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このところ Twitter の伸びが著しいらしい。昨年もこの時期にブレイクしたような気がするが。
人間楽を覚えたら横着になるもので、ブログより Twitter の方が文章の推敲に気をつかわなくていいぶん楽だから私も Twitter の利用頻度が上がってブログの更新頻度が落ちてきた。
日本では SMS が使えないからまだいいけど、 SMS が使える地域ではもっと Twitter にはまる人が多いのは想像に難くない。
今後 Twitter をはじめとするマイクロブログがパーソナルメディアの中心になって、ブログはもっと大規模なメディアになっていくのかな。
ブログもかなり初期から見てきて、 Twitter も日本から参加した最初のメンバーの一人という目から見ると、 Twitter は Blogger と同じような道を辿っているような気がする。
Thank God those software developers have a sense of humor too.
Though, they have their own arcane ways to express it. One such
expression is through ‘Easter eggs’.
In the virtual world, it’s not chocolate and egg-whites, but little lines of code inserted into the main programs that show up through a combination of key strokes or commands. Often it is a prank or just a bit of playful ego on the part of the programmer that ‘hatches the egg’ but for us common folks the discovery is unexpected fun.
So here’s a look at the basket of some popular software Easter eggs found in some common Windows applications…
If you are finding it difficult to win in Solitaire, just press Alt + Shift + 2. Presto! The game ends and you win.
Start a new FreeCell game. Hold down Ctrl + Shift + F10 during play. A dialog box appears asking you to Abort, Retry or Ignore. Select Abort and then move any card anywhere to win the game.
Go to Control Panel, open up the Speech properties applet and in the Preview field type ‘Crotch’ (without the quote). The voice preview says “Crow’s nest” instead.
An ambient music track you might not have heard before. Navigate to C:WindowsSystem32. We are looking for a folder named ‘oobe’. This folder has a subfolder named ‘images’. In ‘images’ click on the sound file called ‘title.wma’ to hear the soothing track – Windows welcome music.
This was supposedly a rejoinder to the Internet Explorer 5’s own joke that the Mozilla browser caused system crashes. To see Firefox’s reply type ‘about:Mozilla’ (without the quotes) in the address bar and hit it.
In the address bar type in ‘about kitchensink’ (without the quote but with a space). Look at the interesting graphic that opens up.
There doesn’t seem to be any apparent use for this but if you type in chrome://browser/content/browser.xul in the address bar, it will open up another Firefox instance but within the first browser.
Open the Chrome browser and type in about:internets in the address bar. The background turns black and the old pipes ‘Microsoft’ screensaver plays out on the screen.
Go to the uTorrent menu and click on Help – About. Tap ‘T’ on the keyboard and play a game of Tetris using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Enter FeedDemon Easter Egg in the web search address bar on the right hand side and hit enter. Play the funky information overload game with the arrow keys.
These are just 10 of the multitude of Easter eggs found in software and applications. There are dedicated sites which collate Easter eggs in wide ranging applications. Some of them deserve a mention.
A comprehensive site which lists Easter eggs in different categories and also has a section called Curios which mentions tricks and other program quirks.
Another widely inclusive site which has category listings such as DVD Easter Eggs, Software, Movies, Music, TV, Books and Art.
Mac Users can try out the listings available here.
Another good list site with a section on Easter eggs.
The gaming site includes information about some of the greatest Easter eggs in gaming.
In listing just ten, I have deliberately missed out a lot more. Do you have a favorite Easter Egg of your own? Let us know…perhaps it deserves a mention.
Here is how it all makes sense.
[Spoiler Warning if you aren't caught up]
Ben Linus is now on the island at the same time as his younger self. He is definitely going to be spending the next however many years indoctrinating his younger self with all the events that are going to take place. He will write out a chronology and create files on all the people that Ben Linus will meet, how they will meet, why they are important, how they will impact his life and most importantly, what he needs to do and say to manipulate each person for his own end.
This explains why Ben always seems to know what is and is not going to happen and how he can manipulate the situations for his own end; because most of the time, he really does know what is going to happen next.
