Google Reader Helps Networks

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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Twitter and Google Reader aren’t exactly novel inventions, but the new “Notes” feature in Google Reader feels a lot like posting status updates in Twitter. When you type a note, it’s automatically shared with all your friends unless you unshare, and it appears almost as a real article in the reading list of all your friends.

To use the feature, log into Google Reader and click on “Notes” in the sidebar under “Your Stuff”. Type a note, and click “Post Note”, and you are done. Try not to post too many tests because there is no way to delete them, and your friends could get annoyed.

There is a second way to use notes also — while reading an item, you can attach notes to items that you decide to share — this is a good way to let people know your two cents. I think this feature is awesome — minus how it’s impossible to delete notes. What do you think? Could this give Twitter some competition? Or is it simply a feature on Google Reader that nobody will use?

Barcodes For Every Application

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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Having worked with bar code software in my former job, i have come to appreciate the ease at which bar codes help to maintain inventory, prevent shoplifters from causing preventable losses at your shop and generally help to manage the retail aspect of any business.

Point of Sale equipment need easy to use software that can be configured with ease and effect price changes without any hiccups. It is important that the users are empowered with such software which can also help to program anti-theft devices in your store. This can help to dramatically increase the sales and hence result in greater profitability.

Yahoo! Go 3 beta on Windows Mobile

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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I have been using the Yahoo! Go 3 beta application on my BlackBerry Pearl, but was waiting anxiously for this latest version to come to Windows Mobile so I could try it out on my Shadow. According to Dieter at WM Experts the wait is over and you can now download this latest client for Windows Mobile. You can have Yahoo! send you a link via SMS or visit get.go.yahoo.com from your mobile browser.

Yahoo! Go 3.0 gives you the ability to search (via Yahoo! oneSearch), view maps, manage your email, view and manage your Flickr photos, manage your schedule, view news and sports feeds, check the weather, and more. I think this latest 3.0 interface rocks and is much better than the older version. I actually use this on my N95-3 and look forward to using it on my Shadow too.

It was a 975kb download for my T-Mobile Shadow. I launched it and set it up with one of my Yahoo accounts and have to say the experience is just as good as on the N95-3 and may be one of the best applications I have used on Windows Mobile. One aspect I thoroughly enjoy is setting up my account once and then being able to get access to the same information (like my favorite sports teams) on any device with Yahoo! Go 3.0.

I am now patiently waiting for the release of Yahoo! oneConnect that will keep me up-to-date with all my social networks and friends. Thoughts?

Compare Car Hire Providers

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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Getting the best Car Hire deals in the UK, can be quite a stressful affair because there are literally very many firms to choose from. CarRentals.co.uk eliminates this problem by providing clients with an effective price comparison tool that helps to compares the rates offered by over 50 car hire firms.

You will get detailed and accurate information at the click of a button and you don’t need to be an expert to use the tool. just type in your query and you will get specific information within seconds. You won’t have to try your luck over and over anymore. Get started today!

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Available

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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You read the title correctly — nothing bad happened. The installation of SP3 took about a half an hour and involved two restarts, but, as far as I can tell, my test XP box is running just fine. Of course, as a test machine there is much less opportunity for software to break, especially if the the software is custom or proprietary to your particular enterprise. So your mileage may vary as they say.

But all of the angst over whether to install SP3 buzzing around the blogosphere may be more hyperbole than actual experience. At the very least, you should be testing whether an SP3 deploy breaks anything.

By the way, while installing SP3 on my Windows XP box I noticed that AVG from Grisoft has an update to version 8.0 ready. In fact, 7.5 will cease to work after May 31, 2008. If you have installed AVG for clients or family, it might be a good time to check up on them to see that they keep their virus/malware software working properly.

Designer Clothes For Baby

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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Whether you are looking for unique designer baby clothes or unusual handcrafted baby gifts, you’ll find baby girl clothes and baby boy clothes that feature fun characters, colorful styles and funky prints and patterns. Polkadot Patch Baby Clothes Boutique has infant apparel and baby gift store is one that is known to be the most colorful and bright baby clothes store online!

