Google's Street View

I was playing with Google's Street View function in Google Maps, and I am amazed at how good it is. There isn't coverage in my immediate neighborhood, but much of my local area is.

Here for example is a side-view of the Maple and Old Woodward intersection in Birmingham, a place I like to go now and then.


What Google does is have cars drive around with roof mounted cameras, snapping photos that then get stitched together to form 360 degree views, and linked to their street location.

Google has also photographed a large number of neighborhoods, and I was able to find up-close photographs of my parent's house, and my in-laws house. I'm guessing those obsessed with their privacy are alarmed by this.

Laphroaig

A friend poured me a taste of Laphroaig 10 year old scotch.

Wow.

You know the "liquid smoke" you can get to add to dishes to make them smoky?
Laphroaig is like "liquid peat". It smells and tastes like pure peat smoke infused into distilled malt.

Now, at first, I thought it was disgusting. But then, after the third sip, I began to like it.
Later, I tried some Chivas, and realized, the peat was there all along, but more like an undertone. Laphroaig is like mixing the guitar out and letting the bass carry the tune. (Sandman, Morphine).

I need to buy a bottle of my own!

Video: Driver Hits Gas Station

Wow. Could have been a lot worse.


Chick Plows Into Gas Station - Watch more free videos

MAZDA CX-9 2008

MAZDA CX-9 2008

in Indonesia, Mazda just launched SUV CX-7 him, now in his origin country (Japan) has had the concept CX-9.
This was the second SUV generation 7 passengers in 2008.




According to the Mazda source, CX-9 used several components from Ford Edge and Mazda 6 sedans that used the machine V6 3,700 cc (273 dk) with the automatic transmission 6-speed.

skoda 2 review

here is a little review of skoda
Performance Performance rating
The Fabia offers a wide range of engines. Choices include 59bhp and 68bhp 1.2s, an 84bhp 1.4 and a 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines. All engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, but the 1.6 allows you to specify a semi-automatic gearbox. There are also two versions of Skoda's 1.4-litre turbodiesel, giving either 68bhp or 79bhp, while a 103bhp 1.9-litre engine tops the diesel range.
Ride & handling Ride & handling rating






The Fabia is big by supermini standards, but it's dinky enough to excel in the city, and light controls. The Fabia rides comfortably, too, doing a good job of smoothing out patchy surfaces. It does lean a little through corners, and it's hampered by a vague gearshift, though.
Refinement Refinement rating -
A little wind noise builds up around the windscreen pillars as speed increases, but road and suspension noise rarely break the calm in the cabin. It's a shame the same can't be said of the engines; all the three-cylinder engines are noisy, especially at low speeds, but the real villain is the 1.9-litre diesel, which is loud and gruff compared with modern diesel engines.

renault concept cars

From dreamlife… renault will

Veritable distillations of ideas, with new and breathtaking lines, concept cars are the substance of which dreams are made.
The dreams of the public that suddenly glimpses the future.
The dreams of designers who let their imagination and creativity reign free, creating new horizons of possibility and inventing the cars of the future.



the renault motto


… to the future renault will

A dream made real through the uncommon status of concept cars. Freed from industrial constraints necessary for the production of vehicles on the assembly line, these one-of-a-kind prototypes are at the very heart of the Group’s strategy.
They express Renault’s anticipation of and response to the evolution in lifestyles.
They provide the public with the opportunity to experience new forms of expression and to test reactions.
Concept cars are precious accelerators of innovation.

Citroen Nemo

The Bologna Motor Show is coming and how every year the news will be very many. Here we talk about the concept that Citroen will present at the Motor Show, Citroen Nemo. Exactly, Citroen decided to call a model with the name of the famous fish of Walt Disney.

The plea was developed in cooperation with Fiat and Peugeot already presented to Roas Transport Show in Amsterdam.Ecco press release:
Completely Nemo! Nemo Concept illustrates the surprising closeness between Citroën Nemo clown fish and his namesake. Like the fish, Nemo Concept can be seen as a "piccoletto" among their fellow human beings. However, its size will translate into an advantage, especially in the way traffic.

ferrari spider

what is different ferrari and spiderman.The Ferrari F430 is a high-performance sports car produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari to succeed the 360.


It debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.[2] European left-hand drive sales began in November 2004, but right-hand drive sales did not start until Spring 2005, and the United States did not get the F430 until Summer 2005.

