TiMe LiNe

CDO Bloggers Group Hosts Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3

2009-10-21T03:01:00.000-07:00

CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Tatay , Is The Storm Gone?

2009-10-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

When the Storm Ondoy reached the Philippines a big calamity happened in Luzon. Lots of people died by not expecting that that moment was their last breath on earth. The rising of water that became a big flood which destroyed lots of homes and death of our fellow Filipino families where all luzon areas were flooded. Lots of them lost their houses, lost lives, lost family members. And because they are afraid they end up staying on the roof to keep family members safe. Different life stories was made when the storm came, others give birth when and all people are panicking and others died while saving other lives.

Indeed lots of our Filipino brothers and sisters show their strong trust and faith in God. Eveyone had showed their courage and search for a better way to live their lives again. Lots of our Filipino people show their love where they held their helping hands. Different organizations offer their full force on giving food , goods, medicines, clothes and services. Others volunteer in order to help out and different fund raising event takes place on other cities to raised funds to give on the ondoy victims. Lots of countries also held their helping hands in donating cash and other donations.

Is the storm a sign that mother nature is angry because some people doesn't give important on the forest buy always cutting trees? or Is this the product of global warming? Other people think that its part of history where it repeats a scene that had happened before. Some said its a way of God on how far are faith can go. We may think of many cause and effects in our brains but in fact no one can answer why. Blaming whom or someone is not a good idea at this moment. It's a matter of helping eveyone to stand again and continue life.

All I can say is THANK YOU to all the individuals and organizations who always keep on helping the ondoy victims. God knows who you are.

Did You Know?

2009-10-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

As I was surfing and checking my facebook account. I was stunned for a while while watching the big truth of the things in this world. And I think this is a good information to a lot of people. To children, teens, adults , professionals, leaders and etc.

Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 in CDO

2009-09-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

To all my fellow bloggers in this beautiful country philippines. We would like to invite you all on the biggest event in town. The 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit (MBS3) this coming October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive Cagayan de Oro City at 8AM - 5PM. And afterwards the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS 2009 - MINDANAO 7PM - 11PM same place same city. Just don't forget to register here in MBSCDO and if you have more questions and inquiries dont hesitate to use the contact page after you complete your registration.

Stress and Depression

2009-08-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

Stress - If a person feels emotional distress - anger, anxiety or depression - she or he may be experiencing acute stress. That's only one kind of stress, probably the most manageable. Other physical symptoms can include headache, heart palpitations and bowel problems. Chronic stress is worse. It happens when a person never sees a way out of a miserable situation. This can wear people down and even kill them through suicide, violence, heart attack, stroke and, perhaps, even cancer, the American Psychological Association says.

source: CNN Health

Depression - Depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world. Depression isn't a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply "snap out of." Depression, formally called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a medical illness that involves the mind and body. It affects how you think and behave and can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may not be able to go about your usual daily activities, and depression may make you feel as if life just isn't worth living anymore.

Most health professionals today consider depression a chronic illness that requires long-term treatment, much like diabetes or high blood pressure. Although some people experience only one episode of depression, most have repeated episodes of depression symptoms throughout their life.

Effective diagnosis and treatment can help reduce even severe depression symptoms. And with effective treatment, most people with depression feel better, often within weeks, and can return to the daily activities they previously enjoyed.

source: CNN Health

Taste Difference: Can to Bottled

2009-08-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

The Usual Suspects: Various container materials might impart slight changes to Coke's flavor. Courtesy The Coca-Cola Company

It doesn’t. That’s what Coca-Cola’s spokespeople say, anyway. “The great taste of Coca-Cola is the same regardless of the package it comes in,” they insist. Rather, they say, “the particular way that people choose to enjoy their Coke can affect their perception of taste.” Sure, most people would agree that the cola is indeed delicious and refreshing, and pouring it into a glass or serving it over ice could influence the sensation of its flavor. But is it possible that the subtle variation in taste that some notice among aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles is more than just a psychological effect of their soda-consumption rituals?

Given that the formula is always the same, yes, according to Sara Risch, a food chemist and member of the Institute of Food Technologists. “While packaging and food companies work to prevent any interactions, they can occur,” she says. For example, the polymer that lines aluminum cans might absorb small amounts of soluble flavor from the soda. Conversely, acetaldehyde in plastic bottles might migrate into the soda. The FDA regulates this kind of potential chemical contact, but even minute, allowable amounts could alter flavor.

