Archive for April, 2010

Can 'Red Espresso' stand in for actual coffee?

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

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Rooibos translates to “red bush” in Afrikaans. It’s a South African tea that’s increasingly finding favor amongst the health conscious for myriad reasons. Red Espresso is a product seeking to fill the gap between coffee and tea, bridging some advantages and practices from both beverages into a new, crossover product.

One of the tag lines on Red Espresso’s Web site reads “Who would have thought a tea could play by coffee’s rules?”

Who indeed? That’s quite a claim for this rooibos tea to be making, and it touts some health benefits to boot.

The product’s claims are intriguing. Red Espresso’s lack of caffeine is appealing to those looking to cut down (especially if those that have issues with decaf). Add to that the rich antioxidants (“5x more than green tea”), which claim benefits not limited to soothing headaches, boosting immune system, being non-diuretic, and aiding digestion, we’re talking “superfood in a cup” here.

To “play by coffee’s rules,” the bar should basically be:

1] A “grind” compatible with a French Press or moka pot (as advertised on the package), and
2] A flavor is robust enough to withstand a coffee-style preparation.

Red Espresso makes no claims of tasting like coffee*, but to reasonably replace it, consumers need something that’s robust, flavorful, and able to fit seamlessly into their wake-up routine.

(*Note: In the next few days, your Examiner will be featuring a somewhat similar tea product that does, in fact, claim to taste like coffee – from local Santa Barbara company Teeccino. Check back soon! Or subscribe via the link above!)

The initial problem with Red Espresso is that it’s not widely available in stores yet. It can be ordered via the company’s site or Amazon.com, about $25 for two 8.8 oz packs.

So how does it measure up?

It’s pleasant from the get-go, with a nice, fruity smell even in the package. The tea leaves do seem to approximate a coffee grind. However, the company even admits on the package that the grind is not consistent “due to the nature of rooibos tea.” Now, as discussed in these pages before, a consistent grind is crucial for coffee, but perhaps it’s a lesser concern for tea.

One hiccup (perhaps related to the grind size): you can’t pack it like you do your coffee. For instance, following my moka pot methodology (outlined here), plugged my moka pot right up. But using about half that amount should do it fine.

The process, and results, are pictured in the gallery below. By itself, Red Espresso is a strong, robust tea with a flavorful, fruity, slightly nutty taste that’s mildly sweet. Quite delicious, if maybe carrying a bit of a “health-foodish” essence in the flavor . . . a little like that inevitable aftertaste from snacks you’ve purchased at the vitamin shop.

But it’s a really vibrant, woody, warming and pleasing flavor overall. Definitely has a little body to it. Much like with coffee, a little milk and sweetener turned the flavor profile on its side, in this case into something more like a dark cherry or berry flavor. Still very good.

Can it ever replace our beloved coffee? No. But it surely will make cutting down easier, and add some variety to a beverage consumers routine, without necessitating much of a change in preparation rituals.

Can 'Red Espresso' stand in for actual coffee?

Using a moka pot: your guide to making 'stovetop espresso'

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

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The moka pot, also known as the “stovetop espresso maker,” is a neat gadget that’s been brewing quality coffee at home for decades. In fact, with its syrupy, velvety mouth feel and rich, encompassing flavor, coffee from moka pots is perfect to savor when you have a little more time and can just concentrate on that lovely nectar.

This is not true espresso, which needs specialized machines providing a minimum of about 9 bars of pressure shooting through finely ground coffee. The moka pot generates its coffee through steam, but at nowhere close to that pressure. From what I understand (and I am no scientist, just a beverage enthusiast), we’re talking a maximum 2.5 bars, if even that much.

The point? The commonly used term for the moka pot, the “stovetop espresso maker,” is erroneous, as the device does not make espresso. But the moka pot makes a damned good coffee that, in many ways, is about the easiest quality coffee you can make at home.

While moka pots can look a little different from each other, they share the major elements in common. A base chamber, which holds the water; a funnel, which sits within the base chamber and holds the grounds; a filter held in place by a rubber gasket, and a top chamber, into which the coffee ultimately flows.

Step one: water. Fill that base chamber with the best drinking water you have. I’ll reiterate what I advised in the “French Press” best practices piece: “coffee is mostly water, and you shouldn’t use anything you wouldn’t drink by the glass as the key ingredient in your coffee. Filtered water, ideally by reverse osmosis, will help yield excellent coffee.”

