http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/sony-unveils-playstation-portable-successor-2513142.html
Summary:
Sony has introduced their Next Generation Portable (NGP). This is the latest handheld gaming device that is in the making and will follow up on the current succes of the PSP. The NGP comes along with motion sensors, a front- and back camera. This allows the gamers to tilt their NGP slightly in order to control their different games. One of Sony's current blockbusters Uncharted was reviewed on the new device, which is scheduled for release in December this year.
Response:
It is wonderful to see a new handheld gaming device. I am really looking forward to know about all the specifications and possibilities. It seems highly likely that this will be the new breakthrough in handheld gaming. Motion sensing is something currently only applied on the console gaming systems and is not even fully developed yet. This makes me want to find out about the capacity of these features on a handheld.
vrijdag 28 januari 2011
donderdag 27 januari 2011
Traditional Crafts Will Take Ireland out of Crisis..
Summary:
The crafts and design sector could create the Irish around 1800 extra jobs. This research was carried out on behalf of the Crafts Council. Attendees of the summit held in Dublin by this council agreed on looking into the possibillities of creating zonal clusters of crafts talents. As stated, the economic recovery will be driven by the creation of new jobs and as Ireland’s cultural international identity was formed by this sector, it seems somewhat like their responsibillity to create jobs in their sector. The Council celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The crafts and design sector could create the Irish around 1800 extra jobs. This research was carried out on behalf of the Crafts Council. Attendees of the summit held in Dublin by this council agreed on looking into the possibillities of creating zonal clusters of crafts talents. As stated, the economic recovery will be driven by the creation of new jobs and as Ireland’s cultural international identity was formed by this sector, it seems somewhat like their responsibillity to create jobs in their sector. The Council celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Response:
Although this seems like a wonderful option in creating more places to work, the Irish should really consider that crafts are somewhat of a dying art. It seems to me that it is highly unlikely that the demand for originally hand crafted items will decrease with the fade of the elderly. The ‘modern’ generation might just not be up for the task of filling in these positions on the job market and therefore this would only be a temporary solution. Perhaps this will work just about enough to give them some time to think of something else to push their economy in the right direction.
Although this seems like a wonderful option in creating more places to work, the Irish should really consider that crafts are somewhat of a dying art. It seems to me that it is highly unlikely that the demand for originally hand crafted items will decrease with the fade of the elderly. The ‘modern’ generation might just not be up for the task of filling in these positions on the job market and therefore this would only be a temporary solution. Perhaps this will work just about enough to give them some time to think of something else to push their economy in the right direction.
Less Drunk Driving in Ireland?
Summary:
Drunk driving figures fell dramatically over 2010. A drop of more than 40% was recorded. The number of people killed in an accident involving drunk driving was 212, which is an historical low since records started in 1959. Although this drop has been noticed, it has also been noticed that Garda failed to carry out a lot of tests during December. With Chirstmas and new year in that month numbers might increase drastically. Garda states that the low number of carried out breath tests was due to the bad conditions on the road caused by the extreme weather.
Response:Drunk driving figures fell dramatically over 2010. A drop of more than 40% was recorded. The number of people killed in an accident involving drunk driving was 212, which is an historical low since records started in 1959. Although this drop has been noticed, it has also been noticed that Garda failed to carry out a lot of tests during December. With Chirstmas and new year in that month numbers might increase drastically. Garda states that the low number of carried out breath tests was due to the bad conditions on the road caused by the extreme weather.
Less people were caught driving with too much alcohol in their bodies. It seems noteworthy that Garda carried out more tests than in 2009. Strange fact is that in comparison to 2009, Garda carried out less breath tests in December. It seems to me that the Irish are trying to get rid of their image as being ridiculous drunks. With these facts presented it seems highly unlikely that the decrease is this big, although a small drop of the numbers might still occur. Hopefully Garda will carry out more tests in December 2011 as this will result in a more representative approach of the figures.
woensdag 19 januari 2011
Ryanair Looking to Exclude Passengers
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ryanair-to-turn-away-passengers-who-dont-print-pass-2501838.html
Summary:
Ryanair is looking to refuse passengers who have failed to print their own boarding pass. After being rejected to charge 40€, as a penalty fee, from those who had not printed out their boarding pass. Ryanair is looking to appeal against the Spanish court's decision. As they find this decision bizar and unlawful. Ryainair states that they will refuse the passengers that do not have their passes with them and they feel they are not entitled to find a suitable replacement flight for them.
Reaction:
This gives us one more good reason not to fly with Ryanair. Although people should take care of their own stuff, it seems largely disappointing that Ryanair feels this way. They are always stated to be one of the cheapest airlines, but there are always unexpected circumstances in which you will need to pay more for your flight. I think that Ryanair are just a bunch of fraudes. Please boycot this weird airline.
Summary:
Ryanair is looking to refuse passengers who have failed to print their own boarding pass. After being rejected to charge 40€, as a penalty fee, from those who had not printed out their boarding pass. Ryanair is looking to appeal against the Spanish court's decision. As they find this decision bizar and unlawful. Ryainair states that they will refuse the passengers that do not have their passes with them and they feel they are not entitled to find a suitable replacement flight for them.
