Google has just announced that its powerfully social Friend Connect features are now available for open-source content management systems Drupal and Joomla.
Google Friend Connect (GFC) allows sites with these CMSes to integrate many social features without having to write any code. The impact of the integration has the potential to be significant, as Drupal in particular is one of the most widely-used content management systems in use on the Web today, powering sites from WhiteHouse.gov and NASA.gov to TheOnion.com and websites for celebrities and musicians like Britney Spears and Eric Clapton. Joomla is used by such institutions as Harvard, MTV and Citibank.
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Friend Connect essentially allows site visitors to become site members by using profile information from services such as Google, Yahoo!, Twitter and more. With user accounts authenticated via OpenID, site administrators can add Friend Connect’s social bar, a site members gadget, the Friend Connect comments gadget or recommendations in any part of the site they choose.
In addition to adding social gadgets, Friend Connect also allows site admins to conduct polls, monitor community growth, create and distribute email newsletters, run ads through AdSense, export user data for a site’s entire community (as XML or JSON) or create their own apps using the GFC APIs.
“Even site owners without programming experience can add these plugins,” writes developer and open-source aficionado Mauro González in Google’s Social Web blog post. “Now that Friend Connect is integrated with these popular open source CMS platforms, site owners can make registration easier for users and offer them a set of social features – all without writing a single line of code.”
Date: 1/8/2010 Show: Anderson Cooper 360 Channel: CNN
Transcript
Anderson Cooper: Palin has reportedly decided to skip the upcoming CPAC conference, which is a major event for conservatives, especially those seeking the White House. Cambridge, Governor Bobby Jindal and others have been invited to speak. Palin was asked to be a speaker, but turned it down. At the same time, Palin has agreed to be the paid keynote speaker at the first ever National Tea Party Convention. That’s taking place next month in Nashville. She is apparently putting a political observer, sending a message to her party and her base. But those messages are being interpreted differently, of course, by different groups.
With us now is Ron Paul, Republican congressman and former presidential candidate. Congressman, I appreciate you being with us. Well, what do you make of Sarah Palin’s decision to not go to CPAC, but instead to go to this first ever Tea Party Convention?
Ron Paul: I don’t think I can make a whole lot out of it. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’ve been invited to CPAC, I’m going to attend that. And I think that’s a good function for a conservative Republican. But exactly what she is up to, I don’t know. And once you get paid for something, it’s a little bit different. As a member of Congress I don’t get paid, so I make my decisions in a different manner.
Anderson Cooper: What do you make of the Tea Party? I mean, it’s clearly in a very short amount of time grown, gotten a lot of attention. What do you make of it as you observe it?
Ron Paul: I think it’s very interesting and I think it’s very, very important. I feel in many ways that our campaign in the presidential race was part of this because it was more-or-less the first Tea Party. That was the day they raised so much money for me. And it looks like what has happened is a lot of people love the tool; the tool of the Tea Party. I don’t think it’s a monolith in any way. I think there are a lot of different groups coming together trying to get out in front. They know there are a lot of people out there that want change and they want different government, they’re angry at republicans and democrats. And certain individuals are trying to get out in front and lead this charge.
But I don’t think it represents one single group of people. For instance, when I go to the college campuses, I’m looking for groups to come out and I want to talk to them about personal liberty, I want to have them talk about sound monetary policy, and I emphasize foreign policy a whole lot. And some of these tea parties will emphasis and talk about that, but some of them totally ignore it. But I’m more choosey about what I want to do because the things that I’ve been talking about for 30 years, and especially these last 2 years are important to me and I believe sincerely they’re important to the country. So I’m going to keep pursuing those goals, and they don’t fit neatly into every package. I mean everybody that attends a tea party isn’t going to necessarily say, “Oh, I agree with everything that Ron Paul says” and I think that might be true of Palin or anybody else. And I think it’s too early to sort all this out.
Anderson Cooper: I thought one of the things that was so fascinating and important about your race for president was a lot when you talked to your supporters. There were people who were maybe before Democrats or Independents or Republicans, it seemed to be kind of putting aside the party and it was really about ideas and specific issues. And there is this energy and I do get the same sense from talking to people who go to Tea Party rallies, that it’s making people who haven’t even been involved in politics in a very extensive way, but who are mobilizing in a way. Do you think they can become a third party? I mean there are those who are saying they are now Tea Party candidates and they hope that it can become a viable third party. Do you think that’s possible?
Ron Paul: It’s always possible, it’s not likely because of all the laws biased against third parties. But I think you’re right; the people are coming in, joining in and they don’t that necessarily all have the same views. And I think that’s what’s happening, it’s being sorted out. I don’t think you can have one party. But, you know, I’ve tried to promote the ideas of liberty as an Independent and Libertarian. And it’s very, very difficult, because you don’t get on the debates. You don’t get coverage. You don’t get on ballots. And we have a very biased system. We don’t have a real democratic system because many of us have come to the conclusion – and this Tea Party movement would agree with me on this – that they don’t get a fair shake with the two party system and they’re tired of Republicans and they’re tired of Democrats. And therefore the two parties are the same.