Fill the base chamber to just below the relief valve; any more than this, and you’ll pre-saturate your ground beans. Don’t worry that it won’t make too much coffee; with this rich brew, you don’t need as much.

Step two: place the funnel unit into the water.

Step three: Grind your beans. I grind to something finer than drip — but not too fine, or you’ll create clogs. Espresso grind is much too fine. It may take a little trial and error to find your happy medium. See the slideshow below for an upclose photo of the grinds I use. Eyeball it; you need just enough to loosely fill the funnel basket. Once you put the beans in, do not attempt to tamp them down. Just a nice, casual heap, administered by the patient spoonful.

This is actually one way in which the moka pot is a little easier than other methods: it’s hard to add too much ground coffee; the size of the funnel basket pretty much guides you to exactly the right amount. Again, your biggest worry here is finding the right grind size.

Step four: After making sure that your filter is secured via the rubber gasket to the bottom of the top chamber, screw the top chamber onto the base.

Step five: put it on the stove over low heat. No need to rush; when that coffee comes out, you want it gently oozing, not screaming to get out. Overheating the moka pot may burn your coffee. Nice and steady is a good method here.

Step six: when you hear the top chamber start to sputter, you know the coffee is mere moments away. It’ll fill up the chamber at a pretty good rate, even when “oozing” has been achieved; once the rate of coffee jumping into the chamber has slowed significantly, you’re all done.

Step seven: Pour into a favorite mug.

This is a great chance to enjoy your coffee black, especially if it’s fresh from a local specialty roaster (Caribbean Coffee Co., RoCo, Green Star), since the moka pot’s brew is especially flavorful and expressive of the quality of the beans you’ve used. Of course, it’ll still be delicious if milk and sweetener’s your thing,

(Fun alternative: If you want to try Cuban style, take a metal cup and fill it with about one teaspoon of sugar per serving of coffee you’re making. As the coffee in the moka pot begine to ooze (back in step six) quickly pour just enough to moisten the sugar into this separate cup, then place the moka pot back on the stove to finish brewing. While you wait, stir this coffee/sugar mixture into a paste. Once the moka pot has finished, pour the remaining coffee into the metal cup; the sugary paste should float on top of the coffee, creating a sort of foam known as an espumita. Serve in tiny cups.)

Using a moka pot: your guide to making 'stovetop espresso'

Council Chairman Gray's solicitation needs further scrutiny

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

At issue is Mr. Gray’s use of official stationery in August 2008 to solicit $20,000 from Comcast for the Democratic committee to help support activities at the Democratic National Convention. D.C. law expressly forbids use of government resources for political purposes. But the OCF found this month that Mr. Gray’s actions were justified since the $10,000 that Comcast ended up donating was for the “specific purpose” of promoting voting rights for the District, a cause supported by the D.C. government.

GOP officials make good points about the faulty reasoning behind this ruling. Under the law, what counts is who received the money, not the worthiness of its purpose. There is no question that the convention account in which the Comcast donation was deposited was an official organ of the Democratic State Committee and, as such, subject to all regulations governing political contributions.

Nor is there much doubt that an event where Democrats nominate their presidential candidate is political. As the Washington Examiner’s Jonetta Rose Barras pointed out, a plea for money is likely to carry more weight coming from the council chairman than from a party operative, particularly if the firm being solicited does business with the city, as Comcast does. In fact, Mr. Gray has acknowledged that he shouldn’t have used his council stationery and that his request for $20,000 exceeded the legal limit of $5,000.

The OCF finding, if left standing, could set a worrisome precedent. Nothing would prevent officeholders from using their positions to raise money for their campaign accounts as long as they say that the money will be used for non-political purposes tangential to their offices. The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics should hear the case.

Council Chairman Gray's solicitation needs further scrutiny

How do i completely delete a programme from my palm (HP version)?

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

I loaded a book onto my palm but it has took up all my memory and the palm wouldnt work- tried to delete it and reload it onto a removable memory card but i cant seem to get rid of it. The icon is still there but it doesnt open properly – am worried that it wont load properly now onto the removable memory and how will i know which icon is for the working version? is it still using up memory??????!

How do i completely delete a programme from my palm (HP version)?

First Solar Beats Estimates And Provides 2010 Guidance (FSLR)

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

First Solar Beats Estimates And Provides 2010 Guidance (FSLR) Apr 28, 2010 (SmarTrend News Watch via COMTEX) — 4/28/2010-First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) reported Q1 EPS of $2.00, topping consensus estimates of $2.63.

