Chinese Entrepreneur Offers Canned Designer Air To Citizens Suffering From Smog

It's a publicity stunt, but a good one. Chen Guangbiao wants to bring attention to China's air quality problem before it's too late.

Here?s a publicity stunt that we can unequivocally get behind: Chinese billionaire entrepreneur Chen Guangbiao has released a line of designer canned air in China to offer urban citizens something to breathe besides the fume-choked smog that blankets cities there, a problem particularly visible in Beijing. Guangbiao hopes his canned air will bring more attention to China?s air quality problem and provoke citizens to push the government for change to pollution standards.

Increased pollution standards are something China could certainly benefit from. The Sydney Morning Herald reports concentrations of the smallest and most hazardous airborne particulates have been through the roof in recent days for the second time this month. The EPA?s Air Quality Index cannot even register levels above 500, which are something like 20 times what the World Health Organization deems safe. At the American Embassy in Beijing, the index has been hanging around in the 300-500 ?hazardous? range since Friday.

And that?s just this week. Smog has been so bad lately that even China?s tightly controlled national media has been groaning to party leadership about it. NASA satellite images have shown northern China under a thick haze since New Year?s, rendering many cities invisible from space. That?s why Gunagbiao hopes his designer air, which comes in flavors such as ?pristine Tibet? (sure to rankle the leadership), ?post-industrial Taiwan? (also a hot-button locale, geopolitically speaking), and ?revolutionary Yan?an? (that?s the Chinese Communist Party?s historical place of origin).

Another piece of news coming across our desks this morning: China is now burning roughly the same amount of coal as the rest of the world combined. Perhaps the stories are related?

[Sydney Morning Herald]

Source: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-01/chinese-entrepreneur-offers-canned-designer-air-citizens-suffering-smog

sleigh bells meek sturgis sturgis whitney houston laid to rest daytona bike week mary kay ash

American Idol launches app for iOS, Android devices

American Idol

MILWAUKEE (WITI) ? American Idol has launched an all-new app with special features to be released over the season. The app will provide idol fans access to show content along with deep interactive and social experiences, as well as?enhanced voting capabilities on their iOS and Android devices.

The app allows fans to join real-time conversations on Facebook and Twitter, keep up with their favorite judges and contestants, watch interviews and, once the live shows begin on Tuesday, March 5,?cast all of their votes.

Idol fans can download the app from the App Store and Google Play, and enjoy a variety of features including:

• Unique access to favorite IDOL moments and exclusive content
• Judge, host and contestant profiles and?interviews
• Fast and easy content sharing to social media
• Contestant performances and behind-the-scenes footage
• Live broadcast sync experience during IDOL live shows
• Voting made easier by casting votes for one or more favorite contestants with just a couple of taps

American Idol auditions continue in San Antonio, TX and Long Beach, CA, Wednesday, Jan. 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Oklahoma City, OK, on Thursday, Jan. 31 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

Source: http://fox6now.com/2013/01/30/american-idol-launches-app-for-ios-android-devices/

stan van gundy navy jet crash virginia beach crash stephen hawking marion barry virginia beach jet crash ridiculously photogenic guy

Satellite visualization tool for high-res observation accessible from anywhere with internet access

Public release date: 29-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tobias Wesselius
t.wesselius@elsevier.com
31-204-853-870
Elsevier

THOR-Online available for examining of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite data remotely

Amsterdam, January 29, 2013 A paper published in the February issue of Computers & Geosciences, describes a case study in which an earth-observing satellite tool, the Tool for High-Resolution Observation Review (THOR), using minimal coding effort, is converted into a practical web-based application, THOR-Online. In addition, a 3D visualization technique is also described in this paper.

Initially only operable from a desktop computer, with the approach outlined in the study, THOR is now accessible online from NASA's Precipitation Processing System website. This allows researchers to remotely examine the 15-year archive of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite data. Efforts to improve THOR have been on-going since the 1997 launch of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, which carries first space-borne radar capable of observing detailed three-dimensional structure of regions of precipitation inside of storm clouds.

"The 3D display technique can be used to make features of, for example, a hurricane, visually accessible even to those without technical training in meteorology," explained Owen Kelley, author of the study. "The TRMM satellite observed Hurricane Sandy a day before its U.S. landfall affecting New Jersey and New York, among other states. Using this technique, TRMM 3D images of the storm's overflight and other tropical cyclones during the final months of 2012 could be made available through NASA Hurricane Resource Page (www.nasa.gov/hurricanes)."

"Addressing an important problem at intersection of the geosciences (remote sensing, hydrology, meteorology) and computer sciences, this article is a poster child example of what we aim to publish in Computers & Geosciences," explains Jef Caers Co-Editor-in-Chief of Computers & Geosciences. "It uses modern computer science paradigms such as the World Wide Web, code re-use and practical graphical user interfaces to address an important geoscience problem."

The approach outlined in the paper may be of interest to other organizations responsible for earth-observing satellites that have custom desktop visualization tools which may need to be converted to online applications for broader usage, or that have 3D datasets that require the development of an interactive visualization tool.

###

The paper "Adapting an existing visualization application for browser-based deployment: A case study from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission" can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098300412003433

The THOR-Online application described in the study can be found at: http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/thor/

Notes for editors

"Adapting an existing visualization application for browser-based deployment: A case study from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission" by Owen A. Kelley, appears in the Computers & Geosciences 51 (2013) 228-237 published by Elsevier; the article is available online on ScienceDirect.

Full text of the article is available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact newsroom@elsevier.com

About Computers & Geosciences

Computers & Geosciences publishes high impact, original research at the interface between Computer sciences and geosciences. Publications should apply modern computer science paradigms, whether computational or informatics-based, to address problems in the geosciences.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Nursing Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contact

Tobias Wesselius
Elsevier
+31 20 485 3870
t.wesselius@elsevier.com

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 29-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tobias Wesselius
t.wesselius@elsevier.com
31-204-853-870
Elsevier

THOR-Online available for examining of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite data remotely

Amsterdam, January 29, 2013 A paper published in the February issue of Computers & Geosciences, describes a case study in which an earth-observing satellite tool, the Tool for High-Resolution Observation Review (THOR), using minimal coding effort, is converted into a practical web-based application, THOR-Online. In addition, a 3D visualization technique is also described in this paper.

Initially only operable from a desktop computer, with the approach outlined in the study, THOR is now accessible online from NASA's Precipitation Processing System website. This allows researchers to remotely examine the 15-year archive of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite data. Efforts to improve THOR have been on-going since the 1997 launch of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, which carries first space-borne radar capable of observing detailed three-dimensional structure of regions of precipitation inside of storm clouds.

"The 3D display technique can be used to make features of, for example, a hurricane, visually accessible even to those without technical training in meteorology," explained Owen Kelley, author of the study. "The TRMM satellite observed Hurricane Sandy a day before its U.S. landfall affecting New Jersey and New York, among other states. Using this technique, TRMM 3D images of the storm's overflight and other tropical cyclones during the final months of 2012 could be made available through NASA Hurricane Resource Page (www.nasa.gov/hurricanes)."

