ancestor. The $100 test will tell you the route that your ancestors took and when, and both the DNA and genographic results will be made available to individual participants on the net. Very very cool."
LinkWhen your results are ready Project Director Dr. Spencer Wells will introduce you to your earliest human relatives—the members of your specific haplogroup. You'll receive a personalized genetic analysis, including an online overview of your deep ancestral history. The analysis reveals where and when your haplogroup originated and how they lived. You'll also receive a dynamic map, specific to your lineage, on which to trace your relatives' journeys across the planet.
Google Video Upload Program
Google Video allows you to search within an expanding archive of TV content -- sports, docs, and news, mostly. But today, with the launch of the company's Video Upload Program, Google has begun accepting video content from anyone who cares to upload it. Submitted content won't be available for viewing right away, the Google faq says -- they're just now starting the gathering phase. And yes, would-be sharers must consider certain legal and technical details.
The Truck of Death
Addressing mourners during the funeral mass for the 42 Kawambwa High School boys and two others that died after the truck they were travelling in overturned in Kawambwa on Friday, Fr Mpasa said there was no justification for the police, who mounted a roadblock to have allowed the truck driver to continue its journey despite glaring evidence of overloading.
'I have heard that there was a roadblock before the accident scene. I cannot believe this story. How possible can it be?' Fr Mpasa asked. 'What happened to the police? What was in the minds of the police officers? Where were their professional ethics and morality?'
He said the nation should use the day of national mourning to reflect on its morality.
Fr Mpasa said he wished he could have asked the driver to disclose what he did to the police officers for them to allow him to proceed with his overloaded truck. Link to Source
Do You Feel Lucky, Punk?
It is coming up to summer, at this time of the year I like to stock up on Boxer Shorts. I just couldn't resist these Boxer Shorts. The sales pitch is the best part;Tell the world – or someone you love – just how lucky you feel in this understated yet expressive undergarment. The black "I'm feeling lucky" imprint stands out unmistakably against the white fabric. The Google logo embroidered on the front right leg adds a subtle "seek and ye shall find" subtext. Search box not included
Broadband fuels online gambling boom
Feeling flush, how about a flutter on the web? ChooseOnline lottery, poker, casino - where are you losing your money?
African siblings create legacy at JSU
Greg Jenson/The Clarion-Ledger
Siblings of the Lewanika family (from left) Mwendaendi Lewanika-Anderson of Jackson, Sekufele Lewanika of Pearl and Zambia Ambassador Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika attend Friday's International Scholarship and Recognition Banquet in the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center at Jackson State University. Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika, the keynote speaker for the event, has eight siblings who are JSU graduates.
Link to full story
Please, Sponsor me..
I'm taking part in the Crusaid's Walk for Life on 19/06/2005 to raise money for Crusaid and would really welcome your support.
Please take a moment to sponsor me. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit or debit card at the following address: Thandi Haruperi sponsored walk.
All donations are secure and sent electronically to Crusaid.
If you are a UK taxpayer, Just giving will add an automatic 28% bonus to your donation at no cost to you.
Please join me in supporting Crusaid and a fabulous cause!
Thanks and best wishes,
Thandi Haruperi
Restorego
Haruperi.com
Please take a moment to sponsor me. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit or debit card at the following address: Thandi Haruperi sponsored walk.
All donations are secure and sent electronically to Crusaid.
If you are a UK taxpayer, Just giving will add an automatic 28% bonus to your donation at no cost to you.
Please join me in supporting Crusaid and a fabulous cause!
Thanks and best wishes,
Thandi Haruperi
Restorego
Haruperi.com
Making Your Site The Googlest Online!
This is a story about some yahoo who registered several domains to spread his story about developing Peritoneal Mesothelioma after having Laser Hair Removal in Washington DC. For some reason he thought Wisconsin Lemon Laws were in his favor and he'd soon get a huge settlement paid with Best Buy gift cards. It turns out he should have had temporary medical insurance. Now he is looking for a Personal Injury Solicitor.
Google Talk
Google Talk is a great way to Connect: with your angels and guides to help you make your own website. in minutes! Free day did did did did did?
Rev Al Probed By FBI
The FBI, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the Rev. Al Sharpton, secretly videotaped him pocketing campaign donations from two shady fund-raisers in a New York City hotel room and then asking for more, it was reported yesterday. One of the donors was later recorded on a wiretap saying Sharpton may not have reported to the Federal Election Commission tens of thousands of dollars in campaign cash, as is required by the law, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The FBI launched the probe into Sharpton's fund-raising for his failed 2004 presidential run after his name surfaced on wiretaps in an unrelated Philadelphia City Hall corruption case, the Inquirer said.
The myth of feminine intuition
"FEMALE intuition is a myth, according to a new study which suggests men have an equal, if not greater, claim to the power of the mind.
The study of more than 15,000 people for the Edinburgh International Science Festival found that men are slightly more intuitive when asked to judge whether smiles are real or fake. "
Scotsman.com News elaborates....
The study of more than 15,000 people for the Edinburgh International Science Festival found that men are slightly more intuitive when asked to judge whether smiles are real or fake. "
Scotsman.com News elaborates....
An Entrepreneur's Journey in Africa
An interview with Monique Maddy -- insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship in developing countries.
When Liberia-born Monique Maddy started Adesemi to offer users throughout Africa a wireless system of pagers and public pay phones, she believed that tremendous pent-up demand would launch her company to success. But in fact, the company eventually had to be liquidated, a casualty not only of internal miscalculations but also of the bureaucracy, corruption, and environmental factors faced by start-ups in Africa and other developing countries.
 |
But not all was lost. Maddy told her story in the memoir Learning to Love Africa: My Journey from Africa to Harvard Business School and Back, published earlier this year. And now she is working with global corporations to overcome the environmental obstacles she faced and to create a business development that will bring a wide range of consumer products and services to middle and lower income segments of the African population.
From her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home, Maddy shares her thoughts about bureaucracies, challenges, and opportunities presented by Africa.
Continued...An Entrepreneur's Journey in Africa
Kenya girl tops world in accounting exams
Nothing about the 25-year-old slim, dark and bespectacled woman with braided hair gives the impression she is an extraordinary person.
 |
| Angela Akoth poses with John Kanyahuma (left), ACCA’s head of corporate development, and Anthony Kariuki, the country manager. |
In last year’s Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examination, she scored the highest marks worldwide (99 per cent) in Paper 2.2 (Corporate and Business Law).
