Many many years ago, when I just graduated from High School in Germany, I used to work at a game store. I got to know a plethora of board games, roleplaying games and card games. I remember we used to sell the Royal Game of Ur and some gorgeous chess games at the place.

I definitely used to and still do have a fascination for ancient games because it is a graspable concept to people now-a-days as much as it was back then. It’s something you have in common with someone who lived so long ago in a world that is entirely foreign to us.

It also reflects a lot of the attitude and art of the people and I am really most impressed with the way Antiquity Gamecrafters is projecting it into their products. I love the stone and wood combinations that they create and at the same time attempted to recapture some of the mood of the original culture.

Não é fácil estar a par de tudo o que chega…

Mas fiquem com um resumo do que mais importante chegou ao Marketplace na última semana.

Xbox Live Arcade

Madden NFL Arcade
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Size: 522 MB
Feel the excitement of the NFL with a fun, fast-paced, 5-on-5 football experience. Madden NFL Arcade brings the 10 best players from each of the 32 NFL teams on offense and defense together to battle it out on the gridiron. No penalties, no clock, just pure adrenaline, as each team has four downs to march 60 yards downfield for the score. Catch your opponent off-guard with Game Changers that allow you to break the game wide open in a single play! Play with 1-4 players on a single console, or take your game online with ranked/unranked matches, lobbies, leaderboards, and more. Madden NFL Arcade takes everything you love about your favorite NFL stars and stadiums and brings them to life in a fun, high-scoring gridiron battle! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Conteúdo Extra

Dragon Ball: Warriors on Earth Pack
Price: Free (Gold Exclusive offer)
Size: 108 KB
The “Dragon Ball: Raging Blast” Character Pack #1 is now available! The first release is the “Warriors on Earth Pack”! This pack contains Krillin, Yamcha, Tien and Chiaotzu! These familiar warriors with unbelievable powers enter the battle and add intensity to the gameplay! Experience the ultimate battle with these warriors with exceptional abilities!!
KOF XII BGM “Hard Rock” Arrange
Price: 320 Microsoft Points
Size: 12 MB
BGM Arrangement Packs for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XII now available! 10 tracks of the game’s BGM will be arranged in Hard Rock style. * To change BGM, set the sound arrangement to “Hard Rock” in “SOUND OPTION”. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
KOF XII BGM “Jazz” Arrangements
Price: 320 Microsoft Points
Size: 12 MB
BGM Arrangement Packs for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XII now available! 10 tracks of the game’s BGM will be arranged in Jazz style. * To change BGM, set the sound arrangement to “Jazz” in “SOUND OPTION”. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
KOF XII BGM “Dance” Arrangements
Price: 320 Microsoft Points
Size: 12 MB
BGM Arrangement Packs for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XII now available! 10 tracks of the game’s BGM will be arranged in Dance style. * To change BGM, set the sound arrangement to “Dance” in “SOUND OPTION”. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
KOF XII BGM “Classic”
Price: 320 Microsoft Points
Size: 13 MB
BGM Pack for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XII now available! 10 tracks of the game’s BGM will be changed to Classic KOF Music. * To change BGM, set the sound arrangement to “Another” in “SOUND OPTION”. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Vídeos e Trailers

