3 jan 2010

About Japan

pple made the world stop on January 27 when Steve Jobs announced the newest gadget in its already long line of toys: the iPad. This tablet computer is being touted as the next gadget that will change the way we perceive things. Much like when the iPhone was launched, the unveiling of theiPad has got the whole world a-buzzing.

Japan’s Fujitsu, however, is quick to speak up. Apparently, they have been using the term iPad to call a gadget that they launched as early as 2002. If this is true, then Apple might have to deal with a trademark issue in the coming months.

The official word is that the Fujitsu subsidiary in the United States launched their own iPad in 2002. The Fujitsu iPad is a small handheld gadget that is targeted at stores. Its purpose is to keep track of inventory, to scan barcodes, and other similar activities that store clerks may have to do. Inside the FujitsuiPad , there is an Intel processor. It runs on Microsoft (big difference!). The gadget’s screen is 3.5 inches and has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

egg and sumac, 2 feb 2010

The Lebanese are bacillophobic, but their fear of bacteria is somewhat selective and irrational. Growing up, most chicken I had was cooked until all trace of moisture had evaporated. Runny eggs? Forget it. Sashimi? Unheard of. Yet, from the age of five, I have been enjoying delicacies such as kibbeh nayyeh (raw minced beef/lamb), liyyeh (raw tallow fat) and even raw liver (which is great by the way, with nothing but finely ground black pepper and a sprinkle of salt). It seemed that lamb and beef were exempt from germs, if your uncle knew the butcher, but a nice fresh piece of raw kingfish was out of the question. Things are changing, and sushi is now all the rage (I have a good story about that, but I’ll save it till later), but it seems there is no convincing my fellow compatriots of the virtues of a buttery, creamy egg yolk that is barely starting to set. For instance, my good friend Ludwig, upon a recent visit to Lebanon tried to make his brother scrambled eggs. The eggs were organic and fresh, and Ludwig cooked them to perfection, but his brother still would not touch them because they were still “raw”! Instead, the normal way of eating eggs would be frying them until the whites were golden crisp and the yolks were completely dry. Then and only then would they be safe! It was only when I came to Australia in 2001 when I saw the lunacy of this approach.

Eggs with sumac recipe

There is really nothing to this recipe. Put a ceramic fry pan on a low flame and add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, crack the eggs on top. After a minute or two, add your salt, pepper and sumac. How much you add depends on your taste, but I’d say half a teaspoon of sumac for each egg. Keep frying until the egg whites have set. Serve with fresh Lebanese bread and Greek-style yoghurt

1 feb 2010

Zaatar ice cream

While in France last year, Lainy and I made our way down from Paris, through Orleans and to Provence and then ended up in the enchanting Cote d'Azur, better known in English as the French Riviera. We settled for a week in the seaside city of Nice, taking indulgent day trips to Italy to have a bowl of pasta, and then heading back for a stroll and a glass of wine in the city. It was here where I met my childhood friend Grandizer, strolling on the pebble beach, and it was also where I saw the different flavours of ice cream on display. The French seemed adventurous with the flavours on offer and they seemed to look at local flavours for inspiration. Lavender ice cream was an obvious one, but coquelicots (corn poppy) ice cream, though relevant, was a bit more abstract.This got me thinking, and I decided that a zaatar (thyme) ice cream is in order. At first this might not seem like a match made in heaven, right? Zaatar for the Lebanese is a savoury herb, and we eat it every day mixed with sumac, toasted sesame seeds and olive oil, and it forms our very basic breakfast. We also use it to marinate meats and sprinkle it in salads. Zaatar is not exactly a herb that you would say, put in a cake. You would probably not find Coca Cola rushing to make a special edition Zaatar Coke for that ultimate manakish experience. Zaatar chewing gum? Refreshing...

31 jan 2010

The dandelion could be mistaken for other weeds with similar but hairy/thorny leaves (ones whose name I do not know, so avoid hairy leaves please). The smooth dandelion leaf is best harvested in early spring if intended to be eaten raw in salads, as its bitter flavour has not fully developed. As the leaf matures, it grows larger, thicker and more bitter. This bitterness can be minimised by blanching or by washing thoroughly and then squeezing out the liquid. However, bitterness is not a bad thing, as most naturopaths will tell you. It is usually an indicator of a plant’s ability to detoxify the body and the liver (or that the plant is poisonous!). Dandelions are high in protein, naturally diuretic and anti-inflammatory and are rich in potassium and beta-carotene and many other highly beneficial minerals, which is why this humble plant has been very popular in herbal medicine.This time of year sees a proliferation of dandelions in New South Wales, and since I am a lover of wild/foraged food, I did not want to miss the opportunity to feast on dandelions this year. A brief half hour walk down the road in Earlwood resulted in 400 grams of fresh dandelion leaf. Sure, the neighbours looked on suspiciously, the dogs barked madly and the joggers gazed in distrust. But don’t let that stop you. The sunshine and the buzz you get out of collecting your own food is alone worth it. But to make things even better, this is a recipe for hindbeh, our favourite way of cooking dandelion. The idea is to fry the leaf with garlic and onions in olive oil until it is almost dry, and then it would be ready to absorb the lemon juice you add. It is then topped with caramelized onions and eaten cold. To make mine a bit more of a proper meal, I added chickpeas, toasted pine nuts and a nice dollop of yoghurt on top. Such classic Lebanese flavours. It's too cheap to be true

