DICTIONARY FOR DECODING WOMEN'S PERSONAL ADS:
40-ish................................49.
Adventurous.....................Slept with everyone.
Athletic...............................No breasts.
Average looking....................Moooo.
Beautiful............................Pathological liar.
Emotionally Secure................On medication.
Feminist................................Fat.
Free spirit............................Junkie.
Friendship first......................Former slut.
New-Age............................Body hair in the wrong places.
Open-minded.......................Desperate.
Outgoing............................Loud and Embarrassing.
Professional..........................Bitch.
Voluptuous..........................Very Fat.
Large frame.........................Hugely Fat.
Wants Soul mate..................Stalker.
WOMEN'S ENGLISH:
1. Yes = No
2. No = Yes
3. Maybe = No
4. We need = I want
5. I am sorry = You'll be sorry
6. We need to talk = You're in trouble
7. Sure, go ahead = You better not
8. Do what you want = You will pay for this later
9. I am not upset = Of course, I am upset, you moron!
10. You're certainly attentive tonight = Is sex all you ever think about?
MEN'S ENGLISH:
1. I am hungry = I am hungry
2. I am sleepy = I am sleepy
3. I am tired = I am tired
4. Nice dress = Nice cleavage!
5. I love you = Let's have sex now
6. I am bored = Do you want to have sex?
7. May I have this dance? = I'd like to have sex with you.
8. Can I call you sometime? = I'd like to have sex with you.
9. Do you want to go to a movie? = I'd like to have sex with you.
10. Can I take you out to dinner? = I'd like to have sex with you.
11. I don't think those shoes go with that outfit = I'm gay
Monday, December 19, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
CNN.com - Sending the future you e-mails - Dec 18, 2005
CNN.com - Sending the future you e-mails: Web site sends reminders into the future"
...FutureMe is one of a handful of Web sites that let people send e-mails to themselves and others for delivery years in the future. They are technology's answer to time capsules, trading on people's sense of curiosity, accountability and nostalgia...
...Matt Sly came up with the concept for FutureMe.org about four years ago after recalling how, during his education, he had been given assignments to write letters to himself...
...Recently, Forbes.com jumped on the idea, offering an "e-mail time capsule" promotion. More than 140,000 letters were collected over about six weeks. Nearly 20 percent are supposed to land in the sender's inbox in 20 years but others requested shorter time frames. Forbes.com is partnering with Yahoo! and Codefix Consulting on the project...
...Another type of future message service can be found at sites such as myLastEmail.com or LastWishes.com, which promise to send messages to loved ones (or less-than-loved ones) after the writer's death...
..."Part of the value of time capsules are that they are thought processes in the present," said Hudson, a historian who teaches at Georgia Perimeter College. "You define yourself when you do a time capsule. It might be a good exercise in introspection."...
...etc...
...FutureMe is one of a handful of Web sites that let people send e-mails to themselves and others for delivery years in the future. They are technology's answer to time capsules, trading on people's sense of curiosity, accountability and nostalgia...
...Matt Sly came up with the concept for FutureMe.org about four years ago after recalling how, during his education, he had been given assignments to write letters to himself...
...Recently, Forbes.com jumped on the idea, offering an "e-mail time capsule" promotion. More than 140,000 letters were collected over about six weeks. Nearly 20 percent are supposed to land in the sender's inbox in 20 years but others requested shorter time frames. Forbes.com is partnering with Yahoo! and Codefix Consulting on the project...
...Another type of future message service can be found at sites such as myLastEmail.com or LastWishes.com, which promise to send messages to loved ones (or less-than-loved ones) after the writer's death...
..."Part of the value of time capsules are that they are thought processes in the present," said Hudson, a historian who teaches at Georgia Perimeter College. "You define yourself when you do a time capsule. It might be a good exercise in introspection."...
...etc...
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Corriere della Sera - Un milione e 400 orari: l'auto dei record
Un milione e 400 orari: l'auto dei record: Negli Usa l'ultima «follia» a quattro ruote: la Bugatti VeyronIl marchio nato in Italia è ora proprietà della Volkswagen. E rinasce con una vettura-gioiello per collezionisti: 45 esemplari già ordinati
NEW YORK – «Ecco l’automobile più cara e veloce del mondo», esulta in prima pagina il Wall Street Journal. Dopo innumerevoli test e rinvii, l’attesissima Bugatti Veyron sarà in vendita negli Stati Uniti all’inizio del 2006. Ma sarà disponibile solamente a chi riesce a pagare l’astronomico prezzo: un milione di dollari.
