Category: News

Found under: BlackBerry, Freeware, Statistics, Usage,

Here is application to check your addiction to your BlackBerry phone. Prepare to find out with EarlySails free I Love Blackberry application. Like you may have suspected that you were in love with your BlackBerry but this app will give you actual usage statistics. The application will show your usage during work hours and during nights and weekends. It organizes your daily weekly monthly usage for the current period as well as displays long term averages.You can share your usage via

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“When in doubt, go to the library.” – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, p. 255
It seems that when sophomore year comes around, and vehicular escape from campus is finally possible, we Stanford students take advantage of every chance we can get to experience the outside world.  About halfway through the quarter, sandstone buildings, the abundance of palm trees, and the constant whirring of bike wheels become unbearable, and we find ourselves fleeing from the place we so excitedly flocked to for answers about life.  Interestingly enough, when Hermione, one of Harry’s best friends, experiences similar sentiments and is desperately seeking to understand phenomena in the world around her, rather than finding refuge in the outside world, she is able to find meaning and grounding in an already familiar place – the library.

At Hogwarts, it becomes apparent very early on that Hermione’s sanctuary is the Hogwarts library.  As the brainiest of their year, it is natural that she spends inordinate amounts of time at the library doing work, light background reading, and researching topics of interest.  While she devotes most of her energy there participating in menial, student-typical activities, she also turns to the library for answers to life’s bigger and more pressing questions.  In their second year, when an unknown monster threatens the lives of Hogwarts students and the school’s operation itself, Harry and Ron stand helpless in the face of danger and are paralyzed (or should we say “petrified?”) with fear.  On the other hand, with a quick trip to the library, Hermione is able to pinpoint the source of the problem and respond accordingly, ultimately saving her own life.  Her unique relationship with the school library provides a model for our own approach to Stanford’s resources and suggests that the library can be unexpectedly empowering.

At Stanford, our 20 libraries are generally places for cramming, sleeping, and streaking.  For the most part, they are viewed simply as quiet spaces where we students can fully immerse ourselves in academic concentration.  While there is nothing wrong with using them as a places to pursue our studies, it would be a sore mistake to only see them as such and forget what they are in their very essence – a vast collection of knowledge and record of human accomplishments and failures.  What can so easily be overlooked at times as we scurry about trying to find the quietest, most anti-social cubby is this essence and the extent to which libraries can then tie us to the greater world.

As Hermione is able to recognize throughout the series, the library has the potential to broaden her world rather than limit it.  For us, it is so tempting to transport ourselves physically out of the Stanford bubble instead of realizing that this transportation is possible with a quick trek to Meyer or Terman. However, if we take just a few moments to actually take in the stacks that surround us or to even pluck a dust-coated book off the shelf, we might gain the perspective that we so desperately long to experience off campus.  The familiarity of the library suddenly fades, as we recognize how insignificant both Stanford and we are against the backdrop of centuries of accumulation of knowledge.  We are reminded of the people who have gone before us in exploring the field that captivates us, and we are struck with an appreciation for how much we do not and will not ever know.

As mentioned previously, Hermione’s ability to fully embrace the Hogwarts library has startling implications for her own life.  After she runs to the library to better understand the frightening events plaguing Hogwarts, she is able determine that a basilisk is responsible for the student attacks and quickly takes precautions to protect herself with a mirror, which eventually saves her from a terrible death. While Green may not literally enable us to save our own lives, it does have the power to preserve our sanity and provide us with the glimpse of the outside world that we so desperately seek.  Our libraries remind us that there is more to our lives than the vicious cycle of school and sleep deprivation, and they push us to realize that our current and future accomplishments can be both meaningful and insignificant.

Of course, if one still insists on leaving campus to gain perspective, we’d like to recommend a quick trip to IKEA.  After all, Hermione would probably agree that IKEA Swedish meatballs and Hogsmeade butterbeer are essentially the same thing.

Ferrari were the last of the championship’s big guns to announce the unveiling of their Formula One challenger for the 2010 season, so they recently confirmed that this will happen on January 28th, three days before the first test of the off-season kicks off in Valencia.

According to a press release from the Maranello squad, the new 2010 car will be codenamed Ferrari 281 and will be test driven by both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

The new car p… (read more)

Leave Jay Alone! ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel poked fun at the drama going on at NBC by donning a salt and pepper wig and slapping on a prosthetic chin to impersonate former Tonight Show host Jay Leno! Dressed as Jay Leno, Jimmy took the stage and stayed in character for the duration of his show — he even snatched Jay’s trademark “Headlines” segment.