This also explains why Ben is going a little Gollum on us now. He is reaching the end of his foreknowledge and either knows his end is near, or his ability to control his world is over.
Carlos Ghosn has long been one of the stars of the car industry. Shooting to fame as "le cost killer" and the saviour of Nissan in Japan, Mr Ghosn even ended up inspiring a Japanese Manga comic book character. Later, Mr Ghosn, Lebanese although born in Brazil, took the reins, too, at France's Renault, which has an alliance with Nissan. This year he is also the head of Acea, the European car industry lobby group that elects one of its members' chief executives each year to be president.
The 54-year-old's star, however, has dimmed in recent months as a series of stumbles at Renault and Nissan has raised questions about strategy and whether Mr Ghosn can continue to do both jobs. He remains, however, one of the most charismatic and outspoken managers in the industry.
In this interview as head of Acea, Mr Ghosn discusses worries over manufacturers failing, why carmakers are asking for aid but not subsidies and the crisis in eastern Europe.
Are we likely to see one or more carmakers fail in Europe soon?
Yes. We are seeing the market continue to dip and, unfortunately, from a very low level. So with probably 25 per cent lower production this year and at least 25 per cent down in sales, we are going to have a challenging year.
How many carmakers are likely to be left?
We already know which carmakers entered this crisis in a weak position, which obviously this crisis is not helping a lot. Now even strong car manufacturers are being weakened by what is taking place, so the longer it lasts the more it is a threat to the different actors of the car industry.
Should there be more action from governments and the European Commission?
We are advocating that governments should help eliminate the obstacles [to] the car industry as a whole, not [intervene] in one particular carmaker. There is an obvious one, which is financing. Money is scarce and, when it is available, it is very expensive . . . It is not about subsidies. We want long-term loans.
Is there a danger that you do not tackle one of the fundamental problems - overcapacity?
I don't think so. If we were establishing financing for all the car industry it doesn't mean all the manufacturers are going to be in good shape. Those who were already in bad shape will continue and will have to fix the problems of overcapacity, of lack of attractive products, of the lack of competitiveness. If you take a position that we should not aid the industry as such, you are jeopardising even the competitive part.
We have only seen action by national governments. Are you concerned about a return of protectionism?
That is one of the reasons why we are always going to the European Commission. We are saying: "If you do not take initiatives, you [will] leave governments in front of the problems and they are going to try and solve them themselves."
How quickly does it need to take action?
There are a lot of things happening, but frankly we need it faster, more decisive and not reactive but proactive.
When will the crisis end?
If you take into consideration the amount of money and incentives governments are putting in not only in Europe but in the US and Japan, logically and mechanically we should start to see a kind of recovery in 2010. You are forgetting a very important factor, which is a psychological one. It is not only about throwing money at the economy but putting the consumer in a position where he is ready to consume again. This part is frankly the most scary one.
How worrying is the growing crisis in eastern Europe?
It is worrying because the decline has been so abrupt and deep. We are really worried about it. We do not know how long it will take till we come back to some normalcy. The industry is taking the appropriate measures. Could we see something more radical? Factories being closed? I don't think we will see that in eastern Europe because usually they are the most cost-competitive factories in Europe. Because it is [accompanied by] the weakening of currencies it makes them even more competitive than before. You are going to see idling of plants, without any doubt.
How about in western Europe?
You may see factory closures if some car manufacturers go out of business. I don't believe in too many factory closures from existing car manufacturers because there are many ways they can shrink production [at] the site rather than closing it.
Is the situation among suppliers getting worse?
Yes. This is probably one of the most worrying parts for the industry. We are concerned about the supply base. This is a very important and fundamental part of the industry. We have to be careful that every time a measure is taken - whether financing or stimulating the market - we are also thinking about and including the suppliers.
Could we see the collapse of a big supplier? Is it a worry that it threatens manufacturers?
It is a big worry. That is why manufacturers are consulting each other every time there are some signs or bad news about a particular big supplier.
Are you worried about whether the euro can survive intact?
