OpenID is coming

Microsoft adopts OpenID and this is a sure sign that OpenID will start to get critical mass and the needed adoption to enable a much needed way to have a universal web ID.

Dell Vista Express - Delivered in March!

If you have ordered a Dell PC and purchased it with the intent of having a Vista ready system, as I recently had, you will be shocked to find out what the 'Express Upgrade' to Vista means. I discovered today that not only can I not download and install the upgrade, but Dell won't even ship me the discs until March.

This has to be on the top of my most pathetic business decisions by a technology company. Can you imagine the business team that came up with this decision? "Hey, let's call the upgrade Express and make customers wait two months to recieve it after the order". "Oh yeah, and despite the fact that it could be installed through a download and consumers would love that, let's send it to them in a plastic package with CD's".

Brilliant Dell, what can we expect next?

Rolling Stone on if Gore should run in 08

I have to admit this is a great question. Should Gore run in 08'? The guy was on the mark about a lot of issues (war, climate change, W.)... He's also a lot more experienced than Hillary, Barak or for that matter McCain. I hope he throws his hat into the ring. The debates would be a LOT more interesting.

Dick Cheney says "Hillary won't be president"

The guy whom Senators yesterday asked the question 'was Cheney right about one thing in the lead up and war in Iraq' offers an opinion on Hillary Clinton's prospects as a presidential contender. Given his track record I would have to believe that Hillary has a pretty good shot.

Independent Radio Podcasts

(((Hearing Voices))) is the largest collective of independent radio producers this side of the semi-planet Pluto. We are headquartered in Montana, and reside across the U.S.A. Since 2001 we've produced 250+ stories and specials. We are funded by CPB, NEA and others. There's no real staff here, so we can't accept submissions. But if you’ve something online you want us to hear, send the URL in the email form below.

Move.com vs. Redfin.com debate

Watch this if you would like to see an interesting debate about the direction of commission vs. service based real estate and some insight into how the real estate market is going to be shifting over the next couple of years.

Better than Zillow - Cyberhomes Online Appraisal

This looks better than Zillow and appears to provide better data and higher accuracy for an online comparitive appraisal.

Buying without a realtor and getting money back

For those who are currently shopping for a home, consider this alternative to the traditional approach. Use existing online real estate services and attend open houses to find a home that you feel confident meets your needs. Do your own title search, appraisal by looking at comps and have an inspection performed. Determine the minimum and maximum that you are willing to pay for the house. After these steps if you feel confident about buying the house approach the sellers realtor and tell them that you would like to use their services to buy the house, but you want a 2% commission deducted from your offer. The agent should then recognize that s/he will get a 4% total commission and that it's advantageous. At this point you need to stick to your guns and be happy to walk away if the agent begins to get squirrelly. If you can do this successfully you will be looking at $8000 saved on a $400k home, which is enough to do some significant improvements. It will require that you be pro-active and willing to question "convention".

Harvesting the Collective Intelligence of Social Networks

An interesting article on extending the Digg model of collective guidance to a broader social network. Imagine harnessing and applying the collective hive thinking of Digg to business, politics or entertainment. Hollywood produces a movie based on a collective recommendation or a politicians platform is determined by the collective buzz or a new product includes features which come from what the viral hive has pushed to the surface.

Redfin - A Vulcan Venture

It appears that Redfin.com is offering a very similar offering to the feesible development I've undertaken in the past year. Providing consumers with an alternative to traditional realtors and real-estate. By providing an online set of services which cover most of what traditional realtors provide, the 6% that a seller spends on selling their home with a realtor is eliminated. Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures is funding this Seattle based startup, which will be interesting to track through 07'.

Our place in the universe

This series of images provides a great snapshot of how significant our planet is in the grand scheme of things...

Iraq Study Group Report - PDF

John Burns, the Baghdad Bureau Chief for the New York Times described the report as very insightful and informative. If you want to learn why, you can read the report for yourself...

