NewsTidBits.com

January 27, 2012

Grainger Reports Record Sales of $8.1 Billion and Record EPS of $9.07 for the Year Ended December 31, 2011

W.W. Grainger - Grainger (NYSE: GWW) today reported record sales, net earnings and earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Sales of $8.1 billion were up 12 percent versus $7.2 billion...

January 27, 2012 01:13 PM

The Hall at Patriot Place Presented by Raytheon

Raytheon - YouTube - Interviews with kids, New England Patriots players and special surprise guests, on how well they know their math, science and football.

January 27, 2012 01:13 PM

Fly-Through of the MathAlive! Smithsonian Exhibit

Raytheon - YouTube - Fly-Through of the MathAlive! Smithsonian Exhibit

Explore the many educational and fun displays at the MathAlive! exhibit at the Smithsonian. Children of all ages will be able to experience...

January 27, 2012 01:13 PM

Cave Painting, Papua New Guinea

National Geographic Photo of the Day - For generations people in the region have marked cave walls with stenciled handprints. These prints were made with clay-based paint, but in other...

January 27, 2012 12:12 PM

Mark Mosher Appearing at Mountain Skies Electro-Music Festival in Asheville, NC May 11-12, 2012

Mark Mosher - I'm super excited to announce that I've just been invited to give a workshop plus perform at the Mountain Skies Electro-Music Festival in Asheville (the home of Moog Synthesizers). Here is...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

The Tables Are Turned. My Interview on Sound Design Live Podcast Turning Technology Into Performance

Modulate This! - I was recently interviewed by Berkeley, CA Sound Designer Nathan Lively on his podcast Sound Design Live which has over 10,000 followers! This was a nice turn as I'm normally the one doing...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

TED: Ariel Garten: Know thyself, with a brain scanner - Ariel Garten (2011)

TEDTalks - Video - Imagine playing a video game controlled by your mind. Now imagine that game also teaches you about your own patterns of stress, relaxation and focus. At TEDxToronto Ariel Garten shows how looking...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

Obama Ratings Historically Polarized

Gallup Headlines - Barack Obama's approval ratings averaged 80% among Democrats and 12% among Republicans his third year in office -- a gap of 68 points. That level of polarization is the same as in his second...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

Europeans See Poor Job Market

Gallup Headlines - A median of 12% of EU residents in 2011 said it was a good time to find a job where they live, while a median of 80% said it was a bad time. Residents of Greece were most pessimistic, while...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

Majority of Americans Want Gov't to Help Stop Foreclosures

Gallup Headlines - At a time when the majority of homeowners are worried about home values, Democrats and independents tend to favor government action to mitigate foreclosures, while Republicans prefer the housing...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

Start Composting in Your Backyard or Balcony Today!

Harvest Power - After our profile in the Boston Globe, we got a few questions from the community curious about how people can get started composting right away.  We put together a few tips and tricks on the...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

M 5.1, off the west coast of northern Sumatra

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 27, 2012 09:54:34 GMT

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

M 5.2, Crete, Greece

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 27, 2012 01:33:22 GMT

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

M 5.5, Mariana Islands region

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 26, 2012 22:04:06 GMT

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

M 5.4, Scotia Sea

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 26, 2012 15:52:53 GMT

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

Don't Quit Because It's Too Far

Thoughts on the Run - Thought for Thursday Injuries aside, I hear this excuse often. "It's just too far to go." Mentally to get to that excuse, you are almost on your way. The first thing you need to do is decide...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

Visual Multiplication Video

Bargaineering - Need to do some quick multiplication and only have pen and paper? You could multiply the old school way using numbers (gasp!) or you can just draw some lines. You're still multiplying, just...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

1099-MISC Issued for Bank & Credit Card Bonuses

Bargaineering - If you recently received a 1099-MISC from a credit card company or a bank and wondering if it's a legitimate form, try to remember if you opened up any new accounts for the cash or reward point...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

More Money May Not Buy Happiness, But It Can Make Your Life a Little Better

Bargaineering - People are fond of pointing out that money doesn't buy happiness. After all, there are a number of miserable people out there who are rich in terms of finances. However, no matter how fond...