I’ve been complaining for all along. They really don’t have a different foreign policy. I mean, how did the foreign policy change after Obama? We were supposed to see some changes. How does it change on personal liberties? No. I mean, we still have big government spying on Americans. Has monetary policy changed? I think we’re making a little inroads there with my efforts on auditing the Fed, but basically the leaders of both parties support the big issues and I think the American people are catching on because they’re facing a bankruptcy. They know the federal government can’t deliver the goods anymore and the people are getting worried no matter which spectrum they’re coming from. They know that the federal government is not able to deliver the goods anymore.
Anderson Cooper: Do you see anyone on the Republican side that excites you for 2012? And if not or even if you do, are you planning to run again?
Ron Paul: Well, I think it’s too early. I haven’t said no, but I don’t have any plans to do it. You know what kind of a job that is for somebody. I’m just going to take a year at a time. I’m up for re-election but I feel like I do the same thing steadily, constantly over a 30 years period, promoting one issue: personal liberty. And to me that’s what America was all about. The Constitution, limited government, property rights. And that’s where our prosperity comes from. So I think it’s such a great philosophy, and there is such a need now to go back to the beliefs that we once had. And that, to me, means you have to change foreign policy. And you have to change the concept of personal liberty and the free market. And that’s what I work on and I do it in the party and out of the party and education. But ultimately I have a lot more respect for education than I do for the politicians. Politicians really don’t change the world. It’s only the ideas that change the world, and that’s what I work in mostly.
Anderson Cooper: I ask a lot of potential candidates that question about whether they’re going to run again. And they always have a cutesy answer. I think you have the most honest answer when you said “I haven’t said no,” you’re thinking about it, but you haven’t made up your mind. I appreciate it. Congressman Paul, I appreciate you being on the program. Thank you.
Another UFC trip to the east coast was well worth it at the cash register. Ultimate Fight Night 20 sold out George Mason’s Patriot Center with 8,500 fans and a gate of $730,000. According to UFC PR it was a record for any Fight Night card.
UPDATE: MMAJunkie points out that UFN 13 in Denver had a listed live gate of $753,429.
The big gate helped bump up the cash awards to $30,000. Aaron Simpson and Tom Lawlor got fight of the night. Gerald Harris was awarded knockout of the night and Evan Dunham got submission of night for his armbar of Efrain Escudero.
The UFC last visited the east coast for UFC 101 in Philadelphia. Before that, it was UFC 78 in Newark, N.J. There’s already several more trips planned to come back this way with UFN 21 rumored to be held Mar. 31 in Charlotte. The UFC is going to make its debut in Boston in August.
2011 Lincoln MKX – Click above for high-res image gallery
The final piece of the Lincoln puzzle is here. Meet the new 2011 MKX. And yes, it does look quite a bit like the MKT. Depending on where you stand vis-a-vis the current MKX, the visual difference is either just a change, or a much needed improvement. Most of us are siding with the latter, though we fully realize that many folks simply don’t like the MKT. Bottom line, it is what is.
The really story is not the exterior – it’s the interior. Specifically, the MKX is the first vehicle getting Ford’s all new Minority Report-inspired (no, really) MyFord Touch system. Although in this application the futuristic navigation, entertainment, climate and phone system is called MyLincoln Touch. Hey, what’s in a name.
There’s more inside to greet you than just MyLincoln Touch, as the MKX features vastly improved materials than not only the previous car, but all other Lincolns. We touched, we felt and please trust us – the MKX is an nice, upscale place to be. Also, they’ve banished buttons. Literally, there aren’t any on the center stack. Instead you’re treated to a series of touch sensitive sliders. George Takei would be stoked. The best part: all this inner goodness will soon be making its way across the Lincoln lineup.
Looking to improve on last season’s .500 record, Head Coach Mark Smith has his Lady Hawks entering conference play with a 9-5 record. “Our record so far is good, but we feel there were a few games that we let slip away, so we could have a much better record,” says Smith.
“Overall, I’m pleased with the progress that we’ve made,” says Smith. “Our last 3-4 games have been good and we’ve improved our defense.”
“On offense, we’re still evolving, but Peggie Parhas has been playing well and Anna Kirchoff has come on strong the last few games,” adds Smith.
At the start of the season, Coach Smith was concerned about the depth of his roster and how quickly the freshmen would be in a position to contribute. With a roster of only 8 girls, depth remains a concern. “Our girls are doing their best to be in top shape, so we’ll try to overcome the depth problem as best we can,” says Smith.
As for the freshmen, they are still figuring out their roles. According to Smith, when the new girls come in from different programs, it always takes awhile to get comfortable in his system.
The conference portion of the schedule has gotten stronger with the addition of MilwaukeeAreaTechnicalCollege and Madison Area technical College. “Both of those schools have top programs,” states Smith. “Madison is currently ranked number one in the nation, so we know [the conference play] will be a challenge.”
