Lilacs open wide

Lilacs open wide
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Happy iPad 3G Day

If any Mod-Blog readers have pre-ordered 3G iPads, we'd like to wish them a happy visit from the FedEx man!

Drugs are NOT the answer... to relationships

More and more, society seems to think that medication is the answer to every problem. Lack of attention span? Drug. Lack of desire? Drug. Now, doctors are pitching a new drug to make men more sensitive in relationships. The drug is derived from the bloodstream of nursing mothers.

The Cambridge and German scientists gave 24 healthy men nasal sprays containing oxytocin while 24 others received a placebo.

Afterwards the men were shown heart-wrenching photographs including a little girl in tears, a child embracing a cat and a man in mourning, and asked them to describe the level of empathy they felt with those in the pictures.

'The oxytocin group showed significantly higher emotional empathy levels than those men who had taken the placebo,' said Dr Rene Hurlemann, of the Friedrich-Wilhelms University of Bonn.

Steve jobs drops the Blog Bomb on Adobe

It is a rare thing when Steve Jobs bothers to comment on anything that is not his own product. But apparently the criticism over Apple's banning of Adobe's Flash and Cross-Platform Compiler from iPad and iPhones was enough to get him typing. The bottom line: Flash is not on the iPhone/iPad, it's not COMING to the iPhone/iPad, and Adobe had plenty of chances to change Apple's mind in the past.

Flash has not performed well on mobile devices. We have routinely asked Adobe to show us Flash performing well on a mobile device, any mobile device, for a few years now. We have never seen it. Adobe publicly said that Flash would ship on a smartphone in early 2009, then the second half of 2009, then the first half of 2010, and now they say the second half of 2010. We think it will eventually ship, but we’re glad we didn’t hold our breath.

Between this battle and the Gizmodo legal troubles, Apple seems to have decided it likes being the center of all media attention. Good or bad.

HP buys Palm - Geeks rejoice

While the Apple Newton was the first attempt at a mass-market PDA, Palm was the company that really brought the idea of a handheld computing platform to the masses. Their "Palm Pilot" transformed the industry and reminded techies that simple is good. In recent years, Palm has fallen on hard times - mostly due to missteps by management teams who had no idea how to compete with the modern threats of Apple and Google - but after a few weeks of uncertainty HP has announced a purchase of Palm for $1.2 billion. This goes a long way toward ensuring some kind of future for the innovative company.

And as Sean has pointed out, this may lead to even more exciting possibilities like an HP branded iPad competitor running the WebOS!

Taliban's answer to women's education - Poison Gas

If you oppose an American military presence in Afghanistan, then you may to work harder to explain your position today after Taliban insurgents used poison gas on a school for girls. This truly exemplifies the idea of the "evil extremist".

Yaqubi said 20 girls had fallen ill in a suspected poison attack on another Kunduz school last week, although it was not until the weekend attacks that the issue caused national alarm.

In the south and east, where the Taliban control towns and villages, schools for girls remain shut, teachers have been threatened and some girls have been attacked with acid.

Despite the attacks, Sumaila said she hoped to return to school, if her father allows her.

Oh, so THAT'S how it works...

Caution: iPad reading may disrupt your sleep cycle

When it comes to sleeping, the human brain is a finely tuned machine. It is designed to allow us the 8 hours of sleep we need each night, without putting us at risk for attack from predators or missing out on meals. Sometimes, without intending to, we can short circuit these built-in protections and disrupt our own sleep pattens. It is a good reminder that light-emitting devices like the Apple iPad can lead to a worse night's sleep, if misused.

Light-emitting devices, including cellphones and yep, the iPad, tell the brain to stay alert. Because users hold those devices so close to their face, staring directly into the light, the effect is amplified compared with, say, a TV across the room or a bedside lamp, said Frisca Yan-Go, director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center in Santa Monica.

Your mileage may vary, as the brain is also a very flexible, adaptable machine. But if you find yourself losing sleep after picking up a Netbook or iPad as a portable bedtime reader, it may be time to rethink your investment. Or switch over to paper for your bedtime story.

