Welcome to the era of cloud computing

How dependent are you on your computer? Currently most of us does depend a lot on our PC for data, personal information and using various application. Well the next era would be an era of cloud computing, where information and applications would be hosted in cyberspace rather than on specific processors and silicon racks.

Software and files which are traditionally stored on a user’s own desktop or a local server would be a thing of the past. Cloud computing, also known as software as a service (SaaS), instead stores resources remotely and delivers them over the internet. Data and services can then be accessed from any computer, irrespective of location or even operating system. All you need is a web connection...

Infact the begining has already been made by the internet gaints, namely Apple's Mobileme, Microsoft's SkyDrive and now its time for Google's GDrive.

Here's a brief about all the three services and guess who would be the best ??

Apple's Mobileme: For $99 per user, Apple's MobileMe will provide everybody an organized Web home for all of their important stuff. MobileMe will integrate PCs with a Web space in applications that serve both platforms. It will act as a repository of documents and files that iPhones or PCs or Macs or even iPod touch devices can access.

Microsoft's SkyDrive: Store, access, and share your files with friends or co-workers, from anywhere online. Free 25 GB online storage means you can easily get to your stuff with just a few quick clicks. So now with SkyDrive keep your Internet Explorer favorites in sync between computers, and access them anywhere from your SkyDrive. Leave comments on any file in SkyDrive and see all of the recent comments people have left for you. You set the passwords and you decide who sees what, so you have confidence that your data is in your control.Uploading content is as easy as dragging and dropping the files from your computer onto the Web.

Google's GDrive: Google’s GDrive would basically provide online storage through Google servers – enough for the entire contents of your hard drive. Using GDrive You’d be able to access all your desktop files remotely, via a web interface, and there’d be tight integration with a host of Google services – Docs, Gmail, Picasa, etc

So now, whos the best?? Well i vote for GDrive... because GDrive will probably offer unlimited storage free of charge - unlike SkyDrive that will offer 25GB free and that’s limited to 50MB per file.

So whats your take on Cloud computing ?? Do comment below..

GOLD: Central Banks Holdings - Stocks des banques centrales (2008)

Source: FinancialSence.comNOUVEAU CHAT "Commentaires Argent Or" - Donnez votre avis, posez vos questions, laissez un lien ou écrivez un article ... C'est fait pour VOUS!

The Simple but Reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310

Here's another good cell phone for senior citizens. I've stumbled upon the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 mobile phone for seniors while looking at some basic phones. Lets go over the details of the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 to see if it can be a good cellphone for the elderly.

The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is a basic phone. It's mainly designed for making calls which it performs very well. This reliable handset for seniors is easy to use and uncomplicated making it a good device for those who are new to cell phones like children or seniors.

Being simple and easy to use makes the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 a good device for senior users. It has a simple user face which provides quick access to all the menu options you need. The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 does not have the confusing bells and whistles found in other phones. It's a simple handset made for making calls.

A look at the hardware of reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 reveals that it's an ideal mobile device for senior citizens. Its' design includes many elements that would make it a good phone for seniors. For instance, it has the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 a clear and vibrant display with customizable fonts. This would make it easy for seniors to see the information on the screen.

The keypad of the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is also suitable for seniors. The keypad has large buttons which are widely spaced making it easy to dial a number or compose a message. The labels on the keys are also fairly large so a user with poor eyesight can easily make out the specific keys.

The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is also equipped with a dedicated "911" key. This allows a user in need to call for help with a single push of a button. The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 also has a user-programmable "ICE" (in case of emergency button) which can also be very useful to senior users.

The other positive attributes for the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 includes great speakerphone performance and an affordable price. As of the writing of this post, this device is being offered at an affordable $40 with a contract.

That's it for this post on the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310. If you have any comments on this device then post them below. Tune in to this blog for more cellphone for seniors.

The Simple but Reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310

Here's another good cell phone for senior citizens. I've stumbled upon the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 mobile phone for seniors while looking at some basic phones. Lets go over the details of the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 to see if it can be a good cellphone for the elderly.

The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is a basic phone. It's mainly designed for making calls which it performs very well. This reliable handset for seniors is easy to use and uncomplicated making it a good device for those who are new to cell phones like children or seniors.

Being simple and easy to use makes the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 a good device for senior users. It has a simple user face which provides quick access to all the menu options you need. The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 does not have the confusing bells and whistles found in other phones. It's a simple handset made for making calls.