UNA A SETTIMANA - La Bugatti Veyron non rompe solamente record monetari, ma anche di velocità. Infatti la potentissima macchina riesce a superare i 400 km/h e raggiunge i 100 km/h con partenza da fermo in soli 2.5 secondi (i 200 in 7.3 secondi e i 300 orari in 16.7 secondi) rendendo la supersportiva tedesca una delle auto più veloci al mondo. La Veyron ha un motore di 16 cilindri e 1001 cavalli, con una carrozzeria moderna e futuristica composta di fibra di carbonio, una serie di appendici aerodinamiche e pannelli d’alluminio per contenere il peso (che è di circa 1900 kg; la vettura è lunga 4,4 metri e larga 2).
La bibbia della finanza Usa parla di «rinascita del marchio Bugatti», fondato da Ettore Bugatti all’inizio del ‘900, ma questa volta sotto le ali (ed il capitale) del Gruppo Volkswagen. Il colosso tedesco non ha deciso per quanto tempo terrà la macchina in produzione (adesso è a ritmo di una ogni settimana). «La maggior parte delle persone che compreranno la Veyron, molto probabilmente non la guideranno mai - profetizza il Journal - e comunque non potranno di certo raggiungere la sua velocità massima, per motivi di sicurezza e limiti di velocità sulle autostrade”.
PARERI DISCORDI - Un’altra particolarità è che gli acquirenti potranno scegliere uno schema bicolore per la carrozzeria. «E’ considerata più un’opera d’arte che una macchina vera e propria», dice Dave Mast, portavoce della Bugatti negli Usa. Ma c’è chi la vede diversamente.
«E’ una completa perdita di tempo e di soldi», punta il dito Georg Sturzer, un’analista del mercato automobilistico e dirigente della HVB Corporates Markets Research. La macchina fu inizialmente sviluppata dall’ex-direttore della Volkswagen, Ferdinand Piech, nipote del leggendario Ferdinand Porche, patriarca dell’impero Porche. Nel 2002 Piech si dimise ed il suo successore, Bernd Pischetsrieder, chiese la collaborazione del pilota Thomas Bscher per perfezionare e portare a termine il progetto. Ma il prodotto finale ha creato divergenze tra gli appassionati collezionisti del marchio Bugatti. «E’ eccessiva in tutti i sensi - dice Sandy Leith, una collezionista del Massachusetts - costa troppo, è troppo potente, ed è troppo sgargiante». Eppure la Volkswagen ha ricevuto già 45 ordinazioni da parte di miliardari e collezionisti appassionati, tra cui anche Piech che la comprerà per sua moglie, Ursula.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
FinePrint Software
FinePrint Software: "FinePrint saves ink, paper, time and money by controlling and enhancing printed output."
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Secrets to Success
My golden rule
49 leaders, from Buffett to Spitzer, share their secrets to success.
49 leaders, from Buffett to Spitzer, share their secrets to success.
metacritic.com
Metacritic® compiles reviews from respected critics and publications for film, video/dvd, books, music, television and games.
6 or More Up Days
Description
This list shows which stocks have gone up for more than 5 consecutive days. This is based strictly on the closing price of the stock each day.
The symbol with the longest winning streak are on top. After that they are sorted by volume.
Description
This list shows which stocks have gone up for more than 5 consecutive days. This is based strictly on the closing price of the stock each day.
The symbol with the longest winning streak are on top. After that they are sorted by volume.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
wnbc.com - Ask Asa - 50 Ways To Cut Heating Costs (The List!)
Follow these pointers to reduce your energy bills this winter:
Tip 1:
It makes no sense to let expensive heat flow out of your house through poorly insulated walls or leaky doors and windows. To detect some of the larger gaps, shine a flashlight over all potential openings while a partner watches from the other side. Large cracks will show up as rays of light.
Tip 2:
Ceiling fans may be associated with cooling, but you can use them to circulate the warm air. Most fans have a reverse switch, which pushes the heated air down where you want it.
Tip 3:
Lock your windows -- it's a good security measure and the best way to ensure a tight seal to prevent heat leakage.
Tip 4:
Increase your perception of warmth by adding a furnace humidifier. Sixty-eight degrees with moisture can feel warmer than a completely dry home at 72 degrees.
