Smartphones and social networking rule at the Tokyo Game Show ...

Video gaming is big business, and over 200 companies came to a game show in Japan to prove it. But video games are moving out of the den and the living room, into the packets of gamers, smartphones and tablets dethrone the once-almighty gaming consoles.

TOKYO (majirox news) ? Japan is known as the home of computer games with millions of users. The world?s largest show devoted to these games opened near Tokyo. With 209 companies showing off more than 1,000 titles and devices.

Games to play on smartphones and tablets stole the limelight on the hardware side. Social networking games took front stage on the software.

?In fact, smartphone shipments are expected to exceed computer shipments during 2012,? said Keisuke Asai, director of Global Management of GREE Inc., a leading mobile social gaming network worldwide with a reach of over 140 million users. ?These games used to be for wealthy people, because they had money to buy the hardware and software. But today anyone can play these games on smartphones or computers.?

In 2011, some experts estimated the global market for these products to be a whopping 65 billion dollars.

Old favorites such as Capcom?s ?Biohazard? and the latest incarnation of Square Enix?s ?Final Fantasy were among the native Japanese offerings, but companies from all over the world were present to demonstrate their developments to the gaming world.

?Some companies also offer viewers a peek at video games for free, and then they can purchase them if they want,? Asai said. ?This is one of the reasons that video gaming is growing in developed and developing countries. Regardless of nationality, rich or poor and gender everyone in the world loves playing games.?

Jean, who was at the show, said, ?I came from France. It?s incredible and there so many people everywhere. It?s so much fun and the games are so beautiful.?

Once dominant in the marketplace, the gaming consoles devoted to video games are slipping down the ranks. Mobile games played on smartphones, tablets and social media games, are taking over.

Tomoko Honda, who can dress as her favorite character of ?Final Fantasy,? said, ?I love playing games on my smartphone because I can play it anywhere.?

As gaming is becoming more common, with gamers carrying their virtual lives in their packets and purses to be played anywhere and everywhere. However, here has been concern in Japan about tactics used by game publishers to promote in-game purchases, which have proved expensive luxuries for many gamers.

But whatever the worries of some observers, computer games are still big business. In 2011, some observers estimated the global market for these products to be $65 billion (about the same as the GDP of Ecuador for the same period). This year?s show confirms the continued growth, but also highlights the change from computers to more portable ubiquitous devices, and the use of the Internet as an integral part of more and more games.

Tags: Biohazard, Final Fantasy, gamers, Gree Inc., Japan, Japan computer, social networking, Tokyo Game Show, video

Source: http://www.majiroxnews.com/2012/09/23/smartphones-and-social-networking-rule-at-the-tokyo-game-show/

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SAP SEM BPS Interview Questions: Strategic Enterprise ...

The Ultimate Learning Guide for SAP Business Planning with SEM-BPS SEM-BPS Certification Questions, Answers, and Explanations! It? s clear that SAP SEM is one of the most challenging areas in SAP. Finding resources can be difficult. SAP SEM-BPS Interview Questions, Answers, and Explanations guides you through your learning process. From helping you to assess your SEM skills to evaluating candidates for a job, SAP SEM Interview Questions will put you on the path to understanding what you really need to know. The book is organized around three areas of SAP SEM-BPS BW Configuration, Troubleshooting, and Production Support. Each question includes everything you need to know to master the interview or properly evaluate a candidate. More than just a rehash of SAP documentation and sales presentations, each question is based on project knowledge and experience gained on successful high-profile SAP SEM-BPS implementations. Key interview topics include: . The most important SEM-BPS configuration settings to know . SAP SEM Administration, Transaction code quick references . SAP SEM Certification Examination Questions . Operative and Strategic Planning . Project Oriented Business Planning . Everything an SEM resource needs to know before an interview

List Price: $ 27.00
Price: $ 22.49

Source: http://www.feedbacknews.com/books/sap-sem-bps-interview-questions-strategic-enterprise-management-and-business-planning-with-sap-sem/

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Franchise Blog - Your Guide to Franchising: The Importance of SBA ...

