Tuesday, 16 March 2010

But it's better than TV

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At the local health food store lunch buffet, they offer stir fried tempeh.
I never get it. Not because I don’t like it, but because there are always so many other things on the buffet that I prefer.
That's why I don't watch TV. At all. There are so many other things I'd rather do in that moment.
Broadcast TV was a great choice when a> there weren't a lot of other options and b> when everyone else was watching the same thing, so you needed to see it to be educated.
Now, though, you could:
  • Run a little store on eBay
  • Write a daily blog
  • Write a novel
  • Start an online community about your favorite passion
  • Go to meetups in your town
  • Volunteer to tutor a kid, in person or online
  • Learn a new language, verbal or programming
  • Write hand written thank you notes each evening to people who helped you out or did a good job
  • Produce small films and publish them online
  • Listen to the one thousand most important operas
  • Read a book or two every evening
  • Play a game of Scrabble with your family
None of them are perfect. Each of them are better than TV.
Clay Shirky has noticed the trend of talented people putting five or six hours an evening to work instead of to waste. Add that up across a million or ten million people and the output is astonishing. He calls it cognitive surplus and it's one of the underappreciated world-changing stories of our time.

Thursday, 11 March 2010

Manny Pacquiao Customizes The Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket


Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao, has become the face of boxing over the past couple of years and is arguably the world’s best pound for pound fighter. Pacquiao who will be fighting in the first ever boxing match at the brand new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas this Saturday, March 13th, versus Joshua Clottey, found time to visit Nike Sportswear at the Montalbán in Los Angeles this past week to customize and create his own Nike Sportswear N98 Track Jacket. Manny went through a number of colors, fonts, and graphics before deciding to go with a White jacket that was complimented with a few other colors that represented his favorite basketball teams, additionally he added some of his own Nike logos to the jacket. The Montalbán will be customizing N98 Track Jackets every Saturday through the month of March, so make sure you stop by. via Nike Sportswear
Customization Saturdays
Nike Sportswear - The Montalbán

1615 Vine Street | Map
Los Angeles, CA 90028
TEL#: 323-461-0663
Event Dates: March 2010 (every Saturday) | 12 pm- 6 pm
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket
Manny Pacquiao Customizes the Nike Sportswear N98 Jacket

Monday, 8 February 2010

You gotta love Microsoft

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,
'If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.' 
In response to Bill 's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: 
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash......twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
 
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
 
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single 'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning light.
 
I love the next one!!!
 
7. The airbag system would ask 'Are you sure?' before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
 
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the 'Start' button to turn the engine off.
 
PS - I'd like to add that when all else fails, you could call 'customer service' in some foreign country and be instructed in some foreign language how to fix your car yourself!!!!



Please share this with your friends who love - but sometimes hate - their computer!

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Microsoft says Google was hacked with IE zero-day

via @ryanaraine on ZDNet
This was confirmed by a Mike Reavey, a director in the Microsoft Security Response Center.  “To date, Microsoft has not seen widespread customer impact, rather only targeted and limited attacks exploiting IE 6,” Reavey said.
Here’s the skinny from Microsoft’s advisory:
The vulnerability exists as an invalid pointer reference within Internet Explorer. It is possible under certain conditions for the invalid pointer to be accessed after an object is deleted. In a specially-crafted attack, in attempting to access a freed object, Internet Explorer can be caused to allow remote code execution.
The flaw affects Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, and Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8 on supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 are affected.
Here’s the danger:
To exploit, an attacker could host a specially crafted Web site, or take advantage of a compromised website, and then convince a user to view the Web site. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these malicious Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or in an Instant Messenger message, that directs users to the attacker’s Web site. It could also be possible to display specially crafted Web content using banner advertisements or other methods to deliver Web content to affected systems. The Microsoft investigation concluded that setting the Internet zone security setting to “high” will protect users from the vulnerability addressed in this advisory.
Microsoft is considering an out-of-band emergency IE patch to fix this vulnerability.

More on ZDNet here...

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Sam and Esther

One of two scenes....watch the follow up entitled "Sam and Esther Follow Up Story." This is a scene from the film "The Fragrant Spirit of Life," a San Damiano Foundation production released in 2008. We found Sam, Esther, and Jane outside the small village of Serere in eastern Uganda. They are being cared for through the amazing work of the nonprofit organization Village2Village (www.village2villageproject.org). Visit us at WWW.SANDAMIANOFOUNDATION.ORG

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Anthony Robbins 5 Keys to Thrive

  1. Feed the mind with books, audios and videos
    -- positive attitude and tools.

  2. Feed and strengthen the body.

  3. Find an inspiring role model.

  4. Get a plan and take massive action.

  5. Feed the spirit

http://tonyrobbinstraining.com/378/5-keys-to-thrive/

Tuesday, 29 September 2009

Help and Donate to the Flood Victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)

These are some of the shocking and heart wrenching videos of the recent floods that hit Manila on September 26, 2009 . Most were taken by ordinary citizens who shot the videos of the scenes happening around them.













