By: Brittany Gropp
THE POPULAR ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE, EBAY, TOOK A DOWNFALL THIS MONDAY . THE COMPANY WAS FINED 1.7 MILLION EUROS BY THE COMMERCIAL COURT OF PARIS FOR NOT OBEYING A JUNE COURT ORDER.
THE FINE STEMS FROM 1 OF 3 LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY LVHM TO EBAY. LVHM BEST KNOWN FOR CONTROLLING HIGH END FASHION BRANDS LIKE LOUIS VUITTON AND CHRISTIAN DIOR.
LVHM IS ACCUSING EBAY OF UNLAWFUL SALE OF THEIR PERFUME PRODUCTS, AND AS MARKETING OFF COUNTERFEIT ITEMS.
LAST JUNE, EBAY WAS ORDERED TO PAY 3 MILLION EUROS FOR ITS VIOLATION OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AGREEMENTS. THAT FINE WAS PLACED ON TOP OF THE 33.5 MILLION EUROS THEY WERE ALSO CHARGED WITH FOR COUNTERFEIT SALES.
IN ADDITION, EBAY WAS ORDERED TO STOP SALES OF GENUINE PERFUMES TO FRENCH BUYERS AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ISSUED A 50,000 EURO FINE PER DAY FOR EVERY TIME ONE OF THE PRODUCTS WAS FOUND ON A FRENCH CONSUMER SITE.
THE 1.7 MILLION EURO FINE ORDERED MONDAY IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS ORDER.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Littman Stethoscope Named Best 2009 Invention
By: Laura Jensen
THE POPULAR MAGAZINE AND ONLINE WEBSITE, POPULAR SCIENCE HAS JUST NAMED THEIR TOP INNOVATIONS OF THE YEAR WITH THEIR “BEST OF WHAT’S NEW 2009” AWARDS. AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WAS A STETHESCOPE, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CLOSE TO 200 YEARS, BUT HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW TWIST.
THE INVENTION OF THE LITTMAN ELECTROINC STEHOSCOPE NOT ONLY LISTENS TO PATIENTS HEARTBEATS, BUT IS NOW ABLE TO SEND THE SOUNDS OF THE BEAT TO A CARDIOSCANNING MACHINE TO DETECT HEART ABNOMALITIES.
BEFORE, EVEN TOP PHYSCIANS HAD TROUBLE DETETING HEART ABNORMATLITIES BY JUST SOUND ALONE. BUT THE NEW STETHOSCOPE CAN EASILY DETECT HOLES IN THE HEART, INTERRUPTED BLOOD FLOW, LEAKS IN HEART VALVES AND MUCH MORE.
THE NEW INVENTION IS SOMETHING MANY PHYSICIAN OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EMBRACING SINCE IT ELIMATES THE GUESSING STAGES OF HEART CONDITIONS AND FINDS THEM QUICKER AND EASIER THAN EVER BEFORE.
THE POPULAR MAGAZINE AND ONLINE WEBSITE, POPULAR SCIENCE HAS JUST NAMED THEIR TOP INNOVATIONS OF THE YEAR WITH THEIR “BEST OF WHAT’S NEW 2009” AWARDS. AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WAS A STETHESCOPE, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CLOSE TO 200 YEARS, BUT HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW TWIST.
THE INVENTION OF THE LITTMAN ELECTROINC STEHOSCOPE NOT ONLY LISTENS TO PATIENTS HEARTBEATS, BUT IS NOW ABLE TO SEND THE SOUNDS OF THE BEAT TO A CARDIOSCANNING MACHINE TO DETECT HEART ABNOMALITIES.
BEFORE, EVEN TOP PHYSCIANS HAD TROUBLE DETETING HEART ABNORMATLITIES BY JUST SOUND ALONE. BUT THE NEW STETHOSCOPE CAN EASILY DETECT HOLES IN THE HEART, INTERRUPTED BLOOD FLOW, LEAKS IN HEART VALVES AND MUCH MORE.
THE NEW INVENTION IS SOMETHING MANY PHYSICIAN OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EMBRACING SINCE IT ELIMATES THE GUESSING STAGES OF HEART CONDITIONS AND FINDS THEM QUICKER AND EASIER THAN EVER BEFORE.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
First Ever Transition Contact Lenses
The Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology has recently invented special transition contact lenses. These special contact lenses will allow consumers everywhere to enjoy both their protection from the outside sun, while also still keeping in their everyday much needed contact prescriptions all in one.
The Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) in Singapore created these first ever transition contacts, easing all of these switching and complicated changing transitions.
For years now, transition glasses have existed that darken in bright light, thus to act similar to a pair of sunglasses. Though IBN is truly responsible for the first ever transition contacts that far pass what transition glasses could once do.
The transition lenses change and darken in bright light. The lenses are able to adapt due to special photochromic dyes that change shape when exposed to sunlight.
Say goodbye to the days of switching between two different pairs of glasses, or even the complicated switch between the permanent eye contact lenses and a much needed pair of sunglasses the second you step outside.
Though this without a doubt is a very neat invention, since IBN it makes life a whole lot easier, it on the other hand makes life a whole lot less fashionable. As Americans, we really do love our sunglasses and the flashy, unique, and fashion forward- or complete fashion reverse in some cases- they bring us.
It will be interesting to see how many individuals make the switch to these transition contact lenses or instead remain old school and stick to the regular routine switch of contact lenses and sunglasses.
The Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) in Singapore created these first ever transition contacts, easing all of these switching and complicated changing transitions.
For years now, transition glasses have existed that darken in bright light, thus to act similar to a pair of sunglasses. Though IBN is truly responsible for the first ever transition contacts that far pass what transition glasses could once do.
The transition lenses change and darken in bright light. The lenses are able to adapt due to special photochromic dyes that change shape when exposed to sunlight.
Say goodbye to the days of switching between two different pairs of glasses, or even the complicated switch between the permanent eye contact lenses and a much needed pair of sunglasses the second you step outside.
Though this without a doubt is a very neat invention, since IBN it makes life a whole lot easier, it on the other hand makes life a whole lot less fashionable. As Americans, we really do love our sunglasses and the flashy, unique, and fashion forward- or complete fashion reverse in some cases- they bring us.
It will be interesting to see how many individuals make the switch to these transition contact lenses or instead remain old school and stick to the regular routine switch of contact lenses and sunglasses.
In the Butt Monthly Shots
Birth Control. It’s without a doubt an important thing to consider in any wise partner relationship. Though in most circumstances, a lot of the pressure relies on the woman to produce it. That is until now.
When it comes to contraception, women definitely have their wide spread pick of different techniques, prescriptions, and even cheap pharmacy purchases. All these ways to pump the crazy amount of excess hormones come in the form of pills, patches, shots, a ring, or surgical implantation. And until now, the only options men had to turn to were condoms, and at rare times, vasectomy surgery.
For years now, there have been up and coming techniques and ideas thrown about for how males can start to do their part in the contraceptive sharing. Yet not too many of them had success. However a new study and new drug has had great effects so far! Could this be the answer we’ve all been looking for?
In this recent large scale clinical trial, if men are willing to put up with the once a month injection, it successfully put their sperm on hold. With such a great and low failure rate of only 1.1 in 100 couples, it is comparable and possibly even on the track to produce better success rates than current most popular form of contraception- the condom.
Now, the question is, how many men are really willing to put up with these “in the butt” monthly shots? Scientists hope the answer is many.
When it comes to contraception, women definitely have their wide spread pick of different techniques, prescriptions, and even cheap pharmacy purchases. All these ways to pump the crazy amount of excess hormones come in the form of pills, patches, shots, a ring, or surgical implantation. And until now, the only options men had to turn to were condoms, and at rare times, vasectomy surgery.
For years now, there have been up and coming techniques and ideas thrown about for how males can start to do their part in the contraceptive sharing. Yet not too many of them had success. However a new study and new drug has had great effects so far! Could this be the answer we’ve all been looking for?
In this recent large scale clinical trial, if men are willing to put up with the once a month injection, it successfully put their sperm on hold. With such a great and low failure rate of only 1.1 in 100 couples, it is comparable and possibly even on the track to produce better success rates than current most popular form of contraception- the condom.
Now, the question is, how many men are really willing to put up with these “in the butt” monthly shots? Scientists hope the answer is many.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wifi Signals Now Detect Your Neighbors
New discoveries show that wifi signals can produce more than just a successful high speed internet signal. They are now able to produce signals showing room occupancies.
Scientists say this new discovery, of being able to tell if a room is occupied by a person during a given time, is possible due to radio waves transmitted through the wifi signal.
