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Have you driven a Ford lately?

2010-03-21T20:18:00.000+02:00

Have You Driven A Ford Lately?

By Laurie Beth Jones

Yesterday I test drove the new Ford Transit Connect, which is might I say a darling design and keen concept small delivery van. It looks like a PT Cruiser married a small half bus/truck. See photos at www.ford.com “Transit Connect.” Having been successfully used in Europe for several years, it is now invading the shores of the United States. As a delivery van made especially for small business owners, and priced around $22,000, the Transit Connect is selling like hotcakes.

It handles well, has a basic interior, and has options for detailing the inside with every configuration of drawers and bins you can imagine. The demo video shows it in use with a produce company, a child home protection company, and a kayak company, which is what drew me in. In the back of my PT cruiser I have a “bin” for my journal stuff, a “bin” for my swimming gear, a “bin” for my biking gear, and a bin to hold some of my smaller bins. I have a bin for “dry cleaning” and a bin for “Donations.” I also have a bin for “library books.”

While this may sound almost compulsively organized for a wind, I assure you that it is not. It is an attempt to organize the stuff of my life, and keep it with me in mobile fashion. Who knows, for example, when I may get an urge to create a leather journal at the beach? And right after that ride my bike and then go for a swim? Having my things together with me allows me to live a larger life, I say to myself. It also saves times and energy. So….why not a delivery van? Then I could get bigger bins and buy bigger toys, or even maybe set up a small office in it, like Georgia O-Keefe did when she took out the backseat of her car and turned it into a mobile art studio.

(My therapist appointment is coming up, I assure you.)

The Transit Connect brochure says it is an ideal van for florists, caterers, dry cleaners, handymen, etc. The salesman who showed it to me says he is thinking about buying one to set up a mobile embroidery business on weekends. He and his wife could take it to trade shows in the area and do on the spot custom embroidery. The possibilities are ENDLESS!

Besides all that, I really like the way it looks. It is different. I could do a full graphic vehicle wrap and then have a traveling billboard, PLUS having all my goods with me. When I shared this with friends at dinner one of them asked “Are you sure you want people to know what you do, and where you live?”

I paused. First, I would have to figure out exactly what I do, and what I would put on it. “The Path. Find it. Live it. Love it.”

“How is my driving?”

Or “LBJ Journal Making. None for sale.” Or “Author driving. May make sudden stops or u-turns.”

All I am telling you is that Ford is on to something here. Like the millions of small business entreprenurs who can do it all, wherever they are.

Now, if they just make sure the brakes work, they may have themselves a winner.

What could you use a delivery van for?

What graphic would you put on it?

Laurie Beth Jones

[Via http://thepathleader.wordpress.com]

Meebo update adds photo support | iLounge News

Ferrari California pictures

2010-03-21T08:15:00.000+02:00

More information about this car: http://www.blogofcar.com/auto/2010/03/ferrari-california-added-6-speed-transmission-model/

[Via http://blogofcar.wordpress.com]

The Tools of Ignorance: Saturday News - Pinstripe Alley

EARL COOPER | AUTO RACING LEGENDS AT THE DAWN OF THE GOLDEN AGE

2010-03-20T20:19:00.000+02:00

Earl Cooper, auto racer, taken at the auto races at Salem, New Hampshire. Cooper’s last major victory was here at the Rockingham board track speedway. He won that 200-miler with a front-drive Miller in 1926. – Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS— Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Nebraska-born in 1886, Earl Cooper became a star just as the Golden Age of auto racing was dawning. Cooper’s illustrious racing career, in which he racked-up three National Championships (1913, 1915 & 1917) and 11 top 10 points finishes, all started in 1904– in an ironic and bittersweet twist.

It was 1904, and Cooper was on the West Coast working as a mechanic at a Maxwell auto dealership. Cooper was bitten by the racing bug, but when he appealed to the Maxwell dealership for sponsorship in a San Francisco race, he was refused. Turns-out his own boss was competing in the same race and did not welcome the friendly competition. So Cooper scoffed at the dealership’s snub, and somehow was able to convince a kind old woman to let him enter her brand new Maxwell in the race. Cooper soundly beat his boss– and just as quick, found himself unemployed. With nothing left to lose, he went on a racing tear, up and down the West Coast, where he was at times unstoppable.

Cooper joined the Stutz racing team in 1912, and just one year later went on to win the National Championship– racking up 2,610 points. Cooper dominated the scene that year, winning five of the eight major road races, along with one 2nd place finish.

Earl Cooper and his riding mechanic in the Stutz car. Picture taken at Indianapolis 500 qualifying in 1919. (Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo. Noel Allard collection)

In 1913, Cooper’s Hell-bent rival, Barney Oldfield, was driving for the Mercer team. The two battled fast and furious in a battle of skill and will on the track–

Cooper and Oldfield would run head-to-head at the Santa Monica Road Race, held on an eight-mile macadam course near the ocean. Oldfield blasted away from the starter’s flag and held a sizeable lead, but Cooper passed Tetzlaff for second and began running Oldfield down. With a 4-minute lead over Oldfield, one of Cooper’s tires blew out and he had to coast into the pits. As his riding mechanic struggled to get the wheel off, Oldfield roared past. Cooper jumped out of the driver’s seat and wrenched the wheel off, the tire was changed and the car back on the track to begin running down Oldfield once more. In his exuberance to stay ahead, this time Oldfield blew a tire and bumped into the pits as Cooper whisked past and on to the checkered flag as the winner.

On September 9, 1913, Cooper and Oldfield again met head-to-head on a 3-mile paved track that circled the town of Corona, California. Cooper, after experiencing the tire problem at Santa Monica, had cannily practiced on the course to find what maximum speed he could drive in order to not make any tire stops at all. He determined that if he drove 75 mph. for the entire race, he could do just that. Oldfield, hell-bent-for-leather, predicted that the race average would go to 90 mph. Oldfield set the pace from the start, over Cooper, Tetzlaff, DePalma and Spencer Wishart. He clocked an awesome 98 mph on one lap, but the track had started to break up from the pounding it was taking from the heavy cars. Oldfield burst a tire and Cooper inherited the lead. Oldfield was back on the track and again at speed when again, a young spectator ran onto the track in front of him. Oldfield swerved to avoid the lad and crashed heavily, injuring several people and himself. Cooper won again and would go on to take his first AAA National Championship.

–Noel Allard

Earl Cooper in action at the start of a race in 1925, Laurel, Maryland.

1915 was another banner year, as Cooper battled back from health issues that had kept him largely sidelined in 1914. He won the first race of 1915 at Point Loma, California, then was forced to take time off from racing due to his health for the early part of the season. He scored points at Indianapolis with a 4th place finish, along with another 4th place finish at Maywood, IL, and two 2nd place finishes at Tacoma, WA. Cooper also managed 2nd in a 50-lap invitational on the Chicago board track. He followed that with a win in one of two events at Elgin, IL, and at a 500-mile race on the cement speedway at Fort Snelling, MN, outside Minneapolis. He also won three 100-mile non-points-awarding races in the West to close the season.

On May 26, 1925, Earl Cooper became the first driver to exceed 110 mph at the famed speedway in Indianapolis when he drove his Junior 8 to 110.728 mph in an official qualification lap. The record didn’t last long. He was eclipsed later in the day by Harry Hartz with a speed of 112.994 mph and again the same day by Peter DePaolo at 114.285 mph in a Duesenberg.

He also set a four-lap qualifying record at 110.487 mph in 1925, but was topped by Hartz, DePaolo and eventual pole sitter Leon Duray in a Miller at 113.196 mph.

Earl Cooper’s impressive racing career lasted until 1927. But retirement did not mean an end to racing– Cooper spent several years as a team manager. Along with his loyal mechanic over the years, Reeves Dutton, they built three front-drive Cooper racing cars, one of which competed at Indianapolis into the 1940s. Earl Cooper died on Oct. 22, 1965 in Atwater, CA, at the age of 79.

San Francisco, California — Photo shows auto racing legend Earl Cooper of San Francisco at the race at Rochingham. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

To be continued…

[Via http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com]

Fox News' Bret Baier Interrupts The President | PerezHilton.com

Runes Of Magic Bot

2010-03-20T14:31:00.000+02:00

The ROM bot usage guide

The RoM bot is very easy to setup.

To get to the bot screen, you must launch the game.

1. Type Bot ID and PW that you have created, then click login.

2. Load: Load a saved Configuration File.

Save: Save the current Configuration File

Start: Start botting

Training Arrange: Botting range round the current coordinate.

No KS: Don’t kill steal.

3. Potions, back town condition setting, type, and the amount of potions you want to buy.

4. Set the priority skill, recommend “intelligence release”, then it will auto-estimate the attact range and overtime.

5. Set the saved coordinate as botting spot when there is not script. When there is a script, it will bot based on the script.

6. When the long range occupation release skill – we recommend that you set the pick up range up to 30.

7. The pick, storage, sell setting support the search and the search range setting.

8. Choose the script you’ve recorded.

9. Record script.

1) Run to the relive spot, click start

2) Run from the relive spot to sell spot, click “set the current as sellspot”. Copy the content of A(NPC’s name) to the input box.

3) If you want to store, you have to run to the storage spot, click”set current spot as storage spot”, copy the content of A(npc’s name) to the input box.

4) Run to the botting spot, click stop and saved. Record script is done

notice: Use your mouse to run when record script. Pick next destination when your character stops.

10.

1) Gather setting. gather wood first, mining or gather, hunting .

2) Only hunting but no gather: only gather wood, mining or gather, no hunting.

[Download (ZIP)]

[Via http://easygaming.wordpress.com]

Big Red pull big upset : The Temple News

Alliance Insurance Agents of Texas (AIAT) Launch New Website

2010-03-18T20:38:00.000+02:00

For Immediate Release

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Press Release) March 16, 2010 – AIAT has a long standing reputation of standing for the independent insurance agent since 1993. Our association has a commitment to provide independent agents a forum for open discussion, formulate educational programs, and provide legislative representation. As a demonstration of that commitment, we have launched a completely redesigned, interactive website at www.aiat.org.

The new design was specifically devoted to provide a more comprehensive source of insurance information and services for prospects and our current membership. In-depth information for the insurance industry professional can be obtained through the useful articles, events section, and a news center posted on the site. The site features a modern look and streamlined site navigation.

The site is provided and hosted by Insurance Technologies Corporation through their Insurance Website Builder. Insurance Website Builder, the premier insurance agency website, was designed specifically for insurance agents to have a fully interactive, lead generating online presence. We want to extend our thanks to ITC for their continued commitment to our association and the independent agent.

AIAT aims to provide a social network for independent agents, carriers, and vendors to meet and explore avenues to make our industry better. Visit our site at www.aiat.org for more information.

[Via http://insagent.wordpress.com]

AMERICAblog News: The NY Times discovers that GOP leader McConnell ...

Produse Vikan

2010-03-18T14:49:00.000+02:00

Gama pe deplin completă de sarcini produse de curăţare specifice pentru sectorul de transport commercial. Echipamentele profesionale sunt o condiţie esenţială pentru rezolvarea sarcinilor rapid şi eficient. Acest lucru este, de asemenea, relevant atunci când vehiculele rutiere sunt curăţare. Din acest motiv, VIKAN a dezvoltat cea mai cuprinzătoare, pentru folosinţă îndelungată şi la preţuri competitive o serie de sarcini si instrumente de curăţare specifice pentru sectorul transporturilor. Fiecare instrument este unic creat pentru intervalul sau – şi în colaborare cu – utilizatorii profesionişti în sectorul de transport. Cu instrumente de curăţare mai multe de 70 la numar, VIKAN permite tuturor sarcinilor de curăţare să fie efectuate într-un timp mai scurt şi cu cele mai bune rezultate posibile. VIKAN oferă o gamă largă de produse atractive de calitate, inovatoare şi desene sau modele funcţionale pentru curăţenie: - Vagoane Touring, Oras Autobuze, Camioane Comerciale & Vans, trenuri de căi ferate, aeronave comerciale şi de autoturismele personale

Pentru mai multe detalii cititi brosura :

http://www.vikan.dk/graphics/Trykkeri/VTS/VTS_72/VTS_CAT_ENDK.pdf

[Via http://servicentercluj.wordpress.com]

Michael Sigman: News/PR Line Gets Blurrier

Dealer Pulsa Elektrik Murah - The Right Stuff - The Auto Dealer's Promotional Supply

2010-03-18T08:27:00.000+02:00

dealer pulsa elektrik murah

Ke kesukaan mengembara terus-menerus tidak ada pilihan lain tetapi untuk dibawa ke jalan. Yah satu juta orang lain akan dealer pulsa termurah mengatur untuk transit jadi saat mobil menjadi rumah sementara kadang-kadang bahkan Dealer Pulsa Electrik dibaptis dengan sebuah nama itu harus dilengkapi dengan aksesori hanya sebagai kebutuhan rumah yang harus disediakan. Biarkan perusahaan Anda diketahui ke kerumunan pemilik mobil. Browse melalui dealer mobil pilihan penawaran promosi untuk mendapatkan promosi yang otomatis aksesoris mobil utama kebutuhan. Produk pemasaran Anda akan berada di sana untuk mereka ketika kunci hilang ketika sebuah ban berjalan datar atau ketika mobil hanya perlu Daftar Dealer Pulsa deodorized. Dealer mobil pasokan promosi bahkan dapat berbagi dengan teman-teman. Lebih dari Bisnis Dealer Pulsa sekadar iklan bisnis Anda aksesoris mobil promosi ini menunjukkan bahwa Anda adalah sebuah perusahaan untuk berbelok ke bila ada sesuatu yang penyaradan. Billboard klien hanya menangkap amp perhatian namun Dealer Pulsa Telkomsel bermanfaat aksesoris mobil terpercaya pengalaman ini membuat pelanggan merasa bahwa Anda mendapatkan mereka kembali saat mereka keluar di jalan.

Promosi besar situs-situs seperti jaminan Branders.com perintah anda dealer promosi otomatis penawaran dan promosi aksesoris otomatis akan kapal Dealer Pulsa Tronik pada tanggal kami dijanjikan atau mereka Dealer Isi Pulsa akan GRATIS. Pembelian dealer pulsa termurah lebih dari layak untuk mendapat GRATIS sampel otomatis pasokan promosi dealer pilihan Anda. Anda juga mendapatkan off jika pertama kali Anda untuk mendapatkan barang-barang promosi dari kami.

Waktu berikutnya Anda berencana untuk membeli grosir grosir perlengkapan promosi otomatis selalu mencari penawaran yang terbaik yang merupakan item yang sempurna pada harga terendah.

[Via http://pulsamurahsaya.wordpress.com]

Former news editor files lawsuit against the University, Daily ...

NASCAR Legend David Pearson getting ready for the SCOTT's EZ Seed Showdown

2010-03-16T14:54:00.000+02:00

Pearson sitting in the Mitigator Ford Fusion

Yesterday we made it out to Gastonia, N.C to meet with 3-time Cup Champion David Pearson and make for certain that there wasn’t any issues with the seat we had for him. The seat had been mounted in the car and equipped with Mitigator to help against the vibrations and impacts that come with racing at Bristol Motor Speedway. Only small changes were needed to the seats location. The steering column is a little closer to him then he would like. So we need to make a few small adjustments to make him as comfortable in the car as possible. Otherwise the car is pretty well ready for the SCOTT’s EZ Seed Showdown on march 20th. Pearson will be piloting the Mitigator Ford Fusion against NASCAR greats like Cale Yarborough, Harry Gant, Jack Ingram, Dave Marcis, and Tommy Houston to just name a few. The action kicks off March 20th at 5:30 on ESPN. Make sure you tune in and root on David Pearson in the Mitigator Ford Fusion!

[Via http://sportsextreme.wordpress.com]

Chicken Cells Have Strong Sense Of Sexual Identity - Science News

DCH Tustin Acura Sales Consultants Receive Gold and Silver Level Recognitions

2010-03-16T02:51:00.000+02:00

Wolos Safi, Kalolo Toafa, Sean Lee, Dick Hsu

by Acura Tustin, CA, March 10, 2010 – DCH Tustin Acura Sales Consultant Sean Lee was recently honored by the Acura division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., for achieving Gold Level status in the 2009 Council of Sales Excellence recognition program. In addition, Kalolo Toafa and Wolos Safi of the same dealership were awarded Silver Level status. These prestigious designations are bestowed only on Acura Sales Consultants who exemplifies professionalism in all aspects of their sales performance. The Acura Council of Sales Excellence program is an annual effort to promote the development of Sales Consultants throughout Acura dealerships nationwide. The program recognizes Sales Consultants who excel at enhancing the client buying experience. Sales volume, client satisfaction, and professional knowledge are the program measures used to judge Sales Consultants’ ability to best serve their Acura clients. The 2009 Gold and Silver Level members exceeded their given objectives in all three categories and serve as tested leaders at their dealerships. This is the fifth year Sean Lee has been named a Gold member of the council of Sales Excellence. He was one of the 189 out of nearly 2,000 Acura Sales Consultants to achieve Gold level membership in 2009. Sean Lee has been a part of the sales staff at DCH Tustin Acura in Tustin, CA for nine years. “Sean and his teammates Kalolo and Wolos have earned many repeat and referral business from their current clients because of their courteous and professional services. Many of them have become their trusted friends who would not buy cars from anyone else,” said Dick Hsu, General Manager of DCH Tustin Acura. The dealership itself is a repeat winner of Dealer of Excellence from J.D. Power, and Dealership of Distinction from the Acura franchise.

[Via http://dchtustinacura.wordpress.com]

Chicken Cells Have Strong Sense Of Sexual Identity - Science News

Update to runaway Toyota Prius in California

2010-03-14T20:29:00.000+02:00

Just finished reading an AP article written by Elliot Spagat about the Toyota Prius that James Sikes claimed had suffered from unintended acceleration on a California highway. It was an interesting read to say the least!

According to the report investigators from Toyota and the federal government could not replicate the problem. Also reported was that the back up system that is supposed to return the engine to idle speed when the brake and gas pedals are pressed at the same time worked as designed.

Wonder how Sikes could drive with the gas and brake pedals depressed and hit over 90 miles an hour with the engine at idle speeds? Seems kind of fishy to me!

Another interesting item in the article was not that the front brake pads had been worn away, but looked like they had worn away from being appied intermittently. Would it have taken Mr. Sikes 20 minutes of highway driving and intermittent brake application to wear out the front brakes? Sounds plausible to me. Once the trooper showed up he put the car in neutral and shut the engine off. Yep, it took a whole 20 minutes to do something the 911 operator told him to do 20 minutes earlier. IMHO this guy was out to capitalize on Toyota’s recall and planned the entire event.

If you have time to do some additional research on the web you might come across a story about Mr. James Sikes is behind on payments to Toyota for the lease of his Prius. I don’t know if these stories are true or not, or if they are the same gentleman, but if they are, they open up a whole new can of worms. Did Mr. Sikes want to get out from under the lease payments by staging the runaway Prius event? Who really knows what the truth is except Mr. Sikes. If he did stage this event he should be prosecuted to the maximum extent provided by the law. Endangering other drivers and the trooper that responded to his call is not something to be taken lightly. I only hope that this was not a publicity stunt, but have my doubts.

[Via http://talkingcars.wordpress.com]

Reality TV News Online – Part 3 | Caffeinated Buzz !

Race report for Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup round 1 at the Grand Prix of Bahrain

2010-03-13T14:12:00.000+02:00

First win of the season goes to René Rast

The first winner in this year’s Porsche Mobil1 Supercup is René Rast from Germany. Competing for Al Faisal Lechner Racing, the vice-champion of 2009 claimed honours in a fiercely-contested season-opener with the new 911 GT3 Cup, and was handed the winner’s trophy from Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Stefan Rosina (Lechner Racing) from Slovakia was awarded the trophy for second place by Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development. Third place went to Jan Seyffarth (Germany) driving for VELTINS MRS Racing.

On the Bahrain International Circuit, pole-sitter René Rast edged clear of the field and controlled the race to the flag. Behind him, Stefan Rosina won the start sprint over Britain’s Nicholas Tandy (Konrad Motorsport) and caught the front-runner in the final laps to put him under pressure. Jan Seyffarth put in a spirited drive over many laps in a duel with the Dutch title defender Jeroen Bleekemolen (Al Faisal Lechner Racing), and after overtaking the double Supercup champion in a breathtaking manoeuvre Seyffarth then proceeded to pass the Supercup newcomer Nicholas Tandy.

With the 911 GT3 Cup fielded by SANITEC/GILTRAP Racing, Christian Engelhart (Germany) occupied sixth place behind Nicholas Tandy and Jeroen Bleekemolen. Driving for the new Abu Dhabi by tolimit squad, Sascha Maassen (Germany), who has won many long distance races as Porsche works driver, saw the flag in seventh. The Porsche specialist’s younger teammate Sean Edwards from Great Britain followed him over the finish line in eighth. Rounding of the top ten was Supercup winner of 2005, Alessandro Zampedri from Italy competing for Lechner Racing, and Robert Lukas (V Racing Team) from Poland.

Drivers’ comments

René Rast (winner): “I’m naturally very happy to win the season-opener. I got away very well at the start and could pull away somewhat in the first two laps. Towards the end things got tight again because I had several problems with the car. We’ll have to do something about this before tomorrow’s race, but we’re making good strides.”

Stefan Rosina (second): “Second place is a great success that the team deserves. We worked very hard for this having tested a great deal and heading into the season very well prepared. I hope this start gives us even more motivation for a successful year.”

Jan Seyffarth (third): “My start wasn’t too bad, but I still lost a position. Nevertheless, I managed to achieve third place and I’m very pleased with this result. I had a similar duel with Jeroen Bleekemolen here two years ago when I didn’t manage to pass him, this time it worked. I hope that’s a good omen for Sunday.”

Statistics

Race result

1. René Rast (GER), Al Faisal Lechner Racing, 25:52.419 minutes

2. Stefan Rosina (SVK), Lechner Racing, + 0.331 seconds

3. Jan Seyffarth (GER), VELTINS MRS Racing, + 2.536

4. Nicholas Tandy (GBR), Konrad Motorsport, + 4.623

5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), Al Faisal Lechner Racing, + 7.788

6. Christian Engelhart (GER), SANITEC/GILTRAP Racing, + 12.089

Drivers’ classification after 1 of 10 rounds

1. René Rast (GER), 22 points

2. Stefan Rosina (SVK), 18

3. Jan Seyffarth (GER), 16

4. Nicholas Tandy (GBR), 14

5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), 12

6. Christian Engelhart (GER), 10

Round 2 of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup takes place on 14th March also as support to the Bahrain Grand Prix.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Toshiba to launch its own line of iPad-like slates « Akihabara News

Michael Macht: “Technical and scientific knowledge are in demand”

2010-03-13T02:41:00.000+02:00

252 Ferry Porsche Prize Winners Honored at the Weissach Development Center

Stuttgart/Weissach. The Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, and the Baden-Wurttemberg Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sport jointly honored the 252 Ferry Porsche Prize winners at the Weissach Development Center yesterday evening. This prize has been awarded to the best students graduating from high school with majors in mathematics and physics/technology at general and vocational high schools in Baden-

Wurttemberg since 2001. The objective of the Ferry Porsche Prize is to increase the attractiveness of mathematics and natural sciences and to fill future university students with enthusiasm for studying engineering.