Tip 5:
Check for every possible leak: mail chutes, electrical and gas service entrances, outdoor water faucets, the spot where the dryer vent passes through the wall and around air conditioners, vents, and fans.
Tip 6:
If you have older, single-pane windows, use plastic film kits that create the effect of an interior storm window.
Tip 7:
Seal other cracks and gaps. Look for drafts anywhere different materials meet, for example, between brick and wood siding, between foundation and walls, and between the chimney and siding.
Tip 8:
You can test for drafts with a stick of incense. A drifting rather than strait line of smoke could indicate problems.
Tip 9:
Buy easy-to-use materials to seal those leaks. Weather stripping may be purchased by the foot or in kits complete with the seal and fasteners for a single door or window. Caulk is usually sold in disposable cartridges that fit in half-barrel caulking guns but is also available in aerosol cans, squeeze tubes, and ropes for small jobs or special applications.
Tip 10:
Have your heating systems inspected annually by a service professional. A sluggish system can increase fuel consumption. Before they leave, they should be able to do a steady state efficiency test, so you know it's running safely and efficiently.
Tip 11:
Replace your furnace filters every few months.
Tip 12:
Keep air from leaking under a door just by rolling up a small rug and placing it across the bottom of the doorway.
Tip 13:
Pay special attention to leaks in windows near your thermostat. Cold air from these windows can blow across the thermostat and turn your heating system on unnecessarily.
Tip 14:
Keep heating supply and return registers and radiators clean and unobstructed by furniture and draperies.
Tip 15:
Turn off the heat or close the heat registers in unused rooms. Be careful, however, if any pipes pass through these rooms. If the temperature falls below freezing, they could freeze.
Tip 16:
Invest in an easy-to-program thermostat with a timer and memory. You can simply set your thermostat a half hour before you come home and when you arrive the chill should be out of the house.
Tip 17:
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning to prevent up to 8 percent of your furnace-heated air from going up the chimney.
Tip 18:
Window air conditioners are heat-leakers. Make sure to close all the vents and then install a special cover to complete the seal.
Tip 19:
Use a sweater and an extra blanket, and set the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. Each degree above these settings can result in a 3 percent increase in energy costs.
Tip 20:
Be patient. The house will not warm up any faster if you crank up the thermostat past the desired temperature and you're likely to forget to turn it back down.
Tip 21:
Heat rises -- and so will your bill if your ignore leaks in your attic. Even a basic seal around the trap door can mean a big difference in your energy costs.
Tip 22:
Energy-efficient light bulbs now provide the coverage illumination and multiple settings like the old ones. The one thing they don't do is soak up and squander electricity. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, use two-thirds less energy than a regular bulb, so they pay for themselves within three months.
Tip 23:
Let the sun in. If you keep shades and drapes open during the day, you help your heating system maintain a comfortable temperature. Close window coverings at night and on cloudy days to keep the warm air in.
Tip 24:
Wrap insulation around heating ducts and hot water pipes that run through basements, crawl spaces and other unheated areas. Insulate the first five feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length until the pipe goes into the wall if that is less than five feet.
Tip 25:
Insulate the hot water heater itself.
Tip 26:
Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the "normal" setting or 120 degrees, unless the owner's manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7 to 11 percent of water-heating costs.
Tip 27:
Low flow showerheads and faucets can drastically cut your hot water expenses by 10 to 16 percent of water-heating costs.
Tip 28:
Install simple aerators on your faucets to help conserve water.
Tip 29:
Close a dollar in the refrigerator door. If it pulls out easily with little resistance, the seals should be replaced.
Tip 30:
Pay close attention to your refrigerator temperature settings. They should be at 40 degrees for the cold section and zero for the freezer.
Tip 31:
Stack and pack your food items for maximum energy efficiency. In the cold section, spread the items apart to allow cool air to circulate. In the freezer, keep items packed close -- the tighter the better.
Tip 32:
Unless you need your dishes right away, set the washer on air-dry cool and let them dry on their own without forced heat.
Tip 33:
Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Tip 34:
Unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't truly need it - this convenience adds 10-25 percent to your electric bill.
Tip 35:
Running the kitchen and bath-ventilating fans for about 20 minutes helps prevent mold. Remember to turn them off after that. These fans can blow out all the heated air out of a house full if inadvertently left on.
Tip 36:
Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer.
Tip 37:
Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer's energy use by 75 percent.
