I’m blogging from my early Christmas present as we speak!  Chris and I had talk about getting each other Christmas gifts…but when we saw this on the Home Shopping Network (yes, we’re that couple that falls asleep watching HSN if there’s nothing else on)  the other night, we realized how much we wanted one and started researching.  And, Best Buy just happened to be having a big ol’ sale this weekend and we snatched up a joint Christmas gift

Here is a front view of my new Gateway netbook!

And here is a side view, isn’t it little and cute??

You can also see my new fleece PJ bottoms in the pictures, they were $9.99 at Costco and I see another pair or two in my future, they’re so comfortable!  The netbook’s a little bit of an adjustment as the keyboard and screen are smaller than I’m used to, but I am loving blogging from the couch!    What is on your Christmas list this year?

This morning I ran 3 miles and was pain free!  I even kicked it up to an 8:30/9min pace for the last mile as there were a couple sweat free ladies ahead of me on the trail and I just had to pass them After my run I made breakfast of a piece of leftover Butter Braid from yesterday, a glass of OJ and a bowl of Quaker fiber oatmeal that I jazzed up with almond butter, raisins and a little honey.

After breakfast Chris and I picked up our last few items for the week at the grocery store and bought the Netbook.  Lunch was 2 rolls leftover from Thanksgiving sliced in half with pizza sauce, mushrooms and mozzarella on top.

After lunch I napped and studied, then we heated up a few unpictured ravioli for dinner. After dinner we ran to the library and then stopped at DQ for a Tagalong Blizzard, holy yum!!

Now we’re just settling in for the evening and looking forward to one more day off tomorrow.  I hope you all have a great Sunday!

متن اصلی:

هندونه: بعضی لپ‌تاپ‌ها در همان سال اول خرید دچار مشکل می‌شوند. آیا این اتفاق برای کامپیوتر شما هم رخ داده است؟ شاید این جمله، معمول‌ترین جمله‌ای باشد که در مواجهه با صاحبان این لپ‌تاپ‌ها شنیده می‌شود: «دیگر به هیچ وجه لپ‌تاپ مارک [فلان] را نخواهم خرید»!

اما نکته جالب آن است که خراب شدن لپ‌تاپ – صرف از نظر مارک کامپیوتری که خریده‌اید – امکان دارد برای تمامی افراد رخ دهد. پس شما در این زمینه تنها نیستید.

بنا بر تجزیه و تحلیلی که توسط شرکت SquareTrade بر روی 30,000 لپ‌تاپ جدید انجام شده است، حدود یک سوم لپ‌تاپ‌ها (31 درصد) در همان سه سال اول خرید دچار مشکل می‌شوند.

این آمار شاید حتی بهتر از رقمی باشد که در ابتدا به ذهن می‌رسد.

درصد خرابی لپ‌تاپ‌ها به تفکیک شرکت سازنده و سال / عکس: Yahoo! Tech

شرکت SquareTrade در وبسایت خود آمارهای مختلفی را با جزئیات آورده است که از اینجا قابل دسترسی است (فایل PDF). در زیر اما به گوشه‌ای از این آمار و ارقام اشاره می‌کنیم:

• 20.4 درصد از خرابی‌ها به مشکلات سخت‌افزاری مربوط می‌شوند. این در حالی است که حدود 10.6 درصد از این مشکلات به خود کاربران مربوط می‌شوند. مشکلاتی نظیر «زمین خوردن» و «ریزش مایعات بر روی دستگاه» از جمله این خرابی‌ها محسوب می‌شوند.

• آمار خرابی نت‌بوک‌ها (Netbook) در اثر مشکلات سخت‌افزاری، حدود 20 درصد از لپ‌تاپ‌های معمولی بیشتر است. بنابراین هرچه که بیشتر برای لپ‌تاپ پول پرداخت کنید، احتمال خرابی آن نیز کمتر است (شاید به آن دلیل که بیشتر مراقبش هستید)!

