Author: Serkadis

From Professor Hamilton at Econbrowser: Do rising oil prices threaten the economic recovery?

Ten of the 11 recessions in the United States since World War II have been preceded by a sharp increase in the price of crude petroleum. Oil had been holding around $80/barrel over the last month, but traded as high as $87 last week, leading the Financial Times to ask whether oil could give the “kiss of death to recovery.” Here is how I would answer that question.

See Hamilton’s post for his analysis with several graphs. He concludes:

$87 oil is certainly not helping the recovery. But I would be very surprised if it proves to be the kiss of death.

And with the opposite view from the Financial Times article:

Olivier Jakob, of Swiss consultant Petromatrix, said in a note that the “recovery of 2009 was fuelled with crude oil at $62 a barrel, not at $90 a barrel or $100 a barrel. We fear that the latest run on WTI will be the kiss of death for a global economy that was trying to avoid the possibility of a double-dip recession.”

I tend to agree with Dr. Hamilton. However I also watch vehicle miles driven from the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the DOT recently reported that vehicle miles driven in January were down from January 2009:

Travel on all roads and streets changed by -1.6% (-3.7 billion vehicle miles) for January 2010 as compared with January 2009. Travel for the month is estimated to be 222.8 billion vehicle miles.

Here is a repeat of the graph I posted last month:

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the percent change from the same month of the previous year as reported by the DOT.

As the DOT noted, miles driven in January 2010 were down -1.6% compared to January 2009, and miles driven have declined 2.9% compared to January 2008, and are down 4.7% compared to January 2007.

If miles driven continues to decline, I’ll be more concerned about oil prices.

This post is reprinted from Calculated Risk.

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While we wait on the arrival of that hotter Audi R8 (which will remain AWD) we heard about yesterday, tuner MTM is offerings some rear-wheel-drive, 560-hp fun for current Audi R8 owners.

Known as the MTM R8 GT3-2, this Audi R8 gets rear-wheel-drive with differential lock and new adjustments.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Audi R8.

MTM also supercharged the 4.2 FSI engine to make a total of 560-hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. That allows the R8 GT3-2 to go from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 197 mph. The extra power is enhanced with strong sound coming from a special exhaust system.

We’ll keep dreaming about driving the MTM R8 GT3-2 one day.

Make the jump for the high-res gallery and the press release.

MTM Audi R8 GT3-2:

Press Release:

The questions are legitimate and short: A Street-legal Audi R8 with rear wheel drive? And with a 560 HP supercharged engine? The answer is also short. Yes it exists! At MTM! The snow is hardly gone from Germany’s streets that the noble tuner from Wettstetten is announcing their latest project: the MTM R8 GT3-2, with the last digit standing for the number of powered wheels. The car that has 560 supercharged HP, accelerates from 0 to 100 under 4 seconds and goes easily beyond the 300 km/h barrier is no “Quattro” but a modified R8 with rear wheel drive from the Audi refiner MTM. This new concept promises a complete new driving experience behind the Audi steering wheel and pure driving pleasure, which comes up with a lot of technical details and finesse and creates a perfect and exceptional sportscar.

The most exciting fact about the MTM R8 GT3-2 is definitely the rear wheel drive concept. It was developed by the technical specialists around Roland Mayer. With differential lock and new adjustments, the GT3-2 floats presently with its driving concept as the only one RWD Street-legal Audi, in the footsteps of the Audi high powered cars that are challenging the DTM or the GT Series. Those who are searching for an “Ingolstädter” with four rings and rear wheel drive have to look back more than four decades ago.

MTM from Wettstetten/Ingolstadt would not be one of the leading Audi-refiners in the world if they didn’t care for technical details in order to provide maximum driving dynamics. The first thing to be mentioned is the supercharged 4.2 FSI engine, producing 560 HP (412 kW) at 7.750 RPM and a torque of 580 Nm at 5.500 RPM. Enough power to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and take the speedometer needle up to 317 km/h. The sound goes together with the power, thanks to a special exhaust system in export version – without rear pipes and without throttle valves. Unmistakable.

So much power needs a MTM suspension kit, which has several settings options, also in the built-in condition, and which is well adjusted with the lightweight and solid MTM forged wheels on Dunlop Sport Maxx GT / Michelin Cup Sport tyres. The 20″ rims in the size 9×20 ET 42 (front axle) and 12,5×20 ET 60 (rear axle) shelter the 380 x 34 mm – punched, ventilated – MTM brake system.

With the R8 GT3-2, MTM has also worked on the exterior appearance, which is very particular for the technical specialists from Wettstetten, who usually only make slight optical changes on their sports cars. In this case, the carbon fibre front spoiler, side skirt and rear wing ensure a better air flow.