A look at the hardware of reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 reveals that it's an ideal mobile device for senior citizens. Its' design includes many elements that would make it a good phone for seniors. For instance, it has the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 a clear and vibrant display with customizable fonts. This would make it easy for seniors to see the information on the screen.

The keypad of the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is also suitable for seniors. The keypad has large buttons which are widely spaced making it easy to dial a number or compose a message. The labels on the keys are also fairly large so a user with poor eyesight can easily make out the specific keys.

The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 is also equipped with a dedicated "911" key. This allows a user in need to call for help with a single push of a button. The reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 also has a user-programmable "ICE" (in case of emergency button) which can also be very useful to senior users.

The other positive attributes for the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310 includes great speakerphone performance and an affordable price. As of the writing of this post, this device is being offered at an affordable $40 with a contract.

That's it for this post on the reliable Samsung Knack SCH-U310. If you have any comments on this device then post them below. Tune in to this blog for more cellphone for seniors.

Banks Market Cap. - Capitalisation des banques

Source: Bloomberg

Create your own animated mobile walpapers

Bring life to you mobile phone, create your own animated mobile walpaper or mobile screen saver in 3 simple steps. You have plenty of templates to choose from. Some of my favourite images below.

Step 1. Go to http://reddodo.com
Step 2. Select your favourite template
Step 3. Edit it and save the image.... thats it you get hi quality mobile wallpaper.



Check it out and post your comments...

M0: Dollar Notes Growth - Croissance des dollars (billets)

Junior Miners UP UP - Mines Juniors en forte hausse

Source: GoldStockBull.com

SLV Silver ETF: Growing - En croissance

Source: SilverSeek.com

A full 3D screen browsing experience

This free application lets you browse images and videos is full 3D. One could scroll top-bottom, left-right and zoom-unzoom.

Piclens transform your browser into cinematic visual presentation with images and videos put on wall and make you assume like you are seeing them on wall of a dark room.

Piclens recently made the application compatible to view YouTube videos along previous compatibility to view Google image search results into 3D visualization as well as that of Yahoo, AOL, Ask.com and Live image searches, thats too with just one single click.

Moreover, PicLens allow to view photos on Flickr, Photobucket, Picasa and Smugmug into same 3D visualization along with social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and Friendster.

Here is a quick video explaining the briliant features... Enjoy

What could be the future of Satyam ?

Satyam Computer Services Ltd. is being called "India's Enron," after its chairman admitted he had cooked the books to the tune of about $1 billion, leaving the company with almost no cash. Satyam has nearly 53,000 employees and is the country’s fourth biggest IT firm. It has also won various innovation accolades and awards for its corporate governance.

In a swift action to salvage the Satyam crisis, the Centre had set up a three-member board by nominating HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, the former Nasscom president, Kiran Karnik, and the ex-SEBI member, C. Achutan, as independent directors to take charge and chart out the future course of action.

So now whats on the future course of action for Satyam, well as per Mr. Karnik the immediate task would be ensuring continuity and sustainability for customers and employees.

Telecoms software firm Tech Mahindra Ltd, a unit of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, had emerged as a strong contender for Satyam and was keen on taking over the entire company.

Larsen & Toubro Ltd is also likely to present a revival plan to the newly formed Satyam board.

Aegis BPO Services Ltd., the back office unit of India's Essar Group, has expressed interest in carving out Satyam's back office arm, but has not made a formal offer.
Also an U.S.-listed outsourcing services provider iGate Corp has told the board it is interested in buying Satyam and is in touch with private equity firms to fund a possible deal.

SIM Secure Element

One of the most important problems to be solved in the mass deployment of mobile payment solutions is where the "secure element" should be stored. Without going into a lot of detail, this is basically the need to store a digital ID of the payer in such a way that it is very difficult to compromise. Much has been written and speculated on how this should be achieved in mobile payments. (Read this and this for a sample)

It was generally agreed that the Secure Element (SE) could be stored in three possible places:

• In a Memory card that can be inserted in a phone
• In an external device attached to the phone or
• on the SIM card

During the past period, I have heard quite a few organisations (the Euro payment council, the US FSTC an dthe Mobey Forum) verbally confirm that they are starting to realise that the only workable solution is the SIM card. This will start to influence solutions and I believe will help with acceleration of standards and also working solutions.

I believe that the work that we have done at Fundamo have lead toi the most advanced and proven SIM card based solutions currently available.

Money Ventures that are mobile

What made Dumb and Dumber such a funny movie was not because the two friends Harry and Lloyd was so stupid, but that they did not know it. They often acted thinking that they are smart, but it was clear for most that they were not.

