Groupon Inc. News - Company Information - The New York Times

The chart of Groupon stock value since it went public is certainly headed in the direction of my opinion of the company.

So Much Data From Smart Meters, but Who Can Analyze It? - NYTimes.com

When the Crowd Isn’t Wise - NYTimes.com

For Some Businesses, Daily Deals Have A Dark Side : NPR

What's happening to iGoogle? - Web Search Help

Ukraine Parliament Adopts Russian-Language Bill - NYTimes.com

So I wonder if this means that the World Newspaper Congress in Kiev in September will be in Russian as well? Perhaps WAN-IFRA was even out ahead of the Ukrainian governemnt on this one. What an uncomfortable place to be!

Malaise au grand quotidien anglophone de Hongkong#xtor=RSS-3208#xtor=RSS-3208#xtor=RSS-3208

Ukraine Unable to Kick Its Tattered Reputation - NYTimes.com

The message surrounding the World Newspaper Congress in Kiev in September seems horribly blurred. It all seems to involve trying to seem "tough" for one constituency while not ticking off the "hosts". Some balances ought never to be struck.

Nora Ephron Never Forgot the Food - NYTimes.com

The Times Is Introducing a Chinese-Language News Site - NYTimes.com

Mitt Romney Billed $10,000 By Newport Beach, Calif. To Cover Cost Of Officer Overtime

What a complex question. If you create the expense by what you say and do, then perhaps the bill is in order. If you have a reasonable expectation that this will happen, or should have had such an expectation. On the other hand, if a town, anticipating trouble spends a bunch of money for something that turns out not to have been needed or that a reasonable person could have concluded likely would not be needd, then I think the local government pays the bill.

Farewell to Chocolate City - NYTimes.com

I miss living in Washington, DC a lot.

A Plan to Stop Unwanted Phone Calls - NYTimes.com

I kind of like this idea.

Deceptive Advertising —

Health Care Law Loses Ad War - NYTimes.com

I am not sure we have yet come to understand why basically a good idea seems to have hit shallow water, rocks, been beached, dragged back to the water, and left with a smoldering engine to move somewhere. There is something far more wrong thanI think we have realized.

Wasting Warren Buffett - NYTimes.com

FRIEDMAN hit a home run with this one.

U.S. Will Give Immunity to Some Young Illegal Migrants - NYTimes.com

No matter how hard I try, I cannot accept the idea that we should reward people who break the law.

Global Opinion of Obama Slips, International Policies Faulted | Pew Global Attitudes Project

Global Opinion of Obama Slips, International Policies Faulted | Pew Global Attitudes Project

Stuart Emmrich - The Unencumbered Life - NYTimes.com

Well said!

New Orleans Struggles With Latest Storm, Newspaper Layoffs - NYTimes.com

I surely hope this "works" but it is so sad to realize that this could largely have been averted.

How Racist Are We? Ask Google - NYTimes.com

In Economic Deluge, a World That’s Unable to Bail Together - NYTimes.com

I wish I didn't feel the same way.

New ‘Digital Divide’ Seen in Wasting Time Online - NYTimes.com

This is a big problem for everyone as best I can tell.

Merkel's Stubborn March of Folly - NYTimes.com

Well said.

Armageddon

Stories today point toward a difficult next few financial weeks, winding up on about 17 June. Russia and the UK are in recession, China and India are having big problems related to growth and output, the Euro Zone risks catastrophic failure, I am not sure about Brazil, but only Africa seems to have some good news. And, then, on that weekend in mid-June, both Egyptians and Greeks will go to the polls to make decisive choices on national leadership.
My prediction, such as it is, is that 18 June will prove to be a momentous day in the history of the world's economy and more.

The Euro Crisis This Time - NYTimes.com

I continue to find little guidance from any leader here or there about what individuals should have as their goals in these challenging times. Spend? Save? Where? How? There has to be a better answer than "talk with your financial advisor"!