"Addressing an important problem at intersection of the geosciences (remote sensing, hydrology, meteorology) and computer sciences, this article is a poster child example of what we aim to publish in Computers & Geosciences," explains Jef Caers Co-Editor-in-Chief of Computers & Geosciences. "It uses modern computer science paradigms such as the World Wide Web, code re-use and practical graphical user interfaces to address an important geoscience problem."

The approach outlined in the paper may be of interest to other organizations responsible for earth-observing satellites that have custom desktop visualization tools which may need to be converted to online applications for broader usage, or that have 3D datasets that require the development of an interactive visualization tool.

###

The paper "Adapting an existing visualization application for browser-based deployment: A case study from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission" can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098300412003433

The THOR-Online application described in the study can be found at: http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/thor/

Notes for editors

"Adapting an existing visualization application for browser-based deployment: A case study from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission" by Owen A. Kelley, appears in the Computers & Geosciences 51 (2013) 228-237 published by Elsevier; the article is available online on ScienceDirect.

Full text of the article is available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact newsroom@elsevier.com

About Computers & Geosciences

Computers & Geosciences publishes high impact, original research at the interface between Computer sciences and geosciences. Publications should apply modern computer science paradigms, whether computational or informatics-based, to address problems in the geosciences.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Nursing Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contact

Tobias Wesselius
Elsevier
+31 20 485 3870
t.wesselius@elsevier.com

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/e-svt012913.php

dallas fort worth tornado dallas tornadoes dallas weather nike nfl uniforms ben and jerrys free cone day tornado in dallas texas the island president

The specs: how new BlackBerry 10 models stack up

Research In Motion Ltd. showed off two new BlackBerry phones on Wednesday. They will run the new BlackBerry 10 operating system. Here's how the phones compare with Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S III.

BlackBerry Z10 tech specs:

? Display: 4.2-inch (diagonal) with a resolution of 1280 by 768 pixels (356 pixels per inch)

? Keyboard: Touch screen only

? Memory capacity: 16 gigabytes, expandable with microSD card of up to 32 gigabytes.

? Price: Varies by carrier, some of which have yet to announce details. Verizon Wireless says it will sell it for $200 with a two-year service agreement.

? Size: height: 5.12 inches; width: 2.58 inches; depth: 0.35 inch (130 x 65.6 x 9 mm)

? Weight: 4.78 ounces (135.4 grams)

? Cameras: 8-megapixel camera on back, 2-megapixel on front.

? Video recording: high-definition for rear camera (1080p ? comparable to the resolution of a 40-inch flat panel TV); lower resolution for front (720p)

? Battery life: talk time is up to 10 hours on 3G. Up to 60 hours of audio playback and 11 hours of video playback. Battery can be replaced by user with a spare.

? U.S. wireless carriers: Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and others.

? Operating system: BlackBerry 10

? Near-field communications: A chip lets the phone act as a credit card at some payment terminals and share data wirelessly when tapped against some other phones.

? Availability: In U.S. in March. Varies elsewhere, including U.K. on Thursday, Canada on Feb. 5 and Latin America by end of March.

BlackBerry Q10 tech specs:

? Display: 3.1-inch (diagonal) with a resolution of 720 by 720 pixels (330 pixels per inch)

? Keyboard: Touch-screen and 35-key physical keyboards. Physical keyboard will have back light, with language-specific keyboards such as QWERTY and AZERTY depending on market.

? Memory capacity: 16 gigabytes, expandable with microSD card of up to 64 gigabytes.

? Price: Not yet announced.

? Size: height: 4.71 inches; width: 2.63 inches; depth: 0.41 inch (119.6 x 66.8 x 10.35 mm)

? Weight: 4.90 ounces (139 grams)

? Cameras: 8-megapixel camera on back, 2-megapixel on front.

? Video recording: high-definition for rear camera (1080p ? comparable to the resolution of a 40-inch flat panel TV); lower resolution for front (720p)

? Battery life: Not yet announced.

? U.S. wireless carriers: AT&T, Sprint and others.

? Operating system: BlackBerry 10

? Near-field communications: A chip lets the phone act as a credit card at some payment terminals and share data wirelessly when tapped against some other phones.

? Availability: In some markets in April, but unknown when it will be available in the U.S.

iPhone 5 tech specs:

? Display: 4-inch (diagonal) with a resolution of 1136 by 640 pixels (326 pixels per inch).

? Keyboard: Touch screen only

? Memory capacity: 16, 32 or 64 gigabytes, depending on price. There's no way to expand it with memory cards.

? Price: Starting at $199, for 16 gigabytes of memory.

? Size: height: 4.87 inches; width: 2.31 inches; depth: 0.30 inch (124 x 59 x 7.6 mm)

? Weight: 3.95 ounces (112 grams)

? Cameras: 8-megapixel camera on back, 1.2-megapixel on front.

? Video recording: high-definition (1080p ? comparable to the resolution of a 40-inch flat panel TV) up to 30 frames per second with audio

? Battery life: talk time is up to 8 hours on 3G. Internet works for up to 8 hours on LTE and up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi. Up to 10 hours of video playback. Battery can be replaced by service personnel only.

? U.S. wireless carriers: Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel and others.

? Operating system: Apple's iOS 6

? Near-field communications: None.

? Availability: Sept. 21, 2012, initially in U.S. and selected markets. Expanded throughout the world in subsequent months.

Samsung Galaxy S III tech specs:

? Display: 4.8 inches (diagonal) with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels (306 pixels per inch).

? Keyboard: Touch screen only

? Memory capacity: 16 or 32 gigabytes. Can be expanded by up to 64 gigabytes with a memory card.

? Price: As low as $99 for basic model, though carriers typically charge $199 with two-year contract.

? Size: height: 5.4 inches; width: 2.8 inches; depth: 0.34 inch (137 x 71 x 8.6mm)

? Weight: 4.7 ounces. (133 grams)

? Cameras: 8-megapixel camera on back, 1.9-megapixel on front.

? Video recording: high-definition (1080p ? comparable to the resolution of a 40-inch flat panel TV) up to 30 frames per second with audio.

? Battery life: Up to 9 hours of talk time (depends on network). Battery replaceable by user.

? U.S. wireless carriers: Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and others.

? Operating system: Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google's Android (at release).

? Near-field communications: A chip lets the phone act as a credit card at some payment terminals and share data wirelessly when tapped against some other phones.

? Availability: Worldwide, including U.S. in June 2012 and Europe in May 2012.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/specs-blackberry-10-models-stack-194112659.html

ricky williams missouri primary minnesota caucus knowshon moreno knowshon moreno sovereign citizen komen

French troops control key airport in north Mali

SEVARE, Mali: French forces have taken control of the airport in Kidal, seizing a key position in one of three provincial capitals the Islamist militants took over last year, officials said Wednesday. One Malian official said French troops even moved into the city, which was the last remaining urban stronghold of the Islamists in Mali.