These pictures are closer to home. These were taken by the adventurous Salva brothers and posted on their facebook page and shared with everyone.

in front of GH West clubhouse

Wislon St. near P. Guevarra

Typhoon Ondoy or Ketsana has caused so much death and damage that hasn't been seen in Manila in decades. The cost of damages will not be known for weeks. I'm sure it will be a huge amount. An amount that the Philippines cannot afford. Several tv channels are trying to raise funds for the victims. You can also help wherever you are in the world.



A subterranean walkway in Makati filled with flood water


Car pile up after the flood waters have receded. A very common sight in many areas.


I compiled some data on how you can help the families affected by the flooding in Manila. (Constantly updated)

Most urgent needs
  • Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water
  • Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases
  • Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap
ABS-CBN HOTLINE: 416-36-41
SAGIP KAPAMILYA: 413-2667 / 416-0387
You can drop off donations at No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon
Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111
Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch
ABS-CBN Foundation US Office: Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820
GMA Kapuso Foundation calls for donations for families affected by Typhoon “Ondoy”
The following donations are needed:
Monetary Donation
Rice
Canned Goods
Noodles
Clothing

you may drop your donations at:

GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION, INC.
2nd Floor GMA Kapuso Center
GMA Network Drive cor. Samar Streets
Diliman, Quezon City 1103
Telephone Nos.: (632) 982.7777 loc. 9901 & 9905
Telefax: (632) 928.9351 / 928.4299

METROBANK
Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 3-098-51034-7

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 2-098-00244-2
Code : MBTC PH MM
BANCO DE ORO (BDO)
Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0022189
Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0072135
Code : BNORPHM
More numbers and information from Manolo Quezon's site

More information on how you can help: (from here)


FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY WHO WANT TO DONATE:
  • Friends in the US and Canada who wish to help in the rescue/relief operations,you may donate through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-435-7669.
  • TXTPower.org has set up a paypal account for donations. Your money will be forwarded to Red Cross.
  • Kapuso Foundation is also accepting credit card donations.
    2/F GMA Kapuso Center
    Samar St. cor. 11th Jamboree St. Diliman, Quezon City
    Call 9827777 loc. 9901/9904/9905.
    accepts relief goods and cash
  • myAyala.com account for Philippine Jesuits – you can use your CREDIT CARD and donate ONLINE. Go to www.myayala.com/sjph/. On the line “I would like to donate to:”, write “xs4ondoy“.
  • Ayala Foundation USA is appealing to our fellow Pinoys in the United States to help our kababayans affected by Typhoon Ondoy!
    You may send your donations through Ayala Foundation USA. Click on the link below and search for "AF-USA Typhoon Relief Fund" in the box marked "Donations For." http://af-usa.org/donate_now_form.asp
  • For Filipinos in other countries in the Middle East, they may contact Monterona via phone number (00966 564978012) or email (migranteme@gmail.com) and they would be referred to Migrante coordinators.
  • Worldvision Foundation – For $ donations, BPI:USD acct #4254-0050-08
In Kind donations
  • LOCAL: Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross ? National Headquarters in Manila. They could also arrange for donation pick-up.
  • INTERNATIONAL:




    1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
    2. A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
    3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.



Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Castles Made of Sand - Jimi Hendrix



Appearing on Ukraine's Got Talent Kseniya Simonova, using sand animation , tells the story of Germany conquering Ukraine in the second world war. A couple on a bench become a woman's face; a peaceful walkway becomes conflagration; a weeping widow morphs into an obelisk for an unknown soldier. Please stick with it, it's breathtaking. The words at the end are 'You are always near'.

Kseniya Simonova tells the story of Germany's invasion and
occupation of her country, Ukraine, during the WWII using sand,
a giant light box, and music. People are obviously moved by her
performance - there are tears and applause. 

A series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II.... The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine, resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths.


She won. Compelling...

Thursday, 27 August 2009

WSJ - Jobs, Back at Apple, Focuses on New Tablet

Just a few months after Steve Jobs had a liver transplant, the Apple Inc. chief executive is once again managing even the smallest details of his company's products, this time focused on a new tablet device.



Since his return in late June, the 54-year-old has been pouring almost all of his attention into a new touch-screen gadget that Apple is developing, said people familiar with the situation.



Those working on the project are under intense scrutiny from Mr. Jobs, particularly with regard to the product's advertising and marketing strategy, said one of these people. The people familiar with the matter ...

source: [The Wall Street Journal]

Wednesday, 26 August 2009

Are you an enlightened stupid marketer?

Posted by Jackie Huba on May 28, 2009 | Permalink

Kevin Nalty aka Nalts explains the difference between stupid marketers and enlightened stupid marketers. In this video, Nalts explains "A non-marketer might be looking at this and saying, 'Stupid Marketer...isn't that an oxymoron."
"I say no, enlightened stupid marketers are at a fork in the road. Keep being stupid or be stupid but conceal that fact. I have several proven strategies for this."
Check out the strategies in his video.



Note: long time readers of this blog will remember Nalts from our post about his "blogger buzz" video back in 2007.