• قابل اتکا ترین شرکت‌ها: ایسوس (Asus) و توشیبا (Toshiba) از این نظر در رتبه بهترین شرکت‌ها قرار می‌گیرند. آمار خرابی‌ لپ‌تاپ‌های این دو شرکت در طول 3 سال، حدود 16 درصد است که رقم بسیار خوبی در مقایسه با سایر شرکت‌ها است.

• غیر قابل اعتماد ترین شرکت‌ها: ایسر (Acer)، گیت‌وی (Gateway) و اچ.پی (HP)! نکته جالب آن است که HP با 25.6 درصد مشکلات سخت‌افزاری بدترین رتبه را به خود اختصاص داده است.

اما هیچ کدام از این ارقام شاید چندان خیره کننده نباشد. شرکت SquareTrade در این زمینه می‌گوید: «لپ‌تاپ‌ها تقریباً بیش از هر دستگاه الکترونیکی دیگر مورد استفاده قرار می‌گیرند (تلفن همراه یک استثناست)». بنابراین خرابی، واقعاً غیر قابل اجتناب است.

آیا می‌خواهید لپ‌تاپتان عمری بیشتر از چندین سال داشته باشد؟ سعی کنید به خوبی از آن در برابر ضربه، گرما و گرد و غبار محافظت کنید.

Gateway M-153XL 8X Slot-Load DVD-RAM DVD Writer – 5509074R Review

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Gateway M-153XL 8X Slot-Load DVD-RAM DVD Writer – 5509074R Overview

Gateway M-153XL 8X Slot-Load DVD-RAM DVD Writer – 5509074R

Gateway M-153XL 8X Slot-Load DVD-RAM DVD Writer – 5509074R Specifications

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 26, 2009 15:00:03

My Links : portable dvd player for car

It’s a Love Revolution that can’t be stopped. Have you ever thought about the person who is completely uncontrollable?  It’s someone who walks in the Love of God. You can’t manipulate them, you can’t upset them, you can’t even threaten them. They operate from a different reference point than other people. These Love Revolutionaries understand that faith is the currency of the Kingdom of God, and faith works by love!

Think about the love described in 1 Corinthians: it’s patient and kind, not conceited or rude, not self-seeking, touchy, or resentful. Love bears up under anything and is always ready to believe the best of every person. This love endures everything without weakening; it never fails.

Love Revolutionaries walk in that level of love. If they walk in that love and love never fails, then they never fail! They are truly unstoppable. Talk about a revolution! What if we all revolted against failure? Never again would we think of anything as a failure, but as a blazing success.  What would that mindset do in our lives?

We would have to change the way we measure success.  We don’t usually measure by love, but by tradition. Churches are measured by how many people show up on Sunday morning, because that’s what tradition has done.  But can you measure the amount of water in a bowl with a ruler? If you put that same amount of water in a smaller bowl, it measures deeper; a bigger bowl measures smaller.  A ruler just isn’t the right kind of tool to measure water with.

Love Revolutionaries use love as the standard of measure, not circumstantial evidence or traditional practices. Walking in love and never failing doesn’t mean that everything always lines up just exactly the way you want it to. Instead, it means your success is measured by how the result fits into the eternal plan of God. The Bible says that God makes all things work together for the good of them that LOVE HIM and are called according to HIS purpose.  That means even bad things have to work together for our good.  Let’s change our measurement of success! Let’s be Love Revolutionaries in the Body of Christ!

