My Way News - Apple Faces Suit Over IPod-ITunes Link: "As if its options woes weren't trouble enough, Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL) said Friday it is facing several federal lawsuits, including one alleging the company created an illegal monopoly by tying iTunes music and video sales to its market-leading iPod portable players.
The case, filed July 21, is over Apple's use of a copy-protection system that generally prevents iTunes music and video from playing on rival players. Likewise, songs purchased elsewhere aren't easily playable on iPods.
The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages and other relief. The court denied Apple's motion to dismiss the complaint on Dec. 20.
Another lawsuit, filed Nov. 7, alleges that the logic board of Apple's iBook G4 fails at an abnormally high rate. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple said its response to the complaint is not yet due.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company also disclosed that PhatRat Technology LLC filed a lawsuit Oct. 24 alleging patent infringement. The Nike-iPod product in question, developed jointly with Nike Inc. (NKE), allow runners to keep track of how far and how fast they've gone. The company's response to the complaint is not yet due."
Friday, December 29, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
My Way News - Vista Flaw Discovered, Risk Believed Low
My Way News - Vista Flaw Discovered, Risk Believed Low: "Windows Vista, the new computer operating system that Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is touting as its most secure ever, contains a programming flaw that might let hackers gain full control of vulnerable computers.
Microsoft and independent security researchers, however, tried to play down the risk from the flaw, which was posted on a Russian site recently and is apparently the first affecting the new Vista system released to larger businesses in late November.
The software company said it was investigating the threat but found so far that a hacker must already have access to the vulnerable computer in order to execute an attack.
That could occur if someone is actually sitting in front of the PC or otherwise gets the computer's owner to install rogue software, said Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer for Finnish security research company F-Secure Corp.
'The bottom line is you couldn't use a vulnerability like this to write a worm or hack a Vista system remotely,' Hypponen said Tuesday. 'It only has historical significance in that it's the first reported vulnerability that also affects Vista. It's a nonevent in other ways.'
Attackers with low-level access privileges on a vulnerable machine could theoretically use the flaw to bump up their status, ultimately gaining systemwide control, Hypponen said.
The flaw affects older Windows systems, too, and Hypponen said vulnerabilities like these are quite common and can be fixed with a software patch, which Microsoft releases on the second Tuesday of each month except for the most serious threats. The flaw remains a proof of concept, with no one known to have actually launched an attack with it, Hypponen said."
Microsoft and independent security researchers, however, tried to play down the risk from the flaw, which was posted on a Russian site recently and is apparently the first affecting the new Vista system released to larger businesses in late November.
The software company said it was investigating the threat but found so far that a hacker must already have access to the vulnerable computer in order to execute an attack.
That could occur if someone is actually sitting in front of the PC or otherwise gets the computer's owner to install rogue software, said Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer for Finnish security research company F-Secure Corp.
'The bottom line is you couldn't use a vulnerability like this to write a worm or hack a Vista system remotely,' Hypponen said Tuesday. 'It only has historical significance in that it's the first reported vulnerability that also affects Vista. It's a nonevent in other ways.'
Attackers with low-level access privileges on a vulnerable machine could theoretically use the flaw to bump up their status, ultimately gaining systemwide control, Hypponen said.
The flaw affects older Windows systems, too, and Hypponen said vulnerabilities like these are quite common and can be fixed with a software patch, which Microsoft releases on the second Tuesday of each month except for the most serious threats. The flaw remains a proof of concept, with no one known to have actually launched an attack with it, Hypponen said."
Amazon.com Has 'Best Ever' Holidays
Amazon.com Has 'Best Ever' Holidays: "The 2006 holiday season was Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) (AMZN)'s 'best ever,' peaking with more than 4 million orders placed on Dec. 11, the Web retailer said Tuesday.
In its 12th holiday season, Amazon.com said it shipped more than 99 percent of orders in time to meet holiday deadlines around the globe. At its peak, the retailer sent out more than 3.4 million units in a single day.
The company said it sold 1,000 Xbox 360 game consoles in 29 seconds, as part of a promotion that slashed two-thirds off the regular retail price. Demand for the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) machines was so high that Amazon.com's site bogged down briefly on Thanksgiving Day, generating bitter complaints from shoppers and forcing the retailer to change procedures for subsequent promotions.
Amazon.com also said customers ordered enough orange-flavored Airborne old-fighting supplements to supply every passenger on 192 Boeing 747 planes.
Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL)'s iPods, Canon Inc. (CAJ) (CAJ)'s Powershot Digital Elph cameras and Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) (GRMN)'s navigational devices using Global Positioning System technology were among the best-selling consumer electronics items. Amazon.com also sold the most expensive digital music player to date, for $19,999.
Among the top-selling DVD titles was 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest', starring Johnny Depp. Best-selling books included Barack Obama's 'The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream' and 'You: On a Diet' by Mehmet C. Oz and Michael F. Roizen.
Shares of Amazon.com dipped 65 cents to $39.59 in midday trading Tuesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market"
In its 12th holiday season, Amazon.com said it shipped more than 99 percent of orders in time to meet holiday deadlines around the globe. At its peak, the retailer sent out more than 3.4 million units in a single day.
The company said it sold 1,000 Xbox 360 game consoles in 29 seconds, as part of a promotion that slashed two-thirds off the regular retail price. Demand for the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) machines was so high that Amazon.com's site bogged down briefly on Thanksgiving Day, generating bitter complaints from shoppers and forcing the retailer to change procedures for subsequent promotions.
Amazon.com also said customers ordered enough orange-flavored Airborne old-fighting supplements to supply every passenger on 192 Boeing 747 planes.
Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL)'s iPods, Canon Inc. (CAJ) (CAJ)'s Powershot Digital Elph cameras and Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) (GRMN)'s navigational devices using Global Positioning System technology were among the best-selling consumer electronics items. Amazon.com also sold the most expensive digital music player to date, for $19,999.
Among the top-selling DVD titles was 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest', starring Johnny Depp. Best-selling books included Barack Obama's 'The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream' and 'You: On a Diet' by Mehmet C. Oz and Michael F. Roizen.
Shares of Amazon.com dipped 65 cents to $39.59 in midday trading Tuesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market"
Thursday, December 21, 2006
My Way Finance
My Way Finance: "Stock-compensation expenses cut into profits for the second consecutive quarter for Red Hat Inc., but the company again exceeded analysts' expectations.
Red Hat, a leading provider of the open source Linux operating system and services, reported Thursday that its third-quarter profit sank 37 percent because of stock options expenses and tax provisions. The company's second-quarter profit dropped 34 percent on stock-compensation expenses.
But company shares surged nearly 14 percent in after-hours trading Thursday.
'Our brand and our reputation is world-recognized,' Red Hat Chairman Matthew Szulik said after markets closed. 'The continued innovation in the next quarter will allow us to compete successfully.'
For the three months that ended Nov. 30, earnings dropped to $14.6 million, or 7 cents per share, down from $24.6 million, or 12 cents a share in the same period last year.
Excluding stock options expenses and income tax provisions, profit totaled $29.6 million, or 14 cents per share.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had forecast a profit of 12 cents per share, excluding options expenses."
Red Hat, a leading provider of the open source Linux operating system and services, reported Thursday that its third-quarter profit sank 37 percent because of stock options expenses and tax provisions. The company's second-quarter profit dropped 34 percent on stock-compensation expenses.
But company shares surged nearly 14 percent in after-hours trading Thursday.
'Our brand and our reputation is world-recognized,' Red Hat Chairman Matthew Szulik said after markets closed. 'The continued innovation in the next quarter will allow us to compete successfully.'
For the three months that ended Nov. 30, earnings dropped to $14.6 million, or 7 cents per share, down from $24.6 million, or 12 cents a share in the same period last year.
Excluding stock options expenses and income tax provisions, profit totaled $29.6 million, or 14 cents per share.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had forecast a profit of 12 cents per share, excluding options expenses."
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
My Way News - IBM to Open Islands in Virtual World
My Way News - IBM to Open Islands in Virtual World: "IBM Corp. is launching an ambitious marketing campaign in the hip virtual world 'Second Life.'
Big Blue has developed 12 'virtual islands,' and most will be open to anyone with a Second Life account starting next week. Other areas will remain private haunts for about 800 IBM employees - including the CEO - who have cyber alter-egos.
Second Life is a subscription-based 3-D fantasy world devoted to capitalism - a 21st century version of Monopoly that generates real money for successful players. More than 1.95 million people worldwide have Second Life characters, called avatars.
At any given time, 10,000 or more avatars may be logged onto Second Life, socializing by instant messages or engaging in virtual pastimes such as flying, dancing, gambling or watching adult videos.
Second Life is notoriously buggy; avatars may spontaneously shed clothing, hair or limbs, and sometimes graphics take several seconds to render. In September, the San Francisco-based company that runs Second Life, Linden Labs, warned that a security breach may have exposed subscribers' data, including credit card numbers and passwords."
Big Blue has developed 12 'virtual islands,' and most will be open to anyone with a Second Life account starting next week. Other areas will remain private haunts for about 800 IBM employees - including the CEO - who have cyber alter-egos.
Second Life is a subscription-based 3-D fantasy world devoted to capitalism - a 21st century version of Monopoly that generates real money for successful players. More than 1.95 million people worldwide have Second Life characters, called avatars.
At any given time, 10,000 or more avatars may be logged onto Second Life, socializing by instant messages or engaging in virtual pastimes such as flying, dancing, gambling or watching adult videos.
Second Life is notoriously buggy; avatars may spontaneously shed clothing, hair or limbs, and sometimes graphics take several seconds to render. In September, the San Francisco-based company that runs Second Life, Linden Labs, warned that a security breach may have exposed subscribers' data, including credit card numbers and passwords."
Sunday, December 10, 2006
NASA Hasn't Put Price on Lunar Outpost
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — It'll be cheaper to build a permanent moon base and keep it running, than it will be to get to the moon. Just don't ask how much, NASA's boss says.
The U.S. space agency's newly unveiled grand plan for a continually staffed lunar outpost starting around 2024 doesn't come with a similarly grand price tag. It doesn't come with a price tag at all.
"You ask what things will cost, I don't know yet," said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, a detail-oriented engineer. "We just rolled out a very preliminary architecture."
Griffin's lack of specifics is partly because NASA is budgeting its large cosmic construction projects differently, more "pay as you go" than "get there at all costs."
It's a departure that outsiders call either a brilliant way to avoid cost overruns and sticker shock — or a blank check that will end up squeezing taxpayers.
"Typically a habitat is less than the cost of large rocketry," Griffin said in an interview with The Associated Press as he awaited a space shuttle launch that was foiled on Thursday.
Last year, NASA said it would cost about $104 billion leading up to the first moon landing, now scheduled to happen by 2020. But that doesn't include the cost of multiple and continuous moon flights and the price of building and running the newly unveiled lunar outpost.
The Government Accountability Office, the independent auditing arm of Congress, puts the cost of NASA's lunar program through 2025 at $230 billion.
There is still no estimate from anyone for the second phase of President Bush's 3-year-old "vision of space exploration" — an expedition to Mars.
Griffin contends NASA should be able to pay for the lunar phase of this space vision simply by using its existing yearly budget of about $16.8 billion. If something has to give, he said, it will be the target dates.
American University public policy professor Howard McCurdy said that method — which he said is smarter and far different from the Apollo days when unlimited moon spending "was eating everybody's budget" — gives NASA "a real incentive to invest that money wisely."
And it gives the space agency a mission without an end date when the budget axes start coming out, he said.
"You don't know when to draw the line in the sand and say 'the program is over,'" McCurdy said. "It is a program like Buzz Lightyear that does whatever it can and reaches infinity," he added in a joking reference to the "Toy Story" movie character.
This way there are not the massive budget overruns that have forever dogged the international space station, which was once projected to cost $17 billion but is actually in the $50 billion range, McCurdy said. It also avoids the sticker shock of a $500 billion moon-and-Mars program proposed by President Bush's father that collapsed when the cost was revealed.
But Taxpayers for Common Sense, a fiscal watchdog group, calls the moon plans a waste.
"You've got to have some price tag on what you're going to do, otherwise you're going to continue to waste money," said Steve Ellis, vice president of the group. "This is like building a house and not knowing how much it is. You don't have plans."
Griffin says many of the details of the lunar station are purposely being left to future rocket scientists. He envisions the outpost, not as a city, but more like America's research station in Antarctica.
"It is the choice of the next generation to decide to avail themselves of that option," Griffin said. If they don't want to stay and research on the moon "then we'll move on more rapidly to Mars."
What Griffin doesn't want is a repeat of the mistaken choice to mothball Apollo, made by the White House in the early 1970s.
"We're rebuilding systems that we had 40 years ago and that we built at that time and then discarded," he said. "That was not a NASA mistake. It was a policy mistake at the highest level of the U.S. government.... My generation now has the task before it of fixing that mistake."
The U.S. space agency's newly unveiled grand plan for a continually staffed lunar outpost starting around 2024 doesn't come with a similarly grand price tag. It doesn't come with a price tag at all.
"You ask what things will cost, I don't know yet," said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, a detail-oriented engineer. "We just rolled out a very preliminary architecture."