The Importance of SBA Approval in Searching for a Franchise

One of the most necessary and potentially complex processes when starting a new franchise business is acquiring financing. The business startup process for franchisees may benefit if their franchise system of choice is approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Bearing in mind the many complex aspects of starting a new franchise business, to remain empowered throughout the startup process, franchisees may consider their options at length to decide how to proceed.

A franchise system is SBA approved only after a Franchise Agreement between the franchisor and potential franchisee is accepted as in compliance with policies set by the SBA. The SBA?s grounds for lending are maintained to serve small businesses exclusively in their search for adequate and reliable funding options. Thus the SBA can review the Franchise Agreement in advance of potential franchisee financing applications.

This speeds up the processing of applications when all other aspects of the transaction are in accordance with SBA policy. Regardless of whether SBA approval occurs in advance of franchisee applications or is sought when the application is initially submitted, the SBA must approve the Franchise Agreement if SBA approved lenders are to assist with financing its fulfillment.

Acquiring the SBA?s approval is a decision made by franchise systems, which means that SBA approval is optional. Franchise systems may apply for approval should they wish to simplify the financing process for potential franchisees. When franchisors apply for approval, the SBA reviews the Franchise Agreement and considers the application. If approved, the franchise system is eligible for listing on the Franchise Registry which displays franchise systems holding SBA approval and assists franchisors in their search for lending opportunities.

A franchisor?s being registered or unregistered in the Franchise Registry does not mean that the SBA certifies the franchisor?s likelihood of success or lack thereof. Franchisees do well to research their business financing options in detail to decide whether SBA approved franchise systems offer the appropriate assistance for their startup franchise business.

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Source: http://www.franchisedirect.com/blog/the-importance-of-sba-approval-in-searching-for-a-franchise/

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Science Friday: Australian Fire Tornado | Blowfish Behind Japanese Underwater Crop Circle Mystery | Physics of Bullets

The 30 metre high tornado of FIRE that whirled around Australian outback for terrifying 40 minutes

    An astonished filmmaker is coming to grips with the moment he witnessed one of nature's rarest phenomenons - a tornado comprised entirely of fire- and lived to tell the tale.

    Chris Tangey had been out in Alice Springs, Australia, scouting locations for a new movie.

    After finishing the task, he went over to help workers at a cattle station when he was confronted by one of nature's most intimidating spectacles.

    Just 300-metres away was a 30-metre high fire swirl which 'sounded like a fighter jet' despite there being no wind in the area

    A fire tornado, also know as a fire devil, is caused when a column of warm, rising air comes into contact - or causes - a fire on the ground.

    These fire whirls are known to last for around two minutes on the very rare occasions they take place.

    But Mr Tangey found himself mesmerized by the tornado for more than 40 minutes.

    [...]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2204468/Pictured-The-frightening-FIRE...


Mysterious Underwater ?Crop Circles? Discovered Off the Coast of Japan

    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration less than five percent of the world?s oceans have been explored, meaning that 95% of what lies deep underwater on Earth has yet to be seen by human eyes.

    One person who has dedicated his life to uncovering the mysteries of the deep is Japanese photographer Yoji Ookata who obtained his scuba license at the age of 21 and has since spent the last 50 years exploring and documenting his discoveries off the coast of Japan. Recently while on a dive near Amami Oshima at the southern tip of the country, Ookata spotted something he had never encountered before: rippling geometric sand patterns nearly six feet in diameter almost 80 feet below sea level. He soon returned with colleagues and a television crew from the nature program NHK to document the origins what he dubbed the ?mystery circle.?

    Here is what they found.

    [...]

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/09/mysterious-underwater-crop-circle-art-d...