In recognition of her outstanding performance, the UK-based association will formally award Akoth a certificate of merit and a cash token next month in London. Full story
....
How MTV Underdeveloped Africa
This article vilifies MTV:
Yet, while we may bemoan MTV's African odyssey, the question that we must ask ourselves is why has MTV and Hip Hop in general, succeeded in uniting African people in ways that Garvey never dreamed and why have we not successfully applied these techniques in our effort to reach Black youth.
The failure of the Black Nationalist community to come up with a International Hip Hop Agenda cannot be overlooked. Why hasn't the Black Nationalist community implemented simple strategies such as a Hip Hop Peace Council that will be responsible for squashing 'beefs' or groups of Black Power 'missionaries' in communities that will seek dialogue with Hip Hop artists when they travel to different cities.
The lack of a Hip Hop agenda makes many Black youth feel that Black scholars are more interested in teaching Black folks how to build pyramids out of soup cans and paper glue then teaching them how to use Hip Hop to change their realities. In the words of Doughboy from "Boys in the Hood," "either they don't know. don't show or don't care about what's goin' on in tha 'hood."
Unless, we as Afrikan people develop a Pan Africanism to counter MTV's Pan Africanism, company's like MTV will continue to get rich off of our suffering while we continue to dance to our own destruction.
Yet, while we may bemoan MTV's African odyssey, the question that we must ask ourselves is why has MTV and Hip Hop in general, succeeded in uniting African people in ways that Garvey never dreamed and why have we not successfully applied these techniques in our effort to reach Black youth.
The failure of the Black Nationalist community to come up with a International Hip Hop Agenda cannot be overlooked. Why hasn't the Black Nationalist community implemented simple strategies such as a Hip Hop Peace Council that will be responsible for squashing 'beefs' or groups of Black Power 'missionaries' in communities that will seek dialogue with Hip Hop artists when they travel to different cities.
The lack of a Hip Hop agenda makes many Black youth feel that Black scholars are more interested in teaching Black folks how to build pyramids out of soup cans and paper glue then teaching them how to use Hip Hop to change their realities. In the words of Doughboy from "Boys in the Hood," "either they don't know. don't show or don't care about what's goin' on in tha 'hood."
Unless, we as Afrikan people develop a Pan Africanism to counter MTV's Pan Africanism, company's like MTV will continue to get rich off of our suffering while we continue to dance to our own destruction.
Confessions of an EBay opium addict
Looking for drugs on the cheap, a writer found poppy pods available on the Web. He also found himself hooked. Full story...
The Man Date
"Simply defined a man date is two heterosexual men socializing without the crutch of business or sports. It is two guys meeting for the kind of outing a straight man might reasonably arrange with a woman. Dining together across a table without the aid of a television is a man date; eating at a bar is not. Taking a walk in the park together is a man date; going for a jog is not. Attending the movie 'Friday Night Lights' is a man date, but going to see the Jets play is definitely not.
'Sideways,' the Oscar-winning film about two buddies touring the central California wine country on the eve of the wedding of one of them, is one long and boozy man date. "
The New York Times explains further
'Sideways,' the Oscar-winning film about two buddies touring the central California wine country on the eve of the wedding of one of them, is one long and boozy man date. "
The New York Times explains further
Mainstream Media Meltdown
On Chris Anderson's Long Tail blog, some stats on the Mainstream Media Meltdown:
* Music: sales last year were down 21% from their peak in 1999
* Television: network TV's audience share has fallen by a third since 1985
* Radio: listenership is at a 27-year low
* Newspapers: circulation peaked in 1987, and the decline is accelerating
* Magazines: total circulation peaked in 2000 and is now back to 1994 levels (but a few premier titles are bucking the trend!)
* Books: sales growth is lagging the economy as whole
He follows up with the fact that movies, videogames, and the Web are all growing.
* Music: sales last year were down 21% from their peak in 1999
* Television: network TV's audience share has fallen by a third since 1985
* Radio: listenership is at a 27-year low
* Newspapers: circulation peaked in 1987, and the decline is accelerating
* Magazines: total circulation peaked in 2000 and is now back to 1994 levels (but a few premier titles are bucking the trend!)
* Books: sales growth is lagging the economy as whole
He follows up with the fact that movies, videogames, and the Web are all growing.
Google launches new mobile search services
" Google Inc (GOOG.NAS) has launched two new services for its mobile search portfolio, which would enable users to access local business listings and driving directions through their cell phones or wireless devices."
Read more....
Read more....
ELECTRICITY & PRIVATISATION IN ZAMBIA
This makes interesting reading:
In an ERB article in the Times of Zambia of April 10 2005
"The ZAM spokesperson said the utility could even increase revenue without demanding more money from the consumers".
Take for instance the report in the Times of Zambia of sometime in March 2005 which said ZESCO has about 30,000 illegal connections. This translates to K90m per month if the said customers are put on a fixed charge of say K1,000 per day if their meters remained in a specified consumption.
Revenue can also be raised if middle men like the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) are cut out of the link so that ZESCO charges directly to the mines, etc. (please compare this jump in income with the income expected from the proposed tariff increases.) CEC should be declared an illegal company.
I bring in the case of CEC because this the ZCCM Power Division was dubiously sold by some five (05) ex-ZCCM senior officials who entrusted to sell the Division but decided to provide data to their wishful partners. The country ended up selling the Division cheaply. Three months later CEC (owned by National Grid (UK) and Cynergy (USA) recouped their investment. This is public theft.
Some employees who were declared redundant by CEC have not been paid their benefits in full. CEC has nearly bribed every lawyer on the Copperbelt whereby ex-employees are failing to make their cases heard. Repatriation, school fees and salary increments while serving notice were only paid without interest (lawyers bribed!) after seven years!
Coming back to electricity: Why should electricity generated in Zambia and the bulk of it used in Zambia (mines) be owned by an outside company. The answer is there was no need to privatise ZCCM Power Division!
The Division had all the infrastructure to operate efficiently and no wonder CEC started to make money on day1.
The profits being generated by CEC (refer to their plus 1US$ per share earnings by the directors) can be assumed by ZESCO and avoid unnecessary tariff increases.
In the process of reversing the sale of CEC the shares should be redistributed to every employee at the time of the sale. The so called G-5 (who apparently include the ZESCO MD) should, to start with forfeit their shares to the said employees and be prosecuted (a simple case for our TASK FORCE!).