Fox News - They do it all

O.J. Simpson To Explain How He Would Have Killed His Wife
submitted by Tanbo 16 hours 12 minutes ago (via www.nytimes.com)

In a somewhat odd upcoming interview with Fox entitled "O.J. Simpson: If I Did It, Here's How it Happened", Simpson will describe how he would have killed his wife and his friend.....that is, assuming he did actually kill them, which of course he has been found not guilty of. More…

110 comments Blog This Email This Topic: Celebrity Bury
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Did FOX News pay terrorists $2m for release of hostage reporters?
submitted by flavum 17 hours 56 minutes ago (via americablog.blogspot.com)

Someone, on behalf of FOX News, reportedly gave Middle Eastern terrorists $2m to buy the release of FOX's hostage reporters. The terrorists now say they used the money to buy weapons to kill Israelis. FOX says "it's possible" the story is true. What was the Bush administration's role? Did they pay the ransom to terrorists? Did they know about it? More…

110 comments Blog This Email This Topic: Political News Bury
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TechCrunch » Exclusive Look At Google Payments

Googlebase to replace Ebay and craigslist...?TechCrunch » Exclusive Look At Google Payments

Is Microsoft Dropping Cryptic Hints About a New Gadget? - New York Times

What is Microsoft about to announce?Is Microsoft Dropping Cryptic Hints About a New Gadget? - New York Times

Sectarian Fury Turns Violent in Wake of Iraq Shrine Blast - New York Times

It seems that the potential for Iraq to have a comparable or worse outcome than the legacy of Vietnam is becoming real. If Iraq slides into civil war there is no easy way for the U.S. to extricate itself and we will keep sliding on this slippery slope.Sectarian Fury Turns Violent in Wake of Iraq Shrine Blast - New York Times

Stem Cells May Be Key to Cancer - New York Times

Another potentially major breakthrough in science from stem cell research and to think our government is trying to roadblock this type of advancement...Stem Cells May Be Key to Cancer - New York Times

Foreign Affairs - China's Search for Stability With America - Wang Jisi

An academics view of China U.S. relations and interests. Good reading from Foreign Affairs journal.Foreign Affairs - China's Search for Stability With America - Wang Jisi

mapBid - View eBay auctions on a Google Map

I'm not sure how long this has been around, but it's way cool. Find google auction items based on google map proximity...mapBid - View eBay auctions on a Google Map

A Great Animated Cartoon!

NOVA

High-Def Video, Made Small - New York Times

I want one of these sometime this year. Digital storage, HD quality video, 5MP digital stills and much more for under $1k...High-Def Video, Made Small - New York Times

Gary Secondino's OPML blog: Friday, February 10, 2006

Yesterday was a big news day...Gary Secondino's OPML blog: Friday, February 10, 2006

BREITBART.COM - Bottled water, a natural resource taxing the world's ecosystem

This is an important issue which hopefully will continue to get attention. It's time for people to stop using our resources to consumer something that is aleady readily available. BREITBART.COM - Bottled water, a natural resource taxing the world's ecosystem

How to Stage Your Home to Sell for More Money

Staging is a critical stage of proper marketing when putting a house on the market. If a seller is going to spend time preparing for an open house, creating signage, print materials and getting listed then they should also make sure to stage their home. Not only can this help to ensure a higher sale price, but can prevent your home from sitting. A well staged home has warmth and appeal that unstaged homes lack.How to Stage Your Home to Sell for More Money

6%? $299 MLS Listing Arizona Idaho California Las Vegas Real Estate FSBO For Sale By Owner

Congress Realty will put you on the MLS for $299 (Western States only). A great value for those looking to FSBO. 6%? $299 MLS Listing Arizona Idaho California Las Vegas Real Estate FSBO For Sale By Owner

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Cheney 'Authorized' Libby to Leak Classified Information (02/09/2006)

