09Feb Lost Season 2 Intro
The brilliant intro to the Second Season of Lost. Stars Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond. The song is Make Your Own Kind Of Music by Mama Cass Elliot. Clip belongs to ABC, no copyright infringement intended.
09Feb Wii Play Shooting Range 902 PAL world record
I finally did it: I got the world record with more than 900 points! ! the 2 guns glitch only works in NTSC,so that´s still a single gun world record.Allthough i missed in round 3, i only lost few points there.
09Feb Kathy Mattea to sing at ‘I Love Mountains’ rally
Kathy Mattea to sing at ‘I Love Mountains’ rally
FRANKFORT – Grammy-winning country music singer Kathy Mattea is scheduled to appear at the “I Love Mountains Rally” on the front steps of the Capitol Thursday.
Read more on Lexington Herald-Leader
09Feb Apple to Remain ‘Nimble’ on iPad Pricing
Apple to Remain ‘Nimble’ on iPad Pricing
Apple could cut iPad prices if the device isn’t selling well, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Read more on PC World via Yahoo! News
09Feb General consumers unimpressed with Apple iPad
General consumers unimpressed with Apple iPad
If you listen to the geek crowd (guilty!), Apple’s iPad is a rank disappointment . Pilloried on online forums and blogs since the day it was announced, the iPad has been criticized — right or wrong — as little more than a big iPod Touch, a gadget which won’t do anything that your current gear won’t already do and which is far less portable than its predecessors. But it would be foolish to draw …
Read more on Yahoo! Tech Advisors
09Feb The List Gets Bigger – Mediafly Podcast Channel on Roku Digital Media Player
Roku sure doesn’t like to stop…this time; Roku adds Mediafly podcast service onto its list of media service providers. A sensational entry, watch mind-boggling Internet shows directly on TV. Roku player [also called the Netflix Player by Roku] with Mediafly makes available what no previous device could do. No false promises, no screaming from rooftops…Roku player makes video and audio podcasts come alive on HDTV, and with a rate of just $99 and no subscriptions or payments for Mediafly use. Now, what a vouch!
What’s the deal like?
NBC, ESPN, CNN, Comedy Central and a fantastic lineup of many other shows on just about any topic. This collaboration is going to rock the boat! Guess what the other advantage is? Unlike cable TV or even satellite, Mediafly channels in Roku come absolutely free. Mediafly has streamlined access to the most popular 500 shows across 20 topics. With Mediafly, customers will not even have to go through any bizarre account or subscriptions processes.
With Roku and Mediafly coming together, users are given the liberty to create personal channels by linking Roku to a free Mediafly account. Add another interesting thing here – can also link other devices such as iPhone or BlackBerry to experience the same Mediafly channels seen on Roku.
Audio and video podcasts are also seen on others, but would users like to spend a whopping sum on them? Roku’s strength [that out of many] is it’s really low price offered to customers with a strict No compromise on quality!
First of 10
Catch the collaboration of Mediafly channels with Roku, fall of 2009. By the way, Mediafly is just the first of 10 new channels that the Roku Company has promised to offer by the end of 2009.
09Feb BFG Tech NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 OC 1 GB GDDR3
- Overclocked out of the box to deliver a free performance boost over standard models
- Full Microsoft DirectX 10, Shader Model 4.0 and PCI Express 2.0 support
- 24/7/365 Free Tech Support and Lifetime Warranty
- Display Connectors: 2 Dual-Link DVI-I, HDTV + TV Out
- HDCP Capable, HDMI Capable with Adapter Kit (Sold Separately)
Product Description
Backed by free 24/7/365 world-class tech support and the best lifetime warranty in the industry, the BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC graphics card is overclocked out-of-the-box, built from the ground up for amazing next-gen gaming performance¿and a whole lot more. In addition to ripping through DirectX 10 games at blazing fast frame rates and enabling realistic physical motion and massively destructible environments with NVIDIA¿s new PhysX technology, the BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC graphics card gives your system the power of up to 240 multi¿threaded processor cores, offloading the most intensive processing tasks from your CPU to your Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Whether gaming, transcoding HD videos, or running Folding@home in the background while surfing the web, the BFG GeForce GTX 280 graphics card delivers performance improvements of up to 7x your traditional CPU, enabling truly endless computing possibilities.