Griffin's lack of specifics is partly because NASA is budgeting its large cosmic construction projects differently, more "pay as you go" than "get there at all costs."
It's a departure that outsiders call either a brilliant way to avoid cost overruns and sticker shock — or a blank check that will end up squeezing taxpayers.
"Typically a habitat is less than the cost of large rocketry," Griffin said in an interview with The Associated Press as he awaited a space shuttle launch that was foiled on Thursday.
Last year, NASA said it would cost about $104 billion leading up to the first moon landing, now scheduled to happen by 2020. But that doesn't include the cost of multiple and continuous moon flights and the price of building and running the newly unveiled lunar outpost.
The Government Accountability Office, the independent auditing arm of Congress, puts the cost of NASA's lunar program through 2025 at $230 billion.
There is still no estimate from anyone for the second phase of President Bush's 3-year-old "vision of space exploration" — an expedition to Mars.
Griffin contends NASA should be able to pay for the lunar phase of this space vision simply by using its existing yearly budget of about $16.8 billion. If something has to give, he said, it will be the target dates.
American University public policy professor Howard McCurdy said that method — which he said is smarter and far different from the Apollo days when unlimited moon spending "was eating everybody's budget" — gives NASA "a real incentive to invest that money wisely."
And it gives the space agency a mission without an end date when the budget axes start coming out, he said.
"You don't know when to draw the line in the sand and say 'the program is over,'" McCurdy said. "It is a program like Buzz Lightyear that does whatever it can and reaches infinity," he added in a joking reference to the "Toy Story" movie character.
This way there are not the massive budget overruns that have forever dogged the international space station, which was once projected to cost $17 billion but is actually in the $50 billion range, McCurdy said. It also avoids the sticker shock of a $500 billion moon-and-Mars program proposed by President Bush's father that collapsed when the cost was revealed.
But Taxpayers for Common Sense, a fiscal watchdog group, calls the moon plans a waste.
"You've got to have some price tag on what you're going to do, otherwise you're going to continue to waste money," said Steve Ellis, vice president of the group. "This is like building a house and not knowing how much it is. You don't have plans."
Griffin says many of the details of the lunar station are purposely being left to future rocket scientists. He envisions the outpost, not as a city, but more like America's research station in Antarctica.
"It is the choice of the next generation to decide to avail themselves of that option," Griffin said. If they don't want to stay and research on the moon "then we'll move on more rapidly to Mars."
What Griffin doesn't want is a repeat of the mistaken choice to mothball Apollo, made by the White House in the early 1970s.
"We're rebuilding systems that we had 40 years ago and that we built at that time and then discarded," he said. "That was not a NASA mistake. It was a policy mistake at the highest level of the U.S. government.... My generation now has the task before it of fixing that mistake."
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Slumping Yahoo Shakes Up Executive Suite
"SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo Inc. announced its biggest executive shake-up in more than five years, including placing Chief Financial Officer Susan Decker in charge of ad sales in a move that may signal her anointment as successor to the company's top job.
Shares of Yahoo, which have struggled this year as the stock of competitor Google has flourished, fell 54 cents, or 2 percent, to $26.88 in midday trading Wednesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Under the overhaul announced late Tuesday, Yahoo vowed to rein in a sometimes-rambling product expansion that has bogged down its earnings growth and threatened its position as the Internet's most popular site as more buzz built up around upstarts like MySpace and YouTube.
The streamlining will bunch Yahoo's disparate operations into three core groups focused on its Web site's audience, advertising network and technology."
Shares of Yahoo, which have struggled this year as the stock of competitor Google has flourished, fell 54 cents, or 2 percent, to $26.88 in midday trading Wednesday on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Under the overhaul announced late Tuesday, Yahoo vowed to rein in a sometimes-rambling product expansion that has bogged down its earnings growth and threatened its position as the Internet's most popular site as more buzz built up around upstarts like MySpace and YouTube.
The streamlining will bunch Yahoo's disparate operations into three core groups focused on its Web site's audience, advertising network and technology."
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
My Way Finance
My Way Finance: "WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court stepped gingerly into the national debate over global warming on Wednesday, asking how much harm would occur if the Environmental Protection Agency continues its refusal to regulate greenhouse gases from new vehicles.
In the first case about global warming to reach the high court, a lawyer for 12 states and 13 environmental groups pressed the justices to make the government act, saying the country faces grave environmental harm.
Inaction is like lighting 'a fuse on a bomb,' said James Milkey, an assistant attorney general for the state of Massachusetts.
Opening up an hour of arguments, Justice Antonin Scalia asked, 'When is the predicted cataclysm?'"
In the first case about global warming to reach the high court, a lawyer for 12 states and 13 environmental groups pressed the justices to make the government act, saying the country faces grave environmental harm.
Inaction is like lighting 'a fuse on a bomb,' said James Milkey, an assistant attorney general for the state of Massachusetts.
Opening up an hour of arguments, Justice Antonin Scalia asked, 'When is the predicted cataclysm?'"
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Free Software Bypasses Attachment Limits
"There's a new way to send large movie, music and other files without worrying about whether the e-mail systems can handle large attachments.
Free software from Pando Networks Inc. automatically converts your attachments into a small file that your friend or relative can simply open to download the original file from Pando or elsewhere. Beginning Tuesday, Pando is offering plug-ins to work with most Web-based mail services.
Major e-mail providers generally limit the size of files you can send or receive to 10 megabytes. That's fine for text and even small photos - but try sending an entire photo album, music or video, and you run against the caps quickly.
And even if your provider lets you send the large files, the recipient's service provider might not accept them.
'Everybody has experienced problems of, 'I want to send something but it's too large to send by e-mail,'' said Robert Levitan, Pando's chief executive.
With Pando, files larger than a specified size are automatically converted. A copy of the file is sent to Pando's servers, and only a small attachment gets sent to the recipient, who must have or obtain the free software from Pando.
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)'s Windows operating system and Internet Explorer browser are required to send files using the Web-based plug-ins, but Mac users can get the free standalone application to open them - as well as to send their own. Windows users can also send files with the standalone program or a plug-in for Microsoft's Outlook e-mail software.
Pando accepts files of up to 1 gigabyte - 10 times the free offering from YouSendIt.com, which isn't integrated with the Web-based mail services. Pando plans to make money from ads and a premium version with higher limits and longer retention - files are deleted fro"
Free software from Pando Networks Inc. automatically converts your attachments into a small file that your friend or relative can simply open to download the original file from Pando or elsewhere. Beginning Tuesday, Pando is offering plug-ins to work with most Web-based mail services.
Major e-mail providers generally limit the size of files you can send or receive to 10 megabytes. That's fine for text and even small photos - but try sending an entire photo album, music or video, and you run against the caps quickly.
And even if your provider lets you send the large files, the recipient's service provider might not accept them.
'Everybody has experienced problems of, 'I want to send something but it's too large to send by e-mail,'' said Robert Levitan, Pando's chief executive.
With Pando, files larger than a specified size are automatically converted. A copy of the file is sent to Pando's servers, and only a small attachment gets sent to the recipient, who must have or obtain the free software from Pando.
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)'s Windows operating system and Internet Explorer browser are required to send files using the Web-based plug-ins, but Mac users can get the free standalone application to open them - as well as to send their own. Windows users can also send files with the standalone program or a plug-in for Microsoft's Outlook e-mail software.
Pando accepts files of up to 1 gigabyte - 10 times the free offering from YouSendIt.com, which isn't integrated with the Web-based mail services. Pando plans to make money from ads and a premium version with higher limits and longer retention - files are deleted fro"
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
My Way News - PlayStation 3 Won't Run Some Older Games
My Way News - PlayStation 3 Won't Run Some Older Games: "TOKYO (AP) - Sony's new PlayStation 3 can't play some of the games designed for previous generations of the popular console, the latest misstep for the stumbling electronics company as it faces off in a crucial, three-way war with Nintendo and Microsoft.
Sony Corp. (SNE), which has fallen behind in key products like flat-panel TVs and digital music players, badly needs a best-seller in the PS3. The console went on sale here to hoards of eager fans over the weekend, ahead of its U.S. release on Friday.
On Tuesday, the company acknowledged the console won't run some of the 8,000 titles designed for previous PlayStations - even though the PlayStation 3 was billed as being fully compatible with older-generation games.
For instance, the PS3 might not play background music to the popular 'Tekken 5' combat game, and some scenes from the 'Gran Tourismo' racing game might freeze, according to Sony. The game 'Suikoden III' can't read data from a first-generation PlayStation, while a virtual gun in one of the 'Biohazard' games won't fire properly."
Sony Corp. (SNE), which has fallen behind in key products like flat-panel TVs and digital music players, badly needs a best-seller in the PS3. The console went on sale here to hoards of eager fans over the weekend, ahead of its U.S. release on Friday.
On Tuesday, the company acknowledged the console won't run some of the 8,000 titles designed for previous PlayStations - even though the PlayStation 3 was billed as being fully compatible with older-generation games.
For instance, the PS3 might not play background music to the popular 'Tekken 5' combat game, and some scenes from the 'Gran Tourismo' racing game might freeze, according to Sony. The game 'Suikoden III' can't read data from a first-generation PlayStation, while a virtual gun in one of the 'Biohazard' games won't fire properly."
My Way News - Microsoft Aims to Battle Apple With Zune
My Way News - Microsoft Aims to Battle Apple With Zune: "SEATTLE (AP) - Few have accused Microsoft of being first to the market. But plenty have learned the hard way that the company can be very good at sneaking up from behind.
That's the tack Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is hoping to take with entertainment. The software maker has invested years of effort and billions of dollars in entertainment endeavors ranging from television technology to video game consoles. What's more, it has said that it's willing to spend much more money, and take much more time, to see if those investments pay off.
Its latest effort, the $249.99 Zune portable player and music service, debuts Tuesday and marks one of the most high-profile attempts to take on Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL)'s iPod and iTunes powerhouse."
That's the tack Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is hoping to take with entertainment. The software maker has invested years of effort and billions of dollars in entertainment endeavors ranging from television technology to video game consoles. What's more, it has said that it's willing to spend much more money, and take much more time, to see if those investments pay off.
Its latest effort, the $249.99 Zune portable player and music service, debuts Tuesday and marks one of the most high-profile attempts to take on Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL)'s iPod and iTunes powerhouse."
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Broadband Penetration Goes Up.
HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION SURGED LAST year, with 72 percent of Web users now connecting from high-speed lines--up from 57 percent one year ago, according to new data from Nielsen//NetRatings.
The company pegged the total number of home broadband users at 102.5 million as of last month, while the ranks of dial-up subscribers dwindled to 40.3 million.
Nielsen//NetRatings isn't the only company to have noticed a dramatic ballooning of broadband use. The Pew Internet & American Life Project last month reported a similar upswing--although with different overall numbers. Pew found that 84 million Americans had broadband in March--up from 60 million one year prior.
And this week, PricewaterhouseCoopers' report on global media attributed the ballooning online ad market--projected to grow at around 15 percent annually through 2010--to increased broadband adoption. "Growth in broadband subscribership has been a key driver of online advertising," states the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. "Broadband subscribers spend more time online than dial-up subscribers do; they visit more Web sites, and they buy more products online."
Nielsen//NetRatings added that broadband users are more than three times as likely than dial-up subscribers to use Really Simple Syndication, and are twice as likely to publish a blog or create a personal Web page.
Good Holiday Sales Due To More Broadband.
Confident shoppers with high speed connections will increase their online spending by 20% this holiday season!
Even before gas prices started dropping, consumers and retailers alike were predicting that this would be another strong online holiday shopping season.
"eMarketer forecasts that this holiday season (November and December) Web merchants will ring up sales of $24.3 billion," says Jeffrey Grau, eMarketer senior analyst and the author the new Online Holiday Shopping Preview. "That's a healthy 22.1% more than last year."
eMarketer's Q4 2006 retail e-commerce sales forecast is $33.2 billion, accounting for nearly 31% of all 2006 online retail sales.
"Sales growth will come this holiday season less from e-commerce newcomers and much more from experienced online buyers who increase their spending," says Mr. Grau.
One of the reasons for that is that Internet retailers have successfully learned how to extend the length of the online holiday shopping season by guaranteeing delivery the week prior to Christmas. In fact, last year, according to comScore Networks, the peak sales day of the online holiday season was Monday, December 12, and the peak week, ending December 11, produced $3.1 billion in sales.
"It is worth noting," says Mr. Grau, "that the online holiday shopping numbers come amid less than robust overall holiday forecasts."
In September, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated that 2006 US holiday sales would be $457 billion, an increase of only 5% over last year and the lowest growth in three years.
Despite somewhat gloomy forecasts for other sectors, online retailers are optimistic.
An October 2006 survey cosponsored by Shop.org, the e-commerce arm of the NRF, and Shopzilla, a comparison shopping site, found that 72% of online retailers expect good (15% or more) year-over-year online sales growth this holiday season. 21% of them expect online sales growth of 75% or more.
"Another good sign for online merchants this year is that not only will online customers be shopping later, they will also start shopping earlier," says Mr. Grau. "They are expanding the online sales season from both ends."
