My World

Selasa, 22 Juni 2010

Quote of The Day

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.

Govt wants five fully-developed economic zones by 2014

Govt wants five fully-developed economic zones by 2014

Full story: www.antaranews.com

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The government expects Indonesia to have at least five fully-developed special economic zones (KEK) by 2014, a minister said.

“Our priority is, up to 2014, there should be at least five (developed) special economic zones,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said at his office here Tuesday after chairing a coordinating meeting on special economic zones.

The government is currently evaluating five special economic zones, and has set their development strategies, main design, development framework.

However, Rajasa declined to name the five special economic zones, only saying that they were located across the country, including in eastern Indonesia.

“I will mention them later, but for sure they include areas in East Indonesia such as Papua,” he said.

He explained that the country`s regional economic development is divided into economic corridors, within the corridors there are special economic zones (KEK), and within a KEK there are a number of clusters.
“So if we say Papua`s KEK, it includes clusters such as, of West Papua, Merauke, and Biak. We will encourage them to become fast growing areas,” he said.

He said 48 regions had previously applied to become special economic zones but they had all been turned down.

The current five special economic zones do not include Batam, Bintan and Karimun. The five KEKs would boost productions based on, among other things, marine, oilpalm, agriculture, mineral, coal, petrochemical.
“Eastern Indonesia such as Papua could set to be energy and food development hub, Java for manufacture, and Sumatra fro oil-chemical and minerals,” the minister said. The SEZ is a government-designated area in which companies enjoy various duty-free imports of raw materials and relaxed taxation.

Online survey the new age measuring meter of customer satisfaction for any businesses

By: Jayesh Khandor

Online survey and its advantages have been known by the manufacturer, producer and provider. The enterprise, which is fully aware of the importance of ‘consumer’s say’ has already opted for research and analysis track. Going online proves beneficial because of its own reason plus the advantage of reach, cost and less time. Chances of fairness is maximum and avoidance is minimum A well format and a well set questionnaire based on the exact pre interpretation and research can act like probing preference and interest.

This can spread awareness and this time among the manufacturer about the position of the product and services in the market. Not only this, a consumers demand for a substitute, replacement or disagreement can clearly be indicated. Direct one to one personal contact for gauging likes and dislikes keeping the time factor also in mind is possible through online survey. More information based on geographical, demographical factor can be collected through online surveys. With Online survey consumer’s fairness while replying is also maximum and the benefit of replying to those questions without skipping is also doubled. The respondent can relax at his home, come Online and replies out of his own wish.

Thus with Online survey one can look for list of advantages over disadvantages. This mode of online survey not only checks present satisfaction level but can also turn fruitful while determining future production. A right questionnaire with exact sets of question can do wonders for knowing what people are thinking about your product and services. Thus, online survey can be termed as new measuring mode of analyzing and interacting customer’s satisfaction and awareness. Why choose online market research? When we talk about market research the particular mode which will be used also becomes very important. The best option is definitely online market research. Online market research scores over other modes because in terms of technology, ease of operation and effectiveness of the results there is no other option that can even come near to it.
There are countless benefits that online market research offers to make it the most suitable option for the companies. The advantages you can enjoy if you were to choose online market research include; • Extensive reach as internet now occupies an indispensable part in everyone’s lives. The kind of numbers you can cover in terms of participants is huge. • Geographical independence as you can get in touch with any individual living in any part of the continent or even the entire world, if you want.

It helps you cove everyone from the local to a global audience. • Better time management as you are not in direct contact with the participants at any time and they file their responses when they have the time. You can utilise your time in taking care of other parts of the market research. The surveys conducted by the survey sites help you to evaluate yourself, you can easily analyze yourself. You can analyze your weak and strong points, and thus you can do improvement where it is needed.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/international-marketing-articles/online-survey-the-new-age-measuring-meter-of-customer-satisfaction-for-any-businesses-2701363.html#ixzz0raeTvfdj

Microsoft says Kingsoft no match for Office

Full story: english.people.com.cn

On June 18, Office2010, the latest generation of Microsoft’s office software, was officially released, and Microsoft is confident with that its office software can thump domestic rivals.

“I suggest that domestic firms give up developing office software. If they insist, they will have to act like Microsoft to innovate their products.” Simon Leung, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region, said referring to Kingsoft and other domestic competitors.

Simon Leung thinks Kingsoft and other domestic software firms should take more advantage of Microsoft platforms and technology innovation rather than compete in the already quite fierce office field. In this regard, Kingsoft did not give a direct response but stressed that the advantage of its WPSOffice lies in security and customized development.

However, Kingsoft seems unwilling to be left behind by Microsoft. For starters, before the launch of Office2010, Kingsoft already released WPSOffice2010 Personal Edition to gain more office software market share. Also, Kingsoft is offering WPSOffice Personal Edition for free and has already hit 50 million downloads.

“If every day we focus on competition in the office area, I do not think that makes much sense.” Simon Leung is not optimistic about the other companies’ way of competition. In his view, free software is just a software vendor business model, and the key is to concentrate on the product innovation.

Japan’s supermarket sales slump 5.3% on year in May

Full story: english.people.com.cn

According to the industry body, sales at stores open for a year or more fell 5.3 percent on year in May, with sales in the recording month totaling 1.02 trillion yen (11.2 billion U.S. dollars), marking an 18th successive month of year-on-year decline.

May’s figures follow a 4.9 percent slump recorded in April.

Sales at supermarket chains, including ones that have been opened for less than a year, fell 6.2 percent in May from a year earlier, according to JCSA, marking the 30th successive month of decline.