Do I resemble that remark?

The Effects of the Obama HCR

I know this will be shocking to some who live in their own "reality based communities", but apparently the picture isn't nearly so rosy as it was painted for us. Get ready to say hello to more taxes. But hey, at least President Obama's fans keep telling us how he's a fiscal moderate. He might not act like it, but we have the consolation of being assured that on some planet, he really is.

The latest "plague" is caused by a fungus

Those paranoid about health focus on the the potential for "germs" - i.e. viruses and bacteria - to cause illness. But we generally don't think that the humble fungus can also infect humans and threaten life and limb. A new fungal disease has appeared in Canada and is spreading into the northwestern United States, and it has a 25% mortality rate among those infected!

People can become infected with Cryptococcus gattii by inhaling the microscopic organisms—and there's not much you can do about it.

There's no vaccination or other preventative measure available for the new strain, though the infection can be treated with antibiotics, the study says. And "there are no particular precautions that can be taken to avoid Cryptococcosis," according to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. "You can, however, be alert for long lasting or severe symptoms and consult a physician (or veterinarian for animals) for early diagnosis and treatment."

Appearing several months after exposure to the fungus, the infection causes a bad cough and shortness of breath, among other symptoms.

Happy Birthday Ward

On the iPhone 4G leak...

From here.

Exercise does NOT always equal Weight Loss

If you believe gyms or advertising equipment manufacturers, then the key to weight loss is exercise. Want to lose those love handles? Just hop on an exercise bike, find a climbing wall, or pop on your running shoes. In fact, some advertisements make it seem like once you're working out, you can eat whatever you want.

But studies are showing that exercise alone does not lead to weight loss. Instead, the body - when faced with increased activity alone - attempts to maintain homeostasis and actually makes you more hungry to compensate for the calories lost.

This is why it is key to pair exercise with a change in diet.

Sprint bypasses AT+T with the "iPad 4G Case"

Sprint may be dying, but it is not going down without a fight! While AT&T and Verizon continue to get the cool phones, it is trying everything to wrest marketshare from the giants. Their newest attempt is the 4G iPad Case which includes a Mifi router (which interfaces with their WiMax network and produces a mobile Wifi hotspot) and a professional-looking case for your Wifi iPad. The idea being you get a faster connection this way, than by using AT&T's 3G network. Great idea, although it lacks the convenience of a built-in 3G connection.

Jennifer Knapp Is Back...And Out

CT has an exclusive interview with the singer/songwriter. Anyone who was into CCM style music in the late 90's and early 2000's will probably remember Knapp, and her sudden disappearance from the music scene. There were rumors in 2002 to the effect that she was leaving because of her homosexuality, and it turns out that it was a major factor.

Overall, I found myself disappointed by the interview and it highlights so much of what is wrong with the current evangelical situation. First, we have Knapp who, more or less, says "I just think it's ok to love whoever you love and I'm not qualified enough to talk about the theological implications. Therefore, I'm right because it feels good." I don't believe I really need to go into why that attitude is so disastrous. Then we have the interviewer who seems so busy dancing around the elephant in the room that he never bothers to actually turn the interview into a real opportunity to discuss the merits/concerns about her path.

In short, we have one person who is ignorant of Biblical teaching (while throwing out buzz phrases to imply the opposite) and another person who clearly doesn't approve but yet who can't put together a coherent critique without worrying about coming across as too condemning. I appreciate that CT is at least willing to deal with the topic, but this clumsy and ultimately unfulfilling bit of an interview doesn't cut it.

But I suppose what is most disappointing to me, as a long time fan of Knapp, is that apparent lack of Biblical literacy that I find in this interview. Anyone who listens to her earlier music can hear so much Biblical knowledge and wisdom. You can tell that she does read the text and does know the truth. She is someone who clearly thought through, and dealt with, the implications of what she was experiencing in Christ. However, as she came to her homosexuality, it seems she was too challenged and decided to give up rather than continue on in that spirit. My guess is that she does know exactly what the Bible says, but is afraid to embrace it because of the challenge that it would mean for her.

