Pattern of Response to Reality

United States $14.9 trillion debt riches the limit on August 2.

2011-07-13T21:18:00.002+10:00

When most people think of Business News, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to Business News than just the basics.

WASHINGTON (AFP) The deadline for raising the US debt ceiling or risk a default remains August 2, the US Treasury said Friday, after speculation that there might be more leeway for politicians to carve a deal.

“The Treasury Department continues to project that the United States will exhaust its borrowing authority under the debt limit on August 2, 2011,” the Treasury said in a statement.

“Secretary (Timothy) Geithner urges Congress to avoid the catastrophic economic and market consequences of a default crisis by raising the statutory debt limit in a timely manner.”

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Business News. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

The US ran into the $14.29 trillion statutory legal limit on borrowing on May 16, but has since used spending and accounting adjustments, and higher-than-expected tax receipts, to continue operating without impact on government obligations.

But by August 2, the government will have to begin withholding payments — to bond holders, to civil servants, retirees or government contractors — if the ceiling is not raised by Congress.

Some economists had estimated that higher tax receipts might add a week or two to the deadline.

Republicans are refusing to raise the ceiling unless the White House agrees to sharp spending cuts while forgoing any tax increases to begin closing the government’s huge budget deficit.

Geithner has warned that defaulting on bond payments would have a devastating effect, ironically forcing up government costs.

Knowing enough about Business News to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about Business News, you should have nothing to worry about.
source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110701/pl_afp/useconomypoliticsbudgetdebtdeadline.

Christian Hidaka...

2011-05-22T13:33:00.001+10:00

We slip into Tientai caves...

Considering a new TV

2011-05-14T01:40:00.048+10:00

Yes I think I am almost ready to update my four years old Bravia. 2011 looks like a good year for flat panels. Large OLED displays are still a few years away and plasma, LCD and LED technologies have come a long way. The prices are not crazy high and 3D is here.

So I am doing some research;

- FlatPanelsHD this is a very good review website... no BS or extra fluff. Mostly just CalMAN calibration data derived info
- HDTVtest also a good review website
- this is what FlatpanelsHD recommend, think I agree... more or less
- good forums for (too much) info; AV Forums and AV Science Forum

My requirements are;
Fast response time as I will be playing games, around 20ms (30ms max). Most if not all of the new LEDs have slow (~50ms) response times.

3D, I know active stereoscopic 3D is not ready/working yet... but yes! I tried it and I like it. Anyway I need it for work, also 3D processing means the TV has a kickass image processor and that makes for better looking 2D.
I am also looking for exceptional image quality and user customisation controls/settings. Something like or close to the Panasonic VT30.
Also I like to stay around 40-50" do not want the TV to take over the living room.
Not a deal breaker but would be nice; USB record so I can record errors/video anomalies for QA when I am testing.
The last maybe not a must have feature; media play over LAN or wifi, so I can stop using the PS3 to access the NAS/video library.

my (not so) short list...

Panasonic VT20 (50", 54", 60" Plasma) - The Winner - I got the 50"... will write a personal review in a few weeks...
+ very good price - exceptional value
+ THX reference image quality (still the best on the market)
+ excellent response time
+ very good 3D
+ good customisation features
- some strange buzz/hum and flickers reported

Ok so it is a 2010 model and it is a plasma. Actually the VT20 has only a few technical difference to this years VT30. Most importantly the VT20 response time is 16ms that is much better then the VT30. The price I can get it at is just amazing. I spend a long time at Myer Melbourne and it is without question the best most natural and deepest looking TV in the whole store and it's a huge store. There are countless ecstatic reviews of the VT20 and I can see why.
AVS Forum Review, FlatpanelsHR review,...
LG PZ950 or PZ750 (50", 60" Plasma)
+ good response time
+ good price
+ ok 3D
- retention
- not the best black levels
- somewhat limited customisation

Yes this TV has a few problems but I like what I am reading. I dislike plasma noise and hate phosphor trailing so reading that the PZ950 addressed these inherent plasma problems is music to my eyes. Still I think I may have to wait to test the VT30 or GT30 and nanoLED. More then anything I like PZ950's response time and it's price... and I already know the nanoLEDs TVs are more then double the price and the Panasonic VT and even the cheaper GT are significantly higher priced and have substantial plasma noise. FlatpanelsHD review

