The Future Of Microsoft Is Sunny With A Chance Of Thunderstorms

The past few years haven't been kind to Microsoft. (There's no need to walk down memory lane. We all know what's happened.) But somehow that's all changed in the past few days. Surface and Windows Phone 8, along with Windows 8 and Xbox prove there's still some fight left in the old dog. It's a bit premature to say that the company is back and that the decades long string of mediocrity coming out of Redmond is over but the company is clearly focused and we haven't seen that Microsoft in a long, long time.

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Chile and the temptations of petro-populism

If Venezuela and Chile agree on one thing, it's the merits of keeping citizens happy with access to cheap gas and parking, writes a guest blogger.

By Steven Bodzin,?Guest blogger / June 20, 2012

? A version of this post ran on the author's blog. The views expressed are the author's own.

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It would be hard to find two countries more opposite within South America than Chile and Venezuela. Excessively rigid rules vs. no rules. Homages to a right-wing dictator vs. homages to a left-wing dictator. Majority white European vs. a rainbow of mestizaje. Wheat, wine, apples, softwoods and salmon vs. oil, rum, mangoes, chemicals, and red snapper.

But there?s one thing everyone can agree on: we want cheap gas, cheap parking, and unlimited road space for our death monsters.

In Chile, yesterday, the government announced new rules for shopping mall parking prices. First half hour free, always round time periods down, post prices. Wait, I get the second parts, as it?s important to know what you?re going to pay, but really? The government is going to force the malls to offer the first half hour free?

You can make the logical arguments if you like: that now, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders will be forced to subsidize motorists? parking. That reduced prices will give the malls an incentive to build only the required minimum number of parking spaces, rather than the number they believe to be necessary. That once the government starts controlling prices for one thing, where does it stop?

Or you can go with the appeal to an extreme case. Coincidentally, Gustavo at Caracas Chronicles wrote today about what happens when parking prices are controlled too hard, for too long.

Meanwhile, Chilean motorists have also demanded the government ?do something? about high fuel prices. The government responded with a remarkably well programmed and useless website. The state is now spending its scarce pesos tracking gasoline prices across the country and posting them online weekly. Yes, the government tracks every gas station in the country and helps motorists find the cheaper fuel.

If you go click around over there, you?ll see that the variance from the median in fuel prices is almost never more than 10 percent in any given region. Which is amazing. Almost every region of Chile includes a reasonable-sized city, often with a port, and then an interior that is often rugged, rural, and remote. That fuel prices vary so little ? in the Bio Bio region, for example, diesel today ranges from 580 to 648 pesos per liter ? shows that there is already intense competition. In fact, the prices are so similar that it?s rarely worthwhile to drive out of the way in the quest for cheaper fuel. The time and fuel cost of the extra distance is hard to justify for at most 68 cents (about US $0.14) a liter.

Meanwhile, this is a country where the market failures are omnipresent. Medicine is a good example. A friend yesterday went and got prices for the same contact lenses at her optometrist and at a glasses shop next door. One offered six months of lenses for 130,000 pesos, the other for 290,000. Similar price ranges exist for every aspect of medicine, from drugs to operations to doctors? visits. And there is nowhere to look up the prices. Point being, if the government wants to support the free market, why start with gas stations?

It?s not because motorists are especially organized. They don?t have marches or Critical Mass drives. It?s because politicians drive. And there is a huge gap between the perception of driving ? open road, freedom, acceleration, efficiency ? and the reality of gridlocked streets, being trapped in a box, constantly braking, spending all your money. Rather than following the market signals and getting out of the damn car, politicians who normally carry the mantle of free-market neolibs turn to the state to support their habit. It?s the same thing you see everywhere. Capitalism for thee, socialism for mee.

? Steven Bodzin is the Santiago, Chile correspondent for the Monitor. He also blogs at Setty's Notebook.

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of Latin America bloggers. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here.

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Pentagon review recommends combat pay changes

WASHINGTON (AP) ? A Pentagon review recommends ridding the combat pay system of inequities that have allowed officers thousands of miles from battle to get better benefits proportionally than troops on the front lines in Afghanistan.

The recommendations in a review released Thursday are likely to anger service members. But the director of the review said they're aimed at paying more to troops who are in the gravest danger and giving the best tax benefits to those who are paid the least.

Troops who are not near the fight can sometimes get more in combat pay and tax benefits than those who are getting shot at on the front lines, said Thomas Bush, who directed the review. He said the main goal was to make combat pay more equitable.

The report doesn't recommend any specific rates of combat pay or say that certain troops should get less. But, Bush said, "we suggest there be some meaningful distinction" between troops who are getting shot at and those who are simply deployed to one of many countries designated as combat zones.