Reaction:
This gives us one more good reason not to fly with Ryanair. Although people should take care of their own stuff, it seems largely disappointing that Ryanair feels this way. They are always stated to be one of the cheapest airlines, but there are always unexpected circumstances in which you will need to pay more for your flight. I think that Ryanair are just a bunch of fraudes. Please boycot this weird airline.
dinsdag 18 januari 2011
The Lesson on One Liners
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/jan/17/tim-vine-one-liners
Tim Vine, stand-up comedian hsa just released a book which teaches the secrets of catchy one liners. They are the ones that stand out from the crowd of mediocre comedians that will have to rely on everyday jokes. Vine writes about fifteen new one liners everyday. He states that the jokes do not have to be particularly good, but have to turn things upside down. One liners are generally working for comedians that do not want to give themselves away. A lot of the time they cannot fill the entire show with one liners as the crowd will start to fall asleep. A good variation in the show seems required.
Reaction:
One liner comedy is usually way better than other comedy. This mainly feels this way for me as I often dislike the topics discussed by 'regular' comedians. It seems noteworthy that too many one liners will get one bored after a while, but so does an entire show filled with jokes about sex/drugs, cultural differences and social problems do they not?
Tim Vine, stand-up comedian hsa just released a book which teaches the secrets of catchy one liners. They are the ones that stand out from the crowd of mediocre comedians that will have to rely on everyday jokes. Vine writes about fifteen new one liners everyday. He states that the jokes do not have to be particularly good, but have to turn things upside down. One liners are generally working for comedians that do not want to give themselves away. A lot of the time they cannot fill the entire show with one liners as the crowd will start to fall asleep. A good variation in the show seems required.
Reaction:
One liner comedy is usually way better than other comedy. This mainly feels this way for me as I often dislike the topics discussed by 'regular' comedians. It seems noteworthy that too many one liners will get one bored after a while, but so does an entire show filled with jokes about sex/drugs, cultural differences and social problems do they not?
Apple Boss Steps aside Due to Health Reasons
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jan/17/apple-steve-jobs-medical-leave
Summary:
Apple bos Steve Jobs is to step aside so he can take care of himself. After 'surviving' pancreatic cancer he wants to focus on his health. He sent an email to all Apple employees stating that he will remain CEO of the company, but will not be able to do the day to day running of the company. This will be taken care of by Tim Cook. This decision is a mirror reflection of the situation at Apple during 2009. Cook took over the day to day running from Jobs back then as well, because Jobs had to step aside due to medical reasons as well. Jobs absence lasted six months then.
Reflection:
It is great that someone can survive some forms of pancreatic cancer, but it seems inevitable that Jobs will always have to take into consideration that he will not be the same as he used to be. All the treatments that one gets when being treated for cancer are attacks on the human body. Looking at the size of Apple ,and the money Jobs must have due to that, it might be a good idea for Steve Jobs to retire sooner than later so he can enjoy his retirement for somewhat longer.
Summary:
Apple bos Steve Jobs is to step aside so he can take care of himself. After 'surviving' pancreatic cancer he wants to focus on his health. He sent an email to all Apple employees stating that he will remain CEO of the company, but will not be able to do the day to day running of the company. This will be taken care of by Tim Cook. This decision is a mirror reflection of the situation at Apple during 2009. Cook took over the day to day running from Jobs back then as well, because Jobs had to step aside due to medical reasons as well. Jobs absence lasted six months then.
Reflection:
It is great that someone can survive some forms of pancreatic cancer, but it seems inevitable that Jobs will always have to take into consideration that he will not be the same as he used to be. All the treatments that one gets when being treated for cancer are attacks on the human body. Looking at the size of Apple ,and the money Jobs must have due to that, it might be a good idea for Steve Jobs to retire sooner than later so he can enjoy his retirement for somewhat longer.
maandag 3 januari 2011
Big Brother is Watching You!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/03/police-record-people-reporting-crimes
"Speaker's Corner Article!"
Summary:
The UK police force has been storing information about people who called them to report a crime. This information has been very detailed, sometimes even ethnicity was a factor of importance to the force as well. Records seem to go back for the past twelve years and Britain's second largest force holds more than 1.5 million pieces of information. Daniel Hamilton, of the pressure group Big Brother Watch, said: "For the police to log this kind of information is not just wrong – it's dangerous. This seems to be the case as everyone can access this kind of information. People can not report crimes whilst staying anonymous.
Reaction:
To me this is a very double sided issue. On the one hand this seems to be very wrong as people could easily be the target of violence if anyone could just access this database, but it seems that this kind of information storage could be handy to see the importance of a case. At times people may just pull pranks on the force and that way the force could see whether it is an important issue or not. Obviously this is not a bulletproof system, but there are moments that such a database could come in handy. They have to make it unaccessible to 'outsiders' though.
"Speaker's Corner Article!"
Summary:
The UK police force has been storing information about people who called them to report a crime. This information has been very detailed, sometimes even ethnicity was a factor of importance to the force as well. Records seem to go back for the past twelve years and Britain's second largest force holds more than 1.5 million pieces of information. Daniel Hamilton, of the pressure group Big Brother Watch, said: "For the police to log this kind of information is not just wrong – it's dangerous. This seems to be the case as everyone can access this kind of information. People can not report crimes whilst staying anonymous.
Reaction:
To me this is a very double sided issue. On the one hand this seems to be very wrong as people could easily be the target of violence if anyone could just access this database, but it seems that this kind of information storage could be handy to see the importance of a case. At times people may just pull pranks on the force and that way the force could see whether it is an important issue or not. Obviously this is not a bulletproof system, but there are moments that such a database could come in handy. They have to make it unaccessible to 'outsiders' though.
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