World's Highest Tennis Court Is High As Hell

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:55:35 GMT

World's Highest Tennis Court Is High As HellVideo of Andre Agassi and some other guy playing tennis up there after the jump. I like how at the end they just start wailing balls off of the side trying to hit things. Because that's what I would do.

Greenspan: No McCain tax cuts without reduction

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:33:27 GMT

McCain has said that he would offset his proposed cuts — including reducing the corporate tax rate and eliminating the Alternative Minimum Tax that has plagued middle-class families — by ending congressional pork-barrel spending, unnecessary government programs and overhauling entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

Palin lauds Hillary ticket

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:34:10 GMT

Alaska Governor Palin praised Senator Clinton in the second part of her first TV interview since pairing with Republican presidential nominee John McCain. Mrs Palin said of Senator Clinton: "What determination, and grit, and even grace through some tough shots that were fired her way - she handled those well."

Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach - October 1st

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:44:26 GMT

Official fashion week of the city of Miami and Miami Beach. Twenty-one top world designers will showcase their new lines in individual fashion shows. Details: Starts at 0:00 on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 Ends at 21:00 on Sunday, October 05, 2008 Location: Various locations throughout Miami and Miami Beach Art Deco District/South Beach, Miami Beach, United States, 33139 Transport Link: http://www.miami-airport.com/

Miami Premiere of the controversial documentary film The Man of Two Havanas

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:32:22 GMT

Miami Premiere of the controversial documentary film

The Man of Two Havanas

September 20 screening at Miami Beach’s Colony Theatre

Vivien Lesnik Weisman did not grow up in a typical American home, or even a typical Cuban-American home. Daughter of activist and journalist Max Lesnik, she was born in Havana, Cuba, but soon came to Miami, Florida when her father, a revolutionary and friend of Fidel Castro, fell out with the Cuban government due to ideological differences. In Miami, her father was both against the Cuban regime but also opposed to U.S. policy toward Cuba, espousing open debate and eventually dialogue and reconciliation through the publications and radio programs he produced. He earned the ire of much of the exile community, with bombings, death threats and drive by shootings becoming a daily occurrence at the Lesnik home. Not your typical childhood.

Lesnik the daughter went on to become Lesnik the filmmaker, and in her controversial and poignant new documentary, The Man of Two Havanas, she tells not only her father’s fascinating story, but the journey she takes to understand her roots, her family, and the social and political currents that swirled around them. The film makes its Miami premiere at 7:30pm, Saturday, September 20, at the Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road on Miami Beach.

Though the film premiered at the prestigious 2007 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City to packed houses, until now the filmmaker has not has not been able to secure a screening in what would arguably be its natural venue, South Florida, including, most notably, not screening at this year’s Miami International Film Festival. However, The Man of Two Havanas has won numerous awards over the past year, received critical acclaim and screened around the world, including winning the 2006 IFP Fledgling Fund Award for Best WIP Emerging Latino Filmmaker and the First Coral at the 2007 Festival Internacional de Nuevo Cine Latino Americano (Havana International Film Festival.

The Man of Two Havanas is presented by Miami’s own Lynn & Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, the most important regional film and video archive, which supplied much of the footage used in the film. “We are always pleased to show films that make use of the invaluable historical resource that we have here at the Wolfson Archives, especially one like this that challenges us to revisit the past and deepen our understanding of the world around us,” says Donald Chauncey, Director of the Archives. The screening is presented in cooperation with the Greater Miami Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.

Burj Dubai becomes world's tallest tower

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:35:38 GMT

Burj Dubai becomes world's tallest tower

DUBAI: Burj Dubai, Emaar Properties' famed tower under construction here, has reached a new record height of 688 metres. ( Watch )

The developer claims the tower became the world's tallest after surpassing North Dakota, USA's KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres) in April 2008.

At over 160 storeys, the tower also has the largest number of floors in any building. When completed, Burj Dubai will meet all four criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which classifies the world's tallest structures.

CTBUH measures the height of buildings to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, the top of the roof and the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole.

Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea's Samsung Corporation. Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager.

HOMESTEAD KARTING CLUB SERIES – SUMMER SEASON OPENER

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:43:15 GMT

HOMESTEAD KARTING CLUB SERIES – SUMMER SEASON OPENER

Easy Pick Up for Marco Ferrera “First in Race One”

Despite “less than ideal” conditions for racing, Summer Points Series - Race One was held on Sunday, August 31^st at Homestead Karting track next to the International Speedway. Multiple rain delays throughout the morning qualifying sessions led to the cancellation of heat races.

During qualifying, Ferrera clocked a 42.488 mph top speed, snagging the pole position with a best time of 59.311 seconds. In the afternoon feature race, Ferrera with his number 15 Zanardi TAG (125 cc.) completed the 15 lap race in 13 minutes 19.678 seconds, leaving the second place to Dane Ierna with a considerable lead, more than a few car lengths. Ferrera maintained his pole positin throughout the race and is a favorite in the track for the Summer Points win.

A native of Rio de Janeiro - Brasil, Marco Ferrera (www.marcoferrera.com) with his crew Garry Williams and Christian Toro are members of Homestead Karting Team, which is owned by karting veteran Tony Schroeder. Race 2 of the heated series will take place on October 12 at Homestead track. The Summer Series consist of 6 races, where point leaders of the regional series will advance to compete at Florida Winter Tour and Stars of Karting.

# # #

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Marco Ferrera, plase send an email to fmarco@marcoferrera.com

Painting with Conni LIVE!

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:47:37 GMT

Painting with Conni LIVE!

Video Art South Florida

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:45:54 GMT

Video Art South Florida 1983

Video, Color, BW, Sound and Silent. 60 minutes Restoration Premiere. “Video Art South Florida” produced by Local videomaker Victor Velt in 1983, this survey of 10 independent video works by local artists has been digitally restored and transferred for a “repremiere” screening at the 2008 Rewind/Fast Forward Film and Video Festival. South Florida Artists on the program: Glenn Abbot, Mike Burger, Bill Cummings, Eileen Eliot, L.A. Hawks, Howard Mathis, Sam Rosenthal and Malgorzata Samek. Co-presented by the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Vasari Project and Art Services and Exhibitions Department. $10.00 Preregistration required, space is limited. Call 305.375.1505 for details. Saturday , August 23, 2008 7:30pm, reception to follow Bass Museum of Art 2121 Park Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 as part of the 2008 Rewind/Fast Forward Film and Video Festival

Invasion of the Historians: Art on Film + Video

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:29:45 GMT

Invasion of the Historians: Art on Film + Video Art in Miami Before Art Basel…WAY Before Art Basel!

Hitogram Media 2008

Free Event! The Wolfson Archive's "Invasion of the Historians" film festival edition is a multi-media extravaganza. Let legendary local art historian and critic Helen Kohen guide you back and forth through over fifty years of "art on film and video." Kohen has culled moving image clips of art and artists in local television coverage, amateur films, video art and documentaries from the ever growing holdings the Library System's Vasari Collection and the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives. Reception to follow. Call 305.375.1505 for details. Free Thursday, August 21, 2008 7pm Miami-Dade Public Library 101 West Flagler Street Miami, FL 33130 as part of the 2008 Rewind/Fast Forward Film and Video Festival

Hitogram Media 2008

Moving The Images: From Archive To Screen

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:23:36 GMT

Meet Miami Filmmakers!