Pizza Delicious Bought An Ad On Facebook. How'd They Do? : Planet Money : NPR

It is so easy to assume too much about trendy developments. GM's decision, noted in this piece, plus this confirms a lot of suspicions about the effectiveness of a lot of the advertising we find in the digital and non-digital world. I wonder if the medium is the message we are getting or if the nature of the message and how advertiser relates to customer is not really so much more important. New techology is allowing us to fine tune that relationship and it seems to me that this is where everyone's attention ought to be focused and let the Facebooks and Groupons, etc. fall where they may in support of that.

Persian Carpets, Durham - 15-501

I got some advice from them about care for a rug which proved to be wrong. Ok, we all make mistakes, and they will fix it. What is disappointing is that when I returned to get this done, I heard not a word of apology, and no acknowledgement that they had made a mistake in not advising me fully. It costs them the good will they otherwise would have generated by fixing the problem AND apologizing first!

Dear Photograph: New-Age Nostalgia : The Picture Show : NPR

I look forward to learning more about this site.

HP "print"

On HP.com, there are tow big problems. One is that there is no "print" button of any kind that I could find. The second problems is that when one goes to print what appears to be a short page, out comes 19 unformatted pages, largely illegible. What is the subject matter of those pages? Printers. Hmmmmm.

On the same general subject, I wonder if HP or someone else produces estimated operating costs in terms of ink for each printer - i.e., over 3 years, what is the expected cost/page of printing expected to be and, most important, how do all of the printers compare?

Solar Installers Offer Homeowners Deals, Gaining Converts - NYTimes.com

Why haven't solar panels been transformed into a new roof so that no one notices? Why do they remain so needlessly ugly?

Superbugs: India and the Rise of Drug-Resistant Germs | PRI's The World

This is surely one of the more alarming stories I have heard recently.

La cybercriminalité coûte plus cher que les trafics de cocaïne, héroïne et marijuana#xtor=RSS-3208#xtor=RSS-3208#xtor=RSS-3208

Newspapers need to give this issue a lot more attention.

Philips

I must say that in several purchases of Philips products, the ability to use their website to learn more or obtain product advice has been less than minimal. Very frustrating and very unexpected. They clearly have a chronic problem.

TODAY.com: Matt Lauer, Ann Curry, Al Roker, Natalie Morales - TODAY show video, news, recipes, health, pets

Very smart to give a timeline of the day's show in order to return to something via the web.

At Angie’s List, the Reviews Are Real (So Is Angie) - NYTimes.com

Why would I trust a review from someone whose real name is not attached to what they say?

Facebook Urges Members to Add Organ Donor Status - NYTimes.com

I think there are huge opportunities to add all sorts of features to existing websites that help a lot of people, including the owners the websites. In fact, I don't think we have begun to explore what all those opporutnities might be.

James Murdoch Testifies Before Judicial Panel - NYTimes.com

Allowing newspapers to conduct themselves in unprofessional ways is dangerous for everyone; it's not a matter of nailing the MURDOCHs as much as it is making sure that no one else is allowing their organizations to be run so badly (in every sense).

Talking With Your Fingers - NYTimes.com

So much yet remains to be known about how technology is affecting the way we communicate with one another.

Editor & Publisher ®

How ironic to have Google buying up a plant that used to make the raw material of newspapers!

Mitt Romney and Benjamin Netanyahu Are Old Friends - NYTimes.com

Given the extent of US deference to Israel today, even under President OBAMA, it is extremely troubling to imagine more of a locked-step march into the future between the US and Israel under ROMNEY.We need to free ourselves of the Israel first-and-only approach and learn, once again, the value of treating all countries equally. I can see no other way to align historical US ideals of non-discrimination with the way we treat other nations.

Angry Customers and Constructive Responses - Career Couch - NYTimes.com

Search the 1940 Census - 1940 Census

Murdoch’s Sky News Channel Admits to E-Mail Hacking - NYTimes.com

I want to think long and hard about this one, starting from the belief that news organizations are subject to the same laws as the rest of us. An "in the public interest" defense is worth considering, and may be the only option, but I am not at all sure that I believe that this defense should prevail.

