The End of Facebook - March 15, 2011?

WeeklyWorldyNews:

PALO ALTO, CA –Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will be shut down in March. Managing the site has become too stressful.

“Facebook has gotten out of control,” said Zuckerberg in a press conference outside his Palo Alto office, “and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness.”

Zuckerberg went on to explain that starting March 15th, users will no longer be able to access their Facebook accounts.

“After March 15th the whole website shuts down,” said Avrat Humarthi, Vice President of Technical Affairs at Facebook. “So if you ever want to see your pictures again, I recommend you take them off the internet. You won’t be able to get them back once Facebook goes out of business.”

Zuckerberg said that the decision to shut down Facebook was difficult, but that he does not think people will be upset.

“I personally don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said in a private phone interview. “And to be honest, I think it’s for the better. Without Facebook, people will have to go outside and make real friends. That’s always a good thing.”

Some Facebook users were furious upon hearing the shocking news.

“What am I going to do without Facebook?” said Denise Bradshaw, a high school student from Indiana. “My life revolves around it. I’m on Facebook at least 10 hours a day. Now what am I going to do with all that free time?”

However, parents across the country have been experiencing a long anticipated sense of relief.

“I’m glad the Facebook nightmare is over,” said Jon Guttari, a single parent from Detroit. “Now my teenager’s face won’t be glued to a computer screen all day. Maybe I can even have a conversation with her.”

Those in the financial circuit are criticizing Zuckerberg for walking away from a multibillion dollar franchise. Facebook is currently ranked as one of the wealthiest businesses in the world, with economists estimating its value at around 7.9 billion.

But Zuckerberg remains unruffled by these accusations. He says he will stand by his decision to give Facebook the axe.

“I don’t care about the money,” said Zuckerberg. “I just want my old life back.”

The Facebook Corporation suggests that users remove all of their personal information from the website before March 15th. After that date, all photos, notes, links, and videos will be permanently erased.

Could this be true? I doubt it.

Here's what the people at Liquida has to say about it:

"It's a rumor based on a fictitious, satirical story published on WeeklyWorldNews.com, a tabloid-style website (and formerly a weekly newspaper) best known for such past scoops as 'Alien Spaceships to Attack Earth in 2011' and 'Megan Fox Is a Man.' It isn't news. It barely even qualifies as a rumor...."

To Print or Not to Print - The Latter's Not An Option

I was giving my sister's boyfriend a big favor last night. The two of them are currently on vacation, and won't be back until the 28th. They're both taking MBA, and my sister's bf needs to submit a paper today. But since they're currently miles away from here, he sent me the file through email, and asked me to print everything - all 51 pages! =O Moreover, I had to give the document to his secretary the following day (that's this morning), so the secretary could hand it over to the university instructor.

51 pages... having to wake up real early in the morning... these two I could handle. But the thought of printing everything using my printer, with it's newly-bought ink - that's what drives me crazy. When my sister and I agreed to share my printer for her thesis, she volunteered to buy the ink. I'm using the Epson C45 Printer - it's not the high-end type, but it works. hehe I've had it since... *I can't remember*... and ever since I bought it, I've always used original Epson ink cartridges. I don't do refill, and I don't use replacements. When my sister used it... Yup! You guessed it right. She bought a replacement. She said, the original ones weren't available, so they bought those cheap ones. And the ink smellsssssss!! Whenever we print things, we have to air out the room so we could breathe. =/ And I heard replacements or refilled cartridges can very well trigger technical problems. Bottom line is, take it from me, don't buy replacements. It's for your printer's health, and yours.

P.S. I managed to print everything, and I came out alive. :)

My Phone Is Dying

The Nokia N80. I've had this phone since January of 2006. By the time I bought it, it was the latest in the N-series, and it used to costs a lot (i paid around $565). But I guess it's nearing it's death now, and it's price have depreciated big time. =/

Days ago, the earpiece failed to work; I couldn't hear the callers, I had to plug in a headset. Nobody knows what triggered the 'disability'. Last night, the display started to fade away. Whenever I slide open/close my phone, the display or screen turns white, and fortunately comes back after a few seconds. But I know the display would eventually die out.

I guess it has something to do with the flex - the insulated wires in between the two parts. I'd have to have it repaired soon, or I'd probably need to buy a new phone. And this time, I think I might just go for the box-type designs, no more slide-up/slide-down/clam shell/rotary or whatsoever designs for me. *sigh* and it's not even on the budget.

On the brighter side, it has been 3 years (almost), and it did serve me well.

Update: (10/24/08) I had my phone repaired. Yup, the flex was the culprit for everything. I had it replaced, paid around $20 for the flex and service cost, and now it's A-okay!! :D

Photo courtesy of phonescoop.com

The Vehicle of the Future?

Meet the Aptera Typ-1 model - a vehicle designed for economy and efficiency. At first look, it could easily be mistaken for a miniature airplane or an alien spacecraft - but nope, it doesn't fly. And it isn't a car, either. Due to it's built (it's 3-wheeled) and it's weight, it is registered as a motorcycle - but this time, there's no need for a helmet. ;)

It might look tiny, but it can comfortably accomodate someone as tall as 6'5"! It has a "two-plus-one" capacity - driver, front passenger, and an infant seat (newborn to age 3) in the middle behind the front seating. The manufacturer claims there is enough storage space to fit 15 bags of groceries, two full-size golf club bags or even a couple of seven foot surf boards. Hmm.. but what if a family has 4 or more members... Do they need to buy two? The maker said future plans may include 4-seat models.

More features and specs:

• The Aptera's composite safety cage is similar to Formula-1 cars - "Eyes Forward" vision system with 180 degree rear sight picture displayed in the driver's field of view to enhance situational awareness
• Stability: It features traction control, a low center of gravity and a wide track width which makes for a very stable platform
• Driver and passenger Airbags
• Skin: Monocoque construction or structural skin provides 360 degree protection for the occupants. Monocoque construction was first widely used in the aircraft industry, starting in the 1930's. - so that's why it looks like an airplane...
• Speed: Top speed for the production model exceeds 85 mph, going from 0-60 in under 10 seconds.
• GPS navigation, CD/MP3/DVD player, Large View Rear Camera, and complete vehicle diagnostic system
• Charging time: Typical time would be 2 to 4 hours.
• LED interior and exterior lighting for maximum energy efficiency
• Solar assisted Climate Control System so you always enter a comfortable Aptera that is never too hot or cold
• Color: White - for keeping your Aptera cool in the summer and it makes the vehicle very identifiable at night which is an added safety feature, but, different colors might be produced in the future
• Gasoline engine
• Cup holders
• The windows can be opened.

With just a small deposit of $500, you can already reserve for one. Their goal is to begin production of the all-electric late this year and the hybrid in late 2009.The approximate price for the all electric version is $27,000 and the plug-in hybrid is $30,000. But initially, this is only made available in California, as they have not set up maintenance centers in other states yet, nor in any other countries.

Oh, and in case your wondering what happens when an 18-wheeler truck passes the Aptera? The manufacturer stated the aerodynamic shape allows air to slip seamlessly over the vehicle body, such that there is no effect when a large vehicle passes by. The thought of it is scary, though... It could get squashed if the truck driver can't see it from high up in his seat.

Read more about the Aptera and it's first traffic-stopping drive in NYC at the Popular Mechanics blog - October 15, 2008 entry.