(First published 04.13.08)

it’s Thanksgiving 2009
happy Thanksgiving anyone who is reading this

i don’t really get Thanksgiving
i don’t get pumped up for it
all it is is eating
i do that everyday
don’t get me wrong
i love having a break from school and being able to sit at home and do nothing
it’s very relaxing
i don’t care about what happened when the pilgrims ate with the native americans
i don’t get why we celebrate it
Christmas is where it’s at
i love Christmas
Thanksgiving is just the gateway to Christmas
maybe that’s why we have Thanksgiving
so we can start having all the Black Friday sales the following day
i can guarantee that most of the female population are way more excited about Black Friday than Thanksgiving

so Thanksgiving is the gateway to Christmas

also
what’s up with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
i personally don’t like it
it does nothing for me
i don’t get why people get all hyped up to watch it
i understand if you’re actually there
but i find watching it on TV terribly boring
it’s just parade floats and people singing
just doesn’t do it for me

it sounds like i’m just hating all over Thanksgiving
i guess i kind of am
i feel like i’m thankful for what i have pretty much everyday though
i’m constantly reminded of how blessed i am[girlfriend, friends, family, health, etc.]
why do people need one day to be thankful?
why can’t they be thankful everyday?

i sound like i’m in a bad mood
i’m really not at all
happy thanksgiving world!

:: billiam

Cisco anuncia el nuevo gateway Gigabit Linksys by Cisco con modem ADSL2+ y la última tecnología Wireless-N de doble banda (WAG320N), que proporciona una conectividad a Internet de alta velocidad. También integra el software Network Magic de Cisco que ayuda a los usuarios a instalar, proteger y mantener su red doméstica. Network Magic ayuda a los clientes a conectar ordenadores y dispositivos a Internet así como a diagnosticar problemas de conectividad con su representación visual de la red.

I have one machine (static internal IP), which I would like to disable scanning traffic to. I mean disable scanning for viruses, spam, spyware and so on (all traffic) – like I connect this machine to Internet directly without UT in the middle. Is it possible to do this in UT?

You can do this via the Policy Manager. If you haven’t installed the Policy Manager (15-day trial or subscription) yet then you can access a simple version of it via the upper-left drop-down (image below):

Under Policies, click Add.

Under Address, the Client field, place the said static internal IP.

Scroll down, under Rack, choose No Rack. put a description (if you like).

Finally click Update then Save.

Untangle provides multiple gateway applications which include Anti-spam, Web Content Filtering, Antivirus, Anti-phishing, Anti-spyware, Intrusion prevention, Firewall, OpenVPN, SSL VPN, Router, Protocol Control, Attack Blocker, Reporting, Policy Manager, and many more on one platform.

For more info and download links, visit the Untangle official page:

Untangle – FREE web filter, spam, spyware, and virus protection

Lawrence Weston City Farm was suggested as a Forest Gateway Site by the Forest of Avon Team, because it is closely linked to the Lawrence Weston Moor Local Nature reserve, and because it is close to a population centre (Lawrence Weston).

It is of interest because it can be joined to the Community Forest Path by linking paths at the Iron Bridge, at Berwick Lodge, via Hill End Drive to Blaise car park and at the railway bridge off Meadowland Road. A link through Haw Wood (another potential Gateway Site) might also be possible.

The present administration at the Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled in Henbury are ideally placed to catalyze the development of this Forest Gateway Site as they have taken over management of that part of Lawrence Weston Moor that is not managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust. They have already improved access to the Moor by providing rudimentary stiles and will be hosting a footrace in January, which will explore key areas of the Lawrence Moor Gateway Site.

ACTION

1) Establish the right of way between the City Farm and the Local Nature Reserve between the playing fields and the M5 by collecting evidence of uninterrupted use over 20 years.

2a) Open up the path to the Moor around Bankleaze School by persuading PROW officers to act and by offering support with path clearing.

2b) Alternatively, negotiate a permissive path round the other side of Bankleaze School on an apparently well-trodden route.

3) Create PROW across Moor from LNR to the  creepway under railway beside M5 by negotiation with landowner.

4) Establish status of PROW from Moor to Hill End Drive.

5) Establish PROW from Meadowland Road to Haw Wood by collecting evidence of continuous use over 20 year period.

6) Work to keep the above paths clear of brambles and nettles etc.