But we all face those. Sure, not all of us will face this particular debate in our personal lives. But God has called each of us to give up various things in our lives that we love, that we crave, that we convince ourselves "feel good." And the Lord expects us each to pick up the cross and die more to ourselves so that we can live for Him. The act of putting behind us those things that we most crave is often times the act that propels us forward most powerfuly in our walk in Christ.

I will most likely continue to buy Knapp's music for the time being and I hope for the best for her. But her decision here seems so utterly unlike the Knapp that created truly great music. And that does give me concern for the depth and value of her future projects. Not because she is now out, that has no bearing for me. But rather because she seems to be shutting off her willingness to confront who she truly is in the mind of God.

The "Little Brother" virus is watching!

Some days you just have to sit back and admire the creative and devious minds of computer hackers. Consider the new of a new computer virus that is attacking Japanese file sharers. Rather than attacking the computer itself, it publishes the browser history of the victim to the web, and then threatens to expose any porn sites the victim may have visited unless they pay up.

Masquerading as a game installation screen, it requests the PC owner's personal details.
It then takes screengrabs of the user's web history and publishes it online in their name, before sending an e-mail or pop-up screen demanding a credit card payment of 1500 yen (£10) to "settle your violation of copyright law" and remove the webpage.

They say virtue is its own reward. Some days you have to wonder if evil becomes its own punishment, as in cases like this.

"Happy" Tax Day

Today is "Tax Deadline Day" in America - the day when tax payments are due to the IRS and state taxation agencies. Hopefully, wise Mod-Blog readers have already filed, but if not, there is hope. The Federal government provides links to a number of free online tax preparation tools.

And if you need help staying awake thru the "excitement" of filling out endless forms, Starbucks is offering tax filers free coffee today. So, the day might not be a complete loss.

Judge overturns Gene Patents

Gene patents are something few Americans think about, but they are something that may transform our lives in the coming decades. Under current case law, anyone who discovers a new gene can patent it. Anyone. Not the person who has the gene in their DNA. Many patients, while being tested for unusual conditions, have had their doctor patent their own genes, which are then sold to pharmaceutical companies so treatments can be created that are worth millions. The practice is defended because it takes millions to fund the research to find new treatments.

But now, a judge has overturned gene patents. This may change the face of genetic engineering and medical treatments.

In the ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Sweet in New York state invalidated part of seven patents granted to Myriad on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In doing so, he might have changed the face of genomic medicine.

"This really goes to the fundamental question of 'Does the U.S. patent system work?' " says Richard Marsh, Myriad's general counsel. "We spent hundreds of millions of dollars until we broke even before we got (the test) out, to fund the research."

Without the patent on the gene, investors wouldn't have put in money to support Myriad during those lean years, he says. It's only now, when the company is actually making money, that people feel it's unfair. "Where were these people 10 years ago?"

The question of gene patents is not merely academic. They have been partially responsible for the advances produced by the DNA Revolution, by giving a profit motive for finding every disease-related gene out there. But they also restrict the scope of these treatments - companies discover ways to save life, and then deny them without exorbitant payments.

The decision that we make now may decide whether American stays at the forefront of genetic research. Or whether these advances ever reach the average citizen.

Always Carry Your Cell Phone

A hiker in Washington State used his cell phone to call for help after being trapped by an avalanche this week. With out his cell phone there is almost no chance that he would be alive today. It took the rescuers 4 hours to find him even being able to narrow down that search area by which cell tower the phone had connected to. Thankfully, the hiker had been able to somewhat describe where he was on his 911 call as well. This is a good reminder that those cell towers on top of mountains may take a little bit away from the beauty of the view, but they can also save lives. Between stories like this and of those who were able to call for help after 9/11 and the Haiti earthquake, it is a good reminder to always keep your cell phone with you.

