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An Open Letter To All Guyanese Politicians:

2006-05-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

An Open Letter To All Guyanese Politicians:

While we are aware of the obvious demands of your time associated with your position, it is out of a sense of frustration and desperation that we address this letter to all political leaders/activists in Guyana in the hope that you may work together towards some form of national reconciliation. We will not make any claims or assertions of being experts on Guyanese politics, however it remains obvious to the Diaspora that we have not received the proper leadership from our elected representatives who frequently appear more interested in attributing blame for past injustices and acts of indiscretion than they are in solving the rampant crime and abject poverty within our country. It is not often that history provides people with an opportunity to do what is fair and just, however we put it to each of you that now is such a time and urge you to use this rare occasion to ensure your legacy not as a divider of a country that has been in turmoil for several generations, but as healer of a fractured state that so desperately looks to you now to provide us with guidance which will deliver Guyana from these abysmal times.

We understand and are fully aware of the complexities that a programme of national reconciliation will require however, there is no doubt that such a project is possible provides you have the courage and determination to do what is right for the entire country. We know that there are several ideological differences that may appear too problematic to overcome. As such, there are many of us who offer whatever resources you require freely and without hesitation in support of this effort because we want to contribute to the betterment rather than to the detriment of our country. Surely if we, the Diaspora can reconcile whatever differences we may have, you, our elected representives can follow our modest yet honest efforts and at least, initiate dialogue between one another in an effort to unite our fractured country.

It is under the spirit of cooperation and national reconciliation that we strongly encourage each and every one of you to put aside whatever political ambitions and personal desires you may have for the sake of our country. At this period in time, we are not interested in blaming each other for past acts of injustice and indiscretion. We are more concerned with the abject poverty and rampant crime that plagues our communities leaving us feeling unsafe even in our own homes. This is not the Guyana that our forefathers had fought and struggled so hard for. This has become a wasteland filled with garbage, intolerance, crime and corruption which has made us become a third world country after we had once been the intellectual and cultural center of the entire Caribbean. It is now that we are forced to ask our elected representatives how much more damage can be done to us and our country as we become buried by your ideological differences and politics ?

In closing, let us thank you for taking the time to learn more about our concerns and we sincerely hope to receive replies from some, if not all of you. We are not naive enough to expect miracles, nor do we believe that such an arduous undertaking will be accomplished immediately. We simply urge you to reconsider whatever philosophical issues and cultural difference that keep you apart in order to achieve national reconciliation. If we, the Diaspora can come together and find the courage within our hearts to promote unity and peace for the sake of our country and our children, can you not also be gracious enough to do the same ?

Sincerely,

Concerned Citizens Of Guyana
http://www.guyanagazette.net

sunflowers...

2006-05-13T00:22:00.000-07:00

The Blue Ball Machine...

2006-05-13T00:08:00.000-07:00

The Blue Ball Machine...

Check it out:

http://blueballfixed.ytmnd.com/

2006 Saleen S7

2006-04-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

This may well be the most exotics of the exotics – and get this – it’s American, in fact, about as American as a car can get, as the 2006 Saleen S7 is hand built in Irvine, California. Introduced to the world as street-legal in 2002, the S7 got a huge power boost in 2005 with the addition of twin turbos. Those 750 horsepower don’t come cheap, and as such this is a car for the stout-hearted, well-moneyed racer boys and girls among us: a super car that starts with a capital S.

Price: $555,000

Power and Performance: A twin-turbo, 7.0-liter V8 that makes 750 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 700 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm, the S7 engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The shifter on the S7 has been altered to produce extremely short throws, and the resulting combination is acceleration times that are barely believable: 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 248 miles per hour.

Why it matters: Consider this: for $1.5 million more, you get about 2 mph. That’s right: the Bugatti Veyron, the “first” street legal car that can go faster than 250 mph – or so they say – uses two V8 engines and four turbochargers. For virtually the same level of performance – and maybe better – the Saleen S7 will cost you just $555,000. What a bargain! Yes, the horsepower of the S7, at 750, is puny compared to the Bugatti Veyron’s 1,000 horsepower plant. But if you’re overcompensating that much, you need a doctor, not a car. As for Saleen S7 buyers, it’s a hell of a car and a hell of an engine, and proof that American Automotive means something special.

