June 2010 Archives   26 June 2010 You Can Now Perform OCR with Google Docs The following is from Webmonkey Google Docs Can Now Convert Images and PDFs to Text Google’s web-based document editor can now convert the text inside your PDFs and images into text you can edit. When you upload a file to Google Docs, you’ll see the option to “Convert text from PDF or image files to Google Docs documents.” You can upload any PDF, PNG, JPG or GIF. To do the conversion, Google is relying on a technology commonly known as Optical Character Recognition, or OCR. The company began using OCR for web searches in 2008, then released experimental support for OCR-based conversion as part of its Documents List Data API in 2009. Google has been improving the technology since then, and this is its first appearance in a Google product. Of course, since it’s part of the API, you can roll it into an app of your own creation. But we can expect the conversion tool to improve and yield some pretty cool applications down the road. It’s not perfect, and the results will vary based on the resolution or visual clarity of whatever you’re uploading. Read More     25 June 2010 IWC Deadlock Over The Future of Whales Greenpeace disappointed by failure to break IWC deadlock 24 June 2010 Auckland, New Zealand — Greenpeace says it is disappointing governments have failed to break the IWC deadlock over the future of the world’s whales. Greenpeace New Zealand Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid said it was important whale conservation governments, like New Zealand, continued to work together to find a way to end commercial whaling. “They’ve had a shot at breaking the deadlock but they can’t give up now if they’re ever to achieve a positive outcome for whale conservation,” she said. “No government can walk away from the IWC meeting thinking they’ve done the right thing as yet again nothing has happened. The status quo is not a step forward.” Greenpeace Japan Programme Director Junichi Sato said thousands of whales would be killed as a result of the talks stalling for another year. “Governments at the IWC should be ashamed they retreated behind closed doors to hide the bickering that has ensured the shameful status quo for another year,” he said.     24 June 2010 Our Next Prime Minister...Julia Gillard At 9 am this morning Julia Gillard will be Australia's first female Prime Minister. Wow. All this happened last night when PM Kevin Rudd was rocked and rolled. It's truly historic because no Australian Prime Minister has ever been rolled the first time in a term. Kevin's been in the job 2 years. 8 months ago he was the most popular PM ever. Julia is one very tough lady. I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do in the top job! Wow.     23 June 2010 Stop The Whale Slaughter Japan Needs To Stop The Whale Hunt in the Southern Oceans Right Now. Stop The Slaughter. The following AAP story is about Australia taking Japan to the International Court to try and stop them from hunting/killing these magestic creatures in the Southern Oceans. I didn't want to post the picture that came with this press release...my brain is still fried over that image. You can voice your opinion about the Japanese hunt by sending Japan a message here - Call for an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean (NZ Greenpeace site) and for Aussies go here (Aussie Greenpeace site) to send a message to Mr Peter Garrett. Press Release CANBERRA, Australia — Australia said Friday it will challenge Japan's whale hunting in the Antarctic at the International Court of Justice, a major legal escalation in its campaign to ban the practice despite Tokyo's insistence on the right to so-called scientific whaling. Japan's Foreign Ministry called the action regrettable at a time when 88 member-nations of the International Whaling Commission were discussing a proposal that could allow some limited whaling for the first time in 25 years. "We will continue to explain that the scientific whaling that we are conducting is lawful in accordance with Article 8 of the international convention for the regulation of whaling," said Japan's Foreign Ministry Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima. "If it goes to the court, we are prepared to explain that." Japan, Norway and Iceland, which harpoon around 2,000 whales annually, argue that many species are abundant enough to continue hunting them. They are backed by around half of the whaling commission's members. Australia has declared the southern seas a whale sanctuary and has long lobbied for an end to whaling there. The government says Japan's hunt is in breach of international obligations, but has declined to release any details of how it will argue its case before the court in The Hague. Continue reading Stop The Whale Slaughter.     20 June 2010 Hot In Cleveland - A Winner! I just watched the pilot of a very funny show called Hot In Cleveland and it stars Betty White...anything with Betty is going to be a surefire fun time. In addition it has three talented actresses: Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick and Jane Leeves. It's now available free on Itunes. Hot in Cleveland is an American sitcom on TV Land that premiered on June 16, 2010. It is also the cable network's first original scripted series. The show stars Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick and Jane Leeves as three past-their-prime entertainment industry veterans from Los Angeles. Their lives are changed when their Paris-bound plane lands in Cleveland, Ohio, where they find a welcoming community that is less shallow, youth-obsessed and weight-conscious than LA, and where one of them leases a home with a sassy caretaker played by Betty White.     