Along with economic factors, the association attributed inclement weather in the middle of the recording month as also negatively impacting consumers’ desire to spend.

JCSA compile their figures based on the combined sales at 62 supermarket chains which together operate 7,852 outlets.

The numbers have been adjusted to facilitate comparisons on a same-store basis.

Facebook the key in search for new blood: Lancet


Full story: www.odt.co.nz
A leading medical journal says the world could boost its blood supply from young donors by tapping into social networks like Facebook.
In an editorial last week, the Lancet calls for doctors to encourage young people to donate blood, including recruitment drives on Facebook or running advertisements for national blood donation agencies on Google.
Blood transfusions save millions of lives every year, but demand far outstrips supply.
This year, the World Health Organisation has decided to focus on young donors in its search for blood, with the slogan “new blood for the world”.
By recruiting young people to donate, officials hope they will then give blood regularly in the future.
“By recruiting a new generation of those in their late teens or 20s, the hope is to boost supplies of blood from a healthy pool of donors, who will then continue to give blood regularly all year round,” Lancet’s editorial said.
It suggested blood donor rates could be improved by campaigns at universites or by Google carrying free advertisements for national blood donor organisations, for example.
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Senin, 21 Juni 2010

Quotes of The Day

A religion that takes no account of practical affairs and does not help to solve them is no religion.
 

Quotes of The Day

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
 

Disadvantages of Home Schooling

By: Kris Koonar
If you are concerned about the education your child is receiving at either a public or private school, you may have considered the option of home schooling. There are many advantages to home schooling that are easy to think of, but in making your decision you must also consider the disadvantages. Yes, despite all the bonuses you can think of in home schooling your child, there are many disadvantages to the process.

Home schooling is a process that requires a massive amount of time and dedication. If you want to home school your child you must be present for a large part of the day. Kids are kids. Depending on how motivated by academic success your child is, he or she may not require constant supervision. However, in many studies, parental supervision is the key behind the success of home schooling programs.

Parents must also possess instructional skills or access to someone who can teach effectively. Simply putting your child in a room with textbooks will most likely result in home schooling failure. In addition, you will have to purchase materials that public and private schools provide for students.

There is also the need to be able to serve as guidance counselor as your child may require specialized instruction due to a learning disability. Public and private schools usually provide these services with qualified individuals.

One important benefit of an academic institution is the opportunity for children to become properly socialized. Attending school with other children from all walks of life leads to the development of social skills. One of the disadvantages of home schooling is the relative isolation children have from their peers.

Many parents find comfort in blaming the educational system for the shortcomings in their child's academic performance. If you choose to home school you will be accepting full responsibility for the outcome of your child's education. This is more of a burden than it seems. Studies have shown that many home schooling ventures fail due to the fact that the home generally lacks qualified educators. Many parents have gripes about teachers, but the fact is that they generally have to teach large classes filled with children with diverse learning needs. In addition, certified educators have taken teaching classes and have passed state examinations to receive their teaching certificates.

When you approach the issue of home schooling you must examine both sides. Sure, there are plenty of advantages, but if you forget to look into the disadvantages, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

Budget Surplus Increases on Lower Spending on Goods

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Finance Department reported rising budget surplus this year compared to the surplus recorded in the same period last year as due to lower spending on goods and capital goods in state departments and institutions.

Surplus soared over five fold to Rp60.3 trillion until May 15th from Rp11.7 trillion a year earlier.

Director genearl of Treasury of the Finance Department Herry Purnomo said up to June 15 state revenue was at Rp386.7 trillion or 39 percent of total projection.

Domestic revenue is at Rp385 trillion, which consisting of tax and non tax revenue. Reported tax revenue is Rp300.5 trillion which made up of domestic tax Rp290.4 trillion and international trade taxes Rp10,1 trillion. While non tax revenue is at Rp85.9 trillion and revenue from grant at Rp167.3 billion.

On the other side of the balance, total spendings until May 15th is at Rp326.3 trillion.

Central government have spent so far about Rp198.7 trillion, regional government Rp127.6 trillion. State employees expenditures is at Rp62.3 trillion, spending on goods Rp25.5 trillion and spending on capital goods at Rp14.4 trillion.

Lower spending on goods or procurement according Vice Finance Minister Anny Ratnawati was caused by slow disbursement and tender process.


IQBAL MUHTAROM 

Ask the card-carrying socialists: Is Obama one of them?

By John Blake, CNN
(CNN) -- Billy Wharton should be happy.

"Socialized health care" is on its way. The "socialist agenda" is taking over America. And best of all, Barack Obama, a "committed socialist ideologue," is in the Oval Office.

But Wharton, co-chair of the Socialist Party USA, sees no reason to celebrate. He's seen people with bumper stickers and placards that call Obama a socialist, and he has a message for them: Obama isn't a socialist. He's not even a liberal.

"We didn't see a great victory with the election of Barack Obama," Wharton says, " and we certainly didn't see our agenda move from the streets to the White House."

Are many Americans secret socialists?
Obama's opponents have long described him as a socialist. But what do actual socialists think about Obama? Not much, says Wharton.

"He's the president whose main goal is to protect the wealth of the richest 5 percent of Americans."

He and others say the assertion that Obama is a socialist is absurd.

"It makes no rational sense. It clearly means that people don't understand what socialism is."
Definitions of socialism vary, but most socialists believe workers and consumers who are affected by economic institutions should own or control them.

