(1994) - Tom Brokaw reports on that thing called the "Internet".

An NBC News In-Depth Report with Tom Brokaw on that thing called the "Internet" - (from 1994)





Classic video from 1994..."A look at part of the computer world we all have all been hearing about, but many of us don't really understand", the statement Tom Brokaw used to open this segment on the new and interesting world of this thing called the "internet".


Back in the 90's, who would have imagined the internet becoming what is has become today! Forever changing the ways we live, run businesses, and interact with people across the world on a daily basis. Tom Brokaw brought up an interesting question in this segment...."Does this mean bed time stories will come from a PC?" Bill Gates responded, "It's a long ways away before you have a flat screen that's as small and light as that book is today."


Enjoy this flashback in time, courtesy of NBC News. Fun Video!

Introducing the New Apple iPad

Apple CEO Steve Jobs debuts the much-anticipated Apple tablet. Jobs shows the in's and out's of the new "iPad", starting at $499. 




After months of speculation and hype, Apple unveiled a portable device Wednesday called the iPad that will attempt to usher in a new era of touch-screen tablet computing, filling a gap between smart phones, laptops and eBook readers. Apple's CEO Steve Jobs presented the iPad to a rapt audience of technology journalists from the around the world, calling it Apple's "most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device." He said the iPad bridges the divide between laptops and smart phones, giving people an experience that those other devices can't provide. The iPad "is so much more intimate than a laptop," he said, "And it's so much more capable than a smartphone."

But Apple must still persuade recession-weary consumers who already have other devices to open their wallets yet again. He said the device -- half an inch thick and weighing 1.5 pounds -- will be available within 60 days starting at a lower-than-expected $499 for a 16 gigabyte Wi-Fi model with larger storage sizes and 3G wireless data connectivity through AT&T, taking the price up to $829. In form and function, the device resembles a large iPhone or iPod Touch with a bigger 9.7-inch high-definition, LED-backlit screen and a 10-hour battery life. The iPad will offer a scaled-up iPhone experience complete with the iPhone operating system and access to almost all of Apple's 140,000 iPhone apps.

Zachary, a contributing analyst with a mobile research agency called The 451 Group, considered the iPad a laptop replacement, especially because Apple is also selling a dock with a built-in keyboard. But Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey said he does not believe the iPad offered enough additional features for consumers to justify buying yet another gadget, or to call it a new category of device. In an e-mail, he criticized its lack of social features, such as ways to share photos and home video and recommend books.

The device does break new ground for Apple in that it will include a new Apple iBook store, pitting Apple directly against Amazon's Kindle service. Apple said five publishers, including Penguin, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, are on board to sell books in the iBook store. Jobs said the device will speak to an array of readers. The device offers access to Apple's iTunes catalog of music, movies and TV shows. The iPhone's browser is expanded for the iPad, as are a number of other basic functions such as a calendar, photo e-mail, contacts and maps. Apple also created iPad versions of popular iWork suite productivity applications Keynote, Pages and Numbers, which will sell for $9.99 each.
Apple, however, passed on a camera for the iPad, and there is no Adobe Flash support, so Web video viewing is limited. And despite the larger screen, Apple has not enabled multitasking of apps.
Applications will play a large role in the success of the iPad, just as it helped propel the iPhone and iPod Touch. Jobs said almost all 140,000 apps will be able to run in a scaled-up, full-screen version on the iPad or in its original form.


The key, however, will be a new version of the iPhone software development kit that will allow developers to build specifically for the iPad. Several developers, including game makers Electronic Arts and Gameloft, demonstrated what developers can do with the large screen real estate.
Stephen Wildstrom, an independent technology analyst said the iPad feels like an offshoot of Apple's Macbook laptop line, focusing on portability, rather than the outright mobility of the iPhone. He said Apple has a chance to lead a fledgling category with its strong combination of hardware and software.
"The iPad can succeed without hurting anything existing today," he said. "The iPhone didn't kill the smart phone industry, it expanded the market." But Mike McGuire, an analyst with Gartner, said e-reader manufacturers should worry about the iPad and its eBook aspirations, especially at a starting price of $499. He said old media publications such as newspapers and magazines may stand to benefit if they can use the iPad to get consumers to pay for online content. Shares of Apple rose $2.04, or 1 percent, to close Wednesday at $207.98. The company's shares have more than doubled over the past year, partly on anticipation of the tablet computer. Shares in Amazon rose $3.27, or 2.7 percent, to $122.75.



(Source - AP and New York Times)

Avatar Overtakes Titanic as Top-Grossing Film Ever

Sci-fi spectacular Avatar has surpassed Titanic to become the highest grossing movie of all time, figures from distributor 20th Century Fox show.

Avatar's worldwide takings in just six weeks stand at $1.859 billion, versus Titanic's $1.843 billion.
Director James Cameron holds the remarkable distinction of directing both the world's top grossing movies. Titanic, which starred Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, set a new box office record during its release in 1997-1998. It also won Cameron an Oscar for best director. Avatar - Cameron's latest epic - won two Golden Globes last week, and is expected to garner an Oscar nomination next month. Earlier this month, it became the fastest movie ever to achieve $1 billion in ticket sales around the world, and took over second place from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. It has proved a worldwide sensation, dominating the box office from North America to China and Russia. The science-fiction adventure, about a disabled marine who infiltrates a race of giant blue aliens, mixes live action with digitally-created performances. It was reportedly the most expensive film ever made, with a budget of at least $300 million.

(Source - BBC)

Live at Hope for Haiti Now Telethon - Incredible Artists Collaborate to Raise Money for Haiti

Hope for Haiti Now






To Donate - hopeforhaitinow.org or 1-877-99-HAITI (2484)

or you can text message donations to 90999 and type 'Haiti" or text to 50555 and text 'Give" (US Only) - A $10 donation will be added to your phone bill.