We stopped CEC from supplying power to the Northwestern mines to ensure the middle man is cutout and reduce the unnecessary burden. The CEC concession is coming to an end in 2012. The spirit of cutting out CEC must continue and come 2012 National Grid and Cynergy should be seen packing their bags. America grew out of investment from the Americans. Zambian should decide their own destinies by assuming some of the investments. Some privatised mines like Mopani are failing to pay suppliers in time. What was the need to privatise? The resident of the mining resources are not benefiting in any apart from seeing sponsorship of football leaving core issues like roads, street lighting, clean water, good schools and hospitals (hey, Chibuluma Mines is selling the Hospital, why? To fund raise on a resource that is our. They should instead donate it to the government or community). Luanshya Copper Mines is also fund raising by selling the shaft head gear for over US$70m. How much did they buy the mine for (peanuts!). Binani (then RAMCOZ) fundraised by selling the Ndola-Luanshya railline, the smelter components, etc, (Chibuluma Mines also sold the Kalulushi-Kitwe railings).Don't be surprised if Vivendi came to privatise your water resources and then they start reselling it to the Middle East or Kalahari, see?
Ladies and Gentlemen, who says Zambia is poor? Open your eyes and see gold! West Africans (Senesene's) came and reaped our emeralds which we never saw and are still not seeing. By the way Zambia is number two world producer of precious stones in the world. Where does this revenue go? (Answer = outside the country, when it supposed to be used for building infrastructure (schools, mortgaged housing, hospitals, retarring roads,etc)). The HIPC foura is a ploy by our leaders to reap more. Where did the money Chiluba is purported to have stolen come from? How was he stealing it? We couldn't see and we can't see because most of us are not educated to reason what we see. We see and fail to notice or register what we are seeing, like passing through a red light! May be the next Pope would face this theft challenge of resources from poor countries like Africa. Bravo President Mbeki: Aids is poverty related. Can't you see?
National Grid and Cynergy please return our resource because you have breached the European trade restrictions!
When these huge earnings are assumed by ZESCO we shall see our street lights lit, domestic tariffs reduced and jump start some more manufacturing industries. The logic is very simple.
In an ERB article in the Times of Zambia of April 10 2005
"The ZAM spokesperson said the utility could even increase revenue without demanding more money from the consumers".
Take for instance the report in the Times of Zambia of sometime in March 2005 which said ZESCO has about 30,000 illegal connections. This translates to K90m per month if the said customers are put on a fixed charge of say K1,000 per day if their meters remained in a specified consumption.
Revenue can also be raised if middle men like the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) are cut out of the link so that ZESCO charges directly to the mines, etc. (please compare this jump in income with the income expected from the proposed tariff increases.) CEC should be declared an illegal company.
I bring in the case of CEC because this the ZCCM Power Division was dubiously sold by some five (05) ex-ZCCM senior officials who entrusted to sell the Division but decided to provide data to their wishful partners. The country ended up selling the Division cheaply. Three months later CEC (owned by National Grid (UK) and Cynergy (USA) recouped their investment. This is public theft.
Some employees who were declared redundant by CEC have not been paid their benefits in full. CEC has nearly bribed every lawyer on the Copperbelt whereby ex-employees are failing to make their cases heard. Repatriation, school fees and salary increments while serving notice were only paid without interest (lawyers bribed!) after seven years!
Coming back to electricity: Why should electricity generated in Zambia and the bulk of it used in Zambia (mines) be owned by an outside company. The answer is there was no need to privatise ZCCM Power Division!
The Division had all the infrastructure to operate efficiently and no wonder CEC started to make money on day1.
The profits being generated by CEC (refer to their plus 1US$ per share earnings by the directors) can be assumed by ZESCO and avoid unnecessary tariff increases.
In the process of reversing the sale of CEC the shares should be redistributed to every employee at the time of the sale. The so called G-5 (who apparently include the ZESCO MD) should, to start with forfeit their shares to the said employees and be prosecuted (a simple case for our TASK FORCE!).
We stopped CEC from supplying power to the Northwestern mines to ensure the middle man is cutout and reduce the unnecessary burden. The CEC concession is coming to an end in 2012. The spirit of cutting out CEC must continue and come 2012 National Grid and Cynergy should be seen packing their bags. America grew out of investment from the Americans. Zambian should decide their own destinies by assuming some of the investments. Some privatised mines like Mopani are failing to pay suppliers in time. What was the need to privatise? The resident of the mining resources are not benefiting in any apart from seeing sponsorship of football leaving core issues like roads, street lighting, clean water, good schools and hospitals (hey, Chibuluma Mines is selling the Hospital, why? To fund raise on a resource that is our. They should instead donate it to the government or community). Luanshya Copper Mines is also fund raising by selling the shaft head gear for over US$70m. How much did they buy the mine for (peanuts!). Binani (then RAMCOZ) fundraised by selling the Ndola-Luanshya railline, the smelter components, etc, (Chibuluma Mines also sold the Kalulushi-Kitwe railings).Don't be surprised if Vivendi came to privatise your water resources and then they start reselling it to the Middle East or Kalahari, see?
Ladies and Gentlemen, who says Zambia is poor? Open your eyes and see gold! West Africans (Senesene's) came and reaped our emeralds which we never saw and are still not seeing. By the way Zambia is number two world producer of precious stones in the world. Where does this revenue go? (Answer = outside the country, when it supposed to be used for building infrastructure (schools, mortgaged housing, hospitals, retarring roads,etc)). The HIPC foura is a ploy by our leaders to reap more. Where did the money Chiluba is purported to have stolen come from? How was he stealing it? We couldn't see and we can't see because most of us are not educated to reason what we see. We see and fail to notice or register what we are seeing, like passing through a red light! May be the next Pope would face this theft challenge of resources from poor countries like Africa. Bravo President Mbeki: Aids is poverty related. Can't you see?
National Grid and Cynergy please return our resource because you have breached the European trade restrictions!
When these huge earnings are assumed by ZESCO we shall see our street lights lit, domestic tariffs reduced and jump start some more manufacturing industries. The logic is very simple.
Britain slams door on visits from young Nigerians
"Britain, facing a logjam of faulty visa applications, slammed the door on Monday on young Nigerians visiting the country for the first time."
I doubt this, the door was slammed years ago. The British government feels justified to go public on this issue due to the forthcoming elections. Under pressure from the conservatives, who are anti-immigration (not racist), the labour government pulls a shameful headline grabbing stunt like this.
Reuters has more details...
