Many natural disasters in the current time can be attributed to the climate change and global warming. The term "global warming" might be technically correct but I can't really care about global "warming" when the temperature outside is -30 degrees Celsius. "Climate Change" is a better way to talk about the the global climate crisis. I think "climate crisis", or "climate chaos" might convey better meaning on what the earth is experiencing.
I came across a nice online channel creating awareness in climate change and in making the world a better place. It has a nice collection of videos on news, views, energy policies, and recent efforts in creating awareness and contributions in minimizing climate related problems.
I watched a video on the official launch of the "greenest city in
America" contest. A fleet of Yahoo sponsored hybrid taxis were to be given the the winner city to create awareness on the issues of climate change. The contest will be helpful in generating a sense of responsibility in an individual or an organization to deal with deteriorating environment. Carbon emission from vehicles may be a small portion of the greenhouse gases as compared to forest fires and industrial emission but it sure is the best way to create awareness among individuals. These are the same people who can control other sources of other greenhouse gases.
The desire and motivation to be more climate friendly is also dictated by cost factor. As of current, the hybrid and energy efficient technology are costlier than the conventional technology. To bridge this imbalance, policy level changes should be enforced to motivate individual users to use environment friendly technology.
sábado, 5 de mayo de 2007
Understanding mortgages
A long-term loan for property, and the buildings on the property, is called a mortgage. Lending institutions such as banks and mortgage companies are the largest mortgage lenders, but some credit unions offer long-term loans. Sometimes a seller will finance the home they are selling and some mortgages are assumable from the current homeowner.
Paying back the capital
Most mortgages generally require down payments as a firm commitment from the buyer to the lender of the buyer's intention to repay the loan. Some lenders will offer mortgages for 97% or 95% of the value of the property. The borrower, then, is required to make only a 3% or 5% down payment. Generally, when a mortgage is made with less than a 20% down payment, mortgage insurance is required.
Paying back the loan, you can either pay a little at a time as you go or pay it all off at the end which are explained as follows:
Repayment mortgages - Each monthly payment pays off a little of the underlying debt, as well as interest on the loan. At the end of the term the mortgage is cleared.
Interest only mortgages - With this type of mortgage, you pay-off the interest on the loan but not the capital. At the end of the mortgage term you are expected to repay the capital, how you fund this is your business.
Endowment Mortgages - You use an endowment policy to provide life insurance and save funds to repay the loan at the end of the term (usually 20-25 years). In the 1980s endowments were very popular and heavily marketed by lenders. However, many people were not told of the investment risk. This was mis-selling and lenders faced huge claims for compensation. As a result, endowment mortgages have declined sharply in popularity. Relatively few endowments are sold today but there are still millions of policies yet to mature.
Paying the interest
As in cases of other debts, you have to pay interest on mortgages. Howerver, there are range of options to pay the interest.
Variable rates - This means you pay the going rate on your loan. The mortgage rate changes every time interest rates change or, as in most cases, the overall effect of any interest rate changes is calculated once a year and payments are altered accordingly. Whatever kind of mortgage you start with, it is likely to change to variable rates at some point.
Fixed rates - The interest rate is fixed for the period agreed - often two to five years. These are ideal for budgeting or if you think rates might increase. You do not benefit if rates fall, and will face penalties if you try to quit.
Be aware of very low rates as they can be used to trap you into paying over the odds at a future date. So one has to check how long you will have to stay with the lender before you can switch without penalty.
Capped rates - These are fixed, but if rates fall you pay the lower rate. Such deals can be a good for budgeting.
Cash back deals - This is when lenders offer money back if you take out a particular product. However, nothing comes free in life and cashback mortgages may be weighed down with hefty penalty charges if you later want to switch lender.
Discounted rates - Under this type of mortgage the borrower is offered a discount off the lender's variable rate. The rate paid will fluctuate in line with changes in the variable rate. The discount applies over a set term.
Bad Credits
Lenders divide customers into two classes namely good and bad. The good credit holders get low rates and friendly terms. The bad credit holders get high fees and ugly rates. Bad credit mortgages, or subprime loans, were created for borrowers with varying problems, such as a bad credit score, insufficient credit or employment history, nontraditional credit, unverifiable income, or inadequate savings. Lumping them all into the same category forced some borrowers to pay higher rates than they deserved. Today, however, borrowers with a just a few credit dings can find better terms for their bad credit mortgage or debt consolidation loan. Understanding bad credit mortgages pricing can save you a lot of money.
Paying back the capital
Most mortgages generally require down payments as a firm commitment from the buyer to the lender of the buyer's intention to repay the loan. Some lenders will offer mortgages for 97% or 95% of the value of the property. The borrower, then, is required to make only a 3% or 5% down payment. Generally, when a mortgage is made with less than a 20% down payment, mortgage insurance is required.