Tip 38:
Be sure to clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each use.
Tip 39:
Use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting on your dryer if you have one.
Tip 40:
When you buy, look for the energy star label. From big appliances to television and stereo equipment, it means the device is designed for better energy conservation.
Tip 41:
Use the power management feature on your computer so it goes to sleep if you're away for 10 to 15 minutes.
Tip 42:
Computer sleep is fine for short periods, but it still uses energy. Turn the machine completely off overnight.
Tip 43:
When it comes to TVs, VCRs, chargers and other electronics switched "off," it doesn't stop the power use. Most equipment, even if it's in the dormant mode, still uses electricity. In a typical home, these standby appliances add up to over 50 watts constantly consumed. If possible, unplug them.
Tip 44:
Many utilities offer low-cost energy use inspections done by recommended contractors. Check to see if your home can be included.
Tip 45:
Go online for free help selecting and comparing heating systems or appliances. Start at the national http://www.energystar.gov. Get a customized strategy for saving.
Tip 46:
Get on a budget plan so you pay a fixed amount during even the coldest months.
Tip 47:
Use supplemental heat sources wisely. Fireplaces look pretty, but many are notorious energy wasters. Inserts are effective, but expensive. At the very least, use the glass doors to let the fire burn out more efficiently and safely.
Tip 48:
Don't overuse portable heaters. A portable electric heater running 8 hours a day can add up to more than $60 a month.
Tip 49:
High-priced mini stacks of firewood are a poor bargain. If you need wood, buy it seasoned and by the cord.
Tip 50:
Solar power is finally becoming more useful. Check out sidewalk lights and address signs that soak up the sun all day and shine all night.
Tip 1:
It makes no sense to let expensive heat flow out of your house through poorly insulated walls or leaky doors and windows. To detect some of the larger gaps, shine a flashlight over all potential openings while a partner watches from the other side. Large cracks will show up as rays of light.
Tip 2:
Ceiling fans may be associated with cooling, but you can use them to circulate the warm air. Most fans have a reverse switch, which pushes the heated air down where you want it.
Tip 3:
Lock your windows -- it's a good security measure and the best way to ensure a tight seal to prevent heat leakage.
Tip 4:
Increase your perception of warmth by adding a furnace humidifier. Sixty-eight degrees with moisture can feel warmer than a completely dry home at 72 degrees.
Tip 5:
Check for every possible leak: mail chutes, electrical and gas service entrances, outdoor water faucets, the spot where the dryer vent passes through the wall and around air conditioners, vents, and fans.
Tip 6:
If you have older, single-pane windows, use plastic film kits that create the effect of an interior storm window.
Tip 7:
Seal other cracks and gaps. Look for drafts anywhere different materials meet, for example, between brick and wood siding, between foundation and walls, and between the chimney and siding.
Tip 8:
You can test for drafts with a stick of incense. A drifting rather than strait line of smoke could indicate problems.
Tip 9:
Buy easy-to-use materials to seal those leaks. Weather stripping may be purchased by the foot or in kits complete with the seal and fasteners for a single door or window. Caulk is usually sold in disposable cartridges that fit in half-barrel caulking guns but is also available in aerosol cans, squeeze tubes, and ropes for small jobs or special applications.
Tip 10:
Have your heating systems inspected annually by a service professional. A sluggish system can increase fuel consumption. Before they leave, they should be able to do a steady state efficiency test, so you know it's running safely and efficiently.
Tip 11:
Replace your furnace filters every few months.
Tip 12:
Keep air from leaking under a door just by rolling up a small rug and placing it across the bottom of the doorway.
Tip 13:
Pay special attention to leaks in windows near your thermostat. Cold air from these windows can blow across the thermostat and turn your heating system on unnecessarily.
Tip 14:
Keep heating supply and return registers and radiators clean and unobstructed by furniture and draperies.
Tip 15:
Turn off the heat or close the heat registers in unused rooms. Be careful, however, if any pipes pass through these rooms. If the temperature falls below freezing, they could freeze.
Tip 16:
Invest in an easy-to-program thermostat with a timer and memory. You can simply set your thermostat a half hour before you come home and when you arrive the chill should be out of the house.
Tip 17:
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning to prevent up to 8 percent of your furnace-heated air from going up the chimney.
Tip 18:
Window air conditioners are heat-leakers. Make sure to close all the vents and then install a special cover to complete the seal.