This MTM offer not only refers to new cars – also people who already own a R8 have the possibility to convert it into a R8 GT3-2. For more information, please contact MTM in Wettstetten.

– By: Kap Shah

So you own a Ford Focus RS and are pretty upset that Ford just released a hotter version of the RS with the new 345-hp Focus RS500. Worry not – Ford has just announced a new Ford-approved performance upgrade MP350 package that boosts the output of the standard Focus RS to 345-hp with a maximum torque of 339 lb-ft – the same as the RS500.

“Ford’s relationship with Mountune has produced a series of dynamic performance upgrade packages for Ford models like the Focus ST and new Fiesta, and we are confident that the Focus RS package will prove equally successful,” says Matthias Tonn, Focus RS500 Chief Programme Engineer. “While the limited edition RS500 we are unveiling at the Leipzig Show today will remain the ultimate Focus RS, this upgrade provides existing customers with the attractive Ford-approved performance enhancement option that many RS owners have been asking for.”

The MP350 package upgrade should allow the RS to hit 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 163 mph.

Hit the jump for the press release.

Ford Focus RS Mountune MP350:

Press Release:

FORD-APPROVED PERFORMANCE UPGRADE FOR FOCUS RS NOW AVAILABLE

* Ford-approved 350 PS engine upgrade for new and existing Focus RS owners
* Engine modifications developed in partnership with Mountune Performance
* Full testing and durability programme ensures no impact on standard warranty
* Upgrade available through selected Ford dealers, initially in the UK, with a European roll-out planned to follow

COLOGNE, April 9, 2010 – Owners and buyers of the current generation Ford Focus RS 305 PS superhatch can now access a Ford-approved performance upgrade package that boosts peak output to 350 PS and 460 Nm of torque.

The MP350 package is available from Mountune Performance via a selected network of Ford dealers, initially in the UK, with a European roll-out planned to follow. This is the only Ford-approved upgrade for the Focus RS and also the only aftermarket package available which does not invalidate the standard Ford warranty.

The engine modifications it provides are similar to those developed for the exclusive new limited edition Focus RS500 model and were developed by Ford’s Team RS powertrain engineers in partnership with Mountune’s performance specialists.

The Focus RS performance upgrade increases peak power from 305 PS to 350 PS, while torque rises by 20 Nm to 460 Nm. Modifications include a larger intercooler, a larger air filter box, a larger diameter exhaust downpipe and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration.

Mountune also offers Ford approved performance upgrades in selected markets for the current Focus ST and Fiesta 1.6 Ti-VCT models, and the previous-generation Fiesta ST.

Mountune’s experience in motorsport and high-performance engines spans over 20 years and this strong heritage even includes the original RS500, as Mountune supplied the engines for the Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth which won the British Touring Car Championship in 1990 driven by Robb Gravett.

Further details of the Mountune upgrade packages available for Ford vehicles, including the Focus RS, can be seen at www.mountuneperformance.com

– By: Omar Rana

Well, that didn’t take long. Apple’s latest phenomenon, the iPad, has already made it into a car. The technicians at SoundMan Car Audio in Santa Clarita, California, installed the iPad into the dashboard of a Toyota.

Check out the video of the process after the jump but don’t try this at home.

Visit SoundMan Car Audio’s web site here.

– By: Kap Shah

According to a letter given to hourly workers at the company’s Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti Township, FoMoCo will build battery packs for its new generation of electrified vehicles there. The move is a part of a $450 million investment that will bring new jobs to the area and protect hundreds of current jobs.

Details about the staffing and timing are currently being negotiated between FoMoCo and the United Auto Workers according to the letter signed by Rawsonville Plant Manager Kirk Wurtzel and Joel Goddard, chairman of UAW Local 898.

“This is a huge deal for our plant and the community,” said local President Donnie Enersen. “Ford Motor Co. is taking a giant step in green technology, and we applaud them. “Not only is this great for our community, it’s great for the environment.”

FoMoCo will build battery-electric versions of the Ford Transit Connect later this year. It also has plans for an electric-version of the Focus in 2011 along with a new plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

Article Tags: ClimateGate

Climate change negotiations remain in the mire after the first meeting since Copenhagen showed rich and poor countries are still not ready to trust each other.

More than 180 countries are gathered in Bonn to discuss a way forward after the last United Nations meeting in the Danish capital ended in chaos.

But initial talks ended in recriminations and there was little progress on deciding the best way to stop global warming.

All countries agree greenhouse gases must be cut in order to stop catastrophic climate change, the question is how to do it.

