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Razer unveils Project Fiona PC gaming tablet

February 13th, 2012

Razer has announced that its new Project Fiona concept project is a PC gaming tablet featuring attached Hydra-style controllers.

Designed to offer the ultimate tablet gaming experience, Project Fiona comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and a 1280×800 multi-touch display.

It has joystick controllers attached on either side, and the unit features magnetometer and accelerometers to enable motion controls.

Razer said that other gaming tablets are suitable for casual titles, but the limited navigation and control capabilities make them impossible for hardcore PC gaming.

Adapted from a full featured PC gamepad, Project Fionas integrated dual controllers coupled with its advanced multi-touch screen are designed to make complex game navigation ergonomic and intuitive without compromising on the portability of the tablet, said the firm on its website.

Youll be able to carry out headshots and command troops in-game with ease. This first-of-its-kind PC gaming tablet with integrated dual controllers is definitely not for playing casual games about unhappy birds or zombie-killing flora.

Despite the fact that Project Fiona is a concept, Razer does plan to release the product. Reports suggest that it is targeting a Q4 2012 launch, priced under $1,000 (£650).

The company introduced the Switchblade gaming PC last year featuring a 17.3-inch LED screen and 2.8GHz i7 processor, but it has not yet been released in the UK.

> More tech news

Watch a video introducing the Project Fiona tablet below:

Daily Market Analysis: Currency Report

February 12th, 2012

The U.S Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing a much bigger than expected drop in initial jobless claims in the week ended January 14th.The report showed that jobless claims fell to 352,000 from the previous weeks revised figure of 402,000. In addition, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing that US consumer prices remained unchanged for the second consecutive month in December. On the other hand, New US housing starts fell by more than expected in the month of December, according to figures released Thursday by the Commerce Department. New housing starts fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 657,000 in December, 4.1 percent below the November level. Moodys Investors Service warned Thursday that it will likely downgrade the ratings on a number of rated banks globally, as several trends including deteriorating sovereign creditworthiness and high economic uncertainty have weakened the lenders credit profiles.

Chinas manufacturing sector contracted for a third successive month in January, signaling further moderation in overall economic growth. The Markit/HSBC flash purchasing managers index scored 48.8 in January compared to 48.7 in December. China posted a fiscal deficit of CNY 519 billion in 2011, matching 1.1 percent of gross domestic product; reports said Friday citing data from the Finance Ministry. The government targeted a deficit of CNY 900 billion in March last year. The Ministry also said that the fiscal revenue surged 24.8 percent to CNY 10.37 trillion during 2011.

France and Spain saw borrowing costs decline in the first bond auctions they held since Standard amp; Poors downgraded their credit ratings last week. The countries tested the market after Portugal and Germany held successful auctions on Wednesday, raising a total of EUR 5.939 billion. Demand was also strong for most securities on offer today. The lsquo;Agence France Tresor raised EUR 9.463 billion by selling its medium and longer-term bonds in the first sale after Samp;P stripped the countrys triple A rating. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde joined world financial and trade organization chiefs in warning policy makers gathering in Davos, Switzerland next week against fiscal cuts that jeopardize growth, according to a report published by Bloomberg today.

EUR/USD: Euro continued its rally against the Dollar on Thursday as euro zone debt auctions lifted economic optimism in the region. Today, the pair is static in Asia and is currently trading within the narrow range of 1.2970-1.2952 (18pips). The support level is at 1.2872 and the resistance level is at 1.3049. The pair is most likely to continue its bullish run to test the resistance level above the psychological level of 1.3000 as the European Central Bank fueled the optimism by stating that it has a whole range of unconventional measures to manage the debt crisis. However, investors should remain cautious as market attention will also be geared towards the U.S Existing Home Sales figure which is set to release later today. A higher than expected reading will put a brake to the rally of the pair.

Banks Face Thicket of Force-Placed Threats

February 8th, 2012

A New York probe has brought national attention to banks alleged self-dealing in the sale of force-placed insurance. But the investigation is just one of many looming challenges to the practice.