Metallica Excert (SD)
Price: Free
Size: 34 MB
Free Clip of Metallica LIVE concert (Not Rated)
Just Cause 2 The Grapple Mini Documentary (HD)
Price: Free
Size: 156 MB
Behind the scenes at Avalanche Studios, get a lesson in tethering object together, using the dual hook, sling-shotting with the parachute to zip around the environment, some creative combat techniques, gravity defying stunts and more. (Not Rated)
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Parish Campaign Essentials (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 212 MB
Learn basic battle plans and fight through the infected streets of The Parish, pausing at the plague park, bus depot, urban streets, impound lot, cemetery, and historic district as you valiantly battle to a bridge finale. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Hard Rain Campaign Essentials (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 205 MB
Tear through a run-down Milltown in a frantic search for fuel. Face a gaggle of Witches inside a dilapidated Sugar Mill, and battle back through the storm to Virgil’s boat, using the following battle plans. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Hard Rain Campaign Essentials (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 205 MB
Tear through a run-down Milltown in a frantic search for fuel. Face a gaggle of Witches inside a dilapidated Sugar Mill, and battle back through the storm to Virgil’s boat, using the following battle plans. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Swamp Fever Campaign Essentials (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 155 MB
Tread through frightening rural locales, face more fearsome foes than alligators, and fight your way through effluent swamps to a tumbledown plantation mansion. This is tactical wade through Swamp Fever. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Dark Carnival Campaign Essentials (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 234 MB
Trekking through to an abandoned fun-fair means surviving zombie attacks from all angles, as well as taking in the different rides without falling foul to the undead. But the real fireworks begin at the Midnight Riders’ concert finale. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Dead Center Campaign (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 205 MB
Offering general plans for checking out promptly from the Vannah Hotel, to the correct way of dealing with a maul in Liberty Mall, this video reveals the best methods of surviving Dead Center. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Weapons Detail (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 137 MB
Learn which firearm to leave on a safe room table, and which those infected can pry from your cold, dead hands. The following showcases all available Primary and Melee Weapons. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Know Your Enemy Part II (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 251 MB
The more hideous and powerful of the Infected mutate into sub-species known as Special Infected. This primer introduces you to all these types, and offers disposal routines known to be effective. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Know Your Enemy Part 1 (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 165 MB
Which Infected falls to your favorite firearm, and who rampages with impunity? We check out Common and Uncommon Infected, and offer tips on how to live when battling them. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Top Ten Tips for Staying Alive (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 174 MB
Professional zombie apocalypse survivors have figured out the best ways to live under the most horrific circumstances, and share these plans with you, the viewer. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Prima Games Strategy Guides: Left 4 Dead 2 – Scavenge and Survival Modes (HD)
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Size: 159 MB
Learn how to beat rival teams in Fuel Can consumption, or fight waves of unrelenting foes and Survive for longer than you thought possible. (Not Rated) There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Temas e Imagens de Jogador

Band Hero Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 108 KB
Downloading Band Hero Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE Band Hero Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
DJ Hero Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 108 KB
Downloading DJ Hero Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE DJ Hero Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
Forza 3 Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 108 KB
Downloading Forza 3 Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE Forza 3 Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
GTA IV Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 108 KB
Downloading GTA IV Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE GTA IV Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
Halo ODST Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 124 KB
Downloading Halo ODST Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE Halo ODST Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
Left for Dead 2 Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 108 KB
Downloading Left for Dead 2 Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE Left for Dead 2 Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
Lips Play and Win Gamerpic
Price: Free
Size: 124 KB
Downloading Lips Play and Win Gamerpic registers legal residents of UK for the UK Xbox LIVE Lips Play and Win Prize Draw, and give Microsoft permission to contact you in connection with the Prize Draw. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Prize draw entry period begins at 12:00pm GMT on 27/11/2009 and ends at 11:59pm GMT on 29/11/2009. For details on free, alternate method of entry, see Official Rules at http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/xtival09winter/terms.htm
Xtival Star Trek Screening Prize Draw Registation
Price: Free
Size: 108 KB
By downloading this gamerpic you are entering into THE MICROSOFT Xbox LIVE Star Trek Screening PRIZE DRAW and agreeing to the terms and conditions at www.xbox.com/en-gb/startrekcomp
Xtival 09 – Premium Theme
Price: Free
Size: 6 MB
Download this theme.
BAYONETTA Premium Theme
Price: 240 Microsoft Points
Size: 13 MB
Premium Theme from BAYONETTA displaying her playful spirit. Customize your Xbox 360 with BAYONETTA-themed art assets. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

HP iPAQ Glisten

Gonzalo Tirado Yepez ha anunciado la disponibilidad del HP iPAQ Glisten de AT&T y HP dentro de un par de semanas.  Es el primer smartphone de AT&T con una pantalla táctil AMOLED, incorporando Windows Mobile 6.5 y teclado QWERTY.

Los usuarios fácilmente pueden desplazarse entre trabajo y ocio con la avanzada capacidad del e-mail móvil, posee Wi-Fi y GPS así como ricos rasgos de multimedia y de aplicaciones. AT&T respalda el Windows Marketplace para acceder a variedad de aplicaciones.