Revenues in the quarter jumped 35.8% year-over-year to $568 million, and came in ahead of consensus estimates of $541 million.

The First Solar Board of Directors approved an additional four line manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of over 220 MW at the first quarter 2010 line run-rate, which is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2011.

First Solar said, “For 2010, First Solar forecasts net sales of $2.6 to $2.7 billion, reflecting reallocation of module capacity from our systems business to meet stronger module demand by our European customers. Earnings per fully diluted share are projected in the range of $6.80 to $7.30, and include $0.09-0.10 per share dilution for the pending acquisition of NextLight Renewable Power, LLC.”Write to Chip Brian at cbrian@tradethetrend.com———————————————————————————————SmarTrend analyzes over 5,000 securities simultaneously throughout the trading day and provides its subscribers with trend change alerts in real time. To get a free trial of our trading calls and maximize your trading results, please visit http://www.TradeTheTrend.comGet exclusive, actionable insight into how the market is expected to trend prior to market open with our free morning newsletter. Sign up at: http://www.TradeTheTrend.com/signup

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First Solar Beats Estimates And Provides 2010 Guidance (FSLR)

Malcolm X on Zionism, September 17 1964

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Zionist Logic

Malcolm X on Zionism

By Malcolm X (Omowale Malcolm X Shabazz) Taken from The Egyptian Gazette — Sept. 17, 1964

February 20, 2009 “Information Clearing House” — The Zionist armies that now occupy Palestine claim their ancient Jewish prophets predicted that in the “last days of this world” their own God would raise them up a “messiah” who would lead them to their promised land, and they would set up their own “divine” government in this newly-gained land, this “divine” government would enable them to “rule all other nations with a rod of iron.”

If the Israeli Zionists believe their present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of predictions made by their Jewish prophets, then they also religiously believe that Israel must fulfill its “divine” mission to rule all other nations with a rod of irons, which only means a different form of iron-like rule, more firmly entrenched even, than that of the former European Colonial Powers.

These Israeli Zionists religiously believe their Jewish God has chosen them to replace the outdated European colonialism with a new form of colonialism, so well disguised that it will enable them to deceive the African masses into submitting willingly to their “divine” authority and guidance, without the African masses being aware that they are still colonized.

CAMOUFLAGE The Israeli Zionists are convinced they have successfully camouflaged their new kind of colonialism. Their colonialism appears to be more “benevolent,” more “philanthropic,” a system with which they rule simply by getting their potential victims to accept their friendly offers of economic “aid,” and other tempting gifts, that they dangle in front of the newly-independent African nations, whose economies are experiencing great difficulties. During the 19th century, when the masses here in Africa were largely illiterate it was easy for European imperialists to rule them with “force and fear,” but in this present era of enlightenment the African masses are awakening, and it is impossible to hold them in check now with the antiquated methods of the 19th century.

The imperialists, therefore, have been compelled to devise new methods. Since they can no longer force or frighten the masses into submission, they must devise modern methods that will enable them to manouevre the African masses into willing submission.

The modern 20th century weapon of neo-imperialism is “dollarism.” The Zionists have mastered the science of dollarism: the ability to come posing as a friend and benefactor, bearing gifts and all other forms of economic aid and offers of technical assistance. Thus, the power and influence of Zionist Israel in many of the newly “independent” African nations has fast-become even more unshakeable than that of the 18th century European colonialists… and this new kind of Zionist colonialism differs only in form and method, but never in motive or objective.

At the close of the 19th century when European imperialists wisely foresaw that the awakening masses of Africa would not submit to their old method of ruling through force and fears, these ever-scheming imperialists had to create a “new weapon,” and to find a “new base” for that weapon.

DOLLARISM The number one weapon of 20th century imperialism is zionist dollarism, and one of the main bases for this weapon is Zionist Israel. The ever-scheming European imperialists wisely placed Israel where she could geographically divide the Arab world, infiltrate and sow the seed of dissension among African leaders and also divide the Africans against the Asians.

Zionist Israel’s occupation of Arab Palestine has forced the Arab world to waste billions of precious dollars on armaments, making it impossible for these newly independent Arab nations to concentrate on strengthening the economies of their countries and elevate the living standard of their people.

And the continued low standard of living in the Arab world has been skillfully used by the Zionist propagandists to make it appear to the Africans that the Arab leaders are not intellectually or technically qualified to lift the living standard of their people … thus, indirectly “enducing” Africans to turn away from the Arabs and towards the Israelis for teachers and technical assistance.

