While discussing what the future holds in technology over the holidays with my family, I mentioned the “media wall” technology that I saw demonstrated last year. There were a few skeptics thinking that working on a wall display wasn’t really sensible. Although at the time I could remember the name of ‘Jeff Han,’ I tried to describe his multitouch wall display that enabled sophisticated manipulation. (we were talking about the iTouch at the time)
Anyway, here is a quick brief video from CBS that had Jeff Han demonstrating the media wall — got an extra $100,000? (there is also a good article over at Popular Mechanics.)
I’m reluctant to post on a subject touching close to home and too soon after the loss of life, but in hopes someone reads this and takes note I’ll included it. First my condolences go out to the Ferraro family and those who are friends … Daniel Ferraro’s death is indeed very sad.
Last week 4 teenage boys in West Chester, Ohio allegedly prepared to film the destruction of an old backyard playset with a homemade explosive device. I embarrassingly admit that at that age I might have participated in such a stupid activity … teenage boys for some reason have a fascination with ‘blowing things up.’
What is shocking is the Cincinnati Enquirer’s report on the size of the pipe bomb … “The metal pipe was 12 inches long, 2 inches in diameter — twice the size police first estimated.” That’s a substantial bomb and would have made a significant explosion, much different from the multiple firecracker many of my boyhood friends would assemble. It is frightening that such dangerous devices can be assembled from readily available materials purchased from any hardware and sporting goods store. According to the article, the boys may have just purchased the materials earlier in the day for about $50 dollars: “The pipe and end caps cost $18.48 at a local hardware store; a pound of smokeless gunpowder, $23.75; a fuse, less than $5.”
Another sign of our times is the YouTube craze where one can find thousand of videos of people blowing things up. The enticement of creating such and explosion to film with a video camera, still digital camera with video capability or about any cellphone with a camera, is that one can easily upload a clip of the explosion to an Internet video sharing site to share with the connected world … and receive a short “15 minutes of fame.” From police accounts, Daniel Ferraro was using his new camera to film the demolition explosion from about 110 feet away and that an 8 inch long segment of the pipe glanced off a fence post which struck him in the face while continuing another 40 feet. According to bomb experts, an explosive device this large require at least an 850 foot buffer. The boys created a significant bomb.
The loss of life is a sad reminder just how dangerous homemade explosives in the hands of terrorist or just neighborhood kids can be … so use this post as a mnemonic queue in trying to prevent this kind of accident. Again, my deepest condolences the Ferraro family.
A friend of mine asked me for some help in repairing a piece of furniture with a couple of damaged fasteners (Phillips headed wood screws). In talking with him about using a ‘screw/bolt extractor,’ or ‘cutting’ a new slot in the screws (above), I realized this might not be something everyone knows about? Hmm … this might make a good “How to” blog entry?
My first thought was to use a screw/bolt extractor, but generally, on small wood screws, this isn’t the optimum choice in my opinion. (more…)
Recently I’ve been paying a bit more attention to the health of our U.S. economy and the trend is raises concern. In my opinion, the continued higher energy and commodity costs are taking a toll on our country and the ability to fend off a recession. While increases in productivity continue to help our nation produce goods efficiently, the addiction to imports, weaker buying power and debt financing of lifestyle will soon be a mountain too steep for us to climb. Today’s release of the rising unemployment number (up to a ‘moderate’ 5%) is disconcerting, especially if inflationary numbers continue an upward trend. November 2007 saw a .8% rise, the largest since September of 2005 and if December’s number are down a bit, I fear we will face both higher inflation and higher unemployment (today’s indication) even as the Fed pumps liquidity into the economy.
Here’s a quick graphical look at the new unemployment numbers over the past ten years. Notice the move up as we entered the last recession and the recovery over the past several year. The recent trend in higher unemployment (although numbers are still low at 5%) is negative for good U.S. economic times.
According the the LeftLaneNews, BMW will show the new xDrive 35d SUV and 335d sedan this month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicles will showcase the new clean diesels with BMW’s “BluePerformance” 3.0 liter six-cylinder performance diesel engines. The 265 HP / 425 lb-ft of torque engines should be available later this year as 2009 models, while still be offering excellent fuel economy. (23 city / 33 highway) I can’t wait to test drive one!
Is it a good time to go contrary in the drugstore stock sector? Thursday financial news has release some poor performance numbers in the nations’ largest drug store chains and traders/investors are exiting positions CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid.
US Retail Stocks Flat; Drug Stores Under Pressure By Andria Cheng Last update: 1/3/2008 10:49:38 AM
Retail-sector shares traded flat Thursday, a session marked by selling pressure brought to bear on drug-store operators Walgreen Co. (WAG), CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS) and Rite Aid Corp. (RAD).
Shares of CVS Caremark fell 6.7% and Walgreen dropped 5.7%. Both companies reported December sales that fell short of analysts’ estimates.
Meanwhile, shares of Rite Aid dropped 6% after the company reported an unexpected decline in December sales.
The drug-store chains blamed generic drug introductions and a slow flu season that hurt same-store pharmacy sales.