Tip 19:
Use a sweater and an extra blanket, and set the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. Each degree above these settings can result in a 3 percent increase in energy costs.
Tip 20:
Be patient. The house will not warm up any faster if you crank up the thermostat past the desired temperature and you're likely to forget to turn it back down.
Tip 21:
Heat rises -- and so will your bill if your ignore leaks in your attic. Even a basic seal around the trap door can mean a big difference in your energy costs.
Tip 22:
Energy-efficient light bulbs now provide the coverage illumination and multiple settings like the old ones. The one thing they don't do is soak up and squander electricity. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, use two-thirds less energy than a regular bulb, so they pay for themselves within three months.
Tip 23:
Let the sun in. If you keep shades and drapes open during the day, you help your heating system maintain a comfortable temperature. Close window coverings at night and on cloudy days to keep the warm air in.
Tip 24:
Wrap insulation around heating ducts and hot water pipes that run through basements, crawl spaces and other unheated areas. Insulate the first five feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length until the pipe goes into the wall if that is less than five feet.
Tip 25:
Insulate the hot water heater itself.
Tip 26:
Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the "normal" setting or 120 degrees, unless the owner's manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7 to 11 percent of water-heating costs.
Tip 27:
Low flow showerheads and faucets can drastically cut your hot water expenses by 10 to 16 percent of water-heating costs.
Tip 28:
Install simple aerators on your faucets to help conserve water.
Tip 29:
Close a dollar in the refrigerator door. If it pulls out easily with little resistance, the seals should be replaced.
Tip 30:
Pay close attention to your refrigerator temperature settings. They should be at 40 degrees for the cold section and zero for the freezer.
Tip 31:
Stack and pack your food items for maximum energy efficiency. In the cold section, spread the items apart to allow cool air to circulate. In the freezer, keep items packed close -- the tighter the better.
Tip 32:
Unless you need your dishes right away, set the washer on air-dry cool and let them dry on their own without forced heat.
Tip 33:
Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Tip 34:
Unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't truly need it - this convenience adds 10-25 percent to your electric bill.
Tip 35:
Running the kitchen and bath-ventilating fans for about 20 minutes helps prevent mold. Remember to turn them off after that. These fans can blow out all the heated air out of a house full if inadvertently left on.
Tip 36:
Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer.
Tip 37:
Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer's energy use by 75 percent.
Tip 38:
Be sure to clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each use.
Tip 39:
Use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting on your dryer if you have one.
Tip 40:
When you buy, look for the energy star label. From big appliances to television and stereo equipment, it means the device is designed for better energy conservation.
Tip 41:
Use the power management feature on your computer so it goes to sleep if you're away for 10 to 15 minutes.
Tip 42:
Computer sleep is fine for short periods, but it still uses energy. Turn the machine completely off overnight.
Tip 43:
When it comes to TVs, VCRs, chargers and other electronics switched "off," it doesn't stop the power use. Most equipment, even if it's in the dormant mode, still uses electricity. In a typical home, these standby appliances add up to over 50 watts constantly consumed. If possible, unplug them.
Tip 44:
Many utilities offer low-cost energy use inspections done by recommended contractors. Check to see if your home can be included.
Tip 45:
Go online for free help selecting and comparing heating systems or appliances. Start at the national http://www.energystar.gov. Get a customized strategy for saving.
Tip 46:
Get on a budget plan so you pay a fixed amount during even the coldest months.
Tip 47:
Use supplemental heat sources wisely. Fireplaces look pretty, but many are notorious energy wasters. Inserts are effective, but expensive. At the very least, use the glass doors to let the fire burn out more efficiently and safely.
Tip 48:
Don't overuse portable heaters. A portable electric heater running 8 hours a day can add up to more than $60 a month.
Tip 49:
High-priced mini stacks of firewood are a poor bargain. If you need wood, buy it seasoned and by the cord.
Tip 50:
Solar power is finally becoming more useful. Check out sidewalk lights and address signs that soak up the sun all day and shine all night.
ExplorerXP - Freeware file manager for Win2K/XP
ExplorerXP - Freeware file manager for Win2K/XP: "ExplorerXP is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for non - commercial use) file manager for Windows 2000/XP. Unlike the regular Windows Explorer, it displays the total size of each folder and allows you to browse multiple folders from a tabbed interface."