Michael Macht, CEO of Porsche AG, emphasized the importance of education, knowledge and qualification in his talk to the young women and men who graduated high school in 2009. “The raw material of ‘knowledge’ is the thing that drives the German economy, keeps the companies based in Germany competitive internationally and consequently ensures the prosperity of our society. This is the reason why it is imperative that young people prepare for the challenges of professional life with the best qualifications possible.” Mr. Macht emphasized that the technological and scientific knowledge is especially in high demand on the job market today.

Baden-Wurttemberg’s Culture Minister, Prof. Dr. Marion Schick, corroborated the significance of sciences and technology for German companies. “I am especially pleased to be able to honor young people for their interest and performance in the area of mathematics and science. Ideas and inventions are very important for the future of our country. Innovative and motivating science and technology lessons in schools are an important prerequisite for ensuring that we also have sufficient engineers in our country in the future,” the Minister stated. The Ferry Porsche Prize is a positive example for the joint efforts of educational policy and the business world: “Schools and companies do not stand separately alongside one another, but instead approach one another,” Professor Schick emphasized.

The Ferry Porsche Prize is named after the founder of Porsche Sports Cars, who died in 1998. Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, youngest son of Ferry Porsche and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, again congratulated the prize winners personally this year. In his speech, he appealed to the high school graduates: “We need young people who are willing to study engineering, so that we in Germany are also able to build internationally competitive cars in the future. And by “we” I do not mean Porsche alone, but instead the entire German automotive industry, including the innovative, small and medium-sized component supplier companies.”

The highlight of the ceremony in Weissach was the raffling of five scholarships for internships abroad. The lucky winners are: Susanne Hirsch (Erasmus Widmann Gymnasium, Schwäbisch Hall), Lara Angelika Gayer (Königin-Katharina-Stift, Stuttgart), Tamara Buck (Gymnasium Ebingen, Albstadt), Maximilian Ruhland (Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium, Heidelberg), Marcel Menner (Jörg-Zürn-Gewerbeschule, Überlingen) und Daniel Möhrle (Kreisgymnasium, Riedlingen). They have the chance in the summer of 2010 to complete a four-week internship at a sales subsidiary of Porsche in a foreign country.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Terry, the masked man, is back at practice | Dallas Mavericks Blog ...

Track Prepared Porsche 993 GT2

2010-03-11T14:52:00.000+02:00

Renato has posted another rare and interesting Porsche living in Brazil. This one is a 993 GT2 that was heavily modified for track use. The body has been lightened to 2,646 lbs and the twin turbo flat 6 has been increased to 3.8 liters and is putting out 669 hp. I’ll bet this thing is a hand full to drive.

To see more pictures and a couple of videos please visit: Garagen do Bellote

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Oscar winners making Ghost Recon film News | Eurogamer

How will insurers and the crowd listen to each other?

2010-03-07T14:39:00.000+02:00

At this point, those of us with any knowledge at all of social media probably agree that it’s not going away. Therefore, ignoring social media is not sensible option. So for prudent insurers, the focus must be on how to make use of the information vortex swelling from social media networks. For now, it’s just a really loud, mixed conversation—a bit like standing in the middle of a large, outdoor concert crowd. How can insurers sort the wheat from the chaff in the cloud of noise resounding from social networks?

Early examples of insurers’ attempts to “listen” to the crowd appear to be haphazard, if not accidental. In 2009, a Canadian woman was denied future disability payments after her insurer found evidence on Facebook contradicting her disability. We will probably see more and more examples of insurers using information found on social media sites in claims investigations, and those that are dishonest will either find life harder or get more innovative.

Indeed, claims investigations and even underwriting, which are both information-collecting exercises will likely find valuable uses for information volunteered by individuals on the Web. Much like employers now do informal background checks on potential employees by looking at their social media profiles, insurers can be expected to do the same sort of reconnaissance on their current and potential and insureds. But will social medial information only be useful on an individual, case-by-case basis? Can we learn more about the crowd too?

Learning from the Crowd Today

The price of an insurance product (often referred to as the “premium”) is the result of many things. It reflects market conditions, the insurer’s expense scale, profit expectation, and information about the target market of insureds. The core part of the “information” component is based on the probability of outcomes. For a term life product, the probabilities are in the form of mortality rates, which are simply probabilities of death. For a health insurance product, morbidity rates reflecting the probability of illness or disability are used.

Conventionally, these probabilities have been determined by a combination of industry studies and the company’s own experience. Rates are developed based on patterns of outcomes. For example, by observing how many of their insureds have died year by year, a company can develop an idea of the future likelihood of death for various groups of insureds (males, females, smokers, nonsmokers, etc.). The higher the expected mortality rate, the higher the premium.

As you might have guessed, companies with the best information about their insureds make the best guesses about future outcomes, and consequently, price their premiums the most effectively. Good information is important not only to the financial success and solvency of the insurance company, but also necessary to provide sufficient benefits to claimants at a fair and competitive price.

Learning from the Crowd Tomorrow

A common joke describes an insurance company as a car: “the president is driving, marketing has its foot on the gas, underwriting has its foot on the brakes, and the actuary is looking out the rear view mirror screaming directions.”

While we’ll never be able to tell the future, we can try to tilt the rear view mirror closer to the present. This is where social media will be helpful. In fact auto insurers are just beginning to tilt their rear view mirrors by using crowd-listening tools like Telematics, a technology that allows the insurer to harvest valuable information about driving habits as well as provide customers with additional services on-the-go.

It’s not unreasonable to imagine a day when macro studies of human online social behavior might aid insurers in their quest for the best probabilities available. Social media profiles and interaction patterns among people online will provide an unprecedented view of human behavior at both low and high levels.

The “market information” component I mentioned above can also be augmented by social media information. Imagine if Company ABC notices that the customers of Company XYZ, ABC’s key competitor, are not very happy about some product feature or level of customer services. (People can be very vocal online if things aren’t going their way.) Services like Twitter make it possible to broadcast rants quickly and cheaply. ABC would be able to adjust their marketing efforts to capitalize on the opportunity.

It will be interesting to see if—or rather how quickly—insurers are able to glean information from the crowd that can be used to more effectively price insurance products and aid competitive strategies. It’s a data mining exercise of finding patterns and connecting the dots. For better or worse, technology will eventually arrive that makes the dot connecting easy, though it’s a seemingly impossible task today. A company called Narus is already working on an technology that will aid government in catching criminals who are operating anonymously online. It’s conceivable that the same technology could be used to data mine social networks for insurance and other intelligence uses.

From the Customer’s View

If you’re not an insurance company, but rather the customer of one, this may seem unsettling. The idea that insurance companies are “spying” on you is not comforting. I have two main thoughts to offer on this. First, more consumer education is needed to make people aware of the consequences of broadcasting their lives online. Insurance is the least of your worries if you tell the world everything about yourself. Second, the era we’re entering will not only shed more light on your behavior as a customer but also that of insurance companies.

Web 2.0 is not a one-way mirror. Increased transparency will reward the most ethical companies and be punitive for those that that the public perceives as exploitative.

One thing is certain to me: as the public becomes more aware of the economic consequences of publicizing their lives, habits will change. And this is by no means a bad thing. Much like people are incentivized today to adopt healthier life styles to qualify for more affordable health or life insurance, the Web 2.0 era could accelerate this even more.

For example, people who frequently discuss their exercise habits online can be expected to have better health than those that talk about eating cookies. People that like to update public social media sites while on vacation are probably more likely to be robbed.

By putting more of an economic spotlight on people’s behaviors, they may find more reason to change bad habits.

Insurance is very much a social necessity, and is arguably as old as humanity. Before we fully judge the era we’re entering, we should ask the question: is too much information a bad thing? Yes, it’s a loaded question and depends entirely on context, but with insurance, information can have powerful, positive effects: Companies are able to provide fairer, higher quality, more customized products and consumers are better informed on the choices.

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmosfan/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

[Via http://risk20.wordpress.com]

Geophysicists Push Age Of Earth's Magnetic Field Back 250 Million ...

Behoerde, Burger, Blumen, Bier

2010-03-06T02:50:00.000+02:00

Wir haben unsere Fuehrerscheine!! Das sind gute Nachrichten. Denn jetzt koennen wir endlich Autos kaufen. Donnerstag haben wir nochmal die Reise gemacht. Zum DMV. Department of Motor Verhicles. Eine Nummer gezogen und erstmal gewartet. Die Geschwindigkeit, mit der dort gearbeitet wird, entspricht der in so mancher deutscher Behoerde. Zu guter Letzt hat uns ein netter Herr verkuendet, alles sei klar, und er entschuldige sich, dass man uns nicht schon frueher benachrichtigt hat. ????????? Waehrend er unsere Akten gesucht hat, die Unterlagen sortiert hat und alles elektronisch erfasst hat und wieder die Unterlagen sortiert hat und wieder etwas in den Computer getippt hat, haben wir uns ausgesprochen nett unterhalten, erfahren, dass es in Philadelphia einmal im Jahr eine Beer Week gibt, er alleinerziehender Vater ist, Motorrad faehrt und sehr nett ist. Dann hat er uns zum Fotoschalter geschickt, die haben Fotos von uns gemacht und nach 2 Minuten hielten wir unsere vorlaeufigen Fuehrerscheine in Haenden – richtige Ausweiskarten im Scheckkartenformat. So ganz ist die Geschichte noch nicht zu Ende. Denn innerhalb der naechsten zwei Wochen sollen wir die endgueltigen Fuehrerscheine zugeschickt bekommen. Wenn das nicht passiert, soll ich mich telefonisch melden………..

Nach dem anstrengenden Besuch beim DMV waren wir so ermattet, dass wir unbedingt eine Kohlehydrate-Fett-Infusion brauchten. Also sind wir in einen Burgerladen gegangen. „Cheeburger“. Motto dort: „Big IS Better“. Da gibt’s das Angebot, sich fotografieren zu lassen, wenn man einen Einpfuender isst (Kinder einen Halbpfuender). Davon haben wir dann doch Abstand genommen. Mein Mahi-Steak war richtig gut. Der Salat auch. Und alles Fleisch ist dort „All Natural“. Na, wer sagt’s denn.

Hier haben einige den Winter ziemlich satt. Markus traeumt noch vom Skifahren (klappt aber sowieso nicht mehr, weil er gestern beim Joggen umgeknickt ist und jetzt einen dicken Knoechel hat), aber ich will jetzt keinen Schnee mehr, sondern gruen und warm und Blumen und Sonne. Zwei Freundinnen – Sharon und Jutta – und ich sind heute auf der 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show gewesen. Um einen Vorgeschmack auf den Fruehling zu bekommen. Das Motto war „Passport to the World“. Vieles war sehr, sehr schoen. Manches ganz wunderbar. Einiges merkwuerdig. Wie zum Beispiel der bayerische Biergarten. Die gruenen Pilsflaschen gehoeren da nicht wirklich hin. Aber immerhin gab’s Masskruege.

Zum Bier noch etwas: Wir haben hier in der Naehe, in einem Ort namens Kennet Square (hatte ich schonmal erwaeht, ist die Pilzhauptstadt der Welt), das „Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon“. Mit einer Bierkarte, die nicht so entscheidungsfreudige Menschen komplett ueberfordert. Mehrere Seiten lang. Wir haben jetzt mal angefangen, uns da durch zu trinken. Ich kann bisher vom Cider und vom belgischen Lindeman’s Framboise berichten. Beides schmeckt ausgezeichnet. Clarissa hatte das englische Young’s Chocolate Stout – der Name ist Programm. Ich hab’s probiert. Das bestell ich das naechste Mal. Schokolade macht gluecklich.

[Via http://gobluehen.wordpress.com]

Sony developing iPad competitor - report News | iPhone | Eurogamer

Niste prosti, dom'le!

2010-03-04T14:51:00.000+02:00

Astazi m-am plictisit al naibii de tare. Ma dadeam si eu pe net si nu gaseam nimic interesant. Pe stirileprotv.ro am gasit-o pe blonda Gina si nu orice Gina, Gina Pistol care povesteste despre primul ei sarut si despre viata ei amoroasa.. boring! give me a break tanti Gina! apoi tot la astia de la PROTv am vazut cum un meteorit i-a speriat pe cei din Slovacia, apropo pt nenea de la PROTv video cu meteoritul l-am vazut de 2 luni pe youtube, deci nu e actual. Pe evz.ro ne tot vrajesc cu drive test-ul de la Duster, au bagato si astia umpic in noroi si gata au zis ca acuma e SUV(doar suntem romani, ce pana mea?!) ahh si sa nu uita despre asa zisul “radar-minune” cumparat de politia romana “care nu poate fi detectat de nici un detector radar” se laudau ei, lasati-o moale fratilor asteptati sa treaca o luna, doua si vedeti cum noi si iara noi detectoare de radar o sa apara, deci nu faceti deja spume la gura.. lasati-o usor! ahh si sa nu uitam! Azi se implinesc 33 de ani de la cutremurul din ‘77, specialistii spun ca zona vrancei v-a putea fi lovita de un nou cutremur, parca ei ar sti cand o sa fie unul… loseri! Pe sport.ro si 9am.ro nici nu mai intru .. ele se pot lua fain frumos de manuta si sa se duca amandoua in cuba sa vanda mititei , bere si gogosi acolo! Mna asta e frate, ce sa-i faci?! Traim in Romania si asta ne ocupa tot timpul! Hai ceao!

[Via http://boggblog.wordpress.com]

News Ticker: Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Pussycat Dolls ...

iDash

2010-03-04T02:36:00.000+02:00

Got this new idea. Just thought I’d throw it out there and see what you all think.

Introducing iDash. The revolutionary auto device from Apple. Forget having to connect an iPod via cable to listen to music in your car. All you need is WiFi and iTunes and of course, a car!

When you pull up in your driveway, the songs, albums, podcast etc… you have checked in your iTunes automatically syncs to your iDash, just like MobileMe for an iPhone.

I figure you can have a small add on on your dash like GPS that connects to your radio OR you can have a complete deck replacement kit so you have an actual iDash where your old car deck was.

What do you guys think?

__________________

[Via http://iamrenewed.wordpress.com]

SANYO Releases New “eneloop bike” Electric Hybrid Bicycle ...

Porsche 918 Spyder | 500 Horsepower Hybrid

2010-03-02T14:44:00.000+02:00

There are only a very small handful of hybrid and/or electric vehicles that make my heart skip a beat. The new Porsche 918 Spyder concept car is one of those vehicles that simply is in a class all by itself. According to Chuck Squatriglia at wired.com,

…Porsche’s making some big big claims with the 918 Spyder, saying it will do zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds, top out at 198 mph and lap the famed Nurburgring in 7.5 minutes, beating even the incredible Carrera GT. All that acceleration comes from the aforementioned V-8 and an electric motor at each end putting down a combined 218 horsepower. Porsche cites 500 horsepower for the car, and we’re guessing that includes the engine and motors combined…

Auto

2010-02-27T20:18:00.000+02:00

CALENDAR AUTO 2010

Calendarul este format din:

12 pagini + Coperta Hartie lucioasa, 200gr

Spira metalica alba / neagra

Suport spate din carton alb

Pret: 39 lei

Comanda 2 bucati si le poti lua cu 34 Lei / buc.

Mai multe detalii pe prima pagina in meniul din dreapta.

TRANSPORT GRATUIT in Bucuresti! sau 5 lei in tara prin posta romana.

Clik pe poze pentru marire.

[Via http://calendarultau.wordpress.com]

Source: Paterson To End Campaign Today (Updated)

World Debut in Geneva: The New 2011 Porsche Cayenne

2010-02-25T14:24:00.000+02:00

Even More Efficient, More Sporting and for the First Time with Hybrid Drive

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is presenting the brand-new generation of the Cayenne Sports Utility at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

The absolute highlight of this new generation is the world debut of the Cayenne S Hybrid with its technically highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive and fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle of just 8.2 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 34.4 mpg imp), which means CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km. The Cayenne S Hybrid therefore combines the performance of an eight-cylinder with the economy of a six-cylinder running on much less fuel.

Led by the Cayenne S Hybrid, all models in the new generation are trendsetters in efficiency and performance in their respective segments. Compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by up to 23 per cent, since the new Cayenne, like every Porsche, has been developed according to the principle of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”: more power on less fuel, greater efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

These objectives result, not least, from the introduction of the new Tiptronic S eightspeed automatic transmission with Auto Start Stop and a wide spread of gear ratios, thermal management on the engine and transmission cooling circuit, on-board network recuperation, variable engine cut-off and intelligent lightweight construction.

Thanks to its special combination of materials for optimum weight as well as changes in the overall concept of the vehicle such as the Cayenne’s new active and extra-light all-wheel drive, weight is down for example on the Cayenne S by 180 kilos or 400 lb – despite the improvement of product substance and an even higher standard of safety. This clearly has very positive effects not just on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but also on performance, agility and handling.

Benefiting from these features and new technologies, the new Cayenne offers even more driving pleasure both onroad and offroad, combined with even greater everyday driving qualities, enhanced comfort and supreme elegance. The completely new, sporting and elegant design of the new model integrates the 2010 Cayenne even more closely into the overall range of Porsche cars. The sports car-like character of the Cayenne comes out even more from all angles, just as the highlights in the shape and design of the car so typical of Porsche are also clearer than ever before.

Extra space inside and greater variability is ensured by the wheelbase now 40 mm or almost 1.6” longer. In all, the new Cayenne is 48 mm or 1.9” longer than its predecessor. But despite its larger exterior dimensions, the new generation of the Cayenne is nevertheless far more compact and dynamic. The most significant eye-catcher within the brand-new, high-quality interior is the center console rising up to the front with its upright selector or gearshift lever, giving the interior the typical character of a cockpit upfront. The rear-seat bench moves fore-and-aft by 160 millimetres or 6.3”, with the backrest angle adjusting to three different settings.

Sales of the Cayenne in Europe are starting on 8 May, with Porsche offering the right model from the start for every customer: The range starts with the 3.6-litre V6 Cayenne. Despite the increase in engine power to 300 bhp, fuel consumption in the NEDC driving cycle in conjunction with optional eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission is down from the former model by no less than 20 per cent to 9.9 ltr/100 km, equal to 28.5 mpg imp.

The Cayenne Diesel with its 240 bhp (176 kW), 550 Newton-metre (405 lb-ft) threelitre V6 likewise reduces fuel consumption by 20 per cent, down from 9.3 to 7.4 ltr/100 km (equal to 30.4 mpg imp now improving to 38.2 mpg imp).

Fuel consumption is also down significantly on the high-torque Cayenne S with its 4.8-litre V8 power unit, in this case by 23 per cent to 10.5 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.9 mpg imp). At the same time the new engine delivers 400 bhp maximum output instead of the former 385 bhp, offering significantly better performance, just like all models in the new generation of the Cayenne.

This also applies to the Cayenne Turbo, with its 500 bhp (368 kW) 4.8-litre V8 biturbo consuming just 11.5 ltr/100 km (equal to 27.6 mpg imp) in the New European Driving Cycle, again 23 per cent less than its predecessor (14.9 ltr/100 km or 19.0 mpg imp).

Together with the Cayenne S Hybrid, no less than three of the five versions of the Cayenne thus consume less than ten litres of fuel per 100 km in the New European Driving Cycle, with two models emitting less than 200 grams of CO2 per kilometre. At 193 g/km, the Cayenne S Hybrid is not only the cleanest version of the Cayenne with the lowest level of emissions, but also the cleanest Porsche throughout the Company’s entire portfolio.

In the intelligent interaction of the three-litre supercharged V6 and the electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid focuses on maximum efficiency from the overall system. Depending on driving conditions, the vehicle reaches this target with either only one drive unit operating by itself or with both drive units working together. In this context the 34 kW (47 hp) electric motor is of course the ideal partner for the 333 hp compressor engine with its high torque at low speeds. Together, the two drive units deliver maximum system output of 380 bhp and peak torque of 580 Nm/427 lb-ft at just 1,000 rpm, with the same kind of performance as the Cayenne S with its V8 power unit.

The two drive units are connected to one another by a separator clutch masterminded by the Hybrid Manager. Indeed, this separator clutch is essential to run the Cayenne S Hybrid either on its electric motor or combustion engine alone, or with both drive units operating together. Given a reserved, moderate style of motoring, for example in a residential area, this allows the driver to cover short distances on electric power alone and therefore absolutely free of emissions and with hardly any noise, driving at a speed of up to 60 km/h or almost 40 mph.

To ensure fast acceleration when setting off, the electric motor may however serve to provide additional thrust through its boosting effect. Intelligent management of the separator clutch makes the transition among the hybrid-specific driving modes most inconspicuous, comfortable and quick for the driver. At the same time the combustion engine may be completely switched off at speeds of up to 156 km/h or 97 mph, being fully disengaged from the drivetrain when no further power is required. In this socalled sailing mode, cruising along without power, the drag forces exerted by the combustion engine and their braking effect are eliminated in the interest of lower drive resistance and fuel consumption.

The prices of the new Cayenne models in Germany including national specifications and 19 per cent value-added tax (Euro base prices without national specifications and 19 per cent VAT in brackets) are as follows:

Cayenne 55,431 Euro (46,400 Euro)

Cayenne Diesel 59,596 Euro (49,900 Euro)

Cayenne S 72,686 Euro (60,900 Euro)

Cayenne S Hybrid 78,636 Euro (65,900 Euro)

Cayenne Turbo 115,526 Euro (96,900 Euro).

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

News to know: Google-Italy; Intel; Oracle; Vizio; e-readers; IE6 ...