This story is the top of memeorandum right now, which means that if John Udell is right it will be big news in the next couple days. I hope so, because Cheney has lied repeatedly to Americans for years and its time to make him accountable.NATIONAL JOURNAL: Cheney 'Authorized' Libby to Leak Classified Information (02/09/2006)

Boing Boing: The IT Crowd -- the geek comedy I've been waiting for all my life

This British television program is funny, though a bit unpolished. This does require an unsophisticated sense of humor to watch and a torrent client to download.Boing Boing: The IT Crowd -- the geek comedy I've been waiting for all my life

MIT World » : The Six Webs, 10 Years On

Video of Bill Joy talking at MIT on the future of the web. Worth a view!MIT World » : The Six Webs, 10 Years On

fabprefab - modernist prefab dwellings

These fab prefabs look like the future of housing. Browse through the portfolio of modernist designs. Dwellings Available Now. fabprefab - modernist prefab dwellings

ABC News: Prefab Housing Goes Fab

The reason I posted about Nightline is that they have had two recent stories on Pre-Fab home building. This seems like the future of housing for some. Buy your land and then put a very inexpensive, but high quality prefab home on it. These homes are highly efficient and should prove to be a trend for those looking for smart alternative housing in the future.ABC News: Prefab Housing Goes Fab

ABC News: Nightline

The new nightline format is not an improvement in my opinion. Now instead of having insightful interviews on the most important topics of the day, they are doing a mini magazine with 3 stories. The stories which are highlighted are usually human interest and not hard topical news, which makes for a completely different program. Why would they tamper with a proven formula which worked for the last twenty-five years? Also, the new anchor is no Ted Koppell. ABC News: Nightline

National Association of Realtors Marketing Campgaign

NAR Announced a $25 million dollar marketing campaign to promote the importance of working with a Realtor. I guess that's a big part of their purpose, but why not spend that money on creating resources and tools which will prevent Realtors from going the way of stock brokers...? I think the concept of realtor is going to become redefined over the next ten years and probably become a fee for service business.NAR: Home

SiliconBeat: The Ram Shriram-John Doerr prowl in India, and the local VC news sites

A whole new kind of outsourcing, US Venture Capital. Yes, the VC's see the potential for great investments in India with lots of inexpensive talent and business acumen. At the last startup I was involved with the Indian guys were always there until late at night, while the natives went home at 6pm. You could probably place ten bets in India for the price of one in the US. In the long run I believe that the US will benefit from these types of investments. SiliconBeat: The Ram Shriram-John Doerr prowl in India, and the local VC news sites

The Charlie Rose Show

Tonights guests are US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Harvard Law Professor Lawerence Traub. This is going to be a great debate on where the boundaries are/aren't for domestic spying and executive power. (Tivo time).The Charlie Rose Show

2 Web Sites Push Further Into Services Real Estate Agents Offer - New York Times

The NY Times reports on Redfin and Zillow, one a regional and the other a national service for home buyers/sellers. 2 Web Sites Push Further Into Services Real Estate Agents Offer - New York Times

Zillow.com - Your Edge in Real Estate

The beta site for Zillow is now live. Now that they've pulled back the curtain it's evident that they intend to provide what I'll call 'real estate services' for lack of a better term. These serices will undercut realtors be lessening their value and should facilitate more FSBO. The question is can Zillow show ROI for their $30m + investment from Benchmark and others?Zillow.com - Your Edge in Real Estate

Amazon.com: Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George (Jack Johnson): Music: Original Soundtrack,Jack Johnson

For those of you who like Jack Johnson and/or have kids... his new Curious George soundtrack is out.. I like it and look forward to seeing the film with my daughter soon. Amazon.com: Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George (Jack Johnson): Music: Original Soundtrack,Jack Johnson

memeorandum

On a recent Gilmor Gang one of the guests indicated their belief that Memeorandum was ahead of the NYTimes in identifying what is or will be news. I've been watching the site since I heard this comment to see if it has any truth to it. Memeorandum topics are culled from links between blogs to news and other blogs. memeorandum