Trayvon Martin Shooting Prompts a Review of Ideals - NYTimes.com

This is one of those cases, like so many others, when we are so much better served by reserving judgment until we have as many of the facts as can be discerned. Only then can we react however strongly we choose but based on facts and not emotional reactions.

Is this where newspapers are headed?

I saw a headline today to the effect that the US and Israel agree that Iran is not developing a nuclear bomb.When I clicked, below is what I found. Well, maybe I know a little more about the headline, but I am far more confused about whether is the way a newspaper page is going to look in the future and horrified over the notion of the increased blending of US and Israeili interests as shown by the wrap-around banner. Israel is just another country and we should value the people there in precisely the same manner we value people in every other country. I'd much prefer to see our flag morphed into a composite of all of the flags in the region of which Israel is a part.

Disconnect Clear in U.S. Bafflement Over 2 Afghan Responses - NYTimes.com

After 244 Years, Encyclopaedia Britannica Stops the Presses - NYTimes.com

Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs - NYTimes.com

The Power to Kill - NYTimes.com

I agree.

BA flight to Nice

I am going to try to post some notes about various flights I have taken, asking quesitons, making observations, etc.
For this flight on 9 March, I was confused once again about a critical safety quesiton. The pictograms in the seat pockets are confusing about life rafts. Do most passengers understand that there is a difference between landing on land and on water? Was it clear when that plane went down in the Hudson River in New York? It seems each plane has the potential to be different and I do not think this is communicated well enough by airlines in general and certainly was not by BA for this flight. Were we to use the exits over the wings or not in the event of "water landing" as they say?
Note sameness of shops at LHR and answer to question about changing to earlier Nice flight. Shops all owned by chains - WHSmith, Dixon's - why not more competition from smaller?
Boardinfg pass from AA at RDU gives no infomration about terminal at LHR.
(Offered second cup of coffee on preceding AA flight to LHR. Warm croissant. Top Chef on the screen.)

Many Consumers Find It Hard to Step Away From Daily Deal Sites - NYTimes.com

Obama: Israel should sign nuclear non-proliferation treaty - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

With all of the criticism of Iran, does non-signatory status for Israel mean that there are no IAEA inspections? Why is Israel better than Iran? I certainly don't see any reason to treat one country differently than the other. What's the rationale for doing so?

I.B.M. Takes ‘Smarter Cities’ Concept to Rio de Janeiro - NYTimes.com

How many newspapers approach their local coverage in the same way?

Sunday Dialogue - Uniting America Through National Service? - NYTimes.com

President Obama Speaks On Promoting American Manufacturing and Exports | The White House

What, exactly, does North Carolina now export to France, for example, and what could it export? Is there a matrix with details that shows exactly where in the world NC is sending products and services in the rest of the world?

Vivian Maier's Muse - NYTimes.com

I sure can identify with her interest in photographing newspapers!

The Chieftains’ Paddy Maloney Prepares Group’s Golden Jubilee - NYTimes.com

My Debt to Ireland - NYTimes.com

My Dinner With Clay Shirky, and What It Means to 'Friend' Someone - NYTimes.com

Amen!

Steal This Column - NYTimes.com

This is extremely well-stated, and I concur in all that KELLER has said.

Ramapo Rescue Dog Association honored for decades of service - NorthJersey.com

Always happy to see any "Terry Maguire" doing good things!

"It Is Safe to Resume Ignoring the Prophets of Doom ... Right?" - NYTimes.com

I find this piece to be extremely compelling. It should be a cause for concentration, not despair.

The Herald-Sun - No one hurt in Chapel Hill house fire

I wonder why it is that newspapers still think that their only job is to get a story out the door and on paper and then their job ends. In this case, others may be interested, as I am, in the "rest" of the story. What are the chances that we will see it here or anywhere? In other words, why are we not offered the option of leaving an e-mail address with a request to send an update on the story if the newspaper chooses to add something when the fire marshal completes the investigation?