“They cripple the bird’s wing, and then condemn it for not flying as fast as they.”

The imperialists always make themselves look good, but it is only because they are competing against economically crippled newly independent countries whose economies are actually crippled by the Zionist-capitalist conspiracy. They can’t stand against fair competition, thus they dread Gamal Abdul Nasser’s call for African-Arab Unity under Socialism.

MESSIAH? If the “religious” claim of the Zionists is true that they were to be led to the promised land by their messiah, and Israel’s present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of that prophesy: where is their messiah whom their prophets said would get the credit for leading them there? It was Ralph Bunche who “negotiated” the Zionists into possession of Occupied Palestine! Is Ralph Bunche the messiah of Zionism? If Ralph Bunche is not their messiah, and their messsiah has not yet come, then what are they doing in Palestine ahead of their messiah?

Did the Zionists have the legal or moral right to invade Arab Palestine, uproot its Arab citizens from their homes and seize all Arab property for themselves just based on the “religious” claim that their forefathers lived there thousands of years ago? Only a thousand years ago the Moors lived in Spain. Would this give the Moors of today the legal and moral right to invade the Iberian Peninsula, drive out its Spanish citizens, and then set up a new Moroccan nation … where Spain used to be, as the European zionists have done to our Arab brothers and sisters in Palestine?…

In short the Zionist argument to justify Israel’s present occupation of Arab Palestine has no intelligent or legal basis in history … not even in their own religion. Where is their Messiah?

Malcolm X on Zionism, September 17 1964

Office Furniture: Boardroom Furniture is Essential Workplace …

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Most corporations, whether massive or small, must have a boardroom to conduct conferences in. Your boardroom workplace furniture needs to be a expression on your company’s style and taste. This is because most of your customers who come by for conferences could be utilizing this room. Your company should project a professional picture at all times and this includes having furniture that ties into that image. The most important part of boardroom workplace furnishings is the table that everybody will be seated at. It may be taken as a status symbol and be a brand for the company, specially if you happen to make your boardroom as the focus of your complete building.

In you consider your boardroom as more than most firms – space to perform interoffice conferences – you might have to considered trying a look more in line with your vision and central central focus for the building. While this may be your concept, it does not imply that you have to spend nice sums of cash as a way to have a stylish boardroom; you merely need one that is useful and stylish.

Irrespective of if your boardroom is going to be used as an alternate lunchroom or if it will be the showcase of your company, you can see the workplace furnishings to suit your wants at Capital Commercial Furniture. There are several types of furniture including fold down boardroom tables that allow for easy storage all the way to the Rossini Veneer table that can impress any shopper you might entertain.

At the same time that you invest in boardroom furnishings, you may also want to purchase some comfortable, matching boardroom chairs. When giving a presentation or attending, a meeting is made all the more comfortable with good, functional office furniture. You are able to do various things with your furniture selections including colour coordinating your chairs with the your boardroom decor. For those who’s boardroom goes to serve multiple purposes, you would possibly want to get some stacking chairs for the boardroom that you would be able to store away when not in use.

Office Furniture: Boardroom Furniture is Essential Workplace …

Ferrari takes on Lamborghini Luxcellphone

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
If Lamborghini can have its own mobile phone, we suppose it’s only fair that Ferrari get one too. Introducing Motorola’s MotoRAZR Maxx V6 Ferrari Challenge. With a V6, wouldn’t that make it a Dino? No matter, because it does have ‘the iconic prancing horse shield on the front and “Ferrari” in the company’s easily recognizable font on the back. The phone turns on with the sound of a Ferrari Phone 1 engine revving.

It’s available for pre-order from the Ferrari Store online for a mere $524 — about the same price as the upcoming iPhone, but oh so much more, um, Italian. And it’s about $1,200 cheaper than that Lamborghini phone which doesn’t come with a red Ferrari leather case.

Read the Motorola press release with the phone’s full specs and more photos after the jump.

Motorola presents the new MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition

Milano, January 26, 2007 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) presents today the new MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition, a perfect marriage between the style of Ferrari and the technological innovation of Motorola.

Characterized by a modern, elegant design and the ease of use of its technology, the Motorola Aura maxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition is a unique handset with HSDPA capability and offers a series of exclusive features: the Ferrari emblem on the exterior glass, the roar of the Ferrari F1 eight-cylindre engine accompanies the switching of the handset on or off, images of the Ferrari F430 engine on the mini external display and the image of the Ferrari emblem on a grey Ferrari in the internal display. In order to further enrich the original features, into the phone there are also thirty photographic images showing Ferrari F430 and Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli USA.

