Thanks for the continuos support of our blog in 2007.
Happy holidays! Ho Ho Ho!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas From JinJinBlog
We'd like to send our warmest holiday wishes to all of our readers around the globe.
Thanks for the continuos support of our blog in 2007.
Happy holidays! Ho Ho Ho!
Thanks for the continuos support of our blog in 2007.
Happy holidays! Ho Ho Ho!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Adsense Introducing the Ad Review Center
In an effort to provide you with more transparency and control over the ads appearing on your pages, we've developed the Ad Review Center. This new feature, which we'll be rolling out to publishers over the next few months, will allow you to review ads placement-targeted to your site and ensure those ads are relevant to your site's users.
When you first opt into the Ad Review Center, you'll be able to see all placement-targeted ads currently targeted to your site, and a couple of days later you'll be able to review placement-targeted ads that have previously run on your site. If you think an ad is not relevant for your users, you can prevent it from appearing again by blocking it in the Ad Review Center. We recommend you carefully consider the revenue impact of blocking an ad, since blocked ads won't compete in the auction on your site, and advertisers whose ads you block may choose not to target your site again in the future.
In addition to letting publishers weigh in on the relevance of placement-targeted ads, the Ad Review Center will also help advertisers improve their placement-targeted ad campaigns. When you block an ad, you'll be prompted to select a reason. We'll share this constructive feedback with advertisers so they can use it to improve the quality and relevance of future ad campaigns.
As we've done with past features, we're gradually launching the Ad Review Center to all publishers over the next few months. When it has been enabled for your account, you'll see a green notification box at the top of your 'Competitive Ad Filter' page, located under the 'AdSense Setup' tab. By default, the Ad Review Center will let you review all placement-targeted ads after they have run on your site. However, if you have a strong need to manually review ads before they appear on your site, you may do so by clicking on the 'update settings' link in the Ad Review Center. You'll then have 24 hours to review ads before they are automatically allowed to run on your site. Please note that you can also return to the Ad Review Center and allow a previously blocked ad, or block a previously allowed ad.
We strongly recommend you keep your review preference set to 'auto-allow' and review ads after they have run. Ads don't participate in the auction while they are awaiting review, and ads that you have blocked cannot compete in the auction either. The actual revenue impact will vary in each publisher's situation, but when using the Ad Review Center, please consider the revenue effects of blocking ads or switching from the auto-allow setting.
When you first opt into the Ad Review Center, you'll be able to see all placement-targeted ads currently targeted to your site, and a couple of days later you'll be able to review placement-targeted ads that have previously run on your site. If you think an ad is not relevant for your users, you can prevent it from appearing again by blocking it in the Ad Review Center. We recommend you carefully consider the revenue impact of blocking an ad, since blocked ads won't compete in the auction on your site, and advertisers whose ads you block may choose not to target your site again in the future.
In addition to letting publishers weigh in on the relevance of placement-targeted ads, the Ad Review Center will also help advertisers improve their placement-targeted ad campaigns. When you block an ad, you'll be prompted to select a reason. We'll share this constructive feedback with advertisers so they can use it to improve the quality and relevance of future ad campaigns.
As we've done with past features, we're gradually launching the Ad Review Center to all publishers over the next few months. When it has been enabled for your account, you'll see a green notification box at the top of your 'Competitive Ad Filter' page, located under the 'AdSense Setup' tab. By default, the Ad Review Center will let you review all placement-targeted ads after they have run on your site. However, if you have a strong need to manually review ads before they appear on your site, you may do so by clicking on the 'update settings' link in the Ad Review Center. You'll then have 24 hours to review ads before they are automatically allowed to run on your site. Please note that you can also return to the Ad Review Center and allow a previously blocked ad, or block a previously allowed ad.
We strongly recommend you keep your review preference set to 'auto-allow' and review ads after they have run. Ads don't participate in the auction while they are awaiting review, and ads that you have blocked cannot compete in the auction either. The actual revenue impact will vary in each publisher's situation, but when using the Ad Review Center, please consider the revenue effects of blocking ads or switching from the auto-allow setting.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Adsense New Manage Ads Improvements
We've been listening to your comments on our new ad management feature, and so we're excited to tell you about a few updates that stem directly from your requests:
You can now view the ID number associated with a specific custom channel by visiting the 'Channels' link under the 'AdSense Setup' tab. Many of you told us that you needed these channel ID numbers for ad management programs you're using. We've added this information to your account since it no longer appears in your ad code.
Any ad units generated within the last 7 days that haven't yet received any impressions will now be listed as 'New', rather than 'Active', in your status column. This should help avoid confusion about your newest ad units and those already appearing on your pages.
You can now view the most recent date when each of your ad units was updated. Please note that these dates aren't retroactive, so any ad units you generated or edited before this display change will show a last-edited date of November 1st, 2007.
We're starting to slowly roll out the manage ads feature for your referral units. Just as with AdSense for content units, you'll soon be prompted to enter names for your newly generated referral units. If you'd like to make changes to your referral units at a later time, you can visit the 'Manage Ads' page. In the 'Content' column of this page, your referral units will display 'Referrals:' followed by the products or category of products being referred.
It doesn't end here, though -- we've got a few more enhancements planned for the Manage Ads feature in the next few weeks, so keep checking back for more updates. In the meantime, please continue sending your suggestions our way.
You can now view the ID number associated with a specific custom channel by visiting the 'Channels' link under the 'AdSense Setup' tab. Many of you told us that you needed these channel ID numbers for ad management programs you're using. We've added this information to your account since it no longer appears in your ad code.
Any ad units generated within the last 7 days that haven't yet received any impressions will now be listed as 'New', rather than 'Active', in your status column. This should help avoid confusion about your newest ad units and those already appearing on your pages.
You can now view the most recent date when each of your ad units was updated. Please note that these dates aren't retroactive, so any ad units you generated or edited before this display change will show a last-edited date of November 1st, 2007.
We're starting to slowly roll out the manage ads feature for your referral units. Just as with AdSense for content units, you'll soon be prompted to enter names for your newly generated referral units. If you'd like to make changes to your referral units at a later time, you can visit the 'Manage Ads' page. In the 'Content' column of this page, your referral units will display 'Referrals:' followed by the products or category of products being referred.
It doesn't end here, though -- we've got a few more enhancements planned for the Manage Ads feature in the next few weeks, so keep checking back for more updates. In the meantime, please continue sending your suggestions our way.
Friday, November 30, 2007
AdSense for search offered for Thai
Sawadeeka. We'd like to welcome Thai as the newest language to join the AdSense for search family. If you manage a site primarily in Thai, you can now offer Google search results directly on your pages and monetize the results pages. Don't have an account yet? Feel free to submit an application today.
Here are some fun facts about Thailand to celebrate this launch:
The full given name of Bangkok, Thailand's capital city, is "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit". The city's full name is listed as the world's longest place name in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Thai greeting is known as the "wai", which involves bringing the palms together and raising them to a level between the chest and forehead. The higher the hands are held, the more respect is being shown by the greeter.
The island of Ko Samui is known for producing the most types of coconut palm in the world. In addition, it was mentioned in the 2000 comedy Meet the Parents.
Here are some fun facts about Thailand to celebrate this launch:
The full given name of Bangkok, Thailand's capital city, is "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit". The city's full name is listed as the world's longest place name in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Thai greeting is known as the "wai", which involves bringing the palms together and raising them to a level between the chest and forehead. The higher the hands are held, the more respect is being shown by the greeter.
The island of Ko Samui is known for producing the most types of coconut palm in the world. In addition, it was mentioned in the 2000 comedy Meet the Parents.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Adsense Play It Safe, Family-Safe
Many of our publishers regularly ask what is exactly considered adult or mature content by AdSense policies. It's a lot easier to understand when we speak about family-safe content. As you may already know, only ads classified as family-safe will be displayed on AdSense publisher websites.
Our policy regarding adult or mature content may include any material that is not appropriate for all audiences. While this obviously includes full nudity or sexual activity, it may also include textually explicit sexual content, image or video content containing lewd or provocative poses, strategically covered nudity, see-through or sheer clothing, and close-ups of anatomy that would be inappropriate if shown nude. Additionally, topics such as sexual health and sex tips may be held to a higher standard of professionalism than content that isn't bordering on mature.
While it's not a sure test, we sometimes suggest that publishers ask themselves the following questions to determine if content is family-safe: Would I be comfortable viewing this content with my parents or children in the same room? Would I feel comfortable viewing this content if my boss walked up behind me while I had this content on my screen? If the answer to either of these questions is no, then it is likely that some advertisers would not be comfortable showing their ads on such content and we might consider it mature.
Posted by Guillermo Bracciaforte - AdSense Publisher Support
Our policy regarding adult or mature content may include any material that is not appropriate for all audiences. While this obviously includes full nudity or sexual activity, it may also include textually explicit sexual content, image or video content containing lewd or provocative poses, strategically covered nudity, see-through or sheer clothing, and close-ups of anatomy that would be inappropriate if shown nude. Additionally, topics such as sexual health and sex tips may be held to a higher standard of professionalism than content that isn't bordering on mature.
While it's not a sure test, we sometimes suggest that publishers ask themselves the following questions to determine if content is family-safe: Would I be comfortable viewing this content with my parents or children in the same room? Would I feel comfortable viewing this content if my boss walked up behind me while I had this content on my screen? If the answer to either of these questions is no, then it is likely that some advertisers would not be comfortable showing their ads on such content and we might consider it mature.
Posted by Guillermo Bracciaforte - AdSense Publisher Support
Friday, November 16, 2007
Adsense Accidental Clicks Prevention
Earlier this year we stepped back to examine the value users, advertisers, and publishers derive from clicks on content ads. As you integrate ads with your site's content and navigation, we want to ensure a positive user experience. We identified a few areas for improvement and began implementing changes, starting with our new ad formats in April.
Continuing these improvements, we've just changed our text ads slightly to help reduce accidental clicks. In the past, users could click on both the background and full text of an ad, but now they can click only on the title and URL of a text ad. By allowing users to click only on the ad title and URL, we aim to decrease accidental clicks, better aligning visitor behavior with their intent. Overall, the decrease in accidental clicks will keep users on your website, interacting your content, until they intend to click on an ad.
In addition, this new clickable format better aligns with the text ad formats shown on Google.com. We hope this format change contributes to a better, more consistent user experience.
Finally, this change won't just improve user experience on your site; it benefits advertisers as well. We currently monitor clicks on Google ads for accidental clicks, and the format change complements our monitoring system by further ensuring advertisers only pay for meaningful clicks. By reducing accidental clicks, we hope to increase advertiser campaign value and satisfaction, encouraging additional spend and facilitating higher monetization for all publishers.
Continuing these improvements, we've just changed our text ads slightly to help reduce accidental clicks. In the past, users could click on both the background and full text of an ad, but now they can click only on the title and URL of a text ad. By allowing users to click only on the ad title and URL, we aim to decrease accidental clicks, better aligning visitor behavior with their intent. Overall, the decrease in accidental clicks will keep users on your website, interacting your content, until they intend to click on an ad.
In addition, this new clickable format better aligns with the text ad formats shown on Google.com. We hope this format change contributes to a better, more consistent user experience.
Finally, this change won't just improve user experience on your site; it benefits advertisers as well. We currently monitor clicks on Google ads for accidental clicks, and the format change complements our monitoring system by further ensuring advertisers only pay for meaningful clicks. By reducing accidental clicks, we hope to increase advertiser campaign value and satisfaction, encouraging additional spend and facilitating higher monetization for all publishers.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Adsense Placement Targeting
Adsense wanted to let you know about two recent changes to their site targeting feature. As you may know, site targeting allows advertisers to select specific publisher sites on which to run their ads. Advertisers can target your site if they've determined a match between their offerings and the interests of visitors to your site.
The first change is that we’ve renamed 'site targeting' to 'placement targeting' to better reflect the variety of targeting options we offer. Advertisers can still target their ads to an entire site, but they can now also target your individual ad units or groups of pages based on how you’ve set up ad placements using custom channels. Over the next few weeks, we'll be updating references to 'site targeting' in your account and in our Help Center.
The second change is that advertisers can bid on placement-targeted ads (formerly known as site-targeted ads) on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis. Previously, advertisers could only bid on these targeted ads on a cost-per-impression (CPM) basis. Just as with contextually targeted CPC ads, you’ll generate earnings for valid clicks on placement-targeted CPC ads.
While you can also add the URLs of specific CPC placement-targeted ads to your filter list, please keep in mind that all placement-targeted ads will participate in the ad auction with contextually targeted ads. Allowing more ads into the auction will help increase competition and ultimately your revenue.
Finally, we'd like to leave you with a few reminders to help you maximize your revenue potential with placement targeting:
Turn your custom channels into ad placements. These ad placements will allow you to highlight specific sections of your site that may appeal to advertisers.
Enable text and image ads for your ad units. By opting in to different ad types on your site, you'll increase the competition in the ad auction, which can lead to additional revenue for your account over time.
Use the 300x250 Medium Rectangle. This ad format is one of our best-performing ad units, and many advertisers use it when creating rich media (image and video) campaigns. Again, you'll benefit from the increased competition for your ad space.
For more: Adsense Blog
The first change is that we’ve renamed 'site targeting' to 'placement targeting' to better reflect the variety of targeting options we offer. Advertisers can still target their ads to an entire site, but they can now also target your individual ad units or groups of pages based on how you’ve set up ad placements using custom channels. Over the next few weeks, we'll be updating references to 'site targeting' in your account and in our Help Center.
The second change is that advertisers can bid on placement-targeted ads (formerly known as site-targeted ads) on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis. Previously, advertisers could only bid on these targeted ads on a cost-per-impression (CPM) basis. Just as with contextually targeted CPC ads, you’ll generate earnings for valid clicks on placement-targeted CPC ads.
While you can also add the URLs of specific CPC placement-targeted ads to your filter list, please keep in mind that all placement-targeted ads will participate in the ad auction with contextually targeted ads. Allowing more ads into the auction will help increase competition and ultimately your revenue.
Finally, we'd like to leave you with a few reminders to help you maximize your revenue potential with placement targeting:
Turn your custom channels into ad placements. These ad placements will allow you to highlight specific sections of your site that may appeal to advertisers.
Enable text and image ads for your ad units. By opting in to different ad types on your site, you'll increase the competition in the ad auction, which can lead to additional revenue for your account over time.
Use the 300x250 Medium Rectangle. This ad format is one of our best-performing ad units, and many advertisers use it when creating rich media (image and video) campaigns. Again, you'll benefit from the increased competition for your ad space.
For more: Adsense Blog
Friday, November 9, 2007
How to Withdraw Money From Paypal for Malaysian User
Since last month, Paypal had officially allow Malaysian to withdraw money from Paypal (fund transfer to credit card). This should be the best gift for the coming Xmas. However, there are still some technical issue that some users find out like some credit card are not allowed.
For safety reason, I did a research about this to assure my transaction is safe. The outcome is I found from Blogging Secret and Adesblog, PublicBank Debit Card is the best solution and safe way,.
Below is the case study from Adesblog:
Try PublicBank debit card that bears a Visa Electron logo on it.
Test-withdrew $35 on Sep 29, 2007 and after 4 days it was successfully arrived in Public Bank account.
Below is the screenshot from Public Bank account. As you can see it was available on 4th October 2007.
Cost Involved:
Paypal service charge: USD5 per withdrawal
Maximum withdraw: USD500 (RM1750) per day
Minimum: USD 10
Duration: 5 - 7 business days Maximum per day you can withdraw is USD500
Public Bank Debit Card Annual fee: RM24.00 (1st year waived)
For safety reason, I did a research about this to assure my transaction is safe. The outcome is I found from Blogging Secret and Adesblog, PublicBank Debit Card is the best solution and safe way,.
Below is the case study from Adesblog:
Try PublicBank debit card that bears a Visa Electron logo on it.
Test-withdrew $35 on Sep 29, 2007 and after 4 days it was successfully arrived in Public Bank account.
Below is the screenshot from Public Bank account. As you can see it was available on 4th October 2007.
Cost Involved:
Paypal service charge: USD5 per withdrawal
Maximum withdraw: USD500 (RM1750) per day
Minimum: USD 10
Duration: 5 - 7 business days Maximum per day you can withdraw is USD500
Public Bank Debit Card Annual fee: RM24.00 (1st year waived)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Adsense Roll Out Simplified Ad Management Feature
Adsense have started rolling out our new ad management feature to publishers! As a reminder, this feature will save the settings of your ad units within your AdSense account. That means, each time you want to change the colors, channels, or even the corner styles for your ad units, you can make the changes directly in your account rather than generating and pasting new code. Again, we're still working on rolling this feature out to all publishers, so don't worry if you don't see it in your account yet -- it'll be there soon.
Below are a few answers to questions you might have about this new feature:
How has the process of generating new ad code changed?
On the 'Get Ads' page of the 'AdSense Setup' tab, you'll find the same code generation wizard you've used before. At the end of the wizard, you'll now be prompted to provide a name for the ad unit you've just created. We recommend using a descriptive name so that you'll remember where you pasted this ad unit. For instance, use names like "Homepage Leaderboard, example.com" or "Top 300x250, Sports pages." You can find more detailed instructions in our Help Center.