Why a Modern Gun Shoots 10 Times Farther Than its 19th Century Counterpart

    Old smoothbore guns, which were loaded with bullets that looked more like balls than torpedoes, had an effective range of about sixty yards. A relatively small engineering change, which took its lead from physics, increased the range tenfold. What could make anything work that much better?

    Military guns in the Victorian era had long barrels, and were likely to jam as crud accumulated in the barrel ? but what really frustrated their owners was their range. By the time people got about sixty yards away from their target, they might as well be shooting at the ground. Frequently, they were.

    But a small change to the bullet and the barrel of the gun ? with no change in the other mechanics or loading procedure ? increased their range to six hundred yards. What did it take?

    First, it took a bullet that looked more like our modern idea of a bullet: an oblong cylinder with a rounded tip. Secondly, it took a set of grooves inside the barrel of the gun that curved like the stripes on a candy cane. This was rifling. The effect of rifling on a bullet was well-known. Even archers had twisted the feathers in their arrows to get their arrows to fly true. Early rifles, though, had a more complicated loading procedure that precluded their widespread military use. Once rifling was integrated with old designs, everything changed.

    [...]

http://io9.com/5944455/the-physics-of-bullets-why-a-modern-gun-shoots-10-time...

Source: http://sacramentofordemocracy.org/node/36429

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Evernote Smart Notebook hands-on (video)

Evernote Smart Notebook handson video

The Evernote Smart Notebook is here! Well, almost here -- it arrives on October 1 -- but we got our Moleskin-lovin' hands on the app/notebook combo a bit ahead of schedule this evening. The combination works by combining the drawings, notes, and whatever other Moleskin-bound scribblings you pen with Evernote's iOS App (said to be headed to Android as well). Snap a pic of your best Mega Man sketch and see the Blue Bomber appear magically in your Evernote account and on your phone! If you're way into archiving, a handy set of stickers allows for quick tagging. The tags can even be customized if you're not into Evernote's suggested categories.

The whole concept is very neat, and it works ... sort of. An Evernote rep tried repeatedly to snag images from the page with varying results. One time a shadow interfered, and another time the lighting just didn't work out, before it finally worked. We're lending Evernote the benefit of the doubt for now as we were shown the whole shebang in the middle of a busy, dramatically lit show floor. That said, at $29.95, if it doesn't work out great, the worst that happens is you're stuck with a slightly more expensive Moleskin than a normal model (around $15 on Amazon); the iOS companion app is free. Head past the break for a hands-on video.

Continue reading Evernote Smart Notebook hands-on (video)

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Evernote Smart Notebook hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/fCHUQoQI7mA/

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Latest Designer Drug Called 'Smiles' Linked to Teen Deaths

Several teenagers? deaths have law enforcement officials concerned about the next in a long line of illegal synthetic drugs: 2C-I, also known as "Smiles."

The drug, a hallucinogen, has been linked to two deaths in East Grand Forks, North Dakota, though little is known about this drug's dangers. Other synthetic drugs, including K2 or "fake weed," have caused problems by proliferating before being made illegal.?

"There is hardly any research at all in the scientific literature on these things, even in animals, much less any sort of formal safety evaluation in humans," said Matthew Johnson, a professor of behavioral pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University.

A new high

2C-I is part of the 2C family of drugs, a group of closely related molecules that have psychedelic effects. Along with the other 2Cs, 2C-I was discovered by chemist and synthetic-drug guru Alexander Shulgin, who published the formulas of psychoactive drugs in his book "PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story" (Transform Press, 1991). As of July 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration classifies 2C-I as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to manufacture, buy, sell or possess the drug. [Trippy Tales: The History of 8 Hallucinogens]

Usually sold in powder form, 2C-I can also be taken as a tablet. Users often mix the powder form with a stabilizing substance, such as chocolate or candy, before ingesting. The drug?s effects include auditory and visual hallucinations, along with feelings of giddiness, relaxation and empathy.