BFG Tech NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 OC 1 GB GDDR3
09Feb Hard Carrying Case and Tripod for Flip UltraHD Camcorder White
- Non-OEM Case Fit Flip UltraHD Camcorder White
- Hard Shell Case to Protect your Camera. (Camera NOT Included)
- Stylish Design with Practical Functionality. Interior Pocket for Memory Card.
- Velcro Retaining Strap. Removable Carabiner. 4.5-Inch Mini Spider Tripod.
- x1 Hard Shell Case x1 Spider Tripod x1 Young Micro Live Green Wristband
Product Description
1 Year Warranty. Case Dimension: 4.98 x 3.3 x 1.88 Inch
Hard Carrying Case and Tripod for Flip UltraHD Camcorder White
09Feb Interview with Dr Mamkina, managing director Nexus-Europe GmbH
International Business Focus today speaks with Dr. Svetlana Mamkina. At just 28 years of age Dr. Mamkina has already earned a doctorate in mathematics and regularly participates in mathematic conferences where she shares concepts and ideas with the field’s brightest minds, including Nobel Prize winners like Dr. John Nash and others. She has founded and manages two companies in Russia and Germany, and this is the focus of our interest today. Let’s meet Nexus-Europe GmbH founder and managing director Dr. Svetlana Mamkina.
IBF: With a PhD in mathematics, a lot of people would be surprised at your career choice.
SM: There are multiple examples where people get their education in one field and work in another. I have a strong belief that mathematics just opens a persons mind and allows to think in a non-standard way. It forms a special vision and at the same time allows one to estimate the risks. Especially taking into consideration that the specialization of my PhD is “Game Theory.” We have a saying in Russia: “talented person is talented in everything.” Moreover, not many people know that I also spent six years to get my Master Degree in economics, with a focus on management and investment, and this combination allows me not only to see the opportunity but estimate the risks. Moreover, I still participate in the leading conferences to continue training my brains. So it is not really correct to say that I stopped my scientific career 100%. It is a part of my working process each and every day.
IBF: On the subject of your education, you had a unique opportunity to study with someone rather special. Tell me about that.
SM: I was lucky to make my PhD under the supervision of one of the best specialists in the field, professor Levon Petrosjan, who is now the president of the International Game Theory Society. During many years I had an example in professor Petrosjan not only a talented scientist, but a perfect manager, fast and unique brains, vision and combination of strategist. Even though I finished university and got my PhD we are closely in touch with Levon and he is a consultant in many questions where his wisdom is required. I hope this type of relationship we can keep for a very long time.
IBF: How did you become interested in the field of trade exhibitions?
SM: It appealed to my economic side. The idea of people introducing products and services goes back hundreds of years to the ancient bazaars and the Silk Road for example. Technology has improved, but the basic concept remains the same. I liked the opportunity exhibitions provided to market and communicate ideas.
IBF: When did you start your business, and why did you decide to make your own business rather than go to work for an existing organizer?
SM: I felt there was something missing in what some of the other companies were providing. I had ideas to improve services to exhibitors and so I launched Nexus six years ago to do just that.
IBF: What were your goals when you began your business?
SM: Exhibitions are a marvelous opportunity for companies to expand their business internationally. My goal was to see that they had access to the quality of services that would maximize this opportunity for them.
IBF: How has your business changed since its beginning?
SM: Over the years we have become very involved with market research and strategy making for our clients. This has greatly improved efficiency in entering new markets and being successful in them.
IBF: You have an office in Germany also. Why did you decide to expand your business into Germany?
SM: So many of our customers were based in Germany that we expanded to better serve them. We have since acquired a lot of new customers from other Western European countries, and to be more centrally located has been beneficial for them as well. It was a good move for us.
IBF: Do you find it difficult to work with so many different nationalities?
SM: Not really. Each has a different character, and priorities, but we know this from experience. For example, Helmut Schmidt was German Chancellor decades ago. But his books, his words, have a relevance to Germans today. It’s a way of seeing the world, and of Germany’s place in it. We know this. We have to know this to create strategies that will fit their comfort of character. It is different than the Italian or French or British character. Interesting story: while at a mathematical conference I wanted to have a book signed for Helmut. He is a scholar and I knew would appreciate the level of the signers. Dr. Nash signed the book, and so many of the other doctors and professors. Words of respect. Helmut really enjoyed receiving this book and reading these greetings. I think he was touched by it.