August 23, Saturday from 2pm to 3:30pm Miami Beach Public Library 227 22nd Street Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.wolfsonarchive.org 305-375-1505 for more information

Cut, Scratch, Splice and Spool: The Workshop

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:32:11 GMT

Cut, Scratch, Splice and Spool: The Workshop

Hitogram Media 2008

Making Movies Old School! Hey Kids…Let’s make a film! And let’s make it not with cell phones, not with handicams, not with digital cameras, but with…Hand tools. Hand tools? Today we all live in the digital moment and it’s hard to believe that at one time all media images were, to some extent, handmade. Cut, Scratch, Splice and Spool: The Workshop will introduce young people to the fun and excitement of creating moving images with splicers, scissors, paint brushes, film reels, cement and movie projectors. Call 305.375.1505 to reserve your edit station! Space for Cut, Scratch, Splice and Spool: The Workshop is limited; registration in advance is required. Saturday, August 23, 2008, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. $20.00. Miami-Dade Public Library, 101 West Flagler Street, Miami Visit www.wolfsonarchive.org or call 305-375-1505 for more information

Sexy Swimwear On The Runway On South Beach

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:16:47 GMT

hitogram media

Sexy Swimwear On The Runway On South Beach

It's The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim

Runs From July 17-July 21

Features Hottest Swimwears Designers For 2009

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ― Swimwear fashionistas from all over the world are coming together on South Beach for the annual Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

The sizzling hot event, which takes place at the Raleigh Hotel, features some of the sexiest swimwear for 2009.

Fashion Week Swim showcases an array of designers including Sylvie Cachay, Ed Hardy, Custo Barceleno, Vitamin A, Red Carter, Pistol Panties, and Tommy Bahama just to name a few.

The first show was Thursday night with swimwear by Diesel. Immediately following the runway show, Diesel hosted the official kick-off party to celebrate the first night of a five night long week. The party featured a live music performance at the Raleigh Hotel pool with 800 guests expected to attend.

Fashion Week Swim is described as the hottest event of the summer in the sexiest city in the world and not only features beautiful models in skimpy swimsuits, but also celebrities, supermodels and plenty of fashion insiders.

The 5-day event coincides with the swimwear industry's largest trade show and provides a runway platform for designers' swimwear and resort collections. It runs through July 21st.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Excla.im - a replacement jabber bot

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:01:25 GMT

Read original article here and read more of writer's pieces

Harper Reed: Tech, Phones, Yo-yoing and Death Metal

Hitogram Media 2008

Harper Reed: Software, PHP, MySQL, YoYo, Juggling, Baphomet

I use twitter quite a bit. I like to post to twitter in the most unobtrusive way possible. I don’t like to interupt my workflow to post a quick thought or update. When they used to have their Jabber bot running - it was easy for me to just type in my update and get on with my gmail session or work. I didn’t have to load a page that was often down, or use some other tool. I was bummed when the jabber bot went away. I needed it back to keep up with my use case.

I got tired of waiting, so i made Excla.im. It is a simple App Engine hosted application that allows a person to very simply update their twitter status from any jabber account. It is not very feature full, doesn’t update all the other sites and doesn’t do much else besides just interact with the twitter API. It is very simple.

The technology behind it is just as simple. The GAE app is written in python and uses the django helper. It is super simple and is basically a storage container for account info. It was a breeze to develop and fun to work with.

The Jabber bot was a bit more complicated. I ended up using the sleekxmpp library to do all the XMPP heavy lifting. It is an awesome library. Makes all the hard stuff easy. I then used Shane Hathaway’s daemon.py to help daemonize the bot (btw thanks to Anders for talking me through the dirtiness of daemonizing). To hook into twitter I used the python twitter library. It is featureful and super easy to use. It also supports in newer versions (post r112) setting the source.

I was then able to wrap this all up in a fancy little bot that on receiving a message, grabs encrypted credentials from the GAE app, sends the message to twitter’s api and then chills out. Pretty sweet. Currently all the heavy lifting is on the bot side, instead of on the webapp side - but i may change that.

At some point, I would like to be able to grab a users twitter friends updates and push them to their jabber ids. However - I have yet to figure out a nice and clean way to get the updates without having them seem batched. I have some ideas and a couple things fleshed out - but i don’t want to totally replicate twitter just to get my friends updates.

I am toying with putting the bot up on google code since it is pretty simple and could easily be hooked into almost any webapp. I think that the idea of a simple (simpler than sleekbot) webapp integrated jabber bot would have been helpful in writing this - and i imagine that people looking to do a similar thing may have use for my hacked together code.

A couple take aways from doing this project. First off - python is fun. Second - working with a designer makes things look a LOT better. Aaron Salmon took some time to make excla.im look MUCH better than it did. Check out his stuff and hire him.

View Original Article

World's Greatest Boat Show Sails Back

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:13:26 GMT

World's Greatest Boat Show Sails Back

to Miami - Feb. 14-18, 2008

Import this event to your Outlook calendar (iCAL)

ORIGINAL ARTICLE @ EYESONMIAMI.COM

Hitogram Media 2008

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Dec. 26, 2007 – The Miami International Boat Show will return for its 67th run, Feb. 14-18, 2008, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center and Miamarina at Bayside.

The World's Greatest Boat Show brings together more than 2,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest powerboats, sail boats, engines and marine electronics and accessories for the 2008 boating season. Interactive seminars and demonstrations will help visitors learn about the boating lifestyle and enhance time spent out on the water.

"The Miami show is the premier event for boat-industry manufacturers and dealers to introduce new products and kick-start sales for the upcoming season," said Cathy Rick-Joule, vice president of southern shows with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which produces the Miami show. "Consumers from across the United States and as far away as Japan travel to Miami for this annual gathering of boating enthusiasts, where the best buys of the season can be found."

Kevin Murphy, show manager for Strictly Sail Miami, added, “Not only does the Miami show provide a boost to the boating industry, it also marks the busiest weekend in South Florida and brings to the area an economic impact of $817.8 million in gross sales and wages.”

Details: Starts at 18:00 on Thursday, February 14, 2008
Ends at 16:00 on Monday, February 18, 2008
Location: Miami Bach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Dr,
Miami Beach,
United States, 33139
Transport Link: MIA

Import this event to your Outlook calendar (iCAL)

ORIGINAL ARTICLE @ EYESONMIAMI.COM

Hitogram Media 2008

Solar Power's New Style

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:09:00 GMT

Solar Power's New Style

BRYAN WALSH

Roscheisen claims Nanosolar can already produce thin-film solar cells at prices competitive with fossil fuels.

Thomas Broening for TIME

Mike Gering, CEO of the start-up Global Solar, picks his way along his factory floor, tracing the convoluted path that his thin-film solar panels follow from birth to shipping truck. The raw materials the workers carry are ultra-thin sheets of flexible plastic, which are then coated with a series of chemicals--indium, gallium, diselenide--that allows the module to turn sunlight into electricity.

The atmosphere here is less high tech than high school chemistry lab, and Global Solar's days in this cramped Tucson, Ariz., facility are history. The company is shifting production to a sparkling factory just a few miles down the road. The new facility is fast enough to churn out 40 megawatts' worth of thin-film solar panels a year, more than 10 times Global Solar's previous capacity.

It's a story being repeated throughout the solar world, from the Southwest to Silicon Valley to Germany. Everywhere you look, thin-film solar companies are opening new, more efficient factories. The thin in thin film refers to the skinny layers of photoactive chemicals needed for the technology, as compared with the thicker films used in crystalline-silicon solar modules. Though thin-film photovoltaics are cheaper than the crystalline ones on most rooftop solar panels, the technology has proved maddeningly difficult to mass-produce, which had kept it from going mainstream. But today thin film is the hottest part of the fastest-growing new energy source in the world. BCC Research, which charts technology markets, expects the global solar market to grow from $13 billion to $32 billion by 2012, with thin film expanding 45% a year. Masdar, the clean-energy arm of the government of Abu Dhabi, just announced that it will invest $2 billion in thin film. "Crystalline silicon has had its day," says Peter Harrop, chairman of the London-based research firm IDTechEx. "These new technologies will be taking over."