Panasonic VT30 (50", 55", 60" Plasma)
- high price
+ (almost) THX reference image quality
+ ok response time
+ reference quality 3D
- some strange buzz/hum and flickers reported
+ extensive customisation

It is a plasma so I am not jumping for joy here, still it's one of the best looking plasmas around. The price is a little high but not too crazy. There are countless ecstatic reviews of the VT30. But I am feeling that is it is not the best gaming TV out there extra so next to the Panasonic DT30 unfortunate that one is available in 37" max and that is too small.

Panasonic GT30 (42", 46", 50" Plasma)
+ Exceptional image quality
+ ok response time and very good 3D
- some strange buzz/hum and flickers reported
+ ok price
+ good customisation

Almost the same as the VT30, a few image processing features less and no Infinite Black Pro panel.

LG LW9500 (47", 55" NanoLED)

No official reviews/reports yet, but if the response time is good and I hear it is, the LG 47LW9500 may jump to the top of the list! Also I read some good reports about NanoLED technology...
Sony EX720 (40", 46", 55" LCD/LED)
- I hate the light up sony logo in the front wtf?
- slow response time
+ good mediaplayer features
- 3D is not the best (some crosstalk)
- limited customisation

I think I had a Sony for too long and need to change. But I am still happy with my Bravia and after four years it still stands up to the best of them... So if there is a setting to turn off the shinning logo in the front I may just stay on the Bravia train... or maybe not.

LG LW7700 (42",47", 55" NanoLED)
- it is silver... who thinks a silver TV is a good idea?

No official reviews/reports yet, anyway if the response time is good it will move up the list!
Panasonic DT30 (37" LED)
- too small
+ ~10ms response time is fantastic
+ good price
+ ok 3D
+ ok customisation

Not many review of this model as it just came out, but looks very good for now... AVForum review

Samsung C8000 (40", 50", 63" LED)
- I do not love the silver...
+ many good media player features
- 3D is not the best (bad)
- very slow response time
+ ok customisation

A huge maybe, from a gaming perspective there are too many thing wrong with this TV. Samsungs are no good for games! at the moment they all lag 60-140ms that's 3-10 frames at 60fps.

I am not rushing into anything... but come Uncharted 3 and Skyrim November... I want to play them on my new TV... or if there is a amazing deal to be head, I be happy to use my new TV to view the extended bluray version of Lord of the Rings coming out next month...

Interesting AV/TV related things I came across...
Specifications to ignore
Screen size vs. seating distance

Two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2010-12-11T12:08:00.001+10:00

Hans and Suzanne Zimmer, originally uploaded by yausser.

Well deserved, congratulations to Hans and Suzanne...

A white peacock showing off its plumage

2010-12-10T01:50:00.003+10:00

A white peacock showing off its plumage, originally uploaded by tropicaLiving.

Awesome

2010-12-10T01:50:00.001+10:00

, originally uploaded by may the circle remain unbroken.

glacial runoff is blue!

2010-12-07T21:11:00.001+10:00

glacial runoff is blue!, originally uploaded by yuzu.

huge and powerful

Semi Permanent Melbourne 2010

2010-09-19T11:52:00.008+10:00

This year's Semi Permanent Melbourne was inspiring as always, but some speakers lacked the ability to speak before a crowd. I understand not every designer / artist can pull off an amazing presentation but this year SP reached an all time low. There is no point in pointing any fingers, if you where there you know what I am talking about. I believe in the past many inexperienced speakers had a colleague on stage co-presenting and that worked quite well. A depressing 20 seconds of silence with 2000 people is not something I would call inspiring. But all in all I have to say the SP 2010 Melbourne finished on the highest note ever; Simon Allen's (Pixar) presentation was finger licking good and put a big smile on everyone's face.

Finally... found a good WiFi phone for Skype...