FavIconizer - The Code Project - Free Tools
FavIconizer - The Code Project - Free Tools: "If you use Internet Explorer for browsing the web then you know that for some links you add to your favorites there's an icon indicating the webpage (e.g. CP has an orange icon with bob on it). But after a while those icons get replaced with the standard web icon again 'cause IE stores them in the web cache which gets cleaned up according to your settings."
Friday, November 25, 2005
StockCharts.com - Public Chart Lists
StockCharts.com - Public Chart Lists
"...Below are collections of charts and commentary that some of our Extra! users have made available to the public. After viewing the lists that you are interested in, be sure to vote for your favorite..."
"...Below are collections of charts and commentary that some of our Extra! users have made available to the public. After viewing the lists that you are interested in, be sure to vote for your favorite..."
HOW TO: Getting Started with RSS at PaulStamatiou.com
HOW TO: Getting Started with RSS at PaulStamatiou.com
RSS has become a valuable technology for everything from casual web users to webmasters. According to a recent Yahoo survey only 12% of internet users are aware of RSS and a mere 4% have knowingly used RSS. RSS exists as a means to gather and display information quickly and easily. By the end of this article, you should know what RSS is and how to use it to make your life easier.
RSS has become a valuable technology for everything from casual web users to webmasters. According to a recent Yahoo survey only 12% of internet users are aware of RSS and a mere 4% have knowingly used RSS. RSS exists as a means to gather and display information quickly and easily. By the end of this article, you should know what RSS is and how to use it to make your life easier.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
MusicGiants Network
MusicGiants Network
High Fidelity Music Download Service
Report from BetaNews:
New Hi-Fi Music Store Shows Promise
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
October 14, 2005, 5:34 PM
REVIEW Ask many an audiophile what their number one complaint about digital music is, and you'd likely get the same answer from just about everyone: quality.
The door has been left wide open for a high-fidelity music download service, and with the further ubiquity of broadband and larger capacity digital music players, file size is no longer an issue.
Enter MusicGiants. The Nevada-based company quietly launched its self-titled service September 29, but if my first look is any indication, the service may be about to make a big splash in the world of digital music. For a $50 annual fee, users are given access to a catalog of music from EMI Music, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music.
While the current music selection obviously pales in comparison to that of iTunes or Napster, the company says that it is in the process of securing deals with the other major labels to expand the catalog.
MusicGiants users can download each track for $1.29, which initially would be "free" through a $50 song credit given for joining the service. However, unlike competing services that encode their songs at 128 kbps, all tracks from MusicGiants are in Microsoft's Windows Media Lossless format, which encodes songs between 470 and 1100 kbps.
This results in a non-degraded version of the original digital recording, meaning there is little -- if any -- difference in sound, Microsoft claims.
So how did the service do after a week of rigorous testing from BetaNews?
THE MUSIC
Let's be up front. MusicGiants cannot take the credit for the quality of the music downloads as it employs Microsoft's Windows Media technology. However, the decision to use Lossless encoding is what makes the whole service worthwhile.
To test the format out completely, I downloaded a range of different musical styles to see how accurately it reproduces the sound -- from Rock, Funk, Dance, Hip-Hop and Pop among others -- and was I impressed.
To be honest, I own an iPod so obviously I don't deal with the Windows Media format very often.
However, I will cede to Microsoft that it has the format down pat. Compared with Apple's iTunes, music on WM Lossless just seems to be fuller with more depth. Bass is more pronounced, vocals sound more natural. And to the audiophile, it's the little things like that which count.
The sound quality alone makes the extra 30 cents that MusicGiants charges more than worth it. If I really like an artist or song, I'd much rather pay extra money to have a better quality version. For iPod owners, at least for the moment, that's impossible.
There is also another added benefit to lossless tracks that is not immediately apparent. Many of us like to make our own CDs. Those who have done so with the tracks bought through current services -- or downloaded from file sharing sites -- may find that the end result is a rather poor sounding CD.
However, when a Lossless track is reconverted to be burned onto a disc, the audio quality is identical to the original song, leaving you with a professional sounding CD.
So even if you're not an audiophile, you could find a service like MusicGiants useful.
THE CLIENT
I am going to preface this portion of the review by saying we should all remember that this is version 1.0 of the MusicGiants software, so we cannot expect the world.
That said, while the client shows promise, there is a quite a bit of work that still needs to be done. However, most of the problems are not serious enough to deter usage - they're just minor inconveniences.