A coalition of state attorneys general is targeting force-placed insurance as part of a broader prospective mortgage-servicing settlement. Separately, proliferating class-action suits are churning out awkward-to-explain details of banks business practices. And a Housing and Urban Development enforcement attorney who looked into alleged kickbacks paid to banks by insurers has landed at the newly empowered Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

People are talking about force-placed, people are litigating it. Its become a topic, says Jeff Golant, a Southern Florida solo practitioner who began filing force-placed insurance suits in 2008. At the time, he and his mother, fellow attorneyMargery Golant, were the only Florida lawyers pursuing such cases. Hes since been drafted into a four-firm class action effort that includes 10 lawyers and extensive support staff.

Challenges to force placed insurance, in which banks buy insurance on behalf of uninsured borrowers and then tack the cost onto their mortgage debts, were virtually nonexistent two years ago. But allegations of kickbacks and a climate of distrust for mortgage servicers have already produced significant heat. American Banker first wrote about the subject in a 2010 story, Ties to Insurers Could Land Mortgage Servicers in More Trouble.

How much money is at stake is unclear, though banks cut of force-placed premiums are almost certainly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Specialty property insurance division of Assurant Inc, one of the biggest purveyors of the product, reports around $2 billion in revenue a year.

While banks may eventually beat back the attacks on force-placed insurance, the issue increasingly looks like the venue for a significant legal fight. Government investigations are currently the most direct threat, given their expansive ability to demand records and the potential of regulatory remedies. A prospective national mortgage-servicing settlement made public last year sought to limit banks ability to collect commissions on force-placed policies, and the offices of two state attorneys general involved in the ongoing settlement talks say force-placed insurance is still on the table.

There is also a possibility for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to wade into force-placed insurance. Last summer, the Department of Housing and Urban Development transferred its authority to enforce the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act to the CFPB, along with much of its enforcement staff. Among those who jumped to the new agency was Anthony Romano, an attorney who in his former job had contacted Jeff Golant about a possible force-placed insurance investigation.

Neither Romano nor the CFPB responded to a request for comment regarding whether the agency might be looking at force-placed products. But Edward Mills, a Washington policy analyst for FBR Capital Markets, says force-placed is an obvious candidate for a bureau investigation. Such a review could be undertaken quickly in coordination with state enforcement officials, potentially allowing the fledgling agency to produce quick results.

The bureau is going to be looking at things they can do which will benefit the average American, and obviously one of the concerns in DC is the practices of servicers during the foreclosure process, he says. In many ways its just a natural progression.

While private litigation is generally a slower process than government reviews, class action attorneys have had a head start. Minneapolis-based Nichols Kaster filed the first against JPMorgan Chase amp; Co. in early 2010, alleging that the company had forced home-equity borrowers to obtain excessive amounts of flood insurance.

China 2011 Fiscal Deficit CNY 519bln: Reports

January 26th, 2012

China 2011 Fiscal Deficit CNY 519bln: Reports

(RTTNews.com) – China posted a fiscal deficit of CNY 519 billion in 2011, matching 1.1 percent of gross domestic product, reports said Friday citing data from the Finance Ministry.

The government targeted a deficit of CNY 900 billion in March last year. The Ministry also said that the fiscal revenue surged 24.8 percent to CNY 10.37 trillion during 2011.

Full-year fiscal expenditures were 21.2 percent higher than in 2010 and amounted to CNY 10.89 trillion in 2011.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

http://www.rttnews.com

Greenspot – food trends for 2012

January 26th, 2012

Greenspot – food trends for 2012

January 11, 2012 , 10:08 AM by La Vergne Lehmann

Something we are all interested in – at least to some degree – food! so what are some of the trends in food for 2012?Some of these relate specifically to sustainability while others are more about marketing and perception – but interesting nonetheless.

The top trends relate purity, authenticity and sustainability, as consumers continue to look for products with added value, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty.

