Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:41:39 GMT

Phone Flirting Service

Vitarati is a company that has big plans judging from their recent press release for their seenr.com website. The website is a social networking platforms with the motto "be seen, be the scene" which reflects the company's goal of using collaborative filtering to rate and recommend top hot spots to users. Information on these hot spots is based on your own preferences and is sent via text your phone. But what I'm really interested in is hearing more about the new phone flirting application that Vitarati has planned once seenr.com sees success. The project, Phlirt, will send you real-time messages about romantic matches that are in your preferred area. You can text anonymously until you're ready to meet up in person. I can see this being all kinds of messy fun. Can you just imagine texting with your new date only to look around the coffee shop and spy another person texting at the same time; could that be him? Phlirt is currently in beta stage but you can keep an eye on the Phlirt website to stay tuned in to its updates. Posted by: Kathryn Vercillo      Read more     Source

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:28:44 GMT

How's Your Arbitration Going?

There's nothing like having to show up in court in a place where you really don't know the rules and maybe can't even understand the language. I think it's fair to say that the court system in China, while it may be improving, is not as transparent as most Western judicial systems. The most common answer to that dilemma is arbitration.

But are you really ready for arbitration? Brad Luo at the China Business Law Blog posted a good piece on Friday that can help you decide.
The CBLB article asks some basic questions that you should be able to answer by simply looking at the contract you have with your Chinese partner. For example, does your contract clearly state that arbitration will be the means to resolve disputes? Does the document spell out details of arbitration like where the arbitration will take place, how the arbitrator will be selected, and what language arbitration will be carried out in?

Brad's article has a few other helpful hints. For example, there are some things that can't legally be addressed through arbitration in China. Brad tells you what some of those things are. You can read his article here.

Having a good contract (and a good arbitration clause) might help you avoid the sort of joint venture nightmares we've discussed recently. Posted by: Greg Cruey      Read more     Source

October 8, 2007, 11:01 AM CT

Plan to get clean water in poorer homes

Faculty and students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are setting out to discover whether applying business principles to public health problems can result in solutions that will save lives in developing countries with limited access to safe drinking water.

The Carolina Global Water Partnership has been established to bring together experts from UNCs School of Public Health, Kenan-Flagler Business School and Kenan Institute-Asia. They will focus on increasing the availability and usage of water therapy technologies that can be used in homes in the developing world that do not have clean running water. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 2 million children die each year from diarrhea and related illnesses caused by unsafe drinking water and inadequate hygiene and sanitation.

The partnership is the second Gillings Innovation Laboratory interdisciplinary research groups funded initially through a gift to the School of Public Health from Dennis and Joan Gillings. The idea for this innovation lab was proposed by students. Leading faculty scientists and postdoctoral fellows, along with select outside experts, will work with students on the project.

Were really excited about the opportunity to work with faculty and students at Kenan-......... Posted by: Ethen      Read more         Source

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:40:41 GMT

The Basics of Proprietorship

Why go into a home-based business? Why not indeed? A home-based business offers the kind of independence and freedom you don't always find as an employee. Unlike your 9-to-5 job, your earnings aren't limited by what is stated in your employment contract. You also can allow your creativity to fly and even get full credit for it if your product gets recognized. Ready to become an entrepreneur? Here are some important things you need to learn about business structure and the basics of proprietorship:

Proprietorship basics
Proprietorship, specifically sole proprietorship, is the simplest business structure there is. This means that you and you alone will be handling and managing your business. It is also the easiest to set up and run. Freelancing, commission-based independent work and contract-based work are some examples of sole proprietorship. Proprietorship is also the most popular business structure used for home-based businesses.

In terms of liability, being a sole proprietor also means you alone will be held liable for all obligations and transactions that occur in the course of running your business. This means that you will have to face employee and product issues, defaults on debt and lawsuits alone.

Signing an agreement or contract with a supplier, for example, will be your sole responsibility. You will also have to make your own decisions from the tiniest details to the biggest issues. It will be your name that will appear under the dotted line even if your business has its own name.

As an entrepreneur, you and your proprietorship are not legally separate. You will have to file earnings and losses on your proprietorship as part of your income tax returns. In the U.S., check IRS Form 1040 (with Schedule C).

On the positive side, every success that your business experiences is yours to enjoy. You also make decisions on your own and don't have to deal with disagreements with other co-owners or face issues of stockholder votes and meetings. You can also establish the business quickly and at little cost. The capital you need will be solely for buying materials, paying for salaries and marketing.

To run a proprietorship, you have to make it legitimate. Talk to your local business agency to find out about registration laws, business permits and licenses you have to complete and comply with. Posted by: noel      Read more     Source

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:17:27 GMT

Motorola RAZR2 V9m Review 2

Phone Arena reviews the Verizon Wireless version of the Motorola RAZR2 V9m, the CDMA variant of the second-generation RAZR. The new phones offer large external display and good functionality packed in slim body. Posted by: Greg      Read more     Source

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:18:40 GMT

NYFF podcast. Stellet Licht.

In this podcast from the New York Film Festival, Andrew Grant and Aaron Hillis talk with Salon's Andrew O'Hehir about Carlos Reygadas's Stellet Licht (Silent Light; site). To download or listen, click here.



"The microcosm that is the world of Stellet Licht is no gimmick, but rather the perfect stage for this passion play that is as much about spirituality and sacrifice as it is sex and love," writes Andrew G (as Filmbrain). "Stellet Licht has stayed with me more than any of the other fifteen films I've seen so far at the festival. A near-masterpiece that should silence detractors who view Reygadas as little more than a courter of controversy."

Screens Tuesday and Wednesday.

Updated through 10/2. Posted by: dwhudson      Read more     Source

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:16:53 GMT

The Kingdom.