The Shop.org/Shopzilla "2006 eHoliday Mood Survey" found that 20% of online shoppers planned to start their holiday gift buying on the Internet earlier this year than last year. More than one-third (34.9%) of the respondents said they intended to start shopping online before November, and 21% said they would begin their shopping in October.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Need High Speed Internet? DSL or Cable Broadband?
Do you find yourself waiting around for your Internet pages to load or digital photo files and other attachments to transfer? Do your friends and family complain that they can never get through on the phone line because you or your kids are always online. Chances are you are still using dial up Internet service. Perhaps it's time to consider an alternative method.
The main three types of high speed access include DSL, cable and satellite Internet. At the current time, DSL and cable services are not available in all areas. Some parts of the country do not have access to either option. Good satellite Internet reception is dependant on an unobstructed line of sight to the south. So where you live can make a big difference in which high speed Internet service you choose. Here are some overviews of each service and comparisons for those fortunate to have more than one option available.
DSL
DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, describes a technology that taps into unused frequencies on copper telephone lines to transmit information at much higher speeds. There is no dialup and accessing services. So access is immediate. With DSL, you can send both voice and high speed data over the same line. The bandwith, or data transfer capacity, or DSL ranges from 128 Kbps to 3.0 Mbps downstream to your computer. Upstream transfer from your computer is usually limited to 128 Kbps. Bandwith is dedicated so you don't have to share with other users, but DSL is also more effective the closer you are to service provider's facilities. If your local area has plenty of cable bandwith available it may be a better option for those located greater distances from a DSL provider. Average monthly charges for DSL services are around $15-$65.
Verizon is one of the leading providers of high speed DSL service, with a large coverage area. With Verizon DSL you get a monthly package for $14.95 that includes unlimited access with a personalized home page, 9 e-mail accounts, and 10 megabytes of web space. For those customers with multiple computers in the home, there is a home networking option available. You can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a single high-speed DSL Internet connection at no additional monthly cost.
Earthlink DSL is another option. Their basic package, which includes the same features as Verizon's offer also includes a free dial-up service which allows you to enjoy 20 hours of Internet access per month when you're away from home. This package typically costs $29.99 per month. Earthlink also offers cable and satellite Internet.
As noted, DSL uses copper telephone wires. Rural areas and some cities do not have these wires available for large volume use, which means that DSL is not yet an option in those areas, even if Verizon, Earthlink or another provider offers services there.
Cable
If you have cable TV available in your area, chances are that you have access to Internet through your cable provider. This service uses the same wires as your cable TV programming and depending on the provider and the area, there may be a good deal of broadwith available or a more limited amount. Because users share broadwith, this could be an issue for those living in areas with limited amounts available for Internet use. It is a good question to ask your cable provider before signing up. Your choice for cable Internet is typically limited to only those providers who offer cable TV in your area. On average, cable Internet does tend to be a bit faster than DSL. Service is often slightly less expensive than DSL, averaging around $45 per month.
Satellite
If you do not have DSL or cable Internet available in your area, satellite Internet may provide a viable option. Its speed is comparable to other high speed Internet services, its always on, and you have the option of adding satellite TV service. However, it requires that you have a clear view of the southern sky from your home anywhere in the continental United States in order to receive good reception from the satellites. The service is typically a good deal more expensive than the other two high speed options discussed, averaging around $100 per month with installation fees of up to $400.
Some people confuse satellite Internet with what's known as WiFi. WiFi Internet services are actually provided by access nodes located in high traffic areas such as airports and hotel or through Internet cafes. If you have a laptop equipped with WiFi receiver, you can access services from within about 1000 feet of the node. There is typically a fee to use this service. It is a good idea for travelers but does not meet the need for home Internet use because it required the access node.
Although there are several satellite Internet providers, they all use similar technology. DirecTV is a popular provider because they are also a top satellite TV company. DirecTV satellite Internet service is delivered through a wholly owned subsidiary, DIRECWAY. DirecTV satellite Internet costs $99.99 per month and requires customers to purchase a satellite dish and modem. Installation is typically available from the distributor.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Windows Hosting versus Linux Hosting
The matter of choosing between the operating system (OS) running the web server hosting your web site as old as the web hosting business.The OS controls all the functions of the web server hosting your site, so it comes naturally to pay special attention when choosing one over another. But what are really the options you have?Mainly you can choose between web hosting based on Windows, Linux or Unix operating systems. A brief description and analysis of the different systems will narrow the list of options to only two.
Mainly you can choose between web hosting based on Windows, Linux or Unix operating systems. A brief description and analysis of the different systems will narrow the list of options to only two.Microsoft’s Windows server operating systems (NT/2000/2003) have a rather friendly and familiar user interface, making IT teams to easier in this aspect. Another plus is given by it’s excellent integration capabilities with other applications developed by Microsoft and let’s face it their range is absolutely impressive. The main key point of Windows based hosting is its support for .ASP (Active Server Pages) or the advanced ASP.NET. This language for web development was created by Microsoft to facilitate the creation of dynamic web pages linked to SQL databases. It also provides capabilities for integration with other systems.
It can be said that Unix is the OS that powered the beginning of the Internet era and due to his qualities is still used today. Linux OS was developed having Unix as starting point and this is how the two share many features. Today the Linux version of the Unix system is more common on web servers and this has to do with the higher licensing costs and with the rather specific hardware requirements for Unix. This is why we will continue with Linux only, but Unix is taken into account as well. Linux hosting has its strong points in fulfilling one’s requirements for a good web server and Web serving, file serving, mailing, and streaming are only a few. It proves itself is a very cost-effective choice from using hardware efficiently, and allowing an increased web sites per server ratio, this ultimately resulting in a decreasing the cost of hosting per account.
So here are our two choices Windows and Linux.
Reliability
In the past Linux OS were seen as more reliable over Windows. However with the release of Windows 2003 server Microsoft has gone a long way and closed the gap in this area.Linux servers are compatible with certain Microsoft extensions and applications and the same is true for Windows.
Web Programming
Even if trying to host a simple personal web site, your might want add some simple scripts to spice up your pages. The issue gets bigger when you are looking to host an e-commerce site supported by some serious server-side programming. So how are our two contenders doing in this aspect?
Supporting java scripts is not a topic to be argued upon as they are executed on the client side (the user’s web browser) and both Linux and Windows have no problem feeding this content to your visitors.
It is a whole different matter when discussing server side scripting. For web site owners trying to implement forms on their site it is common knowledge that ASP is supported by Windows and PHP is the tool to do just that under Linux. However both developed solutions to support each other’s programming language for web development. This support is not perfect and its limitations recommend Linux for a good PHP support and Windows for ASP, especially when it comes to hosting web sites that require the full use the advantages offered by PHP or ASP.
Linux offers a support for FrontPage extensions. Windows has a weak point in offering only limited CGI/Perl support, so if Perl is the scripting language of your choice, you should opt for Linux.
Databases
Dynamically driven web sites require some sort of databases. Beyond sites employing databases, most frequently you will encounter mySQL or MSAccess. If your web site is relying on mySQL, then you’ll have no problems hosting it on either Windows or Linux. For MSAccess databases, look your only option is Windows.
Price
Linux web hosting is cheaper. The reason must be searched in licensing costs, that are lower that for Windows, and in the ability of Linux web servers to support a higher web sites per server ratio without compromising the quality of service.
Although Windows hosting cost a bit more, you will get something for your money. It’s reduced development time and functionality
As the option of one over another depends basically of your actual needs and of the plans you have made for the future of your web site. For example will it move from a rather static web site to one relying heavily on server side scripting? And if it is so what would be the programming language used: PHP or ASP? Consequently your web site will be set up on a Linux or on a Windows web server.
Almost all serious web-hosting providers will offer you the choice between Linux and Windows.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Windows Hosting Market Shows Growth
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The Windows web hosting market has registered growth within the last few months, reports Netcraft. The web analyst company has released its October Web Server Survey. It says that there are “some small shifts in market share for web server software. Windows’ share improves slightly this month, as gains at Go Daddy offset some slippage among sites hosted at Microsoft”.
While the Microsofts’ web servers market share is growing, the software producers are looking to implement new applications that can ease the process of managing a Windows server. The mobile phone industry has already developed some tools that easy web server administrators. CPM’s Edition information Week has reported that Avocent software has released a software that allows PDA users to manage Windows servers remotely.
Two different software versions SonicAdmin QR and SonicAdmin Pro allow web server administrators to remotely manage any Windows server on a network.
Both software versions run on a BlackBerry or any Windows Mobile 5-based device. Users of SonicAdmin QR can access servers by using their Active Directory profile. They can view server statistics, shut down and reboot web server, view event logs, view and manage processes, manage user accounts, and run quick commands.
SonicAdmin Pro also allows Windows services management, file explorer, file search, file and folder properties, file editor, and a command line interface. Exchange Server management extensions include viewing queue properties as well as freezing and unfreezing queues and forcing connection commands. Active Directory management adds user group management and mailbox properties.
But even the analysts say that the Windows market is growing, Linux is still probably better choice to run a web server. SearchWinIT.com offers a good advice to anyone who needs to recover data from Windows server. So check the article Linux saves the day by recovering data in Windows servers. Hope you will not need to follow the instructions listed there!
HOWTO:Select a Hosting Company
Cheap Web Hosting
Recommended Web Hosting & Domain Registration Company
Knowing how to select a hosting company is an important and challenging task. Businesses worldwide are under pressure to cut operating costs to pay for their server and security agents.
A company's e-mail, website and other internet technology solutions are difficult to manage. In addition, many companies view these necessities as a significant cost/inhibitor.
As a result, hosting companies can appear to reduce the cost of having e-mail, a website and other internet technology solutions.
Below are the benefits and services that are important to look for when seeking a hosting company.
1. Technical Support
Seek to find a hosting company that will deliver technical support whenever your company needs it. A quick response to your technical problems is a must. Make sure the hosting company you select has 24/7 support and service. It is important that your site be up and running around the clock.
2. Uptime
Look for preferably a 99.9% uptime. 99% is the industry standard, but most hosting companies offer more.
3. Money Back
It is better to go for a host that offers a money-back guarantee. That way, you would be able to try out for yourself their services. And on the hosting company's part, it is a sign of confidence that they do not have to resort to tying down their customers with long-term contracts and/or setup fees.
4. Disk Space
A full standard website with flash and graphics does not need much disk space. Consider getting more disk space than the current need for future growth.
5. Bandwidth
Bandwidth means your website is accessible. Consider opting for a package with more bandwidth rather than paying for add-on bandwidth, which will usually turn out to be a lot more pricey.
Downloads, images, video and sound files as well as e-commerce shopping carts are all items that will increase the need for more bandwidth.
6. Value
Each company has different needs when it comes to hosting. Try to find a hosting service that offers various products and features that will fit your unique needs.
7. Control Panel
This is called various names by different hosts, but essentially, they all allow you to manage different aspects of your web account yourself. Typically, and at the very minimum, it should allow you to do things like add, delete, and manage your email addresses, and change passwords for your account. I would not go for a host where I have to go through their technical support each time I want to change a password or add/delete an email account. Such chores are common maintenance chores that every webmaster performs time and time again, and it would be a great hassle if you had to wait for their technical support to make the changes for you.
8. Advertising
Most free web hosts enforce advertising on your website. This is done to cover the costs of offering your site free web space and associated services. Some hosts require you to place a banner on your pages. Others display a window that pops up everytime a page on your site loads. And there are those that enforce an advertising frame on your site.
There is really no hard and fast rule which is to be preferred. Some visitors hate a pop-up window, other webmasters dislike having to stuff banner codes onto their pages, and many people cannot stand an advertising frame (which may cause problems when you submit your website to search engines). Whichever method is used, check that you are at ease with the method.
9. Types of Hosting
Shared (Virtual) Hosting: Entry level hosting. Your domain is hosted on the same server as several other domains. You usually will not get a shell account with this type of hosting. This is the most common type of hosting overall. It is well suited for personal websites or very small businesses with minimal hosting needs. Virtual hosting is generally very inexpensive ($0 - $20 USD) Many things can be limited in a virtual hosting environment such as number of databases, number of email accounts, and you usually cannot install additional software packages onto the server. Your hosting provider is responsible for the management of all server related issues and you administrate only your own specific domain.
Dedicated Hosting: With dedicated hosting you have an entire server reserved for your own needs. You can host your own site(s) and/or resell hosting to others and provide shared hosting for others. With dedicated hosting you usually have root or administrator level access to the entire server. This type of hosting is well suited with sites that have specific needs that cannot be met in a virtual hosting environment such as advanced scripting needs, unlimited access to databases and email accounts, custom server configurations, installing your own software and several other benefits. Dedicated hosting can be managed or unmanaged. In managed dedicated hosting your hosting provider performs most of the server level administration such as keeping your installed software up to date, make security patches, custom changes in server or software configurations. Unmanaged hosting leaves most of the administrative tasks up to you. You would need to keep your software up to date, make custom changes to software as well as the administration of your site itself. Your hosting provider is still responsible for network and hardware work that may need to be performed on the server as you generally will not have physical access to the server.
Collocated Hosting: In collocated hosting you supply the servers, built and configured yourself to suit your specific needs. You are paying for the dedicated connection, backup power, and physical security of the server environment. You are responsible for the management of the server. All server level tasks are up to you, including upgrading or replacing hardware, keeping software up to date, custom configuration of the server hardware and software. This typeof hosting is much like having the server in your own office but the location of the server and the network it is on is better designed for hosting than most offices are capable of providing.
