What could we do with 700 billion: related news

Poll: How do you prefer to charge for freelance Web design?

Money is on a lot of our minds this season. Either we're worried that we don't have enough, or we're trying to make the most of what we do have. Either way, charging for your work becomes more and more important. But how do you charge? Coming up with a pricing structure or just deciding what to charge can be hard. If you decide to bill for your hourly work, how do you decide on a fair rate? And how do you go about deciding to bill at a flat-rate vs. hourly? If you do freelance Web design, what is your preferred method of charging customers?

Bethesda: Fallout 3 uses SecuRom only for disc check

"For Fallout 3's copy protection on PC, we use the same security model as we did for Oblivion - a simple disc check. We only use SecuRom's disc check functionality for copy protection. We do NOT limit the number of installs. We do NOT use online authentication or any other SecuROM functionality except for a disc check when you install the game and when you launch the game. We do not install any other programs and we don't have anything that runs in the background while you're playing the game."

Russian banks to pay $18.5 bln in foreign debt in Q4, companies - $29bln

MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Russian banks will have to pay a total of $18.5 billion in foreign debt in the fourth quarter of 2008, while companies working in other sectors of the economy will have to pay $29 billion, the Central Bank said on its website. Banks will have to pay off $16.5 billion in principal debt in the fourth quarter and $2 billion in interest payments. Companies working in other sectors will have to pay $26 billion in principal debt and $3 billion in interest payments. The payments will decline in 2009. Banks will have to pay foreign debt of $13.6 billion in the first quarter of 2009, $12.9 billion in the second quarter, $8.3 billion in the third quarter and $13.2 billion in the fourth quarter, the Central Bank said. Other companies are planning to pay $16.

Google Chrome 0.3.154.0 Beta

All of us at Google spend much of our time working inside a browser. We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser. And in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends -- all using a browser. Because we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realized that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build.

Google Chrome 0.3.154.0 Beta

All of us at Google spend much of our time working inside a browser. We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser. And in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends -- all using a browser. Because we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realized that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build.

Google Chrome 0.2.153.1 Beta

All of us at Google spend much of our time working inside a browser. We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser. And in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends -- all using a browser. Because we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realized that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build.

Earnings: Nokia Profit Down 30 Percent; Sales, Market Share Down

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) reported third quarter earnings today, which saw its net income fall 30 percent to 1.09 billion euros ($1.47 billion), from 1.56 billion euros ($2.10 billion), compared to a year ago. Third quarter earnings per share came in at 0.29 euros, down from 0.40 euros year on year, missing analyst forecasts of 0.31 euros. Sales were down 5 percent to 12.2 billion euros ($16.4 billion), falling short of analyst expectations of 12.7 billion euros ($17.1 billion). The handset maker shipped 117.8 million units, up 5 percent year on year and down 3 percent sequentially.

Apple earnings climb 26%, iPod, Mac sales rise

on Tuesday reported a fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $1.14 billion, or $1.26 a share, on revenue of $7.9 billion, up from of $904 million, or $1.01 a share, on $6.22 billion in sales in the same period a year ago. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had forecast Apple to earn $1.10 a share on revenue of $8.02 billion. Apple said that when adjusting to eliminate the impact of subscription-based accounting related to certain products, it would have earned $2.44 billion on $11.68 billion in sales. For its first quarter, Apple estimates it will earn between $1.06 to $1.35 share on revenue in a range of $9 billion to $10 billion. End of Story

110 banks have asked for $170b under bailout plan

WASHINGTON (Agencies): At least 110 banks have requested more than $170 billion from the Treasury Department's rescue fund, and many more are expected to have submitted applications before Friday's deadline. The requests would come from the $250 billion the Treasury set aside from the $700 billion fund to purchase stock in banks. Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods estimated that 62 banks have received full or preliminary approval from the Treasury for $173 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The government said Monday that American International Group Inc. also would receive $40 billion from the program. That $40 billion, however, won't come from the $250 billion set aside for the banks. Another 48 banks have applied for about $6.

CORRECT: Vodafone cuts sales outlook as profit falls

the world's largest mobile operator by sales, on Tuesday said first-half net income fell 35% to 2.14 billion pounds, or 4.02 pence a share, from 3.29 billion pounds, or 6.19 pence a share, earned in the year-earlier period. Profit in the latest period was hit by an impairment loss of 1.7 billion-pound impairment related to the group's Turkish business. Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings came in at 7.52 pence a share, up 17% from a year earlier. Sales rose 17% to 19.9 billion pounds. The company also lowered its outlook for the year. It now expects revenue in the range of 38.8 billion pounds to 39.7 billion pounds, instead of its previous forecast of around 39.8 billion pounds, and adjusted operating profit of 11 billion pounds to 11.

