IBGerm

That city deal to take on Google’s free email services as a cost-cutting measure will actually cost the taxpayers $1.5 million more next year than if City Hall would have stayed with its old email system.

In what seems like bizarre math, Google competitor Novell points out that the cost of training employees and migrating the city’s thousands of workers to Gmail will cost an additional $1.5 mil. Indeed, the city is actually paying out $.7.2 million as part of a deal with Computer Sciences Corp. to help employees migrate to the Google services. It’s apparently more than the cost of maintaining its old email system.
Novell, which was bidding to take of city email services, is mad: "With the City facing a massive budget deficit, the speculated budget benefits of switching to th is untested application are enticing, but as a recent independent Los Angeles City Administrative Officer report has stated, the proposed system under consideration will actually cost taxpayers an additional $1.5 million in the first year. There are significant costs to migrating, training and securing Google Apps."

The question is, who needs to be trained how to use Gm ail? The city can probably save money on the Google service in the long run after its employees have been "trained," but still, it seems strange that, at a time when the city faces $100 million budget shortfall and possible future deficits that could be higher, we’re paying an extra $1.5 million to use free email.

TAMPA, Florida —  A Florida man born without arms says a Tampa bank would not let him cash a check because he couldn’t provide a thumbprint.

It was supposed to be a quick stop at the Bank of America.

"I said, ‘I’m going to run over downtown on my break, cash the check and bring the cash back.’ No big deal," Steve Valdez said. "It turned out to be a very big deal."

Valdez said he was cashing a check from his wife, who has an account at Bank of America. But the teller told Valdez she needed a thumbprint in order to cash it — it was company policy.

It’s not that Valdez didn’t want to provide it. He couldn’t provide it, and  the teller even acknowledged it.

"’It’s obvious that you can’t give us a thumbprint.’ She goes, ‘Let me go check with my supervisor,’" Valdez recalled the teller told him.

Valdez was born without arms and wears prosthetic devices. While at the bank, Valdez said he provided two photo IDs. And still that wasn’t enough. The bank supervisor offered him two options.

"One is, you can bring your wife with you. And the other one, you can open up an account with us. And I said, no, I don’t think so," Valdez added.

Valdez said he reminded bank officials the American for Disabilities Act would have a problem with their unfair treatment, but that didn’t seem to bother them.

"You do realize this is in violation of federal law and really you haven’t heard the end of it," Valdez said. "And she goes, ‘Whatever.’"

They never let Valdez cash his check, but he said days later he received a phone call from a bank regional manager with an apology.

Bank of America spokeswoman Nicole Nastacie says the bank should have "offered alternative requirements if an individual is not able to give a thumbprint."

Valdez had a message for them too:

"They need to alter their policies and procedures, or have alternate plans should something conflict with that."

 

You would think with all the money that the government gave out, they might be a little nicer.

source: Fox news

Everton Football Club has revealed its new look 2009/10 away kit.

All black, it is decorated with pink lightning horizontal stripes to create true standout on the pitch – and has the theme of ‘Flash of Brilliance’. 
Robert Elstone, Everton’s CEO commenting on the new range said, "We wanted to make a real statement with our playing strips this season.   It was our intention to reference the Club’s past along with ensuring the designs had a contemporary modern feel. 

“We have received many favorable comments on the style of the home strip and we are hoping for more of the same with our away kit. (REALLY??!!).  We wanted a much bolder design than previous seasons and our partners have been able to achieve this by integrating the pink into the black shirt design. “Whilst we know it is a move away from our more traditional away kits of recent years, we are expecting this one to be even more popular amongst supporters.”

I don’t have anything further to say about this away kit, hope they don’t lose to many game, otherwise the pink might start to be a joke, oh wait it already is. Maybe they are just trying out the idea for a women’s league there soon.  I know, this is a node back to the 80’s with the neon yellow, pink and all those cool awesome assorted bright colors. Fur Sure Dude!!

Here is another theory, they are just trying to distract you from the ugly home jerseys they are using now.

I hope they were the away jersey for the MLS All-Star game tonight July 29, 2009 at 8 EST

Research at the University of Rochester Medical Centre shows that the dye used to color blue M&Ms can help mend spinal injuries. The compound, known as Brilliant Blue G, blocks a chemical that kills healthy spinal cord cells around the damaged  area.

BBG has shown that it not only reduces the size of the lesion, it speeds recovery times as well. So far, tests on injured rats treated with BBG were able to walk again,although with a slight limp, while those that did not receive the BBG did not.

The only side-effect found so far is the skin temporarily turns bright blue; more tests are being done before human trials can begin. Researchers are hopeful that a treatment for spinal cord injuries will be available in the next few years.

I don’t know about you, but I am think it is time to stock up on these and make it part of my daily vitamin routine.

Coca Cola has begun trialing a new drink starting in New York – Fruit Flavored Carbonated Milk. The $2.50 ,per 8 ounce bottle, carbonated ‘vibrancy’ drink will be called ‘Vio’. Available flavors will be citrus burst, peach mango, tropical colada and very berry.

A spokesman said "The launch of Vio in the US is an exciting development for consumers there 

Critics of the new drink have said "Carbonated milk products are very popular in Asia.  

A reviewer from BevNET offers the following assessment:

The peach and mango flavors pair nicely with the base of sweetened carbonated dairy, delivering something that’s slightly reminiscent of a lassi drink. However, what starts out seeming not so sweet turns almost overwhelming by the time you are half way through the bottle. Otherwise, the combination of milk, carbonated water, sweetener, and flavor is one that is enjoyable, although probably not on a regular basis.

I think the bottle design is very cool and all but would you buy it?