I doubt this, the door was slammed years ago. The British government feels justified to go public on this issue due to the forthcoming elections. Under pressure from the conservatives, who are anti-immigration (not racist), the labour government pulls a shameful headline grabbing stunt like this.
Reuters has more details...
And the Verdict on Justice Kennedy Is: Guilty
'Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is a fairly accomplished jurist, but he might want to get himself a good lawyer -- and perhaps a few more bodyguards.
Conservative leaders meeting in Washington yesterday for a discussion of 'Remedies to Judicial Tyranny' decided that Kennedy, a Ronald Reagan appointee, should be impeached, or worse. '
more details from source....
Conservative leaders meeting in Washington yesterday for a discussion of 'Remedies to Judicial Tyranny' decided that Kennedy, a Ronald Reagan appointee, should be impeached, or worse. '
more details from source....
The Racist Psyche
"Black people, in cultures subordinated by imperialism assist to create a sort of social stability in a double sense. As a minority and therefore vulnerable they can be at the bottom of the line to soak up anger and aggression generated in other situations where white people dare not challenge the real sources of their frustrations. (Racist attacks and harrassment). On a day to day level white people can survive with a sense that, whatever else they may be, at least they are white and English (British, Dutch, French etc). In the power relations of society, in order to survive, people need the reassurance that they are 'superior' to others. "
Quote from The Psychology of Racism.
Quote from The Psychology of Racism.
Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were married Saturday in a modest civil ceremony at the 17th century Guildhall, and the second marriage for each was blessed by the Church of England.The wedding capped a decades-long love affair that endured the prince's first marriage to Princess Diana and constant tabloid scrutiny.
Charles and Camilla confessed "manifold sins and wickedness" words from the Book of Common Prayer, as Archbishop Rowan Williams blessed their union. They pledged to be faithful in their marriage.
"..in many parts of the world, and in many Christian denominations, the 'traditional' interpretation of the church is no longer traditional, as it has been replaced by the 'tradition' that anything can be forgiven and that therefore anything is possible, with the result that divorce for just about any reason and remarriage in any situation is allowed by a majority of local congregations and their pastors, both in North America and in the continental European churches. " Quote from Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible: The Social and Literary Context.
Singles night at Wal-Mart
Lookin' for a cheap date? Try Wal-Mart
The food, makeup, underwear is at 'Everyday low prices' but a Wal-Mart 'date' could be for free. Here's how its works.
ASDA, Britain's food and clothing superstore and subsidiary of Wal-Mart, should follow suit.
The food, makeup, underwear is at 'Everyday low prices' but a Wal-Mart 'date' could be for free. Here's how its works.
ASDA, Britain's food and clothing superstore and subsidiary of Wal-Mart, should follow suit.
How to Blog Safely (About Work or Anything Else)
The Electronic Frontier Foundation provides simple precautions to help you maintain control of your personal privacy so that you can express yourself without facing unjust retaliation.
Unitarian Jihad. Who?
JON CARROLL's article explains in full. The following exerpt will stop you from panicking:
"People of the United States, why is everyone yelling at you??? Whatever happened to ... you know, everything? Why is the news dominated by nutballs saying that the Ten Commandments have to be tattooed inside the eyelids of every American, or that Allah has told them to kill Americans in order to rid the world of Satan, or that Yahweh has instructed them to go live wherever they feel like, or that Shiva thinks bombing mosques is a great idea? Sister Immaculate Dagger of Peace notes for the record that we mean no disrespect to Jews, Muslims, Christians or Hindus. Referred back to the committee of the whole for further discussion.
We are Unitarian Jihad. We are everywhere. We have not been born again, nor have we sworn a blood oath. We do not think that God cares what we read, what we eat or whom we sleep with. Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity notes for the record that he does not have a moral code but is nevertheless a good person, and Unexalted Leader Garrote of Forgiveness stipulates that Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity is a good person, and this is to be reflected in the minutes."
"People of the United States, why is everyone yelling at you??? Whatever happened to ... you know, everything? Why is the news dominated by nutballs saying that the Ten Commandments have to be tattooed inside the eyelids of every American, or that Allah has told them to kill Americans in order to rid the world of Satan, or that Yahweh has instructed them to go live wherever they feel like, or that Shiva thinks bombing mosques is a great idea? Sister Immaculate Dagger of Peace notes for the record that we mean no disrespect to Jews, Muslims, Christians or Hindus. Referred back to the committee of the whole for further discussion.
We are Unitarian Jihad. We are everywhere. We have not been born again, nor have we sworn a blood oath. We do not think that God cares what we read, what we eat or whom we sleep with. Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity notes for the record that he does not have a moral code but is nevertheless a good person, and Unexalted Leader Garrote of Forgiveness stipulates that Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity is a good person, and this is to be reflected in the minutes."
Media coverage of Africa
Media coverage of Africa is biased and weighted heavily with negative undertones. At the recent African Presidential Roundtable 2005 held in Johannesburg, 11 former African heads of state taking part expressed this concern:
'We mustn't condone bad reporting in America which brings the bad image (on Africa). Please report correctly,' he asked journalists.
Kenneth Kaunda, the former Zambian president, laid the blame for Zimbabwe's current problems, especially those relating to land, at Britain's doorstep. 'Mugabe gave them (Britain) 10 years to put things right. They didn't. It is the British government which must be blamed, especially the present one,' he said.
I have followed western (UK, US) media's coverage of Africa for a while now. This biased approach has always been apparent to me. It's all you can expect from people who have nothing much to report on. On one hand Africans should be more responsible in deliverying well sourced information that provide a true picture of what's going on in Africa.
The lack of information flow produces a vacuum that is so easily exploited by people with vested interest in Africa.
'We mustn't condone bad reporting in America which brings the bad image (on Africa). Please report correctly,' he asked journalists.
Kenneth Kaunda, the former Zambian president, laid the blame for Zimbabwe's current problems, especially those relating to land, at Britain's doorstep. 'Mugabe gave them (Britain) 10 years to put things right. They didn't. It is the British government which must be blamed, especially the present one,' he said.
I have followed western (UK, US) media's coverage of Africa for a while now. This biased approach has always been apparent to me. It's all you can expect from people who have nothing much to report on. On one hand Africans should be more responsible in deliverying well sourced information that provide a true picture of what's going on in Africa.
The lack of information flow produces a vacuum that is so easily exploited by people with vested interest in Africa.
Jesus Test- What's Your Score?