"[M]y conversations were extremely clear and insightful,? wrote one 2C-I user on erowid.org, which hosts an online version of Shulgin's book. ?The degree of honesty was incredible."

But the drug has nasty side effects, too, as the case of the East Grand Forks teenagers attests. According to news reports, a 17-year-old went to a McDonald's in June after taking 2C-I mixed with melted chocolate given to him by an 18-year-old friend. The younger teenager began hyperventilating and hitting his head against the ground. His friends took him home, but several hours later, he stopped breathing. His 18-year-old companion has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The night before, an 18-year-old was found dead in the same town, reportedly of a similar overdose, prompting police to warn about a tainted batch of 2C-I.

"2C-I is related to a class of drugs called phenylethylamines, which in turn are related to amphetamines," said Rudy Richardson, a toxicologist at the University of Michigan. Amphetamines (best known in the illegal drug market from methamphetamine) increase heart rate and can cause the heart to beat out of rhythm, Richardson told LiveScience. Those heart arrhythmias, in turn, can be fatal.?

More commonly occurring unpleasant side effects of 2C-I include nausea and vomiting, according to online, anecdotal reports. Some users experience "bad trips," which can include terrifying hallucinations and feelings of fear and panic.

Not your average hallucinogen

2C-I's hallucinogenic effects may fool some users into thinking it is difficult to overdose on the drug, Johnson told LiveScience. Classic hallucinogens, such as LSD and psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms," are unusual in that they don't typically cause immediate bodily harm, he said ? though they can be dangerous to people with psychotic tendencies and those who walk into traffic or off of buildings while under the influence, he added.

Like LSD and psilocybin, 2C drugs cause hallucinogens by interfering with the brain's serotonin system, Johnson said. But drugs in the 2C class differ in having stimulant effects. That means that 2C drugs can kill in the same ways as meth and other uppers, including by causing strokes, he said.

Adding to the danger, users may not always know what they're getting. In 2009, for example, two people died in the U.S. and in Denmark after taking what they believed to be a 2C drug called 2C-B-fly. Instead, it was likely a similar, but much stronger drug called bromo-dragonfly.

"Until they're tested, you really don't know what you're buying," DEA spokesperson Michael Rothermund told LiveScience.

There are no national statistics on 2C-I use, Rothermund said, and it's not clear how widespread the drug really is. But Johnson warned that synthetic drugs should be considered seriously.

"I just want to caution people to be careful and not assume all drugs are the same ? even if they have similar effects," he said.

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas?or LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook?&?Google+.

Copyright 2012 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/latest-designer-drug-called-smiles-linked-teen-deaths-203740273.html

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Stocks open higher; in Europe, vows to save euro

NEW YORK (AP) ? U.S. stocks are opening higher as investors cling to hopeful signs about Europe's roiling debt problems.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 41 points 13,638 early Friday. The Standard & Poor's 500 is up six to 1,466. The Nasdaq composite index is up 19 to 3,195.

Darden Restaurants, parent of Olive Garden and Red Lobster, is up after reporting a higher profit in its latest quarter. Homebuilder KB Home is up after swinging to a quarterly profit and reporting higher revenue.

In Europe, Italy's premier and Greece's prime minister met and repeated their conviction for "the absolute need to safeguard the integrity of the eurozone," according to a statement from the Italian leader's office.

Spain also appeared near to working out terms for requesting a bailout from Europe.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stocks-open-higher-europe-vows-save-euro-134253260--business.html

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Space Time Insight: Analyzing Data From Sensors, Power Grids and Weather Feeds

stiEarlier this week, Space-Time Insight? raised $14 million to further develop its geospatial and visual analytics software. The Series B round brings STI's total to $t16 million.?EnerTech Capital, Novus Energy Partners, and ClearSky Power & Technology Fund, join existing investors, Opus Capital Ventures and Start Up Farms International (SUFI), in this round of financing.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/rVFRX1PvKBA/

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Justin Bieber, One Direction Top Billboard 21 Under 21 List

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and Nick Jonas also make list of Music's Hottest Minors.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber and One Direction
Photo: UMG / Columbia / MTV News / Jessica Hyndman

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1694066/justin-bieber-one-direction-billboard-21-under-21.jhtml

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White Sox win 5th straight, maintain Central lead

Associated Press Sports

updated 10:47 p.m. ET Sept. 18, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gavin Floyd is healthy again and hoping to help the Chicago White Sox get back to the playoffs.