BMI Racing 4-Rotor RX-8

2010-02-23T19:58:00.000+02:00

from MazdaUSA’s website:

4-ROTOR FURY: BMI Racing’s 610WHP Mazda RX-8 Screams Super Exotic

Sport compact tuners BMI Racing today call the Los Angeles area home, but the company originally hails from Brisbane, Australia. Established in 2004 by owner-operators Adam and Sarah Burgess, their expertise with Haltech ECUs helped the upstart company make a quick reputation in its homeland before they took the leap of faith in January 2008 and moved the operation to the United States.

Windshield Repair Pittsburgh

2010-02-23T14:53:00.000+02:00

Three Rivers Auto Glass, one of Western Pennsylvania’s most prominent auto glass specialists. We have been in the auto glass business for over 30 years, providing high-quality windshield repair Pittsburgh and surrounding area.

Three Rivers Auto Glass uses only the highest quality products to ensure your repairs are done right the first time!

The windshield is a critical component of your car’s safety system. So when it needs replaced, you should know that an improperly installed replacement windshield can contribute to the passenger airbag failure and possible roof collapse. Your vehicle’s continued safe performance depends on a proper installation. There are four elements to a quality windshield replacement: a professional technician; the right glass; the right adhesive; and a warranty. Three Rivers Auto Glass always stand behind our work. So have your windshield replaced or repaired as soon as you notice any damage. Make sure the work is done by an experienced, professional technician who will take the time to do the job properly.

Locations: New Brighton

Phone: (724)843-2811

Fax: (724)772-4731 Robinson Township

Phone: (412)276-4077

Fax: (412)276-6177 Cranberry

Phone: (724)772-4722

Fax: (724)772-4731 Penn Hills

Phone: (412)793-5400

Fax: (412)276-6177 Butler

Phone: (724)285-3100 Elwood City

Phone: (724)758-4527 New Castle

Phone: (724)658-6600

Fax: (724)658-5600 Auto Glass Repair, Auto Glass, Windshield Repair, Windshield, Windshield Replacement, Auto Glass Replacement, Auto Glass Installation, Car Window, Rear Window, Safelite Auto Glass, Car Windshield, Safelite, Car Window Repair, Car Window Replacement, Car Glass, Replace Windshield, Auto Windshield Replacement, Auto Glass Specialist, Auto Glass Prices, Windshield Glass, Safelite Glass, Truck Window, Auto Glass Tool, Safelight Auto Glass, Auto Windshield, Safelight, Safeline Auto Glass, Windshield Installation, Windshield Price, Auto Glass Quote

[Via http://pittsburghbusiness.wordpress.com]

News Quiz | February 22, 2010 - The Learning Network Blog ...

why insurance goes up after no-fault accidents

2010-02-18T14:24:00.000+02:00

Ever paid for an increase on your insurance rates because of an accident, even if it’s not your fault? In the words of the late and great Michael Jackson, you are not alone.

Keep in mind that “fault” is determined by the authorities. You may feel that you were not at fault in an accident, or that the other driver was insane. But, the authorities make that decision, and the party that is ticketed during the incident is considered to be at fault.

Insurance companies base their premiums on risk-factor. So, even if someone rear-ends you while you’re singing along to your favorite tune, if you’ve had a speeding ticket or other violation prior to this accident, you might be deemed an at-risk driver. Each insurance company has different policies and standards, but they look at your overall tendency towards accidents.

The number of accidents you are in directly affects your premium. You could be in four no-fault accidents, and your company would still raise your rates. They feel that even though the authorities determined these accidents not to be your fault, that you must have something wrong with your driving to be having so many crashes. Are you cursed, or just accident-prone? Insurance fraud also plays a small factor in this equation. Many people “stage” accidents to obtain settlements from insurance companies. A high number of no-fault accidents might raise a red-flag with an insurance company.

We here at CWI Underwriters write auto insurance with eight “A” rated companies, which all have different ways the evaluate accidents and tickets. Give us a call! 888.636.6438

[Via http://cwiunderwriters.wordpress.com]

Blockbuster games are "creatively bankrupt" | News

First Ancestor of All Porsche Sports Cars on Show in America for the First Time

2010-02-18T02:19:00.000+02:00

Porsche Museum supports special exhibition at the High Museum of Art

Stuttgart. The Museum run by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Germany, is sending its legendary Type 64 Berlin-Rome Car on a long journey. Befitting the 60th anniversary of Porsche in America, the aluminium body of Type 64 will be presented from 21 March to 20 June 2010 at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia (USA), taking the first and most prominent exhibit at the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen to a new location outside of Germany for the first time.

The High Museum of Art is one of the world’s leading art museums. In its special exhibition “The Allure of the Automobile”, the High Museum of Art is expressing its recognition of outstanding automotive developments in the period 1930 to 1960, focusing on differences in the development of American and European design. Type 64 will be presented next to other icons in the world of the automobile from Bugatti, Duesenberg, Jaguar, Ferrari, Pierce Arrow, Packard, Cadillac and Tucker as a synthesis of innovative construction and design, supreme craftsmanship, and exceptional design.

Type 64 is of very special significance to the history of the Porsche brand: Built in 1938/39 under the guidance of Ferdinand Porsche, this unique car already had all the features that make sports cars from Zuffenhausen so very special the world over to this day: lightweight construction and superior aerodynamics, exceptional performance, reliable technology, and that unique design so characteristic of a Porsche. Originally developed for the Berlin-Rome long-distance race, Type 64, due to the war, never entered a race in its lifetime. But it marks an essential milestone en route to the first Porsche, Type 356 built in 1948.

The car’s streamlined aluminium body already showed distinctive indications later to be admired in all of Porsche’s sports cars, its DNA living on in the Porsche 356 through the Porsche 911 all the way to the Panamera. The symbiosis of motorsport requirements and the use of production elements made the car a perfect grand tourer able to reach an average speed on public roads back in 1939 of more than 130 km/h or 80 mph. No surprise, therefore, that Ferdinand Porsche himself used Type 64 for long journeys.

Accompanying the new construction of the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-

Zuffenhausen, the aluminium body of Type 64 was rebuilt by experts in years of painstaking craftsmanship. Ever since the Museum was opened in January 2009, Type 64 has marked the beginning of the Museum Tour thrilling visitors from all over the world through its cultural impact and unique flair alone.

While Type 64 is being presented to the public in Atlanta, the Porsche Museum will be displaying the skeleton structure of the Type 64 body until the end of June 2010 – a skeleton made of wood upon which the 1.2-millimetre aluminium panels were hammered into shape.

The Porsche Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 to 18:00. Further information is available in the internet at www.porsche.com/museum/.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

A Daily Dose of Architecture: Breaking News! Barbie NOT an Architect!

2010 Porsche Panamera 4S in Yachting Blue with Two-Tone Leather interior

2010-02-13T20:29:00.000+02:00

2010 Porsche Panamera 4S in Yachting Blue and Two-Tone Yachting Blue leather interior with Yachting Mahogany. Also on the interior there are illuminated door sills, Porsche crests in the head rests, 4-zone climate control, heated seats front and rear, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, Bose, Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, MP3 interface, Porsche entry & drive, leather-covered steering column and power sunscreen rear side windows. On the outside there are 20″ 911 Turbo II wheels with colored crests and Park Assist.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Spice-up your life with a Pink, or Silver Lumix GF1. « Akihabara News

Porsche Motorsport News - Talent Development programme for 2010

2010-02-11T14:16:00.000+02:00

Development programme for five budding pilots

“Porsche Motorsport Talent” – five young drivers from four countries can be truly proud of this title heading into the 2010 season. From twelve candidates at a talent search held in Vallelunga (Italy), Porsche Motorsport selected the five most promising youngsters. Niall Breen (23, Ireland), Jono Lester (20, New Zealand), Tim Sandtler (22, Germany), Harald Schlegelmilch (22, Latvia) and Ferdinand Stuck (18, Germany) share up to 180,000 Euro as a cash injection into their racing budgets for the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup or the Carrera Cup Deutschland. With this, Porsche writes yet another chapter in its long-standing and hugely successful junior development programme in motorsport.

Twelve pilots from six countries spent two days testing three 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars. Each driver had the same number of new tyres at their disposal. Assisted by Porsche engineers, the pilots worked on setting up the vehicles. Porsche racing aces Jeroen Bleekemolen and Jan Seyffarth were on hand to give participants valuable tips and advice, assisted by computer-aided data analyses. In 2008 and 2009, Bleekemolen won the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, with former Porsche Junior Jan Seyffarth securing third in last year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. The budding young racers were also judged on criteria like personality as well as team and communication skills.

The five selected hopefuls hail from a wide range of motorsport categories. Niall Breen is the two-time champion of the Formula BMW Great Britain. In 2008 he contested the Formula 3 Euro Series. At the age of 17, Jono Lester won a round of the Porsche GT3 Cup New Zealand to finish last season fourth overall. Tim Sandtler began his career at the age of ten in a kart and, most recently, contested several races in various Formula 3 championships. Harald Schlegelmilch claimed the German Formula 3 Trophy title in 2006 and went on to take Austria’s Formula 3 Championship that same year. In 2009, the youngster competed in the German Formula 3 Cup, the international Formula Masters and the American Formula Atlantic. Ferdinand Stuck, the youngest son of racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck, made his racing debut in 2003 at the wheel of a kart before going on to contest the ADAC Formula Masters in 2008 and 2009.

“We’re very pleased with this talent search,” summarised Jens Walther, Head of Porsche’s brand trophy series. “All participants were extremely disciplined. We had neither an accident nor a technical defect with the three brand-new vehicles. We carefully weighed up each candidate against each other. The five drivers we selected can rightfully call themselves a “Porsche Motorsport Talent”. All in all, we were very impressed by the standard of participants and hope to see as many of them as possible contesting the Porsche one-make series.”

Niall Breen

Niall Breen (23, Ireland): “Although I’ve been driving Formula cars only and haven’t sat in a race car for ages, it didn’t take me long at all to get used to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. I was easily able to adapt my driving style from Formula 3 to the GT vehicle and I improved from session to session.”

Jono Lester

Jono Lester (20, New Zealand): “I’m really pleased that Porsche chose me as one of the five talents. I would like to use my budget to contest the Supercup. The new Cup vehicle suits my driving style very well. The most difficult aspect will be to familiarise myself with the circuits. I hardly know any tracks outside New Zealand. My greatest dream is to one day become a Porsche works driver.”

Tim Sandtler

Tim Sandtler (22, Germany): “I’m very proud Porsche has selected me as a talent after this very intensive and fair screening. I would very much like to race in the Carrera Cup. The most appealing aspect for me is the close competition and the fact that everyone has identical equipment.”

Harald Schlegelmilch

Harald Schlegelmilch (22, Latvia): “This is first time ever that I’ve sat in a car with a roof. I’m surprised how quickly I adapted to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The car is much faster and more precise than I had expected – a truly super racer. I felt really good after just five laps and could then go to the limit. What a great opportunity. And it’s fantastic that a manufacturer does something for young drivers in such difficult economic times.”

Ferdinand Stuck

Ferdinand Stuck (18, Germany): “I was surprised by the amount of time we were given on the track during this selection process. The data evaluation with Cup professionals Jeroen Bleekemolen and Jan Seyffarth was priceless. I learnt an incredible amount from the two. I’m looking forward to my season in the Carrera Cup. Porsche’s organisation of this championship is very professional, so I have a great deal to offer my sponsors.”

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Green House launches USB 3.0 Interface Board, max. 5Gbps transfer ...

Auto parts supplier SL America adding 300 jobs in Clinton

2010-02-11T02:09:00.000+02:00

Auto parts supplier SL America will add 300 jobs in a $35 million expansion at its SL Tennessee LLC plant in Clinton.

The $35 million will also add an additional 100,000 square feet to the company’s existing facility by the end of 2010.

Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Economic Development Director Matt Kisber announced the new jobs Friday morning, with officials of SL America.

“SL Tennessee’s expansion is a testament to the strong business climate we’ve worked hard to create,” Gov. Bredesen said. “I want to thank SL Tennessee for the confidence they have shown in Tennessee workers and in our state and I congratulate the company’s leadership on the expansion in Clinton.”

“In Tennessee, we’ve developed a strategy in many business sectors which focuses not just on major ‘anchors,’ but on suppliers and customers across the value chain,” Kisber said. “I’m pleased our efforts, along with the strong partnership between the state, Anderson County and the city of Clinton, have yielded results.”

SL Tennessee is a parts supplier for Volkswagen, General Motors, Hyundai and KMG.

The current facility operates in a 164,000 square foot space in the Interstate 75 Industrial Park, building automotive parts including gear shifters, parking brakes and lighting products.

In 2001, SL Tennessee became the first Korean-owned automobile parts manufacturer in the Volunteer State when the Clinton facility opened.

The announcement follows Volkswagen’s decision to award SL Tennessee a contract to make automatic shifter assemblies for the new VW plant at Chattanooga and to supply VW production in Mexico.

Source: WATE

[Via http://blog.localjobs.com]

AP Articles Reappear On Google News

2010 Welcome The Tiger

2010-02-09T19:39:00.000+02:00

Welcome The Tiger ( 虎 )

One of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Tiger is associated with the earthly branch symbol 寅.

People born within 14 February 2010 – 2 February 2011 date ranges can be said to have been born in the “Year Of The Tiger,” while also bearing the following elemental sign: Metal Tiger. Metal (Chinese: 金; pinyin: jīn), is the decline of the matter, or the matter’s decline stage.

born within : elemental sign 8 February 1902 – 28 January 1903: Water Tiger26 January 1914 – 13 February 1915: Wood Tiger

13 February 1926 – 1 February 1927: Fire Tiger

31 January 1938 – 18 February 1939: Earth Tiger

17 February 1950 – 5 February 1951: Metal Tiger

5 February 1962 – 24 January 1963: Water Tiger

23 January 1974 – 10 February 1975: Wood Tiger

9 February 1986 – 28 January 1987: Fire Tiger

28 January 1998 – 15 February 1999: Earth Tiger

14 February 2010 – 2 February 2011: Metal Tiger

The qualities associated with Metal Tiger are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialistic, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them. Metal is believed to govern the lungs, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage.

Metal is yin in character, its motion is inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west and autumn, old age, the planet Venus and the color white. The archetypal metals are silver and gold. Its Primal Spirit is represented by a White Tiger.

Metal is the fourth phase of Wu Xing (Chinese: 五行; pinyin: wǔxíng), or the Five Movements, Five Phases or Five Steps/Stages, are chiefly an ancient mnemonic device, in many traditional Chinese fields.

It is sometimes translated as Five Elements, but the Wu Xing are chiefly an ancient mnemonic device, hence the preferred translation of “movements”, “phases” or “steps” over “elements”.

The system of five phases was used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena. It was employed as a device in many fields of early Chinese thought, including seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy or Feng shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy and martial arts.

The Five Elements system is still used as a reference in some forms of complementary and alternative medicine and martial arts. Some claim the original foundations of these are the concept of the Five Cardinal Points.

The Chinese zodiac is a twelve-year cycle in which each year is associated with a specific animal. Those born during the year of a certain animal were thought to share some of the qualities of that animal. The twelve animals in order are, and their years:

Rat

2008

1996

1984

1972

1960

1948

1936

1924

1912

1900

2009

1997

1985

1973

1961

1949

1937

1925

1913

1901

Tiger

2010

1998

1986

1974

1962

1950

1938

1926

1914

1902

Rabbit

2011

1999

1987

1975

1963

1951

1939

1927

1915

1903

Dragon

2012

2000

1988

1976

1964

1952

1940

1928

1916

1904

Snake

2013

2001

1989

1977

1965

1953

1941

1929

1917

1905

Horse

2014

2002

1990

1978

1966

1954

1942

1930

1918

1906

Ram

2015

2003

1991

1979

1967

1955

1943

1931

1919

1907

Monkey

2016

2004

1992

1980

1968

1956

1944

1932

1920

1908

Rooster

2017

2005

1993

1981

1969

1957

1945

1933

1921

1909

Dog

2018

2006

1994

1982

1970

1958

1946

1934

1922

1910

Pig

2019

2007

1995

1983

1971

1959

1947

1935

1923

1911

[Via http://dchtustinacura.wordpress.com]

MrSun tracks the sun's position | iLounge News

TTM Succes: Adam Jones

2010-02-04T20:21:00.000+02:00

Today brought a pretty cool TTM fram orioles star, Adam Jones! I saw on SCN that someone got his auto quickly by sending to some atheletes performance institute in Arizona. I wasnt sure if I should try, or If it was too late. I took a shot at it and sent my one and only adam jones card, a topps town, not the greatest for signatures, but an auto is an auto! Mr.Jones got back to me in a quick, 10 days! Heres a pic

[Via http://mikepelfreyshouse.wordpress.com]

Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen: Green News Report -- February 2 ...

Hardware sequencer

2010-02-04T14:33:00.000+02:00

I have been busy running through ideas for automated instruments I could use to enrich my performances at open mic nights. One of the main points of interest for me is percussion as it is usually quite over looked at open mic nights apart from the occasional set of bongos. I have been drawing up sketches for a snare drum played using dropping marbles and also for a cassette player hack. The main hurdle for any automated instrument is how will it be sequenced to play itself. Last night I sat down for a while and coded a very very basic sequencer in processing that controlled an Arduino with Firmata installed. There is nothing fancy about the code but I believe this will be a good solid starting point for most of the automated instruments I could ever imagine. There are some images below of the basic setup and a video of the sequencer on the screen and the Arduino carrying out the sequence using LED’s. I am quite happy to publish the source code on request.

[Via http://automatedchaos.wordpress.com]

Booker Rising: News: Haiti Earthquake Aftermath

Auto Blues

2010-02-04T10:28:00.000+02:00

Image via Wikipedia

This has not been a good time for the automobile industry. While the folks who make and sell cars have not had the misfortune of being a target of choice for terrorist groups, the auto industry has been badly damaged. The once mighty and world dominating American auto companies are no longer titans of the industry. GM, for example, is now a sad little ward of the state thanks to decades of poor decision making.

The plummet of the American companies would seem to have offered foreign companies yet another golden opportunity to increase their already significant lead. However, Toyota stumbled badly recently with the infamous accelerator problem.

While the slumping economy has hurt sales, the damage to the auto companies has been self-inflicted. As noted above,the folks at GM drove the company into the ground. The folks at Toyota built cars with a serious defect and did not handle the problem quite well enough.

From a rational standpoint, this would seem to be a poor time to buy American or buy a Toyota. After all, some of Toyota’s top models are affected and it is hard to say at this point how far the damage t0 the brands and the company will extend.

While the other auto companies might be able to step and grab more territory, it might be the case that consumers will be increasingly wary-and justifiably so. Given that the consumer economy is already rather slow, this could create an even greater slowdown in this aspect of the economy.

It is natural to wonder how such a serious defect was allowed in these vehicles. Part of the problem is that conditions in the real world can create some serious surprises even after equipment has been tested. Another part of the problem is that companies often cut corners and hope that the cut will be good for their bottom line and not turn out to be a disaster.

Handling problems is also problematic. One major concern for companies is, of course, law suits. As such, the company folks do not want to take responsibility too early and they want to act so as to minimize the cost the company. Of course, such steps can be seen as dithering and delaying and this hardly helps with the problem.

Toyota might, like other companies have done, be able to restore its reputation. It might even be able to come out of this situation better than it went into it-but this remains to be seen. In any case, time will tell.

Reimbursement Services

2010-02-04T08:29:00.000+02:00

Automobile insurance is not compulsory in some countries like, South Africa. The Government has introduced a fuel tax to compensate injured in a traffic accident. If you are the responsible vehicle, the allowance is limited to 25 000 R. unlimited otherwise. Damage to vehicles are not supported in this system. Insurance companies may offer insurance liability, theft or fire damage in addition to any accident. Almost all business organizations use cars or other autos for their utilities. There must be at least a cab, whatever its condition may be. There are probabilities that these can end up with an accident, because accidents just dont happen on our fault,it can be of others on the road too. Some organizations rent vehicles and some own their own,but both have the same risk. There are also other problems like maintaining the accounts for gasoline used,repair cost,mileage which are not computed correctly. Most times they are not correct at all. There is a system to establish this auto allowance for proper accounting and the total expenses for a car, as well as for insurance purposes. Corporate Reimbursement Services or CRS Inc takes care of all these. it sets up a Car Allowance which includes all major expenses like reimbursable expenses, driver’s allowances and a lot more They can also take care that drivers are fit to drive a car and qualify them on some special tests.

- This is a Sponsored Review

[Via http://gimmefree.wordpress.com]

Ailes exposes Fox News' GOP philosophical connections | Crooks and ...

Toyota recall: What you need to know

2010-02-02T20:04:00.000+02:00

Clark Behind The Headlines

From HLN’s Money Expert Clark Howard

This Toyota story has really turned into an ongoing soap opera.

At first, Toyota was in corporate cultural denial of the problems going on with the gas pedals getting stuck. Then, the company bungled its response to its customers, and it’s now falling all over itself to apologize. And Toyota is going to start with the repairs to people’s vehicles in the next week or so.

Now, what do you need to know if you’re a Toyota owner?

First thing: you don’t get an appointment – at least under the system they’re using now – until you get a certified letter from Toyota saying they’re ready for you. Toyota dealers are going to burn the midnight oil doing these repairs that – if Toyota is right and a simple shim will fix the problem – will be a pretty quick one. It should take about the same amount of time as an oil change. But it will take mechanics a short while to come up to speed on how to do it. There will be a learning curve. So you actually don’t want to be one of the first people to have your car repaired.

Should you be afraid to drive your Toyota? I remember when Audi went through this thing with sudden acceleration in the 80s. Audi absolutely blew the public response, and people became so afraid they parked their Audis in the garage or the driveway and didn’t drive them. I think that was a direct by-product of how Audi handled the problem.

In this case, Toyota – late in the game – is taking responsibility. And I would have no problem driving a Toyota. I’ve explained how you shift into neutral to stop a Toyota if it goes out of control, and there are several briefings on the Web about that.

Now, there is an oddball opportunity right now. I talked with people in the used car business about this to get a number. And what are known as late-model cars, from the last three model years, have seen a big drop in value. This is a temporary window, but you may save as much as $3,000 right now buying a used Toyota, vs. what that same car might have brought just two weeks ago. There are dealers right now that are even refusing to accept Toyotas in trade because they’re too worried about what the marketplace is going to do to the value of the vehicle after they take it into inventory.

The ultimate point here to me is one that comes up over and over again in politics: it’s never the problem, it’s always the cover-up. And if you look at the Toyota situation, a person or company can build up a good reputation over years and it can be destroyed in an instant. That’s what happened to Toyota in this case and they’re going to have to ask for forgiveness and rebuild their credibility step by step.

Let this be a message to anyone who owns a business. If you mess up, ‘fess up. It’s really that simple.