Agrega Gonzalo Tirado que los usuarios podrán tomar ventaja del altavoz incorporado para disfrutar del manos libres por medio de Comandos de Voz,  así como del software de reconocimiento de voz el cual lee mensajes de texto y e-mails entre otras cosas, también se puede marcar el número de un contacto por medio del sistema de voz.

El HP iPAQ Glisten estará disponible entre las próximas semanas por $230 dólares (se recibe una Tarjeta de Promoción AT&T con contrato por dos años de plan de telefonía para el smartphone).

เป็น iTunes สำหรับผู้ใช้หลายปีฉันไม่เคยคิดมากมายเกี่ยวกับความสามารถในการค้นหา. จนกระทั่งที่ฉันประสบความสง่างามของการค้นหาซอฟต์แวร์ Zune ของ.

เมื่อค้นหาเพลงกับ iTunes คุณป้อนคำค้นหาหรือสอง (ตัวอย่าง: "Van มอร์ริ") และกดปุ่มค้นหาเพื่อดูรายการของผลลัพธ์ที่ตรงกับ.

ง่ายเพียงพอ. แต่ถ้าคุณสะกด 'มอร์ริ' ผิด (ด้วย r, บางทีหรือสองของ s), iTunes จะไม่กลับมาฮิตๆ. ที่ดีที่สุดถ้าคุณโชคดีคุณจะเห็น "ไม่คุณหมายถึง …?" ข้อความจาก iTunes.

และไม่พยายามค้นหาบางส่วนทั้ง. หากคุณพยายามที่จะประหยัดเวลาและหลีกเลี่ยงข้อผิดพลาดโดยป้อน mor รถตู้ "" คุณเหมือนกันจะไม่ได้รับใด Van มอร์ริชมในผลลัพธ์การค้นหาของคุณ iTunes.

สถานการณ์: อื่นป้อน "Eddie Cochrane" เป็นคำค้นหาของคุณและผลตอบแทนที่ iTunes ตรง no. ทำไม? เพราะศิลปินที่คุณกำลังมองหา Eddie Cochran คือ … คุณต้องเสีย e ลาก, iTunes มิฉะนั้นจะไม่ช่วย.

ค้นหา iTunes เป็นเพียง unforgiving ของ typosหรือคำที่ไม่สมบูรณ์และผลตอบแทนเฉพาะ เพลง ที่ตรงกับตรงกับคำค้นหาของคุณ.

Zune ซอฟต์แวร์บนมืออื่นๆที่ใหญ่อภัยโทษและอื่นๆที่มีประสิทธิภาพเป็นเครื่องมือในการค้นหาเพลง. ส่วนใหญ่เห็นว่ามีการค้นหาแบบไดนามิก. เมื่อคุณป้อนคำค้นหาของคุณรายการกรองผลการค้นหาจะปรากฏในหน้าต่างรายละเอียด. ทุกตัวอักษรกดคุณยังกรองรายชื่อ – เพื่อเป็นคุณสะกดชื่อเพลงหรือชื่อศิลปินของคุณคุณสามารถเห็นผลลัพธ์การเปลี่ยนแปลงแบบไดนามิก.คุณได้รับการตอบรับทันทีในสิ่งที่คุณกำลังมองหา.

เพราะการค้นหาแบบไดนามิกคุณสามารถใช้การสะกดบางส่วนในการค้นหา. ป้อน mor รถตู้ "" ตัวอย่างเช่นคุณจะเห็น เพลง Van มอร์ริปรากฏเป็นคุณสำคัญในตัวอักษร.

ซอฟต์แวร์ Zune ช่วยให้คุณผสมและตรงกับคำค้นหาบางส่วนสำหรับศิลปินและชื่อเพลงด้วย. นี้อาจเป็นวิธีที่สะดวกมากที่จะกรองผลลัพธ์ของคุณลงไปที่เพลงที่ต้องการ. Enter "ดวงจันทร์ mor รถตู้" และคุณจะได้รับทราบความรวดเร็วคุณสามารถกรองลงเพื่อดูการติดตามของมอร์ริ Moondance Van.