The team is in a good position to exceed last year’s total of 10 victories, but Coach Smith still would like to see improvement from his squad. “I would like to see us value possession of the ball more and get stronger on our team defense,” concludes Smith.
Just what the world needs, another family reality series. Have these people learned nothing from The Hogans?
On Monday, TV Land — basic cable’s nostalgic caravan — ordered a six-episode docusoap starring actress Lisa Rinna and her husband, former L.A. Law star Harry Hamlin.
Harry Loves Lisa follows the duo as they navigate parenthood and their celebrity-driven Hollywood lifestyle.
“Harry Loves Lisa brings to life the romantic notion that opposites attract as Lisa’s playful spontaneity differs from Harry’s more reserved demeanor,” the network boasted in a statement issued Monday. “Audiences will watch as the two balance their differences in the midst of insane professional lives as working actors and entrepreneurs who are parenting two pre-teen daughters. One of Hollywood’s most enduring couples, the Hamlins’ contradictory personalities make for amazing chemistry both on-screen and off.”
The ex-Melrose Place star married PEOPLE’s former “Sexiest Man Alive” more than 11 years ago. After years in relative obscurity, the twosome re-entered the Hollywood spotlight as light-footed contestants on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars; Lisa on Season 2 and Harry on Season 3. Lisa even recently landed on The New York Times Best Seller list with her 2008 memoir, Rinnavation. Now The Hamlins are ready for another close-up.
“We are thrilled to be working with TV Land! Our show will shine the spotlight on the adventure that is our life and the magic that holds us together,” Lisa and Harry exclaimed in a press release of their own.
“There is no denying the chemistry of this amazingly beautiful, smart and sexy couple,” states Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “When I met them, I was immediately blown away by their relationship. They are so proud and supportive of each other. It’s clear why this relationship works on so many levels. Our audience will love seeing their honesty, humor and often-outrageous antics.”
Harry Loves Lisa is slated to debut this fall as part of TV Land’s PRIME original-series block.
Beyonce’s New Year’s resolution is at once ambitious and surprising. The multitasking superstar, who was seemingly everywhere in 2009, hopes to spend a good chunk of 2010 not working. “It’s definitely time to take a break, to recharge my batteries,” says Beyoncé, 28. “I’d like to take about six months and not go into the studio. I need to just live life, to be inspired by things again.” Not that Beyoncé won’t be visible in the coming months. Just a few days before Christmas, she’s in Long Island City, shooting a pair of commercials for the Nintendo video game Style Savvy, which is introducing items from Deréon, a casual lifestyle extension of the House of Deréon line that Beyoncé created with longtime fashion adviser Tina Knowles— also her mom. The spots will air on Nickelodeon in March, in the week before the Kids’ Choice Awards and during the show.
Before that, of course, Beyoncé will perform on the Grammy Awards broadcast Jan. 31 on CBS, where she’s up for 10 trophies, more than any other artist, including album, record and song of the year. The last is for her slamming manifesto Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), one of 2009’s most ubiquitous singles (3.5 million downloads sold) and its most-streamed video. “I still haven’t really digested it yet,” Beyoncé says. The Grammy nominations were announced Dec. 2, two days before her spouse and fellow pop icon Jay-Z turned 40. “I was focused so much on my husband’s birthday — I threw a big party — that I didn’t really think about it. But it’s really an honor.”
Always a hard worker
For the former Destiny’s Child frontwoman, the nominations were a sweet coda to an especially productive and demanding period. “I’ve always worked hard, but I feel like I worked harder this past year than I have since I was just starting out. I just had all these great opportunities. It started out with singing At Last,” the song Barack and Michelle Obama chose for their first dance as first couple. Beyoncé serenaded them at a ball hours after the president’s inauguration. In the spring, the singer launched the I Am … Tour, which took her to 110 cities around the world. Despite her hectic schedule, Beyoncé was determined “not to just perform and stay in the hotel. I visited the pyramids in Egypt. I saw the Great Wall of China and went out in the middle of the ocean in Australia to see the whales. I actually got sprayed in the face. I made some great memories this year and really learned to enjoy life.” So much so that “when I got home, I wrote out a contract with myself. I made a list of everything I want to do that has nothing to do with music. Well, some of it does. But I promised myself that I would not go back on tour or in the studio until I finished these things.” The to-do list consists of “random things. I want to go to restaurants, maybe take a class, see some movies and Broadway shows.” (Beyoncé says she would love to do a stage musical, eventually.) She’s also keen to spend more time with her 5-year-old nephew, Daniel, whose mom is Beyoncé’s younger sister, Solange, 23. “He’s a wonderful kid, amazing, so smart. And I spoil him, so it’s a lot of work. He’s a 24-hour job.” Still, Beyoncé doesn’t expect her sabbatical from the music business to be easy, or even necessarily successful. “It will be the hardest thing in the world for me to make myself not do an album and shoot a video and turn it in and say, ‘I’m ready!’ I already have all these melodies and ideas in my head. I have to tell myself, ‘Sit down! Sit down!’ ” She already has planned a reprieve from her reprieve, in fact: Two weeks of concert dates are scheduled in South America and the Caribbean in February to accommodate additional demand from the I Am … trek. (She recently generated controversy by performing at a private New Year’s Eve party hosted by Muatsim-Billah Gaddafi, a son of the Libyan leader. A statement from her agency and management firms notes that the annual event has “a long history of booking internationally known artists.”) She’ll also launch a signature fragrance that month, Beyoncé Heat, with Coty. And there’s no saying that a great film script won’t come along. Beyoncé’s portrayal of R&B legend Etta James in 2008’s Cadillac Records earned the best reviews of her acting career and provided something of a revelation. “I learned that drama is probably what I’m best at. I really enjoy it, too — though it can be emotionally draining. Now I know I need to take time out for a project like that, rather than juggle it with 50 other things. I’m only one person.”