At the heart of the problem is the failure to even agree the best way to draw up an agreement.

Developing countries suggested the world should be meeting every month in order to ensure a treaty is signed by the end of the year.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Read in full with comments »   

Toyota may now be fined a second time for failing to alert the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that its gas pedals may get stuck and cause unintended acceleration. The NHTSA originally announced a record $16.4 million civil penalty against Toyota earlier this week for failing to disclose information on the issue. That same letter said that the NHTSA may add an additional fine on the same pedals.

The letter said that the Toyota vehicle pedals “had two separate defects that may require two separate remedies.”

Toyota has recalled more than 8 million cars and trucks worldwide for two defects that may cause unintended acceleration. CEO and President Akio Toyoda admitted that his failed to share defect information adequately among regional units.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Another intersting lineup on Rock Band this week. Serj Tankian, Smash Mouth, and my personal favorite The Used are all chipping in to the track archive.

General Motors CEO Ed Whitacre told employees in a letter that his overhaul of senior management at the automaker is now complete.

“I want to reassure you that the major leadership changes are behind us,” Whitacre wrote in a letter that was obtained by Bloomberg. “The team we have in place today is the team that will take us forward.”

Whitacre said he wrote the letter to calm employees’ anxiety over personnel changes as the automaker works on returning to profit.

Earlier this week, GM’s new CFO Chris Liddell said that twelve of GM’s 13 executive committee members are new hires or are in different jobs since the company left bankruptcy in July.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Filed under: Technology

Australian develops new continuously variable transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dave Cox may not give full marks to Uncharted 2 because it’s multiplatform (qjnet/playstation-3/uncharted-2-didnt-redefine-action-games-because-it-wasnt-multiplatform-says-castlevania-los-producer.html), but let’s see how the Castlevania: Lord of Shadows producer talks about his PS3-Xbox360 game, coming off an old, tried-and-tested franchise.

“Life is like eating artichokes, you have got to go through so much to get so little.” – Thomas Aloysius Dorgan

“His memoir is a splendid artichoke of anecdotes, in which not merely the heart and leaves but the thistles as well are edible.” – John Leonard

“Remind me to tell you about the time I looked into the heart of an artichoke.” – Bette Davis in All About Eve

“These things are just plain annoying. After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual “food” out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking 30 or 40 postage stamps. Have the shrimp cocktail instead.” – Miss Piggy

“A woman is like an artichoke, you must work hard to get to her heart.” – Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther (2006)

“I have a heart like an artichoke – a leaf for everyone.” – from the 1947 film Nightmare Alley

“At least you’ll never be a vegetable – even artichokes have hearts.” – Amélie Poulain in the film Amélie

“Eating an artichoke is like getting to know someone really well.” – Willi Hastings

The tragic plane crash that killed Polish President Kaczyński along with nearly 100 of his fellow countrymen is so far being blamed on some combination of weather, pilot error, and technical failure of the plane.

That out the last explanation seems sadly believable.

Reuters has a factbox about the Russian-made Tupolev Tu-154, first developed in 1960.

* Russian airline safety hit rock bottom during the economic chaos of the early 1990s when there were at least 10 fatal crashes involving the Tu-154.

* Two of the worst crashes in the last 30 years involved the Tu-154 in the 1980s – one in 1984 when an Aeroflot Tu-154 collided with two airport service vehicles while landing at Omsk, Russia, killing around 174 people, and one in July 1985 when an Aeroflot Tu-154 crashed in Uzbekistan killing 200.

* There have been three deadly crashes of a Tu-154 in Iran since 2002, the last one in July last year killed 168 people. Iran said in February it was planning to stop using the planes.

So why was Poland still flying its President and so many other dignitaries in the plane?

Sadly, it appears the decision to keep flying the Tu-154 was in part a financial decision.

With all of Europe in austerity mode, to some extent or another, getting a new plane was seen as an unaffordable indulgence.

Instead, Poland recently had it refurbished.

The BBC reports:

[In] late 2008 Mr Kaczynski had suffered a couple of scares. Problems with the aircraft’s steering mechanism delayed his departure from Mongolia, forcing him to take a charter flight to Tokyo, and a week later the plane was caught up in turbulence flying to Seoul.

However, the aircraft had recently undergone a major overhaul and Aleksey Gusev, the head of the maintenance plant that carried out the work, told Polish TV that it should not have had technical problems.

“From the moment it entered service, the plane had had 5,004 flight hours and 1,823 landings, which for aircraft of this class is not a lot,” he said.

“The plane was flying quite well and there were no complaints.”

