Posted By RichC on May 16, 2006
Under the Freedom of Information Act, the complete video taken by two video security cameras was release on May 16. The images show a hijacked airliner slamming into the Pentagon that were used in an ongoing investigation involving Zacarias Moussaoui. The government refused to release the video until after the trial.
The still images from these cameras were leaked in 2002.
Posted By RichC on May 16, 2006
My daily interest in stock trading and investing occasionally turns up ‘timing’ opportunity (beware this is risky). I often trade for daily moves but have a philosophy of building long term positions in companies that are leaders in their industry. This strategy short term often looks ugly, but long term generally outpaces the market and allows one to sleep at night since purchases of solid companies are made when the share prices have been beaten down. One stock in particular has been taken down by investors because of product liability: Bausch & Lomb (BOL).
This past month the news has all been negative and confidence in both the company and management has been low. Management does deserve a couple black eyes in how they handled the news that ‘one’ of their products ‘might’ have contributed to a fungus that appeared in contact lens wearers. The frightening news in a country of lawsuits is that this product could cause infection and in sever cases blindness. According to a report just released yesterday, a number of outside items needed to come together to cause this to happen. I is believed that subtropical conditions grow a fungus found in some sink drains and this in combination with the use of Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu “with MoistureLoc” which is not the same as their more widely used Multiplus brand of contact lense cleaner is associated with the infections. “The company stressed that the recall is limited to MoistureLoc and does not involve other solutions in its ReNu line, including the older and more widely used MultiPlus brand that some victims reported using.”
My point is that Bausch & Lomb’s stock has been beaten heavily and may have found a bottom and is beginning to understand the extent and causes of the infections. Considering they are the leading eyecare company and have ownership through all aspects of eyecare, and that only 122 cases are reported of the more than 30 million Americans who wear contact lenses …. this might be right to purchase a well pummeled BOL. Consider that about about 2.3 million users use MoistureLoc (with 122 reporting problems tied to this infections), and 11 million using the MultiPlus ReNu products … the impact fiscally is not that heavy. The company has sales over 100 million dollar and the stock dipped last week to about half the price it was earlier this year. ($87.89 in July 2005)
I’m a buyer of the stock under $50 and believe there is short term money for those wanting out in a short period of time. The long term investment prospects look even better is you compare this ‘blip’ on a company that has been around since the 1800s. I see a slow recovery and continued grow in eye care from Bausch & Lomb and believe it is a great stock to add to a long term portfolio. An analyst at Piper Jaffray commented that investors who were originally worried about this problems spreading to other BOL products were heartened “by the strength and conviction of the FDA statements in saying that they too thought the problem was limited to MoistureLoc.”
Posted By RichC on May 15, 2006
The rumors are over and Palm officially released the long awaited new model replacing its hugely successful Treo 600 and 650 smartphones. On Monday their news release and website gave specifics similar to the many rumors of its release. Currently the only 700 model is the Verizon exclusive Treo 700w which is windows based. (the first using windows for and OS) For Palm familiar users, this 700 model was still a no-go until May 15th. Several upgrades have been included: EV-DO high speed internet service and a much faster processor are the two big ones, but many smaller additions are also part of the 700p. One highlighted difference between the Windows version and the Palm based version is the resolution of the display: 700w = 240×240; 700p = 320×320. Currently the only two carriers will be Sprint and Verizon, with Verizon the only carrier with both Windows and Palm based models.
I look forward to getting my hands on one — maybe as owner — and will detail more at that time. Nevertheless … the wait, speculation and rumors are over.