1. Pure is the New Natural: Natural products are becoming the rule rather than the exception in most western markets, despite ongoing issues with a clear definition of what natural encompasses. One way around this has been marketing the purity of a product, reports indicate that the has been a doubling in the number of products using the word pure between 2008 and 2009, with a further third added in 2010 and considerably more in 2011.

2. Green is a Given: Corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategies have taken on an increasingly important role. The focus is on reducing carbon emissions or packaging, or creating higher welfare or fairly traded lines. The ingredientization of commodities is also moving forward, with previously untapped waste materials used for their potential functional and health benefits.

3. Location, Location, Location: Interest in where their foods are coming from has never been higher among consumers. This is being driven by an interest in supporting local suppliers, a desire for ethnic-foods, concerns over the quality and safety of imported products, or the demand for authenticity in terms of products from a particular country or region.

4. Premium Stands Out: Despite austerity measures topping the agenda yet again from mid-2011, a premium positioning provides many benefits. Consumers still have to eat and are likely to look increasingly to the extremes of discount or super-premium products.. A premium treat can be justified as an affordable indulgence during difficult economic times, particularly if it can also encompass a better-for-you element.

5. Seniors Draw Attention: Companies are starting to address the needs of an aging population, both in terms of packaging functionality and of general and specific health concerns. In the EU regulations on labelling have been initiated to help seniors by improving the clarity and visibility of nutritional information. Various recent moves have been made in US front-of-pack labelling.

6. Regulators Force a Rethink: The role that governments have in controlling dietary lifestyles continues to court controversy, particularly following Denmark’s pioneering and controversial introduction of the world’s first fat tax, applying a surcharge to high-saturated fat foods, aimed at helping combat obesity and heart disease..

7. Unmeasurable Niches: With modern communication methods, particularly through social media, small players in the food industry can compete more successfully with their larger, multinational rivals. The multinationals now also need to take a more multi-local approach to uphold a locally-sourced image and position in the community. More products are also being targeted at small groups or individuals with products that can be tailored for individual tastes and preferences.

8. Boom for Protein: New and existing sources of protein are being viewed on sustainability and health grounds, with developments in soy, wheat, lupin and other protein sources such as chick peas. There is also research into natural proteins from vegetable and animal origins that can replace fats, as well as into artificial meat replicating animal tissues

Kentucky News Review: Kentucky has highest number in U.S. of background checks …

January 25th, 2012

    Jan. 6, 2012

  • Kentucky had the highest number in the US of background checks for firearm permits, according to a report from the FBI.
    Kentucky requested 9,630,654 background checks from the FBI from Nov. 30. 1998- to Dec. 31, 2011. The next highest number of requests was from Illinois, with 5,107,408.
    According to notes in the report, these statistics represent the number of firearm background checks initiated through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. They do not represent the number of firearms sold. Based on varying state laws and purchase scenarios, a one-to-one correlation cannot be made between a firearm background check and a firearm sale.

  • The Drive-Thru Gourmet, Ken Hoffman of the Houston Chronicle, features hush puppies, the unsung hero of the seafarin side-dish industry, at Americas No. 1 fishmonger drive-through,#xA0;Long John Silvers.This is not health food: Who cares? Theyre greasy, they taste like fried corn muffins, theyre filling, they go great with fried fish hellip; and theyre#xA0;addictive, and are 60 calories per pup.
    The restaurant chain that began in Lexington was recently sold by Yum Brands to LJS Partners.

  • A factory in California that makes Hot Pockets for Nestle Foods is laying off 103 workers who make the product, reports the Los Angeles Times. Consumers are a little more frugal and competition is continuing to be very heated, Nestle spokeswoman Roz OHearn said to the Times. Its very unfortunate, but it is necessary to keep the business healthy and continuing. Hot Pockets are also made at a plant in Kentucky, but it has not had any layoffs.
  • An exhibit of photography by Lexingtons Ralph Meatyard is on display in Sacramento, Calif., at the MH de Young Museum, in San Francisco. The art critic for the Sacramento Bee, Victoria Dalkey, said of Meatyard, one of the strangest and most original artists ever to pick up a camera. … Though Meatyards name is not as well known as Ansel Adams or Edward Westons, he has a firm place in the history of photography.

