Financial Markets (ECON 252) Professor Shiller provides a description of the course, Financial Markets, including administrative details and the topics to be discussed in each lecture. He briefly discusses the importance of studying finance and each key topic. Lecture topics will include: behavioral finance, financial technology, financial instruments, commercial banking, investment banking, financial markets and institutions, real estate, regulation, monetary policy, and democratization of finance. Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Spring 2008.
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Joe Knight, coauthor of the Financial Intelligence series, gives you a crash course in reading the numbers.
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There are several common file system or drives errors. They might happen during system boot up, log in or when you try to access a drive. You would normally receive the following error messages:

• Missing Operating System
• No ROM Basic – System Halted
• Boot Error Press F1 to Retry
• Invalid Drive Specification
• Invalid Media Type
• Hark Disk Controller Failure

Missing Operating System

This error indicates problems in the master boot record or partition table entries. You receive this error as the partition table entries are pointing to a sector that is not the actual beginning of a partition. This can also be attributed to invalid BIOS settings, in some cases resulting from a dead or dying battery. You will get this error when MBR is damaged by virus. The trouble occurs for the reason that there is no active partition found in the partition table.

You can solve this problem by correcting the invalid BIOS settings. The BIOS settings for drive parameters and LBA translation must be set to the same values as when the drive was partitioned and formatted to read the drive correctly. If the MBR on a FAT drive is damaged or virus infected, you can try FDISK/MBR to repair it. Use FIXMBR with a NTFS drive. More sophisticated disk problem require disk recovering tool or repartitioning and reformatting the drive.

No ROM Basic – System Halted

This error is generated by the AMI BIOS when the boot sector or master boot record of the boot drive is damaged or missing. This error also can occur if the boot device has been improperly configured or is not configured at all in the BIOS. In this case, although bootable partition does not exist the data in the partition may still be valid and undamaged.

IBM systems in this situation used to drop into a built-in BIOS version of BASIC, but most non-IBM BIOS manufacturers did not license this code from Microsoft. so, they would display this cryptic massage instead of dropping into BASIC. The typical solution to this problem is to run FDISK and set the primary partition as active because the most common cause of this type of error is a failure to set at least one partition as active (bootable). If this is not the problem, the solution is to repair the damaged MBR or correct the improper BIOS settings.

Boot Error Press F1 to Retry

when the hard disk is missing a master boot record or boot sector or when there is a problem accessing the boot drive, you may get this error, which is generated by the Phoenix BIOS. This has the same meaning as NO ROM Basic does on an AMI BIOS. The most common cause of this message is having no partitions defined as active (bootable).

Invalid Drive Specification

This error occurs when you attempt to log in to a drive that has not been partitioned or for which the partition table entry has been damaged or is incorrect. Use FDISK to partition the drive or to check out the existing partitions. You should probably make use of a data recovery tool such as REMO to correct the problem if the partitions are damaged.

REMO is a Mac Recover Software that could also be used for Mac file Recovery. It could recover data on a failed hard drive and recover formatted memory card. It could also be used on Windows.

Another solution is to repartition the drive from scratch, but this causes any existing data on the drive to be overwritten.

Invalid Media Type

This indicates the partition table is valid, but the volume boot sector, directory, or file allocation tables are corrupt, damaged, or not yet initialized. For example, you would receive this error if you tried to access a drive that had been partitioned but not yet formatted. The format command is what creates the volume boot record (VBR), file allocation tables, and directories on the disk.

A data recover utility is required to solve this problem. Another solution could be redoing the high-level format on the drive. High-level formatting does not actually destroy the data. You can recover the data by first doing the high-level format (OS Format) the volume and then immediately unformatting it using the unformat utility.

Hard disk controller Failure

This message indicates the hard disk controller has failed, the hard disk controller is not set up properly in the BIOS, or the controller can not communicate with the attached drives (such as cable problems).

The solution is to look into the drive installation and make sure that the cables to the drive are properly installed, the drive is receiving power, it is spinning, and the BIOS setup definitions are correct. If all these are correct, the drive, cable, or controller could be physically damaged. Substitute them with know-good spares one at a time until the issue is resolved.

Recovery data from flash memory devices such as USB keychain drives and card used in the digital cameras and digital music players come be a challenging task. From a user point of view, these devices are similar to the conventional disk drives. They have file allocation tables similar to those found on floppy disks and can usually be formatted through the Windows Explorer. Many data recovery programs are not able to recover data from these drives, especially when the devices have been formatted, even though these programs work well with conventional drives.