Not all socialists, though, want to confiscate personal property. Democratic Socialists are more interested in protecting ordinary people from unregulated capitalism through regulation and progressive taxation.
Some of the socialist agenda is already part of American life, according to Wharton and others.
Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits -- all reflect socialistic values, says Van Gosse, an associate professor of history at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who has researched socialist movements in the United States and Latin America.

The widely accepted notions of public education and Pell Grants for college students are socialistic in origin, Gosse says. They fit well with the socialistic premise that government should provide basic security from the cradle to the grave to all of its citizens, he says.

"We assert that education should not be left up to the private market -- where those who can pay, get it and those who can't, don't get it," Gosse says. "It's a common good and in that sense it is a socialistic institution even if the U.S. remains a capitalist nation."

Why socialists hate Obama's health care bill

Those who call Obama a socialist, though, point to his policies. Big on their hit list: "Obamacare," which they call "socialized medicine."

Socialists scoff at the notion. They don't applaud the passage of the recent health care bill either. They wanted a national "single-payer" health insurance plan with a government option. The bill that Obama championed didn't have any of those features.

Wharton said the new health care bill only strengthens private health insurance companies. They get 32 million new customers and no incentive to change -- something a socialist wouldn't accept.

"Most of it was authored by the health care industry," Wharton says. "I call it the corporate restructuring of health care."

Other critics point to Obama's Wall Street bailout -- which actually had its roots in the Bush administration. Critics say it's socialistic for government to assume control of private industry.

Frank Llewellyn, national director of the Democratic Socialists of America, says the bailout had nothing to do with socialism. Llewellyn says a socialist leader would have at least nationalized some of the troubled banks.
"He gave them [the banks] too much with no strings attached," Llewellyn says. "Banks that were too big to fail are bigger, and they can still fail."

How about Obama's bailout of the Detroit auto industry? During the bailout, the federal government assumed partial ownership of General Motors. "It's not socialism," Llewellyn says. "The mere fact that the government owns something or has a stake in it, doesn't make it socialist. If that was true, you would say that we have a socialist army. The government owns the army."

Defining socialism is complex, Llewellyn says, but it starts with a simple goal: Socialists want to introduce democratic features into the economy to reduce inequality.

The economy has "to be run for the overall benefit of the entire population, not for the benefits of a very few people. "By that measure, Obama's economic policies are not socialist, he says. "He's trying to save capitalism from itself rather than a radical trying to change into a new system," Llewellyn says.

This kind of name-calling is not new. Civil rights demonstrators and the politicians who passed Medicare were also called socialists and communists, Llewellyn says."Every time an expansion of the public's right has been put forward, Republicans have called it extreme, communistic and socialistic. It's a repeated tactic because they can't defeat the idea."

A Tea Party member explains why Obama is a socialist

Those arguments don't sway Conrad Quagliaroli, a Tea Party member who says Obama is a socialist.
He says that Obama's voting record as a senator was more to the left than the U.S. Senate's sole socialist, Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

He says Obama's association with radicals and his pledge to "spread the wealth" seal his socialistic credentials.

"The role of government is to provide a safe environment to conduct business, not to take from one and give to the other," says Quagliaroli, a financial planner who lives in Woodstock, Georgia.

Quagliaroli was not persuaded by the arguments of other socialist leaders who reject the idea that Obama is a socialist. "He's just not socialist enough for them."

Quagliaroli says he doesn't like socialism because it breeds mediocrity and encourages people to "live on the dole." Capitalism "breeds excellence" because it encourages initiative, he says.

Does that mean that Quagliaroli will refuse his Social Security checks, a government program that has been described as socialistic, and which he opposes?

Not necessarily, says Quagliaroli. He says he'll accept his Social Security checks for two reasons.
"They confiscated it from me to begin with, and the more money they give me, the less they'll have to waste," he says. "I can spend it better than they can. I don't pay $500 for a hammer."

The argument over Obama's ideology may rage on, but at least one socialist says another prominent politician ought to be inserted into the debate.

Llewellyn, the national director of the Democratic Socialists of America, says he was struck by one player in the 2008 presidential elections who displayed more socialistic leanings than Obama.

This candidate raised taxes on the big oil companies, and sent the revenue to the people.

If you want to learn something about spreading the wealth, Llewellyn says, don't look to Obama.

"To be honest, the most socialist candidate in the 2008 election was Sarah Palin."

Tips and tools on Social CRM: Food for thoughts from Altimeter and CMO’s Guide

Source:
http://www.weblog.customercentric.org/2010/03/tips-social-media-crm/

I found this information useful if you need to consider Social CRM (Altimeter) and related decision making tools (CMO’s Guide).
You might be interested by additional content I published earlier this year on this subject.
Social CRM: The New Rules of Relationship Management
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The Social Landscape from CMOs Guide

Some Insigths on Social Media: Social CRM and research from Razorfish

How to capitalize on engagement with consumers through Facebook and use it afterwards in a Newsletter?
I have found these studies useful as sources of “Food For Thoughts”.
Obviously, it is relevant as long as your customers are using Social Media ;-)
Enjoy your reading.

Minggu, 20 Juni 2010

For Parents of Special Needs Students: Raising a Successful College Graduate

by: klmiller

Children with special needs have experienced more frustration and academic failure than most other children. Yet, some of them become successful college students who graduate with a specialty in a chosen field.
Sadly, most do not. Only about 57 percent of students with disabilities graduate from high school, and only about 10 to 15 percent of those graduating attend college.
What are some reasons students succeed in college? How can parents help their child be among those who accomplish this challenging undertaking?