Hitogram Media 2008

Türkiye 3. Güzeli’ne ‘çete sorgusu’

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:05:35 GMT

Türkiye 3. Güzeli’ne ‘çete sorgusu’

TOLGA ŞARDAN Ankara

Kürt Ahmet adıyla bilinen Ahmet Turgut’un liderliğini yaptığı organize suç örgütüne yönelik operasyonda, Miss Turkey 2008’de Türkiye 3. Güzeli seçilen Gizem Yurtoğlu’nun da ifadesi alındı

Original article here

Savcılık sorgusunun ardından bırakılan Ahmet Turgut’un (üstte takım elbiseli) Yargıtay’ın onadığı hapis cezasının kalanını tıpkı, kapatılan RP’nin Genel Başkanı Necmettin Erbakan gibi evinde geçirmek için Adalet Bakanlığı’na başvurduğu öğrenildi.

Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı, bir süre önce cezaevinden tahliye edilen ‘Kürt Ahmet’ lakaplı Ahmet Turgut’un (75) yeniden adamlarını talimat verdiği ve yeğeni Şahin Turgut’un bazı organize suç olaylarına karıştığı iddiaları üzerine soruşturma başlattı.
Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü KOM Dairesi ve Ankara Emniyeti KOM Şubesi’nce başlatılan “Kene 06” adlı operasyonda 22 kişi gözaltına alındı. Polisin soruşturma dosyasına 32 ayrı olay yansıdı.
Çetenin, Çayyolu bölgesinde yaklaşık 200 milyon dolarlık arazisi olan H.Ö. adlı müteahhidin arazilerine el koyduğu iddia edildi.

Araziye el koydular

Dosyada Şahin Turgut ve adamlarının aynı zamanda E.Y. adlı bir işadamına zorla kumar oynatıp silah zoruyla yaklaşık 1 milyon 200 bin dolarlık senet imzalattığı ve tahsil ettiği belirtildi. Şikâyetçi olan E.Y.’nin “Başıma silah dayayıp senet imzalattırdılar. Ankara’yı terk ettim” dediği öğrenildi.
Paris Hilton’un da katıldığı yarışmada Türkiye 3. güzeli seçilen ve ifadesi alınan Gizem Yurtoğlu’nun ise Şahin Turgut’u cezaevinde ziyaret etmek isteyen grupta yer aldığı anlaşıldı.
Bu grubun Ankara Adliyesi’nde görevli Mehmet İ. adlı evrak memuruyla bağlantıya geçip cezaevinde ziyaret için sahte belge hazırlattığı ve jandarmanın şüphelenmesi üzerine olayın ortaya çıkarıldığı öğrenildi. Mehmet İ. de gözaltına alındı.
Gözaltına alındığında üzerinde ruhsatlı Sig Sauer marka silahlı tabanca bulunan Hakan Saltoğlu’nun da Şahin Turgut’la birlikte hareket ettiği öne sürüldü.
Saltoğlu’nun nisanda bir restoranda garsonlarla kavga ettiği ve Turgut’un adamlarını çağırıp garsonları dövdürdüğü, karakolluk olan taraflar için Seyfi Saltoğlu’nun da bir emniyet yetkilisi ile karakola gelip tarafları barıştırma bahanesiyle nezaretten çıkardığı belirlendi.
Hakan Saltoğlu’nun, çete üyelerinin adliyedeki işlerinin bir bölümünün de tanıdığı kişilerce takip edilmesini sağladığı saptandı.
Polis, Kürt Ahmet’in aracında yaptığı aramada “Glock” marka silah ele geçirdi. Silahın, sökülen airbag’in altına gizlendiği saptandı.

Kürt Ahmet serbest

Adliyeye sevk edilen 22 şüpheliden, aralarında “Kürt?Ahmet” lakaplı Ahmet?Turgut ile Seyfi Saltoğlu’nun oğlu Hakan?Saltoğlu’nun da bulunduğu 11 kişi, savcılık sorgularının ardından serbest bırakıldı. 11 kişi ise tutuklanmaları istemiyle nöbetçi mahkemeye sevk edildi.

6 kişi tutuklandı
Ankara Nöbetçi 11. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi Hâkimliği’ne çıkan şüphelilerden Nihat E., Seçkin Ö., Coşkun D., Ramazan P., Cengiz G. ile Adem A. tutuklandı. Hâkimlik, Duygu C., Fatma G., Muammer H., Ferhat E. ve Hikmet İ.’yi ise adli kontrol şartıyla serbest bıraktı.

DTP Mardin Milletvekili Ahmet Türk’ün de, arkadaşı Kürt Ahmet’ten Diyarbakırlı bir işadamı konusunda yardım istediği idida edildi. Türk’ün, Şahin Turgut’un el koyduğu bir işyerinin yeniden işadamına verilmesi konusunda Haziran 2007’de yardım istediği, ancak yardımcı olmayan Kürt Ahmet’in yeğeni hakkında “Sayın genel başkanım, saygılar sunarım. Bu şerefsizler beni dinlemiyor, sözüm geçmiyor” diye yanıt verdiği belirtildi.
Çetenin Cepa, Panora, Arcadium alışveriş merkezlerinin servis işlerini zorla aldığı da öne sürüldü. Çete üyesi Sebahattin K.’nın Cepa’nın bir yöneticisini “Bu işi Melih Abi (Kürt Ahmet’in en küçük oğlu) almak istedi. Birçok adamla kötü oldu. Oradan gelen para cezaevine gidiyor” diye baskı yaptığı idida edildi.

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Shaq gets slapped by sheriff for rap about Bryant

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:01:17 GMT

Shaq gets slapped by sheriff for rap about Bryant, Hitogram Media

original article @ Yahoo Sports

PHOENIX (AP)—Shaquille O’Neal will lose his special deputy’s badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a rap video that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the Phoenix Suns center’s use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in 2006 and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse later that year.

“I want his two badges back,” Arpaio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they’re fired. I don’t condone this type of racial conduct.”

Shaq was seen in a video posted on the celebrity news and gossip Web site TMZ.com rapping that “Kobe couldn’t do without me.” O’Neal skewers the Lakers’ star, with whom he won three straight NBA titles from 2000-2002 while with Los Angeles, for not being able to win a championship without him.

“I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever,” O’Neal told ESPN.com Monday. A call to the Suns on Tuesday seeking comment from O’Neal was referred to his public relations firm, which didn’t immediately respond.

Arpaio, who describes himself as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” and is best known for feeding jail inmates green bologna, clothing them in pink underwear, and making them work on chain gangs, said he didn’t expect his actions would teach Shaq a lesson. But he hoped he learns that as a role model who wants to someday be a full-time sheriff, he needs to know his words matter.

“Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think that either conduct should be out there publicly, even if media wasn’t there,” Arpaio said.

