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By Matt Hawes

H.T. Right Mind

by Grist.

Gerod Rody

Founder, Out for Sustainability
Seattle, Wash.

Gerod Rody, 29, felt a disconnect between his life as a gay man and his work in the sustainability field, so he founded Out for Sustainability to bring the two together and encourage the LGBTQ community to embrace the green cause. The group is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with Earth Gay events where volunteers can help on projects like urban gardening and habitat restoration—followed, of course, by a lively afterparty, complete with limited-edition “Nature Is So Gay” T-shirts. Rody is also the marketing and communications associate at the sustainability-focused Bainbridge Graduate Institute, where he earned an MBA in sustainable business, and he runs his own firm, seventh idé, which specializes in “eco-innovative-thrifty” design consulting for events.

Follow Out for Sustainability on Twitter.

Meet more people who are redefining green.

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The party leader debate is about to start in the UK, live at 3pm EST on C-Span 3.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is set to defend his recent poll surge, and Conservative leader David Cameron will try to continue his poll fightback some of last week’s losses.

The topic for the debate is foreign policy, but it should grow into a discussion about the UK’s deficit and the EU crisis over Greece, and produce comments that may have an impact on the pound.

Watch live video from garthytv2 on Justin.tv

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In a large-scale environment, you may have no choice but to authenticate your Macs to Active Directory. This process is generally pretty smooth and only a few things get in your way, but the big annoyance for me was having to give my credentials every time I wanted to print to our Windows print server.

The problem is that your credentials aren’t passed along properly and this causes an annoying pop-up window to appear.

The “Remember this password” check box does nothing to help, either. I use DeployStudio a lot around our campus and they have a free utility called ksmbprintd which alleviates this problem. Their utility passes your credentials along with the print job and you no longer get the error window above. Here’s how to easily change your printer to make this all work.

1. Download and install ksmbprintd. When the install is finished, it will want you to log out and then back in to startup the utility.
   
2. You can modify the printer URL through the terminal, but I like to use the CUPS web interface instead. To do this, goto http://localhost:631.
   
3. Click on the Administration tab and then the Manage Printers button.
   
4. Click the printer you want to edit. On the next screen, select Modify Printer from the drop down menu.
   
5. Now this is where we modify the printer’s URL. Copy the original URL at the top of the page. Then click the button next to Windows Printer via SAMBA with kerberos support v1.0.
   
   
6. Paste the original URL in the Connection: box and add a k to the front of it so it says ksmb.
   
7. Continue through the other two windows quickly since nothing should need changing. Click the Modify Printer button to save the changes.
   

Now you should be able to print without having to enter your Active Directory credentials every time. This can be really useful if you are charging for prints. Trying to make people retype in their credentials when ever they print is not very acceptable in our environment. I thank DeployStudio for making such a nice little app that saves us a lot of headaches.

A study of fruit flies that have had their scent genes mutated shows that they live up to 30% longer than normal flies. Quick, buy some noseplugs! More »

Filed under: Health, Healthy Eating, Don’t Eat This

Now that soft drink consumption has been brought to light as one of the main concerns in the obesity epidemic, public health officials in several countries are trying to come up with ways to force or manipulate the public into consuming less.

In the U.S. the discourse has centred around the idea of a “Soda Tax.” This new federal tax is currently being discussed by the Senate Finance Committee as a consideration for a way to help pay for the universal health care plan put forward by President Obama. It is thought that the three cent tax would help on two fronts – by discouraging soda consumption as well as helping to pay for health care.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill research team leader Kiyah Duffey writes, “While such policies will not solve the obesity epidemic in its entirety… they could prove an important strategy to address overconsumption, help reduce energy intake and potentially aid in weight loss and reduced rates of diabetes among U.S. adults.” She goes on, “Our findings suggest that national, state or local policies to alter the price of less healthful foods and beverages may be one possible mechanism for steering U.S. adults toward a more healthful diet.”

Continue reading Will a Soda Tax Curb Soda Consumption? Not Likely…

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Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, China, Bentley, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury

It’s been barely eight years since Bentley entered the Chinese market, and they haven’t looked back. Since arriving on the scene in 2002, Bentley’s sales have grown ten-fold, to the point that today China is the company’s third largest market. So it’s little wonder that the crew from Crewe is launching a pair of special editions specifically for the world’s largest populace.

