Author: Serkadis

By Susan Ward, CEO, ITECS Innovative Consulting

(Industry Week, March 15, 2010) Energy efficiency. Job creation. Alternative fuels. These are not only buzz words but key government initiatives that can be turned into potential grants or funding for your company — if you have the right project presented with the right strategy. Companies who successfully tap into government funding can gain a competitive advantage in bringing new technology to market, upgrading manufacturing facilities for energy efficiency and cost savings, and saving or adding jobs. But the government doesn’t just hand out money to make companies more competitive. One key to successfully securing government funding is showing that your project is in the national interest as well as your company’s interest. Read More

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, BMW

There was a time, not too long ago, when a BMW M-badged vehicle was feared. In the late 1990s, the E36 M3 Coupe was often regarded as the best-handling two-door on the planet and its sibling, the E36 M3 Sedan, was the fastest four-door in showrooms. The droptop M Roadster offered a viable alternative to a Porsche 911 Cabriolet, while the bad-to-the bone E39 M5 ran without peers thanks to its 400-horsepower V8 .

Today’s M models offer excellent performance, but the bar has been raised so high that cheaper upstarts like Mitsubishi and Subaru can give them a run for the money on tracks, not to mention surging premium competitors like Audi and arch rival, Mercedes-Benz and their AMG offerings. Kay Segler, the new chief of BMW’s performance-oriented M brand, has taken notice. However, instead of pushing the well-respected division to the head of the pack with even greater levels of performance, Segler says it is time to rethink what his division stands for – meaning BMW M may no longer offer the fastest or most powerful cars possible.

“The measurement of 0 to 100 (km/h) isn’t as much a thrill anymore,” Segler tells TheDetroitBureau.com. He goes on to explain that it’s how a car feels via the driver’s “butt-o-meter” matters more. Furthermore, he says the performance M brand needs to shift directions. “We want to make M young again.” Segler’s goal “is to go towards affordability and freshness.” Those are big changes considering the current M lineup represents the flagship of each model range – priced accordingly – along with gigantic SUVs like the 5,368-pound X5 M. Undeterred by the news, we are still holding our breath for a production version of the Concept 1 Series Tii.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

BMW M looking to be more youthful, get more affordable? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(Market Watch, March 31, 2010) Houston – Reliant Energy has finalized its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for approximately $20 million in funding to develop and deliver innovative energy solutions for Texas electricity customers. Reliant is the only competitive electricity provider in Texas to have been selected to receive a grant through American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  ”We are grateful the DOE recognizes the value of our smart-energy suite of products, which will give our Texas customers the tools to better understand and monitor their electricity usage,” said David Crane, NRG Energy, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is an early step in using smart grid technology to link our zero emission power generation to the electric vehicle infrastructure in Texas as the foundation for a clean energy future that is not dependent on foreign oil.”   Click here to read more…

(CNN Money, March 30, 2010) Novomer Inc., a sustainable materials company pioneering a family of high-performance plastics, polymers and other chemicals from renewable feedstocks such as carbon dioxide (CO2), today announced it has been awarded $2.1M in the first phase of a potential $25 million federal stimulus grant for sustainable materials production from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  Leveraging Novomer’s patented catalyst technology — developed at Cornell University — Novomer will produce sustainable polymers and polyols using waste CO2 as a primary raw material. Novomer has partnered with Praxair to supply the required repurposed CO2 and Kodak Specialty Chemicals, a unit of Eastman Kodak to support polymer process development and scale-up. At the end of the project, in addition to enabling commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities for sustainable materials with several contract manufacturers, it is expected that several products will be customer qualified requiring commercial scale production of PPC polymers on a global basis.  Click here to read more…

Well, this is a bit of a surprise. The Liberal Democrats in the UK, who had previously pushed to add some troubling language to the Digital Economy Bill, are now not only skeptical of the bill, but fighting the plan to rush it through the House of Commons. As you may recall, the plan was to zip this through the Commons via a wash up procedure, which doesn’t allow for debate. The goal was to get it done before the election is held. However, the LibDems apparently have heard (loudly) from their constituents:

On Tuesday afternoon, the party’s chief whip Paul Burstow tweeted that he had told the government the Liberal Democrats will not support the bill as it is drafted because there is “not enough time for MPs to examine it in detail”.