Why do I need to name my new ad units now?
With this new feature, all your new ad code will have a name and an unique ad slot ID. This will help you remember them so you can make changes to them later directly on the 'Manage Ads' page. As noted above, please be as specific as possible when naming your ad units and include information such as location, ad size, and domain.
Will the old ad code on my sites still work?
Any ad code you've generated in the past will continue to work as normal. However, please note that the old ad code will not automatically be updated to include this feature. If you'd like to apply this new feature to your old ad units, you can import the code and save the new settings.
Why don't I see anything after adding a new ad unit to my site?
If you're implementing a newly created ad unit on your site, the ad unit may not appear for up to 10 minutes while our servers are informed about the settings for the new unit. Don't feel like waiting? Simply use the Preview function on the 'Manage Ads' page to check out your updated pages immediately.
I made some changes to my ads, but nothing changed on my site. What happened?
Just as noted above, any changes to the ad unit may take up to 10 minutes to be visible. Feel free to use the Preview function to see your changes immediately.
How do I change the size of my ad units on the 'Manage Ads' page?
Unfortunately, size is one of the few things you can't change with this new feature. To change the size of your ads, you'll need to visit the 'Get Ads' page to generate a new ad unit.
How do I delete some of the ad units I created?
Right now, it isn't possible to delete ad units from within your account. This is designed to help avoid instances where an active ad units might be accidentally deleted. However, ad units that have not generated impressions for 7 days will become 'inactive' and will automatically be hidden. You can check the 'Show inactive AdSense units' box to unhide them.
One last reminder - please keep in mind that this feature only applies to ad code generated from your account at https://www.google.com/adsense. If you create your ad code through one of our partners, such as Blogger, Dada.net, or Apple iWeb, you'll continue to use the standard ad code
Below are a few answers to questions you might have about this new feature:
How has the process of generating new ad code changed?
On the 'Get Ads' page of the 'AdSense Setup' tab, you'll find the same code generation wizard you've used before. At the end of the wizard, you'll now be prompted to provide a name for the ad unit you've just created. We recommend using a descriptive name so that you'll remember where you pasted this ad unit. For instance, use names like "Homepage Leaderboard, example.com" or "Top 300x250, Sports pages." You can find more detailed instructions in our Help Center.
Why do I need to name my new ad units now?
With this new feature, all your new ad code will have a name and an unique ad slot ID. This will help you remember them so you can make changes to them later directly on the 'Manage Ads' page. As noted above, please be as specific as possible when naming your ad units and include information such as location, ad size, and domain.
Will the old ad code on my sites still work?
Any ad code you've generated in the past will continue to work as normal. However, please note that the old ad code will not automatically be updated to include this feature. If you'd like to apply this new feature to your old ad units, you can import the code and save the new settings.
Why don't I see anything after adding a new ad unit to my site?
If you're implementing a newly created ad unit on your site, the ad unit may not appear for up to 10 minutes while our servers are informed about the settings for the new unit. Don't feel like waiting? Simply use the Preview function on the 'Manage Ads' page to check out your updated pages immediately.
I made some changes to my ads, but nothing changed on my site. What happened?
Just as noted above, any changes to the ad unit may take up to 10 minutes to be visible. Feel free to use the Preview function to see your changes immediately.
How do I change the size of my ad units on the 'Manage Ads' page?
Unfortunately, size is one of the few things you can't change with this new feature. To change the size of your ads, you'll need to visit the 'Get Ads' page to generate a new ad unit.
How do I delete some of the ad units I created?
Right now, it isn't possible to delete ad units from within your account. This is designed to help avoid instances where an active ad units might be accidentally deleted. However, ad units that have not generated impressions for 7 days will become 'inactive' and will automatically be hidden. You can check the 'Show inactive AdSense units' box to unhide them.
One last reminder - please keep in mind that this feature only applies to ad code generated from your account at https://www.google.com/adsense. If you create your ad code through one of our partners, such as Blogger, Dada.net, or Apple iWeb, you'll continue to use the standard ad code
Monday, November 5, 2007
Adsense Added Resource Tab
Google Adsense had compiled links to a number of resources under new tab call Resources, including the Help Center, Program Policies, and Help Forum. If you're looking to improve the performance of your ads, you can now easily navigate to the Optimization Tips page or to publisher tools like Analytics. We know it can be tough to keep track of all the official AdSense-related documentation we've put online; that's why we're happy to introduce you to the new Resources tab in your account.
This tab will be useful for user who always looking for the resources most the time.
This tab will be useful for user who always looking for the resources most the time.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Adsense Channel Reports Issue
We'd like to provide you with an update on the recent Adsense channels issue --
Recently, some publishers are unable to view any data for their custom channels. Adsense engineers have now resolved the issue, and they're currently working on including the missing data from the past few days. Your custom channels should now be tracking data as normal. Please be assured that your aggregate reports, which are used to calculate payments, have not been affected
Adsense engineers have been working to provide publishers with their missing data, and you should see this data in your account by early next week. Thanks again for your patience and for bringing this issue to our attention!
Recently, some publishers are unable to view any data for their custom channels. Adsense engineers have now resolved the issue, and they're currently working on including the missing data from the past few days. Your custom channels should now be tracking data as normal. Please be assured that your aggregate reports, which are used to calculate payments, have not been affected
Adsense engineers have been working to provide publishers with their missing data, and you should see this data in your account by early next week. Thanks again for your patience and for bringing this issue to our attention!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Make Adsense Changes Without Replacing Code
We're very excited to let you know about an upcoming feature that lets you easily manage your ad units from within your AdSense account. It isn't live yet, but here's a sneak peek so you'll know what to expect in the coming weeks. (We know many of you have been eagerly anticipating its arrival.)
This new ad management feature means that your ad unit settings (such as colors and channels) for new AdSense for content ad units will be saved in your AdSense account every time you generate ad code. Then, if you'd like to change any of these settings in the future, all you do is make the update within your account -- you'll no longer need to manually replace the ad code on all of your pages. For instance, you can quickly change the borders of all your 300x250 medium rectangles from red to blue with just a few mouse clicks. Fancy! We hope that this new feature will help you save time and will simplify the process of optimizing your ad units.
As we noted above, please keep in mind that the ad management feature isn't yet available in any publisher accounts. We'll be rolling it out in phases in the next few weeks, and we'll follow up with another post at that time to help you better understand how to use the feature. When you see the "Manage Ads" page appear under your AdSense Setup tab, you'll know the feature is available for you to use.
This new ad management feature means that your ad unit settings (such as colors and channels) for new AdSense for content ad units will be saved in your AdSense account every time you generate ad code. Then, if you'd like to change any of these settings in the future, all you do is make the update within your account -- you'll no longer need to manually replace the ad code on all of your pages. For instance, you can quickly change the borders of all your 300x250 medium rectangles from red to blue with just a few mouse clicks. Fancy! We hope that this new feature will help you save time and will simplify the process of optimizing your ad units.
As we noted above, please keep in mind that the ad management feature isn't yet available in any publisher accounts. We'll be rolling it out in phases in the next few weeks, and we'll follow up with another post at that time to help you better understand how to use the feature. When you see the "Manage Ads" page appear under your AdSense Setup tab, you'll know the feature is available for you to use.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Genting Founder, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong Pass Away
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, founder and honorary life president of Genting Group, passed away at 11.20am Tuesday at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
The tycoon, who turned 90 in April this year, was renowned for his vision in transforming Genting Highlands from an unexplored hilltop to one of the world's most successful casino resorts.
The fifth child in a family of seven children, Lim migrated from China's Fujian province in 1937 at the age of 19 with only a small suitcase and US$175.
The idea of a hill resort was chanced upon by Lim amidst the crisp air of Cameron Highlands in 1964. Lim was then working on a hydro-electric power project at the popular hill resort, patronised mostly by British colonials seeking cool refuge from the tropical heat, when he foresaw a prosperous Malaysia of the future desiring a cool mountain holiday resort within the reach of all Malaysians.
To date, Genting Highlands Resort has five hotels and two apartment blocks at the hilltop and Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort.
The company, founded in 1965, has since expanded and diversified from its initial hotel and resort activities to plantations, properties, paper manufacturing, power generation, oil and gas, electronic commerce and information technology development under Genting Group.
According to Forbes Asia, the Genting Group founder was third richest in the country with a net worth of US$4.3bil (RM14.6bil).
Lim is survived by wife Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, and their six children and 19 grandchildren.
Rest in Peace, Uncle Lim
The tycoon, who turned 90 in April this year, was renowned for his vision in transforming Genting Highlands from an unexplored hilltop to one of the world's most successful casino resorts.
The fifth child in a family of seven children, Lim migrated from China's Fujian province in 1937 at the age of 19 with only a small suitcase and US$175.
The idea of a hill resort was chanced upon by Lim amidst the crisp air of Cameron Highlands in 1964. Lim was then working on a hydro-electric power project at the popular hill resort, patronised mostly by British colonials seeking cool refuge from the tropical heat, when he foresaw a prosperous Malaysia of the future desiring a cool mountain holiday resort within the reach of all Malaysians.
To date, Genting Highlands Resort has five hotels and two apartment blocks at the hilltop and Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort.
The company, founded in 1965, has since expanded and diversified from its initial hotel and resort activities to plantations, properties, paper manufacturing, power generation, oil and gas, electronic commerce and information technology development under Genting Group.
According to Forbes Asia, the Genting Group founder was third richest in the country with a net worth of US$4.3bil (RM14.6bil).
Lim is survived by wife Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, and their six children and 19 grandchildren.
Rest in Peace, Uncle Lim
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Adsense Site maintenance on Saturday, October 20th
This Saturday, October 20th, we'll be performing routine site maintenance from 10am to 2pm PDT. You won't be able to sign in to your account during this time period, but rest assured that your ads will still appear and your earnings will continue to be tracked in your account. Here's the start time converted for various cities around the world:
London -- 6 pm Saturday
Athens -- 8 pm Saturday
New Delhi -- 10:30 pm Saturday
Kuala Lumpur -- 1 am Sunday
Sydney -- 3 am Sunday
We hope the down time gives you more time to work on your Halloween costume. If you're all out of costume ideas, how about dressing up as an ad unit? We suggest the medium rectangle for maximum visibility :)
Have a great weekend!
London -- 6 pm Saturday
Athens -- 8 pm Saturday
New Delhi -- 10:30 pm Saturday
Kuala Lumpur -- 1 am Sunday
Sydney -- 3 am Sunday
We hope the down time gives you more time to work on your Halloween costume. If you're all out of costume ideas, how about dressing up as an ad unit? We suggest the medium rectangle for maximum visibility :)
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Adsense Introducing Video Units Ads
AdSense isn't just for ads anymore; it's also a place to get video content for your site -- and earn extra revenue at the same time.
We're excited about the launch of video units -- a new way to enrich your site with quality, relevant video content in an embedded, customizable player. Simply embed a snippet of code and have relevant YouTube partner content streamed to your site. You can choose categories of video to target to your site, select content from individual YouTube partners, or have video automatically targeted to your site content. Companion and text overlay ads are relevant and non-intrusive. To further blend the YouTube player into your site, you can also customize the color scheme and layout as well as choose from three different player sizes.
If you're looking to build "stickiness" with your visitors, show quality YouTube partner video on your site, and earn extra revenue along the way, and want to know more, then review our common questions about video units. You can also check out the video below to see how it works.
Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com
If you're ready to get started now, sign in to your AdSense account and head for the AdSense Setup tab. Click the video units link and you'll be on your way to setting up your first video unit.
We're excited about the launch of video units -- a new way to enrich your site with quality, relevant video content in an embedded, customizable player. Simply embed a snippet of code and have relevant YouTube partner content streamed to your site. You can choose categories of video to target to your site, select content from individual YouTube partners, or have video automatically targeted to your site content. Companion and text overlay ads are relevant and non-intrusive. To further blend the YouTube player into your site, you can also customize the color scheme and layout as well as choose from three different player sizes.
If you're looking to build "stickiness" with your visitors, show quality YouTube partner video on your site, and earn extra revenue along the way, and want to know more, then review our common questions about video units. You can also check out the video below to see how it works.
Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com
If you're ready to get started now, sign in to your AdSense account and head for the AdSense Setup tab. Click the video units link and you'll be on your way to setting up your first video unit.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Adsense New Payment Method by Western Union
We're excited to tell you that we're offering a new payment method for some countries. If you're located in Argentina, Chile, China (Mainland), Colombia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, or Romania, you can now sign up for Western Union Quick Cash, a new form of payment that lets you receive your AdSense payments in cash using the worldwide Western Union money transfer service. Payments will be available for pickup at your local Western Union agent the day after they are issued, according to our normal payment schedule.
It's free to receive your AdSense payments by Western Union; you'll no longer need to wait for a check to arrive in the mail. this choice can also cut down on bank fees and long clearing times associated with depositing checks.
Before you sign up, please keep these important points in mind:
As mentioned above, Western Union Quick Cash is only available in Argentina, Chile, China (Mainland), Colombia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, and Romania. We'll be sure to let you know if we're able to offer new payment options to additional publishers.
This payment method is currently only available to individual payee names; we can't offer it to businesses.
You'll need to bring your government-issued ID to pick up your payment, so please make sure that your AdSense account payee name exactly matches that of your ID. Please contact us if you need to update the payee name in your account.
Payments must be picked up within 35 days of issuance or they will expire. If this happens, a payment hold will be placed on your AdSense account and the payment will be credited back to your account.
Payments will be made in US dollars, but depending on your local Western Union agent, they may be picked up in your local currency.
If you're ready to begin receiving your AdSense payments by Western Union Quick Cash, just follow these instructions. If you have additional questions before getting started, please review the information in our Help Center
P/S: In case you’re wondering if there are special commissions for your money transfers, the answer is yes, Western Union Quick Cash charges $15 for the sums up to $3000, and $25 for the ones over $3000, as Cristian Mezei from Seopedia writes.
Souce: softpedia
It's free to receive your AdSense payments by Western Union; you'll no longer need to wait for a check to arrive in the mail. this choice can also cut down on bank fees and long clearing times associated with depositing checks.
Before you sign up, please keep these important points in mind:
As mentioned above, Western Union Quick Cash is only available in Argentina, Chile, China (Mainland), Colombia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, and Romania. We'll be sure to let you know if we're able to offer new payment options to additional publishers.
This payment method is currently only available to individual payee names; we can't offer it to businesses.
You'll need to bring your government-issued ID to pick up your payment, so please make sure that your AdSense account payee name exactly matches that of your ID. Please contact us if you need to update the payee name in your account.
Payments must be picked up within 35 days of issuance or they will expire. If this happens, a payment hold will be placed on your AdSense account and the payment will be credited back to your account.
Payments will be made in US dollars, but depending on your local Western Union agent, they may be picked up in your local currency.
If you're ready to begin receiving your AdSense payments by Western Union Quick Cash, just follow these instructions. If you have additional questions before getting started, please review the information in our Help Center
P/S: In case you’re wondering if there are special commissions for your money transfers, the answer is yes, Western Union Quick Cash charges $15 for the sums up to $3000, and $25 for the ones over $3000, as Cristian Mezei from Seopedia writes.
Souce: softpedia
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Chinese Taipei Yonex Open 2007
Chen Hong is the sole China entry, although he is officially no longer with the national team, in the men’s singles and will have to be at his best to beat Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, the recent Japan Open winner in Tokyo last Sunday.
CHINA’S, and several other big name eleventh hour withdrawals have left the Chinese Taipei Yonex Open wide open and forced a re-draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Chen Hong is the sole China entry, although he is officially no longer with the national team, in the men’s singles and will have to be at his best to beat Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, the recent Japan Open winner in Tokyo last Sunday.
Chen Hong takes on Malaysia’s Kenn Lim in the first round and is only expected to be stretched in the last eight where he is tipped to take on Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat. Taufik lost to Chong Wei in the final on Sunday.
Denmark’s Peter Gade or South Korea’s Lee Hyun Il is expected to meet Chen Hong or Taufik in the semi-finals.
At the bottom half of the draw, Chong Wei opens his campaign against Indonesia’s Ari Yuli Wahyu Hartanto while the former’s teammate Roslin Hashim begins his quest for a title with a match against Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana.
World Championships silver medallist Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who is tipped to progress to the last four against Chong Wei, plays Hong Kong’s Wong Wai Hong.
In the women’s singles, Hong Kong’s Wang Chen is the new top seed following the withdrawal of Zhang Ning and Xie Xingfang of China. Wang Chen plays Japan’s Kanako Yonekura in the first round.
France’s Pi Hongyan is the No 2 seed but has a tough opener in the form of India’s Saina Nehwal. However, looking to spoil their party will be Denmark’s Tine Rasmussen who was a major sensation in Japan when she downed the likes of Zhang Ning, Lu Lan and Xie Xingfang to win the women’s singles crown.
The Dane, seeded fifth, opens against Germany’s Juliane Schenk and will probably be up against Malaysia’s Julia Wong in the second round and a quarter-final date against the top seeded Wang Chen.
Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan and South Korea’s Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae are expected to battle it out for the men’s doubles title. However, strongly challenging them will be Denmark’s Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen, South Korea’s Lee Jae Jin-Hwang Ji Man and Malaysia’s Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari.
Markis-Hendra have tough opener against Hong Kong’s Albertus Susanto-Yohan Hadikusumo and a win may reward them with another tough encounter against Malaysia’s Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock.
Jung-Lee open against a qualifier and will have tough test in the quarter-finals where Paaske-Rasmussen are expected to qualify.
Local hopes will be pinned on Chien Yu Chin-Cheng Wen Hsing, the top seeds, in the women’s doubles. The seasoned pair play Hong Kong’s Wong Sin Yee-Fung Ying in the opening round and is tipped to face Canada’s Fiona Mckee-Charmaine Reid in the second round.
Expected to be waiting for them in the semi-finals are the dangerous Malaysians Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui.
Japan’s Kumiko Ogura-Reiko Shiota are the No 2 seeds but will face a stern test from Indonesia’s Lilyana Natsir-Vita Marissa for a place in the final.
In the mixed doubles, it could be an all-Indonesia final with Nova Widianto-Lilyana Natsir and Flandi Limpele-Vita Marissa the favourites to feature in the final.
Source: Internationalbadminton.org
CHINA’S, and several other big name eleventh hour withdrawals have left the Chinese Taipei Yonex Open wide open and forced a re-draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Chen Hong is the sole China entry, although he is officially no longer with the national team, in the men’s singles and will have to be at his best to beat Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, the recent Japan Open winner in Tokyo last Sunday.
Chen Hong takes on Malaysia’s Kenn Lim in the first round and is only expected to be stretched in the last eight where he is tipped to take on Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat. Taufik lost to Chong Wei in the final on Sunday.
Denmark’s Peter Gade or South Korea’s Lee Hyun Il is expected to meet Chen Hong or Taufik in the semi-finals.
At the bottom half of the draw, Chong Wei opens his campaign against Indonesia’s Ari Yuli Wahyu Hartanto while the former’s teammate Roslin Hashim begins his quest for a title with a match against Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana.
World Championships silver medallist Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who is tipped to progress to the last four against Chong Wei, plays Hong Kong’s Wong Wai Hong.
In the women’s singles, Hong Kong’s Wang Chen is the new top seed following the withdrawal of Zhang Ning and Xie Xingfang of China. Wang Chen plays Japan’s Kanako Yonekura in the first round.
France’s Pi Hongyan is the No 2 seed but has a tough opener in the form of India’s Saina Nehwal. However, looking to spoil their party will be Denmark’s Tine Rasmussen who was a major sensation in Japan when she downed the likes of Zhang Ning, Lu Lan and Xie Xingfang to win the women’s singles crown.
The Dane, seeded fifth, opens against Germany’s Juliane Schenk and will probably be up against Malaysia’s Julia Wong in the second round and a quarter-final date against the top seeded Wang Chen.
Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan and South Korea’s Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae are expected to battle it out for the men’s doubles title. However, strongly challenging them will be Denmark’s Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen, South Korea’s Lee Jae Jin-Hwang Ji Man and Malaysia’s Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari.
Markis-Hendra have tough opener against Hong Kong’s Albertus Susanto-Yohan Hadikusumo and a win may reward them with another tough encounter against Malaysia’s Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock.
Jung-Lee open against a qualifier and will have tough test in the quarter-finals where Paaske-Rasmussen are expected to qualify.
Local hopes will be pinned on Chien Yu Chin-Cheng Wen Hsing, the top seeds, in the women’s doubles. The seasoned pair play Hong Kong’s Wong Sin Yee-Fung Ying in the opening round and is tipped to face Canada’s Fiona Mckee-Charmaine Reid in the second round.
Expected to be waiting for them in the semi-finals are the dangerous Malaysians Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui.
Japan’s Kumiko Ogura-Reiko Shiota are the No 2 seeds but will face a stern test from Indonesia’s Lilyana Natsir-Vita Marissa for a place in the final.
In the mixed doubles, it could be an all-Indonesia final with Nova Widianto-Lilyana Natsir and Flandi Limpele-Vita Marissa the favourites to feature in the final.
Source: Internationalbadminton.org
Monday, September 17, 2007
2007 Emmy Awards Winner List
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Jeremy Piven - Entourage
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Terry O’Quinn - Lost
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Jaime Pressly as Joy - My Name Is Earl
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Thomas Haden Church - Broken Trail
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Katherine Heigl - Grey’s Anatomy
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program
Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program
Rob Marshall - Tony Bennett: An American Classic
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Robert Duvall - Broken Trail
Outstanding Miniseries
Broken Trail
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
Alan Taylor - The Sopranos
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
David Chase - The Sopranos
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special
Tony Bennett: An American Classic
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Judi Davis - The Starter Wife
Outstanding Made For TV Movie
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Helen Mirren - Prime Suspect
Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Philip Martin - Prime Suspect
Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Frank Deasy - Prime Suspect
Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Television
Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, CurrentTV.com
Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program
Tony Bennett - Tony Bennett: An American Classic
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
Richard Shepard - Ugly Betty
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
Greg Daniels - The Office for “Gay Witch Hunt”
Outstanding Reality-competition Program
The Amazing Race
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Ricky Gervais - Extras
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
America Ferrera - Ugly Betty
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
James Spader - Boston Legal
Outstanding Comedy Series30 Rock
Outstanding Drama Series
The Sopranos
2007 Emmys Awards - Live Summary
We bring you 59th annual Primetime Emmy Awards summary to save your time while cathching your idol and celebrities latest nominations if you not in front of TV.
10:37 p.m. In what has become a favorite Emmy staple, Stephen Colbert (with a loud leaf-blower [run on Al Gore's tears]) and Jon Stewart take the stage ("There's no leaves." "Not anymore."). They're on to talk about the show's claims of environmental-friendly Green-ness and their bit is less amusing than last year's, though I love the line, "If entertainers stop publicly congratulating each other, the earth wins." After something about going online to by carbon offsets so that Peruvian boys can partially resod the Andes (Kevin Bacon? Not laughing), they present outstanding lead actor in a comedy series to...
10:38 p.m. Ricky Gervais of Extras, whose absence forces the line "Ricky Gervais couldn't be here tonight, so instead we're going to give this to our friend Steve Carell." Humorous enthusiasm ensues.
10:41 p.m. Sally Field is a slightly surprising winner for lead actress in a drama series for Brothers & Sisters. Banal writers will observe that Emmy voters like her, they really really like her. Field gets flustered in the middle of a plea to bring our troops home and when she says that if mothers ruled the world there'd be no goddamn war, the Emmy censors cut out. That's kind of pathetic, guys.
10:47 p.m. Peter Boyle is the obvious winner of the "In Memoriam" necrology cheer-meter. "Bud" Melman gets more cheers than Glenn Ford.
10:53 p.m. Roaring along at breakneck speed, outstanding lead actress in a comedy series goes to America Ferrera. I'm contractually obligated to note that while she plays a character who's called "ugly," she, um, isn't. Several of my co-workers want me to point out that Ferrera loses cool points for mentioning NBC bigwig Ben Silverman in her speech.
10:55 p.m. Outstanding lead actor in a drama series goes to James... SPADER? Wait. You sure they read that right? Wasn't it Gandolfini? "I feel like I just stole a pile of money from the mob," Spader says.
11:00 p.m. Even when the Emmys confuse me and leave me scratching my head, it beats the snot out of watching Eric Gagne. I love that they're trying to get this show done as soon as possible, but I'd love to add pictures to this blog!
11:02 p.m. No time for clips. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton present outstanding comedy series to 30 Rock, which is both wonderfully surprising and wonderfully deserving. Also no time for Tina Fey, though I preferred her way of thanking Silverman (in advance for keeping the show on for the next six years).11:02 p.m. No time for clips. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton present outstanding comedy series to 30 Rock, which is both wonderfully surprising and wonderfully deserving. She also thanks their dozens and dozens of viewers.
11:08 p.m. We love Helen Mirren. We love her so much that she gets to present outstanding drama series. While Galdolfini and Falco may have been uset, The Sopranos is not to be denied the night's biggest award. The ovation is long and standing. David Chase thanks the primary members of the cast.
11:12 p.m. Somebody should tell the Emmy producers that the show is already 12 minutes over, so Chase shouldn't be cut off. He ends his speech by vamping on Field's, say, "If the world and this nation were run by gangsters... Maybe it is." Now back to see if the Sox have one more miracle in them.
Late Summary
7:55 p.m. We haven't officially started yet, but I'm curious to see how the theater-in-the-round stage setup plays. American Idol does something similar, so maybe they're hoping to make host Ryan Seacrest comfortable?
8:02 p.m. We were threatened with a Seacrest song-and-dance at the top of the show, so I guess Stewie and Brian Griffin from Family Guy is not such a bad alternative. And for those of you keeping score at home, that's three minutes into the show before our first Sopranos blank-screen reference.
8:05 p.m. Smart move by whoever's writing for Seacrest to lead with self-deprecating jokes, including a Teri Hatcher reference. And, thank goodness, he keeps it good and short, and does not sing.
8:09 p.m. Where'd the picture go? What was Ray Romano saying about Frasier?
8:12 p.m. Ah, so this is how it's going. Seacrest lets the professional comic take the joke-telling reins, and he does a good couple minutes on bieng outa work. He eventually gets around to presenting the night's first award, best supporting actor in a comedy. Entourage's Jeremy Piven wins for the second year in a row, beating office favorite Neil Patrick Harris. We still love you, Barney.
8:14 p.m. Don't know if you've heard, but America Ferrera, who plays Ugly Betty, isn't ugly.
8:15 p.m. I might have gone for his Lost castmate Michael Emerson, but Terry O'Quinn did some darn fine work on the show this past season. And he delivered a darn fine and funny speech too.
8:22 p.m. Seacrest: "Weeds -- great show, amazing after-party. Isn't that right, Paula [Abdul]?" Nice.
8:24 p.m. Jaime Pressly probably deserved her Emmy last year for her standout work on My Name Is Earl. But in a really strong field this year, it wouldn't have been a real injustice to give it to any of them (yes, even the two women from Two and a Half Men). So, while Jenna Fischer, just getting over a broken back, was our sentimental favorite, this was a pretty good makeup call by the Academy.
8:28 p.m. I don't understand what Thomas Haden Church was saying about his pants. But he wins me back with his dedication to David Angell -- the Wings producer who died in one of the 9/11 planes -- and his wife, Lynn.
8:36 p.m. Could we have just had the Tom Snyder tribute without the one-liner montage? Just sayin'.
8:37 p.m. The cast of Entourage plus Eva Longoria. I'm sure this looked cute on paper, but on stage? Not so much. But they are introducing another fantastic category, best supporting actress in a drama. In something of an upset, it's Katherine Hi-jel Heigl. That also makes The Sopranos 0-for-2 in tonight's awards. I really, really, really, really hope this is not the start of a trend.
8:42 p.m. Most underrated part of every Emmy ceremony? The clips for the variety-show writing teams. Based on those alone, I'd give it to the foot-tapping folks from Real Time with Bill Maher, but the folks from Late Night with Conan O'Brien win instead. And folks, that breaks the Conan Curse: O'Brien and his show had been nominated 20 previous times before getting their first win tonight. So the answer to that trivia question is still Newhart, 25 noms without a win.
8:52 p.m. One of the great -- or trivial, whichever -- mysteries of last season may be solved: In singing a duet with Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera fingers the mike like she's playing a trumpet or something. On the Search for the Next Doll show last spring, eventual winner Asia -- she's pursuing a solo career now, by the way -- did that all the time, to our unceasing puzzlement. Maybe that's where she got it?
8:56 p.m. That's two wins for AMC's Broken Trail tonight -- with Robert Duvall joining Thomas Haden Church in taking movie/miniseries acting honors -- on top of one at last week's Creative Arts awards. So, (admittedly very well-made) western on AMC three, landscape-changing show about mobsters on HBO zero.
9:03 p.m. Nice little tribute to Roots, which is 30 years old this year. It holds up remarkably well, and it's kind of a shame to think how bloody hard it would be to get something like that on network TV these days.
9:07 p.m. Make that Broken Trail 4, Sopranos 0, as the former wins for best miniseries. And FOX: You do not play Robert Duvall off the stage. At least they didn't cut to a blogger this time.
9:12 p.m. An hour and 12 minutes into the show, we have our first Sopranos win of the night. Alan Taylor wins for the exceptionally well-done "Kennedy and Heidi" episode, in which [spoiler alert!] Christopher dies.
9:14 p.m. It's no surprise that David Chase wins the drama writing award for the Sopranos finale, but let's take a moment to admire the quality of this ridiculously stacked category. Two other episodes from that show -- "Kennedy and Heidi" and "The Second Coming" -- plus the Lost finale and the two-part Battlestar Galactica premiere from last season. That is some damn good stuff.
9:23 p.m. Awww ... Former Daily Show correspondent Steve Carell gets to present Jon Stewart and the show with the best variety show Emmy. In his speech, Stewart raises a good point. It seems like there's only one micrphone stand on the stage. If you're doing a show in the round, shouldn't you be playing to all parts of the room? Maybe they are and it's just hard to tell on TV. But Stewart's "What a great show ... this part of the audience has seen tonight" crack makes me wonder.
9:29 p.m. Following the lead of Judy Davis, who wins for best supporting actress in a movie or miniseries, but is absent from the ceremony (someone really shoulda told Marcia Cross where she was; is it me, or has the production been a little slipshod tonight?), Academy chairman Dick Askin keeps his remarks short. So that's good.
9:36 p.m. Big applause for the over-40 women lead actresses on cable. Maybe someday we can get one on network TV too.
9:37 p.m. Those over-40 women -- Mary-Louise Parker, Glenn Close and Kyra Sedgwick -- present the award for best made-for-TV movie to HBO's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Exec producer Dick Wolf is very gracious in his acceptance speech, but he's more fun when he's prickly and contentious at press tours.
9:41 p.m. The Jersey Boys tribute to The Sopranos is just about exactly as cheesy as a lot of people feared. This isn't Rob Lowe and Snow White bad -- the performers are talented, at least -- but if they're going for ironic underscoring of the clip montage, it's just not working.
9:45 p.m. And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Daniel Fienberg, who'll take you through the rest of the show.
9:48 p.m. Thanks Rick. Because it's not like I wanted to be watching the Red Sox or Patriots games. If this is the lowest-rated Emmy telecast ever, it isn't because of Seacrest or the nominated shows. It's because there are better things on. Anywho...
9:50 p.m. There's a bylaw somewhere that Helen Mirren has to win everything. She isn't just the queen. She's all queens ever. A winner for the fourth time and second year in a row (this time for something "Prime Suspect"-y), she vows to keep talking until she gets played off. "You Americans are wonderfully generous people..." she says, before adding that we're some less savory things as well. She actually runs out of things to say and has to beg to be played off.
9:52 p.m. Who gets to follow Dame Mirren? Lewis Black, naturally. As you might imagine, he's a little bit angry about something, in this case, little network chyrons telling viewers what's on next ("Have you forgotten what your job is? It's to tell story... It's not to tell us in the middle of a story what show is coming on next, or which one is premiering two weeks from now."). He's also ticked off by TV news, both its overall quality and its annoying informational crawls.
9:59 p.m. It's the "Prime Suspect" programming block at the Emmys as Phillip Martin and Frank Deasy win for directing and writing the latest Mirren opus. After so much adulation for "Broken Trail" and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" already tonight, these wins have to be considered a minor surprise. Not the Mirren win. Nobody's surprised there.
10:02 p.m. Awkward moment as Seacrest goes to Tony Sirico and says, "Mr. Walnuts, the ushers have asked that you stop shanking seat-fillers." Nobody laughs. Particularly Sirico.
10:04 p.m. An entire audience of Hollywood celebrities rise to give a standing ovation to the man behind CurrentTV even though 99.99 percent of them don't know if they get CurrentTV. It helps that he looks a lot like Al Gore. If he didn't look like Al Gore, I somehow doubt that we'd be hearing anything about CurrentTV on the live primetime telecast.
10:07 p.m. In the finest piece of promotion for 'Til Death since FOX put it after American Idol, stars Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher come out and make one joke after another about her breasts ("I think you just made Charlie Sheen's to-do list." "It's nothing like the very real threat of nipple to keep the audience tuned in.").
10:10 p.m. Stephen Colbert's newest vendetta is against Tony Bennett, as the legendary crooner beats the fake pundit for outstanding individual performance in a music, variety or comedy thingie. The Colbert Nation can go back to not caring about Barry Manilow.
10:13 p.m. It doesn't get much better than Elaine Stritch. Whether she's yawning at Stanley Tucci's teleprompter text, failing to follow her own lines or talking about how the reason she doesn't do TV because she's too expensive, she's batty and brilliant. Tucci and Stritch give comedy writing and directing trophies to Greg Daniels (for the "Gay Witch Hunt" episode of The Office) and Richard Shepard for the Ugly Betty pilot.