Both special editions are based on the Continental line-up. The first, as if the model’s name weren’t long enough already, is the Continental Flying Spur Speed China. For the Chinese market, Bentley has actually toned down what it calls “the world’s fastest luxury four-door saloon” with a softer suspension and a quieter exhaust note.

The second, called the Design Series China, starts with the Continental GT coupe and centers its uniqueness around the interior, with three-tone leather trim and vibrant accents throughout. Bentley’s even added two new colors to the palette – Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic – with the launch of the Chinese special.

The pair will be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show, which opens its doors on Friday. Details on both are available in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Bentley]

Continentals for the Mainland: Special edition Bentleys previewed for Beijing show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Wall Street Journal decided to try an interesting experiment with its iPad app. It is charging about $4 per week for access. That’s a lot. To view the publication on Apple’s newest gadget, you must pay more than you would to read the WSJ by any other means — you pay $1.50 per week for iPhone/other mobile device, $2 for online access, $2.29 for print, and $2.69 for print plus online. Yet in the first two weeks of sales, the WSJ has 3,200 new subscribers for its iPad app. Is its strategy working?

The WSJ’s pricing breakdown above might seem a little bit crazy. It expects iPad subscribers to pay more than anyone else. Why would they? The Wall Street Journal may realize that iPad owners aren’t just any segment of the population — they’re a specific group of people who enjoy consuming information and can afford to buy a luxurious technology to do so. Those are the precise characteristics of consumers who might be willing to pay more for the WSJ’s app.

In the first two weeks, the Journal’s got 3,200 bites. That might not sound like a lot, especially given that 500,000 iPads reportedly sold in the first week. But according to one estimate, that would likely put it in the top-3 most paid-for apps.

Those 3,200 are also in addition to 30,000 current subscribers who are enjoying a free iPad trial. Once that ends, you can be sure that a fair number will grudgingly pay to continue enjoying the publication on their new iPads. How high a rate of retention the Journal’s app will have at that time is probably the biggest test. But 10% new subscribers growth isn’t too shabby.

At the end of April, the 3G iPad will also be released. It’s certainly possible that additional avid WSJ readers are waiting to purchase this version of the device. After all, business travelers are much better off buying this upcoming version of the iPad, and they make up the target audience for the WSJ app.

Anyone interested in seeing whether the iPad transforms the profitability of media should keep an eye on the success of the Journal’s app. If the publication can manage to sell a hefty number of iPad subscriptions at its lofty price point, there’s definitely hope for boosting media companies’ profitability through subscriber revenue based on this new technology. If iPad WSJ app subscriptions struggle, however, then that’s probably bad news for the industry.

Late celebrity spinner Adam Goldstein — revered across the music world as DJ AM –makes a cameo appearance in the superheor blockbuster Iron Man 2, in theaters May 7.

The acclaimed mixmaster succumbed to a drug overdose in his New York City apartment last August. He was 36. Two months before his death, Goldstein filmed a party scene that is featured in the film. Lensman Jon Favreau — who directed the sequel to 2008’s cinema hit — tells The Los Angeles Times that although it was a difficult decision, he’s decided to let the cameo stay.

“We tried to make it respectful, and for people who know him, they’ll get a kick out of it and for people who don’t, it will sort of slide by without much notice.”

Iron Man 2 is dedicated to the memory of DJ AM.

“Shelley,” a film by Andrew Wesman ’10, has been chosen to screen next month at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Wesman, a Visual and Environmental Studies (VES) concentrator, is one of 13 filmmakers chosen from 1,600 entries submitted by film schools worldwide.

Judge Atom Egoyan will choose the best three films; the results will be announced on May 21.

But for an early viewing, “Shelley” will be shown next week at the Carpenter Center as part of the annual thesis and senior project film, video, and animation screenings. “Shelley” chronicles a 14-year-old who impulsively commits a horrific crime. When she and her boyfriend try to fathom what has occurred, she withdraws from reality.