2010-09-03T16:07:00.002+10:00

We have been looking for a skype phone for some time now...
So it looks like the IPEVO S0-20 will replace our (normal) home phone. Potentially for life; no matter where we move to...

http://www.ipevo.com/S0-20-Wi-Fi-Phone-for-Skype_p_12.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqfz7yozJTg

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120579734251&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_5009wt_989

"We're going to hell, so bring your sunblock."

2010-08-29T10:23:00.003+10:00

Drama and Ari make entourage the amazing show that is it. I think the fact that Drama and Ari are almost the opposites of each other, creates this (+) successful and (-) failure polarity, can not wait to see what will happen next...

This November Xbox 360′s voice chat is getting a much needed upgrade...

2010-08-28T21:21:00.005+10:00

Jerry Johnson (Xbox Live Studios) has revealed that the Xbox 360′s voice chat will be significantly improved; raising the quality of the player-to-player communication over Xbox Live.

At the Edinburgh Interactive Festival he said:

"The codec we used when we first launched was a low bit rate codec and we stuck with that"

"We launched and we said we required broadband. We required a 64k connection, which not many people think of as broadband any longer. But that was the minimum requirement to run the service at the time."

"It's time for us to move on. Especially if we want to think about broadening – a crackly headset on the top of your head – not what people think of when they talk about popular entertainment."

So in November, I'll be hearing all the misguided racial and sexual epithet in even clearer detail?

Thanks Microsoft and thanks for the new instant mute function!

Bungie working on a whole new (halo like) universe...

2010-08-22T14:31:00.003+10:00

Bungie working on a whole new (halo like) universe... ? ... well that's music to my ears!
let's hope this time they do not sale it to microsoft.

Hannah and I are loving the BBC’s new Sherlock...

2010-08-21T14:17:00.002+10:00

I must say Hannah and I are enjoying the new Sherlock immensely. It was a big surprise we did not think BBC (Moffat & Gatiss) or anyone could pull off a Sherlock Holmes of this caliber and quality. I say this is without question the best Sherlock ever apart from the books, but even the books are quite dated now and may need an rewrite/update.

Anyway high praise indeed, watch this show as I do not think TV get much better then this.

Mark Gatiss on 'Sherlock'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoIT4bw6jGs

Steven Moffat on 'Sherlock'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdkeFAVKajk

Watching Highlander: The Raven

2010-08-02T12:39:00.002+10:00

Watching Highlander: The Raven at the moment ...

It's not as bad as I thought... much better then the last Highlander movie...

Trevor Horn, Thomas Dolby, Airwaves, Union Chapel

2010-07-30T18:46:00.002+10:00

Trevor Horn, Thomas Dolby, Airwaves, Union Chapel, originally uploaded by Jon and Lu.

Ooo I wish I was there...

A timeline of Inception...

2010-07-28T16:31:00.002+10:00

I don't think that Christopher Nolan's Inception is necessarily confusing. But this "timeline" of Inception created by "~dehahs" helps to visualize the events beautifully.

The image comes via Last Exit to Nowhere's twitter feed.

Click on the image to see it in high-resolution.

I presume most of you will not go to see Inception at imax

2010-07-16T13:45:00.009+10:00

If you not going to see Inception at IMAX... well at least see this Ustream recording of the 20 + orchestra performing the highlights of the score live at the premier...
nice to see a few familiar faces...

Hans works very hard to get the soundtracks (industry) into the foreground... I think he is close to achieving his goal.
Now if I can only convince him to releases his work in SACD/bluray surround...

Going to see Inception at IMAX Melbourne - midnight WED July 21... join me if you like...

2010-07-15T20:06:00.003+10:00

If Inception is half as good as the soundtrack or as they all say, I be happy... have not seen a good movie for some time...
actually I love the soundtrack a lot, some of Hans's and Lorne's best work... can not wait to hear it at imax :P

In depth imax version review at Shadowlocked

get IMAX Melbourne tickets here

HUMANOIDS HAS RETURNED and is give free access to their first digital comics!