IBF: I heard that you are considering to work on the Conexpo Russia 2010 show. What will you do for that show?
SM: It was being considered, but I have chosen not to work on this show.
IBF: What made you change your mind?
SM: There was a lack of timely decision making on the part of the American organizer. It was wasteful of my time, and of course I would have to expect more of the same as we proceeded.
IBF: Why did the first Conexpo Russia show do so poorly?
SM: Well, the American organizer said it best. She told they did not fill exhibitor orders on time, or at all in some cases, and it made them look very bad to exhibitors. She noted they received several complaints from exhibitors, but tries to pass the blame to the venue. It is always easiest to put responsibility onto others, but the venue and organizers are no different than the rest of us. It was the job of everyone to make reasonable and favorable deals. It was also the job of the American organizer. This was their work. You don’t blame the house because the sofa has only three legs. Anyway, she thought the show was not well planned. I won’t comment on how they planned the first show, but the planning of this show has not been good. They had a date and venue and were selling space, then canceled them both. They set a new date and venue and now have again lost the venue. In fact, they were asking me how to promote the show without a venue! They don’t know what to do, don’t know how to work with the Russian side, and have no representation in Europe. This is what they came to for. I know full well how I would have planned and operated the 2010 show. It would have been drastically different. They are trying to compete with a well established show in the same field. Obviously it is not enough simply to be a little cheaper.
IBF: How would you have improved the show?
SM: Well, my staff and myself have prepared a good plan, but that information now stays with us.
IBF: What projects are you currently involved in?
SM: Better to ask what we’re not involved in. We are working now in Canada, the US and in Europe with both private companies and official departments. Details I cannot give without client approval.
IBF: What are your plans for the future of your business?
SM: The future is already here. We are providing all of the tools to bring foreign companies to Russia: market research, analysis and strategy planning; promotion and exhibition; certification of products; channels of distribution; manufacturing solutions; consultation and advice, and so on. If a customer wants to bring products into the Russian market, or build a factory in Russia, or hire a work force in Russia, we guide that customer every step of the way. We protect their interests, and advise them to make and get the best deals at every stage. Our customers receive full service before, during, and after the process.
IBF: With the global financial climate what it is now, is it wisest for businesses to just wait for things to improve before becoming active again?
SM: It is hard timing for many companies, not only in USA and Europe, but also in Russia. From the other hand the crisis gives opportunities for those who have some vision, skills and are not afraid to take a reasonable risk. I’ll give you an example: Donald Trump, the American business magnate and developer, who in the hardest conditions made his brilliant first deal. In 1974 New York City was nearly bankrupt and could not fulfill its obligations. The hotels were almost empty. Properties were mortgaged. Most people considered that the best strategy was to put any projects on ice and await some changes. Donald Trump decided that it was a period that provided perfect opportunity. He acquired rights to develop the old Penn Central yards on the West Side. Then, aided by a 40-year tax abatement which New York City was eager to give in exchange for investment, he turned the bankrupt Commodore Hotel into a new Grand Hyatt. He was just 27, but vision has no age limits. Trump always assembled a team of absolute professional experts, lawyers and financiers. And it is also the policy of Nexus-Europe. Education, experience and professionalism of our staff and consultants give us the tools to see non-standard approaches and find opportunities for our customers. Crisis makes difficult timing, but also gives a lot of opportunities. There is potential in Russia that you won’t find in the US or even Europe now. We open people’s eyes to this and provide all of the tools which allow them to get maximum advantage while minimizing the risk by using our staff of professional experts.
IBF: Thank you, Dr. Mamkina, for your time today. We wish you continued success.
SM: My pleasure.
One in an occasional series. International Business Focus spotlights entrepreneurs and business leaders.
09Feb CES Gadgets: Google Nexus One
Google showed off the features of its new Nexus One mobile phone at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Some analysts say it could challenge Apple iphone’s market domination. (Jan. 7)