Operating System – Palm OS® 5.4.9
Memory – 128MB (60MB user accessible) non-volatile
Processor – Intel® XScaleâ„¢ 312MHz processor
Screen – 320 x 320 color TFT touchscreen display 16-bit color displays displays up to 65,536 colors
Wireless – CDMA 800/1900MHz digital dual-band, CDMA2000 EvDO network-backwards compatible with 1xRTT and IS95 networks, Bluetooth® 1.2 wireless support
Phone Features – Personal speakerphone, Hands-free headset jack, Microphone mute option, TTY/TDD compatibility, 3-way calling
Digital Camera – 1.3 megapixels with 1280×1024 resolution, Automatic light balance, 2x digital zoom, Integrated self-portrait mirror, Video capture with 352 x 288 resolution
Features – Speaker, 2.5mm headset jack is stereo headset compatible-requires a stereo headset adapter, sold separately, for use with standard stereo headphones, Polyphonic MIDI, MP3, WAV & video ringtone
External ringer on/off switch w/ vibrate mode, Audio, Full QWERTY key layout with backlighting, Integrated number dial pad, Keyguard feature, Keyboard, Support for MultiMediaCard, SD & SDIO cards, Expansion Slot Removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Talk time: up to 4.5 hours, Standby time: up to 300 hours, Battery, Multi-connector on device, USB sync cable, AC adapter (108-132 VAC/60Hz), Power/Sync
Size – 2.28″ W x 5.08″ H (excluding antenna) x 0.89″ D / 58mm W x 129mm H x 58mm D
Weight – 6.4 ounces / 180 grams
Desktop Support Requirements
Windows® 2000 or Windows® XP Service Pack 2 (later versions may also be supported), USB port (USB sync cable included), CD-ROM drive
or
Mac OS 10.2.4-10.4, USB port (USB sync cable included), CD-ROM drive
—
EDIT: Received an email from Denny mentioning that I didn’tinclude the price … well that’s because it was’t ‘really’ known. I little digging though and I was able to at least glean that Sprint will be contracting it for $399. (Read PDF press release from Sprint)
Posted By RichC on May 14, 2006
Chrysler is ‘diesel-izing’ the hot selling 300 for the European markets while North America waits … 2008 maybe … who knows? Nevertheless, those of us wanting a few more US diesel options are speculating what cars besides the Mercedes Benz 300E CDI will be ready for the US market. Joseph White reporting for the Wall Street Journal, had an opportunity to test drive the new Chrysler 300c last week; his impression was positive.
The Chrysler 300c is getting an all-aluminum turbocharged V-6 CRD engine. The new engine is smaller and lighter than the previous I-5 European diesels and is a 3.0 liters for displacement that produces 207 horsepower and a whopping 376 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm. The common rail diesel uses high-pressure injection, variable geometry fins on the turbocharger, four-valve heads, and dual overhead cams — the result is more power while burning less fuel, sending fewer pollutants out the exhaust. The diesel version of the 300Cs will be using same five-speed automatic used in the Chrysler Hemi. According to the EPA published numbers, the V-6 gasoline version is rated at 22 mpg and in Mr. White’s test drive the new diesel logged 28 mpg on a combination highway and city test drive.
According to Mr. White, the new diesel Chrysler 300 “is quiet, except for a pleasant rumble that makes it sound like an old-school V-8.” He continued with a positive comment regarding the low end torque of the diesel and it ablity to “lope along at 1800 rpms” on the freeway. The downside, unlike the new Mercedes BlueTec diesel, is that the Chrysler does not comply with the US clean-air rules. White quotes Mr. Klegon, the Chrysler product -development chief who says, “We know how to meet them [CARB standards], but at some cost.” That costs is estimated at around $5000 – 6000 per vehicle which is probably not realistic for consumers or for Chrysler.
There is some hope, since Mercedes already has their system ready to go call “Adblue” technology. It is being used successfully on commercial vehicles successfully in Europe, and is planning to adapt a number of their models. Volkswagen is also stubbling to get there clean diesel technology ready for the US too. According to recent reports, the 2007 Volkswagen line up in the US will be without diesels and that dealers will be doing their best to stock up on 2006 TDIs. With fuel prices at an all time high and consumers shopping for more fuel efficient vehicles this news is coming at a bad time. Currently Volkswagen has a very limited model lineup of diesel, yet 20% of their April 2006 sales were diesels, compared to 14% last year. Hopefully 2008 will bring improvements, as according to VW spokesperson Steve Keyes, Volkswagen will be offering new diesels that meet emission standards in all fifty US states in it vehicles, “including a new model — a diesel Rabbit.”
Posted By RichC on May 13, 2006
Another slipped date about the Treo 700p smartphone being rolled out by Sprint this month; this one looks to have been a mistake (or scam) release which included the date of the new 700p Sprint model. In the online version of TechWorld, a article appeared and then was quickly pulled down, but not before this PDF was printed of the page. Since I’m following the release of the Sprint Treo 700p closely … these rumors intrigue me.
