Author: Serkadis

  • Barrichello Will Debut FW32 at Valencia

    Williams F1 Team will debut their 2010 challenger next Monday, on Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit. The team announced it for quite some time, as a spokesman for the British organization revealed the car launch will not even take place during an organized media event. Practically, the first time one will get to see the FW32 this year will be on track, rather than during a photo shoot.

    Consequently, the team also had to announce the driver who’ll debut their new car on the Spanish venue. While… (read more)

  • AFP Crowds Across the Country Gather to Watch State of the Union

    01.27.10 10:13 PM

    Last night from Hot Springs, Arkansas I watched with over 300 grassroots activists at our Americans for Prosperity town hall meeting as President Obama attempted one of the more embarrassing political conversions in American history.

    read more

    http://www.americansforprosperity.or…ch-state-union

  • Bernanke: Too Big Not to Fail

    01.27.10 03:20 PM posted by scottspiegel

    Critics of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s performance in his first term blame him for failing to recognize the threat of the looming subprime lending crisis; his supporters laud the aggressive policies he enacted in response to the crisis.

    I fault him for both.

    Before the crisis, Bernanke helped Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives cover up their scheme to hide trillions of dollars in junk mortgages and give themselves enormous bonuses. In the process, he failed to address the growing housing bubble that precipitated the financial crisis.

    His solution was worse. Having learned the wrong lesson from the Great Depression—that the government prolonged it by not intervening more, rather than intervening too much—Bernanke radically expanded government’s power and “reinvented the Fed,” as Time magazine put it mildly in their recent cover story on Bernanke.

    Time glowingly continued: “[H]e conjured up trillions of new dollars and blasted them into the economy; engineered massive public rescues of failing private companies… lent to mutual funds, hedge funds, foreign banks, investment banks, manufacturers, insurers and other borrowers who had never dreamed of receiving Fed cash… revolutionized housing finance with a breathtaking shopping spree for mortgage bonds; blew up the Fed’s balance sheet to three times its previous size; and generally transformed the staid arena of central banking into a stage for desperate improvisation.”

    “Conjured up,” “blasted,” “engineered,” “revolutionized,” “breathtaking,” “shopping spree,” “blew up,” “desperate improvisation”—somehow these don’t sound like particularly reassuring terms for investors in the world’s largest financial system. read more »

    http://www.conservativeoutpost.com/b…o_big_not_fail

  • Sotu-potus

    01.27.10 11:08 PM posted by cominius

    The full text of the State of the Union address and interspersed commentary is provided below the fold. The response provided by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in the chamber of the oldest legislative body in America was brilliant and a stark contrast to the address by President Obama. In Richmond, an address of optimism belonging to a free people who are capable, self sufficient and generous and who can govern themselves at government which is close to and response to them. In Washington, an address of a petty tyrant, that national government is the only answer to all problems for a people who are dependent serfs. Comments are shown offset by breaks and contrasting color.

    Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the Presidentshall give to Congress information about the state of our union. Fortwo hundred and twenty years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty.They have done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility. Andthey have done so in the midst of war and depression; at moments ofgreat strife and great struggle.

    It’s tempting to look back on these moments and assume that ourprogress was inevitable – that America was always destined to succeed.But when the Union was turned back at Bull Run and the Allies firstlanded at Omaha Beach, victory was very much in doubt. When the marketcrashed on Black Tuesday and civil rights marchers were beaten onBloody Sunday, the future was anything but certain. These were timesthat tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of ourunion. And despite all our divisions and disagreements; our hesitationsand our fears; America prevailed because we chose to move forward asone nation, and one people. read more »

    http://www.conservativeoutpost.com/sotupotus

  • Marchionne Doubtful That Saab-Spyker Would Work

    General Motors yesterday announced its decision to sell Saab to Dutch carmaker Spyker and everyone was happy to finally find out that the Swedish brand will survive. However, some people involved in the automotive industry believe that a Saab – Spyker alliance might not work, mostly because becoming a profitable niche company could prove to be very difficult in the current economic conditions.

    Sergio Marchionne, Fiat and Chrysler CEO, is one of the skeptical guys and thinks that the Dutch car… (read more)

  • Universities’ Failed Foray As Wannabe Hedge Funds Results In Massive Added Debt Just To Make Ends Meet

    harvard summers sexist

    Latest university endowment data shows that Harvard lost 29.8% on its investments in the fiscal year end June 2009. Yale lost 28.8%.

