Links

Places on the web that are of most interest to me:

  • PubMed. The premier site for literature searches in biomedical science.
  • Slashdot. Feel the pulse of today's most pressing issues in science, technology, and rights in the digital age.
  • OSNews. Another geeky news site geared towards articles around the web that concern the "future of computing."
  • Pybliographer. Need a bibliography manager in Linux? Look no further, this program is jam packed with features and competes with many current commercial software packages.
  • Using LaTeX for your thesis proposal and dissertation (from http://www.rpi.edu/computing/software/latex/thesis-info.html [Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute]). This is an excellent starting document for those of you wanting to learn more about LaTeX. By all means, spend the time now to understand this wonderful package and it will save you lots of headache and heartache in the future when you need to whip out a scientific paper, review, or book.

The following are links to my family and friends' web pages:
  • Hieu Vu. My brother is a graduating Chemical Engineer. He's has a number of experiences in the field and is looking for a job, can you help him out?
  • Tone's "The World from Mine Eyes". In need of a good chuckle?
  • Jeffrey T. Mason. He's a childhood friend who has always had a passion for radio and music. He DJs in the Chicago listening area for a popular dance (WKIE - 92.7/5) radio station. Check his site out and listen to him live on the Jeffro Show, 7 pm to Midnight CST.
  • Dragonsfolly.com is my cousin's site. It has excellent prose and sci-fi fantasy fan fiction. Check it out for an interesting read.
  • Pham-Tom Designs is a friend's design company. Browse his pages if you need art design for your website.
  • Color Negative is yet another friend's design company. Browse his pages if you need art design for your website.
  • Minh Pham is a close friend who happens to be a real estate broker. His passion is motivational speaking. Please peruse his site if you need a speaker for your next conference or meeting.
  • Oanh Le is in the IT field in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (soon to be in the New York City area). She has more than a few years of on-the-job experience under her belt. Follow the link if you need a consultant for contract work.
  • Looking for a snazzy pair of sneaks? Swing on by to gotkickz? and order "two per of those er force ones." In fact, do your holiday shopping early, tell them I sent you.

Some recent deals and news

Channel: dealnews - Most Recent Deals

  • Yamaha EPH-20BL Earphones for $13 + free shipping. For its newsletter subscribers only, newegg offers the Yamaha EPH-20 In-Ear Stereo Headphones in Black for $19.99. Coupon code "EMCNHNG52" makes it $12.99. With free shipping, that's $2 under our mention from Black Friday week and the best price we've seen. (It's a current low by $5.) These sound-isolating earphones feature .42" drivers, three earbud tips, and more. Deal ends February 9.
  • North Face Women's Morningside Fleece Jacket for $50 + free shipping, padding. REI offers The North Face Women's Morningside Fleece Jacket in Olivetto Green (pictured), Moonlight, or Squid Red for $49.93. Pad your order over $50 to receive free shipping. (This single packet of Clif Shot Energy Gel costs 53 cents.) Excluding padding, that's the lowest total price we could find by $9. It's available in sizes XS to XL.
  • Clorox 24-oz.Toilet Bowl Cleaner for $2 + free shipping. Today only, Staples offers the Clorox 24-oz. Toilet Bowl Cleaner for $1.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $8. Sales tax is added where applicable.
  • OCZ 6GB (3x2GB) PC3-10666 DDR3 PC RAM Kit for $10 after rebate + $6 s&h. Micro Center offers the OCZ Gold 6GB PC3-10666 DDR3-1333 Triple Channel Desktop Memory Kit with three 2GB DIMMs, model no. OCZ3G1333LV6GK, for $39.99. This $30 mail-in rebate (paid via American Express prepaid card) drops it to $9.99. Shipping costs $5.99, or choose in-store pickup. Even with shipping, that's tied with our mention from three weeks ago and is the least expensive 6GB PC3-10666 RAM kit we've seen. (It's also a current price low by $34.) Sales tax is added where applicable. Rebate expires February 5.
  • Monitor Audio M6 200W Floor Standing Speaker for $330 + free shipping. Audio Advisor offers the Monitor Audio M6 200-watt Floor Standing Speaker for $229.99 with free shipping. That's $170 off list and the lowest total price we could find. Sales tax is added where applicable. It features dual 6-1/2" MMPII mid-bass drivers, one 6-1/2" MMPII woofer, 1" C-CAM gold dome tweeter, 3D contoured grille, front and rear reflex ports, and more.
  • Lacoste Shoes and Apparel: 5% to 70% off, deals from $15 + free shipping. 6pm cuts 5% to 70% off a selection of Lacoste men's, women's, and kids' apparel and shoes, with prices starting at $14.99. With free shipping, that ties last month's mention and it's among the best sales we've seen on Lacoste items since August. Deal ends February 6.

