Netizen

Saturday, January 05, 2013

Out There

Thursday, January 03, 2013

The Nexus 4 Is A Beautiful Thing

I have been playing with it for a few hours now. I feel like I am all set. Made me feel like I bought the seven inch tablet in vain. I don't need it. This phone is so much of a better experience. And the screen is so responsive. I feel good.

Nexus 4: My First Smartphone

You go about downloading all the important apps. And you just hold it in your hand.

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

A Second Stimulus

I'd argue for a second stimulus. See that World War II hump when the debt exceeded 100% of the GDP? We are nowhere close to there yet.

The problem with the first stimulus was most of it was not spent on active stuff. Tax cuts don't count. Unemployment benefits don't count.

140 Billion Is Cheap

Spend money to take all Americans to the gigabit broadband era. That would be my idea of a stimulus bill.

More Like Fiscal Sausage

Everything is Terrible

In short, the fiscal cliff was “averted” the way that Jay-Z “retired” in 2003.

Short-term relief, and little else

the ugly fiscal arithmetic and political dysfunction that produced the cliff in the first place will remain...... A deal nearing completion in the Senate would make permanent the tax cuts first enacted by George Bush in 2001 and 2003 and due to expire on December 31st, except for the wealthy. The marginal rate for individuals earning more than $400,000 and couples earning more than $450,000 would rise from 35% to its pre-2001 rate of 39.6%, while deductions would be curbed for some people earning as little as $250,000. Estate taxes would go up, but not to pre-2001 levels, while rates on capital gains and dividends, now 15%, would go up to 20%, still less than their pre-2001 levels. Tax credits for families, workers and college students first introduced in Mr Obama’s stimulus plan will be extended for five more years. ...... Republicans, because they are being asked to approve the first increase in tax rates in two decades while getting no spending cuts in return. (Update: the senate approved the agreement early Tuesday by a vote of 89 to 8. The house approved it late Tuesday 257 to 167, with 85 Republicans joining nearly all the Democrats.) ..... It leaves in place significant short-term austerity while doing nothing to change the long-term trajectory of debt. It doesn't reform taxes or entitlements. And it doesn't deal with several key components of the cliff. ...... For his part, Mr Boehner never seemed sure of what his own members could accept, which made for unproductive negotiating sessions ...... Higher taxes on the rich will reportedly raise about $600 billion over a decade, an “inconsequential” sum, noted Bob Corker, a Republican senator. Indeed, it is almost a rounding error against a ten-year projected deficit of $10 trillion on current policies, or 5% of GDP. “The fact that the president won’t challenge his party on spending cuts is disgusting,” said Steven LaTourette, a Republican congressman.

Tablets Have Their Limitations

Image representing iPad as depicted in CrunchBase

Image via CrunchBase

When the iPad first came out I did not think it was a laptop substitute at all.

iPad
The iPad
Da iPad
Finally The iPad Has Competition

I still feel the tablet is not a laptop substitute. The Chromebook is.

The Seven Incher

Difference Engine: Smaller still is smarter

Last year, your correspondent was one of the millions who hoped an iPad would meet all his online needs. He was thrilled with everything about the device except its size. After a month of ownership, he went back to taking a laptop on his travels. The iPad has since been relegated to doing casual duty in the living room...... one cannot help but think that the late Steve Jobs—had he ever been persuaded (doubtful) to bless a four-fifths-sized iPad—would not have allowed the Mini out of the door in its present state. Nor, for that matter, would he have permitted a half-baked product like Apple Maps to see the light of day. Perhaps there is some truth in the claim that, in the absence of Jobs, Apple is now more interested in litigation than innovation. If so, it is a sad day for all who have championed the company for its creativity and pursuit of excellence. ..... In the meantime, the Nexus 7—with its flawless multitasking, top-notch notification scheme and more than adequate apps—will do just nicely, thank you.