Was made redundant

Or “let go”, any other term you would like.
The sentences “reducing OPEX” and “I am afraid we have to let you go” are very different, though mean the same.

Looking forward as I have to decide if I want to move to Japan or not… a major decision!

Danger + Opportunity = Crisis

The Japanese Kanji depicting Crisis is made of two characters: Danger + Opportunity.
Crisis
I have decided to use google trends and see which word is more popular. Turns out that Crisis is by far more popular than opportunity.

It seems people are more focused around the problems and dangers, not the opportunities … not really surprising.
crisis.JPG

Youtube Jukebox

Had an idea of implementing Youtube Jukebox using Youtube API. The idea is quite simple, based on a tag or a search word, the application will build a playlist and play it.

Alas, someone already implemented it… back to thinking of new innovative ideas.

Link to the JukeTube

Elon More Tours

Elon More is a settlement in the west bank, for more info you may refer to Peace Now website.

While driving yesterday to work, I have noticed a car which has the sign “Elon More Tours” on it, but it looks more like a Brinks secured car.

Do you want to take a trip in this secured car, and look out from these tiny windows?

Elon More Tours

Orkut Outage

Will attend Google developers forum on Sunday. I followed the instructions they provided and registered to Orkut.

But, the server is not working. A very bad user experience.

Orkut outage

Japan considers bigger role on economic stage

IHT article.

I have also seen an Economist analysis reviewing the recent Japanese acquisitions in the US. It does seem Japan is less affected by the recent Credit Crunch, and it ready to take a bigger role in the Global economic world.

Excerpt:

“The dominance of American financial giants has been shaken,” said Takatoshi Ito, a professor of economic policy at the University of Tokyo. “Now the tables have turned, and an Asian country like Japan can have the role of white knight and capital provider.”

Armenian, Russian Presidents launch WiMAX network in Yerevan

Comstar launched their WiMAX network in the presence of both Armenian and Russian presidents.
This is the Link to Armenian news website.

And an Excerpt:

The creation and commercial launch of the wireless network using the 3.6-3.8 GHz frequency range was implemented by Cornet-AM, an Internet service provider in Armenia, and a part of Comstar Group. The WiMAX network, which currently comprises 24 base stations, covers the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, as well as 18 Armenian cities. Airspan Networks (US) was chosen by Comstar as a provider of equipment for the WiMAX network. Base stations are connected via proprietary and rented fiber-optic lines, as well as through radio relay channels, with the backbone based on Cisco’s equipment. The Group intends to expand the coverage zone and the backbone in the future. The total investments in the project amount to US$ 4.6 million in 2007-2008. The volume of further investments in the project will depend on the results of the launch and overall development of the telecommunications market.

Comstar’s WiMAX network in Armenia is used to provide a broad range of telecommunications services, including digital telephony, broadband internet access, data transmission, conferencing and virtual private networks (VPN) for corporate subscribers. Cornet-AM currently provides services to corporate subscribers, and Comstar intends to start servicing residential subscribers and offer voice services in the future. Earlier this year, Cornet-AM applied to the Public Service Regulation Committee of the Republic of Armenia to obtain numbering capacity of 60 thousand telephone numbers. In addition, Cornet-AM has the license to provide inter-city and international connection services for its residential subscribers. Upon the receipt of the requested numbering capacity, Comstar will be able to provide the fixed-line local and long distance telecommunications services in a package with allocated telephone numbers.

Sergey Pridantsev, President and Chief Executive Officer of Comstar UTS, commented: “The national WiMAX network is a unique project for Armenia, and one of the first projects of its kind worldwide. The network deployment enables us to offer modern communications services in the country and helps to improve the life quality of its population. Some of the citizens will be offered telephony services and broadband internet access at their homes for the first time ever. The launch of this project enables us to truly become a national telecommunications operator in Armenia.”