It looks obvious

Haaretz is a leading Israeli newspaper that call itself “Newspaper for thinking people“. Today I noticed that they start publishing two blogs. I wander why a newspaper need to publish blog, why not to call it feature or column? Since this is on line version why can’t the writer post columns whenever he/she have them? But the worst thing was to find that these “Blogs” are not supporting RSS. It is surprising since Haaretz already use RSS, which is the only way I’m reading newspapers these days.
Isn’t it time in Haaretz to realize that content distribution and syndication changed?

Technorati Tags: Haaretz, RSS, Blog, Newspapers, Hebrew

The following cartoon, published by Scary Ideas, is an accurate description of the reality.

Project Management , I.T. , Software Development

A while ago we attended, with great pleasure, a wedding of good friends. This was Tseela first wedding and it left on her great impression. After we came back home she declared that she going to have a wedding too and when asked who is she going to marry she answer: “myself, of course!”

Tseela , Pictures

I opened a new category: companies that nobody need. The list will include companies or software that seems to me as trying to ride on the new web 2.0 hype and are mostly “built to flip”. I like companies that invent or implement new useful technologies. However I despise companies that their only reason for existence is to make a quick buck.
The first in my list belong to a new site by a company that usually develops good products. Intuit develops suit of accounting software for large range of users. However it seems that they decided to jump into the Web 2.0 water with a new service in which you the user going to rate businesses and intuit will make fortune. I thought that craiglist and Google base offering the same?
The second on my list is the new European pictures service that offer the same services that Flickr offers, look like Flickr but isn’t Flickr. Really guys I’m all for competitions, but I would like a real competition not a déjà-vu. If you want to offer the public an option to Flickr then offer alternatives like new feature, revenue sharing – be creative. As it seems now 23 is a bubble company.
The last one on my list today is Plazes. Equipped with Web 2.0 name and the message of sharing the company offers:

“Plazes is a grassroot approach to location-aware interaction, using the local network you are connected to as location reference. Plazes allows you to share your location with the people you know and to discover people and plazes around you. It’s the navigation system for your social life and it’s absolutely free.”

Are you for real? Why in the name of god would I want this? Yes, open API is nice and useful; open Source might be, sometimes, useful; but what it has to do with “location-aware interaction“???

Web 2.0 , Bubble , zipingo , Plazes , 23 , Google Base , Craig List , Flickr

I guess it is too late for me to try to understand diplomacy. I do not know how can somebody negotiate seriously a position that against terrorism with the exception of Israel and only if the American will pay for it. It seems that the Middle Eastern nations did not understand that Terrorism is Terrorism is Terrorism. They also did not understand that the only way to create wealth is not by living of American and European bribe money but by freedom.
I don’t think that we can promote democratization and freedom in these countries. The tribal society is still stronger then the desire and understanding of real democracy. However we should define our relationship with these countries based on the steps they are taking toward real civil rights. We cannot accept a position that denies terrorism unless it is uses against our rivals.

EU, Arab nations locked in dispute over anti-terrorism code

“The draft text of the “Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism” declared “all peoples have the right of self-determination,” but that “terrorist attacks cannot be justified or legitimized by any cause or grievance.”

Arab delegates sought to add an important qualification, proposing text that said nothing in the anti-terrorism code contradicts “the right of peoples under foreign occupation to strive to end it in accordance with international law.”

The EU and Israel objected, insisting terrorism can never be justified. Diplomats worked into the night of Sunday to Monday. When the leaders returned for a second day of talks Monday, there was still no agreement.”

Middle East , EU , Israel , War on Terror , democratization

We are finally back at home. The vacation was very nice and it was even nicer to be with family and to meet with friends. One of the most striking experiences we had this holiday was traffic. As I wrote before traveling on Thanksgiving Day from Tampa Florida to Baltimore was as smooth as possible and to my surprise driving back from Baltimore to NY wasn’t worse than any weekend commute.
Tseela had, as always, wonderful time. Although we are trying to prepare her for the changes in the family status and for having a sister baby, I’m sure that not being in the center of the universe going to be hard to adjust. She did not comeback from Baltimore empty handed and as you can see below she really likes the quilt that her aunt Marina gave her.

Tseela , Traveling , Vacation , Holiday’s Commute

I guess when Tseela is dressed like this you can safely assume that it is the start of the winter…

Tseela , Winter , Photos

Thanksgiving was, and still is, one of the best things I discovered when moved to live in the US. The American efficient arrangement of holidays and weekend placed this holiday on Third Thursday of November so many people can take longer vacation which is mainly used to family gatherings.
Here are some pictures from our gathering. The full set can be found here.

The BBC reports that two teams of researchers were able two teleport successfully in lab conditions. This is very exciting news, although it is along way until anybody will be able to use teleportation as major commute solution.
The more feasible effect is on our computers abilities:

These machines would be able to handle far bigger and more complex loads than today’s super-computers, and at many times their speed.

BBC , Teleportation , qubits

On the way from Tampa, FL to Baltimore, MD. I have to say that Thanksgiving traveling experience is not bad at all so far. We took 2 hours as extra time factored to our airport arrangement but it was done in less then 10 minutes (including returning the rental car).
I’m impressed!
I hope it will be the same in Atlanta, GA and BWI

Thanksgiving , Tampa’s Airport , Holiday traveling