Madagaskar

Duck! The Penguins Are Flying the Plan

Published: November 7, 2008

There’s a nuttier, generally more diverting entertainment creeping, crawling and waddling along the edges of “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” than the larger one lollygagging on screen. This central story of this new animated movie, written by Etan Cohen and the directors Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, involves Alex (Ben Stiller in low gear), a lion who in 2005 journeyed from New York captivity (i.e., a zoo) to the jungle in the first “Madagascar” with the usual mix of celebrity-voiced racial and ethnic stereotypes: a motor-mouthed zebra, Marty (Chris Rock); a nice if woefully neurotic giraffe, Melman (David Schwimmer); and the token girl, a hippo with a sizeable caboose named Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith).

Three years later Alex and company are literally ejected from Madagascar in a rickety plane operated by a penguin crew that’s led by the supremely confident, quite possibly insane Skipper (Mr. McGrath), a sleek ball of feathers and fat who simultaneously brings to mind Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, John Wayne and a cue ball. Along with his two sidekicks, a couple of stooges called Kowalski and Private (Chris Miller and Christopher Knights), Skipper keeps first the plane and then — after crash-landing on an African savannah — the movie moving with his deadpan delivery and with some surrealistic nonsense involving a barrel of laughing monkeys. (I see a big future for Mason and his silent partner, Phil, the two-chimp team whose lah-di-dah manners and sartorial flair recall that of the 1970s television ape, Lancelot Link.)

With King Julien, a deranged lemur whose daft non sequiturs and bon mots are dropped and dribbled with dexterity and control by an unrecognizable Sacha Baron Cohen (at times sounding like a less frantic Robin Williams), the penguins and chimps could have skittered into something memorable. Alas, the filmmakers, who clearly are having as much fun visually with these scene stealers as they are aurally, stick by the contemporary American animation playbook: Alex has a dream (gotta dance), father issues (with Bernie Mac as the pride of the pride) and a requisite baddie rival (Alec Baldwin, who else?). There’s also an unfunny old lady with a Jackie Mason accent who deserves a violently cruel end, but this is a PG movie.

Mr. Darnell and Mr. McGrath don’t appear especially committed to these stale conceits and character dynamics, which may explain why they spend so much time playing with the penguins, chimps and King Julien, who may not roar but certainly rules. There’s true playfulness here whenever this wacky animal pack takes over, a suggestion of delirium echoed by the zippy, at times overly zooming camerawork with its roller-coaster dips and swoops. And while the filmmakers throw the camera around almost as much as Brian De Palma does, every so often they slow down, giving you a chance to scan the softly muted colors of the landscapes and explore how the exaggerated character designs create a nice visual contrast with the photorealistic details and flourishes.

It’s unsurprising that Alex’s mane registers as more realistic than any of his words or emotions, but it’s also a bummer. “Escape 2 Africa” is good enough in patches to make its distracting star turns, storybook clichés and stereotypes harder to take than they would be in a less enjoyable movie. Casting Mr. Stiller and Mr. Schwimmer may sear their brands onto under-age cerebral cortices but does nothing for the movie. And, really, did the hippo (voiced by will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas) who courts Gloria with a low rumble and a suggestive shimmy have to sound like Barry White rather than, say, Marc Anthony or Justin Timberlake? I laughed, but honestly, if this country can vote colorblind surely its movie studios can animate colorblind too. (Can’t they?)

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” is rated PG. Parental guidance suggested. But not required.

MADAGASCAR

Escape 2 Africa

Opens on Friday nationwide.

Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath; written by Etan Cohen, Mr. Darnell and Mr. McGrath; music by will.i.am and Hans Zimmer; production designer, Kendal Cronkhite; produced by Mireille Soria and Mark Swift; released by DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 29 minutes.

WITH THE VOICES OF: Ben Stiller (Alex), Chris Rock (Marty), David Schwimmer (Melman), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria), Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien), Cedric the EntertainerAndy Richter (Mort), Bernie Mac (Zuba), Sherri Shepherd (Alex’s Mom), Alec Baldwin (Makunga), Tom McGrath (Skipper), Conrad Vernon (Mason) and will.i.am (Moto Moto). (Maurice),

Wonderful Plateau

Ijen Plateau

The Ijen Plateau is a large upland area southeast of Bondowoso, which includes the peaks and foothills of Gunung Ijen, Gunung Raung (3332m), Gunung Suket (2950m) and Gunung Merapi (2800m), plus several smaller peaks. The entire area is rural, coffee plantations and vegetable gardens blending into the forested uplands, with a few widely dispersed villages. The highlight is the dramatic lake, Kawah Ijen , in the crater of the dormant volcano from which dozens of miners dig sulphur by hand.

The usual access to the crater lake is a three-kilometre (90min) hike from PAL TUDING , where there's a campsite, dorm (under $5; bring a sleeping bag), caf?, and national park office (Rp1000 park entrance fee). From Pal Tuding, the path heads steeply uphill through the forest and is easy to follow. After 45 minutes it passes a building, and the climb steepens. Just above here the path splits; the right fork, the best route, leads to the crater rim and the left fork to the dam at the end of the lake. After a while you find yourself 200m above the lake in a dramatic, austere landscape of almost bare rock sloping down into the crater. You can walk along the top of the crater, or descend to the edge of the lake along the narrow path that the sulphur miners use - allow 30 to 45 minutes to get down, and twice that to get back up. The sulphur miners come up to Kawah Ijen daily; they set off from the Banyuwangi area before dawn, walk up to the lake from Licin, hack out a full load of sulphur (50-70kg) by hand, which they bring up to the crater rim and back down to Licin where they receive around Rp125 per kilo. It's dangerous work, and sudden eruptions and sulphur fumes have been known to kill miners.

From Bondowoso there are four buses daily to SEMPOL , the main village on the plateau (66km; 3hr); from Sempol you have to hitch or use an ojek (Rp10,000 one-way) to get to Pal Tuding. The most convenient place to stay is at the national park office area in Pal Tuding, but it's also possible to stay near Sempol, 1km from the main road in the hamlet of Kalisat , at the guesthouses, Jampit II and III (no phone; $5-10), which are signposted "Penginapan Kaliasat" from the centre of Sempol. Staff here can arrange excursions to Kawah Ijen, local guides, transport and inexpensive food.