The overhaul was completed in December and included repairing the plane’s three engines. The next major service was due in six years.,

Obviously we’ll learn a lot more over the coming days and weeks, and again, the weather was apparently very bad, and based on some reports the pilots didn’t follow the exact instructions of air-traffic control. But there are other reports of gas leaks, and in fact a technical aspect is shown, drawing a line between the crash and the Polish budget should not be difficult.

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Everyone who loves artichokes has their preferred sauce in which to dip the fleshy part of the leaves. I’ve read that in the United States lemon butter is most popular on the east coast while mayonnaise is preferred in the west. Of course, there are many variations on both. Here’s my healthy variation on mayonnaise dipping sauce for artichokes.

It’s lower in fat and calories than most mayonnaise-based dipping sauces thanks to the use of nonfat Greek yogurt in the mix. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt and is a great way to reduce the fat and calories in dips and sauces without sacrificing flavor. You can’t tell it’s not a full-fat dip but the scale will be able to tell!

Greek yogurt can be found at most health food stores and some supermarkets.

Ingredients
1/4 cup Best Foods Light mayonnaise
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. lemon or lime juice
2 T. fresh dill, chopped

(I use Best Foods Light because it doesn’t contain garbage like high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils like so many other “light” mayos on the market. And, although it contains only 3.5 grams of fat per tablespoon, you can hardly tell it’s a light mayo.)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Chill for one hour before serving. Enjoy!

What’s your favorite sauce for artichokes? If you have a healthy artichoke dipping sauce you’d like to share, let me know at eat (AT) healthdiaries.com.

With Crytek now officially part of TIGA, and acclaimed author Richard Morgan on their side, Crysis 2 is looking to impress at more than just the graphical side of things. Here to talk about it is Crytek

Infiniti ha presentado en el reciente Salón de Nueva York la nueva generación del actual Infiniti QX, un SUV que la levantado mucha polémica por su estrabagante diseño que no ha convencido a los medios especializados del sector.

Este todoterreno esta enfocado plenamente al mercado norteamericano. Su interior es inmenso y no tendremos falta de espacio o capacidad en el maletero.

En lo que respecta a la motorización, el Infiniti QX hará uso de un motor V8 de 5.6 litros que desarrolla 400CV. De serie incluye una pantalla de 7 pulgadas, sistema de calefacción, asientos de cuero y un sistema de navegación XM NavWeather.

Related posts:

1. Infiniti en el Salón de Los Ángeles
2. Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon en el Salón de Nueva York
3. Infiniti M35 Hybrid

There are seven new events on the calendar this week: Head over to Stanford University to learn whether the real-time Web is an imperative or insanity. Check out the Net Prophet conference in Cape Town, South Africa. There’s also the Digital Sport Summit in Melbourne, Australia. And don’t forget to register for ReadWriteWeb Mobile Summit 2010!

How do you like your events guide? You can import individual events into Google Calendar using the link beside each entry, or download the entire thing as an iCal (and Google Calendar-importable) file, or even view it as a world map. Know of something cool taking place that should appear here? Let us know in the comments below or contact us.

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13 – 15 April 2010: Dallas, Texas

PubCon South

PubCon, the premier search and social media conference, features the industry’s biggest names and key players shaping the future of the Web. PubCon South will include cutting-edge panel sessions exploring tracks dedicated to search, social media and affiliate marketing, an intensive professional search and social media training program, and some of the world’s top keynote speakers. PubCon South at Dallas will also hold a one-day, two-track slate of intensive educational training programs led by some of the industry’s most respected search professionals. The event takes place at the Richardson Conference and Civic Center. Register here.

16 April 2010: Mountain View, California

Under the Radar: Cloud

Under the Radar: Cloud is must-attend event for dealmakers and heads of IT from large enterprises, SMBs, service providers, carriers and media companies who are responsible for helping their companies leverage new technology and innovation in the fast-evolving IT ecosystem. Join us for the 15th Under the Radar conference, featuring a hand-picked selection of the world’s most innovative cloud startups among 350 top tech, media, telcom and finance executives. For ticket and more information, visit http://undertheradarblog.com.

16 – 17 April 2010: Royal Oak, Michigan

FutureMidwest

FutureMidwest is the region’s largest technology and knowledge conference. Founded by Adrian Pittman, Jordan Wolfe and Zach Lipson, FutureMidwest is the fusion of two successful conferences held in Michigan in 2009 – the Module Midwest Digital Conference and TechNow.

Both conferences highlighted how technology and digital tools have dramatically changed the way we do business and the effect this transition has had on companies. FutureMidwest kicks things up a notch with presentations, group breakout sessions, relationship-building opportunities and influencers who are taking action to redefine business in the digital age. Register here.

