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28 Jan 2009 09:03

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Biz, Tech: Is Amazon about to drop another Kindle on the world?

  • If so, let’s hope the new one isn’t so ugly. Amazon scheduled a press conference for Feb. 9. Oh-oh-oh! It’s not just any press conference. They describe it as “an important” one. CEO/founder Jeff Bezos will be there, and it’ll probably be something big, possibly a new Kindle. Does this sound like something Apple would do when they’re launching, say, a new iPod? Hmm … yeah. source

27 Jan 2009 19:21

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U.S.: Man who killed his family in murder-suicide “despondent” over job loss

  • You just would never think that something like this would happen. I saw them from time to time and they looked fine, like happy. It’s just sad.
  • Jose Maldonado • A neighbor of a man who killed his wife and five children, and then himself, today in Los Angeles. The man was apparently despondent after losing his job a few days ago after a dispute with an administrator. He sent a suicide letter to a local television station before committing the act. • source

27 Jan 2009 18:25

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Biz, Tech: To our friends at The Printed Blog: Congrats, guys!

They actually got a first issue out the door. And it looks pretty neat. Best of luck! source

27 Jan 2009 18:16

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Biz: Journos to world: Forget corporations. Let’s buy a newspaper!

  • OK, it’s not fancy, but it’s there. Some enterprising anonymous person has put up a kinda-clever jab at the newspaper industry’s impeding self-destruction. “Let’s Buy a Newspaper” is looking for a pool of donations to buy some of the many newspapers currently on the market. Tops on the list? The Miami Herald, which is in a pretty cruddy part of the country economy-wise, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which faces a 60-day death march if it isn’t sold. Pssh, forget newspapers, guys! Starting your own blog is where it’s at. source

27 Jan 2009 17:06

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Tech: Netbooks: An example of technology’s “creative destruction”

  • Netbooks are popular Sure, lots of people could use the horsepower of a speedy laptop or a top-tier desktop computer (MacBook for lyfe), but many are choosing to go with cheap Netbooks instead. These computers are small, inexpensive, sometimes as low as $200, and often use open-source software such as Ubuntu. They can’t handle much more than surfing the Web and hitting up YouTube, but for many, that’s all they need. source
  • Netbooks are popular Sure, lots of people could use the horsepower of a speedy laptop or a top-tier desktop computer (MacBook for lyfe), but many are choosing to go with cheap Netbooks instead. These computers are small, inexpensive, sometimes as low as $200, and often use open-source software such as Ubuntu. They can’t handle much more than surfing the Web and hitting up YouTube, but for many, that’s all they need.
  • It’s happened before Back in the 1990s, the players atop the tech heap included America Online and Sun Microsystems, both relegated to footnotes in today’s market. With netbooks and other disruptive technologies, the cycle could repeat itself: Current big players like Microsoft just announced huge layoffs, and CEO Steve Ballmer noted this fear when announcing the layoffs. “Our model is not for a quick rebound,” he said. source
  • Netbooks are popular Sure, lots of people could use the horsepower of a speedy laptop or a top-tier desktop computer (MacBook for lyfe), but many are choosing to go with cheap Netbooks instead. These computers are small, inexpensive, sometimes as low as $200, and often use open-source software such as Ubuntu. They can’t handle much more than surfing the Web and hitting up YouTube, but for many, that’s all they need.
  • It’s happened before Back in the 1990s, the players atop the tech heap included America Online and Sun Microsystems, both relegated to footnotes in today’s market. With netbooks and other disruptive technologies, the cycle could repeat itself: Current big players like Microsoft just announced huge layoffs, and CEO Steve Ballmer noted this fear when announcing the layoffs. “Our model is not for a quick rebound,” he said.
  • “Creative destruction” Joseph Schumpeter, an Austrian economist from the early 20th century, seems to have nailed the current workings of Silicon Valley with his writings on business cycles. Basically, companies rise to the top of the heap, only to be taken down by other companies with smarter, more svelte ideas. The rise and fall of companies leads to more innovation. And a pretty cool to term describe it. source

27 Jan 2009 15:05

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U.S.: According to the polls, Obama’s a popular dude

  • 63% His current approval rating; that’s good, but it’s early source

27 Jan 2009 14:22

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Culture, Music: HOLY CRAP! THE “ONCE” COUPLE BROKE UP!

  • It was a very necessary part of our friendship but I think we both concluded that that wasn’t what we really wanted to do. So we’re not together now. We’re just really good friends.
  • Glen Hansard • Lead singer of The Frames, who recently broke up with his on-screen/off-screen musical partner in the Oscar-winning 2007 movie “Once,” Marketa Irglova. That, my friends, is the biggest news story of the year. But wasn’t it a really great ride while it lasted? • source
 

27 Jan 2009 11:56

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Tech: Meet our kindred spirit, the Sprint Now widget

Sprint’s latest advertising campaign is like a really, really busy ShortFormBlog. source

27 Jan 2009 11:20

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Culture: A: The “Jeopardy!” online test. Q: What are my plans tonight?

  • You could have a shot at fame and fortune. The producers of “Jeopardy!” have set up an online trivia test for tonight, tomorrow or Thursday, based on your time zone. It’s the first step to seeing if you’re good enough to give answers in the form of questions in front of a live studio audience. If you get on the show, tell Alex you liked him better with a ’stache. source

27 Jan 2009 10:40

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Culture: Meet the star of the new “Office” non-spin-off, Amy Poehler

The SNL alum will lead the cast of “Public Service,” coming to NBC in April. source