Bailout Works - Automobiles

David Sanger analyzes President Obama's plan for the ailing domestic auto industry. And the historical precedents, Sanger suggests, are not encouraging: "In the past, the United States government had briefly nationalized steel makers and tried to run the railroads, with little success."
I claim no particular expertise on either of those episodes. But Phillip Longman, a fellow at the New America Foundation, does. And in the latest edition of the Washington Monthly, he argues that the railroad takeover was actually a great success:
here is a bright shining example from not so long ago of government bureaucrats engineering the revival of an industry easily as troubled as today’s automakers and, if anything, more central to the economy. And it all turned out better than anyone dared hope, with a dazzling return to profitability. It is the story of the railroad industry, and while the parallels with today’s auto industry are not exact, they are close enough to provide many useful lessons. Its example suggests that, as the automakers return to Washington for a second round of assistance, the greatest danger may well be not that government will intervene too much, but that it won’t intervene enough
Nor is this an isolated example, according to Longman:
The federal government has quite an impressive record of rescuing institutions considered too big to fail. In addition to almost routine workouts of failed banks conducted in good and bad times by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other regulators, the list includes many large industrial companies as well. In 1971, for example, Congress extended emergency loans to failing aircraft builder Lockheed and wound up not only saving a company vital to America’s national defense and export manufacturing base, but earning a net income for the Treasury of $5.4 million in loan fees.
None of this means Obama's plan for the auto industry is sure to work. But the idea that government can't intervene successfully to rescue a dying industry seems to be pretty off-base.

Source : blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/03/31/planes-trains-and-automobiles-sometimes-bailouts-work.aspx

Apple iMac processors

Source -- youtube

Space Stations Wings In Robots Arms

Astronauts used a pair of robotic cranes to unpack the International Space Station's last set of solar wing panels from shuttle Discovery's cargo bay on Wednesday, part of three-day effort to bring the orbital outpost up to full power.
Installing the power system is the primary purpose of NASA's 125th shuttle mission, which began Sunday with Discovery's blastoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle arrived at the station, orbiting 220 miles above Earth, on Tuesday for an eight-day stay.
The shuttle and station crews used robot arms on both spacecraft to delicately maneuver the 31,000-pound (13,950 kg) girder, which contains the solar power panels, out of the shuttle and over to the space station. It is scheduled to be installed on Thursday during the mission's first spacewalk.
Once in position, the station's 11-part spine will be complete after more than a decade of construction. NASA has up to nine shuttle missions remaining to finishing installing science laboratories and equipment to support an expanded, six-member space station crew.
The power system, built by Boeing, is designed to supply 124 kilowatts of electricity to the station -- enough to power 42 average-sized U.S. homes.
During their first in-flight interview, rookie astronauts said the rocket ride into space was smoother than they had expected.
"The time kind of sneaks up on you. You're sitting there waiting and waiting and waiting and all of sudden you're inside the nine-minute hold (in the launch countdown) and you know you're going to go," said Richard Arnold, one of Discovery's two teacher-astronauts.
"I was surprised at how relatively quiet it was -- a bit of shaking, a very smooth ride. I was expecting a bit more noise," he added.
After reaching orbit, the crew surveyed their ship's heat shield for damage. NASA on Wednesday told the crew the shuttle was in good shape and no additional inspections were needed.

source : www.uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKTRE52E09120090319?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