17 April 2010: New York City

Seven on Seven

Seven on Seven will pair seven leading artists with seven game-changing technologists in teams of two, and challenge them to develop something new – be it an application, social media, artwork, product, or whatever they imagine – over the course of a single day. The seven teams will unveil their ideas at a one-day event at the New Museum on April 17.

Seven on Seven Participants include, on the technology side, Ayah Bdeir (artist and programmer), Jeff Hammerbacher (Accel Ventures/ Facebook), David Karp (founder of Tumblr), Andrew Kortina (of Bitly/
Venmo), Hilary Mason (of betaworks), Matt Mullenweg (founder of WordPress), and Joshua Schachter (currently at Google, formerly at Yahoo, and founder of delicious), and on the art side, Tauba Auerbach,
Cao Fei, Aaron Koblin, Monica Narula, Marc Andre Robinson, Evan Roth and Ryan Trecartin.

Conference attendance includes a half-day session where the seven teams will unveil their ideas, followed by a cocktail reception in the New Museum Skyroom. Find registration information here.

April 19, 2010: St. Louis Missouri

Social Fresh St. Louis

The social media conference for marketers, Social Fresh is not about concept, but focused purely on case studies from the front lines. Learn what social media can really do for business bottom lines. Over the course of the day you’ll hear from 35 speakers from companies like Ford, Best Buy, Scottrade, Hardees, CMT and many more. Register now and use coupon code RWW15 for 15% off.

19 – 21 April 2010: San Francisco, California

DrupalCon

DrupalCon is the premier conference focused on Drupal, the award-winning open source content management framework that is galvanizing social publishing and web development today. For a registration fee of $195, attendees get three full days of sessions led by the best and brightest Drupal experts.

Drupal has been downloaded over 2 million times since its inception, and project growth has doubled annually for several years. Drupal is used to deliver a wide variety of application types including blogs, wikis, community networks, digital media portals, and web content publishing and management.

20 April 2010: Palo Alto, California

The Real Time Web: Imperative or Insanity?

The cost of creating, sharing and distributing data in real-time has become essentially zero, leading to an explosion of user generated content. Currently, every minute:

• 500,000 pieces of content are shared on Facebook,
• 25,000 messages are created on Twitter, and
• 20 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube.

Over the last decades, the amount of data created by individuals has doubled every two years. How do we effectively use that data to make decisions that drive value for consumers and businesses? How much data is too much to handle? And what’s the opportunity for entrepreneurs? In this event, VLAB engages with entrepreneurs, investors, and established players to separate reality from hype while examining key business opportunities.

26 April 2010: San Francisco, California

Future of Money and Technology Summit

The Future of Money & Technology Summit will bring together the best and brightest thinkers around money, including visionaries, entrepreneurial business people, developers, press, investors, authors, solution/service providers, and organizations who work where cash and commerce collide. We meet to discuss the evolving ecosystem around money in a proactive, conducive to dealmaking environment. Featured speakers include Jolie O’Dell, formerly of ReadWriteWeb, as well as representatives from Wells Fargo Bank, Kiva, SharesPost, Jambool, Founders Fund, Outright.com, SoftTech VC, and many more.

Use discount code “rww” to get 10% off registration.

3 – 6 May 2010: San Francisco, California

Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco

Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco brings together the designers, developers, entrepreneurs, VCs, marketing professionals, product managers, and business strategists – from startups to enterprises – that are building the next-generation Web. Along with a vibrant Expo Hall and plenty of networking opportunities, four main conference tracks cover a spectrum of Web 2.0 topics from business strategy to Web design, user experience, developer hacks, community building, real-time, mobile, cloud computing, user-generated content, and more. Featured speakers include Chris Anderson, Ben Huh, Charlene Li, Kevin Lynch, Hilary Mason, and Brad Stone. Register today.

7 May 2010: Mountain View, California

ReadWriteWeb Mobile Summit 2010

The ReadWriteWeb Mobile Summit 2010 will be an exploration of the latest Mobile development trends – both the technology and the emerging business applications. Get ready to explore, think and create the future of Mobile with the brightest in the industry, your peers! As in our last Summit, The Real-Time Web, the ReadWriteWeb Mobile Summit is an unconference.

An unconference is a participant driven conference where the agenda is created on the day, in real-time and discussions are lead by conference participants. Read about the history of unconferences.

We will have two main tracks at this Summit – Development and Business – so the Summit will be of interest to managers, marketers, developers, innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders alike. Here’s a sample of some of the topics we’ll explore in both of these tracks.