I see similar behaviour in the mobile banking industry, but I am often not sure if I should laugh or be sad. I was recently exposed to such a company - one with large shareholders and a very visible profile (and probably a massive budget too).

It is quite unclear what product they offer and how they intend generating the kind of revenue that they would require to sustain their expenses. With many high profile executives and grand plans, it is interesting to hear the articulation of their vision: "poised to set the industry standard for mobile financial services". At the same time ridiculous claims are made like offering financial services solutions that ares unique in offering comprehensive banking, payments, and budgeting tools on the customer’s existing mobile phone. And also that they have created a next generation mobile financial service solution that will accelerate the adoption of mobile financial services worldwide.

In addition, it seems that this organisation is partnering with every willing company, even if they are in competition or when their offerings and business models are diagonally opposed to each other. It would be interesting to have a wager on how the future of this company will pan out.

Paybox and Sybase

I usually comment on technical aspects of the mobile banking industry, but the recent acquisition of paybox by Sybase necessitate some comments. While it seems to be a very good match (Established company with a good brand and distribution network acquiring company with good product and management), the new mCommerce player will be faced with significant integration challenges:

• The culture of an entrepreneurial, Euro-based company will have to merge with an East Coast, listed entity
• The relatively small paybox will have to provide guidance, training and support for a massive organisation, running the risk of diluting scarce resources to a point where it looses it effect
• The new organisation has the ability to create a big demand for product that will be difficult to deliver. Mobile banking is a complex solution to deploy. It takes a long time to train engineers to do this effectively. It would be difficult to scale the delivery capacity quickly enough.

Nevertheless, I wish the ex-paybox staff good luck with their new home.

Attending Mobey Forum in California

I attended the Mobey Forum meeting for the first quarter in California this month. The organisation was very well done and the venue provided by Sybase was very well too. A large percentage of the industry influencers attended and the quality of the presentations were generally of an extremely high standard.

This is my key insights on the meeting:

• The difference in insight, understanding and substance between the US banks and the rest of the world in staggering. The status of mobile banking in the US banking sector is very, very far behind compared to other countries, including emerging countries. What makes this even worse is the fact that I don't think US banks realise this.
• The drive for and the tension between proximity payment initiatives and remote payments was quite obvious. One could see the difference between NFC and remote payment proponents and how they see the world clearly. (I will blog more on this later)
• I found some presentations (especially from smaller companies, or idividuals) to be of the highest quality, while larger companies failed in delivering substance. It was almost the case that the bigger the least substance.
• Standards are being worked on effectively. It was the closest that I think the industry has ever been in actually publishing standards/guidelines that are usuable.

I will blog for the next few weeks on thoughts that was triggered during the meeting.

GLD Gold ETF: 800 Tons - 800 tonnes

Source: Seekingalpha.com

Gold 2012

Source: Jsmineset.com

USA: Obama Stimulus Package - Paquet de relance d'Obama

Source: Safehaven.com

Stock Markets Capitalization - Capitalisation des marches actions

Source: Leap2020.eu

The Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for Seniors

I found another mobile phone designed for elderly users when I searched the web for more mobile phones for seniors. I stumbled upon a handset called Wherifone a GPS Locator cell phone for seniors. Let's discuss the Wherifone GPS Locator cell phone for seniors to see if this might be a fit for your senior family members or friends.

This special handset for seniors was created as a special handset for children and seniors and those who want to be able to track their locations. The Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors is being manufactured by Wherify a company that aims to equip mobile applications with location intelligence.

This cell phone for senior gives peace of mind to the user's friends and loved ones. The Wherifone GPS Locator mobile phone for seniors will provide them with information on the location of the user in case any emergency occurs. Modern life can be hectic so the peace of mind provided by this special mobile device for senior citizens is essential.

The Wherifone GPS Locator handset for seniors is equipped with GPS-based technology that allows the user to be tracked. With the help of the Wherifone GPS Locator mobile phone for seniors, the users can be quickly tracked on an online map. The user's location can also be obtained via a text message on any cell phone.

Users will find that the Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors is simple and easy to use. handsets that are uncomplicated and user friendly are ideal for senior users. The Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors allows users to stay in touch and call for help at the push of a button. This handset for the elderly haa 3 Easy Dial Buttons and a 20 number phone book. The three buttons on the this mobile device for the elderly can be used for preprogrammed numbers that can be used to make instant calls.

Of course, the Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors also have weaknesses. It has a tiny display which is not ideal for the weak eyes of senior users. It's also a very simple phone and it doesn't offer a lot of features. This specialized handset for seniors is specialized for making calls.