10. Other Tips
Draw up a list of needs and check with the hosting company to see if it will meet yours.
The best way to know if a hosting company is right for you is to give it a try.
Keep in mind, not all large companies offer good hosting services.
Use a company that has solid, fast and new servers, with daily backups.
11. Recomended Hosting Providers
Gate.Com
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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
My Way News - Sony Warns of PlayStation 3 Scams
My Way News - Sony Warns of PlayStation 3 Scams: "Sony Corp. (SNE) (SNE) issued a warning Tuesday against false promotional offers for its upcoming PlayStation 3 video game console.
A number of Web sites have been promoting pre-orders on discounted or bulk shipments of the game system - without the cooperation of Sony, the company stated.
Company representatives did not name the sites but suggested consumers can avoid potential scams by purchasing PlayStation products only from authorized retailers and resellers, which includes well-known stores such as GameStop, EB Games, Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
The PlayStation 3 system, with models priced between $500 and $600, is set to go on sale in the U.S. on Nov. 17, though only in limited quantities.
Some authorized stores began taking pre-orders on Oct. 10. At some GameStop and EB Game locations, the orders were snapped up within minutes.
Sony has said it plans to ship 6 million Playstation 3 machines in its fiscal year through March 2007."
A number of Web sites have been promoting pre-orders on discounted or bulk shipments of the game system - without the cooperation of Sony, the company stated.
Company representatives did not name the sites but suggested consumers can avoid potential scams by purchasing PlayStation products only from authorized retailers and resellers, which includes well-known stores such as GameStop, EB Games, Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
The PlayStation 3 system, with models priced between $500 and $600, is set to go on sale in the U.S. on Nov. 17, though only in limited quantities.
Some authorized stores began taking pre-orders on Oct. 10. At some GameStop and EB Game locations, the orders were snapped up within minutes.
Sony has said it plans to ship 6 million Playstation 3 machines in its fiscal year through March 2007."
Friday, October 27, 2006
My Way News - Sony Battery Emits Sparks During Recall
My Way News - Sony Battery Emits Sparks During Recall: "A Sony-made battery used in a Fujitsu laptop computer overheated and emitted sparks, Fujitsu said Friday, amid a massive global recall involving Sony batteries.
A Fujitsu worker was visiting a customer's home to retrieve the laptop as part of the company's recall of Sony batteries when it overheated and started giving off sparks, according to Fujitsu spokesman Toshiaki Koike.
No one was injured in the incident, which is under investigation, Koike said.
Fujitsu is recalling more than 280,000 lithium-ion laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. (SNE) because they pose a risk of overheating and bursting into flames.
Sony officials have said the problems were caused by microscopic metal particles left inside the battery, which can cause them to short circuit.
Almost every major laptop maker in the world, including Dell Inc. (DELL), Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) and Lenovo, has announced recalls of Sony lithium-ion batteries. "
A Fujitsu worker was visiting a customer's home to retrieve the laptop as part of the company's recall of Sony batteries when it overheated and started giving off sparks, according to Fujitsu spokesman Toshiaki Koike.
No one was injured in the incident, which is under investigation, Koike said.
Fujitsu is recalling more than 280,000 lithium-ion laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. (SNE) because they pose a risk of overheating and bursting into flames.
Sony officials have said the problems were caused by microscopic metal particles left inside the battery, which can cause them to short circuit.
Almost every major laptop maker in the world, including Dell Inc. (DELL), Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) and Lenovo, has announced recalls of Sony lithium-ion batteries. "
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
My Way News - Oracle Assaults Red Hat With Pricing War
My Way News - Oracle Assaults Red Hat With Pricing War: "Oracle Corp. (ORCL) Chief Executive Larry Ellison is shaking up the software industry again, only this time a takeover bid isn't involved - yet.
Ellison set his sights on Linux software leader Red Hat Inc. (RHAT) late Wednesday by promising Oracle will charge dramatically lower prices to fix the problems that crop up in Red Hat's products.
Redwood Shores-based Oracle expects to offer discounts of at least 50 percent - a threat that caused Red Hat's stock price to plunge by more than 16 percent amid investor worries about the much smaller company's ability to withstand the challenge.
The assault on Red Hat continues Ellison's aggressive efforts to build upon the market clout that Oracle already amassed as the world's second-largest software vendor behind Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
Oracle has spent about $20 billion snapping up other business software makers during the past two years, sometimes refusing to take no for an answer. In the biggest deal of the lot, Oracle launched a hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc. that took 18 months to complete.
If Red Hat's stock continues to falter, the company could become increasingly vulnerable to a takeover. Oracle executives refused Wednesday to say if they might be interested in buying Red Hat.
'I don't think this will kill Red Hat,' Ellison said Wednesday in response to a question from a packed audience attending the biggest convention in Oracle's 29-year history. 'This is capitalism. We are competing.'"
Ellison set his sights on Linux software leader Red Hat Inc. (RHAT) late Wednesday by promising Oracle will charge dramatically lower prices to fix the problems that crop up in Red Hat's products.
Redwood Shores-based Oracle expects to offer discounts of at least 50 percent - a threat that caused Red Hat's stock price to plunge by more than 16 percent amid investor worries about the much smaller company's ability to withstand the challenge.
The assault on Red Hat continues Ellison's aggressive efforts to build upon the market clout that Oracle already amassed as the world's second-largest software vendor behind Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
Oracle has spent about $20 billion snapping up other business software makers during the past two years, sometimes refusing to take no for an answer. In the biggest deal of the lot, Oracle launched a hostile bid for PeopleSoft Inc. that took 18 months to complete.
If Red Hat's stock continues to falter, the company could become increasingly vulnerable to a takeover. Oracle executives refused Wednesday to say if they might be interested in buying Red Hat.
'I don't think this will kill Red Hat,' Ellison said Wednesday in response to a question from a packed audience attending the biggest convention in Oracle's 29-year history. 'This is capitalism. We are competing.'"
Sunday, October 22, 2006
If you drop insurance, DMV knows
If you drop insurance, DMV knows
By Eve Mitchell
MEDIANEWS
Motorists who thought they could pull a fast one by getting insurance to register their car and then canceling it better put the brakes on that strategy. A new law requires insurers to provide electronic notification to the state Department of Motor Vehicles when customers cancel their insurance.
The DMV is now sending notices to motorists who have let their insurance lapse. The notice will inform them that they have 45 days to reinstate their insurance or face having their car registration suspended.
The legislation was written by state Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo. Speier also wrote a law that requires motorists to provide proof of insurance when registering their vehicles or when pulled over by police.
Since that law took effect in 1997, the percentage of vehicle accidents involving an uninsured vehicle in California dropped from 24 percent in 1996 to 14 percent in 2003.
"It's been a resounding success," Speier said. "The one loophole is that people could buy insurance and then cancel it after three months. This is going to close that loophole."
There are no excuses for motorists to be without insurance given the existence of the low-cost auto insurance program, she said.
"A lot of people buy the insurance and get the car registered and then they cancel it," said DMV spokesman Armando Botello. "There was no way for the DMV to know the insurance was canceled until they get stopped by an (law enforcement) officer or were involved in an accident or the next time their registration came up."
Speier and consumer advocates are hoping that SB 1500 will prompt more uninsured motorists to consider low-cost auto insurance.
"Now people are going to be getting reminded by the DMV that they've got a problem with their registration because of an insurance lapse. I think that will spur people to get it," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
"Prospectively, the DMV is going to become the biggest promoter" of low-cost insurance, Speier said.
Heller and Speier said they would like to see the DMV include information about the low-cost auto insurance program in the notices that are sent out.
By Eve Mitchell
MEDIANEWS
Motorists who thought they could pull a fast one by getting insurance to register their car and then canceling it better put the brakes on that strategy. A new law requires insurers to provide electronic notification to the state Department of Motor Vehicles when customers cancel their insurance.
The DMV is now sending notices to motorists who have let their insurance lapse. The notice will inform them that they have 45 days to reinstate their insurance or face having their car registration suspended.
The legislation was written by state Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo. Speier also wrote a law that requires motorists to provide proof of insurance when registering their vehicles or when pulled over by police.
Since that law took effect in 1997, the percentage of vehicle accidents involving an uninsured vehicle in California dropped from 24 percent in 1996 to 14 percent in 2003.
"It's been a resounding success," Speier said. "The one loophole is that people could buy insurance and then cancel it after three months. This is going to close that loophole."
There are no excuses for motorists to be without insurance given the existence of the low-cost auto insurance program, she said.
"A lot of people buy the insurance and get the car registered and then they cancel it," said DMV spokesman Armando Botello. "There was no way for the DMV to know the insurance was canceled until they get stopped by an (law enforcement) officer or were involved in an accident or the next time their registration came up."
Speier and consumer advocates are hoping that SB 1500 will prompt more uninsured motorists to consider low-cost auto insurance.
"Now people are going to be getting reminded by the DMV that they've got a problem with their registration because of an insurance lapse. I think that will spur people to get it," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
"Prospectively, the DMV is going to become the biggest promoter" of low-cost insurance, Speier said.
Heller and Speier said they would like to see the DMV include information about the low-cost auto insurance program in the notices that are sent out.
Admissions Essay Editing Services: Medical School
Content provided by EssayEdge.com.
Put Harvard-Educated Editors to Work for You!
Medical School Personal Statement SecretsEssayEdge.com contains thousands of pages of free admissions essay advice by Harvard-educated editors.
Medical school admissions officers will often emphasize that they don't care what you choose to write about in your essay. They stress this because most writers try too hard to meet the expectations of their imagined readers, discarding all of their own personality in the process. Of course, there's truth in their advice: you should write with the goal of expressing your own values and conveying the qualities most important to you. But you must exercise your creativity with an eye toward the themes and points that will justify your suitability for medicine. After all, your ultimate goal is not just to stand out as a likeable person, but to obtain admission to a medical school.
In addition to the challenge of crafting a fresh take on standard ideas, you face the difficulty of integrating multiple sophisticated themes into a single coherent piece. The themes can be grouped into two basic categories: those that speak to your motivation for becoming a doctor and those that demonstrate the characteristics and abilities that qualify you for the profession.
As the founder of EssayEdge.com, the Net's largest admissions essay prep company, I have seen firsthand the difference a well-written application essay can make. Through its free online admissions essay help course and 300 Harvard-educated editors, EssayEdge.com helps tens of thousands of student each year improve their essays and gain admission to medical schools ranging from Harvard to State U.
Having personally edited over 2,000 admissions essays myself for EssayEdge.com, I have written this article to help you avoid the most common essay flaws. If you remember nothing else about this article, remember this: Be Interesting. Be Concise.
Why Medicine?
Because people don't usually make career decisions based on pure reason, it can be difficult to explain why you've chosen the field you have. Moreover, your basic reasons probably look a lot like everyone else's. In this type of essay, you'll have to develop your ideas effectively and insightfully while emphasizing your uniqueness.
Medicine requires such a serious commitment that few people stumble across the idea of pursuing it late in life. It's very likely that you have always wanted to be a doctor, and that's not a fact that you should hide. But don't offer your point in such a clichéd, prepackaged way as to make your reader cringe. For example, you shouldn't start your essay, "I have always wanted to be a doctor" or "I've always known that medicine was my calling." Better to describe early experiences and then let your interest unfold naturally.
Describing the direct impact a doctor had on your life or the life of someone close to you can be an effective way to demonstrate what draws you to medicine. A twist on the "patient's perspective" approach is to describe a time when medicine failed to save or heal someone close to you. The purpose of this tactic would not be to rail against the medical profession, of course, but rather to show how a disappointing loss inspired you to join the struggle against disease and sickness.
How Are You Qualified?
The way to prove your qualification is not to list attributes you believe you possess but to discuss concrete experiences that show your abilities and qualities. As always, details are paramount. The rest of your application has already summarized your accomplishments and your activities. Show the reader what you did in concrete terms, and again, highlight your active roles.
The experiences that demonstrate your qualification are not necessarily distinct from those that explain your motivation. You shouldn't plan on dividing the essay into two separate sections for each, but rather organize the structure by topic and extrapolate insights as they develop. It's important that you think of the essay as an integrated whole, not as a checklist of questions you must answer.
Some degree of hospital experience is usually expected, though it's more essential to the "testing your interest" aspect we discussed in the last section of the course than to your qualifications. The main point you're trying to convey here is that you will work well with patients and in a clinical setting. Your shadowing experience might overlap this material, but the emphasis here is on what you learned through observation.
A strong research background helps your case, because the laboratory is such an integral part of the medical school experience. It's not possible to prove your intellectual capability through a short description of your projects, so you should try to convey such intangible qualities as creativity, initiative, and original thinking. Focus on your contribution rather than your research topic. For example, you could describe a situation where you recognized a flaw in a procedure and had the initiative to show your supervisor how efficiency could be improved. No matter how minor your contribution seems, it's better to focus on some tangible input that you had than to describe the project as a whole. As always, the key is to delineate your active role.
