Google exec: 60% of businesses could dump Windows for Chrome OS | Tech Sanity Check | TechRepublic.com

URL:  http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=6943&tag=nl....

This is brave talk! Microsoft are doing some amazing things in the cloud at this stage. So this is going to be a long, cold, and tough war!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/gov3

Nothing really has intrinsic value, not even gold, silver or diamonds. They have value because people desired them (initially for their beauty and /or utility). Now they have value because they have value. How is this critical mass of sentiment in favour of hard assets different to that for Dollar, Euro or Pound notes, or even just numbers in a banking system?They have value because a critical mass of people decided they have value. http://amplify.com/u/fmft

Remember the old saying that “charity starts at home”? Well perhaps the SA Orthodox community should adopt the idea that Interfaith starts at home. Their smarmy, politically correct attempts at Outreach to the Christian and Muslim communities mean nothing when they can’t even bear to share the same podium with their Progressive/Reform (and Masorti) Jewish brethren! http://amplify.com/u/fm1c

What I love about progressive Judaism(Saying the same thing in lots of different ways)I can listen to my conscience and reason and absorb the latest scientific findings, while remaining a believing Jew.I don’t have to indulge in “the willing suspension of disbelief”.I don’t have to carry around two sets of contradictory or irreconcilable beliefs in my head.I don’t have to brainwash myself, or my child. I can freely embrace or question.I’m not afraid of ideas, knowledge, philosophy, wisdom, science or others’ beliefs.I’m not afraid of questioning, or being questioned.I can embrace both my heritage and the modern world.I have no mental reservations about what I’m expected to believe, in the way that many nominally Orthodox people I know have. http://amplify.com/u/fi9w

I never thought I’d see the day when reports like this from Israel would become commonplace (from the latest Women of the Wall newsletter):“Along with commemorating the anniversary of the first arrest of a woman at the Western Wall, Women of the Wall will be holding a vigil with their Torah outside of the entrance to the Western Wall Plaza, in protest of the newest regulation passed by Rabbi Rabinowitz which prohibits men and women from entering the Western Wall Plaza with a Torah from the outside. “Whatever happened to our beautiful little Israel, our sanctuary from the madness of the world? http://amplify.com/u/ekm0

No link?

If there’s an online campaign, why no link to it? Perhaps try this one:

Rabbis Take a Stand! The official Women of the Wall website
http://womenofthewall.org.il/solidarity/take-a-stand/rabbis-take-a-stand

in reference to:

"SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- A group of North American rabbis has launched an online campaign to support women who want to pray at the Western Wall with Torahs and prayer shawls. The 28 rabbis, calling themselves Rabbis for Women of the Wall, sent a letter Monday morning to seven Israeli leaders urging protection for those women."
- Rabbis launch campaign for Women of the Wall | JTA - Jewish & Israel News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Full marks to Microsoft for releasing the latest version of its free software suite, Windows Live Essentials 2011, including Windows Live Mesh/Sync.
Less 50% for dropping support for Windows XP in Live Essentials 2011.
No problem, you say? Just carry on using Live Mesh Beta if you still have Windows XP devices in your Mesh?
Wrong! Live Mesh Beta will only exist until the end of Q1 2011. Take that, you rat!
Less another 50% for punishing XP users because it took Microsoft almost a decade to release a viable alternative to Windows XP.
It’s obvious what Microsoft needs to do to show some respect for its increasingly reluctant installed base: provide support for Windows XP in Live Essentials 2011 (Mac clients are supported, why not XP?), or simply extend the life of Live Mesh Beta indefinitely for existing users.
Knowing Microsoft, though, it will choose the 3rd option: do nothing.

in reference to: Windows Live Essentials 2011 (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Wow, we’ve certainly come a long way! Back then, it was the British occupation that prevented us from exercising our religious rights at the Kotel. Now we have a Jewish government that prevents Jewish women from sounding the Shofar, carrying a Torah and reading aloud from the Torah at the Kotel. Once it was British tyranny that Zionism and the Yishuv needed to overcome. Now it’s the tyranny of the ultra-Orthodox and their camp-followers. Progress indeed!

in reference to:

"Under a British law in Palestine passed in 1930, Jews were forbidden to blow the shofar at the Kotel, pray loudly there, or bring Torah scrolls, so as not to offend the Arab population. Despite this restriction, for the next seventeen years, the shofar was sounded at the Kotel every Yom Kippur. Shofars were smuggled in to the Kotel where brave teenagers defiantly blew them at the conclusion of the fast. Some managed to get away - others were captured and sent to jail for up to six months."
- YouTube - Echoes of a Shofar (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Yes, “recognition” (whatever that means) of Israel as the Jewish State is important, but certainly not important enough to derail the peace process, such as it is. Israel exists on the ground. That fact is far more important than any recognition. And, to be honest, how many of our people and institutions would pass the test of recognition for the Palestinians?