Vodafone cuts sales outlook as quarterly profit falls 35%

the world's largest mobile operator by sales, on Tuesday said first-half net income fell 35% to 2.14 billion pounds, or 4.02 pence a share, from 3.29 billion pounds, or 6.19 pence a share, earned in the year-earlier period. Profit in the latest period was hit by an impairment loss of 1.7 billion-pound impairment related to the group's Turkish business. Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings came in at 7.52 pence a share, up 17% from a year earlier. Sales rose 17% to 19.9 billion pounds. The company also lowered its outlook for the year. It now expects revenue in the range of 38.8 billion pounds to 39.7 billion pounds, instead of its previous forecast of around 39.8 billion pounds, and adjusted operating profit of 11 billion pounds to 11.

Motorola Israel chief: We're not planning layoffs

"We're worried by our ability to recruit new employees," Motorola Israel general manager Elisha Yanay told "Globes". "We usually hire about 100 new employees a year, but we still can't estimate the number of number of employees we'll recruit next year. However, we are not planning any layoffs in the next quarter or coming year. We're not planning any significant changes. Our condition is sound."

How Do You Justify the Existence of IT?

bakamaki writes "I work for a small manufacturing company as a SysAdmin. My boss is a DBA. We are the only IT employees. He recently decided to record hours spent on his projects and then evaluate how much time the databases he writes save the employees. Then he translates that into a $ figure. He's asking me to do something similar but I'm kinda at a loss. It seems most of the stuff I do is preventative, IE care and feeding of servers and network infrastructure in addition to all the break fix stuff I do for the user base with their desktops. When in this position what do you folks usually do?"

Fannie Mae posts $29 billion loss in third quarter

on Monday said its third-quarter loss widened to $29 billion, or $13 a share in its fiscal third quarter ending Sept. 30, from a loss of $1.52 billion, or $1.56 a share in the year-ago period. Fannie Mae also reported a decrease in the non-GAAP estimated fair value of its net assets, from a positive $35.8 billion on Dec. 31 to a negative $46.4 billion on Sept. 30. Third-quarter results were driven primarily by a $21.4 billion non-cash charge to establish a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, as well as $9.2 billion in credit-related expenses arising from the ongoing deterioration in mortgage credit conditions and declining home prices, the Washington, D.C. lender said. On Sept. 6, Fannie Mae began operating under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Central Bank foreign currency reserves during the first quarter of 2008 increasing by $ 400 million to reach $ 35 billion marking a 1.35 % increase above their level three months ago.

Central Bank foreign currency reserves during the first quarter of 2008 increased by $ 400 million to reach $ 35 billion marking a 1.35 % increase above their level three months ago. That was announced by the Central Bank Governor, Dr. Farouk Al Oqda, confirming that imports during FY 2007/ 2008 reached $ 52.7 billion & that compares with $ 29.4 billion leaving the country with $ 23.3 billion balance of trade deficit. Dr. Al Oqda revealed that total foreign indebtedness as at 6/30/2008 reached $ 33.9 billion apart from local indebtedness put at L.E. 666.1 billion as at the same date. N.B. The daily Al Akhbar of the same day (P. 4) has quoted Dr. Al Oqda indicating that the said foreign currency reserves cover 8 months' imports. Utmost interesting statements of the Governor were regarding the Egyptian expatriates transfers (earlier repeate

Did I'm A Celebrity get off to a good start?

Oooh, we're all excited and aflutter! We just L.O.V.E it when a new reality show kicks off. Especially when there's a chance that the stars of the show might get insects poured over their head, or gunge poured down their pants, or snakes slipped into their sleeping bags. Hee hee. We're evil we know, but the latest celebs to trek into the Aussie jungle only have themselves to blame. So, who's made a strong first-episode impression on you? Who is going to be a jungle Jane and who is going to be a jungle monkey? We must say Simon Webbe is looking as hot as we hoped. Such a shame Australia is a nice hot place, where clothes are rarely required. Sigh. So, without further ado, scribble away below and tell us what you thought of tonight's show. If you don't, we might just slip a creepy crawly or two into your smalls.

APOY Round Ten

In our final round we would like you to turn the camera around. It's as simple as that. But to do it well you must think of yourself as both artist and subject. In a small way we do this every morning when we look at ourselves in the mirror. As we primp and adjust ourselves, the critic inside us responds until we create a final image. The same principle applies. When shooting a self-portrait, it is important to consider your posture and head angle, so try several poses. If you can convince him or her that you're not secretly taking their portrait, use your partner as a stand-in. A stand-in will also help you focus and find your ideal focal length. Anything under 50mm will cause distortion, while over 105mm you'll find foreshortening. Background is another consideration.