Wesman and senior VES peers Dan Ashwood, Alex Berman, Rachel Brown, Vince Eckert, Lily Erlinger, Lily Fang, Olivia Jampol, Ivan Ivanov, Sam Lemberg, Eliora Noetzel, Rebecca Rojer, Paul Whang, and Alex Zimbler will all screen their works April 28 to May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Carpenter Center. Admission is free.

For more information on the films and filmmakers.

The “VES Thesis Exhibition 2010: Index” will have its opening reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Carpenter Center in the Main Gallery on the first floor and Sert Gallery on the third floor. The works include a graphic novel, photographs, paintings, mixed media, video with installations, and a curatorial project.

This exhibition is free and open to the public, as are the film screenings associated with it. For further details, call 617.495.3251.

FT Alphaville: RBS: A Greek Default would be tantamount to the end of the euro.

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by Jen Harper

I remember watching The Earth Day Special when I was 10 years old, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, with far too much enthusiasm. I had even set the VCR to tape it more than two weeks prior. I was such a nerd. Lucky for you guys, I still am, as is some other kind soul who uploaded the whole made-for-TV movie to YouTube for our viewing pleasure (though, it’s broken into 11 parts). Enjoy some of your fave ‘80s and early ‘90s stars, like Mayam Bialik (Blossom!), Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown!), Ted Danson (Sam Malone!), and Kid ‘N Play (Kid ‘N Play?), spouting the how and why to save Mother Nature (played by Bette Midler).

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Joe Romm is now coming to our Harvard Kennedy School event. And Joy Moore of Seed/ScienceBlogs will be there to represent one key powerhouse of the science blogosphere. It’s all on the website, which has been newly updated. And so has the poster. Check it all out.

Our healthy friends at Consumer Reports Health have an interesting article today about a new study that shows that a single high dose of aspirin (up to 1000 mg) can work as well as a lower-dose prescription drug.

Take it away, experts:

Overall, roughly 1 in 2 people (52 percent) who took a single dose of aspirin (900 mg or 1000 mg) rated their pain as having improved to mild or better within two hours. And 1 in 4 people (24 percent) said that their pain had completely disappeared. In comparison, only 1 in 3 people (32 percent) who took an inactive treatment (a placebo) said their pain had improved to mild or better, and 1 in 10 (11 percent) reported that their pain had disappeared. People who took aspirin were also more likely to see improvements in their nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.

But these findings may actually underestimate how well aspirin works. This is because many people take painkillers when they first get migraine symptoms, rather than waiting until their pain becomes moderate or severe, as occurred in these studies. Research suggests that taking painkillers early works better than waiting until the pain gets worse. So it could be that aspirin helps more migraineurs when it’s used early on.

The study didn’t look at what happens to people who take aspirin frequently for migraines but CRH notes that aspirin has been linked to stomach irritation. In addition, CRH says children and teenagers shouldn’t take aspirin for migraines or any other condition, as it can cause a rare but dangerous problem called Reye’s syndrome.

Have you tried this? Any luck with it?

Aspirin makes the grade for migraine relief [CRH]

I’ll admit, it’s hard to get all hot and bothered about a minivan… but there’s a reason they have been a perpetually popular option for decades now. They’re practical, functional people movers with gobs of cargo space, comfort and convenience. Ever since the original Dodge Caravan defined the segment back in the 80’s, families the world over have swarmed to them in droves.

Of course, on the fuel economy front they’re a bit lacking. Which is why, as a dad of two (who likes to subject his family to the great American roadtrip every now and then), a green car nut and a supporter of the resurgence of the American automobile, I can honestly say I AM all hot and bothered by Chevy’s unveiling of the previously rumored, Volt-based, extended range electric minivan/crossover concept called the ‘Volt MPV5′ at the Beijing Auto Show today.

(more…)

Originally set for release in Japan on February 25th, Harvest Moon: Twin’s Village got a bump in the harrowed dirt and was rescheduled for a Spring 2010 release. We now know when that is.
 
 
 
 

The state Senate unanimously passed a bill today that would protect student athletes by educating their coaches about head injuries and concussions.

The bill would also require coaches to pull intramural and interscholastic athletes from games, competitions or practices if they show signs of a concussion, or if they are diagnosed with a concussion. Athletes suspected of having such an injury would have to stop practicing or competing for at least 24 hours and until they receive written clearance from a medical professional.

