Author: Serkadis

Date: 1/8/2010
Show: Anderson Cooper 360
Channel: CNN

Transcript

Anderson Cooper: Palin has reportedly decided to skip the upcoming CPAC conference, which is a major event for conservatives, especially those seeking the White House. Cambridge, Governor Bobby Jindal and others have been invited to speak. Palin was asked to be a speaker, but turned it down. At the same time, Palin has agreed to be the paid keynote speaker at the first ever National Tea Party Convention. That’s taking place next month in Nashville. She is apparently putting a political observer, sending a message to her party and her base. But those messages are being interpreted differently, of course, by different groups.

With us now is Ron Paul, Republican congressman and former presidential candidate. Congressman, I appreciate you being with us. Well, what do you make of Sarah Palin’s decision to not go to CPAC, but instead to go to this first ever Tea Party Convention?

Ron Paul: I don’t think I can make a whole lot out of it. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’ve been invited to CPAC, I’m going to attend that. And I think that’s a good function for a conservative Republican. But exactly what she is up to, I don’t know. And once you get paid for something, it’s a little bit different. As a member of Congress I don’t get paid, so I make my decisions in a different manner.

Anderson Cooper: What do you make of the Tea Party? I mean, it’s clearly in a very short amount of time grown, gotten a lot of attention. What do you make of it as you observe it?

Ron Paul: I think it’s very interesting and I think it’s very, very important. I feel in many ways that our campaign in the presidential race was part of this because it was more-or-less the first Tea Party. That was the day they raised so much money for me. And it looks like what has happened is a lot of people love the tool; the tool of the Tea Party. I don’t think it’s a monolith in any way. I think there are a lot of different groups coming together trying to get out in front. They know there are a lot of people out there that want change and they want different government, they’re angry at republicans and democrats. And certain individuals are trying to get out in front and lead this charge.

But I don’t think it represents one single group of people. For instance, when I go to the college campuses, I’m looking for groups to come out and I want to talk to them about personal liberty, I want to have them talk about sound monetary policy, and I emphasize foreign policy a whole lot. And some of these tea parties will emphasis and talk about that, but some of them totally ignore it. But I’m more choosey about what I want to do because the things that I’ve been talking about for 30 years, and especially these last 2 years are important to me and I believe sincerely they’re important to the country. So I’m going to keep pursuing those goals, and they don’t fit neatly into every package. I mean everybody that attends a tea party isn’t going to necessarily say, “Oh, I agree with everything that Ron Paul says” and I think that might be true of Palin or anybody else. And I think it’s too early to sort all this out.

Anderson Cooper: I thought one of the things that was so fascinating and important about your race for president was a lot when you talked to your supporters. There were people who were maybe before Democrats or Independents or Republicans, it seemed to be kind of putting aside the party and it was really about ideas and specific issues. And there is this energy and I do get the same sense from talking to people who go to Tea Party rallies, that it’s making people who haven’t even been involved in politics in a very extensive way, but who are mobilizing in a way. Do you think they can become a third party? I mean there are those who are saying they are now Tea Party candidates and they hope that it can become a viable third party. Do you think that’s possible?

Ron Paul: It’s always possible, it’s not likely because of all the laws biased against third parties. But I think you’re right; the people are coming in, joining in and they don’t that necessarily all have the same views. And I think that’s what’s happening, it’s being sorted out. I don’t think you can have one party. But, you know, I’ve tried to promote the ideas of liberty as an Independent and Libertarian. And it’s very, very difficult, because you don’t get on the debates. You don’t get coverage. You don’t get on ballots. And we have a very biased system. We don’t have a real democratic system because many of us have come to the conclusion – and this Tea Party movement would agree with me on this – that they don’t get a fair shake with the two party system and they’re tired of Republicans and they’re tired of Democrats. And therefore the two parties are the same.

I’ve been complaining for all along. They really don’t have a different foreign policy. I mean, how did the foreign policy change after Obama? We were supposed to see some changes. How does it change on personal liberties? No. I mean, we still have big government spying on Americans. Has monetary policy changed? I think we’re making a little inroads there with my efforts on auditing the Fed, but basically the leaders of both parties support the big issues and I think the American people are catching on because they’re facing a bankruptcy. They know the federal government can’t deliver the goods anymore and the people are getting worried no matter which spectrum they’re coming from. They know that the federal government is not able to deliver the goods anymore.

Anderson Cooper: Do you see anyone on the Republican side that excites you for 2012? And if not or even if you do, are you planning to run again?