2010-07-13T23:45:00.002+10:00

Humanoids Publishing is give free access to their first digital comics;

CLICK HERE for "Bouncer" - a Western for all you Red Dead Redemption fans

CLICK HERE for "Unfabulous 5" - a gritty urban comedy

CBR did a excellent interview with Bob Silva, well worth a read if you interested in the future of the English branch of Humanoids Publishing.

Personalty I think Humanoids has produced / published some of the best comics ever. Actually the large print hardcovers of The Techno Priests and a few others are the BEST comics I have ever held in my hands and laid my eyes on; breathtakingly beautiful.

Needles to say I am overjoyed to see Humanoids return to publishing in English extra so independently. I predict we will see some really new amazing comics and hopefully hardcover reissues of some of the Humanoids classics like Incal or Metabarons.

NaturePyro

2010-06-08T22:29:00.002+10:00

NaturePyro, originally uploaded by lapp-pro.de.

One day I hope to do light painting ...

Autechre in Melbourne

2010-06-01T10:22:00.002+10:00

Autechre_290510, originally uploaded by noisemachina07.

Amazing, amazing, amazing... Ae is something that needs to be experienced live!

3D is coming

2010-01-09T08:40:00.004+10:00

Shooting in 3D has traditionally required a complex, bulky and fragile rig using two cameras and additional hardware to calibrate and adjust them. Panasonic's straight-forwardly-named Twin-lens Full HD 3D camcorder looks to radically change the 3D game, with integrated lenses and dual memory card slots allowing you to capture 3D footage immediately, with just one device.
The camcorder records onto inexpensive SDHC/SD memory cards, thankfully abandoning the P2 system used for its concept 3D camera, and the outrageously expensive P2 memory cards along with it.

While it's far cheaper than building your own 3D rig, the SRP of US$21,000 means we're not likely to see the next breakout indie film in 3D, but given the drop in price (and jump in video capabilities) between Canon's 5D Mark II and subsequent 7D, who knows what'll happen over the next couple of years.

The Twin-lens Full HD 3D camcorder will be available in Q4 2010, and Panasonic plans to release a 3D Full HD LCD monitor for use in the field, and a digital mixer for live 3D broadcasting shortly after.

Upular

2009-12-27T14:36:00.001+10:00

Pogo did a fantastic job... love the sound, reminds me of Télépopmusik...

Basilio Silva

2009-12-20T21:13:00.001+10:00

really enjoy Basilio's work... http://www.basiliosilva.com/

Murakami’s Billboard

2009-12-20T20:53:00.001+10:00

This is crazy, Takashi Murakami’s exhibition billboard was placed up just before the new year. The billboard was tagged by Augor and Revok of MSK and the Seventh Letter Crew. Takashi liked the graf so much that he sent out a request to have it removed and sent directly to him in Tokyo. I must admit the graf did add alot of extra flavor to the billboard.

driving is fun (it pays well too!)

2009-11-02T21:19:00.002+10:00

driving is fun (it pays well too!), originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

makes me think of Forza 3...

Pure

2009-11-02T15:48:00.002+10:00

untitled, originally uploaded by t-miki.

Black & white magic

Surreal Beginnings

2009-10-28T12:04:00.002+10:00

Surreal Beginnings, originally uploaded by SikDave.

love that image... it points to old forgotten things

Color Flip

2009-07-08T22:42:00.004+10:00

I could play with this for another hours.

too Kool - Mother of All Funk Chords

2009-03-13T09:19:00.002+10:00

what can i say .. watch the sucker!

Burj Dubai - The World's Tallest Tower

2009-01-08T00:01:00.001+10:00

Burj Dubai - The World's Tallest Tower, originally uploaded by daveandmairi.

Amazing photo!

REZINE (foto/ graff light city mouvement ) Deter Lettering 2008 Lyon in Action

2009-01-07T23:11:00.001+10:00

REZINE (foto/ graff light city mouvement ) Deter Lettering 2008 Lyon in Action, originally uploaded by REZINE69 / Kuality Street Gallery.

awesome...

rezine kaligraffiti in-situ Arles

2009-01-07T23:09:00.001+10:00

rezine kaligraffiti in-situ Arles fr2006, originally uploaded by REZINE69 / Kuality Street Gallery.

old and new all at once...