Floyd pitched seven crisp innings, Alex Rios hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh and the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive win.

Alejandro De Aza and Gordon Beckham also went deep for AL Central-leading Chicago, which maintained a three-game advantage over Detroit and improved to 6-10 against the Royals. Chicago had lost seven of eight against Kansas City.

Floyd (10-10) gave up two runs in the first inning and nothing after that. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three, throwing 52 strikes in 78 pitches.

The 6-foot-6 right-hander was making his second start since coming off the disabled list after being sidelined with an elbow flexor strain. He also missed time earlier in the year with right elbow tendinitis.

"I felt good out there," he said. "I just wanted to make as few pitches out there and let the defense work. It's great especially after sitting for 15 days and more than that before. It's nice to get back out there and just be part of the team and contribute."

Floyd reached double-figures in victories for the fifth consecutive season as the White Sox (81-66) moved 15 games above .500.

"We're no way content," Floyd said. "We're content in the place that we are, but there's still a lot of baseball left. It's fun to be in the position we're at. We've just got to keep pushing."

De Aza drove Luke Hochevar's second pitch over the wall in right for his eighth homer of the season. De Aza had been slumping, hitless in his previous nine at-bat and 2-for-21 in his previous five games.

First-year manager Robin Ventura did not play the outfielder in the past two games, but thought the timing was right to get him back in the lineup.

"I know what I'm doing," Ventura joked. "He looked out of synch in Minnesota."

Hochevar (8-14), who is 1-5 in his last nine starts, allowed just one single the next four innings before Beckham led off the sixth with his 16th home run. Beckham is hitting .333 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in his past 17 games.

"He's in a better position to hit," Ventura said. "He's more confident. He's getting his hands back and getting through it. He's hit some homers, but for me he's keeping the ball on a line a little bit more than he has all year long."

The White Sox upped their home run total to 198, which ranks second in the majors. They have 13 homers in their past 14 road games.

"I'm not going to be critical how we get them," Ventura said. "This is a big ballpark. You've got to find a way to get some runs other than just sitting back and waiting for a home run. I'm glad we hit them, but this isn't a ballpark you can sit back and do that."

Rios' 24th homer came with one out in the seventh and matched his career high. Rios also played a key role in Chicago's 5-4 win over Detroit on Monday when he broke up a potential double play with a hard slide that led to an errant throw that allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to score.

Hochevar allowed seven hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked none.

Kansas City got off to a fast start when Billy Butler hit a two-run single in the first inning to give him a career-high 97 RBIs.

The Royals did not have a baserunner after Jeff Francoeur's fourth-inning double.

"He (Floyd) settled in really nice," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "They retired our last 16 batters. We had trouble centering anything up against them."

Matt Thornton retired all four batters he faced. Addison Reed got the final two outs for his 28th save in 32 chances.

NOTES: Royals RHP Luis Mendoza has strep throat and will miss his scheduled Wednesday start against the White Sox. LHP Bruce Chen will be moved up a day, while RHP Jeremy Guthrie will start Thursday. ... The White Sox announced LHP Francisco Liriano will start the Thursday series finale against the Royals. ... Royals LF Alex Gordon threw out A.J. Pierzynski trying to stretch a single into a double in the fifth inning. Kansas City leads the majors with 44 outfield assists.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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White Sox win 5th straight, maintain Central lead

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gavin Floyd pitched seven crisp innings, Alex Rios hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive win.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/49081282/ns/sports-baseball/

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