7) Clear brambles and nettles from path alongside motorway towards Berwick Farm and then to CFP at Berwick Lodge.

When the above is carried out, it would be a good idea to clear paths through Haw Wood.

We are going to continue our Black Friday Sales through the weekend. So check them out and get in here!!!!We are going to have 2 Major Sales running….

1st:  We will be running 10% off of everything in stock!!!! (excluding any other sale items) This can be used on Custom Covers,  any of our In stock Items, and on our awesome new Comfy Stuff!!!!

2nd: That’s right 50% off the Black Croc SuperSac and CitySac Package Deals!!! That makes the SuperSac Package only $399 and the CitySac Package only $199. So you basically get the cover and accessories for FREE at that price. This will only be happening on Black Friday 11/27/09 and that’s it!!! We will sell out of these Package Deals so get in here early and get your self one!!!!

If you find yourself in need of some assistance while your here just look for this guy…..

Matty Fresh is ready to make your life more comfortable!!!

See all of you on Friday!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

This example will show how easy it is to integrate any software application (or website) with SMS gateway functionality. It will allow you to send premium sms message to any cell phone in North America.


Matrix SMS Gateway provides an easy way to integrate SMS capbilities with your IT system, be it a simple website or a complex messaging or alerting system.
Our SMS Gateway is extremely reliable and developer friendly; it handles either simple HTTP Post or XML access, which allows usage of any programming language capable of making HTTP posts.
Text messages in unicode (utf-8) are supported, as long as wireless carrier and phone receiver support given language. When unicode is used, most of Asian languages are supported, including Chinese.

The following API functions are provided:

• Send SMS message(s)
• Send TTS (Text-to-Speech) message (text message delivered as voice)
• Query message’s status
• Lookup cellular carrier for given phone number
• Query account’s balance

This is example (send sms) in Perl:

use LWP::UserAgent;

use HTTP::Request::Common;

my $URL = ‘http://www.smsmatrix.com/matrix’;

my $PIN = ‘2506063167′;

my $USERNAME = ‘user@hotmail.com’;

my $PASSWORD = ‘pass72727′;

my $TXT = ‘This is a test, pls ignore’;
##################################################
my $ua = LWP::UserAgent->new();

my $res = $ua->request

(

POST $URL,

Content_Type  => ‘application/x-www-form-urlencoded’,

Content       => [ 'username' => $USERNAME,

'password' => $PASSWORD,

'pin' => $PIN,

'txt' => $TXT ]

);
if ($res->is_error) { die “HTTP Error\n”; }
print “Matrix API Response: ” . $res->content . “\n\n”;
]]>



http://thecelebration.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/god-mr-hook-and-personal-prophecy-oh-my/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:48:28 +0000
The Celebration
http://thecelebration.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/god-mr-hook-and-personal-prophecy-oh-my/