January 27, 2012 11:13 AM

NASA Day of Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony

NASA Image of the Day - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA personnel, and others, participate in a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Arlington National Cemetery....

January 27, 2012 11:12 AM

January 26, 2012

Apollo 1

NASA Image of the Day - On January 27, 1967, Apollo 1's crew--Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee--was killed when a fire erupted in their capsule during testing. Apollo 1 was originally...

January 26, 2012 02:12 PM

TED: Brian Goldman: Doctors make mistakes. Can we talk about that? - Brian Goldman (2011)

TEDTalks - Video - Every doctor makes mistakes. But, says physician Brian Goldman, medicine's culture of denial (and shame) keeps doctors from ever talking about those mistakes, or using them to learn and improve....

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

Post-State of the Union Analysis

Gallup Headlines - From economic fairness to energy exploration, pride in the military, and trade with China, Gallup reviews where Americans stand on 16 major policy issues and statements President Obama made...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

Americans Divided on Whether U.S. Economic System Is Unfair

Gallup Headlines - About half (49%) of Americans agree with President Obama's claim that the U.S. economic system is unfair, while 45% say it is fair. At the same time, 62% say the U.S. economic system is fair...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

secrets of a reference-checker

Ask a Manager - Over at U.S. News & World Report today, I spill about reference-checking secrets. Soon I'll have given away all the secrets and there'll be nothing left for me to do anymore. You can read it...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

M 5.2, Dodecanese Islands, Greece

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 26, 2012 04:24:59 GMT

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

M 5.3, Rota region, Northern Mariana Islands

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 26, 2012 04:42:05 GMT

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

M 5.2, South Pacific Ocean

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 25, 2012 16:04:11 GMT

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

Sitting on the Sidelines

Thoughts on the Run - Whether it be in business or in sports, I have a hard time sitting on the sidelines just watching. I like to jump in and do (or try) whatever action I'm seeing. Granted, me jumping into a football...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

1 in 8 Millionaires Audited Last Year, and Other Tax Trivia

Bargaineering - Who's paying taxes? We all like to know - and we all like to make sure that everyone else is paying his or her "fair share" in taxes. One way to figure out whether or not people are paying...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

Is a Graduate Degree Worth the Money?

Bargaineering - One of the furious debates going on right now in the world of finance and money is the one over whether or not getting a college degree is "worth" it. And, of course, the debate only intensifies...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

401(k) Contribution Matches Not Really "Free Money"

Bargaineering - 401(k)s are making everyone poorer. That's the conclusion from a study by the Urban Institute in which they analyzed qualified defined contribution plans, the official category of 401(k) plans,...

January 26, 2012 01:29 PM

Blue Marble

NASA Image of the Day - A 'Blue Marble' image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA's most recently launched Earth-observing satellite - Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of...

January 26, 2012 01:12 PM

Opportunity's Eighth Anniversary View From 'Greeley Haven' (False Color)

NASA Image of the Day - This mosaic of images taken in mid-January 2012 shows the windswept vista northward (left) to northeastward (right) from the location where NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is spending...

January 26, 2012 01:12 PM

Rock Climber, Peak District

National Geographic Photo of the Day - A man climbs at sunset in Peak District National Park, England.

January 26, 2012 12:29 PM

Cyclist, China

National Geographic Photo of the Day - Walking along one of the many canals in the ancient city of Suzhou, a stall worker mounts her bike for her commute home, creating a pleasing...

January 26, 2012 12:29 PM

January 25, 2012

Loyal NASA rover Opportunity enters 9th year of Mars boffinry

The Register - Plucky robot rests before sniffing Endeavour's rim
NASA's exploration rover Opportunity entered its historic ninth year of service on Mars today, having already driven over 21 miles and helped...

January 25, 2012 01:07 PM

DARPA wand fights fire with physics

CNET News.com - A research team at Harvard demonstrates how to rub out flames with an electrode wand. The novel fire suppression method is part of a DARPA project.