อีกลักษณะประโยชน์ของการค้นหาตลาดมันกลับมาทุกอย่างในที่แค็ตตาล็อกศิลปิน – รายการที่แม้อาจจะไม่สามารถดาวน์โหลด. ที่จะช่วยค้นหา – โดยการให้ตีบวกกับคำค้นหาของคุณ. กับ iTunes คุณต้องเลื่อนดูผลการค้นหาเพื่อให้มั่นใจว่าคุณไม่ได้หายไปมันฝังในอัลบั้มบรรณาการและครอบคลุมรุ่นโดยศิลปินอื่นๆ. หรือว่าคุณไม่พลาดเป็นเพราะการขาด iTunes 'ของโทษเกี่ยวกับ typos และคำค้นหาบางส่วน.

ด้านพลิก: ในขณะที่การค้นหา iTunes เป็นดั้งเดิมจะตอบสนอง. กดและผลกลับมาเร็วกว่าการค้นหาแบบไดนามิกของตลาด.

ประโยชน์ของการค้นหาตลาดจริงๆตีบ้านฉันเมื่อเร็วๆนี้ในระหว่างการวิจัย Rock'n'Roll ของเราที่ฉันและทีมเล็กค้นหา 500 หินและ เพลง ม้วนในแต่ละ iTunes และตลาด. ประสิทธิภาพของ Zune ของตลาดจริงยืนในการวิจัยที่โครงการ.

ซอฟต์แวร์ Zune อาจไม่สมบูรณ์แต่เมื่อถึงเวลาที่จะช่วยให้คุณพบเพลงที่คุณต … มัน blows ประตูออกจาก iTunes.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s guilty of spending an unreasonable amount of time making sure my avatar’s fashion choices are hip and up-to-date. You guys are too! Here are the items you purchased the most in the last week.

1. Modern Warfare 2 – Ghost Uniform
2. Modern Warfare 2 – UAV
3. Assassin’s Creed – Ezio Outfit
4. Assassin’s Creed – Altair Outfit
5. Modern Warfare 2 – Vertical Logo Tee
6. DJ Hero – Ghetto Blaster
7. Modern Warfare 2 – Tee
8. Assassin’s Creed – DaVinci’s Flying Machine
9. DJ Hero – Double Decks for Your Avatar
10. Assassin’s Creed – AC2 Logo Hoodie

Well I can tell what you guys have been playing.

- jinx

Some thoughts around future 3D Marketplace. Few days ago, I had chance to post of future of 3D Warehouse. Thanks for Architecture+ blog picking up this topic in “Looking on 3D Marketplace” blog. Even if 3D content online is only in the early beginning, it is very interesting to think about possible evolving of 3D content in the future potential 3D marketplace. I can see few potential routes for 3D content online.

1. Supply Chain. This is the most traditional route that, in my view, already happens in portals providing online catalog parts. Decentralization, outsource design and product development will make such services even more important in the future.

2. Advanced customization. Relatively new trend in my view. Ability to provide advanced customization for products. Especially, this is interesting for products sold online. Ability to generate a precise models of product for visualization can be a very interesting approach for future online market.

3. Consumers oriented content services. I can imagine this scenario as demand of customers to get more realistic product presentation and experience product features online.

Thinking about great potential of 3D content online, I also want to alert on possible conflicts or even content wars. For the last 20-30 years, 3D formats remained a hot topic and didn’t converge to standards that shared between CAD manufacturers. How it can influence future content marketplace? Reading about Microsoft’s effort to de-index content from Google’s search here, you can only imagine the level of potential conflicts between all possible 3D Content providers.

These are just my thoughts. What do you think? I’m looking forward to your comments.

Best, Oleg

In August, when Sony made the announcement it would release three models of the next generation of digital electronic book reader, questions were asked about their reason for being including the mid-range Sony Reader Digital Book edition that Line Tap. Few industry analysts, as appropriate, thought there would be no buyers for a model of this step, right there, against the popular Amazon Kindle, who also was the market leader in devices thattime.

In the short time since release, it is now clear that prs600 has captured the imagination of the public to purchase, so Sony has only dreamed of, thus justifying their courage (some would even venture to say) the decision to include the model in the Its impressive range of products.