Mr. Hook is my brown, wooden cane I purchased about ten years ago. It was like yesterday when I saw him. I was slowly ambling through the store looking for the accessories aisle when I almost fell tripping over a display of ties and men’s boxers. Once I regained my composure, I looked up and there he was. Smiling and waving at me. It was love at our first “step”.
I was only 16 years old but in serious need of a cane. My back problems had begun when I was 11 years old. I remember my first doctor’s visit when my mother took me to our physician who concluded that my body was preparing me for “womanhood.” That marked the first of consistent, throbbing back spasms that would haunt me for the next 5 years of my life.
Sometimes the pain was manageable. In fact, I was able to play sports, including going to the State Track and Field Championship for 4×100 my freshman year of high school. Every year, things changed around me: I was better in sports, my academics were soaring at the top of my class and life was being lived one day at time. The only thing that stayed the same was the nagging back spasms, and each day, month and year the pain progressed. By the time I reached the end of my sophomore year, I was in a back brace hobbling along with Mr. Hook, my old trusty cane.
I knew there were physical issues with my back which were confirmed when Dave Roberson visited our church and prayed for me. He called me out from the crowd. Mr. Hook and I both trembled as we slowly made our way to the center aisle. I remember Brother Roberson saying that my back was in pretty bad shape. I had never experienced a “laying on of hands” healing, so I was quite skeptical. Despite it all, I believed in God’s Word and believed it applied to me. Mr. Hook was thrown to the side as Brother Roberson lifted my arms above my head and I could feel healing heat running down my spine. Others reported that my hands, differing from a height of a few inches, were pulled to the same height and I was supernaturally healed in my body! Praise God! Mr. Hook was going to take his rightful place in the corner of my closet!
There was just one problem after that; Mr. Hook didn’t go away. My back was still hurting. The pain was still there and increasing as usual. I remember saying to Mr. Hook that I believed my back was healed, but there was something else going on. I struggled with this for the weeks following until I was completely torn and weary.
Did I not have the right kind of faith? If God healed everybody else, why couldn’t he heal me?
One night, Apostle David taught on deliverance for individuals who were downtrodden and needed grace. Once again, Mr. Hook and I made our way up the aisle to the front where I waited desperately for God to intervene and tell what I did wrong to deserve such torment.
As I stood there, one of the leaders in my church came up behind me and said that she had a word from the Lord to me. In summary, He said that my back pains were the manifestation of the emotional problems I had hoarded and never released. I was literally carrying years of abuse, neglect, rejection and insecurity and it was manifesting in back pain. I broke that night and cried, snotted and wailed for what seemed like hours. Nevertheless, I received true breakthrough that night. A week later, I was released to light duty, which I was forbidden to do a month before. And within a month, I was back to normal physical activities PAIN-FREE and have never experienced another back spasm since!
Growing up, my mother referred to me as the “why” child because it was important for me to know the purpose behind what I had to do and/or what I was faced with. Not for rebellious purposes, but so I could reproduce any effective habits and/or behaviors that would benefit me. In the same respect, I desire to know God AND understand His ways, which is one of the reasons I truly value the gift of prophecy and prophets in my life to provide those “why” answers and clarity when I need it most. Without the insight of prophecy at that pivotal moment of my life, I am convinced that my days of walking in health were numbered. In addition, I definitely would not have had enough understanding to maintain my healing, spending most of my time focusing on a physical component when I should be dealing with emotional weights instead.
It’s funny how Mr. Hook was my dependency to assist me down the “yellow brick road” called my life for that season. I’m forever grateful that the gift of prophecy has been able to replace him and provide much needed guidance and understanding.
Mr. Hook and I have not spoken in quite some time now. The last I heard he was living in the back of my closet with the toys I collected as a child . . . or maybe it was a sad goodbye at the G.O.O.D. yard sale. Either way, thanks to the gift of prophecy, I can assure you we are both definitely living happily ever after!
]]>



http://kaangural.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/laptop-gercekleri-hangi-markalar-daha-saglam/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:56:41 +0000
kaangural
http://kaangural.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/laptop-gercekleri-hangi-markalar-daha-saglam/


Sağlamlıkta neye bakmak gerekiyor?
Hangi laptop markaları daha  sağlam; hangi dev isimler sınıfta kalıyor? İşte ilginç laptop  gerçekleri.
Standard dizüstü bilgisayarlar oldukça kolay hasar  görüyor. Düşürdüğünüzde kırılmayan bir dizüstü istiyorsanız askeri standartlara  uygun bir “Thoughbook” almanız gerekiyor.
SquareTrade, bilgisayar garantisi sunan bir firma ve topladığı veriler en az  hasar gören, en sağlam dizüstü markalarının Asus ve Toshiba olduğunu ortaya  koyuyor. Yapılan araştırma üç yıllık verilere dayanıyor ve sadece kırılma değil,  genel olarak arıza verme oranlarını içeriyor.
Bu araştırmanın sonucunda ortaya çıkan ve pek şaşırtıcı olmayan bir sonuç da,  400 dolar altı netbookların kullanımın ilk yılında bozulma oranı dizüstü  bilgisayarlardan daha yüksek. Netbooklar daha küçük, daha taşınabilir ama daha  düşürülebilir oluyor.
İşte istatistikler