    A best bet is the Lacoste Women's Quilted Down Double Breasted Peacoat in Shadow Grey (pictured) for $194.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $16. It comes in sizes from 4 to 14.

  • Puma coupon: 20% off regular-priced items. Puma takes 20% off regular-priced items via coupon code "PUMASURVEYJAN12". That's tied with our mention from three weeks ago and it's the best coupon we've seen from Puma since mid-December when it offered 40% off everything, including sale. Shipping starts at $7, but orders of $85 or more qualify for free shipping. Sales tax is added where applicable. Deal ends March 31.
  • Elenco Snap Circuits Kit for $31 + free shipping. Amazon offers the Elenco Snap Circuits Kit, model no. SC-300, for $30.56 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $12, although we listed it for just pennies less two weeks ago. This kit includes over 60 parts and instructions for building over 300 projects, such as a radio, doorbell, alarm, and more.
  • Samsung USB External Blu-ray Burner for $110 + free shipping. newegg offers the Samsung USB 2.0 External Blu-ray Burner, model no. SE-506AB, for $109.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $34. This drive burns BD-R media at 6x, BD-RE media at 2x, DVD+/-R media at 8x, dual layer DVD+/-R media at 6x, DVD-RAM at 5x, and more. It is compatible with Windows machines and Macs. Deal ends February 29.
  • MP3 single downloads for free from Google Music: Oasis, Kenny Chesney, more. Google Music via Android Market offers a selection of MP3 singles for free. All tracks are at the best price we could find; Amazon and iTunes charge at least 99 cents for these songs. These tracks are in 320kbps MP3 format. Notables:
    • Oasis' Wonderwall (pictured)
    • Train's Drop of Jupiter
    • Kenny Chesney's Beer in Mexico
    • TLC's Creep
    • Ben Folds Five's Army
    • see all available songs from Google Music
    Of note, you'll need Gmail and Google Wallet accounts to access these downloads.
  • Martin Ashley Art/Hobby Table with Stool for $76 + free shipping. Amazon offers the Martin Ashley Art/Hobby Table with Stool, model no. U-DS92ST, for $75.80 with free shipping. (Overstock.com charges the same.) That's $6 under our mention from earlier this week and the lowest total price we could find by $20. It features three drawers, pencil trough, adjustable height and tilt, utility rack, and more.
  • DF by Dearfoams Satin Robe and Pajamas Set for $25 + $1 s&h. Today only, Walmart offers the DF by Dearfoams Women's Satin Bathrobe bundled with the DF by Dearfoams Women's Satin Pajamas in three colors for $25 plus 97 cents for shipping. That's $7 off and the best price we could find for this bundle. Sales tax is added where applicable. Both come in sizes S to XXL, although not all size/color combinations are available.
  • Bounty Huge Roll Paper Towels 12-Pack for $25 + free shipping. Amazon offers the Bounty Huge Roll Paper Towel 12-Pack in White for $25.22 with free shipping via the directions below. That's $2.10 per roll and the lowest total price we could find by $7, although we saw it for $8 less last spring. To get this deal:
    1. View the Bounty Huge Roll Paper Towel 12-Pack for $29.97
    2. click "Clip this coupon" on the product page to take 25 cents off
    3. add it to your cart via Subscribe & Save for a final price of $25.22 with free shipping

    Of note, be sure to cancel Subscribe & Save after your order ships to avoid being billed for subsequent shipments.

  • ZAGG Valentine's Day Skin w/InvisibleSHIELD for iPhone, more for free + $2 s&h. Today only, All4Cellular offers the Zagg ZAGGSkins Valentine's Day Skins with InvisibleSHIELD for Apple iPhone 4 or 4S in three styles (pictured) for free plus $2 for shipping. That's tied with last week's mention and the lowest total price we could find by $33. It's available for the iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, and 3G, although not all iPhone/style options are available.

    Of note, Zagg ZAGGSkins Valentine's Day Naughty or Nice Skin is available for Apple iPhone 3G or 3GS, Samsung Captivate, or Samsung Focus for the same price.