Photos courtesy of the automakers. Auto Show photography courtesy of Ron Perry

ESPN

2006 Porsche Carrera GT

2006-04-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

Unofficially, the Porsche Carrera GT is a racecar; however this is a racecar that was built for the street. It isn’t so much because it produces monstrous amounts of power from its V-10 engine – though it does – or that its carbon fiber construction keeps everything very light weight. It’s more the sum of its parts that make this car worth every bit of its $440,000 price tag.

Price: $440,000

Power and Performance: Derived from Porsche’s 24 hours of LeMans efforts, the 5.7-liter, double overhead cam V10 engine generates 605 horsepower and 435 lb.-ft. of torque, transferred to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The whole shebang sits just behind the driver in a mid-ship configuration, deep in the belly of the car. Similar to those used in exotic prototype racing machines, the engine is equipped with a dry sump oil system so there is no oil pan like on traditional street cars. Cool features abound, such as the rear wing that spans across the rear deck from fender to fender, automatically rising into optimum position as the GT reaches 75 mph. As with every other element of this Porsche, nothing is done without a purpose. The rear wing increases downforce by 30 percent.

Why it matters: The Porsche Carrera GT could arguably be called Everyman’s Dream car, along with the fading Ford GT. It has that mystic cache of power, sex appeal and exclusivity, without looking like a cartoon car or planting the driver into an unappealing stereotype. You can imagine that every car collector of any real significance has a Porsche Carrera GT in his or her garage, and you can imagine that of all the cars that sit in that well-lit and clean garage, the Carrera GT is the one that gets to go out on the track most frequently.

ESPN

2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

2006-04-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

What a treat it is, just to consider what the minds at Formula 1 team McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, and AMG could come up with. The first taste, was, indeed, delectable: a silver bullet of a car called the McLaren SLR, built for racing hearts who have to beat on the streets. At 617 horsepower, they’re beating pretty darn fast.

Price: $450,000

Power and Performance: A 5.5-liter, supercharged V8 engine that makes 617 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 575 lb.-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, the SLR can go from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, up to a top speed of around 208 mph. All that power runs through a five-speed automatic wit overdrive, and a manual setting. The powertrain and the bodywork are the result of collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and its F1 partner, McLaren.

Why it matters: That same Enzo power at half the price? You bet that matters, plus its wrapped up in a body that is much more friendly for everyday use, more refined, and well, less hair-carpet-chest-medallion-down-to-the-navel. Plus, “Trevor” drove the McLaren, the one that won on the morning of the Enzo crash, then disappeared into the Pacific, bound for Tahiti with Dietrich riding shotgun in the McLaren SLR.

ESPN

2006 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster

2006-04-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

If you want to make a shouting statement about the quality of your finances or the craziness of your lifestyle, but don’t have the one mil that will fetch you an Enzo, this is it: the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, introduced at the 2004 Geneva Auto Show, is crazy fast, drop-dead gorgeous, and creates a mechanical symphony more pleasing than anything this side of a Ferrari Enzo.

Price: $319,000

Power and Performance: A 6.2-liter, 12-cylinder, 580 horsepower engine that can accelerate it to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, power transferred to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system.

Why it matters: If 12 bustin’ out and firing cylinders matters to you, if oozing sex appeal matters, if driving a car that’s got a name you can’t pronounce matters, then the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster matters a great deal. If not, go buy a Honda.

ESPN

2006 Ford GTX1

2006-04-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

The GTX1 takes its inspiration from the 1966 Sebring-winning Ford GTX1. Those Ford guys sure get misty over the '60s, and for good reason, too, if what they see when they take that walk back in time are cars like this one, with those four separate, removable roof panels, that big engine, aluminum Brembo brakes, 19-inch front wheels, 20-inch rear wheels, and a stunning yellow and black paint job.

Price: $149,995 for the GT – which is ending production, so be quick – plus $39,00 for the custom work makes for a total price tag of $188,995.

Power and Performance: A 550-horsepower, 5.4-liter supercharged V8 -- with configurable roof.

Why it matters: It’s one of the last chance to get a Ford GT, and to do so with removable roof panels. This is a car collector’s dream car, a life-size hot wheel that can go 550 horsepower while tousling your hair. Now that would look great driving down PCH on a nice, clear summer morning.