‘Grace under pressure’
For someone who has been so famous, and so famously driven, for such a long stretch, Beyoncé still manages to convey a gentle, self-deprecating quality in person. Former Vibe and Spin editor Alan Light says her mix of indomitability and accessibility is one key to her enduring appeal. “She seems to have it all, but there’s still this thing in her that you can relate to. The persona is one of graciousness and grace under pressure.” That was certainly evident at the MTV Video Music Awards, when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech by suggesting her winning video was inferior to Single Ladies and Beyoncé responded by inviting Swift to share her own triumphant moment. “When someone does something like that on the fly, you can’t say it’s totally made up,” Light says.
Fans can be found everywhere
Beyoncé allows that she takes pride in maintaining a positive image. Out in New York recently, “I accidentally walked into the men’s room, which was so embarrassing. But then I met this young lady in the (women’s) restroom, and she was like, ‘You’re one of the only artists that my daughter and I both love, and I want to thank you for helping to bring us closer together.’ “That kind of compliment makes me feel so good. And I think that my own relationship with my mom, though that has nothing to do with my music, inspires mothers and young girls. That’s not something I try to do, but I’m aware of it and happy about it.”
You can destress yourself by discovering stressful habits.
What is a stressful habit? A stressful habit is typically a reaction that we have to certain situations.
For example, if something “bad” happens like we get laid off, or we discover we have an illness, or we are having problems with a family member, or we are in trouble financially we may react with doubt and fear.
We have doubt that we can recover and fear that we won’t be able to handle it. This way of thinking is just a habit, and a stressful habit.
When I was in my twenties and making very little money, I use to worry and have anxiety over it.
To me, this is just a habit of reacting, and a stressful habit of reacting.
Now, that I have had plenty of human behavior education and I am a stress specialist, when something “bad” happens I react with faith and confidence.
Why do I react with faith and confidence?
Because I know that will make me feel better and get me motivated.
This way of reacting is just a habit, and a successful habit.
So, in order to destress yourself, it is important that we look at our habitual ways of reacting with doubt, fear, and worry.
When we have trials in life, it is for our good. How do I know this? Well, the scriptures tell me so.
In addition, this is how we get better at reacting, from learning from our trials, and from our stress.
Anger, frustration, irritability, sadness, moodiness, and unhappiness are all reactions, and habitual stressful reactions. We can overcome anger, frustration, irritability, sadness, moodiness, and unhappiness it just takes some commitment, commitment to yourself, and commitment to change and improve yourself.
Let’s destress together by discovering our stressful habits and making them into successful practices.
The article focuses on the spire. The architects (Peddle Thorp & Walker) wanted the spire to be based on the spires featured in the city’s older buildings including the QVB and The Lands Department Building in order to make it integrate into the environment around them.
Good construction shot as well.
Also it’s the office tower that features in the 1993 film ‘Reckless Kelly’ with Yahoo Serious.
“With its combination of style, performance and uncompromising luxury, the Lincoln MKX has brought new customers into the Lincoln showroom in a way that very few products have before,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. So when it came time for FoMoCo to introduce the next-generation of the MKX crossover they had to be very careful not to lose new customers while continuing to attract new ones.
According to us, FoMoCo will be successful. The exterior of the new 2011 Lincoln MKX features the brand’s signature split-wing grille and body-side work. Also new for 2011 are the updated rear taillamp treatment and the significantly larger 4-inch oval exhaust tips. The new 18- and 20-inch wheels are also more expressive.
Take a seat inside, and you’ll be welcomed by an all-new interior that uses more luxurious materials with more attention to detail. Preliminary data shows that the new MKX is quieter than the crossover’s Lexus and Audi rivals. The 2011 Lincoln MKX will also be the first vehicle from FoMoCo to feature the company’s new MyLincoln Touch (MyFord Touch) driver connect technology.
Power for the 2011 Lincoln MKX comes from a 3.7L Duratec V6 Ti-VCT making 305-hp (a 15 percent increase) with a maximum torque of 280 lb-ft (a 12 percent increase). The engine is mated to a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.
The 2011 MKX will be built at Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. Sales will begin later this year.
Hit the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.