19 June 2010 Wi-Fi Data - Google Records Email Access Passwords & Extracts of Email Messages As many of you know Google is in big doodoo with governments around the world and in particular Europe and Australia. What is the problem? Well Google has been roaming the streets with their Street View cars mapping streets and along the way collecting Wi-Fi network information from houses or businesses they passed. Google had to stop this invasion of privacy and governments launched investigations into how and what. The following is from Gizmodo.com This is what the French National Commission on Computing and Liberty (CNIL) had to say: It’s still too early to say what will happen as a result of this investigation. However, we can already state that [...] Google did indeed record email access passwords [and] extracts of the content of email messages. Read More Here     19 June 2010 Stacy Haiduk Fans Need To Mobilise The following is from Mesh: After a critically acclaimed and captivating run as Patty Williams and Dr. Emily Peterson on The Young and the Restless Stacy Haiduk's contract was not picked up again. We ask that you support our effort in convincing the studio to extend Stacy's stay on the show, so that we can see Emily become an integral part of the community in Genoa City. Please get in touch with the CBS Feedback department, and call your local CBS station in support of Stacy. Do spread the word on the message boards and Facebook! Tweet, retweet "#StacyHaidukYR Let CBS know: YR needs Patty and Dr. Emily! http://stacyhaiduk.info/" on Twitter. Send cards and letters in support of Stacy to: The Young and The Restless 7800 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Thank you!     9 June 2010 Fandoms Collide - Starz Acquires Torchwood Starz has sent out the following press release which was pretty cool news even though I don't live in the US <g> Starz has acquired the US rights to the mega hit BBC show Torchwood. Now imagine this for a nanosecond...Lucy Lawless as a female Captain Jack..you know the scenario, Captain Jack does something funky and turns himself into a woman...oh my goodness <g> It won't happen but hey it's fun to think about. This is also great news because we're getting another season of this brilliant show...they do have to get Captain Jack from whatever planet he's moping about on and reunite him with Gwen. Here's the press release Starz Fired Up for a New Series of the BBC's Hit Franchise 'Torchwood' New Installment From BBC Worldwide Productions to Add To Starz' Premium Programming Lineup in Summer of 2011 Key Cast - John Barrowman (Capt. Jack), Eve Myles (Gwen) - To Return for the Next Installment, Along With New Faces LOS ANGELES, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Entertainment has acquired U.S. television rights to the next installment of the BBC's audience sensation "Torchwood," developed and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Starz will debut the 10-episode series exclusively in the U.S., and BBC One will debut it in the U.K., both in summer, 2011. This is a co-production between Starz, BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Worldwide, and BBC Worldwide will distribute the show outside the U.S. The deal was jointly announced today by Starz, LLC President and CEO Chris Albrecht and BBC Worldwide Productions EVP Jane Tranter. The stars of the previous versions of "Torchwood," notably John Barrowman (Capt. Jack Harkness) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), will return for the new version. Additional key cast, reflecting the more international scope of the series, will be announced soon. "Torchwood" is a drama that puts extraterrestrial threats into a very real world, and asks how humanity deals with the danger - while fighting mankind's darkest instincts. The series' previous three seasons aired on BBC America in the U.S. and garnered record-breaking ratings for the network. Created by visionary writer/producer Russell T Davies, "Torchwood" has to date been located primarily in Cardiff, Wales. The new series will allow Davies and his writing team to tell a more explosive and global story, one that takes advantage of the unlimited narrative opportunities of a premium television service like Starz. Continue reading Fandoms Collide - Starz Acquires Torchwood.     8 June 2010 AUSXIP Charity Auction Final Donation Amounts As many of you know the AUSXIP Charity Auction was held in March and I have the final amounts that were raised. This figure blows me away and every time I look at it, I am AMAZED at the generosity of you, the fans. What's even more incredible is that with the global financial situation as it is, you still dug deep and it's an incredible gift. It's not just the financial support but also the moral support from those who couldn't donate but who supported the auction and promoted it. You guys are just the best! STARSHIP FOUNDATION Lucy's charity is The Starship Foundation which raises money for Starship Hospital in Auckland. Total amount raised: $13,110 RENEE O'CONNOR OUTREACH FUND Renee's charity is The Renee O'Connor Outreach Fund. Renee allocates the money to a worthy cause and this year it was to raise funds for the the earthquakes in Haiti/Chili. Total amount raised: $3,500 THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY (Crystal Chappell) This year we added Crystal's chosen charity and a way to raise money for the half marathon Crystal was running (held over the weekend) for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Total amount raised: $1,000 That gives us a grand total of $17,610 Continue reading AUSXIP Charity Auction Final Donation Amounts.     5 June 2010 Arise Sir Patrick Stewart! Arise Sir Patrick Stewart! Yes! Patrick Stewart, the beloved Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek The Next Generation and a ton of other great roles, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II yesterday. I simply adore Patrick. He is one of the most talented actors. Half a lifetime ago I used to be the Aussie rep for his Official Fan Club and I still follow his career today. Congratulations Sir Patrick! Read AAP article     5 June 2010 William Shatner's New Series - Hysterical! Oh I think this is going to be a really good show. Love Bill! Check this out! $#*! My Dad Says with William Shatner!     Read More Archives