I have always supported the need for models more affordable, reducing some of the hi-spec useless and accessibility to the public so more people can join the reading revolution. Sony, inmy eyes, that gave us with their entry-level model, the Prs300. In December its new wireless model, the daily editions, will be on sale and slotted the high end market, retailing at U.S. $ 399 U.S. expected. What the PRS 600 Touch Edition is not impaired and offers buyers a real choice. It sells for $ 299, the price of the Kindle wireless 2, it also offers potential buyers the obvious differences between the two models.

Although this is not the first Sonytouch screen model, which must be said, is unrecognizable from the service 700 that includes a backlight. Done to improve readability in sunlight is the inclusion of only resulted in poor contrast and higher than the battery charge is necessary because the need to keep the reading light, even under normal conditions. Things are moving in Eink and made huge improvements to its e-paper technology, after the release of Prs700 Back in early 2008. Gone is the backlight, draining the battery everycouple of days, you can now buy coverage for their digital e-book reader which includes a light, but this will be released in another $ 50 or more. The problem is not the case of contact elegant models of the past, but are equipped with neoprene cover that protects the devices on display, unlike any of the Kindle 2 DX or not a case of description.

We take a closer control of the main reasons for choosing to purchase the edition of contact Kindle2 throughtouchscreen.

Do not turn this page digital book reader from Sony, a simple swipe of a finger, customizable to the left or right, the results on the page turned forward or backward. Not exactly a page becomes real, but the closest to the dam and a step forward in my mind the missing link between the user and machine.

Tapping twice on the screen one word you can discover the meaning of a word in the dictionary. The book is markedThe installation can be accessed via the touch screen also double-tap the corner of the screen to add or delete bookmarks. Options can also be reached through the screen, making this probably the most intuitive digital electronic book reader in the price range, so that the menu on the screen so you can use the drawing or a digital pen. Each drawing or highlighting you make are saved for download at a later date, with support for Mac or PC.

Other useful feature I'm using regularly, accessed via the touch screen is text, which are able to store notes, such as the names and contact numbers, shopping lists, in fact almost everything you need to remember. Instead of a keyboard used on the Kindle, which is visible on the device at any time, the Sony Reader Digital Book shows a screen. This point does Prs600 bit 'more elegant and pleasing to the eyes of others> Digital ebook reading devices, in particular, the Kindle. You can also use the option to write on the screen, which lets you use the device's stylus or your finger to take notes, transferred to the word and then edit and export them.

As I said at the beginning of this article, the publication of touch does not use wireless connectivity to connect to the online library, but uses the computer and the USB 2.0 cable is available for download directly from Sony eBookStore. Here you can access for free e-book of 1 million titles in the library of Google and the search for the library can provide a guide to libraries in the locality and to three weeks, the rental service free digital book, for use in digital electronic book reader. Handy, Sony. The Sony Reader Digital Book is available in red, black and silver colors and touch screen, wireless PRS600 fill a niche that, in contrastwhat industry experts expect that make it an important element in the family Sony Digital Book Reader.

Maybe you saw that Lloyds is embarking on a £13.5bn Rights Issue. If you already own Lloyds shares you will be given the option to buy 1.34 new Ordinary shares for every 1 you hold, at 37 pence each.  One might expect that Lloyds would be looking for additional funds after the HBoS take-over that was encouraged by the UK government.  It has since then emerged that the value of HBoS was inflated by a secret loan made by the Government and also that apparently Lloyds chief executive and the former chairman both knew about the secret arrangement. This was not disclosed to the investors during the time of persuading that a take-over of HBoS would be a good idea. With this loan, and another such secret loan made by the Government to RBS, having been repaid early this year it is not surprising that funds are low. No, I’m not going to refer to bonuses again…

My MBA class is now busy with the Integrative Project that sees them competing against each other in a virtual market – lots of hectic decision-making and, dare I say, a bit of industrial espionage taking place! After that we have a week of revision before the exams. And then, before we know it, it is time to pack our bags and set off for the Christmas break.

För ett tag  sen stötte jag ihop med årets IT-tjej, Louisa Luciani. Louisa pluggar på Chalmers och är onekligen en ung tjej med huvet på skaft. Som årets IT-tjej har Louisa ett oerhört hektiskt schema och flyger från den ena världsdelen efter den andra, just nu befinner hon sig i Hong Kong för lite pluggande. Emellan och under allt resande finns det dock lite ledig tid så jag och Louisa kom överens om att hon skulle bygga en cool app för Windows phone och lägga in på Marketplace.