Researchers at the University of Utah made this discovery recently, and hope to continue with their progress. So far, the team is only able to detect and see through a maximum of three-feet of wall depth. And as far as “people watching” goes, they are only able to detect through-the-wall neighbors when sensory motion occurs. These motions then activate the radio waves, which activate the signals.
But unfortunately, nothing as detailed as say an actual picture of the neighbor can be generated… not yet.
Scientists say this new discovery, of being able to tell if a room is occupied by a person during a given time, is possible due to radio waves transmitted through the wifi signal.
Researchers at the University of Utah made this discovery recently, and hope to continue with their progress. So far, the team is only able to detect and see through a maximum of three-feet of wall depth. And as far as “people watching” goes, they are only able to detect through-the-wall neighbors when sensory motion occurs. These motions then activate the radio waves, which activate the signals.
But unfortunately, nothing as detailed as say an actual picture of the neighbor can be generated… not yet.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Robot Car Companion
With all the new technologies being built into cars now a days, including power steering and an email setting to tell you when your oil is low, it’s a crazy to think that there is possibly any other car devices left to be created. One of the only possible exceptions being a responsive human-like friend to sit in the front seat with you.
That is until now. Researchers at MIT and Audi have now created what they are calling: The Affective Intelligent Driving Agent in order to fix that exact exception.
MIT and Audi have created a new device that can actually communicate with the driver, much like a companion in the front seat. Though, this new talkative friend can conveniently fit right on top of the dashboard. n
AIDA is currently being further developed even further to read drivers' moods via their facial expressions and body language. Researchers hope that the device will then be able to respond to the expressions and signs along the lines of proper and acceptable social contexts. Examples of such human-like responses from this AIDA robot includes: communicating back with a smile, the blink of an eye, and even the drooping of its head.
Real Life Noisemaking Baby Dolls For Sale
On November 10th, Nintendo releases its new Wii controller and game combo: a crying, screaming, life-like baby.
As if the new teen pregnancy shows popping up all over popular cable TV channels and interactive baby dolls that pee and eat fake plastic foods weren’t enough.
Nintendo’s new Wii controller, also known as the wiimote-powered doll, is titled “Baby and Me.” As if the idea and toy title isn’t creepy enough, there is also writing on the box with the throw in advertised comment, “bring your baby to life with your wii remote.”
The wii-mote works by connection to the plastic doll’s gapped back. Once connected anyone within a 30-feet radius will be able to hear it’s robotic and programmed laughs, gurgles and cries through its tiny baby speaker.
In addition to the natural− or un-natural programmed sounds, however you wish to think of it− “Baby and Me” also offers games. Now young toddlers and elementary-school-aged kids will be able to feel like real mom’s more than ever not only through the games and activities that include feeding the baby, hugging it and playing kid-like games, but now there is even a program for television simulation. the simulation will allow for the young moms-to-be to see themselves rocking a virtual baby on the screen.
What happened to the good old days where a cheap, plastic, blond Barbie was enough to satisfy kid's minds and happiness?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Hardwire Film Leaked FOR A GOOD REASON!
Sorry for anyone who watched this.. i had to turn it off after 20 mins... horrible movie!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Hardwire Film Leaked!
To anyone like me, who loves a good movie, I noticed today that the film Hardwire is on IceFilms.info After watching the trailer on youtube I thought it would be worth watching, it looks pretty interesting.
Just some background information about www.IceFilms.info, I ran into this site last year, most notably when the unfinished xMen movie was leaked, and there quality and content is top notch. I would also recommend using Ovguide.com if your ever searching for movies online.
Just some background information about www.IceFilms.info, I ran into this site last year, most notably when the unfinished xMen movie was leaked, and there quality and content is top notch. I would also recommend using Ovguide.com if your ever searching for movies online.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
SubCycle.org Interview
Folks! I have made contact with Christian Bannister from SubCycle.org , I would like our readers to submit any questions they have as comments on this blog. Look for our interview soon!
multi-touch the storm - interactive sound visuals - subcycle labs from christian bannister on Vimeo.
Monday, October 5, 2009
6 Easy Steps to Stay Safe on Facebook
It is no secret that Facebook is the dominating social-networking site in the United States. This becomes especially apparent when even the President warns children about what they post and say on Facebook. Today, more than 30% of employers are using facebook as a reference for future employees. Kind of like a picture resume. So what is the best way to regulate your Facebook page? Because we all know that deleting it is not an option...