Razer unveils Project Fiona PC gaming tablet

January 25th, 2012

Razer has announced that its new Project Fiona concept project is a PC gaming tablet featuring attached Hydra-style controllers.

Designed to offer the ultimate tablet gaming experience, Project Fiona comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and a 1280×800 multi-touch display.

It has joystick controllers attached on either side, and the unit features magnetometer and accelerometers to enable motion controls.

Razer said that other gaming tablets are suitable for casual titles, but the limited navigation and control capabilities make them impossible for hardcore PC gaming.

Adapted from a full featured PC gamepad, Project Fionas integrated dual controllers coupled with its advanced multi-touch screen are designed to make complex game navigation ergonomic and intuitive without compromising on the portability of the tablet, said the firm on its website.

Youll be able to carry out headshots and command troops in-game with ease. This first-of-its-kind PC gaming tablet with integrated dual controllers is definitely not for playing casual games about unhappy birds or zombie-killing flora.

Despite the fact that Project Fiona is a concept, Razer does plan to release the product. Reports suggest that it is targeting a Q4 2012 launch, priced under $1,000 (£650).

The company introduced the Switchblade gaming PC last year featuring a 17.3-inch LED screen and 2.8GHz i7 processor, but it has not yet been released in the UK.

> More tech news

Watch a video introducing the Project Fiona tablet below:

Data Center Specialist

January 20th, 2012

Design, build, operate and maintain Sites and Facilities (electrical, mechanical, HVAC, structural, life safety, security, access and critical back-up systems) for Data Centers to achieve and enhance Data Center services Quality, stability, availability and customer satisfaction. Also, responsible to hold the as-Build for all Sites and Facilities and provide feasibility study and design solutions for all Data Center services and upgrade projects.

- Provide 2nd tier technical support to NOC and other operations teams with regards to Data Center Facilities and services. Follow the escalation model depending on the severity of the situation.

- Develop and perform preventive maintenance tasks as per the plan covering the Data Center Facilities and services. Product reports about the routine activities and Data Center Facilities and services performance.

- Submit, supervise and perform planned works and activities (upgrades, restorations, fiber cuts, etc) in the network in coordination with the field services team and the NOC team and as per the planned activities and change management procedures.

- Lead and perform provisioning’ implementation covering the service design, installations, provisioning, testing and handover. Document complete records along with activation dates.

- Own the design and operational aspects (floor plans, HVAC, electrical loading and capacity .. etc) of the Data Center Facilities and services . provide periodic capacity/performance reports and report system shortcomings and respond to operational and emergency situations.

- Handover Data Center Facilities and services from engineering as per the handover procedures. Assist the engineering team if needed for the installation and integration with operational network. Ensure and produce up-to-date documentation and records covering the design, drawings, as-built documents, contacts … etc.

- Hold the as-Build for all Sites and Facilities and provide feasibility study and design solutions for all Data Center services and upgrade projects.

- Provide 24×7 emergency call-outs to NOC team and other teams for critical and urgent activities in coordination with the manager.

Skills

- Bachelors degree mechanical, electrical engineering or equivalent. Data Center engineering design and operating training helpful.

- 8+ years of experience in facility/plant engineering and maintenance.

- Proven experience with data center HVAC, cooling (CRACs, chilled water, etc.), UPS, fire suppression, cable plants, mechanical systems and electrical systems engineering and operation, back-up power design and data center design.

- Experience in Designing data cneters, floor plans with AutoCAD.

Saudi National Preferred.

Non Saudi candidates should have a transferable residence permit.