TOP 10 MEDICAL SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT WRITING TIPS
1. Don't Resort to Clichés.Every year, medical school admissions officers read thousands of variations of this sentence: "I want to be a doctor so I can help people." It's undoubtedly true in most instances, yet it inevitably fails because it reveals nothing unique about the individual applicant. If you demonstrate a penchant for helping others by describing specific activities--community service, for example--it will become unnecessary to declare that desire, as it will already be clear. Every doctor helps people, so focus on the specific actions you have taken.
2. Don't Bore the Reader. Do Be Interesting.Admissions officers have to read hundreds of essays, and they must often skim. Abstract rumination has no place in an application essay. Admissions officers aren't looking for a new way to view the world; they're looking for a new way to view you, the applicant. The best way to grip your reader is to begin the essay with a captivating snapshot. Notice how the blunt, jarring "after" sentence creates intrigue and keeps the reader's interest.
Before: I am a compilation of many years of experiences gained from overcoming the relentless struggles of life.After: I was six years old, the eldest of six children in the Bronx, when my father was murdered.
3. Do Use Personal Detail. Show, Don't Tell!Good essays are concrete and grounded in personal detail. They do not merely assert "I learned my lesson" or that "these lessons are useful both on and off the field." They show it through personal detail. "Show, don't tell" means that if you want to relate a personal quality, do so through your experiences without merely asserting it.
Before: If it were not for a strong support system which instilled into me strong family values and morals, I would not be where I am today.After: Although my grandmother and I didn't have a car or running water, we still lived far more comfortably than did the other families I knew. I learned an important lesson: My grandmother made the most of what little she had, and she was known and respected for her generosity. Even at that age, I recognized the value she placed on maximizing her resources and helping those around her.
The first example is vague and could have been written by anybody. But the second sentence evokes a vivid image of something that actually happened, placing the reader in the experience of the applicant.
4. Do Be Concise. Don't Be Wordy. Wordiness not only takes up valuable space, but also confuses the important ideas you're trying to convey. Short sentences are more forceful because they are direct and to the point. Certain phrases, such as "the fact that," are usually unnecessary. Notice how the revised version focuses on active verbs rather than forms of "to be" and adverbs and adjectives.
Before: My recognition of the fact that we had finally completed the research project was a deeply satisfying moment that will forever linger in my memory.After: Completing the research project at last gave me an enduring sense of fulfillment.
5. Do Address Your Weaknesses. Don't Dwell on Them.At some point on your application, you will have an opportunity to explain deficiencies in your record, and you should take advantage of it. Be sure to explain them adequately: Staying up late the night before the MCAT is not a legitimate reason for a bad performance, while documented sickness could be. If you lack volunteer hospital experience, you might point out the number of hours you had to work to make college more affordable for your family. The best tactic is to spin the negatives into positives by stressing your attempts to improve; for example, mention your poor first-quarter grades briefly, then describe what you did to bring them up.6. Do Vary Your Sentences and Use Transitions.The best essays contain a variety of sentence lengths mixed within any given paragraph. Also, remember that transition is not limited to words like nevertheless, furthermore or consequently. Good transition flows from the natural thought progression of your argument.
Before: I started playing piano when I was eight years old. I worked hard to learn difficult pieces. I began to love music.After: I started playing the piano at the age of eight. As I learned to play more difficult pieces, my appreciation for music deepened.
7. Do Use Active Voice Verbs,Passive-voice expressions are verb phrases in which the subject receives the action expressed in the verb. Passive voice employs a form of the word to be, such as was or were. Overuse of the passive voice makes prose seem flat and uninteresting.
Before: The lessons that have prepared me for my career as a doctor were taught to me by my mother. After: My mother taught me lessons that will prove invaluable in my career as a doctor.
8. Do Seek Multiple Opinions.Ask your friends and family to keep these questions in mind:
Does my essay have one central theme?
Does my introduction engage the reader? Does my conclusion provide closure?
Do my introduction and conclusion avoid summary?
Do I use concrete experiences as supporting details?
Have I used active-voice verbs wherever possible?
Is my sentence structure varied, or do I use all long or short sentences?
Are there any clichés, such as "cutting-edge" or "learned my lesson"?
Do I use transitions appropriately?
What about the essay is memorable?
What's the worst part of the essay?
What parts of the essay need elaboration or are unclear?
What parts of the essay do not support my main argument?
Is every single sentence crucial to the essay? This must be the case.
What does the essay reveal about my personality?
9. Don't Wander. Do Stay Focused.Many applicants try to turn the personal statement into a complete autobiography. Not surprisingly, they find it difficult to pack so much information into such a short essay, and their essays end up sounding more like a list of experiences than a coherent, well-organized thought. Make sure that every sentence in your essay exists solely to support one central theme.
10. Do Revise, Revise, Revise.The first step in an improving any essay is to cut, cut, and cut some more. EssayEdge.com's free admissions essay help course and Harvard-educated editors will be invaluable as you polish your essay to perfection. The EssayEdge.com free help course guides you through the entire essay-writing process, from brainstorming worksheets and question-specific strategies for the twelve most common essay topics to a description of ten introduction types and editing checklists.
SAMPLE ESSAY
His eyesight was almost completely gone, yet there he was on the diamond. I met Jason last summer in Chicago, where I volunteered at a tournament for Beep Baseball, a baseball-like sport for the visually impaired. He was my age--handsome, friendly, and athletic. But Jason was blind. Struck by glaucoma, he had begun to lose his vision in his early teens. By high school, he had become legally blind. My sympathy only intensified when I learned that, had his disease been diagnosed earlier, he almost surely would have retained partial vision. Financially strapped, Jason's family had avoided taking him to a doctor for as long as they could; when he finally visited a physician, it was too late. For years I had planned to work in technology, but my encounters with Jason and others like him convinced me that medicine is my true calling.
Actually, growing up I had always planned to become a doctor, but my goals changed as I began to take computer science classes at [COLLEGE NAME]. In the first meeting of my sophomore-year class on Programming in Artificial Intelligence, Professor B joked, "You know those movies where killer robots eventually take over the world? Believe them." I did just that, placing my trust in the vast opportunities offered by computer programming. In my first computer course, I created applications that could beat a human in tic-tac-toe, calculate complex mathematical problems, and even converse with humans on a specified topic. Fascinated with the potential of these programs, I embarked on a different path, away from clinical medicine. I saw a world in which computers would change and even replace processes in every industry, and I wanted to join the researchers at the forefront of this revolution.
Five years after that first class, the potential contribution of computer technology still inspires me. The possibilities are astounding. Scientists mapped the human genome years before their original deadline. Nanotechnology promises to revolutionize the way we detect and cure diseases. Still, the more I learn about technology, the more I recognize its inadequacies. Although the "psychologist" program I created faithfully reproduces human responses, I discovered that I would never want to speak with a computer about my problems. Certain interactions simply demand personal contact. As I have tutored underclassmen in math and science, worked with athletes in the Special Olympics, and visited with patients as a volunteer at Northwest Community Hospital, I have realized that the human element in such relationships is irreplaceable. While technology may shape the future of mankind, only humanity can touch individual lives.
Jason's story touched mine, confirming my growing sense of the deficiencies in science and technology. Advances in medical knowledge and techniques are useless without parallel progress in healthcare accessibility, widespread education about health issues, and most importantly, strong doctor-patient relationships. The revolutionary treatment methods I imagined myself inventing might never have an impact on patients like Jason. On the other hand, the dedication of just a few volunteers allowed him to play the sport he had always loved. Science could not fix Jason's eyesight, but supportive doctors, volunteers, and friends could help him live a fulfilling life. Spending time with him and others convinced me that, in addition to my research in medical science and technology, I wanted to work directly with those whose ailments cannot currently be cured.
I have thus circled back to my original path towards medicine, with no regrets about the scenic route that led me here. Indeed, I am confident that I will make good use of my computer science skills as I research potential advancements in medical technology. This summer, I began work as a research assistant to Dr. C at Northwestern's Buehler Center on Aging. With Dr. C, I am developing a computer program that determines the "quality of life" of terminally ill patients. By compiling physician diagnostics and patient responses to questionnaires, the system assesses the value of given treatments as well as the efficacy of specific pharmaceuticals. Through this project, we hope to understand and improve the current care of the terminally ill. After watching Dr. C and other doctors at the medical research facility, I can now declare with confidence that I want to follow their example in my own career, combining clinical practice and research.
My work on the "quality of life" evaluation project gave me a perfect opportunity to fulfill this dual goal, and I look forward to a lifetime spent on similar pursuits. Yet I will never forget that the seeds of my current ambition arose not in the laboratory or at the health center, but on a baseball diamond filled with people playing a game they likely thought they would never play again. In my own career as a physician, I will strive to serve my patients not only as a healer, but also as a friend, supporting them in their toughest moments, and as a mentor, guiding them to live healthy lifestyles. Robots may assist in my endeavors, but they will never possess the compassion of my fellow physicians and me.
About EssayEdge.com - EssayEdge.com offers all users free access to the most extensive Admissions Essay Help Course on the Internet and over 300 Free Sample Admissions Essays accepted by the United States' top undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Named "the world's premier application essay editing service" by the New York Times Learning Network and "one of the best essay services on the Internet" by the Washington Post.
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Medical School Personal Statement SecretsEssayEdge.com contains thousands of pages of free admissions essay advice by Harvard-educated editors.
Medical school admissions officers will often emphasize that they don't care what you choose to write about in your essay. They stress this because most writers try too hard to meet the expectations of their imagined readers, discarding all of their own personality in the process. Of course, there's truth in their advice: you should write with the goal of expressing your own values and conveying the qualities most important to you. But you must exercise your creativity with an eye toward the themes and points that will justify your suitability for medicine. After all, your ultimate goal is not just to stand out as a likeable person, but to obtain admission to a medical school.
In addition to the challenge of crafting a fresh take on standard ideas, you face the difficulty of integrating multiple sophisticated themes into a single coherent piece. The themes can be grouped into two basic categories: those that speak to your motivation for becoming a doctor and those that demonstrate the characteristics and abilities that qualify you for the profession.
As the founder of EssayEdge.com, the Net's largest admissions essay prep company, I have seen firsthand the difference a well-written application essay can make. Through its free online admissions essay help course and 300 Harvard-educated editors, EssayEdge.com helps tens of thousands of student each year improve their essays and gain admission to medical schools ranging from Harvard to State U.
Having personally edited over 2,000 admissions essays myself for EssayEdge.com, I have written this article to help you avoid the most common essay flaws. If you remember nothing else about this article, remember this: Be Interesting. Be Concise.
Why Medicine?
Because people don't usually make career decisions based on pure reason, it can be difficult to explain why you've chosen the field you have. Moreover, your basic reasons probably look a lot like everyone else's. In this type of essay, you'll have to develop your ideas effectively and insightfully while emphasizing your uniqueness.
Medicine requires such a serious commitment that few people stumble across the idea of pursuing it late in life. It's very likely that you have always wanted to be a doctor, and that's not a fact that you should hide. But don't offer your point in such a clichéd, prepackaged way as to make your reader cringe. For example, you shouldn't start your essay, "I have always wanted to be a doctor" or "I've always known that medicine was my calling." Better to describe early experiences and then let your interest unfold naturally.
Describing the direct impact a doctor had on your life or the life of someone close to you can be an effective way to demonstrate what draws you to medicine. A twist on the "patient's perspective" approach is to describe a time when medicine failed to save or heal someone close to you. The purpose of this tactic would not be to rail against the medical profession, of course, but rather to show how a disappointing loss inspired you to join the struggle against disease and sickness.
How Are You Qualified?
The way to prove your qualification is not to list attributes you believe you possess but to discuss concrete experiences that show your abilities and qualities. As always, details are paramount. The rest of your application has already summarized your accomplishments and your activities. Show the reader what you did in concrete terms, and again, highlight your active roles.
The experiences that demonstrate your qualification are not necessarily distinct from those that explain your motivation. You shouldn't plan on dividing the essay into two separate sections for each, but rather organize the structure by topic and extrapolate insights as they develop. It's important that you think of the essay as an integrated whole, not as a checklist of questions you must answer.
Some degree of hospital experience is usually expected, though it's more essential to the "testing your interest" aspect we discussed in the last section of the course than to your qualifications. The main point you're trying to convey here is that you will work well with patients and in a clinical setting. Your shadowing experience might overlap this material, but the emphasis here is on what you learned through observation.
A strong research background helps your case, because the laboratory is such an integral part of the medical school experience. It's not possible to prove your intellectual capability through a short description of your projects, so you should try to convey such intangible qualities as creativity, initiative, and original thinking. Focus on your contribution rather than your research topic. For example, you could describe a situation where you recognized a flaw in a procedure and had the initiative to show your supervisor how efficiency could be improved. No matter how minor your contribution seems, it's better to focus on some tangible input that you had than to describe the project as a whole. As always, the key is to delineate your active role.
TOP 10 MEDICAL SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT WRITING TIPS
1. Don't Resort to Clichés.Every year, medical school admissions officers read thousands of variations of this sentence: "I want to be a doctor so I can help people." It's undoubtedly true in most instances, yet it inevitably fails because it reveals nothing unique about the individual applicant. If you demonstrate a penchant for helping others by describing specific activities--community service, for example--it will become unnecessary to declare that desire, as it will already be clear. Every doctor helps people, so focus on the specific actions you have taken.
