Shahbaz walks out of Big Brother

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Shahbaz walks out of Big Brother: "Big Brother 7 contestant Shahbaz Chauhdry has walked out of the television house, Channel 4 has said.

The 37-year-old Glaswegian was being watched by show psychologists after threatening to kill himself during his time in the house.

In a statement, a show spokeswoman said Shahbaz had decided to leave because he was 'unhappy' and finding it hard to integrate with the other contestants.

She added that all the housemates were free to leave the house at any time.

Shahbaz had earlier described himself as 'a dead man walking' and said the reality television series was to be 'his last curtain call'.

'I came here to die on this programme,' he told concerned housemates.

Channel 4 said the welfare of the 14 participants was 'of the utmost importance'."

FF: " Cruel world, i thought he was the most entertaining person in the house"

The truth about global warming - it's the Sun that's to blame

Telegraph | News | The truth about global warming - it's the Sun that's to blame: "Global warming has finally been explained: the Earth is getting hotter because the Sun is burning more brightly than at any time during the past 1,000 years, according to new research.

A study by Swiss and German scientists suggests that increasing radiation from the sun is responsible for recent global climate changes.

Dr Sami Solanki, the director of the renowned Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen, Germany, who led the research, said: 'The Sun has been at its strongest over the past 60 years and may now be affecting global temperatures.

'The Sun is in a changed state. It is brighter than it was a few hundred years ago and this brightening started relatively recently - in the last 100 to 150 years.'

Dr Solanki said that the brighter Sun and higher levels of 'greenhouse gases', such as carbon dioxide, both contributed to the change in the Earth's temperature but it was impossible to say which had the greater impact.

Average global temperatures have increased by about 0.2 deg Celsius over the past 20 years and are widely believed to be responsible for new extremes in weather patterns. After pressure from environmentalists, politicians agreed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, promising to limit greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012. Britain ratified the protocol in 2002 and said it would cut emissions by 12.5 per cent from 1990 levels."

FF: "Our sun is getting HOT, lol"

Road Test: Maybach 62

TechEBlog ? Road Test: Maybach 62: "At $385,520, the Maybach 62 is an ultra-luxury sedan with a powerful 5.5 Liter biturbo V12 engine that pumps out 550 hp — boosting it from 0-60mph in just 5.4 seconds. Top Gear takes this gem for a road test. Watch after the jump."


FF: "Maybach, i wanna take on a ride"

How do you think high definition will change gaming?

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto: "
I think at some point there will be a point down the road where most everyone does have an HD TV. But right now I don't think that what gaming needs is more high definition graphics, I think what's more important is the interface for how you interact with your games, how your games connect to the internet and take advantage of that functionality, and even more simply just how everyone in the household is able to interact with the hardware itself and find entertainment value in that, thereby allowing us to increase the people who are engaging the game. I think these are far more important issues for us to be thinking about rather than simply prettier graphics for the same games that people have seen."

FF: "Shigeru Miyamoto spot on, we need a games console for entertainment and relax"

Live from E3

Nintendo Wii Won: "Nintendo Wii launch: 4th quarter, for less then HK$3876

Sony PS3 60GB launch: 11th November, will cost HK$5426

click here for Nintendo Wii video"




FF: "with a price advantages and plenty of games to download from, i believe Nintendo's new console - Wii might win, Sony went too far on graphic and Blue Ray"

Nintendo Wii - Controllers

Nintendo Wii - Controllers: "Games are many things to different people. Some see games as gateways to an unknown universe while others see them as extensions of the world around them. Nintendo created Wii to fit everyone's ideal break away from the everyday. The wireless, freehand Wii Remote not only makes games easy to play, it makes them more fun than ever before. Accentuating the sense of touch in the game lets you feel the heat of emotion with each movement. Because up to four players can grab a Wii Remote and play, there's always a party ready to happen with Wii!