Under the bill, anyone who holds a coaches permit issued by the state school board would have to be trained periodically in how to recognize and respond to head injuries and concussions. The course would be part of routine training for coaches, and lawmakers say it would not result in extra costs for school districts.    

All coaches would be required to complete an initial training course before starting to coach next school year. Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, coaches would have to complete a refresher course every five years.

Several people testified in favor of the concussions bill at a March education committee public hearing, including Michael Savage, the executive director Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Savage said the bill protects the health, safety and well being of students and his group has developed a training course on concussions.

The bill still needs to be voted on by the House of Representatives and signed by the governor before becoming law. If it is signed, Connecticut would become only the third state in the country to have a concussions law to protect student athletes. Oregon and Washington passed such laws last year.   

Sen. Thomas Gaffey, D-Meriden, co-chairman of the education committee, cited U.S. Center for Disease Control statistics when discussing concussions today. Each year, there are 3.5 million sports-related concussions, he said, adding that more than 40 percent of athletes with concussions or serious injuries return to practice and competition before they should.

We’ll call this one “The Wedding That Wasn’t:” It looks like The Snookster pulled the plug on her romance with reportedly fame-hungry former beau Emilio Masella just as he was planning to put a ring on it.

Jersey Shore’s poofed-up guidette unceremoniously dumped the Gold’s Gym personal trainer in a profane voicemail early Monday after learning that the well-gelled hunk had spent the weekend trying out for the new season of MTV’s The Real World. The news has been devastating for Emilio, who just days before their split told Star Magazine of his plans to propose marriage to Snooki.

(Insert Sarcasm Here) Spilling your guts to a tabloid is a great way to prove that you’re not just in it for fame, Emilio — but we digress….

“I’m going to have something really special for her when she gets back — the ring she’s always wanted!” Emilio gushed to the tabloid last week, even telling Star reporters that he was saving up to buy the engagement ring of Snooks dreams. “She wants a really big diamond, big enough to beat someone up with. I’m going to buy her the biggest ring I can afford, because she deserves only the best….a big rock that has bling all over it. I want it to just sparkle all over, just like her,” he swooned.

Um — is he talking about the same girl that lost her top in a hot tub?

Masella — a native of Connecticut — had been planning to pop the question to Snooks once shooting wrapped on the upcoming second season of Jersey Shore. Emilio was even hoping to recruit Snooki’s Shore castmate Jenni “J-Woww” Farley as a bridesmaid in the wedding! In fact, Emilio was so confident that he’d have a long future of GTL-ing with the pint-sized sensation he was looking into booking a room at a luxe Las Vegas hotel, where he’d was prepared to make his play for marriage.

He even had a script all ready. Wanna hear it? “I’m a romantic guy, so I’d want it to be really sweet. There would be candles, rose petals, and a bottle of champagne. After she saw the room decorated, I’d get down on one knee and tell her all the things I love about her, how beautiful she is. I can’t wait.”

We told you earlier about 3 Idiots becoming available on YouTube for a legal download. Now it seems like the official YouTube video rental store has been launched at YouTube.com/store. You can use the store to rent movies and TV shows for a specific price ($0.99 to 419.99) and be able to watch them for upto a pre-defined limit (usually 24 hours).

The store already contains a number of movies (lots of Bollywood), documentaries, popular TV shows, biographies and even some educational videos. Most of the TV shows include information about the air date and even the number of views the videos have received. Before renting out a video, you can watch a 2 minute preview to see the video quality. You do need a YouTube account to use the rental service. Payments are made through Google Checkout.

If you need help with the service, YouTube has a separate support platform. The service does not currently allow you to download videos, but you can play it as much as you want during the allotted 24 hours. Another catch is that YouTube rentals are only available to US users right now. Plus, like every good video rental store if you were unable to play a video due to a technical issue, you can claim a refund by filling out this form.

It is interesting to see that some of the videos can be rented out for an unlimited period of time which means you’ll have access to them forever. Any organization with authentic videos that have a demand can become a YouTube partner and start renting out videos online. There is no fixed fee for listing but YouTube shares the revenue with you.

Do you think this model will work for YouTube? Also, with so many streaming movies available at Netflix for a fixed price, why would somebody pay-per-video to watch the videos on YouTube?

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