2. Don't Bore the Reader. Do Be Interesting.Admissions officers have to read hundreds of essays, and they must often skim. Abstract rumination has no place in an application essay. Admissions officers aren't looking for a new way to view the world; they're looking for a new way to view you, the applicant. The best way to grip your reader is to begin the essay with a captivating snapshot. Notice how the blunt, jarring "after" sentence creates intrigue and keeps the reader's interest.
Before: I am a compilation of many years of experiences gained from overcoming the relentless struggles of life.After: I was six years old, the eldest of six children in the Bronx, when my father was murdered.
3. Do Use Personal Detail. Show, Don't Tell!Good essays are concrete and grounded in personal detail. They do not merely assert "I learned my lesson" or that "these lessons are useful both on and off the field." They show it through personal detail. "Show, don't tell" means that if you want to relate a personal quality, do so through your experiences without merely asserting it.
Before: If it were not for a strong support system which instilled into me strong family values and morals, I would not be where I am today.After: Although my grandmother and I didn't have a car or running water, we still lived far more comfortably than did the other families I knew. I learned an important lesson: My grandmother made the most of what little she had, and she was known and respected for her generosity. Even at that age, I recognized the value she placed on maximizing her resources and helping those around her.
The first example is vague and could have been written by anybody. But the second sentence evokes a vivid image of something that actually happened, placing the reader in the experience of the applicant.
4. Do Be Concise. Don't Be Wordy. Wordiness not only takes up valuable space, but also confuses the important ideas you're trying to convey. Short sentences are more forceful because they are direct and to the point. Certain phrases, such as "the fact that," are usually unnecessary. Notice how the revised version focuses on active verbs rather than forms of "to be" and adverbs and adjectives.
Before: My recognition of the fact that we had finally completed the research project was a deeply satisfying moment that will forever linger in my memory.After: Completing the research project at last gave me an enduring sense of fulfillment.
5. Do Address Your Weaknesses. Don't Dwell on Them.At some point on your application, you will have an opportunity to explain deficiencies in your record, and you should take advantage of it. Be sure to explain them adequately: Staying up late the night before the MCAT is not a legitimate reason for a bad performance, while documented sickness could be. If you lack volunteer hospital experience, you might point out the number of hours you had to work to make college more affordable for your family. The best tactic is to spin the negatives into positives by stressing your attempts to improve; for example, mention your poor first-quarter grades briefly, then describe what you did to bring them up.6. Do Vary Your Sentences and Use Transitions.The best essays contain a variety of sentence lengths mixed within any given paragraph. Also, remember that transition is not limited to words like nevertheless, furthermore or consequently. Good transition flows from the natural thought progression of your argument.
Before: I started playing piano when I was eight years old. I worked hard to learn difficult pieces. I began to love music.After: I started playing the piano at the age of eight. As I learned to play more difficult pieces, my appreciation for music deepened.
7. Do Use Active Voice Verbs,Passive-voice expressions are verb phrases in which the subject receives the action expressed in the verb. Passive voice employs a form of the word to be, such as was or were. Overuse of the passive voice makes prose seem flat and uninteresting.
Before: The lessons that have prepared me for my career as a doctor were taught to me by my mother. After: My mother taught me lessons that will prove invaluable in my career as a doctor.
8. Do Seek Multiple Opinions.Ask your friends and family to keep these questions in mind:
Does my essay have one central theme?
Does my introduction engage the reader? Does my conclusion provide closure?
Do my introduction and conclusion avoid summary?
Do I use concrete experiences as supporting details?
Have I used active-voice verbs wherever possible?
Is my sentence structure varied, or do I use all long or short sentences?
Are there any clichés, such as "cutting-edge" or "learned my lesson"?
Do I use transitions appropriately?
What about the essay is memorable?
What's the worst part of the essay?
What parts of the essay need elaboration or are unclear?
What parts of the essay do not support my main argument?
Is every single sentence crucial to the essay? This must be the case.
What does the essay reveal about my personality?
9. Don't Wander. Do Stay Focused.Many applicants try to turn the personal statement into a complete autobiography. Not surprisingly, they find it difficult to pack so much information into such a short essay, and their essays end up sounding more like a list of experiences than a coherent, well-organized thought. Make sure that every sentence in your essay exists solely to support one central theme.
10. Do Revise, Revise, Revise.The first step in an improving any essay is to cut, cut, and cut some more. EssayEdge.com's free admissions essay help course and Harvard-educated editors will be invaluable as you polish your essay to perfection. The EssayEdge.com free help course guides you through the entire essay-writing process, from brainstorming worksheets and question-specific strategies for the twelve most common essay topics to a description of ten introduction types and editing checklists.
SAMPLE ESSAY
His eyesight was almost completely gone, yet there he was on the diamond. I met Jason last summer in Chicago, where I volunteered at a tournament for Beep Baseball, a baseball-like sport for the visually impaired. He was my age--handsome, friendly, and athletic. But Jason was blind. Struck by glaucoma, he had begun to lose his vision in his early teens. By high school, he had become legally blind. My sympathy only intensified when I learned that, had his disease been diagnosed earlier, he almost surely would have retained partial vision. Financially strapped, Jason's family had avoided taking him to a doctor for as long as they could; when he finally visited a physician, it was too late. For years I had planned to work in technology, but my encounters with Jason and others like him convinced me that medicine is my true calling.
Actually, growing up I had always planned to become a doctor, but my goals changed as I began to take computer science classes at [COLLEGE NAME]. In the first meeting of my sophomore-year class on Programming in Artificial Intelligence, Professor B joked, "You know those movies where killer robots eventually take over the world? Believe them." I did just that, placing my trust in the vast opportunities offered by computer programming. In my first computer course, I created applications that could beat a human in tic-tac-toe, calculate complex mathematical problems, and even converse with humans on a specified topic. Fascinated with the potential of these programs, I embarked on a different path, away from clinical medicine. I saw a world in which computers would change and even replace processes in every industry, and I wanted to join the researchers at the forefront of this revolution.
Five years after that first class, the potential contribution of computer technology still inspires me. The possibilities are astounding. Scientists mapped the human genome years before their original deadline. Nanotechnology promises to revolutionize the way we detect and cure diseases. Still, the more I learn about technology, the more I recognize its inadequacies. Although the "psychologist" program I created faithfully reproduces human responses, I discovered that I would never want to speak with a computer about my problems. Certain interactions simply demand personal contact. As I have tutored underclassmen in math and science, worked with athletes in the Special Olympics, and visited with patients as a volunteer at Northwest Community Hospital, I have realized that the human element in such relationships is irreplaceable. While technology may shape the future of mankind, only humanity can touch individual lives.
Jason's story touched mine, confirming my growing sense of the deficiencies in science and technology. Advances in medical knowledge and techniques are useless without parallel progress in healthcare accessibility, widespread education about health issues, and most importantly, strong doctor-patient relationships. The revolutionary treatment methods I imagined myself inventing might never have an impact on patients like Jason. On the other hand, the dedication of just a few volunteers allowed him to play the sport he had always loved. Science could not fix Jason's eyesight, but supportive doctors, volunteers, and friends could help him live a fulfilling life. Spending time with him and others convinced me that, in addition to my research in medical science and technology, I wanted to work directly with those whose ailments cannot currently be cured.
I have thus circled back to my original path towards medicine, with no regrets about the scenic route that led me here. Indeed, I am confident that I will make good use of my computer science skills as I research potential advancements in medical technology. This summer, I began work as a research assistant to Dr. C at Northwestern's Buehler Center on Aging. With Dr. C, I am developing a computer program that determines the "quality of life" of terminally ill patients. By compiling physician diagnostics and patient responses to questionnaires, the system assesses the value of given treatments as well as the efficacy of specific pharmaceuticals. Through this project, we hope to understand and improve the current care of the terminally ill. After watching Dr. C and other doctors at the medical research facility, I can now declare with confidence that I want to follow their example in my own career, combining clinical practice and research.
My work on the "quality of life" evaluation project gave me a perfect opportunity to fulfill this dual goal, and I look forward to a lifetime spent on similar pursuits. Yet I will never forget that the seeds of my current ambition arose not in the laboratory or at the health center, but on a baseball diamond filled with people playing a game they likely thought they would never play again. In my own career as a physician, I will strive to serve my patients not only as a healer, but also as a friend, supporting them in their toughest moments, and as a mentor, guiding them to live healthy lifestyles. Robots may assist in my endeavors, but they will never possess the compassion of my fellow physicians and me.
About EssayEdge.com - EssayEdge.com offers all users free access to the most extensive Admissions Essay Help Course on the Internet and over 300 Free Sample Admissions Essays accepted by the United States' top undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Named "the world's premier application essay editing service" by the New York Times Learning Network and "one of the best essay services on the Internet" by the Washington Post.
Put Harvard-Educated Editors To Work For You!
Special Discount Coupon Use coupon code 353353 for $7.50 off EssayEdge.com's critically acclaimed admissions essay editing services. Enter the coupon code on the order form when placing your order.
Can credit repair companies be trusted?
Many "credit repair" companies claim to remove negative credit with the flick of a wrist. Their advertisements make bold assertions and money-back guarantees: "Bankruptcy, tax liens, judgments... no problem!! One hundred percent guaranteed!! Credit report 100% cleared in 30 days!!" Can they really make such sweeping guarantees?
While some credit repair companies are outright frauds, others are not fraudulent and they use the dispute process to obtain impressive results. In fact, they delete thousands of negative credit listings every day. There is a company called, Lexington Law who has been doing it for 15 years. Click Here to learn more.
Unfortunately, it is risky to trust anyone to help you restore your credit. It is estimated that fraudulent credit repair companies have bilked Americans out of more than fifty million dollars. The majority of credit repair companies were started by entrepreneurs with a penchant for marketing. Consumers have flocked to these "credit doctors" only to discover that their advertisements proved far more impressive than their results. Hiring a credit repair company is like playing Russian roulette. Many of them are effective and legitimate, but it is difficult to tell a rip-off from the real article.
So, can credit repair companies guarantee results?
Not a chance! No credit repair company is so good that it can guarantee a specific outcome. It would be like a defense lawyer guaranteeing that the jury will find his client innocent. Guarantees are a sure sign of credit repair fraud. A warranty, where the credit repair company promises a refund if certain results don't occur, is a better, more realistic claim. Lexington Law is a respectable company that we recommend.
Not surprisingly, the credit bureaus have declared war against the credit repair companies and those selling instruction on how to do-it-yourself. The bureaus lambaste credit repair companies in the media and send anti-credit repair literature to anyone whom they suspect of using credit repair services. The bureaus unflinchingly deny that accurate information can be removed from a credit report.
The simple truth is that you do not have to endure bad credit for seven to ten years as long as you feel comfortable challenging the accuracy or verifiability of your credit listings. If so, it is possible to restore creditworthiness within a much shorter time.
However you decide to address your credit challenges, realize that regardless of what you may hear in the news media, thousands before you have sought help and restored their credit. They can show you their homes, cars, and credit cards. Despite the newspaper articles, TV reports, and other credit bureau propaganda to the contrary, the simple truth remains: you can restore your credit. Learn More.
Can Bad Credit Be Deleted or Fixed?
Yes, it can. Despite the fervent proclamations of bureaucrats and credit bureaus everywhere, a simple fact remains: negative credit listings are deleted from peoples' credit reports by the thousands each and every day.
A few years ago, an attorney from Lexington Law. visited with a regulatory agency for a casual conversation with two agents. The Agency's office, as a matter of course, believed the credit bureaus' claim that bad credit couldn't be deleted. The visiting Lexington attorney asked, "How many negative listings would you have to see deleted from consumer credit reports before you would believe that bad credit can be deleted: ten? fifty? a hundred? one thousand?" The agents responded with only blank stares.
"How about 50,000 deleted listings, would that convince you?" continued the Lexington attorney. From his briefcase he pulled a stack of papers six inches high.
"In these pages, we have listed the permanent deletion of over 50,000. listings from our clients' files in the last two years alone," he explained. The agents pulled the stack across the conference table and began to pick through the pages, taking in the massive list.
"But have you deleted any bankruptcies?" shot back one of the agents, "we know that bankruptcies can't be deleted." The Lexington attorney leaned across the table and ran his finger down the first page.
"There's one deleted bankruptcy... and, there's another,... and another,... and another. Should I go on?" asked the Lexington attorney.
The agents sat back in their chairs. "You know," began the junior agent, "I have this one listing on my credit report that simply must belong to somebody else..."
How is credit repair possible?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows a consumer to challenge the information on his credit report on the basis of "completeness and accuracy." When a consumer files a dispute, the credit bureaus must contact the source of the credit information (the creditor) and confirm that the information is accurate, verifiable, and not obsolete. In some circumstances, the credit bureau is required to go beyond a simple verification of the creditor's own computer record. If, within 30 days, the credit bureau has not received verification from the creditor, then the credit bureau must promptly delete the credit listing. Learn More.
Understanding Your Credit Score
Your Credit Score is used by
anyone loaning you money. Credit card companies, home equity lenders, auto
loan lenders and finance companies all use a model created by Fair, Isaac
and Co, the San Rafael, California company that pioneered credit scoring 40
years ago and dominates the field today. This score is most often known as
FICO and serves as a snapshot of your credit history.
