Subzero Blue

Computer toxic dust

“Toxic dust” found on computer processors and monitors contains chemicals linked to reproductive and neurological disorders, according to a new study by several environmental groups.

The survey, released Thursday by Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Computer TakeBack Campaign and Clean Production Action, is among the first to identify brominated flame retardants on the surfaces of common devices in homes and offices.

[More: CNN]

Damn! Just when you thought your computer was your one and only true and safe friend, this came along.

Under Siege

Just found this Arabic shoot ’em up game called “Under Siege”. In this game, the player takes the role of a Palestinian resistant fighting the oppressing Israeli army.

The game was created by a company called Afkar Media, a Syrian company I think, who also previously released a game called “Under Ash”.

I haven’t tried the game, but the screenshots I saw on the site make it seem pretty good. The graphics and 3D stuff look rather well done too.

It’s good to see Arab companies are starting to venture into the gaming market. Other than this, I know of a Syrian company that worked on a strategy game and of a Tunisian company who worked on a game called “Haroun” that is an action game.

[Via Mouse Hunter]

Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview

This is a list of things you shouldn’t say at job interviews:

1. “What does your company do?”
2. “My salary requirements are very flexible.”
3. “It would be hella cool to get jiggy with this job.”
4. “Bill Gates himself offered me a $100,000 bonus.”
5. “In five years, I see myself on a boat in the Caribbean.”
6. “Sorry, I don’t know how to do that.”
7. “You see, I just went through a painful divorce. . . .”
8. “What can your company do for me?”
9. “I left my last job because my boss was a real jerk.”

Damn! Where were these when I needed them?! lol

For an explanation of each point, read the full article on MSN.

STOP E$$O

Recently while looking for the Esso logo online, I came across a website called StopEsso. This is a campaign by Green Peace against Esso (a.k.a ExxonMobil in the US).

Why Esso ? What makes it worse than the rest ?

Here’s what they answer to that:

The company that has done more than any other to keep the US hooked on oil is Esso (known as ExxonMobil in the USA). This addiction is causing global warming.

Esso has spent the last decade sabotaging international action on climate change and directing US climate and energy policy. Esso paid the Republicans $1.2 million up to the 2000 elections – and sure enough President George W Bush pulled the US out of the international global warming treaty, the Kyoto Protocol.

Esso has consistently questioned the accepted scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels like oil is causing global warming. It is still misleading the US public and policymakers over the economic implications of tackling the problem.

It funds ‘industry front groups’ to lobby on its behalf. In turn, they promote climate sceptic scientists to question the science of global warming.

I don’t use Esso anyway as I try to always use Agil, a Tunisian company, as a way to encourage local companies and investments.

Anyway I think other people should consider Esso’s actions and see what little step they can do towards protecting our world.

Amr Khaled

I’ve heard a lot about the Islamic preacher Amr Khaled over the past couple of years. And I’ve known or seen a lot of people who were really touched by him. From women who have started praying and wearing the Hijab (Muslim Head Scarf) to men who have started praying and stopped their bad habits.

Even though I heard a lot of talk about him and about what he has to say and how he says it, I never really got to catch him on TV and see the show he hosts on the Iqraa channel. Not until this past week.

The first thing that struck me was how nice the guy is and how smoothly he talks. He’s nothing like other preachers who frighten people and tell them that this or that is the right thing to do or else God will punish them. In fact what he does is the complete opposite, he talks to people in a very friendly manner and explains everything in detail; showing the good sides of things and making it more a matter of the people wanting to do certain things than having to do them.

The show I saw him in is called “Life Makers”, in which he talks about Islamic values and principles, how they can help in life, their benefits, goals and reasons behind them.

I truly enjoyed the couple of episodes I saw because I like the way he presents things and the fact that he really knows what he’s talking about inside out.

Another thing I like is that he presents Islam as it truly is, a religion of peace, high values and strong principles.
He’s no radical or fundamentalist, he’s extremely moderate and what every muslim should naturally be.

For anyone who’s interested, the show is aired on Iqraa channel, both on Hotbird and on Nilesat.
Iqraa on Nilesat also provide English subtitles.

Space Ads

Alexander Lavrynov, a russian spacecraft designer, has patented a device for putting advertising into space that would be seen from Earth.

He said the satellites would be visible in the night sky by employing sunlight reflectors, with multiple satellites linked together to create a message large enough to be seen.

“Space commercials could embrace huge areas and a colossal number of consumers,” he said. “This would literally be intercontinental coverage.”

“People would be able to see writing in the skies from the Earth no worse than they see the stars,” he said.

Shit !
Now, we’ll have ads and spam wherever we go.
Whenever we look up to the sky, wishing to find a romantic full moon, we’ll be greeted with yet another viagra or organ enlargement ad.

For God’s sake, leave our skies alone !
Don’t mess up the beauty of an open dark sky and it’s scattered pearly stars.