Has Our Online Social Experience Improved Our Offline Lives?

There is little doubt that the social benefits of the internet far outweigh the negatives. Online tools like email and social networking sites offer "low friction" opportunities to create, enhance, and rediscover social ties that make a difference in people's lives. The internet lowers traditional communications constraints of cost, geography, and time; and it supports the type of open information sharing that brings people together. Electronic Social Networking is not a new concept at all. People have in one way or another been interacting with each other via some form of ‘social media’ since the 1950's. The modernization of the telephone system in the 50's and 60's allowed millions of people to communicate quickly and cost effectively, what we see today has simply grown out of this technology. If we cast our memories back just a few short years - we may shudder when we recall -  faxes as a speedy way to communicate, internet with a ring-tone, email that strolled along slightly faster than faxes, but still less efficient than telephone. Our digital worlds are now almost entirely linked, Facebook, Twitter, Email, Telephone all available on every digital device in our lives. Have Social Networking Sites improved our lives though? READ MORE

Australian Dollar Stays Above Parity

Australian dollar dips on commodity prices

Published 8:22 AM, 9 Nov 2010 Last update 1:39 PM, 9 Nov 2010

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QUICK SUMMARY | FULL STORY

The Australian dollar was lower at noon but remained above parity with the US dollar, as waning commodity prices weigh on the currency.

At 1200 AEDT, the Australian dollar was trading at 101.01 US cents, down from Monday's close of 101.32 cents.

Since 0700 AEDT on Tuesday, the local unit traded between 101.01 US cents and 101.35 cents.

CMC Markets foreign exchange dealer Tim Waterer said the unit had come under pressure as commodity prices slipped during the domestic session.

The Australian dollar is a commodity sensitive currency, and often rises and falls in line with resource prices.

"There was a little bit of weakness in the Aussie this morning," Mr Waterer said.

"It's come off for a couple of reasons. There were some stop levels on the euro and we have also had some weakness in the commodity sector in our stock market."

The share market was dragged lower by resource sector shares during the day.

At 1200 AEDT, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down or 0.5 per cent at 4,754.6 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index had fallen 0.46 per cent to 4,833.1 points.

On the ASX 24, the December share price index futures contract was down 37 points at 4,769, with 18,695 contracts traded.

On Thursday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is to release Labour Force data for September.

Economists expect the jobless rate between 5.1 and 5.3 per cent, broadly unchanged from 5.1 per cent in August.

Mini Scooter e concept

Mini Cooper look out - your lil sister is after the limelight. The Mini Scooter E was unveiled yesterday. This way to cute electric scooter was designed by BMW director of design Adrian Van Hooydonk & will make its official debut at the end of the month. The scooter charges through a plug-in system and features a docking station for smartphones which also serves as the key to start the engine. special software on the device then acts as a GPS system for the scooter and also notifies users when other mini scooter riders are nearby. 3 models of the scooter e will be released with the other two to be seen at the upcoming paris auto show.

Cosmetically, the Scooter E is a visual timewarp, but beneath the skin, it's a far cry from the oil-burning, two-stroke scooters of the 1960s. Motive power comes courtesy of an electric motor driving the rear wheel. Actually, it's mounted within the rear wheel itself, allowing designers a chance to simplify the exterior design and utilize additional space on the bike. As a result, the lithium-ion battery pack and an on-board charger are installed underneath the seat, although Mini's given no indication as to its range or charge times.

The advanced technology isn't limited to the powertrain, either. As the Scooter E is targeting young, tech-saavy hipsters, it's not too surprising to see an iPhone docking station built into the large speedometer display on the handlebars. The interface allows the iPhone to be used as an ignition key, navigation system, music device, and -- assuming you have a helmet with an integrated Bluetooth device -- a hands-free mobile phone. A rail system, much like that used in the new Countryman's center console, allows a variety of different attachments (i.e. cup holders, baskets, etc.) on the inside surface of the front fairing.

Like the Lambrettas of days past, or today's Mini Cooper, for that matter - the Scooter E appears to be a canvas ripe for personalization. The three scooters on Mini's display stand are mechanically identical to one another, but each is given a unique visual personality. The neon green-on-grey scheme is a blatant tie-in to the electric Mini E test vehicles, while the British Racing Green, and red/white/blue scooters channel the Minis and Mods of yesteryear, respectively.