Thoughts about the markets, automated trading algorithms, artificial intelligence, and lots of other stuff

  • Capitalogix Weekly Commentary – December 26th, 2008

    This week I will keep the commentary light, just like the trading volume has been.  Also, I put together a list of posts that I found interesting. 

    Quantitative Easing:  Now that the Fed has effectively cut the target lending rate to zero, it only has one more weapon in its arsenal – Quantitative Easing. Here is an easily understood video explaining this.


    Quantitative easing from Marketplace on Vimeo.

    Here are a few of the posts I found interesting this week:

    • For stores, a very un-merry Christmas. (CNN)
    • Amazon had a happy holiday season. (BizJournals.com) and TechCrunch)
    • Turn-about is fair play; Russian Professor Predicts End of USA (WSJ)
    • Oil jumps above $39 as Israel-Gaza conflict widens. (Marketplace)
    • Out With the Old, because Creative Destruction made it obsolete. (Lindzon)

    And, a little bit extra:

    • Is this the next hot item?  Burger King Cologne Sold-Out. (Reuters)
    • Are computer operating systems becoming extinct? (InfoWorld)
    • Do you still read books?  Electronic Book Readers are getting more popular. (NYTimes)
    • This is Shaquille O'Neal; This is the Real Shaquille O'Neal on Twitter.  (NYTimes and Twitter)
    • Will Cow Flatulence Be Taxed to Combat Global Warming? (TheWeek)
    • Bronx Mowgli Wentz, a name for a rock star or senator? (Fox)

  • Capitalogix Weekly Commentary – December 26th, 2008

    This week I will keep the commentary light, just like the trading volume has been.  Also, I put together a list of posts that I found interesting. 

    Quantitative Easing:  Now that the Fed has effectively cut the target lending rate to zero, it only has one more weapon in its arsenal – Quantitative Easing. Here is an easily understood video explaining this.


    Quantitative easing from Marketplace on Vimeo.

    Here are a few of the posts I found interesting this week:

    • For stores, a very un-merry Christmas. (CNN)
    • Amazon had a happy holiday season. (BizJournals.com) and TechCrunch)
    • Turn-about is fair play; Russian Professor Predicts End of USA (WSJ)
    • Oil jumps above $39 as Israel-Gaza conflict widens. (Marketplace)
    • Out With the Old, because Creative Destruction made it obsolete. (Lindzon)

    And, a little bit extra:

    • Is this the next hot item?  Burger King Cologne Sold-Out. (Reuters)
    • Are computer operating systems becoming extinct? (InfoWorld)
    • Do you still read books?  Electronic Book Readers are getting more popular. (NYTimes)
    • This is Shaquille O'Neal; This is the Real Shaquille O'Neal on Twitter.  (NYTimes and Twitter)
    • Will Cow Flatulence Be Taxed to Combat Global Warming? (TheWeek)
    • Bronx Mowgli Wentz, a name for a rock star or senator? (Fox)

  • Luck is Pretty Good Too

    Luck is underrated. Here is a fun video montage where the hand of fate wasn't so fickle.

    Here is a direct link to the YouTube video.

    What you focus on determines your life.  It has been said many times, in many ways.

    It is easy to focus on what is wrong, what is missing, or what you want to change.  On the other hand, it probably serves us better to feel confident, grateful and loved.  So as we begin 2009, think of how many things went right, how much opportunity is in front of you … and how even "terrible things" serve to put you back on the right track or start on a better path.

    Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

  • Luck is Pretty Good Too

    Luck is underrated. Here is a fun video montage where the hand of fate wasn't so fickle.

    Here is a direct link to the YouTube video.

    What you focus on determines your life.  It has been said many times, in many ways.

    It is easy to focus on what is wrong, what is missing, or what you want to change.  On the other hand, it probably serves us better to feel confident, grateful and loved.  So as we begin 2009, think of how many things went right, how much opportunity is in front of you … and how even "terrible things" serve to put you back on the right track or start on a better path.

    Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

  • Photology – A New Way To Find What You’re Looking For

    Overwhelmed by too many photos?  Too busy to sort and tag them?  Try this.

    Photology helps you navigate the flood of digital photos on your computer by finding photos using simple and intuitive filters like faces, sky, color, location, and time of day … automatically.

