PlanetInAction.com - Ships

PlanetInAction.com - Ships

A very cool ship simulation game that uses the google earth plug-in and your browser.

Wi-Fi Coming to New York City Subways

Wi-Fi Coming to New York City Subways: "

Good news for any New Yorker who hates interacting with others during their daily commute (read: all New Yorkers): Wi-Fi and mobile service are coming to a subway near you. Yup, now even the Mole People won’t be able to escape the outside world.

According to Bloomberg, after three years of stalled progress, Transit Wireless LLC — a conglomerate of wireless and construction companies that was awarded a contract to undergo this project with New York Transit — has finally found the money to move forward. Broadcast Australia has footed the bill, which will bring NYC up to speed with Singapore, Berlin and Tokyo — all of which currently have Wi-Fi in the tubes.

Back in 2007, Transit Wireless LLC had promised to get the job done in 10 years, now it has two years to outfit six stations near New York’s Union Square, and then four more years for the other 271 platforms. The Wi-Fi comes in the form of smoke detector-size antennas, and will afford passengers access on platforms, mezzanines and in sections of the tunnels (not the whole tunnel). Overall, the whole deal will cost $200 million dollars — which begs the question: If the city’s willing to go to the trouble to go wireless, why do I have to take a shuttle nine weekends out of 10 because they’re “doing repairs on the tracks”? But I digress…

Pretty soon, it seems, a goodly portion of NYC will be Wi-Fi ready; AT&T outfitted Times Square with free wireless two months ago and ubiquitous coffee chain Starbucks offers pro bono access as well. Just think, that whole “I was stuck in a tunnel” excuse is never going to be the same…

Amazon unveils new generation of Kindles

From CNet.com: you cannot beat these as a standalone book reader. 12% smaller and lighter makes it even easier to hold while reading!

Amazon unveils new generation of Kindles: "The online retailer will ship a smaller, lighter $189 Kindle with new features on August 27. A Wi-Fi-only version will cost only $139."

Afghanistan War Illustrated In Depressing Visual Simplicity [War]

From www.guardian.co.uk: Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it....

Afghanistan War Illustrated In Depressing Visual Simplicity [War]: "

The big news in the grown-up media today is the latest WikiLeaks disclosure, which has seen 90,000 documents on the war in Afghanistan released to the press. The Guardian has created this grim mash-up illustrating key events. [The Guardian] More »

The poor also need protection.

From Newsweek.com:

The poor also need protection.: "“To me, it was so counterintuitive,” Rivlin says. “People with no money in their pockets is good for business?” But they were profitable. By 1996, there were more payday lenders than all the McDonald’s and Burger Kings in the land combined."

Who Cooked The Planet?

Who Cooked The Planet?: "Why didn’t climate-change legislation get through the Senate? The triumph of greed and cowardice.

"

Nine Thoughts on Personal Finance from America’s Founding Fathers

Nine Thoughts on Personal Finance from America’s Founding Fathers: "

Let’s celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence by celebrating some of America’s founding father’s thoughts on personal finance.

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

- Benjamin Franklin

One thing that I feel is never wasted is money and time spent on purposeful education. If you’re genuinely engaged in learning about a topic and growing as a person, the time and money spent learning and growing is among the most valuable you can spend. It increases your body of knowledge, allows you to understand and solve problems of a new variety, and gives you new skills to share with the world (and with potential employers).

There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.

- John Adams

At the same time, if you do nothing but learning and do not share it, you’re missing out on the flip side of life. Learning is a lifelong journey, but it’s one taken hand in hand with making our way in the world with the tools we have right now.

We must make our election between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude.

- Thomas Jefferson

In other words, we have a choice between financial independence and financial dependence. If we spend less, we are in control of our own money. We don’t owe others. We have the freedom to change our employment if we so wish. If we spend outside of our means, we are no longer in control of our money. We owe others and we don’t have the freedom to change our employment other than to chase the dollar regardless of how oppressive or soul-sucking the work is. What do you choose?

We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to improve them.

- Samuel Adams

Life happens. Good events happen. Bad events happen. We can’t foresee most of them. The people who achieve their dreams are the ones that hop on board with the good events (and have the resources to do so) and are also able to roll through the bad events. How do you do that? You do that by not spending everything you earn and keeping some of those earnings for yourself, to deal with the bad and take advantage of the good.

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.

- Thomas Paine

Often, the most valuable things in our lives are the things that seem like they’re constantly there. Our homes. Our families. Our closest friends. That’s where the real value is. What’s genuinely more important to you: your best friend or whatever material item you dream about owning?

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company.

- George Washington

You are impacted over and over again by the people you associate with. Their opinions and attitudes and reputations rub off on you. If you want to fail, surround yourself with negative people with a history of failure. If you want to succeed, surround yourself with people committed to succeeding.

Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic.

- James Madison

Debt is a very painful game to play. The word “shackles” is actually pretty descrpitive, as is the word “oppressive.” You’re stuck when you’re in debt. You can’t make the choices you might want to make in your life – switching jobs, being a stay at home parent, starting your own business. Debt eats those opportunities – and for what?

In the general course of human nature, A power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

- Alexander Hamilton

If you allow yourself to be in a position where you don’t have any money in reserve for yourself, you’re completely at the mercy of the people who pay you. You will jump when they say jump. You’ll work neverending hours and subject yourself to countless unenjoyable events. Why? You’ve given your employers all of the power.

The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and to influence their actions.

- John Hancock

The ability to communicate with others, state your positions, and convince others to go along with you is one that will serve you well for success no matter what path in life you choose.

Use Microsoft Office for Free with Microsoft Web Apps

Use Microsoft Office for Free with Microsoft Web Apps: "

Google Documents has its problems. Its features are not comprehensive enough for truly serious office work, and it can be a bit slow and finicky when compared to a traditional office program. Still, Google Documents has started a revolution. The ability to access a document from any computer and share it with co-workers is immensely useful

Microsoft knows this. It has been flat-footed so far, as the company’s investments in the mighty Microsoft Office Suite can’t be turned on (or with) a dime. They are not blind to the situation and to respond, Microsoft has released Microsoft Web Apps, a set of free applications which emulate the functions of Google Documents.

There Is Some Office In My Firefox

Microsoft’s new Web Apps platform is accessed through Windows Live. If you have a Windows Live account you just need to log into it and you’re good to go. If you don’t have a Windows Live account you will need to create one before you gain access.

Once you log in, you will be greeted by what Microsoft calls Skydrive. The Skydrive is simply your online storage. It works a lot like a normal hard drive, although of course, you have to access it through your web browser. You can create new folders for storing and sharing documents and you can move documents from folder to folder. The interface is different from Google Documents, but not quite as robust in functionality. You can’t view documents as thumbnails, for example.

What Can You Buy For Free?

As you might expect, the functionality of Microsoft Web Apps is limited compared to the complete Microsoft Office suite. You will only be able to use web-based versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote. The functionality of each Web App is limited when compared to the full version, as well. The Word Web App, for example, is only really suitable for basic text editing. You an also add photos and links, but that is about it. You can’t add comments, create annotations or edit footers.

If you already own the Microsoft Office suite, however, you’ll be able to open any Web App document in the full version of Microsoft Office. The value of this feature can’t be overstated. While browser-based office suites are interesting, they are never as smooth or as functional as a office suite installed on your local machine. By integrating the ability to open a Web App document with just one click Microsoft gives Office users the best of both worlds.

The interface of Microsoft’s Web App’s will be immediately familiar if you use Microsoft Office. This means that is better than other popular free suites, like Google Documents and Zoho. Rather than relying on old-fashion drop-down menus, Microsoft Web Apps follows a more modern tabbed design aesthetics. Icons are large and intuitive, and the most frequently needed functions are represented by large buttons which are easy to find. I was able to start using Microsoft Web Apps in no time at all.

A Real Alternative to Google Documents?

It is easy to pigeon-hole Microsoft as the senile old curmudgeon of the tech world, slowly dying as it makes desperate attempts to keep with the times. This portrayal is common (those lovely “I’m a Mac” ads didn’t help) but it is starting to seem inaccurate.

Microsoft’s Web Apps is an extremely solid platform. Its interface is actually better than that of Google Documents in many respects. Microsoft’s Web Apps also feels even quicker than Google Documents, which is by no means a slouch when it comes to speed. I noticed this somewhat when I was using Word, but the biggest speed difference seemed to come in the presentation apps. Microsoft’s Powerpoint Web App felt a lot smoother than Google’s implementation.

It is the integration with the paid version of Office that is killer, however. As an dedicated OpenOffice user, I’m now considering actually purchasing Microsoft Office 2010 just to gain access one-click integration with Microsoft’s Web Apps. If any OpenOffice users out there know a way to enable similar functionality for OpenOffice I’d love to hear it.

NEW: Download MakeUseOf iPhone App. FREE!

Low Tax Burden Through 2010

Low Tax Burden Through 2010: "The tax rate paid by Americans has fallen 26% since the recession began in 2007. That means a $3,400 annual tax savings for a household paying the average national rate and earning the average national household income of $102,000. The lower tax burden should last at least through 2010 according to the Tax Policy Center.