The Wherifone GPS Locator handset for seniors ias affordable which is good benefit. It's bing sold at $99.95 and service plans start at $19.95. This mobile phone for elder users is being sold at at Toys R Us, Costco, Sharper Image and may soon be sold by Walmart.

This ends another featured handset for seniors. Tune in to this blog to know more about mobile devices or seniors and mobile phone services designed for the elderly.

The Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for Seniors

I found another mobile phone designed for elderly users when I searched the web for more mobile phones for seniors. I stumbled upon a handset called Wherifone a GPS Locator cell phone for seniors. Let's discuss the Wherifone GPS Locator cell phone for seniors to see if this might be a fit for your senior family members or friends.

This special handset for seniors was created as a special handset for children and seniors and those who want to be able to track their locations. The Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors is being manufactured by Wherify a company that aims to equip mobile applications with location intelligence.

This cell phone for senior gives peace of mind to the user's friends and loved ones. The Wherifone GPS Locator mobile phone for seniors will provide them with information on the location of the user in case any emergency occurs. Modern life can be hectic so the peace of mind provided by this special mobile device for senior citizens is essential.

The Wherifone GPS Locator handset for seniors is equipped with GPS-based technology that allows the user to be tracked. With the help of the Wherifone GPS Locator mobile phone for seniors, the users can be quickly tracked on an online map. The user's location can also be obtained via a text message on any cell phone.

Users will find that the Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors is simple and easy to use. handsets that are uncomplicated and user friendly are ideal for senior users. The Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors allows users to stay in touch and call for help at the push of a button. This handset for the elderly haa 3 Easy Dial Buttons and a 20 number phone book. The three buttons on the this mobile device for the elderly can be used for preprogrammed numbers that can be used to make instant calls.

Of course, the Wherifone GPS Locator Cell Phone for seniors also have weaknesses. It has a tiny display which is not ideal for the weak eyes of senior users. It's also a very simple phone and it doesn't offer a lot of features. This specialized handset for seniors is specialized for making calls.

The Wherifone GPS Locator handset for seniors ias affordable which is good benefit. It's bing sold at $99.95 and service plans start at $19.95. This mobile phone for elder users is being sold at at Toys R Us, Costco, Sharper Image and may soon be sold by Walmart.

This ends another featured handset for seniors. Tune in to this blog to know more about mobile devices or seniors and mobile phone services designed for the elderly.

M3: Global Money Supply - Offre mondiale de monnaie (1970-2008)

M3: Global money supply - Monnaie disponible (2008)

Silver ETF SLV: New high in volume - Nouveau record du volume

Optimizing the code of a SDL game

Maybe you have tried it already: Tennix has been available for Maemo for quite some time now. The current version still has room for improvement (performance-wise), and the gameplay part runs a bit slow. That's why our team uses it as an optimization target for a course at the uni until the end of January.

Two benefits: You get a playable, fast tennis game for your tablets, and we get a bit more proficient in writing more efficient code and making better use of the current hardware. This will obviously also benefit the Desktop version of Tennix, as both use the same codebase.

I hope to be able to draw some conclusions and give you an overview of what we were able to do in a few weeks. Until now, try out Tennix and get used to its (relatively slow) speed, so that you feel the improvements when the optimized release is out :)

My top 5 Tech gadgets at CES International 2009

The 2009 International CES was underway this week between 9th Jan to 11th Jan in Las Vegas. now in its 42nd year, is the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow with 2,700 exhibitors covering 1.6 million square feet of exhibit space in Las Vegas.

However it seems this year show organizers tried to hide the recession mood. Here's an quick update my top 5 picks from the show.

Sony CyberShot G3
The new CyberShot G3 is the world’s first camera with wi-fi + a built in browser. So if you just can’t wait to upload your video clips to YouTube or photos to Flickr or PhotoBucket, you can login right from the LCD screen on your CyberShot G3 and upload your heart out. more details here

New Canon VIXIA HD Video Cameras
Surely a couple of the new Canon VIXIA HD flash memory Canon camcorders will make it underwater later this year. The HF S100 and HF S10 seem to cater to the budget-minded pros and high end amateurs while the HF200 and HF20 have fewer new features but are still a step up from their previous line. more details here


Eye-Fi Video Card
The Eye-Fi Video Card! Though this product is still in the process of development, the crowd at CES felt deserved to be The winner of the Last Gadget Standing competition. An SD card with Wi-Fi built-in, this product lets you send both images and video from your digital camera. more details here


emWave PSR
The emWave PSR is an affordable, portable biofeedback tool. Made by HeartMath, it is an effective and convenient way to reduce stress, balance emotions, and increase performance. The emWave PSR uses colorful LED displays, audio feedback, and a powerful stress-relief technique to help you relax and increase your feelings of well-being. It features four challenge levels, adjustable brightness, adjustable audio-feedback levels, Advanced user mode, The Coherence Coach CD, and is available in silver or metallic blue.