“My name is Jay Leno and let it be known that I am taking over all shows in late night,” Kimmel cracked in his opening monologue, adding that ABC stands for “Always Bump Conan.”

Found under: Android, Freeware, Book, Library, Barcode, Scan,

You have a big library of books and want it arranged and accessible on your android phone. Book Mobile is application that lets you scan the ISBN barcode using the camera then look up the book in your books.google.com library. If the book is not in your personal library you can add it. Along with this you can read reviews ratings or follow the menu links to more information.Have you ever come home with a book only to discover you already own a copy This is the scenario for which I wro

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Picking up the newspaper today and gleaning useful information about current affairs is a daunting process. I find this especially true for the charged subject of climate change and energy politics. With the plethora of propaganda and glut of contradictory “scientific” facts, a reader might easily be lost in the heated discussions. Fortunately for readers, I have taken it upon myself to compile a glossary of the more commonly used terms and turns of phrase, which will help the savvy student navigate the stormy seas of climate cant.

I will explain each of the terms first in the way they are most commonly employed in the context of the environmental movement, then present a more suiting definition for each.

“Green” (environmentally speaking): “Go Green,” “Buy Green,” “Be Green.” Green is beautiful and natural. It means you are not impacting your environment. Technologies, cars, investments, emissions: we must strive to make them “greener.” A “green” consumer is one who carefully considers his/her actions in light of environmental impact and chooses the course that will least damage our green planet.

The “Green” Reality: A nifty buzzword that is spewed ad nauseam by political propagandists. It can be tossed out in almost any context to fill the speaker with a sense of superiority and self-satisfaction. A consumer who purchases the “green” option is absolved of climate sin. A “green” car is a perfect example. Buy a hybrid, and you need not feel guilty about killing the planet–because you are doing it less quickly! Purchasers of hybrid vehicles may directly consume less fossil fuel than that dirty SUV driver, but they like to ignore the environmental impact of hybrid production. This impact comes in the form of mining and smelting the heavy metals for car batteries in processes that lead to air pollution and deforestation, the pollution resulting from the disposal of said batteries and, ironically, water consumption! According to one study, each mile driven with electric vehicles consumes three times more water than the average gas-guzzler. Maybe the future is not as green as it seems? Greenies: put your money where your mouth is. Your hybrid isn’t saving the planet, so climb off that pedestal and get a bike if you’re really concerned.

“University of East Anglia” (environmentally speaking): The climate research unit (CRU) of this esteemed university aims (objectively, of course) to improve scientific understanding in “past climate history and its impact on humanity, the course and causes of climate change during the present century, and prospects of the future.” A trusted source of evidence suggesting anthropomorphic climate change, the climate research unit is the recent, unfortunate victim of climate change skeptics who, in their devious ways, seek to dismantle the hard work of the CRU because of a few mildly incriminating e-mails.

”University of East Anglia” reality: A perfect picture of the problem with the media today. The CRU scandal should have been one of the biggest stories in this arena brought to the public. While environmentalists wring their hands over the lack of “binding agreement” in Copenhagen, they completely ignore findings that call into question the need for such an agreement in the first place. Times Online reports that “Scientists at…UEA have admitted throwing away much of the raw temperature data on which their predictions of global warming are based.” HOW DOES THIS NOT BOTHER PEOPLE??? How can a story of this magnitude be brushed under the rug? We are trapped in a paradigm of anthropomorphic warming, championed by the media, the government, leading universities and The Stanford Daily’s editorial board. At the very least, stop with the knowing claims of “scientific consensus.” Or, redefine “scientific consensus” to mean something along the lines of “random assortment of scientists who provide evidence (legitimate or not) that supports the liberal political agenda.”

Briefly, a few more:

Al Gore: The champion of the environmentalists, he is allowed to consume what energy he sees fit. His do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do approach is acceptable because, hey, at least he gives the global warming issue a “face.” Appropriate that it is a face of blatant hypocrisy.

The non-believers: Those who question man-made global warming are deceitful disturbers of the peace. They have no legitimate arguments, but merely seek to obstruct the greater good of all energy initiatives. It is suggested, at least by the Stanford Daily Editorial Board, that these ignoramuses have the “truth” shoved down their throats. Maybe this is a generous offer of education, but I rather think that climate change alarmists want we free thinkers to choke on their hype before we can debunk it. I shall continue to question the “facts,” however, and encourage you to do so as well.