10:21 p.m. Oooh! It's time for "Things that looked good on paper." Up first is Seacrest pointlessly popping up in Henry the 8th garb. He makes a gay joke, passes the spotlight to Wayne Brady and exits. Brady is there because he hosts a FOX reality show and he sets up a parody of Don't Forget the Lyrics! in which Rainn Wilson and Kanye West compete to present an Emmy. The category is "The Songs of Kanye West," but Wilson wins! Who ever could have seen that coming? I start ignoring the end of the bit to watch the wonder that is Mr. Randy Moss.
10:25 p.m. Well that just tears it. American Idol gave $70 million to charity. They resurrected Elvis to perform with Celine Dion. They brought back Akon over and over again. What more do you want, Emmy voters?!?!? Once again, the award for outstanding reality competition program goes to The Amazing Race, the Helen Mirren of this category.
10:35 p.m. Ignoring Derek Jeter.
Source: http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/09/emmys-2007-minu.html
10:37 p.m. In what has become a favorite Emmy staple, Stephen Colbert (with a loud leaf-blower [run on Al Gore's tears]) and Jon Stewart take the stage ("There's no leaves." "Not anymore."). They're on to talk about the show's claims of environmental-friendly Green-ness and their bit is less amusing than last year's, though I love the line, "If entertainers stop publicly congratulating each other, the earth wins." After something about going online to by carbon offsets so that Peruvian boys can partially resod the Andes (Kevin Bacon? Not laughing), they present outstanding lead actor in a comedy series to...
10:38 p.m. Ricky Gervais of Extras, whose absence forces the line "Ricky Gervais couldn't be here tonight, so instead we're going to give this to our friend Steve Carell." Humorous enthusiasm ensues.
10:41 p.m. Sally Field is a slightly surprising winner for lead actress in a drama series for Brothers & Sisters. Banal writers will observe that Emmy voters like her, they really really like her. Field gets flustered in the middle of a plea to bring our troops home and when she says that if mothers ruled the world there'd be no goddamn war, the Emmy censors cut out. That's kind of pathetic, guys.
10:47 p.m. Peter Boyle is the obvious winner of the "In Memoriam" necrology cheer-meter. "Bud" Melman gets more cheers than Glenn Ford.
10:53 p.m. Roaring along at breakneck speed, outstanding lead actress in a comedy series goes to America Ferrera. I'm contractually obligated to note that while she plays a character who's called "ugly," she, um, isn't. Several of my co-workers want me to point out that Ferrera loses cool points for mentioning NBC bigwig Ben Silverman in her speech.
10:55 p.m. Outstanding lead actor in a drama series goes to James... SPADER? Wait. You sure they read that right? Wasn't it Gandolfini? "I feel like I just stole a pile of money from the mob," Spader says.
11:00 p.m. Even when the Emmys confuse me and leave me scratching my head, it beats the snot out of watching Eric Gagne. I love that they're trying to get this show done as soon as possible, but I'd love to add pictures to this blog!
11:02 p.m. No time for clips. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton present outstanding comedy series to 30 Rock, which is both wonderfully surprising and wonderfully deserving. Also no time for Tina Fey, though I preferred her way of thanking Silverman (in advance for keeping the show on for the next six years).11:02 p.m. No time for clips. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton present outstanding comedy series to 30 Rock, which is both wonderfully surprising and wonderfully deserving. She also thanks their dozens and dozens of viewers.
11:08 p.m. We love Helen Mirren. We love her so much that she gets to present outstanding drama series. While Galdolfini and Falco may have been uset, The Sopranos is not to be denied the night's biggest award. The ovation is long and standing. David Chase thanks the primary members of the cast.
11:12 p.m. Somebody should tell the Emmy producers that the show is already 12 minutes over, so Chase shouldn't be cut off. He ends his speech by vamping on Field's, say, "If the world and this nation were run by gangsters... Maybe it is." Now back to see if the Sox have one more miracle in them.
Late Summary
7:55 p.m. We haven't officially started yet, but I'm curious to see how the theater-in-the-round stage setup plays. American Idol does something similar, so maybe they're hoping to make host Ryan Seacrest comfortable?
8:02 p.m. We were threatened with a Seacrest song-and-dance at the top of the show, so I guess Stewie and Brian Griffin from Family Guy is not such a bad alternative. And for those of you keeping score at home, that's three minutes into the show before our first Sopranos blank-screen reference.
8:05 p.m. Smart move by whoever's writing for Seacrest to lead with self-deprecating jokes, including a Teri Hatcher reference. And, thank goodness, he keeps it good and short, and does not sing.
8:09 p.m. Where'd the picture go? What was Ray Romano saying about Frasier?
8:12 p.m. Ah, so this is how it's going. Seacrest lets the professional comic take the joke-telling reins, and he does a good couple minutes on bieng outa work. He eventually gets around to presenting the night's first award, best supporting actor in a comedy. Entourage's Jeremy Piven wins for the second year in a row, beating office favorite Neil Patrick Harris. We still love you, Barney.
8:14 p.m. Don't know if you've heard, but America Ferrera, who plays Ugly Betty, isn't ugly.
8:15 p.m. I might have gone for his Lost castmate Michael Emerson, but Terry O'Quinn did some darn fine work on the show this past season. And he delivered a darn fine and funny speech too.
8:22 p.m. Seacrest: "Weeds -- great show, amazing after-party. Isn't that right, Paula [Abdul]?" Nice.
8:24 p.m. Jaime Pressly probably deserved her Emmy last year for her standout work on My Name Is Earl. But in a really strong field this year, it wouldn't have been a real injustice to give it to any of them (yes, even the two women from Two and a Half Men). So, while Jenna Fischer, just getting over a broken back, was our sentimental favorite, this was a pretty good makeup call by the Academy.
8:28 p.m. I don't understand what Thomas Haden Church was saying about his pants. But he wins me back with his dedication to David Angell -- the Wings producer who died in one of the 9/11 planes -- and his wife, Lynn.
8:36 p.m. Could we have just had the Tom Snyder tribute without the one-liner montage? Just sayin'.
8:37 p.m. The cast of Entourage plus Eva Longoria. I'm sure this looked cute on paper, but on stage? Not so much. But they are introducing another fantastic category, best supporting actress in a drama. In something of an upset, it's Katherine Hi-jel Heigl. That also makes The Sopranos 0-for-2 in tonight's awards. I really, really, really, really hope this is not the start of a trend.
8:42 p.m. Most underrated part of every Emmy ceremony? The clips for the variety-show writing teams. Based on those alone, I'd give it to the foot-tapping folks from Real Time with Bill Maher, but the folks from Late Night with Conan O'Brien win instead. And folks, that breaks the Conan Curse: O'Brien and his show had been nominated 20 previous times before getting their first win tonight. So the answer to that trivia question is still Newhart, 25 noms without a win.
8:52 p.m. One of the great -- or trivial, whichever -- mysteries of last season may be solved: In singing a duet with Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera fingers the mike like she's playing a trumpet or something. On the Search for the Next Doll show last spring, eventual winner Asia -- she's pursuing a solo career now, by the way -- did that all the time, to our unceasing puzzlement. Maybe that's where she got it?
8:56 p.m. That's two wins for AMC's Broken Trail tonight -- with Robert Duvall joining Thomas Haden Church in taking movie/miniseries acting honors -- on top of one at last week's Creative Arts awards. So, (admittedly very well-made) western on AMC three, landscape-changing show about mobsters on HBO zero.
9:03 p.m. Nice little tribute to Roots, which is 30 years old this year. It holds up remarkably well, and it's kind of a shame to think how bloody hard it would be to get something like that on network TV these days.
9:07 p.m. Make that Broken Trail 4, Sopranos 0, as the former wins for best miniseries. And FOX: You do not play Robert Duvall off the stage. At least they didn't cut to a blogger this time.
9:12 p.m. An hour and 12 minutes into the show, we have our first Sopranos win of the night. Alan Taylor wins for the exceptionally well-done "Kennedy and Heidi" episode, in which [spoiler alert!] Christopher dies.
9:14 p.m. It's no surprise that David Chase wins the drama writing award for the Sopranos finale, but let's take a moment to admire the quality of this ridiculously stacked category. Two other episodes from that show -- "Kennedy and Heidi" and "The Second Coming" -- plus the Lost finale and the two-part Battlestar Galactica premiere from last season. That is some damn good stuff.
9:23 p.m. Awww ... Former Daily Show correspondent Steve Carell gets to present Jon Stewart and the show with the best variety show Emmy. In his speech, Stewart raises a good point. It seems like there's only one micrphone stand on the stage. If you're doing a show in the round, shouldn't you be playing to all parts of the room? Maybe they are and it's just hard to tell on TV. But Stewart's "What a great show ... this part of the audience has seen tonight" crack makes me wonder.
9:29 p.m. Following the lead of Judy Davis, who wins for best supporting actress in a movie or miniseries, but is absent from the ceremony (someone really shoulda told Marcia Cross where she was; is it me, or has the production been a little slipshod tonight?), Academy chairman Dick Askin keeps his remarks short. So that's good.
9:36 p.m. Big applause for the over-40 women lead actresses on cable. Maybe someday we can get one on network TV too.
9:37 p.m. Those over-40 women -- Mary-Louise Parker, Glenn Close and Kyra Sedgwick -- present the award for best made-for-TV movie to HBO's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Exec producer Dick Wolf is very gracious in his acceptance speech, but he's more fun when he's prickly and contentious at press tours.
9:41 p.m. The Jersey Boys tribute to The Sopranos is just about exactly as cheesy as a lot of people feared. This isn't Rob Lowe and Snow White bad -- the performers are talented, at least -- but if they're going for ironic underscoring of the clip montage, it's just not working.
9:45 p.m. And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Daniel Fienberg, who'll take you through the rest of the show.
9:48 p.m. Thanks Rick. Because it's not like I wanted to be watching the Red Sox or Patriots games. If this is the lowest-rated Emmy telecast ever, it isn't because of Seacrest or the nominated shows. It's because there are better things on. Anywho...
9:50 p.m. There's a bylaw somewhere that Helen Mirren has to win everything. She isn't just the queen. She's all queens ever. A winner for the fourth time and second year in a row (this time for something "Prime Suspect"-y), she vows to keep talking until she gets played off. "You Americans are wonderfully generous people..." she says, before adding that we're some less savory things as well. She actually runs out of things to say and has to beg to be played off.
9:52 p.m. Who gets to follow Dame Mirren? Lewis Black, naturally. As you might imagine, he's a little bit angry about something, in this case, little network chyrons telling viewers what's on next ("Have you forgotten what your job is? It's to tell story... It's not to tell us in the middle of a story what show is coming on next, or which one is premiering two weeks from now."). He's also ticked off by TV news, both its overall quality and its annoying informational crawls.
9:59 p.m. It's the "Prime Suspect" programming block at the Emmys as Phillip Martin and Frank Deasy win for directing and writing the latest Mirren opus. After so much adulation for "Broken Trail" and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" already tonight, these wins have to be considered a minor surprise. Not the Mirren win. Nobody's surprised there.
10:02 p.m. Awkward moment as Seacrest goes to Tony Sirico and says, "Mr. Walnuts, the ushers have asked that you stop shanking seat-fillers." Nobody laughs. Particularly Sirico.
10:04 p.m. An entire audience of Hollywood celebrities rise to give a standing ovation to the man behind CurrentTV even though 99.99 percent of them don't know if they get CurrentTV. It helps that he looks a lot like Al Gore. If he didn't look like Al Gore, I somehow doubt that we'd be hearing anything about CurrentTV on the live primetime telecast.
10:07 p.m. In the finest piece of promotion for 'Til Death since FOX put it after American Idol, stars Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher come out and make one joke after another about her breasts ("I think you just made Charlie Sheen's to-do list." "It's nothing like the very real threat of nipple to keep the audience tuned in.").
10:10 p.m. Stephen Colbert's newest vendetta is against Tony Bennett, as the legendary crooner beats the fake pundit for outstanding individual performance in a music, variety or comedy thingie. The Colbert Nation can go back to not caring about Barry Manilow.
10:13 p.m. It doesn't get much better than Elaine Stritch. Whether she's yawning at Stanley Tucci's teleprompter text, failing to follow her own lines or talking about how the reason she doesn't do TV because she's too expensive, she's batty and brilliant. Tucci and Stritch give comedy writing and directing trophies to Greg Daniels (for the "Gay Witch Hunt" episode of The Office) and Richard Shepard for the Ugly Betty pilot.
10:21 p.m. Oooh! It's time for "Things that looked good on paper." Up first is Seacrest pointlessly popping up in Henry the 8th garb. He makes a gay joke, passes the spotlight to Wayne Brady and exits. Brady is there because he hosts a FOX reality show and he sets up a parody of Don't Forget the Lyrics! in which Rainn Wilson and Kanye West compete to present an Emmy. The category is "The Songs of Kanye West," but Wilson wins! Who ever could have seen that coming? I start ignoring the end of the bit to watch the wonder that is Mr. Randy Moss.
10:25 p.m. Well that just tears it. American Idol gave $70 million to charity. They resurrected Elvis to perform with Celine Dion. They brought back Akon over and over again. What more do you want, Emmy voters?!?!? Once again, the award for outstanding reality competition program goes to The Amazing Race, the Helen Mirren of this category.
10:35 p.m. Ignoring Derek Jeter.
Source: http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/09/emmys-2007-minu.html
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Microsoft Live Pets
Windows Live Messenger users are now just a click away from exploring a virtual world as Microsoft Casual Games partners with GoPets Ltd to launch GoPets on Windows Live Messenger. You can bring your pets to everywhere.
Inhabited by pets that owners can create and customise, the virtual GoPets world on Windows Live Messenger offers an environment to explore, casual games to play, groups to join and countless ways to express individuality. The relationship between Microsoft and GoPets Ltd brings about the unique integration of a virtual world into an instant messaging (IM) service.
“GoPets on Windows Live Messenger takes instant messaging to the next level of 3-D interactivity,” said Barrie Ooi, Regional Product Manager for Microsoft Online Services Group SEA. “Teaming up with GoPets enables us to provide the Windows Live Messenger network with this new social networking experience.”
“GoPets is an online community where anyone can adopt a pet, customize it to their liking and interact with other pet owners anywhere in the GoPets virtual world at any time of day,” said Erik Bethke, CEO and founder of GoPets Ltd. “With direct access through Windows Live Messenger, it will be even easier for pet fans to make friends all over the world through common interests and shared experiences, such as chatting and playing games on the Windows Live Messenger and GoPets platforms.”
With a growing user base of nearly 260 million active accounts worldwide, Windows Live Messenger is the world’s most-used IM service. Current Windows Live Messenger users in more than 30 countries can travel the world with GoPets by visiting http://games.msn.com/en/general/article/mgopmessengerlaunch.htm or by clicking the Games icon on the left side of the Windows Live Messenger window and selecting GoPets. New Windows Live Messenger users can visit http://messenger.live.com to connect and share instantly on the world’s most popular IM network.
Source: http://www.lowyat.net/v2/latest/microsoft-live-pets-2.html
Inhabited by pets that owners can create and customise, the virtual GoPets world on Windows Live Messenger offers an environment to explore, casual games to play, groups to join and countless ways to express individuality. The relationship between Microsoft and GoPets Ltd brings about the unique integration of a virtual world into an instant messaging (IM) service.
“GoPets on Windows Live Messenger takes instant messaging to the next level of 3-D interactivity,” said Barrie Ooi, Regional Product Manager for Microsoft Online Services Group SEA. “Teaming up with GoPets enables us to provide the Windows Live Messenger network with this new social networking experience.”
“GoPets is an online community where anyone can adopt a pet, customize it to their liking and interact with other pet owners anywhere in the GoPets virtual world at any time of day,” said Erik Bethke, CEO and founder of GoPets Ltd. “With direct access through Windows Live Messenger, it will be even easier for pet fans to make friends all over the world through common interests and shared experiences, such as chatting and playing games on the Windows Live Messenger and GoPets platforms.”
With a growing user base of nearly 260 million active accounts worldwide, Windows Live Messenger is the world’s most-used IM service. Current Windows Live Messenger users in more than 30 countries can travel the world with GoPets by visiting http://games.msn.com/en/general/article/mgopmessengerlaunch.htm or by clicking the Games icon on the left side of the Windows Live Messenger window and selecting GoPets. New Windows Live Messenger users can visit http://messenger.live.com to connect and share instantly on the world’s most popular IM network.
Source: http://www.lowyat.net/v2/latest/microsoft-live-pets-2.html
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Tenor Luciano Pavarotti dead at 71
This to announce that Pavarotti had left us this morning. It's a great loss and he brings lot of wonderful voice to us. Farewell to him. Salute to the Man with Great Voice.
Famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who appeared on stage with singers as varied as opera star Dame Joan Sutherland, U2's Bono and Liza Minnelli, died Thursday after suffering from pancreatic cancer, his manager Terri Robson said in a statement. He was 71.
"The great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, died today at 5:00 a.m. at his home in Modena, the city of his birth," according to Robson.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."
According to Robson, his wife, Nicoletta; his daughters, Lorenza, Cristina, Giuliana and Alice; his sister, Gabriela; and other relatives and friends were at his side when he died.
