Yatz

Well, patch 3.3 has hit the ground, and we're all busy profiting from the vast number of people cycling through new characters, the Dungeon Finder, and new instances. Of course, the big news for Engineers is that there's a very significant new pair of recipes: Iceblade Arrows and Shatter Rounds.

These new items aren't without their own controversy, but it might be a little tough for everyone to understand. At least, it would certainly be worthwhile for us to check out the context of the issue. While some might call it a tempest in a teapot, many engingeers are disheartened with these new plans. Let's take a look behind the cut and examine why these arrows and bullets are such a big deal.

Continue reading Insider Trader: Of Arrows and Bullets

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, (Professions) Insider Trader

Insider Trader: Of Arrows and Bullets originally appeared on WoW.com on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TechCrunch was certain that rumors of a pending honest-to-goodness Google Phone were the real deal, and now according to the site, Google employees are already tweeting with the devices in hand. If you believe what you see on Twitter, Google drones were given the HTC-designed handsets at an all-hands staff event, and the phone is quite a looker. One tweet reads "ZOMG we had fireworks and we all got the new Google phone. It's beautiful." while another says the phone is "Like an iPhone on beautifying steroids." One other, non-Google user on Twitter who's seen the device says that the device is a bit thinner than the iPhone, has a trackball (a la Hero), and has no physical keyboard... which sounds like the Bravo / Passion we've seen a lot of lately (and we hear is coming to the US soon). Apparently the device is running Android 2.1, is unlocked and AT&T-ready (no word on 3G status, but this could line up with our speculation about this being the carrier's first Android phone), and will be due sometime in January. We're guessing if that last bit is true, it will coincide with a CES announcement, but anything could happen at this point. If the device is out in the wild in such a big way, an end of the year press release wouldn't shock us either; of course, it's entirely possible that this is going to end up becoming the Android Dev Phone 1's true successor or an elaborate prank on Google's part in response to the rumors that have been building steam over the past couple weeks (they're crafty and they have a sense of humor -- it could happen). Anyhow, check out one of the tweet-tears after the break, and stay tuned for more info!

Update: Google all but confirms that devices are floating around on campus in a post on its blog:

We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe. This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.

Not only that, but TechCrunch has more details on the device, claiming it will be a Google controlled, HTC-built model actually dubbed the "Google Phone," and will feature a "super high resolution OLED display," a Snapdragon CPU, a mic on the back of the phone that helps to eliminate background noise, is "really, really fast," and most importantly, will be sold unlocked. Essentially, TC claims that the phone will function on any GSM network you throw at it -- we assume that means an extremely rare pairing of both T-Mobile and AT&T 3G bands in the radio. Of course right now this is all speculation and hearsay -- until we get some solid facts (and maybe a device or two on camera), don't pull out the credit card just yet.

Update 2: Jon Gruber over at Daring Fireball says that the Google Phone is identifying itself as "Nexus One" (a Blade Runner reference) in its user agent string, though apparently Sony is calling its Android UI "Nexus" as well. Furthermore, a tweet from the man claims that he's heard the phone sports 3G for T-Mobile only, thus seriously dashing hopes that this would play nice all over the US of A. Again, grain of salt everyone.

Continue reading Google employees given HTC-made Google Phones, January launch imminent?

Google employees given HTC-made Google Phones, January launch imminent? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Engadget Mobile]

Filed under: Car Tech, Green Tech, Breaking News

We've seen a lot of green gadgets and products coming to market lately, but we're pretty impressed with a new car that promises an high speeds and incredible mileage in a sporty, streamlined and eco-friendly design. Partially funded by the UK government, the green Lifecar project hopes to build excitement and support for zero-emissions technology.

Built to be extremely efficient by a consortium of UK auto manufacturers and universities, this sleek concept car runs on hydrogen fuel cells powered by a regenerative braking system (a technology already seen in some hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight). In other words, as the driver brakes and the car slows down, the system captures energy -- usually lost in a normal car -- and uses it to recharge the batteries.

Built to be as lightweight as possible, the car lacks a stereo, airbags and other modern amenities, but it does have a top speed of almost 100 miles per hour -- fast for a hydrogen fuel cell car -- and yet still gets over 150 miles per gallon.