ESPN

2006 Fisker Latigo CS

2006-04-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

Henrik Fisker left the relative comfort and prestige of his position as design chief at Aston Martin in order to start his own car company, Fisker Coachbuild, and has since added his own interpretation to some of the world’s most notable cars, including the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG, which he turned into the Fisker Tramonto. His latest project, the Fisker Latigo CS, uses a BMW 6 Series Coupe, and the result is a performance-laden Bavarian thrill ride that looks decidedly un-Bangle-like.

Price: $180,000. Figures for the M6-based Fisker aren’t yet available, but the 2006 Fisker Latigo GS built on a BMW 650 Ci chassis sells for $180,000. That includes $72,000 for the donor vehicle, $108,000 for the Fisker Coachbuild body treatment, $7,500 for the Fisker trim package, and $35,500 for the Fisker custom trim package.

Power and Performance: Under the hood is a 4.8-liter V8 offering 360 horsepower, while the Performance Plus Package bumps that up to 470 horsepower. Fisker Coachbuild is also planning on releasing a M6-derived Latigo CS in the coming months, with a standard rating of 500 horsepower and up to 620 horses with the Performance Plus Package.

Why it matters: It’s a completely rebodied 6 Series, and that matters for two reasons: first, because BMW is becoming so, uh, common, really. And because it gets rid of that controversial tail that has many folks coughing, but – to Chris Bangle’s ultimate delight – many an automaker copying. Notable design elements to a Fisker Latigo CS include the grillework, which looks very aviation-orientated, carbon fiber body panels and a total leather interior.

ESPN

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB

2006-04-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

With a promise to continue the family heritage, a new two-door coupe, the V12-powered Ferrari 599 GTB, fills the void created by the departure of the 575M Maranello, a magnificent super car last produced for the 2004 model year. With few exceptions, Ferrari has a long history of creating beautiful and exhilarating automobiles. The 2007 599 GTB suggests that the company’s winning streak will continue on unabated, as this fine coupe, with unmistakable Ferrari styling and performance from a V12 engine derived from the legendary Enzo, finds its way into the hands of anxious owners later this year.

Price: TBA. Expect a price of between $225,000 and $260,000 the prices of the outgoing 575 and 612.

Power and Performance: Under the 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB’s hood is a 6.0-liter V12 generating 620 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 448 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,600 rpm. With that massive twelve-cylinder engine tucked inside, the 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB can reportedly make a run to 62 mph in only 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 205 mph. At those speeds, drivers will likely appreciate the four-wheel disc brakes, with 353-mm rotors up front and 328-mm rotors out back. For clutch pedal aficionados, the 599 GTB can be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Others, however, may enjoy the F1-SuperFast automatic that executes shifts in mere milliseconds.

Why it matters: The Ferrari name symbolizes the best in automotive design and outstanding performance, though the time has come where even relative commoners like the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper can better the Italians in a run to 60 mph. With its 620-horsepower V12, the 2007 599 GTB matches or beats its equal and lesser competitors in regards to performance, yet does so with the beauty and exclusivity only available with a Ferrari.

ESPN

Ferrari FXX

2006-04-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

Appropriately, the Ferrari FXX is referred to as a project, since few, if any, of the 29 limited-production sports cars will hit the streets or see actual competition. This super car is for track testing only, so in essence customers are buying the right to give Ferrari advice through what the company calls its "client-constructor collaboration program." Research generated by the FXX project will contribute to the design and engineering of Ferrari's future models.

Price: $1.8 million, plus taxes. Experienced drivers only, please.

Power and Performance: A 6.3-liter 12-cylinder engine spitting out 800 horsepower at 8,500 rpm in front of an F1-inspired transmission capable of shifting gears in under 100 milliseconds. Formula 1 race cars are considered the extreme in gear change speed, and the FXX's achievement comes as close as any other vehicle today.

Why it matters: For those who have grown beyond the thrills of a “regular” Ferrari, this track-only super car is the perfect way to beat back the throes of ennui.

