It was an interface that launched a thousand hacks. Near trivial to program, enough I/O lines for useful work, and sufficiently fast for a multitude of applications: homebrew logic analyzers, chip programmers, LCD interfaces and LED light shows, to name a few.
Today the parallel printer port is on the brink of extinction (and good riddance, some would say). Largely rendered obsolete by USB, few (if any) new peripherals even include a parallel connector, and today’s shrinking computers — nettops, netbooks, media center PCs — wouldn’t have space for it anyway. That’s great for tidy desks, but not so…
Hack
Introduction to FTDI bitbang mode
Business
Lower deposits required for FTB mortgages
Research by Mortgageforce suggests that the average deposit needed for first-time buyers (FTBs) to secure a mortgage fell to 21.25% (of the property`s value) in August, from 25.4% in July, moneynews.co.uk reports.Katie Tucker, a spokesperson for the organisation, said that the mortgage market is likely to offer `easier terms for first-time buyers in the future due to the stability of property prices.` She added that this should lead to mortgage lenders offering more generous deals.A mortgage expert for Think Money commented: “It is important that anyone looking to take out a mortgage to buy a property thinks about whether they…
Business
Long Term Loans, Financing Your Needs and Luxuries
You open up your PIGGY BANK one fine morning hoping to buy all the glitters which u have been looking at and many things of great need but you figure out that there is not enough saving in your contingency fund. Still you need not to worry as this situation can be elbowed out if you are leading a life with some ASSETS backed. These assets help you to obtain sensible and affordable loan which you can use to fulfill your needs in easy and effective manner. To accomplish this some valuable collateral has to be placed against the desired…
Facebook
Offerpal Launches Multivariate Testing Platform For Developers
Yesterday Offerpal announced the launch of a new multivariate testing platform which helps developers optimize their virtual currency to maximize revenue and keep each application’s virtual economy more stable. Managing an overall economy isn’t easy however Offerpal hopes that this new system helps developers a bit more. They also hope developers implement the system as it helps not only the developers generate more revenue but Offerpal as well.
A number of companies have been announcing more advanced analytics and application management packages for developers over the past few weeks including Brainwave who recently launched a service for sending out notifications…
Tech Support
Powerful BI Solutions For Business Mergers
A merger occurred between two North American manufacturing companies. They were able to unite forces to bring unique value to the construction, transportation, materials handling, and agricultural industries in Canada and the United States.
This new multinational company had undergone mergers and acquisitions in the past and had several different IT systems. There were looking for ways to enable access to consolidated information to better serve customers across the globe.
Numerous mergers and acquisitions stimulated an urgent need to reconcile disparate sales and distribution models and to gain a clearer picture of business activity. Its existing systems caused redundant work…
Business
China Showers Gifts On Resources-Rich Timor
Dili’s gleaming new Presidential Palace and Foreign Ministry, gifts from China, stand in stark contrast to nearby burnt-out buildings and are symbols of how the energy-hungry superpower is growing closer to tiny, oil-rich East Timor.In the 10 years since the independence vote that led to a split from Indonesia, China has spent more than $53 million in aid to East Timor, also known as Timor Leste.While that is just a fraction of the $760 million in Australian government aid, China has raised its profile in dusty Dili in several other ways.It is building big and showing generosity such as its…
Facebook
New Facebook Application Creating Massive Volumes Of Photo Spam
The photo tagging phenomenon has officially jumped the shark on Facebook with the All my Friends! application which lets you instantly tag your friends in pre-made images. It’s not exactly a new concept but for some reason this iteration of the application has been extremely successful having attracted over 5 million users so far and growing daily.
The application could actually be a useful service but the way that ads are currently posted within the application makes us think that this app was simply developed to attract millions of users and generate a quick buck. I’ve written about these multi-user…
Business
Dr Reddy’s launches generic Starlix, shares rise
BANGALORE (Reuters) – Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd has launched a generic version of Novartis’ diabetes fighter in the United States, a spokesman for the Indian drugmaker said on Monday, sending its shares up 1.7 percent in a weak market. The company had received U.S. regulatory approval last week for nateglinide, a copycat version of Starlix, he said, but declined to give details. Brokerage Nomura said in a report Dr Reddy’s was likely to share 180-day exclusivity to sell this drug in the United States along with other generic players, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Par Pharmaceutical. Shares in Dr…
Business
Bharti, MTN reach pact on $24-bn deal
Bharti Airtel Ltd (BHARTIARTL.BO : 414.65 -7.2), India’s biggest mobile-phone company, and South Africa’s MTN Group Ltd have reached a $24-billion preliminary agreement to buy each other’s shares, the first step in a planned merger, three people familiar with the matter said. Bharti sweetened its bid to buy 49% of MTN by increasing the cash portion of its $14-billion offer, the people said, asking not to be identified before an announcement later this month. MTN, Africa’s biggest wireless company, and its shareholders are poised to acquire 33% of Bharti for about $10 billion, they said. In a note issued late…
Insurance
Choose The Best Life Insurance
Life insurance needs vary depending on your personal situation. If you have no dependents, you probably don’t need life insurance. If you don’t generate a significant percentage of your family’s income, you may not need life insurance. If your salary is important to supporting your family, paying the mortgage or other recurring bills, or sending your kids to college, life insurance is important to ensure that these financial obligations are covered in the event of your death. It’s difficult to apply a rule-of-thumb because the amount of life insurance you need depends on factors such as your other sources of…
Insurance
How To Save Money On Your Life Insurance
Life insurance, also known as life assurance and term assurance can be confusing and complicated, which is why we have put together this money saving top tips to help you find the right life insurance policy for your needs and save money in the process. If you were to die, taking out life insurance can help make sure that your family can cope with any financial burden you might leave behind such as replacing your income, paying the mortgage, paying for childcare etc. Getting the best life insurance quote for your needs is important and according from moneyfacts.co.uk these money…
Business
Hong Kong banks: Risk management, compliance top strategic imperatives
Risk management, compliance, and cost management are top strategic imperatives for Hong Kong banks in the next 12 months, said IDC that had a closed-door session with 12 technology leaders from key banks headquartered out of Hong Kong recently for a discussion on critical business, operational, and technology related issues impacting their businesses. These imperatives are rated higher than others such as expansion into other markets, operational efficiencies, and customer experience improvement, according to the research house. “Hong Kong is easing back into a recovery mode, but wary of the fragility of the economic situation, bankers are placing concerted efforts…