Company Profile

Integrated Telecom Company (ITC) is a Riyadh-based Saudi company established in 2005 through a consortium of ?local investors headed by Al-Mawarid Investment Group as a major shareholder.

In return of an initial SR 300 ?Million investment, ITC was licensed by the Communication amp; Information Technology Commission (CITC) to ?provide local, national, and international data communications services.

In collaboration with other recognized ?global and local vendors, ITC has established its infrastructure and networks to deliver its basic and advanced data ?communication services.

For more information, please visit www.itc.net.sa.?

Beefs & Bouquets

October 17th, 2011

A HUGE FLOWERING BOUQUET to Kaarina at Mosaic Vision Care. You were very helpful and knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I was having troubles adjusting to my new glasses but you managed to make them work wonders. Thank you for taking the time to adjust and to explain everything to me so thoroughly. I now know more than I ever thought I would about my eyeglasses. I am very picky but you made me leave very happy and satisfied. Keep up the great work!

A BIG BOUQUET to Thrifty Foods for donating Gluten Free Pizzas and Gluten Free pizza meat for our Celiac luncheon on Sunday. It was a great way for everyone to sample your product. Everyone seemed to enjoy them. For all you other celiac people who were unable to make it to the luncheon, or do not yet know about Thrifty foods having GF cheese pizza, they make it in the own kitchen. Very good, easy to bake, and very reasonably priced. Try it out, you`ll love it! They also provide customers with a GF list of products sold in their stores. Thank-you!

CAR FREE for noise pollution. Last Sunday afternoon I thought I would sit out in my backyard. Couldnt because of the noise – so-called music and yelling. So much for a quiet Sunday afternoon. And more cars on 4th and Cliffe.

PLEASE – BUTT OUT at your own home! Our hospital grounds should not be used as a dumping place to accommodate smokers. Some of us old seniors enjoy a walk in this area and it really is a shame to see all the cigarette butts, especially along the hedgerow facing the apartment buildings. We should all be very proud of our hospital and try our very best to keep the outside tidy. So instead of placing your butts outside your cars why not bring a container in your car and bring them home. Thank-you.

HATS OFF to Serious Coffee: Many thanks to the staff at Serious Coffee for noticing my Tillley hat, taking care of it, and returning it a week after I lost it. The staff said Have a nice day, but made it a fantastic day by returning my hat, after I had a few days of wondering where it was. I was given my Tilley hat 19 years ago when I retired by my friends in our youths outdoor club. It was replaced by Tilley for my 75th birthday, and having passed 80 I hope it will last a little longer. Thanks again.

A HUGE BOUQUET to the Town of Comox work yard crew who came out to deal with my downed tree that fell across Cougar Cresc. They were there within minutes of my phone call to the town office, and had it cut and cleaned up in no time at all. Thanks very much to the men and girl who did a great job. Im sorry I didnt get your names. An indication of my tax dollars at work.

A GARDEN FULL of beautiful sunflowers to: Ron Pogue for his great photography, Pete Montana for emceeing this years walk, Jet FM for the media sponsorship, Sunwest RV, Pharmasave, Winners, Lee at Long McQuade, Broken Spoke coffee house, Quality Foods, Extra Foods, the HMCS Quadra cadets all of the merchants around the valley that donated to this years amazing raffle and of course every single volunteer that helped make this years walk such a great success. Without all of you, it wouldnt be possible! THANX!!

RE: RAY BELANGER, From Chevrolets To Cutting Boards The Echo Extra Sep 27. We were pleased to read that Ray is making his beautiful cutting boards. What most people dont know is that Ray was my husbands boss at the base in Comox. He really cared about his men and because of his leadership, people like my husband loved to work under him. That all changed when Ray left. Thank you Ray and the best of success!

12 BIG BOUQUETS to Wendy Johnstone from Keystone Eldercare Solutions for taking the time to speak to the current Job Options group in Courtenay. Wendy is an inspiring speaker with a clear passion for her work. Thanks Wendy, for providing a much-needed service to families in the Comox Valley AND for demonstrating how to create success by doing something youre passionate about. Youve been unanimously voted: AWESOME.