ESPN

2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4

2006-04-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

So you wanna fly? Try the Bugatti Veyron, which goes so fast that they had to design it not to take off. For slightly more ($1 million) than your Average Joe Enzo, you can do what most people will never, ever get to do – which is generally the point of spending all that cash. In this case, the money goes toward owning the fastest passenger car ever built, a phenomenal exercise in engineering, perseverance and the great lengths a rich person will go in the ultimate game of one-upmanship. The engine, an 8.0-liter W16 (that’s two V8’s fused together) that has four turbochargers, gets 1,001 horsepower. It carries a dry sump lubrication system and a giant radiator so as to handle the amount of heat that comes from all that power, and burns about 1.33 gallons of gasoline per minute.

Frankly, that’s an obscene amount of excess.

Price: Around $1.2 million

Power and Performance: An 8.0-liter W16 that has four turbochargers, gets 1,001 horsepower and burns about 1.33 gallons of gasoline per minute. The transmission is a paddle-operated, dual clutch system with seven gears, driving power to an all-wheel-drive set up. The tires are specially-made Michelins, and are reportedly the widest passenger car tires in the world, designed to handle up to 1.3 G on the skid pad.

Why it matters: Because it’s the fastest passenger car in the world, and because they will only ever make 300 copies. The funny thing is, the Bugatti Veyron is a car to have and not to drive, which is exactly the opposite reason for the car’s existence. Try getting airborne in one of these fellas and you’ll likely hit a pole…and stick the car into the side of a mountain.

ESPN

2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish

2006-04-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Mr. Eriksson is, likely, familiar with this beautiful car, having come to LA from the UK. Of course, it may not be on his list as it’s a different vibe than your Enzo-type super car. Still, for glorious nights spent cruising at high speeds, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish would be a perfect selection for any multi-millionaire’s garage. At a cost of around $228,000, the Vanquish is customized to your taste – you get invited to Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory to select colors and fabric.

Price: $228,000

Power and Performance: A 6.0-liter, twin overhead cam V12 that makes 450 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 400 lb.-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, mated to a six-speed transmission that’s a clutchless manual, given the required driver input. Of course, you can just slide the shifter and not worry about it, as well. Acceleration times come in at 4.5 seconds to 60 mph and a flat 10 seconds to 100 mph. That’ll burn up those 19-inch tires, to be sure, especially given the Vanquish’s rigid and lightweight aluminum frame.

Why it matters: The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is a car that offers the kind of performance and comfort a man of means expects, one far too sophisticated in its style to ever be involved in such Enzo hi-jinks. This is the car that makes Aston Martin a much-desired nameplate among the well-to-do.

ESPN

Ferrari Enzo

2006-04-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ten super cars we’d love to fly down PCH by Staff Introduction

By now, we’ve heard the story about the man named Stefan, his Enzo, a bump in the road and the ensuing almost-mythic tale about a bloody lip, a booze buzz, a smashed up Enzo and a very, very, puzzled police force.

And oh, yeah: the Swedish mob and Homeland Security.
The whole thing is just plain weird: Stefan Eriksson, aka "Fat Steffy", reportedly took his Ferrari Enzo up to 162 mph one morning on the famous California highway, caught air, hit a pole and…walked away. The pole, by the way, ended up back in the ground, upside down. Police, who started this whole thing just wanting to know who drove the Enzo into a pole, are now trying to figure out just why there was a magazine clip from a gun discovered near the wreckage, why a Scottish Bank was claiming that they own the Enzo, and why Scotland Yard said another of Steffy’s collectable cars was listed as stolen.

The happy ending to this surreal tale is that Ferrari says the Enzo can be repaired for about $200,000 - $300,000. Chances are good that the famously charmed car just may wind up in a collection somewhere. As far as what happens to Eriksson – aside from driving a short bus in the San Fernando Valley – we’re not sure. Whatever it is, we’re confident that he’ll be riding high and loving life soon enough, driving the latest exotic that catches his fancy along PCH, Bloody Mary in hand and a mysterious German buddy by his side. In order to help him get back to his happy place a bit faster, we put together a list of our Top Ten Crash and Burn Exotics for a special, uh, shopping guide.