Ron Paul: Well, I think it’s too early. I haven’t said no, but I don’t have any plans to do it. You know what kind of a job that is for somebody. I’m just going to take a year at a time. I’m up for re-election but I feel like I do the same thing steadily, constantly over a 30 years period, promoting one issue: personal liberty. And to me that’s what America was all about. The Constitution, limited government, property rights. And that’s where our prosperity comes from. So I think it’s such a great philosophy, and there is such a need now to go back to the beliefs that we once had. And that, to me, means you have to change foreign policy. And you have to change the concept of personal liberty and the free market. And that’s what I work on and I do it in the party and out of the party and education. But ultimately I have a lot more respect for education than I do for the politicians. Politicians really don’t change the world. It’s only the ideas that change the world, and that’s what I work in mostly.

Anderson Cooper: I ask a lot of potential candidates that question about whether they’re going to run again. And they always have a cutesy answer. I think you have the most honest answer when you said “I haven’t said no,” you’re thinking about it, but you haven’t made up your mind. I appreciate it. Congressman Paul, I appreciate you being on the program. Thank you.

Ron Paul: Thank you, good to be with you.

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, Lincoln, Luxury

The final piece of the Lincoln puzzle is here. Meet the new 2011 MKX. And yes, it does look quite a bit like the MKT. Depending on where you stand vis-a-vis the current MKX, the visual difference is either just a change, or a much needed improvement. Most of us are siding with the latter, though we fully realize that many folks simply don’t like the MKT. Bottom line, it is what is.

The really story is not the exterior – it’s the interior. Specifically, the MKX is the first vehicle getting Ford’s all new Minority Report-inspired (no, really) MyFord Touch system. Although in this application the futuristic navigation, entertainment, climate and phone system is called MyLincoln Touch. Hey, what’s in a name.

There’s more inside to greet you than just MyLincoln Touch, as the MKX features vastly improved materials than not only the previous car, but all other Lincolns. We touched, we felt and please trust us – the MKX is an nice, upscale place to be. Also, they’ve banished buttons. Literally, there aren’t any on the center stack. Instead you’re treated to a series of touch sensitive sliders. George Takei would be stoked. The best part: all this inner goodness will soon be making its way across the Lincoln lineup.

Continue reading Detroit 2010: Lincoln MKX gets facelift, MyLincoln Touch

Detroit 2010: Lincoln MKX gets facelift, MyLincoln Touch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to improve on last season’s .500 record, Head Coach Mark Smith has his Lady Hawks entering conference play with a 9-5 record. “Our record so far is good, but we feel there were a few games that we let slip away, so we could have a much better record,” says Smith.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the progress that we’ve made,” says Smith. “Our last 3-4 games have been good and we’ve improved our defense.”

“On offense, we’re still evolving, but Peggie Parhas has been playing well and Anna Kirchoff has come on strong the last few games,” adds Smith.

At the start of the season, Coach Smith was concerned about the depth of his roster and how quickly the freshmen would be in a position to contribute. With a roster of only 8 girls, depth remains a concern. “Our girls are doing their best to be in top shape, so we’ll try to overcome the depth problem as best we can,” says Smith.

As for the freshmen, they are still figuring out their roles. According to Smith, when the new girls come in from different programs, it always takes awhile to get comfortable in his system.

The conference portion of the schedule has gotten stronger with the addition of Milwaukee Area Technical College and Madison Area technical College. “Both of those schools have top programs,” states Smith. “Madison is currently ranked number one in the nation, so we know [the conference play] will be a challenge.”

The team is in a good position to exceed last year’s total of 10 victories, but Coach Smith still would like to see improvement from his squad. “I would like to see us value possession of the ball more and get stronger on our team defense,” concludes Smith.

Just what the world needs, another family reality series. Have these people learned nothing from The Hogans?

On Monday, TV Land — basic cable’s nostalgic caravan — ordered a six-episode docusoap starring actress Lisa Rinna and her husband, former L.A. Law star Harry Hamlin.

Harry Loves Lisa follows the duo as they navigate parenthood and their celebrity-driven Hollywood lifestyle.

“Harry Loves Lisa brings to life the romantic notion that opposites attract as Lisa’s playful spontaneity differs from Harry’s more reserved demeanor,” the network boasted in a statement issued Monday. “Audiences will watch as the two balance their differences in the midst of insane professional lives as working actors and entrepreneurs who are parenting two pre-teen daughters. One of Hollywood’s most enduring‪ couples, the Hamlins’ contradictory personalities make for amazing chemistry both on-screen and off.”

The ex-Melrose Place star married PEOPLE’s former “Sexiest Man Alive” more than 11 years ago. After years in relative obscurity, the twosome re-entered the Hollywood spotlight as light-footed contestants on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars; Lisa on Season 2 and Harry on Season 3. Lisa even recently landed on The New York Times Best Seller list with her 2008 memoir, Rinnavation. Now The Hamlins are ready for another close-up.

“We are thrilled to be working with TV Land! Our show will shine the spotlight on the adventure that is our life and the magic that holds us together,” Lisa and Harry exclaimed in a press release of their own.