    While Universities’ foray as quasi-hedge funds hurt them badly, they actually outperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin. Over ten years their endowments still managed to eke out a 4% gain, while the S&P 500 lost 20%.

    Steep recent losses have nonetheless forced many universities to leverage up with debt in order meet their spending needs, which seems a disturbing new trend in and of itself:

    WSJ: More than half of the schools said they increased their endowment spending and 35% of institutions increased the amount of their long-term debt, many to cover the increased needs of student financial aid and meet basic operating expenses.

    Total long-term debt at these institutions rose to $167.8 million from $109.1 million the previous year. Average debt levels were driven upward by institutions with assets over $1 billion and by public institutions, the study said.

    “Public institutions don’t have much choice,” Griswold said. “Subsidies from state legislatures have been slashed and donations are down, it’s a double-whammy.”

    Read more here >

    Join the conversation about this story »

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  • Super Street Fighter IV Collector’s Edition

    A Collector’s Edition for Super Street Fighter IV has just been confirmed by Capcom, foks! It will be released on April, but believe me, there’s more you’d want to find out apart from the release date.
     
     
     

  • Google Explains CAPTCHA

    Spam is as big a problem as always, recent studies found that as much as 95 percent of all email is spam. But it’s not just email, spammers are always finding new avenues. As any bloggers who hosts their own blogs will tell you, spam in the comments is a huge problem. One way of deterring it is by using a CAPTCHA (completely automated public Turing test to tell computers… (read more)

  • Toyota Recall and Suspension of Sales – What You Need to Know

    The snowballing effect caused by Toyota’s two huge recalls and the suspension of sales for certain US models has prompted the Japanese manufacturer into releasing, for the second time in a week, a type of "what you need to know" list. The list, which can be found in full at the bottom of this article, tries to tackle all question owners of Toyota vehicles have regarding the potentially life threatening situation.

    As you know, on January 22 Toyota issued a voluntary recall of 2.3 mi… (read more)

  • Media Create software sales: January 18 – 24 2010

    The Media Create software sales for the week of January 18 through January 24, 2010 is out. Sitting on top is what else the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, selling another 111,000 units.
     
     
     

  • Credibility storm brewing on climate change by Lorne Gunter, National Post

    Article Tags: Lorne Gunter

    Revelations about how the United Nations and its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have manipulated scientific data to support their contention that man-made carbon emissions are altering the world’s climate are now flying out like bees from a wet hive — fast and furious.

    First, of course, there were the thousands of emails and computer files leaked last November that show many of the world’s leading climate scientists manipulating their own climate data to overstate the case for global warming; conspiring to hide their “tricks” even from government access to information requests and then bullying scientific journals not to publish the work of scientists whose work cast doubts on the theory.

    Then came evidence last week that the IPCC had passed off pure speculation on the rate of glacier melt as ironclad scientific fact. In its most recent “Assessment Report” — AR4 in 2007 — the UN agency garnered much media attention for its claim that there was a 90% likelihood that all 15,000 Himalayan glaciers would disappear by 2035. Except the report this assertion was based on was eight years old at the time, had never been peer-reviewed or published, and turned out to have been authored by a man now working at an environmental advocacy group run by the head of the IPCC.

    Source: network.nationalpost.com

    Read in full with comments »   


  • HP’s TouchSmart tm2 gets exhaustively unboxed on video

    We heard that HP’s recently unveiled TouchSmart tm2 tablet would begin shipping immediately, and given that said “unveiling” happened just last week, well… you know we couldn’t lay off the first unboxing video that we’ve seen. One particular user decided to bless us (or harass us, depending on perspective) with five full minutes of YouTube footage dedicated to the device’s unwrapping, which even includes a breathtaking view of the owners manual being glanced right over in favor of that whole “jumping right in” thing. Be sure to hit up the More Coverage link below if you’re a to-be owner — already lots of chatter going on from folks who just landed one of their own.