O’Neal previously served as a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department while playing for the Miami Heat. He also volunteered with the Tempe Police Department after being traded to the Suns in February.

original article @ Yahoo Sports

Hitogram Media 2008

Kimse hesabını AKP gidiyor diye yapmasın

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:59:05 GMT

Kimse hesabını AKP gidiyor diye yapmasın

by İsmet ÇİĞİT

view original article here

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Türkiye’de ilginç ve hızlı siyasi gelişmeler yaşanıyor. Yarın, öbür gün nelerin olacağını kestirmek öyle çok kolay değil.
Türkiye, özellikle bu yılın başlarında, siyasi açıdan çok gergin bir döneme girdi. Önce hükümetin MHP ile işbirliği yaparak türban serbestliği konusunda adım atması, ardından Anayasa Mahkemesi’nde AKP’nin kapatılması talebiyle açılan dava, ülkenin gündemine oturdu.
Aslında, Anayasa Mahkemesi’nde açılan dava, biraz da siyasi gerilimin gazını alan bir sibop işlevi gördü. Şu sıralar, en azından “laiklik elden gidiyor” kavgasının dozu azalmış görünüyor. En azından konu hukuka devredilmiş, bütün ülke sonucu bekliyor.
……..
Yaşanan bütün gelişmelere rağmen, Türkiye’nin yakın geleceğinde AKP’den başka partinin, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’dan başka liderin iktidarı pek görülmüyor. Anayasa Mahkemesi’nden AKP’yi kapatma kararı çıksa da, çıkmasa da, ülkenin siyasi tablosunun çok fazla değişeceğini sanmıyorum.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, kapanma davasının açılmasının ardından ilk günlerde biraz soğukkanlılığını kaybetmiş gibiydi. Ama daha sonra tavrı değişti. AKP, ülkeyi daha fazla gerecek adımlar atmayacak gibi görünüyor. Ucunda tam bir bölünme nedeni olabilecek referandumun göründüğü bir Anayasa değişikliğini zorlamayacaklar. Dava sürecinin-öyle veya böyle- biran önce tamamlanması için AKP’nin özel bir gayret göstermesi de dikkat çekicidir.Kimse hesabını AKP gidiyor diye yapmasın

Anayasa Mahkemesi’nden kapatma ve siyasi yasak kararı çıkmaması halinde, zaten AKP güçlenerek yoluna devam edecektir. Varsayalım ki, kapatma kararı çıktı. Yine çok fazla bir şeyin değişeceğini sanmıyorum. AKP, yeni bir partinin içinde yoluna devam eder. Başbakan Erdoğan, siyasi yasak alsa bile, ülkenin en karizmatik, halkın en geniş kesiminin güvendiği lider olarak varlığını ve etkisini sürdürür.
………
Çok ciddi kuruluşlar tarafından yapılan anketler var. 22 Temmuz seçimlerinde yüzde 47 ile yeniden iktidar olan AKP’nin oyları, bu yılın ocak ayında yüzde 54’ün üzerine çıkmış. Daha sonra siyasi gerilimin başlaması ile birlikte AKP’de hızlı bir oy kaybı görülüyor. Bu yılın Nisan ayı sonu itibariyle, AKP’nin oy oranı yüzde 42’nin altına inmiş. Yani, 4 aylık dönemde, yüzde 7 civarında bir kayıp var.

Ama bu oylar, AKP’den çıkıp, başka bir siyasi partide yığılmıyor. Örneğin CHP’nin durumu. Ocak ayında yüzde 18.7 görünüyor. Nisan sonunda yüzde 22.7 olmuş. MHP’nin oyu, 4 aylık dönemde yüzde 15’ten yüzde 18’e yükselmiş. Diğer partilerin zaten adı bile okunmuyor.
AKP’nin her koşulda, havada karada yüzde 40 oya sahip olduğu açıkça görülmektedir. bu da, eğer oy kaybındaki hızlı düşüşün önünü kesebilirlerse, AKP’nin her koşulda iktidarını sürdüreceği anlamına gelir.
……..
Bu tablonun pek çok nedeni var. Geçen Çarşamba günü öğlen saatlerinde, ailece Seka Park’a gittim. Bir öğlen yemeği için. Seka Park sahilindeki iki lokanta da tamamen dolu. Neredeyse oturacak yer yok. Üstelik kentin elit kesimi. Şık insanlar, bayan grupları, işadamları Seka Park’a gelmiş, yemek yiyorlar.
Toplumda bir yaşam biçimi değişikliği var. AKP’nin hedeflediği ve empoze ettiği yaşam biçimine Türkiye girmeye başlamış. Zaten dar gelirli, yoksul kesim içinde AKP tarzı yaşam biçimi egemen. Ama bu tarza, yani içkisiz ortamda bulunmaya, elit tabaka da alışmaya başladı.

Seka Park otoparkında, bol bol jeep gördüm. En lüks, en pahalı araçlar. Lokantalarda yemek yiyen insanlar, şık, pahalı markalı giysiler içindeler. Bütün rakamlar, Türkiye’de içkili lokanta sayısının azaldığını, yıllarca içkili lokanta olarak faaliyet gösteren kimi tesislerin, işleri düştüğü için kendiliğinden “İçkisiz aile salonu” haline geldiğini gösteriyor.
Yani toplum yapısı değişiyor. Kimileri AKP’ye yakın

gözükmek için, kimileri, AKP’lilerle yakın temasta olabilmek için, kimileri de zaten ruhunda bu tür yaşam biçimine özlem olduğu için, hayat tarzını değiştiriyor. Bilerek veya bilmeyerek, AKP’ye yakınlaşıyor.
……..
Başka bazı örnekler ve göstergeler de var. Bakın dün ulusal gazetelerde bir haber vardı. İzmir’in Gaziemir ilçesinde, CHP’nin ilçe başkanı ile yaklaşan yerel seçimlerde adaylığını koymayı planlayan bir partili arasında kavga çıkmış. Aday olmak isteyen CHP’li, ilçe başkanı ve adamları tarafından feci şekilde dövülmüş, bir parmağı koparılmış, hastanelik olmuş.

Bu, CHP’nin her yerdeki iç tablosudur. Bizim ilimizde olduğu gibi yapay dostluk ve dayanışma manzaraları bazı yerlerde sunulmak istense de, aslında CHP’de özellikle aday belirleme sürecinde çok büyük kavgaların çıkacağı, parti içinde dağılmalar, kopmalar olacağı açıktır. AKP’nin ise, böyle bir kaygısı yoktur. İnsanlar tartışacaklar. Yarışacaklar, sonunda Başbakan kimi aday gösterirse, razı olacaklar. AKP’nin bu yapısı, AKP teşkilatlarının ciddiyeti, diğer partilere göre avantaj sağlıyor.

Bir tespitimi daha aktarmak isterim. Digiturk Platformunda bulunan Türkmax isimli kanalda, Hülya Avşar bire bir röportajlar yapıyor. İki gün önce, AKP milletvekili Osman Yağmurdereli Hülya Avşar’ın konuğuydu. Hülya Hanım, kendisini çok bilgili sanıyor, ama ülke meseleleri konusunda aslında pek de bilgili değil. Ama programında, Başbakan Erdoğan’ın eşi Emine Hanım’a övgüler yağdıran Hülya Avşar, AKP’nin politikalarını eleştirdi, ülkeyi gerdiklerini öne sürdü ve Osman Yağmurdereli’yi fena halde sıkıştırdı.

AKP’li Osman Yağmurdereli’yi bir sanatçı olarak da beğenmem. Yıllarca Semra Özal’ın yanına yaslandı, sonra birdenbire AKP’li oluverdi. Ama Osman Yağmurdereli, Hülya Avşar’ın programında, bir AKP’li olarak son derece sempatik görüntü verdi. Altından kalkamayacağı sıkıştırmalarda, yumuşak üslupla partisini savundu. Bildiği konularda iyi çıkışlar yaptı.

Bir gece sonra, aynı programda Hülya Avşar’ın konuğu, CHP Genel Başkanı Baykal’ın kurultay amigosu Mehmet Sevigen oldu. O kadar itici, o kadar sevimsiz ve antipatik bir üslup vardı ki, Sevigen’i izleyemedim.
Her şeye rağmen, AKP’liler halka karşı çok daha samimi, sempatik ve halka yakın. CHP’de ise, hadi Deniz Baykal’ı bir kenara koyalım, Mehmet Sevigen tipinden çok adam var. Bu tablo içinde, özellikle CHP’nin AKP’yi geçip, iktidar olması, yaklaşan yerel seçimleri silip süpürmesi gibi bir mucizenin, gerçekçi olmadığını düşünüyorum.
Bunca badireye, bunca tepkiye ve engellemeye karşın, Türkiye’nin yakın ve orta vadedeki geleceğinde, AKP ile Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın devam edeceğini tahmin ediyorum.