Doctor-Patient Communication in Today's Digital Age | The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR

In Antipiracy Debate, Media Worlds (and Generations) Clash - NYTimes.com

Hard Truths About Disclosure - NYTimes.com

My flights on American

We flew out to San Jose, CA on 18 January, via Chicago's O'Hare. The first flight from RDU was a surprise in that it turned out to be a Embraer regional jet. That meant that we came close to having to check our carry-on bags at planeside. Why did American not make this clear in the booking? The second flight was a more positive surprise in that we found we were on a large enough plane to be able to watch a movie. It was not announced, but turned out to be Moneyball - as promised in the American magazine. We were struck on both flights not by the absence of any food but by the absence of any snack whatsoever. Ah, times have changed.

Cash-strapped Ireland tests limits of austerity

Web Site Will Shut Down to Protest Antipiracy Bills - NYTimes.com

This is such a poorly informed discussion. Extremism on both sides is leading to an unfortunate missed opportunity to reaffirm a core principle - if you steal something from someone else, you are obliged to pay for it and to pay a penalty. The zealots in opposition to the legislation do not believe this principle, no matter what they say. And the people protecting legitimate copyright interests have failed to keep the discussion at the level it merits - if you steal, you pay. That's more important than all of the ethereal discussion about the opportunities for people to "use" the work of others to make a better world. And it is a more fundamental policy issues demanding fresh articulation.

Top 1% of Mobile Users Use Half of World’s Wireless Bandwidth - NYTimes.com

This will look right when the top 1% pay the fully allocated costs of using their 50% which should be about 50% of the total charges recouped by the phone companies.

W.H.O. Reports 25 Percent Drop in Malaria Deaths in a Decade - NYTimes.com

Some really good news for a change!

Tugboats - NYTimes.com

Ireland’s Diaspora, Yet Again - NYTimes.com

Congress Restricts Aid to Egypt, Pakistan - NYTimes.com

How about a little budget cutting and spending saving when it comes to Israel, too?

Hobbling the Fight Against Terrorism - NYTimes.com

Veto.

Why, Mr. President?

Why have you taken such an un-American position on this matter? I simply do not understand why or what has changed.

Ireland’s Austerity Hailed as Example of Financial Survival - NYTimes.com

The causes of cancer you can control : Cancer Research UK - Cancer Research UK - Science Update blog

How do we put this to use in NC?

Romney vows to visit Israel first if elected to White House - Yahoo! News

Well, he could pick any place to imagine visiting as President. What I'd like to know is why he picked Israel over China, Ireland, France, Germany, Libya, Israel, Burundi, Kazahkstan, etc. If I were in a position to ask him, I'd press him to say why shouldn't any other country be first?

Ireland’s Austerity Hailed as Example of Financial Survival - NYTimes.com

Around the World in One Movie - Film Financing’s Global Future - NYTimes.com

What's the newspaper reporting equivalent of this? Surely, it could be much more than very good AP reporters spread about the globe.

"Many Online Book Buyers First Shop Around in Stores" - NYTimes.com

How about those who first read a newspaper and then go buy something based on an ad, story, review, or other content in a printed or digital newspaper?

"Facebook tells Ann Marie to ‘Effin off’" - Irish Examiner

As an Irishman, the Facebook action is obnoxious.

"Invitation to a Dialogue - Nameless on the Web?" - NYTimes.com

The only responsible thing for the owner of a website or online offering to do is to insist on real names, grant highly limited exceptions, police abuse and discourage, aggressively, the idea that "public performances" by anonymous "players" ought to bring public dientificaiton as well.

"For European Union and the Euro, a Moment of Truth" - NYTimes.com

There seems to be such a disconnect between a story like this and the lives of most people in Europe, at least in France. As I watch US and French news in various media from here, I sense almost a reluctance to cover this story of the economy the way it should be covered. Why? Because people's eyes glaze over so quickly when the subject is raised or simply start thinking the worst. How do we put in this in better personal perspective - not just how it affects pocketbooks but how a democratic society (ies) can work together with all their citizens to solve the problem. Surely, this is doable.
For example, here in Nice, what are 10 things that each of us might do in the week ahead to help address the problem? Is it a question of saving, spending, sending a message to someone, coming up with an idea, doing something differently? What is it? In a democratic society, we ought to be able to help out everyone and ourselves if we just get ourselves more knowledgeably organized.