Starting out with the front page, the client looks fairly straightforward: navigational buttons to the left, an informational pane in the middle and tabs for your 'Now Playing,' 'Download', and 'Make CD' functions of the software on the right.
The two buttons nearest to the top allow you to browse the MusicGiants catalog by genre and by artist (Note: MusicGiants will automatically connect to your Windows Media Library and will add your own collection into this list. You can also opt to have it only show your collection as well). For those planning to use the service, I'd suggest using 'Browse By Artist.' It appears as if MusicGiants hasn't completely categorized the entire catalog yet, and doing so will give you a much broader selection.
One thing I did not like was no way to view just your library ungrouped. This makes it more difficult in my opinion to build a playlist. You have to go into an artist, then their album, drag the song over, go back out, and repeat. That's a bit time consuming.
Playing songs is a pretty straightforward process. What I found nice was MusicGiants' little "fidelity meter" on the lower left hand corner. This gives you a real-time idea of what bitrate the song was encoded in. According to this scale, 0 to 160 kbps is considered low fidelity, 160-470 kbps mid-fidelity, and 470-1100 kbps high fidelity - the bitrate of Windows Media Lossless tracks.
The software will also let you rip a CD into your library, but I ran into problems here when trying to only copy over certain songs. While it created the folders to place the files in my music folder, MusicGiants did not actually rip the tracks for some reason. I chalked it up to a bug in the coding.
Also available are options to play a CD, which worked fine, and to burn a CD. The CD burning application is nice, as it gives you a graphical representation of the capacity of the CD as you drag tracks into the 'make CD' playlist. The burn application seems fast; of course the speed you burn will be dependent upon your CD-R drive.
If MusicGiants fixes the problems I've listed above, and fixes some of the user interface quirks to make the client more user friendly, the service could very well become one of the best Windows Media music stores out there.
So, does MusicGiants sing a joyful tune, or fall on deaf ears?
OUR TAKE
The Good: Did I say sound quality? MusicGiants tracks are fully worth the $1.29 you pay for them. Of course, if you have an iPod you won't be able to take them mobile unless you burn them to CD and then re-rip. But even then you'll still get better sound quality than anything from iTunes if you choose to rip them back as Apple Lossless tracks.
The Bad: The client needs work. The UI is not very user friendly, and there are a few nasty little bugs that make using MusicGiants frustrating at times. Also, no option to view your entire library at once is slightly annoying. The $50 annual fee is also strange considering you don't pay it the first year, plus the tracks are already 30 cents more than most competing services.
The Bottom Line: While some may scoff at the $50 annual fee for MusicGiants membership, if you do a lot of legal downloading this is the service for you. Also, if you’re an audiophile, and have been holding off on that MP3 player, get a higher-capacity player and sign up for this service. There are issues with the client, but I'm sure as time goes on these will be fixed. Until another service comes out with something similar MusicGiants is in a class all by itself.
High Fidelity Music Download Service
Report from BetaNews:
New Hi-Fi Music Store Shows Promise
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
October 14, 2005, 5:34 PM
REVIEW Ask many an audiophile what their number one complaint about digital music is, and you'd likely get the same answer from just about everyone: quality.
The door has been left wide open for a high-fidelity music download service, and with the further ubiquity of broadband and larger capacity digital music players, file size is no longer an issue.
Enter MusicGiants. The Nevada-based company quietly launched its self-titled service September 29, but if my first look is any indication, the service may be about to make a big splash in the world of digital music. For a $50 annual fee, users are given access to a catalog of music from EMI Music, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music.
While the current music selection obviously pales in comparison to that of iTunes or Napster, the company says that it is in the process of securing deals with the other major labels to expand the catalog.
MusicGiants users can download each track for $1.29, which initially would be "free" through a $50 song credit given for joining the service. However, unlike competing services that encode their songs at 128 kbps, all tracks from MusicGiants are in Microsoft's Windows Media Lossless format, which encodes songs between 470 and 1100 kbps.
This results in a non-degraded version of the original digital recording, meaning there is little -- if any -- difference in sound, Microsoft claims.
So how did the service do after a week of rigorous testing from BetaNews?
THE MUSIC
Let's be up front. MusicGiants cannot take the credit for the quality of the music downloads as it employs Microsoft's Windows Media technology. However, the decision to use Lossless encoding is what makes the whole service worthwhile.
To test the format out completely, I downloaded a range of different musical styles to see how accurately it reproduces the sound -- from Rock, Funk, Dance, Hip-Hop and Pop among others -- and was I impressed.