Under the military's current system, there are two types of combat pay. One, called "hostile fire pay," gives troops $225 a month if they are in an area where they could be exposed to enemy fire.

The second, called "imminent danger pay," gives up to $225 per month to those who are in a combat zone, and it is pro-rated at $7.50 a day, based on how long they are there.

Bush said the report recommends that hostile fire pay be more than the danger pay and that there be levels of imminent danger pay based on where service members are. Currently they can get the danger pay for being in more than two dozen places, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines and Jordan ? as well as in Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia.

"We want to target compensation to people who are at the greatest risk," Bush said.

In December 2009, President Barack Obama directed the department to examine four specific areas: combat pay, benefits and pay for the National Guard and Reserve, compensation for wounded service members and their survivors and pay incentives for key defense jobs, such as drone operators, special operations forces, linguists and mental health professionals.

Under the current system, service members up to the top level senior enlisted rank do not pay taxes on their pay when they are in a war zone. Higher level officers would not pay taxes on the portion of their salary equal to the top senior enlisted members' amount.

When they go to a combat zone, the taxes are no longer taken out of their pay, giving them an automatic raise for their deployment time.

The proposed change would make the combat pay a refundable tax credit that service members would file for at the end of the tax year.

But Bush said that because of the federal tax code, the benefits for higher level officers clearly outweigh the tax benefits for low-ranking troops, because much of their pay would already be at a very low tax rate.

The panel was struck by that disparity, Bush said, adding that a senior officer could get as much as a $15,000 tax benefit, while an Army private might get a $1,000 tax benefit.

And yet, the private serving at a combat outpost in Kandahar or Khost in Afghanistan has a much higher chance of getting killed or injured than a senior officer serving in a headquarters unit or in Bahrain.

Congress members have been loath to do anything that appears to cut combat pay and have often tried to increase pay raises for the military. Bush acknowledged that it's not clear how open they would be to the changes recommended by the report, but he said he hoped lawmakers would be open to making the system more equal.

___

Online:

Military compensation review:

http://militarypay.defense.gov/REPORTS/QRMC/11th_QRMC_Main_Report_(290pp)_Linked.pdf

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Court Cuts Samsung a Slice of Dutch Apple Pie

Today in international tech news: In the two companies' latest courtroom spat, Apple has been ordered to pay damages to Samsung for infringing on patents. Also: The Pirate Bay cofounders are seeking a hearing at a human rights court; ESPN ups the ante for Wimbledon coverage; British neo-Nazis tap into YouTube's revenue-sharing program and more.

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Justin Bieber Unplugged: Pop Singer Continues To Perform After Power Outage At Apollo Theater

NEW YORK (AP) ? Justin Bieber had an unplugged performance at the Apollo Theater on Monday, but it wasn't intentional ? a problem caused a power outage during the singing sensation's big concert.

The singer was nearing the end of a private show in front of a packed house when the power for most of the stage instruments suddenly went out, said his manager, Scooter Braun.

"Then we hear the fire alarm," Braun said by phone Monday evening. "Literally, the boy blew up the Apollo ? he heated up the Apollo."

But Bieber still managed to finish his show, with the help of fans singing along with him.

"What it turned into was an Apollo moment, like one of those impromptu things," said Nina Flowers, the Apollo's rep.

"It was one of the most special nights I have ever been a part of," said Braun.

The power outage, which only affected the stage instruments and some lighting, occurred toward the end of the show. Braun said they were told the problem was supposed to be only a few minutes, but it stretched to more than 40 minutes.

At first, Bieber took the outage in stride.

"He was joking, he said it was all the hot girls in here," said Flowers.

He then got on the drums, which were working, for a solo, and had the crowd serenade Braun for his birthday.

But then Bieber got upset at the disruption of the show, which was being taped as part of an NBC special to air later this week.

"He started to get frustrated, because it had been 40 minutes," said Braun.

However, instead of getting mad, Bieber decided to put his energy into performing for his fans, who stayed in the audience during the delay.

"He walks out, he literally quiets the crowd, and he says, 'I'm sorry the power is out. . (But) you guys have always had my back. I'm going to sing 'Boyfriend' and you're going to sing it back to me.'"

He then launched into his hit song from his new album "Believe" as the crowd of mainly teen girls sang along as he danced, Braun said.

Flowers couldn't say what caused the power outage, but she praised the 18-year-old entertainer for finishing the show.

"He could have stopped; he could have not gone on and said, I did everything . but he came back on," said Flowers.

She added that Bieber showed reverence throughout the night for the famed theater, a hallowed hall where the likes of James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Bieber's idol, Michael Jackson, have performed.

"It was really like a special moment," she added.