January 25, 2012 12:29 PM

Video: F-35's First Night Flight

Defense Tech - Last week we showed you pics of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's first night flight that happened on Jan. 18 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Well, Lockheed just released the video from...

January 25, 2012 12:28 PM

AT&T Enhances Indianapolis Wireless Network for Football's Big Game

PR Newswire: Business Technology - As more than 150,000 people converge on Indianapolis for football's biggest game of the year, AT&T* has made a significant investment in permanent and temporary wireless network enhancements...

January 25, 2012 12:12 PM

U.S. Financial Worries Rival Those of 1992

Gallup Headlines - Americans' worries about losing a job, maintaining their standard of living, and paying medical bills are near the highs Gallup has measured in the last two decades, and similar to what they...

January 25, 2012 11:28 AM

Egyptians Expect Military to Hand Power to Elected Gov't

Gallup Headlines - One year after protests that led to former President Hosni Mubarak's overthrow, most Egyptians are confident that the ruling military council will hand over power to a civilian government after...

January 25, 2012 11:28 AM

Find Your Focus - It's Easier Than You Think

Debbie Laskey - Strategic advisor, management consultant, and blogger Peter Bregman has written a book that will clearly resonate with everyone who wishes that there were more than 24 hours in a day. He blogs...

January 25, 2012 11:28 AM

M 5.1, northern Italy

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 25, 2012 08:06:35 GMT

January 25, 2012 11:12 AM

M 5.2, New Britain region, Papua New Guinea

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 25, 2012 07:17:03 GMT

January 25, 2012 11:12 AM

M 5.1, off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 25, 2012 06:02:31 GMT

January 25, 2012 11:12 AM

M 5.1, Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 25, 2012 00:46:00 GMT

January 25, 2012 11:12 AM

January Aurora Over Norway

Astronomy Picture of the Day - What's that in the sky?

January 25, 2012 11:12 AM

Americans Want Specifics, Not Vision, in Obama's Speech

Gallup Headlines - By 58% to 27%, more Americans say President Barack Obama should use his State of the Union address mainly to make specific proposals for Congress to pass this year, rather than to outline his...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

Egyptians Shifted to Islamist Parties as Elections Neared

Gallup Headlines - As Egypt's new parliament begins its work, Gallup surveys suggest many Egyptians decided to support the Islamist political parties who now dominate the legislature just prior to the parliamentary...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

U.S. Economic Confidence Best Since May

Gallup Headlines - U.S. economic confidence is at -25 in the week ending Jan. 22, up from -29 the prior week and the best since the week ending May 22, 2011.

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

New TED Book asks: can changing how we teach make our kids smarter, more creative?

TED Blog - Ten years ago, educator Sugata Mitra and his colleagues cracked open a hole in a wall bordering an urban slum in New Delhi, installed a networked PC, and left it there for the local children...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

Extreme swimming with the world's most dangerous jellyfish: Diana Nyad on TED.com

TED Blog - In the 1970s, Diana Nyad set long-distance swim records that are still unbroken. Thirty years later, at 60, she attempted her longest swim yet, from Cuba to Florida. In this funny, powerful...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

A Greener NY? Anaerobic Digestion Can Help!

Harvest Power - On January 12, 2012, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered his annual "State of the City" address. It was the mayor's 11th such speech and, as we were pleased to see, one of his most...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

M 4.7, northern Xinjiang, China

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 24, 2012 23:34:16 GMT

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

M 4.1, northern Italy

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 24, 2012 23:54:46 GMT

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

M 4.8, Hokkaido, Japan region

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 24, 2012 17:07:00 GMT

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

Are Brand Named Batteries Worth It?

Bargaineering - Yes. Rhett Allain of Wired did an extensive study of three battery brands (Energizer, Duracell, and a dollar store variety) and concluded that the brand named batteries are worth the added...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

Kids & Money: Is It Too Easy for Kids to Purchase Apps?