The Wii Remote frees you from cords and excessive, complicated buttons without sacrificing gameplay depth. The motion sensors contained within the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk controller add totally new interactions to existing games while opening doors for new genres. Wii makes your senses come alive!"

FF: "Yes, we need innovation, i might go bak to game console"

Dell shows pics of next-gen gaming boxes

Dell shows pics of next-gen gaming boxes - Engadget: "If you thought you had to be at E3 to check out Dell's new gaming boxes, we've got some good news for you: Dell has launched a web site to show off the prototype models, the cleverly named XPS Next Generation Gaming Desktop and the previously revealed XPS Mobile Entertainment Concept laptop. The bad news? Dell's Flash-heavy teaser site for the boxes provides little in the way of real specs (unless you consider a statement that the desktop will include 'some of the latest processors, graphics capabilities and performance hard drives' enough info). The site does, however, show off some of the desktop's external features, including an aluminum case, a choice of LEDs in 7 different colors, and -- woo hoo -- a stabilizing fin. No specs on the laptop either, natch, but we already have the goods on that one. We're not sure if Dell plans to bring either of these to market, or if they're just eye candy designed to attract gamers to existing products, like the M1710 notebook. However, we expect the desktop to show up in some form, if only so that Dell can try to say that the company's home-grown, Intel-based gear is as good as the AMD stuff they picked up from Alienware -- which, at this point, may be the whole point of keeping the XPS line alive in the first place.

More?"

FF: "I luv Dell's Desktop, its awesome"

Bugmenot - pwd database

How To Use Bugmenot.com: "You're browsing the web and you click a link to an article on a site (let's say nytimes.com) but instead of getting the article you get a screen asking you to login or register. Infuriated at the idea of pointlessly registering for yet another site you turn to your good buddy bugmenot.com"

FF: "BugMeNot.com provide username and password to access restricted article online, save me time, save yourself trouble..."

Nokia N80: Almost perfect

Crave at CNET.co.uk: "The N80 has a 3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, infrared, quad-band, EDGE and WLAN connectivity, a miniSD slot that can support up to a 2GB card and a secondary 0.3-megapixel (VGA) camera for video calling. It runs on S60 3rd edition software on Symbian OS and comes preloaded with a bunch of applications such as RealPlayer and Flash Player, so you can play and access a host of media files.

Via Wi-Fi, EGPRS or 3G, you can browse the Web with the built-in Web browser or download content such as games and ringtones. It also has an email client you can set up to access a POP3 or IMAP4 email account, and it lets you view certain attachments using a proprietary document viewer.

We were very impressed with the picture quality of both the camera and the 36 by 45mm, 262k colour screen, which is not only large enough to view images properly, but also comes with a light sensor that adjusts the screen's brightness according to the ambient light."

FF: "Yes, Nokia N80 with WiFi & UPnP support, u can access Internet everywhere, with Flash build-in, u can log-into web-based MSN, ICQ etc anytime u want... its a prefect phone, only a bit chubby"

NOKIA secret codes (series 60)

NOKIA secret codes (series 60): "Have you even try on this????

Type:

*#92702689#
*#war0anty#
Displays - 1.Serial Number, 2.Date Made, 3.Purchase Date, 4.Date of last repair (0000 for no repairs), 5.Life Time. Talking Hours in total

*#06# Serial Number/IMEI indicates

*#0000# SW version (e.g. V3.42.1, 16-10-03, NHL-10)

*#2820# Bluetooth (BT) device address

xx# Directory quick access (xx = storage location e.g. 24 #)

On/Off key -short pressing for menu for switching between profiles

Menu key - Long pressing for 'task manager' - switching between active programs (with 'C' key programs can be terminated.)

Red key - Minimizes the program ()

Menu quick access - Over in the menu e.g. to point 3.1 arrive simply 31 enter (if the third symbol a file is opened is for these and then in it started the first Programm/Icon).