Data loss can happen with a flash memory devices under several circumstances. Formatting of the media when the device is connected to the computer through a card reader can cause data loss. When the device is inserted into a digital camera, deletion of one or more photos or files can cause data loss. When photos are deleted, the file locations and name listings in the file allocation tables are changed in the same way as when file are deleted from magnetic media: The operating system marks the file as deleted and changes the first character of the filename to a lowercase sigma. Just as with magnetic media, undelete programs that support removable devices can be used to retrieve deleted files on flash memory devices in the same way that they retrieve deleted files from magnetic media.

However it is much more difficult to recover data from a formatted flash memory device, whether it has been formatted by a digital camera or through Windows. Because the flash memory devices are accessible only from within the Windows GUI and command-line programs are designed to work with BIOS-compatible devices such hard and floppy drives, traditional unformat programs are not useful for cases like these.

Formatted Data Recovery

You can use data recovery tools, for instance REMO Recover, if you want to recover data from a formatted flash memory card. REMO Recover (Windows) is an integrated utility suit that can be used to retrieve data from hard drive and flash memory card.. It also come with features such as email backup. It could be used to fix corrupt pst as well.

A few nice Regional images I found:

Te Rau Puriri Regional Park, South Kaipara Peninsula, Rodney, New Zealand


Image by Sandy Austin
Te Rau Puriri is a 247 hectare property at South Head on the South Kaipara Peninsula. It is an hour’s drive from west Auckland and about 80 minutes from central Auckland. The latest addition to the Auckland Regional Council parks, it is currently operating as a farm, with extensive walking tracks and includes Lake Ototoa which is the best fresh water lake in the Auckland district

Regional 6710, Tojal, 2005.03.03


Image by nmorao
Tipo: Comboio Regional 6710 [Évora - Casa Branca]
Local: Tojal [Linha de Évora, PK 102]
Data e hora: 3 de Março de 2005 [13h27]
Material: Automotora 01xx [Unidade Simples Diesel - Nohab]

The following changes occur to the disk when a file is deleted:

• The first character of the filename would be replaced with a lowercase sigma character.
• Two entries, one for the deleted file and one for its associated long file name (LFN) are created in file allocation table. These include:
• Erased. An erased file
• Del LFN. An LFN belonging to an erased file.

The operating system will image the clusters in which the file is stored are available for reuse. Therefore, these clusters might be overwritten by new data if the undelete action is not carried out instantly. Based on the file type, the file can be destroyed even when just one cluster is overwritten.

File Undelete:

The file undelete process involves four steps:

• Restoring the original filename
• Finding the clusters used by the file
• Recreating the FAT entries for the file
• Relinking the LFN enteries for the file to the file

Of these four steps, the most critical are locating the clusters used by the file and recreating the FAT entries for the file. However restoring a deleted program file to its original name is necessary. Or else the program would not function properly. Restoring the LFN entries enables a Windows users accustomed to long filenames to more easily use the file.

How to Recover Data

If you want to undelete the file, you can use data recovery tools for instance REMO Recover. REMO Recover (Windows) is an integrated utility suit that could be used to retrieve deleted files. Additionally , it has email recovery feature that could be used to recover outlook emails.

Recovering lost data can be as simple as opening the Window’s Recycle bin, or it might require spending a lot of money on specialized data recovery software or services. In the worst case scenario, you might even have to deliver your hard drive to data recovery center. Below are the factors that change the degree of difficulty you can have in recovering your data:

• In what way the data is deleted.
• What is the file system of the hard drive?
• Whether the drive uses magnetic, optical, magneto-optical, or flash memory to store data.
• Which operating system is used?
• Is there any data protection software installed?
• Whether the drive has suffered from physical damage to heads, platters, or its circuit board.

The Windows Recycle Bin

When you delete a file in the Windows, it is deleted from its normal location and it is sent to Recycle bin. Windows reserves about 1% of hard drive space for Recycle bin and whatever is sent to the Recycle bin is actually protected from being overwritten by the system. However, when deleted file exceeds the capacity of Recycle bin, windows will overwrite the older files in Recycle bin. As a result, you are more likely to retrieve the file if you discover it has been sent to Recycle bin accidentally. To retrieve a file from Recycle bin, open the Recycle bin, select the file, right click it and select Restore. Windows will list the file in its original location and removes it from the Recycle bin. If a file is deleted when you hold down the Shift key, the Recycle bin is bypassed. In this case, the data recovery software is need to retrieve the lost data.

