stuff 12-01-06

Ah, the NEW camera that I will drool over for the next year until
around this time when, still unable to afford this one, I will start
drooling over a NEWER one:

Olympus E-400 DSLR review roundup
Posted Dec 1st 2006 5:34AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Sure, we all heard about how "small and light" this newfangled E-400
was supposed to be, but seeing it in its (relatively speaking) wee-
sized glory sure put things in perspective. Olympus downsized its
E-500, upped the resolution to match the bevy of competitors, and
managed to include "the first anti-dust system" (Supersonic Wave
Filter) reviewers at CameraLabs had ever tested "that proved
genuinely effective." While we're always skeptical when there's high
praise across the board, the E-400 truly seems like a solid offering
through and through; its ease of use (in auto and manual modes),
pocket-friendlier size, "excellent" image quality, and exceptional
versatility seemed to deliver in all the areas that make or break a
DSLR. Reviewers did mention that consumers may be immediately turned
off by the somewhat higher pricetag, but noted that the "high
quality" lens kit that accompanies this model actually offers
"excellent value for the money." Moreover, it was nearly unanimous
that the E-400 should've landed in place of the E-300 in order to
seem "more revolutionary," and now faces an uphill climb in an
attempt to dethrone the current kings of DSLR. Overall, however,
reviewers couldn't find much to complain about in the results
department, and noted that it made for an outstanding option if
you're just now thinking about delving into this (admittedly wallet-
draining) addiction hobby -- so if Olympus' latest has caught your
eye, be sure to hit the read links below for the variety of opinions.
http://tinyurl.com/yl2nho

Windows Live Search For Mobile vs. Google Maps Mobile

Microsoft's Windows Live Search for Mobiles just went live last
night, and we took it for a spin, comparing it to Google Maps for
Mobile, which has traffic, maps local business searches and
directions as well. Windows Live Search runs on both J2ME (Java)
phones and on Windows Mobile phones, whereas Google Maps only works
on J2ME phones. So which is better? Without a doubt, Microsoft's was
the winner. This matchup could have been a bit uneven. We were
running WLS on a Windows Mobile phone, seeing as the Windows Live
Search had a "native-app" feel, because it was a native app. Google
Maps on Java ran like Java always does. Painfully.

http://tinyurl.com/ykbnop

THE URL SAYS IT ALL:

http://www.billgatesforpresident.net/

SURE, LETS MAKE THE WORLDS LEAST RELIABLE FORM OF POWERED FLIGHT INTO
A UBIQUITOUS PEOPLE MOVER, PILOTED BY YOUR AVERAGE IDIOT!

A slow liftoff for the personal helicopter
Posted by Kurtis - Dec. 1, 2006 - 12:51 am from ZDNet
It is taking a little bit longer than expected to get a personal
helicopter off the ground. AirScooter, which hopes to sell a line of
mini-helicopters, has tweaked the design of its maiden vehicle and
will try to move it into production in 2007, said Dwaine Barnes, the
company's president. The company is also in the process of getting
the approval to sell the machines. When the production and regulatory
issues are clearer, the company will figure out its sales road map.

http://tinyurl.com/yz5ywv

Tangoes
Classic puzzle in great package


Simple games are the best. Tangrams are an old puzzle based on a set
of elemental shapes that can be arranged in thousands of different
patterns. To recreate a given picture is challenging, yet not too
daunting even for kids. Playing gently encourages lateral thinking.
It exercises a geometrical logic, rather than words or numbers. The
puzzles are almost like peanuts; you keep wanting just one more.

We use tangrams as an after dinner parlor game. Everyone gets a set
and we compete to find the solution first. Since the shapes can be
contained in one large square, you can easily cut your own version
from cardboard or plastic (and we have). But I've found that this
Tangoes model is precise, won't wear out, and crates up easily and
tidily. Each Tangoes case contains two sets of tangrams (in two
different colors) and a nifty set of puzzle pattern cards, all of
which slide into a plastic case with instructions on the inside. It's
a very nice package. We have several sets, to fill all the seats at a
table.

-- KK

Ultra Tangoes
$9
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Tangoes

http://tinyurl.com/ykmv95

Amazon shopping tips and hacks

Yan Bezugliy at ProBargainHunter.com recommends an effective way to
find clearance at Amazon. It is as easy as adding &pct-off=percent at
the end of the amazon URL, where percent can be a number to get exact
discount % (like &pct-off=60-), or a range (like &pct-off=50-70):

You can easily customize the link by changing the department (which
is the number after “node=”) and/or discount percentage. Try these
links for example:

Link to 60% off Office Products
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?node=1064954&pct-off=60-
Link to 85% off Electronics
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?node=172282&pct-off=85-
Link to 70% off Apparel
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/?node=1036682&pct-off=70-
Sounds easy to get some good deal at amazon? There are couple more
quick tips in the article. Check’em out.

Amazon shopping tips and hacks - [ProBargainHunter.com]

http://tinyurl.com/yc3rb2

Grockit Helps MBA Hopefuls Study For The GMAT

http://tinyurl.com/yfe84e

VERY COOL LOOKING:

Cactus building They placed the 98 residential units on 19 floors,
using the pattern of outdoor spaces to determine the overall
appearance of the project. The slightly irregular pattern alternates
these outdoor spaces to create what are in effect double-height
spaces. Each unit then receives more sunlight than a typical stacked
composition.

http://tinyurl.com/yn6sht

250 Free Office Templates and Documents

http://tinyurl.com/y46hm6