A low score can raise the price of your loan and a very
low score can mean denial of your loan completely. Here
are the approximate percentages that determine your FICO Score.
- Payment history (35%). The
largest factor determined on your FICO score is your basic payment
history. The number of unpaid bills you have, any bills sent to
collection, bankruptcies etc... The more recent the problem, the lower
your score. - Outstanding Debt (30%). Are
your cards maxed out? High balances or more precisely, balances that are
close to your credit limit can negatively effect your score. Keep your
balances below 30%. - Length of your credit history (15%).
How long have your accounts been open? The longer, the
better. - Recent inquiries (10%).
Every time you apply for credit of any kind, you create an inquiry on
your credit report. Lots of Inquiries negatively effect your score. - Types of credit in use (10%).
Current loans from finance companies. How many and how
much.
Your score will range between 300 and 870. The
higher the better. As your score increases, your credit risk decreases.
Exact numbers differ by lending institution but the average high approval
score is 680 or above. Often times your score is taken from all three
credit reporting companies and the middle score or average score is
used.
Depending on the lending institution, your score can
cost you. Some lenders will charge a higher interest rate if your score is
below 600
When you apply for credit your score does not come
directly from FICO. Instead each bureau has its own version of the rating
system with its own name.
Equifax is called Beacon
Trans Union is Empirica
Experian is Experian/Fair Issac
A credit score of 680 or above can save you money,
especially for home loans. If you are considering a significant loan you
will want to be sure to check your credit reports first. If negative items
appear on your report you have two choices. Live with it for 7 to 10 years
or dispute these items. For more information on repairing bad credit Click
Here.
My Way News - Flat Panels Drive Old TVs From Market
My Way News - Flat Panels Drive Old TVs From Market: "REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) - The lone conventional television set at Anderson's TV store sat along a side wall like a castoff. Its screen was dark as dozens of other gleaming flat-panel and big-screen models flashed nearby with vivid color images.
The staff at the Redwood City store hadn't even bothered to turn on the cathode-ray tube TV until a reporter asked to see it on a recent afternoon.
The obvious neglect reflected the wallflower status of today's CRT TVs, as well as the mature technology's doomed future. Experts say the old-fashioned boob tube that catered to generations of Americans will soon be all but extinct.
'It's already dead, but it doesn't know it yet,' said Jon Paul Belstler, an audio/video consultant at Anderson's. 'It's just trying to hang on.'
Across stores and in homes, sleek LCD and plasma televisions are taking over.
In North America, sales of the bulky traditional TVs are in steep decline.
By next year, the tube TV will cede its crown of dominance to LCD sets for the first time, according to the market research firm iSuppli Corp. Sales of CRTs will fall from an estimated 14.4 million units this year to 10.4 million in 2007, while sales of LCD TVs are predicted to rise from 10.9 million units to 17.8 million."
The staff at the Redwood City store hadn't even bothered to turn on the cathode-ray tube TV until a reporter asked to see it on a recent afternoon.
The obvious neglect reflected the wallflower status of today's CRT TVs, as well as the mature technology's doomed future. Experts say the old-fashioned boob tube that catered to generations of Americans will soon be all but extinct.
'It's already dead, but it doesn't know it yet,' said Jon Paul Belstler, an audio/video consultant at Anderson's. 'It's just trying to hang on.'
Across stores and in homes, sleek LCD and plasma televisions are taking over.
In North America, sales of the bulky traditional TVs are in steep decline.
By next year, the tube TV will cede its crown of dominance to LCD sets for the first time, according to the market research firm iSuppli Corp. Sales of CRTs will fall from an estimated 14.4 million units this year to 10.4 million in 2007, while sales of LCD TVs are predicted to rise from 10.9 million units to 17.8 million."
How to get the best car loan with Harbor Credit
How to get the best car loan with Harbor Credit
Research car prices
Every Harbor Credit car loan application is approved on an individual basis. That means each customer, whether they have good credit, bad credit, or something in between, will be contacted by a lending institution to discuss their car loan. If there is a lender in our coverage area that can help, we promise they'll contact you to discuss the details of your application. To help speed the process, we recommend keeping an up-to-date credit report on hand, along with information regarding the new car you are interested in.
Apply today to get a free car loan quote
Research car prices
While searching for a new car, determine what average prices are, so you can
recognize the difference between a good and not-so-good offer. With your own
comprehensive research, you’ll end up paying a price closer to invoice, rather
than MSRP.
Get price quotes
Choose a limited number of cars (possibly three) you are seriously interested
in and get free price quotes from local dealers. This process will include
“building” your car – choosing year, make, model, trim, exterior color, interior
color, etc. – and determining your method of payment as well as the trade in
value of your current car. You’ll be asked to supply your personal information –
first, last name, phone number, etc. – along with the ideal time for a
dealer/sales manager to contact you. This usually occurs within 24 hours and he
or she will ask you to provide a few more details on the car you “built.” During
this phone call, be sure to request prices with all applicable taxes and charges
included, commonly referred to as the “out-the-door price.”
Negotiating your new car purchase
With the lowest quote in hand, contact your preferred dealers and see if
they'll match or beat it. (Dealers tend to compete with each other because they
want your business.) Consider negotiating online as this pseudo-dialogue can
provide you with hassle-free process. It is much easier to stop an email string
than it is to walk out of a dealership with a salesperson shouting “bigger and
better deals” at you, hoping you’ll sit back down. Either way, once you find an
ideal price and have read through all the fine print (and most of all, are
comfortable with the deal), purchase that car!
Become A Real Estate Agent In Pennsylvania
Become A Real Estate Agent In Pennsylvania
Article Summary: This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Pennsylvania or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Pennsylvania. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more.
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The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission functions under the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs. The Bureau was established in 1963 to provide administrative services to the various professional commissions. The main office of the Commission is in Harrisburg.
The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Pennsylvania include being at least 18 years of age and having successfully completed four credits, or 60 hours, of approved real estate education. Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university may have the 60 hour requirement waived, and those with a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school may also waive the education requirement. Applicants who have some real estate courses at an accredited school may receive some credit for these toward the salesperson requirement. Applicants having a real estate broker license in another jurisdiction may be allowed two education credits for each full year of active practice during the preceding ten year period. All real estate courses need to have been completed within the ten years preceding passing the real estate exams, and applicants must apply for their salesperson license within three years of passing the real estate exams. All real estate salesperson applicants need to be sponsored by a licensed Pennsylvania real estate broker who will be overseeing their activities.
The requirements for a real estate broker license in Pennsylvania include being at last 18 years of age and having successfully completed the education requirement and passed the real estate examinations. Broker applicants must supply recommendations from one broker and two unrelated people who own property in the county where the applicant has a place of business. If real estate brokers have been inactive and non-renewed for more than five years, then they must re-take the real estate examination. Licenses will not be issued to a post office box number as brokers are required to have a physical location for doing business and the Commission will do an office inspection prior to issuing the license. The office of a sole proprietor must have a sign displayed outside which bears the office name exactly is it appears on the license.
All real estate agent applicants must provide the Commission with a criminal background check no older than 90 days. If an applicant has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including any drug law violation, full information needs to be provided to the Commission.
The approved real estate schools for prelicensure are located throughout the state. The approved continuing education courses, and the real estate schools where they may be taken, include many distance education and internet options.
The real estate exams in Pennsylvania are handled by PSI Examination Services (http://www.psiexams.com), and the examination fee is $56.00. Broker applicants pay an addition $40.00 for the review of their qualifications before taking the examination.
The license fee for a real estate salesperson in Pennsylvania, for applications submitted between June 1 of an even-numbered year through May 31 of an odd-numbered year, is $89.00, plus $10.00 for the Recovery Fund Fee (unless previously paid). The license fee for a salesperson for applications submitted between June 1 of an odd-numbered year through May 31 of an even-numbered year is $57.00 plus the $10.00 Recovery Fund Fee. The fees are non-refundable.
The license fee for an associate real estate broker or real estate broker in Pennsylvania for applications submitted between June 1 of an even-numbered year through May 31 of an odd-numbered year, is $159.00. The license fee for either the associate broker or broker for applications submitted between June 1 of an odd-numbered year through May 31 of an even-numbered year is $117.00. All fees are non-refundable.
All real estate agent licenses expire on May 31st of every even-numbered year. You may renew a license during the preceding 2 or 3 months. Renewal fee for a salesperson license if $64.00 and for a broker license is $84.00. In order to renew a license all agents must successfully complete 14 hours of approved continuing education courses during each two-year license period. If a license has been on inactive status the applicant must document having completed the 14 hours of continuing education. There is a $5.00 per month late renewal fee.
All Pennsylvania real estate forms and license information are available online.
Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Organizations like the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (http://www.nareb.com) (NAREB) assist many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (http://www.arello.org) (ARELLO) and The National Association of Realtors (http://www.realtor.org) (NAR), the world’s largest professional association, are excellent resources for professional enrichment and real estate education.
Article Summary: This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Pennsylvania or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Pennsylvania. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more.
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The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission functions under the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs. The Bureau was established in 1963 to provide administrative services to the various professional commissions. The main office of the Commission is in Harrisburg.
The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Pennsylvania include being at least 18 years of age and having successfully completed four credits, or 60 hours, of approved real estate education. Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university may have the 60 hour requirement waived, and those with a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school may also waive the education requirement. Applicants who have some real estate courses at an accredited school may receive some credit for these toward the salesperson requirement. Applicants having a real estate broker license in another jurisdiction may be allowed two education credits for each full year of active practice during the preceding ten year period. All real estate courses need to have been completed within the ten years preceding passing the real estate exams, and applicants must apply for their salesperson license within three years of passing the real estate exams. All real estate salesperson applicants need to be sponsored by a licensed Pennsylvania real estate broker who will be overseeing their activities.
The requirements for a real estate broker license in Pennsylvania include being at last 18 years of age and having successfully completed the education requirement and passed the real estate examinations. Broker applicants must supply recommendations from one broker and two unrelated people who own property in the county where the applicant has a place of business. If real estate brokers have been inactive and non-renewed for more than five years, then they must re-take the real estate examination. Licenses will not be issued to a post office box number as brokers are required to have a physical location for doing business and the Commission will do an office inspection prior to issuing the license. The office of a sole proprietor must have a sign displayed outside which bears the office name exactly is it appears on the license.
All real estate agent applicants must provide the Commission with a criminal background check no older than 90 days. If an applicant has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including any drug law violation, full information needs to be provided to the Commission.
The approved real estate schools for prelicensure are located throughout the state. The approved continuing education courses, and the real estate schools where they may be taken, include many distance education and internet options.
The real estate exams in Pennsylvania are handled by PSI Examination Services (http://www.psiexams.com), and the examination fee is $56.00. Broker applicants pay an addition $40.00 for the review of their qualifications before taking the examination.
The license fee for a real estate salesperson in Pennsylvania, for applications submitted between June 1 of an even-numbered year through May 31 of an odd-numbered year, is $89.00, plus $10.00 for the Recovery Fund Fee (unless previously paid). The license fee for a salesperson for applications submitted between June 1 of an odd-numbered year through May 31 of an even-numbered year is $57.00 plus the $10.00 Recovery Fund Fee. The fees are non-refundable.
The license fee for an associate real estate broker or real estate broker in Pennsylvania for applications submitted between June 1 of an even-numbered year through May 31 of an odd-numbered year, is $159.00. The license fee for either the associate broker or broker for applications submitted between June 1 of an odd-numbered year through May 31 of an even-numbered year is $117.00. All fees are non-refundable.
All real estate agent licenses expire on May 31st of every even-numbered year. You may renew a license during the preceding 2 or 3 months. Renewal fee for a salesperson license if $64.00 and for a broker license is $84.00. In order to renew a license all agents must successfully complete 14 hours of approved continuing education courses during each two-year license period. If a license has been on inactive status the applicant must document having completed the 14 hours of continuing education. There is a $5.00 per month late renewal fee.
All Pennsylvania real estate forms and license information are available online.
Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Organizations like the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (http://www.nareb.com) (NAREB) assist many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (http://www.arello.org) (ARELLO) and The National Association of Realtors (http://www.realtor.org) (NAR), the world’s largest professional association, are excellent resources for professional enrichment and real estate education.
Friday, October 20, 2006
My Way News - Sony Shows Off PlayStation 3, New Games
My Way News - Sony Shows Off PlayStation 3, New Games: "SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (AP) - As the countdown to its Nov. 17 U.S. launch neared, Sony Corp. (SNE) showed off its PlayStation 3 game console Thursday and named 22 titles that will be available at the same time.
The games at launch will run the genre gamut, from racing and war games to updated, more powerful versions of popular sports titles - 'the most robust game lineup' of any new-generation game system, boasted Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Sony's own in-house developed titles, such as a first-person shooting game called 'Resistance: Fall of Man' will be $59.99.
Other games that will be available for download directly onto the PS3 will be priced at $14.99 or less, Sony officials said.
Prices of certain accessories also were disclosed: $50 for an extra wireless controller; $15 for a memory card adapter; and $25 for a remote control for the system's built-in Blu-ray disc drive player.