The portly singer retired from staged opera in 2004, but was on a "farewell tour" of concerts when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor.
Although the remaining concerts of his tour were canceled, his management said that he hoped to resume the tour in 2007.
But in early August, Pavarotti was hospitalized in Modena with a fever and released 17 days later after undergoing diagnostic tests.
Pavarotti is survived by his wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and a daughter, Alice, along with three grown daughters by his first wife, Adua Veroni, whom he divorced in 2000, and a granddaughter.
Much as the star power of Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov revived widespread interest in classical ballet in the 1970s and 1980s, Pavarotti's beaming charisma and bravura style captured the attention of the late-20th-century audience for opera.
Widely considered the greatest tenor of his time, Pavarotti began his life modestly in Modena, the son of Fernando, a baker and amateur singer, and Adele, who worked at the local tobacco factory.
"I dreamed to become a singer when I was four and I hear my father singing in the church with a beautiful tenor voice," he told CNN in a 1991 interview. "And I say to myself, well, let's try to do something."
The young Pavarotti -- who played soccer with his town's junior team -- joined the church choir with his father and traveled with him to Wales, where the singing group won first prize at the Llangollen International singing competition.
Although the experience left Pavarotti enthralled with singing, he graduated from the local teaching institute in 1955 and taught elementary school for two years, then worked as an insurance salesman. He continued his vocal studies, however, working first with with Arrigo Pola and then with Ettore Campogalliani.
Then, in 1961, Pavarotti won the prestigious Concorso Internazionale and made his operatic debut at the Reggio Emilia Theater as Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme." His fame spread throughout Italy and then throughout the European continent as he made his international debut in Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata" in Belgrade.
When Dame Joan Sutherland brought him onstage with her during a performance of Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" with the Greater Miami Opera in 1965, Pavarotti began his American career. He debuted at New York's Metropolitan Opera House three years later, and eventually marked 379 performances there, including his final opera, Puccini's "Tosca" in 2004, in which he performed as the painter Mario Cavaradossi.
In between Pavarotti sold millions of records and raised millions of dollars for charity through benefit concerts, often sharing the stage with pop stars as well as other opera singers.
Of his recordings, 1990's "The Essential Pavarotti" was the first classical album to reach No. 1 on Britain's pop charts, where it remained for 5 weeks. 1994's "The Three Tenors in Concert," with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, remains the best selling classical album of all time.
Pavarotti joined with Domingo and Carreras in 1990, and although critics complained that Pavarotti's vocal skills were waning, the trio performed together for 14 years.
Among his charities were a 1995 "Concert for Bosnia" that raised $8.5 million and other concerts that raised $3.3 million for refugees from Afghanistan and $1 million for refugees from Kosovo.
In artistic terms, Pavarotti brought to the stage a voice neatly suited to the traditional bel canto, or "beautiful singing" style, essential to 17th-century Italian opera. As much about intensity as pitch, bel canto focuses the voice, concentrating the sound with both outstanding warmth and agility.
So demanding is this work even of the best singers that Pavarotti in concert recital could be seen rising to the balls of his feet during the most challenging passages. A long, white handkerchief always hung from one hand as he sang, his eyebrows arched high in the effort, forming an expression seemingly of surprise at his own success.
From his small beginnings, Pavarotti rose to great heights, performing in front of 500,000 people in New York's Central Park -- a concert seen by millions on television -- and before another 300,000 at Paris' Eiffel Tower.
He won countless awards and honors -- including five Grammys -- and was named United Nations Messenger for Peace by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He launched an international competition, The Pavarotti International Voice Competition, in 1982. He even founded a teaching facility for young singers in his home town.
His signature aria, Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" from "Turandot," was chosen as the theme music for the 1990 soccer World Cup, hosted by Italy. He also performed the aria at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
The great singer was also known as an equestrian expert, organizing one of the international show jumping circuit's most important competitions, the Pavarotti International, in Modena. Coinciding with that event, Pavarotti also staged an annual charity concert, Pavarotti and Friends.
When cancer finally stopped Pavarotti from singing, it was only the second interruption of his career.
"I think I just stop for one year when from a kid I become a man and the voice is changing," he said in 1991. "I was an alto and become a tenor and that is the only time I think I remember to have stopped singing. Otherwise I have sung all my life."
Amid reports this week that his condition was worsening, it was announced in Rome on Tuesday (Sept. 4) by Italy's cultural minister, Francesco Rotelli, Pavarotti is receiving a newly created prize for excellence in cultural achievement.
The New York Times' Alan Riding pointed out in a February article that ironically, the modern-day popularity of operatic work has prompted the building of new opera houses in many major centers including Copenhagen, Tokyo and -- coming next year, Beijing -- at a time when the repertoire remains rooted in centuries-old work and the costs of production make tickets prohibitive for most younger would-be audience members.
For opera to survive today, Riding wrote, it needs not only new music but also "exciting young singers." Pavarotti was that singer, in the right place and the right time for his generation
Source: CNN
Famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who appeared on stage with singers as varied as opera star Dame Joan Sutherland, U2's Bono and Liza Minnelli, died Thursday after suffering from pancreatic cancer, his manager Terri Robson said in a statement. He was 71.
"The great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, died today at 5:00 a.m. at his home in Modena, the city of his birth," according to Robson.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."
According to Robson, his wife, Nicoletta; his daughters, Lorenza, Cristina, Giuliana and Alice; his sister, Gabriela; and other relatives and friends were at his side when he died.
The portly singer retired from staged opera in 2004, but was on a "farewell tour" of concerts when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor.
Although the remaining concerts of his tour were canceled, his management said that he hoped to resume the tour in 2007.
But in early August, Pavarotti was hospitalized in Modena with a fever and released 17 days later after undergoing diagnostic tests.
Pavarotti is survived by his wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and a daughter, Alice, along with three grown daughters by his first wife, Adua Veroni, whom he divorced in 2000, and a granddaughter.
Much as the star power of Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov revived widespread interest in classical ballet in the 1970s and 1980s, Pavarotti's beaming charisma and bravura style captured the attention of the late-20th-century audience for opera.
Widely considered the greatest tenor of his time, Pavarotti began his life modestly in Modena, the son of Fernando, a baker and amateur singer, and Adele, who worked at the local tobacco factory.
"I dreamed to become a singer when I was four and I hear my father singing in the church with a beautiful tenor voice," he told CNN in a 1991 interview. "And I say to myself, well, let's try to do something."
The young Pavarotti -- who played soccer with his town's junior team -- joined the church choir with his father and traveled with him to Wales, where the singing group won first prize at the Llangollen International singing competition.
Although the experience left Pavarotti enthralled with singing, he graduated from the local teaching institute in 1955 and taught elementary school for two years, then worked as an insurance salesman. He continued his vocal studies, however, working first with with Arrigo Pola and then with Ettore Campogalliani.
Then, in 1961, Pavarotti won the prestigious Concorso Internazionale and made his operatic debut at the Reggio Emilia Theater as Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme." His fame spread throughout Italy and then throughout the European continent as he made his international debut in Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata" in Belgrade.
When Dame Joan Sutherland brought him onstage with her during a performance of Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" with the Greater Miami Opera in 1965, Pavarotti began his American career. He debuted at New York's Metropolitan Opera House three years later, and eventually marked 379 performances there, including his final opera, Puccini's "Tosca" in 2004, in which he performed as the painter Mario Cavaradossi.
In between Pavarotti sold millions of records and raised millions of dollars for charity through benefit concerts, often sharing the stage with pop stars as well as other opera singers.
Of his recordings, 1990's "The Essential Pavarotti" was the first classical album to reach No. 1 on Britain's pop charts, where it remained for 5 weeks. 1994's "The Three Tenors in Concert," with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, remains the best selling classical album of all time.
Pavarotti joined with Domingo and Carreras in 1990, and although critics complained that Pavarotti's vocal skills were waning, the trio performed together for 14 years.
Among his charities were a 1995 "Concert for Bosnia" that raised $8.5 million and other concerts that raised $3.3 million for refugees from Afghanistan and $1 million for refugees from Kosovo.
In artistic terms, Pavarotti brought to the stage a voice neatly suited to the traditional bel canto, or "beautiful singing" style, essential to 17th-century Italian opera. As much about intensity as pitch, bel canto focuses the voice, concentrating the sound with both outstanding warmth and agility.
So demanding is this work even of the best singers that Pavarotti in concert recital could be seen rising to the balls of his feet during the most challenging passages. A long, white handkerchief always hung from one hand as he sang, his eyebrows arched high in the effort, forming an expression seemingly of surprise at his own success.
From his small beginnings, Pavarotti rose to great heights, performing in front of 500,000 people in New York's Central Park -- a concert seen by millions on television -- and before another 300,000 at Paris' Eiffel Tower.
He won countless awards and honors -- including five Grammys -- and was named United Nations Messenger for Peace by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He launched an international competition, The Pavarotti International Voice Competition, in 1982. He even founded a teaching facility for young singers in his home town.
His signature aria, Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" from "Turandot," was chosen as the theme music for the 1990 soccer World Cup, hosted by Italy. He also performed the aria at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
The great singer was also known as an equestrian expert, organizing one of the international show jumping circuit's most important competitions, the Pavarotti International, in Modena. Coinciding with that event, Pavarotti also staged an annual charity concert, Pavarotti and Friends.
When cancer finally stopped Pavarotti from singing, it was only the second interruption of his career.
"I think I just stop for one year when from a kid I become a man and the voice is changing," he said in 1991. "I was an alto and become a tenor and that is the only time I think I remember to have stopped singing. Otherwise I have sung all my life."
Amid reports this week that his condition was worsening, it was announced in Rome on Tuesday (Sept. 4) by Italy's cultural minister, Francesco Rotelli, Pavarotti is receiving a newly created prize for excellence in cultural achievement.
The New York Times' Alan Riding pointed out in a February article that ironically, the modern-day popularity of operatic work has prompted the building of new opera houses in many major centers including Copenhagen, Tokyo and -- coming next year, Beijing -- at a time when the repertoire remains rooted in centuries-old work and the costs of production make tickets prohibitive for most younger would-be audience members.
For opera to survive today, Riding wrote, it needs not only new music but also "exciting young singers." Pavarotti was that singer, in the right place and the right time for his generation
Source: CNN
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
AdSense Blog launches in Chinese
Inside Adsense Chinese had been launched for the Chinese community. Have your time to view the latest blog.
Today, we're excited to announce the launch of our 11th AdSense blog -- Inside AdSense: AdSense 中文博客. The new blog is written in Simplified Chinese, and will provide Chinese-speaking publishers with the latest AdSense updates and announcements. Members of the Chinese support team will be addressing commonly asked questions, sharing optimization advice, and introducing you to publishers who have been successful with the program.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Mega Millions prize hits $250 million
The mega millions lottery, $250 million jackpot waiting for someone with the winning ticket.There was no winner in Friday's prize drawing for Mega Millions, the multi-state lottery that Washington Lottery joined in 2002.
That means that the prize pot only continued to climb and now stands at a quarter of a billion dollars for Tuesday's 8 p.m. jackpot drawing.
The current record in Washington for a single winning ticket is $93 million, awarded in November 2002 to a Hoquiam man.
According to New York State lottery if someone wins the 250 million they will only receive about 146 after taxes. Payments can be a lump sum or installments.
Don't miss out the mega million chance. Remember you can watch the drawing live tonight at the start of WETM-18 news at 11.
That means that the prize pot only continued to climb and now stands at a quarter of a billion dollars for Tuesday's 8 p.m. jackpot drawing.
The current record in Washington for a single winning ticket is $93 million, awarded in November 2002 to a Hoquiam man.
According to New York State lottery if someone wins the 250 million they will only receive about 146 after taxes. Payments can be a lump sum or installments.
Don't miss out the mega million chance. Remember you can watch the drawing live tonight at the start of WETM-18 news at 11.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Photo of Tonight's Lunar Eclipse
Early Tuesday there will be a celestial event involving the moon, said Todd Shepherd, Cowley College astronomy professor and department chairman of the social sciences.
A full eclipse of the moon will occur starting at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday and will continue over the course of the next hour. Instead of gradually disappearing from the sky, the moon may turn red, Shepherd said.
"I've actually seen the moon disappear or turn a reddish color," Shepherd said. "It depends on the atmospheric conditions."
Early today, sky-watchers were supposed to be able to see two moons -- earth's moon, and Mars up close. But that information -- passed around on the Internet -- turned out to be a hoax, a local astronomy teacher said.
Shepherd said the timing of the Internet hoax with the real event was a coincidence.
"The Mars thing is a hoax; it never appears anything bigger than a bright spot in the sky," he said. "About a year or a year and a half ago, the same rumor was spread around."
About 5 a.m. Tuesday, the moon should be in total eclipse, Shepherd said.
"We haven't had (a lunar eclipse) in about a year in this area," he said.
There is a shred of truth to the Internet myth, Shepherd added. The earth and Mars are approaching each other's orbits at a speed of 22,000 miles per hour.
"Since Mars moves slower in its orbit, earth is more quickly catching up to Mars," he said. On Dec. 18, the two will be as close as they will get to each other, about 55 million miles apart.
At that time, Mars will appear to be a bright red star, a dominant feature in the southern sky, Shepherd said.
Check your Horoscope that day if the eclipse had bring you luck!
Source:http://www.arkcity.net/stories/082707/com_0004.shtml
A full eclipse of the moon will occur starting at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday and will continue over the course of the next hour. Instead of gradually disappearing from the sky, the moon may turn red, Shepherd said.
"I've actually seen the moon disappear or turn a reddish color," Shepherd said. "It depends on the atmospheric conditions."
Early today, sky-watchers were supposed to be able to see two moons -- earth's moon, and Mars up close. But that information -- passed around on the Internet -- turned out to be a hoax, a local astronomy teacher said.
Shepherd said the timing of the Internet hoax with the real event was a coincidence.
"The Mars thing is a hoax; it never appears anything bigger than a bright spot in the sky," he said. "About a year or a year and a half ago, the same rumor was spread around."
About 5 a.m. Tuesday, the moon should be in total eclipse, Shepherd said.
"We haven't had (a lunar eclipse) in about a year in this area," he said.
There is a shred of truth to the Internet myth, Shepherd added. The earth and Mars are approaching each other's orbits at a speed of 22,000 miles per hour.
"Since Mars moves slower in its orbit, earth is more quickly catching up to Mars," he said. On Dec. 18, the two will be as close as they will get to each other, about 55 million miles apart.
At that time, Mars will appear to be a bright red star, a dominant feature in the southern sky, Shepherd said.
Check your Horoscope that day if the eclipse had bring you luck!
Source:http://www.arkcity.net/stories/082707/com_0004.shtml
Friday, August 24, 2007
Adsense's Checks Withdrawal Tips
After accumulating your hard earn MILLION dollar online revenue and counting the days till your AdSense check arrives in the mail, you might plan to sprint straight to the bank. But before you try to achieve a land speed record getting to your local financial institution, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Bank on it?
Because bank policies vary throughout the world, we can't say whether a specific bank will be able to accept your AdSense checks. Since all AdSense checks are issued by Citibank, a correspondent relationship between your bank and Citibank is required to process our US Dollar checks. We recommend that you check with your bank to find out if this relationship exists.
Patience is a virtue.
Banks take varying amounts of time to clear checks. The exact length of time before funds will be available to you is a question best answered by your bank.
A penny saved...
Checks from AdSense are for deposit only; they are not able to be cashed.
Now that you have all the information, we wish you happy spending (or saving) your revenue!
Source: Inside AdSense
Bank on it?
Because bank policies vary throughout the world, we can't say whether a specific bank will be able to accept your AdSense checks. Since all AdSense checks are issued by Citibank, a correspondent relationship between your bank and Citibank is required to process our US Dollar checks. We recommend that you check with your bank to find out if this relationship exists.
Patience is a virtue.
Banks take varying amounts of time to clear checks. The exact length of time before funds will be available to you is a question best answered by your bank.
A penny saved...
Checks from AdSense are for deposit only; they are not able to be cashed.
Now that you have all the information, we wish you happy spending (or saving) your revenue!
Source: Inside AdSense
Thursday, August 23, 2007
$10 Million Giveaway
Kiva is offering free interest loan (millions) to help entrepreneur from devoloping country. What you need to do is submit your business plan. You may also contribute a loan to help them. Three young entrepreneurs found an easier way to raise millions for struggling businesses almost anywhere in the world. But don’t call it a handout -- it’s a loan. And, it’s funded by everyday people, like you, $25 at a time.
An entrepreneur’s journey usually starts with a small business backed by a potential business idea to looking for evangelists and angel investors. Those who fail to get their idea approved by an evangelist turn to banks for funding. Banks not only provide them the basic funding but also offer auto and property loans bundled with home or auto insurance.
Read more here The $10 Million Giveaway?
An entrepreneur’s journey usually starts with a small business backed by a potential business idea to looking for evangelists and angel investors. Those who fail to get their idea approved by an evangelist turn to banks for funding. Banks not only provide them the basic funding but also offer auto and property loans bundled with home or auto insurance.