Upright Squiggles.

2009-01-07T22:56:00.001+10:00

Upright Squiggles., originally uploaded by Danny and Nina.

the way the wind blows

2009-01-07T22:42:00.002+10:00

the way the wind blows, originally uploaded by Cate.

too wonderful to imagine...

snowy day

2009-01-07T22:37:00.002+10:00

snowy day, originally uploaded by Cate.

love the color...

squiggle of a way

2009-01-07T22:29:00.002+10:00

squiggle, originally uploaded by Cate.

Imagination stirring

2009-01-07T00:01:00.002+10:00

sentado, originally uploaded by Gulliver.

Kyoto magic

2009-01-06T23:51:00.002+10:00

outtakes 2008 #3 (Arashiyama, Kyoto), originally uploaded by Marser.

Where are the samurais when you don't need them...

Korean drummer takes the show

2008-08-24T12:44:00.002+10:00

... only one thing comes to mind; David Lynch

Master Hormozi Playing Persian Tar

2008-08-24T12:27:00.002+10:00

Master Shajarian

2008-08-24T12:24:00.001+10:00

Nice to hear and see the young Master Shajarian.

Mycenae Alpha

2008-08-24T12:11:00.001+10:00

Amazing stuff! I have so much to say about this, I just can not put it into words...

Ligeti - Artikulation

2008-08-24T12:03:00.001+10:00

.. maybe words are not necessary

sound design

2008-05-18T11:13:00.002+10:00

Sometimes sound design makes something amazing not as amazing as it can be...

Virtual Barber Shop... use headphones, close eyes

2008-03-27T16:23:00.002+10:00

Give it a try!

Other then the bad voice acting it is quite enjoyable.

3D Desktop Prototype

2008-03-27T16:21:00.002+10:00

After seeing this prototype in action it feels natural, like it was always meant to be like this... I can not wait. For more info head over to: www.bumptop.com

APB (All Points Bulletin)

2008-03-22T15:10:00.007+10:00

I had some time to listen to a few of the GDC 08 presentation. I tell you I am quite impressed with APB and the (high quality) no bullshit approach of David Jones. The 1^st 20minutes of the presentation; the visual demonstration of the character customization do not make much impact as audio only, but after that when David gets into explaining the overall concept it becomes quite interesting. I can only hope that Realtime Worlds is up to the task of keeping a game world like this fresh and exciting. I envision the tie-in with last.fm will take game audio into a new direction, quite excited about that. Well if Crackdown was the 1^st step then we are in for a wild APB ride. Most of the presentation is out on youtube, I suggest having a look.

Too many blog softwares, not enough time!

2008-03-22T13:02:00.007+10:00

Blog softwares…

Well my time is just too valuable to keep track and updating blog software every few months or when we update our servers. So as you see I have decided to give blogger a try, hopefully it be as painless is they say it is… I already feel the lack of features but at the end of the day a blog is only as good as the post upon it.

Forza 2 GUI (Grand Unthoughtful Idiosity)

2007-11-22T14:21:00.010+10:00

I remember the original forza, how much I liked playing it and I also remember what drove me up the wall about it: the unintuitive user interface, there is not much point in getting stuck into it now, because we have a somewhat better but still unintuitive menu system in forza2. Just to get it out of the way forza2 is without doubts the one of best driving simulator I have played, extra so with the superbly tunable wheel controller.
But still the confusion of the menu system is so frustrating that it makes the question what the UI designer at turn10 is smoking or not smoking? Again no direct access to my cars (the garage) why? there are at least 16 buttons on the xbox 360 controller ... this like the dark ages of GUI. Race limitation (horsepower, speed, manufactures,..) are clear on the race/event page …stay with me… but changing or upgrading a car is four back clicks and two left nudges, then it is unclear what needs to be changed (upgraded/downgraded) to be able to race in the particular event. We do have this nice (home) button but that will not take me to my cars, why, why… I could literally write pages about how unthoughtful the UI in forza2 is. And at the end of all that I will still have to recommend forza2, it is a fantastic race simulator with no equal.