Step 1: Make friend lists
Categorize your friends, colleagues, family and whomever else you know so you can control who sees certain sections of your profile. The nice thing about these lists is that once they are set, you won’t have to do it again. You can do this under the privacy settings and then by clicking profile.
Step 2: Who can see what on your profile
Your privacy settings are very important. Having a public profile means that every person, friend or not, can see every tagged picture, video and wall posts. Secure this by clicking “only friends” or choose a certain friend list that you made in step 1.
Step 3: Who can see your address and phone number
This seems so obvious but people still have their personal information displayed to the public. Control this by limiting who can view your contact section or even taking out your contact information if you want to ensure safety.
Step 6: Untag yourself!
Had a rough night and someone just happened to capture a picture of it? The best way to avoid unwanted pictures of yourself is to tell the person or friend not to post it in the first place. But if they do anyway, be sure to untag yourself so future employers are not reliving the night with you! It is a simple task that many people overlook. Simply click "remove tag" where your name is located under the picture.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Macs at Math Empo automatically download music from Pandora!!
Yea! Wow!
I am more than excited to share my experience at the Math Emporium with you! Today while studying for my Rhetoric Tradition exam which is tomorrow, I did what a lot of you may do and that is listen to music.
Listening to music for me has always been a pain, First I am not very good at finding good music nor very good at finding new music, Second: I like the iPod, but uploading music to it was a pain, I'm not a big fan of iTunes... I know.. I know its not that hard but the less steps I have to take the better.
Did I mention I am not very good at finding new/good music? That's why I use Pandora.com . Basically Pandora.com is a website that plays steaming music to your computer, but it only plays music you like, so if you like Mrs.Officer by Lil Wayne Pandora will only play music that is similar.
In all honesty I was surprised by how well Pandora was able to select music I liked, I liked almost everything it played. Also a feature I find especially useful when I have company over, s that Pandora will automatically play the next song on the list. SO, you can start Pandora and leave it alone and it automatically plays music, NICE, no more searching for songs in my library.
ANYWAYS! Today while in the Math Emporium I was listening to Pandora when I noticed on the right that Real Player (an application) had a number on its icon. So I click on it and what do ya know, It automatically was downloading Pandora's music files (as FLV)!!!
THIS WAS GREAT! At home, on my windows machine, I had been using Orbit, a streaming downloader application, which requires a couple more steps to actually download the song.
Note: If you use Orbit to download streaming music from pandora, the files will be in MOV format not FLV, and at least for me the extension was not added onto the files.. FYI: I was trying to convert my "unknown" filetype to mp3 or wav so that I could burn my songs onto a Audio CD.
-Aaron
Screen Captures:
Monday, September 21, 2009
DX Express Make Over - A welcome change
Although this post is not technology related, I believe any pro-active change is worth noting.
As long as your not a freshman you might have noticed DX Express got quite the make over, a change I welcome with open arms. For anyone who has visited DX express this year will notice the sleek design of the New DX Express.
For starters the area where students debate which food is going to fill their tummy has expanded... well maybe not expanded but the equipment in this area has been moved around, if not completely removed, allowing more room for people like me, no I'm not fat, I just can never make up my mind. So now there is more room so what? Well besides the rearrangement, that area is clean and modern looking.
Not only has the food purchasing area undergone a change, the area where hungry students eat has been completely overhauled. This area also makes use of friendly, efficient seating unlike the old area, that left little room for people to sit and enjoy their meal.
Kudos to you DX Express for taking an eye sore and turning it into eye candy! And for the 32"+ Lcd Tv's!
As long as your not a freshman you might have noticed DX Express got quite the make over, a change I welcome with open arms. For anyone who has visited DX express this year will notice the sleek design of the New DX Express.
For starters the area where students debate which food is going to fill their tummy has expanded... well maybe not expanded but the equipment in this area has been moved around, if not completely removed, allowing more room for people like me, no I'm not fat, I just can never make up my mind. So now there is more room so what? Well besides the rearrangement, that area is clean and modern looking.
Not only has the food purchasing area undergone a change, the area where hungry students eat has been completely overhauled. This area also makes use of friendly, efficient seating unlike the old area, that left little room for people to sit and enjoy their meal.Kudos to you DX Express for taking an eye sore and turning it into eye candy! And for the 32"+ Lcd Tv's!