Read more here The $10 Million Giveaway?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Beyonce Wardrobe Malfunction in Canada
US singer Beyonce Knowles exposed her breasts on stage at a concert in Canada during a 'wardrobe malfunction'. The Bootylicious singer's shirt flew up as she was dancing at a concert in Toronto - and she was not wearing anything underneath. Clearly embarrassed, Beyonce moved backwards and pulled down her flowing shirt, holding on to it as she completed her dance routine.
She really had a nice body!
She really had a nice body!
How to Insert Google Ads Between Your Blog Posts
According Inside-Adsense, Blogger now had implement feature to insert Google ads between your blog posts through the AdSense widget.
Here's all you need to do:
1. Log into your Blogger account at http://www.blogger.com .
2. Visit your blog's Template tab and click on the Page Elements link.
3. Click Edit in the Blog Posts section.
4. Check the box next to Show Ads Between Posts. You can then select how often you'd like your ads to appear, such as once after every post or once after every other post.
5. Customize the ads and click on Save Changes when you're done.
Please note that right now, it's only possible to insert Google ads using this widget, and not AdSense for search boxes or referral units.
Here's all you need to do:
1. Log into your Blogger account at http://www.blogger.com .
2. Visit your blog's Template tab and click on the Page Elements link.
3. Click Edit in the Blog Posts section.
4. Check the box next to Show Ads Between Posts. You can then select how often you'd like your ads to appear, such as once after every post or once after every other post.
5. Customize the ads and click on Save Changes when you're done.
Please note that right now, it's only possible to insert Google ads using this widget, and not AdSense for search boxes or referral units.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Myth of Power Supply
Are you having doubt upgrading a better Power Supply Unit while saving more electric. Here is the myth that may help you.
1. DOES A POWER SUPPLY UPGRADE MEAN A HIGHER ELECTRIC BILL?
This is the biggest myth of all. First, it's important to understand that a power supply only delivers the power that's needed by the system, nothing more. If your PC currently has a 400W supply and the system needs 350W, it will still need and use only 350W - if the only change is upgrading to a 500W power supply (the upgrade makes sense since there are many advantages to running a power supply at a lower percentage of its rated capacity). Whether the electric bill goes up or down is solely determined by the efficiency of the new power supply. Greater efficiency means a lower electric bill because more of the AC power is converted into DC for the computer, rather than wasted as heat. The savings can really add up over time. For example, when the money saved in electricity over the course of its 3-year warranty is taken into account, the purchase price of the efficient Silencer 750 is less than $0.00. Here's the math:
Model
Silencer750 83%(Efficiency@550W) 662W(Input Power @ 550W)
Antec True Power550 73.8%(Efficiency@550W) 745W(Input Power @ 550W)
For the same output power, the Silencer 750 uses 83W less input power.
2. DON'T BE MISLED BY EXAGGERATED WATTAGE CLAIMS
To properly compare power supplies, wattage claims must state the maximum ambient temperature for continuous, full-load operation. Unfortunately for the consumer, this information is usually withheld, opening the door for manufacturers to exaggerate their wattage claims. They do so by assuming an unrealistic ambient temp of only 25°C (77°F), even though the actual internal power supply temp is at least 40°C (104°F). Since the proper full-load rating is 15°C higher for home use and 25°C higher for industrial use, these power supplies produce 33%-50% less power than their advertised ratings. See the derating chart on the right.
3. DON'T LOSE POWER WITH MODULAR PLUGS
Due to their look, convenience, and cost savings for manufacturers, modular plugs have become a popular power supply feature. Unfortunately, there has been little or no discussion of the impact of this feature on overall performance and reliability. The fact is, modular plugs limit power by adding to electrical resistance. The voltage drop can be as much as would occur in 2 feet of standard wire. Worse yet, modular plugs utilize delicate pins that can easily loosen, corrode, and burn, creating the potential for a major system failure. That's why professional system builders specify uninterrupted wire!
4. MARKETING MYTH vs. WARRANTY REALITY
As with all consumer products, the fine print in the warranty will often contradict a manufacturer's marketing hype. Unfortunately, this is especially true for computer power supplies. Take for example this quote direct from the product box of a leading manufacturer: "we've earned a stellar reputation for producing stable, reliable, industrial-grade PC power supplies". Now compare that statement to what is specifically excluded in the company's "legendary 3-year warranty":
Sample of What is NOT covered -
a. commercial and industrial use
b. wear and tear from moving parts
c. that the product will meet your requirements.
In conclusion, don't be mislead by marketing hype, avoid superficial gimmicks, and read the warranty carefully before purchasing your next power supply.
5. AN SLI CERTIFIED POWER SUPPLY WILL ALWAYS POWER HIGH-END GRAPHICS CARDS?
We went through three power supplies before we found one that consistently worked with these high-end graphics cards and an FX-60. We initially started with a Silverstone 600W SLI certified power supply, but running some games resulted in the system powering down under full load. We next moved onto a higher rated Thermaltake PurePower SLI certified 680W unit. But while most games ran most of the time, the system would still occasionally shut down. Finally, we ended up using PC Power and Cooling's massive TurboCool 850 SSI. This just goes to show that if you really want to build something that pushes the bleeding edge, make sure you have the right power supply.
6. SHOULD AN ATX POWER SUPPLY BE COOLED WITH A 120MM FAN?
Most low-noise ATX power supplies today utilize a top-mounted 120mm fan rather than a rear-mounted 80mm fan. The 120’s favorable reputation is based on the fact that under low to medium load conditions, the 120mm fan provides sufficient cooling at low RPM and low RPM fans are generally very quiet.
However, problems occur with this design when the load exceeds 50%-60%. Because the 120mm fan consumes about 1.5” of vertical space inside the PSU, heat sinks, capacitors, and other components are about 30% smaller in height compared to a PSU with a rear-mounted fan. The smaller parts can handle less current, so the maximum power available with the 120mm design is limited. And, because the heat sinks have less surface area, more air flow is needed with this design to keep the thermal situation under control. With 80%-100% load, the 120’s fan speed can double and the noise level can jump by up to 20dB.
In conclusion, for systems that require more than 50% of the power supply’s capacity, a well-engineered PSU with a rear-mounted 80mm fan will provide superior performance and reliability (due to larger components) at a noise level comparable to a PSU equipped with a 120mm fan.
7. ARE TWO POWER SUPPLY FANS BETTER THAN ONE?
No. A power supply with two fans doesn’t exhaust any more air from the case than a power supply with one. That's because due to space limitations, only one fan can be used for exhaust, while the other is limited to spot cooling. Possible explanations for a 2-fan PSU include: thermal engineering problems; an attempt to exaggerate the wattage rating by spot cooling the transformer; or an attempt by the marketing department to create a new gimmick.
8. ARE MULTIPLE 12-VOLT RAILS BETTER THAN A SINGLE 12-VOLT RAIL?
With all the hype about multiple 12-volt rails (ads claim that two rails is better than one, five is better than four, etc.), you’d think it was a better design. Unfortunately, it’s not!
Here are the facts: A large, single 12-volt rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the 12-volt output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail 12-volt design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply’s rating. Those losses occur because power literally gets “trapped” on under-utilized rails. For example, if the 12-volt rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system.
Since the maximum current from any one 12-volt rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps (240VA / 12 volts = 20 amps), PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards continuing to grow, the multiple-rail design, with its 240VA limit per rail, is basically obsolete.
PC Power and Cooling is once again leading the industry. All of our power supplies now feature a large, single 12-volt rail. The design is favored by major processor and graphics companies, complies with EPS12V specs (the 240VA limit is not a requirement) and is approved by all major safety agencies such as UL and TUV.
1. DOES A POWER SUPPLY UPGRADE MEAN A HIGHER ELECTRIC BILL?
This is the biggest myth of all. First, it's important to understand that a power supply only delivers the power that's needed by the system, nothing more. If your PC currently has a 400W supply and the system needs 350W, it will still need and use only 350W - if the only change is upgrading to a 500W power supply (the upgrade makes sense since there are many advantages to running a power supply at a lower percentage of its rated capacity). Whether the electric bill goes up or down is solely determined by the efficiency of the new power supply. Greater efficiency means a lower electric bill because more of the AC power is converted into DC for the computer, rather than wasted as heat. The savings can really add up over time. For example, when the money saved in electricity over the course of its 3-year warranty is taken into account, the purchase price of the efficient Silencer 750 is less than $0.00. Here's the math:
Model
Silencer750 83%(Efficiency@550W) 662W(Input Power @ 550W)
Antec True Power550 73.8%(Efficiency@550W) 745W(Input Power @ 550W)
For the same output power, the Silencer 750 uses 83W less input power.
2. DON'T BE MISLED BY EXAGGERATED WATTAGE CLAIMS
To properly compare power supplies, wattage claims must state the maximum ambient temperature for continuous, full-load operation. Unfortunately for the consumer, this information is usually withheld, opening the door for manufacturers to exaggerate their wattage claims. They do so by assuming an unrealistic ambient temp of only 25°C (77°F), even though the actual internal power supply temp is at least 40°C (104°F). Since the proper full-load rating is 15°C higher for home use and 25°C higher for industrial use, these power supplies produce 33%-50% less power than their advertised ratings. See the derating chart on the right.
3. DON'T LOSE POWER WITH MODULAR PLUGS
Due to their look, convenience, and cost savings for manufacturers, modular plugs have become a popular power supply feature. Unfortunately, there has been little or no discussion of the impact of this feature on overall performance and reliability. The fact is, modular plugs limit power by adding to electrical resistance. The voltage drop can be as much as would occur in 2 feet of standard wire. Worse yet, modular plugs utilize delicate pins that can easily loosen, corrode, and burn, creating the potential for a major system failure. That's why professional system builders specify uninterrupted wire!
4. MARKETING MYTH vs. WARRANTY REALITY
As with all consumer products, the fine print in the warranty will often contradict a manufacturer's marketing hype. Unfortunately, this is especially true for computer power supplies. Take for example this quote direct from the product box of a leading manufacturer: "we've earned a stellar reputation for producing stable, reliable, industrial-grade PC power supplies". Now compare that statement to what is specifically excluded in the company's "legendary 3-year warranty":
Sample of What is NOT covered -
a. commercial and industrial use
b. wear and tear from moving parts
c. that the product will meet your requirements.
In conclusion, don't be mislead by marketing hype, avoid superficial gimmicks, and read the warranty carefully before purchasing your next power supply.
5. AN SLI CERTIFIED POWER SUPPLY WILL ALWAYS POWER HIGH-END GRAPHICS CARDS?
We went through three power supplies before we found one that consistently worked with these high-end graphics cards and an FX-60. We initially started with a Silverstone 600W SLI certified power supply, but running some games resulted in the system powering down under full load. We next moved onto a higher rated Thermaltake PurePower SLI certified 680W unit. But while most games ran most of the time, the system would still occasionally shut down. Finally, we ended up using PC Power and Cooling's massive TurboCool 850 SSI. This just goes to show that if you really want to build something that pushes the bleeding edge, make sure you have the right power supply.
6. SHOULD AN ATX POWER SUPPLY BE COOLED WITH A 120MM FAN?
Most low-noise ATX power supplies today utilize a top-mounted 120mm fan rather than a rear-mounted 80mm fan. The 120’s favorable reputation is based on the fact that under low to medium load conditions, the 120mm fan provides sufficient cooling at low RPM and low RPM fans are generally very quiet.
However, problems occur with this design when the load exceeds 50%-60%. Because the 120mm fan consumes about 1.5” of vertical space inside the PSU, heat sinks, capacitors, and other components are about 30% smaller in height compared to a PSU with a rear-mounted fan. The smaller parts can handle less current, so the maximum power available with the 120mm design is limited. And, because the heat sinks have less surface area, more air flow is needed with this design to keep the thermal situation under control. With 80%-100% load, the 120’s fan speed can double and the noise level can jump by up to 20dB.
In conclusion, for systems that require more than 50% of the power supply’s capacity, a well-engineered PSU with a rear-mounted 80mm fan will provide superior performance and reliability (due to larger components) at a noise level comparable to a PSU equipped with a 120mm fan.
7. ARE TWO POWER SUPPLY FANS BETTER THAN ONE?
No. A power supply with two fans doesn’t exhaust any more air from the case than a power supply with one. That's because due to space limitations, only one fan can be used for exhaust, while the other is limited to spot cooling. Possible explanations for a 2-fan PSU include: thermal engineering problems; an attempt to exaggerate the wattage rating by spot cooling the transformer; or an attempt by the marketing department to create a new gimmick.
8. ARE MULTIPLE 12-VOLT RAILS BETTER THAN A SINGLE 12-VOLT RAIL?
With all the hype about multiple 12-volt rails (ads claim that two rails is better than one, five is better than four, etc.), you’d think it was a better design. Unfortunately, it’s not!
Here are the facts: A large, single 12-volt rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the 12-volt output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail 12-volt design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply’s rating. Those losses occur because power literally gets “trapped” on under-utilized rails. For example, if the 12-volt rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system.
Since the maximum current from any one 12-volt rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps (240VA / 12 volts = 20 amps), PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards continuing to grow, the multiple-rail design, with its 240VA limit per rail, is basically obsolete.
PC Power and Cooling is once again leading the industry. All of our power supplies now feature a large, single 12-volt rail. The design is favored by major processor and graphics companies, complies with EPS12V specs (the 240VA limit is not a requirement) and is approved by all major safety agencies such as UL and TUV.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
New Car Launced: Proton Persona Performance Test
Proton Persona was launced on 16 August 2007. Finally , Proton had produced an acceptable CAR. Built from the fundamentals and architecture of Proton GEN2 with an extension of the car boot . Other than the tail lamps, the entire car from the B-pillar onwards has been reworked. The new car is 167mm longer than the Proton GEN2, and 12mm longer than the Proton Waja. The boot is a respectable 430 liters in size, which is larger than the Toyota Vios at 400 liters. It also features a lock, something that was missing on the Proton GEN2. A 60:40 split rear bench folds flat in case you need more space.
Rear headroom has been improved by 43mm over the GEN2 with a redesigned roof curve at the rear. It now measures at 980mm, compared to 950mm in the Vios and 970mm in the City!
Whether looking for a luxury car or planning for SUV you can always turn to banks for funding. You can select from range of low cost loans to fund your finances. Some car dealers can also help you in getting cheapest loans in the town.
Engine Spec:
Proton Campro Engine 1.6L–
Max Power: 82kw (110bhp) @ 6000rpm
Max Torque: 148NM @ 4000rpm
Overall Length 4477mm
Overall Width 1725mm
Overall Height 1438mm
Fuel Capacity 50 L
Luggage Volume 430 L
Weight 1180 - 1210 KG
Price wise, it is reasonable too:
Proton Persona 1.6AT H-Line Metallic – RM55,800
Proton Persona 1.6AT M-Line Metallic – RM52,800
Proton Persona 1.6MT M-Line Metallic – RM49,800
Proton Persona 1.6AT B-Line Metallic – RM48,449
Proton Persona 1.6AT B-Line Solid – RM47,999
Proton Persona 1.6MT B-Line Metallic – RM45,449
Proton Persona 1.6MT B-Line Solid – RM44,999
I had book for appointment for Test Drive. Will submit a Technical Report soon.
For more review and photo : visit PaulTan
Proton Persona
Rear headroom has been improved by 43mm over the GEN2 with a redesigned roof curve at the rear. It now measures at 980mm, compared to 950mm in the Vios and 970mm in the City!
Whether looking for a luxury car or planning for SUV you can always turn to banks for funding. You can select from range of low cost loans to fund your finances. Some car dealers can also help you in getting cheapest loans in the town.
Engine Spec:
Proton Campro Engine 1.6L–
Max Power: 82kw (110bhp) @ 6000rpm
Max Torque: 148NM @ 4000rpm
Overall Length 4477mm
Overall Width 1725mm
Overall Height 1438mm
Fuel Capacity 50 L
Luggage Volume 430 L
Weight 1180 - 1210 KG
Price wise, it is reasonable too:
Proton Persona 1.6AT H-Line Metallic – RM55,800
Proton Persona 1.6AT M-Line Metallic – RM52,800
Proton Persona 1.6MT M-Line Metallic – RM49,800
Proton Persona 1.6AT B-Line Metallic – RM48,449
Proton Persona 1.6AT B-Line Solid – RM47,999
Proton Persona 1.6MT B-Line Metallic – RM45,449
Proton Persona 1.6MT B-Line Solid – RM44,999
I had book for appointment for Test Drive. Will submit a Technical Report soon.
For more review and photo : visit PaulTan
Proton Persona
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
New Series: Paycheck Showdown
The new television series is a hit. Feeling the pain of middle class who significantly underpaid take matters into their own hands and learn how to ask their bosses for a raise. This series provide many good tips for the working class.