That said, it seems like there’s a lot of rapidly changing views on the Digital Economy Bill. With more and more opposition growing, the government amended one of the more controversial clauses, so that it’s greatly watered down. The clause that previously could have shut down legitimate sites based on some infringing use now requires courts to take into account those legitimate users. It also makes it so ISPs won’t have to pay court costs, meaning they’re less likely to shut something down just to avoid court.

Meanwhile, reader Phatnobody notes that according to some copyright holders, the Digital Economy Bill doesn’t go far enough.

Given all of these shifting and changing views (and shifting and changing provisions in the bill), it seems like it would be a really dangerous move to simply rush the bill through with no debate. These are major issues that impact a very large percentage of the population. Not allowing for an open debate on the issue seems very, very questionable.

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By Andrea Gibson

(ScienceDaily, March 30, 2010) — Scientists have discovered the world’s smallest superconductor, a sheet of four pairs of molecules less than one nanometer wide. The Ohio University-led study, published March 29 as an advance online publication in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, provides the first evidence that nanoscale molecular superconducting wires can be fabricated, which could be used for nanoscale electronic devices and energy applications.  “Researchers have said that it’s almost impossible to make nanoscale interconnects using metallic conductors because the resistance increases as the size of wire becomes smaller. The nanowires become so hot that they can melt and destruct. That issue, Joule heating, has been a major barrier for making nanoscale devices a reality,” said lead author Saw-Wai Hla, an associate professor of physics and astronomy with Ohio University’s Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute.  Click here to read more…

Filed under: Motorsports, Auctions, Etc., Australia

Even when McLaren makes mistakes, it makes money. Lewis Hamilton was busted putting a little a lotta extra temperature into the tires of a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG loaned to him during his stay in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix. The car was impounded by the Victorian State Police, Lewis paid a fine to remedy his deed and McLaren paid to get the car out.

Turns out there are so many buyers interested in owning said car that Mercedes dealers are bidding to win the car so they can re-sell it. Tips suggest the dealers will have to pay a healthy slice more than the $AUD 148,900 ($136,198 USD) MSRP, and Mercedes will donate any amount above market value to charity. The eventual retail, however, will add another premium above what the dealer paid, and it’s a good guess that the dealer won’t be donating that money to charity. For that extra dough, the retail buyer will get a surprise “special item” to help tell the story… and maybe justify a markup likely to be on the far side of absurd. Great tip, Andrew!

[Source: Brisbane Times]

Followup: Hamilton’s Hoontastic Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG slated for charity auction? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the line of one of Google’s previous April’s Fool Day proposals, this design concept might actually become feasible. “Google Maps Envelopes” maps the course of snail mail on the envelop itself. The project further proposes people would be able to send these envelopes through the GMail interface.

Via Mashable, Engadget and Yanko Design and almost all other design blogs. Thnkx Yofred.

UPDATE: Just discovered: Map Envelope: print envelopes with your geographical location.

At the 2010 New York Auto Show earlier today, Mazda dropped the pricing details on the 2011 Mazda2. Prices for the new compact hatchback, a Ford Fiesta sibling, will start at $13,980 ($14,730, including freight) with a 5-speed manual. A 4-speed automatic transmission will add $800 to the price tag.

Standard features include air conditioning, antilock brakes, dynamic stability control with traction control, electric power steering, 15-inch wheels, CD/MP3 stereo, tilt steering wheel, remote keyless entry system and power mirrors, windows and door locks.

Moving up a notch, the Mazda2 Touring with a 5-speed manual starts at $15,435 or $16,235 when mated to a 4-speed automatic.

All 2011 Mazda2 models are powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine making 100-hp.

Hit the jump for the press release for complete details.

2011 Mazda2:

Press Release:

MAZDA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR 2011 MAZDA2 SUBCOMPACT

NEW YORK – The all-new 2011 MAZDA2 will begin to arrive in U.S. showrooms in July 2010, with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $13,980.

Zoom-Zoom in its most concentrated form, MAZDA2 is the latest in a line of stylish, insightful and fun-to-drive small cars from Mazda, and will bring an all-new level of refinement to the segment. MAZDA2 is a car that only the engineers at Mazda could have created. It was designed and engineered from scratch to be a pure Mazda, offering the sort of driving experience that could only come from the company that developed the timeless MX-5 two-seat roadster, and it brings a combination of athletic design and dynamic performance to the subcompact class.