The issue of continued or resumed settlement building activity is a real show-stopper, and one can hardly blame the Palestinian side for seeing it as such. What’s the point of negotiating over the pie while one side eats the pie as they speak? I actually cannot believe that a sane society is prepared to countenance the possibility of these peace talks failing over the issue of settlements that are important to only a tiny minority of Israelis and Jews!

You said:
“In contrast, Interior Minister Eli Yishai claimed that "we need to face the truth and not hide our head in the sand. I am very sceptical. I do not believe that the Palestinians want political negotiations."”

Well, many of us no longer believe that the Israelis want political negotiations!

in reference to:

"In contrast, Interior Minister Eli Yishai claimed that "we need to face the truth and not hide our head in the sand. I am very skeptical. I do not believe that the Palestinians want political negotiations.""
- PM demands Palestinians recognize Israel as Jewish state (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

I made an almost identical proposal in a blog post back in May of 2008, when I said:

I would like to make a proposal that the scope of Yom Hazikaron be changed one more time, to also embrace the Jewish victims of radical Islamist terror worldwide. I believe this would be appropriate, not only because most victims were targeted as Jews, but also because many of the acts of terror were purported to be in response to Israeli acts or policies (or simply the existence of Israel or Zionism).

Modest proposals for Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron
http://blog.maskil.info/2008/05/modest-proposals-for-yom-hashoah-and-yom-hazikaron/

in reference to:

"The IDF and Terror Victims Remembrance Day ceremonies included a special one that memorialized Jews killed in anti-Semitic terror attacks outside Israel, some of them Jewish Agency workers. According to Jewish Agency data, 200 Jews have been murdered in anti-Semitic actions in various parts of the world, since the founding of the Jewish State. Their names are carved on a permanent memorial that will be unveiled at the ceremony."
- Jewish Terror Victims Worldwide Memorialized - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News (view on Google Sidewiki)

This is not silly

It’s not a “very silly piece” as you describe it, Miriam. It’s as close as we can to the truth of this seemingly intractable situation. Two thirds of us (or them, Israelis) really do want (or would prefer) peace. They realise that this will involve halting (and even rolling back) the settlement process, and a whole bunch of other unpalatable compromises. What they’re not (yet?) prepared to do is to translate that preference for peace into action at the ballot box and thereafter, i.e. putting pressure on the government and Knesset to do what’s necessary, not just go through the motions.
The shambolic Palestinian camp is our excuse for inaction. But the world and those who love Israel are starting to see through the excuse.
Peace will not come from Palestine. It will and must come from Israel, with Israel’s flagging allies there to pressure the Palestinian side.
Israel is the stronger party. Only Israel can initiate and carry out a genuine peace process.
Let’s hope the peace-preferring Israeli voter realises this, before it’s too late.

in reference to:

"A very silly piece by Larry Derfner in the Jerusalem Post, arguing that Israelis don't really want peace. Not, you understand, that he disagrees that most Israelis are willing to give up land for peace, or accept a two-state-solution. His complaint is that Israelis are unwilling to throw their arms open, embrace the Palestinians and sing kumbaya:"
- Do Israelis really want peace? | The Jewish Chronicle (view on Google Sidewiki)

Aish Machal and Aish Hatorah?

I’m not sure how much need there is for this “Aish Machal” program when the official Mahal (www.mahal-idf-volunteers.org) program (previously known as Mahal 2000) has been around for years and has an established reputation with those wishing to serve in the IDF.

I’d also like to understand why the author of the article chose not to mention the Aish in Aish Machal. Is Aish Machal another front or Trojan horse for the Aish Hatorah ultra-Orthodox missionary organisation? If so, why is this not stated up-front?