• Geo-location services – what can you do using location as a platform?
• Commerce & Marketing – as more and more consumers use smartphones, how can businesses utilize this channel?
• Content, Publishing & Recommendations – the technologies and best practices.
• Mobile Social Networking – how to tap into communities on mobile devices.
• Internet of Things – the emerging opportunities from sensor and RFID data.
• Augmented Reality – the technology and business applications of AR.
• Native App vs. Browser Based – Including iPhone, Android, RIM, Palm, Windows Mobile and Symbian.

Click here to register now, or to become a sponsor, or to help shape the conference.

11 May 2010: San Francisco, California

FinovateSpring

FinovateSpring 2010 will again showcase the most cutting-edge financial and banking technology innovations to Silicon Valley and the world. With Finovate’s signature mix of short, fast-paced onstage demos (no slides are allowed) from handpicked companies and intimate networking time with their executives, this conference packs a ton of unique value into a single day.

Come see the cutting edge of banking and financial technology and network with hundreds of the leading financial executives, venture capitalists, press, industry analysts, bloggers and fintech entrepreneurs. Early bird registration rates are available.

13 May 2010: Cape Town, South Africa

Net Prophet 2010 Conference

Taking place on 13 May, 2010 at the Old Mutual Business School in Pinelands, Cape Town, this is the second annual Net Prophet conference to be hosted by the RAMP Foundation, a non-profit entity created by the RAMP Group as a means for social investment within the local Internet based economy. After a very successful conference last year, where over 400 attendees tapped the minds of leading Internet experts and successful entrepreneurs, Net Prophet 2010 will build on the same format and anticipates on reaching many more people.

May 17 2010: San Francisco, California

SF MusicTech Summit

The SF MusicTech Summit will bring together 700-plus visionaries in the music/technology space – the best and brightest entrepreneurs, developers, investors, service providers, journalists, musicians and organizations who work with them at the convergence of culture and commerce. We meet to discuss the evolving music, business and technology ecosystem in a proactive, conducive-to-dealmaking environment. Enter the discount code “rww” to get 10% off.

18 May 2010: Silicon Valley, California

Founder Showcase

On Tuesday, May 18th, 10 companies elected by over 13,500 registered CEO Members of TheFunded.com will present to an audience of 200 investors, founders, and members of the press. A panel of experts will critique the pitches, and voting from those in attendance will determine the grand prize winner, who will receive $2,500 on the spot and a host of other prizes.

Founder Showcase guests will be treated to food and drinks, as well as informative talks by two leading Silicon Valley CEOs. There is also a networking and Pitch Table area for startups, service providers, and investors to convene. Previous investors that have attended include Charles River Ventures, JAFCO, Leapfrog, Polaris, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, First Round, Blue Run, and various angels. Over $250,000 has been raised by presenting companies that met investors at previous Founder Showcase events.

Use discount code “RWW” to get a 10% discount.

18 – 19 May 2010: Santa Clara, California

Social Media Strategies

Social Media Strategies is a conference on social business, social marketing, advertising and optimization. Social media technologies are fundamentally changing the sales, marketing and operations process. Business are leveraging social technologies to acquire, market, and communicate with customers. This conference features cutting edge topics, keynotes, workshops and discussions that provided strategic knowledge, insights and real world examples on how to successfully plan, implement and manage your organizations social media efforts to achieve your business goals.

Use the code “readwriteweb” when you register and get $100 off.

19 – 21 May 2010: San Francisco, California

eCommAmerica

Emerging Communications Conference & Awards (eComm) is focused on what’s “Next in Telecom, Mobile & Internet Communications”. It’s designed to accelerate communications technology and business model innovation. Participants attend to be exposed to the latest technologies, research, companies, trends and opportunities.
Day three this year is being dedicated to augmented reality. AR may prove to be as significant as the introduction of the Internet itself, moving computers off desks and out of their separate modality into our lives. Use discount code ‘ReadWriteWeb’ for 10% discount.

25 – 27 May 2010: Denver, Colorado

Glue

Glue is the only conference devoted solely to exploring the problem-sets facing architects, developers and IT professionals in a “post-cloud” world. Glue focuses on the APIs and protocols (Twitter, Facebook, Websockets, PubSubHubBub, XMPP), formats and standards (RDF/Linked Data, JSON, Microformats, HTML5), platforms and providers (Amazon, Rackspace, Google App Engine, Salesforce.com, Eucalyptus), Identity Protocols (OAuth/WRAP, SAML, OpenID, SPML) emerging NoSQL data models (Cassandra, CouchDB, MongoDB, Riak, HBase), and other mechanisms that are building the post-cloud world.