Tips and Tricks for Ubuntu 10.04 after Installation

Tips and Tricks for Ubuntu 10.04 after Installation: "The latest 'Lucid Lynx' release of Ubuntu with its improved appearance and enhanced features is causing quite a stir. If you intend trying it out we strongly recommend you tweak your installation with this impressive set of enhancements put together by editor Jojo Yee. It will save you are lot of work and a lor of grief

Android-Based Google Tablet Coming to Verizon [Tablets]

Android-Based Google Tablet Coming to Verizon [Tablets]: "

Google is working with Verizon to launch a Google tablet, according to the Wall Street Journal. News site Bloomberg confirms, and also says the device will be based on Google's Android operating system. We already have an idea what a Chrome OS tablet might look like (see video above), and as TechCrunch points out, it's reasonable to think some of the same ideas could make their way to an Android-based Google Tablet. Google users eager to jump to a tablet world who aren't so keen on the iPad should be excited to see how this pans out. [WSJ, Bloomberg via Gizmodo] More »

New release: Master of Orion 3

New release: Master of Orion 3: "The third and, to date, last installment of the Master of Orion series has just landed on GOG.com.

Master of Orion 3 is a 4X turn-based strategy game with RTS elements. Compared to its predecessors, MOO3 is almost an entirely different game. Aside from the improved graphics, the most noticeable difference is that micromanagement is all but replaced by macromanagement, which offers a more life-like approach to ruling an empire. You're no longer the dictator who deals with every single, tiny decision. You're more like the invisible hand guiding your species in a direction you believe is best, and let your people do the mundane stuff for you. Long story short, it may not be the best title if you're looking for a MOO1+2 clone, but a good, complex game in its own right."

Two-Way Gmail Syncing Goes Live on BlackBerry Services [BlackBerry]

Two-Way Gmail Syncing Goes Live on BlackBerry Services [BlackBerry]: "

BlackBerry phones have had a Gmail sync solution for some time, but a message's read/unread status, along with sent mail, wasn't instantly synced to phones. Overnight, it seems, BlackBerry started offering two-way Gmail sync through its BlackBerry Internet Service 3.0. Not all carriers are supporting BIS 3.0 for all models, thought, so your fully-synced Gmail abilities may still be on their way. [Boy Genius Report via Gizmodo] More »

MechWarrior 4 is now free ... if you can get it

MechWarrior 4 is now free ... if you can get it: "

So here's the thing -- we were all set to tell you about how MechWarrior 4 has been released as free for all to play, but apparently some people found out before we could tell you and now, well, now the servers are down. Bigtime. As in, it might be a few minutes before they're back up. According to several tipsters, the 1.7GB file became available for download last night, but as of right now, MekTek (the game's host) is still suffering an outage.

That said ... hey! MechWarrior 4 has been released to the general public for precisely zero of your hard-earned C-Bills! If you managed to snag the file last night, we're hearing reports that MekTek has recovered the game's multiplayer servers. We'll let you know when we hear that the servers are back up.

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know Google Maps Could Do [Lifehacker Top 10]

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know Google Maps Could Do [Lifehacker Top 10]: "

There's more to Google Maps than a place you double-check your directions. Google's data-stuffed site offers a lot of helpful tools for vacationers, spreadsheet nerds, bikers, and others. Today we're digging into Google's data-rich geo-tool and pulling out some helpful lesser-known features. More »

PC | Xbox 360 USB memory support coming April 6

PC | Xbox 360 USB memory support coming April 6: "

Microsoft dates, details upcoming system update allowing the use of third-party storage devices.

Last week, rumors surfaced that Microsoft was planning to introduce USB memory device support for the Xbox 360 through a firmware update this year. Not only has that rumor proven true, but gamers won't have to wait long to check out the new functionality. Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb announced today through his official blog that a system update allowing the use of third-party USB storage devices with the Xbox 360 is scheduled to arrive on April 6.

Xbox Live just picked up a few more menus.

With the update, users will be able to store up to 16GB of Xbox 360-related content on a third-party storage device. Any remaining space on the USB drive, which must have a minimum capacity of 1GB, can be allocated for use with a PC or Mac. Two 16GB storage units can be used concurrently, allowing for up to 32GB of external memory.

Hryb went on to note that while USB hard disk drives are compatible with the update, flash drives should perform better and are thus recommended. Users will be able to use their devices to store profiles, game saves, demos, and other information. The update will also tweak memory management functions to allow better control of what the user wants to copy or move between devices.

Until now, users wishing to increase the memory capacity of their Xbox 360s were limited to Microsoft's own memory cards and hard drives. Attempts to circumvent this have led to system updates locking out unauthorised storage devices. Late last year, Datel, a manufacturer of storage devices, responded by taking legal action against Microsoft and accused the software giant of antitrust violations.

Hryb also revealed a partnership with SanDisk to release an Xbox 360-branded flash drive preconfigured for use with the console in May. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that its 250GB hard drives for the Xbox 360 are now available separately for $129.99 in North America.

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