Found under: Windows Mobile, Freeware, HTML, Editor, Mobile pages,

HyperEdit is application developed by Christopher Chase which gives you the ability to edit HTML documents direct on your windows phone. Infact it is a HTML web design studio for your Windows Mobile device. HyperEdit is made very user friendly with live previews in browser large context menus with commands and a large no clutter area to work. It can be very useful for people who design pages formatted for mobile devices. Download HyperEdit

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How do you call a car made in Italy, named locally Lancia, but with an American face on it? Well, apparently, you may call it Chrysler Design Study, as the American manufacturer calls the Chrysler-Lancia mutant showcased this week at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

What exactly the study was supposed to spawn is not all that clear, as the car is nothing but a Lancia Delta (about 90 percent of it) who went to plastic surgery and received Chrysler’s nose and lips.

T… (read more)

Found under: Windows Mobile, GPS, Freeware, Tracking, PC, Analysis,

GPS Sport Tracker new software for windows phone that provides realtime statistic like current speed altitude distance etc. and data for post analysis using PC. It is developed by Stanislav Truntaev and i sdesigned for anyone who enjoys cycling mountain biking skiing running hiking or walking. GPS Sport Tracker Main Features1 Speed current average max.2 Altitude current total up total down3 Distance4 Time elapsed time5 Track view with zoom in zoom out ce

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Saleen Performance Vehicles launched a new mobile application and two new websites at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit this week, that are meant to keep Saleen owners, enthusiasts and media up to date with the latest vehicles, photos and news from the Michigan-based company.

The mobile app reportedly is the first vehicle configuration application on the mobile market and enables users to check out the vehicles, configure a Saleen Performance Vehicle, see the … (read more)

Pocos movimientos como la amenaza de salir de China por parte de Google al dejar de ejecutar la censura que exige su gobierno van a ser más comentados dentro del sector tecnológico. He tenido que leer el anuncio en su blog oficial varias veces antes de creérmelo: la misma empresa que aceptaba la censura en las búsquedas bajo el argumento que “mejor para los chinos con un google censurado que sin él”, de pronto denuncia ataque a cuentas Gmail de disidentes, a su infraestructura y a la de varias empresas importantes del sector (se habla de Adobe) y afirma que hasta aquí hemos llegado y que dejará de censurar los resultados de las búsquedas. No todos los días una empresa que cotiza en bolsa amenaza al gobierno chino – al que apuntan sin decirlo explícitamente – y le echa un pulso público a sabiendas de que esto puede suponer salir del mercado con mayor futuro del mundo.

En seguida he empezado a buscarle tres pies al gato, a buscar el interés comercial en hacer este movimiento por parte de Google. No lo he encontrado. Llevamos tiempo discutiendo que Google lleva siguiendo la lógica de las empresas que cotizan en bolsa y que tienen que responder ante sus accionistas, o creces en tu mercado o entras en otros nuevos para seguir creciendo. Esto le está llevando a una estrategia “muy Microsoft”, entrar a saco en sectores (navegación, sistemas operativos, ofimática, móvil) integrando productos y bajando los precios para sacar a competidores… con la imagen de “gigante dominador” que este tipo de prácticas traen. Pero el pulso a China supone ir contra la lógica de las empresas que operan en bolsa, a corto y medio plazo no hay ganancia, sino perder años irrecuperables, no sólo de ingresos sino de porcentaje de un mercado que sus competidores van a conquistar. Por mucho que me esfuerzo en entender los réditos económicos de esta estrategia, sólo veo tres elementos que muy a largo plazo puedan aportar valor a Google:

• Renuncian a un acuerdo que iba contra su estrategia de siempre – aportar valor al usuario por encima de otros factores – y contar con que cuando vuelvan lo hacen en las condiciones necesarias para desarrollar su negocio de búsquedas ¿Esperaban que las cosas en China iban a mejorar rápido en términos de libertad de expresión y por eso aceptaron en su momento? Sea como fuere, como apunta Mariano, el argumentario de Google en China no se sostenían y las fricciones iban a ser cada vez mayores como ha sucedido.
• Este tipo de ataques pone en cuestión otro de los pilares de la estrategia de Google: el cloud computing, datos y servicios a la red con seguridad. Si tienes como socio al gobierno chino y sospechas que es quien está detrás de los ataques a tu infraestructura, algo tienes que hacer para que este cambie su postura.
• Mejoran la imagen mundial de la compañía, un valor intangible pero que lleva tiempo en franco declive.