French and Malian troops have recaptured two of the other provincial capitals, Timbuktu and Gao, in recent days, and been welcomed by overjoyed crowds. However, already concerns are emerging about whether the Islamists will try to return once France hands over the military operation to Mali and soldiers from neighboring countries.

Haminy Maiga, the interim president of the Kidal regional assembly, said French forces met no resistance when they arrived late Tuesday.

"The French arrived at 9:30pm aboard four planes, which landed one after another. Afterwards they took the airport and then entered the town, and there was no combat," said Maiga, who had been in touch with people in the town by satellite phone as all the normal phone networks were down.

"The French are patrolling the town and two helicopters are patrolling overhead," he added.

In Paris, French army Col. Thierry Burkhard confirmed that the airport was taken overnight and described the operation in Kidal itself as "ongoing."

On Tuesday, a secular Tuareg rebel group had asserted that they were in control of Kidal and other small towns in northern Mali. Maiga said those fighters had left Kidal and were at the entry posts on the roads from Gao and Tessalit.

France, the former colonial ruler, began sending in troops, helicopters and warplanes on Jan. 11 to turn the tide after the armed Islamists began encroaching on the south, toward the capital. French and Malian troops seized Gao during the weekend, welcomed by joyous crowds. They took Timbuktu on Monday. The Islamists gave up both cities and retreated into the surrounding desert.

To help battle the Islamists in their desert hideouts, a US military official says the Pentagon is considering setting up a drone base in northwest Africa to increase intelligence collection.

While most crowds in the freed cities have been joyous, months of resentment toward the Islamists already has erupted into violence in Gao.

Video footage filmed by an amateur cameraman and obtained by The Associated Press shows a mob attacking the symbol of the oppressive regime, the Islamic police headquarters.

Some celebrate cheering "I am Malian," while others armed with sticks and machetes attack suspected members of the Islamist regime. The graphic images show the mob as they mutilate the corpses of two young suspected jihadists lying dead in the street.

France's president said his country's forces would stay in Mali as long as necessary, but the French also have said they expect troops from African nations to take the lead as soon as they are able. There are now some 2,900 African soldiers in Mali, including 1,400 from Chad who are used to fighting in harsh, desert terrain like northern Mali.

Mali's military was severely affected by last year's coup and has a reputation for disorganization and bad discipline. Already Malian soldiers have been accused of fatally shooting civilians suspected of links to the Islamists. The military has promised to investigate the allegations.

Source: http://timesofindia.feedsportal.com/fy/8at2EtZ0jTXd23zx/story01.htm

shipwreck jose aldo vs chad mendes lana del rey john 3 16 alex smith 49ers miss america 2012 hgtv dream home

Futurity.org ? Gene marker tied to deadly breast cancer

The incorrect splicing of the KLF6 gene essentially creates a protein that causes cancer cells to spread or metastasize. Researchers say the splice variant has potential as a marker for determining which early stage breast cancer patients will have aggressive disease progression. (Credit: "3D model of DNA" via Shutterstock)

CASE WESTERN RESERVE (US) ? Discovery of a gene variant that drives the spread of breast cancer may pave the way for predicting which patients will develop more aggressive forms of the disease.

?Breast cancer is a genetically complex disease and it remains a challenge to predict disease outcomes and which patients may benefit from more aggressive treatment,? says Goutham Narla, assistant professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.

?Our research has uncovered a promising gene marker that will not only help us better identify tumors that behave badly but provide a basis for developing and personalizing therapies to better treat our patients.?

As reported in the journal Scientific Translational Medicine, researchers discovered that a mutant gene, KLF6-SV1, was linked to the recurrence and metastasis in women with breast cancer. The incorrect splicing of the KLF6 gene essentially creates a protein that causes cancer cells to spread or metastasize.

The researchers examined the tumors of 671 breast-cancer patients in a tumor bank at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam and found that individuals whose tumors expressed high levels of the gene variant were 50 percent more likely to die.

Since recurrence and metastasis are the major causes of death in breast cancer, this finding will provide a new direction of research to both identify women at risk and to develop targeted drugs that block the process of metastasis.

?This study presents biological proof that this splice variant can potentially be a marker for determining which early stage breast cancer patients will have disease progression,? Narla adds. ?More studies need to be done, but this could provide an important prognostic marker to determine which patients need to be treated more aggressively or watched more closely.?

Narla?s laboratory focuses on the identification and characterization of the genes and pathways involved in cancer metastasis. By studying the functional role of the KLF6 tumor suppressor gene, Narla and his team have identified new signaling pathways regulated by this gene family, providing new insight into cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The research shows that KLF6 and FOXO1, both tumor suppressor genes, are turned off as cancer spreads through the body. Since first discovering the KLF6 gene 13 years ago as a medical student at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the laboratory of Scott Friedman, Narla has been involved in the identification and characterization of the gene and its role in cancer development.

Narla will work with the breast cancer team, led by Lyndsay Harris, to further study KLF6-SV1?s potential as a prognostic marker for patients with poor outcomes. The group also will work to develop novel therapeutics that can turn the protein off and cause the cells to become less aggressive.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute supported the research.

Source: Case Western Reserve University

Source: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/gene-marker-tied-to-deadly-breast-cancer/

dallas tornado video 1940 census instagram for android dallas news dallas fort worth dfw 1930 census

The Islander Classifieds: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 ? Archive ...

ITEMS FOR SALE

ELIPTICAL EXERCISER IMAGE 8.0: Good condition, $100.?Holmes Beach. 941-778-3624.

TENNIS RACKETS: ONE Prince, one Spalding, like new, $30 each, queen bedspread, beach print, $20. 941-737-9173.

TWO GARAGE DOOR openers: Complete, nearly new, $80/each. 941-778-3920.

YELLOW HUMMER KID bike, $60. 941-778-7978.

MARY KAY COSMETICS: Full line at discounted prices. Jenifer, 941-224-1760, 941-739-0792.

ANTIQUE COPPER POTS and bowls, collection $350. Burl-wood Top of Form

Bottom of Form

rocker, oak office chairs, collectibles. View at?The Islander?store, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

FOR SALE: One legal and one letter-size regular 2 drawer files. Various office supplies. Also selling antique wood office chairs, Haitian art, collectible art, some framed. Many local artists. Home decor. 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

AERIAL PHOTOS of Anna Maria Island. View and purchase online: www.jackelka.com

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander.org, fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN Church: All are welcome to come and worship with us! Please call 941-778-1813 or visit us at: www.gloriadeilutheran.com for worship times. 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

SENIORS GOLF: PLAY golf every Wednesday, different top course weekly. Friendly, relaxed, not highly competitive. www.gulfcoastseniors.com. 941-373-9378.

THE HIVE: GIFTS and arts. Locally handmade and imported silver jewelry, Buddha art, artifacts, artistic T-shirts, cards, hot sauces, South African handmade arts, specialty candies, more. 119 B Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. http://thehivegiftsandarts.com/

HAITI $$$ DONATIONS to the Ministry of Presence Inc., www.ministryofpresence.org, urgently needed for local representatives to aid homeless children. Info: The Islander, 941-778-7978.