This is an easy test, you score 100 or zero. It's your choice. If you
aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions.
________________________________
Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father."
Not ashamed Pass this on . . . only if you mean it.
Yes, I do Love God.
He is my source of existence and Saviour.
He keeps me functioning each and everyday.
Without Him, I will be nothing.
Without Him, I am nothing
but with Him I can do all things through
Christ that strengthens me.
Phil 4:13
This is the simplest test . . . If you Love God, and are not ashamed
of all the marvelous things He has done for you.
Send this to ten people .
McBoobies- Kids Meal
I'll bet if someone were to hunt down the research behind this campaign, there'd be memos (akin to those from the tobacco industry) about the importance of getting kids hooked.
Digital Retouching
"Glenn Feron is a master photo retoucher. On his site The Art of Retouching, he makes the subjects pop, removes background items, and reshapes body parts. Scrolling through his gallery is a nice lesson in photo editing. But what we really like are the booty lifts, artist makeovers, and tattoo removals. An eye opening reminder that much of what we see in celebrity publicity photos is highly enhanced and improved through the magic of retouching." Photograph retouching expert's gallery
Google Crossword
Take a print of the Google crossword and fill it using the clues below:
Across
1. Advertise your product
6. Donate your computer's idle time
9. Just added another Gig
10. Use Google on your mobile phone
14. Explore the world from your PC
15. Try out new Google products
16. Download APIs and open source code
18. Ask a question, set a price, get an answer
19. Shop smarter
23. View web pages in other languages
26. Search and browse mail-order catalogs
27. Search over 8 billion web pages
28. Create mailing lists and discussion groups
29. Query from your mobile phone or device
30. Express yourself online
Down
1. Earn more revenue from your website
2. Find a taxi using real time position of vehicles
3. Search through journal articles
4. Search your own computer
5. Search recent TV programs online
7. Get driving directions
8. Search a specific school's website
11. Search for images on the web
12. Instant message your pictures to friends
13. Find, edit and share your photos
17. Browse the web by topic
18. Receive news and search results via email
20. Automatically create sets of items from a few examples
21. Add a search box to your browser
22. Get keyword suggestions in real time
24. Search thousands of news stories
25. Find local businesses and services
For answers, click here
On A Happy Note
"Yes, I know, people keep asking me why I look so happy. AIDS is affected us so much, shouldn't I look desponded and sad?- Well, since I am a member of the Zambian facilitation team, I am learning to appreciate the strengths of my own people. Wherever I am, I feel the connection with what Zambian communities are doing in response to AIDS. I am now convinced that Zambia will win this battle. The connection and the conviction make me deeply happy"
Quote from The Constellation for AIDS Competence- There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way!
Quote from The Constellation for AIDS Competence- There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way!
The Biggest Funeral In Modern Histrory
A general view shows Pope John Paul II's coffin in a packed Saint Peter's Square as pilgrims and dignitaries attend the funeral of the Pontiff's funeral at the Vatican April 8, 2005. The world's most powerful leaders joined an ocean of humble pilgrims to say goodbye to Pope John Paul on Friday at the biggest funeral in modern times. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Sesame Street: 25 Of My Favorite Memories
Mike at www.progressiveboink.com has compiled a list of Sesame Street: 25 Of My Favorite Memories. Some of these may not be the greatest, some may not be the most important...
Jenna Bush's "Da Butt," Dance
VIDEOTAPE of Jenna Bush in very high spirits at a bachelorette party is being sold and could end up on national TV by the end of the week. Luckily for Jenna, the cameraman missed "the high point . . . Jenna on all fours doing 'the butt dance' — and doing it very well — as guys were ogling her thong," The New York Post reports.
The Pope's Legacy: John Paul II
John Paul II and Europe's Revolution of Freedom:
"At the time of his death, John Paul II was the last of the protagonists of the great historic changes characterizing the end of the 20th century who was still in office. By advocating on behalf of peaceful coexistence for the world's cultures and religions, he recognized, far more clearly than most people involved in the globalization discussion, the intellectual dimension of this revolution we call globalization, a revolution that is far more than just an economic process."
"At the time of his death, John Paul II was the last of the protagonists of the great historic changes characterizing the end of the 20th century who was still in office. By advocating on behalf of peaceful coexistence for the world's cultures and religions, he recognized, far more clearly than most people involved in the globalization discussion, the intellectual dimension of this revolution we call globalization, a revolution that is far more than just an economic process."
Britney's marriage on the rocks, again!
Pop star B
To save her marriage, the singer is also said to be seeking advice from mom Lynne, according to Britain's News of the World.
'Britney and Kevin spend most of their days apart. And for a couple who have only been married seven months, it's very odd behaviour for them to be sleeping in separate beds,' Femalefirst quoted a source as saying.
It was reported recently that Kevin had spent an evening with a 'VIP escort' at a Las Vegas nightclub, leading to a storm between the couple. Britney was also pictured without her wedding ring earlier this week.
However, she has denied all reports of her marriage being on the rocks and said, 'We're going to be together forever. We know that, and that's the only thing that matters.'
At Last, relief for Zambia!
Reuters reports:
"The World Bank said on Thursday it had approved a $3.8 billion debt relief package for Zambia, lightening a huge burden on one of the world's most impoverished countries.
The government in Lusaka said the move would enable it to shift funds currently earmarked for debt servicing to the battle against poverty.
On Friday, the International Monetary Fund is due to consider the move under the Highly-Indebted Poor Countries initiative (HIPC) which it runs jointly with the World Bank, but is unlikely to disagree with its sister institution.
'We would like to congratulate the Zambian government on the announcement (by the board) that the World Bank has approved Zambia's HIPC completion point,' World Bank country manager Ohene Nyanin told a meeting of donors and Zambian Treasury officials.
HIPC is a programme aimed at reducing crippling debt loads shouldered by developing nations."
"The World Bank said on Thursday it had approved a $3.8 billion debt relief package for Zambia, lightening a huge burden on one of the world's most impoverished countries.
The government in Lusaka said the move would enable it to shift funds currently earmarked for debt servicing to the battle against poverty.
On Friday, the International Monetary Fund is due to consider the move under the Highly-Indebted Poor Countries initiative (HIPC) which it runs jointly with the World Bank, but is unlikely to disagree with its sister institution.
'We would like to congratulate the Zambian government on the announcement (by the board) that the World Bank has approved Zambia's HIPC completion point,' World Bank country manager Ohene Nyanin told a meeting of donors and Zambian Treasury officials.