Det ska bli intressant att se vad Louisa knåpar ihop för nånting. Det är roligt med andra perspektiv. Louisa är tjej, student, smart, världsmedborgare. Jag har ingen aning om vad det kommer att bli. Spännande!

Som ni kanske har läst kommer vi först i februari öppna den svenska marketplace katalogen i Marketplace, samt möjligheten att få tillgång till det globala utbudet. Det innebär också att den Marketplace utvecklartävling vi utlyst kommer att flytta med start när Marketplace går live och slutar den 30 juni.

Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om Louisa Luciani, Årets IT-tjej, Marketplace, Windows phone

Game add-ons, or PDLC as we hardcore folks usually call it, are fun. They keep games from getting old. And you like to purchase them, according to my spreadsheets. And here are the ones you liked to buy most this week.

1. Peggle – Peggle Nights
2. Borderlands – Zombie Island
3. Dragon Age: Origins – Warden’s Keep
4. Grand Theft Auto IV – The Ballad of Gay Tony
5. The Beatles: Rock Band – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
6. Halo 3 – Mythic Map Pack
7. Fable 2 – See the Future
8. Call of Duty: World at War – Map Pack 2
9. Halo 3 – Legendary Map Pack
10. Lips – Walk Like an Egyptian

Note: these are only the purchased game add-ons and this list doesn’t include the bazillions of free add-ons.

- jinx

Want to know if your Android application customer demographic has changed since Verizon’s launch of the DROID? Just look at your app’s comments on the Marketplace. Over the past few weeks, the language has dramatically changed from a constructive comment like “great app but needs some work” to a more aggressive one like ‘”this app sucks—my phone keeps on crashing” without any diagnostic aid. While this hurts the developer’s sales, it shows that the user market has changed and expanded.

When the first Android phone emerged—the T-Mobile G1—the early adopters jumped on it. These consumers, the first users exposed to the problems common to early-stage product deployment, were tech-savvy. They were compassionate with developers’ struggles in a young market and patient with the crashes, bugs, and error messages. These people mostly had an understanding of the programming behind the apps. They acknowledged that as the new Android phones hit the market, the apps would have to adapt with them.

Unlike other popular smart phones, the Android operating system has been deployed in at least 10 different devices and carried by at least 5 service providers internationally. Each device has different parameters for certain features and, on top of that, the Android OS keeps being updated creating a constant stream of programming demands. Unfortunately, the consumer doesn’t always understand this. They’ve been trained to assume that each app that arrives in the Marketplace has been tested on every device and the latest OS before being made available on the market. That’s not how Android works.

On a positive note, the new wave of consumers suggests that the product is being adopted by the early majority. While early adopters tend to perceive risks in a positive way, early majority undoubtedly perceive risks as negative, hence comments like “don’t even bother downloading the app—it crashes my phone” which, in fact, is a device error.

What we can take away from this is that the Android developers are going through a maturity stage where they have to learn how to manage their consumers. They will need to help educate their users through blogs, increase their customer service by reaching out to the unsatisfied customers, and connect with the trendsetters who often aid in the awareness of the products.

‘Ayana Organics’ By Sam Crosby

Ayana Organics is a West Australian owned and operated boutique skin care company, passionate about providing products that are kind to our environment and free of chemicals.  Ayana is an Indian word meaning ‘beautiful flower’. In many cultures, the image of a flowers petals opening is synonymous with new life.

At Ayana, we have chosen to celebrate one of the most special and sacred journey’s in a woman’s life by creating a skin care range especially for pregnancy, newborn babies and the post-natal period. Ayana products are the highest quality natural ingredients, and we are committed to using certified organic ingredients wherever possible.  Our entire range is vegan friendly, cruelty free and kind to the environment.

To see the full range of Ayana Organics, visit: www.ayanaorganics.com.au

Setelah mencoba Android Phone beberapa minggu, bagi yang seneng otak-atik gadget… tiada hari tanpa hal baru di Android, ada aja yang bisa diotak-atik dan salah satu contohnya adalah menjelajah Android Market.

Android Market adalah sebuah pasar digital yang berisi ribuan program/software baik yang gratisan maupun berbayar. Mulai dari program ringan untuk lucu-lucuan sampe program serius bisa ditemukan disini.