Parental expectations are a key factor
Children who are raised with the belief that they have the skills to be successful at the college of their choice, if they desire to pursue a college education, have a great advantage! They prepare all of their lives for the experience of college. All through their school years they make powerful decisions that lay the foundation for college success.

Students who believe they will be successful college students study more, they have higher grades, and they seek the guidance of mentors who can guide them to develop strong skills. They “play full out” in school, taking challenging classes and honing their academic skills.

The type of mentoring children receive from their parents is the genesis of the personal coping beliefs and habits that ensure college success. Parents lay the foundation of academic achievement from the moment their child is born. Parents who mentor and support their child all through their lives to believe in their innate intelligence and skill encourage the kind of decisions good students face every day as they pursue their path through the huge array of facts, procedures, skills and habits that support the ultimate acquisition of academic literacy.

When mentored to know he or she will be successful, a student develops personal attributes that support success. Research by the Frostig Center in Pasadena, California provides some insight into these qualities.

Personal qualities that support academic success
Students who have the following personal qualities are much more likely to thrive in college. You can read more detailed descriptions of the qualities that insure college success here.
• Self-awareness and self-acceptance
• Proactivity as opposed to reactivity
• Perseverance
• Skill in setting short and long-range goals
• Use of effective support systems
• Strong emotional coping strategies

Taking specific action increases the likelihood of succeeding in college

Students need to be aware of specific action steps they should take to increase the probability they will be admitted to and graduate from the college of their choice.

Ideally, parents and children should begin to take specific action steps by the time the student reaches 8th grade. For the student, this involves taking the most challenging classes available, while maintaining strong grades and a great attitude toward academics. Completing extra or optional assignments in classes to stretch his or her knowledge, and pursuing activities about which the student is passionate such as sports, artistic, and/or volunteer experiences builds the self-confidence, proactive mindset and time management skills that characterize highly successful students.

Parents should encourage their child to learn from successful adults who are rich sources of information about the nature of their careers, the training they completed, and the strategies they use to be successful. Family friends, teachers, coaches, and neighbors are valuable allies to a student who is eager to learn about the kinds of opportunities available to them as adults.

Students should explore the world of work through paid jobs, internships, and volunteering. They will learn about the working conditions of specific jobs, develop the perseverance needed to commit to a challenging endeavor, and learn valuable interpersonal skills such as cooperation and functioning within an environment that requires meeting high expectations.

It is necessary for students to take a proactive role in their school careers. They should learn how to communicate their strengths and needs to adults. They should attend their IEP meetings and advocate on their own behalf.

Transition planning
Students who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are entitled to receive support services that help them make a transition from high school to postsecondary activities. These services may include coursework, related services, community experiences, development of results-oriented employment and/or adult living objectives in their IEPs, and a functional living skills assessment, when warranted.

Beginning when the student is 14 years of age, the IEP team must consider services that are designed to facilitate the student’s transition to adult living. At the age of 16, the IEP team is required to include results-oriented objectives, matched to a student’s postsecondary goals, that provide support to transition to adult living.

Parents should work with their school’s special education coordinator to determine the range of services available, and express their opinions about services and experiences they would like to have provided for their child.