Hitogram Media 2008

Jazz in the Gardens

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:56:33 GMT

Jazz in the Gardens

view more events @ hitogram.com

import this event to your outlook calendar (iCAL)

view more @ hitogram.com

Eyesonmiami.com article

Jazz in the Gardens is fast becoming a tradition in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, featuring a mix of great music, fantastic food and lots of fun, all with a distinct South Florida flavor. The festival is as much about the music as it is about a genuine celebration of the cultural diversity that The City of Miami Gardens enjoys in its residents.

Details: Starts at 16:00 on Saturday, March 15, 2008
Ends at 23:59 on Sunday, March 16, 2008
Artist line-up availiable, visit www.jazzinthegardens.com Location: Dolphin Stadium
Miami Gardens,
United States
Transport Link: Miami International Airport

Artist Line-up for this year's event:

Wyclef

The O'Jays

Chaka Khan

Kem

Nancy Wilson

George Benson

George Duke

Chrisette Michele

Stanley Clarke

Anthony David

Mike Philips

Elin

view more @ hitogram.com

Eyesonmiami.com article

iPhone 3G clears FCC

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:47:38 GMT

iPhone 3G clears FCC

From CNET.COM

view original article here

http://www.hitogram.com

Posted by Kent German Post a comment

The same day Apple announced the iPhone 3G, the FCC certified the handset for sale in the United States. As part of that process the iPhone had to report a SAR rating of less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. As it turns out, the device's highest at ear SAR is 1.38 watts per kilogram. But the iPhone 3G wasn't the only cell phone to win approval this week. The FCC also certified the LG Decoy, Nokia 5220 Xpress Music, and Motorola ZN200. We've combed through the filing on the agency's online database to bring you the full results of new and upcoming cell phones. Click through to read the full report.

Apple iPhone 3G

Ezze SL395Q

Huawei C2206

Huawei U1000

LG VX8360

LG Decoy VX8610

Motorola ZN200

Nokia 5220 Xpress Music

Nokia RM-243

Nokia N82

Samsung SCH-R550

Samsung SGH-L870

Samsung SGH-Z810

Samsung SPH-W5310

Hitogram Media 2008

Birleşmiş Milletler Ortak Programı Kadın Örgütleri

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:42:39 GMT

Birleşmiş Milletler Ortak Programı Kadın Örgütleri

Toplantısından Kısa Notlar

view original article here

http://www.hitogram.com

14 -15 Nisan 2008 tarihleri arasında Birleşmiş Milletler Ortak Programı (BMOP) kapsamında BMOP ve KADER Ankara Şubesi işbirliği ile gerçekleştirilen kadın örgütleri deneyim paylaşım toplantısına ilişkin özet bilgi aşağıda yer almaktadır.

Katılımcı Sayısı: 66

Katılımcı Profili: Birleşmiş Milletler (Birleşmiş Milletler Nüfus Fonu, Uluslararası Çalışma Örgütü), İçişleri Bakanlığı, Sabancı Vakfı, Sabancı Üniversitesi, İsviçre Büyükelçiliği, Ulusal ve Yerel Kadın Örgütleri

Katılan Ulusal Kadın Kuruluşu: 16

Katılan Yerel Kadın Kuruluşu: 28

Toplantının ilk oturumda, BMOP, BMOP danışmanı ve yerel kolaylaştırıcılar BMOP çalışmaları ve çalışmaların yürütüldüğü kentlerde elde edilen kazanımları konu alan sunumlar yaptılar. Daha sonra, akademisyenler ve ulusal örgütlerin önde gelen kadın temsilcileri (KASAUM, KAMER, KADER, KDV, KADAV, KiH, TKB, Filmmor, AMARGi, LA21) Türkiye’deki kadın kuruluşlarının gündemini özetle aktardılar. Sözkonusu bilgi paylaşımını üç saatlik görüş alış verişi bölümü izledi. Bu bölümün amacı, her katılımcının söz hakkını kullanmasını sağlamaktı. Toplantı üç çalıştay ile devam etti. Çalıştaylar, ulusal ve yerel kadın kuruluşlarından kaıtlımcıların oluşturuldu ve dört farklı konu üzerinde çalışıp birer sunum hazırladı. Çalıştay grupları şu sorulara yanıt aradılar;

¨YEEP’leri (Yerel Eşitlik Eylem Planları) kadın örgütlerinin gündemine nasıl uyarlayabilir ve uygulayabiliriz?

¨ Yerel Yönetimlerle olan ilişkilerde nasıl bir yol izleyebiliriz?

¨YEEP’lerin sürdürülebilirliğini nasıl sağlayabiliriz?

¨Kadın dostu kent kriterleri neler olmalıdır?

Toplantı sonuçlarının detaylı bir raporu daha sonra oluşturulacaktır, ancak bahsedilmeye değer bazı genel yorumlar aşağıda belirtilmiştir;

BMOP iyi bir şekilde yapılandırılmış ve aktif bir Programdır.

¨BMOP’nin tarafsız tutumu yerel kadın örgütlerinin takdirini kazanmıştır.

¨ BMOP, sivil toplum ve kamu arasında diyalog oluşturmada başarılı olduğunu kanıtlamıştır.

¨ BMOP’un illerdeki çalışmaları, ulusal kadın örgütlerine Program illerinde kendi spesifik programlarını uygulamak için uygun bir ortam sağlamıştır.

¨ BMOP yerel kadın örgütlerinin kapasitesini geliştirmek konusunda başarılı olmuştur.

¨ Sabancı Vakfı Hibe Programı, YEEP’lerin uygulanması ve yerel kadın örgütlerinin geliştirilmesine destek olmuştur.

¨ Sabancı Üniversitesi’nin lise öğretmenlerine yönelik toplumsal cinisyet eşitliği farkındalik yaratma programı yerel kadın örgütlerinin beğenisini kazanmıştır.

¨Kadın örgütlerinin başlıca kaygısı, YEEP’lerin uygulanması için yeterli siyasi iradenin var olup olmadığı konusunda odaklanmıştır.

¨Kadın örgütlerinin, özellikle de zayıf olanların, bağımsız konumlarını koruma çerçevesinde kamu otoriteleriyle yaşadıkları zorluklar vurgulanmıştır.

¨Kadın dostu kent kriterleri, çok kolay ve rahat erişilebilir kriterler olmamalıdır.

¨Kadın dostu kentleri seçme hakkı ve kolaylığı uygulama illerinde faaliyet gösteren kadın örgütlerinin ve kadınların olmalıdır.

¨Yerel yönetimlerin sorumluluklarını yerine getirmek için fonları olduğundan, Sabancı Hibeleri kadın örgütlerine verilmelidir.

Apple unveils iPhone 2, both the phone and the business

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:39:50 GMT

Apple unveils iPhone 2,

both the phone and the business

from CNET.COM

http://www.hitogram.com

view original article here

Posted by Tom Krazit 23 comments

The second chapter of Apple's iPhone era is almost ready to begin, and it's already clear that things will be a little different this time around.

Few people who pay even scant attention to the technology industry could claim to be shocked by the introduction of a faster iPhone earlier on Monday by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Apple has sold 6 million iPhones since June 2007, Jobs said, and will likely sell a few more once the new model arrives on July 11 with a faster networking chip, GPS capabilities, and a software upgrade that's an IT manager's dream for a mobile device.

From a features point of view, the new model delivers on what iPhone customers want and need. Yes, you still can't do mobile messaging, and I still don't think you can do cut-and-paste, which is just bizarre. But Apple has added just about everything else people have asked for or complained about in iPhone 1.0: faster networks, secure access to corporate e-mail, precise location-based services, and third-party applications.

