Casual reading for the intellectually curious.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Netflix Streaming: Convenience or Quality?
By Eric A. Taub
New York Times
Netflix made big news recently, when it announced that it would offer a streaming-only plan in the United States. As Reed Hastings, the chief executive of Netflix, said in a press release, “We are now primarily a streaming video company delivering a wide selection of TV shows and films over the Internet.”
What he didn’t mention is that consumers who prefer to stream their content will learn that just as with cellphones, they’ll often have to sacrifice quality to get convenience.
Netflix made big news recently, when it announced that it would offer a streaming-only plan in the United States. As Reed Hastings, the chief executive of Netflix, said in a press release, “We are now primarily a streaming video company delivering a wide selection of TV shows and films over the Internet.”
What he didn’t mention is that consumers who prefer to stream their content will learn that just as with cellphones, they’ll often have to sacrifice quality to get convenience.
"Own Your Space--Keep Yourself and Your Stuff Safe Online" Digital Book for Teens by Linda McCarthy
By Microsoft
Brief Description: "Own Your Space" was written by Linda McCarthy, for Internet savvy "tweens" & teens, and their parents or educators.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Top Test Scores From Shanghai Stun Educators
By SAM DILLON
New York Times
With China’s debut in international standardized testing, students in Shanghai have surprised experts by outscoring their counterparts in dozens of other countries, in reading as well as in math and science, according to the results of a respected exam.
With China’s debut in international standardized testing, students in Shanghai have surprised experts by outscoring their counterparts in dozens of other countries, in reading as well as in math and science, according to the results of a respected exam.
Social Science Palooza
By DAVID BROOKS
Every day, hundreds of thousands of scholars study human behavior. Every day, a few of their studies are bundled and distributed via e-mail by Kevin Lewis, who covers the social sciences for The Boston Globe and National Affairs. And every day, I file away these studies because I find them bizarrely interesting.
New York Times
Every day, hundreds of thousands of scholars study human behavior. Every day, a few of their studies are bundled and distributed via e-mail by Kevin Lewis, who covers the social sciences for The Boston Globe and National Affairs. And every day, I file away these studies because I find them bizarrely interesting.
Math Puzzles’ Oldest Ancestors Took Form on Egyptian Papyrus
By PAM BELLUCK
“As I was going to St. Ives
I met a man with seven wives. ...”
You may know this singsong quiz,
But what you might not know is this:
That it began with ancient Egypt’s
Early math-filled manuscripts.
It’s true. That very British-sounding St. Ives conundrum (the one where the seven wives each have seven sacks containing seven cats who each have seven kits, and you have to figure out how many are going to St. Ives) has a decidedly archaic antecedent.
“As I was going to St. Ives
I met a man with seven wives. ...”
You may know this singsong quiz,
But what you might not know is this:
That it began with ancient Egypt’s
Early math-filled manuscripts.
It’s true. That very British-sounding St. Ives conundrum (the one where the seven wives each have seven sacks containing seven cats who each have seven kits, and you have to figure out how many are going to St. Ives) has a decidedly archaic antecedent.
On a Hunt for What Makes Gamers Keep Gaming
By JOHN TIERNEY
New York Times
By the age of 21, the typical American has spent 10,000 hours playing computer games, and endured a smaller but much drearier chunk of time listening to sermons about this sinful habit. Why, the experts wail, are so many people wasting their lives solving meaningless puzzles in virtual worlds?
By the age of 21, the typical American has spent 10,000 hours playing computer games, and endured a smaller but much drearier chunk of time listening to sermons about this sinful habit. Why, the experts wail, are so many people wasting their lives solving meaningless puzzles in virtual worlds?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Is your office going to the dogs? Five top dog-friendly employers.
Only 17 percent of US employers allow pets, even though researchers find that dogs make employees happier, more productive, and encourage teamwork. Plus, having your Pekinese or chocolate Lab begging for a walk is a perfect way to break up a routine workday. Here are five top dog-friendly companies:
By Sara Afzal
Christian Science Monitor
In Kentucky, Noah’s Ark Theme Park Is Planned
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Wall Street Journal
Facing a rising tide of joblessness, the governor of Kentucky has found one solution: build an ark.
The state has promised generous tax incentives to a group of entrepreneurs who plan to construct a full-size replica of Noah’s ark, load it with animals and actors, and make it the centerpiece of a Bible-based tourist attraction called Ark Encounter.