Your best bet for getting Coke’s pure, unaltered taste is to drink it from a glass bottle, the most inert material it’s served in. Even that’s not a sure bet, though. Coca-Cola maintains strict uniformity in processes in all of its worldwide bottling facilities, but it concedes that exposure to light and how long the product sits on store shelves may affect the taste. So yeah, the packaging might mess with Coke’s flavor, but we’ll still take it any day over New Coke.

Source PopSci

Proof to Malaria

2009-08-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Scientists say they have genetic proof malaria spread by mosquitoes jumped species from chimpanzees to humans.

By looking at blood samples, a US team discovered all world strains of the human malaria parasite falciparum stem from a malaria parasite in chimps.

They tell Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences how the species shift probably happened 10,000 years ago when humans turned to agriculture.

Man's encroachment upon the natural forest habitat of chimps is blamed.

It brought the two species into close contact and the deforestation created pools of stagnant water and other conditions favourable for mosquito breeding.

"Today, human encroachment into the last forest habitats has further extended, leading to a higher risk of transfer of new pathogens, including new malaria parasites," the researchers warn.

Source BBC

Cory Aquino : Forever Yellow in our Hearts

2009-08-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

The first lady president in the history of the Philippine Republic. Shes witty good and very close to the hearts of the Filipino people. She even join movements and rallies for she know what is right.

It's so sad that shes gone now. Who will continue her fights and advocacy? All Filipino people now are mourning in her last days. We can't never find someone like her in this word coz shes unique.

Rest in Peace X-President Cory Aquino Always remember you will always be YELLOW in our hearts. GOD BLESS and stay happy in heaven.

45 life lessons you'll never learn in school

2009-07-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12.. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind..
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Source: Smaknews

Your Blood type says it all !

2009-05-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

Character Traits and Compatability

Type O:
Type O's are outgoing, and very social. They are initiators, although they don't always finish what they start. Creative and popular, they love to be the center of attention and appear very self confident.

Personality Traits By Blood Type

'TYPE O'
Type O’s most often described themselves in ways related to the following characteristics; responsible, decisive, organized, objective, rule-conscious, and practical. Both male and female Type O’s reported a higher percentage of the mesomorphic body type when compared to controls. Interestingly, Type O’s also scored significantly higher than the rest in “sensing” – using the 5 senses to gather information, and in the sensing-thinking combination, indicating that they are more detail and fact oriented, logical, precise and orderly.

Type O's are the social butterflies. Often popular and self-confident, you are very creative and always seem to be the center of attention. You make a good impression on people and you’re often quite attractive. Organized and determined, your stubbornness will help you reach your goals. You make good leaders. Lovewise, O is most compatible with O and AB. Common career choices: banker, politician, gambler, minister, investment broker, and pro athlete. Blood Type O - Tend to be loners or leaders and are intuitive, focused, self-reliant and daring. They handle stress better than other blood types and have strong immune systems, a well developed physique and a physically active nature.

Read more here

Nuclear Tests - Do you agree?

2009-05-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea claimed it carried out a powerful underground nuclear test Monday — much larger than one conducted in 2006 — a major provocation in the escalating international standoff over its rogue nuclear and missile programs.

The regime "successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense," the country's official Korean Central News Agency said.

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed an atomic explosion at 9:54 a.m. (0054 GMT) in northeastern North Korea, estimating the blast's yield at 10 to 20 kilotons — comparable to the bombs that flattened Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Hours later, the regime test-fired three short-range, ground-to-air missiles, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing unnamed sources. U.N. Security Council resolutions bar North Korea from engaging in any ballistic missile-related activity.

Are you deleting your pics? Think again

2009-05-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

It's always fun to write about research that you can actually try out for yourself.

Try this: Take a photo and upload it to Facebook, then after a day or so, note what the URL to the picture is (the actual photo, not the page on which the photo resides), and then delete it. Come back a month later and see if the link works. Chances are: It will.

Facebook isn't alone here. Researchers at Cambridge University (so you know this is legit, people!) have found that nearly half of the social networking sites don't immediately delete pictures when a user requests they be removed. In general, photo-centric websites like Flickr were found to be better at quickly removing deleted photos upon request.