Israel and the IDF will still pay a stiff price for the incendiary cocktail of fundamentalist religion and military service, wrapped up in religiously homogenous units with their own rabbinic commissars!

in reference to: Aish Machal recruits non-Israelis for IDF (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Something that didn’t come out in your viewers’ responses to this program was that claiming copyright has become a very effective way to censor YouTube content. Don’t like a particular video clip for political, religious or any other reasons? Simply claim copyright infringement as the author of the work and Google will dutifully take down the offending clip. What’s more you get to punish your foe; their content will be taken down and they will have all the hassle of proving there was no infringement. You might even get them taken down altogether!

in reference to:

"Ollie Rickman, Google's UK spokesman, defended his company: "It's not true that we automatically side with the complainant." "Every single time that we receive a complaint we have to take the video down - that's the law. We have no other option," he said. "Google and YouTube are never going to be in a position to adjudicate on who owns copyright to what and whether a use is authorised or not. We simply don't know," he added."
- BBC News - Is YouTube's three-strike rule fair to users? (view on Google Sidewiki)

Terms & Conditions

I would just like to note the following concerns I have raised on previous occasions:

- The exchange fee is excessive, and becomes more excessive each year. In the decade or so I’ve been a member it’s climbed from +/-R200 to almost R1,000!
- Exchange fees are not published, notified or advertised on any of the material provided by RCI. They should be set once a year, by increased by no more than the inflation rate and published in RCI’s promotional material.
- While a letter is provided IRO the exchange, no Tax Invoice or transaction advice is provided for the exchange fee itself. This is irritating, unprofessional and probably contravenes SARS regulations.

in reference to:

"Terms & Conditions"
- RCI Online (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

The following issues have not been addressed:

- Must the Hotmail account become the default e-mail account in Outlook?
- Do the Windows Live Calendar and Contacts folders become the defaults in Outlook? My understanding is that they do not.
- Will the Windows Live Calendar and Contacts folders be synchronised with devices such as mobile phones? I understand that they won’t be, as these folders are part of a Hotmail .OST structure, rather than the default .PST Personal Folders.

in reference to: Microsoft Office Outlook Hotmail Connector overview - Outlook - Microsoft Office Online (view on Google Sidewiki)

Chalk this up as another cost of the occupation.

It beggars the imagination that an Israeli government minister can derail an agreement affecting the entire Mediterranean basin, because of the terminology to be used for the West Bank.
I would also prefer that the territories be referred to as “administered”, “disputed” or “liberated” territories, or as Judea and Samaria. Ain’t gonna happen! To hijack the entire process because of the use of the term “Occupied Territories” is absolutely shocking, and Landau should be censured or fired, after being forced to apologise to the body.
Let’s go back to basics: The territories have not been annexed by Israel. They have, however, been occupied (justifiably) by the IDF. Hence, Occupied Territories. Why make an issue about it? From a legal standpoint, Israel itself regards the territories as occupied (although it fails miserably in administering them as such).
Israel needs to get serious about the Union for the Mediterranean! Either commit whole-heartedly to the effort, or leave and let those who find common ground get on with it. Remember that this was supposed to be one of the way stations on the road to eventual EU and NATO membership!

in reference to: 'Occupation’ semantics thwart pan-Mediterranean water deal (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Are there no Google Help Centers specifically for Google Buzz and Google Profile?

in reference to:

"Google Help Centers"
- Google Help Centers - Google Help (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Are there no Google Help Forums dedicated to Google Buzz and Google Profile?

in reference to:

"Google Help Forum"
- Google Help Forums - Google Help (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Nice clip, but pity about the rapid-fire flashing from one scene to the next, which forced me to look away most of the time. What is this, the JNF’s version of subliminal advertising?!

in reference to: YouTube - JNF Video Contest- What Israel Means to Me Today (view on Google Sidewiki)

Author?

For some reason, the author of this article is not named. Based on the highlighted paragraph, I’m guessing it was the distinguished Walter Clay Lowdermilk, one of the unsung heroes of the Jewish people’s restoration of and to the Promised Land.

in reference to:

"A central feature of the plan derives from a survey that I conducted in 1938 and 1939 for the U. S. Department of Agriculture and from the proposal, growing out of that survey, of a Jordan Valley Authority to achieve the fullest development of the surface and underground waters of the valley for the entire original Mandate under the League of Nations, including what is now the Kingdom of Jordan as well as Israel."
- 50 Years Ago: The Reclamation of a Man-Made Desert: Scientific American (view on Google Sidewiki)

Eco Jews

Great idea, but why hasn’t it been updated since 2008!?

in reference to: Eco Jews | JTA - Jewish & Israel News (view on Google Sidewiki)

No peaceful uses for the atom

The issue of energy has been on the agenda since the artificial oil crisis of 1973. What has Israel done in the 37-odd years since then to reduce its dependence on energy imports? My objection to any such proposal is that there is apparently still no way to operate a nuclear power plant in an entirely safe manner, while disposal of nuclear waste is still hugely problematic. It’s ironic that the same forces which have prevented the development of alternative energy sources and energy conservation are now advocating nuclear power as a “green” option.