“There is no denying the chemistry of this amazingly beautiful, smart and sexy couple,” states Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “When I met them, I was immediately blown away by their relationship. They are so proud and supportive of each other. It’s clear why this relationship works on so many levels. Our audience will love seeing their honesty, humor and often-outrageous antics.”

Harry Loves Lisa is slated to debut this fall as part of TV Land’s PRIME original-series block.

“With its combination of style, performance and uncompromising luxury, the Lincoln MKX has brought new customers into the Lincoln showroom in a way that very few products have before,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. So when it came time for FoMoCo to introduce the next-generation of the MKX crossover they had to be very careful not to lose new customers while continuing to attract new ones.

According to us, FoMoCo will be successful. The exterior of the new 2011 Lincoln MKX features the brand’s signature split-wing grille and body-side work. Also new for 2011 are the updated rear taillamp treatment and the significantly larger 4-inch oval exhaust tips. The new 18- and 20-inch wheels are also more expressive.

Take a seat inside, and you’ll be welcomed by an all-new interior that uses more luxurious materials with more attention to detail. Preliminary data shows that the new MKX is quieter than the crossover’s Lexus and Audi rivals. The 2011 Lincoln MKX will also be the first vehicle from FoMoCo to feature the company’s new MyLincoln Touch (MyFord Touch) driver connect technology.

Power for the 2011 Lincoln MKX comes from a 3.7L Duratec V6 Ti-VCT making 305-hp (a 15 percent increase) with a maximum torque of 280 lb-ft (a 12 percent increase). The engine is mated to a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.

The 2011 MKX will be built at Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. Sales will begin later this year.

Hit the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2011 Lincoln MKX:

Press Release:

INDUSTRY-FIRST TECHNOLOGIES, ENGAGING DESIGN, WORLD-CLASS CRAFTSMANSHIP DEFINE 2011 LINCOLN MKX

• The 2011 Lincoln MKX luxury crossover features the first application of industry-exclusive MyLincoln Touch™ driver connect technology, which creates a whole new way for customers to interact with digital and vehicle technology

• Modern, flowing exterior design embraces Lincoln signature DNA; split-wing grille, body-side brightwork and new treatments for taillamps and exhaust tips enhance presence

• All-new interior showcases use of more luxurious materials and attention to detail; preliminary data show the 2011 Lincoln MKX is quieter than Lexus or Audi competitors

• Powertrain enhancements include a new 3.7-liter Duratec® V-6 engine, delivering best-in-class 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque versus all V-6 competitors – plus unsurpassed fuel economy

DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2010 – New, industry-exclusive technologies and engaging design featuring world-class craftsmanship and materials further elevate the 2011 Lincoln MKX midsize luxury crossover.

Leading the wide-ranging innovations is the all-new MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology, which delivers a smarter, safer, simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. MyLincoln comes standard on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, providing drivers a whole new experience behind the wheel.

“With its combination of style, performance and uncompromising luxury, the Lincoln MKX has brought new customers into the Lincoln showroom in a way that very few products have before,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Lincoln customers tell us they care most about style and technology, and the new Lincoln MKX meets these needs perfectly. The new MyLincoln Touch technology will change the way customers interact with their vehicles while its new design language gives the vehicle a distinctive and stylish silhouette we know customers will love.”

The dramatic freshening of the 2011 Lincoln MKX extends to all areas of the vehicle: new features and technologies not available anywhere else, new exterior design, new interior design with increased use of genuine materials, new powertrain with unsurpassed fuel economy, improved driving dynamics and new tires and wheels all combine to deliver an unparalleled luxury experience.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKX represents no-compromise luxury,” said Elaine Bannon, chief engineer. “Every attribute – technology, ergonomics, material selection, power, fuel economy, driving experience – is a standout. Plus, it’s wrapped in a beautiful package.”

MyLincoln just the start for technology-packed 2011 Lincoln MKX
The industry-first MyLincoln Touch experience, powered by Lincoln SYNC®, replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way buttons like those found on cell phones and MP3 players. The screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click, voice command or touch screen tap.

The electronic finish panel on the 2011 Lincoln MKX demonstrates all the advantages of this touch-sensitive technology in a beautiful, engaging package. Activated features display amber light. When turned off, signature Lincoln White lighting is displayed.

In addition to the usual audio and climate control features, the touch-sensitive technology also operates the volume and fan controls, which is exclusive to Lincoln.

Customers can swipe their fingers along the slider to adjust the volume. The slider features 10 distinct touchpoints; three full swipes bring the system to maximum volume. Customers also can touch anywhere along the slider to get a corresponding increase or decrease in volume.

The fan control is operated in a similar fashion. On both the volume control and the fan control, the distinctive Lincoln White lighting acts as a chaser.