ReadWriteCloud will be blogging live from Gluecon and CloudCamp, and ReadWriteWeb’s Alex Williams will be moderating the “Managing Complexity in the Cloud” session. Please join us May 25-27 in Denver, Colorado. ReadWriteWeb readers can receive 10% off of registration by using the code “RWW12”.

27 – 28 May 2010: Beijing, China

Global Mobile Internet Conference

The Global Mobile Internet Conference is designed specifically for entrepreneurs, executives and influencers to understand and capitalize on the growing opportunities in mobile internet. Though focused on opportunities in Asia, much of the conference dialogue is intended to compare and trade best practices across borders, especially between the East and West. Around 1000 industry leaders from Asia, Europe and North America are expected to attend. The conference will be in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

28 May 2010: Beijing, China

Global Mobile Internet Conference – Innovation Show & Startup Competition

The Global Mobile Internet Conference Innovation Show intends to be a launch pad for innovative mobile internet startups from around the world. Innovation Show finalists will have the opportunity to present their company to an expected 1,000 investors, industry leaders, and press. Finalists will be judged by and receive feedback from a team of respected venture capitalists and angel investors. The judges will choose one company as the GMIC Innovation Show Winner. Startups must apply by April 4.

15 – 16 June 2010: New York City

Corporate Social Media Summit

The Corporate Social Media Summit is a two day conference focused exclusively on how big businesses can take advantage of social media to enhance their marketing/comms strategy. Featuring:

• Practical and relevant insights from peers who have already used social media successfully
• 20-plus corporate speakers (including PepsiCo, Whole Foods, Dell, McDonald’s, General Motors, Citi, Johnson & Johnson),
• Best practice, benchmarks and practical next steps you can use to take advantage of social media in your business
• A tightly-focused agenda with 14 in-depth, practical workshops giving you knowledge on only the most critical business issues surrounding corporate use of social media

Save $400 if you quote RWW400 when booking. Book here.

22 – 24 June 2010: Santa Clara, California

Velocity

Now in its third year, Velocity – the Web Performance and Operations Conference from O’Reilly Media – is dedicated to helping people build a better Internet that is Fast by Default. Join hundreds of web developers and experts under one roof from June 22-24, 2010 in Santa Clara, CA Velocity packs a wealth of big ideas, know-how, and connections into three concentrated days. You’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned immediately for high impact results and you’ll come away prepared for what’s ahead. O’Reilly Velocity 2010 is the premier conference dedicated to building industrial strength sites, at internet speed. Velocity“>Register Now and save 25% with discount code “vel10rww”.

29 – 30 June 2010: London

Cloud Computing World Forum

The 2nd annual Cloud Computing World Forum is the perfect event to learn and discuss the development, integration, adoption and future of cloud computing and SaaS. Building on the success of the 2009 show, this two day conference and free-to-attend exhibition will provide a focused platform for the global cloud and SaaS industry. Show highlights include:

• Co-located with CloudCamp London
• Co-located with Green IT conference
• Free-to-attend exhibition with seminar and scenario theatre
• Free-to-attend evening awards presentation
• Hear from leading case studies on how they have integrated cloud computing and SaaS into their working practices
• Learn from the key players offering cloud and SaaS services
• Evening networking party for all attendees

7 July 2010: Melbourne, Australia

Digital Sport Summit

Digital Sport Summit is Australia’s premier sport and digital media event. Hear from social media pioneers who are changing the face of Australian sport. Learn how social media and mobile technology is taking fan engagement to a whole new level.

Speakers on the day will cover a variety of topics including:

• iPhone application development for sport
• Convincing management of the case for social media
• How to monetize social media
• Fantasy sports
• Social media from an athlete’s perspective

With speakers representing Essendon Football Club, Cricket Victoria, Herald Sun, Football Federation Australia and more. Digital Sport Summit will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

5 October 2010: New York City

FinovateFall

FinovateFall will return to Manhattan on Tuesday, October 5 to showcase dozens of the biggest and most innovative new ideas in financial and banking technology from established leaders and hot young companies. The Fall event is the original and largest Finovate and features a single day packed with our special blend of short, fast-paced onstage demos (no slides are allowed) and intimate networking time with top executives from the innovative demoing companies.

FinovateFall is a unique chance to see the future of finance and banking before your competition and find the edge you need in today’s market. Early bird registration rates are available.

Download this entire events calendar in iCal format.