Podcasts - New York Times#science#science#science#science

What a great resource. Podcasts provided by the NYTimes on a range of content. My late night listening has expanded greatly. Podcasts - New York Times#science#science#science#science

Will Ferrell - Bush on Global Warming

This is very funny and a little too realistic. Will Ferrell - Bush on Global Warming

Let the Good Times Roll--by Guy Kawasaki: The Art of Schmoozing

Although I think Guy Kawasaki blows a lot of smoke, this essay on the Art of Schmoozing is great. Well worth the short read and applying some of his points.Let the Good Times Roll--by Guy Kawasaki: The Art of Schmoozing

Critical Section - Home

My favorite blogger has crawled out of the closet for a flurry of posts. Ole is one of two bloggers I would pay to read on a regular basis (the other being Scripting News/Dave Winer). Always great stuff on his W=UH blog.Critical Section - Home

Real Estate Market is COOLING OFF

The National Realtors Association data which was recently published indicates that home sales (values) are trending downward. I think this is a good sign for the economy, to eliminate some of the irrational exuberance, but probably not good for those over mortgaged folks with all interest packages. This will certainly lead to home buyers/sellers wanting to get more value from their transaction since it's no longer a pure equity play.

A Real Estate office which has a 1% commission

This Portland based Real Estate agency is full service and offers a 1% commission to sell. I wonder if there is a hitch? I believe this is the way that the industry is going to trend.About Our Company - Haskins 1% Real Estate

Watch that stone sink

GOOG (Google) has missed it's earnings estimate and after market trading is dumping the stock. Down 74 at this writing.... All I can say is it was inevitable. How appropriate that it happens on the heels of 'Doing Evil' by supporting the totalitarian regime in East Asia.

Climate Expert Says NASA Tried to Silence Him - New York Times

There is no shame with the Bush Admin. The legacy of this president will be with us for some time. Climate Expert Says NASA Tried to Silence Him - New York Times

LinkedIn: Home

It seems that LinkedIn is now the de-facto contact and networking tool. I've had two people ask if I'm 'linkedin' in the past few days. I signed up over a year ago, but there were so many contenders then I didn't no which would prevail. It's now much more useful, since you can focus on a single provider.LinkedIn: Home

LEGO Robots!

Wow, I want one of these! LEGO.com About us - LEGO Company - PressRoom


RobotLego

NOLO: Real Estate - Resource Center

Here is a great resource for buyers and sellers. Real Estate - Resource Center

Owners' Web Site Gives Realtors Run for Money - New York Times

Although this article is focused on the Madison based family operated 'For Sale By Owner' business, the market for new FSBO services and products seems ripe. People don't put much stock in realtors and after they see the amount that realtors walk away with it leaves them scratching their collective heads...Owners' Web Site Gives Realtors Run for Money - New York Times

Time-lapse video of a year out of a Norway Window

Click on the video clip down the page... cool.www.eirikso.com � Blog Archive � One year outside our window

The All-In-One Card

This is something we're likely to see in the near future. All processing is handled remotely, while this device replaces your phone, creditcard/walleter, mp3, etc...chandanlog(3C): The All-In-One Card

NASA's Spirit and Opportunity still probing Mars after two years - Yahoo! News

What a great investment. I hope that we focus on unmanned, robotic missions and not manned. The investment could have enormous pay-offs and lead to great discoveries.NASA's Spirit and Opportunity still probing Mars after two years - Yahoo! News

bananarama

Fun Facts about one of the most affordable and tasty fruits.banana

Learn Out Loud - Philosophical Podcasts

In this time of so much digital noise, it's refreshing to discover a site which focuses on providing philosophical musing and spoken word. I will be visiting this site regularly in the weeks to come. Brian Johnson

SRC - Search Result Clustering Toolbar in Microsoft Research Asia

This is a cool way to search. It clusters results into categories. Very helpful.SRC - Search Result Clustering Toolbar in Microsoft Research Asia

Slowly, Cancer Genes Tender Their Secrets - New York Times

It appears that cancer may be a manageable disease in the not too distant future.Slowly, Cancer Genes Tender Their Secrets - New York Times

Saturn

In our backyard...