  • 6 Medela accessories for free w/ Breast Pump, deals from $280 + free shipping. Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us offer the Medela Quick Clean Wipes 24-Pack, the Medela Disposable Nursing Bra Pad 30-Pack, the Medela Tender Care Lanolin, the Medela 5-oz. BPA-Free Breast Milk Bottle, the Medela Breastmilk Labeling Lids, and the Medela Pump & Save Breastmilk Bag 20-Pack for free with the purchase of select Medela breast pumps, as listed below. (Add the pump to your cart; the six accessories will add automatically.) With free shipping, they're at least $11 and as much as $38 less than the lowest total price we could find for these items purchased separately elsewhere. Sales tax is added where applicable. Deal ends February 28. Qualifying Medela breast pumps:
    • Medela Pump In Style Advanced Backpack (pictured) for $279.99
    • Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump with On-the-Go Tote for $294.99
    • Medela Pump In Style Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump with Metro Bag for $329.99
    • Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Double Electric Breast Pump for $369.99
  • Converse shoes and apparel: 19% to 79% off, deals from $15 + free shipping. 6pm takes 19% to 79% off select Converse men's, women's, and kids' shoes, apparel, and accessories, with prices starting at $14.99. Plus all orders receive free shipping with no minimum purchase required. That's one of the best sales we've seen on Converse items from 6pm, beating last week's mention which only saw up to 75% off. (It did feature a minimum discount of 30% off, however.) Sale ends February 6.

    A best bet is the Converse Men's or Women's Jack Purcell Boat Shoes in Athletic Navy/White (pictured) for $34.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find in this color by $36. They come in men's sizes 10 through 12 and women's 11.5 and 12.

  • SPANX Women's Slimplicity Shaping Panty for $21 + $6 s&h . Today only, SharkStores offers the SPANX Women's Slimplicity Shaping Panty in Black or Nude for $24. Coupon code "3DEALNEWS3" drops it to $21. With $5.95 for shipping, that's tied with our November mention and the lowest total price we could find by $13. They are available in size S to XL, although not all size/color combinations may be available.
  • 1-tcw Gemstone Bubble Heart Pendant Necklace for $32 + free shipping. Today only, SharkStores offers this 1-Total Carat Weight Gemstone Bubble Heart Pendant Necklace in Blue Sapphire or Ruby for $35. Coupon code "3DEALNEWS3" cuts it to $32. With free shipping, that's $28 less than the lowest total price we could find for a similar pendant. It features 20 2mm gemstones and an 18" sterling silver chain.
  • Vanessa Saint-Pierre Delacroix & Her Nightmare for Android downloads for free. Today only, the Amazon Appstore for Android offers downloads of Vanessa Saint-Pierre Delacroix & Her Nightmare for Android for free. That's $1 off and the best price we could find for this 3D horror puzzle game.
  • Alicia Keys "Songs in A Minor" MP3 Album downloads for $4. Today only, the Amazon MP3 Store offers downloads of Alicia Keys' Songs in A Minor MP3 Album for $3.99. That's the best price we could find for this 16-track, DRM-free R&B album, released in 2001. (iTunes charges $9.99.) Amazon MP3 Downloader is required.
Channel: Techbargains.com