[Via http://tips.blogs.cnn.com]

Cowboys add kicker Connor Hughes | Dallas Cowboys Blog | Sports ...

Nike Auto Flight Hi

2010-01-31T14:08:00.000+02:00

The Crew is calling this the “Decepticon”. This Nike Auto Fligh Hi is a real cool look for the fall/winter. The Crew will be on the lookout for this gem, but it is available right now at The Darkside Initiative.

The Darkside Initiative

1827 Powell Street

San Francisco, CA 94133

415.837.1909

[Via http://capitalcitycrew.com]

Ninty News promo video says Zelda Wii coming this year

Best Travel Trailer Covers with Free Coupon

2010-01-31T02:04:00.000+02:00

Recreational Vehicles or RV as commonly referred to as, have gained immense popularity in the recent years. The main advantage of these RVs are that it can go anywhere and everywhere. These operate very well for interstate drives, camping trips, and other long distance travels.

These vehicles are expensive as it comes with a variety of options. Presently the RVs come with special designs and costly décor.

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As these vehicles are costly, there is a need to protect them from the rain, wind, frost, and dust, while on a trip. There are special RV covers available to protect them from the dirt, debris, heavy rain, winds, and 100 degree Fahrenheit heat. More and more people have started using RV covers.

People might ask question what kinds of covers are being used popularly, or is there a real need for RV covers, and is it really needed while on a trip. The actual idea is to cover the vehicle when it is parked, and though the RV is built for rough weather and harsh conditions, still there is a need to protect the vehicle by covering it up with RV covers.

The RV covers are immensely handy in cold weather and rain, where the polypropylene RV covers are the perfect option. In most of cases these RV covers are fitted with zipper. This would allow the users to access all the doors, as it will be a hectic job to put the covers and take the covers off every time.

One of the most common types of RV covers used is the Tyvek cover which is exceptionally popular. It provides all round protection for protects all types of RVs against moderately rough-to-rough weather. But there is small disadvantage with the Tyvek RV covers as it is a bit expensive. There is the Expedition type RV covers, which has three zippers, one on each side of the vehicle for easy access. You can invest on the Expedition RV covers if you are looking for long-term usage and durability.

The other high quality RV covers which also provides with the UV rays protection is the Goldline. The other advantage the Goldline has is that it comes with 12 zippers, and so there are 12 different openings for getting in. It is made out of a fully woven fabric. This particular fabric helps in protecting the body paint of the RV from the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. This RV covers is a must for vehicle on a trip in the desert region, or any other area where there is high UV ray exposure.

Before buying one cover the most important thing is the fabric and it can make all the difference. High-class RV covers are usually breathable and gets rids of the moisture which accumulates under the cover. This does not allow mold or fungus to grow. During the summer these fabric allow the heat to escape. Good RV covers can are always water resistant as they channel out the water very easily.

[Via http://usedairstreamtraveltrailers.wordpress.com]

Profits almost triple for Microsoft's game division | News

BGB Cayman finishes 12th in Continental Tire Fresh From Florida 200

2010-01-30T14:13:00.000+02:00

The BGB Racing number 23 Cayman driven by Keith Carroll and Duncan Ende finishes 12th in Continental Tire Fresh From Florida 200. Not a bad result for their first outing considering the cars were only finished days before testing for the race began. As Team Manager John Tecce said, “It was a short off-season trying to get two brand new cars built in 2 months and we made it, just barely”. Their number 38 car driven by Steve Jenkins and Craig Stanton finished 60th completing 49 laps.

I was talking to Roger Burdett last night and he said Daytona is more suited for high horsepower cars and felt the BGB Cayman’s should fare better on the rest of the Continental Tire Challenge Series. I am sure they have come away from this race with a lot of valuable information and I look forward to watching them progress as the season continues.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Great news: Bin Laden declares jihad on ...

Day 4: How do Hybrids work?

2010-01-28T20:38:00.000+02:00

Ever wonder how the engine on a hybrid vehicle actually works? What exactly is going on under the hood when you are driving a hybrid? To answer these questions, I did a little YouTube scouring and found this video, that I think is pretty easy to understand:

I had the lucky experience to drive a Toyota Prius all over British Columbia in summer 2009 with my job promoting used oil recycling for BC Used Oil Management Association. So, I have to admit that I have gotten the opportunity to feel what it’s like to drive with the electric motor running only, and both together. I really enjoyed driving the Prius and I thought it performed very well (even through the Rocky Mountains!!). You can check out the bubbly Prius I got to drive at http://www.usedoilrecycling.com/en/bc/communicationspublicity.

My advice:

Electric motors are pretty much silent so watch out for pedestrians when you are driving really slow because they probably won’t know your coming!

[Via http://carcareforher.wordpress.com]

Create Digital Music » How A Great Product Can Be Bad News: Apple ...

Panamera Chosen as “Best Car”

2010-01-28T14:12:00.000+02:00

Gran Turismo Wins “auto motor und sport” Readers’ Choice in the Luxury Performance Segment

Stuttgart. The Porsche Panamera has been chosen as the best car in its class yet another time. Today Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is receiving the next outstanding award for its new four-door Gran Turismo, with the readers of the renowned motoring journal “auto motor und sport” having chosen the Panamera right from the start in its first year as No 1 in the Luxury Performance Segment.

Following its market launch in September, the Panamera has therefore scored a perfect hat trick in Germany’s largest audience and expert awards, after having won the “Golden Steering Wheel” awarded by “Bild am Sonntag” and “Auto Bild” and the “Auto Trophy“ presented by “Auto Zeitung”.

The “Best Cars” readers’ choice held by “auto motor und sport” since 1977 also considers the results of the magazine’s foreign editions. A further point is that customers likewise confirm the great popularity of the Panamera, with the 10,000th Panamera being built and delivered by Porsche Plant Leipzig as early as in December 2009.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Get Your Non-Apple News - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

BBC News - General Motors sells Saab to Dutch firm Spyker

2010-01-26T20:34:00.000+02:00

BBC News – General Motors sells Saab to Dutch firm Spyker

Sweden’s Saab is being sold to Dutch luxury carmaker Spyker, General Motors (GM) has confirmed.

GM has been trying to sell Saab since January 2009. Earlier this month, it said it would start to shut down the firm while still looking for a buyer.

But GM said wind-down activities would be immediately suspended, “pending the close of the transaction”.

Spyker sold 43 cars in 2008, when it posted a loss of $35m (£21m). Terms of the deal were not specified.

ANALYSIS Jorn Madslien, Business reporter, BBC News

Saab, the car that emerged from a company making fighter jets, is set for a new existence as a subsidiary of Spyker, a small, loss-making Dutch sports car maker.

Spyker chief Victor Muller says he wants to create more jobs, rather than reduce the Saab workforce, as he is keen to prevent the number of cars produced from falling further.

But others have tried and failed to make Saab into a volume carmaker.

For the 3,400 workers at Saab’s factory in Trollhaettan, the deal offers a glimmer of hope for the future, though it is too early to suggest their jobs are safe.

However, reports suggest that Spyker paid $74m for Saab.

‘Great news’

Saab lost 3bn kronor (£255m; $412m) in 2008, and has not made a profit since 2001.

US group GM rejected an earlier offer from Spyker for Saab in December.

Shares in Spyker were earlier suspended on the Amsterdam stock exchange, with the Dutch financial market regulator saying the move was “pending [a] press release” from the company.

Its shares were 2.8% higher before the suspension, after having risen more than 60% on Monday.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM vice-president for corporate planning and alliances.

“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we’re all happy for the positive outcome,” he said.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

[Via http://barbaryalan.wordpress.com]

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Great news: Noted deficit hawk to ...

Planning and Combining Trips

2010-01-26T02:00:00.000+02:00

Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.

Commuting

Stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours.

Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle.

Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it.

Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy.

Consider using public transit if it is available and convenient for you. The American Public Transit Transportation Association has links to information about public transportation in your state.

Traveling

A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible.

Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 lbs in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2 percent.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/planning.shtml

Peak Kia of Littleton

Toll Free (888) 606-5252

[Via http://peakkialittleton.wordpress.com]

The Real News: Haiti and the "Devil's Curse"

2010 GT3 RS Stripes available for other model Carrera's through Porschestripes.com

2010-01-24T20:25:00.000+02:00

Greg Collett brought this to my attention today. Porschestripes.com is offering the checker board 2010 GT3 RS stripes in plain checker board pattern or with GT3 and GT3 RS model designations on them. They come in 19 different colors.

To see the these and the rest of their stripe & graphics kits visit: Porschestripes.com

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Still time to sign up for iPodweek, coming later today | iLounge News

Shelby GT500 Super Snake pana la 725 CP

2010-01-21T08:15:00.000+02:00

Avem de-a face cu 2 versiuni de Shelby:Super Snake si o versiune mai “cuminte”.Prima versiune adica Super Snake ofera 725 CP,avand un compresor mai performant,o admisie imbunatatita si un nou sistem de evacuare.Dupa cum vedeti,noul Super Snake pare mai agresiv avand un nou body kit,jante de 20 inci si elemente carbon.Toate aceste modificari ajung la pretul de 33.495$.Cealalta versiune este dotata cu un motor V8 de 630 CP la pretul de 29.495$.

[Via http://stuffzone.wordpress.com]

Apple shares jump on news of Jan. 27 event

Iata noua limuzina Logan

2010-01-17T14:37:00.000+02:00

In curand va fi produsa o limuzina Dacia, pe platforma Daciei Logan MCV modificata (poza mai jos).

Producatorul local Dacia pare sa fie implicat in acest proiect, daca tinem cont de aspectul atelierului in care se desfasoara procesul de asamblare a autovehicolului.

Limuzina este de fapt formata dintr-un MCV taiat in doua, caruia i s-a adaugat o portiune cu doua usi in partea mediana.

Sursa

[Via http://doarstiri.wordpress.com]

Palin's arrival to Fox News a curious move | Daily Trojan

New pictures of the 2010 Porsche GT3R at the Autosport International show

2010-01-16T14:35:00.000+02:00

I found these pictures and a great article of the debut for the 2010 GT3R at Autosport International show in Birmingham on Young Man blog yesterday.

To read the article visit: Youngmanblog

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Fox News Wins Haiti Ratings: CNN Second, MSNBC Third

Yelling at yellow

2010-01-14T21:38:00.000+02:00

Man that must just suck. You go out and buy a new yellow VW. A convertible too, those are not cheap. So then whats up with the color? I bet this person was all “hey check out my yellow VW! It’s mad yellow!” then they go to the mall, What all this then? A brighter nicer yellow on that cheap chevy? LAME.

Sorry sunbugy, but that chevy is far more yellow than you

[Via http://toiletblogs.com]

Fox News: “Confirmed. Apple Tablet, iPhone 4.0 Software and New ...

Tint Houston

2010-01-14T20:31:00.000+02:00

Armortek Tinting of Seabrook, Texas (Houston, TX) will tint your car windows, commercial glass and home windows with premium quality window film from Global Window Films.

Armortek of Seabrook has over 15 years of tinting experience and offers Global’s lifetime warranty window films for cars, autos and homes. Commercial films have a 10 year warranty. Armortek’s dual reflecitve 5%, DR 5, will block 88% of the heat before it has a chance to pass through the glass windows, that is real savings! You can go green when Armortek installs the sun blocking window films. Also solar tint blocks 99% of the ultraviolet light, UV, which reduces fading.

Armortek Tinting is located at:

2111 Seabrook Circle

SEABROOK, TX 77586

Call Armortek 281.777.3621 now for a quote for the tinting services. Energy audits are also available at no charge. In Houston, energy can cost from $.105 to $.195 per kWh which is one of the most expensive kWh charges in the nation. Well, fight back by installation heat blocking window film and conserve energy now and year after year.

Insulation for your Glass.

[Via http://houstontint.wordpress.com]

Proporta debuts Union Jack iPhone pouch | iLounge News

"Yellow Angel" innovation prize for Porsche Consulting

2010-01-14T14:01:00.000+02:00

Notice the load of Porsche's in the background

ADAC awards prize to consultancy company for speeding up highway improvements

Stuttgart/Munich. In recognition of its exemplary work in speeding up highway improvements, the consultancy company Porsche Consulting GmbH, Bietigheim-Bissingen, was today awarded the “Yellow Angel 2010″ innovation prize in Munich by Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil-Club (ADAC) – the most prestigious German prize when it comes to mobility, road safety and environmental protection.

During practical implementation on German highways, the subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart used its tried-and-tested methods to eliminate any wastage of time, resources and costs in order to prove that tangible improvements are also possible in highway construction. By ensuring the optimum balance of workflows, it is possible to cut construction times by almost a half and save up to 40 percent of costs and millions of tons of pollutant emissions.

“Environmentally-friendly, stress-free and free-flowing traffic is one of our core goals. The Yellow Angel will provide additional support for the consultants at Porsche Consulting as they try and make the construction industry, public contractors and politicians more aware of intelligent solutions that can significantly reduce construction times on highways,” said Michael Macht, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG, during the prize-giving ceremony. Bosch and Fiat were also awarded innovation prizes at the event.

I know this doesn’t have much to do with the cars but I found it interesting and wonder if the governments of the world could use Porsche Consulting to improve their performance. Oh wait, there is performance in this post!

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Sarah Palin To Join Fox News, Moving Her Even Further From White ...

Girls and sports car best that `Seattle town car`

2010-01-12T14:18:00.000+02:00

Hello, everyone! I am from Seattle. I like girls and super cars. Recently I was in washington on car show. What I saw there was magic… Sports autos, girls…. Yeah! I never sea anybody at Seattle towncar.

I want that you see super cars and sexy girls on this foto.

Man….see for this magic foto:

If you ever have a chanсe will go to the washington car show, do not lose it.

Please write me people, who like girls and cars as I.

[Via http://seattleautomobile.wordpress.com]

Government News Briefs « ResourceShelf

Top Ten 2010 Best Irvine Restaurants by Irvine Auto Accident Lawyer Sebastian Gibson

2010-01-10T02:12:00.000+02:00

The right Irvine auto accident attorney makes all the difference, and so too does the right restaurant.

It matters more than you think who you call for your auto accident or other legal matter. When it matters most, call the Law Firm of Sebastian Gibson.

We hope this list of top restaurants and our other lists of places to go also lets you make the most of your time in Irvine and the surrounding area. For more information about the best events, top festivals, great food and wine tastings and more in California and around the world, visit www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com

We know that when you spend your hard earned money when you go out on the town or even when you simply want to have fun without spending much money, you don’t want to spend your limited time or money and have a bad time. To help ensure your enjoyment when you go out in Irvine, we’ve compiled this list.

Remember though, even the best restaurant can have a bad day. The server you have may be having a bad day, the bartender you have may even make the wrong drink. The trick to having fun when you go out on the town is to make the best of any situation. Life is too short to be annoyed by common things that go wrong.

It’s the same thing when you have an auto accident. A car accident can ruin your whole year. As an auto accident attorney for Irvine, however, we know how to remedy a bad situation and make it better. We know how to obtain payment for car rental expenses or the loss of use of your car, we can obtain payment for your auto repairs (or the value of your car if it was totaled) and how to obtain an auto accident settlement that includes compensation for your medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering and even a new child safety seat if one was in use during the accident.

This is the first annual list of the top ten restaurants in or near Irvine chosen by Irvine Auto Accident Lawyer Sebastian Gibson for 2010, Even if this list doesn’t include your favorite restaurant, we hope it will at least provide you with a few more choices of where to go for some fine food in the Irvine area.

At the Law Firm of Sebastian Gibson, we’ve obtained outstanding results in cases other attorneys haven’t even been interested in. Not every case is a big one but it takes experience to recognize what makes a good one.

Find out what makes our Sebastian Gibson so exceptional and why our website, www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com is graded so highly by websitegrader.com.

It says a lot that other law firms refer their big cases to us. Other attorneys refer all types of matters to us and for good reason. Our record of obtaining extraordinary results for decades speaks volumes.

More than once, when other lawyers haven’t been interested in a case, we’ve persevered and had extraordinary success. We can’t guarantee results but we can guarantee that we will represent your best interests and that we will do so to the very best of our abilities.

Remember, it matters more than you think who you call for your auto accident or other legal matter. When it matters most, call the law firm of Sebastian Gibson. Visit our website at www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com and see the difference.

Don’t let an auto accident ruin your year and prevent you from enjoying life and taking the chance to have some good food and times with friends and family at restaurants such as these.

So here are our top ten restaurants in Irvine for 2010. We’ve purposely chosen restaurants that are popular and known for fun, instead of restaurants that have the most expensive food or the top ratings. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, we think that going to a restaurant with friends or family and having a good meal and good conversation at a reasonable price is more important than overpaying for the paintings on the walls.

Here are our top choices.

1. Stubrik’s Steakhouse, Fullerton

2. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Brea

3. Peppino’s, Lake Forest

4. El Farolito, Palcentia

5. Splashes, Laguna Beach

6. Matador Cantina, Fullerton

7. The Melting Pot, Irvine

8. Orange Hill, Orange

9. Mastro’s, Newport Coast

10. Lucille’s, Brea

Enjoy your time in Irvine but remember to watch how much you drink or to use a designated driver. And if by some unfortunate circumstance, you’re involved in an auto accident on your way home, remember, it matters more than you think who you call for your car accident. When it matters most, call the Law Firm of Sebastian Gibson.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

Inside Fox News -- Political Wire

2010-01-09T02:11:00.000+02:00

horsepower blog

I think I’ve found a way to reach Americans(at least those of the West) on the whole automobile addiction problem, by invoking their ancestors.

You see, I’ve been an avid cyclist for a number of years now, and I never bought into the stigma attached to riding public transit(which unfortunately is more prevalent out west). Part of that probably stems from growing up in a town that had an outstanding transit program, Eugene, Oregon. I also enjoy walking quite a bit, as I seem to get some of my best thinking done then.

All that having been said, i have owned a number of cars. I was a full fledged, automobile addicted American. I still own a truck and a motorhome and I love to drive sometimes, just not all of the time. If I need to travel during high traffic times in high traffic zones, I’d just as soon read a good book while riding public transit. Why worry about gas, inattentive drivers and wear and tear on my vehicle when with a little planning public transit can fulfill my needs.

With all that information and experience, I still found it hard to get through to people the benefits of getting out of the car, at least once in a while. Many people feel to busy, are working too long of hours, etc., etc. Some even flat out admit to being too lazy. Even when the math showed how much of a cut in pay you could take without feeling it financially if you simply lived close enough to your place of employment to ride or walk to work.

Then, one afternoon I was pondering the term”horsepower”………Hmmm…….Now I know the conversion to the power of ‘X’ number of horses the power of a particular engine is more complicated than it implies, but the generalization will work just fine for the following arguement .

Horsepower led me to horses which led me to history and I got to thinking about my ancestors that were ranchers and farmers in Texas, before the automobile. These were people that had horses, knew horses, lots of horses. But even my most affluent ancestors knew to use the proper tool for the job. You don’t use a 10 pound sledge hammer to hang a coat hook.

When great-great gramma needed some flour and salt from the mercantile, do you suppose that she hooked all all of the horses up to a single wagon to make the trip into town? No. 50 of them?30? 10? 5? no no no. At most she’d hook one or two up to a wagon, or better yet, she’d put one of the kids on a single horse and send them!!

Seriously, add up the cost of driving to and from work….Insurance, wear and tear, fuel, maintenance. Be honest about it, then subtract that from what you actually make a month and see if you can’t make that amount somewhere closer to home. Then again, you might take that same total driving cost, add it to your current living expenses and see if maybe you could afford to live closer to where you currently work.

Think about it……

[Via http://barbaryalan.wordpress.com]

Casio new ultra Slim High Luminance portable Projector is also ...

ich lass mich abschleppen

2010-01-07T19:22:00.000+02:00

Den schlimmsten Satz, den meine Schwester mir sagen kann, ist “Das Auto springt nicht an.” Leider hat sie es neulich zu mir gesagt. Da schnurrte mein oller Karren Auto bei den frostigsten Minustemperaturen wie ein Kätzchen, aber bei -3° C und Schnee macht er schlapp. Typisch. Überbrücken verschaffte auch keinerlei Erfolg, was mich schon an der ersten Vermutung, dass die Batterie schlapp gemacht hatte, zweifeln ließ. Aber gleichzeitig war das auch irgendwie meine Hoffnung, denn das würde nicht viel kosten und danach könnte ich fröhlich weiter durch die Gegend gondeln.

Zwischen den Feiertagen mache ich mir gar nicht erst die Mühe, eine geöffnete Werkstatt zu finden. Aber am ersten Montag im neuen Jahr (ich hatte ja zum Glück Urlaub und somit Zeit) sollte das Unternehmen “Rettet das Auto!” durchgeführt werden. Zunächst einmal versuchte ich natürlich noch mal, das Auto zu starten. Leises Röcheln, aber nichts tat sich sonst. Damn. Dann halt mal zur nächsten Werkstattbutze, die zum Glück nur zwei Straßen weiter ist. “Guten Tag. Mein Auto springt nicht an. Ich bin eine blonde Frau, große Kulleraugen. HILFE!” Bestimmt wäre der KfZ-Mechaniker sofort mitgekommen, wenn ich nicht männliche Begleitung bei mir gehabt hätte. So vertröstete er mich auf eine gute halbe Stunde, die wir dazu nutzen, die 800 Meter Schnee vom Auto abzutragen, die in der Zwischenzeit darauf gerieselt waren. Klatschnass und durchgefroren ging es dann zurück zur Werkstatt und der Typ (wir nennen ihn Zahnriemen-Ali) kam dann mit. Lässt er sich überbrücken? Nein, immer noch nicht. Vielleicht ist die Wasserpumpe eingefroren? Mir frieren mittlerweile nur noch die Tränen in den Augen fest. Oder die Füße auf der Straße. “Kann passieren bei diesem Wetter.” Großartig. Soll ich jetzt mal einfach relaxed auf Tauwetter warten?

Am nächsten Tag wollte Zahnriemen-Ali ein Spray besorgt haben, für den Vergaser. Die genaue Funktionalität wurde mir nicht ganz bewusst, überhaupt habe ich eigentlich immer nur die Hälfte von dem was er sagte, verstanden. Das macht aber nichts, weil ich die andere Hälfte über einfach auch nicht richtig zugehört habe. Bombige Voraussetzungen, aber ich bin so 27,5 Jahre alt geworden.