Bieber's concert was part of a series of promotional appearances to push his album "Believe," out Tuesday. It has garnered strong reviews. Braun said he's hopeful the album will prove that Bieber has more to him than just hype.

"Every step of the way he's been doubted," Braun said. "''He is a great artist and entertainer and tonight he showed that."

___

Online:

http://www.justinbieber.com

__

Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's music editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

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Nantucket Real Estate ? Blog Archive ? Nantucket Property ...

A business and an apartment on .07 of an acre at 20 Straight Wharf sold to 20 Straight Wharf, LLC of Boston, Mass. from The Nantucket Island Products Co., Inc. of Nantucket, Mass. for $3,420,000. The property is assessed at $3,574,400. The Land Bank fee is $68,400.

A house on 2.8 acres at 17 Chuck Hollow Road sold to William M. Casey and Amy K. Casey of Coconut Grove, Fla. from Denise Riseborough and Kenneth S. Riseborough of Nantucket, Mass. for $2,145,000. The property is assessed at $2,649,900. The Land Bank fee is $42,900.

A house at .22 of an acre at 35 Washington St. sold to Scott Dehm and Amy Hauk of New Albany, Ohio from Jennie P. Garofalo, Trustee of Cottage Nominee Trust, of Concord, Mass. for $1,400,000. The property is assessed at $774,000. The Land Bank fee is $28,000.

A house on 1.5 acres at 22 Chuck Hollow Road sold to Jose Tomas and Diane Tomas of Southbury, Conn. from Sandra H. Manske of St. Louis, Mo. for $725,000. The property is assessed at $835,300. The Land Bank fee is $14,500.

A house on .40 of an acre at 16 Mizzenmast sold to Patricia A. F. Roggeveen of Nantucket, Mass. from Barbara Brabson, Trustee and Winslow Brabson, Trustee, of Tucson, Ariz. for $725,000. The property is assessed at $692,300. The Land Bank fee is $6,500 and the exemption is M.

A house on 1.8 acres at 4 Daffodil Lane sold to Douglas Lebrecht and Gina Lebrecht of Nantucket, Mass. from Charles M. Crosby, II and Joanne M. Crosby of Nantucket, Mass. for $700,000. The property is assessed at $647,600. The Land Bank fee is $14,000.

A business on .22 of an acre at 1 Sparks Ave. sold to Nantucket Rotary, LLC of Nantucket, Mass. from Elliot R,Norton of Nantucket, Mass. for $606,443.29. The property is assessed at $1,002,200. The Land Bank fee is $12,128.57.

A house on .46 of an acre at 11 Equator Drive sold to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee of the IndyMac the INDX Mortgage Trust 2007-AR1, Mortgage Pass- Through Certificates, Series 2007-AR1 under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated February 1, 2007, of Pasadena, Calif. from Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee of the IndyMac the INDX Mortgage Trust 2007-AR1, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-AR1 under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated February 1, 2007, of Pasadena, Calif. for $433,102.75. The property is assessed at $552,900. The Land Bank exemption is H.

A house .13 of an acre at 23 Bank St. sold to 23 Bank Street, LLC of Bronxville, N.Y. from Romney Fong-Eymann of North Pole, Ak. for $395,000. The property is assessed at $869,226. The Land Bank fee is $7,900.

A vacant lot on 2.0 acres at 20 Miacomet Road sold to Peter D. Kyburg and Randy Riseborough of Nantucket, Mass. from Andrew C. Malcom of Nantucket, Mass. for $370,000. The property is assessed at $444,900. The Land Bank fee is $7,400.

A house on .22 of an acre at 38 Surfside Road sold to Michael Dobbert and Elizabeth Kirby Lunger of Boston, Mass. from Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) of Dallas, Texas for $325,000. The property is assessed at $690,100. The Land Bank fee is $6,500.

A condominium unit, Unit 5, at 5A Park Circle sold to Federal National Mortgage Association of McLean, Va. from Provident Funding Associates, LP of Santa Rose, Calif. for $300,000. The property is assessed at $367,000. The Land Bank exemption is A.

A condominium unit, Unit 2.5 at 1E Freedom Square sold to Philip A. Mason of Brookline, Mass. from Suzy M. Trout of Belmont, Mass. for $185,000. The property is assessed at $286,500. The Land Bank fee is $3,700.

A vacant lot on .23 of an acre at 69 Surfside Road sold to Randy Riseborough of Nantucket, Mass. from Peter D. Kyburg of Nantucket, Mass. for $120,000. The property is assessed at $265,000.The Land Bank fee is $2,400.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 20th, 2012 at 9:19 am and is filed under Real Estate Transactions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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Shorter and sweeter (Unqualified Offerings)

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