Like the song? You can tag it
Also new on the 2011 Lincoln MKX is the world’s first use of iTunes® Tagging in an available factory-installed HD Radio™ receiver. Enabled by the available Voice-Activated Navigation System through SYNC, iTunes Tagging provides customers with the ability to “capture” a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase from iTunes. With a simple push of a “TAG” button on the radio display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory.

Once a song is tagged and customers dock their iPod to the SYNC system, the “tagged” song information will transfer to that iPod. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When an iPod is connected, the tags are transferred from SYNC to the iPod. Customers then can preview, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store, if they so choose.

One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts. Plus, unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.

2011 Lincoln MKX brimming with standard and class-exclusive technologies
Standard MyLincoln Touch and remote start lead the list of features or technologies that are new for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support allows the driver to set the vehicle’s speed and maintain it without using the accelerator pedal, and warns the driver of a potential collision risk. It also helps reduce speed and automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more quickly when the system detects a collision is imminent.
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert is a feature that helps detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving and traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots.
• MyKey™ is designed to allow parents to encourage teenagers to drive safely and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety belt usage. The standard MyKey feature allows owners to designate keys that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume.
• Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler System is a standard Ford-exclusive feature that uses an integrated spring-loaded flapper door to eliminate the need for a fuel tank screw cap.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX has eight class-exclusive features: MyLincoln Touch, Lincoln SYNC, Easy Fuel, SecuriCode™ keyless entry, Blind Spot Mirrors, MyKey, Cross Traffic Alert and AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control™).

Fun tuned in while noise is tuned out
A wealth of upgrades means the 2011 Lincoln MKX will provide a more connected feel between the driver and the road through responsive acceleration, engaging steering, spirited handling and confident braking.

The new 18-inch tires have increased grip and are mounted on larger wheels than the outgoing product, helping enable enhanced stopping and improved handling. Twenty-inch wheels are available as well.

The springs, shocks and stabilizer bars also have been retuned to give the Lincoln MKX a flatter response through turns and over hills while still providing the comfortable ride luxury buyers expect and demand.

The original Lincoln MKX set many benchmarks in overall quietness, and that tradition continues as Ford internal preliminary data show the 2011 MKX scores better in speech recognition, wind noise and sound package than competitors from Lexus and Audi.

Both road noise and wind noise are significantly decreased in the 2011 MKX because of improvements found throughout the interior and exterior, including powertrain. Additional actions include:

• Sound pack and acoustic glass: A more-absorptive sound pack is found throughout the interior, which reduces high-frequency noise more effectively than material that acts merely as a barrier. The result is an improved articulation index, which measures how easy it is to hear and understand someone in the vehicle. The 2011 MKX also features an acoustic headliner, and the microphone for the SYNC system has been relocated so it is closer to the driver for improved voice recognition. The windshield also is thicker and acoustic-laminated for reduced wind noise. Acoustic glass in the front doors also is standard for the 2011 model. Finally, baked-on expandable foam baffles in the fenders and rear D-pillars help seal out unwanted road noise.
• Powertrain NVH improvements: Three main actions contribute to a quieter 2011 Lincoln MKX from a powertrain NVH perspective. One is the more robust engine cover. Intake and exhaust systems also have been completely retuned for a crisper note corresponding to Lincoln powertrain DNA. Finally, a “tighter” torque converter reduces engine rpm on launch and tip-in events, reducing engine noise.

More stopping power, increased braking technology
New four-wheel disc brakes provide enhanced stopping power. Key brake system upgrades include steel pistons, larger rear rotors, revised brake friction materials, revised brake booster gain and revised pedal ratios, all of which enable more initial bite and a firmer, more confident feel when customers press on the brake pedal.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX also offers several new brake-related features: Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills; Trailer Sway Control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped with the available trailer tow package; Hydraulic Brake Assist, which provides greater braking force in emergency stops; and available Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support.

Improved performance without sacrificing fuel economy
Power for the 2011 Lincoln MKX is supplied by the 3.7-liter Duratec V-6, which employs advanced technology and clever control strategies, such as Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) to increase horsepower and torque without compromising fuel economy.

Customers of the 2011 Lincoln MKX will enjoy a luxury crossover that has best-in-class power and torque versus all V-6 competitors with unsurpassed highway fuel economy of 25 mpg – all on regular fuel. Horsepower has been increased to 305 – a 15-percent increase compared with the outgoing product – while torque is up to 280 ft.-lbs., marking a 12-percent improvement. The 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 is mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, which gives customers the option of a fun-to-shift manual experience.

In SelectShift mode, the transmission doesn’t second-guess the driver, giving him or her control over gear selection and performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as defined by the engine speed.