HIPC is a programme aimed at reducing crippling debt loads shouldered by developing nations."
why rappers prefer to revel with Roederer - Cristal champagne
Paris Hilton's Simple Laugh
Paris and Nicole Star In 'MOBISODES' of Simple Life
The outrageous reality series that made household names of heiresses Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie will soon expand into the wireless space when Verizon Wireless launches 'The Simple Life: Interns.'
These humorous one-minute mobisodes based on the hit FOX series feature original material not previously seen on the series and were specifically produced for transmission and enjoyment on wireless phones. They will become available exclusively through Verizon Wireless' V CAST 3G wireless broadband multimedia service on Wednesday, April 6, 2005. (In the United States only)
More Simple Life: Interns
The outrageous reality series that made household names of heiresses Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie will soon expand into the wireless space when Verizon Wireless launches 'The Simple Life: Interns.'
These humorous one-minute mobisodes based on the hit FOX series feature original material not previously seen on the series and were specifically produced for transmission and enjoyment on wireless phones. They will become available exclusively through Verizon Wireless' V CAST 3G wireless broadband multimedia service on Wednesday, April 6, 2005. (In the United States only)
More Simple Life: Interns
Why Sex Is Worth the Hassle and Effort
Sci-Tech Today has an interesting article about Why Sex Is Worth the Hassle and Effort:
"New research has helped to demonstrate why sex is worth all the effort and hassle. As far as nature is concerned, the enjoyable side to sex compensates for its downside: that it is time consuming and exhausting in terms of actually having to find a willing partner -- dating, dressing to impress, relationships -- and risks busting up favorable gene combinations that already exist.
Surprisingly, despite sexual behavior being one of the more deeply researched areas of human life, no one has been able to support a theory initially proposed in the 19th century with experimental evidence, until now. And it took two samples of yeast to prove that sex is, in itself, good. "
Read more....
"New research has helped to demonstrate why sex is worth all the effort and hassle. As far as nature is concerned, the enjoyable side to sex compensates for its downside: that it is time consuming and exhausting in terms of actually having to find a willing partner -- dating, dressing to impress, relationships -- and risks busting up favorable gene combinations that already exist.
Surprisingly, despite sexual behavior being one of the more deeply researched areas of human life, no one has been able to support a theory initially proposed in the 19th century with experimental evidence, until now. And it took two samples of yeast to prove that sex is, in itself, good. "
Read more....
Diamonds in the Rough
New Research - Diamonds in the Rough: Creating New Content Value through New Uses
As the market for business-oriented online content matures, near-substitutes for many established content products abound on the open Web, which creates pressure on the profitability of many publishers. Shore Senior Analyst Patricia Joseph provides examples of how new uses for content have led to success for both traditional and non-traditional publishers.
click here for report details and purchasing
As the market for business-oriented online content matures, near-substitutes for many established content products abound on the open Web, which creates pressure on the profitability of many publishers. Shore Senior Analyst Patricia Joseph provides examples of how new uses for content have led to success for both traditional and non-traditional publishers.click here for report details and purchasing
Thematic blog tracking service
blogrunner.com : thematic blog tracking service
blogrunner.com is a free service that tracks articles from online publications such as newspapers and blogs.
These articles are assigned and republished to various blog-aggregators that are the blogrunner.com network. These blog-aggregators thus archive the tracked articles coming from a defined index of sources.
The The Annotated New York Times, which tracks blog postings that cite articles published by The New York Times.
Among the things you can do with this site: track what the blogosphere is saying about a specific article; track commentary related to all New York Times coverage of specific topics; and track commentary that discusses articles by specific New York Times.
"These blog fragments are grouped by author or by topic to form virtual, distributed conversations that span multiple sites and that center around the coverage of news events as reported by the Times," as the site describes it.
blogrunner.com is a free service that tracks articles from online publications such as newspapers and blogs.
These articles are assigned and republished to various blog-aggregators that are the blogrunner.com network. These blog-aggregators thus archive the tracked articles coming from a defined index of sources.
The The Annotated New York Times, which tracks blog postings that cite articles published by The New York Times.
Among the things you can do with this site: track what the blogosphere is saying about a specific article; track commentary related to all New York Times coverage of specific topics; and track commentary that discusses articles by specific New York Times.
"These blog fragments are grouped by author or by topic to form virtual, distributed conversations that span multiple sites and that center around the coverage of news events as reported by the Times," as the site describes it.
The growing influence of blogs
A newly-published white paper on blogs from PR agency group Edelman and marketing intelligence firm Intelliseek explores the importance of blogging for public relations and marketing, and provides a first-of-its-kind directory of influential bloggers, segmented by industry.
The report, Trust MEdia: How Real People Are Finally Being Heard (22-page PDF available for download from both firms' websites) says that in a very short time, the blogging phenomenon has drastically altered the business landscape and challenged traditional beliefs about the control of messaging by corporations, the media, the government, marketers and company stakeholders.
San Francisco may regulate blogging
And we will die on the blogging barricades to defend ... what? Oh. Never mind. The headline that buzzed through the Net this week was "San Francisco may regulate blogging," and across the blogosphere there were outraged howls of pain as knees jerked, slamming into desks. It took a little while (and a few people actually reading the proposed ordinance) for a fuller picture to emerge, that picture revealing an electioneering law intended to add transparency to political sponsorship. Far from specifically targeting blogs, the law would require anyone promulgating a political message through any medium that reaches 500 or more people and spends more than $1,000 in that effort needs to say so, clearly and publicly. Still worth a good, if less hysterical, debate.
Source: Siliconvalley.com
Source: Siliconvalley.com
Google Wants Your Homemade Porn Videos
"The internet's transformation into a really dodgy public access cable channel continues a pace. Google co-founder Larry Page has announced that the company wants the public to send in its homemade videos - and he doesn't mind how mucky they are.
'There might be an adult section, or something like that. I don't think that is going to be a big issue,' Page told attendees at the National Cable and Telecommunications Show in San Francisco on Monday, where he was speaking on a panel." Click Here.
'There might be an adult section, or something like that. I don't think that is going to be a big issue,' Page told attendees at the National Cable and Telecommunications Show in San Francisco on Monday, where he was speaking on a panel." Click Here.