2011 Lincoln MKX:
Press Release:
INDUSTRY-FIRST TECHNOLOGIES, ENGAGING DESIGN, WORLD-CLASS CRAFTSMANSHIP DEFINE 2011 LINCOLN MKX
• The 2011 Lincoln MKX luxury crossover features the first application of industry-exclusive MyLincoln Touch™ driver connect technology, which creates a whole new way for customers to interact with digital and vehicle technology
• Modern, flowing exterior design embraces Lincoln signature DNA; split-wing grille, body-side brightwork and new treatments for taillamps and exhaust tips enhance presence
• All-new interior showcases use of more luxurious materials and attention to detail; preliminary data show the 2011 Lincoln MKX is quieter than Lexus or Audi competitors
• Powertrain enhancements include a new 3.7-liter Duratec® V-6 engine, delivering best-in-class 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque versus all V-6 competitors – plus unsurpassed fuel economy
DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2010 – New, industry-exclusive technologies and engaging design featuring world-class craftsmanship and materials further elevate the 2011 Lincoln MKX midsize luxury crossover.
Leading the wide-ranging innovations is the all-new MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology, which delivers a smarter, safer, simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. MyLincoln comes standard on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, providing drivers a whole new experience behind the wheel.
“With its combination of style, performance and uncompromising luxury, the Lincoln MKX has brought new customers into the Lincoln showroom in a way that very few products have before,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Lincoln customers tell us they care most about style and technology, and the new Lincoln MKX meets these needs perfectly. The new MyLincoln Touch technology will change the way customers interact with their vehicles while its new design language gives the vehicle a distinctive and stylish silhouette we know customers will love.”
The dramatic freshening of the 2011 Lincoln MKX extends to all areas of the vehicle: new features and technologies not available anywhere else, new exterior design, new interior design with increased use of genuine materials, new powertrain with unsurpassed fuel economy, improved driving dynamics and new tires and wheels all combine to deliver an unparalleled luxury experience.
“The 2011 Lincoln MKX represents no-compromise luxury,” said Elaine Bannon, chief engineer. “Every attribute – technology, ergonomics, material selection, power, fuel economy, driving experience – is a standout. Plus, it’s wrapped in a beautiful package.”
MyLincoln just the start for technology-packed 2011 Lincoln MKX The industry-first MyLincoln Touch experience, powered by Lincoln SYNC®, replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way buttons like those found on cell phones and MP3 players. The screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click, voice command or touch screen tap.
The electronic finish panel on the 2011 Lincoln MKX demonstrates all the advantages of this touch-sensitive technology in a beautiful, engaging package. Activated features display amber light. When turned off, signature Lincoln White lighting is displayed.
In addition to the usual audio and climate control features, the touch-sensitive technology also operates the volume and fan controls, which is exclusive to Lincoln.
Customers can swipe their fingers along the slider to adjust the volume. The slider features 10 distinct touchpoints; three full swipes bring the system to maximum volume. Customers also can touch anywhere along the slider to get a corresponding increase or decrease in volume.
The fan control is operated in a similar fashion. On both the volume control and the fan control, the distinctive Lincoln White lighting acts as a chaser.
Like the song? You can tag it Also new on the 2011 Lincoln MKX is the world’s first use of iTunes® Tagging in an available factory-installed HD Radio™ receiver. Enabled by the available Voice-Activated Navigation System through SYNC, iTunes Tagging provides customers with the ability to “capture” a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase from iTunes. With a simple push of a “TAG” button on the radio display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory.
Once a song is tagged and customers dock their iPod to the SYNC system, the “tagged” song information will transfer to that iPod. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When an iPod is connected, the tags are transferred from SYNC to the iPod. Customers then can preview, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store, if they so choose.
One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts. Plus, unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.
2011 Lincoln MKX brimming with standard and class-exclusive technologies Standard MyLincoln Touch and remote start lead the list of features or technologies that are new for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, including:
• Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support allows the driver to set the vehicle’s speed and maintain it without using the accelerator pedal, and warns the driver of a potential collision risk. It also helps reduce speed and automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more quickly when the system detects a collision is imminent.
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert is a feature that helps detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving and traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots.
• MyKey™ is designed to allow parents to encourage teenagers to drive safely and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety belt usage. The standard MyKey feature allows owners to designate keys that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume.
• Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler System is a standard Ford-exclusive feature that uses an integrated spring-loaded flapper door to eliminate the need for a fuel tank screw cap.
The 2011 Lincoln MKX has eight class-exclusive features: MyLincoln Touch, Lincoln SYNC, Easy Fuel, SecuriCode™ keyless entry, Blind Spot Mirrors, MyKey, Cross Traffic Alert and AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control™).
Fun tuned in while noise is tuned out A wealth of upgrades means the 2011 Lincoln MKX will provide a more connected feel between the driver and the road through responsive acceleration, engaging steering, spirited handling and confident braking.
The new 18-inch tires have increased grip and are mounted on larger wheels than the outgoing product, helping enable enhanced stopping and improved handling. Twenty-inch wheels are available as well.