TERRY HAYES, REALTOR. Premier Sothebys. 941-302-3100. Terry.hayes@sothebysrealty.com. Discoverannamaria.com.

WANTED: YOUR OLD cell phone for recycling. Deliver to The Islander, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

MANATEE SAFETY SIGNS exclusively for boaters. Available at the Islander, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FISHING GEAR WANTED: The Privateers and The Islander are collecting new or used, repairable fishing poles and reels, nets, tackle, buckets, etc. to give to children. Donate your gear at The Islander newspaper office, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

FREE GUN LOCK courtesy of Project Childsafe, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Holmes Beach Police Department. Pick up at The Islander office, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Don?t be sorry, be safe.

GARAGE SALES

ROSER THRIFT SHOP: Open 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Donation drop-off ?9 a.m.-11 a.m. Wednesday. 511 Pine Ave. Anna Maria, 941-779-2733.

NEW LOCATION: STEFF?S Stuff Antiques has moved to The Centre Shops on Longboat Key. 5380 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Unit 101. 941-383-1901.

WHITE ELEPHANT AND clothing sale: Special pre-sale 4-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 (complimentary sundae) and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Bake sale, pickles, soup and sandwich bar. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

MOVING SALE: 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. No early birds. 2504 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach.

LOST & FOUND

LOST: FILIGREE GOLD hoop earring. Lost at Publix, Sunday, Dec. 30. If found, please call 941-778-0385.

LOST RAY BAN sunglasses on Jan. 14 at the beach. 860-930-2181.

BMW CAR KEYS: Lost on North Shore Drive, Anna Maria. Call 901-496-4883,?901-486-0108.

LOST: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES Jan. 20, Bridge Street festival. Brown frames in brown cloth sack. Call 765-491-9530, if found.

PETS

PARENTS NEEDED for loving homes to foster puppies and kittens until they are old enough for adoption. All food and medical provided. Julie, 941-720-1411.

WELL-MANNERED RESCUED dogs (and kittens!) are looking for great new homes or fosters. Please, call for information, 941-896-6701.

BOATS & BOATING

BIMINI BAY SAILING: Small sailboat rentals and instruction. Day. Week. Month. Sunfish, Laser, Windrider 17 and Precision 15. Call Brian at 941-685-1400.

BOAT SLIP FOR sale: 8300 block, Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. $25,000. 941-792-7965.

PONTOON BOAT: 20-foot, 50-hp, hard top, recent upholstery and carpet. Extra lines and preservers, $2,500. 941-778-4793.

WAVES BOAT CLUB membership, paid in full through February, 2015. Great opportunity to enjoy boating without the hassle of ownership and without an initiation fee. www.wavesboatclub.com. Call 321-427-4646.

FOR RENT: DEEP-water boat slip, north end of Anna Maria. 941-794-8877.

PONTOON BOAT RENTAL: See Anna Maria Island by water! Phone, 941-518-3868. boatflorida.weebly.com.

MINN KOTA TRANSOM mount trolling motor, 27-pound thrust, 36-inch shaft, $150. 941-779-1268.

TRAILER: 2004 EZ Loader. Galvanized, 3,100 lb., 20-foot capacity. Roll-on style, two-speed winch, single axle, fiberglass step-on fenders, surge brakes. 215/75R14 tires, good shape. $700. 941-896-9464.

POWER NOLES CUSTOM 11.5-foot fiberglass tunnel hull with bass seats. Very stable! Great for fishing-stand on the side without tipping, go in really shallow waters. Very fun boat for anyone who wants to get on the water!? 2001 25-hp Mercury 2-stroke, plus a trolling motor with battery. Must see! $2,150 obo. Call Toni, 941-928-8735.

HELP WANTED

PART-TIME FRONT desk associate: Must have excellent customer service skills and the ability to work weekends and holidays.?Please stop in to fill out an application at Mainsail Beach Inn, 101 66th St., Holmes Beach or fax resume to: 941-201-3223.?No phone calls please.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT NEEDED for purchasing coordinator and production planner with the necessary clerical duties to ensure timely and efficient paper work processing. Send your resume or interesting letter to: degray07@yahoo.com or call 786-519-3572.

SALES ASSOCIATE:?MOTIVATED, experienced real estate licensee for busy Island office. Please call Jesse or Robin at 941-778-7244.

KIDS FOR HIRE

LOCAL ISLAND STUDENT babysitter available. CPR and first aid-certified, early childhood development major. Emily, 941-567-9276.

RED CROSS-CERTIFIED babysitter and dog sitter. Reasonable rates for both. Call 941-527-5051.

BABIES, PETS AND plants: Responsible, trustworthy, reliable, fun 17-year-old college student. Own transportation. 941-447-9658.

NICOLE AND HALLIE?S babysitting, pet sitting and pet walking. Red Cross certified, good with animals. Hallie, 941-773-6317, Nicole, 941-370-7981.

KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

HEALTH CARE

CAREGIVER FOR ELDERLY: Full care, references, 30 years experience. Call between 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 941-545-7114.

SERVICES

TOASTED COMPUTER SERVICES. Your home and business specialist. On-site service, virus/spyware, cleanup, system setup, upgrades, diagnosis and repair, internet/wireless networking, custom system design. 941-224-1069.

I DON?T CUT corners, I clean corners. Professional, friendly cleaning? service since 1999. 941-779-6638. Leave message.

ISLANDER HANDYMAN SERVICE: 23-year Island resident, references. The Flying Dutchman LLC. We do all repair, interior and exterior, carpentry and more. Peter, 941-447-6747.

CLEANING BY LAURA offers everything on your list from kitchen and bath cleaning to dusting and emptying wastebaskets. 941-539-6891.

U FLY I drive your car anywhere in the USA. Airport runs, anywhere. 941-746-5651, 941-545-6688.

ISLAND LIVING CATERING/personal chef for your wedding, home and special events. 941-345-4727.

KEY CLEANERS & LINEN has expanded our services. We now offer residential cleaning. Family owned for 24 years on Longboat Key. Quality and service, now in your home. 941-383-1222.

HOUSE, PETS, SECURITY: 17 years experience. Mature, reliable, responsible, trustworthy, honest. Available to watch and care for your home/pets 6-8 months beginning sometime January. References. Devorah, 877-811-0304 or email: dvorah.tikvah@yahoo.com.

ALL AROUND PAINTING: Quality work. Free estimates. Licensed, insured. Call native islander Jim Weaver, 813-727-1959.

TRUEBLUE33 COMPUTER Repair Service: Fast and reliable on-site computer repair service with reasonable rates. CompTIA A+ and Network+ certified. Call today! Anthony Mitchell at 941-592-7714.

BOOKKEEPING AND SMALL business consulting services offered. Call Ian, 941-730-1745 or visit me at my shop, The Hive, 199 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Author ?Small Business Survival Handbook.?

I CAN FIX IT. Virus cleanup, system upgrade. Hardware, software and network repair. Cell phone repair, support. Replace broken camera, screen, etc. Give islander Socko a call: 941-799-1169.