Paying back the loan, you can either pay a little at a time as you go or pay it all off at the end which are explained as follows:
Repayment mortgages - Each monthly payment pays off a little of the underlying debt, as well as interest on the loan. At the end of the term the mortgage is cleared.
Interest only mortgages - With this type of mortgage, you pay-off the interest on the loan but not the capital. At the end of the mortgage term you are expected to repay the capital, how you fund this is your business.
Endowment Mortgages - You use an endowment policy to provide life insurance and save funds to repay the loan at the end of the term (usually 20-25 years). In the 1980s endowments were very popular and heavily marketed by lenders. However, many people were not told of the investment risk. This was mis-selling and lenders faced huge claims for compensation. As a result, endowment mortgages have declined sharply in popularity. Relatively few endowments are sold today but there are still millions of policies yet to mature.
Paying the interest
As in cases of other debts, you have to pay interest on mortgages. Howerver, there are range of options to pay the interest.
Variable rates - This means you pay the going rate on your loan. The mortgage rate changes every time interest rates change or, as in most cases, the overall effect of any interest rate changes is calculated once a year and payments are altered accordingly. Whatever kind of mortgage you start with, it is likely to change to variable rates at some point.
Fixed rates - The interest rate is fixed for the period agreed - often two to five years. These are ideal for budgeting or if you think rates might increase. You do not benefit if rates fall, and will face penalties if you try to quit.
Be aware of very low rates as they can be used to trap you into paying over the odds at a future date. So one has to check how long you will have to stay with the lender before you can switch without penalty.
Capped rates - These are fixed, but if rates fall you pay the lower rate. Such deals can be a good for budgeting.
Cash back deals - This is when lenders offer money back if you take out a particular product. However, nothing comes free in life and cashback mortgages may be weighed down with hefty penalty charges if you later want to switch lender.
Discounted rates - Under this type of mortgage the borrower is offered a discount off the lender's variable rate. The rate paid will fluctuate in line with changes in the variable rate. The discount applies over a set term.
Bad Credits
Lenders divide customers into two classes namely good and bad. The good credit holders get low rates and friendly terms. The bad credit holders get high fees and ugly rates. Bad credit mortgages, or subprime loans, were created for borrowers with varying problems, such as a bad credit score, insufficient credit or employment history, nontraditional credit, unverifiable income, or inadequate savings. Lumping them all into the same category forced some borrowers to pay higher rates than they deserved. Today, however, borrowers with a just a few credit dings can find better terms for their bad credit mortgage or debt consolidation loan. Understanding bad credit mortgages pricing can save you a lot of money.
Pizza sized $1 Million Coin
The giant coin is the size of an extra-large pizza, weighs 100 kilograms - or around 220 pounds - is 53 centimetres in diameter, over 3 centimetres thick, is hand crafted and is guaranteed to be 99.999 percent pure gold. And since the cost of that precious metal fluctuates, it's actually worth more than its million dollar asking price.
This CAD$1 Million dollar coin is the world?s highest denomination coin currency, the nearest one weighs only 31 kg (68 pound) called ?Big Phil? to honor the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and also has a smaller value of CAD$150,000.
Source: 1,2
This CAD$1 Million dollar coin is the world?s highest denomination coin currency, the nearest one weighs only 31 kg (68 pound) called ?Big Phil? to honor the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and also has a smaller value of CAD$150,000.
Source: 1,2
viernes, 4 de mayo de 2007
The Mist - does it scare?
I am really scared of horror movies! I hate movies with a lot of blood. But suspense and thrillers with a horror touch is sometimes entertaining. I prefer novels to movies when it comes to horror and movies to books when it is a comedy.
I have read some of Stephen King's novels and they really have nice plots and smooth flowing story line. When I saw the trailers of his upcoming movie, "The Mist", the suspense was thrilling rather than horrifying. After seeing the trailers I was left wondering what I would do when I was in that situation. I guess, I have to make it an exception in my preference to see it.
The new science fiction/horror flick, The Mist by Stephen King, is directed and adapted for the screen by Frank Darabont. Starring Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher, Laurie Holden, Toby Jones, William Sadler, Frances Sternhagen and Jeffrey DeMunn the movie will be in theatres on Nov 21st.
Yesterday at a press conference in New York, Stephen King is quoted as saying "Frank wrote a new ending that I loved. It is the most shocking ending ever and there should be a law passed stating that anybody who reveals the last 5 minutes of this film should be hung from their neck until dead."
That is the horror writer's horrifying warning!
I have read some of Stephen King's novels and they really have nice plots and smooth flowing story line. When I saw the trailers of his upcoming movie, "The Mist", the suspense was thrilling rather than horrifying. After seeing the trailers I was left wondering what I would do when I was in that situation. I guess, I have to make it an exception in my preference to see it.
The new science fiction/horror flick, The Mist by Stephen King, is directed and adapted for the screen by Frank Darabont. Starring Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher, Laurie Holden, Toby Jones, William Sadler, Frances Sternhagen and Jeffrey DeMunn the movie will be in theatres on Nov 21st.