No creo que nada de esto vaya a consolar a los accionistas que quieran rentabilidad por encima de todas las cosas, y tampoco sabemos como va a evolucionar la historia (sin ser un experto en China, tengo la impresión de que su gobierno no es muy amigo de los desafíos públicos), pero hoy Google ha dado un paso muy pocos se atreverían a dar.

Conan O’Brien made fun of his career “options” in his monologue for a second consecutive night, hours after declaring that he “cannot participate” in the “destruction” of The Tonight Show brand by agreeing to move his broadcast to 12:05 AM to accomodate The Jay Leno Show.

“My name is Conan O’Brien and I may soon be available for children’s parties,” O’Brien said after first calling for his audience to stop applauding because “I may not have that much time.”

Conan then reprised a Monday gag by inviting Deal or No Deal host Howie Mandel and a bevy of models holding suitcases to reveal more career “options.”

Among his choices:

-Join the cast of the next “Twilight” movie as a rare albino werewolf.

-Play a gay neighbor on an untitled Ed Asner project.

-Move to FOX but Seth MacFarlane does O’Brien’s voice.

-Star in a new infomercial about super-absorbent hair – the Con-wow.

-Two tickets to see Jay Leno perform stand-up at the Luxor in Las Vegas.

We’ll never hold a candle to Matt Taibbi when it comes to picking apart Thomas Friedman columns. But since his latest one is about China, whether it’s a bubble, and whether Jim Chanos is right to bet against it, we figured we had to make some comment.

Right near the top, it starts with what we’re sure Taibbi would agree is an instant classic of a Friedmanism:

China’s markets may be full of bubbles ripe for a short-seller, and if Mr. Chanos can find a way to make money shorting them, God bless him. But after visiting Hong Kong and Taiwan this past week and talking to many people who work and invest their own money in China, I’d offer Mr. Chanos two notes of caution.

First, a simple rule of investing that has always served me well: Never short a country with $2 trillion in foreign currency reserves.

How on earth can Friedman say that’s always served him well?

Has he really considered shorting various countries, but then always passed up when considering their $2 trillion in foreign currency reserves? What other country has this ever applied to? (And since we don’t  think it’s ever applied to another country in history, how could this possibly be a rule, or a guide to whether or not China is a bubble).

Here’s his next reason:

Second, it is easy to look at China today and see its enormous problems and things that it is not getting right. For instance, low interest rates, easy credit, an undervalued currency and hot money flowing in from abroad have led to what the Chinese government Sunday called “excessively rising house prices” in major cities, or what some might call a speculative bubble ripe for the shorting. In the last few days, though, China’s central bank has started edging up interest rates and raising the proportion of deposits that banks must set aside as reserves — precisely to head off inflation and take some air out of any asset bubbles.

And that’s the point. I am reluctant to sell China short, not because I think it has no problems or corruption or bubbles, but because I think it has all those problems in spades — and some will blow up along the way (the most dangerous being pollution). But it also has a political class focused on addressing its real problems, as well as a mountain of savings with which to do so (unlike us).

So… China has, let’s count ’em: too-low interest rates, easy credit, a manipulated currency, scads of hot money, a housing bubble, a stock bubble, corruption, a pollution problem, and various other issues that “will blow up along the way” and this is a good thing?

It sounds like he’s arguing Chanos’s book here.

After a few more paragraphs, filled with the requisite anecdote about a reverse-expat he knows who came back to China, Friedman concludes with:

But, hey, some people said the same about Enron. Still, I’d rather bet against the euro. Shorting China today? Well, good luck with that, Mr. Chanos. Let us know how it works out for you.

We’ll just say that if you had any doubt about how mainstream the anti-Euro sentiment has become in the last month or so (with all the problems in Greece, Ireland, etc.) this should clear that right up for you.

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See Also:

• CORRECTION: Jim Rogers Never Said That Chanos, Specifically, Couldn’t Spell China Ten Years Ago
• Jim Rogers: Jim Chanos Couldn’t Spell ‘China’ 10 Years Ago
• Why Thomas Friedman Wants China-Style Authoritarianism In The US