Sony,Google Partnership Against Amazon

Sony Electronics Inc. is pairing with Google Inc. to battle Amazon.com Inc. in the growing digital books market.
In a strike against Amazon's Kindle electronic book reader, Sony and Google plan to launch a partnership Thursday that will give users of the Sony Reader device access to more than half-a-million public domain books from Google's ambitious book digitization project. The books will be offered to Sony Reader users free via the online Sony eBook store. The companies wouldn't reveal financial terms of the deal.
"We aren't set on just having books purchased from our store," said Steve Haber, Sony Electronics' president of the Digital Reading Business Division. "We believe the more content that is allowed access to the device, the better value it is to our customers."
The partnership is a new salvo in the increasingly competitive digital-books industry. Sony and Amazon are jockeying to lead a new generation of reading devices that could do for publishing what Apple Inc.'s iPod did for music, enabling the companies to make money as gadget makers and distributors of digital media. Last month, Amazon launched a new version of its $359 Kindle device, which has access to more than 245,000 electronic books.
To date, Sony has sold more than 400,000 of its $300 to $350 Readers. While Amazon hasn't said how many Kindles it has sold, Citigroup estimates 500,000 of the devices sold last year and Barclays Capital projects the Kindle could bring $3.7 billion in annual revenue by 2012.
Amazon declined to comment on the Sony-Google partnership.
For Google, the Sony partnership is an attempt to expand the reach of its online books service, from which it hopes to earn new advertising and subscription revenue. It also underscores how the Mountain View, Calif., technology giant, whose roots are in searching digital content, is now playing a greater role in distributing it -- a move some publishers find unsettling.
Some publishers and authors remain concerned about a $125 million settlement that Google struck with two industry trade organizations that had fought to stop its efforts to scan books in order to make them searchable. The titles currently covered by the Sony deal are outside the scope of that settlement, which would allow Google to offer expanded access to millions of titles under copyright pending court approval this summer. Still, among the publishers' worries is that Google will take advantage of new distribution technologies, like digital book readers, to put them out of business.
"As soon as e-book readers become a mass market, then of course it wouldn't be too difficult for Google to act as a publisher," said Christian Sprang, head of the legal department for the German Association of Publishers and Booksellers.
Google spokeswoman Jennie Johnson said Google doesn't plan to create content. "Our goal is to promote access to books," she said. Google has previously made some titles available for reading on computers as well as on Apple's iPhone and Android smart phones. Google -- which includes a limited amount of advertising alongside some titles online -- won't currently sell ads on the Sony Reader.
The Sony and Google partnership isn't exclusive. Ms. Johnson said Google isn't in talks with Amazon about a similar deal for the Kindle, but was open to the idea. Books that now will be available free on the Sony Reader include classics such as "Sense and Sensibility" and "Black Beauty," both of which Sony already sells in its e-book store for $1 to $2.
The Sony Reader accepts multiple e-book formats, including ePub files containing digital rights management encryption. The Kindle also accepts other formats, but currently charges users a small fee to wirelessly download their own Acrobat files and only reads encrypted files from its own store.

source : online.wsj.com/article/SB123741774747277821.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Siemens Automation

Siemens VAI Metals Technologies is to equip an annealing line and two hot galvanizing lines of Chinese steel producer Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel Co. with drive technology, electrical equipment and automation systems.
The three processing lines are part of the second expansion phase currently underway at the steel-refining complex on the Caofeidian peninsula. The contract volume is in the double-digit million euro range and production is scheduled to start at the end of 2010.
Shougang Jingtang, a joint venture of Chinese steel producers Shougang Corp. and Tangshan Iron & Steel Co., is currently building a new steel refining and processing factory on the artificially created Caofeidian peninsula 80 kilometers south of Tangshan. The construction work is being carried out in several phases. The factory is part of a series of environmental protection measures which involve moving heavy industry from the densely built-up Peking area to the outlying regions around the city. Siemens has already equipped the strip processing lines in the first stage of expansion.
For the three new strip processing lines, Siemens is supplying all the drives and the basic automation system – which includes the technological closed-loop controllers for skin-passing stands and tension levelers – as well as the instrumentation and control equipment for strip cleaning and secondary processing. The project also encompasses process automation, control desks as well as operator control & visualization equipment with user-friendly process and plant diagnostic functions. The entire plant is being automated with the help of the “Siroll PL” automation solution for strip processing lines and on the basis of Simatic S7 programmable logic controllers. For programming purposes, standardized application modules are being used. This facilitates both easier commissioning and maintenance. The process automation system and the operator control & visualization system of the largely fully automatic production machines will be fitted with standard server components, some of which are configured redundantly. This increases plant availability. All the main and auxiliary drives will utilize Sinamics three-phase technology. This is characterized by its compact design, low-noise operation, uniform parameterization over the entire production line and great ease of maintenance. For purposes of quality data logging and to ensure a product of a consistently high quality, all three lines will be equipped with the fully-automatic surface inspection system, SIAS. Siemens is also responsible for supervision of the installation work and commissioning and will provide support during acceptance tests in addition to customer training.
The main reasons why the contract was awarded to Siemens was the positive experience of Shougang Jintang with Siemens during the first phase of expansion, the technical and technological competence of Siemens in the area of strip-processing lines as well as the company's local presence, which will later ensure speedy and efficient after sales service.
The annealing line is being erected in collaboration with SMS Demag AG, Duesseldorf, and Fives Stein, Evry, France. The two hot galvanizing lines are being built in conjunction with the Belgian company CMI, Seraing, and Fives Stein.

source : www.finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32187&Itemid=4

