Video embedded below.
Friday, January 1, 2010
'Today is a Good Day to Die' ... At Least as Far as Taxes Are Concerned
With the repeal of the estate (death) tax, today is a good day to die if you want to pass along your assets to your heirs. Personally, I would chose my parents/grandparents over their 'stuff', but when I eventually pass on I do not want the government taking a large chunk of what I leave behind.
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2010/01/jan-1-a-.html
"With the estate tax repealed as of today, the economics literature suggests that we may see a surge of deaths (or, at least, reported deaths) among the wealthy elderly"
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2010/01/jan-1-a-.html
"With the estate tax repealed as of today, the economics literature suggests that we may see a surge of deaths (or, at least, reported deaths) among the wealthy elderly"
Type-N-Walk.com
If you are constantly walking into things while typing on your phone Type-N-Walk.com could be your solution. The service uses your camera to show you what is in front of you while you are typing your message. Watch the clip and you will quickly understand.
Video embedded below.
Video embedded below.
Ancient Legend + Google Earth = Newly Discovered Impact Crater
Ancient legends are not always just made up stories by superstitious people trying to explain phenomenon beyond their current scientific comprehension. Scientists and researchers would do well to really explore them, you never know what discoveries they could lead to.
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/12/30/dreamtime-meteor-impact-found-with-google-earth-2
"Duane Hamacher a PhD student from Australia’s Macquarie University found an ancient meteor impact crater in a remote location of the Northern Territory by searching Google Earth and following clues from an ancient dreamtime legend told by the indigenous Arrernte people.
Mr Hamacher reported to the Sydney Morning Herald and other Australian newspapers that the Arrernte people’s legend about a star that fell into a waterhole called Puka in the valley where Kulaia, the serpent, lived – has led to the discovery of the ancient crater, which the research team he is part of propose to name Puka.
Guided by details of the story, Mr Hamacher searched an area about 130 km southwest of Alice Springs, in the Finke National Park on Google Earth. He found what appeared to be a bowl-shaped depression. His suspicions were confirmed when he visited the site with a team of geophysicists and astrophysicists, who found evidence that a popular tourist location in the national park called Palm Valley contains the remains of an ancient impact crater."
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/12/30/dreamtime-meteor-impact-found-with-google-earth-2
"Duane Hamacher a PhD student from Australia’s Macquarie University found an ancient meteor impact crater in a remote location of the Northern Territory by searching Google Earth and following clues from an ancient dreamtime legend told by the indigenous Arrernte people.
Mr Hamacher reported to the Sydney Morning Herald and other Australian newspapers that the Arrernte people’s legend about a star that fell into a waterhole called Puka in the valley where Kulaia, the serpent, lived – has led to the discovery of the ancient crater, which the research team he is part of propose to name Puka.
Guided by details of the story, Mr Hamacher searched an area about 130 km southwest of Alice Springs, in the Finke National Park on Google Earth. He found what appeared to be a bowl-shaped depression. His suspicions were confirmed when he visited the site with a team of geophysicists and astrophysicists, who found evidence that a popular tourist location in the national park called Palm Valley contains the remains of an ancient impact crater."
Encryption Code For 80% of Global Cell Phones Cracked
This could be very bad. Better though that the good guys know about it so they can try to fix the breach then just the bad guys exploiting the weakness.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/technology/29hack.html
"A German computer engineer said Monday that he had deciphered and published the secret code used to encrypt most of the world’s digital mobile phone calls, saying it was his attempt to expose weaknesses in the security of global wireless systems.
...
Mr. Nohl has now set his sights on G.S.M., whose second-generation digital technology is still the most widely used wireless-communications standard in the world. About 3.5 billion of the world’s 4.3 billion wireless connections use G.S.M.; it is used by about 299 million consumers in North America."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/technology/29hack.html
"A German computer engineer said Monday that he had deciphered and published the secret code used to encrypt most of the world’s digital mobile phone calls, saying it was his attempt to expose weaknesses in the security of global wireless systems.
...
Mr. Nohl has now set his sights on G.S.M., whose second-generation digital technology is still the most widely used wireless-communications standard in the world. About 3.5 billion of the world’s 4.3 billion wireless connections use G.S.M.; it is used by about 299 million consumers in North America."
Easter Egg at Google.com
Head to Google.com and click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button without inserting a search query and you will see the Easter Egg. Do it today, because it is doubtful it will still be there tomorrow. You will understand when you see it.
2010 Begins
Now that 2009 has ended it is time for my first wish for you, and similar to the one I offered at the beginning of 2009, may this decade be more interesting then the last. The Chinese may consider it a curse, but I find the alternative much more dreadful. Let me follow it up with my grandfather's favorite toast; may the best of your past be the worst of your future.
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