What's perhaps more interesting is what Apple has learned about the mobile phone business. It's not all that surprising that Apple, which has a proud legacy of product design and software development, would have created an excellent product that has the rest of the industry scrambling to overtake.

But several developments later on Monday indicate that Apple has had to learn just as many lessons about playing in the mobile phone market over the past year as it has taught the mobile phone industry about product development.

About 90 minutes after Jobs concluded his keynote, AT&T held its own press conference to announce some major changes in the way iPhones are sold. You now must mmediately agree to a two-year contract with AT&T whether you buy the iPhone in one of Apple's stores or one of AT&T's stores, and there will be no online ordering. AT&T and Apple have ended their revenue-sharing agreement, and Apple also said that the "vast majority" of its new carrier agreements overseas do not involve revenue sharing. To top it off, iPhone data plans are now $10 more expensive.

This just might be the aftereffect of the unlocked iPhones. Apple executives downplayed the actual number of unlocked iPhones several times this year, claiming they couldn't estimate how many iPhones had actually been unlocked and that in any event, it just demonstrates demand for the product.

But Apple's carrier partners sure cared about that number. Apple negotiated extremely favorable deals for iPhone 1.0, getting a piece of AT&T and other carriers' revenue for data services while retaining complete control over what applications would appear on the device.

Apple held up its end of the bargain in one sense--delivering a solid product that enticed people to switch networks and drove data usage--but failed to secure its product against those who wished to unlock it from its designated networks, forcing some carriers to watch their rivals reap the benefits of iPhone data usage. Wireless carriers may be opening up their networks in new and interesting ways, but their influence on the mobile market isn't waning just yet.

It's not clear whether Apple will introduce technology changes into the new iPhone that makes it harder to jailbreak, then unlock, but it will at least require U.S. iPhone buyers to sign a two-year contract and activate the iPhone on AT&T's network before they can take it home. This won't eliminate unlocking, but could discourage it to some degree.

Of course, compromise is part of any good partnership. In exchange for giving up revenue sharing and its novel at-home activation service, Apple is getting a subsidized iPhone. That will lower the price of entry into the iPhone world and should accelerate sales without dinging Apple's product margins to the degree that would be result if Apple absorbed the cost decrease itself. The increased sales should also offset the loss of the shared revenue.

So the big question: will the iPhone 3G--and new business model--enable Apple to meet its sales target for 2008 of 10 million units? If Apple has sold 6 million units to date, as Jobs said in his keynote, that means the company has a long way to go, having sold just 2.3 million iPhones so far in 2008.

The fact that the new iPhone won't be available until July 11 was one of the most surprising things to emerge from this morning's keynote. Apple, of course, never put a finer grain on when it expected to ship iPhone 3G beyond "next year," which Jobs quoted a few times in response to questions about the issue in 2007. But few expected the company to miss the one-year anniversary of the iPhone's debut with the new model, and at the very least, Apple itself had promised the iPhone 2.0 software by the end of June.

That means Apple will have shipped almost no iPhones from roughly the middle of May to July 11: about two whole months, although AT&T stores took longer to run out of their supply. We'll get a more precise number for iPhone shipments during Apple's third fiscal quarter, which ends in June, during the company's earnings call in July. But no matter how you slice it, that's a large gap that points to a bit of a supply chain snafu at some stage along the way.

Apple's Greg Joswiak, vice president of worldwide iPod and iPhone marketing, reiterated Apple's 10 million shipment goal in an interview after Jobs' keynote, so it's not like Apple is backing down. There are two main reasons why the company can still be confident: the combination of 3G and the cheaper price will spur potential customers who have been sitting on the sidelines in countries where the iPhone already exists, and a total of 70 countries will get official access to the iPhone, including major new destinations like Canada and Australia. In addition, Jobs hinted to CNBC later in the day that the big prize--China--could be coming sooner rather than later.

It's always interesting to watch a company try to make its way into an entirely new business; those who fail far outnumber those who succeed. The most common reason why many fail is because they forget to learn from their initial experiences, or assume they know better based on their past successes.

Apple may not proclaim it from on high in the Stevenote, but today the company showed that it's willing to learn from its mistakes, and to adjust its business model when prudent. So far in its iPhone era, Apple has wisely tackled the hard problem first--making a great product, and continuing to improve it--and is now making the kinds of changes to its business model to make sure the iPhone really does turn into the third leg of the company's business some day.

http://www.hitogram.com

view original article here

MySpace legions march into movies

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:45:33 GMT

From The Sunday Times

June 15, 2008

Social networking has moved from the computer screen to the big screen. The first cinema production made with the help of contributions from an online community is to receive its world premiere later this month.

For Faintheart, a comedy centring on a battle reenactment club, the director and much of the music were chosen by users of the networking site MySpace.

The same online group was asked to compete in auditions for some of the smaller parts and users were even asked how elements of the plot should develop.

“It’s the world’s first publicly generated movie,” said Jamie Kantrowitz, vice-president of marketing for MySpace. “It’s about involving a potential audience for a movie in the making of the film itself.”

The idea may catch on as producers look for new ways to gain the attention of audiences, with MySpace already working on a screen adaptation of Paulo Coelho’s latest novel. The bestselling Brazilian author, whose novel The Alchemist has sold more than 30m copies in nearly 70 languages, is teaming up with MySpace users around the world to create a television version of The Witch of Portobello. They are asked to send in video adaptations of the 15 storylines in the book and to submit music.

“When I decided to create my first movie together with my readers, MySpace came quickly to mind,” said Coelho, who was an early convert to allowing his books to be read online. “It also has that ability to connect artists, musicians and film-makers around the world.”

The Faintheart movie, which cost £1.3m to make, will be shown in public for the first time on the closing night of the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 28. It stars Ewen Bremner, who played Spud in the 1996 film Trainspotting, and Jessica Hynes (formerly Stevenson), who appeared in The Royle Family and Shaun of the Dead.

The story revolves around Richard, played by Eddie Marsan, whose films have included Miami Vice and The Illusionist. He is a lowly sales assistant who spends his weekends dressing up as a Norse warrior with his friends. Meanwhile, his wife and son are becoming increasingly fed up with a father who seems to prefer living in the Viking age.

Faintheart may be conventional in subject and style, but the way it was put together – with elements from social networking and reality TV – marks a departure in film-making.

The idea came from Vertigo, a British production and distribution company whose films have included The Football Factory and It’s All Gone Pete Tong.

Vertigo had previously marketed some of its films on MySpace, which is owned by News Corporation, parent company of The Sunday Times. It then decided to take the idea a stage further by involving the users of the social network in making the film. The two companies approached FilmFour because of its record of making innovative films.

MySpace set up a website and asked would-be directors to send in a short film showcasing their skills. Almost 1,000 shorts arrived, which were whittled down to 12. A panel from the film industry, including the actress Sienna Miller, cut that down to three. The final shortlist was put back on MySpace and the website’s users chose the winning film-maker. A total of 500,000 votes were cast online at various stages of the process.

They chose Vito Rocco, who, despite his Italian name, is English. He is an award-winning maker of short films and promotions. “Vito already had an idea for a movie and a script that he was developing,” said Rupert Preston, head of distribution at Vertigo. “This was what has turned out to be Faintheart.”

After the MySpace community had chosen the director, users were invited to audition online by posting videos of themselves on the website for 10 of the smaller roles. About 20,000 auditioned. They were asked to send in jokes for the film as they followed its development online.

Next came the music, with MySpace users choosing the 10 songs and some of the bands in the film. Finally, as it was being shot – in the West Midlands – scenes were posted online, so users could even influence the plot with their comments.