Later this month, the concept car will debut at the Geneva Auto Show, where its top speed and acceleration abilities will be tested for the first time in public.

From BBC News and Crave

Related Links:

• Nokia's 'Remade' Phone Built Entirely Out of Recycled Materials
• Air-Powered Car Coming Soon
• The Best in 'Green Gadgets' for 2008

Lifecar Eco-Roadster Gets 150 Miles-Per-Gallon originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed 2 couldn't find the next grip location and holds its position in third. Nintendo has Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii at spots two, four and six, respectively. As for premieres, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks rolled in at 12th place and James Cameron's Avatar: The Game entered at number 29. Now let's see how Avatar: The Movie That Inspired The Game does. If it's a hit, that should help sales of the game.

Source -- Modern Warfare 2 Claims 5th Week at No1 [Chart Track]
Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]

Modern Warfare 2 spends fifth week atop UK sales charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Joystiq [PlayStation]]

Before the dust settled on the beginning of this year's Video Game Awards on Spike, the first surprise announcement was the revelation that Batman: Arkham Asylum would get a sequel.

Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 -- which is what we'll call it until an official title is revealed -- presumably continues where the original critically acclaimed Rocksteady title left off, and was revealed via diabolical plot from Batman's Nemesis The Joker. Attempting to gas those in attendance, Mark Hamill's threatening vocals reverberated throughout the audience revealing a sequel people "didn't expect." After smashing through sales charts and the assumptions that all licensed titles are crap, we expected nothing less. Take that, Joker!

Update: Hi-res video has been added above! Also, the official site is up at arkhamhasmoved.com.

Batman Arkham Asylum 2 announced at the VGAs [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Joystiq [PlayStation]]

Filed under: Deals

Daily deals are back! Hope you enjoy the latest offerings and deals from around the web. These deals are time-sensitive, so check them out before they disappear. You can check out more deals here.

• iTunes Music Store: [iPhone / iPod Apps] Asian Painting for iPhone / iPod touch downloads for free
• Dell Small Business: [Laser Printers] Dell 1230c Color Laser Printer for $99 + free shipping
• MegaMacs: [Design & Multimedia Software] Apple iLife '09 for $39 + $6 s&h
• Meritline: [iPhone] Black Woodgrain Silicone Case for Apple iPhone 3G / 3GS for 49 cents + free shipping
• Seehere: [Photo Services] SeeHere custom 11-oz. photo mug for $6 + free shipping via overnight
• Chitek: [iPhone] ChiTek Slim Fit Case for Apple iPhone 3G or 3GS from $7 + free shipping
• Buy.com: [Surge Protectors] Philips Power Sentry 5-Outlet PowerSquid Surge Protector for $10 + free shipping
• Musician's Friend: [Microphones] MXL 993 Stereo Condenser Microphone 2-Pack for $130 + free shipping
• Verizon Broadband: [Computer Services] Verizon.com: $150 cash back, free DVR, $10 off/month with FiOS bundles
• Adorama: [Bluetooth Headsets] Samsung WEP450 Bluetooth Headset for $0 after rebate + free shipping
• HandHeldItems: [iPod Accessories] HandHeldItems.com: Up to 80% off Apple iPod touch cases + 20% off coupon
• Pennywise : [Rechargeable Batteries] Rayovac AAA I-C3 15-Minute Rechargeable Battery 12-Pack for $11 + 1 cent shipping

These deals are courtesy dealnews.com and are subject to change.

TUAWDaily Dozen Deals for December 11, 2009 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)]

TomTom has done a respectable job of keeping its iPhone GPS app up to date when compared to formidable options from Navigon and the like, but today it's making its biggest move yet by way of a significant price drop. We've heard directly from the company (and confirmed with our own two peepers) that the US and Canada version of the app is now on sale for $69.99, while a US-only version is currently on sale for just $49.99. If you'll recall, the former was just selling for $99.99 a few days ago, so if you're planning on making that fateful trip to grandmother's house again this year, you might want a robotic gal leading the way. Just sayin'. [Warning: Source link directs to iTunes]

TomTom feels jolly, temporarily drops price of iPhone GPS app originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Investing

Easing concerns over global credit problems and more signs of corporate dealmaking are giving stocks a moderate boost. Major stock indexes rose less than 1% in late afternoon trading Monday following news that Abu Dhabi had extended $10 billion to Dubai to help the Middle Eastern city-state stay afloat. Markets had been worried in recent weeks that debt problems in the struggling former boomtown could send ripples through global credit markets.