You know you work hard, but are you paid enough? Nine months into his job as a line cook in New York, Mike feels he is undervalued and deserves a raise. With help from our expert hosts Mike prepares himself to take on his boss at the Paycheck Showdown
You know you work hard, but are you paid enough? Nine months into his job as a line cook in New York, Mike feels he is undervalued and deserves a raise. With help from our expert hosts Mike prepares himself to take on his boss at the Paycheck Showdown
Saturday, August 11, 2007
AdSense Site maintenance on Saturday, August 11th
Another AdSense announcement for site maintenance. This time they had included time conversion for different zone. Thanks for it. Message as below:
Tomorrow, our engineers will be performing routine system maintenance from 10am to 12pm PDT. Although you won't be able to log in to your account for 2 hours, we'll continue to serve ads to your pages and track your earnings as usual.
For our international readers, we've converted the maintenance start time for a few cities around the world:
Toronto -- 1pm Saturday
London -- 6pm Saturday
Cairo -- 8pm Saturday
Mumbai -- 10:30pm Saturday
Melbourne -- 3am Sunday
Thanks for your patience, and enjoy your weekend!
Source: Inside AdSense
Tomorrow, our engineers will be performing routine system maintenance from 10am to 12pm PDT. Although you won't be able to log in to your account for 2 hours, we'll continue to serve ads to your pages and track your earnings as usual.
For our international readers, we've converted the maintenance start time for a few cities around the world:
Toronto -- 1pm Saturday
London -- 6pm Saturday
Cairo -- 8pm Saturday
Mumbai -- 10:30pm Saturday
Melbourne -- 3am Sunday
Thanks for your patience, and enjoy your weekend!
Source: Inside AdSense
50 Things I Like About Malaysia
In the joyous spirit of Merdeka (Malaysia Independence Day), I had compile a list we share and love in Malaysia. This is the list we had in common as citizen. If you are visiting Malaysia, be sure to look, taste, smell, sound and feel all the item listed.
50 Things Malaysian Liked
Food
1. Nasi lemak - Malay food
2. Nasi kandar - Indian
3. Roti canai - Indian pizza
4. Teh tarik - tea
5. Kajang Satay - meat stick BBQ
6. Ramly Burger
7. Char koay teow - fried mee
8. ABC (air batu campur) - ice blended mix with nuts and fruits
9. Rojak - fruit mix with special sauce
10. Yee sang - chinese new year auspicious appetizer
Expressions (Daily languages)
11. Lah
12. Maachan
13. Brudder
14. Ta pau -take away
15. Cin-cai -take it easy
16. Aiyo
17. Malaysia Boleh -Malaysia can
18. Yam seng -'cheers' when beer
Personalities
19. Tunku Abdul Rahman
20. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
21. Tan Sri P. Ramlee
22. Sudirman
23. Mat Rempit -motor biker stunt
24. Ah Long -loan shark
25. Lat
Buildings & Places
26. Genting Highlands -Casino resorts
27. Penang Bridge
28. Putrajaya -Government command centre
29. Sepang International Circuit -F1 Racing
30. Petronas Twin Towers
31. Mount Kinabalu -Highest mountain peak
32. KL International Airport
33. Chow Kit Road -Red light district
34. Malacca -Historic state
35. Dataran Merdeka -Independence square
36. 24-hour Mamak stall
37. Pasar malam
Culture and Others
38. Proton
39. Balik kampung
40. Open house
41. Baju kurung
42. Longhouse
43. Baba-Nyonya
44. Malaysian hospitality
45. “Malaysian time”
46. Joget
47. MyKad or identity card
48. Unclear road signs
49. Vision 2020
50. Ang pow in many colours
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/8/nation/20070807154351&sec=nation
50 Things Malaysian Liked
Food
1. Nasi lemak - Malay food
2. Nasi kandar - Indian
3. Roti canai - Indian pizza
4. Teh tarik - tea
5. Kajang Satay - meat stick BBQ
6. Ramly Burger
7. Char koay teow - fried mee
8. ABC (air batu campur) - ice blended mix with nuts and fruits
9. Rojak - fruit mix with special sauce
10. Yee sang - chinese new year auspicious appetizer
Expressions (Daily languages)
11. Lah
12. Maachan
13. Brudder
14. Ta pau -take away
15. Cin-cai -take it easy
16. Aiyo
17. Malaysia Boleh -Malaysia can
18. Yam seng -'cheers' when beer
Personalities
19. Tunku Abdul Rahman
20. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
21. Tan Sri P. Ramlee
22. Sudirman
23. Mat Rempit -motor biker stunt
24. Ah Long -loan shark
25. Lat
Buildings & Places
26. Genting Highlands -Casino resorts
27. Penang Bridge
28. Putrajaya -Government command centre
29. Sepang International Circuit -F1 Racing
30. Petronas Twin Towers
31. Mount Kinabalu -Highest mountain peak
32. KL International Airport
33. Chow Kit Road -Red light district
34. Malacca -Historic state
35. Dataran Merdeka -Independence square
36. 24-hour Mamak stall
37. Pasar malam
Culture and Others
38. Proton
39. Balik kampung
40. Open house
41. Baju kurung
42. Longhouse
43. Baba-Nyonya
44. Malaysian hospitality
45. “Malaysian time”
46. Joget
47. MyKad or identity card
48. Unclear road signs
49. Vision 2020
50. Ang pow in many colours
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/8/nation/20070807154351&sec=nation
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Mitsubishi rolls out all-new Lancer
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the local distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles, is confident of selling 400 new passenger cars by year-end, chairman Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir said.
“With our strategic pricing for the new model, we are confident of achieving this figure,” he said after the launch of the all-new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT yesterday.
The two-litre car, which is imported from Japan, is priced at RM112,806 (on the road without insurance). It is currently the most competitively priced Japanese car in its class in the local market.
Syed Hisham said the company had received bookings for 50 units before the launch and expected the car to attract a strong following due to its advanced technical, styling and safety features.
A model posing with the newly launched Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT
Chief executive officer Fumihiko Minami said the new Lancer was powered by a double-cam, lightweight Mitsubishi innovative valve timing and lift electronic control engine.
He said its six-speed tiptronic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters would allow drivers to experience “the racing feel''.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is a joint venture between Japan's Mitsubishi Motor Corp and Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd. The previous Lancer was introduced in 2005. Some 300 units were sold.
Minami said the company launched Lancer 2.0GT ahead of its Asean counterparts and even Japan.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn.Bhd. launched the New Lancer 2.0GT sports sedan car. From left to right CEO Fumihiko Minami , Corporate GM, Asia & Asean Office Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Toshihiko Hattori , COO, Motor Vechicle Business Division Mitsubishi Corporation Kozo Shiraji and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Chairman Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir.
“We recognise that Malaysia is currently the biggest passenger car market in Asean, and it is important to make the country the first in Asean to launch the model,” he added.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has to date sold some 5,500 vehicles, including the pick-up truck Mitsubishi Triton.
Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/8/business/18530405&sec=business
“With our strategic pricing for the new model, we are confident of achieving this figure,” he said after the launch of the all-new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT yesterday.
The two-litre car, which is imported from Japan, is priced at RM112,806 (on the road without insurance). It is currently the most competitively priced Japanese car in its class in the local market.
Syed Hisham said the company had received bookings for 50 units before the launch and expected the car to attract a strong following due to its advanced technical, styling and safety features.
A model posing with the newly launched Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT
Chief executive officer Fumihiko Minami said the new Lancer was powered by a double-cam, lightweight Mitsubishi innovative valve timing and lift electronic control engine.
He said its six-speed tiptronic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters would allow drivers to experience “the racing feel''.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is a joint venture between Japan's Mitsubishi Motor Corp and Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd. The previous Lancer was introduced in 2005. Some 300 units were sold.
Minami said the company launched Lancer 2.0GT ahead of its Asean counterparts and even Japan.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn.Bhd. launched the New Lancer 2.0GT sports sedan car. From left to right CEO Fumihiko Minami , Corporate GM, Asia & Asean Office Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Toshihiko Hattori , COO, Motor Vechicle Business Division Mitsubishi Corporation Kozo Shiraji and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Chairman Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir.
“We recognise that Malaysia is currently the biggest passenger car market in Asean, and it is important to make the country the first in Asean to launch the model,” he added.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has to date sold some 5,500 vehicles, including the pick-up truck Mitsubishi Triton.
Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/8/business/18530405&sec=business
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Big Wendy the Muscular Whippet Dog
Rare genetic mutation increases muscles, weight of sleek breed. Wendy the Whippet has a genetic disorder that has resulted in an exceptionally muscular appearance.
People mistake her for a pitbull with a pinhead, but Wendy the whippet is one rare breed.
So rare that the Central Saanich dog recently graced the New York Times. She also had several of her photos shown on The Today Show, all because of a rare genetic mutation that has led to her being the Incredible Hulk of dogs.
Wendy is a 27-kilogram rippling mass of muscle. Forget the so-called six-pack stomach: Wendy has a 24-pack. And the muscles around her neck are so thick, they look like a lion's ruff.
"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," says doting owner Ingrid Hansen, stroking Wendy's sleek black coat and white chest.
Wendy was recently part of a genetics study done in the U.S. on mutation in the myostatin gene in whippets, which resemble greyhounds in appearance. The National Institute of Health study reported that whippets with one single defective copy of the gene have increased muscle mass that can enhance racing performance in the breed, known for speeds up to 60 kilometres an hour.
But whippets with two mutated copies of the gene become "double-muscled," like Wendy. It has been seen before in one human, and also in mice, cattle and sheep, says the study.
The uber-muscled whippets are called "bullies," not because of their nature -- Wendy likes nothing better than a good back scratch and isn't shy about sitting in your lap to ask for one -- but because of their size. She's about twice the weight of an average whippet, but with the same height and small narrow head -- and the same size heart and lungs, which means she probably won't live as long as normal whippets.
Hansen has had Wendy, now four, since she bought the dog from a Shawnigan Lake breeder when she was eight months old.
Wendy landed in clover. She lives on an acreage, runs around with other dogs and horses, sleeps on Hansen's bed and pretty much anywhere else she wants to.
People are often afraid when the muscle-bound dog runs up to them on her dainty whippet-thin legs, but they soon realize she's friendly, Hansen said.
People mistake her for a pitbull with a pinhead, but Wendy the whippet is one rare breed.
So rare that the Central Saanich dog recently graced the New York Times. She also had several of her photos shown on The Today Show, all because of a rare genetic mutation that has led to her being the Incredible Hulk of dogs.
Wendy is a 27-kilogram rippling mass of muscle. Forget the so-called six-pack stomach: Wendy has a 24-pack. And the muscles around her neck are so thick, they look like a lion's ruff.
"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," says doting owner Ingrid Hansen, stroking Wendy's sleek black coat and white chest.
Wendy was recently part of a genetics study done in the U.S. on mutation in the myostatin gene in whippets, which resemble greyhounds in appearance. The National Institute of Health study reported that whippets with one single defective copy of the gene have increased muscle mass that can enhance racing performance in the breed, known for speeds up to 60 kilometres an hour.
But whippets with two mutated copies of the gene become "double-muscled," like Wendy. It has been seen before in one human, and also in mice, cattle and sheep, says the study.
The uber-muscled whippets are called "bullies," not because of their nature -- Wendy likes nothing better than a good back scratch and isn't shy about sitting in your lap to ask for one -- but because of their size. She's about twice the weight of an average whippet, but with the same height and small narrow head -- and the same size heart and lungs, which means she probably won't live as long as normal whippets.
Hansen has had Wendy, now four, since she bought the dog from a Shawnigan Lake breeder when she was eight months old.
Wendy landed in clover. She lives on an acreage, runs around with other dogs and horses, sleeps on Hansen's bed and pretty much anywhere else she wants to.
People are often afraid when the muscle-bound dog runs up to them on her dainty whippet-thin legs, but they soon realize she's friendly, Hansen said.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Missing UK girl 'seen' in Belgium
Bring home Madeleine went missing on a family holiday to Portugal on May 3, since when there have been dozens of possible sightings. Recently, someone had found her in Belgium and hope it was her.
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- Belgian authorities are conducting DNA tests on a bottle and a straw after a possible sighting of missing British four-year-old Madeleine McCann last weekend.
Four-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared from a hotel resort in Portugal on May 3.
A woman called police in the eastern town of Tongeren near the Dutch border on Saturday after seeing a couple with a small girl at a roadside cafe.
"She has considerable dealings with children and she was convinced the girl was Madeleine," a prosecution spokeswoman said. "There is a bottle and straw that the girl probably drank from and we are testing them."
The couple were described as a Dutch-speaking man of about 40 and a English-speaking woman of around 25. Tongeren legal authorities have drawn up photo-fit pictures of the pair.
The results of the DNA test should be known next week.
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- Belgian authorities are conducting DNA tests on a bottle and a straw after a possible sighting of missing British four-year-old Madeleine McCann last weekend.
Four-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared from a hotel resort in Portugal on May 3.
A woman called police in the eastern town of Tongeren near the Dutch border on Saturday after seeing a couple with a small girl at a roadside cafe.
"She has considerable dealings with children and she was convinced the girl was Madeleine," a prosecution spokeswoman said. "There is a bottle and straw that the girl probably drank from and we are testing them."
The couple were described as a Dutch-speaking man of about 40 and a English-speaking woman of around 25. Tongeren legal authorities have drawn up photo-fit pictures of the pair.
The results of the DNA test should be known next week.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
How do Minneapolis Minnesota Bridge Falls?
It was shocked reading the news of the bridge collapse this morning. It is rare to happen in a country leading in technology.
At press time, investigation is carried out for the incident's cause. The reason that could be happen:
a) Engineering Design problem
b) Earthquake
c) Terrorist
d) Bridge overload
e) Accident
f) Construction eg: foundation, material
Below is the news:
By PATRICK CONDON, Associated Press Writer
MINNEAPOLIS - The entire span of an interstate bridge suddenly broke into huge sections and collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening bumper-to-bumper traffic Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water.
At least six people died, the mayor said.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At least one person died Wednesday and 28 were injured when an interstate bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour, a hospital doctor said.
Dr. Joseph Clinton, emergency medical chief at the Hennepin County Medical Center, said among the injured treated by the hospital, six were in critical condition.
Clinton said it appeared the person who died had drowned in the collapse. Other area hospitals were also seeing victims.
The Interstate 35W bridge, a major link between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was in the midst of being repaired when it broke into several huge sections during rush hour.
At press time, investigation is carried out for the incident's cause. The reason that could be happen:
a) Engineering Design problem
b) Earthquake
c) Terrorist
d) Bridge overload
e) Accident
f) Construction eg: foundation, material
Below is the news:
By PATRICK CONDON, Associated Press Writer
MINNEAPOLIS - The entire span of an interstate bridge suddenly broke into huge sections and collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening bumper-to-bumper traffic Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water.
At least six people died, the mayor said.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At least one person died Wednesday and 28 were injured when an interstate bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour, a hospital doctor said.
Dr. Joseph Clinton, emergency medical chief at the Hennepin County Medical Center, said among the injured treated by the hospital, six were in critical condition.
Clinton said it appeared the person who died had drowned in the collapse. Other area hospitals were also seeing victims.
The Interstate 35W bridge, a major link between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was in the midst of being repaired when it broke into several huge sections during rush hour.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Paris Hilton Loses 60 Million Inheritance from Grandpa
Recently, Paris get high pay Larry King interview and release a new album once out of jail. The reason behind is the party princess Paris Hilton is $60 million out of pocket after her billionaire grandfather - appalled by her jail term for drink-driving offences - axed her inheritance.
Family patriarch Barron Hilton was already embarrassed by his granddaughter's wild behaviour - notably when her home sex video was leaked on the internet.
But the 79-year-old considered her 23-day sentence last month the last straw.
"He was, and is, extremely embarrassed by how the Hilton name has been sullied by Paris," says Jerry Oppenheimer, who wrote a biography of the clan called House Of Hilton.
"He now doesn't want to leave unearned wealth to his family."
Hilton senior, the only member of the family left with a sizeable stake in the huge hotel chain, has let it be known that he intends to donate to charity the $2.4bn he will gain from this month's sale of the company to private equity firm Blackstone.
The money will go to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the charity set up in the name of the founder of the family business
Ever since the credit card and debit card are introduced, list of shopping facilities with credit card support is piling up. While american express was among the initial players to enter the vast market, one will find much similar options and flexibility with advanta card.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22157708-2,00.html
Family patriarch Barron Hilton was already embarrassed by his granddaughter's wild behaviour - notably when her home sex video was leaked on the internet.
But the 79-year-old considered her 23-day sentence last month the last straw.
"He was, and is, extremely embarrassed by how the Hilton name has been sullied by Paris," says Jerry Oppenheimer, who wrote a biography of the clan called House Of Hilton.
"He now doesn't want to leave unearned wealth to his family."
Hilton senior, the only member of the family left with a sizeable stake in the huge hotel chain, has let it be known that he intends to donate to charity the $2.4bn he will gain from this month's sale of the company to private equity firm Blackstone.
The money will go to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the charity set up in the name of the founder of the family business
Ever since the credit card and debit card are introduced, list of shopping facilities with credit card support is piling up. While american express was among the initial players to enter the vast market, one will find much similar options and flexibility with advanta card.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22157708-2,00.html
Bulgarian and Serbian have Joined AdSense Family
Google Adsense had expand their market to Bulgaria and Serbia. Thus, is an opportunity for us.