Photo Techniques - Landscape Photography

How to Take Landscape & Scenic Photos

Desert Landscape

Landscape or scenic shots are one of those types of images that almost everybody takes, professional or not. The only problem is that so many of basic landscape pictures never look as good as it did in person. The reason may be obvious but it also marks the difference between professional scenic photographers and general consumers. The difference is the amount of detail that is able to be captured. Get more detail into your scenic shots and you will greatly improve your images.

The first trick to getting more detail has to do with the time of day the image was taken. Never shoot during the middle of the day if you can avoid it. Go for the Golden Hours as discussed before and take advantage of when Mother Nature looks her best. In landscape photography direct overhead sunlight kills landscape dimensions and makes them look flat and bleak.

A tripod and a shutter release cable are very helpful tools to have with landscape photography. Losing detail due to camera shake would be a terrible crime in landscape photography. In most cases, the landscape isn't moving - at least not a rate that we can tell. Take the time to properly compose and think about the elements in your shot. Look for hidden details within the landscape that can be focused on or even put in the sweet spots of your image.

Angola Waterfalls

Flashes are generally not necessary in landscape photography. This is mostly because the flash won't even hit the subject that you are shooting. If your camera tries to use a flash then force it to turn off. This will allow you to have slower shutter speeds.

Increase your depth of field. This can be done a couple of ways. The first way is to use the smallest aperture you can. This will give you a greater depth of field then with a larger aperture. A smaller aperture will also require a longer shutter speed. This is allowed in landscape photography since your subject is not moving. Remember that a small aperture is represented by a large number such as f/22.

You can also increase depth of field by including a close by subject to make a contrast in size. An example of this would be if you were on one mountain ridge taking a picture of the ridge next to you. Include in your image a tree that is on your ridge but far enough away. You suddenly brought depth and proportion into your beautiful landscape.

Other Technique from Dawn Lane

So you think you might be interested in doing a little landscape photography but the grand sweeping vistas of Ansel Adams Yellowstone tend to intimidate more than inspire? Don't despair. You needn't lug around 30 lbs of camera equipment or scout the National Parks for suitable subjects to enjoy the art of landscape photography. It is within the reach of anyone who enjoys the outdoors and owns even the most basic camera equipment.

Defining landscape photography

Landscape photography is difficult to define. The more landscape photography I do, the broader my definition becomes. For me, landscape photography is not so much about what is contained in the image, but what it portrays about a place. While a landscape photograph might be a wide-angle image of a pristine lake or an ocean sunset, it might just as well be a dormant plant in a winter pond. If the lake, the sunset and the dormant plant image each reveal something significant about a place, its inhabitants, or its conditions and evoke an emotional response in the viewer, they qualify as landscape photographs in my book. Grand or tiny, a landscape is not so much about the subject itself, but rather about the place in which the subject exists and the feeling the subject and place evokes.

Camera equipment for landscape photography

You do not need to invest in a lot of expensive gear to begin exploring landscape photography. I like to travel light and concentrate on taking pictures rather than changing lenses, so my gear of choice is a Coolpix 5700 digicam with a built in zoom lens. A zoom lens will give you ready access to a wide range of focusing distances that will allow you to explore different compositions within a single scene with little effort. The one additional piece of equipment I would recommend is a lightweight tripod. A tripod will ensure a steady camera at any shutter speed and allow you to fine tune your compositions.

Landscape photography in your own backyard

What if the familiar places of the famous landscape photographers lay many states away from your own home? Who says these are the most worthy locations anyway? Landscape photography is not about a specific place, but about seeing the significance of the natural world around you every day. Your own backyard literally can be a great starting place because you know it better than any other place. If you don't have a backyard to call your own, a city or county park, a campground or even a drainage pond bordering the local shopping mall can provide a great starting place to explore landscape photography. Most of my landscape photography takes place within a 20-mile radius of my home. I've created a list of places I like to visit and have come to know these places well. One you know a place well, you can anticipate things like how the light will cast a shadow at a particular time of day, or when a certain wildflower will be in bloom.

Cruise to Jurrasic Island of Indonesia

2008 "KLM Ombak Putih" Cruising Sulawesi-Komodo-Flores-Sumbawa 7 Days/6 Nights

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All Cruises Include:	All Cruises Exclude:
Full Board A/C Cabins Private Shower and Toilet Soft drinks, tea, and coffee Towels Excursions Laundry service Use of snorkeling gear Use of sea canoes European cruise director	Air Fares Insurance Acoholic Beverages Tips

If you looking for a sailing expedition, that appeals to everyone, KLM Ombak Putih has earned the reputation of carrying, the perfect mix of deluxe clients. International Travelers from around the world board KLM Ombak Putih for "this years experience". You will find the service impeccable and the conversation light and intelligent.

"Departure Dates & Rates 2008"

PENDING

"Advance Bookings Suggested"

YOUR PROGRAM TO KOMODO

Day 1	At 08.00 being transferred from your hotel to the Benoa harbor. After boarding your vessel Ombak Putih., we will sail to Gili Trawangan , the largest of the so-called Gili’s three tiny islets off the north-west tip of Lombok. With it’s sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs and abundance of iridescent tropical fish, this is a snorkellers/divers paradise. We’ll spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach and snorkeling, or diving on the reef before setting sail later this evening to cruise overnight to Sumbawa Besar.
Day 2	Arriving at Sumbawa this morning we disembark and explore the town of Sumbawa Besar on the west side of the island. We visit the Sultan’s Palace, a raised wooden building built on the site of three former palaces, the pasar and a traditional Sumbawanese village and rejoin our schooner for cruising overnight to the Komodo archipelago.
Day 3	Arrival in Komodo. This afternoon we land at one of the beautiful beaches of Komodo Island – one of the greatest wildlife regions of the world -. Only 37 km long by 21 km wide. Komodo island is a rather desolate place inhabited by a few fishermen with their outriggers. Red beach is so called because of traces of red coral in the sand – we hope to have a barbecue lunch on the beach - and perhaps do some swimming, snorkeling or diving around the coral. There is also a large fruit bat colony here and after lunch we go in search of giant fruit bats.
Day 4	This morning we walk through dry and dusty scrub to a point from which we can observe the Komodo Dragons. The largest of the monitor lizards, they have been extinct elsewhere since the Jurassic Age and almost identical fossilized remains date from the age of dinosaurs! Their unique size and bulk results from the lack of any serious competing species or predator. Their bodies can be up to three meters long and weight up to 150 kilograms, yet they can move swiftly to hunt and their powerful jaws and sharp claws can easily tear apart their prey of wild pig, wild boar or deer. This afternoon we continue to Rinca , a small island not far from Komodo. The island is home to a variety of animals, such as deer, buffaloes, and family groups of monkeys, wild horses and also the extraordinary megapode bird. We anchor in a beautiful bay where dolphins can often be seen flocking in the wake of passing boats and sperm whales and dugongs are occasionally seen offshore. We shall spend some time in the nature reserve before rejoining our schooner and cruising to the harbor of Labuhanbajo at the westernmost point of Flores.
Day 5	After breakfast, we will have a transfer to a village 10 km from Labuhanbajo where we will attend a so-called ‘caci’ (whip-)dance a ceremonial dance conducted at official occasion in west-Flores. Around noon we will sail to Tatawa and Batubolong, s tiny desert island off the Flores coast where we will swim, dive and relax. In the evening we will have a BBQ under star spangled sky..
Day 6	In the morning we will arrive at the island of Satonda, a sunken volcano in the middle of the sea. We walk up to it’s caldera, before relaxing on the beach or snorkeling/diving off the fine reef. From here we head west and when tiome allows we will drop anchor off the mouth of a small river on Pulau Moyo where we would go ashore. Following the river through the forest we come to a waterfall where we can bathe in a rock pool. At night sailing to west-Lombok
Day 7	After a stop at the Gili’s off the west-coast of Lombok where we will have a final swim and snorkel, we will arrive at the Benoa Harbor around noon and disembark from the schooner bidding farewell to the crew.