    081226 Photology Picture Finder

    Can't find the photo of you in that pink silk jacket from the 4th of July party on the beach a few years ago? No problem, even with seemingly endless folders of random photos.  You know the expression, "finding a needle in a haystack," right? Thanks to Photology, haystacks of photos will get a lot smaller, making it much easier to find the "needle" you're looking for – even if that needle is an a pink jacket.

    How do you do it?  Well, like this.

    First stop questioning why you own a pink silk jacket.  Then start remembering what you can.  It was a few years ago (probably 2006).  The photo was of faces.  It was outside.  You were wearing pink.  And It was sunset. 

    Photology Search Made Easay

    You can also combine, mix, and match any or all of these tidbits from your memory to find your photo.  It is fast, fun, and very easy to use.

    Try it yourself with this online demo.  After the demo launches, try the filter options on the left.

    I paid this software – and it was worth it.  Now it is free; an even better value proposition.  I'm still going to use Photoshop Elements for the heavier lifting … Still, Photology has its place in the toolbox.

    So click here to download the software.

  • Photology – A New Way To Find What You’re Looking For

    Overwhelmed by too many photos?  Too busy to sort and tag them?  Try this.

    Photology helps you navigate the flood of digital photos on your computer by finding photos using simple and intuitive filters like faces, sky, color, location, and time of day … automatically.

    081226 Photology Picture Finder

    Can't find the photo of you in that pink silk jacket from the 4th of July party on the beach a few years ago? No problem, even with seemingly endless folders of random photos.  You know the expression, "finding a needle in a haystack," right? Thanks to Photology, haystacks of photos will get a lot smaller, making it much easier to find the "needle" you're looking for – even if that needle is an a pink jacket.

    How do you do it?  Well, like this.

    First stop questioning why you own a pink silk jacket.  Then start remembering what you can.  It was a few years ago (probably 2006).  The photo was of faces.  It was outside.  You were wearing pink.  And It was sunset. 

    Photology Search Made Easay

    You can also combine, mix, and match any or all of these tidbits from your memory to find your photo.  It is fast, fun, and very easy to use.

    Try it yourself with this online demo.  After the demo launches, try the filter options on the left.

    I paid this software – and it was worth it.  Now it is free; an even better value proposition.  I'm still going to use Photoshop Elements for the heavier lifting … Still, Photology has its place in the toolbox.

    So click here to download the software.

  • Happy Holiday Season Wishes

    I put together a short photo album and holiday card.  I hope you'll click this to watch.

    Click to play 2008 Getson Photo Album
    Create your own photobook - Powered by Smilebox
    Make a Smilebox photobook

    Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a terrific 2009.

  • Happy Holiday Season Wishes

    I put together a short photo album and holiday card.  I hope you'll click this to watch.

    Click to play 2008 Getson Photo Album
    Create your own photobook - Powered by Smilebox
    Make a Smilebox photobook

    Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a terrific 2009.

  • This Holiday Season … Beware of the Doghouse

    Beware of the Doghouse Video 250p
    A funny reminder of what not to do this holiday season.

    When I asked what she wanted for a holiday present, my wife asked me to buy her an Apron.  Really.  She also wants a saw to cut wood, and a steam cleaner for the carpets.

    I might have been born at night. But it wasn't last night.

    Yes my wife claims to want certain things … But I've been trained better than to buy them as gifts.  I give them to her the day before … "just because". 

    Here's why.

    Direct link to YouTube video. 

    Also, here is their website.

    Extra: Click Here for "Things You Don't Say to Your Wife" video.

  • This Holiday Season … Beware of the Doghouse

    Beware of the Doghouse Video 250p
    A funny reminder of what not to do this holiday season.

    When I asked what she wanted for a holiday present, my wife asked me to buy her an Apron.  Really.  She also wants a saw to cut wood, and a steam cleaner for the carpets.

    I might have been born at night. But it wasn't last night.

    Yes my wife claims to want certain things … But I've been trained better than to buy them as gifts.  I give them to her the day before … "just because". 

    Here's why.

    Direct link to YouTube video. 

    Also, here is their website.

    Extra: Click Here for "Things You Don't Say to Your Wife" video.