To know more about Adsense, read What is Adsense
http://adsense.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post.html
"Two more languages -- Bulgarian and Serbian -- have just joined the AdSense for content family, and AdSense for search has also launched in Serbian. We know that web publishers in these regions have been waiting for for a long time -- thank you for your continued patience.
To get started with AdSense for content or AdSense for search, log in to your account and follow the wizard located under the AdSense Setup tab. If you don't have an account yet, you can sign-up for AdSense in just a few minutes."
To know more about Adsense, read What is Adsense
http://adsense.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post.html
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
How to Install Windows XP for Dell Inspiron 1520
The disadvantage of Dell Inspiron 1520 is the drivers are only compatible with Windows Vista. Out of the box, the Inspiron 1520 did not provide XP or other OS drivers. This is a big product mistake that freak me out. I had dig the net hard and finally found this thread which save my day. The drivers may also work with Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000
Thanks to kysterama from notebookreview forum.
Solution
For advance, Download XP Driver pack here -> (50mb)
Mirror 1
http://rapidshare.com/files/104607195/Dell5120_XPdrivers_V1.rar
Mirror 2
http://rapidshare.com/files/50075306/Dell5120_XPdrivers_V1.rar
This package includes -> (green lines represent 3rd party drivers)
Drivers
- Dell 1520 - R137139 Internal Modem XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R149798 ethernet XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R153997 Intel Chipset XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R154200 Matrix Sata XP drivers (read above about using nlite to prepare your XP install ISO to include these drivers)
- Dell 1520 - R155105 Webcam XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R141246 Ricoh XP drivers
- Intel 3945ABG pro/wireless drivers - sourced from Intel's website
- Latest LaptopVideo2Go Nvidia drivers for 8600m gt
- Dell Latitude - R153908 Sound XP driver
(There is currently no 1520 Xp driver for sound, but I used this Latitude driver which has the exact same sound chipset as the 1520 and it works great) * Its important to note, that you need to install the Intel Chipset drivers FIRST, reboot, and then you can install the sound drivers.
Programs->
- VistaBootPro (for setting up bootloader screen to choose between XP or Vista at boot)
- Nlite program for inserting the sata drivers into your XP install
Also at the dell page is the webcam manager software for XP which is 145mb ->
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/downloads_splash?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~mode=popup&file=214672
For more details,
Screen
I found that if i played games at abnormal resolutions to my native resolution, then yes it was a little fuzzy, but playing at 1024x768 or 1680x1050 remedied this situation. If the game is too demanding on my system, then I just use 1024x768 which doesn't seem to degrade the quality of the picture much at all. Oblivion for example was running at 1680x1050 and it looked amazing!
Webcam
The webcam is excellent. It comes with some pretty cool software that allows you to draw on your own face in real time and through motion capture algorithms, whatever your draw on your face (a moustache for example, heh) it stays where you drew it, even when moving your head around. That was pretty fun. It also has a bunch of masks and video effects which are also a lot of fun. I haven't hooked up a video chat to anyone yet, but was very impressed with the quality of the camera. With any webcam, the higher the resolution the slower the update time on-screen and its pretty obvious that the higher resolutions are using digital zoom which of course doesn't mean more pixels, just the same size lower res capture simply blown up.
Also with webcams, you need plenty of light to get a less grainy picture. Here's some examples...ones in my study with the window open and lights on, the rest are at the front of my house in varying resolutions at mid-day. These are untouched jpg's, just simpy uploaded straight from the capture folder on my HD. As you can see the webcam can capture pics at 320x240, 640x480, 1280x1024, 1600x1200 and 3200x2400...although judging by the quality, I feel 640x480 is the "actual" resolution of the camera and anything above it is digital zoom. Also to answer the above question, yes there is a blue led that turns on, right next to the camera lens.
Don't get me wrong, the pictures are not amazing, but as a web chatting device, its perfectly ample for this use and the quality in this regard is quite good.
1280x1024 indoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../1280x1024.jpg
320x240 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ma/320x240.jpg
640x480 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ma/640x480.jpg
1280x1024 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...280x1024_a.jpg
1600x1200 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../1600x1200.jpg
3200x2400 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../3200x2400.jpg
Battery
I haven't had a chance to test battery life yet I'm sorry. I did get the 9-cell battery so I'm assuming that it will last a long time, but benchmarking a laptop battery in real-terms is a lenthy process so perhaps I'll get around to that soon. Perhaps under gaming conditions and a 2nd test under normal application conditions.
XP drivers
I'll say straight off the bat that I still have one yellow exclamation mark in my device manager, but nothing that impares my normal gaming or application usage. It's the internal modem audio driver which I'm never going to use anyway.
DUAL BOOT
There's plenty of info on how to actually install XP AFTER Vista is already on your system so I won't go into the semantics there. Here's the link I followed ->
http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/about88231.html
Now for the issues I ran into. I've already explained about trying to make a 5th primary partition for XP and that Vista wouldn't create the volume because of the 4x primary partition limit. There may be ways around this (I've read people using the Acronis partition software) but I'm not an expert so use caution and I can't be held responsible for anything that happens on your computer!
I was going to format the whole system and then install XP, but at the last minute thought, well if I'm going to do that, I may as well just delete the 2gig dell media direct partition and still keep vista on there for now which would save me installing 2 operating systems. Plus I wanted to keep Vista on there in case my XP experiments failed so I still had a usable OS to try again.
Okay, first Issue with installing XP was the sata drivers. I didn't have the drivers downloaded at the time so I went into the bios and switched my sata device from AHCI mode to ATA mode. XP installed fine after this switch. Vista also works fine in this mode btw. I ran into no other issues during the XP install process.
Using Nlite to create an XP install that includes the AHCI sata drivers
Why did I disable AHCI mode and not just install the dell sata drivers during install? Here's the problem with Microsoft and their infinite wisdom. If you try to hit f6 to install a 3rd party scsi or sata driver when first installing xp, it expects you to have an A: drive to have the drivers on. Hello??! Who the hell even has an a: drive anymore? I put the drivers on a cd, but the ONLY option in setup was a: drive. Duh!
Plan B: Making a slipstream XP ISO with the Dell sata drivers already in it. What a pain, but thank the "forward thinkers" at MS for not having the foresight to allow people to install 3rd party drivers from a bloody cd rom!
So, here's the info needed on creating the slipstreamed XP install using a handy utility called nlite.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Windows-XP-On-SATA-Without-a-Floppy-F6-47807.shtml
Okay, I'll just remind you that both XP and Vista run fine in normal ATA mode in the bios, so if you can't be bothered with all the slipsteam stuff, then you'll still have 2 perfectly working OS's using normal XP sata drivers which install automatically during XP setup. But, if you're like me and the whole exercise is about speed and fine tuning your system, then go through the nlite process to keep your system in AHCI mode.
The 2nd issue was getting the bootloader to work properly on boot. My initial problem was that XP wouldn't load when I selected it on boot. It came up with an /Ntdl error. It took me a few hours, but I finally found the solution was really simple. When using the VistaBootPro software in the above article link, I set my XP to the e: drive, which is the partition I actually installed it on. Makes sense right? XP is on e: so i set the bootloader to look for XP on e: ... Wrong! Apparently both OS's expect themselves to be on c: so make sure you set both Vista and XP in this program to be the c: drive. Don't worry, XP still loads as it should after this no matter what partition it's on.
Well, thats about everything i've gone through so far dual booting XP and installing drivers. Still a few kinks to iron out, but hopefully this article will be a moot point as soon as Dell release COMPLETE XP drivers on their website. Please Dell!
For your convenience, I've zipped up all the drivers I grabbed from Dell's website and the 3rd party drivers I have installed for 8600gt that I have confirmed to be working.
Download XP Driver pack I put together here -> (filefront 50mb)
http://files.filefront.com/Dell5120+XPdrivers+V1rar/;8057753;;/fileinfo.html
This package includes -> (green lines represent 3rd party drivers)
Drivers
- Dell 1520 - R137139 Internal Modem XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R149798 ethernet XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R153997 Intel Chipset XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R154200 Matrix Sata XP drivers (read above about using nlite to prepare your XP install ISO to include these drivers)
- Dell 1520 - R155105 Webcam XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R141246 Ricoh XP drivers
- Intel 3945ABG pro/wireless drivers - sourced from Intel's website
- Latest LaptopVideo2Go Nvidia drivers for 8600m gt
- Dell Latitude - R153908 Sound XP driver
(There is currently no 1520 Xp driver for sound, but I used this Latitude driver which has the exact same sound chipset as the 1520 and it works great) * Its important to note, that you need to install the Intel Chipset drivers FIRST, reboot, and then you can install the sound drivers.
Programs->
- VistaBootPro (for setting up bootloader screen to choose between XP or Vista at boot)
- Nlite program for inserting the sata drivers into your XP install
Also at the dell page is the webcam manager software for XP which is 145mb ->
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...up&file=214672
Righto, i'm off to do an XP repair install with my new nlite XP slipstreamed CD that now includes the AHCI sata drivers on it. Wish me luck!
Source: Notebookreview.com
Thanks to kysterama from notebookreview forum.
Solution
For advance, Download XP Driver pack here -> (50mb)
Mirror 1
http://rapidshare.com/files/104607195/Dell5120_XPdrivers_V1.rar
Mirror 2
http://rapidshare.com/files/50075306/Dell5120_XPdrivers_V1.rar
This package includes -> (green lines represent 3rd party drivers)
Drivers
- Dell 1520 - R137139 Internal Modem XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R149798 ethernet XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R153997 Intel Chipset XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R154200 Matrix Sata XP drivers (read above about using nlite to prepare your XP install ISO to include these drivers)
- Dell 1520 - R155105 Webcam XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R141246 Ricoh XP drivers
- Intel 3945ABG pro/wireless drivers - sourced from Intel's website
- Latest LaptopVideo2Go Nvidia drivers for 8600m gt
- Dell Latitude - R153908 Sound XP driver
(There is currently no 1520 Xp driver for sound, but I used this Latitude driver which has the exact same sound chipset as the 1520 and it works great) * Its important to note, that you need to install the Intel Chipset drivers FIRST, reboot, and then you can install the sound drivers.
Programs->
- VistaBootPro (for setting up bootloader screen to choose between XP or Vista at boot)
- Nlite program for inserting the sata drivers into your XP install
Also at the dell page is the webcam manager software for XP which is 145mb ->
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/downloads_splash?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~mode=popup&file=214672
For more details,
Screen
I found that if i played games at abnormal resolutions to my native resolution, then yes it was a little fuzzy, but playing at 1024x768 or 1680x1050 remedied this situation. If the game is too demanding on my system, then I just use 1024x768 which doesn't seem to degrade the quality of the picture much at all. Oblivion for example was running at 1680x1050 and it looked amazing!
Webcam
The webcam is excellent. It comes with some pretty cool software that allows you to draw on your own face in real time and through motion capture algorithms, whatever your draw on your face (a moustache for example, heh) it stays where you drew it, even when moving your head around. That was pretty fun. It also has a bunch of masks and video effects which are also a lot of fun. I haven't hooked up a video chat to anyone yet, but was very impressed with the quality of the camera. With any webcam, the higher the resolution the slower the update time on-screen and its pretty obvious that the higher resolutions are using digital zoom which of course doesn't mean more pixels, just the same size lower res capture simply blown up.
Also with webcams, you need plenty of light to get a less grainy picture. Here's some examples...ones in my study with the window open and lights on, the rest are at the front of my house in varying resolutions at mid-day. These are untouched jpg's, just simpy uploaded straight from the capture folder on my HD. As you can see the webcam can capture pics at 320x240, 640x480, 1280x1024, 1600x1200 and 3200x2400...although judging by the quality, I feel 640x480 is the "actual" resolution of the camera and anything above it is digital zoom. Also to answer the above question, yes there is a blue led that turns on, right next to the camera lens.
Don't get me wrong, the pictures are not amazing, but as a web chatting device, its perfectly ample for this use and the quality in this regard is quite good.
1280x1024 indoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../1280x1024.jpg
320x240 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ma/320x240.jpg
640x480 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ma/640x480.jpg
1280x1024 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...280x1024_a.jpg
1600x1200 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../1600x1200.jpg
3200x2400 outdoors ->
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../3200x2400.jpg
Battery
I haven't had a chance to test battery life yet I'm sorry. I did get the 9-cell battery so I'm assuming that it will last a long time, but benchmarking a laptop battery in real-terms is a lenthy process so perhaps I'll get around to that soon. Perhaps under gaming conditions and a 2nd test under normal application conditions.
XP drivers
I'll say straight off the bat that I still have one yellow exclamation mark in my device manager, but nothing that impares my normal gaming or application usage. It's the internal modem audio driver which I'm never going to use anyway.
DUAL BOOT
There's plenty of info on how to actually install XP AFTER Vista is already on your system so I won't go into the semantics there. Here's the link I followed ->
http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/about88231.html
Now for the issues I ran into. I've already explained about trying to make a 5th primary partition for XP and that Vista wouldn't create the volume because of the 4x primary partition limit. There may be ways around this (I've read people using the Acronis partition software) but I'm not an expert so use caution and I can't be held responsible for anything that happens on your computer!
I was going to format the whole system and then install XP, but at the last minute thought, well if I'm going to do that, I may as well just delete the 2gig dell media direct partition and still keep vista on there for now which would save me installing 2 operating systems. Plus I wanted to keep Vista on there in case my XP experiments failed so I still had a usable OS to try again.
Okay, first Issue with installing XP was the sata drivers. I didn't have the drivers downloaded at the time so I went into the bios and switched my sata device from AHCI mode to ATA mode. XP installed fine after this switch. Vista also works fine in this mode btw. I ran into no other issues during the XP install process.
Using Nlite to create an XP install that includes the AHCI sata drivers
Why did I disable AHCI mode and not just install the dell sata drivers during install? Here's the problem with Microsoft and their infinite wisdom. If you try to hit f6 to install a 3rd party scsi or sata driver when first installing xp, it expects you to have an A: drive to have the drivers on. Hello??! Who the hell even has an a: drive anymore? I put the drivers on a cd, but the ONLY option in setup was a: drive. Duh!
Plan B: Making a slipstream XP ISO with the Dell sata drivers already in it. What a pain, but thank the "forward thinkers" at MS for not having the foresight to allow people to install 3rd party drivers from a bloody cd rom!
So, here's the info needed on creating the slipstreamed XP install using a handy utility called nlite.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Windows-XP-On-SATA-Without-a-Floppy-F6-47807.shtml
Okay, I'll just remind you that both XP and Vista run fine in normal ATA mode in the bios, so if you can't be bothered with all the slipsteam stuff, then you'll still have 2 perfectly working OS's using normal XP sata drivers which install automatically during XP setup. But, if you're like me and the whole exercise is about speed and fine tuning your system, then go through the nlite process to keep your system in AHCI mode.
The 2nd issue was getting the bootloader to work properly on boot. My initial problem was that XP wouldn't load when I selected it on boot. It came up with an /Ntdl error. It took me a few hours, but I finally found the solution was really simple. When using the VistaBootPro software in the above article link, I set my XP to the e: drive, which is the partition I actually installed it on. Makes sense right? XP is on e: so i set the bootloader to look for XP on e: ... Wrong! Apparently both OS's expect themselves to be on c: so make sure you set both Vista and XP in this program to be the c: drive. Don't worry, XP still loads as it should after this no matter what partition it's on.
Well, thats about everything i've gone through so far dual booting XP and installing drivers. Still a few kinks to iron out, but hopefully this article will be a moot point as soon as Dell release COMPLETE XP drivers on their website. Please Dell!
For your convenience, I've zipped up all the drivers I grabbed from Dell's website and the 3rd party drivers I have installed for 8600gt that I have confirmed to be working.
Download XP Driver pack I put together here -> (filefront 50mb)
http://files.filefront.com/Dell5120+XPdrivers+V1rar/;8057753;;/fileinfo.html
This package includes -> (green lines represent 3rd party drivers)
Drivers
- Dell 1520 - R137139 Internal Modem XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R149798 ethernet XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R153997 Intel Chipset XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R154200 Matrix Sata XP drivers (read above about using nlite to prepare your XP install ISO to include these drivers)
- Dell 1520 - R155105 Webcam XP drivers
- Dell 1520 - R141246 Ricoh XP drivers
- Intel 3945ABG pro/wireless drivers - sourced from Intel's website
- Latest LaptopVideo2Go Nvidia drivers for 8600m gt
- Dell Latitude - R153908 Sound XP driver
(There is currently no 1520 Xp driver for sound, but I used this Latitude driver which has the exact same sound chipset as the 1520 and it works great) * Its important to note, that you need to install the Intel Chipset drivers FIRST, reboot, and then you can install the sound drivers.
Programs->
- VistaBootPro (for setting up bootloader screen to choose between XP or Vista at boot)
- Nlite program for inserting the sata drivers into your XP install
Also at the dell page is the webcam manager software for XP which is 145mb ->
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...up&file=214672
Righto, i'm off to do an XP repair install with my new nlite XP slipstreamed CD that now includes the AHCI sata drivers on it. Wish me luck!
Source: Notebookreview.com