For instance, when a lower gear is selected while descending a long downhill grade, the 2011 Lincoln MKX in SelectShift mode will hold that gear until the driver manually upshifts or returns to the fully automatic setting. To help ensure safe shifting, the transmission will downshift to the lowest acceptable gear, based on a calculated maximum speed. That means if a vehicle is traveling at highway speeds, the driver cannot downshift to first gear in SelectShift mode.

Improvements to engine hardware and powertrain control strategies account for the gains in power and fuel economy. Other strategies in addition to Ti-VCT are aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff; torque-based deceleration control and battery management through “smart charging.”

New flowing exterior design perfectly wraps new Lincoln MKX technologies
The flowing exterior design of the 2011 Lincoln MKX provides the perfect complement to the luxury crossover’s industry-leading technology and class-exclusive features.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be a real standout in the Lincoln showroom,” said Doyle Letson, chief designer. “The addition of the new split-wing grille, a key to Lincoln signature DNA, is just the start. The 2011 MKX has the best proportions of any Lincoln we have.
“The fender line, with the raised arch over the front wheel, as well as the lower rocker detail with beautifully tapered bright detail that runs the length of the vehicle, makes a dramatic difference in side view,” he added.

New for the 2011 model is an updated rear taillamp treatment. The lamps are now two distinct pieces that employ an indirect LED system that hides the light source while allowing the light intensity to shine through. The reverse sensors of the Blind Spot Information System are integrated into the reflectors while the Lincoln star sits proudly on a new appliqué. The 4-inch oval exhaust tips, significantly larger on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, also increase the unique luxury crossover’s presence.

The new 18- and 20-inch wheels are more dynamic and expressive. Instead of a familiar linear or blocky appearance, the wheels encompass a variety of undulating and complex shapes that help the 2011 Lincoln MKX appear always in motion. The vibrant wheel shapes again underscore the enhanced craftsmanship and attention to detail found throughout the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

All-new interior brimming with functionality and craftsmanship
The interior of the 2011 Lincoln MKX reflects an even greater emphasis on what defines Lincoln DNA: luxury, craftsmanship, genuine materials and sharper execution.

Gentle details that bring out Lincoln standards of quality and excellence include brightwork on the vents, genuine stitching on the doors and softer armrests with upgraded materials. The cupholders, with available ambient lighting, are found beneath the independent sliding leather-covered console lids, which feature decorative stitching. A power tilt/telescoping steering column and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel are available.

All-new leather-trimmed seats, comfort sections and standard tuxedo stripe embrace the new Lincoln DNA sew style. More genuine aluminum appliqués are standard, with aluminum accents on the door added to the spears on the instrument panel.

The two available wood accents – Olive Ash and Walnut Swirl – on the steering wheel, dashboard and doors add character and form; each selection has a livelier, natural appearance, adding even more character to the interior. Whether customers select aluminum or wood, the increased use of genuine materials in the 2011 Lincoln MKX ensures that each interior will be distinctive.

“Everything about the 2011 Lincoln MKX is vibrant and luxurious,” said Bannon. “Our MyLincoln Touch system will draw people in, helping them discover that the new Lincoln MKX delivers a total driving experience not found anywhere else.”

The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be built at Oakville Assembly Plant; Ontario, Canada.

– By: Omar Rana

One of the world’s leading renewable energy publications has recognized Massachusetts-based Second Wind Inc. as a finalist in its first-ever Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards. Second Wind, a leading provider of wind information technology, was named a finalist last week by RenewableEnergyWorld.com in the category of Innovation in Renewable Energy for its game-changing Triton Wind Profiler.

Magma Energy Corp. reported this week that is has successfully completed flow testing of its Soda Lake geothermal production well 45A-33, which will have the capacity to produce 3 megawatts (MW) of net power once a turbine system is installed at the site.

Solarfun Power Holdings Co. Ltd. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Jiangsu Linyang Solarfun Co. Ltd. has entered into three contracts to supply 12.65 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic modules for projects in China.

Syntec Biofuel Inc. (Syntec) has entered into a joint development program with the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks for converting a wide variety of biomass and waste into bio-butanol. The core process utilizes Syntec’s catalyst technology in conjunction with an upgrading process exclusively licensed from the EERC Foundation.

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation’s largest, privately-owned roofing and solar energy company, has announced an exclusive partnership with SunRun, the nation’s leading provider of residential solar financing, on a ground-breaking leasing program that enables Californians to purchase a new solar home at the price of a standard home, locking in low, fixed electricity bills for 20 years.

This guest post is written by Ashkan Karbasfrooshan, the founder and CEO of WatchMojo, a leading producer of premium, informative and entertaining video content. The company’s catalog of 5,000 videos has generated over 105,000,000 streams since 2006. Today, WatchMojo streams nearly 10 million videos each month and reaches 20,000,000 consumers online and offline.

Party like it’s 1999?

Online video is where search was in 1999: a major part of the digital media ecosystem is desperately looking for a business model and a leading ad format. We know what happened in search, while the early leaders ditched search-as-a-business for portaldom, Google stayed the course and built a $200 billion company.