Top 10 little-known science stories of 2005 | Emerging Technology Trends | ZDNet.com

Great science stories and some which could have a posititive influence on the environment. The one about germs on the pillow is a little scary. ? Top 10 little-known science stories of 2005 | Emerging Technology Trends | ZDNet.com

Good and Bad Procrastination

Paul Graham essay on procrastination, but more importantly how and what is worth getting done...Good and Bad Procrastination

Sustainability of Human Progress

One of the Father's of AI, John McCarthy has created this site at Stanford on sustainability, without the environmentalist spin. The FAQ section is a good read for real science/data driven info on how the planet and it's populations can be sustained.Sustainability of Human Progress

Infinite Bandwidth Everywhere for Free

This grassroots effort to put community wi-fi everywhere is right on and should continue to blossom in a way similar to P2P and/or publishing on the net. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.Infinite Bandwidth Everywhere for Free

Amazon.com: The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology: Books

Ray Kurzweil's book.Amazon.com: The Singularity Is Near : When Humans Transcend Biology: Books

NPR : Ray Kurweil: Life in the Future

Ira Flatow talks w/ Ray Kurzweil about his recent writing on the future of technology. Very interesting stuff from a guy who has been a big contributor to the High Tech Industry.NPR : Ray Kurweil: Life in the Future

These will rule the sky.

F-22 Raptors...

HIARCS Palm Chess: Strongest and best PDA Palm Chess Program

If you have a Treo, or for that matter a PDA and want a great and free chess program... Here it is.HIARCS Palm Chess: Strongest and best PDA Palm Chess Program

A collection of the 2005 Best of Lists: Fimoculous.com: Feeding On Itself

Tis' the Season....Fimoculous.com: Feeding On Itself

The Next Gen 'Q Phone' from Motorola in 06'

This looks like a phone we'll see a lot of next year.BeyondVC: Wireless - bring down the walled gardens!

Gizmo ? A free phone for your computer - Learn More Overview

This is cool and seems to work well. I'm going to run it through it's paces. Gizmo ? A free phone for your computer - Learn More Overview

Web 2.0 - Essay by Paul Graham

This is the most coherent and insightful description of what Web 2.0 is/is not...Web 2.0

How to Make Wealth

This is a well written and thought provoking essay on why to start or join an early stage startup. Paul Graham is a maven in this Internet industry and worth listening to.How to Make Wealth

Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple on Yahoo! Music

Apple has album of the Year in Extraordinary Machine? The critics seem to think so, and I am coming to like it quite a lot. Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple on Yahoo! Music

Ex-Marine Says Public Version of Saddam Capture Fiction

This doesn't seem too surprising. It would be interesting to see a reputable news source verify this. It's right in line with WMD, Mission Accomplished and all of the other half truths fabricated the current administration. 13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Ex-Marine Says Public Version of Saddam Capture Fiction

Amazing, or not so amazing facts about who counts (gets) the votes from voting machines.

Coastal Post Online

This is fun...You Are Beautiful

CLICK AND EXPLORE THIS WHIMSICAL STORY.You Are Beautiful

Very Funny: Barney VS 2pac - Google Video

Not for the kids though...Barney VS 2pac - Google Video

Schneier on Security: The Security Threat of Unchecked Presidential Power

A comprehensive overview of where the president has overstepped the executive boundaries and the precedent it sets. Schneier on Security: The Security Threat of Unchecked Presidential Power

Yahoo! Music Engine: rip, play, burn, manage and explore music ? for FREE

I love this service from Yahoo! Download just about any music you can imagine for $4.95 a month, with a personalized radio service which makes great recommendations based on your preferences and profile. Yahoo! Music Engine: rip, play, burn, manage and explore music ? for FREE