The springs, shocks and stabilizer bars also have been retuned to give the Lincoln MKX a flatter response through turns and over hills while still providing the comfortable ride luxury buyers expect and demand.
The original Lincoln MKX set many benchmarks in overall quietness, and that tradition continues as Ford internal preliminary data show the 2011 MKX scores better in speech recognition, wind noise and sound package than competitors from Lexus and Audi.
Both road noise and wind noise are significantly decreased in the 2011 MKX because of improvements found throughout the interior and exterior, including powertrain. Additional actions include:
• Sound pack and acoustic glass: A more-absorptive sound pack is found throughout the interior, which reduces high-frequency noise more effectively than material that acts merely as a barrier. The result is an improved articulation index, which measures how easy it is to hear and understand someone in the vehicle. The 2011 MKX also features an acoustic headliner, and the microphone for the SYNC system has been relocated so it is closer to the driver for improved voice recognition. The windshield also is thicker and acoustic-laminated for reduced wind noise. Acoustic glass in the front doors also is standard for the 2011 model. Finally, baked-on expandable foam baffles in the fenders and rear D-pillars help seal out unwanted road noise.
• Powertrain NVH improvements: Three main actions contribute to a quieter 2011 Lincoln MKX from a powertrain NVH perspective. One is the more robust engine cover. Intake and exhaust systems also have been completely retuned for a crisper note corresponding to Lincoln powertrain DNA. Finally, a “tighter” torque converter reduces engine rpm on launch and tip-in events, reducing engine noise.
More stopping power, increased braking technology New four-wheel disc brakes provide enhanced stopping power. Key brake system upgrades include steel pistons, larger rear rotors, revised brake friction materials, revised brake booster gain and revised pedal ratios, all of which enable more initial bite and a firmer, more confident feel when customers press on the brake pedal.
The 2011 Lincoln MKX also offers several new brake-related features: Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills; Trailer Sway Control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped with the available trailer tow package; Hydraulic Brake Assist, which provides greater braking force in emergency stops; and available Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support.
Improved performance without sacrificing fuel economy Power for the 2011 Lincoln MKX is supplied by the 3.7-liter Duratec V-6, which employs advanced technology and clever control strategies, such as Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) to increase horsepower and torque without compromising fuel economy.
Customers of the 2011 Lincoln MKX will enjoy a luxury crossover that has best-in-class power and torque versus all V-6 competitors with unsurpassed highway fuel economy of 25 mpg – all on regular fuel. Horsepower has been increased to 305 – a 15-percent increase compared with the outgoing product – while torque is up to 280 ft.-lbs., marking a 12-percent improvement. The 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 is mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, which gives customers the option of a fun-to-shift manual experience.
In SelectShift mode, the transmission doesn’t second-guess the driver, giving him or her control over gear selection and performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as defined by the engine speed.
For instance, when a lower gear is selected while descending a long downhill grade, the 2011 Lincoln MKX in SelectShift mode will hold that gear until the driver manually upshifts or returns to the fully automatic setting. To help ensure safe shifting, the transmission will downshift to the lowest acceptable gear, based on a calculated maximum speed. That means if a vehicle is traveling at highway speeds, the driver cannot downshift to first gear in SelectShift mode.
Improvements to engine hardware and powertrain control strategies account for the gains in power and fuel economy. Other strategies in addition to Ti-VCT are aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff; torque-based deceleration control and battery management through “smart charging.”
New flowing exterior design perfectly wraps new Lincoln MKX technologies The flowing exterior design of the 2011 Lincoln MKX provides the perfect complement to the luxury crossover’s industry-leading technology and class-exclusive features.
“The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be a real standout in the Lincoln showroom,” said Doyle Letson, chief designer. “The addition of the new split-wing grille, a key to Lincoln signature DNA, is just the start. The 2011 MKX has the best proportions of any Lincoln we have.
“The fender line, with the raised arch over the front wheel, as well as the lower rocker detail with beautifully tapered bright detail that runs the length of the vehicle, makes a dramatic difference in side view,” he added.
New for the 2011 model is an updated rear taillamp treatment. The lamps are now two distinct pieces that employ an indirect LED system that hides the light source while allowing the light intensity to shine through. The reverse sensors of the Blind Spot Information System are integrated into the reflectors while the Lincoln star sits proudly on a new appliqué. The 4-inch oval exhaust tips, significantly larger on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, also increase the unique luxury crossover’s presence.
The new 18- and 20-inch wheels are more dynamic and expressive. Instead of a familiar linear or blocky appearance, the wheels encompass a variety of undulating and complex shapes that help the 2011 Lincoln MKX appear always in motion. The vibrant wheel shapes again underscore the enhanced craftsmanship and attention to detail found throughout the 2011 Lincoln MKX.
All-new interior brimming with functionality and craftsmanship The interior of the 2011 Lincoln MKX reflects an even greater emphasis on what defines Lincoln DNA: luxury, craftsmanship, genuine materials and sharper execution.