Priced from $13,980, excluding destination charges of $750, the 2011 MAZDA2 is available in two trim levels – the entry level Sport and top grade Touring. Both trim levels offer the versatility, features and style consumers in the market for a subcompact want, at a price they can afford.

The well-equipped MAZDA2 Sport is powered by a 100 horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and is available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission (priced from $14,780). Standard features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control System (TCS), Electric Power Assist (EPAS) steering system, 185/55/R15 all-weather tires mounted on 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, body-colored door handles and power mirrors, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with four speakers, audio auxiliary jack, tilt steering wheel, remote keyless entry system, rear window wiper/washer and 60/40 split fold-down rear seats. In addition to ABS, DSC and TCS, standard safety features include “Triple H” body construction, side-impact door beams, crushable brake and accelerator pedal assembly, advanced dual front air bags, front seat side air bags, side air curtains, engine immobilizer anti-theft system, second row LATCH child safety seat anchors and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

With a starting price of $15,435, the MAZDA2 Touring is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission or available four-speed automatic transmission, starting at $16,235. All Touring models feature upgraded cloth seat fabric with red piping, 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, rear roof spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, leather-wrapped steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, trip computer and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo system.

Available accessories include a rear bumper guard, wheel locks (Touring models only), all-weather floor mats, cargo net, center console with armrest and auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, Homelink® and orange backlit buttons.

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in the United States in 2010, Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

– By: Kap Shah

 

 

10-Year Treasury Yields Break Out – Bespoke Investment Group

————

CHART OF THE DAY: Is There Anyone Around Who Remembers A Bear Market In Bonds? – Joe Weisenthal and Kamelia Angelova  – Clusterstock at Business Insider 
————

Swap spreads collapse – Scott Grannis – I never thought I would see what this chart is showing. 10-year swap spreads have suddenly, for the first time ever, dropped below zero. They are now -7.25 basis points. Since swap spreads are traditionally a proxy for AA bank credit risk, this means that the market prefers to own 10-yr AA bank debt rather than 10-yr Treasuries … ‘ve several explanations for the recent plunge in swap spreads, but not one that is compelling. … – Calafia Beach Pundit
————

Supply fears start to hit Treasuries – By Michael Mackenzie and David Oakley – The bond vigilantes are finally flexing their muscles. A long period of stability for the US government bond market showed signs of cracking this week as a lack of investor appetite for new debt sent the benchmark 10-year yield to its highest level since last June. – FT.com 

————

Booming Treasury Yields Could Be Big – Tom Henderson, Strategist JBH Capital – … The 10 Year Yield has been moving closer to the 4% level. If this level were breached materially, it could have a run to 5%. 4.30% seems to be the area of resistance from which this yield has been repelled. The action Wednesday, with yields on this benchmark jumping by 0.13% to 3.82%, is a large move. … – Seeking Alpha
————

   + 

PIMCO’s April 2010 Investment Outlook, "Rocking-Horse Winner" by Bill Gross, is now available at PIMCO

and
Gross: American-style capitalism has reached a dead end but buy T-bills anyway – Posted by Edward Harrison – Credit Writedowns

————

What if interest rates don’t rise? – (Fortune) — Here’s a shocker: It could be years before U.S. finances are jolted by an interest rate shock.  … Even if it doesn’t come to that, Japan’s lost decades show that low-rate policies are far from foolproof. Japanese 10-year notes recently yielded 1.35% and haven’t been above 2.15% in more than a decade, Simons noted.  "Did anyone think Japan would still be stuck here in 2010?" he asked. … CNN Money Fortune

 

 

Chart of the Day – For some perspective into the all-important US real estate market, today’s chart illustrates the US median price of a single-family home over the past 40 years.  ————

 

Report shows strategic defaults increasing – Rolfe Winkler – How widespread are strategic defaults? Laurie Goodman and her team at Amherst Mortgage Insight yesterday released a report that shows they are indeed on the rise and for reasons we might suspect: negative equity and a more borrower-friendly environment. – Reuters Blogs

and

Modding mods – Rolfe Winkler – Friday’s announcement that the administration is overhauling its mortgage modification program to encourage principal forgiveness … The plan is a decent one, and it appropriately would have lenders absorb the lion’s share of losses. Still, its an all-carrots approach that may be tough to get off the ground. And taxpayers would get even more deeply involved in housing finance. If it doesn’t work, regulators have a stick to force lenders to take losses, which I describe at the end. – Reuters Blogs