Summary of performance
Students who are eligible to receive special education services are legally entitled to receive a Summary of Performance (SOP) during their final year in high school. The school district is required by federal law (Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 2004) to provide to high school seniors who will be graduating with a regular diploma, a summary of their academic achievement and functional performance. This information will be used by colleges as a basis to determine accommodations granted to a student.
The school district may use their own format to document a student’s strengths and needs. It is very advantageous to a parent to have a template that illustrates the kind of information a complete SOP should contain. It is advantageous to have a history of specific accommodations that were provided in high school and to include these in the SOP. Parents can download a copy prepared by a national coalition of disability rights organizations here.
~~~~~~
Only a small percentage of students with special learning needs attend college, but parents have the opportunity to insure that their child is one of the successful ones. The most valuable step parents can take is to mentor their child to believe in their intelligence and talents and know in their heart they can meet the challenge of obtaining a college education. This belief supports the effective action steps that parents and students take throughout their school career to ensure a college diploma.

The Jared Company Announces ASAP: It's Newest BlackBerry Application Release

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) June 19, 2010 -- The Jared Company announces it's latest BlackBerry® application...ASAP. Meet JaredCo’s ASAP BlackBerry® app and ogle these features:

• With ASAP, respond to a missed call with a text message, with a single click to any incoming call from a contact calling from his or her mobile number. • Customize the text messages before they are sent. No thumbing during that big meeting. • Create special text messages: “I’m at the concert.” “I’m in a meeting.” “I’ll get back to you ASAP!” No more “I am busy.” • ASAP creates personal responses, professionally and quickly. • No more distractions when distractions are unnecessary. • Callers know why they didn't get through. Get personal.

Customize up to four automated responses to personalize them with ASAP from JaredCo and never keep people hanging.

The Jared Company, with headquarters in Vancouver, BC, is known for its practical, functional BlackBerry® applications or what the company calls “apps with purpose.” There are no funny face apps at JaredCo. But we do have apps that enhance the utility of BlackBerry® communications with products such as SimpleTrax that provides complete GPS tracking functionality, or JaredCo’s BerryJoose that enhances performance of BlackBerry® devices, enabling a user to do more with their BlackBerry® all through the day.

“We design our apps, we build them and we support them,” JaredCo’s COO, Michael Kader, explained in a recent telephone interview. “We also guarantee every app we sell. You never risk a penny.”

JaredCo’s core values are all client centered. “A satisfied buyer is the foundation for long-term business success so we design and build apps that actually make life simpler or business more productive. We then provide support in-house.”

This two-pronged approach has served JaredCo clients well with a customer base that’s expanding rapidly, buying the highest quality, most useful BlackBerry® apps available.

We like JaredCo’s approach to client satisfaction and believe the ASAP auto-responder app will quickly become a top 10 seller on all app sites. It simplifies life by putting the user in control of communications BlackBerry® style.

Shop on-line at www.jaredcompany.com to discover the diverse menu of BlackBerry® apps from JaredCo.

“It’s not what JaredCo does, it’s how we do it,” Mr. Kader concluded.

Apple, AT&T get record number of US iPhone orders

Full story: www.3news.co.nz

Apple Inc said Wednesday that it and its phone company partners took orders for more than 600,000 iPhone 4s in one day, the highest number it's ever seen. The companies stopped taking orders for shipment by the June 24 launch day in the US

The crush of orders sets the scene for long lines and potential chaos at stores when the next version of the iPhone is released. Judging by previous years, shortages could last through the summer.

Apple and its partners started taking orders for the iPhone 4 on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, AT&T Inc., the exclusive carrier in the US, had stopped taking orders, saying it had to focus on fulfilling orders already received.
At midday Wednesday, Apple was accepting orders only for black models, and would only guarantee shipment by July 2. The white model was unavailable for order.

Dallas-based AT&T said it received 10 times as many pre-launch orders on the first day for the new iPhone model as it did for the previous model last year.

AT&T also said it logged more than 13 million visits to a Web page where current customers can check if they're eligible for a subsidized upgrade to the new phone. That number was three times higher than the previous record for upgrade checks.

The price of the phone starts at $199. Customers who aren't eligible for upgrades will pay $200 more.
Last year, Apple sold more than 1 million units of the new model, the 3GS, in the first three days. It was the most successful debut for a smart phone yet, and Apple struggled to keep it in stock for months. 

The iPhone 4 will feature a higher-resolution screen, longer battery life, dual cameras and a thinner design than last year's model.

Tuesday's ordering was marred by two major problems: Buyers reported problems registering their orders and an apparent glitch in AT&T's website was steering some customers into strangers' accounts. Lines formed in stores as clerks tried to get orders into their systems.

"Many customers were turned away or abandoned the process in frustration. We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties," Apple said in a statement Wednesday.

On Gizmodo.com, a technology website, several readers posted stories of trying to log into their AT&T accounts to upgrade to the newest iPhone and being sent instead into strangers' accounts. That could set the stage for identity theft scams such as ordering other products under that person's name.

AT&T said it received reports of customers seeing the wrong account information but wasn't able to replicate the problem and was investigating. But the company said the personal information users were seeing in one another's accounts didn't include Social Security numbers, credit card information or detailed call logs.

Just last week, AT&T plugged an embarrassing security hole on its website that exposed the e-mail addresses of people who had bought another new Apple product, the iPad.

Apple shares rose $6.24, or 2.4 percent, to $265.93 in midday trading. AT&T shares fell 4 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $25.50.

* Apple passes Microsoft as world's biggest tech co.

Facebook: The movie - it's coming

Full story: www.stuff.co.nz

fbfilmIs there any topic beyond the reach of Hollywood? With a Facebook movie on its way to the silver screen, the answer seems to be no.
"The Social Network" reportedly follows Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's time at Harvard and the trials he faced along the way while creating the world's most popular social network.
I feel strangely compelled to say that Zuck hasn't quite made it to 500 million pals, unless every user is his friend by default.
He doesn't actually have a personal Facebook account, which makes his public figure profile the next best thing, with 558,7854 people liking him at time of writing.