11 May 2006
Palm version of Treo 700 arrives
By Ben Ames, IDG News ServiceMonths after the Windows version (which we reviewed in January)
Palm is launching a Palm version of its Treo 700 smartphone next
Monday. Launched in the US, with 3G (EV−DO) wireless, the Treo 700p is the first Palm smartphone on 3G, and the second of four new devices Palm will launch this year.
With e−mail and Office functions, a digital camera and MP3 music player, it should appeal to both consumer and enterprise users, said Steve Sinclair, a senior product manager at Palm.
Smartphones are now crucial to Palm’s business. In March, swelling Treo sales pushed the company past earnings estimates for the first quarter of 2006 despite falling demand for the PDAs which the company started out making.
Palm says that success is also helping it to win a greater share of the smartphone segment, as the company posted 111 percent growth in units sold from 2004 to 2005, while the market grew just 65 percent. Research in Motion (RIM) still leads the 4.85 million unit smartphone market with 53 percent market share, Palm said. But Palm holds a strong second place with 33 percent. Other vendors, including Samsung, Hewlett−Packard, Motorola, Nokia and Sony Ericsson, each have 3 percent or less.
Like the existing 700w, which runs Windows Mobile OS, the 700p uses EvDO networking, offers a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, and stocks 128 Mbyte of memory, all driven by a 312MHz Intel XScale processor. One benefit for the Palm version is ability for laptop users to use it as a wireless modem, connected with either a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or Bluetooth wireless.
Despite their similarities, the Treo models could appeal to different users. “The 700w and 700p are comparable in the sense they are both designed to be able to handle anything really well, but I expect the platforms to drift toward different segments,” Linsalata said. “For mobile enterprise, Microsoft has a stronger hold, while the Palm version could drift toward a more balanced role.” Even in the US, the Treo 700p is not yet in stores. Palm said telephony carriers Sprint and Verizon Wireless would soon announce pricing and availability.
Posted By RichC on May 12, 2006
It’s amazing to me that with all the recent news coverage that any teacher thinking about having relationships or inproperly interacting with students could still allow it to happen, let alone encourage it. Teachers certainly know better and shockingly are not showing judgement worthy of their position of trust.
It hit pretty close to home yesterday when a local teacher in our Lakota district was arrested. According to local news reports, Angela Johnson a Lakota East High School teacher, was alleged to have sent unusual gifts (underwear) to a male student and sent inappropriate text messages by cell phone since January. Its sad to see someone who has the trust of the community, after investing years of education, waste it all by knowingly interacting with a student. I doubt her employment can continue in our Southwestern Ohio school district, yet since the student was eighteen I suspect she will not be facing jail charges? Hopefully with this kind of attention and quick response by administrators (and resources officers), the school district is able serve notice to other teachers to be ‘overly careful’ in how they interact with students.
New Brief from the Associated Press via Ohio.com. EDIT: A morning update on this story with additional detail was published in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
WKRC Video News Clip
Posted By RichC on May 11, 2006
About six year ago I remember reading about a Hydrogen generator (H20 2000) developed for use in specialty welding and cutting. The article was in one of my engineering magazines and used electrolysis to break down water and use the hydrogen gas and oxygen to generate a 6000 degree flame. Until recently, the inventors device remained quiet at least in the manufacturing circles that I’m familiar with.
When video segment from a Clearwater Florida Fox26 news station appeared on a forum, I soon remembered the welding and cutting machine and realized it was being used to produce the hydrogen to power a car. Dennis Klein is the patent holder and inventor according to a couple of articles and looks to be targeting a new market. It will be interesting to see if there is enough true to the claim of breaking water into Hydrogen at the scale of efficiency being talked about. I wonder if Mr. Klein is in the running for the $50 million dollar grand prize?
From my limited understanding of Physics, significant energy is required to create the Hydrogen gas being used to power an internal combustion engine. It would seem that there is always going to be a loss of efficiency whenever energy changes forms; nevertheless the video clip is interesting. Personally I see the possibility of using a Hydrogen generator to convert water to Hydrogen gas during off-peak electric power periods – nights – and using the gas in a hybrid vehicle for commuting during the day?
Posted By RichC on May 10, 2006
The rumored mid-May launch of the Treo 700p Smartphone by Sprint look as if it might be towards the end of the month now. Who knows if this PDF Sprint “Launch Planner” calendar has accurate dates, but if it is to be believed … May 28th looks about right.