————

The 2nd Bubble – by Bill Sardi – Once again, government is rewarding the irresponsible (half of the home mortgages written during the real estate bubble of 2003–08 took out 2nd mortgages to ... – Lew Rockwell.com 

————

   + 

Morning HAMP – by CalculatedRisk – Two articles and a favorable reaction from Laurie Goodman at Amherst … 

and
Help for HAMP: Feds Finally Try to Patch Up Troubled Foreclosure Program – By Alain Sherter – Bnet.com
————

Reverse mortgages:  MetLife Eliminates Origination and Servicing Fee, Trend Begins -  MetLife Bank announced a new pricing option available … This new pricing option, which applies to the HECM fixed product will eliminate the origination fee and servicing fee, meaning that borrowers could receive additional loan proceeds ranging from $3,500 to $10,000, or more said MetLife. … – Reverse Mortgage Daily 

————

Mortgage-banking veteran Bott leads FHA foreclosure-prevention effort – By Dina ElBoghdady – … FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens, who had worked closely with Bott when they were at Wells Fargo this decade, plucked Bott out of the private sector to join the agency. … At the time, Bott was a vice president of institutional risk at Wells Fargo. During her years there, she put in place systems that monitor the credit quality of borrowers and ensure that they receive proper disclosures when taking out loans. … – Washington Post 

————

Lower Home Prices Can Fix What Government Can’t: Caroline Baum – … Between them, the federal government and central bank can lower mortgage rates, modify mortgages, use their power to get private lenders to modify mortgages, and create incentives to move inventory, such as the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit.  What they can’t do is manufacture enough artificial demand for an asset that was artificially inflated to begin with … – Bloomberg

Here its is, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class made its world debut today here at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Still classified as an SUV/Crossover, the 2011 R-Class does its best to stop looking like a minivan. Even though it seems like it’s doing a good job, there is still ways to go – at least in our opinion.

“Thanks to our successful model offensive, we are able to offer a uniquely wide range of tailor-made products designed to meet the needs of a demanding customer base,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Marketing and Sales for Mercedes-Benz Cars. “A significant proportion of this success is down to the innovative vehicle concepts with which Mercedes-Benz has repeatedly established and opened up new market segments,” he continued. “These include the R-Class, the original SUV tourer, which we have now extensively redesigned and upgraded.”

Mercedes-Benz also confirmed that the U.S. market will get the R 350 BlueTEC, which is powered by a 210-hp V6 diesel, and the R 350 CDI 4MATIC, which is powered by a 224-hp V6 diesel engine.

Make the jump for more high-res images from the 2010 New York Auto Show.

2010 New York: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Roman Bronfenbrener – egmCarTech.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class:

Press Release:

Mercedes-Benz at the 2010 New York International Auto Show: World premiere of the new-generation R-Class and model offensive on the U.S. market

New York – Following the successful start to the year with a clear rebound against the first quarter 2009, Mercedes-Benz is pushing forward with its model offensive on the U.S. market. Taking center stage at today’s Mercedes press conference on the 2010 New York International Auto Show was the world premiere of the new-generation R-Class. The original SUV tourer has been extensively updated – including a completely redesigned front end. A further highlight was the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The racing version of the SLS AMG boasts stunning design and throroughbred racing technology, and makes its debut to coincide with the market launch of the road-going version. On top of that are three attractive new E-Class models for the U.S. market – the debut of the E 350 BlueTEC marks the arrival of another incredibly clean and efficient driveline variant of the successful sedan, which holds a 35 percent share of its market segment in the U.S. and remains the undisputed number one in its class. In May, the U.S. market will also welcome the new E-Class Cabriolet and the E-Class Wagon, which comes to market as the E 350 4MATIC with permanent all-wheel drive.