Discuss

There was never any question but that the nomination of Dawn Johnsen to be head of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel would be withdrawn. None. Much to the dismay of progressives everywhere who believe in the principals Professor Johnsen has written and stood for, early on in the Obama Administration it was crystal clear Mr. Obama and his Administration had retreated completely from the what has turned out to be empty rhetoric of his campaign and short term in the Senate.

As dday and Sam Stein have already alerted, Professor Johnsen’s nomination has been withdrawn. I want to focus on a later part of Stein’s piece in the Huffington Post, not to pick on Sam who is a fantastic reporter, but to knock back the bullshit meme that is going to be pervasive in the media:

The withdrawal represents a major blow to progressive groups and civil liberties advocates who had pushed for Johnsen to end up in the office that previously housed, among others, John Yoo, the author of the infamous torture memos under George W. Bush.

But the votes, apparently, weren’t there. Johnsen had the support of Sen Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) but was regarded skeptically by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) — primarily for her positions on torture and the investigation of previous administration actions. A filibuster, in the end, was likely sustainable. Faced with this calculus, the White House chose not to appoint Johnsen during Senate recess, which would have circumvented a likely filibuster but would have kept her in the position for less than two years.

In a statement accompanying Johnsen’s letter, White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said her credentials were “exemplary and her commitment to the rule of law has been proven time and again.”

“After years of politicization of the Office during the previous administration, the President believes it is time for the Senate to move beyond politics and allow the Office of Legal Counsel to serve the role it was intended to – to provide impartial legal advice and constitutional analysis to the executive branch,” LaBolt added. “He will work now to identify a replacement and call on the Senate to move swiftly to confirm that nominee in order to achieve those goals.”

It is indeed a serious blow to progressives; but far more than that, it is a serious blow to the country and its desire to bring common sense, morality and the rule of law back to the tattered United States Department of Justice. No division of the DOJ has more symbolized the rot, moral and legal decay brought on by the Bush/Cheney Administration than the OLC where the sick and despicable opinions of John Yoo, Jay Bybee and Steve Bradbury emanated from. This is why Dawn Johnsen was both symbolically and pragmatically so critical and so welcomed. But it was not to be; it was never to be. (more…)

Thai cuisine is known for harmonizing sweet, sour, pungent, salty and spicy flavors into dishes that burst with flavor. Unfortunately, many of the dishes on Thai restaurant menus in the U.S. are weighed down with vegetable oils and sugar, and served with heavy portions of rice and noodles. While we can’t promise that Tara Gravenstine’s “Thai-Inspired Salad of Awesome” (submitted for the Reader-Created Cookbook Contest) will demolish any last hankerings you have for Pad Thai, we can say that it will satisfy cravings for the complex flavors that make Thai food so addictive.

What really makes the flavor in this salad pop are three herbs easily found at any grocery store or farmers’ market: basil, mint and cilantro. Fresh herbs bring surprising flavor to any type of salad, not just this one, and are an easy way to make your daily salad a little more interesting. In Tara’s salad, the trio of basil, mint and cilantro is aromatic and refreshing and brightens the mild flavors of mung bean sprouts, bamboo shoots (or water chestnuts), avocado, snow peas and red pepper. Mango adds bright color and sweet flavor to the salad, but if you prefer tart to sweet, try using a firm, unripe mango instead. Unripe “green” mangoes are often used in Thai salads and can be sliced or grated.

Tara’s Thai-inspired dressing has all those delicious salty, sour, spicy flavors we mentioned earlier. A key ingredient is fish sauce, and while that might not sound appealing, fish sauce is one of those secret ingredients that heightens flavor in a good way. Many Asian dishes call for fish sauce and you should be able to find it at your local grocery store. Although most, if not all, brands have added salt and sugar, the sauce is used so sparingly in recipes (2 teaspoons in Tara’s dressing) that the added sugar isn’t much of a worry. In this dressing, the fish sauce is blended with lime juice, tamari and ginger, creating a lively, light dressing with a slightly spicy kick.

We topped the salad with chopped, grilled chicken breast for protein, although thin slices of steak (hmm…or maybe shrimp….) would be delicious, too. And, as Tara says, “some grated coconut on top of the salad would not be amiss.”

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 cups loosely packed fresh mung bean sprouts (optional)
• 1 cup snow peas, julienned (i.e. cut into matchsticks)
• 1 small can bamboo shoots (or water chestnuts), julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 bunch scallions, julienned or chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped basil
• 1/3 cup chopped mint
• 1 mango, diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced

Dressing:

• juice and zest of 2 limes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon soy or tamari sauce
• 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons ginger juice (or grated ginger root)

*ginger juice can be made by chopping up ginger and squishing it in a mortar and pestle, or in a bowl with a spoon.

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