In children’s clothing sizes infant through toddler, their baby boutique specializes in unique dresses and funky outfits for baby girls and colorful and whimsical clothing for baby boys.
Polkadot Patch Baby Clothes Boutique proudly boasts their cute baby clothes boutique has one of the largest selection of unique unisex baby clothes and unique baby gifts that you will find anywhere.

Polkadot Patch Baby Clothes Boutique and children’s apparel store specializes in unique infant clothing and funky baby gifts. Make sure to check the new arrivals section to find a wide assortment of new finds.

Microsoft Sniffing Around Facebook

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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Microsoft, just a few days removed from walking away from its Yahoo bid, is reportedly sniffing around Facebook. According to Kara Swisher, Microsoft’s bankers contacted Facebook to see if Mark Zuckerberg and company would be interested in selling the company.

The Wall Street Journal also reported the same thing, partially citing Swisher. There are no active talks. Who knows if Facebook would sell to Microsoft, but it’s pretty clear that the software giant wants scale and has about $45 billion or so burning a hole in its pocket.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has mentioned that Facebook would give the company some Web scale. And Microsoft already owns a 1.6 percent stake. If Microsoft ever wanted to pressure Yahoo some window shopping would certainly turn the heat up on Jerry Yang and his disgruntled investors. This won’t be the last you hear about Microsoft shopping around. It will roll up a bunch of Web sites–it’s a matter of when and who not if.

What’s Real About Television?

Posted on May 9, 2008 
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The airwaves today are literally filled with numerous versions of Reality Shows that are focused on specific market areas. The makers of these shows on Reality TV try to venture into different segments such as Marketing, Advertising and even Cooking.

You should therefore not be surprised to see reality shows moving to the senate or parliament which are the few remaining unexplored domains. With the intense media attention that the democratic nomination race has generated in the US. It will be interesting to see how actors can take on the roles of politicians, senators and other prominent personalities. That’s TV for you….or is it?

MySpace Music Group Venture

Posted on May 8, 2008 
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MySpace has announced the formation of MySpace Music, a new joint venture with three of the four major record labels: Universal Music Group, Sony BMG and Warner Music. The new service, which will roll out in stages over the next few months, will offer ad-supported music streaming on MySpace, as well DRM-free downloads (MP3), ringtones, and other e-commerce offerings.

First is the inclusion of Universal who prior to today had an ongoing lawsuit with MySpace over copyright infringement on the social networking site. Presumably that’s now been settled. Second is the notable omission of EMI, who are said to still be in negotiation with MySpace. I wonder what the hold up is, considering the deal was favorable enough for the other three major labels.

More broadly, this new joint venture is all about leveraging MySpace as a serious media property, whereby social networking is organized around major brand and professionally-produced content as much as it is around so-called User Generated Content. And for the major record labels, it’s the latest move to weaken Apple’s hold on the digital music download market, especially now that iTunes is the number one U.S. music retailer.

Brazil Increases Sugar Output

Posted on May 8, 2008 
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Brazilian Sugar production has been affected a great deal by the production of ethanol, which is also a product of sugar cane. As global fuel supplies have grown smaller, and demand for fuel in Brazil and indeed, the world, has grown larger, much of Brazil’s sugar cane crop has been turned over to sugar ethanol production. This ethanol is then used in fuel for Brazil’s many automobiles, and exported around the world. For many years the Brazilian government has stipulated that a certain percentage of all fuel in Brazil must be blended ethanol, this both saves on the cost of importing petrol and increases the self sufficiency of Brazil.

A giant in the world of sugar, Brazil is currently the largest sugar producing nation in the world. In 2006 it produced thirty million tonnes of sugar, which made up 20% of the world’s total sugar production. Of that 30 million tonnes of sugar, Brazil exported 17.7 million tonnes of sugar to other nations, which comprised almost 40% of the sugar traded in the world that year. So powerful is Brazil when it comes to sugar that fluctuations of sugar production in Brazil alone can affect world sugar prices substantially, and should Brazil choose to do so, some say that it could be possible for Brazil to swamp the world market with cheap sugar.

Though this is unlikely for many reasons, it has happened that in the past high levels of sugar production in Brazil resulted in a significant tumble in world sugar prices. In 2002, for instance, Brazil’s bumper sugar crop sent world prices plummeting to below five cents per pound.

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