Heldenhaft versuchten der Mann an meiner Seite und ich (also, eigentlich mehr er) das Auto in die Werkstatt abzuschleppen. Die 800 Meter Schnee, die wir am Vortag von meinem Auto geworfen hatten plus der zusätzliche Schnee auf der Straße wussten dieses Vorhaben aber zu verhindern. Ich liebe den Winter ja. Nass und durchgefroren gingen wir also wieder zur Werkstatt. Zahnriemen-Ali und sein Kollege ließen uns dann allein. Ganz allein in der Werkstatt, während die zwei mein Auto holten. “In fünf Minuten sind wir da.” Ja, sicher. Fünf Minuten. Niemals! Bei dem Wetter und den Schneemassen auf der Straße. Fünf Minuten kichernd “Was machen wir jetzt eigentlich, wenn Kunden kommen?” durchstehen.

Nach sechs Minuten waren sie da. Wie auch immer die das geschafft haben. Ich will es nicht wissen. Ein paar Stunden später legte ich eine kleine Menge Geld auf den Tisch, bekam noch gut erklärt, was kaputt war, bewunderte noch die Überreste meiner alten Zündkerzen und durfte dann wieder auf die Straße. “Wahrscheinlich wird es morgen auch anspringen, wenn nicht, dann kommen Sie vorbei. Es ist halt Winter.” Ich liebe Werkstätten. Und mein Auto. So wird es nie langweilig.

[Via http://dieschoenheitderchance.wordpress.com]

thejetsblog.com » News: Weis to Return to the NFL?

VW PoloMob

2010-01-07T02:23:00.000+02:00

Projeto criado para o concurso Talento Volkswagen Design 2009, categoria Color & Trim.

Desenvolvido sobre o tema “Volkswagen Urbano” o veículo apresenta aplicação de novos materiais e novas tecnologias à indústria automotiva, além de utilizar como inspiração redes sociais e microblogs para personalização de cada veículo, criando um perfil diferente para cada usuário.

Pranchas enviadas na primeira fase do concurso:

VW PoloMob - Conceito e público alvo.

VW PoloMob - Cores e Estampas

VW PoloMob - Painel e portas

Software:

Ilustração Digital e diagramação: Photoshop

Algumas pranchas utilizadas na apresentação para o time de Design da Volkswagen na última fase do concurso (aprofudamento do projeto inicial):

VW PoloMob - 2ª fase - Bancos

VW PoloMob - 2ª fase - Interatividade

VW PoloMob - 2ª fase - Conceito das estampas

VW PoloMob - 2ª fase - Interior com tema cubista aplicado nas telas flexíveis de Led Orgânico

Softwares:

Modelagem e render (bancos): 3DS MAX

Tratamento de imagens, montagens e diagramação: Photoshop

[Via http://viniciuszaz.wordpress.com]

WORLDmag.com | Community | Blog Archive | Proclaiming Christ on ...

Understanding the Heavy Vehicle Tax

2010-01-03T02:41:00.000+02:00

It pays for programs that ease congestion and allow for the smooth flow of traffic across the nation and through our cities and the money even goes to drivers education and other programsAll of these are things that go towards making a truckers life and business a little easier Can you imagine the rutted chaotic roads that would exist if the heavy vehicle tax did not Not that it funds everything8212because other taxpayers contribute as well8212but it does help to ensure the money keeps flowing

[Via http://qastex5.wordpress.com]

I Love To Watch - NY Daily News

End of the Year Meet @ Super Auto Toyz: Part Two

2009-12-24T20:39:00.000+02:00

Ok, time for some more. I just woke up so I’m kind of bleh right now. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Pretty sure this is the car I’m thinking of. I shot it a while back at my cousin’s place. I think it had spacers in the back then though. I recognized the Mugen-ness of it and the color.

Not really sure why, but some of the nicely done cars were really dirty.

I thought this was pretty funny. The guy busted out a lamp for his car and ran an extension cable around it. I like to see the effort, but the cable kind of ruins the picture.

I absolutely loved this shot. Although the shot is flawless, the urban feel of the scene of the composition and the editing gives off the feel of the mood.

That’s about it from the meet. I’m heading out to Vegas tomorrow. If you happen to be in Vegas this weekend, hit me up, I’m shooting for free out there.

[Via http://timscribbles.com]

December 22 News and Notes - Matchsticks and Gasoline

Organului, numai de bine

2009-12-20T14:11:00.000+02:00

Se ia o dimineata frumoasa de duminica, cu zapada ca-n basme. Dupa o trezire alene, ma duc spre masina sa iau ceva din torpedo. Ma apropii de masina si vad ca prin mormanul de zapada care o inconjoara, adie usor vantul prin geamul din fata stanga, un pic cam spart. Ma invart prin jurul masinii, deshid usa, imi fac loc printre cioburi si evaluez pagubele. Un geam spart si bricheta lipsa. Altfel, CD-urile cu muzica imprastiate pe jos – se vede ca nu au gasit manele – mp3 player-ul la locul lui si nimic lipsa.

Ma gandesc la polita Casco si e clar ca trebuie sa sun la Politie, pentru o constatare. Incerc la 955 – asa tineam eu minte ca e numarul Politiei. Robotul imi spune sa formez 021 mai intai. Fac si asta si observ ca numarul nu este alocat. Sun la 112 si vorbesc cu doua doamne care ma asigura ca un echipaj de politie va ajunge in cel mai scurt timp posibil. De asemenea, ma roaga sa nu ating nimic in masina, sa poata lua amprentele.

O ora mai tarziu – nu atat de scurt timp pe gerul asta – apare si un pedestru dezorientat purtator de cascheta. Se uita la masina, imi cere buletinul si numarul de telefon. I le dau. Doua minute mai tarziu apare si jumatatea lui, al doilea caschetar. Imi cere si el, in aceeasi sinergie a ideilor, buletinul si numarul de telefon. Cuprins de spiritul sarbatorilor, i le dau si lui. Noteaza si apoi da ceva prin statie. Se intoarce spre celalalt si ii sopteste ceva. Vin amandoi spre mine si ma lasa KO.

“Avem numarul dumneavoastra de telefon (sic). V-am facut programare, sunteti a treia masina, veniti si raportati furtul la sectia 11, langa Mall Vitan”

“Pai eu nu v-am chemat aici ca sa raportez? Sa constatati ce e stricat, ce e lipsa, sa faceti o poza sau ce trebuie sa faceti, semnam si ma duc linistit la asigurator?”

“Nu putem. Nu avem cu ce sa luam amprentele si nici aparat foto. Va urcati dumneavoastra in masina si veniti la sectia 11. Dar veniti repede, ca se face coada si domnii nu or sa stea sa va astepte”

“Deci tu imi spui mie sa ma apuc sa dezapezesc masina, sa imi croiesc drum pe strada, FARA geam, si FARA sa pun mana pe volan, usi, schimbator sau torpedo, ca sa nu stric amprentele? Voi ce scoala ati facut?”

“E, lasati, domnul, ca oricum nu ii prinde nimeni p-astia. Faceti la sectie hartiile si asta e, daca doriti sa depuneti plangere”

“Hai, multumesc, la revedere, poate va retin din treaba”

Deci, pe scurt, organul s-a plimbat un pic pe la masina mea, m-a intrebat daca sunt sanatos, bine, si m-a trimis la plimbare. Domnul Christian Ciocan, stiu ca mi-ati comentat destul de repede cand am scris pe blog ceva frumos de Politie. Hai sa vedem, ce ziceti de cum m-am distrat eu duminica alaturi de colegii dumneavoastra? Asa-i ca suntem un model de eficienta?

Sarbatori Fericite tuturor capetelor de creta. Exact atat de fericite pe cat le meritati.

[Via http://sicktired.wordpress.com]

Vanguard News Online

Visita La Agenda de Eventos Culturales

2009-12-20T08:08:00.000+02:00

http://www.izonecr.com/eventos____actividades.html

i-Zone C.R es una empresa costarricense que nació en el año 2004 para proveer varios servicios que van desde la venta de suministros, café internet y desarrollo de páginas web. Además de promover el desarrollo y venta de arte costarricense por Internet.

A continuación le detallamos:

Ventas de arte costarricense por INTERNET Nuestros socios de negocio son pintores, escultores y artesanos costarricenses que por medio de nuestro sitio promocionan sus obras a través de internet. Nosotros le facilitamos a través de la filiación, servicios de asesoría, contactos, publicaciones semestrales en los periódicos nacionales y a mediano plazo anuncios internacionales. Para poder hacer uso de estos servicios debe registrarse en forma gratuita, o bien colocando anunicios.

La Corporacion izonecr o i Zone de Costa Rica tiene como principal funsion la misión de ayudar a promocionar artistas Costarricenses destacados en sus diferentes areas, por medio de nuestro sitio web a través de la Red Mundial de internet & por medio de nuestros Festivales Artisticos

[Via http://izonecr.wordpress.com]

Take-Two posts losses of $138 million // News

Komt door de Global Warming!

2009-12-19T14:11:00.000+02:00

Een gevleugelde uitspraak die meestal gebruikt wordt door klimaatsceptici. Hier een verzameling van posts waarbij je deze uitspraak kunt gebruiken:

Extreem koude dag en nacht

Friese scholen dicht

CBR last rijexamens af

Scheepvaart stilgelegd

Op een aantal posts zou ik wel wil reageren, maar door het gebrek aan tijd hou ik het even bij een korte reactie op ‘CBR last rijexamens af’.

Blijkbaar wordt van nieuwe automobilisten verwacht dat ze alleen nog onder ideale omstandigheden auto kunnen rijden. Dat blijkt ook wel aan het gestuntel op de weg tegenwoordig, maar hoe kun je dit nog serieus nemen? De afgelopen dagen ben ik ook meerdere keren de weg op geweest, en je wordt wanhopig als je ziet wat er om je heen gebeurd. De meeste moderne auto’s hebben ABS, ESP, DTC, noem maar op, maar er is niemand die daar ook daadwerkelijk gebruikt van maakt. Zou men dat wel doen, dan zou er veel meer doorstroming zijn.

Vandaag ben ik even lekker aan het experimenteren geweest met de verschillende instellingen. ABS doet het altijd wel, maar in mijn auto kan ik DTC aan zetten. Dan komt er gelijk een waarschuwing waar de gemiddelde Nederlander waarschijnlijk van in paniek raakt want de DSC is beperkt. Leuke van deze instelling is echter wel dat je veel sneller wegrijdt op een gladde ondergrond. En ja, de achterwielen krijgen een beperkte wielspin en dat vindt iedereen in de stad doodeng gezien de reacties.

Daarna DSC helemaal uitgeschakeld, en dan is het met bijna 300 PK en 600Nm echt leuk. Je moet alleen niet meer verwachten dat je ergens komt, of met een zijden voet gaan rijden.

De standaardinstelling DTC uit en DSC volledig aan, is waarschijnlijk voor de meesten de veiligste, maar persoonlijk vindt ik het prettiger rijden met DTC aan en DSC beperkt. DSC beperkt laat een heel klein schuivertje toe, maar grijpt nog steeds ruim op tijd in. DTC aan staat een beperkte wielspin toe, maar zorgt voor maximale tractie op de aangedreven wielen, dus de auto doet beter wat je van hem vraagt.

Als je dit niet eerder hebt geprobeerd, zoek dan even een parkeerterrein met sneeuw en zonder auto’s op en ga eens experimenteren met de verschillende instellingen van de electronica. Je zult verbaasd staan over de mogelijkheden die het biedt en de correcties die ongemerkt tijdens het rijden gedaan worden. Mijn auto remt ook automatisch bij als het nodig is om de auto te corrigeren. Dat voel je als je oplet inderdaad ook gebeuren, maar er gaat geen lampje op het dashboard branden.

Ben je uitgeëxperimenteerd en heb je de ideale instellingen te pakken, dan hoop ik dat je ook alles helemaal uit kunt zetten en een mooie drift kunt maken op de parkeerplaats. En koop in vredesnaam nou eens winterbanden! Dat kost geen cent meer (als je op winterbanden rijdt slijten je zomerbanden niet) en het is ook leuk om een paar maanden per jaar op ander lichtmetaal te rijden.

Moraal van het verhaal: Het CBR zou onder deze omstandigheden de examens juist door moeten laten gaan. Nu kun je laten zien dat je auto kunt rijden of niet. Een beetje als een dood schaap voort sukkelen achter je voorganger heeft niets met autorijden te maken.

[Via http://relativo7.wordpress.com]

AMERICAblog News: Copenhagen Fail

Thanks for your insurance business in 2009!

2009-12-17T20:21:00.000+02:00

I want to take a moment to personally thank all of my great Omaha area Farmers Insurance customers for their business in 2009. I have been a Farmers Insurance agent for 3 years now and am currently one of the top insurance agents in the Midwest. I work hard to provide my Omaha area insurance customers 24/7 service. If your current insurance agent is taking you for granted, give me a call at 402-515-9385 or visit my website or my office for more personalized service. And, very competitive rates on home, health, auto, life and commercial business insurance.

Again, thank you, my valued customers, for your business. I am grateful!

Chong Wurdeman Agency

2425 Douglas St #2

Omaha, NE 68131-2605

[Via http://omahainsuranceagency.wordpress.com]

Game console theft rises 285% over 3 years // News

Dirk Werner most successful private race driver

2009-12-17T13:53:00.000+02:00

Porsche Motorsport News - Porsche Cup 2009

Dirk Werner has won the coveted Porsche Cup for the most successful driver of privately-entered race cars. The accolade, awarded by Porsche AG, was presented by Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Supervisory Board Chairman of Porsche AG, at the season-closing “Night of Champions” celebration in the Porsche Museum. In addition to the challenge cup, the German also received a Porsche 911 GT3 worth around 120,000 Euro. Last year, Werner was narrowly beaten to the trophy by Australian Alex Davison. Werner joins the ranks of world class Porsche Cup winners which include Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig, Bernd Schneider, Bob Wollek, Henri Pescarolo and Marc Lieb.

Over the course of this season, Dirk Werner won the drivers’ classification in the Grand-Am Series with Leh Keen at the wheel of a Farnbacher Loles Racing 911 GT3 Cup. Thanks to their four victories, Porsche took home the manufacturers’ title, with Farnbacher Loles Racing claiming team honours. The Carrera Cup champion of 2006 is the first European to win the Grand-Am Series two times after his triumph of 2007. Werner also contested four rounds of the American Le Mans Series at the side of Porsche works pilot Wolf Henzler. At the 1,000 mile Petit Le Mans event, the pair ranked third in a 911 GT3 RSR. At the long distance Nürburgring 24 hour classic, the 28-year-old saw the chequered flag in third place with his teammates Emmanuel Collard, Wolf Henzler and Richard Lietz with Manthey Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S. For Mamerow Racing, Werner won three rounds of the Nürburgring long distance championship.

Second place in the 2009 Porsche Cup went to Raymond Narac. The Frenchman won six races in the International GT Open at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of IMSA Performance Matmut, and concluded the season in third place with his teammate and Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet. Again with Pilet, the 42-year-old yielded sixth place in the European Le Mans Series. In Portimao, the pair managed a podium result in second. Narac also contested the 24 hour races in Le Mans and at Spa-Francorchamps, as part of the FIA GT Championship.

The third best private driver was Richard Westbrook. During 2009, the Briton competed in eight different race series, crowning his season with the drivers’ title of the FIA GT Championship in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Prospeed Competition. The 34-year-old also contested two races each in the American Le Mans Series, the International GT Open, the Belgian GT Championship and the ADAC GT Masters. Westbrook also made a guest appearance in the Grand-Am Series.

The 2009 Porsche Cup carries a total value of 253,000 Euro, with positions two to ten receiving graduated prize money. In the competition for the title of the best private race driver of the year, Porsche awards points in prototype and grand touring race series as well as in selected long distance races following a special system.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Games business grows with "persistent fads" // News

LukBuk’s “Must Haves” for Christmas ‘09

2009-12-17T02:50:00.000+02:00

These are my choices for ‘Must Haves’ for Christmas 2009.

NOTE: These are all going to be electronics.

Must Have Number 1:

Xbox360

An Xbox360 ‘Arcade’ (White), and ‘Elite’ (Black)

Now you’re probably thinking, “What’s the difference between the two?” Well, the Xbox360 Elite comes with more features, a 120 GB harddrive, a headset, and other crap.

The 360 Arcade comes with the console, a controller, and 1 month free of Live UNLIKE the Elite. Also I doesn’t come with a 120 GB harddrive, but you are able to buy a harddrive.

Must Have Number 2:

Grand Theft Auto 4

Grand Theft Auto 4 (PS3) Cover

Though an relatively old game (release date – 2008) it is loads of fun and is available for PC (click here for system requirements), PS3, and Xbox360. I’m not going to talk about the game due to many reviews on YouTube.

NOTE: PC VERSION MAY HAVE MANY PROBLEMS. BUY RETAIL AT YOUR RISK, RECOMMENDED YOU BY OFF OF STEAM.

Must Have Number 3:

Beatles Rock Band

Beatles Rock Band Cover (Wii)

This game is like an ordinary Rock Band game, except for the music, and your characters…obviously the Beatles. This game is available for Wii, Xbox360, and Ps3. This game aired September 10th 2009. I am not going to go into depth on this game due to reviews on YouTube.

Must Have Number 4:

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii Box

Since the air off the Wii in 2006 to now as of 2009, pretty much everyone I know owns a Wii. Plus the Wii price has dropped so it’s a good time to get one. The Wii uses a wireless remote that has a bit of similarity to your television remote, but it involves physical activity in your arm to control the game. (Or certain games you use your rear to control it…lol) The Wii also has many games to get people ‘into shape’ or ‘more fit’. Such as the title, “Wii Fit.” I will not ramble more on about the Wii since there is a review on trusty old CNET.

NOW FOR THE HEAD HONCHO OF THE LIST… find out here.

[Via http://ldptrio.wordpress.com]

News Corp.'s Photobucket Merges With Ontela; Receives New Funding ...

2010-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Mr-Limited-Auto-Car C 1280X853

2009-12-15T02:26:00.000+02:00

2010-mitsubishi-lancer-mr-limited-auto-car c 1280×853 wallpaper picture of 2010-mitsubishi-lancer-mr-limited-auto-car c 1280×853

to view full size click 2010-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Mr-Limited-Auto-Car C 1280X853 wallpaper ( 2010-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Mr-Limited-Auto-Car C 1280X853 wallpaper )

[Via http://carpictures2.wordpress.com]

What You Missed in Google Phone News Over the Weekend - google ...

Can I Recover Under Multiple Under/Uninsured Auto Insurance Policies?

2009-12-13T02:09:00.000+02:00

Can I Recover Under Multiple Under/Uninsured Auto Insurance Policies?

Under Alabama law, an insured may recover under multiple uninsured or underinsured auto policies where the loss exceeds the limits of one policy. Safeco Ins. Co. of America v. Jones, 243 So.2d 736 (Ala. 1970). However, the insured rights to stack is a limited right because while the insured may “stack” multiple uninsured or underinsured policies, the amount of recovery may not exceed the insured’s actual loss. Id., at 738. As applied, if you have two policies that provide you with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage for $25,000.00 each, then you may add (stack) the polices together for a total uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage of $50,000.00.

A named insured may stack as many as three auto insurance coverages (i.e., three vehicles covered under one policy) within one policy and there is no limit as to the number of policies the insured may stack. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co. v. Fox, 541 So.2d 921 (Ala. 1989).

Passengers, under Alabama law, can stack underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, too. For example, a passenger that has been involved in a car or truck wreck may stack up to three coverages on the named insured’s policy covering the vehicle. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Alfa Mut. Ins. Co., 565 So.2d 1070 (Ala.1990). The passenger may also stack any coverages he has on his own vehicle.

The insured’s ability to stack uninsured or underinsured polices is very important because multiple policies can provide a larger recovery for the injured driver or passenger, or both.

If you have been in a car wreck and are not sure what insurance benefits you are entitled to under Alabama law, then contact one of our car and truck wreck attorneys for a free legal consultation.

[Via http://caraccidentlawyers.wordpress.com]

Apple (AAPL) China News Bad For RIM (RIMM) – 24/7 Wall St.

Regulators Shy Away From Imposing Emissions-Cutting Auto Insurance

2009-12-12T02:00:00.000+02:00

SAN FRANCISCO — Key insurance regulators said yesterday that they will not require the industry to offer auto policies that reduce emissions by rewarding motorists who drive less.

They also shied away from a new plan to make those policies, often called pay-as-you-drive, standardized across the nation, similar to other environmental movements like Energy Star appliance standards and the green building code called LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

“I doubt that we’ll ever require pay-as-you-drive,” said Joel Ario, Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner and chairman of a national climate change task force.

That assertion follows months of research by Ario and other regulators who have promoted the “drive less” concept. They believe motorists will leave the car at home if their insurance rates decline with the number of miles they drive. That can cut into the transportation sector’s carbon output, which amounts to about 28 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Light-duty vehicles account for about half of that pollution.

But Ario and Washington state insurance commissioner Mike Kreidler, two of the biggest proponents of pay-as-you-drive, said it’s their hope that insurance companies will adopt the programs voluntarily.

“We’ll get the best results if we give the industry room to experiment and innovate, and don’t get prematurely on ‘This is the one way to do it, and all the rest of the ways are wrong,’” Ario said yesterday at a climate summit he hosted with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “I think we need to be open.”

Some companies offer ‘pay as you drive’

The idea is expanding quickly. Progressive Insurance Co. offers pay-as-you-drive policies in 19 states, and California launched a voluntary program in October. A smattering of smaller companies are offering similar products.

But each policy is different, and a handful of environmental groups say a standardized approach would expand its use while ensuring that environmental objectives are met. A Brookings Institution study last year estimated that if every driver had a miles-based insurance policy, car travel nationally would be reduced by 8 percent. That would cut emissions 2 percent and save each household $270 annually, on average, per car.

“Scaling up Pay-As-You-Drive in the marketplace is essential for maximizing its many consumer, environmental and social benefits,” Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, one of the groups involved in developing the standard, said in a statement. “This performance standard is designed to spur insurers across the U.S. to expand their Pay-As-You-Drive products, and to make them more robust.”

The proposed standard foresees three tiers of insurance: gold, silver and bronze.

The price of gold premiums would change with every mile driven. If a motorist reduced her annual driving by 50 percent, the premium would be cut in half.

Silver premiums would offer discounts for every reduction of 250 miles. Under this plan, a 50 percent reduction in driving would provide a 40 percent discount.

The bronze plan would measure driving reductions in 500-mile increments. Discounts would be given for every mark reached. If a driver cut his annual miles by 50 percent, he would see a 25 percent savings in insurance.