Motorola MotoZine ZN5
A 5-megapixel camera phone with autofocus, flash, 350MB of on-board and 4GB expandable memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more. The MotoZine ZN5 is built to let you take pictures and upload them instantly to the web via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or MMS. The phone also features a 3.5mm headset jack, FM Radio, and a TV out.

Silver: Annual Average Price - Prix annuel moyen

Source: The Silver Institute - Silver-investor.com

US bank Failures - Failites bancaires USA

Gold Silver Ratio (1800 - 2008)

Source: Cyclepro

Tips to avoid and handle Mobile theft situation

Mobile phones have become an intergral part of our lives, its become a multi feature must-have gadget for any individual. To serve the needs of the masses mobile phone companies also ensures to release newer and more feature bundled mobile handsets.

Thousands subscribe to new mobile phone connections daily, with this mammoth mobile phone subscriber base a mammoth problem has also arisen - Mobile phone theft.

Now its time to be equiped and fight back this menace. How? heres how..

Precaution is the first step. Ensure you and your phone is prepared to handle the situation.

Step 1. Ensure you have your mobiles 17 or 15 digit unique IMEI number noted somewhere (keeping this note in your wallet is better). The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 17 or 15 digit code used to identify an individual mobile station to a GSM network. The IMEI can usually be found on the handset, beneath the battery, sometimes printed on a small white label. Another way to easily locate your IMEI phone is to dial the following sequence of numbers into the handset: *#06#.

Step 2. Install below mentioned free java application on your mobile which would surely be very benificial. mGuard/Guardian and TheftAlarm are my picks. Here's what they do..

mGuard is a anti-theft software that provides a way to send an SMS to another mobile phone whenever the SIM card gets changed. It operates silently in the background and it should be very hard to spot. Even if the thief spots the application the SMS has already been send out to the alternate mobile number. Hence you could contact the local police and they can track the new user through the service provider.

Another alternative for for Symbian S60 devices is Guardian. Guardian will automatically switch to invisible mode when a SIM card is entered that is not authorized which makes it impossible to access the application. It also comes with a hard reset protection that protects the application when the user performs a hard reset which basically means a return to the default phone settings.

TheftAlarm is an application which alerts/sounds us when our mobile phone is being touched. This application would come handly as it blows an alarm and avoids the theft in the first place.

Step 3. Your alternative contact option. You sould change the start up screen of the mobile to display your alternate contact detail. In the even your mobile is stolen and the theif is aware about your phone security and needs to contact you then he can do so.. (well the chances are less although)

In the event your still mobile is stollen contact your local Police Station as soon as possible and try to file a FIR[First Information Report] with the complete information of your cell phone handset, model, IMIE number, battery number if possible, lost mobile phone number, current contact details.

Reach your Telecom Service Providers office as soon as possible and file a complaint about the loss of your handset with a copy of your FIR and request them to cancel the current SIM card and try to reissue a new one with the Same number, because this way you can make sure that the new owner of your mobile phone does not make any calls from your mobile phone and also you dont expect huge post-paid mobile phone bills which you have not used.

Please post in your views on the above

World Official Gold Holdings - Dépôts officiels d'or dans le monde

Complete list, liste complete : Forum-gold.fr / World Gold Council

Credit Card payments for everything

I recently read a great article written by George Thomas (Read it here). It eloquently made the point that credit cards are not designed to be used for all payments. That card payments are unsuitable, expensive and risky for a number of applications. The inherent risks associated with fraud and credit could have major ramifications for the financial system as a whole.

I think it would be correct to add that credit card payments (maybe with a few exceptions) are not at all suitable for mobile payments either. The characteristics of the mobile phone and the multiple applications made possible via mobile payments require a new type of payment. To bend and modify card payments to also support mobile payments is folly.

George made the point that the blanket use of card payments for everything is driven by silo's in large banks - each with their own products and personal objectives. He also mentioned that greed is a major driver for taking the wrong decisions. Could I also offer another reason: "Lack of an ability to think outside the old banking norms."

Silver Gold Charts (www.silvergoldcharts.blogspot.com)

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