Finding the Best Yacht Charter to Suit Your Needs

You’ve made the decision to charter a yacht. Now, let us help you make the process easy and enjoyable. With years of experience pleasing diverse clients with diverse needs and wants, we will help create your dream private custom charter.

Our specialty is matching our clients’ needs to the most appropriate yacht and crew. But, in order to do so we need some basic information from you.

Step One: What, Where, When?

Motor yacht or sailing yacht? Many people enjoy the speed a motor yacht affords, along with its roominess and luxury. Others prefer the excitement of sailing as much as arriving at new ports. In some locations meals and fuel would be in addition to the base charter fee for motor yachts, while they may be fully inclusive for sailing yachts.

What is your budget? When planning a charter vacation, you will need to budget for the base charter fee, meals, beverages, and gratuities. Travel to and from your embarkation and disembarkation ports are a separate cost.

Where would you like to cruise? Many clients know exactly the area they would like to explore. If not, we can help narrow your search by sending you suggested itineraries of specific areas. Let us know where you’d like to go and we’ll send you itineraries that can help define your custom cruise once you have chosen your yacht.

How many are in your party? The number of people and their interests are important for us to ascertain which yachts would have the appropriate number and type of staterooms. Knowing ages and interests will also help us to find yachts equipped with the right “toys” such as diving or fishing equipment and water toys.

When is your vacation? Early booking is usually best, especially for popular destinations and yachts, so we advise you to plan ahead. As soon as you know when and where you would like to charter, let us know. Bookings are generally made in weekly increments but start and end dates can be flexible. With approximate vacation dates we can find you the most appropriate yacht for when and where you want to cruise.

Step Two: Narrowing the Field

With the above information known, we can research and find the most appropriate yacht for your charter. With a worldwide fleet of yachts and our personal knowledge of the fleet and crew, we search for the best yachts to fit your needs. Then, we can recommend a selection of yachts available for your destination, size, and budget.

After you have looked over our suggestions, we will explain the terms of each yacht to narrow your choice until we have found you your perfect match.

Step Three: Reserving the Yacht

Charter Agreement: When you are ready to reserve your yacht we will ask you to review and sign a Charter Agreement which we will walk you through to assure you understand and are satisfied with the terms.

Deposits and Final Payment: Once you have reviewed the agreement and are ready to sign it, we will require a deposit. If the charter date is longer than 6 months from the date of signing the agreement, the deposit is 25 percent. If the charter is within 6 months from the date of signing the agreement, we will require a 50 percent deposit. The final payment, as well as the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) for non-inclusive charters, is made one month before the charter date begins. For non-inclusive charters, your captain will keep a detailed account of food and beverage expenses that will be reconciled against your advance funds for you at the end of your charter.

Food: Each charter is a customized experience and that includes the food and beverage. Therefore, we will send you a detailed questionnaire about your preferences for food and beverages, along with medical and dietary concerns. It’s crucial the yacht crew has this specific information so they can make appropriate provisions before the start of the charter to assure they have everything you like and want.

Cancellation: Charter cancellation terms are detailed in the Charter Agreement form. Charter cancellation insurance is an option we will discuss with you before you reserve your yacht.

The Responsibilities of your Captain: Your captain is eager to make your charter a personalized adventure of a lifetime. He or she is responsible for the safety of the vessel and all on board. Therefore, when there are issues of safety, your captain will make final decisions.

Gratuities: At your discretion, it is customary to tip the captain and crew at the completion of a charter. The usual range for a tip is more or less than 15 percent of the base charter fee, depending on the level of service you have received.

Flying with the Aircraft family

Pilots who fly the A350 XWB will feel at home in its advanced cockpit, wow it's very wonderful which inherits the commonality features from Airbus’ fly-by-wire aircraft family while also benefitting from the latest in display technology and integrated modular avionics.

The A350 XWB retains the same excellent handling qualities as the A320, A330/A340 and A380 families, and is flown utilising similar operating procedures. For Airbus-rated pilots, this means reduced training time in the transition from one aircraft to another, as shorter-duration Difference Training classes replace the Full Type Rating course.

Additionally, pilots can fly multiple aircraft types within an Airbus fleet by using the proven Mixed Fleet Flying concept, resulting in significant benefits for airline profitability, pilot productivity and scheduling flexibility.

Airbus is building on its cockpit design heritage in taking the A350 XWB’s display technology a step beyond the A380. Six very large LCD screens replace the 10 large LCDs on the A380, providing ample room to show all flight and system information needed today, with additional display area available for future requirements.

In addition, the A350 XWB’s six identical screens are fully interchangeable and have the same part number for reduced spares requirements, while their advanced design and mature technology cut maintenance costs by up to 80 per cent.

The A350 XWB will be a faster, more efficient and quieter aircraft as the result of its advanced wing design – which combines aerodynamic enhancements already validated on the A380 with further improvements developed by Airbus engineers.

Built primarily from carbon composite materials, the wing is optimised through extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics and wing tunnel testing for a fast cruise speed of Mach 0.85. This reduces trip times, improves overall efficiency, and extends the aircraft’s range.