Investors were also encouraged by Exxon Mobil's (XOM) $31 billion purchase of XTO Energy (XTO), which sent energy stocks sharply higher. The deal will help Exxon tap into the growing supply of natural gas in the U.S. and could signal more consolidation in the energy industry.

Continue reading Stocks gain ground as energy stocks rally on Exxon Mobil's $31 billion deal

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Read More... [Source: DailyFinance]

Filed under: Downloads, RTS

Direct2Drive's 24 Days of Christmas promotion is still going on and while the last two days were a little bit on the lame side in terms of deals, that's not the case for Sunday. From now until 1 pm Eastern time on Sunday you will be able to get a very nice price if you purchase and download Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor.

Yep, Relic Entertainment's latest stand alone expansion pack for their hit WWII strategy game is next on the Direct2Drive hit list. The one day price is just $7.50 for the game. That's compared to its normal price of $29.95. If you want it you better act soon as another game takes its place tomorrow.

Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor on sale at Direct2Drive originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Big Download Blog]

It's been a while since the Medal of Honor franchise has found its way on to store shelves, but we're interested for what the series will bring to the crowded realm of modern shooters. At tonight's 2009 Video Game Awards, the first footage of the recently revealed Medal of Honor impressed with solid visuals and a metric ton of explosions.

Not enough for you? The gameplay trailer concluded with one NPC kicking a booby trapped prisoner through a high rise window. Now we're not marketing pros, but that should be the first bullet point on the back of the game's box. Check out the trailer -- in all its YouTube quality glory -- after the break.

Update: Hi-res version now available above.

First gameplay footage of Medal of Honor revealed [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Joystiq [PlayStation]]

After defeating Kil'Jaeden, Bumdee of on Shattered Hand wanted to take another peek at the restored Sunwell. So once he left the instance, he used Far Sight to look back into the demon lord's former sanctum. To his surprise, he found Lady Liadrin still kneeling at the Sunwell. Is she paying respect to her former prisoner, M'uru, or is she getting high off the huge amount of arcane residue in the area?

Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next!

Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, Val'kyr on mounts, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran. Older screenshots can be found here.

Gallery: Around Azeroth

Filed under: Screenshots, Around Azeroth, Galleries

Around Azeroth: The lady and the demon originally appeared on WoW.com on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: WoW.com]

Lancôme has bestowed the first definition on Julia Roberts in the ongoing epic "Another Day, Another Celebrity Endorsement." Cynicism aside, Lancôme has, through the years, had a bevy of beautiful women endorsing its products -- Isabella Rossellini, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, and numerous models. Roberts is the newest, according to a WWD exclusive:

"By her remarkable personality and career, Julia Roberts is an emblematic woman of her time," said Youcef Nabi, president of Lancôme International. "Her exceptional talent, her radiance, and her strong commitments perfectly echo Lancôme's values. We are convinced she will embody the brand in the most sublime way possible."

Lancôme executives declined to share details on the relationship between Roberts and the brand, including the amount the actress is being paid to sell the products, the length of her contract, and specific duties, saying more would be revealed early next year.

Roberts, who is said to command salaries upward of $20 million for her acting projects, is in post-production on two films - Eat, Pray, Love, and Valentine's Day.

The WWD article goes on to say that "getting Roberts - or any other star of her caliber - to appear in U.S. advertising a decade ago would have been a longshot, although many stars consented to appear in product advertising outside the U.S. ... however, the celebrity culture has become ubiquitous, and the stigma once associated with selling products to middle America seems to have disappeared."

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Lancôme Selects Julia Roberts as "Global Ambassadress" originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Luxist]

Every weekend, we comb our memories and archives to compile 10 useful items addressing a specific topic you may have forgotten about, or just happen to be excellent. Here are the 20 list(icle) posts that proved the most popular in 2009.