Ario, the Pennsylvania regulator, supports the standard, but says it won’t be imposed on the industry as a mandatory benchmark anytime soon.

Standardized policies may come later

Evan Mills, a contributing scientist to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and expert on insurance, said standardization often comes from within private industry.

“It’s not necessarily a regulator who’s the only messenger for that,” he said.

Sharlene Leurig, who heads Ceres’ insurance program and who helped to develop the standard, said she and other environmentalists will work at the state level to impose the system. She noted that a national standard is optimal.

“We don’t know that it’s necessary that commissioners make it a mandatory offering,” she said of the standard. “We do have hopes of getting commissioners to use this in their states.”

Ario said the big challenge will not be requiring insurers to offer climate-friendly policies, but rather getting out of their way when they’re trying to be innovative. In the past, regulators have sometimes made it difficult for insurers to shift with the changing times.

Pay-as-you-drive, often referred to as PAYD, is rooted in measuring a driver’s mileage. Progressive uses a small device that motorists can plug into their dash under the steering wheel. It transmits data like a cellular phone, and motorists can view their driving habits online, including behavior like hard braking and gas-guzzling acceleration that can add emissions to the air. The device is license-protected, and other insurers balk at paying a competitor to use their technology.

Concerns about ‘Big Brother’ tracking devices

But there are other ways to measure mileage. California, for example, allows motorists to self-report their distance traveled, or lets licensed smog inspectors read motorists’ odometers. That’s one solution to what became an uprising among California privacy advocates concerned about “Big Brother” tracking their location, according to Adam Cole, general counsel for the California Department of Insurance.

“The issue of technology has generated a great amount of controversy. Huge,” Cole said. “We are not allowing any insurance company to stick a device in the car to determine where you are.”

Other states may follow California’s lead and provide clarifying regulations around a voluntary program.

Kreidler, the insurance regulator for Washington state and vice chairman of the insurance commissioners’ national climate change task force, said motorists will drive a “dramatic” change by demanding the money-saving policies.

“I think it’s really going to be driven a great deal more by economics of the individual,” he said. “I would make a prediction that over the next 10 years, you’re going to see this phased in.”

[Via http://incur.wordpress.com]

R&D Tax Credit change can benefit developers - Sheridans // News

How Vehicle Code 21702 Helps California Accident Lawyers Settle Claims With Insurance Companies For Vehicle Accident Injuries

2009-12-03T20:48:00.000+02:00

When California Vehicle Code Section 21702 is cited as being the primary collision factor for an auto accident in California, and the person found to be in violation of this Vehicle Code Section is the other driver involved in your accident, this can greatly assist a personal injury lawyer in settling your accident insurance claim for a substantial settlement or even the policy limits if your injuries are extensive. This is even more true in the case of fatal accidents which cause one or more fatalities. Although a traffic collision report is not evidence, insurance companies treat them as if they are as discussed below.

However, due to how insurance companies treat individuals without an attorney, a person injured in an auto accident should always retain an attorney to represent them at the earliest possible date after an accident. Unless you haven’t been injured and won’t be needing medical treatment, an experienced and reputable personal injury lawyer will almost always be able to obtain a considerably larger settlement from an insurance company and a larger amount for you, even after the attorney’s fees and costs are paid.

At the Law Firm of Sebastian Gibson, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means that unless we obtain a settlement or judgement in your case, there is no fee payable to us. Even if we’ve incurred costs, such as the costs of obtaining your medical records, no fee is payable to us, unless we obtain a settlement or judgement in your favor. Starting with the personal injury consultation which is also free, and which can be by phone or in person depending on our mutual availability, you never receive a bill from us on any case we take on contingency. Unlike other attorneys who ask you to pay the costs involved with your case, we simply don’t believe you should have to pay those costs yourself.

We’ll also advise you how to obtain reimbursement for your car repairs or if your vehicle is totaled, for the value of your vehicle, and any amount you receive for the vehicle is yours to be used by you for the repairs or to replace your vehicle. At the Law Offices of Sebastian Gibson we never take any portion of your property damage settlement and we can also advise you how to obtain payment for a new child safety seat if one was in use at the time of the accident.

California Vehicle Code Section 21702 provides:

21702. (a) No person shall drive upon any highway any vehicle designed or used for transporting persons for compensation for more than 10 consecutive hours nor for more than 10 hours spread over a total of 15 consecutive hours. Thereafter, such person shall not drive any such vehicle until eight consecutive hours have elapsed. Regardless of aggregate driving time, no driver shall drive for more than 10 hours in any 24-hour period unless eight consecutive hours off duty have elapsed. (b) No person shall drive upon any highway any vehicle designed or used for transporting merchandise, freight, materials or other property for more than 12 consecutive hours nor for more than 12 hours spread over a total of 15 consecutive hours. Thereafter, such person shall not drive any such vehicle until eight consecutive hours have elapsed. Regardless of aggregate driving time, no driver shall drive for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period unless eight consecutive hours off duty have elapsed. (c) This section does not apply in any case of casualty or unavoidable accident or an act of God. (d) In computing the number of hours under this section, any time spent by a person in driving such a vehicle outside this state shall, upon the vehicle entering this state, be included. (e) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense. (f) This section shall not apply to the driver of a vehicle which is subject to the provisions of Section 34500.

When a Police or CHP Officer, or a Sheriff’s Deputy states in his or her report either that the primary collision factor in an auto accident was one party’s violation of a certain vehicle code section such as the one above, and that one of the parties is at fault for violating that code section, the Officer or Deputy is stating what he or she believes to be the underlying cause of the accident.

The reason insurance companies treat the collision reports as if they are admissible evidence is that they know if put on the witness stand, the investigating officer or deputy will almost always testify in a manner consistent with the conclusions in his or her report. That testimony becomes evidence and will often sway a jury in their determination of fault for an accident.

While an investigating officer’s job is to determine if there was a violation of the law and not to determine who should be at fault in a civil dispute such as a car accident claim, insurance companies often view these two determinations as one and the same.

A police officer assigned to investigate the scene of an accident does not have the role that a trier of fact does in a courtroom. The officer is not there to render a verdict and determine who is responsible for the damages. Rather, the officer is there to determine if any laws were broken. The officer makes such a determination based on his or her having seen the damage to the vehicles, and having spoken to the drivers and the witnesses when their memories are freshest. He or she is thus often in a position to make a well-educated determination of who caused the accident.

Unfortunately, despite the experience of most investigating officers who are dispatched to the scene of an accident, sometimes mistakes are made by these officers. Quite often one or both parties to an accident will lie to them and an officer or deputy will not always be able to determine which of the parties is telling the truth. The evidence from the scene, while important, may also be misleading as to what actually occurred to cause the accident.

If you’ve been injured in an auto, truck, motorcycle, bike, pedestrian or car accident, or if you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death vehicle accident, call our offices for a free personal injury consultation by phone. You can also e-mail Attorney Sebastian Gibson at sgibsonesq@aol.com Additionally, we invite you to visit the Sebastian Gibson law firm website for more information at www.CaliforniaAttorneysLawyers.com

Sometimes an Officer or Deputy cannot determine with any degree of certainty which party was at fault and will cite two possible Vehicle Code Sections, one for each party in a two-party collision, that may have been violated. In that case, the Police or CHP Officer or Deputy will often state that the primary collision factor is unknown.

Even if there are witnesses to an accident, the Officer of Deputy may discount the statements of some or all of the witnesses if they were friends or relatives of one of the drivers.

Although, as stated above, the conclusion of fault by an officer or deputy does not carry the same weight as a determination of fault by a judge or jury, the importance of the citation of this or any other California code section in the police report is that insurance companies treat the conclusions in these traffic collision reports in a great majority of cases as if the conclusions were written in stone and evaluate a party’s claim based on the findings of fault in these reports.

A traffic collision report may be amended by the police department or the CHP where it contains obvious mistakes, such as when the officer or deputy has mixed up the names of the parties. Supplemental reports are sometimes written when new evidence comes to light, such as when a hit and run party is located. But for the most part, most police departments, Sheriff’s offices and the California Highway Patrol will not amend a report when a party complains and states why he or she doesn’t feel they should have been found at fault for a collision. They will, however, in most cases allow a person to fill out a Counter Report, which, unfortunately simply does not carry much weight with an insurance company.

If the Primary Collision Factor for an accident is unknown, one should look on the traffic collision report to see if the Police or California Highway Patrol Officer or Sheriff’s Deputy cited any “Other Associated Factors” in the traffic collision report as having had a role to play in causing the collision. There may have been faulty equipment, as with some truck accidents, or the roadway itself may have been dangerous.

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in California that has been determined by the investigating Police or CHP Officer or a Sheriff’s Deputy to be the fault of another driver as a result of his or her violation of Vehicle Code Section 21702, call the Law Offices of Sebastian Gibson as soon after an accident as possible before important evidence disappears, such as skid marks that are washed away with the rain.

At the Law Firm of Sebastian Gibson, we specialize in California auto accidents caused by violations of the California Vehicle Code, such as Section 21702, and will represent you to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

In over thirty years of practice, Attorney Sebastian Gibson has obtained millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar or larger settlements. We handle auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis so there is no fee payable unless we win your case and obtain either a settlement, an arbitration, mediation, jury, judge or court award.

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, call to speak with a lawyer at our offices for a free personal injury consultation by phone. You can speak to Attorney Sebastian Gibson personally by phone or you can e-mail Sebastian Gibson at sgibsonesq@aol.com or visit the Sebastian Gibson law firm website at www.CaliforniaAttorneysLawyers.com

[Via http://blog.californiaattorneyslawyers.com]

Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen: Green News Report -- December 1 ...

Series Overview: How Safe Are Our Roads?

2009-12-01T20:09:00.000+02:00

Last week, more than 33 million Americans drove at least 50 miles to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. The great majority returned home safely.

But for too many families, this holiday will bring tragedy. Last year, during the four-day Thanksgiving driving period, nearly 400 people were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For all of 2008, more than 37,000 people were killed in car crashes.

Last week, National Public Radio aired stories and hosted conversations about highway safety. Visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120593843 and we’ll explore the many ways that safety has been improved through better vehicle technology, smarter road designs, and reformed behaviors, such as reduced drunken driving.

The changes have yielded dramatic results: In 1969, the driving-related fatality rate in this country was 5 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The current rate is about 1.27 deaths.

But fatalities are still high because of the many dangers that remain, especially on rural roads where trucks, RVs and passenger cars frequently collide. And new risks are emerging as more and more drivers look away from the road to send text messages. At the same time, tens of millions of aging baby boomers are entering the years when driving skills will be declining significantly.

In coming decades, will we see more advances in safety because of new technologies and laws? Or will we see fatality rates start to rise again?

Protection Connection knows a thing or two about on the road safety.

Call us today to speak with one of our Preferred Safety Agents.

We will help you build a policy that fits your lifestyle, and protects your family at the worst of times.

Protection Connection

2410 North 28th Avenue

Hollywood, FL, 33020

800.925.0759

[Via http://pcinsureme.wordpress.com]

Mr. Murdoch (and the Rest of News Corp.) Go to Washington | Peter ...

Special “Panamera Moment“ Exhibition starting on December 8, 2009

2009-12-01T14:26:00.000+02:00

Porsche offers insight into the development of the new Gran Turismo

Stuttgart. Special tidbits at the Porscheplatz in Zuffenhausen: For the first time, visitors of the Porsche Museum will experience the model series Panamera. A range of exhibits and documents are offering an insight into the development of the latest model series of the Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, in an extraordinary atmosphere. The special “Panamera Moment“ exhibition (from 8 December 2009 to 28 February 2010) presents the innovations of the four-door Gran Turismo i.e. via a sophisticated cutaway model. Films on the design and technical features of the vehicle complete this experience.

The Special Exhibition comes in an artistic framework set by the well-known car photographer Frank M. Orel with his spectacular pictures. This photo artist from Stuttgart has photographed Porsche’s new Gran Turismo in situations both unusual and, indeed, quite unexpected. Shortly after having been launched in September, the Panamera was awarded the renown prizes “Goldenes Lenkrad“ (Bild am Sonntag / Autobild) and “Auto-Trophy“ (Auto Zeitung) as well as several international prizes.

The Porsche Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00. Further information is available at www.porsche.com/museum.

[Via http://porschebahn.wordpress.com]

Google and News Corp need each other – Tech Products & Geek News ...

How To Settle Wrongful Death Insurance Claims For The Maximum Settlement Without An Attorney in Lake Arrowhead

2009-11-29T20:45:00.000+02:00

As a Lake Arrowhead Wrongful Death Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar or larger settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around Lake Arrowhead, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

In this article I’ll tell you the secrets of how attorneys negotiate for top dollar and I’ll also tell you why insurance companies lick their chops and rub their hands together with glee when individuals try to settle their claims without an attorney and why, in most cases, you’ll receive a larger, much greater amount in your pocket or in the trust fund you set up for any children injured in the accident, even after an attorney’s fee and costs if you hire a reputable and experienced personal injury attorney.

If you’ve been the victim of a car, motorcycle, bike, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, or auto accident, lost a loved one in a wrongful death or been the victim of a dog bite or animal attack, you can visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com for more information and call us at any of the numbers easily found on our website.

First, you need to know that insurance companies evaluate cases two ways. As soon as you begin negotiating with the insurance company yourself, they evaluate your case, unfortunately, in terms of a nuisance value matter. They’ve settled tens or hundreds of thousands of cases with individuals before for paltry amounts and they will expect they can settle your case for a measly amount as well.

Why do they look at you as if you’re chopped meat? As soon as you tell them you are negotiating your own settlement, they know you’re trying to save money. To them, that means you may even be desperate. They also know you won’t be as knowledgeable about their tricks and tactics and like those tens or hundreds of thousands of people before you, they know how they can play you until you either become so frustrated you settle for their bad offer or become panicked that your time is running out.

The second way they evaluate a case, namely one presented by a lawyer, is an analysis of what the case’s true settlement value is based on the attorney’s skill and experience, how prepared the case is for litigation in the event it doesn’t settle, and the actual value of the injuries and associated pain and suffering, wage loss and other out of pocket expenses.

To settle your case for the largest amount possible, which may be the policy limits of the insurance policy, depending upon the severity of your injuries, you need to get the insurance adjuster to evaluate your case in the same manner they would as if an attorney were negotiating with them. While most insurance companies, unfortunately, simply won’t do that, here’s what you need to do to try to obtain the maximum settlement value.

First, you need to obtain all of your medical records and bills. You can’t rely on the insurance company to do this. As soon as you tell the insurance company you want them to do this or agree to having them do it and tell you how much your medical bills come to and what your medical records say, you are giving up control of the situation. I can’t stress this enough.

You will need to sign authorization forms to obtain your medical records and bills and pay the cost of obtaining those medical records and bills (the cost of which can range from $15 to hundreds of dollars) from each hospital, ambulance company, doctor, chiropractor, radiologist, emergency room billing service, etc. Some medical providers require you to use their authorization forms. Some require you to agree to their using a photocopy service to copy your records at a higher cost. Some medical providers require one fee for your bills and another fee for your medical records.

Just obtaining all of your medical records and bills is one of the most time consuming aspects of handling personal injury cases. And, to make matters worse, you’re still not through with your medical providers. When your treatment is complete and you have all of your medical records and bills and the first settlement offer is made to you, you’ll need to call each of your medical providers or their billing offices again to learn if you have any balance owing (and you can expect to be on the phone repeatedly and for long periods of time to learn this information) and in many cases you will need to send them another authorization form before they’ll tell you this information.

You will need to obtain a copy of the police report. This is a much simpler process. Some police departments charge between $10 to $40 for a copy, while other departments provide them to you for free. You can pick it up at the police or CHP office yourself or request one by mail with an authorization form and a check for the proper fee.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You should obtain witness statements if there is any issue as to the liability of the other driver for the accident and you should take photos of the scene if there was something wrong with the road conditions or other unusual circumstances.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

Here’s a secret. In California you are entitled to the cost of a replacement child seat if one was in the accident. It’s automatic. Just tell the insurance company the make and model or find out the cost for the make and model child seat and the insurance company will send you a check for a new one, even if the old one wasn’t broken. Why? It’s in the California insurance code. The insurance companies, however, don’t volunteer this information. Why? They’re in business to make money, not pay it out.

Finally, when all your treatment is done, you will need to put together a demand package with a demand letter reviewing the facts of the accident and the negligence of the other driver that made him or her at fault, a summary of your injuries and medical treatment (from your medical records), an itemization of your medical bills, a discussion of your pain and suffering and how the injuries impacted your life, a discussion of your wage loss and how you determined the amount, and finally the amount of your demand and a time limit (40 days – the time allotted under the insurance code) for the insurance company to respond with their offer. The demand letter should be a minimum of four pages in length. Some of ours have been close to twenty pages. Accompanying the demand letter should be copies of all of your medical records and bills, color copies of the car damage photos, copies of the repair bills and estimates, any wage loss documentation and any other relevant items such as witness statements, etc.

If all of this is too much work for you to accomplish (and it is a lot when you are just trying to get better, get on with your life, raise a family and still go to work to put food on the table) you may want to hire our law firm to represent you.

The reason why, in most cases you will receive more, even after an attorney’s fees and costs are taken out, is that insurance companies offer much more to an attorney handling your case than when you are attempting to settle it yourself. In addition, an experienced and reputable lawyer can also obtain reductions from your health insurance company and from any medical providers with a balance with regards to what amount has to be paid back to them out of any settlement.

When you rely on the insurance company to pay your medical bills, and then simply pay you a skimpy amount on top, you are giving them the right to determine what bills they think were “reasonable” and to obtain any reductions in the bills to save themselves money. When an attorney obtains a reduction in your bills or your health insurance company lien, the amount the attorney saves increases the amount of your net settlement.

Keep in mind that as soon as you start negotiating your claim by yourself, it’s almost impossible for an attorney to persuade the insurance company to evaluate your case in the higher category type of claim. At our law firm, while we’ll take on a case that may be months old where the injured victim has simply been receiving medical treatment, we won’t take on the case in most cases if the victim has already received a bad offer from the insurance company. At that stage it’s usually too late for an attorney to make much of a difference.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with some insights as to how to obtain the maximum settlement from an insurance company for an auto, car, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, truck, dog bite, or wrongful death claim. There is much more that an experienced attorney does, especially in the negotiation stage to maximize the settlement and this is where an attorney’s experience kicks in.

An attorney such as Sebastian Gibson who has been negotiating these cases with many of the same adjusters for decades, knows the tactics and negotiating style of them and their companies and knows how refute the talking points their insurance companies train their adjusters to use in negotiations.

What causes many attorneys to be unable to settle their cases and who then find themselves with no alternative but to file a lawsuit in court and face two to five years of litigation before the matter settles or goes to jury, is to get angry (some even scream and yell) with the adjuster, box themselves into a corner and tell the adjuster something along the lines of, “If that’s the best you can do, we’re filing suit.” The adjuster’s response to this is naturally, “go ahead.”

An insurance company doesn’t really care if they have to dump your case onto the case load of their attorneys who are already handling tens of thousands of such cases. One more case, makes no difference to them at all. They also know, you may give up or settle for even less when you learn from an attorney how much just the court costs will be. Just to file a lawsuit in most courts alone incurs a $350.00 or larger filing fee. Depositions can cost over a thousand dollars if they are lengthy. And all such court costs come out of your settlement, even if you have a contingency fee attorney handling your case.

Sadly, many of these same lawyers take this step or let their improperly trained staff members (secretaries and clerks) force the matter to such an impasse and then file suit without properly informing the client of the negotiations that took place and led them to that point.

If you are negotiating with an insurance company yourself, there’s no need to be unpleasant. Yes, you are probably going to hear that the insurance adjuster has evaluated your case to be worth much less than you think it’s worth. But you’re forgetting that, that’s just their first offer. Communicate with the adjuster. Tell them how the injuries affected your life and tell them what you still go through today with the pain you still have. You’ll be surprised how many adjusters will actually relate to what you tell them.

Unfortunately, just as there are bad attorneys out there, there are also some lousy insurance adjusters and insurance companies to deal with as well. They’re supposed to get back to you in 40 days with an offer after you present them with your demand package. Some take longer. Some will sound unpleasant, even snotty. And once they make their first offer, it can take weeks sometimes to reach the adjuster again to make your counter-offer. Sometimes the negotiations can take months. If you want to get the most you can for your case, you need to be patient. Your job, just as it is the job of your attorney, is to get these unpleasant insurance adjusters to warm up. I ask them how the weather is, how they’re doing, if their busy, anything to get them to open up to me. You’d be surprised how far a little kindness goes.

We wish you good luck and a speedy recovery from your injuries. You’ll find that your health, in many cases, will drastically improve, once you remove yourself from the stress of handling your case and resolve it either yourself or with the assistance of our law firm by way of settlement. If on the other hand, your case goes into litigation, as do the cases of many lawyers who don’t have the settlement experience or negotiating tools to settle their cases advantageously for their clients, your stress level will almost certainly rise.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in Lake Arrowhead, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

We invite you to visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com and call us if you’ve been seriously injured in a personal injury auto, motorcycle, car, truck, pedestrian, or bicycle accident, lost a loved one in a wrongful death or been injured in a dog bite or animal attack in Lake Arrowhead.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

Good News Pilipinas » Pinoy couple in Finals of Thailand travel ...

Weihnachtsmarkt, shoppen und NEW MOON

2009-11-29T08:26:00.000+02:00

Gestern Nachmittag hat es uns nach Bielefeld verschlagen..

Da haben wir mit mit meiner Schwester

ein paar Weihnachtseinkäufe erledigt

Marc neu eingekleidet

und auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt die Feuerzangenbowle gekostet…

Leider war es ein sehr verregneter Nachmittag..

Klaus ist dann mit den Jungs nach Hause

und kaum war er auf der Autobahn fing das kräftig an zu hageln!

Vor ihm ist sogar ein Auto in die Leitplanke!

Gut, daß ich nicht dabei war – ich wäre wieder 1000 Tode gestorben…Zu der Zeit haben meine Schwester und ich uns auch ins Auto gesetzt,

es hagelte auch, aber nicht so schlimm…

Unser Ziel war erst das Diner und danach das Kino

Es lief natürlich:

NEW MOON!

*seufz* war der wieder gut!

Ich würde sofort wieder reingehen!

Aber diesmal mit einem Taschentuch mehr,

ich war echt 2x am heulen!

So, und jetzt muß ich ganz dringend schauen,

wann es den auf DVD gibt

[Via http://hexebibi73.wordpress.com]

Lobbyists Furiously Lobby White House to Preserve Lobbyist Power ...