Search captures intent, video captures interest. Intent offers advertisers a short-term benefit, interest a more long-term value.  Perhaps that is why it is taking longer for online video revenues are materialize in a major way.

Yet, over the past year, online video consumption has soared threefold and it appears that this might be the year that the medium grows up and sees its revenues take off too (fingers crossed).  This explains why in boardrooms large and small, everyone is trying to crystallize their online video strategy.

Old media and video: Those who can won’t, those who want can’t

When it comes to traditional media companies and online video: those who can won’t, those who want can’t.

Print media would love to ramp up video efforts, but they can’t because it’s not a natural part of their DNA, operations or culture.

Conversely, while television media companies can transition online, they won’t because it cannibalizes their larger offline revenue streams. To TV executives, online video is what the Web was to print media a decade ago: those who embraced it didn’t fare that well; those who shunned it died.

Lost in time

Last year marked the first drop in online advertising revenues since 2002: a 4.2% decline according to eMarketer. Combined with the economic meltdown, media executives had the knee-jerk reaction to knee-cap free, ad-supported content in favor of subscriptions.

Two years ago, the Wall Street Journal was considering going totally free.  Now suddenly everyone wants to erect pay walls. Problem is by the time these tactics are implemented, advertising will return faster than ever and old media will once again find itself on the wrong side of the equation.

The main difference between now and then

In 2000, when the Nasdaq crashed, it dried up the advertising money that venture-backed startups were spending online. Traditional marketers had yet to really experiment with online advertising. Today, as marketers start increasing advertising spending again, they are shifting more money to online at the expense of traditional media: Pepsi will shun Super Bowl advertising in favor of social media.

Social media and UGC changes things, sort of

Social media has changed the rules of engagement in news and publishing. But when it comes to ad-supported models, marketers will never feel 100% comfortable advertising alongside user-generated content.

This is why professional content remains the key ingredient to capturing those advertising dollars.

Where video and text diverge

Unlike articles, you can’t fool audiences as easily with videos.  It’s easier to get away with a slapdash article than with a slapdash video.  Thus, most of the existing online video content relies on “talking head” footage and Q&A formats which are relatively simple to produce. Most of the videos that pass for professionally produced videos should be articles. No wonder marketers remain hesitant to underwrite the genre.

Fiction vs. Non Fiction

Even non-fiction video content needs to be demonstrative (vs. descriptive). Meanwhile, chasing hits with fiction remains too speculative; the risk/reward benefit makes it prohibitive online. Producers who understand this will have an edge over time as budgets shift to video.

Premium vs. Super premium

Naturally, not all online video content is created or valued equally.  Traditional media companies produce super premium content. Web producers try to create premium content. However, both are professional.

While marketers will pay more for super premium content (which explains why Hulu commands a large premium in ad rates over the industry standard), online audiences tend to favor Web content whose format and style is more in tune with their more fickle tastes.

As such, those who mold their Web content offerings by mapping out super premium catalogs will also create more valuable libraries. While you cannot match production values, you should offer marketers the same value proposition, adjusted for the ROI that advertisers have come to expect from digital media.

The branded content hype

Branded content holds much promise. But it might be myopic to think that audiences will remain engaged with marketing videos disguised as entertainment. Advertorials in print media have long been a part of the magazine experience, but audiences have learned to bypass them.

Over time, the content itself filters audiences for advertisers. Advertising cannot fully replace or become the content outright. But producers who tastefully weave commerce into content will win.

Ultimately, the Field of Dreams approach might be more realistic: create content that you are passionate about and people want to watch, build an audience and then monetize it. We all want advertisers to pay for content before it’s green lit, but that doesn’t mean it will happen.

Licensing vs. Ad-supported

Of course, getting paid for content is ideal. But consumers will never pay for it online, so find other media companies who will.  To be able to become a supplier of content to other media companies and maintain the Field of Dreams philosophy, producers need to balance a) quantity, b) quality, c) frequency and d) consistency.

Getting paid for content by other companies is especially important with video content because even large media businesses are having trouble generating meaningful video advertising revenues.

Finally, to position for the day when video advertising becomes material, producers need to consider e) timeliness. Returning to the search parallel, what good did market share do in 1999 when queries weren’t being monetized? Creating so-called evergreen content gives one’s catalog a longer shelf life, which in turn protects against the short-term weakness in revenues and the long-term “build vs. buy” dilemma that old media (and eventual M&A acquirers) need to go through.

Even if you don’t take advice, learn from it

But that’s not enough. Companies will pay a supplier if they also offer f) variety.

About.com founder Scott Kurnit once gave me the best advice I didn’t fully heed. He cautioned me against covering too many categories. I didn’t take his advice, but made sure that if we did want to offer clients variety, then each category’s clips should be as good as what any best-of-breed producer offers.