The most important exterior feature of the new-generation R-Class is the completely redesigned front end. It underscores the unique personality of this multi-talented vehicle that boasts an impressive array of inner values. These include the spaciousness of modern SUVs, as well as the comfort, exclusivity and prestige of Mercedes-Benz sedans. At the same time, the latest generation offers the interior versatility central to the R-Class vehicle concept, while also delivering the tough characteristics and all-wheel drive features of Mercedes-Benz SUVs.

New R 350 BlueTEC – one of the world’s cleanest diesels

When it comes to the engine range, Mercedes-Benz engineers placed particular emphasis on efficiency and environmental sustainability. With the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz is offering one of the cleanest diesel models worldwide. The V6 engine generates an output of 155 kW (210 hp) and 400 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque. The diesel is equipped with AdBlue© exhaust treatment and, despite performance improvements, consumes only 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers (combined EU cycle), which is 0.3 liters less than its predecessor. It already fulfills the emissions requirements for the EU6 standard due for introduction in 2014. All gasoline and diesel versions of the R-Class fulfill the EU5 standard. In the U.S., the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC achieves 18/24 mpg city/hwy. and meets emissions standards in all 50 states.

New R 350 CDI 4MATIC – refined performance with reduced consumption

When it comes to the engine range, Mercedes-Benz engineers placed particular emphasis on efficiency and environmental sustainability. With the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz is offering one of the cleanest diesel models worldwide. The V6 engine generates an output of 155 kW (210 hp) and 400 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque. The diesel is equipped with AdBlue© exhaust treatment and, despite performance improvements, consumes only 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers (combined EU cycle), which is 0.3 liters less than its predecessor. It already fulfills the emissions requirements for the EU6 standard due for introduction in 2014. All gasoline and diesel versions of the R-Class fulfill the EU5 standard. In the U.S., the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC achieves 18/24 mpg city/hwy. and meets emissions standards in all 50 states.

New R 350 CDI 4MATIC – refined performance with reduced consumption

The new R 350 CDI 4MATIC (not available in the U.S.) combines the performance of a V8 model with the low consumption figures of an economic V6. It needs only 8.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (NEDC combined), thus bettering its predecessor by 0.8 liters – despite its significantly improved performance. While the peak output previously stood at 165 kW (224 hp), the modified V6 diesel now delivers 195 kW (265 hp) and an exceptional torque of 620 Nm (457 lb-ft). The sportiest version of the R-Class with a diesel engine accelerates from 0 to 100 km in 7.6 seconds (0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds) and reaches a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph).

Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “The new-generation R-Class is the most modern and versatile SUV tourer on the market. This amazing combination of safety, comfort and sporting character with outstanding functionality and exceptional efficiency is something you can find only at Mercedes-Benz.”

– By: Roman Bronfenbrener

Article Tags: ClimateGate

Maps from NASA’s GISS reveal temperatures where no data exist, thanks to mathematical extrapolation of data.

Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and David Vitter (R-La.) have written a letter to NASA chief Charles Bolden demanding answers to questions surrounding newly uncovered irregularities in the space agency’s climate data.

Not everyone is sipping the global warming Kool-Aid.

Concerns about the validity of NASA’s climate research are being raised following revelations that the space agency admitted its data was less accurate than other weather trackers’. Disturbed by these reports, as well as the growing Climate-gate scandal that has left global-warming theorists reeling, Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and David Vitter (R-La.) have written a letter to space agency chief Charles Bolden demanding answers.

“The American people deserve to learn the truth about the data,” Barrasso told FoxNews.com, stressing the risks of basing public policy on science that remains largely undecided.

Source: foxnews.com

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Article Tags: ClimateGate, Richard North

Click source to read FULL report by Richard North

Source: eureferendum.blogspot.com

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Only a few decades ago, photography was dominated by film cameras, where each and every photograph you took cost money and time to develop. To accumulate 10,000 hours of shooting experience under one’s belt was prohibitively expensive, so only those truly dedicated to the craft were able to excel. The divide between the quality of amateur and professional was fairly distinct. Fast forward to today, and we now have a world where photographers can take thousands of pictures without ever incurring any additional cost, making quality photography more accessible than ever before. Also, with digital photography, feedback about a photo is instantaneous, which only serves to accelerate the learning curve. And with the proliferation of photo-sharing sites like Flickr, photographers can share, critique and comment on their photographs and technique, which makes everyone involved a better photographer.