A LOVELY BOUQUET of flowers to all of the kind people who stopped by our garage sale on Virginia Drive on September 10th. To the kind lady who purchashed the framed picture of 6 kittens sitting in drawers: I didnt think before I put that picture out, it is very special to me, as my mom had it in her room when I was growing up, and I used to look at it and imagine which kind of kitten I would get if my brother wasnt allergic to cats! I would love to have it for my own daugthers room one day. I would be happy to pay you more than what you paid for it, so if you are willing to give it up I would be so grateful, please come by and knock anytime.

A BOUQUET to the staff at Zellers Monday morning when the lights went out! They swung into action and showed compassion and competent caring for the mostly elderly patrons left in the restaurant. They cheerfully and calmly helped these customers out into the Mall to wait for their transportation, and even lent a supporting arm to help some to their vehicles in the dangerously gusty wind. Way to go, guys and girls!

ON FRIDAY my wife was walking our two dogs on Crown Isle Drive. One of the dogs – not sure which one, ran in front of my wife causing her to fall face first onto the sidewalk resulting in a badly broken wrist and facial contusions. Her guardian angel Kim came upon my wife on the ground and immediately took charge of the situation by calling 911, rounding up the dogs and phoning me. I arrived on scene just after the ambulance arrived. The paramedics were great as were the ER staff at St, Josephs Hospital. Our sincere thanks to everyone but especially Kim. Thank you so much and also thank you to the numerous people who stopped to offer help. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Elizabeth and John

A HUGE BOUQUET of autumn flowers to whomever cleaned up the spilled yard waste bag in front of my house. After the downpouring of rain last Thursday, when the yard waste collectors went to pick up the paper bag, the bottom fell out and they left it there. I was not looking forward to cleaning it up, but when I got home the next day, it was gone and the street was clean. You absolutely made my day, and I thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.

LAST MONTH I tried Porchs on the estuary on Comox Road again, now that it is under new management. I also took a couple of orders to go on another occasion and both my friend and I were impressed at not only the quality but also how well the food survived being taken out. The fresh lightly battered cod with the fresh cut fries have to be the best on this island. (Yes, I have eaten the the popular Campbell River eatery on the dock but this one is better!) Havent tried the burgers and other offerings at Porchs so can only comment on the fish and chips. The new owner seems very keen and committed to food and service.

THE THURSDAY GROUP of volunteers at the Sonshine Lunch Club would like to thank the teachers and students of Lake Trail School for their assistance in preparing and helping serve meals, cut up numerous vegetables do cleanup and interface with our clients. After hearing all the bad things that teenagers do it is a pleasure to work with the teachers and students as they (the students) develop and grow into maturity. Its too bad that it takes one bad apple to give all teens a bad reputation. These students are a fine example of what happens when teachers take an interest in what their students are doing and what they hope they will become. Too bad more of the teachers and schools dont become involved. Thank you, thank you.

LOTS OF SUNNY SUNDAYS to David and Pieter for organizing the first Car Free Day. The event was fun for everyone involved. The volunteers that stood at the barricades and redirected traffic deserve a big thumbs up. Also a big thumbs up to the businesses along the route that were open, way to show your support, people noticed this and appreciate it. And of course a large thank-you to the weather that turned very beautiful at just the right time.

A LATE BOUQUET to all the lifegaurds that kept everyone safe at the Lewis outdoor pool doggy days swim. You guys/gals are the best!

A HUGE FALL BOUQUET for the 35 volunteers who dressed for the downpour and gathered debris from the estuary shore line on Rivers Day, Sunday morning. Project Watershed and the CV Naturalists organized teams in Beach Ave, Simms Park and the Airpark. We lost Paul Ives along the route; caught Rona Rae Leonard on camera. Volunteers found tires, grocery carts; food wrappings, many cigarette butts and bits of paper, underwear, a raft, a needle and a voodoo doll! Beefs to those who pollute our planet!