Beauty and intelligence in formula

Beauty and intelligence is back in the Paddock in the shape of the 10 extraordinary ladies

Beauty and intelligence is back in the Paddock in the shape of the 10 extraordinary ladies invited by Red Bull to every GP to compete in the Formula Una Ladies Award

news Ferrari building new simulator

i read a news that Ferrari is hard at work on a new formula one simulator, according to reports in the Spanish press. The sports daily Marca claims that Marc Gene is at the forefront of the high-tech equipment's development, and that his test at Jerez this week was almost exclusively centred on collecting information for the simulator.



McLaren's top secret state-of-the-art simulator is known as being currently the best among F1 teams, and it took much of the credit for Lewis Hamilton's sensational rookie season in 2007. Red Bull was believed to be building a similar unit and software for its own factory.

But Marca believes that Ferrari's new simulator will be superior to all others in F1, following more than 18 months of development led by Felipe Massa's former race engineer Gabriele Delli Colli.

Gene, Ferrari's secondary test driver, commented that the simulator is already operating at an advanced level. “I haven't tested like this for nearly a year and I should be a lot more rusty,” the Spaniard said at Jerez earlier this week, “but I am only a half or second or so away from Räikkönen. This is thanks to the simulator, which allows you to keep pace. It is a very big help,” he added.

Bologna Motor Show

Affluenza of public record today at 32 ° Bologna Motor Show: full pavilions and Shell Arena packed in every order placed. In the morning the fair was visited by a guest exceptional: Emma Bonino, Minister of International Trade and European Policies.
After visiting the exhibition, the minister met with journalists in the press room: "I am very pleased to be here to express my appreciation for an event that every year manages to draw the attention of both the public. Visiting the pavilions I was genuinely impressed by the event plurisettorialità: from the State Police and of the Army to test drive, the engagement to road safety than to the ecology, with issues of great public interest brought all 'interest visitors. I saw a demonstration of great quality and I have also noticed an exhibition of products really refined from this point of view the Motor Show is spectacular. "



Great result of the public for the departure of the Memorial Bettega Piazza Verdi: This city has responded, noting the curious twenty cars in the caravan (eight participants in the "Bettega, the Subaru Impreza then that was the way to Memorial, four cars Historical and seven cars EcoCity participating in the Ecoparata) in the first place a few steps from Two Towers and then along the streets of Bologna, reserving applause several pilots.

In today took place two awards: ANIA Foundation and Police celebrated the winner of the competition on road safety "cHIC! Ken, do not laugh chickens" while the pavilion on 25 stand Peugeot Miss Italy and Miss Silvia Battisti Peugeot Stephanie Salvadori have awarded winners Peugeot Trophy Competition.

Several of the characters present world of entertainment today at the Show: Giorgia Palmas, Paola and Chiara, the Absolute Zero, Riccardo Fogli, Mark Martin, Nada, Formula Three and Francesco Ark, in addition to sports Andrea Zorzi and Fabio Galante.

That tomorrow will be the final day of the Motor Show 2007. Morning will be held the traditional presentation of My Special Car Show, Exhibition and Sports dell'Auto Special: 10.30 in the Hall Trio, Block B of the Service Center, will be presented the 6 th edition of the event, scheduled from 28 to March 30, 2008 in Rimini Fair.

An hour later, at 11.30, an exceptional event: Night Room, Center Services Block D, Aci Sports organizes the presentation of the Rally of Italy Sardinia, the Italian stage of the World Rally 2008.

As per tradition Shell Arena will be great protagonist of the final day of the Show. It will play the final stages of Barclaycard Bettega Memorial and the Bomb Boogie Xtreme Supermotard, but especially the scene will Freestyle-Rally Tribute to Colin Mc Rae: pilots engaged in "Bettega" will perform in a descent of the bridge Shell Arena to be concluded , in front of the stands, with a "number" at their discretion and will be judged by a jury exceptional campionissimi consists of rallysmo and motorsports world every time. One way to honour the memory of Colin Mc Rae, extraordinary champion recently disappeared, always a friend of Motor Show.

Even on the last day will be different the celebrity guests at the Show: Giancarlo Minardi, Gaetano Curreri, leader of the Stadium and a trio of beauties formed by Debora Salvalaggio, Giorgia Palmas and Camila Morais.

grand finale the 32 rd edition of the Motor Show

Once again the world dell'Automobile has made an appointment to Bologna at the 32 ^ edition of the Motor Show (scheduled from December 7 to 16) for the second consecutive year has as main sponsors Barclaycard. . There are more than 50 brand automobile, virtually 100% of the market operating in our country, a rich showcase of previews of absolute level: 95 new confirmed to date, 11 of which global and European 6. 343 exhibitors catalogue, of which 83 from 16 foreign countries.