These advances have greatly disrupted a previously solid industry. Last year, after producing it for 74 years, Kodak retired Kodachrome film. Likewise, microstock photography sites like iStockPhoto have undermined the stock photography business model so much so as to incur comparisons of its business to pollution and drug dealing. The microstock business has been buoyed by a the increase in supply of new photographers — and as with any market where the supply is increased, price is driven downwards. Stock photography that used to cost thousands of dollars a year for a single photo now can cost as little as $1 for a royalty-free license. Furthermore, with the decline of newspapers and magazines, less photographers are being sent out on assignment. As a result, professional photographers are starting to feel the squeeze on all sides, and many are now struggling to make a living. Some professional photographers criticize amateurs for agreeing to the low prices. Photographer Matt Eich claims:

“People that don’t have to make a living from photography and do it as a hobby don’t feel the need to charge a reasonable rate,”

Unfortunately, “making a living” is not a reason to charge a certain price for any good or service. The price is set at what the market will bear, so in this case, the flood of supply and shrinking demand exerts downward pressure on the market. Hobbyists have nothing to do with it.

Advances in technology create new opportunities. The printing press probably made many scribes unhappy with their job security, but it also made the printed word more accessible to everyone and also created a new class of craftsmen who were needed to operate the printing presses. Likewise, with billions of photographs uploaded to the internet each day, looking at and sharing photographs has now become a daily endeavor for many people, as compared to a once-in-awhile event when people dragged out their photo albums. Microstock has made stock photography accessible to many more people who were previously priced out of the market. According to Getty CEO Jonathan Klein:

In 2005, Getty Images licensed 1.4 million preshot commercial photos. Last year, it licensed 22 million — and “all of the growth was through our user-generated business”

As for the photographers, there’s still a viable business for those that can adapt their businesses to reflect the changing landscape. Sure, the magazine industry may be flagging, but magazine production costs are also falling with services like MagCloud, and enterprising photographers are taking matters into their own hands and producing their own. Furthermore, new publications like Burn and JPG have emerged to take advantage of this new crop of seasoned photographers. Some photographers have even embraced the entrepreneurial spirit with their own ventures. Photojournalist Lauren Victoria Burke started WDCPIX, a photographic wire service for sites that can’t afford a traditional wire service. For only $260 a month clients have access to a wide range of photojournalistic sources, much cheaper than AP or Getty. But, what’s interesting is that subscribers of WDCPIX are actually paying for Burke’s work that has not yet created, one of the “10 Good Reasons To Buy” that we’ve discussed here many times before. So, apparently, even for photographers, the mantra of CwF+RtB applies as well.

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, SUV, Volkswagen, Off-Road

Volkswagen has just unveiled its 2011 Touareg for the first time in the States, giving us Americans a chance to see the slimmed down SUV and its hybrid sibling that we first saw at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. This second generation Touareg will still have a diesel option, but for those who like to feel even better about themselves while they gently crush wildflowers in the Arctic National Preserve, there’s also a hybrid model offered for the first time in a VW SUV.

The hybrid model gets a 3.0-liter, supercharged, direct injection V6 gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and eight-speed automatic transmission that help it to a mileage rating of 21 miles per gallon city and 25 highway. That V6-plus-electric-motor combo also combines for 375 horsepower and 428 lbs.-ft. of torque, allowing a healthy towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds. There’s a full rundown of the details in the press release you’ll find after the jump, and a gallery of live images from the show floor here at the 2010 New York Auto Show below.

[Source: Volkswagen]
Live photos by Frank Filipponio / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading New York 2010: Second generation Volkswagen Touareg makes U.S. debut, Hybrid too

New York 2010: Second generation Volkswagen Touareg makes U.S. debut, Hybrid too originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article Tags: Doug L. Hoffman, Headline Story

It has come to light that a number of climate scientists have been less than truthful with regard to climate data. As shocking and embarrassing as this has been to the scientific community, it serves only to emphasize the huge blind spot that scientists have for their computer models. It is a career ending offense to knowingly falsify data, yet the entire climate science community engages in even worse deception without a second thought. This is because lies are generated for them wholesale by their faithful yet duplicitous servants: computer climate models.