Why do "deleted" photos stick around so long? The problem relates to the way data is stored on large websites: While your personal computer only keeps one copy of a file, large-scale services like Facebook rely on what are called content delivery networks to manage data and distribution. It's a complex system wherein data is copied to multiple intermediate devices, usually to speed up access to files when millions of people are trying to access the service simultaneously. (Yahoo! Tech is served by dozens of servers, for example.) But because changes aren't reflected across the CDN immediately, ghost copies of files tend to linger for days or weeks.

50 Things Every 18-Year-Old Should Know

2009-05-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

1) "If you are buying something that you will use often and for a long time, never go cheap. You'll end up replacing it sooner or paying more in maintenance costs than if you had spent more on good quality in the beginning. Plus, you'll enjoy the nicer product throughout its lifetime, rather than cringing every time you use something that is falling apart." -- bretts

2) Don't spend money on a credit card that you can't afford to pay back. The interest and late payments can put you in a hole that can take you years to pay back.

3) Compound interest is your friend. Saving even a relatively small percentage of your income each year, starting at 18, can leave you in much better shape by the time you're ready to retire.

4) If you're working with someone who can be bargained down on a price, it seldom hurts to try. The exceptions may be someone of exceptional talent, someone you're going to have to work with on a regular basis, or someone whose help you're going to need in a timely manner.

5) Try to keep enough cash to pay your bills for at least six months in reserve. It will make your life immeasurably easier if your car breaks down, you have a surprise medical expense, or you get an opportunity to get a fantastic bargain.

6) Dogs are fantastic animals. They deserve to be called man's best friend. But, if you are under the impression that you just need to buy a collar and a bag of dry dog food every month and you're set, you're in for a rude awakening. Dogs tend to be much more expensive and time consuming than you'd think.

7) "Don't have any children or get married until you can support and love yourself first." -- D-Vega

8) "Don't trade your vehicle in on a new one just a couple of years after buying it. Pay it off and ride it until (the wheels fall off), all while putting that car payment in the bank." -- The_Muck_Man

9) College is a lot more work than high school and your job will be a lot more work than college was.

10) Start looking for a new job BEFORE you quit your old job.

11) Don't take any job that only pays commission unless you're either an expert salesman or ready to spend months working without pay to gain the skills you need to become an expert salesman.

12) Ideally, you should choose something you love to do so much that you'd do it for free and find a way to make it into a career.

13) When asking for a salary, always have a figure you want in mind -- and then ask for significantly more than that number. That way, you may get more than what you want and even if you don't, you have a better chance of getting the amount you had in mind than if you had blurted it out right off the bat.

14) There's no shame in taking any honest job.

15) Getting fired or laid off isn't the end of the world. To the contrary, a lot of people, myself included, have moved on to bigger and better things after being laid off or fired.

16) If you're not happy with the job market, the government, or the schools in your area, remember that you can always move to another city or another state. Lots of Americans do just that every year.

17) "I wish that I had known to check the oil in my vehicles and to have changed it regularly. It would have saved a lot of money that I spent on repairs -- directly due to my lack of changing the oil per the mechanic." -- Ann H.

18) Lefty loosey, righty tighty. Turn it to the left to loosen it and to the right to tighten it.

19) Don't ever open a hot radiator cap or you can get seriously burned.

20) Here are 3 keys to keeping a reasonably clean house: don't leave any dishes in the sink overnight; every time you have a full load of clothes, wash 'em, and take out the trash every time the can is full. You do those things, wipe up your messes, and vacuum when the floor gets filthy, and you'll keep things reasonably neat.

21) If you use a computer even semi-regularly, it's worth your time to take a typing class.

22) It's not enough to buy a gun and stick it in a drawer like a lucky talisman. You need to learn to use the gun.

23) When you move, sell, throw away, and give away as much as possible or you'll just end up moving boxes from one closet, where they have been sitting for five years, to another closet, where they'll be sitting for the next five years.

24) Don't ever loan your friends money if you want to keep them as friends. After all, if they were good with money and were likely to pay you back in a timely manner, they probably wouldn't need the loan in the first place. If they really need the money, you want to help them, and you can afford it -- just give it to them.