Top 10 Worst April Fool's Day Hoaxes Ever
This list of the Top 100 April Fool's Day jokes celebrates the best of April 1st. But it's worth remembering that sometimes the holiday inspires attempts at humor that don't turn out so well. Some attempts are, in fact, truly awful, reminding us that it can also be the practical jokers themselves who are the fools. So without further ado, here are the top 10 WORST April Fool's Day hoaxes ever.
Money Search
As finance enthusiasts this feature is simply cool. I remmber subscribing to Reuters Market alert paging system which I think was way too expensive. Now all you have to do is type in a ticker symbol like INDU or SUNW and the search results will include the latest exchange and real-time ECN quote, intraday chart, volume and market cap. And if you're on the go, these quotes are also available on Google SMS.
The grapes of wrath
Interesting times we live in. Take for instance thisNews about the French wine crisis:
"Terrorist attacks by radical wine producers on government offices in the south of France yesterday served notice that the country's wine crisis may be spinning out of control"
"Terrorist attacks by radical wine producers on government offices in the south of France yesterday served notice that the country's wine crisis may be spinning out of control"
Erotica Found Within Microsoft Office Install
Extremetech uncovers hidden love note to Alyssa Milano in Microsoft Office support files : A Swedish security group said Friday that they had discovered erotica stored among files inside Microsoft's Office XP suite.
The default installation of Microsoft Word, the group said, includes an explicit love letter from 'Bill' to an unnamed recipient. One of the PowerPoint template files on the same disc includes a topless photo of celebrity Alyssa Milano, according to the Iannde security consultancy.
Microsoft officials declined to comment.
The letter reads:
"M., my beloved,
According to my Windows taskbar, the clock reads 1:39. (EDIT: 1:47) It is approximately two hours and fifty-one minutes (EDIT: three hours and forty-three minutes) until our rendezvous, and my heart longs for you. I have also emailed a bitmap file that I composed in Microsoft Paint of my heart standing on a windswept plain. It is quite poetic.
My despair loops back upon itself, with only your approval as the conditional branch freeing me from infinite iterations. Do you love me? It is a binary question, with only two responses. Your response, "I'm thinking," is not a data that fits within my constraints. Please reformulate your reply; I can not accept it.
I would like to describe exactly what I would like to do to you tonight. After dinner at La Marascole in Seattle (I have taken the liberty of ordering you the prawns marascole; I know you said you were allergic to shellfish, but a prawn is a crustacean, and thus you should have no difficulty.) In addition, you will be having a Caesar salad with vinaigrette dressing. I dislike Caesar dressing. Finally, you and I will enjoy a chocolate milkshake for dessert from Wendy's.
You remember when I commissioned the Wachowski Brothers to rework the ending of Matrix Revolutions to indicate that the movie takes place inside of a Windows environment, and that Neo is actually part of Windows Update? They're done! This is going to be so cool! I've got the theatre all set up.
After that, baby, I'm going to get smooth with you. Then I'm going to sex you up something. Do you like the dirty talk? Steve B. says it really gets him all sweaty too. Then I'm going to..."
The "Bill" letter then contains a few lines of erotic ASCII art, a description of Bill's bedroom acts, and the conclusion, "Love, Bill".
The default installation of Microsoft Word, the group said, includes an explicit love letter from 'Bill' to an unnamed recipient. One of the PowerPoint template files on the same disc includes a topless photo of celebrity Alyssa Milano, according to the Iannde security consultancy.
Microsoft officials declined to comment.
The letter reads:
"M., my beloved,
According to my Windows taskbar, the clock reads 1:39. (EDIT: 1:47) It is approximately two hours and fifty-one minutes (EDIT: three hours and forty-three minutes) until our rendezvous, and my heart longs for you. I have also emailed a bitmap file that I composed in Microsoft Paint of my heart standing on a windswept plain. It is quite poetic.
My despair loops back upon itself, with only your approval as the conditional branch freeing me from infinite iterations. Do you love me? It is a binary question, with only two responses. Your response, "I'm thinking," is not a data that fits within my constraints. Please reformulate your reply; I can not accept it.
I would like to describe exactly what I would like to do to you tonight. After dinner at La Marascole in Seattle (I have taken the liberty of ordering you the prawns marascole; I know you said you were allergic to shellfish, but a prawn is a crustacean, and thus you should have no difficulty.) In addition, you will be having a Caesar salad with vinaigrette dressing. I dislike Caesar dressing. Finally, you and I will enjoy a chocolate milkshake for dessert from Wendy's.
You remember when I commissioned the Wachowski Brothers to rework the ending of Matrix Revolutions to indicate that the movie takes place inside of a Windows environment, and that Neo is actually part of Windows Update? They're done! This is going to be so cool! I've got the theatre all set up.
After that, baby, I'm going to get smooth with you. Then I'm going to sex you up something. Do you like the dirty talk? Steve B. says it really gets him all sweaty too. Then I'm going to..."
The "Bill" letter then contains a few lines of erotic ASCII art, a description of Bill's bedroom acts, and the conclusion, "Love, Bill".
The Church Terrorist
I read this posting on ZambiaSossa.
"Religious groups do more harm than good when it comes to HIV prevention and add misery to people living with HIV/AIDS.
I have been condemned as a wrong doer,
Some call me a sinner
We have been excluded from the church
As a victim I'm faced with rejection
Society does not accept me
Christians talk behind my back, yes behind my back!!!"
It makes you think, doesn't it?
"Religious groups do more harm than good when it comes to HIV prevention and add misery to people living with HIV/AIDS.
I have been condemned as a wrong doer,
Some call me a sinner
We have been excluded from the church
As a victim I'm faced with rejection
Society does not accept me
Christians talk behind my back, yes behind my back!!!"
It makes you think, doesn't it?
Observers say Zimbabwe poll "credible"
"African observers have endorsed Zimbabwe's disputed parliamentary election,countering critics from outside the continent who ar accusing President Robert Mugabe of rigging the vote.
The African Union (AU), the 13-member regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) andgovernment delegations from Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi on Sunday joined economic powerhouse SouthAfrica in saying Zimbabwe's poll was free, credible and reflected the will of the people.
Mugabe's ZANU-PF party scored a massive win in Thursday's election, taking the two-thirds majority it needsto push through constitutional changes at will.
The opposition rejected the result and joined Western governments in denouncing the poll as a fraud, sayingMugabe had stolen his third election in five years.
The European Union called the election 'phoney' and the United States attacked its credibility, saying theprocess was unfairly tilted in favour of the government.
Africa's observers appeared satisfied, however."
More from source....
