Another perspective

This is going to be a long reading. Not a light or fun reading. You probably need some hours to finish the thinking and reading. A quick reader can finish this article in an hour, maybe. I began the reading in the early morning, on and off, and completed the read just now. The perspective is quite interesting. I read and thought along the way. Something heavy for weekends but good for a weekday.

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200905/imf-advice

Self esteem and aggresion

A sample test provided a discussion between self esteem and aggressive behaviors. One said said self-perception can reduce aggressive behaviors while the other side said high self esteem makes it worse. It's interesting. When I read through everything, I found myself agree with the second group. The gap between high self esteem and negative feedback toward self triggers a disorder in mind. A peace of mind is then gone. The anger in self converts to a force to others. The force appears to be some aggressive behaviors which can be as violent as assaulting, slapping.

A well done analysis

Many people said this Presidential election is historical significant and has a profound meaning. People said this election made the US the true land of opportunities. I am not politics enthusiastic. From NPR and Google news, I learned more and more about each candidate and campaigns. Each individual has unique strength and perspective. I don't say I share the zeal of millions American about this election and yet I did observe this election closely. From an outsider's point of view, this election is long and tense. After the worth watching election day is over, many analyses about the victory have emerged. Everywhere, regardless of language, location and material. Comments have come from every continent. Some are in written, some are in hard copy, while others are in electronic format. Some writings are professional and worth reading. I came across "Signed, sealed, and delivered" from Economist which I think is among the best analyses.

Make me think

Just continue to think this issue. It seems like Taiwan and China just reached an agreement about direct trade and transport link. This issue has been brought up many times. This time it got an answer. I don't feel surprised. China has tried to improve its image recently. The Olympic is a good example, and now the agreement is another. In Taiwan as well as China the issue is always two side point of view. Always have tons of people sticking to each side. Don't have any opinion yet. If you want to know more on this, click on the link: agreement, viewpoint. What Taiwanese need are respect, fair treatment, and peace.

A voice from a far away land

Wandered on Internet and came across this press. The author is an amateur and yet the words on the press punch and make a non-stop echo. The words are not strong. But I felt the power. I have not read such a genuine press for some times. A voice from a far away land, a voice talks about something I barely pay attention with, a voice filled with sympathy and anger, and a voice strikes me so much. By reading this press, I saw pictures. Not nice pleasant pictures though. The pictures were all about the war. Bloody. With conspiracy, greed, and power desire. With struggles and broken heart stories. The press triggers my fear. Maybe just me. I am from a land where political tension is always there. Our opponent is too strong. My land doesn't stand at the same level as our opponent. There is a big inequality. The inequality may sound ridiculous for outsiders but it exists. When I read this press, I heard a voice inside the echo. Would some day a similar thing get to my land? I felt sad, sorry, and afraid. It's sorry to know somewhere in this world was terribly suffering. It's more sorry to know some high level people are trying to cover the truth for their own desire.

Would you eat kangaroo

A goverment advicer on climate change urges people to eat kangaroo steaks and ditch beef and lamb steaks to protect the earth from global warming. Well I couldn't help reading this article because I was curious to know what holds this claim. The article is based on a recent report which states the live stocks like cows and sheep produce a large amount of methane and, kangaroos, compared to farming cattle and sheep, produce no methane thanks to their digestive system. In this view, kangaroos get a wonderful point to be the substitute for the beef or lamb. Perhaps in Australia it is easy to get a piece of kangaroo meat. Here in the bay area, even though I want to save the planet, I don't know where to go to get the kangaroo meat. Besides, is the report a way to increase the export of the kangaroo meat for Australia?

Visa IPO

Many are talking about this IPO. On February 25 Economist issued an article about this IPO. I think it is a good article and so would like to share with you. http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10753463&fsrc=nwl

Oprah Winfrey will be the guest speaker for commencement

Saw a news from Stanford. It said Oprah will be the 2008 commencement speaker. This year, the commencement as usual will be held at Stanford Stadium on Sunday, June 15. I wanna go since I never listened to any Oprah's speeches. Source: http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/february27/oprah-022708.html

When a game console is not just for gamers

Wii is used in UK schools in the hope that kids will take PE in cold weather and used in hospitals to help stroke victims recover. Not only that, Wii is also used to help wounded soldiers from Iraq war recover. Interesting to know that a game console can be used creatively. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7262770.stm