Product news in the foreground, then, but much space was also given to 'deepening, with a packed schedule of meetings and press conferences, and culture, with different initiatives leaving the Fairgrounds and embrace the city of Bologna.
Come da tradizione, i visitatori hanno anche l’opportunità di provare in prima persona diverse vetture sulle 10 aree esterne dedicate: sono 14 le aziende impegnate nei test drive riservati al pubblico del Salone. According to tradition, visitors also have the opportunity to experience first-hand cars on 10 different outdoor areas dedicated are 14 companies involved in the test drive belonging to public exhibition.
Like every year, the Motor Show guarantees visitors moments of sport to four and two wheels to the highest levels.

Ferrari gadgets

1.Becker sat-nav


2.Meridian home entertainment system


3.Vertu mobile phone

1. 
   

Only the likes of Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa could afford a mobile like this.

The Ascent Ferrari 1947 Limited Edition is being released to mark 60 years of Ferrari and cleverly, only 1947 of them have been made
Art.Engine speakers
They cost 18 grand but shoving the Ferrari logo on is sure to make them more attractive.

Which is useful, as they’re not that nice-looking.

Only 1000 of the tower systems have been made - sold in the UK through Sound Directions - and at 47inch tall, they are available in all the official Ferrari colours including Rosso Corsa and Nero.
4.Acer sat-nav

the Experience of Ferrari Thrill Driving

Teh chance is to get behind the wheel of one of the most famous sports cars in the world, the awesome Ferrari 355 Berlinetta.

Most of our customers are overwhelmed when they see the car they are about to drive for the first time. The supermodel lines, the smell of the hide, the crisp wail of the 380bhp V8 engine.

Add this to the feel of the famous click-clack gearbox and the mind blowing acceleration.



The experience includes a welcome, briefing in the car, a session driving a Ferrari 355, a certificate and a driver analysis form completed by your instructor. Itinerary :
Welcome, introduction and briefing in the car
A session driving a Ferrari 355 Berlinetta
A de-briefing session in which you get a driver analysis form completed by your instructor
A presentation certificate
A free 4x4 Off-Road passenger ride for spectators (Staffordshire venue only).

Duration :

Please allow approximately 1 hour at the venue for the Ferrari Thrill Experience.

Availability :

Courses are available in the morning and the afternoon on selected Saturdays and some weekdays from February to December.

Gift vouchers are valid for 12 months.

We endeavour to dispatch vouchers by first class post on the day of purchase when ordered before 3pm

Locations :

Stafforshire

Restrictions :

You must hold a full manual driving licence, be less than 6'6" and weigh less than 18 1/2 stone.

Spectators :

Spectators are encouraged to attend.

Need Four-Wheel Drive?

A four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle is one in which the engine powers all four wheels either part of the time or all of the time. Most cars have two-wheel drive, which means either the front or back wheels are powered by the engine.

Four-wheel drive, which we'll refer to as 4WD, is optional on many SUVs and there are pluses and minuses to this pricey and complex feature.




If you already know the difference between driveline types, but are unsure as to which best suits your needs, you can read Four-Wheel Drive Demystified on the ForbesAutos.com/cars.com co-branded site to find out more.

As the chart below illustrates, SUVs with 4WD drive are more expensive than their two-wheel-drive counterparts.

Kenneth Cole: Don't Bother

Some time ago, say 6 months or so, my wife got me a nice looking Kenneth Cole "Reaction" belt. It was soft brown Italian leather, and appeared to be well made.

After a few months of use, the leather split near the buckle. Since I didn't keep the receipt and tag, I couldn't return it to Kohl's or wherever my wife bought it, so I called Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. on the phone and asked if I could have the belt exchanged. The customer service lady took my information, and told me to send it in.

I sent the belt in. And waited. A long time. Then, after about a month, I get a box from Kenneth Cole. And what did they send me? A wide, black, "bluejeans" type belt. Nothing like the soft, brown "business casual" dress belt that I sent in.

You'd think Kenneth Cole's people could tell the difference between a brown dress belt and a black casual belt.

I also discovered that Kenneth Cole supports a slew of liberal causes, including being aggressively anti-gun.

So, I have learned my lesson. No more Kenneth Cole junk for me.