25) Women should never allow a boyfriend to take naked pictures. If it's on film, you shouldn't be surprised if it goes public in one form or fashion after a break-up.

26) When men have a problem and they tell you about it, they want to know how to fix it. When women have a problem and they tell you about it, they just want you to listen.

27) If you ever get arrested, don't say anything until you talk to a lawyer.

28) If you don't know the agenda of the people you're getting your news from, then you don't have the information you need to know if what they're telling you is true.

29) Government is a necessary evil. It's best to keep its tentacles out of your life and out of our society as much as possible.

30) "When you're 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you; when you're 40, you don't give a darn what anybody thinks of you; when you're 60, you realize nobody's been thinking about you at all." -- Daniel Amen

31) Trust your instincts. They're usually right.

32) If you think a doctor's wrong, don't hesitate to ask for a second opinion. Your health is vitally important and doctors make mistakes just as often as anyone else.

33) Don't ever say anything that may offend someone who is going to be serving you food. You never know what they may stick in it when you're not looking.

34) If you get into a business deal with someone who goes to unusual lengths to convince you of how honest or Christian they are, watch your wallet and make sure you have an iron clad contract. They "doth protest too much."

35) "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." - Jim Rohn

36) If you want to do something exceptional, don't expect anyone to believe you can do it until you've done it. Unless you're already perceived as exceptional, most people won't believe in you. That's doubly true for the people who know you best and have therefore seen you at your most mediocre, like your parents, family, and friends.

37) If you don't feel like you're being treated fairly by a company, don't hesitate to ask for a manager. Oftentimes, a manager has gotten to where he is in a company because he is good at pleasing customers like you in the first place.

38) "You are not invulnerable and you are not going to live forever. You can (make) mistakes at 18 that you will have to live with for the rest of your life." -- Don_cos

39) Nobody owes you a living.

40) You are not a victim.

41) If you just assume that every conspiracy theory is wrong without even examining it, you will be right 99.99% of the time.

42) "It's likely that whatever challenges you have faced in your life currently could have been avoided but some better decisions upstream." -- Tony Robbins

43) At a minimum, keep a basic "to do" list, a schedule, and a budget.

44) "Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." -- Pat Riley

45) "If you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do less. Prune away even good activities and do only that which matters most. Never confuse activity with productivity. You can be busy without a purpose, but what's the point?" -- Rick Warren

46) Ironically, successful people tend to fail a lot more than unsuccessful people. They also tend to ask a lot more questions.

47) When you consider Christianity, keep in mind this classic quotation from C.S. Lewis, "If I, being what I am, can consider that I am in some sense a Christian, why should the different vices of those people in the next pew prove that their religion is mere hypocrisy and convention?"

48) You beat 50% of the people by just showing up. You beat another 40% by working hard. The last 10% is a dogfight in the free enterprise system.

49) There are at least six key areas of your life: health, career, romantic, social, money, and religion. If you neglect any one of those areas, it will harm you in the other areas and keep you from being as happy as you can be otherwise.

50) When trying to decide between two closely matched alternatives, always have a bias towards action. In the long run, it'll lead to your having a lot more experience, great stories, and a richer, fuller life.

Source

Baby Shaker Game - Apple Apology

2009-04-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) -- Apple Inc. is apologizing for allowing a 99-cent iPhone game called "Baby Shaker" that let a player quiet a virtual crying infant by shaking the device.

Apple removed the program from the iPhone's App Store on Wednesday, but critics pressed for an apology Thursday.

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said Thursday that the game was "deeply offensive" and said it should not have been approved for sale.

"We sincerely apologize for this mistake," Kerris said in a statement.

Apple approves the programs that outside software developers make available in the store. "Baby Shaker" came from a company called Sikalosoft, which has not commented.

The game asked players to see how long they could endure a baby's cries and then shake the phone to stop the wailing.

FIRE cause for climate change

2009-04-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a vicious cycle made worse by humans, scientists now believe fires spur climate change, which in turn makes blazes bigger, more frequent and more damaging to the environment.

A man watches as a massive bush fire sweeps across Cape Town's Table Mountain March 18, 2009. (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Files)

Climate experts have known that a warmer world would spawn more fires, but in research published on Thursday in the journal Science, scientists reported that fires -- especially those set by humans to clear forests -- influence climate change.