(Courtesy of ESPN Sports)

Taking Back the Streets: Cyclist Memorials

2006-04-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

We learned the hard way about a Toronto tradition for taking back the streets today- mass memorial rides for cyclists needlessly killed. Hubert Van Tol was a University of Toronto Professor and athlete- we rowed together on Lake Ontario (well, not quite together- he was twice as fast). Last Thursday a dumptruck turning right got him. This happens too often in Toronto (two cylists were killed on the same day) where the few bike lanes are full of cars and when it comes to enforcement, we quote Bob Dylan: "the cops don't need you and man, they expect the same". There are few North/South streets in the area of the accident and bike commuters are forced to use the ludicrously named Avenue Road, four fast-moving lanes, none for bikes- it just might slow down the rush hour traffic and we can't have that.

A Toronto group, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, organizes the rides- this was about their 35th. They usually start downtown and ride to the spot where the accident occurred. There were not a lot of people when we got there for the scheduled start, but our numbers grew.

We followed bike lanes as much as possible and a point was made of driving responsibly but asserting our rights- drivers were not happy with us filling the left turn lane here.

By the time we got to Cortleigh, we were at least a hundred strong, along with a lot of media, and, we were pleased to see, some of Hubert's family. Flowers were placed on the ghost bike, chained to the nearest telephone pole to the accident.

A little guerrilla theatre for the cameras and to make the point- a few minutes of silence while blocking a lane of traffic, exactly one week to the minute after the accident. Then they roll up the banner and back on the bikes, to prepare for another ride this evening for the other cyclist killed.

We had to ride south on Avenue Road, keeping as close to the curb as possible on one of the busiest streets in town in the middle of rush hour, wondering what kind of governments hypocritically promote cycling and then neglect to provide any decent routes; that refuse to demand sideguards on trucks like they do in the UK; that refuse to enforce the few rules about parking or driving in bike lanes; and that refuse to ban cell phone use while driving when 80% of accidents are caused by inattention of drivers. This is one "take back the streets" post I don't want to repeat, and have nothing but respect and admiration for ::ARC (advocacy for respect for cyclists) Imagine. Doing this twice in one day.

Treehugger

FINALLY AN ELECTRIC DIRTBIKE FOR KIDS AGES 8 AND UP!

2006-04-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

MUDE INFORMATION

SPEED: Up to 20 mph*
RANGE: Up to 12 miles*
MOTOR: 450 watt geared motor
CHARGING TIME: 4-6 hours for pennies
BATTERY: 36V 14 Ah
BATTERY: Sealed lead acid (IATA Certified A67)
TIRES: Pneumatic
COLOR: Yellow
SIZE: 130*32*76.5 inches
WEIGHT: 105 lbs

Students in England Show Off CLEVER Car

2006-04-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

By SUEVON LEE, Associated Press Writer Wed Apr 26, 7:27 PM ET

BATH, England - It has two seats, three wheels and so far has cost $2.9 million. Students at the University of Bath in western England, who on Monday unveiled the prototype of the CLEVER (Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport), hope that it represents a greener future for transport.

The prototype, a skeletal speedster which had safety netting in place of body panels, exhibited the general design and technology of the vehicle rather than its actual, finished appearance.

It has the compactness of a motorcycle but the safety of a car, and cornering is smoothed by a tilting technology developed by mechanical engineering students Matt Barker, 29, Ben Drew, 27 and their instructors.

Equipped to handle both city streets and long-distance highway driving, the vehicle runs on compressed natural gas, is capable of 80 mph speeds.

"The goal was to produce a lower-emission vehicle and to combine the efficiency of a motorcycle with the comfort and safety of a car," said Drew, who demonstrated the ease of steering with several laps around the lot.

Yahoo News

Gadget for your Ears

2006-04-26T23:09:00.000-07:00

If you think earbuds are not enough to keep your ears clean then this maybe for you. A gadget which has a camera and light attached to see deep into your ears and a viewer to view it. The Japanese translation seems to be weird but we are assuming it has the ability to clean your ears too.

Sony SNC-CS50P intelligent IP-based surveillance camera

2006-04-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Sony has launched the SNC-CS50P, an intelligent Internet Protocol (IP) based network camera. The device can detect unattended items and human movement with its Intelligent Motion Detection and Intelligent Object Detection capabilities. It is the first in a new generation of Sony camera that carries out the image processing inside the camera. Sony’s Intelligent Object Detection feature is capable of detecting packages that have been abandoned and delivering this information to the control room. Intelligent Motion detection distinguishes between multiple subjects in motion and environmental conditions.