The 10 Best Tech Podcasts of 2005 at BenBishop.me.uk

This is cool... definitely some podcasts I'll be listening to in the near future. The 10 Best Tech Podcasts of 2005 at BenBishop.me.uk

Why Apple Is The New Sony

This is an interesting commentary on Apple. Yes, they actually do appear to be the new Sony and Sony is looking a lot like Apple about five years ago. If Apple can stay on its current trajectory they should be able to fill the niche for consumers who demand high quality and a more complete product experience.Why Apple Is The New Sony

Get a Treo 650 for $99

I took advantage of this deal in September, when it was available for two days. It was a great investment and my Treo is the most useful electronic tool I've ever owned
Treo 650 + Earthlink Service...$99Everything Treo Store >> Treo Smartphones >> Treo 650

Paris by night

A wonderful 360 view of Paris with soundtrack...Paris by night

Amazon.com: Ridata 8x 4.7 GB DVD+R Spindle (100 Discs): Electronics

Amazon has the Ridata 8x 4.7 GB DVD+R Spindle (100 Discs) selling for $37.99 with a $25 rebate (exp. 12/31/05) making your cost $12.99 with free shipping. Apply coupon code CUSTAPPRSAVE (5% off - exp. 12/20/05) at checkout making your final cost $11.09 after rebate.

Downloading Movies Re-Visit

Okay, I've been downloading movies now for a week after cancelling the online blockbuster subscription service and now I've discovered the reason that these services (CinemaNow, MovieLink, RealPlayer MoviePass) are not ready for prime time. They don't have the most recent DVD's available at your local blockbuster or through Netflix/Blockbuster. I'm not sure why they would not have the same type of access to recently released videos, and I can't imagine it will be too long before we see the same type of offerings, but for now it's a a big shortcoming. Netflix is supposed to be offering downloads any time now and when they do I might return as a customer. Hopefully we'll see someone offer $.99 for any download, which would be a real winner for consumers and should be possible by eliminating the shipping and processing costs that the current subscription business eat.

The Christmas Spirit

Happy Holidays....!?

What to expect from Web 3.0 | Software as services | ZDNet.com

Why Web 3.0?

Well, here's an article that leapfrogs the whole Web 2.0 questions altogether. Interesting article which implies that the web services, API's and new clients are the foundation for a 'Web 3.0'. I think this only contributes to the confusion by not asking or pointing to what we can do now, but instead implying that it's not here now.

If you look at Yahoo Widgets on your desktop and Microsoft Gadgets in Live you'll see Web 2.0 happening now and you can start putting it to use today. For developers it appears to be an exciting time, with incredible new possibilities.

? Web 2.0? It doesn't exist | IP Telephony, VoIP, Broadband | ZDNet.com

It's a common thing now for pundits to dismiss and criticize the notion of 'Web 2.0', which is a lot easier than taking the risk of trying to explain what it could mean and how it might prove to have value for consumers and businesses.

One thing that the pundits can't deny is that the concept of the desktop is disappearing and if you use sites like 'Live.com', Google Desktop or the new Yahoo Widgets you'll find that they do a great job of replacing the traditional desktop. They also provide networked services, a development platform and pushed content. This new set of services is a watershed for the Internet and is transforming the way consumers, developers and business thinking looks at what a year ago was the browser and pages.

Instead of dissing Web 2.0, why don't these pundits get excited and add to the dialog about how it can continue to coalesce and grow. I'm excited by what should prove to be a completely new OS and transformation of the web client over the next two years. The hard part is going to be tracking which of the competitors is doing the best job, who developers are gravitating toward and which one businesses are betting on...

Movie Reviews, Music Reviews, TV Show Reviews, Game Reviews, Book Reviews - Metacritic.com

My first encounter with this review aggregation site. Looks good.

NPR : The Best Music of 2005 Countdown

NPR 'All Songs Considered' best of 2005 list...