A BIG BEEF and a caution in regard to the recent survey put out by the Citizens Voice Project. What you may perceive as just an innocent wish list that all the people of the valley would love to happen is actually these peoples agenda. At some point I am sure it is their intention to endorse the political candidates they feel are sympathetic to their ambitions. If they are successful in electing them they will then demand that they approve any project that they can dream up that they deem meets their agenda, all based on this survey as their mandate to do so and of course all with your tax dollars. If at some point taxpayers object to the crushing tax increases that would be necessary to fund this agenda they will just say we are just giving you what you said you wanted when you answered yes to all those questions. So if yourr thinking about participating in this survey – BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

A BIG BOUQUET to the Rotary club for their courteous,quick and efficient service at their sky rocket sale last Saturday. Bingo, Bango, Bongo you were in and out with your product. Reports were there were a few glitches that caused delays which were rumored to be caused by people from Comox who were apparently confused and overwhelmed by the concept of a drive-thru.

A BIG BOUQUET to Mayor Fred Bates for his diligent work and patience in trying to bring Cumberland into the 21st century. He will be missed, as will Bronco Moncrief and his many years of dedicated service to the community of Cumberland. Murray Presley also deserves a bouquet for keeping an eye on the books and 15 years service for the city of Courtenay. The Comox Valley is fortunate to have so many dedicated citizens willing to serve on the 4 local governments. Four administrations are expensive, but Valley taxpayers seem willing to pay the price for the 4 distinct communities.

A BIG THUMBS UP and thank you to My Tech Guys. I was having a problem with drivers after installing Windows 7 on my Macbook and Futureshop recommended that I try them. While I was prepared to spend between $100-200 to have the problem remedied, it cost me fifty and the computer worked like a dream. Thank you for resolving a lot of heartache.

BEEFS to the person, driving near the busy intersection, of Anderton and Comox Ave, on Friday, late afternoon, without due care and attention. I had observed a young fawn, and its mother, 15 minutes earlier, on the way into town, and had worried about the traffic behind me. Your lack of attention resulted sadly in the death of the very young fawn, the crumpled carcass, in the middle of the road, a sad sight to witness, as I returned home. The young fawn could have been a beloved pet dog, or worse yet, a child. What were you thinking? What were you doing?

BOUQUETS OF ROSES, by way of apology, to those people who get held up by me on the Dyke Road … I wish you could arrange to leave a little earlier, or tolerate arriving several seconds late. Sorry, but I just cannot afford to speed anymore. I was busted for Excessive Speeding on the Malahat. The fine is $368, with $25 off for prompt payment. After a tow-truck ride, there was $25 for a taxi, then later $25 for the bus to Nanaimo, $24.30 to continue to Courtenay, $49.22 for a bus ticket back a week later, and $326.85 for towing and storage … a really big bite out of $800. Please do not bother tailgating me. You cant push me … I can NOT afford to speed … and a big bouquet of shasta daisies for your bedroom.

Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com

Virgin Media TiVo service set for major update

October 17th, 2011

Virgin Media is due to roll out a major update for its TiVo-powered next-generation cable TV service in the coming months.

The release, which will be deployed before Christmas, is intended to fix, improve and add new features to the entertainment product, reports Digital Spy.

Multi-tap text entry is one of the new innovations set for inclusion in the update, allowing subscribers to search for their favourite content using the number buttons on their remote control in a similar manner to sending an SMS message.

Among the other improvements are an express series link tool, designed to make it quicker for customers to record every episode of a certain show, as well as the addition of more padding at the beginning and end of programmes.

The update code is set to be rolled out in the early hours to minimise the impact to customers.

Virgin Media TiVo is a continually evolving service as we add even more new features and functionality, a spokesperson said. There is a scheduled software update due before the end of the year.

The cable companys latest financial results statement showed approximately 50,000 households had been connected to the TiVo service as of July 26th 2011.