All three A350 XWB family members share the same wing planform – with a 64.7-metre wingspan, a total area of 442 sq. metres, and high swept leading edge. In addition the internal wing structure will be scaled to meet the specific requirements of each aircraft variant.

Innovative concepts are being applied to the A350 XWB wing’s high-lift devices (flaps, slats and spoilers) that will reduce noise and drag while also improving the aircraft’s low-speed performance.

One of these innovations is the stream-wise deployment of trailing-edge flaps. On a traditional swept-wing jetliner, the outboard flaps extend at an angle to the airflow. For the A350 XWB, flap deployment is along the direction of flight – resulting in better lift efficiency and improved low-speed performance, while reducing aerodynamic-generated noise.

Other A350 XWB wing enhancements include the adoption of a drop-hinge mechanism to improve the flap’s deployment kinetics, along with the introduction of a downwards movement for the upper wing spoilers to fill the gaps that occur when flaps are extended. In addition, the A350 XWB’s flight computer will perform in-flight trimming of the inboard and outboard flaps, creating a variable camber wing that adapts to different flight conditions.

The A350XWB’s new wing is being validated using the latest computational fluid dynamics techniques accompanied by thousands of hours of wind tunnel testing.

review from www.airbus.com

Best general-purpose inkjet printer

For those who want to print a mix of text, graphics and photos, reviewers say the Pixma iP4500 is the best blend of print quality and value. Two paper trays let you load both regular paper and photo paper, and print quality for both photos and text is very good. Other unusual features include auto-duplexing (printing on both sides of the paper) and two paper trays. Missing is an LCD screen for previewing photos -- some owners miss this feature, but others don't.

Live life in the fast lane with the racy PIXMA iP4500 that’s both quick and heart-stoppingly sleek

Right on target: Print at nothing less than the ultimate in accuracy and quality
•	Microscopic 1pl ink droplets for absolute precision
•	Stunning 9600 dpi resolution
•	Zip out 4” x 6” borderless prints in a mere 21 seconds
•	Incredibly fast speeds of 31ppm in monochrome and 24ppm in colour
•	5-colour ContrastPlus Ink System ensures exceptional colour reproduction across the entire spectrum

Get productive…and creative: A variety of media and a capacity for bulk printing makes it easy
•	Auto Sheet Feeder and Paper Feed Cassette hold 300 sheets in all
•	Print directly onto CDs and DVDs with the included CD/DVD tray
•	Auto Duplex Printing allows printing on both sides of the paper automatically
•	Integrated software such as Easy-PhotoPrint Ex provides boundless creative opportunities

Perfectly simple and convenient
•	Print without a computer, thanks to the iP4500’s PictBridge compatibility
•	Pigment-based black ink produces sharper, clearer text
•	LED ink tank system maximizes ink management for greater efficiency

Get handy: Make the most out of your projects with these creative capabilities
•	Create greeting cards, 3D paper craft and more at the online Canon Creative Park
•	Easy-PhotoPrint Ex produces photo prints in a variety of ways

Memories are forever: Retain your best moments in vivid colour
•	ChromaLife100 technology produces fade resistant prints that will last for years to come

What if you want a random number in the where clause (SQL trick)

What if you want a random number in the where clause, like, so you
can choose 1/10 of the rows at random?  Use a hash instead.

  select * from emp where dbms_utility.get_hash_value(dump(rowid),0,100)<10;

1. The biggest difference between Oracle and everyone else is the locking mechanism. Everyone else gets share locks on data when they query it. That means other queries can also see the data, but queries block writes and writes block queries. (Update: the default for everyone else, for for example for DB2, is for queries not to block writes. Instead they show any data committed at the time the query internally fetches the data. This means each query result can be internally inconsistent, but it allows greater concurrency.) Oracle doesn't have share locks. Instead it uses snapshots, which are points in time. A query looks at the data as of some point in time. If someone changes the data later, that's OK, the query still sees the old version of the data. Each query result is internally consistent, but consecutive queries may not be consistent with one another. Queries don't block writes and writes don't block queries. Writes still block writes. Both share locks and snapshots are reasonable concurrency models, but they aren't the same. It's wrong to think in terms of one when working with the other.
2. Derived tables (from-clause subqueries, inline views):

     select * from (select * from emp);
    insert into (select deptno from dept)
      select trunc(a) from (select sum(empno)/5000 a from emp);
   

   This has the same effect as if you used a view. It is useful for queries that have a repeated complex expression; for example

     select x from (select avg(sin(empno)) x from emp group by deptno)
      where x > 0;
   

   It's also useful when you want to use one of the values found by a subquery, for example when deleting all outdated entries from a log:

     delete from log where rowid in
      (select rowid from log
       minus
       select a.rowid
         from log a, (select id, max(time) mtime from log group by id) b
         where a.id = b.id and a.time = b.mtime);
   

   As of 9i, inline views can also be expressed with a "WITH clause", for example

     with sub1 as (select deptno, avg(sin(empno)) x from emp group by deptno)
    select a.deptno, a.x, b.x from sub1 a, sub1 b where a.deptno > b.deptno;
   

3. When should varchar2 be used instead of char? Always. Varchar2 is always faster, more space efficient, less buggy, and its comparison rules are more likely to be what you expect.
4. Is SQL case sensitive? No. Can I give tables case-sensitive names with weird characters in them? Yes. Quote them, like so:

     create table "Table" ("My column is KEWL!!!" int);
   

5. How do I insert data into an nvarchar2 column? From 9i onwards, just like any other character column, and the character set is guaranteed to hold the Unicode repertoire and measure characters using UCS2 codepoints. There is implicit conversion between char and nchar. Before 9i, avoid nvarchar2. If you really must use it, you insert like so: "insert into nemp (ename) values (n'SCOTT')".
6. Building a big bogus table:

     create table a (a1 number, a2 varchar2(50));
    begin
      for i in 1..10000 loop
        insert into a values (i, 'I am a unique and extraordinary individual');
      end loop;
      commit;
    end;
    /
    alter table a add constraint apk primary key (a1);
    select count(*) from a;         -- 10000 rows
   

7. Like the making of sausage and politics, it is best not to understand the making of Oracle data types.

     select dump(1), dump(-1), dump(sysdate) from dual;
   