SquareTrade’in  araştırma için rastgele seçtiği 30.000 dizüstü ve netbook içerisinde Acer,  Apple, Asus, Dell, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, Sony, ve Toshiba ürünleri var. Her örnek  grupta da en azından 1000 dizüstü yer alıyor.
Ortaya çıkan istatistik şu sonuçları ortaya koyuyor:
Dizüstü bilgisayarların yüzde 31′i satın alındıktan sonraki ilk 3 yıl  içerisinde sorun yaşıyor.
Bozulmaların üçte ikisi (Yüzde 20.4) donanım hatasından kaynaklanıyor.
Bozulmaların üçte biri (10.6) kazalardan kaynaklanıyor.
Üreticiler ürünün cinsinden daha önemli. Dizüstü bilgisayarların  sağlamlığındaki en önemli etken marka.

]]>



http://kaffeboy.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/macbook-pro-13/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:15:55 +0000
kaffeboy
http://kaffeboy.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/macbook-pro-13/

Hello Viewers,
I know I’ve been quiet for some time. It’s been a year already since I moved to LA. I came with a MacBook 1st generation and a Compaq Presario Laptop. Now, a year later…my Macbook died and I sold that presario and an Asus EeePC 900HA that I purchased a few months after moving here.
Currently I’m working out of my MacBook Pro 13″ Aluminum that I purchased a couple of months ago and my iPhone 3G. I am officially a twitter addict and that’s the reason mainly why I have drifted away from wordpress. 
I am in the process of acquiring a new Netbook because I miss the portability of one but not the compromises. I’m thinking of getting one with ION Graphics like the HP 311 or perhaps the Acer Aspire 1410 with Intel 4500HD. These are available with Windows 7, but I’ll wait until the holiday’s are gone and I have rounded up some money.
Also, I’m very intrigued about Android and Chrome OS. I think they are both great ideas but Google should have followed the path of the iPhone because if they do not focus on one specific device, it’ll become the next Windows Mobile…too many devices, not enough developers interested in developing apps for several screen sizes, hardware and users.
Another thing I’d like to say is that my Team, REAL MADRID are on the top of the spanish league.
]]>



http://notebookreviewer.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/gateway-lt2022u-review/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:53:36 +0000
golfer
http://notebookreviewer.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/gateway-lt2022u-review/


The ultra-portable design of the Gateway LT netbook (model LT2022u) is ideal for those on the move who need a quick, easy way to connect to the Internet and stay in touch with family and friends. Weighing less than 3 pounds, it features a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display and an easy typing keyboard. Check e-mail, communicate with friends via VOIP and webcam, share photos, surf the web, listen to music, watch movies and more–wherever you are. It also features a multi-gesture touchpad that enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers for an intuitive navigation of web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. More…
1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
1024MB DDR2 533MHz Memory
160GB SATA Hard Drive, Wireless 802.11b/g,
10.1 Inch SD WSVGA High Brightness LED-backlit Display, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3, 3-cell Li-ion Battery (2200 mAh)
More…
]]>



http://mitchellosak.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/microsoft-whats-in-store-for-their-company-store/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:28:58 +0000
mitchellosak
http://mitchellosak.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/microsoft-whats-in-store-for-their-company-store/