"The Kingdom, about terror against Americans in Saudi Arabia, will confirm some of the worst American prejudices about the Middle East - that most Arabs there hate the US, and that America could eliminate threats there if bureaucrats got out of the way and if a few good men (and a woman) went in with the gloves off and guns ablaze," writes David D'Arcy for Screen Daily. "You can guess who comes out on top in this action movie."

"America, fuck yeah, knows how to bring the thunder to terrorists," growls Nick Schager at Slant. "All you have to do is send over a quartet of FBI agents, give 'em five days to smooth out relations with the po-po and a richy rich prince, and ka-boom, ka-blam, ka-pow, national security reestablished!"

Updated through 9/27. Posted by: dwhudson      Read more     Source

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:11:34 GMT

How to Get the Balenciaga Look Without Being a Clone

Everyone has been raving about that ethnic-preppy Balenciaga look for fall. And I have to admit, I like it a whole lot. The thing is, it can be kind of tricky to copy a runway look for less without looking like a clone. You don't want to look exactly like the runway look, and you don't want to look like all of the other people attempting to copy the runway look. It's a fine line.

Well, how do you get the Balenciaga look, then, without pulling a copycat? Here's how I would go about it.

The striped blazer is a key part of the look. I'm partial to this Urban Outfitters one, especially in the purple.

Next come the johdpurs. I like them as much as the next person, but they can be kind of hard to find. And hard to pull off. Instead, I'd go for these:

They have a jhodpur-like shape when worn over tights, but they're actually more on the breeches side of the spectrum. Which is good, because not only are they easier to pull off than jhodpurs, but they also keep you from looking like you're completely copying Balenciaga because they're, well, not jhodpurs.

Next comes the ethnic scarf. This should be easy to find at a thrift store, but if you'd rather buy new, this scarf from ASOS does the trick:

Finally, you've got to find some shoes. Unless you're planning to build shoes out of Leggos, you're not going to be able to find shoes that mimic the Balenciaga ones. I think that brogues would replace them very nicely, though:

These ones from Delia*s would do the trick.

And there you have it - Balenciaga Fall '07 in a nutshell. Go forth, grasshoppers, and find your inner ethnic prep! Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:27:17 GMT

400 Horsepower Volvo A Possibility

[Source: Swedespeed.com]

By Gunnar Heinrich

The engineers at Deutschland-based, auto performance specialist com Volvo dealer Heico Sportiv say that they're ready to produce a 400 horsepower bio-fuel S80 sedan.

Volvo, it seems, is willing to have another crack at the performance sedan market after watching rivals Audi and BMW clean house in the U.S. market. But rather than engineering the car themselves, the Swedes are subing the job of creating a wikid S80 out to people who might have a better idea of how to do it.

"We wanted to explore how far we could take a special high-performance version of the S80, and Heico's impressive track record in motor sports and Volvo tuning made them the perfect partner for the job," Volvo product man Lex Kerssemakers told Autocar.

Heico aims to deliver the tuned-up S80 concept for unveiling at the Las Vegas SEMA show next month. Currently, the company's putting the final touches getting maximum hp from adding turbos to an inline-6 cylinder powerplant to see it if can hit the magic 400 mark. Volvo-people will note that Heico's not using the S80's standard, Yamaha-sourced V8.

"The turbo motor was favoured by Heico for its compatibility with E85 fuel; a turbocharged six responds better to the higher octane rating of bioethanol than a normally aspirated V8 and, although currently rated at 350bhp, Heico Sportiv is confident that the T6's output can be increased to close to 400bhp once its development is complete," Autocar reported.

As to whether the super-swift-Swede will see the light of production day, that will come down to the public's reaction at SEMA.

[Sources: Autocar, Swedespeed.com] Posted by: Gunnar Heinrich      Read more     Source

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:05:27 GMT

db clay Green Friendly Guy Wallets

There are 4 series (lines) and 12 various designs and colors which range from photo impressions to repeating patterns and are all priced at $48.

The new db clay wallets are available through their exclusive retailer Bergdorf Goodman or through their online store.

Here are 4 examples of each of their series:


Stampage Brown from the Dammasch Series: We made a Brown version of Stampage to compliment the Black. Feel free to wear brown or black or green or purple shoes while carrying this stunning billfold- it doesn’t make a difference as this wallet steals the attention. Wide sheets of black Tope material are silk screened with textured light brown paint & stitched together with matching thread. The exterior showcases our signature Dammasch print & the wallet is constructed with rounded corners & satin nylon lining.

Golden Locks from the Material Series: Yes, we printed hair on a wallet. This brunette is the first piece offered in our up & coming hair collection- blonde, red, black & especially elderly white to follow. Put your comb away & let this beauty fill up your back pocket instead with texture, body & bounce, as it’s sure to be unlike any wallet you’ve ever seen before. Concept inspired by simply, women. Twist, brush & imagine you can run your fingers through it.

Lights of Spain from the Photo Series: Graeme, Diggles & a few other close friends were taking travel in Europe when db clay was just beginning to take shape back in Portland long ago. This image marks an era of our lives when traveling to Spain on a whim was possible & life was seemingly care free. Years later, Graeme still shoots under lights but with a newly hardened grin & a shift in purpose- he maintains a gunslingers regard for global picture farming. His unique image is transferred to the Tope exterior of this wallet & then stitched together with strong thread.

Portland Clashing from the Print Series: If you have never been to Portland, put it on your list. This waterfront cityscape print is made with pale yellow, stale gray & diarrhea brown shapes. Alex Steckly originally painted this image years ago & we scanned in a portion of his painting to produce this wallet. His original painting is long gone (we sold it at a street market back in the day) so fittingly, this wallet represents a city on the move.

Discover the db clay Green Friendly Guy Wallets Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source