Monday, March 16, 2009

Google’s new advertising system, known as "behavioral targeting" or "online behavioral targeting," is currently in beta. Links "categories of interest" to the user’s browser, allowing targeted ads to appear even when the user is looking at a page totally unrelated to the ad’s subject matter. For example, someone who has spent months looking at pages about mini-notebooks will find ads for mini-notebooks appearing even when they’re on a site unrelated to PCs. Google’s search rival Yahoo has already introduced its own application based on behavioral targeting, called Search Retargeting, which focuses display advertising based on users’ search histories. On Dec. 17, Yahoo announced that it could cleanse its system of user log data within 90 days. By contrast, Google has publicly stated that its data retention time is nine months. http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/Are-Googles-BehaviorBased-Ads-a-New-Privacy-Concern-241278/

EPA Proposes First National Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
News release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States...The new reporting requirements would apply to suppliers of fossil fuel and industrial chemicals, manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines, as well as large direct emitters of greenhouse gases with emissions equal to or greater than a threshold of 25,000 metric tons per year. This threshold is roughly equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from just over 4,500 passenger vehicles. The vast majority of small businesses would not be required to report their emissions because their emissions fall well below the threshold.
Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule

Less than two weeks after its dedication, the new Arizona state archives building has closed, the latest consequence of the state's budget struggles. The $38 million building, named after longtime lawmaker Polly Rosenbaum, opened late last fall and was dedicated in mid-January. Researchers will still have access to the documents and items housed in the new building at 19th Avenue and Monroe Street. But it will be on a limited basis and through appointments with the agency.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/03/04/20090304archives0304.html

Castles switch off for Earth Hour
The lights of Inverness and Eilean Donan castles will be switched off as part of conservation group WWF's Earth Hour. Owners of buildings and individuals across the world have been asked to turn out lights for 60 minutes from 2030 GMT on 28 March.
The Forth Rail Bridge and Edinburgh Castle are also part of the switch off. Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House will also be blacked out. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7937009.stm

The name Ohio was of Indian origin and was given to the river which had its beginning trickle at Pittsburgh and became the highway to the west for thousands of pioneers.
http://www.co.warren.oh.us/genealogy/placenames.htm

The name Ohio is derived from the Seneca word ohi:yo’, which has been interpreted to mean "beautiful river" (French mistranslation) or "large creek.” The name was originally applied to both the Ohio River and Allegheny River.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio

Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Many years ago the sun and water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits. "If you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous, and take up a lot of room." The sun promised to build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door. When the compound was completed, he asked the water to come and visit him the next day.
When the water arrived, he called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for- him to enter, and the sun answered, "Yes, come in, my friend." The water then began to flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals. Very soon the water was knee-deep, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, "Yes," so more water came in.
When the water was level with the top of a man's head, the water said to the sun, "Do you want more of my people to come?" and the sun and moon both answered, "Yes, not knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until the sun and moon had to perch themselves on the top of the roof. Again the water addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and more of his people rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since. Best-Loved Folktales of the World
Different version here: http://www.mikelockett.com/stories.php?action=view&id=93

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