Remember the motto: There are no peaceful uses for the atom.

in reference to:

"A nuclear option to produce electricity, with its attendant hazards, could nevertheless present Israel with the best option for generating non-emissions-producing electricity in significant quantities."
- Landau to announce plans for first Israeli nuke power plant (view on Google Sidewiki)

Rule #1 of Jewish demographics

Rule #1 of Jewish demographics is that there are always more Jews than anyone estimated or anticipated. Because of their history, Jews have an understandable reluctance to be counted or surveyed. This has been immeasurably complicated by the fluid definitions of Jewishness emerging since Jews became emancipated.

in reference to:

"“Two-and-a-half million,” the KGB head replies. “But if we let them leave, there will be 6 million.”"
- Fishing for Jews in Russia’s muddy waters | JTA - Jewish & Israel News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

For me, the obvious question is why the eruv needs to consist of “a network of poles and strings”? Why not simply paint the boundary lines on the pavement (with the assistance of the local council, of course)? Oh, that’s right, I forgot, Moses himself set out the manner in which an eruv must be delimited. He didn’t write it down, of course, but a handful of later sages managed to interpret what he didn’t say...

in reference to:

"The eruv, which usually consists of a network of poles and strings, defines an area within which religious Jews are allowed to carry items outside their homes on Shabbat. From the standpoint of Jewish law, it essentially makes this area "private" rather than "public.""
- Rift has roots in eruv dispute - Haaretz - Israel News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Within a single generation

You said “Israel would be among the world's richest nations if Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews could be brought into the economy, Israel's top treasury official said on Wednesday.”
Yes, they need to be brought into the economy, and the way to do this is to shake them out of their little taxpayer-subsidised cocoon. Level the playing fields by simply using the principle of absolute equality; do away with subsidising their private school education system, their reliance on social welfare, their virtual exemption from national service/conscription. Most importantly, make coalition deals that privilege the Haredi sector at the expense of the general public against the law. We can bring them into the economy within a single generation, simply by doing away with their special treatment on all fronts.

in reference to:

"Israel would be among the world's richest nations if Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews could be brought into the economy, Israel's top treasury official said on Wednesday."
- Treasury chief: Boosting Arab and Haredi employment would make Israel rich - Haaretz - Israel News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Shouldn't we refer to "Leonardo's Codex Atlanticus" rather than "Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus"? When it comes to his paintings and other art works, we refer to a Leonardo, not a Da Vinci!

in reference to: Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus makes international debut in Jerusalem - Jerusalem.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Well put, Rabbi Yoffie. "What we need, rather, is to be respectful of each other’s choices and customs." Unfortunately, what this means in real life is that the alternative streams of Judaism show respect for one another and for Orthodoxy/ultra-Orthodoxy, while Orthodoxy continues to disrespect and delegitimize progressive Judaism. So much for mutual respect...

in reference to:

"And since there is not a single, universally accepted religious standard that governs Jewish religious life, we should make no attempt to impose one at the Kotel. What we need, rather, is to be respectful of each other’s choices and customs."
- At the Wall, which side is the right one?: The Kotel belongs to the entire Jewish people | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

So let me get this straight: all we have to do to retard Global Warming is to turn the planet into a desert? Oh, wait, we're doing that already!

in reference to:

"By looking at the other side of the equation, the two researchers discovered that desertification was not necessarily all bad - in fact, it may have retarded global warming by as much as 20%. The desert reflects sunlight and releases infrared radiation, which has a cooling effect. And in a world in which desertification is continuing at a rate of about six million hectares a year, that news might have a significant effect on how we estimate the rates and magnitude of climate change."
- Desertification may have retarded global warming | Science and Environment | Jerusalem Post (view on Google Sidewiki)

School uniforms for Israel?

There is more to be said in favour of school uniforms than against, provided that uniforms are "uniform" across the entire school system. When each school insists on its own distinctive uniform, it immediately becomes an expensive proposition, with exclusive retailers, inflated prices, etc. The only difference permitted between schools should be a unique badge.

School uniforms help to create a school spirit and to take the emphasis off socio-economic differences between classmates. A simple, widely used uniform can also reduce the financial pressure on parents of schoolgoers and can be a time-saver.

Israel should definitely strongly consider the reintroduction of school uniforms, including optional "multi-form" items such as standardised wind breakers, track suits, etc.

in reference to: Mandatory school uniforms likely to make comeback | Israel | Jerusalem Post (view on Google Sidewiki)