“The nearest analogy is with a band or group who have some new songs which they play at gigs,” said Peter Carlton, senior commissioning executive at FilmFour. “They try them out and refine them according to how they go down with their audience before they record them.”

Arctic Monkeys were one of the first bands to come to prominence via the internet. Lily Allen has also made extensive use of online promotion.

“The British film industry has recently suffered from a lack of connection between movie-makers and their audience,” Carlton said. “With the internet, we should connect again.”

MediaDefender Goes Forward with P2P Marketing

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:57:48 GMT

MediaDefender Goes Forward with P2P Marketing

Written by Ernesto on June 14, 2008

Most people recognize MediaDefender for their clumsy anti-piracy efforts, but there is much more to them than that. In fact, they are warming up advertisers and record labels to use LimeWire and other file-sharing software to distribute millions of legitimate, but branded, MP3s.

MediaDefender has been experimenting with P2P marketing for quite some time now. Last year, it earned the company $560,000 and they hope to increase this figure in 2008. This new revenue stream is very welcome for them, since their anti-piracy operations aren’t as profitable as they used to be.

P2P marketing is a win-win situation according to MediaDefender, both advertisers and filesharers will benefit. It gives the advertiser “access to passionate fans of any choosing” and filesharers “…get what they want… free content with unique and compelling offerings that fit their personal tastes.”

But wait a second, what a strange world we are living in. A few months ago, Jammie Thomas lost her court case, and was ordered to pay the RIAA hundreds and thousands of dollars because she shared a few songs, and now the same record labels use filesharing networks to distribute their branded MP3s.

Similarly, the IFPI is trying to educate kids and parents about the great dangers of filesharing, while the record companies they represent hire MediaDefender to distribute authorized content on LimeWire and other P2P networks.

So, on the one hand record labels are going after people who distribute their files online, and at the same time they spam these networks with authorized copies. Strangely enough, there is no way for the filesharer to make sure whether a file is authorized or not.

I’m not a lawyer of course, but this double standard must have some legal implications. MediaDefender is even hosting a branded copy of Kayne West’s ’stronger’ on their own servers, and I assume they wouldn’t be infringing copyright.

Of course we asked MediaDefender to shed their light on some of these questions, but unfortunately, they did not respond to our inquiries. Probably too busy spoofing or DDoS-ing random BitTorrent trackers.

Saved in: Anti-Piracy Gangs, Hot Off The Press
Tags: bittorrent, limewire, mediadefender, p2p marketing

Previously: Pirate Tax Funds Pirate Album

Next: BitTorrent Users Refuse To Pay Copyright Fines

FOOD NETWORK SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:45:50 GMT

FOOD NETWORK SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

PRESENTED BY FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE

ANNOUNCES NEW HEALTHY INITIATIVE AND 2008 PROGRAM OF EVENTS

Miami Beach, Fla. (June 12, 2007)-Lee Brian Schrager, Founder and Director of the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, announced the launch of a new healthy initiative entitled ‘Fun and Fit as a Family sponsored by The South Beach Diet’ at the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival scheduled to take place February 21-24, 2008.

‘Fun and Fit as a Family’ will take fun activities including cooking demonstrations, seminars, exercise programs, exhibitors and healthy food tastings to help promote active and healthy lifestyles to families. ‘Fun and Fit as a Family’ will kick off with a ‘Childhood Obesity Initiative’ sponsored by the Agatston Research Foundation and narrated by cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet, Dr. Arthur Agatston with confirmed panelists Alice Waters, Jamie Oliver and Rachael Ray.

“We couldn’t be more excited about having the support of such high profile culinary celebrities like Alice, Jamie and Rachael to help launch this new healthy initiative here in South Florida,” stated Schrager about the symposium to kick off ‘Fun and Fit as a Family’. “We are even more ecstatic about the potential of what this program can bring to our local community once we collaborate with the local school system to bring healthier eating and exercise programs into the schools.”

Other new events at the 2008 Festival include a late night Fettuccine and Fiorentina party hosted by Mario Batali (Iron Chef America) and Jamie Oliver at DeVito’s South Beach. Wine Spectator’s Samantha Shanken and master sommelier Laura DePasquale will host D’Vine Divas, a dinner celebrating remarkable women in the industry featuring notable female chefs Suzanne Goin (Luques, Los Angeles), Susan Spicer (Bayona Restaurant, New Orleans), Elizabeth Faulkner (Citizen Cake, San Francisco) and Traci des Jardin (Jardiniere, San Francisco) alongside several of the world’s best female winemakers. Paula Deen (Paula’s Party) will host a fun-filled night of poker at Paula’s Poker Party while Emeril Lagasse (Emeril Live) will lead a pack of pastry chefs from Emeril’s restaurants nationwide at Emeril’s Sugar Shack.

Signature events of the Festival will return with wine and culinary celebrities hosting dinners, tastings, wine seminars, interactive cooking lunches and much more. Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best will showcase the talents of the world’s greatest chefs and winemakers while the Wine Spectator Wine Seminars, hosted by Executive Editor Thomas Matthews, will feature fine wines from Krug, Château Lascombes, Opus One, Smith-Haute-Lafite, Joseph Phelps and Cos D’Estournel among others. Festival favorites Andrea Immer Robinson, Joshua Wesson and Anthony Giglio will all return to lead interactive wine and food pairing seminars in the expanded wine seminar program at the 2008 Festival.

The Festival continues its tradition of paying tribute to remarkable leaders in the industry. At next year’s Tribute Dinner, Jean Georges Vongerichten will be honored by the executive chefs of the Jean Georges Management Group while Jamie Oliver will be recognized at the Tribute Brunch for his work in the UK school system along with Jose Ferrer Sala, Honorary Chairman of the Freixenet group.

Title sponsor Food Network returns with its star power headlining several events including Giada de Laurentiis (Giada’s Weekend Getaways) hosting the Moët & Chandon BubbleQ and Rachael Ray hosting the Amstel Light Burger Bash. Emeril, Paula and Mario will all host first time events as well as lead culinary demonstrations at the Grand Tasting Village along with Tyler Florence (Tyler’s Ultimate), Bobby Flay (Throwdown with Bobby Flay), newcomers Ellie Krieger (Healthy Appetite) and Robert Irvine (Dinner: Impossible) and other Food Network favorites. In between culinary demonstrations guest will have two days to sample food and beverage products in the American Express Grand Tasting Tents.

Tickets for the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival go on sale Monday, October 15, 2007. For more information, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 305-627-1275.

All proceeds of the Festival benefit the students of FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management who also assist festival organizers with sponsorship fulfillment, restaurant and exhibitor recruitment, logistics, inventory as well as working alongside some of the world’s greatest celebrity chefs and winemakers. In addition to receiving a first-rate education in one of the country’s most diversified hospitality and tourism markets, these students are provided the opportunity to work hands-on with some of the industry’s most experienced leaders.

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food &Wine magazine is produced by Florida International University and Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information about the festival, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 305-627-1275. For more information about Florida International University visit www.fiu.edu, for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management visit www.hospitality.fiu.edu and for more information about Southern Wine & Spirits visit www.southernwine.com.

pic of the day

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:54:57 GMT

Sometimes I post a pics of the day, but it is totaly random..Throughout the day I try to upload as many pics as I can. Afterall there are more than 150.000 photos that I have taken in 4 years.

Terrible Weather Today, and that effects the internet too...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:36:02 GMT

Is your internet slow when it rains, too?

I have trying to upload and post stuff all afternoon, but the rainy/overcast weather is slowing the lines (i believe)

Card Sound Road

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:56:08 GMT

On the way to Florida Keys. www.hitogram.com

Winter Music Conference recap.