Smoke particles sent into the atmosphere by fires inhibit rainfall, which makes the land drier and encourages more fires to start, said study co-author Jennifer Balch of the University of Santa Barbara in California.

On a global scale, burning releases vast amounts of heat-trapping greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, making fires more likely in a warming world, Balch said in a video news briefing.

The report's authors estimate that greenhouse emissions from the world's fires equal about 50 percent of emissions that come from the burning of fossil fuels.

Deforestation fires, like those set to clear forest for pasture in tropical areas like the Amazon, are part of an unintentional "extreme experiment," Balch said: "We're testing how burning forests will influence the climate system."

Full Story

Why Kids don't Listen

2009-04-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

It's always nice when a smarty pants scientist "discovers" an explanation to some frustrating or bizarre toddler behavior. Stuff like why they refuse to nap even though they are tired, or why they think it's okay to eat a month-old waffle from under their car seat, or, in this particular case, why they just don't listen to anything we say (over and over and over again infinity).

Like this morning:

"Aidan, put on your coat. It's cold out."

"Carolyn, please stop playing with your baby and go potty."

"Aidan, the coat. Now, please. We're late." (Me forcing him into his coat.)

"Carolyn, did you go potty yet? Put the doll down and ..." (Me dragging her into the potty.)

Now, researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder say my children are not intentionally trying to push me over the edge. What they are really doing when I think they are blatantly ignoring me is taking all my directions, helpful suggestions, and words of wisdom and filing them away in their little monkey brains until later. A lot later. Like age 13. Okay, maybe not that much later, but you get the point.

See, toddler brains don't work the way adult brains do. They can't take data from the present and use it proactively for the future. So, tiny kids neither plan for the future nor live completely in the present. Instead, they call up the past as they need it.

The example that the researcher gave was similar to what happened this morning with the winter coat and my 5 year old.

"Let's say it's cold outside and you tell your 3 year old to go get his jacket out of his bedroom and get ready to go outside," the researcher says. "You might expect the child to plan for the future, think 'okay it's cold outside so the jacket will keep me warm'." But what we suggest is that this isn't what goes on in a 3-year-old's brain. Rather, they run outside, discover that it is cold, and then retrieve the memory of where their jacket is, and then they go get it."

A better way to reason with a toddler with selective hearing?

"Somehow try to trigger this reactive function," the (obviously childless) researcher suggests. "Don't do something that requires them to plan ahead in their mind, but rather try to highlight the conflict that they are going to face. Perhaps you could say something like 'I know you don't want to take your coat now, but when you're standing in the yard shivering later, remember that you can get your coat from your bedroom."

I had to try this new approach, but I'm using a hot stove instead of a coat. Let's see if it works ...

"Aidan, please get your hand away from the hot, gas flame."

"Aidan, I know you don't want to take your hand away from the hot, gas flame, but when your hand catches fire and you get third-degree burns and I have to rush you to the hospital for four months of skin grafts, remember that Mommy told you that you should have kept your hand away from the flame. Ooops. See! Well, maybe you'll remember to trigger your reactive function next time."

Somehow, I think I'll stick to my old method and let my kids continue to ignore me.

Would this method work for you? C'mon, really?

Written by Cynthia Dermody on CafeMom.com

source

Wifi's on Airplanes

2009-04-05T23:31:00.000-07:00

Passengers on airliners and business jets may differ in terms of what they pay for their flights, but thanks to the development of airborne broadband technology, they can now access the Internet, e-mail and text message while enroute regardless of whether they fly commercially or privately.

In August, American Airlines became the first U.S. air carrier to offer inflight broadband service.

Passengers on the airline's Boeing 767-200 aircraft can access coast-to-coast coverage on nonstop flights between New York and San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, and New York and Miami.

"We are pleased to provide our customers with the unprecedented ability to stay connected to their family, friends and business associates on the ground via the Internet while traveling at 30,000 feet above the United States," said Dan Garton, American's executive vice president — marketing.

Source

World's Deadliest Spider

2009-04-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

One of the most deadly spiders in the world was found in the produce section of an upscale Oklahoma grocery store.

Or was it?

An employee of Whole Foods Market in Tulsa discovered what an expert said was a Brazilian wandering spider in a bunch of bananas from Honduras on Sunday and managed to catch it in a container.