Underlining the elegance and attention to detail that have always been the hallmark of both brands, the MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition comes with a soft, hand-made carry case in Ferrari-red leather.

The MOTORAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Vertu Phone delivers the capability to listen to music, browse the Internet and download content at extremely high speed, all within a handset with high-end finishes, in a futuristic mix of metal and tempered glass. External touch controls allow for fast access to the music functions when the phone is closed with great elegance and simplicity.

“We are very proud today to announce our partnership with Ferrari”, said Valerio Camardella, Director MDB Motorola S.p.A. Italy. “The telephone we are presenting is a mix of style, quality and speed, all attributes which have always characterized the Ferrari name and its products. Joining forces with a market leading brand such as Ferrari was a natural move, because both our companies share a passion for research and innovation, always accompanied by elegance and design.”

“It is a great satisfaction for us to be able to add this new partnership with Motorola to our portfolio” says Giulio Zambeletti, Director of Brand Development & Partners for Ferrari. “Through the realisation of a mobile phone which offers personalised features in design and contents, Ferrari and Motorola continue to strengthen the relationship which began when Motorola was our sponsor on the occasion of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy USA”.

http://www.luxcellphone.com

Article source: http://www.luxcellphone.com/blog/?p=8

candy-plm.ltd

 

Ferrari Phone, Motorola Aura, Ferrari Vertu Phone
Ferrari Phone
Motorola Aura
Ferrari Vertu Phone

The Scoop, Home Based Business Versus Traditional Business …

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

When it comes time for you to decide if you are tired of making money for someone else or making it for yourself, there is really not much to consider when it comes to opening a home based business versus traditional business.

Business is built on some pretty basic principals. Here they are. How much time and effort it takes for you to make the money that you can put into your pocket. How complicated and specialized is the type of business. How much you spend to run and operate your business. How much money do you put into your pocket after you have paid all operating expenses for the month?

When you ask yourself these questions, the answer should be a no brainer. The home based business has so many advantages over the traditional store front type business of the past that I could continue to write for three days.

There are many advantages of the home based business. Today, we will touch on only some of the most obvious and overwhelming advantages in the name of keeping this article short enough to read in a short time not hours.

As with any business proposition, the biggest hurdle is in the money you will need to get started and stay open in the first few months. When you look into it, you will see that the winner here is the home business. To open a traditional business costs one many times that than to open a home business.

The average home based business start up costs will be virtually zero up to less than a thousand dollars. When it comes to start up for a traditional business, you had better have, at minimal, five to ten thousand dollars.

Taxation is also the friend of the home based business. You will be able to write off all the traditional expenses that it costs to run the regular business except without the actual layout. If you choose the home based business that operates via the internet, you spend very little. You will be able to deduct all the work and office space as well as the phone and internet connection. You will also have deductions for materials and office supplies, as well as the transportation to get them. This list goes on and on.

At this point, if you do not request some more info on home based business, I am convinced that you never wanted to have your own business anyway.

Finding a home based business, home business opportunity or home office job should be done with careful consideration. The top home business careers must fit your personality or they will be unsatisfactory for you.

The Scoop, Home Based Business Versus Traditional Business …

Spotify Launches Social Media Upgrade

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Swedish music streaming service Spotify has launched a major upgrade to the Spotify experience giving users more ways to connect to new music. The big vibe with these new features is social media, in two flavors: Facebook and music sharing.

The Facebook integration lets users hook their Spotify information flow into their Facebook account, so your friends can see what you’re listening to (and Spotify of course gets free advertising by have their name all over Facebook).

There’s also Spotify Profiles, which gives everyone a unique ID so they can recommend artists, songs and playlists to other Spotify friends. They’ve added a feed so that you can stay current on what your friends are listening to.

They’ve also added improved phone integration, so that you can download your playlist for offline use. This is where Spotify stops streaming your music and literally makes a copy that you own. This puts them in direct competition with the new Rhapsody player with same feature.

So the bottom line here is that Spotify wants in on the social media phenomenon, and wants more advertising revenue. The users get more features though, it’s a significant upgrade.

Spotify also has plans for a U.S. launch later this year. It’s been known as a highly popular European phenomenon until now (7 million euromembers) , but they’re looking to cash in on an American audience.

Spotify has been buying server space in North America in anticipation of the launch. Senior Vice President Paul Brown told Bloomberg the wheels are in motion.

Spotify Launches Social Media Upgrade