Gentle details that bring out Lincoln standards of quality and excellence include brightwork on the vents, genuine stitching on the doors and softer armrests with upgraded materials. The cupholders, with available ambient lighting, are found beneath the independent sliding leather-covered console lids, which feature decorative stitching. A power tilt/telescoping steering column and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel are available.
All-new leather-trimmed seats, comfort sections and standard tuxedo stripe embrace the new Lincoln DNA sew style. More genuine aluminum appliqués are standard, with aluminum accents on the door added to the spears on the instrument panel.
The two available wood accents – Olive Ash and Walnut Swirl – on the steering wheel, dashboard and doors add character and form; each selection has a livelier, natural appearance, adding even more character to the interior. Whether customers select aluminum or wood, the increased use of genuine materials in the 2011 Lincoln MKX ensures that each interior will be distinctive.
“Everything about the 2011 Lincoln MKX is vibrant and luxurious,” said Bannon. “Our MyLincoln Touch system will draw people in, helping them discover that the new Lincoln MKX delivers a total driving experience not found anywhere else.”
The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be built at Oakville Assembly Plant; Ontario, Canada.
The National Venture Capital Association recently released a member survey that predicted:
—In 2010 there will be fewer VC firms
—Surviving VCs will spend most of their remaining funds on existing investments, and
—Leftover funding will focus investments mostly on later-stage deals
It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that things are looking very grim for early stage companies. But in the spirit of the Ghost of Christmas Future, let me offer a (somewhat) contrarian point of view. I have absolutely no data to back up my predictions, and I agree it will be a bad year (or two or three) for VCs. But all is not lost.
First, invention continues apace. We will look back on this period and realize that many talented private sector engineers and scientists affected by corporate downsizing are taking their own ideas to market. In addition, federal stimulus funding has had a positive impact on university research.
Second, while traditional VCs are suffering, we are seeing an increase in activity from private equity firms, many of which view the current environment as particularly conducive to good deals.
Third, while VCs are in the midst of a multi-year retrenchment, they’ll increase the number of “micro-investments” in very early stage investments. While this may seem contradictory, recall that VCs have in the past avoided small investments due to the expense of due diligence per dollar invested. VCs today, however, have little dry powder yet still have staff. I believe we are already seeing VCs dabbling in small investments, “incubating” small companies, particularly in clean-tech, medical devices and robotics.
Finally, while angels have also been affected by the downturn and are being forced to support their existing investments, they do not face the same structural pressures as VCs. Their money does not come from large institutions with fixed expectations for their investment returns, or that are intent on reducing their investment in the venture asset class because they feel the VC model is broken. Rather, new angels appear on the scene at a steady pace, unconstrained by the need to prop up existing portfolios.
So be of good cheer. It’s not the best of times. It’s not the worst of times. It’s a time to revise strategies and begin the New Year with a fresh set of expectations.
[Editor’s Note: As the decade comes to an end, we’ve asked Xconomists and other technology leaders around the country to identify the top innovations they’ve seen in their fields the past 10 years, or comment on trends that will impact the next decade.]
Venture investing settled in a bit during the fourth quarter of 2009, but the analysts at ChubbyBrain, the New York firm providing the data, are encouraged by the overall mix, saying, “optimism, albeit of the cautious variety, seems to have found its way back.”
While the total amount of venture capital investments during the quarter declined to $5.5 billion nationwide, compared with $5.9 billion during the fourth quarter of 2008 (and $6.1 billion in Q3 2009), ChubbyBrain counted 687 Q4 deals nationwide, the highest number in five quarters. (That data tracks well with figures released last week by Dow Jones Venture Source.) Total VC activity for the year amounted to $20.8 billion invested in 2,461 companies, according to the company, an information services startup that tracks the entrepreneurial economy.
ChubbyBrain did not characterize the decline in total VC dollars invested during Q4 as a big concern. While the last three months of 2009 saw venture investments decline nearly 7 percent year-over-year and almost 10 percent from Q3, the fourth quarter still showed a steady, month-over-month increase in deal volume. ChubbyBrain notes that a handful of very large deals increased the Q3 totals significantly.
VC investments in green and cleantech startups also fell 38 percent in dollar terms in Q4 versus Q3; energy sector investments plunged by more than 50 percent. But the overall rise in Q4 deal activity reflects an increase in VC investments in early stage companies, especially in the Internet sector—where early stage investments accounted for 49 percent of the deal volume. As ChubbyBrain notes, this seems to put to rest concerns voiced earlier this year about VCs fleeing riskier early stage investments. Nearly 21 percent of the capital and 37 percent of the deals involved early stage companies during the quarter.