Bargaineering - We have a lot of cool gadgets around our homes. Many of these gadgets offer the chance to easily purchase apps, games and more. As a result, you might find that your children can quickly make...

January 25, 2012 01:13 AM

Next-Generation Space Flight

NASA Image of the Day - The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV), or Orion, being assembled and tested at Lockheed Martin's Vertical Testing Facility in Colorado. Drawing from more than 50 years of spaceflight research...

January 25, 2012 01:12 AM

January 24, 2012

Series I & Series EE Bond Purchase Limit Increased to $10,000 Each

Bargaineering - The Treasury Department announced that, effective January 4th, 2012, you will be allowed to purchase $10,000 each of Series I and Series EE bonds per year per person. Previously, it was believed...

January 24, 2012 02:13 PM

Rare Pictures From the Dawn of NASA Spaceflight

National Geographic - Newly released digital scans offer a rare high-resolution glimpse into NASA's Project Gemini, the precursor to the Apollo moon missions.

January 24, 2012 02:13 PM

Gen Y's embrace of hybrids may be auto market's tipping point

PhysOrg.com - Generation Y's strong affinity for hybrid vehicles could make it the generation that leads the automotive market away from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, according...

January 24, 2012 02:13 PM

Giffords Resigning From Congress

Discovery Channel - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, wife of former NASA shuttle commander Mark Kelly, is resigning this week to focus on her recovery following an assassination attempt last year.

January 24, 2012 02:13 PM

Biggest radiation storm since 2005 headed for Earth

gizmag - Lock up your satellites and batten down your power-lines because a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is headed our way. According to the National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center...

January 24, 2012 02:12 PM

LinkedIn founder takes social to the next level

CNN - Top Stories - One day last fall, Reid Hoffman, the social networking guru and founder of LinkedIn, woke up at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he breakfasted with Magic Johnson and then spoke to a few hundred...

January 24, 2012 01:09 PM

SAE International 2012 Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium Set for Feb. 23 in San Diego

PR Newswire: Aerospace and Defense - SAE International will hold the 2012 Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium on Feb. 23 at the Town and Country Resort & Conference Center in San Diego. Infineon Technologies is serving as...

January 24, 2012 12:13 PM

Astronaut Application Deadline Approaching

PR Newswire: Aerospace and Defense - Individuals interested in becoming America's future space explorers have until Friday to submit their applications. The deadline to apply for NASA's next astronaut class is Jan. 27.

January 24, 2012 12:13 PM

M 5.2, Mindanao, Philippines

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 24, 2012 10:34:19 GMT

January 24, 2012 12:12 PM

More Americans Uninsured in 2011

Gallup Headlines - More American adults lacked health insurance coverage in 2011 -- rising to 17.1% from 16.4% in 2010 and continuing the upward trend seen since 2008. Young adults are the only major demographic...

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

another job search cliche that isn't true: "looking for a job is a full-time job"

Ask a Manager - "Looking for a job is a full-time job." No, it's not. I don't know why people say stuff like this. It's one of those simplistic cliches that have ended up getting repeated over and over without...

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

how to be an awesome mentor

Ask a Manager - If you know someone who's relatively inexperienced but smart, driven, and generally awesome, you should consider acting as their mentor. It doesn't need to be a formal arrangement; it can simply mean...

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

M 6.3, south of the Fiji Islands

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 24, 2012 00:52:06 GMT

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

M 5.0, offshore Bio-Bio, Chile

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 23, 2012 21:55:14 GMT

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

M 5.1, Dominican Republic

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 23, 2012 20:50:14 GMT

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

M 5.8, offshore Bio-Bio, Chile

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 23, 2012 16:04:55 GMT

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

How to Feel Fortunate

Thoughts on the Run - After spending a Sunday afternoon watching football teams play for their chance in the Super Bowl, I realize how easy it is to forget how fortunate we are. The pressures we apply to ourselves...

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

What Kind of Life Insurance Do I Need?

Bargaineering - Who brings in the cash at your house? Is it you? Your spouse? Both of you? Although none of us want to think about this, what would happen if the person in your home responsible for bring home...