   Ouch! Ouch! You're twisting my arm. I'll explain, for Oracle numbers at least.
   1. All data on disk looks like
   2. All data on disk is byte-sortable (other than the lengths).
   3. Digits are base 100, and the first byte is the (base-100) exponent. For example, the number 1 has exponent 193, 10 also has 193, 100 has 194, 0.01 has 192.
   4. Negative numbers complement the exponent. 62 for -1, 63 for -.01, 61 for -100.
   5. Why? Because the exponent has to be byte-sortable.
   6. Digits. Positive digits are 1..100. Negative digits are 101..2. Again, to be byte-sortable. Base-100 digits use about 7 out of 8 bits of each byte, so this is a reasonably efficient way of storing numbers.
   7. Negative numbers have a trailing byte of value 102, unless the maximum number of digit bytes (20) are used. To make things byte sortable. -1 > -1.01, right? But (62,100) < (62,100,100). The trailing 102 corrects that: (62,100,102) > (62,100,100,102).
   8. But why isn't the exponent for 1 192, for -1 63, and why are the digits 1..100 and 101..2 instead of 0..99 and 99..0? Because, way back in prehistory, Oracle used 0 as a null terminator, so you couldn't store 0 on disk for any other purpose. So 1 was added to everything. There's no reason not to store 0 on disk anymore because all values store their lengths separately, but the number format hasn't changed.
   9. My guess is that negative infinity was originally (1,1), pushing the negative numbers out to 101..2 instead of 100..1. That's not what negative infinity is now, and SQL doesn't expose the infinities anyhow.
8. To find out how a query is executed, create a plan table with UTLXPLAN.SQL, fill the table with

     explain plan for select ...  ;
   

   and then look at the results with a connect-by script, something like this:

     select substrb(to_char(cost),1,6) cost,
           substrb(to_char(cardinality),1,6) card,
           substrb(substr('  .  ,  .  ,  .  ',1,level) || operation,1,20) type,
           substrb(options,1,15) subtype,
           substrb(object_owner,1,5) owner,
           substrb(object_name,1,5) name,
           substrb(object_node,1,5) link from plan_table
      connect by parent_id = prior id
      start with id = 0;
    delete from plan_table;
   

9. Insert and update with check option:

     insert into (select * from emp where deptno = 10 with check option)
      values (...);
    update (select * from (select sal, empno from emp, dept
                           where emp.deptno=dept.deptno and loc='AKRON')
            where sal > 100000 with check option)
      set sal = :1 where empno = :2;
   

10. Mutating/Constraining errors.

    Before 8i:

    • You only get these when you modify a table being read or you read a table being modified. Foreign key constraints read some tables implicitly. A table that might be deleted from due to delete cascade counts as modifying.
    • You only get these errors from per-row triggers, not from after statement or before statement triggers (unless they are under per-row triggers).
    • Delete cascade enforcement fires statement triggers every time it delete cascades a row, so all those statement triggers are subject to mutating errors too.
    When you get the error, use your per-row trigger to fill a PL/SQL table instead. Then use an after-statement trigger to apply the changes based on that PL/SQL table. There are generic packages out there for generating the triggers, PL/SQL tables, and so forth needed to implement update cascade. Often you need more PL/SQL variables to keep track of whether you are already under a trigger, to avoid recursion.

    After 8i: Half the mutating errors go away. Specifically, it is still illegal to read or modify a mutating table, but modifying a table that is being read is fine. This allows the obvious before-row trigger implementation of update cascade, for example. The problem of delete cascade firing statement triggers under row triggers is fixed in Oracle8i too.

11. How to enable constraints without locking tables for hours on end (using Oracle8 or later). First put all constraints in the ENABLE NOVALIDATE mode, then ENABLE (or VALIDATE) them individually. The ENABLE NOVALIDATE modifies only metadata. The VALIDATE hold no locks, can run in parallel, and many such enables can be run concurrently.
12. How to store data case sensitive but to index it case insensitive (from 8i on): Set compatible=8.1.0.0.0, query_rewrite_integrity=trusted, and query_rewrite_enabled=true.

      create table a (a1 varchar2(10));
     create index ai on a (upper(a1));
     analyze table a compute statistics;
    

    This will use the cost-based optimizer. From what I've heard, that's OK. As of Oracle8i the cost-based optimizer is a good thing, and it can use several access methods the rule-based optimizer doesn't know about.

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Candy Facts: Halloween Treats From Ancient Recipes

Holly Morris
National Geographic News

October 30, 2008

Trick-or-treaters reaching for individually wrapped candy bars this Halloween probably won't stop to wonder about the origins of their sugary treats.

But for anyone with a taste for adventure, the holiday could be an ideal time for a sweet history lesson, as a remarkable number of bygone confections can still be bought or made.

For instance, "most medieval sweets are still around in some form or another," said Tim Richardson, author of Sweets: A History of Candy.

Prehistoric treats such as tree sap, honeycomb, and raw sugarcane might not be popular anymore as stand-alone foods.

There are, however, several old-school items that may delight, surprise, or perhaps repulse your Halloween guests.

(Related: "Keep Halloween Fair," National Geographic's Green Guide [October/November 2007].)

Dates and Figs

Whether date and fig concoctions count as true candy is up for debate. But the ancient Romans ate them as sweets—and left behind detailed recipes.

One first-century A.D. treat, recounted in Sweets, calls for mashed figs with cumin, fennel, anise, and sesame seeds rolled into balls. (A version made by National Geographic News found no takers, perhaps due to the overpowering smell of cumin.)

The lumps can be wrapped in fig leaves for added authenticity or for easy distribution.

If spiced fig wads sound unappetizing, consider that Romans also ate dormice for dessert, feeding figs to the small rodents to sweeten their meat before baking them in pies.

Another first-century A.D. Roman recipe, also noted in Sweets, was more tolerable to modern palates: pine nut-stuffed dates, rolled in salt and fried in honey. (National Geographic testers said the confections tasted like salty, crunchy caramels.)

Europeans first encountered sugar sometime during the Crusades, which began around A.D. 1000 and brought Crusaders into contact with Arabic cultures already producing the now-common substance.

For the Europeans, sugar was "this brand-new spice that was riveting and life-changing for a lot of people," said Beth Kimmerle, author of Candy: The Sweet History and Chocolate: The Sweet History.

"It could preserve fruit, [so] people were then able to transport things."

Venice was the first city to import candied edibles from the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The first confectioners opened up shop in the Italian city by 1150.

Medieval cooks were soon candying herbs, whole citrus fruits, and flowers, many of which can be found today made just as they were hundreds of years ago.

Candied violets, for example, remain popular in Europe and can be bought from online retailers.

"Lots and lots of candied violets are made everywhere—Spain in particular loves them," Sweets author Richardson said.