CVS Caremark said sales at stores open at least a year rose 1.8%. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting growth of 4.5%.
The pharmacy chain said December sales missed its estimates because of “adverse weather early in the month, a slowly developing flu season and general economic conditions.” The company, however, said full-year profit would be at the high end of its previous forecast as a result of expense controls and improved margins.
Rival Walgreen said monthly same-store sales rose 2.6%, missing the 5% average estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, and that total sales rose 7.8% to $5.51 billion. The December results included a 3.3% increase in comparable pharmacy sales, while comparable front-end sales increased 1.7%.
Broadly, the S&P Retail Index rose slightly to 402.41, steadying after retreating earlier at the open.
Traditionally these companies tend to trade higher in the spring and early summer … perhaps its a good time to speculate and bottom fish?
Although I sold WAG last month (dumb luck), I think I’ll put some of that money back to work and dollar cost average a few shares of RAD at $2.39 today (down over 10% today, even more over the last two days) with the plan to add a few more share if it goes lower. Nevertheless, I see a short term gain by spring or early summer.
After violence breaks out in Nigeria, the price of light, sweet crude futures for January delivery rose $4.02 to $100 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The prices continue to rise due to the expanding economies of China and India according to analysts. Tensions around the world continue to create unrest for traders and speculators which according to some could drive prices even higher. Besides the Nigerian situation, weather has affected Mexican exports as ports have been closed and a report indicating that OPEC might not be able to meet global demands have added concerns.
I’ve been a fan of Clive Cussler and his novels for years and received his new book “The Chase” as a Christmas gift from a friend. Although this current novel differs from the norm (ie. Dirk Pitt or Kurt Austin NUMA storylines), the story of a steam locomotive recovery from the days of the old west looks entertaining. According to a summary, the historic “thriller” takes place in Montana where a locomotive involved in a 1906 string of bank robberies and murders are connected. Can’t wait to find the ‘quiet’ time for this pleasure reading … thanks Jeff!
My family has been enjoying some time out of town and away from the computer, cellphone, Internet and WORK! In full disclosure though, I did make an attempt a post from my Palm Treo 700p as I wanted to comment on my daughter’s new iGo Keyboard, but wasn’t able to get the post and photo uploaded. Nevertheless, in winding down the year, its the time many investors and watchers of the economy check up on their investments. Although the U.S. markets overall had gains this year, the trouble in the sub-prime financial markets and the effect on housing really put a damper on an otherwise positive year.
Here are a few 2007 changes:
DOW Industrials were up 7.24%
“Tech heavily” NASDAQ up 11%
S & P Healthcare up 6.33%
S & P Technology up 17%
S & P Telecom up 11%
S & P Materials up 21%
S & P Financials down -21%
Oil was up on the year nearly 60% which pushed the energy sector higher an impressive 34%. Hmm … will the biggest returns for 2008 be in a financial stock rebound??? If so, does one invest in the group (mutual fund or ETF — ie. XLF, VFH, KBE) or try to pick the strongest companies?
Popular Mechanics has a great article in their January issue on the coming clean diesels noting “Hybrids beware!” The author Ben Hewitt points out that the new breed of diesels from companies like Volkswagen are capable of better fuel economy (74.3 mpg for the VW Polo TDI) and produce fewer greenhouse gases than some gas/electric hybrids.
Hewitt begins with positive accolades for the preproduction 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI due to be release in late summer 2008. He comments that in his drive on I-75 in Michigan averaged nearly 50 mpg and that “what’s coming out of the tailpipe is no dirtier than the emissions from the 35-mpg econoboxes I can now see in my rearview mirror. Speed, fuel efficiency and minimal emissions? These aren’t characteristics usually associated with diesel-powered vehicles. But they will be.”
I’m reluctant to post on a subject touching close to home and too soon after the loss of life, but in hopes someone reads this and takes note I’ll included it. First my condolences go out to the Ferraro 
Recently I’ve been paying a bit more attention to the health of our U.S. economy and the trend is raises concern. In my opinion, the continued higher energy and commodity costs are taking a toll on our country and the ability to fend off a recession. While increases in productivity continue to help our nation produce goods efficiently, the addiction to imports, weaker buying power and debt financing of lifestyle will soon be a mountain too steep for us to climb. Today’s release of the rising unemployment number (up to a ‘moderate’ 5%) is disconcerting, especially if inflationary numbers continue an upward trend. November 2007 saw a .8% rise, the largest since September of 2005 and if December’s number are down a bit, I fear we will face both higher inflation and higher unemployment (today’s indication) even as the Fed pumps liquidity into the economy.
Is it a good time to go contrary in the drugstore stock sector? Thursday financial news has release some poor performance numbers in the nations’ largest drug store chains and traders/investors are exiting positions CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. 
Nevertheless, in winding down the year, its the time many investors and watchers of the economy check up on their investments. Although the U.S. markets overall had gains this year, the trouble in the sub-prime financial markets and the effect on housing really put a damper on an otherwise positive year. 