Yesterday at a press conference in New York, Stephen King is quoted as saying "Frank wrote a new ending that I loved. It is the most shocking ending ever and there should be a law passed stating that anybody who reveals the last 5 minutes of this film should be hung from their neck until dead."
That is the horror writer's horrifying warning!
Terry Tao at UCLA - Top Scientist
Terry Tao is considered as a greatest scientist in the modern time.
miércoles, 2 de mayo de 2007
Record Setting Cable Car to be Constructed
A 4.4 kilometers long cable car that runs from the 2,182m high Whistler Mountain to the 2,440m high Blackcomb Mountain is planned to be completed by December 2008.
The company hired to build the cable car, Doppelmayr of Austria, says it will set two world records, one for distance between two pillars supporting the cable - 3,024 meters - and one for height over a valley - 415 meters.
In the official website there is a very neat presentation highlighting these two record breaking features of the cable car.
As Vancouver and the Whistler-Blackcomb region have been selected to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, this is one of the many new infrastructures being constructed in the area.
Via
Tags: cable car, mountain, winter olympics
The company hired to build the cable car, Doppelmayr of Austria, says it will set two world records, one for distance between two pillars supporting the cable - 3,024 meters - and one for height over a valley - 415 meters.
In the official website there is a very neat presentation highlighting these two record breaking features of the cable car.
As Vancouver and the Whistler-Blackcomb region have been selected to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, this is one of the many new infrastructures being constructed in the area.
Via
Tags: cable car, mountain, winter olympics
martes, 1 de mayo de 2007
Nice and Free Software : Text Magician
I had a really big text file and I didn't know how to open it. Then I found this small software developed by David Pye. It helped me to divide the file into smaller pieces so I can keep open them and play around with. Apart from splitting files it can do lot of other useful things with text files.
It is a simple interface with all options squezed in one small GUI. It looks like the following screenshot without much menus and toolbars.
This software can be used to edit text files the easy way. Join or split files while adding, deleting or replacing text, change to upper or lower case, capitalise all words or the start of all lines, add text to the start or end of lines, remove leading or trailing spaces, add or remove blank lines, remove text blocks, alphabetise lines in file(s), split files at specified lines or text or into a specified number of files, works on multiple files and on files of unlimited size. I wrote this for my own use after I couldn't find a program to do what I wanted, it's extremely easy to use with a simple interface.
Some of the tasks it can do are listed as follows:
1. Remove leading spaces and tabs.
2. Remove trailing spaces.
3. Remove all blank lines.
4. Add a blank line after each line.
5. Capitalize the first letter of each line.
6. Capitalize the first letter of each word.
7. Capitalize all text.
8. Make all text lower case.
9. Sort the lines in the file(s) alphabetically.
10. Remove text from the start of each line.
11. Remove text from the end of each line.
12. Remove text from everywhere in the file(s).
13. Add text to the start of each line.
14. Add text to the end of each line.
15. Add text in a new line after each line.
16. Remove a block of text.
17. Replace text everywhere.
18. Join multiple files and include dividers.
You can also split a file in the following ways:-
1. Into a specified number of files.
2. Every X number of lines.
3. Split at the end of specified text.
4. The first 17 editing functions can also be included when splitting a file.
The software can be downloaded from the developer's site.
Tags: text edit, file split, text, freeware
It is a simple interface with all options squezed in one small GUI. It looks like the following screenshot without much menus and toolbars.
This software can be used to edit text files the easy way. Join or split files while adding, deleting or replacing text, change to upper or lower case, capitalise all words or the start of all lines, add text to the start or end of lines, remove leading or trailing spaces, add or remove blank lines, remove text blocks, alphabetise lines in file(s), split files at specified lines or text or into a specified number of files, works on multiple files and on files of unlimited size. I wrote this for my own use after I couldn't find a program to do what I wanted, it's extremely easy to use with a simple interface.
Some of the tasks it can do are listed as follows:
1. Remove leading spaces and tabs.
2. Remove trailing spaces.
3. Remove all blank lines.
4. Add a blank line after each line.
5. Capitalize the first letter of each line.
6. Capitalize the first letter of each word.
7. Capitalize all text.
8. Make all text lower case.
9. Sort the lines in the file(s) alphabetically.
10. Remove text from the start of each line.
11. Remove text from the end of each line.
12. Remove text from everywhere in the file(s).
13. Add text to the start of each line.
14. Add text to the end of each line.
15. Add text in a new line after each line.
16. Remove a block of text.
17. Replace text everywhere.
18. Join multiple files and include dividers.
You can also split a file in the following ways:-
1. Into a specified number of files.
2. Every X number of lines.
3. Split at the end of specified text.
4. The first 17 editing functions can also be included when splitting a file.
The software can be downloaded from the developer's site.
Tags: text edit, file split, text, freeware
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