How To Negotiate An Anaheim Hills Truck Accident Claim For The Largest Settlement Without An Attorney

2009-11-29T02:50:00.000+02:00

As an Anaheim Hills Truck Accident Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar, or larger settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around Anaheim Hills, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in Anaheim Hills, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

The Morning News: Dubai Freakout, Keno Our Savior, Kodachrome We ...

How To Settle Wrongful Death Insurance Claims For The Maximum Settlement Without An Attorney in San Marcos

2009-11-28T20:44:00.000+02:00

As a San Marcos Wrongful Death Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar or larger settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around San Marcos, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in San Marcos, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

Green Car News: Street Legal Electric Car Does Quarter Mile 110 ...

Rable

2009-11-28T08:35:00.000+02:00

George Buhnici dă pe blogul lui printre altele sfaturi de cumpărare maşini 2nd hand din Germania, ceea ce este foarte bine. Ceea ce mă miră însă este apetitul românilor pentru rable.

În articolul din linkul de mai sus, un domn vrea să cumpere o maşină de 220.000 km. Enorm. La o asemenea “vârstă” o maşină e o groapă în care arunci bani. Piesele sunt uzate, motorul nu mai are aceeaşi putere ca la una cu km mai puţini, iar norma de poluare înscrisă în talon nu mai e respectată. Piesele din cauciuc sunt îmbătrânite, iar în cele metalice, oţelul din care sunt confecţionate suferă fenomenul de obosire (asta e o denumire tehnică pe bune, nu o figură de stil), care se manfiestă prin microfisuri datorate solicitărilor dinamice repetate, microfisuri invizibile cu ochiul liber, dar care pot duce oricând la cedare (rupere).

Toţi amatorii de maşini “vârstnice” trebuie să ştie că nemţii nu vând maşinile pentru că s-au plictisit de ele, ci pentru că nu mai sunt eficiente. Din cauza asta preferă Dacii, care, deşi mai slabe calitativ, au costuri mai mici de întreţinere.

Având în vedere nesimţirea dealerilor, maşina second hand rămâne clar alegerea mai bună. Însă când zic second hand, mă gândesc sub 50.000 km. De exemplu, un Polo mai nou cu o cutie de bagaje deasupra (pe care oricum o foloseşti de 3 ori pe an) este o alegere mai bună decât un Passat călărit cu peste 150.000 km.

[Via http://ingineru.ro]

iCurrent Wants to Personalize News for the Masses – GigaOM

Cel mai priceput mecanic auto este un catel!

2009-11-26T20:26:00.000+02:00

[Via http://funnycorner.wordpress.com]

GCAP 09 announces final program // News

Despre casco, service-uri auto, sincronizari si alte himere

2009-11-26T08:24:00.000+02:00

Casco si service auto. Si, mai ales, comunicarea intre ele.

Din punctul asta de vedere, mie mi se pare ca stam pe loc. Nu am avansat deloc de ani buni. Totul e ca inainte, nimic nu s-a schimbat. Nu prea am avut de-a face cu ei (nici cu asiguratorii, nici cu service-urile – decat la revizii) in viata asta. Pana ieri.

Sa explic.

Am un Ford Focus. Care e inca in garantie. Tin foarte mult la masina, o ingrijesc foarte bine, fac revizii la timp, o intretin foarte curata si in parametri optimi de functionare, etc. Tot tacamul.

Well, in urma cu cateva zile, mergeam cu viteza maxima cu care se poate rula pe bulevardul Ghencea – cam 40 km/h. Deodata, chiar in fata stadionului Steaua, aud un mic trosnet. Si constat ca in partea stanga a parbrizului imi apare o fisura mica, abia perceptibila. Apoi, in cateva secunde, vad cu uimire/disperare/resemnare cum de la mica fisura porneste una mai mare spre dreapta parbrizului. Se lungeste vreo 10 centimetri si se opreste.

Buuun. Adica nu bun, rau.

Well, o las cateva zile (vreo 5) si ieri decid sa ma ocup de chestiune, mai ales ca vreau sa plec cu masina la munte for a few days in weekendul ce urmeaza.

Sun la un service de reparatii parbrize. Descriu povestea, imi spun aia ca nu se poate. Sun la altul. Aia imi spun ca se poate.

- Cat costa? Intreb.

- Cam 100 lei.

- Bine, vin acum.

Ma urc in masina si ma duc la astia. Ajung, se uita o fatuca ( !) la parbrizul meu si da verdictul:

- se poate face, exista un risc, totusi, de 30% sa se duca fisura mai departe in momentul lucrarii sau dupa asta.

- Pai nu e cam mare riscul? zic eu.

- Nu stiu, dumneavoastra decideti.

- Bun ! zic iar. Cat costa?

- 167 lei.

Mi s-a parut foarte mult sa dau aproape 2 milioane de lei vechi pe o chestie care are toate sansele sa fie degeaba.

Sun la Ford.

- cat costa parbrizul ?

- 1000 lei

- Aveti decontare cu astra, ca la ei am casco? (ca e musai sa aiba decontare cu aia, e circ).

- Nu. Dar puteti sa platiti si recuperati apoi banii de la ei. Yeah, right, baby.

Ma rog, pe scurt: daca ai de rezolvat ceva la masina pe casco, oricum ai da-o tot dureaza minim-minimorum o saptamana. Cu mult noroc. In rest, birocratie, dosare, verificari and shit.

Nene, faceti si voi o aplicatie online. Ala de la service verifica, trimite pozele, aia trimit ok-ul si se socotesc ei dupa. Iar eu, prostul de client care le plateste pe casco cateva sute de euro pe an, sa plec repede cu masina ca sa imi fac si la anu’ casco.

Nu?

[Via http://mihacos.wordpress.com]

iCurrent Wants to Personalize News for the Masses – GigaOM

Shopping Coupon

2009-11-26T02:21:00.000+02:00

BestBuy.com coupon : It is electronics store with the BestBuy.com online website. You can buy electronics, computer products and home appliances online. BestBuy.com online electronics store is a Good way to buy computer systems, laptop computers, cameras, mp3 players, DVD players, home theater systems, TVs, telephones, cell phones, DVD movies, music.

Buy.com coupon : At www.buy.com, you can save mney on desktop workstations, laptops, PC components, PC software, toys, video games, books, DVDs, magazines, home furniture, appliances, garden furniture. Buy.com Computer products are desktops, notebooks, PDA handhelds, memory, hard drives, CDROM and DVD drives, monitors, graphics cards, printers, scanners.

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SonyStyle.com coupon : For quality prodouct Sony Style is best online store. Buy music, laptop and desktop computers, and video game, notebook computers, CyberShot digital cameras, CD music, ES Series Bluray Disc players, Handycam camcorders, Walkman portable music players, promotional codes.

Sonymusic coupon : For quality prodouct Sony Style is best online store. Buy music, laptop and desktop computers, and video game, notebook computers, CyberShot digital cameras, CD music, ES Series Bluray Disc players, Handycam camcorders, Walkman portable music players, promotional codes.

[Via http://dotdeal.wordpress.com]

New details about Christopher Kelly emerge - Chicago Breaking News

Città consapevole

2009-11-24T20:38:00.000+02:00

Un’altra campagna che invita all’azione:

“VUOI IL MIO POSTO? PRENDITI IL MIO HANDICAP!” è la prima campagna ingaggiata da Città Consapevole. L’idea è lanciata da Incipit, agenzia di comunicazione integrata di Trieste che, per il Natale 2007 ha deciso di impiegare diversamente il budget dedicato ai classici regali aziendali per promuovere invece una campagna di sensibilizzazione sulla cittadinanza consapevole. Il progetto di Incipit nasce dalla volontà di lavorare per la comunità locale e di offrire il proprio tempo e le proprie competenze a favore di una buona causa.

[Via http://mariaceciliaaverame.wordpress.com]

Elecom new “Like a SPOON” Wireless mouse is just so cute ...

How To Settle Dog Bite Homeowner Insurance Claims For The Maximum Settlement Without A Lawyer in Corona del Mar

2009-11-24T02:50:00.000+02:00

As a Corona del Mar Dog Bite Homeowner Insurance Lawyer with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar or larger settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around Corona del Mar, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in Corona del Mar, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

New Business Models for News talk « BuzzMachine

How To Settle Car Accident Insurance Claims And Get The Maximum Settlement Without An Attorney in Temecula

2009-11-22T19:56:00.000+02:00

As a Temecula Car Accident Insurance Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar plus settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around Temecula, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

If you’ve been the victim of a car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, or auto accident, lost a loved one in a wrongful death or been the victim of a dog bite or animal attack, you can visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com for more information and call us at any of the numbers easily found on our website.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in Temecula, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

Bil Browning: Good News or Bad Ideas? States Re-examine Marriage ...

How To Negotiate A Carlsbad Pedestrian Accident Claim For A Top Settlement Without An Attorney

2009-11-22T02:49:00.000+02:00

As a Carlsbad Pedestrian Accident Insurance Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar plus settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around Carlsbad, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in Carlsbad, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

Yahoo Brings 'Real Time' Updates To News Shortcut

How To Negotiate A Long Beach Truck Accident Claim For The Largest Settlement Without An Attorney

2009-11-21T20:49:00.000+02:00

As a Long Beach Truck Accident Insurance Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar plus settlements from over thirty years of experience in or around Long Beach, other nearby cities and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in Long Beach, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

[Via http://blog.sebastiangibsonlaw.com]

New Business Models for News talk « BuzzMachine

How To Settle Wrongful Death Insurance Claims For The Maximum Settlement Without An Attorney in San Diego

2009-11-21T02:26:00.000+02:00

As a San Diego Wrongful Death Insurance Attorney with millions of dollars in settlements and multiple million dollar plus settlements from over thirty years of experience in San Diego and internationally, I know many of you are attempting to settle your own personal injury, dog bite and wrongful death cases by yourselves for the maximum and the biggest settlement you can to save the cost of an attorney.

You’ll also need to obtain your wage loss information on a wage loss form from your employer if you suffered any wage losses or had to use up valuable sick time, personal time, or vacation days.

You will also need to obtain a number of good photographs of your car damage, copies of the vehicle repair bills and estimates and receipts for any items damaged in your vehicle.

The law firm of Sebastian Gibson handles personal injury cases in San Diego, and throughout Southern and Central California and handle wrongful death cases throughout the state. To learn more about Sebastian Gibson and the other areas of law handled by the law firm, visit the Sebastian Gibson website.

News – Critics Slam New Moon – Movies, TV & Music – UsMagazine.com

Veicoli "verdi" in mostra a Milano

2009-11-19T08:14:00.000+02:00

Dalla supercar a emissioni zero, alla vettura da competizione alimentata a biodiesel, dallo scooter ibrido al mitico Ape Calessino tutto elettrico. Greenergy Expo 2009 ed Enersolar+, i saloni internazionali dedicati alle energie rinnovabili, in programma dal 25 al 28 novembre al padiglione 14 della Fiera Milano Rho, ospita un’area appositamente dedicata alla mobilità sostenibile.

Tra i veicoli esposti, quello destinato a suscitare il maggiore interesse è di certo la Tesla Roadster, supercar elettrica da poco in vendita anche in Europa e in grado di accelerare – secondo il costruttore – da 0 a100 km/h in soli 3,9 secondi. Realizzata dall’americana Tesla Motors, questa sportiva a due posti dalla linea accattivante è spinta da un motore elettrico da 248 CV alimentato da ben 6.800 batterie stilo agli ioni di litio, che (sempre secondo la Casa) hanno un’autonomia di 400 km e si ricaricano in 3,5 ore.

La Roadster è famosa anche per avere tra i suoi finanziatori i fondatori di Google – Sergey Brin e Larry Page – e il coofondatore del sistema di pagamento PayPal, Elon Musk. Ma soprattutto è nota per essere stata acquistata da star del calibro di George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger e Matt Damon. D’altra parte, per avere il privilegio di sedersi al volante di questa sportiva che anticipa il futuro, bisogna essere disposti a sborsare da 120 mila euro in su, a seconda della versione.

I visitatori potranno ammirare anche la Citroën C1 HDI che ha gareggiato quest’anno nel campionato del mondo Fia Alternative Energies Cup pilotata dall’equipaggio Di Bella-Collovà, classificandosi al terzo posto assoluto. Affidata da Citroën Italia alla scuderia privata RaceBioConcept di Roma, questa C1 è alimentata con biodiesel e si presenta con la stessa livrea con la quale ha gareggiato all’ Eco Targa Florio-Green Prix disputatosi dal 9 all’11 ottobre scorso.

Al Salone delle energie rinnovabili c’è spazio anche per le due ruote “verdi”. Viene esposto, infatti, il primo scooter ibrido al mondo, l’MP3 Hybrid della Piaggio, che alterna la tradizionale propulsione termica a un motore elettrico e vanta un notevole abbattimento dei consumi e delle emissioni di CO2. Sempre della Piaggio anche l’Ape Calessino Electric Lithium, dotato di batterie agli ioni di litio di ultima generazione ricaricabili completamente in quattro ore dalla presa di casa e che garantiscono (secondo il costruttore) un’autonomia di 75 km.

Fonte: www.quattroruote.it

China Mobile still in talks over iPhone | iLounge News

Passeggiano sui tetti delle auto, e babbo paga

2009-11-17T20:16:00.000+02:00

Firenze, 17 novembre 2009 – Forse volevano imitare l'Uomo Ragno i due sedicenni sorpresi la scorsa notte a camminare sul tetto di sei auto in sosta. O forse volevano 'solamente' trasgredire. Quel che è certo è che questa bravata costerà molto, in termini economici, ai loro genitori che dovranno ripagare i danni causati alle vetture.

Questa scena degna di un film action si è svolta ieri sera, intorno alle 23.40, in via Aretina: il proprietario di una delle macchine danneggiate, uscendo di casa, ha visto uno dei due giovani in piedi, sul tettuccio dell'auto. Subito l'uomo ha chiamato il 113. Gli agenti delle volanti hanno poi scoperto altre cinque auto, tutte posteggiate in fila sullo stesso lato della strada, danneggiate. Uno dei minorenni è stato denunciato. L'altro se la caverà con una lavata di testa

viaLa Nazione – Firenze – Passeggiano sui tetti delle auto, e babbo paga.

YouTube offers TV news shows easier access to citizen journalists ...

Vrei o masina noua?

2009-11-17T14:15:00.000+02:00

Industria auto se zvârcoleşte, ni se spune. E cu glicemia praf, hipotensivă, anemică şi suspectă de gripă porcină. E cu una din roţi în groapă, e pe moarte. Cu toate astea, medicamentele pe care doctorii i le administrează nu reuşesc să trateze cel mai grav simptom al bolii: temperatura ridicată a preţurilor. Citim pe toate gardurile despre reduceri, dar ele nu există în realitate. |n realitate maşinile s-au scumpit, se scumpesc şi, dacă piaţa are de gând să-şi continue obedienţa faţă de industrie, se vor scumpi.

Poţi găsi, ici şi colo, maşini cu preţ real ceva mai mic. Ele sunt ediţii limitate, produse cu un an în urmă şi aparţin idioţilor prinşi cu stocuri – gigant, idioţi auto care sunt rude cu idioţii imobiliari, cei prinşi cu terenuri – mamut. |n afara lor însă, deşi cuvântul “reducere” depăşeşte în frecvenţă cuvântul “automobil”, ioc.

Dacă ai curiozitatea să compari preţurile maşinilor noi de acum un an – doi cu cele de azi vei observa, la aproape toate clasele, o creştere netă cuprinsă între 1000 şi 4000 de euro. Care va să zică, preţul CIP, cel fără mormanul de taxe care te năpădeşte după ce zici “da, o iau p-asta”, a crescut pe neobservate şi pe tăcute, în plină criză a industriei.

Această rată de creştere e o lungă recidivă: în ultimii zece ani, pe vârful de exuberanţă a pieţii, producătorii şi-au crescut fără milă marginile, asta reflectându-se într-o creştere a preţului final de minim 5% pe an. |n epoca de aur a leasingului şi a creditului bancar industria auto nu s-a mulţumit doar să prospere, ci să şi inducă dependenţă, aspiraţie şi inconştienţă financiară publicului consumator. Creşterea de preţ s-a făcut întotdeauna prin cosmetică şi marketing, adăugând opţionale ridicole în modelele de bază, inventând denumiri tehnice pentru plastice banale şi obligând subconştientul clientelei să-şi dorească EBD, DST, AFL, TSP sau TSQ fără să-i treacă prin cap că nu le va folosi niciodată.

Producătorii s-au crezut nemuritori şi n-au investit niciodată în decenţă. Au făcut profituri uriaşe – şi ăsta e un lucru bun – dar n-au băgat o leţcaie în sinceritatea datorată clientului. Acum fac la fel fără să li se clintească vreun muşchi pe grosul obraz.

Un Golf de azi, cu aceeaşi motorizare, e mai scump cu 1500 de euro ca un Golf de acum 2 ani. Un BMW seria 3 îşi depăşeşte fratele mai mic cu vreo 3 mii. Fordurile Focus şi Mondeo joacă şi ele comedia creşterii cu 1500 până la 3000 de euro. La clasele mari preţurile au sărit cu 4-5000 de euro, iar la clasa lux au trecut de 15 000. Ideea că tehnologia e scumpă pică: volumele de vânzări aproape s-au dublat în ultimii cinci ani. E incredibil cât de neobservată a trecut această acumulare secretă de margine comercială şi cu câtă seninătate a fost ea acceptată de piaţă. E la fel ca atunci când Hitler a anexat regiunea sudetă şi se pregătea să atace Polonia.

Aşa că reducerile de azi nu sunt de fapt reduceri, ci o revenire de la marginile foarte mari la cele mari. Reducerile de 10-20% aplicate maşinilor noi din stocurile anului trecut ajung doar la jumătatea supra-profitului de acum doi ani. În ceea ce priveşte maşinile care se configurează personal, adică producţia activă, la comandă, aici reducerile sunt zero, iar clientul cumpără marfa scumpită zece ani la rând.

La această escrocherie sentimentală cronică pe care o practică producătorul mai e de adăugat infracţiunea de abuz românesc practicată de importatorii-dealeri. Febrilitatea pieţii, nevoia emoţională de maşină şi solvabilitatea prin credit a unei clase mijlocii grăbite să-şi exprime status-ul cu orice preţ i-a făcut pe dealeri să exagereze adaosul. Rezultatul e că azi vânzările strigă după ajutor, dar în acest strigăt se remarcă încă, destul de consistent, cuvântul profit.

Reducerile trâmbiţate azi sunt replieri pe profituri încă bune, iar până la apariţia maşinilor ieftine, adică rezonabil de scumpe, mai e nevoie de cinci ani de criză.

Sursa.

Mayo Study Shows Stroke Incidence Related to Angioplasty Remains ...

Zu schnell fahren für die Hypo Real Estate

2009-11-15T06:53:00.000+02:00

Ich wurde geblitzt. Ja, ich war zu schnell und ja, natürlich ärgert man sich und sucht die Schuld bei anderen (im meinem Fall teilweise sogar wirklich zu Recht, aber das sagen sicher alle). Doch unabhängig davon sollte man sich mal einen kurzen Moment Zeit nehmen, über Verkehrsüberwachung und Verkehrskontrolle in diesem Land nachzudenken.

Vom Grundsatz her soll sie dazu dienen, den Verkehr zu regeln und damit flüssig und sicher zu gestalten. Doch grade hier muss man sich regelmäßig fragen, wer der größere Verkehrssünder ist, der einfache Bürger oder zum Beispiel diejenigen, die zum Teil vollkommen verkorkste Ampelschaltungen zu verantworten haben. Warum wird meistens nur zu schnell fahren geahndet, deutlich unter Tempolimit fahren, unmerklich beschleunigen oder das „Schlafen“ an Ampeln jedoch nicht. Alles Dinge, die Stress bei anderen Fahrern erhöhen und je nach Zeitdruck sogar späteres zu schnell fahren als Konsequenz mit sich bringen.

Wenn es darum geht, zu schnell fahren zu verhindern, warum blitzt man dann häufig nicht an Gefahrenzonen wie Schulen, sondern an vermeintlich harmlosen Stellen, schön versteckt? Wer denkt da nicht gelegentlich, dass es vielleicht weniger um die „Verkehrserziehung“ geht, als um das damit verbundene Geld, dass der Staat bekommt.

Zu schnell fahren für die Hypo Real Estate also? Nicht ganz, denn genau genommen geht das Geld in erster Linie an die Kommunen. Aber die sind bekanntlich häufig knapp bei Kasse und werden das, sollten die schwarz-gelben Steuerpläne umgesetzt werden, noch stärker sein. Im Bezug auf das gefühlte „Abzocken“ ist dieser Text sehr interessant, auch wenn er schon etwas älter ist.

Ein interessantes Zitat daraus: „Vermeiden lässt sich das [geblitzt werden, d. Blogger] nur, wenn man sehr oft auf den Tacho schaut – aber gerade das kann verdammt gefährlich sein.“ Eine ähnliche Situation kenne ich aus Darmstadt: An einer Stelle steht dort ein fester Blitzer kurz vor einer Fußgänger-Ampel. Nicht wenige Autofahrer beachten diese vor lauter ängstlichem zum Blitzer schauen nur spät, oder gar zu spät.

Es gibt Verkehrsüberregulierung. Ein Beispiel: Bei Darmstadt gibt es an einer Stelle sieben(!) Ampeln innerhalb von etwa zwei Kilometern- wohlbemerkt größtenteils Außerorts. Dadurch entsteht zu Berufsverkehrszeiten regelmäßig Rückstau über jede Ampel hinweg. Die meisten sind sogar nachts an. Dann steht man häufig mehrere Sekunden vor einer roten Ampel, obwohl im weiten Umkreis niemand ist. Aber macht ja nichts, wir haben Zeit und Schadstoffausstoß interessiert auch keinen…

Die ganzen Überregulierungen, zusammen mit der Überwachung durch Polizei und Co. haben jedoch noch einen anderen Effekt: Sie halten, bewusst oder unbewusst, den Bürger obrigkeitstreu und unmündig, indem sie eine durch regulierte (Verkehrs)Welt, mit wenig freiem Denken schaffen. Und der typische Deutsche ist mittlerweile schon vollkommen überfordert, wenn an einer Straßenmündung ohne Vorfahrtsregelung drei Autos gleichzeitig kommen. „Warum fällt keine Autorität vom Himmel, die uns sagt was zu tun ist?“ In anderen Ländern sind Verkehrsteilnehmer kommunikativer, relaxter und flexibler.