The fragrant petals "seem to occupy your nostrils rather than your mouth," he said. (National Geographic testers found the sugared flowers to taste like Fruity Pebbles cereal.)

Hard Candy

Rock sugar is better known today as a grade school science experiment: Boil sugar in water, put it in a jar, drop in a stick or a thread, and wait for sugar crystals to form. It was also one of the first candies, Sweet History's Kimmerle said.

Flavored boiled sweets—the modern Jolly Rancher is an example—developed alongside candied fruits.

"They were a cheap version of the expensive stuff—an imitation of real candied fruit," Richardson said.

Hundreds of varieties of hard candy are still made in Britain, he noted.

Nuts

Almonds were much favored in the medieval Middle East, where the almond-based marzipan, nougat, and torrone originated.

Spain and Italy "both still make really, really first-class torrone," Richardson said. The stuff is easily found at Italian grocery stores in individually wrapped bricks.

Candied nuts came into vogue along with candied fruit. Italians in particular "went crazy for" what's now called the Jordan almond (not named for the country, but from the French/Spanish word "jardin," or garden), Kimmerle said.

"Often in Europe you can find confectioners doing processes that are very similar to what it would have been like back in the day. The Jordan almond is a perfect example," she said.

And India still serves sweet paan, a variety of candied spices and nuts similar to those described in ancient texts, Richardson said.

Gummies

Gummy worms' roots are in medieval Islamic pharmacies, Richardson said.

From the seventh and eighth centuries onward, gums—made from sugar, fruit, and gum arabic (the sap of the acacia tree)—were used to soothe sore throats and other ills.

The French became masters of gummy-making in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Now the favored supplier is Germany, home of gummy bear pioneer Haribo, although today's gummies are far chewier than those of antiquity.

Dark Chocolate

Until the late 1800s, chocolate was primarily a drink, not a snack.

Europeans were probably the first to make it into a bar. Later, when milk was added, it became a sweet for the masses, Kimmerle said. But before that, chocolate was dark.

A particularly early reference to bar chocolate was made in the 1700s by none other than controversial French aristocrat the Marquis de Sade, who was imprisoned in the 1800s on suspicion of insanity.

"He's in prison and he writes to his wife asking her to supply him with chocolate dainties. The chocolate she sent previously wasn't very good," said Louis Grivetti, a professor of nutrition science at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage.

The marquis's spouse had probably sent a dark bar with "a modest amount of sugar to dull the very bitter taste," Grivetti said.

Today, high-cacao—aka very dark—chocolate is once again the fashion.

Candy connoisseurship is up generally, Richardson said, with "a lot more emphasis on expensive sweets."

Review by beta

All New About New Hoda Jazz

The all-new Jazz doesn’t just have a big heart. She’s got lots of room inside. We’ve improved and enlarged what was already one of Australia’s most spacious, best-designed small cars. It’s a car you’ll feel good driving, and one that makes it easy to bring family, friends and all your stuff along.

Even on long trips, Jazz is a great travel companion. She’s got comfortable, supportive seats, easy-to-read information displays and amazing wide-open visibility. Jazz consistently goes beyond the expected. And you’ll love her for it.

Jazz lightens your load...

The all-new Jazz has a lower tailgate. So getting heavy luggage into the hatch takes very little heavy lifting.

...and welcomes you inside

Jazz’s rear doors open to an 80º angle, making it easy to stow luggage, adjust a child seat or simply step in.

Easy seat adjustment

One quick action is all that’s needed to position the seats to a flat position or to bring them back up. How easy is that?

Very smart displays

Jazz’s brilliant, back-lit dashboard displays are as intuitive and readable as they are blazingly attractive.

CD/MP3 compatible

Jazz knows life is better with a soundtrack, so she’s made it easy to plug in your MP3 player and let your music set the scene.

Clever storage design

When it comes to storage, Jazz keeps on giving. Two glove boxes. A front console box. A hidden rear seat box. And ten (yes, ten) drink holders.

The all-new Jazz knows what you want in a small car. And she’s got it in spades. There’s plenty of room – this little car is big inside. Comfortable seats. Great visibility. And attention to detail everywhere you look.

Jazz has the kind of zip that makes freeway driving a breeze. She sips fuel while offering a smooth, quiet ride. Plus, she’s easy to park and great with turns. Give her a go and you’ll agree. Driving Jazz is an absolute joy.

Toshiba Launches AV notebook PCs that integrate TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor "SpursEngineTM "

High-resolution function upscales standard images to high definition quality

TOKYO--Toshiba Corporation today announced that it will enhance its Japanese line-up of industry leading Qosmio AV notebooks with the launch of new models, the Qosmio G50 series and Qosmio F40 series, that integrate the streaming media processing power of the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor SpursEngine™ SE1000 ("SpursEngine™"). Both new series will be brought to market in Japan in late July. In parallel, Toshiba also announced the launch of the new dynabook Qosmio FX, which integrates the latest high performance graphics processor.

As computers continue to add functionality, they are increasingly used to create, edit, download and view video sources at ever-higher definitions. However, image recognition and processing imposes increased burdens on the CPU performance. The SpursEngine™ removes these burdens, and brings powerful new functions to the Qosmio line-up.

Derived from the high performance multi-core technology of the Cell Broadband Engine™^*2*3 and functions as a dedicated co-processor^*4 that supports the smooth handling of high definition video streams, image recognition and image processing. (Cell/B.E.), and combined with Toshiba's advanced image processing technology, the SpursEngine™ integrates four synergistic processing elements (S.P.E.s)

This new processor is designed to remove the burden of processing high definition video data streams from CPU, and it significantly improves processing power and speeds up the handling of multiple, resource-intensive video processing tasks such as conversion of standard definition video content to high definition quality.

The capabilities of the SpursEngine™ go far beyond simply supporting the CPU, and bring a whole range of new features to the new Qosmio G50 series and Qosmio F40 series.

First among these is support for Toshiba’s breakthrough "High-resolution function" that upscales standard definition video sources and bring them to screen in high definition picture quality. This allows users to experience standard DVD video content with high definition quality.

Users viewing video on the new Qosmios can also enjoy other new functions. The "Face navigation function" recognizes and memorizes faces as they appear on screen, and displays them in an easily searched index that can be used to playback video segments featuring a specific person. "Scene Thumb" takes thumbnail snapshots of a user-recorded video, lines them up one after another, and any one can be individually viewed by running the cursor over it. "Scene Thumb" provides users with a unique approach to finding just the moment they want to view. Another feature of thumbnail search is the ability to search by highlight level and section bar, allowing viewers to home on in, for example, heavy applause during a concert video.