Today, I think we do that. As we mark WatchMojo’s four-year anniversary and celebrate crossing the 100,000,000 cumulative video stream mark, we’ve learned that sometimes, you really have to go against the institutional imperative and find your own path in order to survive.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

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Wrestling 2010 Mid-Season Report

According to Head Coach Dan Loprieno, the 2009-2010 Harper College wrestling team has the possibility of being anywhere from a good team to one of the best teams in the country. “We have a lot of potential and talent on this year’s team,” says Loprieno, “but that only takes you so far. We need to put in the effort to reach our potential.”

As we enter 2010, the team has several meets wrapped up and Coach Loprieno is looking to key wrestlers to power his squad into Districts and Nationals.

At 125 pounds, Eduardo Dominguez (Freshman – Mundelein) has already placed.

Nate Stadeker (Sophomore – Rich East) at 147 pounds won the Triton tournament and was a national qualifier in ’08.

PJ Starnes (Sophomore – Schaumburg) will be at 157 pounds and was an All-American in ’08.

Another All-American (’07) is Mike Dace (Sophomore – Grant) will be at 165 pounds.

Jordan Bakley (Sophomore – Huntley) is at 174 pounds and has won the Missouri Open and was also a national qualifier in ’08.

Arber Bebo (Freshman – Addison Trail) is one of two wrestlers competing for the 184 pound slot. Bebo has won at Triton.

Shae Geradot (Sophomore – Columbia City) is the second wrestler competing for the 184 pound slot and he was an All-American in ’07.

“The Triton meet is a good indicator of the wrestlers in the area,” says Loprieno. “The majority of schools in the region participate in the Triton meet, so we can get a good feel for how things will shake out during the season.”

“We’ve had 4 or 5 kids hurt, but if we can get them healthy and back on the team, we have the potential to have a very successful season,” concludes Loprieno. Among the injured wrestlers attempting to return are John Grubisich (Freshman – Argo), Mike Lukowski (Sophomore – Dundee Crown), Matt Boggess (Freshman – Prospect) and Josh Kratovil (Lincoln Way).

With a full roster that is healthy, Coach Loprieno believes his team can make a strong run for a national title.

Time to save the date! Word is out that the sequel to the JJ Abrams Star Trek movie will be out on July 29th, 2012. What we don’t know as of yet is exactly who the director will be.

That’s right, despite the fact that JJ Abrams pretty much made the Star Trek relaunch work through pure force of will, he will not be returning to direct. That’s a bit worrisome, considering the quality of the script that he was able to polish up a bit. Of course, it’s just a little bit early to start being cynical so we should probably just sit back and wait it out.

[via ScifiSquad]

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Three weeks ago, a federal appeals court ordered Microsoft to stop selling Word with Custom XML as of today due to patent infringement, and now we see that the company has struggled to meet the deadline for its many SKUs and versions. Microsoft previously said that it would be able to meet the kill date for Office 2007.

On the Microsoft Store, there are 32 results when you choose to display All Office Products, but the majority of them are not available for purchase today. Generally speaking, all individual Office applications excluding Word are still being sold. In terms of Office suites, all of which include Word, availability depends on how quickly Microsoft has rolled out the versions without custom XML. For example, at the time of this writing, Office Standard 2007, Office Small Business 2007, Office Standard 2007 Upgrade, Office 2008 for Mac Business Edition, and Office 2008 for Mac Home and Student Edition are not available, while Office Ultimate 2007 Office Professional 2007 and Office Professional 2007 are available.

On the online store, Microsoft does not give an explanation as to why the products are not available: “This product is currently unavailable while we update versions on our site. We expect it to be available soon.” The “Not available” messages will soon show the correct price tags again, but the software giant refused to disclose what deadline it has given itself.

Meanwhile, the company managed to re-release Office 2007 (Professional, Professional Plus, Ultimate, and Enterprise) for its MSDN and TechNet subscribers on Friday, just in time for Monday’s deadline. An Office 2003 edition with Custom XML was not so lucky and unsurprisingly Microsoft didn’t give the older version the same priority as Office 2007, though a Custom XML removing patch for Word 2003 was posted on the Microsoft Download Center over the weekend. Microsoft also managed to get a patch out for Word 2007 last week, but notes to users that neither are mandatory unless the company communicates otherwise in a separate message.

“We’ve taken steps to comply with the court’s ruling and are introducing the revised software into the US market,” a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed with Ars. “Only Office 2003 Professional edition was temporarily removed from MSDN/TechNet as part of this process and will be back up soon. Office 2003 Standard is still available to MSDN/TechNet subscribers.” Microsoft only needs to modify versions of Word and Office that include custom XML and were sold before January 11, 2010 before it reintroduces them into the marketplace as newly compliant products. Office 2010, which is set to arrive in June 2010, does not include Custom XML.