Macs not living up to their name!
Are Mac's really as great as they claim?
The short answer is no, although I already have preference for a well rounded PC over a mac, I can say with confidence Macs aren't as great as they should be, at least for the price, and the claims you see on TV.
In the last month I have had more problems with Mac's than I have my whole life. First my friend Kathleen with a Mac Book Pro, could not get past an error screen demanding she restart. In a effort to help her, I opened up the Mac to get to the hard drive, which is not an easy task considering most PC laptop Hard drives are only a screw away.
After spending a good hour plus getting to the Mac's hard drive, I still could not access the file system without more headache and at this point I had to much work to go on.
Second, my roommate Harley had an "expanding battery" problem.. say what?!?!?!
Yes the battery in his Mac Book Pro had some how expanded, and because this is not a good thing he removed his battery and waiting on a replacement. Meanwhile Harley is running his Mac on AC power without the battery. No problem right? WRONG! Because of some BS (at least in my opinion) he is running on only one processor apparently because the AC adapter might/cant support the power consumption of both processors.
WHOA! Never had an expanding battery problem on a PC.
Third and Fourth, when writing data to a DVD I am given no option to continue writing on the disc after burning or finalize the disc. What this means is that after burning 1gb worth of data on a 4+ GB blank DVD you may not add more. Way to waste 3gb+ of free space Mr.Mac. Not only are the options limited when burning, I cant prevent the "verifying process" which doubles the time it takes to "complete" the task. SO.... if your like me you cancel the verifying process... which then freezes the drive and you cant get the flipping disc out. Great... now I have to restart. Way to go MAC!
In the end macs are still a decent computer, especially if your like the majority of people who use their computer for just a few things like checking e-mail, browsing the web, writing documents, and listening to music. BUT! If your doing little more than the basic things like listed above why... WHY spend $1000 to $2000 George Washington's on a laptop, when a PC for under $600 could do all the same basic things perfectly fine?
-Aaron Bitler
Information & Links
Mac Book Expanding Battery
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aclgdTlCyXs
http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/bloated-17-inch-macbook-pro-battery-part-4/
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2006/06/4357.ars
Laptop for under $700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220385
The short answer is no, although I already have preference for a well rounded PC over a mac, I can say with confidence Macs aren't as great as they should be, at least for the price, and the claims you see on TV.
In the last month I have had more problems with Mac's than I have my whole life. First my friend Kathleen with a Mac Book Pro, could not get past an error screen demanding she restart. In a effort to help her, I opened up the Mac to get to the hard drive, which is not an easy task considering most PC laptop Hard drives are only a screw away.
After spending a good hour plus getting to the Mac's hard drive, I still could not access the file system without more headache and at this point I had to much work to go on.
Second, my roommate Harley had an "expanding battery" problem.. say what?!?!?!
Yes the battery in his Mac Book Pro had some how expanded, and because this is not a good thing he removed his battery and waiting on a replacement. Meanwhile Harley is running his Mac on AC power without the battery. No problem right? WRONG! Because of some BS (at least in my opinion) he is running on only one processor apparently because the AC adapter might/cant support the power consumption of both processors.
WHOA! Never had an expanding battery problem on a PC.
Third and Fourth, when writing data to a DVD I am given no option to continue writing on the disc after burning or finalize the disc. What this means is that after burning 1gb worth of data on a 4+ GB blank DVD you may not add more. Way to waste 3gb+ of free space Mr.Mac. Not only are the options limited when burning, I cant prevent the "verifying process" which doubles the time it takes to "complete" the task. SO.... if your like me you cancel the verifying process... which then freezes the drive and you cant get the flipping disc out. Great... now I have to restart. Way to go MAC!
In the end macs are still a decent computer, especially if your like the majority of people who use their computer for just a few things like checking e-mail, browsing the web, writing documents, and listening to music. BUT! If your doing little more than the basic things like listed above why... WHY spend $1000 to $2000 George Washington's on a laptop, when a PC for under $600 could do all the same basic things perfectly fine?
-Aaron Bitler
Information & Links
Mac Book Expanding Battery
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aclgdTlCyXs
http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/bloated-17-inch-macbook-pro-battery-part-4/
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2006/06/4357.ars
Laptop for under $700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220385
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