Channel: xpBargains.com deals RSS feed

Channel: Slashdot

Channel: OSNews

  • Do iOS Applications Crash More Often than Android Applications?. There's an article making the rounds right now about how applications on iOS crash more often than applications on Android. I'm not going to detail the entire methodology - the article itself does so - but it does raise an interesting talking point about how both mobile operating systems handle application crashes and updates.
  • *Parabola GNU/Linux: Freedom Packaged*. There are different reasons people use Unix-like operating systems, including configurable, availability free of charge, powerful command line interface an many more. Some people are motivated by the moral issue: they reject non-free software. Specifically for such users Free Software Foundation developed Guidelines for Free System Distributions and created the list of absolutely free ("as in freedom") distributions. In this article we are going to look at the most recent entry on the list - Parabola GNU/Linux. Read more on this exclusive OSNews article...
  • Google Now Scanning Android Apps for Malware. "Google has added an automated scanning process that is designed to keep malicious apps out of the Android Market , the company announced today. The new service, code-named 'Bouncer', scans apps for known malware, spyware, and Trojans, and looks for suspicious behaviors and compares them against previously analyzed apps. Every app is then run on Google's cloud infrastructure to simulate how the software would operate on an Android device, he said. Existing apps are continuously analyzed, too."
  • Microsoft: Windows Phone 8 To Use NT Kernel. This is the kind of news just tailor-made for OSNews. After 16 years of trusty service, the venerable Windows CE will be history as far as Microsoft's mobile operating system offering goes - the next major version of Windows Phone will use the NT kernel from Windows 8. As a heavy former Windows PocketPC Mobile CE Ultimate SP2 Edition user, this makes me sad. As a fan of the NT kernel, this makes me happy.
  • Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3 Released. Apple has released Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3 (by far Apple's most inelegant product name). It's a whole bunch of under-the-hood stuff, mostly bug fixes. It adds support for Catalan, Croatian, Greek, Hebrew, Romanian, Slovak, Thai, and Ukrainian. It's all in Software Update.
  • Facebook Does IPO. So, this is apparently a big thing, but because of my perpetual state of total boredom with regards to social networking, I really don't have the will to turn this into a proper item. So, here you go: Facebook is doing its IPO thing. Eh. In any case, lots of new rich people. Maybe the wealth will trickle down this time.
  • Nokia N9 Outselling Lumia?. How many N9's did Nokia sell, and how many Lumias did Nokia sell? It's an interesting thing to ponder, because estimates by Tomi T. Ahonen seem to indicate that, despite decidedly undermarketing the thing, the N9 faired considerably better in the marketplace than the Lumia did.
  • EFF To Aid Users in Retrieving MegaUpload Data. "The Electronic Frontier Foundation, supported by Carpathia Hosting, today announced its plans to assess the scope of the issue facing Megaupload users who are at risk of losing their data. Carpathia has created this website to assist users in contacting EFF. EFF will review the factual situations shared by users and, if possible, try to resolve their issues." I
  • Antitrust: Commission Opens Proceedings Against Samsung. "The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess whether Samsung Electronics has abusively, and in contravention of a commitment it gave to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), used certain of its standard essential patent rights to distort competition in European mobile device markets, in breach of EU antitrust rules. The opening of proceedings means that the Commission will examine the case as a matter of priority. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation." Maybe Samsung should've added '...with rounded corners' to their patent applications.
  • Programming Opa: Web Development, Reimagined. InfoWorld's Rick Grehan takes an in-depth look at Opa, MLstate's attempt to provide a single language for Web app development, and one of 10 cutting-edge programming languages that could shake up the future of IT. "With Opa, you write your Web application as though it were a single-tier program, and the compiler handles the knotty details of partitioning your program and deploying the resulting components to their proper domains. The compiler also builds the communication infrastructure among application components, and that infrastructure is invisibly managed by the runtime. The security weaknesses inherent in today's Web applications are virtually eliminated."
  • Firefox 10 Released. Firefox 10 Arrives Today with Extended Support for Businesses. Though the software does bring an array of tweaks and enhancements for both users and developers, it's perhaps most notable for the fact that it marks the debut of the business-oriented Extended Support Release (ESR) program. One can check out what’s new and known issues for this version of Firefox by reading Mozilla's release notes. Perhaps the most important change from a user's perspective is that add-ons and themes are assumed to function, rather than not function as assumed by previous Firefox versions, meaning that the update process won't leave a user with familiar extensions disabled and needing updates.
  • B&N's Patent-misuse Claim Against Microsoft Thrown Out. "Barnes & Noble's claim that Microsoft is misusing patents to undermine competition from Google's Android operating system was thrown out by a U.S. trade judge. U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Theodore Essex rejected today Barnes & Noble's arguments the patents should be held unenforceable, Microsoft Deputy General Counsel David Howard said in a statement. Essex's decision is subject to review by the six-member commission, which has the power to block imports of products that violate U.S. patent rights."
  • Wayland Preparing For 1.0 Stable Release. This weekend at FOSDEM 2012 what Kristian Hogsberg is expected to say in Brussels will surprise many of you: Wayland 1.0 is gearing up for release as their first stable release. Wayland [a new X server for Linux] is supposed to be ready to take on the Linux desktop world.
  • Why the Raspberry Pi Won't Ship in Kit Form. When the Raspberry Pi ships later this year, it will be delivered to your door as a finished unit. The more adventurous tinkerers among you, as well as adept system builders, have asked the Raspberry Pi Foundation why they can’t get them in kit form instead. The reason why that wasn’t considered is demonstrated in an image released by Broadcom . . . they are tiny. And unlike a typical system build using an x86 chip that just slots into place, installing these chips requires a very steady hand and just the right amount of solder.
  • Red Hat Extends RHEL Lifecycle to Ten Years. ike your RHEL on your servers just the way it is? That’s fine by Red Hat, which has extended its flagship Linux operating system's lifecycle to ten years.
Channel: CNET News.com