1. Top 10 Tiny & Awesome Windows Utilities

The best boxing doesn't always happen at the heavyweight level. Likewise, some of the best things you can load onto your Windows system are tiny little guys that just make day-to-day writing, working, and surfing better.

2. Top 10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions, 2009 Edition

We didn't change everything from our original 2006 list, but we did mix up our favorite add-ons for our favorite browser with a few essentials that Lifehacker editors, and readers, have found indispensable.

3. Top 10 Windows 7 Boosters

Just before Windows 7 dropped, we put together the apps that developers had updated or released new to integrate with Windows 7. Some add in things missing from Microsoft's latest OS, while others improve on what's already there.

4. Top 10 Firefox 3.5 Features

To think that Firefox 3.5 was almost labeled 3.1, a small iteration. The latest release included a lot to crow about, including much-needed performance improvements, but also many subtle refinements.

5. Top 10 Underhyped Webapps, 2009 Edition

Gina had only compiled her list less than two years ago, but the web's become an even bigger playground for developers since then. The truly helpful and useful ones, without gigantic advertising budgets, were worth highlighting. Photo by thievingjoker.

6. Top 10 Tricks MacGyver Would Be Proud Of

This was Adam's favorite Top 10 of at least the year, if not possibly all time. Either he's really into short, goofy fan fiction, or just appreciates a number of 1980s pop-culture references sprinkled into his listicles. Either way, it's fun to make like everyone's favorite duct tape enthusiast with these clever hacks. Image by PoweredByLarios�.

7. Top 10 Ubuntu Downloads

Free software rocks, and free software running on a free platform is heavenly stuff. Check out the apps that make Ubuntu a better place to work, play, and explore. Image by Andrew Mason.

8. Top 10 Battery Hacks, Tips, And Tricks

Modern batteries help us feel like we're living in the future, with cellphones that can do anything and laptops that can work anywhere—when they're fully charged. Otherwise, getting the most out of them requires some old-fashioned cleverness and energy frugality, detailed in these tips. Photo by conskeptical.

9. Top 10 Cheap or Free Home Theater Upgrades

Once everything's hooked up, it's easy to just point your HD TV in the right direction and call it a day on your home theater setup. Take on a few of these projects and pointers, though, and you'll get a nicer-looking, better-performing system. Photo by chunkysalsa.

10. Top 10 Skills to Master Your Grill

Why was this so popular? Because almost everybody loves an excuse to be outside, and nearly everyone loves an excuse to obsess over tasty food. That's just our guess, anyways, and these 10 skills testify to how geeky this excuse can really get. Photo by adactio.

Those 10 may have been the most popular, but if you're still eager for some more listicle goodies, here's a quick overview of the next ten most popular.

• 11. Top 10 Tools for a Free Online Education
  "It's easy to forget these days that the internet started out as a place for academics and researchers to trade data and knowledge. Recapture the web's brain-expanding potential with these free resources for educating yourself online."
• 12. Top 10 Apps that Boost Your Media Center
  "Streaming video, digital DVD backups, DVR recording-it's all possible from your TV-connected media center, and you don't need a system administrator to pull it off. These 10 apps make filling and controlling your media center PC even easier."
• 13. Top 10 Home Office Hacks
  "Whatever kind of work you do at home, your office is one place you want to spend the time to make comfortable and convenient. Take 10 of our tips on organizing, fixing, and streamlining that space."
• 14. Top 10 Tricks for Creatively Hiding Your Stuff - Security - Lifehacker
  "Every kid has a creative stash for secret stuff, but that useful enthusiasm doesn't have to die off just because we've traded treehouses for desks. See how you can hide money, files, workspaces, and more in today's Top 10."
• 15. Top 10 Computer Hardware Fixes and Upgrades - Hardware - Lifehacker
  "If your desktop or laptop parts have died or seen better days, you've got a friend. All of your Lifehacker editors-and many helpful net denizens-have upgraded or repaired faulty systems, and we've rounded up some of their most helpful tutorials."
• 16. Top 10 Productivity Basics Explained
  "There's a core set of habits and techniques that filter and color a lot of what we write about at Lifehacker, but we rarely step back to explain them for newcomers. Let's get back to basics with 10 productivity tactics."
• 17. Top 10 Tools for Your Blog or Web Site
  "Having your own hosted web domain has never been cheaper, or easier, with the vast array of free resources out there. Here are our ten favorite tools to help anyone launch and maintain their internet presence."
• 18. Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Better Coffee
  Coffee doesn't always make work better, but you can definitely work to get better coffee. From four-cup hotel machines to French presses, from home-roasted beans to decorative foam-we've got a wealth of tips for enjoying a better cup.
• 19. Top 10 Tricks for Making Your Playlists Rock
  "If music is part of your everyday work routine, workout, or commute, stuffing your player full of tunes and hitting shuffle just won't cut it. Scan these 10 tips for improving and expanding your music playlists."
• 20. Top 10 Outlook Boosters
  "Outlook is such a fixture of office and computer life, its potential as a central life-organizing inbox is easily taken for granted. Empower your Outlook with these add-ons, link-ups, and data management techniques."