2006-04-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

For over 30 years, Barry Fox has trawled through the world's weird and wonderful patent applications, uncovering the most exciting, bizarre or even terrifying new ideas. His column, Invention, is exclusively online. Scroll down for a roundup of previous Invention articles.

Apple's all-seeing screen

We could soon see a new kind of display screen from computer maker Apple – one that simultaneously takes pictures while showing images.

The clever idea is to insert thousands of microscopic image sensors in-between the liquid crystal display cells in the screen. Each sensor captures its own small image, but software stitches these together to create a single, larger picture.

A large LCD screen filled with image sensors would be ideal for videoconferencing, Apple suggests, as participants would always appear to look straight into the "camera". The technique could also add a camera function to a cellphone or PDA without wasting space, and light from the screen should help illuminate a subject.

The more sensors there are, the wider and clearer the image. Sketches accompanying the company's patent show as many sensors as liquid crystal cells in a screen. If some of the sensors have different focal lengths, switching between them would make the screen behave like a zoom lens.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

2006-04-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

About this photo

The Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, opened in 2003 after years of delays. Designed by Californian architect Frank Gehry, it includes an arts theatre, two outdoor amphitheatres and an art gallery in addition to the concert space

http://daguerre.frejol.org/

Thank You For Noticing

2006-04-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

Building A Library From Recycled Airplanes

2006-04-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2006 10:32 AM - Justin Thomas, Virginia

A design firm called LOT-EK from New York has just proposed reusing more than two hundred discarded fuselages from Boeing 727 and 737 airplanes as the major structural components for a new library in Guadalajara, Mexico. The airplane shells would be "stacked in a north-south slant in relation to sun exposure for energy efficiency" according to the designers. The fuselage is the only part of a decommissioned airplane that cannot be effectively recycled.

The cost of its demolition exceeds the profit of aluminum resale. A huge amount of fuselages lay in the deserts of the western states. Boeing 727 and 737 are historically the most sold commercial planes and therefore the most common in these graveyards. They are sold at very low prices completely stripped and in great structural conditions. :: noticias arquitectura via Inhabitat via BLDGBLOG

A computer rendering of the "747 Wing House" which architect David Hertz will construct from a recycled Boeing 747-200. Hertz's client, Francie Rehwal

2006-04-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

SANTA MONICA, United States (AFP) - A wealthy California woman is to turn a Boeing 747 jet into a house on some of the most exclusive real estate in the world.

Francie Rehwald wanted a house that was environmentally friendly and "feminine". Architect David Hertz, a specialist in using recycled materials, said she was stunned when he recommended an old 747, the biggest commercial aircraft in service.

The jumbo jet cost about 40,000 dollars from a cemetery for more than 1,500 scrap airliners in the California desert.

The jet is to be moved in parts to a 55-acre (22-hectare) site in the Malibu Hills near the Pacific Ocean and Rehwald admits the final cost will be several million dollars.

Yahoo News

Can Bloggers Make Money?

2006-04-19T23:26:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2006

Blogs have a lot of buzz, but there's still considerable debate about whether that can translate into profits.

While many blogs remain little more than amateur diaries, several bloggers have tried to parlay their online ramblings into branded businesses. One, Jason Calacanis, co-founded Weblogs Inc., a network of blogging sites that was acquired last year by AOL. Mr. Calacanis has been an outspoken proponent of blogs as business vehicles, arguing that quality content can drive enough traffic to attract advertisers.

But longtime Internet entrepreneur Alan Meckler is skeptical. Mr. Meckler, who is chief executive of Jupitermedia Inc., believes that some blogs may achieve a measure of success, but doubts most blogs will be able to generate meaningful profits.

The two agreed to debate the issue for the Online Journal, and their email exchange is below.

Alan Meckler writes: Jason, few people if any will ever make money from writing a blog. One way to make money is to create a "blog network" as you did with your Weblogs Inc., which was sold to AOL a while back. This idea can work, but blogs in such networks are cherry-picked by skilled business people such as yourself. Therefore most blogs are not commercially viable.

Jason Calacanis writes: Alan, you are correct that the best model for making money from blogs is by "curating" and grouping them like we did at Weblogs. Engadget, Autoblog, and Joystiq have become the largest blogs in their verticals because we've packaged, marketed and sold them better than any one individual blogger ever could.

http://online.wsj.com/