No Autostart - While switching on the phone, press the 'ABC' key (pen) till the pin inquiry to ignore the auto-initialization programs (and the MMC programs) - 'safeboot'

*#7370925538#
*#Res0Wallet#
Deletes Wallet code & info

*#7780# - Reset to original settings

*#7370# - Soft format - clears the phone memory

NOTE! Battery should be full up to at least 75% "

Free 1GB Online File Storage

Box.net - Free Online File Storage: "Box is a virtual storage space for your computer files. With 1GB free online space, you will have enough space to hold thousands of Documents, Photos, Music Files, and Video Clips. Try us out for as long as you'd like by signing up for our 1GB free account. Whether you want to move files among multiple computers, backup important data in the event of a computer crash, or share documents and photos with friends and colleagues, Box.net is for you."

Please click here to join now

FF: "Free 1GB online storage even allow sharing, let back-up ur hard drive, isn't it kool??"

Goowy - your personal webtop.

TechCrunch: "San Diego-headquartered Goowy (a Mark Cuban investment) just publicly launched the enhanced IM and storage products that I tested last month. Goowy users now have Meebo-like IM funtionality built directly into their Goowy desktop, and 1 GB of free online storage via a partnership with Box.net.

Goowy has also rolled out significant enhancements to their email client, including a three-pane view that looks and feels a lot like Outlook. Goowy is turning into an excellent desktop replacement - users can choose to use a Goowy email account or Pop in whatever email service they currently use (including Gmail). CEO Alex Bard tells me that over 100,000 people have logged in and used the Goowy email client in the last 90 days.

Everything is currently free…Goowy will layer in paid premium services down the road. You can also try Goowy without registering through their demo account.

pls click here to try it out"

FF: "Good system, IM, Email client all in one and everywhere"

Nokia - Digitally Divine Nokia N73

Nokia - Digitally Divine Nokia N73 - the Ultimate Challenge to the Digital Camera - Press Releases - Press - About Nokia: "Berlin, Germany and Hong Kong, China - Nokia today unveiled the latest addition to the Nokia Nseries family, the Nokia N73, a stunning multimedia computer in a compact and savvy exterior with exquisite photography features and integrated stereo speakers with 3D sound for optimized audio pleasure. In addition to a large 2.4 inch display, the Nokia N73 includes a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus and support for Internet communities like Flickr - a package ready to challenge any digital camera.

'The ideal companion for the digital camera lover, the Nokia N73 is as easy to use as it is compact to carry. Imagine, stunning print quality photos and multimedia are just a slide and a click away, ready to be shared immediately, said Juha Putkiranta, senior vice president, Multimedia Computers, Nokia. 'Being able to intuitively capture, edit and share your digital memories is at the core of the Nokia N73, which also offers the enriched multimedia experiences of the Nokia Nseries range. The joy of using the Nokia N73 extends beyond the actual device, by fusing people to their passions and with others who share them. The Nokia N73 is truly a camera for the Internet age, enabling people to share their photos on the Web in an instant, on Flickr or "

FF: "A stunning multimedia computer in a compact design, Nokia rocks"

AOL To Launch “Myspace Killer”

TechCrunch ? AOL To Launch “Myspace Killer”: "AOL may be preparing to launch a Myspace-type social network sometime in the next few weeks, says Dave Winer.

This went from rumor to “confirmed likely” in posts and comments by Jason Calacanis and Jordan Running (also here) (both now at AOL). A comment in the last link suggests that the new service will be open to non AOL members.

This market is red hot. Mature players like Facebook and Fox-owned Myspace basically own their respective categories, and better-featured (and funded to the hilt) newcomers like Tagworld and Tagged gunning for the big guys. Even aging Friendster, mostly written off as living dead, has made a recent (if quiet) comeback based on Alexa stats. Fickle teenagers and young adults are quick to jump ship to the hot new thing, but these existing players will certainly not lie down for AOL. "

FF: "Friendster launched in 2003, However, Copycat Myspace(Tom) is more successful"

Flying on cloud nine

Photos: Flying on cloud nine | CNET News.com: "Airlines showed off their new passenger comforts at the Airline Interior Expo held in Hamburg, Germany, earlier this month.