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS JD?s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

ISLAND MERMAIDS CLEANING and Co.: 36 years of happy customers. Organizing, laundry, ironing, pet-watch, storm-check, etc. Rentals our specialty. 941-778-3046.

BEACH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call William Eller, 941-795-7411. CAC184228.

ANYONE CAN TAKE a picture. A professional creates a portrait. I want to be at your wedding! www.jackelka.com. 941-778-2711.

RELAXING MASSAGE IN the convenience of your home or hotel. Massage by Nadia, more than 19 years on Anna Maria Island. Call today for an appointment, 941-518-8301. MA#0017550.MA#0017550.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNIE?S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

ISLAND LAWN SPRINKLERS repairs and installations, watering the island for 15 years. Jeff, 941-778-2581.

JR?S LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE Lawns, native plants, mulching, trimming, hauling, cleanups. Island resident 25 years. Call 941-807-1015.

LANDSCAPING

STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in old Florida seashell driveways and scapes. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark, 941-301-6067.

SHELL DELIVERED AND spread. $45/yard. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, ?shell phone? 941-720-0770.

NATURE?S DESIGN LANDSCAPING. Design and installation. Tropical landscape specialist. Residential and commercial. 30 years experience. 941-729-9381, 941-448-6336.

TOP NOTCH LAWN Care: Residential and commercial. For all your landscaping needs. 941-932-6600.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

TILE -TILE -TILE. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077.

CUSTOM REMODELING EXPERT. All phases of carpentry, repairs and painting. Insured. Meticulous, clean, sober and prompt. Paul Beauregard, 941-730-7479.

GRIFFIN?S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and shutters. Insured and licensed, 941-748-4711.

JERRY?S HOME REPAIR: Carpentry, handyman, light hauling, pressure washing. Jack of all trades. Call 941-778-6170 or 941-447-2198.

SOUTHBAY HOME REPAIRS: If it?s broken, stuck, loose, leaks, needs paint, etc. I?ll fix it. Affordable quality work. 941-720-2906.

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN LLC: Professional tile roof restoration. Call Peter for free estimate. 23-year Island resident, references, insured. 941-447-6747.

SOUTHWEST HOME IMPROVEMENT: Michigan builder, 30 years experience. Affordable, timely, within budget. Call Mike, 1-616-204-8822.

METRO DOOR & SUPPLY, INC.: Home, condo, office. Primary doors and glass inserts, custom prep/cut downs, sliding doors, windows, doors for commercial properties, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, vinyl. Installation available. Free estimates. 941-726-2280 or 941-722-7507.

CUSTOM STONE, BRICK and Block: We do remodeling, home additions, landscaping, paver brick and home improvements, fire places, fire pits, grills. Please, call Dave, 941-792-5206 or 941-465-6125.

CORTEZ CONCRETE AND Masonry: No job too small. Patios, driveways, stucco, etc. Sills repaired. 716-361-0010.

RENTALS

WEEKLY/MONTHLY/ANNUAL rentals: wide variety, changes daily. SunCoast Real Estate, 941-779-0202, or 1-800-732-6434. www.suncoastinc.com.

VACATION RENTALS ONLY: Private pool homes, and condo, 1BR/1BA overlooking golf course. Call 941-794-1515 or www.coastalpropertiesrealty.com.

2BR/2BA HOLMES BEACH waterfront condo: Fully furnished with views, pools, Jacuzzi, tennis, boat dock. Available December-February, 2013. Call 818-620-3543.

1BR/1BA GROUND FLOOR, Gulf to bay condo, heated pool, fishing pier. Over 55. $1,600/month, $1,100/month annual. 813-393-6002.

CUTE VACATION EFFICIENCY: Screened porch, near boat ramp, many other area amenities, cable, WiFi. 941-779-6638.

ANNUAL RENTAL: 3BR/2BA home on canal with pool, $2,200/month. Call Sato Real Estate Inc., 941-778-7200 or email: rentals@satorealestate.com.

VACATION HOME RENTAL: 3BR/2BA, minutes to beach, $900/month, $2,500/month. Realtor, 941-356-1456. Real Estate Mart.

PANORAMIC GULFFRONT: 3BR/2BA, huge deck, every room overlooks Gulf. Available January 2014. North Shore Drive, Anna Maria. 813-920-5595.

VACATION RENTAL: SUDDEN February vacancy. 3BR/2BA private pool home, NW Bradenton, weekly/monthly. VRBO.com/334505. Coastal Properties Realty. Suzanne, broker, call 941-794-1515.

TURNKEY FURNISHED RENTAL: 1BR/1BA 1.3 miles to Island via Cortez Bridge. Elevated duplex, spacious. $1,100/month. Desire annual rental, will consider short term. 941-761-2725.

ANNUAL RENTAL: 2 BR/2BA duplex. One block from beach. Background and credit check. No pets. $1,000/month. First, last and security.?Available now. 813-672-1481.

CONDO FOR RENT: 2BR/2BA, nicely furnished, ground floor. No pets. Close to beach. Seasonal or annual. 330-562-8945.

ANNUAL RENTAL: 2BR/2BA, storage, laundry room, Holmes Beach. Small-pet friendly, close to the beach. $1,000/month. First and last. Call 941-704-4591.

SEASONAL OR WEEKLY cottage-style rentals. 1BR/1BA or 1BR/1BA with loft with pool. Walk to beach, shops or dining! 941-778-3426. Web site: www.spinnakerscottages.com.

REAL ESTATE

DIRECT GULFFRONT: 146 feet on the beach. 3BR/4.5BA, office recreation room, spa, pool, outdoor kitchen and theater, elevator, turnkey furnished. $3,750,000. Suncoast Real Estate, 941-779-0202 or 941-720-0288.

DIRECT GULFFRONT CONDO: Bradenton Beach. Excellent investment rental income. www.flipkey.com/124227. $269,000. By owner, 941-962-8220.

CAPTAIN GREG BURKE: Duncan Real Estate. Need listings, all inventory sold or pending. Call 941-592-8373, email: gregburkesr@hotmail.com.

WE?RE LOW, LISTINGS needed.?Are you curious as to how much your home could be worth? Call us for a free professional consultation. Call Lynn at Edgewater Real Estate, 941-778-8104.

LOT: 135-FOOT frontage, partial view Palma Sola Bay. Last one, desirable area, underground services. 941-792-8826.

2BR/2BA 2005 JACOBSEN home with share. Patio and deck, possible boat slip. Furnished. Active 55-plus community, beach and bay access. Call 267-266-1101.

FOR SALE BY owner. 2BR/2BA 1,600 sf Anna Maria canal home. 15,000-lb. boat lift. Terrific north end location, walk to beach, boat in your back yard. Call Steve at 813-245-0428.

WATERFRONT LOT: ONE acre, direct access to Manatee River, rare find, boating, fishing, Gulf beaches, $319,000. WebPro Realty. Call Robert, 863-6026414. rharper@webpro-realty.com.

HOUSE FOR SALE: 3BR/3BA canalfront, granite counters, new air conditioning, 2,000 sf. $599,000. By appointment only. 941-778-1620.