30 jan 2010

New generation computer

In just a couple of years of existence, Google Chrome has come a quite a way. From a niche and geeky apps, Chrome is positioning itself as a rival to Firefox and Internet Explorer. Recently, it passed Apple’s Safari to become the number three browser on the Web.
When I talk to Firefox users, they say that they want to switch to Chrome; but the only thing that’s holding them back is Chrome’s lack of add-ons and extensions. That used to be the case. But over the last year or so, Chrome has gained a sizable number of extensions. While not as numerous as those for Firefox, Chrome’s extensions are nothing to sneeze at.
Just a head up for all you MAC fans out there, Google Chrome Extensions are not supported on Mac just yet. I expect they will available very soon.
This TechTip looks at five extensions for Google Chrome that any geeky Web surfer will find indispensable.

The beginning of a new year presents us with the ideal opportunity to imagine where we might be going by examining where we’ve been.
A year is a long time in the tech world, and a lot of things happened in 2009. Our own little corner of it (Tech Tips) is no exception. In this issue of Tech Tips, we’ll take a look back at some of the great articles we brought you in 2009.

29 jan 2010

Looking forward to creative furniture

It's that time of year again--Awards Season! I don't know about you, but last night's Golden Globes usually marks my countdown to the Oscars and a lot of last minute movie-viewing. That's a lie. I usually watch for the dresses.
But let's not overlook (or forget that we're at work) another exciting awards program. The Brit Insurance Design Awards announced their 2010 shortlist today across seven industry sectors: architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive, product and transport. Antony Gormley will be chairing the jury, which will select the seven finalists announced on March 4, and an overall winner on March 16.

Check out the latest, greatest and even the unfathomable from surface brands you know and new ones you need to know. This year's Surface Design Show, is coming up February 16-18, and it's the UK's only show exclusively focused on interior and exterior surfaces.

In February, Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery opens its exhibition of wallpaper, featuring more than 30 international artists. At first thought that may not sound like a wild time, but the designs are. The show wants viewers to re-evaluate the role of wallpaper in contemporary art. In brief, these aren't the florals of your nan's bathroom

28 jan 2010

Dog Bonding

Among the best bonds a person can make in life is between them and a happy dependable pet dog. In actual fact, many people elevate their four-legged friend above members of the family in terms of importance. This kind of bond is established through the way in which dog owners bond to their dogs in the first few months when they are getting to know one another. Dog Bonding is closely associated with obedience training but right here lets have a look at some basics of dog care that can encourage and also create the bond that’ll last a lifetime.
Folks choose to get a dog for several reasons. Many get a dog as a result of loneliness and want a loyal friend. Other people want a dog that will protect the home. A dog that is taken good care of and is given lots of attention will typically give his life to protect his house and his master. Listed here are a few elementary ways to look after your new pet that’ll build up and strengthen the attachment between you.
The very first thing you’ll want to recognize is that dogs need loads of exercise. This applies equally to big and small dogs although the amount of exercise will differ according to the size of your pet. All dogs should be let out at the least once every 8-10 hrs and ought to be given no less than a 30 minute walk for you to give the dog some exercise, a change of environment as well as the chance to ‘go to the toilet’. The daily walk is a excellent time to develop dog bonding. This is a chance for the new master to carry out a number of basic obedience training strategies which will all result in rewards for the dog. Furthermore, once your dog has been taught and is properly behaved, the walking schedule will deepen the shared bonds on each outing.
It is also vital that you play with the dog regularly. This may be in a park or on a beach front during a walk when a dog could be allowed off the lead and also in the garden or home. Teaching a dog to fetch a ball or stick is really a wonderful bonding activity as is play wrestling – something a lot like what the dog would have done with its siblings when it was a small puppy. Playing together with the dog for half hour each day can help keep the dog in good health as well as alert and studies have demonstrated that this may also calm an master and reduce blood pressure as well as stress. A dog that has too little direct positive attention can turn out to be depressed or even nervous.
Finally, a good rounded diet plan not only guarantees a dogs continuing health but also can have an effect on a dogs energy levels and in turn affect its behavior. Feeding time is also a dog bonding occasion. Whenever you give food you’re the provider, the alpha dog inside the ‘pack’. This really is another excellent opportunity to train your dog in a few basic obedience techniques. A dog should always be told (and expected) to sit down prior to being given its meal. This simple command reinforces the authority of the master whilst additionally developing the dogs attachment within it’s ‘pack’.
The bottom line is that when you keep your dog completely happy and in good shape and also make sure that you invest some time with your dog, you will have no problems with bonding. In cases where a prospective owner is not prepared to carry out even the very basics outlined here, then perhaps dog ownership seriously isn’t meant for them. It is well-known that whatever you put into a dog in terms of time, love, attention and schooling you’re going to get back many times over through the loyalty, companionship and devotion returned to you from your ‘best friend’. Dog Bonding is one of the many things covered in the superb dog training courses overed by Poochdogs.com. Visit the site by clicking the links within this article.
For important information about the topic of house train a dog – make sure to go through the site. The time has come when proper information is truly only one click of your mouse, use this possibility.