The high-end Qosmio G50 series also adds "Gesture Control" for gesture-based interfacing: simple hand movements captured by the PC’s integrated CCD camera, can be used to control video playback and pause, for example, without a mouse or remote controller.

One aspect of the new Qosmio performance that users will really appreciate is its extensive range of recording capabilities. In addition to the ability to upscale standard definition video to high definition quality as it records, the new Qosmios are also able to cut recording time by half, and to boost recording density by a factor of approximately eight—recording up to eight hours of video on the storage capacity usually required for one hour^*5. This is done by real-time compression of high definition digital terrestrial broadcasts into the H.264 format during recording.

Along with the SpursEngine™, the new Qosmios also integrate a complete suite of the latest hardware, including a next generation Intel® CPU processor and the latest NVIDIA graphic accelerator. The result is a platform offering high-speed processing and high-level graphic processing.

Toshiba has also given the new Qosmio PC a more sophisticated and elegant design, by forming a distinctive pattern on the surface of the case during molding. The high-end Qosmio G50 series complement stylish appearance with an 18.4-inch LCD with 16:9 aspect ratio, which adds a new level of dynamism to enjoyment of video sources.

In advancing its strategy of adding differentiating technologies to commodity products, Toshiba also unveiled the dynabook Qosmio FX series, which achieve enhanced graphic processing by integrating the latest NVIDIA graphic accelerator. High speed graphic capabilities make it a great notebook PC for gamers.

Toshiba remains committed to providing users around the world with innovative notebook PCs that bring those new capabilities and heightened convenience. Toshiba also seeks to contribute to lower CO₂ emissions from the home by developing notebook PCs that use less energy than desktop PCs.

Outline of New Models

Qosmio series

Model Name		Launch in Japan	Suggested Retail Price
Qosmio G50	G50/98G	Late July	Open
	G50/97G	Late July
Qosmio F50	F50/88G	Late July

dynabook Qosmio FX series

Model Name		Launch in Japan	Suggested Retail Price
dynabook Qosmio FX	FX/77G	Late July	Open

Key Features of New Products

Qosmio series

1. Integration of TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor "SpursEngineTM".

The new Qosmio G50 series and Qosmio F40 series feature the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor SpursEngine™, derived from the high performance multi-core technology of the Cell Broadband Engine™^*2 (Cell/B.E.) and combined with Toshiba's advanced image processing technology, that supports the smooth handling of high definition video streams, real time image recognition and image processing. This high performance co-processor makes it possible to remove the burden of processing high definition video data streams from the CPU, and allows smooth handling of HD video content.

(1) High-resolution function:
This function is able to upscale standard-definition video to high-definition video quality, allowing users to enjoy standard DVD video content at high definition quality

(2) Up to eight times recording of digital terrestrial recording:
Users can select from five recording modes: TS mode (MPEG-2, HD quality, rate 17.0Mbps), XP mode (H.264, HD quality, rate 10.0Mbps), SP mode (H.264, HD quality, rate 8.0Mbps), LP mode (H.264, HD quality, rate 5.5Mbps) and LLP mode (H.264, SD quality, rate 2.0Mbps). Real-time compression of high definition digital terrestrial broadcasts into the H.264 format during recording minimize use of storage to approximately one-eighth of that usually required^*5. Therefore, users can record digital terrestrial broadcasts without concern for remaining HDD capacity.

(3) Cutting recording time to DVD discs by half ^*5 :
By shortening the reading time by half when encoding, the new Qosmios allow users to record digital terrestrial broadcast or video content to DVD discs in half the time taken by previous models.

(4) "Face Navigation" function:
a. "Face Thumb" indication
The function recognizes and memorizes faces as they appear on screen, and displays them in an easily searched index that can be used to playback video segments featuring a specific person.

b. "Scene Thumb" indication
“Scene Thumb” takes thumbnail snapshots of a user-recorded video, lines them up one after another, and any one can be individually viewed by running the cursor over it. “Scene Thumb” provides users with a unique approach to finding just the moment they want to view.

c. "Volume Level" indication
This function allows viewers to home on in, for example, heavy applause during sports live coverage or a highlight scene. A section bar allows viewers to indicate specific scenes by different colors, making it even easier to locate favorite moments.

(5) Ulead DVD MovieWriter™ for TOSHIBA
When users record HD video content from a video camera , this function creates a low definition file for editing, allowing users to edit HD content quickly and smoothly. Furthermore, transcoding of such edited HD content can be completed approximately 10 times faster when the SpursEngine™ is activated.

(6) Gesture Control (Qosmio G50 series):
Support for gesture-based interfacing: simple hand movements captured by the PC's integrated CCD camera, can be used to control video playback and pause, for example, without a mouse or remote controller.

2. Advanced audio-visual functions

(1) Integration of REGZA LINK™
By connecting the PC to a Toshiba REGZA™ TV via an HDMI cable, users can enjoy HD video content stored in the PC on a large-screen TV. Users can also control the PC with a single REGZA remote control unit.

(2) Integration of dual digital terrestrial tuners
Users can record two different digital terrestrial programs, even when they are broadcast at the same time, and record one program while watching another.

(3) Support for "Dubbing 10", a new Japanese recording rule
The function allows users to copy digital broadcasts recorded in a HDD up to nine times and move it to different equipment one time.

(4) Small antenna for digital terrestrial broadcast
The new Qosmio 50 series and Qsomio F50 series include an antenna for digital terrestrial broadcast.

3. Integration of the latest processor

With the integration of advanced technology, the new PCs achieve high-speed processing and high graphic indication.

(1) Next generation Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor
Intel's latest 45nm process technology realizes strong high speed system performance with lower power consumption. The new processor lessens burdens when editing large amounts of data or working with multiple applications simultaneously.
* The details and official name of Intel's CPU will be announced on Toshiba's notebook PC web site, http://www.dynabook.com, as soon as it is confirmed by Intel.

(2) Latest NVIDIA graphic accelerator
Designed to get the most from widescreen visual performances, the new PCs integrate the new NVIDA® GeForce®9600 GT, which interfaces with Microsoft® DirectX® 10. Users can enjoy a smooth and impressive video experience, even in high resolution, high definition 3D games or movies.

(3) Latest interfaces
Allows users to transfer large volumes of data from the HDD at a speed approximately 2.5 times faster than USB 2.0.

4. Newly designed external case
With adopting the IMR method, the external features enhance high quality and premium feel thanks to the gradation and finish design in details.