Haiti Earthquake - Praise You in this Storm!

Casting Crowns - "Praise You In This Storm"

Continuing thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. This is an incredibly special inspirational song and a reminder that the Lord is always with us, regardless of the "storm". Praise the children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and families battling this disaster.

Continuing stories of miracles continue to occur around Haiti. Rescuers are continuing to find people trapped beneath the rubble...here is one miraculous story by NBC.






If you would like to donate to the relief efforts happening in Haiti, you can text 'Haiti" to 90999 or log onto www.TheRedCross.org

Lets come together as a country and help the people of Haiti!

Song Lyrics from - "Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Red Cross' Texting Campaign to Aid Haiti has Already Raised $5 Million

For Andrea Lahouze making a $10 Red Cross contribution by texting the word "haiti" to 90999 was the most natural thing in the world.

The Hopkins 24-year-old, like many other young adults, is well-acquainted with digital methods for doing good. She has helped feed wild chimpanzees and save endangered rainforests at redjellyfish.com. More clicks at thehungersite.com helped feed the needy.
So when word went out to mobile-phone users that they could assist earthquake-ravaged Haiti with just a few taps, the public-affairs account executive was among the first to do so. She urged her Facebook friends — and her mother — to do likewise.
Lahouze has company. The American Red Cross, one of several organizations behind the texting-for-Haiti campaign, has tried texting-based charity drives in the past, with mediocre results. This time, something clicked.

The Red Cross is not sure what. Maybe it was that the agency put the word out early, and loudly. Maybe the devastation struck a nerve stateside. Maybe the fact that the federal government supported the texting campaign made a difference. Maybe "viral" publicity on Twitter and other social networks was the key.

Regardless, the Red Cross texting campaign — conceived with help from "mobile giving" technology firm mGive.com and "cause marketing" firm Mobile Accord — had far surpassed
expectations with more than $5 million in contributions as of late Thursday. "This instance is far more successful than any we've tried," said Gloria Huang, social-media specialist with the Red Cross. "We're definitely going to keep this in mind for the future."
Most wireless carriers have waived the usual fees for texts, which means money charged to users' credit cards goes to Red Cross emergency work. The Red Cross texting-for-charity push wasn't the only such campaign aimed at assisting desperate Haitians.

Singer Wyclef Jean, one of Haiti's most famous sons, launched his own texting push, with $5 contributions going to grass-roots group Yéle Haiti. To donate, cell-phone users texted "yele" to 501501. As of Thursday afternoon, the word "yele" was one of the leading "trending topics" on Twitter. "The wonderful thing about raising funds via texting is the ubiquity of cell phones — everyone has one," said Douglas Naegele, owner of mobile-communications firm Infield Communications in Washington, D.C. "And everyone has 30 seconds to stop, send a text and give."
Minnesota's Lahouze said these kinds of charity drives soon will filter from large national organizations to smaller local ones, such as the Edina-based secondhandhounds.org dog-rescue group dear to her heart. "If we could generate donations via texting, I think it could be huge for the rescue," she said. "The easier we make it for potential donors, the more likely it will be that they will donate to our cause."

There were other tech-flavored ways to help Haitians.

Apple's iTunes Store displayed a prominent "Haiti Earthquake Relief" button. Clicking it gave visitors the option to donate from $5 to $200, all charged to their iTunes accounts.

Google set up a donation page, accessible via its home page, and added updated satellite images of Haiti to Google Maps.

Amazon.com also added a donation link to its home page. Internet users short on cash can show their support for Haiti by embedding an image of the country's flag on their social-network avatars, via the twibbon.com site. And T-Mobile said it would waive long-distance charges on phone calls to Haiti, retroactive to when the quake hit.

It's time to take action and help these desperate people located in Haiti. It's a simple donation of $10 that will help the relief efforts in Haiti. Again, it's simple! All you need to do is text from your cell phone the word "haiti" to 90999. Your cell phone bill will automatically be charged once you send in your text message.
 
                                 Lets help these people who desperately need our assistance!

Please feel free to pass along this information to friends, family, co-workers, etc...lets get the word out about this easy and simple way to donate in order to help in the relief efforts in this devastated region.

The Inspiring Story of Patrick Hughes

Patrick is a remarkable young man who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, making him unable to walk.  Additionally, two steel rods were surgically attached to Patrick's spine to correct scoliosis.

Despite circumstances that seem overwhelming to you and me, Patrick has overcome these physical issues to excel as a musician and student. Patrick started playing the piano at the age of only nine months, and also plays the trumpet and sings. He even participates in the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Bands with help from his father (Patrick John Hughes), who tirelessly maneuvers his
wheel chair through the formations with the other 220+ members of the Cardinal Marching Band. Patrick is usually a straight 'A' student, having received only 6 'B's' during his entire educational experience - up to and including his junior year of college (3.9 gpa).

A virtuoso pianist, vocalist and trumpet player, Patrick has won or finished very high in numerous competitions, as well as winning awards acknowledging the circumstances he has overcome to achieve these heights.  He has been featured on ESPN, ABC-TV, Oprah, CBS-TV, The Ellen Show, Extreme Make Over Home Edition, FOX-TV, CSTV, NBC-TV, Million Dollar Round Table, The Grand Ole Opry, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Star Magazine, and many, many others.  Patrick has made appearances from California to New York and Chicago to Texas and Miami and countless points in between, even performing in Asia, Canada, South America and Europe.

His first book, I AM POTENTIAL, is published and available around the country/world.

This was a piece done during ESPN College Gameday.

Inspiring to say the least!