BRADENTON BEACH: OPEN 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 2BR/2BA plus loft condo, dock, boat slip. Top floor. Direct waterfront, amazing bay, Gulf views. Reduced to $399,000 prior to listing.117 10th St. N. 941-780-1482.

OPEN HOUSE: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2. 3BR/2BA, pool, dock. Gulf-to-bay waterfront condo. 1407 Gulf Drive S. #201, Bradenton Beach. Asking $440,000. By owner, 941-650-3069.

?

Source: http://www.islander.org/2013/01/the-islander-classifieds-wednesday-jan-30-2013/

romney michigan derrick williams railgun jk rowling new book between two ferns ihop statins

Canada's grocer Metro boosts dividend

(Reuters) - Canadian grocer Metro Inc increased its quarterly dividend by 16.3 percent, the company said in a statement late on Monday.

The Montreal-based firm declared a dividend of 25 Canadian cents (25 cents) a share, up from 21.5 Canadian cents last quarter.

The chain hosts its annual meeting and releases its fiscal first quarter earnings on Tuesday.

Last week, Metro said it would sell nearly half of its stake in convenience store and gasoline station operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc for nearly C$479 million.

The chain and rivals like Loblaw Cos Ltd are facing rising competition as Wal-Mart Stores Inc expands its grocery offerings in Canada. Wal-Mart rival Target Corp is opening its first Canadian stores starting this spring, and it will also sell groceries.

(Reporting by Allison Martell; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/canadas-grocer-metro-boosts-dividend-125906399--finance.html

turbo tax katharine mcphee cold mountain valentines day ideas the villages florida egoraptor gisele bundchen

Editorial: Facebook vs. Vine is another chapter in the book of 'We Own You'

Oh man, Vine is fun. It is already apparent that with creativity and planning you can produce something approaching an epic experience in a 6-second video. Vine is a perfect enhancement of Twitter's casual "what's happening now" social base. With stop-and-go videos that resemble animated GIFs, Vine puts greater movement and reality into life-casting. I showed it to my wife, who is not remotely a Twitter user, and she immediately began storyboarding microvideo adventures for our Serta sheep. So my message to all seven people who follow me on Vine: You've got a lot to look forward to.

Speaking of followers, let's consider the tectonic unfriending that transpired in the ongoing skirmish between Facebook and Twitter, the serfdom of social media users and the historical risks of walled gardens.

A bit of background. Vine is a Twitter-owned mobile startup represented by an iOS-only app for iPhone / iPod touch (it works on iPads too) that turns the device's video function into a rudimentary real-time editing machine. The sweet-and-simple interface keeps the video rolling for as long as your finger is touching the screen, for six seconds. You can lift and replace your finger (stop and start) as fast and often as you like, creating jumpy, time-crunched stories like an entire commute to work or cooking an elaborate dinner dish.

Don't get haughty about this before trying it -- unless you're an Android user, in which case haught away. There's been a fair amount of "So what?" user commentary posted since Vine launched last Wednesday, along with generally positive critical reviews for the app. Surfing Vine as a stand-alone service is rewarding, but as you might expect, quality and substance are spread unevenly, as in Twitter. The cute brigade is bulking up with cat and dog clips, foodies assume we have an appetite for 6-second visual timelines of dinner devouring, and stop-motion specialists are reborn in the new format.

The first written history of Vine. vine.co/v/bJMjlEnW61w

- Brad Hill (@BradHill) January 28, 2013

After joining this thing I started seeing Twitter photos differently, as underpowered Vine potentials. I am not a disciple of the internet's tidal migration to video, and I worry about already debilitated attention spans in the online citizenry. But Vine is too much fun on its own to quibble, and it's a perfect Twitter accessory.

The people I stalk on Twitter don't seem to be rushing in: of the 385 individuals I follow, only 12 had signed up (via their Twitter accounts) by Sunday night. If I could expand my fledgling Vine community with Facebook friends ... oh, never mind. In a well-publicized maneuver, Facebook cut Vine's access to Facebook's friend-finder API which external platforms use to connect their members to Facebook friends.

Facebook cut a path through confused and generally negative media coverage by revising its Facebook Platform Policies for developers. The chief explanatory addendum related to the Vine cut-off says this: "Replicating core functionality: You may not use Facebook Platform to promote, or to export user data to, a product or service that replicates a core Facebook product or service without our permission."

You might not think that Vine's quick-vid, point-and-shoot app replicates a core function of Facebook, since uploading a video directly to FB can be a soul-tormenting experience that ends in failure and dismay. Facebook is in the media-sharing business for sure, and in that broader context the new clause apparently applies. A parallel context is an assumed reciprocal animosity between Facebook and Twitter -- when Facebook acquired Instagram, which was and is rabidly used in tweets, Twitter cut the same friend-finding cord to Facebook.

The truest context is the largest, and shines light on the role of social media users in ecosystem battles. Facebook and Twitter are both naturally motivated to keep visitors magnetized to their respective platforms. Facebook doesn't mind its users stepping into the larger internet for unrelated activities. But the company fears losing its grip on addicted users who might be lured onto a platform that has out-innovated Facebook in a certain space. It's not really that Vine is "replicating core functionality" now, but it is anticipating what Facebook might want to launch and monetize in the future.

These argumentative feints seem painfully trivial since anyone can join Vine at any time. For Facebook, maintaining scale in a relentlessly competitive environment involves plugging possible usage leaks. For users, the complaint is about an artificially fragmented social graph.

Many people who are socially active online enjoy the variety and contrasting features of different platforms, and are happy with multiple residences and communities with more or less overlap. My three main hangouts -- Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud -- are distinct from each other. Twitter is the most virtual; I haven't met most of the people I follow. Facebook is better for extending offline relationships onto the screen. My SoundCloud connections are kindred around music creation.

Even with this degree of separation, users are right to expect porous boundaries when liquidity is wanted. Sharing content across walls is part of it; I can extend tweets to Facebook, and share SoundCloud tracks everywhere. The more important user need is accessing friendship connections in different networks. The desire might not arise often, but when it is blocked, the ensuing friction feels artificial and hostile.

The issue arose in both the Instagram acquisition (by Facebook) and the Vine launch (by Twitter), for a reason that will become more common with new waves of mobile apps. It is about the creative quality of those apps. When we create something above and beyond the bedrock social function of connecting to friends, we naturally want to gather together a large community for sharing. It is when sharing a creation, even a photo or 6-second video, that we want to flip our conception of our social graph from several independent networks to one integrated network. It's like a 3D painting that suddenly becomes deep when you look at it in a certain way.

If there is one giant lesson of the last 20 years in the online community industry, it is that walling the garden never succeeds in the long run.

When Facebook or Twitter cuts the cord which integrates our friendship circles (the friend-finding part of their API), it becomes frustratingly clear that we are owned. We don't freely own our social connections across the internet. Social users are owned assets, like dollars in the bank, guarded by platform policies and hedged by developmental roadmaps that seek to cut off competing apps at the knees. I'm not the first to speculate that Facebook might develop a Vine-like function pronto. If so, Facebook users might be delighted with it, and settle ever more comfortably into the walled garden. That's fine.