Probably theoretically it is a worry; practically I don't think so as the euro has brought so many advantages that it is going to take a much bigger crisis than the one we have been through to threaten what has already been gained.
初恋の人からの手紙というのが話題になっているらしいね。最初に twitter で見たときにはスパムメールか何かでそういうのが来るのかと思ったら、診断サイトだった。
やってみた結果はこちら。突っ込みどころ満載なので突っ込んでみよう。
あなた、元気にしてる？
今でもカブトムシを育てていますか？なぜか幼虫からメスしか育たない残念なあなたをなつかしく思います。
たとえ虫でも女の子にしかもてないのです。
泣きじゃくる私にあなたが「別れても連絡するから大丈夫だよ」と慰めつつパッタリ連絡が来なくなったあの日から、もう94年が経ったのですね。月日が流れるのは早いものです。
年齢は個人情報なのでごまかしています。 1900 年生まれにしたらこうなったので、別れたのは 15 歳のときということか。
私にとっては8人目の彼氏でしたが、そういえばあなたにとっては初恋の相手が私でしたよね。最初のころのあなたはキスすら歯に当てる下手さでがっかりしたものですが、最終的には妙に自信をつけていましたね。勘違いとは恐ろしいものです。
当時 15 歳なんだからそんなにキスが上手かったらそれはそれで驚くぞ。いやそれより、 8 人目とか言っているということは、一体あんたは何歳だったんだ？
あなたは付き合った当初から思いやりに溢れていて、「一生おれについてきてもいいよ。女はおまえ一人でいいから」と言ってくれましたね。何様かと思いましたが、すごく嬉しくもありました。その後、結局何人にそのセリフを言ったんですか？それからのこと知りたいです。
決め台詞は相手によって変えているから、そのセリフを言ったのはあんただけだってば。
あなたと付き合えて本当によかったなぁと思うところは、「恋愛をしないほうが楽なときもある」ということを学べたことです。あなたと別れた後、恋愛依存の私が「もうしばらくは恋はいいや」と思えたのは、とても大きいことです。ありがとう。
そんなに付き合うのが大変だった？ごめんね。でもそれなら別れるときあんなに泣かなくても...
いろいろ書きましたが、私はそんなあなたのことが好きでした。これからもあなたらしさを大切に、当時本気でやっていた透視の練習も続けて（笑）、新しい誰かを幸せにしてあげてください。
透視はね。地球の裏側まで見通せるようになりました（笑）
P.S. あなたが誕生日にくれた日本人形、だいぶ髪が伸びました。
枝毛のお手入れをしてあげてね。人形は髪が命だから。
【短評】
しっかり者であり、リーダー気質。女性を引っ張るタイプだが、配慮もできる。ただし弱味を見せない。
多分当たってる。弱みを見せないけど、弱みのない人なんていないわけで、やっぱり弱みがあるのは事実。それをさらけ出して甘えることのできる相手は恋人だけなんだけど、恋人に弱みなんて見せたくない。なんという自己矛盾。だから自分から見せなくてもその弱みを見抜くことができた相手だけが恋人として長続きするんだろうね。
というネタサイトです。わっさーやついったーで流行っていたので私も。
質問にいくつか答えると、「初恋の人からの手紙」を作ってくれます。
結局は宣伝に導かれるんですけれどねw
分析結果へのリンクは壊れちゃったようですw
初恋の人からtaknomさんへお手紙が届きました。
taknom、ひさしぶり。
もうミニスカートを見ると「けしからん」と言うクセは治りましたか？毎日のように怒っていたtaknomをなつかしく思います。
taknomに私が「何かドキドキしないのよね。最初からだけど」と冷たく言ってお別れすることになったあの日から、もう33年が経ったのですね。月日が流れるのは早いものです。
お手紙を書いたのは、とくに用事があるわけではないんです。ただふと思い出して懐かしかったので、思いつくままに手紙に書こうと思いました。ふふ。驚いたかな？
今振り返って考えてみると、あのころの私ってtaknomに迷惑かけてばかりでしたよね。でも、いつもツンツンしてる私にtaknomは「おまえの純粋さは分かっているから」なんて言ってくれて、少し引いたけど、なんだか心温まったのを覚えています。当時クラスメイトと浮気していた私はフクザツな気持ちではあったけれど、そんな風に言ってくれる人はいなかったから。
確かあのとき、私にとっては5人目の彼氏かなにかで、taknomにとっては初恋だったんですよね。最初のころのtaknomはやけに馴れ馴れしくて、初デートからいきなりキスしようとしていましたよね。「付き合えばキスしていいんじゃないの？」って（笑）。
告白するときのtaknomは、必死で「一生大事にするから」とか酔っ払ったことを言っていましたね。とても嬉しかったのですが、お別れしたときには、やっぱり詐欺だったなぁと思ったものです。後先考えないところはtaknomらしいとも思いました。