7 psychological money traps

When it comes to handling money, most of us aren't as rational and logical as we think. As with losing weight, we know what we need to do -- eat less (spend less) and exercise more (save more), but somehow we can't bring ourselves to do it. Or we buy a hot stock that really doesn't fit our investing needs and later wonder, "What the heck was I thinking?"

Telefonica O2 CR third-quarter sales up 5%

Czech incumbent Telefonica O2 CR posted revenues of CZK16.8 billion (USD840.4 million) in the three months to 30 September 2008, up 5% on the corresponding period of 2007. Fixed line sales accounted for CZK7.9 billion of the total, up 7.5% year-on-year, and mobile turnover increased less sharply by 2.2% to CZK8.2 billion. Consolidated operating income before depreciation and amortisation (OIBDA) dipped by half a percentage point to CZK7.2 billion, yielding a margin of 43%, while operating income expanded 6.7% to CZK4.1 billion, and net income rose 18.4% to CZK3.2 billion. Third quarter CAPEX was CZK1.7 billion (down 7.3%).

Robots Go Global

In the great IT race, robotics had, perhaps, the biggest headstart you could imagine - everybody in the world was already obsessed with it. Back in the dark ages, when we used to send each other letters we wrote by hand, and made phone calls from houses and payphones, when we thought of IT, we harboured distant dreams of flying cars and multi-functional robots. People once firmly associated futuristic technology with robotics, but now, for the most, we have forgotten all about it. Which is why, when experts start to talk about commercialising robots, we collectively stop and think: "Oh, yes, robots! I remember them. What took you so long developing them?" What has taken the IT industry so long is that it suddenly came to the conclusion that it was going to be a lot more difficult to make a functioning robot than we had originally thought.

Re-purposing a Student Tech Service Group?

discards writes "I help run a student group at a Canadian University. For almost 15 years we've provided students with services such as web space, email, wireless internet on campus, cvs/svn, database access, mailing lists, etc., all using Linux and FOSS. In recent years, however, we have faced becoming obsolete. The university now provides wireless access, people get their email from other places such as Google, which also provides free svn access, web space, and so forth. Since we have a large amount of decent, usable hardware, as well as space, funding and a very fast internet connection, we are looking to possibly reform instead of just withering away and dying. We would like to ask Slashdot for ideas as to what we could do; preferably something that cultivates student research or provides an otherwise useful service to students, thou

The Making of Mirror's Edge

1Up is running a feature about the development of Mirror's Edge, which comes out in November. Two of the developers talk about how they sold the concept for the game to studio execs, and how that concept has changed over the past few years. They also provide an early proof-of-concept video demonstrating some of the gameplay. "When you're doing something that's quite different like this, it's very easy for people to say, 'Oh, but couldn't you do it in third-person as well?' or 'Couldn't you put guns in as well?' or 'Couldn't we have vehicles as well?' And I think the reason we got to where we are is because we stuck to our guns, or lack of guns. [Laughs] We have kept the purity of the core mechanic. And I think that is why it is as good as it is now, because we just focused on that in a very blinkered way and didn't let ourselves get distr

When We Said We Were In Favor Of Open Source Voting, This Isn't What We Meant

We've often wondered why various governments haven't mandated open source e-voting systems. After all, if a free and democratic election is supposed involve true transparency into the voting process, it's hard to see how proprietary software can be allowed. However, the big e-voting companies have been staunch supporters of keeping their solutions proprietary. Except... it may turn out that Premier Election Solutions (which was better known as Diebold until it changed its name to get away from the mocking laughter) is actually using some open source software... and not abiding by the license. Artifex Software is suing Premier for apparently using its GPL'd software and not adhering to the GPL terms. Of course, we should note that Diebold (er.

Do you have Sunday morning breakfast at home or out?

If any of you mothes visit Cafe Mom you'll know that you can post different Questions everyday to blog about well This is todays so i thought I would blog about it. We usually eat out at Hardees' I usually order a steak biscuit as well as the hubby and we always just get her the steak patty cause she just wastes the biscuit most of the time. When we don't have the money to splurge we stay home and eat what Marty's aunt cooks which is usually biscuits,eggs,sausage and gravy. So,i guess it just depends on how much $$$ we have on hand.

Germany unveils $681 billion bank rescue plan

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday outlined a 500 billion euro ($681 billion) rescue package for German banks. The plan includes 400 billion euros to guarantee loans and up to 80 billion euros to be used to recapitalize the German banking sector. In addition the package includes a 20 billion euro provision to cover potential losses. Merkel said the plan is aimed at stabilizing markets and added banks that take advantage of the plan will have to abide by certain requirements, including restrictions on management pay and a commitment to maintain lending. She also said countries need to work more closely on overseeing international firms and the IMF should take a bigger supervisory role when dealing with those firms.

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