Morph - a new cell phone concept

Always exciting to learn something cool is going to happen. I did not have cell phone when I was little. At that time, I knew neither a cell phone would change my life style nor my life would rely on a cell phone heavily. But, I like this impact and I think it is a good impact. Ever since, I like to keep myself up with the cell phone news. I like to see what is going to be available. I like to see what concepts are going to be used. Today, I came across "Morph". This concept appears because we all want more cool features on our cell phones. Under current conditions, some materials cannot be bended when they are embedded to a cell phone. That's why cell phone's size or shape is restricted. Morph enables elasticity in devices so that these devices can be modified into different shapes to accommodate cell phone's design. In addition, Morph will enable cell phones to use solar energy to charge, to use sensor to provide more environment and health info, and to repel fingerprints on the screens. Cool? You tell me. Source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206801722

You can download user-created games on XBox

Microsoft did something amazing. For XBox 360 users, if you have created your own games, now you can upload them to XBox Live. Not bad, right? I notice that many creative user-created games have been broadcasted through emails or YouTube. Now, I don't need to wait to be surprised. I can just go to XBox Live and look into something fun. Also, I don't need to worry if the games will bring virus to my world. Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=182939

Best places to live

You thought the bay area was one of the best places to live? Not now, but, in the future, perhaps. I always think the reports like this kind are amusing.

1. Middleton, WI
2. Hanover, NH
3. Louisville, CO
4. Lake Mary, FL
5. Claremont, CA
6. Papillion, NE
7. Milton, MA
8. Chaska, MN
9. Nether Providence, PA
10. Suwanee, GA

Source: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/index.html

Wii Fit

Wii Fit will go on sale on May 19 across North America. Nintendo has launched Wii Fit in Japan. So far, about 1.4 millions Wii Fit have been sold.

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6186314.html

Activision announces a new Guitar Hero

Activision is hot these days due to Guitar Hero and Call of Duty. It just annouced that a new Guitar Hero will be released in the future. Not only that, this new version will be delicated to one of my favorite bands: Aerosmith. To celebrate this good news, fans of Guitar Hero can download free Aerosmith songs online. This celebration will be only valid for three days - Feb 16 to Feb 18. So, plug your cable into X box, PS, and Wii.

Fed Rate Cut

Today the rate got lowered by .5%

It is the second time in this month. First time was on Martin Luthur King Jr. day. At that time, the rate got cut by .75%. This afternoon, the rate got cut second time. This time, the cut rate is a half percentage.

The key Federal Funds interest rate now stands at 3 percent. The new low.

Qtrax - free music download service

What a wonderfu day it will be if everyone can download music legally and freely from internet? In addition, no ads. Nice. Qtrax announced 75% of the big brands have agreed to provide contents to Qtrax a month ago. But, today, big 4, BMC, Universal, Sony, and Warner, together denied that they had any deals with Qtrax. It seems we have a long way to go before we can have free and legal music downloads.

Energy plan

A 20% cut in the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by 2020

Global warming is impacting us. Sometimes, I feel like politicians just yell aloud about actions for global warming but do nothing. Today, I saw a news regarding EU's energy plan. Some unveiled ideas look cool. For example, EU proposed each country would have carbon allowances. Along with allowance, each country will be given a national target for renewable energy. I cross my fingers for this action plan becoming true.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7203514.stm

Human clone

Not the whole body, but embryos

How far are we from the clone age? I don't know. But I am curious with skeptical attitude on any human clone news. Today, on Times, there is an article talking about human cloned embryos. No harm to learn something, http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1704580,00.html

Another noticeble acquisition

Sun Microsystems is going to acquire MySQL AB

Yesterday, there was another huge acquisition other than Oracle - BEA acquisition. Sun announced an agreement to acquire MySQL AB. Some people might be interested in knowing more this, so, I published this on my blog.

BEA Systems will disappear

Oracle is acquiring BEA Systems

Oracle is such an acquisition machine. It has acquired many companies regardless of size since 2006. Today, I saw a news regarding this new acquisition deal. Oracle will acquire all outstanding shares of BEA for $19.375 per share in cash. You may wonder why BEA? According to Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO, BEA has strong knowledge in middleware. So, acquiring BEA will enhance Oracle's middleware suite.