Das mag überzogen sein, vielleicht aber auch nicht. Eine Geschichte lässt auf jeden Fall nachdenklich werden: Der Ort Bohmte in Niedersachen verzichtete nämlich in einem Modelversuch im Rahmen der Initiative „Shared Space“ an einer Straße vollkommen auf Verkehrsregulierung. Das Ergebnis: Nun gibt es dort deutlich weniger Unfälle und Stress. Besonders bemerkenswert ist, was der ortsansässige Pastor laut Focus sagt: „Shared Space ist ja nicht nur ein Verkehrskonzept, sondern es hat etwas mit Leben, Begegnung und Kommunikation zu tun.“ Mit Kommunikation und Leben also. Na schau an…

White House's Anita Dunn Shreds Fox News Again, Fox Responds ...

Switching auto insurance to save money

2009-11-14T20:14:00.000+02:00

If you’re like me and many people, you’ve probably had the same insurance company without giving it much thought, exactly. So why think about it now? Because you could save $10,000 or more, easily by switching auto insurance. People do it everyday. Surely you’ve see the ads …cavemen, lizards, quirky chick from progressive, serious brother from allstate… yada, yada, yada

Simple fact is many people have been overpaying and when they switch savings 500 bucks a year is not out of the realm. The sooner you switch, the more you save. If you saved $500 over 20 years, that’s 10,000 dollars. Not a bad return for what can take 15 minutes to do. Good secure site for car insurance quotes and other insurance like health is www.insquotenow.com. Check out, worth a try. Don’t feel you owe your agent. Your money is better spent on you.

Charlie Gasparino on Fox News - mediabistro.com: TVNewser

Gulf Oil LeMans Tribute Carrera Project – Part 7

2009-11-14T14:19:00.000+02:00

Wally – Here is the latest on the Gulf Blue 911

We have finally gotten around to painting the car after much delay and finally coming up with a rotisserie which makes the job so much simpler. Went to harbor freight and bought two heavy duty engine stands then took the original front and rear bumper and drilled to fit the rotating section of the engine stand. Works great but will have to modify the stands slightly to level out the reciever on the stand. A booster pad on the rear two wheels will level it out and then you have a moveable rotisserie for $200 courtesy of Harbor Freight.

We are using BSF German base clear on the car – they were able to duplicate the paint code (328) for the Gulf Blue and so far it looks great. Always the problem with sandblasting a car as the sand naturally comes out when you are painting.

Next is the top side paint and reassembly of the suspension to make it a roller. Then I will put it into the Car cover and finish the motor. We are not going to cut the fenders and flare it out as I just did not have the heart to do the cutting. I think I read somewhere that only 3% of the production of 1977 911 S’ was painted Gulf Blue and I would suppose that most of them are history by now.

More soon

To see the previous posts on this project visit Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6

News – Nicole Kidman's Lips Cause Chatter at CMAs – Style & Beauty ...

FlashNews 01: Autoevolution in limba romana

2009-11-12T20:23:00.000+02:00

Incepand de astazi voi prezenta pe blog cele mai importante evenimente ale zilei. Domeniile abordate vor fi cele cu care v-am obisnuit deja pe parcursul timpul pe acest blog: internet, IT&C, media, sport, stiinta si auto.

Bineinteles, fiecare informatie va contine un link catre stirea pe larg, pentru ca cititorii interesati sa poata aprofunda subiectul.

Asadar, iata cele mai interesante informatii pe care le-am descoperit pe 12.11.2009 pe internet:

Autoevolution, portalul auto in engleza “infratit” cu Softpedia, va avea in curand si o versiune in limba romana. La prima vedere, Autoevolution.ro se va baza pe UGC (User Generated Content), utilizatorii urmand sa aiba la dispozitie jurnale proprii si un forum. [via Autoevolution]
Intel a acceptat sa plateasca celor de la AMD 1.25 miliarde de dolari in cash pentru a pune pacat proceselor antitrust demarate de rivali. [via ArsTechnica]
GSM Arena, unul dintre cele mai importante site-uri dedicate industriei telecomunicatiilor, a lansat oficial un blog de tehnologie. Editorii vor aborda subiecte din toate industriile IT&C, astfel ca GSM Arena isi extinde practic domeniul de activitate. [via GSMArena]
Federatia engleza de fotbal a refuzat sa le accepte pe Glasgow Rangers si Celtic Glasgow in Premier League, considerand ca acest lucru nu este dezirabil si viabil. [via PremierLeague]
NASA va incerca luni sa elibereze rover-ul Spirit din capcana de nisip in care a intrat robotul in timpul cercetarilor efectuate pe planeta Marte. [via NASA]

Fox News fact checks Sarah Palin's 'dollar conspiracy' | Raw Story

Parking Links (Photos)

2009-11-12T14:44:00.000+02:00

Parking can be a nightmare, not only for property residents but also for property managers. Many municipalities don’t do much to help either. Check out these linked photos to see how bad parking can really get.

I wonder how the front passenger got out of this car?
Oops … how did that get up there?
Aren’t there days when you wish you could just stack your cars? (Incidentally, many U.S. cities use these.)
Where do you think this car is going?
Does this look like a familiar scene in your parking lots?

Comments »

News – PIC: See Geena Davis' Surprising New Shape -- and Face ...

MOJ "SPALE"

2009-11-10T20:41:00.000+02:00

Prvi auto koji sam kupila od svoje plate je bio ovakav žuti lepotan sa sivim krovom, koji se mogao spuštati, otvaranjem, kao nekada sardina. Otkačiš, i uvrćeš, do kraja. I onda, kosa na vetru, sunce u potiljak. Milina jedna. Krenuću, malo od početka!

Zaposlila sam se u decembru 1972. godine, sa 19,5 godina. Firma je bila Autovojvodina. U njoj su se nalazili saloni za prodaju automobila, raznih vrsta, kao i servis za popravku istih a i teretnih vozila. Radila sam nekih godinu dana, kada je moj ćalac predložio da polažem vozački ispit. Meni to nije padalo na pamet zato što mi je uvek bilo muka, pri svakoj vožnji. Put do mora i nazad je bio propraćen teškim mučninama i povraćanjem, pa iz tog razloga nisam imala želju da vozim. Bila sam, naravno, u zabludi, jer se ne može porediti vožnja, sa mestom suvozača ili putnika koji sedi pozadi. No, jedva me je ubedio. Krenusmo sestra i ja i još dve komšinice. One sve popadaše na testovima a ja prošla glat. Pravila se važna, naravno.

Odmah po položenom vozačkom ispitu, uplatih ja Spačeka. On mi je nekako jedino išao uz mene. Rekli su mi da je to pravi ženski auto. Samo sipaš benzin i voziš!

Posle mesec dana, stigao mi moj žuća. Bila sam srećna kao majmunče! Ali, kada sam videla menjač, prilično sam se ubedačila. Nisam znala kako ću uspeti da savladam onu “kuku” koja mi je pretila, izlazeći ispod “kontrolne table”. Crna drška, kruškastog oblika i na njoj obeležano, kako treba ubaciti u prvu, drugu, treću, četvrtu i rikverc. Vežbala ja, vežbala i uvežbala. O, kako je to bio divan osećaj. On plovi po putu, a meni se brk smeška. Tata, naravno, nije želeo da sedi samnom u kolima, tako da sam sama morala da se borim, em sa novim menjačem, em sa svim saobraćajnim znacima, pandurima, semaforima i raskrsnicama.

Bio je ćale u pravu. Jedino tako sam mogla da savladam sve, inače bih se oslonila na njega i verovatno ne bih odradila sve kako treba, kasnije.

Kako je bio juni mesec kada mi je stigao Spale, ubrzo sam osetila i čari vožnje sa spuštenim krovom. Pokazalo se i vrlo korisno to, što sam se ja uglavnom zaključavala iznutra i desilo se jedanput, kada sam trebala da otvorim kapiju i udjem u dvorište mojih roditelja, da su se vrata zaključala pa nisam mogla da udjem u sopstveni auto. Onda sam donela stolicu, otkopčala krov, prebacila se preko vrata, dohvatila onu kukicu za otključavanje i uterala kola u dvorište.

Posle nedelju dana vožnje mojim novim kolima, uspela sam i da ih “ponovim”. Kažu ljudi da to tako treba. Dobro. Želela sam da se uparkiram ispred svog stana tako da napravim ulevo veliki luk (kao polukružno okretanje na raskrsnici) i parkiram se izmedju dva drveta. Ha, ha! Samo sam želela, ali ne i uspela. Potrefila sam kuću levim blatobranom. Presekla sam se i uletela u kuću i saopštila tati šta sam uradila. On se samo nasmejao i pitao me: Kako si to uspela? Izašao da vidi štetu i rekao mi, ne brini, to će oni tvoji samo odšrafiti i montirati drugi i gotovo. Aha, trebalo se pojaviti sa tako smrskanim blatobranom na poslu. Možete misliti one majstore u servisu, jedva bi dočekali da me zezaju. No, parkirala sam se tako da se ne vidi leva strana, ispred firma, pozvala šefa servisa za Citroenova vozila i zamolila ga da on odveze kola u servis i to mi odradi. Naravno, pukla je priča u celoj firmi, pa su me malko i peckali.

Vozala sam se ja tako tri i po godine u. I stvarno je bio auto za žene. Sve sam znala oko njega, što god je trebalo. Kontrolisala ulje, akumulator, gume i sipala gorivo. Medjutim, ono što je bilo loše kod njega, to je svakako limčić od kojeg je bio napravljen. Smešno, tanko, tako da ga je korozija napala, na donjem delu vrata. I, rešila sam da ga prodam jednom tipu koji nije bio iz Novog Sada, samo da ga ne bih gledala i patila za njim.

I tako se rastasmo moj Spale i ja. Moralo je tako. Lepo nam je bilo zajedno. Nismo se svadjali, nikada! Nikada me nije ostavio na cedilu. Bio mi je pravi prijatelj.

Sve ovo vam ne bih ispričala da danas nisam videla jednog u mojoj ulici, svog išaranog. I uhvatih sebe kako se smešim!

Organizing for America | Cloe Axelson's Blog: Morning News

Walter Röhrl Wins Costa Brava Rally Historic

2009-11-10T14:28:00.000+02:00

Four-Times Monte Carlo Winner Dominates European Championship Race

Stuttgart. Walter Röhrl has won the race for the FIA European Rally Championship for Historical Cars in the Spanish town of Lloret de Mar last weekend. Teaming up with co-pilot Peter Göbel, German Rally Champion in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006, the two-times World Rally Champion drove a 1981 Porsche 911 RSR to victory. With their re-built and perfectly prepared rally version of the 911, Röhrl/Göbel immediately moved up to the top group in the race, together with ex-Renault works driver Jean Ragnotti in an Alpine A110, Historical European Championship specialist Michael Stoschek, Valter Jensen and Toto Riolo, all driving a Porsche 911, and three Group 4 Lancia Stratos. Under very difficult weather and track conditions, Röhrl clearly demonstrated his unique driving skills as the four-times Monte Carlo winner on the last two stages of the race, bringing home an historical victory for Wolfgang Reile’s Classic Power Team in the very special style of the truly outstanding driver who also won the European Rally Championship in 1974.

Results Rally Costa Brava Historic:

1. Röhrl/Göbel Porsche 911 RSR 1.26,27.2 2. Brazzoli/Valmassol Porsche 911 SC + 02,45.9 3. Font/Moreno Ford Escort RS + 03,46.3

Ethics: Fox News Is Right -- And So Is Obama - The Digital Journalist

Spune-mi ce zodie eşti, ca să-ţi spun ce maşină ţi se potriveşte!

2009-11-08T20:18:00.000+02:00

Din echipa noastră, eu sunt cel care nu crede în chestiile despre zodii şi astre. Dar am vrut să găsim o legătură între ele şi între vedeta acestui site, automobilul, aşa că ne-am gândit să-ţi prezentăm o marcă şi o maşină care ţi se potriveşte în funcţie de zodie. Demersul a fost realizat consultând mai mult de 57 de babe, 28 de vraci şi 80 de astrologi care şi-au dat acordul în acest sens. Dacă nu crezi, mulţumeşte-te atunci cu ce avem să-ţi oferim în cele ce urmează. Aşadar…

BERBEC.

Marca DODGE, model VIPER sau Challenger. Ce alt model ar putea să ţi se potrivească? Probabil, multe altele, vei spune tu, dar marca DODGE are ca siglă un berbec. Deci, un muscle-car american pentru o fire hotărâtă şi ambiţioasă ca tine este o alegere ideală. Indiferent că vorbim de Viper sau de Challenger, ambele sunt agitate, nervoase şi cred că au mereu dreptate. Ce să mai, cu berbecul înainte…

Dodge Viper. Forţă brută, greu de controlat, consum exorbitant şi enervant. Dar foarte puternic.

Dodge Challenger SRT-8. Ca berbec, ştim că îţi place competiţia. Iată maşina care te reprezintă:

TAUR.

Lamborghini, fără doar şi poate. Taurul i-a dat şi îi dă de cap căluţului cabrat de la Ferrari. Dacă eşti în zodia taurului, maşina asta este o reprezentare astrologică în materie automobilistică. Dar dacă vrei să fii toreador, nu încerca să îmblânzeşti un taur Murcielago, Gallardo sau Reventon pe străzile de la noi. Te vei transforma chiar tu într-un bou. Întreabă-te de ce coridele se organizează în Spania sau în Franţa. Întreabă-te şi unde ai testa potenţialul unei asemenea maşini. Oriunde, dar nu în România. Clar. Dar marca ţi se potriveşte zodiei cu siguranţă.

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster. Fii un toreador, pentru că zodia ta îţi dă voie. Dar nu la noi.

GEMENI.

Marca pentru cei din zodia gemenilor este RENAULT. Chiar dacă nu erau gemeni, fondatorii mărcii erau fraţi. Frăţia lor a pus bazele unei mărci reunite sub emblema rombului, care a devenit în timp un profesor care le dă lecţii despre siguranţă şi design altor producători din industria auto. Pentru tine, Renault Fluence este un model potrivit. Un low-cost ideal pe timp de gâfâială economică.

RAC.

Marca pentru raci este ALFA ROMEO. Cică cei din zodia asta sunt sensibili, romantici, firavi, chiar dacă încearcă în exterior să pară duri şi agresivi. Păi…cam la fel stă treaba şi cu ALFA ROMEO. Designul agresiv nu este însoţit şi de un comportament rutier la fel de arătos. Modelul potrivit este Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Familistă, sensibilă şi rafinată, dar uneori cam supărăcioasă.

LEU.

PEUGEOT are ca siglă a mărcii un leu în genul celor de pe steme, adică cu gura căscată şi gata de atac. Modelul RCZ care ne ameninţă că va apărea în 2011, la Frankfurt (www.ridelust.com), se prezintă destul de agresiv şi dinamic din punct de vedere estetic. Oare HDi-ul ăla al lor o fi chiar atât de puternic asemenea zodiei? Poate, rămâne de văzut…

FECIOARĂ.

Dacă eşti în această zodie, marca ideală pentru tine este TOYOTA. Da, iar modelul, Corolla. Aşa au spus 21 din cele 57 de babe, iar noi am ţinut cont de părerea lor. Campiona fiabilităţii, Toyota este maşina care pune accent pe atitudine, stil, eleganţă, iar la noi campania de promovare a mărcii, bazată pe tăria de caracter, vine să le dea o bastârcă gherţoilor cu maşini ,,premium” nemţeşti.

BALANŢĂ.

Chiar dacă marca este LINCOLN, nu te grăbi să-ţi suni prietenii să le spui ce model vrei de ziua ta. În filmul ,,Batman” era tipul acela, jumătate om, jumătate monstru, care era incapabil să ia o decizie singur, aşa că se consulta cu o monedă pe care o jongla permanent. Probabil că era în zodia balanţei, ca tine şi era nehotărât. Deci, o replică bazată pe Lincoln Continental care întruchipează maşina lui Batman (Batmobile-ul său) ar fi maşina potrivită pentru tine. Nu ne întreba de unde să faci rost de aşa ceva. Ce, noi te-am pus să fii nehotărât când te-ai născut şi să fii balanţă ca zodie?

SCORPION.

Cam orice marcă de maşină, cu condiţia să fie dotată cu pneuri SCORPION. Nu de alta, dar contează la imaginea de ansamblu. Oricum, la cât de zvăpăiaţi sunteţi voi ca scorpioni, agresivi şi gata mereu de acţiune, este clar că un PORSCHE 911 vi s-ar potrivi perfect. Dar doar dacă are ce spuneam mai sus puţin. De ce modelul ăsta? Păi dintr-un banc, de genul: un tip, era gata să facă dragoste şi îi spune partenerei-,,îţi voi spune Eva, pentru că eşti prima femeie din viaţa mea!” Atunci, partenera i-a răspuns-,,Ce bine, iubitule, eu îţi voi spune Porsche, pentru că eşti al 911-lea bărbat din viaţa mea…”

SĂGETĂTOR.

Marca cea mai potrivită pentru tine este VOLVO, pentru că sigla lor este o săgeată îndreptată în dreapta sus, care iese dintr-un cerc în mijlocul căruia se află eticheta firmei. Dacă eşti un aspirant care vrea să exploreze şi să testeze (doar teoretic) un campion al siguranţei suedez, atunci VOLVO XC60 este alegerea cea mai bună. Cei de pe site-ul www.ridelust.com spun că ar fi chiar SUV-ul anului…

CAPRICORN.

Parcă cei din zodia aceasta sunt în general cercetători şi alte specii ciudate, nu? Nu ştim exact, pentru că nici babele noastre delegate cu studierea acestei zodii nu s-au ocupat de acest lucru, din lipsă de timp şi de…memorie. Aşa că marca o vom alege bazându-ne pe criteriul cercetării. Logic, o maşină de teren, adică un Chevrolet american, ca să cercetezi cele mai stranii şi vitrege terenuri. Momentan, ce-ţi propunem noi e doar un concept, CHEVROLET SILVERADO ZR2. Dar ai Ford F350 Raptor, de care am vorbit acum căteva săptămâni tot pe acest site. E acelaşi model…

VĂRSĂTOR.

Ai zis că eşti vărsător? Cum? Vărsător? A, ne pare rău, tu nu mergi cu maşina, că murdăreşti husele. Mergi cu trenul, e mult mai bine pentru stomacul tău…gata, hai că am glumit. Avem şi pentru tine o marcă şi un model: HONDA INSIGHT. Ecologie, protecţia mediului, frunze verzi la bord care îţi spun cât de economic şi cât de mult protejezi planeta după cum conduci şi multe altele elctrice, hibride…

Ca un hipiot modern, ai ajuns ecologic şi economic la mare. Bravo ţie, vărsătorule…

PEŞTI.

Nu, deşi eşti în această zodie, nu te aştepta să îţi asociem zodia cu MERCEDES sau BMW. Doar 3 vraci ameţiţi din 28 au propus acest lucru. Restul, au căzut de acord în urma cercetării noastre că maşina ideală pentru tine, sub semnul peştilor, este RINSPEED SQUBA, sau maşina care merge pe autostradă, pe apă şi…pe sub apă. Da, pare desprinsă din filmele cu agentul 007, James BOND, dar nu este. Doar creatorul ei este un fan al filmului. Deci, pentru peşti ca tine, asta este maşina care ţi se potriveşte:

Din apă, direct pe şosea. Pe uscatul uscatului. Nepotul lui Poseidon pleacă la discotecă…

În loc de concluzii, pe care oricum le vei trage tu, dorim să le mulţumim celor 53 de babe (4 aveau programare la coafor), celor 27 de vraci (unu’ avea întâlnire cu o păpuşă Voo Doo) şi celor 80 de astrologi, chiar dacă ei erau cu capul în nori, ca să vadă stele verzi. În special, le mulţumim surselor noastre pentru fotografii, în felul următor: fotografiile 1, 2, 3. 4, 5, 6: www.ridelust.com , fotografiile 7, 8: www.automarket.ro , fotografiile 9, 10: www.ridelust.com , fotografiile 10, 11: www.automarket.ro , fotografiile 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19: www.ridelust.com , fotografiile 20, 21: www.automarket.ro , fotografia 22: www.damp-dry.com , fotografia 23: www.zcars.com şi fotografia 24: www.desktopmachine.com .

Real Estate News: Super Jumbo Mortgages, Housing's Blank Check ...

Greičiausiųjų Top 3

2009-11-08T08:34:00.000+02:00

1. The SSC Ultimate Aero: maksimalus greitis 415km/h! Mašina varoma dviejų turbinų V8 tipo variklio su 1183 arklio galių, nuo 0 iki 100 km/h ji įsibėgi vos per 2.8s. O įdomiausias faktas, kad pati mašina, be papildomų priedų, kainuoja 654, 400$, o tai tik 1.5mln litų!

2. Bugatti Veyron: maksimalus greitis 405km/h, mašina varoma Aluminum, Narrow Angle W16 varikliu (atvirai tariant net neįsivaizduoju ką tai reiškia), 1001 arklio galių, nuo 0 iki 100 km/h įsibėgi per 2,6s. WOW o kaina kokia 1, 700, 000$ aš bijau tą skaičių pervest i litus… TAI 4mln litų! Kas ją pirktų aš net neįsivaizduoju ir dar su tokia išvaizda.

3. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo: 400km/h, ji varoma dviejų turbinų All Aluminum V8 tipo varikliu, su 750 arklio galių, nuo 0 iki 100 km/h įsibėgi per 3,3s. kaina 555, 000$, bet tikrai to neverta, iš dizaino, galas Pfff koks.

* Bet pagrindinis klausimas ar apsimoka kurią nors iš jų pirkti, aišku tai priklauso nuo kiekvieno žmogaus skonio ir nuo piniginė storio.

Dallas Mavericks Blog | Sports News | News from Dallas, Texas ...

Ursache und Wirkung

2009-11-05T19:56:00.000+02:00

Hm… Sollte ich mir Sorgen machen wenn mir bei langen Autofahrten, bei entsprechender Geschwindigkeit auf Autobahn oder (seltener) Landstrasse, gelegentlich der Gedanke kommt wie schnell doch alles vorbei sein könnte wenn man jetzt z.B. das Lenkrad verreisst? Also nicht im Sinne von auch nur halbgaren Selbstmordgedanken, um Himmels Willen! Einfach ganz pragmatisch: Nur eine kleine Bewegung des Armes und dann… nun ja. Die – düstere – Erkenntnis, wie schnell sowas doch passieren kann.Braucht es ja eigentlich gar nicht viel dazu…

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