The console is already the most expensive among the new generation of game systems with a price tag of $500 or $600, depending on the model, but analysts say Sony's dominance in the video game market still will dictate its success.
Sony has sold 106 million PlayStation systems globally, including 40 million of them in the U.S., while Nintendo Co. has sold roughly 21 million GameCubes, and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has sold about 23 million Xbox systems, said P.J. McNealy, an analyst at American Technology Research.
'At the end of the day, Sony still has tremendous brand loyalty here, and they'll sell millions,' he said.
Sony officials were equally optimistic."
The games at launch will run the genre gamut, from racing and war games to updated, more powerful versions of popular sports titles - 'the most robust game lineup' of any new-generation game system, boasted Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Sony's own in-house developed titles, such as a first-person shooting game called 'Resistance: Fall of Man' will be $59.99.
Other games that will be available for download directly onto the PS3 will be priced at $14.99 or less, Sony officials said.
Prices of certain accessories also were disclosed: $50 for an extra wireless controller; $15 for a memory card adapter; and $25 for a remote control for the system's built-in Blu-ray disc drive player.
The console is already the most expensive among the new generation of game systems with a price tag of $500 or $600, depending on the model, but analysts say Sony's dominance in the video game market still will dictate its success.
Sony has sold 106 million PlayStation systems globally, including 40 million of them in the U.S., while Nintendo Co. has sold roughly 21 million GameCubes, and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has sold about 23 million Xbox systems, said P.J. McNealy, an analyst at American Technology Research.
'At the end of the day, Sony still has tremendous brand loyalty here, and they'll sell millions,' he said.
Sony officials were equally optimistic."
My Way News - Microsoft Partners Fuming Over Vista
My Way News - Microsoft Partners Fuming Over Vista: "SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is no stranger to antitrust skirmishes and complaints from competitors about unfair business practices.
But the latest fight over its upcoming Vista operating system pits Microsoft against an unlikely adversary: the security software vendors who are some of its most intimate partners in protecting its notoriously vulnerable systems from attacks.
As Vista's planned release nears, the company is facing a backlash from such vendors as Symantec Corp. (SYMC) and McAfee Inc. (MFE), which argue that even the concessions Microsoft recently made to appease European antitrust regulators won't do enough to help them best protect their customers.
'We've been talking to them for over two years on this issue,' said Rowan Trollope, Symantec's vice president for consumer engineering. 'And now (with) basically a very short amount of time before the operating system comes out, we're not in a good position to provide that security to our customers.'"
But the latest fight over its upcoming Vista operating system pits Microsoft against an unlikely adversary: the security software vendors who are some of its most intimate partners in protecting its notoriously vulnerable systems from attacks.
As Vista's planned release nears, the company is facing a backlash from such vendors as Symantec Corp. (SYMC) and McAfee Inc. (MFE), which argue that even the concessions Microsoft recently made to appease European antitrust regulators won't do enough to help them best protect their customers.
'We've been talking to them for over two years on this issue,' said Rowan Trollope, Symantec's vice president for consumer engineering. 'And now (with) basically a very short amount of time before the operating system comes out, we're not in a good position to provide that security to our customers.'"
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Google profit nearly doubles | CNET News.com
Google profit nearly doubles | CNET News.com: "Google's third-quarter profit nearly doubled from a year ago as sales of keyword-related advertising continued to grow for the world's top Web search engine.
'Business is very, very good here at Google. We had an excellent quarter in all respects, especially in international,' Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said in a conference call Thursday after the results were released.
During the quarter, Google saw strong user growth and improvements in search quality and ad sales, Schmidt said.
The news sent Google's stock up shares rising nearly 8 percent to $459.51 in after-hours trade, after closing at $426.06. The earnings announcement was made right after the market closed."
'Business is very, very good here at Google. We had an excellent quarter in all respects, especially in international,' Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said in a conference call Thursday after the results were released.
During the quarter, Google saw strong user growth and improvements in search quality and ad sales, Schmidt said.
The news sent Google's stock up shares rising nearly 8 percent to $459.51 in after-hours trade, after closing at $426.06. The earnings announcement was made right after the market closed."
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
My Way News - HP Passes Dell in World PC Shipments
My Way News - HP Passes Dell in World PC Shipments: "SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Hewlett-Packard Co. supplanted Dell Inc. (DELL) as the world leader in personal computer shipments during the third quarter, returning the bragging rights to Silicon Valley for the first time in nearly three years, according to figures released Wednesday by two influential research firms.
Both Gartner Inc. (IT) and IDC pegged the overall third-quarter growth of the global PC market at just under 7 percent, but that trend was overshadowed by the industry's new pecking order.
The changing of the guard occurred after HP's shipments climbed by 15 percent from a year ago while Dell's edged up by less than 4 percent.
By Gartner's measure, Palo Alto-based HP shipped 110,000 more PCs than Dell to give it a 16.3 percent share of the global market compared to 16.1 percent for its Round Rock, Texas-based rival."
Both Gartner Inc. (IT) and IDC pegged the overall third-quarter growth of the global PC market at just under 7 percent, but that trend was overshadowed by the industry's new pecking order.
The changing of the guard occurred after HP's shipments climbed by 15 percent from a year ago while Dell's edged up by less than 4 percent.
By Gartner's measure, Palo Alto-based HP shipped 110,000 more PCs than Dell to give it a 16.3 percent share of the global market compared to 16.1 percent for its Round Rock, Texas-based rival."
My Way Finance
My Way Finance: "SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) on Wednesday posted a 27 percent rise in quarterly profit, buoyed by strong sales of its Macintosh computers and higher shipments of its iPod digital music players, results well above analyst estimates and the stock surged.
Apple said net income for its fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30 rose to $546 million, or 62 cents per share, from $430.0 million, or 50 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue climbed 32 percent to $4.84 billion."
Apple said net income for its fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30 rose to $546 million, or 62 cents per share, from $430.0 million, or 50 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue climbed 32 percent to $4.84 billion."
Monday, October 16, 2006
My Way News - Google to Convert HQ to Solar Power
My Way News - Google to Convert HQ to Solar Power: "SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Google Inc. (GOOG) is converting its renowned headquarters to run partly on solar power, hoping to set an example for corporate America.
The Internet search leader announced what is believed to be the largest solar project undertaken by a U.S. company during a solar energy conference in Silicon Valley on Monday. Google believes the sun eventually can deliver as much as 30 percent of the power at its 1-million-square-foot campus in Mountain View - a suburb about 35 miles south of San Francisco.
The ambitious project will require installing more than 9,200 solar panels on a high-tech mecca nicknamed the 'Googleplex.' After leasing the offices for several years, Google bought the campus for $319 million earlier this year.
Once they're in place next spring, the solar panels are expected to produce about 1.6 megawatts of electricity, or enough power to supply about 1,000 homes.
The job is being handled by Pasadena-based EI Solutions, part of a high-tech incubator run by entrepreneur Bill Gross, whose idea to link ads to search engine requests during the 1990 inspired the business model that generates most of Google's profits.
Google wouldn't disclose the project's cost, but it won't strain a company with nearly $10 billion in cash."
The Internet search leader announced what is believed to be the largest solar project undertaken by a U.S. company during a solar energy conference in Silicon Valley on Monday. Google believes the sun eventually can deliver as much as 30 percent of the power at its 1-million-square-foot campus in Mountain View - a suburb about 35 miles south of San Francisco.
The ambitious project will require installing more than 9,200 solar panels on a high-tech mecca nicknamed the 'Googleplex.' After leasing the offices for several years, Google bought the campus for $319 million earlier this year.
Once they're in place next spring, the solar panels are expected to produce about 1.6 megawatts of electricity, or enough power to supply about 1,000 homes.
The job is being handled by Pasadena-based EI Solutions, part of a high-tech incubator run by entrepreneur Bill Gross, whose idea to link ads to search engine requests during the 1990 inspired the business model that generates most of Google's profits.
Google wouldn't disclose the project's cost, but it won't strain a company with nearly $10 billion in cash."
Friday, October 13, 2006
My Way News - YouTube Confusion Shuts Down Utube Site
My Way News - YouTube Confusion Shuts Down Utube Site: "TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - YouTube's enormous popularity has created a big headache for another 'utube' - a company that sells used machines that make tubes.
Universal Tube & Rollform Equipment Corp.'s Web site, utube.com, was inaccessible for most of the week, overwhelmed by millions of people looking for the popular online video site.
The confusion took off a couple of months ago, said Ralph Girkins, Universal Tube's president.
The company with just 17 employees got 68 million hits on its site in August, making it one of the most popular manufacturing Web sites.
The site shut down last weekend just before Google Inc. (GOOG) announced plans Monday to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion. A move to a new server didn't help, but by late Thursday Universal Tube's site was back up after the company added more capacity.
'We couldn't work on it, couldn't do anything,' Girkins said Friday. At least 50 customers called during the week to point out the problem, he said.
He hasn't figured out yet how much it has cost to get the site running."
Universal Tube & Rollform Equipment Corp.'s Web site, utube.com, was inaccessible for most of the week, overwhelmed by millions of people looking for the popular online video site.
The confusion took off a couple of months ago, said Ralph Girkins, Universal Tube's president.
The company with just 17 employees got 68 million hits on its site in August, making it one of the most popular manufacturing Web sites.
The site shut down last weekend just before Google Inc. (GOOG) announced plans Monday to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion. A move to a new server didn't help, but by late Thursday Universal Tube's site was back up after the company added more capacity.
'We couldn't work on it, couldn't do anything,' Girkins said Friday. At least 50 customers called during the week to point out the problem, he said.
He hasn't figured out yet how much it has cost to get the site running."
My Way News - YouTube Confusion Shuts Down Utube Site
My Way News - YouTube Confusion Shuts Down Utube Site: "TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - YouTube's enormous popularity has created a big headache for another 'utube' - a company that sells used machines that make tubes.
Universal Tube & Rollform Equipment Corp.'s Web site, utube.com, was inaccessible for most of the week, overwhelmed by millions of people looking for the popular online video site.
The confusion took off a couple of months ago, said Ralph Girkins, Universal Tube's president.
The company with just 17 employees got 68 million hits on its site in August, making it one of the most popular manufacturing Web sites.
The site shut down last weekend just before Google Inc. (GOOG) announced plans Monday to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion. A move to a new server didn't help, but by late Thursday Universal Tube's site was back up after the company added more capacity.
'We couldn't work on it, couldn't do anything,' Girkins said Friday. At least 50 customers called during the week to point out the problem, he said.
He hasn't figured out yet how much it has cost to get the site running."
Universal Tube & Rollform Equipment Corp.'s Web site, utube.com, was inaccessible for most of the week, overwhelmed by millions of people looking for the popular online video site.
The confusion took off a couple of months ago, said Ralph Girkins, Universal Tube's president.
The company with just 17 employees got 68 million hits on its site in August, making it one of the most popular manufacturing Web sites.
The site shut down last weekend just before Google Inc. (GOOG) announced plans Monday to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion. A move to a new server didn't help, but by late Thursday Universal Tube's site was back up after the company added more capacity.
'We couldn't work on it, couldn't do anything,' Girkins said Friday. At least 50 customers called during the week to point out the problem, he said.
He hasn't figured out yet how much it has cost to get the site running."
Thursday, October 12, 2006
My Way News - Sony Fights IPod With New Walkman Models
My Way News - Sony Fights IPod With New Walkman Models: "Sony Corp. (SNE) unveiled its lastest Walkman digital music players Thursday, vowing to battle Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod juggernaut with superior sound quality.
The latest models, which go on sale in the U.S. next month, will be the first of Sony's digital music players to have built-in noice-cancellation technology. The company has already implemented it in some of its headphones.
Apple's iPod commands top market share in Japan, with some research putting its share at about half or higher. Sony has only recently pushed its market share in Japan to about 20 percent, company officials said.
'In one sense, the products are competing against the iPod, but in another sense they are more about Sony's strengths,' said Hiroshi Yoshioka, a Sony executive overseeing the audio equipment business.
The new Walkman also will let users upload music from a CD directly to the portable player without a computer. The music transfer will require an additional cable or cradle accessory to connect the Walkman to a CD player.
Sony plans to offer two models - a 2-gigabyte version for $200 and a 1-gigabyte version for $170.
Sony, which has been tackling a turnaround for more than a year, has recently succeeded in boosting global market share in flat-panel TVs, where it had also fallen behind rivals."
The latest models, which go on sale in the U.S. next month, will be the first of Sony's digital music players to have built-in noice-cancellation technology. The company has already implemented it in some of its headphones.
Apple's iPod commands top market share in Japan, with some research putting its share at about half or higher. Sony has only recently pushed its market share in Japan to about 20 percent, company officials said.
'In one sense, the products are competing against the iPod, but in another sense they are more about Sony's strengths,' said Hiroshi Yoshioka, a Sony executive overseeing the audio equipment business.
The new Walkman also will let users upload music from a CD directly to the portable player without a computer. The music transfer will require an additional cable or cradle accessory to connect the Walkman to a CD player.
Sony plans to offer two models - a 2-gigabyte version for $200 and a 1-gigabyte version for $170.
Sony, which has been tackling a turnaround for more than a year, has recently succeeded in boosting global market share in flat-panel TVs, where it had also fallen behind rivals."
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