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:28:58 GMT

Winter Music Conference, March 25-29, 2008

Winter Music Conference, in its 23rd year, is regarded as the singular networking event in the dance music industry, attracting professionals from over 62 different countries. With its high concentration of top international artists, DJs and industry professionals, WMC permeates the international press and is thereby one of the most publicized events in the business. Every aspect of the industry is represented including the top technological innovators, artists, DJs, producers, radio and video programmers, retailers, distributors, audio manufacturers and many more. There are countless reasons why people from all over the world return year after year for this event, the most outstanding one being that there is nothing else in the world like it.

Industry Development
Currently, the music industry is engaged in a profound structural metamorphosis. CDR's, MP3's, download streams and other new technologies are forever changing the ways in which people create, buy, sell and listen to music. Such matters are among the many debated at Winter Music Conference. The WMC program brings together informed professionals to present new ideas, discuss industry issues, and build new inroads for business development. Meetings and seminars focus on topics such as market strategies, artist development, copyrighting, publishing, writing contracts, artist management, distribution, radio, promotion, internet retailing, and the media, just to name a few. With more than 30 important meetings and seminars on the agenda, WMC will continue its mission to provide a decisive global platform for resolving the current challenges and stimulating new industry growth and revenue.

Artists, DJs and Events
One of the most exciting aspects of Winter Music Conference is the convergence of industry executives, press and A&R reps, as well as artists and DJs of all levels bumping heads on the dance floors and rubbing elbows at the bar, while enjoying their favorite DJs spinning on the decks. The level of exposure WMC provides for artists and DJs is invaluable. WMC offers endless opportunities for DJs and artists to network and have their music heard by an international audience of music industry professionals. The Demo Listening Workshops, CD compilation, DJ & performance stages, DJ Spin Off and a host of other performance events, showcases and release parties throughout the week, provide limitless opportunities for innovative DJs and artists to break out of the box. Venues throughout Miami feature a non-stop schedule of nighttime events showcasing legendary artists and DJs from all over the world. WMC also presents the International Dance Music Awards, revered as the premier annual awards event for the dance and electronic music industry. Ultra Music Festival, the largest music festival of its kind in the U.S., is the official closing event for WMC. Nowhere other than WMC will you experience such diverse and unique talents gathered together to share one week of exclusive music industry events.

International Marketplace
The leading products, sounds and services from all over the globe are showcased at the WMC marketplace. See the latest innovations and breakthroughs in technology. In the WMC Exhibit Hall, you may also discover distributors, record labels, instruments, DJ hardware, sound equipment, music publications, internet and software technology, apparel, CD duplicators and much more. Because the Exhibit Hall is entirely hands-on, you ultimately become an intrinsic part of the whole experience. If you are looking for exposure, the WMC Marketplace is a prime opportunity to present your product or service directly to your market.

Archive

World's Highest Tennis Court Is High As Hell

Greenspan: No McCain tax cuts without reduction

Palin lauds Hillary ticket

Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach - October 1st

Miami Premiere of the controversial documentary film The Man of Two Havanas

Miami Premiere of the controversial documentary film

Burj Dubai becomes world's tallest tower

HOMESTEAD KARTING CLUB SERIES – SUMMER SEASON OPENER

Painting with Conni LIVE!

Video Art South Florida

Invasion of the Historians: Art on Film + Video

Moving The Images: From Archive To Screen

Cut, Scratch, Splice and Spool: The Workshop

Sexy Swimwear On The Runway On South Beach

Sexy Swimwear On The Runway On South Beach

It's The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim

Runs From July 17-July 21

Features Hottest Swimwears Designers For 2009

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ― Swimwear fashionistas from all over the world are coming together on South Beach for the annual Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

The sizzling hot event, which takes place at the Raleigh Hotel, features some of the sexiest swimwear for 2009.

Fashion Week Swim showcases an array of designers including Sylvie Cachay, Ed Hardy, Custo Barceleno, Vitamin A, Red Carter, Pistol Panties, and Tommy Bahama just to name a few.

Fashion Week Swim is described as the hottest event of the summer in the sexiest city in the world and not only features beautiful models in skimpy swimsuits, but also celebrities, supermodels and plenty of fashion insiders.

The 5-day event coincides with the swimwear industry's largest trade show and provides a runway platform for designers' swimwear and resort collections. It runs through July 21st.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Excla.im - a replacement jabber bot

World's Greatest Boat Show Sails Back

World's Greatest Boat Show Sails Back

to Miami - Feb. 14-18, 2008

Details: Starts at 18:00 on Thursday, February 14, 2008 Ends at 16:00 on Monday, February 18, 2008 Location: Miami Bach Convention Center 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, United States, 33139 Transport Link: MIA

Solar Power's New Style

Solar Power's New Style

Solar Power's New Style

Roscheisen claims Nanosolar can already produce thin-film solar cells at prices competitive with fossil fuels.

Thomas Broening for TIME

Türkiye 3. Güzeli’ne ‘çete sorgusu’

Türkiye 3. Güzeli’ne ‘çete sorgusu’

TOLGA ŞARDAN Ankara

Kürt Ahmet adıyla bilinen Ahmet Turgut’un liderliğini yaptığı organize suç örgütüne yönelik operasyonda, Miss Turkey 2008’de Türkiye 3. Güzeli seçilen Gizem Yurtoğlu’nun da ifadesi alındı

Savcılık sorgusunun ardından bırakılan Ahmet Turgut’un (üstte takım elbiseli) Yargıtay’ın onadığı hapis cezasının kalanını tıpkı, kapatılan RP’nin Genel Başkanı Necmettin Erbakan gibi evinde geçirmek için Adalet Bakanlığı’na başvurduğu öğrenildi.

Sayfayı yazdır

Shaq gets slapped by sheriff for rap about Bryant

Shaq gets slapped by sheriff for rap about Bryant, Hitogram Media

PHOENIX (AP)—Shaquille O’Neal will lose his special deputy’s badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a rap video that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the Phoenix Suns center’s use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in 2006 and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse later that year.

“I want his two badges back,” Arpaio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they’re fired. I don’t condone this type of racial conduct.”

“I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever,” O’Neal told ESPN.com Monday. A call to the Suns on Tuesday seeking comment from O’Neal was referred to his public relations firm, which didn’t immediately respond.

“Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think that either conduct should be out there publicly, even if media wasn’t there,” Arpaio said.

O’Neal previously served as a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department while playing for the Miami Heat. He also volunteered with the Tempe Police Department after being traded to the Suns in February.

Kimse hesabını AKP gidiyor diye yapmasın

Kimse hesabını AKP gidiyor diye yapmasın

by İsmet ÇİĞİT

Jazz in the Gardens

Jazz in the Gardens

Details: Starts at 16:00 on Saturday, March 15, 2008 Ends at 23:59 on Sunday, March 16, 2008 Artist line-up availiable, visit www.jazzinthegardens.com Location: Dolphin Stadium Miami Gardens, United States Transport Link: Miami International Airport

Artist Line-up for this year's event:

Wyclef

The O'Jays

Chaka Khan

Kem

Nancy Wilson

George Benson

George Duke

Chrisette Michele

Stanley Clarke

Anthony David

Mike Philips

Elin

iPhone 3G clears FCC

iPhone 3G clears FCC

From CNET.COM

Posted by Kent German Post a comment

Details: Starts at 18:00 on Thursday, February 14, 2008
Ends at 16:00 on Monday, February 18, 2008
Location: Miami Bach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Dr,
Miami Beach,
United States, 33139
Transport Link: MIA

Details: Starts at 16:00 on Saturday, March 15, 2008
Ends at 23:59 on Sunday, March 16, 2008
Artist line-up availiable, visit www.jazzinthegardens.com Location: Dolphin Stadium
Miami Gardens,
United States
Transport Link: Miami International Airport