CBS News | Poll: Creationism Trumps Evolution | September 27, 2005?09:34:43

65% of Americans are in favor or teaching creationism and evolution in schools?
I really think that it's time to divide the red and blue states into two different countries.
Let all of the red states do their thing (teach creationism, stop stem cell research, promote very large families and focus on fundamentalist pursuits) while letting the blue states pursue their beliefs (freedom of thought and speech, let women control their own bodies and let those who are in love marry, pursue science and not dogma, create egalitarian society). Then we could see how different the two countries are after twenty years and decide if it was the right path... Of course you'd have to include Canada with the blue (socialized medicine, care for the young and elderly, legalized marijuna...) so that there was a common border.

Amazing Deal at Amazon.com: on AudioSource IC8S Round Ceiling Speakers: Electronics

If you want to install high quality speakers into your ceiling or walls, you can't miss this deal at Amazon... $200 off list. I bought two sets.
$49.99 (80% off!)

TechCrunch ? Google releases GTalk API, Puts Gun To Skype?s Head

It has a name, and it's 'VoIP 2.0' the race by the big guys to dominate the next generation of telephony. Google is making available a public API which will allow 3rd parties to create a range of interesting services and plug them into other Google tools, which seems like a very wise approach. I still think that the best overall commercial offering is going to be very attractive... per my earlier post about Yahoo Messenger VoIP for $29 a year w/ all the regular bells and whistles (voicemail, call forward etc..).
Talk the talk.

Recipe: Simple Chocolate Layer Cake - New York Times

If you can apprciate good chocolate cake and would like a rock-solid recipe w/ a video article on the process... this New York Times online article is a great source. I made it yesterday and it was met with enthusiastic reviews.

let them eat cake

Yahoo Phone Service

Another recent discovery and one that I've been anticipating is the beta release of the new Yahoo Messenger with phone service. I'm calling Qwest and saying goodbye this month. Yahoo will be offering one year of phone service (unlimited) for $29 and supposedly provide a wireless headset. I spend more than that per month for Qwest. This release of the beta does not have the phone service active, but the link is in place and should support phone service as soon as the service sign up page is in place. This is really what a phone should be...! Yahoo!!!!!

Movielink - Movie downloads for your PC, TV, or laptop

Recent Discoveries... after switching from NetFlix to Blockbuster for their DVD delivery service, I've now cancelled Blockbuster and am downloading my movies. With Comast cable DSL I can download a feature film in 18 minutes. This is the future now. I also have to say that with Blockbuster/Netflix I was always receiving films in my queue which I was not particulary interested in when they arrived. With the download services I'm a little more selective. Check out CinameNow too... they have HD content and a lot of alternative material. http://www.cinemanow.com/default.aspx?grpID=0

Calif. Regulators Unveil Solar Power Plan - Yahoo! News

California is leading the way in identifying renewable energy options and making them a practical solution for citizens. It's a shame that the Federal government only can throw up roadblocks (tax deductions for large SUV's and trucks). I also have heard a number of stories recently that suggest Portland is a hive of entrepreneurial activity for renewable energy and alternaritive energy.

There has to be some great business opportunities for these green initiatives as our nation and planet face the reality of letting so much regulation slide for the last six years.

Sleep less, live longer?

Health study indicates that you really only need 6.5 hours sleep a night, but 7 hours will give you the best survival rate and 8 hours can get you killed...!

start.com

Many pundits have been dismissive of the new Microsoft Live software and Internet inititiave, but I have to say that there new Start page is great. The ability to build a MyYahoo type page with drag and drop and to plug in RSS feeds is really cool and useful. It's akin to the user sandbox where you can experiment incrementally until you arrive at a really cool personalized page.

Yahoo! Widgets Gallery

If you aske me, this is evidence of Web 2.0. These are a new type of application (widget), which can be deployed on the desktop independent of the browser and provide utility or an application.

A Record Amazon Drought, and Fear of Wider Ills - New York Times

With Clinton speaking out on the reality of global warming, and the worst drought on record in the amazon, it seems that the legacy of lack of interest for the environment is making itself evident.