One of the biggest highlights of the show was the unveiling of the new cabin area for the Airbus a350. At a minidesk in the business corner, a passenger can get the same connectivity as on the ground. The Airbus a350 will be able to seat more than 300 passengers in three levels when it takes off in 2010.

Credit: Airbus"

Congratulation to Sandra Ng, especial to her new born

FF: "Congratulation to Sandra Ng, specially to her new born, support you forever"

How To Download And Save Youtube Videos

Tuberaider Video: How To Download And Save Youtube Videos: "As mentioned earlier, many files have been booted from youtube this week, and that's sure to continue as the site keeps growing and drawing more attention. Luckily the fine people here put together a little script that lets you save youtube files on your computer. You can just follow the instructions in that link, but I'll repeat them here because it's a little involved and some key steps are buried in the comments section over there.

# 1. Install the Greasemonkey Extension for Firefox.

# 2. Right-click this .js file and select 'Install User Script' (if you don't see that option try step one again)

# 3. Now on every youtube video page there should be a red bar at the top, that says 'Save As' to download Flash video. (see screenshots here)

# 4. Right click the text in the red bar, select 'Save Link As,' and save the file as a .flv file. Firefox will rty to save it as 'get_video.php,' you need to change the '.php' to '.flv,' and change the first part to whatever you prefer.

# Now you need to either download a media player that runs .flv files, or download a program that converts them to other file types. Here are links to both:

FLV PLayers

FLV Player

VLC player

FLV Converters

Riva FLV Encoder

Total Video Converter"


Source

Fujitsu’s UMPC Concept

TechEBlog ? Fujitsu’s UMPC Concept: "Fujitsu has developed a”CD-sized” Ultra Mobile PC concept that features a fold-out keyboard. These designs and more are being showcased in the Japanese design exhibition at Triennale di Milano.

“No, we’re not convinced either, not now that world+dog has had 30-odd years to grow accustomed to computers with keyboards. Fujitsu’s UMPC cleverly squares the circle by providing a small form-factor clamshell chassis with a fold out keyboard.”"

Big haul of new drug in Spain

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Big haul of new drug in Spain: "Spanish police have arrested a gang that allegedly trafficked a little known psychotropic drug, passed off as ecstasy but more dangerous, at discos around Madrid. Officers arrested 13 people, mostly Spaniards in their 20s, and confiscated 31,000 pills with the same colour, shape and shark logo as ecstasy, the interior ministry said. The alleged ringleader used a network of young women to distribute the pills at clubs to avoid raising suspicion.

The new drug, known as M-CPP or meta-chlorophenylpiperazine, stimulates the nervous system and produces the same hallucinatory effects as ecstasy, but can be more toxic, the interior ministry said. Potential side effects include psychosis, outbreaks of violence and poisoning. A police statement described it as "a new psychotropic substance, unknown to date and a producer of serious effects."

Each M-CPP tablet sells for between ?6 (£4.20) and ?12. The entire batch of 31,000 could have fetched about ?300,000. It is the largest supply recovered so far in Europe where the drug has been circulating at least since late last year, according to the newspaper El Pa?s. Police have seized smaller lots in Finland, Norway, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. It is believed to have originated in eastern Europe.

M-CPP has been used in clinical trials on recovering alcoholics, in whom it produced a state similar to drunkenness, El Pa?s said. It is also cited in psychiatric research related to the neurotransmitter serotonin, a mood regulator."

Google! Beta (c) 1998

Splasho ? Google! Beta (c) 1998: "I enjoyed seeing this WayBack Machine version of Google in 1998. I found it funny how the grey ‘beta’ lasts to this day, though in a slightly different font."