In a guest post on Roger Pielke Sr.’s web site, Hiroshi L. Tanaka of the University of the University of Tsukuba in Japan, reported on the results of a new paper he published with his student, Masahiro Ohashi (see “Data Analysis of Recent Warming Pattern in the Arctic”). In it they state “it is shown that both of decadal variabilities before and after 1989 in the Arctic can be mostly explained by the natural variability of the AO not by the external response due to the human activity.” While this is an important finding in and of itself, that is not what caught my attention.

The implications of Ohashi and Tanaka’s finding for climate modeling are even more dramatic, and even more damaging, for the climate alarmist cause. Why this new finding is so damaging goes to the heart of how modeling is done and how models are calibrated to reflect previously “known” conditions. Here is how Dr. Tanaka stated the implications of their research:

Click source to read FULL report from Doug L. Hoffman

Source: theresilientearth.com

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As we wait for the Bilski ruling in the US (which my gut feeling tells me will have the Supreme Court totally punt on the issue of software patents), it seems like politicians down in New Zealand have figured out that software patents are a real problem. As a whole bunch of you sent in, a bill is moving through the process for patent reform that explicitly says software should not be patentable:

We recommend amending clause 15 to include computer programs among inventions that may not be patented. We received many submissions concerning the patentability of of computer
programs. Under the Patents Act 1953 computer programs can be patented in New Zealand […] Open source, or free, software has grown in popularity since the 1980s. Protecting software by patenting it is inconsistent with the open source model and its proponents oppose it. A number of submitters argue that there is no “inventive step” in software development, as “new” software inevitably builds on existing software. They felt that computer software should be exluded from patent protection as software patents can stifle innovation and competition, and can be granted for trivial or existing techniques. In general we accept this position.

This is a welcome development, certainly. Even more impressive is the general realization (often missed by politicians) that too much patenting is a bad thing and can seriously stifle innovation:

[the old act] has a low threshold for patentability compared with most other countries. This low threshold can lead to broader patent rights being granted in New Zealand than in other countries, which can disadvantage New Zealand businesses and consumers[…] This can discourage innovation and inhibit growth in productivity and exports.

Now if only New Zealand would recognize similar problems with copyright law as well…

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM

Here’s the skinny: The Cruze RS is an appearance package for Chevy buyers who want a Cruze with a higher level of panache. That out of the way, the RS sports sexier front and rear fascias along with more aggressive rocker panels. Don’t forget the pretty OK-looking fog lamps. There’s a slick rear spoiler, too. We’re also pretty smitten with the big, aluminum wheels that are slathered in some impressive rubber – 235/40/19 to be specific. That’s pretty large. Inside features a blacked out interior with leather seats and fabric dash materials.

The Cruze RS get’s the same 1.4-liter VVT turbo as the Cruse Eco (as well as 70% of all Cruzes, so says Chevy) and should be coming on line just after the regular Cruze (finally) arrives in the third quarter of this year to eventually replace the aging Cobalt. Until then, make the jump to read the press release.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading New York 2010: Chevrolet Cruze RS ups the entry level ante

New York 2010: Chevrolet Cruze RS ups the entry level ante originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This morning we wrote about some risks to the NYC real estate market, which include: the Treasury selloff, the end of Fed mortgage buying, and the fact that Fannie Mae has been very strict about condo financing in NYC, unlike in the past.

But we concluded with a prediction that the standoff between NYC financing and Fannie (FNM) would give way:

…our guess is that Fannie will cave in some manner eventually. If rates surge, and the New York housing market is really held back (despite a solidly recovery), expect them to find a way.

Well… that may happen sooner rather than later.

According to the AP (via @breakingnews), Fannie Mae’s corporate cousin Freddie Mac is to drop strict rules that were preventing financing for many Florida condos.

The situation is a bit different than in NYC. In Florida the problem was that troubled condo units could not obtain financing. In NYC the issue is that many buildings violate certain rules, such as injunctions against condo financing when one owner owns more than 10% of a building.

But this is certainly good news for New York.

Bear in mind that when we say “good news” we mean purely from the perspective of those with a vested interest in seein the real estate market strengthen. We do not mean good as in “good for the country” or “good for the economy” or anything else that would actually be subjective.

The loosening move in Florida is a sign that the agencies will make changes on a regional basis when their rules (rules designed to prevent bubbles, but whatever) get in the way.

Relief to NYC coming soon!

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