---

Want a quick blast from the past? Our most popular top 10s of 2008 and 2007 are just a click away.
Read More... [Source: Gizmodo: top]

Filed under: Downloads, Expansions, FPS, Multiplayer, Left 4 Dead Series

It's like The Justice Society and the Justice League teaming up. Valve has just announced plans for The Passing, the first downloadable mini-expansion for Left 4 Dead 2 as the new survivors of the zombie apocalypse meet up with the four characters in the first Left 4 Dead game.

Set after the events of the Left 4 Dead 2 campaign Dead Center, the new campaign storyline is set in Georgia and will not only have the two sets of teams meeting each other, but will also include new arenas for Survival, Scavenge and Versus Modes. There will also be a new (and so far unnamed) co-op challenge mode. The Passing will also add a new melee weapon, a new firearm, and a new "uncommon common" Infected. The Passing is due for release sometime this spring. There's no word yet if The Passing will be a free download for the PC version.

Offical Left 4 Dead-Left 4 Dead 2 crossover coming in The Passing DLC originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Big Download Blog]

Filed under: Top Lists, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, Holiday Gift Guide, Featured Stories

As far as computer ports go -- and technologies in general -- USB has got to be the friendliest. Not only does it lovingly accept almost any kind of gadget imaginable, it also generously parcels out power to those gadgets so that they don't need to be plugged into a wall. As a result, it's quickly become the de facto interface for our printers, scanners, digital cameras, iPods, thumb drives and every other techno-majig we've come to rely on. However, this ubiquity and good will has led to the misuse of the USB port, which is increasingly being used to juice products that have no business being connected to a computer. In the following pages, you'll find the 10 dumbest miscarriages of the USB port we could find. These doodads are either the hilarious joke gifts for the right person, or useless wastes of plastic and metal that will go right into your gift recipient's trash bin.


Thanko USB Ashtray
Do you smoke at your desk? Do you often mix up which Red Bull can you're drinking from and which one you're ashing into? Then, it's a lucky thing there's this $16.50 ashtray, which employs a USB-powered motor to suck up the smoke from your nicotine log. Once it hoovers in your smog, the ashtray passes the smoke through two built-in filters to keep your workspace from being damaged by the very same toxins and poisons you're brutalizing your insides with.

10 Dumbest And/Or Funniest USB Gadget Gifts originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mashable is proud to present the Zappos.com Sharing Happiness Giveaway Contest!

We’ve received so many great responses/entries to our big question, �How do you use the web to improve your life and/or make people happy?�

But you can still add more by #SharingHappiness in the comments section of our original post for a chance to win a $3,000 shopping spree at Zappos.com!

Entries are due by Tuesday, December 15th at 11:59 PM PT, and we’ll announce a winner on December 16th. Be sure to read the contest rules before posting and tweeting. Note that comments on this post will not be counted as contest entries. Go here for your chance to enter.