Among the top cities for VC deals and investments, ChubbyBrain ranks San Francisco No. 1, with 50 deals totaling $430 million during the fourth quarter, followed by …Next Page »
In a new commercial set to premiere on Nickelodeon, Beyoncé will be seen playing Style Savvy, a video game that turns players into managers of a virtual boutique. “Fashion is something I’ve been familiar with my whole life,” she says in an interview before the shoot. So when Nintendo tapped her to represent its product, she was happy to oblige. Introduced last November for the portable Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems, the game allows aspiring entrepreneurs to choose from 16 fictional designer labels, each with a different style and price point, and more than 10,000 items. The goal is to accommodate customers’ budgets and needs, then use the accumulated cash to restock your stores, bearing in mind such factors as seasonal changes. “It can teach young girls a sense of business and of responsibility,” Beyoncé says. “You have to be a good listener and pay attention to what the customers want. It also teaches you about fashion, using terms that fashion people use, like ‘asymmetrical.’ ”
As part of its arrangement with Beyoncé, Nintendo plans to introduce five items from her Deréonline early this year. (Five items from Charlotte Ronson’s fall 2009 collection are currently available for download.) “It will be fun,” she says. “The clothes in the game are great, so cute and detailed, and there’s always something new. It’s like playing dress-up, only with digital technology instead of dolls.” Up to four players can hook up wirelessly for a runway contest. Beyoncé took part in one such competition with a few friends, “and they told me I still have a long way to go. So I guess I have to keep working at it.”
The Cancer Survivor’s Guide: Foods that Help You Fight Back! is available on our Web site. Learn more >
Nutrition and Cooking Classes The Cancer Project’s free Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Classes for Cancer Prevention and Survival are presented nationwide. For more information and upcoming classes in your area click here.
Please feel free to tailor Cancer Project recipes to suit your individual dietary needs. For answers to questions about specific ingredients and the nutritional implications for cancer prevention and survivalclick here.
Eating blended soup is a great way to get in loads of nutritious vegetables. One serving of this soup provides more than your daily recommended intake of beta-carotene, which has been deemed one of the most significant nutrients for improving breast cancer survival.
Directions
Makes 6 servings
4 1/4 cups vegetable broth 1 cup diced onion 2 teaspoons curry powder 5 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes 1 cup water 1 cup plus 6 tablespoons plain nondairy yogurt 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro (optional)
Heat 1/4 cup of the broth in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and curry powder and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add the remaining 4 cups of broth, the sweet potatoes, and the water. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Transfer one-third of the sweet potato mixture to a blender and process until smooth. Repeat the procedure with the remaining sweet potato mixture, processing it in batches. Return the blended mixture to the saucepan. Bring to a boil then remove from the heat. Add 1 cup of the yogurt and stir until blended.
Top each serving with 1 tablespoon of the remaining yogurt and garnish with the optional cilantro.
Stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, leftover Curried Sweet Potato Soup will keep for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Per serving:
177 Calories 1.4 g Fat 0.2 g Saturated Fat 7.1% Calories from Fat 0 mg Cholesterol
4.9 g Protein 37.5 g Carbohydrates 12.9 g Sugar 4.5 g Fiber
770 mg Sodium 128 mg Calcium 1.8 mg Iron 25.4 mg Vitamin C 13266 mcg Beta-Carotene 1.3 mg Vitamin E
This recipe is from the NEW BOOK
The Cancer Survivor’s Guide: Foods that Help You Fight Back!
Please feel free to tailor Cancer Project recipes to suit your individual dietary needs. For answers to questions about specific ingredients and the nutritional implications for cancer prevention and survival click here.
One of the world’s leading renewable energy publications has recognized Massachusetts-based Second Wind Inc. as a finalist in its first-ever Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards. Second Wind, a leading provider of wind information technology, was named a finalist last week by RenewableEnergyWorld.com in the category of Innovation in Renewable Energy for its game-changing Triton Wind Profiler.
Magma Energy Corp. reported this week that is has successfully completed flow testing of its Soda Lake geothermal production well 45A-33, which will have the capacity to produce 3 megawatts (MW) of net power once a turbine system is installed at the site.
Solarfun Power Holdings Co. Ltd. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Jiangsu Linyang Solarfun Co. Ltd. has entered into three contracts to supply 12.65 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic modules for projects in China.
Syntec Biofuel Inc. (Syntec) has entered into a joint development program with the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks for converting a wide variety of biomass and waste into bio-butanol. The core process utilizes Syntec’s catalyst technology in conjunction with an upgrading process exclusively licensed from the EERC Foundation.
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation’s largest, privately-owned roofing and solar energy company, has announced an exclusive partnership with SunRun, the nation’s leading provider of residential solar financing, on a ground-breaking leasing program that enables Californians to purchase a new solar home at the price of a standard home, locking in low, fixed electricity bills for 20 years.
Google has just announced that its powerfully social Friend Connect features are now available for open-source content management systems Drupal and Joomla.
One of the world’s leading renewable energy publications has recognized Massachusetts-based Second Wind Inc. as a finalist in its first-ever Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards. Second Wind, a leading provider of wind information technology, was named a finalist last week by RenewableEnergyWorld.com in the category of Innovation in Renewable Energy for its game-changing Triton Wind Profiler.
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation’s largest, privately-owned roofing and solar energy company, has announced an exclusive partnership with SunRun, the nation’s leading provider of residential solar financing, on a ground-breaking leasing program that enables Californians to purchase a new solar home at the price of a standard home, locking in low, fixed electricity bills for 20 years.