5. Large LCD screen (Qosmio G50 series)
The high-end Qosmio G50 series complements stylish appearance with an 18.4-inch LCD with 16:9 aspect ratio, the same ratio as that of high-definition TVs, which adds the enjoyment of full screen viewing of content.
*With some programs and DVD video sources, black bands might appear at the top and bottom of the screen.

dynabook Qosmio FX series

(1) Next generation Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor
Intel's latest 45nm process technology realizes strong high speed system performance with lower power consumption. The new processor lessens burdens when editing large amount of data or working with multiple applications simultaneously.
* The details and official name of Intel's CPU will be announced on Toshiba's notebook PC web site, http://www.dynabook.com, as soon as it is confirmed by Intel.

(2) Latest NVIDIA graphic accelerator
Designed to get the most from widescreen visual performances, the new PCs integrates the new NVIDA® GeForce®9600 GT, which interfaces with Microsoft® DirectX® 10. Users can enjoy a smooth and impressive experience, even in high resolution, high definition 3D games or movies.

Qosmio series, dynabook series

Environmentally conscious notebook PC

(1) RoHS^*6 and J-Moss (Green Mark)^*7compatible
Toshiba's notebook PCs contribute to achievement of environmentally conscious products .

(2) Toshiba's notebook PCs contribute to lower CO2 emissions.
Use of Toshiba dynabook and Qosmio PCs will contribute to lower CO2 emission from the home by approximately 80g per day^*8, or almost 30kg per year^*9. This is half the level of CO2 emissions from desktop PCs. While Toshiba remains committed to providing users around the world with innovative notebook PCs that bring new capabilities and heightened convenience, Toshiba also seeks to contribute to lower CO2 from the home by developing notebook PCs that use less energy than desktop PCs.

Toshiba Group, a Corporate Citizen of the Planet Earth, is committed to realizing a better environment. Guided by "Toshiba Group Environmental Vision 2050" the Group is implementing measures to boost environmental efficiency by 10 times in FY2050, against the benchmark of FY2000. The core target is to reduce projected CO2 emissions by a total equivalent to 117.7 million tons a year by FY2025, through the development and sales of highly efficient power supply equipment and systems, and the manufacture of environmentally conscious home appliances and office equipment. By working to mitigate global warming, make efficient use of resources and control management of chemicals, Toshiba Group creates value for people and promotes lifestyles in harmony with the Earth.

*1:	SpursEngine and the SpursEngine logo are trademarks of Toshiba Corporation. SpursEngine is only used in the Japanese market; in other regions it is Toshiba’s Quad Core HD Processor.
*2:	Cell Broadband Engine is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
*3:	Synergistic Processor Element is a processor core that has high performance floating point computation capability with an original instruction set architecture, for optimized processing of multiple media applications.
*4:	Cell/B.E., jointly developed by IBM, Sony Group and Toshiba, is a breakthrough design featuring a central processing core based on IBM’s Power Architecture technology and eight synergistic processing elements (SPE). Cell/B.E. brings an unseen level of broadband processing power to digital products.
*5:	Comparison between a Toshiba notebook with and without TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor. Performance may vary depending on product model, configuration, video content, format and settings, as well as the performance variations of individual hardware components. Results were achieved on select models and configurations tested by Toshiba at the time of publication.
*6:	RoHS is a European Union environmental directive that eliminates the use of six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
*7:	J-Moss is the framework for disclosure of information on chemical substances defined in the Japanese Industrial Standards contained in electrical and electronic products.
*8:	Calculated as one PCs per person
*9:	CO2 emissions are calculated based on the method developed by the Research Center for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Based on the usage conditions (in households) defined by The Energy Conservation Center, the requirements for calculating LCA are: use for 15 hours per week (operating mode: 10 hours, stand-by mode: 5 hours), based on 52 weeks (one year) and five years of PC usage. The calculation is based on mainstream notebook PC (15-inch LCD with Celeron type CPU) and desktop PCs with similar specifications that are in wide use.

Outline of Key Specifications

As of June 23, 2008

	Qosmio G50/98G	Qosmio G50/97G	Qosmio F50/88G	dynabook Qosmio FX77G
OS	Windows Vista™ Home Premium Edition with Service Pack 1
CPU	Next Generation Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor
Memory/Max	2GB (1GB x 2)/4GB
Display	18.4-inch Full HD Clear Super View LCD (1,920×1080 pixels) 2 lamps, high luminance		15.4-inch WXGA Clear Super View LCD (1,280×800 pixels) 2 lamps, high luminance	15.4-inch WXGA Clear Super View LCD (1,280×800 pixels)
HDD	500GB (250GBx2) (5,400rpm Serial ATA)	250GB (5,400rpm Serial ATA)		200GB (5,400rpm Serial ATA)
Drive	DVD SuperMulti
Graphics	NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600M GT(PCI Express)
Image Processor	TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor SpursEngine™			--
Sound	3 speakers (harman/kardon® stereo and sub-wooder)
LAN	1000Base-T,/100Base-T IEEE802.11a/b/g/n draft 2.0 (wireless)
TV tuner	Dual Tuners for Digital Terrestrial Broadcast			--
Interface	Optical audio output, RGB, USB2.0x 4 (one usable for eSATA ) , Mike, iLink, LAN, HDMI, Antenna input			Optical audio output, RGB, USB2.0x 4 (one of them usable for eSATA as well) , Mike, iLink, LAN, HDMI
Battery Life	Approx. 4.0 hrs		Approx. 1.8 hrs	Approx. 2.4 hrs
Dimensions	Approx. 452.3 x 311.0 x 38.2～48.3 mm		Approx. 368.0x 278.0 x 38.0～47.0 mm
Weight	Approx. 4.9kg	Approx. 4.8kg	Approx. 3.6kg	Approx. 3.3kg
Eco	RoHS Directive,J-Moss (Green Mark)
Application	Microsoft® Office Personal 2007 SP1with Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2007		Microsoft® Office Personal 2007 SP1with Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2007

The details and official name of Intel's CPU will be announced on Toshiba's notebook PC web site, http://www.dynabook.com, as soon as it is confirmed by Intel.

* 1GB is calculated on the basis of 1GB = 1-billion bytes.

• Names of products mentioned in this press release may be registered trademarks or trademarks of specific companies.
• Intel, Intel Centrino, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks or trademarks of Intel Corporation.
• Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and in other countries.
• The formal title of Windows is Microsoft Windows Operating System..
• i.Link and i.Link logos are registered trademarks.
• Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.