The spider was given to University of Tulsa animal facilities director Terry Childs, who identified the arachnid and said that type of spider is one of the most lethal in the world.

Childs said a bite will kill a person in about 25 minutes, and while there is an antidote, he doesn't know of any in the Tulsa area.

But a Tulsa Zoo official disputed the findings, saying his analysis through video and photos he'd seen led him to believe that it was a Huntsman spider — which is harmless to humans.

"There's pretty definitive evidence it has been misidentified," said Barry Downer, the zoo's curator of aquariums and herpetology.

Source

For better or worst its for work

2009-04-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

Checking your Facebook page while your boss isn't looking?

You might actually be a better employee, Australian researchers have found.

"People who do surf the Internet for fun at work — within a reasonable limit of less than 20 percent of their total time in the office — are more productive by about 9 percent than those who don't," says Dr. Brent Coker of the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne.

In fact, taking short breaks helps the mind refresh and improves concentration, says Coker.

"Firms spend millions on software to block their employees from watching videos on YouTube, using social-networking sites like Facebook or shopping online under the pretense that it costs millions in lost productivity," he notes. "However, that's not always the case."

source

Recession but still Hiring

2009-03-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

Help wanted: pharmacists, engineers and nurses. Believe it or not, even some banks are hiring, at least for their technology teams. While the recession has claimed 4.4 million jobs, the economy has created others, many of them for highly trained and specialized professionals. More than 2 million jobs openings now exist across a range of industries, according to government data.

Job seekers beware, though. An average of nearly five people are competing for each opening. That's up sharply from a ratio of less than 2-to-1 in December 2007, when the recession was just starting and nearly 4 million openings existed.

Human resources executives say companies that are hiring are benefiting from a top-notch talent pool as applications pour in from a larger base of job seekers. The number of unemployed Americans has soared, to 12.5 million last month, from 7 million when the recession began. professionals.

Broadly, jobs are being added in education, health care and the federal government, the Labor Department said, with the government adding 9,000 new jobs last month alone.

source

10 Tools for Your Blog / Site

2009-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

10. Control access to your pages with .htaccess Editor

You're working on a project you want to show a few friends, but not the whole world—and that includes Google's curious crawlies.

9. Optimize your site for iPhones and mobile browsers

You might blog about the latest Linux kernel developments, but an increasing number of the web's readers are getting their blog reads done on mobile Safari.

8. Search-optimize your site (without feeling slimy)

Whatever you do, don't do a web search for "SEO solutions," unless you like the net equivalent of getting bum-rushed by 9,000 car salesmen at once.

7. Find a clever, workable domain name

One reason so many new-fangled webapps have such crazy, vowel-deficient names is because the net seems almost completely picked over for .com addresses.

6. Use free, reusable code and media

Your site should say something about you and your interests, not your skill at creating JavaScript roll-down menus and sidebar graphics (unless you're a web developer, of course).

5. Kick back against content thieves

Few web phenomenon come close to the sight of seeing an inspired post you write near the top of a Google search—but it's on someone else's site, plagiarized completely.

4. Pay nothing for hosting with free apps

Back when "YouTube" was just a funny way of describing your television, anyone who wanted a web site pretty much had to pay for the domain name and the remote storage space to host it.

3. Write smarter blogs with Windows Live Writer

It might just be the smartest marketing move Microsoft has made in years—creating a free software tool that most any blogger the Lifehacker editors have chatted with think is just great.

2. Google Analytics Reporting Suite

This free, cross-platform Adobe Air app puts a fast-moving, attractive-looking face on the raw visitor data Google Analytics can dish out.

1. Get a reliable, affordable web host

Lifehacker reader Stephanie asked, you responded, and we compiled the feedback from more than 200 comment threads, offered up by readers who definitely don't pay a ransom for good service.

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Fail and Succeed

2009-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Don't be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid. - John Keats

For those of you who are newly laid off, I have these words of encouragement. Now that you have no job, the opportunity cost for your start-up is as cheap as it's ever going to get. As a wise man once told me, now go do it! Hack away. The life you salvage might just be your own. - Kelly Abbott

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Stay Alert

2009-02-23T07:17:00.001-08:00

Amazing but abandoned parks in Asia

2009-02-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

1. JAPAN
2. CHINA

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Lego model of Obama's inauguration

2009-02-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

View more here