New Bacteria

Eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar said on Tuesday that the focus next would be on determining the origin as well as the nuclear
characteristics of the three new species of bacteria, which have been discovered during balloon experiments in the upper stratosphere by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
The discovery was announced in Bangalore on Monday by Isro, which has been carrying out the balloon experiments since 2001 as part of its quest to explore the origin of life. As principal investigator, Narlikar headed the team of scientists from Isro as well as biology experts from leading research labs like the National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.
The new bacteria, which are highly resistant to ultra-violet (UV) radiation, have been named ‘Janibacter hoylei’, after the distinguished astrophysicist Fred Hoyle; ‘Bacillus isronensis’, in recognition of Isro’s contribution which led to its discovery; and Bacillus aryabhat, after India’s celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata.
“Our purpose behind the present experiment was to look for microorganisms
at a height several kilometres above the earth’s surface,” Narlikar said, adding, “We succeeded in doing so at a height of 41 km, which is the maximum height the balloon could go.” “We now have an interesting situation in that the new bacteria found are resistant to UV radiation, compared to the bacteria that exist on the earth,” he said. “This leads us to the next mission to see whether the new bacteria came from outside earth or got tossed up from the earth,” he added.

source : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Next-to-find-origin-of-new-bacteria/articleshow/4279221.cms

Updated I-Phone

APPLE PREVIEWED FORTHCOMING CHANGES to its mobile operating system yesterday and it appears that the Cupertino company has been listening to its developers and users.
Apple has added over 1000 new APIs to the software developer kit (SDK), most of which address shortcomings in previous releases, as well as over 100 new features which will appear at release time.
Here's a brief run-down of the major new additions. You can watch the full 90-minute keynote here, but we wouldn't recommend it (yawn).
Push notification -Applications will soon be able to notify users about additional content and provide subscription based content with automatic notification. Apple admitted, "We're late on this one", mainly because the company's server structure had to be "completely rearchitected" to allow the new feature. The absence of background processing was put down to the fact that test on non Apple devices had shown an 80 per cent drain on battery life and that multi tasking would slow down foreground applications to unacceptable levels.
Content like magazine-style subscriptions, additional game levels, e-books and city guides will soon be purchased from within the host application rather than having to download an upgraded app for new add-ons.
Better Bluetooth-Iphones and Ipod Touches will be able talk to eachother without pairing allowing multi player gaming and file sharing simpler. Stereo Bluetooth headsets will soon be available but no mention was made of the possibility of using full-sized keyboards.
Accessories-New APIs will allow third-party peripheral makers to build custom applications which connect through either Bluetooth or the dock connector.
Mapping-Google Maps has now become a public API allowing developers to include GPS functionality. Turn by turn GPS is now possible although licensing for Google Maps is not incuded, meaning developers will have to bring their own map data, opening up the Iphone to the likes of Tom Tom, no doubt.
Public APIs-Current APIs being opened up to public use through the SDK include in-app email, the proximity sensor, Ipod library access, streaming audio and video, and shake.
Cut copy and paste-To cries of "about time too" Apple has added cross-application copy 'n' paste functionality to its key software and opened up the new API to developers. It works by double tapping on the first word you want to copy. You then get movable grab points which you can stretch out to include the text you want to fiddle with. A cut/copy/paste bubble then appears above the selected text. Any editable text from any application, as well as chunks of web pages, can be manipulated.
It will also be possible to select and copy multiple images between applications.
Landscape keyboard-All key apps can now use the bigger landscape keyboard and the API has been opened up to developers.
MMS-Forwarding and deletion of individual SMS messages has been added as well as long as long-awaited support for MMS messages, including pics, contacts, Vcards, audio and location mapping information.
Voice Memos-3.0 will see the introduction of a brand new audio recording app which can use either the built in mic or an external device hooked up to the dock connector. The software will allow basic editing.
Calendar-The calendar App will support Caldav shared content as well as subscriptions.
Stocks-Apple's market-watching app gets a new landscape view and support for news headlines.
Spotlight-Anyone who has ever used grown-up OSX will love spotlight and its ability so search your whole computer almost instantly. The same functionality is now coming to the Iphone, enabling a single search query to look through your contacts, applications, emails, messages, photos, calendars, notes and music library... and instantly access any one of those entires from a single interface.
Safari-Apple's mobile Web Browser finally gets anti-phishing as well as auto fill for forms, parental controls and loads of added language support.
So there you go... no real surprises. In fact we predicted pretty much everything there, but it's still a massive step forward for a mobile operating system that continues to mature and meet the needs of its users.
And there's some good news for owners of older Iphones. Most of the functionality will be backwardly compatible with the Iphone 2G, though MMS messaging and some of the Bluetooth bobbins will be conspicuous by their absence.
The SDK beta for Iphone OSX 3.0 is available immediately and the finished OS will appear "some time in the summer".
Iphone 3G owners will be able to get the new OS free of charge when it hits Itunes, but Touch users will have to cough up $9.95, which seems quite reasonable for all those extra bells and whistles.
And we're sure it won't be long after the new release that Apple is crowing about its billionth App Store download. It's already, after all, well on the way with over 800 million in the bag.

