via ESA.

This image was returned yesterday, 14 January 2005, by ESA’s Huygens probe during its successful descent to land on Titan. This is the coloured view, following processing to add reflection spectra data, gives a better indication of the actual colour of the surface. Initially thought to be rocks or ice blocks, they are more pebble-sized. The two rock-like objects just below the middle of the image are about 15 centimetres (left) and 4 centimetres (centre) across respectively, at a distance of about 85 centimetres from Huygens. The surface is darker than originally expected, consisting of a mixture of water and hydrocarbon ice. There is also evidence of erosion at the base of these objects, indicating possible fluvial activity.

via BetaNews.

Oracle today further revealed its plans for both PeopleSoft and its employees as the two companies continue to integrate. Over the next ten days, Oracle plans to slash as many as 5,000 jobs in an effort to bring the combined workforce down to 50,000.

The cuts will come in both companies, and in a bid to satisfy current PeopleSoft customers, the plan includes keeping more than 90 percent of the existing PeopleSoft development and support staff.

The technical staff will remain onboard at least long enough to give customers release 8.9 of the PeopleSoft product, and a version 9.0 upgrade.

I am really sorry, I couldn’t post anything the last days, I’m simply too busy. The things are going ahead efficiently and are in time. I will have a lot to relate :-)

Have a good time!

Not really “new” but as a reminder, Skype launched on 5th of January a new version (v1.1.0.61) of its great tool.

Version 1.1 introduces the new multi-person Chat feature and new visual enchancements.

My last extensive post about Skype.

On 27th December 2004, I received my new gadget / smartphone / Nokia 7760. After some days of intensive usage, my first opinion about it.

Description

This model is similar to Nokia 7610 but differs in preset applications and a more strict design for business users.

Nokia’s website about the 6670.

List of features

• eGSM900/1800/1900
• Battery life: talk time up to 3 hours, standby time up to 250 hours
• Full charging time 1.5 hours
• High-contrast graphic display shows 65000 colors (TFT) and has the resolution of 176×208 pixels, 35х41 mm, not a touchscreen
• Navi key has 5 positions
• Symbian OS version 7.0s
• Megapixel camera – max resolution is 1152 x 864 pixels, recording 3GP clips with sound (Sub QCIF or QCIF) with the duration of up to 10 minutes. A possibility to edit photos and video. Night mode
• Weight: 118 g
• Memory: 8 MB of memory are shared dynamically between the phone book, a calendar, messages, images and applications, RS-MMC cards expansion connector (64 MB card in a standard kit) A possibility to assign a photo to a name in the phone book
• Vibrating alert, polyphonic call melodies, True Tones
• Loud speaker
• Connectivity: WAP 2.0, Bluetooth, GPRS (4+2), synchronization with PC via Bluetooth or IrDA, SyncML, SMIL, Instant Messaging, MMS
• Dictaphone
• mp3 player

Size compared to the Nokia 6610i

I installed on Friday the first beta of Microsoft AntiSpyware v1.0. Seems to work well and stable, very good user-interface. Very extensive advanced possibilities too. By me, AntiSpyware detected 7 more spywares as ad-aware. Let’s see on the long-run.

Windows AntiSpyware is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can enter your PC.

A new version (v1.32) of Adobe Reader Speed-up is available.

Adobe Reader Speed-Up significantly decreases the amount of time required for Adobe Reader to start by disabling most of the least used plugins. Plugins can be freely enabled and disabled, if required.

This morning, as the weather was quite bad (exceptionally warm for January, about 12°C, but cloudy and rainy), we went to the Cassiopeia Therm of Badenweiler in Germany, about 50 km from where we are living. Wow, that was really helpful for me with all this good stress and pressure in the last time :-) Also very funny with our kid.

Badenweiler

Situtated in the southernmost region of Germany, protected by the Black Forest and Vogesen region, a unique cultural landscape has emerged, whose silvery light brings back memories of Tuscany. Rolling hills, beautiful vineyards, and the Black Forest with its dark contrasts, and in the middle of it all, the enchanting Badenweiler. A paradise where you can replenish your energy and relax.

The Cassiopeia therm

From Seth Godin and its Bootstrapper’s Bible:

Bootstrapper’s manifesto

I have initiative and insight and guts, but not much money. I will succeed because my efforts and my focus will defeat bigger and better-funded competitors. I am fearless. I keep my focus on growing the business—not on politics, career advancement, or other wasteful distractions.

I will leverage my skills to become the key to every department of my company, yet realize that hiring experts can be the secret to my success. I will be a fervent and intelligent user of technology, to conserve my two most precious assets: time and money.

My secret weapon is knowing how to cut through bureaucracy. My size makes me faster and more nimble than any company could ever be.

I pledge to know more about my field than anyone else. I will read and learn and teach. My greatest asset is the value I can add to my clients through my efforts.

I realize that treating people well on the way up will make it nicer for me on the way back down.

I am a salesperson. Sooner or later, my income will depend on sales, and those sales can be made only by me, not by an emissary, not by a rep.

I will measure what I do, and won’t lie about it to myself or my spouse. I will set strict financial goals and honestly evaluate my performance. I’ll set limits on time and money and won’t exceed either.

Most of all, I’ll remember that the journey is the reward. I will learn and grow and enjoy every single day.