8 Ways to Share Happiness on the Web:

To keep the holiday cheer flowing, we’ve highlighted some of the most inspiring submissions so far. These are some great ideas for sharing happiness on the web:

Jon Strum:

I use the web to publish my blog about caregiving for my disabled wife. Being a caregiver for a loved one can be a very isolating experience. My blog helps other caregivers to remember that they aren’t alone.

Herb Hernandez:

One example: helping dog rescue by acting as their webmaster, managing Twitter account and Facebook page. We’ve saved literally hundreds of dogs over the past few years.

Bonnie Jean Weinman:

My sister lost her job and is in danger of losing her house. I use the web and twitter to research ways for her to network and get another job and save her house.

GeekGirlCamp:

I use the web to promote education and computer literacy by creating a community of gifted online people to help get our message out about donating money to educational scholarships for women in dire need, free computer classes for disadvantaged women, laptop donation programs for young girls and women who have no money, and many more causes to get everyone more education for school and job skills. Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, Ning, and others have helped us so much gain a loyal community that is always ready to help anything we do. We would never be able to get technology into the hands of the people who need it most without the web! Thank you to everyone who helps us day after day get the message out!

Akilah S. Richards:

I use the Web to link Execumamas to each other at various stages in their journeys toward successfully integrating motherhood and business! What makes me most proud of what I do on the Web is my ability to inspire women who are apprehensive/nervous/afraid about pursuing their career goals for fear of compromising their roles as mothers. I still get emails that make me cry in appreciation of what I’m able to do!

porcheb:

I am a teacher and I use the web to develop videos in sign language so that my deaf kids would be able to have tutorial, language acquisitions, and social development at home or anywhere. Basically, it is not limited to only my deaf kids but to anyone. The web is a amazing tool to spread knowledge.

Laurie:

I use the web to fundraise for breast cancer research. It makes me happy to help others. #SharingHappiness

RENONFL:

I am always searching the web to find schrolarships for my three children to continue college. I want them to have a better life than I. To give them an education so they can become young adults that make a positive difference in the world sounds wonderful to me. I love my kids and want the most life can give them.

How do you use the social web to spread happiness and help others? Share your experience in the comments section of our original post for a chance to win a $3,000 shopping spree at Zappos.com!

To Enter

1. Leave your answer in the comments section on the original post and/or,

2. Tweet out your answer with the hashtag �#SharingHappiness� (Be sure to leave the URL of your Twitter comment in your comment on the original post.)

Contest Rules & Restrictions

You must be 18+ years of age and currently reside in one of the 50 US States. If you would like to participate but are not of valid age/residence, please note �not eligible� in your comment on the original post. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions. Final entries are due on this post by Tuesday, December 15th at 11:59 PM PT.

A Big Thanks to Zappos!

�Visit Zappos.com and outfit your life with a new head-to-toe wardrobe for men, women, and kids! Step into all the clothes, bags, shoes and more from all your favorite brand names! Plus, enjoy our 365-day return policy, fast & free shipping, free return shipping & 24-hour customer service!�

Reviews: Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, Twitter

Tags: contest, Contests, sharing happiness, sharinghappiness, Zappos

Read More... [Source: Mashable!]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART, Tesla Motors

There has been considerable hope that electrifying the Smart ForTwo would dispense with the micro-car's poor driveability and allow people to use the urban runabout more comfortably. Unfortunately, it appears that even with new lithium ion energy storage, the second-generation electric city car is still not quite ready for prime time. Over at Automobile, they had a chance to sample a new Smart Ed with its Tesla-supplied battery pack and found the performance decidedly lacking.

While the peak power has been increased from the first-gen model's 27 hp to 40 hp, the Smart can only provide this output for short bursts when the accelerator is pushed to the floor. Most of the time, the car is limited to the original 27 hp. This seems to point to thermal issues with either the motor or power electronics. The result is leisurely acceleration barely better than neighborhood electric vehicles. The top speed of 62 mph is passable, as is the 84 mile range if the car can actually approach it. The other major problem seems to be the brakes. Poor blending of the regen and friction braking makes it difficult to stop smoothly and annoying to drive the car. Based on that first impression, Daimler engineers still have a lot of work to do.


[Source: Automobile]

2nd-gen Smart Ed driven, still not ready for its close-up originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Autoblog Green]