    [Thanks, Mike and Andy]

    Continue reading HP’s TouchSmart tm2 gets exhaustively unboxed on video

    HP’s TouchSmart tm2 gets exhaustively unboxed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Scientists in e-mail scandal hid climate data by Ben Webster, Environment Editor, and Jonathan Leake, The Times

    Article Tags: ClimateGate, Front Page News, Newspaper Article, Updated

    Image AttachmentThe university at the centre of the climate change row over stolen e-mails broke the law by refusing to hand over its raw data for public scrutiny.

    The University of East Anglia breached the Freedom of Information Act by refusing to comply with requests for data concerning claims by its scientists that man-made emissions were causing global warming.

    The Information Commissioner’s Office decided that UEA failed in its duties under the Act but said that it could not prosecute those involved because the complaint was made too late, The Times has learnt. The ICO is now seeking to change the law to allow prosecutions if a complaint is made more than six months after a breach.

    The stolen e-mails , revealed on the eve of the Copenhagen summit, showed how the university’s Climatic Research Unit attempted to thwart requests for scientific data and other information, and suggest that senior figures at the university were involved in decisions to refuse the requests. It is not known who stole the e-mails.

    Clck to read FULL report from Ben Webster, Environment Editor, and Jonathan Leake

    Updated below from the Dail Mail & BBC

    Read in full with comments »   


  • New Seat Leon revealed in video

    After the accidental video revealing the new Golf 7, it looks like Seat has also inadvertently revealed a drawing of the new Seat Leon in the background of an interview with a Seat manager. The interview is part of a news service from Spanish television, TV3, and in the background we see a mock-up of a three-door compact sports model.

    It’s quite possible that this is a look at the new Leon SC, expected to debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in October. Despite the planned presentation and the drawing, it’s still unknown whether the Leon SC will debut as a concept car or in its final production form.

    Seat Leon SC drawing revealed Seat Leon SC drawing revealed Seat Leon SC drawing revealed Seat Leon SC drawing revealed

    Source | Autoblog.it


  • More Photos of iPad Accessories (With Prices!) [Apple]

    In case you’re ravenously scouring the ‘tubes for more shots of the iPad accessories (keyboard dock, case, dongles), look no further. iLounge has bonus shots of all four items, and impressions of the iPad case (which they say feels cheap).

    iLounge says the Keyboard dock costs $70, the case costs $40, the SD/USB connection kit costs $30 and the VGA display adapter costs $30 (1024×768 only). Anyways, check out more pics here, here, here and here. [iLounge]






  • Toyota Accelerator Pedal Disaster Won’t Come Unstuck As Shares Keep Crashing

    Toyota Mat

    Toyota shares are being crushed by the company’s auto recalls and production halts due to malfunctioning stuck-accelerator death pedals.

    Shares are down another 3.9% right now in Tokyo, even after yesterday’s blood bath.

    They’ve now collapsed 15% in just five trading sessions.

    Bloomberg: Toyota’s “reputation for long-term quality is finished,” said Maryann Keller, senior adviser at Casesa Shapiro Group LLC in New York, a strategic adviser to auto industry. “People aren’t going to buy Toyotas, period. It doesn’t matter which model. What’s happened is sufficient to keep people out of the stores,” she said in an interview yesterday.

    It’s shocking the amount of damage a faulty rubber mat can do.

    Join the conversation about this story »

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  • Saab and Volvo. Return of the MILFs…

    … Saab engineers, who were already paid with money that don’t exist, can now open the champagne bottles. The cheerful gang of 3,400 people, all Swedish and all brave and intelligent, will be able to continue making this iconic brand called Saab.

    The hot dream of those who like to kid themselves in thinking that they own an exclusive and pure Swedish car will continue to exist and to shred money and brain cells off of any CEO unlucky enough to run such a company.

    OK, they will be hea… (read more)

  • G-Power Typhoon “Black Pearl” BMW X5

    Attachment 275636

    PRESS RELEASE

    G-POWER TYPHOON „BLACK PEARL" based on the BMW X5 (E70) 625 hp and over 300 km/h V/max

    The G-POWER TYPHOON "Black Pearl" arrived! At the end of the jubilee year "25 years G-POWER", G-POWER introduces an exclusive special model of the G-POWER X5 TYPHOON to the market. Driven by the 625 hp / 460 kW strong G-POWER SK III RS Eight Cylinder Compressor Engine, the Black Beauty darts over the motor-way with more than 300 km/h.