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Most arguments in favor of net neutrality regulation focus on fairness to the public. Definitions of “net neutrality” often characterize it as a principle that fosters free speech on the Internet. But a new study contends that barring ISPs from favoring certain content providers is more than a good concept—it’s also sound economic policy.

“Without net neutrality rules, new technologies could lead to pricing practices that transfer wealth from content providers to ISPs,” warns the Institute for Policy Integrity, “a form of price discrimination that would reduce the return on investment for Internet content—meaning website owners, bloggers, newspapers, and businesses would have less incentive to expand their sites and applications.” 

Such a reallocation of resources would hobble investment in the ‘Net overall, concludes Free to Invest: The Economic Benefits of Preserving Net Neutrality (cheat sheet version here).

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More and more big movies—Where The Wild Things Are, to name the latest—are coming out in a single package that includes Blu-ray, iTunes-friendly Digital Copy and DVD. This proves DVD is still the best way to sell movies.

I naively enjoyed the Blu-ray/Digital Copy combo for a while, during the period I was still trying to see the point of Apple TV, and didn’t mind the rights-managed movie files. Now that Apple TV is dead to me, and I use other media players, I prefer a clean Handbrake rip to a DRM-shackled digital download. I am not a pirate; I just like being able to do what I want with a movie I buy.

Sell me a Blu-ray disc, solo, and I can rip it, maybe even downrez it. But melting a hole in my laptop trying to rescale 1080p to DVD-standard 480p is a thousand-hour pain, and trying to play a movie at my in-laws when all I have is a Blu-ray disc (and they don’t have a player) is annoying too. Combining Blu and the DVD solves these problems, so it’s the best, but it does render the Digital Copy totally pointless.

With the right gear and software, I can watch movie files pretty much wherever. But so many people don’t rip movies and don’t download them either. Combo packs solve a huge headache, but again, Digital Copy is the odd man out.

A DVD can be portable-ish, playing on laptops, little LCD DVD players, and—especially for family stuff where these combo packs first appeared—in-car entertainment systems. There aren’t many Blu-ray players in cars, and unless each of your kids gets their own iPod Touch, iTunes DRM video isn’t gonna work either. Maybe someone has a Blu-ray player in the home, connected to an HDTV, but that Blu-ray disc is never really portable. Hollywood backs into these problems, then brings its ace out of retirement to solve them. DVD proves it’s still the best.

Warner Home Video is delivering the monster pack of Where The Wild Things Are on March 2, 2010. It’s priced at $36, steep but it will no doubt be reduced by a lot when it arrives at Amazon. The Pixar movie Up! is selling in a triple combo pack for $18, while Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs sells in combo for $25. The Bourne trilogy will be out in three separate $20 combo packs on January 19.

I would argue that Hollywood cares less about people ripping DVDs than confusing (and losing) the mini-van set. Everyone will benefit, as more and more high-profile films get the triple-combo-pack treatment. Hell, I will gladly pay $18 for a movie if I get to keep all of that stuff—that’s not even the price of two theater tickets, and I pretty much hate movie theaters these days. But at $18, Hollywood’s “upsell” for the included Blu-ray and iTunes download is gone. It’s less what they gain than what they don’t lose, I suppose. So where does that new dual-sided Blu-ray/DVD combo disc fit in? I doubt it’ll go far. It costs more—and confuses more—than good old standalone DVD. Hail to the king, baby.

Jay Leno is dealing with his show’s cancellation like a true comedian — he’s making fun of “The Man.”

The comic took jabs at NBC in his first monologue since the cancellation of his primetime flop, The Jay Leno Show, was announced on Sunday.

“Welcome to the Jay Leno Show. As you know, we’re not just a show anymore, we are now a collector’s item,” Leno opened, cracking jokes about the end of his primetime experiment and his future at the network. “As you may have heard, our show has been canceled. Fired again! That shows you that NBC’s got nothing. Even when they fire people it’s a rerun,” he continued. “Didn’t we just get fired in May?”

During the Television Council Association’s conference over the weekend, NBC confirmed that it will axe Leno’s primetime program at the end of the month to pave the way to tentatively push it back to 11:35, moving Conan O’Brien’s show to midnight. Conan took over The Tonight Show from Leno late last year, losing millions of viewers in the switch.

In tonight’s monologue, Jay confessed that he isn’t sure where his show will end up.

“Supposedly we’re moving to 11:30, but even this is not for sure,” he told the audience. “My people are upset. Conan’s people are upset. Hey, NBC said they wanted drama at 10. Now they’ve got it — everyone’s mad.”

Leno ended the monologue with a final poke at The Peacock: “I take pride in one thing. I leave NBC prime-time the same way I found it — a complete disaster,” he laughed.