Facing a rising tide of joblessness, the governor of Kentucky has found one solution: build an ark.
The state has promised generous tax incentives to a group of entrepreneurs who plan to construct a full-size replica of Noah’s ark, load it with animals and actors, and make it the centerpiece of a Bible-based tourist attraction called Ark Encounter.
Google Opens Online Bookstore
By JEFFREY A. TRACHTENBERG And AMIR EFRATI
Wall Street Journal
Google Inc. launched Google eBooks, its long-anticipated digital bookselling enterprise, on Monday.
The venture, now rolling out across the Web with hundreds of thousands of popular titles for sale and millions more free, will compete for a slice of the digital books business, which is valued at close to $1 billion and is expected to grow in the coming years.
Google Inc. launched Google eBooks, its long-anticipated digital bookselling enterprise, on Monday.
The venture, now rolling out across the Web with hundreds of thousands of popular titles for sale and millions more free, will compete for a slice of the digital books business, which is valued at close to $1 billion and is expected to grow in the coming years.
Segway Laws
December 2010
Governors Highway Safety Association
Segway LLC manufactures electronically propelled two-wheeled devices designed to transport one person with a maximum speed of less than 20 mph. In most states, Segways must follow the rules pertaining to pedestrians while on roads and sidewalks, such as traveling on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
Governors Highway Safety Association
Segway LLC manufactures electronically propelled two-wheeled devices designed to transport one person with a maximum speed of less than 20 mph. In most states, Segways must follow the rules pertaining to pedestrians while on roads and sidewalks, such as traveling on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009 Children Under Age 18
National Center for Children in Poverty
Authors: Michelle Chau, Kalyani Thampi, and Vanessa R. WightPublication Date: October 2010
Children represent 25 percent of the population. Yet, they comprise 36 percent of all people in poverty. Among children, 42 percent live in low-income families and approximately one in every five live in poor families. Winding up in a low-income or poor family does not happen by chance. There are significant factors related to children’s experiences with economic insecurity, such as race/ethnicity and parents’ education and employment. This fact sheet describes the demographic, socio-economic, and geographic characteristics of children and their parents – highlighting the important factors that appear to distinguish low-income and poor children from their less disadvantaged counterparts.
Married men are nicer, and here's why
By Alison McCook
Reuters
(Reuters Health) - Men tend to behave better when they're married - both because marriage likely helps improve their behavior, and nicer men are more likely to be married in the first place, a new study reports.
(Reuters Health) - Men tend to behave better when they're married - both because marriage likely helps improve their behavior, and nicer men are more likely to be married in the first place, a new study reports.
Doctor's diagnosis drew laughs, but it saved woman's life
By Sandra G. Boodman
Washington Post
As the all-too-familiar number flashed on his cellphone shortly before 9 p.m., Dan Landri-gan reflexively braced himself for bad news. The caller was one of the doctors treating his wife, Donna, who had been in a coma for four months. "She sounded pretty choked up," Landrigan recalled.
As the all-too-familiar number flashed on his cellphone shortly before 9 p.m., Dan Landri-gan reflexively braced himself for bad news. The caller was one of the doctors treating his wife, Donna, who had been in a coma for four months. "She sounded pretty choked up," Landrigan recalled.
NORAD Tracks Santa
Welcome to NORAD Tracks Santa
All the preparations for this year are in place! Choose a language to receive updates from the North Pole and discover surprises in the Kid's Countdown Village.
All the preparations for this year are in place! Choose a language to receive updates from the North Pole and discover surprises in the Kid's Countdown Village.
Lead thieves use Google Earth to target churches
Reuters
(Reuters) - Thieves in Britain are using Google Earth to target lead roofs on Church of England buildings to sell on the lucrative metals market, a Church spokesman said.
About 8,000 churches have made insurance claims for lead theft worth about 23 million pounds during the past three years, the Church's estate commissioner Tony Baldry said during a debate in Westminster Hall.
(Reuters) - Thieves in Britain are using Google Earth to target lead roofs on Church of England buildings to sell on the lucrative metals market, a Church spokesman said.
About 8,000 churches have made insurance claims for lead theft worth about 23 million pounds during the past three years, the Church's estate commissioner Tony Baldry said during a debate in Westminster Hall.
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