    Brawny wing extensions and strikingly formed front- and rear skirts qualified for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, mark the appearance of the G-POWER TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL". And as the name already applies, it is entirely black. An exciting eye-catcher is the G-POWER "BLACK PEARL" bonnet which ensures an improved removal of the hot exit air from both turbo chargers out of the engine compartment by a central Venturi engine compartment ventilation for driving and 2 lateral ABS-grids for the standard ventilation. Moreover, the noble carbon structure is the figurehead of the G-POWER TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL".

    Attachment 275637
    Attachment 275638

    If desired, the body makeover in OEM-quality can also be delivered in PU-Rim and the G-POWER designers used the most modern CAD technology when producing it. Therefore, the basic car has been entirely digitalised with an in-house 3D-Scanner. The elegantly formed G-POWER wing extensions at the front- and back axle which are naturally delivered with a perfectly matching inner wing extend the X5 by seven centimetres. They make room for extra-broad 23" wheels and tyres. The especially for the TYPHON "BLACK PEARL" developed G-POWER SILVERSTONE aluminium wheels in the dimensions 11Jx23 at the front and 12Jx23 at the back were also designed entirely black. Four high-performance tyres measuring 315/25 ZR 23 by the development partner Michelin render optimal traction and sporty handling.

    In combination with the extended wings, especially the absolute independently styled G-POWER TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL" front skirt, the facial expression of the exclusive SUV is formed. The large air inlets do not only improve the overtaking prestige, they also guarantee an optimised cooling of the engine and the front brakes. Moreover, due to its elaborate shaping, the aerodynamic lifting forces at the front axle could be reduced.

    Attachment 275639
    Attachment 275640

    The rear skirt of the TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL" has been designed like the front skirt and therefore entirely replaces the serial bumpers. Apart from the two striking end pipes of the G-POWER stainless steel sport end muffler, the diffuser also marks the rear appearance. And in combination with the spoiler which is attached to the boot lid and visually prolongs the roof line, the lifting forces at the rear axle are also minimised.

    The TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL" side skirts do not only provide an aerodynamically favourable transition between the extensions: on their bottom side five LED units which can be activated by remote control or by pulling a handle at the door, illuminate the ground at both sides of the car. At the upper side, stainless steel inserts with an also blue illuminated G-POWER logo are integrated.

    Matching the dynamic appearance, G-POWER offers an extremely strong motorisation for the G-POWER TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL". In co-operation with ASA, the world-wide renowned developer and OEM-supplier of high-tech supercharger systems, a mechanic charging system for the eight-cylinder four-valve engine has been created.

    Attachment 275641
    Attachment 275642

    The G-POWER SK III RS supercharger system gives the 4.8 litre engine a performance increase of 270 hp / 199 kW to 625 hp / 460 kW at 6,100 r.p.m. and renders a torque increase of 225 Nm to 700 Nm at 5,300 r.p.m. Compared to turbo models, such a strongly equipped engine reacts to any impact to the gas pedal aggressively and without any delay. In order to achieve this performance, an ASA T1- 725 charger with radial centrifugal clutch is flanged to the engine with a CNC-milled, high-strength framework structure. The supercharger which is powered by a crankshaft via the multi-rib belt has an oil flow which is integrated into the engine oil circulation for lubrication. The boost pressure is 1.0 bar.

    This performance explosion originates in the core part of the G-POWER supercharger systems, the entirely newly developed T1-723 ASA radial supercharger. Moreover, supercharger systems are also used in the ALPINA models B5S, B6S and B7, and of course also in the ALPINA B6 GT3 race car, in which the ASA supercharger impressively confirmed its reliability and quality in the "Green Hell" at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring this year. The exclusive use of components in OEM-quality is an essential part of the G-POWER philosophy and the basis for extraordinarily high quality, reliability and durability of G-POWER products.

    Attachment 275643
    Attachment 275644

    The two-part carbon intake air duct with large, aerodynamic transverse sections, a large-volume aluminium charge air cooling system in the front of the X5 and a G-POWER SPEEDFLOW high-performance exhaust system which is entirely made of stainless steel and includes racing headers, racing catalysts and end mufflers, form the peripheral equipment of the supercharged engine and moreover render an earthy sound which emphasises the acoustics of the eight-cylinder engine.