But if there is one giant lesson of the last 20 years in the online community industry, it is that walling the garden never succeeds in the long run. AOL was the case study during the web's emergent period. Hugely successful during a span of years when mainstream confusion about the internet was neatly solved by carving out a comforting oasis, the company was eventually brought to a point of reinvention by better knowledge and better access. When you're a galaxy you can't hide the universe forever.

Facebook has attained much greater scale than AOL ever did. This business with Twitter / Vine is just a snarky play in a continuing poker game. But as an ongoing strategy, disabling users from calling back to their friends from another social destination depersonalizes Facebook and contradicts the social ethos that it was founded on. No secrets, Mark? Then the users of whom you demand that standard should be allowed to tell their friends about Vine, and the next one, and the next. Beat your competitors if you can. But don't obscure them from your users.

---

Brad Hill is a former Vice President at AOL, and the former Director and General Manager of Weblogs, Inc. He can be found on Twitter and Vine as @bradhill.

Filed under: Misc, Meta, Internet

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/JnWxk0CUQn0/

Sherman Hemsley Olympics Opening Ceremony Katherine Jackson Olympics Opening Ceremony Time paris jackson paris jackson US weekly

US stocks mixed after strong Caterpillar earns

NEW YORK (AP) ? U.S. stocks were mixed in midday trading despite of encouraging signs about the manufacturing sector, a key driver of economic growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 70 points to 13,895 and the Nasdaq composite average rose 11 points to 3,160. The S&P 500 dropped less than a point to 1,502.

Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar said its adjusted fourth-quarter net income exceeded analysts' expectations. The stock was the biggest gainer in the Dow Jones, rising $2.07 to $97.65.

The government said orders for long-lasting goods rose in December by 4.6 percent, helped by a 10 percent gain in orders for new aircraft.

A Realtor group said a measure of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes fell last month. Sales were held back by a limited supply of available homes.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-stocks-mixed-strong-caterpillar-earns-165554389--finance.html

ufc 145 results orrin hatch marlon byrd charles colson humber raffi torres michael mcdonald

Wait Six Months Between New Quotes to Save Money on Car Insurance

Saving money on car insurance is never as easy as the commercials claim it is, and the savings are never as large as they promise, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to save anything. If you wait six months between farming quotes, insurance companies will consider you a "new" or "not returning" customer, and offer you better promotional rates.

This tip comes from Daniel at Sweating the Big Stuff, who explains that he's worked at a large insurance company in the past, and while the savings from using this technique aren't huge (he saved about $43 every six months - little more than $7/mo), they're something:

Knowing from my previous job at a large insurance company that users who request quotes more than 6 months apart will be offered better rates, I waiting more than 6 months from my last request and went online to see how much I could save. It turns out that for comparable insurance (actually, slightly more coverage), I am able to save $43 over the 6 month term.

He also goes on to explain that if an insurance company claims to be able to save you hundreds of dollars on insurance, they're probably just going to under-insure you by offering less coverage than you're used to having, or by jacking up your deductible. Very few people actually save hundreds just by switching insurance companies. Still, you can save a few bucks here or there, you just have to time your shopping right.

How Much Do You Need To Save To Switch Insurance Companies? | Sweating the Big Stuff

Photo by andrew steinmetz.

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/V3HZboI1S2s/wait-six-months-between-new-quotes-to-save-money-on-car-insurance

extenze tenacious d steve smith zou bisou bisou tim tebow press conference tebow press conference trina

Is Your Email Marketing System Doing All It Should? | Cashillion

A superior?email marketing system?does far more than just deliver emails to your subscribers. Of course you want an exceptional delivery rate, but there is much more to it than that. A dependable and reliable email marketing system should also offer many other features in order for you to determine how well your campaigns are working, and how effective they are.

Those who have been in business for any length of time know that building a list is a must. Most people do not buy a product/service the first time they are exposed to it; building a trusting relationship is the foundation of any successful business. In developing this relationship, you have the potential to market your product/service to your subscribers for years to come. Therefore, an exceptional email marketing system is essential to your long-term success and profitability.

There are many services on the market today that offer the features you need. Unfortunately, many of them are hard for the average person to figure out. An email marketing system that is too technical or confusing isn?t advantageous to any business owner. When you have to spend the biggest portion of the day trying to learn how to use your email marketing system, it takes away from time that needs to be spent on other areas of your business.

What should you look for in a service? Some of the features you want for your business include user friendliness, flexibility, list management capabilities and exceptional reporting and analytical tools. Your business may require that you survey your subscribers occasionally, or you may want to send out a newsletter on a weekly or monthly basis. Before you invest in any email marketing system, make sure it offers all of the features you need to run your business most effectively.

When you first begin to consider building a list of targeted subscribers it can be intimidating. You have no idea how an autoresponder works, or how to determine if it is doing what you intended for it to do, which is build your business. You want an?email marketing system?that is known for delivering your messages on time, every time ? but you also want one that you will be able to use without having to take a course to do so.

The ultimate success of any online business hinges on building relationships. Be sure that when you choose an email marketing system, it is one that offers all of the features you need at a price you can afford. Also be certain that the provider offers exceptional support of their services, so that you can quickly get solutions when you need them.

Source: http://www.cashillion.com/2013/is-your-email-marketing-system-doing-all-it-should/

bedtime stories micron susan g komen kenyon martin kenyon martin big miracle slab city

SimpleSignal's Video Conferencing Team Receives RealPresence ...

SimpleSignal Continues Significant Commitment of Resources to Hosted Video Communication and Collaboration as a Key Initiative for 2013.

Dana Point, CA (PRWEB) January 25, 2013

SimpleSignal, Inc., the leading service provider of cloud-based unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) for business, today announced RealPresence Environment Certification from Polycom, Inc., the global leader in open standards-based unified communications and collaboration. SimpleSignal Channel Managers: Scott Davidson, Ira Feuerstein, Shannon Martin, Ryan McDowell, and Jeff Sexton, along with the company?s Executive Vice President, Michael Sterl, were acknowledged by Polycom as Qualified Representatives of the RealPresence video conferencing solution.

?As part of our strategic partnership with Polycom, we feel this certification allows our channel managers to provide best in class service not only to our existing customers but also to our channel partners and their customers,? said Michael Sterl. ?As we continue to improve SimpleSignal?s Video-as-a-Service (VaaS) offering, it is critical that all members of our team understand the interoperability of the Polycom RealPresence environment with our service.?

The RealPresence Environment Sales Track, presented by Polycom University, provides a comprehensive overview of the RealPresence environment including immersive telepresence, desktop and mobile applications, as well as an overview of the supported video endpoints. Additionally, the course provides detailed information regarding various financing options from Polycom.