To be honest, I own an iPod so obviously I don't deal with the Windows Media format very often.
However, I will cede to Microsoft that it has the format down pat. Compared with Apple's iTunes, music on WM Lossless just seems to be fuller with more depth. Bass is more pronounced, vocals sound more natural. And to the audiophile, it's the little things like that which count.
The sound quality alone makes the extra 30 cents that MusicGiants charges more than worth it. If I really like an artist or song, I'd much rather pay extra money to have a better quality version. For iPod owners, at least for the moment, that's impossible.
There is also another added benefit to lossless tracks that is not immediately apparent. Many of us like to make our own CDs. Those who have done so with the tracks bought through current services -- or downloaded from file sharing sites -- may find that the end result is a rather poor sounding CD.
However, when a Lossless track is reconverted to be burned onto a disc, the audio quality is identical to the original song, leaving you with a professional sounding CD.
So even if you're not an audiophile, you could find a service like MusicGiants useful.
THE CLIENT
I am going to preface this portion of the review by saying we should all remember that this is version 1.0 of the MusicGiants software, so we cannot expect the world.
That said, while the client shows promise, there is a quite a bit of work that still needs to be done. However, most of the problems are not serious enough to deter usage - they're just minor inconveniences.
Starting out with the front page, the client looks fairly straightforward: navigational buttons to the left, an informational pane in the middle and tabs for your 'Now Playing,' 'Download', and 'Make CD' functions of the software on the right.
The two buttons nearest to the top allow you to browse the MusicGiants catalog by genre and by artist (Note: MusicGiants will automatically connect to your Windows Media Library and will add your own collection into this list. You can also opt to have it only show your collection as well). For those planning to use the service, I'd suggest using 'Browse By Artist.' It appears as if MusicGiants hasn't completely categorized the entire catalog yet, and doing so will give you a much broader selection.
One thing I did not like was no way to view just your library ungrouped. This makes it more difficult in my opinion to build a playlist. You have to go into an artist, then their album, drag the song over, go back out, and repeat. That's a bit time consuming.
Playing songs is a pretty straightforward process. What I found nice was MusicGiants' little "fidelity meter" on the lower left hand corner. This gives you a real-time idea of what bitrate the song was encoded in. According to this scale, 0 to 160 kbps is considered low fidelity, 160-470 kbps mid-fidelity, and 470-1100 kbps high fidelity - the bitrate of Windows Media Lossless tracks.
The software will also let you rip a CD into your library, but I ran into problems here when trying to only copy over certain songs. While it created the folders to place the files in my music folder, MusicGiants did not actually rip the tracks for some reason. I chalked it up to a bug in the coding.
Also available are options to play a CD, which worked fine, and to burn a CD. The CD burning application is nice, as it gives you a graphical representation of the capacity of the CD as you drag tracks into the 'make CD' playlist. The burn application seems fast; of course the speed you burn will be dependent upon your CD-R drive.
If MusicGiants fixes the problems I've listed above, and fixes some of the user interface quirks to make the client more user friendly, the service could very well become one of the best Windows Media music stores out there.
So, does MusicGiants sing a joyful tune, or fall on deaf ears?
OUR TAKE
The Good: Did I say sound quality? MusicGiants tracks are fully worth the $1.29 you pay for them. Of course, if you have an iPod you won't be able to take them mobile unless you burn them to CD and then re-rip. But even then you'll still get better sound quality than anything from iTunes if you choose to rip them back as Apple Lossless tracks.
The Bad: The client needs work. The UI is not very user friendly, and there are a few nasty little bugs that make using MusicGiants frustrating at times. Also, no option to view your entire library at once is slightly annoying. The $50 annual fee is also strange considering you don't pay it the first year, plus the tracks are already 30 cents more than most competing services.
The Bottom Line: While some may scoff at the $50 annual fee for MusicGiants membership, if you do a lot of legal downloading this is the service for you. Also, if you’re an audiophile, and have been holding off on that MP3 player, get a higher-capacity player and sign up for this service. There are issues with the client, but I'm sure as time goes on these will be fixed. Until another service comes out with something similar MusicGiants is in a class all by itself.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Tips and Tricks for Hacking Google
Tips and Tricks for Hacking Google
Check here for very useful info on tweaking Google and some of its services.
Check here for very useful info on tweaking Google and some of its services.
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