    Also, the engine itself is thoroughly refined by G-POWER. Starting with a new set of forged pistons for compression reduction, manufactured in the Formula 1 department at MAHLE, over eight balance- and weight-optimised high-performance connecting rods up to a precisely manufactured crankshaft, the BMW V8 engine is completely re-engineered. Eight new fuel injectors with a larger fuel mass capacity, a new ignition map for engine electronics and an additional re-cooling system for engine oil and cooling water perfect the engine makeover. Of course, also the serial transmission is modified and adjusted to the performance.

    The enormous performance potential of the G-POWER SK III RS supercharged engine in combination with the six-gear automatic transmission and the xDrive 4WD enables the SUV to render a driving behaviour which confirms it as a top player in its vehicle class. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 4.5 seconds. After 16 seconds, the mighty five-door car already reaches a velocity of 200 km/h. The maximum speed more than 300 km/h.

    Attachment 275645

    The G-POWER TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL" cockpit can be refined with exclusive accessories like an ergonomically formed sport steering wheel, a speedometer in TYPHOON design and interior linings made of full carbon. Further wishes can be fulfilled with exclusive interior equipments in all possible leather and ultra-suede colours.

    The G-POWER TYPHOON "BLACK PEARL" can be ordered as a complete automobile from € 295,000 (net). Alternatively, any BMW X5 E70 can be refined with individual G-POWER components of the high-performance SUV.

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  • feature: Insanely great? Ars reacts to the Apple iPad




    After a decade of waiting, the Apple tablet is finally here, and reactions across the Internet are mixed, to say the least. Sure, there’s always a bit of widespread deflation after a launch with so much hype behind it; nonetheless, the range of attitudes towards the iPad goes from “it’s a great tablet, but I’ll have to wait and see about the ‘revolution’ part,” to “I’m so disappointed that it’s just a giant iPod touch.” Missing is the near-universal “Apple has changed the game” sentiment that followed the launch of the iPhone.

    None of this is to say that the iPad won’t fundamentally change the game. It’s just that this launch is closer to that of the original iPod—the idea itself isn’t exactly new, competing offerings seem arguably better in some respects, and Apple will have to set itself apart from the pack by delivering a superior user and e-commerce experience. In other words, the iPad isn’t going to waltz in and just change the world, the way that its smaller predecessor, the iPhone, did. It’ll have to fight its way to the top, like the iPod.

    As was the case in the wider tech community, reactions to the device at Ars HQ were mixed. During the launch event, tensions ran high, fights broke out over issues like Flash support and the e-book experience, chairs were thrown, and the server melted down from the incredible load of a legion of tech geeks dying to get a glimpse of the Next Big Thing.

    Now that we’ve had time to get the site back together and collect our thoughts, we’ve put together the following, quick reactions to the iPad. All of the usual caveats apply—opinions are subject to change, your mileage may vary, and so on and so forth. Now, on to our take on the Apple tablet.

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  • T-Mobile launches early upgrade program for post-paid smartphone customers

    tmobile

    If you’re like us, keeping a smart phone for two years really isn’t an option. After about 6 months of ownership the honeymoon is over; after 9 months you begin to obsess over a few battle scars your phone has acquired, and by month 12 you are actively seeking your phone’s demise so you have an excuse to buy the latest and greatest. Starting immediately, T-Mobile will be offering post-paid smartphone customers on a two year contract — or feature phone owners looking to upgrade to a smartphone — two tiers of upgrade pricing… as long as you are willing to renew your two year deal. The move is aimed at curbing the number of customers jumping from T-Mobile to other networks, specifically AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Customers will be eligible for a “tier 1″ discount if they have had their phone for 1-11 months, are currently in a two year contract, and have an individual voice plan that is $29.99 or higher — $49.99 or higher for family plans — and are upgrading to, or buying a new smartphone. Customers qualify for “tier 2″ pricing when they are in a two year contract, have an individual voice plan that is $29.99 or higher — $49.99 or higher for family plans — are between months 12-21 of their two year contract, and are upgrading to, or buying a new, smartphone. The exact discount pricing hasn’t been made available yet, but TmoNews speculates that a myTouch 3G, which retails for $400, would cost those that qualify for the “tier 2″ pricing around $240.

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