Polycom University offers targeted training content delivered by the company?s team of highly-skilled instructors and can be deployed in a classroom setting, which is available live online as well, or as a self-paced online program. Each track for product-based courses provides a blend of both instructor lectures and presentations and hands-on exercises. This dynamic blend of educational techniques equips students with valuable product knowledge, solution-based problem resolution and a complete understanding of the video collaboration systems.

About SimpleSignal
SimpleSignal is an enterprise hosted PBX and cloud-based Unified Communications service provider, delivering voice, video, and mobile communications to thousands of satisfied business customers globally. The company provides the most innovative and advanced mobile/video PBX capabilities in the industry, and is one of the first companies ever to extend video PBX telephony over iPads, iPhones, and Android mobile devices that can connect with any brand of video conferencing equipment. For more information, visit http://www.simplesignal.com, check out the company blog at http://www.simplesignal.com/blog, or connect at facebook.com/simplesignal and twitter.com/simplesignal.

About Polycom
Polycom is the global leader in open standards-based unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) solutions for voice and video collaboration, trusted by more than 415,000 customers around the world. Polycom solutions are powered by the Polycom? RealPresence? Platform, comprehensive software infrastructure and rich APIs that interoperate with the broadest set of communication, business, mobile and cloud applications and devices to deliver secure face-to-face video collaboration in any environment. Polycom and its ecosystem of over 7,000 partners provide truly unified communications solutions that deliver the best user experience, highest multi-vendor interoperability, and lowest TCO. Visit http://www.polycom.com or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn how we?re pushing the greatness of human collaboration forward.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2013/1/prweb10359470.htm

Source: http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2013/01/25/simplesignal%E2%80%99s-video-conferencing-team-receives-realpresence-environment-certification-po

great expectations jake owen oosthuizen louis double eagle bubba masters winner instagram facebook

Kim Kardashian Flashes Expensive Bling from "The Don"

Source:

breitbart dead db cooper fafsa branson missouri davy jones dead monkees last train to clarksville

The Importance of the New | AudioStream

It seems like every generation feels that their music is the best. Our music is the most original, the most artful, the most meaningful. All this new stuff is just crap or worse, derivative crap, and all of the older stuff is mostly just oldies. Some people will stretch their veneration a generation or century or more in order to land on their music-of-choice, but the tendency to lay claim to a specific point in history as being the origin of the best music (or art or literature or architecture) is common. And that's a damn shame because we're missing out on other worlds of bests.

I have a simple, obvious theory (one of many) which goes like this?we are most receptive to music during puberty. Music reaches deep down inside and touches something during our teen years that as we get older grows either too small to be touched or too remote to be found. No matter the case, it seems like the music we choose as our music during our teens remains the emotional height to which all other music must strive. But it rarely ever gets there. I'd point to the eternally youthful oldies stations and healthy reissue market where we see people buying then re-buying their favorite music in various formats from LP to tape to CD to SACD to 45rpm LP to HD download to the special anniversary edition as proof. We grow old along with our cherished music and scoff at everything that has come since.

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon Pablo Picasso (1907)

I know, I know. You are different because your music really is better. Right. The other aspect of the re-buy is the pursuit of better sound quality which goes hand in hand with sedentary listening. If you're listening to music in your car or on the subway, there's really no need to get the better-sounding version. And the sedentary listener is also mostly the aging listener. "But when I was a teenager, we would just sit and listen to music. Kids today don't do that." The notion that we are only serious about music if we sit still and quiet and listen is an audiophile myth. In most non-Western cultures, music is as important if not more important than it is in Western civilizations and it is also typically part of some other activity. Like dancing. Or singing. The day that someone declared all serious music listeners must sit quietly still was the day someone figured out they could make money from this kind of behavior.

The concert hall is a serious place for music, the dance hall a place for kids or the less cultured. Music is serious business that demands our undivided attention. And I agree that sometimes this is the case but not all times. I'm very thankful that our teenage daughters do not spend hours alone planted in a chair listening to music. If they did, I'd start to think something was wrong. Don't get me wrong, they listen to tons of music tons of the time and music is as important to them as it was for me when I was their age. But to expect a teenager to get excited about a fictional soundstage is just wrong-headed.

To get back to my main point, we attach ourselves to the music from our teenage years so strongly, it may as well be in our bones. Which makes opening up to the new, difficult (even when that new is old although older music is always less threatening). There's always that pang of, it's no Jimi Hendrix (to use a personal reference). The thing to keep in mind is art reflects the time in which its made. Popular and unpopular alike, our current music speaks to our current times. The same holds for most forms of art and expression.

Which is why I try to read about and listen to as much new music as I can. My feeling is, and here's another one of those pet theories, we need to fight against nostalgia when choosing what music we listen to to keep our minds and bodies open to the new. Listening to Physical Graffiti is a blast, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to wallow in it. I don't want to regress back into the smoke-filled 1970s and close my eyes and ears to the now, rejecting our newer musical forms of expression as being less meaningful. By doing so, it becomes so even though its not so.

Source: http://www.audiostream.com/content/importance-new

baa samoyed kenny powers kenny powers carl hagelin triple play james neal

Email Autoresponders | T?l?phones portables d?bloqu?s

Those of you who wish to take control of your business on the Internet with automated tasks need a functional and easy to use automatic email response system. An automatic email response system will take care of any emails you receive, and automatically deliver a response to potential clients 24 hours a day ? 7 [...]

Source: http://telephones-portables-debloques.blogspot.com/2013/01/email-autoresponders.html

Tony Farmer West Nile virus symptoms snooki ll cool j amy schumer amy schumer Prince Harry Vegas pictures

Entrepreneurs plan D.C. road trip to talk up immigration reform (reuters)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/279299010?client_source=feed&format=rss

49ers game steven tyler national anthem paterno newt gingrich joe pa joe pa joe paterno dead

I Learned Effect from Spot LED GU10 | Home Improvement Ideas

I already work as lighting engineer for years before I finally found LED lights. This technology already helps me a lot on later years, and I learned a lot from these lights. First, a lighting system would be a complicated system. Most of the time, we needed to rehearse and test the setting for multiple times before we finally get the right composition and atmosphere. LED lights change the way I work.

First, I learned that more advanced technology, if it is used properly, will create more enchanting results. LED does not only results powerful light. With some more specific touch, it creates mood and atmosphere on stage and room. I can even make collaboration between decoration and spot led lighting into something dramatic. This is why they paid me the big bucks.

Second, I also learned that we always need the highest quality of tools to make highest expectation comes true. LED lights save me money because of their durability. They have long life span and it gives just the best support for people like me. I can earn more while producing more as well. Plus, as it takes small power, everyone likes to work with me. LED lights run up my business.

Related posts:

1. New Lighting Trend Using Ampoule LED GU10 50w
2. How Ampoule GU10 LED Saves Your Money
3. String Lights for Your Cafe
4. Projecteur LED RGB Exterieur with Multicolor Options
5. Why I Chose Projecteur LED 30W High Power LED Blanc Froid

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.gwalibya.org/398/i-learned-effect-from-spot-led-gu10.html

ground hog groundhog day 2012 serrano staten island chuck dr jekyll and mr hyde edwin jackson punksatony phil