恋愛を総合的に考えれば、私はtaknomと付き合えてよかったなぁと思います。当時は少し恥ずかしかったし疲れたけれど、私が男性のように強くなれたのも、taknomがどこか頼りなかったおかげだと思っています。
いろいろ書きましたが、私はtaknomのことがそれでも好きでした。これからもtaknomらしくいられるよう、そしてたまにはスーパー以外で洋服を買って（笑）、幸せをふりまいてください。
またいつか会いましょう。では。
P.S. 手相で、生命線がやたら長いのを自慢していましたね。どうでもいいけど…。
(apologies if this is old, old news to the cutting edge folks of EAZB)
i was flipping through the latest VIZ book catalog and one thing jumped off the pages: OISHINBO A La Carte. WOW! a manga about japanese food?! That's a killer double whammy in one lovely, enticing serving.
according to the catalog, the series synopsis is about this slacker who is designated with the task of coming up with the ultimate menu to celebrate his workplace's (a newspaper) 100th anniversary. even though he's a lazy, blunt guy, he was chosen because he has an exquisitely discerning palate, an encyclopedic knowledge of food and drink, and a masterful touch in the kitchen.
i'm sold! from what i can glean, the artwork is easy on the eyes; clean but not terribly stylized. and depictions of food are extra handsome, almost draftsman-like. also, word on the street is that not only is it decent storytelling, it's educational as well.
it's apparently regarded as THE food manga, the first volume sold over 1 million copies in japan (in general it was a perennial bestseller), and became a "virtual institution" that spun off anime, movie(s), and fan websites. let's hope VIZ's retooling and repackaging of this supposed gem is worthy.
here's a review that breaks it down in a digestible manner, and the comic reporter's take on it. as a diehard kuishinbo, i absolutely can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
日本人が iPhone を嫌うとかどうとか、ありもしない引用をされたとかどうとか騒ぎになっているけど、個人的な印象としては iPhone はスマートフォンとしては日本では圧倒的なシェアをとっていると思っている。何しろ日本ではノキアが撤退して、ブラックベリーは名前は聞くけど物はほとんど見ない。ライバルはウィルコムやイーモバイルのような元々シェアの少ないキャリアのスマートフォンが中心なんだから、 iPhone が圧倒的なシェアをとって当然。もちろんスマートフォンとしてすごくよくできているとは思うけど。
ただ日本ではスマートフォンのシェアが小さいから、携帯電話としての売り上げは少ない方なんだろうね。騒ぎの元になった記事なんかでは日本では普通のケータイが iPhone なんか逆立ちしてもかなわないようなすごいハイテクマシンとか書かれてたようなんだけど、これはある意味当たっているけど、ある意味はずれてる。
確かに日本のケータイは iPhone にはないワンセグ受信機とか、おサイフケータイだとかの機能がある。日本ではケータイ専用サイトが多数あるから、それらのサイトを見ることのできない iPhone よりは普通のケータイの方がよっぽどいいという人もいて当然。
でもね、日本で iPhone が売れない最大の理由は、それが「特別なもの」だからだと思う。日本人は横並びが好きだからね。みんなと同じケータイの方が、特別な iPhone よりいい。だからこそ、特別なものを好む人だけに売れているともいえる。どうせほとんどのユーザーは通話とメールにしか使わないんだしね。