source : www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/442/1051442/iphone-update-previewed

Honda Siel Launch

Honda announced yesterday that it would launch its new hatchback 'Jazz' in India in mid-2009. According to Masahiro Takedagawa, president and chief executive officer, Honda Siel Cars India, "Honda Jazz is a premium hatchback and the company does not expect that it will overcome the sales numbers of the City sedan in India."
The Jazz will be powered by a 1.2-litre intelligent variable valve timing and lift electronic control (i-VTEC) petrol engine. The premium hatchback will have 70 per cent local content initially, which will be scaled up in phases.
Based on the Honda City platform, the 5-door compact car is speculated to be priced above Rs 4.5 lakh, and would be rolled out from the company's Greater Noida facility. Once launched, it will be pitted against other super-hatches like Skoda Fabia, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Ford Fusion and Hyundai i20, and the yet-to-be-launched Fiat Grand Punto in the Indian market.
It is widely believed that Jazz is coming in early in view of the importance of small cars in India and the enthusiastic response to the car at the January 2008 Auto Expo in Delhi. However, pricing may be a problem, as it is priced higher than the City in foreign markets, but this may not be possible in India.
Takedagawa said the Jazz will be a premium segment hatchback with an engine specifically made for the Indian market. This will be Honda's first small car for the domestic market, which means that under government specifications, it must be less than 4-m long, with maximum engine capacity of 1.2 litres and 1.5 litres for the petrol and diesel versions respectively.
Jazz gets the premium tag due to the company's focus on luxury and safety by adding features like airbags, active headrests, pre-tensioner seat belts, ABS, and G-CON Technology (an advanced passive shield that offers extra protection in an accident). Honda believes that customers would be willing to pay for the additional features.

source : www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_h/Honda_Siel_Cars/20090318_honda_siel.html

TATA Motors finance tie up with SBI

The country's largest auto maker, Tata Motors, on Thursday said it has tied up with public-sector lender State Bank of Mysore for financing facilities of its passenger cars.
The company has entered into an understanding with State Bank of Mysore for financing its entire range of passenger cars, Tata Motors said in a statement.
"This facility will be available at all branches of State Bank of Mysore and 329 sales touchpoints of Tata Motors. This tie-up will provide a single window for both cars as well as car loans and will make car buying easier for the customers," the company said.
State Bank of Mysore has 673 branches across India and offers car loans up to 85 per cent of the on-road price of the car for up to seven years, the statement added.

souce : www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200903121311.htm

The Booth Company Announces Partnership with HRDQ

The Booth Company announced today that it has partnered with learning solutions publisher HRDQ to develop a customized assessment portal powered by TruScore, The Booth Company’s signature online application for designing, implementing, and controlling all aspects of multi-rater feedback surveys.

Boulder, CO -- The Booth Company announced today that it has partnered with learning solutions publisher HRDQ to develop a customized assessment portal powered by TruScore, The Booth Company’s signature online application for designing, implementing, and controlling all aspects of multi-rater feedback surveys. This customized, branded portal expands the scope of HRDQ’s online assessment products and includes the company’s 360-degree learning instruments, previously available only in print. In addition, TruScore technology provides enhanced features and increased flexibility to ensure a high quality user and learner experience.

A longtime technological leader in the learning industry, The Booth Company released TruScore in 2007. This technology allows all aspects of the feedback process to be customized while enhancing user experience and administrative control at every level. Most importantly, TruScore is designed to be compatible with a broad range of assessments, making it an ideal platform for independently authored surveys as well as The Booth Company’s Task Cycle surveys.

TruScore is a secure, on-demand application operating on Microsoft’s NET framework. This gives survey participants and administrators the opportunity to access TruScore at any time from a computer that has an internet connection and browser. This platform also provides endless possibilities for meeting specialized requests at any stage of the feedback process.

About the Booth Company
The Booth Company publishes and administer 360 degree feedback surveys based on the Task Cycle, a validated theory of leadership and management roles. Its comprehensive set of surveys measures the fundamental skills of mission-critical organizational roles, including those of executives and all levels of management. The survey results are compared to continuously updated industry and geographical norms.

For clients utilizing their own survey content, The Booth Company offers flexible hosting services, as well as statistical and psychometric consulting. It also provides advanced reporting opportunities, with a variety of aggregate reports ideal for group benchmarking and strategic planning purposes.

About HRDQ
HRDQ (www.HRDQ.com) is a trusted developer of learning solutions that combine organizational learning theory, proven facilitation methods, and an appreciation for adult learning styles to initiate and inspire lasting change. We believe an experiential approach is the best catalyst for workplace learning, and publish a wide range of research-based, theory-driven assessments, games, programs, and digital resources.