Palm steps up to the gallows

We all knew it was coming. The Palm Pre - while a stunning entry into the smartphone market - could not compete with the twin juggernauts of the Apple iPhone and Google Android. Palm, Inc. simply could not reverse a decade of complacency with a single great product. Now, the venerable father of the successful PDA is up for sale. Apple got there first with the Newton, but Palm put millions of PDAs into the hands of businessmen and changed portable computing. They will be missed.

Rumored buyers include HTC (maker of smartphones), Motorola, Nokia, and Apple.

Were Confederate Soldiers Terrorists?

Roland Martin of CNN has up an opinion piece on how the words that are used today to describe Confederate soldiers are the same that are used by those in the middle east that support terrorists. I'm not sure I agree with Martin's opinion, but he does make some good points. Of course, the victor always gets to label the vanquished.

Do as I say, not as I do

Union Jokes About Governor's Death

The Bergen County Teachers Association head recently joked about wishing for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's death. In a memo the had the following "comical" prayer

"Dear Lord this year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Chris Christie is my favorite governor."

The defense by the author of the memo is that it was a joke and not meant to be made public. Somehow, if this was a joke about the President's death, I think he would have a different opinion.

iPhoneOS 4 Details

The announcement is done and Apple has posted the details. There is a lot of new stuff coming, but the big ones appear below.

The big 7:
1. Multitasking for Third Party Apps: Listen to Pandora while composing an e-mail.
2. Folders: More advanced organization of your Apps
3. Improved Mail: Hello, Unified Inbox and opening attachments
4. iBooks comes to the iPhone
5. Enterprise Features including E-mail encryption, advanced wireless configuration
6. Game Center: Unified social gaming - essentially XBox Live for iPhone
7. iAd: Integrated advertising in Apps, to allow more free and low-cost Apps

"Global Zero" seeks to disarm all nuclear nations

Valerie Plame, famous for being outed when her husband criticized the GWB administration's Iraq War intelligence, has up a new piece on CNN.Com calling for a new initiative called "Global Zero" which would seek to push all nations to eliminate their nuclear weapons permanently. The idea is that as long as a single nuke is in the hands of a nation, it could fall into the hands of a nuclear terrorist.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/08/plame.wilson.nuclear.danger/index.html?hpt=T2

There are two factors that quickly discredit any sort of "Global Zero" initiative:

1. It rewards cheaters. Whatever nation holds onto its nukes, when all others ditch theirs, suddenly is the only remaining nuclear power - able to dictate their terms at the point of a nuclear bayonet. Thus, every nation will want to cheat, if only as a deterrent to other cheaters.

2. It ignores advances in technology. Not long ago, publishing a book required an army of scribes. Now it can be done by anyone with a computer and printer. Not long ago, international communication was expensive and relegated to the rich. Now, anyone with a call phone can call any country in the world. Every year the costs of creating a nuclear weapon go down, and it is inevitable that eventually a nuke will be built in someone's garage. Reactors already have. Thus, disarmament does little to keep them out of the hands of terrorists.

Am I missing something here? I am eager to be proven wrong by other Mod-Bloggers.

Apple to announce, detail iPhoneOS 4 today

Say what you will about Apple, Inc, it is not one to sit on its laurels. Less than a week after the first Apple iPads shipped, they are having a media event to discuss iPhoneOS 4 - the next generation of the operating system powering the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Early rumors suggest that among the announcements will be: multitasking for 3rd party apps, release of iAds - an advertising service to allow more developers to release their apps for free, and direct printing support within the operating system.

In honor of Opening Week for Major League Baseball

Found this floating around the web. Not sure where it came from originally.

Lucasfilm preps Star Wars SitCom?

I believe the phrase is "the worst idea in the history of bad ideas." But hey, what do I know? Star Wars Robot Chicken was amazing, and Star Wars Family Guys was... watchable... barely.

Easter Handbells

We maintained our annual tradition of playing in the Handbell Choir at Calvary Evangelical Church in Trumbull, CT yesterday at the Easter Services.  Thanks to our volunteer videographer for capturing the event!

Easter Rhapsody:  

Easter Offertory:  

Posted via email from MARKing Time

Happy Easter!!! He is Risen!