Seperti gambar diatas, Android Market terdiri dari 3 bagian utama yaitu:

• Apps: Berisi program-program mulai dari yang ringan sampe serius
• Games: Berisi games-games menarik untuk mengusir kebosanan disaat santai
• Downloads: Berisi daftar program yang udah didownload ke sistem android

Apps dan Games terdiri dari beberapa kategori utama untuk memudahkan dalam mencari program sesuai kebutuhan. Setelah diklik kategori yang diinginkan, maka akan muncul daftar program beserta ratingnya.

Semakin banyak bintangnya (rate) maka semakin bagus pula kualitas program tersebut. Tapi ada juga program bagus tapi ratenya gak seberapa banyak, biasanya program tersebut masih baru dan belum populer jadi belum banyak yang mencoba.

Seperti yang terlihat gambar diatas, bagian Download berisi daftar program-program yang pernah kita download ke android phone kita. Asyiknya lagi, setiap kali program tersebut di-update oleh developer-nya maka akan muncul informasi ‘Update available’ untuk versi terbaru.

So… program yang dipakai selalu versi yang terbaru! Dengan semakin seringnya update tersebut maka semakin bagus pula kualitasnya karena selalu ada perbaikan dan penambahan fitur.

Kamu pengen mencari program berdasarkan keyword tertentu ??? klik aja tombol pencari dengan simbol kaca pembesar dan ketikkan keyword-nya.

Contoh diatas, aku mengetikkan keyword ‘GPS’ hasilnya banyak sekali program-program gratisan yang berhubungan dengan GPS, tinggal pilih aja mana yang cocok… kalo gak suka, hapus aja cari yang lain… beres!! hehehe…

The Marketplace Global Competition is currently in Quarter 7 and rapidly coming to an end.  Competition is fierce and the last quarter push is just around the corner.

Marketplace is proud to have 11 games running simultaneously in which 7 different countries are represented.    The participating countries include:

• Australia
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• India
• Philippines
• Slovakia
• United States

Good luck to all participating teams who are striving to earn their spot in our Hall of Fame!

Check out the dates for our next Global Competition…

Um, yeah, I know I’ve said before that paying for digital clothing and trinkets to dress up your digital self is silly and a stupid waste of money. War never changes, sure, but my outlook on this stupid trend just might because…

On Thursday, November 26, Bethesda is releasing the following Fallout 3 items on the Xbox Avatar Marketplace:

• Vault 101 Suit — 240 MS Points
• Bethesda Game Studios Shirt — 80 MS Points
• Fallout 3 Ringer Shirt — 80 MS Points
• Vault Boy Shirt — 80 MS Points
• Vault Boy Suit — 240 MS Points
• Vault Boy Head — 80 MS Points

Of them all, the Vault 101 Suit is looking the slickest.

Someone asked me, just yesterday, whether or not they should go to Johannesburg and if so for how long. I’m so bad at answering these questions. Not sure why. Here’s my attempt:

I enjoyed my time in Johannesburg. But so much of what I enjoyed was made possible because one of my closest friends, S., lives there. The things that everyone would typically do in Johannesburg turned out to be very mundane. Our first full day in Johannesburg, we went to the Apartheid Museum, where we were first divided arbitrarily into racial groups to enter the museum and given a detailed history of South Africa and apartheid. Normally one who takes their time during museum visits, I seemed to speed through the exhibits compared to my friend, C’s, snail-like pace. We would have probably spent the entire day there, had the lights not gone out, forcing C. to run out of the museum, missing a little more than a quarter of the exhibit.

We also went to Soweto, the most popular township known for its role in the struggle against apartheid. We dined buffet style at Sakhumzi’s while we were serenaded by a girl with a beautiful voice, and joined by a contortionist who had been folding himself into awkward positions on the street with hope to receive tips, earlier. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from him. C., on the other hand, was not as interested. Sakhumzi’s perfect location put us right in between Bishop Desmond Tutu’s house and Nelson Mandela’s house, which is now a museum. So we visited the both, with the latter having more activity around it, particularly people selling things.