The African Union (AU), the 13-member regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) andgovernment delegations from Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi on Sunday joined economic powerhouse SouthAfrica in saying Zimbabwe's poll was free, credible and reflected the will of the people.
Mugabe's ZANU-PF party scored a massive win in Thursday's election, taking the two-thirds majority it needsto push through constitutional changes at will.
The opposition rejected the result and joined Western governments in denouncing the poll as a fraud, sayingMugabe had stolen his third election in five years.
The European Union called the election 'phoney' and the United States attacked its credibility, saying theprocess was unfairly tilted in favour of the government.
Africa's observers appeared satisfied, however."
More from source....
Scared Parents
This news about 145 Public Health and Advocacy Organizations Seek Removal of 4Parents.Gov, a New HHS Web Site is a bit funny.
"Today, 145 organizations sent a letter the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, to express concern with the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) recently launched Web site http:// www.4parents.gov. They asked that the Web site be immediately taken down and that a formal review be launched of its content and techniques for communication and behavioral learning. These 145 organizations uniformly feel that the Web site presents biased and inaccurate information as fact and does not address the needs of many youth, including sexually active youth, youth who have been or are being sexually abused, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. "
At a time when there is so much threat to young people, i would think that any effort that scares them away from trouble is worthwhile. I do not believe in silencing others, what the parents should do is set up a website that counters the arguements raised by th 4parents.gov. I think that's how civilisation works.
"All of us agree that parents should be the primary sexuality educators of their children. Therefore it is critical that parents have the information, resources, and skills to tackle this complex issue," said Monica Rodriguez, vice president for education and training of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). "Unfortunately, 4parents.gov is not about educating parents, it is about scaring them. This Web site relies on fear to motivate and contains misinformation and biases that undermine its intent of encouraging parent-child communication around sex and sexuality," Rodriguez continued.
Ah, the parents are scared! Remember it is only a website that one visits at will. Young people are not as damn as parents think. Parents will or can learn a lot from young people about sex.
"Today, 145 organizations sent a letter the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, to express concern with the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) recently launched Web site http:// www.4parents.gov. They asked that the Web site be immediately taken down and that a formal review be launched of its content and techniques for communication and behavioral learning. These 145 organizations uniformly feel that the Web site presents biased and inaccurate information as fact and does not address the needs of many youth, including sexually active youth, youth who have been or are being sexually abused, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. "
At a time when there is so much threat to young people, i would think that any effort that scares them away from trouble is worthwhile. I do not believe in silencing others, what the parents should do is set up a website that counters the arguements raised by th 4parents.gov. I think that's how civilisation works.
"All of us agree that parents should be the primary sexuality educators of their children. Therefore it is critical that parents have the information, resources, and skills to tackle this complex issue," said Monica Rodriguez, vice president for education and training of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). "Unfortunately, 4parents.gov is not about educating parents, it is about scaring them. This Web site relies on fear to motivate and contains misinformation and biases that undermine its intent of encouraging parent-child communication around sex and sexuality," Rodriguez continued.
Ah, the parents are scared! Remember it is only a website that one visits at will. Young people are not as damn as parents think. Parents will or can learn a lot from young people about sex.
Caring For The Carer
There is so much death around us, well high profile deaths. This brings me to wonder about the people who are requred to tended to dying souls till the curtains are drawn. I want to cry now, especially when I read about Hospice Nurses Help Terminally Ill Take Final Journey
"The terminally ill patient called in nurse Harlette de Leon with a simple last request: 'I'm going to die today. Can I hug you?'
Hug him she did - until he died upon her shoulder.
'I was crying,' recalled de Leon, a charge nurse at the Sherman Oaks Hospital Transitional Care Unit, which cares for dying patients. 'I put him back to bed. I put a blanket over him.
'I went into the bathroom and shed my tears.' "
"The terminally ill patient called in nurse Harlette de Leon with a simple last request: 'I'm going to die today. Can I hug you?'
Hug him she did - until he died upon her shoulder.
'I was crying,' recalled de Leon, a charge nurse at the Sherman Oaks Hospital Transitional Care Unit, which cares for dying patients. 'I put him back to bed. I put a blanket over him.
'I went into the bathroom and shed my tears.' "
Google Doubles Email Space
Mpelembe Network: Business : "A year after unveiling a free e-mail service with a full gigabyte of storage, Google Inc. is doubling the capacity of each account and plans to keep bumping up the limit in the future.
Once the upgrade takes effect Friday, Gmail users will be able to store up to 2 gigabytes of e-mail and attachments for each account. Even more capacity will be made available after that as it becomes feasible, the company said.
'Our goal is to make sure storage is no longer an issue for Web mail users,' said Marissa Mayer, Google's director of consumer Web products. "
Once the upgrade takes effect Friday, Gmail users will be able to store up to 2 gigabytes of e-mail and attachments for each account. Even more capacity will be made available after that as it becomes feasible, the company said.
'Our goal is to make sure storage is no longer an issue for Web mail users,' said Marissa Mayer, Google's director of consumer Web products. "
Peer To Peer Breakthrough
It's only a joke: "Norway's Opera Software ASA couldn't resist the temptation of an April Fool's joke heralding a breakthrough in peer-to-peer communications.
The company said short- and medium-range interpersonal communication.'
In plain language: human speech.
Opera said in an April Fool's release that the so-called breakthrough, 'Opera SoundWave,' has a range of 100 feet and could be easily tested without special equipment, simply by asking someone near you a question, such as 'Is today April Fool's Day?' "
The company said short- and medium-range interpersonal communication.'
In plain language: human speech.
Opera said in an April Fool's release that the so-called breakthrough, 'Opera SoundWave,' has a range of 100 feet and could be easily tested without special equipment, simply by asking someone near you a question, such as 'Is today April Fool's Day?' "
Google plans to double Gmail capacity
"Google plans to offer a bottomless cup of storage with its Gmail Web-based e-mail service, dramatically raising the bar for rivals in the sharply competitive business for the second time in a year.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based Web giant on Friday plans to double the free storage on Gmail from 1GB to 2GB, said Georges Harik, Gmail product management director. After that, Google will add a yet-to-be-determined amount of extra storage daily, with no plans to stop."
Full story CNET News.com
The Mountain View, Calif.-based Web giant on Friday plans to double the free storage on Gmail from 1GB to 2GB, said Georges Harik, Gmail product management director. After that, Google will add a yet-to-be-determined amount of extra storage daily, with no plans to stop."
Full story CNET News.com