EDIT: Engadget reported this story too, then an update indicating the Palm 700p might be released on May 15th. Rumors … you’ve gotta love them!
The Treo 700p has been long rumored and will follow Verizons exclusive introduction of the Palm Treo 700w — the first Windows powered version of the Treo. Treo Smartphone users have been using the extremely popular Treo 650 which competes for ‘best of breed’ the PDA/phone combo. The Treo was the first widely accepted unit that merged a full Palm PDA, keyboard and quality cell phone and has built their hardware future around this concept.
Shares of Palm have doubled in the past year as they have successfully taken business from RIM (Blackberry) due to a long patent struggle.
Profile of PalmOne:
Palm, Inc. engages in the development, marketing, and sale of mobile computing and communication solutions worldwide. The company offers handheld computers, mobile communication devices, and mobile managers, as well as software, services, and accessories. It offers the Zire, Tungsten, LifeDrive, and Treo lines of mobile computing devices, as well as related add-ons and accessories. Palm’s products feature wireless communication capabilities, such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity, code-division multiple access, global system for mobile communications to enable messaging, email, Web browsing, and wireless ActiveSync; multimedia features, that enable users to capture and view photos, capture and view video clips, watch feature length movies, and listen to MP3 music; an infrared port for exchanging information between devices; a secure multimedia card (SD/MMC) slot for stamp-sized expansion cards for storage, content, and input/output devices; data synchronization technology that enable the device to synchronize with desktop applications, such as Microsoft Outlook; and productivity software, which allows users to create, view, and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files, as well as view and share PowerPoint presentations. Its add-ons and accessories include portable keyboards; SD/MMC expansion cards for storage and content; modems; and carrying cases. The company sells its products to distributors, retailers, e-tailers, resellers, and wireless carriers through its sales force; and directly to end users through its retail and online stores. The company was founded in 1992 as Palm Computing, Inc. and changed its name to Palm, Inc. in 1999. Further, it changed its name to palmOne, Inc. in 2003 and back to Palm, Inc. in July 2005. Palm, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Posted By RichC on May 10, 2006
I came across a nicely organized start up website today that deserves a quick look. Benjamin Turner, a student studying mechanical engineering, runs the site The Ethanol Source. His purpose is to help ordinary citizens produce a fuel (ethanol in this case) that will run in the E85 capable flex fuel vehicles. His goal is to offer the expertise, equipment and confidence so that individuals can opt for environmentally friendly fuels. He indicates support of other biofuels besides ethanol, and is looking for ways his process and site can be used with other alternative such as biodiesel. (the primary catalyst is currently methanol — which could be replace with home grown and produced ethanol.)
Mr. Turner’s site centers around three core components: 1) Main: A homepage with newsy information, 2) Library: a wiki built to archive information in an organized fashion by several editors and authors, and 3) Catalog: an OSCommerce online store/catalog offering products associated with the site.
I wanted to take a moment to compliment Benjamin on stepping out and creating a clean and well prepared ‘core’ that I hope he will be able to maintain and build upon. I wish him well and plan to add a permanent link on my blog. He is off to a great start.
Posted By RichC on May 9, 2006
Here’s a local story (southwest Ohio) produced by an investigative journalist and local television news station that got my dander up. It is probably something that is repeated across America and deserves some attention.
Counties often have part-time judges to ease the load on the courts and in some areas this might save taxpayers a significant number of dollars. Unfortunately it looks as if part-time judges, at least in my county, are paid very well for sitting on the bench one day per week and aren’t necessarily saving the county any money. Not only do they receive an annual compensation package over $70K, they are practicing lawyers the balance of the week. (that’s a pretty sweet deal) Nevertheless counties often see this as a necessary evil … but in our case we’ve hired not only one, but three! They’re all paid well and even receive taxpayer funded continuing education that seems to benefit their private law practice more than the work they do for the county. (besides … the 4 plus grand per year for these trips to Las Vegas seems like abuse of my tax dollars)
At least in Butler County Ohio this was brought to the forefront by Laure Quinlivan at WCPO and has our elected county officials quickly looking into the matter. I’m hoping that responsible fiscal management can address this in my backyard, but wonder how many other counties around the state and country have similar situations?