January 24, 2012 11:28 AM

Construction Begins on Atlantis' Permanent Home

NASA Image of the Day - With space shuttle Atlantis' 25-year spaceflight career now in the history books, its next mission -- to inform and inspire generations of visitors to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex...

January 24, 2012 11:12 AM

Vermilion Cliffs, Arizona

National Geographic Photo of the Day - Against the soaring backdrop of Arizona's Vermilion Cliffs, the 1929 Navajo Bridge, now used for foot traffic, crosses the Colorado River beside...

January 24, 2012 11:12 AM

January 23, 2012

M 5.3, near the east coast of Honshu, Japan

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 23, 2012 11:45:42 GMT

January 23, 2012 02:12 PM

U.S. Economy Most Toxic of 24 Issues

Gallup Headlines - Americans' satisfaction with the nation's economy has dropped by 23 percentage points since January 2008 to 13% today. This is the lowest rating by far that Americans give to a list of 24 issues...

January 23, 2012 12:12 PM

On Criticism, Cynicism & Sharpening Your Gut Instinct

The 99 Percent - Criticism is valuable. Cynicism is toxic. Can you trust your gut to tell the difference?

January 23, 2012 12:12 PM

Aspiring Leaders: Define Your Purpose and Build A Strong Personal Brand

Debbie Laskey - Selena Rezvani wrote an interesting book entitled, The Next Generation of Women Leaders, What You Need to Lead but Won't Learn in Business School. While the book targets women, there are some...

January 23, 2012 12:12 PM

M 5.1, Fiji region

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 23, 2012 03:27:02 GMT

January 23, 2012 12:12 PM

M 5.0, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 23, 2012 02:36:32 GMT

January 23, 2012 12:12 PM

M 5.2, Lake Rudolf region, Kenya

USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes - January 22, 2012 21:03:36 GMT

January 23, 2012 11:27 AM

January 22, 2012

Short-sighted Frugality? Employers Who Rein in Compensation Too Much Could Pay a Price Later

Knowledge@Wharton - As economic malaise bleeds into another New Year, many employers are making hard-nosed decisions about benefits and compensation. That means salaries remain flat, health care premiums are up,...

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

Giant Bicycle Recalls Two Models; Forks Can Break Causing Fall Hazard

CPSC.gov - The fork can crack, posing a fall hazard to riders.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

7 Job Interviewer Pet Peeves (And How to Avoid Them)

Kiplinger.com - Advice on what not to do when interviewing for a new job.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

Open Low-Minimum Roth IRAs for Kids

Kiplinger.com - These three firms make it easy for kids to start small Roths.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

9 Popular Tax Breaks You Can No Longer Count on in 2012

Kiplinger.com - Lawmakers may have extended the payroll tax holiday for two months, but they let a number of tax breaks that might be dear to you expire.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

Using The Power Of Music To Reduce Your Stress

The Life Coach - Listening to music can be a wonderful tool for alleviating stress. Researchers have found that music reduces a person's heart rate and promotes higher body temperature – an indication...

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

Three Steps to a Customer-Centric Organization

Blanchard Leader Chat - The 2011 American Express Global Customer Service Barometer reports that 60 percent of U.S. consumer respondents believe that businesses have not increased their focus on providing good customer...

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

When you apply for a job and hear...nothing

CNN - Personal Finance - Many employers struggle to keep up with the flood of job applications coming their way and often leave their candidates dangling. Here's how to handle it.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

9 remodeling tips to make your home feel bigger

CNN - Personal Finance - You don't have to be underwater on your mortgage to feel trapped in your home.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

Is Your Office Making You Sick?

WebMD - Indoor office air is an important source of worker exposure to the potentially toxic substances known as PFCs, or polyfluorinated compounds, according to a new study.

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM

Travel's Silly Season

Portfolio.com: Seat 2B - Air travel typically slows in the dead of winter, and that lack of activity can lead to downright ridiculousness. This year, the media is loonier than ever with talk of a Delta-American merger...

January 22, 2012 10:28 PM