Recover Files that Are Not in the Recycle Bin

The Recycle is a good first line of defense when it comes to data recovery. However it can be bypassed and it does not keep the deleted files forever. You have to use data recovery software, such as REMO Recover, if you want to retrieve files that are not in the Recycle bin. REMO Recover (Windows) is an integrated utility suit for windows and Mac that offers many features which include deleted partition recovery and laptop hard drive recovery. It is also en email recovery software which would recover the lost e-mails.

Recovering Data from Partitioned and Formatted Drives

When a hard disk, floppy disk, or removable-media drive has been formatted, its file allocation table, which is used to determine the location of the files, is lost. If a hard drive has been repartitioned with FDISK or another partitioning program, the original file system and partition information is lost. In such cases, more powerful data recovery tools much be used to retrieve data. To retrieve data from an accidentally formatted drive, you have two options:

• use a program that can unformat the drive
• use a program that can bypass the newly created FAT and browse disk sectors directly to discover and retrieve data.

To retrieve data from a drive which has been partitioned, you must make use of a program that will read disk sector directly.

Check out these Shopping images:

Worn tires on locomotive wheels are refaced on this machine in the wheel shop of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, Chicago, Ill. (LOC)


Image by The Library of Congress
Delano, Jack,, photographer.

Worn tires on locomotive wheels are refaced on this machine in the wheel shop of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, Chicago, Ill.

1942 Dec.

1 transparency : color.

Notes:
Identified as 40th Street shops by the source: Flickr Commons project, 2008. Removed notes about Proviso Yards and Melrose Park.
Title from FSA or OWI agency caption.
Transfer from U.S. Office of War Information, 1944.

Subjects:
Chicago and North Western Railway Company
World War, 1939-1945
Tires
Railroad shops & yards
United States–Illinois–Chicago

Format: Transparencies–Color

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Part Of: Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Collection 12002-1 (DLC) 93845501

General information about the FSA/OWI Color Photographs is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsac

Persistent URL: hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsac.1a34605

Call Number: LC-USW36-511

Shoe shopping really is a tough exercise for Sarah. Years of shunning girlyness really comes back to haunt you when presented with those ridiculously small sandal buckles.


Image by colorblindPICASO
I know I complain about all the comic book posters, but it could be worse. Shoe, purse, and clothes shopping could be a bigger part of our lives. Yeah… I’ll take her.=)

A young worker at the C & NW RR 40th Street shops, Chicago, Ill. (LOC)


Image by The Library of Congress
Delano, Jack,, photographer.

A young worker at the C & NW RR 40th Street shops, Chicago, Ill.

1942 Dec.

1 transparency : color.

Notes:
Identification of 40th Street shops confirmed by the source: Flickr Commons project, 2008. Removed notes about Proviso Yards and Melrose Park.
Title from FSA or OWI agency caption.
Transfer from U.S. Office of War Information, 1944.

Subjects:
Chicago and North Western Railway Company
World War, 1939-1945
Railroad employees
Railroad shops & yards
United States–Illinois–Chicago

Format: Transparencies–Color

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Part Of: Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Collection 12002-1 (DLC) 93845501

General information about the FSA/OWI Color Photographs is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsac

Persistent URL: hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsac.1a34599

Call Number: LC-USW36-505

As a result of development of web-based graphics technologies including Flash and Java, gamers are now able to play online games using a browser. There are numerous free browser games available on the net. These browser games, sometimes known as flash games or java games, become increasingly popular amongst younger generation of online gamers. Of all the games available, many gamers enjoy playing online war games because they are full of war strategies and action. In War games, ones may become a general or soldier and win the war by using smart strategies.

Best online war games are listed below:

Warfare 1917

ConArtist is the creator of Warfare 1917.. You can choose to be the leader of allied or German forces in the game. The game has various options which include armor, infantry, and fire support. You can command your army through a campaign-style series of levels. You are rewarded with research point for each level you have completed. These research points can be used to upgrade your equipment and the strength of your army. The research should be used widely as they are critical for winning the game. There are two ways to win the games, force your enemy into submission using brute force or bring down the enemy moral for them to surrender.