"With Flixster, Studios Bet Consumers Will Buy Movies Again" - NYTimes.com

What an interesting idea.
If going to the movies costs 10-15 USD for two people, how much would I pay, when, to be able to watch it live in a theater and then later. 20?
Hmmm.

"Are Apps Making Cookbooks Obsolete?" - NYTimes.com

The answer to this question will tell us a lot about the future of newspapers, believe it or not!

"National Security and America’s Unnecessary Secrets" - NYTimes.com

Agreed.

Times Events

The New York Times does these very well.
What I keep thinking, however, is that every newspaper has their own set of internal stars and people whom they can attract to an event. Why are more newspapers not doing this on their own scale in their own markets and making it all part of the service those newspapers offer to their customers, present, past, and future?

Finding e-mail addresses

I don't know why it remains so hard to find an e-mail address for someone. Why don't the same rules apply as for phone numbers. They are so much easier to find.

Someone needs to come up with a way to do this. There are such simple ways to do it so that people don't get bombarded with spam if that is what worries many.

But if you are at a company or in business in some way and you don't at least allow me to click on your name and send through a form to YOU, there is something wrong with how you look at the world beyond yourself. Sometimes someone might just have something to offer and you may miss it if you frustrate their good faith effort to reach you in such a gentle way by e-mail.

We both lose when this happens!

"Citizen Journalism And The Need To Verify" - WUNC

It does not sound as though they are verifying anything other than that the video has not been doctored. That hardly constitutes verification, and the assertion of the need to allow anonymous posting of these things is ludicrous except in rare exceptional situations. Put your name on it if you want anyone to believe you, and even that is only a starting point, or at least should be!

"His Libraries, 12,000 So Far, Change Lives" - NYTimes.com

Sounds pretty exciting, and I don't recall reading much about this project. Need to read more, so to speak!

Times Wire - Sunday morning photos

This is what the photo section of Times Wire looks like right now at about 2:30 AM EST. Lots of happy couples, no? Look closely.

"Can Politicians Really Create Jobs?" - NYTimes.com

Finally, something on this subject makes sense however discouraging this is.

KARDASHIAN v. What's His Name?

I just saw a headline about something to do with the KARDASHIANs which I take it are reality television stars of some sort who hold a mysterious fascination for millions of people. So far, at least, I am not one of them, and can honeslty say I have never watched them in anything anywhere to my knowledge.
But here is my point. I remember the name and how, I think, to spell it.
The other day, I was writing something about the Greek crisis and for a moment I could not remember Prime Minister PAPANDREOU's name. Yes, I recalled it and miraculously seem to have spelled it one of the accepted ways.
What does it say that someone with no interest in the former and huge interest in the latter, remembers the first but not the second?
It says embarrassing to me, but what about everyone else?

"Dismal Tale of Arrest for Tiniest of Crimes" - NYTimes.com

What an awful message this send to the rest of the world. This should not happen anywhere in the US, or anywhere else!

"Is the Web Amplifying Consumers' Voices?" - NYTimes.com

What an important question!

"Israel and the Apartheid Slander" - NYTimes.com

This eminent writer misses the point, I believe. If Israel were not determined to be a Jewish state, everyone would be equal and problems might even become manageable. But this Jewish state mentality means that you are either one of us, or not, and if you are not, then you will be treated differently at least in our minds if not in our laws and acts. That's the problem, and until Israel decides that it just wants to be another fully democratic country and let the chips fall where they may in terms of who governs and the role that religion plays, claims, slanderous or not, about Israel's treatment of Arabs will persist.

"Trial of Officers in Haitian Prison Massacre Is Test of System" - NYTimes.com

Why can't we come to the point where we treat our neighbors as ourselves in terms of news coverage. This story is super as far as it goes. But I have trouble remembering the last Haiti story I saw on the NYT home page. Not to mention the rest of the Caribbean and Canada. Yes, Mexico appears more often, but usually only on one subject, as incredibly important as violence there is -- it is not the whole story of Mexico. Nor is this trial the whole story of Haiti.