Microsoft, following other major brands like Apple, Nike and Ralph Lauren recently launched their first company store in Phoenix Arizona to showcase their latest Xbox, PCs and Zunes.  The Microsoft move is widely seen as a bit of catch-up with rival Apple, which at the end of 2008 operated some 247 retail stores around the world. Considering Microsoft’s product dominance, what took them so long to get into retail?
There are many good reasons for manufacturers to display its wares within their own retail environment. For example, a company can create the best merchandising and brand experience for their products and services. As well, companies can use retail space to build a footprint in underdeveloped markets or learn more about their consumers.  Despite these benefits and Apple’s trailblazing, Microsoft may have delayed retail expansion out of concern for triggering major channel conflicts with its retailers (or, cynically, to cope with an onslaught of walk-in users with buggy software). 
On the other hand, perhaps Microsoft uncovered what a Wharton School of Business and INSEAD study recently concluded.   Namely, that operating company stores in the same market as your retail channel does not saturate markets, create inefficiencies or promote channel conflict.  In fact, the opposite is the case:  the rising tide of a company store lifts all retail boats.
The researchers used a series of mathematical models to simulate and analyze the marketing and price-setting behaviors of independent and manufacturer-owned retailers.  The model showed that when company stores and independent retailers compete in the same market, manufacturers typically set relatively high prices for goods in their own stores. Higher price points creates room for independents to reduce discounting (versus when company stores aren’t present) thereby improving their margins. Additionally, the presence of company stores can induce independents to increase their marketing efforts resulting in greater support for the manufacturer’s brand and overall brand sales in the market.
Given these conclusions, do company stores end up putting the manufacturer brands at a disadvantage?  Not according to the research.  Independent retailers end up charging more for a given product when competing against a company store than they would if competing only against other independents. Having higher pricing is crucial for the manufacturer to preempt channel conflict and to support its premium brand positioning.  Furthermore, the research shows that independent retailers will undertake greater marketing effort when competing against a company store since they can benefit from significant “effort spillover” from the manufacturer’s store – the phenomenon of one retailer’s marketing and product education efforts helping to create a sale for another.
As for Microsoft, the question remains whether their stores will mirror the success of Apple or the failure of Gateway, a computer company that gave retail a try during the 1990s and closed its 188 retail shops in 2004.  A major reason for Gateway’s failure was its inability to create any in-store or brand sizzle for their discount PCs-in-the-box.  Microsoft’s first store is not lacking in “experiential” impact but many things can still go wrong.
Microsoft rarely undertakes an initiative without considerable research and investment.  Look for them to make an impressive retail debut, although achieving Apple or Nike standards may require a 2.0 launch.
For more information on services and work please visit our web site.
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http://ferv0r.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/i-am-loving-dragon-age/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:42:02 +0000
ferv0r
http://ferv0r.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/i-am-loving-dragon-age/