Still more than me, though... you win this round, Zucker.
Then again... that's actually quite realistic.
I also wonder if this is just the movie industry's latest attempt to capitalise on a trend. Will this be just another cheap thriller masked in social media self-indulgence?
fbposterOr maybe I'm being too harsh and there is a decent story behind the guy who became the world's youngest billionaire.
There is already a book about Facebook's creation, The Accidental Billionaires, and the movie will supposedly draw from it.
"...one lonely night, Mark hacked into the university's computer system, creating a ratable database of all the female students on campus-and subsequently crashing the university's servers and nearly getting himself kicked out of school.
"What followed - a real-life adventure filled with slick venture capitalists, stunning women, and six-foot-five-inch identical-twin Olympic rowers-makes for one of the most entertaining and compelling books of the year.
"Before long, Eduardo's and Mark's different ideas about Facebook created in their relationship faint cracks, which soon spiralled into out-and-out warfare. The collegiate exuberance that marked their collaboration fell prey to the adult world of lawyers and money.
The movie is due to be released in October.
 

Quotes of The Day

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
 

Move to Learn – Unlock the Potential of the Brain

By: Dr. Kari Miller
There are about as many nerve cells in the brain as there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy.  The unique set of connections between neurons that each of us develops determines how we view the world, shapes our future experiences, and indeed, determines who we are.  Successful students have developed rich, connected networks of neurons.  Many factors encourage neurons to branch and communicate with each other.  In this newsletter, our topic will be the vital role of movement  in brain development.
In our quest to fathom intelligent behavior, we have failed to appreciate that learning does not occur strictly in the mind.  Learning and creativity are a “whole body” phenomenon and cannot occur independently.  We teach “to the head” only, asking students to sit in chairs for long periods of time, listening and looking almost exclusively at abstract symbols, even when they are very young.  We don’t fully appreciate that the mind cannot excel without the support of the body.  We don’t “get it” that we must move to learn.

What is the role of movement in learning?
Movement stimulates the growth of neural networks upon which learning depends.  It affords us the opportunity to explore our world and gather the sensory data that fuels the development of intelligence, in other words, it provokes learning.  Movement provides feedback that the brain requires in order to learn.  Movement allows us to express knowledge and therefore advance to the next plateau in our understanding.

What can parents do to encourage stronger learning in their children?

Not very many years ago, children played in their yards for hours each day.  They ran, climbed trees, built forts, made mud pies and pretended to fly.  These experiences developed rich neural networks that supported brain development in these children.  Young people today spend far less time moving.  They watch considerably more television and play significantly more video games.
We can integrate movement into our children’s daily lives and augment their capacity to succeed.  In particular, children who have learning issues benefit from the systematic inclusion of movement into their daily lives.

Each “body” learns in its own unique way.  The following activities can be stimulating to the development of strong brain networks.  Allow your child to experiment during homework time and find the particular combination of activities that are most effective.

Most students remember new information better when they talk, write or draw.  Encourage your child to “teach” new information to others in the household.  For those students who anchor information best by writing, provide them with a white board and erasable markers or encourage them to take notes on paper.  It isn’t always necessary to keep notes or read them later in order to anchor information in memory.  The act of writing down the information promotes the development of connections among concepts.  Demonstrating the concepts of the learning is another powerful way to incorporate the new learning into existing neural networks.  Allow your child to act out what has been read, build a model, draw a diagram or chart, sing or dance.

Many students attend, concentrate and learn better when engaged in a repetitive, low concentration task such as doodling, folding paper, rocking, or squeezing a ball.  Your child can also try walking around the room while reading or studying.  Suggest to your child that he or she do this every 15 minutes while completing homework.

Because the mouth is an important site of neural integration and is closely tied to brain development, some students find that chewing can be a highly integrating activity that promotes concentration and understanding.  Chewing gum can actually be an effective way to focus!  It’s best to keep it simple.  Crunchy, spicy, salty or sour foods can be effective concentration boosters.  Have your child try carrot sticks, sugar free gum, pretzels or a small sour candy.

Encourage your child to engage in cross lateral physical activity for five minutes every hour.  Cross lateral movements engage hand and foot on opposite sides of the body.  Most of these movements are more effective when done standing.  The addition of rhythmic music provides a boost.  Some cross lateral movements students enjoy are:
  • Touch hand (or elbow) to opposite knee.
  • Lazy 8.  Use one hand to trace a large infinity sign in front of the body, following the hand with the eyes.  Alternate hands and continue.
  • Cross the arms in front of the face in the shape of an “X” tracing a lazy 8.  Be sure to watch the path of the 8 while tracing it.
  • Karate Cross Crawl:  Kick while punching or chopping with alternate hand and foot  (right hand chops while left foot kicks).
  • Cross Crawl Sit-ups.  While lying on the back with hands clasped behind the head for support, sit up and touch the right elbow to the left knee.  Alternate touching elbow to opposite knee.
  • Double Doodle.  Draw a design with both hands simultaneously.  Be sure the designs are mirror images of each other, rather than facing the same direction.
Source:
http://www.edarticle.com/homework/move-to-learn-a%80-unlock-the-potential-of-the-brain.html

How To Be Sure That Your Site Is Viewable By Everyone

By: Julius Ellison
It is common mistake for novice web designers to create a website and only test the website at 1 screen resolution and in 1 web browser. The problem is, there are still some Internet users that use 15" monitors, or use a browser which is different from Internet Explorer. Thus, if you're not testing your website to ensure that it appears correctly at different screen resolutions and in different web browsers, you may be neglecting a small portion of your potential customers. Sure, maybe only 10% of your customers may not be able to view your website as you've planned, but constructing a website that is accessible to everyone is so easy that it would be a huge mistake to neglect that 10%.

Screen Resolutions

Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels that span a particular space. If you are running 1024 x 768 resolution, 1024 pixels can fit horizontally across the page. When designing a website, it's not so much the number of vertical pixels that should concern you, but rather the number of horizontal pixels. You need to ensure that the user does not have to scroll to the right in order to view your whole web page. As a quick rule of thumb, I usually design my websites to span 768 pixels across. Yes, that means that I would be neglecting those ancient computer users that use 600 x 480 resolution. But, by accommodating those users you would not be utilizing very much of the screen, and it wouldn't appeal to all your other users that make use of higher resolutions. Here are some statistics regarding screen resolutions for Internet users:

800 x 600: 14% of Internet Users

1024 X 768: 60% of Internet Users

1280 x 1024: 26% of Internet Users

Another idea, as opposed to using absolute definitions for the screen width, you could also employ relative screen width. The problem with optimizing your website to be 768 pixels wide is that your website may look empty to those viewers using 1280 x 1024 resolution. To do this, just create a table with its width set to 100%. Your web page should adjust automatically to the user's screen width. Just remember not to add too much content in there or else the page will not adjust properly to users with lower resolutions.

Test Your Website

In order to ensure that your website will appear correctly you should view it using different screen resolutions on your own monitor. Here's how you can do this:

1) Right click on the desktop and click "Properties"
2) Click on the "Settings" tab
3) Move the slider through all the different resolutions and hit "OK"
4) Open up your website and see if there is any scrolling required

Ensure Browser Compatibility

If you're coding your website with an editor, you should be aware that there may be slight differences in the website's appearance depending on the brand of browser you are using. Over 70% of Internet users surf the web with Internet Explorer, but you should check to make sure your site looks consistent in Firefox, Netscape, and Opera. Also, if you have access to a Mac, it would be a good idea to work through the different resolutions, and then you'd have most all your bases covered.

Usability And Accessibility

Website accessibility refers to the ease of use for all types of Internet users, regardless of the type or age of equipment and software they are using. When you start to consider accessibility over a flashy appearance that may only please some surfers, you should increase visitor satisfaction and in turn, increase your bottom line. If you just assume that everyone has a massive monitor and running high resolutions, you could be shutting out a good number of your potential customers. It's just smart business.

Miu Miu handbags, preview fall winter 2010 2011

By: Anna Millman

The Miu Miu show I liked a lot, I found the choice of brilliant Miuccia Prada to make winter a second spring, bringing the catwalk flowers and bright colors like purple and orange, mixed and interspersed with black-colored powder. Today we see all the bags Miu Miu offers us a preview or exchanges views on the catwalk that nobody can neither buy nor pre-order on any site or shop, perhaps we will see that the bags are in hand to star in a few weeks, meanwhile, see them together here are really beautiful!

The collection autumn winter 2010 2011 offers us beautiful and chic Miu Miu handbags all matching shoes, to preview all the matching accessories with each other can go on Moda Pour Femme.

The two bags are the most beautiful handbags, we have a bag powder paint color simple and chic with double handles, a removable shoulder strap and a lovely bow on the front. The other bag is hand made of black leather on which many flowers are used in metal effect natto, handles paint and then a big turn lock closure metal silver.

Then we have two folders chic, a leather painted pink and salmon with black leather inserts and then a romantic white leather with gold metal hardware.

Even swallows in the spring of Miu Miu, today I present to you a delicious and romantic clutch caramel brown leather, simple, chic and charming, a bit like all the new Miu Miu collection, although in this case, being made of brown leather is suitable even more mature or even girls who do not like being covered with flowers and colorful things that make little girls. The new Miu Miu handbag is a stylish accessory and class that you can wear with any type of look, I like it because it can release an outfit more elegant but at the same time give a refreshingly simple look.

The clutch Miu Miu is part of the spring / summer 2010 collection is made of caramel brown leather and has a very simple design, the characteristic is the swallow that perches on the left side of the bag, it seems as if gliding on our bags.

The new Miu Miu bag is simple and chic, has closed with a detail that looks like a metal crown and is made of silver tone metal. The double handles and thin design, a little curled, is simple yet very glamorous. The price is 790.00 euros.

BI: Increased Electricity Tariffs to Trigger Inflation

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI), Hartadi A. Sarwono, said he expects that the increased electricity base tariff wills trigger inflation by a maximum of 0.5 percent.

“The increase is not too high, it is still within the BI inflation target,” he said yesterday.

This year BI target inflations of 4-6 percent. Added to inflation due to increased electricity tariff, Hartadi predicts that yearly inflation reach 5.5 percent.

As is already known, the government and the House of Representatives have agreed to increase the electricity base tariff on July 1 2010.

BI, he said, could hold inflation rate as targeted by guarding monetary policy.

Meanwhile, the Director of Energy & Utilities at Fitch Asia-Pacific, Simon Wong, said he considered that the approved tariff increase was positive for PLN, because it will increase operational margins.

Soon to be the Number One Community Online Forum in Indonesia

What’s so great about Forum Komunitas is that when you open their site, you are not bombarded with so much at once. It uploads very quickly. Almost immediately, you have access to updated threads, news, and even ads with great deals from its members. There is a lot of information, however, it is not a shock to the system, or too much that you just don’t want to look at it anymore.

With all the choices today in the internet, Forum Komunitas has found the key to tweaking young Indonesians adults’ interest. To date, they have almost 400,000 members, and counting. You may ask, what else makes this community online forum stand out among others. Well, unlike other online community networks, Komunitas Indonesia is complete.

Aside from the networking features, it is user-friendly, and it will notify you of updates and changes. You can even sign up for private messaging, use the calendar to add a single or recurring event, and you can even personalize your profile with your picture, signature and personal details.

In the world today, where everything is fast paced and instant, the online forum is the best venue for putting out your news, and receiving news at the same time - that is, news and updates on your friends and family.
It is not unusual for at least one member in a family to be living elsewhere, especially in Asia. The number of migrants, overseas workers, and international foreign students keep growing. One major concern is being able to track them down and maintain contact with family and friends.

For the non-Bahasa speaking individuals who would like to sign up in Komunitas online, they currently have an active English forum where you can sign up and post your comments.

Forum Indonesia is fast catching up with the best of the world. This website is interactive, fast, updated, and on the right track.  Consider these statistics:
In 2000, Indonesia was just starting to join the internet industry. Then only about 2% only of the population has access to telephone. Infrastructure was not good for sustaining any kind of internet based business. In 2001, internet users in Indonesia were only about 1.2 million.

Today, as of 2008, there were 25 million internet users which is quite an impressive number from 2001 figures, except that figure is about 10% only the Indonesia’s population. So, you can just imagine how much bigger Indonesia will be in the next couple of years.

The country should be able to further enhance its infrastructure and broadband services. When it does, Indonesia statistics and Forum Komunitas will be flying out the door!

Komnas HAM investigating alleged rights violations in SE Sulawesi

Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has sent a team to Southeast Sulawesi to investigate alleged human rights violations in a nickel mining project in Talaga Raya sub-district.

Vice Chairman of Komnas HAM Baubau Nurcholis said on Saturday a Commission team was visiting Talaga Raya to collect data and information about alleged land grabbing by PT Arga Morini Indah (AMI) for its mining operations.

"The National Human Rights Commission is collecting data and information on the alleged human rights abuses in the area," Nurcholis said.

He said that based on field studies, the local government and local people provided different information on the ownership of land in the area.

However, he said that his commission could not yet ascertain whether or not human rights violations had been committed.(*)

Source:
http://antaranews.com/en/news/1276955625/komnas-ham-investigating-alleged-rights-violations-in-se-sulawesi

C Sulawesi to attract 6,000 foreign tourists in 2012

Palu (ANTARA News) - C Sulawesi will soon declare 2012 as Visit Central Celebes Year to attract 5.000 to 6,000 foreign tourists.

Head of the Central Sulawesi Culture and Tourism Agency Suaib Djafar here expressed optimism that the target will be achieved with the support of hotels, restaurants, tourist agencies, airline companies, tourist objects, the media, the government and the public.

He said that in the last two years the number or foreign tourists to the region increased from 1,800 in 2008 to close to 4,000, with the support of a conducive security situation.

With regard to facilities, Suaib said, the local administration is increasing the capacity of Palu`s Mutiara airport scheduled for completion in 2011 and Garuda Indonesia and slated to open flights to the airport in July 2010.

(Uu.H-NG//A014/P003)

Source:
http://antaranews.com/en/news/1276229801/c-sulawesi-to-attract-6-000-foreign-tourists-in-2012

How To Promote Your Online Business

By: Ronaldo
Starting an online business has become an increasingly popular trend among a wide demographic since it provides the opportunity to own a business without costly overhead expenses. However, to ensure your online business is successful, you must promote and market it.

Ezines and Newsletters - Communicate with your customers regularly by providing an e-newsletter which details the latest news surrounding your business. This can include anything from new products to publicity your business has received. Entice customers to sign up by offering an incentive, like a discount on their next purchase or a small gift.

Press Releases - In conjunction with an e-newsletter, write a monthly press release which is submitted to online PR sites and local media. Make sure your news is newsworthy and of value to your audience and market.

Network Online - Join and participate in online forums, communities, and discussion boards relevant to your product or services. To properly utilize these forums, don't blatantly market your site get involved in the discussion and introduce yourself. Doing so will enable you to position yourself as an expert in your field, thus garnering new customers and driving traffic to your site.

Foreign Customers - If your site is global or you service international customers, accept online payments in local currencies to increase sales.

Complementary Items - Expand your offering by adding complementary products or services in order to upsell your customers. For example, if you sell clothing, add accessories; if you're an artist, sell frames.

Contests and Give Aways - A great and relatively inexpensive way to market your online business is to offer a contest or give away. This will generate publicity and traffic for your site and get people interested, especially if the item (or service) you're giving away is a hot commodity.

Email Signature - Add an email signature, including your website and contact info and even easier way to get the word out about your website to all those you email.


Source:
http://talkaboutcareer.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-promote-your-online-business.html

how-much cost will you spend when you have dining in indonesia

By: Giredo
I think, this information is so informative if I publish here, at this blog. Because in my mind, I really believe everyone especially foreign tourists that want to go to Indonesia would like to know, how expensive the daily living cost in Indonesia. Okay, the first thing that you should know, you have to know your price in Indonesia most major currency, Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). When I write this post, 1 USD approximately same with 12.200 rupiah. So, I will continue it in IDR. Because I’m now living in Yogyakarta region, I will tell more daily life in this city, although I also know daily cost living in other cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, and many more.

My question is looks enough great I to hear, “How Much Price Will You Spend When You Have Dining in Indonesia?” Dining in my means is not only have dinner but I will tell also how much price will you spend (1 person) to eat daily food which most Indonesian people eat it. For you know, usually most people in Indonesia eat 3 times in a day, breakfast in the morning, lunch, and dinner. I assume you are like most Indonesian people, not go to restaurant for eat, do it yourself in your kitchen. For breakfast needs, usually they eat only for light food such as: fried rice, fried noodle, toast, bread and drink milk. The average cost to buy and eat those (I assume you only eat one kinds of food and drink milk) is 3000-5000 rupiah to eat fried rice or fried noodle and 2000-3000 rupiah to drink milk. That’s the cost will you spend if you are living in big cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. Next to lunch.

For lunch, they (Indonesian people) usually cook: rice, vegetables and meat. (meat in this means is chicken, meat, meat ball, fish, egg, Tahu and Tempe) additionally is fruit and drinking water. The cost is like this: rice is 1000 rupiah, and plus 2 kinds of meats (one egg, and one piece of chicken is 7000-10.000 rupiah) and 2 kinds of vegetables (spinach and vegetable soup is 5000-7500 rupiah). and the price for one bottle of milk is 2000-3000 rupiah. How much total price? Between 15.000 - 20.000 rupiah for just average lunch. What is it so expensive or instead of too cheap? Give your assessment.

The last one is for dinner. I assume you eat like Indonesian people eat for dinner, one cup of rice, 2 kinds of vegetables like chicken soup and corn soup, and 2 kinds of meat, like fried chicken and fried meat. The cost is: one rice is 1000 rupiah, 2 kinds of vegetables that I mentioned above is 5000-10.000 rupiah, and 2 kinds of vegetables is 10.000-20.000 rupiah. The total cost in approx 15.000 to 30.000 rupiah for just average dinner. Could you total the costs that from breakfast till dinner in Indonesia? I assume it as the average food which most people eat daily in some big cities in Indonesia. A price range from 40.000 to 70.000 per day just for eat per person, is it so expensive for you? What about in your country or county? Share this if you have time, thanks.