Speaking of selling, S. took us to the African Market at Rosebank to search for souvenirs. Let’s pause for a moment right here. NOTA BENE: When I say souvenirs, that is precisely what I mean. Trinkets. Magnets. Mass produced paintings. Etc. Although, I quickly fell in love with this number:

Yes, that is a real zebra hide. Yes, I saw it and was drawn to it, like a moth to a flame. Dear PETA, please don’t hate me. I loved it, up until I found out the price. 8,000 South African Rand. Please do the math on that. Yes, over $1,000. I chuckled and walked away, and it was mistaken for a negotiation tactic.

Salesman: How much do you want to pay? I give you good price.

Me: No no, honestly, I cannot afford it. The fact that you started at 8,000 rand means I shouldn’t even continue to talk to you.

Salesman: Give me 6,000 rand and you can have it.

Me: What about 6 rand?

Salesman: What you said? Six thousand? [Emphasis on thousand]

Me: I need to go find my friend.

The run-of-the-mill Johannesburg activities were fun, yes, but like most other tourist activities you may want to run quickly through them so that you can get to the real fun…

xo

J. Justine

A trip to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without at least 1 trip to the fantastic Mercat de la Boqueria, one of the largest and most famous marketplaces in Europe.  Although you will be one of about a thousand tourists at any given time, it’s a must-see place that showcases the local food culture, fresh catches from the sea, and most importantly the live spirit of the hard-working merchants.  Located in La Rambla in the Gothic Quarters half-way between Plaça Catalunya and the beaches (right in front of the Metro stop Liceu), it’s easy to spot the wrought iron entrance to this famous market.  Although the market can be historically dated back as far as the early 12oo’s, it settled into its current location in the early 1800’s.

Just in front of the entrance is a wonderful jamón shop that specializes in the marvelous jamón iberico de bellota, cured ham made with free-range acorn-fed Iberian pigs that have the most flavorful and aromatic fat.  The men behind the counter will skillfully shave as little or as many slices as you want, from a wide range of selections.  You can also buy pre-sliced vacuum sealed packs to take home with you.  I had a few slices of the Joselito Gran Reserva 2006 ham- the intense nutty aroma instantly perfumed my nasal passages as the tender marbled fat melted quickly on my tongue, leaving a faint delectable aftertaste and a smile on my face.  At 169 Euros a kilo, it wasn’t cheap, but it was worth every bite.  There are many more jamón stalls scattered throughout the market, so you can get your fix every few minutes as you slowly browse.

I loved walking through the meat section, slowly checking out the infinite displays of beautifully prepared organ meats from all types of animals.  Most people may quickly pass by these butcher cases in horror or disgust, but I had my nose pressed tightly up against the glass, imagining the tasty dishes that would be created from the fresh tripe, tongue, hoofs and brains.  If only I had enough time to eat everything here…

!!!

The seafood stalls also offered a wide variety of local fish and mollusks, even some that I had never seen before.   Everything looked absolutely fresh and beautiful.  They even had about 10 stalls solely dedicated to Bacalao, the Catalan specialty of dried salt cod.  My favorite photo from the Boqueria market is this close up of the razor clams.  Raw, uncensored and strangely erotic, these live navajas looked so delicious.

!!!

During my stay in Barcelona, I strategically chose a hotel in the Gothic Quarters that was a short walking distance to the Boqueria market.  I knew that I would be frequenting this market at all times of the day, and my plan worked perfectly.  One of my favorite activities to do was to enjoy the fresh fruit juices at any of the numerous fruit stalls by the entrance to the market.  For only 1 Euro a cup, they offered a wide variety of juices from orange, strawberry, kiwi and mango, to watermelon and pineapple.  I was hooked on the bright magenta colored dragon fruit juice that was light and refreshing.

!!!

The wonderful Boqueria market is closed on Sundays, but open from 8am on all other days.  The amazing tapas bars, freshly squeezed fruit juices and hand-carved slices of Jamón Iberico de Bellota are waiting for you.  Come to Mercat de la Boqueria, the heart of Barcelona, and experience how this city center pumps energy and life into the souls of all who fall under its spell.

Mercat de St. Josep de la Boqueria

Random trivia: According to legend, the dragon fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire-breathing dragons.  After the dragon was slayed, the collected fruit would be presented to the Emperor as a treasure and proof of victory.

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