Mud and Blood 2

Mud and Blood 2 is a WWII-themed RTS game that comes with many options. In this game, you lead a small squad of soldiers with the task of stopping enemies penetrating your ground at all cost. You will start out with a small fund of tactical points which can be used on options such as bringing in more reinforcements, raising the morale of your soldiers, buying new and better weapons, improving radio communications and so on. There are several gameplay modes available for higher rank officer. You can unlock these modes once you go higher in rank.

SteamBirds

SteamBirds is an aerial-dogfighting action or strategy game. It is a game developed by Andy Moore, Daniel Cook, and DannyB. A squadron of fighter plane will be given to gamer at the start of the game and gamer has to defeat enemies planes without getting shot down. The game has a very simple and easy control system. The difficulty level picks up as you play. You may encounter tricky boss fights along the way.

Battle Gear 2

Battle Gear 2 is a combination of the board game Risk and RTS flash games. Battle Gear 2 is a complicated but fun online war game. Because of its complexity, this game is going to offer gamer, whether a beginner or experienced gamer, a pretty decent challenge. The goal of the game is simple – either protect your base and troops when some you are under attack or destroy enemy base and troops when you are attacking. You would loose the game if your base is destroyed.

Art of War 2

Art of War 2 is a dynamic WWII game. Surviving every wave of attack will lead you to the victory. If you let an enemy get pass you, you would loose the game. The game character’s movement is controlled by arrow keys. You can call for reinforcement by clicking the menu items. You use the A key to shoot and S key to throw grenades.

Finance Bill passed by Dáil
The Finance Bill has been passed in the Dáil this afternoon and will now go to the Seanad for approval.
Read more on The Irish Times

Finance Bill passes by comfortable majority
SEANAD ÉIREANN will debate the Finance Bill today and tomorrow after the Dáil passed the controversial legislation by a comfortable 81 votes to 76.
Read more on The Irish Times

Finance Bill passes all stages in Dáil
The Finance Bill has passed all stages in the Dáil after the Government won the vote on the report and final stages by 81 votes to 76.
Read more on RTE News

The total downloads of Angry Birds game has exceeded 60 millions this year. It is one of the most sought after games on the iTunes App Store. Its success is undoubtedly well deserved as it has hit the top spot on several occasions. One thing that has led to the game taking over the lives of a large amount of devoted fans is the awesome depth the game provides. One of those layers of depth lies within the unlockable levels that players can get by uncovering hidden Golden Eggs scattered around the game worlds.

The golden eggs allow players to gain access to a lot of cool bonuses. They may range from extra, super weird levels, generally filled with a huge amount of pigs or sometimes even big physics puzzles that you need to solve. Once you have reached the criteria for the game to know you have beaten it you’ll then be rewarded with a star and the level will appear marked as completed.

The location of the Golden Eggs in Angry Birds is sometimes obvious. Some of them can be hard to find. They may be hidden within anything from random items within the game to sitting all of the way by means of the credits. So power up your new iPhone 4, iPad or Android phone and let’s take a look at these eggs and find out where they are.

Angry Birds Golden Eggs Locations

These tips will show you where to locate angry birds eggs in the game:

Angry Birds Golden Egg #1: Click the Credits button in the major menu and view it until the end. When the golden egg appears, simply touch it.

Golden Egg #2: From the Levels menu, touch the sun setting in the background.

Golden Egg #3: Simply click the Pause button during gameplay and watch the video of the white, egg-laying birds.

Golden Egg #4: On every of the first 3 level sets, max out your stars.

Golden Egg #5: Max out your stars on the last two level sets.

Golden Egg #6: In level 1-8, golden egg is hidden in the barricaded treasure chest. Touch it and you will find one.

Golden Egg #7: In level 2-2, eliminate the beach ball during gameplay.

Golden Egg #8: In level 4-7, pan all the way out and look for the hidden yellow bird. A golden egg will appear once you hit the bird.

Golden Egg #9: In level 5-19, pan all of the way out and look above the make-shift rocket. Another golden egg will be shown once you touch it.

Golden Egg #10: In level 6-14, there is a balloon floating under the level of the platform where all pigs are on. You may see it at the far right of the screen. You need to make use of the new Boomerang Bird in order to get it. Launch and activate the boomerang so it swings around and hits the balloon.

Golden Egg #11: On the 8th level set, go to the far appropriate and continue to keep pulling the screen to the left. You will eventually see a golden egg poke out. Pull the screen far sufficient that the egg is fully uncovered and you’ll obtain it.