I’m about 30 hours into Dragon Age: Origins and loving every minute of it.  DA is Bioware at their best and shows why they are one of the most respected development houses in the business.
DA is a great throwback to the games that cemented Bioware as one of the best RPG developers: the Baldur’s Gate series.  It’s what a Baldur’s Gate game would look like if it had millions of dollars thrown at it.  Bioware’s polish and willingness to go the extra mile shows in all aspects of the game.  On top of a engaging storyline, unique characters and a deep combat system, the game looks and sounds great.
I’m running DA on my gaming laptop, a Gateway P-7811FX.  Running a game at 1920×1200 on the 17″ screen is a bit hard on my eyes, so I hooked it up to a 24″ LCD.  It’s giving me 30+ fps at high graphics settings, which is far better than I expected.  Unfortunately, DA heats up my laptop like crazy, which means I can’t play for more than a few hours at a time.  I just ordered a $20 Antec USB-powered laptop cooler from Amazon.  When I’m not using my laptop for gaming, I can use it to cool my Xbox 360.  Hopefully, it’ll quiet the loud Xbox fans a bit.
Every single line of dialogue in DA is voiced, which is an incredible feat for a game of this size.  It’s a great indicator for why Bioware is spending untold dollars to voice their upcoming MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic.  When I first read all the press releases from Bioware boasting that every character in SW:TOR is going to be voiced, I was a bit skeptical.  It seemed like a waste of money that would be better spent on other things like creating more content.  But now I’m sold.  I have to admit that it adds another level of depth to the immersion that I haven’t encountered in other RPG’s.
Another great thing about DA is that the game is not a cakewalk, unlike so many other RPG’s.  Many of the encounters are quite challenging.  In addition, Bioware made a good choice when they enabled friendly fire even for normal mode.  You can’t spam devastating spells without hitting your own allies.  This simple change adds so much dimension to the tactical nature of combat in this game.
Unfortunately, DA isn’t the most balanced game.  There are some classes and powers that are rather ridiculous, so if you take advantage of them, it does make the game far easier.  For example, Arcane Warriors are mages that are tougher and more effective than warriors.  The worst spell is probably Cone of Cold, which is a close range AoE attack that freezes every single monster in the game, even bosses.  With two mages spamming CoC on cooldown, you can keep all the mobs frozen while you beat on them without much risk.  There are other spells that are nearly as overpowered (i.e. Force Field, Glyph of Repulsion, Sleep, etc.).
According to the game, I am 27% done with the content and I’m already dreading the moment when I run out of things to do.  I haven’t looked into the modding community yet, but I’m really hoping Bioware has given modders enough tools to create more content.
Right now I’m playing normal mode with a level 10 Blood Mage specialized in cold magic and crowd control.  Alistair is my tank.  Morrigan provides backup to my primary mage with more damage, control and debuffs.  Leliana is the rogue I’m using for opening locks, disabling traps and providing some damage.  When I get Wynne, I’ll probably swap her for Leliana.  Wynne’s healing and spells is far more useful.  I am trying to romance Leliana, though, so I hope talking to her in the camp and giving her tons of presents is enough.
I was originally planning to rent DA for my Xbox 360, but I’m extremely glad I decided to pick it up for my PC.  Playing on the PC gives you far better control over your characters.  You also can’t mod the game on the 360.
Playing DA has made me nostalgic for the older Bioware games.  Once I finish and replay DA, I’m seriously considering digging into my archives and finding the discs for the Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights and SW:KOTOR games.  In comparison to DA, they will look horrible, but the core gameplay should be as solid now as it was years ago.
According to the game, I am 27% done with the content and I’m already dreading the moment when I run out of things to do.
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http://addicts4gadgets.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/acer-announces-a-new-multi-touch-all-in-one-pc/
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:10:28 +0000
swiff88
http://addicts4gadgets.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/acer-announces-a-new-multi-touch-all-in-one-pc/


Acer Japan has announced a new multi-touch all-in-one PC for the Japanese market in the form of the Gateway One ZX 4800-41. The system boasts a 20-inch 1600 x 900 (HD) multi-touch display, an Intel Celeron T3000 processor, a Mobile Intel GL- 40 Express chipset, a 4GB (2 x 2GB) 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM, a 750GB SATA (7200rpm) HDD, 3rd. generation Dolby Home Theater audio and supports for Windows 7 Home Premium OS. The Gateway One ZX 4800-41 will go on sale in Japan starting on November 27th for around 100,000 Yen (about $1,125).
found @ www.techfresh.net
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http://boreraeddy.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/frontlinesms/
Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:17:58 +0000
boreraeddy
http://boreraeddy.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/frontlinesms/

If you are looking for a way of receiving and sending SMS to/from your website then, I highly recommend FontlineSMS. It is a very nice SMS Gateway, and written in Java (cross platform I would say).  You can just plug your phone as a modem, then you are ready to go.  Useful for
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http://railforthevalley.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/from-the-seattle-times-26-million-sought-to-buy-land-for-portion-of-eastside-rail-corridor/
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:39:28 +0000
zweisystem
http://railforthevalley.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/from-the-seattle-times-26-million-sought-to-buy-land-for-portion-of-eastside-rail-corridor/